Clustering Financial Time Series by Network Community Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piccardi, Carlo; Calatroni, Lisa; Bertoni, Fabio

In this paper, we describe a method for clustering financial time series which is based on community analysis, a recently developed approach for partitioning the nodes of a network (graph). A network with N nodes is associated to the set of N time series. The weight of the link (i, j), which quantifies the similarity between the two corresponding time series, is defined according to a metric based on symbolic time series analysis, which has recently proved effective in the context of financial time series. Then, searching for network communities allows one to identify groups of nodes (and then time series) with strong similarity. A quantitative assessment of the significance of the obtained partition is also provided. The method is applied to two distinct case-studies concerning the US and Italy Stock Exchange, respectively. In the US case, the stability of the partitions over time is also thoroughly investigated. The results favorably compare with those obtained with the standard tools typically used for clustering financial time series, such as the minimal spanning tree and the hierarchical tree.

Goal-Setting: Guidelines for Diagnosis and Rehabilitation Program Development: Trainer's Guide. Advanced Facilitative Case Management Series, Training Package II.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roessler, Richard T.; Rubin, Stanford E.

This guide is the introductory volume for the second in a series of instructor-assisted training modules for rehabilitation counselors, supervisors, and graduate students. This trainer's guide for the second module focuses on the counseling skills needed for rehabilitation of the severely disabled and provides the trainer with the information and…

Case Studies Comparing System Advisor Model (SAM) Results to Real Performance Data: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blair, N.; Dobos, A.; Sather, N.

2012-06-01

NREL has completed a series of detailed case studies comparing the simulations of the System Advisor Model (SAM) and measured performance data or published performance expectations. These case studies compare PV measured performance data with simulated performance data using appropriate weather data. The measured data sets were primarily taken from NREL onsite PV systems and weather monitoring stations.

Ischemic Gastritis: A Multicenter Case Series of a Rare Clinical Entity and a Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Elwir, Saleh; Shaukat, Aasma; Mesa, Hector; Colbach, Christine; Dambowy, Paul; Shaw, Michael

2016-10-01

To report a case series of ischemic gastritis and discuss its etiology, management, and associated mortality according to our results and the published English literature. Ischemic gastritis is rare, given the rich blood supply of the stomach. It has been reported in isolated case reports and small case series. Most cases are vascular in origin and associated with a high mortality. Pathology databases from 3 hospitals affiliated with the University of Minnesota Medical School were searched for cases of ischemic gastritis in the last 10 years. Patients' demographics, clinical course, and 1-month and 1-year mortalities were collected from electronic medical records. A total of 12 patients were identified (age range, 32.1 to 83.2), the largest series reported to date. The presenting symptom was gastrointestinal bleeding (8), abdominal pain (2), nausea (1), and symptomatic anemia (1). The etiology included postinterventional radiology embolization (2), hemodynamic changes in the setting of celiac axis stenosis (2), vasculitis (1), systemic hypotension (1), and unknown (6). Treatment included steroid therapy, revascularization by interventional radiology, surgery, or supportive treatment. Thirty-day and 1-year mortalities were 33% and 41%, respectively. Ischemic gastritis is rare, but associated with a high mortality. Evaluation for treatable etiologies should be sought and corrected if present.

Household Resources and Their Changing Relationships: Case Studies in Gujarat, India. International Agriculture Publications General Series Number 3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Magrabi, Frances M., Ed.; Verma, Amita, Ed.

This publication contains case studies based on rural life in northern India. The titles include: (1) "Profiles of Two Indian Rural Settings"; (2) "Visitors View a Village"; (3) "Village Households"; (4) "Agriculture"; (5) "Women's Needs: Health and Nutrition"; (6) "Meal Pattern, Nutrient…

Law enforcement-applied tourniquets: a case series of life-saving interventions.

PubMed

Callaway, David W; Robertson, Joshua; Sztajnkrycer, Matthew D

2015-01-01

Although the epidemiology of civilian trauma is distinct from that encountered in combat, in both settings, extremity hemorrhage remains a major preventable cause of potential mortality. The current paper describes the largest case series in the literature in which police officers arriving prior to emergency medical services applied commercially available field tourniquets to civilian victims of violent trauma. Although all 3 patients with vascular injury arrived at the receiving emergency department in extremis, they were successfully resuscitated and survived to discharge without major morbidity. While this outcome is likely multifactorial and highlights the exceptional care delivered by the modern trauma system, tourniquet application appears to have kept critically injured patients alive long enough to reach definitive trauma care. No patient had a tourniquet-related complication. This case series suggests that law enforcement officers can effectively identify indications for tourniquets and rapidly apply such life-saving interventions.

Evaluation of a collaborative model: a case study analysis of watershed planning in the intermountain west

Treesearch

Gary Bentrup

2001-01-01

Collaborative planning processes have become increasingly popular for addressing environmental planning issues, resulting in a number of conceptual models for collaboration. A model proposed by Selin and Chavez suggests that collaboration emerges from a series of antecedents and then proceeds sequentially through problem-setting, direction-setting, implementation, and...

The versatility of intraosseous vascular access in perioperative medicine: a case series.

PubMed

Anson, Jonathan A; Sinz, Elizabeth H; Swick, John T

2015-02-01

Intraosseous vascular access is a time-tested procedure that is reemerging in popularity. This is primarily a result of the emphasis on intraosseous access in the American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Modern intraosseous insertion devices are easy to learn and use, suggesting the possibility of use beyond the resuscitation setting. We present a case series of recent intraosseous insertions for a variety of indications by anesthesiologists at our institution to demonstrate the potential utility of this alternative access technique. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Repetitive deliberate fires: Development and validation of a methodology to detect series.

PubMed

Bruenisholz, Eva; Delémont, Olivier; Ribaux, Olivier; Wilson-Wilde, Linzi

2017-08-01

The detection of repetitive deliberate fire events is challenging and still often ineffective due to a case-by-case approach. A previous study provided a critical review of the situation and analysis of the main challenges. This study suggested that the intelligence process, integrating forensic data, could be a valid framework to provide a follow-up and systematic analysis provided it is adapted to the specificities of repetitive deliberate fires. In this current manuscript, a specific methodology to detect deliberate fires series, i.e. set by the same perpetrators, is presented and validated. It is based on case profiles relying on specific elements previously identified. The method was validated using a dataset of approximately 8000 deliberate fire events collected over 12 years in a Swiss state. Twenty possible series were detected, including 6 of 9 known series. These results are very promising and lead the way to a systematic implementation of this methodology in an intelligence framework, whilst demonstrating the need and benefit of increasing the collection of forensic specific information to strengthen the value of links between cases. Crown Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Strange Fish Indeed: The "Discovery" of a Living Fossil

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Robert H.

2005-01-01

Through a series of fictionalized diary entries based on Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer's own writings, this case recounts the "discovery" in South Africa in 1938 of a fish believed to be extinct for over 70 million years. The case was developed for use in an introductory freshman biology course. In this setting, it could be used as a…

A discrete scattering series representation for lattice embedded models of chain cyclization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fraser, Simon J.; Winnik, Mitchell A.

1980-01-01

In this paper we develop a lattice based model of chain cyclization in the presence of a set of occupied sites V in the lattice. We show that within the approximation of a Markovian chain propagator the effect of V on the partition function for the system can be written as a time-ordered exponential series in which V behaves like a scattering potential and chainlength is the timelike parameter. The discrete and finite nature of this model allows us to obtain rigorous upper and lower bounds to the series limit. We adapt these formulas to calculation of the partition functions and cyclization probabilities of terminally and globally cyclizing chains. Two classes of cyclization are considered: in the first model the target set H may be visited repeatedly (the Markovian model); in the second case vertices in H may be visited at most once(the non-Markovian or taboo model). This formulation depends on two fundamental combinatorial structures, namely the inclusion-exclusion principle and the set of subsets of a set. We have tried to interpret these abstract structures with physical analogies throughout the paper.

Do regional methods really help reduce uncertainties in flood frequency analyses?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cong Nguyen, Chi; Payrastre, Olivier; Gaume, Eric

2013-04-01

Flood frequency analyses are often based on continuous measured series at gauge sites. However, the length of the available data sets is usually too short to provide reliable estimates of extreme design floods. To reduce the estimation uncertainties, the analyzed data sets have to be extended either in time, making use of historical and paleoflood data, or in space, merging data sets considered as statistically homogeneous to build large regional data samples. Nevertheless, the advantage of the regional analyses, the important increase of the size of the studied data sets, may be counterbalanced by the possible heterogeneities of the merged sets. The application and comparison of four different flood frequency analysis methods to two regions affected by flash floods in the south of France (Ardèche and Var) illustrates how this balance between the number of records and possible heterogeneities plays in real-world applications. The four tested methods are: (1) a local statistical analysis based on the existing series of measured discharges, (2) a local analysis valuating the existing information on historical floods, (3) a standard regional flood frequency analysis based on existing measured series at gauged sites and (4) a modified regional analysis including estimated extreme peak discharges at ungauged sites. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to simulate a large number of discharge series with characteristics similar to the observed ones (type of statistical distributions, number of sites and records) to evaluate to which extent the results obtained on these case studies can be generalized. These two case studies indicate that even small statistical heterogeneities, which are not detected by the standard homogeneity tests implemented in regional flood frequency studies, may drastically limit the usefulness of such approaches. On the other hand, these result show that the valuation of information on extreme events, either historical flood events at gauged sites or estimated extremes at ungauged sites in the considered region, is an efficient way to reduce uncertainties in flood frequency studies.

Information mining over heterogeneous and high-dimensional time-series data in clinical trials databases.

PubMed

Altiparmak, Fatih; Ferhatosmanoglu, Hakan; Erdal, Selnur; Trost, Donald C

2006-04-01

An effective analysis of clinical trials data involves analyzing different types of data such as heterogeneous and high dimensional time series data. The current time series analysis methods generally assume that the series at hand have sufficient length to apply statistical techniques to them. Other ideal case assumptions are that data are collected in equal length intervals, and while comparing time series, the lengths are usually expected to be equal to each other. However, these assumptions are not valid for many real data sets, especially for the clinical trials data sets. An addition, the data sources are different from each other, the data are heterogeneous, and the sensitivity of the experiments varies by the source. Approaches for mining time series data need to be revisited, keeping the wide range of requirements in mind. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for information mining that involves two major steps: applying a data mining algorithm over homogeneous subsets of data, and identifying common or distinct patterns over the information gathered in the first step. Our approach is implemented specifically for heterogeneous and high dimensional time series clinical trials data. Using this framework, we propose a new way of utilizing frequent itemset mining, as well as clustering and declustering techniques with novel distance metrics for measuring similarity between time series data. By clustering the data, we find groups of analytes (substances in blood) that are most strongly correlated. Most of these relationships already known are verified by the clinical panels, and, in addition, we identify novel groups that need further biomedical analysis. A slight modification to our algorithm results an effective declustering of high dimensional time series data, which is then used for "feature selection." Using industry-sponsored clinical trials data sets, we are able to identify a small set of analytes that effectively models the state of normal health.

Transferring Learning to the Workplace. Seventeen Case Studies from the Real World of Training. In Action Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Broad, Mary L., Ed.

Organized in three parts, this book contains an introductory chapter and 17 case studies selected to show transfer applications in a wide range of organizational settings. In part 1, two chapters review the rationale, context, and research relating to transfer: "Transfer Concepts and Research Overview" (Mary Broad); and "Success Factors in…

The Gaussian Graphical Model in Cross-Sectional and Time-Series Data.

PubMed

Epskamp, Sacha; Waldorp, Lourens J; Mõttus, René; Borsboom, Denny

2018-04-16

We discuss the Gaussian graphical model (GGM; an undirected network of partial correlation coefficients) and detail its utility as an exploratory data analysis tool. The GGM shows which variables predict one-another, allows for sparse modeling of covariance structures, and may highlight potential causal relationships between observed variables. We describe the utility in three kinds of psychological data sets: data sets in which consecutive cases are assumed independent (e.g., cross-sectional data), temporally ordered data sets (e.g., n = 1 time series), and a mixture of the 2 (e.g., n > 1 time series). In time-series analysis, the GGM can be used to model the residual structure of a vector-autoregression analysis (VAR), also termed graphical VAR. Two network models can then be obtained: a temporal network and a contemporaneous network. When analyzing data from multiple subjects, a GGM can also be formed on the covariance structure of stationary means-the between-subjects network. We discuss the interpretation of these models and propose estimation methods to obtain these networks, which we implement in the R packages graphicalVAR and mlVAR. The methods are showcased in two empirical examples, and simulation studies on these methods are included in the supplementary materials.

Self-limited coeliac-like enteropathy: a series of 18 cases highlighting another coeliac disease mimic.

PubMed

Brown, Ian S; Bettington, Andrew; Bettington, Mark; Rosty, Christophe

2016-01-01

To describe the clinical and pathological features of a series of patients with biopsy findings of a coeliac disease-like enteropathy in the setting of an acute illness. Eighteen cases of an abrupt-onset, self-limited illness with coeliac-like enteropathy (SLCE) were collected prospectively. Medication reaction, immune disorder, food allergy and parasitic infection were excluded. Coeliac disease was excluded by the transient nature of the illness and absence of tissue transglutaminase (TTG) elevation (nine of nine) or human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2/DQ8 haplotype (eight of nine). Clinical symptoms were recorded and histopathological findings in all gastrointestinal sites were quantified. Findings in the duodenum were compared to a coeliac disease control group. In 12 cases the clinical diagnosis was infective enteritis, probably viral in type. In six cases, a definite diagnosis was not established. Histological differences from coeliac disease included intra-epithelial neutrophil infiltration (P < 0.001), fewer intra-epithelial lymphocytes (P = 0.038) and uniform or crypt predominant intra-epithelial lymphocytosis in SCLE. One case displayed pan-gastrointestinal tract lymphocytosis. All resolved within 6 months. Histopathologists need to be aware that a coeliac disease-like enteropathy may occur in the setting of an acute gastrointestinal illness and resolve without sequelae. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Workforce Skills Development and Engagement in Training through Skill Sets. NCVER Monograph Series 11/2012

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mills, John; Crean, David; Ranshaw, Danielle; Bowman, Kaye

2012-01-01

There has been some debate over whether skill sets have the capacity to be part of a more flexible skilling solution, one in which vocational education and training (VET) in Australia is enhanced. This proposition is explored using a case study of agrifood students who were enrolled in TAFE NSW Statement of Attainment in Rural Production Studies…

Anesthetic management of placenta accreta in a low-resource setting: a case series.

PubMed

Muñoz, L A; Mendoza, G J; Gomez, M; Reyes, L E; Arevalo, J J

2015-11-01

Current recommendations for the anesthetic management of placenta accreta support a conservative approach with neuraxial anesthesia and uterine artery embolization. These are based on case series from experienced centers in developed countries. The aim of this study was to describe the anesthetic management of placenta accreta in a low-resource setting. A retrospective case note review was performed. From 1 August 2006 to 31 July 2011 placentas from cases of suspected placenta accreta were reassessed histologically to confirm the diagnosis. Patient charts were reviewed and information on anesthetic technique, monitoring, blood transfusion, maternal and fetal outcomes was extracted. Thirty-nine cases were identified. Mean (± SD) maternal age was 33 ± 5.4 years. Hysterectomy was performed at the time of cesarean section in all cases. Thirty-four patients received neuraxial anesthesia, of whom 15 required conversion to general anesthesia. Invasive blood pressure monitoring was used in all patients and a central venous catheter was inserted in 33 cases. Complications associated with monitoring occurred in five patients. Median [IQR] blood loss was 2000 [1100-2700] mL and the median [IQR] number of units of red blood cell transfused was 2 [0-6]. Vasoactive medication was used in 14 patients and 15 patients were transferred to the intensive care unit postoperatively. No maternal or newborn deaths occurred. A multidisciplinary approach can prove valuable when placenta accreta is suspected before delivery. In low-resource settings, lack of interventional radiology services and prenatal diagnostic capability may have an impact on anesthetic management in patients with placenta accreta. However, other than greater blood loss, our study demonstrated that good maternal and neonatal outcomes are possible in spite of limited resources. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A series of unfortunate events: prinzmetal angina culminating in transmural infarction in the setting of acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

PubMed

Ruisi, Michael; Ruisi, Phillip; Rosero, Hugo; Schweitzer, Paul

2013-01-01

Prinzmetal angina or vasospastic angina is a clinical phenomenon that is often transient and self-resolving. Clinically it is associated with ST elevations on the electrocardiogram, and initially it may be difficult to differentiate from an acute myocardial infarction. The vasospasm induced in this setting occurs in normal or mildly to moderately diseased vessels and can be triggered by a number of etiologies including smoking, changes in autonomic activity, or drug ingestion. While the ischemia induced is usually transient, myocardial infarction and life-threatening arrhythmias can occur in 25% of cases. We present the case of a 65-year-old female where repetitive intermittent coronary vasospasm culminated in transmural infarction in the setting of gastrointestinal bleeding. This case highlights the mortality associated with prinzmetal angina and the importance of recognizing the underlying etiology.

Reconstruction of extended Petri nets from time series data and its application to signal transduction and to gene regulatory networks

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Network inference methods reconstruct mathematical models of molecular or genetic networks directly from experimental data sets. We have previously reported a mathematical method which is exclusively data-driven, does not involve any heuristic decisions within the reconstruction process, and deliveres all possible alternative minimal networks in terms of simple place/transition Petri nets that are consistent with a given discrete time series data set. Results We fundamentally extended the previously published algorithm to consider catalysis and inhibition of the reactions that occur in the underlying network. The results of the reconstruction algorithm are encoded in the form of an extended Petri net involving control arcs. This allows the consideration of processes involving mass flow and/or regulatory interactions. As a non-trivial test case, the phosphate regulatory network of enterobacteria was reconstructed using in silico-generated time-series data sets on wild-type and in silico mutants. Conclusions The new exact algorithm reconstructs extended Petri nets from time series data sets by finding all alternative minimal networks that are consistent with the data. It suggested alternative molecular mechanisms for certain reactions in the network. The algorithm is useful to combine data from wild-type and mutant cells and may potentially integrate physiological, biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic data in the form of a single model. PMID:21762503

Teaching & Learning Tips 1: Teaching perspectives - an introduction.

PubMed

Rana, Jasmine; Burgin, Susan

2017-11-01

Challenge: Clinical and research responsibilities often leave little or no time to plan thoughtful teaching encounters with trainees. This "Teaching & Learning Tips" series is designed to be an accessible guide for dermatologists who want to improve their teaching skills. It is comprised of 12 articles about how to enhance teaching in various settings informed by research about how people learn and expert-derived or data-driven best practices for teaching. The series begins with a review of principles to optimize learning in any setting, including cognitive load theory, active learning strategies, and the impact of motivation and emotion on learning. It transitions into a practical "how to" guide format for common teaching scenarios in dermatology, such as lecturing, case-based teaching, and teaching procedures, among others. Herein, we kickoff the series by unpacking assumptions about teaching and learning. What does it mean to teach and learn? © 2017 The International Society of Dermatology.

Dynamic Mesh Adaptation for Front Evolution Using Discontinuous Galerkin Based Weighted Condition Number Mesh Relaxation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Greene, Patrick T.; Schofield, Samuel P.; Nourgaliev, Robert

2016-06-21

A new mesh smoothing method designed to cluster mesh cells near a dynamically evolving interface is presented. The method is based on weighted condition number mesh relaxation with the weight function being computed from a level set representation of the interface. The weight function is expressed as a Taylor series based discontinuous Galerkin projection, which makes the computation of the derivatives of the weight function needed during the condition number optimization process a trivial matter. For cases when a level set is not available, a fast method for generating a low-order level set from discrete cell-centered elds, such as amore » volume fraction or index function, is provided. Results show that the low-order level set works equally well for the weight function as the actual level set. Meshes generated for a number of interface geometries are presented, including cases with multiple level sets. Dynamic cases for moving interfaces are presented to demonstrate the method's potential usefulness to arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) methods.« less

[Description of dysphonia cases assisted in a mutua in 2013].

PubMed

Rodríguez Bayarri, M Jesús; Oliveres Verges, Joan; Linares Salas, Carlos; Martínez Llorente, Enrique; Puget Bosch, Dulce

2015-01-01

To describe a case series of patients with dysphonia evaluated in a national Spanish mutua. Computerized medical records of 2013 were reviewed and 129 patients with diagnoses compatible with dysphonia were identified. Eighty-six (67%) of the 129 cases were recognized as occupational diseases, three cases were considered as occupational injuries (two with a diagnosis of Reinke's edema) and the remaining 40 cases were considered to not be work-related. Most of the cases (90%) occurred in women between the ages of 30 and 49 years. Ninety-three percent of the cases diagnosed as occupational diseases underwent speech therapy and, of these, 72% were cured. The majority of the cases (61%) occurred in teachers. Average duration of sickness absence, among those patients who took it, was 113.5 days. All cases reported as occupational disease met the criteria set by the Spanish legislation (RD 1299/2006). Non-occupational diseases were referred to the national health service. Customized speech therapy was effective for most of the patients. The average duration of sick leave in our series was high. Copyright belongs to the Societat Catalana de Salut Laboral.

"Geo-statistics methods and neural networks in geophysical applications: A case study"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez Sandoval, R.; Urrutia Fucugauchi, J.; Ramirez Cruz, L. C.

2008-12-01

The study is focus in the Ebano-Panuco basin of northeastern Mexico, which is being explored for hydrocarbon reservoirs. These reservoirs are in limestones and there is interest in determining porosity and permeability in the carbonate sequences. The porosity maps presented in this study are estimated from application of multiattribute and neural networks techniques, which combine geophysics logs and 3-D seismic data by means of statistical relationships. The multiattribute analysis is a process to predict a volume of any underground petrophysical measurement from well-log and seismic data. The data consist of a series of target logs from wells which tie a 3-D seismic volume. The target logs are neutron porosity logs. From the 3-D seismic volume a series of sample attributes is calculated. The objective of this study is to derive a set of attributes and the target log values. The selected set is determined by a process of forward stepwise regression. The analysis can be linear or nonlinear. In the linear mode the method consists of a series of weights derived by least-square minimization. In the nonlinear mode, a neural network is trained using the select attributes as inputs. In this case we used a probabilistic neural network PNN. The method is applied to a real data set from PEMEX. For better reservoir characterization the porosity distribution was estimated using both techniques. The case shown a continues improvement in the prediction of the porosity from the multiattribute to the neural network analysis. The improvement is in the training and the validation, which are important indicators of the reliability of the results. The neural network showed an improvement in resolution over the multiattribute analysis. The final maps provide more realistic results of the porosity distribution.

M-52 spray booth qualification test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

The procedures, performance, and results obtained from the M-52 spray booth qualification test are documented. The test was conducted at Thiokol Corporation, Space Operations, M-52 Inert Parts Preparation facility. The purpose of this testing sequence was to ensure the spray booth would produce flight qualified hardware. The testing sequence was conducted in two series. The first series was conducted under CTP-0142, Revision 1. The second series was conducted in accordance with CTP-0142, Revision 2. The test sequence started with CTP-0142, Revision 1. The series consisted of the contamination removal test and the performance test. The contamination removal test was used to assess the Teflon level in the spray booth. The performance test consisted of painting and Chemloking a forward dome inside the spray booth per flight procedures. During the performance test, two sets of witness panels (case/insulation and steel/epoxy/steel) were prepared and pull tested. The CTP-0142, Revision 2, series of testing consisted of re-testing the steel/epoxy/steel witness panels. The pull tests analysis indicates the results of the tensile tests were comparable to the systems tunnel witness panel database. The exposed panel set and the control panel set average tensile values were above the 1-basis lower limits established on the systems tunnel witness panel database. It is recommended that the M-52 spray booth be qualified for producing flight hardware.

Experiments with a novel content-based image retrieval software: can we eliminate classification systems in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

PubMed

Menon, K Venugopal; Kumar, Dinesh; Thomas, Tessamma

2014-02-01

Study Design Preliminary evaluation of new tool. Objective To ascertain whether the newly developed content-based image retrieval (CBIR) software can be used successfully to retrieve images of similar cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) from a database to help plan treatment without adhering to a classification scheme. Methods Sixty-two operated cases of AIS were entered into the newly developed CBIR database. Five new cases of different curve patterns were used as query images. The images were fed into the CBIR database that retrieved similar images from the existing cases. These were analyzed by a senior surgeon for conformity to the query image. Results Within the limits of variability set for the query system, all the resultant images conformed to the query image. One case had no similar match in the series. The other four retrieved several images that were matching with the query. No matching case was left out in the series. The postoperative images were then analyzed to check for surgical strategies. Broad guidelines for treatment could be derived from the results. More precise query settings, inclusion of bending films, and a larger database will enhance accurate retrieval and better decision making. Conclusion The CBIR system is an effective tool for accurate documentation and retrieval of scoliosis images. Broad guidelines for surgical strategies can be made from the postoperative images of the existing cases without adhering to any classification scheme.

Adolescent suicide prevention.

PubMed

Novick, Lloyd F; Cibula, Donald A; Sutphen, Sally M

2003-05-01

This case-prevention of adolescent suicide-is one of a series of teaching cases in the Case-Based Series in Population-Oriented Prevention (C-POP). It has been developed for use in medical school and residency prevention curricula. The complete set of cases is presented in this supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. This teaching case examines the issue of prevention of adolescent and young adult suicide both at an individual and at a population or community level, using data from the Onondaga County Health Department. In the first section of the case, students are asked to determine whether five deaths related to falling or jumping at a local shopping mall should be considered to be suicidal deaths. Students then develop skills in the reporting as well as in the epidemiology of adolescent suicidal deaths in Onondaga County. As the case progresses, students analyze the results of a local surveillance study of suicidal attempts and ideation. The case concludes with students evaluating a hypothetical screening study intended to reduce the risk of suicidal death and discussing a research design to examine the effectiveness of this prevention strategy.

A hybrid clustering approach for multivariate time series - A case study applied to failure analysis in a gas turbine.

PubMed

Fontes, Cristiano Hora; Budman, Hector

2017-11-01

A clustering problem involving multivariate time series (MTS) requires the selection of similarity metrics. This paper shows the limitations of the PCA similarity factor (SPCA) as a single metric in nonlinear problems where there are differences in magnitude of the same process variables due to expected changes in operation conditions. A novel method for clustering MTS based on a combination between SPCA and the average-based Euclidean distance (AED) within a fuzzy clustering approach is proposed. Case studies involving either simulated or real industrial data collected from a large scale gas turbine are used to illustrate that the hybrid approach enhances the ability to recognize normal and fault operating patterns. This paper also proposes an oversampling procedure to create synthetic multivariate time series that can be useful in commonly occurring situations involving unbalanced data sets. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

National Defense University's Influence on U.S. National Security Policy: Case Study about the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rondeau, Ann E.

2010-01-01

This dissertation touches on a series of events leading to an aspect of United States public policy dealing with weapons of mass destruction (WMD). After exploring the literature that describes the understanding of public policy, this paper uses the case study method to understand why and how a single research center and a particular set of…

Comparison of time series models for predicting campylobacteriosis risk in New Zealand.

PubMed

Al-Sakkaf, A; Jones, G

2014-05-01

Predicting campylobacteriosis cases is a matter of considerable concern in New Zealand, after the number of the notified cases was the highest among the developed countries in 2006. Thus, there is a need to develop a model or a tool to predict accurately the number of campylobacteriosis cases as the Microbial Risk Assessment Model used to predict the number of campylobacteriosis cases failed to predict accurately the number of actual cases. We explore the appropriateness of classical time series modelling approaches for predicting campylobacteriosis. Finding the most appropriate time series model for New Zealand data has additional practical considerations given a possible structural change, that is, a specific and sudden change in response to the implemented interventions. A univariate methodological approach was used to predict monthly disease cases using New Zealand surveillance data of campylobacteriosis incidence from 1998 to 2009. The data from the years 1998 to 2008 were used to model the time series with the year 2009 held out of the data set for model validation. The best two models were then fitted to the full 1998-2009 data and used to predict for each month of 2010. The Holt-Winters (multiplicative) and ARIMA (additive) intervention models were considered the best models for predicting campylobacteriosis in New Zealand. It was noticed that the prediction by an additive ARIMA with intervention was slightly better than the prediction by a Holt-Winter multiplicative method for the annual total in year 2010, the former predicting only 23 cases less than the actual reported cases. It is confirmed that classical time series techniques such as ARIMA with intervention and Holt-Winters can provide a good prediction performance for campylobacteriosis risk in New Zealand. The results reported by this study are useful to the New Zealand Health and Safety Authority's efforts in addressing the problem of the campylobacteriosis epidemic. © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Prinzmetal Angina Culminating in Transmural Infarction in the Setting of Acute Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

PubMed Central

Ruisi, Phillip; Rosero, Hugo; Schweitzer, Paul

2013-01-01

Prinzmetal angina or vasospastic angina is a clinical phenomenon that is often transient and self-resolving. Clinically it is associated with ST elevations on the electrocardiogram, and initially it may be difficult to differentiate from an acute myocardial infarction. The vasospasm induced in this setting occurs in normal or mildly to moderately diseased vessels and can be triggered by a number of etiologies including smoking, changes in autonomic activity, or drug ingestion. While the ischemia induced is usually transient, myocardial infarction and life-threatening arrhythmias can occur in 25% of cases. We present the case of a 65-year-old female where repetitive intermittent coronary vasospasm culminated in transmural infarction in the setting of gastrointestinal bleeding. This case highlights the mortality associated with prinzmetal angina and the importance of recognizing the underlying etiology. PMID:24826293

Efficient Algorithms for Segmentation of Item-Set Time Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chundi, Parvathi; Rosenkrantz, Daniel J.

We propose a special type of time series, which we call an item-set time series, to facilitate the temporal analysis of software version histories, email logs, stock market data, etc. In an item-set time series, each observed data value is a set of discrete items. We formalize the concept of an item-set time series and present efficient algorithms for segmenting a given item-set time series. Segmentation of a time series partitions the time series into a sequence of segments where each segment is constructed by combining consecutive time points of the time series. Each segment is associated with an item set that is computed from the item sets of the time points in that segment, using a function which we call a measure function. We then define a concept called the segment difference, which measures the difference between the item set of a segment and the item sets of the time points in that segment. The segment difference values are required to construct an optimal segmentation of the time series. We describe novel and efficient algorithms to compute segment difference values for each of the measure functions described in the paper. We outline a dynamic programming based scheme to construct an optimal segmentation of the given item-set time series. We use the item-set time series segmentation techniques to analyze the temporal content of three different data sets—Enron email, stock market data, and a synthetic data set. The experimental results show that an optimal segmentation of item-set time series data captures much more temporal content than a segmentation constructed based on the number of time points in each segment, without examining the item set data at the time points, and can be used to analyze different types of temporal data.

The Language Testing Cycle: From Inception to Washback. Series S, Number 13.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wigglesworth, Gillian, Ed.; Elder, Catherine, Ed.

A selection of essays on language testing includes: "Perspectives on the Testing Cycle: Setting the Scene" (Catherine Elder, Gillian Wigglesworth); "The Politicisation of English: The Case of the STEP Test and the Chinese Students" (Lesleyanne Hawthorne); "Developing Language Tests for Specific Populations" (Rosemary…

Using Time Series Analysis to Predict Cardiac Arrest in a PICU.

PubMed

Kennedy, Curtis E; Aoki, Noriaki; Mariscalco, Michele; Turley, James P

2015-11-01

To build and test cardiac arrest prediction models in a PICU, using time series analysis as input, and to measure changes in prediction accuracy attributable to different classes of time series data. Retrospective cohort study. Thirty-one bed academic PICU that provides care for medical and general surgical (not congenital heart surgery) patients. Patients experiencing a cardiac arrest in the PICU and requiring external cardiac massage for at least 2 minutes. None. One hundred three cases of cardiac arrest and 109 control cases were used to prepare a baseline dataset that consisted of 1,025 variables in four data classes: multivariate, raw time series, clinical calculations, and time series trend analysis. We trained 20 arrest prediction models using a matrix of five feature sets (combinations of data classes) with four modeling algorithms: linear regression, decision tree, neural network, and support vector machine. The reference model (multivariate data with regression algorithm) had an accuracy of 78% and 87% area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The best model (multivariate + trend analysis data with support vector machine algorithm) had an accuracy of 94% and 98% area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Cardiac arrest predictions based on a traditional model built with multivariate data and a regression algorithm misclassified cases 3.7 times more frequently than predictions that included time series trend analysis and built with a support vector machine algorithm. Although the final model lacks the specificity necessary for clinical application, we have demonstrated how information from time series data can be used to increase the accuracy of clinical prediction models.

COLLABORATE©, Part IV: Ramping Up Competency-Based Performance Management.

PubMed

Treiger, Teresa M; Fink-Samnick, Ellen

The purpose of this fourth part of the COLLABORATE© article series provides an expansion and application of previously presented concepts pertaining to the COLLABORATE paradigm of professional case management practice. The model is built upon a value-driven foundation that: PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S):: Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. As an industry, health care continues to evolve. Terrain shifts and new influences continually surface to challenge professional case management practice. The need for top-performing and nimble professionals who are knowledgeable and proficient in the workplace continues to challenge human resource departments. In addition to care setting knowledge, professional case managers must continually invest in their practice competence toolbox to grow skills and abilities that transcend policies and processes. These individuals demonstrate agility in framing (and reframing) their professional practice to facilitate the best possible outcomes for their clients. Therefore, the continued emphasis on practice competence conveyed through the performance management cycle is an essential ingredient to performance management focused on customer service excellence and organizational improvement. Professional case management transcends professional disciplines, educational levels, and practice settings. Business objectives continue to drive work process and priorities in many practice settings. However, competencies that align with regulatory and accreditation requirements should be the critical driver for consistent, high-quality case management practice. Although there is inherent value in what various disciplines bring to the table, this advanced model unifies behind case management's unique, strengths-based identity instead of continuing to align within traditional divisions (e.g., discipline, work setting, population served). This model fosters case management's expanding career advancement opportunities.

Endovascular interventions for traumatic portal venous hemorrhage complicated by portal hypertension

PubMed Central

Sundarakumar, Dinesh Kumar; Smith, Crysela Mirta; Lopera, Jorge Enrique; Kogut, Matthew; Suri, Rajeev

2013-01-01

Life-threatening hemorrhage rarely occurs from the portal vein following blunt hepatic trauma. Traditionally, severe portal bleeding in this setting has been controlled by surgical techniques such as packing, ligation, and venorrhaphy. The presence of portal hypertension could potentially increase the amount of hemorrhage in the setting of blunt portal vein trauma making it more difficult to control. This case series describes the use of indirect carbon dioxide portography to identify portal hemorrhage. Furthermore, these cases illustrate attempted endovascular treatment utilizing a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in one scenario and transmesocaval shunt coiling of a jejunal varix in the other. PMID:24179633

Boolean network identification from perturbation time series data combining dynamics abstraction and logic programming.

PubMed

Ostrowski, M; Paulevé, L; Schaub, T; Siegel, A; Guziolowski, C

2016-11-01

Boolean networks (and more general logic models) are useful frameworks to study signal transduction across multiple pathways. Logic models can be learned from a prior knowledge network structure and multiplex phosphoproteomics data. However, most efficient and scalable training methods focus on the comparison of two time-points and assume that the system has reached an early steady state. In this paper, we generalize such a learning procedure to take into account the time series traces of phosphoproteomics data in order to discriminate Boolean networks according to their transient dynamics. To that end, we identify a necessary condition that must be satisfied by the dynamics of a Boolean network to be consistent with a discretized time series trace. Based on this condition, we use Answer Set Programming to compute an over-approximation of the set of Boolean networks which fit best with experimental data and provide the corresponding encodings. Combined with model-checking approaches, we end up with a global learning algorithm. Our approach is able to learn logic models with a true positive rate higher than 78% in two case studies of mammalian signaling networks; for a larger case study, our method provides optimal answers after 7min of computation. We quantified the gain in our method predictions precision compared to learning approaches based on static data. Finally, as an application, our method proposes erroneous time-points in the time series data with respect to the optimal learned logic models. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Complications of oral exposure to fentanyl transdermal delivery system patches.

PubMed

Prosser, Jane M; Jones, Brent E; Nelson, Lewis

2010-12-01

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid available therapeutically as an intravenous, transbucal, or transdermal preparation. It is also used as a drug of abuse through a variety of different methods, including the oral abuse of transdermal fentanyl patches. This is a series of patients with oral fentanyl patch exposure reported to our center and represents the first series of oral fentanyl patch exposures collected outside of the postmortem setting. In this series, we examined the New York Poison Control Center database for all cases of oral abuse of fentanyl reported between January 2000 and April 2008. Twenty cases were reported, nine were asymptomatic or had symptoms of opioid withdrawal; 11 had symptoms of opioid intoxication. Eight patients were administered naloxone and all showed improvement in clinical status. Only one case resulted in a confirmed fatality-this patient had an orally adherent patch discovered at intubation. Oral exposure may result in life-threatening toxicity. Patients should be closely assessed and monitored for the opioid toxidrome, and if symptomatic, should be managed with opioid antagonists and ventilatory support.

Hypothermia during migraine attacks.

PubMed

Porta-Etessam, Jesús; Cuadrado, María L; Rodríguez-Gómez, Octavio; Valencia, Cristina; García-Ptacek, Sara

2010-11-01

Episodic spontaneous hypothermia is an infrequent disorder. Here, the case of a patient with migraine who experienced hypothermia during her migraine attacks is presented. The authors propose that larger clinical series should be studied to evaluate the occurrence of hypothermia in migraine, as well as the possible influence of some preventive regimens in this setting.

Man-Machine Integrated Design and Analysis System (MIDAS): Functional Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corker, Kevin; Neukom, Christian

1998-01-01

Included in the series of screen print-outs illustrates the structure and function of the Man-Machine Integrated Design and Analysis System (MIDAS). Views into the use of the system and editors are featured. The use-case in this set of graphs includes the development of a simulation scenario.

"Staying Woke" on Educational Equity through Culturally Responsive Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Affolter, Emily Alicia

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a culturally responsive professional development intervention for teachers and school leaders in a K-5 school setting. This qualitative case study involved a five-month long professional development intervention called the Culturally Responsive Professional Development (CRPD) series, largely…

The Ethics of School Administration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strike, Kenneth A.; And Others

This is the first book in the Teachers College Press series, Professional Ethics in Education, which is devoted to the examination of ethical issues in all educational settings. The book's purpose is to teach a range of ethical concepts and the process of ethical reasoning to educational administrators. Organized around cases, each chapter begins…

Model for the heart beat-to-beat time series during meditation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capurro, A.; Diambra, L.; Malta, C. P.

2003-09-01

We present a model for the respiratory modulation of the heart beat-to-beat interval series. The model consists of a pacemaker, that simulates the membrane potential of the sinoatrial node, modulated by a periodic input signal plus correlated noise that simulates the respiratory input. The model was used to assess the waveshape of the respiratory signals needed to reproduce in the phase space the trajectory of experimental heart beat-to-beat interval data. The data sets were recorded during meditation practices of the Chi and Kundalini Yoga techniques. Our study indicates that in the first case the respiratory signal has the shape of a smoothed square wave, and in the second case it has the shape of a smoothed triangular wave.

Dynamic mesh adaptation for front evolution using discontinuous Galerkin based weighted condition number relaxation

DOE PAGES

Greene, Patrick T.; Schofield, Samuel P.; Nourgaliev, Robert

2017-01-27

A new mesh smoothing method designed to cluster cells near a dynamically evolving interface is presented. The method is based on weighted condition number mesh relaxation with the weight function computed from a level set representation of the interface. The weight function is expressed as a Taylor series based discontinuous Galerkin projection, which makes the computation of the derivatives of the weight function needed during the condition number optimization process a trivial matter. For cases when a level set is not available, a fast method for generating a low-order level set from discrete cell-centered fields, such as a volume fractionmore » or index function, is provided. Results show that the low-order level set works equally well as the actual level set for mesh smoothing. Meshes generated for a number of interface geometries are presented, including cases with multiple level sets. Lastly, dynamic cases with moving interfaces show the new method is capable of maintaining a desired resolution near the interface with an acceptable number of relaxation iterations per time step, which demonstrates the method's potential to be used as a mesh relaxer for arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) methods.« less

Application of Data Cubes for Improving Detection of Water Cycle Extreme Events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Albayrak, Arif; Teng, William

2015-01-01

As part of an ongoing NASA-funded project to remove a longstanding barrier to accessing NASA data (i.e., accessing archived time-step array data as point-time series), for the hydrology and other point-time series-oriented communities, "data cubes" are created from which time series files (aka "data rods") are generated on-the-fly and made available as Web services from the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). Data cubes are data as archived rearranged into spatio-temporal matrices, which allow for easy access to the data, both spatially and temporally. A data cube is a specific case of the general optimal strategy of reorganizing data to match the desired means of access. The gain from such reorganization is greater the larger the data set. As a use case of our project, we are leveraging existing software to explore the application of the data cubes concept to machine learning, for the purpose of detecting water cycle extreme events, a specific case of anomaly detection, requiring time series data. We investigate the use of support vector machines (SVM) for anomaly classification. We show an example of detection of water cycle extreme events, using data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM).

Temporal and long-term trend analysis of class C notifiable diseases in China from 2009 to 2014

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xingyu; Hou, Fengsu; Qiao, Zhijiao; Li, Xiaosong; Zhou, Lijun; Liu, Yuanyuan; Zhang, Tao

2016-01-01

Objectives Time series models are effective tools for disease forecasting. This study aims to explore the time series behaviour of 11 notifiable diseases in China and to predict their incidence through effective models. Settings and participants The Chinese Ministry of Health started to publish class C notifiable diseases in 2009. The monthly reported case time series of 11 infectious diseases from the surveillance system between 2009 and 2014 was collected. Methods We performed a descriptive and a time series study using the surveillance data. Decomposition methods were used to explore (1) their seasonality expressed in the form of seasonal indices and (2) their long-term trend in the form of a linear regression model. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models have been established for each disease. Results The number of cases and deaths caused by hand, foot and mouth disease ranks number 1 among the detected diseases. It occurred most often in May and July and increased, on average, by 0.14126/100 000 per month. The remaining incidence models show good fit except the influenza and hydatid disease models. Both the hydatid disease and influenza series become white noise after differencing, so no available ARIMA model can be fitted for these two diseases. Conclusion Time series analysis of effective surveillance time series is useful for better understanding the occurrence of the 11 types of infectious disease. PMID:27797981

Linear phase compressive filter

DOEpatents

McEwan, Thomas E.

1995-01-01

A phase linear filter for soliton suppression is in the form of a laddered series of stages of non-commensurate low pass filters with each low pass filter having a series coupled inductance (L) and a reverse biased, voltage dependent varactor diode, to ground which acts as a variable capacitance (C). L and C values are set to levels which correspond to a linear or conventional phase linear filter. Inductance is mapped directly from that of an equivalent nonlinear transmission line and capacitance is mapped from the linear case using a large signal equivalent of a nonlinear transmission line.

Calculation of multicenter electric field gradient integrals over Slater-type orbitals using unsymmetrical one-range addition theorems.

PubMed

Guseinov, Israfil I; Görgün, Nurşen Seçkin

2011-06-01

The electric field induced within a molecule by its electrons determines a whole series of important physical properties of the molecule. In particular, the values of the gradient of this field at the nuclei determine the interaction of their quadrupole moments with the electrons. Using unsymmetrical one-range addition theorems introduced by one of the authors, the sets of series expansion relations for multicenter electric field gradient integrals over Slater-type orbitals in terms of multicenter charge density expansion coefficients and two-center basic integrals are presented. The convergence of the series is tested by calculating concrete cases for different values of quantum numbers, parameters and locations of orbitals.

Truncation of Spherical Harmonic Series and its Influence on Gravity Field Modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fecher, T.; Gruber, T.; Rummel, R.

2009-04-01

Least-squares adjustment is a very common and effective tool for the calculation of global gravity field models in terms of spherical harmonic series. However, since the gravity field is a continuous field function its optimal representation by a finite series of spherical harmonics is connected with a set of fundamental problems. Particularly worth mentioning here are cut off errors and aliasing effects. These problems stem from the truncation of the spherical harmonic series and from the fact that the spherical harmonic coefficients cannot be determined independently of each other within the adjustment process in case of discrete observations. The latter is shown by the non-diagonal variance-covariance matrices of gravity field solutions. Sneeuw described in 1994 that the off-diagonal matrix elements - at least if data are equally weighted - are the result of a loss of orthogonality of Legendre polynomials on regular grids. The poster addresses questions arising from the truncation of spherical harmonic series in spherical harmonic analysis and synthesis. Such questions are: (1) How does the high frequency data content (outside the parameter space) affect the estimated spherical harmonic coefficients; (2) Where to truncate the spherical harmonic series in the adjustment process in order to avoid high frequency leakage?; (3) Given a set of spherical harmonic coefficients resulting from an adjustment, what is the effect of using only a truncated version of it?

Refeeding syndrome or refeeding hypophosphatemia: a systematic review of cases.

PubMed

Skipper, Annalynn

2012-02-01

Nutrition support clinicians refer to the abnormalities in laboratory data and changes in clinical signs and symptoms that follow refeeding of starved or malnourished patients as refeeding syndrome. Theoretical descriptions of refeeding syndrome include a complex and extensive list of changes, such as hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia, and vitamin deficiency--all of which are accompanied by clinical signs and symptoms. In practice, clinicians see asymptomatic refeeding hypophosphatemia more often than a full-blown syndrome with multiple laboratory and clinical abnormalities. Confusion results because there is no widely accepted or uniformly applied set of defining characteristics for diagnosing refeeding syndrome. To gain insight into the clinical characteristics of refeeding syndrome described in the literature, a systematic review of reported cases and case series was conducted. Since 2000, 20 authors described 27 cases that contained sufficient data for review. Hypophosphatemia occurred in 26 patients (96%). While 19 patients (71%) experienced at least 1 other laboratory abnormality, only 14 (51%) exhibited a consistent pattern of abnormally low phosphorus and magnesium levels. Seven patients had hypocalcemia (26%), and hyponatremia was reported in 3 patients (11%). There were no reports of hyperglycemia. Mean data reported in case series containing data from 63 patients showed that hypophosphatemia was a consistent finding but that other abnormalities were not consistently identified. Findings suggest that refeeding hypophosphatemia is not accompanied by a consistent pattern of biochemical or clinical abnormalities among case reports or case series of patients reported to have refeeding syndrome.

Dissociative sensibility disorders - A retrospective case series and systematic literature review.

PubMed

Weber, Peter; Erlacher, Rahel

2018-01-01

Dissociative disorders present a huge challenge in clinical settings. In contrast to other dissociative symptoms, dissociative sensibility disorders are rarely focused on. To identify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of dissociative sensibility disorders in children and adolescents, and to review the use of diagnostic procedures. For the review, a literature search used Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, and PubPsych (to 02/2015) and the reference lists of the studies identified. Screening of titles and abstracts; full-text assessment by two reviewers. The original case series was identified by using the local data register. Two reviewers independently reviewed the data and, if they agreed on the relevance, extracted the data. In the original case series, data were extracted retrospectively from the records. Sixteen studies and seven case reports were identified, including 931 cases with dissociative disorders. In 210 cases the patient suffered either from a single sensibility disorder or predominantly from sensibility disorders. We identified thirteen further cases in our cohort. In both groups there was female predominance; the mean age of manifestation was early adolescence. The timing of admissions was variable. In approximately 50% of cases a premorbid stressful life event could be identified. Over 75% of cases had a good prognosis with complete resolution. Retrospective character of our own data collection, partially missing differentiation between the subgroups of dissociative disorders in the reviewed studies. There is no uniform procedure for diagnostic work-up. The overall short-term prognosis is good. Copyright © 2017 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Organizational Mechanisms and Practice of Innovative Talents Cultivation in Local Colleges--A Case Study of Hubei University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Xin; Wan, Hong; Yang, Dejin; Shen, Xi

2018-01-01

The organizational mechanisms of innovative talents cultivation in Hubei University are as follows. Firstly, make top-level design on organizational administration such as improving the organization structure, setting up a committee of teaching instruction, establishing the mechanism of coordinative cultivation. Secondly, carry out a series of…

Two Identities for the Bernoulli-Euler Numbers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gauthier, N.

2008-01-01

Two identities for the Bernoulli and for the Euler numbers are derived. These identities involve two special cases of central combinatorial numbers. The approach is based on a set of differential identities for the powers of the secant. Generalizations of the Mittag-Leffler series for the secant are introduced and used to obtain closed-form…

Social Class as Flow and Mutability: The Barbados Case

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Greenhalgh-Spencer, Heather; Castro, Michelle; Bulut, Ergin; Goel, Koeli; Lin, Chunfeng; McCarthy, Cameron

2015-01-01

This article draws on ethnographic research that examines the contemporary articulation of class identity in the postcolonial elite school setting of Old College high school in Barbados. From the qualitative data derived from this study, we argue that social class is better conceived as a series of flows, mutations, performances and performatives.…

The Diversification of the Educational Field in Hungary.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Inkei, Peter; And Others

Education throughout the world has become increasingly diversified, moving from the traditional education of children to increasingly more education of adults outside formal school settings. This case study on Hungary is one of a series of studies that were conducted to map out the different components of the diversified educational field and…

Red Dirt Thinking on Aspiration and Success

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osborne, Sam; Guenther, John

2013-01-01

This article sets the scene for the series of five articles on "red dirt thinking". It first introduces the idea behind red dirt thinking as opposed to "blue sky thinking". Both accept that there are any number of creative and expansive solutions and possibilities to identified challenges--in this case, the challenge of…

Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Primary School. Case Studies in TESOL Practice Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCloskey, Mary Lou, Ed.; Orr, Janet, Ed.; Dolitsky, Marlene, Ed.

2006-01-01

Although language specialists do not always agree about the best age at which to introduce English language instruction, policy changes are increasingly mandating earlier introduction of English in foreign language (EFL) settings worldwide. In this volume, language educators and program implementers from various countries describe programs and…

Electroconvulsive therapy in the intensive care unit for the treatment of catatonia: a case series and review of the literature.

PubMed

Dessens, Femke M; van Paassen, Judith; van Westerloo, David J; van der Wee, Nic J; van Vliet, Irene M; van Noorden, Martijn S

2016-01-01

Catatonia is an underdiagnosed syndrome that may occur in severely ill patients. The malignant subtype, consisting of motor symptoms, autonomic instability and fever, is associated with high mortality rates, though exact current mortality rates are unknown. This subtype requires a fast detection and treatment with high doses of a benzodiazepine or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), preferably in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Case series and qualitative literature review. This paper presents four patients admitted to the ICU of an academic hospital diagnosed with malignant catatonia. All patients received ECT after an ineffective trial of high-dose intravenous benzodiazepine treatment. The duration of ECT ranged from 6 to 23 treatments after which the catatonic features partially or fully remitted. In addition, we have reviewed the diagnostic challenges, neurobiology, possible causes, differential diagnosis and treatment options of catatonia, focusing on the treatment with ECT and the importance of detection and multidisciplinary collaboration. Malignant catatonia is an underdiagnosed, potentially life-threatening syndrome that requires fast recognition and prompt treatment, preferably in an ICU setting. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Clinical Validation of Pain Management Manipulative Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis With the Squeeze-Hold Technique: A Case Series.

PubMed

Nakajima, Masaaki

2017-06-01

The purpose of this case series was to describe the short-term and long-term clinical effects of a manual technique for treating osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain. This study measured of the immediate effect and long-term effect by using a case series of different groups of subjects. Knee OA and activity restriction in patients were evaluated by using the Kellgren-Lawrence (K/L) Grading Scale and the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) index. In the intervention, lower limb muscles were squeezed by hand for 20 seconds. Each squeeze was performed for both lower limbs. Passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercise was performed on the knee joint. In one set of cases, immediate effects were measured after a one-time treatment with pretreatment and posttreatment outcome measures. Eleven people with knee OA participated in the study. On a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, muscle stiffness, and muscular hemodynamics for estimation of muscle blood flow were recorded before and after the squeeze-hold treatment. In another set of cases, the treatment was given to all patients once a week for 6 months, and long-term effects were measured. Data on 5 subjects with knee OA were collected for 6 months after initial treatment. The VAS for pain and JKOM were recorded every month for 6 months. For immediate effects, the VAS was 69 ± 21 mm before treatment and 26 ± 22 mm after treatment. Muscle stiffness was 8.8 ± 3.6 (absolute number) before treatment and 3.5 ± 2.1 after treatment. Tissue (muscle) oxygen saturation was 60.1 ± 5.7% before treatment and 65.3 ± 4.8% after treatment. Total hemoglobin was 24.3 ± 3.3 (absolute number) before treatment and 25 ± 2.3 after treatment. A tendency for reduction in OA knee pain and muscle stiffness was observed, and a tendency for increase was observed in the blood flow in the muscle. For long-term effects in all 5 participants (any K/L grade, any JKOM score), OA knee pain and JKOM score improved gradually through 6 months. The participants in this case series showed improvement in pain and function. These findings indicate the feasibility of a larger study on the squeeze-hold intervention for OA knee pain.

Evaluation of Epidermal Skin Grafts for the Treatment of Complex Wounds in a Wound Care Center: A 94-Patient Case Series.

PubMed

Lincoln, Katherine; Hyde, Jessica

2016-10-01

In recent years, a new technology for autologous epidermal harvesting has been developed to produce epidermal skin grafts (ESGs) for use over wounds. This technology employs negative pressure and heat to raise the epidermal skin layer, allowing for consistent and reproducible epidermal harvesting. The aim of this case series is to present the authors' experience using an automated, epidermal harvesting system to produce ESGs to treat wounds of patients with multiple comorbidities. This case series was conducted between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. Patients with wounds (≤ 25 cm2) that failed to heal were treated with ESGs by a group of 3 wound care physicians in 2 outpatient wound care centers in a community health center setting. A total of 94 patients with 102 wounds were identified. Of the 94 patients, 3 were noncompliant and 9 were lost to follow-up. Therefore, 82 patients with 90 wounds were included in the analysis. The majority of wounds demonstrated epithelialization (83/90, 92.2%). Of the 90 wounds, 75 (83.3%) healed following epidermal grafting, 4 (4.4%) wounds displayed improvement, and 11 (12.2%) did not heal. Minimal or no pain at the donor site was reported by the patients, and all donor sites healed without complications. This case series provides additional evidence for the use of ESGs for the treatment of wounds that fail to heal.

Quasi-measures on the group G{sup m}, Dirichlet sets, and uniqueness problems for multiple Walsh series

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Plotnikov, Mikhail G

2011-02-11

Multiple Walsh series (S) on the group G{sup m} are studied. It is proved that every at most countable set is a uniqueness set for series (S) under convergence over cubes. The recovery problem is solved for the coefficients of series (S) that converge outside countable sets or outside sets of Dirichlet type. A number of analogues of the de la Vallee Poussin theorem are established for series (S). Bibliography: 28 titles.

Identifying Human Trafficking Victims on a Psychiatry Inpatient Service: a Case Series.

PubMed

Nguyen, Phuong T; Lamkin, Joanna; Coverdale, John H; Scott, Samuel; Li, Karen; Gordon, Mollie R

2018-06-01

Human trafficking is a serious and prevalent human rights violation that closely intersects with mental health. Limited empirical attention has been paid to the presentations and identification of trafficking victims in psychiatric settings. The primary goal of this paper is to describe the varied presentations of trafficking victims on an urban inpatient psychiatric unit. A literature review was conducted to identify relevant empirical articles to inform our examination of cases. Adult inpatient cases meeting criteria for known or possible human trafficking were systematically identified and illustrative cases were described. Six cases were identified including one male and five females. Two had been labor trafficked and four were suspected or confirmed to have been sex trafficked. The cases demonstrated a tremendous diversity of demographic and psychiatric identifying factors. These cases indicate the importance of routinely screening for trafficking victims in inpatient psychiatry settings. Identification of cases is a requisite step in providing informed and evidence-based treatments and enabling the secondary prevention of re-exploitation. Additional research is warranted given the limited current empirical research on this topic area.

Autoimmune gastritis: histology phenotype and OLGA staging.

PubMed

Rugge, M; Fassan, M; Pizzi, M; Zorzetto, V; Maddalo, G; Realdon, S; De Bernard, M; Betterle, C; Cappellesso, R; Pennelli, G; de Boni, M; Farinati, F

2012-06-01

Among Western populations, the declining incidence of Helicobacter pylori infection coincides with a growing clinical impact of autoimmune gastritis. To describe the histological phenotype of autoimmune gastritis, also to test the prognostic impact of OLGA staging in the autoimmune setting. A single-institutional series (spanning the years 2003-2011) of 562 consecutive patients (M:F ratio: 1:3.7; mean age = 57.6 ± 14.4 years) with serologically confirmed autoimmune gastritis underwent histology review and OLGA staging. Helicobacter pylori infection was ascertained histologically in 44/562 cases (7.8%). Forty six biopsy sets (8.2%) featured OLGA stages III-IV; they included all four cases of incidental epithelial neoplasia (three intraepithelial and one invasive; three of these four cases had concomitant H. pylori infection). There were 230 (40.9%) and 139 (24.7%) cases, respectively, of linear and micro-nodular enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia; 19 (3.4%) type I carcinoids were detected. The series included 116 patients who underwent repeated endoscopy/biopsy sampling (mean time elapsing between the two procedures = 54 months; range 24-108). Paired histology showed a significant (P = 0.009) trend towards a stage progression [the stage increased in 25/116 cases (22%); it remained unchanged in 87/116 cases (75%)]. In autoimmune gastritis, the cancer risk is restricted to high-risk gastritis stages (III-IV), and is associated mainly with concomitant H. pylori infection. OLGA staging consistently depicts the time-dependent organic progression of the autoimmune disease and provides key information for secondary gastric cancer prevention strategies. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Computing the multifractal spectrum from time series: an algorithmic approach.

PubMed

Harikrishnan, K P; Misra, R; Ambika, G; Amritkar, R E

2009-12-01

We show that the existing methods for computing the f(alpha) spectrum from a time series can be improved by using a new algorithmic scheme. The scheme relies on the basic idea that the smooth convex profile of a typical f(alpha) spectrum can be fitted with an analytic function involving a set of four independent parameters. While the standard existing schemes [P. Grassberger et al., J. Stat. Phys. 51, 135 (1988); A. Chhabra and R. V. Jensen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 1327 (1989)] generally compute only an incomplete f(alpha) spectrum (usually the top portion), we show that this can be overcome by an algorithmic approach, which is automated to compute the D(q) and f(alpha) spectra from a time series for any embedding dimension. The scheme is first tested with the logistic attractor with known f(alpha) curve and subsequently applied to higher-dimensional cases. We also show that the scheme can be effectively adapted for analyzing practical time series involving noise, with examples from two widely different real world systems. Moreover, some preliminary results indicating that the set of four independent parameters may be used as diagnostic measures are also included.

Respiratory disease caused by synthetic fibres: a new occupational disease.

PubMed Central

Pimentel, J C; Avila, R; Lourenço, A G

1975-01-01

Seven patients exposed to the inhalation of synthetic fibres presented with various bronchopulmonary diseases, such as asthma, extrinsic allergic alveolitis, chronic bronchitis with bronchiectasis, spontaneous pneumothorax, and chronic pneumonia. The histological features are described and an attempt has been made to set up immunological techniques for the diagnosis. A series of histochemical techniques, based on textile chemistry, are proposed for the identification of the inclusions found in bronchopulmonary lesions. The results of the experimental production of the disease in guinea-pigs by the inhalation of synthetic fibre dusts are presented. The prognosis of these cases is good in the acute or recently established cases but is poor when widespread and irreversible fibrosis has set in. The authors consider that pulmonary disease due to inhaled particles is probably set off by an individual factor, possibly immunological. Images PMID:1179318

What Case Managers Should Know About Their Roles and Functions: A National Study From the Commission for Case Manager Certification: Part 1.

PubMed

Tahan, Hussein M; Watson, Annette C; Sminkey, Patrice V

2015-01-01

The purpose of this national role and function study was to identify the essential activities and necessary knowledge areas for effective case manager practice from the perspective of those currently functioning in various care settings and across diverse professional disciplines. The national study covered all case management practices and/or work settings across the full continuum of health care. This cross-sectional descriptive study used the practice analysis method and online survey research design. It employed a purposive sample of case managers, in which 52,370 individuals received an invitation to participate. Data collection completed over a 4-week period, resulting in 7,668 useable survey responses (nearly a 15% response rate). The study identified the common activities and knowledge areas necessary for competent and effective performance of case managers, as is highlighted in this article, which is the first of a 2-part series on the role and function study. The results informed the needed update of the test specifications for the Certified Case Manager (CCM) certification examination, as will be delineated in Part 2 of the article series, to ensure that it continues to be substantiated in current practice. Of special note are the emergence of specific activity and knowledge domains in the area of case management ethical, legal, and practice standards, and an increase in the number of employers requiring certified case managers to fill vacant positions and compensating them financially for such qualifications. This study helps keep the CCM credentialing examination evidence-based and maintain its validity for evaluating competency of case managers. Specifically, the study identified essential activities and knowledge domains that define competent case management practice. Findings can be used for developing programs and curricula for the training and development of case managers. The study instrument also can be used for further research of case management practice.

FBST for Cointegration Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diniz, M.; Pereira, C. A. B.; Stern, J. M.

2008-11-01

In order to estimate causal relations, the time series econometrics has to be aware of spurious correlation, a problem first mentioned by Yule [21]. To solve the problem, one can work with differenced series or use multivariate models like VAR or VEC models. In this case, the analysed series are going to present a long run relation i.e. a cointegration relation. Even though the Bayesian literature about inference on VAR/VEC models is quite advanced, Bauwens et al. [2] highlight that "the topic of selecting the cointegrating rank has not yet given very useful and convincing results." This paper presents the Full Bayesian Significance Test applied to cointegration rank selection tests in multivariate (VAR/VEC) time series models and shows how to implement it using available in the literature and simulated data sets. A standard non-informative prior is assumed.

How bootstrap can help in forecasting time series with more than one seasonal pattern

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cordeiro, Clara; Neves, M. Manuela

2012-09-01

The search for the future is an appealing challenge in time series analysis. The diversity of forecasting methodologies is inevitable and is still in expansion. Exponential smoothing methods are the launch platform for modelling and forecasting in time series analysis. Recently this methodology has been combined with bootstrapping revealing a good performance. The algorithm (Boot. EXPOS) using exponential smoothing and bootstrap methodologies, has showed promising results for forecasting time series with one seasonal pattern. In case of more than one seasonal pattern, the double seasonal Holt-Winters methods and the exponential smoothing methods were developed. A new challenge was now to combine these seasonal methods with bootstrap and carry over a similar resampling scheme used in Boot. EXPOS procedure. The performance of such partnership will be illustrated for some well-know data sets existing in software.

KRAS mutations in blood circulating cell-free DNA: a pancreatic cancer case-control

PubMed Central

Le Calvez-Kelm, Florence; Foll, Matthieu; Wozniak, Magdalena B.; Delhomme, Tiffany M.; Durand, Geoffroy; Chopard, Priscilia; Pertesi, Maroulio; Fabianova, Eleonora; Adamcakova, Zora; Holcatova, Ivana; Foretova, Lenka; Janout, Vladimir; Vallee, Maxime P.; Rinaldi, Sabina; Brennan, Paul; McKay, James D.; Byrnes, Graham B.; Scelo, Ghislaine

2016-01-01

The utility of KRAS mutations in plasma circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples as non-invasive biomarkers for the detection of pancreatic cancer has never been evaluated in a large case-control series. We applied a KRAS amplicon-based deep sequencing strategy combined with analytical pipeline specifically designed for the detection of low-abundance mutations to screen plasma samples of 437 pancreatic cancer cases, 141 chronic pancreatitis subjects, and 394 healthy controls. We detected mutations in 21.1% (N=92) of cases, of whom 82 (89.1%) carried at least one mutation at hotspot codons 12, 13 or 61, with mutant allelic fractions from 0.08% to 79%. Advanced stages were associated with an increased proportion of detection, with KRAS cfDNA mutations detected in 10.3%, 17,5% and 33.3% of cases with local, regional and systemic stages, respectively. We also detected KRAS cfDNA mutations in 3.7% (N=14) of healthy controls and in 4.3% (N=6) of subjects with chronic pancreatitis, but at significantly lower allelic fractions than in cases. Combining cfDNA KRAS mutations and CA19-9 plasma levels on a limited set of case-control samples did not improve the overall performance of the biomarkers as compared to CA19-9 alone. Whether the limited sensitivity and specificity observed in our series of KRAS mutations in plasma cfDNA as biomarkers for pancreatic cancer detection are attributable to methodological limitations or to the biology of cfDNA should be further assessed in large case-control series. PMID:27705932

A home-based body weight supported treadmill training program for children with cerebral palsy: A case series.

PubMed

Kenyon, Lisa K; Westman, Marci; Hefferan, Ashley; McCrary, Peter; Baker, Barbara J

2017-07-01

Contemporary approaches to the treatment of cerebral palsy (CP) advocate a task-specific approach that emphasizes repetition and practice of specific tasks. Recent studies suggest that body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) programs may be beneficial in clinical settings. The purposes of this case series were to explore the outcomes and feasibility of a home-based BWSTT program for three children with CP. Three children with CP at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Levels III or IV participated in this case series. Examination included the Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ), the 10-meter walk test, the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66), and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory-Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT). A harness system was used to conduct the BWSTT program over an 8-12 week period. All of the families reported enjoying the BWSTT program and found the harness easy to use. Participant 2 increased from a 2 to a 4 on the FAQ, while Participant 3 increased from a 6 to a 7. Two of the participants demonstrated post-intervention improvements in functional mobility. In addition to mobility outcomes, future research should explore the potential health benefits of a home-based BWSTT program.

Bayesian analysis of time-series data under case-crossover designs: posterior equivalence and inference.

PubMed

Li, Shi; Mukherjee, Bhramar; Batterman, Stuart; Ghosh, Malay

2013-12-01

Case-crossover designs are widely used to study short-term exposure effects on the risk of acute adverse health events. While the frequentist literature on this topic is vast, there is no Bayesian work in this general area. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, the paper establishes Bayesian equivalence results that require characterization of the set of priors under which the posterior distributions of the risk ratio parameters based on a case-crossover and time-series analysis are identical. Second, the paper studies inferential issues under case-crossover designs in a Bayesian framework. Traditionally, a conditional logistic regression is used for inference on risk-ratio parameters in case-crossover studies. We consider instead a more general full likelihood-based approach which makes less restrictive assumptions on the risk functions. Formulation of a full likelihood leads to growth in the number of parameters proportional to the sample size. We propose a semi-parametric Bayesian approach using a Dirichlet process prior to handle the random nuisance parameters that appear in a full likelihood formulation. We carry out a simulation study to compare the Bayesian methods based on full and conditional likelihood with the standard frequentist approaches for case-crossover and time-series analysis. The proposed methods are illustrated through the Detroit Asthma Morbidity, Air Quality and Traffic study, which examines the association between acute asthma risk and ambient air pollutant concentrations. © 2013, The International Biometric Society.

Orlistat and the risk of acute liver injury: self controlled case series study in UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink

PubMed Central

Langham, Julia; Bhaskaran, Krishnan; Brauer, Ruth; Smeeth, Liam

2013-01-01

Objective To measure the association between orlistat and acute liver injury. Design Self controlled case series study. Setting Population based primary care setting, United Kingdom. Participants 94 695 patients receiving orlistat and registered in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and linked with Hospital Episode Statistics data between 1999 and 2011. Main outcome measure Relative incidence of acute liver injury comparing periods when patients were receiving orlistat with periods of non-usage. Results Among 94 695 patients who received orlistat, 988 cases of acute liver injury were identified, with 335 confirmed as definite cases and 653 as probable cases. For all cases an increased incidence of liver injury was detected during the 90 day period before orlistat was first started, with an incidence rate ratio of 1.50 (95% confidence interval 1.10 to 2.06). The incidence remained raised during the first 30 days of treatment (2.21, 1.43 to 3.42), before returning to baseline levels with prolonged treatment. When the risk during the first 90 days of treatment was compared with the 90 days preceding first treatment, the incidence of liver injury was not increased (1.02, 0.67 to 1.56). An analysis restricted to definite cases showed no evidence of an increased risk of liver injury during treatment. Conclusion The incidence of acute liver injury was higher in the periods both immediately before and immediately after the start of orlistat treatment. This suggests that the observed increased risks of liver injury linked to the start of treatment may reflect changes in health status associated with the decision to begin treatment rather than any causal effect of the drug. PMID:23585064

Control of OSA During Automatic Positive Airway Pressure Titration in a Clinical Case Series: Predictors and Accuracy of Device Download Data

PubMed Central

Huang, Hsin-Chia Carol; Hillman, David R.; McArdle, Nigel

2012-01-01

Study Objectives: To investigate the factors associated with physiologic control of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) titration in a clinical series. To also assess the usefulness of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) data downloaded from the APAP device (Dev AHI). Design: Retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with OSA who underwent APAP titration (Autoset Spirit, ResMed, Bella Vista, New South Wales, Australia ) with simultaneous polysomnographic (PSG) monitoring in the sleep laboratory. Setting: Tertiary sleep clinic. Participants: There were 190 consecutive patients with OSA referred for APAP titration. Measurements and Results: There were 58% of patients who achieved optimal or good control of OSA (titration PSG AHI < 10, or at least 50% reduction in AHI if diagnostic AHI < 15/hr) during APAP titration. The independent predictors of titration PSG AHI were a history of cardiac disease and elevated central apnea and arousal indices during the diagnostic study. Although the median and interquartile range (IQR) AHI from the device (7.0, 3.9-11.6 events/hr) was only slightly less than the PSG AHI (7.8, 3.9-14.4 events/hr, P = 0.04) during titration, case-by-case agreement between the two measures was poor (chi-square < 0.001). Conclusion: In a clinical sample control of OSA during APAP titration is often poor, and close clinical follow-up is particularly needed in patients with a history of cardiac disease or with high arousal or central apnea indices on the diagnostic study. Device AHI does not reliably assess control during APAP titration, and PSG assessment may be required if clinical response to treatment is poor. The findings relate to the ResMed AutoSet device and may not apply to other devices. Citation: Huang HCC; Hillman DR; McArdle N. Control of OSA during automatic positive airway pressure titration in a clinical case series: predictors and accuracy of device download data. SLEEP 2012;35(9):1277–1283. PMID:22942506

Walking the Talk: Continuous Improvement of a Quality Management Field Exercise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coy, Steven; Adams, Jeffery

2012-01-01

This article provides results from a three semester case study of the pedagogical efficacy of an innovative quality management field exercise. A series of direct and indirect measures were used to assess the extent to which the field exercise met a set of learning objectives. The results indicate that the assessment framework is useful in…

Describing Images: A Case Study of Visual Literacy among Library and Information Science Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beaudoin, Joan E.

2016-01-01

This paper reports on a study that examined the development of pedagogical methods for increasing the visual literacy skills of a group of library and information science students. Through a series of three assignments, students were asked to provide descriptive information for a set of historical photographs and record reflections on their…

Noncognitive Factors in an Elementary School-Wide Model of Arts Integration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simpson Steele, Jamie

2016-01-01

Pomaika'i Elementary School has answered a call to improve education by providing content instruction through the arts. How does school wide arts integration in an elementary setting support students as they transition to middle school? This bounded case study examines the experiences of eight families through a series of interviews with students,…

Chinese Academics under the Reformed Remuneration System: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xueyan, Xu

2015-01-01

As part of ongoing efforts to attract and keep talents, Chinese governments and universities have initiated a series of reforms to improve faculty salaries over the past decades. However, the reformed salary policies do not work as well as expected. According to the field data, the formed salary policies had posted a new set of challenges to…

Content-Based Instruction in Primary and Secondary School Settings. Case Studies in TESOL Practice Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaufman, Dorit, Ed.; Crandall, JoAnn, Ed.

2005-01-01

Content-based instruction (CBI) challenges English language educators to teach English using materials that learners encounter in their regular subject-area classes. This volume helps ESL and EFL teachers meet that challenge by providing them with creative ways to integrate English language learning with the content that students study at primary…

Linear phase compressive filter

DOEpatents

McEwan, T.E.

1995-06-06

A phase linear filter for soliton suppression is in the form of a laddered series of stages of non-commensurate low pass filters with each low pass filter having a series coupled inductance (L) and a reverse biased, voltage dependent varactor diode, to ground which acts as a variable capacitance (C). L and C values are set to levels which correspond to a linear or conventional phase linear filter. Inductance is mapped directly from that of an equivalent nonlinear transmission line and capacitance is mapped from the linear case using a large signal equivalent of a nonlinear transmission line. 2 figs.

Double power series method for approximating cosmological perturbations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wren, Andrew J.; Malik, Karim A.

2017-04-01

We introduce a double power series method for finding approximate analytical solutions for systems of differential equations commonly found in cosmological perturbation theory. The method was set out, in a noncosmological context, by Feshchenko, Shkil' and Nikolenko (FSN) in 1966, and is applicable to cases where perturbations are on subhorizon scales. The FSN method is essentially an extension of the well known Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) method for finding approximate analytical solutions for ordinary differential equations. The FSN method we use is applicable well beyond perturbation theory to solve systems of ordinary differential equations, linear in the derivatives, that also depend on a small parameter, which here we take to be related to the inverse wave-number. We use the FSN method to find new approximate oscillating solutions in linear order cosmological perturbation theory for a flat radiation-matter universe. Together with this model's well-known growing and decaying Mészáros solutions, these oscillating modes provide a complete set of subhorizon approximations for the metric potential, radiation and matter perturbations. Comparison with numerical solutions of the perturbation equations shows that our approximations can be made accurate to within a typical error of 1%, or better. We also set out a heuristic method for error estimation. A Mathematica notebook which implements the double power series method is made available online.

RankExplorer: Visualization of Ranking Changes in Large Time Series Data.

PubMed

Shi, Conglei; Cui, Weiwei; Liu, Shixia; Xu, Panpan; Chen, Wei; Qu, Huamin

2012-12-01

For many applications involving time series data, people are often interested in the changes of item values over time as well as their ranking changes. For example, people search many words via search engines like Google and Bing every day. Analysts are interested in both the absolute searching number for each word as well as their relative rankings. Both sets of statistics may change over time. For very large time series data with thousands of items, how to visually present ranking changes is an interesting challenge. In this paper, we propose RankExplorer, a novel visualization method based on ThemeRiver to reveal the ranking changes. Our method consists of four major components: 1) a segmentation method which partitions a large set of time series curves into a manageable number of ranking categories; 2) an extended ThemeRiver view with embedded color bars and changing glyphs to show the evolution of aggregation values related to each ranking category over time as well as the content changes in each ranking category; 3) a trend curve to show the degree of ranking changes over time; 4) rich user interactions to support interactive exploration of ranking changes. We have applied our method to some real time series data and the case studies demonstrate that our method can reveal the underlying patterns related to ranking changes which might otherwise be obscured in traditional visualizations.

Atmospheric gradients from very long baseline interferometry observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macmillan, D. S.

1995-01-01

Azimuthal asymmetries in the atmospheric refractive index can lead to errors in estimated vertical and horizontal station coordinates. Daily average gradient effects can be as large as 50 mm of delay at a 7 deg elevation. To model gradients, the constrained estimation of gradient paramters was added to the standard VLBI solution procedure. Here the analysis of two sets of data is summarized: the set of all geodetic VLBI experiments from 1990-1993 and a series of 12 state-of-the-art R&D experiments run on consecutive days in January 1994. In both cases, when the gradient parameters are estimated, the overall fit of the geodetic solution is improved at greater than the 99% confidence level. Repeatabilities of baseline lengths ranging up to 11,000 km are improved by 1 to 8 mm in a root-sum-square sense. This varies from about 20% to 40% of the total baseline length scatter without gradient modeling for the 1990-1993 series and 40% to 50% for the January series. Gradients estimated independently for each day as a piecewise linear function are mostly continuous from day to day within their formal uncertainties.

Vocal fold paralysis following surgical ductal closure in extremely low birth weight infants: A case series of feeding and respiratory complications

PubMed Central

Malcolm, William F.; Hornik, Christoph; Smith, P. Brian; Evans, Adele; Cotten, C. Michael

2010-01-01

Surgical closure of a Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) continues to be frequent among Extremely Low Birth Weight (ELBW) infants, despite improvements in the medical management of PDA’s and rising questions about its pathophysiologic role. Among other possible complications of this surgical intervention, left vocal fold paralysis (LVFP) has been reported. Only more recently, however, neonatologists are realizing the frequency and impact of this complication on chronic respiratory and feeding difficulties in the ELBW population. In this case series, we describe the clinical course of three sets of multiple births, for which at least one infant underwent surgical closure of his PDA and subsequently developed feeding and/or respiratory difficulties due to LVFP, and compare them to their respective siblings who did not sustain this complication. PMID:18974752

Catatonia in Resource Limited Settings: A Case Series and Treatment Protocol

PubMed Central

Smith, Stephanie L.; Grelotti, David J.; Fils-Aime, Reginald; Uwimana, Eugenie; Ndikubwimana, Jean-Sauveur; Therosme, Tatiana; Severe, Jennifer; Dushimiyimana, Dominique; Uwamariya, Clemence; Bienvenu, Robert; Alcindor, Yoldie; Eustache, Eddy; Raviola, Giuseppe J.; Fricchione, Gregory L.

2014-01-01

Objective The Catatonic Syndrome (“catatonia”) is characterized by motor and motivation dysregulation and is associated with a number of neuropsychiatric and medical disorders. It is recognizable in a variety of clinical settings. We present observations from the treatment of four individuals with catatonia in Haiti and Rwanda, and introduce a treatment protocol for use in resource limited settings Methods Four patients from rural Haiti and Rwanda with clinical signs of catatonia and a positive screen using the Bush-Francis-Catatonia Rating Scale were treated collaboratively by general physicians and mental health clinicians with either lorazepam or diazepam. Success in treatment was clinically assessed by complete remittance of catatonia symptoms. Results The four patients in this report exhibited a range of characteristic and recognizable signs of catatonia, including immobility/stupor, stereotypic movements, echophenomena, posturing, odd mannerisms, mutism, and refusal to eat or drink. All four cases presented initially to rural outpatient general health services in low resource settings. In some cases, diagnostic uncertainty initially led to treatment with typical antipsychotics. In each case, proper identification and treatment of catatonia with benzodiazepines led to significant clinical improvement. Conclusion Catatonia can be effectively and inexpensively treated in resource limited settings. Identification and management of catatonia is critical for the health and safety of patients with this syndrome. Familiarity with the clinical features of catatonia is essential for health professionals working in low resource settings. To facilitate early recognition of this treatable disorder, catatonia should feature more prominently in global mental health discourse. PMID:25467078

Acute Thyrotoxicosis of Graves Disease Associated with Moyamoya Vasculopathy and Stroke in Latin American Women: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Shah, Nirav H; Khandelwal, Priyank; Gordon-Perue, Gillian; Shah, Ashish H; Barbarite, Eric; Ortiz, Gustavo; Forteza, Alejandro M

2016-08-01

Moyamoya disease is a cerebral vasculopathy characterized by stenosis of the terminal internal carotid artery, proximal middle cerebral artery, and anterior cerebral artery. There is an association between moyamoya vasculopathy and Graves disease, primarily in Asian populations. Here, we present the largest series of non-Asian, predominantly Latino patients with moyamoya vasculopathy in the setting of Graves thyrotoxicosis, as well as the largest review of the literature to date. We retrospectively analyzed patients presenting with stroke in the setting of clinical Graves disease to our institution from 2004 to 2014. Moyamoya vasculopathy was diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography in all patients. Eight patients with Graves disease thyrotoxicosis and moyamoya vasculopathy were identified. Six patients were effectively managed with aggressive medical management using antithyroid and antiplatelet medications. No recurrent strokes were noted once thyrotoxicosis was controlled. Intracranial bypass was necessary in 2 patients who failed medical management. Seventy-nine additional cases were reported from the literature. There was no significant difference in clinical improvement between medical therapy alone and medical therapy with neurosurgical prophylaxis (87.0% vs. 88.0%, respectively; P = 0.94). Moyamoya vasculopathy associated with Graves disease thyrotoxicosis in non-Asian women may be more common than previously thought. In addition, our series suggests that thyrotoxicosis promotes the progression of vasculopathy. Based on our review, there is no significant difference in clinical improvement between proper medical and surgical therapies. Aggressive medical therapy should be considered first-line treatment for moyamoya vasculopathy with Graves thyrotoxicosis, with neurosurgical rescue reserved for medically refractory cases. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Melioidosis in lower provincial Cambodia: A case series from a prospective study of sepsis in Takeo Province

PubMed Central

Berjohn, Catherine M.; Prouty, Angela M.; Fitkariwala, Amitha; Som, Tin; Sieng, Darith; Gregory, Michael J.; Vaughn, Andrew; Kheng, Sim; Te, Vantha; Duplessis, Christopher A.; Lawler, James V.; Clark, Danielle V.

2017-01-01

Melioidosis is a severe infectious disease caused by the gram-negative soil bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis is well known to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand. However, melioidosis remains underreported in surrounding areas such as Cambodia. We report a case series of melioidosis in seven patients from Takeo Province, Cambodia. The patients, aged 24–65 years, were enrolled from May 2014 to May 2015 during a one year prospective study of sepsis at Takeo Provincial Hospital. They presented with fever, rigors, dyspnea, fatigue, diaphoresis, productive cough, and skin abscesses. Six of the seven patients were also hyponatremic. B. pseudomallei was cultured from the blood of six patients and the sputum of one patient. In this manuscript, we provide a detailed description of the clinical presentation, case management and laboratory confirmation of B. pseudomallei, as well as discuss the difficulties of identifying and treating melioidosis in low resource settings. PMID:28902844

Approximation Methods in Multidimensional Filter Design and Related Problems Encountered in Multidimensional System Design.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-03-21

zero , it is necessary that B M(0) be nonzero. In the case considered here, B M(0) is taken to be nonsingula and withot loss of generality it may be set...452. (c.51 D. Levin, " General order Padd type rational approximants defined from a double power series," J. Inst. Maths. Applics., 18, 1976, pp. 1-8...common zeros in the closed unit bidisc, U- 2 . The 2-D setting provides a nice theoretical framework for generalization of these stabilization results to

A Microprocessor Development System for the ALTOS Series Microcomputers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

location, and 3) routines for online user self-help and system use instructions. The primary ccnsideration in the desin of the HOST control program was...TO LOWER CASE CPI ;rYNAMIC SET ITEMIZE JZ MAKEI CPI Vt" ;LYNAMIC SET TOTAL ONLY JZ MAKET CPI "e JNZ STACKIT ;RESTART TEST IF NOT E MEM55 LXI HMEMM...RESET STACK JMP MEM0I ;RESTART TEST MAKEI MVI All ;MAKE ITEMIZE STA MEMP CALL BSOUT RET MAKET MJI A,O ;MAKE TOTAL ONLY STA MEMP CALL BSOUT RET * LONE WITH

Digital Educational Games and Mathematics. Results of a Case Study in Primary School Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fokides, Emmanuel

2018-01-01

The study presents the results of a project in which a series of digital games were used for teaching Mathematics to first, fourth, and sixth-grade primary school students (ages 6-7, 8-9, and 11-12). Mathematics was selected as the teaching subject because of the difficulties students face in understanding basic math concepts. Although digital…

Losing Our Way? The Downward Path for Outdoor Learning for Children Aged 2-11 Years

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Waite, Sue

2010-01-01

This paper draws on three related empirical studies in the South West of England: a survey of outdoor experiential learning opportunities, examining attitudes, practice and aspirations of practitioners and children in educational and care settings for children between 2-11 years within a rural county; a follow-up series of five case studies; and…

Practical Tips and Tools--Using Stories from the Field for Professional Development: "How-To" Guidelines from Reading to Reflection and Practice Integration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Talmi, Ayelet

2013-01-01

Case studies provide numerous opportunities for professional development and can be particularly helpful in transdiciplinary training. This article offers suggestions for how to use the "Zero to Three" Journal's "Stories From the Field" series of articles across a variety of settings and roles such as clinical practice, program…

The Doubles: A Case Study on Developing a Technology-Based Substance Abuse Education Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Epstein, Joel; Collins, Karen Kadela; Pancella, Thom

2004-01-01

The Doubles, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, is a seven-episode series of media tools designed to teach third and fourth grade students about the science of drug addiction. The program's curriculum is delivered via a set of videos, interactive CD-ROMs, workbooks, or an Internet site. This article examines the process used to…

Sacral neuromodulation and cardiac pacemakers.

PubMed

Roth, Ted M

2010-08-01

Potential for cross-talk between cardiac pacemakers and sacral neuromodulation remains speculative. We present a case series of patients with cardiac pacemakers who underwent staged Interstim (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) implantation and patients who had pulse generator implantation who later required cardiac pacemakers. No cross-talk was demonstrated in either group. Sacral neuromodulation appears to be safe in the setting of cardiac pacemakers without cardioversion/defibrillation technology.

Linked Learning in Pasadena: Creating a Collaborative Culture for Sustainable District Reform. Linked Learning Case Study Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rice, Erik; Rutherford-Quach, Sara

2012-01-01

This is the story of how Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is creating sustainable high school reform. PUSD, through a set of district leadership practices, thoughtfully built the capacity of and sense of ownership among essential stakeholders to design, implement, and support a system of Linked Learning pathways. Though firmly anchored by…

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Soubies, B.; Henry, J.Y.; Le Meur, M.

1300 MWe pressurised water reactors (PWRs), like the 1400 MWe reactors, operate with microprocessor-based safety systems. This is particularly the case for the Digital Integrated Protection System (SPIN), which trips the reactor in an emergency and sets in action the safeguard functions. The softwares used in these systems must therefore be highly dependable in the execution of their functions. In the case of SPIN, three players are working at different levels to achieve this goal: the protection system manufacturer, Merlin Gerin; the designer of the nuclear steam supply system, Framatome; the operator of the nuclear power plants, Electricite de Francemore » (EDF), which is also responsible for the safety of its installations. Regulatory licenses are issued by the French safety authority, the Nuclear Installations Safety Directorate (French abbreviation DSIN), subsequent to a successful examination of the technical provisions adopted by the operator. This examination is carried out by the IPSN and the standing group on nuclear reactors. This communication sets out: the methods used by the manufacturer to develop SPIN software for the 1400 MWe PWRs (N4 series); the approach adopted by the IPSN to evaluate the safety software of the protection system for the N4 series of reactors.« less

Accelerating Large Data Analysis By Exploiting Regularities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, Patrick J.; Ellsworth, David

2003-01-01

We present techniques for discovering and exploiting regularity in large curvilinear data sets. The data can be based on a single mesh or a mesh composed of multiple submeshes (also known as zones). Multi-zone data are typical to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Regularities include axis-aligned rectilinear and cylindrical meshes as well as cases where one zone is equivalent to a rigid-body transformation of another. Our algorithms can also discover rigid-body motion of meshes in time-series data. Next, we describe a data model where we can utilize the results from the discovery process in order to accelerate large data visualizations. Where possible, we replace general curvilinear zones with rectilinear or cylindrical zones. In rigid-body motion cases we replace a time-series of meshes with a transformed mesh object where a reference mesh is dynamically transformed based on a given time value in order to satisfy geometry requests, on demand. The data model enables us to make these substitutions and dynamic transformations transparently with respect to the visualization algorithms. We present results with large data sets where we combine our mesh replacement and transformation techniques with out-of-core paging in order to achieve significant speed-ups in analysis.

SORL1 variants and risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Li, Yonghong; Rowland, Charles; Catanese, Joseph; Morris, John; Lovestone, Simon; O'Donovan, Michael C; Goate, Alison; Owen, Michael; Williams, Julie; Grupe, Andrew

2008-02-01

A recent study reported significant association of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) with multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in SORL1, a neuronal sortilin-related receptor protein known to be involved in the trafficking and processing of amyloid precursor protein. Here we attempted to validate this finding in three large, well characterized case-control series. Approximately 2000 samples from the three series were individually genotyped for 12 SNPs, including the 10 reported significant SNPs and 2 that constitute the reported significant haplotypes. A total of 25 allelic and haplotypic association tests were performed. One SNP rs2070045 was marginally replicated in the three sample sets combined (nominal P=0.035); however, this result does not remain significant when accounting for multiple comparisons. Further validation in other sample sets will be required to assess the true effects of SORL1 variants in LOAD.

Progress Report on the Airborne Metadata and Time Series Working Groups of the 2016 ESDSWG

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evans, K. D.; Northup, E. A.; Chen, G.; Conover, H.; Ames, D. P.; Teng, W. L.; Olding, S. W.; Krotkov, N. A.

2016-12-01

NASA's Earth Science Data Systems Working Groups (ESDSWG) was created over 10 years ago. The role of the ESDSWG is to make recommendations relevant to NASA's Earth science data systems from users' experiences. Each group works independently focusing on a unique topic. Participation in ESDSWG groups comes from a variety of NASA-funded science and technology projects, including MEaSUREs and ROSS. Participants include NASA information technology experts, affiliated contractor staff and other interested community members from academia and industry. Recommendations from the ESDSWG groups will enhance NASA's efforts to develop long term data products. The Airborne Metadata Working Group is evaluating the suitability of the current Common Metadata Repository (CMR) and Unified Metadata Model (UMM) for airborne data sets and to develop new recommendations as necessary. The overarching goal is to enhance the usability, interoperability, discovery and distribution of airborne observational data sets. This will be done by assessing the suitability (gaps) of the current UMM model for airborne data using lessons learned from current and past field campaigns, listening to user needs and community recommendations and assessing the suitability of ISO metadata and other standards to fill the gaps. The Time Series Working Group (TSWG) is a continuation of the 2015 Time Series/WaterML2 Working Group. The TSWG is using a case study-driven approach to test the new Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) TimeseriesML standard to determine any deficiencies with respect to its ability to fully describe and encode NASA earth observation-derived time series data. To do this, the time series working group is engaging with the OGC TimeseriesML Standards Working Group (SWG) regarding unsatisfied needs and possible solutions. The effort will end with the drafting of an OGC Engineering Report based on the use cases and interactions with the OGC TimeseriesML SWG. Progress towards finalizing recommendations will be presented at the meeting.

Fisher information framework for time series modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkatesan, R. C.; Plastino, A.

2017-08-01

A robust prediction model invoking the Takens embedding theorem, whose working hypothesis is obtained via an inference procedure based on the minimum Fisher information principle, is presented. The coefficients of the ansatz, central to the working hypothesis satisfy a time independent Schrödinger-like equation in a vector setting. The inference of (i) the probability density function of the coefficients of the working hypothesis and (ii) the establishing of constraint driven pseudo-inverse condition for the modeling phase of the prediction scheme, is made, for the case of normal distributions, with the aid of the quantum mechanical virial theorem. The well-known reciprocity relations and the associated Legendre transform structure for the Fisher information measure (FIM, hereafter)-based model in a vector setting (with least square constraints) are self-consistently derived. These relations are demonstrated to yield an intriguing form of the FIM for the modeling phase, which defines the working hypothesis, solely in terms of the observed data. Cases for prediction employing time series' obtained from the: (i) the Mackey-Glass delay-differential equation, (ii) one ECG signal from the MIT-Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital (MIT-BIH) cardiac arrhythmia database, and (iii) one ECG signal from the Creighton University ventricular tachyarrhythmia database. The ECG samples were obtained from the Physionet online repository. These examples demonstrate the efficiency of the prediction model. Numerical examples for exemplary cases are provided.

Safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in a low-volume setting: review of early and late outcome.

PubMed

Gandy, Robert C; Berney, Christophe R

2014-01-01

Background. There is increasing evidence suggesting that the laparoscopic technique is the treatment of choice for large bowel resection, including for malignancy. The purpose of the study was to assess whether general surgeons, with particular skills in advanced laparoscopy, can adequately provide safe laparoscopic colorectal resections in a low-volume setting. Methods. A retrospective review of prospectively collected case series of all laparoscopic colorectal resections performed under the care of a single general surgeon is presented. The primary endpoint was postoperative clinical outcome in terms of morbidity and mortality. Secondary endpoints were adequacy of surgical margins and number of lymph nodes harvested for colorectal cancer cases. Results. Seventy-three patients underwent 75 laparoscopic resections between March, 2003, and May, 2011. There was no elective mortality and the overall 30-day postoperative morbidity was 9.3%. Conversion and anastomotic leakage rates were both 1.3%, respectively. None of the malignant cases had positive margins and the median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 17. Conclusions. Our results support the view that general surgeons with advanced skills in minimally invasive surgery may safely perform laparoscopic colorectal resection in a low-volume setting in carefully selected patient cases.

Safety of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery in a Low-Volume Setting: Review of Early and Late Outcome

PubMed Central

Gandy, Robert C.; Berney, Christophe R.

2014-01-01

Background. There is increasing evidence suggesting that the laparoscopic technique is the treatment of choice for large bowel resection, including for malignancy. The purpose of the study was to assess whether general surgeons, with particular skills in advanced laparoscopy, can adequately provide safe laparoscopic colorectal resections in a low-volume setting. Methods. A retrospective review of prospectively collected case series of all laparoscopic colorectal resections performed under the care of a single general surgeon is presented. The primary endpoint was postoperative clinical outcome in terms of morbidity and mortality. Secondary endpoints were adequacy of surgical margins and number of lymph nodes harvested for colorectal cancer cases. Results. Seventy-three patients underwent 75 laparoscopic resections between March, 2003, and May, 2011. There was no elective mortality and the overall 30-day postoperative morbidity was 9.3%. Conversion and anastomotic leakage rates were both 1.3%, respectively. None of the malignant cases had positive margins and the median number of lymph nodes retrieved was 17. Conclusions. Our results support the view that general surgeons with advanced skills in minimally invasive surgery may safely perform laparoscopic colorectal resection in a low-volume setting in carefully selected patient cases. PMID:24799890

Case Series of an Intraoral Balancing Appliance Therapy on Subjective Symptom Severity and Cervical Spine Alignment

PubMed Central

Lee, Young Jun; Lee, Joo Kang; Jung, Soo Chang; Lee, Hwang-woo; Yin, Chang Shik; Lee, Young Jin

2013-01-01

Objective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a holistic intraoral appliance (OA) on cervical spine alignment and subjective symptom severity. Design. An observational study on case series with holistic OA therapy. Setting. An outpatient clinic for holistic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) therapy under the supervision of the Pain Center, CHA Biomedical center, CHA University. Subjects. Ambulatory patients presenting with diverse chief complaints in the holistic TMJ clinic. Main Measures. Any immediate change in the curvature of cervical spine and the degree of atlantoaxial rotation was investigated in the images of simple X-ray and computed tomography of cervical spine with or without OA. Changes of subjective symptom severity were also analyzed for the holistic OA therapy cases. Results. A total of 59 cases were reviewed. Alignment of upper cervical spine rotation showed an immediate improvement (P < 0.001). Changes of subjective symptom severity also showed significant improvement (P < 0.05). Conclusion. These cases revealed rudimentary clinical evidence that holistic OA therapy may be related to an alleviated symptom severity and an improved cervical spinal alignment. These results show that further researches may warrant for the holistic TMJ therapy. PMID:23935655

Q fever: a contemporary case series from a Belgian hospital.

PubMed

Vanderbeke, Lore; Peetermans, Willy E; Saegeman, Veroniek; De Munter, Paul

2016-04-27

Q fever is a global zoonosis that can cause both acute and chronic infections in humans through aerogenic transmission. Although Q fever was discovered already 80 years ago, this infectious disease remains largely unknown. We studied a case series in a Belgian tertiary care hospital. A laboratory and file query at our department was performed to detect patients who were newly diagnosed with Q fever from 01 January 2005 to 01 October 2014. In total, 10 acute Q fever and 5 chronic Q fever infections were identified. An aspecific flu-like illness was the prevailing manifestation of acute Q fever, while this was infective endocarditis in chronic Q fever cases. Noteworthy are the high percentage of myocarditis cases in the acute setting and one case of amyloidosis as a manifestation of chronic Q fever. No evolution from acute to chronic Q fever was noted; overall outcome for both acute and chronic Q fever was favourable with a 94% survival rate. Q fever is an infectious disease characterised by a variable clinical presentation. Detection requires correct assessment of the clinical picture in combination with a laboratory confirmation. Treatment and follow-up are intended to avoid a negative outcome.

Determination of Orbital Parameters for Visual Binary Stars Using a Fourier-Series Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, D. E.; Prager, J. R.; DeLeo, G. G.; McCluskey, G. E., Jr.

2001-12-01

We expand on the Fourier transform method of Monet (ApJ 234, 275, 1979) to infer the orbital parameters of visual binary stars, and we present results for several systems, both simulated and real. Although originally developed to address binary systems observed through at least one complete period, we have extended the method to deal explicitly with cases where the orbital data is less complete. This is especially useful in cases where the period is so long that only a fragment of the orbit has been recorded. We utilize Fourier-series fitting methods appropriate to data sets covering less than one period and containing random measurement errors. In so doing, we address issues of over-determination in fitting the data and the reduction of other deleterious Fourier-series artifacts. We developed our algorithm using the MAPLE mathematical software code, and tested it on numerous "synthetic" systems, and several real binaries, including Xi Boo, 24 Aqr, and Bu 738. This work was supported at Lehigh University by the Delaware Valley Space Grant Consortium and by NSF-REU grant PHY-9820301.

Oral transmucosal administration of dexmedetomidine for sedation in 4 dogs

PubMed Central

Cohen, Anne E.; Bennett, Sara L.

2015-01-01

Injectable dexmedetomidine (DM) is widely used for sedation, restraint, anxiolysis, and analgesia in veterinary medicine. Oral transmucosal dexmedetomidine (OTM DM) has been evaluated in horses, cats, and humans, but not in dogs. In this case series, OTM DM (mean dose of 32.6 μg/kg body weight) was given in the buccal pouch to 4 aggressive dogs in a hospital setting. Two of the dogs were subsequently euthanized, and in the other 2, sedation was reversed with atipamezole. Satisfactory sedation was achieved in all cases. PMID:26538668

Circumcision-incision orchidopexy: A novel technique for palpable, low inguinal undescended testis.

PubMed

Chua, Michael E; Silangcruz, Jan Michael A; Gomez, Odina; Dy, Jun S; Morales, Marcelino L

2017-11-01

Given that both orchidopexy and circumcision are commonly done in a single operative setting, we adopted a technique of combined orchidopexy and circumcision using a single circumcision incision. We applied this new technique to boys with palpable, low inguinal cryptorchidism. Here we describe a case series of 7 boys who underwent concurrent orchidopexy via the circumcision site. We present this novel technique and discuss our preliminary outcomes, including the anatomic basis and feasibility. The technique appears to be an alternative for concurrent circumcision and cryptorchid cases with palpable, low inguinal testes.

Oral transmucosal administration of dexmedetomidine for sedation in 4 dogs.

PubMed

Cohen, Anne E; Bennett, Sara L

2015-11-01

Injectable dexmedetomidine (DM) is widely used for sedation, restraint, anxiolysis, and analgesia in veterinary medicine. Oral transmucosal dexmedetomidine (OTM DM) has been evaluated in horses, cats, and humans, but not in dogs. In this case series, OTM DM (mean dose of 32.6 μg/kg body weight) was given in the buccal pouch to 4 aggressive dogs in a hospital setting. Two of the dogs were subsequently euthanized, and in the other 2, sedation was reversed with atipamezole. Satisfactory sedation was achieved in all cases.

Highly comparative time-series analysis: the empirical structure of time series and their methods.

PubMed

Fulcher, Ben D; Little, Max A; Jones, Nick S

2013-06-06

The process of collecting and organizing sets of observations represents a common theme throughout the history of science. However, despite the ubiquity of scientists measuring, recording and analysing the dynamics of different processes, an extensive organization of scientific time-series data and analysis methods has never been performed. Addressing this, annotated collections of over 35 000 real-world and model-generated time series, and over 9000 time-series analysis algorithms are analysed in this work. We introduce reduced representations of both time series, in terms of their properties measured by diverse scientific methods, and of time-series analysis methods, in terms of their behaviour on empirical time series, and use them to organize these interdisciplinary resources. This new approach to comparing across diverse scientific data and methods allows us to organize time-series datasets automatically according to their properties, retrieve alternatives to particular analysis methods developed in other scientific disciplines and automate the selection of useful methods for time-series classification and regression tasks. The broad scientific utility of these tools is demonstrated on datasets of electroencephalograms, self-affine time series, heartbeat intervals, speech signals and others, in each case contributing novel analysis techniques to the existing literature. Highly comparative techniques that compare across an interdisciplinary literature can thus be used to guide more focused research in time-series analysis for applications across the scientific disciplines.

Highly comparative time-series analysis: the empirical structure of time series and their methods

PubMed Central

Fulcher, Ben D.; Little, Max A.; Jones, Nick S.

2013-01-01

The process of collecting and organizing sets of observations represents a common theme throughout the history of science. However, despite the ubiquity of scientists measuring, recording and analysing the dynamics of different processes, an extensive organization of scientific time-series data and analysis methods has never been performed. Addressing this, annotated collections of over 35 000 real-world and model-generated time series, and over 9000 time-series analysis algorithms are analysed in this work. We introduce reduced representations of both time series, in terms of their properties measured by diverse scientific methods, and of time-series analysis methods, in terms of their behaviour on empirical time series, and use them to organize these interdisciplinary resources. This new approach to comparing across diverse scientific data and methods allows us to organize time-series datasets automatically according to their properties, retrieve alternatives to particular analysis methods developed in other scientific disciplines and automate the selection of useful methods for time-series classification and regression tasks. The broad scientific utility of these tools is demonstrated on datasets of electroencephalograms, self-affine time series, heartbeat intervals, speech signals and others, in each case contributing novel analysis techniques to the existing literature. Highly comparative techniques that compare across an interdisciplinary literature can thus be used to guide more focused research in time-series analysis for applications across the scientific disciplines. PMID:23554344

Needlestick Injuries in Agriculture Workers and Prevention Programs.

PubMed

Buswell, Minden L; Hourigan, Mary; Nault, André J; Bender, Jeffrey B

2016-01-01

There are a variety of biologics, vaccines, antibiotics, and hormones used in animal agriculture. Depending upon the procedure or pharmaceutical used, accidental injections or product exposures can result in mild to severe injuries. Needlestick injury (NSI) prevention, research, and education for veterinarians and agriculture workers is limited. The objective of this study was to collect and review published case reports and case series/surveys on human needlestick exposure to veterinary biologics and to summarize needlestick prevention strategies for agricultural workers/veterinarians. A search was conducted of PubMed and Centre for Agriculture Bioscience International (CABI) databases. References were reviewed to identify additional articles. NSI among agricultural workers were primarily included in this review. Thirty articles were applicable to exposures in agricultural settings. Relevant literature consisted of case reports, survey/case series articles, prevention documents, and background articles. Fifty-nine case patients were identified. Most of these cases were associated with exposures to specific vaccines or veterinary products. Injury location was identified from 36 individuals: 24 (67%) NSI to the hands, 10 (28%) injuries to the legs, and 2 to other body locations. Of the 59 cases, 20 (34%) involved oil-adjuvant vaccines. Evidence of hospitalization was recorded for 30 case patients. The length of hospitalization was available from 11 case patients. Median length of hospitalization was 3 days (range: 1-4). Surgical intervention was reported in 25 case patients. Outcome information was available on 30 case patients. Fifteen made a complete recovery within 2 weeks of treatment, 14 had residual sequelae attributed to the injury, and there was 1 reported death. Of the 13 survey/case series articles: 2 focused on oil-adjuvant products, 1 on Brucellosis RB-51 vaccine, 3 on tilmicosin, 1 on Salmonella enteritidis vaccine, 1 on high-pressure injection, and 5 were nonspecific. NSI in agriculture workers and veterinarians can result in significant bodily injury and loss of work. There is a need for varied and comprehensive educational programs for agricultural workers and veterinarians to prevent NSI on livestock operations.

A preliminary case series evaluating the safety and immediate to short-term clinical benefits of joint mobilization in hemophilic arthritis of the lower limb.

PubMed

Scaddan, Emma; Rowell, John; O'Leary, Shaun

2017-09-01

Arthritis resulting from recurrent intra-articular bleeding in individuals with hemophilia can be severely debilitating due to joint pain and stiffness with subsequent loss of mobility and function. Very limited studies have investigated the potential benefits of joint mobilization for this condition. This case series is a preliminary investigation of safety, as well as immediate and short-term clinical benefits, associated with gentle knee and ankle joint mobilization in people with hemophilic arthropathy. A single intervention of joint mobilization was applied to the affected knees and/or ankles of 16 individuals with severe or moderate hemophilia within a public hospital setting. Adverse events, as well as immediate (pain-free passive joint range, Timed Up and Go Test with maximum pain numerical rating scale) and short-term (Lower Extremity Functional Scale) effects of the intervention were evaluated with a repeated measures ANOVA. There were no adverse events. An immediate significant increase was observed in pain-free passive ankle joint range of motion ( p  < 0.05) following the joint mobilization intervention. The findings of this case series suggest that gentle joint mobilization techniques may be safely considered as part of a multimodal management approach for hemophilic arthropathy.

Thyroid Surgery in a Resource-Limited Setting.

PubMed

Jafari, Aria; Campbell, David; Campbell, Bruce H; Ngoitsi, Henry Nono; Sisenda, Titus M; Denge, Makaya; James, Benjamin C; Cordes, Susan R

2017-03-01

Objective The present study reviews a series of patients who underwent thyroid surgery in Eldoret, Kenya, to demonstrate the feasibility of conducting long-term (>1 year) outcomes research in a resource-limited setting, impact on the quality of life of the recipient population, and inform future humanitarian collaborations. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary public referral hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Subjects and Methods Twenty-one patients were enrolled during the study period. A retrospective chart review was performed for all adult patients who underwent thyroid surgery during humanitarian trips (2010-2015). Patients were contacted by mobile telephone. Medical history and physical examination, including laryngoscopy, were performed, and the SF-36 was administered (a quality-of-life questionnaire). Laboratory measurements of thyroid function and neck ultrasound were obtained. Results The mean follow-up was 33.6 ± 20.2 months after surgery: 37.5% of subtotal thyroidectomy patients and 15.4% of lobectomy patients were hypothyroid postoperatively according to serologic studies. There were no cases of goiter recurrence or malignancy. All patients reported postoperative symptomatic improvement and collectively showed positive pre- and postoperative score differences on the SF-36. Conclusion Although limited by a small sample size and the retrospective nature, our study demonstrates the feasibility of long-term surgical and quality-of-life outcomes research in a resource-limited setting. The low complication rates suggest minimal adverse effects of performing surgery in this context. Despite a considerable rate of postoperative hypothyroidism, it is in accordance with prior studies and emphasizes the need for individualized, longitudinal, and multidisciplinary care. Quality-of-life score improvements suggest benefit to the recipient population.

Shattered, Suffering, and Silenced: Sharon's Story.

PubMed

Shafer, Michaela R

2016-01-01

This chapter presents a case study of a 30-year-old female news reporter in Albuquerque, New Mexico, named Sharon Fullilove. The case is presented as a personal narrative by her mother, who is a critical care nurse, former chief nurse, Level I trauma unit commander, and colonel in the U.S. Air Force. The narrative is followed by excerpts from Sharon's chart that confirm a series of decisions made by both the hospital and the providers. The subsequent narrative is meant to give the reader an opportunity to reflect on the variety of clinical ethics questions that emerge when a patient enters into a contract with a physician and hospital for care. The goal is not to perform a thorough ethical analysis of the case but to let the reader experience what it is like when best practice standards, attention to patient care, and compassionate concern for family members are set aside. The case concludes with a set of broad questions that can be used for further discussion. Hopefully, this case will bring to the forefront the centrality of ethics in professional decision-making within the context of medical care.

Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Rafael G; Bouso, José Carlos; Hallak, Jaime E C

2017-04-01

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogen brew traditionally used for ritual and therapeutic purposes in Northwestern Amazon. It is rich in the tryptamine hallucinogens dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which acts as a serotonin 5-HT 2A agonist. This mechanism of action is similar to other compounds such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. The controlled use of LSD and psilocybin in experimental settings is associated with a low incidence of psychotic episodes, and population studies corroborate these findings. Both the controlled use of DMT in experimental settings and the use of ayahuasca in experimental and ritual settings are not usually associated with psychotic episodes, but little is known regarding ayahuasca or DMT use outside these controlled contexts. Thus, we performed a systematic review of the published case reports describing psychotic episodes associated with ayahuasca and DMT intake. We found three case series and two case reports describing psychotic episodes associated with ayahuasca intake, and three case reports describing psychotic episodes associated with DMT. Several reports describe subjects with a personal and possibly a family history of psychosis (including schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorders, psychotic mania, psychotic depression), nonpsychotic mania, or concomitant use of other drugs. However, some cases also described psychotic episodes in subjects without these previous characteristics. Overall, the incidence of such episodes appears to be rare in both the ritual and the recreational/noncontrolled settings. Performance of a psychiatric screening before administration of these drugs, and other hallucinogens, in controlled settings seems to significantly reduce the possibility of adverse reactions with psychotic symptomatology. Individuals with a personal or family history of any psychotic illness or nonpsychotic mania should avoid hallucinogen intake.

Improvements in chronic diseases with a comprehensive natural medicine approach: a review and case series.

PubMed

Nader, T; Rothenberg, S; Averbach, R; Charles, B; Fields, J Z; Schneider, R H

2000-01-01

Approximately 40% of the US population report using complementary and alternative medicine, including Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM), a traditional, comprehensive system of natural medicine, for relief from chronic and other disorders. Although many reports suggest health benefits from individual MVM techniques, reports on integrated holistic approaches are rare. This case series, designed to investigate the effectiveness of an integrated, multimodality MVM program in an ideal clinical setting, describes the outcomes in four patients: one with sarcoidosis; one with Parkinson's disease; a third with renal hypertension; and a fourth with diabetes/essential hypertension/anxiety disorder. Standard symptom reports and objective markers of disease were evaluated before, during, and after the treatment period. Results suggested substantial improvements as indicated by reductions in major signs, symptoms, and use of conventional medications in the four patients during the 3-week in-residence treatment phase and continuing through the home follow-up program.

Improvements in Chronic Diseases With a Comprehensive Natural Medicine Approach: A Review and Case Series

PubMed Central

Nader, Tony; Rothenberg, Stuart; Averbach, Richard; Charles, Barry; Fields, Jeremy Z.; Schneider, Robert H.

2008-01-01

Approximately 40% of the US population report using complementary and alternative medicine, including Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM), a traditional, comprehensive system of natural medicine, for relief from chronic and other disorders. Although many reports suggest health benefits from individual MVM techniques, reports on integrated holistic approaches are rare. This case series, designed to investigate the effectiveness of an integrated, multi-modality MVM program in an ideal clinical setting, describes the outcomes in four patients: one with sarcoidosis; one with Parkinson’s disease; a third with renal hypertension; and a fourth with diabetes/essential hypertension/anxiety disorder. Standard symptom reports and objective markers of disease were evaluated before, during, and after the treatment period. Results suggested substantial improvements as indicated by reductions in major signs, symptoms, and use of conventional medications in the four patients during the 3-week in-residence treatment phase and continuing through the home follow-up program. PMID:10971882

Generalized symmetries of an 𝓝 = 1 supersymmetric Boiti-Leon-Manna-Pempinelli system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jian-Yong; Tang, Xiao-Yan; Liang, Zu-Feng; Lou, Sen-Yue

2015-05-01

The formal series symmetry approach (FSSA), a quite powerful and straightforward method to establish infinitely many generalized symmetries of classical integrable systems, has been successfully extended in the supersymmetric framework to explore series of infinitely many generalized symmetries for supersymmetric systems. Taking the 𝒩 = 1 supersymmetric Boiti-Leon-Manna-Pempinelli system as a concrete example, it is shown that the application of the extended FSSA to this supersymmetric system leads to a set of infinitely many generalized symmetries with an arbitrary function f (t). Some interesting special cases of symmetry algebras are presented, including a limit case f (t) = 1 related to the commutativity of higher order generalized symmetries. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11275123, 11175092, 11475052, and 11435005), the Shanghai Knowledge Service Platform for Trustworthy Internet of Things, China (Grant No. ZF1213), and the Talent Fund and K CWong Magna Fund in Ningbo University, China.

Mutations in the pancreatic secretory enzymes CPA1 and CPB1 are associated with pancreatic cancer.

PubMed

Tamura, Koji; Yu, Jun; Hata, Tatsuo; Suenaga, Masaya; Shindo, Koji; Abe, Toshiya; MacGregor-Das, Anne; Borges, Michael; Wolfgang, Christopher L; Weiss, Matthew J; He, Jin; Canto, Marcia Irene; Petersen, Gloria M; Gallinger, Steven; Syngal, Sapna; Brand, Randall E; Rustgi, Anil; Olson, Sara H; Stoffel, Elena; Cote, Michele L; Zogopoulos, George; Potash, James B; Goes, Fernando S; McCombie, Richard W; Zandi, Peter P; Pirooznia, Mehdi; Kramer, Melissa; Parla, Jennifer; Eshleman, James R; Roberts, Nicholas J; Hruban, Ralph H; Klein, Alison Patricia; Goggins, Michael

2018-05-01

To evaluate whether germline variants in genes encoding pancreatic secretory enzymes contribute to pancreatic cancer susceptibility, we sequenced the coding regions of CPB1 and other genes encoding pancreatic secretory enzymes and known pancreatitis susceptibility genes ( PRSS1 , CPA1 , CTRC , and SPINK1 ) in a hospital series of pancreatic cancer cases and controls. Variants in CPB1 , CPA1 (encoding carboxypeptidase B1 and A1), and CTRC were evaluated in a second set of cases with familial pancreatic cancer and controls. More deleterious CPB1 variants, defined as having impaired protein secretion and induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in transfected HEK 293T cells, were found in the hospital series of pancreatic cancer cases (5/986, 0.5%) than in controls (0/1,045, P = 0.027). Among familial pancreatic cancer cases, ER stress-inducing CPB1 variants were found in 4 of 593 (0.67%) vs. 0 of 967 additional controls ( P = 0.020), with a combined prevalence in pancreatic cancer cases of 9/1,579 vs. 0/2,012 controls ( P < 0.01). More ER stress-inducing CPA1 variants were also found in the combined set of hospital and familial cases with pancreatic cancer than in controls [7/1,546 vs. 1/2,012; P = 0.025; odds ratio, 9.36 (95% CI, 1.15-76.02)]. Overall, 16 (1%) of 1,579 pancreatic cancer cases had an ER stress-inducing CPA1 or CPB1 variant, compared with 1 of 2,068 controls ( P < 0.00001). No other candidate genes had statistically significant differences in variant prevalence between cases and controls. Our study indicates ER stress-inducing variants in CPB1 and CPA1 are associated with pancreatic cancer susceptibility and implicate ER stress in pancreatic acinar cells in pancreatic cancer development.

Detecting discontinuities in GNSS coordinate time series with STARS: case study, the Bologna and Medicina GPS sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruni, S.; Zerbini, Susanna; Raicich, F.; Errico, M.; Santi, E.

2014-12-01

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) data are a fundamental source of information for achieving a better understanding of geophysical and climate-related phenomena. However, discontinuities in the coordinate time series might be a severe limiting factor for the reliable estimate of long-term trends. A methodological approach has been adapted from Rodionov (Geophys Res Lett 31:L09204, 2004; Geophys Res Lett 31:L12707, 2006) and from Rodionov and Overland (J Marine Sci 62:328-332, 2005) to identify both the epoch of occurrence and the magnitude of jumps corrupting GNSS data sets without any a priori information on these quantities. The procedure is based on the Sequential t test Analysis of Regime Shifts (STARS) (Rodionov in Geophys Res Lett 31:L09204, 2004). The method has been tested against a synthetic data set characterized by typical features exhibited by real GNSS time series, such as linear trend, seasonal cycle, jumps, missing epochs and a combination of white and flicker noise. The results show that the offsets identified by the algorithm are split into 48 % of true-positive, 28 % of false-positive and 24 % of false-negative events. The procedure has then been applied to GPS coordinate time series of stations located in the southeastern Po Plain, in Italy. The series span more than 15 years and are affected by offsets of different nature. The methodology proves to be effective, as confirmed by the comparison between the corrected GPS time series and those obtained by other observation techniques.

Building Society: Young People's Experiences and Outcomes in the Technologies. Transforming Lives through Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Education Scotland, 2014

2014-01-01

This report continues the series in which Education Scotland evaluates the quality of young people's learning and achievements, in this case in the technologies. The report contributes to the overall picture of what it is like to be a learner in a Scottish early learning or childcare setting or school in this second decade of the 21st Century. The…

Children with Special Needs: Lessons for Early Childhood Professionals. Early Childhood Education Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kostelnik, Marjorie J.; Onaga, Esther; Rohde, Barbara; Whiren, Alice

Bridging the gap between child development and strategies for inclusion, this book is intended to help early childhood practitioners and pre-service teachers feel better equipped to meet the needs of all the children in their early childhood setting. Each chapter of the book is a case study introducing a child (ages birth to 8 years) with one or…

Tutorial: Crystal orientations and EBSD — Or which way is up?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Britton, T.B., E-mail: b.britton@imperial.ac.uk; Jiang, J.; Guo, Y.

2016-07-15

Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is an automated technique that can measure the orientation of crystals in a sample very rapidly. There are many sophisticated software packages that present measured data. Unfortunately, due to crystal symmetry and differences in the set-up of microscope and EBSD software, there may be accuracy issues when linking the crystal orientation to a particular microstructural feature. In this paper we outline a series of conventions used to describe crystal orientations and coordinate systems. These conventions have been used to successfully demonstrate that a consistent frame of reference is used in the sample, unit cell, pole figuremore » and diffraction pattern frames of reference. We establish a coordinate system rooted in measurement of the diffraction pattern and subsequently link this to all other coordinate systems. A fundamental outcome of this analysis is to note that the beamshift coordinate system needs to be precisely defined for consistent 3D microstructure analysis. This is supported through a series of case studies examining particular features of the microscope settings and/or unambiguous crystallographic features. These case studies can be generated easily in most laboratories and represent an opportunity to demonstrate confidence in use of recorded orientation data. Finally, we include a simple software tool, written in both MATLAB® and Python, which the reader can use to compare consistency with their own microscope set-up and which may act as a springboard for further offline analysis. - Highlights: • Presentation of conventions used to describe crystal orientations • Three case studies that outline how conventions are consistent • Demonstrates a pathway for calibration and validation of EBSD based orientation measurements • EBSD computer code supplied for validation by the reader.« less

Folie à deux in forensic setting.

PubMed

Kraya, N A; Patrick, C

1997-12-01

This paper is written with the aim of presenting a series of cases of folie à deux, an unusual disorder, occurring in a forensic setting where all the victims suffered a fatal or near-fatal outcome. Similarities in the psychopathology in these cases are drawn and comments are made about their outcome in court. The paper is also written to draw attention to the potential risks involved in this type of case and to accent patterns in psychopathology and in legal outcomes. Five folie à deux cases are described. All are well known to one of the authors (NK), who has treated them at some stage of their illness, provided medicolegal reports for the trial of cases 3, 4 and 5, and provided expert witness testimony in the trial of case 3. All case notes and other relevant documents were studied in detail and a brief summary is provided for each case. The cases appear to conform with the description of folie à deux given in the literature and consist of husband and wife (three cases), mother and daughter (one case) and twin brothers (one case). None of these cases had had any past psychiatric or criminal history, yet all the victims suffered a fatal or near fatal outcome. Additionally, all had shared religious delusions in one form or another. Folie à deux cases with shared religious delusions can be a very high risk and could be potentially fatal in a family setting. The authors also highlight the difficulties inherent in a forensic system restricted to McNaughton rules, particularly when a person is on trial having committed, or being alleged to have committed, a serious offence, and who is found to be suffering from a psychotic illness.

Assessment of resampling methods for causality testing: A note on the US inflation behavior

PubMed Central

Kyrtsou, Catherine; Kugiumtzis, Dimitris; Diks, Cees

2017-01-01

Different resampling methods for the null hypothesis of no Granger causality are assessed in the setting of multivariate time series, taking into account that the driving-response coupling is conditioned on the other observed variables. As appropriate test statistic for this setting, the partial transfer entropy (PTE), an information and model-free measure, is used. Two resampling techniques, time-shifted surrogates and the stationary bootstrap, are combined with three independence settings (giving a total of six resampling methods), all approximating the null hypothesis of no Granger causality. In these three settings, the level of dependence is changed, while the conditioning variables remain intact. The empirical null distribution of the PTE, as the surrogate and bootstrapped time series become more independent, is examined along with the size and power of the respective tests. Additionally, we consider a seventh resampling method by contemporaneously resampling the driving and the response time series using the stationary bootstrap. Although this case does not comply with the no causality hypothesis, one can obtain an accurate sampling distribution for the mean of the test statistic since its value is zero under H0. Results indicate that as the resampling setting gets more independent, the test becomes more conservative. Finally, we conclude with a real application. More specifically, we investigate the causal links among the growth rates for the US CPI, money supply and crude oil. Based on the PTE and the seven resampling methods, we consistently find that changes in crude oil cause inflation conditioning on money supply in the post-1986 period. However this relationship cannot be explained on the basis of traditional cost-push mechanisms. PMID:28708870

Assessment of resampling methods for causality testing: A note on the US inflation behavior.

PubMed

Papana, Angeliki; Kyrtsou, Catherine; Kugiumtzis, Dimitris; Diks, Cees

2017-01-01

Different resampling methods for the null hypothesis of no Granger causality are assessed in the setting of multivariate time series, taking into account that the driving-response coupling is conditioned on the other observed variables. As appropriate test statistic for this setting, the partial transfer entropy (PTE), an information and model-free measure, is used. Two resampling techniques, time-shifted surrogates and the stationary bootstrap, are combined with three independence settings (giving a total of six resampling methods), all approximating the null hypothesis of no Granger causality. In these three settings, the level of dependence is changed, while the conditioning variables remain intact. The empirical null distribution of the PTE, as the surrogate and bootstrapped time series become more independent, is examined along with the size and power of the respective tests. Additionally, we consider a seventh resampling method by contemporaneously resampling the driving and the response time series using the stationary bootstrap. Although this case does not comply with the no causality hypothesis, one can obtain an accurate sampling distribution for the mean of the test statistic since its value is zero under H0. Results indicate that as the resampling setting gets more independent, the test becomes more conservative. Finally, we conclude with a real application. More specifically, we investigate the causal links among the growth rates for the US CPI, money supply and crude oil. Based on the PTE and the seven resampling methods, we consistently find that changes in crude oil cause inflation conditioning on money supply in the post-1986 period. However this relationship cannot be explained on the basis of traditional cost-push mechanisms.

Restrictive Diet Control as a Means of Child Abuse.

PubMed

Kudek, Matthew R; Luyet, Francois; Herringa, Ryan J; Knox, Barbara L

2018-03-01

We have recently encountered a series of cases where an obese caretaker is juxtaposed to a severely starved, malnourished dependent. The cases described all share a common characteristic: that the primary perpetrator was an obese caretaker who tried to exert absolute control over their victim's daily life in a way that included either a severe restriction or complete denial of food. Because the pathophysiology of both child abuse and obesity are incredibly complex and multifactorial, these cases are presented to encourage further discussion and more rigorous investigation into the validity of a hypothesis that has been derived from this set of cases: that the obesity of a child's caretaker may be an additional risk factor for child maltreatment by starvation.

Double KRAS and BRAF Mutations in Surgically Treated Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: An International, Multi-institutional Case Series.

PubMed

Deshwar, Amar; Margonis, Georgios Antonios; Andreatos, Nikolaos; Barbon, Carlotta; Wang, Jaeyun; Buettner, Stefan; Wagner, Doris; Sasaki, Kazunari; Beer, Andrea; Løes, Inger Marie; Pikoulis, Emmanouil; Damaskos, Christos; Garmpis, Nikolaos; Kamphues, Karsten; He, Jin; Kaczirek, Klaus; Poultsides, George; Lønning, Per Eystein; Mischinger, Hans Joerg; Aucejo, Federico N; Kreis, Martin E; Wolfgang, Christopher L; Weiss, Matthew J

2018-05-01

While previously believed to be mutually exclusive, concomitant mutation of Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)- and V-raf murine sarcoma b-viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF)-mutated colorectal carcinoma (CRC), has been described in rare instances and been associated with advanced-stage disease. The present case series is the first to report on the implications of concurrent KRAS/BRAF mutations among surgically treated patients, and the largest set of patients with surgically treated colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and data on KRAS/BRAF mutational status thus far described. We present cases from an international, multi-institutional cohort of patients that underwent hepatic resection for CRLM between 2000-2015 at seven tertiary centers. The incidence of KRAS/BRAF mutation in patients with CRLM was 0.5% (4/820). Of these cases, patient 1 (T2N1 primary, G13D/V600E), patient 2 (T3N1 primary, G12V/V600E) and patient 3 (T4N2 primary, G13D/D594N) succumbed to their disease within 485, 236 and 79 days respectively, post-hepatic resection. Patient 4 (T4 primary, G12S/G469S) was alive 416 days after hepatic resection. The present case series suggests that the incidence of concomitant KRAS/BRAF mutations in surgical cohorts may be higher than previously hypothesized, and associated with more variable survival outcomes than expected. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Designing Psychological Treatments for Scalability: The PREMIUM Approach

PubMed Central

Vellakkal, Sukumar; Patel, Vikram

2015-01-01

Introduction Lack of access to empirically-supported psychological treatments (EPT) that are contextually appropriate and feasible to deliver by non-specialist health workers (referred to as ‘counsellors’) are major barrier for the treatment of mental health problems in resource poor countries. To address this barrier, the ‘Program for Effective Mental Health Interventions in Under-resourced Health Systems’ (PREMIUM) designed a method for the development of EPT for severe depression and harmful drinking. This was implemented over three years in India. This study assessed the relative usefulness and costs of the five ‘steps’ (Systematic reviews, In-depth interviews, Key informant surveys, Workshops with international experts, and Workshops with local experts) in the first phase of identifying the strategies and theoretical model of the treatment and two ‘steps’ (Case series with specialists, and Case series and pilot trial with counsellors) in the second phase of enhancing the acceptability and feasibility of its delivery by counsellors in PREMIUM with the aim of arriving at a parsimonious set of steps for future investigators to use for developing scalable EPT. Data and Methods The study used two sources of data: the usefulness ratings by the investigators and the resource utilization. The usefulness of each of the seven steps was assessed through the ratings by the investigators involved in the development of each of the two EPT, viz. Healthy Activity Program for severe depression and Counselling for Alcohol Problems for harmful drinking. Quantitative responses were elicited to rate the utility (usefulness/influence), followed by open-ended questions for explaining the rankings. The resources used by PREMIUM were computed in terms of time (months) and monetary costs. Results The theoretical core of the new treatments were consistent with those of EPT derived from global evidence, viz. Behavioural Activation and Motivational Enhancement for severe depression and harmful drinking respectively, indicating the universal applicability of these theories. All the steps of both phases in PREMIUM contributed to the development of the final EPT. However, if there were significant resource constraints, the steps can be limited to workshops with international and local experts in the first phase, and case series with specialists, and case series and pilot trial with counsellors in the second phase. Conclusions Integrating global evidence with local knowledge and practices are complementary and feasible goals to contribute to the development of contextually appropriate and feasible EPT in resource poor country settings. The emerging EPT share similar theoretical frameworks to those described in the global evidence. The PREMIUM method has relevance for any setting where populations have poor access to EPT as its explicit goal is to develop scalable treatments. PMID:26225853

Discovering monotonic stemness marker genes from time-series stem cell microarray data.

PubMed

Wang, Hsei-Wei; Sun, Hsing-Jen; Chang, Ting-Yu; Lo, Hung-Hao; Cheng, Wei-Chung; Tseng, George C; Lin, Chin-Teng; Chang, Shing-Jyh; Pal, Nikhil; Chung, I-Fang

2015-01-01

Identification of genes with ascending or descending monotonic expression patterns over time or stages of stem cells is an important issue in time-series microarray data analysis. We propose a method named Monotonic Feature Selector (MFSelector) based on a concept of total discriminating error (DEtotal) to identify monotonic genes. MFSelector considers various time stages in stage order (i.e., Stage One vs. other stages, Stages One and Two vs. remaining stages and so on) and computes DEtotal of each gene. MFSelector can successfully identify genes with monotonic characteristics. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of MFSelector on two synthetic data sets and two stem cell differentiation data sets: embryonic stem cell neurogenesis (ESCN) and embryonic stem cell vasculogenesis (ESCV) data sets. We have also performed extensive quantitative comparisons of the three monotonic gene selection approaches. Some of the monotonic marker genes such as OCT4, NANOG, BLBP, discovered from the ESCN dataset exhibit consistent behavior with that reported in other studies. The role of monotonic genes found by MFSelector in either stemness or differentiation is validated using information obtained from Gene Ontology analysis and other literature. We justify and demonstrate that descending genes are involved in the proliferation or self-renewal activity of stem cells, while ascending genes are involved in differentiation of stem cells into variant cell lineages. We have developed a novel system, easy to use even with no pre-existing knowledge, to identify gene sets with monotonic expression patterns in multi-stage as well as in time-series genomics matrices. The case studies on ESCN and ESCV have helped to get a better understanding of stemness and differentiation. The novel monotonic marker genes discovered from a data set are found to exhibit consistent behavior in another independent data set, demonstrating the utility of the proposed method. The MFSelector R function and data sets can be downloaded from: http://microarray.ym.edu.tw/tools/MFSelector/.

Inhaled methoxyflurane as a prehospital analgesic in children.

PubMed

Babl, Franz E; Jamison, Sarah R; Spicer, Maureen; Bernard, Stephen

2006-08-01

Despite widespread use of methoxyflurane as an inhaled analgesic by ambulance services in Australia there are no published data as to its use pattern, efficacy and safety in the prehospital setting. We set out to characterize methoxyflurane use in children in the prehospital setting. An observational case series was conducted over an 8 month period. Children who received methoxyflurane while being transported to a tertiary children's hospital by ambulance were enrolled. We analysed indications for use, verbal numerical pain scores, adverse events and depth of sedation based on paramedic, patient, parent and ED staff surveys and review of ambulance care records. During the study period 105 patients were enrolled with an age range of 15 months to 17 years (median age 11 years). Methoxyflurane was mainly used for extremity injuries (82%). Paramedic pain scores dropped from a mean of 7.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.5-8.3) prior to methoxyflurane use to 4.5 (95% CI 3.9-5.0) at 2-5 min and to 3.2 (95% CI 2.8-3.7) at 10 min. There were no serious adverse events (one-sided 97.5% CI 0-3%). Mild adverse events occurred in 38 patients (36.2%; 95% CI 27.0-46.1%). Five of 15 (33.3%) patients under 5 years of age were deeply sedated. In the present paediatric case series methoxyflurane appears to be an efficacious analgesic with a low adverse events profile. In young children in particular it can briefly lead to deep sedation.

Design considerations for case series models with exposure onset measurement error.

PubMed

Mohammed, Sandra M; Dalrymple, Lorien S; Sentürk, Damla; Nguyen, Danh V

2013-02-28

The case series model allows for estimation of the relative incidence of events, such as cardiovascular events, within a pre-specified time window after an exposure, such as an infection. The method requires only cases (individuals with events) and controls for all fixed/time-invariant confounders. The measurement error case series model extends the original case series model to handle imperfect data, where the timing of an infection (exposure) is not known precisely. In this work, we propose a method for power/sample size determination for the measurement error case series model. Extensive simulation studies are used to assess the accuracy of the proposed sample size formulas. We also examine the magnitude of the relative loss of power due to exposure onset measurement error, compared with the ideal situation where the time of exposure is measured precisely. To facilitate the design of case series studies, we provide publicly available web-based tools for determining power/sample size for both the measurement error case series model as well as the standard case series model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Necrotizing fasciitis: case series and review of the literature on clinical and medico-legal diagnostic challenges.

PubMed

Fais, Paolo; Viero, Alessia; Viel, Guido; Giordano, Renzo; Raniero, Dario; Kusstatscher, Stefano; Giraudo, Chiara; Cecchetto, Giovanni; Montisci, Massimo

2018-04-07

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a life-threatening infection of soft tissues spreading along the fasciae to the surrounding musculature, subcutaneous fat and overlying skin areas that can rapidly lead to septic shock and death. Due to the pandemic increase of medical malpractice lawsuits, above all in Western countries, the forensic pathologist is frequently asked to investigate post-mortem cases of NF in order to determine the cause of death and to identify any related negligence and/or medical error. Herein, we review the medical literature dealing with cases of NF in a post-mortem setting, present a case series of seven NF fatalities and discuss the main ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnostic challenges of both clinical and forensic interests. In particular, we address the following issues: (1) origin of soft tissue infections, (2) micro-organisms involved, (3) time of progression of the infection to NF, (4) clinical and histological staging of NF and (5) pros and cons of clinical and laboratory scores, specific forensic issues related to the reconstruction of the ideal medical conduct and the evaluation of the causal value/link of any eventual medical error.

Medical evacuation for unrecognized abdominal wall pain: a case series.

PubMed

Msonda, Hapu T; Laczek, Jeffrey T

2015-05-01

Chronic abdominal pain is a frequently encountered complaint in the primary care setting. The abdominal wall is the etiology of this pain in 10 to 30% of all cases of chronic abdominal pain. Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment at the lateral border of the rectus abdominis muscle has been attributed as a cause of this pain. In the military health care system, patients with unexplained abdominal pain are often transferred to military treatment facilities via the Military Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) system. We present two cases of patients who transferred via MEDEVAC to our facility for evaluation and treatment of chronic abdominal pain. Both patients had previously undergone extensive laboratory evaluation, imaging, and invasive procedures, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy before transfer. Upon arrival, history and physical examinations suggested an abdominal wall source to their pain, and both patients experienced alleviation of their abdominal wall pain with lidocaine and corticosteroid injection. This case series highlights the need for military physicians to be aware of abdominal wall pain. Early diagnosis of abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome by eliciting Carnett's sign will limit symptom chronicity, avoid unnecessary testing, and even prevent medical evacuation. Reprint & Copyright © 2015 Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Sandfly fever in Afghanistan-a sometimes overlooked disease of military importance: a case series and review of the literature.

PubMed

Downs, John W; Flood, Daniel T; Orr, Nicholas H; Constantineau, Jason A; Caviness, James W

2017-01-01

Sandfly fever, sometimes known as pappataci fever or Phlebotomus fever, is a vector transmitted viral illness with a history of affecting naïve military formations that travel through or fight in areas in which the infection is endemic. We present a series of 4 hospitalized cases of sandfly fever (2 presumptive, 2 laboratory confirmed) that were admitted to a Role 3 hospital in Afghanistan for evaluation and treatment following medical evacuation from a forward area for marked fevers and malaise. Laboratory evaluation of these cases was significant for leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, consistent with historical descriptions of sandfly fever. In the correct geographic and clinical setting, the finding of mild leukopenia among a cluster of febrile patients should prompt the clinician to at least consider a diagnosis of sandfly fever. A cluster investigation conducted by preventive medicine personnel identified numerous other presumed cases of sandfly fever in this forward special operations camp. Response efforts emphasized enforcement of standard vector-borne disease control measures by operational leadership in order to limit effect on tactical operations. We review historical instances of sandfly fever affecting military operations, and present a review of clinical presentation, transmission, management, and prevention.

The clinical application of teaching people about pain.

PubMed

Louw, Adriaan; Zimney, Kory; O'Hotto, Christine; Hilton, Sandra

2016-07-01

Teaching people about the neurobiology and neurophysiology of their pain experience has a therapeutic effect and has been referred to as pain neuroscience education (PNE). Various high-quality randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have shown increasing efficacy of PNE decreasing pain, disability, pain catastrophization, movement restrictions, and healthcare utilization. Research studies, however, by virtue of their design, are very controlled environments and, therefore, in contrast to the ever-increasing evidence for PNE, little is known about the clinical application of this emerging therapy. In contrast, case studies, case series, and expert opinion and perspectives by authorities in the world of pain science provide clinicians with a glimpse into potential "real" clinical application of PNE in the face of the ever-increasing chronic pain epidemic. By taking the material from the randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, case series, case studies, and expert opinion, this article aims to provide a proposed layout of the clinical application of PNE. The article systematically discusses key elements of PNE including examination, educational content, and delivery methods, merging of PNE with movement, goal setting, and progression. This perspectives article concludes with a call for research into the clinical application of PNE.

Time series, correlation matrices and random matrix models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vinayak; Seligman, Thomas H.

2014-01-08

In this set of five lectures the authors have presented techniques to analyze open classical and quantum systems using correlation matrices. For diverse reasons we shall see that random matrices play an important role to describe a null hypothesis or a minimum information hypothesis for the description of a quantum system or subsystem. In the former case various forms of correlation matrices of time series associated with the classical observables of some system. The fact that such series are necessarily finite, inevitably introduces noise and this finite time influence lead to a random or stochastic component in these time series.more » By consequence random correlation matrices have a random component, and corresponding ensembles are used. In the latter we use random matrices to describe high temperature environment or uncontrolled perturbations, ensembles of differing chaotic systems etc. The common theme of the lectures is thus the importance of random matrix theory in a wide range of fields in and around physics.« less

Gross and fine motor skills of children with Hurler syndrome (MPS-IH) post umbilical cord blood transplantation: a case series report.

PubMed

Dusing, Stacey C; Rosenberg, Angela; Hiemenz, Jennifer R; Piner, Shelley; Escolar, Maria

2005-01-01

Recent advancements in medical treatment of Hurler syndrome have resulted in longer life expectancies and a greater need for therapeutic services. The purpose of this case series is to provide recommendations for assessing children with Hurler syndrome after umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT). CLINICAL DESCRIPTIONS: Two children with Hurler syndrome were seen for longitudinal assessments following an UCBT for Hurler syndrome. The raw scores and percentage of fine and gross motor items each child completed on the Motor Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) were reviewed. Both children gained new motor skills with each successive motor assessment. Both children were able to complete a higher percentage of fine motor skills than gross motor skills in the most advanced item set assessed. The children presented in these two case reports both had better fine motor skills than gross motor skills, which inflated their standard scores on the BSID-II. Clinicians assessing children with Hurler syndrome should use standardized assessments that allow for differentiation of fine and gross motor skills to prevent this situation.

Effective Treatment of Folliculitis Decalvans Using Selected Antimicrobial Agents

PubMed Central

Sillani, Caulloo; Bin, Zhang; Ying, Zhao; Zeming, Cai; Jian, Yang; Xingqi, Zhang

2010-01-01

Folliculitis Decalvans (FD) is a rare neutrophilic infammation of the scalp characterized by painful, recurrent purulent follicular exudation resulting in primary cicatricial alopecia. However, unclear etiology makes FD treatment a difficult task. A wide variety of topical and systemic agents have been tried previously, with varied results. We present here a case series report of a set of 13 patients with FD on antimicrobial therapy. PMID:21188019

Sawflies and ponderosa pine: hypothetical response surfaces for pine genotype, ontogenic stage, and stress level

Treesearch

Michael R. Wagner

1991-01-01

Patterns that occur in nature are the result of a complex set of current and historical factors that interact with one another and the adaptive plasticity of plants. Scientists are forced to assess such processes on the basis of series of "snapshots" over a relatively short time that represent only part of the grand pattern. In the case of insects interacting...

Circumcision-incision orchidopexy: A novel technique for palpable, low inguinal undescended testis

PubMed Central

Silangcruz, Jan Michael A.; Gomez, Odina; Dy, Jun S.; Morales, Marcelino L.

2017-01-01

Given that both orchidopexy and circumcision are commonly done in a single operative setting, we adopted a technique of combined orchidopexy and circumcision using a single circumcision incision. We applied this new technique to boys with palpable, low inguinal cryptorchidism. Here we describe a case series of 7 boys who underwent concurrent orchidopexy via the circumcision site. We present this novel technique and discuss our preliminary outcomes, including the anatomic basis and feasibility. The technique appears to be an alternative for concurrent circumcision and cryptorchid cases with palpable, low inguinal testes. PMID:29124248

Skin lesions over the pocket area that may mimic cardiac implantable electronic device infection: A case series.

PubMed

Korantzopoulos, Panagiotis; Plakoutsi, Sofia; Florou, Elizabeth; Bechlioulis, Aris

2018-05-21

The early and correct diagnosis of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections is critical given that early aggressive treatment with complete removal of the system along with antimicrobial therapy dramatically improves outcomes. Pocket infection manifested by local signs of inflammation is the most common form of CIED infections. Conditions mimicking pocket infection have been described in the literature. These include various types of malignancy and rarely allergic reactions/contact dermatitis to pacemaker compounds. We aimed to describe skin lesions and disorders over the pocket area that mimic CIED infection. We present a series of 5 cases with skin lesions that mimic pocket infection. We document these cases with corresponding photographs. Most of them have not been described in this setting. We report the following cases of conditions that proved not to be CIED infection: One case of superficial cellulitis, one case of herpes zoster over the pocket area, one case of spontaneous bruising over the pocket a long time after implantation in a patient taking oral anticoagulation, and 2 cases of contact dermatitis due to prolonged postoperative application of povidone iodine. All cases had favorable outcome after conservative treatment and no CIED infection was developed during follow-up. Clinicians should be aware of rare conditions that mimic CIED infection. Incorrect diagnosis of these disorders may falsely lead to CIED extraction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Detection of bifurcations in noisy coupled systems from multiple time series

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williamson, Mark S., E-mail: m.s.williamson@exeter.ac.uk; Lenton, Timothy M.

We generalize a method of detecting an approaching bifurcation in a time series of a noisy system from the special case of one dynamical variable to multiple dynamical variables. For a system described by a stochastic differential equation consisting of an autonomous deterministic part with one dynamical variable and an additive white noise term, small perturbations away from the system's fixed point will decay slower the closer the system is to a bifurcation. This phenomenon is known as critical slowing down and all such systems exhibit this decay-type behaviour. However, when the deterministic part has multiple coupled dynamical variables, themore » possible dynamics can be much richer, exhibiting oscillatory and chaotic behaviour. In our generalization to the multi-variable case, we find additional indicators to decay rate, such as frequency of oscillation. In the case of approaching a homoclinic bifurcation, there is no change in decay rate but there is a decrease in frequency of oscillations. The expanded method therefore adds extra tools to help detect and classify approaching bifurcations given multiple time series, where the underlying dynamics are not fully known. Our generalisation also allows bifurcation detection to be applied spatially if one treats each spatial location as a new dynamical variable. One may then determine the unstable spatial mode(s). This is also something that has not been possible with the single variable method. The method is applicable to any set of time series regardless of its origin, but may be particularly useful when anticipating abrupt changes in the multi-dimensional climate system.« less

Model for the respiratory modulation of the heart beat-to-beat time interval series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capurro, Alberto; Diambra, Luis; Malta, C. P.

2005-09-01

In this study we present a model for the respiratory modulation of the heart beat-to-beat interval series. The model consists of a set of differential equations used to simulate the membrane potential of a single rabbit sinoatrial node cell, excited with a periodic input signal with added correlated noise. This signal, which simulates the input from the autonomous nervous system to the sinoatrial node, was included in the pacemaker equations as a modulation of the iNaK current pump and the potassium current iK. We focus at modeling the heart beat-to-beat time interval series from normal subjects during meditation of the Kundalini Yoga and Chi techniques. The analysis of the experimental data indicates that while the embedding of pre-meditation and control cases have a roughly circular shape, it acquires a polygonal shape during meditation, triangular for the Kundalini Yoga data and quadrangular in the case of Chi data. The model was used to assess the waveshape of the respiratory signals needed to reproduce the trajectory of the experimental data in the phase space. The embedding of the Chi data could be reproduced using a periodic signal obtained by smoothing a square wave. In the case of Kundalini Yoga data, the embedding was reproduced with a periodic signal obtained by smoothing a triangular wave having a rising branch of longer duration than the decreasing branch. Our study provides an estimation of the respiratory signal using only the heart beat-to-beat time interval series.

Detection of bifurcations in noisy coupled systems from multiple time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williamson, Mark S.; Lenton, Timothy M.

2015-03-01

We generalize a method of detecting an approaching bifurcation in a time series of a noisy system from the special case of one dynamical variable to multiple dynamical variables. For a system described by a stochastic differential equation consisting of an autonomous deterministic part with one dynamical variable and an additive white noise term, small perturbations away from the system's fixed point will decay slower the closer the system is to a bifurcation. This phenomenon is known as critical slowing down and all such systems exhibit this decay-type behaviour. However, when the deterministic part has multiple coupled dynamical variables, the possible dynamics can be much richer, exhibiting oscillatory and chaotic behaviour. In our generalization to the multi-variable case, we find additional indicators to decay rate, such as frequency of oscillation. In the case of approaching a homoclinic bifurcation, there is no change in decay rate but there is a decrease in frequency of oscillations. The expanded method therefore adds extra tools to help detect and classify approaching bifurcations given multiple time series, where the underlying dynamics are not fully known. Our generalisation also allows bifurcation detection to be applied spatially if one treats each spatial location as a new dynamical variable. One may then determine the unstable spatial mode(s). This is also something that has not been possible with the single variable method. The method is applicable to any set of time series regardless of its origin, but may be particularly useful when anticipating abrupt changes in the multi-dimensional climate system.

Matrix Transformations between Certain Sequence Spaces over the Non-Newtonian Complex Field

PubMed Central

Efe, Hakan

2014-01-01

In some cases, the most general linear operator between two sequence spaces is given by an infinite matrix. So the theory of matrix transformations has always been of great interest in the study of sequence spaces. In the present paper, we introduce the matrix transformations in sequence spaces over the field ℂ* and characterize some classes of infinite matrices with respect to the non-Newtonian calculus. Also we give the necessary and sufficient conditions on an infinite matrix transforming one of the classical sets over ℂ* to another one. Furthermore, the concept for sequence-to-sequence and series-to-series methods of summability is given with some illustrated examples. PMID:25110740

Ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, and psychosis: a systematic review of human studies

PubMed Central

dos Santos, Rafael G.; Bouso, José Carlos; Hallak, Jaime E. C.

2017-01-01

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogen brew traditionally used for ritual and therapeutic purposes in Northwestern Amazon. It is rich in the tryptamine hallucinogens dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which acts as a serotonin 5-HT2A agonist. This mechanism of action is similar to other compounds such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. The controlled use of LSD and psilocybin in experimental settings is associated with a low incidence of psychotic episodes, and population studies corroborate these findings. Both the controlled use of DMT in experimental settings and the use of ayahuasca in experimental and ritual settings are not usually associated with psychotic episodes, but little is known regarding ayahuasca or DMT use outside these controlled contexts. Thus, we performed a systematic review of the published case reports describing psychotic episodes associated with ayahuasca and DMT intake. We found three case series and two case reports describing psychotic episodes associated with ayahuasca intake, and three case reports describing psychotic episodes associated with DMT. Several reports describe subjects with a personal and possibly a family history of psychosis (including schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorders, psychotic mania, psychotic depression), nonpsychotic mania, or concomitant use of other drugs. However, some cases also described psychotic episodes in subjects without these previous characteristics. Overall, the incidence of such episodes appears to be rare in both the ritual and the recreational/noncontrolled settings. Performance of a psychiatric screening before administration of these drugs, and other hallucinogens, in controlled settings seems to significantly reduce the possibility of adverse reactions with psychotic symptomatology. Individuals with a personal or family history of any psychotic illness or nonpsychotic mania should avoid hallucinogen intake. PMID:28540034

A Practical Guide for the Formulation of Propositions in the Bayesian Approach to DNA Evidence Interpretation in an Adversarial Environment.

PubMed

Gittelson, Simone; Kalafut, Tim; Myers, Steven; Taylor, Duncan; Hicks, Tacha; Taroni, Franco; Evett, Ian W; Bright, Jo-Anne; Buckleton, John

2016-01-01

The interpretation of complex DNA profiles is facilitated by a Bayesian approach. This approach requires the development of a pair of propositions: one aligned to the prosecution case and one to the defense case. This note explores the issue of proposition setting in an adversarial environment by a series of examples. A set of guidelines generalize how to formulate propositions when there is a single person of interest and when there are multiple individuals of interest. Additional explanations cover how to handle multiple defense propositions, relatives, and the transition from subsource level to activity level propositions. The propositions depend on case information and the allegations of each of the parties. The prosecution proposition is usually known. The authors suggest that a sensible proposition is selected for the defense that is consistent with their stance, if available, and consistent with a realistic defense if their position is not known. © 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Membranous Dysmenorrhea: A Case Series

PubMed Central

Omar, Hatim A.; Smith, Shawn J.

2007-01-01

The purpose was to illustrate the variability of hormonal contraception of patients that presented with membranous dysmenorrheal. A case analysis chart review was completed on six patients referred to a Pediatric Gynecologist in an academic setting. In each case the patient underwent a thorough pelvic and bimanual exam. Following the initial presentation, each patient continued to be followed on a regular visits. Cases: Two were using the transdermal contraceptive patch and oral contraceptive, but following the expulsion of decidual cast, they were both placed on depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) without further complications. Three of the six cases were on DMPA prior to the similar occurrence of membranous dysmenorrheal and following this incident, continued on DMPA without further problems. The final case was on the transdermal patch prior to decidual cast expulsion and remained on this form of hormonal contraception without further complications. These cases indicate that membranous dysmenorrheal is not limited to the use of DMPA. PMID:18060329

Case Reports, Case Series - From Clinical Practice to Evidence-Based Medicine in Graduate Medical Education.

PubMed

Sayre, Jerry W; Toklu, Hale Z; Ye, Fan; Mazza, Joseph; Yale, Steven

2017-08-07

Case reports and case series or case study research are descriptive studies that are prepared for illustrating novel, unusual, or atypical features identified in patients in medical practice, and they potentially generate new research questions. They are empirical inquiries or investigations of a patient or a group of patients in a natural, real-world clinical setting. Case study research is a method that focuses on the contextual analysis of a number of events or conditions and their relationships. There is disagreement among physicians on the value of case studies in the medical literature, particularly for educators focused on teaching evidence-based medicine (EBM) for student learners in graduate medical education. Despite their limitations, case study research is a beneficial tool and learning experience in graduate medical education and among novice researchers. The preparation and presentation of case studies can help students and graduate medical education programs evaluate and apply the six American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies in the areas of medical knowledge, patient care, practice-based learning, professionalism, systems-based practice, and communication. A goal in graduate medical education should be to assist residents to expand their critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. These attributes are required in the teaching and practice of EBM. In this aspect, case studies provide a platform for developing clinical skills and problem-based learning methods. Hence, graduate medical education programs should encourage, assist, and support residents in the publication of clinical case studies; and clinical teachers should encourage graduate students to publish case reports during their graduate medical education.

Superior Cross-Species Reference Genes: A Blueberry Case Study

PubMed Central

Die, Jose V.; Rowland, Lisa J.

2013-01-01

The advent of affordable Next Generation Sequencing technologies has had major impact on studies of many crop species, where access to genomic technologies and genome-scale data sets has been extremely limited until now. The recent development of genomic resources in blueberry will enable the application of high throughput gene expression approaches that should relatively quickly increase our understanding of blueberry physiology. These studies, however, require a highly accurate and robust workflow and make necessary the identification of reference genes with high expression stability for correct target gene normalization. To create a set of superior reference genes for blueberry expression analyses, we mined a publicly available transcriptome data set from blueberry for orthologs to a set of Arabidopsis genes that showed the most stable expression in a developmental series. In total, the expression stability of 13 putative reference genes was evaluated by qPCR and a set of new references with high stability values across a developmental series in fruits and floral buds of blueberry were identified. We also demonstrated the need to use at least two, preferably three, reference genes to avoid inconsistencies in results, even when superior reference genes are used. The new references identified here provide a valuable resource for accurate normalization of gene expression in Vaccinium spp. and may be useful for other members of the Ericaceae family as well. PMID:24058469

Radio frequency radiation-related cancer: assessing causation in the occupational/military setting.

PubMed

Peleg, Michael; Nativ, Or; Richter, Elihu D

2018-05-01

We reexamine whether radio frequency radiation (RFR) in the occupational and military settings is a human carcinogen. We extended an analysis of an already-reported case series of patients with cancer previously exposed to whole-body prolonged RFR, mainly from communication equipment and radar. We focused on hematolymphatic (HL) cancers. We used analysis by percentage frequency (PF) of a cancer type, which is the proportion of a specific cancer type relative to the total number of cancer cases. We also examined and analyzed the published data on three other cohort studies from similar military settings from different countries. The PF of HL cancers in the case series was very high, at 40% with only 23% expected for the series age and gender profile, confidence interval CI95%: 26-56%, p<0.01, 19 out of 47 patients had HL cancers. We also found high PF for multiple primaries. As for the three other cohort studies: In the Polish military sector, the PF of HL cancers was 36% in the exposed population as compared to 12% in the unexposed population, p<0.001. In a small group of employees exposed to RFR in Israeli defense industry, the PF of HL cancers was 60% versus 17% expected for the group age and gender profile, p<0.05. In Belgian radar battalions the HL PF was 8.3% versus 1.4% in the control battalions as shown in a causes of deaths study and HL cancer mortality rate ratio was 7.2 and statistically significant. Similar findings were reported on radio amateurs and Korean war technicians. Elevated risk ratios were previously reported in most of the above studies. The consistent association of RFR and highly elevated HL cancer risk in the four groups spread over three countries, operating different RFR equipment types and analyzed by different research protocols, suggests a cause-effect relationship between RFR and HL cancers in military/occupational settings. While complete measurements of RFR exposures were not available and rough exposure assessments from patients interviews and from partial exposure data were used instead, we have demonstrated increased HL cancers in occupational groups with relatively high RFR exposures. Our findings, combined with other studies, indicate that exposures incurred in the military settings evaluated here significantly increased the risk of HL cancers. Accordingly, the RFR military exposures in these occupations should be substantially reduced and further efforts should be undertaken to monitor and measure those exposures and to follow cohorts exposed to RFR for cancers and other health effects. Overall, the epidemiological studies on excess risk for HL and other cancers together with brain tumors in cellphone users and experimental studies on RFR and carcinogenicity make a coherent case for a cause-effect relationship and classifying RFR exposure as a human carcinogen (IARC group 1). Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of GPS tropospheric delays derived from two consecutive EPN reprocessing campaigns from the point of view of climate monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baldysz, Zofia; Nykiel, Grzegorz; Araszkiewicz, Andrzej; Figurski, Mariusz; Szafranek, Karolina

2016-09-01

The main purpose of this research was to acquire information about consistency of ZTD (zenith total delay) linear trends and seasonal components between two consecutive GPS reprocessing campaigns. The analysis concerned two sets of the ZTD time series which were estimated during EUREF (Reference Frame Sub-Commission for Europe) EPN (Permanent Network) reprocessing campaigns according to 2008 and 2015 MUT AC (Military University of Technology Analysis Centre) scenarios. Firstly, Lomb-Scargle periodograms were generated for 57 EPN stations to obtain a characterisation of oscillations occurring in the ZTD time series. Then, the values of seasonal components and linear trends were estimated using the LSE (least squares estimation) approach. The Mann-Kendall trend test was also carried out to verify the presence of linear long-term ZTD changes. Finally, differences in seasonal signals and linear trends between these two data sets were investigated. All these analyses were conducted for the ZTD time series of two lengths: a shortened 16-year series and a full 18-year one. In the case of spectral analysis, amplitudes of the annual and semi-annual periods were almost exactly the same for both reprocessing campaigns. Exceptions were found for only a few stations and they did not exceed 1 mm. The estimated trends were also similar. However, for the reprocessing performed in 2008, the trends values were usually higher. In general, shortening of the analysed time period by 2 years resulted in a decrease of the linear trends values of about 0.07 mm yr-1. This was confirmed by analyses based on two data sets.

Time series analysis of InSAR data: Methods and trends

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osmanoğlu, Batuhan; Sunar, Filiz; Wdowinski, Shimon; Cabral-Cano, Enrique

2016-05-01

Time series analysis of InSAR data has emerged as an important tool for monitoring and measuring the displacement of the Earth's surface. Changes in the Earth's surface can result from a wide range of phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, variations in ground water levels, and changes in wetland water levels. Time series analysis is applied to interferometric phase measurements, which wrap around when the observed motion is larger than one-half of the radar wavelength. Thus, the spatio-temporal ;unwrapping; of phase observations is necessary to obtain physically meaningful results. Several different algorithms have been developed for time series analysis of InSAR data to solve for this ambiguity. These algorithms may employ different models for time series analysis, but they all generate a first-order deformation rate, which can be compared to each other. However, there is no single algorithm that can provide optimal results in all cases. Since time series analyses of InSAR data are used in a variety of applications with different characteristics, each algorithm possesses inherently unique strengths and weaknesses. In this review article, following a brief overview of InSAR technology, we discuss several algorithms developed for time series analysis of InSAR data using an example set of results for measuring subsidence rates in Mexico City.

Time Series Analysis of Insar Data: Methods and Trends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Osmanoglu, Batuhan; Sunar, Filiz; Wdowinski, Shimon; Cano-Cabral, Enrique

2015-01-01

Time series analysis of InSAR data has emerged as an important tool for monitoring and measuring the displacement of the Earth's surface. Changes in the Earth's surface can result from a wide range of phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, variations in ground water levels, and changes in wetland water levels. Time series analysis is applied to interferometric phase measurements, which wrap around when the observed motion is larger than one-half of the radar wavelength. Thus, the spatio-temporal ''unwrapping" of phase observations is necessary to obtain physically meaningful results. Several different algorithms have been developed for time series analysis of InSAR data to solve for this ambiguity. These algorithms may employ different models for time series analysis, but they all generate a first-order deformation rate, which can be compared to each other. However, there is no single algorithm that can provide optimal results in all cases. Since time series analyses of InSAR data are used in a variety of applications with different characteristics, each algorithm possesses inherently unique strengths and weaknesses. In this review article, following a brief overview of InSAR technology, we discuss several algorithms developed for time series analysis of InSAR data using an example set of results for measuring subsidence rates in Mexico City.

Case-based statistical learning applied to SPECT image classification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Górriz, Juan M.; Ramírez, Javier; Illán, I. A.; Martínez-Murcia, Francisco J.; Segovia, Fermín.; Salas-Gonzalez, Diego; Ortiz, A.

2017-03-01

Statistical learning and decision theory play a key role in many areas of science and engineering. Some examples include time series regression and prediction, optical character recognition, signal detection in communications or biomedical applications for diagnosis and prognosis. This paper deals with the topic of learning from biomedical image data in the classification problem. In a typical scenario we have a training set that is employed to fit a prediction model or learner and a testing set on which the learner is applied to in order to predict the outcome for new unseen patterns. Both processes are usually completely separated to avoid over-fitting and due to the fact that, in practice, the unseen new objects (testing set) have unknown outcomes. However, the outcome yields one of a discrete set of values, i.e. the binary diagnosis problem. Thus, assumptions on these outcome values could be established to obtain the most likely prediction model at the training stage, that could improve the overall classification accuracy on the testing set, or keep its performance at least at the level of the selected statistical classifier. In this sense, a novel case-based learning (c-learning) procedure is proposed which combines hypothesis testing from a discrete set of expected outcomes and a cross-validated classification stage.

On the equivalence of case-crossover and time series methods in environmental epidemiology.

PubMed

Lu, Yun; Zeger, Scott L

2007-04-01

The case-crossover design was introduced in epidemiology 15 years ago as a method for studying the effects of a risk factor on a health event using only cases. The idea is to compare a case's exposure immediately prior to or during the case-defining event with that same person's exposure at otherwise similar "reference" times. An alternative approach to the analysis of daily exposure and case-only data is time series analysis. Here, log-linear regression models express the expected total number of events on each day as a function of the exposure level and potential confounding variables. In time series analyses of air pollution, smooth functions of time and weather are the main confounders. Time series and case-crossover methods are often viewed as competing methods. In this paper, we show that case-crossover using conditional logistic regression is a special case of time series analysis when there is a common exposure such as in air pollution studies. This equivalence provides computational convenience for case-crossover analyses and a better understanding of time series models. Time series log-linear regression accounts for overdispersion of the Poisson variance, while case-crossover analyses typically do not. This equivalence also permits model checking for case-crossover data using standard log-linear model diagnostics.

Self-rated health: patterns in the journeys of patients with multi-morbidity and frailty.

PubMed

Martin, Carmel Mary

2014-12-01

Self-rated health (SRH) is a single measure predictor of hospital utilization and health outcomes in epidemiological studies. There have been few studies of SRH in patient journeys in clinical settings. Reduced resilience to stressors, reflected by SRH, exposes older people (complex systems) to the risk of hospitalization. It is proposed that SRH reflects rather than predicts deteriorations and hospital use; with low SRH autocorrelation in time series. The aim was to investigate SRH fluctuations in regular outbound telephone calls (average biweekly) to patients by Care Guides. Descriptive case study using quantitative autoregressive techniques and qualitative case analysis on SRH time series. Fourteen participants were randomly selected from the Patient Journey Record System (PaJR) database. The PaJR database recorded 198 consecutively sampled older multi-morbid patients journeys in three primary care settings. Analysis consisted of triangulation of SRH (0 very poor - 6 excellent) patterns from three analyses: SRH graduations associations with service utilization; time series modelling (autocorrelation, and step ahead forecast); and qualitative categorization of deteriorations. Fourteen patients reported mean SRH 2.84 (poor-fair) in 818 calls over 13 ± 6.4 months of follow-up. In 24% calls, SRH was poor-fair and significantly associated with hospital use. SRH autocorrelation was low in 14 time series (-0.11 to 0.26) with little difference (χ(2)  = 6.46, P = 0.91) among them. Fluctuations between better and worse health were very common and poor health was associated with hospital use. It is not clear why some patients continued on a downward trajectory, whereas others who destabilized appeared to completely recover, and even improved over time. SRH reflects an individual's complex health trajectory, but as a single measure does not predict when and how deteriorations will occur in this study. Individual patients appear to behave as complex adaptive systems. The dynamics of SRH and its influences in destabilizations warrant further research. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Pituitary hyperplasia: case series and literature review of an under-recognised and heterogeneous condition

PubMed Central

Earls, Peter; McCormack, Ann I

2015-01-01

Summary Pituitary hyperplasia (PH) occurs in heterogeneous settings and remains under-recognised. Increased awareness of this condition and its natural history should circumvent unnecessary trans-sphenoidal surgery. We performed an observational case series of patients referred to a single endocrinologist over a 3-year period. Four young women were identified with PH manifesting as diffuse, symmetrical pituitary enlargement near or touching the optic apparatus on MRI. The first woman presented with primary hypothyroidism and likely had thyrotroph hyperplasia given prompt resolution with thyroxine. The second and third women were diagnosed with pathological gonadotroph hyperplasia due to primary gonadal insufficiency, with histopathological confirmation including gonadal-deficiency cells in the third case where surgery could have been avoided. The fourth woman likely had idiopathic PH, though she had concomitant polycystic ovary syndrome which is a debated cause of PH. Patients suspected of PH should undergo comprehensive hormonal, radiological and sometimes ophthalmological evaluation. This is best conducted by a specialised multidisciplinary team with preference for treatment of underlying conditions and close monitoring over surgical intervention. Learning points Normal pituitary dimensions are influenced by age and gender with the greatest pituitary heights seen in young adults and perimenopausal women.Pituitary enlargement may be seen in the settings of pregnancy, end-organ insufficiency with loss of negative feedback, and excess trophic hormone from the hypothalamus or neuroendocrine tumours.PH may be caused or exacerbated by medications including oestrogen, GNRH analogues and antipsychotics.Management involves identification of cases of idiopathic PH suitable for simple surveillance and reversal of pathological or iatrogenic causes where they exist.Surgery should be avoided in PH as it rarely progresses. PMID:26124954

Conditional Poisson models: a flexible alternative to conditional logistic case cross-over analysis.

PubMed

Armstrong, Ben G; Gasparrini, Antonio; Tobias, Aurelio

2014-11-24

The time stratified case cross-over approach is a popular alternative to conventional time series regression for analysing associations between time series of environmental exposures (air pollution, weather) and counts of health outcomes. These are almost always analyzed using conditional logistic regression on data expanded to case-control (case crossover) format, but this has some limitations. In particular adjusting for overdispersion and auto-correlation in the counts is not possible. It has been established that a Poisson model for counts with stratum indicators gives identical estimates to those from conditional logistic regression and does not have these limitations, but it is little used, probably because of the overheads in estimating many stratum parameters. The conditional Poisson model avoids estimating stratum parameters by conditioning on the total event count in each stratum, thus simplifying the computing and increasing the number of strata for which fitting is feasible compared with the standard unconditional Poisson model. Unlike the conditional logistic model, the conditional Poisson model does not require expanding the data, and can adjust for overdispersion and auto-correlation. It is available in Stata, R, and other packages. By applying to some real data and using simulations, we demonstrate that conditional Poisson models were simpler to code and shorter to run than are conditional logistic analyses and can be fitted to larger data sets than possible with standard Poisson models. Allowing for overdispersion or autocorrelation was possible with the conditional Poisson model but when not required this model gave identical estimates to those from conditional logistic regression. Conditional Poisson regression models provide an alternative to case crossover analysis of stratified time series data with some advantages. The conditional Poisson model can also be used in other contexts in which primary control for confounding is by fine stratification.

Guided imagery and distraction therapy in paediatric hospice care.

PubMed

Russell, Carol; Smart, Susan

2007-03-01

Available evidence indicates deficits in the pain management of children with analgesic drugs used outside licensed boundaries, in situations where their pharmacokinetics are untested. A case series is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of more holistic techniques such as guided imagery and distraction therapy in reducing the pain experienced by children in the hospice setting. Using these techniques it may be possible to reduce the amount of analgesia or the frequency of administration.

Evaluating mallard adaptive management models with time series

USGS Publications Warehouse

Conn, P.B.; Kendall, W.L.

2004-01-01

Wildlife practitioners concerned with midcontinent mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) management in the United States have instituted a system of adaptive harvest management (AHM) as an objective format for setting harvest regulations. Under the AHM paradigm, predictions from a set of models that reflect key uncertainties about processes underlying population dynamics are used in coordination with optimization software to determine an optimal set of harvest decisions. Managers use comparisons of the predictive abilities of these models to gauge the relative truth of different hypotheses about density-dependent recruitment and survival, with better-predicting models giving more weight to the determination of harvest regulations. We tested the effectiveness of this strategy by examining convergence rates of 'predictor' models when the true model for population dynamics was known a priori. We generated time series for cases when the a priori model was 1 of the predictor models as well as for several cases when the a priori model was not in the model set. We further examined the addition of different levels of uncertainty into the variance structure of predictor models, reflecting different levels of confidence about estimated parameters. We showed that in certain situations, the model-selection process favors a predictor model that incorporates the hypotheses of additive harvest mortality and weakly density-dependent recruitment, even when the model is not used to generate data. Higher levels of predictor model variance led to decreased rates of convergence to the model that generated the data, but model weight trajectories were in general more stable. We suggest that predictive models should incorporate all sources of uncertainty about estimated parameters, that the variance structure should be similar for all predictor models, and that models with different functional forms for population dynamics should be considered for inclusion in predictor model! sets. All of these suggestions should help lower the probability of erroneous learning in mallard ABM and adaptive management in general.

Comparative case study between D3 and highcharts on lustre data visualization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

ElTayeby, Omar; John, Dwayne; Patel, Pragnesh; Simmerman, Scott

2013-12-01

One of the challenging tasks in visual analytics is to target clustered time-series data sets, since it is important for data analysts to discover patterns changing over time while keeping their focus on particular subsets. In order to leverage the humans ability to quickly visually perceive these patterns, multivariate features should be implemented according to the attributes available. However, a comparative case study has been done using JavaScript libraries to demonstrate the differences in capabilities of using them. A web-based application to monitor the Lustre file system for the systems administrators and the operation teams has been developed using D3 and Highcharts. Lustre file systems are responsible of managing Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) which include input output (I/O) requests between clients and Object Storage Targets (OSTs). The objective of this application is to provide time-series visuals of these calls and storage patterns of users on Kraken, a University of Tennessee High Performance Computing (HPC) resource in Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Resolution of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome with topical capsaicin in the emergency department: a case series.

PubMed

Dezieck, Laurel; Hafez, Zachary; Conicella, Albert; Blohm, Eike; O'Connor, Mark J; Schwarz, Evan S; Mullins, Michael E

2017-09-01

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by symptoms of cyclic abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting in the setting of prolonged cannabis use. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor may be involved in this syndrome. Topical capsaicin is a proposed treatment for CHS; it binds TRPV1 with high specificity, impairing substance P signaling in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius via overstimulation of TRPV1. This may explain its apparent antiemetic effect in this syndrome. We describe a series of thirteen cases of suspected cannabis hyperemesis syndrome treated with capsaicin in the emergency departments of two academic medical centers. A query of the electronic health record at both centers identified thirteen patients with documented daily cannabis use and symptoms consistent with CHS who were administered topical capsaicin cream for symptom management. All 13 patients experienced symptom relief after administration of capsaicin cream. Topical capsaicin was associated with improvement in symptoms of CHS after other treatments failed.

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and hematologic malignancy: a systematic review of case reports and case series.

PubMed

Sousa, David Cordeiro; Rodrigues, Filipe Brogueira; Duarte, Gonçalo; Campos, Fátima; Pinto, Filomena; Vaz-Carneiro, A

2016-12-01

Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) are well described. Patients with hematologic neoplasms may share some of these characteristics, and it may be useful clinically to better understand this set of patients. Our objective is to review systematically the characteristics of patients with both hematologic malignancies and NAION. Systematic review. Patients with NAION diagnosis related in time to a hematologic neoplasm. Data sources for the study included MEDLINE, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO, and OpenGrey. The study eligibility criteria included case reports and case series. We found 261 records, with 15 studies included plus our case report. A total of 19 patients (8 female) with mean age of 54.6 years (range, 12-87) were analyzed: 37% (7) non-Hodgkin lymphoma; 26% (5) myeloproliferative neoplasms; 21% (4) myelodysplasia; 16% (3) leukemias. The limitations included verification bias, inability to test statistical association between NAION and hematologic neoplasms, the small number of cases, and confounding factors related to medical history and specific interventions in each case limited the robustness of our conclusions. Our results identified the characteristics of patients with NAION and hematologic neoplasms related in time. Additional observational studies may enlighten the importance of looking for evidence of an occult neoplastic disorder in patients presenting with NAION. A prompt diagnosis would be of invaluable significance for the best management, in terms of follow-up and therapeutics. Copyright © 2016 Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Energy conservation indicators. 1982 annual report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Belzer, D.B.

A series of Energy Conservation Indicators were developed for the Department of Energy to assist in the evaluation of current and proposed conservation strategies. As descriptive statistics that signify current conditions and trends related to efficiency of energy use, indicators provide a way of measuring, monitoring, or inferring actual responses by consumers in markets for energy services. Related sets of indicators are presented in some 40 one-page indicator summaries. Indicators are shown graphically, followed by several paragraphs that explain their derivation and highlight key findings. Indicators are classified according to broad end-use sectors: Aggregate (economy), Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Transportation andmore » Electric Utilities. In most cases annual time series information is presented covering the period 1960 through 1981.« less

Effect of postmortem sampling technique on the clinical significance of autopsy blood cultures.

PubMed

Hove, M; Pencil, S D

1998-02-01

Our objective was to investigate the value of postmortem autopsy blood cultures performed with an iodine-subclavian technique relative to the classical method of atrial heat searing and antemortem blood cultures. The study consisted of a prospective autopsy series with each case serving as its own control relative to subsequent testing, and a retrospective survey of patients coming to autopsy who had both autopsy blood cultures and premortem blood cultures. A busy academic autopsy service (600 cases per year) at University of Texas Medical Branch Hospitals, Galveston, Texas, served as the setting for this work. The incidence of non-clinically relevant (false-positive) culture results were compared using different methods for collecting blood samples in a prospective series of 38 adult autopsy specimens. One hundred eleven adult autopsy specimens in which both postmortem and antemortem blood cultures were obtained were studied retrospectively. For both studies, positive culture results were scored as either clinically relevant or false positives based on analysis of the autopsy findings and the clinical summary. The rate of false-positive culture results obtained by an iodine-subclavian technique from blood drawn soon after death were statistically significantly lower (13%) than using the classical method of obtaining blood through the atrium after heat searing at the time of the autopsy (34%) in the same set of autopsy subjects. When autopsy results were compared with subjects' antemortem blood culture results, there was no significant difference in the rate of non-clinically relevant culture results in a paired retrospective series of antemortem blood cultures and postmortem blood cultures using the iodine-subclavian postmortem method (11.7% v 13.5%). The results indicate that autopsy blood cultures obtained using the iodine-subclavian technique have reliability equivalent to that of antemortem blood cultures.

Serum biochemistry and morbidity among runners presenting for medical care after an Australian mountain ultramarathon.

PubMed

Reid, Stephen A; King, M Jonathan

2007-07-01

To determine if exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) was a cause of morbidity among runners requiring medical care at an Australian mountain ultramarathon. Case series. Six Foot Track mountain ultramarathon, New South Wales, Australia, March 2006. Runners presenting to the medical facility. Serum biochemistry. No cases of exercise-associated hyponatremia were identified among 9 athletes (from 775 starters) who were treated with intravenous fluid therapy. Unwell runners had a mean serum (Na) of 143 mmol/L (range 138-147 mmol/L). All runners tested had elevated serum urea and creatinine concentrations. In this setting, EAH was not a significant cause of morbidity.

Bilateral Breast Reconstruction with Extended Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Propeller Flaps and Implants

PubMed Central

Gunnarsson, Gudjon L.; Børsen-Koch, Mikkel; Nielsen, Henrik T.; Salzberg, Andrew

2015-01-01

Summary: We present our experience of bilateral total breast reconstruction using a double-sided extended thoracodorsal artery perforator propeller flap in a case series of 10 patients. Reconstruction was successfully achieved in all cases with few complications. The median time for surgery was 275 minutes (200–330), and the average implant size used was 350 cm3 (195–650). We demonstrate how the extended thoracodorsal artery perforator propeller flap allows for a swift and reliable direct to implant bilateral total breast reconstruction in a simple setting and is a valuable adjunct to our armamentarium of techniques for single-stage bilateral breast reconstruction. PMID:26180736

Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity: A case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements

PubMed Central

Dara, Lily; Hewett, Jennifer; Lim, Joseph Kartaik

2008-01-01

Dietary supplements represent an increasingly common source of drug-induced liver injury. Hydroxycut is a popular weight loss supplement which has previously been linked to hepatotoxicity, although the individual chemical components underlying liver injury remain poorly understood. We report two cases of acute hepatitis in the setting of Hydroxycut exposure and describe possible mechanisms of liver injury. We also comprehensively review and summarize the existing literature on commonly used weight loss supplements, and their individual components which have demonstrated potential for liver toxicity. An increased effort to screen for and educate patients and physicians about supplement-associated hepatotoxicity is warranted. PMID:19058338

Vancomycin Ophthalmic Ointment 1% for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis infections: a case series

PubMed Central

Sotozono, Chie; Fukuda, Masahiko; Ohishi, Masao; Yano, Keiko; Origasa, Hideki; Saiki, Yoshinori; Shimomura, Yoshikazu; Kinoshita, Shigeru

2013-01-01

Objectives To investigate the efficacy and safety of Vancomycin Ophthalmic Ointment 1% (Toa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Toyama, Japan) in patients with external ocular infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). Design A case series. Setting This study was a multicentre, open-label, uncontrolled study in Japan approved as orphan drug status. Participants Patients with MRSA or MRSE external ocular infections unresponsive to the treatment of fluoroquinolone eye drops. Interventions Vancomycin Ophthalmic Ointment 1% was administered four times daily. Primary and secondary outcome measures The subjective and objective clinical scores and bacterial cultures were collected at days 0 (baseline), 3, 7 and 14. The primary outcome was clinical response evaluation (efficacy rate) determined as complete response, partial response, no response and worsening. Secondary outcome was the eradication of the bacteria. Safety was assessed by adverse events including cases in which neither MRSA nor MRSE was detected. Results Twenty-five cases with MRSA (20) or MRSE (5) infections were enrolled. Of these 25 cases, 4 discontinued the treatment due to the negative results for bacterial culture during screening or at baseline. Of the 21 cases with conjunctivitis (14), blepharitis (3), meibomitis (1), dacryocystitis (2) or keratitis (1), 14 (66.7%) cases were evaluated as being excellently (complete response, 2 cases) or well (partial response, 12 cases) treated. The eradication rates were 68.4% in MRSA (13 of 19 cases) and 100% in MRSE (2 of 2 cases). Ten adverse events occurred in 7 (28.0%) of 25 cases at the local administration site. Conclusions Vancomycin Ophthalmic Ointment 1% was considered to be useful for the treatment of intractable ocular MRSA/MRSE infections. PMID:23364319

GASAKe: forecasting landslide activations by a genetic-algorithms based hydrological model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terranova, O. G.; Gariano, S. L.; Iaquinta, P.; Iovine, G. G. R.

2015-02-01

GASAKe is a new hydrological model aimed at forecasting the triggering of landslides. The model is based on genetic-algorithms and allows to obtaining thresholds of landslide activation from the set of historical occurrences and from the rainfall series. GASAKe can be applied to either single landslides or set of similar slope movements in a homogeneous environment. Calibration of the model is based on genetic-algorithms, and provides for families of optimal, discretized solutions (kernels) that maximize the fitness function. Starting from these latter, the corresponding mobility functions (i.e. the predictive tools) can be obtained through convolution with the rain series. The base time of the kernel is related to the magnitude of the considered slope movement, as well as to hydro-geological complexity of the site. Generally, smaller values are expected for shallow slope instabilities with respect to large-scale phenomena. Once validated, the model can be applied to estimate the timing of future landslide activations in the same study area, by employing recorded or forecasted rainfall series. Example of application of GASAKe to a medium-scale slope movement (the Uncino landslide at San Fili, in Calabria, Southern Italy) and to a set of shallow landslides (in the Sorrento Peninsula, Campania, Southern Italy) are discussed. In both cases, a successful calibration of the model has been achieved, despite unavoidable uncertainties concerning the dates of landslide occurrence. In particular, for the Sorrento Peninsula case, a fitness of 0.81 has been obtained by calibrating the model against 10 dates of landslide activation; in the Uncino case, a fitness of 1 (i.e. neither missing nor false alarms) has been achieved against 5 activations. As for temporal validation, the experiments performed by considering the extra dates of landslide activation have also proved satisfactory. In view of early-warning applications for civil protection purposes, the capability of the model to simulate the occurrences of the Uncino landslide has been tested by means of a progressive, self-adaptive procedure. Finally, a sensitivity analysis has been performed by taking into account the main parameters of the model. The obtained results are quite promising, given the high performance of the model obtained against different types of slope instabilities, characterized by several historical activations. Nevertheless, further refinements are still needed for applications to landslide risk mitigation within early-warning and decision-support systems.

Interannual Variability of OLR as Observed by AIRS and CERES

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Susskind, Joel; Molnar, Gyula; Iredell, Lena; Loeb, Norman G.

2012-01-01

This paper compares spatial anomaly time series of OLR (Outgoing Longwave Radiation) and OLR(sub CLR) (Clear Sky OLR) as determined using observations from CERES Terra and AIRS over the time period September 2002 through June 2011. Both AIRS and CERES show a significant decrease in global mean and tropical mean OLR over this time period. We find excellent agreement of the anomaly time-series of the two OLR data sets in almost every detail, down to 1 deg X 1 deg spatial grid point level. The extremely close agreement of OLR anomaly time series derived from observations by two different instruments implies that both sets of results must be highly stable. This agreement also validates to some extent the anomaly time series of the AIRS derived products used in the computation of the AIRS OLR product. The paper also examines the correlations of anomaly time series of AIRS and CERES OLR, on different spatial scales, as well as those of other AIRS derived products, with that of the NOAA Sea Surface Temperature (SST) product averaged over the NOAA Nino-4 spatial region. We refer to these SST anomalies as the El Nino Index. Large spatially coherent positive and negative correlations of OLR anomaly time series with that of the El Nino Index are found in different spatial regions. Anomalies of global mean, and especially tropical mean, OLR are highly positively correlated with the El Nino Index. These correlations explain that the recent global and tropical mean decreases in OLR over the period September 2002 through June 2011, as observed by both AIRS and CERES, are primarily the result of a transition from an El Nino condition at the beginning of the data record to La Nina conditions toward the end of the data period. We show that the close correlation of global mean, and especially tropical mean, OLR anomalies with the El Nino Index can be well accounted for by temporal changes of OLR within two spatial regions which lie outside the NOAA Nino-4 region, in which anomalies of cloud cover and mid-tropospheric water vapor are both highly negatively correlated with the El Nino Index. Agreement of the AIRS and CERES OLR(sub CLR) anomaly time series is less good, which may be a result of the large sampling differences in the ensemble of cases included in each OLR(sub CLR) data set.

A time-and-motion approach to micro-costing of high-throughput genomic assays

PubMed Central

Costa, S.; Regier, D.A.; Meissner, B.; Cromwell, I.; Ben-Neriah, S.; Chavez, E.; Hung, S.; Steidl, C.; Scott, D.W.; Marra, M.A.; Peacock, S.J.; Connors, J.M.

2016-01-01

Background Genomic technologies are increasingly used to guide clinical decision-making in cancer control. Economic evidence about the cost-effectiveness of genomic technologies is limited, in part because of a lack of published comprehensive cost estimates. In the present micro-costing study, we used a time-and-motion approach to derive cost estimates for 3 genomic assays and processes—digital gene expression profiling (gep), fluorescence in situ hybridization (fish), and targeted capture sequencing, including bioinformatics analysis—in the context of lymphoma patient management. Methods The setting for the study was the Department of Lymphoid Cancer Research laboratory at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mean per-case hands-on time and resource measurements were determined from a series of direct observations of each assay. Per-case cost estimates were calculated using a bottom-up costing approach, with labour, capital and equipment, supplies and reagents, and overhead costs included. Results The most labour-intensive assay was found to be fish at 258.2 minutes per case, followed by targeted capture sequencing (124.1 minutes per case) and digital gep (14.9 minutes per case). Based on a historical case throughput of 180 cases annually, the mean per-case cost (2014 Canadian dollars) was estimated to be $1,029.16 for targeted capture sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, $596.60 for fish, and $898.35 for digital gep with an 807-gene code set. Conclusions With the growing emphasis on personalized approaches to cancer management, the need for economic evaluations of high-throughput genomic assays is increasing. Through economic modelling and budget-impact analyses, the cost estimates presented here can be used to inform priority-setting decisions about the implementation of such assays in clinical practice. PMID:27803594

A comparative assessment of statistical methods for extreme weather analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schlögl, Matthias; Laaha, Gregor

2017-04-01

Extreme weather exposure assessment is of major importance for scientists and practitioners alike. We compare different extreme value approaches and fitting methods with respect to their value for assessing extreme precipitation and temperature impacts. Based on an Austrian data set from 25 meteorological stations representing diverse meteorological conditions, we assess the added value of partial duration series over the standardly used annual maxima series in order to give recommendations for performing extreme value statistics of meteorological hazards. Results show the merits of the robust L-moment estimation, which yielded better results than maximum likelihood estimation in 62 % of all cases. At the same time, results question the general assumption of the threshold excess approach (employing partial duration series, PDS) being superior to the block maxima approach (employing annual maxima series, AMS) due to information gain. For low return periods (non-extreme events) the PDS approach tends to overestimate return levels as compared to the AMS approach, whereas an opposite behavior was found for high return levels (extreme events). In extreme cases, an inappropriate threshold was shown to lead to considerable biases that may outperform the possible gain of information from including additional extreme events by far. This effect was neither visible from the square-root criterion, nor from standardly used graphical diagnosis (mean residual life plot), but from a direct comparison of AMS and PDS in synoptic quantile plots. We therefore recommend performing AMS and PDS approaches simultaneously in order to select the best suited approach. This will make the analyses more robust, in cases where threshold selection and dependency introduces biases to the PDS approach, but also in cases where the AMS contains non-extreme events that may introduce similar biases. For assessing the performance of extreme events we recommend conditional performance measures that focus on rare events only in addition to standardly used unconditional indicators. The findings of this study are of relevance for a broad range of environmental variables, including meteorological and hydrological quantities.

The application of MINIQUASI to thermal program boundary and initial value problems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The feasibility of applying the solution techniques of Miniquasi to the set of equations which govern a thermoregulatory model is investigated. For solving nonlinear equations and/or boundary conditions, a Taylor Series expansion is required for linearization of both equations and boundary conditions. The solutions are iterative and in each iteration, a problem like the linear case is solved. It is shown that Miniquasi cannot be applied to the thermoregulatory model as originally planned.

Epstein Barr virus-positive mucocutaneous ulcer of the colon associated Hodgkin lymphoma in Crohn's disease.

PubMed

Moran, Neil R; Webster, Bradley; Lee, Kenneth M; Trotman, Judith; Kwan, Yiu-Lam; Napoli, John; Leong, Rupert W

2015-05-21

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) positive mucocutaneous ulcers (EBVMCU) form part of a spectrum of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disease. They have been reported in the setting of immunosenescence and iatrogenic immunosuppression, affecting the oropharyngeal mucosa, skin and gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Case reports and series to date suggest a benign natural history responding to conservative management, particularly in the GIT. We report an unusual case of EBVMCU in the colon, arising in the setting of immunosuppression in the treatment of Crohn's disease, with progression to Hodgkin lymphoma 18 mo after cessation of infliximab. The patient presented with multiple areas of segmental colonic ulceration, histologically showing a polymorphous infiltrate with EBV positive Reed-Sternberg-like cells. A diagnosis of EBVMCU was made. The ulcers failed to regress upon cessation of infliximab and methotrexate for 18 mo. Following commencement of prednisolone for her Crohn's disease, the patient developed widespread Hodgkin lymphoma which ultimately presented as a life-threatening lower GIT bleed requiring emergency colectomy. This is the first report of progression of EBVMCU to Hodgkin lymphoma, in the setting of ongoing iatrogenic immunosuppression and inflammatory bowel disease.

Epidemiology meets econometrics: using time-series analysis to observe the impact of bed occupancy rates on the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

PubMed

Kaier, K; Meyer, E; Dettenkofer, M; Frank, U

2010-10-01

Two multivariate time-series analyses were carried out to identify the impact of bed occupancy rates, turnover intervals and the average length of hospital stay on the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in a teaching hospital. Epidemiological data on the incidences of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria were collected. Time-series of bed occupancy rates, turnover intervals and the average length of stay were tested for inclusion in the models as independent variables. Incidence was defined as nosocomial cases per 1000 patient-days. This included all patients infected or colonised with MRSA/ESBL more than 48h after admission. Between January 2003 and July 2008, a mean incidence of 0.15 nosocomial MRSA cases was identified. ESBL was not included in the surveillance until January 2005. Between January 2005 and July 2008 the mean incidence of nosocomial ESBL was also 0.15 cases per 1000 patient-days. The two multivariate models demonstrate a temporal relationship between bed occupancy rates in general wards and the incidence of nosocomial MRSA and ESBL. Similarly, the temporal relationship between the monthly average length of stay in intensive care units (ICUs) and the incidence of nosocomial MRSA and ESBL was demonstrated. Overcrowding in general wards and long periods of ICU stay were identified as factors influencing the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in hospital settings. Copyright 2010 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neurosensory findings among electricians with self-reported remaining symptoms after an electrical injury: A case series.

PubMed

Rådman, Lisa; Gunnarsson, Lars-Gunnar; Nilsagård, Ylva; Nilsson, Tohr

2016-12-01

Symptoms described in previous studies indicate that electrical injury can cause longstanding injuries to the neurosensory nerves. The aim of the present case series was to objectively assess the profile of neurosensory dysfunction in electricians in relation to high voltage or low voltage electrical injury and the "no-let-go phenomenon". Twenty-three Swedish male electricians exposed to electrical injury were studied by using a battery of clinical instruments, including quantitative sensory testing (QST). The clinical test followed a predetermined order of assessments: thermal perceptions thresholds, vibration perception thresholds, tactile gnosis (the Shape and Texture Identification test), manual dexterity (Purdue Pegboard Test), and grip strength. In addition, pain was studied by means of a questionnaire, and a colour chart was used for estimation of white fingers. The main findings in the present case series were reduced thermal perceptions thresholds, where half of the group showed abnormal values for warm thermal perception and/or cold thermal perception. Also, the tactile gnosis and manual dexterity were reduced. High voltage injury was associated with more reduced sensibility compared to those with low voltage. Neurosensory injury can be objectively assessed after an electrical injury by using QST with thermal perception thresholds. The findings are consistent with injuries to small nerve fibres. In the clinical setting thermal perception threshold is therefore recommended, in addition to tests of tactile gnosis and manual dexterity (Purdue Pegboard). Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

COLLABORATE©: A Universal Competency-Based Paradigm for Professional Case Management, Part II: Competency Clarification.

PubMed

Treiger, Teresa M; Fink-Samnick, Ellen

2013-01-01

The purpose of this second article of a 3-article series is to clarify the competencies for a new paradigm of case management built upon a value-driven foundation that : Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. In moving forward, the one fact that rings true is that there will be a constant change in our industry. As the health care terrain shifts and new influences continually surface, there will be consequences for case management practice. These impacts require nimble clinical professionals in possession of recognized and firmly established competencies. They must be agile to frame (and reframe) their professional practice to facilitate the best possible outcomes for their patients. Case managers can choose to be Gumby™ or Pokey™. This is exactly the time to define a competency-based case management model, highlighting one sufficiently fluid to fit into any setting of care. The practice of case management transcends the vast array of representative professional disciplines and educational levels. A majority of current models are driven by business priorities rather than the competencies critical to successful practice and quality patient outcomes. This results in a fragmented professional case management identity. Although there is an inherent value in what each discipline brings to the table, this advanced model unifies behind case management's unique, strengths-based identity instead of continuing to align within traditional divisions (e.g., discipline, work setting, population served). This model fosters case management's expanding career advancement opportunities, including a reflective clinical ladder.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure due to thiamazole in a patient with hyperthyroidism and trilogy of Fallot: case report

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Thiamazole is a widely used antithyroid agent that has been approved for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Although thiamazole-induced hepatotoxicity is a main side effect, it may progress to liver failure in a very few cases. Case Presentation We described a 24-year-old patient with hyperthyroidism and trilogy of Fallot, who developed liver failure due to thiamazole. Liver biopsy showed intrahepatic cholestasis, mild inflammatory infiltrates, as well as significant fibrosis, indicating both acute and chronic liver injuries. Although a series of potent therapies were given, the patient deceased due to severe liver decompensation. Conclusions This case suggests that thiamazole-induced hepatotoxicity in the setting of advanced fibrosis increases the risk of poor outcome. Regular liver function monitoring during thiamazole therapy is therefore important. PMID:20707932

Origin and geodynamic setting of Late Cenozoic granitoids in Sulawesi, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maulana, Adi; Imai, Akira; Van Leeuwen, Theo; Watanabe, Koichiro; Yonezu, Kotaro; Nakano, Takanori; Boyce, Adrian; Page, Laurence; Schersten, Anders

2016-07-01

Late Cenozoic granitoids are widespread in a 1600 km long belt forming the Western and Northern Sulawesi tectono-magmatic provinces. They can be divided into three rock series: shoshonitic (HK), high-K felsic calc-alkaline (CAK), and normal calc-alkaline to tholeiitic (CA-TH). Representative samples collected from eleven plutons, which were subjected to petrography, major element, trace element, Sr, Nd, Pb isotope and whole-rock δ18O analyses, are all I-type and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous. The occurrence of the two K-rich series is restricted to Western Sulawesi, where they formed in an extensional, post-subduction tectonic setting with astenospheric upwelling providing thermal perturbation and adiabatic decompression. Two parental magma sources are proposed: enriched mantle or lower crustal equivalent for HK magmas, and Triassic igneous rocks in a Gondwana-derived fragment thrust beneath the cental and northern parts of Western Sulawesi for CAK magmas. The latter interpretation is based on striking similarities in radiogenic isotope and trace element signatures. CA-TH granitoids are found mostly in Northern Sulawesi. Partial melting of lower-middle crust amphibolites in an active subduction environment is the proposed origin of these rocks. Fractional crystallization and crustal contamination have played a significant role in magma petrogenesis, particularly in the case of the HK and CAK series. Contamination by organic carbon-bearing sedimentary rocks of the HK and CAK granitoids in the central part of Western Sulawesi is suggested by their ilmenite-series (reduced) character. The CAK granitoids further to the north and CA-TH granitoids in Northern Sulawesi are typical magnetite-series (oxidized). This may explain differences in mineralization styles in the two regions.

Can We Speculate Running Application With Server Power Consumption Trace?

PubMed

Li, Yuanlong; Hu, Han; Wen, Yonggang; Zhang, Jun

2018-05-01

In this paper, we propose to detect the running applications in a server by classifying the observed power consumption series for the purpose of data center energy consumption monitoring and analysis. Time series classification problem has been extensively studied with various distance measurements developed; also recently the deep learning-based sequence models have been proved to be promising. In this paper, we propose a novel distance measurement and build a time series classification algorithm hybridizing nearest neighbor and long short term memory (LSTM) neural network. More specifically, first we propose a new distance measurement termed as local time warping (LTW), which utilizes a user-specified index set for local warping, and is designed to be noncommutative and nondynamic programming. Second, we hybridize the 1-nearest neighbor (1NN)-LTW and LSTM together. In particular, we combine the prediction probability vector of 1NN-LTW and LSTM to determine the label of the test cases. Finally, using the power consumption data from a real data center, we show that the proposed LTW can improve the classification accuracy of dynamic time warping (DTW) from about 84% to 90%. Our experimental results prove that the proposed LTW is competitive on our data set compared with existed DTW variants and its noncommutative feature is indeed beneficial. We also test a linear version of LTW and find out that it can perform similar to state-of-the-art DTW-based method while it runs as fast as the linear runtime lower bound methods like LB_Keogh for our problem. With the hybrid algorithm, for the power series classification task we achieve an accuracy up to about 93%. Our research can inspire more studies on time series distance measurement and the hybrid of the deep learning models with other traditional models.

Severe Propanil [N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) propanamide] Pesticide Self-Poisoning

PubMed Central

Eddleston, Michael; Rajapakshe, Manjula; Roberts, Darren; Reginald, K; Sheriff, M H Rezvi; Dissanayake, Wasantha; Buckley, Nick

2007-01-01

Background propanil pesticide poisoning can produce methaemoglobinaemia, tissue hypoxia, and depression of CNS and respiratory system. It has been recorded only rarely worldwide and most current poison texts consider propanil to be of low toxicity. However, propanil self-poisoning is a significant clinical problem in parts of Sri Lanka and a not uncommon cause of death. Aim of study to report the clinical features and management of severe propanil poisoning. Patients and Methods we report a retrospective case series of patients who were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of and/or died in Anuradhapura General Hospital between 1998 and early 2002. Results sixteen patients were identified. Common manifestations of toxicity included confusion, reduced conscious level, cyanosis, and respiratory depression. Marked haemolysis was noted in several patients. Nine deaths occurred due to respiratory depression and cardiorespiratory arrest. Management was difficult given the lack of IV methylene blue, inability to measure methaemoglobin levels, and paucity of ICU beds. Conclusions this series indicates that propanil poisoning can be a severe form of self-poisoning, particularly in resource-poor settings. We have now initiated the establishment of a prospective series of propanil poisoned patients to further describe its clinical features, responsiveness to therapy, and case fatality rate. PMID:12507053

The New Age of Bullying and Violence in Health Care: Part 3: Managing the Bullying Boss and Leadership.

PubMed

Fink-Samnick, Ellen

PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING(S):: Applicable to all health care sections where case management is practiced. This article is the third of a 4-part series on the topic of bullying in the health care workplace. Part 3 addresses the dimensions of the bullying boss and leadership, posing major implications for patient safety plus the mental health of staff members. The complex constructs and dynamics broached by the bullying boss and department leadership are explored. These include the underlying forces at play such as power, gender, leadership styles, plus weaves in assessment models. Strategic and proactive management of bullying by leadership is vital to workforce retention and well-being. The increasing incidence and impact of bullying across all sectors have made it a major workforce performance management challenge. Health care settings are especially tense environments, often making it difficult for individuals to distinguish between bullying behavior and high expectations for staff. Bullying impacts both direct targets and bystanders who witness the assaultive behaviors, with ethical implications as well.Case management is poised to promote a safe health care workplace for patients and practitioners alike amid these intricate circumstances. Understanding types of bullying bosses and leadership styles is integral to a case manager's success in the workplace.

Education and Reported Onset of Symptoms among Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease

PubMed Central

Roe, Catherine M.; Xiong, Chengjie; Grant, Elizabeth; Miller, J. Phillip; Morris, John C.

2010-01-01

Objective To examine whether reported age at onset (AAO) of dementia symptoms among participants with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is later for those with fewer years of education and, if so, to see if it is attributed to delayed detection of symptoms. Design Case series. Setting National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center Minimum Data Set (N=21,880 participants) and Washington University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (N=1,449 participants). Results Reported AAO of dementia symptoms is slightly earlier for participants with more education. Participants with fewer years of education show greater clinical severity of AD at first assessment. Conclusion Symptoms of AD are recognized later among those with less education. PMID:18195147

Transformation-cost time-series method for analyzing irregularly sampled data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozken, Ibrahim; Eroglu, Deniz; Stemler, Thomas; Marwan, Norbert; Bagci, G. Baris; Kurths, Jürgen

2015-06-01

Irregular sampling of data sets is one of the challenges often encountered in time-series analysis, since traditional methods cannot be applied and the frequently used interpolation approach can corrupt the data and bias the subsequence analysis. Here we present the TrAnsformation-Cost Time-Series (TACTS) method, which allows us to analyze irregularly sampled data sets without degenerating the quality of the data set. Instead of using interpolation we consider time-series segments and determine how close they are to each other by determining the cost needed to transform one segment into the following one. Using a limited set of operations—with associated costs—to transform the time series segments, we determine a new time series, that is our transformation-cost time series. This cost time series is regularly sampled and can be analyzed using standard methods. While our main interest is the analysis of paleoclimate data, we develop our method using numerical examples like the logistic map and the Rössler oscillator. The numerical data allows us to test the stability of our method against noise and for different irregular samplings. In addition we provide guidance on how to choose the associated costs based on the time series at hand. The usefulness of the TACTS method is demonstrated using speleothem data from the Secret Cave in Borneo that is a good proxy for paleoclimatic variability in the monsoon activity around the maritime continent.

Transformation-cost time-series method for analyzing irregularly sampled data.

PubMed

Ozken, Ibrahim; Eroglu, Deniz; Stemler, Thomas; Marwan, Norbert; Bagci, G Baris; Kurths, Jürgen

2015-06-01

Irregular sampling of data sets is one of the challenges often encountered in time-series analysis, since traditional methods cannot be applied and the frequently used interpolation approach can corrupt the data and bias the subsequence analysis. Here we present the TrAnsformation-Cost Time-Series (TACTS) method, which allows us to analyze irregularly sampled data sets without degenerating the quality of the data set. Instead of using interpolation we consider time-series segments and determine how close they are to each other by determining the cost needed to transform one segment into the following one. Using a limited set of operations-with associated costs-to transform the time series segments, we determine a new time series, that is our transformation-cost time series. This cost time series is regularly sampled and can be analyzed using standard methods. While our main interest is the analysis of paleoclimate data, we develop our method using numerical examples like the logistic map and the Rössler oscillator. The numerical data allows us to test the stability of our method against noise and for different irregular samplings. In addition we provide guidance on how to choose the associated costs based on the time series at hand. The usefulness of the TACTS method is demonstrated using speleothem data from the Secret Cave in Borneo that is a good proxy for paleoclimatic variability in the monsoon activity around the maritime continent.

Laryngospasm With Apparent Aspiration During Sedation With Nitrous Oxide.

PubMed

Babl, Franz E; Grindlay, Joanne; Barrett, Michael Joseph

2015-11-01

Nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture has become increasingly popular for the procedural sedation and analgesia of children in the emergency department. In general, nitrous oxide is regarded as a very safe agent according to large case series. We report a case of single-agent nitrous oxide sedation of a child, complicated by laryngospasm and radiographically confirmed bilateral upper lobe pulmonary opacities. Although rarely reported with parenteral sedative agents, laryngospasm and apparent aspiration has not been previously reported in isolated nitrous oxide sedation. This case highlights that, similar to other sedative agents, nitrous oxide administration also needs to be conducted by staff and in settings in which airway emergencies can be appropriately managed. Copyright © 2015 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Towards a Definition of "Self-Neglect" in Psychiatric Patients: Descriptions of a Case Series.

PubMed

Lamkin, Joanna; Nguyen, Phuong T; Coverdale, John H; Gordon, Mollie R

2017-09-01

Self-neglect, although frequently studied in geriatric populations, has received only limited attention in psychiatric populations. To address this gap, we utilize a behavioral framework to present a set of case examples in order to illustrate the complex relationship between self-neglect behaviors and conditions and various psychiatric illness. Cases are discussed with respect to ascending severity of presentations of self-neglect in adult non-geriatric inpatient psychiatric populations. Self-neglect is conceptualized as a range of behaviors, as well as an overall condition that affects an individual's functioning in several major domains. The concept of self-neglect in non-geriatric psychiatric patients warrants additional study, including development of a formal definition, as well as evaluation of its associated manifestations and implications for treatment and prognosis.

The Mathematics of Four or More N-Localizers for Stereotactic Neurosurgery.

PubMed

Brown, Russell A

2015-10-13

The mathematics that were originally developed for the N-localizer apply to three N-localizers that produce three sets of fiducials in a tomographic image. Some applications of the N-localizer use four N-localizers that produce four sets of fiducials; however, the mathematics that apply to three sets of fiducials do not apply to four sets of fiducials. This article presents mathematics that apply to four or more sets of fiducials that all lie within one planar tomographic image. In addition, these mathematics are extended to apply to four or more fiducials that do not all lie within one planar tomographic image, as may be the case with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging where a volume is imaged instead of a series of planar tomographic images. Whether applied to a planar image or a volume image, the mathematics of four or more N-localizers provide a statistical measure of the quality of the image data that may be influenced by factors, such as the nonlinear distortion of MR images.

Case reports and case series in prehospital emergency care research.

PubMed

Patterson, P Daniel; Weaver, Matthew; Clark, Sunday; Yealy, Donald M

2010-11-01

Research begins with a clearly stated question, problem or hypothesis. The selection of a study design appropriate to the task is the next key step. This paper provides guidance for the use of case report and case series designs by describing the 'what', 'when' and 'how' of both designs. Also described is the use of case reports and case series study designs in prehospital emergency research and the quality of published literature from 2000 to mid-2008.

Generalizing DTW to the multi-dimensional case requires an adaptive approach

PubMed Central

Hu, Bing; Jin, Hongxia; Wang, Jun; Keogh, Eamonn

2017-01-01

In recent years Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) has emerged as the distance measure of choice for virtually all time series data mining applications. For example, virtually all applications that process data from wearable devices use DTW as a core sub-routine. This is the result of significant progress in improving DTW’s efficiency, together with multiple empirical studies showing that DTW-based classifiers at least equal (and generally surpass) the accuracy of all their rivals across dozens of datasets. Thus far, most of the research has considered only the one-dimensional case, with practitioners generalizing to the multi-dimensional case in one of two ways, dependent or independent warping. In general, it appears the community believes either that the two ways are equivalent, or that the choice is irrelevant. In this work, we show that this is not the case. The two most commonly used multi-dimensional DTW methods can produce different classifications, and neither one dominates over the other. This seems to suggest that one should learn the best method for a particular application. However, we will show that this is not necessary; a simple, principled rule can be used on a case-by-case basis to predict which of the two methods we should trust at the time of classification. Our method allows us to ensure that classification results are at least as accurate as the better of the two rival methods, and, in many cases, our method is significantly more accurate. We demonstrate our ideas with the most extensive set of multi-dimensional time series classification experiments ever attempted. PMID:29104448

Pattern Recognition Application of Support Vector Machine for Fault Classification of Thyristor Controlled Series Compensated Transmission Lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yashvantrai Vyas, Bhargav; Maheshwari, Rudra Prakash; Das, Biswarup

2016-06-01

Application of series compensation in extra high voltage (EHV) transmission line makes the protection job difficult for engineers, due to alteration in system parameters and measurements. The problem amplifies with inclusion of electronically controlled compensation like thyristor controlled series compensation (TCSC) as it produce harmonics and rapid change in system parameters during fault associated with TCSC control. This paper presents a pattern recognition based fault type identification approach with support vector machine. The scheme uses only half cycle post fault data of three phase currents to accomplish the task. The change in current signal features during fault has been considered as discriminatory measure. The developed scheme in this paper is tested over a large set of fault data with variation in system and fault parameters. These fault cases have been generated with PSCAD/EMTDC on a 400 kV, 300 km transmission line model. The developed algorithm has proved better for implementation on TCSC compensated line with its improved accuracy and speed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ferraioli, Luigi; Hueller, Mauro; Vitale, Stefano

The scientific objectives of the LISA Technology Package experiment on board of the LISA Pathfinder mission demand accurate calibration and validation of the data analysis tools in advance of the mission launch. The level of confidence required in the mission outcomes can be reached only by intensively testing the tools on synthetically generated data. A flexible procedure allowing the generation of a cross-correlated stationary noise time series was set up. A multichannel time series with the desired cross-correlation behavior can be generated once a model for a multichannel cross-spectral matrix is provided. The core of the procedure comprises a noisemore » coloring, multichannel filter designed via a frequency-by-frequency eigendecomposition of the model cross-spectral matrix and a subsequent fit in the Z domain. The common problem of initial transients in a filtered time series is solved with a proper initialization of the filter recursion equations. The noise generator performance was tested in a two-dimensional case study of the closed-loop LISA Technology Package dynamics along the two principal degrees of freedom.« less

Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity following Acute Brain Injuries Using a Consensus-Based Diagnostic Tool: A Single Institutional Case Series.

PubMed

Godo, Shigeo; Irino, Shigemi; Nakagawa, Atsuhiro; Kawazoe, Yu; Fujita, Motoo; Kudo, Daisuke; Nomura, Ryosuke; Shimokawa, Hiroaki; Kushimoto, Shigeki

2017-09-01

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a distinct syndrome of episodic sympathetic hyperactivities following severe acquired brain injury, characterized by paroxysmal transient fever, tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, excessive diaphoresis and specific posturing. PSH remains to be an under-recognized condition with a diagnostic pitfall especially in the intensive care unit (ICU) settings due to the high prevalence of concomitant diseases that mimic PSH. A consensus set of diagnostic criteria named PSH-Assessment Measure (PSH-AM) has been developed recently, which is consisted of two components: a diagnosis likelihood tool derived from clinical characteristics of PSH, and a clinical feature scale assigned to the severity of each sympathetic hyperactivity. We herein present a case series of patients with PSH who were diagnosed and followed by using PSH-AM in our tertiary institutional medical and surgical ICU between April 2015 and March 2017 in order to evaluate the clinical efficacy of PSH-AM. Among 394 survivors of 521 patients admitted with acquired brain injury defined as acute brain injury at all levels of severity regardless of the presence of altered consciousness, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, infectious disease, and encephalopathy, 6 patients (1.5%) were diagnosed as PSH by using PSH-AM. PSH-AM served as a useful scoring system for early objective diagnosis, assessment of severity, and serial evaluation of treatment efficacy in the management of PSH in the ICU settings. In conclusion, critical care clinicians should consider the possibility of PSH and can use PSH-AM as a useful diagnostic and guiding tool in the management of PSH.

Employment as a welder and Parkinson disease among heavy equipment manufacturing workers.

PubMed

Marsh, Gary M; Gula, Mary Jean

2006-10-01

We investigated whether employment as a welder with potential exposure to manganese and other substances is associated with Parkinson disease (PD), parkinsonism or related neurological disorders, or accelerates the age of onset of PD. We selected cases and controls from 12,595 persons ever employed at three Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) plants between 1976 and 2004 with potential to make a medical insurance claim between 1998 and 2004. Cases had filed a claim for 1) PD, 2) "secondary parkinsonism", 3) "other degenerative diseases of the basal ganglia" or 4) "essential and other specific forms of tremor". Cases were grouped by claims: Group 1-claims 1 and 2 and Group 2-claims 1 to 4, and as study period incident (SPI) or prevalent. Each case was matched to two series of 10 controls each on date of case's first claim, year of birth, race and sex. Series I was also matched on plant. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the variable, "ever welder in any CAT plant" were: Group 1-SPI Cases: Series I (OR = .76, CI = .26-2.19), Series II (OR = .81, CI = .29-2.25); Group 1- Prevalent Cases: Series I (OR = .82, CI = .36-1.86), Series II (OR = .97, CI = .42-2.23); Group 2- SPI Cases: Series I (OR = 1.03, CI = .57-1.87), Series II (OR = 1.21, CI = .67-2.20) Group 2-Prevalent Cases: Series I (OR = 1.02, CI = .62-1.71), Series II (OR = .86, CI = .51-1.43). Our finding of no statistically significant associations for welding employment was maintained following adjustment for potential confounding and evaluation of possible effect modification. Employment as a welder did not accelerate the age of onset of PD. Our study supported the conclusion that employment as a welder is not associated with Parkinson disease, parkinsonism or a related neurological disorder.

Seasonal to Decadal-Scale Variability in Satellite Ocean Color and Sea Surface Temperature for the California Current System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mitchell, B. Greg; Kahru, Mati; Marra, John (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Support for this project was used to develop satellite ocean color and temperature indices (SOCTI) for the California Current System (CCS) using the historic record of CZCS West Coast Time Series (WCTS), OCTS, WiFS and AVHRR SST. The ocean color satellite data have been evaluated in relation to CalCOFI data sets for chlorophyll (CZCS) and ocean spectral reflectance and chlorophyll OCTS and SeaWiFS. New algorithms for the three missions have been implemented based on in-water algorithm data sets, or in the case of CZCS, by comparing retrieved pigments with ship-based observations. New algorithms for absorption coefficients, diffuse attenuation coefficients and primary production have also been evaluated. Satellite retrievals are being evaluated based on our large data set of pigments and optics from CalCOFI.

Series Transmission Line Transformer

DOEpatents

Buckles, Robert A.; Booth, Rex; Yen, Boris T.

2004-06-29

A series transmission line transformer is set forth which includes two or more of impedance matched sets of at least two transmissions lines such as shielded cables, connected in parallel at one end ans series at the other in a cascading fashion. The cables are wound about a magnetic core. The series transmission line transformer (STLT) which can provide for higher impedance ratios and bandwidths, which is scalable, and which is of simpler design and construction.

Comparison of drought events detected by SPI calculated from different historical precipitation data sets - case study from Southern Alps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brencic, M.; Hictaler, J.

2012-04-01

During recent years substantial efforts were directed toward the reconstruction of past meteorological data sets of precipitation, air temperature, air pressure and sunshine. In Alpine space of Europe long tradition of meteorological data monitoring exist starting with the first modern measurements in late 18th century. However, older data were obtained under very different conditions, standards and quality. Consequently direct comparison between data sets of different observation points is not possible. Several methods defined as data homogenisation procedures were developed intended to enable comparison of data from different observation points and sources. In spite of the fact that homogenisation procedures are scientifically agreed final result represented as homogenised data series depends on the ability and approach of the interpreters. Well know data set from the Greater Alpine region based on the common homogenisation procedure is HISTALP data series. However, HISTALP data set is not the only available homogenised data set in the region. Local agencies responsible for meteorological observations (e.g. in Slovenia Environmental Agency of Slovenia - ARSO) perform their own homogenisation procedures. Because more detailed information about measuring procedures and locations for the particular stations is available for them one can expect differences between homogenised data sets. Longer meteorological data sets can be used to detect past drought events of various magnitudes. They can help to discern past droughts and their characteristics. A very frequently used meteorological drought index is standardized precipitation index - SPI. The nature of SPI is designed to detect events of low frequency. With the help of this index periods of extremely low precipitation can be defined. It is usually based on monthly amount of precipitation where cumulative precipitation amount for the particular time period is calculated. During the calculation of SPI with a time series of monthly precipitation data for a location can calculate the SPI for any month in the record for the previous i months where i=1,2,3, …, 12, …, 24, …. 48, … depending upon the time scale of the interest. A 3 month SPI index is usually used for a short-term or seasonal drought index, a 12 month SPI is used for an intermediate term drought index, and a 48 month SPI is used for a long term drought index. In the paper results of SPI calculations are presented for the precipitation stations in the region of the Southern Alps for the last 200 years. Compared are results of differently homogenised data sets for the same observation points. We have performed comparison of homogenised data sets between HISTALP and ARSO data base. For the period after World War II when reliable precipitation measurements are available comparison was performed also between raw data series and homogenised data series. Differences between calculated form short term SPI (from 1 to 6 months) are small and don't influence the interpretation of short term drought appearance. With the prolonged length of SPI differences between calculated values rise and influence the detection of longer term drought appearance. It can be also illustrated that differences among parameters of model distribution (gamma distribution) are larger for longer SPI than for shorter SPI. It can be empirically concluded that homogenisation procedure of precipitation data sets can importantly influence the SPI values and has impact on conclusions about long term drought appearance.

Definitive treatment of the negative vector orbit.

PubMed

Mommaerts, Maurice Y

2018-05-09

In a negative vector orbit, the most anterior globe portion protrudes past the malar eminence. As bulging eyes are considered unaesthetic, patients usually seek correction. However, most current correction techniques produce suboptimal results. Here, we present a surgical technique that sets back the globe and protrudes the malar bone using an intraoral approach. All five patients (aged 17-41 years) in our case series reported being satisfied with the improvement achieved using this technique. Based on our experience, a transoral approach to malar augmentation by valgisation osteotomy may address the bulging eyes aspect through transantral orbital fat reduction in select cases. Copyright © 2018 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Levothyroxine Dosing Following Bariatric Surgery.

PubMed

Gadiraju, Silpa; Lee, Clare J; Cooper, David S

2016-10-01

Based on the mechanisms of drug absorption, increased levothyroxine requirements are expected after bariatric surgery. However, there are conflicting data on this topic. This review evaluates the effects of bariatric surgery on levothyroxine dosing. Data were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, and review of published bibliographies. Six of 10 studies demonstrated decreased postoperative requirements. Most demonstrated correlations between weight loss and dose. Only 3 case reports and 1 case series demonstrated increased levothyroxine requirements, attributed to malabsorption. The loss of both fat and lean body mass may counteract malabsorptive effects from surgery, resulting in decreased postoperative levothyroxine requirements. In addition, the reversal of impaired levothyroxine pharmacokinetics and an altered set point of thyroid hormone homeostasis may also contribute to postoperative levothyroxine reductions.

The Knowledge-Based Software Assistant: Beyond CASE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carozzoni, Joseph A.

1993-01-01

This paper will outline the similarities and differences between two paradigms of software development. Both support the whole software life cycle and provide automation for most of the software development process, but have different approaches. The CASE approach is based on a set of tools linked by a central data repository. This tool-based approach is data driven and views software development as a series of sequential steps, each resulting in a product. The Knowledge-Based Software Assistant (KBSA) approach, a radical departure from existing software development practices, is knowledge driven and centers around a formalized software development process. KBSA views software development as an incremental, iterative, and evolutionary process with development occurring at the specification level.

Simultaneous Umbilical Hernia Repair with Transumbilical Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement.

PubMed

Montalbano, Michael J; Loukas, Marios; Oakes, W Jerry; Tubbs, R Shane

2017-01-01

Recently, placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt via a transumbilical approach has been reported. Herein, we report the repair of an umbilical hernia via the same incision and introduction of the distal end of a ventricultoperitoneal shunt into the peritoneal cavity in 3 patients. A case illustration is included. Both hernia repair and placement of the distal end of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt were uncomplicated in our small case series. To our knowledge, simultaneous repair of an umbilical hernia followed by transumbilical shunt placement has not been reported. As umbilical hernias are so common in infants, this finding, based on our experience, should not exclude placement of peritoneal tubing in the same setting. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Morphologic mimickers of Cryptococcus occurring within inflammatory infiltrates in the setting of neutrophilic dermatitis: a series of three cases highlighting clinical dilemmas associated with a novel histopathologic pitfall.

PubMed

Ko, Jennifer S; Fernandez, Anthony P; Anderson, Kyle A; Burdick, Laura M; Billings, Steven D; Procop, Gary W; McMahon, James T; Bergfeld, Wilma F; Piliang, Melissa P

2013-01-01

A neutrophil-predominant inflammatory infiltrate in a cutaneous biopsy can be associated with a broad spectrum of diseases. Here we describe three cases showing a neutrophil-predominant dermal infiltrate admixed with abundant acellular bodies surrounded by capsule-like vacuolated spaces, which strikingly mimicked Cryptococcus. Two cases occurred within the settings of underlying hematologic malignancies; the third case was associated with immune dysregulation. Two patients were acutely ill in the medical intensive care unit. Fungal work-up, including cultures and multiple stains were negative. Because of clinical deterioration in these patients, transmission electron microscopy was pursued to definitively rule out fungal infection. In both cases, characteristics most compatible with autolysing human cells, not Cryptococcus, were identified. Chemotherapy and high-dose steroids were given, but both patients eventually succumbed to their diseases. To the best of our knowledge, these represent the first reported cases of autolysing human cells mimicking Cryptococcus organisms within neutrophilic infiltrates. They highlight the therapeutic dilemmas arising with histopathologic mimics, as well as the importance of thorough investigation to distinguish mimickers from true infectious organisms. We believe recognition of this microscopic pitfall will be useful to dermatopathologists faced with similar findings in the future, and may prevent unnecessary delay of appropriate therapy in acutely ill patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Case Series Investigations in Cognitive Neuropsychology

PubMed Central

Schwartz, Myrna F.; Dell, Gary S.

2011-01-01

Case series methodology involves the systematic assessment of a sample of related patients, with the goal of understanding how and why they differ from one another. This method has become increasingly important in cognitive neuropsychology, which has long been identified with single-subject research. We review case series studies dealing with impaired semantic memory, reading, and language production, and draw attention to the affinity of this methodology for testing theories that are expressed as computational models and for addressing questions about neuroanatomy. It is concluded that case series methods usefully complement single-subject techniques. PMID:21714756

A case report of evaluating a large-scale health systems improvement project in an uncontrolled setting: a quality improvement initiative in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

PubMed

Mate, Kedar S; Ngidi, Wilbroda Hlolisile; Reddy, Jennifer; Mphatswe, Wendy; Rollins, Nigel; Barker, Pierre

2013-11-01

New approaches are needed to evaluate quality improvement (QI) within large-scale public health efforts. This case report details challenges to large-scale QI evaluation, and proposes solutions relying on adaptive study design. We used two sequential evaluative methods to study a QI effort to improve delivery of HIV preventive care in public health facilities in three districts in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, over a 3-year period. We initially used a cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) design. During the RCT study period, tensions arose between intervention implementation and evaluation design due to loss of integrity of the randomisation unit over time, pressure to implement changes across the randomisation unit boundaries, and use of administrative rather than functional structures for the randomisation. In response to this loss of design integrity, we switched to a more flexible intervention design and a mixed-methods quasiexperimental evaluation relying on both a qualitative analysis and an interrupted time series quantitative analysis. Cluster RCT designs may not be optimal for evaluating complex interventions to improve implementation in uncontrolled 'real world' settings. More flexible, context-sensitive evaluation designs offer a better balance of the need to adjust the intervention during the evaluation to meet implementation challenges while providing the data required to evaluate effectiveness. Our case study involved HIV care in a resource-limited setting, but these issues likely apply to complex improvement interventions in other settings.

Time patterns of sperm whale codas recorded in the Mediterranean Sea 1985-1996.

PubMed

Pavan, G; Hayward, T J; Borsani, J F; Priano, M; Manghi, M; Fossati, C; Gordon, J

2000-06-01

A distinctive vocalization of the sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus (=P. catodon), is the coda: a short click sequence with a distinctive stereotyped time pattern [Watkins and Schevill, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 62, 1485-1490 (1977)]. Coda repertoires have been found to vary both geographically and with group affiliation [Weilgart and Whitehead, Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 40, 277-285 (1997)]. In this work, the click timings and repetition patterns of sperm whale codas recorded in the Mediterranean Sea are characterized statistically, and the context in which the codas occurred are also taken into consideration. A total of 138 codas were recorded in the central Mediterranean in the years 1985-1996 by several research groups using a number of different detection instruments, including stationary and towed hydrophones, sonobuoys and passive sonars. Nearly all (134) of the recorded codas share the same "3+1" (/// /) click pattern. Coda durations ranged from 456 to 1280 ms, with an average duration of 908 ms and a standard deviation of 176 ms. Most of the codas (a total of 117) belonged to 20 coda series. Each series was produced by an individual, in most cases by a mature male in a small group, and consisted of between 2 and 16 codas, emitted in one or more "bursts" of 1 to 13 codas spaced fairly regularly in time. The mean number of codas in a burst was 3.46, and the standard deviation was 2.65. The time interval ratios within a coda are parameterized by the coda duration and by the first two interclick intervals normalized by coda duration. These three parameters remained highly stable within each coda series, with coefficients of variation within the series averaging less than 5%. The interval ratios varied somewhat across the data sets, but were highly stable over 8 of the 11 data sets, which span 11 years and widely dispersed geographic locations. Somewhat different interval ratios were observed in the other three data sets; in one of these data sets, the variant codas were produced by a young whale. Two sets of presumed sperm whale codas recorded in 1996 had 5- and 6-click patterns; the observation of these new patterns suggests that sperm whale codas in the Mediterranean may have more variations than previously believed.

An experimental investigation of the flow physics of high-lift systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomas, Flint O.; Nelson, R. C.

1995-01-01

This progress report is a series of overviews outlining experiments on the flow physics of confluent boundary layers for high-lift systems. The research objectives include establishing the role of confluent boundary layer flow physics in high-lift production; contrasting confluent boundary layer structures for optimum and non-optimum C(sub L) cases; forming a high quality, detailed archival data base for CFD/modelling; and examining the role of relaminarization and streamline curvature. Goals of this research include completing LDV study of an optimum C(sub L) case; performing detailed LDV confluent boundary layer surveys for multiple non-optimum C(sub L) cases; obtaining skin friction distributions for both optimum and non-optimum C(sub L) cases for scaling purposes; data analysis and inner and outer variable scaling; setting-up and performing relaminarization experiments; and a final report establishing the role of leading edge confluent boundary layer flow physics on high-lift performance.

Exact semiclassical expansions for one-dimensional quantum oscillators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Delabaere, E.; Dillinger, H.; Pham, F.

1997-12-01

A set of rules is given for dealing with WKB expansions in the one-dimensional analytic case, whereby such expansions are not considered as approximations but as exact encodings of wave functions, thus allowing for analytic continuation with respect to whichever parameters the potential function depends on, with an exact control of small exponential effects. These rules, which include also the case when there are double turning points, are illustrated on various examples, and applied to the study of bound state or resonance spectra. In the case of simple oscillators, it is thus shown that the Rayleigh{endash}Schr{umlt o}dinger series is Borelmore » resummable, yielding the exact energy levels. In the case of the symmetrical anharmonic oscillator, one gets a simple and rigorous justification of the Zinn-Justin quantization condition, and of its solution in terms of {open_quotes}multi-instanton expansions.{close_quotes} {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Case Report: Treatment of Widespread Nodular Post kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis with Extended-Dose Liposomal Amphotericin B in Bangladesh: A Series of Four Cases.

PubMed

Basher, Ariful; Maruf, Shomik; Nath, Proggananda; Hasnain, Md Golam; Mukit, Muhammod Abdul; Anuwarul, Azim; Aktar, Fatima; Nath, Rupen; Hossain, Afm Akhtar; Milton, Abul Hasnat; Mondal, Dinesh; Mohammad Sumsuzzaman, Abul Khair; Rahman, Ridwanur; Faiz, M A

2017-10-01

Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a skin manifestation which usually appears after visceral leishmaniasis. It is now proved that PKDL patients serve as a reservoir for anthropometric leishmanial transmission. Hence, to achieve the kala-azar elimination target set by the World Health Organization in the Indian Subcontinent, PKDL cases should be given priority. The goal of treatment for PKDL should be early reepithelizlization and rapid cure, but unfortunately this has been difficult to achieve, especially for patients with severe lesions. Therefore, we describe here four cases of PKDL who had widespread nodular and macular lesions and were treated with two cycles of LAmB doses with 20 mg/kg body weight divided into four equal doses (each dose contains 5 mg/kg) administered every alternate day. This treatment schedule achieved 100% treatment success with the minimal safety concern.

Clinical and Radiologic Predictive Factors of Rib Fractures in Outpatients With Chest Pain.

PubMed

Zhang, Liang; McMahon, Colm J; Shah, Samir; Wu, Jim S; Eisenberg, Ronald L; Kung, Justin W

To identify the clinical and radiologic predictive factors of rib fractures in stable adult outpatients presenting with chest pain and to determine the utility of dedicated rib radiographs in this population of patients. Following Institutional Review Board approval, we performed a retrospective review of 339 consecutive cases in which a frontal chest radiograph and dedicated rib series had been obtained for chest pain in the outpatient setting. The frontal chest radiograph and dedicated rib series were sequentially reviewed in consensus by two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists blinded to the initial report. The consensus interpretation of the dedicated rib series was used as the gold standard. Multiple variable logistic regression analysis assessed clinical and radiological factors associated with rib fractures. Fisher exact test was used to assess differences in medical treatment between the 2 groups. Of the 339 patients, 53 (15.6%) had at least 1 rib fracture. Only 20 of the 53 (37.7%) patients' fractures could be identified on the frontal chest radiograph. The frontal chest radiograph had a sensitivity of 38% and specificity of 100% when using the rib series as the reference standard. No pneumothorax, new mediastinal widening or pulmonary contusion was identified. Multiple variable logistic regression analysis of clinical factors associated with the presence of rib fractures revealed a significant association of trauma history (odds ratio 5.7 [p < 0.05]) and age ≥40 (odds radio 3.1 [p < 0.05]). Multiple variable logistic regression analysis of radiographic factors associated with rib fractures in this population demonstrated a significant association of pleural effusion with rib fractures (odds ratio 18.9 [p < 0.05]). Patients with rib fractures received narcotic analgesia in 47.2% of the cases, significantly more than those without rib fractures (21.3%, p < 0.05). None of the patients required hospitalization. In the stable outpatient setting, rib fractures have a higher association with a history of minor trauma and age ≥40 in the adult population. Radiographic findings associated with rib fractures include pleural effusion. The frontal chest radiograph alone has low sensitivity in detecting rib fractures. The dedicated rib series detected a greater number of rib fractures. Although no patients required hospitalization, those with rib fractures were more likely to receive narcotic analgesia. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of NoSQL databases for DIRAC monitoring and beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathe, Z.; Casajus Ramo, A.; Stagni, F.; Tomassetti, L.

2015-12-01

Nowadays, many database systems are available but they may not be optimized for storing time series data. Monitoring DIRAC jobs would be better done using a database optimised for storing time series data. So far it was done using a MySQL database, which is not well suited for such an application. Therefore alternatives have been investigated. Choosing an appropriate database for storing huge amounts of time series data is not trivial as one must take into account different aspects such as manageability, scalability and extensibility. We compared the performance of Elasticsearch, OpenTSDB (based on HBase) and InfluxDB NoSQL databases, using the same set of machines and the same data. We also evaluated the effort required for maintaining them. Using the LHCb Workload Management System (WMS), based on DIRAC as a use case we set up a new monitoring system, in parallel with the current MySQL system, and we stored the same data into the databases under test. We evaluated Grafana (for OpenTSDB) and Kibana (for ElasticSearch) metrics and graph editors for creating dashboards, in order to have a clear picture on the usability of each candidate. In this paper we present the results of this study and the performance of the selected technology. We also give an outlook of other potential applications of NoSQL databases within the DIRAC project.

Design and Development of a Series Switch for High Voltage in RF Heating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patel, Himanshu K.; Shah, Deep; Thacker, Mauli; Shah, Atman

2013-02-01

Plasma is the fourth state of matter. To sustain plasma in its ionic form very high temperature is essential. RF heating systems are used to provide the required temperature. Arching phenomenon in these systems can cause enormous damage to the RF tube. Heavy current flows across the anode-cathode junction, which need to be suppressed in minimal time for its protection. Fast-switching circuit breakers are used to cut-off the load from the supply in cases of arching. The crowbar interrupts the connection between the high voltage power supply (HVPS) and the RF tube for a temporary period between which the series switch has to open. The crowbar shunts the current across the load but in the process leads to short circuiting the HVPS. Thus, to protect the load as well as the HVPS a series switch is necessary. This paper presents the design and development of high voltage Series Switch for the high power switching applications. Fiber optic based Optimum triggering scheme is designed and tested to restrict the time delay well within the stipulated limits. The design is well supported with the experimental results for the whole set-up along with the series switch at various voltage level before its approval for operation at 5.2 kV.

The Validity of the Comparative Interrupted Time Series Design for Evaluating the Effect of School-Level Interventions.

PubMed

Jacob, Robin; Somers, Marie-Andree; Zhu, Pei; Bloom, Howard

2016-06-01

In this article, we examine whether a well-executed comparative interrupted time series (CITS) design can produce valid inferences about the effectiveness of a school-level intervention. This article also explores the trade-off between bias reduction and precision loss across different methods of selecting comparison groups for the CITS design and assesses whether choosing matched comparison schools based only on preintervention test scores is sufficient to produce internally valid impact estimates. We conduct a validation study of the CITS design based on the federal Reading First program as implemented in one state using results from a regression discontinuity design as a causal benchmark. Our results contribute to the growing base of evidence regarding the validity of nonexperimental designs. We demonstrate that the CITS design can, in our example, produce internally valid estimates of program impacts when multiple years of preintervention outcome data (test scores in the present case) are available and when a set of reasonable criteria are used to select comparison organizations (schools in the present case). © The Author(s) 2016.

COLLABORATE©: a universal competency-based paradigm for professional case management, part i: introduction, historical validation, and competency presentation.

PubMed

Treiger, Teresa M; Fink-Samnick, Ellen

2013-01-01

The purpose of this first of a three-article series is to provide context and justification for a new paradigm of case management built upon a value-driven foundation that Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. In moving forward, the one fact that rings true is there will be constant change in our industry. As the health care terrain shifts and new influences continually surface, there will be consequences for case management practice. These impacts require nimble clinical professionals in possession of recognized and firmly established competencies. They must be agile to frame (and reframe) their professional practice to facilitate the best possible outcomes for their patients. Case managers can choose to be Gumby or Pokey. This is exactly why the definition of a competency-based case management model's time has come, one sufficiently fluid to fit into any setting of care. The practice of case management transcends the vast array of representative professional disciplines and educational levels. A majority of current models are driven by business priorities rather than by the competencies critical to successful practice and quality patient outcomes. This results in a fragmented professional case management identity. While there is inherent value in what each discipline brings to the table, this advanced model unifies behind case management's unique, strengths-based identity instead of continuing to align within traditional divisions (e.g., discipline, work setting, population served). This model fosters case management's expanding career advancement opportunities, including a reflective clinical ladder.

Systematic review of physiotherapy interventions to improve gross motor capacity and performance in children and adolescents with an acquired brain injury.

PubMed

Baque, Emmah; Sakzewski, Leanne; Barber, Lee; Boyd, Roslyn N

2016-01-01

To systematically review the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions to improve gross motor capacity, performance and societal participation in children aged 5-17 years with an acquired brain injury (ABI). Randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, cohort, case series, case-control and case studies were included and classified according to grades of evidence. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Downs and Black (D&B) scale and quantitative data was analysed using effect sizes. Two home-based studies investigated functional strength training (one randomized controlled trial, n = 20, level 2b, D&B = 16/32 and one non-randomized self-control study, n = 19, level 4, D&B = 15/32). Four studies evaluated virtual reality including: one pilot study, n = 50, level 4, D&B = 22/32; one single-subject, non-concurrent, randomized multiple baseline study, n = 3, level 4, D&B = 15/32; one case series study, n = 2, level 4, D&B = 15/32; one case study, n = 1, level 4, D&B = 15/32. Effect sizes for the randomized controlled trial ranged between 0.30-1.29 for the Functional Reach and Timed Up and Go outcome measures. There is preliminary evidence to support the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions to improve gross motor outcomes in children with an ABI. Both functional strength training and virtual-reality based therapy are potential treatment options for clinicians to prescribe in either home or clinical settings.

Effect of a web-based positive psychology intervention on prenatal well-being: A case series study.

PubMed

Corno, Giulia; Etchemendy, Ernestina; Espinoza, Macarena; Herrero, Rocío; Molinari, Guadalupe; Carrillo, Alba; Drossaert, Constance; Baños, Rosa Maria

2018-02-01

Detrimental effects of women's negative feelings during pregnancy have been extensively examined and documented, but research on the influence of positive feelings and protective factors on their prenatal mental health is scarce. Evidence from the positive psychology field has shown that practicing some brief positive exercises, called positive psychology interventions, can maximize well-being by increasing positive emotions, engagement, and meaning. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a positive psychology web-based intervention on indices of women's prenatal well-being. Specifically, a case series design was adopted, and data from six women are presented. Participants were involved in a 5-week online positive psychology intervention that includes a set of positive psychology interventions specifically adapted for pregnant women. Measures of women's mental well-being, depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, life satisfaction, and social support were measured at pre- and post-intervention. Compliance with the intervention and exercise preferences were assessed at post-test. Single-item related well-being measures were assessed weekly. The findings of this case series study indicate potential effects of the intervention on supporting mental well-being and decreasing depressive symptomatology in these pregnant women. Furthermore, this study provides some suggestions for developing future online-based positive interventions addressed to pregnant women. However, these findings are preliminary, and future studies are needed in order to assess the effects of the intervention in a wider population of pregnant women. Copyright © 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methodological uncertainties in multi-regression analyses of middle-atmospheric data series.

PubMed

Kerzenmacher, Tobias E; Keckhut, Philippe; Hauchecorne, Alain; Chanin, Marie-Lise

2006-07-01

Multi-regression analyses have often been used recently to detect trends, in particular in ozone or temperature data sets in the stratosphere. The confidence in detecting trends depends on a number of factors which generate uncertainties. Part of these uncertainties comes from the random variability and these are what is usually considered. They can be statistically estimated from residual deviations between the data and the fitting model. However, interferences between different sources of variability affecting the data set, such as the Quasi-Biennal Oscillation (QBO), volcanic aerosols, solar flux variability and the trend can also be a critical source of errors. This type of error has hitherto not been well quantified. In this work an artificial data series has been generated to carry out such estimates. The sources of errors considered here are: the length of the data series, the dependence on the choice of parameters used in the fitting model and the time evolution of the trend in the data series. Curves provided here, will permit future studies to test the magnitude of the methodological bias expected for a given case, as shown in several real examples. It is found that, if the data series is shorter than a decade, the uncertainties are very large, whatever factors are chosen to identify the source of the variability. However the errors can be limited when dealing with natural variability, if a sufficient number of periods (for periodic forcings) are covered by the analysed dataset. However when analysing the trend, the response to volcanic eruption induces a bias, whatever the length of the data series. The signal to noise ratio is a key factor: doubling the noise increases the period for which data is required in order to obtain an error smaller than 10%, from 1 to 3-4 decades. Moreover, if non-linear trends are superimposed on the data, and if the length of the series is longer than five years, a non-linear function has to be used to estimate trends. When applied to real data series, and when a breakpoint in the series occurs, the study reveals that data extending over 5 years are needed to detect a significant change in the slope of the ozone trends at mid-latitudes.

Case Series: Keratolimbal Allograft as a Patch Graft for Glaucoma Drainage Devices.

PubMed

Ahmed, Sarah F; Schmutz, Mason; Mosaed, Sameh

2017-09-01

Tube exposure remains one of the most common complications after glaucoma drainage device (GDD) implantation, despite various types of patch grafts available today. We present a 4 patient case series following the effectivity of the keratolimbal allograft (KLAL) as a patch graft for cases of tube exposure. Given its inherent population of stem cells, our hypothesis was that this highly replicative, biological tissue would provide an adequate means of glaucoma tube coverage. The subset of patients chosen for the KLAL patch graft all had a history of abnormally scarred conjunctiva or thin sclera. The aim of utilizing the KLAL patch with its associated donor conjunctival and scleral ring was also to provide additional reinforcement and adequate tube coverage in the setting of compromised native tissue. Four patients comprised of 2 males and 2 females with a minimum postoperative period of 12 months. All GDDs were initially implanted with a limbal-based incision using either Ahmed glaucoma valve or Baerveldt drainage implant. Three of the 4 patients received the KLAL patch graft after tube exposure with scleral patch graft and 1 patient received KLAL as the primary graft during initial tube placement. Two of the 4 eyes experienced tube re-exposure postoperatively at 2 and 3 months, respectively. Both of these cases had a history of prior tube exposure after scleral patch graft and both were tubes placed in the pars plana. Interestingly, the patients with failed grafts were younger with a history of more ocular surgeries as compared with the patients with graft viable eyes. Through our case series, we found that the KLAL utilized as a patch graft over GDD tubes has the potential for favorable outcomes in certain subtypes of eyes. Although further large scale investigation will be necessary to better define the risk factors associated with graft failure, proving the graft's viability is a crucial first step.

Effectiveness of pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in a large urban population in the United States.

PubMed

Boom, Julie A; Tate, Jacqueline E; Sahni, Leila C; Rench, Marcia A; Hull, Jennifer J; Gentsch, Jon R; Patel, Manish M; Baker, Carol J; Parashar, Umesh D

2010-02-01

The goal was to assess the effectiveness of complete (3-dose) or partial (1- or 2-dose) immunization with pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) against rotavirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in US clinical practice. A case-control evaluation was conducted in February through June 2008 at an emergency department in Houston, Texas. Case patients with rotavirus AGE (N = 90) were identified through testing for rotavirus in fecal specimens obtained from 205 children 15 days through 23 months of age presenting with AGE. Control groups included rotavirus-negative AGE patients (N = 115), concurrently enrolled patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) (N = 228), and up to 10 age- and zip code-matched children sampled from the Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry (HHCIR) for each case patient >8 months of age. Immunization data were obtained from parent records, health care providers, and/or the HHCIR. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated as 1 minus odds of RV5 vaccination for case patients versus control patients, after adjustment for age at presentation and birth date. The vaccine effectiveness of a complete RV5 series was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70%-96%) and 85% (95% CI: 55%-95%) with rotavirus-negative AGE and ARI control patients, respectively. Immunization data were available for 44% of case patients (n = 40) from the HHCIR; the estimated 3-dose vaccine effectiveness with these HHCIR control patients was 82% (95% CI: 19%-96%). A complete RV5 series conferred 100% protection (95% CI: 71%-100%) against severe rotavirus disease requiring hospitalization and 96% protection (95% CI: 72%-99%) against disease requiring intravenous hydration. Vaccine effectiveness of 1 and 2 doses against hospitalization and emergency department visits was 69% (95% CI: 13%-89%) and 81% (95% CI: 13%-96%), respectively, using rotavirus-negative AGE and ARI control groups combined. In this setting, a complete series of RV5 was highly effective against severe rotavirus AGE. Partial immunization also conferred substantial protection.

Temporal association between the influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): RSV as a predictor of seasonal influenza.

PubMed

Míguez, A; Iftimi, A; Montes, F

2016-09-01

Epidemiologists agree that there is a prevailing seasonality in the presentation of epidemic waves of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections and influenza. The aim of this study is to quantify the potential relationship between the activity of RSV, with respect to the influenza virus, in order to use the RSV seasonal curve as a predictor of the evolution of an influenza virus epidemic wave. Two statistical tools, logistic regression and time series, are used for predicting the evolution of influenza. Both logistic models and time series of influenza consider RSV information from previous weeks. Data consist of influenza and confirmed RSV cases reported in Comunitat Valenciana (Spain) during the period from week 40 (2010) to week 8 (2014). Binomial logistic regression models used to predict the two states of influenza wave, basal or peak, result in a rate of correct classification higher than 92% with the validation set. When a finer three-states categorization is established, basal, increasing peak and decreasing peak, the multinomial logistic model performs well in 88% of cases of the validation set. The ARMAX model fits well for influenza waves and shows good performance for short-term forecasts up to 3 weeks. The seasonal evolution of influenza virus can be predicted a minimum of 4 weeks in advance using logistic models based on RSV. It would be necessary to study more inter-pandemic seasons to establish a stronger relationship between the epidemic waves of both viruses.

Fast and Scalable Gaussian Process Modeling with Applications to Astronomical Time Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foreman-Mackey, Daniel; Agol, Eric; Ambikasaran, Sivaram; Angus, Ruth

2017-12-01

The growing field of large-scale time domain astronomy requires methods for probabilistic data analysis that are computationally tractable, even with large data sets. Gaussian processes (GPs) are a popular class of models used for this purpose, but since the computational cost scales, in general, as the cube of the number of data points, their application has been limited to small data sets. In this paper, we present a novel method for GPs modeling in one dimension where the computational requirements scale linearly with the size of the data set. We demonstrate the method by applying it to simulated and real astronomical time series data sets. These demonstrations are examples of probabilistic inference of stellar rotation periods, asteroseismic oscillation spectra, and transiting planet parameters. The method exploits structure in the problem when the covariance function is expressed as a mixture of complex exponentials, without requiring evenly spaced observations or uniform noise. This form of covariance arises naturally when the process is a mixture of stochastically driven damped harmonic oscillators—providing a physical motivation for and interpretation of this choice—but we also demonstrate that it can be a useful effective model in some other cases. We present a mathematical description of the method and compare it to existing scalable GP methods. The method is fast and interpretable, with a range of potential applications within astronomical data analysis and beyond. We provide well-tested and documented open-source implementations of this method in C++, Python, and Julia.

Penile cancer treatment costs in England.

PubMed

Keeping, Sam T; Tempest, Michael J; Stephens, Stephanie J; Carroll, Stuart M; Sangar, Vijay K

2015-12-29

Penile cancer is a rare malignancy in Western countries, with an incidence rate of around 1 per 100,000. Due to its rarity, most treatment recommendations are based on small trials and case series reports. Furthermore, data on the resource implications are scarce. The objective of this study was to estimate the annual economic burden of treating penile cancer in England between 2006 and 2011 and the cost of treating a single case based on a modified version of the European Association of Urology penile cancer treatment guidelines. A retrospective (non-comparative) case series was performed using data extracted from Hospital Episode Statistics. Patient admission data for invasive penile cancer or carcinoma in situ of the penis was extracted by ICD-10 code and matched to data from the 2010/11 National Tariff to calculate the mean number of patients and associated annual cost. A mathematical model was simultaneously developed to estimate mean treatment costs per patient based on interventions and their associated outcomes, advised under a modified version of the European Association of Urologists Treatment Guidelines. Approximately 640 patients per year received some form of inpatient care between 2006 and 2011, amounting to an average of 1,292 spells of care; with an average of 48 patients being treated in an outpatient setting. Mean annual costs per invasive penile cancer inpatient and outpatient were £3,737 and £1,051 respectively, with total mean annual costs amounting to £2,442,020 (excluding high cost drugs). The mean cost per case, including follow-up, was estimated to be £7,421 to £8,063. Results were sensitive to the setting in which care was delivered. The treatment of penile cancer consumes similar levels of resource to other urological cancers. This should be factored in to decisions concerning new treatment modalities as well as choices around resource allocation in specialist treatment centres and the value of preventative measures.

TWO CRITERIA FOR WEAK GENERALIZED LOCALIZATION FOR MULTIPLE TRIGONOMETRIC FOURIER SERIES OF FUNCTIONS IN L_p, p \\ge 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bloshanskiĭ, I. L.

1986-04-01

The concept of weak generalized localization almost everywhere is introduced. For the multiple Fourier series of a function f, weak generalized localization almost everywhere holds on the set E (E is an arbitrary set of positive measure E \\subset T^N = \\lbrack- \\pi, \\pi\\rbrack^N) if the condition f(x) \\in L_p(T^N), p \\ge 1, f = 0 on E implies that the indicated series converges almost everywhere on some subset E_1 \\subset E of positive measure. For a large class of sets \\{ E \\}, E \\subset T^N, a number of propositions are proved showing that weak localization of rectangular sums holds on the set E in the classes L_p, p \\ge 1, if and only if the set E has certain specific properties. In the course of the proof the precise geometry and structure of the subset E_1 of E on which the multiple Fourier series converges almost everywhere to zero are determined. Bibliography: 13 titles.

Falcon: Visual analysis of large, irregularly sampled, and multivariate time series data in additive manufacturing

DOE PAGES

Steed, Chad A.; Halsey, William; Dehoff, Ryan; ...

2017-02-16

Flexible visual analysis of long, high-resolution, and irregularly sampled time series data from multiple sensor streams is a challenge in several domains. In the field of additive manufacturing, this capability is critical for realizing the full potential of large-scale 3D printers. Here, we propose a visual analytics approach that helps additive manufacturing researchers acquire a deep understanding of patterns in log and imagery data collected by 3D printers. Our specific goals include discovering patterns related to defects and system performance issues, optimizing build configurations to avoid defects, and increasing production efficiency. We introduce Falcon, a new visual analytics system thatmore » allows users to interactively explore large, time-oriented data sets from multiple linked perspectives. Falcon provides overviews, detailed views, and unique segmented time series visualizations, all with adjustable scale options. To illustrate the effectiveness of Falcon at providing thorough and efficient knowledge discovery, we present a practical case study involving experts in additive manufacturing and data from a large-scale 3D printer. The techniques described are applicable to the analysis of any quantitative time series, though the focus of this paper is on additive manufacturing.« less

Falcon: Visual analysis of large, irregularly sampled, and multivariate time series data in additive manufacturing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Steed, Chad A.; Halsey, William; Dehoff, Ryan

Flexible visual analysis of long, high-resolution, and irregularly sampled time series data from multiple sensor streams is a challenge in several domains. In the field of additive manufacturing, this capability is critical for realizing the full potential of large-scale 3D printers. Here, we propose a visual analytics approach that helps additive manufacturing researchers acquire a deep understanding of patterns in log and imagery data collected by 3D printers. Our specific goals include discovering patterns related to defects and system performance issues, optimizing build configurations to avoid defects, and increasing production efficiency. We introduce Falcon, a new visual analytics system thatmore » allows users to interactively explore large, time-oriented data sets from multiple linked perspectives. Falcon provides overviews, detailed views, and unique segmented time series visualizations, all with adjustable scale options. To illustrate the effectiveness of Falcon at providing thorough and efficient knowledge discovery, we present a practical case study involving experts in additive manufacturing and data from a large-scale 3D printer. The techniques described are applicable to the analysis of any quantitative time series, though the focus of this paper is on additive manufacturing.« less

A seasonal Bartlett-Lewis Rectangular Pulse model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritschel, Christoph; Agbéko Kpogo-Nuwoklo, Komlan; Rust, Henning; Ulbrich, Uwe; Névir, Peter

2016-04-01

Precipitation time series with a high temporal resolution are needed as input for several hydrological applications, e.g. river runoff or sewer system models. As adequate observational data sets are often not available, simulated precipitation series come to use. Poisson-cluster models are commonly applied to generate these series. It has been shown that this class of stochastic precipitation models is able to well reproduce important characteristics of observed rainfall. For the gauge based case study presented here, the Bartlett-Lewis rectangular pulse model (BLRPM) has been chosen. As it has been shown that certain model parameters vary with season in a midlatitude moderate climate due to different rainfall mechanisms dominating in winter and summer, model parameters are typically estimated separately for individual seasons or individual months. Here, we suggest a simultaneous parameter estimation for the whole year under the assumption that seasonal variation of parameters can be described with harmonic functions. We use an observational precipitation series from Berlin with a high temporal resolution to exemplify the approach. We estimate BLRPM parameters with and without this seasonal extention and compare the results in terms of model performance and robustness of the estimation.

Analysis of temperature trends in Northern Serbia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tosic, Ivana; Gavrilov, Milivoj; Unkašević, Miroslava; Marković, Slobodan; Petrović, Predrag

2017-04-01

An analysis of air temperature trends in Northern Serbia for the annual and seasonal time series is performed for two periods: 1949-2013 and 1979-2013. Three data sets of surface air temperatures: monthly mean temperatures, monthly maximum temperatures, and monthly minimum temperatures are analyzed at 9 stations that have altitudes varying between 75 m and 102 m. Monthly mean temperatures are obtained as the average of the daily mean temperatures, while monthly maximum (minimum) temperatures are the maximum (minimum) values of daily temperatures in corresponding month. Positive trends were found in 29 out of 30 time series, and the negative trend was found only in winter during the period 1979-2013. Applying the Mann-Kendall test, significant positive trends were found in 15 series; 7 in the period 1949-2013 and 8 in the period 1979-2013; and no significant trend was found in 15 series. Significant positive trends are dominated during the year, spring, and summer, where it was found in 14 out of 18 cases. Significant positive trends were found 7, 5, and 3 times in mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively. It was found that the positive temperature trends are dominant in Northern Serbia.

Drugs and the single woman: pharmacy, fashion, desire, and destitution in India.

PubMed

Pinto, Sarah

2014-06-01

A cultural imaginary identified as "fashion" links single women with problems of desire in contemporary India, setting the stakes not only for independent living, but also for the ways distresses may be read and treated. From celebrity cases to films to clinical practices oriented around pharmaceuticals, the mechanisms of this imaginary locate female personhood at a series of critical junctures or "hinges," from pharmaceuticals to drugs of vice, from desire to expressions of disorder, and from singularity or independence to destitution. In each of these turns, as psychiatrists read female bodies for signs of affliction and media portray counter trajectories of aspiration and downfall, certain realities are shielded from consideration, including sexual violence in intimate settings.

77 FR 47455 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-08-08

.... (``Bloomberg''), FactSet Research Systems, Inc. (``FactSet'') and Thomson Reuters (``Reuters''). Real time data... reasonably related to the current value of the underlying index at the time such series are first opened for... to which such series relates at or about the time such series of options is first opened for trading...

Computer-Aided Breast Cancer Diagnosis with Optimal Feature Sets: Reduction Rules and Optimization Techniques.

PubMed

Mathieson, Luke; Mendes, Alexandre; Marsden, John; Pond, Jeffrey; Moscato, Pablo

2017-01-01

This chapter introduces a new method for knowledge extraction from databases for the purpose of finding a discriminative set of features that is also a robust set for within-class classification. Our method is generic and we introduce it here in the field of breast cancer diagnosis from digital mammography data. The mathematical formalism is based on a generalization of the k-Feature Set problem called (α, β)-k-Feature Set problem, introduced by Cotta and Moscato (J Comput Syst Sci 67(4):686-690, 2003). This method proceeds in two steps: first, an optimal (α, β)-k-feature set of minimum cardinality is identified and then, a set of classification rules using these features is obtained. We obtain the (α, β)-k-feature set in two phases; first a series of extremely powerful reduction techniques, which do not lose the optimal solution, are employed; and second, a metaheuristic search to identify the remaining features to be considered or disregarded. Two algorithms were tested with a public domain digital mammography dataset composed of 71 malignant and 75 benign cases. Based on the results provided by the algorithms, we obtain classification rules that employ only a subset of these features.

Familial Aggregation of Chiari Malformation: Presentation, Pedigree, and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Nagy, Laszlo; Mobley, James; Ray, Coby

2016-01-01

This article reports the largest familial aggregation of Chiari malformation in a single family to date as reported in the literature. This study is a retrospective case series of a family of whom five individuals have a confirmed case of Chiari malformation and three additional individuals have Chiari signs and symptoms. This contribution further supports the implication of genetics in the transmission of Chiari malformation. The family reported in this study also has a significant incidence of Ehlers-Danlos. Three sisters, including a set of twins, presented with confirmed cases of Chiari malformation and four of the five children of the twin sisters presented with confirmed or suspected Chiari malformation. Of note, the non-twin sister has three children who are unaffected. This report provides further evidence for a shared loci between the Chiari malformation and Ehlers-Danlos.

When virginity does matter: rigid hysteroscopy for diagnostic and operative vaginoscopy--a series of 26 cases.

PubMed

Küçük, Tansu

2007-01-01

Virginity in adult women, although a personal decision, is a limiting factor for gynecologists in diagnosis and treatment. This report presents 26 cases of virgin patients with various gynecologic problems: 11 with vaginal bleeding, 7 with heavy discharge and foul odor, 6 with protruding vaginal mass, and 2 with a sensation of vaginal pressure and pain. A rigid hysteroscopy setting was used for diagnostic and operative vaginoscopy. Eleven foreign bodies were removed, mostly clothing fibers and a piece of plastic. In 5 cases, cervical polyps and a subserous myoma were resected and cut into pieces for removal through the hymenal opening. In conclusion, the use of a rigid hysteroscope as a vaginoscope to replace the speculum in adult virgin patients is feasible and introduces an operative option as well.

Coastal Atmosphere and Sea Time Series (CoASTS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hooker, Stanford B. (Editor); Firestone, Elaine R. (Editor); Berthon, Jean-Francoise; Zibordi, Giuseppe; Doyle, John P.; Grossi, Stefania; vanderLinde, Dirk; Targa, Cristina; McClain, Charles R. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

In this document, the first three years of a time series of bio-optical marine and atmospheric measurements are presented and analyzed. These measurements were performed from an oceanographic tower in the northern Adriatic Sea within the framework of the Coastal Atmosphere and Sea Time Series (CoASTS) project, an ocean color calibration and validation activity. The data set collected includes spectral measurements of the in-water apparent (diffuse attenuation coefficient, reflectance, Q-factor, etc.) and inherent (absorption and scattering coefficients) optical properties, as well as the concentrations of the main optical components (pigment and suspended matter concentrations). Clear seasonal patterns are exhibited by the marine quantities on which an appreciable short-term variability (on the order of a half day to one day) is superimposed. This short-term variability is well correlated with the changes in salinity at the surface resulting from the southward transport of freshwater coming from the northern rivers. Concentrations of chlorophyll alpha and total suspended matter span more than two orders of magnitude. The bio-optical characteristics of the measurement site pertain to both Case-I (about 64%) and Case-II (about 36%) waters, based on a relationship between the beam attenuation coefficient at 660nm and the chlorophyll alpha concentration. Empirical algorithms relating in-water remote sensing reflectance ratios and optical components or properties of interest (chlorophyll alpha, total suspended matter, and the diffuse attenuation coefficient) are presented.

A Tree-Structured List in a Mathematical Series Text from Mesopotamia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proust, Christine

The written culture of the Ancient Near East, whose history covers more than three millennia (from the beginning of the third millennium to the end of the first millennium BCE), underwent profound transformations over the centuries and showed many faces according to the region of the vast territory in which it developed. Yet despite the diversity of contexts in which they worked, the scholars of Mesopotamia and neighboring regions maintained and consistently cultivated a true `art of lists', in the fields of mathematics, lexicography, astrology, astronomy, medicine, law and accounting. The study of the writing techniques particular to lists represents therefore an important issue for the understanding of the intellectual history of the Ancient Near East. In this chapter, I consider extreme cases of list structures, and to do this I have chosen very long lists, most items of which are not semantically autonomous. More specifically, I shall study one of the most abstract and concise lists that have come down to us. It belongs to a series, of which one tablet is kept in the Oriental Institute in Chicago (no. A 24194). The study of this case will allow to set forth some of the writing techniques that were particularly developed in the series. Such a study of the structures of the mathematical texts could benefit other areas in Assyriology.

Orthodontic bracket slot dimensions as measured from entire bracket series.

PubMed

Brown, Paul; Wagner, Warren; Choi, Hyden

2015-07-01

To measure the slot dimensions of an entire series of metal orthodontic brackets. Ten bracket series approximating five complete sets of brackets each were imaged and measured. Descriptive statistics were generated. Slot dimension varied significantly from series to series as well as within the series themselves. About one-third of the brackets would not accommodate a full-size wire, and 15% to 20% are 0.001 inches or larger than the nominal advertised size. The clinician is unlikely to have on hand complete sets (upper and lower 5-5) of ideal brackets and should both expect and be able to be accommodate tooth movement through wire bending in three planes of space to overcome any bracket deficiencies.

Assessment of time-series MODIS data for cropland mapping in the U.S. central Great Plains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masialeti, Iwake

This study had three general objectives. First, to explore ways of creating and refining a reference data set when reference data set is unobtainable. Second, extend work previously done in Kansas by Wardlow et al. (2007) to Nebraska, several exploratory approaches were used to further investigate the potential of MODIS NDVI 250-m data in agricultural-related land cover research other parts of the Great Plains. The objective of this part of the research was to evaluate the applicability of time-series MODIS 250-m NDVI data for crop-type discrimination by spectrally characterizing and discriminating major crop types in Nebraska using the reference data set collected and refined under research performed for the first objective. Third, conduct an initial investigation into whether time-series NDVI response curves for crops over a growing season for one year could be used to classify crops for a different year. In this case, time-series NDVI response curves for 2001 and 2005 were investigated to ascertain whether or not the 2001 data set could be used to classify crops for 2005. GIS operations, and reference data refinement using clustering and visual assessment of each crop's NDVI cluster profiles in Nebraska, demonstrated that it is possible to devise an alternative reference data set and refinement plan that redresses the unexpected loss of training and validation data. The analysis enabled the identification and removal of crop pattern outliers and sites atypical of crop phenology under consideration, and after editing, a total of 1,288 field sites remained, which were used as a reference data set for classification of Nebraska crop types. A pixel-level analysis of the time-series MODIS 250-m NDVI for 1,288 field sites representing each of the eight cover types under investigation across Nebraska found that each crop type had a distinctive MODIS 250-m NDVI profile corresponding to the crop calendar. A visual and statistical comparison of the average NDVI profiles showed that the crop types were separable at different times of the growing season based on their phenology-driven spectral-temporal differences. Winter wheat and alfalfa, winter wheat and summer crops, and alfalfa and summer crops were clearly separable. Specific summer crop types were not easily distinguishable from each other due to their similar crop calendars. Their greatest separability however occurred during the initial spring green up and/or senescence plant growth phases. In Kansas, an initial investigation revealed that there was near-complete agreement between the winter wheat crop profiles but that there were some minor differences in the crop profiles for alfalfa and summer crops between 2001 and 2005. However, the profiles of summer crops---corn, grain sorghum, and soybeans---displayed a shift to the right by at least 1 composite date, indicative of possible late crop planting and emergence. Alfalfa and summer crops, seem to suggest that time series NDVI response curves for crops over a growing period for one year of valid ground reference data may not be used to map crops for a different year without taking into account the climatic and/or environmental conditions of each year.

Development and validation of a set of six adaptable prognosis prediction (SAP) models based on time-series real-world big data analysis for patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy: A multicenter case crossover study

PubMed Central

Kanai, Masashi; Okamoto, Kazuya; Yamamoto, Yosuke; Yoshioka, Akira; Hiramoto, Shuji; Nozaki, Akira; Nishikawa, Yoshitaka; Yamaguchi, Daisuke; Tomono, Teruko; Nakatsui, Masahiko; Baba, Mika; Morita, Tatsuya; Matsumoto, Shigemi; Kuroda, Tomohiro; Okuno, Yasushi; Muto, Manabu

2017-01-01

Background We aimed to develop an adaptable prognosis prediction model that could be applied at any time point during the treatment course for patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy, by applying time-series real-world big data. Methods Between April 2004 and September 2014, 4,997 patients with cancer who had received systemic chemotherapy were registered in a prospective cohort database at the Kyoto University Hospital. Of these, 2,693 patients with a death record were eligible for inclusion and divided into training (n = 1,341) and test (n = 1,352) cohorts. In total, 3,471,521 laboratory data at 115,738 time points, representing 40 laboratory items [e.g., white blood cell counts and albumin (Alb) levels] that were monitored for 1 year before the death event were applied for constructing prognosis prediction models. All possible prediction models comprising three different items from 40 laboratory items (40C3 = 9,880) were generated in the training cohort, and the model selection was performed in the test cohort. The fitness of the selected models was externally validated in the validation cohort from three independent settings. Results A prognosis prediction model utilizing Alb, lactate dehydrogenase, and neutrophils was selected based on a strong ability to predict death events within 1–6 months and a set of six prediction models corresponding to 1,2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months was developed. The area under the curve (AUC) ranged from 0.852 for the 1 month model to 0.713 for the 6 month model. External validation supported the performance of these models. Conclusion By applying time-series real-world big data, we successfully developed a set of six adaptable prognosis prediction models for patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. PMID:28837592

Using goal attainment scaling to evaluate a needs-led exercise programme for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities.

PubMed

Jones, Martyn C; Walley, Robert M; Leech, Amanda; Paterson, Marion; Common, Stephanie; Metcalf, Charlotte

2006-12-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether involvement in a 16 week exercise programme improved goal attainment in areas of behaviour, access to community-based experiences, health and physical competence. Participants were women with severe intellectual disability and associated challenging behaviour (setting A,N = 14) and male/female service users with profound physical and intellectual disabilities (setting B,N = 8). The exercise programme included active and passive exercise, walking, swimming, hydrotherapy, team games and rebound therapy. Significant gains in aggregated goal attainment were demonstrated by week 16. The reliability and validity of our goal attainment procedures were demonstrated with inter-rater reliabilities exceeding 80 percent. Changes in goal attainment were concurrent with global clinical impression scores in a series of single case studies. Continuing care settings should dedicate care staff to provide routinized, continuing exercise programmes.

Thermal form-factor approach to dynamical correlation functions of integrable lattice models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Göhmann, Frank; Karbach, Michael; Klümper, Andreas; Kozlowski, Karol K.; Suzuki, Junji

2017-11-01

We propose a method for calculating dynamical correlation functions at finite temperature in integrable lattice models of Yang-Baxter type. The method is based on an expansion of the correlation functions as a series over matrix elements of a time-dependent quantum transfer matrix rather than the Hamiltonian. In the infinite Trotter-number limit the matrix elements become time independent and turn into the thermal form factors studied previously in the context of static correlation functions. We make this explicit with the example of the XXZ model. We show how the form factors can be summed utilizing certain auxiliary functions solving finite sets of nonlinear integral equations. The case of the XX model is worked out in more detail leading to a novel form-factor series representation of the dynamical transverse two-point function.

Solar array construction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Crouthamel, Marvin S. (Inventor); Coyle, Peter J. (Inventor)

1982-01-01

An interconnect tab on each cell of a first set of circular solar cells connects that cell in series with an adjacent cell in the set. This set of cells is arranged in alternate columns and rows of an array and a second set of similar cells is arranged in the remaining alternate columns and rows of the array. Three interconnect tabs on each solar cell of the said second set are employed to connect the cells of the second set to one another, in series and to connect the cells of the second set to those of the first set in parallel. Some tabs (making parallel connections) connect the same surface regions of adjacent cells to one another and others (making series connections) connect a surface region of one cell to the opposite surface region of an adjacent cell; however, the tabs are so positioned that the array may be easily assembled by depositing the cells in a certain sequence and in proper orientation.

Cognitive neuropsychology and its vicissitudes: The fate of Caramazza's axioms.

PubMed

Shallice, Tim

2015-01-01

Cognitive neuropsychology is characterized as the discipline in which one draws conclusions about the organization of the normal cognitive systems from the behaviour of brain-damaged individuals. In a series of papers, Caramazza, later in collaboration with McCloskey, put forward four assumptions as the bridge principles for making such inferences. Four potential pitfalls, one for each axiom, are discussed with respect to the use of single-case methods. Two of the pitfalls also apply to case series and group study procedures, and the other two are held to be indirectly testable or avoidable. Moreover, four other pitfalls are held to apply to case series or group study methods. It is held that inferences from single-case procedures may profitably be supported or rejected using case series/group study methods, but also that analogous support needs to be given in the other direction for functionally based case series or group studies. It is argued that at least six types of neuropsychological method are valuable for extrapolation to theories of the normal cognitive system but that the single- or multiple-case study remains a critical part of cognitive neuropsychology's methods.

An approach to checking case-crossover analyses based on equivalence with time-series methods.

PubMed

Lu, Yun; Symons, James Morel; Geyh, Alison S; Zeger, Scott L

2008-03-01

The case-crossover design has been increasingly applied to epidemiologic investigations of acute adverse health effects associated with ambient air pollution. The correspondence of the design to that of matched case-control studies makes it inferentially appealing for epidemiologic studies. Case-crossover analyses generally use conditional logistic regression modeling. This technique is equivalent to time-series log-linear regression models when there is a common exposure across individuals, as in air pollution studies. Previous methods for obtaining unbiased estimates for case-crossover analyses have assumed that time-varying risk factors are constant within reference windows. In this paper, we rely on the connection between case-crossover and time-series methods to illustrate model-checking procedures from log-linear model diagnostics for time-stratified case-crossover analyses. Additionally, we compare the relative performance of the time-stratified case-crossover approach to time-series methods under 3 simulated scenarios representing different temporal patterns of daily mortality associated with air pollution in Chicago, Illinois, during 1995 and 1996. Whenever a model-be it time-series or case-crossover-fails to account appropriately for fluctuations in time that confound the exposure, the effect estimate will be biased. It is therefore important to perform model-checking in time-stratified case-crossover analyses rather than assume the estimator is unbiased.

A Multilevel Multiset Time-Series Model for Describing Complex Developmental Processes

PubMed Central

Ma, Xin; Shen, Jianping

2017-01-01

The authors sought to develop an analytical platform where multiple sets of time series can be examined simultaneously. This multivariate platform capable of testing interaction effects among multiple sets of time series can be very useful in empirical research. The authors demonstrated that the multilevel framework can readily accommodate this analytical capacity. Given their intention to use the multilevel multiset time-series model to pursue complicated research purposes, their resulting model is relatively simple to specify, to run, and to interpret. These advantages make the adoption of their model relatively effortless as long as researchers have the basic knowledge and skills in working with multilevel growth modeling. With multiple potential extensions of their model, the establishment of this analytical platform for analysis of multiple sets of time series can inspire researchers to pursue far more advanced research designs to address complex developmental processes in reality. PMID:29881094

Ultrasound-Guided Forearm Nerve Blocks: A Novel Application for Pain Control in Adult Patients with Digit Injuries

PubMed Central

Patricia Javedani, Parisa; Amini, Albert

2016-01-01

Phalanx fractures and interphalangeal joint dislocations commonly present to the emergency department. Although these orthopedic injuries are not complex, the four-point digital block used for anesthesia during the reduction can be painful. Additionally, cases requiring prolonged manipulation or consultation for adequate reduction may require repeat blockade. This case series reports four patients presenting after mechanical injuries resulting in phalanx fracture or interphalangeal joint dislocations. These patients received an ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block of the forearm with successful subsequent reduction. To our knowledge, use of ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks of the forearm for anesthesia in reduction of upper extremity digit injuries in adult patients in the emergency department setting has not been described before. PMID:27555971

Analysis of Brick Masonry Wall using Applied Element Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lincy Christy, D.; Madhavan Pillai, T. M.; Nagarajan, Praveen

2018-03-01

The Applied Element Method (AEM) is a versatile tool for structural analysis. Analysis is done by discretising the structure as in the case of Finite Element Method (FEM). In AEM, elements are connected by a set of normal and shear springs instead of nodes. AEM is extensively used for the analysis of brittle materials. Brick masonry wall can be effectively analyzed in the frame of AEM. The composite nature of masonry wall can be easily modelled using springs. The brick springs and mortar springs are assumed to be connected in series. The brick masonry wall is analyzed and failure load is determined for different loading cases. The results were used to find the best aspect ratio of brick to strengthen brick masonry wall.

Dual Pathology in Rasmussen's Encephalitis: A Report of Coexistent Focal Cortical Dysplasia and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Prayson, Richard A

2012-01-01

Rasmussen's encephalitis is a well-established, albeit rare cause of medically intractable epilepsy. In a small number of Rasmussen's cases, a second pathology is identified, which independently can cause medically intractable seizures (dual pathology). This paper documents a case of a 13-year-old male who presented with medically intractable epilepsy. The patient underwent a series of surgical resections, early on resulting in a diagnosis of focal cortical dysplasia and later yielding a diagnosis of coexistent Rasmussen's encephalitis, marked by chronic inflammation, microglial nodules, and focal cortical atrophy, combined with focal cortical dysplasia (Palmini et al. type IIA, ILAE type IIA). The literature on dual pathology in the setting of Rasmussen's encephalitis is reviewed.

Dual Pathology in Rasmussen's Encephalitis: A Report of Coexistent Focal Cortical Dysplasia and Review of the Literature

PubMed Central

Prayson, Richard A.

2012-01-01

Rasmussen's encephalitis is a well-established, albeit rare cause of medically intractable epilepsy. In a small number of Rasmussen's cases, a second pathology is identified, which independently can cause medically intractable seizures (dual pathology). This paper documents a case of a 13-year-old male who presented with medically intractable epilepsy. The patient underwent a series of surgical resections, early on resulting in a diagnosis of focal cortical dysplasia and later yielding a diagnosis of coexistent Rasmussen's encephalitis, marked by chronic inflammation, microglial nodules, and focal cortical atrophy, combined with focal cortical dysplasia (Palmini et al. type IIA, ILAE type IIA). The literature on dual pathology in the setting of Rasmussen's encephalitis is reviewed. PMID:23056977

Assessing the economic impacts of drought from the perspective of profit loss rate: a case study of the sugar industry in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y.; Lin, L.; Chen, H.

2015-07-01

Natural disasters have enormous impacts on human society, especially on the development of the economy. To support decision-making in mitigation and adaption to natural disasters, assessment of economic impacts is fundamental and of great significance. Based on a review of the literature on economic impact evaluation, this paper proposes a new assessment model of the economic impacts of droughts by using the sugar industry in China as a case study, which focuses on the generation and transfer of economic impacts along a simple value chain involving only sugarcane growers and a sugar-producing company. A perspective of profit loss rate is applied to scale economic impact. By using "with and without" analysis, profit loss is defined as the difference in profits between disaster-hit and disaster-free scenarios. To calculate profit, analysis of a time series of sugar price is applied. With the support of a linear regression model, an endogenous trend in sugar price is identified and the time series of sugar price "without" disaster is obtained, using an autoregressive error model to separate impact of disasters from the internal trend in sugar price. Unlike the settings in other assessment models, representative sugar prices, which represent value level in disaster-free conditions and disaster-hit conditions, are integrated from a long time series that covers the whole period of drought. As a result, it is found that in a rigid farming contract, sugarcane growers suffer far more than the sugar company when impacted by severe drought, which may promote reflections among various economic bodies on economic equality related to the occurrence of natural disasters. Further, sensitivity analysis of the model built reveals that sugarcane purchase price has a significant influence on profit loss rate, which implies that setting a proper sugarcane purchase price would be an effective way of realizing economic equality in future practice of contract farming.

Statistical assessment of the learning curves of health technologies.

PubMed

Ramsay, C R; Grant, A M; Wallace, S A; Garthwaite, P H; Monk, A F; Russell, I T

2001-01-01

(1) To describe systematically studies that directly assessed the learning curve effect of health technologies. (2) Systematically to identify 'novel' statistical techniques applied to learning curve data in other fields, such as psychology and manufacturing. (3) To test these statistical techniques in data sets from studies of varying designs to assess health technologies in which learning curve effects are known to exist. METHODS - STUDY SELECTION (HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE REVIEW): For a study to be included, it had to include a formal analysis of the learning curve of a health technology using a graphical, tabular or statistical technique. METHODS - STUDY SELECTION (NON-HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE SEARCH): For a study to be included, it had to include a formal assessment of a learning curve using a statistical technique that had not been identified in the previous search. METHODS - DATA SOURCES: Six clinical and 16 non-clinical biomedical databases were searched. A limited amount of handsearching and scanning of reference lists was also undertaken. METHODS - DATA EXTRACTION (HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE REVIEW): A number of study characteristics were abstracted from the papers such as study design, study size, number of operators and the statistical method used. METHODS - DATA EXTRACTION (NON-HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE SEARCH): The new statistical techniques identified were categorised into four subgroups of increasing complexity: exploratory data analysis; simple series data analysis; complex data structure analysis, generic techniques. METHODS - TESTING OF STATISTICAL METHODS: Some of the statistical methods identified in the systematic searches for single (simple) operator series data and for multiple (complex) operator series data were illustrated and explored using three data sets. The first was a case series of 190 consecutive laparoscopic fundoplication procedures performed by a single surgeon; the second was a case series of consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures performed by ten surgeons; the third was randomised trial data derived from the laparoscopic procedure arm of a multicentre trial of groin hernia repair, supplemented by data from non-randomised operations performed during the trial. RESULTS - HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE REVIEW: Of 4571 abstracts identified, 272 (6%) were later included in the study after review of the full paper. Some 51% of studies assessed a surgical minimal access technique and 95% were case series. The statistical method used most often (60%) was splitting the data into consecutive parts (such as halves or thirds), with only 14% attempting a more formal statistical analysis. The reporting of the studies was poor, with 31% giving no details of data collection methods. RESULTS - NON-HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE SEARCH: Of 9431 abstracts assessed, 115 (1%) were deemed appropriate for further investigation and, of these, 18 were included in the study. All of the methods for complex data sets were identified in the non-clinical literature. These were discriminant analysis, two-stage estimation of learning rates, generalised estimating equations, multilevel models, latent curve models, time series models and stochastic parameter models. In addition, eight new shapes of learning curves were identified. RESULTS - TESTING OF STATISTICAL METHODS: No one particular shape of learning curve performed significantly better than another. The performance of 'operation time' as a proxy for learning differed between the three procedures. Multilevel modelling using the laparoscopic cholecystectomy data demonstrated and measured surgeon-specific and confounding effects. The inclusion of non-randomised cases, despite the possible limitations of the method, enhanced the interpretation of learning effects. CONCLUSIONS - HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE REVIEW: The statistical methods used for assessing learning effects in health technology assessment have been crude and the reporting of studies poor. CONCLUSIONS - NON-HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT LITERATURE SEARCH: A number of statistical methods for assessing learning effects were identified that had not hitherto been used in health technology assessment. There was a hierarchy of methods for the identification and measurement of learning, and the more sophisticated methods for both have had little if any use in health technology assessment. This demonstrated the value of considering fields outside clinical research when addressing methodological issues in health technology assessment. CONCLUSIONS - TESTING OF STATISTICAL METHODS: It has been demonstrated that the portfolio of techniques identified can enhance investigations of learning curve effects. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Systematic review of the methodological and reporting quality of case series in surgery.

PubMed

Agha, R A; Fowler, A J; Lee, S-Y; Gundogan, B; Whitehurst, K; Sagoo, H K; Jeong, K J L; Altman, D G; Orgill, D P

2016-09-01

Case series are an important and common study type. No guideline exists for reporting case series and there is evidence of key data being missed from such reports. The first step in the process of developing a methodologically sound reporting guideline is a systematic review of literature relevant to the reporting deficiencies of case series. A systematic review of methodological and reporting quality in surgical case series was performed. The electronic search strategy was developed by an information specialist and included MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Methods Register, Science Citation Index and Conference Proceedings Citation index, from the start of indexing to 5 November 2014. Independent screening, eligibility assessments and data extraction were performed. Included articles were then analysed for five areas of deficiency: failure to use standardized definitions, missing or selective data (including the omission of whole cases or important variables), transparency or incomplete reporting, whether alternative study designs were considered, and other issues. Database searching identified 2205 records. Through the process of screening and eligibility assessments, 92 articles met inclusion criteria. Frequencies of methodological and reporting issues identified were: failure to use standardized definitions (57 per cent), missing or selective data (66 per cent), transparency or incomplete reporting (70 per cent), whether alternative study designs were considered (11 per cent) and other issues (52 per cent). The methodological and reporting quality of surgical case series needs improvement. The data indicate that evidence-based guidelines for the conduct and reporting of case series may be useful. © 2016 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Malpractice in treatment of sinonasal disease by otolaryngologists: a review of the past 10 years.

PubMed

Winford, Tyler W; Wallin, Jordan L; Clinger, John D; Graham, Aaron M

2015-03-01

Sinonasal disease is a common condition treated by otolaryngologists. Malpractice in this area is the most common litigation faced by otolaryngologists. This study analyzes malpractice in the treatment of sinonasal disease. Case series, review of legal records. Legal databases. Using 2 different computerized legal databases, the phrase medical malpractice was searched with terms related to sinonasal disease involving court cases in the past 10 years (2004-2013), yielding 26 cases. The cases were analyzed for pertinent data regarding plaintiffs, presenting complaint, practice setting, type of malpractice, resulting injury, result of verdict, and amount of reward or settlement. Chronic sinusitis (42%) was the most common presenting symptom. Many cases included multiple types of alleged malpractice, with the most common being negligent technique (38%) and lack of informed consent (27%). The most common alleged injuries included cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, nasal obstruction, and orbital trauma. Defendants prevailed in 13 of 18 cases in which outcomes were known, with mean award of $225,000 and mean settlement of $212,500. The cases won by plaintiffs were all in a private practice setting. Otolaryngologists should be aware of the causes of malpractice litigation as it relates to treatment of sinonasal disease. Lack of informed consent continues to be a common allegation, and surgeons should ensure complete informed consent is obtained and well documented. A unified and complete database of medical malpractice cases is needed to allow for further analysis of specialty-related claims. © American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2015.

The costs of nurse turnover, part 2: application of the Nursing Turnover Cost Calculation Methodology.

PubMed

Jones, Cheryl Bland

2005-01-01

This is the second article in a 2-part series focusing on nurse turnover and its costs. Part 1 (December 2004) described nurse turnover costs within the context of human capital theory, and using human resource accounting methods, presented the updated Nursing Turnover Cost Calculation Methodology. Part 2 presents an application of this method in an acute care setting and the estimated costs of nurse turnover that were derived. Administrators and researchers can use these methods and cost information to build a business case for nurse retention.

A numerical method for solving systems of linear ordinary differential equations with rapidly oscillating solutions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernstein, Ira B.; Brookshaw, Leigh; Fox, Peter A.

1992-01-01

The present numerical method for accurate and efficient solution of systems of linear equations proceeds by numerically developing a set of basis solutions characterized by slowly varying dependent variables. The solutions thus obtained are shown to have a computational overhead largely independent of the small size of the scale length which characterizes the solutions; in many cases, the technique obviates series solutions near singular points, and its known sources of error can be easily controlled without a substantial increase in computational time.

Comparison of data transformation procedures to enhance topographical accuracy in time-series analysis of the human EEG.

PubMed

Hauk, O; Keil, A; Elbert, T; Müller, M M

2002-01-30

We describe a methodology to apply current source density (CSD) and minimum norm (MN) estimation as pre-processing tools for time-series analysis of single trial EEG data. The performance of these methods is compared for the case of wavelet time-frequency analysis of simulated gamma-band activity. A reasonable comparison of CSD and MN on the single trial level requires regularization such that the corresponding transformed data sets have similar signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). For region-of-interest approaches, it should be possible to optimize the SNR for single estimates rather than for the whole distributed solution. An effective implementation of the MN method is described. Simulated data sets were created by modulating the strengths of a radial and a tangential test dipole with wavelets in the frequency range of the gamma band, superimposed with simulated spatially uncorrelated noise. The MN and CSD transformed data sets as well as the average reference (AR) representation were subjected to wavelet frequency-domain analysis, and power spectra were mapped for relevant frequency bands. For both CSD and MN, the influence of noise can be sufficiently suppressed by regularization to yield meaningful information, but only MN represents both radial and tangential dipole sources appropriately as single peaks. Therefore, when relating wavelet power spectrum topographies to their neuronal generators, MN should be preferred.

Monitoring and understanding crustal deformation by means of GPS and InSAR data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerbini, Susanna; Prati, Claudio; Bruni, Sara; Errico, Maddalena; Musicò, Elvira; Novali, Fabrizio; Santi, Efisio

2014-05-01

Monitoring deformation of the Earth's crust by using data acquired by both the GNSS and SAR techniques allows describing crustal movements with high spatial and temporal resolution. This is a key contribution for achieving a deeper and better insight of geodynamic processes. Combination of the two techniques provides a very powerful means, however, before combing the different data sets it is important to properly understand their respective contribution. For this purpose, strictly simultaneous and long time series would be necessary. This is not, in general, a common case due to the relatively long SAR satellites revisit time. A positive exception is represented by the data set of COSMO SKYMed (CSK) images made available for this study by the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The flyover area encompass the city of Bologna and the smaller nearby town of Medicina where permanent GPS stations are operational. At the times of the CSK flyovers, we compared the GPS and SAR Up and East coordinates of a few stations as well as differential tropospheric delays derived by both techniques. The GPS time series were carefully screened and corrected for the presence of discontinuities by adopting a dedicated statistical procedure. The comparisons of both the estimated deformation and the tropospheric delays are encouraging and highlight the need for having available a more evenly sampled SAR data set.

New infinite families of exact sums of squares formulas, Jacobi elliptic functions, and Ramanujan's tau function.

PubMed

Milne, S C

1996-12-24

In this paper, we give two infinite families of explicit exact formulas that generalize Jacobi's (1829) 4 and 8 squares identities to 4n(2) or 4n(n + 1) squares, respectively, without using cusp forms. Our 24 squares identity leads to a different formula for Ramanujan's tau function tau(n), when n is odd. These results arise in the setting of Jacobi elliptic functions, Jacobi continued fractions, Hankel or Turánian determinants, Fourier series, Lambert series, inclusion/exclusion, Laplace expansion formula for determinants, and Schur functions. We have also obtained many additional infinite families of identities in this same setting that are analogous to the eta-function identities in appendix I of Macdonald's work [Macdonald, I. G. (1972) Invent. Math. 15, 91-143]. A special case of our methods yields a proof of the two conjectured [Kac, V. G. and Wakimoto, M. (1994) in Progress in Mathematics, eds. Brylinski, J.-L., Brylinski, R., Guillemin, V. & Kac, V. (Birkhäuser Boston, Boston, MA), Vol. 123, pp. 415-456] identities involving representing a positive integer by sums of 4n(2) or 4n(n + 1) triangular numbers, respectively. Our 16 and 24 squares identities were originally obtained via multiple basic hypergeometric series, Gustafson's C(l) nonterminating (6)phi(5) summation theorem, and Andrews' basic hypergeometric series proof of Jacobi's 4 and 8 squares identities. We have (elsewhere) applied symmetry and Schur function techniques to this original approach to prove the existence of similar infinite families of sums of squares identities for n(2) or n(n + 1) squares, respectively. Our sums of more than 8 squares identities are not the same as the formulas of Mathews (1895), Glaisher (1907), Ramanujan (1916), Mordell (1917, 1919), Hardy (1918, 1920), Kac and Wakimoto, and many others.

Mining biological information from 3D short time-series gene expression data: the OPTricluster algorithm.

PubMed

Tchagang, Alain B; Phan, Sieu; Famili, Fazel; Shearer, Heather; Fobert, Pierre; Huang, Yi; Zou, Jitao; Huang, Daiqing; Cutler, Adrian; Liu, Ziying; Pan, Youlian

2012-04-04

Nowadays, it is possible to collect expression levels of a set of genes from a set of biological samples during a series of time points. Such data have three dimensions: gene-sample-time (GST). Thus they are called 3D microarray gene expression data. To take advantage of the 3D data collected, and to fully understand the biological knowledge hidden in the GST data, novel subspace clustering algorithms have to be developed to effectively address the biological problem in the corresponding space. We developed a subspace clustering algorithm called Order Preserving Triclustering (OPTricluster), for 3D short time-series data mining. OPTricluster is able to identify 3D clusters with coherent evolution from a given 3D dataset using a combinatorial approach on the sample dimension, and the order preserving (OP) concept on the time dimension. The fusion of the two methodologies allows one to study similarities and differences between samples in terms of their temporal expression profile. OPTricluster has been successfully applied to four case studies: immune response in mice infected by malaria (Plasmodium chabaudi), systemic acquired resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana, similarities and differences between inner and outer cotyledon in Brassica napus during seed development, and to Brassica napus whole seed development. These studies showed that OPTricluster is robust to noise and is able to detect the similarities and differences between biological samples. Our analysis showed that OPTricluster generally outperforms other well known clustering algorithms such as the TRICLUSTER, gTRICLUSTER and K-means; it is robust to noise and can effectively mine the biological knowledge hidden in the 3D short time-series gene expression data.

Resection and primary anastomosis without diverting ileostomy for left colon emergencies: is it a safe procedure?

PubMed

Jiménez Fuertes, Montiel; Costa Navarro, David

2012-05-01

Large-bowel obstruction and perforation are still frequently occurring entities for the acute care surgeon. In these cases, Hartmann's procedure is the most commonly used surgical technique. However, recent papers demonstrate that colon resection and primary anastomosis (RPA) in the emergency setting is a safe and feasible procedure. We present our series of left colon resection and primary anastomosis procedures from Torrevieja Hospital (Alicante, Spain), performed without bowel irrigation or a diverting ileostomy. Thirty-two RPA procedures were performed in emergency settings for perforation or obstruction, or both, during an 18-month period. The following data were prospectively collected: age, gender, nationality, diagnoses, ASA score, body mass index (BMI), POSSUM score (Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enumeration of Mortality and morbidity), and the score according to the Hinchey classification. Furthermore, duration of the operation, length of postoperative hospital stay, and mortality and morbidity data were recorded. Sixteen of these patients were diagnosed with acute diverticulitis, 14 patients with neoplasm (of which 9 cases had obstruction, 2 cases had perforation, and 3 cases had both), and foreign body perforation in the remaining 2 cases. The mean hospital stay was 7.8 (range, 4-10) days. The physiological POSSUM score was 24.4 (range, 15-39), and the surgical POSSUM score was 19.8 (range, 16-24). None of the patients died (0% mortality). Seven patients developed some kind of complication (21.9%), all of which were managed conservatively. The results of this study suggest that RPA for left colon obstruction and perforation in emergency settings can be safely performed in certain surgical conditions.

Time series analysis as input for clinical predictive modeling: Modeling cardiac arrest in a pediatric ICU

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Thousands of children experience cardiac arrest events every year in pediatric intensive care units. Most of these children die. Cardiac arrest prediction tools are used as part of medical emergency team evaluations to identify patients in standard hospital beds that are at high risk for cardiac arrest. There are no models to predict cardiac arrest in pediatric intensive care units though, where the risk of an arrest is 10 times higher than for standard hospital beds. Current tools are based on a multivariable approach that does not characterize deterioration, which often precedes cardiac arrests. Characterizing deterioration requires a time series approach. The purpose of this study is to propose a method that will allow for time series data to be used in clinical prediction models. Successful implementation of these methods has the potential to bring arrest prediction to the pediatric intensive care environment, possibly allowing for interventions that can save lives and prevent disabilities. Methods We reviewed prediction models from nonclinical domains that employ time series data, and identified the steps that are necessary for building predictive models using time series clinical data. We illustrate the method by applying it to the specific case of building a predictive model for cardiac arrest in a pediatric intensive care unit. Results Time course analysis studies from genomic analysis provided a modeling template that was compatible with the steps required to develop a model from clinical time series data. The steps include: 1) selecting candidate variables; 2) specifying measurement parameters; 3) defining data format; 4) defining time window duration and resolution; 5) calculating latent variables for candidate variables not directly measured; 6) calculating time series features as latent variables; 7) creating data subsets to measure model performance effects attributable to various classes of candidate variables; 8) reducing the number of candidate features; 9) training models for various data subsets; and 10) measuring model performance characteristics in unseen data to estimate their external validity. Conclusions We have proposed a ten step process that results in data sets that contain time series features and are suitable for predictive modeling by a number of methods. We illustrated the process through an example of cardiac arrest prediction in a pediatric intensive care setting. PMID:22023778

Time series analysis as input for clinical predictive modeling: modeling cardiac arrest in a pediatric ICU.

PubMed

Kennedy, Curtis E; Turley, James P

2011-10-24

Thousands of children experience cardiac arrest events every year in pediatric intensive care units. Most of these children die. Cardiac arrest prediction tools are used as part of medical emergency team evaluations to identify patients in standard hospital beds that are at high risk for cardiac arrest. There are no models to predict cardiac arrest in pediatric intensive care units though, where the risk of an arrest is 10 times higher than for standard hospital beds. Current tools are based on a multivariable approach that does not characterize deterioration, which often precedes cardiac arrests. Characterizing deterioration requires a time series approach. The purpose of this study is to propose a method that will allow for time series data to be used in clinical prediction models. Successful implementation of these methods has the potential to bring arrest prediction to the pediatric intensive care environment, possibly allowing for interventions that can save lives and prevent disabilities. We reviewed prediction models from nonclinical domains that employ time series data, and identified the steps that are necessary for building predictive models using time series clinical data. We illustrate the method by applying it to the specific case of building a predictive model for cardiac arrest in a pediatric intensive care unit. Time course analysis studies from genomic analysis provided a modeling template that was compatible with the steps required to develop a model from clinical time series data. The steps include: 1) selecting candidate variables; 2) specifying measurement parameters; 3) defining data format; 4) defining time window duration and resolution; 5) calculating latent variables for candidate variables not directly measured; 6) calculating time series features as latent variables; 7) creating data subsets to measure model performance effects attributable to various classes of candidate variables; 8) reducing the number of candidate features; 9) training models for various data subsets; and 10) measuring model performance characteristics in unseen data to estimate their external validity. We have proposed a ten step process that results in data sets that contain time series features and are suitable for predictive modeling by a number of methods. We illustrated the process through an example of cardiac arrest prediction in a pediatric intensive care setting.

Hybrid Wavelet De-noising and Rank-Set Pair Analysis approach for forecasting hydro-meteorological time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

WANG, D.; Wang, Y.; Zeng, X.

2017-12-01

Accurate, fast forecasting of hydro-meteorological time series is presently a major challenge in drought and flood mitigation. This paper proposes a hybrid approach, Wavelet De-noising (WD) and Rank-Set Pair Analysis (RSPA), that takes full advantage of a combination of the two approaches to improve forecasts of hydro-meteorological time series. WD allows decomposition and reconstruction of a time series by the wavelet transform, and hence separation of the noise from the original series. RSPA, a more reliable and efficient version of Set Pair Analysis, is integrated with WD to form the hybrid WD-RSPA approach. Two types of hydro-meteorological data sets with different characteristics and different levels of human influences at some representative stations are used to illustrate the WD-RSPA approach. The approach is also compared to three other generic methods: the conventional Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) (BP-error Back Propagation, MLP-Multilayer Perceptron and RBF-Radial Basis Function), and RSPA alone. Nine error metrics are used to evaluate the model performance. The results show that WD-RSPA is accurate, feasible, and effective. In particular, WD-RSPA is found to be the best among the various generic methods compared in this paper, even when the extreme events are included within a time series.

COLLABORATE©: a universal competency-based paradigm for professional case management, Part III: key considerations for making the paradigm shift.

PubMed

Treiger, Teresa M; Fink-Samnick, Ellen

2014-01-01

The purpose of the third of this 3-article series is to provide context and justification for a new paradigm of case management built upon a value-driven foundation that * improves the patient's experience of health care delivery, * provides consistency in approach applicable across health care populations, and * optimizes the potential for return on investment. Applicable to all health care sectors where case management is practiced. In moving forward the one fact that rings true is there will be constant change in our industry. As the health care terrain shifts and new influences continually surface, there will be consequences for case management practice. These impacts require nimble clinical professionals in possession of recognized and firmly established competencies. They must be agile to frame (and reframe) their professional practice to facilitate the best possible outcomes for their patients. Case managers can choose to be Gumby or Pokey. This is exactly why the definition of a competency-based case management model's time has come, one sufficiently fluid to fit into any setting of care. The practice of case management transcends the vast array of representative professional disciplines and educational levels. A majority of current models are driven by business priorities rather than the competencies critical to successful practice and quality patient outcomes. This results in a fragmented professional case management identity. While there is inherent value in what each discipline brings to the table, this advanced model unifies behind case management's unique, strengths-based identity instead of continuing to align within traditional divisions (e.g., discipline, work setting, population served). This model fosters case management's expanding career advancement opportunities, including a reflective clinical ladder.

Presentation Of The Small Baseline NSBAS Processing Chain On A Case Example: The ETNA Deformation Monitoring From 2003 to 2010 Using ENVISAT Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doin, Marie-Pierre; Lodge, Felicity; Guillaso, Stephane; Jolivet, Romain; Lasserre, Cecile; Ducret, Gabriel; Grandin, Raphael; Pathier, Erwan; Pinel, Virginie

2012-01-01

We assemble a processing chain that handles InSAR computation from raw data to time series analysis. A large part of the chain (from raw data to geocoded unwrapped interferograms) is based on ROI PAC modules (Rosen et al., 2004), with original routines rearranged and combined with new routines to process in series and in a common radar geometry all SAR images and interferograms. A new feature of the software is the range-dependent spectral filtering to improve coherence in interferograms with long spatial baselines. Additional components include a module to estimate and remove digital elevation model errors before unwrapping, a module to mitigate the effects of the atmospheric phase delay and remove residual orbit errors, and a module to construct the phase change time series from small baseline interferograms (Berardino et al. 2002). This paper describes the main elements of the processing chain and presents an example of application of the software using a data set from the ENVISAT mission covering the Etna volcano.

Data catalog series for space science and applications flight missions. Volume 4B: Descriptions of data sets from meteorological and terrestrial applications spacecraft and investigations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ng, Carolyn; Stonesifer, G. Richard

1989-01-01

The main purpose of the data catalog series is to provide descriptive references to data generated by space science flight missions. The data sets described include all of the actual holdings of the Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), all data sets for which direct contact information is available, and some data collections held and serviced by foreign investigators, NASA and other U.S. government agencies. This volume contains narrative descriptions of data sets from meteorological and terrestrial applications spacecraft and investigations. The following spacecraft series are included: Mariner, Pioneer, Pioneer Venus, Venera, Viking, Voyager, and Helios. Separate indexes to the planetary and interplanetary missions are also provided.

Data Catalog Series for Space Science and Applications Flight Missions. Volume 2B; Descriptions of Data Sets from Geostationary and High-Altitude Scientific Spacecraft and Investigations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schofield, Norman J. (Editor); Parthasarathy, R. (Editor); Hills, H. Kent (Editor)

1988-01-01

The main purpose of the data catalog series is to provide descriptive references to data generated by space science flight missions. The data sets described include all of the actual holdings of the Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), all data sets for which direct contact information is available, and some data collections held and serviced by foreign investigators, NASA and other U.S. government agencies. This volume contains narrative descriptions of data sets from geostationary and high altitude scientific spacecraft and investigations. The following spacecraft series are included: Mariner, Pioneer, Pioneer Venus, Venera, Viking, Voyager, and Helios. Separate indexes to the planetary and interplanetary missions are also provided.

Data catalog series for space science and applications flight missions. Volume 3B: Descriptions of data sets from low- and medium-altitude scientific spacecraft and investigations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, John E. (Editor); Horowitz, Richard (Editor)

1986-01-01

The main purpose of the data catalog series is to provide descriptive references to data generated by space science flight missions. The data sets described include all of the actual holdings of the Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), all data sets for which direct contact information is available, and some data collections held and serviced by foreign investigators, NASA and other U.S. government agencies. This volume contains narrative descriptions of data sets from low and medium altitude scientific spacecraft and investigations. The following spacecraft series are included: Mariner, Pioneer, Pioneer Venus, Venera, Viking, Voyager, and Helios. Separate indexes to the planetary and interplanetary missions are also provided.

Prospective evaluation of the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) and the International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria (INRC) in a multicentre setting.

PubMed

Castel, V; García-Miguel, P; Cañete, A; Melero, C; Navajas, A; Ruíz-Jiménez, J I; Navarro, S; Badal, M D

1999-04-01

The aim of this study was to classify prospectively a series of neuroblastoma tumours according to the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) and the International Neuroblastoma Response Criteria (INRC) and to evaluate the difficulties and pitfalls involved in a multicentre setting. Each hospital provided their data for central review. The surgical procedures and their complications were reported. Kaplan-Meier estimates of survival and event-free survival were calculated according to stage and response to therapy. From June 1992 to December 1996, 194 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 2 years. Initial studies were performed according to INSS recommendations without major problems. INSS stage was correctly applied to all patients except for 9 (95%). Post-operative complications were observed in 15 patients (8.3%). Response to therapy (INRC) was studied in 63 stage 4 patients, 11 of whom were not classified correctly (17%). Differences in survival according to stage (INSS) and group of response to therapy (INRC) were statistically significant (P < 0.001). In conclusion the INSS was easy to use and separated different prognostic groups. Surgical complications and mortality did not increase in this series because of using the INSS. The feasibility of INRC was evaluated in a small series of stage 4 patients and the designation of response was problematic in a relatively high proportion of cases. The prognostic value of the different responses was highly significant, but less informative than had been hoped for.

The performance-variability paradox, financial decision making, and the curious case of negative Hurst exponents.

PubMed

Guastello, Stephen J; Reiter, Katherine; Shircel, Anton; Timm, Paul; Malon, Matthew; Fabisch, Megan

2014-07-01

This study examined the relationship between performance variability and actual performance of financial decision makers who were working under experimental conditions of increasing workload and fatigue. The rescaled range statistic, also known as the Hurst exponent (H) was used as an index of variability. Although H is defined as having a range between 0 and 1, 45% of the 172 time series generated by undergraduates were negative. Participants in the study chose the optimum investment out of sets of 3 to 5 options that were presented a series of 350 displays. The sets of options varied in both the complexity of the options and number of options under simultaneous consideration. One experimental condition required participants to make their choices within 15 sec, and the other condition required them to choose within 7.5 sec. Results showed that (a) negative H was possible and not a result of psychometric error; (b) negative H was associated with negative autocorrelations in a time series. (c) H was the best predictor of performance of the variables studied; (d) three other significant predictors were scores on an anagrams test and ratings of physical demands and performance demands; (e) persistence as evidenced by the autocorrelations was associated with ratings of greater time pressure. It was concluded, furthermore, that persistence and overall performance were correlated, that 'healthy' variability only exists within a limited range, and other individual differences related to ability and resistance to stress or fatigue are also involved in the prediction of performance.

Using Google Earth to Explore Multiple Data Sets and Plate Tectonic Concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodell, L. P.

2015-12-01

Google Earth (GE) offers an engaging and dynamic environment for exploration of earth science data. While GIS software offers higher-level analytical capability, it comes with a steep learning curve and complex interface that is not easy for the novice, and in many cases the instructor, to negotiate. In contrast, the intuitive interface of GE makes it easy for students to quickly become proficient in manipulating the globe and independently exploring relationships between multiple data sets at a wide range of scales. Inquiry-based, data-rich exercises have been developed for both introductory and upper-level activities including: exploration of plate boundary characteristics and relative motion across plate boundaries; determination and comparison of short-term and long-term average plate velocities; crustal strain analysis (modeled after the UNAVCO activity); and determining earthquake epicenters, body-wave magnitudes, and focal plane solutions. Used successfully in undergraduate course settings, for TA training and for professional development programs for middle and high school teachers, the exercises use the following GE data sets (with sources) that have been collected/compiled by the author and are freely available for non-commercial use: 1) tectonic plate boundaries and plate names (Bird, 2003 model); 2) real-time earthquakes (USGS); 3) 30 years of M>=5.0 earthquakes, plotted by depth (USGS); 4) seafloor age (Mueller et al., 1997, 2008); 5) location and age data for hot spot tracks (published literature); 6) Holocene volcanoes (Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program); 7) GPS station locations with links to times series (JPL, NASA, UNAVCO); 8) short-term motion vectors derived from GPS times series; 9) long-term average motion vectors derived from plate motion models (UNAVCO plate motion calculator); 10) earthquake data sets consisting of seismic station locations and links to relevant seismograms (Rapid Earthquake Viewer, USC/IRIS/DELESE).

Coupling detrended fluctuation analysis for analyzing coupled nonstationary signals.

PubMed

Hedayatifar, L; Vahabi, M; Jafari, G R

2011-08-01

When many variables are coupled to each other, a single case study could not give us thorough and precise information. When these time series are stationary, different methods of random matrix analysis and complex networks can be used. But, in nonstationary cases, the multifractal-detrended-cross-correlation-analysis (MF-DXA) method was introduced for just two coupled time series. In this article, we have extended the MF-DXA to the method of coupling detrended fluctuation analysis (CDFA) for the case when more than two series are correlated to each other. Here, we have calculated the multifractal properties of the coupled time series, and by comparing CDFA results of the original series with those of the shuffled and surrogate series, we can estimate the source of multifractality and the extent to which our series are coupled to each other. We illustrate the method by selected examples from air pollution and foreign exchange rates.

Coupling detrended fluctuation analysis for analyzing coupled nonstationary signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hedayatifar, L.; Vahabi, M.; Jafari, G. R.

2011-08-01

When many variables are coupled to each other, a single case study could not give us thorough and precise information. When these time series are stationary, different methods of random matrix analysis and complex networks can be used. But, in nonstationary cases, the multifractal-detrended-cross-correlation-analysis (MF-DXA) method was introduced for just two coupled time series. In this article, we have extended the MF-DXA to the method of coupling detrended fluctuation analysis (CDFA) for the case when more than two series are correlated to each other. Here, we have calculated the multifractal properties of the coupled time series, and by comparing CDFA results of the original series with those of the shuffled and surrogate series, we can estimate the source of multifractality and the extent to which our series are coupled to each other. We illustrate the method by selected examples from air pollution and foreign exchange rates.

FY13 Annual Report: PHEV Advanced Series Gen-set Development/Demonstration Activity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chambon, Paul H.

2013-12-01

The objective of this project is to integrate ORNL advancements in vehicle technologies to properly design, and size a gen-set for various vehicle applications and then simulate multiple advanced series hybrid (HEV/PHEV) vehicles with the genset models.

To what extent does variability of historical rainfall series influence extreme event statistics of sewer system surcharge and overflows?

PubMed

Schaarup-Jensen, K; Rasmussen, M R; Thorndahl, S

2009-01-01

In urban drainage modelling long-term extreme statistics has become an important basis for decision-making e.g. in connection with renovation projects. Therefore it is of great importance to minimize the uncertainties with regards to long-term prediction of maximum water levels and combined sewer overflow (CSO) in drainage systems. These uncertainties originate from large uncertainties regarding rainfall inputs, parameters, and assessment of return periods. This paper investigates how the choice of rainfall time series influences the extreme events statistics of max water levels in manholes and CSO volumes. Traditionally, long-term rainfall series, from a local rain gauge, are unavailable. In the present case study, however, long and local rain series are available. 2 rainfall gauges have recorded events for approximately 9 years at 2 locations within the catchment. Beside these 2 gauges another 7 gauges are located at a distance of max 20 kilometers from the catchment. All gauges are included in the Danish national rain gauge system which was launched in 1976. The paper describes to what extent the extreme events statistics based on these 9 series diverge from each other and how this diversity can be handled, e.g. by introducing an "averaging procedure" based on the variability within the set of statistics. All simulations are performed by means of the MOUSE LTS model.

A time series analysis performed on a 25-year period of kidney transplantation activity in a single center.

PubMed

Santori, G; Fontana, I; Bertocchi, M; Gasloli, G; Valente, U

2010-05-01

Following the example of many Western countries, where a "minimum volume rule" policy has been adopted as a quality parameter for complex surgical procedures, the Italian National Transplant Centre set the minimum number of kidney transplantation procedures/y at 30/center. The number of procedures performed in a single center over a large period may be treated as a time series to evaluate trends, seasonal cycles, and nonsystematic fluctuations. Between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 2007, we performed 1376 procedures in adult or pediatric recipients from living or cadaveric donors. The greatest numbers of cases/y were performed in 1998 (n = 86) followed by 2004 (n = 82), 1996 (n = 75), and 2003 (n = 73). A time series analysis performed using R Statistical Software (Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria), a free software environment for statistical computing and graphics, showed a whole incremental trend after exponential smoothing as well as after seasonal decomposition. However, starting from 2005, we observed a decreased trend in the series. The number of kidney transplants expected to be performed for 2008 by using the Holt-Winters exponential smoothing applied to the period 1983 to 2007 suggested 58 procedures, while in that year there were 52. The time series approach may be helpful to establish a minimum volume/y at a single-center level. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Did case-based payment influence surgical readmission rates in France? A retrospective study

PubMed Central

Vuagnat, Albert; Yilmaz, Engin; Roussot, Adrien; Rodwin, Victor; Gadreau, Maryse; Bernard, Alain; Creuzot-Garcher, Catherine; Quantin, Catherine

2018-01-01

Objectives To determine whether implementation of a case-based payment system changed all-cause readmission rates in the 30 days following discharge after surgery, we analysed all surgical procedures performed in all hospitals in France before (2002–2004), during (2005–2008) and after (2009–2012) its implementation. Setting Our study is based on claims data for all surgical procedures performed in all acute care hospitals with >300 surgical admissions per year (740 hospitals) in France over 11 years (2002–2012; n=51.6 million admissions). Interventions We analysed all-cause 30-day readmission rates after surgery using a logistic regression model and an interrupted time series analysis. Results The overall 30-day all-cause readmission rate following discharge after surgery increased from 8.8% to 10.0% (P<0.001) for the public sector and from 5.9% to 8.6% (P<0.001) for the private sector. Interrupted time series models revealed a significant linear increase in readmission rates over the study period in all types of hospitals. However, the implementation of case-based payment was only associated with a significant increase in rehospitalisation rates for private hospitals (P<0.001). Conclusion In France, the increase in the readmission rate appears to be relatively steady in both the private and public sector but appears not to have been affected by the introduction of a case-based payment system after accounting for changes in care practices in the public sector. PMID:29391376

Predictors and Rates of Delayed Symptomatic Hyponatremia after Transsphenoidal Surgery: A Systematic Review [corrected].

PubMed

Cote, David J; Alzarea, Abdulaziz; Acosta, Michael A; Hulou, Mohamed Maher; Huang, Kevin T; Almutairi, Hamoud; Alharbi, Ahmad; Zaidi, Hasan A; Algrani, Majed; Alatawi, Ahmad; Mekary, Rania A; Smith, Timothy R

2016-04-01

Delayed symptomatic hyponatremia (DSH) is a known complication of transsphenoidal surgery that can lead to prolonged hospital stay, readmission, and in rare cases, death. Many potential predictors for development of DSH have been investigated. A better understanding of DSH risk can lead to better patient outcomes. We performed a systematic review to determine the rates and predictors of DSH after both endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery and microscopic transsphenoidal surgery. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using MEDLINE/PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Inclusion criteria were 1) case series with at least 10 cases reported, 2) adult patients who underwent eTSS or mTSS for pituitary tumors, and 3) reported occurrence of DSH (defined as serum sodium level <135 mEq/L with associated symptoms) after postoperative day 3. Data were analyzed using CMA V.3 Statistical Software (2014). Ten case series satisfied the inclusion criteria for a total of 2947 patients. Various factors including age, gender, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and tumor size were investigated as potential predictors of DSH. DSH event rates for both mTSS and eTSS fell between around 4 and 12 percent and included a variety of proposed predictors. Age, gender, tumor size, rate of decline of blood sodium, and Cushing disease are potential predictors of DSH. By identifying patients at high risk for DSH, preventative efforts can be implemented in the perioperative setting to reduce the incidence of potentially catastrophic hyponatremia following transsphenoidal surgery. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Testing self-regulation interventions to increase walking using factorial randomized N-of-1 trials.

PubMed

Sniehotta, Falko F; Presseau, Justin; Hobbs, Nicola; Araújo-Soares, Vera

2012-11-01

To investigate the suitability of N-of-1 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as a means of testing the effectiveness of behavior change techniques based on self-regulation theory (goal setting and self-monitoring) for promoting walking in healthy adult volunteers. A series of N-of-1 RCTs in 10 normal and overweight adults ages 19-67 (M = 36.9 years). We randomly allocated 60 days within each individual to text message-prompted daily goal-setting and/or self-monitoring interventions in accordance with a 2 (step-count goal prompt vs. alternative goal prompt) × 2 (self-monitoring: open vs. blinded Omron-HJ-113-E pedometer) factorial design. Aggregated data were analyzed using random intercept multilevel models. Single cases were analyzed individually. The primary outcome was daily pedometer step counts over 60 days. Single-case analyses showed that 4 participants significantly increased walking: 2 on self-monitoring days and 2 on goal-setting days, compared with control days. Six participants did not benefit from the interventions. In aggregated analyses, mean step counts were higher on goal-setting days (8,499.9 vs. 7,956.3) and on self-monitoring days (8,630.3 vs. 7,825.9). Multilevel analyses showed a significant effect of the self-monitoring condition (p = .01), the goal-setting condition approached significance (p = .08), and there was a small linear increase in walking over time (p = .03). N-of-1 randomized trials are a suitable means to test behavioral interventions in individual participants.

Control of OSA during automatic positive airway pressure titration in a clinical case series: predictors and accuracy of device download data.

PubMed

Huang, Hsin-Chia Carol; Hillman, David R; McArdle, Nigel

2012-09-01

To investigate the factors associated with physiologic control of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) titration in a clinical series. To also assess the usefulness of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) data downloaded from the APAP device (Dev AHI). Retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with OSA who underwent APAP titration (Autoset Spirit, ResMed, Bella Vista, New South Wales, Australia ) with simultaneous polysomnographic (PSG) monitoring in the sleep laboratory. Tertiary sleep clinic. There were 190 consecutive patients with OSA referred for APAP titration. There were 58% of patients who achieved optimal or good control of OSA (titration PSG AHI < 10, or at least 50% reduction in AHI if diagnostic AHI < 15/hr) during APAP titration. The independent predictors of titration PSG AHI were a history of cardiac disease and elevated central apnea and arousal indices during the diagnostic study. Although the median and interquartile range (IQR) AHI from the device (7.0, 3.9-11.6 events/hr) was only slightly less than the PSG AHI (7.8, 3.9-14.4 events/hr, P = 0.04) during titration, case-by-case agreement between the two measures was poor (chi-square < 0.001). In a clinical sample control of OSA during APAP titration is often poor, and close clinical follow-up is particularly needed in patients with a history of cardiac disease or with high arousal or central apnea indices on the diagnostic study. Device AHI does not reliably assess control during APAP titration, and PSG assessment may be required if clinical response to treatment is poor. The findings relate to the ResMed AutoSet device and may not apply to other devices.

Validation of the prognostic value of lymph node ratio in patients with cutaneous melanoma: a population-based study of 8,177 cases.

PubMed

Mocellin, Simone; Pasquali, Sandro; Rossi, Carlo Riccardo; Nitti, Donato

2011-07-01

The proportion of positive among examined lymph nodes (lymph node ratio [LNR]) has been recently proposed as an useful and easy-to-calculate prognostic factor for patients with cutaneous melanoma. However, its independence from the standard prognostic system TNM has not been formally proven in a large series of patients. Patients with histologically proven cutaneous melanoma were identified from the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results database. Disease-specific survival was the clinical outcome of interest. The prognostic ability of conventional factors and LNR was assessed by multivariable survival analysis using the Cox regression model. Eligible patients (n = 8,177) were diagnosed with melanoma between 1998 and 2006. Among lymph node-positive cases (n = 3,872), most LNR values ranged from 1% to 10% (n = 2,187). In the whole series (≥5 lymph nodes examined) LNR significantly contributed to the Cox model independently of the TNM effect on survival (hazard ratio, 1.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.32; P < .0001). On subgroup analysis, the significant and independent prognostic value of LNR was confirmed both in patients with ≥10 lymph nodes examined (n = 4,381) and in those with TNM stage III disease (n = 3,658). In all cases, LNR increased the prognostic accuracy of the survival model. In this large series of patients, the LNR independently predicted disease-specific survival, improving the prognostic accuracy of the TNM system. Accordingly, the LNR should be taken into account for the stratification of patients' risk, both in clinical and research settings. Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Oral lichen planus in childhood: a case series.

PubMed

Cascone, Marco; Celentano, Antonio; Adamo, Daniela; Leuci, Stefania; Ruoppo, Elvira; Mignogna, Michele D

2017-06-01

Although the exact incidence of pediatric oral lichen planus (OLP) is unknown, the oral mucosa seems to be less commonly involved, and the clinical presentation is often atypical. The aim of the study is to present a case series of OLP in childhood. From our database, we retrospectively selected and analyzed the clinical data of OLP patients under the age of 18 where the diagnosis had been confirmed by histopathological analysis. The case series from our database shows eight patients, four males and four females. The mean (±SD) age at the time of diagnosis of the disease was 13.5 (±2.73) years, ranging in age from 9 to 17. Clinically, a reticular pattern was present in six patients (75%), and the tongue was the most commonly involved oral site (six cases, 75%). We also report the first case of OLP in a 9-year-old girl affected by autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy. We report the largest case series of pediatric OLP published in literature thus far. Differences in the disease between adults and pediatric patients have been detected, but further investigation and a larger case series are needed to establish any detailed differences in clinical outcomes. © 2017 The International Society of Dermatology.

Exploring total cardiac variability in healthy and pathophysiological subjects using improved refined multiscale entropy.

PubMed

Marwaha, Puneeta; Sunkaria, Ramesh Kumar

2017-02-01

Multiscale entropy (MSE) and refined multiscale entropy (RMSE) techniques are being widely used to evaluate the complexity of a time series across multiple time scales 't'. Both these techniques, at certain time scales (sometimes for the entire time scales, in the case of RMSE), assign higher entropy to the HRV time series of certain pathologies than that of healthy subjects, and to their corresponding randomized surrogate time series. This incorrect assessment of signal complexity may be due to the fact that these techniques suffer from the following limitations: (1) threshold value 'r' is updated as a function of long-term standard deviation and hence unable to explore the short-term variability as well as substantial variability inherited in beat-to-beat fluctuations of long-term HRV time series. (2) In RMSE, entropy values assigned to different filtered scaled time series are the result of changes in variance, but do not completely reflect the real structural organization inherited in original time series. In the present work, we propose an improved RMSE (I-RMSE) technique by introducing a new procedure to set the threshold value by taking into account the period-to-period variability inherited in a signal and evaluated it on simulated and real HRV database. The proposed I-RMSE assigns higher entropy to the age-matched healthy subjects than that of patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, sudden cardiac death and diabetes mellitus, for the entire time scales. The results strongly support the reduction in complexity of HRV time series in female group, old-aged, patients suffering from severe cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases, and in their corresponding surrogate time series.

Treatment of perforated giant gastric ulcer in an emergency setting.

PubMed

Kumar, Pradeep; Khan, Hosni Mubarak; Hasanrabba, Safarulla

2014-01-27

To study and assess clinical outcomes of various modes of treatment for perforated giant gastric ulcer in an emergency setting. From May 2010 to February 2013, 20 cases of perforated giant gastric ulcer (> 2 cm) were operated on in an emergency setting. All the patients presented with features of peritonitis and were resuscitated aggressively before taking for surgery. In the first 4 cases, primary closure was done after taking a biopsy and among these, the 3(rd) case also underwent partial distal gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy and the 4(th) case underwent a radical subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and gastrojejunostomy for malignancy. All the remaining 16 cases underwent partial distal gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy. Among the first 4 cases, 2 had an uneventful recovery and were discharged on the 6(th) postoperative day. The 3(rd) and 4(th) patients developed gastric fistula, leading to prolonged hospitalization. For the 3(rd) patient, conservative management was tried for 1 wk, followed by partial distal gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy, and he was discharged on the 20(th) day after admission, while the 4(th) patient underwent a radical subtotal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and gastrojejunostomy. Postoperatively, he developed adult respiratory distress syndrome, multiorgan dysfunction syndrome and expired on the 3(rd) postoperative day of the second surgery. All the remaining 16 patients underwent partial distal gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy and recovered well. Among these, 4 of them were malignant and the remaining were benign ulcers. All had an uneventful recovery. The percentage of malignancy in our series was 30% (6 out of 20 cases). In our study, 86% had an uneventful recovery, complications were seen in about 10%, and mortality was about 5%. In giant gastric ulcer, the chances of malignancy and leak after primary closure are high. So, we feel that partial distal gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy is better.

Venous air embolism: An under-recognised entity in blunt-force trauma and the importance of radiology.

PubMed

du Plessis, Marna; du Toit-Prinsloo, Lorraine

2017-04-01

Air embolism (AE) is considered a rare event and can be either iatrogenic or traumatic. Various post-mortem methods to detect AE exist, of which radiology is preferred. The presence of air in the heart can be demonstrated using special dissection techniques where the heart is opened under water or by needle puncture from a water-filled syringe. Three cases of blunt-force head injury are presented herein, with AE being diagnosed by conventional radiography using a Lodox Statscan® full-body digital X-ray machine in all cases. This case series demonstrates that AE due to blunt-force trauma to the head and sinuses might be under-recognised in the forensic post-mortem setting. It also highlights the importance of radiology in diagnosing AE post-mortem, especially where the results of post-mortem techniques might be unsatisfactory.

A case study on dune response to infragravity waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenshan; Wang, Hui; Li, Huan; Wu, Shuangquan; Li, Cheng

2017-08-01

A series of numerical simulations were conducted using the process-based model XBeach to investigate dune response under normal and getting rid of infragravity wave conditions with different slopes. Erosion volume upside the dune toe and dune top recession are set as indicators for dune vulnerability as well as defence capacity for its front-beach. Results show that both dune erosion volume and dune top recession decrease with gentler dune slopes. Of all the simulation cases, dune with a face slope of 1/1 lost most sand and supplied most sand for lower-bed. The presence of infragravity waves is validated to be crucial to dune vulnerability. The dune erosion volume is shown to decrease by 44.5%∼61.5% and the dune top recession decreased by 0%∼45.5% correspondingly, in the case that infragravity motion is not taken into account during simulation for different dune slopes.

The Karen Quinlan case: problems and proposals.

PubMed Central

Kennedy, I. M.

1976-01-01

Karen Quinlan, a young American girl, has lain in hospital since 15 April 1975 without any prospect of recovering consciousness. Her breathing is assisted by means of a respirator and she is fed through a tube inserted in her stomach. Her adoptive parents applied to the courts for permission for the respirator to be switched off. The judge refused permission. Using the Quinlan case as an exemplar, Mr. Kennedy analyses the medical points one by one against the legal background. He would like to see established a code of practice to assist doctors in such cases who at present have no legal guidance. A set of rules arising as a consequence of a series of court decisions would be undesirable; rather a code should be drawn up as the result of discussion between the many people concerned and the consensus so arrived at. PMID:957371

Uses and Misuses of Ted Kaczynski's MMPI.

PubMed

Ben-Porath, Yossef S

2018-05-22

Although case studies can be a helpful didactic aid when teaching personality assessment and illustrating use of a test, they can, of course, not be used as "evidence" that a test "works" or does not work. This article, however, reviews and discusses the far more problematic uses instantiated in a case study of Ted Kaczynski's Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). A series of errors of omission and commission are identified in Butcher, Hass, Greene, and Nelson's ( 2015 ) effort to criticize the MMPI-2-RF. These include not disclosing that Butcher's interpretive Minnesota Report for Forensic Settings indicates that the protocol is invalid, not including most of the MMPI-2 and MMPI-2-RF scores that contradict the authors' assertions, and mischaracterizing the MMPI-2-RF findings. Proper use of a case study is then illustrated by a discussion of diagnostic considerations indicated by the MMPI-2-RF findings.

A Proposed Data Fusion Architecture for Micro-Zone Analysis and Data Mining

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kevin McCarthy; Milos Manic

Data Fusion requires the ability to combine or “fuse” date from multiple data sources. Time Series Analysis is a data mining technique used to predict future values from a data set based upon past values. Unlike other data mining techniques, however, Time Series places special emphasis on periodicity and how seasonal and other time-based factors tend to affect trends over time. One of the difficulties encountered in developing generic time series techniques is the wide variability of the data sets available for analysis. This presents challenges all the way from the data gathering stage to results presentation. This paper presentsmore » an architecture designed and used to facilitate the collection of disparate data sets well suited to Time Series analysis as well as other predictive data mining techniques. Results show this architecture provides a flexible, dynamic framework for the capture and storage of a myriad of dissimilar data sets and can serve as a foundation from which to build a complete data fusion architecture.« less

User settings on dive computers: reliability in aiding conservative diving.

PubMed

Sayer, Martin D J; Azzopardi, Elaine; Sieber, Arne

2016-06-01

Divers can make adjustments to diving computers when they may need or want to dive more conservatively (e.g., diving with a persistent (patent) foramen ovale). Information describing the effects of these alterations or how they compare to other methods, such as using enriched air nitrox (EANx) with air dive planning tools, is lacking. Seven models of dive computer from four manufacturers (Mares, Suunto, Oceanic and UWATEC) were subjected to single square-wave compression profiles (maximum depth: 20 or 40 metres' sea water, msw), single multi-level profiles (maximum depth: 30 msw; stops at 15 and 6 msw), and multi-dive series (two dives to 30 msw followed by one to 20 msw). Adjustable settings were employed for each dive profile; some modified profiles were compared against stand-alone use of EANx. Dives were shorter or indicated longer decompression obligations when conservative settings were applied. However, some computers in default settings produced more conservative dives than others that had been modified. Some computer-generated penalties were greater than when using EANx alone, particularly at partial pressures of oxygen (PO₂) below 1.40 bar. Some computers 'locked out' during the multi-dive series; others would continue to support decompression with, in some cases, automatically-reduced levels of conservatism. Changing reduced gradient bubble model values on Suunto computers produced few differences. The range of possible adjustments and the non-standard computer response to them complicates the ability to provide accurate guidance to divers wanting to dive more conservatively. The use of EANx alone may not always generate satisfactory levels of conservatism.

Magnetically coupled magnet-spring oscillators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donoso, G.; Ladera, C. L.; Martín, P.

2010-05-01

A system of two magnets hung from two vertical springs and oscillating in the hollows of a pair of coils connected in series is a new, interesting and useful example of coupled oscillators. The electromagnetically coupled oscillations of these oscillators are experimentally and theoretically studied. Its coupling is electromagnetic instead of mechanical, and easily adjustable by the experimenter. The coupling of this new coupled oscillator system is determined by the currents that the magnets induce in two coils connected in series, one to each magnet. It is an interesting case of mechanical oscillators with field-driven coupling, instead of mechanical coupling. Moreover, it is both a coupled and a damped oscillating system that lends itself to a detailed study and presentation of many properties and phenomena of such a system of oscillators. A set of experiments that validates the theoretical model of the oscillators is presented and discussed.

Interrupted time series design: a useful approach for studying interventions targeting participation.

PubMed

Anaby, Dana; Lal, Shalini; Huszczynski, Justine; Maich, Jana; Rogers, Jade; Law, Mary

2014-11-01

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) strives for evidence to inform clinical decisions for specific clients in typical health care settings. While the randomized controlled trial (RCT) is well-aligned with the objectives of CER, this design may not be feasible or applicable to all research questions, particularly those pertaining to clinical decision making and individually based change. It is important, therefore, to consider alternative approaches, especially when studying complex and subjective outcomes such as children's participation. We propose the use of interrupted time series (ITS) quasi-experimental design for its potential application in determining the effectiveness of participation-focused interventions. In this perspective, ITS design is described, ascertaining its advantages and limitations, and suggestions are provided to overcome challenges to implementation. Results of a case study using the ITS approach to evaluate changes in participation of an adolescent with physical disabilities are described. Finally, strategies to implement this design in practice are suggested.

The study of Thai stock market across the 2008 financial crisis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanjamapornkul, K.; Pinčák, Richard; Bartoš, Erik

2016-11-01

The cohomology theory for financial market can allow us to deform Kolmogorov space of time series data over time period with the explicit definition of eight market states in grand unified theory. The anti-de Sitter space induced from a coupling behavior field among traders in case of a financial market crash acts like gravitational field in financial market spacetime. Under this hybrid mathematical superstructure, we redefine a behavior matrix by using Pauli matrix and modified Wilson loop for time series data. We use it to detect the 2008 financial market crash by using a degree of cohomology group of sphere over tensor field in correlation matrix over all possible dominated stocks underlying Thai SET50 Index Futures. The empirical analysis of financial tensor network was performed with the help of empirical mode decomposition and intrinsic time scale decomposition of correlation matrix and the calculation of closeness centrality of planar graph.

Crew Exploration Vehicle Launch Abort Controller Performance Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sparks, Dean W., Jr.; Raney, David L.

2007-01-01

This paper covers the simulation and evaluation of a controller design for the Crew Module (CM) Launch Abort System (LAS), to measure its ability to meet the abort performance requirements. The controller used in this study is a hybrid design, including features developed by the Government and the Contractor. Testing is done using two separate 6-degree-of-freedom (DOF) computer simulation implementations of the LAS/CM throughout the ascent trajectory: 1) executing a series of abort simulations along a nominal trajectory for the nominal LAS/CM system; and 2) using a series of Monte Carlo runs with perturbed initial flight conditions and perturbed system parameters. The performance of the controller is evaluated against a set of criteria, which is based upon the current functional requirements of the LAS. Preliminary analysis indicates that the performance of the present controller meets (with the exception of a few cases) the evaluation criteria mentioned above.

Wavelet analysis and scaling properties of time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manimaran, P.; Panigrahi, Prasanta K.; Parikh, Jitendra C.

2005-10-01

We propose a wavelet based method for the characterization of the scaling behavior of nonstationary time series. It makes use of the built-in ability of the wavelets for capturing the trends in a data set, in variable window sizes. Discrete wavelets from the Daubechies family are used to illustrate the efficacy of this procedure. After studying binomial multifractal time series with the present and earlier approaches of detrending for comparison, we analyze the time series of averaged spin density in the 2D Ising model at the critical temperature, along with several experimental data sets possessing multifractal behavior.

Acute kidney injury in cats and dogs: A proportional meta-analysis of case series studies

PubMed Central

Legatti, Sabrina Almeida Moreira; Legatti, Emerson; Botan, Andresa Graciutti; Camargo, Samira Esteves Afonso; Agarwal, Arnav; Barretti, Pasqual; Paes, Antônio Carlos

2018-01-01

Introduction Risk of mortality in the setting of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cats and dogs remains unclear. Objectives To evaluate the incidence of mortality in cats and dogs with AKI based on etiology (i.e. infectious versus non-infectious; receiving dialysis versus conservative treatment). Materials and methods Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and LILACS were searched up to July 2016. Articles were deemed eligible if they were case series studies evaluating the incidence of all-cause mortality in cats and dogs with AKI, regardless of etiology or the nature of treatment. Results Eighteen case series involving 1,201animalsproved eligible. The pooled proportions for overall mortality were: cats53.1% [95% CI 0.475, 0.586; I2 = 11,9%, p = 0.3352]; dogs 45.0% [95% CI 0.33, 0.58; I2 = 91.5%, P < 0.0001]. A non-significant increase in overall mortality risk was found among dialysed animals relative to those managed with conservative treatment, independent of animal type and the etiology of their AKI. The pooled proportions for overall mortality according to etiology, regardless of treatment type, were: AKI due infectious etiology for cats and dogs, 19.2% [95% CI 0.134, 0.258; I2 = 37.7%, P = 0.0982]; AKI due non-infectious etiology for cats and dogs, 59.9% [95% CI 0.532, 0.663; I2 = 51.0%, P = 0.0211]. Conclusion Our findings suggest higher rates of overall mortality in cats and dogs with AKI due to non-infectious etiologies relative to infectious etiologies, and showed non-significant differences in terms of higher rates associated with dialysis compared to conservative management. Further investigations regarding optimal time to initiate dialysis and the development of clinical models to prognosticate the course of disease and guide optimal treatment initiation for less severe cases of AKI in cats and dogs is warranted. PMID:29370180

Acute kidney injury in cats and dogs: A proportional meta-analysis of case series studies.

PubMed

Legatti, Sabrina Almeida Moreira; El Dib, Regina; Legatti, Emerson; Botan, Andresa Graciutti; Camargo, Samira Esteves Afonso; Agarwal, Arnav; Barretti, Pasqual; Paes, Antônio Carlos

2018-01-01

Risk of mortality in the setting of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cats and dogs remains unclear. To evaluate the incidence of mortality in cats and dogs with AKI based on etiology (i.e. infectious versus non-infectious; receiving dialysis versus conservative treatment). Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and LILACS were searched up to July 2016. Articles were deemed eligible if they were case series studies evaluating the incidence of all-cause mortality in cats and dogs with AKI, regardless of etiology or the nature of treatment. Eighteen case series involving 1,201animalsproved eligible. The pooled proportions for overall mortality were: cats53.1% [95% CI 0.475, 0.586; I2 = 11,9%, p = 0.3352]; dogs 45.0% [95% CI 0.33, 0.58; I2 = 91.5%, P < 0.0001]. A non-significant increase in overall mortality risk was found among dialysed animals relative to those managed with conservative treatment, independent of animal type and the etiology of their AKI. The pooled proportions for overall mortality according to etiology, regardless of treatment type, were: AKI due infectious etiology for cats and dogs, 19.2% [95% CI 0.134, 0.258; I2 = 37.7%, P = 0.0982]; AKI due non-infectious etiology for cats and dogs, 59.9% [95% CI 0.532, 0.663; I2 = 51.0%, P = 0.0211]. Our findings suggest higher rates of overall mortality in cats and dogs with AKI due to non-infectious etiologies relative to infectious etiologies, and showed non-significant differences in terms of higher rates associated with dialysis compared to conservative management. Further investigations regarding optimal time to initiate dialysis and the development of clinical models to prognosticate the course of disease and guide optimal treatment initiation for less severe cases of AKI in cats and dogs is warranted.

Various Techniques to Increase Keratinized Tissue for Implant Supported Overdentures: Retrospective Case Series

PubMed Central

Cayarga, Rodrigo; Suzuki, Takanori; Kaufman, Zev

2015-01-01

Purpose. The purpose of this retrospective case series is to describe and compare different surgical techniques that can be utilized to augment the keratinized soft tissue around implant-supported overdentures. Materials and Methods. The data set was extracted as deidentified information from the routine treatment of patients at the Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Eight edentulous patients were selected to be included in this study. Patients were treated for lack of keratinized tissue prior to implant placement, during the second stage surgery, and after delivery of the final prosthesis. Results. All 8 patients in this study were wearing a complete maxillary and/or mandibular denture for at least a year before the time of the surgery. One of the following surgical techniques was utilized to increase the amount of keratinized tissue: apically positioned flap (APF), pedicle graft (PG), connective tissue graft (CTG), or free gingival graft (FGG). Conclusions. The amount of keratinized tissue should be taken into consideration when planning for implant-supported overdentures. The apical repositioning flap is an effective approach to increase the width of keratinized tissue prior to the implant placement. PMID:26124833

Retention Strategies for Health Disparities Preventive Trials: Findings from the Early Childhood Caries Collaborating Centers

PubMed Central

Garcia, Raul I.; Tiwari, Tamanna; Ramos-Gomez, Francisco; Heaton, Brenda; Orozco, Mario; Rasmussen, Margaret; Braun, Patricia; Henshaw, Michelle; Borrelli, Belinda; Albino, Judith; Vargas, Clemencia; Diamond, Courtney; Gebel, Christina; Batliner, Terrence S.; Barker, Judith; Gregorich, Steven; Gansky, Stuart A.

2017-01-01

Objectives To identify successful strategies for retention of participants in multi-year, community-based randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aiming to reduce early childhood caries in health disparities populations from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds and across diverse geographic settings. Methods Four RCTs conducted by the Early Childhood Caries Collaborating Centers (EC4), an initiative of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, systematically collected information on the success of various strategies implemented to promote participant retention in each RCT. The observational findings from this case series of four RCTs were tabulated and the strategies rated by study staff. Results Participant retention at 12 months of follow-up ranged from 52.8% to 91.7%, and at 24 months ranged from 53.6% to 85.9, across the four RCT. For the three RCT that had a 36 month follow-up, retention ranged from 53.6% to 85.1%. Effectiveness of different participant retention strategies varied widely across the RCT. Conclusions Findings from this case series study may help to guide the design of future RCTs to maximize retention of study participants and yield needed data on effective interventions to reduce oral health disparities. PMID:27759164

Experiences of four parents with physical therapy and early mobility of their children in a pediatric critical care unit: A case series.

PubMed

Parisien, Rachel B; Gillanders, Kirstie; Hennessy, Erin K; Herterich, Lisa; Saunders, Kendra; Lati, Jamil; Dos Santos, Stephanie; Hassall, Alison; O'Brien, Kelly K

2016-05-31

The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation into parents' experiences of physical therapy and early mobility (EM) for their children in a pediatric critical care unit (PCCU). We conducted a series of four qualitative case studies using in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews. We recruited parents of children who had undergone surgery and received at least one EM physical therapy intervention while intubated. We conducted a thematic analysis of transcribed interviews to illuminate the factors that influenced EM experiences. Four parents participated in the study. We developed an overview of Parental Experiences with Physical Therapy and Early Mobility in a PCCU, which includes four themes that parents believed influenced their experiences: (1) environmental factors; (2) awareness of physical therapist and health care professional (HCP) roles; (3) communication among parents and HCPs; and (4) parental participation in their child's EM, within the overarching parental experiences in the PCCU. This study affords a preliminary understanding of parents' experiences with physical therapy and EM in a PCCU setting. Results provide an important foundation for future research on mobility in the context of pediatric critical care research and practice.

Computing algebraic transfer entropy and coupling directions via transcripts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amigó, José M.; Monetti, Roberto; Graff, Beata; Graff, Grzegorz

2016-11-01

Most random processes studied in nonlinear time series analysis take values on sets endowed with a group structure, e.g., the real and rational numbers, and the integers. This fact allows to associate with each pair of group elements a third element, called their transcript, which is defined as the product of the second element in the pair times the first one. The transfer entropy of two such processes is called algebraic transfer entropy. It measures the information transferred between two coupled processes whose values belong to a group. In this paper, we show that, subject to one constraint, the algebraic transfer entropy matches the (in general, conditional) mutual information of certain transcripts with one variable less. This property has interesting practical applications, especially to the analysis of short time series. We also derive weak conditions for the 3-dimensional algebraic transfer entropy to yield the same coupling direction as the corresponding mutual information of transcripts. A related issue concerns the use of mutual information of transcripts to determine coupling directions in cases where the conditions just mentioned are not fulfilled. We checked the latter possibility in the lowest dimensional case with numerical simulations and cardiovascular data, and obtained positive results.

Treatment of Chronic Cough.

PubMed

Soni, Resha S; Ebersole, Barbara; Jamal, Nausheen

2017-01-01

Objective Chronic cough remains a challenging condition, especially in cases where it persists despite comprehensive medical management. For these particular patients, there appears to be an emerging role for behavior modification therapy. We report a series of patients with refractory chronic cough to assess if there is any benefit of adding behavioral therapy to their treatment regimen. Study Design A case series with planned chart review of patients treated for chronic cough. Setting The review was performed with an outpatient electronic health record system at a tertiary care center. Subjects and Methods The charts of all patients treated for chronic cough by a single laryngologist over a 30-month period were analyzed. Patients' response to treatment and rate of cough improvement were assessed for those with refractory chronic cough who underwent behavior modification therapy. Results Thirty-eight patients with chronic cough were initially treated empirically for the most common causes of cough, of which 32% experienced improvement. Nineteen patients who did not significantly improve with medical management underwent behavior modification therapy with a speech-language pathologist. Of these patients, 84% experienced resolution or marked improvement of their symptoms. Conclusion Behavioral therapy may be underutilized in practice and could lead to improvement of otherwise recalcitrant cough.

The general theory of the Quasi-reproducible experiments: How to describe the measured data of complex systems?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nigmatullin, Raoul R.; Maione, Guido; Lino, Paolo; Saponaro, Fabrizio; Zhang, Wei

2017-01-01

In this paper, we suggest a general theory that enables to describe experiments associated with reproducible or quasi-reproducible data reflecting the dynamical and self-similar properties of a wide class of complex systems. Under complex system we understand a system when the model based on microscopic principles and suppositions about the nature of the matter is absent. This microscopic model is usually determined as ;the best fit" model. The behavior of the complex system relatively to a control variable (time, frequency, wavelength, etc.) can be described in terms of the so-called intermediate model (IM). One can prove that the fitting parameters of the IM are associated with the amplitude-frequency response of the segment of the Prony series. The segment of the Prony series including the set of the decomposition coefficients and the set of the exponential functions (with k = 1,2,…,K) is limited by the final mode K. The exponential functions of this decomposition depend on time and are found by the original algorithm described in the paper. This approach serves as a logical continuation of the results obtained earlier in paper [Nigmatullin RR, W. Zhang and Striccoli D. General theory of experiment containing reproducible data: The reduction to an ideal experiment. Commun Nonlinear Sci Numer Simul, 27, (2015), pp 175-192] for reproducible experiments and includes the previous results as a partial case. In this paper, we consider a more complex case when the available data can create short samplings or exhibit some instability during the process of measurements. We give some justified evidences and conditions proving the validity of this theory for the description of a wide class of complex systems in terms of the reduced set of the fitting parameters belonging to the segment of the Prony series. The elimination of uncontrollable factors expressed in the form of the apparatus function is discussed. To illustrate how to apply the theory and take advantage of its benefits, we consider the experimental data associated with typical working conditions of the injection system in a common rail diesel engine. In particular, the flow rate of the injected fuel is considered at different reference rail pressures. The measured data are treated by the proposed algorithm to verify the adherence to the proposed general theory. The obtained results demonstrate the undoubted effectiveness of the proposed theory.

Coupling Matched Molecular Pairs with Machine Learning for Virtual Compound Optimization.

PubMed

Turk, Samo; Merget, Benjamin; Rippmann, Friedrich; Fulle, Simone

2017-12-26

Matched molecular pair (MMP) analyses are widely used in compound optimization projects to gain insights into structure-activity relationships (SAR). The analysis is traditionally done via statistical methods but can also be employed together with machine learning (ML) approaches to extrapolate to novel compounds. The here introduced MMP/ML method combines a fragment-based MMP implementation with different machine learning methods to obtain automated SAR decomposition and prediction. To test the prediction capabilities and model transferability, two different compound optimization scenarios were designed: (1) "new fragments" which occurs when exploring new fragments for a defined compound series and (2) "new static core and transformations" which resembles for instance the identification of a new compound series. Very good results were achieved by all employed machine learning methods especially for the new fragments case, but overall deep neural network models performed best, allowing reliable predictions also for the new static core and transformations scenario, where comprehensive SAR knowledge of the compound series is missing. Furthermore, we show that models trained on all available data have a higher generalizability compared to models trained on focused series and can extend beyond chemical space covered in the training data. Thus, coupling MMP with deep neural networks provides a promising approach to make high quality predictions on various data sets and in different compound optimization scenarios.

Optimize the Coverage Probability of Prediction Interval for Anomaly Detection of Sensor-Based Monitoring Series

PubMed Central

Liu, Datong; Peng, Yu; Peng, Xiyuan

2018-01-01

Effective anomaly detection of sensing data is essential for identifying potential system failures. Because they require no prior knowledge or accumulated labels, and provide uncertainty presentation, the probability prediction methods (e.g., Gaussian process regression (GPR) and relevance vector machine (RVM)) are especially adaptable to perform anomaly detection for sensing series. Generally, one key parameter of prediction models is coverage probability (CP), which controls the judging threshold of the testing sample and is generally set to a default value (e.g., 90% or 95%). There are few criteria to determine the optimal CP for anomaly detection. Therefore, this paper designs a graphic indicator of the receiver operating characteristic curve of prediction interval (ROC-PI) based on the definition of the ROC curve which can depict the trade-off between the PI width and PI coverage probability across a series of cut-off points. Furthermore, the Youden index is modified to assess the performance of different CPs, by the minimization of which the optimal CP is derived by the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. Experiments conducted on two simulation datasets demonstrate the validity of the proposed method. Especially, an actual case study on sensing series from an on-orbit satellite illustrates its significant performance in practical application. PMID:29587372

The convergence of double Fourier-Haar series over homothetic copies of sets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oniani, G. G., E-mail: oniani@atsu.edu.ge

The paper is concerned with the convergence of double Fourier- Haar series with partial sums taken over homothetic copies of a given bounded set W⊂R{sub +}{sup 2} containing the intersection of some neighbourhood of the origin with R{sub +}{sup 2}. It is proved that for a set W from a fairly broad class (in particular, for convex W) there are two alternatives: either the Fourier-Haar series of an arbitrary function f∈L([0,1]{sup 2}) converges almost everywhere or Lln{sup +} L([0,1]{sup 2}) is the best integral class in which the double Fourier-Haar series converges almost everywhere. Furthermore, a characteristic property is obtained, whichmore » distinguishes which of the two alternatives is realized for a given W. Bibliography: 12 titles. (paper)« less

Prediction of User Context Using Smartphone Activity Data

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-22

sophisticated design supports any time - series data of numeric, binary, and nominal variables. Thus, given a set of attributes, we attempt to maximize the...such as the temporal shapes of the time series of the sensor data. In order to verify the advantage of our methodology, we collected a data set of...then, for each timeslot, derives relevant features such as the temporal shapes of the time series of the sensor data. In order to verify the advantage

Successful use of right unilateral ECT for catatonia: a case series.

PubMed

Cristancho, Pilar; Jewkes, Delaina; Mon, Thetsu; Conway, Charles

2014-03-01

Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome involving motor signs in association with disorders of mood, behavior, or thought. Bitemporal electrode placement electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a proven effective treatment for catatonia, and this mode of ECT delivery is the preferred method of treatment in this condition. Studies in major depressive disorder have demonstrated that suprathreshold, nondominant (right) hemisphere, unilateral electrode placement ECT has fewer adverse effects, especially cognitive adverse effects, than bitemporal ECT. This case series describes the use of right unilateral (RUL) ECT in 5 patients with catatonia. Before ECT, all 5 patients in this series initially failed therapy with benzodiazepines and psychotropic medications. Each catatonic patient received a series of 8 to 12 RUL ECT in an every-other-day series. After ECT, 4 of the 5 patients had a full recovery from catatonia. One patient achieved only partial response to RUL ECT, and no additional benefit was obtained with bitemporal ECT. All patients in this case series tolerated RUL ECT without major adverse effects. This case series illustrates successful use of RUL ECT in patients with catatonia and adds to the early literature demonstrating its effective use in treating this complex condition.

Retrospective Analysis of the Accuracy of Ultrasound-Guided Magnetic Resonance Arthrogram Injections of the Hip in the Office Setting.

PubMed

Jernick, Michael; Walker Gallego, Edward; Nuzzo, Michael

2017-12-01

Ultrasound (US)-guided intra-articular hip injections have been proposed in the literature to be accurate, reliable, and safe alternatives to fluoroscopy-guided injections. To evaluate the accuracy of US-guided magnetic resonance (MR) arthrogram injections of the hip performed in the office setting by a single orthopaedic surgeon and elucidate the potential effects that patient age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) have on contrast placement. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. From a review of the senior author's office database, 89 patients (101 hips) who had US-guided MR arthrogram injections performed between December 2014 and June 2016 were identified. Official radiology reports were evaluated to determine whether extra-articular contrast was noted. Patient variables, including BMI, age, and sex, were evaluated between patients who had inappropriately placed contrast and those who did not. Of the 101 hip injections, there were 6 cases that demonstrated inadequate contrast placement within the joint, likely secondary to extravasation or incorrect placement; however, an MR arthrogram was adequately interpreted in all cases. There were no significant differences noted between those with appropriate versus inappropriate contrast placement when evaluating BMI ( P = .57), age ( P = .33), or sex ( P = .67), and neither group had an adverse event. US-guided injections are safe and accurate alternatives to fluoroscopy-guided injections in the office setting, with 94% accuracy. Furthermore, BMI, age, and sex did not play a statistically significant role among patients with inappropriately placed contrast.

Projective loop quantum gravity. II. Searching for semi-classical states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lanéry, Suzanne; Thiemann, Thomas

2017-05-01

In the first paper of this series, an extension of the Ashtekar-Lewandowski state space of loop quantum gravity was set up with the help of a projective formalism introduced by Kijowski. The motivation for this work was to achieve a more balanced treatment of the position and momentum variables (also known as holonomies and fluxes). While this is the first step toward the construction of states semi-classical with respect to a full set of observables, one uncovers a deeper issue, which we analyse in the present article in the case of real-valued holonomies. Specifically, we show that, in this case, there does not exist any state on the holonomy-flux algebra in which the variances of the holonomy and flux observables would all be finite, let alone small. It is important to note that this obstruction cannot be bypassed by further enlarging the quantum state space, for it arises from the structure of the algebra itself. A way out would be to suitably restrict the algebra of observables: we take the first step in this direction in a companion paper.

Return to work: a case of PTSD, dissociative identity disorder, and satanic ritual abuse.

PubMed

Precin, Patricia

2011-01-01

This case study investigated an intervention that enabled an individual with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and satanic ritual abuse to return to work after discharge from psychiatric inpatient treatment. The Occupational Questionnaire [88] revealed past difficulties in organization, awareness of time, communication, cooperation, frustration tolerance, competition, stress management, goal setting, and amnesia resulting in incomplete tasks and sporadic attendance at work. The Role Checklist [72] identified alters valuing work and employed in the past. The Modified Interest Checklist [70] identified running as an interest that 24 alters shared. Based on the initial evaluations, three times a week treadmill running was used as an intervention that built work skills (as measured by the Clerical Work Sample of the Valpar Component Work Sample Series [97]) necessary to sustain gainful employment upon discharge. After intervention, this individual improved in awareness of time, stress management, and goal setting abilities and was less amnestic as per the Occupational Questionnaire [88] and four additional alters expressed an interest in work according to the Modified Interest Checklist [70].

What We Know About Tuberculosis Transmission: An Overview.

PubMed

Churchyard, Gavin; Kim, Peter; Shah, N Sarita; Rustomjee, Roxana; Gandhi, Neel; Mathema, Barun; Dowdy, David; Kasmar, Anne; Cardenas, Vicky

2017-11-03

Tuberculosis remains a global health problem with an enormous burden of disease, estimated at 10.4 million new cases in 2015. To stop the tuberculosis epidemic, it is critical that we interrupt tuberculosis transmission. Further, the interventions required to interrupt tuberculosis transmission must be targeted to high-risk groups and settings. A simple cascade for tuberculosis transmission has been proposed in which (1) a source case of tuberculosis (2) generates infectious particles (3) that survive in the air and (4) are inhaled by a susceptible individual (5) who may become infected and (6) then has the potential to develop tuberculosis. Interventions that target these events will interrupt tuberculosis transmission and accelerate the decline in tuberculosis incidence and mortality. The purpose of this article is to provide a high-level overview of what is known about tuberculosis transmission, using the tuberculosis transmission cascade as a framework, and to set the scene for the articles in this series, which address specific aspects of tuberculosis transmission. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Characterization of demographic expansions from pairwise comparisons of linked microsatellite haplotypes.

PubMed

Navascués, Miguel; Hardy, Olivier J; Burgarella, Concetta

2009-03-01

This work extends the methods of demographic inference based on the distribution of pairwise genetic differences between individuals (mismatch distribution) to the case of linked microsatellite data. Population genetics theory describes the distribution of mutations among a sample of genes under different demographic scenarios. However, the actual number of mutations can rarely be deduced from DNA polymorphisms. The inclusion of mutation models in theoretical predictions can improve the performance of statistical methods. We have developed a maximum-pseudolikelihood estimator for the parameters that characterize a demographic expansion for a series of linked loci evolving under a stepwise mutation model. Those loci would correspond to DNA polymorphisms of linked microsatellites (such as those found on the Y chromosome or the chloroplast genome). The proposed method was evaluated with simulated data sets and with a data set of chloroplast microsatellites that showed signal for demographic expansion in a previous study. The results show that inclusion of a mutational model in the analysis improves the estimates of the age of expansion in the case of older expansions.

Cassini UVIS Auroral Observations in 2016 and 2017

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pryor, Wayne R.; Esposito, Larry W.; Jouchoux, Alain; Radioti, Aikaterini; Grodent, Denis; Gustin, Jacques; Gerard, Jean-Claude; Lamy, Laurent; Badman, Sarah; Dyudina, Ulyana A.; Cassini UVIS Team, Cassini VIMS Team, Cassini ISS Team, HST Saturn Auroral Team

2017-10-01

In 2016 and 2017, the Cassini Saturn orbiter executed a final series of high-inclination, low-periapsis orbits ideal for studies of Saturn's polar regions. The Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) obtained an extensive set of auroral images, some at the highest spatial resolution obtained during Cassini's long orbital mission (2004-2017). In some cases, two or three spacecraft slews at right angles to the long slit of the spectrograph were required to cover the entire auroral region to form auroral images. We will present selected images from this set showing narrow arcs of emission, more diffuse auroral emissions, multiple auroral arcs in a single image, discrete spots of emission, small scale vortices, large-scale spiral forms, and parallel linear features that appear to cross in places like twisted wires. Some shorter features are transverse to the main auroral arcs, like barbs on a wire. UVIS observations were in some cases simultaneous with auroral observations from the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS), and the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) that will also be presented.

Predictive models of alcohol use based on attitudes and individual values.

PubMed

García del Castillo Rodríguez, José A; López-Sánchez, Carmen; Quiles Soler, M Carmen; García del Castillo-López, Alvaro; Gázquez Pertusa, Mónica; Marzo Campos, Juan Carlos; Inglés, Candido J

2013-01-01

Two predictive models are developed in this article: the first is designed to predict people's attitudes to alcoholic drinks, while the second sets out to predict the use of alcohol in relation to selected individual values. University students (N = 1,500) were recruited through stratified sampling based on sex and academic discipline. The questionnaire used obtained information on participants' alcohol use, attitudes and personal values. The results show that the attitudes model correctly classifies 76.3% of cases. Likewise, the model for level of alcohol use correctly classifies 82% of cases. According to our results, we can conclude that there are a series of individual values that influence drinking and attitudes to alcohol use, which therefore provides us with a potentially powerful instrument for developing preventive intervention programs.

Blast overpressure after tire explosion: a fatal case.

PubMed

Pomara, Cristoforo; D'Errico, Stefano; Riezzo, Irene; Perilli, Gabriela; Volpe, Umberto; Fineschi, Vittorio

2013-12-01

Fatal blast injuries are generally reported in literature as a consequence of the detonation of explosives in war settings. The pattern of lesion depends on the position of the victim in relation to the explosion, on whether the blast tracks through air or water, and whether it happens in the open air or within an enclosed space and the distance from the explosion. Tire explosion-related injuries are rarely reported in literature. This study presents a fatal case of blast overpressure due to the accidental explosion of a truck tire occurring in a tire repair shop. A multidisciplinary approach to the fatality involving forensic pathologists and engineers revealed that the accidental explosion, which caused a series of primary and tertiary blast wave injuries, was due to tire deterioration.

Appenzeller receives 2005 Walter Sullivan Award for Excellence in Science Journalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addison, Lynn; Appenzeller, Tim

When National Geographic began plans to address the issue of global climate change, we asked Tim Appenzeller to write the keystone piece for a series of articles that would document the most recent scientific consensus. His description of the carbon cycle in “The Case of the Missing Carbon” would be a fundamental part of the entire package. To explain that complex, finely calibrated global mechanism to six million readers was the task we set before him.A daunting task perhaps, but not for Tim Appenzeller, a science journalist with great talent for precise thinking and elegant writing. “The Case of the Missing Carbon” lays it all out, tracing the circulation of carbon between air, land, and water that sustains life on Earth and controls its climate.

A Time Series of Mean Global Sea Surface Temperature from the Along-Track Scanning Radiometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veal, Karen L.; Corlett, Gary; Remedios, John; Llewellyn-Jones, David

2010-12-01

A climate data set requires a long time series of consistently processed data with suitably long periods of overlap of different instruments which allows characterization of any inter-instrument biases. The data obtained from ESA's three Along-Track Scanning Radiometers (ATSRs) together comprise an 18 year record of SST with overlap periods of at least 6 months. The data from all three ATSRs has been consistently processed. These factors together with the stability of the instruments and the precision of the derived SST makes this data set eminently suitable for the construction of a time series of SST that complies with many of the GCOS requirements for a climate data set. A time series of global and regional average SST anomalies has been constructed from the ATSR version 2 data set. An analysis of the overlap periods of successive instruments was used to remove intra-series biases and align the series to a common reference. An ATSR climatology has been developed and has been used to calculate the SST anomalies. The ATSR-1 time series and the AATSR time series have been aligned to ATSR-2. The largest adjustment is ~0.2 K between ATSR-2 and AATSR which is suspected to be due to a shift of the 12 μm filter function for AATSR. An uncertainty of 0.06 K is assigned to the relative anomaly record that is derived from the dual three-channel night-time data. A relative uncertainty of 0.07 K is assigned to the dual night-time two-channel record, except in the ATSR-1 period (1994-1996) where it is larger.

ON THE GEOMETRY OF MEASURABLE SETS IN N-DIMENSIONAL SPACE ON WHICH GENERALIZED LOCALIZATION HOLDS FOR MULTIPLE FOURIER SERIES OF FUNCTIONS IN L_p, p>1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bloshanskiĭ, I. L.

1984-02-01

The precise geometry is found of measurable sets in N-dimensional Euclidean space on which generalized localization almost everywhere holds for multiple Fourier series which are rectangularly summable.Bibliography: 14 titles.

Feasibility of Energy Medicine in a Community Teaching Hospital: An Exploratory Case Series

PubMed Central

Dufresne, Francois; Simmons, Bonnie; Vlachostergios, Panagiotis J.; Fleischner, Zachary; Joudeh, Ramsey; Blakeway, Jill

2015-01-01

Abstract Background: Energy medicine (EM) derives from the theory that a subtle biologic energy can be influenced for therapeutic effect. EM practitioners may be trained within a specific tradition or work solo. Few studies have investigated the feasibility of solo-practitioner EM in hospitals. Objective: This study investigated the feasibility of EM as provided by a solo practitioner in inpatient and emergent settings. Design: Feasibility study, including a prospective case series. Settings: Inpatient units and emergency department. Outcome measures: To investigate the feasibility of EM, acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality were assessed. Short-term clinical changes were documented by treating physicians. Participants: Patients, employees, and family members were enrolled in the study only if study physicians expected no or slow improvement in specific symptoms. Those with secondary gains or who could not communicate perception of symptom change were excluded. Results: EM was found to have acceptability and demand, and implementation was smooth because study procedures dovetailed with conventional clinical practice. Practicality was acceptable within the study but was low upon further application of EM because of cost of program administration. Twenty-four of 32 patients requested relief from pain. Of 50 reports of pain, 5 (10%) showed no improvement; 4 (8%), slight improvement; 3 (6%), moderate improvement; and 38 (76%), marked improvement. Twenty-one patients had issues other than pain. Of 29 non–pain-related problems, 3 (10%) showed no, 2 (7%) showed slight, 1 (4%) showed moderate, and 23 (79%) showed marked improvement. Changes during EM sessions were usually immediate. Conclusions: This study successfully implemented EM provided by a solo practitioner in inpatient and emergent hospital settings and found that acceptability and demand justified its presence. Most patients experienced marked, immediate improvement of symptoms associated with their chief complaint. Substantial practicality issues must be addressed to implement EM clinically in a hospital, however. PMID:26035025

An Interoperability Platform Enabling Reuse of Electronic Health Records for Signal Verification Studies

PubMed Central

Yuksel, Mustafa; Gonul, Suat; Laleci Erturkmen, Gokce Banu; Sinaci, Ali Anil; Invernizzi, Paolo; Facchinetti, Sara; Migliavacca, Andrea; Bergvall, Tomas; Depraetere, Kristof; De Roo, Jos

2016-01-01

Depending mostly on voluntarily sent spontaneous reports, pharmacovigilance studies are hampered by low quantity and quality of patient data. Our objective is to improve postmarket safety studies by enabling safety analysts to seamlessly access a wide range of EHR sources for collecting deidentified medical data sets of selected patient populations and tracing the reported incidents back to original EHRs. We have developed an ontological framework where EHR sources and target clinical research systems can continue using their own local data models, interfaces, and terminology systems, while structural interoperability and Semantic Interoperability are handled through rule-based reasoning on formal representations of different models and terminology systems maintained in the SALUS Semantic Resource Set. SALUS Common Information Model at the core of this set acts as the common mediator. We demonstrate the capabilities of our framework through one of the SALUS safety analysis tools, namely, the Case Series Characterization Tool, which have been deployed on top of regional EHR Data Warehouse of the Lombardy Region containing about 1 billion records from 16 million patients and validated by several pharmacovigilance researchers with real-life cases. The results confirm significant improvements in signal detection and evaluation compared to traditional methods with the missing background information. PMID:27123451

Autoregressive modeling for the spectral analysis of oceanographic data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gangopadhyay, Avijit; Cornillon, Peter; Jackson, Leland B.

1989-01-01

Over the last decade there has been a dramatic increase in the number and volume of data sets useful for oceanographic studies. Many of these data sets consist of long temporal or spatial series derived from satellites and large-scale oceanographic experiments. These data sets are, however, often 'gappy' in space, irregular in time, and always of finite length. The conventional Fourier transform (FT) approach to the spectral analysis is thus often inapplicable, or where applicable, it provides questionable results. Here, through comparative analysis with the FT for different oceanographic data sets, the possibilities offered by autoregressive (AR) modeling to perform spectral analysis of gappy, finite-length series, are discussed. The applications demonstrate that as the length of the time series becomes shorter, the resolving power of the AR approach as compared with that of the FT improves. For the longest data sets examined here, 98 points, the AR method performed only slightly better than the FT, but for the very short ones, 17 points, the AR method showed a dramatic improvement over the FT. The application of the AR method to a gappy time series, although a secondary concern of this manuscript, further underlines the value of this approach.

What's in a Name? The Incorrect Use of Case Series as a Study Design Label in Studies Involving Dogs and Cats.

PubMed

Sargeant, J M; O'Connor, A M; Cullen, J N; Makielski, K M; Jones-Bitton, A

2017-07-01

Study design labels are used to identify relevant literature to address specific clinical and research questions and to aid in evaluating the evidentiary value of research. Evidence from the human healthcare literature indicates that the label "case series" may be used inconsistently and inappropriately. Our primary objective was to determine the proportion of studies in the canine and feline veterinary literature labeled as case series that actually corresponded to descriptive cohort studies, population-based cohort studies, or other study designs. Our secondary objective was to identify the proportion of case series in which potentially inappropriate inferential statements were made. Descriptive evaluation of published literature. One-hundred published studies (from 19 journals) labeled as case series. Studies were identified by a structured literature search, with random selection of 100 studies from the relevant citations. Two reviewers independently characterized each study, with disagreements resolved by consensus. Of the 100 studies, 16 were case series. The remaining studies were descriptive cohort studies (35), population-based cohort studies (36), or other observational or experimental study designs (13). Almost half (48.8%) of the case series or descriptive cohort studies, with no control group and no formal statistical analysis, included inferential statements about the efficacy of treatment or statistical significance of potential risk factors. Authors, peer-reviewers, and editors should carefully consider the design elements of a study to accurately identify and label the study design. Doing so will facilitate an understanding of the evidentiary value of the results. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

GASAKe: forecasting landslide activations by a genetic-algorithms-based hydrological model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Terranova, O. G.; Gariano, S. L.; Iaquinta, P.; Iovine, G. G. R.

2015-07-01

GASAKe is a new hydrological model aimed at forecasting the triggering of landslides. The model is based on genetic algorithms and allows one to obtain thresholds for the prediction of slope failures using dates of landslide activations and rainfall series. It can be applied to either single landslides or a set of similar slope movements in a homogeneous environment. Calibration of the model provides families of optimal, discretized solutions (kernels) that maximize the fitness function. Starting from the kernels, the corresponding mobility functions (i.e., the predictive tools) can be obtained through convolution with the rain series. The base time of the kernel is related to the magnitude of the considered slope movement, as well as to the hydro-geological complexity of the site. Generally, shorter base times are expected for shallow slope instabilities compared to larger-scale phenomena. Once validated, the model can be applied to estimate the timing of future landslide activations in the same study area, by employing measured or forecasted rainfall series. Examples of application of GASAKe to a medium-size slope movement (the Uncino landslide at San Fili, in Calabria, southern Italy) and to a set of shallow landslides (in the Sorrento Peninsula, Campania, southern Italy) are discussed. In both cases, a successful calibration of the model has been achieved, despite unavoidable uncertainties concerning the dates of occurrence of the slope movements. In particular, for the Sorrento Peninsula case, a fitness of 0.81 has been obtained by calibrating the model against 10 dates of landslide activation; in the Uncino case, a fitness of 1 (i.e., neither missing nor false alarms) has been achieved using five activations. As for temporal validation, the experiments performed by considering further dates of activation have also proved satisfactory. In view of early-warning applications for civil protection, the capability of the model to simulate the occurrences of the Uncino landslide has been tested by means of a progressive, self-adaptive procedure. Finally, a sensitivity analysis has been performed by taking into account the main parameters of the model. The obtained results are quite promising, given the high performance of the model against different types of slope instabilities characterized by several historical activations. Nevertheless, further refinements are still needed for application to landslide risk mitigation within early-warning and decision-support systems.

Laryngospasm during emergency department ketamine sedation: a case-control study.

PubMed

Green, Steven M; Roback, Mark G; Krauss, Baruch

2010-11-01

The objective of this study was to assess predictors of emergency department (ED) ketamine-associated laryngospasm using case-control techniques. We performed a matched case-control analysis of a sample of 8282 ED ketamine sedations (including 22 occurrences of laryngospasm) assembled from 32 prior published series. We sequentially studied the association of each of 7 clinical variables with laryngospasm by assigning 4 controls to each case while matching for the remaining 6 variables. We then used univariate statistics and conditional logistic regression to analyze the matched sets. We found no statistical association of age, dose, oropharyngeal procedure, underlying physical illness, route, or coadministered anticholinergics with laryngospasm. Coadministered benzodiazepines showed a borderline association in the multivariate but not univariate analysis that was considered anomalous. This case-control analysis of the largest available sample of ED ketamine-associated laryngospasm did not demonstrate evidence of association with age, dose, or other clinical factors. Such laryngospasm seems to be idiosyncratic, and accordingly, clinicians administering ketamine must be prepared for its rapid identification and management. Given no evidence that they decrease the risk of laryngospasm, coadministered anticholinergics seem unnecessary.

76 FR 71341 - BASINS and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools: Case Study Guide to Potential Applications

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-17

... report presents a series of short case studies designed to illustrate the capabilities of these tools for... change impacts on water. This report presents a series of short case studies using the BASINS and WEPP climate assessment tools. The case studies are designed to illustrate the capabilities of these tools for...

[Local fractal analysis of noise-like time series by all permutations method for 1-115 min periods].

PubMed

Panchelyuga, V A; Panchelyuga, M S

2015-01-01

Results of local fractal analysis of 329-per-day time series of 239Pu alpha-decay rate fluctuations by means of all permutations method (APM) are presented. The APM-analysis reveals in the time series some steady frequency set. The coincidence of the frequency set with the Earth natural oscillations was demonstrated. A short review of works by different authors who analyzed the time series of fluctuations in processes of different nature is given. We have shown that the periods observed in those works correspond to the periods revealed in our study. It points to a common mechanism of the phenomenon observed.

Influence of Overland Transfer Hose Size/Number and Pump Set Choices on MARCORPS Amphibious Assault Fuel System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-01

9~> d4"X 25’ I A/ř ,t OIS~fNSrNG ~AX50 4 X5’ $4" 505’ 17 "x5 Ro NO’ MOIR r MIS 2"x 50’ 4" X 59 0 il r lM SIA ( C ~ MANd~01[’ 6" exd 1൒ AV R PMP...assemblies were excluded from this study. The models for each Case are illustra- ted in figures 2 through 5. The relaibility model represents the series path

Convergence and divergence in spherical harmonic series of the gravitational field generated by high-resolution planetary topography—A case study for the Moon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirt, Christian; Kuhn, Michael

2017-08-01

Theoretically, spherical harmonic (SH) series expansions of the external gravitational potential are guaranteed to converge outside the Brillouin sphere enclosing all field-generating masses. Inside that sphere, the series may be convergent or may be divergent. The series convergence behavior is a highly unstable quantity that is little studied for high-resolution mass distributions. Here we shed light on the behavior of SH series expansions of the gravitational potential of the Moon. We present a set of systematic numerical experiments where the gravity field generated by the topographic masses is forward-modeled in spherical harmonics and with numerical integration techniques at various heights and different levels of resolution, increasing from harmonic degree 90 to 2160 ( 61 to 2.5 km scales). The numerical integration is free from any divergence issues and therefore suitable to reliably assess convergence versus divergence of the SH series. Our experiments provide unprecedented detailed insights into the divergence issue. We show that the SH gravity field of degree-180 topography is convergent anywhere in free space. When the resolution of the topographic mass model is increased to degree 360, divergence starts to affect very high degree gravity signals over regions deep inside the Brillouin sphere. For degree 2160 topography/gravity models, severe divergence (with several 1000 mGal amplitudes) prohibits accurate gravity modeling over most of the topography. As a key result, we formulate a new hypothesis to predict divergence: if the potential degree variances show a minimum, then the SH series expansions diverge somewhere inside the Brillouin sphere and modeling of the internal potential becomes relevant.

MINIMAL ENDOILLUMINATION LEVELS AND DISPLAY LUMINOUS EMITTANCE DURING THREE-DIMENSIONAL HEADS-UP VITREORETINAL SURGERY.

PubMed

Adam, Murtaza K; Thornton, Sarah; Regillo, Carl D; Park, Carl; Ho, Allen C; Hsu, Jason

2017-09-01

To determine minimal endoillumination levels required to perform 3-dimensional heads-up vitreoretinal surgery and to correlate endoillumination levels used for measurements of heads-up display (HUD) luminous emittance. Prospective, observational surgical case series of 10 patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. Endoillumination levels were set to 40% of maximum output and were decreased at set intervals until the illumination level was 0%. Corresponding luminous emittance (lux) of the HUD was measured 40 cm from the display using a luxmeter (Dr. Meter, Model #LX1010BS). In 9 of 10 cases, the surgeon felt that they could operate comfortably at an endoillumination level of 10% of maximum output with corresponding HUD emittance of 14.3 ± 9.5 lux. In the remaining case, the surgeon felt comfortable at a 3% endoillumination level with corresponding HUD emittance of 15 lux. Below this threshold, subjective image dimness and digital noise limited visibility. Endoillumination levels were correlated with luminous emittance from the 3-dimensional HUD (P < 0.01). The average coefficient of variation of HUD luminance was 0.546. There were no intraoperative complications. With real-time digital processing and automated brightness control, 3-dimensional HUD platforms may allow for reduced intraoperative endoillumination levels and a theoretically reduced risk of retinal phototoxicity during vitreoretinal surgery.

On scalar and vector fields coupled to the energy-momentum tensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez, Jose Beltrán; Cembranos, Jose A. R.; Sánchez Velázquez, Jose M.

2018-05-01

We consider theories for scalar and vector fields coupled to the energy-momentum tensor. Since these fields also carry a non-trivial energy-momentum tensor, the coupling prescription generates self-interactions. In analogy with gravity theories, we build the action by means of an iterative process that leads to an infinite series, which can be resumed as the solution of a set of differential equations. We show that, in some particular cases, the equations become algebraic and that is also possible to find solutions in the form of polynomials. We briefly review the case of the scalar field that has already been studied in the literature and extend the analysis to the case of derivative (disformal) couplings. We then explore theories with vector fields, distinguishing between gauge-and non-gauge-invariant couplings. Interactions with matter are also considered, taking a scalar field as a proxy for the matter sector. We also discuss the ambiguity introduced by superpotential (boundary) terms in the definition of the energy-momentum tensor and use them to show that it is also possible to generate Galileon-like interactions with this procedure. We finally use collider and astrophysical observations to set constraints on the dimensionful coupling which characterises the phenomenology of these models.

Development and Testing of Data Mining Algorithms for Earth Observation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glymour, Clark

2005-01-01

The new algorithms developed under this project included a principled procedure for classification of objects, events or circumstances according to a target variable when a very large number of potential predictor variables is available but the number of cases that can be used for training a classifier is relatively small. These "high dimensional" problems require finding a minimal set of variables -called the Markov Blanket-- sufficient for predicting the value of the target variable. An algorithm, the Markov Blanket Fan Search, was developed, implemented and tested on both simulated and real data in conjunction with a graphical model classifier, which was also implemented. Another algorithm developed and implemented in TETRAD IV for time series elaborated on work by C. Granger and N. Swanson, which in turn exploited some of our earlier work. The algorithms in question learn a linear time series model from data. Given such a time series, the simultaneous residual covariances, after factoring out time dependencies, may provide information about causal processes that occur more rapidly than the time series representation allow, so called simultaneous or contemporaneous causal processes. Working with A. Monetta, a graduate student from Italy, we produced the correct statistics for estimating the contemporaneous causal structure from time series data using the TETRAD IV suite of algorithms. Two economists, David Bessler and Kevin Hoover, have independently published applications using TETRAD style algorithms to the same purpose. These implementations and algorithmic developments were separately used in two kinds of studies of climate data: Short time series of geographically proximate climate variables predicting agricultural effects in California, and longer duration climate measurements of temperature teleconnections.

Identifying Potential Regions of Copy Number Variation for Bipolar Disorder

PubMed Central

Chen, Yi-Hsuan; Lu, Ru-Band; Hung, Hung; Kuo, Po-Hsiu

2014-01-01

Bipolar disorder is a complex psychiatric disorder with high heritability, but its genetic determinants are still largely unknown. Copy number variation (CNV) is one of the sources to explain part of the heritability. However, it is a challenge to estimate discrete values of the copy numbers using continuous signals calling from a set of markers, and to simultaneously perform association testing between CNVs and phenotypic outcomes. The goal of the present study is to perform a series of data filtering and analysis procedures using a DNA pooling strategy to identify potential CNV regions that are related to bipolar disorder. A total of 200 normal controls and 200 clinically diagnosed bipolar patients were recruited in this study, and were randomly divided into eight control and eight case pools. Genome-wide genotyping was employed using Illumina Human Omni1-Quad array with approximately one million markers for CNV calling. We aimed at setting a series of criteria to filter out the signal noise of marker data and to reduce the chance of false-positive findings for CNV regions. We first defined CNV regions for each pool. Potential CNV regions were reported based on the different patterns of CNV status between cases and controls. Genes that were mapped into the potential CNV regions were examined with association testing, Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, and checked with existing literature for their associations with bipolar disorder. We reported several CNV regions that are related to bipolar disorder. Two CNV regions on chromosome 11 and 22 showed significant signal differences between cases and controls (p < 0.05). Another five CNV regions on chromosome 6, 9, and 19 were overlapped with results in previous CNV studies. Experimental validation of two CNV regions lent some support to our reported findings. Further experimental and replication studies could be designed for these selected regions. PMID:27605030

Data catalog series for space science and applications flight missions. Volume 5A: Descriptions of astronomy, astrophysics, and solar physics spacecraft and investigations. Volume 5B: Descriptions of data sets from astronomy, astrophysics, and solar physics spacecraft and investigations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, Sang J. (Editor)

1988-01-01

The main purpose of the data catalog series is to provide descriptive references to data generated by space science flight missions. The data sets described include all of the actual holdings of the Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), all data sets for which direct contact information is available, and some data collections held and serviced by foreign investigators, NASA and other U.S. government agencies. This volume contains narrative descriptions of data sets of astronomy, astrophysics, solar physics spacecraft and investigations. The following spacecraft series are included: Mariner, Pioneer, Pioneer Venus, Venera, Viking, Voyager, and Helios. Separate indexes to the planetary and interplanetary missions are also provided.

New Features for Neuron Classification.

PubMed

Hernández-Pérez, Leonardo A; Delgado-Castillo, Duniel; Martín-Pérez, Rainer; Orozco-Morales, Rubén; Lorenzo-Ginori, Juan V

2018-04-28

This paper addresses the problem of obtaining new neuron features capable of improving results of neuron classification. Most studies on neuron classification using morphological features have been based on Euclidean geometry. Here three one-dimensional (1D) time series are derived from the three-dimensional (3D) structure of neuron instead, and afterwards a spatial time series is finally constructed from which the features are calculated. Digitally reconstructed neurons were separated into control and pathological sets, which are related to three categories of alterations caused by epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease (long and local projections), and ischemia. These neuron sets were then subjected to supervised classification and the results were compared considering three sets of features: morphological, features obtained from the time series and a combination of both. The best results were obtained using features from the time series, which outperformed the classification using only morphological features, showing higher correct classification rates with differences of 5.15, 3.75, 5.33% for epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (long and local projections) respectively. The morphological features were better for the ischemia set with a difference of 3.05%. Features like variance, Spearman auto-correlation, partial auto-correlation, mutual information, local minima and maxima, all related to the time series, exhibited the best performance. Also we compared different evaluators, among which ReliefF was the best ranked.

The Serious Series: Presenting Performing Arts in Succession.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miner, Stephen

1989-01-01

Four or five events together constitute a lively arts 'series'. Ways to make a college series a success are discussed, covering: goal setting, the talent, and promotion. The usual series range from four to six performances and allows a season ticket holder to experience varied selections of performing arts attraction. (MLW)

Model-based prediction of nephropathia epidemica outbreaks based on climatological and vegetation data and bank vole population dynamics.

PubMed

Haredasht, S Amirpour; Taylor, C J; Maes, P; Verstraeten, W W; Clement, J; Barrios, M; Lagrou, K; Van Ranst, M; Coppin, P; Berckmans, D; Aerts, J-M

2013-11-01

Wildlife-originated zoonotic diseases in general are a major contributor to emerging infectious diseases. Hantaviruses more specifically cause thousands of human disease cases annually worldwide, while understanding and predicting human hantavirus epidemics pose numerous unsolved challenges. Nephropathia epidemica (NE) is a human infection caused by Puumala virus, which is naturally carried and shed by bank voles (Myodes glareolus). The objective of this study was to develop a method that allows model-based predicting 3 months ahead of the occurrence of NE epidemics. Two data sets were utilized to develop and test the models. These data sets were concerned with NE cases in Finland and Belgium. In this study, we selected the most relevant inputs from all the available data for use in a dynamic linear regression (DLR) model. The number of NE cases in Finland were modelled using data from 1996 to 2008. The NE cases were predicted based on the time series data of average monthly air temperature (°C) and bank voles' trapping index using a DLR model. The bank voles' trapping index data were interpolated using a related dynamic harmonic regression model (DHR). Here, the DLR and DHR models used time-varying parameters. Both the DHR and DLR models were based on a unified state-space estimation framework. For the Belgium case, no time series of the bank voles' population dynamics were available. Several studies, however, have suggested that the population of bank voles is related to the variation in seed production of beech and oak trees in Northern Europe. Therefore, the NE occurrence pattern in Belgium was predicted based on a DLR model by using remotely sensed phenology parameters of broad-leaved forests, together with the oak and beech seed categories and average monthly air temperature (°C) using data from 2001 to 2009. Our results suggest that even without any knowledge about hantavirus dynamics in the host population, the time variation in NE outbreaks in Finland could be predicted 3 months ahead with a 34% mean relative prediction error (MRPE). This took into account solely the population dynamics of the carrier species (bank voles). The time series analysis also revealed that climate change, as represented by the vegetation index, changes in forest phenology derived from satellite images and directly measured air temperature, may affect the mechanics of NE transmission. NE outbreaks in Belgium were predicted 3 months ahead with a 40% MRPE, based only on the climatological and vegetation data, in this case, without any knowledge of the bank vole's population dynamics. In this research, we demonstrated that NE outbreaks can be predicted using climate and vegetation data or the bank vole's population dynamics, by using dynamic data-based models with time-varying parameters. Such a predictive modelling approach might be used as a step towards the development of new tools for the prevention of future NE outbreaks. © 2012 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Complete set of essential parameters of an effective theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ioffe, M. V.; Vereshagin, V. V.

2018-04-01

The present paper continues the series [V. V. Vereshagin, True self-energy function and reducibility in effective scalar theories, Phys. Rev. D 89, 125022 (2014); , 10.1103/PhysRevD.89.125022A. Vereshagin and V. Vereshagin, Resultant parameters of effective theory, Phys. Rev. D 69, 025002 (2004); , 10.1103/PhysRevD.69.025002K. Semenov-Tian-Shansky, A. Vereshagin, and V. Vereshagin, S-matrix renormalization in effective theories, Phys. Rev. D 73, 025020 (2006), 10.1103/PhysRevD.73.025020] devoted to the systematic study of effective scattering theories. We consider matrix elements of the effective Lagrangian monomials (in the interaction picture) of arbitrary high dimension D and show that the full set of corresponding coupling constants contains parameters of both kinds: essential and redundant. Since it would be pointless to formulate renormalization prescriptions for redundant parameters, it is necessary to select the full set of the essential ones. This is done in the present paper for the case of the single scalar field.

[Changes in the diagnosis and therapeutic management of hepatic trauma. A retrospective study comparing 2 series of cases in different (1997-1984 vs. 2001-2008)].

PubMed

Sánchez-Bueno, Francisco; Fernández-Carrión, Jezabel; Torres Salmerón, Gloria; García Pérez, Rocío; Ramírez Romero, Pablo; Fuster Quiñonero, Matilde; Parrilla, Pascual

2011-01-01

We present a series of 146 cases of hepatic trauma (HT) treated in our hospital over a period of 8 yearsm (2001-2008), and comparing it with a previous series of 92 cases (1977-1984). The mean age in the current series was 28.6 years and the majority were male. The closed traumas were mainly penetrating, with the most frequent cause being road traffic accidents. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification was used to evaluate the grade of the hepatic injury. Associated abdominal and /or extra-abdominal injuries were seen in 79.5% of the patients, with the most frequent being chest trauma, compared to bone fractures in the previous series. The most common associated intra-abdominal injury was the spleen in both series. The most used diagnostic technique in the current series was abdominal CT. Simple peritoneal puncture and lavage (PLP) were the most used examinations used in the previous series. Non-surgical treatment (NST) was given in 98 cases and the surgery was indicated in the remaining 48. In the previous series, 97.8% of patients were operated on. In the current series, on the 15 patients with severe liver injuries, 5 right hepatectomies, 2 segmentectomies and 6 packing compressions were performed, with the remaining two dying during surgery due to hepatic avulsion. The overall mortality was 3.4%, being 1% in the NST group and 8.3% in the surgical patients. In the previous series, the overall mortality was 29.3%. The key factor for using NST is to control haemodynamic stability, leaving surgical treatment for haemodynamically unstable patients. Copyright © 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

A Generalized Timeline Representation, Services, and Interface for Automating Space Mission Operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chien, Steve A.; Johnston, Mark; Frank, Jeremy; Giuliano, Mark; Kavelaars, Alicia; Lenzen, Christoph; Policella, Nicola

2012-01-01

Numerous automated and semi-automated planning & scheduling systems have been developed for space applications. Most of these systems are model-based in that they encode domain knowledge necessary to predict spacecraft state and resources based on initial conditions and a proposed activity plan. The spacecraft state and resources as often modeled as a series of timelines, with a timeline or set of timelines to represent a state or resource key in the operations of the spacecraft. In this paper, we first describe a basic timeline representation that can represent a set of state, resource, timing, and transition constraints. We describe a number of planning and scheduling systems designed for space applications (and in many cases deployed for use of ongoing missions) and describe how they do and do not map onto this timeline model.

The origins of multifractality in financial time series and the effect of extreme events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, Elena; Hanan, William; Heffernan, Daniel

2014-06-01

This paper presents the results of multifractal testing of two sets of financial data: daily data of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) index and minutely data of the Euro Stoxx 50 index. Where multifractal scaling is found, the spectrum of scaling exponents is calculated via Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis. In both cases, further investigations reveal that the temporal correlations in the data are a more significant source of the multifractal scaling than are the distributions of the returns. It is also shown that the extreme events which make up the heavy tails of the distribution of the Euro Stoxx 50 log returns distort the scaling in the data set. The most extreme events are inimical to the scaling regime. This result is in contrast to previous findings that extreme events contribute to multifractality.

Correction of a Hyperextension Deformity at the Metacarpophalangeal Joint by Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis of the Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Followed by External Fixator: A Case Series: Modified Ilizarov Method for Correction of a Collapsed Thumb Deformity Due to Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Hamada, Yoshitaka; Kobayashi, Anna; Sairyo, Koichi; Sato, Ryosuke; Hibino, Naohito

2015-06-01

A hyperextension deformity in the advanced stages of carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis of the thumb could affect the outcomes of thumb CMC joint arthroplasty. We introduce the interesting approach for treating severely collapsed thumb deformities with gradual distraction and coordinated correction of the MCP and CMC joints by means of external fixators. We divided 8 cases into 3 groups according to the angle of passive flexion of the hyperextended MCP joint: group 1, 10-20°, group 2a, 20-40°, and group 2b, >40°, retrospectively. We first performed CMC arthroplasty with trapezium excision. In group 1, we corrected the MCP hyperextension deformity by manual passive flexion and fixed the joint with an extension block Kirshner wire (K-wire) for 2 months. However, deformities recurred in 2 of 5 cases after removing the K-wire. These patients received corrective percutaneous osteotomy with external fixators at the metacarpal neck. In groups 2a and 2b, we performed CMC arthroplasty and set external fixators at the same time. All cases in groups 1 and 2a have been without recurrence for more than 2 years, while a deformity recurred in group 2b. The results of this small case series encouraged us to propose an interesting approach for collapsed zigzag thumb deformity. Good outcomes with excellent maintenance of active MCP movement and no recurrence are highly anticipated if the hyperextended thumb has no obvious degenerative changes and can be corrected by <40° of passive flexion. Our results also indicate a risk of recurrence associated with extension block by K-wire.

A 10-session cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-T) for eating disorders: Outcomes from a case series of nonunderweight adult patients.

PubMed

Waller, Glenn; Tatham, Madeleine; Turner, Hannah; Mountford, Victoria A; Bennetts, Alison; Bramwell, Kate; Dodd, Julie; Ingram, Lauren

2018-03-01

Existing forms of evidence-based cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders (CBT-ED) are relatively effective for nonunderweight cases. However, they are also expensive compared to CBT for other disorders. This study reports the first outcomes for a shorter, 10-session form of CBT-ED (CBT-T) for such cases, designed to be less demanding of resources. A case series of 106 nonunderweight eating disordered cases were considered for this effectiveness study. A protocolized 10-session version of CBT-ED was delivered by clinical assistants, under supervision. Measures assessed eating attitudes and behaviors, anxiety, depression, personality pathology, and the working alliance. Intention-to-treat analyses were used. Suitability, acceptability, working alliance ratings, and retention were all positive. Outcomes by the end of therapy and at three-month follow-up were positive for all symptoms, with levels of change, abstinence and remission that were comparable to those from effectiveness studies of longer forms of CBT. Higher levels of pretreatment anxiety predicted retention in treatment, but no factors predicted poorer response. Early change in eating attitudes and the working alliance were the strongest predictors of a positive response. This 10-session form of CBT-ED for nonunderweight eating disorders performed at a level that is comparable to versions of CBT-ED that are twice as long, despite being delivered by nonspecialist therapists. Replication and longer-term follow-ups are needed to ensure retained effects. However, CBT-T has promise as a therapy for use in a range of healthcare settings, to enhance access to treatment for such eating disorders. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Failure at the Tibial Cement-Implant Interface With the Use of High-Viscosity Cement in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

PubMed

Kopinski, Judith E; Aggarwal, Ajay; Nunley, Ryan M; Barrack, Robert L; Nam, Denis

2016-11-01

Recent literature has shown debonding of the tibial implant-cement interface as a potential cause for implant loosening. The purpose of this case series is to report this phenomenon in a historically well-performing implant when used with high-viscosity cement (HVC). Thirteen primary cemented Biomet Vanguard total knee arthroplasties were referred to 1 of 2 institutions with complaints of persistent pain after their index procedure. A radiographic and infectious work-up was completed for each patient. All 13 patients underwent a revision of the index surgery with intraoperative diagnosis of tibial component debonding at the implant-cement interface. HVC (Cobalt, DJO Surgical, Vista, CA and Depuy HVC; Depuy Inc, Warsaw, IN) was used in all index cases. The average time to revision surgery for the 13 patients was 2.7 ± 1.9 years from the index surgery. Laboratory infectious markers were within normal in most cases, and all intra-articular aspirations showed no bacterial, fungal, or anaerobic growth. Eleven of 13 patients showed no radiographic evidence of loosening; however, all cases demonstrated tibial component debonding intraoperatively. Given our institution's experience and previously reported data demonstrating excellent survivorship with this total knee arthroplasty prosthesis, we propose that the early failures seen in this case series may be associated with the use of HVC cement. In the setting of a negative infectious work-up and no radiographic evidence to suggest loosening, the surgeon should consider debonding of the tibial component as a potential cause for persistent pain if HVC cement was used with this prosthetic design. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effectiveness of chronic care models: opportunities for improving healthcare practice and health outcomes: a systematic review.

PubMed

Davy, Carol; Bleasel, Jonathan; Liu, Hueiming; Tchan, Maria; Ponniah, Sharon; Brown, Alex

2015-05-10

The increasing prevalence of chronic disease and even multiple chronic diseases faced by both developed and developing countries is of considerable concern. Many of the interventions to address this within primary healthcare settings are based on a chronic care model first developed by MacColl Institute for Healthcare Innovation at Group Health Cooperative. This systematic literature review aimed to identify and synthesise international evidence on the effectiveness of elements that have been included in a chronic care model for improving healthcare practices and health outcomes within primary healthcare settings. The review broadens the work of other similar reviews by focusing on effectiveness of healthcare practice as well as health outcomes associated with implementing a chronic care model. In addition, relevant case series and case studies were also included. Of the 77 papers which met the inclusion criteria, all but two reported improvements to healthcare practice or health outcomes for people living with chronic disease. While the most commonly used elements of a chronic care model were self-management support and delivery system design, there were considerable variations between studies regarding what combination of elements were included as well as the way in which chronic care model elements were implemented. This meant that it was impossible to clearly identify any optimal combination of chronic care model elements that led to the reported improvements. While the main argument for excluding papers reporting case studies and case series in systematic literature reviews is that they are not of sufficient quality or generalizability, we found that they provided a more detailed account of how various chronic care models were developed and implemented. In particular, these papers suggested that several factors including supporting reflective healthcare practice, sending clear messages about the importance of chronic disease care and ensuring that leaders support the implementation and sustainability of interventions may have been just as important as a chronic care model's elements in contributing to the improvements in healthcare practice or health outcomes for people living with chronic disease.

Crotaline Fab antivenom appears to be effective in cases of severe North American pit viper envenomation: An integrative review

PubMed Central

Lavonas, Eric J; Schaeffer, Tammi H; Kokko, Jamie; Mlynarchek, Sara L; Bogdan, Gregory M

2009-01-01

Background In 2000, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab (Ovine) (hereafter, FabAV), "for the management of patients with minimal to moderate North American Crotalid envenomation." Because whole-IgG pit viper antivenom is no longer available in the United States, FabAV is currently the only specific treatment option available to United States clinicians treating snakebite victims of any severity. No clinical trial data are available concerning the effectiveness of FabAV for treatment of severe snakebite, but several published articles describe its use in this setting. Methods We performed a comprehensive review of the English-language medical literature to identify all publications (1996 to July, 2008) containing data about the administration of FabAV. Two trained reviewers separately extracted case-level data concerning the administration of FabAV to patients with severe envenomation by North American crotaline snakes to a standardized form. Descriptive statistics were used. In addition, we hand-searched the US National Poison Data System reports for the years 2000–2006 to identify and describe any reports of death that occurred after FabAV administration. Results The literature review found 147 unique publications regarding FabAV. Twenty-four evaluable cases of severe human envenomation treated with FabAV were identified in 19 publications. Seven cases were described in five cohort studies, and 17 cases were described in 14 single patient case reports or non-cohort case series. Sixty-five specific severe venom effects were reported in these 24 patients, of which 50 effects (77%) improved or resolved after FabAV therapy. Initial control of all severe venom effects was achieved in 12 patients (50%). The rate at which initial control was achieved was significantly higher among patients reported in the cohort series than in the case series and non-cohort reports (100% vs. 29%, P = 0.005). The median dose of FabAV used to obtain initial control was 6 vials (range: 4 – 18 vials). Nine patients had severe venom effects that persisted despite FabAV therapy. Recurrent and/or delayed-onset severe defibrination syndrome occurred in 12 patients, most of whom did not receive recommended maintenance FabAV dosing. No patient developed systemic bleeding. Conclusion In this structured literature review, FabAV appears to be effective in the management of severe crotaline snake envenomation. Incomplete response to therapy, recurrence of venom effects, and delayed-onset venom effects were reported in case reports, but not reported in cohort studies. PMID:19545426

On the multifractal effects generated by monofractal signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grech, Dariusz; Pamuła, Grzegorz

2013-12-01

We study quantitatively the level of false multifractal signal one may encounter while analyzing multifractal phenomena in time series within multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA). The investigated effect appears as a result of finite length of used data series and is additionally amplified by the long-term memory the data eventually may contain. We provide the detailed quantitative description of such apparent multifractal background signal as a threshold in spread of generalized Hurst exponent values Δh or a threshold in the width of multifractal spectrum Δα below which multifractal properties of the system are only apparent, i.e. do not exist, despite Δα≠0 or Δh≠0. We find this effect quite important for shorter or persistent series and we argue it is linear with respect to autocorrelation exponent γ. Its strength decays according to power law with respect to the length of time series. The influence of basic linear and nonlinear transformations applied to initial data in finite time series with various levels of long memory is also investigated. This provides additional set of semi-analytical results. The obtained formulas are significant in any interdisciplinary application of multifractality, including physics, financial data analysis or physiology, because they allow to separate the ‘true’ multifractal phenomena from the apparent (artificial) multifractal effects. They should be a helpful tool of the first choice to decide whether we do in particular case with the signal with real multiscaling properties or not.

A high-fidelity weather time series generator using the Markov Chain process on a piecewise level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hersvik, K.; Endrerud, O.-E. V.

2017-12-01

A method is developed for generating a set of unique weather time-series based on an existing weather series. The method allows statistically valid weather variations to take place within repeated simulations of offshore operations. The numerous generated time series need to share the same statistical qualities as the original time series. Statistical qualities here refer mainly to the distribution of weather windows available for work, including durations and frequencies of such weather windows, and seasonal characteristics. The method is based on the Markov chain process. The core new development lies in how the Markov Process is used, specifically by joining small pieces of random length time series together rather than joining individual weather states, each from a single time step, which is a common solution found in the literature. This new Markov model shows favorable characteristics with respect to the requirements set forth and all aspects of the validation performed.

Local contrast-enhanced MR images via high dynamic range processing.

PubMed

Chandra, Shekhar S; Engstrom, Craig; Fripp, Jurgen; Neubert, Ales; Jin, Jin; Walker, Duncan; Salvado, Olivier; Ho, Charles; Crozier, Stuart

2018-09-01

To develop a local contrast-enhancing and feature-preserving high dynamic range (HDR) image processing algorithm for multichannel and multisequence MR images of multiple body regions and tissues, and to evaluate its performance for structure visualization, bias field (correction) mitigation, and automated tissue segmentation. A multiscale-shape and detail-enhancement HDR-MRI algorithm is applied to data sets of multichannel and multisequence MR images of the brain, knee, breast, and hip. In multisequence 3T hip images, agreement between automatic cartilage segmentations and corresponding synthesized HDR-MRI series were computed for mean voxel overlap established from manual segmentations for a series of cases. Qualitative comparisons between the developed HDR-MRI and standard synthesis methods were performed on multichannel 7T brain and knee data, and multisequence 3T breast and knee data. The synthesized HDR-MRI series provided excellent enhancement of fine-scale structure from multiple scales and contrasts, while substantially reducing bias field effects in 7T brain gradient echo, T 1 and T 2 breast images and 7T knee multichannel images. Evaluation of the HDR-MRI approach on 3T hip multisequence images showed superior outcomes for automatic cartilage segmentations with respect to manual segmentation, particularly around regions with hyperintense synovial fluid, across a set of 3D sequences. The successful combination of multichannel/sequence MR images into a single-fused HDR-MR image format provided consolidated visualization of tissues within 1 omnibus image, enhanced definition of thin, complex anatomical structures in the presence of variable or hyperintense signals, and improved tissue (cartilage) segmentation outcomes. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Designing multistep transformations using the Hammett equation: imine exchange on a copper(I) template.

PubMed

Schultz, David; Nitschke, Jonathan R

2006-08-02

Herein, we quantify how imine exchange may be used to selectively transform one metallo-organic structure into another. A series of imine exchange reactions were studied, involving a set of 4-substituted anilines, their 2-pyridylimines and 1,10-phenanthrolyl-2,9-diimines, as well as the copper complexes of these imine ligands. Electron-rich anilines were found to displace electron-poor anilines in all cases. Linear free energy relationships (LFERs) were discovered connecting the electron-donating or -withdrawing character of the 4-substituent of an aniline, as measured by the Hammett sigma(para) parameter, to that aniline's ability to compete with unsubstituted aniline to form imines. The quality of these LFERs allowed for quantitative predictions: to obtain the desired degree of selectivity in an imine exchange between anilines A and B, the required sigma(para) differential could be predicted using a variant of the Hammett equation, log(K(AB)) = rho(sigma(A) - sigma(B)). We validated this methodology by designing and executing a three-step transformation of a series of copper(I)-containing structures. Each step proceeded in predictably high yield, as calculated from sigma differentials. At each step in the series of transformations, macrocyclic structures could be created or destroyed through the selection of mono- or di-amines as subcomponents. The same methodology could be used to predict the formation of a diverse dynamic library of helicates from a set of four aniline precursors, as well as the collapse of this library into one helicate upon the addition of a fifth aniline.

[Non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphoma with cervicofacial expression. Modulation of the radiotherapy-chemotherapy combination according to the cytological class].

PubMed

Bolla, M; Sotto, J J; Sotto, M F; Junien Lavillauroy, C; Bryon, J P; Vrousos, C; Holland, D

1984-01-01

An analysis was conducted in March 1983, after a mean follow up of 40 months, of cases of cervicofacial stages I and II non-Hodgkins malignant lymphoma in 3 children and 41 adults (mean age: 51 years, range: 6-90 years) treated between 1969 and March 1981. According to the Working Formulation malignancy was low in 4 cases, intermediate in 24 and high in 13; 3 cases could not ne classified retrospectively. Cytologic classification showed 13 of class 1 of low malignancy, 7 of class 2 of high malignancy with leukemic potential, and 16 of class 3 of high malignancy with a course leading to tumor formation. The cavum was involved in 10 cases, the tonsils in 9, the parotids in 1, the uvula in 1, isolated cervical adenopathies in 14, multiple unilateral adenopathies in 3 and bilateral cervical adenopathies in 5 cases. Therapy varied according to the series: in the first series (1969-1975) the 23 cases were treated by radiotherapy alone (40-55 Gy). In the second series (1976-1981) of 21 cases, chemotherapy was given as a function of the cytologic class: prophylactic chemotherapy for 6 months after radiation for classes 1 and 2, initial chemotherapy for 6 weeks, cerebral radiation and methotrexate intrathecally, and maintenance chemotherapy for 3 months in class 3. The failure rate for radiated zones was identical in the 2 series (less than 10%). Adjusted 5-year survival rate was 60% for series 1 against 70% for series 2 (p = 0.9), and adjusted remission rate was 43% against 64% (p = 0.8).

A Framework and Algorithms for Multivariate Time Series Analytics (MTSA): Learning, Monitoring, and Recommendation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ngan, Chun-Kit

2013-01-01

Making decisions over multivariate time series is an important topic which has gained significant interest in the past decade. A time series is a sequence of data points which are measured and ordered over uniform time intervals. A multivariate time series is a set of multiple, related time series in a particular domain in which domain experts…

Delayed posthypoxic leukoencephalopathy: a case series and review of the literature

PubMed Central

Zamora, Carlos A; Nauen, David; Hynecek, Robert; Ilica, Ahmet T; Izbudak, Izlem; Sair, Haris I; Gujar, Sachin K; Pillai, Jay J

2015-01-01

Background Delayed posthypoxic leukoencephalopathy (DPHL) is a rare and underrecognized entity where patients manifest a neurological relapse after initial recovery from an acute hypoxic episode. We sought to describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a group of patients with DPHL and review the available literature. Methods Retrospective case series including patients who presented with neurological and/or psychiatric symptoms after recovery from an acute hypoxic episode. The history and clinical presentation were reviewed from the electronic medical records. MRI scans were evaluated from the picture archiving and communication system. We performed a comprehensive review of the English medical literature for prior published cases of DPHL and describe the key imaging findings that have been reported related to this condition. Results A total of five patients were identified, including four patients with respiratory failure due to drug overdoses from benzodiazepines, opioids, and/or barbiturates, and one patient who presented after cardiopulmonary arrest due to pulmonary embolism. All patients showed diffuse, extensive, and confluent white matter signal abnormalities including prominent restricted diffusion, extending to the subcortical white matter and respecting the U-fibers. There was no gyral edema or contrast enhancement. In one case histopathology was available, which highlighted patchy subcortical myelin loss with sparing of U-fibers and demonstrated prominent macrophage/microglial inflammation with extensive axonal damage. Of the other four patients, two were at their neurological baselines and two had persistent neurological deficits at the time of discharge. Conclusions The described constellation of MRI findings is highly suggestive of DPHL in the appropriate clinical setting. PMID:26357591

Recovery of divergent avian bornaviruses from cases of proventricular dilatation disease: Identification of a candidate etiologic agent

PubMed Central

Kistler, Amy L; Gancz, Ady; Clubb, Susan; Skewes-Cox, Peter; Fischer, Kael; Sorber, Katherine; Chiu, Charles Y; Lublin, Avishai; Mechani, Sara; Farnoushi, Yigal; Greninger, Alexander; Wen, Christopher C; Karlene, Scott B; Ganem, Don; DeRisi, Joseph L

2008-01-01

Background Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) is a fatal disorder threatening domesticated and wild psittacine birds worldwide. It is characterized by lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the ganglia of the central and peripheral nervous system, leading to central nervous system disorders as well as disordered enteric motility and associated wasting. For almost 40 years, a viral etiology for PDD has been suspected, but to date no candidate etiologic agent has been reproducibly linked to the disease. Results Analysis of 2 PDD case-control series collected independently on different continents using a pan-viral microarray revealed a bornavirus hybridization signature in 62.5% of the PDD cases (5/8) and none of the controls (0/8). Ultra high throughput sequencing was utilized to recover the complete viral genome sequence from one of the virus-positive PDD cases. This revealed a bornavirus-like genome organization for this agent with a high degree of sequence divergence from all prior bornavirus isolates. We propose the name avian bornavirus (ABV) for this agent. Further specific ABV PCR analysis of an additional set of independently collected PDD cases and controls yielded a significant difference in ABV detection rate among PDD cases (71%, n = 7) compared to controls (0%, n = 14) (P = 0.01; Fisher's Exact Test). Partial sequence analysis of a total of 16 ABV isolates we have now recovered from these and an additional set of cases reveals at least 5 distinct ABV genetic subgroups. Conclusion These studies clearly demonstrate the existence of an avian reservoir of remarkably diverse bornaviruses and provide a compelling candidate in the search for an etiologic agent of PDD. PMID:18671869

SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) 3: Setting priorities for supporting evidence-informed policymaking

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

This article is part of a series written for people responsible for making decisions about health policies and programmes and for those who support these decision makers. Policymakers have limited resources for developing – or supporting the development of – evidence-informed policies and programmes. These required resources include staff time, staff infrastructural needs (such as access to a librarian or journal article purchasing), and ongoing professional development. They may therefore prefer instead to contract out such work to independent units with more suitably skilled staff and appropriate infrastructure. However, policymakers may only have limited financial resources to do so. Regardless of whether the support for evidence-informed policymaking is provided in-house or contracted out, or whether it is centralised or decentralised, resources always need to be used wisely in order to maximise their impact. Examples of undesirable practices in a priority-setting approach include timelines to support evidence-informed policymaking being negotiated on a case-by-case basis (instead of having clear norms about the level of support that can be provided for each timeline), implicit (rather than explicit) criteria for setting priorities, ad hoc (rather than systematic and explicit) priority-setting process, and the absence of both a communications plan and a monitoring and evaluation plan. In this article, we suggest questions that can guide those setting priorities for finding and using research evidence to support evidence-informed policymaking. These are: 1. Does the approach to prioritisation make clear the timelines that have been set for addressing high-priority issues in different ways? 2. Does the approach incorporate explicit criteria for determining priorities? 3. Does the approach incorporate an explicit process for determining priorities? 4. Does the approach incorporate a communications strategy and a monitoring and evaluation plan? PMID:20018110

SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) 3: Setting priorities for supporting evidence-informed policymaking.

PubMed

Lavis, John N; Oxman, Andrew D; Lewin, Simon; Fretheim, Atle

2009-12-16

This article is part of a series written for people responsible for making decisions about health policies and programmes and for those who support these decision makers. Policymakers have limited resources for developing--or supporting the development of--evidence-informed policies and programmes. These required resources include staff time, staff infrastructural needs (such as access to a librarian or journal article purchasing), and ongoing professional development. They may therefore prefer instead to contract out such work to independent units with more suitably skilled staff and appropriate infrastructure. However, policymakers may only have limited financial resources to do so. Regardless of whether the support for evidence-informed policymaking is provided in-house or contracted out, or whether it is centralised or decentralised, resources always need to be used wisely in order to maximise their impact. Examples of undesirable practices in a priority-setting approach include timelines to support evidence-informed policymaking being negotiated on a case-by-case basis (instead of having clear norms about the level of support that can be provided for each timeline), implicit (rather than explicit) criteria for setting priorities, ad hoc (rather than systematic and explicit) priority-setting process, and the absence of both a communications plan and a monitoring and evaluation plan. In this article, we suggest questions that can guide those setting priorities for finding and using research evidence to support evidence-informed policymaking. These are: 1. Does the approach to prioritisation make clear the timelines that have been set for addressing high-priority issues in different ways? 2. Does the approach incorporate explicit criteria for determining priorities? 3. Does the approach incorporate an explicit process for determining priorities? 4. Does the approach incorporate a communications strategy and a monitoring and evaluation plan?

On Sums of Numerical Series and Fourier Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pavao, H. Germano; de Oliveira, E. Capelas

2008-01-01

We discuss a class of trigonometric functions whose corresponding Fourier series, on a conveniently chosen interval, can be used to calculate several numerical series. Particular cases are presented and two recent results involving numerical series are recovered. (Contains 1 note.)

A BLIND METHOD TO DETREND INSTRUMENTAL SYSTEMATICS IN EXOPLANETARY LIGHT CURVES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morello, G., E-mail: giuseppe.morello.11@ucl.ac.uk

2015-07-20

The study of the atmospheres of transiting exoplanets requires a photometric precision, and repeatability, of one part in ∼10{sup 4}. This is beyond the original calibration plans of current observatories, hence the necessity to disentangle the instrumental systematics from the astrophysical signals in raw data sets. Most methods used in the literature are based on an approximate instrument model. The choice of parameters of the model and their functional forms can sometimes be subjective, causing controversies in the literature. Recently, Morello et al. (2014, 2015) have developed a non-parametric detrending method that gave coherent and repeatable results when applied tomore » Spitzer/IRAC data sets that were debated in the literature. Said method is based on independent component analysis (ICA) of individual pixel time-series, hereafter “pixel-ICA”. The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the limits and advantages of pixel-ICA on a series of simulated data sets with different instrument properties, and a range of jitter timescales and shapes, non-stationarity, sudden change points, etc. The performances of pixel-ICA are compared against the ones of other methods, in particular polynomial centroid division, and pixel-level decorrelation method. We find that in simulated cases pixel-ICA performs as well or better than other methods, and it also guarantees a higher degree of objectivity, because of its purely statistical foundation with no prior information on the instrument systematics. The results of this paper, together with previous analyses of Spitzer/IRAC data sets, suggest that photometric precision and repeatability of one part in 10{sup 4} can be achieved with current infrared space instruments.« less

Development of the NEDO implantable ventricular assist device with Gyro centrifugal pump.

PubMed

Yoshikawa, M; Nonaka, K; Linneweber, J; Kawahito, S; Ohtsuka, G; Nakata, K; Takano, T; Schulte-Eistrup, S; Glueck, J; Schima, H; Wolner, E; Nosé, Y

2000-06-01

The Gyro centrifugal pump, PI (permanently implantable) series, is being developed as a totally implantable artificial heart. Our final goal is to establish a "functional TAH," a totally implantable biventricular assist system (BiVAS) with centrifugal pumps. A plastic prototype pump, Gyro PI 601, was evaluated through in vitro and in vivo studies as a single ventricular assist device (VAD). Based upon these results, the pump head material was converted to a titanium alloy, and the actuator was modified. These titanium Gyro pumps, PI 700 series, also were subjected to in vitro and in vivo studies. The Gyro PI 601 and PI 700 series have the same inner dimensions and characteristics, such as the eccentric inlet port, double pivot bearing system, secondary vane, and magnet coupling system; however, the material of the PI 700 is different from the PI 601. The Gyro PI series is driven by the Vienna DC brushless motor actuator. The inlet cannula of the right ventricular assist system (RVAS) specially made for this system consists of 2 parts: a hat-shaped silicone tip biolized with gelatin and an angled wire reinforced tube made of polyvinylchloride. The pump-actuator package was implanted into 8 calves in the preperitoneal space, bypassing from the left ventricle apex to the descending aorta for the left ventricular assist system (LVAS) and bypassing the right ventricle to the main pulmonary artery for the RVAS. According to the PI 601 feasibility protocol, 2 LVAS cases were terminated after 2 weeks, and 1 LVAS case and 1 RVAS were terminated after 1 month. The PI 700 series was implanted into 4 cases: 3 LVAS cases survived for a long term, 2 of them over 200 days (72-283 days), and 1 RVAS case survived for 1 month and was terminated according to the protocol for a short-term antithrombogenic screening and system feasibility study. Regarding power consumption, the plastic pump cases demonstrated from 6.2 to 12.1 W as LVAS and 7.3 W as RVAS, the titanium pump cases showed from 10.4 to 14.2 W as LVAS and 15.8 W as RVAS. All cases exhibited low hemolysis. The renal function and the liver function were maintained normally in all cases throughout these experimental periods. In the 2 RVAS cases, pulmonary function was normally maintained. No calves demonstrated thromboembolic signs or symptoms throughout the experiments except Case 1 with the plastic pump. However, in the plastic pump cases, bilateral renal infarction was suspected in 2 cases during necropsy whereas no abnormal findings were revealed in the titanium pump cases. There were also no blood clots inside the PI 700 series. As for the 601, the explanted pumps demonstrated slight thrombus formations at the top and bottom pivots except in 1 case. The Gyro PI series, especially the PI 700 series, demonstrated superior performance, biocompatibility, antithrombogenicity and low hemolysis. Also, the durability of the actuator was demonstrated. Based on these results, this titanium centrifugal pump is suitable as an implantable LVAS and RVAS. It is likely that the Gyro PI series is a feasible component of the BiVAS functional TAH.

Scaly scalp associated with crusted scabies: case series.

PubMed

Anbar, T S; El-Domyati, M B; Mansour, H A; Ahmad, H M

2007-07-13

The diagnosis of crusted scabies is becoming more relevant due to the increase in number of immunocompromised patients. To date, more than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. However, crusted scabies seems to be under-diagnosed because of its unusual presentations. In this case series we present history, clinical manifestations, KOH smear, and histopathological findings of a series of four patients with crusted scabies. Scaly scalp was a prominent feature of the disease in all cases. Examination of and treatment of the scalp of patients with suspected crusted scabies should not be neglected. A KOH smear from the scalp offers a simple and reliable technique for diagnosis.

Monitoring Volcano Deformation in the Northernmost Andes with ALOS InSAR Time-Series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morales Rivera, A. M.; Amelung, F.

2014-12-01

Satellite-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) is well known to be used as a volcano monitoring tool, providing the opportunity to conduct local and regional surveys to detect and measure volcanic deformation. The signals detected by InSAR on volcanoes can be related to various phenomena, such as volume changes in magmatic reservoirs, compaction of recent deposits, changes in hydrothermal activity, and flank instability. The InSAR time-series method has well documented examples of these phenomena, including precursory inflation of magma reservoirs months prior to volcanic eruptions, proving its potential for early warning systems. We use the ALOS-1 satellite from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which acquired a global L-band data set of nearly 20 acquisitions during 2007-2011, to make an InSAR time-series analysis using the Small Baseline method (SBAS). Our analysis covers all of the volcanoes in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru that are cataloged by the Global Volcanism Program. We present results showing time-dependent ground deformation on an near the volcanoes, and present kinematic models to constrain the characteristics of the magmatic sources for the cases in which the deformation is likely related to changes in magma reservoir pressurization.

On power series expansions of the S-resolvent operator and the Taylor formula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colombo, Fabrizio; Gantner, Jonathan

2016-12-01

The S-functional calculus is based on the theory of slice hyperholomorphic functions and it defines functions of n-tuples of not necessarily commuting operators or of quaternionic operators. This calculus relays on the notion of S-spectrum and of S-resolvent operator. Since most of the properties that hold for the Riesz-Dunford functional calculus extend to the S-functional calculus, it can be considered its non commutative version. In this paper we show that the Taylor formula of the Riesz-Dunford functional calculus can be generalized to the S-functional calculus. The proof is not a trivial extension of the classical case because there are several obstructions due to the non commutativity of the setting in which we work that have to be overcome. To prove the Taylor formula we need to introduce a new series expansion of the S-resolvent operators associated to the sum of two n-tuples of operators. This result is a crucial step in the proof of our main results, but it is also of independent interest because it gives a new series expansion for the S-resolvent operators. This paper is addressed to researchers working in operator theory and in hypercomplex analysis.

Uveitis and Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis or Psoriasis.

PubMed

Salek, Sherveen S; Pradeep, Archana; Guly, Catherine; Ramanan, Athimalaipet V; Rosenbaum, James T

2018-01-01

To describe the phenotype of the uveitis that accompanies juvenile psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis. Observational case series. Setting: Two university-based referral clinics: 1 in England, 1 in the United States. Five children with uveitis and psoriatic arthritis and 1 with uveitis and psoriasis Observational Procedure: Retrospective chart review. Demographics of subjects such as age and sex; description of ocular and joint disease; surgical and other complications; medical treatment. Five of the 6 children in this series had the onset of disease at or before age 6 (P = .0008 compared to expected age of onset for psoriatic arthritis in childhood). All children in this series had an inadequate response to topical corticosteroids. Most of the children were treated with systemic corticosteroids for many months, yet all of them went on to require methotrexate. Therapy with systemic methotrexate did not suffice, as all the patients also required some form of biologic therapy. Five of 6 had surgeries such as vitrectomy, cataract extraction, or a procedure for glaucoma control. The observations suggest that the uveitis that accompanies juvenile psoriatic arthritis might be a distinct disease that is particularly severe when its onset affects children aged 6 years or younger. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning time series for intelligent monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manganaris, Stefanos; Fisher, Doug

1994-01-01

We address the problem of classifying time series according to their morphological features in the time domain. In a supervised machine-learning framework, we induce a classification procedure from a set of preclassified examples. For each class, we infer a model that captures its morphological features using Bayesian model induction and the minimum message length approach to assign priors. In the performance task, we classify a time series in one of the learned classes when there is enough evidence to support that decision. Time series with sufficiently novel features, belonging to classes not present in the training set, are recognized as such. We report results from experiments in a monitoring domain of interest to NASA.

Capture the Moment: Using Digital Photography in Early Childhood Settings. Research in Practice Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walters, Kim

2006-01-01

The Research in Practice Series has been developed to provide practical, easy to read, up-to-date information and support to a growing national readership of early childhood workers. Digital photography opens a whole new world of communication within early childhood settings, giving scope for devising more effective ways of engaging children,…

Data catalog series for space science and applications flight missions. Volume 1B: Descriptions of data sets from planetary and heliocentric spacecraft and investigations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horowitz, Richard (Compiler); Jackson, John E. (Compiler); Cameron, Winifred S. (Compiler)

1987-01-01

The main purpose of the data catalog series is to provide descriptive references to data generated by space science flight missions. The data sets described include all of the actual holdings of the Space Science Data Center (NSSDC), all data sets for which direct contact information is available, and some data collections held and serviced by foreign investigators, NASA and other U.S. government agencies. This volume contains narrative descriptions of planetary and heliocentric spacecraft and associated experiments. The following spacecraft series are included: Mariner, Pioneer, Pioneer Venus, Venera, Viking, Voyager, and Helios. Separate indexes to the planetary and interplanetary missions are also provided.

Integrated Visualization of Multi-sensor Ocean Data across the Web

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Platt, F.; Thompson, C. K.; Roberts, J. T.; Tsontos, V. M.; Hin Lam, C.; Arms, S. C.; Quach, N.

2017-12-01

Whether for research or operational decision support, oceanographic applications rely on the visualization of multivariate in situ and remote sensing data as an integral part of analysis workflows. However, given their inherently 3D-spatial and temporally dynamic nature, the visual representation of marine in situ data in particular poses a challenge. The Oceanographic In situ data Interoperability Project (OIIP) is a collaborative project funded under the NASA/ACCESS program that seeks to leverage and enhance higher TRL (technology readiness level) informatics technologies to address key data interoperability and integration issues associated with in situ ocean data, including the dearth of effective web-based visualization solutions. Existing web tools for the visualization of key in situ data types - point, profile, trajectory series - are limited in their support for integrated, dynamic and coordinated views of the spatiotemporal characteristics of the data. Via the extension of the JPL Common Mapping Client (CMC) software framework, OIIP seeks to provide improved visualization support for oceanographic in situ data sets. More specifically, this entails improved representation of both horizontal and vertical aspects of these data, which inherently are depth resolved and time referenced, as well as the visual synchronization with relevant remotely-sensed gridded data products, such as sea surface temperature and salinity. Electronic tagging datasets, which are a focal use case for OIIP, provide a representative, if somewhat complex, visualization challenge in this regard. Critical to the achievement of these development objectives has been compilation of a well-rounded set of visualization use cases and requirements based on a series of end-user consultations aimed at understanding their satellite-in situ visualization needs. Here we summarize progress on aspects of the technical work and our approach.

Feasibility of energy medicine in a community teaching hospital: an exploratory case series.

PubMed

Dufresne, Francois; Simmons, Bonnie; Vlachostergios, Panagiotis J; Fleischner, Zachary; Joudeh, Ramsey; Blakeway, Jill; Julliard, Kell

2015-06-01

Energy medicine (EM) derives from the theory that a subtle biologic energy can be influenced for therapeutic effect. EM practitioners may be trained within a specific tradition or work solo. Few studies have investigated the feasibility of solo-practitioner EM in hospitals. This study investigated the feasibility of EM as provided by a solo practitioner in inpatient and emergent settings. Feasibility study, including a prospective case series. Inpatient units and emergency department. To investigate the feasibility of EM, acceptability, demand, implementation, and practicality were assessed. Short-term clinical changes were documented by treating physicians. Patients, employees, and family members were enrolled in the study only if study physicians expected no or slow improvement in specific symptoms. Those with secondary gains or who could not communicate perception of symptom change were excluded. EM was found to have acceptability and demand, and implementation was smooth because study procedures dovetailed with conventional clinical practice. Practicality was acceptable within the study but was low upon further application of EM because of cost of program administration. Twenty-four of 32 patients requested relief from pain. Of 50 reports of pain, 5 (10%) showed no improvement; 4 (8%), slight improvement; 3 (6%), moderate improvement; and 38 (76%), marked improvement. Twenty-one patients had issues other than pain. Of 29 non-pain-related problems, 3 (10%) showed no, 2 (7%) showed slight, 1 (4%) showed moderate, and 23 (79%) showed marked improvement. Changes during EM sessions were usually immediate. This study successfully implemented EM provided by a solo practitioner in inpatient and emergent hospital settings and found that acceptability and demand justified its presence. Most patients experienced marked, immediate improvement of symptoms associated with their chief complaint. Substantial practicality issues must be addressed to implement EM clinically in a hospital, however.

Sports chiropractic management of concussions using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 symptom scoring, serial examinations, and graded return to play protocol: a retrospective case series

PubMed Central

Shane, Eric R.; Pierce, Kevin M.; Gonzalez, Jannet K.; Campbell, Nathan J.

2013-01-01

Objective The purpose of this case series is to report how the symptom section of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2) was used to manage athletes with concussions in a high school training room setting and to address the need for SCAT2 baseline measurements. Clinical features During a 4-month period, 3 doctors of chiropractic with certification from the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians managed 15 high school athletes with concussions in a multidisciplinary setting. Fourteen athletes were male American football players, and one was a female volleyball player. Intervention and outcome Of the 15 athletes, 3 athletes had baseline SCAT2 documentation. Athletes were evaluated and returned to play with a graded return to play protocol using the SCAT2 symptoms and serial physical examinations. Once participants were asymptomatic, they began a graded return to play process. A total of 47 SCAT2 tests were performed on the 15 athletes, averaging 3.13 SCAT2 evaluations per patient. Of the 15 athletes evaluated, 6 were managed and cleared for return to play; 2 of the athletes sustained concussions in the last week of the season, thus ending their season; and 3 athletes were cleared by medical doctors. None of the athletes under care reported an adverse event. Conclusion The utilization of the SCAT2 with serial physical examinations provided objective measures for athlete’s injuries, allowing the practitioners to evaluate concussions. More efforts are needed to collect baseline SCAT2 to compare these scores with subsequent SCAT2 scores following athletic injuries. PMID:24396327

Lung assist devices influence cardio-energetic parameters: Numerical simulation study.

PubMed

De Lazzari, C; Quatember, B; Recheis, W; Mayr, M; Demertzis, S; Allasia, G; De Rossi, A; Cavoretto, R; Venturino, E; Genuini, I

2015-08-01

We aim at an analysis of the effects mechanical ventilators (MVs) and thoracic artificial lungs (TALs) will have on the cardiovascular system, especially on important quantities, such as left and right ventricular external work (EW), pressure-volume area (PVA) and cardiac mechanical efficiency (CME). Our analyses are based on simulation studies which were carried out by using our CARDIOSIM(©) software simulator. At first, we carried out simulation studies of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) without a thoracic artificial lung (TAL). Subsequently, we conducted simulation studies of patients who had been provided with a TAL, but did not undergo MV. We aimed at describing the patient's physiological characteristics and their variations with time, such as EW, PVA, CME, cardiac output (CO) and mean pulmonary arterial/venous pressure (PAP/PVP). We were starting with a simulation run under well-defined initial conditions which was followed by simulation runs for a wide range of mean intrathoracic pressure settings. Our simulations of MV without TAL showed that for mean intrathoracic pressure settings from negative (-4 mmHg) to positive (+5 mmHg) values, the left and right ventricular EW and PVA, right ventricular CME and CO decreased, whereas left ventricular CME and the PAP increased. The simulation studies of patients with a TAL, comprised all the usual TAL arrangements, viz. configurations "in series" and in parallel with the natural lung and, moreover, hybrid configurations. The main objective of the simulation studies was, as before, the assessment of the hemodynamic response to the application of a TAL. We could for instance show that, in case of an "in series" configuration, a reduction (an increase) in left (right) ventricular EW and PVA values occurred, whereas the best performance in terms of CO can be achieved in the case of an in parallel configuration.

Effects due to induced azimuthal eddy currents in a self-exciting Faraday disk homopolar dynamo with a nonlinear series motor. I.. Two special cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hide, Raymond; Moroz, Irene M.

1999-10-01

The elucidation of the behaviour of physically realistic self-exciting Faraday-disk dynamos bears inter alia on attempts by theoretical geophysicists to interpret observations of geomagnetic polarity reversals. Hide [The nonlinear differential equations governing a hierarchy of self-exciting coupled Faraday-disk homopolar dynamos, Phys. Earth Planet. Interiors 103 (1997) 281-291; Nonlinear quenching of current fluctuations in a self-exciting homopolar dynamo, Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics 4 (1998) 201-205] has introduced a novel 4-mode set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations to describe such a dynamo in which a nonlinear electric motor is connected in series with the coil. The applied couple, α, driving the disk is steady and the Lorentz couple driving the motor is a quadratic function, x(1-ɛ)+ɛσx 2, of the dynamo-generated current x, with 0≤ɛ≤1. When there are no additional biasing effects due to background magnetic fields etc., the behaviour of the dynamo is determined by eight independent non-negative control parameters. These include ρ, proportional to the resistance of the disk to azimuthal eddy currents, and β, an inverse measure of the moment of inertia of the armature of the motor. When β=0 (the case when the motor is absent and ɛ and σ are redundant) and ρ -1≠0 , the 4-mode dynamo equations reduce to the 3-mode Lorenz equations, which can behave chaotically [E. Knobloch, Chaos in the segmented disc dynamo, Phys. Lett. A 82 (1981) 439-440]. When β≠0 but ρ -1=0 , the 4-mode set of equations reduces to a 3-mode dynamo [R. Hide (1997), see above], which can also behave chaotically when ɛ=0 [R. Hide, A.C. Skeldon, D.J. Acheson, A study of two novel self-exciting single-disk homopolar dynamos: theory, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A 452 (1996) 1369-1395] but not when ɛ=1 [R. Hide (1998), see above]. In the latter case, however, all persistent fluctuations are completely quenched [R. Hide (1998), see above]. In this paper we investigate two limiting cases of ɛ=0 and ɛ=1 in the 4-mode dynamo when azimuthal eddy currents are allowed to flow i.e. cases when ρ -1=0 ; in a companion paper [I.M. Moroz, R. Hide, Effects due to induced azimuthal eddy currents in the Faraday disk self-exciting homopolar dynamo with a nonlinear series motor: II The general case, 1999, submitted] we extend the present analysis to the general case of 0≤ɛ≤1. When ɛ=0, chaotic behaviour occurs even more extensively in parameter space in the presence of azimuthal eddy currents than in their absence. When ɛ=1, the quenching of chaotic and all other non-steady dynamo action is no longer complete, for aperiodic solutions are found within limited regions of parameter space where β is very small and α is very large.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Treatment in Patients with Down Syndrome: A Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sutor, Bruce; Hansen, Mark R.; Black, John L.

2006-01-01

In this case series we report four cases of patients with Down syndrome with symptoms consistent with obsessive compulsive disorder. Each patient experienced substantial reduction in compulsive behaviors with pharmacotherapy of an SSRI alone or with the addition of risperidone to SSRI therapy. None of the patients experienced significant side…

Intensive (Daily) Behavior Therapy for School Refusal: A Multiple Baseline Case Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tolin, David F.; Whiting, Sara; Maltby, Nicholas; Diefenbach, Gretchen J.; Lothstein, Mary Anne; Hardcastle, Surrey; Catalano, Amy; Gray, Krista

2009-01-01

The following multiple baseline case series examines school refusal behavior in 4 male adolescents. School refusal symptom presentation was ascertained utilizing a functional analysis from the School Refusal Assessment Scale (Kearney, 2002). For the majority of cases, treatment was conducted within a 15-session intensive format over a 3-week…

Knocked by the shuttlecock: twelve sight-threatening blunt-eye injuries in Australian badminton players.

PubMed

Jao, Kathy K; Atik, Alp; Jamieson, Michael P; Sheales, Mariana P; Lee, Matthew H; Porter, Ashley; Roufas, Athena; Goldberg, Ivan; Zamir, Ehud; White, Andrew; Skalicky, Simon E

2017-07-01

Non-penetrating ocular injuries from badminton shuttlecocks can result in severe damage and life-long complications. This case series highlights the morbidity of such injuries, particularly in regard to post-traumatic glaucoma. This is a retrospective case series of 12 patients with shuttlecock-related blunt eye injuries sustained during badminton play without eye protection. By approaching colleagues through conference presentations and networking, the authors have attempted to gather all known cases of shuttlecock ocular injury managed in tertiary ocular emergency departments or private ophthalmological clinics in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia in 2015. This is the first multicentre case series to describe badminton-related ocular injuries in Australia. Our case series demonstrates, in particular, long-term glaucoma-related morbidity for patients over a large age range (16 to 77 years), with one patient requiring ongoing management 26 years following their initial injury. The cases reported further add to the literature promoting awareness of badminton-related ocular injury. We encourage player education and advocacy on badminton-related eye injuries and appropriate use of eye protection to reduce associated morbidity. © 2016 Optometry Australia.

Study on common seasonal signals in GPS time series and environmental loadings using Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gruszczynska, Marta; Rosat, Severine; Klos, Anna; Bogusz, Janusz

2017-04-01

Seasonal oscillations in the GPS position time series can arise from real geophysical effects and numerical artefacts. According to Dong et al. (2002) environmental loading effects can account for approximately 40% of the total variance of the annual signals in GPS time series, however using generally acknowledged methods (e.g. Least Squares Estimation, Wavelet Decomposition, Singular Spectrum Analysis) to model seasonal signals we are not able to separate real from spurious signals (effects of mismodelling aliased into annual period as well as draconitic). Therefore, we propose to use Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis (MSSA) to determine seasonal oscillations (with annual and semi-annual periods) from GPS position time series and environmental loading displacement models. The MSSA approach is an extension of the classical Karhunen-Loève method and it is a special case of SSA for multivariate time series. The main advantage of MSSA is the possibility to extract common seasonal signals for stations from selected area and to investigate the causality between a set of time series as well. In this research, we explored the ability of MSSA application to separate real geophysical effects from spurious effects in GPS time series. For this purpose, we used GPS position changes and environmental loading models. We analysed the topocentric time series from 250 selected stations located worldwide, delivered from Network Solution obtained by the International GNSS Service (IGS) as a contribution to the latest realization of the International Terrestrial Reference System (namely ITRF2014, Rebishung et al., 2016). We also researched atmospheric, hydrological and non-tidal oceanic loading models provided by the EOST/IPGS Loading Service in the Centre-of-Figure (CF) reference frame. The analysed displacements were estimated from ERA-Interim (surface pressure), MERRA-land (soil moisture and snow) as well as ECCO2 ocean bottom pressure. We used Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis to determine common seasonal signals in two case studies with adopted a 3-years lag-window as the optimal window size. We also inferred the statistical significance of oscillations through the Monte Carlo MSSA method (Allen and Robertson, 1996). In the first case study, we investigated the common spatio-temporal seasonal signals for all stations. For this purpose, we divided selected stations with respect to the continents. For instance, for stations located in Europe, seasonal oscillations accounts for approximately 45% of the GPS-derived data variance. Much higher variance of seasonal signals is explained by hydrological loadings of about 92%, while the non-tidal oceanic loading accounted for 31% of total variance. In the second case study, we analysed the capability of the MSSA method to establish a causality between several time series. Each of estimated Principal Component represents pattern of the common signal for all analysed data. For ZIMM station (Zimmerwald, Switzerland), the 1st, 2nd and 9th, 10th Principal Components, which accounts for 35% of the variance, corresponds to the annual and semi-annual signals. In this part, we applied the non-parametric MSSA approach to extract the common seasonal signals for GPS time series and environmental loadings for each of the 250 stations with clear statement, that some part of seasonal signal reflects the real geophysical effects. REFERENCES: 1. Allen, M. and Robertson, A.: 1996, Distinguishing modulated oscillations from coloured noise in multivariate datasets. Climate Dynamics, 12, No. 11, 775-784. DOI: 10.1007/s003820050142. 2. Dong, D., Fang, P., Bock, Y., Cheng, M.K. and Miyazaki, S.: 2002, Anatomy of apparent seasonal variations from GPS-derived site position time series. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107, No. B4, 2075. DOI: 10.1029/2001JB000573. 3. Rebischung, P., Altamimi, Z., Ray, J. and Garayt, B.: 2016, The IGS contribution to ITRF2014. Journal of Geodesy, 90, No. 7, 611-630. DOI:10.1007/s00190-016-0897-6.

A strategy for Local Surface Stability Monitoring Using SAR Imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, J.; Lan, C. W.; Lin, S. Y.; vanGasselt, S.; Yun, H.

2017-12-01

In order to provide sufficient facilities to satisfy a growing number of residents, nowadays there are many constructions and maintenance of infrastructures or buildings undergoing above and below the surface of urban area. In some cases we have learned that disasters might happen if the developments were conducted on unknown or geologically unstable ground or in over-developed areas. To avoid damages caused by such settings, it is essential to perform a regular monitoring scheme to understand the ground stability over the whole urban area. Through long-term monitoring, we firstly aim to observe surface stability over the construction sites. Secondly, we propose to implement an automatic extraction and tracking of suspicious unstable area. To achieve this, we used 12-days-interval C-band Sentinel-1A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images as the main source to perform regular monitoring. Differential Interferometric SAR (D-InSAR) technique was applied to generate interferograms. Together with the accumulation of updated Sentinel-1A SAR images, time series interferograms were formed accordingly. For the purpose of observing surface stability over known construction sites, the interferograms and the unwrapped products could be used to identify the surface displacement occurring before and after specific events. In addition, Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) and Permanent Scatterers (PS) approaches combining a set of unwrapped D-InSAR interferograms were also applied to derive displacement velocities over long-term periods. For some cases, we conducted the ascending and descending mode time series analysis to decompose three surface migration vectors and to precisely identify the risk pattern. Regarding the extraction of suspicious unstable areas, we propose to develop an automatic pattern recognition algorithm for the identification of specific fringe patterns involving various potential risks. The detected fringes were tracked in the time series interferograms and overlapped with various GIS layers to find correlations with the environmental elements causing the risks. Taipei City and Taichung City located in northern Taiwan and Ulsan City in Korea were selected to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.

Rapid amelioration of severe manic episodes with right unilateral ultrabrief pulse ECT: a case series of four patients.

PubMed

Sidorov, Alexey; Mayur, Prashanth

2017-02-01

The aim of this small case series is to describe four cases of severe mania, where ultrabrief pulse electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was used as a primary mode of treatment. A retrospective file review was undertaken of four patients identified as having received ultrabrief pulse ECT for severe mania. The outcome measures for treatment efficacy were the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI). All the patients showed significant clinical improvement. A comparison of pre- and post-treatment YMRS and CGI scores showed a dramatic decrease in all four cases. However, one patient was shifted to brief pulse ECT due to inadequate response. Ultrabrief pulse ECT may be an effective treatment in cases of severe mania. Due to the very small number of cases in the current case series, no specific conclusions regarding efficacy may be drawn; however, larger, controlled studies would be indicated.

A graph-based approach to detect spatiotemporal dynamics in satellite image time series

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guttler, Fabio; Ienco, Dino; Nin, Jordi; Teisseire, Maguelonne; Poncelet, Pascal

2017-08-01

Enhancing the frequency of satellite acquisitions represents a key issue for Earth Observation community nowadays. Repeated observations are crucial for monitoring purposes, particularly when intra-annual process should be taken into account. Time series of images constitute a valuable source of information in these cases. The goal of this paper is to propose a new methodological framework to automatically detect and extract spatiotemporal information from satellite image time series (SITS). Existing methods dealing with such kind of data are usually classification-oriented and cannot provide information about evolutions and temporal behaviors. In this paper we propose a graph-based strategy that combines object-based image analysis (OBIA) with data mining techniques. Image objects computed at each individual timestamp are connected across the time series and generates a set of evolution graphs. Each evolution graph is associated to a particular area within the study site and stores information about its temporal evolution. Such information can be deeply explored at the evolution graph scale or used to compare the graphs and supply a general picture at the study site scale. We validated our framework on two study sites located in the South of France and involving different types of natural, semi-natural and agricultural areas. The results obtained from a Landsat SITS support the quality of the methodological approach and illustrate how the framework can be employed to extract and characterize spatiotemporal dynamics.

Model-Based Design of Long-Distance Tracer Transport Experiments in Plants.

PubMed

Bühler, Jonas; von Lieres, Eric; Huber, Gregor J

2018-01-01

Studies of long-distance transport of tracer isotopes in plants offer a high potential for functional phenotyping, but so far measurement time is a bottleneck because continuous time series of at least 1 h are required to obtain reliable estimates of transport properties. Hence, usual throughput values are between 0.5 and 1 samples h -1 . Here, we propose to increase sample throughput by introducing temporal gaps in the data acquisition of each plant sample and measuring multiple plants one after each other in a rotating scheme. In contrast to common time series analysis methods, mechanistic tracer transport models allow the analysis of interrupted time series. The uncertainties of the model parameter estimates are used as a measure of how much information was lost compared to complete time series. A case study was set up to systematically investigate different experimental schedules for different throughput scenarios ranging from 1 to 12 samples h -1 . Selected designs with only a small amount of data points were found to be sufficient for an adequate parameter estimation, implying that the presented approach enables a substantial increase of sample throughput. The presented general framework for automated generation and evaluation of experimental schedules allows the determination of a maximal sample throughput and the respective optimal measurement schedule depending on the required statistical reliability of data acquired by future experiments.

A multi-temporal analysis approach for land cover mapping in support of nuclear incident response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sah, Shagan; van Aardt, Jan A. N.; McKeown, Donald M.; Messinger, David W.

2012-06-01

Remote sensing can be used to rapidly generate land use maps for assisting emergency response personnel with resource deployment decisions and impact assessments. In this study we focus on constructing accurate land cover maps to map the impacted area in the case of a nuclear material release. The proposed methodology involves integration of results from two different approaches to increase classification accuracy. The data used included RapidEye scenes over Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Station (Oswego, NY). The first step was building a coarse-scale land cover map from freely available, high temporal resolution, MODIS data using a time-series approach. In the case of a nuclear accident, high spatial resolution commercial satellites such as RapidEye or IKONOS can acquire images of the affected area. Land use maps from the two image sources were integrated using a probability-based approach. Classification results were obtained for four land classes - forest, urban, water and vegetation - using Euclidean and Mahalanobis distances as metrics. Despite the coarse resolution of MODIS pixels, acceptable accuracies were obtained using time series features. The overall accuracies using the fusion based approach were in the neighborhood of 80%, when compared with GIS data sets from New York State. The classifications were augmented using this fused approach, with few supplementary advantages such as correction for cloud cover and independence from time of year. We concluded that this method would generate highly accurate land maps, using coarse spatial resolution time series satellite imagery and a single date, high spatial resolution, multi-spectral image.

Case series: toxicity from 25B-NBOMe--a cluster of N-bomb cases.

PubMed

Gee, Paul; Schep, Leo J; Jensen, Berit P; Moore, Grant; Barrington, Stuart

2016-01-01

Background A new class of hallucinogens called NBOMes has emerged. This class includes analogues 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe. Case reports and judicial seizures indicate that 25I-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe are more prevalently abused. There have been a few confirmed reports of 25B-NBOMe use or toxicity. Report Observational case series. This report describes a series of 10 patients who suffered adverse effects from 25B-NBOMe. Hallucinations and violent agitation predominate along with serotonergic/stimulant signs such as mydriasis, tachycardia, hypertension and hyperthermia. The majority (7/10) required sedation with benzodiazepines. Analytical method 25B-NBOMe concentrations in plasma and urine were quantified in all patients using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Peak plasma levels were measured between 0.7-10.1 ng/ml. Discussion The NBOMes are desired by users because of their hallucinogenic and stimulant effects. They are often sold as LSD or synthetic LSD. Reported cases of 25B- NBOMe toxicity are reviewed and compared to our series. Seizures and one pharmacological death have been described but neither were observed in our series. Based on our experience with cases of mild to moderate toxicity, we suggest that management should be supportive and focused on preventing further (self) harm. High doses of benzodiazepines may be required to control agitation. Patients who develop significant hyperthermia need to be actively managed. Conclusions Effects from 25B-NBOMe in our series were similar to previous individual case reports. The clinical features were also similar to effects from other analogues in the class (25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe). Violent agitation frequently present along with signs of serotonergic stimulation. Hyperthermia, rhabdomyolysis and kidney injury were also observed.

Lenticular neovascularization subsequent to traumatic cataract formation.

PubMed

Kabat, Alan G

2011-09-01

To report a series of cases involving neovascularization within the human crystalline lens-a normally avascular structure-after ocular trauma. This is a retrospective, consecutive observational case series with review of the prevailing literature. Four individuals with a history of ocular trauma and subsequent cataract development were examined between May 2004 and April 2007. All had hypermature cataracts and intraocular inflammation, presumably secondary to phacolysis; two of the four had concurrent hyphema and ocular hypertension in the involved eye. All subjects in this series were found to display a discrete network of blood vessels within the structure of the crystalline lens, just beneath the anterior lens capsule. Neovascularization of the crystalline lens has received little attention in the ophthalmic literature, having been described only rarely in individual case reports. This manuscript details the first known case series involving lenticular neovascularization, and offers insight into its possible developmental mechanism.

Amniotic fluid embolism mortality rate.

PubMed

Benson, Michael D

2017-11-01

The objective of this study was to determine the mortality rate of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) using population-based studies and case series. A literature search was conducted using the two key words: 'amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)' AND 'mortality rate'. Thirteen population-based studies were evaluated, as well as 36 case series including at least two patients. The mortality rate from population-based studies varied from 11% to 44%. When nine population-based studies with over 17 000 000 live births were aggregated, the maternal mortality rate was 20.4%. In contrast, the mortality rate of AFE in case series varies from 0% to 100% with numerous rates in between. The AFE mortality rate in population-based studies varied from 11% to 44% with the best available evidence supporting an overall mortality rate of 20.4%. Data from case series should no longer be used as a basis for describing the lethality of AFE. © 2017 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Hierarchy of evidence relating to hand surgery in Brazilian orthopedic journals.

PubMed

Moraes, Vinícius Ynoe de; Belloti, João Carlos; Moraes, Fábio Ynoe de; Galbiatti, José Antonio; Palácio, Evandro Pereira; Santos, João Baptista Gomes Dos; Faloppa, Flávio

2011-03-01

There is no systematic assessment of the quality of scientific production in the specialty of hand surgery in our setting. This study aimed to systematically assess the status of evidence generation relating to hand surgery and to evaluate the reproducibility of the classification method based on an evidence pyramid. Secondary study conducted at Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) and Faculdade Estadual de Medicina de Marília (Famema). Two researchers independently conducted an electronic database search for hand surgery studies published between 2000 and 2009 in the two main Brazilian orthopedic journals (Acta Ortopédica Brasileira and Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia). The studies identified were subsequently classified according to methodological design (systematic review of the literature, randomized clinical trial, cohort study, case-control study, case series and other studies) and evidence level (I to V). A total of 1,150 articles were evaluated, and 83 (7.2%) were included in the final analysis. Studies with evidence level IV (case series) accounted for 41 (49%) of the published papers. Studies with evidence level V (other studies) accounted for 12 (14.5%) of the papers. Only two studies (2.4%) were ranked as level I or II. The inter-rater reproducibility was excellent (k = 0.94). Hand surgery articles corresponded to less than one tenth of Brazilian orthopedic production. Studies with evidence level IV were the commonest type. The reproducibility of the classification stratified by evidence level was almost perfect.

Day case hernia repair: weak evidence or practice gap?

PubMed

Scarfe, Anje; Duncan, Joanna; Ma, Ning; Cameron, Alun; Rankin, David; Karatassas, Alex; Fletcher, David; Watters, David; Maddern, Guy

2018-06-01

Analysis of a private insurer's administrative data set revealed significant variation in the length of hospital stay following hernia surgery. This review examined factors influencing the performance of day surgery for inguinal, femoral and umbilical hernia repair in adults. A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases to identify studies and clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) comparing same day hernia surgery to surgery followed by an overnight stay. Screening of studies by abstract and full text was completed by a single researcher and checked by a second. Studies were selected for inclusion based on a step-wise approach across three phases. Limited evidence from one systematic review, and three case series studies including 3213 patients found that same day hernia surgery was as safe and effective as an overnight stay. All identified CPGs recommended a same day procedure for most patients. Two case series studies reported that 3-8% of patients were ineligible for day procedures due to medical reasons; however, the characteristics of patients, in general, which are not suitable, have not been adequately investigated. Day surgery for groin hernia repair is safe and effective for most patients. However, evidence-based support is only one of many factors that may contribute to the uptake of day surgery in Australia. There is an opportunity for key stakeholders across the private healthcare system to deliver an equally effective but more sustainable and affordable hernia care by increasing the day surgery rates. © 2018 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Removal and Repositioning of Intracorneal Ring Segments: Improving Corneal Topography and Clinical Outcomes in Keratoconus and Ectasia.

PubMed

Chan, Kahei; Hersh, Peter S

2017-02-01

To evaluate the efficacy of removal and relocation of intracorneal ring segments for improving outcomes in treatment of keratoconus and corneal ectasia. This is a retrospective case series conducted at a cornea and refractive surgery subspecialty practice setting. Patients with previous insertion of 2 intracorneal ring segments underwent surgical removal and repositioning of segments because of unsatisfactory visual and topographic outcomes. The principal outcomes included uncorrected and corrected visual acuities, manifest refraction, topography-derived maximum keratometry (Kmax), inferior-superior topography power difference (I - S), and higher-order aberration profile derived from wavefront analysis. Three patients are presented in this case series. Uncorrected visual acuity improved in all eyes by an average of 2.75 lines. Corrected visual acuity improved in 2 eyes and remained unchanged in 1 eye. Refractive astigmatism decreased in all patients by an average of 2.50 D. Kmax decreased by an average of 1.43 D. All patients had improvement in the I - S value with a mean decrease of 5.13 D. Topography-guided repositioning and/or replacement of corneal ring segments can result in improved topographic, optical, and visual outcomes in patients in whom the initial result is suboptimal. In these cases, a single segment repositioned beneath the cone resulted in an improved outcome. Analysis of corneal topography can guide the surgeon in treatment planning and can suggest patients in whom such an effort will be rewarded with better results.

Insights on correlation dimension from dynamics mapping of three experimental nonlinear laser systems.

PubMed

McMahon, Christopher J; Toomey, Joshua P; Kane, Deb M

2017-01-01

We have analysed large data sets consisting of tens of thousands of time series from three Type B laser systems: a semiconductor laser in a photonic integrated chip, a semiconductor laser subject to optical feedback from a long free-space-external-cavity, and a solid-state laser subject to optical injection from a master laser. The lasers can deliver either constant, periodic, pulsed, or chaotic outputs when parameters such as the injection current and the level of external perturbation are varied. The systems represent examples of experimental nonlinear systems more generally and cover a broad range of complexity including systematically varying complexity in some regions. In this work we have introduced a new procedure for semi-automatically interrogating experimental laser system output power time series to calculate the correlation dimension (CD) using the commonly adopted Grassberger-Proccacia algorithm. The new CD procedure is called the 'minimum gradient detection algorithm'. A value of minimum gradient is returned for all time series in a data set. In some cases this can be identified as a CD, with uncertainty. Applying the new 'minimum gradient detection algorithm' CD procedure, we obtained robust measurements of the correlation dimension for many of the time series measured from each laser system. By mapping the results across an extended parameter space for operation of each laser system, we were able to confidently identify regions of low CD (CD < 3) and assign these robust values for the correlation dimension. However, in all three laser systems, we were not able to measure the correlation dimension at all parts of the parameter space. Nevertheless, by mapping the staged progress of the algorithm, we were able to broadly classify the dynamical output of the lasers at all parts of their respective parameter spaces. For two of the laser systems this included displaying regions of high-complexity chaos and dynamic noise. These high-complexity regions are differentiated from regions where the time series are dominated by technical noise. This is the first time such differentiation has been achieved using a CD analysis approach. More can be known of the CD for a system when it is interrogated in a mapping context, than from calculations using isolated time series. This has been shown for three laser systems and the approach is expected to be useful in other areas of nonlinear science where large data sets are available and need to be semi-automatically analysed to provide real dimensional information about the complex dynamics. The CD/minimum gradient algorithm measure provides additional information that complements other measures of complexity and relative complexity, such as the permutation entropy; and conventional physical measurements.

Insights on correlation dimension from dynamics mapping of three experimental nonlinear laser systems

PubMed Central

McMahon, Christopher J.; Toomey, Joshua P.

2017-01-01

Background We have analysed large data sets consisting of tens of thousands of time series from three Type B laser systems: a semiconductor laser in a photonic integrated chip, a semiconductor laser subject to optical feedback from a long free-space-external-cavity, and a solid-state laser subject to optical injection from a master laser. The lasers can deliver either constant, periodic, pulsed, or chaotic outputs when parameters such as the injection current and the level of external perturbation are varied. The systems represent examples of experimental nonlinear systems more generally and cover a broad range of complexity including systematically varying complexity in some regions. Methods In this work we have introduced a new procedure for semi-automatically interrogating experimental laser system output power time series to calculate the correlation dimension (CD) using the commonly adopted Grassberger-Proccacia algorithm. The new CD procedure is called the ‘minimum gradient detection algorithm’. A value of minimum gradient is returned for all time series in a data set. In some cases this can be identified as a CD, with uncertainty. Findings Applying the new ‘minimum gradient detection algorithm’ CD procedure, we obtained robust measurements of the correlation dimension for many of the time series measured from each laser system. By mapping the results across an extended parameter space for operation of each laser system, we were able to confidently identify regions of low CD (CD < 3) and assign these robust values for the correlation dimension. However, in all three laser systems, we were not able to measure the correlation dimension at all parts of the parameter space. Nevertheless, by mapping the staged progress of the algorithm, we were able to broadly classify the dynamical output of the lasers at all parts of their respective parameter spaces. For two of the laser systems this included displaying regions of high-complexity chaos and dynamic noise. These high-complexity regions are differentiated from regions where the time series are dominated by technical noise. This is the first time such differentiation has been achieved using a CD analysis approach. Conclusions More can be known of the CD for a system when it is interrogated in a mapping context, than from calculations using isolated time series. This has been shown for three laser systems and the approach is expected to be useful in other areas of nonlinear science where large data sets are available and need to be semi-automatically analysed to provide real dimensional information about the complex dynamics. The CD/minimum gradient algorithm measure provides additional information that complements other measures of complexity and relative complexity, such as the permutation entropy; and conventional physical measurements. PMID:28837602

A study on the application of Fourier series in IMRT treatment planning.

PubMed

Almeida-Trinidad, R; Garnica-Garza, H M

2007-12-01

In intensity-modulated radiotherapy, a set of x-ray fluence profiles is iteratively adjusted until a desired absorbed dose distribution is obtained. The purpose of this article is to present a method that allows the optimization of fluence profiles based on the Fourier series decomposition of an initial approximation to the profile. The method has the advantage that a new fluence profile can be obtained in a precise and controlled way with the tuning of only two parameters, namely the phase of the sine and cosine terms of one of the Fourier components, in contrast to the point-by-point tuning of the profile. Also, because the method uses analytical functions, the resultant profiles do not exhibit numerical artifacts. A test case consisting of a mathematical phantom with a target wrapped around a critical structure is discussed to illustrate the algorithm. It is shown that the degree of conformality of the absorbed dose distribution can be tailored by varying the number of Fourier terms made available to the optimization algorithm. For the test case discussed here, it is shown that the number of Fourier terms to be modified depends on the number of radiation beams incident on the target but it is in general in the order of 10 terms.

Lack of irrefutable validation does not negate clinical utility of near-infrared spectroscopy monitoring: learning to trust new technology.

PubMed

Kane, Jason M; Steinhorn, David M

2009-09-01

Reliance on new monitoring device technology is based upon an understanding of how the device operates and its reliability in a specific clinical setting. The introduction of new monitoring devices will therefore elicit either distrust of the new technology and the data presented or adoption of new devices. The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology to monitor vital organs in postoperative pediatric cardiac surgery patients has been extensively described yet controversy remains as to the use of this monitoring device. The following retrospective case series demonstrates how learning from trends in data elicited from 2-site NIRS monitoring provided important bedside insights. These insights led to changes in clinician behavior and reliance on NIRS monitoring for early recognition of clinically silent deteriorations. Disregard for the NIRS data may have led to a fatal outcome in an unstable patient who might have received more timely intervention if the NIRS data had been acknowledged earlier. This case series demonstrates that 2-site NIRS monitoring accurately reflects situations in which poor clinical outcomes may occur when declining trends in somatic tissue oxygen saturations are not corrected. Physician management of the postoperative pediatric cardiac surgery patient can change based upon the insights gained through the application of NIRS monitoring.

Nuclear rapprochement in Argentina and Brazil: Workshop summary

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

James E. Doyle

1999-10-01

On October 21 and 22, 1998, the Center for International Security Affairs at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Center for Global Security and Cooperation at Science Applications International Corporation hosted the first of a series of work-shops on states that have chosen to roll back their pursuit of nuclear arms. The objective of the workshop series is to conduct a systematic evaluation of the roles played by U.S. nonproliferation policy in cases of nuclear rollback or restraint and to provide recommendations for future nonproliferation efforts based on lessons learned. Key attendees at the workshop included officials and former officialsmore » from the foreign ministries of Argentina and Brazil, and current and former officials from the U.S. Department of State, the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA), and the Department of Energy (DOE). Scholars and independent researchers who have examined nuclear policy in Argentina and Brazil also participated. This workshop report includes important background information that helps set the stage for assessing nuclear policies in Argentina and Brazil. It describes national perspectives and areas of consensus and debate among the participants, particularly on the questions of lessons learned and their salience to proliferation challenges in other states. It also summarizes key questions and propositions regarding the roles played in these cases by U.S. nonproliferation policy.« less

Extracellular and intracellular melanin in inflammatory middle ear disease.

PubMed

Fritz, Mark A; Roehm, Pamela C; Bannan, Michael A; Lalwani, Anil K

2014-06-01

Melanin is a pigmented polymer with a known role in dermal solar protection. In vertebrates, melanogenesis has been reported in leukocyte populations, suggesting a potential role in innate immunity. In this study, we report the novel finding of melanin associated with chronic inflammation and speculate on its potential role in the middle ear and mastoid. Retrospective review of case series. Medical records of six patients who demonstrated melanin in the ear were reviewed. Six patients from 1 to 63 years of age were identified with extracellular melanin and melanin-laden histiocytes within the middle ear and/or mastoid air cells at time of surgery. Concurrent intraoperative findings included cholesteatoma (n = 3), chronic suppurative otitis media (n = 2), and coalescent mastoiditis (n = 1). Histologically, extracellular melanin and melanin-laden histiocytes were identified by Fontana-Masson stain; absence of melanocytes was confirmed by the absence of Melan-A staining. One patient had a positive stain for CD163 (a marker for macrophages). This case series is the first demonstration of melanin within middle ear mucosa without melanocytes in immediate proximity or metastatic melanocytic lesions. Melanin's presence in the setting of inflammation suggests that there may be a heretofore unreported link between the pigmentary and immune systems in the middle ear. 4.

Management of acute overdose or withdrawal state in intrathecal baclofen therapy.

PubMed

Watve, S V; Sivan, M; Raza, W A; Jamil, F F

2012-02-01

Individuals who are treated with intrathecal Baclofen (ITB) pump delivery system for intractable spasticity can suffer from severe morbidity as a result of acute overdose or withdrawal of ITB, which can also be life threatening. Current literature has a number of single case studies with different approaches to the management in such states. The aim of this article is to consolidate available evidence and develop treatment pathways for acute ITB overdose and withdrawal states. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Cochrane Library databases using the keywords 'intrathecal', 'baclofen', 'withdrawal', 'overdose' to identify studies (published up to December 2010) that focused on presentation or treatment of acute overdose and withdrawal state in ITB therapy. Only original articles in English involving adult population were included. Initial search revealed 130 articles. After reading the abstract, 13 studies on ITB overdose and 23 studies on ITB withdrawal were deemed suitable for inclusion. All studies were either single-case studies or case series. Acute ITB overdose is managed with immediate cessation of baclofen delivery through the system, reducing the baclofen load by cerebrospinal fluid aspiration and by providing supportive treatment in an intensive care setting. There is no specific antidote for reversing overdose symptoms. Acute ITB withdrawal is managed by restoring the delivery of ITB, providing supportive care in an intensive care setting and using drugs like low dose propofol or benzodiazepines in selected cases. Early involvement of ITB physicians is strongly recommended.

European genome-wide association study identifies SLC14A1 as a new urinary bladder cancer susceptibility gene

PubMed Central

Rafnar, Thorunn; Vermeulen, Sita H.; Sulem, Patrick; Thorleifsson, Gudmar; Aben, Katja K.; Witjes, J. Alfred; Grotenhuis, Anne J.; Verhaegh, Gerald W.; Hulsbergen-van de Kaa, Christina A.; Besenbacher, Soren; Gudbjartsson, Daniel; Stacey, Simon N.; Gudmundsson, Julius; Johannsdottir, Hrefna; Bjarnason, Hjordis; Zanon, Carlo; Helgadottir, Hafdis; Jonasson, Jon Gunnlaugur; Tryggvadottir, Laufey; Jonsson, Eirikur; Geirsson, Gudmundur; Nikulasson, Sigfus; Petursdottir, Vigdis; Bishop, D. Timothy; Chung-Sak, Sei; Choudhury, Ananya; Elliott, Faye; Barrett, Jennifer H.; Knowles, Margaret A.; de Verdier, Petra J.; Ryk, Charlotta; Lindblom, Annika; Rudnai, Peter; Gurzau, Eugene; Koppova, Kvetoslava; Vineis, Paolo; Polidoro, Silvia; Guarrera, Simonetta; Sacerdote, Carlotta; Panadero, Angeles; Sanz-Velez, José I.; Sanchez, Manuel; Valdivia, Gabriel; Garcia-Prats, Maria D.; Hengstler, Jan G.; Selinski, Silvia; Gerullis, Holger; Ovsiannikov, Daniel; Khezri, Abdolaziz; Aminsharifi, Alireza; Malekzadeh, Mahyar; van den Berg, Leonard H.; Ophoff, Roel A.; Veldink, Jan H.; Zeegers, Maurice P.; Kellen, Eliane; Fostinelli, Jacopo; Andreoli, Daniele; Arici, Cecilia; Porru, Stefano; Buntinx, Frank; Ghaderi, Abbas; Golka, Klaus; Mayordomo, José I.; Matullo, Giuseppe; Kumar, Rajiv; Steineck, Gunnar; Kiltie, Anne E.; Kong, Augustine; Thorsteinsdottir, Unnur; Stefansson, Kari; Kiemeney, Lambertus A.

2011-01-01

Three genome-wide association studies in Europe and the USA have reported eight urinary bladder cancer (UBC) susceptibility loci. Using extended case and control series and 1000 Genomes imputations of 5 340 737 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we searched for additional loci in the European GWAS. The discovery sample set consisted of 1631 cases and 3822 controls from the Netherlands and 603 cases and 37 781 controls from Iceland. For follow-up, we used 3790 cases and 7507 controls from 13 sample sets of European and Iranian ancestry. Based on the discovery analysis, we followed up signals in the urea transporter (UT) gene SLC14A. The strongest signal at this locus was represented by a SNP in intron 3, rs17674580, that reached genome-wide significance in the overall analysis of the discovery and follow-up groups: odds ratio = 1.17, P = 7.6 × 10−11. SLC14A1 codes for UTs that define the Kidd blood group and are crucial for the maintenance of a constant urea concentration gradient in the renal medulla and, through this, the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. It is speculated that rs17674580, or other sequence variants in LD with it, indirectly modifies UBC risk by affecting urine production. If confirmed, this would support the ‘urogenous contact hypothesis’ that urine production and voiding frequency modify the risk of UBC. PMID:21750109

Separation of metadata and pixel data to speed DICOM tag morphing.

PubMed

Ismail, Mahmoud; Philbin, James

2013-01-01

The DICOM information model combines pixel data and metadata in single DICOM object. It is not possible to access the metadata separately from the pixel data. There are use cases where only metadata is accessed. The current DICOM object format increases the running time of those use cases. Tag morphing is one of those use cases. Tag morphing includes deletion, insertion or manipulation of one or more of the metadata attributes. It is typically used for order reconciliation on study acquisition or to localize the issuer of patient ID (IPID) and the patient ID attributes when data from one domain is transferred to a different domain. In this work, we propose using Multi-Series DICOM (MSD) objects, which separate metadata from pixel data and remove duplicate attributes, to reduce the time required for Tag Morphing. The time required to update a set of study attributes in each format is compared. The results show that the MSD format significantly reduces the time required for tag morphing.

Processed electroencephalogram during donation after cardiac death.

PubMed

Auyong, David B; Klein, Stephen M; Gan, Tong J; Roche, Anthony M; Olson, Daiwai; Habib, Ashraf S

2010-05-01

We present a case series of increased bispectral index values during donation after cardiac death (DCD). During the DCD process, a patient was monitored with processed electroencephalogram (EEG), which showed considerable changes traditionally associated with lighter planes of anesthesia immediately after withdrawal of care. Subsequently, to validate the findings of this case, processed EEG was recorded during 2 other cases in which care was withdrawn without the use of hypnotic or anesthetic drugs. We found that changes in processed EEG immediately after withdrawal of care were not only reproducible, but can happen in the absence of changes in major electromyographic or electrocardiographic artifact. It is well documented that processed EEG is prone to artifacts. However, in the setting of DCD, these changes in processed EEG deserve some consideration. If these changes are not due to artifact, dosing of hypnotic or anesthetic drugs might be warranted. Use of these drugs during DCD based primarily on processed EEG values has never been addressed.

Power factor improvement in three-phase networks with unbalanced inductive loads using the Roederstein ESTAmat RPR power factor controller

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diniş, C. M.; Cunţan, C. D.; Rob, R. O. S.; Popa, G. N.

2018-01-01

The paper presents the analysis of a power factor with capacitors banks, without series coils, used for improving power factor for a three-phase and single-phase inductive loads. In the experimental measurements, to improve the power factor, the Roederstein ESTAmat RPR power factor controller can command up to twelve capacitors banks, while experimenting using only six capacitors banks. Six delta capacitors banks with approximately equal reactive powers were used for experimentation. The experimental measurements were carried out with a three-phase power quality analyser which worked in three cases: a case without a controller with all capacitors banks permanently parallel connected with network, and two other cases with power factor controller (one with setting power factor at 0.92 and the other one at 1). When performing experiments with the power factor controller, a current transformer was used to measure the current on one phase (at a more charged or less loaded phase).

A hybrid wavelet de-noising and Rank-Set Pair Analysis approach for forecasting hydro-meteorological time series.

PubMed

Wang, Dong; Borthwick, Alistair G; He, Handan; Wang, Yuankun; Zhu, Jieyu; Lu, Yuan; Xu, Pengcheng; Zeng, Xiankui; Wu, Jichun; Wang, Lachun; Zou, Xinqing; Liu, Jiufu; Zou, Ying; He, Ruimin

2018-01-01

Accurate, fast forecasting of hydro-meteorological time series is presently a major challenge in drought and flood mitigation. This paper proposes a hybrid approach, wavelet de-noising (WD) and Rank-Set Pair Analysis (RSPA), that takes full advantage of a combination of the two approaches to improve forecasts of hydro-meteorological time series. WD allows decomposition and reconstruction of a time series by the wavelet transform, and hence separation of the noise from the original series. RSPA, a more reliable and efficient version of Set Pair Analysis, is integrated with WD to form the hybrid WD-RSPA approach. Two types of hydro-meteorological data sets with different characteristics and different levels of human influences at some representative stations are used to illustrate the WD-RSPA approach. The approach is also compared to three other generic methods: the conventional Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) (BP-error Back Propagation, MLP-Multilayer Perceptron and RBF-Radial Basis Function), and RSPA alone. Nine error metrics are used to evaluate the model performance. Compared to three other generic methods, the results generated by WD-REPA model presented invariably smaller error measures which means the forecasting capability of the WD-REPA model is better than other models. The results show that WD-RSPA is accurate, feasible, and effective. In particular, WD-RSPA is found to be the best among the various generic methods compared in this paper, even when the extreme events are included within a time series. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Telescopic Corsair in 5F Guidion for Retrograde Recanalization of Complex Chronic Total Occlusions (CTOs)

PubMed Central

Palmers, Pieter-Jan; Maeremans, Joren; Meyer-Gessner, Markus; Bataille, Yoann; Dens, Joseph

2017-01-01

Case series Patient: Male, 81 • Female, 72 • Male, 58 Final Diagnosis: CTO Symptoms: Angina pectoris Medication: — Clinical Procedure: PCI Specialty: Cardiology Objective: Unusual setting of medical care Background: Retrograde advancement of microcatheters through septal/epicardial connectors can be challenging. Although several tricks might help to do so (e.g., balloon trap of retro wire in second guiding, balloon trap of retro wire in native coronary artery, and use of antegrade extension to approximate the antegrade conduit to the retrograde gear), these tricks cannot always be applied, especially in patients with poor access. Also, puncturing, knuckling, and crossing of the distal CTO cap (or the aorta as described in 1 of the cases) sometimes needs a lot of backup of the microcatheter. Case Report: We describe 3 cases in which we used a novel telescopic technique with 5F Guidion (IMDS®) supported retrograde Corsair (Asahi®) advancement in complex CTO lesions. Conclusions: The telescopic Corsair in 5F Guidion may offer the support needed to end successfully in these situations. PMID:28456814

Gastric Bezoar Treatment by Endoscopic Fragmentation in Combination with Pepsi-Cola® Administration

PubMed Central

Iwamuro, Masaya; Yunoki, Naoko; Tomoda, Jun; Nakamura, Kazuhiro; Okada, Hiroyuki; Yamamoto, Kazuhide

2015-01-01

Patient: Male, 86 Final Diagnosis: Gastric bezoar Symptoms: — Medication: Cola Clinical Procedure: Endoscopic fragmentation after gastric lavage with Pepsi-Cola Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Objective: Unusual setting of medical care Background: Although bezoar dissolution by Coca-Cola® has been described in case reports and case series, to the best of our knowledge, the usefulness of other cola products such as Pepsi-Cola® has never been reported in the English literature. Case Report: An 86-year-old Taiwanese man was diagnosed with a gastric bezoar. Endoscopic fragmentation with a polypectomy snare was attempted twice but failed to remove the bezoar. Subsequently, 500 mL of Pepsi NEX Zero® was administered daily for 4 days via nasogastric tube. The bezoar was softened and successfully fragmented by the polypectomy snare and needle-knife devices on the third attempt. Conclusions: This report presents the first case of a gastric bezoar successfully treated by endoscopic fragmentation in combination with Pepsi-Cola® administration, suggesting the possible utility of cola beverages in bezoar treatment, regardless of product brands. PMID:26164451

Portable and Accessible Video Modeling: Teaching a Series of Novel Skills within School and Community Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taber-Doughty, Teresa; Miller, Bridget; Shurr, Jordan; Wiles, Benjamin

2013-01-01

This study examined the effectiveness of self-operated video models on the skill acquisition of a series of novel tasks taught in community-based settings. In addition, the percent of independent task transitions and the duration at which four secondary students with a moderate intellectual disability transitioned between tasks was also examined.…

A Doubly Stochastic Change Point Detection Algorithm for Noisy Biological Signals.

PubMed

Gold, Nathan; Frasch, Martin G; Herry, Christophe L; Richardson, Bryan S; Wang, Xiaogang

2017-01-01

Experimentally and clinically collected time series data are often contaminated with significant confounding noise, creating short, noisy time series. This noise, due to natural variability and measurement error, poses a challenge to conventional change point detection methods. We propose a novel and robust statistical method for change point detection for noisy biological time sequences. Our method is a significant improvement over traditional change point detection methods, which only examine a potential anomaly at a single time point. In contrast, our method considers all suspected anomaly points and considers the joint probability distribution of the number of change points and the elapsed time between two consecutive anomalies. We validate our method with three simulated time series, a widely accepted benchmark data set, two geological time series, a data set of ECG recordings, and a physiological data set of heart rate variability measurements of fetal sheep model of human labor, comparing it to three existing methods. Our method demonstrates significantly improved performance over the existing point-wise detection methods.

Inhomogeneities detection in annual precipitation time series in Portugal using direct sequential simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caineta, Júlio; Ribeiro, Sara; Costa, Ana Cristina; Henriques, Roberto; Soares, Amílcar

2014-05-01

Climate data homogenisation is of major importance in monitoring climate change, the validation of weather forecasting, general circulation and regional atmospheric models, modelling of erosion, drought monitoring, among other studies of hydrological and environmental impacts. This happens because non-climate factors can cause time series discontinuities which may hide the true climatic signal and patterns, thus potentially bias the conclusions of those studies. In the last two decades, many methods have been developed to identify and remove these inhomogeneities. One of those is based on geostatistical simulation (DSS - direct sequential simulation), where local probability density functions (pdf) are calculated at candidate monitoring stations, using spatial and temporal neighbouring observations, and then are used for detection of inhomogeneities. This approach has been previously applied to detect inhomogeneities in four precipitation series (wet day count) from a network with 66 monitoring stations located in the southern region of Portugal (1980-2001). This study revealed promising results and the potential advantages of geostatistical techniques for inhomogeneities detection in climate time series. This work extends the case study presented before and investigates the application of the geostatistical stochastic approach to ten precipitation series that were previously classified as inhomogeneous by one of six absolute homogeneity tests (Mann-Kendall test, Wald-Wolfowitz runs test, Von Neumann ratio test, Standard normal homogeneity test (SNHT) for a single break, Pettit test, and Buishand range test). Moreover, a sensibility analysis is implemented to investigate the number of simulated realisations that should be used to accurately infer the local pdfs. Accordingly, the number of simulations per iteration is increased from 50 to 500, which resulted in a more representative local pdf. A set of default and recommended settings is provided, which will help other users to implement this method. The need of user intervention is reduced to a minimum through the usage of a cross-platform script. Finally, as in the previous study, the results are compared with those from the SNHT, Pettit and Buishand range tests, which were applied to composite (ratio) reference series. Acknowledgements: The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of "Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia" (FCT), Portugal, through the research project PTDC/GEO-MET/4026/2012 ("GSIMCLI - Geostatistical simulation with local distributions for the homogenization and interpolation of climate data").

A scalable database model for multiparametric time series: a volcano observatory case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montalto, Placido; Aliotta, Marco; Cassisi, Carmelo; Prestifilippo, Michele; Cannata, Andrea

2014-05-01

The variables collected by a sensor network constitute a heterogeneous data source that needs to be properly organized in order to be used in research and geophysical monitoring. With the time series term we refer to a set of observations of a given phenomenon acquired sequentially in time. When the time intervals are equally spaced one speaks of period or sampling frequency. Our work describes in detail a possible methodology for storage and management of time series using a specific data structure. We designed a framework, hereinafter called TSDSystem (Time Series Database System), in order to acquire time series from different data sources and standardize them within a relational database. The operation of standardization provides the ability to perform operations, such as query and visualization, of many measures synchronizing them using a common time scale. The proposed architecture follows a multiple layer paradigm (Loaders layer, Database layer and Business Logic layer). Each layer is specialized in performing particular operations for the reorganization and archiving of data from different sources such as ASCII, Excel, ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity), file accessible from the Internet (web pages, XML). In particular, the loader layer performs a security check of the working status of each running software through an heartbeat system, in order to automate the discovery of acquisition issues and other warning conditions. Although our system has to manage huge amounts of data, performance is guaranteed by using a smart partitioning table strategy, that keeps balanced the percentage of data stored in each database table. TSDSystem also contains modules for the visualization of acquired data, that provide the possibility to query different time series on a specified time range, or follow the realtime signal acquisition, according to a data access policy from the users.

Discovering time-lagged rules from microarray data using gene profile classifiers

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Gene regulatory networks have an essential role in every process of life. In this regard, the amount of genome-wide time series data is becoming increasingly available, providing the opportunity to discover the time-delayed gene regulatory networks that govern the majority of these molecular processes. Results This paper aims at reconstructing gene regulatory networks from multiple genome-wide microarray time series datasets. In this sense, a new model-free algorithm called GRNCOP2 (Gene Regulatory Network inference by Combinatorial OPtimization 2), which is a significant evolution of the GRNCOP algorithm, was developed using combinatorial optimization of gene profile classifiers. The method is capable of inferring potential time-delay relationships with any span of time between genes from various time series datasets given as input. The proposed algorithm was applied to time series data composed of twenty yeast genes that are highly relevant for the cell-cycle study, and the results were compared against several related approaches. The outcomes have shown that GRNCOP2 outperforms the contrasted methods in terms of the proposed metrics, and that the results are consistent with previous biological knowledge. Additionally, a genome-wide study on multiple publicly available time series data was performed. In this case, the experimentation has exhibited the soundness and scalability of the new method which inferred highly-related statistically-significant gene associations. Conclusions A novel method for inferring time-delayed gene regulatory networks from genome-wide time series datasets is proposed in this paper. The method was carefully validated with several publicly available data sets. The results have demonstrated that the algorithm constitutes a usable model-free approach capable of predicting meaningful relationships between genes, revealing the time-trends of gene regulation. PMID:21524308

The short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China: comparison of time-series and case-crossover analyses.

PubMed

Ren, Meng; Li, Na; Wang, Zhan; Liu, Yisi; Chen, Xi; Chu, Yuanyuan; Li, Xiangyu; Zhu, Zhongmin; Tian, Liqiao; Xiang, Hao

2017-01-13

Few studies have compared different methods when exploring the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. This study assesses the association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality with both time-series and time-stratified-case-crossover designs. The generalized additive model (GAM) and the conditional logistic regression model were used to assess the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and diseases. A 10 μg/m 3 increment in SO 2 level was associated with an increase in relative risk for all respiratory disease mortality of 2.4% and 1.9% in the case-crossover and time-series analyses in single pollutant models, respectively. Strong evidence of an association between NO 2 and daily respiratory disease mortality among men or people older than 65 years was found in the case-crossover study. There was a positive association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. Both time-series and case-crossover analyses consistently reveal the association between three air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality. The estimates of association between air pollution and respiratory disease mortality from the case-crossover analysis displayed greater variation than that from the time-series analysis.

The short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China: comparison of time-series and case-crossover analyses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Meng; Li, Na; Wang, Zhan; Liu, Yisi; Chen, Xi; Chu, Yuanyuan; Li, Xiangyu; Zhu, Zhongmin; Tian, Liqiao; Xiang, Hao

2017-01-01

Few studies have compared different methods when exploring the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. This study assesses the association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality with both time-series and time-stratified-case-crossover designs. The generalized additive model (GAM) and the conditional logistic regression model were used to assess the short-term effects of air pollutants on respiratory disease mortality. Stratified analyses were performed by age, sex, and diseases. A 10 μg/m3 increment in SO2 level was associated with an increase in relative risk for all respiratory disease mortality of 2.4% and 1.9% in the case-crossover and time-series analyses in single pollutant models, respectively. Strong evidence of an association between NO2 and daily respiratory disease mortality among men or people older than 65 years was found in the case-crossover study. There was a positive association between air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality in Wuhan, China. Both time-series and case-crossover analyses consistently reveal the association between three air pollutants and respiratory disease mortality. The estimates of association between air pollution and respiratory disease mortality from the case-crossover analysis displayed greater variation than that from the time-series analysis.

A Simplified Approach for the Rapid Generation of Transient Heat-Shield Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wurster, Kathryn E.; Zoby, E. Vincent; Mills, Janelle C.; Kamhawi, Hilmi

2007-01-01

A simplified approach has been developed whereby transient entry heating environments are reliably predicted based upon a limited set of benchmark radiative and convective solutions. Heating, pressure and shear-stress levels, non-dimensionalized by an appropriate parameter at each benchmark condition are applied throughout the entry profile. This approach was shown to be valid based on the observation that the fully catalytic, laminar distributions examined were relatively insensitive to altitude as well as velocity throughout the regime of significant heating. In order to establish a best prediction by which to judge the results that can be obtained using a very limited benchmark set, predictions based on a series of benchmark cases along a trajectory are used. Solutions which rely only on the limited benchmark set, ideally in the neighborhood of peak heating, are compared against the resultant transient heating rates and total heat loads from the best prediction. Predictions based on using two or fewer benchmark cases at or near the trajectory peak heating condition, yielded results to within 5-10 percent of the best predictions. Thus, the method provides transient heating environments over the heat-shield face with sufficient resolution and accuracy for thermal protection system design and also offers a significant capability to perform rapid trade studies such as the effect of different trajectories, atmospheres, or trim angle of attack, on convective and radiative heating rates and loads, pressure, and shear-stress levels.

A Comparison of Forecast Error Generators for Modeling Wind and Load Uncertainty

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lu, Ning; Diao, Ruisheng; Hafen, Ryan P.

2013-12-18

This paper presents four algorithms to generate random forecast error time series, including a truncated-normal distribution model, a state-space based Markov model, a seasonal autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model, and a stochastic-optimization based model. The error time series are used to create real-time (RT), hour-ahead (HA), and day-ahead (DA) wind and load forecast time series that statistically match historically observed forecasting data sets, used for variable generation integration studies. A comparison is made using historical DA load forecast and actual load values to generate new sets of DA forecasts with similar stoical forecast error characteristics. This paper discusses and comparesmore » the capabilities of each algorithm to preserve the characteristics of the historical forecast data sets.« less

Superstatistical fluctuations in time series: Applications to share-price dynamics and turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Straeten, Erik; Beck, Christian

2009-09-01

We report a general technique to study a given experimental time series with superstatistics. Crucial for the applicability of the superstatistics concept is the existence of a parameter β that fluctuates on a large time scale as compared to the other time scales of the complex system under consideration. The proposed method extracts the main superstatistical parameters out of a given data set and examines the validity of the superstatistical model assumptions. We test the method thoroughly with surrogate data sets. Then the applicability of the superstatistical approach is illustrated using real experimental data. We study two examples, velocity time series measured in turbulent Taylor-Couette flows and time series of log returns of the closing prices of some stock market indices.

CELL5M: A geospatial database of agricultural indicators for Africa South of the Sahara.

PubMed

Koo, Jawoo; Cox, Cindy M; Bacou, Melanie; Azzarri, Carlo; Guo, Zhe; Wood-Sichra, Ulrike; Gong, Queenie; You, Liangzhi

2016-01-01

Recent progress in large-scale georeferenced data collection is widening opportunities for combining multi-disciplinary datasets from biophysical to socioeconomic domains, advancing our analytical and modeling capacity. Granular spatial datasets provide critical information necessary for decision makers to identify target areas, assess baseline conditions, prioritize investment options, set goals and targets and monitor impacts. However, key challenges in reconciling data across themes, scales and borders restrict our capacity to produce global and regional maps and time series. This paper provides overview, structure and coverage of CELL5M-an open-access database of geospatial indicators at 5 arc-minute grid resolution-and introduces a range of analytical applications and case-uses. CELL5M covers a wide set of agriculture-relevant domains for all countries in Africa South of the Sahara and supports our understanding of multi-dimensional spatial variability inherent in farming landscapes throughout the region.

Human-Robot Teaming for Hydrologic Data Gathering at Multiple Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peschel, J.; Young, S. N.

2017-12-01

The use of personal robot-assistive technology by researchers and practitioners for hydrologic data gathering has grown in recent years as barriers to platform capability, cost, and human-robot interaction have been overcome. One consequence to this growth is a broad availability of unmanned platforms that might or might not be suitable for a specific hydrologic investigation. Through multiple field studies, a set of recommendations has been developed to help guide novice through experienced users in choosing the appropriate unmanned platforms for a given application. This talk will present a series of hydrologic data sets gathered using a human-robot teaming approach that has leveraged unmanned aerial, ground, and surface vehicles over multiple scales. The field case studies discussed will be connected to the best practices, also provided in the presentation. This talk will be of interest to geoscience researchers and practitioners, in general, as well as those working in fields related to emerging technologies.

Verifying Safeguards Declarations with INDEPTH: A Sensitivity Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grogan, Brandon R; Richards, Scott

2017-01-01

A series of ORIGEN calculations were used to simulate the irradiation and decay of a number of spent fuel assemblies. These simulations focused on variations in the irradiation history that achieved the same terminal burnup through a different set of cycle histories. Simulated NDA measurements were generated for each test case from the ORIGEN data. These simulated measurement types included relative gammas, absolute gammas, absolute gammas plus neutrons, and concentrations of a set of six isotopes commonly measured by NDA. The INDEPTH code was used to reconstruct the initial enrichment, cooling time, and burnup for each irradiation using each simulatedmore » measurement type. The results were then compared to the initial ORIGEN inputs to quantify the size of the errors induced by the variations in cycle histories. Errors were compared based on the underlying changes to the cycle history, as well as the data types used for the reconstructions.« less

Precision increase in electric drive speed loop of robotic complexes and process lines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tulegenov, E.; Imanova, A. A.; Platonov, V. V.

2018-05-01

The article presents the principles of synthesis of control structures for highprecision electric drives of robotic complexes and manipulators. It has been theoretically shown and experimentally confirmed that improved characteristics of speed maintenance in the zone of significant overloads are achieved in systems of series excitation. They are achieved due to the redistribution of control signals both in the zone of setting the armature current and in the excitation currents. At the same time, the characteristic of the electromagnetic torque becomes linear because the demagnetizing effect of the armature response is compensated by the setting of the excitation current. It is recommended in those cases when it is necessary to extend the range of speed control with a significant reduction in load to apply structures with two-zone speed control. The regulation of the weakening of the excitation flow is more convenient as a function of the voltage in the armature windings.

Detecting daily routines of older adults using sensor time series clustering.

PubMed

Hajihashemi, Zahra; Yefimova, Maria; Popescu, Mihail

2014-01-01

The aim of this paper is to develop an algorithm to identify deviations in patterns of day-to-day activities of older adults to generate alerts to the healthcare providers for timely interventions. Daily routines, such as bathroom visits, can be monitored by automated in-home sensor systems. We present a novel approach that finds periodicity in sensor time series data using clustering approach. For this study, we used data set from TigerPlace, a retirement community in Columbia, MO, where apartments are equipped with a network of motion, pressure and depth sensors. A retrospective multiple case study (N=3) design was used to quantify bathroom visits as parts of the older adult's daily routine, over a 10-day period. The distribution of duration, number, and average time between sensor hits was used to define the confidence level for routine visit extraction. Then, a hierarchical clustering was applied to extract periodic patterns. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated through experimental results.

Causal Relationships Among Time Series of the Lange Bramke Catchment (Harz Mountains, Germany)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aufgebauer, Britta; Hauhs, Michael; Bogner, Christina; Meesenburg, Henning; Lange, Holger

2016-04-01

Convergent Cross Mapping (CCM) has recently been introduced by Sugihara et al. for the identification and quantification of causal relationships among ecosystem variables. In particular, the method allows to decide on the direction of causality; in some cases, the causality might be bidirectional, indicating a network structure. We extend this approach by introducing a method of surrogate data to obtain confidence intervals for CCM results. We then apply this method to time series from stream water chemistry. Specifically, we analyze a set of eight dissolved major ions from three different catchments belonging to the hydrological monitoring system at the Bramke valley in the Harz Mountains, Germany. Our results demonstrate the potentials and limits of CCM as a monitoring instrument in forestry and hydrology or as a tool to identify processes in ecosystem research. While some networks of causally linked ions can be associated with simple physical and chemical processes, other results illustrate peculiarities of the three studied catchments, which are explained in the context of their special history.

Applications of rule-induction in the derivation of quantitative structure-activity relationships.

PubMed

A-Razzak, M; Glen, R C

1992-08-01

Recently, methods have been developed in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically in the expert systems area using rule-induction, designed to extract rules from data. We have applied these methods to the analysis of molecular series with the objective of generating rules which are predictive and reliable. The input to rule-induction consists of a number of examples with known outcomes (a training set) and the output is a tree-structured series of rules. Unlike most other analysis methods, the results of the analysis are in the form of simple statements which can be easily interpreted. These are readily applied to new data giving both a classification and a probability of correctness. Rule-induction has been applied to in-house generated and published QSAR datasets and the methodology, application and results of these analyses are discussed. The results imply that in some cases it would be advantageous to use rule-induction as a complementary technique in addition to conventional statistical and pattern-recognition methods.

Detecting synchronization clusters in multivariate time series via coarse-graining of Markov chains.

PubMed

Allefeld, Carsten; Bialonski, Stephan

2007-12-01

Synchronization cluster analysis is an approach to the detection of underlying structures in data sets of multivariate time series, starting from a matrix R of bivariate synchronization indices. A previous method utilized the eigenvectors of R for cluster identification, analogous to several recent attempts at group identification using eigenvectors of the correlation matrix. All of these approaches assumed a one-to-one correspondence of dominant eigenvectors and clusters, which has however been shown to be wrong in important cases. We clarify the usefulness of eigenvalue decomposition for synchronization cluster analysis by translating the problem into the language of stochastic processes, and derive an enhanced clustering method harnessing recent insights from the coarse-graining of finite-state Markov processes. We illustrate the operation of our method using a simulated system of coupled Lorenz oscillators, and we demonstrate its superior performance over the previous approach. Finally we investigate the question of robustness of the algorithm against small sample size, which is important with regard to field applications.

On the estimate of deviations of partial sums of a multiple Fourier-Walsh series of the form S2j,⋯,2jf (x ) of a function in the metric L1(Qk)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igenberlina, Alua; Matin, Dauren; Turgumbayev, Mendybay

2017-09-01

In this paper, deviations of the partial sums of a multiple Fourier-Walsh series of a function in the metric L1(Qk) on a dyadic group are investigated. This estimate plays an important role in the study of equivalent normalizations in this space by means of a difference, oscillation, and best approximation by polynomials in the Walsh system. The classical classical Besov space and its equivalent normalizations are set forth in the well-known monographs of Nikolsky S.M., Besov O.V., Ilyin V.P., Triebel H.; in the works of Kazakh scientists such as Amanov T.I., Mynbaev K.T., Otelbaev M.O., Smailov E.S.. The Besov spaces on the dyadic group and the Vilenkin groups in the one-dimensional case are considered in works by Ombe H., Bloom Walter R, Fournier J., Onneweer C.W., Weyi S., Jun Tateoka.

Applications of rule-induction in the derivation of quantitative structure-activity relationships

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

A-Razzak, Mohammed; Glen, Robert C.

1992-08-01

Recently, methods have been developed in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically in the expert systems area using rule-induction, designed to extract rules from data. We have applied these methods to the analysis of molecular series with the objective of generating rules which are predictive and reliable. The input to rule-induction consists of a number of examples with known outcomes (a training set) and the output is a tree-structured series of rules. Unlike most other analysis methods, the results of the analysis are in the form of simple statements which can be easily interpreted. These are readily applied to new data giving both a classification and a probability of correctness. Rule-induction has been applied to in-house generated and published QSAR datasets and the methodology, application and results of these analyses are discussed. The results imply that in some cases it would be advantageous to use rule-induction as a complementary technique in addition to conventional statistical and pattern-recognition methods.

Interchangeability of counts of cases and hours of cases for quantifying a hospital's change in workload among four-week periods of 1 year.

PubMed

Dexter, Franklin; Epstein, Richard H; Ledolter, Johannes; Wanderer, Jonathan P

2018-05-16

Recent studies have made longitudinal assessments of case counts using State (e.g., United States) and Provincial (e.g., Canada) databases. Such databases rarely include either operating room (OR) or anesthesia times and, even when duration data are available, there are major statistical limitations to their use. We evaluated how to forecast short-term changes in OR caseload and workload (hours) and how to decide whether changes are outliers (e.g., significant, abrupt decline in anesthetics). Observational cohort study. Large teaching hospital. 35 years of annual anesthesia caseload data. Annual data were used without regard to where or when in the year each case was performed, thereby matching public use files. Changes in caseload or hours among four-week periods were examined within individual year-long periods using 159 consecutive four-week periods from the same hospital. Series of 12 four-week periods of the hours of cases performed on workdays lacked trend or correlation among periods for 49 of 50 series and followed normal distributions for 50 of 50 series. These criteria also were satisfied for 50 of 50 series based on counts of cases. The Pearson r = 0.999 between hours of anesthetics and cases. For purposes of time series analysis of total workload at a hospital within 1-year, hours of cases and counts of cases are interchangeable. Simple control chart methods of detecting sudden changes in workload or caseload, based simply on the sample mean and standard deviation from the preceding year, are appropriate. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transvestism as a Symptom: A Case Series.

PubMed

Anupama, M; Gangadhar, K H; Shetty, Vandana B; Dip, P Bhadja

2016-01-01

Transvestism, commonly termed as cross-dressing, means to dress in the clothing of opposite sex. We describe a series of three cases with transvestism as one of their primary complaints. The discussion sheds light on the various ways in which transvestism as a symptom can present in Psychiatry. In the first two cases, there was lower intelligence. In first and third case, there were other paraphilia along with transvestism. Second case had co-morbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and had good response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

Case Series: Chikungunya and Dengue at a Forward Operating Location

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-05-01

Journal Article 3. DATES COVERED (From – To) November 2014 – January 2015 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE Case Series: Chikungunya and Dengue at a Forward...series and discusses the significance of this disease in the Americas and diagnostic challenges when other arboviruses such as dengue are present. 15...SUBJECT TERMS Chikungunya, dengue , mosquitoes 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT SAR 18. NUMBER OF PAGES 3

The ISS SOLAR payload data preservation in the frame of the PERICLES FP-7 project: metadata aspects.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muller, Christian; Pandey, Praveen

2016-04-01

PERICLES (Promoting and Enhancing the Reuse of Information throughout the Content Lifecycle exploiting Evolving Semantics) is an FP7 project started on February 2013. It aims at preserving by design large and complex data sets. PERICLES is coordinated by King's College London, UK and its partners are University of Borås (Sweden), CERTH- ITI (Greece), DotSoft (Greece), Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (Germany), University of Liverpool (UK), Space Application Services (Belgium), XEROX France and University of Edinburgh (UK). Two additional partners provide the two case studies: Tate Gallery (UK) brings the digital art and media case study and B.USOC (Belgian Users Support and Operations Centre) brings the space science case study . PERICLES addresses the life-cycle of large and complex data sets in order to cater for the evolution of context of data sets and user communities, including groups unanticipated when the data was created. Semantics of data sets are thus also expected to evolve and the project includes elements which could address the reuse of data sets at periods where the data providers and even their institutions are not available any more. PERICLES uses the Linked Resources Model (LRM) which will be compared with the OAIS standard. In this study we present the space science case associated with PERICLES. B.USOC supports experiments on the International Space Station and is the curator of the collected data and operations history. B.USOC has chosen to analyse the SOLAR payload flying since 2008 on the ESA COLUMBUS module of the ISS as the PERICLES prime space science case. Solar observation data are prime candidates for long term data preservation as variabilities of the solar spectral irradiance have an influence on earth climate. The nature of the data to be preserved for the reuse of the current SOLAR series is much more extended than a simple set of time tagged tables of spectral irradiances, it is an important inventory of more than 50 classes of documents and/or metadata directly relevant to SOLAR, it includes not only the calibration elements and their evolution during SOLAR lifetime but also all tools used as the software's and versions used in interpretation. In order to foster potential user's present and future needs, there is an ongoing survey involving a community of practice. Its initial outcome will be presented here. The aspects of data appraisal and metadata constitution in the frame of the PERICLES project will be developed.

Extramedullary plasmacytomas in the context of multiple myeloma.

PubMed

Aguado, Beatriz; Iñigo, Belen; Sastre, Jose L; Oriol, Albert

2011-11-01

Plasmacytoma is a frequent complication of multiple myeloma, either at diagnosis or within disease progression. The extramedullary disease confers a poorer prognosis and is biologically distinct with high-risk molecular and histological features, being resistant to conventional treatments. Radiation therapy remains the most effective treatment for extramedullary lesions to achieve local control. There are very limited data from randomized trials regarding the most appropriate systemic treatment. Case reports such as those presented here, as well as retrospective analysis of series, suggest that lenalidomide is an effective agent, in combination with dexamethasone, in this setting. Additional studies are needed to define the proper management of this condition.

Long-term weather predictability: Ural case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubyshen, Alexander; Shopin, Sergey

2016-04-01

The accuracy of the state-of-the-art long-term meteorological forecast (at the seasonal level) is still low. Here it is presented approach (RAMES method) realizing different forecasting methodology. It provides prediction horizon of up to 19-22 years under equal probabilities of determination of parameters in every analyzed period [1]. Basic statements of the method are the following. 1. Long-term forecast on the basis of numerical modeling of the global meteorological process is principally impossible. Extension of long-term prediction horizon could be obtained only by the revealing and using a periodicity of meteorological situations at one point of observation. 2. Conventional calendar is unsuitable for generalization of meteorological data and revealing of cyclicity of meteorological processes. RAMES method uses natural time intervals: one day, synodic month and one year. It was developed a set of special calendars using these natural periods and the Metonic cycle. 3. Long-term time series of meteorological data is not a uniform universal set, it is a sequence of 28 universal sets appropriately superseding each other in time. The specifics of the method are: 1. Usage of the original research toolkit consisting of - a set of calendars based on the Metonic cycle; - a set of charts (coordinate systems) for the construction of sequence diagrams (of daily variability of a meteorological parameter during the analyzed year; of daily variability of a meteorological parameter using long-term dynamical time series of periods-analogues; of monthly and yearly variability of accumulated value of meteorological parameter). 2. Identification and usage of new virtual meteorological objects having several degrees of generalization appropriately located in the used coordinate systems. 3. All calculations are integrated into the single technological scheme providing comparison and mutual verification of calculation results. During the prolonged testing in the Ural region, it was proved the efficiency of the method for forecasting the following meteorological parameters: ­- air temperature (minimum, maximum, daily mean, diurnal variation, last spring and first autumn freeze); - periods of winds with speeds of >5m/s and the maximal expected wind speed; - precipitation periods and amount of precipitations; -­ relative humidity; - atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric events (thunderstorms, fog) and hydrometeors also occupy the appropriate positions at the sequence diagrams that provides a possibility of long-term forecasting also for these events. Accuracy of forecasts was tested in 2006-2009 years. The difference between the forecasted monthly mean temperature and actual values was <0.5°C in 40.9% of cases, between 0.5°C and 1°C in 18.2% of cases, between 1°C and 1.5°C in 18.2% of cases, <2°C in 86% of cases. The RAMES method provides the toolkit to successfully forecast the weather conditions in advance of several years. 1. A.F. Kubyshen, "RAMES method: revealing the periodicity of meteorological processes and it usage for long-term forecast [Metodika «RAMES»: vyjavlenie periodichnosti meteorologicheskih processov i ee ispol'zovanie dlja dolgosrochnogo prognozirovanija]", in A.E. Fedorov (ed.), Sistema «Planeta Zemlja»: 200 let so dnja rozhdenija Izmaila Ivanovicha Sreznevskogo. 100 let so dnja izdanija ego slovarja drevnerusskogo jazyka. LENAND. Moscow. pp. 305-311. (In Russian)

The Utility of Local Anesthesia for Neurosurgical Interventions in a Low-Resource Setting: A Case Series.

PubMed

Eaton, Jessica; Hanif, Asma Bilal; Mzumara, Suzgisam; Charles, Anthony

2018-05-01

Trauma is a major contributor to global morbidity and mortality, and injury to the central nervous system is the most common cause of death in these patients. While the provision of surgical services is being recognized as essential to global public health efforts, specialty areas such as neurosurgery remain overlooked. This is a retrospective case review of patients with operable lesions, such as extra-axial hematomas and unstable depressed skull fractures that underwent neurosurgical interventions under local anesthesia. A total of 13 patients underwent neurosurgical intervention under local anesthesia. Two and three patients with burr hole decompression of epidural and subdural hematomas, respectively; seven patients had elevation of depressed skull fractures and lastly one patient had an aspiration of a brain abscess. All patients survived with and without residual neurological deficits. Access to resources and staff required to deliver general anesthesia is challenging in resource-poor settings. We have therefore begun performing emergent interventions under local anesthesia, with or without conscious sedation. While some patients had some minor residual weakness after the procedure, the degree of neurological deficit was improved from that observed before the procedure in all patients.

A Pilot Study to Examine Maturation of Body Temperature Control in Preterm Infants

PubMed Central

Knobel, Robin B.; Levy, Janet; Katz, Laurence; Guenther, Bob; Holditch-Davis, Diane

2013-01-01

Objective To test instrumentation and develop analytic models to use in a larger study to examine developmental trajectories of body temperature and peripheral perfusion from birth in extremely low birth weight (EBLW) infants. Design A case study design. Setting The study took place in a level four neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in North Carolina. Participants Four ELBW infants, less than 29 weeks gestational age at birth. Methods Physiologic data were measured every minute for the first 5 days of life: peripheral perfusion using perfusion index by Masimo and body temperature using thermistors. Body temperature was also measured using infrared thermal imaging. Stimulation and care events were recorded over the first 5 days using video which was coded with Noldus Observer software. Novel analytical models using the state space approach to time series analysis were developed to explore maturation of neural control over central and peripheral body temperature. Results/Conclusion Results from this pilot study confirmed the feasibility of using multiple instruments to measure temperature and perfusion in ELBW infants. This approach added rich data to our case study design and set a clinical context with which to interpret longitudinal physiological data. PMID:24004312

Neoadjuvant therapy in pancreatic cancer: an emerging strategy.

PubMed

Bittoni, Alessandro; Santoni, Matteo; Lanese, Andrea; Pellei, Chiara; Andrikou, Kalliopi; Stefano, Cascinu

2014-01-01

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women, being responsible for 6% of all cancer-related deaths. Surgical resection offers the only chance of cure, but only 15 to 20 percent of cases are potentially resectable at presentation. In recent years, increasing evidences support the use of neoadjuvant strategies in pancreatic cancer in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer as well as in patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced PDAC in order to allow early treatment of micrometastatic disease, tumour regression, and reduced risk of peritoneal tumour implantation during surgery. Furthermore, neoadjuvant treatment allows evaluation of tumour response and increases patient's compliance. However, most evidences in this setting come from retrospective analysis or small case series and in many studies chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapies used were suboptimal. Currently, prospective randomized trials using the most active chemotherapy regimens available are trying to define the real benefit of neoadjuvant strategies compared to conventional adjuvant strategies. In this review, the authors examined available data on neoadjuvant treatment in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer as well as in patients with borderline resectable or locally advanced PDAC and the future directions in this peculiar setting.

Wake losses from averaged and time-resolved power measurements at full scale wind turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castellani, Francesco; Astolfi, Davide; Mana, Matteo; Becchetti, Matteo; Segalini, Antonio

2017-05-01

This work deals with the experimental analysis of wake losses fluctuations at full-scale wind turbines. The test case is a wind farm sited on a moderately complex terrain: 4 turbines are installed, having 2 MW of rated power each. The sources of information are the time-resolved data, as collected from the OPC server, and the 10-minutes averaged SCADA data. The objective is to compare the statistical distributions of wake losses for far and middle wakes, as can be observed through the “fast” lens of time-resolved data, for certain selected test-case time series, and through the “slow” lens of SCADA data, on a much longer time basis that allow to set the standards of the mean wake losses along the wind farm. Further, time-resolved data are used for an insight into the spectral properties of wake fluctuations, highlighting the role of the wind turbine as low-pass filter. Summarizing, the wind rose, the layout of the site and the structure of the data sets at disposal allow to study middle and far wake behavior, with a “slow” and “fast” perspective.

Learning curve evaluation using cumulative summation analysis-a clinical example of pediatric robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

PubMed

Cundy, Thomas P; Gattas, Nicholas E; White, Alan D; Najmaldin, Azad S

2015-08-01

The cumulative summation (CUSUM) method for learning curve analysis remains under-utilized in the surgical literature in general, and is described in only a small number of publications within the field of pediatric surgery. This study introduces the CUSUM analysis technique and applies it to evaluate the learning curve for pediatric robot-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RP). Clinical data were prospectively recorded for consecutive pediatric RP cases performed by a single-surgeon. CUSUM charts and tests were generated for set-up time, docking time, console time, operating time, total operating room time, and postoperative complications. Conversions and avoidable operating room delay were separately evaluated with respect to case experience. Comparisons between case experience and time-based outcomes were assessed using the Student's t-test and ANOVA for bi-phasic and multi-phasic learning curves respectively. Comparison between case experience and complication frequency was assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. A total of 90 RP cases were evaluated. The learning curve transitioned beyond the learning phase at cases 10, 15, 42, 57, and 58 for set-up time, docking time, console time, operating time, and total operating room time respectively. All comparisons of mean operating times between the learning phase and subsequent phases were statistically significant (P=<0.001-0.01). No significant difference was observed between case experience and frequency of post-operative complications (P=0.125), although the CUSUM chart demonstrated a directional change in slope for the last 12 cases in which there were high proportions of re-do cases and patients <6 months of age. The CUSUM method has a valuable role for learning curve evaluation and outcome quality monitoring. In applying this statistical technique to the largest reported single surgeon series of pediatric RP, we demonstrate numerous distinctly shaped learning curves and well-defined learning phase transition points. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Case History Introducing the Oregon Ag Seminar Series-Keys to Program and Research-to-Practice Success.

PubMed

Harrington, Marcy J; Lloyd, Kirk

2017-01-01

This case history of Oregon state's Ag Seminar Series is consistent with the Socio-Ecological Model, demonstrating how policy at a state level can influence an organizational approach with impacts that ultimately influence safety practices on the farm. From modest beginnings, the Ag Seminar Series, offered through a workers compensation insurance company, now serves over 2,300 Oregon farmers annually in English and Spanish. This case offers unique but also replicable methods for educators, insurers, and researchers in safety education, safety motivators, and research-to-practice (r2p).

Adverse event detection using the FDA post-marketing drug safety surveillance system: Cardiotoxicity associated with loperamide abuse and misuse.

PubMed

Swank, Kimberley A; Wu, Eileen; Kortepeter, Cindy; McAninch, Jana; Levin, Robert L

The purpose of this investigation was to identify and characterize post-marketing reports of cardiotoxicity, including torsades de pointes (TdP), associated with loperamide use. We searched the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database for post-marketing reports of serious cardiac adverse events associated with loperamide use from December 28, 1976 (U.S. drug approval date), through December 14, 2015. We also conducted a Pubmed and Google Scholar search to identify additional published reports of cardiotoxicity associated with loperamide in the medical literature through February 11, 2016. Forty-eight cases of serious cardiac adverse events associated with loperamide use composed the case series. The most frequently reported cardiac adverse events were syncope (n = 24), cardiac arrest (n = 13), QT-interval prolongation (n = 13), ventricular tachycardia (n = 10), and TdP (n = 7). There were 10 cases that resulted in death. Of the 48 cases, the most commonly reported reasons for use can be characterized as drug abuse (n = 22) and diarrhea treatment (n = 17). More than one-half of the 48 cases were reported after 2010. Of the 22 drug abuse cases, the median daily dose was 250 mg (range 70 mg to 1600 mg) and events occurred as early as 6 hours after a dose and as long as 18 months after initiation of loperamide. Thirteen of the 22 cases reported using loperamide for euphoric or analgesic effects, and 9 reported use to prevent opioid withdrawal symptoms. The FAERS case reports provide evidence to suggest that high doses of loperamide are associated with TdP and other serious cardiac adverse events. The majority of cases in this series occurred in the setting of drug abuse for the purpose of preventing opioid withdrawal or to produce euphoric effects. It is important for both clinicians and patients to be aware of this potential risk, because prompt therapy and discontinuation of the offending agent are often essential to management and prevention of loperamide-induced cardiac arrhythmias. Published by Elsevier Inc.

InSAR Deformation Time Series Processed On-Demand in the Cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horn, W. B.; Weeden, R.; Dimarchi, H.; Arko, S. A.; Hogenson, K.

2017-12-01

During this past year, ASF has developed a cloud-based on-demand processing system known as HyP3 (http://hyp3.asf.alaska.edu/), the Hybrid Pluggable Processing Pipeline, for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. The system makes it easy for a user who doesn't have the time or inclination to install and use complex SAR processing software to leverage SAR data in their research or operations. One such processing algorithm is generation of a deformation time series product, which is a series of images representing ground displacements over time, which can be computed using a time series of interferometric SAR (InSAR) products. The set of software tools necessary to generate this useful product are difficult to install, configure, and use. Moreover, for a long time series with many images, the processing of just the interferograms can take days. Principally built by three undergraduate students at the ASF DAAC, the deformation time series processing relies the new Amazon Batch service, which enables processing of jobs with complex interconnected dependencies in a straightforward and efficient manner. In the case of generating a deformation time series product from a stack of single-look complex SAR images, the system uses Batch to serialize the up-front processing, interferogram generation, optional tropospheric correction, and deformation time series generation. The most time consuming portion is the interferogram generation, because even for a fairly small stack of images many interferograms need to be processed. By using AWS Batch, the interferograms are all generated in parallel; the entire process completes in hours rather than days. Additionally, the individual interferograms are saved in Amazon's cloud storage, so that when new data is acquired in the stack, an updated time series product can be generated with minimal addiitonal processing. This presentation will focus on the development techniques and enabling technologies that were used in developing the time series processing in the ASF HyP3 system. Data and process flow from job submission through to order completion will be shown, highlighting the benefits of the cloud for each step.

Conventional versus robot-assisted laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication: a comparison of postoperative acid reflux parameters.

PubMed

Frazzoni, Marzio; Conigliaro, Rita; Colli, Giovanni; Melotti, Gianluigi

2012-06-01

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) is a technically demanding surgical procedure designed to cure gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It represents an alternative to life-long medical therapy and the only recommended treatment modality to overcome refractoriness to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. The recent development of robotic systems prompted evaluation of their use in antireflux surgery. Between 1997 and 2000, in a PPI-responsive series we found postoperative normalization of esophageal acid exposure time (EAET) in most but not all cases. Between 2007 and 2009, in a PPI-refractory series we found postoperative normalization of EAET in all cases. We decided to analyze retrospectively our prospectively collected data to evaluate whether differences other than the conventional or robot-assisted technique could justify postoperative differences in acid reflux parameters. Baseline demographic, endoscopic, and manometric parameters were compared between the two series of patients, as well as postoperative manometric and acid reflux parameters. There were no significant differences in the baseline demographic, endoscopic, and manometric characteristics between the two groups of patients. The median lower esophageal sphincter tone increased significantly, and the median EAET decreased significantly after conventional as well as after robot-assisted LNF. The median postoperative EAET was significantly lower in the robot-assisted (0.2%) than in the conventional LNF group (1%; P = 0.001). Abnormal EAET values were found in 6 of 44 (14%) and in 0 of 44 cases after conventional and robot-assisted LNF, respectively (P = 0.026). Robot-assisted LNF provided a significant gain in postoperative acid reflux parameters compared with the conventional technique. In a challenging clinical setting, such as PPI-refractoriness, in which the efficacy of endoscopic or pharmacological treatment modalities is only moderate, even a small therapeutic gain can be clinically relevant. In centers where robot-assisted LNF is available, it should be preferred to conventional LNF in PPI-refractory GERD.

Transient aortitis documented by positron emission tomography in a case series of men and transgender women infected with syphilis.

PubMed

Joseph Davey, Dvora; Kojima, Noah; Konda, Kelika A; Gupta, Pawan; Leon, Segundo R; Calvo, Gino M; Caceres, Carlos F; Klausner, Jeffrey D

2017-12-01

Syphilis infection persists globally contributing to preventable and treatable morbidity and mortality. How extensive early syphilis disseminates is unknown. To better understand the relationship between early syphilis infection and inflammation over time, our study enrolled six individuals recently infected with syphilis for sequential positron emission tomography (PET) scans. We evaluated a case series of six individuals with high syphilis titres (two secondary, two early latent and two latent, unknown duration, but with high titre) who received sequential PET scans to assess inflammation over time and its response to treatment. At time of PET scan, four of the six individuals were co-infected with HIV. One of the four was not on antiretroviral therapy and three of the four were not virally suppressed (viral load of >400 copies/mL). Baseline rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titres ranged from 1:64 to 1:256 (four of the six participants had prior non-reactive RPR results). Five of the six participants had mild to intense hypermetabolic PET scan activity consistent with cervical (n=5), axillary (n=4), inguinal (n=5) and retroperitoneal (n=1) adenopathy. Mild hypermetabolic activity in the thoracic aortic wall, suggesting aortitis, was present among the same five participants and resolved within 30 days for four of the five participants and 60 days for the other participant. However, widespread lymphadenopathy remained present in PET scans up to 3 months following treatment in two participants. We did not find any abnormal PET scan activity of the central nervous system. We found abnormal aortic wall PET scan activity suggesting aortitis to be common in a case series of patients with early syphilis. In research settings, PET scans may be a sensitive tool to monitor inflammation associated with syphilis. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

[Automated detection of estrus and mastitis in dairy cows].

PubMed

de Mol, R M

2001-02-15

The development and test of detection models for oestrus and mastitis in dairy cows is described in a PhD thesis that was defended in Wageningen on June 5, 2000. These models were based on sensors for milk yield, milk temperature, electrical conductivity of milk, and cow activity and concentrate intake, and on combined processing of the sensor data. The models alert farmers to cows that need attention, because of possible oestrus or mastitis. A first detection model for cows, milked twice a day, was based on time series models for the sensor variables. A time series model describes the dependence between successive observations. The parameters of the time series models were fitted on-line for each cow after each milking by means of a Kalman filter, a mathematical method to estimate the state of a system on-line. The Kalman filter gives the best estimate of the current state of a system based on all preceding observations. This model was tested for 2 years on two experimental farms, and under field conditions on four farms over several years. A second detection model, for cow milked in an automatic milking system (AMS), was based on a generalization of the first model. Two data sets (one small, one large) were used for testing. The results for oestrus detection were good for both models. The results for mastitis detection were varying (in some cases good, in other cases moderate). Fuzzy logic was used to classify mastitis and oestrus alerts with both detection models, to reduce the number of false positive alerts. Fuzzy logic makes approximate reasoning possible, where statements can be partly true or false. Input for the fuzzy logic model were alerts from the detection models and additional information. The number of false positive alerts decreased considerably, while the number of detected cases remained at the same level. These models make automated detection possible in practice.

Influence of the external DEM on PS-InSAR processing and results on Northern Appennine slopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayer, B.; Schmidt, D. A.; Simoni, A.

2014-12-01

We present an InSAR analysis of slow moving landslide in the Northern Appennines, Italy, and assess the dependencies on the choice of DEM. In recent years, advanced processing techniques for synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) have been applied to measure slope movements. The persistent scatterers (PS-InSAR) approach is probably the most widely used and some codes are now available in the public domain. The Stanford method of Persistent Scatterers (StamPS) has been successfully used to analyze landslide areas. One problematic step in the processing chain is the choice of an external DEM that is used to model and remove the topographic phase in a series of interferograms in order to obtain the phase contribution caused by surface deformation. The choice is not trivial, because the PS InSAR results differ significantly in terms of PS identification, positioning, and the resulting deformation signal. We use four different DEMs to process a set of 18 ASAR (Envisat) scenes over a mountain area (~350 km2) of the Northern Appennines of Italy, using StamPS. Slow-moving landslides control the evolution of the landscape and cover approximately 30% of the territory. Our focus in this presentation is to evaluate the influence of DEM resolution and accuracy by comparing PS-InSAR results. On an areal basis, we perform a statistical analysis of displacement time-series to make the comparison. We also consider two case studies to illustrate the differences in terms of PS identification, number and estimated displacements. It is clearly shown that DEM accuracy positively influences the number of PS, while line-of-sight rates differ from case to case and can result in deformation signals that are difficult to interpret. We also take advantage of statistical tools to analyze the obtained time-series datasets for the whole study area. Results indicate differences in the style and amount of displacement that can be related to the accuracy of the employed DEM.

The Leading Edge: A Career Development Workshop Series for Young Adults. Participant Workbook.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Canadian Career Development Foundation, Ottawa (Ontario).

This booklet is designed for participants in "The Leading Edge: A Career Development Workshop Series for Young Adults." It provides the 27 participant handouts for the six workshops in the series. The first in the series, "Setting the Stage: The Changing World of Work," is a workshop to clarify what is occurring in the world of…

Discovery: An Introduction. Alaska Sea Week Curriculum Series. Alaska Sea Grant Report 83-6.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mickelson, Belle; And Others

This curriculum guide is the first (Series I) in a six-volume set that comprises the Sea Week Curriculum Series developed in Alaska. As a basic introduction, this first book in the series lends itself to the kindergarten level but can be adapted to preschool, secondary, and adult education. Six units contain 32 activities with worksheets that…

Acute quadriplegic myopathy with myosin-deficient muscle fibres after liver transplantation: defining the clinical picture and delimiting the risk factors.

PubMed

Miró, O; Salmerón, J M; Masanés, F; Alonso, J R; Graus, F; Mas, A; Grau, J M

1999-04-27

In the last few years, rare cases of acute quadriplegic myopathy (AQM*) with myosin-deficient muscle fibres occurring after solid organ transplantation has been reported. The aim of the present study was to review all cases of AQM with myosin deficient fibres seen at our institution among a large series of patients after orthotopic liver transplants (OLT), with special attention to clinical aspects and associated risk factors. Additionally, an extensive review of all ultrastructurally demonstrated cases of AQM in transplant recipients is also included. Among patients involved in 281 consecutive liver transplant procedures performed in a 4-year period, 3 men and 1 woman developed an arreflexic, flaccid quadriplegia in the immediate postoperative period of OLT. After ruling out other causes of weakness, a muscle biopsy was performed and a loss of thick (myosin) filaments was confirmed by ultrastructural analysis in all cases. Accurate clinical, epidemiological, and evolutive data were recorded. Corticosteroids had been used at usual dosage given to liver transplant recipients; all four patients had several intra- and postoperative complications leading to receiving significantly higher amounts of hemoderivates, to develop renal failure in all cases, and to require a significantly higher number of reoperations within a few days after transplantation than our contemporaneous global series of liver transplant recipients. AQM patients required a significantly longer intensive care unit and hospital stay. Muscular recovery was the rule, but currently a mild myopathic gait remains in three patients. These and other reported cases of AQM do not histologically and clinically differ from AQM seen in other critically ill patients who have not had transplants. Patients with a complicated intra- and postoperative course of OLT who develop newly acquired acute muscle weakness should be suspected as having acute AQM with myosin-deficient muscle fibres. In this setting, differential diagnosis with other causes of weakness should be carried out, because the prognosis of this myopathy is good with early muscle rehabilitation therapy.

Case-Mix, Care Processes, and Outcomes in Medically-Ill Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation in a Low-Resource Setting from Southern India: A Prospective Clinical Case Series.

PubMed

Karthikeyan, Balasubramanian; Kadhiravan, Tamilarasu; Deepanjali, Surendran; Swaminathan, Rathinam Palamalai

2015-01-01

Mechanical ventilation is a resource intensive organ support treatment, and historical studies from low-resource settings had reported a high mortality. We aimed to study the outcomes in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in a contemporary low-resource setting. We prospectively studied the characteristics and outcomes (disease-related, mechanical ventilation-related, and process of care-related) in 237 adults mechanically ventilated for a medical illness at a teaching hospital in southern India during February 2011 to August 2012. Vital status of patients discharged from hospital was ascertained on Day 90 or later. Mean age of the patients was 40 ± 17 years; 140 (51%) were men. Poisoning and envenomation accounted for 98 (41%) of 237 admissions. In total, 87 (37%) patients died in-hospital; 16 (7%) died after discharge; 115 (49%) were alive at 90-day assessment; and 19 (8%) were lost to follow-up. Weaning was attempted in 171 (72%) patients; most patients (78 of 99 [79%]) failing the first attempt could be weaned off. Prolonged mechanical ventilation was required in 20 (8%) patients. Adherence to head-end elevation and deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis were 164 (69%) and 147 (62%) respectively. Risk of nosocomial infections particularly ventilator-associated pneumonia was high (57.2 per 1,000 ventilator-days). Higher APACHE II score quartiles (adjusted HR [95% CI] quartile 2, 2.65 [1.19-5.89]; quartile 3, 2.98 [1.24-7.15]; quartile 4, 5.78 [2.45-13.60]), and new-onset organ failure (2.98 [1.94-4.56]) were independently associated with the risk of death. Patients with poisoning had higher risk of reintubation (43% vs. 20%; P = 0.001) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (75% vs. 53%; P = 0.001). But, their mortality was significantly lower compared to the rest (24% vs. 44%; P = 0.002). The case-mix considerably differs from other settings. Mortality in this low-resource setting is similar to high-resource settings. But, further improvements in care processes and prevention of nosocomial infections are required.

Positive Bacteriological Analyses in Individuals With Diabetes Mellitus: Preliminary Results From a Forensic Study.

PubMed

Palmiere, Cristian; Tettamanti, Camilla

2018-06-01

Increased infection susceptibility in the diabetic population is a controversial issue in the clinical field. The greater frequency of infections in diabetic patients has been speculated as caused by the hyperglycemic environment that favors immune dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the proportion of positive bacterial cultures in a series of diabetic individuals who underwent forensic investigations and assess the frequency of hyperglycemia at the time of death in these cases as well as the percentage of diabetics with cause of death due to bacterial infection. Forensic autopsy cases characterized by positive bacterial cultures and pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Initial findings revealed that 12% (7/58 cases) of positive bacterial cultures concerned individuals with a pre-existing diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Bacterial infection was considered to be the cause of death in 22% (7/31 cases) of diabetics with positive bacterial cultures. Hyperglycemia could be identified in 1 case only at the time of death. These preliminary results highlight the usefulness of systematically performing postmortem bacteriology in the forensic setting to more precisely characterize infectious risk factors in diabetics.

Generalised Pareto distribution: impact of rounding on parameter estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasarić, Z.; Cindrić, K.

2018-05-01

Problems that occur when common methods (e.g. maximum likelihood and L-moments) for fitting a generalised Pareto (GP) distribution are applied to discrete (rounded) data sets are revealed by analysing the real, dry spell duration series. The analysis is subsequently performed on generalised Pareto time series obtained by systematic Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The solution depends on the following: (1) the actual amount of rounding, as determined by the actual data range (measured by the scale parameter, σ) vs. the rounding increment (Δx), combined with; (2) applying a certain (sufficiently high) threshold and considering the series of excesses instead of the original series. For a moderate amount of rounding (e.g. σ/Δx ≥ 4), which is commonly met in practice (at least regarding the dry spell data), and where no threshold is applied, the classical methods work reasonably well. If cutting at the threshold is applied to rounded data—which is actually essential when dealing with a GP distribution—then classical methods applied in a standard way can lead to erroneous estimates, even if the rounding itself is moderate. In this case, it is necessary to adjust the theoretical location parameter for the series of excesses. The other solution is to add an appropriate uniform noise to the rounded data ("so-called" jittering). This, in a sense, reverses the process of rounding; and thereafter, it is straightforward to apply the common methods. Finally, if the rounding is too coarse (e.g. σ/Δx 1), then none of the above recipes would work; and thus, specific methods for rounded data should be applied.

Doxycycline treatment in dialysis related amyloidosis: discrepancy between antalgic effect and inflammation, studied with FDG-positron emission tomography: a case report.

PubMed

Piccoli, Giorgina Barbara; Hachemi, Mammar; Molfino, Ida; Coindre, Jean Philippe; Boursot, Charles

2017-09-06

No effective treatment is currently available and dialysis related amyloidosis continues to be invalidating in long-term dialysis patients. A recent case series reported reduction of osteoarticular pain on doxycycline treatment, extending the indications of this drug, used in other uncommon forms of amyloidosis, to dialysis patients. Explanations of the antalgic effect were the anti-inflammatory properties and anti-coiling effects of tetracycline. Our report regards a 54-year-old woman, who was never transplanted and has been on hemodialysis and hemodiafiltration for overall 37 years, due to renal hypoplasia. In spite of high efficiency hemodiafiltration, she complained of increasing, invalidating osteoarticular pain; history and imaging suggested beta-2 microglobulin amyloid. Positron emission tomography (PET scan) identified metabolically active lesions in the involved settings. Low-dose doxycycline (100 mg/day) was started, leading to a considerable decrease in pain (over 6 months, from 7 to 8 to 4-5 on a 0-10 scale). At 6 months, a PET scan showed unmodified or increased uptake in the involved settings. In summary, the previously described antalgic effect of doxycycline in dialysis related amyloidosis is confirmed in our case, the first studied using PET scan. The pattern at PET can suggests that the antalgic effect is independent from inflammation and points to other factors, such as interaction with fibril geometry or with bone structure.

Automatic physical inference with information maximizing neural networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charnock, Tom; Lavaux, Guilhem; Wandelt, Benjamin D.

2018-04-01

Compressing large data sets to a manageable number of summaries that are informative about the underlying parameters vastly simplifies both frequentist and Bayesian inference. When only simulations are available, these summaries are typically chosen heuristically, so they may inadvertently miss important information. We introduce a simulation-based machine learning technique that trains artificial neural networks to find nonlinear functionals of data that maximize Fisher information: information maximizing neural networks (IMNNs). In test cases where the posterior can be derived exactly, likelihood-free inference based on automatically derived IMNN summaries produces nearly exact posteriors, showing that these summaries are good approximations to sufficient statistics. In a series of numerical examples of increasing complexity and astrophysical relevance we show that IMNNs are robustly capable of automatically finding optimal, nonlinear summaries of the data even in cases where linear compression fails: inferring the variance of Gaussian signal in the presence of noise, inferring cosmological parameters from mock simulations of the Lyman-α forest in quasar spectra, and inferring frequency-domain parameters from LISA-like detections of gravitational waveforms. In this final case, the IMNN summary outperforms linear data compression by avoiding the introduction of spurious likelihood maxima. We anticipate that the automatic physical inference method described in this paper will be essential to obtain both accurate and precise cosmological parameter estimates from complex and large astronomical data sets, including those from LSST and Euclid.

Use of the levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine system in adolescent and young adult solid organ transplant recipients: a case series.

PubMed

Huguelet, P S; Sheehan, C; Spitzer, R F; Scott, S

2017-04-01

This case series reports on the safety and efficacy of the levonorgestrel 52-mg intrauterine system in adolescent and young adult solid organ transplant recipients. All patients used the device for contraception, with no documented cases of disseminated pelvic infection or unplanned pregnancy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

27 CFR 19.490 - Numbering of packages and cases filled in processing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... cases filled in processing. 19.490 Section 19.490 Alcohol, Tobacco Products and Firearms ALCOHOL AND... Marks Marking Requirements for Spirits § 19.490 Numbering of packages and cases filled in processing. (a... any series reaches “1,000,000”, the proprietor may begin a new series with “1” but must add an...

Etiologies of Autism in a Case-Series from Tanzania

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mankoski, Raymond E.; Collins, Martha; Ndosi, Noah K.; Mgalla, Ella H.; Sarwatt, Veronica V.; Folstein, Susan E.

2006-01-01

Most autism has a genetic cause although post-encephalitis cases are reported. In a case-series (N = 20) from Tanzania, 14 met research criteria for autism. Three (M:F = 1:2) had normal development to age 22, 35, and 42 months, with onset of autism upon recovery from severe malaria, attended by prolonged high fever, convulsions, and in one case…

Fragrance contact allergy: a 4-year retrospective study.

PubMed

Cuesta, Laura; Silvestre, Juan Francisco; Toledo, Fernando; Lucas, Ana; Pérez-Crespo, María; Ballester, Irene

2010-08-01

Fragrance chemicals are the second most frequent cause of contact allergy. The mandatory labelling of 26 fragrance chemicals when present in cosmetics has facilitated management of patients allergic to fragrances. The study was aimed to define the characteristics of the population allergic to perfumes detected in our hospital district, to determine the usefulness of markers of fragrance allergy in the baseline GEIDAC series, and to describe the contribution made by the fragrance series to the data obtained with the baseline series. We performed a 4-year retrospective study of patients tested with the Spanish baseline series and/or fragrance series. There are four fragrance markers in the baseline series: fragrance mix I (FM I), Myroxylon pereirae, fragrance mix II (FM II), and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde. A total of 1253 patients were patch tested, 117 (9.3%) of whom were positive to a fragrance marker. FM I and M. pereirae detected 92.5% of the cases of fragrance contact allergy. FM II and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde detected 6 additional cases and provided further information in 8, enabling improved management. A fragrance series was tested in a selected group of 86 patients and positive results were obtained in 45.3%. Geraniol was the allergen most frequently found in the group of patients tested with the fragrance series. Classic markers detect the majority of cases of fragrance contact allergy. We recommend incorporating FM II in the Spanish baseline series, as in the European baseline series, and using a specific fragrance series to study patients allergic to a fragrance marker.

OLYMPUS: an automated hybrid clustering method in time series gene expression. Case study: host response after Influenza A (H1N1) infection.

PubMed

Dimitrakopoulou, Konstantina; Vrahatis, Aristidis G; Wilk, Esther; Tsakalidis, Athanasios K; Bezerianos, Anastasios

2013-09-01

The increasing flow of short time series microarray experiments for the study of dynamic cellular processes poses the need for efficient clustering tools. These tools must deal with three primary issues: first, to consider the multi-functionality of genes; second, to evaluate the similarity of the relative change of amplitude in the time domain rather than the absolute values; third, to cope with the constraints of conventional clustering algorithms such as the assignment of the appropriate cluster number. To address these, we propose OLYMPUS, a novel unsupervised clustering algorithm that integrates Differential Evolution (DE) method into Fuzzy Short Time Series (FSTS) algorithm with the scope to utilize efficiently the information of population of the first and enhance the performance of the latter. Our hybrid approach provides sets of genes that enable the deciphering of distinct phases in dynamic cellular processes. We proved the efficiency of OLYMPUS on synthetic as well as on experimental data. The discriminative power of OLYMPUS provided clusters, which refined the so far perspective of the dynamics of host response mechanisms to Influenza A (H1N1). Our kinetic model sets a timeline for several pathways and cell populations, implicated to participate in host response; yet no timeline was assigned to them (e.g. cell cycle, homeostasis). Regarding the activity of B cells, our approach revealed that some antibody-related mechanisms remain activated until day 60 post infection. The Matlab codes for implementing OLYMPUS, as well as example datasets, are freely accessible via the Web (http://biosignal.med.upatras.gr/wordpress/biosignal/). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phase Time and Envelope Time in Time-Distance Analysis and Acoustic Imaging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chou, Dean-Yi; Duvall, Thomas L.; Sun, Ming-Tsung; Chang, Hsiang-Kuang; Jimenez, Antonio; Rabello-Soares, Maria Cristina; Ai, Guoxiang; Wang, Gwo-Ping; Goode Philip; Marquette, William;

High levels of PROM1 (CD133) transcript are a potential predictor of poor prognosis in medulloblastoma

PubMed Central

Raso, Alessandro; Mascelli, Samantha; Biassoni, Roberto; Nozza, Paolo; Kool, Marcel; Pistorio, Angela; Ugolotti, Elisabetta; Milanaccio, Claudia; Pignatelli, Sara; Ferraro, Manuela; Pavanello, Marco; Ravegnani, Marcello; Cama, Armando; Garrè, Maria Luisa; Capra, Valeria

2011-01-01

The surface marker PROM1 is considered one of the most important markers of tumor-initiating cells, and its expression is believed to be an adverse prognostic factor in gliomas and in other malignancies. To date, to our knowledge, no specific studies of its expression in medulloblastoma series have been performed. The aims of our study were to evaluate the expression profile of the PROM1 gene in medulloblastoma and to assess its possible role as a prognostic factor. The PROM1 gene expression was evaluated by quantitative– polymerase chain reaction on 45 medulloblastoma samples by using specific dye-labeled probe systems. A significantly higher expression of PROM1 was found both in patients with poorer prognosis (P= .007) and in those with metastasis (P= .03). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were shorter in patients with higher PROM1 mRNA levels than in patients with lower expression, even when the desmoplastic cases were excluded (P= .0004 and P= .002, for OS and PFS for all cases, respectively; P= .002 and P= .008 for OS and PFS for nondesmoplastic cases, respectively). Cox regression model demonstrated that PROM1 expression is an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 4.56; P= .008). The result was validated on an independent cohort of 42 cases by microarray-based analysis (P= .019). This work suggests that high mRNA levels of PROM1 are associated with poor outcome in pediatric medulloblastoma. Furthermore, high PROM1 expression levels seem to increase the likelihood of metastases. Such results need to be confirmed in larger prospective series to possibly incorporate PROM1 gene expression into risk classification systems to be used in the clinical setting. PMID:21486962

Usefulness of high-dose intravenous human immunoglobulins treatment for refractory recurrent pericarditis.

PubMed

Moretti, Michele; Buiatti, Alessandra; Merlo, Marco; Massa, Laura; Fabris, Enrico; Pinamonti, Bruno; Sinagra, Gianfranco

2013-11-01

The management of refractory recurrent pericarditis is challenging. Previous clinical reports have noted a beneficial effect of high-dose intravenous human immunoglobulins (IvIgs) in isolated and systemic inflammatory disease-related forms. In this article, we analyzed retrospectively our clinical experience with IvIg therapy in a series of clinical cases of pericarditis refractory to conventional treatment. We retrospectively analyzed 9 patients (1994 to 2010) with refractory recurrent pericarditis, who received high-dose IvIg as a part of their medical treatment. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or colchicine treatment was not discontinued during IvIg treatment. No patients had a history of autoimmune or connective tissue diseases. During an average period of 11 months from the first recurrence, patients had experienced a mean of 5 relapses before the first IvIg treatment. In 4 cases, patients showed complete clinical remission with no further relapse after the first IvIg cycle. Two patients experienced a single minor relapse, responsive to short-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In 2 patients, we performed a second cycle of IvIg after a recurrence of pericarditis, with subsequent complete remission. One patient did not respond to 3 cycles of IvIg and subsequently underwent pericardial window and long-term immunosuppressive treatment. No major adverse effect was observed in consequence of IvIg administration in all the cases. In conclusion, although IvIg mode of action is still poorly understood in this setting, this treatment can be considered as an option in patients with recurrent pericarditis refractory to conventional medical treatment and, in our small series, has proved to be effective in 8 of 9 cases. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hypoplasia or Absence of Posterior Leaflet: A Rare Congenital Anomaly of The Mitral Valve in Adulthood - Case Series.

PubMed

Parato, Vito Maurizio; Masia, Stefano Lucio

2018-01-01

We present a case series of two adult patients with almost complete absence of the posterior mitral valve leaflet and who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, with two different degrees of mitral regurgitation.

Use of cantilever mechanics for impacted teeth: case series.

PubMed

Paduano, Sergio; Spagnuolo, Gianrico; Franzese, Gerardo; Pellegrino, Gioacchino; Valletta, Rosa; Cioffi, Iacopo

2013-01-01

This paper describes the orthodontic treatment, and the biomechanics of cantilevers for the impaction of permanent teeth in youngs, adolescents, and adults. In these case series, multibracket straightwire fixed appliances, together with cantilever mechanics, were used to treat the impaired occlusion.

Combinations of Earth Orientation Observations: SPACE94, COMB94, and POLE94

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gross, R. S.

1995-01-01

A Kalman filter has been used to combine all publicly available, independently determined measurements of the Earth's orientation taken by the modern, space-geodetic techniques of very long baseline interferometry, satellite laser ranging, lunar laser ranging, and the global positioning system. Prior to combining the data, tidal terms were removed from the UT1 measurements, outlying data points were deleted, series-specific corrections were applied for bias and rate, and the stated uncertainties of the measurements were adjusted by multiplying them by series-specific scale factors. Values for these bias- rate corrections and uncertainty scale factors were determined by an iterative, round-robin procedure wherein each data set is compared, in turn, to a combination of all other data sets. When applied to the measurements, the bias-rate corrections thus determined make the data sets agree with each other in bias and rate, and the uncertainty scale factors thus determined make the residual of each series (when differenced with a combination of all others) have a reduced chi-square of one. The corrected and adjusted series are then placed within an IERS reference frame by aligning them with the IERS Earth orientation series EOP (IERS)90C04. The result of combining these corrected, adjusted and aligned series is designated SPCE94 and spans October 6.0, 1976 to January 27.0, 1995 at daily intervals.

The effectiveness of family-based treatment for full and partial adolescent anorexia nervosa in an independent private practice setting: Clinical outcomes.

PubMed

Goldstein, Mandy; Murray, Stuart B; Griffiths, Scott; Rayner, Kathryn; Podkowka, Jessica; Bateman, Joel E; Wallis, Andrew; Thornton, Christopher E

2016-11-01

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric illness with little evidence supporting treatment in adults. Among adolescents with AN, family-based treatment (FBT) is considered first-line outpatient approach, with a growing evidence base. However, research on FBT has stemmed from specialist services in research/public health settings. This study investigated the effectiveness of FBT in a case series of adolescent AN treated in a private practice setting. Thirty-four adolescents with full or partial AN, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, participated, and were assessed at pretreatment and post-treatment. Assessments included change in % expected body weight, mood, and eating pathology. Significant weight gain was observed from pretreatment to post-treatment. 45.9% of the sample demonstrated full weight restoration and a further 43.2% achieved partial weight-based remission. Missing data precluded an examination of change in mood and ED psychopathology. Effective dissemination across different service types is important to the wider availability of evidence-based treatments. These weight restoration data lend preliminary support to the implementation of FBT in real world treatment settings. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:1023-1026). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inpatient injection laryngoplasty for vocal fold immobility: When is it really necessary?

PubMed

Zuniga, Steven; Ebersole, Barbara; Jamal, Nausheen

To compare pulmonary and swallow outcomes of injection laryngoplasty when performed in the acute versus subacute setting in head & neck and thoracic cancer patients presenting with new onset unilateral vocal fold immobility. Case series with chart review at an academic cancer center over a 2year period. Based on swallow evaluation, patients diagnosed with vocal fold immobility were grouped into an unsafe swallow group, injected as inpatients, and a safe swallow group, for whom injection laryngoplasty was delayed to the outpatient setting or not performed. Rates of pneumonia, diet recommendations, and swallow outcomes were compared between groups. 24 patients with new-onset vocal fold immobility were evaluated. 7 underwent injection in the inpatient setting, 12 in the outpatient setting, and 5 did not undergo injection. There was no perceived difference in speech and swallow outcomes between the inpatient and outpatient injection groups. Injection laryngoplasty shows promise as an effective intervention for reducing aspiration risk and improving diet normalcy in patients with dysphagia as a result of unilateral vocal fold immobility. In patients determined to have a safe swallow, delay of injection laryngoplasty is not detrimental to swallow outcomes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vitamin D toxicity of dietary origin in cats fed a natural complementary kitten food

PubMed Central

Crossley, Victoria J; Bovens, Catherine PV; Pineda, Carmen; Hibbert, Angie; Finch, Natalie C

2017-01-01

Case series summary This case series describes two young sibling cats and an additional unrelated cat, from two separate households, that developed hypercalcaemia associated with hypervitaminosis D. Excessive vitamin D concentrations were identified in a natural complementary tinned kitten food that was fed to all three cats as part of their diet. In one of the cases, there was clinical evidence of soft tissue mineralisation. The hypercalcaemia and soft tissue mineralisation resolved following withdrawal of the affected food and medical management of the hypercalcaemia. Relevance and novel information This case series demonstrates the importance of obtaining a thorough dietary history in patients presenting with hypercalcaemia and the measurement of vitamin D metabolites when investigating such cases. Complementary foods may have the potential to induce nutritional toxicity even when fed with complete, nutritionally balanced diets. PMID:29270305

The many faces of intestinal tract gastric heterotopia; a series of four cases highlighting clinical and pathological heterogeneity.

PubMed

Nasir, Aqsa; Amateau, Stuart K; Khan, Sabina; Simpson, Ross W; Snover, Dale C; Amin, Khalid

2018-04-01

Gastric heterotopia of the intestinal tract can have a diverse clinicopathologic presentation, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma. We present a series of four cases, two male and two female patients with age range of 31-82 years, found in the duodenum, jejunum, and transverse colon. The most common and rather unusual clinical presentation was iron deficiency anemia, seen in three cases, while one patient presented with abdominal pain. Endoscopically, two cases were visualized as pedunculated polyps and two as sessile/plaque-like lesions. Polypectomy was performed in three patients, and one patient underwent biopsy followed by resection. Two cases showed oxyntic-type epithelium, and two cases exhibited pyloric-type gastric epithelium. Three patients were relieved of their presenting symptoms after therapeutic procedures with no evidence of recurrence noted on follow-up. Follow-up was not available on one patient. This case series highlights a diverse clinicopathologic spectrum of gastric heterotopia. Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper management. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

On a General Class of Trigonometric Functions and Fourier Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pavao, H. Germano; Capelas de Oliveira, E.

2008-01-01

We discuss a general class of trigonometric functions whose corresponding Fourier series can be used to calculate several interesting numerical series. Particular cases are presented. (Contains 4 notes.)

Education Requirements for Natural Resource Based Outdoor Recreation Professionals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elsner, Gary; And Others

The Office of Personnel Management should designate a new professional series for hiring individuals in outdoor recreational management. A new professional series would help set a standard for professionals with training in both resource management and the social sciences. Recommended educational requirements for the series include: (1) natural…

BestPractices Corporate Energy Management Case Study: Alcoa Teams with DOE to Reduce Energy Consumption

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

2004-05-01

This is the first in a series of DOE Industrial Technologies Program case studies on corporate energy management. The case study highlights Alcoa Aluminum's successful results and activities through its corporate energy management approach and collaboration with DOE. Case studies in this series will be used to encourage other energy-intensive industrial plants to adopt a corporate strategy, and to promote the concept of replicating results with a company or industry.

Innovative and Successful Approaches to Improving Care Transitions From Hospital to Home

PubMed Central

Labson, Margherita C.

2015-01-01

Abstract Effective transitions to home care have been identified as among the factors leading to reducing hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge and improvements on various other quality measures. Innovative applications of published evidence-based models and best practices designed to improve care transitions have been implemented in various settings across the country in an effort to enhance quality performance. For this article, The Joint Commission collected a series of case examples to examine how evidence-based innovations in care transitions are reducing readmissions and improving other quality outcomes. The organizations providing the case examples were interviewed and asked to provide performance data demonstrating quality improvement, as well as information about their care processes and data-gathering techniques. Their innovative approaches are reducing hospital readmissions; improving patient safety, satisfaction, and engagement; and contributing to other positive outcomes. PMID:25654457

Mentor Tutoring: An Efficient Method for Teaching Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgical Skills in a General Hospital.

PubMed

Ichikawa, Nobuki; Homma, Shigenori; Yoshida, Tadashi; Ohno, Yosuke; Kawamura, Hideki; Wakizaka, Kazuki; Nakanishi, Kazuaki; Kazui, Keizo; Iijima, Hiroaki; Shomura, Hiroki; Funakoshi, Tohru; Nakano, Shiro; Taketomi, Akinobu

2017-12-01

We retrospectively assessed the efficacy of our mentor tutoring system for teaching laparoscopic colorectal surgical skills in a general hospital. A series of 55 laparoscopic colectomies performed by 1 trainee were evaluated. Next, the learning curves for high anterior resection performed by the trainee (n=20) were compared with those of a self-trained surgeon (n=19). Cumulative sum analysis and multivariate regression analyses showed that 38 completed cases were needed to reduce the operative time. In high anterior resection, the mean operative times were significantly shorter after the seventh average for the tutored surgeon compared with that for the self-trained surgeon. In cumulative sum charting, the curve reached a plateau by the seventh case for the tutored surgeon, but continued to increase for the self-trained surgeon. Mentor tutoring effectively teaches laparoscopic colorectal surgical skills in a general hospital setting.

Survey of resource opportunities and critical evaluation of economic requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, Benton C.

1991-01-01

A series of mission analyses were performed to evaluate human mission to Mars and the moon with and without the aid of planetary resource utilization. The types of trade studies that are considered include the use of resources to manufacture propellant, food, habitat atmospheric gases, and lander habitat structure. Also, the potential for export of resources from the moon, Mars, Phobos, Deimos, and selected asteroids is also examined. In all cases, mass leveraging is evaluated. For certain cases, economic factors are evaluated as well. It is concluded that some uses are highly leveraging on the mission, whereas others have lesser impact and, therefore, should be afforded lesser priority in resource utilization studies. This survey is made with a consistent set of scaling laws for spacecraft propulsion and habitation systems and subsystems, and therefore, provides a rational basis for comparing different resource locations and use strategies.

Pregnancy-related group a streptococcal infections: temporal relationships between bacterial acquisition, infection onset, clinical findings, and outcome.

PubMed

Hamilton, Stephanie M; Stevens, Dennis L; Bryant, Amy E

2013-09-01

Puerperal sepsis caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS) remains an important cause of maternal and infant mortality worldwide, including countries with modern antibiotic regimens, intensive care measures and infection control practices. To provide insights into the genesis of modern GAS puerperal sepsis, we reviewed the published cases and case series from 1974 to 2009, specifically seeking relationships between the likely source of pathogen acquisition, clinical signs, and symptoms at infection onset and patient outcomes that could provide clues for early diagnosis. Results suggest that the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related GAS infections in modern times is complex and not simply the result of exposure to GAS in the hospital setting. Additional research is needed to further explore the source of GAS, the specific M types involved, and the pathogenesis of these pregnancy-related infections to generate novel preventative and therapeutic strategies.

General practitioners learning qualitative research: A case study of postgraduate education.

PubMed

Hepworth, Julie; Kay, Margaret

2015-10-01

Qualitative research is increasingly being recognised as a vital aspect of primary healthcare research. Teaching and learning how to conduct qualitative research is especially important for general practitioners and other clinicians in the professional educational setting. This article examines a case study of postgraduate professional education in qualitative research for clinicians, for the purpose of enabling a robust discussion around teaching and learning in medicine and the health sciences. A series of three workshops was delivered for primary healthcare academics. The workshops were evaluated using a quantitative survey and qualitative free-text responses to enable descriptive analyses. Participants found qualitative philosophy and theory the most difficult areas to engage with, and learning qualitative coding and analysis was considered the easiest to learn. Key elements for successful teaching were identified, including the use of adult learning principles, the value of an experienced facilitator and an awareness of the impact of clinical subcultures on learning.

The response of numerical weather prediction analysis systems to FGGE 2b data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollingsworth, A.; Lorenc, A.; Tracton, S.; Arpe, K.; Cats, G.; Uppala, S.; Kallberg, P.

1985-01-01

An intercomparison of analyses of the main PGGE Level IIb data set is presented with three advanced analysis systems. The aims of the work are to estimate the extent and magnitude of the differences between the analyses, to identify the reasons for the differences, and finally to estimate the significance of the differences. Extratropical analyses only are considered. Objective evaluations of analysis quality, such as fit to observations, statistics of analysis differences, and mean fields are discussed. In addition, substantial emphasis is placed on subjective evaluation of a series of case studies that were selected to illustrate the importance of different aspects of the analysis procedures, such as quality control, data selection, resolution, dynamical balance, and the role of the assimilating forecast model. In some cases, the forecast models are used as selective amplifiers of analysis differences to assist in deciding which analysis was more nearly correct in the treatment of particular data.

Pregnancy-Related Group A Streptococcal Infections: Temporal Relationships Between Bacterial Acquisition, Infection Onset, Clinical Findings, and Outcome

PubMed Central

Hamilton, Stephanie M.; Stevens, Dennis L.; Bryant, Amy E.

2013-01-01

Puerperal sepsis caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS) remains an important cause of maternal and infant mortality worldwide, including countries with modern antibiotic regimens, intensive care measures and infection control practices. To provide insights into the genesis of modern GAS puerperal sepsis, we reviewed the published cases and case series from 1974 to 2009, specifically seeking relationships between the likely source of pathogen acquisition, clinical signs, and symptoms at infection onset and patient outcomes that could provide clues for early diagnosis. Results suggest that the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related GAS infections in modern times is complex and not simply the result of exposure to GAS in the hospital setting. Additional research is needed to further explore the source of GAS, the specific M types involved, and the pathogenesis of these pregnancy-related infections to generate novel preventative and therapeutic strategies. PMID:23645851

Occupational Therapy Interventions for People With Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

Piersol, Catherine Verrier; Jensen, Lou; Lieberman, Deborah; Arbesman, Marian

Evidence Connection articles provide a clinical application of systematic reviews developed in conjunction with the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA's) Evidence-Based Practice Project. In this Evidence Connection article, we describe a case report of a person with Alzheimer's disease. The occupational therapy assessment and intervention process in the home setting is described. Findings from the systematic reviews on this topic were published in the November/December 2017 issue of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy and in AOTA's Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Major Neurocognitive Disorders. Each article in this series summarizes the evidence from the published reviews on a given topic and presents an application of the evidence to a related clinical case. Evidence Connection articles illustrate how the research evidence from the reviews can be used to inform and guide clinical reasoning. Copyright © 2018 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.

Psychogenic dyspnea and therapeutic chest radiograph.

PubMed

Kaufman, Kenneth R; Endres, Jennifer K; Kaufman, Nathaniel D

2007-04-01

Conversion disorders, the physical expression of unresolved psychological pain, can be associated with mourning. This case report is third in a series of articles by the authors on childhood mourning reflecting the effects of multiple losses (K. R. Kaufman & N. D. Kaufman, 2005; K. R. Kaufman & N. D. Kaufman, 2006). In this case report, perception of potential death (self or parent) after a motor vehicle accident precipitated psychogenic dyspnea. A "therapeutic" chest radiograph was an effective initial treatment. Rapid intervention with explanation of the functional nature of the conversion symptom, why this symptom developed, and how to address the underlying stresses in the future led to an excellent outcome. Psychosocial intervention should be included in the multidisciplinary approach toward the child with conversion disorder, be it in an ambulatory, ER, or inpatient setting. The clinician must remember that medically unexplained symptoms in childhood may represent a child's expression of mourning.

On Digital Simulation of Multicorrelated Random Processes and Its Applications. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sinha, A. K.

1973-01-01

Two methods are described to simulate, on a digital computer, a set of correlated, stationary, and Gaussian time series with zero mean from the given matrix of power spectral densities and cross spectral densities. The first method is based upon trigonometric series with random amplitudes and deterministic phase angles. The random amplitudes are generated by using a standard random number generator subroutine. An example is given which corresponds to three components of wind velocities at two different spatial locations for a total of six correlated time series. In the second method, the whole process is carried out using the Fast Fourier Transform approach. This method gives more accurate results and works about twenty times faster for a set of six correlated time series.

Use of Cantilever Mechanics for Impacted Teeth: Case Series

PubMed Central

Paduano, Sergio; Spagnuolo, Gianrico; Franzese, Gerardo; Pellegrino, Gioacchino; Valletta, Rosa; Cioffi, Iacopo

2013-01-01

This paper describes the orthodontic treatment, and the biomechanics of cantilevers for the impaction of permanent teeth in youngs, adolescents, and adults. In these case series, multibracket straightwire fixed appliances, together with cantilever mechanics, were used to treat the impaired occlusion. PMID:24511332

Killing two birds with one stone: successful opioid monotherapy in intractable migraine-triggered epilepsy, a case series

PubMed Central

Derakhshan, Iraj

2017-01-01

The novel concept explored in this case series is the primacy of headaches in generating seizures in those patients who suffer from migraine-triggered epilepsy. In this series, once the migraine headaches were fully suppressed, via daily scheduled opioid therapy, the seizures also stopped. Seizures returned, however, after the patients stopped the opiate regimen for any reason. The above pharmacological scenario is reminiscent of a similar but naturalistic course of events reported on the salutary effects of ketogenic diet, or changes in life style, in similar cases of migraine-triggered epilepsy. The primacy of migraine in treating what has been named ‘seizure headaches’ is seen in two other scenarios (i.e. the salutary effect of ketogenic diet and lifestyle changes resulting in restoration of one’s sleeping pattern) thus stopping the migraine as well as the seizures associated with the same. This case series recounts the same phenomenon via utilizing around-the-clock maintenance opioid therapy. PMID:28203347

Killing two birds with one stone: successful opioid monotherapy in intractable migraine-triggered epilepsy, a case series.

PubMed

Derakhshan, Iraj

2017-01-01

The novel concept explored in this case series is the primacy of headaches in generating seizures in those patients who suffer from migraine-triggered epilepsy. In this series, once the migraine headaches were fully suppressed, via daily scheduled opioid therapy, the seizures also stopped. Seizures returned, however, after the patients stopped the opiate regimen for any reason. The above pharmacological scenario is reminiscent of a similar but naturalistic course of events reported on the salutary effects of ketogenic diet, or changes in life style, in similar cases of migraine-triggered epilepsy. The primacy of migraine in treating what has been named 'seizure headaches' is seen in two other scenarios (i.e. the salutary effect of ketogenic diet and lifestyle changes resulting in restoration of one's sleeping pattern) thus stopping the migraine as well as the seizures associated with the same. This case series recounts the same phenomenon via utilizing around-the-clock maintenance opioid therapy.

Clozapine Use During Pregnancy and Lactation: A Case-Series Report.

PubMed

Imaz, M Luisa; Oriolo, Giovanni; Torra, Mercè; Soy, Dolors; García-Esteve, Lluïsa; Martin-Santos, Rocio

2018-01-01

The current prescription of clozapine in psychotic women of reproductive age makes it crucial to understand its pharmacokinetics during pregnancy and lactation as well as its risk profile for neonatal outcome. The aim of this case series was to provide new evidence on the pharmacokinetic features of clozapine that determine its passage through the placenta and amniotic fluid, as well as the neonatal clozapine elimination half-life (t1/2). This case series demonstrates for the first time that clozapine might show partial placental passage similar to other atypical antipsychotics. Clozapine levels decreased during the first few days in nursing infants. The half-life of clozapine in neonates was slightly higher than previously estimated. Clozapine use in pregnancy may be associated with diabetes mellitus, especially if there is a family history of this disease. Although no acute toxicological effects were observed in the intrauterine exposed newborn, close follow-up of pregnancy is recommended. However, these results must be taken with caution being a case series with small sample size.

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology learned via a Web-based computerized case series.

PubMed

De Silva, Nirupama K; Dietrich, Jennifer E; Young, Amy E

2010-04-01

To increase resident knowledge in pediatric and adolescent gynecology via a Web-based self-tutorial. Prospective cohort involving 11 third- and fourth-year residents in a large university program. Residents were asked to complete a Web-based teaching series of cases involving common topics of pediatric and adolescent gynecology (PAG). A pretest and a posttest were completed to assess knowledge gained. Residents were asked to give feedback regarding improvements to the Web-based series for future case development. University-affiliated residency program in a major metropolitan area. Resident physicians in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Introduction of a Web-based teaching series to enhance resident education. Improvement of resident knowledge in PAG. All residents improved their knowledge in PAG after reviewing the series of cases. The pretest group mean score was 50%. The posttest group score was 69% (P < .05). All (100%) of participants said that this tool was an effective way to improve resident knowledge in PAG. A computer-based self-tutorial in pediatric and adolescent gynecology is a feasible and satisfactory teaching adjunct to PAG. Copyright 2010 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Animals of the Seas and Wetlands. Alaska Sea Week Curriculum Series II. Alaska Sea Grant Report 85-11.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mickelson, Belle

This curriculum guide is the second (Series II) in a six-volume set that comprises the Sea Week Curriculum Series developed in Alaska. This second book in the series lends itself to the first-grade level but can be adapted to preschool, secondary, and adult education. Nine units contain 30 activities with worksheets that cover the following…

Transvestism as a Symptom: A Case Series

PubMed Central

Anupama, M.; Gangadhar, K. H.; Shetty, Vandana B.; Dip, P. Bhadja

2016-01-01

Transvestism, commonly termed as cross-dressing, means to dress in the clothing of opposite sex. We describe a series of three cases with transvestism as one of their primary complaints. The discussion sheds light on the various ways in which transvestism as a symptom can present in Psychiatry. In the first two cases, there was lower intelligence. In first and third case, there were other paraphilia along with transvestism. Second case had co-morbid obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and had good response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). PMID:27011411