Application of digital infrared thermography for nondestructive evaluation of composite bridge components

The objective of this research is to evaluate the applicability of digital infrared thermographic system to detect subsurface defects such as debonds and delaminations in Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bridge decks and other composite bridge components such as beams and columns wrapped with steel or FRP jacket.;This thesis investigates the use of digital infrared thermography on FRP bridge decks both under laboratory and field conditions. Air-filled and water-filled debonds were inserted between the wearing surface and the underlying FRP deck. Also, simulated subsurface delaminations (of various sizes and thickness) were created at the flange-to-flange junction between two FRP deck modules.;The results show that infrared thermography is a useful tool for defect detection in composite decks. Therefore, the technique can be used for several applications such as quality control during pultrusion of new decks (in factories), during field construction, and field inspection of in-service decks. The technique was also successful in detecting subsurface defects in various other composite components considered in this study. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

ECG dilemma

"A 48-year-old white male presented to the emergency room (ER) with 5-day history of fever and chills. He also reported chest pain, which he described as heaviness and radiating to the left arm. He reports generalized weakness. He has no significant past medical history. He was told to have a murmur since childhood. He does not have orthopnea nor paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. Vitals on examination were: Heart rate 30 bpm, blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg. Physical examination: Ejection systolic murmur grade 3/6 heard at the right upper sternal border and radiating to both carotids, lungs were clear to auscultation, skin and extremity examination was normal. Laboratory studies obtained in the ER: WBC 26, 900 /[mu]l, hemoglobin 12.2 g/dl, BUN 23 mg/dl creatinine 0.97 mg/dl, troponin I 0.3 ng/ml, hemoglobin A1c 9.2[percent]. Blood culture results obtained the next day showed 4 of 4 cultures positive for Gram positive cocci in chains. Electrocardiogram obtained is shown below. Transthoracic echocardiogram was performed – valves were not adequately visualized due to poor imaging windows but showed mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, aortic valve was calcified with moderate stenosis."Sudarshan Balla (1), Archana Vasudevan (2) ; 1. Division of Cardiology, West Virginia University School of Medicine. 2. Department of Medicine – Division of Infectious Diseases, University of MissouriIncludes bibliographical reference

Group Fuzzy Languages and its Generalizations

In fuzzy language theory, every monoid is the syntactic monoid of some fuzzy language. By using this result the properties of fuzzy language can be studied by the algebraic properties of the syntactic monoids. There are so many methods for studying fuzzy languages. We adopt the above method to analyze different class of fuzzy languages and also characterize certain varieties of fuzzy languages. In this paper we give the variety description of group fuzzy languages and also provide the Eilenberg variety theorem for the class of group fuzzy languages. Moreover we described a fuzzy language whose syntactic monoid is isomorphic to the group Zn

Bi-allelic Loss-of-Function CACNA1B Mutations in Progressive Epilepsy-Dyskinesia.

The occurrence of non-epileptic hyperkinetic movements in the context of developmental epileptic encephalopathies is an increasingly recognized phenomenon. Identification of causative mutations provides an important insight into common pathogenic mechanisms that cause both seizures and abnormal motor control. We report bi-allelic loss-of-function CACNA1B variants in six children from three unrelated families whose affected members present with a complex and progressive neurological syndrome. All affected individuals presented with epileptic encephalopathy, severe neurodevelopmental delay (often with regression), and a hyperkinetic movement disorder. Additional neurological features included postnatal microcephaly and hypotonia. Five children died in childhood or adolescence (mean age of death: 9 years), mainly as a result of secondary respiratory complications. CACNA1B encodes the pore-forming subunit of the pre-synaptic neuronal voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.2/N-type, crucial for SNARE-mediated neurotransmission, particularly in the early postnatal period. Bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in CACNA1B are predicted to cause disruption of Ca2+ influx, leading to impaired synaptic neurotransmission. The resultant effect on neuronal function is likely to be important in the development of involuntary movements and epilepsy. Overall, our findings provide further evidence for the key role of Cav2.2 in normal human neurodevelopment.MAK is funded by an NIHR Research Professorship and receives funding from the Wellcome Trust, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital Charity, and Rosetrees Trust. E.M. received funding from the Rosetrees Trust (CD-A53) and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. K.G. received funding from Temple Street Foundation. A.M. is funded by Great Ormond Street Hospital, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), and Biomedical Research Centre. F.L.R. and D.G. are funded by Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. K.C. and A.S.J. are funded by NIHR Bioresource for Rare Diseases. The DDD Study presents independent research commissioned by the Health Innovation Challenge Fund (grant number HICF-1009-003), a parallel funding partnership between the Wellcome Trust and the Department of Health, and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute (grant number WT098051). We acknowledge support from the UK Department of Health via the NIHR comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre award to Guy's and St. Thomas' National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust in partnership with King's College London. This research was also supported by the NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre. J.H.C. is in receipt of an NIHR Senior Investigator Award. The research team acknowledges the support of the NIHR through the Comprehensive Clinical Research Network. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR, Department of Health, or Wellcome Trust. E.R.M. acknowledges support from NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, an NIHR Senior Investigator Award, and the University of Cambridge has received salary support in respect of E.R.M. from the NHS in the East of England through the Clinical Academic Reserve. I.E.S. is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (Program Grant and Practitioner Fellowship)

Myxoid Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the vulva with myoid nodules: Clinicopathologic and Immunohistochemical study of a case

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a slow growing dermal spindle cell tumor seldom seen in the vulva and its myxoid variant, a rare type of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is characterised by extensive myxoid degeneration. We present the case of a 62 year old woman with an enlarging vulval swelling. Mass was excised surgically. Histopathologically the tumor consisted of uniform spindle-shaped cells showing strong positivity with CD34. In addition to the typical storiform pattern and lace like infiltration, prominent myxoid stromal changes were seen. Herein we report an interesting case of myxoid dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, uncommonly reported in the dermatopathology literature

Acute retinal necrosis secondary to Varicella Zoster Virus

A 54 year old female presented to the ophthalmology clinic with pain and decreased vision in her left eye. No past medical history other than primary varicella zoster infection, in her childhood. The eye exam revealed a macular region with scattered areas of retinal opacity along with patches of necrosis on the periphery. She was started on valganciclovir and referred to the infectious disease clinic. Cell Count, blood chemistry and HIV were negative. Serum was sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV). The VZV PCR was positive. She had decreased vision on the right eye two days later, and exam revealed peripheral retinal whitening. She was admitted and started on intravenous acyclovir. VZV is one of the most common causes of ARN and has been described in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised persons.Visual changes are usually noted weeks to months after the antecedent herpes zoster. Retinal involvement is bilateral in over half of cases, suggesting that VZV reaches the central nervous system hematogenously. The retinal exam reveals multifocal necrotizing lesions, often initially involving the peripheral retina. Therapy includes intravenous acyclovir with consideration of intravitreal foscarnet and other antivirals for progressing disease. Keywords: Retinal necrosis, Acute, Progressive, Varicella Zoste

Trends in Infective Endocarditis Mortality in the United States: 1999 to 2020: A Cause for Alarm

Background Data on national trends in mortality due to infective endocarditis (IE) in the United States are limited. Methods and Results Utilizing the multiple causes of death data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database from 1999 to 2020, IE and substance use were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Between 1999 and 2020, the IE‐related age‐adjusted mortality rates declined. IE‐related crude mortality accelerated significantly in the age groups 25–34 years (average annual percentage change, 5.4 [95% CI, 3.1–7.7]; P<0.001) and 35–44 years (average annual percentage change, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.3–3.3]; P<0.001), but remained stagnant in those aged 45–54 years (average annual percentage change, 0.5 [95% CI, −1.9 to 3]; P=0.684), and showed a significant decline in those aged ≥55 years. A concomitant substance use disorder as multiple causes of death in those with IE increased drastically in the 25–44 years age group (P<0.001). The states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia showed an acceleration in age‐adjusted mortality rates in contrast to other states, where there was predominantly a decline or static trend for IE. Conclusions Age‐adjusted mortality rates due to IE in the overall population have declined. The marked acceleration in mortality in the 25‐ to 44‐year age group is a cause for alarm. Regional differences with acceleration in IE mortality rates were noted in Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia. We speculate that this acceleration was likely due mainly to the opioid crisis that has engulfed several states and involved principally younger adults