This paper proposes a novel framework to realize self-stabilizing Byzantine tolerant swarms. In this framework, non-Byzantine robots execute tasks while satisfying location functions. That is, the ...robots use a policy for their location choice, which restricts their location to satisfy the functions. We give a general Byzantine-resilient self-stabilizing algorithm based on the location function. Then we provide an efficient implementation of the self-stabilizing algorithms for special classes of tasks, called polynomial-based tasks and shape-based tasks. We also demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed framework by implementing typical tasks of robots.
•A novel framework to realize self-stabilizing Byzantine tolerant swarms.•Non-Byzantine robots execute tasks while satisfying location functions.•Byzantine-resilient self-stabilizing algorithm based on the location function.•Efficient implementation of the self-stabilizing algorithms for tasks of robots.
Stainless-Steel Crown (SSC) placement is a common treatment in children, usually without significant adverse consequences. The present case series reports six healthy children were admitted to ...emergency rooms in two medical centers with delayed excessive bleeding from their gingiva, adjacent to newly placed SSCs. The bleeding, in some cases, was so extensive, that it induced vomiting and anxiety, among the children and their parents, and in two cases required surgical suturing. In all six cases, the most probable etiology was a toxic reaction to the released nickel or chromium ions from the SSCs, exacerbated by contact with wounded and bleeding gingiva. Expression of this cytotoxic mode of action, due to metal ions released from SSCs, is not well documented in children. Our aims are to raise awareness of this unique complication and to suggest an approach to minimize and prevent its occurrence. Recommended immediate treatment includes frequent rinsing of the gingiva to wash out released metal ions and decrease their toxic effect. Furthermore, in the following appointments, we recommend using only SSCs previously soaked in water for several weeks, using zirconia crowns, or using Hall’s technique when appropriate.
Introduction
Retrorectal lesions (RRLs) are rare lesions that originate from the tissue present in the retrorectal space. The gold standard of care is complete resection regardless of pathology. The ...traditional approaches (anterior, posterior, and combined) are relatively well described. Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique offered as an alternative approach for RRLs.
Aim
To evaluate the outcomes of patients diagnosed with RRL and treated by the TEM approach, especially postoperative complications, and the recurrence rate.
Methods
Patients with RRLs treated with the TEM technique in one medical center between 2000 and 2020 were identified. Their postoperative outcomes were compared with historical controls.
Results
Thirty-nine patients diagnosed with RRL were operated on using the TEM platform. Thirty-seven RRLs were benign, and two were malignant. Their median size (IQR) was 20 mm (15, 32.5). The median distance (IQR) from the anal verge was 50 mm (50, 72.5). The median operative time (IQR) was 48.5 min (41.75, 60). All, except one lesion, were completely resected. The median length of stay (IQR) was one day (1, 1 day). Postoperative complications were diagnosed in three patients, two of which resolved following a second operation.
Conclusions
The implementation of TEM for the resection of RRLs demonstrated excellent overall results with acceptable complication and recurrence rate and represented a viable alternative surgical approach.
Introduction
Occult pneumothorax (OPTX) is defined as air in the pleural space that was not suspected on plain chest X-ray but detected on CT. Controversy exists in the management of OPTX, especially ...in patients who require positive pressure ventilation (PPV). In this study, we investigated the need for tube thoracostomy (TT) in blunt trauma patients with OPTX.
Materials and methods
This is a retrospective study of blunt trauma patients of all ages with evidence of OPTX, treated in the Shamir Medical Center Trauma Unit between 2008 and 2017. Two groups were defined. Group I consisted of patients requiring PPV. Group II included patients who did not require PPV. We identified the indication for TT insertion (hemothorax, significant pneumothorax, and enlarging pneumothorax). Necessity for delayed TT insertion due to enlarging pneumothorax was analyzed.
Results
Overall 512 patients with traumatic pneumothorax were admitted. 197 (38.5%) had OPTX. Motor vehicle accidents and falls from height accounted for most of the injuries, 47.2 and 42.6%, respectively. Fifty-seven patients required PPV. TT was required in 31 (15.7%) patients. No differences were found between the overall rate of TT insertion between the groups (15.7 vs. 21.1%;
p
= 0.2) and for delayed insertion of a TT due to an enlarging pneumothorax (25.0 vs. 42.1%;
p
= 0.45).
Conclusion
TT is not indicated in every patient with OPTX even in case of mechanical ventilation.
Understanding the molecular events that regulate cell pluripotency versus acquisition of differentiated somatic cell fate is fundamentally important. Studies in
Caenorhabditis elegans
demonstrate ...that knockout of the germline-specific translation repressor
gld-1
causes germ cells within tumorous gonads to form germline-derived teratoma. Previously we demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress enhances this phenotype to suppress germline tumor progression(Levi-Ferber et al., 2015). Here, we identify a neuronal circuit that non-autonomously suppresses germline differentiation and show that it communicates with the gonad via the neurotransmitter serotonin to limit somatic differentiation of the tumorous germline. ER stress controls this circuit through regulated inositol requiring enzyme-1 (IRE-1)-dependent mRNA decay of transcripts encoding the neuropeptide FLP-6. Depletion of FLP-6 disrupts the circuit’s integrity and hence its ability to prevent somatic-fate acquisition by germline tumor cells. Our findings reveal mechanistically how ER stress enhances ectopic germline differentiation and demonstrate that regulated Ire1-dependent decay can affect animal physiology by controlling a specific neuronal circuit.
We explored the multi-dimensionality of mathematics and working memory (WM) by examining the differential relationships between different areas of mathematics with visual, spatial, and verbal WM. ...Previous research proposed that visuospatial WM is a unique predictor of mathematics, but neuroimaging and cognitive research suggest divisions within visuospatial WM. We created a new WM task to isolate visuospatial WM’s visual and spatial components and maintained consistent design across tasks and found that spatial WM predicted mathematics and visual WM did not. We also found that verbal WM predicted all mathematics areas included, while spatial WM was a unique predictor of numerical understanding and geometry, not arithmetic and estimation. These findings integrate previous neuroimaging, cognitive and educational psychology research and further our understanding of the relationship between WM and mathematics.
Light at night and light interference (LI) disrupt the natural light:dark cycle, causing alterations at physiological and molecular levels, partly by suppressing melatonin (MLT) secretion at night. ...Heat shock proteins (HSPs) can be activated in response to environmental changes. We assessed changes in gene expression and protein level of HSP70 in brain and hepatic tissues of golden spiny mice (Acomys russatus) acclimated to LI for two (SLI), seven (MLI) and 21 nights (LLI). The effect of MLT treatment on LI-mice was also assessed. HSP70 levels increased in brain and hepatic tissues after SLI, whereas after MLI and LLI, HSP70 decreased to control levels. Changes in HSP70 levels as a response to MLT occurred after SLI only in hepatic tissue. However, hsp70 expression following SLI increased in brain tissue, but not in hepatic tissue. MLT treatment and SLI caused a decrease in hsp70 levels in brain tissue and an increase in hsp70 in hepatic tissue. SLI acclimation elicited a stress response in A. russatus, as expressed by increased HSP70 levels and gene expression. Longer acclimation decreases protein and gene expression to their control levels. We conclude that for brain and hepatic tissues of A. russatus, LI is a short-term stressor. Our results also revealed that A. russatus can acclimate to LI, possibly because of its circadian system plasticity, which allows it to behave both as a nocturnal and as a diurnal rodent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study showing the effect of LI as a stressor at the cellular level, by activating HSP70.
Polymer microring resonators are demonstrated as high-frequency, ultrasound detectors. An optical microring resonator consists of a ring waveguide closely coupled to a straight bus waveguide, serving ...as light input and output. Acoustic waves irradiating the ring induce strain, deforming the waveguide dimensions and changing the refractive index of the waveguide via the elasto-optic effect. These effects modify the effective refractive index of the guided mode inside the waveguide. The sharp wavelength dependence of the microring resonance can enhance the optical response to acoustic strain. Such polymer microring resonators are experimentally demonstrated in detecting broadband ultrasound pulses from a 50 MHz transducer. Measured frequency response shows that these devices have potential in high-frequency, ultrasound detection. Design guidelines for polymer microring resonators forming an ultrasound detector array are discussed
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