Showing papers by "James Taylor published in 2017"

Use of a Smartphone App to Assess Neonatal Jaundice.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The assessment of jaundice in outpatient neonates is problematic. Visual assessment is inaccurate, and more exact methodologies are cumbersome and/or expensive. Our goal in this study was to assess the accuracy of a technology based on the analysis of digital images of newborns obtained using a smartphone application called BiliCam. METHODS: Paired BiliCam images and total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels were obtained in a diverse sample of newborns ( RESULTS: Estimated bilirubin levels were calculated and compared with TSB levels in a diverse sample of 530 newborns (20.8% African American, 26.3% Hispanic, and 21.2% Asian American). The overall correlation was 0.91, and correlations among white, African American, Hispanic, and Asian American newborns were 0.92, 0.90, 0.91, and 0.88, respectively. The sensitivities of BiliCam in identifying newborns with high TSB levels were 84.6% and 100%, respectively, by using 2 decision rules; specificities were 75.1% and 76.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BiliCam provided accurate estimates of TSB values, demonstrating that an inexpensive technology that uses commodity smartphones could be used to effectively screen newborns for jaundice.

Variation in Sepsis Evaluation Across a National Network of Nurseries

Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The extent to which clinicians use currently available guidelines for early-onset sepsis (EOS) screening has not been described. The Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns network represents 97 nurseries in 34 states across the United States. The objective of this study was to describe EOS risk management strategies across a national sample of newborn nurseries. METHODS: A Web-based survey was sent to each Better Outcomes through Research for Newborns network nursery site representative. Nineteen questions addressed specific practices for assessing and managing well-appearing term newborns identified at risk for EOS. RESULTS: Responses were received from 81 (83%) of 97 nurseries located in 33 states. Obstetric diagnosis of chorioamnionitis was the most common factor used to identify risk for EOS (79 of 81). Among well-appearing term infants with concern for maternal chorioamnionitis, 51 of 79 sites used American Academy of Pediatrics or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to inform clinical care; 11 used a published sepsis risk calculator; and 2 used clinical observation alone. Complete blood cell count (94.8%) and C-reactive protein (36.4%) were the most common laboratory tests obtained and influenced duration of empirical antibiotics at 13% of the sites. Some degree of mother–infant separation was required for EOS evaluation at 95% of centers, and separation for the entire duration of antibiotic therapy was required in 40% of the sites. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variation exists in newborn EOS risk assessment, affecting the definition of risk, the level of medical intervention, and ultimately mother–infant separation. Identification of the optimal approach to EOS risk assessment and standardized implementation of such an approach could affect care of a large proportion of newborns.

Coherent Probabilistic Forecasts for Hierarchical Time Series

Abstract: Many applications require forecasts for a hierarchy comprising a set of time series along with aggregates of subsets of these series Although forecasts can be produced independently for each series in the hierarchy, typically this does not lead to coherent forecasts -- the property that forecasts add up appropriately across the hierarchy State-of-the-art hierarchical forecasting methods usually reconcile the independently generated forecasts to satisfy the aggregation constraints A fundamental limitation of prior research is that it has considered only the problem of forecasting the mean of each time series We consider the situation where probabilistic forecasts are needed for each series in the hierarchy We define forecast coherency in this setting, and propose an algorithm to compute predictive distributions for each series in the hierarchy Our algorithm has the advantage of synthesizing information from different levels in the hierarchy through a sparse forecast combination and a probabilistic hierarchical aggregation We evaluate the accuracy of our forecasting algorithm on both simulated data and large-scale electricity smart meter data The results show consistent performance gains compared to state-of-the art methods

Coherent Probabilistic Forecasts for Hierarchical Time Series.

Abstract: Many applications require forecasts for a hierarchy comprising a set of time series along with aggregates of subsets of these series. Hierarchical forecasting require not only good prediction accuracy at each level of the hierarchy, but also the coherency between different levels — the property that forecasts add up appropriately across the hierarchy. A fundamental limitation of prior research is the focus on forecasting the mean of each time series. We consider the situation where probabilistic forecasts are needed for each series in the hierarchy, and propose an algorithm to compute predictive distributions rather than mean forecasts only. Our algorithm has the advantage of synthesizing information from different levels in the hierarchy through a sparse forecast combination and a probabilistic hierarchical aggregation. We evaluate the accuracy of our forecasting algorithm on both simulated data and large-scale electricity smart meter data. The results show consistent performance gains compared to state-of-the art methods.

High average power parametric wavelength conversion at 3.31–3.48 μm in MgO:PPLN

Abstract: We present results of high average power mid-infrared (mid-IR) generation employing synchronized nanosecond pulsed ytterbium and erbium fiber amplifier systems using periodically poled lithium niobate. We generate greater than 6 W of mid-IR radiation tunable in wavelength between 3.31–3.48 μm, at power conversion efficiencies exceeding 75%, with near diffraction limited beam quality (M2 = 1.4). Numerical modeling is used to verify the experimental results in differing pump depletion regimes.

A Prospective Study of the Causes of Bruises in Premobile Infants.

Abstract: ObjectiveThis study had 2 objectives. First, to determine the behavior of physicians evaluating premobile infants with bruises. Second, and most importantly, to learn whether infants with unexplained bruising who had been initially evaluated by primary care and emergency department (ED) physicians a

High Average Power Second-Harmonic Generation of a CW Erbium Fiber MOPA

Abstract: We report the generation of 28 W of 780 nm radiation with near diffraction limited beam quality (M2 ≤ 1.15) by frequency-doubling a continuous-wave erbium fiber master oscillator power amplifier system in a periodically poled lithium niobate crystal. The second-harmonic generation conversion efficiency reached 45% with no roll-off observed, suggesting that further power scaling should be possible with higher fundamental pump powers. The generated second-harmonic had a 3 dB spectral bandwidth of 0.10 nm. The presented architecture represents a simple and effective route to generating high-brightness radiation around 780 nm.

A Protocol to Map Vine Size in Commercial Single High-Wire Trellis Vineyards Using “Off-the-Shelf” Proximal Canopy-Sensing Systems

Abstract: Summary Goals: This report aims to present a clear protocol for (a) deploying proximal canopy sensors into single high-wire trellis Concord ( Vitis labruscana cv. Bailey) vineyards and (b) converting the canopy sensor response into an indication of vine size (pruning weight). The protocol is designed to be robust and practical for easy adoption in commercial systems. Evidence will be presented of the efficacy of vine size prediction using the protocol in multiple research and commercial vineyards. Key Findings: Using different vineyards and pruning crews, the protocol performed well in >80% of vineyards and permitted growers to generate maps of actual vine size within vineyards. These maps provide a valuable indication of current site-specific production potential and a baseline to assess changes in vine size over time. In a few vineyards, the proposed simplified calibration process did not generate a clear relationship between canopy response and vine size, which may be due to changes in vine shape in highly mechanized systems. Impact and Significance: Managing vine size is critical to the long-term sustainability of cool climate viticulture and to managing quality in all viticulture systems. However, convincing growers to routinely measure vine size for more effective management has been difficult historically because of the time involved and the difficulty of translating the data into a decision process. The proposed protocol uses technology and targeted sampling to minimize the effort required, and presents more coherent information that allows fast grower responses. Grower adoption of this protocol should promote continual vine size measurement, with the goal of decreasing vine size variation within vineyards.

Ras Labs-CASIS-ISS NL experiment for synthetic muscle returned to Earth: resistance to ionizing radiation

Abstract: In anticipation of deep space travel, new materials are being explored to assist and relieve humans in dangerous environments, such as high radiation, extreme temperature, and extreme pressure. Ras Labs Synthetic Muscle™ – electroactive polymers (EAPs) that contract and expand at low voltages – which mimic the unique gentle-yet-strong nature of human tissue, is a potential asset to manned space travel through protective gear and human assist robotics and for unmanned space exploration through deep space. Gen 3 Synthetic Muscle™ was proven to be resistant to extreme temperatures, and there were indications that these materials would also be radiation resistant. The purpose of the Ras Labs-CASIS-ISS Experiment was to test the radiation resistivity of the third and fourth generation of these EAPs, as well as to make them even more radiation resistant. On Earth, exposure of the Generation 3 and Generation 4 EAPs to a Cs-137 radiation source for 47.8 hours with a total dose of 305.931 kRad of gamma radiation was performed at the US Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) at Princeton University, followed by pH, peroxide, Shore Hardness durometer, and electroactivity testing to determine the inherent radiation resistivity of these contractile EAPs, and to determine whether the EAPs could be made even more radiation resistant through the application of appropriate additives and coatings. The on Earth preliminary tests determined that selected Ras Labs EAPs were not only inherently radiation resistant, but with the appropriate coatings and additives, could be made even more radiation resistant. G-force testing to over 10 G’s was performed at US Army’s ARDEC Labs, with excellent results, in preparation for space flight to the International Space Station National Laboratory (ISS-NL). Selected samples of Generation 3 and Generation 4 Synthetic Muscle™, with various additives and coatings, were launched to the ISS-NL on April 14, 2015 on the SpaceX CRS-6 payload, and after 1+ year space exposure, returned to Earth on May 11, 2016 on SpaceX CRS-8. The results were very good, with the survival of all flown samples, which compared very well with the ground control samples. The most significant change observed was color change (yellowing) in some of the flown EAP samples, which in polymers can be indicative of accelerated aging. While the Synthetic Muscle Experiment was in orbit on the ISS-NL, photo events occur every 4 to 6 weeks to observe any changes, such as color, in the samples. Both the 32 flown EAP samples and 32 ground control samples were tested for pH, material integrity, durometer, and electroactivity, with very good results. The samples were also analyzed using stereo microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Smart electroactive polymer based materials and actuators promise to transform prostheses and robots, allowing for the treatment, reduction, and prevention of debilitating injury and fatalities, and to further our exploration by land, sea, air, and space.

Fibre MOPA pumped MIR parametric wavelength conversion

Abstract: We review recent work on generating MHz repetition rate, nanosecond pulsed, multi-Watt level average powers in the 3.3–3.5 µm region, using Yb:fibre and Er:fibre MOPAs to pump MgO:PPLN OPAs.

Microjoule Nanosecond 560 nm Source by SHG of a Combined Yb-Raman Fiber Amplifier

Abstract: We present a nanosecond pulse source operating at 560 nm by frequency-doubling a combined Yb-Raman fiber amplifier, achieving a pulse energy of 1.96 µJ with an overall efficiency of 30% from the 976 nm pump.

Beyond the Nursery: Postnatal Care in the 21st Century.

Abstract: Postnatal care has been one of the great public health successes of the past century. In 1910, most infants were born at home, and perinatal mortality was high; 1 in 10 US infants died before their first birthday.1 By 1960, the large majority of US births occurred in a hospital, where infants received multiple effective preventive interventions that led to a steep decrease in mortality rates. At that time, newborn preventive interventions were typically provided in a room called the “nursery,” where infants were lined up in row after row, and nurses moved from infant to infant to deliver care; mothers were housed on the postpartum ward, where they recovered from the birth process by resting quietly in bed. Things have changed for the better in the 21st century: the number, scope, and effectiveness of postnatal preventive interventions has continued to expand, whereas infant mortality has continued to decline. …