Saint Francis University

About: Saint Francis University is a education organization based out in Loretto, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Osteoblast. The organization has 1694 authors who have published 2038 publications receiving 87149 citations.

The role of ultrasound in screening for fetal Down syndrome

Abstract: Antenatal Down syndrome screening begins with maternal age-specific risks It also may incorporate the maternal serum screen and antenatal ultrasound These complementary tests improve the efficacy of maternal age in Down syndrome screening Ultrasound enhances antenatal Down syndrome screening by 1) precise dating of a pregnancy for the interpretation of serum screen results; 2) detecting major structural anomalies that occur in approximately 20% of all second-trimester Down syndrome fetuses; 3) detecting minor markers, such as nuchal fold thickness, pyelectasis, echogenic bowel, short long bones, sandal gap, and hypoplasia of the mid-phalanx of the fifth digit, which are more commonly seen in second-trimester fetuses with Down syndrome; and 4) acting in combination with serum screening in the first trimester using fetal nuchal translucency as the marker Ultrasound enhances the efficacy of either age or age and the serum screen for the antenatal detection of Down syndrome

"Light bulb" bladder due to massive lymphadenopathy in prostate cancer.

Abstract: A bone scan in an 84-year-old man who had prostate cancer revealed multiple osseous sites of focal activity that were consistent with metastases. In addition, the bladder was raised above the pubic bones. The bladder neck was constricted, giving the appearance of a light bulb. A radiographic contrast study and followup revealed that the effects were a result of massive lymphadenopathy from metastatic prostate cancer, with constriction of the lower bladder.

Generalized uniform covering maps relative to subgroups

Abstract: In "Rips complexes and covers in the uniform category" \cite{Rips} the authors define, following James \cite{J}, covering maps of uniform spaces and introduce the concept of generalized uniform covering maps. Conditions for the existence of universal uniform covering maps and generalized uniform covering maps are given. This paper extends these results by investigating the existence of these covering maps relative to subgroups of the uniform fundamental group and the fundamental group of the base space.

Automated, Parallel Optimization of Stochastic Functions Using a Modified Simplex Algorithm

Abstract: This paper proposes a framework and new parallel algorithm for optimization of stochastic functions based on a downhill simplex algorithm. The function to be optimized is assumed to be subject to random noise, the variance of which decreases with sampling time, this is the situation expected for many real-world and simulation applications where results are obtained from sampling, and contain experimental error or random noise. The proposed optimization method is found to be comparable to previous stochastic optimization algorithms. The new framework is based on a master-worker architecture where each worker runs a parallel program. The parallel implementation allows the sampling to proceed independently on multiple processors, and is demonstrated to scale well to over 100 vertices. It is highly suitable for clusters with an ever increasing number of cores per node. The new method has been applied successfully to the reparameterization of the TIP4P water model, achieving thermodynamic and structural results for liquid water that are as good as or better than the original model, with the advantage of a fully automated parameterization process.

Nodular Pulmonary Sarcoidosis

Abstract: Nodular sarcoidosis is a rare form of pulmonary sarcoidosis comprising 4% of lung involvement in this disease. It usually affects African American women with a mean age of 35 years. It presents with constitutional symptoms associated with chest imaging findings of multiple or solitary lung nodules. In our case we present a 38-year-old woman who had chronic productive cough associated with fever and dyspnea for 1 month. She had course of antibiotics without improvement in her symptoms. Chest imaging showed multiple nodules measuring up to 7.5 cm in size. Lung biopsy was obtained and histopathology revealed non-caseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. Angiotensin-converting enzyme levels were elevated. She received systemic steroids and the nodules resolved on follow-up imaging. J Med Cases. 2019;10(2):46-48 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3246