Abstract-In this paper, we present a square-root inverse sliding window filter (SR-ISWF) for vision-aided inertial navigation systems (VINS). While regular inverse filters suffer from numerical issues, employing their square-root equivalent enables the usage of single-precision number representations, thus achieving considerable speed ups as compared to doubleprecision alternatives on resource-constrained mobile platforms. Besides a detailed description of the SR-ISWF for VINS, which focuses on the numerical procedures that enable exploiting the problem's structure for gaining in efficiency, this paper presents a thorough validation of the algorithm's processing requirements and achieved accuracy. In particular, experiments are conducted using a commercial-grade cell phone, where the proposed algorithm is shown to achieve the same level of estimation accuracy, when compared to state-of-the-art VINS algorithms, with significantly higher speed.

In NWSA, the frequency and severity of DKA at onset of childhood T1D were reduced following 4 years awareness campaign; but the rate is still high. Maintaining the campaign may result in further improvement following a longer period of observation.

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This study's primary objective is to evaluate the time spent in the peer-review process for orthopaedic publications related to the Covid-19 pandemic. The secondary objective is to evaluate the countries' and journals' contributions in these publications. Materials and methods: We carried a search on August 1st, 2020, in one database (PubMed) using limited search terms to identify the orthopaedic publications related to the Covid-19 pandemic. After a filtration process, we evaluated the eligible article to identify the prevalence of different articles types, different countries, and journal contributions in these publications. The evaluation of the time spent in the peerreview process was done by obtaining the submission and acceptance dates. Results: Of the 231 articles eligible for initial assessment, review articles were the most common article type published (51%), 48 countries published articles in a unique 78 journals. Evaluation of the peerreview process in 147 articles revealed that the mean time from submission to acceptance was 14.3 ± 15.8 days (range from 0 to 74), the peer-review process took less than 30 days in 127 (86.4%) articles, 15 (10.2%) articles were accepted within the first day of submission. Conclusion: Orthopaedic community contributed significantly to the publications related to the Covid-19 pandemic, with a contribution from many countries and journals. The peer-review process was notably shortened for some articles.

ImportanceLabor unionization efforts have resurged in the US, and union membership has been shown to improve worker conditions in some industries. However, little is known about labor unionization membership and its economic effects across the health care workforce.ObjectivesTo examine the prevalence of labor unionization among health care workers and its associations with pay, noncash benefits, and work hours.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Current Population Survey and Annual Social and Economic Supplement from 2009 through 2021. The US nationally representative, population-based household survey allowed for a sample of 14 298 self-identified health care workers (physicians and dentists, advanced practitioners, nurses, therapists, and technicians and support staff).ExposuresSelf-reported membership status or coverage in a labor union.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrevalence and trend in labor unionization. Further comparisons included mean weekly pay, noncash benefits (pension or other retirement benefits; employer-sponsored, full premium–covered health insurance; and employer’s contribution to the worker’s health insurance plan), and work hours.ResultsThe 14 298 respondents (81.5% women; 7.1% Asian, 12.0% Black, 8.5% Hispanic, 70.4% White individuals; mean [SD] age, 41.6 [13.4] years) included 1072 physicians and dentists, 981 advanced practitioners, 4931 nurses, 964 therapists, and 6350 technicians and support staff. After weighting, 13.2% (95% CI, 12.5% to 13.8%) of respondents reported union membership or coverage, with no significant trend from 2009 through 2021 (P = .75). Among health care workers, those who were members of a racial or ethnic minority group (Asian, Black, or Hispanic individuals compared with White individuals) and those living in metropolitan areas were more likely to report being labor unionized. Reported unionization was associated with significantly higher reported weekly earnings ($1165 vs $1042; mean difference, $123 [95% CI, $88 to $157]; P < .001) and higher likelihood of having a pension or other retirement benefits at work (57.9% vs 43.4%; risk ratio [RR], 1.33 [95% CI, 1.26 to 1.41]; P < .001) and having employer-sponsored, full premium–covered health insurance (22.2% vs 16.5%; RR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.17 to 1.53]; P < .001). Union members reported more work hours (37.4 vs 36.3; mean differences, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.46 to 1.75]; P < .001) per week. White workers reported mean weekly earnings that were significantly more than members of racial and ethnic minority groups among nonunionized workers ($1066 vs $1001; mean difference, $65 [95% CI, $40 to $91]; P < .001), but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups among unionized workers ($1157 vs $1170; mean difference, −$13 [95% CI, −$78 to $52]; P = .70).Conclusions and RelevanceFrom 2009 through 2021, labor unionization among US health care workers remained low. Reported union membership or coverage was significantly associated with higher weekly earnings and better noncash benefits but greater number of weekly work hours.

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is associated with imbalance in body trace elements. The aim of the current investigation was to compare the levels of trace elements (Zn, Mg, Mn, Cu, Na, K, Fe, Ca, Cr, and Se) in insulin dependent (IDDM) and non-insulin dependent (NIDDM) diabetes.MethodsA total of 100 patients with diabetes (40 IDDM and 60 NIDDM) and 50 healthy subjects were recruited in the study from both genders. Biochemical measures include glucose, lipids, and HbA1C.ResultsThe results showed that Zn, Mg, Cu and Cr were significant lower in patients with diabetes compared to the control group (P<0.01). In addition, Zn and Cr were significantly lower in IDDM than NIDDM (P<0.05). Moreover, Zn and Mg levels were inversely correlated with HbA1c in IDDM and NIDDM (P<0.05). Zn was inversely correlated with fasting blood glucose in IDDM (P<0.05). Finally, no correlation between trace element levels with BMI was found (P>0.05).ConclusionDisturbance in trace element profile among IDDM and NIDDM is similar.

It is well documented that caffeine is the world's most widely consumed drug with its main source found in coffee. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), diabetes and obesity are major health problems. Caffeine is attested as a potential drug for treating obesity, hepatic fibrosis, and preventing or delaying diabetes. The aim of this work is to evaluate the caffeine content of the Arabian coffee in comparison to Turkish coffee and instant coffee, in order to better adjust daily caffeine consumption. All types of coffee were prepared based on traditional ways in KSA. The average consumed coffee per normal person is assumed to be, 6 Arabian, 2 Nescafe or 1 Turkish cups per day. High performance liquid chromatography technique was used for caffeine measurement using paracetamol as an internal standard. Generally, coffee is prepared with other additives, liquid-liquid extraction was used for the extraction caffeine and paracetamol as an internal standard. HPLC method validated was over the range of 1 to 100 μg with good linearity (r²=0.991). Validation data proved that the method is accurate with average of 102%. Caffeine contents of Arabian coffee, Nescafe®, and Turkish coffee were found to be 4.1, 43.4 and 82.8 mg/cup, respectively. One cup of Turkish coffee contains caffeine as much as 2 Nescafe® and 20 Arabian cups. Gold Nescafe® contains about 20% less caffeine than classic. The caffeine content of each type of marketed coffee was accurately measured. An individual Arabian coffee consumer, who is drinking an average of 6 cups/day, can safely increase the number of cups or cup size in order to obtain more caffeine. The other choice for increasing caffeine ingestion is to think of Turkish coffee and/or Nescafe® as a substitute, in order to maintain caffeine at a therapeutic range for better health.

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