cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recurrent Vertebral Arteries Dissection (P6.219)

Objective: We report a case of recurrent vertebral arteries dissection. Background: Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is an infrequent but important cause of stroke in younger patients. Spontaneous VAD is thought to have an underlying structural defect of the arterial wall. Recurrent dissections are rare, particularly in the same artery. Design/Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 39 year-old man with a history of HTN and hyperlipidemia presented with right sided neck pain, visual symptoms and dizziness. MRI showed small right cerebellum and left occipital ischemic stroke. CTA revealed long segment proximal right VAD. He was treated with warfarin, an antihypertensive agent and a statin. Repeat CTA in 4 months showed healing of the vertebral artery and warfarin was switched to aspirin. 7 months later he developed neck pain. CTA showed a new right VAD at the level of C1. Warfarin was restarted. The dissection healed and MRI showed no new infarcts. 27 months later he presented with neck pain and new left VAD at the level of C3 to C6. His symptoms resolved quickly. He was continued on warfarin. Repeat CTA showed resolution of arterial wall abnormality. 29 months after the last VAD he again developed neck pain. CTA showed a new right VAD at the level of C2. Over the years search for definite cause has been elusive with no evidence of fibromuscular dysplasia or connective tissue disorders. His BP overall has been reasonable controlled. Family history significant for grandmother with history of stroke and father with CAD and CABG. The patient never smoked. The patient is currently asymptomatic. Conclusions: Recurrence of VAD is rare, particularly in the same artery at different locations. To our knowledge, no case of three discrete episodes within the vertebral artery has been reported. We decided to keep the patient on indefinite anticoagulation. Disclosure: Dr. Bronstein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Danesh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Torres has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chao has nothing to disclose. Dr. Petrovic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ashikian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arbuckle has nothing to disclose.
Swine Vagina under Planar Biaxial Loads: An Investigation of Large Deformations and Tears.

Vaginal tears are very common and can lead to hemorrhaging, fecal incontinence, urinary incontinence, and dyspareunia. Despite the complication of vaginal tears on women's health, there are no studies on the tear behavior of vaginal tissue. In this study, planar equi-biaxial tests on square specimens of swine vaginal tissue, with sides oriented along the longitudinal direction (LD) and circumferential direction (CD), were conducted. Three groups of specimens were tested: the NT group (n=9), which had no pre-imposed tear, the LT group (n=9) and the CT group (n=9), which had central pre-imposed elliptically-shaped tears with major axes oriented in the LD and the CD, respectively. Strains were measured for the NT group using the digital image correlation technique and axial displacements of hook clamps were measured for the NT, LT, and CT groups in the LD and CD. The vaginal tissue was found to be highly nonlinear and somewhat anisotropic. Up to normalized axial hook displacements of 1.15, no tears were observed to propagate, suggesting that the vagina offers resistance to tear. The size of the tears for the CT group increased significantly more than the size of the tears for the LT group (p=0.003). The microstructural organization of the vagina is the likely culprit for its tear resistance and orientation-dependent tear behavior. Knowledge on the structure-function relationship of the vagina is needed to guide the development of new methods for preventing the severe complications of tearing.
Specific class of intrapartum antibiotics relates to maturation of the infant gut microbiota: a prospective cohort study.

Objective To evaluate the potential impact of intrapartum antibiotics, and their specific classes, on the infant gut microbiota in the first year of life. Design Prospective study of infants in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS). Settings Rural New Hampshire, USA. Population or sample Two hundred and sixty-six full-term infants from the NHBCS. Methods Intrapartum antibiotic use during labour and delivery was abstracted from medical records. Faecal samples collected at 6 weeks and 1 year of age were characterised by 16S rRNA sequencing, and metagenomics analysis in a subset of samples. Exposures Maternal exposure to antibiotics during labour and delivery. Main outcome measure Taxonomic and functional profiles of faecal samples. Results Infant exposure to intrapartum antibiotics, particularly to two or more antibiotic classes, was independently associated with lower microbial diversity scores as well as a unique bacterial community at 6 weeks (GUnifrac, P = 0.02). At 1 year, infants in the penicillin-only group had significantly lower α diversity scores than infants not exposed to intrapartum antibiotics. Within the first year of life, intrapartum exposure to penicillins was related to a significantly lower increase in several taxa including Bacteroides, use of cephalosporins was associated with a significantly lower rise over time in Bifidobacterium and infants in the multi-class group experienced a significantly higher increase in Veillonella dispar. Conclusions Our findings suggest that intrapartum antibiotics alter the developmental trajectory of the infant gut microbiome, and specific antibiotic types may impact community composition, diversity and keystone immune training taxa. Tweetable abstract Class of intrapartum antibiotics administered during delivery relates to maturation of infant gut microbiota.
Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with suspected acute cardiac ischemia--its influence on diagnosis, triage, and short-term prognosis: a multicenter study

Objective: To understand the diagnostic and short-term prognostic significance of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) for patients who present to the emergency department with symptoms suggesting acute cardiac ischemia, defined as new or unstable angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction.
Research on Power Supply Capability Evaluation and Optimization Method for Distribution Network with Electric Heating Loads

In order to control air pollution and protect environment, winter clean heating is being vigorously promoted in Northern China. In recent years, the integration of electric heating facilities has a great impact on power supply capability, for which traditional distribution network optimization methods need to be improved. This paper firstly presents multiple typical scenarios of distribution network with electric heating loads, then an evaluation method of power supply capability based on attribute theory is proposed. Lastly, considering seasonal fluctuation of electric heating load, a robust optimization model based on scenario analysis is established, which takes power losses, voltage quality and load balance as multi-objectives to optimize on-off of the switches. Ant colony algorithm based on the Pareto optimal is adopted to solve the model. Taking IEEE 33 nodes distribution system as example, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified, which shows that the economy and power supply capability are balanced with ensuring the node voltage safety.
ACTIGRAPH’S LOW-FREQUENCY EXTENSION FILTER FOR ESTIMATING WRIST-WORN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Innovation in Aging following peer review. The version of record Hicks, Hilary J et al. “ACTIGRAPH’S LOW-FREQUENCY EXTENSION FILTER FOR ESTIMATING WRIST-WORN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER ADULTS.” Innovation in Aging vol. 3,Suppl 1 S520–S521. 8 Nov. 2019, doi:10.1093/geroni/igz038.1918 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1918. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Partial coherence in modern optics: Emil Wolf's legacy in the 21st century

Abstract We highlight the impact of Emil Wolf's work on coherence and polarization on an ever increasing amount of applications in the 21st century. We present a brief review of how partial coherence at the level of increasing order of coherence functions is leading to evolution in the better methods for microscopy, imaging, optical coherence tomography, speckle imaging, and propagation through random media. This evolution in our capabilities is expected to have wide ramifications in Science and Engineering.
Fit-for-Purpose Validation and Establishment of Assay Acceptance and Reporting Criteria of Dendritic Cell Activation Assay Contributing to the Assessment of Immunogenicity Risk

Validation of key analytical and functional performance characteristics of in vitro immunogenicity risk assessment assays increases our confidence in utilizing them for screening biotherapeutics. Herein, we present a fit-for-purpose (FFP) validation of a dendritic cell (DC) activation assay designed to assess the immunogenicity liability of protein biotherapeutics. Characterization of key assay parameters was achieved using monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) treated with cell culture medium only (i.e., background control (BC)), keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as system positive control (SPC), and 2 therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with known clinical immunogenicity profiles (bococizumab and TAM163) as therapeutic controls (TCs). In the absence of established validation guidelines for primary cell-based assays, the present DC activation assay was validated using a novel FFP approach which allows more flexibility in selection of validation parameters and designing of experiments based on the intended use of the assay. The present FFP validation allowed us to understand the impact of experimental variables on assay precision, develop a clear concise readout for DC activation results, establish a reliable response threshold to define a result as a positive DC activation response, and define in-study donor acceptance criteria and cohort size. FFP validation of this DC activation assay indicated that the assay is sufficient to support its context of use, a preclinical immunogenicity risk management tool.
The Second Amendment as a Guard Against Government-Sanctioned Tyrannous Factions

The rioting and looting that occurred in American cities during the summer of 2020 highlights an heretofore ignored aspect of the Second Amendment—the Framers’ concerns about the danger of factions. The Framers of the Fourteenth Amendment, through which the Second Amendment applies to the states, witnessed first-hand freedmen and white Republicans being subjected to terrorist campaigns supported or accommodated by local law enforcement which the “Redeemers” controlled politically. Similarly, the riots and looting of 2020 illustrate that even today, local government officials can be complicit in law-enforcement using political, unequal criteria in determining whether and to what extent to preserve and enforce law and order. Reviewing the events of Summer 2020 suggest that the individual right to self-defense is not only still important, but remains a necessary check on violent factions allied with corrupt local government. This paper argues that the Second Amendment carries a particular force and has special application when individuals must defend themselves and their property against tyrannous factions that operate with the direct or indirect support of government. The Second Amendment counters faction in two ways: it protects the individual right of self-defense against violent factions; and it checks the power of government to oppress its citizens through violent factions. Although the Constitution as a whole embodies a concern about faction, the Second Amendment provides unique protections against the abuses of faction by giving citizens the right to defend themselves from criminal aggression when the government will not.
New-onset seizures following cochlear implantation reprogramming – A case report

Abstract Background Cochlear implant (CI) soft failures are relatively rare and have wide-ranging presentations. We present a CI soft failure case that manifested with facial pain and auditory clicking which progressed to severe spasmodic episodes consistent with psychogenic non-epileptiform seizures (PNES). Case description A 28-year-old male underwent CI processor replacement and shortly afterward developed intractable adverse facial and auditory symptoms consistent with soft failure followed immediately by seizure-like episodes. These symptoms persisted and progressively worsened despite deactivation of the implant and failed to respond to anti-epileptic medications. Neurology workup, including EEG, demonstrated waveforms inconsistent with epilepsy but instead favored a diagnosis of PNES. He underwent device explantation with complete resolution of his facial and auditory symptoms as well as his non-epileptiform seizures. Conclusions Although cochlear implantation is generally well tolerated without complications, a small subset of patients can develop symptoms of soft failure and require explantation. This represents the only published case of PNES as a consequence of CI soft failure. Although the underlying physiology of this presentation is not well understood, there was complete resolution of symptoms following explantation.
Investigating the Flipped Classroom Model in a High School Writing Course: Action Research to Impact Student Writing Achievement and Engagement

The purpose of this action research was to evaluate implementation of the flipped classroom model in a high school English classroom. The flipped classroom model is a specific blended teaching and learning approach that has been shown to increase student achievement, close the achievement gap, and increase student engagement and critical thinking. This study focused on how and in what ways implementing a flipped classroom model in a high school writing course affected students’ writing quality, engagement, and perceptions of and experiences with the flipped classroom. Data collection incorporated a convergent parallel mixed methods design using preintervention and postintervention writing tasks, surveys, and observations. The triangulated findings revealed the flipped classroom model had a positive impact on student engagement and their perceptions of the model on their learning. Additionally, students made gains in their writing achievement during the model implementation. The general value of this blended learning model technique within the K-12 setting is discussed.
Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos

This text is an ecclesiastical history, beginning with the time of Christ, that survives in one manuscript. The original, complete text continued through to 911 in twenty- three books; however, the last five books have since been lost. The surviving eighteen books take the story of church history up to 610. Xanthopoulos's project was unusual in that no historians had written in the genre of ecclesiastical history since late antiquity, and his efforts seem to have failed to revive the genre. Nikephoros Kallistos Xanthopoulos claims authorship of the work in its preface. Most of our knowledge of his biography comes from the opening of his ecclesiastical history. The preface says that he began work on his history at age thirty- six. He corresponded with Theodore Metochites (1270– 1332). Nikephoros was a priest at Hagia Sophia; he may also have become a monk prior to his death, but this is uncertain. He seems to have survived beyond 1326– 1327. Xanthopoulos also wrote a variety of works including hagiography, poetry, and commentaries on John Klimax and Gregory Nazianzos. Xanthopoulos began the project around 1310 and completed it sometime after 1317. Karpozilos dates it to sometime after 1321 on the grounds that Xanthopoulos mentions repairs made by the emperor to certain buildings at that time. The text is dedicated to Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282– 1328) and while some scholars have understood this dedication as a way to support Andronikos's efforts to repudiate the Union of Lyon, the contents of the dedication do not specifically refer to that debate. Xanthopoulos created his narrative using the histories of Eusebius, Socrates, Sozomenos, Theodoret of Cyrus, and Evagrios, as well as hagiography, chronicles, and letters. He also relied heavily on a collection of church histories in the Baroccianus Graecus 142 , which contains the histories of Sozomen, Evagrios, and a variety of other excerpts on church history, as well as notes and prayers in Xanthopoulos's own hand.
An Approximation Algorithm for Alignment of Multiple Sequences using Motif Discovery

Given a set of N sequence, the Multiple Sequence Alignment problem is to align these N sequences, possibly with gaps, that brings out the best commonality of the N sequences. The quality of the alignment is usually measured by penalizing the mis-matches and gaps, and rewarding the matches with appropriate weight functions. However for larger values of N, additional constraints are required to give meaningful alignments. We identify a user-controlled parameter, an alignment number K (2 ≤ K ≤ N): this additional requirement constrains the alignment to have at least K sequences agree on a character, whenever possible, in the alignment. We identify a natural optimization problem for this approach called the K-MSA problem. We show that the problem is MAX SNP hard. We give a natural extension of this problem that incorporates “biological relevance” by using motifs (common patterns in the sequences) and give an approximation algorithm for this problem in terms of the motifs in the data. MUSCA is an implementation of this approach and our experimental results indicate that this approach is efficient, particularly on large numbers of long sequences, and gives good alignments when tested on biological data such as DNA and protein sequences.
Diagnostic and Management Challenges of Ciliary Body Tumor in an African-American Patient

Purpose: To discuss the diagnostic and management challenges of a ciliary body tumor in an African-American patient. Procedures: </b
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of the Detection of Specific Immunoglobulin M Antibodies in Cord Serum

Specific immunoglobulin M antibodies were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA-IgM) in cord sera from 83/93 (89%) babies congenitally infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) but in 0/104 cord sera from uninfected control subjects. The type of maternal infection did not affect the ability of the assay to identify congenital infections, but increased RIA-IgM titers were found more frequently in cord sera from babies infected following primary CMV infections (9/18; 50%) than following recurrent CMV infections (1/12; 8%) (P less than .05). The magnitude of the fetal immune response was related to disease inasmuch as 14/40 (35%) babies with increased RIA-IgM titers were symptomatic at birth compared with 1/43 (2%) with lower titers (P less than .001). When combined with the results of testing for rheumatoid factor and total IgM, the RIA-IgM assay defined subgroups of babies with generally poor (7/15; 47% symptomatic at any stage) or generally good (0/21 symptomatic) prognoses. Prospective studies currently identifying cases of congenital CMV infection may wish to use these three serologic techniques as the results obtained appear to have prognostic significance for those babies who are initially asymptomatic.
D/deaf Writing Does: An Investigation of D/deaf Literacy Theory and Narratives

How the academic community regards and defines literacy plays a critical role in the inclusion and agency of people from all walks of life. D/deaf voices, historically excluded from such scholarly conversations, re-envision and redefine preconceived notions of what it means to be literate. This two-part essay investigates the multiple methods and modalities that D/deaf writing encompasses by reviewing past and current D/deaf literacy theory, drawing on the works of Ursula Bellugi,Brenda Jo Brueggeman, Todd Czubek, and others. It then examines the literacy narratives of two D/deaf individuals, applying theory and identifying emergent themes in their literate lives. These themes expose ways in which D/deaf writing rejects exclusion, finds empowerment, and challenges literacy scholars to consider where the boundaries of literacy lie and how blurred these boundaries may become.
Magnetic Quantum Critical Point in YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-delta}? Resolving the Correlation Length Controversy

A mode coupling calculation which previously explained the Mott gap collapse induced in cuprates by electron doping is applied to the analogous problem of hole doping. A plateau in the q-space susceptibility is found to inhibit the rate of susceptibility divergence as T goes to 0. This effect could reconcile neutron and NMR measurements of the correlation length in this regime, and clarify the issue of proximity to a quantum critical point.
The Promise of Comparative Administrative Law: A Constitutional Perspective on Independent Agencies

The comparative study of administrative law is en vogue. A dominant strand of this emerging discipline examines administrative practice across various jurisdictions in search of commonalities and often with a view to improving the administrative process wherever it may be employed. This chapter suggests a different perspective: understanding the turn to administrative agencies as a specific reaction to the perceived pathologies of the generally constituted branches of government. Viewed thus, the most promising aspect of comparative administrative law may be to provide valuable insight into the rather different constitutional hopes and fears that prevail in different legal systems. Once we bring these into focus, we find rather striking - and neglected - discontinuities in the constitutional significance of administrative agencies in such systems as the United States, Germany, and France.
Transvaginal hysterosonography: comparison with biopsy in the evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding

Transvaginal sonography is a highly sensitive method for detecting endometrial thickening. In the postmenopausal woman such thickening is non-specific and can be due to hyperplasia, polyps, submucosal endoluminal fibroids, or carcinoma. In such cases, transvaginal sonography combined with transvaginal hysterosonography may assist in the workup of these endometrial processes. We compared the combination of transvaginal sonography and transvaginal hysterosonography to aspiration endometrial biopsy in the evaluation of women with postmenopausal bleeding. We prospectively performed transvaginal sonography in 148 women within 1 month (range, 10 days to 2 months) after having had an aspiration endometrial biopsy. Transvaginal hysterosonography was then performed in 81 of these women who had endometrial thickness greater than 5 mm. In these 81 patients, transvaginal hysterosonography confirmed 45 lesions: 23 pedunculated endometrial masses and 22 inhomogeneous sessile lesions. Women with positive transvaginal hysterosonography examinations then underwent hysteroscopy or hysterectomy, whereas women with negative examinations were followed conservatively. Forty-one of the 45 cases with endoluminal masses on transvaginal hysterosonography had false-negative aspiration biopsies. Of the five (11%) lesions that were malignant, three resulted in false-negative biopsies, one biopsy revealed hyperplasia, and only one biopsy was true positive. All 36 women with negative transvaginal hysterosonography examinations also had negative biopsy findings. We conclude that the combination of transvaginal sonography and transvaginal hysterosonography is more sensitive in the detection of endometrial pathologic lesions than is endometrial biopsy, and that transvaginal sonography or transvaginal hysterosonography should be included in the evaluation of women with postmenopausal bleeding.
Burn Enhances Toll-Like Receptor Induced Responses by Circulating Leukocytes

Burn and toll-like receptors (TLR) are associated with innate immune system activation, but the impact of burn on TLR-induced inflammation responses by circulating leukocytes is unknown. To study this, C57BL/6 mice were subjected to burn (3rd degree, 25% TBSA) or sham procedure and 1-7 days later blood was collected. Whole blood cell suspensions were incubated for 24 hr in the presence of zymosan (TLR-2 agonist) or LPS (TLR-4 agonist). The blood cultures were responsive to TLR2 and TLR4-mediated activation, resulting in the production of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, KC and RANTES. TLR2-induced KC and MIP-1β production was greater in the burn group at 3-7 days post-injury, whereas IL-6, IL-10, KC and MIP-1β were greater for TLR4-induced activation after burn. In conclusion, circulating leukocytes were responsive to TLR-induced activation and TLR-mediated inflammatory responses were enhanced 3-7 days post-injury, as evidenced by increased production of these inflammatory mediators.
In Vivo Validation of 3′deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine ([18F]FLT) as a Proliferation Imaging Tracer in Humans: Correlation of [18F]FLT Uptake by Positron Emission Tomography with Ki-67 Immunohistochemistry and Flow Cytometry in Human Lung Tumors

Purpose: Tumor proliferation has prognostic value in resectedearly stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and can, therefore, predict which NSCLCs are at high risk for recurrence after resection and would benefit from additional therapy. It may also predict which tumor will respond to cell cycle-targeted chemotherapy and help assess the tumor response, besides helping to differentiate benign from malignant lung lesions. We evaluated whether the uptake of the new positron emission tomography (PET) tracer 3′deoxy-3′-[18F]fluorothymidine (FLT) in a series of suspected NSCLCs correlated with tumor proliferation assessed by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Experimental Design: Ten patients with 11 biopsy-proven or clinically suspected NSCLC underwent 2-h dynamic PET imaging after i.v. injection of 0.07 mCi/kg FLT. Tumor FLT uptake was quantitated with the maximum pixel standardized uptake value (maxSUV), the partial volume corrected maxSUV (PV-corr-maxSUV), the average SUV over a small region-of-interest (aveSUV) and with Patlak analysis of FLT flux (aveFLTflux). The lesion diameter from computed tomography was used to correct the maxSUV for PV effects using recovery coefficients determined for the General Electric Advance PET scanner. Two of the 11 lesions were benign inflammatory lesions and 9 were NSCLCs. Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 (proliferation index marker) was performed on all 11 tissue specimens (10 resections, 1 NSCLC percutaneous biopsy), and the S-phase fraction (SPF) from flow cytometry could be determined for 10. The specimens were reviewed for histology and cellular differentiation (poor, moderate, well). Lesions ranged from 1.6 to 7.7 cm. Results: Excellent correlations were found between SUV measures of FLT uptake and Ki-67 scores [percentage of positive cells; maxSUV versus Ki-67: Rho = 0.78, P = 0.0043 (n = 11); PV-corr-maxSUV versus Ki-67: Rho = 0.83, P = 0.0028 (n = 10); aveSUV versus Ki-67: Rho = 0.84, P = 0.0011 (n = 11)]. Correlation between Ki-67 proliferation scores and Patlak measures of FLT uptake were also strong: aveFLTflux versus Ki-67: Rho = 0.94, P Conclusion: FLT PET may be used to noninvasively assess proliferation rates of lung masses in vivo. Therefore, FLT PET may play a significant role in the evaluation of indeterminate pulmonary lesions, in the prognostic assessment of resectable NSCLC, and possibly in the evaluation of NSCLC response to chemotherapy.
Fragrance material review on 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented. 2-Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate is a member of the fragrance structural group Aryl Alkyl Alcohol Simple Acid Esters (AAASAE). The AAASAE fragrance ingredients are prepared by reacting an aryl alkyl alcohol with a simple carboxylic acid (a chain of 1-4 carbons) to generate formate, acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate and carbonate esters. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to this individual fragrance ingredient and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Available data for 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate were evaluated, then summarized, and includes: physical properties, acute toxicity, skin irritation, mucous membrane (eye) irritation, skin sensitization, toxicokinetics, repeated dose, and genotoxicity data. A safety assessment of the entire AAASAE will be published simultaneously with this document. Please refer to Belsito et al. (2012) for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all AAASAE in fragrances.
BILATERAL OPEN TRANSPERITONEAL CYST REDUCTION SURGERY FOR AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE

AbstractPurpose: We reviewed our experience with open transperitoneal bilateral renal cyst reduction surgery in patients with symptomatic autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease to define perioperative morbidity and mortality, and to suggest that others consider this mode of therapy when more conservative methods fail to provide relief from pain or early satiety.Materials and Methods: A total of 28 patients underwent 30 transperitoneal bilateral renal cyst reduction decompression operations between May 1987 and June 1996. Ten procedures included surgical treatment of concomitant liver cysts (8 by liver cyst marsupialization and 2 by partial hepatic resection). Records were reviewed for hospital stay, perioperative morbidity, changes in renal function and hypertension control.Results: Hospitalization averaged 9 days. Treatment of hepatic cysts, age and renal insufficiency did not extend hospitalization. A transient reduction in renal function occurred after 20 procedures. The most frequently encounter...
Point defects in oxide spinel solid solutions of the type (Co,Fe,Mn)3 − δO4 at 1200 °C

Abstract The composition dependence of the concentrations of the majority point defects (cation vacancies and cation interstitials) in cobalt-iron-manganese oxide spinels at 1200 °C and constant oxygen partial pressure was studied. The energies of point defect formation in oxide spinel solid solutions depend on temperature and chemical composition, and can be related to so-called defect constants. Values for such defect constants were determined by fitting experimental nonstoichiometry data to equations derived from point defect thermodynamics. The applicability of two different approaches to modeling the composition dependence of the defect constants were investigated. The first approach is a model, originally proposed by Aragon and McCallister for titanomagnetite, which assumes that the equilibrium constants of defect formation reactions in Fe 3 O 4 are the same in iron-based spinel solid solutions. This model works relatively well for cobalt-iron oxide spinels, especially at low Co concentrations, but not for iron-manganese spinel solid solutions. The other approach is more general, and relates the defect constants to the standard free energies for the oxidation of rock-salt structure oxide phases to spinels. This model works essentially for all spinel compositions investigated.
Improving Energy Efficiency with Dynamic Compiler-Directed Function Unit Power Control

In this paper, we present a dynamic-compiler-directed approach which adaptively configures CPU's function units at runtime. It is based on Jikes RVM's dynamic optimizing compiler and is designed to achieve higher energy efficiency. We describe the implementation to support compiler-controlled adaptive FU and the cost/benefit heuristic of selecting optimization targets to save energy. Our experiment results indicate that this approach achieves about 40% to 65% ALU energy reduction, and reduces the total energy consumption by 6.3% to 14%.
Carotenoid supply in breast-fed and formula-fed neonates.

Carotenoids have various biological functions including their role as antioxidants. For humans fruits and vegetables are the only source of carotenoids. In the first months breast milk and/or formula preparations are the only nutrition for infants. To study the influence of nutrition on the plasma carotenoid profile in newborns, breast milk, different formula preparations, and the plasma of breast-fed (BF) and formula-fed (FF) newborns were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The method used allowed β-carotene, α-carotene, lycopene, and β-cryptoxanthine to be detected and all four were found in breast milk. In colostrum carotenoids were up to five times higher than in mature breast milk (P < 0.05). In contrast, not all carotenoids could be found in formula preparations. β-Carotene was detected in four out of eight, and β-cryptoxanthine in three out of eight formula preparations. Lycopene and α-carotene were not detectable in any of the formula preparations. Four formula preparations did not contain any carotenoids. FF infants had different plasma carotenoid profiles compared to BF infants. β-Carotene was significantly lower in FF infants [14 (0–32) μg/l, median and interquartile ranges] than in infants after birth [24 (19–310) μg/l, P < 0.05], and BF infants [32 (22–63) μg/l, P < 0.05]. While newborns after birth had measurable plasma concentrations of lycopene (16 [14–18] μg/l) and of α-carotene [5 (0–8) μg/l), these carotenoids were no longer detectable in FF infants after day 14. Conclusion FF and BF infants show significant biochemical differences in plasma carotenoid concentrations.
Spiraling edge: fast surface reconstruction from partially organized sample points

Many applications produce three-dimensional points that must be further processed to generate a surface. Surface reconstruction algorithms that start with a set of unorganized points are extremely time-consuming. Sometimes, however, points are generated such that there is additional information available to the reconstruction algorithm. We present Spiraling Edge, a specialized algorithm for surface reconstruction that is three orders of magnitude faster than algorithms for the general case. In addition to sample point locations, our algorithm starts with normal information and knowledge of each point's neighbors. Our algorithm produces a localized approximation to the surface by creating a star-shaped triangulation between a point and a subset of its nearest neighbors. This surface patch is extended by locally triangulating each of the points along the edge of the patch. As each edge point is triangulated, it is removed from the edge and new edge points along the patch's edge are inserted in its place. The updated edge spirals out over the surface until the edge encounters a surface boundary and stops growing in that direction, or until the edge reduces to a small hole that is filled by the final triangle.
Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in a child.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is an acute leukocytoclastic vasculitis that primarily affects children. Henoch-Schonlein purpura is often associated with an infection, and a wide variety of infectious agents have been implicated in the pathogenesis. We report a child with Henoch-Schonlein purpura associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. Treatment of the Helicobacter pylori infection was accompanied by prompt resolution of the Henoch-Schonlein purpura.
Nature of the Peristaltic Block produced by Magnesium

ALTHOUGH the effect of magnesium ions on ganglionic and on neuromuscular transmission has been widely studied in recent years, little is known about the mechanism by which these ions may affect the peristaltic reflex1,2. It has been known for a long time that subcutaneous or intravenous injection of magnesium salts in rabbits abolishes or considerably diminishes peristalsis3. The present experiments therefore set out to analyse the blocking action of magnesium on peristalsis by studying its effect on acetylcholine release and on the acetylcholine receptors.
BENDER-GESTALT RECALL AS A MEASURE OF MEMORY VERSUS DISTRACTIBILITY

The number of figures recalled from the Bender-Gestalt Test correlated (r = 0.74) with the Wechsler Memory Scale raw scores for 65 patients referred for possible intellectual deficit. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.001) correlation with a factor of memory (r = 0.76) than with a freedom-from-distractibility factor (r = 0.40). These results suggest the Bender-Gestalt recall is a good screening measure of memory.
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte lines (CTLL) against a human minor alloantigen

Cytotoxic T-cell lines were generated following in vitro culture of lymphocytes from a patient suffering from aplastic anemia together with those of his HLA-identical brother, a repeated transfusion donor. The segregation pattern within the family of the determinant(s) detected by these cytotoxic cells strongly suggested that a minor alloantigen(s) was being detected. Testing of the effectors on a panel of unrelated individuals indicated that it was best seen in association with HLA-B7, which was common to both the patient and his sibling donor.
Phospholipid-induced activation of tyrosine hydroxylase from rat brain striatal synaptosomes.

Abstract Lysolecithin and phosphatidylserine stimulate rat striatal tyrosine hydroxylase, partially purified from the crude synaptosomal fraction. The stimulatory effect is associated with a 3- to 4-fold decrease in K m for 6-methyl-tetrahydropterin or tetrahydrobiopterin without an alteration in the K m for l -tyrosine or in the V max . In addition, the K i for dopamine inhibition is increased approximately 3-fold. Centrifugation of the enzyme on linear sucrose gradients gave a sedimentation coefficient ( S 20, w ) of 8.6, either in the absence or presence of lysolecithin, indicating that no significant changes in the molecular weight are caused by the phospholipid. The enzyme obtained after high speed centrifugation of whole striatal tissue was activated by a combination of lysolecithin plus a cyclic AMP-ATP mixture to a greater extent than that obtained by either activating condition alone. The data presented suggest a potential regulatory function of phospholipids in the control of striatal neurotransmitter synthesis.
A laser diagnostic for detecting internal electric field and mechanical strain in a resonant piezoelectric transformer

Piezoelectric transformers are simple devices that are used to produce high voltages for applications where portable high voltage, low current sources are required. Early evaluations of piezoelectric transformers (PTs) suggested that the very small resonance bandwidth required to achieve the desired extremely high voltage gain can be easily spoiled by resistive loading such as might occur if a resistive divider network were used to measure the output voltage. A diagnostic technique was developed that used a laser to probe the first-order electrooptic response of the resonant PT. Tests conducted with a resonantly driven PT indicated that the electrooptic response alone was insufficient to predict the measured behavior, and that a correct response could only be obtained if the elastooptic effects were considered as well. Results from the mathematical development are presented as well as experimental data collected on a resonantly driven PT. The experimental evidence indicates that as the internal electric fields climb within the PT, the response from a photodetector changes in a linearly correlated fashion.
Local empirical spectral measure of multivariate processes with long range dependence

We derive a functional central limit theorem for the empirical spectral measure or discretely averaged (integrated) periodogram of a multivariate long range dependent stochastic process in a degenerating neighborhood of the origin. We show that, under certain restrictions on the memory parameters, this local empirical spectral measure converges weakly to a Gaussian process with independent increments. Applications to narrow-band frequency domain estimation in time series regression with long range dependence, and to local (to the origin) goodness-of-fit testing are offered.
Nuclear spectroscopy in the neutron-deficient 173 <= A <= 185 region

Abstract The internal conversion spectra of deformed nuclei in the mass interval 173 ≦ A ≦ 185 were investigated with permanent magnet spectrographs. By combining the conversion results with complementary data from independent photon studies, partial decay schemes are deduced from energy sums, multipolarities and intensities of the transitions. The quantum numbers of nuclear energy levels are associated with intrinsic and collective modes of excitation in the framework of the Nilsson and Bohr-Mottelson models. Parameters relevant to rotational configurations and branching ratios of the de-exciting transitions are evaluated. The energy systematics of proton and neutron particle states in odd-mass nuclei is correlated with the particle-coupled spectra in adjacent doubly odd nuclei. More complete conversion electron measurements permits extension of nuclear level structures of 148, 146 Sm.
Competition and efficiency in closed freshwater algal systems: Tests of ecosystem design principles

Seven species of freshwater algae were grown in defined media in monoalgal and mixed cultures, to test whether species interactions and community efficiency were predictable on the basis of ecological theory. Results supported the prediction of competitive interactions, although no differences were detectable in the strength of competition in two and three species mixed cultures, nor was the severity of competitive effects predictable on the basis of relatedness at the level of phyla. On a community level, cultures with two and three species fixed a greater proportion of available carbon than cultures with only one species, implying a more efficient overall use of available resources. Implications for the design of artificial closed ecosystems are discussed.
pH dependence of oxygen-17 chemical shifts and linewidths of l-alanine and glycine☆

Abstract The influence of pH on linewidth and chemical shift of the 17 O resonance in the carboxyl group in aqueous solutions of enriched L-alanine and glycine (18% 17 O) have been investigated. Deprotonation of the carboxyl group results in a downfield shift of 15.3 ppm for l -alanine and 17.1 ppm for glycine. Upfield shifts of 3.1 and 3.7 ppm for l -alanine and glycine, respectively, result from deprotonation of the ammonium group. 17 O linewidths observed for l -alanine and glycine are sensitive to pH. A minimum in linewidth at about pH 7 is observed for both amino acids with L-alanine approximately 65 Hz broader. The observed effects are interpreted in terms of a strong intramolecular association occurring in the zwitterion which induces an interruption of the solute-solvent interactions that prevail at the pH extremes.
Potassium Nitrite Reaction with 11-Nor-Delta9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-9-Carboxylic Acid in Urine in Relation to the Drug Screening Analysis

Recently potassium nitrite has been used as an adulterant to interfere with the analysis of 11-nor-delta 9-tetrahydro-cannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) in urine. A comprehensive study of the THC-COOH and nitrite reaction chemistry and stability under various conditions is presented. Reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and negative electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) results are given to substantiate the derived reaction mechanism and properties leading to reaction termination. The addition of potassium carbonate as a buffering agent prior to or following sample void as a means of preventing the formation of a nitroso-complexed form of the 11-nor-delta 9+-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid is evaluated.
Production and persistence of urease activity in soils

Abstract Addition of urea to Iowa soils did not induce urease activity, but production of urease activity was observed on addition of glucose and other organic materials that promote microbial activity. The persistence of the urease activity produced on addition of these materials varied with the soil, but, with each soil studied, the urease activity after addition of organic materials eventually was identical to that of the unamended soil. No increase or decrease in urease activity was observed when unamended or urea-treated soils were incubated under aerobic conditions for several months. It is concluded that soil constituents protect urease against microbial degradation and other processes leading to inactivation of enzymes and that every soil has a stable level of urease activity determined by the ability of its constituents to provide this protection.
Overview of Pivotal Studies for Prostate Cancer Risk Reduction, Past and Present

Prostate cancer (PCa), with its potentially long latency, generally late-age onset, and high prevalence, is an ideal target for risk reduction and disease prevention strategies. Treatment of the disease is currently associated with significant side effects and reduced quality of life. Encouraging results are emerging in PCa risk reduction with 5α-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs). The pivotal Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) with finasteride established the efficacy of 5-ARIs in reducing the period prevalence of PCa. Ongoing trials that will further clarify the role of 5-ARIs in preventing and treating PCa include the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) with dutasteride in PCa risk reduction; the Reduction by Dutasteride of Clinical Progression Events in Expectant Management (REDEEM) trial on the effect of dutasteride on disease progression in low-grade localized PCa; and the Therapeutic Assessment of Rising PSAs [prostate-specific antigens] (TARP) trial on dutasteride in asymptomatic recurrent cancer. The data from these trials might initiate a paradigm shift in the attitudes of clinicians, healthcare policymakers, and patients to the benefits of PCa risk reduction strategies and their potential effect on a patient's health and quality of life.
Genetic detection of mislabeled fish from a certified sustainable fishery

Summary The decline and collapse of many of the world's fisheries has led to the implementation of social marketing that promotes the consumption of sustainably harvested seafood [1,2]. Because the success of this strategy depends on supply chain integrity, we investigated the accuracy of eco-labels for Patagonian toothfish, marketed as ‘Chilean sea bass' ( Dissostichus eleginoides ), by genetically analyzing retail fish bearing certification labels from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). For Chilean sea bass, MSC certification labels indicate that fish were harvested from the only sustainable fishery [3,4], a population in waters surrounding the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia and the nearby plateau at Shag Rocks [3]. We found that not all MSC-certified fish were Chilean sea bass from the certified stock: some were simply not D. eleginoides, but among those that were, we found significant genetic differences between the retail sample of fish and the certified stock population. Uncertified fish may not necessarily resemble stocks closest to their country of origin because capture and processing often occur at different places. However, significant differences between MSC-certified Chilean sea bass and the sole certified fishery for this species indicate that uncertified fish were inserted into the MSC supply chain.