cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changing strategies to treat venous thrombotic occlusions of the upper and lower extremities secondary to compressive phenomena.

Objectives:We reviewed our strategies during the last decade for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the upper extremity due to thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) andthe lower extremity.Methods:Between 1998 and 2011, we treated 31 patients with 18 subclavian DVTs and 13 iliac DVTs. Management included catheter-directed thrombolysis compared to mechanical thrombolysis (MT; post 2006). Prior to 2006, patients with TOS were treated with total excision of the first rib compared to excision of the anterior half of the rib. Patients were followed up with serial duplex ultrasounds.Results:There was no major morbidity and no mortality in these 31 patients. Three patients developed recurrent DVT but maintained patency after further treatment.Conclusion:Use of MT has led to shorter treatment duration and length of hospital stay. Limiting first rib resection to the anterior half of the rib shortened operative time. Patients requiring stents had excellent long-term patency rates.
Small high-yielding binary Ti vectors pLSU with co-directional replicons for Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of higher plants

Small high-yielding binary Ti vectors of Agrobacterium tumefaciens were constructed to increase the cloning efficiency and plasmid yield in Escherichia coli and A. tumefaciens for transformation of higher plants. We reduced the size of the binary vector backbone to 4566bp with ColE1 replicon (715bp) for E. coli and VS1 replicon (2654bp) for A. tumefaciens, a bacterial kanamycin resistance gene (999bp), and the T-DNA region (152bp). The binary Ti vectors with the truncated VS1 replicon were stably maintained with more than 98% efficiency in A. tumefaciens without antibiotic selection for 4 days of successive transfers. The transcriptional direction of VS1 replicon can be the same as that of ColE1 replicon (co-directional transcription), or opposite (head-on transcription) as in the case of widely used vectors (pPZP or pCambia). New binary vectors with co-directional transcription yielded in E. coli up to four-fold higher transformation frequency than those with the head-on transcription. In A. tumefaciens the effect of co-directional transcription is still positive in up to 1.8-fold higher transformation frequency than that of head-on transcription. Transformation frequencies of new vectors are over six-fold higher than those of pCambia vector in A. tumefaciens. DNA yields of new vectors were three to five-fold greater than pCambia in E. coli. The proper functions of the new T-DNA borders and new plant selection marker genes were confirmed after A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation of tobacco leaf discs, resulting in virtually all treated leaf discs transformed and induced calli. Genetic analysis of kanamycin resistance trait among the progeny showed that the kanamycin resistance and sensitivity traits were segregated into the 3:1 ratio, indicating that the kanamycin resistance genes were integrated stably into a locus or closely linked loci of the nuclear chromosomal DNA of the primary transgenic tobacco plants and inherited to the second generation.
A comparison by burst testing of three types of vascular anastomosis

A new in vivo test for burst strength of arterial anastomoses was tested in 40 rats. Twelve had a severed right femoral artery reanastomosed by the traditional nine-suture technique. In a second group of 12, a modified telescoping sleeve method of reanastomosis was used. In a third group of 12, a laser-assisted anastomosis using four stay sutures was performed. Four rats had sham procedures. Immediately after reanastomosis three vessels from each group plus all four sham surgical vessels were subjected to burst testing. These tests were performed again on the repaired vessels at 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months. All the vessels were patent at burst testing. All repairs held at all times to greater than 160 mm mean arterial pressure. The four-suture telescopic anastomosis technique was consistently strongest over time, but all techniques showed adequate strength at all time intervals.
Quantum-chromodynamic evolution of the baryon system

We present a general method for solving the QCD evolution equations which govern relativistic multiquark wave functions. In the case of three-quark systems, we generate a light-cone basis of completely antisymmetric wave functions. This provides a general covariant classification of baryonic states. We then calculate the spin-orbit mixing generated by the QCD evolution kernel in the basis of completely antisymmetric representations. We are consistent with previous results, but additionally, we obtain a distinctive classification of nucleon and delta wave functions. The corresponding Q/sup 2/ dependence of the baryon distribution amplitudes distinguishes the nucleon and delta form factors.
The host-parasite interface in molluscan schistosomiasis: biotin as a probe for sporocyst and hemocyte surface peptides.

Abstract Hemocytes of Biomphalaria glabrata mediate the internal defensive response which, in resistant snail strains, kills sporocysts of Schistosoma mansoni . Lacking a gut, the sporocyst has only its tegument to interact with the host milieu (hemolymph). We have, therefore, focused our study on the surface-exposed proteins of hemocytes and sporocyst tegument. Using gentle biotinylation of living systems, labelled proteins were studied after SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and transfer to nitrocellulose. Results validate the utility of surface biotinylation in studies of host and parasite interfaces. A low diversity characterizes hemocyte surfaces and strain-specific deferences are not in evidence. Hemocyte surfaces differ distinctly from the plasma in which these cells reside. In contrast, sporocyst surfaces expose a wide variety of peptides. These are remarkably stable even when sporocysts procured in snail plasma-free media are exposed to plasma. Thus, antigenic differences seen previously when Western immunoblotting was used to study sporocyst surfaces appear to be manifestations of minor changes in the exposed peptides or changes not detectable with this methodology. Hemoglobin, acquired by sporocysts from snail plasma, is processed and disappears from the surface during an overnight chase in culture medium.
Instrumentation for the maintenance of an open-loop condition in the body-fluid volume-control system of small laboratory animals and for the automatic recording of urine flow and conductivity during antidiuretic-hormone bioassay

An instrument is described which performs two major operations: (i) It maintains a constant level of hydration overload in the experimental animal, making its body-fluid volume-control system operate in an open-loop configuration desirable during antidiuretic-activity bioassay procedures; (ii) It provides continuous and automatic measurement and digital printout of the average urine flow and conductivity throughout a desired period of time (1, 2, 4, 8 min). A controlled-environment incubator is provided for the test animal. An electromechanical pump driving a pair of reciprocally functioning syringes is used for maintaining the desired constant hydration level in the animal. A digital Sodeco counter and printer is used for the automatic recording. The electronic and sensing equipment interfacing the animal-data output system provides a sensitivity of 5 μl/digit, and a range of 0–5 ml/(1, 2, 4, 8 min) for the flow measurement, and a sensitivity of 1 μS/digit, with less than 2% linearity error, over a range of 50–1000μS for the urine-conductance measurement. The volumetric conductivity can be easily related to the conductance measurement and to the dimension of the urine cell used. Although the instrument was designed for antidiuretic hormone (a.d.h. vasopressin) bioassay in small laboratory animals, it can be used for a variety of other physiological experiments involving fluid-loss compensation, measurement of drop flow and/or conductivity of fluids. Results obtained from a.d.h. bioassays on rats are reported. Concentrations as low as 1 μU/ml (2·5 ng/l) were detected, but up to tenfold higher sensitivities were reached with a special choice of test animals (weanling rats). The method has the advantage of sensitivity and specificity. The results appear not to be subject to the nonspecific interferences that sometimes affect the radioimmunoassay.
Comparing input error for mouse and touch input

Precise selection is one of the key difficulties of touch-based interaction. In some cases (such as interacting with a map-based interface), precise selection is crucial for the correct specification of information. This work investigates the difference in user input error and speed for line drawing tasks using touch and mouse-based interaction. A parameterized method of solving the nearest-point-on-a-curve problem was developed in order to obtain a quantifiable error difference between mouse and touch-based interaction for line drawing tasks. A user study was conducted and determined that mouse-based interaction occurs at a slower rate of speed and results in less error than touch-based interaction for line drawing tasks.
Condition-dependent traits and the capture of genetic variance in male advertisement song.

The occurrence of additive genetic variance (VA) for male sexual traits remains a major problem in evolutionary biology. Directional selection normally imposed by female choice is expected to reduce VA greatly, yet recent surveys indicate that a substantial amount remains in many species. We addressed this problem, also known as the ‘lek paradox’, in Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), an acoustic moth in which males advertise to females with a pulsed ultrasonic song. Using a standard half-sib/full-sib breeding design, we generated F1 progeny from whom we determined VA and genetic covariance (COVA) among seven traits: three song characters, an overall index of song attractiveness, nightly singing period, adult lifespan, and body mass at adult eclosion. Because A. grisella neither feed nor drink as adults, the last trait, eclosion body mass, is considered a measure of ‘condition’. We found significant levels of VA and narrow-sense heritabilities (h2) for all seven traits and significant genetic correlations (= COVAi,j /√(VA i·VA j)) between most pairs of traits (i, j). Male attractiveness was positively correlated with body mass (condition), adult lifespan, and nightly singing period, which we interpret as an energy constraint preventing males in poor condition from singing attractively, from singing many hours per night, and from surviving an extended lifespan. The positive genetic correlation (r = 0.79) between condition and attractiveness, combined with significant levels of VA for both traits, indicates that much of the variation in male song can be explained by VA for condition. Finally, we discuss the morphological and physiological links between condition and song attractiveness, and the ultimate factors that may maintain VA for condition.
CVT growth of CuInS2 and CuGaS2 assisted by VLS mechanisms

Abstract Single crystals of the chalcopyrite compounds CuInS2 and CuGaS2 were grown by chemical vapour transport (CVT), with iodine as transporting agent. Surface microtopographic studies of these crystals by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis showed that vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) growth with CuI as liquid phase plays a main role during crystal growth. Two modes of VLS growth could be discerned: (i) Two-dimensional VLS growth, leading to the formation of closed loop steps, surface dendrites, protuberances, macrosteps with liquid fronts and surface patterns resulting from growth via liquid film. (ii) Growth of meedle tops and narrow side faces of platelets, which are mostly non-facetted, via a liquid CuI film, leading to normal growth above the roughening point. The VLS mechanism gives an explanation for the discrepancy between the experimental morphology - hollow needles and thin platelets generally - and the theoretical octahedron-like morphology. The occurrence of a liquid CuI phase is confirmed for both the Cu-In-S-I and the Cu-Ga-S-I system by thermodynamic calculations of the vapour phase composition. Besides VLS, also vapour-solid growth patterns, such as growth spirals with very low step heights ( ~3-50 A), were commonly observed on the needle side faces and the top and bottom surfaces of platelets. The observed wide variety of surface morphologies is discussed in terms of surface roughness in relation to the occurrence of a roughening transition, deduced from recent Monte Carlo simulation experiments.
Abstract LB-431: Augmented induction of tumor antigen-specific CTL by cetuximab in head and neck cancer patients does not correlate with Fcγ receptor IIIa genotype, but relies on NK:DC cross talk mediated by interferon-γ and NKG2D

Despite over-expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in 80-90% of head and neck cancers (HNC), only ∼20% of HNC patients are clinically responsive to treatment with the EGFR-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) cetuximab. To date, no reliable biomarker of clinical efficacy has been identified to predict clinical response to cetuximab therapy in HNC. Modest, yet statistically significant correlations of Fcγ receptor (FcγR) IIIa polymorphisms with clinical outcome have been noted in B cell lymphoma, breast, and colorectal cancer patients treated with rituximab, trastuzumab, and cetuximab, respectively. Therefore, we have investigated whether a known FcγRIIIa polymorphism in natural killer (NK) cells at amino acid position 158 (valine [V] vs. phenylalanine [F]) correlates with the anti-tumor activity of cetuximab in immunodeficient mice engrafted with human HNC tumors as well as with the induction of EGFR-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and clinical course in HNC patients treated with cetuximab. When injected into immunodeficient mice, human NK cells expressing the V allele at this position demonstrated significantly greater ability to control the growth of xenografted HNC tumors. However, we did not find a significant correlation between FcγRIIIa genotype and disease free survival (p=0.683) in a cohort of 107 consecutive HNC patients treated with regimens incorporating cetuximab. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that in the presence of cetuximab-opsonized HNC cells, NK cells trigger maturation of dendritic cells (DC), leading to augmented TA-specific cross-priming of EGFR and MAGE-specific CTL in vitro, and in vivo in cetuximab-treated HNC patients. The significantly higher frequencies of EGFR-specific CTL we found in HLA-A2+ PBMC from cetuximab-treated HNC patients relative to cetuximab-naive HNC patients (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-431. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-431
Comments on gas release from comets and related trapped-gas experiments

The numerous variables influencing trapped-gas experiment results based on cometary ice analogs are presently discussed in view of the Notesco et al. (1991) data on Kr-trapping and release by H2O ice. Attention is drawn to the questionable tennability of a linear relation proposed between the thickness of the ice and the gas retained beyond the amorphous-to-cubic phase change of H2O. Exacting care is required in the application of laboratory results to cometary phenomena, rendering definitive conclusions extremely elusive.
Analyses of Entry Mechanisms of Novel Emerging Viruses Using Pseudotype VSV System

Emerging infectious diseases include newly identified diseases caused by previously unknown organisms or diseases found in new and expanding geographic areas. Viruses capable of causing clinical disease associated with fever and bleeding are referred to as viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs). Arenaviruses and Bunyaviruses, both belonging to families classified as VHFs are considered major etiologies of hemorrhagic fevers caused by emerging viruses; having significant clinical and public health impact. Because these viruses are categorized as Biosafety Level (BSL) 3 and 4 pathogens, restricting their use, biological studies including therapeutic drug and vaccine development have been impeded. Due to these restrictions and the difficulties in handling such live viruses, pseudotype viruses bearing envelope proteins of VHF viruses have been developed using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as a surrogate system. Here, we report the successful developments of two pseudotype VSV systems; bearing the envelope proteins of Lujo virus and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus, both recently identified viruses of the family Arenaviridae and Bunyaviridae, respectively. My presentation will summarize the characterization of the envelope proteins of Lujo virus including its cellular receptor use and cell entry mechanisms. In addition, I will also present a brief introduction of SFTS reported in Japan and the diagnostic studies in progress using these newly pseudotype VSV system.
Classifying diseased poultry carcasses by visible and near-IR reflectance spectroscopy

Five classification techniques were compared for their accuracy in classifying normal, septicemic, and cadaver chicken carcasses, based on their optical reflectance spectra in the visible and near-infrared regions (504 - 888 nm). The techniques compared were the multiple- linear-regression, closest-class-mean, k-nearest-neighbor, artificial-neural-network (ANN), and principal-component/Mahalanobis-distance methods. The spectra were obtained with a diode array spectrophotometer system. The collection of the data and the development of the multiple linear regression model were described previously (Chen and Massie, 1992). The best results were obtained with the ANN model using the reflectances at the 8 optimal wavelengths identified by the multiple-linear regression method. The overall classification accuracy of this model was 91.6%. However, another ANN model with 192 inputs, which resulted in an overall accuracy of 90.4%, was preferred, because it utilized a broader range of reflectances (512.9 to 851.6 nm) without performing a wavelength search. This model yielded a 94.4% accuracy for the normal carcasses, 83.3% for the septicemic carcasses, and 94.3% for the cadaver carcasses.
Simple and efficient analysis for a slot-coupled patch antenna with a microstrip line feed

In this paper, a simple and eficient analysis f o r slot-coupled microstrip antennas with a microstrip line feed is developed, using the cavity-model theory. The computed results are found in excellent agreement with the experimental data.
Nitrogen Management Affects Carbon Sequestration in North American Cropland Soils

Agricultural soils in North America can be a sink for rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations through the formation of soil organic matter (SOM) or humus. Humification is limited by the availability ...
RAHOWA! A History of the World Church of the Creator

This article surveys the history of the World Church of the Creator, a small and obscure organization, which has nevertheless had a significant influence on the international far right. The Creativity movement has had an impact on the far right in several ways, including spearheading an anti-Christian orientation among its younger activists, introducing vitriolic rhetoric that has contributed to violence and radicalism, fostering the development of a larger racial, as opposed to a national, identity in the global “white power” movement, and paradoxically, advocating the adoption of an organizing model which would explicitly seek to emulate certain characteristics of Judaism.
Anesthesia information management systems.

Purpose of review This review will summarize and comment upon recent developments in the evolution and implementation of anesthesia information management systems (AIMS) in current practice. Recent findings Availability of inexpensive hardware components has greatly reduced costs, and AIMS are now widely available as ‘off-the-shelf’ software systems, yet AIMS are currently in use in only a minority of institutions and anesthetic practices. AIMS have evolved rapidly from simple automated record-keeping systems to key components of modern medical information networks. The databases generated by AIMS are becoming the basis for establishing ‘best practices’ and for comparing patient care outcomes. Summary The searchable, timed, and dated perioperative documentation generated by an AIMS appears to be an evolving requirement for contemporary anesthetic practice. The obstacles to more widespread AIMS adoption appear to be behavioral and financial rather than technical.
Resolving arguments by different conceptual traditions of realization

There is currently a significant amount of interest in understanding and developing theories of realization. Naturally arguments have arisen about the adequacy of some theories over others. Many of these arguments have a point. But some can be resolved by seeing that the theories of realization in question fall under different conceptual traditions with different but compatible goals. The arguments I will discuss fit a general pattern. A philosopher argues that one theory of realization is better than another because it provides a better explanation for a particular range of phenomena, say, accounting for common sense cases, or cases within the sciences, when in fact the theories in question are not genuine competitors. I will first describe three different conceptual traditions that are implicated by the arguments under discussion. I will then examine the arguments, from an older complaint by Norman Malcolm against a familiar functional theory to a recent argument by Thomas Polger against an assortment of theories that traffic in inherited causal powers, showing how they can be resolved by situating the theories under their respective conceptual traditions.
Secretion of a nonspecific lipid transfer protein by hepatoma cells in culture.

Abstract Nonspecific lipid transfer protein (sterol carrier protein 2 ) has previously been proposed to function as (i) a catalyst for intracellular movement of newly synthesized phospholipid, (ii) a cofactor in the biosynthesis and metabolism of cholesterol, and (iii) a cofactor in the feedback inhibition of cholesterol synthesis. Each of these functions is based upon the premise that nonspecific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP) is cytosolic. However, evidence presented in this report suggests that, at least in the case of cultured hepatoma cells, nsLTP is secreted. This conclusion is supported by three observations. First, after culture of hepatoma cells for 10 h, 88% of the nsLTP (as judged by its phosphatidylethanolamine transfer activity) appears in the medium, whereas the cytosolic level of transfer activity remains unchanged. Furthermore, this is accompanied by the appearance in the medium of a polypeptide of M r 12,200–12,500, which corresponds to the known molecular weight of nsLTP. Finally, it was observed that the appearance of both the activity and the polypeptide in the medium are inhibited by monensin, an inhibitor of secretion. Thus their appearance seems to represent secretion and not simply leakage from the cells. Further evidence that nsLTP does not play an important role in the cytosolic transport of phospholipid and sterol is provided by our observation that hepatoma cells containing a level of nsLTP only 10–15% of that found in liver nevertheless possess near-normal membrane phospholipid compositions and retain the ability to feedback-inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis.
A Late Pleistocene Tephra Layer in the Southern Great Basin and Colorado Plateau Derived from Mono Craters, California

A newly identified tephra in stratified deposits in southwestern Utah, dated ∼14,000 14C yr B.P., may aid in correlating late Pleistocene deposits across parts of the southern Great Basin and west-central Colorado Plateau. Geochemical analyses of the ash suggest the tephra originated from Mono Craters, California, and most probably correlates with Wilson Creek ash #3. Because the ash is 2 mm thick ∼550 km from its source, the event may have been larger than others correlated to Mono Craters eruptions.
Early-Onset Accommodative Esotropia

Twenty-one patients had esotropia diagnosed before age 12 months. In all of these patients esotropia was eliminated, at least initially, by antiaccommodative therapy consisting of either full hypermetropic spectacles or miotics, or both. Clinical findings evaluated in these patients were comparable to similar clinical factors studied in a larger series of patients with accommodative esotropia, most with onset after 12 months of age. In approximately 50% of these patients early-onset accommodative esotropia deteriorated to a nonaccommodative esotropia that required surgery despite aggressive antiaccommodative therapy. All but one of the surgically treated patients continued to need hypermetropia spectacles postoperatively to maintain alignment.
The beautiful risk of education

This might not be the most obvious title to be reviewing for a journal focused on pastoral care; nevertheless, I believe it deserves proper consideration for journal readers. Biesta writes extensiv...
Ecomorphological indicators of feeding behaviour in the bears (Carnivora: Ursidae)

Patterns of morphological variation in the skulls of extant bears were studied as they relate to diet and feeding behaviour. Measurements of craniodental features were used to compute indices that reflect dietary adaptations of the dentition and biomechanical properties of the skull, jaw and related musculature. Species were classified as either carnivores, omnivores, herbivores or insectivores. Differences among dietary groups were assessed with analysis of variance and discriminant factor analysis. Results demonstrated significant morphological separation among all four groups. Carnivores were distinguished by, among other features, molar size reduction, flexible mandibles and, most surprisingly, relatively small carnassial blades. In contrast, herbivores displayed, among other features, large molar grinding areas, rigid mandibles and large carnassial blades. The insectivorous sloth bear was characterized by extreme reduction of the post-canine teeth. As expected, omnivores tended to have morphology intermediate between that of carnivorous and herbivorous ursids. Comparison with previous studies revealed that bears exhibit a different set of morphological specializations for diet than other carnivoran groups. Carnivorous ursids, for example, were found to share aspects of craniodental morphology with omnivorous canids. The relatively weak adaptations for carnivory observed in bears may be the result of selection for the ability to cope with temporal fluctuations in dietary components. The giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca was found to have a relatively stiff jaw and great mechanical advantage of the jaw-closing muscles, features previously observed in carnivorous canids and unexpected in this herbivorous bear. Comparison of patterns of morphological variation and patterns of phylogenetic relationships among species revealed surprisingly strong congruence between morphology and phylogenetics.
Packet combining error control for CDMA systems

Two examples of the application of packet combining to CDMA are presented and analyzed: an asynchronous DS/CDMA system supported by an averaged diversity combining (ADC) scheme and a similar system using code combining (CC). The ADC scheme uses a Viterbi decoder combined with a CRC code to generate retransmission requests, while the CC scheme employs a sequential decoder operating with the time-out algorithm. Multiple received packets are combined to form a single, more reliable packet. The error correcting decoder operates on the combined packet, as opposed to the most recently received individual packet (e.g. as in a type-I hybrid ARQ protocol), substantially increasing the probability of acceptance with each additional transmission. The authors show through numerical analysis that both techniques provide a significant increase in the CDMA system capacity, throughput and reliability. >
Toxicity of forest fire retardant chemicals to stream-type chinook salmon undergoing parr-smolt transformation

Long-term fire retardants are used to prevent the spread of wildland fires. These products are normally applied by aircraft and are intended specifically for terrestrial application, but fire retardants have entered aquatic habitats by misapplication and/or accidental spills and have resulted in fish mortalities. The authors examined the toxicity of two fire retardant products, PHOS-CHEK 259F and LC-95A, to salmon undergoing parr-smolt transformation. Yearling stream-type chinook salmon at the smolt stage were exposed to eight concentrations of each retardant in freshwater and a no-PHOS-CHEK control for 96 h to determine acute toxicity. Concentrations of the products that caused 50% mortality were 140.5 and 339.8 mg/L for 259F and LC-95A, respectively, and could occur during accidental drops into aquatic habitats. Damage to gill tissues seen in histopathological sections was attributed to fire retardant exposure. Un-ionized ammonia levels, from 259F, were sufficient to cause acute mortality; but additional factors, indicated by increased phagosome prevalence in the gills, might have contributed to mortality during LC-95A exposure. Seawater and disease challenges were performed to determine sublethal effects of product exposures on fish health. Although PHOS-CHEK exposure did not adversely affect chinook salmon's susceptibility to Listonella anguillarum, exposure did significantly reduce seawater survival. Reduced salmon survival resulting from prior fire retardant exposure during their transition from freshwater rearing environments to seawater may decrease the abundance of salmon populations.
Images of Spinal Nerves and Adjacent Structures With Optical Coherence Tomography: Preliminary Animal Studies

Multiple complications have been reported with spinal intervertebral transforaminal injection procedures, despite the use of fluoroscopic needle-positioning measures. We explored an imaging technology (optical coherence tomography, or OCT) for its possible use in spine interven- tional procedures as a means of providing needle tip vision at the neuroforamen. Optical coherence tomography is the B-mode optical analog of ultrasound. With the use of 2 different (time- and frequency-domain) OCT systems, we obtained high-resolution (10 m) images of ex vivo and in situ paraspinal structures (spinal nerves, radicular artery, dura, cauda equina) in different animals. An OCT forward-looking, needle-shaped endoscope in development is presented, with a discussion of its possible method of use, safety, efficacy, technical problems, and future prospects. Further studies are needed to determine whether such OCT technology has a potential niche in the performance of spine pain procedures. Perspective: This article presents preliminary high-resolution images obtained with an optical im- aging approach (optical coherence tomography) of neurovascular and other structures within the spinal neuroforamen. Advances in this technology may provide effective needle tip vision for pain interventionalists and may help to reduce complications from spine needle injection procedures.
Exercise and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Community-Dwelling Adults: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The authors used the meta-analytic approach to examine the effects of physical activity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older community-dwelling adults. A random-effects model was used for all primary analyses. Of the 257 studies screened, 11 randomized controlled trials representing 13 groups and 617 men and women (324 physical activity, 293 control), all older than 50, were included. Overall, a significant (small to moderate) standardized effect size improvement was found for physical function as a result of physical activity (Hedges's g = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.19, 0.64, p < .001). This was equivalent to a common language effect size of 62% and an odds ratio of 2.14 (95% CI = 1.42, 3.24). No significant differences were found for the other nine HRQOL outcomes. Although additional research is needed, results suggest that physical activity improves self-reported physical function, a component of HRQOL, in older community-dwelling adults.
Obeliscoides cuniculi: Comparison of gastric lesions in rabbits with those of bovine ostertagiosis

Abstract Four-month-old female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into 12 groups, each consisting of two inoculated animals and one control. All experimental rabbits were given 100,000 third-stage Obeliscoides cuniculi larvae by stomach tube, after which groups were necropsied during the next 22 days. Between postinoculation days 1 and 9, acute gastritis accompanied by weight loss attributable to a marked reduction in food and water consumption developed in experimental rabbits. During subsequent chronic stages of the disease, inoculated rabbits improved rapidly and clinically became essentially normal. Many gross and histopathologic changes similar to those of bovine ostertagiosis occurred in experimental rabbits. There were folding and thickening of the gastric mucosa caused by mucosal and submucosal edema, mononuclear and eosinophilic infiltrates of the lamina propria and submucosa, and extensive mucous-cell hyperplasia. The latter change resulted in the replacement of glandular epithelium and a subsequent rise in gastric pH. Primary nodules and epithelial cytolysis, two common lesions of bovine ostertagiosis, were not observed. Failure of the latter lesion to develop in rabbits may limit the usefulness of Obeliscoides cuniculi parasitism as a model of ostertagiosis, despite its many similarities to the bovine disorder.
Written‐in Conductive Patterns on Robust Graphene Oxide Biopaper by Electrochemical Microstamping

The silk road: By employing silk fibroin as a binder between graphene oxide films and aluminum foil for a facile, highly localized reduction process, conductive paper is reinvented. The flexible, robust biographene papers have high toughness and electrical conductivity. This electrochemical written-in approach is readily applicable for the fabrication of conductive patterned papers with complex circuitries.
FORMATION OF DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE DURING IN VIVO AND IN VITRO BIOSYNTHESIS OF TESTOSTERONE BY TESTICULAR TISSUE.

Evidence in favor of a role for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the in vivo and the in vitro biosynthesis of testicular androgens is presented as follows: Sodium acetate-1-C14 was incorporated into testosterone and DHEA by slices of rabbit testis in. vitro. The incorporation into both steroids was increased by gonadotropic stimulation in vitro or in vivo. Homogenate of rabbit testis converted DHEA-4-C14 acetate to testosterone-C14, but neither testosterone-4-C14 nor androstenedione- 4-C14 was converted to DHEA-C14 by this tissue. Infusion of DHEA-4-C14 acetate via the spermatic artery of the dog led to the presence of testosterone-C14 in the testis and in the spermatic vein blood. Infusion of androstenedione- 4-C14 and of testosterone-4-C14 via the spermatic artery produced no demonstrable DHEA-C14 in either testis or spermatic vein blood. (Endocrinology 74: 35, 1964)
“Transfer of learning” by injection of brain RNA: A replication

Brain RNA was extracted from two groups of rats one of which had learned a passive avoidance of a dark chamber previously preferred by both groups. Recipient groups received the two kinds of RNA extract via intraperitoneal injection. The group injected with the extract from the brains of the conditioned animals showed significantly greater avoidance of the preferred chamber.
Kalman Filtering for Spacecraft System Alignment Calibration

The problem of attitude sensor and payload alignment calibration for spacecraft systems is addressed. An absolute alignment error model and a gyro error model are derived and implemented in a Kalman e lter using UD factorization. Advantage is taken of the structure of the model to compute efe ciently the factors of the process noise matrix. Simulation results illustrate the ill effects of misalignment on attitude estimation and illustrate the performance of the absolute alignment calibration e lter. The presence of unobservable degrees of freedom associated with the absolute alignment error model is demonstrated in these results. We also offer a simple modie cation of the typical onboard real-time attitude estimator that is useful in mitigating the effects of minor miscalibration (misalignment and gyro scale factor error ) without requiring estimation of calibration parameters.
Dabigatran associated with increased risk of acute coronary events

Commentary on: Uchino K, Hernandez AV. Dabigatran association with higher risk of acute coronary events: meta-analysis of noninferiority randomized controlled trials. Arch Intern Med 2012; 172: 397– 402.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] The novel oral anticoagulants, comprised of direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) (ie, dabigatran) and the factor Xa inhibitors (ie, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban), are revolutionising the way patients are anticoagulated. Recent years have witnessed a surge of trials evaluating these drugs in many clinical contexts. However, with such rapid uptake, it becomes critical to carefully evaluate safety data in order to optimise patient selection and minimise risk. The largest of the contemporary trials with dabigratran, the Randomised Evaluation of Long-term Anticoagulation (RE-LY), randomised 18 113 patients with … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DArchives%2Bof%2BInternal%2BMedicine%26rft.stitle%253DArch%2BIntern%2BMed%26rft.issn%253D0003-9926%26rft.volume%253D172%26rft.issue%253D5%26rft.spage%253D397%26rft.epage%253D402%26rft.atitle%253DDabigatran%2Bassociation%2Bwith%2Bhigher%2Brisk%2Bof%2Bacute%2Bcoronary%2Bevents%253A%2Bmeta-analysis%2Bof%2Bnoninferiority%2Brandomized%2Bcontrolled%2Btrials.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Farchinternmed.2011.1666%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22231617%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/archinternmed.2011.1666&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=22231617&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F18%2F1%2Fe9.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000301381300004&link_type=ISI
Modeling and querying primitives for digital media

We present a data model and a rule-based formalism for managing digital media data-specifically, audio-video data and their associated annotations. The rule-based formalism is also equivalent to algebraic and visual formalisms. The simplicity and equivalence of these formalisms provides evidence that the concepts in this model may define a kernel of capabilities required for handling digital media.
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus following bendamustine-containing chemotherapy in a patient with multiple myeloma

A 64-year-old male patient was diagnosed with immunoglobulin G kappa (IgG κ) multiple myeloma in 2006. He was initially treated with radiation and pulse dexamethasone, followed by thalidomide and d...
Results of prototype particle-beam diagnostics tests for the Advanced Photon Source (APS)

The Advanced Photon Source (APS) will be a third-generation synchrotron radiation source (hard X-rays) based on 7-GeV positrons circulating in a 1104-m circumference storage ring. In the past year a number of the diagnostic prototypes for the measurement of the charged-particle beam parameters throughout the subsystems of the facility (ranging from 450-MeV to 7-GeV positrons and with different pulse formats) have been built and tested. Results are summarized for the beam position monitor, current monitor, loss monitor, and imaging systems. The test facilities ranged from the 40-MeV APS linac test stand to the existing storage rings at SSRL and NSLS. >
Novel Electrical Method for Early Detection of Viable Bacteria in Blood Cultures

ABSTRACT We present a novel electrical method for detecting viable bacteria in blood cultures that is 4 to 10 times faster than continuous monitoring blood culture systems (CMBCS) like the Bactec system. Proliferating bacteria are detected via an increase in the bulk capacitance of suspensions, and the threshold concentration for detection is ∼10 4 CFU/ml (compared to ∼10 8 CFU/ml for the Bactec system).
Increasing hardware efficiency with multifunction loop accelerators

To meet the conflicting goals of high-performance low-cost embedded systems, critical application loop nests are commonly executed on specialized hardware accelerators. These loop accelerators are traditionally designed in a single-function manner, wherein each loop nest is implemented as a dedicated hardware block. This paper focuses on hardware sharing across loop nests by creating multifunction loop accelerators, or accelerators capable of executing multiple algorithms. A compiler-based system for automatically synthesizing multifunction loop accelerator architectures from C code is presented. We compare the effectiveness of three architecture synthesis approaches with varying levels of complexity: sum of individual accelerators, union of individual accelerators, and joint accelerator synthesis. Experiments show that multifunction accelerators achieve substantial hardware savings over combinations of single-function designs. In addition, the union approach to multifunction synthesis is shown to be effective at creating low-cost hardware by exploiting hardware sharing, while remaining computationally tractable.
In defence of narrative

The definitive version is available at www3.interscience.wiley.com Copyright Blackwell Publishing [Full text of this article is not available in the UHRA]
Significant tracheal obstruction causing failure to wean in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation: a forgotten complication of long-term mechanical ventilation.

Introduction Modern low-pressure, high-volume cuffed tracheotomy tubes have been shown to decrease tracheal injury. However, injury still occurs in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and prevents weaning, delays decannulation, prolongs hospitalization, and may totally obstruct the airway. We describe 37 patients, including the first reported case of failure to wean due to tracheal obstruction. Methods Over a 3-year period, from September 1994 to August 1997, the hospital records of 37 patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (> 4 weeks) and found to have tracheal obstruction were reviewed retrospectively. They were a subgroup of 756 patients admitted to hospitals during the same period. The average endotracheal/tracheostomy cannulation time was 3 weeks/12 weeks (range 2 to 4 weeks/8 to 14 weeks). Average age was 76 years (range, 34 to 81). Underlying diseases included COPD, postcoronary artery bypass graft surgery, postpneumonectomy, severe pneumonia, acute lung injury, and ischemic heart disease. Results All 37 patients who initially failed to wean had difficulty in breathing and developed intermittent high peak airway pressures either early or during the weaning process or just on being ventilated. The insertion of a longer tracheal tube bypassed the obstruction, reestablished the airway, decreased peak airway pressures, and allowed the patient to breathe more easily. The obstruction was confirmed on bronchoscopy. Treatment consisted of either placement of a longer tracheal tube (34 of 37 patients) or placement of a tracheal stent. All but two of the patients (5.4%) were able to be weaned within a week. The two patients who still failed to be weaned were subsequently diagnosed as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Conclusion Tracheal obstruction in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation prevented weaning. Reestablishment of the airway with a longer tracheal tube or tracheal stent allowed most of the patients to be weaned.
Update of human and mouse matrix metalloproteinase families.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc proteases that degrade most of the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). MMPs also have a number of non-traditional roles in processing factors related to cell growth/proliferation, inflammation and more. There are 23 human MMPs and 23 mouse MMPs, most of which share orthology among most vertebrates; other examples have been found in invertebrates and plants. MMPs are named in order of discovery, but also have been grouped by domain structure or by phylogenetic analysis. MMPs are multi-domain proteins which generally contain a signal sequence; propeptide (which keeps the protein inactive until cleaved); catalytic domain; and a hemopexin-like domain (which provides substrate specificity). MMPs are thought to play a role in many disease states, including arthritis, vascular disease, lung injury, wound repair, cancer and various neurodegenerative disorders. Although there has been much clinical interest in MMP inhibitors (MMPIs), few trials have been successful -- often due to the broad nature of inhibition and the complex role of different MMPs in a given disease state.
Utilisation de la toxine A botulique en intra-articulaire pour douleur résistante locales chez des polyarthrites rhumatoïdes traitées par biothérapies : deux observations

Resume Nous rapportons l’utilisation intra-articulaire de la toxine botulique A chez deux patients avec une monoarthrite douloureuse persistante localisee au niveau des articulations de la cheville et du pied. Les deux patients presentaient une douleur monoarticulaire malgre une bonne reponse de toutes des autres articulations a une association therapeutique incluant un traitement par anti-TNF. Les injections intra-articulaires de corticosteroides ont ete un echec et les patients ont refuse les options chirurgicales. Apres une injection unique intra-articulaire, hors AMM, de toxine botulique A dans, respectivement, la cheville droite (100 unites) et la premiere articulation metatarsophalangienne gauche du pied (25 unites), la douleur et la fonction se sont significativement ameliorees (≥ 40 %) chez les deux patients. Une reponse durable avec une amelioration de la douleur et de la fonction a ete observee pendant 15–18 mois (suivi en continu). Le gonflement de l’articulation de la cheville a ete resolu en 15 mois et celui de l’articulation metatarsophalangienne (MTP) en un mois. L’injection intra-articulaire de toxine botulique A (IA BoNT/A) pourrait etre une option therapeutique complementaire pour des patients atteints de polyarthrite rhumatoide avec une monoarthrite persistante. Une etude randomisee est en cours pour confirmer ces resultats.
The Magnetospheric Multiscale Constellation

The Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission is the fourth mission of the Solar Terrestrial Probe (STP) program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The MMS mission was launched on March 12, 2015. The MMS mission consists of four identically instrumented spin-stabilized observatories which are flown in formation to perform the first definitive study of magnetic reconnection in space. The MMS mission was presented with numerous technical challenges, including the simultaneous construction and launch of four identical large spacecraft with 100 instruments total, stringent electromagnetic cleanliness requirements, closed-loop precision maneuvering and pointing of spinning flexible spacecraft, on-board GPS based orbit determination far above the GPS constellation, and a flight dynamics design that enables formation flying with separation distances as small as 10 km. This paper describes the overall mission design and presents an overview of the design, testing, and early on-orbit operation of the spacecraft systems and instrument suite.