cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Intervention for Lower Extremity Deep Venous Thrombosis

DVT is the third most common cardiovascular disease in the United States with 600,000 cases reported annually, resulting in more than 100,000 deaths [1, 2]. Clinical sequelae of DVT are significant in both the acute and chronic settings. Initial consequences include acute lower extremity symptoms, risk of pulmonary emboli, and death. Long-term consequences include recurrent DVT, lower extremity venous hypertension, claudication, pain, swelling, and ulceration which can result in significant post-thrombotic morbidity [3–7].
Statistical properties of cerebral CT perfusion imaging systems. Part II. Deconvolution-based systems

Purpose The purpose of this work was to develop a theoretical framework to pinpoint the quantitative relationship between input parameters of deconvolution-based cerebral computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging systems and statistical properties of the output perfusion maps. Methods Deconvolution-based CTP systems assume that the arterial input function, tissue enhancement curve, and flow-scaled residue function k(t) are related to each other through a convolution model, and thus by reversing the convolution operation, k(t) and the associated perfusion parameters can be estimated. The theoretical analysis started by deriving analytical formulas for the expected value and autocovariance of the residue function estimated using the singular value decomposition-based deconvolution method. Next, it analyzed statistical properties of the "max" and "arg max" operators, based on which the signal and noise properties of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and time-to-max ( t max ) are quantitatively related to the statistical model of the estimated residue function [ k * ( t ) ] and system parameters. To validate the theory, CTP images of a digital head phantom were simulated, from which signal and noise of each perfusion parameter were measured and compared with values calculated using the theoretical model. In addition, an in vivo canine experiment was performed to validate the noise model of cerebral blood volume (CBV). Results For the numerical study, the relative root mean squared error between the measured and theoretically calculated value is ≤0.21% for the autocovariance matrix of k * ( t ) , and is ≤0.13% for the expected form of k * ( t ) . A Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated no significant difference between measured and theoretical values for the mean or noise of each perfusion parameter. For the animal study, the theoretical CBV noise fell within the 25th and 75th percentiles of the experimental values. To provide an example of the theory's utility, an expansion of the CBV noise formula was performed to unveil the dominant role of the baseline image noise in deconvolution-based CBV. Correspondingly, data of the three canine subjects used in the Part I paper were retrospectively processed to confirm that preferentially partitioning dose to the baseline frames benefits both nondeconvolution- and deconvolution-based CBV maps. Conclusions Quantitative relationships between the statistical properties of deconvolution-based CTP maps, source image acquisition and reconstruction parameters, contrast injection protocol, and deconvolution parameters are established.
Genetic Organization of the Qa and Tla Regions: Gene Mapping Based on the Analysis of Recombinant Strains

Studies on the genetic organization of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have been highly dependent on the development of intra-MHC recombinant inbred strains of mice (Klein 1979). For example, well over 200 recombinant strains have been developed for mapping the loci of the classically defined H—2 complex (summarized in Klein et al., 1983, and in Mouse Newsletter volumes 68, 70 and 74). Unfortunately however, only a handful of recombinant strains exist which carry crossover points associated with the Qa or Tla regions (Flaherty, 1981; O’Neill, 1986). In the past five years, the genetic analysis of the mouse MHC, has been highlighted by substantial advances in the molecular characterization and cloning of MHC genes including those of the Qa and Tla regions (Steinmetz et al., 1982; Weiss et al., 1985; Fisher et al., 1985). This development, rather than detracting from the value of traditional analysis with intra-MHC recombinant strains, provides an opportunity to combine new and traditional approaches into a more powerful battery of tools for the examination of the organization, function and evolution of the class I genes of the Qa and Tla regions. Moreover, the advent of molecular genetics has even created new uses for intra-MHC recombinant strains including the study of the molecular character and distribution of meiotic recombination sites (Steinmetz et al., 1986; Kobori et al., 1986).
In Silico Discovery and Validation of Neuropeptide-Y-Binding Peptides for Sensors

Wearable sensors for human health, performance, and state monitoring, which have a linear response to the binding of biomarkers found in sweat, saliva, or urine, are of current interest for many applications. A critical part of any device is a biological recognition element (BRE) that is able to bind a biomarker at the surface of a sensor with a high affinity and selectivity to produce a measurable signal response. In this study, we discover and compare 12-mer peptides that bind to neuropeptide Y (NPY), a stress and human health biomarker, using independent and complimentary experimental and computational approaches. The affinities of the NPY-binding peptides discovered by both methods are equivalent and below the micromolar level, which makes them suitable for application in sensors. The in silico design protocol for peptide-based BREs is low cost, highly efficient, and simple, suggesting its utility for discovering peptide binders to a variety of biomarker targets.
Symposium review: Genetic relationships between different measures of feed efficiency and the implications for dairy cattle selection indexes

A greater number of dairy economic selection indexes are incorporating a measure of feed efficiency (FE) as a key trait. Definitions of FE traits have ranged from dry matter intake (DMI) to residual feed intake (RFI), noting that RFI is effectively DMI adjusted for various energy sink traits such as body weight (BW) and milk energy (MilkE). Other definitions of FE fall between these 2 extremes such as feed saved (FS), which combines RFI and the portion of DMI required to maintain BW. The choice between different FE traits can create confusion as to how to meaningfully compare their heritabilities, estimated breeding values (EBV) and their corresponding reliabilities, and how to differentially incorporate these EBV into selection indexes. If RFI and FS are merely linear functions of DMI, BW, and MilkE with known genetic variances and covariances between these 3 traits, there may be no need to directly compute RFI or FS phenotypes to determine their heritabilities, genetic correlations, EBV, and respective reliabilities for individual animals. We demonstrate how the estimated total genetic merit is invariant to the specification of a FE trait within a selection index. That is, economic weights for a selection index involving one particular FE trait readily convert into the economic weights for a selection index involving a different linear function of that FE trait. We use these different specifications of FE to provide insight as to the effect of the degree of missingness (e.g., paucity of DMI relative to milk yield records) on the EBV accuracies of the various derivative FE traits. We particularly highlight that the generally observed higher EBV accuracies for DMI, then for FS, and lastly for RFI are partly driven by the greater genetic correlations of DMI with BW and MilkE and of FS with BW. Finally, we advocate a genetic regression approach to deriving FS and RFI recognizing that genetic versus residual relationships between FE component traits may differ substantially from each other.
Bounds on the density of states and the spectral gap in CFT 2

We improve the recently discovered upper and lower bounds on the $O(1)$ correction to the Cardy formula for the density of states integrated over an energy window (of width $2\ensuremath{\delta}$), centered at high energy in two-dimensional unitary and modular invariant conformal field theory. We prove optimality of the lower bound for $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. We prove a conjectured upper bound on the asymptotic gap between two consecutive Virasoro primaries for a central charge greater than 1, demonstrating it to be 1. Furthermore, a systematic method is provided to establish a limit on how tight the bound on the $O(1)$ correction to the Cardy formula can be made using bandlimited functions. The techniques and the functions used here are of generic importance whenever the Tauberian theorems are used to estimate some physical quantities.
Application of Deep Learning for Characterization of Drivers’ Engagement in Secondary Tasks in In-Vehicle Systems:

Distracted driving (i.e., engaging in secondary tasks) is an epidemic that threatens the lives of thousands every year. Data collected from vehicular sensor technologies and through connectivity pr...
Red blood cell membrane trans fatty acid levels and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a prospective nested case-control study.

Background Trans fatty acid (TFA) intake persists in much of the world, posing ongoing threats to public health that warrant further elucidation. Published evidence suggests a positive association of self-reported TFA intake with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) risk. Objectives To confirm those reports, we conducted a prospective study of prediagnosis RBC membrane TFA levels and risk of NHL and common NHL histologic subtypes. Methods We conducted a nested case-control study in Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study participants with archived RBC specimens and no history of cancer at blood draw (1989-1090 and 1994-1995, respectively). We confirmed 583 incident NHL cases (332 women and 251 men) and individually matched 583 controls on cohort (sex), age, race, and blood draw date/time. We analyzed RBC membrane TFA using GLC (in 2013-2014) and expressed individual TFA levels as a percentage of total fatty acids. We used unconditional logistic regression adjusted for the matching factors to estimate ORs and 95% CIs for overall NHL risk per 1 SD increase in TFA level and assessed histologic subtype-specific associations with multivariable polytomous logistic regression. Results Total and individual TFA levels were not associated with risk of all NHL or most subtypes. We observed a positive association of total TFA levels with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) risk [n = 98 cases; OR (95% CI) per 1 SD increase: 1.30 (1.05, 1.61); P = 0.015], driven by trans 18:1n-9(ω-9)/elaidic acid [OR (95% CI): 1.34 (1.08, 1.66); P = 0.007], trans 18:1n-7/vaccenic acid [OR (95% CI): 1.28 (1.04, 1.58); P = 0.023], and trans 18:2n-6t,t [OR (95% CI): 1.26 (1.01, 1.57); P = 0.037]. Conclusions Our findings extended evidence for TFA intake and DLBCL risk but not for other NHL subtypes. Reduced TFA consumption through dietary choices or health policy measures may support prevention of DLBCL, an aggressive NHL subtype.
Getting Beyond Interruptive Alerts: Reducing Unintentional Duplicate Orders using a Visual Aid

ABSTRACT Importance Electronic health records (EHRs) allow teams of clinicians to simultaneously care for patients but an unintended consequence could result in duplicate ordering of tests and medications. Objective We asked if a simple visual aid would reduce duplicate ordering of tests and medications for busy teams of clinicians in our emergency department by placing a red highlight around the checkbox of a computer-based order if previously ordered. Design We performed an interrupted time series to analyze all patient visits 1 year before and 1 year after the intervention. Significance testing was performed using a negative binomial regression with Newey-West standard errors, correcting for patient level variables and environmental variables that might be associated with duplicate orders. Setting The emergency department of an academic hospital in Boston, MA with 55,000 visits annually. Participants 184,722 consecutive emergency department patients. Exposure If an order had previously been placed during that ED visit, we cue the user by showing a red highlight around the checkbox of that order. Main Outcome Number of unintentional duplicate orders. Results After deployment of the non-interrupting nudge, the rate of unintentional duplicates for laboratory orders decreased 49% (incidence rate ratio 0.51, 95% CI 0.45-0.59) and for radiology orders decreased with an incidence rate ratio of 0.60 (0.44-0.82). There was no change in unintentional medication duplicate orders. We estimated that the nudge eliminated 17,936 clicks in our EHR. Conclusions and Relevance Passive visual queues that provide just-in-time decision support are effective, not disruptive of workflow, and may decrease alert fatigue in busy clinical environments. Key Points Question Can a simple visual aid reduce duplicate ordering in an electronic health record? Findings In this interrupted time series, the rate of unintentional duplicates for laboratory orders decreased 49% and for radiology orders decreased 40%. There was no change in unintentional medication duplicate orders. We estimated that the nudge eliminated 17,936 clicks in our EHR. Meaning Quality improvement often relies on changing clinician behavior. We believe guiding clinicians to a right action is better than telling the clinician they have already made an error. Our approach will help reduce alert fatigue and lessen clinician complaints about EHRs.
Self-inflicted injury and the older trauma patient: a 20 year review of suicide attempts and outcomes.

To describe a cohort of older trauma patients treated for injuries related to intentional injury over 20 years. Intentional injury among older patients is rare, but differences are evident when comparing older and younger survivors of suicide attempts. Differences with mortality method of self-inflicted injury, discharge to home and injury severity between genders were identified. Although older patients are not the typical suicide attempt patient presenting at hospitals, their management and discharge planning are often complex and challenging due to undiagnosed mental health conditions, pre-existing comorbidities and difficulties with mental health resource options for this age group. Older patients (Older) have complex health management needs often requiring additional resources. Mental health disorders are common among trauma patients, yet minimal information on older suicidal related injury and outcomes exists. A review of trauma patients with intentional self-inflicted injury at one trauma center was done to describe and identify unique elements of this cohort of patients. Trauma registry data from 2000 to 2019 were reviewed for intentional injury and data abstracted included demographics, injury severity, diagnoses, comorbidities and outcomes. Cohorts by age were compared: Older (65 +) vs Younger (< 65). Values considered significant at p ≤ 0.05. 557 suicide attempts were identified with 9% among Older patients. Most patients were male with median age of 75 years for Older and 35 years for Younger cohort, with similar length of stay (LOS) and injury severity scores (ISS). Penetrating injury was more common among Older patients with firearm used most often, 34% vs 14% for Younger. Differences were evident between male and female Older patients with ISS 16.7 vs 5, p < 0.01 and mortality, p = 0.03. The outcome of discharge to home was significantly different between Older and Younger, 6% vs 20% (p < 0.05). A difference in mortality was evident, Older 38% vs Younger 18% (p < 0.05). With the growing aging population, it is important to acknowledge the resultant increase in concomitant mental health issues and suicidality among older patients, where depression may be undiagnosed and untreated. Providing care within this cohort may reduce future attempts and lessen the burden on the health care system.
The Effect of Mandatory Disclosure on Open-Market Repurchases

Publicly traded companies distribute cash to shareholders either through dividends or through anonymous repurchases of the companies' own stock on the open market. Companies must announce a repurchase authorization but do not actually have to repurchase any stock, and until recently companies did not have to disclose whether or not they were in fact repurchasing any stock. Scholars and regulators noticed that companies frequently announced repurchases but then appeared not to complete them. They feared that such announcements might be used by insiders to exploit public investors. To reduce opportunities for exploitive behavior, the SEC required that companies disclose their repurchase activity in their quarterly filings beginning in January 2004. This Article tracks 365 repurchase programs announced in 2004 and finds that, since the SEC disclosure requirement went into effect, companies are more likely to complete their announced repurchases and do so within a shorter time period after the repurchase announcement. Michael Simkovic will be a professor at Seton Hall Law School starting in Fall 2010. He authored this article as a John M. Olin Fellow in Law and Economics at Harvard Law School. He thanks the School's John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics, and Business for its generous support. He also thanks his faculty advisor, Guhan Subramanian, for his guidance. Finally, he thanks his research assistants, Victoria Salisbury, Laura Dauban, Ian J. Pohl, Yifei Chen, Joshua Reilly, and Winnie Nip for their assistance gathering and coding data. The views expressed are those of Michael Simkovic and do not reflect the views of Harvard Law School, the Olin Center, or any other organization. Email: msimkovic@gmail.com. Mobile Phone: 516-423-9187. Effect of Mandatory Disclosure on Open-Market Stock Repurchases
Corruption and Foreign Direct Investment in East Asia and South Asia: An Econometric Study

Many recent FDI studies have focused on the effects of corruption on FDI inflows. Theoretically, corruption can act as either a grabbing hand by raising uncertainty and transaction costs, which should impede FDI, or a helping hand by “greasing” the wheels of commerce in the presence of weak regulatory framework, which should facilitate FDI. This study analyzes the impact of corruption on FDI inflows in East Asia and South Asia – two regions that have recently received huge FDI inflows. Using GLS methodology with 1995-2011 panel data, this study finds that the impact of corruption on FDI is significantly negative and robust, which validates the “grabbing hand” hypothesis. It is also found that, even after accounting for the economic fundamentals, East Asia seems to enjoy a locational advantage in attracting FDI vis-a-vis South Asia. These results further our knowledge of the FDI dynamics, which policymakers should find helpful in devising pro-FDI strategies.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns in Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs (2010–2013)

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in dogs. The responsible bacterial populations have evolved with increasing resistance to many antimicrobials. Objective To characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of canine urinary tract isolates over a 51-month period. Animals One thousand six hundred and thirty-six bacterial isolates from 1,028 dogs. Methods Aerobic bacterial isolate growth and susceptibility data from urine cultures of dogs were identified, retrospectively. Medical records were reviewed to obtain signalment, comorbidities, and antimicrobial use in the previous 30 days. The UTIs were further categorized as uncomplicated, complicated, or pyelonephritis. Results Common bacterial isolates identified were Escherichia coli (52.5%), Staphylococcus spp. (13.6%), and Enterococcus spp. (13.3%). In vitro susceptibility among all isolates varied for commonly prescribed antimicrobials (amoxicillin [59%], amoxicillin/clavulanic acid [76%], cephalexin [66%], enrofloxacin [74%] and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [86%]). For all antimicrobials tested (except aminoglycosides), in vitro susceptibility was higher in uncomplicated versus complicated infections (P < .05). Uncomplicated infection isolate susceptibility rates remained ≤90% for PO administered antimicrobials. Administration of amoxicillin, doxycycline, and enrofloxacin, but not amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in the previous 30 days was associated with resistance to that antimicrobial. Multidrug resistant isolates of E. coli and Staphylococcus spp. were more common in dogs with complicated than uncomplicated UTIs (36% versus 21%, P < .0001). Conclusions and Clinical Importance In vitro susceptibility was highly variable and no PO administered antimicrobial had >90% efficacy among isolates tested. Multidrug resistance was frequent among isolates tested suggesting that routine culture and susceptibility testing is indicated. Previously prescribed antimicrobials may affect empirical choices made pending susceptibility testing.
Matrix Models and One-Dimensional Open String Theory

We propose a random matrix model as a representation for D = 1 open strings. We show that the model with one flavor of boundary fields is equivalent to N fermions with spin in a central potential that also includes a long-range ferromagnetic interaction between the fermions that falls off as 1/(rij)2. We also generalize this theory to contain an arbitrary number of flavors. For an appropriate choice of the matrix model potential the ground state of the system can be found. Using this potential, we calculate the free energy in the double scaling limit and show that the free energy expansion has the expected form for a theory of open and closed strings if the boundary field mass and couplings have a logarithmic divergence. We then examine the critical properties of this theory and show that the length of the boundary around a hole remains finite, even near the critical point. We also argue that unlike critical string theory or a D = 0 theory, the open string coupling constant is a free parameter.
The Calculation of Thermoelastic Beam Deflections by the Principle of Virtual Work

which is easily derived from tha t principle. In this formula the beam is assumed to extend from x = 0 to x — L; its cross section has a (principal) moment of inertia I about an axis perpendicular to the direction of v, and its material a Young's modulus E. M(xo) is the bending moment a t any point X — Xo, and MD(XO, x) is the bending moment caused a t X — Xo by a dummy system of loads constructed so tha t it does work if and only if the deflection v occurs a t x; the magnitude of the dummy loads is such tha t this work is numerically equal to v. The principle of virtual work is, of course, of general validity, and holds regardless of whether the beam deflection is due to heating or to actual applied forces. I t is therefore desirable to see whether a simple formula, analogous to Eq. (1), cannot be derived from it for the calculation of thermal deflections of beams, and, further, whether its range of validity is as wide as t h a t of Eq. (1). The purpose of the present paper is the establishment of such a formula. The derivation of an equation of the form of Eq. (1), for the deflection of a beam subjected to an arbitrary temperature distribution, is an easy matter , provided the assumption tha t sections plane before heating reReceived February 24, 1956. f This work was carried out as part of a project sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, and was in part described in the report of reference 1. * Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Institute of Flight Structures. main plane after heating is accepted and tha t principal axes are employed; i t takes the form
Mitochondrial membrane ghosts produced by lipid peroxidation induced by ferrous ion. II. Composition and enzymatic activity.

Abstract Treatment of dilute suspensions of rat liver mitochondria with Fe2+ results in the formation of lipid peroxides, an extensive fall in turbidity, and the loss of 65% of the mitochondrial protein and 39% of the mitochondrial lipid into the suspending medium. These changes occur with little alteration in the number or size of the mitochondrial particles. The formation of mitochondrial membrane ghosts is suggested. Membrane ghosts prepared from mitochondrial by Fe2+-induced peroxidation are found to retain almost no pyridine nucleotides, 33% of the total flavin, 50% of the ubiquinone, and 66%, 60%, and 27%, respectively, of the cytochromes a, b, and c + c1 of the mitochondria. An additional 67% of the initial cytochrome c + c1 is recovered from the supernatant medium following removal of the membrane ghosts by centrifugation. The membrane ghosts rapidly oxidize succinate, glutamate, and 3-hydroxybutyrate in the presence of added nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and cytochrome c. They show an antimycin A-insensitive NADH-cytochrome c reductase activity. Fe2+-induced lipid peroxidation results in inactivation of all of the mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, 80% of the 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 36% of the malate dehydrogenase, and 23% of the succinate dehydrogenase. There is no loss of glutamate dehydrogenase activity. However, 96% of the glutamate dehydrogenase and 57% of the malate dehydrogenase are released into the soluble fraction. Membrane ghosts prepared with Fe2+ exhibit no respiratory control or coupled phosphorylation with any of the substrates tested. There is an active Mg2+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase which is not stimulated by the addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol.
I, 5. Treatment of viral gastroenteritis.

Viral gastroenteritis (mainly after rotavirus infection) directly causes death through dehydration. Thus, the treatment and prevention of dehydration are the primary goals in caring for infants with gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis can also inflict considerable nutritional insult on children because of anorexia, vomiting, malabsorption, and traditional therapies in which nutritionally poor diets are offered. This chapter discusses the treatment of the deficiencies of fluids, electrolytes, and nutrients. While there are already very good cost-effective strategies for correcting the sequelae of viral gastroenteritis, there is little yet available to effectively treat the acute symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The chapter discusses several potential modes of symptomatic therapy for viral gastroenteritis including probiotics, antivirals, passive immunotherapy, and antidiarrheals. The first major advance in the treatment of dehydration was the development of effective intravenous rehydration therapy.
Statistical analysis of secondary particle distributions in relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions

The use is described of several statistical techniques to characterize structure in the angular distributions of secondary particles from nucleus-nucleus collisions in the energy range 24 to 61 GeV/nucleon. The objective of this work was to determine whether there are correlations between emitted particle intensity and angle that may be used to support the existence of the quark gluon plasma. The techniques include chi-square null hypothesis tests, the method of discrete Fourier transform analysis, and fluctuation analysis. We have also used the method of composite unit vectors to test for azimuthal asymmetry in a data set of 63 JACEE-3 events. Each method is presented in a manner that provides the reader with some practical detail regarding its application. Of those events with relatively high statistics, Fe approaches 0 at 55 GeV/nucleon was found to possess an azimuthal distribution with a highly non-random structure. No evidence of non-statistical fluctuations was found in the pseudo-rapidity distributions of the events studied. It is seen that the most effective application of these methods relies upon the availability of many events or single events that possess very high multiplicities.
Smoking cessation counseling and pneumococcal vaccine administration to parents of infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: A life-changing opportunity

Second-hand smoke exposure is a significant health risk to newborn infants, particularly preterm infants with underlying respiratory disorders. Smoking cessation counseling during all phases of pregnancy and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) administration to adult smokers is advocated by multiple healthcare organizations but faces barriers to implementation. The neonatal intensive care unit is an ideal arena for providing smoking cessation counseling to parents because advice from pediatric caregivers is well received. High parental immunization rates for PPSV23 may also be achieved with NICU-bedside vaccination.
Idiosyncratic Risk and Security Returns

The traditional CAPM approach argues that only market risk should be incorporated into asset prices and command a risk premium. This result may not hold, however, if some investors can not hold the market portfolio. For example, if one group of investors fails to hold the market portfolio for exogenous reasons, the remaining investors will also be unable to hold the market portfolio. Therefore, idiosyncratic risk could also be priced to compensate rational investors for an inability to hold the market portfolio. A variation of the CAPM model is derived to capture this observation as well as to draw testable implications. Under both the Fama and MacBeth (1973) and Fama and French (1992) testing frameworks, we find that idiosyncratic volatility is useful in explaining cross-sectional expected returns. We also discover that returns from constructed portfolios directly co-vary with idiosyncratic risk hedging portfolio returns.
Association between leaflet fusion pattern and thoracic aorta morphology in patients with bicuspid aortic valve.

Purpose To determine if patients with certain bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) phenotypes are predisposed to particular morphological abnormalities of the thoracic aorta. Materials and Methods One hundred ninety-two patients with BAV who underwent magnetic resonance angiography between January 2007 and July 2010 were retrospectively identified. Aortic morphology was examined through measurements of aortic size index at nine levels along the thoracic aorta, three-dimensional volume of the ascending aorta, vessel asymmetry, and assessment of aortic root morphology. Results We found 140 patients (73%) with right and left coronary cusps (R-L) fusion, 46 patients (24%) with R-N fusion, and 6 patients (3%) with left and noncoronary cusps (L-N) fusion. Mean aortic volume in the proximal ascending aorta was significantly greater in R-L patients (0.93 versus 0.60 cm3/m2; P < 0.01). R-N patients possessed greater aortic size index at the distal ascending aorta and proximal aortic arch, and were also significantly more likely to have Type 2 patterns of aortic dilatation. Conclusion Our results suggest that BAV with R-L fusion is associated with increased dimensions of the aortic root, while BAV with R-N fusion is associated with increased dimensions of the distal ascending aorta and proximal arch. Our findings illustrate the morphological heterogeneity that exists among BAV phenotypes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:294–300. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abstract 3379: Role of E-cadherin in radiation resistance of human breast cancer cells

E-cadherin is the major adhesion protein associated with epithelial cells loss of its expression is diagnostic of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our preliminary data suggest that EMT, detected as the loss of E-cadherin expression, may regulate tumor cell radiosensitivity, i.e. cells that have undergone EMT are relatively radioresistant compared to the lines that have retained the epithelial phenotype, which typically are relatively radiosensitive. To definitively test this hypothesis we compared expression levels of E-cadherin and other EMT related markers in ER-a negative (MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t) and ER-a positive (MCF-7) human breast cancer cells. Clonogenic cell survival assays showed that the cell lines expressing estrogen receptor (MCF-7) were more sensitive to increasing doses of radiation and had high expression of E-cadherin. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 100nM siRNA to E-cadherin for 72 hrs made the cells more resistant to radiation with the surviving fraction changing from 42.3% in control cells to 56.4% in siRNA treated cells. In contrast, ER negative cells (MDA-MB-231 and Hs578t) had no detectable expression of E-cadherin and were more radioresistant. We transfected MDA-MB-231 cells with a CDH1-expression vector and isolated stable clones. These clones were selected and tested for radiosensitivity. MDA-MB-231 cells transfected with a control vector (pCMV) served as controls. Restoring E-cadherin expression radiosensitized the cells compared to the control vector cell line, suggesting that restoration of E-cadherin expression in mesenchymal-like cells produces a radiosensitizing effect. Thus, there was a general correlation between EMT, based on loss of E-cadherin expression, and radioresistance. Overall, our results suggest that E-cadherin interacts with radiation and enhances the radioresponse of human breast cancer cells. A detailed investigation of the mechanism is ongoing. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3379.
Some suggestions for "self-help" approaches with street drug abusers.

(1980). Some Suggestions for “Self-Help” Approaches with Street Drug Abusers. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 131-137.
Comparative hemodynamic effects of mexiletine and quinidine in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Abstract Mexiletine and quinidine are often administered to patients with severe congestive heart failure, but their hemodynamic effects have not been adequately studied in these individuals. In a randomized, crossover study, the hemodynamic responses to single oral doses of quinidine (600 mg) and mexiletine (400 mg) were compared in 20 patients with marked left ventricular dysfunction. Quinidine predominantly caused vasodilation, with mean arterial, left ventricular filling, and right atrial pressures all decreasing (−7 ± 2, −2.3 ± 1.0, and −1.1 ± 0.5 mm Hg, respectively) and the systemic vascular resistance also declining (−308 ± 84 dynes · sec · cm 5 ). In contrast, the systemic vascular resistance increased (314 ± 84 dynes · sec · cm −5 ) and the mean arterial, left ventricular filling, and right atrial pressures also increased (+2 ± 2, +6.1 ± 1.8, and +1.8 ± 0.6 mm Hg, respectively) after mexiletine. Cardiac performance declined with mexiletine (cardiac and stroke work indexes decreasing −0.3 ± 0.1 L/min/m 2 and −5 ± 1 gm · m/m 2 , respectively), but there was no significant change in cardiac or stroke work indexes with quinidine (+0.1 L/min/m 2 and −0.3 ± 0.9 gm · m/m 2 , respectively). The response to the two agents significantly differed for all parameters measured ( p
A Proliferation of Liberties

In his magnificent book, Republicanism, Philip Pettit explores and reinvigorates the republican tradition of thinking about freedom and government.' His discussion is an inspiring combination of philosophy, normative political theory, serious institutional analysis, and the history of ideas. It is rare to see such an impressive example of genuine and fruitful cross-disciplinary pollination. So the first order of business is simply to applaud. Pettit's ambition is not only to clarify a neglected understanding of democracy, but also to restore it as a live option for contemporary political thinking. In keeping with that ambition, I shall return at the end to connect my remarks to an important feature of Pettit's account of republican institutions. For the most part, however, I shall restrict myself to his central philosophical claim, which concerns the republican conception of freedom. On this conception, to be free is to be immune from arbitrary interference. Freedom is 'non-domination', where a dominator is someone with the power to interfere with another on an arbitrary basis. Republicans particularly emphasise two features of freedom so conceived: that it requires protection from arbitrary interference only, rather than from interference as such; and that it requires invulnerability to arbitrary interference, rather than merely contingent relief from it.
Functionalized CdS nanospheres and nanorods

Abstract Functionalized nanoparticles are discussed. Surfaces of CdS:Mn/ZnS core/shell nanospheres (Qdots) were converted from hydrophobic to hydrophilic by growth of a SiO2 shell. The colloidal dispersion was stabilize by adding a surfactant with a negative surface charge, and a cell-penetrating-peptide, TAT, was attached through a primary amine group. The TAT functionalized Qdots were shown to pass the blood–brain-barrier and luminescence in the infused half of the brain. In addition, nanorods of S2− rich CdS were synthesized by reaction of excess S with Cd precursors in the presence of ethylene diamine. The photoluminescence (PL) peak from the S2− rich CdS nanorods was broad with a maximum at ∼710 nm, which was 40 nm longer in wavelength than the PL peak from Cd2+ rich CdS (∼670 nm) nanorods. The influence of surface electron or hole trap states on the luminescent pathway of CdS nanorods were used to explain these shifts in wavelength. Nanocrystals of Au with ∼2 nm diameters were grown on S2− rich surfaces of CdS nanorods. Significant quenching of photoluminescence was observed from Au nanocrystals on CdS nanorods due to interfacial charge separation. Charge separation by Au nanocrystals on CdS resulted in enhanced UV photocatalytic degradation of Procion red mix-5B (PRB) dye in aqueous solution.
Applications of ozone for industrial wastewater treatment : A review

Abstract This paper presents a detailed review of published applications of ozone for treating many types of industrial wastewaters. Applications of ozone technologies to control pollution in full‐scale industrial wastewater treatment plants in the areas of recycling marine aquaria, electroplating wastes, electronic chip manufacture, textiles, and petroleum refineries, are discussed. The rising acceptance of ozone as a replacement bleaching agent for paper pulp to eliminate the discharge of halogenated effluents from pulp bleaching plants also is traced. Newer applications for ozone in treating rubber additive wastewaters, landfill leachates, and detergents in municipal wastewaters are summarized briefly. The combination of ozone oxidation followed by biological treatment has been installed full‐scale at a large German industrial chemical complex. Ozone coupled with ultraviolet radiation and/or hydrogen peroxide (advanced oxidation) is being utilized to destroy organic contaminants in groundwaters at muni...
Characterizations of Darboux selections

A characterization of those set-valued mappings from a real interval into the family of non-void intervals which admit a Darboux selection is given.
Recognition templates for predicting adenylate-binding sites in proteins

Recognition templates encapsulate the structural and energetic features for the specific recognition of a given ligand by a protein active site. These templates identify the major interactions used for specific recognition and may be used to find specific binding sites in proteins of unknown function. We present a grid-based method for deriving recognition templates for adenylate groups from a set of diverse nucleotide-binding proteins. The templates reveal the basis of specific binding of adenylate, including tight shape complementarity, specific hydrogen bonds, and underscoring the importance of a key steric contact for excluding guanylate from adenylate-specific sites. We demonstrate the utility of recognition templates in identifying specific adenylate-binding sites in a diverse set of dinucleotide-binding proteins.
Domain of validity of vector-meson dominance in inelastic electron-proton scattering☆

Abstract It is argued that the vector-meson dominance model for inelastic electron-proton scattering is more likely to succeed when s ⪢q2, e.g., 2mpν/q2 ≳10. The model is compared in detail with the recently published 6° and 10° data of the SLAC-MIT experiment.
Automated Precision Current Delivery: An Alternative Method for Cardiac Defibrillation

Substantial evidence suggests that the current associated with the discharge is a more precise predictor of defibrillation success than is the total energy of the discharge. However, virtually all commercially available defibrillators are calibrated in terms of energy. This article describes an alternative type of experimental defibrillator, which provides a precisely controlled current throughout the discharge waveform, independent of the load presented to the discharge electrodes (or "paddles"). The discharge current waveform is designed to have the classical critically damped sinusoid waveform, identical to that of the traditional energy-based defibrillator when it is properly matched with its ideal load (the heart/thorax combination). The techniques used to obtain a controlled current discharge are discussed in addition to special operational features.
Conservation of the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Gene in Mice and Humans

A portion of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene transcript from human fetal skeletal muscle and mouse adult heart was sequenced, representing approximately 25 percent of the total, 14-kb DMD transcript. The nucleic acid and predicted amino acid sequences from the two species are nearly 90 percent homologous. The amino acid sequence that is predicted from this portion of the DMD gene indicates that the protein product might serve a structural role in muscle, but the abundance and tissue distribution of the messenger RNA suggests that the DMD protein is not nebulin.
Chemical synthesis of the high-pressure cubic-spinel phase of ZnIn2S4

Chemical reactions conducted in solution are known to generate solid precursors containing molecular units that help in the formation of high-temperature phases. The structural units are created by controlling the molecular environments in solution, and as a result, phases that normally form and are stable at high temperatures can be synthesized at low or moderately elevated temperatures. However, the application of chemical approaches for synthesizing phases that normally form at high pressure are relatively unknown. In this work, a simple room-temperature aqueous chemical precipitation route has been used to synthesize the high-pressure cubic spinel modification of ZnIn2S4. A solution coordination model (SCM) has been proposed to explain the formation of the high-pressure phase. The crystallinity, phase purity and phase transformation characteristics of the cubic phase have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) including Rietveld refinement, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Auger electron microscopy (AEM). Results of these studies are discussed in the light of a proposed solution coordination model (SCM). © 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers
Accurate measurements of sphere drag at low Reynolds numbers

An accurate measurement of low-Reynolds-number sphere drag has been made. Some of the inaccuracies of previous measurements are revealed. Comparison with the theoretical studies shows that the Oseen formula is as accurate as any in predicting sphere drag below a Reynolds number of 0·4.
Kinetic-Energy-Enhanced Neutral Etching

A review is presented of the emerging field of neutral-species kinetic-energy-enhanced etching of silicon. As the gate oxide thickness of metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET) is decreased to dimensions of 50 A or less, the potentially damaging effects of high-kinetic-energy ions in plasma processing become important. New methods are required to remove material in a more refined, selective manner. In this review, the motivations for studies of neutral-species enhanced-kinetic-energy etching are described. Currently available sources of neutral reactive species with enhanced kinetic energies of 1-10 eV are discussed, and published experimental and theoretical investigations of enhanced-kinetic-energy neutral etching are reviewed. Problems associated with neutral species etching are also considered, and some possible future developments in the field are summarized.
Destructive lupus pernio masquerading as rhinophyma in a patient with eruptive syringoma

Sarcoidosis can involve almost any organ system. Up to one-third of patients with systemic sarcoid have cutaneous manifestations. These specific lesions encompass a wide range of morphologies, including papules, plaques, subcutaneous tumors, ulcers, ichthyosis, and lupus pernio. Lupus pernio typically presents as violaceous, smooth plaques involving the nose, cheeks, lips, forehead, ears, or distal extremities. We describe a 36 year old woman from Honduras with a progressive nasal deformity of several years duration. The bulbous, symmetric enlargement of the nose extended from the nasal tip to the bridge with erythema, papulonodular lesions and pustules, simulating rhinophyma. Examination of the internal nares revealed complete destruction of the nasal septum. All surfaces of the neck, upper trunk, proximal upper extremities and, to a lesser degree, the periorbital skin showed densely crowded light brown papules ranging from 1-3 mm in diameter. Multiple nasal biopsies of skin and mucosa showed non-caseating granulomas, consistent with sarcoidosis. By contrast, histology of the papular eruption on the trunk was diagnostic of syringoma. Sarcoidosis masquerading as rhinophyma has been rarely described in the literature, and to our knowledge, this is the first case associated with eruptive syringoma. This report underscores the need to consider lupus pernio in the differential diagnosis of rhinophyma.
From chaos to selective ordering of vortex cores in interacting mesomagnets

The collective gyrotropic excitation of an array of spin vortices has frequencies that depend on the polarities and chirality of individual vortices. This work demonstrates control of the spectral response of the system by tuning the excitation frequency or the external magnetic field.
The hypothalamohypophyseal neurosecretory system in mice with vasopressin-resistant urinary concENTRATING DEFECTS.

Abstract Three distinct genotypes of mice with vasopressin-resistant urinary concentrating defects are compared to a normal strain with respect to urine volume and osmolality, serum osmolality, and sizes of supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) neurons and the various parts of the pituitary gland. Mice with severe diabetes insipidus (DI) produce large volumes of dilute urine; their hypertrophied SON and PVN cells have markedly enlarged nucleoli; the pars nervosa (which stores ample amounts of neurosecretory material), the pars distalis and the pars intermedia are all larger than normal, the latter exhibiting the greatest relative increase in size. The two mouse strains with “mild DI” occupy intermediate positions in most of the above parameters suggesting an interrelationship between the amount of fluid turnover and the degree of hypertrophy. Additionally, the results suggest that there may be a relationship between increased neurohypophyseal activity and the hypertrophy of the pars intermedia.