cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transpupillary thermotherapy for subfoveal occult choroidal neovascularization: effect on ocular perfusion.

PURPOSE. To perform a descriptive analysis of the effects on ocular blood flow of transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) for occult subfoveal choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS. Eleven subjects with occult subfoveal CNVM due to AMD were assessed in a masked fashion by color Doppler imaging (CDI) within 24 hours before, 24 hours after, and 1 month after undergoing TTT. RESULTS. In the posterior ciliary arteries (PCAs), there were no statistically significant changes observed in the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), or resistive index (RI) at 24 hours. At 1 month, the mean EDV decreased 36% (P 5 0.0105) and the mean RI increased 3.8% (P 5 0.0305) in the nasal PCA. Although there was a similar trend in the temporal PCA, the differences did not reach statistical significance. In the central retinal artery (CRA), the mean PSV decreased 16% (P 5 0.0137), and the mean EDV decreased 21% (P 5 0.0222) at 24 hours after treatment. There were no statistically significant differences in the CRA blood flow indices at 1 month after treatment. In the ophthalmic artery, there were no statistically significant differences observed in the mean PSV, EDV, or RI at 24 hours or 1 month after treatment. CONCLUSIONS. TTT is associated with transiently decreased volumetric blood flow in the retinal circulation 24 hours after treatment. In the posterior ciliary arteries that supply the choroid, there were no changes observed at 24 hours, but at 1 month, there was a decrease in the mean EDV and an increase in the RI in the nasal and temporal PCAs, reaching statistical significance in the nasal PCA only. This study suggests that TTT could lead to alterations in choroidal blood flow, as assessed by CDI. Further study is warranted. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42:3337‐3340)
Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family Member 1 Engagement Inhibits T Cell-B Cell Interaction and Diminishes Interleukin-6 Production and Plasmablast Differentiation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Objective Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 1 (SLAMF1) homophilic interactions promote immunoglobulin production and T cell-B cell cross-talk. SLAMF1 is overexpressed on T and B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was undertaken to determine the role of SLAMF1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in modulating T cell-B cell interaction and B cell activation. Methods Anti-IgM-prestimulated naive or total B cells from either healthy donors or patients with SLE were cocultured with autologous T cells under CD3/CD28 stimulation, in the presence or absence of the SLAMF1 mAb. Naive B cells were stimulated with anti-IgM and CD40L in the presence of the SLAMF1 antibody. Cytokine production by CD4+ T cells and B cells was examined by flow cytometry and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Plasmablast formation and T cell and B cell conjugates were assessed by flow cytometry. IgG and antinuclear antibody production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results SLAMF1 ligation in a human peripheral blood T cell-B cell culture system reduced the following in both healthy controls and patients with SLE: conjugate formation, interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by B cells, IL-21 and IL-17A production by T cells, and Ig and autoantibody production. Whereas the SLAMF1 mAb directly affected the function of isolated peripheral B cells by decreasing IL-6 and Ig production in vitro, it did not affect cytokine production by isolated T cells stimulated in vitro. Conclusion The SLAMF1 antibody inhibits T cell-B cell interaction and suppresses B cell cytokine production and differentiation, thereby acting as a potential therapeutic tool in the treatment of patients with SLE.
Enterovirus D68 infection induces IL-17–dependent neutrophilic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) shares biologic features with rhinovirus (RV). In 2014, a nationwide outbreak of EV-D68 was associated with severe asthma-like symptoms. We sought to develop a mouse model of EV-D68 infection and determine the mechanisms underlying airway disease. BALB/c mice were inoculated intranasally with EV-D68 (2014 isolate), RV-A1B, or sham, alone or in combination with anti-IL-17A or house dust mite (HDM) treatment. Like RV-A1B, lung EV-D68 viral RNA peaked 12 hours after infection. EV-D68 induced airway inflammation, expression of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12b, IL-17A, CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL10, and CCL2), and airway hyperresponsiveness, which were suppressed by anti-IL-17A antibody. Neutrophilic inflammation and airway responsiveness were significantly higher after EV-D68 compared with RV-A1B infection. Flow cytometry showed increased lineage-, NKp46-, RORγt+ IL-17+ILC3s and γδ T cells in the lungs of EV-D68-treated mice compared with those in RV-treated mice. EV-D68 infection of HDM-exposed mice induced additive or synergistic increases in BAL neutrophils and eosinophils and expression of IL-17, CCL11, IL-5, and Muc5AC. Finally, patients from the 2014 epidemic period with EV-D68 showed significantly higher nasopharyngeal IL-17 mRNA levels compared with patients with RV-A infection. EV-D68 infection induces IL-17-dependent airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, which is greater than that generated by RV-A1B, consistent with the clinical picture of severe asthma-like symptoms.
The ecology of movement and behaviour: a saturated tripartite network for describing animal contacts.

Ecologists regularly use animal contact networks to describe interactions underlying pathogen transmission, gene flow, and information transfer. However, empirical descriptions of contact often ove...
Considerations for uranium isotope ratio analysis by atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry

The accurate measurement of uranium isotope ratios from trace samples lies at the foundation of achieving nuclear nonproliferation. These challenging measurements necessitate both the continued characterization and evaluation of evolving mass spectrometric technologies as well as the propagation of sound measurement approaches. For the first time in this work, we present the analysis of uranium isotope ratio measurements from discrete liquid injections with an ultra-high-resolution hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Also presented are important measurement considerations for evaluating the performance of this type and other atmospheric pressure and ambient ionization mass spectrometers for uranium isotope analysis. Specifically, as the goal of achieving isotope ratios from as little as a single picogram of solid material is approached, factors such as mass spectral sampling rate, collision induced dissociation (CID) potentials, and mass resolution can dramatically alter the measured isotope ratio as a function of mass loading. We present the ability to accurately measure 235UO2+/238UO2+ down to 10s of picograms of solubilized uranium oxide through a proper consideration of mass spectral parameters while identifying limitations and opportunities for pushing this limit further.
Toward Higher Capacities of Hydrocarbon Cathodes in Dual-Ion Batteries

We report the electrochemical anion storage properties of a group of molecular solids of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): coronene, perylene, and triphenylene. We discover an interesting trend of progressively lower potentials for these three molecular solids. Our DFT calculations reveal that the inserted PF6– anions preferably bind with the edge sites of the coronene molecules as opposed to being sandwiched between two coronene molecular planes. For smaller PAHs, the more edge sites in the solids may facilitate higher capacity values. However, small PAHs do face a greater challenge of dissolution in the nonaqueous electrolyte, which affects the cycling stability.
Single Cell Analysis of Endothelial Cells Identified Organ-Specific Molecular Signatures and Heart-Specific Cell Populations and Molecular Features

Endothelial cells line the inner surface of vasculature and play an important role in normal physiology and disease progression. Although most tissue is known to have a heterogeneous population of endothelial cells, transcriptional differences in organ specific endothelial cells have not been systematically analyzed at the single cell level. The Tabula Muris project profiled mouse single cells from 20 organs. We found 10 of the organs profiled by this Consortium have endothelial cells. Unsupervised analysis of these endothelial cells revealed that they were mainly grouped by organs, and organ-specific cells were further partially correlated by germ layers. Unexpectedly, we found all lymphatic endothelial cells grouped together regardless of their resident organs. To further understand the cellular heterogeneity in organ-specific endothelial cells, we used the heart as an example. As a pump of the circulation system, the heart has multiple types of endothelial cells. Detailed analysis of these cells identified an endocardial endothelial cell population, a coronary vascular endothelial cell population, and an aorta-specific cell population. Through integrated analysis of the single cell data from another two studies analyzing the aorta, we identified conserved cell populations and molecular markers across the datasets. In summary, by reanalyzing the existing endothelial cell single-cell data, we identified organ-specific molecular signatures and heart-specific subpopulations and molecular markers. We expect these findings will pave the way for a deeper understanding of vascular biology and endothelial cell-related diseases.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a syndrome marked by waxing and waning episodes of organ and tissue ischemia secondary to reversible platelet aggregation in the microvasculature. It often presents with thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurologic symptoms, fever and renal abnormalities. Without treatment the mortality rate may reach 90 %. TTP is usually acquired although inherited chronically relapsing forms also occur.
A digital embrace to blunt the curve of COVID19 pandemic

Digital health, virtual care, telehealth, and telemedicine are all terms often used interchangeably to refer to the practice of care delivered from a distance. Because virtual care collapses the barriers of time and distance, it is ideal for providing care that is patient-centered, lower cost, more convenient and at greater productivity. All these factors make virtual care tools indispensable elements in the COVID19 response. In this perspective, we offer implementation guidance and policy insights relevant to the use of virtual care tools to meet the challenges of the COVID19 pandemic.
Phase-Modulated Axilenses As Ultracompact Spectroscopic Tools

We design, fabricate, and characterize ultra-compact phase-modulated axilens devices that combine efficient point focusing and grating selectivity within scalable 4-level phase mask configurations....
Postabortion Medicaid Enrollment and the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion in Oregon.

Background: The Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion had the potential to increase continuity of insurance coverage and remove barriers to accessing health services following an abortion in state...
Anterior Shoulder Instability Part II-Latarjet, Remplissage, and Glenoid Bone-Grafting-An International Consensus Statement.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to establish consensus statements via a modified Delphi process on the Latarjet procedure, remplissage, and glenoid-bone grafting for anterior shoulder instability. Methods A consensus process on the treatment utilizing a modified Delphi technique was conducted, with 65 shoulder surgeons from 14 countries across 5 continents participating. Experts were assigned to one of 9 working groups defined by specific subtopics of interest within anterior shoulder instability. Results The technical approaches identified in the statements on the Latarjet procedure and glenoid bone-graft were that a subscapularis split approach should be utilized, and that it is unclear whether a capsular repair is routinely required. Furthermore, despite similar indications, glenoid bone-grafting may be preferred over the Latarjet in patients with bone-loss greater than can be treated with a coracoid graft, and in cases of surgeon preference, failed prior Latarjet or glenoid bone-grafting procedure, and epilepsy. In contrast, the primary indications for a remplissage procedure was either an off-track or engaging Hill-Sachs lesion without severe glenoid bone loss. Additionally, in contrast to the bone-block procedure, complications following remplissage are rare, and loss of shoulder external rotation can be minimized by performing the tenodesis via the safe-zone and not over medializing the fixation. Conclusion Overall, 89% of statements reached unanimous or strong consensus. The statements that reached unanimous consensus were the prognostic factors that are important to consider in those undergoing a glenoid bone-grafting procedure including age, activity level, Hill-Sachs Lesion, extent of glenoid bone-loss, hyperlaxity, prior surgeries, and arthritic changes. Furthermore, there was unanimous agreement that it is unclear whether a capsular repair is routinely required with a glenoid bone graft, but it may be beneficial in some cases. There was no unanimous agreement on any aspect related to the Latarjet procedure or Remplissage. Level of Evidence Level V: expert opinion.
Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis Surgery: The Patient Experience.

Background Patients with symptomatic recalcitrant thumb carpometacarpal arthritis often undergo surgery. Although most surgical patients do well, the authors anticipated that a substantial portion of their thumb carpometacarpal surgery patients would have unsatisfactory experiences and express unmet expectations, dissatisfaction, and regret, regardless of surgical procedure performed. The authors hypothesized those experiences would correlate with patient-reported outcomes scores. Methods The authors identified patients who had undergone trapeziectomy alone or with ligament reconstruction 1 to 4 years previously for primary thumb carpometacarpal arthritis. One hundred twelve patients completed Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and visual analogue scale pain, expectations, satisfaction, and regret questionnaires. Results More than 40 percent of patients expected to "return to normal" after surgery for pain, strength, and/or function. Including all patients, 7, 19, and 11 percent had unmet expectations for improvement in pain, strength, and function, respectively. Twelve percent expressed dissatisfaction with their outcome. Although just 4 percent regretted undergoing surgery, 13 percent would likely not recommend the procedure to someone they care about. There were no statistically significant differences for any patient-reported outcomes between trapeziectomy-alone (n = 20) and trapeziectomy with ligament reconstruction (n = 92). Visual analogue scale and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire scores were both moderately correlated with expectations being met for pain, strength, and function and for satisfaction with surgical outcome. Conclusions Patients' thumb carpometacarpal surgical experiences vary considerably. Many express dissatisfaction or a lack of expectations met with the two most common procedures. A thorough understanding and review of expectations preoperatively may be uniquely pertinent for these patients. Further research should determine predictors and potentially modifiable factors for unsatisfactory outcomes.
FASTER: Fast and Safe Trajectory Planner for Navigation in Unknown Environments

Planning high-speed trajectories for UAVs in unknown environments requires algorithmic techniques that enable fast reaction times to guarantee safety as more information about the environment becomes available. The standard approaches that ensure safety by enforcing a “stop” condition in the free-known space can severely limit the speed of the vehicle, especially in situations where much of the world is unknown. Moreover, the ad-hoc time and interval allocation scheme usually imposed on the trajectory also leads to conservative and slower trajectories. This work proposes FASTER (Fast and Safe Trajectory Planner) to ensure safety without sacrificing speed. FASTER obtains high-speed trajectories by enabling the local planner to optimize in both the free-known and unknown spaces. Safety is ensured by always having a safe back-up trajectory in the free-known space. The MIQP formulation proposed also allows the solver to choose the trajectory interval allocation. FASTER is tested extensively in simulation and in real hardware, showing flights in unknown cluttered environments with velocities up to 7.8 m/s, and experiments at the maximum speed of a skid-steer ground robot (2 m/s).
Effects of laser interstitial thermal therapy for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy on the structural connectome and its relationship to seizure freedom.

Objective Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive surgery for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), but the effects of individual patient anatomy and location of ablation volumes affect seizure outcomes. The purpose of this study is to see if features of individual patient structural connectomes predict surgical outcomes after LITT for mTLE. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of seizure outcomes of LITT for mTLE in 24 patients. We use preoperative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to simulate changes in structural connectivity after laser ablation. A two-step machine-learning algorithm is applied to predict seizure outcomes from the change in connectomic features after surgery. Results Although node-based network features such as clustering coefficient and betweenness centrality have some predictive value, changes in connection strength between mesial temporal regions predict seizure outcomes significantly better. Changes in connection strength between the entorhinal cortex (EC), and the insula, hippocampus, and amygdala, as well as between the temporal pole and hippocampus, predict Engel Class I outcomes with an accuracy of 88%. Analysis of the ablation location, as well as simulated, alternative ablations, reveals that a more medial, anterior, and inferior ablation volume is associated with a greater effect on these connections, and potentially on seizure outcomes. Significance Our results indicate (1) that seizure outcomes can be retrospectively predicted with excellent accuracy using changes in structural connectivity, and (2) that favorable connectomic changes are associated with an ablation volume involving relatively mesial, anterior, and inferior locations. These results may provide a framework whereby individual pre-operative structural connectomes can be used to optimize ablation volumes and improve outcomes in LITT for mTLE.
Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β/SMAD signalling by the interferon-γ/STAT pathway

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) have opposite effects on diverse cellular functions, but the basis for this antagonism is not known. TGF-beta signals through a receptor serine kinase that phosphorylates and activates the transcription factors Smads 2 and 3, whereas the IFN-gamma receptor and its associated protein tyrosine kinase Jak1 mediate phosphorylation and activation of the transcription factor Stat1. Here we present a basis for the integration of TGF-beta and IFN-gamma signals. IFN-gamma inhibits the TGF beta-induced phosphorylation of Smad3 and its attendant events, namely, the association of Smad3 with Smad4, the accumulation of Smad3 in the nucleus, and the activation of TGFbeta-responsive genes. Acting through Jak1 and Stat1, IFN-gamma induces the expression of Smad7, an antagonistic SMAD, which prevents the interaction of Smad3 with the TGF-beta receptor. The results indicate a mechanism of transmodulation between the STAT and SMAD signal-transduction pathways.
Short-Term Complications After Colic Surgery in Geriatric Versus Mature Non-Geriatric Horses

Objective To compare in geriatric and mature horses the occurrence of short-term complications and short-term outcome associated with complications after colic surgery. Study Design Retrospective case–control study. Sample Population Horses aged ≥20 years (geriatric, n = 78) and 4–15 years (mature non-geriatric, n = 156) that had exploratory celiotomy for colic and survived recovery from general anesthesia. Methods Medical records (2000–2010) of horses that recovered from general anesthesia after colic surgery were reviewed. Postoperative complications evaluated included postoperative reflux (POR), diarrhea, inappetence, fever, leukopenia, incisional infection, incisional dehiscence, thrombophlebitis, colic, repeat celiotomy, pneumonia, and laminitis. Short-term outcome (alive vs. dead at hospital discharge) of geriatric and mature horses with these complications were compared. Data were analyzed using a χ2 or Fisher's exact test or an ANOVA. Level of significance P < .05. Results Geriatric horses had higher odds of having a small intestinal strangulating lesion than mature horses. A higher proportion of geriatric horses had POR and inappetence; however, there was no difference in the proportion of geriatric and mature horses with small intestinal strangulating lesions having POR. Short-term outcome with and without complications was similar between the 2 age groups. Conclusion Geriatric and mature horses have similar occurrences of short-term complications and short-term outcomes associated with complications after colic surgery.
Do rural elders have limited access to Medicare hospice services

Objectives: To examine whether there are urban-rural differences in use of the Medicare hospice benefit before death and whether those differences suggest that there is a problem with access to hospice care for rural Medicare beneficiaries. Design: Observational study using 100% of Medicare enrollment, hospice, and hospital claims data. Setting: Inpatient hospitals and hospices. Participants: Persons aged 65 and older in the Medicare program who died in 1999. Measurements: Rates of hospice use before death and in-hospital death rates were calculated. Results: In 1999, there were 1.76 million deaths of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older. Hospice services were used by 365,700 of these beneficiaries. Rates of hospice care before death were negatively associated with degree of rurality. The lowest rate of hospice use, 15.2% of deaths, was seen in rural areas not adjacent to an urban area. The highest rate of use, 22.2% of deaths, was seen in urban areas. Rural areas adjacent to urban areas had an intermediate level of hospice use (17.0% of deaths). Hospices based in rural areas had a smaller number of elderly patients each year than hospices based in urban areas (P<.001) and were more likely to have very low volumes (average daily census of three patients or less). Conclusion: The consistently lower use of Medicare hospice services before death and smaller sizes of rural hospices suggest that the combination of Medicare hospice payment policies and hospice volumes are problematic for rural hospices. Adjusting Medicare payment policies might be a critical step to assure availability of hospice services forterminally ill beneficiaries regardless of where they live.
The Value Relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards: Empirical Evidence in an Emerging Market

Abstract This study examines the value relevance of accounting information under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX, henceforth). Based on models developed by Easton and Harris (1991), and Ohlson (1995) and using monthly market data from 2000 to 2006, this paper investigates the value relevance of accounting information of firms traded on the ADX. Our overall results show that earnings scaled by beginning of period price are positively and significantly related to cumulative returns and that earnings per share and book value per share are positively and significantly related to price per share. We also find that value relevance of accounting information has changed since the market inception in 2000. The results documented herein extend the literature on value relevance accounting information in an emerging market that requires the use of IFRS. The study therefore contributes to the debate over the mandatory adoption of IFRS and the value relevance of accounting information reported under IFRS.
Cancer-specific survival and predictors of prostate-specific antigen recurrence and survival in patients with seminal vesicle invasion after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND The objectives of the current study were to determine the long-term biochemical recurrence (BCR) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates for men with seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) and to identify risk factors for freedom from BCR and CSS in patients who received treatment in the prostate-specific antigen era and who had SVI identified at the time of radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS Prospective clinical, pathologic, and outcome data were collected for 5377 men who underwent RP between June 1983 and August 2004. There were 936 patients who were excluded because they received treatment before RP. Multivariable analysis was used to identify the factors that predicted BCR and CSS. RESULTS Among 4441 eligible patients, 387 patients (8.7%) had SVI, and 91 of those 387 patients (24%) had lymph node involvement (LNI). In total, 210 patients experienced BCR. For patients without LNI, the 10-year and 15-year freedom from BCR rates were 36% and 32%, respectively, and the corresponding CSS rates were 89% and 81%, respectively. For the 91 men who had SVI and LNI, the 10-year BCR-free probability was 10%, but the 10-year CSS probability was 74%. By 10 years, patients with LNI were 3 times more likely to die from cancer than from other causes; nonetheless, 66% of patients were alive despite their advanced stage. The preoperative prostate-specific antigen level, extracapsular extension, LNI, and Gleason grade were associated independently with BCR. Gleason scores of 8 to 10 and LNI were significant predictors of CSS. CONCLUSIONS SVI does not invariably signal BCR or death from cancer in patients who undergo RP and pelvic lymph node dissection. Fifteen years later, approximately 33% of men with SVI and negative lymph nodes are expected remain free of BCR, and CSS was surprisingly good. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
An assessment of Hawaiian dry forest condition with fine resolution remote sensing

Abstract Remote sensing offers the potential to spatially map forest cover quickly and reliably for inventory purposes. We developed a new image analysis approach using an integrated methodology of “object-based” image classification techniques and field-based measurements to quantify forest cover in a degraded dry forest ecosystem on the leeward side of the Island of Hawaii. This new approach explicitly recognized the transitional areas between tree crowns and tree shades (tree shadows) as a unique class and fully utilized them for the quantification of canopy cover. Object-oriented classification of Ikonos-2 satellite images allowed delineation of tree shades and crowns and the transitional areas between them from objects with similar reflectance and size that were surrounding the trees. These included patches of fountain (Pennisetum setaceum) and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) grass, lava outcrops and lava–grass mixtures. Crown-shade transitions were clearly differentiated in spite of their wide range of spectral values and reflectance similarities with areas of lava–grass mixture. Segments representing tree shades and dark lava outcrops were also classified into their respective classes even if they were contiguous. The image estimates of canopy cover using the tree shade plus transition classes were linearly related with field estimates of canopy cover (R2 = 0.86 and slope = 0.976). Based on this relationship, dry forest cover throughout the 2627-ha area was estimated at 7.7 ± 1.9%. An immediate application of this new approach is to select and delineate areas with higher canopy cover in order to concentrate ecological restoration and conservation efforts.
Electrophysiological mechanism of enhanced susceptibility of hypertrophied heart to acquired torsade de pointes arrhythmias: tridimensional mapping of activation and recovery patterns.

Background— Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with increased incidence of sudden death and susceptibility to proarrhythmic effects of antiarrhythmic agents. However, the in vivo electrophysiologic mechanism of the arrhythmias has not been investigated in detail. Methods and Results— Dose-dependent susceptibility to Torsade de Pointes (TdP) by class III drug dofetilide, 3, 10, and 30 μg/kg, was compared in 6 control dogs (C) and in 5 dogs 6 to 8 weeks after induction of complete atrioventricular block (AVB) that resulted in ventricular hypertrophy (H). Tridimensional ventricular activation and repolarization (R) patterns were simultaneously analyzed from unipolar extracellular electrograms, and local R was measured from activation recovery intervals. Both R and transmural dispersion of R (TDR) were significantly greater in dogs with H compared with C. Dofetilide resulted in cycle length–dependent and dose-dependent prolongation of R, which was more marked in left ventricular endocardium/midmyocardium compa...
Circadian, Daily, and Seasonal Distributions of Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

This study investigated the circadian, daily, and seasonal distributions of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with new implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement at Creighton University Medical Center from January 2000 to December 2004. The incidence and distribution of ventricular tachyarrhythmias as recorded by implantable cardioverter-defibrillators were analyzed with respect to season, month, day of the week, and average daily temperature. Data from 154 consecutive patients (mean age 67 ± 14 years; 78% men, 71% with ischemic heart disease [IHD], mean left ventricular ejection fraction 34 ± 15%) were analyzed. During a mean follow-up of 35 ± 19 months, a total of 1,055 episodes of spontaneously terminated ventricular tachycardia (VT) and 612 episodes of VT or ventricular fibrillation with appropriate device therapy occurred. Distributions in the incidence of VT and VT or ventricular fibrillation receiving appropriate therapy were similar in patients with IHD and non-IHD. Spontaneously terminated VT and appropriately treated VT or ventricular fibrillation episodes occurred with the greatest incidence in the winter months and the lowest incidence in summer, spring, and fall. A linear regression between the number of episodes and the average daily temperature showed a greater likelihood of the 2 events occurring on cooler days, irrespective of the cause of cardiac disease. A weekly distribution was also observed, with the greatest proportion of episodes occurring on Fridays and the lowest on Saturdays and Sundays. A bimodal circadian distribution was present, with the greatest peak occurring from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a smaller peak occurring from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. In conclusion, the occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias appears to follow circadian, daily, and seasonal distributions that are similar in patients with IHD and non-IHD. The incidence inversely correlates with average daily temperatures.
Pacemaker-induced electrocardiographic changes simulating myocardial infarction.

Two patients required temporary transvenous right ventricular pacing for control of advanced A-V block. Striking ST segment depression and T wave inversion occurred in subsequent unpaced electrocardiograms. These changes can simulate myocardial infarction and are probably due to ventricular depolarization from an abnormal site.
EFFICACY OF CONTINUOUS EPIDURAL ANALGESIA VERSUS SINGLE DOSE CAUDAL ANALGESIA IN CHILDREN AFTER INTRAVESICAL URETERONEOCYSTOSTOMY

ABSTRACT Purpose: We compared the effects of single dose caudal injection and continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine on postoperative pain intensity and supplemental opioid analgesic requirements in children undergoing intravesical ureteroneocystostomy. Materials and Methods: Children 6 to 18 years old scheduled for ureteroneocystostomy were recruited for the study. Patients were randomized to group 1—caudal injection of 0.25% bupivacaine before ∼surgical incision and group ∼2—placement of an epidural catheter with injection of 0.25% bupivacaine, followed by a continuous epidural infusion upon completion of surgery. All patients received intravenous morphine patient controlled analgesic (PCA) as a rescue analgesic, and ketorolac and oxybutynin postoperatively. The epidural catheter was discontinued 48 hours after surgery, with removal of the urinary drainage catheter 4 hours later. Outcome measures included pain intensity rating, supplemental morphine requirements, presence and pain intensity of bladder spasms, analgesia related side effects, time to tolerating a regular diet, and patient and parent satisfaction. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in average daily pain scores between the 2 groups. In the postanesthesia care unit. Significantly more patients in the caudal group required morphine than in the epidural group (56% versus 11%). The total PCA demand was significantly greater in the caudal group on days 1 and 2 postoperatively. Patients in the caudal group took significantly longer to tolerate a regular diet than those in the epidural group. Conclusions: Continuous epidural analgesia and single dose caudal injection of bupivacaine in conjunction with intravenous morphine PCA and ketorolac provide adequate pain control following intravesical ureteroneocystostomy. Continuous epidural analgesia reduces the need for supplemental intravenous morphine and allows children to tolerate a regular diet earlier.
Altered adult sexual behavior in the male rat following chronic prenatal hypoxia

The last week of gestation is a critical period for the sexual differentiation of the brain in the rat. Exposure to prenatal stress during this period has been shown to demasculinize and/or feminize adult male sexual behavior. Many of the neurochemical and endocrine responses to hypoxia are similar to that observed under stressful conditions such as restraint stress. Therefore, we examined the postnatal consequences on reproductive and nonreproductive sexually dimorphic behaviors in male offspring of dams exposed to chronic hypoxia during the last week of gestation. In addition, we examined sensorimotor development in offspring of both sexes. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley dams were exposed to continuous hypoxia (10.5% O2 from gestational day 15 to 21). Offspring were weaned at 22 days of age and group housed. Behavioral tests were conducted with littermate representatives. In adulthood, male rats prenatally exposed to hypoxia had significantly delayed initiation latencies of masculine sexual behavior and decreased number of ejaculations, but did not display a significant increase in feminine sex behavior potentials. Developmentally, animals exposed to prenatal hypoxia did not differ significantly from controls with respect to day of eye or ear opening, or the in times of righting reflex, negative geotaxis or cliff avoidance. Wire hanging latencies in hypoxic exposed animals were significantly greater than controls around the time of eye opening, but did not differ at earlier or later ages. A significant effect of hypoxia was detected on stride length at 95 days of age, but other aspects of gait patterns were similar to controls. No group differences in gait patterns were observed at 17 or 45 days of age. In addition, no significant differences were observed in open field activity, circadian locomotor activity, saccharin preference, or Morris water maze test. This hypoxia regimen did not influence the occurrence of the prenatal or postnatal surge of plasma testosterone. Overall, these results provide some evidence that, in males, mild, chronic prenatal hypoxia may result in incomplete masculinization of adult reproductive behavior in the absence of overt changes in perinatal testosterone surges.
Alternative definitions of female headship in the Dominican Republic

Abstract Different definitions of female household headship have different implications for the economic status and welfare of members of female headed households (FHH). Using data from the Dominican Republic, this study compares four definitions of FHH: self-definition; no adult males (18–60) present; female earns over 50% of earned or of total income. The definitions are associated, but each defines a different group. Half of self-defined FHH contain adult males; half of those in which the woman is the major earner are self-defined FHH. In the Dominican Republic, female headship by any definition is not associated with lower income per capita, but sources of income are quite different: FHH are more dependent on transfers and gifts than wages; FHH defined by earnings are of higher income on average. Demographic composition of FHH is significantly different from male headed households MHH.
Measuring inhibition and facilitation from pronouns

Abstract Two cross-modal experiments investigated changes in activation levels for pronominal referents and nonreferents. Subjects heard sentences with and without pronouns and responded to visual probe words that appeared at variable intervals during sentence presentation. The gender of potential referents was controlled in Experiment 1 so that the pronoun unambiguously referred to one sentence participant, and Experiment 2 contained both unambiguous and ambiguous reference conditions. In both experiments, responses to probes corresponding to nonreferents were slower in the presence of an unambiguous pronoun compared to the no-pronoun condition, suggesting that pronous inhibit nonreferents. Responses to referents were speeded by unambiguous pronouns compared to the no-pronoun condition in Experiment 2. Neither of these effects appeared at probe positions immediately after the pronoun, indicating that assignment of a referent to an unambiguous pronoun took a measurable amount of time, and a substantially longer amount for an ambiguous pronoun. An additional probe condition in Experiment 1 indicated that these effects were not due to differences in overall processing load. These results were interpreted in light of discourse shifts from establishment of pronominal reference, and in terms of the sensitivity of probe response tasks to a variety of influences.
Some dynamic mechanical properties of unimodal and bimodal networks of poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Elastomeric networks of polydimethylsiloxane prepared by end-linking chains having molecular weights in the range 18,500 to 220 g mol-1 were studied from -128 to 50°C using a Rheovibron DDV III Viscoelastometer. In the case of the unimodal networks, the glass transition temperature Tg was generally insensitive to degree of cross-linking. The intensity of the tan δ relaxation, however, increased by over an order of magnitude over the range of cross-link densities investigated. Bimodal networks prepared from mixtures of relatively long and very short PDMS chains also had values of Tg which were insensitive to degree of cross-linking. Finally, as expected, the intensities of the tan δ peak for the bimodal networks could not be explained on the basis of simple additivity of contributions from the relatively long and the very short network chains.
Modulated homogeneous friction : A semi-active damping strategy

A control strategy for semi-active friction devices leading to efficient hysteretic dissipaters is proposed. The control algorithm makes the contact force between the sliding surfaces of the damper proportional to the absolute value of the prior local peak of the damper deformation. This control logic leads to a non-linear force–deformation relation that satisfies homogeneity of degree one; this means that, like in a linear viscoelastic damping model, when the deformation is scaled by a constant, the force results are scaled by the same constant. The closed-loop system shows rectangular hysteresis loops which enclose an area proportional to the square of the deformation of the damper. Some characteristics of the dynamic response of structures incorporating this type of semi-active damper are investigated. It is demonstrated that in the case of single-degree-of-freedom models, the period of vibration and decay ratio are independent of the amplitude of vibration. In the case of multi-degree-of-freedom models with this type of nonlinearity, the free-vibration response can exhibit natural modes of vibration. A linearization method is proposed and modelling tools for the delay associated with actuator dynamics and for the flexibility of the brace connecting the damper to the structure are presented. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of The Luminol Reaction for Metal Ion Detection in Liquid Chromatography

Abstract The use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the separation and quantitation of trace metals in solution has been hampered by the lack of A suitable detection system. The method generally used with classical metal ion separations - fraction collection and subsequent colorimetric detection - cannot easily be used in HPLC. To overcome this problem, A novel metal ion detection system based on the luminol reaction has been developed. Column effluent is successively mixed with luminol and then hydrogen peroxide before entering A chamber where chemiluminescence from the oxidation of the luminol is detected. The reaction is catalyzed by at least 20 different metal ions, and over A wide range the luminescence is proportional to metal ion concentration. The design of the system and some of its performance characteristics are described.
Separating the fluorescence and reflectance components of coral spectra

The optical signal leaving the surface of fluorescing corals is a combination of elastic and inelastic scatter. A new experimental method was developed to separate the fluorescence and the reflectance components that involves measurements with and without a long-pass cutoff filter that eliminates the fluorescence contribution to the signal. The required measurements were performed underwater to demonstrate the applicability of the method for in situ applications. Computations with prototype rather than individually measured fluorescence emission spectra do not significantly compromise the accuracy of the results. A model was developed for calculating the interaction of the reflectance and the fluorescence components with new incident illumination conditions. The model calculations were supported by field experiment. We show that the contribution of fluorescence to some coral's spectra in various illumination conditions justifies consideration in optical models. The results are applicable to modeling the spectra of fluorescing corals under any irradiance spectrum and interpreting remote-sensing data in the relevant wavelength range. Further research is necessary to examine the significance of fluorescence near coral reefs at various scales.
Preposterior Analysis to Select Experimental Responses for Improving Identifiability in Model Uncertainty Quantification

In physics-based engineering modeling and uncertainty quantification, distinguishing the effects of two main sources of uncertainty — calibration parameter uncertainty and model discrepancy — is challenging. Previous research has shown that identifiability can sometimes be improved by experimentally measuring multiple responses of the system that share a mutual dependence on a common set of calibration parameters. In this paper, we address the issue of how to select the most appropriate subset of responses to measure experimentally, to best enhance identifiability. We propose a preposterior analysis approach that, prior to conducting the physical experiments but after conducting computer simulations, can predict the degree of identifiability that will result using different subsets of responses to measure experimentally. We quantify identifiability via the posterior covariance of the calibration parameters, and predict it via the preposterior covariance from a modular Bayesian Monte Carlo analysis of a multi-response Gaussian process model. The proposed method is applied to a simply supported beam example to select two out of six responses to best improve identifiability. The estimated preposterior covariance is compared to the actual posterior covariance to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
THE MEASUREMENT OF THE DIAMIETER OF ERYTHROCYTES. VI.—The Diurnal Variation, and the Effect of Exercise

We have been unable to obtain evidence of a “diurnal variation” or of an increase in diameter after exercise, in the case of dried human red cells. All differences which have been observed are such as might arise by chance from differences in drying, etc., and are not reproducible under controlled conditions.
Insights into molybdenum cofactor deficiency provided by the crystal structure of the molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis protein MoaC

Abstract Background: The molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is an essential component of a large family of enzymes involved in important transformations in carbon, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism. The Moco biosynthetic pathway is evolutionarily conserved and found in archaea, eubacteria and eukaryotes. In humans, genetic deficiencies of enzymes involved in this pathway trigger an autosomal recessive and usually deadly disease with severe neurological symptoms. The MoaC protein, together with the MoaA protein, is involved in the first step of Moco biosynthesis. Results: MoaC from Escherichia coli has been expressed and purified to homogeneity and its crystal structure determined at 2 A resolution. The enzyme is organized into a tightly packed hexamer with 32 symmetry. The monomer consists of an antiparallel, four-stranded β sheet packed against two long α helices, and its fold belongs to the ferredoxin-like family. Analysis of structural and biochemical data strongly suggests that the active site is located at the interface of two monomers in a pocket that contains several strictly conserved residues. Conclusions: Asp128 in the putative active site appears to be important for catalysis as its replacement with alanine almost completely abolishes protein activity. The structure of the Asp128→Ala variant reveals substantial conformational changes in an adjacent loop. In the human MoaC ortholog, substitution of Thr182 with proline causes Moco deficiency, and the corresponding substitution in MoaC severely compromises activity. This residue is located near the N-terminal end of helix α4 at an interface between two monomers. The MoaC structure provides a framework for the analysis of additional dysfunctional mutations in the corresponding human gene.
The addition of mercaptans to methyl sterculate and sterculene: An hypothesis concerning the nature of the biological activity exhibited by cyclopropene derivatives

Lipids that contain a cyclopropene ring have been found to be biologically active when incorporated into the diet of laying hens. Methyl sterculate and sterculene (1,2-di-n-octylcyclopropene) are examples of these compounds. When added to dilute solutions of methyl mercaptan and β-mercaptopropionic acid, the sulfhydryl group added to the double bond of the cyclopropene ring. The cyclopropyl methyl and 2-carboxyethyl derivatives were isolated and their structure established. This reaction of sulfhydryl groups with the cyclopropene ring may have its counterpart in the animal’s body, and could be the cause of the physiological effects that are observed when cyclopropene derivatives are fed to laying hens.