cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transplant and mechanical circulatory support in patients with adult congenital heart disease.

Advances in surgery and pediatric care over the past decades have achieved improved survival for children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) and have produced a large, growing population of patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). Heart failure has emerged as the leading cause of death and a major cause of morbidity among the ACHD population, while as little evidence supports the efficacy of guideline-directed medical therapies in this population. It is increasingly important that clinicians caring for these patients understand how to utilize mechanical circulatory support (MCS) in ACHD. In this review, we summarize the data on transplantation and MCS in the ACHD–heart failure population and provide a framework for how ACHD patients may benefit from advanced heart failure therapies like transplantation and MCS.
Newborn screening and inborn errors of metabolism

Abstract Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are a broad category of genetic disorders caused by defects in biochemical pathways important for breakdown of biomolecules and energy production. Accumulation of toxic substrates and/or deficits in downstream products is not only responsible for their clinical symptoms, but also informs their diagnosis. The clinical presentation of affected individuals is often nonspecific, and newborns may exhibit a long asymptomatic period before presenting with initial metabolic decompensation. Newborn screening aims to identify infants that are at higher risk for these disorders, so that the appropriate diagnostic testing and treatment can be initiated in a timely manner. Over 80% of disorders listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel that are included on a state’s newborn screening panel are metabolic diseases. This chapter will provide an overview of the types of IEMs with a focus on disorders covered by newborn screening. Laboratory methods routinely used for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of these disorders will also be covered in this chapter.
A $$\mathrm {GL}_3$$ GL 3 analog of Selberg’s result on S(t)

Let $$S(t,F):=\pi ^{-1}\arg L\big (\frac{1}{2}+it,F\big ),$$ where F is a Hecke–Maass cusp form for $$\mathrm {SL}_3({\mathbb {Z}}).$$ We establish an asymptotic formula for the spectral moments of S(t, F), and obtain several other results on S(t, F).
Psychological kinship between fat therapists and fat patients: healing and solidarity around stigma, family relationships, and body image

While therapist matching between patient and therapist based on race and gender has received much scholarly attention, and some work has examined fatness in therapy for either the patient or the th...
21st Century Neo-androgyny: What is androgyny anymore and why we should still care.

The lack of an accepted theory of psychological androgyny has been the seeds for its de-construction. Over the decades, the testing of ideas associated with androgyny has declined. Indeed the debates over its usefulness as a construct ended long ago. The judgment nowadays is that debating the constructs of masculinity, femininity, and androgyny as behavioural traits has been long settled, and a contemporary revisiting of androgyny is not warranted. However, from another contemporary viewpoint, if androgyny is to have any future, it needs a new theory devoid of masculinity and femininity. This article details a new de-gendered theory of psychological androgyny, neo-androgyny, as a candidate to replace traditional models that are now considered outdated and irrelevant. We present five potential factors for inclusion in a de-gendered model: Social Efficacy, Creativity, Capability, Eminence, and Determination. We review these factors concerning the future of androgyny theory.
Amyloid light-chain deposition in a schwannoma

Abstract Systemic amyloid light-chain amyloidosis is a protein misfolding disorder characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils derived from abnormal clonal immunoglobulin light chains in various organ systems. While amyloid light-chain amyloidosis is known to cause neuropathy when it involves the peripheral nervous system, deposition within peripheral nerve sheath tumors has not been previously reported. A 68-year-old man with a history of systemic amyloid light-chain amyloidosis with cardiac and renal involvement presented with a painful mass in the lower third of the leg. Imaging was consistent with a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated a schwannoma, which unusually contained prominent amyloid deposition, subsequently demonstrated to be of amyloid light-chain-type by mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. Amyloid light-chain deposition has been characterized in different organs and tissues, including neurosurgical specimens such as peripheral nerve. This case highlights a new finding of amyloid light-chain deposition in a schwannoma, which likely resulted from gradual amyloid light-chain deposition in a slow-growing schwannoma prior to treatment of systemic amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. Treatment protocols vary dramatically. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the correct amyloid type as well as to distinguish localized from systemic disease.
A 24-Year-Old Female Transplant Recipient with Type 2 Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis and Disseminated Shingles: A Cautionary Tale of Deferring to Primary Care

In this report, the case of a 24-year-old Caucasian female with type 2 membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis status-post living donor kidney transplant managed on triple regimen immunosuppressive therapy who developed shingles is discussed. With its onset, she promptly reached out to her nephrologist who deferred her to primary care. Prior to seeing her primary provider, she developed disseminated herpes zoster. She consulted emergency services where she was given inadequate care and again deferred to primary care. One day later, the dissemination included her entire torso, face, oral cavity, and all extremities. Fortunately, the patient had the insight to again reach out to her nephrologist who arranged for her to be admitted for appropriate care 6 days after her initial inquiry that carried 6 days of zoster progression. This case demonstrates how it is pertinent that specialists recognize potentially lethal complications associated with the conditions they follow. Although convenient to defer to primary care, if specialists were to take on the responsibility of providing a broader scope of care for their unique subsets of patients, it would likely result in a reduction in the 80% of serious medical errors that occur as a result of miscommunication, or lack thereof, between care providers.
Increases in GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes in the cerebellar molecular layer of young adult CBA/J mice.

Background CBA/J mice are standard experimental animals in auditory studies, and age-related changes in auditory pathways are well documented. However, changes in locomotion-related brain regions have not been systematically explored. Results We showed an increase in immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the cerebellar molecular layer associated with Purkinje cells in mice at 24 weeks of age but not in the younger mice. Increased GFAP immunoreactivity appeared in the form of clusters and distributed multifocally consistent with hyperplasia of astrocytes that were occasionally associated with Purkinje cell degeneration. Three out of 12 animals at 16 and 24 weeks of age exhibited pre-convulsive clinical signs. Two of these 3 animals also showed increased GFAP immunoreactivity in the cerebellum. Rotarod behavioral assessments indicated decreased performance at 24 weeks of age. Conclusions These results suggest minimal to mild reactive astrocytosis likely associated with Purkinje cell degeneration in the cerebellum at 24 weeks of age in CBA/J mice. These findings should be taken into consideration prior to using this mouse strain for studying neuroinflammation or aging.
Physiological and biochemical studies in schizophrenia with particular emphasis on mind-brain relationships.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the interrelationship between behavior and brain activity. More specifically, it emphasizes interrelationships between altered brain activity and the behavioral aberrations seen in schizophrenic patients. The importance of psychological and sociological factors in the disease process is reviewed. The interrelationship between the biological and sociological factors is presented. Sociological implies particularly the influence of learning as derived from the individual's total environment (animate and inanimate, family, blood relatives, associates). The chapter deals with the psychological and sociological aspects of schizophrenia, which, for simplicity, can be, subdivided arbitrarily into three major categories. The physiological data concerning electrical activity in the limbic system of the brain, as correlated with behavior, are reviewed. There is a description of hypothesis focussing on exploration of the chemical basis underlying the physiological changes. Studies carried out within this theory are reported along with concepts around which current experiments are being conducted.
Synkinematic microscopic analysis using NIH Image

Abstract The procedures of microstructural analysis of de-forming material during synkinematic microscopy are greatly improved using a Macintosh based imaging system. The system consists of a microscope-video camera for obtaining images, a frame grabber for converting the analog signal into a digital image, and the image-processing program NIH Image. Two separate macro programs for NIH Imagehave been developed for extracting information from the digital images. The first macro is used to digitize the positions of marker particles, which aid in the analysis and visualization of deformation. The second macro is a modified version of the Panozzo Heilbronner & Pauli (1993) technique for constructing A.V.A. (Achsenverteilungsanalyse) diagrams, and measuring c-axis orientations for uniaxial minerals.
Recent Results in Real-Time Scheduling

This paper gives an overview of several recent results on real-time scheduling. Specifically, it presents the workload models that characterize the following types of tasks: tasks with AND/OR precedence constraints, tasks with temporal distance constraints, distributed tasks with overall deadlines, and tasks with deferrable deadlines. Suitable algorithms for scheduling tasks of each type are described.
Chromosome Function: Sex Differences

The distinct development of females and males is usually the consequence of differences in their sex chromosome constitution. To compensate for differences in sex chromosome make-up, the sexes adjust the expression of sex-linked genes. Some inheritance patterns depend on the sex or sex chromosome make-up of a parent. Keywords: sex chromosomes (X, Y, Z, W); sex determination; dosage compensation; female/male; sex-based inheritance patterns
On Data Quality and Risk in Guideline Based Clinical Decision Support

Guideline based clinical decision support systems provide patient-specific medical guidance to physicians, often at the point-of-care. A large body of research shows that these systems have the potential to reduce practice variation and human error. However, there is also evidence suggesting that these systems may introduce unintended risk into the medical-decision making process. The poor quality of data in medical records and databases poses one such risk. As a result, appropriately assessing the magnitude of the risk posed by data quality is an important, but difficult problem. The nature of this risk depends on several complex and interrelated factors. To analyze the extent of this problem, we provide a novel framework that explicitly models the nature of data, errors, and how guideline based clinical decisions support systems process information and produce guidance. Our framework gives the decision-maker the ability to assess how uncertainty about data quality translates into the risk of negative medical consequences and determine which data elements are most critical for minimizing this risk. The results of our framework can inform both efficient data-quality improvement and risk minimization strategies.
BEHAVIORAL INTENTION OF TEACHERS, SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND COUNSELORS TO INTERVENE AND PREVENT HARASSMENT OF LGBTQ YOUTH

A national sample of educators were surveyed to identity the attitudes, beliefs, school culture, and perceived barriers that would predict whether educators would intervene to stop bias and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth in schools. The survey questionnaire was organized according to the theory of planned behavior (TpB), a theoretical model linking attitudes to behavior. A sample of 968 teachers, school psychologists, and school counselors participated. Factor analysis indicated that the three TpB components (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) accurately predicted behavioral intention to advocate for LGBTQ youth. Path analysis supported the components of TpB in predicting behavioral intention, accounting for 21% of the variance. The path coefficients linking attitudes and subjective norm to behavioral intention were particularly robust and less so for perceived behavioral control. Implications for intervention and training of school personnel to improve advocacy for LGBTQ youth and reduce bias and harassment are discussed. Language: en
Does Bacteremia Follow Colonoscopy

Abstract In order to determine the risk of bacteremia from colonoscopy, we cultured blood specimens from 40 patients the day before laxative and enema preparation; right after such preparation; and 15 min, 1 hr, and 4 hr after colonoscopy. Bacteremia was not induced by either the vigorous preparation or the colonoscopy which, in 27 patients, included polypectomy, biopsy, and/or fulgurations. On the basis of our data, we conclude that the risk of bacteremia following colonoscopy is small, and we doubt the need of antibiotic prophylaxis for those with susceptible hearts.
p185HER2 signal transduction in breast cancer cells

A partially agonistic monoclonal antibody, 4D5, known to bind to the extracellular domain of p185HER2 and shown to inhibit long term growth of p185HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells, was used to study signal transduction and phosphotyrosyl protein substrates associated with this receptor. Normal breast epithelial cells and breast carcinoma cells expressing low levels of p185HER2 were not affected by 4D5. HER2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells (BT-474 and SK-Br-3) exposed to 4D5 exhibited rapid phosphorylation of both p185HER2 and an associated 56-kDa phosphotyrosyl protein (ptyr56). Paralleling the 4D5- stimulated phosphorylation of p185HER2 and ptyr56 was a 5-10-fold induction of c-fos mRNA and phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activity and a 2-fold induction of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 3'-kinase activity. The increased phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase activity immunoprecipitated with p185HER2 and also co-eluted with ptyr56 from an antiphosphotyrosine immunoaffinity column. These results indicate that short term (less than 6 h) 4D5 activation of p185HER2 in overexpressing breast cancer cells produces agonistic-like signaling typical of homologous tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors such as epidermal growth factor receptor. The data also suggest that ptyr56 represents a novel phosphorylated substrate associated with 4D5-stimulated p185HER2.
Fundamentals of Orbit Determination

This chapter discusses the fundamentals of orbit determination. This improvement in orbit determination accuracy was motivated by the ever increasing demands of scientists in the oceanographic and geodetic communities. In particular, the need for centimeter-level accuracy in global ocean topography obtained from altimetric satellites spurred extensive and unprecedented model improvements during the past two decades. The chapter describes the role of the measurement model in introducing nonlinearity to the process. In the general orbit determination problem, both the dynamics and the measurements involve significant nonlinear relationships. It illustrates the role of the estimation process in improving the force and measurement models as an integral step in the process.
EPR Study of Polymethylene Biradicals

For many decades, biradicals have been assumed to be important intermediates in many thermally initiated and photochemical organic reactions. For the most part, they were postulated reaction intermediates because kinetic and stereochemical results were more readily explainable by assuming intermediates with properties presumed to be characteristic of biradicals. Until the 1970s, very few of these highly reactive species had been directly detected by physical techniques. In recent years, however, the situation has changed significantly, and now an increasing number of techniques are available to study their properties.(1) Recent progress in our laboratory has made it possible to add electron spin resonance to the list of tools with which to study highly reactive biradicals under normal reaction conditions.(2) This work is the topic of this chapter.
Temperature-Sensitive Behavior of the Hemagglutinin in a Temperature-Sensitive Mutant Virion of Sindbis

The hemagglutinating ability of a temperature-sensitive mutant virion was reversibly lost when the temperature of hemagglutination was increased from 27 to 37 C.
The conversation: interacting with parents when child abuse is suspected

This article reviews some of the challenges and pitfalls in communicating with families when abuse is part of the differential diagnosis and offers some suggestions for improving communication with parents and children in these challenging clinical settings.
Reactions of methyl aldohexopyranosides with alkaline hydrogen peroxide

Abstract Reaction of methyl α- d -glucopyranoside and methyl α- d -mannopyranoside with alkaline hydrogen peroxide and a ferrous salt, at room temperature and below, afforded the corresponding d -glycosiduronic acids. On dehydration, the acids gave the corresponding gamma lactones, with a shift of the pyranoid ring to a furanoid ring. Surprisingly, the glycosidic methyl group was retained during the oxidation reactions and pyranose-furanose interconversions. This retention is rationalized by a mechanism involving formation of a pseudo-acyclic intermediate. Another unexpected reaction was the conversion of slightly moist methyl d -glucopyranosiduronolactone syrup, on standing for 5–6 days at room temperature, into crystalline d -glucofuranurono-6,3-lactone, and of methyl α- d -mannopyranosidurono-6,3-lactone into crystalline d -mannofuranurono-6,3-lactone.
Heterosis in Poultry 2. Crossbreds Versus Top-Crossbreds

Abstract HYBRIDIZATION, as a tool for the production of commercial chickens, is a well established practice today. Whether inbreeding the parental lines enhances such hybridization is still a highly debatable issue. Arguments favoring inbreeding as a means to develop lines of high potential combining ability rest more on theoretical logic than on a basis of factual experimental evidence. This is because the experimental information so far reported in the literature is inconclusive. Some workers have reported an advantage in using inbred lines for crosses. Waters (1938) found improved fertility, hatchability and livability by use of inbred Leghorn males. Maw (1942) found that top-crossing inbred Leghorn males on Leghorn females gave better results in both viability and egg production than non-inbred Leghorn controls. He also reported that crosses between unrelated inbred lines were superior to top-crosses. Other workers have not been able to demonstrate any clear-cut advantage in using inbred lines for …
Synthesis of CuS Nanoparticles in Water-in-Carbon Dioxide Microemulsions

The formation of CuS nanoparticles from Cu(NO3)2 and Na2S by the mixing of two separate water-in-carbon dioxide (W/C) microemulsions supported by the sodium salt of bis(2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro-1-pentyl)-2-sulfosuccinate (di-HCF4) was investigated. At a water-to-surfactant ratio of 10 and a copper concentration of 7.8 mM in the aqueous phase, the size of copper sulfide particles ranged from 4 to 6 nm. The temperature−pressure phase diagrams of W/C microemulsions at various electrolyte concentrations in the aqueous phase were also determined. The presence of the electrolytes was found not to affect the cloud-point pressures significantly, even at high concentrations.
Dynamic Loading Enhances Integrative Meniscal Repair in the Presence of Interleukin-1

Summary Objective Meniscal tears are a common knee injury and increased levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been measured in injured and degenerated joints. Studies have shown that IL-1 decreases the shear strength, cell accumulation, and tissue formation in meniscal repair interfaces. While mechanical stress and IL-1 modulate meniscal biosynthesis and degradation, the effects of dynamic loading on meniscal repair are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mechanical compression on meniscal repair under normal and inflammatory conditions. Experimental design Explants were harvested from porcine medial menisci. To simulate a full-thickness defect, a central core was removed and reinserted. Explants were loaded for 4h/day at 1Hz and 0%–26% strain for 14 days in the presence of 0 or 100pg/mL of IL-1. Media were assessed for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, aggrecanase activity, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (S-GAG) release, and nitric oxide (NO) production. After 14 days, biomechanical testing and histological analyses were performed. Results IL-1 increased MMP activity, S-GAG release, and NO production, while decreasing the shear strength and tissue repair in the interface. Dynamic loading antagonized IL-1-mediated inhibition of repair at all strain amplitudes. Neither IL-1 treatment nor strain altered aggrecanase activity. Additionally, strain alone did not alter meniscal healing, except at the highest strain magnitude (26%), a level that enhanced the strength of repair. Conclusions Dynamic loading blocked the catabolic effects of IL-1 on meniscal repair, suggesting that joint loading through physical therapy may be beneficial in promoting healing of meniscal lesions under inflammatory conditions.
Human myasthenic sera reduce acetylcholine sensitivity of human muscle cells in tissue culture

MYASTHENIA gravis is a muscle disease of man characterised by impaired neuromuscular transmission during repetitive motor nerve activity. Recent studies suggest that the defect in myasthenia gravis is post-synaptic and that myasthenic end-plates have a lower density of functional acetylcholine (ACh) receptors than normal end-plates. Thus end-plates from myasthenic patients show unusually small miniature end-plate potentials1,2, are less sensitive than normal end-plates to iontophoretically applied ACh (refs 2, 3) and bind reduced amounts of α-bungarotoxin4,5—a snake neurotoxin which is considered to bind specifically to nicotinic ACh receptors (see ref. 5). The presence of antibodies against ACh receptors in the sera of myasthenic but not of control patients6–10 suggests that anti-receptor antibodies might act in some way to decrease the number of functional receptors at the motor end-plate. Previous investigations, however, have failed to show conclusively that myasthenic sera contain a factor that reduces muscle ACh sensitivity3,11–13. Here we show that myasthenic sera can reduce the ACh sensitivity of tissue cultured human muscle cells.
Obliteration of the frontal sinus with the pericranial flap

Abstract A host of autogenous and synthetic materials ranging from free fat, muscle, and bone to methylmethacrylate, hydroxyapatite cement, and glass beads have been used to obliterate the frontal sinus. These materials carry an increased risk of donor-site morbidity, as well as the risk of resorption, infection, and local inflammatory reactions. The pericranial flap is a local flap that can be used to obliterate small- and medium-sized frontal sinuses. This vascularized flap is easily and quickly harvested, and it avoids the morbidity associated with free-fat and cancellous bone grafts. Its ease of harvest, vascularity, and low complication rate make the pericranial flap an excellent alternative for frontal sinus obliteration.
Detection of Toxacara canis Antibodies with the Fluorescent Antibody Technique.

SummaryThe indirect fluorescent antibody technique was used to detect antibody against Toxacara canis in 4 groups of sera. In a group of animals infected with T. canis or A. suum, T. canis antibodies appeared within 2 weeks of infection and a weak reaction with anti-Ascaris sera appeared after repeated infection. Sera from a group of rabbits and monkeys inoculated or infected with various bacterial, viral, and parasitic antigens gave no significant reaction. Five of 25 children, age 19 to 22 months, and 17 of 49 normal adult blood donors gave a significant reaction.
Monoclonal antibody studies of mammalian epithelial keratins: a review.

Significant progress has been made during the past decade with regard to the biochemistry and immunology of keratin filaments. The results indicate that keratin represents a family of more than 17 water-insoluble, cytoskeletal proteins,"2 that keratins are restricted to epithelia and their derivatives;d that different subsets of 210 keratins are expressed in different epithelia,1~2~7-12 that at least two keratin species are required for filament a~sembly,'".'~ and that keratin molecules consist of a central helical domain with two nonhelical end^.^^-^^ Despite these advances, however, it remains a puzzle as to why such a large number of keratin species have evolved to form tonofilaments, while other morphologically similar, intermediate-sized filaments are characterized by a much simpler protein composition with only one to three subunits (for reviews, see Lazaridesl' and other chapters in this volume). To address this fundamental question, we have prepared several monoclonal antikeratin antibodies2' and used them as a tool for studying keratin expression. In this
Minimum fuel lateral turns at constant altitude.

Thrust, bank angle and angle of attack of aircraft minimum fuel lateral turns at constant altitude and specified velocities
Two-level model of customer retention in the US mobile telecommunications service market

The unprecedented growth of competition in the wireless telecommunications market has raised the importance of retaining current customers. Retaining existing customers is much less expensive and difficult than recruiting new customers in a mature market such as the US wireless communications industry. In addition to the reduced cost, there is the potential and opportunity value of customers gained over a long period of time. Because wireless service is not a one-time sale like commodity products but rather, a continuous service, service providers can offer additional services over the length of a customer's tenure to generate more revenue. This study focuses on understanding the factors related to customer retention behavior, both behavioral factors such as switching costs and customer satisfaction and demographic factors. Its two goals are to understand (1) how factors that affect switching costs and customer satisfaction, such as length of association, service plan complexity, handset sophistication and the quality of connectivity, drive customer retention behavior, and (2) how customer demographics such as age and gender affect their choice of service plan complexity and handset sophistication, leading to differences in customer retention behavior. The methodologies used were a binary logistic regression model and a two-level hierarchical linear model.
Masticatory efficiency during the period of adjustment to dentures

Abstract Thirty-eight complete denture patients were given masticatory performance tests over a six-month period starting on the day of insertion. For the group as a whole there was no marked change in average masticatory efficiency, in the strokes needed to prepare food for swallowing, and in the particle size of food at the swallowing point. Apparently adjustment to dentures appears to be subjective rather than functional. Findings suggested that patients under 60 years of age who received dentures for the first time, especially if they used denture powder, would be most likely to show improvement in function during the six months following insertion of the dentures.
Preliminary Results of Experimental Economics Application to Urban Goods Modeling Research

The setting and the preliminary results are described in regard to an experimental economics application to urban goods modeling research. With a simplified representation of the New York City metropolitan area, a simulation system at the heart of the economic experiment was used to capture the behavior of a set of volunteers playing the role of trucking companies trying to maximize profits in a context of market competition. The resulting data sets represent an approximation of the spatial price equilibrium solutions that provide a wealth of information about the joint behavior of shippers, receivers, and trucking companies in urban areas. These data sets were used to gain insights into the effect of network and market structure on a set of performance measures created for each of the trucking companies in the data. Overall, in the context of spatial price equilibrium behavior, the trucking companies' performance measures depend on factors such as the number of centroids in the overall market, number of competitors for transportation of cargoes, amount of freight to be transported, and level of market transparency.
Manufacturability of subwavelength features using reticle and substrate enhancements

This paper uses simulation and experiment to study near resolution limit patterning of contacts and damascene trenches using conventional i-line lithography. Special attention is paid to the requirements for substrate control. The patterning behavior is compared to DUV lithography results. We also evaluate the cost-of-process for an i-line process using substrate and optical enhancements compared to a standard 248 nm DUV process.
Astrocyte proliferation in the chick auditory brainstem following cochlea removal

Astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS) respond to injury and disease by proliferating and extending processes. The intermediate filament protein of astrocytes, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) also increases in astrocytes. These cells are called "reactive astrocytes" and are thought to play a role in CNS repair. We have previously demonstrated rapid increases (< 6 hours) in GFAP-immunoreactive and silver-impregnated glial processes in the chick cochlear nucleus, nucleus magnocellularis (NM), following cochlea removal or activity blockade of the eighth nerve. It was not known whether these changes were the result of glial proliferation, glial hypertrophy, or both. The present study examined the time course of astrocyte proliferation in NM following cochlea removal. Postnatal chicks received unilateral cochlea removal and survived for 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours. Bromodeoxyuridine was used to label proliferating cells. The volume and number of labeled cells in NM was calculated for both the experimental and control sides of the brains for experimental animals was well as for unoperated control animals. A subset of astrocytes continuously divide in the normal posthatch chick brainstem. The percentage of labeled nuclei increases within NM 36 hours following cochlea removal and is robust by 48 hours. This increase is due to astrocyte proliferation within, rather than migration to, NM. These results indicate that rapid increases in GFAP following reduced activity are independent of cell proliferation. The time course of astrocyte proliferation suggests that cellular degeneration within the nucleus may play a role in upregulating astrocyte proliferation.
Detecting nocturnal convulsions: Efficacy of the MP5 monitor

Although the cause of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy patients (SUDEP) is unknown, evidence implicates respiratory compromise. Most cases occur while the patient is in bed and unsupervised. We investigated the efficacy of the Medpage bed seizure monitor to detect generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Patients with a history of tonic-clonic seizures were enrolled on a video-EEG unit. The MP5 device was placed between the mattress and bed base between midnight and 8:00 a.m. 64 subjects were enrolled (1528 h). Five of eight tonic-clonic seizures were detected. There were 269 false positive alarms (146 h with false positive alarms). The sensitivity and specificity of the alarm were 62.5% and 90.4%, respectively. The negative predictive value of 99.8% illustrates the potential for this device to provide additional security for patients with tonic-clonic seizures, however individual calibration would likely be necessary to improve the positive predictive value of 3.3%, which requires further validation.
The role of environmental statisticians in environmental policy: the case of performance measurement

Abstract Environmental statisticians often experience the difficult task to provide clear results for environmental policy objectives on the basis of complex science, limited data, and many sources of uncertainty. This paper highlights the particularly challenging situation of environmental statistics in developing countries before focusing on the role of statisticians working at the nexus of environmental statistics and policy within the context of measuring environmental performance. Three issues create particular tension at the environmental science-policy junction: (1) the general complexity of environmental problems (including scientific uncertainty and insufficient data) and the often negative perceptions associated with their solution, (2) the comparatively recent introduction of quantitative methods and information to the environmental policy process and continued skepticism and ideologically motivated resistance to their routine integration, and (3) the language barriers between policymakers and statisticians as well as between statisticians and other scientists engaged in environmental research. Based on the case study of the 2006 Pilot Environmental Performance Index (EPI) developed by an interdisciplinary team at the universities Yale and Columbia the paper examines how the EPI tackles these tensions while aiming to be a fact-based, statistically sound policy tool that helps countries achieve environmental objectives by tracking progress, identifying environmental “best practices”, and providing strategic peer-group analyses. In conclusion, the paper suggests some remedies for the deficiencies in the co-operation between policymakers and environmental statisticians.
Clearance of Vibrio campbellii injected into the hemolymph of Callinectes sapidus, the Atlantic blue crab: The effects of prior exposure to bacteria and environmental hypoxia

The Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun), lives in a bacteria-rich environment that experiences daily fluctuations in water quality. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that crustaceans with prior or ongoing exposure to bacteria in their hemolymph have an increased susceptibility to subsequent infections, and that acute exposure to low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia) and elevated carbon dioxide levels (hypercapnia) may further confound the ability of blue crabs to counter a subsequent infection. Adult male blue crabs held in well-aerated (normoxic; P O2=20.7 kPA; CO(2)<0.06 kPa; pH 7.8-8.0) or hypercapnic hypoxic (HH; P O2=4 kPa; CO(2)=1.8 kPa; pH 6.9-7.2) seawater received an injection (pre-challenge dose) of 1 x 10(5)Vibrio campbellii g(-1) crab. Control animals were injected with an equivalent dose of HEPES-buffered saline (1 microl g(-1) crab). At 2h or 24h after the pre-challenge injection, both Vibrio and saline-pre-challenged animals were injected with a dose of live V. campbellii (1 x 10(5)g(-1) crab). This second injection will be referred to as a second injection or challenge injection. Degradation in or physical removal of intact bacteria from hemolymph was quantified using real-time PCR; bacteriostasis was quantified as the percentage of intact bacteria that could not be recovered by selective plating. We demonstrated that bacteriostasis occurs in the hemolymph of blue crabs. Furthermore, blue crabs that received a challenge injection 2h after a pre-challenge dose of V. campbellii cleared culturable bacteria from their hemolymph more rapidly when compared to animals that received a pre-challenge dose of saline. This enhanced clearance of culturable bacteria was associated with an increase in antibacterial activity in the cell-free hemolymph. However, the enhanced clearance of culturable bacteria disappeared when the time interval between the pre-challenge and challenge dose was extended to 24h and when crabs were held in HH seawater throughout the experiment. Neither the time interval between the pre-challenge and the challenge dose nor exposure to HH altered the pattern of intact bacterial clearance in blue crabs. These results demonstrate that prior exposure to bacteria does not increase the susceptibility of C. sapidus to a second, sublethal dose of V. campbellii. In fact, a recent exposure to V. campbellii enhances the ability of blue crabs to render bacteria non-culturable and the immune mechanisms/effectors responsible for this are short lived and appear to be sensitive to low dissolved oxygen and high carbon dioxide concentrations in the environment.
Polarized reflectivity studies of single-crystal La 2 CuO 4

Room-temperature polarized reflectivity measurements are reported for single-crystal La2CuO4 for the (E ⊥ ĉ) and (E || ĉ) polarizations, where ĉ denotes the tetragonal axis. A Kramers–Kronig analysis is performed to obtain the frequency-dependent dielectric functions. Frequencies for the seven zone-center IR-active phonons are obtained and the longitudinal-optic–transverse-optic splittings are used to evaluate the dynamic charge on the oxygen atoms. The reflectivity spectrum for the (E ⊥ ĉ) polarization is decidedly metallic and is fitted accordingly with an overdamped Drude model and a plasma frequency of 95 meV. In the high-frequency region of the spectrum, selection rules are observed for allowed and forbidden electronic transitions. The importance of this study to the interpretation of optical measurements on high-Tc, polycrystalline pellets of La2CuO4 and related materials is also discussed.
Surface Acoustic Wave Measurements of Surface Cracks in Ceramics

An investigation of scattering from surface cracks has been conducted. In particular, the change in the reflection coefficient of a Rayleigh wave incident on a surface indentation crack has been measured as the sample is stressed to fracture. The acoustic measurements have been correlated with the stable crack extension that precedes final failure. The crack extension behavior of as-indented specimens was found to differ appreciably from that of annealed specimens. Cracks in the annealed samples exhibited partial crack tip closure, but little stable extension, whereas cracks in the as-indented samples displayed both crack closure and irreversible crack growth. This behavior has been rationalized by invoking concepts based upon the residual stresses created by indentation.
Tumor contrast retention immediately following embolization predicts subsequent radiologic tumor necrosis after bland and drug eluting bead embolotherapy of HCC

Purpose To determine the factors that are independent predictors of subsequent radiologic necrosis following embolotherapy of HCC. Materials and Methods From Dec 2007 and Mar 2012, 101 pts with Okuda stage I or II HCC not amenable to resection, with adequate liver function were randomized to HAE with Bead Block (BB, n=51) or TACE with LC Bead (n=50) loaded with 150 mg of doxorubicin. 72 patients (BB, n=35; LC, n=37) underwent pre-procedure triphasic CT, immediate post-procedure non-contrast CT 15 min after embolization, and followup triphasic CT 3 weeks post treatment. 135 index tumors were assessed. TCR was determined based on change in Hounsfield units (HU) of the index tumors between pre-procedure and immediate post-procedure scans (Grade 0, 120 HU change). Radiologic tumor necrosis was measured on the 3 week followup CT by calculating the ratio of necrotic and overall tumor volumes using semi-automated volumetric analysis software developed at our institution. Univariate and multivariate regression was performed to determine whether demographic factors, tumor characteristics, embolic agent, and TCR were predictors of the degree of necrosis. Results Demographics and initial tumor characteristics between the BB and LC groups were comparable: median age 68 vs 55 (p Conclusion Tumor contrast retention, but not embolic agent, is an independent predictor of radiologic necrosis following embolotherapy for HCC.
Determination of the Gibbs Free Energy of Gas Replacement in SI Clathrate Hydrates by Molecular Simulation

The thermodynamic feasibility of extracting CH4 gas from its hydrate clathrate by CO2 replacement is analyzed by molecular dynamics simulation. The approach to this investigation is the proof-of-principles and the development of the molecular tools to study the replacement equilibrium process. The effect of the water (model) description on the free energy of the replacement process is discussed and some relevant implications regarding the real process are addressed.
Functional Reconstitution of a Bicomponent ABC Transporter

The ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporters are transmembrane protein nanomachineries present in all living systems. ABC transporters utilize the energy of ATP hydrolysis to transport a variety of solutes across the membrane. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative pathogenic bacterium, employs a bi-component ABC transporter as an active efflux of polysaccharides during the biogenesis of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides. We reconstituted the ABC transporter in various systems, including microsomes, planar lipid bilayers, and transfected mammalian N2a cell lines to obtain a mechanistic understanding of the functional properties of this nanomachinery. We employed single-channel electrical recordings to show that the transmembrane domain (TMD) of the ABC transporter features pore-forming activity. Further, our biochemical characterization of purified components sheds light on the structural assembly and stoichiometry of this bi-component ABC transporter. Our long-term goal is to detect, explore and characterize the translocation of polysaccharides at single-protein complex resolution. The use of a broad range of reconstitution systems enables a comprehensive examination of the ATP-dependent transport kinetics and thermodynamics of the large-size substrates from one side of the membrane to the other. These studies might also contribute to drug design against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Acknowledgements. This research was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (DMR-0706517 and HRD-0703452) and the National Institutes of Health (R01 GM088403) as well as by Syracuse Biomaterials Institute (SBI) for Liviu Movileanu and the National Institutes of Health (HL042220) for Richard Veenstra.
Acute Effect of Passive Static Stretching on Lower-Body Strength in Moderately Trained Men

The purpose of this investigation was conducted to determine the acute effect of passive static stretching (PSS) of the lower-body musculature on lower-body strength in a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) squat exercise in young (18-24 years.) moderately trained men (n = 17). Two supervised warm-up treatments were applied before each performance testing session using a counterbalanced design on nonconsecutive days. The first treatment consisted of an active dynamic warm-up (AD) with resistance machines (i.e., leg extension/leg flexion) and free weights (i.e., barbell squat), whereas the second treatment added PSS of the lower body plus the AD treatment. One repetition maximum was determined using the maximum barbell squat following a progressive loading protocol. Subjects were also asked to subjectively evaluate their lower-body stability during 1RM testing sessions for both the AD and PSS treatments. A significant decrease in 1RM (8.36%) and lower-body stability (22.68%) was observed after the PSS treatment. Plausible explanations for this observation may be related to a more compliant muscle tendon unit and/or altered or impaired neurologic function in the active musculature. It is also possible that strength was impaired by the PSS because of joint instability. The findings of this study suggest that intensive stretching such as lower-body PSS should be avoided before training the lower body or performing the 1RM in the squat exercise in favor of an AD dynamic warm-up using resistance training equipment in the lower-body musculature.
New uses for calcium channel blockers. Therapeutic implications.

Calcium antagonists block calcium entry into cells, resulting in relaxation of smooth muscle and limitation of the cytotoxic effects of ischaemia in various organ systems. They are most frequently used for clinical conditions requiring vasodilatation, i.e. hypertension and Raynaud's phenomenon, and this also suggests that the most common adverse effect of these drugs for noncardiovascular indications is an unwanted decline in blood pressure. Other uses include treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias and angina. There is some evidence that these drugs retard the development of atherosclerosis. Calcium channel blockers also improve renal reperfusion and may reduce renal insufficiency due to various nephrotoxins, and are particularly useful in renal transplantation for protection against cyclosporin toxicity and post-transplant acute tubular necrosis. These drugs are also useful in pregnancy-induced hypertension and unwanted uterine contraction. Affective disorders and malignancies may be other conditions which benefit from calcium antagonist therapy. Calcium antagonists, in particular nimodipine which is most selective for the cerebral vasculature, have been approved for treating vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage. They are probably also effective for treatment of migraine. Calcium channel blockers may be effective for treating acute cerebral infarction, but results of clinical trials to date have been equivocal, largely because it has been difficult to recruit patients within the short interval after the onset of stroke when these drugs would be most effective, and because of the unwanted hypotensive effect of high doses.
The effect of dependence on estimating sample coverage

The coverage of a sample of individuals from a biological community is defined as the total relative abundance of the species represented in the sample. A simple estimator of coverage is based on the number of species represented in the sample by a single individual. This estimator works well when the individuals are sampled independently with respect to their species. This paper explores the performance of this estimator under a Markovian sampling model. It is shown that this performance is badly degraded when there is even modest dependence. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human papillomavirus vaccination: expected impacts and unresolved issues.

n 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration licensed the first vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV), Gardasil (Merck & Co). A second HPV vaccine, Cervarix (GlaxoSmithKline), is expected to be licensed in the near future. HPV vaccines present an exciting and unique opportunity for pediatricians to prevent cervical, and possibly other, HPV-associated ancers through vaccination. This review will focus on the quadrivalent HPV vaccine currently available in the United States, ardasil, will describe the potential clinical and financial impacts of widespread vaccination with the vaccine, and will highlight ome of the unresolved issues related to national vaccine implementation.