cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adverse events after prehospital nitroglycerin administration in a nationwide registry analysis.

Abstract Objective Nitroglycerin (NTG) is a vasodilator used in the prehospital setting with chest pain patients. Potential adverse effects include hypotension, bradycardia or tachycardia, and mental status change. However, it is unclear which factors, if any, are associated with patients having an adverse event after receiving NTG. The objective of this study was to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with adverse events after prehospital NTG administration. Methods The ESO Data Collaborative (Austin, TX), containing records from 1322 EMS agencies, was queried for 911 encounters where NTG was administered to patients ≥18 years old by EMS. Adverse event outcomes were defined as a new systolic blood pressure (SBP) 120, mean arterial pressure (MAP) Results Among 80,760 encounters, the mean age was 61 (IQR 50–72), with 52% males, 71% white race, and 7% Hispanic ethnicity. Adverse events occurred in 7% of encounters. Adverse events were found to be less common among Black patients (OR = 0.74, 95%CI:0.69–0.80). IV access obtained prior to NTG administration was associated with fewer adverse events (OR = 0.92, 95%CI:0.85–0.99). Increasing age (OR = 1.02, 95%CI:1.01–1.02) and HR (OR = 1.03, 95%CI:1.02–1.03) were associated with increased odds of adverse events while SBP (OR = 0.99, 95%CI:0.98–0.99) was inversely associated. Conclusions Adverse events following prehospital NTG administration were rare, especially in patients with an SBP > 110 and a HR
Interpretation of intrafraction motion review data and method for verification

The current clinical interface for Varian's intrafraction motion review (IMR) is limited, providing only qualitative data for review at the treatment console. This study provides a method of extracting and interpreting data from combined log files for quantitative evaluation. Combined log files acquired during patient treatment and a parsing code was developed to scan the combined log file looking for unique identifiers pertaining to the data of interest. We were able to extract clinically relevant parameters from the log files including date and time, gantry angle, expected marker position, found marker position, pixel size, and detection result. This study details how to compare IMR data to Calypso investigating dual-surrogates for intrafraction monitoring during treatment for other researchers to build on these methods. Understanding data recorded during treatment within the combined log files can be helpful in quality improvement of patient care by retrospectively reviewing intrafraction motion.
Intermediate-term rates of stroke following cardiac procedures: the Nationwide Readmissions Database (P4.305)

Objective: To estimate, using nationally representative data, age-adjusted rates of stroke up to 90 days after discharge for common cardiac procedures. Background: Current literature cites overall stroke risk as high as 9% in the post-operative period following various cardiac procedures. These studies are limited by assessing an immediate or long-term post-operative risk, small sample sizes, geographically restricted samples, and a small number of cardiac procedures. Also, the intermediate follow-up period after discharge is understudied. Design/Methods: The 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) is a national database of readmissions for all payers and the uninsured with data on >14 million U.S. admissions. We used International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify index cardiac procedures, non-cardiac procedures, and non-surgical admissions, as well comorbidities. We calculated the number of readmissions due to ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke within 90 days of discharge, and report rates per 100,000 index admissions. We compared rates of stroke after cardiac procedures to rates following common non-cardiac surgeries and non-surgical admissions. We age-standardized rates to the 2010 U.S. population. Results: Following cardiac procedures, the highest age-adjusted 90-day ischemic stroke rate was after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (1359), followed by 557 after left-ventricular assist device procedures (LVAD), and 377 after catheterization. The highest hemorrhagic stroke rate was following LVAD (493), followed by left atrial appendage closure (229), and surgical aortic valve replacement (120). After non-cardiac procedures, highest rates of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were following thyroid surgery (123 and 53 respectively). After non-surgical admissions, highest rates were following congestive heart failure admission (570 and 120 respectively). Conclusions: Using a large, nationally representative database of inpatient admissions from 2013, we found that 90-day stroke rates are higher after cardiac procedures compared to non-cardiac procedures and non-surgical admissions. However, these rates are likely lower than previously reported. Disclosure: Dr. Stein has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thaler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tuhrim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dhamoon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dhamoon has nothing to disclose.
Effects of two distinct group motor skill interventions in psychological and motor skills of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A pilot study.

Abstract Background Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have an increased risk for mental health difficulties. Objective The present pilot study aimed to determine whether distinct group intervention programs improved several psychological variables (anxiety; adequacy and predilection for physical activity; participation, preferences, and enjoyment for activities) and motor skills from the perspective of a child with DCD as well as parental perceptions of motor skills, rate of function, and strengths and difficulties. Methods Eleven children participated in Program A and thirteen in Program B. Both involved 10 sessions of 1 h each. Program A focused on task-oriented activities in a large group involving motor skill training and collaboration and cooperation among children, while Program B was composed of three groups with a direct goal-oriented approach for training of skills chosen by the children. Results Results indicated that children improved motor skills after both programs, but showed distinct results in regards to other variables – after Program A, children showed higher anxiety and lower levels of enjoyment, even though parents detected an improvement in rate of function and a decrease in peer problems. With Program B, children decreased anxiety levels, and parents noted a higher control of movement of their children. Conclusions Regardless of the group approach, children were able to improve motor skills. However, it is possible that the differences between groups may have influenced parents' perception of their children's motor and psychological skills, as well as children's perception of anxiety.
Combining stochastic block models and mixed membership for statistical network analysis

Data in the form of multiple matrices of relations among objects of a single type, representable as a collection of unipartite graphs, arise in a variety of biological settings, with collections of author-recipient email, and in social networks. Clustering the objects of study or situating them in a low dimensional space (e.g., a simplex) is only one of the goals of the analysis of such data; being able to estimate relational structures among the clusters themselves may be important. In [1], we introduced the family of stochastic block models of mixed membership to support such integrated data analyses. Our models combine features of mixed-membership models and block models for relational data in a hierarchical Bayesian framework. Here we present a nested variational inference scheme for this class of models, which is necessary to successfully perform fast approximate posterior inference, and we use the models and the estimation scheme to examine two data sets. (1) a collection of sociometric relations among monks is used to investigate the crisis that took place in a monastery [2], and (2) data from a school-based longitudinal study of the health-related behaviors of adolescents. Both data sets have recently been reanalyzed in [3] using a latent position clustering model and we compare our analyses with those presented there.
Role strains of a health care team in a poverty community: The Columbia point experience

Abstract An interview study of the professional functioning of health care teams in a low-income housing project was conducted by the authors. The setting was the Columbia Point Health Center, the first Office of Economic Opportunity-sponsored neighborhood health center, located in Boston, Massachusetts. The participants interviewed included physicians, nurses, and social workers. Columbia Point proved to be a more stressful milieu in which to work than most of the health professionals involved had anticipated. Various of the “cycle of poverty” aspects of the project created difficulties for them, as well as for the residents whom they were mobilized to serve. In addition, role relations between the different categories of health professionals who composed the teams constituted an important source of strain. A group of United States Public Health Service physicians who had been involuntarily drafted into the center had a disruptive influence on the teams' functioning. And relations between public health nurses and social workers were especially tense. The study points up the fact that high motivation to work as a member of an interdisciplinary health team in a poverty setting is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for such a collaborative endeavor. Appropriate, clear, supple role-definitions worked out by participating health professionals prior to their entrance into the field, facilitated by a process of anticipatory de-socialization from certain role-patterns to which they are accustomed would seem to be prerequisite.
Design and Control of Direct-Drive Arms

Electromechanial robots employ gearing mechanisms to match the impedances of drives and their corresponding loads. These mechanisms, while used extensively, degrade control performance of the robots. Direct-Drive, on the other hand, is a method in which a actuator is coupled directly to its load without gearing. This innovative design approach has shown great improvement in control performances. Its unique features meet the critcal requirements of many advanced robot applications. In this paper, the state-of-the-art of direct-drive arms is presented. Progress in arm design, motors and sensors, as well as control system design are presented. Then, the design and control of the M.I.T direct-drive arm are discussed in detail.
Deuterium isotope rate effects with citrate-condensing enzyme.

The citrate-condensing enzyme was studied with D/sub 2/O and deuteroacetylcoenzyme A. The magnitude of the isotope rate effect (k/sub H2O/o = 1.4), with deuteroacetylcoenzyme A, is independent of pH. The isotope rate effects of the forward and reverse reactions in D/sub 2/O are of different magnitude and are pH(pD)-dependent. When the isotope rate effect of the forward reaction reaches its max-mum (k/sub H2O/:k/sub D2O/ 3-8 at pH (or pD) = 7.5), there is no effect on the rate of the reverse reaction. In both the forward and reverse reactions, the isotope rate effects invert on the basic side of their pH(pD) curves. The observations are discussed in terms of shifted pK values of groups on the active enzyme-substrate complex. (auth)
Near arithmetic progressions in sparse sets

Nonstandard methods are used to obtain results in combinatorial number theory. The main technique is to use the standard part map to translate density properties of subsets of *N into Lebesgue measure properties on [0,1]. This allows us to obtain a simple condition on a standard sequence A that guarantees the existence of intervals in arithmetic progression, all of which contain elements of A with various uniform density conditions.
Trapped Bose gas: The canonical versus grand canonical statistics

It is well known that at the thermodynamic limit there are no observable differences in the results obtained by grand canonical and canonical descriptions of a many-body system. In the present paper, we test the validity of this statement for finite systems using as an example an ensemble of bosons trapped in a 1D harmonic potential well. We have found an analytical formula for the canonical partition function and shown that, for 100 trapped atoms, the discrepancy between the grand canonical and canonical predictions for the condensate fraction reaches 10% in the vicinity of the Bose-Einstein threshold. This discrepancy decreases only logarithmically as the number of atoms increases. Furthermore we investigate numerically the case of a 3D "cigar-shape" trap in the range of parameters corresponding to current BEC experiments.
The Pharmacology of Imipramine and Related Antidepressants

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the pharmacological characterization of the prototype agent—imipramine (I). The metabolism of imipramine, pharmacological effects utilized in the assessment of agents of the imipramine type, neurophysiological and behavioral explorations of imipramine, antidepressants chemically related to imipramine, and clinical studies with imipramine-like antidepressant agents are discussed. Three basic reactions participate in the metabolic transformation of imipramine in the body: (1) hydroxylation of the iminodibenzyl ring system at the 2-position; (2) glucuronide formation of the 2-hydroxy compound; and (3) demethylation. Of the known metabolites of I, 2-hydroxyimipramine occurs in the highest concentration in the brain of the rat. In the plasma, the main metabolite in several species, including monkeys and man, is 2-hydroxydemethylimipramine. There is marked difference between male and female rats in the demethylation of I. The brain levels of demethylimipramine (DMI) shortly after administration of I are much higher in the males than in the females. Because not only sex, but also considerable strain differences in the metabolism of I are observed, these differences may provide an explanation for the widely different results obtained in various laboratories concerning the relative efficacy of DMI and I in rat experiments as antireserpine agents.
Tuning scaffold mechanics by laminating native extracellular matrix membranes and effects on early cellular remodeling

At approximately 50 µm thin, the human amniotic membrane (hAM) has been shown to be a versatile biomaterial with applications ranging from ocular transplants to skin and nerve regeneration. These investigations describe laminating layers of the hAM into a multilayered, conformation creating a thicker, more robust biomaterial for applications requiring more supportive structures. Amniotic membranes were decellularized using 4 M NaCl and prepared as either flat single-layered sheets or rolled into concentric five-layered configurations. Constructs were seeded with human vascular smooth muscle cells and cultured over 40 days to quantify biological and mechanical changes that occurred during early remodeling events. By day 40 single-layered constructs displayed a decreasing trend in cellular densities and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration, comparative to multilayered constructs with increasing cell densities (from 9.1 to 32 × 10(6) cells/g) and GAG concentrations (from 6.07 to 17.4 mg/g). Oxygen diffusion was calculated and found to be sufficient to maintain cell populations through the constructs full thickness. Although an overall decrease in the modulus of elasticity was noted, the modulus in the failure range of rolled constructs stabilized at values 25 times higher than single-layered constructs. Rolled constructs typically displayed an upregulation of contractile and matrix remodeling markers (α-actin, SM22 and type 1 collagen, MMP-2 respectively) indicating biological adaptation. Considerable design flexibility can be achieved by varying the number of scaffold layers, allowing the possibility of tuning the constructs physical dimensions, shape and tensile properties to suit specific targeted vascular locations.
Effect of Parkinson’s Disease on the Production of Structured and Unstructured Speaking Tasks: Respiratory Physiologic and Linguistic Considerations

Purpose To examine the effects of cognitive–linguistic deficits and respiratory physiologic changes on respiratory support for speech in individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) using two speech t...
Ultra-broadband integration techniques for high-speed circuits and systems design

This paper will describe methods developed to enhance the effective integration of complex systems. A variety of integration techniques will be described for coplanar waveguide based architectures used for in-plane and three-dimensional wafer scale packaging. Each approach offers low loss and low dispersion characteristics from DC to V-band and in special cases W-band.
Efficacy of anti-LT agents in the treatment of chronic asthma.

Anti-LT agents are the first new class of asthma medication to be approved in the last 20 yr. Current asthma treatment guidelines recommentd antileukobriene agents as anti-inflammatory therapy for patients with mild, persistent asthma. The role that these drugs will play in clinical practice will become more apparent as additional experience is gained in their use. The results of clinical studies illustrate their potential: anti-LT agents reduce asthma symptoms, improve airway function, and decrease the need for concomitant β2-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids; the incidence of asthma exacerbations may also be reduced. Finally, because these agents are administered orally, they offer the potential for improved patient compliance relative to the more complicated forms of drug administration.
Biochemical studies on glucose initiated germination in Bacillus megaterium

Bacillus megaterium QM B1551 spores contained the enzymes for the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and the initial reactions in the hexose monophosphate pathway but not the Entner-Doudoroff pathway. With [U-14C]glucose no metabolism was detected until after about 30% of the spores had lost heat resistance. Mutants that lacked either phosphofructokinase or 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were able to initiate germination on glucose like wild type. Purified methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside, 6-deoxyglucose and 6-deoxy-methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside were not substrates for spore enzymes yet these compounds still initiated germination. Therefore, metabolism of exogenously added glucose is probably not the primary stimulatory effect in germination.
Distribution of Volcanic Ash Layers and Turbidites in the North Pacific

A survey of 300 piston cores from the North Pacific has defined the distribution of volcanic ash and turbidites in this region. Ash occurs within a broad zone 600 to 800 miles wide seaward of the island arcs and continental land areas that constitute the margins of the North Pacific Basin. Active volcanoes at the periphery of the basin provide an adequate source. Layers of ash were not encountered in cores taken north of the volcanic Hawaiian Ridge. Turbidite deposition is restricted to the sea floor off the western coast of North America, axial portions of the circum-Pacific trench system, and around the Hawaiian Ridge. The greatest seaward extension of Pleistocene turbidites occurs due west of Oregon on the southern end of the Tufts Abyssal Plain. Here sediment dispersal is directly related to the availability of large amounts of terrigenous material and the absence of regional traps and barriers to basinward movement of coarse sediment. No turbidites occur in cores from the Aleutian Abyssal Plain. The cores contain pelagic deposits and support the view that this plain is a relict feature. Similarly, turbidites are lacking in cores taken from much of the Alaskan Abyssal Plain and the western and northern parts of the Tufts Abyssal Plain. It is suggested that these features are also products of earlier sedimentary regimes.
Effect of four different reflective barriers on black-globe temperatures in calf hutches

Polyethylene hutches are a popular method of housing dairy calves from 0 to 60 or more days of age, although these hutches get hot when in full sun. This study characterized the relative differences in the ability of four different types of radiant barriers to reduce black-globe temperature within these hutches. Treatments included three different types of covers (two types of laminates (Cadpak P and Cadpak ESD) and an aluminized 3.0-mil white low-density polyethylene (LDPE)) and a reflective paint (LO/MIT-1). The reflective covers were 1.8 × 3 m finished size, and covered the top and sides of the hutch down to 0.15 m above the ground, leaving the front and back exposed. The LO/MIT-1 paint covered the entire sides and roof of the hutch. Two 24-h trials 1 week apart were conducted during relatively hot and clear days in early August. Black-globe temperatures were recorded in duplicate and averaged at 20-min intervals using blackened table tennis balls mounted 0.3 m above the floor in the center of each hutch. Ambient temperature (shade) during the hottest 2-h period for both trials averaged 39.9 °C while the uncovered control averaged 41.1 °C, and LO/MIT-1 averaged 39.9 °C; both of which were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the Cadpak P (38.9 °C), Cadpak ESD (38.6 °C), and aluminized LDPE (38.7 °C). During periods of high solar radiation, the hutches with covers had lowest black-globe temperatures followed by hutches painted with reflective paint, while control hutches had the highest temperature.
Phyllis Solomon Speaks on Consumer Operated Services and Jail Diversion

10.1080/15487760590953894-F0001 Phyllis Solomon Professor of social work in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, Phyllis Solomon earned a B.A. in sociology from Russell Sage College, and b...
Soluble gauge theory of a noncompact group

It is shown that the gauge theory of the multiplicative group of complex numbers is the theory of two free vector mesons only one of which is massless.
Investigation of Hydrodynamic Focusing in a Microfluidic Coulter Counter Device

The Coulter technique enables rapid analysis of particles or cells suspended in a fluid stream. In this technique, the cells are suspended in an electrically conductive solution, which is hydrodynamically focused by nonconducting sheath flows. The cells produce a characteristic voltage signal when they interrupt an electrical path. The population and size of the cells can be obtained through analyzing the voltage signal. In a microfluidic Coulter counter device, the hydrodynamic focusing technique is used to position the conducting sample stream and the cells and also to separate close cells to generate distinct signals for each cell and avoid signal jam. The performance of hydrodynamic focusing depends on the relative flow ratio between the sample stream and sheath stream. We use a numerical approach to study the hydrodynamic focusing in a microfluidic Coulter counter device. In this approach, the flow field is described by solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The sample stream concentration is modeled by an advection-diffusion equation. The motion of the cells is governed by the Newton-Euler equations of motion. Particle motion through the flow field is handled using an overlapping grid technique. A numerical model for studying a microfluidic Coulter counter has been validated. Using the model, the impact of relative flow rate on the performance of hydrodynamic focusing was studied. Our numerical results show that the position of the sample stream can be controlled by adjusting the relative flow rate. Our simulations also show that particles can be focused into the stream and initially close particles can be separated by the hydrodynamic focusing. From our study, we conclude that hydrodynamic focusing provides an effective way to control the position of the sample stream and cells and it also can be used to separate cells to avoid signal jam.
GROUP-BASED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT SITE SELECTION

Abstract Transportation improvement site selection exemplifies transportation decision making that is collaborative in nature and geographically based. Such decision-making is part of a broad societal trend toward shared and participatory discussions about public investment. Perspectives from three different transportation decision contexts in the Puget Sound Region of Washington State, a regional council, a county government and a public–private Coalition group, are combined with a literature review to develop a decision task model that summarizes the need for information technology support during transportation improvement site selection. The task model guides the development of a decision support system requirement specification that outlines integrated information capabilities provided by geographic information system (GIS) and group support system (GSS) technologies. Together, GIS and GSS capabilities contribute to evolving group-based GIS. The kinds of capabilities a group-based GIS could offer in addressing the needs are identified. A report on the use of a prototype, group-based GIS called Spatial Group Choice highlights the possibilities in an inter-organizational coalition decision context. The conclusions discuss needs for future technology developments and social–behavioral science studies on these developments.
Studies on the induction of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase in rat liver mitochondria

Abstract Administration of allylisopropylacetamide (AIA) to rats caused an initial induction of hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthetase activity in the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction of the cell. The activity in this fraction decreased 50% from 1–3 hr after injection, while during this time period, the ALA synthetase activity of the mitochondrial fraction continued to increase at a nearly linear rate. Cycloheximide blocked the induction of ALA synthetase in both subcellular fractions. Two injections of chloramphenicol inhibited 50–60% the induction of ALA synthetase activity in the mitochondrial fraction but not in the postmitochondrial supernatant fraction. The apparent half-life of the enzyme was 66 min after cycloheximide administration and 118 min after chloramphenicol administration. A slower rate of turnover of the enzyme was observed in animals 1 hr after AIA injection. These results support the suggestion that ALA synthetase is synthesized in the microsomes and is transferred to the mitochondrial matrix in a subsequent step. The content of cytochromes a–a3, b, c–c1 was increased 50% in mitochondria which contained high ALA synthetase activity.
Crystal structure of a novel red copper protein from Nitrosomonas europaea.

Nitrosocyanin (NC) is a mononuclear red copper protein isolated from the ammonia oxidizing bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea. Although NC exhibits some sequence homology to classic blue copper proteins, its spectroscopic and electrochemical properties are drastically different. The 1.65 A resolution crystal structure of oxidized NC reveals an unprecedented trimer of single domain cupredoxins. Each copper center is partially covered by an unusual extended β-hairpin structure from an adjacent monomer. The copper ion is coordinated by His 98, His 103, Cys 95, a single side chain oxygen of Glu 60, and a solvent molecule. In the 2.3 A resolution structure of reduced NC, His 98 shifts away from the copper ion, and the solvent molecule is not observed. The arrangement of these ligands renders the coordination geometry of the NC red copper center distinct from that of blue copper centers. In particular, the red copper center has a higher coordination number and lacks the long Cu−S(Met) and short Cu−S(Cys) bond dist...
Spermatid differentiation in the blowfly Sarcophaga bullata with particular reference to flagellar morphogenesis.

Young spermatids of Sarcophaga possess a single centriole apposed to the nuclear envelope and surrounded by a dense centriole adjunct. Concomitant with nuclear condensation and flagellar elongation, the centriole adjunct disappears and the centriole dedifferentiates from its normal triplet microtubule grouping. The triplet organization is retained only in the most proximal 500 A of the centriole while subfiber C of each group becomes centrifugally displaced and is continuous with the 9 accessory tubules that extend the length of the mature axoneme. Flagellar axoneme morphogenesis is first apparent as a ring of 9 single microtubules, or the A subfibers of the presumptive doublets. This is followed by the appearance of the radial linkage along each A subfiber, the B subfiber of each doublet from a projection off subfiber A, the paired arms along subfiber A, the central tubules and sheath, the accessory tubules from a projection off the B subfibers, and finally the outer coarse fibers. Occurring at the same time as axoneme assembly is the elongation of the 2 adjacent mitochondrial derivatives and the formation of their crystalloids. In addition, the acrosome of mature spermatids shows a paracrystalline organization as revealed by negative staining.
A Simplified Direct Method for Cyclic Strain Calculation: Repeated Rolling/Sliding Contact on a Case-Hardened Half Plane

A direct analysis method for problems in repeated elastic-plastic rolling/sliding contact is presented. The method is shown to be an efficient technique for the determination of the steady-state solution under proportional or nonproportional cyclic loading and can provide such results as residual stress, residual strain, and cyclic strain range. Furthermore, the method is valid for both elastic and plastic shakedown. A two-dimensional rolling/sliding contact problem is considered with emphasis on the calculation of cyclic plastic strains. Several numerical techniques are employed to simplify and reduce the computational effort. These techniques consist of an operator split, the modified incremental projection method, middle-loading state, and decomposition into residual steady-state and cyclic parts. The resulting scheme is highly efficient and is ideally suited for parameter studies. To demonstrate the practical application of the approach, a two-dimensional contact problem, assuming a case-hardened material, is solved.
Effect of sodium nitroprusside on compound action potential thresholds in the gerbil cochlea.

The presence of active nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the spiral ganglion cells of the cochlea suggests that the neuromodulator nitric oxide (NO) may play a role in hearing. This study investigated the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an NO donor, upon cochlear function mediated through its activation of guanylate cyclase. In gerbils, cochlear compound action potential (CAP) thresholds were recorded after cochlear perfusions of control and test solutions in four experimental groups. Perfusions were performed using the following: artificial perilymph solution (APS); the NO donor SNP; the guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (MB); and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), which facilitates MB entrance into cells. SNP caused significant elevations of CAP thresholds from baseline (25 dB SPL ± 1.54 dB to 64.3 dB SPL ± 2.54 dB). SNP with MB also resulted in significant CAP threshold elevations (29.4 dB SPL ± 4.27 dB to 38.1 dB SPL ± 4.0 dB); however, these elevations were significantly lower than those seen in SNP perfusions without MB. Drilling perfusion holes and perfusion of APS, APS/SDS, and MB/SDS/APS solutions did not significantly affect CAP thresholds. These results suggest that the NO donor nitroprusside does affect cochlear neuromodulation and effects this mediation in part through NO activation of guanylate cyclase.
Role of cytochrome P4501B1 in benzo[a]pyrene bioactivation to DNA-binding metabolites in mouse vascular smooth muscle cells: evidence from 32P-postlabeling for formation of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene-3,6-quinone as major proximate genotoxic intermediates.

Benzo[ a ]pyrene (BP), a polycylic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), is a potent atherogen and carcinogen in laboratory animals. Since genotoxic mechanisms may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis by PAHs, we have tested the hypotheses that: 1) BP induces DNA adducts in mouse aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs); 2) 3-hydroxybenzo[ a ]pyrene (3-OH-BP) and benzo[ a ]pyrene-3,6-quinone (BPQ) are proximate genotoxic metabolites; and 3) cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) mediates the activation of BP and its metabolites to ultimate genotoxic intermediates. Cultured mouse aortic SMCs were treated with BP, 3-OH-BP, or BPQ for 24 h, and DNA adduct formation was analyzed by32P-postlabeling. In some experiments, cells were pretreated with the CYP1B1 inhibitor 1-ethynylpyrene (EP) prior to exposure to BP or its metabolites. BP, 3-OH-BP, and BPQ induced formation of several DNA adducts that were not observed in dimethylsulfoxide-treated cells. Re- and cochromatography experiments indicated that 3-OH-BP and BPQ were proximate genotoxic metabolites of BP. DNA adduct formation was strongly inhibited by EP, a specific inhibitor of CYP1B1. BP treatment of SMCs resulted in induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity and CYP1B1, but not CYP1A1, apoprotein. EP also blocked AHH induction by BP. In conclusion, the results of this study support the hypothesis that in SMCs, which are target sites for the development of atherosclerosis, the major bioactivation pathway of BP entails CYP1B1-mediated formation of the 3-OH-BP and BPQ, which are proximate genotoxic metabolites that may in turn get transformed to ultimate DNA-binding metabolites, which may contribute to atherogenesis by PAHs.
Clinical predictors of bevacizumab-associated gastrointestinal perforation

Abstract Objectives Bevacizumab is a generally well-tolerated drug, but bevacizumab-associated gastrointestinal perforations (BAP) occur in 0 to 15% of patients with ovarian carcinoma. Our goal was to evaluate the clinical predictors of BAP in order to identify factors, which may preclude patients from receiving treatment. Methods We conducted a review of patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma treated with bevacizumab between 2006 and 2009. Demographic and treatment data were collected for statistical analysis. Results Eighty-two patients were identified; perforation occurred in 8 (9.76%). Among patients with perforation, a significantly higher incidence of prior bowel surgeries ( p =0.0008) and prior bowel obstruction or ileus ( p p =0.61). The incidence of thromboembolic events, GI comorbidities, number of prior chemotherapies, and body mass index were similar between the groups. None of the patients in the perforated group developed grade 3 or 4 hypertension, compared to a 32.4% incidence among the non-perforated patients ( p =0.09). Upon multivariate analysis, when controlled for age greater or less than 60, prior bowel surgery, obstruction/ileus, and grade 3 or 4 hypertension, only the presence of obstruction/ileus was noted to be a significant predictor of perforation ( p =0.04). Conclusions Predicting BAP remains a challenge. Bowel obstruction or ileus appears to be associated with increased risk of BAP.
Shadowing by computable orbits of continued fraction convergents for algebraic numbers. II

We state and prove several results on the shadowing of a subsequence of a computable orbit of a discrete dynamical system by computable orbits of other discrete dynamical systems. We define ∊-shadowing and asymptotic ∊-shadowing. By shadowing part of an orbit of a dynamical system by a second orbit of a different dynamical system we have removed the usual emphasis on phase. Our results compare sub-sequences of computable orbits that converge linearly to an algebraic number to computable orbits of Newton's and other methods which converge to the same algebraic number with orders of convergence greater than one. We study algebraic numbers and show relations between global complex analysis and number theory.
Epsilon-Near-Zero-Slot Waveguides and Their Applications in Ultrafast Laser Beam Steering

Recent research on epsilon-near-zero (or index-near-zero) materials has revealed their promising applications in optoelectronics. We explore a novel waveguide structure, namely “epsilon-near-zero-slot waveguide”, by utilizing transparent conducting oxides as the active medium, which can be tuned between epsilon-near-zero and epsilon-farfrom- zero by accumulation carriers, resulting in sharp effective index change. We propose laser beam steering by taking advantage of this epsilon-near-zero-slot waveguide structure. With about 60°steering angle being achieved, this waveguide structure has the advantages of ultra high speed and compact dimension, as well as easy fabrication.
Sensory reception is an attribute of both primary cilia and motile cilia

A recent cluster of papers has shown that motile cilia in the respiratory and reproductive tracts of humans and other mammals can exhibit sensory functions, a function previously attributed primarily to non-motile primary cilia. This leads to a new paradigm that all cilia and flagella (both motile and primary) can mediate sensory functions. However, examination of the literature shows that evidence of sensory functions of motile cilia and flagella is widespread in studies of invertebrates, and extends as back as far as 1899. In this Opinion article, I review the recent and historical findings that motile cilia have a variety of sensory functions, and discuss how this concept has in fact been evolving for the past century.
High-frequency oscillatory motions enhance the simulated mechanical properties of non-weight bearing trabecular bone

Abstract Extremely low-level oscillatory accelerations, applied without constraint, can increase bone formation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that high-frequency oscillations, applied in the absence of functional weight bearing, can be sensed by trabecular bone to produce a structure that is more efficient in sustaining applied loads. The left leg of anesthetized adult female mice (n=18) was subjected to high-frequency oscillations at 45 Hz, 0.6 g for 20 min/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks, while the contralateral leg served as an internal control. To remove the potential interference of the habitual strain environment with the imposed physical signal, the hindlimbs of these mice were chronically unloaded. In vivo microCT scans of the proximal metaphyseal region of the tibia were transformed into finite element meshes to evaluate trabecular and cortical mechanical properties. Simulated longitudinal compression tests showed that the short applications of high-frequency oscillations were sensed primarily by trabecular bone. At the end of the experimental period, apparent trabecular stiffness of the oscillated bones was 38% (p
Contaminated heparin and outcomes after cardiac surgery: A retrospective propensity-matched cohort study

BACKGROUND During 2007 and 2008 it is likely that millions of patients in the US received heparin contaminated (CH) with oversulfated chondroitin sulfate, which was associated with anaphylactoid reactions. We tested the hypothesis that CH was associated with serious morbidity, mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) stay and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia following adult cardiac surgery. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a single center, retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study during the period of CH and the equivalent time frame in the three preceding or the two following years. Perioperative data were obtained from the institutional record of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database, for which the data collection is prospective, standardized and performed by independent investigators. After matching, logistic regression was performed to evaluate the independent effect of CH on the composite adverse outcome (myocardial infarction, stroke, pneumonia, dialysis, cardiac arrest) and on mortality. Cox regression was used to determine the association between CH and ICU length of stay. The 1∶5 matched groups included 220 patients potentially exposed to CH and 918 controls. There were more adverse outcomes in the exposed cohort (20.9% versus 12.0%; difference = 8.9%; 95% CI 3.6% to 15.1%, P < 0.001) with an odds ratio for CH of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.4 to 3.0, P < 0.001). In the exposed group there was a non-significant increase in mortality (5.9% versus 3.5%, difference = 2.4%; 95% CI, -0.4 to 3.5%, P = 0.1), the median ICU stay was longer by 14.1 hours (interquartile range -26.6 to 79.8, S = 3299, P = 0.0004) with an estimated hazard ratio for CH of 1.2 (95% CI, 1.0 to 1.4, P = 0.04). There was no difference in nadir platelet counts between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS The results from this single center study suggest the possibility that contaminated heparin might have contributed to serious morbidity following cardiac surgery.
Genetic Trend Estimators

Abstract Five estimators of intraherd genetic trend were compared in 13,615 Holstein first lactations from 220 progeny test herds. The preferred method estimated the trend as minus twice the regression of deviated production on time of freshening within sire-herd subclasses. Estimates of annual intraherd genetic trend from this approach were 82 kg of milk and 1.5 kg of fat. Adjustments for age and merit of sires’ mates generally negated each other. Either both or neither adjustment should be used because applying only one will bias estimates of trend. Methods involving deviated records substantially over-estimated genetic trend if the mean from which the records were deviated excluded the sire's progeny. Estimates from two approaches relying on full sisters had the largest standard errors and may be subject to systematic biases. Another approach used estimates of sire merit from a model containing fixed effects of herd-year-seasons and sire groups and random effects of error and sires within groups. Estimates of genetic trend from the intraherd regression of sire breeding value on time of freshening were dependent on proper definitions of groups.
Comparative molecular weight estimates of measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis virus structural polypeptides by simultaneous electrophoresis in acrylamide gel slabs.

Summary Structural polypeptides of a measles virus strain isolated from a case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were compared with those of the Edmonston strain by electrophoresis in acrylamide gel slabs containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. The smallest polypeptide, which appears to be the membrane protein, of the SSPE strain migrated more slowly than the corresponding measles polypeptide, indicating molecular weights of 40,000 and 38,000 daltons, respectively. The five other proteins successfully compared showed identical mobilities. A greater concentration of one of these (66,000 daltons) was seen in SSPE virions.
Reliability of reported death rates and incidence rates

Abstract In attempting to ascertain whether differences exist among population subgroups or whether changes have occurred over time in the incidence of or mortality from a particular disease, the reliability of the observed data should be evaluated. Improvements have occurred in the completeness and accuracy of diagnosis and reporting over time, which would partially explain the increases in esophageal and prostatic cancer rates observed among nonwhites. Using incidence data from the Third National Cancer Survey, it would appear that the currently higher rates observed among blacks compared with whites for these two primary sites cannot be explained by differences in accuracy of diagnosis, reporting, or population enumeration.
Long-term follow-up of patients with diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma receiving purged autografts after induction failure.

Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who do not achieve a complete response to front-line combination chemotherapy are often offered high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). However, the efficacy of this therapy in this patient population has been addressed in only a few published reports. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of patients with a diagnosis of de novo DLBCL who underwent AHCT at our center between 1988 and 2002, and identified 43 consecutive patients who had not achieved a CR before AHCT, although most showed at least a partial response (PR) to either induction or subsequent salvage chemotherapy. A total of 15 patients received a conditioning regimen that included high-dose chemotherapy with fractionated TBI (FTBI), whereas 28 patients received high-dose chemotherapy only. All autografts were treated ex vivo with MoAbs and complement in an effort to remove any residual malignant B cells. A total of 33 (77%) patients achieved a CR after AHCT. With a median follow-up of 7.3 years, the 5-year OS was 69% and EFS was 59%. Four patients died from non-relapse mortality. By univariate analyses, the following characteristics did not significantly impact OS: disease stage at diagnosis, age-adjusted IPI (International Prognostic Index) score, age ≥40 years, earlier radiotherapy and the use of FTBI in the conditioning regimen. These results confirm the long-term efficacy of AHCT for patients with DLBCL after induction failure.
The motor quotient. A method for the early detection of motor delay.

• A motor quotient was calculated by dividing the age of a child's best motor achievement by his or her chronologic age. A quotient less than 50 was said to predict gross motor delay (walking at or later than 24 months). Applying the quotient to 144 8- to 18-month-old children yielded a sensitivity of 87%, specificity of 89%, and overreferral and underreferral rates of 12%. By viewing motor development as a ratio, one is able to forecast motor delay. ( AJDC 1985;139:940-942)
Zero-voltage switching boost converter for power factor correction

A modified boost converter topology with zero-voltage-switching and output voltage isolation for power factor correction is presented. It is shown this new converter topology provides a transformer core resetting mechanism with component stresses which are identical to those in the conventional boost converter. The proposed topology achieves zero-voltage switching and proper transformer-core resetting by utilizing the resonance phenomenon that exists between the parasitic capacitance of the switch and the magnetization inductance of the transformer. Based on the steady-state analysis presented, control characteristic curves are derived. Simulation and experimental results are reported to verify the performance of the converter and its steady-state analysis.
Welfare Implications of Tubewell Irrigation in Bangladesh

: This paper investigates and estimates the welfare loss due to monopoly in tubewell irrigation water market in Bangladesh. In this context, an attempt has been made to evaluate the efficacy of the landless irrigation groups. Using cross-sectional data and regression analysis, cost and demand functions for irrigation water are estimated. The study demonstrates the relatively superior performance of the landless groups in terms of economic efficiency in shallow tubewell irrigation operation, in comparison to irrigation operation by the landowners.