cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
One but Not the Same: Risk Factors for Early Post-Transplant Mortality Differ between Medically Managed Patients and Those Bridged to Transplant with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Purpose Currently, criteria for heart transplant (HT) listing does not differ between patients medically managed versus mechanically bridged to HT. We evaluated differences in risk factors for 1-year mortality between those with and without LVAD at the time of HT. Methods In the UNOS database we identified adult, single-organ HT recipients transplanted between 2008 and 2015. 5486 patients were propensity matched for likelihood of LVAD at the time of HT. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to evaluate the hazard ratio of 1-year mortality for patients BTT with LVAD as compared to medical management across thresholds of clinically significant variables. Results As compared to medically managed patients, those BTT with LVAD were at increased risk of 1-year post-HT mortality, with PGD being the most common cause of death. Compared to medically managed patients, BTT with LVAD was associated with increased risk of 1-year mortality at a eGFR of 40-60 mL/min/1.73m2 (HR 1.58, p=0.008) and a eGFR of 30 kg/m2 (HR: 1.93, p 60, eGFR 30kg/m2 there were significant differences in 1-year mortality between medium- and high-risk medically and mechanically bridged patients, with 17.6% 1-year mortality in high-risk BTT patients compared to 10.4% in high risk medically managed patients. Conclusion Patients bridged with mechanical support may require more careful consideration for transplant eligibility after LVAD placement in order to optimize post-HT outcomes. These findings should be taken into consideration when developing and/or refining heart systems.
Sexual dimorphism in the control of skeletal muscle interstitial Po2 of heart failure rats: effects of dietary nitrate supplementation.

Interstitial Po2 (Po2is; indicative of O2 delivery-to-utilization matching) determines, in part, O2 flux into skeletal muscle. We show that heart failure (HF) reduces Po2is at rest and during skele...
Effects of reduced exposure to cigarette smoking on changes in biomarkers of potential harm in adult smokers: results of combined analysis of two clinical studies

AbstractPurpose: Nonconventional vapor products (NVP), designed to reduce exposure to cigarette smoke toxicants (CSTs), could cause changes in biomarkers of potential harm (BoPH). Although, NVPs re...
Galaxies Associated with z~4 Damped Lya Systems: I. Imaging and Photometric Selection

This paper describes the acquisition and analysis of imaging data for the identification of galaxies associated with z~4 damped Lya systems. We present deep BRI images of three fields known to contain four z~4 damped systems. We discuss the reduction and calibration of the data, detail the color criteria used to identify z~4 galaxies, and present a photometric redshift analysis to complement the color selection. We have found no galaxy candidates closer to the QSO than 7'' which could be responsible for the damped Lya systems. Assuming that at least one of the galaxies is not directly beneath the QSO, we set an upper limit on this damped Lya system of L < L*/4. Finally, we have established a web site to release these imaging data to the public.
Draft Genome Sequence of Paenibacillus sp. Strain OT2-17, a Triclosan-Degrading Rhizobacterium

ABSTRACT We report the draft genome sequence of a strain (OT2-17) of Paenibacillus isolated from the rhizosphere of onions irrigated with triclosan. Strain OT2-17 demonstrated the use of triclosan as the sole carbon source. A genome assembly of approximately 5.8 Mb was generated with a calculated G+C content of 45.5%.
Chiasmatic Crossings Between Freud’s Clinical Projects and Social Concerns

The culturally informed metapsychology of Freud’s is horizonal (sic) with psychoanalytically informed accounts of social concerns but not interchangeable. There are limits, to be sure, but evocative and informed chiasmatic crossings between them are generative and serve both fields of psychoanalysis and social thought. Psychoanalysis gives us access to the tragic inner life of humans and their capacity to love and betray, create and kill, among other acts of humans. The psychologically-charged world of social concerns is but an external field of reference that resonates with internal world representations. Inside and outside fold into each other to create a spiral circularity of events and psychological configurations that can be resubjectivized in accounts of human nature and the civilizing process in both psychoanalytic work and practices of social theory.
Synthesis of microwave-mediated biochar-hydrogel composites for enhanced water absorbency and nitrogen release

Abstract Superabsorbent hydrogels have been used to enhance water and nutrient retention in agricultural soils. However, wide applications of these polymeric soil amendments on large farms are plagued by their high costs and environmental footprints. Therefore, solutions are urgently needed in order to optimize the hydrogel application. Biochar, which is a cost-effective pyrolysis product, has been applied as soil amendments for soil fertility reservation. In this study, biochar was co-polymerized with hydrogels to explore the agronomic potentials. Biochar-hydrogel composites were synthesized through rapid mediation of microwave radiation. The physicochemical properties of these composites, such as surface functionality, thermal stability, and morphology, were characterized using various state-of-the-art analytical techniques. The discoveries in this study demonstrated that microwave irradiation could effectively facilitate structural alteration and optimize cross-linkage of biochar-hydrogel composites. Biochar-hydrogel composite (7.5% w/w biochar/composite) significantly improved swelling capacity (20.18% water was absorbed after 48 h) and optimized the nitrogen release (20.03% of nitrogen was release after 30 days) of composites. Water adsorption and nitrogen release obeyed Gallagher-Corrigan model and Korsmeyer-Peppas model, respectively. The results revealed the microwave-irradiated biochar-hydrogel composite is a promising soil amendment with regard to economic benefit and environmental footprint.
SU-D-BRD-01: An Automated Physics Weekly Chart Checking System Supporting ARIA

Purpose: A software tool was developed in this study to perform automatic weekly physics chart check on the patient data in ARIA. The tool accesses the electronic patient data directly from ARIA server and checks the accuracy of treatment deliveries, and generates reports which summarize the delivery history and highlight the errors. Methods: The tool has four modules. 1) The database interface is designed to directly access treatment delivery data from the ARIA database before reorganizing the data into the patient chart tree (PCT). 2) PCT is a core data structure designed to store and organize the data in logical hierarchies, and to be passed among functions. 3) The treatment data check module analyzes the organized data in PCT and stores the checking results into PCT. 4) Report generation module generates reports containing the treatment delivery summary, chart checking results and plots of daily treatment setup parameters (couch table positions, shifts of image guidance). The errors that are found by the tool are highlighted with colors. Results: The weekly check tool has been implemented in MATLAB and clinically tested at two major cancer centers. Javascript, cascading style sheets (CSS) and dynamic HTML were employed to create the user-interactive reports. Itmore » takes 0.06 second to search the delivery records of one beam with PCT and compare the delivery records with beam plan. The reports, saved in the HTML files on shared network folder, can be accessed by web browser on computers and mobile devices. Conclusion: The presented weekly check tool is useful to check the electronic patient treatment data in Varian ARIA system. It could be more efficient and reliable than the manually check by physicists. The work was partially supported by a research grant from Varian Medical System.« less
A comparison of student perceptions regarding online learning versus traditional classroom learning

This paper explores a self-assessment of student learning in an online course, versus student learning experience in face-to-face and blended courses. In addition, student self-assessment of an online course experience is compared to that measured for students in the same course, but in blended sections and in a face-to-face section as well. The blended version of the course blends an online component with a face-to-face component and results in approximately half of the course being conducted online and the other half face-to-face in the traditional classroom environment. The purpose of the study was to ascertain whether or not students attending a small university would potentially find the learning experience of online courses to be as worthwhile, rigorous and rewarding as courses offered in the traditional classroom environment. Assessment questions include an evaluation of course assignments, instructor presentation, instructor competence, instructor feedback and approachability, the degree of challenge presented by the course, aptness to recommend the course to others, and enthusiasm for taking additional online courses in the future.
Forced Aerobic Exercise Enhances Motor Recovery After Stroke: A Case Report.

Objective Previously, we demonstrated that forced aerobic exercise (FE) increases the pattern of neural activation in Parkinson's disease. We sought to evaluate whether FE, when coupled with repetitive task practice, could promote motor recovery poststroke. Method A 46-yr-old man with ischemic stroke exhibited chronic residual upper-extremity deficits, scoring 35/66 on the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) at baseline. He completed 24 training sessions comprising 45 min of FE on a motorized stationary bicycle followed by 45 min of upper-extremity repetitive task practice. Results From baseline to end of treatment, the FMA score improved by 20 points, perceived level of recovery on the Stroke Impact Scale increased by 20 percentage points, and cardiovascular function measured by peak oxygen uptake improved 30%. These improvements persisted 4 wk after the intervention ceased. Conclusion FE may be a safe and feasible rehabilitation approach to augment recovery of motor and nonmotor function while improving aerobic fitness in people with chronic stroke.
Output feedback control of two-time-scale hyperbolic PDE systems

This work proposes a methodology for the synthesis of distributed output feedback controllers for systems of two-time-scale first-order hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) for which the manipulated inputs, the controlled and the measured outputs are distributed in space. The proposed methodology is applied to a typical convection-reaction process with time-scale multiplicity.
Challenges to Multi-Enterprise Integration

The EECOMS Project is a multi-company and university joint effort to research and develop intelligent, dynamic technologies for integrating supply-chain planning, scheduling, and execution and for enabling the evolution of such multi-enterprise integration solutions. In this paper, we describe several critical challenges to enterprise integration in the form of “lessons learned” by the Project in its effort to develop leading edge multi-enterprise integration solutions. These lessons reflect the human side of enterprise integration, the integral role of security and privacy, and the re-examination/definition of traditional business processes that enterprise integration requires.
Technical Note: Cervical dimensions for in situ and loose teeth: A critique of the Hillson et al. (2005) method

In 2005, Hillson and colleagues developed a method for obtaining cervicometrics on a collection of loose teeth. However, I identified problems with the method when trying to apply it to material from archaeological collections with a mixture of in situ and loose teeth. The correct placement of the caliper tips at the suggested mesiodistal landmarks proved impossible for many in situ teeth. Their recommendation to rotate teeth to access the suggested landmarks resulted in large errors because not all teeth could be rotated. Other problems were identified with the suggested buccolingual dimensions of molars, which produced measurements that are not homologous across tooth class because of differential reduction in the distal cusps. Am J Phys Anthropol 154:159–164, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Book Reviews: Social/Cultural Anthropology

Book reviewed in this article: Barrio Gangs: Street Life and Identity in Southern California. James Diego Vigil Chicano Ethnicity. Susan E. Keefe and Amado M. Padilla
Real-time contrast-enhanced holographic imaging using phase coherent photorefractive quantum wells

We demonstrate wide-field real-time and depth-resolved contrast enhanced holographic imaging (CEHI) using the all-optical phase coherent photorefractive effect in ZnSe quantum wells. Moving objects are imaged at large depth-of-field by the local enhancement of a static reference hologram. The high refresh rate of the holographic films enables direct-to-video monitoring of floating glass beads and of living Paramecium and Euglena cells moving in water. Depth resolution is achieved by tilting the incident laser beam with respect to the normal of the cuvette. This creates double images of the objects, which are analyzed geometrically and with Fresnel diffraction theory. A two-color CEHI set-up further enables the visualization of a concealed 95 µm thick wire behind a thin layer of chicken skin.
Air Pollution Control Methods

Air pollution is defined as the presence in the outdoor atmosphere (ambient air) of one or more contaminants in such quantities and for such duration as to be harmful or injurious to human health or welfare, animal or plant life, or property, or may unreasonably interfere with the enjoyment of life or property. It is useful to study the causes and sources of the various air pollutants, as well as their physical and chemical characteristics and these are discussed. There are many different air pollutants, all with differing physical and chemical characteristics, as well as a vast number and variety of air pollution sources. Therefore, a good understanding of the pollutants and their sources is necessary before a particular control technology can be selected for best application to any particular situation. Some of the most common pollutants have been well known for decades, and continue to be emitted at rates exceeding millions of tons per year (in the United States alone). These “traditional” air pollutants include particulate matter (PM), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide (CO). Another major pollutant is ground-level ozone (O3). Ozone is not emitted directly; rather it is formed by photochemical reactions in the atmosphere between NOx and VOCs. Other important pollutants include lead (as leaded gasoline was phased out in the 1980s, the U.S. emissions of lead into the atmosphere dropped by 95% or more), hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including lead, mercury, formaldehyde, benzene, and many others, several ozone-depleting compounds (such as chlorofluorocarbons), and greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). A brief review of the pollutants is presented here. Air pollution regulations are discussed. Sampling and control of air pollution is detailed. This includes information on the control of gaseous emissions, particulate matter emissions and mobile source emissions. Methods and sampling for control of odors is included. Keywords: volatile organic compounds; carbon dioxide; mobile source emissions; air pollution; measurements; control regulations; control cost; control equipment; gaseous emissions; particulate emissions; odor; sampling; control; prevention
Convergence: How Nursing Unions and Magnet are Advancing Nursing.

JohnsonBillingsleyProblem Historically, unions and professional associations such as the American Nurses Association have been adversaries in the fight to represent the best interests of the nursing profession. Methods We reviewed the literature on the evolution of nursing unions, nursing's historical unease about unions, the Magnet designation in nursing, the tensions between the unions and Magnet, the core values and commonalities they share, and the obligations of nursing as a profession. Findings Refocusing on the advancement of our profession provides a positive pathway in which the collective efforts of nursing unions and professional initiatives such as the Magnet designation converge during these turbulent times for our profession. Conclusion The single, central organizing idea of nursing—where nursing unions and Magnet converge—is the pivotal role of nurses in delivering high-quality patient care. The often-maligned dialectic between unions and Magnet has advanced and not hindered the nursing profession. JohnsonBillingsley
Effect of Dietary Cystine on Methionine Metabolism in Rat Liver

Cystine supplementation of adequate diets resulted in significantly higher hepatic levels of betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase. Other changes occurred but were a function of the basal diet. When the latter contained 0.25% methionine + 0.5% cystine, the additional cystine caused a markedly lower hepatic cystathionine synthase activity and lower levels of both adenosylmethionine and serine. The metabolic effect of these changes may be enhanced methionine retention and diminished transsulfuration.
Two remarkable doubly exponential series transformations of Ramanujan

The purpose of this note is to prove two doubly exponential series transformations found in Ramanujan’s second notebook.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitors in FcγRI-Induced Myeloid Oxidant Signaling

Fc-receptor stimulation in myeloid cells results in increased oxygen consumption, termed the respiratory burst, which is coupled to a rapid and transient increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. In a previous paper in this journal we showed that the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) inhibitors sodium orthovanadate and phenylarsine oxide (PAO) block the Fc gamma RI-induced respiratory burst in interferon-gamma-differentiated U937 cells (U937IF) while augmenting the Fc gamma RI-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. Herein we examine the effects of PTPase inhibitors on specific molecules involved in Fc gamma RI signaling. We show that orthovanadate and PAO augmented the Fc gamma RI-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the adaptor protein CBL. CBL interactions with other phosphoproteins, among them SHC and CRKL, were also augmented in response to pretreatment with the PTPase inhibitors. SHC was tyrosine phosphorylated in response to Fc gamma RI stimulation of U937IF cells and bound to the SH2 domain of GRB2 in a stimulation-dependent manner. In fusion protein pull-down experiments the interaction of SHC with the SH2 domain of GRB2 was increased in PTPase inhibitor pretreated U937IF cells in response to Fc gamma RI stimulation. Our data support the hypothesis that a tyrosine dephosphorylation event is required for effective transmission of the Fc gamma RI signal to result in activation of the myeloid respiratory burst response.
Alfred D. Chandler, Jr: historical impact and historical scope of his works

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to summarize the life and works of Alfred Chandler and highlight the impact of his thoughts on organizational theory, strategy and history.Design/methodology/approach – The paper analyzes Alfred Chandler's life and the lasting contributions his works have provided to many disciplines as well as the work of his revisionists. Furthermore, the paper analyzes his contributions to the understanding of US business history and global business history.Findings – Chandler's conceptualization of the growth of large business and management practices have shaped business history by transitioning from an American exceptionalist view to a more global comparative perspective.Practical implications – The paper provides Chandler's insights as well as those of his revisionists regarding USA and comparative global business history.Originality/value – The paper highlights Chandler's cross‐disciplinary impact and analyzes Chandlerian and revisionist perspectives in both the American exce...
Cushing's syndrome--pituitary or adrenal origin?

Abstract It seems probable that the etiology of Cushing's syndrome can be conveniently divided into at least two categories and perhaps more. First, there are patients who have a condition limited to the adrenal gland, such as the benign adenomas and carcinomas, which generally do not appear to be dependent upon pituitary ACTH production. There is no primary defect in pituitary secretion in these patients and the reason for the adrenal disturbance is unknown. Second, there is a group of patients in whom tumors of the pituitary gland are associated with Cushing's syndrome. In most of these the direct determination of increased levels of plasma ACTH has not been carried out, but the connection seems probable and is strengthened by the recent demonstration of elevated plasma ACTH in a few of these patients. Third, there is a group of patients who may or may not fall into the group with primary pituitary disease. These are patients who have hyperplasia of both adrenal cortices in whom there is fairly good evidence that there is increased production of ACTH producing adrenal hypertrophy, but in whom there has been no demonstration of clear-cut pituitary pathology. The fact that one can suppress adrenal function in these patients, if sufficient corticosteroid is administered, suggests that normal pituitary controls are not abolished, but seems to indicate that the “thermostat” has been set up in such a way that the anterior pituitary secretes ACTH to produce a higher than normal level of corticosteroid production. It is possible that the pathology of Cushing's syndrome is in neither the adrenal nor the pituitary gland in cases with bilateral hyperplasia. A “relative deficiency” in other tissues might result in a stimulus to increase ACTH just as it does in conditions of stress. Thus it has been demonstrated that following trauma to dogs, plasma levels of ACTH and of corticosteroids may be simultaneously elevated. 12 It is not possible at this time to state definitely whether pituitary tumors, which occur following bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome, occur as the result of continued growth of small tumors or may possibly be the result of a stimulus of peripheral origin which acts to stimulate ACTH secretion. A combination of such a stimulus to the formation of Cushing's syndrome and removal of both adrenal glands with resultant fall in plasma corticosteroid levels may act as a powerful stimulus to ACTH secretion and be followed by tumor formation in the anterior pituitary gland. Further knowledge will have to be obtained along a number of lines of investigation before we have a clear understanding of the factors which produce Cushing's syndrome. Specifically, a better understanding must be obtained of the relationships between the pituitary production of ACTH and the stimulus to this production, and better means must be developed for the determination of ACTH in blood.
The Time to Extinction of Branching Processes and Log-Convexity: I

We show that the time to extinction in critical or subcritical Galton–Watson and Markov branching processes has the antiaging property of log-convex density, and therefore has the decreasing failure rate (DFR) property of reliability theory. Apart from providing new insights into the structure of such extinction time distributions, which cannot generally be expressed in a closed form, a consequence of our result is that one can invoke sharp reliability bounds to provide very simple bounds on the tail and other characteristics of the extinction time distribution. The limit distribution of the residual time to extinction in the subcritical case also follows as a direct consequence. A sequel to this paper will further consider the critical case and other ramifications of the log-convexity of the extinction time distribution.
Who Are the Long Sleepers? Towards an Understanding of the Mortality Relationship

While much is known about the negative health implications of insufficient sleep, relatively little is known about risks associated with excessive sleep. However, epidemiological studies have repeatedly found a mortality risk associated with reported habitual long sleep. This paper will summarize and describe the numerous studies demonstrating increased mortality risk associated with long sleep. Although these studies establish a mortality link, they do not sufficiently explain why such a relationship might occur. Possible mechanisms for this relationship will be proposed and described, including (1) sleep fragmentation, (2) fatigue, (3) immune function, (4) photoperiodic abnormalities, (5) lack of challenge, (6) depression, or (7) underlying disease process such as (a) sleep apnea, (b) heart disease, or (c) failing health. Following this, we will take a step back and carefully consider all of the historical and current literature regarding long sleep, to determine whether the scientific evidence supports these proposed mechanisms and ascertain what future research directions may clarify or test these hypotheses regarding the relationship between long sleep and mortality.
Long-term outcomes in ranibizumab-treated patients with retinal vein occlusion; the role of progression of retinal nonperfusion.

Purpose To determine the percentage of ranibizumab-treated patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) who had resolution of edema for at least 6 months after the last injection, along with factors and outcomes that correlate with resolution. Design Post hoc analysis of open-label clinical trial. Methods Twenty patients with branch RVO (BRVO) and 20 with central RVO (CRVO) received ranibizumab monthly for 3 months and as needed for recurrent/persistent macular edema, no more frequently than every 2 months. Patients still requiring injections after month 40 received scatter and grid laser photocoagulation to try to reduce the need for injections. Main outcome measures included the percentage of patients who had resolution of edema, change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline, and change in area of retinal nonperfusion in central subfields. Results Nine patients with BRVO (45%) had edema resolution from injections alone after a mean of 20.2 months, 4 resolved after addition of laser, 4 were unresolved through 72 months, and 3 exited prior to resolution. Five patients with CRVO (25%) resolved from injections alone after a mean of 14.0 months, 8 remained unresolved through 72 months despite addition of laser, and 7 exited prior to resolution. For BRVO or CRVO, there was a negative correlation between posterior retinal nonperfusion area and BCVA at months 18, 24, and 36 ( P Conclusions In patients with RVO, infrequent ranibizumab injections to control edema may not be sufficient to prevent progression of retinal nonperfusion, which may contribute to loss of visual gains.
Late Quaternary paleoclimatology, stratigraphy and sapropel history in eastern Mediterranean deep-sea sediments

The Late Quaternary paleoceanographic history of the Mediterranean Sea is a complex mixture of both global and regional events. Principal component analysis and oxygen isotopic analysis of planktonic foraminifera in deep-sea sediments have been used to define detailed paleoclimatic changes and to develop a firm stratigraphy for eastern Mediterranean sediments for the past 400,000 years. The first principal component is interpreted as being temperature-dependent based on the faunal assemblages associated with this component and on its close similarity to the oxygen isotope record. Warm and cool planktonic foraminiferal assemblage groupings derived by principal component analysis agree with faunal groups previously differentiated for Late Quaternary sequences in this region. Periodic stagnations of the eastern Mediterranean basin have resulted in the deposition of numerous organicrich sapropel layers during the Late Cenozoic. These sapropel layers are marked by the complete absence of any benthonic microfossil fauna and by the presence of an abnormal planktonic foraminiferal fauna containing an unusually high percentage of the salinity-sensitive foraminiferNeogloboquadrina dutertrei. Although the deposition of sapropels appears to be synchronous throughout the eastern Mediterranean, the lack of sapropels in cores from the western Ionian Sea indicate that true stagnant phases are not basin-wide phenomena. The onset of stagnant conditions is believed to be triggered by a flushing of fresh water from the Black Sea into the eastern Mediterranean during interglacial episodes where it forms a low-salinity surface layer that prevents oxygenation of the deep portions of the eastern basin. By placing the sapropel layers within a paleoclimatic framework, it is evident that sapropel deposition occurred during both warming and cooling trends within interglacial stages 1, 5 and 7. This is in contrast to previous work which suggested that sapropel formation occurred only during the climatic transition from glacial to interglacial episodes.
Multiple mechanisms for HSV-1 induction of interferon α production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells

UV-inactivated, infectious, and other forms of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) induced interferon (IFN) production by different routes in myeloid origin mononuclear cells (MOMC) (consisting predominantly of monocytes). GM-CSF activated the MOMC (G-MOMC) to produce greater amounts of interferon while differentiation to DC, by the addition of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and calcium ionophore (GA-MOMC), reduced the levels of interferon production upon challenge with some HSV strains. UV-inactivated virus induced more interferon than infectious virus. L-fucose, an antagonist of the mannose receptor, inhibited the induction of IFN-alpha by UV-inactivated virus and gB(-) virus (defective in penetration) in MOMC and GA-MOMC but not G-MOMC. L-fucose had little effect on interferon induction by infectious HSV-1. The insensitivity of the G-MOMC to fucose inhibition distinguishes these interferon producing cells from the pDC2 cells previously described as natural interferon producing cells. The mannose receptor appears to be involved in the response to non-infectious forms of HSV but infectious virus appears to use a different pathway. These studies suggest that non-infectious virions and HSV infected cell debris effectively stimulate monocytes and pre-dendritic cells to produce IFN-alpha to initiate host protection against HSV infection.
Dipolar Complexes in KCl Resulting from 1.5-MeV-Electron Bombardment

The dielectric relaxation behavior of KCl crystals after exposure to 1.5-MeV electrons has been studied by means of the ionic-thermocurrent (ITC) method. At least four ITC relaxation peaks at 125, 145, 160, and 195 K are observed over the range from 80 to 200 K after irradiation at 260 K. The temperature of irradiation is found to have a strong influence on both the form of the ITC spectrum and the total amount of polarization. The production of dipolar defects, assumed to be responsible for the relaxation, is highest for irradiations in the range 200-260 K and it is rather small for exposures at 150 and 300 K. Once produced, the dipolar defects are relatively stable but they can be nearly completely removed by a 400-K anneal. The effect seems to be intrinsic in nature since the total polarization builds up linearly with exposure after the $F$ center has substantially saturated and since it is essentially the same for high-purity crystals from several ingots. Assuming that unit dipoles are responsible for the ITC spectrum, the initial rate of formation is 0.05 times the initial rate of $F$-center production. Since it is difficult to conceive that such a variety of stable dipoles can be constructed from anion Frenkel defects, it is concluded that defects on the cation sublattice also result from the irradiation. It is shown that the yield of dipoles is at least an order of magnitude higher than can be expected to result from direct displacements induced by electron-ion collisions. The same types of defects may be precursors for the crystallographic voids and dislocation loops observed by electron microscopy in heavily irradiated alkali halides.
Hope, Fear, and the Mollification of the Vanquished in Hobbes's Behemoth or the Long Parliament:

Contrary to a standard view that Hobbes recommends elimination of private opinion by enlarging fear of violent death, in Behemoth, his dialogue on the causes of the English Civil War, he shows how ...
Observations on retrieved glenoid components from total shoulder arthroplasty.

Hypothesis Polyethylene components retrieved at revision of total knee and hip replacements have been analyzed to study the effect of design, patient, and surgical factors on initial implant performance, but few studies have reported similar types of findings in retrieved glenoids. Materials and methods From 1979 to 2006, 78 glenoid components were retrieved from revision surgery in 73 patients at a single institution. Each glenoid component was analyzed for 9 modes of damage in each of 4 quadrants into which the bearing surface was divided. For each glenoid, the most recent radiographs before removal were scored using an adapted radiolucency score. Results Scratching, pitting, and burnishing were the most common and most severe types of polyethylene wear. In addition, the modes of damage observed were not uniformly distributed across the bearing surface, but commonly focused in the inferior quadrant of the glenoid, suggesting a propensity for a humeral impingement mechanism leading to glenoid loosening. The radiographic analysis performed was found to severely underestimate the presence of clinical glenoid loosening. Conclusion Impingement of the glenoid with bone at the edge of the humeral component and edge deformation secondary to eccentric forces of the humeral head on the glenoid rim are highly associated with glenoid loosening. Analysis of retrieved glenoid components, along with patient, design, and surgical factors, provide important information on the causes of component failure. Level of evidence Basic science study.
Delayed graft function in the absence of rejection has no long-term impact. A study of cadaver kidney recipients with good function at 1 year after transplantation

We previously reported that delayed graft function (DGF) in the absence of biopsy-proven acute rejection (Rej) had no effect on outcome of primary cadaver kidney transplantation (TX). By contrast, DGF in combination with Rej strongly predicted poor long-term graft survival. We asked whether this poor long-term outcome was due to early graft loss associated with DGF, or to an ongoing process leading to late graft loss. To answer this question, we studied a subset of 298 cadaver kidney transplant recipients who had not suffered early graft loss and had a serum creatinine level 24 hr (P = 0.0003) and Rej (P = 0.06). For grafts with versus without DGF, the incidence of late acute Rej (>1 year after TX) was similar. Actuarial graft survival was similar for Rej-free recipients with versus without DGF (P = 0.9) and was worse for those with Rej and no DGF (P < 0.02). Importantly, however, in our recipients who all had a serum creatinine level < or = 2.0 mg/dl at 1 year after TX, the worst long-term outcome was noted in the subgroup with both DGF and Rej (P < 0.0001). By multivariate analysis, DGF was also only a risk factor in combination with Rej (P = 0.002, relative risk = 3.7), while a 0-antigen HLA mismatch had no impact. Patient survival decreased for recipients with both DGF and Rej by univariate (P = 0.009) and multivariate (P = 0.02, relative risk = 2.9) analyses. We conclude that DGF without Rej has no impact on long-term survival. However, our data for recipients with both DGF and Rej suggest that a chronic ongoing process leads to late graft failure. Further research is necessary to identify the exact pathophysiology of this process, which appears to be, at least in part, HLA antigen independent.
991-72 Effect of Polarity Reversal Using Clinical Defibrillation Waveforms and a Tranvenous Lead System

There have been conflicting reports over the years about the effects of waveform polarity on defibrillation efficacy. The development of the tranvenous lead system has led to an increase in defibrillation thresholds when compared to epicardial patches when using the same pulse generator. Reversing waveform polarity might lower defibrillation thresholds enough to allow implantation of a tranvenous lead system while maintaining an adequate safety margin. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of waveform polarity on monophasic and biphasic waveforms using a tranvenous lead system and three clinically available defibrillation waveforms. Six 25 kg swine underwent placement of an ENDOTAK ® catheter with the distal electrode in the RV apex (RVA) and the proximal electrode at the junction of the SCV and RA. Three defibrillation waveforms were studied: the CPI Ventak 65% fixed tilt monophasic waveform (CPI-M), the CPI Ventak, 60% tilt phase 1, 50% tilt phase 2 biphasic waveform (CPI-Bi), and the Ventritex HVS-02 6 ms/6 ms biphasic waveform (V-Si). Defibrillation thresholds (DFT) using an up/down technique were determined for each waveform for RVA electrode as cathode (-) for CPI-M and phase 1 of CPI-BI and V-Bi or as anode (+). When RVA was (+), CPI-M defibrillated with a lower leading edge voltage (LEV) and energy (E) than when RVA was (-). LEV and E were not significantly different when RVA was (+) vs RVA as (-) for either biphasic waveform tested. CPI-M CPI-Bi V-BI (+) 470 ± 51 317 ± 36 345 ± 23 (-) 546 ± 66 † 296 ± 34 339 ± 25 † CPI-M(+) sig lower than CPI-M(-) (p l 0.05) These results show that biphasic waveforms defibrillate better than monophasic waveforms regardless of polarity. It also suggests that when implanting a monophasic waveform device, that the RVA electrode should be anode, but that when implanting a biphasic device, that the RVA electrode can be either anode or cathode.
Do Florida Medicaid Providers’ Barriers to HPV Vaccination Vary Based on VFC Program Participation?

This study aimed to determine if physicians’ perceived barriers to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination were associated with participation in the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. A sample of 800 Florida Medicaid providers was randomly selected from the Florida Medicaid Master Provider File. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a 27-item survey that included 13 potential barriers to immunizing Medicaid patients against HPV, including concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy, discussing sexuality, vaccinated teens practicing riskier sexual behaviors, cost and reimbursement, ensuring 3-dose series completion, and school attendance requirements associated with HPV vaccination. Pearson χ2 tests were conducted to investigate differences between each barrier and VFC program participation. Data were analyzed for 449 physicians. Compared to non-VFC providers, VFC providers were significantly less likely to somewhat or strongly agree that the following were barriers to vaccination: the cost of stocking the HPV vaccine (p = 0.0011), lack of adequate reimbursement for HPV vaccination (p < 0.0001), and lack of timely reimbursement for HPV vaccination (p < 0.0001). After adjusting for provider specialty and number of years since completion of residency training, VFC status remained significantly associated with the barrier regarding lack of adequate reimbursement for vaccination such that non-VFC providers had a 2.6-fold (95 % confidence interval, 1.1–5.8) greater odds of somewhat or strongly agreeing that this barrier applied to them. Increasing participation in the VFC program may decrease physicians’ cost-related barriers, which may increase the number of children vaccinated on time according to the recommended schedule.
Photobleaching kinetics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter derived from mangrove leaf litter and floating Sargassum colonies

Abstract We examined the photoreactivity of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) derived from Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) leaf litter and floating Sargassum colonies as these marine plants can be important contributors to coastal and open ocean CDOM pools, respectively. Mangrove and Sargassum CDOM readily degraded when exposed to simulated solar irradiance (CPS SunTest solar simulator exposures). CDOM produced from brown mangrove leaves (representative of substantial senescence) exhibited shorter photobleaching half-lives (a305 t1/2
Alternatives to Cross-Validatory Estimation of the Number of Factors in Multivariate Calibration

Overcoming the collinearity problem in regression by data compression techniques [i.e., principal component regression (PCR) and partial least-squares (PLS)] requires estimation of the number of factors (principal component) to use for the model. The most common approach is to use cross-validation for this purpose. Unfortunately, cross-validation is time consuming to carry out. Accordingly, we have searched for time-saving methods to estimate the number of factors. Two approaches were considered. The first uses the estimated standard error of the model and the second is an approximation to a cross-validation leave-one-out method. Both alternatives have been tested on spectroscopic data. It has been found that, when the number of wavelengths is limited, both methods give results similar to those obtained by full cross-validation both for PCR and PLS. However, when the number of wavelengths is large, the tested methods are reliable only for PCR and not for PLS.
Armstrong remembered at memorial

Neil Armstrong, who died on 25 August, was recognized during a 13 September memorial service as a courageous, humble, and reluctant hero who in 1969 became the first person to step onto the Moon. The service, held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D. C., included remembrances from astronauts and friends, an excerpt from President John Kennedy's 1962 “We choose to go to the Moon” speech, and a somber rendition of the jazz standard “Fly Me to the Moon.” NASA administrator Charles Bolden said that Armstrong, commander of NASA's Apollo 11 mission, “left a foundation for the future and paved the way for future American explorers to be first to step foot on Mars or another planet. Today, let us recommit ourselves to this grand challenge in honor of the man who first demonstrated it was possible to reach new worlds—and whose life demonstrated the quiet resolve and determination that makes every new, more difficult step into space possible.”
ELISA to evaluate plasma anti-asparaginase IgG concentrations in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The development of antibodies to asparaginase may attenuate the pharmacologic effect of asparaginase treatment, may be associated with hypersensitivity reactions, and may necessitate switching to a different commercial asparaginase preparation for current or future therapy. Thus, development of an ELISA for measurement of anti-asparaginase antibody levels is important in the clinical setting. An anti-asparaginase antibody reference was established by screening 65 plasma samples from six patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who had recently developed a hypersensitivity reaction to Escherichia coli or Erwinia chrysanthemi asparaginase therapy. Twenty-one plasma samples were selected for the anti-asparaginase antibody reference pool. Five micrograms per milliliter of commercial E. coli and Erwinia asparaginase and 10 microg/ml of E. coli asparaginase conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG asparaginase) were found to be optimal as coating antigen concentrations. Anti-asparaginase antibody concentrations were determined using a commercial polyclonal goat anti-human IgG horseradish peroxidase conjugate. The antibody reference curves were linear in a range of absorbance from 0.1 to 1. 5 O.D. units for dilutions from 1:1600 to 1:51,200. Inter-assay coefficients of variation were 9.04, 14.7 and 13.0%, and intra-assay coefficients of variation were 1.44, 4.43 and 3.28% for antibodies against E. coli, Erwinia, and PEG L-asparaginase, respectively. The cut-off for positivity in plasma was determined as mean+2 S.D. of the optical density values for plasma from untreated healthy volunteers. Measurement of specific IgG by this ELISA allows for the evaluation of plasma anti-asparaginase antibody concentrations in patients receiving one or more of the multiple commercial L-asparaginase preparations.
The 3-channel Lissajous' trajectory of the auditory brain-stem response. IX. Theoretical aspects☆☆☆

Abstract The 3-channel Lissajous' trajectory (3-CLT) provides a method of detecting more information on the neural generators which contribute to the ABR (auditory brain-stem response) than does a single-channel recording. Analysis of this information requires an ‘inverse’ solution (prediction of the mean generator characteristics from the surface potentials assuming a uniform spherical volume conductor). The inverse solution can yield one of a series of hypothetical dipoles, some of which bear a reasonably close correspondence to neural generator properties. In theory and practice the 3-CLT distinguishes between straight and curved axons and may provide sufficient information to delineate the spatial orientation of some curved axons. The measures derivable from this model and its analysis are described. Terminology utilized is defined.
Choosing the appropriate boundary for adaptive reduction (power system load flow)

Adaptive reduction method provides a way to retain the maximum sparsity in the power network matrix after reduction. It also provides a fast reduction calculation using the sparse vector technique, making it attractive for online load flow analysis applications. The question of determining the minimal reduced model size to work in conjunction with adaptive reduction is considered. Guidelines are developed for choosing the appropriate boundary when this can be done offline. A method is then presented for determining the boundary online, and its advantages are discussed. By choosing the appropriate boundary for adaptive reduction, the best size and sparsity of the reduced network model can be obtained to get the best solution speed. >
Surface Density and Density Analog Models for Criticality in Arrays of Fissile Materials

A surface density model based on experimental and calculated criticality data is developed for finite water-reflected arrays and results in semiempirical analytic expressions describing criticality. The relations provide information on the reactivity associated with such perturbations to arrays as changes in unit shapes, cell volumes, array shapes, and array reflectors. Equivalence between different fissile materials in a critical array is defined. The surface density and density analog models are shown to be in correspondence when applied to the same data. The density analog model is expressible as f(N) = g(m)rho/sup -2/. The functions f(N) and g(m) are explicitly given, and the constant exponent has general applicability.
Collisional ionization and destruction cross sections for hydrogen and helium Rydberg atoms on Ar, Xe, and N2: Failure of the independent-particle model

Absolute cross sections for the collisional ionization and the total destruction of hydrogen and helium atoms in low-lying Rydberg states colliding with Ar, Xe, and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ have been measured over the energy range from 1.0 to 30 keV/amu. The independent-particle model fails to explain the behavior of the Rydberg atom's outer electron in ionization collisions below 3 keV/amu for He (12\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}15) on Xe and ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$, but not on Ar. This represents an observation of the model's failure in collisions of Rydberg atoms with neutral perturbers in this energy range and shows that at low energies, where a molecular picture of the core-target scattering is valid, the Rydberg electron is sensitive to details of the molecular interactions between the target and the Rydberg atom's core.