cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of stochasticity on coinfection dynamics of respiratory viruses

Respiratory viral infections are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. As many as 40% of patients hospitalized with influenza-like illness are reported to be infected with more than one type of virus. However, it is not clear whether these infections are more severe than single viral infections. Mathematical models can be used to help us understand the dynamics of respiratory viral coinfections and their impact on the severity of the illness. Most models of viral infections use ordinary differential equations (ODE) that reproduce the average behavior of the infection, however, they might be inaccurate in predicting certain events because of the stochastic nature of viral replication cycle. Stochastic simulations of single virus infections have shown that there is an extinction probability that depends on the size of the initial viral inoculum and parameters that describe virus-cell interactions. Thus the coinfection dynamics predicted by the ODE might be difficult to observe in reality. In this work, a continuous-time Markov chain (CTMC) model is formulated to investigate probabilistic outcomes of coinfections. This CTMC model is based on our previous coinfection model, expressed in terms of a system of ordinary differential equations. Using the Gillespie method for stochastic simulation, we examine whether stochastic effects early in the infection can alter which virus dominates the infection. We derive extinction probabilities for each virus individually as well as for the infection as a whole. We find that unlike the prediction of the ODE model, for similar initial growth rates stochasticity allows for a slower growing virus to out-compete a faster growing virus.
Human cerebrospinal fluid apolipoprotein E isoforms are apparently inefficient at complexing with synthetic Alzheimer's amyloid-[beta] peptide (A[beta] 1-40 ) in vitro.

Variation at the apolipoprotein E locus on chromosome 19 plays a role in more cases of Alzheimer’s disease than does any other identified genetic determinant. We have previously reported the isoform-specific interaction of native human apolipoprotein E (APOE, gene; apoE, protein) e3 with the amyloid-s peptide, As1−40, the major component of the cerebral amyloid deposits that appear to cause Alzheimer’s disease. In order to investigate the apoE: Aβ interaction further, a modified assay was developed based on co-immunoprecipitation of the complex using an anti-apoE antibody (anti-apoE IP assay). Application of this assay demonstrated that the interaction of As1−40 and apoE can be distinguished into two types: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) -resistant and SDS-releasable. The SDS-resistant interaction between e3 and As1−40 is apparently maximal at an As1−40 concentration of ~75 µM, and an As1−40/e3 molar ratio of about 250:1. The major apoE-isoform-specific difference in interaction with As1−40 is the ability of As1−40 to form SDS-resistant complexes with e3 but not with e4. Using the anti-apoE co-IP assay, we found that human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) e3 can also form an SDS-resistant complex with As1−40 but human CSF e4 cannot. However, when compared with apoE e3 collected from the conditioned medium of APOE e3-transfected cells, the competence of equal concentrations of CSF apoE e3 to form SDS-resistant complexes with As1−40 is apparently diminished. A 1:1 mixture of CSF plus apoE e3-containing conditioned medium is associated with diminished As1−40/e3 complex formation to a greater extent than that observed when an identical volume of phosphate-buffered saline is added to apoE e3 medium. These results suggest the presence in CSF of factors that interfere with the formation of complexes between synthetic As1−40 and apoE e3.
Alterations in photosynthesis and energy reserves in Galdieria sulphuraria during corn stover hydrolysate supplementation

Abstract The carbon allocation and alterations in the photosynthetic apparatus of the red microalga, Galdieria sulphuraria CCMEE 5587.1 were investigated under photoautotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions in this paper. Photosynthetic O2 evolution values and chlorophyll a content decreased during one week of cultivation in both hetero- and mixotrophic cultivations. A 2.1-fold and 2.6-fold reduction was observed in phycocyanin content under mixo- and heterotrophic conditions, respectively. TEM microscopy confirmed that mixotrophic conditions favor carbon allocation toward starch biosynthesis along with an increase in the size of chloroplasts. In contrast, carbon is allocated toward lipid production under heterotrophic cultivation with apparent smaller multi-lobed chloroplasts. These results increase our understanding of the roles of photosynthesis and external carbon sources on bioenergy products from Galdieria.
Interim monitoring in a treatment strategy trial with a composite primary endpoint.

Abstract When a clinical trial has a composite endpoint and a comparison of treatment strategies with multiple intervention components, interim data reviews by a data safety and monitoring board (DSMB) can be challenging as the data evolve on multiple fronts. We illustrate with a study in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma (KS), an HIV-associated cancer with a multi-faceted disease presentation. The study, ACTG-A5264/AMC-067, was a 1:1 randomized trial to compare two strategies: immediate initiation of etoposide with antiretroviral therapy (ART), or ART with delayed etoposide upon disease progression. The outcome was a composite endpoint that included the following events, ordered from worst to best in the following three categories: (1) KS progression at 48 weeks, death, initiation of alternate KS treatment, loss to study follow-up; (2) stable KS; and (3) partial or complete KS response at 48 weeks. We present the interim results on the composite endpoint and the individual components, where components favored different study arms at an interim review. To facilitate interim data monitoring for complex trials, we recommend clear communications between the study team and the DSMB prior to the initiation of the trial on the need for a composite endpoint, the intentions behind the defined strategies, and relative importance of individual components of the composite endpoint. We also recommend flexibility in the timing of data reviews by the DSMB to interpret emerging data in multiple dimensions. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01352117
OUTCOMES AFTER CATHETER ABLATION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION: INSIGHTS FROM THE UC SAN DIEGO AF ABLATION REGISTRY

Catheter ablation improves clinical outcomes in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the role of catheter ablation in HF patients with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is less clear. We performed a retrospective
Effect of Different Forms of Activity-Based Recovery Training on Bladder, Bowel, and Sexual Function After Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Objectives To investigate whether the urogenital and bowel functional gains previously demonstrated post-locomotor step training after chronic spinal cord injury could have been derived due to weight-bearing alone or from exercise in general. Design Prospective cohort study; pilot trial with small sample size. Setting Urogenital and bowel scientific core facility at a rehabilitation institute and spinal cord injury research center in the United States. Participants Men and women (N=22) with spinal cord injury (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades of A-D) participated in this study. Interventions Approximately 80 daily 1-hour sessions of either stand training or nonweight-bearing arm crank ergometry. Comparisons were made with previously published locomotor training data (step; N=7). Main Outcome Measures Assessments at both pre- and post-training timepoints included cystometry for bladder function and International Data Set Questionnaires for bowel and sexual functions. Results Cystometry measurements revealed a significant decrease in bladder pressure and limited improvement in compliance with nonweight-bearing exercise but not with standing. Although International Data Set questionnaires revealed profound bowel dysfunction and marked deficits in sexual function pretraining, no differences were identified poststand or after nonweight-bearing exercise. Conclusions These pilot trial results suggest that, although stand and weight-bearing alone do not benefit pelvic organ functions after spinal cord injury, exercise in general may contribute at least partially to the lowering of bladder pressure and the increase in compliance that was seen previously with locomotor training, potentially through metabolic, humoral, and/or cardiovascular mechanisms. Thus, to maximize activity-based recovery training benefits for functions related to storage and emptying, an appropriate level of sensory input to the spinal cord neural circuitries controlling bladder and bowel requires task-specific stepping.
Revisiting Cultivation as a Gravitational Process: A Cross-National Comparison of the Cultivation of Fear and Mistrust

Communication scholars have found varying levels of support for cultivation theory in the United States and abroad. Using a multilevel modeling approach and data from 27 countries ( N > 51,000) from the fifth round of the European Social Survey, we found that the country in which a study is conducted explains a significant amount of the variance in violence-related outcome variables as well as in their relationship with television viewing. We further demonstrate how one cross-national contextual variable (welfare state regime) moderates cultivation relationships. For some of our outcomes, the relationships vary predictably across these groupings in a manner that strongly suggests mainstreaming. We propose that a macro-level approach would provide valuable insight into the complexities of cultivation theory.
Risk estimation of sexual transmission of Zika virus-United States, 2016-2017.

BACKGROUND Zika virus (ZIKV) can be transmitted sexually, but the risk of sexual transmission remains unknown. Most evidence of sexual transmission is from partners of infected travelers returning from areas with ZIKV circulation. METHODS We used data from the U.S. national arboviral disease surveillance system (ArboNET) on travel- and sexually-acquired ZIKV disease cases during 2016-2017 to develop individual-level simulations for estimating risk of male-to-female, male-to-male, and female-to-male sexual transmission of ZIKV via vaginal and/or anal intercourse. We specified parametric distributions to characterize individual-level variability of parameters for ZIKV persistence and sexual behaviors. RESULTS Using ZIKV RNA persistence in semen/vaginal fluids to approximate infectiousness duration, male-to-male transmission had the highest estimated probability [1.3% (95% CI: 0.4-6.0) per anal sex act], followed by male-to-female and female-to-male transmission [0.4% (95% CI: 0.3-0.6) per vaginal/anal sex act and 0.1% (95% CI:0-0.8) per vaginal sex act, respectively]. Models using viral isolation in semen vs. RNA detection to approximate infectiousness duration predicted greater risk of sexual transmission. CONCLUSIONS While likely insufficient to maintain sustained transmission, the estimated risk of ZIKV transmission through unprotected sex is not trivial and is especially important for pregnant women, as ZIKV infection can cause severe congenital disorders.
Combined anterior cervical spine fusion and total laryngopharyngectomy with free flap reconstruction: A technical note

Abstract Background and importance In complex cases such as dropped head cervical deformity due to post-radiation myopathy, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) could be done for deformity correction. In rare circumstances where there is a concurrent need for a total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP) and ACDF, there is a remarkable corridor for cervical discectomy and fusion from the extensive neck exposure. Clinical presentation We present the case of a patient with history of primary oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma and left parotid carcinoma status post treatment, now with post-radiation laryngeal dysfunction and dropped head cervical spinal deformity. Patient underwent posterior fixation for deformity correction and also to create anterior access for total laryngopharyngectomy (TLP). He then underwent combined TLP with anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap reconstruction and C3-5 ACDF with a vascularized pre-vertebral fascia flap coverage of the spinal hardware. Conclusion This unique case report is the first of its kind where total laryngopharyngectomy with free flap reconstruction was performed together with an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Though complex, such procedures can be performed with satisfactory outcomes in well-established centers.
Comment: Essential Data

Certain firms in the Internet economy may exclude competitors by refusing to deal data. Such conduct may impede innovation. But antitrust law lacks a coherent response to monopoly of data. This Comment proposes a policy inspired by duties to share. Over a century ago, courts devised an “essential facilities” doctrine that required monopolists to share inputs essential to competition with rivals. These inputs included phone lines and bridges. I contend that the essential facilities doctrine sometimes should require open access to data.
Multiquark strings

The use of basis states described as hadronic (or hadron-hadron) or hidden-colour (or colour-colour) for a system of quarks does not necessarily imply that connected exotic multiquark hadrons do exist. Antisymmetrization of quark wave functions tends to make these descriptions ill defined. It appears necessary to have stable collective structures called strings or bags to provide the physical connections required by quark confinement. The masses of multiquark hadrons can then be estimated by using simplified string, bag and NR potential models. The results turn out to be qualitatively similar in all these models. The stability problem for multiquark strings is briefly discussed.
Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles: Potential Solution to Oxidative Stress Mediated Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Complications

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammation-mediated disorder having systematic complications. RA triggers a self-directed inflammatory and immunological cascade that culminates in joint destruction. Though a range of treatment options are available, none of them are without adverse effects and this has led researchers to search for alternative solutions. Nanomedicine has emerged as a powerful therapeutic alternative, and selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient trace element that has a crucial role in human health and disease. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) derived from biological sources, such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and proteins, have exhibited remarkable candidate properties and toxicological profiles, and hence have shown potential to be used as antirheumatic agents. The potential of SeNPs can be attributed to the effect of functional groups bound to them, concentration, and most importantly to their nano range size. The antirheumatic effect of SeNPs is considerable due to its potential in amelioration of oxidative stress-mediated inflammation via downregulation of radical and nonradical species, markers of inflammation, and upregulation of inherent antioxidant defenses. The size and concentration impact of SeNPs has been shown in the subsequent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, the article emphasizes the role of these biogenic SeNPs as a notable option in the nanomedicine arena that needs to be further studied as a prospective remedial alternative to cure RA and medication-related adverse events.
Black Youth Suicide: Investigation of Current Trends and Precipitating Circumstances

Objective Suicide among Black youth is a significant public health concern, yet research investigating the epidemiology of suicide in this population is limited. This study examines current trends and precipitating circumstances of suicide by sex and age group in Black youth 5 to 17 years of age, using 2 national databases. Method Data from the Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) and the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) were used to investigate trends and precipitating circumstances of Black youth suicide from 2003 to 2017. We hypothesized suicide rates would increase over time for both sexes and all age groups (5-11, 12-14, and 15-17 years), and precipitating circumstances would differ by sex and age group. Trend analyses were conducted using Joinpoint regression software, version 4.8.0.01 (Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute). Sex and age group comparisons of characteristics and precipitating circumstances were conducted using standard univariate statistical tests. Results From 2003 to 2017, Black youth experienced a significant upward trend in suicide with the largest annual percentage change in the 15- to 17-year age group and among girls (4.9% and 6.6%, respectively). Mental health problems, relationship problems, interpersonal trauma and life stressors, and prior suicidal thoughts/behavior were the most common clinical characteristics and precipitating circumstances, with several varying by sex and age group. Conclusion Increases in Black youth suicide calls for the prioritization of research aimed at identifying specific risk and protective factors as well as developmental mechanisms associated with Black youth suicidal behavior. To implement effective suicide prevention programming, understanding targets for intervention is necessary.
A large buccal hematoma in a patient with Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome

Abstract Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HH) is a rare and severe variant of the inherited bone marrow failure syndrome dyskeratosis congenita (DC). HH often presents in early childhood with progressive bone marrow failure, immunodeficiency, intrauterine growth retardation, and cerebellar hypoplasia. Mortality often occurs early due to pancytopenia. This case report describes a 21-year-old male with Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson that presented with a large buccal hematoma secondary to accidental occlusal trauma while eating. Knowledge of DC and DC related disorders such as HH is useful for dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons given the oral and dental pathologies often present in these patients.
Alcohol and benzodiazepines: recent mechanistic studies.

During the past three years, Medline identified approx. 14 000 articles with the textwords of ‘ethanol, alcohol, or alcoholism’ and 1400 with the textword ‘benzodiazepine’. Given this plethora of research activity, it is obvious that this brief review must not only focus on the recent literature but must also be restricted to a small subset of recent papers. We have elected to cover only mechanistic, mainly molecular, actions of ethanol and benzodiazepines on selected brain signaling systems. There are many recent review Ž articles covering areas omitted from this review see Luddens et al., 1995; Barnes, 1996; Crews et al., 1996; Phillips and Shen, 1996; Phillips et al., 1997; Tabakoff and Hoffman, 1996; Wilson, 1996; Diamond and Gordon, 1997; Herz, 1997; Miczek et al., 1997; Valenzuela . and Harris, 1997; Buck et al., 1998 . Areas of research progress include:
Optimizations to prevent cache penalties for the Intel/spl reg/ Itanium/spl reg/ 2 processor

This paper describes scheduling optimizations in the Intel/spl reg/ Itanium/spl reg/ compiler to prevent cache penalties due to various micro-architectural effects on the Itanium 2 processor. This paper does not try to improve cache hit rates but to avoid penalties, which probably all processors have in one form or another, even in the case of cache hits. These optimizations make use of sophisticated methods for disambiguation of memory references, and this paper examines the performance improvement obtained by integrating these methods into the cache optimizations.
Flux-creep studies of vortex pinning in an aligned YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ superconductor with oxygen deficiencies δ<=0.2

Flux-creep measurements were carried out in magnetically aligned, sintered samples of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ with various oxygen deficiencies \ensuremath{\delta} (in the range 0\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\le}0.2), for temperatures T in the range from 5 to 75 K, with an applied magnetic field H\ensuremath{\parallel}c axis of 1 T. The normalized flux-creep rate S=d lnM/d lnt was determined as a function of T and \ensuremath{\delta}. The effective vortex-pinning potential ${\mathit{U}}_{\mathrm{eff}}$(J) and the pinning energy ${\mathit{U}}_{0}$ were calculated both in the linear Anderson-Kim approximation as well as in the nonlinear formalism of vortex-glass and collective-pinning theory. The applicability of the nonlinear formalism was tested and discussed. There is a close correspondence between the energy scaling parameter ${\mathit{U}}_{0}$ of the nonlinear model and the pinning energy of a pointlike pinning center. A comparison of the experimental results with predictions of collective-pinning theory reveals a consistent picture of vortex motion in this family of superconductors.
Temperament, mood disorder and human nature: toward an integration of psychological medicine and evolutionary biology

Temperament is an ancient concept of psychological medicine, denoting the optimum mix of emotional traits involving reactivity. Hippocratic medicine ascribed it to four humors and their temperaments. Despite a rocky history during the past 2,500 years, temperament has undergone a renaissance lately. This presentation summarizes the author's collaborative research in 12 countries worldwide, leading to the psychometrically validated Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego (TEMPS). Concurrent validity has been shown with the TPQ and the NEO-FFI. An advantage of the TEMPS is that it is formulated in subaffective terminology and can be easily applied to affective disorders, and by extension, to its biologic underpinnings. It is indeed my thesis that temperament can serve as the bridge between such remote predisposing factors as genes, early experience, and proximate stressful circumstances, with gender playing a moderating influence.
The Purpose of Death: A Reply to Professor Dworkin

"But men may construe things after their [own] fashion,Clean from the purpose of the things themselves."William Shakespeare*The recent transplantation at the Stanford Medical Center of theheart and kidneys of a victim of an armed assault has served to em-phasize again the need for a new definition of death which would permitan authoritative determination whether a person whose brain functionsare permanently destroyed is dead or alive. Dr. Leon Kass and I haveproposed a model statute' which attempts to set to rest the uncertaintiesfor the criminal and civil law both in unusual situations such as that ofthe California homicide organ donor, and in the far more common, butno less troubling, situation in which the "vital signs" of a comatose patientare supported for some time and the question arises, "Is he dead ?"Professor Roger Dworkin argues that all such efforts to define deathare misguided in failing to ask the purpose for which the definition issought.
Mortality Reduction With β‐Blockers in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with systolic heart failure (HF) carries high morbidity and mortality rates. Reducing perioperative mortality with beta-blockers (BBs) may help improve outcomes. Analysis of 4903 patients who underwent isolated CABG surgery was performed. In-hospital mortality of systolic HF patients who received BBs was 2.03%; systolic HF patients who did not receive BBs had a mortality of 5.20%. Thirty-day mortality was 2.98% in the patients with systolic HF who received BBs and 6.16% in the patients who did not. beta-Blockade did not affect the mortality in patients with preserved systolic function. Cardiogenic shock was a predictor of increased mortality in patients with systolic HF, while BBs reduced mortality. BBs are associated with decreased in-hospital and 30-day mortality in patients with systolic HF. BB therapy should be considered in patients with systolic HF who are undergoing CABG.
Outcomes of radical prostatectomy for patients with clinical stage T1a and T1b disease

OBJECTIVE To compare the outcomes between patients with stage T1a/b with those of patients with T1c cancer of the prostate treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP), as the appropriate management of clinical stage T1a/b prostate cancer is subject to debate; although many patients are managed expectantly, some have adverse pathological features suggesting that more active treatment might be beneficial. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1983 to 2003, 3478 men had RRP by one surgeon. From this group, we retrospectively identified 29 men with clinical stage T1a and 83 with clinical stage T1b disease. Using statistical analysis we compared the treatment outcomes of these patients with those of 1774 men with clinical stage T1c disease. RESULTS Men with T1a/b disease had a significantly lower preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, a greater proportion with organ-confined disease, and a lower mean/median prostatectomy Gleason score than those with T1c disease. Also, men with T1a/b disease were less likely to be potent before surgery, although the frequency of recovery of potency was similar among all groups. On multivariate analysis with age, year of surgery, PSA level and Gleason score, there was no statistical difference in the rates of biochemical recurrence and the 10-year overall survival rates. However, patients with T1b disease had a significantly lower cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS T1a and T1b prostate cancer can be associated with aggressive pathological features and have a similar rate of progression as clinical stage T1c disease. That notwithstanding, most patients in the study were cured with RRP and had favourable long-term functional outcomes.
Weber's Concept of Causality and the Modern Critique

Weber's concept of causality established a middle ground between the extremes of the causality debate in his day by developing a concept that was unique in two respects: it was tailored to the needs of the distinctive subject matter of the social sciences, meaningful human action, and it utilized the legal model of causal analysis. Interpreted in this light, Weber's concept meets several of the criticisms of the use of causal analysis in the social sciences recently advanced by Peters and Winch.
Analysis of Granular Damping Using Hilbert Transform Based Technique

Granular damping results from a combination of energy dissipation mechanisms including the impact and the friction between the vibrating structure and granules and among the granules. Although simple in concept, granular damping is very complicated and its performance depends on a number of factors, such as vibration level, granular material properties, and packing ratio, etc. In this study, free vibration tests are conducted on a cantilevered beam incorporated with granular damping. A signal analysis approach based on the Hilbert transform (HT) is then employed to identify the nonlinear damping characteristics from the acquired responses, such as the dependency of the natural frequency and damping ratio on vibration level. This HT based analysis can produce an accurate temporal-frequency amplitude/energy analysis which provides us with physical insights of the nonlinear transient response. A direct comparison between the granular damping and the impact damping (with single impactor to dissipate vibratory energy) is performed to highlight the difference between these two as well as the advantages of granular damping. Finally, validity of the proposed approach is also examined by the successful prediction of vibration response using the extracted granular damping characteristics.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
X-radiation damage of hydrated lecithin membranes detected by real-time X-ray diffraction using wiggler-enhanced synchrotron radiation as the ionizing radiation source☆

Abstract Radiation damage of hydrated lecithin membranes brought about by exposure to wiggler-derived synchrotron radiation at 8.3 keV (1.5 A) is reported. Considerable damage was observed with exposures under 1 h at an incident flux density of 3 × 1010 photon s−1 mm−2, corresponding to a cumulative radiation dose of ≦10 MRad. Damage was so dramatic as to be initially observed while making real-time X-ray diffraction measurements on the sample. The damaging effects of 8.3 keV X-rays on dispersions of dipalmitoyllecithin and lecithin derived from hen egg yolk are as follows: (1) marked changes were noted in the X-ray diffraction behaviour, indicating disruption of membrane stacking. (2) Chemical breakdown of lecithin was observed. (3) The X-ray beam visibly damaged the sample and changed the appearance of the lipid dispersion, when viewed under the light microscope. Considering the importance of X-ray diffraction as a structural probe and the anticipated use of synchrotron radiation in studies involving membranes, the problem of radiation damage must be duly recognized. Furthermore, since dipalmitoyllecithin, the major lipid used in the present study, is a relatively stable compound, it is not unreasonable to expect that X-ray damage may be a problem with other less stable biological and non-biological materials. These results serve to emphasize that whenever a high intensity X-ray source is used, radiation damage can be a problem and that the sensitivity of the sample must always be evaluated under the conditions of measurement.
Development of a novel method for monitoring oils in water

Abstract A monitor for hydrocarbons in water is described. An unclad optical fiber, inserted through a stainless steel capillary, is coated with an organophilic compound such as octadecyltrichlorosilane. The input radiation is at 632.8 nm from a low-power laser. The normal total internal reflection is degraded by adsorption of hydrocarbons in the organophilic coating, because of the change in refractive index at the surface of the optical fiber, and the variation in output signal can be related to the concentration of hydrocarbon in the water flowing through the capillary. Aromatics, crude oil, and oil products dispersed in water can be measured directly, without solvent extraction. In its present form, the monitor can detect diesel oil in water at 17 mg l−1 and crude oil at 3 mg l−1. Moreover, a relationship appears to exist between the solubility of a hydrocarbon and the detection threshold of the monitoring system. With the proper organophilic coating, the use of an optical fiber with a suitable detector will be promising for detection and measurement of such contaminants and, possibly, for specific types.
Seasonal sedimentation of autochthonous material from the euphotic zone of a coastal system

Abstract The seasonal sedimentation of particulate matter across the pycnocline was recorded in the Kattegat during the period of stratification (March–October 1989). The proportion of viable phytoplankton cells of the total carbon flux (63 g C m −2 ) was low (18%). Faecal pellets contributed on average less than 5%. The major component of the sinking matter consisted of detrital material (amorphous particles with few recognizable components) which was estimated mainly to originate from the activity of microzooplankton. The average C/N ratio of the particulate biogenic matter trapped at the pycnocline was 8·6, but only 6·4 for the suspended particulate organic matter in the mixed layer indicating that nitrogen is more effectively recycled than carbon in the euphotic zone. This mechanism allows for an additional new organic carbon production of 33% compared to that which can be estimated from the external loading of nitrogen. Over the entire period the average daily vertical flux of carbon corresponded to 14% of the phytoplankton biomass indicating a high efficiency in the transport of organic material from the euphotic zone to the bottom.
PPACK attenuates plasmin-induced changes in endothelial integrity

In order to determine whether plasmin affects endothelial cell integrity directly, confluent bovine aortic endothelial cells were treated with plasminogen and a plasminogen activator. The permeability of the monolayer to [125I]-albumin was shown to be increased significantly (P < 0.01) with a concomitant decrease in viability. Plasmin activity correlated significantly with endothelial cell permeability (p < 0.004; r = 0.82). Coincubation with D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl chloromethylketone, a tripeptide inhibitor of plasmin, reduced the increase in endothelial permeability induced by plasmin by 59% (p = 0.033). Monolayers studied in parallel were stained with rhodamine-phalloidin to visualize F-actin. There were significant morphologic changes in the endothelial monolayers exposed to plasmin compared to control monolayers, and these changes could be attenuated by coincubation with D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl chloromethylketone. These studies show that: 1) plasmin induces significant increases in endothelial cell permeability with accompanying morphologic changes; and 2) these deleterious functional and morphologic effects can be attenuated by coincubation with the plasmin inhibitor, D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl chloromethylketone.
Immune-mediated bone marrow failure in C57BL/6 mice

We established a model of immune-mediated bone marrow (BM) failure in C57BL/6 (B6) mice with 6.5 G total-body irradiation followed by the infusion of 4-10 × 10 6 lymph node (LN) cells/recipient from Friend leukemia virus B/N (FVB) donors. Forty-three percent of animals succumbed, with surviving animals showing marked declines in blood neutrophils, red blood cells, platelets and total BM cells at 8 to 14 days following LN cell infusion. Lowering the total-body irradiation dose to 5 G or altering the LN source from FVB to BALB/cBy donors failed to produce BM destruction. Affected animals showed significant expansion and activation of CD8 T lymphocytes in both the blood and BM; cytotoxic T cells had elevated Fas ligand expression and were oligoclonal, mainly displaying Vβ7 and Vβ17 T cell receptors. There were significant increases in blood plasma interferon γ and tissue necrosis factor α in affected animals. Chemokine ligands CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CCL20, CXCL2, and CXCL5 and hematopoietic growth factors G-CSF, M-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF were also elevated. In B6 mice carrying a Fas gene mutation, BM failure was attenuated when they were infused with FVB LN cells. Our model establishes a useful platform to define the roles of individual genes and their products in immune-mediated BM failure.
Improvement in pain after lumbar surgery in cancer patients with mechanical radiculopathy

Abstract Background context Lumbar metastases can result in spinal instability and mechanical radiculopathy, characterized by radicular pain produced by axial loading. This pain pattern represents a definitive symptom of neoplastic instability and may serve as a reliable indication for surgical stabilization. Purpose We examined the results of surgical decompression and fixation in the treatment of mechanical radiculopathy. Study design/setting A retrospective clinical study. Patient sample An internally maintained spine neurosurgery database was queried between February 2002 and April 2010. Patients were identified and deemed eligible for inclusion in this study based on the presence of all the following: metastatic tumor, lumbar surgery, and lumbar radiculopathy. Outcome measures Visual analog scale (VAS) of pain and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status. Methods The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Department of Neurosurgery operative database was queried over an 8-year period to identify all patients with spinal metastases who underwent lumbar surgery. Only patients whose operative indication included mechanical radiculopathy were included. Pre- and postoperative pain was assessed with the VAS of pain, whereas pre- and postoperative performance status was evaluated using the ECOG. Results Fifty-five patients were included in the cohort. L2 and L3 were the most common levels involved, and most patients underwent multilevel posterior decompression and instrumented fusion. After surgery, 98% of patients reported pain relief. A significant difference between average pre- and postoperative pain scores was found (p Conclusions Mechanical radiculopathy in patients with spinal metastases represents a highly reliable surgical indication. Spinal decompression and fixation is an effective treatment for pain palliation in this patient population.
Canopy arthropod communities in relation to forest age and alternative harvest practices in western Oregon

Abstract Arthropod community structure and herbivory were compared in replicate Douglas-fir and western hemlock canopies in intact old-growth (> 400-year-old), and Douglas-fir only in partially harvested old-growth, natural mature (150-year-old) stand, and regenerating plantations (10–20-year-old) in a 15 000 ha area including the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest in western Oregon. Species diversity and abundances of several taxa, especially predators and detritivores, were significantly lower in plantations compared to older forests. Mature, old-growth, and partially harvested stands showed few significant differences, but principal components analysis suggested some differences in community structure and indicated that old-growth was least variable (tighter clustering) in arthropod diversity and abundance, whereas partially harvested stands were most variable. Defoliation was higher in the mature stands, probably because these stands were composed of relatively dense and pure Douglas-fir. Although old-growth appeared to be the source of greatest arthropod biodiversity in these forests, arthropod communities in Douglas-fir canopies may largely recover old-growth structure by 150 years, and partially harvested stands retain substantially greater arthropod diversity than do regenerating plantations.
Lateral mass screw fixation in children.

Purpose The safety and feasibility of posterior screw fixation of the cervical spine in children has not been well documented in the orthopedic literature. We performed a retrospective review of our experience using posterior cervical screw fixation in children.
Comparison of data obtained from sedated versus unsedated wireless telemetry capsule placement: does sedation affect the results of ambulatory 48-hour pH testing?

Objectives: The introduction of 48-hour wireless pH testing provides a novel technique of evaluating persons with suspected reflux disease. The wireless capsule can be placed in a sedated individual at the time of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or in an unsedated individual at a time after the initial EGD, at the time of esophageal manometry or at the time of transnasal esophagoscopy. The effect that sedation has on the results of 48-hour wireless pH testing has not been evaluated. Purpose: To evaluate the day to day variability and the effect of sedation on the results of 48-hour wireless pH testing. Methodology: The charts of all patients at a tertiary swallowing center undergoing 48-hour wireless pH testing between June 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004 were retrospectively evaluated. Data concerning study indications, route of pH capsule placement, duration of pH recording, and test results were collected. Day to day variability was evaluated, and the results obtained from persons with sedated and unsedated pH capsule placement were compared. Results: Two hundred and six studies were performed. The indications for the examination were gastroesophageal reflux disease (146/206), chronic cough (36/206), and laryngopharyngeal reflux (24/206). Sixty-two percent (128/206) of the studies were performed without sedation and 38% (78/206) with sedation. The overall reproducibility of the daily pH recordings (day 1 vs. day 2) was 77%. Although some trends were observed, there was no significant association between the use of sedation and any of the reflux parameters on pH testing (P > .05). Conclusions: The day to day reproducibility of 48-hour wireless pH testing was 77%. Intravenous sedation does not appear to have a significant effect on the results of 48-hour wireless pH testing.
Efficient arithmetic sum-of-product (SOP) based multiple constant multiplication (MCM) for FFT

In this paper, we present an arithmetic sum-of-products (SOP) based realization of the general Multiple Constant Multiplication (MCM) algorithm. We also propose an enhanced SOP based algorithm, which uses Partial Max-SAT (PMSAT) to further optimize the SOP. The enhanced algorithm attempts to reduce the number of rows (partial products) of the SOP, by i) shifting coefficients to realize other coefficients when possible, ii) exploring multiple implementations of each coefficient using a Minimal Signed Digit (MSD) format and iii) exploiting the mutual exclusiveness within certain groups of partial products. Hardware implementations of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm require the incoming data to be multiplied by one of several constant coefficients. We test/validate it for FFT, which is an important problem. We compare our SOP-based architectures with the best existing implementation of MCM for FFT (which utilizes a cascade of adders), and show that our approaches show a significant improvement in area and delay. Our architecture was synthesized using 65nm technology libraries.
The independence of membrane potential and potassium activation of the sodium pump in muscle

The membrane potential (Em) of sartorius muscle fibers was made insensitive to [K+] by equilibration in a 95 mM K+, 120 mM Na+ Ringer solution. Under these conditions a potassium-activated, ouabain-sensitive sodium efflux was observed which had characteristics similar to those seen in muscles with Em sensitive to [K+]. In addition, in the presence of 10 mM K+, these muscles were able to produce a net sodium extrusion against an electrochemical gradient which was also inhibited by 10- minus 4 M oubain. This suggests that the membrane potential does not play a major role in the potassium activation of the sodium pump in muscles.
Development of a scoring system for atrial fibrillation in acute stroke and transient ischemic attack patients: The LADS scoring system

Abstract Introduction Detection of atrial fibrillation in patients presenting with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is important for the prevention of future events. We sought to develop a scoring system that would identify those patients most likely to have atrial fibrillation. Methods Records from an inpatient stroke and TIA database and echocardiographic data were reviewed. Consecutive acute stroke and TIA patients over the age of 18 who were admitted during a two-year period were studied. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify variables associated with atrial fibrillation. Logistic regression analyses were used to develop a scoring system for atrial fibrillation. Results 953 patient charts were reviewed; 145 patients (15%) had atrial fibrillation. In univariate and multivariate analyses, variables that were significantly associated with atrial fibrillation included left atrial diameter, age, and diagnosis of stroke. A history of smoking showed an inverse association. A 6-point scoring system based on these variables (with the acronym of LADS) was developed. A score of 4 or greater was associated with a sensitivity of 85.5% and a specificity of 53.1%. Approximately 47% of stroke and TIA patients would be excluded from further investigation using this score. Conclusions We describe a system of scoring that identifies acute stroke and TIA patients with a greater chance of having atrial fibrillation. An inverse relationship with smoking was found. Further prospective studies are required to determine the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of this scoring system in clinical practice and to investigate the inverse relationship between smoking and atrial fibrillation in this population.
Cytochemical and ultrastructural studies on the synaptonemal complex of rat spermatocytes.

The effects of several dehydration treatments on the synaptonemal complex (SC), histone solubility in 2.0 M NaCl, and histone-DNA interaction in unfixed rat spermatocytes were evaluated. Freeze substitution with ethanol or dehydration with polyethylene glygol resulted in loss of the SC, preservation of histone solubility and DNA-histone salt linkages. Dehydration with ethylene glycol or hexylene glycol resulted in preservation of SC with a clear delineation of attachment of the chromatin fibrils to the lateral elements, but a loss of histone solubility and histone-DNA linkages. Dehydration to a fifty percent concentration with glycerol with completion of dehydration with ethylene glycol had the same effect but also resulted in an even distribution of chromatin fibrils. Dehydration with glycerol alone resulted in clumping of chromatin and loss of SC structure, histone solubility and histone-DNA linkages. Partial dehydration to a fifty percent concentration with these three solvents followed by freeze substitution with ethanol resulted in the loss of SC structure and histone solubility but the preservation of histone-DNA linkages. It is likely that these nonaqueous solvents affected the histone hydrophobic groups and thereby altered histone conformation and interactions. These alterations, depending on the treatment used, resulted in the loss or preservation of SC, histone solubility and histone-DNA interactions thereby indicating that the hydrophobic interactions of the histones are crucial for the preservation of these feature of meiotic chromosomes. These results also demonstrate that neither does the preservation of the histone-DNA salt linkages suffice for the preservation of the SC nor does their disruption necessarily result in its loss. The lysine-rich histones, particularly that one unique to meiotic cells, may through their interactions play a crucial role in SC structure.
MO‐E‐204B‐08: How Well Do Effective Doses Predict Carcinogenic Risks in Body CT?

Purpose: To compare the radiation‐induced cancer risks per unit effective dose for five types of body CT scans.Method and Materials:CT examinations investigated were chest, abdominal, pelvic, abdomen/pelvis and chest/abdomen/pelvis. Effective doses and organ doses were obtained using ImPACT CT Patient Dosimetry Calculator (version 1.0). Organ doses were converted into gender and age‐dependent patient carcinogenic risks using data in BEIR VII. Values of cancer incidence risk per unit effective dose (mSv) were obtained for males and females ranging from 20 to 80 year old. Results: For males, the highest cancer risk was 14 per 100,000 people per mSv for 20 year olds undergoing pelvic CT, and the lowest risk was 1.2 per 100,000 people per mSv for 80 year olds undergoing chest CT. For females, the highest cancer risk was 17 per 100,000 people per mSv for 20 year olds undergoing chest CT, and the lowest risk was 1.4 per 100,000 people per mSv for 80 year olds undergoing abdominal CT. The age‐averaged value (± Standard Deviation) of the ratio of the highest to lowest risk per mSv for males and females were 2.8 ± 0.2 and 2.2 ± 0.2, respectively. The average carcinogenic risk for females per mSv was about 23% higher than that for males. Increasing the patient age from 20 to 80 reduced the radiation risk by nearly a factor of five for males, and nearly a factor of six for females. Conclusion: For the same effective doses in body CT, the risk to any individual patient can vary by up to 300%. Patient age is much more important for determining patient risk than patient sex.