cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
60941 Vaginal pH predicts cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-2 regression in women living with human immunodeficiency virus

ABSTRACT IMPACT: The potential to use vaginal pH as a low cost, non-invasive diagnostic test at the point of CIN2 diagnosis to predict worsening of cervical disease. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We previously reported that persistence/progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-2 (CIN2) was uncommon in women living with HIV (WLH) from the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS, now MWCCS). Here we examined additional factors that may influence CIN2 natural history. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A total of 337 samples from 94 WLH with a confirmed CIN2 diagnosis were obtained from the MWCCS. 42 cervicovaginal HPV types and 34 cervicovaginal cytokines/chemokines were measured at CIN2 diagnosis (94 samples) and 6-12 months prior to CIN2 diagnosis (79 samples). Covariates, including CD4 count and vaginal pH, were abstracted from core MWCCS visits. Logistic regression models were used to explore CIN2 regression (CIN1, normal) vs. persistence/progression (CIN2, CIN3). Log rank tests, Kaplan Meier method, and Cox regression modeling were used to determine CIN2 regression rates. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The most prevalent HPV types were HPV54 (21.6%) and 53 (21.3%). 33 women (35.1%) had a subsequent CIN2/CIN3 diagnosis (median 12.5 years follow-up). Each additional hr-HPV type detected at the pre-CIN2 visit associated with increased odds of CIN2 persistence/progression (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.15, 4.50). Higher vaginal pH (aOR 2.27, 95% CI 1.15, 4.50) and bacterial vaginosis (aOR 5.08, 95% CI 1.30, 19.94) at the CIN2 diagnosis visit associated with higher odds of CIN2 persistence/progression. Vaginal pH >4.5 at CIN2 diagnosis also associated with unadjusted time to CIN2 persistence/progression (log rank p=0.002) and a higher rate of CIN2 persistence/progression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 3.37, 95% CI 1.26, 8.99). Cervicovaginal cytokine/chemokine levels were not associated with CIN2 persistence/progression. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: We found relatively low prevalence of HPV16/18 in this cohort. Elevated vaginal pH at the time of CIN2 diagnosis may be a useful indicator of CIN2 persistence/progression and the rate of persistence/progression.
Cortico-Fugal Regulation of Predictive Coding

ABSTRACT Sensory systems must account for both contextual factors and prior experience to adaptively engage with the dynamic external environment. In the central auditory system, neurons modulate their responses to sounds based on statistical context. These response modulations can be understood through a hierarchical predictive coding lens: responses to repeated stimuli are progressively decreased, in a process known as repetition suppression, whereas unexpected stimuli produce a prediction error signal. Prediction error incrementally increases along the auditory hierarchy from the inferior colliculus (IC) to the auditory cortex (AC), suggesting that these regions may engage in hierarchical predictive coding. A potential substrate for top-down predictive cues is the massive set of descending projections from the auditory cortex to subcortical structures, although the role of this system in predictive processing has never been directly assessed. We tested the effect of optogenetic inactivation of the auditory cortico-collicular feedback in awake mice on responses of IC neurons to stimuli designed to test prediction error and repetition suppression. Inactivation of the cortico-collicular pathway led to a decrease in prediction error in IC. Repetition suppression was unaffected by cortico-collicular inactivation, suggesting that this metric may reflect fatigue of bottom-up sensory inputs rather than predictive processing. We also discovered populations of IC neurons that exhibit repetition enhancement, a sequential increase in firing with stimulus repetition. Cortico-collicular inactivation led to a decrease in repetition enhancement in the central nucleus of IC, suggesting that it is a top-down phenomenon. Negative prediction error, a stronger response to a tone in a predictable rather than unpredictable sequence, was suppressed in shell IC units during cortico-collicular inactivation. These changes in predictive coding metrics arose from bidirectional modulations in the response to the standard and deviant contexts, such that neurons in IC responded more similarly to each context in the absence of cortical input. We also investigated how these metrics compare between the anesthetized and awake states by recording from the same neurons under both conditions. We found that metrics of predictive coding and deviance detection differ depending on the anesthetic state of the animal, with negative prediction error emerging in the central IC and repetition enhancement and prediction error being more prevalent in the absence of anesthesia. Overall, our results demonstrate that the auditory cortex provides cues about the statistical context of sound to subcortical brain regions via direct feedback, regulating processing of both prediction and repetition.
Updated results of phase II trial using escalating doses of neoadjuvant atezolizumab for cisplatin-ineligible patients with nonmetastatic urothelial cancer (NCT02451423).

e16510Background: Patients (pts) with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy have no standard systemic therapy options and are prioritized for radical cys...
E-cigarette use and promotion by social media influencers during videogame play on Twitch

E-cigarette consumption among adolescents around the world, including the USA, is a public health concern.1–3 Exposure to social influencer content and other promotional strategies has been associated with increased risk of e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults.4–7 One factor contributing to the uptake of e-cigarette use among adolescents is the industry’s overt and covert promotional strategies, including the use of influencers, that target teenagers. Influencers (eg, public figures, promoters, models, bloggers, brand ambassadors with followers of 1000 users or more)8–10 promote e-cigarette products11–13 on behalf of tobacco brands for monetary compensation or other rewards14–17 on social media platforms that are popular among youth (eg, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitch).13 18–25 We recently discovered evidence of use and promotion of e-cigarettes by influencers on Amazon-owned Twitch, a video-sharing platform, which is similar to YouTube, but caters more to live streamers as opposed to creators of stored, long-lasting content.26 Twitch is predominantly a video gaming platform, where audiences watch …
Mechanically Triggered Carbon Monoxide Release with Turn-On Aggregation-Induced Emission

Polymers that release functional small molecules under mechanical stress potentially serve as next-generation materials for catalysis, sensing, and mechanochemical dynamic therapy. To further expand the function of mechanoresponsive materials, the discovery of chemistries capable of small molecule release are highly desirable. In this report, we detail a non-scissile bifunctional mechanophore (i.e., dual mechano-activated properties) based on a unique mechanochemical reaction involving norborn-2-en-7-one (NEO). One property is the release of carbon monoxide (CO) upon pulsed solution ultrasonication. A release efficiency of 58% is observed at high molecular weights (Mn = 158.8 kDa), equating to ~154 molecules of CO re-leased per chain. The second property is the bright cyan emission from the macromolecular product in its aggregated state, resulting in a turn-on fluorescence readout coincident with CO release. This report not only demonstrates a unique strategy for the release of small molecule in a non-scissile way, but also guides future design of force-responsive aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens.
Evaluation of Previous Rotation on Flax Performance in Certified Organic Production - Crawfordsville Trial, 2005

Introduction Flax (Linum usitatissimum [Linaceae] – linen family) is an ancient crop that had been grown in Iowa for many years, but it has been displaced by the emphasis on commodity corn and soybeans. Flax has many uses, including industrial oils from oilseed flax; food-quality flaxseed oil; and linen products, fiberboard and paper products from the straw. Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are associated with lowered risk of heart disease and lowered blood cholesterol levels. Flax has a 50-day vegetative period, a 25-day flowering period, and a 35-day period to maturity. Seeds are produced in bolls that contain 6–10 seeds. Seed color can be brown, golden, or yellow. The seed is covered with a mucilaginous coating. The flax crop responds to up to 50 lb/acre nitrogen, similar to organic small grains. Mycorrhizal association may increase the ability of flax to take up phosphorus from the soil, so growing flax after mycorrhizal wheat rather than after nonmycorrhizal canola may improve its phosphorus uptake by flax. Early-seeded flax generally produces the highest yields, when using the same planting dates as small grains. Frost seldom kills flax seedlings. Nonuniform maturity and ripening are problems in lateseeded fields.
Compositionality and Structured Propositions

In this article, we evaluate the Compositionality Argument for structured propositions. This argument hinges on two seemingly innocuous and widely accepted premises: the Principle of Semantic Compositionality and Propositionalism (the thesis that sentential semantic values are propositions). We show that the Compositionality Argument presupposes that compositionality involves a form of building, and that this metaphysically robust account of compositionality is subject to counter-example: there are compositional representational systems that this principle cannot accommodate. If this is correct, one of the most important arguments for structured propositions is undermined.
Source of oxygen in the conversion of 2-tridecanone to undecyl acetate by Pseudomonas cepacia and Nocardia sp.

Abstract Cell-free extracts from Pseudomonas cepacia and Nocardia sp. when supplied with NADPH accumulated undecyl acetate from 2-tridecanone in the presence of an esterase inhibitor, tetraethyl pyrophosphate. Mass spectra of undecyl acetate formed in an 16O2-atmosphere exhibited characteristic oxygencontaining ions of m/e 61, 73, and 116. In experiments with 18O2, these ions appeared at m/e 63, 75, and 118. Absence of a significant peak at m/e 45 in the 18O-containing ester established that the 18O was in the C-O-C linkage rather than the carbonyl oxygen. Incorporation of molecular oxygen in the presence of NADPH into 2-tridecanone to form undecyl acetate is consistent with an oxygenase-type reaction.
Trace element pass-through for cellulose filters when used for aerosol collection

Abstract Filter papers and impaction substrates made of cellulose fibers, such as Whatman 41 and Misco P810/252, are of considerable utility in the collection of aerosol for subsequent trace elemental analysts. This experiment evaluated the performance of Misco P810/252 in collecting trace elements, relative to a co-located standard glass fiber filter hi-vol collection. Sampling was conducted in varying meteorological conditions, so that results might be expressed in terms of environmental variables such as temperature and relative humidity. The pass-through factors presented here were derived from a series of environmental samples collected over land and over water. Overall, the Misco impactor/filter failed to collect 38% of Pb and 32% of Zn.
Changes in Bone Microarchitecture and Biomechanical Properties in the th3 Thalassemia Mouse are Associated with Decreased Bone Turnover and Occur During the Period of Bone Accrual

Osteoporosis and fractures occur frequently in patients with β-thalassemias, a group of congenital hemolytic anemias characterized by decreased synthesis of the β chain of hemoglobin. In this study, we determined the bone abnormalities of the th3 thalassemia mouse, generated by deletion of the mouse β-chain genes. The heterozygous th3/+ mouse has moderate anemia and serves as a model of β-thalassemia intermedia, which represents the mild thalassemia phenotype. The th3/th3 mouse has lethal anemia and is a model of β-thalassemia major, which is characterized by life-threatening anemia requiring regular transfusions to sustain life. Compared to controls, (1) μCT of trabecular bone showed decreased bone volume fraction, number of trabeculae, and trabecular thickness in both th3/+ and th3/th3 (P < 0.05); (2) cortical bone analysis showed thinner cortices and increased marrow area in th3/+ (P < 0.05); (3) μCT abnormalities in th3/+ mice were present by 2 months and did not worsen with age; (4) histomorphometry was significant for decreased bone formation and resorption in both th3/+ and th3/th3, and expression of cathepsin K and osteocalcin from bone of both th3/+ and th3/th3 animals was reduced (P < 0.05); (5) biomechanics showed reduced maximum load, maximum moment, and structural stiffness in both th3/+ and th3/th3 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the th3 mouse model of thalassemia manifests bone changes reminiscent of those in humans and can be used for further bone studies in thalassemia. Bone changes are associated with decreased bone turnover and develop early during the period of bone accrual.
HgTe-MnTe alloys—II. Electrical properties

Abstract The Hall effect magnetoresistance and Seebeck effect have been measured at 77 and 300°K in sintered samples of Hg1−xMnxTe alloys which have the zinc blende type lattice. The hole mobility is about 100 cm2/V sec at 77 and 300°K and m ∗ + /m = 0·3 when x m ∗ −/m = 0·005−0·012 overlaps the valence band when x 0·13, and another conduction band with a lower mobility replaces the (000) valley when x > 0·15. Only p-type material has been obtained when x > 0·25. Most stoichiometric samples contained at least 1017 cm−3 acceptors. Some could be removed by annealing, others may be due to metallic impurities or oxygen. Excess tellurium and copper are acceptor impurities. Excess mercury is a donor when x 0·05. The number of holes increases when oxygen is added and the energy gap appears to decrease as well.
Bundling of microtubules in the growth cone induced by laminin.

Axons growing in the developing nervous system are guided by cues in the environment which act at the growth cone. So far, the initial cytoskeletal target of these cues has been found to be the network of actin filaments in the peripheral region of the growth cone. Laminins are constituents of the extracellular matrix which promote axonal growth. They exert effects on the actin network. Here, laminin 1 is shown to affect microtubules as well. Acute addition of laminin 1 to rat sympathetic neurons quickly caused the advance of microtubules and their bundling within the initial widely spread growth cone and then the outgrowth of thin, rapidly growing nascent axons. The bundling was pharmacologically separable from the advance of microtubules caused by laminin, as the former but not the latter was blocked by lithium. The bundling did not depend on the peripheral network of actin filaments, as it was unimpaired by the removal of this network with cytochalasin D. Thus, microtubules seem to be a direct cytoskeletal target for laminin 1 in the growth cone, with important consequences for axonal outgrowth.
Studies on P6, an Important Outer-Membrane Protein Antigen of Haemophilus influenzae

P6, a 16,600-dalton outer-membrane protein of Haemophilus influenzae, possesses many characteristics desired of a vaccine candidate. The protein is present in all strains of H. influenzae tested by analyses of outer-membrane protein profiles and with a monoclonal antibody. P6 is surface-exposed, as demonstrated by immunostaining techniques. Studies using monoclonal and polyclonal antisera indicate that P6 is a highly conserved antigen on the outer membrane of H. influenzae. Finally, experiments using affinity chromatography and normal human serum establish that P6 is a target of human bactericidal antibodies. The gene encoding P6 has been isolated and cloned into Escherichia coli, an accomplishment that will facilitate molecular analysis of the role of P6 in human immunity to H. influenzae.
Obesity increases the prevalence and severity of focal knee abnormalities diagnosed using 3T MRI in middle-aged subjects—data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Objective To study the effect of BMI on the prevalence, severity, and 36-month progression of early degenerative changes in the knee by using 3T MRI in middle-aged subjects without radiographic osteoarthritis (OA).
Recurrent COL3A1 mutation results in EDS IV or familial aneurysms

EIV is a lethal genetic disease of collagen in which mutations in COL3A1 give rise to fragile skin, easy bruisability, and hollow organ ruptures (Kuivaniemi et al., 1991). Familial aneurysms is a vascular disease characterized by late-onset saccular aneurysms, probably multifactorial in origin, but rare cases may be due to COL3A1 mutations. We investigated the cause of EDS IV in a 10-year-old white male with soft skin easy bruisability, and a family history of vascular ruptures. S! nuclease analysis of RNA from patients fibroblasts indicated a defect around exon 20. Sequence analysis of cDNA clones identified 3 out of 5 clones that retained a portion of intron 20 and revealed a G+1 to A point mutation in the splice donor site. The same mutation has been observed in a patient with familial aneurysms (Kontussari et al., 1990). In both patients, RT-PCR analysis revealed the presence of several RNA species: mRNA lacking exon 20, mRNA with 24 bases of intron 20 sequnce in frame, mRNA containing all 132 bases of intron 20, and normally spliced mRNA. The four mRNA species can give rise to three translation products: protein lacking exon 20 sequence, protein with 8 noncollagenous amino acids in the middle of the triple helical domain, and normal protein chains. The mRNA with all 132bp of intron 20 results in a truncated protein incapable of assembly into trimers. Consistent with these findings, cultured fibroblasts from the patient secreted less type III procollagen and retained abnormal timers in the cell layer. Pepsin digestion of the cell layer proteins revealed multiple di sulfide bonded trimers of type III procollagen, presumably the product of protein assembly from a mixture of normal and multiple abnormal type III procollagen monomers.
VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT MODULATES SEPTAL SHEAR STRESS CAUSED BY AORTO-SEPTAL ANGLE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUBAORTIC STENOSIS. † 219

VENTRICULAR SEPTAL DEFECT MODULATES SEPTAL SHEAR STRESS CAUSED BY AORTO-SEPTAL ANGLE: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUBAORTIC STENOSIS. † 219
The effect of repetition on preference ratings for select unfamiliar musical examples: Does preference transfer?:

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of repeated exposure to select musical examples on participants’ preference ratings, and to investigate the potential transfer of preference to similar, but unfamiliar musical examples. A pre-test–post-test nonequivalent control group design was used to assess preference ratings before and after a program of repeated exposure. A second post-test was included to assess preference ratings for similar, but unfamiliar examples, in order to examine the possibility of generalized preference transfer. Participants included undergraduate students enrolled in three sections of a music appreciation course at a large university (n = 174). Data were collected using research designed survey instruments administered during test measures. The treatment group (n = 96) was exposed to the first set of examples across a 5-week period within which there were 8 test measures. Pre-test to post-test measures resulted in a general positive trend. Post-test ratings were sign...
Ab Initio Study of α-Chlorinated Ethyl Hydroperoxides CH3CH2OOH, CH3CHClOOH, and CH3CCl2OOH: Conformational Analysis, Internal Rotation Barriers, Vibrational Frequencies, and Thermodynamic Properties

Ab initio calculations were performed on CH3CH2OOH, CH3CHClOOH, and CH3CCl2OOH molecules using the Gaussian92 system of programs. Geometries of stable rotational conformers and transition states for internal rotation were optimized at the RHF/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* levels of theory. Harmonic vibrational frequencies were computed at the RHF/6-31G* level of theory. Potential barriers for internal rotations were calculated at the MP2/6-31G**/HF/6-31G* level. Parameters of the Fourier expansion of the hindrance potentials have been tabulated. Standard entropies (S°298) and heat capacities (Cp(T)'s, 300 ≤ T/K ≤ 1500) were calculated using the rigid-rotor−harmonic-oscillator approximation based on the information obtained from the ab initio studies. Contributions from hindered rotors were calculated by summation over the energy levels obtained by direct diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix of hindered internal rotations. Enthalpies of formation for these three molecules were calculated using isodesmic react...
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NEONATAL MORTALITY IN MILITARY and CIVILIAN INSTITUTIONS

We statistically compared neonatal mortality data from Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) to those recently reported from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (UCHSC). TAMC delivery and neonatal death summaries from 1977 through 1981 were reviewed: 17,102 live births and 102 in-born deaths occurred. These results were compared to similar data obtained from 14,413 births and 252 deaths at UCHSC from 1974 through 1980. Premature deliveries were less common at TAMC, possibly resulting from fewer high-risk pregnancy referrals: 0.57% were born before 29 weeks gestation at TAMC, compared to 1.61% at UCHSC. Fifty-three percent of the neonatal deaths at TAMC and 54% at UCHSC occurred in this category. The overall neonatal mortality rate was 0.67% at TAMC, in contrast to 1.75% at UCHSC. However, analysis of mortality in relation to birthweight, gestational age, and combined BW-GA categories developed by UCHSC Mortality by Combined BW-GA Category revealed no significant differences between TAMC and UCHSC (Table). We conclude that in terms of outcome, neonatal care delivered at TAMC is similar to that delivered in a prestigious civilian institution.
Interactions between parathyroid hormone and prostaglandins on renal cortical cyclic AMP

Abstract Effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and several prostaglandins (PGs) on cyclic AMP (cAMP) metabolism were studied and compared in isolated renal cortical tubules from male hamsters. Both production and intracellular degradation of cAMP were increased by PTH and each of the PGs tested (PGE2, PGE1, PGI2). Production of cAMP was increased to similar levels by maximal concentrations of PTH and each PG, however, degradation of cAMP was significantly higher in response to PTH than with any of the PGs. This difference in intracellular degradation of cAMP was responsible for the much higher concentrations of cAMP in renal cortical tubules exposed to PGs (PGE1, PGE2, PGI2) than to PTH. Submaximal amounts of each PG produced additive increases in cAMP concentrations in the presence of maximal amounts of PTH. Additivity of the combined responses was lost, however, as the PGs concentrations reached their maximas. The results suggest that renal PGs (PGE2 and PGI2) may modulate the effects of PTH on cAMP concentrations in renal cortical tubules.
Determination of the dihedral angle of the monoanion of succinic acid in aprotic media.

A value of 74(±4)° was determined from NMR-observed dipolar couplings for the rotational dihedral angle of the monosuccinate anion in an aprotic liquid-crystal solution of the gauche conformation of tetraoctylammonium monosuccinate. This value is in reasonable agreement with other, somewhat less definitive, evidence gleaned from isotropic vicinal proton−proton couplings of the essentially completely gauche preference of the monosuccinate anion in tert-butyl alcohol and aprotic solvents, such as DMSO and THF, and quantum computations for the monoanion in THF.
East-west asymmetry in type-2 echoes and enhanced electron drift in the equatorial electrojet

[1] Simultaneous measurements of type-2 echoes in the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and the 150 km echoes were made with a tri-beam radar on Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia). Using the mean Doppler velocity (〈VD〉) to estimate the line-of-sight component of electron drift velocity (), we show that its vertical component (Vez) increases with altitude and exceeds Vez measured at 150 km, between 96 and 103 km. At 103 km, the ratio of vertical 〈VD〉 to Vez at 150 km was five. This enhancement explains the hitherto puzzling east-west asymmetry in 〈VD〉 of type-2 echoes. More importantly, we show how the enhanced Vez appears to be associated with the discrepancy in the altitude of peak current density of the EEJ, between measurement and model. We discuss roles played by kilometer-scale irregularities and close by describing apparent effects by atmospheric gravity waves.
LBIST/ATPG Technologies for On-Demand Digital Logic Testing in Automotive Circuits

With a large focus on test data size and fitting into tester's capabilities, sometimes the focus of field testing is pushed to the side. There is an emerging market in automotive design where greater emphasis is being placed on the need for field testing of the digital logic. Tried and true mechanical systems are being replaced by digitally controlled logic. This path is being pursued by automotive manufactures with an effort for higher fuel economy, lighter designs, and more integrated user experiences. These systems require high dependability throughout the life of the automobile. Defects caused by heat, environmental exposure and time can jeopardize critical digital system from performing as designed. Identifying these defects before critical failure is a paramount concern to automotive manufactures. A major automotive chip manufacturer and Cadence's Encounter Test's DFT and ATPG system have worked together to insert an efficient direct access LBIST into its automotive design requiring high reliability for the lifetime of the product. The LBIST provides a means to test the digital logic and provide a go/no-go signal to identify that the logic still performs as originally manufactured. Purchaser of these chips required a technology to provide 96%+ static coverage using on-chip testing that can be run at system power up or at any time. This poster presents a summary of how Cadence's Test technologies were used to meet customer needs and summarizes the overall test flow and experience.
The development of the semiconductor laser diode after the first demonstration in 1962

The time period between the first demonstrations of the semiconductor diode laser in 1962 and its pervasive commercialization in the 1990s was one of rapid exciting developments in materials growth, device design, processing and characterization. In this paper, we touch on a few of the many highlights of this period of development in order to provide a bridge between the technology of the first diode lasers and that of today's semiconductor laser research and commercialization.
Elastic buckling characteristics of triangular tubes under uniaxial loading

Abstract Tubular structures play an important role in energy absorbing components and structural members requiring high strength-to-weight ratio. The theory of buckling of circular, square and rectangular tubes is relatively well established in the literature. The study of buckling of triangular tubes, however, has received much less attention. In this paper, an analytical solution for the elastic buckling of isosceles triangular tubes was obtained by considering the buckling characteristics of individual walls of the triangular tube with appropriate edge conditions. The results from this analytical solution were compared with previously published work in the literature and finite element simulations. The comparison revealed good agreement between these results.
Induction of clinical ventricular tachycardia using programmed stimulation: value of third and fourth extrastimuli.

Abstract Initiation of ventricular tachycardia (VT) by right ventricular extrastimulation was analyzed in 142 consecutive patients, 53 with electrocardiographically documented episodes of spontaneous VT or ventricular fibrillation (VF) and 68 with no spontaneous VT or VF; 21 patients with a history of sudden death but no documented arrhythmia were excluded from further analysis, All patients received 1 to 4 extrastimuli (S 2 , S 3 , S 4 and S 5 ) during pacing at fixed cycle lengths of 600 or 500 msec at 1 or 2 right ventricular sites. Clinical VT was reproduced by extrastimulation in 28 of 43 patients (65%) with sustained VT and in 0 of 10 patients with nonsustained VT. Clinical VT was induced by S 2 or S 3 in 16 patients and by S 4 or S 5 in 12 patients. Ventricular burst pacing reproduced clinical VT in 3 other patients. Nonclinical VT, which was most often polymorphic and nonsustained, was induced in 24 of 121 patients (20%), In 11 by S 2 or S 3 and in 13 by S 4 or S 5 . Ventricular burst pacing induced nonclinical VT in 4 other patients. In patients with spontaneous sustained VT, the use of S 4 and S 5 in the right ventricle increases the yield of inducible clinical VT compared with use of S 2 and S 3 alone, but at a cost of increased induction of nonclinical VT. Frequent induction of nonclinical VT limits the interpretation of the results of such stimulation in patients without previously documented VT.
Solid phase fermentation of foder beets for ethanol production: Effect of grind size

Abstract Solid phase fermentation of pulped fodder beets was studied to see what effect beet particle size had on various fermentation parameters. All trials were run in 4-l stainless stell containers and hammermilled pulp was initially adjusted to pH 3.0 to control bacterial contaminants. The maximum yeast population that built up in the pulp was independent of the hammermill screen size (0.476–1.905 cm) and averaged 2.0−2.3 × 108 cells/ml. Pulp from finer screens (0.476–0.953 cm) took 19–22 h to reach a peak yeast population while pulp from coarser screens (1.270–1.905 cm) took a slightly longer 24–28 h. The time to reach maxium ethanol concentration was not affected by screeen size and averaged 28–30 h. Ethanol yields dropped slightly form 85–87% of theoretical with the finest screens to 83–84% with the coarset screens. The maximum ethanol concentration observed was 7.96% (v/v) and the average of all runs was 7.63% (v/v). Fermentation efficiency averaged 98–99% thoughout. The lack of a response to grinding fodder beets with different screens was due to their wet fibrous nature which hindered free flow of pulp though the screens. Pulp was, instead, extruded though the screens, forming particles of generally similar size. Our results indicate that the primary consideration for grind size is energy consumption for grinding. Therefore, if a hammermill is used, a large screen (1.270–1.905 cm) which requires less energy should be employed so as to minimize energy consumption. This strategy does not result in longer fermentation times or reduced ethanol yields.
Identification and management of osteoporosis in older adults

Fractures resulting from osteoporosis are a major public health problem. Physicians should be aware of the major risk factors for osteoporosis and refer appropriately for bone densitometry. Risk factors include prior fracture, a family history of fracture, slender habitus, early menopause, treatment with drugs known to affect bone (glucocorticoids) and diseases known to affect bone (rheumatoid arthritis). The diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made if the bone density T-score is −2.5 or below. This information can be used with other risk factors to estimate the 10-year risk of fractures. Patients at the highest risk for fracture benefit from many licensed treatments. These may be given orally (alendronic acid, disodium etidronate, risedronate sodium, ibandronic acid, strontium ranelate, calcitriol, raloxifene, hormone replacement therapy), intranasally (calcitonin), subcutaneously (calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, denosumab) or intravenously (ibandronic acid, zoledronic acid) and usually result in an increase in bone mineral density and a reduction in fracture risk.
Novel Function of Prothymosin Alpha as a Potent Inhibitor of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Gene Expression in Primary Macrophages

CD8(+) T lymphocytes control human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by a cytotoxic major histocompatibility complex-restricted pathway as well as by secretion of noncytotoxic soluble inhibitory factors. Several components of CD8(+) cell supernatants have been identified that contribute to the latter activity. In this study we report that prothymosin alpha (ProTalpha), a protein found in the cell culture medium of the herpesvirus saimiri-transformed CD8(+) T-cell line, K#1 50K, has potent HIV-1-inhibitory activity. Depletion of native ProTalpha from an HIV-1-inhibitory fraction of CD8(+) cell supernatants removes the inhibitory activity, supporting its role in inhibition via soluble mediators. ProTalpha is an abundant, acidic peptide that has been reported to be localized in the nucleus and associated with cell proliferation and activation of transcription. In this report we demonstrate that ProTalpha suppresses HIV-1 replication, its activity is target cell specific, and inhibition occurs following viral integration. Native and recombinant ProTalpha protein potently inhibit HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven gene expression in macrophages. Furthermore studies using different promoters in lentiviral vectors (cytomegalovirus and phosphoglycerate kinase) revealed that suppression of viral replication by ProTalpha is not HIV LTR specific.
Planetary Perturbers in Debris Disks

Neptune dominates the dynamics of the Kuiper Belt. By examining images of debris disks around other stars, we may be able to infer what kinds of planets shape the outer edges of other planetary systems. The last few years have seen a burst of progress in the modeling of azimuthal structures in debris disks created by planetary perturbers; new models incorporate planets on substantially eccentric orbits. I review this recent progress in debris disk dynamics and discuss the Kuiper Belt as a key example.
Another View of Personalized Medicine: Optimizing Stent Selection on the Basis of Predicted Benefit in Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Drug-eluting stents (DES) decrease the risk of restenosis compared to bare metal stents (BMS) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, their use requires patients to take prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy that increases bleeding risk and without which, patients have an increased risk of developing stent thrombosis. In light of these competing risks, understanding which patients derive the greatest benefit of DES compared to BMS is essential for guiding therapy. We review recent efforts to predict the magnitude of the restenosis benefit of DES compared to BMS for individual patients. Understanding and predicting the likelihood of benefit for individual patients is essential to rational decision making with regard to the type of stent to use during PCI and will serve to increase the value of the health care that clinicians deliver.
Immunosuppression in Patients with High-Grade Gliomas Treated with Radiation and Temozolomide

Purpose: Patients with high-grade gliomas (HGG) routinely receive radiation, temozolomide, and glucocorticoids. As each of these is immunosuppressive, we conducted a prospective, multicenter study to follow CD4 counts over time and determine whether low CD4 counts were associated with adverse outcomes. Experimental Design: Patients with newly diagnosed HGG had CD4 counts drawn before initiating standard therapy and monthly thereafter for 1 year. Information on hospitalizations, infections, glucocorticoid use, survival, and cause of death were also collected. Results: Ninety-six evaluable patients were accrued [85% glioblastoma, median age of 57, median Karnofsky performance status (KPS) = 90]. The median CD4 count before radiation and temozolomide treatment was 664 cells/mm 3 . The CD4 count nadir occurred 2 months after initiating therapy when 73% of patients had CD4 counts less than 300 cells/mm 3 and 40% had less than 200 cells/mm 3 . CD4 counts remained low throughout the year of follow-up. Patients with CD4 counts less than 200 cells/mm 3 at 2 months had shorter survival than those with higher counts (median: 13.1 vs. 19.7 months, P = 0.002). Median survival was related to CD4 toxicity grades (I = 23.8 months, II = 19.7 months, III–IV = 13.1 months, P = 0.009). The adjusted HR for death attributable to 2-month CD4 count below 200 was 1.66 ( P = 0.03). Eighty-eight percent of deaths resulted from disease progression, whereas only 2.5% were due to infection. Conclusions: Severe reductions in CD4 counts in patients with newly diagnosed HGG treated with radiation and temozolomide treatment are common, treatment-related, long-lasting, and associated with early death from tumor progression. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5473–80. ©2011 AACR .
A Non-Isotropic Model for Mobile-to-Mobile Fading Channel Simulations

Accurate modeling of the mobile-to-mobile fading channel is critical not only to physical layer transceiver design but also to the design and performance of link and network layers. A two-dimensional non-isotropic scattering model is developed in this paper, which adopts the von Mises probability density function for the angle of departure surrounding the transmitter and the angle of arrival surrounding the receiver. This model includes the isotropic scattering channel and the base-to-mobile channel as special cases. An efficient computer simulation model is also developed to generate the non-isotropic scattering channel impulse responses. Statistical properties of the non-isotropic mobile-to-mobile channels are analyzed in comparison to the isotropic channels and the base-to-mobile channels
An Exact Unconditional test for the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium

An exact test based on the unconditional distribution of a test statistic for the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is introduced. This test is usually more powerful and requires less extensive tabulations compared with the (ordinary) exact conditional test. Tables of critical values are given for N = 5(1)100 and α =·10, ·05, ·01. Sample sizes required to attain a given power with the unconditional and conditional exact tests are provided.
Leases: an efficient fault-tolerant mechanism for distributed file cache consistency

Caching introduces the overhead and complexity of ensuring consistency, reducing some of its performance benefits. In a distributed system, caching must deal with the additional complications of communication and host failures.Leases are proposed as a time-based mechanism that provides efficient consistent access to cached data in distributed systems. Non-Byzantine failures affect performance, not correctness, with their effect minimized by short leases. An analytic model and an evaluation for file access in the V system show that leases of short duration provide good performance. The impact of leases on performance grows more significant in systems of larger scale and higher processor performance.
Kinetica: naturalistic multi-touch data visualization

Over the last several years there has been an explosion of powerful, affordable, multi-touch devices. This provides an outstanding opportunity for novel data visualization techniques that leverage new interaction methods and minimize their barriers to entry. In this paper we describe an approach for multivariate data visualization that uses physics-based affordances that are easy to intuit, constraints that are easy to apply and visualize, and a consistent view as data is manipulated in order to promote data exploration and interrogation. We provide a framework for exploring this problem space, and an example proof of concept system called Kinetica. We describe the results of a user study that suggest users of Kinetica were able to explore multiple dimensions of data at once, identify outliers, and discover trends with minimal training.
Hemodialysis vascular access preferences and outcomes in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS).

Hemodialysis vascular access preferences and outcomes in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) . Background Synthetic grafts have generally been found to exhibit lower survival rates and higher complication rates than native arteriovenous fistulae. We investigated whether survival of grafts relative to fistulae was better in facilities with a preference for grafts, hypothesizing that such facilities may place more grafts because grafts produced superior outcomes. Methods The study was based on a national U.S. sample of 133 hemodialysis facilities participating in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), a prospective, observational study of dialysis treatment practices and outcomes. Vascular access preferences were ascertained from medical directors, nurse managers, and actual practice within each facility (% graft use among prevalent patients). Logistic regression was used to model the odds ratio (OR) of graft placement (vs. fistula) and Cox regression was used to model time from access creation to initial failure. Results Grafts were preferred by 21% of medical directors and 40% of nurse managers. Patients in facilities in which the medical director or nurse manager expressed a preference for grafts were more than twice as likely to have a graft than a fistula (AOR = 2.3, P P Conclusions No evidence was found that graft outcomes are superior in facilities that prefer grafts to fistulae. The observed variation in vascular access practice patterns suggests opportunities for quality improvement if optimal practices can be defined.
Rearrangement of a hindered allylic alcohol during vanadium-catalyzed epoxidation. A short synthesis of uvidin-c.

Abstract A study on the hydroxyl-directed epoxidation of allylic alcohols 3b and 3c is provided, leading to a synthesis of uvidin-C (1).
Novel nanosomes for gene delivery to Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells

Malaria threatens millions of people annually and is a burden to human health and economic development. Unfortunately in terms of disease control, no effective vaccines are available and the efficacy of treatment is limited by drug resistance. Genetic manipulation in Plasmodium falciparum is hampered due to the absence of robust methods for genetic analyses. Electroporation-based transfection methods have allowed the study of gene function in P. falciparum, with low efficiency. A lipid nanoparticle was developed that allowed nuclear targeting of pDNA with increased efficiency in reporter assay, compared to traditional electroporation method. This method has for the first time, facilitated transfection using both circular and linear DNA in P. falciparum thereby serving as an alternative to electroporation with an increase in transfection efficiency. Availability of a robust method for functional genomic studies in these organisms may be a catalyst for discovery of novel targets for developing drugs and vaccines.
Chaotic motion and its probabilistic description in a family of two-dimensional nonlinear systems with hysteresis

Hysteresis-type nonlinearities often appear in engineering systems such as electric circuits, mechanical systems, and control systems. In this paper, we study a family of two-dimensional nonlinear dynamical systems that can be regarded as models for an active linear network or a linear control system with a hysteresis-type feedback. A complete analysis of the complicated chaotic behavior exhibited by such a system is presented in this paper. The Poincare return map is determined analytically, and a complete bifurcation study is completed in terms of two canonical parameters. The associated asymptotic behavior of the system is also discussed. Using tools from dynamical system and ergodic theory, a probabilistic description of the chaotic motion is obtained. We show that the chaotic system is isometric, from an ergodic point of view, to a time homogeneous Markov chain, for a certain set of canonical parameters.
What is lacking in current decision aids on cancer screening

Recent guidelines on cancer screening have given not only more screening options but also conflicting recommendations. Thus, patients, with their clinicians’ support, must decide whether to get screened or not, which modality to use, and how often to get screened. Decision aids could potentially lead to better shared decision making regarding screening between the patient and the clinician. We reviewed 73 decision aids on screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancers. The goal of this review was to assess the effectiveness of such decision aids, examine areas in need for more research, and determine how the decision aids can be currently applied in the real world setting. Most studies used sound study design. Significant variation existed in setting, theoretical framework, and measured outcomes. Just over a third of the decision aids included an explicit values clarification. Other than knowledge, little consistency was noted in which patient attributes were measured as outcomes. Few studies actually measured shared decision making. Little information was available on the feasibility and outcomes of integrating decision aids into practice. We discuss the implications for future research, as well as what the clinicians can do now to incorporate decision aids into their practice.
High-speed hard x-ray phase-enhanced imaging

Conventional x-ray imaging relies on the differences in the absorption of the sample to provide image contrast. With the small source sizes and large source-sample distances at synchrotrons, an additional mechanism, phase contrast, can come into play. Phase effects, which include refraction and diffraction, can greatly enhance the image contrast. Phase contrast is particularly useful in cases where the absorption contrast is weak. Added to this, the high x-ray flux available at synchrotrons allows for unprecedented high-speed and high-resolution x-ray imaging. We demonstrate that high quality time resolved images with sub-microsecond temporal and micrometer spatial resolutions are feasible. The range of energy spectrum (5-150 keV) available at the Advanced Photon Source allows us to study a wide range of samples, from soft tissues to high-Z materials. We will present preliminary results from the steel automobile fuel injectors and liquidair sprays
Putidaredoxin competitively inhibits cytochrome b5-cytochrome P-450cam association: a proposed molecular model for a cytochrome P-450cam electron-transfer complex.

Cytochrome b5 has been genetically engineered to afford a fluorescent derivative capable of monitoring its association with cytochrome P-450cam from Pseudomonas putida [Stayton, P. S., Fisher, M. T., & Sligar, S. G. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 13544-13548]. In the mutant cytochrome b5, threonine is replaced by a cysteine at position 65 (T65C) and has been labeled with the environmentally sensitive fluorophore acrylodan. In this paper, the physiological P-450cam reductant putidaredoxin, an Fe2S2.Cys4 iron-sulfur protein, is shown to competitively inhibit the cytochrome b5 association, suggesting that cytochrome b5 and putidaredoxin bind to a similar site on the cytochrome P-450cam surface. Since the crystal structures for both cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P-450cam have been solved to high resolution, the complex has been computer modeled, and a good fit was found on the proximal surface of nearest approach to the P-450cam heme prosthetic group. The proposed model includes electrostatic contacts between conserved cytochrome b5 carboxylates Glu-44, Glu-48, Asp-60, and the exposed heme propionate with cytochrome P-450cam basic residues Lys-344, Arg-72, Arg-112, and Arg-364, respectively. Putidaredoxin has similarly been shown to contain a carboxylate-based binding surface, and the current results suggest that if the model is correct, then it also interacts at the proposed site, probably utilizing similar P-450cam electrostatic contacts.