Search for Patterns in Sequences of Single-Photon Polarization Measurements

Sequences of random binary numbers created from polarization measurements of single photons were subjected to a comprehensive runs analysis. Photon pairs from a spontaneous parametric downconversion source were detected in coincidence, with one photon acting as a trigger while the other was analyzed for horizontal or vertical polarization. The resulting sequences of polarization measurements were tested for runs of consecutive vertical or horizontal outcomes against a theory of nonoverlapping runs, without numerical unbiasing. The sequences produced no statistically significant discrepancies with the predicted numbers of runs, even with multiphoton events retained

Time-course of effects of external beam radiation on [18F]FDG uptake in healthy tissue and bone marrow.

The utility of PET for monitoring responses to radiation therapy have been complicated by metabolically active processes in surrounding normal tissues. We examined the time-course of [18F]FDG uptake in normal tissues using small animal-dedicated PET during the 2 month period following external beam radiation. Four mice received 12 Gy of external beam radiation, in a single fraction to the left half of the body. Small animal [18F]FDG-PET scans were acquired for each mouse at 0 (pre-radiation), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 19, 24, and 38 days following irradiation. [18F]FDG activity in various tissues was compared between irradiated and non-irradiated body halves before, and at each time point after irradiation. Radiation had a significant impact on [18F]FDG uptake in previously healthy tissues, and time-course of effects differed in different types of tissues. For example, liver tissue demonstrated increased uptake, particularly over days 3-12, with the mean left to right uptake ratio increasing 52% over mean baseline values (p < 0.0001). In contrast, femoral bone marrow uptake demonstrated decreased uptake, particularly over days 2-8, with the mean left to right uptake ratio decreasing 26% below mean baseline values (p = 0.0005). Significant effects were also seen in lung and brain tissue. Radiation had diverse effects on [18F]FDG uptake in previously healthy tissues. These kinds of data may help lay groundwork for a systematically acquired database of the time-course of effects of radiation on healthy tissues, useful for animal models of cancer therapy imminently, as well as interspecies extrapolations pertinent to clinical application eventually

Patients' Expectations before and Satisfaction after Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy for Varicose Veins

AbstractObjectivesUltrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins (VV) whose clinical and cost-effectiveness remains incompletely defined. The aim of the current study was to examine patients' expectations before and satisfaction after UGFS for VV in terms of relief of lower limb symptoms, improvement in appearance, and beneficial effect on life-style.MethodsA consecutive series of 351 patients (464 limbs) undergoing UGFS for VV completed questionnaires one week prior to and six months after treatment.ResultsPre and post-treatment response rates were 80%; 60% returned both questionnaires. Virtually all patients were expecting improvement in lower limb symptoms; these were exceeded in a third. Most patients expected cosmetic improvement and these were largely met. Two-thirds of patients expected significant life-style (clothes, work, social) benefits and outcomes were slightly less than expected. A quarter expected improvement in their interpersonal relationships. This benefit was greater than expected occurring in one-third of patients. Overall, a quarter of patients had their expectations exceeded and 10% (appearance and relationships) to 25% (clothing, work and social and leisure activities) were left with unmet expectations.DiscussionWhen specifically asked most patients admit to having a wide range of expectations in relation to their VV treatment, many of them probably unanticipated by the clinician. However, present data indicate that UGFS is usually able to meet, and often exceeds, these physical and psychosocial needs and expectations. UGFS is, therefore, a highly effective treatment for VV from the patients' perspective

Granger causality and transfer entropy are equivalent for Gaussian variables

Granger causality is a statistical notion of causal influence based on prediction via vector autoregression. Developed originally in the field of econometrics, it has since found application in a broader arena, particularly in neuroscience. More recently transfer entropy, an information-theoretic measure of time-directed information transfer between jointly dependent processes, has gained traction in a similarly wide field. While it has been recognized that the two concepts must be related, the exact relationship has until now not been formally described. Here we show that for Gaussian variables, Granger causality and transfer entropy are entirely equivalent, thus bridging autoregressive and information-theoretic approaches to data-driven causal inference.Comment: In review, Phys. Rev. Lett., Nov. 200

The genome of Anopheles darlingi, the main neotropical malaria vector

Anopheles darlingi is the principal neotropical malaria vector, responsible for more than a million cases of malaria per year on the American continent. Anopheles darlingi diverged from the African and Asian malaria vectors approximately 100 million years ago (mya) and successfully adapted to the New World environment. Here we present an annotated reference A. darlingi genome, sequenced from a wild population of males and females collected in the Brazilian Amazon. A total of 10 481 predicted protein-coding genes were annotated, 72% of which have their closest counterpart in Anopheles gambiae and 21% have highest similarity with other mosquito species. In spite of a long period of divergent evolution, conserved gene synteny was observed between A. darlingi and A. gambiae. More than 10 million single nucleotide polymorphisms and short indels with potential use as genetic markers were identified. Transposable elements correspond to 2.3% of the A. darlingi genome. Genes associated with hematophagy, immunity and insecticide resistance, directly involved in vector-human and vector-parasite interactions, were identified and discussed. This study represents the first effort to sequence the genome of a neotropical malaria vector, and opens a new window through which we can contemplate the evolutionary history of anopheline mosquitoes. It also provides valuable information that may lead to novel strategies to reduce malaria transmission on the South American continent. The A. darlingi genome is accessible at www.labinfo.lncc.br/index.php/anopheles-darlingi

Quantifying Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Singers: Perceptual and Objective Findings

This study examines the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms and oropharyngeal pH levels in singers. We hypothesized that reported symptoms would correlate with objective measures of pH levels from the oropharynx, including the number and total duration of reflux episodes. Twenty professional/semiprofessional singers completed the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and underwent oropharyngeal pH monitoring. Mild, moderate, or severe pH exposure was recorded during oropharyngeal pH monitoring. Correlations were performed to examine potential relationships between reflux symptoms and duration of LPR episodes. Symptom severity did not correlate with pH levels; however, we found a number of covariances of interest. Large sample sizes are necessary to determine if true correlations exist. Our results suggest that singers may exhibit enhanced sensitivity to LPR and may therefore manifest symptoms, even in response to subtle changes in pH. This study emphasizes the importance of sensitive and objective measures of reflux severity as well as consideration of the cumulative time of reflux exposure in addition to the number of reflux episodes

Genomic insights into the Ixodes scapularis tick vector of Lyme disease

Ticks transmit more pathogens to humans and animals than any other arthropod. We describe the 2.1 Gbp nuclear genome of the tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say), which vectors pathogens that cause Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, babesiosis and other diseases. The large genome reflects accumulation of repetitive DNA, new lineages of retro-transposons, and gene architecture patterns resembling ancient metazoans rather than pancrustaceans. Annotation of scaffolds representing approximately 57% of the genome, reveals 20,486 protein-coding genes and expansions of gene families associated with tick-host interactions. We report insights from genome analyses into parasitic processes unique to ticks, including host \u27questing\u27, prolonged feeding, cuticle synthesis, blood meal concentration, novel methods of haemoglobin digestion, haem detoxification, vitellogenesis and prolonged off-host survival. We identify proteins associated with the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, an emerging disease, and the encephalitis-causing Langat virus, and a population structure correlated to life-history traits and transmission of the Lyme disease agent

Optical Identification of Cepheids in 19 Host Galaxies of Type Ia Supernovae and NGC 4258 with the Hubble Space Telescope

We present results of an optical search for Cepheid variable stars using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in 19 hosts of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and the maser-host galaxy NGC 4258, conducted as part of the SH0ES project (Supernovae and H0 for the Equation of State of dark energy). The targets include 9 newly imaged SN Ia hosts using a novel strategy based on a long-pass filter that minimizes the number of HST orbits required to detect and accurately determine Cepheid properties. We carried out a homogeneous reduction and analysis of all observations, including new universal variability searches in all SN Ia hosts, that yielded a total of 2200 variables with well-defined selection criteria -- the largest such sample identified outside the Local Group. These objects are used in a companion paper to determine the local value of H0 with a total uncertainty of 2.4%.Comment: ApJ, in press. v2 adds missing co-author to arXiv metadata and text in acknowledgment

Charm Leptonic and Semileptonic Decays

Experimental results for the pseudoscalar decay constants f_{D} and f_{D_s} are reviewed. Semileptonic form factor results from D -> (pseudoscalar) l nu and D -> (vector) l nu decays are also reviewed.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, presented at the 11th International Conference on B-Physics at Hadron Machines (BEAUTY 2006) Sept. 25-29, Oxford, England; corrected typo