On Calculation of Thermal Conductivity from Einstein Relation in Equilibrium MD

In equilibrium molecular dynamics, Einstein relation can be used to calculate the thermal conductivity. This method is equivalent to Green-Kubo relation and it does not require a derivation of an analytical form for the heat current. However, it is not commonly used as Green-Kubo relationship. Its wide use is hindered by the lack of a proper definition for integrated heat current (energy moment) under periodic boundary conditions. In this paper, we developed an appropriate definition for integrated heat current to calculate thermal conductivity of solids under periodic conditions. We applied this method to solid argon and silicon based systems; compared and contrasted with the Green-Kubo approach.Comment: We updated this manuscript from second version by changing the title and abstract. This paper is submitted to J. Chem. Phy

Status of Cardiac Transplantation with a Report of the First Year\u27s Experience at Henry Ford Hospital

Cardiac transplantation is now widely accepted as effective treatment for selected patients with end-stage heart disease. Improvements in immunosuppressive treatment and monitoring in the past 15 years have resulted in impressive one-year and five-year survival rates of 80% and 60%. In general, survivors have enjoyed a considerably improved quality of life. A cardiac transplantation program was initiated at Henry Ford Hospital in 1985, and a total of 15 patients received heart transplants in the first 12 months. Fourteen patients are currently alive and well at various stages posttransplant. This early clinical success has prompted the consideration of both combined heart-lung transplantation and mechanical left ventricular support at Henry Ford Hospital in the future

Integration of genetic, genomic and transcriptomic information identifies putative regulators of adventitious root formation in Populus

Clustering the difference in transcriptome response of PtQTL and PdQTL genotypes. Modulated Modularity Clustering of genes displaying a similar pattern of expression differences between genotypes from the PtQTL and PdQTL categories, at all time points. (DOCX 25 kb

An experimental and modeling study on the reactivity of extremely fuel-rich methane/dimethyl ether mixtures

Chemical reactions in stoichiometric to fuel-rich methane/dimethyl ether/air mixtures (fuel air equiva- lence ratio φ=1–20) were investigated by experiment and simulation with the focus on the conversion of methane to chemically more valuable species through partial oxidation. Experimental data from dif- ferent facilities were measured and collected to provide a large database for developing and validating a reaction mechanism for extended equivalence ratio ranges. Rapid Compression Machine ignition delay times and species profiles were collected in the temperature range between 660 and 1052 K at 10 bar and equivalence ratios of φ= 1–15. Ignition delay times and product compositions were measured in a shock tube at temperatures of 630–1500 K, pressures of 20–30 bar and equivalence ratios of φ= 2 and 10. Ad- ditionally, species concentration profiles were measured in a flow reactor at temperatures between 473 and 973 K, a pressure of 6 bar and equivalence ratios of φ= 2, 10, and 20. The extended equivalence ratio range towards extremely fuel-rich mixtures as well as the reaction-enhancing effect of dimethyl ether were studied because of their usefulness for the conversion of methane into chemically valuable species through partial oxidation at these conditions. Since existing reaction models focus only on equivalence ratios in the range of φ= 0.3–2.5, an extended chemical kinetics mechanism was developed that also covers extremely fuel-rich conditions of methane/dimethyl ether mixtures. The measured ignition delay times and species concentration profiles were compared with the predictions of the new mechanism, which is shown to predict well the ignition delay time and species concentration evolution measure- ments presented in this work. Sensitivity and reaction pathway analyses were used to identify the key reactions governing the ignition and oxidation kinetics at extremely fuel-rich conditions

Isolated eyelid closure myotonia in two families with sodium channel myotonia

Sodium channelopathies (NaCh), as part of the non-dystrophic myotonic syndromes (NDMs), reflect a heterogeneous group of clinical phenotypes accompanied by a generalized myotonia. Because of recent availability of diagnostic genetic testing in NDM, there is a need for identification of clear clinical genotype–phenotype correlations. This will enable clinicians to distinguish NDMs from myotonic dystrophy, thus allowing them to inform patients promptly about the disease, perform genetic counseling, and orient therapy (Vicart et al. Neurol Sci 26:194–202, 2005). We describe the first distinctive clinical genotype–phenotype correlation within NaCh: a strictly isolated eyelid closure myotonia associated with the L250P mutation in SCN4A. Using clinical assessment and needle EMG, we identified this genotype–phenotype correlation in six L250P patients from one NaCh family and confirmed this finding in another, unrelated NaCh family with three L250P patients

Prostate cancer upgrading with serial prostate magnetic resonance imaging and repeat biopsy in men on active surveillance: are confirmatory biopsies still necessary?

Objectives: To investigate whether serial prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may guide the utility of repeat targeted (TBx) and systematic biopsy (SBx) when monitoring men with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa) at 1-year of active surveillance (AS). Patients and Methods: We retrospectively included 111 consecutive men with low-risk (International Society of Urological Pathology [ISUP] Grade 1) PCa, who received protocolled repeat MRI with or without TBx and repeat SBx at 1-year of AS. TBx was performed in Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) score ≥3 lesions (MRI-positive men). Upgrading defined as ISUP Grade ≥2 PCa (I), Grade ≥2 with cribriform growth/intraductal carcinoma PCa (II), and Grade ≥3 PCa (III) was investigated. Upgrading detected by TBx only (not by SBx) and SBx only (not by TBx) was investigated in MRI-positive and -negative men, and related to radiological progression on MRI (Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation [PRECISE] score). Results: Overall upgrading (I) was 32% (35/111). Upgrading in MRI-positive and -negative men was 48% (30/63) and 10% (5/48) (P < 0.001), respectively. In MRI-positive men, there was upgrading in 23% (seven of 30) by TBx only and in 33% (10/30) by SBx only. Radiological progression (PRECISE score 4–5) in MRI-positive men was seen in 27% (17/63). Upgrading (I) occurred in 41% (seven of 17) of these MRI-positive men, while this was 50% (23/46) in MRI-positive men without radiological progression (PRECISE score 1–3) (P = 0.534). Overall upgrading (II) was 15% (17/111). Upgrading in MRI-positive and -negative men was 22% (14/63) and 6% (three of 48) (P = 0.021), respectively. In MRI-positive men, there was upgrading in three of 14 by TBx only and in seven of 14 by SBx only. Overall upgrading (III) occurred in 5% (five of 111). Upgrading in MRI-positive and -negative men was 6% (four of 63) and 2% (one of 48) (P = 0.283), respectively. In MRI-positive men, there was upgrading in one of four by TBx only and in two of four by SBx only. Conclusion: Upgrading is significantly lower in MRI-negative compared to MRI-positive men with low-risk PCa at 1-year of AS. In serial MRI-negative men, the added value of repeat SBx at 1-year surveillance is limited and should be balanced individually against the harms. In serial MRI-positive men, the added value of repeat SBx is substantial. Based on this cohort, SBx is recommended to be performed in combination with TBx in all MRI-positive men at 1-year of AS, also when there is no radiological progression

Neurofilament light chain, a biomarker for polyneuropathy in systemic amyloidosis

OBJECTIVE: To study serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) in amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis patients with and without polyneuropathy (PNP) and to corroborate previous observations that sNfL is increased in hereditary transthyretin-related (ATTRv) amyloidosis patients with PNP. METHODS: sNfL levels were assessed retrospectively in patients with AL amyloidosis with and without PNP (AL/PNP+ and AL/PNP-, respectively), patients with ATTRv amyloidosis and PNP (ATTRv/PNP+), asymptomatic transthyretin (TTR) gene mutation carriers (TTRv carriers) and healthy controls. Healthy controls (HC) were age- and sex-matched to both AL/PNP- (HC/AL) and TTRv carriers (HC/TTRv). The single-molecule array (Simoa) assay was used to assess sNfL levels. RESULTS: sNfL levels were increased both in 10 AL/PNP+ patients (p  I) had the highest sNfL levels compared to patients with early PNP (PND-score I) (p = .05). sNfL levels did not differ between TTRv carriers and HC/TTRv individuals. In the group comprising all healthy controls and in the group of TTRv carriers, sNfL levels correlated with age. CONCLUSION: sNfL levels are increased in patients with PNP in both AL and ATTRv amyloidosis and are related to severity of PNP in ATTRv amyloidosis. sNfL is a promising biomarker to detect PNP, not only in ATTRv but also in AL amyloidosis