cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recent time trends in chemotherapy use and oncologists' chemotherapy recommendations for early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

541Background: Advances in tumor genomic profiling enable increasingly precise estimates of the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage breast cancer. However, little is known about how chemotherapy use, medical oncologists’ (MO) perspectives and recommendations have changed in recent years, particularly in key clinical subgroups such as node-negative and node-positive. Methods: We surveyed 5,080 women (70% response rate), newly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013-2015 and accrued through two population-based SEER registries (Georgia and Los Angeles), about their MOs’ chemotherapy recommendations and whether they received chemotherapy. Using patient report, we identified 470 attending MOs and surveyed them (n=310, 66% response) about approaches to chemotherapy recommendation, using node-negative and node-positive case scenarios. We evaluated factors associated with chemotherapy receipt over time using multi-level logistic regression. Results: The analytic sample was 2,926 patients with stages I-I...
Calculating the light by light contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment using lattice QED

Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics (YITP), Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-01, JapanE-mail:tyamazak@yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jpWe report on an attempt to calculate the light-by-light contribution to the muon anomalous mag-netic moment in QED, using lattice techniques, as a ﬁrst but s igniﬁcant step toward computingthe analogous hadronic contribution. We use domain wall fermions on quenched non-compactQED conﬁgurations. The method is discussed in detail, and pr eliminary results are presented. Asignal is not obtained with the limited statistics accumulated so far. We mention possible ways toimprove the statistics to obtain a non-zero result.The XXVI International Symposium on Lattice Field TheoryJuly 14 - 19, 2008Williamsburg, Virginia, USA
Regionally variant collagen alignment correlates with viscoelastic properties of the disc of the human temporomandibular joint.

Abstract Objective To determine the regionally variant quality of collagen alignment in human TMJ discs and its statistical correlation with viscoelastic properties. Design For quantitative analysis of the quality of collagen alignment, horizontal sections of human TMJ discs with Pricrosirius Red staining were imaged under circularly polarized microscopy. Mean angle and angular deviation of collagen fibers in each region were analyzed using a well-established automated image-processing for angular gradient. Instantaneous and relaxation moduli of each disc region were measured under stress-relaxation test both in tensile and compression. Then Spearman correlation analysis was performed between the angular deviation and the moduli. To understand the effect of glycosaminoglycans on the correlation, TMJ disc samples were treated by chondroitinase ABC (C-ABC). Results Our imaging processing analysis showed the region-variant direction of collagen alignment, consistently with previous findings. Interestingly, the quality of collagen alignment, not only the directions, was significantly different in between the regions. The angular deviation of fiber alignment in the anterior and intermediate regions were significantly smaller than the posterior region. Medial and lateral regions showed significantly bigger angular deviation than all the other regions. The regionally variant angular deviation values showed statistically significant correlation with the tensile instantaneous modulus and the relaxation modulus, partially dependent on C-ABC treatment. Conclusion Our findings suggest the region-variant degree of collagen fiber alignment is likely attributed to the heterogeneous viscoelastic properties of TMJ disc that may have significant implications in development of regenerative therapy for TMJ disc.
Malignant Hyperthermia as a Complication of Maxillofacial Surgery

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare anesthetic complication. This chapter will discuss the prevalence, pathophysiology, and manifestations of the condition. The surgeon must be familiar as to how to work up and manage a patient who is at risk or has a diagnosis or family history of malignant hyperthermia. Offices in which agents associated with malignant hyperthermia are used must be appropriately equipped and supplied to monitor and intervene as the patient can rapidly deteriorate once the process begins.
Television advertising of food during children's programming in Nepal

Abstract Objective The World Health Organization has recommended that advertising of unhealthy food to children decrease in quantity (exposure) and efficacy (power). The degree to which marketing practices align with these recommendations varies across countries. The purpose of this study is to describe the television food marketing landscape that children experience in the South Asian country of Nepal. Research Methods & Procedures Commercials from 57 hours of television were recorded from three channels during hours that children's programming was played. In a content analysis of 1,203 food commercials, researchers coded commercials for nutrition content, product category and marketing appeal type. Results Principal findings of this study were that nearly 21% of airtime during children's programming was dedicated to commercials, and 55% of that was dedicated to foods. Over 70% of food commercials aired advertised foods with excessive amounts of saturated fat, sugar, and/or sodium; nearly half of the commercials (47.7%) featured products that contained excess sugar. The most prevalent food types shown were ice cream and popsicles (20.7%), energy/nutritional supplements (20.6%), and candy (14.7%). Additionally, the three most commonly occurring marketing appeals featured highly-efficacious strategies for persuading children—animated effects (83.2%), movie, cartoon, animated, or costumed characters (36.8%), and television/movie tie-ins (16.5%). Conclusion(s) Results from this study suggest that many television commercials shown in Nepal do not meet WHO recommendations for advertising foods to children. This is likely to negatively impact the diet and health of the next generation of Nepalis.
Dunn's relevant predication, real properties and identity

We critically investigate and refine Dunn's relevant predication, his formalisation of the notion of a real property. We argue that Dunn's original dialectical moves presuppose some interpretation of relevant identity, though none is given. We then re-motivate the proposal in a broader context, considering the prospects for a classical formalisation of real properties, particularly of Geach's implicit distinction between real and ''Cambridge'' properties. After arguing against these prospects, we turn to relevance logic, re-motivating relevant predication with Geach's distinction in mind. Finally we draw out some consequences of Dunn's proposal for the theory of identity in relevance logic.
Maintainability Test Plans Based on Trichotomous Classification of Repair Times

Recent literature in the areas of reliability and maintainability evaluation and acceptance sampling has suggested the potential of trichotomous classifications of lot quality and reliability/maintenance levels as opposed to the usual dichotomous classi..
Nucleotides and Nucleosides

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews nucleotides and nucleosides. By definition, a nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, sugar, and phosphate, while a nucleoside is comprised of a base and sugar. The ribosides formed via the nucleoside phosphorylase catalyzed reaction may be converted to nucleotide by ATP and a kinase. However, this sequence is probably a secondary, alternate pathway of nucleotide synthesis, which draws free purines and pyrimidines into the mainstream of nucleotide metabolism. A number of experiments that employ nucleosides and nucleotides isotopically labeled both in the ribose and the ring suggest that the ring-ribose system is converted to ring-deoxyribose without cleavage of the N-glycosidic bond. The ability of pyrimidine deoxynucleosides to be incorporated into DNA when fed to animals and bacteria indicates the presence of pyrimidine nucleoside kinase. An enzyme partially purified from yeast acts upon the nucleotides of adenine, guanine, and uridine to carry out transphosphorylation. Nucleoside monophosphate kinases have been partially purified from Escherichia coli, which catalyzes the formation of triphosphates of deoxyadenine, deoxyguanosine, thymidine, and deoxycytidine from their corresponding 5'-monophosphates, in the presence of ATP. The reactions can take place in the absence of adenine nucleotides although an enzyme described in liver requires that one of the reactants be an adenine nucleotide.
The Role of Granzyme B in Murine Models of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease and Graft Rejection

A complete molecular description of the syndromes of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and graft rejection could have a significant impact on clinical bone marrow transplantation. Recent in vitro experiments (Heusel et al, Cell 76:977, 1994 and Shresta et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 92:5679, 1995) have shown that the putative mediators of these two syndromes, cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells, respectively, initiate a program of cell death (apoptosis) in susceptible target tissues in a manner critically dependent on the serine protease Granzyme B (gzm B). In the present study, we have analyzed the phenotype of gzm B-deficient mice using experimental transplant models designed to isolate their CD8+ CTL, CD4+ CTL, and NK compartments. We found a significant impairment in class I-dependent GVHD mediated by gzm B -/- CD8+ CTL, whereas class II-dependent GVHD was not altered using gzm B -/- CD4+ effectors. In a hybrid resistance model, gzm B -/- hosts rejected haplo-identical marrow grafts as efficiently as did their wild-type littermates. This result is surprising in light of a severe defect in the ability of gzm B -/- NK cells to induce apoptosis in susceptible targets in vitro. These in vivo data define significant role for gzm B in cytotoxicity mediated by CD8+ CTL, but not by CD4+ CTL. Furthermore, these results do not support a model of hybrid resistance in which NK cells play a pivotal role.
Corn response to six annual Cu-enriched pig manure applications to three soils

The increasing use of land application of organic wastes presents a potential pathway for metals to enter the environment and cause phytotoxicity. Studies to evaluate the response of corn (Zea mays L.) to annual applications of Cu-enriched pig manure or CUSO4 were established as ongoing field experiments in 1978 on three soils. The soils varied in texture from fine sandy loam to clay loam and ranged in CEC from 5.0 to 12.3 cmol(+) kg−1. Five treatments in each field experiment consisted of a control, low and high Cu-enriched pig manure levels, and low and high CuSO4 levels. After 6 yr 638 Mg ha−1 of wet Cu-enriched pig manure containing from 185 to 198 mg Cu kg−1 had been applied for the high treatments on the three soils. The Cu-enriched pig manure, which contained 1290 mg Cu dry kg−1, was produced by pigs fed diets with 242 mg Cu kg−1. In the sixth year, leaf blade Cu concentrations were increased by ≤ 3.3 mg kg−1 due to the high Cu treatments but remained in the middle of the Cu sufficiency range. Grain Cu was 73 to 84% lower than blade Cu and was unaffected by the treatments. The DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) extractable Cu was not related to either leaf or grain Cu levels. However, the DTPA extractable Cu was linearly related, r = 0.92, to applied amounts of Cu in the three soils. Overall, this research indicated that application of up to 638 Mg kg−1 of wet Cu-enriched pig manure did not cause an environmental hazard.
Potent and Selective Tetrahydroisoquinoline Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonists of Lead Compound (3R)-7-Hydroxy-N-[(1S)-2-methyl-1-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)propyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide (PDTic)

Past studies have shown that it has been difficult to discover and develop potent and selective κ opioid receptor antagonists, particularly compounds having potential for clinical development. In this study, we present a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study of a recently discovered new class of tetrahydroisoquinoline κ opioid receptor antagonists which led to (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-{(1S)-2-methyl-1-[(−4-methylpiperidine-1-yl)methyl]propyl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide (12) (4-Me-PDTic). Compound 12 had a Ke = 0.37 nM in a [35S]GTPγS binding assay and was 645- and >8100-fold selective for the κ relative to the μ and δ opioid receptors, respectively. Calculated log BB and CNS (central nervous system) multiparameter optimization (MPO) and low molecular weight values all predict that 12 will penetrate the brain, and pharmacokinetic studies in rats show that 12 does indeed penetrate the brain.
Herbal Medicines for Seizures

Abstract Herbal medicines have a long history of use for treating people with seizure disorders. Here, some of this history as well as modern scientific research on the utility of these herbs is di...
The mysterious spinning cylinder—Rigid-body motion that is full of surprises

10.1119/1.5086391.1We explore the steady-state rotational motion of a cylinder on a flat horizontal surface from a pedagogical perspective. We show that the cylinder's inclination angle depends on its rotational velocity in a surprisingly subtle manner, including both stable and unstable solutions as well as a forbidden region with no (real) solutions. Moreover, the cylinder's behavior undergoes a qualitative change as the aspect ratio decreases below a critical value. Using a high-speed video, we measure the inclination angle as a function of rotation speed and demonstrate good agreement with the theoretical predictions. All aspects of the analysis are well within the capabilities of undergraduate students, making this an ideal system to explore in courses or as an independent project.
Small-hairpin RNA and pharmacological targeting of neutral sphingomyelinase prevent diaphragm weakness in rats with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF) increases neutral sphingomyelinase (NSMase) activity and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission and causes diaphragm weakness. We ...
Type of early bilingualism effect on the delateralization of /ʎ/ in Basque and Spanish

Abstract The contrast between /ʎ/ and /ʝ/ has been lost in most Spanish varieties. This merger (yeismo) has also been claimed to have spread to Basque. I study the palatal merger in Azpeitia Basque and Spanish, where simultaneous (2L1 Basque, Spanish) and early-sequential (L1 Basque, L2 Spanish) groups were tested in both languages. Comparing the two bilingual groups, this study found that, as a group, early-sequential bilinguals do not merge the phonemes in either of the two languages. However, while simultaneous bilinguals maintain the distinction in Basque, they tend to merge the phonemes in Spanish. Inter-speaker variation is found within each group and individual reports do not confirm global results. This study has also encountered different types of speakers as far as the palatal merger is concerned in Basque and Spanish: (1) non-mergers in any of the languages, (2) mergers in both languages, (3) mergers only in Spanish, and (4) mergers only in Basque.
Genital Hiatus Size and the Development of Prolapse Among Parous Women.

Objective In cross-sectional studies, pelvic organ prolapse is strongly associated with genital hiatus (GH) size. The objective of this study was to estimate prolapse incidence by the size of the GH among parous women followed prospectively. Methods Data were derived from a longitudinal study of pelvic floor disorders. Participants were followed annually for 2-9 years. Genital hiatus size and prolapse beyond the hymen were assessed with annual pelvic organ prolapse quantification examinations. Kaplan-Meier methods described prolapse-free survival as a function of GH size. Accounting for changes over time in GH size, lognormal models were used to estimate prolapse-free survival by GH size. This analysis was repeated separately for women who gave birth exclusively by cesarean versus those with at least one vaginal birth. Results Among 1,492 participants, median age at enrollment was 38 years; 153 (10.3%) developed prolapse over 2-9 years. The cumulative probability of prolapse increased substantially as the size of the GH increased. Lognormal models predicted that the estimated median time to develop prolapse would be 33.4 years for women with a persistent GH of 3 cm; in contrast, the estimated median time to develop prolapse would be 5.8 years for a GH of 4.5 cm or greater. Considering separately women who gave birth by cesarean versus those with at least 1 vaginal birth, GH size drastically modified prolapse risk in both birth groups. Conclusions Prolapse incidence is strongly associated with GH size, regardless of delivery mode. These findings suggest that a wider GH is an important predictor of future prolapse risk.
Long-range correlated dynamics in ultra-thin molecular glass films

It has been previously shown that the free surface of molecular glasses has enhanced surface diffusion compared to the bulk. However, the degree by which the glass dynamics are affected by the free surface remains unexplored. Here, we measure enhanced dynamics in ultra-thin molecular glass films as a function of film thickness. We demonstrate that these films exhibit a sharp transition from glassy solid to liquid-like behavior when the thickness is reduced below 30 nm. This liquid-like behavior persists even at temperatures well below the glass transition temperature, Tg. The enhanced dynamics in these films can produce large scale morphological features during physical vapor deposition and lead to a dewetting instability in films held at temperatures as low as Tg − 35 K. The effective viscosity of these films are measured by monitoring the dewetting kinetics. These measurements combined with cooling-rate dependent Tg measurements show that the apparent activation barrier for rearrangement decreases sharply in films thinner than 30 nm. This sharp transition in the dynamics suggests that long-range correlated dynamics exists in these films such that the enhancement induced by the free surface can strongly affect the dynamics of the film over a length scale that is ten times larger than the size of the molecules.
A need for balanced approach to neighborhood sustainability assessments: A critical review and analysis

Abstract With over 70% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2030, the role of cities in sustainable development is gaining greater momentum. Creating healthy and livable communities have become a priority in many regions, giving birth to several neighborhood sustainability assessment tools. Yet, these tools largely fail to consider and integrate the four pillars of sustainability namely, environmental, social, economic, and institutional dimensions in a balanced, equitable manner. Without a detailed analysis of the most recent versions of widely used NSA tools, the impact of these tools toward sustainability may be inaccurately measured and reported. Besides, it is crucial to understand the various credits implemented and/or ignored by stakeholders using such tools. With a balanced approach in mind, this paper examines five NSA tools and addresses four objectives namely, (1) to fill the gap in current literature by using the most up-to-date versions of NSA tools in the analysis; (2) to examine the current rating systems’ ability to define the goals of sustainability and to measure their progress; (3) to identify which sustainability criteria are applied most frequently by stakeholders and which ones are ignored; and (4) to offer timely and imminent issues relevant to current NSA tools. The first three objectives listed above are dealt with using actual projects implemented, i.e., data from 115 projects, one of the largest dataset used in any study at this time. Using the results from the analysis, this paper concludes with a series of recommendations for a balanced approach to NSA.
Neurofilament Light Chain as a Biomarker for Cognitive Decline in Parkinson Disease.

BACKGROUND Neurofilament light chain protein (NfL) is a promising biomarker of neurodegeneration. OBJECTIVES To determine whether plasma and CSF NfL (1) associate with motor or cognitive status in Parkinson's disease (PD) and (2) predict future motor or cognitive decline in PD. METHODS Six hundred and fifteen participants with neurodegenerative diseases, including 152 PD and 200 healthy control participants, provided a plasma and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NfL sample. Diagnostic groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis rank test. Within PD, cross-sectional associations between NfL and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III) and Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS-2) scores were assessed by linear regression; longitudinal analyses were performed using linear mixed-effects models and Cox regression. RESULTS Plasma and CSF NfL levels correlated substantially (Spearman r = 0.64, P < 0.001); NfL was highest in neurocognitive disorders. PD participants with high plasma NfL were more likely to develop incident cognitive impairment (HR 5.34, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Plasma NfL is a useful prognostic biomarker for PD, predicting clinical conversion to mild cognitive impairment or dementia. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Ethical challenges of prospective clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: : The COVID-19 pandemic has created an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine clinical research. While much has been written about the challenges associated with generating real-world evidence during the COVID-19 pandemic, comparatively little attention has been paid to the ethical challenges facing patients, clinicians, researchers, and regulatory bodies. AREAS COVERED: : In this manuscript, we examine these challenges through the lens of informed consent and explore how the consenting process changes as our understanding of the disease is altered. EXPERT OPINION: We also suggest ways to limit these ethical hurdles through the use of embedded pragmatic clinical trials, which generate real-world data without the limitations associated with observational trials or the resources and lack of generalizability that are obstacles to conducting conventional randomized clinical trials. We argue that clinical research must become more nimble, and must include embedded researchers to ensure that relevant questions and ethical issues are properly addressed.
Finishing Beef Cattle on Grass with Self-Fed By-Products

There has been increasing interest by consumers in beef from cattle that are finished or fattened “on grass” rather than in a conventional feedlot. Also recently, Iowa has had a proliferation of plants that produce ethanol from corn. The byproduct of this process is distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). The objective of this study was to feed beef cattle to market weight by grazing cool-season grass supplemented with self-fed by-product pellets.
Cooperation Between the United Nations and the International Criminal Court: Recent Developments in Information Sharing and Contact with Persons Subject to Warrants or Summonses

As contemplated by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (‘Court’), the United Nations and the Court entered into a Relationship Agreement in 2004. The Relationship Agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the United Nations and the Court, including through logistical or administrative support to the Court, in particular in countries where the Prosecutor has opened investigations or is conducting preliminary examinations. The United Nations also provides substantive support and judicial assistance to the Court’s organs, in particular to the Prosecutor, but also increasingly now to the Defence, by making available documents and information generated or obtained by the United Nations and its various field presences. United Nations staff and experts have also been made available to the Court for interview and some have testified before the Court, for which the United Nations Secretary-General has to waive their immunity. This commentary provides an update on recent developments in two areas of cooperation between the United Nations and the court: information sharing, and contact with persons subject to warrants or summonses.
Differential CD91 dependence for calreticulin and Pseudomonas exotoxin-A endocytosis.

Calreticulin (CRT) interaction with cell-surface receptors is integral to its function in escorting associated peptides into the antigen-presenting cell (APC) antigen presentation pathway. Additionally, extracellular CRT is proposed to be required for lung APC interaction with collectins. In both cases, CD91 has been proposed to act as the APC cell-surface receptor requisite for mediating these processes. However, the evidence for a CRT interaction with CD91 is indirect, predicated on partial competition of cellular binding by gp96, of which CD91 has been proposed as the unique endocytic receptor, and by the CD91 ligand α2-macroglobulin. Here, we directly investigate the function of CD91 in binding and trafficking CRT. We find that the ability of CRT to interact with APC does not correlate with cellular CD91 expression or function. Additionally, in the first genetic test of CD91 function regarding CRT, CD91 expression neither conferred CRT association nor did CD91-deficient (CD91–/–) and CD91-expressing cells differ in their ability to traffic CRT. Finally, cellular CRT trafficking did not parallel that of Pseudomonas exotoxin-A, an obligate CD91 ligand, by the criteria of CD91 dependence, cell-type specificity and endocytic itinerary. These data identify that CRT trafficking is not, as previously hypothesized, CD91 dependent and indicate usage of alternative cellular trafficking pathways.
Sleep in the laboratory and sleep at home: comparisons of older insomniacs and normal sleepers

Many laboratory polysomnographic (LPSG) studies have shown only modest sleep differences between insomniacs and matched, noncomplaining normal controls. However, the extent to which LPSG methodology affects the outcome of such comparisons has yet to be tested. In the current investigation, 32 (16 females, 16 males) older (age > or = 60 years) insomniacs and an age-matched and gender-matched sample of 32 noncomplaining normal sleepers underwent three consecutive nights of LPSG monitoring and another three consecutive nights of PSG monitoring in their homes (HPSG). By random assignment, one-half of the subjects in each group underwent LPSG first, whereas the remaining subjects underwent HPSG first. Each PSG recording was blindly scored using conventional scoring criteria, and resulting measures of total sleep period, total sleep time, sleep efficiency percent, stage 1 time, slow-wave sleep time, and rapid eye movement latency were used to compare the two subject groups within each PSG recording site (i.e. lab and home). Statistical analyses showed the normals sleepers and insomniacs evidenced similar pronounced first night effects (FNEs) when undergoing LPSG. However, neither mean values of the selected sleep parameters nor measures reflecting their night-to-night variability differentiated the insomniacs from the normal sleepers when such measures were derived from LPSG. In contrast, FNEs were generally absent for both subject groups when they underwent HPSG. Moreover, the insomniacs displayed significantly greater variability in several of their sleep measures during HPSG than did the normal sleepers. Overall, results suggest FNEs are a concern mainly when using LPSG, and HPSG may be more sensitive than LPSG for documenting sleep differences between normal sleepers and insomniacs. Additional studies are needed to determine if the findings reported herein are similar for young and middle-aged adults.
Direct proof of the 5' to 3' transcriptional jump during reverse transcription of the avian retrovirus genome by DNA sequencing.

Abstract DNA sequence analysis of avian sarcoma virus in vitro-synthesized complementary DNA and in vivo-synthesized, molecularly cloned viral DNA provides unequivocal proof that only one copy of the terminally redundant viral RNA sequence is copied during reverse transcription.
Cardiac tamponade during cardiac catheterization: Management by immediate pericardiostomy and drainage

Abstract When acute cardiac tamponade occurs as a complication of cardiac catheterization, the patient is usually one in whom cardiac performance is already impaired, and immediate relief of restriction to ventricular filling is mandatory to prevent irreversible circulatory failure. Effective decompression of the heart is not uniformly achieved by pericardiocentesis, however, and death from recognized tamponade sometimes occurs. Therefore, in 4 patients who incurred tamponade during cardiac catheterization, immediate pericardiostomy and drainage of the pericardial space was successfully employed. The details of the management of these patients, the operative methods utilized, and the rationale for this form of treatment are described.
Is Isolation of All Four Pulmonary Veins Necessary in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

The upper pulmonary veins (PVs) are responsible for the majority of atrial fibrillation (AF) triggering foci, whereas the inferior PVs are more difficult to ablate and prone to postablation ostial stenosis. Most procedure failures can be attributed to incomplete isolation or recurrent PV left atrial reconnection rather than to identification of another focus. Furthermore, in certain patients AF triggers can be detected outside the PVs, and local denervation of the ganglionic plexus around the superior PV left atrial junctions following the ablation procedure may also play a role in eliminating AF. Based on these data, the authors propose that in AF patients the superior PVs should be ablated first, and in case of recurrence a second procedure should be performed for identification of PV left atrial reconnection or extrapulmonary foci and additional ablation of the inferior PVs. Such a staged approach might offer slightly lower success rates but with a significantly lower radiation exposure and procedural time and at a smaller risk of ablation induced PV stenosis. (PACE 2004; 27:938–940)
HPV6 up-regulates cyclooxygenase-2 in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP)

Abstract Rationale RRP is caused by human papillomaviruses HPV-6 and 11, but it remains an immunologic enigma. We recently observed that HPV-11 early protein 6 (E6) induces the relatively unopposed expression of IL-10, with a concomitant decrease in IFNγ, IL-12 and IL-18. We have also noted papillomas to strongly express cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Because IL-10 and IL-12 expression is regulated by COX-2, and is inversely proportional to one another, we asked whether E6 up-regulates COX-2, thus explaining the IL-10, and IL-12 patterns we observed in RRP. Methods PBMC from 2 patients were incubated with or without an E6 fusion protein containing the transduction domain of the HIV-1 protein tat (tat-E6). RNA from these PBMC was extracted, purified, and then hybridized to the Affymetrix Human Genome U133 microarray chip, and subsequently analyzed by Affymetrix software. Results While many genes were significantly affected by E6, we noted a 32-fold up-regulation of COX-2 (p=0.00002) in patients' PBMC exposed to tat-E6, compared to their tat-E6-unexposed PBMC, using microarray technology. However, COX-1 was not up-regulated. Conclusions Our results provide insight into the immunopathogenesis of RRP. We postulate that E6 up-regulation of COX-2 expression, induces IL-10, but suppresses IL-12, thereby creating a TH2-like microenvironment that is favorable to HPV re-expression and papilloma recurrence.
Boundary-layer transition on a 10 deg cone in hypersonic flows.

An investigation was conducted in a hypersonic shock tunnel to study the laminar boundary-layer transition on a 10° cone of 4-ft length with a wall to stagnation-temperature ratio of 0.214. The freestream Mach number range was 8.5 to 10.5 with a stagnation temperature of 1400°K. Schlieren and heat transfer gages were used to investigate the transition of the laminar boundary layer. In the transition region, turbulent bursts, indicated by the heat gages, did exist like those observed on a flat plate at subsonic velocities and on three-dimensional models in the firing ranges. With a smooth tip the boundary layer was not fully turbulent for a Reynolds number of 7.4 X 10 and a Mach number of 8.5. Preliminary results with surface roughness indicated that the transition Reynolds number can be decreased appreciably. With roughness, the local heat transfer rates for a turbulent boundary layer were determined and agreed reasonably well with theory. This investigation has shown that sputtered platinum heat gages have a fast enough response time to detect the passage of the turbulent bursts over the cone surface. The propagation velocity of the turbulent bursts was found to be approximately 0.9 of the freestream velocity.
A Weighted Finite-State Transducer Implementation of Phoneme Rewrite Rules for English to Korean Pronunciation Conversion

Abstract Words change their phonetic as well as orthographic form when they are borrowed and used by speakers of another language. A formal model that properly captures this change has theoretical implications in phonology and practical applications in speech processing and machine transliteration. This paper describes a method for developing a finite- state model that predicts how English words and named entities are pronounced in Korean. The model predicts nativized pronunciation using weighted finite-state transducers implementing context-dependent phoneme rewrite rules derived from English-to-Korean pronunciation pairs and syllable phonotactics in Korean.
Where attention falls: Increased risk of falls from the converging impact of cortical cholinergic and midbrain dopamine loss on striatal function

Falls are a major source of hospitalization, long-term institutionalization, and death in older adults and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Limited attentional resources are a major risk factor for falls. In this review, we specify cognitive-behavioral mechanisms that produce falls and map these mechanisms onto a model of multi-system degeneration. Results from PET studies in PD fallers and findings from a recently developed animal model support the hypothesis that falls result from interactions between loss of basal forebrain cholinergic projections to the cortex and striatal dopamine loss. Striatal dopamine loss produces inefficient, low-vigor gait, posture control, and movement. Cortical cholinergic deafferentation impairs a wide range of attentional processes, including monitoring of gait, posture and complex movements. Cholinergic cell loss reveals the full impact of striatal dopamine loss on motor performance, reflecting loss of compensatory attentional supervision of movement. Dysregulation of dorsomedial striatal circuitry is an essential, albeit not exclusive, mediator of falls in this dual-system model. Because cholinergic neuromodulatory activity influences cortical circuitry primarily via stimulation of α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and because agonists at these receptors are known to benefit attentional processes in animals and humans, treating PD fallers with such agonists, as an adjunct to dopaminergic treatment, is predicted to reduce falls. Falls are an informative behavioral endpoint to study attentional-motor integration by striatal circuitry.
Plasmatic and erythrocytic electrolytes in iron-deficiency anemia of pigs (Sus scrofa).

Abstract 1. 1. The blood electrolytes and hematologic data of iron-deficient pigs raised indoors were compared with similar data from iron-injected pigs (controls) raised indoors with the iron-deficient pigs and with iron-injected pigs raised outdoors (normals). All pigs were raised on concrete floors. 2. 2. The mean erythrocytic K concentration of anemic pigs was not lowered to the level found in erythrocytes of fetuses nor raised to make up for the hemoglobin deficiency. 3. 3. The predominate effects on blood electrolytes of iron-deficiency anemia of pigs were increases in the variation of plasmatic Na and Cl, and erythrocytic Na and K concentrations.
Potencies of diazepam metabolites in rats trained to discriminate diazepam.

Abstract The dose-response relationships of diazepam and several of its metabolites were determined in rats trained to discriminate diazepam (3 mg/kg) from saline in a two-lever operant choice task. Generalization of the diazepam stimulus was found to occur with temazepam and oxazepam, which were nearly equipotent with diazepam, and also with desmethyldiazepam, which was about half as potent as diazepam. The hydroxylated metabolites, 4′-hydroxydiazepam and 4′-hydroxydes-methyldiazepam were inactive in doses up to 12 mg/kg. These results show that some diazepam metabolites are quite potent behaviorally and indicate the possibility that these metabolites may contribute to the pharmacological effect of diazepam in vivo .
A Partitioned Slab Apparatus for One-Dimensional Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis in Multiphasic Buffer Systems under a Wide Range of Conditions

Abstract An apparatus for one-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in multiphasic buffer systems of multiple samples on a gel slab has been constructed. This apparatus is made of Pyrex, providing satisfactory wall adherence of polyacrylamide at any pH, 0 and 25°C. The apparatus provides permanent sample partitions and can, therefore, be used with mechanically labile, stacking gels. Temperature control for polymerization and electrophoresis is provided. Procedures and applications are described for use of the apparatus with uniform gel concentration or with pore gradient gels. A gradientmaker for the preparation of polyacrylamide pore gradient gels is described.
Contouring the inferior pole of the breast in vertical mammaplasty: suction-assisted lipectomy versus direct defatting.

Background: Precise contouring of the inframammary fold is essential in vertical mammaplasty to avoid persistent dog-ears and revision surgery. This report presents the adjunctive use of suction-assisted lipectomy to shape the inferior pole of the breast in vertical reduction mammaplasty. Methods: A total of 117 patients underwent a modified superomedial pedicle vertical breast reduction. In group I (n = 45), the lower pole shaping was achieved with direct defatting. Based on contour problems leading to revisions, group II (n = 72) comprised the later experience whereby the inferior pole and inferolateral aspect of the breast was approached with liposuction. The rest of the procedure was similar. Revisions and complications were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The demographics were similar in terms of age (38 ± 13 years versus 37 ± 12 years; p > 0.05), body mass index (31.8 ± 5.2 versus 32.1 ± 4.8; p > 0.05), and the amount of breast reduction (713 ± 341 g versus 668 ± 455 g on the right side and 704 ± 347 g versus 649 ± 450 g on the left side; p > 0.05). Group II patients required revision surgery significantly less than group I patients (22.2 percent versus 5.5 percent; p 0.05). Conclusions: In a practice setting with a broad spectrum of patient profiles, adjunctive use of liposuction in vertical breast reduction accomplishes effective contouring of the lower pole of the breast and reduces the revision rates significantly with a low complication rate. This is particularly helpful in large breasts with an ill-defined lateral border. It is emphasized that liposuction is used for contouring purposes and not for volume reduction.
Mixed state in a superlattice

Presented in this paper is a theoretical calculation of the vortex solution in a chosen superlattice (Nb/NbZr) using the Gibbs free energy of an inhomogeneous superconductor. The eigenvalue obtained in this geometry from de Gennes-Werthamer proximity coupling theory is first examined according to a set of experimental data, while the correspondent eigenfunctions are then used to construct vortex solutions with either square lattice or triangle lattice symmetry. The Gibbs free energy is calculated in terms of the vortex solutions of both symmetries. The effective Ginzburg-Landau parameter,K NS , for this superlattice is determined asK NS =0.218 by requiring a consistency between the microscopic and macroscopic theoretical calculations. Of particular importance is a new mechanism revealed by this calculation that a highly localized state of superconducting condensate in its hosting layer, despite the spatially rapid varying characteristic of its correspondent nucleating order parameter, provides a lower eigenvalue state, which results in a dimensional crossover. A further examination of this mechanism is carried out in the mixed state calculation. Finally, a generalization of the present theoretical results to a large class of superlatices is discussed.
Organic haze in Earth's early atmosphere: Source of low-13C Late Archean kerogens?

High concentrations of greenhouse gases would have been required to offset low solar luminosity early in Earth9s history. Enhanced CO 2 levels are probably at least part of the solution, but CH 4 may have played a significant role as well, particularly during the Late Archean era, 2.5–3.0 Ga, when methanogenic bacteria were almost certainly present. Indeed, biological CH 4 production should have led to CO 2 drawdown by way of a negative feedback loop involving the carbonate-silicate geochemical cycle. We suggest here that the atmospheric CH 4 /CO 2 ratio approached the value of ∼1 needed to trigger formation of Titan-like organic haze. This haze was strongly depleted in 13 C relative to 12 C and was produced at a rate comparable to the modern rate of organic carbon burial in marine sediments. Therefore, it could provide a novel explanation for the presence of extremely low- 13 C kerogens in Late Archean sediments.
EFFECT OF ETHER AND CA++ ON INFECTIVITY OF POLIOVIRUS RNA.

Using conventional procedures of extraction with diethyl ether to remove phenol, the infective poliovirus RNA titer was found to be 5 to 100 times greater when the virus stock was diluted about one-hundredfold into certain diluents prior to treatment with phenol (560 mM) than when undiluted stock was treated. Diluents giving this result were calcium-free, magnesium-free, mildly alkaline (pH 7–11) solutions, notably, e. g., 10 mM NaHCO3. The milieu afforded by such diluents was not necessary for the treatment with phenol but was necessary primarily to prevent “inactivation” of the poliovirus RNA by the ether; however, even without exposure to ether and with no extractions to remove phenol, mildly acid conditions or a moderate concentration of Ca++ resulted in some loss of infective RNA titer. Assay of ethereal phase detected no infectivity. Even with added base and chelating agent, extractions of phenol-treated essentially undiluted virus stocks with ether resulted in large loss of infective RNA titer. Extractions with benzene in place of ether had little or no effect on RNA titer using diluted systems; but with undiluted systems, a large titer loss was found. Treatment with ether without extractions with ether also inactivated RNA. Using heat shock (70° C, 20 seconds) in place of phenol to obtain infective RNA, the nature of the diluent required to give high infective RNA titer was very different from that required for the prephenol dilution when the conventional extractions with ether were employed.
Spontaneous e+e− pair creation in heavy ion collisions

Abstract We demonstrate that vibrational perturbations of supercritical “quasimolecules” which may occur in collisions of heavy ions can, within the context of first-order perturbation,theory, result in the production of coincident narrow e + e − peaks, in place of and with a larger yield than that predicted for spontaneous positron emission from static supercritical systems. Certain features of this phenomenon coincide with those of the e + e − peaks observed by the EPOS collaboration although some important aspects of the observations cannot be reproduced within our approximation. A detailed attempt to reconcile this theoretical model with the EPOS experiment must go beyond perturbation theory.
A fluorometric method for measurement of dipeptidase activity

Abstract The differing effect of pH on the fluorescence developed by condensation of ninhydrin and phenylacetaldehyde with amino acids or dipeptides has been studied. The ratios of fluorescence of dipeptides to the fluorescence of the amino acids that would be obtained on complete hydrolysis of those dipeptides are greater than 10, at pH 5.0. The observation has been utilized for the measurement of dipeptidase activity in rat intestinal mucosa. This method is discussed in terms of its general applicability and its usefulness vis-a-vis the fluorescamine method.
Macrocycles by Olefination of Dialdehydes with 1,3‐Bis(dimethylphosphono)‐2‐propanone

Conjugated cyclic divinyl ketones containing fifteen and seventeen membered rings have been prepared in a single step by condensation of 1,3-bis (dimethylphosphono)-2-propanone (10) with the dialdehydes 14, 17, 20, and 42 in the presence of hydrogencarbonate in aqueous t-butyl alcohol at reflux without using high dilution techniques. The more highly unsaturated aldehydes give better yields and ketones 34 and 36, or mixtures of the two, were transformed to muscone (1) and Exaltone® by standard procedures. Civetone (2) was prepared by hydrogenation of 43 in pyridine solution. Dienone 29 appears to be the first α, β-unsaturated ketone in which one of the β-vinyl proton resonates at higher field than the corresponding α-proton.
Cardiovascular effects of sildenafil in experimental ischemia–reperfusion (reply to “Sildenafil-induced cardioprotection in rabbits, by Kukreja, R.C., Ockaili, R., Salloum, F., Xi, L.”)

In their letter to the editor, Kukreja, Ockaili, Salloum and Xi comment on our recently published study in which intravenous application of 1.45 or 0.7 mg/kg sildenafil 30 min prior to coronary artery occlusion did not reduce myocardial infarct size in an experimental rabbit model of 30 min ischemia followed by 180 min of reperfusion [1]. Since our results contrast with a recent investigation by this research group [2] that described pronounced infarct size reduction after pretreatment with sildenafil in a very similar model, the authors are “puzzled by our negative findings”. Indeed, we appreciate the editorial decision from Cardiovascular Research to publish our results, as in these days publication bias in favor of positive results occasionally makes it difficult to publish “negative findings”. We believe that the constructive debate, initiated by Kukreja et al. in this letter to the editor, may encourage this editorial policy. When comparing the mentioned investigations by Ockaili et al. [2] with our study, again—and we think that the extensive work from Dr. Kukreja's group on delayed cardioprotective effects …