cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Mortality Risk for Vascular Operations by Trainees vs Attending Surgeons

Objective The development of the ability to estimate patient mortality preoperatively in surgical trainees has not been well studied. Design Prospective comparative study in which the expected perioperative mortality risk and the maximum tolerable mortality at which operation would still be offered were estimated by the operating surgeons immediately before planned vascular procedures. Setting University vascular surgery teaching service. Participants Predicted and maximum allowable mortality risks were compared between trainees and attending surgeons, with the mortality calculated using the Veterans Administration Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) as a reference. Results Surveys were performed before 379 procedures over a 10-month period. The median expected mortality risk predicted by trainees (2%; interquartile range [IQR]: 1%-5%) was higher than the risk predicted by attending surgeons (1%; IQR: 0.8%-3%) (p Conclusion Surgeons in training overestimated the perioperative mortality risk of operations and were willing to tolerate a greater mortality risk compared with attending surgeons. Both trainee and attending surgeons tended to overestimate the perioperative mortality risk compared with that calculated by VASQIP.
Asphaltene Molecular-Mass Distribution Determined by Two-Step Laser Mass Spectrometry†

Two-step laser mass spectrometry (L2MS) is explored as a technique to measure the molecular-mass distribution of asphaltenes. Unlike widely used laser desorption/ionization (LDI) mass spectrometry, in which a single laser pulse is used to desorb and ionize asphaltenes, L2MS involves two laser pulses and spatially and temporally separates the desorption and ionization events. This process allows L2MS to measure the asphaltene molecular-mass distribution free from artifacts resulting from aggregation and insufficient laser power, as occur in LDI. Studies of relevant model compounds show that L2MS detects these molecules without aggregation (unlike LDI), with only a minimum of fragmentation/multiple charging, and with relatively uniform sensitivity across the relevant mass range; however, the efficiency of the resonant ionization process is sensitive to molecular structure. These data suggest that L2MS does not suffer from significant mass discrimination in the relevant mass range and that L2MS provides a sl...
Management and Extended Outcome of Patients With Synchronous Bilateral Solid Renal Neoplasms in the Absence of von Hippel-Lindau Disease

Objective To gain information regarding long-term follow-up in patients with synchronous bilateral solid renal neoplasms in whom renal-preserving surgery is imperative. Patients and Methods We examined our surgical experience and the survival outcome, as evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analysis, of 94 patients (64 men and 30 women) who presented to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, from 1973 to 1998 with bilateral synchronous solid renal neoplasms in the absence of von Hippel-Lindau disease. Follow-up of these patients ranged from 1 to 25 years, with a mean of 5.86 years and a median of 4.18 years. Tumors were staged according to the TNM classification. Pathologic staging and grading were usually performed on the kidney with the most extensive cancer. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the relationship of grade (1-4), tumor size, and enucleation as opposed to extended (1 cm) partial nephrectomy on overall, cancer-specific, local recurrence-free, and metastasis-free survival. Results Seventy-one patients (76%) had bilateral synchronous renal cell carcinoma, and 14 patients (15%) had a unilateral renal cell carcinoma with a contralateral benign solid neoplasm. Nine patients (10%) had bilateral benign solid lesions. Sixty-six patients (70%) underwent a single procedure, whereas 28 (30%) underwent staged underwent staged surgical procedures. Fifty-one patients (54%) are alive, and 43 (46 have died. Twenty patients (21%)died of metastatic disease, and 5 (5%) had a local recurrence. Cancerspecific survival of the 85 patients with at least 1 renal cell carcinoma still under observation was 81% (±4.9% SE) and 59% (±8.1% SE) at 5 and 10 years, respectively, and survival to local recurrence was 96% (±2.6% SE) at 5 years and 93% (±3.7% SE) at 10 years with 14 patients still under observation. Grade 3 was a statistically significant factor for metastasis ( P P P =.02, respectively), with patients with local pT3 disease having a higher rate of metastasis and cancer-specific death. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor grade was associated with metastasis-free survival ( P =.002) and tumor size with cancer-specific survival ( P =.04). There was no statistical significance on survival outcome end points according to procedure performed, ie, enucleation vs extended partial nephrectomy. Conclusion Long-term results of renal-preserving preserving procedures for a series of patients with bilateral solid renal neoplasms indicate that grade, stage, and tumor size are significant predictors of outcome. Mean follow-up of over 5 years supports nephron-sparing techniques in selected patients because local recurrence was infrequent compared with distant metastasis.
Cellular Mechanics and Biology of Tumor Cell-Leukocyte Interactions in the Near Wall Region Under Shear Flow Conditions

Malignant melanoma has a high propensity for metastatic spread, making it the most deadly form of skin cancer. Currently, no effective treatment exists to prevent melanoma metastasis or to inhibit metastatic tumors growing in distant organs [1,2].Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The undiscovered country: the future of integrating genomic information into the EHR.

The papers in this special issue take advantage of the research and experience of the eMERGE network and are designed to provide operational and academic leaders a “getting started” guide for integrating genomic information into the EHR. As noted in the paper by Gottesman, et al., 1 the eMERGE network has been actively researching issues that shed light on the integration of genomic information into the EHR However, as the authors in this special issue have indicated, many questions and challenges remain. We have completed mapping of terra incognita and have now arrived at the shores of the undiscovered country.
Larval mortality during export to the sea in the fiddler crab Uca minax

Dense populations of the fiddler crab Uca minax (Le Conte 1855) are common along tidally influenced freshwater rivers and streams >50 km from the sea. Adults do not migrate from inland sites to release larvae, but instead release them directly into an environment where the zoeae cannot survive. Laboratory salinity tolerance experiments were used to determine how long larvae from the inland-most population of U. minax along the Pee Dee River, South Carolina, USA can survive zero salinity compared to larvae from a brackish water population (salinity 5) near the mouth of Winyah Bay in the same estuary. Larvae from the brackish water population were also exposed to a salinity of 5 and their survival tracked. These experiments were conducted from May to August 2004 and 2005. To determine if inland larvae suffered significant mortality in transit due to salinity stress, current profiles were measured in the field and used to model the time taken by a larva using ebb-tide transport to travel to permissive salinities. The laboratory tolerance experiments showed that larvae from the inland freshwater population had LT50’s of 4–5 days at 0 salinity, which were significantly longer than those of the brackish water zoeae (2–3 days). Zoeae from the brackish water population survived for at least one larval molt at a salinity of 5 with LT 50’s of ∼12 days. Estimated travel times to reach permissive salinities from the inland-most population based on current profiles were 3–5 days for larvae using night-time only ebb-tide transport and 1.5–2.5 days for those using ebb-tide transport both day and night. Previously published field data indicate that U. minax larvae do use both day- and night-time ebb-tide transport, and are found in high densities in the water column during the day. These results lead to the conclusion that U. minax stage I zoeae do not undergo significant salinity-induced mortality during their 50+ km trip to the sea.
High‐Temperature Reactions of Clay Mineral Mixtures and Their Ceramic Properties: II, Reactions of Kaolinite‐Mica‐Quartz Mixtures Compared with the K2O— Al2O3—SiO2 Equilibrium Diagram

Two series of mixtures containing respectively 15 and 35% quartz, together with kaolinite and muscovite in varying proportions, were fired at 1000°, llOO°, 1200°, and 1300°C. for 2-hour periods. The resulting crystalline phases were measured quantitatively by X-ray diffraction and the amount of noncrystalline material was estimated by difference. The results for samples fired to 1300°C. are compared with data calculated from the K2O-Al2O3-SiO2 equilibrium diagram, and a general agreement is obtained with the calculated equilibrium relations for this temperature. In particular, the observed and calculated amounts of mullite agree within 5%. The main departure from equilibrium is the persistence of unreacted quartz, and consequently the estimated amount of noncrystalline residue tends to be less than the calculated liquid (viz. glassy) component. At 1100° and 1200°C., the fired materials approach less closely to the equilibrium relations. The decomposition products of muscovite are discussed in an appendix.
Synthetic and Mechanistic Studies of the Ring Opening and Denitrogenation of Pyridine and Picolines by Ti−C Multiple Bonds†

The neopentylidene−neopentyl complex (PNP)Ti═CHtBu(CH2tBu) (1; PNP− = N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-methylphenyl]2) extrudes neopentane in neat pyridine or picoline (3- or 4-picoline) under mild conditions (25 °C), to generate the transient titanium alkylidyne intermediate (PNP)Ti≡CtBu (A), which subsequently ring-opens the pyridine by ring-opening metathesis of the aromatic N═C bond across the Ti≡C linkage, generating the metallaazabicycles (PNP)Ti(C(tBu)C5H3RNH) (R = H (2), 3-Me (3), 4-Me (4)). Kinetic studies suggest that the C−N activation process obeys a pseudo-first-order process in titanium, with α-hydrogen abstraction being the rate-determining step (the KIE for 1/1-d3 conversion to 2 was 3.8(3) at 25 °C). The activation parameters are ΔH⧧ = 23(3) kcal/mol and ΔS⧧ = −4(3) cal/(mol K). The intermolecular kH/kD ratio is close to unity, 1.07(3) at 25 °C, for the conversion of 1 to 2 in pyridine versus pyridine-d5. Detailed theoretical studies suggest the 1 → 2 transformation proceeds in the following order: (i) fo...
DIRECT ANALYSIS METHODS FOR FALLING WEIGHT DEFLECTOMETER DEFLECTION DATA

Two direct methods of analyzing falling weight deflectometer deflection data are presented. One method, which involves dividing the deflection 1828.8 mm (72 in.) away from the load plate by the deflection underneath the load plate, relates directly to the ratio between the pavement modulus and subgrade modulus for a two-layer system. The other method described in the paper gives a qualitative evaluation of the stiffness of the base material as it relates to the pavement surface. Examples of using these methods are described and compared with results from the Modulus Version 5.0 computer program developed by the Texas Transportation Institute.
Measurement bias in evanescent wave nano-velocimetry due to tracer size variations

Evanescent wave nano-velocimetry is an imaging tool for studying biophysical transport and nano-scale fluid mechanics via tracking the 2D or 3D motion of fluorescent nanoparticles within several hundred nanometers of a fluid--solid interface. Because the information on the third dimension is encoded in the tracer intensity, variation in the tracer size, which is proportional to the particle intensity, can lead to significant measurement uncertainty. In this work, we consider the measurement bias introduced by tracer size polydispersity on the fluid velocimetry measurements. We present a general theoretical model to account for tracer size variation, interaction potentials between tracers and the solid substrate (e.g., electrostatic, van der Waals forces) and analysis of image data. Computational results are provided for typical experimental conditions, and the implications for nano-velocimetry accuracy are discussed. We find that increased tracer particle size variation and the detectability limit of tracer intensity increase measurement bias by up to 10%, which should be accounted for in experimental measurements.
Total Syntheses of Epothilones B and D

A convergent, total synthesis of epothilones B (2) and D (4) is described. The key steps are Normant coupling to establish the desired (Z)-stereochemistry at C12-C13, Wadsworth-Emmons olefination of methyl ketone 28 with the phosphonate ester 8, diastereoselective aldol condensation of aldehyde 5 with the enolate of keto acid derivatives to form the C6-C7 bond, selective deprotection of acid 52, and macrolactonization.
PL-28: Use of the 25-MM OrVil device significantly reduces gastrojejunostomy stricture rates for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

expressed as mean standard deviation. Results: The preoperative prevalence of UI was 66% (309) which included 33% stress, 21% urge, and 46% mixed. Of the 309 patients with UI the ICIQ-SF total symptom score was 7.9 5 and QOL score was 3.0 3. Of the 58 patients who underwent laparoscopic GBP and completed a follow-up ICIQ-SF there was a postoperative reduction in total symptom score from 7.6 4 to 2.5 4 (p 0.001) and improvement in QOL score from 3.2 3 to 0.8 2 (p 0.001). UI resolved in 54% and 73% of patients at 3 and 12 months respectively after laparoscopic GBP. Improvement in UI was found within 3 months after GBP with as little as 30 pounds of weight loss. Overall UI improved in 88% of patients. Conclusion: Urinary incontinence is a very common comorbidity in preoperative bariatric surgery patients prevalent in two-thirds of morbidly obese females. Laparoscopic GBP significantly improves UI symptoms and QOL. PII: S1550-7289(08)00396-1
Role of leptin in modulating the hypothalamic–pituitary axis and luteinizing hormone secretion in the prepuberal gilt

Three experiments (EXP) were conducted to test the hypothesis that leptin modulates LH, GnRH, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) secretion. In EXP I, prepuberal gilts received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) leptin injections and blood samples were collected. In EXP II, anterior pituitary cells from prepuberal gilts in primary culture were challenged with 10(-14), 10(-13), 10(-12), 10(-11), 10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8), 10(-7), or 10(-6) M leptin individually or in combinations with 10(-10), 10(-9), and 10(-8) M GnRH. In EXP III, hypothalamic-preoptic area (HYP-POA) explants were placed in perfusion system and exposed to 0 (n=5), 10(-12) M (n=4), 10(-10) M (n=4), 10(-8) M (n=4), or 10(-6) M (n=5) human recombinant leptin (LEP) for 30 min. In EXP I, serum LH concentrations were unaffected by leptin treatment. In EXP II, all doses of leptin increased LH secretion except for 10(-12) and 10(-7) M. Only 10(-7), or 10(-13) M leptin in combination with 10(-8) or 10(-9) M GnRH, respectively, suppressed LH secretion. In EXP III, prior to leptin, media GnRH concentrations were similar across treatments. Media GnRH concentrations increased after 10(-12), 10(-10), and 10(-8) M leptin compared to control. Leptin treatment failed to influence NPY secretion across treatments. These results indicate that components of the neuroendocrine axis that regulate GnRH and LH secretion are functional and leptin sensitive before the onset of puberty. Other neural peptides in addition to NPY may mediate the acute effects of leptin on the GnRH-LH system and lastly, the inability of i.c.v. leptin treatment to increase LH secretion may in part be related to stage of sexual maturation and associated change in negative feedback action of estradiol on LH secretion.
Combination Therapy with Stavudine (d4T), Didanosine (ddI), and Indinavir in HIV-Infected Children |[bull]| 727

Objective. To evaluate the pharmacokinetics, tolerance, safety, immunologic effects, and antiviral activity of combination therapy with d4T, ddI, and indinavir in HIV-infected children.
Outcomes analysis in epistaxis management: development of a therapeutic algorithm

ObjectiveThis study explored the outcomes of epistaxis treatment modalities to optimize management and enable the development of a therapeutic algorithm.Study DesignCase series with chart review.Se...
Cloning and sequencing a cDNA encoding human ribosomal protein S25

Abstract A full-length cDNA clone has been isolated from a cDNA library prepared from mRNA of adriamycin-resistant human leukemia HL60 cells. The nucleotide sequence of this cDNA has been determined and the protein coded for by the gene identified. The cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 125 amino acids (aa) with a deduced M r of 13 750. The deduced aa sequence of this protein has 56% homology to yeast ribosomal protein S31. Western-blot analysis using antibodies directed against a synthetic peptide based on the deduced aa sequence identifies the gene product as the human ribosomal protein S25.
Magic numbers in Aln+(H2O)1 cluster cations

Abstract We report the observation of magic numbers in the mass spectrum of Al n + (H 2 O) 1 . These cluster cations were produced in a laser vaporization source in the presence of trace amounts of water. The most prominent magic number species observed was Al 13 + (H 2 O) 1 . We attribute its pronounced intensity to its enhanced stability resulting from the formation of a coordinate bond between the Al 13 + moiety and the oxygen atom of water. The sharing of an oxygen lone electron pair with Al 13 + lends to it some of the character of the 40-valence electron, closed shell Al 13 − magic cluster.
Variation aware low power buffered interconnect design

Enhancing interconnect robustness against variations is crucial to system performance and reliability in sub-65nm technologies. We present a new interconnect design methodology to optimize power consumption and robustness during buffer insertion. Using closed form expressions for interconnect delay and delay variation, we construct a design space for the interconnect. Through power-robustness tradeoff analysis of the design space, the buffering solution that minimizes power consumption while satisfying the delay and robustness constraints is computed. Comparisons with spice simulations show the effectiveness of this technique.
Charting a course for genomic medicine from base pairs to bedside

There has been much progress in genomics in the ten years since a draft sequence of the human genome was published. Opportunities for understanding health and disease are now unprecedented, as advances in genomics are harnessed to obtain robust foundational knowledge about the structure and function of the human genome and about the genetic contributions to human health and disease. Here we articulate a 2011 vision for the future of genomics research and describe the path towards an era of genomic medicine.
Computational and Experimental Investigation of Transverse Combustion Instabilities

Abstract : Concurrent experiments and computations are used to analyze combustion instabilities in a transverse mode combustion chamber. The experiments employ a shear-coaxial injector element, positioned within a rectangular chamber. The reacting flow portion of the study element is optically accessible and the chamber is extensively instrumented with high-frequency pressure transducers. High amplitude transverse acoustics modes are driven by unstable injector elements located near the chamber end-walls. Different levels of instability are obtained by varying the operation of these driving elements. High-fidelity computational fluid dynamics simulations are used to model this set-up, although only the study element is fully represented and the transverse acoustics modes are generated by vibrating the side walls at the appropriate frequencies. The computational results are compared quantitatively with the high frequency pressure measurements, and qualitatively by using the CH* chemiluminescence signal from the experiment. The combustion response of the first, second and third transverse modes obtained using a dynamic modal decomposition procedure show excellent agreement between the experiments and simulations. The overall approach shows significant promise for screening the combustion response of candidate injector configurations for rocket applications.
Surface rheology of multimolecular films of intrinsic red cell membrane proteins

Abstract The viscoelastic properties of multimolecular films of intrinsic membrane proteins (IMP) have been studied and compared to the same properties of extrinsic proteins, spectrin and actin (S + A), from the same membrane. Both IMP and S + A films show variations in properties with film thickness at the interface, but the magnitudes of the viscosities and elastic moduli are three to five times lower for the IMP. The major difference is in the yields which are about an order of magnitude lower for the IMP. With increasing thickness, the IMP films show a transition to a plateau (surface properties) and a maximum (bulk properties) at about 50 A, in line with our earlier observation of transitions at 50–80 A in S + A films.
Analysis and optimization of x-ray masks using finite element methods

Abstract The development of stable, low-distortion masks is one key to the success of x-ray lithography. The 0.25 μm critical dimensions desired require that the membrane distortions due to mounting be minimized. This paper presents some of the analyses, optimizations, and modelling techniques developed at the Center for X-ray Lithography in the area of mask mounting.
Breathing easier with breast milk.

Breast milk protects young mice from developing symptoms of asthma. The effect occurs through the induction of regulatory T cells after ingestion of allergen and TGF-β in breast milk ( pages 170–175 ).
Non-data-aided Joint Estimation of Time and Frequency Offset in OFDM Systems Using Channel Order Based Regression

Previously proposed non-data-aided time delay and carrier frequency offset estimators typically require multiple orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols to achieve good estimation performance, which is not well-suited for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) applications in which fast acquisition time is critical. In this paper, a novel non-data-aided joint time and frequency estimator for OFDM systems that uses only one complete OFDM symbol and knowledge of the channel order is presented. The estimation performance in terms of mean squared error and lock-in probability is compared to comparable estimators presented in the literature. It is shown through simulation that the proposed estimator performs better than comparable methods for low signal-to-noise ratio in Rayleigh fading channels, especially for higher order channels.
Enzymes and other iron proteins

The phenomenology of a new group of binuclear iron proteins is discussed. The common feature of these proteins is a pair of exchange coupled high spin irons in the diferric, diferrous or ferric-ferrous, trapped valence state. Of particular interest are the cases of intermediate coupling, where the zero-field splittings are comparable to the exchange and possibly the Zeeman interaction. Examples of the Mossbauer analysis of such systems in terms of a spin Hamiltonian are discussed.
Epidemiology and Clinical Aspects of HPV in Head and Neck Cancers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is now established as a major etiologic factor for oropharyngeal cancers. Case–control studies conducted around the world show strong and consistent associations of markers of HPV exposure with risk of oropharyngeal cancers (range of odds ratios [OR] for oral oncogenic HPV infections = 3.6–230.0, ORs for HPV16 L1 antibodies = 2.3–182.0, and ORs for HPV16 E6/E7 antibodies = 9.2–231.0. HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers are epidemiologically distinct from HPV-negative ones, and are characterized by younger age at onset, male predominance, and strong association with sexual behaviors. Importantly, HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients have substantially improved outcomes (28–80 % reductions in the risk of death) than HPV-negative patients. Given the superior survival, younger age, and good performance status of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer patients, de-intensified therapies are currently being considered for this group of patients. Recent analyses of cancer registry data show dramatic increases in incidence of oropharyngeal cancers during the past 15–20 years in several parts of the world, highlighting the need for prevention strategies. If proven efficacious, currently available prophylactic HPV vaccines hold great promise for primary prevention of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers.
The occurrence and intracellular localization of sucrase activity in rat liver.

The presence of an enzyme in rat liver which hydroluzes sucrose is demonstrated in this report. The hydrolysis of sucrose was studied in vivo after injecting [14C]sucrose into rats, and a method was developed for the extraction and analysis of the radioactive sugars stored within subcellular particles. The results show that, besides sucrose, glucose and fructose are also found in the lysosomal fraction of the liver homogenate. In vitro studies reveal the presence of a sucrase, although the activity of the enzyme is very low. Intracellular distribution studies indicate that sucrase is present in the lysosomes as well as in the microsomes, the microsomal enzyme having a pH optimum different from that of the lysosomal enzyme.
Anti-oxidation, high-performance solution-processed Ni plasmonic nanochain-SiOx selective solar thermal absorbers

In order to address the metal oxidation issue in cermet solar thermal absorbers at high working temperatures, we developed solution-processed plasmonic Ni nanochain-SiOx (x≤2) selective solar thermal absorbers that exhibit high solar absorption, low thermal emittance, and strong anti-oxidation behavior up to 600 °C in air. The thermal stability is far superior to more conventional Ni nanoparticle-Al2O3 selective solar thermal absorbers, which readily oxidize at 450 °C. Ni nanochains were embedded in SiOx and SiO2 matrices which are derived from hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) precursors, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) shows that the dissociation of Si-O cage-like structures into Si-O networks helped to retard the oxidation process of Ni, possibly by facilitating the formation of chemical bonding between Si in the matrix and the Ni nanochains. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) further shows that the excess Si from the dissociation of HSQ formed silicide-like chemical bonds with Ni that are robust to high temperature oxidation and protect the Ni nanostructures. Besides, the Ni-SiOx system showed 90% solar absorptance and a low thermal emissivity of 20% at 300 °C in air, compared to ~30% emittance of conventional coating at the same temperature. This technology helps to eliminate the problem of vacuum breaching and further reduces the fabrication cost of the solar selective coating. With a high solar absorptance, a low thermal emittance in the infrared region, and excellent anti-oxidation property, this type of selective solar thermal absorber is promising for applications in future generations of CSP systems.
Phase I study of preoperative short-course chemoradiation with proton beam therapy and capecitabine for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the head.

Purpose To evaluate the safety of 1 week of chemoradiation with proton beam therapy and capecitabine followed by early surgery. Methods and Materials Fifteen patients with localized resectable, pancreatic adenocarcinoma of the head were enrolled from May 2006 to September 2008. Patients received radiation with proton beam. In dose level 1, patients received 3 GyE × 10 (Week 1, Monday–Friday; Week 2, Monday–Friday). Patients in Dose Levels 2 to 4 received 5 GyE × 5 in progressively shortened schedules: level 2 (Week 1, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; Week 2, Tuesday and Thursday), Level 3 (Week 1, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; Week 2, Monday), Level 4 (Week 1, Monday through Friday). Capecitabine was given as 825 mg/m 2 b.i.d. Weeks 1 and 2 Monday through Friday for a total of 10 days in all dose levels. Surgery was performed 4 to 6 weeks after completion of chemotherapy for Dose Levels 1 to 3 and then after 1 to 3 weeks for Dose Level 4. Results Three patients were treated at Dose Levels 1 to 3 and 6 patients at Dose Level 4, which was selected as the MTD. No dose limiting toxicities were observed. Grade 3 toxicity was noted in 4 patients (pain in 1; stent obstruction or infection in 3). Eleven patients underwent resection. Reasons for no resection were metastatic disease (3 patients) and unresectable tumor (1 patient). Mean postsurgical length of stay was 6 days (range, 5–10 days). No unexpected 30-day postoperative complications, including leak or obstruction, were found. Conclusions Preoperative chemoradiation with 1 week of proton beam therapy and capecitabine followed by early surgery is feasible. A Phase II study is underway.
Experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits fed cholesterol-free diets. 8. Effect of lecithin

Summary Rabbits were fed for 6 months a semipurified, cholesterol-free diet known to be hyperlipidemic and atherosclerotic. One group was fed the semipurified diet alone, and another was fed the same diet augmented with 1% egg yolk lecithin. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were similar in the two groups, but phospholipids and the α/β lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were elevated in the rabbits fed lecithin. Liver lipid levels were not significantly different in the two groups. Levels of aortic atherosclerosis were identical. Lecithin as 1% of the diet, had no effect on atherosclerosis in this model.
Production of monoclonal antibodies against the B700 murine melanoma antigen and their antimetastatic properties.

Abstract Two unique murine melanoma antigens, termed B700 and B50, have been identified and isolated from several different murine melanoma cell lines. Both antigens can be detected on the cell surface, are actively shed in culture, and are often found in close association intracellularly. In previous studies, the antigen B700, which is related to serum albumin by biochemical and immunological criteria, was shown to function as a melanoma-specific tumor rejection antigen. We have also shown that animals sensitized to irradiated JB/RH melanoma cells produce antibodies which recognize B700 and / or B50, with B700 evoking the stronger humoral response. Animals testing positive by ELISA for antibody production to B700 or B50 were used for preparation of hybridomas and four different murine monoclonal antibodies have been produced whose specificities should facilitate epitope mapping. Clones have been used to generate ascites fluid in nude mice; the antibodies specifically recognize B700 and intact murine melanoma cells, but not B50. Two of these monoclonal antibodies have been administered systemically to C57Bl /6 mice bearing 5 day pulmonary metastases of the JB / MS melanoma, and significant inhibition of metastatic growth was observed for both antibodies.
Green web services: improving energy efficiency in data centers via workload predictions

Improving energy efficiency of data centers is an important research challenge. Web services are an important part of data centers' workload, and a large contributor to their energy footprint. This paper contributes an approach that, leveraging statistical data over web services usage patterns, dynamically predicts the resources required by the web service application. Our framework, SOPRA, uses these predictions to constantly adapt the allocation of resources to minimize the energy utilization of the data center. We demonstrate the viability of our approach by executing SOPRA over a synthetic workload. We compare the energy savings achieved by SOPRA with the traditional over allocation strategy and with the saving achievable by using a static predictor. Furthermore, we show how different service level agreements (SLA) influence the ability to save energy. The results of our experiments show that, with our workload, we can save up to 52.49% of energy over the over-allocation approach while a static prediction can only achieve a 44.78% saving. Moreover, our results show that the SLA has a high impact on energy savings. Using a more demanding SLA, the energy saving SOPRA was able to achieve was only 28.29%.
Induction of rubber transferase activity in guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) by low temperatures

Abstract The enzymatic activity of rubber transferase was determined in rubber particles purified throughout the year from three different lines of mature (5-years-old) guayule plants grown in the field in Phoenix, Arizona (33.40°N by 112.00°W, elevation 335 m), as well as in plants grown in controlled environment. Rubber transferase activity was environmentally-induced by cool night temperatures of ca. 20 °C, colder temperatures seeming not to be required. This is in contrast to reports that young guayule plants require temperatures of 7–10 °C for induction. Also, the cold temperature stimulus that induces rubber biosynthesis either is not perceived or translated by guayule seedlings until they are at least 200-days-old. However, branches less than 200-days-old on mature plants are stimulated by cool (20 °C) night temperatures to produce rubber.
Akt Kinase Activation Blocks Apoptosis in Intestinal Epithelial Cells by Inhibiting Caspase-3 after Polyamine Depletion

Apoptosis plays a critical role in the maintenance of gut mucosal homeostasis and is regulated by numerous factors including polyamines. Although the exact roles of polyamines in apoptotic pathway are still unclear, inhibition of polyamine synthesis promotes the resistance of intestinal epithelial cells to apoptosis. Akt is a serine-threonine kinase that has been established as an important intracellular signaling in regulating cell survival. The current studies test the hypothesis that polyamines are involved in the control of Akt activity in normal intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6 line) and that activated Akt mediates suppression of apoptosis following polyamine depletion. Depletion of cellular polyamines by alpha-difluoromethylornithine induced levels of phosphorylated Akt and increased Akt kinase activity, although it had no effect on expression of total Akt, pERK, p38, and Bcl-2 proteins. This activated Akt was associated with both decreased levels of active caspase-3 and increased resistance to tumor necrosis factor-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis. Inactivation of Akt by either treatment with LY294002 or ectopic expression of a dominant negative Akt mutant (DNMAkt) not only enhanced the caspase-3 activation in polyamine-deficient cells but also prevented the increased resistance to tumor necrosis factor-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis. Phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3, a downstream target of Akt, was also increased in alpha-difluoromethylornithine-treated cells, which was prevented by inactivation of Akt by LY294002 or DNMAkt overexpression. These results indicate that polyamine depletion induces the Akt activation mediating suppression of apoptosis via inhibition of caspase-3 in normal intestinal epithelial cells.
Thermal prediction and adaptive control through workload phase detection

Elevated die temperature is a true limiter to the scalability of modern processors. With continued technology scaling in order to meet ever-increasing performance demands, it is no longer cost effective to design cooling systems that handle the worst-case thermal behaviors. Instead, cooling systems are designed to handle typical chip operation, while processors must detect and handle rare thermal emergencies. Most processors rely on measurements from integrated thermal sensors and dynamic thermal management (DTM) techniques in order to manage the trade-off between performance and thermal risk. Optimal management requires advanced knowledge of the thermal trajectory based on the current workload behaviors and operating conditions. In this work, we devise novel workload phase classification strategies that automatically discriminate among workload behaviors with respect to the thermal control response. We incorporate workload phase-detection and thermal models into a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) technique that can optimally control temperature during runtime based on thermal predictions. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed techniques in predicting and adaptively controlling the thermal behavior of a real quad-core processor in response to a wide range of workloads. In comparison with state-of-the-art model predictive control (MPC) techniques in previous works on thermal prediction, we demonstrate a 5.8p improvement in instruction throughput with the same number of thermal violations. In comparison with simple proportional-integral (PI) feedback control techniques, we improve instruction throughput by 3.9p, while significantly reducing the number of thermal violations.
The use of atracurium besylate for laparoscopy

Summary An anaesthetic technique is described for laparoscopy using an intravenous induction, atracurium 0.2 mg/kg for muscle relaxation and intermittent positive pressure ventilation of the lungs with nitrous oxide and oxygen. It was found to be a suitable and simple technique. Recovery of spontaneous ventilation was achieved without the use of reversal agents in all 40 patients. A 15% incidence of cutaneous histaminoid reactions was noted. This is no higher than reported in other studies of atracurium, and further clinical trials are awaited.
Fear of criticism is not specific to obsessive—compulsive disorder

Abstract An attempt was made to replicate an earlier finding of a greater sensitivity to fear of criticism by obsessive-compulsives, compared to simple phobics. Two additional comparison groups were included. agoraphobics with panic attacks and social phobics. Results indicated that although obsessive-compulsives did score higher than simple phobics on a measure of fear of criticism, they could not be distinguished from agoraphobics or social phobics. This suggests that theories hypothesizing a selective association between fear of criticism and the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder may be invalid.
A CALIBRATED, HIGH-RESOLUTION GOES SATELLITE SOLAR INSOLATION PRODUCT FOR A CLIMATOLOGY OF FLORIDA EVAPOTRANSPIRATION

Paech, Simon J., John R. Mecikalski, David M. Sumner, Chandra S. Pathak, Quinlong Wu, Shafiqul Islam, and Taiye Sangoyomi, 2009. A Calibrated, High-Resolution GOES Satellite Solar Insolation Product for a Climatology of Florida Evapotranspiration. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 45(6):1328-1342. Abstract: Estimates of incoming solar radiation (insolation) from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite observations have been produced for the state of Florida over a 10-year period (1995-2004). These insolation estimates were developed into well-calibrated half-hourly and daily integrated solar insolation fields over the state at 2 km resolution, in addition to a 2-week running minimum surface albedo product. Model results of the daily integrated insolation were compared with ground-based pyranometers, and as a result, the entire dataset was calibrated. This calibration was accomplished through a three-step process: (1) comparison with ground-based pyranometer measurements on clear (noncloudy) reference days, (2) correcting for a bias related to cloudiness, and (3) deriving a monthly bias correction factor. Precalibration results indicated good model performance, with a station-averaged model error of 2.2 MJ m−2/day (13%). Calibration reduced errors to 1.7 MJ m−2/day (10%), and also removed temporal-related, seasonal-related, and satellite sensor-related biases. The calibrated insolation dataset will subsequently be used by state of Florida Water Management Districts to produce statewide, 2-km resolution maps of estimated daily reference and potential evapotranspiration for water management-related activities.
Xenon trioxide oxidation of certain alcohols

A series of alcohols, aliphatic and aromatic, was oxidized with xenon trioxide. Oxidation to carbon dioxide and water was effected by adding a known excess of xenon trioxide to the reaction mixture. The excess reagent was determined iodometrically. Of the alcohols tested only triphenylcarbinol resisted oxidation. Essentially quantitative recoveries were obtained for ethanol, normal, secondary, and tertiary butyl alcohols, benzyl alcohol, benzohydrol, and cinnamyl alcohol.
Estradiol regulates the number of α1 but not β or α2 noradrenergic receptors in hypothalamus of female rats

Abstract Present experiments examined whether previously observed hormone-dependent differences in norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP accumulation in hypothalamic and preoptic area slices are attributable to differences in noradrenergic receptor number or binding affinity. When compared to ovariectomized controls, hypothalamic and preoptic area membranes from estradiol-treated rats had significantly elevated numbers of [ 3 H]prazosin (α 1 ) binding sites. Estradiol affected neither the number of α 1 sites in frontal cortex nor the affinity of [ 3 H]prazosin binding in any brain region sampled. Estradiol had no effect on [ 3 H]idazoxan (α 2 ) or [ 3 H]dihydroalprenolol (β) binding in hypothalamus, preoptic area or cortex. Progesterone reversed estradiol elevation of prazosin binding in preoptic area but had no other measurable effects on any noradrenergic receptor binding when given alone or in combination with estradiol. Neither estradiol nor progesterone altered binding of radiolabeled antagonists when they were included in the in vitro incubation mixture. These data suggest that the increased α 1 receptor augmentation of cAMP accumulation seen in hypothalamic and preoptic area slices from estradiol-treated rats is correlated with increased α 1 receptor number. In contrast, estradiol attenuation of β receptor function and progesterone depression of norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP generation in slices from estradiol-treated females is not correlated with downregulation of any noradrenergic receptor subtype.
Effect of seed‐placed fertilizer on the emergence (germination) of soybeans (Glycine max L.) and snapbeans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Abstract Field trials were established on a loamy fine sand and a silt loam using snapbeans and soybeans as test crops, respectively. Row fertilizer was placed with the seed (seed‐placed). Treatments were arranged in a 3×3×3 factorial experiment, and N, P, and K were applied in all combinations at three rates (0, 3.4, and 6.8 kg/ha). Ammonium nitrate (AN), monoammonium phosphate (MAP), concentrated superphosphate (CSP) and potassium chloride (KCl) were used as sources of N, P and K. Additional treatments compared MAP with diammonium phosphate (DAP) and KCl with potassium nitrate (KNO3). The salt index of each treatment was inversely related to emergence, i.e. as the salt index increased, the emergence decreased. Level of N was more important than level of P or K in regards to reduction in emergence. Snapbeans grown on a loamy fine sand were extremely sensitive to damage from seed‐placed fertilizer, even at rates as low as 3.4 kg/ha of N, P or K. Soybeans planted on a silt loam soil were less sensitive tha...
Evaluation of sediment profile imagery as a tool for assessing water quality in Greenwich Bay, Rhode Island, USA

Abstract The Benthic Habitat Quality (BHQ) index was used to assess habitat visible in sediment profile images (SPI) following hypoxia disturbance in a shallow ( −1 , 2.9 mg l −1 , and 4.8 mg l −1 ). Using categorical data analysis, we established empirical relationships between hypoxia prevalence and presence/absence of biogenic features visible in SPI. Fecal pellets, tubes, feeding pits, voids, mounds, and BHQ score were good affirmative features, meaning that their presence (or score greater than 5) indicated a high probability of good water quality. However, low sensitivity to hypoxia precluded their usefulness as indicators, and was attributed to rarity in images and to factors acting on time intervals longer than those examined, e.g. long-term organic enrichment or hypoxia. Burrow structures and the apparent redox potential discontinuity (aRPD), or oxidized layer of surface sediment, were good discriminatory features, with high sensitivity and specificity for both hypoxia and normoxia. Both were strong surrogates for water quality over multiple assessment windows and DO thresholds, and had the highest overall predictive values. We conclude that SPI images can be used to widen the spatial extent of water quality monitoring efforts by utilizing the relationships between aRPD, burrows and hypoxia prevalence.
Colin Powell's Speech to the UN: A Discourse Analytic Study of Reconstituted Ethos

Using Colin Powell's 2003 pre-war speech to the UN as a case study, this essay illustrates ways in which discourse analytic methods can serve investigations of constitutive rhetoric. Prior to the speech, Powell's reluctance to go to war and his skepticism of the need for military action in Iraq was well known. His conversion to the administration's position was key to the persuasiveness of the speech. Thus, within the speech he needed to reconstitute his ethos from doubter to advocate. The analysis focuses on how specific linguistic qualities such as modality, positioning, narrative, and evaluation assist Powell in doing so. These discourse analytic tools reveal ways in which discrete linguistic moves contribute to the constitutive work of ethos formation and re-formation.
T2-weighted MR imaging of the liver: optimization of hybrid-RARE sequences.

The objectives of this study were to optimize T2-weighted hybrid-RARE pulse sequences for clinical MR imaging of the liver, and to compare them to the conventional spin-echo (CSE) sequence. Specifically, the ranges of the echo train length (ETL) and the effective echo time (TEeff) were investigated to optimize image quality and liver-spleen contrast, in healthy volunteers. A total of thirteen volunteers were scanned at 1.5 Tesla with an extensive array of hybrid-RARE scans. The images were analyzed quantitatively with respect to CNR (contrast-to-noise ratio of spleen vs. liver), SNR (signal to noise ratio of the spleen), SIR (signal intensity ratio of liver and spleen) and CDR (contrast difference ratio between the spleen and liver). The images were also analyzed qualitatively with respect to image sharpness, vascular artifacts, ghosting, chemical shift, and truncations. Results of quantitative analysis indicated that CDR and SIR of hybrid-RARE at higher ETL (>13) were consistently better than both the reference CSE and the lower ETL sequences (p 13 proved to be consistently better than that for the CSE (TE = 90 ms) with respect to imaging sharpness, vascular artifacts and ghosting artifacts (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the optimized hybrid-RARE sequences with ETL greater than or equal to 13 are capable of producing sharp and relatively artifact free images with the advantage of a much greater acquisition time efficiency.