cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cultured skin for massive burns. A prospective, controlled trial.

Objective The author compares the outcome of therapy in patients with massive burns with or without cultured autologous epithelial autografts. Summary Background Data The use of cultured keratinocytes has been controversial because of poor take and fragility. There have been no prospective series comparing the use of this technology with standard burn wound coverage. Methods During a 5-year period, 22 patients with an average burn size of 71.8% were treated with cultured keratinocytes and compared with a group of 42 controls with an average burn size of 61.6%. Results There was no significant difference in age, sex distribution, or third-degree component of the burn between the two groups. There was a significantly higher incidence of smoke inhalation in the cultured epithelial autograft group. There was a reduction in mortality in the cultured epithelial autograft group compared with controls, from 48% to 14% (p < 0.007). There was no difference between the two groups in other major complications, or in readmission for breakdown. Conclusions Coverage of patients who sustain massive burns with cultured autologous epithelial cells is an important and significant advance in management.
Stereochemistry of the macrocyclization and elimination steps in taxadiene biosynthesis through deuterium labeling.

Taxadiene synthase catalyzes the cyclization of (E,E,E)-geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) to taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene (Scheme 1, 5 → 2) as the first committed step of Taxol biosynthesis. Deuterated GGPPs labeled stereospecifically at C-1, C-4, and C-16 were synthesized and incubated with recombinant taxadiene synthase from Taxus brevifolia to elucidate the stereochemistry of the cyclization reaction at these positions. The deuterium-labeled taxadienes obtained from (R)-[1-2H1]-, (S)-[1-2H1]-, and [16,16,16-2H3]GGPPs (9, 10, and 23b) were established to have deuterium in the 2α and 2β CH2 and 16CH3 positions, respectively, by high-field 1H NMR spectroscopy (eqs 1−3). Incubation of (R)-[4-2H1]GGPP (17) with the recombinant enzyme gave a 10:10:80 mixture of [5β-2H1]taxa-3(4),11(12)-diene, [5β-2H1]taxa-4(20),11(12)-diene, and unlabeled taxa-4(5),11(12)-diene according to GC/MS analyses of the products (eq 4). It follows that C-1 of GGPP underwent inversion of configuration, that the A ring cyclization occurs on...
Non-Linear Theory of Heteropolar Electrical Machines

The partial differential equation for the vector-potential of heteropolar machines is established taking into account the non-linearities of the materials and the current distributions. The non-linear equation, similar to Poisson's equation, is transformed into a partial difference equation. The magnetic induction is found at discrete points in the cross section of the machine. A new relaxation procedure, accelerated greatly by the use of a new physical method of adjusting the vector potential between two successive iterations, is used. The method is shown for an aerospace synchronous generator. Calculated and test results of the no-load characteristic agree quite well. Pole tip saturation is fully considered.
TU-D-BRB-09: Comparison of a Novel Curvilinear Approach to Conventional Rectilinear Approach for Prostate Seed Implant

Purpose: To evaluate dosimetric benefit of curvilinear distribution of seeds for low‐dose‐rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy with I‐125 isotopes.Materials and Methods:In this study, ten LDR prostate brachytherapy cases used clinically were randomly selected as reference rectilinear cases. These cases were planned intra‐operatively with VariSeed version7.1 using I‐125 seeds (STM‐1251 model). All the cases were replanned by using curved‐needles keeping the same individual seed's activity and volume receiving 100% of prescribed dose 145Gy (V100). Various parameters such as number of total needle, number of total seeds (or total activity), and dose coverage of prostate (D90, V150, V200), urethra (D30, D10) and rectum (D5, V100 in cc) were compared. Results: Average reductions in required number of needles and seeds (or activity) were 30.1% and 10.6%, respectively for curvilinear approach. In case of prostate, average D90 reduced by 7.9% (203.9Gy in rectilinear, 187.5Gy in curvilinear); average V150 and V200 coverage reduced by 17.9% (66.4% in curvilinear) and 32.6% (29.4% in curvilinear), respectively. For urethra, average D30 reduced by 10% (from 205.3Gy in rectilinear to 184.7Gy in curvilinear) and D10 reduced by 9.4% (from 210.8Gy in rectilinear to 190.0Gy in curvilinear). In case of rectum, average reduction in V100 was 71.6% (from 0.91cc in rectilinear to 0.21cc in curvilinear) and reduction in D5 was 17.7% (from 160.4Gy in rectilinear to 131.2Gy in curvilinear). Discussion and Conclusions: We observed considerable reduction in all studied parameters for curvilinear approach. Prostate dose homogeneity (V150, V200) improved while urethral dose is reduced, which will potentially result in better treatment. Large reduction in rectal dose would potentially reduce rectal toxicity and complications. Reduction in number of needles would minimize edema and thereby would improve accuracy of seed delivery and total dose distribution. This study indicates that the curvilinear approach is dosimetrically superior to conventional rectilinear technique.
Dual Representation and the Linking of Concrete and Symbolic Representations

As the articles in this special issue suggest, link- ing concrete and abstract representations remains a fun- damentally important challenge of cognition development and education research. This issue is considered from the perspective of the dual-representation hypothesis—all symbols are simultaneously objects in their own right and representations of something else—which can shed light on the challenges of linking concrete and symbolic repre- sentations. Manipulations that lead children to focus on the object properties may actually make it harder for them to focus on what the symbols represent. Conversely, decreasing children's attention to the object's properties can make it easier for them to establish a link between concrete and symbolic. The educational implications of the dual-representation hypothesis are considered. KEYWORDS—symbols; transfer; mathematics; representa- tion; manipulatives
Sensor configuration for coverage optimization for surveillance applications

In any surveillance or remote monitoring system, the location and configuration/orientation of directed optical sensors is critical for efficient resource utilization as well as correct system behavior. In this paper we introduce a method to determine the set of configurations (pan-tilt-zoom) for a system of cameras in a given a 3D environment with well-characterized human activity. The mainstay of our method is a metric that measures the ground plane coverage by a sensor. Our goal is to seek configurations that provide maximal coverage of areas in a scene that have been deemed important or have intense human activity. Our method was deployed on a portion large urban campus covering a region with multiple buildings, sidewalks, trees and other occluding objects. We built a 3D CAD model of the environment and tested our method on a system of six pan-tilt-zoom cameras. We used activity information gathered from surveillance of the environment to determine the coverage requirements. The resulting sensor configurations satisfied the real-world security and surveillance concerns of the environment.
The oligopeptide transporter hPepT1: gateway to the innate immune response

Bacterial products that are normally present in the lumen of the colon, such as N-formylated peptides and muramyl-dipeptide, are important for inducing the development of mucosal inflammation. The intestinal dipeptide transporter, hPepT1, which is expressed in inflamed but not in noninflamed colonic epithelial cells, mediates the transport of these bacterial products into the cytosol of colonic epithelial cells. The small bacterial peptides subsequently induce an inflammatory response, including the induction of MHC class I molecules expression and cytokines secretion, via the activation of nucleotide-binding site and leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) proteins, for example NOD2, and activation of NF-κB. Subsequent secretion of chemoattractants by colonic epithelial cells induces the movement of neutrophils through the underlying matrix, as well as across the epithelium. These bacterial products can also reach the lamina propria through the paracellular pathway and across the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells. As a consequence, small formylated peptides can interact directly with immune cells through specific membrane receptors. Since immune cells, including macrophages, also express hPepT1, they can transport small bacterial peptides into the cytosol where these may interact with the NBS-LRR family of intracellular receptors. As in intestinal epithelial cells, the presence of these small bacterial peptides in immune cells may trigger immune response activation.
Theory and simulations of crystalline control via salinity and pH in ionizable membranes

Many amphiphilic molecules with ionizable charged groups self-assemble into membranes. Their degree of ionization is a function of the pH and salt concentration in the solution, and it can also be suppressed or enhanced depending on the local crystalline structure on the membrane, which must be computed self-consisitently via the competition of short range and electrostatic interactions. We consider here a dense two-dimensional binary mixture consisting of positive and negative species of equal concentration. Each particle may be either charged according to its type or neutral, specifying its ionization state. We analyze this co-assembled system by numerically exact optimization and by continuum Monte Carlo simulations including short range and electrostatic interactions among all the particles. We find the optimal structure to be a triangular lattice for high salt concentrations, a face-centered rectangular lattice for intermediate salt concentrations, and a square lattice for low salt concentrations. At neutral pH, this crossover occurs gradually over a wide range of salt concentrations, while for highly acidic or basic solutions, it is much more abrupt. At intermediate values of pH, the unit cells become more complicated, causing the dissociation curve to follow a staircase function.
A combination of low-dose cyclophosphamide and colony-stimulating factors is more cost-effective than granulocyte-colony-stimulating factors alone in mobilizing peripheral blood stem and progenitor cells

BACKGROUND: The use of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) instead of autologous bone marrow leads to more rapid engraftment following high-dose chemotherapy. Mobilization regimens differ with respect to toxicity, efficiency, and cost. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two cohorts of patients with breast cancer received one of two mobilization regimens: granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) at 10 micrograms per kg was given subcutaneously for 5 days, with leukapheresis begun on Day 6, or low-dose cyclophosphamide followed by sequential granulocyte-macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) at 5 micrograms per kg for 5 days and by G-CSF at 10 micrograms per kg, with leukapheresis begun on Day 11. Results of CD34+ cell collection, engraftment, and costs of mobilization were determined. RESULTS: The combination chemotherapy and growth factor regimen was more efficient in mobilizing CD34+ cells. Sixty-six percent of patients reached a target 4 × 10(6) CD34+ cells per kg in a single leukapheresis session with the combination regimen, compared to 14 percent who received G-CSF alone (p < 0.01). The mean number of leukapheresis sessions required to reach a target of 4 × 10(6) CD34+ cells per kg was 1.3 for the combination regimen and 2.7 for the regimen of G-CSF alone (p < 0.01). One patient in the chemotherapy and growth factor group developed febrile neutropenia. Engraftment was similar in both cohorts of patients. The cost of mobilization, including all supplies and cryopreservation, was $7381 for the G-CSF regimen and $5508 for the chemotherapy regimen (p < 0.05). This reduction was attributed to the lower number of leukapheresis and cryopreservation sessions, which outweighed the slight increase in expense for chemotherapy and growth factor in the combination regimen. CONCLUSION: This combination mobilization regimen allowed the predictable and efficient collection of CD34+ cells from the peripheral blood in a limited number of leukapheresis sessions, which reduced the cost of mobilization by approximately 25 percent.
The heteromeric organic solute transporter, OSTα–OSTβ/SLC51: A transporter for steroid-derived molecules

Abstract The organic solute transporter alpha–beta (OSTα–OSTβ) is one of the newest members of the solute carrier family, designated as SLC51, and arguably one of the most unique. The transporter is composed of two gene products encoded by SLC51A and SLC51B that heterodimerize to form the functional transporter complex. SLC51A encodes OSTα, a predicted 340-amino acid, 7-transmembrane (TM) domain protein, whereas SLC51B encodes OSTβ, a putative 128-amino acid, single-TM domain polypeptide. Heterodimerization of the two subunits increases the stability of the individual proteins, facilitates their post-translational modification, and is required for delivery of the functional transporter complex to the plasma membrane. There are no paralogues for SLC51A or SLC51B in any genome that has been examined. The transporter functions via a facilitated diffusion mechanism, and can mediate either efflux or uptake depending on the electrochemical gradient of its substrates. Overall, characterization of the transporter’s substrate specificity, transport mechanism, tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and transcriptional regulation as well as the phenotype of the recently generated Slc51a-deficient mice have revealed that OSTα–OSTβ plays a central role in the transport of bile acids, conjugated steroids, and structurally-related molecules across the basolateral membrane of many epithelial cells. In particular, OSTα–OSTβ appears to be essential for intestinal bile acid absorption, and thus for dietary lipid absorption.
Arteriovenous graft placement in predialysis patients: a potential catheter-sparing strategy.

Background When predialysis patients are deemed unsuitable candidates for an arteriovenous fistula, current guidelines recommend waiting until just before or after initiation of dialysis therapy before placing a graft. This strategy may increase catheter use when these patients start dialysis therapy. We compared the outcomes of patients whose grafts were placed before and after dialysis therapy initiation. Study Design Retrospective analysis of a prospective computerized vascular access database. Setting & Participants Patients with chronic kidney disease receiving their first arteriovenous graft (n = 248) at a large medical center. Predictor Timing of graft placement (before or after initiation of dialysis therapy). Outcome & Measurements Primary graft failure, cumulative graft survival, catheter dependence, and catheter-related bacteremia. Results The first graft was placed predialysis in 62 patients and postdialysis in 186 patients. Primary graft failure was similar for pre- and postdialysis grafts (20% vs 24%; P = 0.5). Median cumulative graft survival was similar for pre- and postdialysis grafts (365 vs 414 days; HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 0.81-1.98; P = 0.3). Median duration of catheter dependence after graft placement in the postdialysis group was 48 days and was associated with 0.63 (95% CI, 0.48-0.79) episodes of catheter-related bacteremia per patient. Limitations Retrospective analysis, single medical center. Conclusion Grafts placed predialysis have primary failure rates and cumulative survival similar to those placed after starting dialysis therapy. However, postdialysis graft placement is associated with prolonged catheter dependence and frequent bacteremia. Predialysis graft placement may decrease catheter dependence and bacteremia in selected patients.
CT imaging of congenital lung lesions: effect of iterative reconstruction on diagnostic performance and radiation dose.

Different iterative reconstruction techniques are available for use in pediatric computed tomography (CT), but these techniques have not been systematically evaluated in infants. To determine the effect of iterative reconstruction on diagnostic performance, image quality and radiation dose in infants undergoing CT evaluation for congenital lung lesions. A retrospective review of contrast-enhanced chest CT in infants (<1 year) with congenital lung lesions was performed. CT examinations were reviewed to document the type of lung lesion, vascular anatomy, image noise measurements and image reconstruction method. CTDIvol was used to calculate size-specific dose estimates (SSDE). CT findings were correlated with intraoperative and histopathological findings. Analysis of variance and the Student’s t-test were used to compare image noise measurements and radiation dose estimates between groups. Fifteen CT examinations used filtered back projection (FBP; mean age: 84 days), 15 used adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR; mean age: 93 days), and 11 used model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR; mean age: 98 days). Compared to operative findings, 13/15 (87%), 14/15 (93%) and 11/11 (100%) lesions were correctly characterized using FBP, ASiR and MBIR, respectively. Arterial anatomy was correctly identified in 12/15 (80%) using FBP, 13/15 (87%) using ASiR and 11/11 (100%) using MBIR. Image noise was less for MBIR vs. ASiR (P < 0.0001). Mean SSDE was different among groups (P = 0.003; FBP = 7.35 mGy, ASiR = 1.89 mGy, MBIR = 1.49 mGy). Congenital lung lesions can be adequately characterized in infants using iterative CT reconstruction techniques while maintaining image quality and lowering radiation dose.
Modulation by phytochemicals of cytochrome P450-linked enzyme activity.

Abstract Compounds derived from plant sources with putative anticancer properties were studied for their effects on alkoxyresorufin O -dealkylase activity, a measure of cytochrome P450 activity. The phytochemicals investigated included benzyl isothiocyanate, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, diosmin, ferulic acid, indole-3-carbinol, phenethyl isothiocyanate and resveratrol. Each phytochemical at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5 μM was incubated with 0.2 mg hamster liver microsomal protein and 0.5 μM concentrations of benzyloxyresorufin, ethoxyresorufin and methoxyresorufin. Three of the phytochemicals tested, namely benzyl isothiocyanate, phenethyl isothiocyanate and resveratrol, exhibited potent inhibition of alkoxyresorufin O -dealkylase activity. Benzyl isothiocyanate inhibited benzyloxyresorufin O -dealkylase (BROD) activity, ethoxyresorufin O -deethylase (EROD) activity and methoxyresorufin O -demethylase (MROD) activity by 90% at both the 0.25 and 0.5 μM concentrations. Phenethyl isothiocyanate inhibited BROD activity by 69%, EROD activity by 90% and MROD activity by 94% at both concentrations tested. Resveratrol inhibited BROD activity by 69% at the 0.25 μM concentration and by 78% at the 0.5 μM concentration. It inhibited EROD activity by 60% at the 0.25 μM concentration and by 80% at the 0.5 μM concentration. Resveratrol exhibited the greatest inhibitory action toward MROD, i.e. 76% and 84% at the two concentrations tested. Chlorogenic acid significantly affected BROD, EROD and MROD activity only at the 0.5 μM concentration inhibiting by 51%, 47% and 54%, respectively. Caffeic acid affected BROD and MROD activity at 0.5 μM only inhibiting BROD activity by 46% and MROD activity by 40%. Diosmin inhibited EROD activity by 11% at the 0.25 μM concentration and by 61% at 0.5 μM. It inhibited MROD by 47% and 54% at the two concentrations tested but did not significantly alter BROD activity. Ferulic acid significantly inhibited EROD and MROD activity at the 0.5 μM concentration by 28% and 32%, respectively. Indole-3-carbinol significantly inhibited BROD activity by 26% at 0.25 μM and by 42% at 0.5 μM. It inhibited EROD and MROD activity by 28% and 29% at 0.5 μM, respectively. The alkoxyresorufin O -dealkylase reactions are selective for various isoforms of cytochrome P450. Our results suggest that the phytochemicals we tested have varied effects on the enzymatic activity of isoforms of cytochrome P450 that dealkylate benzyloxyresorufin, methoxyresorufin and ethoxyresorufin and therefore may have varied effects on the metabolism of substrates for these isoforms.
Transfer Time Complexity of Conflict-free Vehicle Routing with no Communications

The following motion coordination problem is studied: given n mobile vehicles and n source-destination pairs in the plane, what is the minimum time needed to transfer each vehicle from its source to its destination, avoiding conflicts with other vehicles? In the proposed model, vehicles do not explicitly communicate their intentions, and only have sensory information about the current position and velocity of their neighbors to ensure no conflicts. The environment is free of obstacles and a conflict occurs when the distance between any two vehicles is smaller than a velocity-dependent safety distance. The situation analyzed in which the vehicle size is such that at least a constant fraction of the n vehicles can be fitted inside the environment simultaneously. In the "best" case in which the source and destination points can be chosen ideally to maximize the transfer efficiency, it is shown that the transfer takes T (uun) time to complete, where u is the average distance between the source and destination points. It is shown that there exist a "worst" case distribution of the source and destination points, for which the transfer of vehicles takes at least O(n) time. The case is also analyzed in which source and destination points are generated randomly according to a uniform distribution, and an algorithm is presented providing a constructive upper bound on the time needed to transfer vehicles from sources to their corresponding destinations, proving that the transfer takes T (un) time, with high probability, thus recovering the best case performance.
Analysis of Nonlinear Aeroelastic Panel Response Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

The nonlinear panel flutter problem solved by Dowell in 1966 is used to investigate the new application of the proper orthogonal decomposition model reduction technique to aeroelastic analysis. Emphasis is placed on the nonlinear structural dynamic equations with nonconservative forcing modeled assuming a supersonic, inviscid flow. Here the aeroelastic coupled equation is presented in discrete form using a finite difference approach, and subsequently in state space form, to be integrated as a set of first order differential equations. In this paper, a POD approach is developed for generalized second-order differential equations; however, the application of POD to the governing equations in state space form is also discussed. This study compares the results and effectiveness of the model reduction technique for integration of the full set of degrees of freedom. The solution is compared to Dowell's classic results which forms the base reference for the model reduction study. The reduced order model is then created from the full simulation model. Accuracy of the solution, reduced computational time, limits of stability, and the strengths and weaknesses of the model reduction are investigated.
Marriage, Property and Conversion among the Zoroastrians: From Late Sasanian to Islamic Iran

AbstractThis essay discusses the impact of xwēdōdah or consanguine marriages, sanctioned by the Zoroastrian tradition on the population during a time of religious dialogue, and proselytizing in Ērānsahr (600-800 CE). I believe that advocacy for such a type of marriage was intensified in particular periods in Iranian history, namely the third century, when the Manichaeans challenged Zoroastrianism; and more importantly in the 6th century when Christianity became a major threat; and finally in the eighth and the ninth centuries when state support for Zoroastrianism had collapsed and the Muslims were gaining numbers and becoming the new elite. It is asserted here that xwēdōdah had a practical purpose, which was to keep wealth within the family and the community at a time when conversion threatened the survival of Zoroastrianism.
Inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase by mannitol

Summary The hexitol mannitol produced a dose dependent inhibition of oxygen consumption when incubated with arachidonic acid and soybean lipoxygenase. This was associated with an inhibition of conversion of 1-[ 14 C] arachidonate to 1-[ 14 C] 15 hydroperoxy 5,8,11,13 eicosatetraenoic acid and an inhibition of conjugated diene formation followed spectrophotometrically. The IC 50 was 38 mMol. A maximum of 50% inhibition O 2 consumption was produced by glucose when added to incubation of soybean lipoxygenase with arachidonate. These findings are interpreted in the light of the known effect of mannitol in preventing acute renal failure and its potential role as a scavenger of free hydroxyl radicals.
The employability of older workers as teleworkers: An appraisal of issues and an empirical study

The aging of the population and, concomitantly, of the workforce has a number of important implications for governments, businesses, and workers. In this article, we examine the prospects for the employability of older workers as home-based teleworkers. This alternative work could accommodate many of the needs and preferences of older workers and at the same time benefit organizations. However, before telework can be considered a viable work option for many older workers there are a number of issues to consider, including the ability of older workers to adapt to the technological demands that are typically associated with telework jobs and managerial attitudes about older workers and about telework. Through an integrated examination of these and other issues, our goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with employing older workers as teleworkers. We also present findings from a questionnaire study that assessed managers' perceptions of worker attributes desirable for telework and how older workers compare to younger workers on these attributes. The sample included 314 managers with varying degrees of managerial experience from a large variety of companies in the United States. The results presented a mixed picture with respect to the employability of older workers as teleworkers, and strongly suggested that less experienced managers would be more resistant to hiring older people as teleworkers. We conclude with a number of recommendations for improving the prospects for employment of older workers for this type of work arrangement. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Provider documentation and elective induction of labor: a 6-month experience at a university medical center.

Objective This retrospective study investigated the documentation of clinical history that assured fetal lung maturity, presentation part, and gestational age by 3 provider groups (university obstetricians, family practice, and private obstetricians) before the elective induction of labor. Study Design This study was conducted at a large university-based medical center. All labor/delivery admissions (n = 1297) and all elective inductions of labor (n = 268) were reviewed. The variables that were compared included provider group vs delivery percentages, induction rates, and cesarean deliveries. Results Nine percent of elective inductions occurred before 39 weeks of gestation; 12.7% of the inductions lacked documentation of the presenting part; 17.6% of the inductions failed to meet any commonly accepted screening criteria that assured fetal lung maturity. Rates of elective inductions varied between 16% and 31% when the 3 groups of providers were compared ( P Conclusion Adequate documentation is lacking in electively induced patients. A statistically significant relation exists between provider group and clinical behavior as they relate to the elective induction of labor.
Long-term outcome of patients with prostate cancer and pathologic seminal vesicle invasion (pT3b): effect of adjuvant radiotherapy.

Objectives To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with prostate cancer who have pathologic seminal vesicle invasion without lymph node metastasis (pT3bN0M0) and compare management strategies. Methods From October 1987 to August of 1997, 43 men underwent radical prostatectomy at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, had pT3bN0M0 disease, complete preoperative and postoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) data, and a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Eighteen patients with undetectable postoperative PSA levels received adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) within 6 months of surgery. Twelve patients with undetectable PSA levels postoperatively were considered for salvage treatment at biochemical progression. Thirteen patients with persistently elevated PSA levels postoperatively underwent immediate salvage RT. We evaluated the prognostic factors for freedom from biochemical failure (bNED), distant metastasis (DM), disease-specific survival, and overall survival. Results The median follow-up time was 5.9 years (range 2 to 10). Patients who received adjuvant RT had significantly greater 5-year bNED survival than patients who did not (80% versus 8%, P <0.001) and increased freedom from DM that was of borderline significance (P = 0.05). The 5-year survival estimates for DM were 0% for the adjuvant RT versus 17% for the observed patient group. In patients with undetectable postoperative PSA levels, the preoperative PSA level was an independent prognostic factor for later disease progression. Patients with a preoperative PSA level of less than 20 ng/mL showed significantly greater 5-year bNED survival than those with a preoperative PSA level of 20 ng/mL or greater (56% versus 32%, P <0.05). The survival curves for risk of DM and death from prostate cancer for those two patient groups were not significantly different statistically. Conclusions Although pathologic seminal vesicle invasion has been associated with poor prognosis and high DM risk, adjuvant RT may result in improved bNED survival in patients with undetectable PSA levels after radical prostatectomy. The effect on clinical outcome awaits additional follow-up.
Selective suppression of blastogenesis induced by different mitogens: Effect of noncyclic adenosine-containing compounds

Abstract Lymphocyte responses to the galactosyl binding lectins, SBA and PNA, and responses to Con A are suppressed by cAMP analogs and agents that increase intracellular cAMP to a greater extent than are responses to PHA. Adenosine shares with cAMP this selective inhibitory effect. ATP inhibits lymphocyte proliferation via generation of adenosine. This conclusion is based on the findings that (i) β,γ-methylene ATP (β,γ-met ATP) is similar to ATP in its inhibitory effects, whereas α,β-met ATP has little effect on lymphocyte proliferation, (ii) α,β-met ATP reverses both ATP and β,γ-met ATP induced suppression, but does not reverse adenosine-mediated suppression, and (iii) inhibition of adenosine deaminase potentiates ATP and β,γ met ATP-mediated suppression of blastogenesis. The relative potency of various noncyclic adenosine compounds in suppressing mitogen-induced blastogenesis is: 2-chloradenosine > ATP ≥ ADP > AMP > adenosine.
Pseudorotation mechanism of ATP hydrolysis in muscle contraction.

AN analysis of the reaction mechanism of ATP hydrolysis may elucidate how ATP provides energy for muscle contraction. Kinetic studies of the mechanism of ATP hydrolysis catalysed by myosin and its proteolytic subfragments1,2, revealed at least two intermediates before the rate limiting step: (1) enzyme-bound ATP (M*ATP) and (2) an intermediate (M*ADP·Pi) that yields ADP and Pi when a quenching reagent such as HClO4 is added. Trentham et al.2 proposed that the rate limiting step is the transition from M*ADP·Pi to the Michaelis product complex M·ADP·Pi. That M*ADP·Pi is distinct from the Michaelis product complex is supported by observations made using techniques which include spin labelling3, difference ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy4, extrinsic probe fluorescence5 and intrinsic myosin fluorescence6. Each method shows that the conformation of myosin during ATP hydrolysis differs from the conformation induced by the binding of ADP and Pi. This conclusion is supported further by the observation that the free energy change for the reversible reaction M*ATP M*ADP·Pi is only −1.3 kcalories per mol (ref. 7). Although comparable in energy with M*ATP, M*ADP·Pi nevertheless seems to be closely related to products because it decays to ADP and Pi when exposed to a quenching reagent. Although this decay to ADP and Pi has been widely interpreted as indicating that ATP is already cleaved in M*ADP·Pi, it could alternatively be interpreted in terms of an uncleaved but labile reaction intermediate.
Taoistic Psychology of Creativity

In this paper, Lao Tzu's Tao is psychologically reinterpreted in terms of Taoistic cognition, Taoistic objectivity, and Taoistic creativity. All of these three domains are interrelated and are characterized by the attitude of let-be. Taoistic cognition is mainly a kind of intuition or personal knowledge. Taoistic objectivity is interpreted by will-free motivation which allow others to be and to obtain insight. Taoistic creativity involves incubation, syntectic thinking, and the unification through the opposites. Lao Tzu's Taoism is mainly related to artistic creativity, but its influence on mental health and scientific creativity is also discussed.
Terminal Guidance and Control Techniques for Soft Lunar Landing

A decreased (compared to the no control system case) steady-state error to a s tep load torque is obtained b y making h large (or n ^> 1), as would be expected. The case for X = 0(A = B) need not be considered, because no gyroscopic effect is provided and there is no point in spinning the body. I n any event, the s teady-state errors for the spinning and nonspinning control system can be made comparable by the proper choice of k2, fe. I t should be noted t h a t the errors discussed in this section are measured to the principal axis. If another line in the body is to be stabilized, for instance an optical system whose sight line is tilted slightly from the principle axis, an addit ional wobble error results.
Do Traditional Institutions Constrain Female Entrepreneurship? A Field Experiment on Business Training in India

What constrains the entrepreneurial choices of poor women? Do traditional institutions pose unique barriers to business growth and profitability for female-run enterprises? The explosion of microfinance programs, which typically target poor female entrepreneurs, has drawn attention to these questions. Indeed, one view is that inadequate access to credit prevents women from undertaking high-return business activities. However, one recent empirical study finds low returns to capital in female-run micro-enterprises (Suresh De Mel, David McKenzie and Christopher Woodruff 2008). Thus, another view is that the primary barrier to female entrepreneurial success is limited demand for rather than supply of credit, with poor women lacking high-return means of expanding their businesses. For instance, due to gender differences in education or business networks, women might be relatively uninformed about investment opportunities and untrained in basic cost-benefit analysis (Dean S. Karlan and Martin Valdivia 2008). A second possibility is that norms governing women’s roles in society limit women’s perceptions about what is achievable in the workplace. Even differences
Effectiveness of phosphate and hydroxide for desorption of arsenic and selenium species from iron oxides.

Phosphate and OH- are often used for the extraction of As and Se from soils, either as single extractants or as part of a sequential extraction scheme. However, the recovery of As and Se species and the integrity of the resulting solution speciation merit investigation. In this study the relative effectiveness of PO 4 at 0.1 and 0.5 M and pH values of 3 and 6.7 and 0.1 M OH to extract As(III), As(V), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), p-arsanilic acid (p-ASA), roxarsone (ROX), Se(IV) and Se(VI) sorbed to goethite and an amorphous Fe oxide were compared, and the speciation in the resulting extract was determined. The extent to which 0.1 M PO 4 added to 0.25 M NH 2 OH.HCl or 0.175 M Na oxalate/ 0.1 M oxalic acid prevents readsorption of As(V) or Se(IV) to goethite during the dissolution of an amorphous Fe oxide was also assessed. Hydroxide was the most effective extractant for desorption of all species except As(III) from both oxide surfaces. Arsenite was extracted most efficiently by 0.5 M PO 4 at low pH; however, amorphous Fe oxide exhibited a strong affinity for As(III) with a maximum of 18% of As(III) extracted by 0.5 M PO 4 at pH 2.8. Partial oxidation of As(III) to As(V) occurred in all extractions where an Fe oxide solid phase was present, but only in the hydroxide extract in the absence of a Fe solid phase. Addition of 0.1 M PO 4 to extractants used for the dissolution of the amorphous Fe oxide prevented the readsorption of As(V) and Se(IV) to goethite.
Image processing of seismograms: (A) Hough transformation for the detection of seismic patterns; (B) thinning processing in the seismogram

Abstract Hough transformation is used to detect the seismic patterns on the seismogram. The system of Hough technique includes envelope generation, thresholding, Hough transformation, and parameter determination. Visual inspection method, local peak detection method, and clustering algorithm are used to determine the parameters. Thinning algorithms are used for the skeletonization of the seismic reflectors in the seismogram. The thinning algorithms used are fast parallel thinning algorithm and 2D thinning algorithm preserving 8- and 4-point neighbor connectivities.
Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease in a 20‐year‐old woman

A 20-year-old woman developed ataxia, extrapyramidal movements, myoclonus, and progressive dementia. Brain biopsy disclosed status spongiosus, diagnostic of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; this is the youngest spontaneous case ever reported. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease can occur in young adulthood.
How to make a revolution without firing a shot: thoughts on the Brissot-Chastellux polemic (1786–1788)

This article proposes an examination of Jacques-Pierre Brissot's rebuttal of the marquis de Chastellux's writings on America in the context of Brissot's activities at the Gallo-American Society, themselves part of a larger plan to stimulate changes within French society. Brissot employed the trope of America to prepare the reading public for his own ambitious political agenda of revolution by means of domestic and international commerce. I hasten to mention that this article will in no way reopen the ‘Darnton debate’ which turned Brissot into a byword for ‘Grub Street’ politics of resentment. Robert Darnton's brilliant essay on Brissot, as a case study on the dynamics of the High/Low Enlightenment, remains as riveting now as it was at the time of its publication. The present article, however, seeks to sidestep the Darnton debate altogether and focus instead on the clash of ideas occasioned by Brissot's angry open letter to Chastellux.
The Legacy of Mary Parker Follett: Implications for School Reform

(1991). The Legacy of Mary Parker Follett: Implications for School Reform. Journal of Educational Administration and History: Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 33-41.
Immunomagnetic separation reagents as markers in electron microscopy.

Abstract Antibodies coupled to magnetic particles have been employed for immunomagnetic cell isolation, but their consequent use for electron microscopy (EM) has not been evaluated. We used commercial antibodies coupled to iron-dextran to isolate T cells and monocytes/macrophages by immunomagnetic adsorption from normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Subsequently, we studied the association of electron-dense immunomagnetic reagents with cell membranes. CD14-positive monocytes/macrophages isolated from fixed peripheral blood mononuclear cells retained electron-dense beads on the plasma membrane, while live cells internalized them. Flow cytometry and electron microscopy measurements of the percentage of cells that bound a CD4-specific immunomagnetic reagent in pan-T cell isolates (containing numerous T cell subtypes) were indistinguishable. The immunomagnetic reagent associated with cells could be secondarily labeled by secondary antibody coupled to colloidal gold. This study shows that these reagents used for cell isolation or just labeling, remain associated with their targets at the cell membrane. Immunomagnetic reagents allow “capturing” of rare cells from complex mixtures, purifying and concentrating them in a single step for subsequent electron microscopy. The large number of commercially available immunomagnetic reagents specific for different human, mouse and rat antigens provides additional resources for visualization of cellular ultrastructure.
The military decision-making process in Beijing and its implications for the PLA's evolution

Abstract The instruments of national power in the People's Republic of China (hereinafter PRC or China) consist of three major pillars: the Chinese Communist Party (CCP; party), the State Council (state), and the People's Liberation Army (PLA; military). The firm reign of the CCP over the entire country is upheld by nationalism, rapid economic growth, and the PLA. To accurately analyze the decision-making process of China's military security, it is necessary to resolve this complex function with multiple variables that surround the tripartite mechanism of the CCP, PRC, and PLA. This tripartite mechanism of the CCP, PRC, and PLA could be reframed as a complex of Mind (CCP), Money (PRC), and Might (PLA). In this paper, the authors indicate that the so-called “characteristic of China” is a political system designed to implement the CCP's mind through the PRC's money, with the PLA's might as the backbone. In practice, the center of gravity of this triangle is shaped by the general secretary of the CCP, the pr...
The spherical-cap crack revisited

A crack in the shape of a spherical cap is subjected to a static loading. The exact solution for the crack-opening displacement is obtained using a method based on dual series equations and Laplace transforms. For shallow caps, the solution agrees with an asymptotic theory for perturbed penny-shaped cracks.
Diagnosis and surgical treatment of infants with critical pulmonary outflow obstruction. Study of thirty-four infants with pulmonary stenosis or atresia, and intact ventricular septum.

The records of 15 infants with pulmonary atresia and 19 infants with critical pulmonic stenosis and intact ventricular septum, all under 1 year of age, have been reviewed. Symptoms started earlier and were more severe in the group with pulmonary atresia. All patients showed arterial unsaturation, and many had congestive heart failure The electrocardiogram was the most helpful tool in differentiating pulmonary atresia from pulmonic stenosis with intact ventricular septum. The presence of P pulmonale, significant right axis deviation, and right ventricular hypertrophy favors pulmonic stenosis. At cardiac catheterization, patients belonging to both groups showed right ventricular hypertension of significant degree, but this was more marked in infants with pulmonic stenosis. Results of surgery for pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, by a variety of methods, have been uniformly poor up to the present. Direct attack on the pulmonary outflow tract, when possible, may offer more promise for the futu...
Management of abnormal Papanicolaou smears: A review

Abstract Cytologic cervical screening has led to a dramatic reduction in the incidence of and death rates from cervical cancer. The new system of classification of Papanicolaou smears was introduced in 1991. The revised version of the Bethesda System combines human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia I/mild atypia into low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL); and moderate dysplasia, severe dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ into high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. An additional classification, Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) has also been created. Controversy still persists regarding the evaluation and management of patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and LGSIL. The majority of women with mild atypia on one Papanicolaou smear will have complete cytologic and colposcopic regression over a short interval. However, studies show that up to 16% of these lesions progress, and therefore diligent follow up is essential. The rate of colposcopically detected lesions that are more advanced than mild atypia is 10–30% in women with mild dysplasia on Papanicolaou smear. In the United Kingdom, a decision analysis model was used to determine whether mild dysplasia is best managed by colposcopy versus follow-up cytology. It was determined that the cost and mortality for the two methods are similar. Such analyses need to be carried out in the United States where the frequency of screening and of follow-up smears is higher. Current recommendations for the follow-up of ASCUS is by repeat cytology every 4–6 months for 2 years. Colposcopy is recommended for persistent ASCUS. According to current guidelines, LGSIL can be managed by immediate colposcopy or follow-up cytology. More studies are needed using the Bethesda system. Studies differentiating between ASCUS and LGSIL are needed to evaluate differences in malignant potential and management between these two cytologic abnormalities. Newer techniques, including HPV typing, cervicography, and computerized colposcopy, may help identify patients at risk for the development of cervical neoplasia.
Vitamin C metabolites, independent of smoking status, significantly enhance leukocyte, but not plasma ascorbate concentrations.

Introduction The objective of this study was to test the effects of acute doses of vitamin C alone, calcium ascorbate with vitamin C metabolites, and placebo, on total plasma and leukocyte vitamin C concentrations over 24 hours.
Conventionalizing Gender: Talk By and About Women at the 1996 National Political Conventions

As the 1996 national political conventions approached, the Republican presidential challenger Robert Dole was faced with an almost insurmountable gender gap. At the conventions, the Republicans sought to reduce that gap by appealing to women voters, just as the Democrats sought to maintain their advantage. The three key Republican strategies were to showcase Republican women, to focus on families, and to re-vision the party's history and record on issues of concern to women. A similar strategy was employed by the Democrats, except their history and legislative record needed no reconstruction. In this article, we examine the role of the media in co-constructing women's participation in both conventions, the role of women in articulating convention themes, and the dimensions of discourse added by women on prime time television. We also suggest implications these enactments hold for the future.