cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lymph node examination rate, survival rate, and quality of care in colon cancer.

To the Editor: In their study examining the association of hospital nodal evaluation rates and survival after colectomy for cancer, Dr Wong and colleagues concluded that examination of increasing numbers of lymph nodes is not associated with survival at the hospital level and that evaluation of 12 or more lymph nodes is not a useful quality measure. However, their data actually demonstrate a significant improvement in survival in a key population. Table 3 shows a survival advantage for stage II patients treated at hospitals with high lymph node examination rates (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.96). The patients who would benefit most from having 12 or more nodes examined are stage II patients who have had an inadequate number of lymph nodes examined to confidently deem them free of nodal metastases. These understaged patients would fail to receive the potentially lifesaving benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy. When examined in a single model combining all stage groups, the benefit of examining increasing numbers of nodes is diluted by the lesser effect in stage 0, I, and III patients. Lymph node evaluation is so poor nationally that in the hospitals with the highest nodal examination rates, the median is only 13 nodes (Table 1), leaving more than 25% of patients at these hospitals potentially understaged and further blunting the potential survival benefit expected in a group of patients who all have 12 or more nodes examined. The measure requiring examination of 12 or more nodes was endorsed by the National Quality Forum as a quality surveillance indicator. It is intended to be used by hospitals to spark internal quality improvement initiatives, not as a basis for reimbursement decisions or holding individual clinicians accountable. Moreover, it is unlikely that there is any quality measure for which there is perfect evidence. It is potentially of equal or greater danger to fail to advance reasonable indicators, especially those intended for quality surveillance. Quality measure development is an iterative process. Even measures based on high-level evidence will become outdated or be modified over time with scientific advances. Lymph nodes must be examined to accurately stage colon cancers and guide adjuvant treatment decisions. Not establishing a benchmark would legitimize examining only a few lymph nodes, which would clearly be deleterious. Some nodal evaluation threshold must be set, particularly when a survival advantage has been identified. Monitoring lymph node examination rates for colon cancer is probably a worthwhile measure of quality. Karl Y. Bilimoria, MD Andrew K. Stewart, MA American College of Surgeons Chicago, Illinois Stephen B. Edge, MD Department of Surgery Roswell Park Cancer Institute Buffalo, New York Clifford Y. Ko, MD, MS, MSHS cko@mednet.ucla.edu American College of Surgeons
The effect of distractor frequency on judgments of target laterality based on interaural delays

A two-dimensional stimulus-classification paradigm was used to examine the ability of listeners to judge the laterality of an interaurally delayed low-frequency target component presented concurrently with a distractor component. Of primary interest was the effect on performance of the frequency difference (Delta f) between the target and distractor. In one set of conditions, the target was fixed at 753 Hz and the distractor was 353, 553, 653, 703, 803, 853, 953, or 1153 Hz (fixed within a block of trails). In a second set of conditions, the distractor was fixed at 753 Hz and the target frequency was 353, 553, 653, 703, 803, 953, or 1153 Hz. The listeners were presented with a target component with an interaural delay that varied from trial to trial, taking on one of ten values, five leading to the left ear and five leading to the right. A distractor component was simultaneously presented with an interaural delay that also took on one of the same ten values. Delays ranged from -90 to (+)90 microseconds in 20-microsecond steps. during a block of 100 trials, each of the possible combinations of target and distractor delay was presented once and only once in a random order. Listeners were instructed to make left-right judgments based on the target delay. Each condition was repeated ten times, and the slopes of the best linear boundaries between left and right responses were used to derive the relative weights given to the target and distractor. The duration of the signals was 200 microseconds. Two of the eight listeners weighted the target heavily when the target and distractor were spectrally remote but gave the two components equal weight when the different in frequency was small. These two listeners yielded similar target weights regardless of which component was designated as the target. One listener gave nearly equal weight to the target and the distractor regardless of Delta f. Five of the listeners gave greater weight to the higher of the two frequencies regardless of which was assigned as the target. This high-frequency dominance is explained in terms of cross-correlation functions based on the composite two-tone waveforms.
Fluoride ion sensing by an anion-π interaction.

We report the discovery of a supramolecular interaction (anion−π and charge/electron transfer, CT/ET) involving fluoride ion and π-electron deficient colorless naphthalene diimide (NDI) receptors. Strong electronic interactions between lone-pair electrons of F− ion and π*-orbitals of the NDI unit lead to an unprecedented F−→NDI ET event, which produces an orange colored NDI•− radical anion. Further reduction of NDI•− by another F− ion produces a pink colored NDI2− dianion, rendering NDI a colorimetric F− sensor. Preorganization of two NDI units in overlapping positions using folded linkers improves their selectivity and sensitivity for the F− ion significantly, allowing F− detection at nM concentration in 85:15 DMSO/H2O solutions.
Clear-cell acanthoma of vermilion mucosa of lower lip.

Abstract A 63-year-old man with clear-cell acanthoma of the vermilion mucosa of the lower lip is reported. The 143 previously documented cases, including two on the lip, have all been on the skin. The clinical and histopathologic features of clear-cell acanthoma tend to favor a benign epidermal neoplasm. Until its exact nature is known, it is suggested that clear-cell acanthoma be considered a benign localized squamous-cell lesion in which an intracellular enzyme defect has resulted in the prominent accumulation of glycogen and enlargement of the cell.
Stabilization of ascorbic acid and norepinephrine in vitro by the subcellular fractions of rat cerebral cortex.

The effect of various subcellular fractions of rat cerebral cortex on the autoxidation of ascorbic acid and norepinephrine in a physiological salt solution, pH 7.4, was investigated. The rate of the two reactions was determined spectrophotometrically at 265 and 480 nm, respectively. The cytoplasmic, microsomal, crude mitochondrial fractions and a soluble phase of mixed subcellular origin (100,000 g supernatant) were tested in an assay system in which the final dilution of the cellular components was in the 10(3) to 10(6) range. The samples were heat-treated (30 min at 100 degrees C) and dialyzed (50,000 mol.wt. cut-off) prior to analysis. The preparations produced approximately 80% inhibition at 10(3)-fold dilution and marginal inhibition at 10(5)-fold dilution, except the microsomal preparation, which was a considerably weaker inhibitor in the norepinephrine autoxidation test. The study shows that all three major subcellular compartments of the rat cerebral cortex have macromolecules with a high level of heat-stable autoxidation-inhibiting activity.
Initial (6-Month) Results of Three-Times-Weekly Azithromycin in Treatment Regimens for Mycobacterium avium Complex Lung Disease in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Negative Patients

Two consecutive, open, prospective trials of intermittent azithromycin (600 mg), usually given Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (TIW) for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease were initiated in human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients. Regimen A consisted of TIW azithromycin and daily ethambutol (15 mg/kg/day), daily rifabutin (300 mg/day), and initial twice weekly (BIW) streptomycin. Regimen B consisted of TIW azithromycin, TIW ethambutol (25 mg/ kg/dose), TIW rifabutin (600 mg/dose), and initial BIW streptomycin. Of 19 patients enrolled in regimen A who completed at least 6 months of therapy, 14 (74%) had sputum samples become culture-negative. Of 39 patients enrolled in regimen B who completed at least 6 months of therapy, 24 (62%) had sputum conversion. These sputum conversion rates are comparable to previous rates at 6 months in patients receiving daily clarithromycin- or azithromycin-containing regimens. No resistance to azithromycin emerged with either regimen. This is the first study to demonstrate the efficacy of intermittent administration of medication for MAC lung disease.
Far-Infrared Constraints on Structure and Variability of SSV 13 in NGC 1333

We report on a variety of observations of SSV 13 in NGC 1333 in the far-infrared. We have obtained photometry of the object at a number of times between 1981 and 1995, spanning the time over which the object brightened by about 1 mag in the near-infrared. In addition, we report on diffraction-limited scanning at 47 and 95 μm. We find that the source has brightened by a factor of 1.5-2 in the far-infrared over the period of our observations, implying that the object has undergone a true luminosity increase since most of the luminosity of this object is emitted in the far-infrared. This also implies that the far-infrared emission is almost certainly associated with SSV 13, rather than the VLA source found recently about 7'' southwest of SSV 13. Our spatial observations and the overall energy distribution of SSV 13 can be modeled successfully with a spherically symmetric dust distribution with a dust optical depth of 0.3 at 100 μm and a density gradient of r-1.2±0.2.
A spin-transport system for a longitudinally polarized epithermal neutron beam

Abstract The TRIPLE (Time Reversal and Parity at Low Energies) collaboration uses a polarized epithermal neutron beam and a capture γ-ray detector to study parity violation in neutron–nucleus reactions. In order to preserve the spin polarization of the neutrons as they travel the 60-m path to the target, the beam pipes are wrapped with wire to produce a solenoidal magnetic field of about 10 G along the beam direction. The flanges and bellows between sections of the beam pipe cause gaps in the windings which in turn produce radial fields that can depolarize the neutron spins. A computer code has been developed that numerically evaluates the effect of these gaps on the polarization. A measurement of the neutron depolarization for neutrons in the actual spin-transport system agrees with a calculation of the neutron depolarization for the TRIPLE system. Features that will aid in designing similar spin-transport systems are discussed.
Tariff Discrimination versus MFN under Incomplete Information

Does the presence of incomplete information affect a country's incentive to discriminate across exporters with different costs? If so, how? From a global perspective, does the presence of incomplete information weaken or strengthen the case for MFN? We examine these questions in a model of imperfect competition with two asymmetric exporters and a single importing country who is imperfectly informed about exporters' costs. Despite the lack of complete information, the importing country prefers discrimination to MFN. However, equilibrium tariff dispersion is lower under incomplete information. As a result, the global welfare gain from MFN, while still positive, is smaller under incomplete information relative to the case of complete information.
Transgenic animals may help resolve a sticky situation in cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by defects in the CFTR, a cAMP-activated Cl- channel of epithelia. The resulting reduction in epithelial fluid transport creates abnormally viscous secretions from airway mucous glands that may be a major factor in CF pathology. Mouse airways have few mucous glands, and the mouse model of CF exhibits no significant airway disease. Pigs and ferrets, however, have approximately the same number of airway mucous glands as humans. In this issue of the JCI, three independent research groups conclude that changes in airway mucous gland function in CFTR-deficient animals of these species resemble the changes seen in human CF. It is expected, therefore, that these animals will develop lung disease similar to human CF and prove to be valuable models on which to test potential therapies.
Ciliated cutaneous cyst of the foot

We report a 36-year-old woman with a cutaneous cyst of the dorsal aspect of the left foot. Because of the symptoms of pain and paresthesias attributed to the lesion, it was clinically felt to be a ganglion. After excision, these symptoms abated. Yet histologic examination showed this lesion to be a rare tumor, the ciliated cutaneous cyst. This is the third patient with this distinctive lesion on the foot or ankle.
A characterization of the complex affine line

A characterization of affine nonsingular complex algebraic curves that are biregularly isomorphic to ℂ is given; it is stated in terms of approximation of holomorphic maps by regular maps.
Pneumatosis Intestinalis and Portal Venous Gas Without Bowel Ischemia in a Patient Treated with Irinotecan and Cisplatin

Pneumatosis intestinalis and gas within the portal venous system are findings predictive of bowel ischemia. The etiologies of these alarming radiographic signs are diverse and not all causes require emergent surgical intervention. The combination of pneumatosis intestinalis, portal venous gas, and acidosis typically portends bowel ischemia and inevitable necrosis. This case report is the first description of benign pneumatosis and portal venous gas secondary to irinotecan and cisplatin.
Non random chloroplast DNA hypervariability in Medicago sativa.

Two hypervariable regions of the alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) chloroplast genome were used to describe levels of genetic relatedness among populations. PCR primers were developed to amplify the hypervariable regions. The frequency of occurrence of fragments of like size between populations was used to develop a measure of genetic relatedness. Relationships among 135 alfalfa accessions were investigated with principal component and cluster analyses, based on the genetic distance measures. Distinct clusters were taken as an indication of genetically distinct lineages. The populations investigated represented collections from world regions defined as the centers of origin of specific alfalfa germplasm sources, or else represented collections of introduced, and naturally adapted, accessions from agriculturally advanced regions. In general, this analysis indicated that the accessions from regions of origin of germplasm sources were largely homogeneous, while accessions from areas of introduction were much more diverse. In some cases, the accessions from a region of origin formed distinct clusters, suggesting that divergence has resulted in genetically distinct lines persisting in the original region of origin. Investigation of the stability of the marker fragments through vegetatively, and sexually, propagated plants indicated stable transmission through the sexual phase. However, one of the two regions underwent a deletion of 145 bp of one copy of a tandemly repeated 146 bp region in the equivalent of 80 years of vegetative growth.
Implications of depression in rheumatoid arthritis: do subtypes really matter?

Objective To examine depressive disorders and health status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), controlling for potential confounds. Method Subjects (n = 426) completed measures of depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]) and health status (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 [AIMS2]), via cross-sectional survey. Subjects (n = 299) with few depressive symptoms (CES-D ≤10) were not evaluated further. Subjects with CES-D ≥11 were interviewed using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders to diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD; n = 46), dysthymic disorder (DD; n = 21), or minor depressive disorder (MND; n = 18). Results Regression analyses examined differences between the depressive disorders on AIMS2 subscales. Health status scores were similar between the depressive disorder subcategories; significant differences were found between MDD and MND on AIMS2 Physical scores and MDD and DD on AIMS2 Symptom scores. Conclusion Regarding health status, presence of depression itself seems to overshadow differences between depression subtypes; antidepressant treatments/referrals for persons with concomitant RA and any depressive disorder subtype appear warranted.
On the role of Ca2+ in cerebral ischemic preconditioning

Cerebral ischemic preconditioning (IPC) represents a potent endogenous method of inducing tolerance to otherwise lethal ischemia, both in in vivo and in vitro models. Investigation into the mechanism of this phenomenon has yet again transformed the way that neuroscientists view Ca2+. Generally viewed as an agent of neuronal death, particularly within an excitotoxic setting of cerebral ischemia, Ca2+ is now regarded as a key mediator of IPC. Classification of the role of Ca2+ in IPC defies simple description, but seems to possess a stimulatory role during the tolerance-inducing ischemia and an inhibitory or modulatory role during or following the second normally lethal ischemia.
Traumatic rupture of the profundus tendon proximal to the lumbrical origin.

Traumatic flexor tendon ruptures are rare in patients without rheumatoid arthritis. A case of closed flexor digitorum profundus tendon rupture in the palm, proximal to the lumbrical origin, is presented. Thorough patient evaluation revealed no associated tendinous or bony pathology.
The relationship between panic, phobic and anticipatory anxiety in agoraphobia.

Abstract The study explored the relationship between panic attacks, phobic anxiety and anticipated anxiety, as well as fear of fear, using operationalized criteria based on prospective data collected from diaries over a 2-week period and the subsequently administered Behavioral Avoidance Test (BAT). Results revealed that panic attacks were correlated with phobic and anticipated anxiety but not with phobic avoidance. The impact of panic attacks experienced during the 2-week period on phobic and anticipated anxiety measured in the course of the BAT was of particular significance in the subgroups of patients who over-predicted their fear responses during the BAT. The categorization of panic into ‘spontaneous’ and situational attacks did not provide additional useful information. The clinical and methodological implications are briefly discussed.
Dissolution Rates of Corticoid Solutions Dispersed on Silicas

Two nonporous and three porous amorphous silicas were used as dispersion media to convert corticoid solutions into free-flowing powders. The corticoids (prednisone, prednisolone, and hydrocortisone) were dissolved in N, N-dimethylacetamide-polyethylene glycol 400 (7:3 v/v) and their 10% (w/v) solutions were mixed with the silicas (1:3 v/w). Dissolution rates of the corticoids from such powdered solutions were more rapid than their micronized powders in various aqueous media.
Nineteenth‐century agrarian populism and twentieth‐century communitarianism: Points of contact and contrast

(1995). Nineteenth‐century agrarian populism and twentieth‐century communitarianism: Points of contact and contrast. Peabody Journal of Education: Vol. 70, Education and the liberal‐communitarian debate, pp. 86-104.
Cytokines in the generation of immune responses to, and resolution of, virus infection

A number of immune system components contribute to defense against viral infections. Although some of these overlap in part with those contributing to resistance against non-viral agents, the major anti-viral players comprise a unique subset. In particular, natural killer cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells are prominent in defense against viruses. With the exception of interferon-alpha/beta, cytokine responses during viral infections have not been thoroughly characterized and are poorly understood with regard to in vivo expression and function. The availability of recombinant cytokines, assays to measure induced cytokine expression, and cytokine and cytokine receptor negative mice has made it possible to begin to characterize other factors contributing to defense and immune regulation during viral infections. Advances have been made in characterizing the expression and functions of interferon-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor-beta, and IL-12. The results thus far suggest that there are at least three different stages of immune responses to viral infections and that unique cytokine profiles are associated with each of these stages.
Electrical properties of the Ag6PSe5X (X=Cl, Br, I) argyrodites

Abstract The total electrical conductivities at room temperature of Ag 6 PSe 5 Cl, Ag 6 PSe 5 Br, and Ag 6 PSe 5 I were found to be 2.0×10 −4 , 5.6×10 −4 , and 6.8×10 −4 S/cm, respectively. In the chloride and iodide compounds, the electronic contribution comprises approximately 1% of the total conductivity, although it exceeds 10% of the total conductivity in the bromide compound. Ag 6 PSe 5 Cl and Ag 6 PSe 5 Br exhibit purely Arrhenius behavior throughout the temperature range 150–300 K. Ag 6 PSe 5 I exhibits a second-order anomaly in electrical conductivity at 324 K.
AN EFFICIENT LEAST-SQUARES FINITE ELEMENT METHOD FOR INCOMPRESSIBLE FLOWS AND TRANSPORT PROCESSES

SUMMARY A numerical procedure based on a least-squares finite element method (LSFEM) and Jacobi conjugate gradient method (JCG) is presented for the numerical solution of fluid flow and transport problems. Unlike many finite element methods, the LSFEM does not involve any upwinding factor. Furthermore, the LSFEM leads to a symmetric and positive definite linear system of equations which can be solved satisfactorily by a preconditioned conjugate gradient method. Four examples, lid-driven cavity flow, thermally-driven cavity flow, Rayleigh-Benard convection and doubly-diffusive flow, are presented to validate the preconditioned conjugate gradient method. A comparison of the least-squares finite element method and theGalerkin finite clement method (GFEM) is also given. Finally, we demonstrate that the least-squares finite element method with the Jacobi conjugate gradient iterative technique is a promising approach to solve three-dimensional fluid flow and transport problems.
Inhibition of growth of OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancer xenografts in nude mice by treatment with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist SB-75.

Female athymic nude mice bearing xenografts of OV-1063 human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line were treated with potent luteinizing hormone (LH)-releasing hormone (LH-RH) antagonist SB-75 (Cetrorelix; [Ac-D-Nal(2)1, D-Phe(4 CI)2, D-Pal(3)3, D-Cit6, D-Ala10]LH-RH in which Ac-D-Nal(2) = N-acetyl-3-(2-naphthyl)-D-alanine, D-Phe(4CI) = 4-chloro-D-phenylalanine, D-Pal(3) = 3-(3-pyridyl)-D-alanine, and D-Cit = D-Citrulline) or with the agonist [D-Trp6]LH-RH. In the first experiment, SB-75 and [D-Trp6]LH-RH were administered in the form of microcapsules releasing 60 and 25 micrograms/day, respectively. In the second study, the analogs were given by daily s.c. injections in doses of 100 micrograms/day. In both experiments, tumor growth, as measured by reduction in tumor volume, percentage change in tumor volume, tumor burden, and increase in tumor doubling time, was significantly inhibited by treatment with SB-75 but not with [D-Trp6]LH-RH. Uterine and ovarian weights were reduced and serum LH levels decreased by administration of either analog. Chronic treatment with SB-75 greatly reduced the concentration of receptors for epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor I in tumor cell membranes, a phenomenon that might be related to tumor growth inhibition. It is possible that the antitumoral effects of SB-75 on OV-1063 ovarian cancers are exerted not only through the suppression of the pituitary-gonadal axis, but also directly. In view of its strong inhibitory effect on the growth of OV-1063 ovarian cancers in vivo, the potent LH-RH antagonist SB-75 might be considered for possible hormonal therapy of advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma.
Sensitivity analysis of fiducial placement on transorbital target registration error

Objective In many clinical applications of image-guided surgery, skin fiducial placement is poorly defined and occasionally poorly executed, leading to an increase in the target registration error (TRE). Fiducial placement analysis usually focuses on a single target, where surgical guidance requires accurate localization of a region or volume of tissue. To address these limitations, a method of fiducial positioning for minimizing the TRE in a target region was developed.
Congruences for Γ1(4)-modular forms of half-integral weight

The main result of this paper gives a complete description of the algebra of level 4, mod p modular forms of half-integral weight. We show that this is the algebra of regular functions of an affine curve over \(\overline{\mathbb F}_p\). The result parallels results of Swinnerton-Dyer (level 1), and Katz (general level) for integral weight forms.
Base Communities and Rural Mobilization in Northern Brazil

and activism for agrarian reform. This article presents the results of field research that demonstrates this relationship. The theoretical analysis combines structural and interpretative frameworks, using the synthesis of the theories of NIarx and Weber found in Otto Maduro's work, supplemented by that of Gramsci, in order to p lace the study of religiously influenced change within the broader poktical-economic context. Qualitative data are drawn from forty-nine interviews corducted in eight rural parishes in the states of MaranAdo and Pard. The subjects included thirty-eight lay members of base communities} most of whom are also members of 7ural unions, and eleven pastoral agents four religious sisters, four priests, and three lay church workers. These interviews reveal the knks between the church and agranan activism. The article concludes with a discussiorl of the prospect for the continuaton of such lin1cs. Land is a key issue in Brazil. Conflict over land resulted in the murder of Chico Mendes and in massacres of indigenous peoples. The driving of thousands of peasant farmers from the countryside in the name of modernization has produced an artificial urbanization characterized by soaring rates of unemployment, hungert homelessness, and crime. There is a growing movement to defend the rights of peasants against the land claims of large ranchers and national and foreign companies. A strong force within this movement has come from base communities (comurlidades eclesiais de base, or CEBs) grassroots Catholic groups that study the Bible and discuss its application to people's lives. Although there is an abundance of research on Brazilian CEBs (see Drogus 1992; Hewitt 1991; Mainwaring 1989; Mariz 1992), little has been written about their activism for agrarian reform. This article offers a theoretical framework for examining the links between base communities and rural mobilization, and presents qualitative data gathered in the eastern Amazon region.l
Topic-conditioned novelty detection

Automated detection of the first document reporting each new event in temporally-sequenced streams of documents is an open challenge. In this paper we propose a new approach which addresses this problem in two stages: 1) using a supervised learning algorithm to classify the on-line document stream into pre-defined broad topic categories, and 2) performing topic-conditioned novelty detection for documents in each topic. We also focus on exploiting named-entities for event-level novelty detection and using feature-based heuristics derived from the topic histories. Evaluating these methods using a set of broadcast news stories, our results show substantial performance gains over the traditional one-level approach to the novelty detection problem.
Spinal fluid basic protein immunoreactive material and spinal fluid lymphocyte reactivity to basic protein

Levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) basic protein (BPI immunoreactive material and CSF lymphocyte in vitro reactivity to BP were determined in patients with demyelinating and other inflammatory diseases of the nervous system. Elevated levels of BP and enhanced in vitro reactivity were observed, but there was no correlation between the magnitude of the in vitro response and the amount of BP-like material in CSF.
Coronary heart disease risk factors in employees of Iowa's Department of Public Safety compared to a cohort of the general population.

The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in law enforcement personnel compared to that in the general population was studied by determining the predicted 10-year risk for developing CHD (CHD10, expressed as %) in subjects from the Iowa Department of Public Safety and comparing it to the average CHD10 for similarly aged subjects in the Framingham Heart Study cohort. The Iowa data included measures on 388 men from 30 to 64 years old, 246 of whom were measured in 1980–1981 and again in 1992–1993. The CHD10 came from an algorithm developed using the Framingham data; it included measures of age, gender, cholesterol, HDL-C, systolic blood pressure, smoking habit, glucose level, and left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG criteria). For this group, average CHD10 was reported by age in five-year increments [Circulation 83:356, 1991]. The Iowa subjects (n = 388) did not show a statistically significant difference in CHD10 from the reference population (8.9% versus 7.9%). The change with age was very similar in the two groups; for Iowa (n = 388) the estimate was CHD10 = −16.5 + .59 (age); for Framingham it was CHD10 = −17.5 + .60 (age). The change in individual risk factors with time was also similar in both groups; the per year change in CHD10 in the Iowa subjects, which was measured twice (n = 246, 0.63%), did not differ statistically from the 0.60% change predicted by the Framingham model. These results suggest that, for the risk factors considered here, the 10-year probability of developing CHD among Iowa law enforcement personnel is similar to that found in the Framingham population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:733–737, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Long-term weight loss maintenance in the United States

Although the rise in overweight and obesity in the United States is well documented, long-term weight loss maintenance (LTWLM) has been minimally explored. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and correlates of LTWLM among US adults. We examined weight data from 14 306 participants (age 20–84 years) in the 1999–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We defined LTWLM as weight loss maintained for at least 1 year. We excluded individuals who were not overweight or obese at their maximum weight. Among US adults who had ever been overweight or obese, 36.6, 17.3, 8.5 and 4.4% reported LTWLM of at least 5, 10, 15 and 20%, respectively. Among the 17.3% of individuals who reported an LTWLM of at least 10%, the average and median weight loss maintained was 19.1 kg (42.1 pounds) and 15.5 kg (34.1 pounds), respectively. LTWLM of at least 10% was higher among adults of ages 75–84 years (vs ages 20–34, adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2, 1.8), among those who were non-Hispanic white (vs Hispanic, adjusted OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 2.0) and among those who were female (vs male, adjusted OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1, 1.3). More than one out of every six US adults who has ever been overweight or obese has accomplished LTWLM of at least 10%. This rate is significantly higher than those reported in clinical trials and many other observational studies, suggesting that US adults may be more successful at sustaining weight loss than previously thought.
A framework for residual-based stabilization of incompressible finite elasticity: Stabilized formulations and F¯ methods for linear triangles and tetrahedra

Abstract A new Variational Multiscale framework for finite strain incompressible elasticity is presented. Significant contributions in this work are: (i) a systematic derivation of multiscale formulations that include the classical F ¯ method as a particular subclass, (ii) an error estimation procedure for nonlinear elasticity that emanates naturally from within the present multiscale framework, and (iii) robust performance of linear triangular and tetrahedral elements for modeling nearly incompressible materials in the finite strain range. When viewed from the Variational Multiscale perspective, the classical F ¯ method is shown to include only a volumetric or diagonal fine-scale deformation gradient while the proposed formulation includes the full spectrum of inter-scale coupling effects. Also, the error estimation procedure readily carries over from developments conducted for small strain linear problems. The formulation is presented first in the context of displacement-based methods and then extended to more general mixed methods accommodating arbitrary combinations of displacement–pressure interpolations. An extensive set of benchmark problems is investigated to show the performance of the method for a variety of hyperelastic materials exhibiting incompressible response.
The association between Carpophilus beetles and cactus flowers.

There is a close association between bowl-shaped cactus flowers and the nitidulid beetlesCarpophilus pallipennis (Say) andC. floralisEr. in North America. The nature of this association has not been clear. It now appears that the cactus flowers are brood sites of theCarpophilus beetles. The benefits in the association are one-sided, inasmuch as the beetles provide little or no pollination service for the flowers.
Practice effects in repeated neuropsychological assessments

Abstract The magnitude of the practice effects associated with repeated administration of the same neuropsychological assessment instruments was examined. In two separate research protocols, subjects were administered their respective battery of neuropsychological instruments twice within 7 to 10 days prior to the initiation of any experimental manipulations. Factors of interest included the test-retest reliability correlation coefficients, the magnitude of practice effects, and the intercorrelation matrices among the instruments. In general, the test-retest reliabilities of the neuropsychological instruments were consistent with those found in the general psychological assessment literature. The magnitude of practice effects was greatest on the Logical and Figural Memory Subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale in both protocols. The intercorrelation matrices may be useful in planning sample sizes for future studies since estimates of statistical power will require the consideration of the intercorrelations...
A cross-cultural exploration of physiognomic traits of dominance and happiness

Abstract Morphological traits may convey social messages among humans as they do among other species. This study presents data from observers in 11 national/cultural settings who viewed 19 pairs of portrait photographs and selected either more dominant-looking or happier-looking pair members. Significant cross-sample agreement in dominance attributions emerged for eight portrait pairs. Significant cross-sample agreement in happiness attributions occured for nine portrait pairs. Post hoc, among the characteristics of dominant faces were receded hairlines and relatively broad faces. The traits of happier- looking faces frequently included relatively dark eyes and thick lips, with some exceptions.
Quantum dynamics of intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution for initally excited CC ring modes in 30-mode benzene

Abstract Energy flow from four CC ring-mode bright states (A 1g , B 2u , E 1u , and E 2g ) was examined for the CC( v =2) overtone. The A 1g normal mode exhibits completely reversible intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) over the course of the dynamics (9.6 ps); energy flow out of the initially excited mode is less complete but less reversible for the B 2u and E 2g modes, however. IVR pathways from the E 1u and E 2g states are quite different and show the E 1u state losing more than 50% of the initial energy while the E 2g state retains more than 90% of this quantity. In all cases, the in-plane CCC bending modes and out-of-plane modes do not significantly contribute to IVR.
Low-Cost Generic Drugs Under The President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief Drove Down Treatment Cost; More Are Needed

The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was originally authorized in 2003 with the goal of supporting HIV prevention, treatment, and care within fifteen focus countries in the developing world. By September 2011 nearly 13 million people around the world were receiving HIV/AIDS-related care through PEPFAR, and 3.9 million were receiving antiretroviral treatment. However, in the early years of the program, access to antiretroviral drugs was hampered by the lack of a licensing process that the US government recognized for generic versions of these medications. Ultimately, the obstacle to approval of generic antiretroviral drugs was removed, which led to PEPFAR’s considerable success at making these treatments widely available. This article outlines PEPFAR’s evolving use of generic antiretroviral drugs to treat HIV in the developing world, highlights ongoing initiatives to increase access to generic antiretrovirals, and points to the need for mechanisms that will speed up the approval of new g...
Corporate environmental disclosures about the effects of climate change

We examine factors associated with the US S&P 500 firms' decisions to disclose information about the current and projected effects of climate change to institutional investors. Through the Carbon Disclosure Project, 315 institutional investors representing 41 trillion USD in assets asked the largest public firms to respond to a questionnaire about climate change. We explore whether firms' disclosures directed specifically to institutional investors are related to factors that have been found to explain voluntary disclosures to investors in general. In particular, we consider factors related to the level of scrutiny, since extant literature predicts that the cost of not disclosing increases with level of scrutiny. We find that size, previous disclosures and foreign sales are related to whether firms disclose information about climate change requested by institutional investors through the Carbon Disclosure Project. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Expert system and process optimization techniques for real-time monitoring and control of plasma processes

To meet the ever-increasing demand of the rapidly-growing semiconductor manufacturing industry it is critical to have a comprehensive methodology integrating techniques for process optimization real-time monitoring and adaptive process control. To this end we have accomplished an integrated knowledge-based approach combining latest expert system technology machine learning method and traditional statistical process control (SPC) techniques. This knowledge-based approach is advantageous in that it makes it possible for the task of process optimization and adaptive control to be performed consistently and predictably. Furthermore this approach can be used to construct high-level and qualitative description of processes and thus make the process behavior easy to monitor predict and control. Two software packages RIST (Rule Induction and Statistical Testing) and KARSM (Knowledge Acquisition from Response Surface Methodology) have been developed and incorporated with two commercially available packages G2 (real-time expert system) and ULTRAMAX (a tool for sequential process optimization).© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Subwavelength silicon nanophotonics

A new optical waveguide principle is proposed, exploiting subwavelength grating effect. We demonstrate first subwavelength grating waveguides, including practical components such as highly efficient fibre-chip couplers, waveguide crossings and microspectrometer chips.
Value of blood pool MR contrast agents in imaging of the heart and blood vessels.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has emerged as a new diagnostic technique for evaluation of the cardiovascular system. The diagnostic benefits of MR contrast agents have been demonstrated in the laboratory and in clinical research that has taken place during the past 12 years. Contrast agents enhance the sensitivity of MR angiography and improve early detection and characterization of myocardial and microvascular injuries. Clinically approved MR contrast agents are not confined to the intravascular space due to their small molecular size (standard extracellular MR contrast agents) and, therefore, they produce peak vascular enhancement for only a short period of time (< 30 min). In recent years remarkable progress has been seen in the development of blood pool agents for MR imaging. Impetus for creation of these agents has come in part from a growing appreciation of MR angiography. Vascular mapping has become an important application of medical imaging. Ample experimental evidence has shown that blood pool agents may play a significant role in coronary, peripheral and pulmonary angiography. In addition to their ability to increase vascular contrast, blood pool agents provide physiological information such as rate of entry, rate of accumulation and rate of elimination. In the heart, blood pool contrast agents are useful for estimating relative myocardial perfusion, discriminating between occlusive and reperfused infarction, differentiating between reversible and irreversible myocardial injury and detecting microvascular integrity. Blood pool agents are currently being investigated in humans. Initial clinical trials have demonstrated their safety and feasibility and, hopefully, future trials will demonstrate their efficacy. The purpose of this review is to focus on the rationale and value of blood pool MR contrast agents in imaging of the heart and blood vessels.
Syntheses of fluorine-containing mucin core 2/core 6 structures using novel fluorinated glucosaminyl donors

Abstract Syntheses of fluorinated mucin core 6 disaccharides and core 2 trisaccharides modified at the C-3 or C-4 position of the pertinent glucosamine residue required for mechanistic study of glycosyltransferases and sulfotransferases involved in the biosynthesis of O-glycans are reported. Novel fluorinated glucosaminyl donors were synthesized from 2-naphthylmethyl β- d -N-acetylglucosamine (β-O-NAP-GlcNAc) via double inversion of the C-3 or C-4 configuration. A one-step β-alkylation of GlcNAc was reported for the first time to afford β-O-NAP-GlcNAc in high yield, which constitutes the cornerstone of the synthetic strategy based on NAP-glycosides in oligosaccharides synthesis.
Activation of human peripheral blood-derived monocytes by OK-432 (Streptococcus pyogenes): Augmented cytotoxicity and secretion of TNF and synergy with rIFN-γ1

Abstract The biological response modifier OK-432 has been shown both to exert the enhancement of several immunological activities and to have a direct anti-tumor effect. The present study examines the immunopotentiating effect of OK-432 on peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) derived from normal humans. Monocyte activation was assessed by examining direct cell-mediated cytotoxic activity (CMC) and secretion of cytotoxic factors in the supernatant by the 51Cr release assay and secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α detected by a sensitive radioimmunoassay. The OK-432-augmented activity was compared to that achieved by recombinant interferonγ-(rIFN-γ). Coculture of PBM with OK-432 overnight resulted in significant augmentation of CMC and secretion of cytotoxic factors and TNF in the supernatant. The effects observed were dose dependent and the resulting activity was much more pronounced than that achieved with an optimal concentration of IFN-γ. The monocyte- and supernatant-mediated cytotoxic activities were in a large part attributed to TNF as both activities were inhibited by anti-TNF antibody. Several parameters of monocyte activation by OK-432 were examined. The kinetics of monocyte activation revealed that a short time exposure (2–6 hr) was sufficient for activation but maximal activation was detected after 18 hr. However, the kinetics of the cytotoxic assay were not shortened and 16–20 hr was necessary for optimal cytotoxic activity. Significant synergy was obtained when suboptimal concentrations of OK-432 and IFN-γ were used. The synergy was noted in CMC, supernatant activity, and TNF concentration. These results demonstrate that OK-432 is a potent activator of monocyte cytotoxicity and also activates secretion of TNF. Also, OK-432 is a much more potent activator than rIFN-γ. The synergy with OK-432 and IFN-γ suggests that OK-432-mediated activation of monocytes takes place by a different mechanism than that mediated by rIFN-γ. Thus, monocytes and products thereof may actively participate in the in vivo anti-tumor effect mediated by OK-432.
Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-TLR9 crosstalk dictates IL-12 family cytokine production in microglia

Microglia are the resident mononuclear phagocytes of the CNS parenchyma and represent an initial line of defense against invading microorganisms. Microglia utilize Toll-like receptors (TLRs) for pathogen recognition and TLR2 specifically senses conserved motifs of gram-positive bacteria including lipoproteins, lipoteichoic acids, and peptidoglycan (PGN) leading to cytokine/chemokine production. Interestingly, primary microglia derived from TLR2 knockout (KO) mice over-expressed numerous IL-12 family members, including IL-12p40, IL-12p70, and IL-27 in response to intact S. aureus, but not the less structurally complex TLR2 ligands Pam3CSK4 or PGN. The ability of intact bacteria to augment IL-12 family member expression was specific for gram-positive organisms, since numerous gram-negative strains were unable to elicit exaggerated responses in TLR2 KO microglia. Inhibition of SYK or IRAK4 signaling did not impact heightened IL-12 family member production in S. aureus-treated TLR2 KO microglia, whereas PI3K, MAPK, and JNK inhibitors were all capable of restoring exaggerated cytokine expression to wild type levels. Additionally, elevated IL-12 production in TLR2 KO microglia was ablated by a TLR9 antagonist, suggesting that TLR9 drives IL-12 family member production following exposure to intact bacteria that remains unchecked in the absence of TLR2 signaling. Collectively, these findings indicate crosstalk between TLR2 and TLR9 pathways to regulate IL-12 family member production by microglia. The summation of TLR signals must be tightly controlled to ensure the timely cessation and/or fine tuning of cytokine signaling to avoid nonspecific bystander damage due to sustained IL-12 release.