cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utilizing Data Visualization to Identify Survival and Treatment Differences Between Women With De Novo and Recurrent Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Abstract Introduction De novo stage IV metastatic breast cancer (MBC) and recurrent MBC are considered the same when determining guideline-based care, but differences in treatment patterns exist. Data visualization can be used to understand these differences and optimize treatment delivery. Patients and Methods This retrospective study evaluated treatment patterns for de novo and recurrent MBC using the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s CancerLinQ Discovery database. Spatiotemporal graphics depicting treatment data were generated for MBC subtype and stratified by de novo and recurrent MBC. Descriptive statistics for categorical and continuous variables were calculated. Results We identified 1668 patients diagnosed and treated for MBC: 391 patients with HER2+ MBC, 767 patients with HR+/HER2− MBC, and 510 patients with triple-negative MBC. Median survival from MBC diagnosis for patients with de novo MBC and recurrent MBC was 1.4 years (interquartile range, 0.6-3.0) and 1.8 years (interquartile range, 0.7-4.5), respectively. Both patients with de novo and recurrent HER2+ MBC were often treated with continuous HER2-targeted therapy. Patients with de novo HR+/HER2− MBC often received chemotherapy followed by hormone therapy. This contrasted with treatment trends observed among patients with recurrent HR+/HER2− MBC who, after receiving chemotherapy, seldom went on to receive hormone therapy. Patients diagnosed with triple-negative MBC displayed less heterogeneous treatment trends. Conclusion There are observable differences in survival and practice patterns between de novo and recurrent MBC. Visualization techniques are effective in assessing large databases and could give researchers and clinicians a clearer understanding of how survival differs by disease subtype, diagnosis status, and practice patterns.
Modified percutaneous tracheostomy in patients with COVID-19

Background Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are at risk of developing hypoxic respiratory failure and often require prolonged mechanical ventilation. Indication and timing to perform tracheostomy is controversial in patients with COVID-19. Methods This was a single-institution retrospective review of tracheostomies performed on patients admitted for COVID-19 between April 8, 2020 and August 1, 2020 using a modified percutaneous tracheostomy technique to minimize hypoxia and aerosolization. Results Twelve tracheostomies were performed for COVID-related respiratory failure. Median patient age was 54 years (range: 36–76) and 9 (75%) were male. Median time to tracheostomy was 17 days (range: 10–27), and 5 (42%) patients had failed attempts at extubation prior to tracheostomy. There were no intraprocedural complications, including hypoxia. Post-tracheostomy bleeding was noted in two patients. Eight (67%) patients have been discharged at the time of this study, and there were four patient deaths unrelated to tracheostomy placement. No healthcare worker transmissions resulted from participating in the tracheostomy procedure. Conclusions A modified percutaneous tracheostomy is feasible and can be safely performed in patients infected with COVID-19. Level of evidence Level V, case series.
Investigating different methods used for approximating pillar loads in longwall coal mines

Abstract Accurately estimating load distributions and ground responses around underground openings play a significant role in the safety of the operations in underground mines. Adequately designing pillars and other support measures relies highly on the accurate assessment of the loads that will be carried by them, as well as the load-bearing capacities of the supports. There are various methods that can be used to approximate mining-induced loads in stratified rock masses to be used in pillar design. The empirical methods are based on equations derived from large databases of various case studies. They are implemented in government approved design tools and are widely used. There are also analytical and numerical techniques used for more detailed analysis of the induced loads. In this study, two different longwall mines with different panel width-to-depth ratios are analyzed using different methods. The empirical method used in the analysis is the square-decay stress function that uses the abutment angle concept, implemented in pillar design software developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The first numerical method used in the analysis is a displacement-discontinuity (DD) variation of the boundary element method, LaModel, which utilizes the laminated overburden model. The second numerical method used in the analysis is Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) with the numerical modeling approach recently developed at West Virginia University which is based on the approach developed by NIOSH. The model includes the 2D slice of a cross-section along the width of the panel with the chain pillar system that also includes the different stratigraphic layers of the overburden. All three methods gave similar results for the shallow mine, both in terms of load percentages and distribution where the variation was more obvious for the deep cover mine. The FLAC3D model was observed to better capture the stress changes observed during the field measurements for both the shallow and deep cover cases. This study allowed us to see the shortcomings of each of these different methods. It was concluded that a numerical model which incorporates the site-specific geology would provide the most precise estimate for complex loading conditions.
Identifying mechanisms that link pain to smoking relapse during a quit attempt.

Objective Emerging evidence suggests that adults with chronic pain have poor smoking cessation outcomes, but the exact mechanisms are less understood. This study examined whether depression, anxiety, stress, and then, positive outcome expectancy for smoking mediated the association between pain and smoking relapse during a quit attempt. Methods This study is a secondary data analysis of a three-armed randomized clinical trial that compared in-person and smartphone-based smoking cessation interventions. Participants (N = 81) self-reported the amount of bodily pain they experienced in the past 4 weeks at baseline. Depression, anxiety, stress, and positive outcome expectancy for smoking were measured daily, via a smartphone app, throughout the first week of the quit attempt, and were aggregated to the week level for analyses. Biochemically verified smoking abstinence was assessed 4 weeks postquit date. Results Sequential mediation analyses showed that pain was indirectly associated with smoking relapse through greater feelings of stress and then higher expectations that smoking would improve mood (B = 0.22 [95% CI = 0.03, 0.65]). The pathways for depression and anxiety were not significant mediators of pain and smoking relapse. Conclusion Findings from this study indicate that pain is indirectly associated with smoking relapse through feelings of stress and then positive outcome expectancy for smoking. Smoking cessation treatment for adults who experience high levels of bodily pain should include psychoeducation that teaches adaptive coping responses, such as mindfulness, to manage stress, and challenge expectations about the ability of smoking to improve mood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Reconsolidation reconsidered

Some of the considerations that led to a consolidation interpretation of retrograde amnesia (RA), which states that RA results from the disruption of memory processing and storage when neural activity is interrupted by a brain insult, are reviewed here. The time-dependent gradient of memory loss (i.e., new memories are more vulnerable to amnesia than old memories) that characterizes RA seemed to fit nicely with the notion of a cascade of cellular events occurring during the immediate post-acquisition period that would transform a labile representation into a more stable form (i.e., consolidate the memory). However, a variety of observations came to challenge the storage-disruption model, and among these was the finding of amnesia for old but reactivated memories. A recent study by Nader, Schafe, and LeDoux (2000) provides an important analytic extension of the work on “reconsolidation” by showing that inhibition of protein synthesis in the lateral and basal nuclei of the amygdala immediately following the reactivation of old memory will induce retrograde amnesia. We offer a retrieval-oriented conceptualization to account for the temporal gradient and the “reconsolidation” phenomena.
Structural and functional analysis of the C-terminal region of Streptococcus gordonii SspB

Streptococcus gordonii is a member of the viridans streptococci and is an early colonizer of the tooth surface. Adherence to the tooth surface is enabled by proteins present on the S. gordonii cell surface, among which SspB belongs to one of the most well studied cell-wall-anchored adhesin families: the antigen I/II (AgI/II) family. The C-terminal region of SspB consists of three tandemly connected individual domains that display the DEv-IgG fold. These C-terminal domains contain a conserved Ca2+-binding site and isopeptide bonds, and they adhere to glycoprotein 340 (Gp340; also known as salivary agglutinin, SAG). Here, the structural and functional characterization of the C123SspB domain at 2.7 A resolution is reported. Although the individual C-terminal domains of Streptococcus mutans AgI/II and S. gordonii SspB show a high degree of both sequence and structural homology, superposition of these structures highlights substantial differences in their electrostatic surface plots, and this can be attributed to the relative orientation of the individual domains (C1, C2 and C3) with respect to each other and could reflect their specificity in binding to extracellular matrix molecules. Studies further confirmed that affinity for Gp340 or its scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domains requires two of the three domains of C123SspB, namely C12 or C23, which is different from AgI/II. Using protein–protein docking studies, models for this observed functional difference between C123SspB and C123AgI/II in their binding to SRCR1 are presented.
Regulation of Sleep and Wake Homeostasis

The interaction of two opposing processes, the circadian rhythm and homeostatic sleep drive, governs sleep and wake. Circadian timing promotes alertness during the environmental day and sleep during the environmental night, while the homeostatic sleep drive grows with cumulative wakefulness independent of time. Homeostatic sleep drive is measured by its electroencephalogram correlate, slow-wave activity. Slow-wave activity increases not only in response to prolonged wakefulness, but also demonstrates spatial organization and increases in a local, use-dependent pattern based on previous physical and mental activity. These findings support the important hypothesis that sleep mediates homeostasis of neuronal synapses. Therefore, the homeostatic control of sleep and wake has implications that extend beyond alertness.
Chirality Sensing With Stereodynamic Biphenolate Zinc Complexes

Two bidentate ligands consisting of a fluxional polyarylacetylene framework with terminal phenol groups were synthesized. Reaction with diethylzinc gives stereodynamic complexes that undergo distinct asymmetric transformation of the first kind upon binding of chiral amines and amino alcohols. The substrate-to-ligand chirality imprinting at the zinc coordination sphere results in characteristic circular dichroism signals that can be used for direct enantiomeric excess (ee) analysis. This chemosensing approach bears potential for high-throughput ee screening with small sample amounts and reduced solvent waste compared to traditional high-performance liquid chromatography methods.
Declarable Modifiers: A Proposal to Increase the Efficacy of Metaclasses

The amount of information available to metaprogrammer during intercession is limited. If a metaprogrammer has more information about the intentions of a programmer, the metaprogrammer can create more useful facilities. This paper proposes that object-oriented programming languages be designed so that metaprogrammers can declare new modifiers for methods and instance variables. Class programmers can use these modifiers to communicate intentions during intercession to the facilities created by metaprogrammers. This paper presents an extension to Java that has metaclasses. The intercessional features of the metaclasses are enhanced with the ability to declare both method and field modifiers. These modifiers are used by class programmers to communicate with a metaclass and control the effect of its intercession.
Deciphering actin cytoskeletal function in the contractile vascular smooth muscle cell

This review focuses on the vascular smooth muscle cells present in the medial layer of the blood vessels wall in the fully differentiated state (dVSMCs). The dVSMC contractile phenotype enables these cells to respond in a highly regulated manner to changes in extracellular stimuli. Through modulation of vascular contractile force and vascular compliance dVSMCs regulate blood pressure and blood flow. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which vascular smooth muscle contractile functions are regulated are not completely elucidated. Recent studies have documented a critical role for actin polymerization and cytoskeletal dynamics in the regulation of contractile function. Here we will review the current understanding of actin cytoskeletal dynamics and focal adhesion function in dVSMCs in order to better understand actin cytoskeleton connections to the extracellular matrix and the effects of cytoskeletal remodelling on vascular contractility and vascular stiffness in health and disease.
Abstract 133: Inhibition of TRPV4 is Protective of the Brain and Cerebral Circulation During Ischemic Stroke

Background: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channels are highly calcium permeable channels expressed in brain and cerebral endothelium and are regulated by a diverse array of stimuli including shear stress, cell swelling and second messengers. We hypothesized that inhibition of TRPV4 during postischemic reperfusion would be protective of the brain and cerebral endothelium. Methods: Transient MCAO was used for all experiments. Infarction (by TTC) was measured in TRPV4 knockout mice (n=3) or C57B mice treated upon reperfusion with the TRPV4 inhibitor HC067047 (1mg/kg; n=7) or vehicle (n=8) after 90 minutes of ischemia with 24 hours of reperfusion. To determine the effect of TRPV4 inhibition on BBB permeability, hyperglycemic male Wistar rats (3 days by STZ) were treated with HC067047 (1mg/kg; n=6) or vehicle (n=6) upon reperfusion after 2 hours of ischemia and edema measured at 2 hours by wet:dry weights. Lastly, basal tone of MCAs isolated from male Wistar rats after 2 hours of ischemia wi...
Comparison of uncertainty in per unit area estimates of aboveground biomass for two selected model sets

Abstract Uncertainty in above ground forest biomass (AGB) estimates at broad-scale depends primarily on three sources of error that interact and propagate: measurement error, model error, and sampling error. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we compare the total propagated error for two sets of regional-level component equations for lodgepole pine AGB, and for two sets of high-precision instruments by accounting for all three of these sources of error. The two sets of models compared included a set of newly-developed component ratio method (CRM) equations, and a set of component AGB equations currently used by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) unit of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. Relative contributions for measurement, model, and sampling error using the current regional equations were 5%, 2% and 93%, respectively, and 13%, 55% and 32%, respectively using the CRM equations. Relative standard error (RSE) values for the current regional and CRM equations with all three error types accounted for were 20.7% and 36.8%, respectively. Results for the model comparisons indicate that per acre estimates of AGB using the CRM equations are far less precise than those produced with the current set of regional equations. Results for the instrument comparisons indicate the terrestrial lidar scanning reduce uncertainty in broad-scale estimates of AGB attributed to measurement error.
Neuroprotective effects of GDNF against 6-OHDA in young and aged rats.

Abstract In young adult rats, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) can completely protect against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced loss of nigral dopamine neurons when administered 6 h prior to the 6-hydroxydopamine. The present study was undertaken to determine if GDNF would provide similar protective effects in aged rats. Male, Fischer 344×Brown Norway hybrid rats of 3, 18 and 24 months of age were given an intranigral injection of GDNF or vehicle followed 6 h later with an intranigral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine. Nigral dopamine neuron cell survival, and striatal and nigral dopamine and DOPAC levels, were evaluated 2 weeks after the lesions. In vehicle treated animals cell survival on the lesioned side ranged from 15 to 27%. GDNF promoted significant cell survival in the nigra of all three age groups; however, the percent survival was lowest in the 24-month-old animals (85% at 3 months, 75% at 18 months, 56% at 24 months). Similarly, dopamine levels in the striatum and substantia nigra on the lesioned side remained significantly greater in the GDNF treated animals compared to the vehicle treated animals. As with the cell survival experiment, the protective effects of GDNF on dopamine levels were less in the 24-month-old animals. GDNF pretreatment also protected against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced reductions in striatal DOPAC levels in all age groups. Overall, these results indicate that GDNF can protect nigrostriatal dopamine neurons against the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine in aged as well as young adult rats. However, the extent of protection is less in the aged (24-month-old) animals.
Observations on crystalline transformation in amorphous Ge thin films

Abstract The crystalline transformation of amorphous Ge films as a function of film thickness and environment has been studied using electron diffraction, electron microscope and electron microprobe techniques. Crystallization heat treatments were carried out in an electron diffraction unit on two series of films, one examined immediately following deposition and the other after being exposed to air at room temperature for several weeks. It was found in both series that crystallization is independent of film thickness. The transformation occurred at 375° ± 10°C over a broad range of thicknesses from 40 A to 260 A. On heating the films to 700°C, however, a difference in structure between the two film series was observed. Films exposed to air showed the formation of GeO 2 in addition to Ge. This difference, analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and the electron microprobe, could be attributed to a surface oxide and suggests that surface contamination does occur on aging at room temperature but does not alter the crystalline transformation of the amorphous material.
A previously undescribed demonstrable pathologic condition in exposed cementum and the underlying dentine.

Abstract Attention is directed to a previously undescribed pathologic condition which is limited to exposed cementum and the underlying dentine. Simple technical methods for its demonstration are given. Parts of the matrix material in decalcified specimens appear, by transmitted light, as refractile brownish granules and, by incident light, as bright white granules. The appearance is quickly removed by alcohol. The observation is made that this condition is not present in or beneath cementum which has been exposed by abrasion.
Stability of Vocational Interests After Recent Spinal Cord Injury: Comparisons Related to Sex and Race

Abstract Krause JS, Ricks JM. Stability of vocational interests after recent spinal cord injury: comparisons related to sex and race. Objective To identify the stability of vocational interests first assessed during inpatient rehabilitation for spinal cord injury and again an average of 834.9 days postinjury to determine the extent to which stability of interest varies as a function of race and sex. Design Longitudinal. Setting Data were collected at a specialty hospital. Participants At enrollment, participants were a minimum of 16 years of age, were currently hospitalized for inpatient rehabilitation, were less than 6 months postinjury, had residual impairment after traumatic spinal cord injury, and were either white or black, and non-Hispanic. Participants (N=304) were assessed an average ± SD of 50±26.6 days after injury and again an average ± SD of 834.9±192.7 days postinjury (averaged 785.1d between assessments). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure The Strong Interest Inventory, a 317-item vocational interests measure. Results A repeated-measures general linear model was used with 4 groups based on a combination of race and sex. Significant cohort by time interactions were observed on 4 general occupational themes (investigative, artistic, enterprising, and conventional). In nearly all cases, black women showed decreases in average interest scores compared with the other groups. There was a clear pattern of change in the direction of greater homogeneity of interests over time as measured by the range of theme scores between cohorts based on sex and race. Although changes in mean interest profiles varied as a function of sex and race, less consistent differences were observed when stability coefficients were the measure of change. Conclusions The direction and degree of change in mean scores for vocational interests was related to sex and race. With the exception of black women, vocational interests increased from baseline to follow-up.
Triggered Sorting and Co‐Assembly of Genetically Engineered Protein Microdomains in the Cytoplasm

The various highly compartmentalized, membrane-bound organelles are essential for cellular metabolism in eukaryotic cells.[1,2] The specialized composition of proteins and lipids in different organelles enables them to accomplish specialized processes, and sophisticated sorting mechanisms direct molecules to specific intracellular locations to maintain cellular functions.[2–4] Although it is ubiquitous to life that cells routinely generate and sort nanostructures, including protein complexes, organelles and chromosomes, our ability to similarly engineer and sort synthetic organelles in vivo remains primitive.[2,5,6] To address this challenge, this communication describes an innovative approach for co-assembly and self-sorting of materials inside living cells using genetically-encoded protein polymers – elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs).[7] ELPs are repetitive polypeptides with the sequence of (Val-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Gly)n derived from human tropoelastin, where Xaa and n represent the ‘guest residue’ identity and number of repeat units, respectively.[8,9] ELPs mediate self-assembly by temperature-triggered phase separation above their transition temperature (Tt).[10] Depending on the composition and arrangement of guest residues, monoblock ELPs form micro-structures distinct from diblock ELPs after assembly.[11–13] While monoblock ELPs form large protein coacervates, amphiphilic ELP diblock copolymers sometimes assemble nanoparticles of less than 100 nm in diameter.[14,15] Prior studies revealed that ELP fusion proteins assemble genetically engineered protein microdomains (GEPMs) in living eukaryotic or E. coli cells;[16,17] however, this communication is the first report exploring how ELPs can sort or assemble two distinct proteins. The hypothesis is that different monoblock ELPs with similar transition temperatures may spatially coassemble into mixed GEPMs, and that these will spatially sort from ELP diblock copolymers (Scheme 1). To test this hypothesis, three different monoblock ELPs and one diblock ELP were biosynthesized and purified, and their micro-structures were identified and characterized. The capability of these ELPs to spatially co-assemble and self-sort was evaluated using confocal laser scanning microscopy both in vitro and in the eukaryotic cytosol. These findings reveal a potentially powerful strategy for intracellular co-assembly and sorting of GEPMs, and may have utility in organizing synthetic organelles enriched in distinct functional proteins.
Relative impacts of vegetation coverage and leaf area index on climate change in a greener north

[1] To identify relative impacts of vegetation coverage and leaf area index (LAI) on climate in a greener north, a set of climate model sensitivity experiments was conducted in which vegetation coverage and/or LAI were increased over the land poleward of 60°N. The simulation results indicate that an increase in vegetation coverage makes a significant contribution to surface warming, while increasing LAI does not. The increased vegetation coverage reduces both background (snow-free) and snow-covered surface albedos and results in a maximum surface warming (>2°C) during spring and early summer. The increase in vegetation coverage also alters the partitioning between soil evaporation and vegetation evapotranspiration, and consequently reduces soil moisture loss from surface soil. Increased LAI leads to an enhancement of both convective and large scale components of precipitation, while the increase in vegetation coverage primarily increases the ratio of convective to large-scale precipitation.
Magnesium Compounds: New Dense Phases.

Magnesium silicide (Mg3Si) undergoes a transformation from a cubic (fluorite) type lattice to a hexagonal lattice at pressures above about 25 kilobars and temperatures above 900°C. There is an increase of density of about 15 percent associated with this structure change. Both the parent and product substances are semiconductors, but of different resistivities. The high pressure phase may be recovered and is indefinitely metastable at normal ambient conditions.
Concurrent effect of visible light on -particles, chitin synthetase and encystment capacity in zoospores of Blastocladiella emersonii.

Zoospores derived from ordinary colorless plants ofBlastocladiella emersonii grown under 240 μW/cm2 of visible light contain an average of ca. 5 γ-particles and numerous aggregates of cytoplasmic granules which resemble the γ-matrix, while spores from dark-grown plants contain ca. 12 γ-particles but none of the granules. Correspondingly, the amount of chitin synthetase associated with γ-particles is approximately proportional to the number of γ-particles in the two spore types. The foregoing light effects, known to be accompanied by an increased capacity for encystment, probably take place before sporogenesis. Conversely, zoospores derived from dark-grown plants do not encyst appreciably over an 8 h period unless they are illuminated, but the number of γ-particles/spore decreases from 12 to ca. 6 whether or not light is present. Arguments are presented for considering the latter disappearance of γ-particles as an essential “ark reaction” which precedes a photochemical reaction, both being needed for light-induced encystment.
An optimal greedy routing algorithm for triangulated polygons

In this paper, we prove that a triangulated polygon G admits a greedy embedding into an appropriate semi-metric space such that using an appropriate distance definition, for any two vertices u and w in G, a most virtual distance decreasing path is always a minimum-edge path between u and w. Therefore, our greedy routing algorithm is optimal. The greedy embedding of G can be obtained in linear time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first optimal greedy routing algorithm for a nontrivial subcategory of graphs.
Ownership Structure between Major and Minor League Baseball

Abstract Some Major League Baseball (MLB) owners own a portion of their minor league affiliates while other owners have a player development contract or working agreement with all of their minor league affiliates. Even though MLB teams always own the rights to the players and coaches in their minor league system, there are many other aspects of their operations that might be outsourced. This study attempts to explain differences in minor league ownership. It is hypothesized that the relationship between major and minor league teams depends upon the MLB owners’ other businesses and the minor league affiliates’ level or classification. This study analyzes a cross-sectional data set from the Nation League using a probit model. The study finds that media providers that own MLB teams are more likely to own their minor league affiliates and MLB owners are more likely to own lower classified minor league teams.
A functional differential equation for the dielectric kernel

An equation is derived which relates the dielectric kernel and its functional derivative with respect to the density. Possible methods of solution of the equation are discussed. It is shown how the method can be used to obtain the partial derivative, (∂ ∈/∂n), which appears in the Einstein-Smoluchowski theory of light scattering. A sample calculation is given which suggests a new expression for (∂∈/∂n), and, thus, for the ‘local field factor’ in light scattering.
Carotid artery dissection treated with stenting after anticoagulation failure

Carotid artery dissection may occur in normal healthy vessels, as well as vessels weakened by primary arteriopathy, but is most common after trauma.1 The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines (2011) concluded that it is reasonable to treat extracranial carotid artery dissection with antithrombotic medication for at least 3–6 months.2 There is little information on endovascular stenting, but most clinicians agree that this should be used on a case-by-case basis.3 A 46-year-old man, previously well, presented to the emergency department with intermittent right arm and hand weakness, left eye visual loss and word-finding difficulty. An MR scan of brain with diffusion-weighted imaging was normal. A CT angiogram of the head and neck showed a left internal carotid artery dissection. Diffusion-weighted and perfusion imaging showed no increase in transit time …
Micronuclei, a biomarker for chemoprevention trials: results of a randomized study in oral pre-malignancy.

Biomarkers are being sought that could serve as surrogate end points for chemoprevention trials. Micronuclei, cytoplasmic fragments of DNA, have been proposed as a biomarker and studied in oral pre-malignancy. This study evaluated micronuclei frequency in a randomized chemoprevention trial of oral pre-malignancy. A recent clinical trial evaluated the responses of pre-malignant oral lesions to 3 months of therapy with isotretinoin followed by 9 months of either low-dose isotretinoin or beta-carotene. For 57 study participants, micronuclei were counted in mucosal scrapings of the lesion and in normalappearing mucosa at baseline and following 3 months and 12 months of therapy. Micronuclei counts were higher in scrapings from the lesion than in the normal-appearing mucosa. Following 3 months of isotretinoin, the micronuclei counts in scrapings of the lesion were significantly reduced. With treatment, the mean micronuclei count declined at 3 months. In a randomized comparison, both isotretinoin and beta-carotene maintained the suppression of micronuclei. The change in micronuclei count was not associated with the clinical or histological response to treatment. Chemoprevention treatment with isotretinoin led to a reduction in frequency of micronuclei, a marker of recent DNA injury, which was then maintained by both isotretinoin and beta-carotene. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Studies on the immunology of hay fever

Abstract 1.1. Dried serum of hay fever patients treated with specific pollen extract was found to contain the blocking substance first described by Cooke and his associates. 2.2. The blocking substance content of such dried serum apparently suffered no diminution in activity after eight months. 3.3. The reagin content of such dried serum was equally well conserved. 4.4. Immunologic studies with such dried serum confirmed, and in some details extended, the observations of Cooke and co-workers and of Harley as to the presence, specificity, and certain phases of the possible mode of action of the blocking substance. 5.5. Treatment of patients with active hay fever by means of dried immune serum gave results sufficiently encouraging to warrant further application and refinement of this procedure as an additional method of treatment for selected cases of hay fever.
Effects of the surface wettability and zeta potential of bioceramics on the adhesiveness of anchorage-dependent animal cells

Abstract Using calcium phosphate ceramics that have high biocompatibility with the living body, the effects of the surface characteristics of the bioceramics on cell adhesiveness were investigated. In the case of carriers with contact angles from 35° to 60°, the cell adhesiveness increased according to the increase in the wettability. Measurement of the zeta potentials of HAP-TCP sinters showed that these bioceramics had negative potentials from −2 mV to −6 mV. Electrochemical analysis suggested that the initial cell anchoring ratio (Ria) and adhesive strength (Fa,enz) were affected by the surface ionic condition of the ceramic material. To clarify the effects of the surface potential of the ceramics on cell adhesiveness, the ceramic surface was modified chemically by means of various silane coupling reagents. The surface potential was regulated from −20 mV to +24 mV. Using these ceramics, the affinity and adhesiveness of the cells to the ceramics were found to be dominantly regulated by the surface potential. A negative potential was effective in increasing the adhesiveness, even though living cells have negative charges.
Use Nanomechanical Sensor to Detect Cellulase Activities Including Enzymatic Decrystallization and Hydrolytic Cleavage on Cellulose

Cellulase is an interfacial enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic degradation of cellulose at the interface between a liquid phase (enzyme) and a solid phase (cellulose substrate). Prior to the hydrolytic cleavage, cellulase utilizes an activity known as enzymatic decrystallization to break up the solid aggregate of cellulose molecules. The activity of enzymatic decrystallization has not been characterized and its mechanism has not been elucidated because very few existing experimental approaches are able to examine interfacial enzymatic activity on solid substrates. Here, we report the development of a novel strategy for the real-time detection of cellulase activities including enzymatic decrystallization and hydrolytic cleavage on cellulose with the use of a nanomechanical sensor in a microcantilever. We present both kinetic and physical evidence to support the decrystallization as a kinetically viable step of cellulose hydrolysis by cellulase. To our knowledge, this is the first use of a nanomechanical sensor to study mechanistic enzymology and heterogeneous enzymatic catalysis that involves a solid substrate. This nanomechanical sensor-based approach will help obtain a comprehensive understanding of cellulase actions on cellulose, which would be essential to the success of the development of new cellulases with enhanced efficiency for biofuels production.
Cost Comparison of Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Devices as Destination Therapy in Patients Over/Under Age 70

Purpose The use of continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) as destination therapy (DT) has been increasing, but resource utilization has not been well described in a population outside of a clinical trial. We hypothesized that cost of implant hospitalization and inpatient costs over the 1 st year would not be significantly different in patients over the age of 70. Methods and Materials All consecutive DT CF-LVAD implants at a single center between 2008-2010 were retrospectively identified (n=19). We compared the cost of implant hospitalization and total cost of care at the implant center (rehab plus subsequent inpatient hospital costs) over the first year after implant. We only included direct costs, excluding indirect costs incurred to support infrastructure, e.g. utilities, administration, maintenance, nursing, etc. Results There was no significant difference between baseline INTERMACS scores in patients ≥70 compared to Conclusions We did not observe increased cost of implant hospitalization or for the first year of care for DT CF-LVAD patients over the age of 70, despite comparable severity of illness. These findings suggest that age alone does not appear to adversely impact cost of care, and should be carefully considered when making decisions regarding individual suitability for implant.
Web accessibility technology at the IBM Tokyo research laboratory

This paper provides an overview of Web accessibility technologies developed at the IBM Tokyo Research Laboratory. Home Page Reader provides an easy and comfortable way for the blind to read Web pages. Transcoding technology solves problems that arise when a voice browser, such as Home Page Reader, reads Web pages. It also offers more comfortable ways for visually impaired people and senior citizens to read Web pages. Accessibility Designer, the main focus of this paper, allows page designers to learn about disabilities and to create more accessible and usable Web pages at authoring time. It has two modes: a low-vision mode and a blind mode. The low-vision mode simulates the perception of people with low vision and detects inaccessible parts in the target page. The blind mode visualizes the usability of a voice browser for the target page and detects accessibility and usability problems. Accessibility Observer makes it easier for Web developers to detect accessibility problems.
Prosecuting Ethnic Cleansing and Mass Atrocity in the Former Yugoslavia and Darfur

This paper argues that the occurrence of ethnic cleansing can be effectively documented through a mixture of social scientific criminological and legal evidence, with criminological evidence playing a leading edge role. A major challenge is to delineate the boundaries of ethnic cleansing in relation to genocide. I adopt a distinction between atrocity crime and atrocity law to create a space in which this kind of documentation and analysis can occur. I examine how this kind of documentation and analysis was undertaken during real time in the Kosovo and Darfur conflicts.
An example of automated 3D ultra-shallow seismic acquisition

Summary We developed instrumentation (3D Autojuggie) capable of automatically deploying a 2D array of geophones for efficient acquisition of 3D shallow seismic-reflection data. The 3D Autojuggie consists of a rigid steel frame for transporting and planting geophones and a hydraulic mechanism for decoupling the geophones from the frame. A seismic survey was collected to determine the effectiveness of the 3D Autojuggie in reducing acquisition time and to evaluate the quality of recorded data. The system proved to be successful in both efficient data acquisition and data quality. An array of 72 geophones was transported and planted in approximately three minutes without any direct human handling of the geophones. Data quality was similar to conventional hand-planted geophone data due to a new design feature that allows the geophones to decouple from the steel frame. The experimental 3D survey was successful at imaging the ultra-shallow top of the saturated zone (~3–4 m in depth) but less effective for deeper targets due to the small area of the prototype geophone array (2.2 m x 1.0 m) and the far offsets needed to image deeper reflections. The ultra-shallow image showed top of saturation elevation variability on the order of one meter, spatially correlating with the surface expression of an abandoned stream channel. In principle, the design of the 3D Autojuggie can be expanded to facilitate faster and more cost-effective deeper subsurface imaging.
Hydralazine Does Not Stimulate Prostacyclin Biosynthesis in Hypertensive Patients

The hypothesis that vascular prostacyclin synthesis is stimulated by the oral administration of hydralazine and may account for part of its vascular effect was tested. Eight white patients with mild essential hypertension were studied in a randomized, double-blind design to assess the effects of indomethacin on hydralazine's ability to lower blood pressure, elevate pulse, and alter the vascular prostacyclin biosynthesis as assessed by the urinary excretion of the major enzymatically produced metabolite of prostacyclin, 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha) measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Administration of hydralazine at either 50 mg bid or 100 mg bid for a week, doses commonly administered in clinical settings, was not associated with a statistically significant fall in mean blood pressure, although there was a tendency towards a decrease but did result in an increase in heart rate. Administration of indomethacin had no effect on the hemodynamic parameters secondary to hydralazine. Administration of indomethacin resulted in a slight but significant weight gain compared to placebo, but the addition of hydralazine did not result in a further increase in weight. Neither dose of hydralazine resulted in an increase in the urinary excretion of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha. The excretion rate was 85 +/- 16 ng/g of creatinine during placebo, 88 +/- 16 ng/g of creatinine during hydralazine, 50 mg bid, and 65 +/- 8 ng/g of creatinine during hydralazine, 100 mg bid. Administration of indomethacin, 50 mg bid, resulted in a significant decrease in 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha from 65 +/- 6 ng/g to 37 +/- 8 ng/g of creatinine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A World Wide Web Human Dimensions Framework and Database for Wildlife and Forest Planning

Abstract The paper describes a human dimensions framework (HDF) for application in wildlife and forest planning. The HDF is delivered via the world wide web and retrieves data on‐line from the Social, Economic, Environmental, Leisure, and Attitudes (SEELA) database. The proposed HDF is guided by ten fundamental HD principles, and is applied to wildlife and forest planning using eight social assessment questions that cover a broad spectrum of primary social information in wildlife and forest decisions. Five dimensions of social information were identified (historical background, population characteristics, community resources, social organization and processes, and public perceptions and well‐being) and tied to one or more of the social assessment questions. In turn, each dimension was comprised of multiple concepts and indicators. The HDF website uses the SEELA database to provide users with immediate on‐line access to over 300 variables that cover two primary dimensions: population characteristics and co...
Quantitative orientation-independent differential interference contrast microscope with fast switching shear direction and bias modulation

We describe a quantitative orientation-independent differential interference contrast (DIC) microscope, which allows bias retardation to be modulated and shear directions to be switched rapidly without any mechanical movement. The shear direction is switched by a regular liquid-crystal cell sandwiched between two standard DIC prisms. Another liquid-crystal cell modulates the bias. Techniques for measuring parameters of DIC prisms and calibrating the bias are shown. Two sets of raw DIC images with the orthogonal shear directions are captured within 1 s. Then the quantitative image of optical path gradient distribution within a thin optical section is computed. The gradient data are used to obtain a quantitative distribution of the optical path, which represents the refractive index gradient or height distribution. Computing enhanced regular DIC images with any desired shear direction is also possible.
The ischemic zone surrounding acute myocardial infarction. Its morphology as detected by dehydrogenase staining

Abstract The distal 1 3 of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery in 33 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs was ligated, and subsequently fresh-frozen, cold microtome sections of ventricular myocardium were studied for enzymatic activity. The state of dehydrogenase activity correlated morphologically with severity of local ischemia: destruction of architecture was accompanied by loss of enzymatic activity while unaltered myocardium was characterized by a “fine-dot” pattern of enzyme staining. These dots were interpreted as moderately stained mitochondria measuring up to 1 μ in diameter and 2 μ in length. In a third intermediate zone completely separating the first 2, a “large-dot” pattern appeared which was interpreted as resulting from mitochondria which were swollen to twice the normal size and more intensely stained. Stains for all 8 dehydrogenase enzymes studied responded similarly to the circulatory embarrassment. A-band swelling and accumulation of neutral-fat droplets were observed in this third zone but the architecture was otherwise undisturbed. The comparative size of the respective zones varied with the duration of the ischemic insult. Six hours after ligation, only the normal and intermediate zones were found, but as architectural deterioration developed, the size of this ischemic region gradually shrank to less than half of the abnormal myocardium. The injured region reached its maximum at 18 hours and subsequently regressed until 24 hours, after which it remained relatively constant. The zone of myocardial ischemia as identified by altered dehydrogenase staining remains to be characterized as to its functional capacity with regard to either electrical or mechanical activity.
Reply [to [Comment on] “Comment on “New global drifter data set available’” by Ohann Lutjeharms and Isabelle Ansorge]

The Eos article referred to in the letter by Lutjeharms et al. discusses only the time mean drifter velocity data in the Agulhas Return Current region. Because of Eos space limitations, we could not discuss the large amount of research devoted to synoptic meanders and eddies, which are also seen by the individual drifter tracks in our data set while passing through the Agulhas Return Current system. More than 10 years of drifter data were used in the time mean velocity plot in our Figure 2. Underlying the synoptic variations were seven semi-permanent meanders of the Agulhas Return Current. In our global drifter data set, no other western boundary current had such an extensive, steady or stable meander pattern. We thought that this indeed was a “discovery” and are pleased that Lutjeharms et al. agree.
Aetiology of AIDS--antibodies to human T-cell leukaemia virus (type III) in haemophiliacs.

Human T-cell leukaemia virus type III (HTLV–III) is suspected of having a key role in the pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)1–4. Epidemiological data suggest that AIDS is transmitted by an infectious agent through intimate contact with body secretions, blood or blood products5. To maintain haemostasis, many haemophiliac patients depend on commercially prepared clotting concentrates made from large multi-donor plasma pools and are thus at increased risk of developing the disease6,7. We report here that, using indirect membrane immunofluorescence and radioimmunoprecipitation with SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we have detected antibodies to HTLV-III in 30 of 47 (64%) asymptomatic haemophiliacs and in all of three haemophiliacs who either had or soon developed AIDS. Of 34 samples drawn before 1984, 18 (53%) were antibody-positive, whereas of 16 samples drawn during 1984, 15 (94%) were positive (P≤ 0.002). These data suggest that exposure to HTLV-III antigens is widespread among asymptomatic haemophiliacs.