cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term survival after lung resection for non–small cell lung cancer with circulatory bypass: A systematic review

Objective Resection of locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer using circulatory bypass is not frequently performed. The objective of this study was to systematically review the long-term survival associated with the published studies dealing with the performance of lung resections for non–small cell lung cancer using circulatory bypass. Methods A systematic review of publications dealing with lung resections for non–small cell lung cancer under circulatory bypass spanning from January 1, 1990, to December, 31 2010, was performed using a PubMed search with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary end point collected was survival. Several other clinical variables were also collected and analyzed. Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Univariate comparisons of survival were performed using a Cox proportional hazard model. Multivariate analysis was carried out using a Cox regression model. Results The search algorithm yielded 20 articles for the analysis. The overall 5-year survival was 37% (median, 36 ± 6 months). Survival was significantly higher when placement on bypass was planned (54%; median, 67± 19 months) as opposed to unplanned or emergency placement (11%; median, 19 ± 6 months; P = .006). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the use of unplanned bypass was prognostic for a worse long-term survival (hazard ratio = 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.90; P = .033). The 30-day and 90-day perioperative mortalities were 0% and 1%, respectively. Conclusions The literature over the past 2 decades demonstrates that favorable long-term survival for extended resections of locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer using circulatory bypass can be achieved. The use of unplanned cardiopulmonary bypass, though, seems to be prognostic of unfavorable long-term survival.
Succinylcholine Increases Intraocular Pressure in the Human Eye with the Extraocular Muscles Detached

BACKGROUND The increase in intraocular pressure in the human eye that is associated with the use of intravenous succinylcholine has long been ascribed to contraction of the extraocular muscles leading to compression of the globe. This created concern that such contraction would extrude global contents in the patient with an open globe, and led clinicians to avoid the use of succinylcholine in these patients. METHODS The authors studied 15 patients undergoing elective enucleation, and compared the intraocular pressure change after the administration of succinylcholine in the diseased eye after all the extraocular muscles had been detached to that of the normal eye that had the extraocular muscles attached. RESULTS The authors found no difference in baseline intraocular pressure (mmHg) between eyes (15.1 vs. 16.1) or at peak intraocular pressure (25.2 vs. 24.7), but did observe a significant difference in pressure in both eyes when baseline was compared with peak pressure. CONCLUSIONS The authors concluded that extraocular muscle contraction does not contribute to the increase in intraocular pressure after succinylcholine.
An application of discrete optimal control theory

Abstract This paper treats a quasi-optimal regulator which operates in two modes. The first mode is saturating sampled-data relay, whereas the second mode may be either continuous or discrete. A possible method of realizing the proposed control law by means of a special purpose analog computer is discussed.
Nonlinear vibration of orthotropic circular plates—A comparison☆

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to make a comparison between two different approaches to the solution of the same problem, namely the nonlinear vibration of a circular plate. In this work the material of the plate is taken to be rectilinearly orthotropic and the boundary of the plate is clamped and immovable. The two different methods given here lead independently to the stress function, F , and in-plane displacements u and v which are exact solutions to the corresponding governing equations. It is possible to obtain u and v from F and vice versa. The ultimate results are independent of the method chosen to solve the problem. It is shown that the stress Function Approach has certain advantages over the Displacement Equations Approach. In particular, the Stress Function Approach will result in a substantial saving in analytical and computational efforts for nonlinear problems involving multiple modes in the assumed lateral displacement w or in cases where transverse shear and rotatory inertia effects are to be considered.
Thermal analysis of binding of iodinated contrast agents to TiO2

Iodinated contrast agents such as iohexol and diatrizoate are pharmaceutical compounds of emerging concern in sewage and drinking water. These are resistant to removal through conventional water treatment processes. Photocatalytic degradation (PD) of these compounds over titanium dioxide has been suggested as a possible technique for the removal of iohexol and diatrizoate from sewage water. Several studies have evaluated these compounds, finding that the two do not respond in the same way to the presence of photocatalyst, which could imply that direct oxidation by surface electron holes is a major route for one compound but not the other. It is necessary that analytes adsorb to the photocatalyst for this oxidation to occur. We employ thermogravimetric analysis to characterize desorption of these analytes from two different forms of titanium dioxide. Compared to pure analyte and pure photocatalyst, additional peaks are seen near 700 °C when the contrast agents are adsorbed to titanium dioxide. This implies that direct oxidation by electron holes is not a primary factor in the PD of iodinated contrast agents. We evaluate the effects of analyte concentration and titanium dioxide crystal structure on these results to address the general applicability of our approach.
Identification of 23S rRNA nucleotides neighboring the P-loop in the Escherichia coli 50S subunit

We report the synthesis of a radioactive, photolabile 2'-O-methyloligoRNA probe, 2258-53/52(SAz)-48, PHONT1, and its exploitation in identifying 23S rRNA nucleotides neighboring the so-called 'P-loop'. The probe is complementary to nt 2248-2258 in Escherichia coli 50S subunits. PHONT1 contains a p-azidophenacyl group attached to a phosphorothioate bridge between the nucleotides complementary to the positions 2252-2253, such that the photogenerated nitrene is maximally 17-19 A from 23S RNA nucleotides G2252 and G2253. PHONT1 binds to the 50S subunit, and photoincorporates within or immediately adjacent to its target site, as well as into several nucleotides falling between G2357 and A2430. The significance of these results for the structure of the peptidyl transferase center is considered. The PHONT approach is generally applicable to studies of complex RNA-containing molecules.
A Phase II Study of Fixed-Dose Rate Gemcitabine Plus Low-Dose Cisplatin Followed by Consolidative Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

Purpose: The optimal strategy for treating locally advanced pancreatic cancer remains controversial, including the respective roles and timing of chemotherapy and radiation. We conducted a Phase II nonrandomized trial to evaluate sequential chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation in this patient population. Methods and Materials: Chemotherapy naive patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma were treated with fixed-dose rate gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m2 at 10 mg/m2/min) plus cisplatin 20 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. Those without evidence of extrapancreatic metastases after six cycles of chemotherapy received radiation (5,040 cGy over 28 fractions) with concurrent capecitabine (800 mg/m2 orally twice daily on the day of radiation) as a radiosensitizer. Results: A total of 25 patients were enrolled with a median follow-up time of 656 days. Twelve patients (48%) successfully received all six cycles of chemotherapy plus chemoradiation. Eight patients (32%) progressed during chemotherapy, including 7 with extrapancreatic metastases. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicities were uncommon. Two patients sustained myocardial infarctions during chemotherapy, and 4 were hospitalized for infectious complications, although none in the setting of neutropenia. Median time to progression was 10.5 months and median survival was 13.5 months, with an estimated 1-year survival rate of 62%. Patients receiving all components of therapy had a median survival of 17.0 months. Conclusions: A strategy of initial fixed-dose rate gemcitabine-based chemotherapy, followed by chemoradiation, shows promising efficacy for treatment of locally advanced disease. A substantial proportion of patients will be identified early on as having extrapancreatic disease and spared the potential toxicities associated with radiation.
Permanently Failing Organizations? Small Business Recovery After September 11, 2001:

Small businesses in Lower Manhattan after September 11, 2001, paint a telling portrait of vulnerability after disasters. This qualitative analysis of recovery for small retail and service firms with 50 or fewer employees is based on ethnographic fieldwork, interviews, and documentary research from September 2001 through 2005. A postdisaster emphasis on place-based assistance to firms conflicted with macro-level redevelopment plans for Lower Manhattan. Small business recovery was impeded as aid programs responded to a new sense of urgency, attachment to place, and prestorm conceptions of the neighborhood at the expense of addressing community-wide economic changes accelerated by the disaster. Ingredients for effective programmatic response to the shifting environment and recovery needs of small businesses include (a) long-range planning assistance and relocation options, (b) intelligence on all redevelopment initiatives that affect firms' recovery, and (c) a blend of grants and loans that acknowledges real...
Combined light and power systems for industrial plants

THE upward trend in illumination levels in industrial plants has resulted in an increased power demand of the lighting load. Illumination levels of 50 foot-candles are in general considered good practice at the present time, with some thinking of illumination levels as high as 100 foot-candles. The lighting load is a sizable portion of the total plant load. In many average manufacturing plants the lighting load will represent 2 to 4 volt-amperes per square foot, and the power load 8 to 10 volt-amperes per square foot. The same technique that has been applied in distributing power to machine tools and other power loads will pay dividends in distributing power to the lighting load.
DEVELOPING A SAFETY, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL (SOHE) PROGRAM AS PART OF A TOTAL QUALITY PROGRAM

ISO 9000 is the Standard for Quality Systems, issued in 1987 by the International Organisation for Standardisation. This paper shows how a Total Quality Program which embodies the principles of ISO 9000 can extend to include a management program of Safety, Occupational Hygiene, and Environmental protection (SOHE). It demonstrates how those principles apply both to doing things right first time, and to doing them safely. Experience of developing this program is given, within the context of a new North Sea operation.
Phospholipids in amniotic fluid with special reference to the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio

Abstract At the present time, it appears that the method of choice for determination of phospholipids in amniotic fluid is the thin-layer chromatographic method. Noteworthy is that presented by Touchstone et al. [9] in which a minimum of effort is required. With the direct application of the amniotic fluid the problems of recovery and time-consuming efforts are minimized, considering that extraction and chromatography are carried out on the same plate. Another approach to the problem is shown in the reports of Krauss et al. [27] in which they showed that 24 samples can be accommodated on one plate. Sensitivity was obtained using 2,5-bis[5- tert. -butylbenzoxazolyl (2′)] thiophene to form fluorescent derivatives. With development times of as little as 10 min this method has not yet been perfected for use with biological samples, but indicates that some future developments using high-performance thin-layer chromatography are perhaps coming.
RainMon: an integrated approach to mining bursty timeseries monitoring data

Metrics like disk activity and network traffic are widespread sources of diagnosis and monitoring information in datacenters and networks. However, as the scale of these systems increases, examining the raw data yields diminishing insight. We present RainMon, a novel end-to-end approach for mining timeseries monitoring data designed to handle its size and unique characteristics. Our system is able to (a) mine large, bursty, real-world monitoring data, (b) find significant trends and anomalies in the data, (c) compress the raw data effectively, and (d) estimate trends to make forecasts. Furthermore, RainMon integrates the full analysis process from data storage to the user interface to provide accessible long-term diagnosis. We apply RainMon to three real-world datasets from production systems and show its utility in discovering anomalous machines and time periods.
BISMARC: a biologically inspired system for map-based autonomous rover control

As the complexity of the missions to planetary surfaces increases, so too does the need for autonomous rover systems. This need is complicated by the power, mass and computer storage restrictions on such systems (Miller, D. P. (1992). Reducing software mass through behaviour control. In Proceedings SPIE conference on cooperative intelligent robotics in space III (Vol. 1829, pp. 472-475, 1992). Boston, MA. To address these problems, we have recently developed a system called BISMARC (Biologically Inspired System for Map-based Autonomous Rover Control) for planetary missions involving multiple small, lightweight surface rovers (Huntsberger, T. L. (1997). Autonomous multirover system for complex planetary retrieval operations. In P. S. Schenker, and G. T. McKee (Eds.), Proceedings SPIE symposium on sensor fusion and decentralized control in autonomous robotic systems (pp. 221-227). Pittsburgh, PA). BISMARC is capable of cooperative planetary surface retrieval operations such as a multiple cache recovery mission to Mars. The system employs autonomous navigation techniques, behavior-based control for surface retrieval operations, and an action selection mechanism based on a modified form of free flow hierarchy (Rosenblatt, J. K. and Payton, D. W. (1989). A fine-grained alternative to the subsumption architecture for mobile robot control. In Proceedings IEEE/INNS joint conference on neural networks (pp. 317-324). Washington, DC). This paper primarily describes the navigation and map-mapping subsystems of BISMARC. They are inspired by some recent studies of London taxi drivers indicating that the right hippocampal region of the brain is activated for path planning but not for landmark identification (Maguire, E. A. et al. (1997). Recalling routes around London: activation of the right hippocampus in taxi drivers. Journal of Neuroscience, 17(18), 7103-7110). We also report the results of some experimental studies of simulated navigation in planetary environments.
New aspects of formation of 1,2-cyclic phosphates by phospholipase C-δ1

Abstract Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C-δ1 (PI-PLC-δ1) cleaves phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI-4,5-P 2 , 1 ), 5-phosphate (PI-5-P, 2 ) and 4-phosphate (PI-4-P, 3 ) to form the mixture of the corresponding 4,5-, 5- and 4-phosphorylated inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate (IcP) and 1-phosphate (IP) ( 4 – 6 and 7 – 9 , respectively). In this work, we have studied the rates of the cleavage and the ratios of the cyclic-to-acyclic phosphate products under various pH and Ca 2+ concentration conditions using 31 P NMR to monitor the reactions. In agreement with the previous report (Kim et al. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1989 , 163 , 177), our results indicate that the IcP/IP ratios strongly depend on the reaction conditions, with the cyclic phosphate products formed predominantly at low pH (pH 5.0) and high calcium concentration (5 mM). Surprisingly, however, we have found that at pH 8.0 and 5 mM Ca 2+ , PI-5-P rather than PI-4,5-P 2 is the most preferred substrate with the highest V max . The cleavage of PI-5-P generated also more cyclic phosphate product than the other two substrates. In addition, we have studied the analogous reaction of phosphorothioate analogues of 1 with the sulfur placed in the nonbridging ( 10 ) or bridging ( 13 ) positions. We have found that the phosphorothioate analogue 10 produced exclusively the cyclic product 11 , whereas the analogue 13 afforded exlusively the acyclic product 7 . These results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of PI-PLC, where the cyclic product is formed by ‘leaking’ from the active site before its subsequent hydrolysis. The potential significance of the cyclic products in the signaling pathways is also discussed.
Predictive dose-based estimation of systemic exposure multiples in mouse and monkey relative to human for antisense oligonucleotides with 2'-o-(2-methoxyethyl) modifications.

Evaluation of species differences and systemic exposure multiples (or ratios) in toxicological animal species versus human is an ongoing exercise during the course of drug development. The systemic exposure ratios are best estimated by directly comparing area under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUCs), and sometimes by comparing the dose administered, with the dose being adjusted either by body surface area (BSA) or body weight (BW). In this study, the association between AUC ratio and the administered dose ratio from animals to human were studied using a retrospective data-driven approach. The dataset included nine antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) with 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) modifications, evaluated in two animal species (mouse and monkey) following single and repeated parenteral administrations. We found that plasma AUCs were similar between ASOs within the same species, and are predictable to human exposure using a single animal species, either mouse or monkey. Between monkey and human, the plasma exposure ratio can be predicted directly based on BW-adjusted dose ratios, whereas between mouse and human, the exposure ratio would be nearly fivefold lower in mouse compared to human based on BW-adjusted dose values. Thus, multiplying a factor of 5 for the mouse BW-adjusted dose would likely provide a reasonable AUC exposure estimate in human at steady-state.
The allergic response to stinging insects: IV. Cross-reactions between bee, wasp, and yellow jacket

Abstract The cross-reaction between bee and yellow jacket is not detected by tanned cell hemagglutination, inhibition of hemagglutination, or agar gel double diffusion. Only by immunoelectrophoresis is it possible to demonstrate a common antigen contained only in the body of these insects. Bees and wasps share one common antigen which is not present in their venom sacs. Wasps and yellow jackets have two common antigens, one of which is localized in the body and the other in the venom sacs of both insects. The implications of these results in regard to human hypersensitivity to stinging insects is discussed.
Adrenocorticotropin-induced changes in ovine pituitary gonadotropin secretion in vitro.

In vitro pituitary perifusion experiments were conducted to examine the effect of ACTH and related peptides on basal and GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin release. Treatments of 5 × 10−7 m ACTH-(1–39), ACTH-(1–24), or ACTH-(18–39) were examined for their ability to influence basal gonadotropin secretion and the subsequent response to a 10−9- or 10−8- m GnRH challenge. Administration of the 1–39 or 18–39 peptide sequences of ACTH similarly stimulated the release of LH and FSH (P < 0.01). ACTH-(1–24) had no effect on basal gonadotropin secretion. Pretreatment with ACTH-(1–39) inhibited the LH and FSH responses to 10−9 and 10−8 m GnRH (P < 0.05). Suppression of the LH response to 10−8 m GnRH (P < 0.05) and the FSH response to 10−9 m GnRH (P < 0.05) was observed after ACTH-(1–24) treatment. The administration of ACTH-(18–39) had no significant effect on GnRH-induced gonadotropin release. PRL concentrations were not affected by any of the ACTH peptides. Exposure to 10−10 m GnRH or 5 × 10−7 m synthetic ACTH-(1–39) p...
Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci from Blood Stream Infections: Frequency of Occurrence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Molecular (mecA) Characterization of Oxacillin Resistance in the SCOPE Program

Staphylococci are major causes of nosocomial blood stream infection. The recently completed SCOPE Surveillance Program found that coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and Staphylococcus aureus were the first and second most common etiologic agents, respectively, causing nosocomial blood stream infection in the USA. The frequency of oxacillin resistance was 68% among 1553 strains of CoNS and 26% among 787 strains of S. aureus in this study. Extended susceptibility profiles were generated for a subset of 150 S. aureus and 300 CoNS against 16 antimicrobial agents. Oxacillin-susceptible strains of both CoNS and S. aureus were uniformly susceptible to beta-lactam agents with the exception of ampicillin and penicillin. Oxacillin-susceptible S. aureus were also highly susceptible to the fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. The oxacillin-susceptible CoNS were less susceptible to these agents, and only glycopeptides were reliably active against oxacillin-resistant strains. PCR detection of the mecA gene was used to scrutinize current NCCLS interpretive breakpoint MICs for determining susceptibility or resistance to oxacillin. We found complete concordance between the presence or absence of mecA and the NCCLS oxacillin interpretive breakpoint categories for S. aureus. In contrast, the NCCLS breakpoints for oxacillin significantly underestimate the degree of true oxacillin resistance among CoNS. Using the presence of mecA as the reference standard, we detected 15.7% false susceptibility to oxacillin using a MIC susceptible breakpoint concentration of < or = 2 micrograms/mL. Lowering the oxacillin MIC breakpoint to < or = 0.25 microgram/mL for CoNS would greatly improve the accuracy of the MIC test performance. We found that both the current oxacillin disk test and the 30-microgram ceftizoxime disk test functioned quite well in predicting those strains of CoNS that contain mecA. These studies have demonstrated both a high level of antimicrobial resistance among nosocomial blood stream isolates of staphylococci as well as significant problems with the current NCCLS breakpoints for oxacillin when testing CoNS.
Predicting anomaly performance with politics, the weather, global warming, sunspots, and the stars.

Abstract Predictive regressions find that the party of the US president, the weather in Manhattan, global warming, the El Nino phenomenon, sunspots, and the conjunctions of the planets all have significant power predicting the performance of popular anomalies. The interpretation of these results has important implications for the asset pricing literature.
Oxide-encapsulated vertical germanium nanowire structures and their DC transport properties

We demonstrate the p-type doping of Ge nanowires (NWs) and p?n junction arrays in a scalable vertically aligned structure with all processing performed below 400??C. These structures are advantageous for the large scale production of parallel arrays of devices for nanoelectronics and sensing applications. Efficient methods for the oxide encapsulation, chemical mechanical polishing and cleaning of vertical Ge NWs embedded in silicon dioxide are reported. Approaches for avoiding the selective oxidation and dissolution of Ge NWs in aqueous solutions during chemical mechanical polishing and cleaning of oxide-encapsulated Ge NWs are emphasized. NWs were doped through the epitaxial deposition of a B-doped shell and transport measurements indicate doping concentrations on the order of 1019?cm?3.
Non-perturbative Euler–Heisenberg Lagrangian and paraelectricity in magnetized massless QED

Abstract In this paper we calculate the non-perturbative Euler–Heisenberg Lagrangian for massless QED in a strong magnetic field H, where the breaking of the chiral symmetry is dynamically catalyzed by the external magnetic field via the formation of an electro-positron condensate. This chiral condensate leads to the generation of dynamical parameters that have to be found as solutions of non-perturbative Schwinger–Dyson equations. Since the electron–positron pairing mechanism leading to the breaking of the chiral symmetry is mainly dominated by the contributions from the infrared region of momenta much smaller than e H , the magnetic field introduces a dynamical ultraviolet cutoff in the theory that also enters in the non-perturbative Euler–Heisenberg action. Using this action, we show that the system exhibits a significant paraelectricity in the direction parallel to the magnetic field. The non-perturbative nature of this effect is reflected in the non-analytic dependence of the obtained electric susceptibility on the fine-structure constant. The strong paraelectricity in the field direction is linked to the orientation of the electric dipole moments of the pairs that form the chiral condensate. The large electric susceptibility can be used to detect the realization of the magnetic catalysis of chiral symmetry breaking in physical systems.
Analysis of single and coupled microstrip lines on anisotropic substrates using differential matrix operators and the spectral-domain method

A differential matrix operator technique is presented to simplify the formulation of boundary-value problems for open millimeter-wave integrated circuits that use anisotropic substrates. The spectral-domain method is applied to analyze the propagation characteristics of single and coupled microstrip lines printed on anisotropic substrates whose properties are described by both ( in ) and ( mu ) tensors. In addition to considering the permittivity and permeability as a uniaxial or biaxial tensor, the effects of coordinate misalignment between the principal axes of ( in ) and those of the structure in the transverse plane are also included. It is shown that the misalignment in ( in ) and the presence of the ( mu ) tensor have a significant effect on the dispersive properties of these two structures. >
Student Self-Identity as a Critical Thinker The Influence of Attitudes, Attitude Strength, and Normative Beliefs

During the past decade, critical thinking has received increasing recognition in the marketing education literature. However, much of the extant literature emphasizes techniques tied to implementing critical thinking approaches, while questions exist regarding the processes by which students are influenced through participation in critical thinking pedagogies. This study merges attitudes, norms, and self-identity literature as a means of addressing the question of how students come to view themselves as critical thinkers. Specifically, the authors hypothesize that attitude strength should moderate the influence of attitudes on normative beliefs. Normative beliefs, in turn, are posited to mediate the influence of the Attitude × Attitude Strength interaction on student self-identity as a critical thinker. Thus, students with strong and positive attitudes regarding critical thinking will have strong normative beliefs associated with the skill, and these beliefs, in turn, will affect self-identity as a critic...
Diagnostics for identifying influential cases in manova

Measures of influence of multivariate cases on the estimated parameter matrix in MANOVA are developed. The development is based on the confidence region resulting from the likelihood ratio criterion, and is patterned after the development of Cook's univariate DImeasure. Influence measures corresponding to the other 3 common multivariate test criteria are presented. Relationships to the measures of Caroni (1987), and Barrett and Ling (1988) are noted. A numerical example is included.
Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis or Aortic Insufficiency with Advanced Left Ventricular Dysfunction

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the standard treatment for patient with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the new standard of therapy for those patients that are unsuitable for open heart surgery. In patients considered to be high risk secondary to severe comorbidities, TAVI may be an acceptable alternative to AVR. Future applications of transcatheter heart valves include intermediate-risk patients and failed bioprosthetic valves.
Use of Serum Theophylline Level as a Guide to Optimum Therapy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

Blood and urine samples were collected simultaneously with measurements of pulmonary function at 2-hour intervals for 8 hours after oral administration of short-acting (SAT) and long-acting theophylline (LAT) preparations in 15 patients with stable chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) on long-term maintenance theophylline therapy. The relationship between pulmonary function tests, serum theophylline level, plasma and urinary adenosine 3'5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was examined. The highest forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1 was obtained with STL of 12.8 micrograms/ml +/- 5.21 SD and 9.14 micrograms/ml +/- 6.15 (P less than .05) after administration of SAT and LAT, respectively. A further increase in serum theophylline level (STL) offered no therapeutic benefit, and, in fact, was associated with a fall in FEV1 in many instances. Plasma or urinary cAMP measurements did not correlate with STL. STL at which the best pulmonary function is achieved is quite variable in patients with COLD on maintenance theophylline therapy, is frequently less than 10 micrograms/ml, and can be determined only by repeated measurements of pulmonary function at different STL. Therefore measurements of STL are of limited value in guiding treatment with theophylline.
The Paracrine Hormone for the GUCY2C Tumor Suppressor, Guanylin, Is Universally Lost in Colorectal Cancer

Background: Although colorectal cancer is a disease characterized by sequential accumulation of mutations in epithelial cells, mechanisms leading to genomic vulnerability contributing to tumor initiation remain undefined. GUCY2C has emerged as an intestine-specific tumor suppressor controlling epithelial homeostasis through circuits canonically disrupted in cancer. Surprisingly, the GUCY2C tumor suppressor is universally overexpressed by human colorectal cancer cells. This apparent paradox likely reflects silencing of GUCY2C through loss of its paracrine hormone guanylin. Here, we quantified expression of guanylin mRNA and protein in tumors and normal epithelia from patients with colorectal cancer. Methods: Guanylin mRNA was quantified in tumors and normal adjacent epithelia from 281 patients by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Separately, the guanylin protein was quantified by immunohistochemistry in 54 colorectal tumors and 30 specimens of normal intestinal epithelium. Results: Guanylin mRNA in colorectum varied more than a 100-fold across the population. Guanylin mRNA was reduced 100- to 1,000-fold in >85% of tumors compared with matched normal adjacent mucosa ( P < 0.001). Loss of guanylin mRNA was greatest in tumors from patients <50 years old ( P < 0.005) and with the highest expression in normal adjacent mucosa (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.61; P < 0.001). In a separate validation cohort, guanylin protein was detected in all 30 normal colorectal mucosa specimens, but in none of 54 colorectal tumors. Conclusions: Colorectal cancer may initiate as a disease of paracrine hormone insufficiency through loss of guanylin expression, silencing the GUCY2C tumor suppressor and disrupting homeostatic mechanisms regulating colorectal epithelia cells. Impact: Intestinal tumorigenesis may be prevented by oral GUCY2C hormone replacement therapy. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 1–10. ©2014 AACR .
Effects of Smoking Cessation on Heart Rate Variability Among Long-Term Male Smokers

Background Cigarette smoking has been shown to adversely affect heart rate variability (HRV), suggesting dysregulation of cardiac autonomic function. Conversely, smoking cessation is posited to improve cardiac regulation.
Fast and accurate testing of ISDN S/T interface devices using pseudo error rate techniques

A procedure for extrapolating bit error rates (BERs) from a digital data receiver's ability to decode degraded data properly has been developed for ISDN (integrated services digital network) S/T interface loops. Three methods of signal degradation are described: noise addition, jitter addition, and intersymbol interference. It is shown that pseudo-error-rate (PER) testing reduces test time significantly and can be easily adapted to other forms of digital transmission. 1-s PER tests replacing 2.5-min BER testing are discussed. Results indicate a high degree of repeatability and confidence levels exceeding 90%. PER testing of ISDN S/T interface devices will reduce functional test time to a few seconds or less compared with several minutes for BER testing. >
Development of an efficient on-chip digestion system for protein analysis using MALDI-TOF MS

A solid-phase trypsin microreactor was constructed and operated with electrokinetically-driven flow for the digestion of proteins and coupled off-line with MALDI-TOF MS. The bioreactor was fabricated from poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, by hot embossing using a mold master prepared by micro-milling. The solid-phase bioreactor consisted of a 4 cm long, 200 µm wide, and 50 µm deep microfluidic channel that was populated with an array of 50 µm diameter micropost structures with a 50 µm inter-post spacing. The bioreactor was prepared by covalently attaching the proteolytic enzyme, trypsin, to the UV-modified surface of the PMMA microstructures using the appropriate coupling reagents. The performance of the system was evaluated using a set of proteins. The bioreactor provided efficient digestion of cytochrome c at a field strength of 375 V/cm, producing a reaction time of approximately 20 s to produce 97% sequence coverage for protein identification. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), phosphorylase b, and β-casein were also assessed and the sequence coverages were 46, 63, and 79%, respectively, using the same reactor residence time. Furthermore, Escherichia coli was used as a model to demonstrate the feasibility of fingerprint analysis for intact cells using this solid-phase bioreactor.
A fertile mother Russia: pronatalist propaganda in revolutionary Russia.

The Soviet consultation with its attendant propaganda, visiting nurses, and vacation homes attempted to set science and the doctor as the ultimate authority in matters of child rearing in place of old authorities, deny the contention that motherhood was a natural ability of women, and take over the father's place in the home. Soviet health care policy bridged pre- and postrevolutionary thought, blurred the boundaries between public and private, and mirrored international natalist policies. However, the application of these policies conformed to Soviet concepts of citizens' duties and state imperatives.
Reliability simulator for interconnect and intermetallic contact electromigration

A previously developed model for predicting interconnect electromigration time-to-failure under arbitrary current waveforms is shown to be applicable to Al-W intermetallic contacts as well. This model is incorporated in a circuit electromigration reliability simulator which can (1) generate layout advisory for width and length of each interconnect, the safety factor of each contact and via in a circuit to meet user-specified reliability requirements and (2) estimate the overall circuit electromigration failure rate and/or cumulative percent failure. >
Assessment of transvalvular flow jet angle in aortic dilation patients using 4D flow jet shear layer detection method

Background Patients with aortic dilation often present an eccentric transvalvular flow jet. The angle of the flow jet from the aorta centerline, or the flow jet angle (FJA), has been reported as a risk factor in bicuspid aortic valve patients [1]. In recent studies we introduced a the jet shear layer detection (JSLD) method for the automated characterization of transvalvular flow structure across the aortic valve [2,3]. The objective of this study was to evaluate FJA in patients with aortic dilation using the 3D JSLD structure obtained from 4D flow MRI.
Competitive Reverse Transcriptase–Polymerase Chain Reaction Shows That Dietary Zinc Supplementation in Humans Increases Monocyte Metallothionein mRNA Levels

Zinc status is difficult to evaluate in humans. Metallothionein gene expression is transcriptionally regulated by dietary zinc and thus could serve as an assessment parameter based on zinc-dependent function. We used semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to establish that MT mRNA is increased in a human monocytic cell line by addition of zinc to the medium. To examine this response in human subjects, a dietary supplement of 50 mg zinc gluconate/d was given for 15 d. Monocytes were purified from venous blood using NycoPrep 1.068. Monocyte purity was determined by flow cytometry using fluorescent anti-human monocyte CD14 antibodies. Total monocyte RNA was extracted and converted to cDNA by reverse transcription. Competitive RT-PCR was used to analyze differences between cDNA levels that are proportional to MT mRNA levels in monocytes from zinc-supplemented and control subjects. RT-PCR oligonucleotide primers were designed to amplify both a 201 bp segment of the human MT cDNA and a 180 bp competitor cDNA template. The 180 bp competitor cDNA template was used for MT cDNA quantitation. The RT-PCR data show that there was a significant increase in monocyte MT mRNA in subjects within 6 d of zinc supplementation, which remained elevated at d 15 of supplementation. In contrast, plasma zinc was greater at d 6 of zinc supplementation, but by d 15 of supplementation, while still elevated, was close to control levels. These data suggest that monocyte MT mRNA levels respond to zinc supplementation and that the response could serve as a more useful assessment variable than plasma zinc for the measurement of zinc status in humans.
Energetics and dynamics of proton transfer reactions along short water wires.

Proton transfer (pT) reactions in biochemical processes are often mediated by chains of hydrogen-bonded water molecules. We use hybrid density functional calculations to study pT along quasi one-dimensional water arrays that connect an imidazolium–imidazole proton donor–acceptor pair. We characterize the structures of intermediates and transition states, the energetics, and the dynamics of the pT reactions, including vibrational contributions to kinetic isotope effects. In molecular dynamics simulations of pT transition paths, we find that for short water chains with four water molecules, the pT reactions are semi-concerted. The formation of a high-energy hydronium intermediate next to the proton-donating group is avoided by a simultaneous transfer of a proton from the donor to the first water molecule, and from the first water molecule into the water chain. Lowering the dielectric constant of the environment and increasing the water chain length both reduce the barrier for pT. We study the effect of the driving force on the energetics of the pT reaction by changing the proton affinity of the donor and acceptor groups through halogen and methyl substitutions. We find that the barrier of the pT reaction depends linearly on the proton affinity of the donor but is nearly independent of the proton affinity of the acceptor, corresponding to Bronsted slopes of one and zero, respectively.
Learning and transfer of category knowledge in an indirect categorization task

Knowledge representations acquired during category learning experiments are ‘tuned’ to the task goal. A useful paradigm to study category representations is indirect category learning. In the present article, we propose a new indirect categorization task called the “same”–“different” categorization task. The same–different categorization task is a regular same–different task, but the question asked to the participants is about the stimulus category membership instead of stimulus identity. Experiment 1 explores the possibility of indirectly learning rule-based and information-integration category structures using the new paradigm. The results suggest that there is little learning about the category structures resulting from an indirect categorization task unless the categories can be separated by a one-dimensional rule. Experiment 2 explores whether a category representation learned indirectly can be used in a direct classification task (and vice versa). The results suggest that previous categorical knowledge acquired during a direct classification task can be expressed in the same–different categorization task only when the categories can be separated by a rule that is easily verbalized. Implications of these results for categorization research are discussed.
Mechanisms for climate variability during glacial and interglacial periods

[1] This paper suggests and explores mechanisms relevant to millennial-scale climate variability during glacial periods. In particular, we present the results of model studies that are able to reproduce many aspects of observed glacial climate variability (e.g., Dansgaard-Oeschger oscillations) without external forcing and that provide a natural explanation for the prevalence of high-amplitude variability in glacial climates and the relative stability of the Holocene. We show that the role of sea ice is critical to cold climate variability because of the effective reduction in the high-latitude meridional sea surface temperature gradient resulting from sea ice expansion and the associated role of sea ice in inhibiting heat flux from the ocean to atmosphere. Thus as sea ice expands in a cooler climate, the high-latitude oceanic heat loss to the atmosphere is inhibited, the thermohaline circulation weakens, and the sinking regions move equatorward, leading to a shallower and weaker deep circulation. This weak circulation is unstable, and intermittent high-amplitude oscillations occur on a timescale and with a spatial structure very similar to Dansgaard-Oeschger cycles. Consistent results are found using both a three-dimensional ocean circulation model coupled to an energy balance atmospheric model and with a much simpler ocean box model. In general, freshening plays a secondary role in the weakening of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation. Significant freshening is required to alter the stable northern deepwater formation that occurs in a warm climate such as today's Holocene, but once this freshening threshold is achieved, the thermohaline circulation shifts to reverse overturning with sinking in the tropics.
DNA replication regulation protein Mcm7 as a marker of proliferation in prostate cancer.

Background: Recent studies have shown that minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins (Mcm2–7) may be useful proliferation markers in dysplasia and cancer in various tissues. Aims: To investigate the use of Mcm7 as a proliferation marker in 79 lymph node negative prostate cancers and compare it with Ki-67, a commonly used cell proliferation marker. Methods: The percentage of proliferating cells (proliferation index; PI) was calculated for basal and luminal epithelial cells in benign prostate tissue, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), and epithelial cells in adenocarcinoma. The PI for each biomarker was correlated with the preoperative prostate specific antigen concentration, the Gleason score, surgical resection margin status, and the AJCC pT stage for each patient. Results: The mean PIs for Ki-67 and Mcm7 were: benign luminal epithelium 0.7 and 1.2 and benign basal epithelium 0.8 and 8.2; PIN non-basal epithelium 4.9 and 10.6 and PIN basal epithelium 0.7 and 3.1; adenocarcinoma 9.8 and 22.7, respectively. Mcm7 had a significantly higher mean PI (p<0.0001) than Ki-67 for all cell categories except benign luminal epithelial cells. Mcm7 was a better discriminatory marker of proliferation between benign epithelium, PIN, and invasive adenocarcinoma (p<0.0001) than Ki-67. The drop in Mcm7 mean basal cell PI from benign epithelium to PIN epithelium was significantly larger than for Ki-67 (p<0.0001). Mcm7 had a significantly higher PI than Ki-67 at each risk level. Conclusion: Mcm7 may be a useful proliferation marker in prostatic neoplasia and warrants further evaluation as a complementary tool in the diagnosis of PIN and prostate carcinoma.
Optical holographic interconnects: categorization and potential efficient passive resonated holograms

We consider several aspects of holographic optical interconnects. First we outline the various categories of holographic interconnects. We then show that obtaining a large number of superimposed holographic interconnects, all of high efficiency, in one hologram is difficult with present materials. Resonant mirrors around the hologram are suggested as a solution. It is shown that, with four mirrors around a lossless hologram of low diffraction efficiency, it is possible to choose mirror reflectivities to provide 100% diffraction efficiency. Angular beam widths and a recommended configuration are also presented.
Maximum Likelihood for Social Science: Strategies for Analysis

This volume provides a practical introduction to the method of maximum likelihood as used in social science research. Ward and Ahlquist focus on applied computation in R and use real social science data from actual, published research. Unique among books at this level, it develops simulation-based tools for model evaluation and selection alongside statistical inference. The book covers standard models for categorical data as well as counts, duration data, and strategies for dealing with data missingness. By working through examples, math, and code, the authors build an understanding about the contexts in which maximum likelihood methods are useful and develop skills in translating mathematical statements into executable computer code. Readers will not only be taught to use likelihood-based tools and generate meaningful interpretations, but they will also acquire a solid foundation for continued study of more advanced statistical techniques.
Impact responses of the cervical spine: A computational study of the effects of muscle activity, torso constraint, and pre-flexion

Cervical spine injuries continue to be a costly societal problem. Future advancements in injury prevention depend on improved physical and computational models, which are predicated on a better understanding of the neck response during dynamic loading. Previous studies have shown that the tolerance of the neck is dependent on its initial position and its buckling behavior. This study uses a computational model to examine three important factors hypothesized to influence the loads experienced by vertebrae in the neck under compressive impact: muscle activation, torso constraints, and pre-flexion angle of the cervical spine. Since cadaver testing is not practical for large scale parametric analyses, these factors were studied using a previously validated computational model. On average, simulations with active muscles had 32% larger compressive forces and 25% larger shear forces-well in excess of what was expected from the muscle forces alone. In the short period of time required for neck injury, constraints on torso motion increased the average neck compression by less than 250N. The pre-flexion hypothesis was tested by examining pre-flexion angles from neutral (0°) to 64°. Increases in pre-flexion resulted in the largest increases in peak loads and the expression of higher-order buckling modes. Peak force and buckling modality were both very sensitive to pre-flexion angle. These results validate the relevance of prior cadaver models for neck injury and help explain the wide variety of cervical spine fractures that can result from ostensibly similar compressive loadings. They also give insight into the mechanistic differences between burst fractures and lower cervical spine dislocations.