cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comments on ``Ewald summation technique for one-dimensional charge distributions''

Abstract The article entitled “Ewald summation technique for one-dimensional charge distributions” by Langridge, Hart, and Crampin (Comput. Phys. Commun. 134 (2001) 78) introduces a technique for accelerating convergence of the lattice sums describing long-range electrostatic interactions in these systems. Unfortunately, because the work does not include connections to earlier relevant contributions, it does not address known computational problems associated with the proposed technique. These problems are reviewed and satisfactory methods for overcoming them are identified.
Enhanced calcium and magncsium absorption in premature in fants by feeding formulas containing medium chain triglyceride (MCT)

Enhanced calcium and magncsium absorption in premature in fants by feeding formulas containing medium chain triglyceride (MCT)
Commitment savings in informal banking markets

Abstract I study the provision of commitment savings by informal banks to sophisticated hyperbolic discounters. Since a consumer is subject to temptation in the period that he signs a contract, banks might exploit his desire for instant gratification even as they help him to commit for the future. Without banking, savings decisions and welfare are not monotonic in the degree of time-inconsistency. Consequently, commitment savings will lower welfare for moderately time-inconsistent agents. If loan contracts are enforceable, pure commitment savings will disappear. This will further lower welfare if the lender is a profit-maximizing bank, but raise welfare if the lender is a welfare-maximizing NGO. Finally, I consider the coexistence of a bank and NGO. There will be zero takeup of NGO-provided commitment savings if there is competition from a moneylender. But the NGO's offer will raise the agent's reservation utility, thus reducing the surplus that can be extracted by the moneylender.
Treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia with oral diltiazem.

Symptomatic paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia is a troubling arrhythmia for many patients. To test the efficacy of oral diltiazem to reduce symptomatic recurrences of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, we enrolled 17 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Sixteen of 17 patients completed a dose-ranging phase and were entered into the randomized phase. Although the time to first recurrence of tachycardia was slightly longer when patients took diltiazem, the difference was not significant (p = 0.15). The hazard ratio of the time to first recurrence on placebo compared with oral diltiazem was 2.7 (95% confidence interval, 0.8 to 9.1). Of the patients who had a recurrence of tachycardia in both treatment periods, the median reduction in heart rate in patients receiving diltiazem was 20 beats/min. (p < 0.01; 95% confidence interval, 6 to 42). Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1992) 51, 562–565; doi:10.1038/clpt.1992.63
Supervisory Training, Objective Setting, and Grade-Contingent Performance

This study assessed the impact of grade-contingent goal setting on the ability of graduate student supervisors-in-training to modify their conference behavior as a result of a formal academic super...
Loading and compressing Cs atoms in a very far-off-resonant light trap

We describe an experiment in which $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{7} \mathrm{Cs}$ atoms are loaded into a $400 \ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ crossed beam far-off-resonant trap (FORT) that is only $2 \ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{K}$ deep. A high-density sample is prepared in a magneto-optic trap, cooled in a three-dimensional far-off-resonant lattice (FORL), optically pumped into the lowest-energy state, adiabatically released from the FORL, magnetically levitated, and transferred to the final trap with a phase-space density of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}.$ Spontaneous emission in the FORT is negligible, and we have compressed the atoms in the FORT to a spatial density of $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13} {\mathrm{a}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{s}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{3}.$ Evaporative cooling under these conditions proceeds rapidly.
Teaching teachers: An investigation of beliefs in teacher education students

Influenced by work on learner-centred education, teacher efficacy and teachers’ concerns, we conducted an investigation of the influence of 185 preservice teachers’ teacher efficacy and concerns on their learner-centred beliefs. Learner-centred beliefs were selected for the purposes of this study as the best indicator of future teaching actions because these preservice teachers had not yet entered the classroom or engaged in teaching practices. Preservice teacher efficacy and concerns, individually and collectively, significantly influenced learner-centred beliefs. These findings indicate that teacher education can facilitate the development of learner-centred beliefs by addressing these trainable characteristics and demonstrate the need to further explore both teacher efficacy and concerns as they relate to learner-centred education within teacher education programs.
Continuous infusions of nizatidine are safe and effective in the treatment of intensive care unit patients at risk for stress gastritis. The Nizatidine Intensive Care Unit Study Group

This multicentre, randomized, parallel, double-blind study compared the safety and efficacy of nizatidine 20 and 10 mg/h with placebo. The objective was to maintain gastric pH > 4 in seriously ill patients at risk for stress gastritis. Gastric aspirate was obtained at 2-h intervals through a nasogastric tube after beginning study drug, and tested for pH and the presence of blood. Antacid doses (15 ml per dose) were individually adjusted and administered whenever the gastric pH was or = 4 (median total: 45 ml versus 180 ml, p < 0.001). Adverse clinical and laboratory events were similar or less frequent in the nizatidine groups compared with placebo. Nosocomial pneumonia occurred with very low frequency in all treatment groups.
Transglutaminase-1 regulates renal epithelial cell proliferation through activation of Stat-3.

Transglutaminase-1 (TGase-1) is a Ca2+-dependent enzyme capable of cross-linking a variety of proteins and promoting wound healing in the skin. In this study, we examined the role of TGase-1 in proliferation of renal proximal tubular cells (RPTC). TGase-1, but not TGase-2, -5, and -7, was expressed in RPTC. Treatment with monodansylcadarevine (MDC), a selective TGase inhibitor or down-regulation of TGase-1 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased RPTC proliferation. Proliferation of RPTC was accompanied by activation of Akt and Stat-3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription-3). Treatment with MDC or TGase-1 siRNA decreased Stat-3 but not Akt phosphorylation. Further studies showed that the Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) mediates phosphorylation of Stat-3, and knockdown of either JAK2 or Stat-3 by siRNA decreased RPTC proliferation. However, inhibition of TGase-1 decreased phosphorylation of Stat-3 but not JAK2. Overexpression of Stat-3, JAK2, and/or TGase-1 in RPTC revealed that JAK2 is indispensable for TGase-1 to induce Stat-3 phosphorylation and TGase-1 potentiates JAK2-induced Stat-3 phosphorylation. Consistent with these observations, we found that inhibition of TGase-1 and the JAK2-Stat-3 signaling pathway decreased the transcriptional activity of Stat-3 and expression of the Stat-3-targeted genes, cyclin D1 and cyclin E. Conversely, overexpresssion of TGase-1 enhanced the JAK2-dependent transcriptional activity of Stat-3. Finally, TGase-1 was found to interact with JAK2, and this interaction was inhibited by MDC. These results demonstrate that TGase-1 plays an important role in regulation of renal epithelial cell proliferation through the JAK2-Stat-3 signaling pathway.
Learning to control a dynamic physical system

This paper presents an approach to learning to control a dynamic physical system. The approach has been implemented in a program named CART, and applied to a simple physical system studied previously by several researchers. Experiments illustrate that a control method is learned in about 16 trials, an improvement over previous learning programs. Cet article propose une methode pour apprendre a controler un systeme physique dynamique. Cette methode a ete mise en oeuvre dans un programme intitule CART, et appliquee a un systeme physique simple etudie auparavant par plusieurs chercheurs. Des experiences demontrent qu'une methode de controle est apprise au bout d';environ 16 essais, ce qui represente une amelioration en comparaison avec les programmes d';apprentissage precedents.
Pathways for Small Molecule Delivery to the Central Nervous System across the Blood-Brain Barrier:

The treatment of central nervous system (CNS) disease has long been difficult due to the ineffectiveness of drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This review summarizes important concepts of the BBB in normal versus pathophysiology and how this physical, enzymatic, and efflux barrier provides necessary protection to the CNS during drug delivery, and consequently treatment challenging. Small molecules account for the vast majority of available CNS drugs primarily due to their ability to penetrate the phospholipid membrane of the BBB by passive or carrier-mediated mechanisms. Physiochemical and biological factors relevant for designing small molecules with optimal capabilities for BBB permeability are discussed, as well as the most promising classes of transporters suitable for small-molecule drug delivery. Clinically translatable imaging methodologies for detecting and quantifying drug uptake and targeting in the brain are discussed as a means of further understanding and refining delivery parameters for both drugs and imaging probes in preclinical and clinical domains. This information can be used as a guide to design drugs with preserved drug action and better delivery profiles for improved treatment outcomes over existing therapeutic approaches.
Impact of implementation of an embryo storage fee on embryo disposal activity.

Abstract Objective: To examine the impact of implementation of a new fee for continued storage of cryopreserved embryos on the rate of requests for disposal of embryos. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: A university-based assisted reproduction program. Patient(s): All patients with cryopreserved embryos. Intervention(s): Implementation of a semiannual embryo storage fee of $100 to cover administrative and laboratory costs. Main Outcome Measure(s): The number of embryo disposal requests before and after implementation of the embryo storage fee was compared in relation to the activity of the cryopreserved embryo program as measured by number of frozen embryo transfers. Result(s): Annual requests for embryo disposal from 1992 through 1997 ranged from zero to three, which represented 0–5% of the annual frozen embryo program activity. In contrast, a significantly higher number of disposal requests (10, representing 18% of program activity) were received in 1998. Conclusion(s): Fees for storage of cryopreserved embryos seem to influence patients' decisions about disposal of cryopreserved embryos.
Where You Stand Depends on How You Think: Economic Ideas, the Decline of the Council of Economic Advisers and the Rise of the Federal Reserve

Over the post-Second World War era, the eclipse of incomes policies as overseen by the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), in favour of reliance on monetary policy as employed by the Federal Reserv...
A comparative study of sodium bicarbonate and carbicarb in the treatment of metabolic acidosis induced by Hemorrhagic Shock

Abstract "Carbicarb" (CBC; International Medication Systems, South El Monte, CA) is a new alkalinizing agent composed of equimolar NaHCO 3 and NasCO 3 , each salt 13 mol/L in concentration. We compared CBC with 1 mol/L NaHCO 3 in the treatment of lactic acidosis in dogs with hemorrhagic shock. Carbon dioxide excretion from the lungs (CO 2 output), along with arterial and mixed venous PCO 2 , increased significantly less with CBC than with NaHCO 3 for 30 minutes following therapy. Arterial pH increased more with CBC than with NaHCO 3 for the first five minutes of therapy. Both alkaline solutions produced increases in mean arterial pressure, cardiac output, oxygen delivery, and oxygen consumption. These increases were not significantly different for the two solutions. CBC injection did not result in any damage to RBCs or to the endothelium of peripheral veins.
Possible unified interpretation of low-lying negative parity states in lanthanide and actinide regions☆

Abstract The problem of the origin of low-lying negative parity states in radium and thorium isotopes is addressed via the examination of the systematic behavior of excitation energies of 11− and 31− states in the Z = 82–94 region and the comparison of the observed trends to those seen in a systematic study of octupole vibrational states in the Z = 56–82 region. These trends are qualitatively analyzed in terms of a simple description of octupole vibrations, and experimental approaches to discriminating among the several theoretical models proposed for the radium-thorium nuclei are suggested.
Effect of hospital volume and teaching status on outcomes of acute liver failure

Acute liver failure (ALF) often requires multidisciplinary support. Higher hospital volumes have been associated with better outcomes for surgical procedures, but whether such a relationship exists for ALF has not been explored previously. In this study, our aim was to examine if hospital volume affects mortality from ALF. Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2001 to 2004, we identified cases by the presence of a primary discharge diagnosis of ALF (International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification code 570.x). Hospitals were divided into low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals on the basis of 1 to 5, 6 to 20, and more than 20 annual ALF discharges. There were 17,361, 6756, and 1790 discharges with ALF from low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals, respectively. There was no difference in adjusted mortality between low- and high-volume hospitals (odds ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.68-1.28). Teaching hospitals had a trend toward lower mortality among patients with hepatic encephalopathy (odds ratio 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.47-1.01). High-volume centers had a higher rate of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) primarily because they were transplant centers, had better in-hospital post-OLT survival, and showed a trend toward a shorter time to OLT. In conclusion, patients with ALF receiving care at teaching hospitals and high-volume centers tend to be sicker. However, teaching hospitals and high-volume centers have equivalent in-hospital survival despite caring for this more severely ill cohort. Liver Transpl 14:1347–1356, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Transposon Mutagenesis To Improve the Growth of Recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae on d-Xylose

Saccharomyces cerevisiae L2612 transformed with genes for xylose reductase and xylitol dehydrogenase ( XYL1 and XYL2 ) grows well on glucose but very poorly on d-xylose. When a gene for d-xylulokinase ( XYL3 or XKS1 ) is overexpressed, growth on glucose is unaffected, but growth on xylose is blocked. Spontaneous or chemically induced mutants of this engineered yeast that would grow on xylose could, however, be obtained. We therefore used insertional transposon mutagenesis to identify two loci that can relieve this xylose-specific growth inhibition. One is within the open reading frame (ORF) of PHO13 , and the other is approximately 500 bp upstream from the TAL1 ORF. Deletion of PHO13 or overexpression of TAL1 resulted in a phenotype similar to the insertional mutation events. Quantitative PCR showed that deletion of PHO13 increased transcripts for TAL1 , indicating that the growth inhibition imposed by the overexpression of XYL3 on xylose can be relieved by an overexpression of transcripts for downstream enzymes. These results may be useful in constructing better xylose-fermenting S. cerevisiae strains.
Crystallization and Structural Characterization of Dimeric and Trimeric Forms of (Neocuproine)CdFe(CO)4

The previously reported (neocuproine)CdFe(CO)4 has been found to crystallize as either a dimer or a trimer depending on the procedure used. These species exist as nearly planar four- and six-membered rings composed of alternating cadmium and iron atoms. The trimeric form is reasonably similar to its 2,2′-bipyridyl analogue, while the dimeric form had not been observed previously for a CdFe(CO)4 complex. The space group for the dimeric isomer is C2/c, with (3), (2), (2) A, and (11)°, while for the trimeric isomer the space group is P, with (1), (1), (2) A, (3)°, (4)°, and (5)°.
Implications of Causality for Faster-than-Light Matter

A causal anomaly for signals or particles traveling faster than the speed of light is described. The reinterpretation of "negative-energy particles traveling backwards in time" as positive-energy particles traveling forward in time fails to resolve the paradox. Uncertainties in velocities and times introduced by quantum-mechanical considerations also fail to resolve the paradox.
EGLN3 Prolyl Hydroxylase Regulates Skeletal Muscle Differentiation and Myogenin Protein Stability

EGLN3, a member of the EGLN family of prolyl hydroxylases, has been shown to catalyze hydroxylation of the alpha subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha, which targets hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha for ubiquitination by a ubiquitin ligase complex containing the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor. We now report that EGLN3 levels increase during C2C12 skeletal myoblast differentiation. EGLN3 small interference RNAs and EGLN3 antisense oligonucleotides blocked C2C12 differentiation and decreased levels of myogenin, a member of the MyoD family of myogenic regulatory factors, which plays a critical role in myogenic differentiation. We also report that EGLN3 interacts with and stabilizes myogenin protein, whereas VHL associates with and destabilizes myogenin via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The effect of VHL on myogenin stability and ubiquitination can be reversed, at least in part, by overexpression of EGLN3, suggesting that its binding to myogenin may prevent VHL-mediated degradation. These data demonstrate a novel role for EGLN3 in regulating skeletal muscle differentiation and gene expression. In addition, this report provides evidence for a novel pathway that regulates myogenin expression and skeletal muscle differentiation.
Performance of high‐power lithium‐ion cells under pulse discharge and charge conditions

Lithium-ion cells being designed for transportation applications must sustain high current pulses under rapid discharge and rapid charge conditions without significant degradation of cell performance. In this article we examine the pulse discharge and charge performance of cells, containing a LiNi 0.8 Co 0.15 Al 0.05 O 2 -based cathode, a graphite-based anode, and a LiPF 6 -bearing EC:EMC electrolyte, at current rates ranging from 3 to 25 C. Impedance data indicate that 18650-type cells containing this chemistry can withstand 18s discharge pulses at rates up to 17 C in the 3.7-4.0V voltage window. Data from cells containing a LiSn micro-reference electrode show that the positive electrode impedance increases, whereas the negative electrode impedance decreases, with increasing magnitude of the discharge current pulse. The discharge pulse-current that can be sustained by the cell is limited by lithium diffusion into oxide particles of the positive electrode.
Comparative differences and combined effects of interleukin-8, leukotriene B4, and platelet-activating factor on neutrophil chemotaxis of the newborn.

ABSTRACT: IL-8, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and platelet-activating factor (PAF) are potent neutrophil chemoattractants that have been identified in inflammatory conditions of the newborn such as chronic lung disease of extreme prematurity. The aims of this study were to determine the relative potency and combined effects of these mediators on chemotaxis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from the newborn and to compare the effect of combining all three mediators on chemotaxis of PMN from newborns and adults. Neutrophils were isolated from cord blood (n = 17) or healthy adults (n = 4) and incubated in a 3-tier, 48-well chemotaxis chamber. For PMN from newborns, using chemoattractant concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 100 nM, we found that there were significant differences in potency: IL-8 > LTB4 > PAF. Migration to each of these mediators was almost completely due to chemotaxis as opposed to chemokinesis. At submaximal chemotaxis, using equally effective doses of IL-8 (0.2 nM), LTB4 (1.0 nM), and PAF (10 nM), the combination of all three mediators increased chemotaxis 2.4-fold above the average individual responses. Further studies indicated this increase in chemotaxis was due to the combination of IL-8 and PAF or IL-8 and LTB4; but there was no increase in chemotaxis when PAF and LTB4 were combined. The combination of all three submaximal doses of chemoattractants resulted in PMN chemotaxis that was still 36% of the adult response. We conclude that for neutrophils from the newborn: 1) IL-8 is a potent stimulus that has additive effects on chemotaxis in combination with either LTB4 or PAF, 2) the combination of LTB4 and PAF did not have an additive effect on chemotaxis, and 3) in spite of enhanced chemotaxis by more than one stimuli, the response is still significantly lower than for neutrophils from adults.
Alabi's World

Alabi's World. Richard Price. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1990. xx. 444pp. $59.95 (cloth), $18.95 (paper). ISBN 0-8018-3862-2, ISBN 0-8018-3956-4.
Propagation and break-up of pre-chirped N-soliton pulses in anomalous optical fibers

With the advent of disperion-managed communications systems, the practice of pre-chirping pulses is becoming increasingly commonplace.
The Baldwin Hills reservoir failure

I think it would be a good idea if I start by describing what my affiliation with Baldwin Hills was. The failure happened, as we know, in December 1963. Within a day or so after the failure the mayor of Los Angeles under (as you might understand) certain pressures formed what was called locally, "a blue-ribbon committee". It consisted of several professors from different universities around the Los Angeles area and was chaired by a retired judge. It had a lawyer in the group, and representatives of different areas among the professors: the seismic, soil mechanics (me), and geology areas, and a professor who was in the petroleum area. We did a very cursory study of the failure, in a few weeks, because we had a deadline. The mayor had angry citizens' groups to address and had to ameliorate things by showing that he was doing something, so we had to prepare a report by something like February. This meant a rather brief study of everything. The report was fairly inclusive; I will refer to one or two things in it here that Mr. Jansen did not treat, but it had to be done under a deadline. That was the end of my immediate involvement except for getting the State Board of Inquiry report a few months later with the immensely thorough job that they did in digging trenches, and generally doing things to the reservoir that it had not experienced during the failure. There followed a long gap in which Don Hudson, a seismological person, and I at Cal Tech prepared a little paper pointing out what our view was at that time on the role of fault movements in the failure of the reservoir; it appeared a couple of years later. Nothing else happened for quite some time, until in 1969 I was approached by Stan Wilson who was working at that time with Professor Casagrande for Standard Oil Company as a result of the suit which had been brought against the combined oil companies by, I think, the insurance companies and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP). Immediately after the reservoir failed, of course, there were a great many claims for damages, and after a certain amount of nudging, the insurance companies paid off on these claims to the tune of something like $15,000,000. I was then employed by Mr. Wilson on behalf of that oil company group; my checks came from Standard Oil. So I want to make quite clear what my involvement was at that time. I was paid by Standard Oil. For the mayor's Board of Inquiry I was (somewhat resentfully) not paid by anybody, of course. That is part of being a good citizen.
The Brain on Stress: Toward an Integrative Approach to Brain, Body and Behavior

The discovery of stress-hormone receptors in the hippocampal formation has fostered research showing that the brain, including its higher cognitive centers, is the key organ of the response to stressors, in terms of both perception of what is stressful and its ability to determine the consequences of stress for brain and body via the neuroendocrine, autonomic, immune, and metabolic systems. These systems, in turn, are responsible for either successful adaptation or pathophysiology as a result of the cumulative burden of adaptation to stress and maladaptive lifestyle, which is known as "allostatic load." The brain itself is also a target of stress and stress-related hormones, and it undergoes structural and functional remodeling and significant changes in gene expression. These changes are adaptive under normal circumstances but can lead to damage when stress is excessive. The growing recognition of the adaptive plasticity and stress vulnerability of the brain itself, which began with research on the hippocampus, now includes other brain regions such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex and fear-related memories, working memory, and self-regulatory behaviors. The interactions between these brain regions during the biological embedding of experiences over the life course determines whether events in the social and physical environment will lead to successful adaptation or to maladaptation and impaired mental and physical health, with implications for understanding health disparities and the impact of early life adversity and for intervention and prevention strategies.
Relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed by flexible bronchoscopy

Pulmonary relapse of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) occurred in a 10-year-old girl who presented with cough, blood-tinged sputum, and chest tightness. The diagnosis of Ki-1 (CD30) anaplastic large-cell lymphoma was established using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbronchial biopsy (TBB). These procedures demonstrated malignant cells that stained positive for CD30 and had the t(2;5) translocation, thereby avoiding the need for an open lung biopsy.
Cochlear cytogenesis visualized through pulse labeling of chick embryos in culture

Cytogenesis in the basilar papilla sensory epithelium of the chicken was investigated through pulse labeling of proliferative cells. Tritiated-thymidine was injected intravenously in chick embryos cultured in petri dishes. All embryos received the injection on the seventh day of incubation (E7), when the progenitors of hair cells and supporting cells are replicating deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Cells that were in the synthesis phase of the cell cycle, either at the time of the 3H-thymidine pulse or within 2 hours, incorporated detectable levels of the radioactive DNA precursor. Labeled cells were identified in cochleae from embryos fixed at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 hours, 6 and 8 days after the pulse. One hour after the injection the majority of labeled nuclei were in the basal and middle strate of the sensory epithelium. Four to 6 hours after the injection, a greater number of labeled cells appeared in the lumenal stratum. The patterns of labeled cells in embryos fixed immediately after the injection of 3H-thymidine and in others fixed 6 to 8 days after the injection were unchanged, suggesting that the progenitor cells divide and their progeny differentiate in the sensory epithelium without appreciable transverse migration. Mitotic figures were usually observed only in the lumenal stratum. Analysis of DNA content in the population of Feulgen-stained nuclei at three levels of depth through the epithelium also produced results consistent with the conclusion that vertical nuclear migration occurs during development of the cells in this sensory epithelium. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estrogen receptor-β expression in invasive breast cancer in relation to molecular phenotype: results from the Nurses' Health Study

The expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) and related genes has emerged as one of the major determinants of molecular classification of invasive breast cancers. Expression of a second ER, estrogen receptor-beta (ER-beta), has not been previously evaluated in a large population-based study. Therefore, we examined ER-beta expression in a large population of women with breast cancer to assess its relationship to molecular categories of invasive breast cancer. We constructed tissue microarrays from paraffin blocks of 3093 breast cancers that developed in women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study. Tissue microarray sections were immunostained for ER-alpha, progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), cytokeratin 5/6, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and with a monoclonal antibody to ER-beta. Cancers were categorized as luminal A (ER-alpha+ and/or PR+ and HER2-); luminal B (ER-alpha+ and/or PR+ and HER2+); HER2 (ER-alpha- and PR- and HER2+); and basal-like (ER-alpha-, PR-, HER2- and EGFR or cytokeratin 5/6+). The relationship between expression of ER-beta and molecular class of invasive breast cancer was analyzed. Overall, 68% of breast carcinomas were ER-beta+. Expression of ER-beta was significantly associated with expression of ER-alpha (P<0.0001) and PR (P<0.0001), and was inversely related to expression of HER2 (P=0.004), CK5/6 (P=0.02) and EGFR (P=0.006). Among 2170 invasive cancers with complete immunophenotypic data, 73% were luminal A, 5% luminal B, 6 % HER2 and 11% basal-like. ER-beta expression was significantly related to molecular category (P<0.0001) and was more common in luminal A (72% of cases) and B (68% of cases) than in HER2 or basal-like types. However, despite their being defined by the absence of ER-alpha expression, 55% of HER2-type and 60% of basal-like cancers showed expression of ER-beta. The role of ER-beta in the development and progression of breast cancers defined by lack of expression of ER-alpha merits further investigation.
Use of botulinum toxin in individuals with neurogenic detrusor overactivity: State of the art review

Background Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection into the bladder wall has been shown to be an effective alternative to anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) medications and more invasive surgery in those with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) and urinary incontinence who are not tolerating anticholinergic medications. In August 2011, Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA) received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for this use. Clinically, intradetrusor injection of BoNT has been found to decrease urinary incontinence and improve quality of life. Its impact on urodynamic parameters is an increase in the maximum cystometric (bladder) capacity and decrease in the maximum detrusor pressures. The most common side effects are urinary tract infections and urinary retention. There have been rare reports and a black box warning of distant spread of BoNT. BoNT has gained popularity because of its effectiveness and long duration of action, relative ease of administrati...
Temporary relocation of testes to the anterior abdominal wall before radiation therapy of the pelvis or perineum

Recent advances in the treatment of pelvic malignancies in children has resulted in an increased life expectancy. In the past, treatment of soft tissue sarcomas with simple surgical excision resulted in a recurrence rate of approximately 75%. Combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery have significantly altered the outcome of advanced pelvic soft tissue sarcomas. With the improved survival rate of patients treated with combination therapy, sterility secondary to radiation therapy has become an issue. As little as 600 rads to the gonads may result in sterility later in life. To alleviate this problem, relocating the gonads from the field of radiation has been suggested. In this report, we present a novel approach in which the testes are wrapped in SILASTIC (Dow Corning, Midland, MI) sheaths and are relocated temporarily into the anterior abdominal wall away from the radiation field. This alternative surgical approach should be considered in boys who are afflicted with a pelvic/perineal malignancy requiring radiation therapy.
A high power coaxial TWT for wide-band millimeter wave amplification

To achieve an average power level of ten kilowatts or better at high gain over a wide band in the millimeter range, consideration is given to the coaxial TWT device. A thin, hollow beam, focused by a periodic coaxial permanent magnet array, is passed between helices of a novel contra-wound, multifilar helix circuit. Relief in the requisite magnetic field levels and in the thermal dissipation density level is very significant in circuits of large radii. The space harmonic structure of the multifilar helix circuit makes possible frequency extension of the helix-type circuit into the millimeter regime. Wide band performance (>40 percent) is derivable for multi-start helices deposited upon thin-walled dielectric tubes having metallic wall termination. A generalized modal analysis of practical circuits has indicated favorable dispersion and beam coupling impedance characteristics to be achievable. Adverse band splitting effects stemming from mechanical non-concentricity among the fast symmetric mode and various independent backward wave modes of high azimuthal numbers are believed to be manageable by standard techniques. To achieve seven kilowatts of average power, a multistart circuit of 12.7-cm median diameter interacts with a hollow beam (10A at 8.3 kV) over a 15-cm length, providing 52 dB gain at 35 GHz and 40 percent bandwidth. Standard small and large signal (2- D) analyses, adapted for coaxial interaction and periodic coaxial magnetic focusing has been developed for these design investigations. Profiled loss patterns have been included in these determinations.
Increase in tumor pO2 by perfluorochemicals and carbogen.

The effects of perfluorochemicals (Fluosol-DA) in combination with carbogen (95% O2 and 5% CO2) breathing on the tumor pO2 was investigated. The pO2 in RIF-1 tumors grown in the leg of C3H mice was determined by polarographic method using oxygen microelectrodes with diameters of 50–60 μm. The average and median pO2 in the control RIF-1 tumors was about 13 mm Hg and 6 mm Hg, respectively. Carbogen breathing alone could cause a significant increase in pO2 in some tumors and Fluosol-DA injection (i.v.) alone caused a slight change in tumor pO2. When the animals were treated with both Fluosol-DA injection and carbogen breathing, the pO2 markedly increased in most of the tumors resulting in an average and median tumor pO2 of 80 mm Hg and 60 mm Hg, respectively. Such an increase in tumor pO2 may account for the previous observations by us and others that the response of experimental tumors to radiation could be markedly increased by treating the tumor-bearing animals with carbogen and Fluosol-DA.
Childhood Cancer Mortality in U.S.A, and Japan

Study was made of mortality rates for 5 leading childhood cancers over 2 time intervals in the U.S. nd 3 in Japan. The U.S. rates changed very little over time, and, though the Japanese rates increased progressively, they still were well below those for the U.S. for each site considered. A peak in leukemia mortality appears to be emerging at 3 years of age in Japan as it did 25 years ago among U.S. white children. Kidney neoplasia (principally Wilms' tumor) appears from mortality data to be much less frequent and to have an earlier peak in Japan than in the U. S. The explanation of this difference awaits the accumulation of additional information through Japanese childhood cancer registries. Preliminary results from these registries suggest that the large differences between the U.S.A.nd Japan in mortality from neuroblastoma may be a consequence of dissimilar diagnostic or classification practice.
The comparison between trade-in and leasing of a product with technology innovations☆

Abstract Companies can adopt trade-in and/or leasing to shorten consumers׳ upgrade cycle and gain control over secondary markets. In this paper, we consider a monopolistic manufacturer who offers a technology product to a market consisting of heterogeneous consumers. We focus on an exogenous, stochastic innovation process that determines the availability of new technology and consequently, residual value of the current product. We derive the optimal pricing strategy of trade-in and leasing, respectively, examine its impact on the manufacturer׳s expected profit, and compare the performance of the two strategies. Trade-in protects the manufacturer against residual value risk and allows the flexibility of offering the option at different innovation states separately. Leasing, on the other hand, provides the manufacturer an opportunity to circumvent low new product prices and thus increases expected profit when product reuse profitability is high. The interplay between the two forces, product reuse profitability and new product price, determines the preference between trade-in and leasing. Our findings provide monopolistic manufacturers guidance on how to optimally employ the trade-in and leasing strategies.
Dexamethasone suppression of the effects of cocaine on adrenocortical secretion in Lewis and Fischer rats.

There is evidence to suggest that cocaine acts centrally to enhance adrenocortical secretory activity and this effect may be associated with the reinforcing properties of this drug. Lewis (LEW) and Fischer (F344) rats are inbred strains which differ in their responses to the reinforcing effects of cocaine. Previous findings from this laboratory have demonstrated differences in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) responses to cocaine between these strains. To determine whether strain differences in glucocorticoid responsiveness play a role in the differential effects of cocaine on plasma corticosterone (CS) secretion in these strains, experiments were designed to suppress the HPA response to cocaine in these two rat strains. HPA activity was attenuated by central administration of the glucocorticoid agonist dexamethasone (DEX) using osmotic minipumps. A constant infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid or DEX (50, 100 or 500 ng/h) was delivered into the lateral ventricle of LEW and F344 rats. Four days later, the rats were challenged with cocaine HCl (0, 20 and 40 mg/kg, IP), and the plasma CS response 15 min later was quantified. Cocaine-induced alterations in circulating plasma CS were reduced in a dose-related manner by centrally administered DEX in both strains. Significant strain differences in the effects of DEX on the plasma CS response to cocaine were observed, suggesting that LEW rats were more sensitive to DEX suppression of HPA activity than F344 rats. DEX also produced dose-related effects on body weight in both strains and decreased adrenal weight at the highest dose in F344 rats. Blood collected on the final day of the experiment demonstrated that central infusions of DEX decreased plasma ACTH concentrations in both strains compared to control rats. These studies indicate that central administration of DEX produces a feedback inhibition of cocaine-induced glucocorticoid release and that LEW rats are more sensitive to DEX suppression than F344 rats.
In vitro extracellular recording from nigral dopamine neurons following continuous d-amphetamine infusion

Single nigral dopamine neurons were extracellularly recorded in vitro after withdrawal from continuous d-amphetamine sulfate infusion (5.0 mg/kg per day for 7 days via subcutaneous osmotic minipumps). Seven days after withdrawal, the dopamine neurons were supersensitive to impulse-inhibition by dopamine. This increased sensitivity suggests a supersensitivity of soma/dendritic autoreceptors on these neurons, as we previously hypothesized based on a supersensitivity to intravenous apomorphine. In contrast to the day 7, the withdrawal day 1 was associated with a normosensitivity to dopamine, suggesting that the apomorphine subsensitivity observed in vivo on this day may be secondary to non-autoreceptor changes.
Vested Interest theory and disaster preparedness

Three studies were designed to extend a combination of vested interest theory (VI) and the extended parallel process model of fear appeals (EPPM) to provide formative research for creating more effective disaster preparedness social action campaigns. The aim was to develop an effective VI scale for assessing individual awareness and 'vestedness' relevant to disaster preparedness. Typical preparedness behaviours are discussed with emphasis on earthquakes and tornados in particular. Brief overviews of VI and the EPPM are offered, and findings are presented from three studies (one dealing with earthquakes, and two with tornados) conducted to determine the factor structure of the key VI components involved, and to develop and test subscales derived from the two theories. The paper finishes with a discussion of future research needs and suggestions on how the new subscales may be applied in the design and execution of more effective disaster preparedness campaigns.
Rapid, enhanced detection of Salmonella Typhimurium on fresh spinach leaves using micron-scale, phage-coated magnetoelastic biosensors

In order to cost-effectively and rapidly detect bacterial food contamination in the field, the potential usefulness of phage-coated magnetoelastic (ME) biosensors has been recently reported. These biosensors are freestanding, mass-sensitive biosensors that can be easily batch-fabricated, thereby reducing the fabrication cost per sensor to a fraction of a cent. In addition, the biosensors can be directly placed on fresh produce surfaces and used to rapidly monitor possible bacterial food contamination without any preceding sample preparation. Previous investigations showed that the limit of detection (LOD) with millimeter-scale ME biosensors was fairly low for fresh produce with smooth surfaces (e.g., tomatoes and shell eggs). However, the LOD is anticipated to be dependent on the size of the biosensors as well as the topography of produce surfaces of interest. This paper presents an investigation into the use of micron-scale, phage-coated ME biosensors for the enhanced detection of Salmonella Typhimurium on fresh spinach leaves.
Nanoscale patterning of chemical order induced by displacement cascades in irradiated alloys. I. A kinetic Monte Carlo study

Dense displacement cascades produced by irradiation with energetic particles lead to the formation of disordered zones in chemically ordered alloys. At temperatures below the order-disorder transition, these disordered zones, whose sizes range from a few to several nanometers, are annealed out by thermally activated atomic migration. Under sustained irradiation, the competition between these two dynamics may drive the system into various steady states of order. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations are employed to identify these steady states in a model binary alloy that forms an $L{1}_{2}$ ordered phase at equilibrium. Besides the expected long-range ordered and disordered steady states, a new state is observed, where the microstructure is comprised of well-ordered domains of finite size. This steady-state patterning of order is identified by direct visualizations of the configurations, and by using an effective fluctuation-dissipation formula to analyze the behavior of the fluctuations of order upon approaching the long-range ordered steady state. It is shown that the patterning state becomes stable only when the disordered zones exceed a threshold size. Above this threshold size, reordering of cascade-induced disordered zones proceeds in two stages: new antiphase domains form first, and then shrink to the benefit of the matrix. This two-stage reordering is at the origin of the dynamical stabilization of patterns of order. The present results, which indicate that ion-beam processing could be used to synthesize ordered nanocomposites with tunable sizes, call for specific experimental tests.
Surgical advances in donor selection and management for heart and lung transplantation

Purpose of reviewThe population of patients with end stage heart failure andlung disease is growing, but the number of transplantsperformed has been limited by an inadequate supply oforgans. Attention has focused on liberalizing donor criteriato maximize the number of available organs, and onimproving critical care and preservation techniques tooptimize their quality.Recent findingsGeneral criteria including age, gender matching, size,cause of death, and infection as well as organ specificcriteria like coronary artery disease, smoking history,asthma, and ischemic time have been extended with littleimpact on short term outcome. Better understanding of thesystemic affects of brain death has led to improved donorcare and more usable organs. Long-term follow up data onthe effects of these changes has become available. Thisallows further insight into the risk calculations necessary tomatch extended criteria donors to specific recipients.SummaryAccurate risk assessment of using extended criteria donororgans against the individual’s risk of dying on the waitinglist is becoming increasingly complex and is essential forachieving successful outcomes in the current environmentof thoracic transplantation.Keywordsdonor management, donor selection, heart transplantation,lung transplantation
Optimization of join operations in horizontally partitioned database systems

This paper analyzes the problem of joining two horizontally partitioned relations in a distributed database system. Two types of semijoin strategies are introduced, local and remote. Local semijoins are performed at the site of the restricted relation (or fragment), and remote semijoins can be performed at an arbitrary site. A mathematical model of a semijoin strategy for the case of remote semijoins is developed, and lower bounding and heuristic procedures are proposed. The results of computational experiments are reported. The experiments include an analysis of the heuristics' performance relative to the lower bounds, sensitivity analysis, and error analysis. These results reveal a good performance of the heuristic procedures, and demonstrate the benefit of using semijoin operations to reduce the size of fragments prior to their transmission. The algorithms for the case of remote semijoins were found to be superior to the algorithms for the case of local semijoins. In addition, we found that the estimation accuracy of the selectivity factors has a significant effect on the incurred communication cost.
Adult visitation and permanency for children following residential treatment

Abstract The absence of parents for foster children in residential treatment undermines the known positive effects of parental visits during treatment on children's permanency. To date, little attention has been given to the scope and role of visitation by non-parental adults. This study utilized clinical data from a residential treatment center for children to examine the patterns of adult visitation during treatment and their effects on children's permanency at and 6 months following discharge. Different types of relationships including parents, extended family and non-family adults, and various measures of visitation, such as frequency and regularity of visits, were included in descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results showed that while children had the most number of visits from parents compared to other visitors, non-family visitors were just as likely to visit regularly. Logistic regression analysis indicated that having parent visitors only as opposed to having parents and other visitors was positively associated with permanency at and 6 months after discharge. In addition, controlling for composition of visitors and age at discharge, more visits by non-family increased the likelihood of permanency. Implications for practice and theory are discussed.