cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence and mortality of obstructive lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based study.

Objective Pulmonary disease represents an important extraarticular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While the association of RA and interstitial lung disease is widely acknowledged, obstructive lung disease (OLD) in RA is less well understood. We therefore aimed to assess the incidence, risk factors, and mortality of OLD in patients with RA. Methods We examined a population-based incident cohort of patients with RA and a comparison cohort of individuals without RA. OLD was defined using a strict composite criterion. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare OLD incidence between the RA and comparator cohorts to investigate risk factors and to explore the impact of OLD on patient survival. Results A total of 594 patients with RA and 596 subjects without RA were followed for a mean of 16.3 and 19.4 years, respectively. The lifetime risk of developing OLD was 9.6% for RA patients and 6.2% for subjects without RA (hazard ratio [HR] 1.54, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.01–2.34). The risk of developing OLD was higher among male patients, among current or former smokers, and for individuals with more severe RA. Survival of RA patients diagnosed with OLD was worse compared to those without OLD (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.47–2.97). Conclusion Patients with RA are at higher risk of developing OLD, which is significantly associated with premature mortality. Effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to detect and manage OLD in patients with RA may help to improve survival in these patients.
GPU programming in a high level language: compiling X10 to CUDA

GPU architectures have emerged as a viable way of considerably improving performance for appropriate applications. Program fragments (kernels) appropriate for GPU execution can be implemented in CUDA or OpenCL and glued into an application via an API.While there is plenty of evidence of performance improvements using this approach, there are many issues with productivity. Programmers must understand an additional programming model and API to program the accelerator; concurrency and synchronization in this programming model is typically expressed differently from the programming model for the host. On top of this, the languages used to write kernels are very low level and thus prone to the kinds of errors that one does not encounter in higher level languages. Programmers must explicitly deal with moving data back-and-forth between the host and the accelerator. These problems are compounded when the user code must be run across a cluster of accelerated nodes. Now the host programming model must further be extended with constructs to deal with scale-out and remote accelerators. We believe there is a critical need for a single source programming model that can be used to write clean, efficient code for heterogeneous, multi-core and scale-out architectures.The APGAS programming model has been developed for such architectures over the past six years. APGAS is based on four fundamental (and architecture-independent) notions: locality, asynchrony, conditional atomicity and order. X10 is an instantiation of the APGAS programming model on top of a base sequential language with Java-style productivity. Earlier work has shown that X10 can be used to write clean and efficient code for homogeneous multi-cores, SMPs, Cell-accelerated nodes, and clusters of such nodes. In this paper we show how X10 programmers can write code that can be compiled and run on GPUs. GPU programming idioms such as threads, blocks, barriers, constant memory, local registers, shared memory variables, etc. can be directly expressed in X10, and do not require new language extensions. We present the design of an extension of the X10-to-C++ compiler which recognizes such idioms and produces CUDA kernel code. We show several benchmarks written in this style. The performance of these kernels is within 80% of hand-written CUDA kernels.We believe these results establish X10 as a single-source programming language in which clean, efficient programs can be written for GPU-accelerated clusters.
Efficient estimation of sensory thresholds with ML-PEST

A set of C and C+2 routines are described that allow the efficient estimation of sensory thresholds in psychophysical experiments using a maximum-likelihood staircase procedure. They have been used effectively in visual, auditory, gustatory, and olfactory psychophysics.
Combined Carotid Endarterectomy and Coronary Artery Bypass: Immediate and Long-Term Results

Data from 213 cases of simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting (CEN/CABG) were analyzed (1980–1996). There were 154 males (72.3%), and 59 females (27.7%), (mean age: 65.6 years, range: 42–83). One hundred and thirty-two patients (62.0%) had angina, 58 (37.2%) had myocardial infarction, and 23 (10.8%) had congestive heart failure. Symptomatic cerebrovascular disease was present in 89 patients (41.7%). One hundred and twenty-two patients (57.2%) had three-vessel coronary artery disease, 41 (19.2%) had left main disease, and 27 (12.6%) had a low ejection fraction (ejection fraction ≤30%). Significant (≥ 75% diameter reduction) stenosis was present in 168 (78.8%) of the operated carotid arteries. The contralateral internal carotid artery was severely stenosed or occluded in 35 patients (16.4%). The hospital mortality rate was 5.6% (12 patients). The cause of death was cardiac in ten patients (4.6%), and neurologic in two (1%). Eleven patients (5.1%) developed a stroke post-operatively; eight strokes were ipsilateral to the operated artery, and six were permanent. Myocardial infarction occurred in five patients (2.3%). Independent predictors of early mortality were age >62 years, hypertension, and postoperative stroke ( p p
Identification of a Broad-Spectrum Inhibitor of Viral RNA Synthesis: Validation of a Prototype Virus-Based Approach

There are no approved therapeutics for the most deadly nonsegmented negative-strand (NNS) RNA viruses, including Ebola (EBOV). To identify chemical scaffolds for the development of broad-spectrum antivirals, we undertook a prototype-based lead identification screen. Using the prototype NNS virus, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), multiple inhibitory compounds were identified. Three compounds were investigated for broad-spectrum activity and inhibited EBOV infection. The most potent, CMLDBU3402, was selected for further study. CMLDBU3402 did not show significant activity against segmented negative-strand RNA viruses, suggesting proscribed broad-spectrum activity. Mechanistic analysis indicated that CMLDBU3402 blocked VSV viral RNA synthesis and inhibited EBOV RNA transcription, demonstrating a consistent mechanism of action against genetically distinct viruses. The identification of this chemical backbone as a broad-spectrum inhibitor of viral RNA synthesis offers significant potential for the development of new therapies for highly pathogenic viruses.
The morphology of M. tensor veli palatini in the five-month human fetus.

The morphology of M. tensor veli palatini in the five-month human fetus was studied using a light microscopic procedure. The muscle was found to be divided into two fairly distinct bundles. In cross-section, the fibers of the more lateral bundle coursed in an inferior-superior direction from the hard palate to the level of the cranial base. The fibers of the bundle lying just lateral to the Eustachian tube and medial to the previously identified bundle ran in a medial-lateral direction between their attachment to the lateral membranous tubal wall and the fibroelastic tissue layer separating the two bundles. It is suggested that these observations may account in part for lateral movement of the lateral membranous wall without necessitating a hamular or velar insertion of the tensor palati.
Role of flow cytometry of peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirates in early myeloma

Flow cytometric immunophenotyping (FCM) of multiple myeloma (MM) is commonly accepted in academic centers as providing clinically significant information and is becoming increasingly utilized in the private setting. FCM has established clinical relevance in the following: (1) differential diagnosis of MM from other plasma cell dyscrasias; (2) differentiating MM from lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) and other non-Hodgkin lymphomas; (3) diagnosis of unusual cases of myeloma (eg, to confirm the diagnosis of rare cases of IgM MM); (4) determining the risk of progression of monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance (MGUS) and smoldering MM; (5) prognostication in MM; and (6) minimal residual disease detection (MRD) post therapy. FCM may have an emerging role in the enumeration of abnormal plasma cells in diagnosis of MM, but further studies are needed. We review the clinical value of FCM in evaluation of peripheral blood and bone marrow in early myeloma.
Brand experience as a moderator of the negative impact of promotions

While price promotions are generally believed to have a positive impact on immediate sales, their effects on attitude towards repurchase, quality perceptions, and repurchase are far less clear. We present a study that tests the effect of brand experience in moderating the negative impact of promotions. The results of the laboratory study indicate that the negative impact of a discount on perceptions of quality and subsequent intent to purchase at full price is eliminated among those who had tried the brand. The moderation of the negative impact of promotions has not been previously shown to occur despite its prediction by a variety of behavioral theories.
Autoradiographic localization of 3H-5-HTP and 3H-5-HT in the pineal organ and circumventricular areas in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson.

The time course of incorporation and cellular localization of 3H-5-hydroxytryptophan (3H-5-HTP) and 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine (3H-5-HT) in the pineal and some brain regions in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, were studied by quantitative and qualitative autoradiography.
Lithium intercalation into etched single-wall carbon nanotubes

Abstract The effects of structure and morphology on lithium storage in single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were studied by electrochemistry. SWNTs were chemically etched and were intercalated with Li. The reversible Li storage capacity increased from LiC6 in close-end SWNTs to LiC3 after etching, which is twice the value observed in Li intercalated graphite. The enhanced capacity is attributed to Li diffusion into the interior of the SWNTs through the opened ends and sidewall defects.
Isolation and Characterization of Dominant Mutations in the Bacillus subtilis Stressosome Components RsbR and RsbS

The general stress response of Bacillus subtilis is controlled by the activity state of the σB transcription factor. Physical stress is communicated to σB via a large-molecular-mass (>106-Da) structure (the stressosome) formed by one or more members of a family of homologous proteins (RsbR, YkoB, YojH, YqhA). The positive regulator (RsbT) of the σB stress induction pathway is incorporated into the complex bound to an inhibitor protein (RsbS). Exposure to stress empowers an RsbT-dependent phosphorylation of RsbR and RsbS, with the subsequent release of RsbT to activate downstream processes. The mechanism by which stress initiates these reactions is unknown. In an attempt to identify changes in stressosome components that could lead to σB activation, a DNA segment encoding these proteins was mutagenized and placed into B. subtilis to create a merodiploid strain for these genes. Eight mutations that allowed heightened σB activity in the presence of their wild-type counterparts were isolated. Two of the mutations are missense changes in rsbR, and six are amino acid changes in rsbS. Additional experiments suggested that both of the rsbR mutations and three of the rsbS mutations likely enhance σB activity by elevating the level of RsbS phosphorylation. All of the mutations were found to be dominant over wild-type alleles only when they are cotranscribed within an rsbR rsbS rsbT operon. The data suggest that changes in RsbR can initiate the downstream events that lead to σB activation and that RsbR, RsbS, and RsbT likely interact with each other concomitantly with their synthesis.
An adenovirus type 5 early gene function regulates expression of other early viral genes

Abstract We have identified an adenovirus type 5(Ad5) early gene function located in early region 1 which is required for the production of early cytoplasmic mRNAs corresponding to early regions 2, 3, and 4. Mutant dl312 (lacks the segment between 1.5 and 4.5 map units) grows as well as wild-type virus in 293 cells (Ad5-transformed human embryonic kidney cells), but its growth is severely restricted in HeLa cells. We detect no viral RNAs in the cytoplasm of dl312-infected HeLa cells. Viral RNA sequences are present, however, in dl312-infected HeLa cell nuclei.
Pathologic spectrum and prognostic significance of underlying liver disease in hepatocellular carcinoma

Although controversy persists about the influence of cirrhosis on the incidence of portal vein invasion and other prognostic indicators of recurrence and survival (e.g., histologic grade, mitotic activity, multiplicity), it is clear that the degree of cirrhosis is important for the long-term survival of patients with HCC. Multicentricity is especially important because it reflects the field carcinogenesis associated with viral hepatitis and particularly chronic HCV infection [59]. A better understanding of the different mechanisms linked to tumor recurrence will help select the best candidates for curative surgery and help tailor adjuvant therapy, such as interferon therapy, to each patient [60]. Finally, the importance of vascular invasion, number of tumors, and tumor size of HCCs in addition to the effect of fibrosis has led Vauthey et al [20] to propose a simplified staging of HCC with better prognostication of survival.
Crinoids, hardgrounds, and community succession: The Silurian Laurel—Waldron contact in southern Indiana

Halleck, Margaret S.: Crinoids, hardgrounds, and community succession: The Silurian Laurel-Waldron contact in southern Indiana. The uppermost surface of the Silurian Laurel Limestone at its contact with the Waldron Shale in southeastern Indiana was a hardground lithified prior to the deposition of the Waldron. Evidence for this conclusion is the presence of attached palmate crinoid roots, auloporid corals, and craniid brachiopods on the Laurel surface; the irregularity of the contact with the Waldron; and a pyritic veneer at this contact. The hardground apparently had a submarine origin. In addition to the attached epifauna mentioned above, algal-sediment ‘clods’ formed on this surface. Some of these accumulated around the crinoid stems, causing them to produce cirral extensions. The resulting community was a crinoid ‘meadow’ with algal growths forming sediment traps around and between the crinoids. Later stages of Waldron Shale deposition led to the development of a soft-bottom community.
Numerical analysis of stress singularities at a bonded anisotropic wedge

Abstract The boundary value problem for a bonded anisotropic wedge under a state of generalized plane strain has been formulated using Lekhnitskii's complex variable method. The resulting eigenvalue problem is then solved numerically. The eigenvalues obtained from the present procedure are compared with the published results for special cases and good agreement between these solutions is observed. In addition, stress singularities have been obtained for various wedge geometries and material properties.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance artefacts

The multitude of applications offered by CMR make it an increasing popular modality to study the heart and the surrounding vessels. Nevertheless the anatomical complexity of the chest, together with cardiac and respiratory motion, and the fast flowing blood, present many challenges which can possibly translate into imaging artefacts. The literature is wide in terms of papers describing specific MR artefacts in great technical detail. In this review we attempt to summarise, in a language accessible to a clinical readership, some of the most common artefacts found in CMR applications. It begins with an introduction of the most common pulse sequences, and imaging techniques, followed by a brief section on typical cardiovascular applications. This leads to the main section on common CMR artefacts with examples, a short description of the mechanisms behind them, and possible solutions.
23-year-old man with hypertension and flank trauma.

A 23-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of untreated hypertension. He was an accomplished horse rider who had fallen several times during his teenage years. Three years earlier, he sustained an injury to the left flank while playing college football, with subsequent flank pain, ecchymoses, and a systolic blood pressure level between 150 and 170 mm Hg. He sought evaluation for blood pressure management. The patient denied having headaches, hematuria, weight change, dyspnea, chest pains, flushing, or decreased libido. This young man used no tobacco, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, illicit drugs, or alcohol. His family history was unremarkable for hypertension. Physical examination revealed a healthy-looking man in no distress. His blood pressure level was 170/110 mm Hg in each arm, his heart rate was 68 beats/min, and he was afebrile. Cardiovascular examination findings were normal. The lungs sounded clear bilaterally, the abdomen was without bruits or masses, lower extremity pulses were symmetrical with no pulse lag, and the funduscopic examination findings were normal. The initial laboratory test results are shown in Table 1. Chest radiographic findings were normal without rib notching, and an electrocardiogram suggested no left ventricular hypertrophy.
Equatorial Kelvin wave influences may reach the Bering Sea during 2002 to 2005

[1] The time-history of sea surface height (SSH) anomaly data from the TOPEX and Jason-1 altimeters is examined along the equator and northward following the west coast of the Americas. Along-track TOPEX and Jason-1 altimeter data are put into an alongshore–offshore coordinate system and then smoothed. This procedure increases the degrees of freedom in individual estimates of long-wavelength coastally trapped waves (CTWs) during times when both satellites are available (2002–2005). Equatorially trapped Kelvin waves are detected during the 2002–2003 El Nino. These Kelvin waves excite CTWs that travel northward along the west coast of the Americas. While CTWs associated with the 2002–2003 equatorial Kelvin waves are not always discernible along the entire coast, correlations of the coastal and equatorial SSH over the entire period of TOPEX and Jason-1 overlap show a clear phase progression. This phase progression implies remote influence of equatorial Kelvin waves that may reach as far north as the Bering Sea during the weak to moderate El Nino events that occurred from 2002 to 2005.
DNA-protein crosslinking in normal and solar UV-sensitive ICR 2A frog cell lines exposed to solar UV-radiation

Abstract DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) were measured following exposure to the solar UV wavelengths produced by a fluorescent sunlamp in ICR 2A frog cells and two solar UV-sensitive mutants derived from this cell line. Approx. 5–7 DPC per 10 10 dalton were induced in these cells by either 150 kJ/m 2 of sunlamp UV > 315 nm plus photoreactivating light (PRL) or 10 kJ/m 2 of sunlamp UV > 295 nm. The irradiated cells were then incubated for 0–24 h and the level of DPC measured using alkaline elution. It was found for the ICR 2A cells exposed to sunlamp UV > 315 nm that the level of DPC increased about 3-fold during a 2-h postirradiation incubation and then decreased. The mutant cell lines also showed an enhancement in the level of DPC following irradiation, although it was much less pronounced and the levels decreased much more rapidly. In a similar fashion, the level of DPC increased in ICR 2A cells exposed to sunlamp UV > 295 nm with more than a 5-fold enhancement after a 4-h incubation. Once again, the mutant cell lines showed an increase in the level of DPC that was smaller and more transient than the effect in the ICR 2A cells. These results suggests that this enhancement in DPC may be indicative of a process that plays a role in cellular survival following solar UV-irradiation.
Assessing children's emotional security in the interparental relationship: the Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scales.

Guided by the emotional security hypothesis, this study reports on the development of a new self-report measure that assesses children's strategies for preserving emotional security in the context of interparental conflict. Participants were 924 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders and a subset of their mothers, fathers, and teachers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the Security in the Interparental Subsystem (SIS) Scale supported a seven-factor solution, corresponding well to the three component processes (i.e., emotional reactivity, regulation of exposure to parent affect, and internal representations) outlined in the emotional security hypothesis. The SIS subscales demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Support for the validity of the SIS Scale is evidenced by its significant links with parent reports of children's overt reactivity to conflict, children's responses to interparental conflict simulations 6 months later, and children's psychological maladjustment and experiential histories with interparental conflict across multiple informants (i.e., child, mother, father, and teacher). Results are discussed in the context of developing recommendations for use of the SIS and advancing the emotional security hypothesis.
Chemical and Biologic Characterization of a Lipopolysaccharide Extracted From the Lyme Disease Spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi)

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was isolated from the Lyme disease spirochete by a modification of the hot phenol-water method. The material was composed of 45% carbohydrate, 8% protein, 44% lipid A, and 1% 3-deoxy-D-mannooctulosonic acid and accounted for approximately 1.5% of the cellular dry weight. The isolated LPS possessed several biologic activities characteristic of endotoxins. The LPS was pyrogenic for rabbits, mitogenic for human mononuclear cells and murine splenocytes, capable of clotting limulus lysate, and cytotoxic for murine macrophages. LPS extracted from Borrelia burgdorferi by the petroleum-ether:chloroform:liquid-phenol procedure was also characterized. The results show that the Lyme disease spirochete contains a hitherto unknown LPS that is biologically active in vitro, and the expression of such activities in vivo may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Lyme disease. Some of the clinical manifestations of other spirochetal disease may be explained by similar endotoxins in those organisms. To our knowledge this is the first report of an LPS extracted from a spirochete that is known to be a human pathogen.
Cholestyramine Ointment Used on an Infant for Severe Buttocks Rash Resistant to Standard Therapeutic Modalities

Objective:To describe a case of severe buttocks rash refractory to standard therapy that was treated successfully with cholestyramine 5% in Aquaphor.Case Summary:An infant developed a rash that wor...
Long-range electron transfer in heme proteins

Kinetic experiments have conclusively shown that electron transfer can take place over large distances (greater than 10 angstroms) through protein interiors. Current research focuses on the elucidation of the factors that determine the rates of long-range electron-transfer reactions in modified proteins and protein complexes. Factors receiving experimental and theoretical attention include the donor-acceptor distance, changes in geometry of the donor and acceptor upon electron transfer, and the thermodynamic driving force. Recent experimental work on heme proteins indicates that the electron-transfer rate falls off exponentially with donor-acceptor distance at long range. The rate is greatly enhanced in proteins in which the structural changes accompanying electron transfer are very small.
A NEW MUTATION AT THE PERIOD LOCUS OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER WITH SOME NOVEL EFFECTS ON CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS

A new period mutation has been induced and characterized in D. melanogaster. It causes flies to be apparently arrhythmic in tests of locomotor activity and thus is superficially similar to the original per01 mutant. Yet, the new "zero" allele, per04, has some novel properties and effects: Behaviorally, per04 adults often exhibit weak, long-period rhythms of locomotor activity in constant darkness; this low-frequency rhythmicity usually was not obvious in the analog behavioral records but was readily revealed by spectral analyses. These treatments of the data also extracted hidden high-frequency (ultradian) rhythms in many of the behavioral records, of the type associated with per01 and other per-nulls. The wide range of periodicities exhibited by different per04-expressing flies implies the expression of multiple oscillatory modes by this mutant. The new mutation also leads to a tendency for flies to be hyperactive during activity monitoring and is thus dissimilar to the other arrhythmic variants in the per gene but similar to the effects of a deletion of the locus. During light:dark cycling, per04 adults once more behave differently from other per0's and in fact tend to resemble wild-type flies in these conditions. The new mutation is not caused by the same nucleotide substitution that created a stop codon in the original arrhythmic per mutant and, as it turns out, per02 and per03 as well. per04 is also not a null variant at the transcriptional level; but it leads to an anomalous form of per mRNA, which is smaller than the normal 4.5 kb species encoded by this clock gene.
ULTRA-HIGH RESOLUTION SPECTROMETER SYSTEM FOR CHARGED PARTICLE STUDIES OF NUCLEI.

Abstract This paper describes an arrangement for introducing feedback into a charged particle magnetic analysis system for nuclear reaction studies. In initial tests of the system, a resolution of 5 keV has been obtained in (p,p′) studies at 30 MeV with 70% of the cyclotron internal beam on target. This corresponds to a resolving power p/Δp of 12000. Essential features of the system, in addition to the feedback, are a careful definition of the cyclotron source by means of internal slits and the use of dispersion matching to cancel the effect of coherent on-target energy spread.
CHEMICAL AND ELECTROCHEMICAL AFFINITIES OF CORROSION PROCESSES

The present paper consists of an outline of the analysis of corrosion reactions made possible by the use of the concepts of chemical and electrochemical affinities and of the principles of equilibrium thermodynamics and of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes. For the essentials of the thermodynamic theory of affinity the reader is referred to the books of De Bonder and Van Rysselberghe and of Prigogine and Defay and, for the essentials of the thermodynamic theory of electrochemical affinity, he is referred to an article and a monograph by Van Rysselberghe We shall base our whole presentation on a typical example, that of metallic zinc undergoing corrosion in aqueous media. Generalisation to other cases can readily be worked out.
THE ROLE OF RADIATION TREATMENT IN INTERMEDIATE RISK ENDOMETRIAL CANCER—PRO: 0018

The role of adjuvant, post-hysterectomy radiation therapy in patients who have early stage endometrial cancer with high-risk features continues to be a subject of controversy. Findings such as deep myometrial invasion, high grade, large tumor size, lymph-vascular invasion, cervical stromal involvement, and advanced age are all associated with increased risk of locoregional recurrence. Numerous retrospective and several prospective studies have demonstrated that pelvic radiation therapy reduces the risk of recurrence in patients with these findings. However, selection bias makes it impossible to determine the influence of adjuvant treatment from retrospective studies. Several prospective randomized trials have attempted to study the role of adjuvant pelvic radiation in patients with so-called intermediate risk disease. These include recently published trials from PORTEC(1) and the GOG(2) and a much older trial from the Norwegian Radium Hospital(3). Unfortunately, the majority of patients in each of these trials had relatively favorable low-grade or minimally invasive disease. Although all of these trials demonstrated significant reductions in the pelvic recurrence rates with adjuvant radiation, the inclusion of many patients with low-risk disease reduced their power to detect survival differences. Nevertheless, subset analyses suggested that patients who had high intermediate risk factors experienced a benefit from adjuvant radiation therapy with absolute survival differences that could be as great as 15–20% and reductions in the risk of death of as much as 50%. Although it has been suggested that post-hysterectomy pelvic recurrences (most of which involve the vaginal apex) can be easily salvaged, data suggest that 5-year survival rates for patients with vaginal recurrence are ≤40%, particularly for patients with high-grade lesions(4). Intracavity irradiation may reduce the risk of recurrence in the vagina but the Norwegian trial(3) suggests that pelvic RT may be more effective. In the absence of trials adequately addressing the benefit of radiation in patients with high-intermediate risk disease, treatment must be individualized after careful consideration of its potential risks and benefits.
Impact of obesity on surgical and oncologic outcomes in ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the impact of obesity on surgical and oncologic outcomes after primary debulking surgery (PDS) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods Women with stage IIIC/IV EOC who underwent PDS with curative intent between 1/2/2003 and 12/30/2011 were included. Patient characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, recurrence and status were abstracted. Complications were graded according to the 4-point Accordion classification. For analyses, patients were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI): group 1—BMI 2 ; group 2—BMI 25.0–39.9kg/m 2 ; and group 3—BMI ≥40.0kg/m 2 . Results Of the 620 patients included in the study, 36.6%, 56.9%, and 6.5% were in weight groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Weight group 3 was an independent predictor of severe complications after adjusting for confounders (adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 2.93 (1.38, 6.20) for group 3 vs. group 2). Weight group was not associated with differences in residual disease ( p =0.80). The 90-day mortality rates were 11.9%, 6.7%, and 15.7%, respectively, in weight group 1, 2, and 3 ( p =0.049 unadjusted, p =0.01 adjusted). There was no difference in OS ( p =0.52) or PFS ( p =0.23) between weight groups. Conclusions BMI ≥40.0kg/m 2 is an independent predictor of severe 30-day postoperative morbidity and 90-day mortality after PDS for EOC—information useful in preoperative counseling. BMI does not appear to impact long-term oncologic outcomes including residual disease at PDS, although we had limited power at the extremes of BMI. BMI may be an important factor to consider in risk-adjustment models and reimbursement strategies.
An Ecological Perspective on Leadership Theory, Research, and Practice

Current theories of leadership are based mainly on the industrial paradigm emphasizing the preeminence of positional leaders and the machine-like qualities of organizations. Evolutionary and attrib...
Patterns of growth, energy utilization and reproduction in some meso- and bathypelagic fishes off Southern California

We have studied growth, energy use and reproduction in 4 mesopelagic fishes and 5 bathypelagic fishes living off Southern California (USA). All of the mesopelagic species underwent diurnal vertical migrations, while none of the bathypelagic species did so. The life histories of these pelagic fishes were compared among themselves and with epipelagic sardines and anchovies studied by others. The epipelagic species had the highest growth rates (estimated from otoliths, expressed in standard length or kilocalories), the mesopelagic species had the lowest growth rates and the bathypelagic species had intermediate growth rates. The relatively rapid growth rates of the bathypelagic fishes were achieved by high relative growth efficiencies made possible by low metabolic rates. Of the species studied, the lifespans of the epipelagic and bathypelagic species ranged from 4 to 8 yr and the lifespans of mesopelagic species from 5 to 8 yr. Data on egg diameters suggest that the mesopelagic species first reproduce in their 3rd yr, while the bathypelagic species do so in their last year. Epipelagic fishes generally have a large size, rapid growth, long life and early, repeated reproduction. Mesopelagic fishes are characterized by small size, slow growth, long life and early, repeated reproduction. Bathypelagic fishes generally have large size, rapid growth, somewhat shorter lives and late reproduction, which is possible a single event. The latter pattern is evidently feasible only in a rather stable environment where juvenile survivorship would always display relatively low variability. Many unusual characteristics of deep-living animals have possibly been selected by factors peculiar to the environment; however, such characteristics are just as likely to have been selected by factors equally present in many other environments, but not expressed there due to masking selective forces. In particular, we have in mind the darkness, stability and homogeneity of the bathypelagic realm as phenomena which represent the effective absence of many selective forces.
Three-pion reactions in dilepton production from a hadron gas

Kinetic theory formulas are derived for the dilepton production rate from processes of the type $1+2+3\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{l}^{+}{l}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and $1+2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3+({l}^{+}{l}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ in hadronic or partonic systems. The formalism is applied to three-pion reactions ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ in a thermalized hadron gas. The dilepton mass spectra are compared to those from previously considered reactions at different temperatures. The three-pion processes amplify the $\ensuremath{\omega}(783)$ and $\ensuremath{\varphi}(1020)$ peaks in the dilepton mass spectrum. The consequences for using resonance dileptons as a tool for measuring the mean lifetime and temperature of hadronic fireballs are discussed.
The growth of develop-for-import projects

Abstract This article examines develop-for-import projects financed by development loans and mixed credits supplied by export-import banks and other financial institutions of the central governments of France, Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany. The projects discussed are those producing bauxite, alumina, aluminium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and tungsten, in developing market economies, Australia and Canada. The article estimates the volume of these metals committed to France, Japan and FRG to pay for loans and credits, examines the types of financial arrangement involved in develop-for-import projects, and considers the compatibility of these arrangements with the multilateral liberalized world trading system developed by the General Ageement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) over the past 40 years. To the extent that these arrangements do not fully reflect changes in international market forces, world trade in metals will tend to be distorted and discriminatory.
The unconditionally stable pseudospectral time-domain (PSTD) method

This letter presents a new time-domain method for Maxwell's equations, in which the unconditionally stable techniques, the alternating direction implicit (ADI) and the split-step (SS) schemes, are developed for the pseudospectral time-domain (PSTD) algorithm to maintain stability while achieving higher accuracy and efficiency over the FDTD method. The multidomain strategy is employed to allow for a flexible treatment of internal inhomogeneities. Numerical results demonstrate the unconditional stability and the second-order accuracy for both ADI- and SS-PSTD algorithms.
Experience in transmission systems

The International Standard IEC 909 "Short-circuit current calculation in three phase AC systems" was issued, the UK supply industry had no standard or uniform methodology for fault level assessment. The hand calculation methodology of IEC-909 was considered conservative (pessimistic) by a UK working group that was established in 1990 to define "good industry practice" for the calculation of short circuit currents. The resulting document, ER G74, defines a computer-based method for the calculation of short circuit currents that is more accurate (less pessimistic) than the methodology of IEC-909 and as a consequence, potential capital investment in new and replacement switchgear can be more accurately identified. The main principles of the computer-based ER G74 methodology are: infeeds from all rotating machines must be included in the calculations of short-circuit currents; and the network pre-fault initial conditions must be established using an AC load flow calculation. These initial conditions are then used in the subsequent short-circuit current calculations. ER G74 methodology also describes the calculation of circuit-breaker symmetrical and asymmetrical short-circuit duties. The author outlines short circuit analysis techniques and the discusses the implementation of ER G74 an the NGC short circuit program. The technical issues in short circuit calculations on transmission systems are then discussed.
THE HISTOLOGICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD GROUP SUBSTANCES A AND B IN MAN

The mapping out of the histologic distribution of blood group antigens A and B in human tissues was performed by means of the fluorescent antibody technique. Human hyperimmune sera were conjugated with fluorescein isocyanate and applied to frozen sections of human material obtained at autopsy or after surgical removal. The material examined encompassed A, B, and AB subjects. In the latter the anti-A and the anti-B conjugate elicited the same picture. Group O tissues were used for controls and were uniformly negative. The secretor status of subjects was determined from the saliva or by the Lewis typing of erythrocytes. The results fall into the following main divisions: Endothelia of Vessels.-Widespread localization was demonstrated in the cell walls of endothelium of capillaries, veins, arteries, and of sinusoidal cells of spleen. Stratified Epithelia.-These showed good outlining of cells of the Malpighian (and the granular, when present) layers. In transitional epithelia, cells of the basal and contiguous layers gave specific staining. Mucus-Secreting Apparatus.-Positive staining was obtained in glands, goblet cells, and secreting surface epithelia. In non-secretors there was no identifiable antigen with the important exception of the deeper parts of gastric foveolae, deeper parts of crypts of Lieberkuhn of bowel mucosa and Brunner's glands of the duodenum. Various Organs of Secretion and Excretion.-The pancreas (exocrine portion) and the sweat glands were found to produce the antigen irrespectively of secretor status. Breast, prostate, and endometrial glands on the other hand apparently secrete the antigen in conformity with the subject's secretor:non-secretor make-up. Thus the secretor:non-secretor status governs principally the antigens associated with mucous secretions and this in most but not all locations. The possible nature of this control is briefly discussed.
Impedance calculations for 2-D and 3-D structures and the impedance budget of 7-GeV APS storage ring

The longitudinal and transverse coupling impedances of various kinds of two- and three-dimensional structures are calculated numerically for the storage ring of the 7-GeV Advanced Photon Source (APS). It is shown that the RF cavities are the main contributors to the longitudinal impedance, whereas the transitions between the chamber and the insertion device section dominate the transverse impedances. Several different numerical approaches are adopted. It is argued that the broadband resonator model may not be appropriate for modeling the longitudinal impedance. Several interesting phenomena of general interest, including a composition rule and the negative transverse impedance, are discussed. The present results and other results available are used to establish the impedance budget of the storage ring. >
Vicinal: a method for the determination of ncRNA ends using chimeric reads from RNA-seq experiments

Non-coding (nc)RNAs are important structural and regulatory molecules. Accurate determination of the primary sequence and secondary structure of ncRNAs is important for understanding their functions. During cDNA synthesis, RNA 3' end stem-loops can self-prime reverse transcription, creating RNA-cDNA chimeras. We found that chimeric RNA-cDNA fragments can also be detected at 5' end stem-loops, although at much lower frequency. Using the Gubler-Hoffman method, both types of chimeric fragments can be converted to cDNA during library construction, and they are readily detectable in high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments. Here, we show that these chimeric reads contain valuable information about the boundaries of ncRNAs. We developed a bioinformatic method, called Vicinal, to precisely map the ends of numerous fruitfly, mouse and human ncRNAs. Using this method, we analyzed chimeric reads from over 100 RNA-seq datasets, the results of which we make available for users to find RNAs of interest. In summary, we show that Vicinal is a useful tool for determination of the precise boundaries of uncharacterized ncRNAs, facilitating further structure/function studies.
Pre-morbid type 2 diabetes mellitus is not a prognostic factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether a history of pre-morbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a prognostic factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: The relationship between DM2 and survival was analyzed in a study population consisting of 1,322 participants from 6 clinical trials. Results: Survival did not differ by diabetes status (log-rank test, P = 0.98), but did differ by body mass index (BMI) (log-rank test, P = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, there was no significant association between diabetes and survival (P = 0.18), but the risk of reaching a survival endpoint decreased by 4% for each unit increase in baseline BMI (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94–0.99, P = 0.001). DM2 was less prevalent among ALS clinical trial participants than predicted. Conclusions: A history of pre-morbid DM2 is not an independent prognostic factor in ALS clinical trial databases. The low DM2 prevalence rate should be examined in a large, prospective study to determine whether DM2 affects ALS risk. Muscle Nerve 52:339–343, 2015
Ultrawide-view liquid crystal displays

The wide viewing angle technologies for liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are reviewed. The most promising liquid crystal modes for wide view technologies, such as in-plane switching, multidomain vertical alignment, patterned vertical alignment, and advanced-super-view are compared. By optimizing the phase-compensation films and their device configurations, the ultrawide-view LCDs with a contrast ratio higher than 100:1 at /spl plusmn/85/spl deg/ viewing cone are demonstrated.
Load- and Interference-Aware Channel Assignment for Dual-Radio Mesh Backhauls

The combination of multi-radio nodes in conjunction with a suitably structured mesh architecture has the potential to solve some of the key limitations of present day mesh networks. We propose and evaluate two practical and self-stabilizing channel assignment algorithms for multi-channel dual-radio mesh backhauls. The objective is to find a channel assignment that maximizes network capacity through balancing traffic load and/or co-channel interference on available channels. Through simulations, we show that the proposed scheme can effectively improve the capacity of wireless mesh networks.
Enhancement in vitro of the low interferon-gamma production of leukocytes from human newborn infants.

Interferon-y (IFN-'y), a lymphokine produced by lymphocytes with the help of monocytes, is essential for host resistance to intracellular pathogens. Leukocytes from normal term newborn infants cannot produce IFN-y in vitro in response to stimulation by antigen or mitogens in vitro or in vivo. We investigated the production of IFN--y in vitro using endotoxin from Salmonella typhimurium as a stimulus. In contrast to those from adults, mononuclear cells derived from the cord blood of newborn infants did not produce IFN-y in response to this endotoxin. We investigated the contribution of the functional immaturity of cord blood monocytes to this relative inability to produce IFN--y. Aging of the mono- cytes for 2 weeks in vitro or treatment of freshly isolated cord blood monocytes with conditioned medium (from cultures of mononuclear cells from healthy adults) greatly enhanced IFN-y production stimulated by endotoxin. Furthermore, recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage colony- stimulating factor (M-CSF), or IFN-y was able to substi- tute in part for the conditioned medium from adult cells. Thus correction of the functional immaturity of mono- cytes derived from newborn infants can result in en- hanced production of IFN-y in vitro. J. Leukoc. Biol. 53: 691-696; 1993.
Thermal degradation of foamed polymethyl methacrylate in the expendable pattern casting process

The thermal degradation of foamed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) patterns in the expendable pat-tern casting process has been studied. Various physical transitions that may occur during the degradation of PMMA have been determined using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, and the effects of polymer density on the degradation characteristics have been investigated. The results indicate that, when exposed to elevated temperatures, the polymer beads collapse at about 140 to 200 °. The collapsed beads melt at 260 ° and begin to volatilize. Peak volatilization temperatures are on the order of 370 °. The end temperature for volatilization is between 420 and 430 °. The initial density of the polymer does not have a significant effect on the transition tem-peratures associated with degradation.
A HISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MUSCLE FIBER TYPES IN THE MIDDLE EAR MUSCLES OF THE CAT

The muscle fiber content of the stapedius muscle of the cat was determined histochemically using a combination of oxidative enzymes and glycolytic markers. The major fiber type present was determined to be the fast oxidative glycolytic type (FOG; 77%). Two other types of fiber were found that could not be placed into any of the classical muscle fiber categories. One of these fibers had little staining for actomyosin ATPase (V, 13%) while the other stained densely for this enzyme (2′, 10%). These fibers could also be separated using fiber diameter as a criterion. The mean diameters of these different fibers were 22.8 Mm±6.3 (FOG fiber type), 14.8 µm±3.7 (1′ fiber) and 14.9 Jum±5.5 (2′ fiber). Since the predominant fiber type (FOG) is Actapted for fast contraction and fatigue resistance, the stapedius muscle of the cat is probably capable of fast repetitive contractions, a conclusion that fits well with much of the physiological data. Due to the fact that the 2′ fibers were always paired with the 1′ fibers,...