cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and clinical N1 disease undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy and lymph node dissection.

Abstract Background Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have limited treatment options. Cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in select patients has been associated with improved survival. We aim to assess the survival in patients with mRCC and cN1 disease who underwent CN with and without lymph node dissection (LND). Methods Data were abstracted from the National Cancer Database for patients diagnosed with mRCC and cN1 from 2003 to 2014. Using propensity matching, we compared overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent a LND. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling were used. We performed a logistic regression to assess predictors of LND. Results We identified 1,780 patients in the matched cohort, of which 71% underwent a LND. Patients undergoing LND were younger (P = 0.01) and had similar size tumors (5 cm; P = 0.31). Increased LN yield was associated with LND at an academic center (odds ratio = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.51–2.42; P Conclusion We demonstrate that patients with mRCC and cN1 disease undergoing LND did not have a survival benefit when compared with patients undergoing CN. However, lymph node yield showed an increase in survival when adjusting for the number of positive lymph nodes. Further research and validation of the ideal number of LN removed that may benefit patients is warranted.
A Progressive Hedging based branch-and-bound algorithm for mixed-integer stochastic programs

Progressive Hedging (PH) is a well-known algorithm for solving multi-stage stochastic convex optimization problems. Most previous extensions of PH for mixed-integer stochastic programs have been implemented without convergence guarantees. In this paper, we present a new framework that shows how PH can be utilized while guaranteeing convergence to globally optimal solutions of mixed-integer stochastic convex programs. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework through computational experiments.
Tradeoffs between US national forest harvest targets and fuel management to reduce wildfire transmission to the wildland urban interface

Abstract US public land management agencies are faced with multiple, often conflicting objectives to meet management targets and produce a wide range of ecosystem services expected from public lands. One example is managing the growing wildfire risk to human and ecological values while meeting programmatic harvest targets for economic outputs mandated in agency budgets. Studies examining strategic management tradeoffs on federal lands and program efficiencies are rare. In this study we used the 79 western US national forests to examine tradeoffs between forest management scenarios targeting wildfire risk to the wildland urban interface (WUI) and those meeting agency convertible volume production targets. We quantified production frontiers to measure how the efficiency of meeting harvest volume targets is affected by prioritizing treatments to areas that transmit fire to the WUI. The results showed strong tradeoffs and scale effects on production frontiers, and more importantly substantial variation among planning areas and national forests. Prioritizing treatments to reduce fire transmission to the WUI resulted in an average harvest volume reduction of about 248 m3 per ha treated. The analysis also identified opportunities where both management objectives can be achieved. This work represents the first large-scale tradeoff analysis for key management goals in forest and fuel management programs on national forests.
What Environmental Conditions Reduce Predation Vulnerability for Juvenile Colorado River Native Fishes

Abstract The incompatibility of native Colorado River fishes and nonnative warm-water sport fishes is well documented, with predation by nonnative species causing rapid declines and even extirpatio...
The Effect of Turbulence Modeling on the Mixing Characteristics of Several Fuel Injectors at Hypervelocity Flow Conditions

CFD analysis is presented on the effects of turbulence modeling choices on the mixing characteristics and performance of three fuel injectors at hypervelocity flow conditions. The analyses were carried out with the VULCAN-CFD solver using Reynolds-Averaged Simulations (RAS). The hypervelocity flow conditions match the high Mach number flow of the experiments conducted as a part of the Enhanced Injection and Mixing Project (EIMP) at the NASA Langley Research Center. The three injectors are the baseline configurations used in the experiments and represent three categories of injectors typically considered individually or in combination for fueling high-speed propulsive devices. The current work discusses the impact of the turbulence model and the turbulent Schmidt number on the mixing flow field behavior and the mixing performance as described by the one-dimensional values of the Mach number, total pressure recovery, and the mixing efficiency. Because planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) images are available from the EIMP experiments, the sensitivity of the synthetic LIF signal to turbulence modeling choices is also examined to determine whether PLIF can be extended beyond its intended qualitative visualization purpose and used to guide CFD turbulence model and parameter selections. It is found that the mixing performance, as quantified using mixing efficiency, exhibits a strong sensitivity to both turbulence model choice and turbulent Schmidt number value. However, the synthetic LIF signal only demonstrates a modest level of sensitivity, which suggests that PLIF is of limited use for guiding CFD turbulence model and parameter selections.
Clonal Plasma Cells in AL Amyloidosis Are Dependent on Anti-Apoptotic BCL-2 Family Proteins

Background: Immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is characterized by the production of clonal serum free light chains, which misfold and accumulate in tissues causing life threatening organ dysfunction and ultimately death. The treatment of AL amyloidosis targets the underlying population of clonal plasma cells, but existing therapies are not curative and ineffectively control the disease in many patients. Recent data have shown tremendous success in targeting anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins as a novel therapy in hematologic disorders due to alterations in apoptosis and the function of anti-apoptotic proteins in malignant cells. BH3 profiling, a quantitative and functional assay that measures apoptotic priming and dependence on anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members, has been used to identify and target apoptotic dependencies in hematologic disorders. Novel inhibitors of anti-apoptotic proteins, referred to as BH3 mimetics, have not yet been explored in AL amyloidosis due to insufficient understanding of apoptotic dependencies in this disease. Methods: To date, bone marrow aspirates have been collected from 44 patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis being evaluated at the Amyloidosis Center at Boston University. BH3 profiling was performed on clonal plasma cells to measure dependencies on anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins. Clonal cells were also treated with BH3 mimetics in vitro, including BCL-2, BCL-xL, and MCL-1 inhibitors as single agents, as well as in combination with current standard therapies (bortezomib, ixazomib, lenalidomide, and pomalidomide). Results: Of the 44 enrolled patients, 16 are female (36%) and 28 are male (64%). The median age is 70 years (range, 47 to 84). Six patients were treatment naive and the remainder had previous or current treatment for AL amyloidosis. Data obtained with BH3 profiling demonstrated that clonal plasma cells exhibit strong dependencies on anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family proteins, which may be altered by concurrent treatment with standard therapies. In the majority of patients, clonal plasma cells are highly dependent on the anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1 and undergo apoptosis when treated with an MCL-1 inhibitor. Intriguingly, this dependence is altered by treatment with proteasome inhibitors: clonal plasma cells become highly dependent on BCL-2 and undergo apoptosis in response to co-treatment with bortezomib and the FDA-approved BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Conclusions: BH3 profiling can effectively measure apoptotic dependencies in clonal plasma cells derived from bone marrow aspirates in patients with AL amyloidosis. Dependencies on BCL-2 family proteins (particularly MCL-1) are strong, but some variability between patients was observed, especially in combination with standard therapies. Biomarker-driven deployment of BH3 mimetics for treatment of AL amyloidosis would likely be highly effective. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
On the mean structure of sharp-fin-induced shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions over a cylindrical surface

Interactions between an oblique shock wave generated by a sharp fin placed on a cylindrical surface and the incoming boundary layer are investigated to unravel the mean features of the resulting shock/boundary layer interaction (SBLI) unit. This fin-on-cylinder SBLI unit has several unique features caused by the three-dimensional (3-D) relief offered by the cylindrical surface that noticeably alter the shock structure. Complementary experimental and computational studies are made to delineate both the surface and off-body flow features of the fin-on-cylinder SBLI unit and to obtain a detailed understanding of the mechanisms that dictate the mean flow and wall pressure features of the SBLI unit. Results show that the fin-on-cylinder SBLI exhibits substantial deviation from quasi-conical symmetry that is observed in planar fin SBLI. Furthermore, the separated flow growth rate appears to decrease with downstream distance and the separation size is consistently smaller than the planar fin SBLI with the same inflow and fin configurations. The causes for the observed diminution of the separated flow and its downstream growth rate were investigated in the light of changes caused by the cylinder curvature on the inviscid as well as separation shock. It was found that the inviscid shock gets progressively weakened in the region close to the triple point with downstream distance due to the 3-D relief effect from cylinder curvature. This weakening of the inviscid shock feeds into the separation shock, which is also independently impacted by the 3-D relief, to result in the observed modifications in the fin-on-cylinder SBLI unit.
Bariatric surgery is independently associated with a decrease in the development of colorectal lesions.

Abstract Background Obesity is a risk factor for colorectal cancer and possibly the formation of precancerous, colorectal polyps . Bariatric surgery is very effective for long-term weight loss; however, it is not known whether bariatric surgery decreases the risk of subsequent colonic neoplasia. We hypothesized that bariatric surgery would decrease the risk of developing colorectal lesions (new cancer and precancerous polyps). Methods We reviewed all patients (n = 3,676) who underwent bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, or gastric banding) at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA) 1985–2015. Obese, nonoperative patients (n = 46,873) from an institutional data repository were included as controls. Cases and controls were propensity score matched 1:1 by demographics, comorbidities, body mass index, and socioeconomic factors. The matched cohort was compared by univariate analysis and conditional logistic regression. Results A total of 4,462 patients (2,231 per group) with a median follow-up of 7.8 years were well-matched with no statistically significant baseline differences in initial body mass index (48 vs 49 kg/m2), sex, and age in addition to other comorbidities (all P > .05). The operative cohort had more weight loss (55.5% vs –1.4% decrease in excess body mass index, P .05). After risk adjustment, bariatric surgery was independently associated with a decrease in new colorectal lesions (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42–0.91, P = .016). Conclusion Bariatric surgery was associated with lesser, risk-adjusted incidence of new colorectal lesions in this large population of propensity matched patients undergoing bariatric surgery compared with a control group not undergoing bariatric surgery. These results suggest the benefits of bariatric surgery may extend beyond weight loss and mitigation of comorbidities.
Comparing survey and multiple recruitment-mortality models to assess growth rates and population projections.

Estimation of population trends and demographic parameters is important to our understanding of fundamental ecology and species management, yet these data are often difficult to obtain without the use of data from population surveys or marking animals. The northeastern Minnesota moose (Alces alces Linnaeus, 1758) population declined 58% during 2006-2017, yet aerial surveys indicated stability during 2012-2017. In response to the decline, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) initiated studies of adult and calf survival to better understand cause-specific mortality, calf recruitment, and factors influencing the population trajectory. We estimated population growth rate (λ) using adult survival and calf recruitment data from demographic studies and the recruitment-mortality (R-M) Equation and compared these estimates to those calculated using data from aerial surveys. We then projected population dynamics 50 years using each resulting λ and used a stochastic model to project population dynamics 30 years using data from the MNDNR's studies. Calculations of λ derived from 2012 to 2017 survey data, and the R-M Equation indicated growth (1.02 ± 0.16 [SE] and 1.01 ± 0.04, respectively). However, the stochastic model indicated a decline in the population over 30 years (λ = 0.91 ± 0.004; 2014-2044). The R-M Equation has utility for estimating λ, and the supporting information from demographic collaring studies also helps to better address management questions. Furthermore, estimates of λ calculated using collaring data were more certain and reflective of current conditions. Long-term monitoring using collars would better inform population performance predictions and demographic responses to environmental variability.
Color Degradation of Printed Images

Numerous color images are digitally reproduced today, mainly using the cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink set. The information in a printed image, however, may be distorted or lost due to the image's gradual color degradation as the result of ink fading and diffusion on the substrate. The degradation behavior of the inks can be difficult to predict when catalytic fading is introduced by a variety of ink mixtures produced in the printing process. In this article, we prove that the fading or diffusion rate has an equivalent interpretation as the hazard function in reliability modeling, and the degradation model of printed images with constant fading and diffusion rates can be reformulated as a Markov process model. Hence, the degradation of printed images with time-varying fading and diffusion rates can be modeled as a semi-Markov process. The semi-Markov process model provides a deterministic degradation prediction. We further propose a spatio-temporal Wiener process model for stochastic prediction of the ink fading and diffusion of printed images. Numerical examples and a real-life case study are provided to illustrate the proposed approach.
Associate in Applied Science Transfer and Articulation: An Issue of Access and Equity.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees are designed to prepare individuals for career opportunities, but they are increasingly prevalent among students transferring to universities. Still, tran...
Quantitative Genetics: Why Bother?

Foresters and tree improvers alike often believe that genetic manipulation is a new phenomenon in forestry, requiring major changes in philosophy and practice. I suggest instead that foresters have always been geneticists! But, to avoid an identity crisis, or a full-scale war, let me elaborate.
Productive aging: peer influence and retirement

Public awareness of demographic change is necessary to guide individual and national planning for retirement. For the first time in American history, older adults are forecast to soon outnumber chi...
Intra-Arterial Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Purpose To investigate the benefit of early intra-arterial tissue plasminogen activator (IAT) for treatment of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Patients and methods Fifteen eyes of 15 patients presenting with acute CRAO were included in this retrospective consecutive interventional case series. Patients were excluded if treatment with IAT was not initiated within 12 hours. The diagnosis was confirmed by an ophthalmologist. IAT was performed via a transfemoral arterial approach. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was infused into the ophthalmic artery in aliquots up to 3mg to a maximum of 22mg. Paracentesis was done at the ophthalmologist's discretion. The primary outcome measure was visual acuity after three weeks. Adverse events were recorded during treatment and follow-up visits. Results After treatment with IAT, there was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity, with a mean change of -0.76 (SD 0.91; range -2.4 to 0.85) logMAR (p=0.006). Vision improved by 3 or more lines in 53%, and of these, the mean Snellen visual acuity improvement was >6 lines. Notably, 4 patients (27%) improved from CF or worse to 20/80 or better. The mean dose of tPA used was 17mg and the mean time to treatment was 8.83 hours (range: 5.5 to 12 hours). There were no statistically significant differences based on time to treatment, dose of tPA, or use of a paracentesis. No major adverse events were recorded. Conclusion IAT was safe and showed significant visual improvement in this small uncontrolled study. Larger studies and efforts to decrease time to treatment should be initiated to optimize outcomes.
Robust Learning-Based Trajectory Planning for Emerging Mobility Systems

In this paper, we extend a framework that we developed earlier for coordination of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at a signal-free intersection to incorporate uncertainty. We formulate a deterministic motion planning problem the solution of which guarantees that none of the constraints in the system becomes active. Considering the uncertainty in the CAVs' trajectories, we reformulate the motion planning problem as a probabilistic problem, the solution of which guarantees that constraints in the system are satisfied within a threshold. Using the noisy observations of actual time trajectories and leveraging the Gaussian process regression, we obtain bounded confidence intervals for deviations from the nominal trajectories of CAVs. Incorporating these confidence intervals, each CAV aims at solving the probabilistic motion planning problem in a robust approach. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework through a numerical simulation.
Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Diverse Breeds Of Cattle used for Beef Production

Rate and efficiency of postweaning growth are important components of beef production. About 30% of the energy requirements and about 45% of the total feed costs are incurred in the period between weaning and slaughter. Historically, when steers were finished on pasture, propensity to finish at a young age was desirable, particularly when market requirements for fatness were great. However, propensity to fatten became a handicap as we shifted to increased use of grains in diets of growing-finishing cattle. Recently, customer pressure to reduce caloric and fat content of beef and other red meats has intensified because coronary heart disease is believed to be associated with elevated blood cholesterol levels. Dietary control of the type and amount of fat consumed is strongly recommended by members of the medical profession in an attempt to regulate blood cholesterol levels. In this paper, results from the Germ Plasm Evaluation (GPE) program at the Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska are reviewed on relative amounts of genetic variation between and within breeds in growth, feed efficiency and quantity and distribution of lean, inter- and intramuscular fat, and caloric content of retail cuts of beef with different degrees of trimming.
Achieving the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in Forestry Sectors: Challenges for Indonesia

Indonesia's determination in realizing the Nationally Determined Contribution target as a follow-up to the Paris Agreement resulted in concrete steps in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, one of which is through social forestry. This paper aims to describe the various efforts to achieve Indonesia's targets on both conditional and unconditional, as well as the application and linkage of social forestry schemes to climate change will. This research produces two conclusions. First, those conditional and unconditional targets are related in their implementation, primarily related to the development of Indonesian legislation and capacity building in achieving Nationally Determined Contribution targets. Second, namely that after the issuance of the MoEF Decree No. 83/2016, social forestry regulations in Indonesia have begun to accommodate ecological elements, although the nature are still partial in every policy momentum and are still not in line with the scope of activities of REDD+. Several critical issues that need to be followed up are the absence of uniform and applicative carbon measurement and calculation methods for beneficiary communities and national forest carbon certification system for social forestry areas, legal challenges on the recognition of Indigenous People rights, also political-economic challenges.
Relating water absorption features to soil moisture characteristics

The spectral reflectance of a sample of quartz sand was monitored as the sample progressed from air-dry to fully saturated, and then back to air-dry. Wetting was accomplished by spraying small amounts of water on the surface of the sample, and collecting spectra whenever change occurred. Drying was passive, driven by evaporation from the sand surface, with spectra collected every 5 minutes until the sample was air dry. Water content was determined by monitoring the weight of the sample through both wetting and drying. There was a pronounced difference in the pattern of change in reflectance during wetting and drying, with the differences being apparent both in spectral details (i.e., the depth of absorption bands) and in the magnitude of the reflectance for a particular water content. The differences are attributable to the disposition of water in the sample. During wetting, water initially occurred only on the surface, primarily as water adsorbed onto sand particles. With increased wetting the water infiltrated deeper into the sample, gradually covering all particles and filling the pore spaces. During drying, water and air were distributed throughout the sample for most of the drying period. The differences in water distribution are assumed to be the cause of the differences in reflectance and to the differences in the depths of four strong water absorption bands.
Possible association between maternal indomethacin therapy and primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

Abstract Indomethacin purportedly arrests premature labor by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. Animal experimentation has demonstrated that prostaglandins are involved in the neonatal rerouting of the circulation. Experience with two neonates with disordered circulatory adjustments at birth following prenatal exposure to indomethacin indicates that indomethacin may interfere with these adjustments in man and favor the development of the serious oxygen dependency known as primary pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
The Performance of Ground Based Telescopes

The paper identifies causes of degradation of image quality in astronomical telescopes, describes how the effects of these can be calculated using MTFs, considers the validity of multiplication of MTFs for this purpose and gives the results of measurement of external and dome seeing, system MTF and image quality obtained during the commissioning of UKIRT.
Comparisons between current high speed film and video recording

High speed film cameras have been used for observation and measurement in aerodynamic and aeroballistic facilities since these facilities were first introduced. Following an introduction, the paper outlines the basic mechanisms of high speed film and video recording bringing out the differences in the way in which the image is obtained and stored. This is followed by a brief history of the development of both systems. It goes on to describe the various types of video sensor and the way in which the signals obtained are stored, both temporarily and permanently. Mention is made of the way in which video recording has gradually moved into the high speed area. Comparisons are made between film and video in terms of information density and relative resolution and image blur. Short exposure time, still video is described and points made about the transformation of film to video images. A discussion of the special merits of film and video methods follows with comparisons. Finally a short summary is made of what the future may be for both methods of recording.
The AXAF/XRS test dewar - A versatile design

The X-Ray Spectrometer (XRS)1,2, to be flown on the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF)3 is being developed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). XRS consists of an array of microcalorimeters and an Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerator (ADR)4. The ADR provides an operating temperature of 0.065 to 0.100 K. To support extensive development testing of the ADR and the detector array a test dewar has been designed and built at GSFC. Performance specifications say that this dewar must provide an adequate hold time of at least 24 hours with a bath temperature of 1.5 K. The design should minimize microphonic noise to the very sensitive detectors. It also must be flexible and modular to allow quick access to the experiment.
The turnover of folate coenzymes in murine lymphoma cells.

Abstract To estimate the turnover of 5-CH3-H4-folate in murine lymphoma cells L1210, L1210R (a methotrexate-resistant subline), and L5178Y, suspensions of whole cells were allowed to concentrate 5-[14C]CH3-[9,3',5'-3H]H4-folate; analysis of cell extracts showed that, for each cell line, 81 to 85% of the total cell [14C]CH3 groups were transferred to nonfolate compounds within 5 min and 82 to 91% at time intervals up to 60 min. The initial transfer of 14C appeared to be into [14C]methionine, but insoluble cell materials were also progressively 14C labeled. Of the total cell 3H, more than 87% remained identified as 5-CH3-[3H3]H4-folate at 60 min, showing that within this period most of the [3H2]H4-folate derived from 5-CH3-[3H3]H4-folate returned to maintain the labeling of the pool of 5-CH3-[3H3]H4-folate. To estimate the flux of folates through the pathway of thymidylate biosynthesis, L1210 and L1210R cells were allowed to concentrate either 5-CH3-[9,3',5'-3H]H4-folate in the presence of methotrexate or 5-HCO-[6-3H]H4-folate. Of total 3H taken up as 5-HCO-[6-3H]H4-folate, 28% appeared to be transferred to thymidylate in 60 min by L1210 cells and 52% by L1210R cells. In methotrexate-treated L1210 cells, 23% of the total 3H taken up as 5-CH3-[3H3]H4-folate was accumulated in 60 min as [3H3]H2-folate, a product of thymidylate biosynthesis. However, in cells of the methotrexate-resistant L1210R line, no [3H3]H2-folate was accumulated by the use of 2 mm methotrexate despite the demonstrated high flux of folates through the pathway of thymidylate biosynthesis. These data show the significance, for methotrexate resistance, of the 11-fold increase of dihydrofolate reductase in L1210R cells.
Experimental assessment of variant selection rules for grain boundary α in titanium alloys

Abstract In titanium alloys, variant selection (VS) of grain boundary α (GBα) at prior β grain boundaries (GBs) during α precipitation has a significant influence on the subsequent transformation pathway and transformation texture development of the α phase, and thus on the final mechanical properties. In this paper, we assess systematically the applicability of all current empirical rules for VS of GBα at prior β GBs using experimental characterization of GB misorientation, boundary plane inclination, and orientation relationships between the GBα and adjacent β grains in Ti-5553. We find that all these VS rules may be violated for a given β grain boundary. Based on the experimental observations, the frequencies of each of these empirical rules being either violated or followed have been assessed, and from this assessment, we analyze theoretically whether the arguments underlying each of these rules are physically sound and why rules are violated, and then discuss when a sound prediction may be made using these empirical VS rules.
The Changing Profile of Homozygous β-Thalassemia: Demography, Ethnicity, and Age Distribution of Current North American Patients and Changes in Two Decades

Background. The age of patients with homozygous β-thalassemia is increasing because of better treatment and decreased births. A countering influence is immigration of ethnic groups with a high prevalence of thalassemia. Methods. A questionnaire sent to 48 North American centers requested information about current patients with homozygous β-thalassemia: age, clinical severity, and ethnicity. An 83% response was obtained. Twelve reference hospitals that participated in similar surveys in 1972 and 1984 were included. Results. Five hundred eighteen patients with homozygous β-thalassemia represent most North American patients. Four hundred forty-three (86%) of these had transfusion-dependent thalassemia major (TM); 75 (14%) had thalassemia intermedia (TI). Sixty-two percent were of Greek and Italian ancestry. There were approximately equal numbers of patients with TM in 5-year intervals between 0 and 25 years of age. Thereafter, the number of patients fell sharply. The mean age (±SD) of the patients with TM was 16.1 ± 9.2 years. Striking differences were seen in Italian and Greek patients compared with those of other ancestries. Sixty-six percent of the 271 Italian and Greek patients with TM were older than 16 years of age, whereas 77% of the 172 patients of other ethnic groups with TM were younger than 15 years of age. The mean age of the 75 patients with TI was greater than that of the patients with TM. Seventy-three percent of African-American patients with thalassemia had TI, compared with 0% of Southeastern Asian patients. Comparisons of patients with TM from the 12 reference hospitals for two decades show increasing mean ages of TM patients (1973, 11.4 ± 6.7 years; 1985, 14.2 ± 7.3 years; and 1993, 16.1 ± 9.2 years). Conclusions. There are probably only 750 to 1000 patients with homozygous β-thalassemia in North America. Only about 15 to 20 new cases are diagnosed each year. The increasing mean age and age distribution indicate that modern therapies are effective, but immigration of non-Mediterranean ethnic groups with thalassemia has resulted in more, younger patients. TM is increasingly becoming a disease of young adults.
SPLINDID: a semi-parametric, model-based method for obtaining transcription rates and gene regulation parameters from genomic and proteomic expression profiles

Purpose: To evaluate a semi-parametric, model-based approach for obtaining transcription rates from mRNA and protein expression. Methods: The transcription profile input was modeled using an exponential function of a cubic spline and the dynamics of translation; mRNA and protein degradation were modeled using the Hargrove--Schmidt model. The transcription rate profile and the translation, and mRNA and protein degradation rate constants were estimated by the maximum likelihood method. Results: Simulated datasets generated from the stochastic, transit compartment and dispersion signaling models were used to test the approach. The approach satisfactorily fit the mRNA and protein data, and accurately recapitulated the parameter and the normalized transcription rate profile values. The approach was successfully used to model published data on tyrosine aminotransferase pharmacodynamics. Conclusions: The semi-parametric approach is effective and could be useful for delineating the genomic effects of drugs. Availability: Code suitable for use with the ADAPT software program is available from the corresponding author. Contact: murali@acsu.buffalo.edu
To be middle-aged, gifted and black: mourning without melancholia

Tradition and the Black Atlantic: critical theory in the African Diaspora, by Henry Louis Gates Jr., New York, Basic Civitas, 2010, 224 pp., US$23.95 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-465-01410-1 Darker than ...
Wired for results: A web-based outcomes management and research tool for programs serving older people who are blind or visually impaired

Abstract The American Foundation for the Blind through a federal grant developed a web-based data collection and outcome management tool for use by agencies providing vision rehabilitation services to older individuals experiencing age-related vision loss.
Agreement between noninvasive oximetric values for oxygen saturation.

We made an assessment of five pulse oximeters in regard to their ability to replace the HP ear oximeter as a noninvasive measurement of SaO 2 . Trials were performed during isocapnic progressive hypoxia (SaO 2 range, 99 to 70 percent) in 22 white and six black subjects. Comparisons between values of SaO 2 by oximetry were analyzed by comparing the difference of values by the two methods against their mean. The difference between pulse oximeters and the HP was 2.6±10.3 percent in all subjects. Results in whites were 1.9±10.2 percent and in blacks were 5.1±9.2 percent. The distribution of differences between pulse oximeters and the HP were larger below 80 percent than above 85 percent. We conclude that pulse oximeters give higher values than the HP, a tendency which is more pronounced in black than in white subjects. While the limits of agreement are better at saturations above 85 percent, the 95 percent confidence limits of agreement between pulse oximeters and the HP are rather large (± 10 percent) and unacceptable for assuming that pulse oximeters will provide the same values as found in clinical studies using the HP.
Elektrochemische Fluorierung. III. Elektrofluorierung von Olefinen in nichtwäßrigen Lösungsmitteln. Zum Mechanismus des Anodenvorganges

Die Verwendbarkeit organischer Losungsmittel zur Durchfuhrung anodischer Fluorierungen, speziell zur Addition an eine Doppelbindung, und die hierbei brauchbaren Anodenmaterialien werden untersucht. Die Elektrolyse anorganischer Fluorverbindungen in wasserfreien Losungsmitteln, vorzugsweise Essigsaure, in Gegenwart ungesattigter Verbindungen ermoglicht deren Fluorierung. Eine Erorterung der bei anodischen Sekundarreaktionen moglichen Mechanismen ergibt, das die elektrolytische Fluorierung den Grenzfall einer reinen Anodenreaktion darstellt. Sie verlauft als Elektronenentzug aus einem molekularen Komplex Depolarisator + HF, wobei das Elektron wahrscheinlich von der Depolarisatormolekel, und zwar von der einem radikalischen Angriff am leichtesten zuganglichen Stelle, stammt. Dabei kommt es zur Ausbildung einer Elektronenpaarbindung zwischen Depolarisator und Fluor.
Pancreas-specific venular labeling by Monastral blue B in the BB rat: modulation by prostaglandins and their inhibitors

Leaky blood vessels in the microcirculation can be detected in vivo by injecting an animal with colloidal pigments like Monastral blue B (MbB). We have previously used this labeling method in the BB rat, an animal model of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes, and detected increased vascular permeability restricted to the venules of the pancreas. The earlier data suggested that pancreata of animals susceptible to labeling contain trapped intravascular monocytes that are activated to release vasoactive mediators after phagocytosis of MbB. To explore these observations further, we investigated the effects of prostaglandins on this system. Prostaglandins are known to be important mediators of inflammatory responses and to modulate the expression of disease in other animal models of autoimmunity. We now report that MbB-induced pancreatic labeling is modulated by misoprostol (an analogue of prostaglandin E1), prostaglandins of the E series, and inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen and ketorolac both reduced the intensity of labeling in susceptible BB rats in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, both misoprostol and prostaglandin E2 given at low doses induced pancreatic permeability in the labeling-resistant Wistar Furth rat. To extend this finding, we also tested much higher drug doses, since at high concentrations, E series prostanoids exert anti-inflammatory effects. We observed that large doses of prostaglandin E1, prostaglandin E2, and misoprostol all suppressed labeling in the BB rat. We conclude that presence of MbB in the pancreatic circulation of the rat induces organ specific venular leakage by an inflammatory process involving prostaglandins.
Thermodynamics of gas and steam-blast eruptions

Eruptions of gas or steam and non-juvenile debris are common in volcanic and hydrothermal areas. From reports of non-juvenile eruptions or eruptive sequences world-wide, at least three types (or end-members) can be identified: (1) those involving rock and liquid water initially at boiling-point temperatures (‘boiling-point eruptions’); (2) those powered by gas (primarily water vapor) at initial temperatures approaching magmatic (‘gas eruptions’); and (3) those caused by rapid mixing of hot rock and ground- or surface water (‘mixing eruptions’). For these eruption types, the mechanical energy released, final temperatures, liquid water contents and maximum theoretical velocities are compared by assuming that the erupting mixtures of rock and fluid thermally equilibrate, then decompress isentropically from initial, near-surface pressure (≤10 MPa) to atmospheric pressure. Maximum mechanical energy release is by far greatest for gas eruptions (≤∼1.3 MJ/kg of fluid-rock mixture)-about one-half that of an equivalent mass of gunpowder and one-fourth that of TNT. It is somewhat less for mixing eruptions (≤∼0.4 MJ/kg), and least for boiling-point eruptions (≤∼0.25 MJ/kg). The final water contents of crupted boiling-point mixtures are usually high, producing wet, sloppy deposits. Final erupted mixtures from gas eruptions are nearly always dry, whereas those from mixing eruptions vary from wet to dry. If all the enthalpy released in the eruptions were converted to kinetic energy, the final velocity (v max) of these mixtures could range up to 670 m/s for boiling-point eruptions and 1820 m/s for gas eruptions (highest for high initial pressure and mass fractions of rock (m r) near zero). For mixing eruptions, v max ranges up to 1150 m/s. All observed eruption velocities are less than 400 m/s, largely because (1) most solid material is expelled when m r is high, hence v max is low; (2) observations are made of large blocks the velocities of which may be less than the average for the mixture; (3) heat from solid particles is not efficiently transferred to the fluid during the eruptions; and (4) maximum velocities are reduced by choked flow or friction in the conduit.
Non-Rectilinear Current Flow in a Straight Conductor

The flow of current in a long, straight, isotropic, conducting rod of uniform, noncircular cross section, due to a potential difference between its ends, is considered. The electric field in the material is assumed to depend linearly on the current density and to be quadratic in the magnetic field, while the magnetic permeability of the material is assumed constant. It is shown in the case of a rod of elliptical cross section that the current has a circulatory component superposed on the rectilinear flow.
The impact of socio-economic factors on political instability: A cross-country analysis

Abstract We argue that political instability is a good indicator of disturbances in development. Moreover we argue that the causality between the political instability and the economic growth is often mistaken to run from instability to growth. Thus we tested the hypothesis that political instability is dependent on economic growth and its underlying economic and social determinants, as well as the nature of the political system present in the country. 122 countries were considered in our study in the period between 1960 and 1988. Our results confirmed that several socio-economic factors including income growth rate, initial income level, and the nature of political regime affect political instability.
Fractionation and Characterization of Polyclonal Antibodies Using Three Progressively More Chaotropic Solvents

In the previous paper we described the effect of several different solvents on the structure of antibodies and demonstrated that 0.1 M glycine, pH 2.9, 7 M urea, pH 4.0, and 6 M guanidine-HCl, pH 4.0, unfold the antibodies to different degrees. Antibodies can be refolded from all of these solvents by dialysis. Polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) are a mixture of antibodies which recognize and bind different epitopes on the same antigen, with the strength of the antigen-antibody binding varying with each subpopulation. When rabbit antisera to the extracellular domain of Her2 receptor (sHer2), derived from Chinese hamster ovary cells, was applied to an antigen column, bound pAbs were recovered with a step-wise elution of 0.1 M glycine, pH 2.9 (44% of the total recovered pAb), 7 M urea, pH 4.0 (29%), and 6 M guanidine-HCl, pH 4.0 (27%), with baseline resolution between them. Fluorescence spectra of the pAbs confirmed that the 0. 1 M glycine pH 2.9 sample had near-native structure, the pAbs in 7 M urea, pH 4.0, were partially unfolded, and the pAbs in the 6 M guanidine-HCl, pH 4.0, were totally unfolded. The glycine- or urea-eluted sample was refolded by dialysis into PBS, while the guanidine-HCl-eluted sample was first dialyzed into the 7 M urea pH 4.0 buffer and then into PBS. The refolded material from glycine or urea had native-like spectra, while the spectrum of the protein refolded from 6 M guanidine-HCl was slightly perturbed. All three of these subpopulations of pAbs formed antigen-antibody complexes which could be isolated by gel-filtration chromatography, precipitated sHer2 during immunoprecipitation, and recognized sHer2 in Western blots. The guanidine-HCl-eluted material was most sensitive for Western blotting. Identical results were obtained with pAbs applied either in the batch mode or to the top of the column, indicating that antibody aggregation which may occur when applied from the top of the column is not responsible for the distribution of pAbs into different subpopulations. These results indicate that the sequential use of these three increasingly chaotropic solvents to elute antibodies results in both increased recovery of antibodies and fractionation of pAbs into subpopulations with potentially different antigen binding characteristics.
The Future Of Surgery: New Generations Of Laser Surgical Systems

The greatest advancements in the past three decades in surgery were the development of precision surgical and endosccpic techniques. The introduction of binocular magnification with improved lighting in ear surgery contributed mainly to improve precision techniques in surgery. An order of magnitude improvement in precision was achieved using magnification and delicate instruments. Similarly, endoscopic instrumentation, rigid and flexible, made previously unaccessible areas accessible without major surgical intervention.
Agglutination of cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni by immune sera.

SummaryThe agglutination of living cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni by immune sera in high dilutions is reported. This reaction which occurs in heat inactivated as well as in fresh serum also appears in the serum of monkeys recently infected with trichina. The agglutinin develops early in the acute infections and was absent in four of seven chronic schistosome infections.
Transcutaneous Blood Gas Measurements Using a Mass Spectrometer

We use a Perkin Elmer MGA 1100 mass spectrometer modified for blood gas tension measurements to study transcutaneous measurements of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium in normal subjects. We use an aluminum sampling chamber heated to 42--44 degree C and connected to the mass spectrometer by about 2 m of stainless steel tubing. The sampling area of 5 cm2 is covered with a polytrifluorochloroethylene membrane 18 micrometer thick (Allied Chemical Co., Aclar 33c). The membrane is supported by sintered stainless steel disc with a thermistor incorporated for measurement of "membrane" temperature. The chamber is heated with a printed circuit heater (Minco) and is temperature regulated by a servo circuit. We have used the system to measure, O2, CO2 N2 and He via the heated skin in four normal subjects, breathing air and then 100% oxygen. We also observed the response to a single breath of helium. Helium appears at the skin within 10--15 sec. The time constant of its disappearance is about 70 sec. The average uncorrected gas tensions which we obtained breathing air were 11.2 kPa for oxygen, 5.1 kPa for carbon dioxide and 67.1 kPa for nitrogen. The corresponding values breathing oxygen were 41.1 kPa for oxygen, 4.4 kPa for carbon dioxide and 13.1 kPa for nitrogen.
Reversal of Hox1 gene subfunctionalization in the mouse.

Summary In vertebrates, paralogous Hox genes play diverse biological roles. We examined the interchangeability of Hoxa1 and Hoxb1 in mouse development by swapping their protein-coding regions. Remarkably, the mice expressing the Hox-B1 protein from the Hoxa1 locus, and vice versa, are essentially normal. We noted, nonetheless, a specific facial nerve hypomorphism in hemizygous Hoxb1 A1/− mice and decreased viability in homozygous Hoxa1 B1/B1 embryos. Further, we established a mouse line in which we have inserted the 107 bp Hoxb1 autoregulatory enhancer into the Hoxa1 promoter. Strikingly, the newly generated autoregulatory Hoxa1 gene can deliver the functionality of both paralogs in these mice, providing normal viability as well as proper facial nerve formation even in the Hoxb1 mutant background. This study affirms that subfunctionalization of the transcriptional regulatory elements has a principal role in the diversification of paralogous Hox genes. Moreover, we show that the ancestral vertebrate Hox1 gene can still be experimentally reconstructed.
On the existence of wave operators for some Dirac operators with square summable potential

We study the Dirac operators on the half-line. If the potential is square summable, we prove existence of the wave operators.
Uptake of benodanil by tobacco seedlings and its relation to the rate of application and control of Rhizoctonia solani

Damage to the underground part of the stems of tobacco seedlings, drenched with benodanil in the seedbeds and transplanted into field soil containing Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, was negatively correlated with log(amount of benodanil applied). During the first 3 weeks of growth, the dry mass per seedling was positively correlated with the rate of benodanil applied and negatively correlated with stem damage. Concentrations of the fungicide extractable from roots, stems and leaves at transplanting and after 21 days were positively correlated with the rates of application; in 21 days they decreased by 94% in stems and roots. Stem damage at 21 days after planting was negatively correlated with log(benodanil concentration) at planting and 21 days later.