cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integration of Conservative Surgery, Radiotherapy, and Chemotherapy for Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

A djuvant systemic therapy and the combination of breast-conserving surgery and radiotherapy are used with increasing frequency to treat patients with early-stage breast cancer. However, the optimal sequencing and timing of radiation and chemotherapy are unknown, both with regards to each other and to surgery. Some possibilities include giving all planned chemotherapy before radiation, all chemol therapy after radiation, giving both concurrently, or giving a portion of the chemotherapy before irradiation, and then completing chemotherapy afterward (“sandwich technique”). Trials of preoperative or “neoadjuvant” chemotherapy are underway as well. There are few data yet available to resolve such questions concerning treatment timing and sequencing. This article will discuss some aspects of this subject. The synergism or interaction of systemic therapy with radiotherapy in reducing the incidence of local recurrence will be explored. We will examine whether and to what extent the timing of radiotherapy and adjuvant systemic therapy in relation to surgery is related to their effectiveness in preventing local and distant failures, respectively. The sequencing of treatment modalities will then be assessed in relationship to tumor recurrence, cosmesis, and complication rates. The interactions of adjuvant tamoxifen with radiotherapy will also be addressed briefly.
An exploration of the pretreatment coping strategies of patients with carcinoma of the head and neck

BACKGROUND Patients with head and neck carcinoma (HNC) often face exhaustive and debilitating treatment as well as physical and functional residual effects, such as disfigurement, compromised speech, dry mouth, and difficulties swallowing. Understanding how patients cope with these challenges is important in comprehensive care of patients with HNC. METHODS Seventy-nine patients with HNC were assessed for quality of life (QOL) and coping strategy. Measures included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck, the Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer Patients, and the Ways of Coping-Cancer Version. Coping strategies were summarized and related to patient demographics and QOL. RESULTS The results suggested that patients with HNC used a wide range of coping strategies, with social support seeking behaviors representing the greatest proportion of total coping effort (25%). The use of avoidant coping strategies (both cognitive and behavioral escape) was associated with poorer overall QOL. CONCLUSIONS Although further examination of these issues in larger groups of patients with HNC is warranted, the current findings suggest the adaptability of this group of patients and the potential benefit of social support-based assistance or intervention. Cancer 2002;95:98–104. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10653
A dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein enriched in dopamine-innervated brain regions

Several mammalian neurotransmitter candidates, for example, serotonin1, dopamine2,3 and noradrenaline4,5, may exert some of their synaptic effects by regulating protein phosphorylation systems6,7. Comparison of the regional distribution of brain phosphoproteins with neurotransmitter systems may help to identify the specific phosphoproteins involved in the functions of particular neurotransmitters. Here we report the association of one such phosphoprotein with the dopamine pathways in brain. This protein, of apparent molecular weight (MW) 32,000 (32K), seems to be present only in nervous tissue. Its regional distribution within the brain is very similar to the pattern of dopamine-containing nerve terminals; more specifically, the protein appears to be enriched in those dopaminoceptive neurones which possess D-1 receptors (dopamine receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase8). The state of phosphorylation of the protein in these dopaminoceptive neurones can be regulated by both dopamine and cyclic AMP. These results suggest that the phosphoprotein may mediate certain of the transsynaptic effects of dopamine acting on dopaminoceptive neurones.
Changes in the 17 bp spacer in the P(R) promoter of bacteriophage lambda affect steps in open complex formation that precede DNA strand separation.

Tau plots and temperature-shift experiments were used to determine which step in the formation of transcriptionally-competent open complexes is affected by changing the length of the 17 bp spacer separating the -10 and -35 consensus regions of the P(R) promoter of bacteriophage lambda. Abortive initiation assays at 37 degrees C indicate that the primary effect of insertion of a base-pair, thereby increasing spacer length to 18 bp, is a decrease in k(f), the rate constant for conversion from closed (RP(c)) to open (RP(o)) complexes, by approximately a factor of 4. The mutation did not significantly affect K(B), the equilibrium constant for formation of closed complexes, and decreased K(B)k(f) by a factor of 3. Deletion of a bp to create a 16 bp spacer had a much greater effect, decreasing the measured value of k(f) by a factor of about 25 to 30, and K(B)k(f) by a factor of 7 to 8. When the values of the parameters for the deletion mutant were corrected for incomplete occupancy of RP(o) at equilibrium, the effects of the deletion were even greater. In particular, the corrected value of K(B)k(f) was about 15 times lower than the corresponding value for two promoters with wild-type spacing. Based on temperature shift experiments, the changes in spacer length did not affect the equilibrium at 20 degrees C between RP(i), a stable intermediate in which DNA strands are not separated, and RP(o). Although differential sensitivity of single-stranded bases to KMnO(4) indicated that in about 20% of the open complexes at 20 degrees C the DNA strands are not fully separated (RP(o1)), the distribution between these complexes and RP(o2) (DNA strands fully separated) was also not affected significantly by changes in spacer length. Thus, changes in spacer length primarily affect k(2), the rate constant for conversion of RP(c) to RP(i), which corresponds to a nucleation of DNA strand-separation. Application of published data and/or algorithms for determining effects of nucleotide sequence on twist angle or rise at individual bp steps does not provide a simple explanation of the difference in promoter strength between P(R) derivatives with 16 bp spacing and those with 18 bp spacing.
Cellular magnetic resonance imaging: Nanometer and micrometer size particles for noninvasive cell localization

The use of nanometer and micrometer-sized superparamagnetic iron oxide particles as cellular contrast agents allows for the noninvasive detection of labeled cells on high-resolution magnetic resonance images. The development and application of these techniques to neurologic disorders is likely to accelerate the development of cell transplantation therapies and allow for the detailed study of in vivo cellular biology. This review summarizes the early development of iron oxide—based cellular contrast agents and the more recent application of this technology to noninvasive imaging of cellular transplants. The ability of this technique to allow for the noninvasive detection of in vivo transplants on the single-cell level is highlighted.
PbSn4F10: A new disordered fluorite-type fast ion conductor

Abstract A new fluoride ion conductor, PbSn 4 F 10 , has been prepared in sealed copper tubes at 250°C, followed by quenching. It crystallizes in the fluorite structural type, space group Fm3m , with a = 5.9541(5) A˚, and exhibits total disorder between Pb and Sn. However, 119 Sn Mo¨ssbauer spectroscopy shows that the tin(II) lone pair has a 5s 2−x 5p x structure, and therefore is stereoactive with considerable p z character. The Mo¨ssbauer parameters, δ = 3.38 mm · sec −1 and Δ = 1.60 mm · sec −1 , are very close to those for α-SnF 2 , indicating a similar distortion of the tin(II) site, showing that despite the cubic symmetry of the lattice, the tin environment is probably similar to that observed in α-PbSnF 4 . PbSn 4 F 10 is metastable at room temperature and decomposes spontaneously over a period varying from a few minutes to a few days, depending on mechanical treatments. Promising fluoride ion conduction has been evidenced in this strange fluorite-type structure of SnF 2 stabilized with 20% PbF 2 .
Medicare home health reimbursement alternatives: access, quality, and cost incentives.

This paper presents a conceptual analysis of access, quality, and cost containment incentives created bv several current and potential Medicare reimbursement methodologies. The alternatives examined are methods used by health-maintenance organizations (HMOs) and three options receiving national policy consideration: prospective per-visit and per-episode payment, and "bundling." The analysis found better incentives (from a policy perspective) for HMOs with integral home health units than for HMOs using outside contractors. Of the other options, per-episode payment appeared most promising, but requires accurate case mix adjustments. All approaches also require quality assurance tailored to reimbursement incentives. Topics for further research and demonstrations are suggested.
Intracranial volume and whole brain volume in infants with unicoronal craniosynostosis.

Objective: Craniosynostosis has been hypothesized to result in alterations of the brain and cerebral blood flow due to reduced intracranial volume, potentially leading to cognitive deficits. In this study we test the hypothesis that intracranial volume and whole brain volume in infants with unilateral coronal synostosis differs from those in unaffected infants. Design: Our study sample consists of magnetic resonance images acquired from 7- to 72-week-old infants with right unilateral coronal synostosis prior to surgery (n = 10) and age-matched unaffected infants (n = 10). We used Analyze 9.0 software to collect three cranial volume measurements. We used nonparametric tests to determine whether the three measures differ between the two groups. Correlations were calculated between age and the three volume measures in each group to determine whether the growth trajectory of the measurements differ between children with right unicoronal synostosis and unaffected infants. Results: Our results show that the...
A simulator for service-based software system co-design

The adoption of the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) as the foundation for developing a new generation of software systems poses important challenges in system design. While simulation tools serve a principal role in design, there is a growing recognition that simulation of Service-Based Software Systems (SBS) requires modeling capabilities beyond those that are developed for the traditional distributed software systems. In this paper, a novel simulator is developed based on the SOC-DEVS co-design approach and realized as an extension to the SOA-compliant DEVS simulator. The tool supports DEVS simulation modeling of not only the services consistent with Service-Oriented Computing (SOC) concepts and principles, but also the networked hardware components on which services must execute on. An example model for a voice communication system is developed to illustrate the kind of hardware and software components that can be modeled and simulated.
The effect of colupulone (a hops β-acid) on hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzymatic activity in the rat

Colupulone, a component of hops, was examined for its ability to alter rat hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzymatic activity, expression of hepatic cytochrome P-450 mRNA, and in vitro promutagen activation. Colupulone was fed to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 5 days at 0.36% in the modified AIN 76 diet. Three cytochrome P-450 enzymatic activities were measured, and the corresponding steady-state mRNA levels were examined by Northern blot hybridization. Colupulone increased cytochrome P450IIB and P450IIIA steady-state mRNA levels. In vitro promutagen activation was measured in the Ames assay using liver homogenates from each treatment group. Colupulone treatment did not alter the ex vivo cytochrome P-450-mediated activation of aflatoxin B1 or benzo[a]pyrene to their mutagenic forms. The effect of long-term colupulone administration on in vivo cytochrome P-450 enzymatic activity remains to be determined.
Postoccupancy Energy Consumption Survey of Arizona’s LEED New Construction Population

AbstractExisting literature has not provided conclusive performance results for green building energy efficiency. Existing studies produced debated conclusions and failed to represent a geographic concentration of structures from hot and dry climates. This technical paper examines 47% of Arizona’s 53 building Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED NC) building population in an effort to determine if Arizona’s LEED NC buildings achieve expected energy performance, how they compare with the existing building population and whether either system or managerial variables demonstrate efficiency correlations. Data collection efforts were successful for all desired deliverables. Analysis of the LEED NC sample returned mixed results. On average, Arizona’s LEED NC medium energy intense (MEI) buildings performed better than the national average yet worse than buildings located in similar climates. Certain LEED NC MEI building types did demonstrate greater efficiencies than the corre...
Using social semiotics to prepare mathematics teachers to teach for social justice

In this article, we propose that guiding teachers to examine the regulative/discursive norms of school mathematics with tools derived from social semiotics can serve two related goals: (1) to deconstruct the “math is math period!” disposition in prospective teachers by promoting their critical understanding of the symbolic domination work they often unknowingly perform and (2) to reconstruct a more socio-political disposition by equipping them with tools for decoding the dominant discursive practices of school mathematics. After reviewing research on the social semiotics of mathematics education, we discuss two sample teacher education tasks designed with the above goals in mind.
Risk Estimator for Adrenal Tumor Functionality

Adrenal lesions are a common imaging finding with a prevalence approaching 10 %. Although guidelines recommend dedicated laboratory tests to rule out tumor functionality, many patients never undergo this workup. This study investigates the use of demographic and clinical variables to create an easy scoring system for predicting adrenal tumor functionality (functional adrenal tumors, or FATs). Altogether, 2,807 patients in the NSQIP 2005–2010 database underwent adrenalectomy as their principal operation and had a postoperative diagnosis consistent with an adrenal lesion/disorder. Patients were divided into two groups based on a postoperative diagnosis consistent with tumor functionality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify specific predictors of FATs and for Cushing’s, Conn’s, or pheochromocytoma. Overall, 13.2 % (n = 402) of adrenalectomies performed were for FATs. Patients with a FAT were younger (age 30 kg/m2, p 11, p 1.25 mg/dl, p 143 mmol/L, p < 0.001). On multivariate regression, patients with these characteristics were 20.53 times (CI 15.79–25.27) more likely to have a FAT (model c-statistic 0.634, CI 0.605–0.663; Hosmer–Lemeshow test (H–L), p = 0.035). Patients who were younger (p < 0.001), female (p < 0.001), diabetic (p = 0.07), overweight (p = 0.027), with elevated WBCs (p < 0.001) and lower Cr (p < 0.001) were 63.62 times (CI 58.03–69.21) more likely to have Cushing’s (model c-statistic 0.685, CI 0.648–0.722; H–L p = 0.954). After external validation, this risk estimator might be used to quantify the probability of tumor functionality in patients with incidental adrenal masses. Although predictive power may be limited, it helps identify patients at high risk for FATs that need more urgent referral to a specialist.
Morphology of drainage basins as an indicator of climate on early Mars

[1] We show that drainage basin morphology correlates with climate. Computational analysis of the 46 basins extracted from the western slopes of the Andes reveals the existence of four different basin morphologic classes. This purely geomorphic partition correlates with division of the same basins on the grounds of climate types. Basins are compared using circularity functions as their formal representations. Self-organizing maps and dendrograms are employed to provide basin classification. One class of basin morphologies corresponds to sites in the arid Atacama Desert, and the other class corresponds to sites in the Atacama exhibiting groundwater sapping landforms. Using the same technique, we study a larger sample of 94 basins that, in addition to the Andean basins, includes other terrestrial basins and 26 basins from Martian sites that show prominent valley networks. The classification of this larger set shows that morphologies of Martian and terrestrial basins bifurcate at the root of the dendrogram, forming two separate domains of basin morphologies. The similarity map reveals that, of all the terrestrial basins, the Atacama Desert basins are morphologically closest to the Martian basins. Extrapolating the terrestrial morphology-climate linkage to Mars points to formation of valley networks in a hyperarid climatic environment. We submit that the Atacama Desert provides the best possible terrestrial morphologic analog to valley network sites on Mars. We discuss climatic and hydrologic particularities of the Atacama Desert and hypothesize that a similar environment existed on early Mars.
Non‐invasive quantitation of human liver metabolites using image‐guided 31p magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Phosphorus-containing metabolites in normal human liver have been quantitated non-invasively with 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy using surface coils. The location of the volume of interest (VOI) was defined by 1H magnetic resonance imaging. Subsequently, a modified three-dimensional localization technique (ISIS) was used to acquire 31P magnetic resonance spectra from the VOI. To account for partial saturation produced by rapid signal averaging, the spin/lattice relaxation times (T1) of all hepatic phosphorus resonances were measured. The corrected resonance integrals were used to derive absolute molar concentrations for the following hepatic metabolites (mmol/kg wet weight): ATP, 2.0; inorganic phosphate, 2.1; phosphodiesters, 5.4; and phosphomonoesters, 0.9. These values are compared with previously reported values for humans using freeze-clamping techniques, and provide a basis for comparison with studies of hepatic disease in this laboratory.
The Association between Gender and Mortality among Trauma Patients as Modified by Age

Background: Several studies have reported a null association between gender and mortality after traumatic injury, whereas others found an age-specific association between male gender and increased mortality. Relatively small sample sizes may have contributed to the heterogeneity among existing studies; therefore, a large-sample-size study was undertaken. Methods: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried, yielding data for over 150,000 patients involved in blunt or penetrating trauma. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the association between gender and mortality, both overall and according to mechanism of injury and age categories. Results: Among those who sustained blunt trauma, male patients had a significant increase in the risk of death compared with female patients (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.39-1.59) that was most apparent for those ≥50 years of age (OR, 1.97; 95% Cl, 1.84-2.11). For penetrating trauma patients, essentially no significant association, either overall (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91-1.17) or by age category, was apparent. Conclusion: This study found an association between gender and mortality among blunt trauma patients, particularly those aged ≥ 50 years. Animal studies demonstrate that the sex hormones influence the inflammatory response to injury. These results may highlight the importance of sex hormones in traumatic injury outcomes.
A randomized trial of peroral versus transnasal unsedated endoscopy using an ultrathin videoendoscope.

Abstract Background: Potential advantages of unsedated endoscopy include the prevention of side effects or morbidity related to the use of sedative drugs, less intensive patient monitoring, and less expense. We compared transnasal (T-EGD) with peroral (P-EGD) unsedated endoscopy by using an ultrathin video instrument with respect to patient tolerance and acceptance. Method: Patients were randomized to T-EGD or P-EGD. If the initial route of insertion failed, the patient was crossed over to the other route. If this also failed, the patient underwent endoscopy under conscious sedation with an ultrathin instrument. A questionnaire for tolerance was completed by the patient (a validated 0-10 scale where “0” represents none/well tolerated and “10” represents severe/poorly tolerated). Results: Of 105 recruited patients, 60 consented to undergo unsedated endoscopy. There were 20 men and 11 women (mean age 45 years) in the P-EGD group and 15 men and 14 women (mean age 48 years) in the T-EGD group. Of 35 total P-EGD patients (4 were crossed over T-EGD patients), 34 (97%) completed an unsedated examination. Of 29 T-EGD patients, 25 (86%) had a complete examination. Three T-EGD examinations failed for anatomical reasons; all 3 patients when crossed over to the P-EGD route had a successful examination. One patient was unable to tolerate either route. Between the P-EGD and the T-EGD groups, pre-procedure anxiety (3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 3.0 ± 0.6), discomfort during insertion (2.1 ± 0.5 vs. 3.3 ± 0.7), gagging (4.7 ± 0.5 vs. 3.2 ± 0.6), and overall tolerance (2.4 ± 0.5 vs. 3.8 ± 0.7) were similar (p > 0.05). However, discomfort on insertion was significantly greater in the T-EGD versus the P-EGD group (4.4 ± 0.6 vs. 2.7 ± 0.5: p
The determinants of the duration of commercial bank debt renegotiation for sovereigns

Abstract This paper examines the duration of commercial bank debt reschedulings for sovereigns. We show that the length of the first part of the rescheduling process, in which major creditor banks and the debtor country participate, is significantly affected by only the scale of rescheduling. However, the length of the second part of the process, where all the creditor banks in the syndicate are involved, is significantly affected by maturity, debt/GNP, debt/exports, GNP growth during the renegotiation process, and the presence of exit bonds and early participation fees. We also find that the time elapsed significantly increases the instantaneous probability of completion of the first part of the process.
A Calculus and logic of resources and processes

Recent advances in logics for reasoning about resources provide a new approach to compositional reasoning in interacting systems. We present a calculus of resources and processes, based on a development of Milner’s synchronous calculus of communication systems, SCCS, that uses an explicit model of resource. Our calculus models the co-evolution of resources and processes with synchronization constrained by the availability of resources. We provide a logical characterization, analogous to Hennessy–Milner logic’s characterization of bisimulation in CCS, of bisimulation between resource processes which is compositional in the concurrent and local structure of systems.
Solid state 2H-NMR studies of segmental dynamics in polymer blends.

Abstract Recent two-dimensional (2D) 2 H -NMR studies on nearly ideal mixtures are reviewed. The use of selective deuterium labeling allows the unambiguous observation of the individual segmental dynamics of each component in the blend. 2D exchange spectra provide both the mean motional rates and the motional distributions, which was necessary to discriminate among the disparate explanations of blend behavior. The components exhibit very different mean mobilities and broad mobility distributions near the glass transition. The broad macroscopic glass transition in the blends is attributed to both these two kinds of dynamic heterogeneities. The individual mean motional rates are used to define distinct glass transition temperatures, T g, i * for each species, i . The separation between the T g, i * ,s of the two species increases with the content of the high- T g component. The widths of their individual motional distributions also increase with the content of the high- T g component. These two effects combine to produce the increase in both the anomalously broad glass transition and the thermorheological complexity of these blends with fraction of the high- T g component.
Marginal Likelihood from the Gibbs Output

Abstract In the context of Bayes estimation via Gibbs sampling, with or without data augmentation, a simple approach is developed for computing the marginal density of the sample data (marginal likelihood) given parameter draws from the posterior distribution. Consequently, Bayes factors for model comparisons can be routinely computed as a by-product of the simulation. Hitherto, this calculation has proved extremely challenging. Our approach exploits the fact that the marginal density can be expressed as the prior times the likelihood function over the posterior density. This simple identity holds for any parameter value. An estimate of the posterior density is shown to be available if all complete conditional densities used in the Gibbs sampler have closed-form expressions. To improve accuracy, the posterior density is estimated at a high density point, and the numerical standard error of resulting estimate is derived. The ideas are applied to probit regression and finite mixture models.
Being a case manager for persons with borderline personality disorder: Perspectives of community mental health center clinicians

The scope of case management has expanded to include persons with chronic, nonpsychotic disorders, in particular, persons diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Despite more widespread use, literature about case management for persons with this disorder is limited. To address this gap in knowledge, a study of the day-to-day experiences of case managers who care for persons with borderline personality disorder was conducted. Seventeen community mental health center case managers gave their informed consent to participate in individual, in-depth interviews. The interviews were analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological research approach. The analysis showed a pattern of monitoring self-involvement. The case managers monitored themselves in terms of expressing concern and setting boundaries. These shared practices highlight a central and unique component of being a case manager for persons with borderline personality disorder, that is, the case manager's focus of attention is on self. By focusing on the self, case managers seek to retain control of the nature of the relationship. The author asserts that the matter to be resolved is not to determine whether retaining or relinquishing control is better, but rather, how best to help practitioners maintain a helpful relationship over time with persons who have borderline personality disorder. In an effort to accomplish this goal, questions about current helping practices and suggestions for working collaboratively with persons who have this diagnosis are provided.
Endothelin and the Regulation of Uterine and Placental Perfusion in Hypoxia-Induced Fetal Growth Restriction

Objective:Normal placental function is dependent on maintenance of uteroplacental perfusion. Endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor, is produced in and is active in the uteroplacental vusculature. Th...
Unsaturated polyesters based on bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate

Abstract A series of unsaturated polyesters based on bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, maleic anhydride and styrene were prepared. Properties of these castings were investigated and compared with those analogues based on dimethyl terephthalate or polyester oligomers formed by depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate). It is found that properties of castings based on bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate are superior to those based on polyester oligomer. When compared with those based on dimethyl phthalate, the castings have higher hardness and heat distortion temperature, but lower tensile strength and elongation; other properties are very similar.
Apoptosis induced by knockdown of uPAR and MMP-9 is mediated by inactivation of EGFR/STAT3 signaling in medulloblastoma.

Background Medulloblastoma is a highly invasive cancer of central nervous system diagnosed mainly in children. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are over expressed in several cancers and well established for their roles in tumor progression. The present study is aimed to determine the consequences of targeting these molecules on medulloblastoma progression.
Bidirectional Permeation of Electrolytes in Osmotically Driven Membrane Processes

Osmotically driven membrane processes (ODMP) are emerging water treatment and energy conversion technologies. In this work, we investigated the simultaneous forward and reverse (i.e., bidirectional) solute fluxes that occur in ODMP. Numerous experiments were conducted using ternary systems (i.e., systems containing three distinct ions) and quaternary systems (i.e., systems containing four distinct ions) in conjunction with a membrane in a forward osmosis orientation. Ten different combinations of strong electrolyte salts constitute the ternary systems; common anion systems studied included KCl-NaCl, KBr-NaBr, KNO3-NaNO3, KCl-CaCl2, and KCl-SrCl2; and common cation systems explored were KCl-KH2PO4, NaCl-NaClO4, NaCl-Na2SO4, NaCl-NaNO3, and CaCl2-Ca(NO3)2. For each combination, two experiments were conducted with each salt being used once in the draw solution and once in the feed solution. Quaternary systems studied were NaCl-KNO3, NaCl-MgSO4, MgSO4-KNO3, and NaCl-K2SO4. Experimental fluxes of the individua...
Precursor Transformation during Molecular Oxidation Catalysis with Organometallic Iridium Complexes

We present evidence for Cp* being a sacrificial placeholder ligand in the [Cp*IrIII(chelate)X] series of homogeneous oxidation catalysts. UV–vis and 1H NMR profiles as well as MALDI-MS data show a rapid and irreversible loss of the Cp* ligand under reaction conditions, which likely proceeds through an intramolecular inner-sphere oxidation pathway reminiscent of the reductive in situ elimination of diolefin placeholder ligands in hydrogenation catalysis by [(diene)MI(L,L′)]+ (M = Rh and Ir) precursors. When oxidatively stable chelate ligands are bound to the iridium in addition to the Cp*, the oxidized precursors yield homogeneous solutions with a characteristic blue color that remain active in both water- and CH-oxidation catalysis without further induction period. Electrophoresis suggests the presence of well-defined Ir-cations, and TEM-EDX, XPS, 17O NMR, and resonance-Raman spectroscopy data are most consistent with the molecular identity of the blue species to be a bis-μ-oxo di-iridium(IV) coordination...
A proton-led model of fast calcium waves.

Abstract Fast (10–30 μm/s) calcium waves can be propagated through all nucleated eukaryotic cells that have been tested as well as certain cell-free extracts. In a widely used model, they are propagated by a reaction–diffusion cycle in which calcium ions diffuse along the outside of endoplasmic reticula and induce their own release from calsequestrin or calreticulin molecules stored within the reticulum’s lumen. Here we propose a new tandem wave model in which they are also propagated by a reaction–diffusion cycle within a reticulum’s lumen. In this cycle, increases in luminal [H + ] induce proton release from luminal calsequestrin or calreticulin. The released protons diffuse ahead to where they release more protons from these luminal storage proteins. What might be called proton induced proton release. They also raise luminal electropositivity. The resultant luminal waves are coordinated with extrareticular ones by movements of calcium and hydrogen ions through the reticular membrane. This model makes five testable predictions which include the autorelease of protons in solutions of calsequestrins or calreticulins as well as waves of increased [H + ], of increased [Ca 2+ ] and of more positive voltage within the reticula of whole cells. Moreover, under some conditions, such luminal waves should cross regions without cytosolic ones.
Effect of antigen dose on lymphatic tissue germinal center changes.

SummaryInvestigations were performed on the effect of various doses of sheep erythrocyte antigen on spleen germinal center changes. These changes were correlated with the production of specific serum antibody during the first 30 days after primary antigen stimulation. The results indicate a dose-response relationship between antigen dose and germinal center changes. A correlation was observed between the germinal center changes and specific serum antibody production.
Syringantha coulteri (Hooker f.) T. McDowell, a New Combination, and Remarks on the Relationships of the Monotypic Mexican Genus Syringantha Standley (Rubiaceae)

Exostema coulteri Hooker f. is trans- ferred to the monotypic genus Syringantha Stan- dley, and the new combination Syringantha coulteri (Hooker f.) T. McDowell is made. Analysis of leaf, flower, fruit, and pollen characters indicates the af- finities of Syringantha are with the tribe Hame- lieae. A description, illustrations, and micrographs of pollen and leaves of S. coulteri (Hooker f.) T. McDowell are provided.
Resonances in the Higgs sector for large, finite Higgs-boson mass.

We study the Higgs sector of the standard model for a large but finite Higgs-boson mass. We unitarize the scattering amplitudes for longitudinal gauge bosons using a prescription given by Brown and Goble that introduces scalar and vector resonances. The masses of these resonances are analyzed as a function of the Higgs-boson mass and their effects in proton-proton colliders are discussed.
Incidence of carcinoma of the thyroid in nodular goiter.

Since the incidence of cancer in nontoxic nodular goiter as reported by us in 1944 appeared high (17.1%), we made another study during the next four years and discovered an incidence almost identical (17.2%). Our figures on incidence of cancer in nontoxic nodular goiter appeared so high because we were the first authors to break down the goiters into the three different types and to discover that the incidence was high in only one type of goiter and not in the others. The incidence of cancer was only 4.6% in toxic nodular and toxic diffuse goiter added together For decades, we have known that goiter is a geographic disease. It is possible that carcinoma of the thyroid is slightly geographical. At least it appears that there is a slightly geographical relationship in regard to the 16 patients we have observed in our clinic with cancer during 1944–1949; of these 16 patients, 11 had advanced malignant disease. We cannot have accurate figures on results regarding treatment of our cases until long-term follow-up is concluded.
The Dust Cloud about the Earth

THE existence of a high concentration of interplanetary dust near the Earth has recently been demonstrated from rocket, satellite and space-probe observations of acoustical impact. Suspected by Beard1, the concentration has been proved by me2 and by Hibbs3. To a distance of approximately 105 km., the concentration falls off roughly as the inverse 1.4 power of the distance from the Earth's surface (Fig. 1). The impact-rates on randomly oriented surfaces include all particles greater than mass 10−9 gm. and are adjusted for the differing sensitivities of the equipment. Data are from six U.S. rocket firings; from satellites Explorer I (1958 Alpha), Sputnik III (1958 Delta) and Vanguard III (1959 Eta) ; and from the space probes Explorer VI (1959 Delta) and Pioneer I. At some distance greater than 105 km., the impact-rates approximate those expected from calculations on the zodiacal cloud ; the maximum concentration with respect to the interplanetary medium is perhaps as high as 105.
The mechanism of oxygen diffusion in near stoichiometric uranium dioxide

Abstract The tracer oxygen diffusivity in UO 2±x has been calculated as a function of x and T . It was assumed that both anion vacancies and interstitials contribute independently to the diffusive process. The requisite equilibrium equations relating interstitial and vacancy concentration to x and T were adapted from the statistical thermodynamic description of oxygen activity by Thorn and Winslow. The available experimental oxygen diffusivities in UO2 (and ThO2) were critically assessed and compared with the predictions of the model.
Efficient and realistic simulation of disk cache performance

This paper describes an improved method for evaluating disk cache performance using trace driven simulation. This method differentiates between reads and writes in the trace data which results in higher miss ratios than when all traced events are treated alike. It allows for simulating various update policies and update intervals, physical blocks that are part of different files at different times, and the optimum replacement policy GOPT. These methods are applied to traces from a VAX 11/780 running 4.3 BSD UNIX to illustrate the importance of including writes in the traces and also to analyze the effects of choosing various update intervals.
Energy-linked pyridine nucleotide reduction: inhibitory effects of hyperbaric oxygen in vitro and in vivo.

Energy-Linked Pyridine Nucleotide Reduction: Inhibitory Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen In Vitro and In Vivo
Prevalence of Refractive Error among Preschool Children in an Urban Population: The Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study

Purpose To determine the age-specific prevalence of refractive errors in white and African-American preschool children. Design The Baltimore Pediatric Eye Disease Study is a population-based evaluation of the prevalence of ocular disorders in children aged 6 to 71 months in Baltimore, Maryland. Participants Among 4132 children identified, 3990 eligible children (97%) were enrolled and 2546 children (62%) were examined. Methods Cycloplegic autorefraction was attempted in all children with the use of a Nikon Retinomax K-Plus 2 (Nikon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). If a reliable autorefraction could not be obtained after 3 attempts, cycloplegic streak retinoscopy was performed. Main Outcome Measures Mean spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error, astigmatism, and prevalence of higher refractive errors among African-American and white children. Results The mean SE of right eyes was +1.49 diopters (D) (standard deviation [SD] = 1.23) in white children and +0.71 D (SD = 1.35) in African-American children (mean difference of 0.78 D; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67–0.89). Mean SE refractive error did not decline with age in either group. The prevalence of myopia of 1.00 D or more in the eye with the lesser refractive error was 0.7% in white children and 5.5% in African-American children (relative risk [RR], 8.01; 95% CI, 3.70–17.35). The prevalence of hyperopia of +3 D or more in the eye with the lesser refractive error was 8.9% in white children and 4.4% in African-American children (RR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.35–0.68). The prevalence of emmetropia ( Conclusions Significant refractive errors are uncommon in this population of urban preschool children. There was no evidence for a myopic shift over this age range in this cross-sectional study. A small proportion of preschool children would likely benefit from refractive correction, but few have had this prescribed. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Stacked ring-like coordination complex molecules threaded by infinite water tapes

Abstract Crystals of {[Cu2(mal)2(bpfp)2(H2O)2]·10H2O}n (1, mal = malonate, bpfp = bis(4-pyridylformyl)piperazine) were prepared by slow diffusion of an ethanolic solution of bpfp into an aqueous solution of copper malonate. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction showed the presence of supramolecular stacks of ring-like [Cu2(mal)2(bpfp)2(H2O)2] neutral coordination complex molecules threaded by unique infinite water molecule tapes with a T6(6)4(4)4(3)4(3)A(2) classification. These feature six-membered chair conformation rings, four-membered rings, and are decorated by single water molecules. Hydrogen bonding acceptance by the formyl groups of the bpfp ligands proved critical in stabilizing the water molecule tapes within the nanotubular incipient channels.
Exploratory Bifactor Analysis of the WJ-III Achievement at School Age via the Schmid-Leiman Orthogonalization Procedure

The structure of academic achievement measures has been rarely investigated in the literature apart from that which appears in the instruments’ technical manuals. This is concerning, given the widespread use of academic achievement instruments when making educational decisions about children. The Woodcock–Johnson III (WJ-III) Achievement for school-aged children (age 9-19) was investigated using exploratory bifactor analysis via the Schmid–Leiman (SL) orthogonalization procedure. This is the first time the SL has been applied to an academic achievement measure. The results revealed a unidimensional model of academic achievement across the standard 11 subtest battery, a two- or three-factor model at age 9 to 13 in the extended battery, and a two-factor model at age 14 to 19 across the extended battery. Forcing the four-factor fit in the standard battery required extracting eigenvalues as low as 0.67 and yielded areas of both convergence with and divergence from the structure posited in the Technical Manual. Forcing the six-factor fit across the extended battery yielded Heywood Cases, a lack of convergence of the factor solution, and the need to truncate iterations at 2 to force the fit. The results of this study indicate that the WJ-III Achievement is a solid model of general achievement across the 9 to 19 age range. Examination of omega coefficients, the divergent factor structure, and the small amount of variance accounted for by the lower order factors suggest caution when interpreting beyond this level (i.e., the academic clusters). Implications for interpretation of the WJ-III Achievement at age 9 to 19 are discussed.
Countercyclical union wage premium? Evidence for the 1980s

Empirical results based on pooled male data from the Panel Survey of Income Dynamics indicate an overall union wage premium of about 11.92 percent for the 1980s. In response to fluctuations in local labor market conditions, proxied by the local unemployment rate, a much more flexible wage-setting process is found in the nonunion sector relative to the union sector. The long-term effect of unemployment on nonunion real wages suggests an approximate 0.6 percent decline for every one percentage point increase in unemployment, a statistically significant reduction, but the long-term effect of unemployment on real wages of union members is negligible. The union wage premium ranges between 11.6 to 12.3 percent for the sample years. Even though union wages are insensitive to short-run fluctuations in local labor market conditions, and are somewhat countercyclical in nature, widespread union wage concessions which occurred during the 1980s may now be exerting a downward pressure on union wages.
Inference about defects in the presence of masking

This article considers the situation in which a system consists of k components and a defect in any component causes a system malfunction. When a system malfunction occurs, test procedures restrict the cause to some subset of the Ic components. When that subset consists of more than one component, this phenomenon is termed masking. Typically, masking introduces two types of problems. First, it is desirable to estimate the “diagnostic probability”—that is, the probability, given a specified malfunctioning subset, that each of the masked components is the defective one. Second, when a set of historical data contains masked information, one would like to use this information to estimate the defect probability of each individual component type. The article discusses these problems in detail and derives two-stage procedures for estimation and inference.
Facile preparation of the individual diastereomers of thymidine 3′,5′-cyclic phosphorothioate (cTMPS)

Abstract A facile synthesis of the individual Sp and Rp 3,5-cyclic thymidine phosphorothioates is reported. The key intermediate is a methyl phosphite triester which is readily converted under free-radical conditions to the diastereomeric thiophosphates which are separated on SiO2 and then cleanly dealkylated by t -BuNH2, to the ami ne salts of title compounds.
Methods for staining amyloid in tissues: a review

The traditional way of identifying amyloid in tissue sections has been staining with Congo red and demonstration of green birefringence under crossed polarizers. The original method of Congo red staining, described by Bennhold in 1922, has undergone several modifications to improve its sensitivity, specificity, and reliability. The most common modification is the alkaline Congo red method described by Puchtler and co-workers in 1962. Specificity is improved by using freshly prepared stain and a staining solution fully saturated with sodium chloride. Amyloid proteins can be further distinguished by autoclaving or by treating the tissue with potassium permanganate or alkaline guanidine. Autoclaving the tissues at 120 C for 30 min causes protein AA to lose its affinity for Congo red. Prolongation of autoclaving to 120 min abolishes the Congophilia of protein AL, but prealbumin-related amyloid shows little or no change. Treatment of the tissue with potassium permanganate causes protein AA and B2-microglobulin amyloid to lose their affinity to Congo red. Protein AA fails to stain with Congo red after treatment with alkaline guanidine for 1 min and protein AL and systemic senile amyloid protein (SSA) after 2 hr. Familial amyloid protein (FAP), prealbumin type, can stand 2 hr of alkaline guanidine treatment without losing its ability to stain with Congo red. Other methods of detection of amyloid include fluorescent stains, e.g., thioflavin T or S, and metachromatic stains such as crystal violet. Immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase methods are used to identify and classify amyloid proteins in tissues. Antibodies against the P component, proteins AA and AL and FAP have been used with great precision. Due to cross-reactivity, these methods do not differentiate between some types of familial and senile systemic amyloidosis.
The Law and Economics of the Economic Expert Witness

I will consider the law and economics of the use of economic expert witnesses. After introducing the law governing the use of expert witnesses (including economists), I analyze and respond to several concerns regarding the use of expert witnesses. The first is that expert witnesses paid by the respective parties are bound to be partisans ("hired guns") rather than being disinterested, and hence presumptively truthful, or at least honest, witnesses. A second concern is about intelligibility once the expert's evidence has been admitted. A third concern about expert testimony is that opposing experts often cancel each other out. Supposing that the use of economists' testifying as expert witnesses is here to stay, we should consider how the system might be improved. My major proposal is the greater use of court-appointed experts selected on the arbitration model, but I have two additional proposals.