cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urethrectomy Following Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer in Men: Practice Patterns and Impact on Survival

Purpose: The benefit of urethrectomy in patients with bladder cancer who are undergoing cystectomy is controversial. We describe the frequency of urethrectomy by bladder cancer stage and identify clinical characteristics that predict urethrectomy. We also investigated whether urethrectomy offers any additional independent survival benefit. Materials and Methods: A total of 2,401 men who underwent radical cystoprostatectomy between 1991 and 2002 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare database. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze factors driving urethrectomy. We then analyzed the records of 195 men who underwent urethrectomy to find predictors of that procedure as salvage for urethral recurrence vs concurrently with cystoprostatectomy or as a staged procedure. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis we analyzed whether urethrectomy had an independent effect on disease specific survival. Results: The only significant predictor of urethrectomy was stage. Patients at a teaching hospital were more likely to undergo salvage urethrectomy for recurrence vs immediate urethrectomy compared to those at urban nonteaching hospitals. Patient age, race, number of comorbidities and tumor stage were significant independent predictors of survival. Survival in men who underwent urethrectomy concurrently with cystoprostatectomy was higher than in those who did not undergo urethrectomy but not statistically significant (HR 0.775, 95% CI 0.592‐1.014, p 0.0632). Conclusions: Disease stage is related to urethrectomy performance. Age, race, stage and comorbidities were independent predictors of overall survival in patients with bladder cancer undergoing cystectomy. Urethrectomy did not confer a significant independent survival benefit.
Self-Adjusting Models for Semi-supervised Learning in Partially Observed Settings

We present a new direction for semi-supervised learning where self-adjusting generative models replace fixed ones and unlabeled data can potentially improve learning even when labeled data is only partially-observed. We model each class data by a mixture model and use a hierarchical Dirichlet process (HDP) to model observed as well as unobserved classes. We extend the standard HDP model to accommodate unlabeled samples and introduce a new sharing strategy, within the context of Gaussian mixture models, that restricts sharing with covariance matrices while leaving the mean vectors free. Our research is mainly driven by real-world applications with evolving data-generating mechanisms where obtaining a fully-observed labeled data set is impractical. We demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach for semi-supervised learning in two such applications.
Unitarity, phenomenology, and the bare Pomeron

Abstract The possibility of utilizing the multifireball expansion and a bare Pomeron at α o =0.85 as an approximation to a solution of the s-channel unitarity equations explicitly connecting 2-body and inelastic phenomenology is discussed. A scale for Pomeron renormalization effects is inferred.
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy

Cardiac transplantation has emerged as a valuable therapy for various end-stage cardiac disorders. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), an unusually accelerated and diffuse form of obliterative coronary arteriosclerosis, determines long-term function of the transplanted heart. Cardiac allograft vasculopathy is a complicated interplay between immunologic and nonimmunologic factors resulting in repetitive vascular injury and a localized sustained inflammatory response. Dyslipidemia, oxidant stress, immunosuppressive drugs, and viral infection appear to be important contributors to disease development. Endothelial dysfunction is an early feature of CAV and progresses over time after transplantation. Early identification of CAV is essential if long-term prognosis is to be improved. Annual coronary angiography is performed for diagnostic and surveillance purposes. Intravascular ultrasound is a more sensitive diagnostic tool for early disease stages and has revealed that progressive luminal narrowing in CAV is in part due to negative vascular remodeling. Because of the diffuse nature of CAV, percutaneous and surgical revascularization procedures have a limited role. Prevention of CAV progression is a primary therapeutic goal.
Ordering and Grain Growth Kinetics in CoPt Thin Films

Ordering and grain growth have been studied in a 10 nm thick CoPt alloy film of equiatomic composition annealed in the temperature range 550–700°C by quantifying ordered domain size, volume fraction ordered, grain size, and grain size distribution. Ordering occurs by nucleation and growth of Ll0 ordered domains, with a mean size of 3 nm at 550°C and 19 nm at 700°C. The volume percent ordered shows a dramatic increase from <y1% to approximately 28% between the two extremes of annealing temperature. The mean grain size of the as-deposited films is 5 nm and the entire film is face-centered cubic. Upon annealing in the temperature range 550–600°C, the mean grain size reaches a stagnation limit of 27 nm and the grain size distribution is log-normal. Grain growth resumes beyond 600°C and the mean grain size reaches as high as 55 nm at 700°C. The increase in the coercivity of the annealed films follows the increase in the ordered fraction more closely than the increase in grain size. The shape of the M-H loop shows evidence of coupling between the magnetically hard (ordered) and soft (disordered) regions.
Near optimal solution for resource-constrained scheduling problems

This paper presents an efficient resource allocation algorithm, and examines its performance against a number of scheduling heuristic rules, aimed at minimizing project durations in a multiple resource-constrained environment. The algorithm has been coded in BASIC and can easily interface with available planning and scheduling software systems. Unlike other heuristic network-based algorithms, resources are allocated simultaneously to sets of activities, rather than to individual activities in a sequential manner. An experiment was conducted to study the performance of the proposed algorithm and compare its results with those generated by four different heuristic scheduling rules, including those found to have the most superior performance such as the widely used least total float rule. Thirty-one network examples adopted from the literature are analysed. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm is superior to the others. The proposed algorithm provides a reasonable trade-off between the best accur...
Replication of gene 46-47 amber mutants of bacteriophage T4D.

Abstract The intracellular DNA after infection with a gene 46–47 (DNA arrest) double mutant of bacteriophage T4D has been examined by sedimentation of lysozyme-detergent lysates through sucrose density-gradients. After infection the parental and the newly synthesized DNA associate with a fast sedimenting cell component, possibly membrane. Upon extraction with strong detergent this DNA assumes the rapidly sedimenting form previously characterized by Frankel (1966b). However, comparative studies between intracellular 46–47 DNA and wild-type DNA reveal several major differences; (1) the rapidly sedimenting intermediate is unstable in 46–47 infection, (2) the 46–47 DNA prematurely dissociates from a fast sedimenting membrane component, (3) single chains longer than mature phage DNA chains are never observed in 46–47 infection and (4) the parental and newly-synthesized DNA molecules of the mutant phage acquire discontinuities at the time when late phage functions appear. The addition of chloramphenicol releases the DNA arrest phenotype of gene 46–47 mutant but chloramphenicol does not prevent the premature loss of DNA from the rapidly sedimenting intermediate or dissociation from the fast sedimenting membrane component. We propose that function of gene 46 and 47 is required for an early event, perhaps recombination, necessary for the formation of a stable replicating complex.
Investigation of enzyme kinetics using quench-flow techniques with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is combined off-line with rapid chemical quench−flow methods to investigate the pre-steady-state kinetics of a protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase). PTPase kinetics are generally interrogated spectrophotometrically by the employment of an artificial, chromophoric substrate. However, that methodology places a constraint on the experiment, hampering studies of natural, biochemically relevant substrates that do not incorporate a chromophore. The mass spectrometric assay reported herein is based on the formation of a covalent phosphoenzyme intermediate during substrate turnover. This species is generated in the reaction regardless of the substrate studied and has a molecular weight 80 Da greater than that of the native enzyme. By following the appearance of this intermediate in a time-resolved manner, we can successfully measure pre-steady-state kinetics, regardless of the incorporation of a chromophore. The strengths of...
How large were the australopithecines

Stature of the African early hominids is estimated from most of the available fragments of fossil long bones by means of regression analysis. The average height of the South African gracile australopithecines is predicted to be 145.1 cm (4′9″) where n = 4 and of the South African robust forms, 152.7 cm (5′) where n = 3. The East African early hominids are somewhat taller (x = 163.0 cm or 5′4″, where n = 7). Variability in stature is high even within the same site which is probably a reflection of fairly strong sexual dimorphism in body size. Evidence is presented which suggests that at least in one form of early hominid the size proportions of fore- and hindlimbs are different than in modern man. There is also evidence that average stature may have increased through time. The most significant of these findings is that the two forms of early hominids in South Africa are possibly more similar in stature than is usually cited. This does not imply necessarily that the two forms did not differ significantly in robustness or weight.
Usable Frequencies in Hyperthermia with Thermal Seeds

Temperature distributions are computed for tissue models assumed to be heated by constant power seeds, and from that, the heating power which the implants have to produce to achieve clinically acceptable temperatures in the tumor are obtained. Calculations of the heat produced by thermal seeds exposed to an electromagnetic induction field showed it to be strongly dependent on the permeability of the material, on the field frequency, on the seed diameter, and on the orientation of the implants with respect to the field. It is recommended that, other parameters permitting, the implants be oriented parallel to the induction field and that the field frequency be approximately 200 kHz or lower. Under these conditions, implants with diameters as small as 0.25 mm produce sufflcient heat for any clinical application without undue heating by eddy currents flowing within the patient. The use of frequencies above the recommended range puts certain restrictions on the implant geometry and on the magnetic properties of their material. Needles oriented perpendicular to the field produce enough heat to reach therapeutic temperatures only within a narrow range of parameters.
Beam orientation optimization for intensity modulated radiation therapy using adaptive l2,1-minimization

Beam orientation optimization (BOO) is a key component in the process of intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment planning. It determines to what degree one can achieve a good treatment plan in the subsequent plan optimization process. In this paper, we have developed a BOO algorithm via adaptive l2, 1-minimization. Specifically, we introduce a sparsity objective function term into our model which contains weighting factors for each beam angle adaptively adjusted during the optimization process. Such an objective function favors a small number of beam angles. By optimizing a total objective function consisting of a dosimetric term and the sparsity term, we are able to identify unimportant beam angles and gradually remove them without largely sacrificing the dosimetric objective. In one typical prostate case, the convergence property of our algorithm, as well as how beam angles are selected during the optimization process, is demonstrated. Fluence map optimization (FMO) is then performed based on the optimized beam angles. The resulting plan quality is presented and is found to be better than that of equiangular beam orientations. We have further systematically validated our algorithm in the contexts of 5?9 coplanar beams for five prostate cases and one head and neck case. For each case, the final FMO objective function value is used to compare the optimized beam orientations with the equiangular ones. It is found that, in the majority of cases tested, our BOO algorithm leads to beam configurations which attain lower FMO objective function values than those of corresponding equiangular cases, indicating the effectiveness of our BOO algorithm. Superior plan qualities are also demonstrated by comparing DVH curves between BOO plans and equiangular plans.
Minimally invasive measurement of esophageal variceal pressure and wall tension (with video)

Background There is no simple method to measure intravariceal pressure in patients with esophageal varices. Objective Our purpose was to develop a new noninvasive technique to measure resting intravariceal pressure and wall tension. Design A model was developed. A long balloon (varix) was fitted inside an airtight cylinder (esophagus). Fluid ran through the model varices to maintain 5 different constant pressures. An endoscope was placed in the model esophagus, and pressure was increased by air insufflation. The endoscopy and pressure readings from the esophagus and varix were recorded continuously until variceal collapse. Setting Patient studies were done in an endoscopy suite with the patient under fentanyl and midazolam sedation. Patients Esophageal pressure was measured during air insufflation in patients with varices until the varices collapsed. EUS was used to measure radius and wall thickness to calculate wall tension. Results In the varix model, the mean (SD) intraluminal esophageal pressures at variceal flattening for the model varices at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mm Hg were 5.69 (0.34), 11 (0.32), 15.72 (0.51), 21.55 (0.63), and 25.8 (0.14) mm Hg. The correlation between actual and measured variceal pressure in the model at variceal flattening was r = 0.98. In the patients, a total of 10 varices in 3 patients were evaluated. The mean (SD) for the varices in each subject was 12.16 (2.4), 23.2 (1.3), and 6.5 (2.2) mm Hg for subjects 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Conclusion Standard endoscopy with air insufflation and manometry can be used as an accurate, simple, and reproducible method to measure intravariceal pressure.
Combining observations in the reflective solar and thermal domains for improved mapping of carbon, water and energy fluxes

This study investigates the utility of integrating remotely sensed estimates of leaf chlorophyll (C ab ) into a thermal-based Two-Source Energy Balance (TSEB) model that estimates land-surface CO 2 and energy fluxes using an analytical, light-use-efficiency (LUE) based model of canopy resistance. Day to day variations in nominal LUE (LUE n ) were assessed for a corn crop field in Maryland U.S.A. through model calibration with CO 2 flux tower observations. The optimized daily LUE n values were then compared to estimates of C ab integrated from gridded maps of chlorophyll content weighted over the tower flux source area. Changes in C ab exhibited a curvilinear relationship with corresponding changes in daily calibrated LUE n values derived from the tower flux data, and hourly water, energy and carbon flux estimation accuracies from TSEB were significantly improved when using C ab for delineating spatio-temporal variations in LUE n . The results demonstrate the synergy between thermal infrared and shortwave reflective wavebands in producing valuable remote sensing data for monitoring of carbon and water fluxes.
Numerical simulation of Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook-Burnett equations for hypersonic flows

A kinetic-theory-based upwind algorithm for the Bhatnagar - Gross - Krook (BGK) - Burnett equations is presented. The Boltzmann equation, with the BGK approximation for the collision integral, describes the spatial and temporal variations of the second-order distribution function that forms the basis of this formulation. The second-order distribution function is derived by considering the first three terms in the Chapman-Enskog expansion and using the Navier-Stokes equations to express the material derivatives, present in the second-order terms, in terms of the spatial derivatives. The BGK-Burnett equations are derived by taking moments of the BGK-Boltzmann equation with the collision invariant vector. A kinetic wave/particle split scheme for the BGK - Burnett equations is derived by taking moments of the upwind discretized BGK - Boltzmann equation. This algorithm is applied to a hypersonic shock structure problem. This is the first time that a kinetic-theory-based method has been developed for solving the BGK-Burnett equations.
Renalase deficiency in chronic kidney disease, and its contribution to hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of reviewRecent experimental data shed light on the regulation of renalase, a secreted amine oxidase, which circulates in an inactive form (prorenalase). Abnormalities in the renalase pathway are evident not only in animal models of chronic kidney disease, but also during the development of
Industry Concentration and Allocation of Resources to Basic Research

While the mainstream of Western economic thought believes in competitive markets, the Schumpeterian school considers concentrated industry to be the ideal vehicle for the advancement of industrial technology. Empirical evidence on the Schumpeterian hypothesis that a concentrated industry allocates relatively more resources to its research and development RD Joglekar, P., M. Hamburg. 1987. Industry resource allocation to basic research under normally distributed benefits. Decision Sci. Winter 1-24. who showed that industries consisting of smaller numbers of firms allocate relatively greater amounts of resources to their basic research than industries consisting of larger numbers of firms. Extending Joglekar and Hamburg's models here we find that when two industries consist of the same number of firms, in most cases, a heterogeneous industry falls as short of its Pareto optimal investment in basic research as its comparable homogeneous counterpart. Numerical examples suggest that in some cases, concentrated heterogeneous industries may do worse. Policy implications of the results as well as directions for further research are discussed.
Toward a working through of some core conflicts in psychotherapy research

Abstract The author discusses the evidence for six basic statements that many, but not all, psychotherapy researchers adhere to: (1) The therapeutic alliance has a causal role in outcome, (2) therapeutic techniques explain patients’ outcome, (3) therapists determine outcome, (4) patients determine therapy outcome, (5) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) provide valuable data, (6) data from RCTs are almost worthless. These “truths” combine to form three core conflicts: Is psychotherapy about the alliance or techniques? Does the patient or therapist determine the outcome? Are RCTs a blessing or a curse? After showing that these statements oversimplify the research of the therapeutic process, the author recommends keeping both sides of the conflict in awareness and endorses a pluralistic methodological approach for the study of both efficacy and the mechanisms of psychotherapy.
Posterior Lip Sclerectomy vs Trabeculectomy in West Indian Blacks

• Surgical treatment in a West Indian black population with primary open angle glaucoma was randomized to full-thickness posterior lip sclerectomies or partialthickness trabeculectomies. Forty-five posterior lip sclerectomies and 35 trabeculectomies were performed. With a mean follow-up period of 28.3 months, the eyes with posterior lip sclerectomies had lower intraocular pressures, reduced glaucoma medication requirements, and less failures. Decline of visual acuity did not differ significantly between the two groups, but early visual acuity loss due to accelerated cataract formation was noted more frequently with posterior lip sclerectomies. The incidence of flat anterior chambers also did not differ significantly, but shallow anterior chambers were more frequent and persisted for a longer time with posterior lip sclerectomies. Other complications were more frequent with posterior lip sclerectomies.
Antiphospholipid antibodies induced in mice by immunization with a cytomegalovirus-derived peptide cause thrombosis and activation of endothelial cells in vivo.

Objective To characterize the binding and functional properties of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) induced by immunization with a viral peptide and to determine whether aPL are pathogenic in vivo. Methods Ten murine monoclonal aPL were generated from spleen cells of PL/J mice immunized with TIFI, a phospholipid-binding peptide spanning Thr101–Thr120 of ULB0-HCMVA from human cytomegalovirus (CMV), which shares structural similarity with the phospholipid-binding site of β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI). Results The antibodies generated had aPL activity that was inhibited by cardiolipin liposomes, and this inhibition was enhanced in the presence of β2GPI. Some of the antibodies exhibited binding to cultured endothelial cells in vitro, and some had lupus anticoagulant activity. Injection with 2 of the monoclonal aPL in mice resulted in a significant increase in the number of leukocytes adhering to endothelial cells and enhanced thrombus formation in vivo. Conclusion These results indicate that aPL induced by immunization with a phospholipid-binding CMV peptide are pathogenic in vivo. The results also suggest a mechanism (molecular mimicry) by which pathogenic aPL may be generated in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.
Automated Multisensor Monitoring of Environmental Sites: Results From the Ruby Gulch Waste Rock Repository

The last ten years have seen a fundamental shift in geoscience investigations from characterization to monitoring. This shift is present both in environmental applications and in the oil industry. In the environmental sector this change was driven by changes in industrial practices, successful efforts in addressing the most egregrous sites and changes to treatment options which include e.g. in situ engineered treatment and natural attenuation and reactive barriers. In the oil industry, this change is driven by instrumented or smart oil fields. While the goals, costs of and approaches to characterization efforts are generally well defined, the same does not yet apply to monitoring efforts (especially in the environmental sector) even though the need for effective, automated monitoring is well recognized (NAS 2005).
SAVING, INVESTMENT, AND TAXATION IN UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES

SUMMARY The present paper is concerned with the relationship between the distribution of the tax burden on the one hand, and (a) the propensity to save as well as (b) the incentive to invest in underdeveloped economies on the other hand. The approach is one of analyzing the effects of a progressive income tax in the context of Duesenberry's theory of the consumption function. This leads us to the proposal of a system of taxation with high progressive rates on the incomes of individuals coupled with low rates, or no tax at all, on the incomes of corporations and on unrealized capital gains.
Little twin Higgs model

We present a twin Higgs model based on left-right symmetry with a tree level quartic. This is made possible by extending the symmetry of the model to include two Z_2 parities, each of which is sufficient to protect the Higgs from getting a quadratically divergent mass squared. Although both parities are brokenexplicitly, the symmetries that protect the Higgs from getting a quadratically divergent mass are broken only collectively. The quadratic divergences of the Higgs mass are thus still protected at one loop. We find that the fine-tuning in this model is reduced substantially compared to the original left-right twin Higgs model. This mechanism can also be applied to the mirror twin Higgs model to get a significant reduction of the fine-tuning, while keeping the mirror photon massless.
Group extensions are quasi-simply-filtrated

A finitely presented group G is quasi-simply-filtrated (abbreviated qsf) if, given a finite complex with fundamental group G, the universal cover of the complex can be “approximated” by simply connected finite complexes. This notion is a generalisation of a concept of Casson's used in the study of three-manifolds.In this paper we show that any extension of a finitely presented infinite group by a finitely presented infinite group is qsf.
Expressing the Diphtheria Toxin A Subunit from the HAP2(GCS1) Promoter Blocks Sperm Maturation and Produces Single Sperm-Like Cells Capable of Fertilization

After meiosis, the male germline of flowering plants undergoes two mitoses, producing two sperm that are carried within a pollen tube to an ovule. One sperm fuses with the egg to form the zygote and the other fuses with the central cell to form the primary endosperm. The mechanisms that control male germline development and gene expression, and ensure that sperm properly fuse with female gametes are just beginning to be understood. Expression of the potent translation inhibitor, diphtheria toxin A subunit, from the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) HAP2(GCS1) promoter blocked sperm development before the final cell division, resulting in pollen tubes that carried a single sperm-like cell rather than two sperm. These pollen tubes targeted ovules and fertilized either the egg or the central cell, producing seeds with either endosperm or an embryo, but not both. Endosperm-only seeds significantly outnumbered embryo-only seeds, suggesting that single sperm-like cells preferentially fuse with the central cell. These experiments show that de novo translation is required for completion of sperm development, that the HAP2(GCS1) promoter is very tightly controlled, and that disruption of gene expression can result in male germ cells with a bias for gamete fusion.
PROSPECTIVE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF UREA CYCLE DISORDERS

Of 31 infants known to be at risk for a urea cycle defect because of family history, 18 were treated prospectively from birth with a disease-specific diagnostic and therapeutic protocol. Diagnosis was made on the basis of plasma citrulline and ASA levels over the first 72 hrs of life. Of the 7 affected infants in the prospectively treated group (OTC-3; CPS-1 AS-2; AL-1), one OTCD infant died (peak NH4 850uM) and 6 survived the neonatal period .(peak NH4 52-197uM). One OTCD survivor died at 33mos; 5 remain on therapy (ages 18-60mos). Developmental quotients for survivors range from 55-101. 16 prospectively-treated unaffected infants are normal at 9-60mos and show no ill effects from 4 days of therapy. In addition, 7 affected infants (OTC-4; CPS-2.; AS-1) were managed outside the protocol with observation, protein-restriction and/or IV benzoate and arginine and peritoneal dialysis after the onset of symptomatic hyperammonemia. Diagnosis was made 25-90hrs after birth. All 4 OTCD infants expired (2 were untreated). The 3 survivors are now 18-48 mos and remain on therapy. Peak neonatal ammonium levels ranged from 210-364uM. DQ scores in the CPSD patients are 99 and 133, while the ASD patient has a score of 55.
Minor planets and related objects. XXII - Phase functions for /6/ Hebe

Twenty-two light curves of Hebe are analyzed along with results of UBV photometry and photometric astrometry. A mean synodic period of approximately 7 hr 16 min 28.7 sec is adopted, and it is found that the amplitude of Hebe appears to vary directly with phase. The asteroid's magnitudes and colors are plotted against phase, its pole orientation is estimated, and the sidereal period is determined to be about 7 hr 16 min 28.01 sec from photometric astrometry. A color curve is plotted which shows that Hebe has a reddened region on its surface near the secondary minimum and that the asteroid is nearly spherical. Opposition effects are compared and found to be closely similar for Hebe, Ceres, Lydia, Massalia, and Vesta.
Application of vitreous and graphitic large-area carbon surfaces as field-emission cathodes

Numerous carbon bulk or thin-film materials have been used as field-emission cathodes. Most of these can be made into large-area and high-current field-emission cathodes without the use of complex IC fabrication techniques. Some of these exhibit low-extraction field, low work-function, high ruggedness, chemical stability, uniform emission, and low-cost manufacturability. A comparison of all of these materials was presented. Two viable cathode materials, reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) and graphite paste are examined here and compared.
Determination of the dominant factors which influence the net hydration of native sodium deoxyribonucleate

A theory for the dependence of the net thermodynamic solvation of a macroion in an electrolyte solution is presented. The solvation in moles salt/mole macroion is shown to approach – |Zp|/v in the limit of infinite dilution of salt and macroion. The solvation in moles water/mole macroion is shown to approach zero at zero water activity. Isopiestic determinations of the hydration of sodium deoxyribonucleate in NaCl, Na2SO4, and NaClO4 solutions indicate that short-range interactions of the NaDNA with solvent account for more than half of the observed solvation. The net hydration appears to be predominantly influenced only by water activity.
Investigating the biochemical progression of liver disease through fibrosis, cirrhosis, dysplasia, and hepatocellular carcinoma using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of primary hepatic carcinoma. HCC ranks the fourth most prevalent malignant tumor and the third leading cause of cancer related death in the world. Hepatocellular carcinoma develops in the context of chronic liver disease and its evolution is characterized by progression through intermediate stages to advanced disease and possibly even death. The primary sequence of hepatocarcinogenesis includes the development of cirrhosis, followed by dysplasia, and hepatocellular carcinoma.1 We addressed the utility of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging, both as a diagnostic tool of the different stages of the disease and to gain insight into the biochemical process associated with disease progression. Tissue microarrays were obtained from the University of Illinois at Chicago tissue bank consisting of liver explants from 12 transplant patients. Tissue core biopsies were obtained from each explant targeting regions of normal, liver cell dysplasia including large cell change and small cell change, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We obtained FT-IR images of these tissues using a modified FT-IR system with high definition capabilities. Firstly, a supervised spectral classifier was built to discriminate between normal and cancerous hepatocytes. Secondly, an expanded classifier was built to discriminate small cell and large cell changes in liver disease. With the emerging advances in FT-IR instrumentation and computation there is a strong drive to develop this technology as a powerful adjunct to current histopathology approaches to improve disease diagnosis and prognosis.
The Photographic Determination of Group Size, Composition, and Stability of Coastal Porpoises (Tursiops truncatus)

During a 21-month study, 53 individual bottle-nosed porpoises were recognized by photographs of their dorsal fins. They traveled in small subgroups (mean size = 15) composed of a stable core of five animals plus other individuals that varied greatly from sighting to sighting.
Thermal depolymerization of kerogen and formation of immature oil.

Abstract Two Chinese immature oil shales from the continental deposits of kerogen type I and II have been thermally treated combined with the technique of supercritical fluid extraction at 630–650 K and 15–25 MPa in a semi-continuous laboratory scale apparatus. Toluence is selected as the solvent. Up to 70–80% of the kerogen matrix can be converted to a thermal bitumen and extracted simultaneously. The chemical structural parameters from the NMR, IR, XRD, ESR and EA analyses of the kerogen and the thermal bitumen show striking resemblance in nature. It implies that the thermal bitumen is primarily a depolymerized product of the kerogen. Based on the GC/MS spectra of the aliphatic eluate of the thermal bitumen, the predominance of the odd/even ratio of the alkanes and the epimeric ratios, such as 20S(20S + 20R) of C-29 steranes and 22S/(22S + 22R) of C-32 terpanes, show that the maturity of the thermal bitumen from these oil shales is comparable to that of commercial immature oils from East China. The thermal bitumen is thought to be an intermediate product of the thermal degradation of kerogen. Since the thermal bitumen is mainly composed of asphaltenes and resins, it has a structure of gel. The gel-state bitumen may turn to sol-state readily due to its low aromaticity and polarity, or due to selective adsorption of asphaltenes by clay minerals. Then the migration potential of the bitumen is enhanced. Consequently, under favorable geological conditions, the thermal depolymerization of kerogen seems to be a probable mechanism to explain the formation of immature oils.
Molecular determinants of the binding specificity of BH3 ligands to BclXL apoptotic repressor.

BclXL serves as an apoptotic repressor by virtue of its ability to recognize and bind to BH3 domains found within a diverse array of pro-apoptotic regulators. Herein, we investigate the molecular basis of the specificity of the binding of pro-apoptotic BH3 ligands to BclXL. Our data reveal that while the BH3 ligands harboring the LXXX[A/S]D and [R/Q]XLXXXGD motif bind to BclXL with high affinity in the submicromolar range, those with the LXXXGD motif afford weak interactions. This suggests that the presence of a glycine at the fourth position (G+4)—relative to the N-terminal leucine (L0) within the LXXXGD motif—mitigates binding, unless the LXXXGD motif also contains arginine/glutamine at the −2 position. Of particular note is the observation that the residues at the +4 and −2 positions within the LXXX[A/S]D and [R/Q]XLXXXGD motifs appear to be energetically coupled—replacement of either [A/S]+4 or [R/Q]-2 with other residues has little bearing on the binding affinity of BH3 ligands harboring one of these motifs. Collectively, our study lends new molecular insights into understanding the binding specificity of BH3 ligands to BclXL with important consequences on the design of novel anti-cancer drugs.
A general adjoint relation for functional differential and Volterra integral equations with application to control

A general adjoint relation is developed between solutions of linear functional differential equations and linear Volterra integral equations. Several useful representations for solutions of such equations arise as a consequence of the adjoint relationship. These representations are then used to obtain directly several results for controlling systems described by either linear functional differential equations or linear Volterra integral equations.
The ethnobotany of chamairo: Mussatia hyacinthina

Recent fieldwork in the eastern lowlands of Bolivia and Peru has revealed a traditional use of coca (Erythroxylum coca Lam.) as a medicine and stimulant that is distinct from the well-documented customs of the Northwest Amazon and the Andean highlands. In Bolivia some nine indigenous tribes centered mainly in the Rio Beni drainage masticate entire sun-dried coca leaves, yet use as an alkaline additive the crude ash of the spathe or leafbase of the motacu palm (Scheelea princeps (Mart.) Karst.). To the quid they add a piece of the bark of the bignoniaceous liana chamairo (Mussatia sp.), which markedly sweetens the chew. In the montana of Peru, the liana is also used and a new species is reported from the upper Apurimac river. The ethnobotany of chamairo throughout its range is examined and the need for pharmacological screening is emphasised.
Evaluation of gene expression through qRT-PCR in cyclically loaded tendons: an in vivo model

An in vivo rabbit animal model for the tendinopathy, epicondylitis, was used to examine the effects of repetitive load on the expression of various genes associated with matrix remodeling. Following 80 h of cumulative load, tissue from the distal and proximal regions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon was collected. Quantitative RT-PCR was used to asses mRNA levels of collagenase-1 (MMP-1), stromelysin (MMP-3), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), type III collagen (COL-III) and fibronectin (FBRN). No significant differences in expression levels were found between loaded and unloaded limbs at either region of the tendon. The findings were unexpected as the same model has already demonstrated an increase in the density of cells staining for VEGF and CTGF. Different regulatory mechanisms between mRNA and protein expression or localized changes missed due to homogenization of the tissue samples, may explain the discrepancy in findings.
Deciding to Persist: Adversity, Values, and Entrepreneurs’ Decision Policies:

Entrepreneurial persistence occurs when the entrepreneur chooses to continue with an entrepreneurial opportunity regardless of counterinfluences or enticing alternatives. The decision to persist is...
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibition and regional sympathetic nerve discharge: implications for peripheral vascular control

Abstract Neuronal nitric oxide (NO) synthase (nNOS) inhibition with systemically administered S-methyl- l -thiocitrulline (SMTC) elevates mean arterial pressure (MAP) and reduces rat hindlimb skeletal muscle and renal blood flow. We tested the hypothesis that those SMTC-induced cardiovascular effects resulted, in part, from increased sympathetic nerve discharge (SND). MAP, HR, and lumbar and renal SND (direct nerve recordings) were measured in 9 baroreceptor (sino-aortic)-denervated rats for 20 min each following both saline and SMTC (0.56 mg/kg i.v.). SMTC increased MAP (peak ΔMAP: 50 ± 8 mmHg, p p > 0.05). The ΔSND between saline and SMTC conditions for the lumbar and renal nerves were not different from zero (peak ΔSND, lumbar: 2.0 ± 6.8%; renal: 9.7 ± 9.0%, p > 0.05 versus zero for both). These data support that SMTC-induced reductions in skeletal muscle and renal blood flow reported previously reflect peripheral nNOS-derived NO vascular control as opposed to increased sympathetic vasoconstriction.
hnRNP A1 functions with specificity in repression of SMN2 exon 7 splicing

Homozygous deletion or mutation of the survival of motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1) causes spinal muscular atrophy. SMN1 has been duplicated in humans to create SMN2, which produces a low level of functional SMN protein. However, most SMN2 transcripts lack exon 7, resulting in a non-functional protein. A single nucleotide difference near the 5' end of exon 7 largely accounts for SMN2 exon 7 skipping, an effect that has been attributed to loss of an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) dependent on the SR protein splicing factor ASF/SF2 or to the creation of an exonic splicing silencer (ESS) element that functions by binding of the splicing repressor hnRNP A1. Our earlier experiments favored the latter mechanism and here we provide further evidence supporting the ESS model. We demonstrate that the striking effect of hnRNP A1 depletion on SMN2 exon 7 splicing is specific, as hnRNP A1 depletion has little or no effect on other inefficient splicing events tested, and ASF/SF2 depletion does not affect SMN1/2 splicing. By two different methods, we find a strong and specific interaction of hnRNPA1 with SMN2 exon 7 and only weak and equivalent interactions between ASF/SF2 and other SR proteins with the 5' ends of SMN1 and SMN2 exon 7. Finally, we describe two disease-related exon-skipping mutations that create hnRNP A1 binding sites, but show that splicing can be restored only modestly or not at all by hnRNP A1 depletion. Together our results provide strong support for the idea that SMN2 exon 7 splicing is repressed by an hnRNPA1-dependent ESS, but also indicate that creation of such elements is context-dependent.
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Characterization of Urinary Calculi: Basic Principles, Applications and Concerns

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) is based on obtaining 2 data sets with different peak kilovoltages from the same anatomical region, and material decomposition based on attenuation differences at different energy levels. Several DECT technologies are available such as: the dual-source CT, the fast kilovoltage-switching method, and the sandwich detectors technique. Calculi are detectable using iodine subtraction techniques. DECT also helps characterization of renal stone composition. The advanced postprocessing application enables differentiation of various renal stone types. Calculation of water content using spectral imaging is useful to diagnose urinary obstruction.
The electromagnetic interaction between biological tissue and antennas on a transceiver handset

In the design of antennas for use with hand-held transceivers, the electromagnetic interaction between the antenna and the nearby biological tissue is a key factor which must be considered when selecting the antenna configuration. The engineer must consider the effect of the body on the antenna performance as well as the rate at which energy is absorbed in the tissue. Investigation of such issues can be performed through numerical simulation provided that the antenna, handset, and adjacent tissue are represented with detailed models and that accurate solution methodologies such as the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) approach are used. Past studies have appeared which use the FDTD method either with simple models of the head (e.g. a homogeneous sphere) or simple antenna models to predict the interaction between the antenna and the nearby tissue. The present paper combines detailed models of the head and hand with real-life models of antennas on transceiver units to predict the input impedance, radiation patterns, gain, and specific absorption rate (SAR) which result when the handset operates in the proximity of a human. Results are shown for both the monopole and planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) to illustrate the interaction for external and internal antennas respectively. >
Performance loss computation in distributed detection

The loss associated with a distributed signal detection system as compared to a centralized scheme is evaluated with respect to the probability of error. Such a loss is numerically computed for several members of the exponential family.
Angelman syndrome in adulthood

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurogenetic disorder. The goal of this study was to investigate the primary health issues affecting adults with AS and to further characterize the natural history and genotype-phenotype correlations. Standardized phone interviews with caregivers for 110 adolescents and adults with AS were conducted. The impact of age, sex, and genotype on specific outcomes in neurology, orthopedics, internal medicine, and psychiatry were investigated. The mean age of individuals with AS was 24 years (range 16-50y). Active seizures were present in 41% of individuals, and 72% had sleep dysfunction. Significant constipation was present in 85%, and 32% were overweight or obese, with obesity disproportionately affecting women. Scoliosis affected 50% with a mean age at diagnosis of 12 years, and 24% of those diagnosed with scoliosis required surgery, an intervention disproportionately affecting men. Sixty-eight percent were able to walk independently, and 13% were able to speak 5 or more words. Self-injurious behavior was exhibited in 52% of individuals. The results of this study indicate that epilepsy severity may assume a bimodal age distribution: seizures are typically most severe in early childhood but may recur in adulthood. While late-adolescent and adult sleep patterns were improved when compared to the degree of sleep dysfunction present during infancy and childhood, the prevalence of poor sleep in adults remained quite high. Primary areas of clinical management identified include the following: seizures, sleep, aspiration risk, GERD, constipation, dental care, vision, obesity, scoliosis, bone density, mobility, communication, behavior, and anxiety.
Children's beliefs about the continuity of aggression

Elementary school students (N = 139) read vignettes describing aggressive peers and rated the extent to which they believed the peers' aggression would continue over time and in different contexts. Children also rated their social and moral acceptance of aggression, and how difficult it would be to help the vignette characters desist from aggression. Teachers rated participants' aggressive and prosocial behaviors. Results indicated that aggression is generally viewed as continuous across time and context, and likely to produce little acceptance. Beliefs about continuity were positively associated with perceived difficulty of changing aggression and negatively associated with social acceptance. Gender moderated the association between continuity beliefs and moral acceptance. Teacher-rated behavior was associated with social perceptions. Findings are discussed with regard to their implications for future research as well as their potential application to the design of interventions for youth aggression.