cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a very common disorder affecting millions of post-menopausal women and men of various ages. Although the disease is manifested by painful fractures of the spine, hip or radius, the underlying pathogenesis is complex and multifactorial. One of the strongest predictors of future osteoporotic fractures is low bone mineral density. The determinants of adult bone density include the rate of bone acquisition during adolescence and the absolute loss of bone during the six decades of adult life. Recent studies have clarified how bone mass is acquired during the early teen years in both boys and girls. Genetic factors play an enormous role in defining the height of acquisition of bone mass; however, these factors also interact with environmental and hormonal determinants. Many more studies have focused on adult bone loss. Disorders in bone remodelling result in an imbalance in bone turnover, favouring resorption over formation. Systemic factors such as oestrogen deprivation and parathyroid hormone strongly activate remodelling and can, in several circumstances, lead to imbalances in the remodelling cycle. The molecular cues that couple bone formation to resorption have recently been elucidated, and those factors may themselves become therapeutic targets for future treatment regimens to prevent osteoporosis and its resultant fractures.
A heparin-binding protein from neuroblastoma cells: Immunological comparison to β-amyloid precursor protein

Abstract 1. 1. β-Amyloid precursor protein cross-reactive polypeptides were detected in the membrane extracts of a mouse neuroblastoma cell line, NB41A3. Four immunoreactive polypeptide bands were observed on western blots of a cell membrane extract. Their molecular weights as estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ranged from 89.1 to 41 kDa. 2. 2. After heparin affinity chromatography, two of these polypeptides strongly cross-reacted with an antibody that recognizes Alzheimer β-amyloid precursor protein. 3. 3. From the heparin binding fraction, these protein were further separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. A cross-reactive protein was isolated.
Rip current instabilities

A laboratory experiment involving rip currents generated on a barred beach with periodic rip channels indicates that rip currents contain energetic low-frequency oscillations in the presence of steady wave forcing. An analytic model for the time-averaged flow in a rip current is presented and its linear stability characteristics are investigated to evaluate whether the rip current oscillations can be explained by a jet instability mechanism. The instability model considers spatially growing disturbances in an offshore directed, shallow water jet. The effects of variable cross-shore bathymetry, non-parallel flow, turbulent mixing, and bottom friction are included in the model. Model results show that rip currents are highly unstable and the linear stability model can predict the scales of the observed unsteady motions.
Risk management in obstetric care for family physicians: results of a 10-year project.

Background: Malpractice issues within the United States remain a critical factor for family physicians providing obstetric care. Although tort reform is being widely discussed, little has been written regarding the malpractice crisis from a risk management perspective. Methods: Between 1989 and 1998, a 10-year risk management study at the UC Davis Health System provided a unique collaboration between researchers, a mutual insurance carrier and family physicians practicing obstetrics. Physicians were asked to comply with standardized clinical guidelines, attend continuing medical education (CME) seminars, and submit obstetric medical records for review. Feedback analysis was provided to each physician on their records, and the insurance carrier tracked interim malpractice claims. Results: One hundred and ninety-four physicians participated, attending to 32,831 births. Compliance with project guidelines was 91%. Five closed obstetric cases were reported with only one settlement reported to the National Provider Data Bank. Physicians believed the project was beneficial to their practices. Conclusions: Family physicians practicing obstetrics are willing to participate in a collaborative risk management program and are compliant with standardized clinical guidelines. The monetary award for successful malpractice claims was relatively low. This collaborative risk management model may offer a potential solution to the current malpractice crisis.
Using the K6 Scale to Screen for Serious Mental Illness among Criminal Justice Populations: Do Psychiatric Treatment Indicators Improve Detection Rates?

Using data from 3,534 men and 1,350 women who participated in the 2001 and 2002 National Household Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and who indicated past-year criminal justice involvement, this study evaluated the accuracy of the K6, a screening tool for severe psychological distress associated with serious mental illness, with and without additional questions on past-year psychiatric treatment. We used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Schedule-Short Form (CIDI-SF) as the gold standard. We found the unmodified K6 to be about equally accurate for men and women with ROC-AUC values for both at .88 and sensitivity scores in the range of 62.4 to 74.0 for men and 70.3 to 80.9 for women. Inclusion of psychiatric treatment indicators increased sensitivity but decreased specificity of the K6 for both men and women and consequently did not improve overall performance. Based on these findings, we tentatively recommend use of the K6 with criminal justice populations, although we recommend more rigorous studies to establish an optimum threshold and to evaluate whether the K10 (the longer version of the K6) can improve on the sensitivity and positive predictive values obtained with the K6.
Lower Carboniferous ostracodes from the Maritimes Basin of eastern Canada: A review

Lower Carboniferous ostracode assemblages of marine affinity occur in sediments of the Codroy Group in southwestern Newfoundland and the Windsor Group in central Nova Scotia. Three ostracode assemblages are defined from Nova Scotia and five from Newfoundland. The assemblages are described from biohermal and non-biohermal limestones and fine-grained sihciclastic lithologies. The assemblages can be characterised by their responses to varying degrees of physiological stress, and are dominated by members of the Paraparchitacea, although bairdiaceans, hoDinomorph and kirkbyacean palaeocopids and kloedenellaceans may be locally abundant. In the Maritimes Basin, the combined effects of tectonism, eustatic fluctuation and a semi-arid climate resulted in palaeoenvironments that were characterised by low temporal and spatial stability. As a consequence, total ostracode species richness relative to individual species abundances was low, and often expressed in the development of low grade communities that were controlled more by physical (allogenic) rather than biological (autigenic) parameters. Under these conditions the eurytopic paraparchitaceans were capable of producing large populations in physically harsh palaeoenvironments, whereas die more stenotopic bairdiaceans and palaeocopes only occurred when conditions were favourable. RSUM Les s᳻diments des groupes de Codroy (sud-ouest de Terre-Neuve) et de Windsor (centre de la Nouvelle-cosse) renferment des assemblages d'Ostracodes, ᳲ affinity marine, du Carbonifᳺre inf᳻rieur. On reconnait trois assemblages en Nouvelle-cosse et cinq ᳲ Terre-Neuve. Ces assemblages proviennent de calcaires (biohcrmaux ou non) et de lithologies siliciclastiques ᳲ grain fin. On peut caract᳻riser ces assemblages par leurs re'ponses aux divers degr᳻e de stress physiologique. On y note la pr᳻lominance des repr᳻entants des Paraparchitacea malgr᳻ l'abondance locale des bairdiac᳻s, des pal᳻ocopid᳻ hollinomorphes et kirkbyaces ainsi que des kloedenellac᳻s. Dans le Bass in des Maritimes, la conjonction de divers facteurs (tectonisme, fluctuations eustatiques, climat semi-aride) se traduisit par des pal᳻omilieux caracte᳻ris᳻s par une stabilit᳻ spatiale et temporelle faible. En cons᳻quence, larichesse sp᳻cifique totale des Ostracodes ᳻tait basse par rapport aux abondances sp᳻ifiques individuelles et s'exprimait souvent part le d᳻veloppement de communaut᳻s immatures control᳻es par des parametres plus physiques (allogenes) que biologiques (autogenes). Dans ces conditions, les paraparchitac᳻s eurytopiques pouvaient peupler abondamment les pal᳻omilieux physiquement exigeants, alors que les bairdiace's et les pal᳻ocopes (qui ᳻taient plus st᳻notopiques) n'᳻aienl pr᳻sents que dans des biotopes favorables. [Traduit par le journal]
MECHANISM OF GLUCOSE INHIBITION OF BETA-GALACTOSIDASE BIOSYNTHESIS IN RESTING CULTURES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI.

Abstract Combined manometric studies and enzyme measurements revealed that pyruvate and gluconate repressed the induction of β3-galactosidase in resting cells of Escherichia coli B previously grown on the energy source tested. This inhibition resembled that reported earlier for glucose, xylose, ribose, and glycerol. However, glucose-1-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, and α-glycerolphosphate at relatively high concentrations did not exhibit a typical “glucose effect,” although some reduction in the rate of β-galactosidase formation was observed. Tracer experiments with glucose-U-C 14 and inorganic P 32 revealed conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate and glycogen, neither of which was involved in the inhibition of the enzyme synthesis. With endogenous glucose-6-phosphate present after resumption of enzyme production, the subsequent metabolites should also have been present in the respiring cells, and thus these compounds too were excluded as possible repressors. Moreover, the termination of the inhibition coincided with the disappearance of exogenous glucose. Therefore, the repression typical of glucose on resting E. coli B must have involved the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate. Since glucose permease already exists after growth on glucose, only the actual transport of glucose or the action of glucokinase remain as bases for the repression.
Neurocriminology: Implications for the punishment, prediction and prevention of criminal behaviour

Criminal behaviour and violence are increasingly viewed as worldwide public health problems. A growing body of knowledge shows that criminal behaviour has a neurobiological basis, and this has intensified judicial interest in the potential application of neuroscience to criminal law. It also gives rise to important questions. What are the implications of such application for predicting future criminal behaviour and protecting society? Can it be used to prevent violence? And what are the implications for the way offenders are punished?
Inversion of Light Scattering Measurements for Particle Size and Optical Constants: Theoretical Study

Measurements of the light scattered by a sample contain information regarding the physical properties of the sample. Laser light-scattering measurements can be made unobtrusively in environments that are inaccessible to other types of measurements, so laser light-scattering techniques have become an important tool in aerosol research. The primary difficulty associated with using light-scattering techniques to determine aerosol particle properties is inverting the measurements or extracting the desired information from the measurements. In this study we use a 15-channel polar nephelometer to measure the light-scattering patterns of monodisperse polystyrene spheres. The light-scattering measurements are inverted, and the particle size distribution function and optical properties of the particles are retrieved. The results of these inversions are presented after a brief description of the calibration and operation of the nephelometer.
Nietzsche and the Knowledge of the Child at Play: On the Question of Metaphysics

In his article "Nietzsche and the Knowledge of the Child at Play: On the Question of Metaphysics" Johannes Welfing raises the question of a Nietzschean metaphysical presence (did Nietzsche define the essence of life and of being and thus also implicitly establish an imperative about the way in which one should lead one's life, or did he refrain from all definition, truth, system or law whatsoever?). The controversy continues: while for some critics Nietzsche's philosophy is animated by a desire for truth, others emphasize the novelty of a philosophical project that questions the very premises on which it is based. In particular, the author attempts to establish, by referring to a specific excerpt from the Nietzsche text, that the paradigm of the Nietzschean child at play on the "beach of life" -argument of an important, contemporary brand of Nietzsche interpretation that situates Nietzsche beyond the metaphysical tradition -cannot be said to be truly based on the Nietzsche text. While focusing on both Alan Schrift's and Mihailo Djuric's argument that Nietzsche attempted to escape the metaphysical tradition by emphasizing the knowledge of the child at play, Welfing argues that for Nietzsche -if knowledge is to secure the escape from the belief in metaphysical essence on the level of practical life -this knowledge is generated by the body rather than by the rational mind.. Johannes F. Welfing, "Nietzsche and the Knowledge of the Child at Play: On the Question of Metaphysics" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 1.3 (1999):
TU‐D‐M100F‐03: Tracing the Sources of Absolute Dose Errors in IMRT Plan Verifications

Purpose: Several years since the advent of IMRT, most institutions still perform experimental plan verifications with film and ion‐chamber. In the past year of measurements of Pinnacle3IMRT plans in our clinic, most isocenter dose measurements were verified to be within 3%, but the 10% that were off by 4–7% were repeated or required MU adjustments. In this work, we trace the main sources of discrepancies by measurement and simulation. Methods: We used an independent dose calculation engine (MCKS) that performs kernel‐based superposition using Monte Carlo sampling of photons, interaction points, and corresponding monoenergetic kernels. The photon source for the simulations is a single phasespace plane scored just above the collimator and generated by an EGS/BEAMnrc code. Even though MCKS models the detailed MLC design (curved ends, tongue‐and‐groove, inter‐leaf gap, and leaf offsets) the MLC material density is fine‐tuned with the measurement of “uniform” intensity map delivered as sequence of narrow strips, which amplifies the leakage dose several fold. Results & Conclusion: Using the code and measurement, we found that a major source of error in IMRT plans from Pinnacle3 is the handling of MLC leakage. For example, if a 1.8% MLC transmission is used, then delivering a 10×10 field with ten 10×1 strips produces a dose overestimation by 12% on the central axis. This reduces to 8% if a 1.5% value is used. In typical IMRT plans, the leakage error is less dramatic, but can frequently exceed the 3% acceptance criterion. Also, no single transmission value is suitable for all possible IMRT fields because MLCscatter varies with field size and shape. Some errors also result from the use of lumped empirical square field output factors to complex IMRT segments without regard to the energy or direction of head scatterphotons.
Effects of Severe Bothersome Tinnitus on Cognitive Function Measured with Standardized Tests

Neurocognitive tests compared abilities in people with bothersome tinnitus against an age-, gender-, and education-matched normative population. Participants between 18 and 60 years had subjective, unilateral or bilateral, nonpulsatile tinnitus for >6 months and a Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score of ≥ 38. Results from a first testing session showed deficits in learning, learning rates, immediate recall of heard words, and use of a serial order encoding strategy. Initial reliance on serial order encoding and, later, increased intrusion of incorrect words towards normal levels might indicate a less demanding strategy to compensate for weakness in associative memory for semantic categories.
Alternative splicing produces messenger RNAs encoding insulin-like growth factor-I prohormones that are differentially glycosylated in vitro.

Rat insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) cDNA sequences predict two prohormones that differ in the carboxy-terminal extension peptide (E-peptide) as a result of the inclusion or exclusion of the 52-basepair exon 4 sequence. In the absence of exon 4, the sequence codes for the IGF-Ia prohormone, whose E region contains two potential N-glycosylation sites. With differential splicing and the inclusion of exon 4, the resultant mRNA codes for IGF-Ib, with a longer E-region sequence. In addition, as a consequence of a frame shift, both potential glycosylation sites are lost in the IGF-Ib peptide. We used an in vitro translation system supplemented with canine pancreatic microsomal membranes to analyze cotranslational processing of the IGF-I propeptides. We have demonstrated that the IGF-Ia prohormone, which contains two potential N-glycosylation sites in the E region, can be N-glycosylated in vitro, and that both glycosylation sites are probably used. As expected, the IGF-Ib preprohormone is processed by micros...
Arguing for Space in an User-Focused Environment

College and university archives often function as a department of the libraries or, in some cases, a library collection. When this happens the mandate of the archives to preserve knowledge is sometimes subsumed under the traditional library mandate of providing for the immediate needs of users. The need to advocate for additional archival space in a student-focused environment has forced the University of Northern Colorado archives to frame its space needs, whether for researchers, staff, or collections, in terms of meeting the immediate needs of users, particularly students, rather than focusing on the long-term needs of preservation for future users.
Effects of stage of lactation and pregnancy and their interactions on milk yield and constituents.

Abstract Effects of stage of lactation and pregnancy and their interactions on 17 milk yield and constituent traits of Holsteins and Jerseys were studied. Data were 11,120 Jersey and 11,092 Holstein daily milk samples. After adjustment for all other known and systematic genetic and environmental effects, stage of lactation influenced all traits and accounted for 11.8 to 26.3% of variation in yields and .2 to 9.9% in percentages. In general, yields declined and percentages increased after about 3 mo of lactation. Chloride percentage showed an initial decline and then a rise after 2 mo. Stage of pregnancy accounted for small but significant variation in most traits; variation was .2 to .4% and
WIND ENERGY POTENTIAL OF COASTAL ERITREA: AN ANALYSIS OF SPARSE WIND DATA

This paper describes an analysis of historical surface wind data for the small country of Eritrea, in northeastern Africa. Winds in this region are directed by summer and winter monsoons in addition to diurnal land-sea effects. An analysis of national Eritrean and historical Italian wind records indicated marginal wind resources in the central highlands near the Eritrean capital of Asmera. An analysis of wind speed records 21 recorded at two sites in the southern port city of Aseb indicate mean annual 10-m wind speeds of 9.5 m s at the windier site. Surface wind speed records for the Red Sea suggest that similar potential may be found along the lower 200 km of the Eritrean coastline. Based on these findings, wind-generated electricity in this region should be substantially cheaper than the current supply generated from imported diesel. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
AID expression during B-cell development: searching for answers

Expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) by germinal center (GC) B cells drives the processes of immunoglobulin (Ig) somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR) necessary for the generation of high affinity IgG serum antibody and the memory B-cell compartment. Increasing evidence indicates that AID is also expressed at low levels in developing B cells but to date, this early, developmentally regulated AID expression has no known function. Does the timing and extent of AID expression in developmentally immature, non-GC B cells provide clues to reveal its physiologic role?
Convection in Neptune's magnetosphere

It is assumed that nonthermal escape from Triton's atmosphere produces a co-orbiting torus of unionized gas (presumably nitrogen and hydrogen) that subsequently becomes ionized by electron impact to populate a partial Triton plasma torus analogous to the Io plasma torus in Jupiter's magnetosphere. Centrifugal and magnetic-mirror forces confine the ions to a plasma sheet located between the magnetic and centrifugal equators. The ionization rate, and hence the torus ion concentration, is strongly peaked at the two points (approximately 180 deg apart in longitude) at which Triton's orbit intersects the plasma equator. During the course of Neptune's rotation these intersection points trace out two arcs roughly 75 deg in longitudinal extent, which we take to be the configuration of the resulting (partial) plasma torus. The implied partial ring currents produce a quadrupolar (four-cell) convection system that provides rapid outward transport of plasma from the arcs. Ring-current shielding, however, prevents this convection system from penetrating very far inside the plasma-arc distance. It is suggested that this convection/shielding process accounts for the radial confinement of trapped particles (150 keV or greater) within L = 14.3 as observed by the Voyager LECP instrument.
Silica precipitates in omphacite from eclogite at Alpe Arami, Switzerland: evidence of deep subduction

Observations of oriented SiO2 precipitates in omphacite from eclogite with tholeiitic basalt protolith bordering the Alpe Arami garnet peridotite massif, Ticino, Switzerland, and petrological studies of the eclogitic mineral assemblages, suggest that this rock was subjected to higher-pressure metamorphism than previously realized. We employed various calibrations of the Fe2+ − Mg exchange thermometer and calculations of equilibria with thermodynamic data, considering the calcium–Tschermak's component (CaAl2SiO6), of garnet-pyroxene pairs. From these calculations, it is concluded that the eclogitic lenses have recorded at least four stages of mineral growth corresponding to the following: Stage I (prograde) c. 2.4 GPa; 700 °C; Stage IIa (maximum recorded grade) c. 7.0 GPa; 1100 °C; Stage IIb (retrograde) c. 3.7 GPa; 900 °C; Stage III (retrograde) c. 2.1 GPa; 750 °C. Because of the preservation of Stage I, a relatively rapid subduction and exhumation of Alpe Arami eclogite is suggested. The exhumation path of the eclogitic rock is in good agreement with most exhumation paths inferred for the Alpe Arami garnet lherzolite proposed previously by several authors based upon a variety of different observations, although the eclogite and peridotite exhumation paths may diverge at depths greater than 120 km.
Computer-Based Simulations Enhance Clinical Experience of Dietetics Interns

Abstract Objective To determine the impact of computer-based simulations on the performance of dietetics interns in initial clinical rotations. Design Interns used either a simulation program (Care Planning Simulation System [CPSS]) or a computer-based tutorial (Nutrition Care Planning Tutorial [NCPT]) during their orientation. Performance of these interns on nutrition care skills was evaluated during their initial clinical rotations. Subjects/setting Participants were 108 dietetics interns from 8 different programs. Each internship had at least 8 interns, and none of the internships awarded a graduate degree. Intervention Subjects in the experimental group completed nutrition assessment and care planning activities for 3 simulated patients. Subjects in the control group completed a tutorial on assessment and care planning. Main outcome measures Likert scale ratings of 31 behaviors were recorded by clinical preceptors. Behavior statements were grouped into 8 categories and average ratings for each category were determined. Statistical analysis Repeated-measures analysis of variance and linear regression were used to compare performance ratings between groups. Results There were no differences in overall evaluations of the simulation and tutorial groups for the 8-week period. Interns who started clinical rotations immediately after orientation (CPSS-I and NCPT-I groups) were rated lower in all categories than those who began their clinical rotations later (CPSS-D and NCPT-D groups). Maturation and acquisition of general skills likely influenced ratings of interns with delayed clinical rotations. For most categories of behavior, the rate of improvement in rating scores was greatest for interns who used CPSS. Applications Computer-based simulations are a promising supplement to current techniques in didactic instruction and may be useful in both didactic and practice settings. Computer-based simulations can provide more varied practice experiences to didactic students and interns in preparation for more skilled entry-level positions in dietetics. J Am Diet Assoc, 2000;100:183–190 .
Unusual usage of AGG and TTG codons in humans and their viruses

Prior analysis on human protein-coding DNA sequences has identified local base composition as the primary predictor of synonymous codon usage. However, in many organisms, codon usage is influenced by natural selection, particularly for efficient expression of functional gene products. Because viruses are expected to evolve codon usage in the context of their host's molecular machinery, their genomes provide another window into the forces that guide their host's molecular evolution. Factor analysis was performed on codon usage of 16,654 genes annotated in Build 34 of the human genome, and the primary factor was correlated strongly with local base composition. However, two codons, AGG and TTG, rose in frequency as all other C- and G-ending codons decreased in frequency. These two codons were the only C- or G-ending codons with usages that negatively correlated with gene expression. Variation among viruses in codon usage also strongly reflects variation in base composition and, again, AGG and TTG decrease in frequency as all other C- and G-ending codons increase in frequency. It appears that usages of these two codons can not be explained by local compositional biases, implying a more direct role of natural selection on codon usage in humans.
Towards standardized assessment of endoscope optical performance: geometric distortion

Technological advances in endoscopes, such as capsule, ultrathin and disposable devices, promise significant improvements in safety, clinical effectiveness and patient acceptance. Unfortunately, the industry lacks test methods for preclinical evaluation of key optical performance characteristics (OPCs) of endoscopic devices that are quantitative, objective and well-validated. As a result, it is difficult for researchers and developers to compare image quality and evaluate equivalence to, or improvement upon, prior technologies. While endoscope OPCs include resolution, field of view, and depth of field, among others, our focus in this paper is geometric image distortion. We reviewed specific test methods for distortion and then developed an objective, quantitative test method based on well-defined experimental and data processing steps to evaluate radial distortion in the full field of view of an endoscopic imaging system. Our measurements and analyses showed that a second-degree polynomial equation could well describe the radial distortion curve of a traditional endoscope. The distortion evaluation method was effective for correcting the image and can be used to explain other widely accepted evaluation methods such as picture height distortion. Development of consensus standards based on promising test methods for image quality assessment, such as the method studied here, will facilitate clinical implementation of innovative endoscopic devices.
Acid phosphatase. I. Human red cell phosphomonoesterase; general properties

Abstract 1. 1. Phosphomonoesterase action of human erythrocytes was investigated using as substrates phenyl phosphate, α- and β-glycerophosphates, and yeast adenylic acid. Only one pH optimum of enzyme action (around pH 5.5) was observed with each of the substrates tested. 2. 2. Alterations in phosphomonoesterase activity were observed within certain hemolyzate preparations after aging (24 hr.), resulting in measured increases as well as decreases in enzyme action. 3. 3. Red cell phosphomonoesterase was activated by added magnesium (optimal activation at 0.01 M) in the presence of all substrates investigated over the entire active pH range. Neither prolonged dialysis or cold acetone (−10 °C.) precipitation of the hemolyzates resulted in enhancement of enzyme activation by magnesium. 4. 4. Optimal conditions for the accurate assay of red cell phosphomonoesterase were presented. 5. 5. A study of phosphotransferase action of red cell preparations was presented. On the basis of a theoretical treatment of the kinetics of transferase and phosphomonoesterase actions, the results are not incompatible with the view that both reactions are mediated through a single enzyme. 6. 6. The metabolism of adenosine by red cells was investigated and discussed in relation to the use of yeast adenylic acid as a substrate for phosphomonoesterase studies. Use was made in these investigations of phosphomonoesterase-free hemolyzates prepared with Fuller's earth.
1028 A prospective trial of conservative surgery (CS) without radiation therapy (RT) for early-stage breast cancer

We performed a one-arm prospective trial, 1986–92, to test the hypothesis that RT can be safely omitted after CS in selected pts with early-stage breast cancer. Pts were selected to include unicentric, clinical T1 carcinomas with neither an extensive intraductal component nor lymphatic vessel invasion. We required histologically negative margins of ≥ 1 cm and pathologically negative axillary nodes. The trial was closed after the accrual of 87 pts when early stopping rules were met. Median pt age was 67 yrs (27–84). The cancer was detected by mammography alone in 76%. Median pathologic tumor size was 0.9 cm. All pts underwent re-excision with only 2 having evidence of residual cancer. The median total volume of resected breast tissue was 114 cm3. Median f/u is 56 mos for the 84 surviving pts. 14 pts (16%) developed a LR as their first site of failure. The average annual LR rate is 3.6% and the crude 3-yr LR rate is 8%. 4 pts developed distant failures for a crude 3-yr rate of 1%. In comparison, 45 pts fulfilling the trial's strict eligibility criteria but treated with CS + RT between 1983–86 had a crude 3-yr LR rate of 0% and a crude 3-yr DF rate of 4%. This data suggests that even with careful selection and surgical treatment, this group of pts is at substantial risk of LR following treatment with CS alone. More accurate predictors of LR following CS alone are needed.
Relativistic particle separation by means of transition radiation utilizing multiwire proportional chambers

Abstract Investigations have been made on a transition radiation detection system consisting of a series of radiator-wire proportional chamber sandwiches and its feasibility for particle separation. A method for eliminating the “Landau” tail in the ionization distribution of a charged particle is described.
Nanoparticles in sentinel lymph node mapping

The lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels are more difficult to access than most vascular structures. Interstitial injection of imaging agents is often necessary to opacify the lymphatics. Traditionally, radionuclide methods of sentinel node imaging have dominated this field, however, limitations in resolution and exposure to radiation have encouraged the development of newer imaging methods. Among these are magnetic resonance lymphography in which a Gadolinium labeled nanoparticle is injected and imaged providing superior anatomic resolution and assessment of lymphatic dynamics. Optical imaging employing various nanoparticles including quantum dots also provide the capability of mapping each lymphatic basin in another “color”. Taken together this “toolbox” of lymphatic imaging agents is poised to improve our understanding of the lymphatic system Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website .
Crystal and molecular structure of bicyclo (2,2,1)hept-5-ene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic acid

The crystal and molecular structure of bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-5-ene-2,3-endo-dicarboxylic acid, C9H10O4, has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystals are monoclinic:P21/c,a = 11·009(5),b = 7·394(5),c = 10·479(5) A, β = 98 ° 22′(3) andZ = 4. The least-squares refinement of 1826 diffractometer reflexions resulted in a conventionalR of 0·074. Bond distances and angles of the bicyclo [2,2, 1]hept-5-ene ring system agree well with other recently published structures of this type, including similar asymmetry of bond distances. Hydrogen bonding of the acid groups occurs between the molecules so as to form infinite chains in the direction of thea-axis. Large anisotropic thermal motions of the oxygen atoms of one carboxylic acid group are, presumably, the result of differences in hydrogen-bonding geometry.
THE EFFECTS OF INTOXICATING DOSES OF ETHANOL UPON INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM IN RAT BRAIN

— The effect of acute (8-min) and prolonged (13-h) exposures to high doses of ethanol upon the intermediary metabolites of rat brain has been studied, with the use of a new freezing technique which minimizes post-mortem changes. Injection of ethanol (80 mmol/kg body wt) produced general anaesthesia within 8 min after administration. At this time there were increases in the brain contents of glucose, glucose-6-phosphate and citrate; there was no change in arterial pCO2. Rats under ethanol anaesthesia for 13 h showed increases in brain contents of glycogen, glucose and glucose 6-phosphate; and decreases in lactate, pyruvate, α-oxoglutarate and malate. Under similar experimental conditions, arterial pCO2, increased from 37 to 51 Torr. The changes in levels of metabolites after injection of ethanol were similar to those after administration of many volatile anaesthetic agents or elevation of brain CO2 by other means. Although brain levels of malate and α-oxoglutarate decreased after prolonged exposure to ethanol, the mitochondrial redox state was maintained. Accordingly, the levels of glutamate and aspartate fell in accordance with the law of mass action. The maintenance of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial redox states in the brain during ethanol intoxication was in marked contrast to the effects on the liver. We suggest that the different effects observed in brain and liver result from the action of ethanol upon the nerve cell membrane in brain, whereas the primary target in liver is alcohol dehydrogenase.
Synthesis of a macrocyclic rhodamine 110 enzyme substrate as an intracellular probe for caspase 3 activity

The synthesis of the macrocyclic rhodamine 110 caspase 3 substrate 8 is described. The key step is a high dilution intramolecular cyclization reaction of an in situ generated primary amine with a 4-nitrophenyl ester. Substrate 8 reacts with recombinant caspase 3 to yield a fluorescent signal but virtually no signal is detected in the absence of caspase 3 or in the presence of the caspase 3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO. Notably, 8 selectively stains live cells that have been induced to undergo apoptosis with etoposide.
Characterization of Brønsted and Lewis acidity in zeolites by solid‐state NMR and the recent progress in the REDOR technique

Because of their use as catalysts, the volume of papers published on the nature of the acid sites in zeolites is impressive. The number of acid sites is correctly estimated and their chemical nature is known. There are however numerous domains still largely unexplored, such as the structural description (topology) of the disordered surface of a real catalyst. 29Si and 27Al REDOR NMR from chemisorbed ammonia provide the spatial arrangement of the base with respect to either the Si/Al distribution in the lattice or the coordination in the nonframework Al nano-particles, shedding light on the nature of the Bronsted and Lewis sites. In particular they explain the main features ruling the strength of the Bronsted sites and the ‘dispersion’ of Lewis sites, that is the ratio of the number of sites to the number of nonframework aluminum. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser Raman scattering measurements of differential molecular diffusion in turbulent nonpremixed jet flames of H2CO2 fuel

In this paper the authors explore the effects of differential diffusion in nonpremixed turbulent jet flames. Pulsed Raman scattering spectroscopy is used to measure temperature and species concentrations in chemically reacting jets of H[sub 2]/CO[sub 2] into air, over a range of jet Reynolds numbers from 1,000 to 30,000 based on cold jet fluid properties. Results show significant effects of differential diffusion at all jet Reynolds numbers considered. Differential diffusion between H[sub 2] and CO[sub 2] produces differences between the hydrogen element mixture fraction (f[sub H]) and the carbon element mixture reaction (f[sub C]). The greatest effects occur on the rich side of stoichiometric, where f[sub H] is observed to be smaller than f[sub C] at all Reynolds numbers. Differential diffusion between H[sub 2] and H[sub 2]O creates a net flux of hydrogen element toward the stoichiometric contour and causes a local maximum in f[sub H] that occurs near the stoichiometric condition. A differential diffusion variable z[sub H] is defined at the difference between f[sub H] and f[sub C]. The variance of z[sub H] conditional on f[sub C] also shows that differential diffusion effects are greatest on the rich side of the flame. Conditional variances of z[sub H] are largestmore » at intermediate Reynolds numbers.« less
Lagrangian diffusion equation and its application to oceanic dispersion

The Lagrangian diffusion equation appropriate for the dispersion of current followers (e. g., floats, drogues, drifters) is proposed. The analytical solution to the equation is obtained for a uniform deformation field, characterized by Lagrangian deformations and anisotropic eddy diffusivities both varying with time. Expressions are derived for the patch area and its elongation and rotation. For small values of elapsed time after the initial release the patch area can be accounted for by the exponential of the cumulative value of the horizontal divergence; the relative rate of change of the patch area can be accounted for by the horizontal divergence.
On the calculation of the parabolic cylinder functions

Abstract An integral representation for the parabolic cylinder functions is solved by Gaussian quadrature employing an algorithm due to Gordon for solution of the moment equations. This method provides the function U(a, x) for a range of the arguments a and x not previously accessible with the accuracy of the present work.
The Power Mean and the Logarithmic Mean

(1974). The Power Mean and the Logarithmic Mean. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 81, No. 8, pp. 879-883.
FDG-PET evaluation of vaginal carcinoma.

Purpose: To compare the results of CT and positron emission tomography (PET) and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the detection of the primary tumor and lymph node metastases in carcinoma of the vagina. Methods and Materials: This was a prospective registry study of 23 consecutive patients with carcinoma of the vagina, in which we respectively compared the results of CT and whole-body FDG-PET. The tumor was clinical Stage II in 16 patients, Stage III in 6, and Stage IVa in 1 patient. The primary tumor ranged in size from 2 to 10 cm (mean 4.9), and 4 patients had palpable groin lymph nodes. All patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy, 14 received concurrent chemotherapy, and 2 underwent primary tumor excision before the imaging evaluation. The median follow-up was 21 months in those patients alive without disease. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of the 21 patients with an intact primary tumor, CT visualized it in 9 (43%). CT also demonstrated abnormally enlarged groin lymph nodes in 3 patients and both groin and pelvic lymph nodes in 1 patient (4 of 23, 17%). FDG-PET identified abnormal uptake in all 21 intact primary tumors (100%). Abnormal uptake was found in the groin lymph nodes in 4 patients, pelvic lymph nodes in 2, and both groin and pelvic lymph nodes in 2 patients (8 of 23, 35%). The 3-year progression-free and overall survival estimate was 73% and 68%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study have demonstrated that FDG-PET detects the primary tumor and abnormal lymph nodes more often than does CT.
Harvesting ambient geospatial information from social media feeds

Social media generated from many individuals is playing a greater role in our daily lives and provides a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight on information flow and social networking within a society. Through data collection and analysis of its content, it supports a greater mapping and understanding of the evolving human landscape. The information disseminated through such media represents a deviation from volunteered geography, in the sense that it is not geographic information per se. Nevertheless, the message often has geographic footprints, for example, in the form of locations from where the tweets originate, or references in their content to geographic entities. We argue that such data conveys ambient geospatial information, capturing for example, people’s references to locations that represent momentary social hotspots. In this paper we address a framework to harvest such ambient geospatial information, and resulting hybrid capabilities to analyze it to support situational awareness as it relates to human activities. We argue that this emergence of ambient geospatial analysis represents a second step in the evolution of geospatial data availability, following on the heels of volunteered geographical information.
Aminoglutethimide potentiation of estrogen-induced abortion

Abstract Treatment of day 8 pregnant rats for 3 days with 30 mg aminoglutethimide, an inhibitor of steroid biosynthesis, did not affect gestation but when administered with as little as 0.1 μg of estradiol-17β, abortion occurred in 50% of the animals. At 0.5 μg or higher doses of estradiol-17β and the same dose of aminoglutethimide, abortion occurred in all animals. This effect was reversed by simultaneous treatment with progesterone. AGP (30 mg) reduced progesterone, 20α-dihydroprogesterone and estrogen concentration in peripheral plasma by 30, 50 and 50%, 6 hours after a single injection.
Combining Quinupristin/Dalfopristin with Other Agents for Resistant Infections

OBJECTIVETo review the resistance mechanisms of Enterococcus and Staphylococcus spp. and summarize quinupristin/dalfopristin's (QD's) effects on these resistant organisms when combined with other antibiotics via review of the literature and unpublished data.DATA SOURCESData were identified by a PubMed search (1996—May 2003) using the search terms quinupristin/dalfopristin, synergy, in vitro, in vivo, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and individual antibiotic names. Bibliographies of the resultant PubMed searches were reviewed and included if applicable.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONAll studies reviewed were analyzed; specific drug data were included only if clinically pertinent. In vitro data from studies with adequate design were discussed, whereas all case reports and clinical trials were utilized.DATA SYNTHESISIn the treatment of VREF, available information seems conflicting, although some clear differences have become apparent. ...
Oral Contraceptive Use and Colorectal Cancer in the Nurses Health Study I and II.

Background: It remains unclear if oral contraceptive (OC) use is associated with the incidence of colorectal cancer. Few studies have examined this association by duration of OC use, time since last OC use, and different cancer subsites. Methods: Among 88,691 participants of the Nurses' Health Study I (NHSI) and 93,080 participants of the Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII), we assessed OC use every 2 years between 1976-2010 and categorized it as ever use, duration of use, and time since last use. We included incident colorectal cancer cases through 2010 (NHSI: age at diagnosis=36-88, N=1,764, NHSII: age at diagnosis=33-64, N=206). Multivariable hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals [HR (95% CIs)] were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: Ever OC use was not associated with colorectal cancer in NHSI [1.01 (0.91, 1.12)] nor NHSII [1.03 (0.69, 1.53)]. In NHSII, when compared to never-users, longer durations (5+ years) of OC use were inversely associated with the risk of colon cancers (test for trend p=0.02) but the number of endpoints was limited. No other colorectal cancer subsites were associated with OC durations or times since last OC use in either cohort. Conclusions: In two large prospective cohorts, we found little evidence that OC use may be protective for colorectal cancer, except potentially with longer durations of use among younger women. Impact: Our results do not support the previous initial studies that reported an inverse association of recent OC use with colorectal cancer but instead support newer, larger studies demonstrating no such association.
Abdicating power for control: a precision timing strategy to modulate function of flight power muscles.

Muscles driving rhythmic locomotion typically show strong dependence of power on the timing or phase of activation. This is particularly true in insects9 main flight muscles, canonical examples of muscles thought to have a dedicated power function. However, in the moth ( Manduca sexta ), these muscles normally activate at a phase where the instantaneous slope of the power–phase curve is steep and well below maximum power. We provide four lines of evidence demonstrating that, contrary to the current paradigm, the moth9s nervous system establishes significant control authority in these muscles through precise timing modulation: (i) left–right pairs of flight muscles normally fire precisely, within 0.5–0.6 ms of each other; (ii) during a yawing optomotor response, left—right muscle timing differences shift throughout a wider 8 ms timing window, enabling at least a 50 per cent left–right power differential; (iii) timing differences correlate with turning torque; and (iv) the downstroke power muscles alone causally account for 47 per cent of turning torque. To establish (iv), we altered muscle activation during intact behaviour by stimulating individual muscle potentials to impose left—right timing differences. Because many organisms also have muscles operating with high power–phase gains ( Δ power / Δ phase ), this motor control strategy may be ubiquitous in locomotor systems.
Combining Neural Network Regression Estimates with Regularized Linear Weights

When combining a set of learned models to form an improved estimator, the issue of redundancy or multicollinearity in the set of models must be addressed. A progression of existing approaches and their limitations with respect to the redundancy is discussed. A new approach, PCR*, based on principal components regression is proposed to address these limitations. An evaluation of the new approach on a collection of domains reveals that: 1) PCR* was the most robust combination method as the redundancy of the learned models increased, 2) redundancy could be handled without eliminating any of the learned models, and 3) the principal components of the learned models provided a continuum of "regularized" weights from which PCR* could choose.