cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for ventricular tachyarrhythmic events in patients without left bundle branch block who receive cardiac resynchronization therapy.

INTRODUCTION Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) may be pro-arrhythmic in patients with non-left bundle branch block (non-LBBB). We hypothesized that combined assessment of risk factors (RF) for ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs) can be used to stratify non-LBBB patients for CRT implantation. METHODS The study comprised 412 non-LBBB patients from MADIT-CRT randomized to CRT-D (n = 215) versus ICD only (n = 197). Best-subset regression analysis was performed to identify RF associated with increased VTA risk in CRT-D patients without LBBB. The primary end point was first occurrence of sustained VTA during follow-up. Secondary end points included VTA/death and appropriate shock. RESULTS Four RFs were associated with increased VTA risk: blood urea nitrogen >25mg/dl, ejection fraction <20%, prior nonsustained VT, and female gender. Among CRT-D patients, 114 (53%) had no RF, while 101 (47%) had ≥1 RF. The 4-year cumulative probability of VTA was higher among those with ≥1 RF compared with those without RF (40% vs. 14%, p < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that in patients without RF, treatment with CRT-D was associated with a 61% reduction in VTA compared with ICD-only therapy (p = .002), whereas among patients with ≥1 RF, treatment with CRT-D was associated with a corresponding 73% (p = .025) risk increase. Consistent results were observed when the secondary end points of VTA/death and appropriate ICD shocks were assessed. CONCLUSION Combined assessment of factors associated with increased risk for VTA can be used for improved selection of non-LBBB patients for CRT-D.
The STEM Glass Ceiling: The Influence of Immigration Status on STEM Trajectories of Afro-Caribbean Women (A Narrative Approach)

Afro-Caribbean women initially construct their science identity outside of the U.S. in unique sociocultural contexts where Black is dominant and British-styled instruction remains intact. Afro-Caribbean women often experience the “triple threat” minoritizing effects of being Black, female, and international/non-immigrant when they pursue STEM education and careers in the United States. Using grounded theory methods, I gathered the narratives of eight Afro-Caribbean women in STEM education or careers in the United States to examine how citizenship/immigration status influenced their STEM trajectories. Participants described how their educational and career aspirations were either supported or constrained by citizenship. Immigration status, therefore, operated as a figurative glass ceiling for some of the Afro- Caribbean women in this study limiting degree and career choice.
Uncovering the Online Social Structure Surrounding COVID-19

How do people talk about COVID-19 online? To address this question, we offer an unsupervised framework that allows us to examine Twitter framings of the pandemic. Our approach employs a network-based exploration of social media data to identify, categorize, and understand communication patterns about the novel coronavirus on Twitter. The simplest structure that emerges from our analysis is the distinction between the internal/personal, external/global, and generic threat framings of the pandemic. This structure replicates in different Twitter samples and is validated using the variation of information measure, reflecting the significance and stability of our findings. Such an exploratory study is useful for understanding the contours of the natural, non-random structure in this online space. We contend that this understanding of structure is necessary to address a host of causal, supervised, and related questions downstream.
The Semantics of German Verb Prefixes

The Semantics of German Verb Prefixes is the most comprehensive study ever undertaken in this area of German grammar. Using an extensive collection of naturally occurring data, the author proposes an image-schematic interpretation for each of the productive prefixes be-, ver-, er-, ent-, zer-, um-, uber-, unter-, and durch- . These abstract semantic patterns underlie a remarkable range of particular meanings, and they consistently account for subtle contrasts between prefixed verbs and alternative constructions such as simple verbs, particle verbs, and verbs with other prefixes. Furthermore, the author develops a schematic meaning for the prefixed verb construction itself. This grammatical meaning reflects the interpreter’s perspective and attentional focus as the objective event is imagined to unfold. Underlying all of these proposals is a novel conception of meaning as a dynamic and flexible process with a constantly active role for the interpreter. This volume will be of great value to cognitive linguists as well as scholars and students of German who want to gain insights into a central and puzzling part of the morphosyntax and semantics of the German language.
Sequencing of candidate genes in Dominican families implicates both rare exonic and common non-exonic variants for carotid intima-media thickness at bifurcation

Through linkage and tagSNP-based association studies in 100 Dominican Republic (DR) families, we previously identified ANLN and AOAH (7p14.3) as candidate genes for carotid intima-media thickness at bifurcation (bIMT). Introns, exons, and flanking regions of ANLN and AOAH were re-sequenced in 151 individuals from nine families with evidence for linkage at 7p14.3. For common variants [CV, minor allele frequency (MAF) ≥5 %], single variant-based analysis was performed. For rare variants (RV, MAF < 5 %), gene-based analysis aggregating all RVs within a gene was performed. CV analysis revealed the strongest signal at rs3815483 (P = 0.0003) in ANLN and rs60023210 (P = 0.00005) in AOAH. In ANLN, RV analysis found suggestive evidence for association with exonic RVs (P = 0.08), and in particular non-synonymous RVs (P = 0.04) but not with all RVs (P = 0.15). The variant alleles of all non-synonymous RVs segregated with the major allele of rs3815483 and were associated with lower bIMT while a novel synonymous RV segregated with the minor allele of rs3815483 and was associated with greater bIMT. Additional analysis in 561 DR individuals found suggestive evidence for association with all ANLN non-synonymous RVs (P = 0.08). In AOAH, no evidence for association with RVs was detected. Instead, conditional analysis revealed that multiple independent intronic CVs are associated with bIMT in addition to rs60023210. We demonstrate the utility of using family-based studies to evaluate the contribution of RVs. Our data suggest two modes of genetic architecture underlying the linkage and association at ANLN (multiple exonic RVs) and AOAH (multiple intronic CVs with uncharacterized functions).
Endometrial pattern on the day of oocyte retrieval is more predictive of implantation success than the pattern or thickness on the day of hCG administration.

Purpose: Multiple studies have confirmed a lower implantation (IR) and pregnancy rate (PR) in women who exhibit a homogeneous pattern (pattern II) of the endometrium compared to a triple-line pattern (pattern I) on the day of hCG administration. However, no data are available to evaluate if patients alter their endometrial thickness and pattern between the day of hCG administration (D hCG ) and the day of oocyte retrieval (D RET ) and whether these changes adversely affect endometrial receptivity. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 86 women (mean age, 32.9 ± 3.8 years; range, 24–40 years) undergoing 103 IVF/ET cycles. Results: Pattern II was noted in 7 cycles (6.8%) on D hCG , compared to 96 cycles with pattern I (93.2%). However, 20 cycles (19.4%) had pattern II on D RET . The ongoing IR was 13.0% (3/23) in the pattern II group compared to 20.8% (76/365) in the pattern I group on D hCG (P = NS). However, a significant decrease in the ongoing IR, to 9.9% (7/71), was noted in pattern II, compared to 23.3% (71/305) in pattern I, on D RET (P = 0.019). There was no difference in age, basal FSH, peak E 2, P 4 on the day of hCG, number of oocytes, number of ET, or endometrial thickness between pregnant and nonpregnant patients, or between patients with pattern I and those with pattern II. A trend toward higher progesterone levels on D hCG was noted in women with pattern II (P = 0.078). Conclusions: Endometrial pattern, rather than thickness, on the day of oocyte retrieval appears to be an important prognosticator of endometrial receptivity.
OBSERVATIONS OF JOVIAN ACCELERATED PARTICLES BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE JOVIAN MAGNETOSPHERE: RESULTS FROM THE GODDARD-U. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE EXPERIMENT ON PIONEER 10

The Pioneer 10 encounter with Jupiter in December 1973 marked the first time that it has been possible to make in situ measurements of a region where particle acceleration and trapping is naturally occurring other than in the Earth’s magnetosphere. Preliminary results on the particle and field environment near Jupiter have already indicated that the Jovian magnetosphere is an extremely interesting region which differs in a number of important ways from the Earth’s magnetosphere (Trainor et al., 1974; Fillius and McIlwain, 1974; Simpson et al., 1974; Van Allen et al., 1974; Smith et al., 1974; Wolfe et al., 1974).
Charismatic Microfauna: The Case of the Golden Mouse

A book about elephants? Bonobos? Wolves? Sure, those are common fixtures on bookshelves, desks, and coffee tables. But a book about a mouse? And a little-known species of mouse at that? Interestingly, it works. In The Golden Mouse: Ecology and Conservation, Barrett and Feldhamer have compiled a set of chapters that give us a glimpse into the intriguing world of their study species, and provide a tempting set of questions for future exploration. The star of the show, the golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli), has many characteristics that make for a compelling case study—it is the sole member of its genus, has a semiprehensile tail, possesses unusual nesting habits (primarily using arboreal, communal nests), is exceedingly docile and quite social, and although widely distributed across the southeastern United States, exists in clusters with very low population density. The editors use a levels-of-organization approach in the first half of the book to bring together disparate pieces of information, including presentation of valuable information on the population, community, ecosystem, and landscape ecology of this species. This flow of information logically builds from chapter to chapter, and provides the background information for the integration of later chapters, which are more specific to particular issues, such as the energetics, host/parasite relationships, and nesting habits of the golden mouse. Across all chapters and authors, a common regard and enthusiasm for this interesting animal abounds. That is where the similarities end, however, as there is great disparity in the content and quality of each chapter. Where several chapters provide considerable thoughtful analysis of and insight into a given topic, others are fundamentally a laundry list of previous works, with little synthesis or reflection. Although all chapters will serve as excellent reference guides for interested scientists—they each thoroughly catalog the work conducted to date—certain chapters were particularly insightful and consequently will be of interest to a much larger audience. For example, Peles and Barrett’s chapter on the energetic efficiency of the golden mouse presents a unique and compelling framework for integrating ideas from mouse physiology to population and community ecology, a feat rarely undertaken and of great value to the field beyond those working with this species. Also of note, S.W. Seagle’s treatment of the ecosystem ecology of the golden mouse, though disappointingly light on empirical examples (due to the paucity of studies of the golden mouse at this spatial scale), also presents much food for thought. As I read through this chapter, each question that came to my mind was satisfyingly answered or was identified as an area requiring further investigation. J Mammal Evol (2009) 16:73–74 DOI 10.1007/s10914-008-9080-z
Do Electronic Technologies Increase or Narrow Differences in Higher Education Quality Between Low- and High-Income Countries?

The disruptive technologies of the Internet and computers are changing our world in myriad ways. These technologies are also increasingly being employed in higher education but to what effect? Are the effects on higher education quality measurable, and if so, what is the effect on the traditional gap between high-income and low- to middle-income nations on this score? This theme is pursued in this article, which uses a variety of methods to probe the question. Because great controversy attends the notion of institutional quality, measures differ, and the effect of these technologies on that quality depends to a great extent on the definition being used. Low- to middle-income countries' usage of the Internet and computer technologies lags behind that of high-income countries, but projections indicate they are catching up.
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy: A Potentially Curable Approach to Early-Stage Multiple Primary Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND Surgical resection has been the standard treatment for early stage multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC). However, a significant proportion of patients with MPLC cannot undergo surgery. For this report, the authors explored the role of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for patients with MPLC. METHODS Patients with MPLC who received SABR (50 grays [Gy] in 4 fractions or 70 Gy in 10 fractions) for the second tumor were reviewed. Four-dimensional, computed tomography-based, planning/volumetric image-guided treatment was used for all patients. Treatment outcomes/toxicities were analyzed. RESULTS For the 101 patients who received SABR, at a median follow-up of 36 months and with a median overall survival (OS) of 46 months, the 2-year and 4-year in-field local control rates were 97.4% and 95.7%, respectively. The 2-year and 4-year OS rates were 73.2% and 47.5%, respectively; and the progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 67% and 58%, respectively. Patients who had metachronous tumors had better OS and PFS than patients who had synchronous tumors (2-year OS: 80.6% metachronous vs 61.5% synchronous; 4-year OS: 52.7% vs 39.7%, respectively; P = .047; 2-year PFS: 84.7% vs 49.4%, respectively; 4-year PFS: 75.6% vs 30.4%, respectively; P = .0001). For patients who either underwent surgery or received SABR for an index tumor, the incidence of grade ≥3 radiation pneumonitis was 3% (2 of 71 patients); however, this increased to 17% (5 of 30 patients) for those who received conventional radiotherapy for an index tumor. Other grade ≥3 toxicities included grade 3 chest wall pain (3 of 101 patients; 3%) and grade 3 skin toxicity (1 of 101 patients; 1%). CONCLUSIONS SABR achieves promising long-term tumor control and survival and may be a potential curative treatment for early stage MPLC. Cancer 2013;119:3402–10. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
The Postclassic to Spanish-Era Transition in Mesoamerica

The Postclassic to Spanish-Era Transition in Mesoamerica. Susan Kepecs and Rani Alexander, eds. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 2005. 260 pp.
Early Archean Sm-Nd model ages from a tonalitic gneiss, northern Michigan

Sm-Nd model ages on a whole-rock sample of the gneiss at Watersmeet, Michigan, show that these rocks were added to the continental crust about 3,600 m.y. ago. These model ages are calculated by assuming that the rocks were derived from a mantle reservoir with the Sm/Nd ratio of CHUR, which corresponds approximately to the chondritic ratio. These data confirm the U-ThPb zircon results that indicated a minimum age of 3,410 m.y. and possibly an age as old as 3,800 m.y. This study further illustrates the utility of Sm-Nd model ages in deciphering the history of complex Precambrian terranes.
The Influence of Student Perceptions of Parenting and Coping on Achievement and Classroom Behavior among African American Children.

The present study examined children's coping strategies as mediators and moderators of the association between parenting factors and outcomes in 235 African American children (mean age = 10.37 years). Information about parenting and child coping strategies was obtained by child self-report. School adjustment was assessed by standardized achievement scores and by teacher ratings of behavior. Structural equation modeling indicated that positive parenting was related to higher achievement and lower behavior problems. Contrary to the hypotheses, coping strategies did not mediate or moderate this association. The results are discussed in terms of how factors at the family and child level may influence child behavior and academic performance in the classroom. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FREE SUBGROUPS OF THE HOMEOMORPHISM GROUP OF THE REALS

After proving the known result that the homeomorphism group X(H) of the reals has a free subgroup of rank equal to the cardinality of the continuum, we apply similar techniques to give criteria for the existence of many (a comeager set in a natural complete metric topology) homeomorphisms independent of a given subgroup of X(H).
Characterization of short pulse laser-produced plasmas

Abstract The K -shell emission from porous aluminum targets is used to infer the density and temperature of plasmas created with 800 and 400 nm, 140 fsec laser light. The laser beam is focused to a minimum spot size of 5 μm with 800 nm light and 3 μm with 400 nm light, producing a normal incidence peak intensity of 10 18 W/cm 2 . The effects of design, laser characteristics, and diagnostic needs is discussed.
Systematic review of factors contributing to penicillin treatment failure in Streptococcus pyogenes pharyngitis.

Objective Review the evidence for various explanations for microbiologic treatment failure following use of penicillin in group A streptococcal (GAS) tonsillopharyngitis. Data Source Systematic review of the literature based on Medline and EMBASE searches, and review of reference lists of included studies. Results The explanations for penicillin treatment failure in GAS tonsillopharyngitis include 1) carrier state, 2) lack of compliance, 3) recurrent exposure, 4) in vivo copathogenicity of β-lactamase–producing normal pharyngeal flora, 5) in vivo bacterial coaggregation, 6) poor antibiotic penetration to tonsillopharyngeal tissue, 7) in vivo eradication of normal protective flora, 8) early initiation of antibiotic therapy resulting in suppression of an adequate host immune response, 9) intracellular localization of GAS, 10) GAS tolerance to penicillin, 11) contaminated toothbrushes or orthodontic appliances, and 12) transmission from the family pet. There is very little type I or II evidence to support any of the above-cited explanations for treatment failure in GAS tonsillopharyngitis; available studies are mostly observational (in patients) or laboratory-based without clinical confirmation. Conclusion Multiple explanations have been offered by investigators to explain penicillin treatment failures in GAS tonsillopharyngitis, but the evidence base to support the proposed explanations is generally weak by current standards. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanism(s) of penicillin treatment failure in GAS tonsillopharyngitis.
Use of dihalohydrin precursors of butadiene diepoxide in the chemical modification of cotton cellulose

Dihalohydrin precursors of meso-butadiene diepoxide or d,l-isomers of butadiene diepoxides have been reacted with cotton cellulose. It has been shown that d,l-2,3-dibromo-1,4-butanediol, d,l-2,3-dichloro-1,4-butanediol, meso-2,3-dichloro-1,4-butanediol, and meso-1,4-dichloro-2,3-butanediol, can be added to cotton in small amounts (1–4%) to increase both dry and wet crease resistance of the fabric. Several methods of application were investigated, and two methods for the in situ formation of the butadiene diepoxides in cotton and their subsequent reaction with cellulosic hydroxyls rather than solvolysis have been proposed. Both processes call for the application of the dihalohydrin from an aqueous solution and subsequent treatment of the dried fabric by either of the following: (1) absolute alcoholic solution of NaOH or (2) concentrated aqueous solution of Na4SiO4 saturated with NaCl. With the former, a slow curing of the dehydrohalogenated sample in a sealed polyethylene bag at room temperature or a rapid high temperature cure could be used; with the latter, increased dry and wet crease resistance was obtained only with a rapid high temperature cure. Use of aqueous orthosilicate solutions offers a potential commercial application, since the dihalohydrins are relatively inexpensive and such a process avoids handling of the volatile and relatively toxic butadiene diepoxides. Typical fabric properties obtained with the various methods are included.
Neck Extension and Rotation in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Natural Infant Deaths

It has been hypothesized that some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are a result of neck extension and/or rotation that causes vertebral artery (VA) compression and brain stem ischemia. There is a paucity of relevant literature on this topic. Therefore, our aim was to compare neck rotation and extension in SIDS and other natural infant deaths. Cases of SIDS and other natural infant deaths within the San Diego SIDS Research Project database were analyzed retrospectively with respect to neck and body position as reported by the trained, experienced scene investigators and/or the caretakers who discovered the infants. Information was used from 246 SIDS cases and 56 cases of other natural deaths. Simultaneous neck extension and rotation was not reported in either group. When data regarding neutral/flexed/extended position and rotation of the neck were combined, no significant differences were found between the two groups (P = 0.94); 40% of the SIDS cases and 41% of the other natural death cases were found with the neck either extended or rotated (odds ratio [OR] 0.97, [reference group = neck either neutral or flexed, and not rotated], 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45, 2.11). There were also no significant differences between the groups when neck rotation and neck extension were analyzed independent of one another. Neck rotation among cases found in the prone position was common and was not significantly different between the two groups (49% of 146 SIDS cases, 58% of 24 other natural death cases, P = 0.38, OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.28, 1.62). Neck rotation among infants found in the supine position occurred one-third as often in the SIDS group (9% of 33 cases) as in the other natural death group (29% of 14 cases); however, the difference was not significant (P = 0.17; OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.05, 1.31). Although our analysis does not exclude VA compression and brain stem ischemia in some cases of SIDS, we found no evidence to affirm its importance. This study demonstrates the importance of meticulous scene descriptions, including neck position.
Decomposition of Exponential Distributions on Positive Semigroups

Let (S,·) be a positive semigroup and T a sub-semigroup of S. In many natural cases, an element $$x\in S$$ can be factored uniquely as x=yz, where $$y \in T$$ and where z is in an associated “quotient space” S/T. If X has an exponential distribution on S, we show that Y and Z are independent and that Y has an exponential distribution on T. We prove a converse when the sub-semigroup is $$S_t =\{t^n : n \in\mathbb{N}\}$$ for $$t\in S$$ . Specifically, we show that if Y t and Z t are independent and Y t has an exponential distribution on S t for each $$t\in S$$ , then X has an exponential distribution on S. When applied to ([0,∞), +) and $$(\mathbb{N}, +)$$ , these results unify and extend known results on the quotient and remainder when X is divided by t.
HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders: Perspective on Management Strategies

Potent combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has resulted in dramatic improvements in AIDS-associated morbidity and mortality. Although combination ART has resulted in a significant reduction in HIV-associated dementia, the most severe of the HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), the overall prevalence of HAND among this population is estimated at 40 %. It has been recognized that the central nervous system (CNS) serves as a reservoir for HIV, and neuronal damage begins at the time of acute infection and persists due to chronic infection of microglial and perivascular macrophages. Although combination ART has resulted in virologic control in the plasma compartment, virologic breakthrough can potentially ensue within the CNS compartment due to limited ART drug exposure. The purpose of this review is to discuss the definition, clinical spectrum, and risk factors associated with HAND, review the pathogenesis of HAND, and address the pharmacologic challenges associated with ART drug exposure in the CNS compartment.
An analysis of the nonlinear spectral mixing of didymium and soda-lime glass beads using hyperspectral imagery (HSI) microscopy

Nonlinear spectral mixing occurs when materials are intimately mixed. Intimate mixing is a common characteristic of granular materials such as soils. A linear spectral unmixing inversion applied to a nonlinear mixture will yield subpixel abundance estimates that do not equal the true values of the mixture's components. These aspects of spectral mixture analysis theory are well documented. Several methods to invert (and model) nonlinear spectral mixtures have been proposed. Examples include Hapke theory, the extended endmember matrix method, and kernel-based methods. There is, however, a relative paucity of real spectral image data sets that contain well characterized intimate mixtures. To address this, special materials were custom fabricated, mechanically mixed to form intimate mixtures, and measured with a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) microscope. The results of analyses of visible/near-infrared (VNIR; 400 nm to 900 nm) HSI microscopy image cubes (in reflectance) of intimate mixtures of the two materials are presented. The materials are spherical beads of didymium glass and soda-lime glass both ranging in particle size from 63 m to 125 m. Mixtures are generated by volume and thoroughly mixed mechanically. Three binary mixtures (and the two endmembers) are constructed and emplaced in the wells of a 96-well sample plate: 0%/100%, 25%/75%, 50%/50%, 80%/20%, and 100%/0% didymium/soda-lime. Analysis methods are linear spectral unmixing (LSU), LSU applied to reflectance converted to single-scattering albedo (SSA) using Hapke theory, and two kernel-based methods. The first kernel method uses a generalized kernel with a gamma parameter that gauges non-linearity, applying the well-known kernel trick to the least squares formulation of the constrained linear model. This method attempts to determine if each pixel in a scene is linear or non-linear, and adapts to compute a mixture model at each pixel accordingly. The second method uses 'K-hype' with a polynomial (quadratic) kernel. LSU applied to the reflectance spectra of the mixtures produced poor abundance estimates regardless of the constraints applied in the inversion. The 'K-hype' kernel-based method also produced poor fraction estimates. The best performers are LSU applied to the reflectance spectra converted to SSA using Hapke theory and the gamma parameter kernel-based method.
The effectiveness of U.S. OSHA process safety management inspection – A preliminary quantitative evaluation

Abstract This study attempted to evaluate the inspection effectiveness of the U.S. OSHA process safety management (PSM) standard using statistical correlation test. A total of 6578 citations of past 1277 OSHA PSM inspections from 1992 to 2006 were quantitatively compared with the findings of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) investigations on root and contributing causes of 19 major chemical accidents. Nonparametric Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation tests showed a moderately strong agreement between OSHA PSM inspection citations and CSB findings at p
Cross-border utility investments: Translating investment risk into global advantage

Abstract Investment in the rapidly expanding utility sector in many emerging markets offers real growth prospects for utility companies. But one must execute a global strategy that addresses the many additional risk factors, political obstacles, management challenges, tax complications and long-term funding requirements to succeed in this demanding environment.
Attitudes toward Social Comparison as a Function of Self-Esteem: Idealized Appearance and Body Image

This research focused on social comparison processes in the context of apparel and beauty product advertisements. Self-esteem, body image, attitudes toward social comparison, and idealized advertising images were investigated via focus group interviews and in a laboratory experiment. Focus group participants reported reading some fashion ads while using strategies to distance themselves from the ads, such as scanning and filtering images. Subjects exposed to mock advertisements of idealized models reported less comparison than those exposed to normative models, and they rated advertisements with normative models as more attention getting and purchase influencing. In addition, high self-esteem subjects reported less social comparison and less dissatisfaction with their own looks than those with low self-esteem.
Phase 2 Trial of Neoadjuvant Axitinib in Patients with Locally Advanced Nonmetastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Background Previous studies have shown a modest impact of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on primary renal tumors. Those studies were mostly retrospective or heterogeneous in their eligibility criteria with regard to histology, disease stage, duration of therapy, and time off therapy prior to surgery. Objective To prospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of axitinib in downsizing tumors in patients with nonmetastatic biopsy-proven clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Design, setting, and participants This was a single-institution, single-arm phase 2 clinical trial. Patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic biopsy-proven ccRCC were eligible. Intervention Patients received axitinib 5mg for up to 12 wk. Axitinib was continued until 36h prior to surgery. Patients underwent partial or radical nephrectomy after axitinib therapy. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis The primary outcome was objective response rate prior to surgery. Secondary outcomes included safety, tolerability, and quality of life. A dedicated radiologist independently reviewed all computed tomography scans to evaluate for response using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Results and limitations A total of 24 patients were treated. Twenty-two patients continued axitinib for 12 wk; 1 patient continued axitinib for 11 wk and underwent surgery as planned. One patient stopped treatment at 7 wk due to adverse events (AEs). Median reduction of primary renal tumor diameter was 28.3%. Eleven patients experienced a partial response per RECIST; 13 had stable disease. There was no progression of disease while on axitinib. The most common AEs were hypertension, fatigue, oral mucositis, hypothyroidism, and hand-foot syndrome. Postoperatively, 2 grade 3 and 13 grade 2 complications were noted. No grade 4 or 5 complications occurred. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Kidney Specific Index-15 changed over time, with quality of life worsening while on therapy, but by week 19, it was not statistically different from screening. Limitations include single-arm design and small patient numbers. Conclusions Axitinib was clinically active and reasonably well tolerated in the neoadjuvant setting in patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic ccRCC. Patient summary In this prospective clinical trial, we found that axitinib, when given prior to surgery, results in significant shrinking of kidney cancers. Larger studies are needed prior to further clinical use. Trial registration This clinical trial was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01263769).
Pulmonary tumorlet with hilar lymph node metastasis. Report of a case

The authors report the fourth case of a pulmonary tumorlet with regional lymph node metastasis. These proliferations of atypical pulmonary epithelium are usually found in scarred lungs. A review of the available evidence indicates they have only a low malignant potential.
Overproduction of DnaJ in Escherichia coli improves in vivo solubility of the recombinant fish-derived transglutaminase

The overexpression of red sea bream (Pagrus major) transglutaminase (TGase, E.C. 2.3.2.13) in Escherichia coli mostly leads to the accumulation of biologically inactive enzyme. Although the solubility of the gene products could be improved by cultivation at a lower temperature (26-28 degrees C), most of the synthesized TGase was still in the form of insoluble aggregates. The effects of overproduction of molecular chaperones on the intracellular solubility of newly produced recombinant TGase were examined. The overexpression of dnaK or groES/EL did not improve solubility. However, DnaJ greatly increased the solubility of the recombinant TGase, resulting in active enzyme in the presence of calcium ions. Co-expression of dnaK along with dnaJ further increased the content of soluble TGase. Under our experimental conditions, supplementation with both DnaJ and DnaK elevated the TGase activity in the producer cells by roughly 4-fold, compared with the control strain cultured at 30 degrees C. Thus, we found that DnaJ is important in controlling the solubility of protein overproduced in E. coli.
NATO’s precarious future

NATO faces a number of challenges for its rationale to exist. However, the declining role of the US and NATO’s ability to transition from that state may actually help provide this rationale This essay explores these challenges, among them NATO–Russian tensions (as seen in the Libyan conflict), NATO’s expansion, and defense cuts. Strategic threats outside of Europe such as Afghanistan and Libya may provide the greatest tests for NATO. An examination of priorities that NATO should set and explore is presented along with concerns of where NATO could fail and the repercussions.
Rare Muon Decays and Lepton-Family Number Conservation

The muon was discovered in cosmic radiation in 1937.1 For several years it was believed to be the meson of Yukawa’s theory that was the carrier of the strong nuclear force: its mass (105.5 MeV/c2) is deceptively close to Yukawa’s predicted meson mass. It was only after it was found that the muon did not interact strongly and another particle (the pi meson) did that the real puzzle presented itself: what role does the muon play? This mystery was succinctly expressed by Rabi: “The Muon, Who Ordered That?”
Forest Thinning Residues as a Potential Fuel Source

Northern New Mexico forests are characterized predominantly by small (i.e. around 10 cm diameter), densely populated conifers. Land managers, both private and government, often thin the forests to reduce the risks from wildland fire. Thinned residues typically amount to approximately 20 to 50 tons per acre. With no obvious market use for these small thinning residues, they are presently either discarded on the ground, or burnt as waste. Through a small business assistance initiative, Sandia National Laboratories is helping to identify and promote process improvements. Several productive uses of the residues have been evaluated, and are presented. The concept of a mobile pyrolysis unit is presently being examined in more detail for several pragmatic reasons. It could remove a significant fraction of the mass as a dense liquid that could be shipped to a refinery for conversion to a fossil fuel additive or substitute. Also, it is a process that is sufficiently well self contained that it could be reasonably sized for a mobile system. Present issues with the concept are addressed, including yield, benefit, and cost.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Shape resonances in diatomic molecules: NO

Abstract Photoionization cross sections for the 4σ derived ionic states of NO are reported. Evidence is presented for a σ-type shape resonance 7–8 eV above threshold. The energy position of this resonance is compatible with a simple kinematic scattering model.
Phylogenetic Distribution and Identification of Fin-winged Fruits

Fin-winged fruits have two or more wings aligned with the longitudinal axis like the feathers of an arrow, as exemplified by Combretum, Halesia, and Ptelea. Such fruits vary in dispersal mode from those in which the fruit itself is the ultimate disseminule, to schizocarps dispersing two or more mericarps, to capsules releasing multiple seeds. At least 45 families and more than 140 genera are known to possess fin-winged fruits. We present an inventory of these taxa and describe their morphological characters as an aid for the identification and phylogenetic assessment of fossil and extant genera. Such fruits are most prevalent among Eudicots, but occur occasionally in Magnoliids (Hernandiaceae: Illigera) and Monocots (Burmannia, Dioscorea, Herreria). Although convergent in general form, fin-winged fruits of different genera can be distinguished by details of the wing number, texture, shape and venation, along with characters of persistent floral parts and dehiscence mode. Families having genera with fin-winged fruits and epigynous perianth include Aizoaceae, Apiaceae, Araliaceae, Asteraceae, Begoniaceae, Burmanniaceae, Combretaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Dioscoreaceae, Haloragaceae, Lecythidiaceae, Lophopyxidaceae, Loranthaceae, and Styracaceae. Families with genera having fin-winged fruits and hypogynous perianth include Achariaceae, Brassicaceae, Burseraceae, Celastraceae, Cunoniaceae, Cyrillaceae, Fabaceae, Malvaceae, Melianthaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Pedaliaceae, Polygalaceae, Phyllanthaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae, Salicaceae sl, Sapindaceae, Simaroubaceae, Trigoniaceae, and Zygophyllaceae. This survey has facilitated the identification of fossil winged fruits such as Combretaceae and Araliaceae in the late Cretaceous of western North America and provides additional evidence toward the identification of various Cenozoic fossils including Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Polygonaceae, Rutaceae, and Sapindaceae.
Vascularized appendiceal transplants in biliary and urinary tract replacement

Abstract Vascularized appendiceal transplants were prepared in 20 dogs. In ten dogs completely obstructed by bile-duct ligation, the neck of the appendix was anastomosed to the duodenum. One week later, the blind end was anastomosed to the gallbladder or obstructed common bile duct in five dogs each. All dogs survived and rapidly recovered both clinically and chemically from biliary obstruction. Intravenous cholangiograms and contrast barium swallow showed neither obstruction nor reflux. At sacrifice the transplants were viable and patent and showed no evidence of stricture, bile, stasis, or stone formation. In ten dogs the right ureter was divided and anastomosed to the tip of the prepared appendix. The open appendiceal base was brought out as a urinary stoma. The left ureter was kept intact for control. Vascular injury aborted one procedure. Prompt urinary function was observed in nine dogs. Intravenous pyelogram showed prompt function without dilatation in three. One animal showed poor function on pyelogram, but no obstructions were observed on loop-o-gram. Significant infection occurred in only one case due to stomal stricture. At sacrifice (up to 10 mo postoperatively) functional anastomoses, no stones, and normal renal architecture were observed. The use of the small and relatively short appendix for urinary diversion provides a minimal reservoir for urinary statis and electrolyte absorption, and avoids the necessity of bowel anastomosis. This study suggests that autogenous vascularized appendiceal transplants are suitable biliary and urinary tract conduits in the experimental animal. Further investigation of their use in bile-duct replacement and urinary diversion is clearly indicated.
Ultrasound‐guided biopsy of the thyroid: A comparison of technique with respect to diagnostic accuracy

Ultrasound-guided sampling of the thyroid represents a standard diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of thyroid nodules. The two techniques typically used are fine-needle aspiration and fine-needle capillary biopsy. Each has been used with success in various body sites. Recently, a comparison of these two techniques showed no significant difference with regard to specimen adequacy. In this study, the type of technique was correlated with diagnostic accuracy. For each technique, the preoperative cytology diagnosis was compared with the surgical pathology diagnosis in 46 resected thyroid nodules. No false-positive diagnoses were identified. No significant difference in diagnostic accuracy was found on comparison of the two techniques. Therefore, either technique may be used according to the operator's preference.
The deformation behavior and mechanical properties of chondrocytes in articular cartilage

Abstract Introduction: Chondrocytes in articular cartilage utilize mechanical signals to regulate their metabolic activity. A fundamental step in determining the role of various biophysical factors in this process is to characterize the local mechanical environment of the chondrocyte under physiological loading. Methods: A combined experimental and theoretical approach was used to quantify the in-situ mechanical environment of the chondrocyte. The mechanical properties of enzymatically-isolated chondrocytes and their pericellular matrix (PCM) were determined using micropipette aspiration. The values were used in a finite element model of the chondron (the chondrocyte and its PCM) within articular cartilage to predict the stress-strain and fluid flow microenvironment of the cell. The theoretical predictions were validated using three-dimensional confocal microscopy of chondrocyte deformation in situ . Results: Chondrocytes were found to behave as a viscoelastic solid material with a Young's modulus of approximately 0.6kPa. The elastic modulus of the PCM was significantly higher than that of the chondrocyte, but several orders of magnitude lower than that of the extracellular matrix. Theoretical modeling of cell-matrix interactions suggests the mechanical environment of the chondrocyte is highly non-uniform and is dependent on the viscoelastic properties of the PCM. Excellent agreement was observed between the theoretical predictions and the direct measurements of chondrocyte deformation, but only if the model incorporated the PCM. Conclusions: These findings imply that the PCM plays a functional biomechanical role in articular cartilage, and alterations in PCM properties with aging or disease will significantly affect the biophysical environment of the chondrocyte.
Relation of Differential Reinforcement Histories to Selective Learning and Differential Consummatory Activity

Summary.-The purpose was to study the relation of past history of reinforcement to selective learning and rate of reinforcement. Prior research suggested that there is a preference for a slow rare of reinforcement when amount is held constant; however, rate of reinforcement has been confounded with consummatory activity. In this study, amount of consummatory activity and amount of reward were held constant while varying the rate of reinforcement. The results suggest that a preference for a slow rate results from increased consummarory activity rather than from difference~ in rate of reinforcement. Studies of the effects of rate of water reinforcement on selective learning in a T-maze have produced conflicting results. Hellyer (1954) and Wike and Barrientos (1957) have obtained data which suggest that there is a preference for long consummatory times when the amount of reinforcement is held constant. These data have been interpreted as supporting a theory of incentive motivation. Ison and Kniaz (1963) have reported evidence which suggests the animals prefer drinking tubes having an opening approximately .25 in. in diameter. It has been noted by the present authors that this drinking tube size is used for normal water intake at both this laboratory and the laboratory at the University of Kansas (Wike & Barrientos, 1957). This suggests that past history of reinforcement with a specific size drinking tube may result in a preference for this rate of reinforcement. It should also be recognized that in all of the past studies rate of reinforcement has been confounded with the amount of consummatory activity associated with drinking tube size. The purpose of the present study was to control for Ss' past experience with water reinforcement and also to attempt to separate rate of reinforcement from the amount of consummatory activity.
Root Meristem Establishment and Maintenance: The Role of Auxin

Auxin has a central role in the establishment and elaboration of pattern in root meristems. Regulation of root development by auxin begins early in embryogenesis, perhaps even as early as the establishment of polarity in the zygote, and persists throughout the lifetime of a root. Auxin-regulated development depends on a balance of synthesis/import and metabolism/export/sequestration. The overall result of these processes is to establish a state of auxin homeostasis which we hypothesize is required for normal root meristem patterning and development.
Urodynamic patterns following ischemic spinal cord events.

ABSTRACTPurpose: The nature of bladder function following ischemic injuries to the spinal cord (vSCI) is poorly understood. We describe urodynamic (UD) findings in patients with vSCI and determined the optimal management of voiding dysfunction.Materials and Methods: From January 1997 through September 2001, 18 patients were diagnosed with vSCI. All underwent neurological and urodynamic evaluation. The etiology of vSCI was abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in 10 patients, another surgical procedure in 4 and a spontaneous spinal cord infarct in 2.Results: Two patients (American Spinal Injury Association [ASIA] class A) had detrusor areflexia or hyporeflexia and performed clean intermittent catheterization. Of the 10 patients assigned to ASIA class C 50% had UD evidence of abnormal compliance, unstable detrusor contractions and detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia (DESD). All 10 patients had thoracic or cervical sensory levels and 60% had detrusor hyporeflexia or areflexia. A single patient voided spontane...
Changes in the associational afferents to the dentate gyrus in the absence of its commissural input.

Following the injection of a small amount of a labeled amino acid into the hilar region of the dentate gyrus in normal rats, the numbers of silver grains over the supra- and infrapyramidal blades of the dentate gyrus seen in autoradiograms taken at more rostral levels (due to axonal transport in the ipsilateral hippocampo-dentate associational fibers to the inner part of the molecular layer) show a fairly consistent ratio of about 2:1. If the commissural fibers to the same zone (from the hilar region of the contralateral side) are prevented from reaching the dentate gyrus by ablating the contralateral hippocampus and fimbria on the day after birth the corresponding ratio of silver grains is close to 1:1. On the reasonable assumption that the relative numbers of silver grains observed in this type of experiment bear some constant relationship to the relative numbers of labeled axon terminals, these findings suggest that in the absence of commissural afferents, the associational fibers are distributed more-or-less uniformly throughout the “hippocampal zone” of the molecular layer. The simplest interpretation of this is that the associational and commissural afferents normally compete with each other for the available synaptic sites in the hippocampal zone (and especially in the infrapyramidal blade of the dentate gyrus) as postulated by Gottlieb and Cowan (1972), and that when the associational afferents do not have to compete with the commissural fibers, they occupy all the available synaptic sites.