cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncontrolled Confounders May Lead to False or Overvalued Radiomics Signature: A Proof of Concept Using Survival Analysis in a Multicenter Cohort of Kidney Cancer.

Purpose We aimed to explore potential confounders of prognostic radiomics signature predicting survival outcomes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients and demonstrate how to control for them. Materials and Methods Preoperative contrast enhanced abdominal CT scan of ccRCC patients along with pathological grade/stage, gene mutation status, and survival outcomes were retrieved from The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA) /The Cancer Genome Atlas - Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (TCGA-KIRC) database, a publicly available dataset. A semi-automatic segmentation method was applied to segment ccRCC tumors, and 1160 radiomics features were extracted from each segmented tumor on the CT images. Non-parametric principal component decomposition (PCD) and unsupervised hierarchical clustering were applied to build the radiomics signature models. The factors confounding the radiomics signature were investigated and controlled sequentially. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analyses were performed to test the association between radiomics signatures and survival outcomes. Results 183 patients of TCGA-KIRC cohort with available imaging, pathological, and clinical outcomes were included in this study. All 1160 radiomics features were included in the first radiomics signature. Three additional radiomics signatures were then modelled in successive steps removing redundant radiomics features first, removing radiomics features biased by CT slice thickness second, and removing radiomics features dependent on tumor size third. The final radiomics signature model was the most parsimonious, unbiased by CT slice thickness, and independent of tumor size. This final radiomics signature stratified the cohort into radiomics phenotypes that are different by cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival; HR (95% CI) = 3.0 (1.5-5.7), p < 0.05 and HR (95% CI) = 6.6 (3.1-14.1), p < 0.05, respectively. Conclusion Radiomics signature can be confounded by multiple factors, including feature redundancy, image acquisition parameters like slice thickness, and tumor size. Attention to and proper control for these potential confounders are necessary for a reliable and clinically valuable radiomics signature.
Appendix: Probability Theory

This appendix is provided so that various theorems of probability theory can be cited where needed in the material on probabilistic analysis of algorithms.
Keynote address - new challenges in the performance evaluation of communication networks

The Internet architecture and functions are changing rapidly. New application-driven networks are being designed and deployed. These developments raise new challenges for performance evaluation specialists. The objective of this talk is to discuss some studies that are motivated by these new developments.
Performance, carcass, and palatability traits for cull cows fed high-energy concentrate diets for 0, 14, 28, 42 or 56 days

Cull cows, thin to moderate in initial condition scores, were randomly assigned within breed to slaughter groups and fed a high-concentrate diet for 0, 14, 28, 42 or 56 d (n = 40). Carcass data were collected, and one side of each carcass was fabricated into boneless subprimals, lean trimmings, fat, and bone. Live and carcass weights, ADG, and dressing percentage increased through 28 d of feeding (P .05) by feeding. Weights of fat-free lean, fat, and bone and percentages of fat in soft tissues of cow carcasses increased (P < .05) by 28 d on feed. Overall steak tenderness was higher (P < .05) for cows fed 56 d than for cows fed 0 or 14 d. Warner-Bratzler shear force was not affected by feeding. Amounts of soluble collagen increased (P < .05) in the longissimus muscle between 0 and 28 d on feed, and total collagen decreased (P < .05) in the biceps femoris muscle between 0 and 42 d on feed. Continental European cow carcasses yielded more fat-free lean and less fat (P < .05) and dairy cows generally provided the most tender product across all slaughter periods. In general, sensory tenderness and yields of cow carcass components increased without requiring excessive trimming of fat by feeding cull beef and dairy cows for periods up to 56 d.
Tubular carcinoma of the breast: institutional and SEER database analysis supporting a unique classification.

BACKGROUND: Tubular carcinoma (TC) of the breast is an uncommon, well-differentiated subtype of breast cancer with an excellent prognosis, but ambiguity in how it should be defined and treated. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with TC. METHODS: The University of Virginia (UVA) Breast Cancer Database and the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) databases were queried for patients with either grade 1 TC or grade 1 ductal (G1D) breast cancer. RESULTS: Nineteen institutional TC cases were identified and compared to 54 G1D cases. Flat epithelial atypia frequently was found with TC and not with G1D. There was no difference in overall or progression free survival. In SEER 18, 9,565 cases of TC were found. Most cases were stage I and patient characteristics were nearly identical. Both cause specific survival and overall survival were significantly longer for TC when compared to G1D. CONCLUSIONS: This review shows TC to have favorable behavior, with similar features to, but superior survival compared to low-grade ductal carcinoma of the breast. This suggests the adequacy of histopathologic review while reinforcing the designation of TC as a unique subtype.
Gate-tunable superconducting weak link behavior in top-gated LaAlO3-SrTiO3

We use a combination of global back-gating and local top-gating to define nanoscale devices in the two-dimensional electron gas at the LaAlO3-SrTiO3 interface, demonstrating an efficient way for much finer spatial control over the properties of the interface, as compared to back-gating alone. The devices show indications of an inhomogenous superconducting weak link. The variation of critical current with perpendicular magnetic field shows evidence of oscillations, which hints at Josephson coupling. The variation of the critical current and zero bias resistance with temperature is consistent with short, overdamped weak links. We show that the applied top-gate voltage provides a strong handle on the properties of these weak links. This technique can be an important tool to define a variety of device structures in this system, allowing us to probe the nature of superconductivity in the LaAlO3-SrTiO3 interface system in different ways.
Novel SCAMPs lacking NPF repeats: ubiquitous and synaptic vesicle-specific forms implicate SCAMPs in multiple membrane-trafficking functions.

In vertebrates, secretory carrier membrane proteins (SCAMPs) 1–3 constitute a family of putative membrane-trafficking proteins composed of cytoplasmic N-terminal sequences with NPF repeats, four central transmembrane regions (TMRs), and a cytoplasmic tail. SCAMPs probably function in endocytosis by recruiting EH-domain proteins to the N-terminal NPF repeats but may have additional functions mediated by their other sequences. We now demonstrate that SCAMPs form a much larger and more heterogeneous protein family than envisioned previously, with an evolutionary conservation extending to invertebrates and plants. Two novel vertebrate SCAMPs (SCAMPs 4 and 5), single SCAMP genes in Caenorhabditis elegans andDrosophila melanogaster, and multiple SCAMPs inArabidopsis thaliana were identified. Interestingly, the novel SCAMPs 4 and 5 lack the N-terminal NPF repeats that are highly conserved in all other SCAMPs. RNA and Western blotting experiments showed that SCAMPs 1–4 are ubiquitously coexpressed, whereas SCAMP 5 is only detectable in brain where it is expressed late in development coincident with the elaboration of mature synapses. Immunocytochemistry revealed that SCAMP 5 exhibits a synaptic localization, and subcellular fractionations demonstrated that SCAMP 5 is highly enriched in synaptic vesicles. Our studies characterize SCAMPs as a heterogeneous family of putative trafficking proteins composed of three isoforms that are primarily synthesized outside of neurons (SCAMPs 2–4), one isoform that is ubiquitously expressed but highly concentrated on synaptic vesicles (SCAMP 1), and one brain-specific isoform primarily localized to synaptic vesicles (SCAMP 5). The conservation of the TMRs in all SCAMPs with the variable presence of N-terminal NPF repeats suggests that in addition to the role of some SCAMPs in endocytosis mediated by their NPF repeats, all SCAMPs perform a “core” function in membrane traffic mediated by their TMRs.
Lower Coated-Platelet Levels Are Associated With Increased Mortality After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose—Coated-platelets are highly procoagulant platelets observed on dual-agonist stimulation with collagen and thrombin. Coated-platelet levels are decreased in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage when compared with controls and inversely correlated with bleed volume. We sought to investigate whether coated-platelets are associated with increased mortality at 30 days after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods—Coated-platelet levels were assayed in 95 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage. The main outcome was mortality at 30 days according to coated-platelet levels at enrollment. Subjects were grouped into tertiles of the observed coated-platelet level distribution. Groups defined by tertile of coated-platelet level were compared using either ANOVA or a Kruskal–Wallis test for small group size for continuous measures and an exact Cochrane–Armitage trend test for categorical measures. Logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted od...
The mouse male germ cell-specific gene Tpx-1: molecular structure, mode of expression in spermatogenesis, and sequence similarity to two non-mammalian genes.

Tpx-1 is a testis-specific gene that maps on mouse Chromosome (Chr) 17. The deduced TPX-1 protein shows 55% amino acid sequence similarity to acidic epididymal glycoprotein (AEG), assumed to be involved in sperm maturation. In the present study, we determined the genomic structure of the mouse Tpx-1 gene and the cellular localization of its transcripts. The gene was found to contain ten exons, with an unusually large intron (∼17.0 kilobase pairs) between exons 8 and 9. In situ hybridization of testicular sections showed that Tpx-1 is transcribed abundantly by haploid male germ cells. A computer search of protein databases revealed that deduced TPX-1/AEG proteins have significant sequence similarity (∼30%) to two non-mammalian proteins: “pathogenesis-related” proteins 1 of tobaccos, and venom sac proteins of whiteface hornets, known as Dol m V. Amino acid residues encoded by exon 10 of the Tpx-1 gene and most of those encoded by exon 9 were absent in the non-mammalian proteins. This result suggests that the ancestor of Tpx-1 acquired exons 9 and 10 after its divergence from the ancestors of the plant and insect proteins.
Design and evaluation of theory-informed technology to augment a wellness motivation intervention.

Integrating mobile technology into health promotion strategies has the potential to support healthy behaviors. A new theory-informed app was designed to augment an intervention promoting wellness motivation in older adults with fall risk and low levels of physical activity. The app content was evaluated for clarity, homogeneity, and validity of motivational messages; both the app and device were evaluated for acceptability and usability. The initial evaluation included nine adults (mean age, 75); four of whom also assessed the app’s sensing abilities in the field. As part of an intervention feasibility study, 14 older adults (mean age, 84) also provided a follow-up evaluation of app usability. Evaluation participants assessed the app as valid, usable, acceptable, and able to sense most reported free-living activities, and provided feedback for improving the app. Design processes illustrate methodologic and interpretive efforts to operationalize motivational content in a theory-informed app promoting change in physical activity behavior.
The association between pre-treatment serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer.

Background/Aims Emerging evidence in the literature suggests a positive association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], a standard indicator of vitamin D status, and survival in certain types of cancer. We investigated this relationship in newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer patients. Methods A consecutive cohort of 125 newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer patients underwent a baseline serum 25(OH)D evaluation prior to receiving any treatment at our institution between January 2008 and December 2011. We used the vitamin D categories of “deficient ( 32 ng/ml)”. Cox regression was used to evaluate the prognostic significance of serum 25(OH)D after adjusting for relevant confounders. Results Mean age at diagnosis was 60 years. Of the 125 patients, 32 (25.6%) were deficient, 49 (39.2%) were insufficient and 44 (35.2%) were sufficient in vitamin D at the time of diagnosis. The median survival in deficient, insufficient and sufficient cohorts was 47.8, 44.0 and 52.6 months respectively (p = 0.60). On univariate analysis, four variables demonstrated a statistically significant association with survival: nutritional status, bone metastasis, corrected serum calcium and serum albumin (p<0.05 for all). On multivariate analysis, five variables demonstrated statistically significant associations with survival: hospital location, age, bone metastasis, serum albumin and corrected serum calcium (p<0.05 for all). Serum vitamin D status was not significant on either univariate or multivariate analysis. Conclusion Contrary to previously published research, we found no significant association between pre-treatment serum 25(OH)D and survival in newly diagnosed stage IV prostate cancer patients. The lack of a significant association between serum vitamin D and survival in our study could perhaps be due to the fact that the disease was far too advanced in our patients for vitamin D levels to have any impact on prognosis.
RADIATION INACTIVATION OF ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS, AND PHAGE PARTICLES

ABS>Studies directed at cell structure and function are reported. The general charactcr of radioinactivation is treated first. The results of quantitative studies on proteins and on nucleic acids are presentcd and cvaluated. An example of a radiation study on dry protein is given. Studies of virus inactivations bacteriophagc changes and Newcastlc discase and influenza virus are also reported. (T.R.H.)
In vitro IgM rheumatoid-factor production induced by tetanus toxoid

Abstract In vitro stimulation of lymphocytes from healthy donors with well-defined polyclonal B cell activators may elicit the production of rheumatoid factor (RF) as well as other autoantibodies. Antigen stimulation may also result in polyclonal B cell activation, but it is not known if RF production is a feature of this response. Therefore, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 36 healthy volunteers previously immunized to tetanus toxoid (TT) were stimulated in vitro for 9 days with a conventional antigen, TT, or pokeweed mitogen, a standard polyclonal B cell activator. Culture supernatants were analyzed for total IgG, total IgM, and IgM RF by ELISA. TT-induced IgM RF production was observed in 1036 experiments compared to 1836 experiments in which cells were cultured with pokeweed mitogen, with a similar magnitude of response to these respective stimulants. The in vitro IgM-RF response to TT did not require a recent in vivo TT booster immunization and was observed at an antigen dose that elicits polyclonal B cell activation but not IgG specific anti-TT antibody. TT-induced IgM RF responder cultures demonstrated higher levels of total IgG and total IgM production than cultures not secreting IgM RF in response to TT. These results indicate that IgM RF production is a concomitant of the polyclonal B cell response elicited by a conventional antigen. Unlike other model systems, this antigen-induced RF response was not mediated by the action of IgG antibody containing immune complexes.
Surface Reconstruction of the Unstable {110} Surface in Gold Nanorods

Gold nanorods prepared electrochemically and capped in micelles are examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is found that they have an axial growth direction of [001] and have surfaces made of {100} and the unstable {110} facets. A detailed examination of the defect sites of both of these facets shows that while the defective regions of the stable {100} facets show atom-height steps with no reconstruction, the less stable higher energy {110} surfaces show missing-row reconstruction. The role of micelles in stabilizing the {110} facet in the gold nanorod is briefly discussed.
Importance of Phaeocystis blooms in the high-latitude ocean carbon cycle

THE Greenland Sea is particularly important to the world ocean circulation, and potentially to carbon dioxide exchange between the ocean and atmosphere, because it is an area of surface convergence and deep-water formation1–3. Previous investigations indicate that biological productivity is low4,5 in this area, especially in waters remote from the ice edge. During April and early May 1989, however, we observed the development of a massive bloom of the colonial prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii across much of the Greenland Sea. From measurements of the rate of removal of nitrate from surface waters, we calculate that the average regional new production was about 40 g C m−2 during the 35-day period of our observations. This rate of new production is approximately equal to that observed in other hyperproductive polar regions, such as the Bering Sea and the Bransfield Strait. Because Phaeocystis blooms seem to be frequent and widespread in polar oceans4,6, our results suggest that the Greenland Sea may be a larger sink of atmospheric carbon dioxide than has been previously thought.
Identification of Arfophilin, a Target Protein for GTP-bound Class II ADP-ribosylation Factors

Yeast two-hybrid screening of a human kidney cDNA library using the GTP-bound form of a class II ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF5) identified a novel ARF5-binding protein with a calculated molecular mass of 82.4 kDa, which was named arfophilin. Northern hybridization analysis showed high level arfophilin mRNA expression in human heart and skeletal muscle. Arfophilin bound only to the active, GTP-bound form of ARF5 and did not bind to GTP-ARF3, which is a class I ARF. The N terminus of ARF5 (1–17 amino acids) was essential for binding to arfophilin. The GTP-bound form of ARF5 with amino acid residues in the N terminus mutated to those in ARF4 (another class II ARF) also bound to arfophilin, suggesting it is a target protein for GTP-bound forms of class II ARFs. The binding site for ARF on arfophilin was localized to the C terminus (residues 612–756), which contains putative coiled-coil structures. Recombinant arfophilin overexpressed in CHO-K1 cells was localized in the cytosol and translocated to a membrane fraction in association with GTP-bound ARF5. ARF5 containing the N terminus of ARF3 did not promote translocation indicating that class II ARFs are specific carriers for arfophilin.
Evidence for a higher average primary productivity in the Pacific than in the Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Sediment community respiration measurements, and therefore the rate of organic carbon supply to the benthos necessary to support the respiration, are considerably higher for a transect of offshore stations in the North Pacific than for a similar transect in the North Atlantic. The rate of deep-water oxygen consumption, calculated from 14C and oxygen distributions, is higher in the Pacific than in the Atlantic. This requires, with the assumption of steady state, the average per unit area new primary production (supported by deep-water nutrients) to be about 1.8 times greater in the Pacific. Relationships between new primary production and total primary production (new production plus production supported by nutrients recycled in the euphotic zone) and primary production data, when limited to measurements made in both oceans by the same investigators, indicate that the total primary production is also likely to be greater in the Pacific.
The forced turbulent wall jet

The effects of external two-dimensional excitation on the plane turbulent wall jet were investigated experimentally and theoretically. Measurements of the streamwise component of velocity were made throughout the flow field for a variety of imposed frequencies and amplitudes. The present data were always compared to the results generated in the absence of external excitation. Two methods of forcing were used: one global, imposed on the entire jet by pressure fluctuations in the settling chamber and one local, imposed on the shear layer by a small flap attached to the outer nozzle lip. The fully developed wall jet was shown to be insensitive to the method of excitation. Furthermore, external excitation has no appreciable effect on the rate of spread of the jet nor on the decay of its maximum velocity. In fact the mean velocity distribution did not appear to be altered by the external excitation in any obvious manner. The flow near the surface, however, (i.e. for 0 < Y+ < 100) was profoundly different from the unforced flow, indicating a reduction in wall stress exceeding at times 30%. The production of turbulent energy near the surface was also reduced, lowering the intensities of the velocity fluctuations. External excitation enhanced the two-dimensionality and the periodicity of the coherent motion. Spectral analysis and flow visualization suggested that the large coherent structures in this flow might be identified with the most-amplified primary instability modes of the mean velocity profile. Detailed stability analysis confirmed this proposition though not at the same level of accuracy as it did in many free shear flows.
The Coverage of Prostate Cancer and Impotence in Four Popular Men's Magazines (1991-2000)

The purpose of this study was to explore popular press coverage of two men’s health issues, prostate cancer and impotence, in four magazines with large male readerships. The four magazines examined were: Gentleman’s Quarterly, Esquire, Men’s Health, and Ebony published between 1991 and 2000. Content was compared between the first half and the second half of the decade, which featured a public cancer education campaign; the release of the impotence drug, Viagra® (sildenafil citrate); and large increases in magazine advertising revenue from drug companies. Results show magazines ran more articles on prostate cancer and impotence after 1995; coverage was usually presented in an informational manner; content provided information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the diseases; and men wrote most of the stories.
Molecular analysis of biomarkers for earlier cancer detection

Single-molecule phosphorescence immunoassay microscopy was developed and applied for high-throughput screening of tumor markers at the single-molecule (SM) level with no need of separation processes. The screening of individual analyte in a mixture was based upon distinguished diffusion images of single molecules associated with its size and mass. As a working example, several molecular forms of serum prostate- specific antigens (PSA) were labeled with Ru(bpy)32+-NHS-ester and labeled PSA-free and PSA-complex were distinguished based upon their SM diffusion images using this SM microscopy. The bound and unbound PSA-free with its monoclonal antibody (MAB) were also detected using this SM microscopy. A novel solution-phase quantitative electro chemiluminescence (ECL) immunoassay was developed to measure affinity constants of PSA with its antibody and diffusion coefficients of labeled PSA. The ECL immunoassay was able to detect PSA at 1.7 pg/mL. Diffusion of labeled PSA-free and PSA-complex measured by ECL and SM microscopy was consistent demonstrating that distinguished SM diffusion images could be used to screen multiple analytes in a complex mixture. This also implied the possibility of real- time monitoring of kinetics of binding reactions using such SM microscopy.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Current role of beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension

Importance of the field: It is important to know which patients with hypertension will benefit from beta-blocker therapy and which beta-blockers should be used in the treatment of hypertension to reduce cardiovascular events and mortality.Areas covered in this review: Studies between 1981 and 2009 using a Medline search are reported. Beta-blockers should be used to treat hypertension in patients with previous myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndromes, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and in patients who are pregnant, have thyrotoxicosis, glaucoma, migraine, essential tremor, perioperative hypertension, or an excessive blood pressure response after exercise.What the reader will gain: The use of beta-blockers as first-line therapy in patients with primary hypertension has been controversial. However, the 2009 guidelines of the European Society of Hypertension state that ...
Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) Mediates a Protective Response in Cancer Cells Treated with Inhibitors of Fatty Acid Synthase

The efficacy of drugs used to treat cancer can be significantly attenuated by adaptive responses of neoplastic cells to drug-induced stress. To determine how cancer cells respond to inhibition of the enzyme fatty acid synthase (FAS), we focused on NF-κB-mediated pathways, which can be activated by various cellular stresses. Treating lung cancer cells with C93, a pharmacological inhibitor of FAS, results in changes indicative of a rapid initiation of NF-κB signaling, including translocation of RelA/p65 NF-κB to the nucleus, activation of a transfected NF-κB-luciferase reporter, and increased expression of NF-κB-dependent transcripts, IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2. Verifying that these responses to C93 are specifically related to inhibition of FAS, we confirmed that levels of these same transcripts increase in response to siRNA targeting FAS. Inhibiting this NF-κB response (either by transfecting a mutant IκBα or treating with bortezomib) resulted in increased cell killing by C93, indicating that the NF-κB response is protective in this setting. Because inhibiting FAS leads to accumulation of intermediate metabolites of fatty acid biosynthesis, we then questioned whether protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in this response to metabolic stress. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that C93 treatment results in cellular translocation of PKCα and PKCβ isoforms and increased PKCα-dependent phosphorylation of the IκBα subunit of NF-κB. Furthermore, inhibiting PKC activity with RO-31–8220 or PKCα isoform-specific siRNA attenuates C93-induced IκBα phosphorylation and NF-κB activation and also potentiates C93-induced cell killing. These results suggest a link between PKC and NF-κB in protecting cancer cells from metabolic stress induced by inhibiting FAS.
A Social-Interactive Model of Writing:

In this decade, writing researchers have shown increasing interest in the social aspects of written communication. This interest has largely been stimulated by interest in writing-across-the-curriculum programs and dialogue journal keeping, as well as such pressing issues as the relationships of process to text and to the social contexts of writing, and the problem of genre. This article outlines a social-interactive model of written communication, highlighting the writer's role in negotiations with readers in the medium of text. Formalist theories of text meaning (meaning is in the text) and idealist theories of meaning (meaning in the reader) are reviewed and challenged. In social-interactive theories of discourse, which are proposed as an alternative to formalist and idealist theories, meaning is said to be a social construct negotiated by writer and reader through the medium of text, which uniquely configures their respective purposes. In the process of communicating, writers and readers may be said t...
Expression of T-cell receptor-γδ in normal human skin, inflammatory dermatoses and mycosis fungoides

Background: T cells expressing the γδ T-cell receptor (TCR) (γδ T cells) are found in normal epithelial tissues such as the skin. However, the proportions of γδ T cells that may be observed in commonly encountered cutaneous diseases with a prominent lymphocytic infiltrate have not been elucidated. Methods: Our pathology database was searched for cases of mycosis fungoides, erythema multiforme, graft-versus-host disease, lichen planus, lupus panniculitis and spongiotic dermatitis. Immunostaining for CD3, βF1 and the TCR γ chain was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens retrieved from these cases to determine the normal range of γδ T cells in these diseases. Results: In 100 of the 101 cases studied (99.0%), γδ T cells accounted for less than 10% of the T-cell infiltrate. Furthermore, γδ T cells were essentially absent in 74 cases (73.3%). Conclusions: These results suggest that γδ T cells very rarely account for more than 10% of the lymphocytic infiltrate in common inflammatory or infiltrative processes of the skin. Any case of suspected mycosis fungoides or interface dermatitis that possesses more than 10% γδ T cells should raise consideration for further investigation. Hocker TL, Wada DA, el-Azhary R, Gibson LE. Expression of T-cell receptor-γδ in normal human skin, dermatitis and mycosis fungoides.
Individual-Level Modifiers of the Effects of Particulate Matter on Daily Mortality

Consistent evidence has shown a positive association between particulate matter with an aerodiameter of less than or equal to 10 mum (PM(10)) and daily mortality. Less is known about the modification of this association by factors measured at the individual level. The authors examined this question in a case-crossover study of 20 US cities. Mortality events (1.9 million) were obtained for nonaccidental, respiratory, heart disease, and stroke mortality between 1989 and 2000. PM(10) concentrations were obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The authors examined the modification of the PM(10)-mortality association by sociodemographics, location of death, season, and secondary diagnoses. They found different patterns of PM(10)-mortality associations by gender and age but no differences by race. The level of education was inversely related to the risk of mortality associated with PM(10). PM(10)-related, out-of-hospital deaths were more likely than were in-hospital deaths, as were those occurring during spring/fall versus summer/winter. A secondary diagnosis of diabetes modified the effect of PM(10) for respiratory and stroke mortality. Pneumonia was a positive effect modifier for deaths from all causes and stroke, while secondary stroke modified the effects for all-cause and respiratory deaths. The findings suggest that more attention must be paid to population characteristics to identify greater likelihood of exposures and susceptibility and, as a result, to improve policy making for air pollution standards.
Growth response of lambs fed soybean straw treated with sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and ammonium hydroxide

Abstract Forty-five Suffolk lambs (averaging 30.6±0.7 kg BW) were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with nine animals per treatment. The diets consisted of: water-treated soybean straw (SBS); NaOH-treated SBS; Ca(OH)2-treated SBS; NH4OH-treated SBS; and fescue hay (FH). The SBS was treated with the alkalis at the rate of 4% of the straw dry matter (DM) and mixed with water to a final moisture level of 65%. Straw diets were individually ensiled for at least 21 days before feeding. Animals were fed their diets free choice for 75 days following a 14-day preliminary period. Lambs fed Ca(OH)2- or NH4OH-treated SBS consumed more (P
Part V: Other Consequences of Corporate Reputation: Hitch your corporate wagon to a CEO star? Testing two views about the pay, reputation, and performance of top executives

It is often said that good reputations are powerful signals that can help a company get better ratings by analysts, enable premium product prices, and attract better employees. However, empirical evidence proving these assumptions is scarce. The New York conference provided contributions highlighting some of these effects.
A recyclable catalyst that precipitates at the end of the reaction

Homogeneous catalysts—which exist in the same (usually liquid) phase as reactants and products—are usually more selective than heterogeneous catalysts and far less affected by limitations due to slow transport of reactants and products, but their separation from reaction products can be costly and inefficient. This has stimulated the development of strategies that facilitate the recycling of homogeneous catalysts1,2,3,4. Some of these methods exploit the preference of a catalyst for one of two solvents with thermoregulated miscibility5,6; others exploit a dramatic decrease in catalyst solubility as one reagent is consumed7,8 or temperature changed after completion of the reaction9,10,11,12,13,14. Here we describe a tungsten catalyst for the solvent-free hydrosilylation of ketones that retains its activity until essentially all of the liquid substrate is converted to liquid products, which we can then simply decant to separate the catalyst that precipitates from the products of the reaction. We attribute the ability of the catalyst to retain its solubility and hence activity until completion of the reaction to the transient formation of liquid clathrate15,16 that contains a few molecules of the substrate per molecule of the otherwise solid catalyst. Insights into the fundamental processes controlling the formation of this liquid clathrate might help to tailor other catalysts and substrates, so as to develop efficient and solvent-free schemes for reactions of practical interest.
Foxp3: Shades of Tolerance

In this issue of Immunity, Darce et al. (2012) and Bettini et al. (2012) demonstrate that seemingly subtle alterations in the interaction of Foxp3 with its transcriptional partners have a ripple effect on the outcome of autoimmune phenotypes, worsening some while ameliorating others.
A method of transcutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery banding for staged left ventricular retraining

Objectives The placement of a pulmonary artery band to retrain the left ventricle often requires reoperation for band adjustment. We describe an effective technique for the placement of a transcutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery band that allows adjustments to be made without the need for repeat sternotomy. Methods Using standard catheters, an adjustable band was fashioned and placed around the pulmonary artery with the control end positioned in the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior chest wall. Tightening or loosening of the band can be subsequently performed by exposing the control end without the need for reopening the chest. Results From 1995 to 2011, 11 patients underwent placement of a transcutaneously adjustable pulmonary artery band for the purpose of retraining the morphologic left ventricle for a subsequent arterial switch operation. One or more band adjustments were required in 6 patients (1 loosened and 5 tightened, 55%) at a mean of 281 days (median, 98; range, 0–917) after initial band placement. All were accomplished successfully by exposing the band in the subcutaneous tissue of the anterior chest wall and performing the adjustment under Doppler echocardiographic guidance. Conclusions This technique affords the operating surgeon the freedom to apply the band very gradually, erring on the side of safety, and facilitates a gradual increase in ventricular afterload that can be performed as a minor procedure.
The ABSEL Classicos Initiative

Over the years, the Association for Business Simulation and Experiential Learning (ABSEL) has invested considerable effort in formulating its research mission while reflecting on its unique identity among professional organizations. This article reviews the literature on this topicwhile identifying key issues and proposals. It then discusses the role of the BernieKeys Library and the subsequent Classicos initiative in addressing ABSEL's research strategy. It suggests these two initiatives represent harbingers of a new research paradigm in which ABSEL will use the convenience and efficiency of a comprehensive research library to stimulate greater research motivation, productivity, and ultimately, quality.
Arousal from Sleep during Rapidly Developing Hypoxemia in Lambs

Arousal is an important protective response that may prevent severe hypoxemia and death during sleep. However, very little is known about arousal from sleep in response to respiratory stimuli in newborns. Experiments were therefore done to investigate the arousal response from sleep to rapidly developing hypoxemia in eight lambs. Each lamb was anesthetized and instrumented for recordings of electrocorticogram, electrooculogram, nuchal and diaphragm electromyograms, and measurements of arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation. A tracheotomy was done and a tracheostomy tube placed in the trachea so that the fraction of inspired oxygen could be changed quickly. No sooner than 3 days after surgery, measurements were made in quiet sleep and active sleep (AS) during 30-s control periods when the animals were breathing 21% oxygen and during experimental periods of hypoxemia when the animals were breathing either 10, 5, or 0% oxygen in nitrogen. During quiet sleep, arousal occurred at similar arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturations (81 +/- 6% on 10% O2, 80 +/- 5% on 5% O2 and 83 +/- 5% on 0% O2) suggesting that arousal was independent of the rate of change of arterial oxygen. However, during AS arousal occurred at different arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturations (76 +/- 6% on 10% O2, 55 +/- 11% on 5% O2, and 44 +/- 17% on 0% O2) suggesting that arousal was dependent on the rate of change of arterial oxygen. During some epochs of AS, electrocortical signs of cerebral hypoxia and primary apnea occurred before arousal. These data provide evidence that arousal from quiet sleep in response to hypoxemia occurs once an arousal threshold has been reached.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Selective looking: Attending to visually specified events.

Abstract Subjects looked at two optically superimposed video sccreens, on which two different kinds of things were happening. In the principal condition, they were required to follow the action in one episode (by pressing keys when significant events occurred) and ignore the other. They could do this without difficulty, although both were present in the same fully overlapped visual field. Odd events in the unattended episode were rarely noticed. It was very difficult to monitor both episodes at once. Performance was no better when the two episodes were presented to different eyes (dichoptic condition) than when both were given binocularly. It is argued that selective attention does not involve special mechanisms to reject unwanted information, but is a direct consequence of skilled perceiving.
Photopolymerization of Acrylonitrile by Potassium TrisoxalatocobaItate(III) in Aqueous Perchloric Acid

Abstract Results of a kinetic study on photopolymerization of acrylonitrile by potassium trisoxalatocobaltate(II1) in aqueous perchloric acid medium (pH = 1) by use of light of 365 nm wavelength at 30 |Mg 0.1°C are presented. All reactions were carried out under completely deaerated conditions. Certain important features of the photopolymerization are described. The rate of polymerization Rp was followed by gravimetric estimation of polymer formed and rate of disappearance of complex - Rc by spectrocolorometric estimation of complex disappearing. Rp was found to be directly proportional to [M]3/2, k∊ 1/2, and I1/2, where P[M], k∊, and I refer to concentration of acrylonitrile, light absorption fraction of the complex, and light intensity, respectively. -Rc was found to be directly proportional to k∊ and I. A reaction scheme is drawn and kinetic expressions derived on the basis of that scheme are given.
Maturation of dendritic cells from ovarian cancer patients.

Purpose: Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen-presenting cells of the immune system. We have shown that DC, defined as LN–DR+ leukocytes from the ascites of patients with ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma, have the cell surface characteristics of immature cells. Moreover, p70 interleukin-12 has not been detected in the ascites of ovarian cancer patients in vivo. In the current study, we examined the effects of in vitro treatment of DC from peripheral blood and ascites samples of patients with ovarian cancer with either cytokines or proteolytic enzymes (polyenzyme preparation). Methods: Mononuclear leukocytes from the ascites of 15 patients or peripheral blood from 9 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were cultured with tissue culture medium containing either papain, trypsin and chymotrypsin for 5–7 days or recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-4 (complete medium) or tissue culture medium alone. Results: Phenotypic analysis of DC obtained on days 5–7 of the culture showed higher proportions of CD83+, CD40+ and CD80+ cells when cultured with cytokines or enzymes as compared with DC cultured with medium alone. Stimulation of allogeneic T cells was detected by the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) and higher concentrations of IL-12 were detected after growing these cells in the presence of cytokines or enzymes as compared to tissue culture medium alone. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate for the first time that DC obtained from the peritoneal cavity and peripheral blood of ovarian cancer patients after culturing in the presence of a polyenzyme preparation, will undergo maturation. Further studies are warranted to determine whether polyenzyme preparations facilitate DC maturation in vivo.
Web-based systems for communication and scheduling

Communication and scheduling are very important in today's computer driven world. People are bound to meetings, tasks, and other events that run their daily lives. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a Web-based communication and scheduling system. Our goal was to create an efficient usable system that will allow users to stay in touch via e-mail and to provide a means for them to access their schedule from any where that is Web accessible whether it is a wired computer or a wireless mobile device. We discuss the problems we encountered in converting our Web application that we designed for a wired computer to its equivalent wireless interface.
Dissipative matrices and related results

Abstract This paper gives a number of theorems extending or related to theorems obtained by Fan in an earlier paper on strictly dissipative matrices. The new results involve the eigenvalues of A -1 A ∗ and a determinantal inequality involving A and its Hermitian and skew Hermitian parts, when A is strictly dissipative. Some of the results extend to arbitrary (i.e., not necessarily dissipative) matrices.
Isolation of four tocopherols and four tocotrienols from a variety of natural sources by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Quantitative measurements of tocopherols and tocotrienols required isolation of four tocopherols from a mixture of soybean oil and wheat germ and four tocotrienols from a mixture of wheat bran and rubber latex. Semi-preparative HPLC was accomplished using a 250 mm × 10 mm I.D. column packed with 10-μm silica gel in hexane containing 2–15% tetrahydrofuran. Identification of isolated and purified tocopherols and tocotrienols was confirmed from mass spectra, and concentrations of identified vitamers were determined by absorption coefficients. Recovery of tocopherols and tocotrienols ranged from 54 to 83%. Isomer purities were found to be above 99% by capillary GC and HPLC.
Effects of abrupt changes in film thickness on magnetic bubble forces

Forces on a magnetic bubble due to abrupt asymmetric changes in the surface configuration of the magnetic film are investigated theoretically and experimentally. A model is derived for calculating the forces on a bubble as it is being moved by conductor propagation through a thickness gradient in the film. An experiment is described in which the forces necessary to move a bubble through this transition region are measured and compared with predicted values computed from the model. Results are presented for a 20° gradient with a cut 0.62 µm deep in a garnet film, nominally 3.8 µm thick, prepared by liquid phase epitaxy.
Characterization of a High-Efficiency Helium Microwave-Induced Plasma as an Atomization Source for Atomic Spectrometric Analysis:

Characterization studies of a He high-efficiency microwave-induced plasma, He-HEMIP, utilizing direct sample introduction with pneumatic nebulization for atomic emission and atomic fluorescence spectrometry are presented. These studies include diagnostic measurements and analytical characterization of the 150-W He-HEMIP. Diagnostic measurements include excitation temperatures with the use of aqueous and organic nebulized thermometric species, electron number densities, and ionization temperatures for the plasma. The effect of sample uptake rate on the emission intensity is investigated. Ionization interferences are minimal, and phosphate interferences were found not to occur. In addition, the He-HEMIP is characterized as an atom source for metals and nonmetals with the use of atomic emission spectrometry and atomic fluorescence spectrometry. With AES, detection limits for metals and nonmetals are in the sub-ppm range. With AFS, detection limits for metals were determined to be in the low to sub-ppb range and were found to be not statistically different from those reported for HCL-ICP-AFS. Linear ranges for AES and AFS ranged from four up to five and one-half orders of concentrative magnitude.
Blood changes in torpid and non-torpid columbian ground squirrels, Spermophilus columbianus.

Abstract 1. Analyses of blood from arousing and torpid Columbian ground squirrels show that: 2. 1. The hematocrit increases in torpid squirrels and decreases to normal homeothermic levels in arousing squirrels. 3. 2. The total leucocyte concentrations decrease appreciably in torpid squirrels and increase in arousing squirrels. 4. 3. The percentage of lymphocytes increases while the percentage of neutor-phils decreases during the torpid period. 5. 4. Red cell counts did not change during torpor or arousal.
Answering Torture's Apologists: Recent Work on Torture, Democracy and French History

Two new books by Darius Rejali (Torture and Democracy, PUP, 2007) and Marnia Lazreg (Torture and the Twilight of Empire: From Algiers to Baghdad, PUP, 2008) explore the relationship between torture and democratic regimes in the 20th century, with implications not only for French history but also for contemporary debates about the use of torture in other parts of the world. Rejali's international history refutes contemporary apologists for torture by demonstrating both its historical ineffectiveness while also seeking to explain its proliferation among democratic and repressive regimes alike. Lazreg's ethnographic approach complements Rejali's empirical account by exploring the meaning of torture for both victims and perpetrators in French Algeria between 1954 and 1962.
Some Aspects of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever as Shown by Recent Investigations

As your lecturer on this occasion it will be my privilege, a most honorable one, to present a more or less succinct account of an investigation of Rocky Mountain spotted (or tick) fever, which has been under way for more than three years, and which, it is believed, has contributed results of value for a better understanding of the disease, in certain important aspects. Many of the essentials have been described in scattered articles in two different journals, and in two reports which have been rendered to the State Board of Health of Montana.