cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Primary surgery for human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer: Survival outcomes with or without adjuvant treatment

Objectives Human papillomavirus-associated (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a unique form of head and neck cancer with improved prognosis. We assessed survival for stage I patients with low- or intermediate-risk pathologic features with surgery alone compared with surgery with adjuvant radiation (RT) or chemoradiation (CRT). Materials and methods We identified patients with stage I HPV+ OPSCC (after restaging with 8th edition staging system) treated with surgery alone, adjuvant RT or CRT in the National Cancer Data Base from 2010 to 2013. We compared survival for low-risk patients (≤1 metastatic lymph nodes with no adverse features) and intermediate-risk patients (2-4 metastatic lymph nodes, microscopic extranodal extension (ENE) or lymphovascular invasion). Results We examined 1677 patients with median follow-up of 43.9 months. In the intermediate-risk group, 4-year overall survival was 94.0% with surgery alone, 91.5% with adjuvant RT and 92.0% with adjuvant CRT (p = 0.72). There were similar rates of overall survival in the low-risk group. In multivariable models accounting for clinicopathologic differences the dose of adjuvant RT was not associated with mortality. On Cox proportional hazard modeling, adjuvant RT (HR 0.94; CI 0.43-2.08) or CRT (HR 0.96; CI 0.45-2.11) did not significantly improved survival compared with surgery alone in the intermediate-risk group (reference). Similar results were seen in the low-risk group. The composite number of pathologic risk features significantly improved risk stratification. Conclusion We provide observational evidence that adjuvant RT or CRT does not provide a survival benefit for stage I HPV+ OPSCC with low- or intermediate-risk pathologic features.
Schooling in survivorship: Understanding caregiver challenges when survivors return to school.

Objective Schooling after treatment can hold challenges for survivors of childhood cancer and caregivers who may need to act as advocates on their behalf. This study seeks to understand caregiver experiences of survivor's school-related challenges. This understudied area is critical given the 85% survivor rate for those diagnosed with childhood cancer and the disproportionate risk of learning difficulties faced by those with brain tumor or who receive therapy that targets the central nervous system. Methods Affected caregivers participated in open-ended interviews addressing school experiences during survivorship. Following preliminary analysis using a grounded theory approach, interviewees and other stakeholders from education, medical, and foundation communities participated in focus groups. Member-check activities explored the validity of identified themes and a model derived from interview data describing schooling challenges during survivorship. Results Caregivers reported schooling-related experiences were often stressful and such stressors recurred during survivors' ongoing education. They reported a lack of appropriate knowledge among themselves, school staff, and clinicians about issues their survivor faced as well as concerns about communication and uncertainties about the processes required to attain appropriate services. These themes of knowledge, communication, and process issues were embedded within family approaches to coping with difficulties as well as the specific types of late effects each survivor faced. Conclusions The proposed model and clinical implications provide a foundation for future research and intervention development. Such work is needed to more effectively support survivors and their caregivers with difficulties that arise during schooling following treatment for childhood cancer.
Agitprop in Soviet Russia

Throughout the Soviet Union, propaganda could be seen everywhere from art galleries to movies to street comers, Russian culture was flooded with pro-Bolshevik sentiments. Agitprop theatre, unlike other propaganda that was inaccessible to the working class, effectively appealed to and indoctrinated Russia's lower class citizens. This article is available in Constructing the Past: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/constructing/vol14/iss1/4 Agitprop in Soviet Russia
Utility of spontaneous animal models of Alzheimer's disease in preclinical efficacy studies

Spontaneous animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) offer the potential to bridge the translational gulf between promising rodent studies and failed human clinical trials. In this review, the relationship between cell biology, neuropathology, clinical phenotype and biomarker progression in human AD is summarized. Genetically altered animals have provided key insights into the cell biology of AD and, together with emerging stem cell systems, remain the most effective means to disentangle the entwined mechanisms that underlie AD. Translating therapeutic success from these models of familial AD to late onset human AD has been challenging. Spontaneous models of AD do not harbor AD-associated mutations and could potentially be used to demonstrate greater generalizability of new therapies to late onset AD. The value of such models has been advanced primarily on the basis of similar amyloid (and far less frequent, tangle) neuropathology. While these models are promising, this alone is insufficient for use of these models to assess efficacy of potential therapies. The correlation between progression of neuropathology and cognitive phenotype and the association of these with biomarker progression in these models is discussed, with an emphasis on the dog and non-human primates. Currently, interventional studies using these models are hampered by use of a variety of outcomes that are not easily comparable with those used in human trials and do not permit longitudinal assessment. Additional studies aimed at closing the gap between neuropathology and usable outcome measures would support more accurate subject selection, assessment of target engagement and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy.
The only-child premium and moderation by social origin: Educational stratification in post-reform China:

The One Child Policy initiated in the late 1970s created a birth cohort with an unusually high proportion of only children. This paper examines the relationship between being the only child in the ...
Nonunitary Parties, Government Formation, and Gamson’s Law

Following the coalition literature highlighting intraparty politics (e.g., Giannetti and Benoit 2009; Laver 1999; Strom 2003), I address the well-known “portfolio allocation paradox” (Warwick and Druckman 2006) by introducing a new model of government formation based on two main assumptions. First, no actor has a structural advantage in the negotiations leading to government formation. Second, all actors who can deprive the coalition of a majority (or other critical threshold size) must be included in the negotiations—not just parties. Whereas standard bargaining models are inconsistent with Gamson’s Law, the model proposed here implies that equilibrium portfolio allocations should be mostly Gamsonian but with a small-party bias, as the empirical literature has long found. Empirically, I show that my model outperforms the literature’s standard specification (due to Browne and Franklin 1973). Moreover, one of the model’s new predictions—that candidate-centered electoral rules should promote more Gamsonian portfolio allocations—is supported.
Nε(γ-glutamyl)lysine crosslinks in the blood clot of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus

Clots were allowed to form in samples of whole blood taken from the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, in the absence and presence of dansylcadaverine (16), and were analyzed for their contents of N epsilon(gamma-glutamyl)lysine and gamma-glutamyl-dansylcadaverine. Clots obtained without dansylcadaverine yielded significant amounts of N epsilon(gamma-glutamyl)lysine product. Clots formed in the presence of dansylcadaverine yielded only gamma-glutamyl-dansylcadaverine. Formation of these products reflects on the activity of transglutaminase released from the blood cells during coagulation.
ANALYSIS OF A GENE CONTROLLING CELL DIVISION AND SENSITIVITY TO RADIATION IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

Radiosensitivity in Escherichia coli is under control of genes that are transferred during conjugation between donor and reclpient strains. Conjugation experiments establish that one of these genes occupies a locus on the E. coli K- 12 linkage map between the genes controlling ability to utilize lactose and galactose. It affects sensitivity to both ionizing and uv (2,537 A) radiation. A strain possessing a mutation at this locus fails to show increases in resistance to ionizing radiation during late lag and early log phases, and increases in resistance when grown to stationary phase in a glucose-containing complete medium. The primary effect of the mutation at this locus may be an interference with the mechanism by which cells form cross plates. Cells of the mutant form long, nonseptate filaments when grown after exposure to ionizing radiation. The filaments do not give rise to macrocolonies. Pantoyl lactone, an agent that initiates cross plate formation, allows the filaments to divide normally and produce macrocolonies. When plated after irradiation on complete medium containing pantoyl lactone, the survival of the mutant is greatly increased. (auth)
Electromyogram signal enhancement in FMRI noise using spectral subtraction

This paper deals with noise removal in ElectroMyoGram (EMG) signals acquired in the hostile noisy environment of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). The noise due to magnetic fields and radio frequencies corrupts significantly the EMG signal which render its extraction very difficult. The proposed approach operes in the frequency domain to estimate the noise spectrum to subtract it from noisy observation spectrum. The noise estimation is based on spectral minima tracking in each frequency bin without any distinction between muscle activity and muscle rest. But it looks for connected time-frequency regions of muscle activity presence to estimate a bias compensation factor. The method is tested with a simulated noisy observation in order to evaluate its performance using objective criteria. It is also validated for real noisy observations where no clean is available.
Effects of Interrupt Coalescence on Network Measurements

Several high-bandwidth network interfaces use Interrupt Coalescence (IC), i.e., they generate a single interrupt for multiple packets sent or received in a short time interval. IC decreases the per-packet interrupt processing overhead. However, IC also introduces queueing delays and alters the “dispersion” (i.e., interarrival time spacing) of packet pairs or trains. In this work, we first explain how IC works in two popular Gigabit Ethernet controllers. Then, we identify the negative effects of IC on active and passive network measurements. Specifically, we show that IC can affect active bandwidth estimation techniques, causing erroneous measurements. It can also alter the packet interarrivals in passive monitors that use commodity network interfaces. Based on the “signature” that IC leaves on the dispersion and one-way delays of packet trains, we show how to detect IC and how to filter its effects from raw measurements. Finally, we show that IC can be detrimental to TCP self-clocking, causing bursty delivery of ACKs and subsequent bursty transmission of data segments.
Influence of Friction-Stir-Welding Parameters on Texture and Mechanical Behavior

During friction stir welding (FSW), a cylindrical threaded tool pin rotates and plunges into the workpieces and produces a stirring action that joins the workpieces together, while the shoulder part of the tool forges down the workpiece providing frictional heating. The joining is accomplished by running the rotating tool along the weld line. Significant heat is generated mainly from the friction between the tool shoulder and workpiece, while a severe plastic deformation occurs in the softened material by the stirring pin. As a result, a severely-deformed ‘stir zone’ with fine grains is produced through dynamic recrystallization (DRX). To date, the challenge remains in the fundamental understanding of the governing mechanisms for the grain refinement, texture formation, and the resulting mechanical behavior after FSW of Mg alloys. It is noted that, for hcp crystalline structure, deformation condition dominates the active deformation modes (slip vs. twinning), and, hence, the development of texture [1]. In this study, the objective was to investigate the influence of thermo-mechanical input during FSW on texture development and the corresponding mechanical behavior after FSW of AZ31B Mg alloy. A series of FSW experiments were designed to cover a wide range of deformation conditions by varying the rotation and travel speeds of the tool. Subsequently, the changes in texture of the stir zone were investigated using neutron diffraction technique. The tensile behavior of the FSW plates was also examined. Finally, the relationship among the processing parameters, texture evolution, and the mechanical behavior of the FWP Mg alloy plate is discussed.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPT13/GAL11 gene has both positive and negative regulatory roles in transcription.

Abstract To understand the function of SPT13, a gene encoding a trans-acting factor involved in regulation of Ty-mediated gene expression, we have cloned and sequenced the gene. Our analysis revealed that SPT13 is the same gene as GAL11, a gene in which mutations cause reduced expression of some GAL4-regulated genes. Further analysis of spt13/gal11 mutants suggested that the SPT13 gene also affects transcription of genes involved in mating-type specialization. We show here that SPT13 has both positive and negative regulatory roles in transcription.
Expanding Choice in Long Term Planning for Family Futures

The need for families to plan for their futures has become more important as the task has become increasingly complex. Families today need to become more effective in influencing society at large and its bureaucratic institutions and must deal with a new awareness of the precepts of generational equity. This need is discussed in terms of opportunities and necessities for planning within the personal family community and work domains paying particular attention in each case to how choice can be expanded whose interests need to be included in cost-benefit analyses what resources are available and how each domain impinges on the others. Requirements for planning and developing the skills to adapt to changing circumstances meet the challenge of unknown consequence and make the most of unexpected opportunities are discussed in terms of each domain and in terms of integrating the various domains in the planning process. Social and demographic trends have opened the door to opportunity and security for more generational interaction and long-range planning but they demand a reexamination of the relationship between the individual and the course of family life as well as a renewal of formal and informal support systems. Social and demographic trends which are discussed are 1) changing relationships among generations (adolescent parents and care giving AIDS care giving elder care by the elderly and youth caring for a dysfunctional parent) 2) the impact of demographic shifts on planning 3) changing life course trajectories 4) diversity of family structure and 5) the impact of social change on planning (targeted social policy stable relationships and family empowerment). Economic trends highlight the necessity for more individual and family planning as well as the complexity of the task; therefore the impact of economic changes on planning is considered. Technological discovery and innovation mean that the climate in which planning must take place is constantly changing and that a constant reassessment of plans is necessary in light of new findings and theories. The implications for research and theory and for practice and professional education are explored. It is concluded that the time has come for professionals to deal with family concerns along the life course rather than by labeling families and categorizing them according to external divisions of age class region of the country etc. Long-range planning must take into account changing economic situations and government family policy the relationship between risk-taking behavior and success the impact of traumatic events and the public and private sector community resources available to help families.
Ethmozine suppression of single and repetitive ventricular premature depolarizations during therapy: documentation of efficacy and long-term safety.

Abstract This study reports a total of 1677 patient days' experience with the use of Ethmozine to suppress ventricular premature depolarizations. A total of 39 patients were studied on three placebo-controlled protocols. Ethmozine, given at a mean total daily dose of 830 mg ± 318 mg on a dosing schedule of every 8 hours, resulted in a mean plasma Ethmozine level of 0.42 μg/ml ± 0.28 μg/ml. In addition to reducing ventricular premature depolarizations from 11,04924hr during placebo to 223124hr during Ethmozine therapy (80% reduction), the drug also resulted in a 95% reduction in paired forms and a 99% reduction in total runs of ventricular tachycardia. Ethmozine is extraordinarily well tolerated with only mild side effects of dizziness, perloral tingling, and euphoria, with no serious toxicity requiring discontinuation of therapy. Ethmozine demonstrates great potential as an effective drug in suppressing ventricular premature depolarizations with minimal side effects or toxicity.
Thermal ablation of the goat mammary gland as a model for post-lumpectomy treatment of breast cancer: preliminary observations.

Background. Partial breast irradiation post-lumpectomy, with a balloon bearing a radioactive source in its center, is practiced as an alternative to whole breast irradiation in the treatment of breast cancer. The goal is to ablate residual malignant cells within 1 cm radius of the resected lumpectomy margin. We hypothesize that this goal may be achieved with a fluid-filled heated balloon.Methods. Nubian-cross goats were treated under general anesthesia. The two mammary glands were sequentially bisected and a non-inflated balloon with a heating element was placed in the center of the gland which was re-sutured. Two series of experiments were conducted. In the first 22 goats (44 glands), the balloon was inflated with 5% dextrose to a pressure of 150 mmHg and heated at 87°C over selected time intervals of 1–24 minutes. In the second series (16 glands), the re-programmed device operated at 50–80 mmHg over selected time intervals of 5–20 minutes. The depth of necrosis was histologically determined after sacrif...
Athena's retinue: nineteenth-century scientists embedded in the army

Between 1860 and 1880, scientists in the United States, Argentina and Russia accompanied military expeditions on the northern Great Plains, in Patagonia, and in northeastern Asia. The extent to which the scientists were able to remain at arm's length from the slaughter of war is seen in the publications resulting from their travels. In the context of consolidating or extending national territory during the modern age, military patronage did not invalidate the research findings of attentive naturalists, who adhered to transnational disciplinary norms. There is only weak evidence to suggest that local prejudice determined the form of natural knowledge stemming from the expeditions.
Connecting Unfolded Protein Dynamics and Aggregation

Solving the “protein folding problem” will require a better understanding of the allowed conformations and dynamics of the unfolded state. Fundamentally, unfolded protein dynamics should be determined by the hydrophobic pattern of each sequence. As proof of this hypothesis, we have constructed a random wormlike chain model that is re-weighted to favor random conformations that have residues of similar hydrophobicity in close proximity. This model gives remarkable quantitative agreement with measurements of intramolecular contact formation for various sequences. Furthermore we have found that the intramolecular diffusion coefficient of various sequences in folding conditions vary by ∼ 3 orders of magnitude. We find such dynamics qualitatively agree with those predicted by molecular dynamics in implicit solvent. The fastest sequences are intrinsically disordered proteins and peptides and the slowest sequences are well-behaved proteins with folding times of at least 1 ms. In between these two regimes are sequences prone to aggregation in which intramolecular diffusion is just fast enough to expose hydrophobes to solvent long enough to form bimolecular interactions.
Anti-HIV Activity of CD4-Pseudomonas Exotoxin on Infected Primary Human Lymphocytes and Monocyte/Macrophages

CD4(178)-PE40 is a recombinant protein consisting of a portion of human CD4 linked to active domains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. In previous experiments with human T cell lines, the hybrid toxin was found to selectively kill cells infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and to inhibit HIV-1 spread in mixtures of infected and uninfected cells. CD4(178)-PE40 inhibits HIV-1 spread in cultured primary human lymphocytes. Moreover, the hybrid toxin selectively kills HIV-1 chronically infected monocyte/macrophage cell lines and inhibits HIV-1 spread in primary macrophage cultures. Control experiments indicate that the protective effects of CD4(178)-PE40 against HIV-1 spread are due to selective killing of the infected cells rather than simply to neutralization by the CD4 moiety. Thus, for the major cell types susceptible to HIV infection in vivo, surface envelope glycoprotein is expressed at sufficient levels to enable binding and internalization of CD4(178)-PE40 and consequent selective cell killing.
Hemoglobin Jβ Baltimore in a fourth French Canadian family

On a decouvert l'hemoglobine J Baltimore dans une nouvelle famille canadienne francaise, ce qui porte a quatre le nombre de familles de cette ethnie, sans lien de parente, ou cette hemoglobine variante est connue. Cette decouverte confirme le concept d'une distribution restreinte au point de vue ethnologique, de cette mutation.
Magnetic and Mössbauer studies on rare-earth-containing Heusler alloys Pd 2 RSn (R=Tb – Yb)

Magnetic susceptibility and /sup 119/Sn Moessbauer studies have been carried out on a new series of rare-earth-containing Heusler alloys having the formula Pd/sub 2/RSn (R = Tb--Yb). The Tm and Yb compounds in this series along with Lu, Sc, and Y compounds are superconducting. The magnetic susceptibility of Pd/sub 2/TmSn and Pd/sub 2/YbSn deviates from the Curie-Weiss behavior at low temperatures indicating that crystalline electric field effects are appreciable. Analysis of the magnetic susceptibility data in terms of crystalline electric fields shows that the ground state of the Tm/sup 3 +/ ion is nonmagnetic which, therefore, does not affect the superconducting state. The susceptibility of Yb/sup 3 +/ ions at low temperatures is also reduced from the free-ion value due to the crystalline electric field interaction. The Tb- and Dy-containing compounds order antiferromagnetically with Neel temperatures of 9 and 15 K, respectively, while Er- and Ho-containing compounds are paramagnetic down to 1.4 K. The hyperfine field at the Sn site in Pd/sub 2/TbSn is about 50 kOe but is only about 10 kOe in Pd/sub 2/DySn at 4.2 K.
Human donor bone marrow cells induce in vitro "suppressor T cells" that functionally suppress autologous B cells.

Abstract We have reported a beneficial effect of donor vertebral body bone marrow cells (DBMC) infusions in cadaver renal allograft recipients in a 6-year follow-up, but with a transient increase in early (6 month) postoperative CMV infections and concomitant suppressed immunoglobulins (Ig) production. We also found that although there was no difference between the DBMC-infused and non-infused (control) groups in the development of donor-specific antibody, we now describe an additional difference seen in the percent reactive antibody (PRA) reactivity against a panel of HLA antigens that developed postoperatively. We hypothesize that (allogeneic) antigen presenting cells in the DBMC, systemically infused, caused the generation of recipient T suppressor (T4-suppressor) cells, thereby “inducing” a negative influence on B cell Ig production. We tested this notion in vitro by incubating PBL from CMV IgG positive laboratory volunteers with either (allogeneic) T-cell depleted DBMC or donor spleen cells (DSPC) from (the same) cadaver donors. After 7 days, the (responding) T cells were collected using magnetic beads and placed in culture with purified B cells freshly obtained from the same (autologous) CMV positive volunteer. To these cultures were added either media or 40 ng of CMV antigen. After 3, 5, 7, and 9 days, the expression of surface anti-CMV Ig was measured by flow cytometry using a panel of fluorescent markers double-labeled for activated B cells (CD20, CD19, and HLA DRw) and CMV-FITC. We also determined the phenotype of the cultured T cells using anti-CD3, CD4, and CD62L specific monoclonal antibodies. B cells that had been in contact with autologous T cells derived from DBMC cultures (T BM ) were less likely to express anti-CMV surface Ig than those cultured with DSPC (T SP ). The flow cytometry analysis revealed an increase in the number of T4 suppressor cells (CD3 + , CD4 + , CD62L + ) in the T BM group, whereas the T4 helper phenotype (CD3 + , CD4 + , CD62L − ) predominated in the T SP group. These in vitro findings support the notion that (allogeneic) DBMC infusions can induce a T4 suppressor (regulatory) influence and thereby indirectly affect B-cell function.
Home Away From Home: Dynamics of Counterinsurgency Warfare

The aim of this article is to obtain a better understanding of the outcomes of counterinsurgency warfare. It advances the hypothesis that the combined presence of a unified revolutionary force and external sanctuary will significantly increase the chances of victory for insurgents. The variables are tested against Portugal's involvement in the Colonial War, accounting for Portuguese defeat in Guinea-Bissau. The article concludes by extending the hypothesis to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, determining that the ability of the United States to succeed in Afghanistan is limited unless it seals the border with Pakistan and weakens the unity of insurgent forces.
Equipment scheduling at mail processing and distribution centers

Mail Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs) run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and are staffed by a skilled complement of full-time, part-time, and temporary employees. A recurrent problem faced by facility managers involves the development of daily schedules for the automation equipment used to process the mail. The ultimate goal is to minimize the labor costs associated with running the facility while ensuring that all service standards are met. The focus of this paper is on the equipment scheduling aspect of the problem. In particular, we seek a weekly schedule that satisfies all operational, technological, and legal constraints of the system at a minimum cost. The problem is modeled as a large-scale mixed-integer linear program and solved sequentially using a three-stage methodology. In each stage, a separate criterion is optimized and the corresponding objective function value is used as a constraint in subsequent stages. To ease the computational burden, two major enhancements are developed. The...
Exact learning of tree patterns from queries and counterexamples

We consider learning tree patterns from queries. The instances are ordered and unordered trees with nodes labeled by constant identifiers. The concepts are tree patterns and unions of tree patterns (forests) where all the internal nodes are labeled with constants and the leaves are labeled with constants or variables. A tree pattern matches any tree with its variables replaced with constant subtrees. We show that ordered trees, in which the children are matched in a strict left-to-right order, are exactly learnable from equivalence queries, while ordered forests are learnable from equivalence and membership queries. Unordered trees are exactly learnable from superset queries, and unordered forests are learnable from superset and equivalence queries. Negatively, we also show that each of the query types used is necessary for learning each concept class.
Airfoil design optimization using the Navier-Stokes equations

A design optimization technique is presented which couples a computationally efficient Navier-Stokes code with a numerical optimization algorithm. The design method improves the aerodynamic performance of an airfoil subject to specified design objectives and constraints. Recent advances in computers and compputational fluid dynamics have permitted the use of the Navier-Stokes equations in the design procedure to include the nonlinear, rotational, viscous physics of transonic flows. Using numerical optimization guarantees that a better design will be produced even with strict design constraints. The method is demonstrated with several examples at transonic flow conditions.
Acoustic emissions and transient elastic waves in an orthotropic laminate plate

Abstract The transient elastic waves inside a thin orthotropic laminate plate are studied. Numerical results at different locations are shown for a concentrated force and a double force. The analysis of rays is based on Cagniard's method. Comparison between numerical and experimental results are shown. The numerical solutions provide the basis for quantitative nondestructive evaluation of anisotropic materials.
Notch Filter Design with GUIDE

Because of the mechanical construction, wind turbine control algorithm should contain notch filters to avoid pitch action at 3P and 6P. Using the interface of notch filter design and analysis based on GUIDE, the characteristics and simulation results can be displayed at the same time. The whole process from design to simulation is achieved. The development of notch filter in wind turbine control becomes easy.
An inquiry into the sources of macroeconomic fluctuations

Abstract This paper attempts to decompose the sources of fluctuations in quarterly employment by industry and region into: (1) an aggregate (national) shock, (2) region-specific shocks, (3) industry-specific shocks, and (4) idiosyncratic factors. The empirical analysis is motivated by a dynamic theory of the business cycle. The empirical methodology is the Engle-Watson dynamic MIMIC model, implemented via the EM algorithm. The work is motivated as an attempt to compare empirically aggregate, ‘single-factor’ theories of the cycle with real business cycle theories emphasizing industrial or regional shocks.
Determinants of Bumetanide Response in the Dog: Effect of Indomethacin

Four male unanesthetized dogs each weighing 22.0–29.0 kg received 0.250 mg/kg iv of bumetanide before (treatment I) and after (treatment II) indomethacin pretreatment. Lactated Ringer’s solution was administered intravenously throughout both treatments at a flow rate of 2 ml/min to avoid fluid and electrolyte depletion. Unchanged bumetanide and indomethacin concentrations were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Sodium was measured by flame photometry and creatinine by colorimetry. Indomethacin pretreatment did not significantly change the pharmacokinetics of bumetanide, affecting neither the total amount of drug nor time course of drug delivered into the urine. In contrast, indomethacin pretreatment resulted in a dramatic reduction in the 4-hr sodium excretion and urine volume. Therefore, a pharmacokinetic interaction may be eliminated as a possible mechanism for the attenuation, by indomethacin, of the natriuretic and diuretic response of bumetanide. Instead, it appears that indomethacin diminishes the response to bumetanide via prostaglandin inhibition.
Stabilization of cationic liposome-plasmid DNA complexes by polyamines and poly(ethylene glycol)-phospholipid conjugates for efficient in vivo gene delivery

Stable complexes of cationic liposomes with plasmid DNA were prepared by (1) including a small amount of poly(ethylene glycol)-phospholipid conjugate or (2) condensing the DNA with polyamines prior to the formation of liposome-plasmid complexes. These preparations were stable for months at 4°C and gave reproducible high transfection activity for in vivo gene delivery after intravenous injection in mice. Under these conditions, the expression of marker gene (luciferase) was primarily in the lungs (reaching values up to 3 ng expression per mg tissue protein), but also in other tissues to a lesser extent. Non-stabilized formulations lost all their transfection activity in 4 days. In these formulations cholesterol, not dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine, was the helper lipid effective for sustaining high transfection activity in vivo. These new developments in formulation technology should enhance the potential for liposome-mediated gene therapy.
Grazing Bifurcations and Parametric Characterization of a Hysterically Damped Semi-Active Suspension System

The criterion for grazing motions in a hysterically damped semi-active suspension system is obtained from the local theory of non-smooth dynamical systems on the connectable and accessible domains. The generic mappings for such a suspension system are introduced. The sufficient and necessary conditions for grazing at the final states of mappings are expressed. The initial and final switching sets of grazing mapping, varying with system parameters, are illustrated for the grazing parametric characteristics. The initial and grazing, switching manifolds in the switching sets are defined through grazing mappings. Finally, numerical illustrations of grazing motions are very easily carried out with help of the analytical predictions. This paper provides a comprehensive investigation of grazing motions in the suspension system for a better understanding of the grazing mechanism of such a discontinuous system.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Effects of Various Silvicultural Systems on Regeneration in Mixed Hardwood Stands of the Southern Appalachians

This study investigated the effects of clear-cutting and several other commonly used silvicultural systems on regeneration at seven sites in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and West Virginia. These even-aged oak dominated stands ranged in age from 63 to 100 yr and were located on medium quality oak sites (site indices from 18 to 23 m, base age 50). The treatments evaluated included a clear-cut, commercial harvest, shelterwood, leave-tree, group selection, preharvest herbicide, and control. Mixed model ANOVA was used to analyze treatment response in five species groups: (a) oak (Quercus spp.); (b) maple (Acer spp.); (c) black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.); (d) miscellaneous overstory hardwoods; and (e) midstory species that typically do not occupy main canopy positions in mature stands. Response variables included stem density, importance value, average height for all regeneration, and the tallest 365 stems ha−1. Comparisons were made among treatments,...
SU‐DD‐A3‐05: Scatter Kernel Estimation and Correction with Edge‐Spread‐Function Method for CBCT Imaging

Purpose: To study the characteristics of scatter in kilo‐voltage CBCTimaging, and to develop a method of reducing or removing scatter related artifacts and improve CBCTimage quality. Methods and Materials: The scattered radiations were modeled as depth‐dependents pencil‐beam kernels, which were derived using an edge‐spread‐function (ESF) method, for a CBCTimaging system. The ESF geometry was achieved with a half‐beam block created by a 3‐mm‐thick lead sheet placed on top of a stack of slab solid‐water phantoms. Measurements for 8 water‐equivalent thicknesses (range from 0 to 41 cm) were taken with (half‐blocked) and without (unblocked) the lead sheet, and corresponding pencil‐beam scatter kernels or point‐spread‐functions (PSF), were then derived without assuming any empirical trial function. Scatter correction was incorporated into the reconstruction process to improve CBCTimage quality. The process is summarized as the following: 1) The ESF was extracted from the half‐blocked images; 2) The line‐spread‐function (LSF) of the system was calculated by taking the derivative of the ESF; 3) By assuming a symmetrical scatter kernel, the PSF was derived using a filtered‐back‐projection technique; 4) For thicknesses not measured, the corresponding PSF was interpolated from the measured data; 5) An iterative method was used to remove scatter from the projection image; 6) A reconstruction algorithm was applied to the scatter removed projection to derive CBCTimages with improved image quality. Results: The scatter kernels were successfully derived and verified with phantoms. The scatter artifacts were reduced and the image quality was improved for CBCTimages incorporating the scatter removal technique. For a 32 cm‐diameter uniform phantom, the flatness of reconstruction image was improved from 21.6% to 3.8%. Conclusion: We developed a method to determine the scatter kernel in CBCT system and reduce the scatter related artifacts utilizing the derived kernel. Conflict of Interest: Supported by Varian.
Barriers to Patient Self-Testing of Prothrombin Time: National Survey of Anticoagulation Practitioners

Oral anticoagulation with warfarin requires routine monitoring of prothrombin time, expressed as the international normalized ratio (INR). Patient self-testing for INR is common in Europe but not in the United States. In order to determine the frequency of INR self-testing among patients whose anticoagulant therapy is managed in U.S. anticoagulation clinics, to describe the processes that support this self-testing, and to identify the barriers as experienced by anticoagulation clinic providers, a three-part survey was mailed to 538 anticoagulation specialists in the United States. The response rate was 43.7%. Policies and procedures of almost 60% of anticoagulation clinics prohibited INR self-testing for enrolled patients. In addition, less than 1% of patients being managed by U.S. anticoagulation clinics use self-testing to obtain INR results. Primary barriers were the cost of self-testing instruments (78.7% of respondents), cost of reagent cartridges (60.4%), and fear that self-testing might lead to unintended self-management (35.7%). Over 75% of respondents believed that some reimbursement for the cost of self-testing devices and supplies would increase the likelihood that anticoagulation clinics would recommend INR self-testing.
Isolation of high-specific-activity subunits of cholera toxin by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Facile, rapid procedures for the separation of active cholera toxin subunits were developed, based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a Nucleosil C 8 reversed-phase column. These procedures were capable of completely resolving subunits A and B as well as S-carboxymethylated or reduced α-, γ-, and β-chains. The binding of HPLC-purified B subunit to GM 1 ganglioside was essentially identical to that of cholera toxin when compared on a molar basis. The adenosine 5′-diphosphate-ribosyltransferase activity of HPLC-purified A subunit, reduced α-chain, or carboxymethyl α-chain was also determined to be reasonably high compared to that of cholera toxin or commercially prepared A subunit.
Digital hearing aids.

The proliferation of digital technology and continued miniaturization of sound-processing hardware has led to the development of a new generation of digital hearing aids. These aids offer complex sound-processing algorithms made possible through replacement of capacitors and resistors with computer software, and are purported to offer substantial benefit over conventional analog hearing aids by being more adaptable to an individual’s pattern of hearing loss. However, digital aids are up to 5 times more expensive.
Mutagenicities of hydroxy-substituted carbazoles and dibenzothiophenes using the CHO/HGPRT assay

Eight hydroxylated carbazoles and dibenzothiophenes were tested for mutagenic activity using the CHO/HGPRT mutation assay for thioguanine resistance. All showed increased activity over carbazole and dibenzothiophene. Some of the hydroxycarbazoles showed slightly higher activity than the corresponding hydroxy-dibenzothiophenes (71.4 ± 5.2 mutants/106 survivors for 1-hydroxycarbazoles compared to 21.8 ± 6.1 mutants/106 survivors for 4-hydroxydibenzothiophene at 5 μg/ml, and 32.8 ± 3.3 mutants/106 survivors at 5 μg/ml for 4-hydroxycarbazole as compared to 16.4 ± 0.9 mutants/106 survivors for 1-hydroxydibenzothiophene at 5 μg/ml). The most mutagenic compound was 1-hydroxycarbazole, which also exhibited cytotoxicity. The relative order of mutagenic activity of the hydroxycarbazoles was 1 ≥ 4 > 2 = 3 > carbazole, and the relative activity of the hydroxydibenzothiophenes was 2 ≥ 3 > 1 = 4 > dibenzothiophene. Overall, the mutagenic activity of the hydroxycarbazoles and hydroxydibenzothiophenes was dependent on the structural position of the hydroxy group.
Export of dissolved organic carbon from agricultural streams in Illinois, USA

In the Midwestern USA, agricultural soils contain a large pool of organic carbon, yet little is known about carbon export in agriculturally-influenced streams. We studied DOC in three streams draining intensively farmed areas in Illinois, all draining Mollisols with large organic matter pools. Water quality samples were collected (weekly to daily) for 3–10 years and discharge was monitored continuously at each site. In-stream DOC concentrations ranged from 1–16 mg L−1, and high concentrations of DOC occurred both during floods and periods of low discharge. Among sites, average flow-weighted DOC concentrations varied from 3.1 to 3.9 mg L−1. DOC in the streams appeared to originate from two sources: allochthonous DOC from drainage of cropland in late winter through early summer, and autochthonous DOC from algal blooms in late summer through autumn. Inputs of allochthonous DOC were under hydrological control, with most of the allochthonous DOC entering streams during floods. Watershed export of DOC ranged from 3–23 kg ha−1 yr−1. The mass of C exported from watersheds as DOC was strongly related to water yield (r = 0.98), and by inference to precipitation. Bioassays indicated that on average 18% of the native DOC was bioavailable. Stream export of DOC from the agricultural watersheds was a small flux relative to the pool of soil organic C. However, increases in soil organic C could lead to greater inputs of DOC to streams and increased rates of microbial respiration.
Crushed Cartilage Grafts over Alar Dome Reduction in Open Rhinoplasty

SUMMARY Primary and secondary nasal tip deformities can be repaired more easily with an open technique rather than with the traditional closed methods that have been used for the over-projecting tip. Division of the alar domes with a side-to-side repair followed by the onlay of a single crushed cartilage graft to prevent postoperative cartilaginous deformities has been shown to be a reliable maneuver in both primary and secondary rhinoplasties.
Structure and morphology of magnetron sputtered CoCr thin films

Abstract The growth characteristics of magnetron sputtered Co-22%Cr thin films on amorphous glass or carbon substrates have been investigated utilizing transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electrical resistivity measurements. Results indicate that the initial deposit is “amorphous”, but that small crystallites form before the film reaches 5 nm film thickness. By 10 nm, well oriented grains with hcp c-axis perpendicular to the film plane develop, and by 50 nm, a columnar microstructure is evident. A distinct subgrain structure was also observed in the thinner films (10–50 nm), and this is reflected in the electrical resistivity. These observations cannot be accounted for by an “evolutionary selection” growth scenario, but must be related to the low surface mobility of adatoms at these low substrate deposition temperatures (
Human retinal cadmium accumulation as a factor in the etiology of age-related macular degeneration

Cadmium is a naturally occurring, highly toxic, metallic element. It pollutes the environment as a result of industrial activity and accumulates in human tissues with a long biological half-life. Cadmium content has been demonstrated to increase in human retinal tissues as a function of age and tobacco smokers have approximately twice as much cadmium in retinal tissues than non-smokers. Smoking is also a key environmental risk factor for the retinal disease age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Recent studies have shown that urinary cadmium levels (a measure of Cd body burden) are higher in smokers who have AMD. We now report the Cd measurements in human retinal tissues from eyes afflicted with AMD compared to non-diseased eyes (controls) from age-matched donors. Human donor eyes frozen under argon gas were assessed for AMD severity using color stereoscopic fundus photographs and the Minnesota Grading System. Cadmium, zinc and, copper levels were measured in retinal tissues (neural retina, retinal pigment epithelium and choroid) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and graphite furnace spectrophotometry and values were normalized to tissue protein levels. Higher Cd levels were found in the neural retina and RPE for eyes afflicted with AMD compared to controls in males, differences were not statistically significant in females. The results indicate that higher retinal cadmium burdens are associated with the presence of AMD at least in males and suggest possible gender differences in the metabolism of metals in the human retina.
A comparison of two radiological path length algorithms

Most radiation therapy dose calculation methods require the determination of the effective path length of the primary radiation from the radiation source to the point at which the dose is calculated. This usually involves representing the patient anatomy as a set of polygons (contours) as approximations to plane curves. Several algorithms are known for determining the length of a segment or segments on a ray through a planar contour, that are interior to the contour. We have implemented two of these algorithms in a test program to benchmark their relative efficiency. One algorithm uses a linear search over all the contour segments, and the other method represents the contour as a binary tree of “strips,” of successively increasing resolution. In general, the tree search should give times proportional to log(n) where n is the number of contour segments, and the linear search time should be proportional to n. Thus, one might expect the tree search to run faster once the number of segments reaches some sufficiently large value. We found that this value is a number of contour points far in excess of that typical for contours representing radiation therapy patient anatomy. Therefore, for this application the linear search method is more efficient.
Mycobacterial susceptibility testing and reporting: When, how, and what to test

Abstract Mycobacterial susceptibility testing is important for the management of patients with tuberculosis and those with diseasescaused by certain nontuberculous mycobacteria. To help standardize methods used for testing susceptibility of mycobacteria, in 2003 the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) published M24-A, the approved standard for susceptibility testing of mycobacteria, nocardiae, and other aerobic actinomycetes. This standard contains guidelines for testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex; select, slow-growing, nontuberculous mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium kansasii , and Mycobacterium marinum ; and the fast-growing mycobacteria, as well as Nocardia , and other aerobic actinomycetes. The recommendations outlined in M24-A that address mycobacterial susceptibility testing are reviewed here.