cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variability and Lack of Prognostic Value Associated With Atypical Pituitary Adenoma Diagnosis: A Systematic Review and Critical Assessment of the Diagnostic Criteria.

Background Atypical pituitary adenomas (APAs) are a subset of pituitary adenomas (PAs) characterized by the 2004 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to have higher risk histopathological features than typical PAs. In July 2017, the WHO published an update to their classification of pituitary tumors and abandoned the APA terminology. Objective To assess the prevalence and outcomes of patients diagnosed with APA through a literature review. Focus was placed on variation in the application of the previous WHO criteria and on rates of recurrence. Methods A systematic review of PubMed (2004-July 2017) was performed to identify studies reporting prevalence and clinical characteristics/outcomes of APA. Eight studies were analyzed for prevalence. Six studies reporting histopathological details were analyzed in depth. Results Of the 7105 included patients, 373 (5.2%) met criteria for APA (prevalence range: 3%-15%). Only 2 of 8 studies utilized identical grading criteria, demonstrating a lack of standardized application. Most APAs (84%) were macroadenomas, with 52% invasive on magnetic resonance imaging. Nonfunctional PAs were most common (37%), followed by prolactinomas (23%) and Growth Hormone adenomas (21%). Recurrence/progression occurred in 21% of APA patients (follow-up range 37-75 mo). Only 2 of 8 studies reported an association between APA diagnosis and recurrence/progression. Conclusion Based on diagnostic variability and lack of association with clinical outcomes, refinement of criteria for APA was necessary. The WHO update eliminates the ambiguity in APA diagnosis in favor of criteria that emphasize clinical behavior (invasion, recurrence, and resistance to treatment) and molecular markers. Our review supports abandonment of the previous APA designation due to limited prognostic utility.
Towards an inherently safer bioprocessing industry: A review

Abstract The bioprocessing industry is regarded as one of the fastest growing sectors with an estimated compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. The global market for biopharmaceuticals is projected to rise to a market value of USD 727.1 billion by 2025. Due to the unique nature of bioprocessing industries wherein micro-organisms are employed to manufacture the desired products, these processes are prone to additional hazards such as biological hazards and dust explosion amongst others. This necessitates the need to review the existing research in the fields of biotechnology and bioprocessing to reduce/eliminate these hazards and pave the path towards a safer bioprocessing industry. The study involves developing a framework comprising of studying the recent technologies that reduce/eliminate these hazards involved in the bioprocessing industries that include dust explosions, loss of containment of toxic chemicals, loss of containment of biohazard/active product ingredient, fire, and explosion and mapping these technologies with respect to inherent safety principles that include substitution, minimization, moderation and simplification with an overall objective of minimizing the risk associated with bioprocesses and moving towards an inherently safer bioprocessing industry.
Using Satellite-Based Remotely-Sensed Data to Determine Tropical Cyclone Size and Structure Characteristics

Abstract : The primary objective is to continue to use innovative signal-processing methodologies to extract tropical cyclone (TC) structure information, including genesis likelihood from clouds clusters, intensity information, and wind field structure information from remote-sensing platforms in oceanic regions where in situ observations are sparse. This information is used to develop objective, accurate analyses of tropical cyclone wind structure and intensity.
Virtual Everest: Immersive Virtual Reality Can Improve the Simulation Experience

Abstract New technologies such as immersive virtual reality provide opportunities to create realistic environments to increase the fidelity of experiences. This innovation is to add an immersive virtual reality experience to enhance a 2D simulation. The innovation was implemented in a graduate leadership course. The class was divided into two teams and one team was exposed to the immersive virtual experience. After that, the class participated in a team-based simulation called Everest V2 by the Harvard Business Publisher. Qualitative theme analysis showed three themes that emerged from the reflection: Communication, Team Dynamics, and Success versus Failure.
Cost Effectiveness of Different Strategies for Detecting Cirrhosis in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on United States Health Care System

Background & Aims Several strategies are available for detecting cirrhosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but their cost effectiveness is not clear. We developed a decision model to quantify the accuracy and costs of 9 single or combination strategies, including 3 noninvasive tests (fibrosis-4 [FIB-4], vibration-controlled transient elastography [VCTE], and magnetic resonance elastography [MRE]) and liver biopsy, for the detection of cirrhosis in patients with NAFLD. Methods Data on the diagnostic accuracy, costs, adverse events, and cirrhosis outcomes over a 5-year period were obtained from publications. The diagnostic accuracy, per-patient cost per correct diagnosis of cirrhosis, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated for each strategy for base cirrhosis prevalence values of 0.27%, 2%, and 4%. Results The combination of the FIB-4 and VCTE identified patients with cirrhosis in NAFLD populations with a 0.27%, 2%, and 4% prevalence of cirrhosis with the lowest cost per person ($401, $690, and $1024, respectively) and highest diagnostic accuracy (89.3%, 88.5%, and 87.5% respectively). The combination of FIB-4 and MRE ranked second in cost per person ($491, $781, and $1114, respectively) and diagnostic accuracy (92.4%, 91.6%, 90.6%, respectively). Compared with the combination of FIB-4 and VCTE (least costly), the ICERs were lower for the combination of FIB-4 and MRE ($2864, $2918, and $2921) than the combination of FIB-4 and liver biopsy ($4454, $5156, and $5956) at the cirrhosis prevalence values tested. When the goal was to avoid liver biopsy, FIB-4 + VCTE and FIB-4 + MRE had similar diagnostic accuracies, ranging from 87.5% to 89.3% and 90.6% to 92.4% for a cirrhosis diagnosis, respectively, although FIB-4 + MRE had a slightly higher cost. Conclusions In our cost-effectiveness analysis based on the US health care system, we found that results from FIB-4, followed by either VCTE, MRE, or liver biopsy, detect cirrhosis in patients with NAFLD with a high level of accuracy and low cost. Compared with FIB-4 + VCTE, which was the least costly strategy, FIB-4 + MRE had a lower ICER than FIB-4 + LB.
BEEP: Better Etiquette for Effective Paging

Purpose Paging is a vital part of hospital care that allows quick contact between physicians and other hospital personnel. There is currently no structured way for nursing, respiratory therapists, or other members of the patient care team to send a page to the physicians. Residents and fellows in our Pediatric ICU receive more than 100 pages per day on average, mostly non-urgent updates, order clarifications, and FYI pages, especially in the middle of the night. It is often mandatory for abnormal lab results to be reported, …
Microstructure evolution and acceleration factor (AF) of micro-solder bumps in through-silicon-via (TSV) in high temperature storage (HTS) conditions

In our study, the microstructure and reliability of micro-solder bumps of through-silicon-via (TSV) packages were assessed in high temperature storage (HTS) condition with several bump structures. The packages were assembled by molded underfill (MUF) processes, and to test the different resin environments, the MUF conditions were modified. Because HTS requires a long period of time in the formal reliability conditions, the estimation of acceleration factors (AF) is critical for the practical evaluation purpose. Elevated temperature (180oC) was used as an acceleration condition against the normal condition (150oC). AF was estimated by measuring the intermetallic (IMC) thickness during HTS. Two main mechanisms for IMC growth were considered in the process of obtaining AF: one is the volume shrinkage during IMC formation and the other is the solder diffusion along the lateral side of under-bump metallurgy (UBM). Based on these, the AF of 180 oC HTS referenced on 150oC was estimated to be in the range of 5-7. To verify the accuracy of AF, two AF values from the actual failure time and IMC growth were compared (between 180oC and 200oC), and there was a good consistency. Assuming the same failure mechanism during HTS for the entire temperature region in this study (125-200oC), we concluded that AF between 150oC and 180oC is also valid. That is, the condition at 180oC for 145hr can replace the condition at 150oC for 1008 hr. Neither showed an actual failure, meaning the conditions are safe.
Risk taking during play: ecological influences and behavioral outcomes of young children’s appraisal of risks in outdoor spaces

Adults often deem uncomfortable and dangerous play as ‘risky' or ‘rough play', yet difficult play encounters can be the context in which children learn and develop physically, emotionally, socially...
The influence of student engagement on the effects of an inferential reading comprehension intervention for struggling middle school readers

Although many students benefit from evidence-based reading comprehension interventions, not all students will exhibit adequate response. Moderation analysis provides a statistical approach to examine for whom and under what conditions interventions are most effective. Conducted within a parent project, which investigated the effects of an inferential reading comprehension intervention, the current study examined factors related to the deployment of students’ attention as well as language status that might be associated with differential response to intervention. Sixty-six struggling middle school readers were randomly assigned to a computerized version of the intervention, a teacher-led version, or business-as-usual (BaU) control instruction. The influence of language status (i.e., English Learner status) and pre-intervention levels of mind-wandering, anxiety, and mindset on the effects of the inferential reading comprehension intervention were examined. There were no moderator effects for the teacher-led group compared to the BaU control. Conversely, anxiety, mind-wandering, and language status moderated the effects of the computer-led intervention for some reading and inference-making outcomes. The computer-led intervention was associated with improved inference-making for students with higher levels of self-reported anxiety and mind-wandering. In contrast, the computer-led intervention was less beneficial than BaU instruction for English learners. Findings are discussed with respect to how these factors might be relevant for interpreting the effects of interventions for struggling middle school readers in general, and for English learners in particular. The findings also point to the importance of considering the characteristics of both student and instructional features in the creation and testing of reading comprehension interventions.
Complications and Revisions After Spine Surgery in Patients With Skeletal Dysplasia: Have We Improved?

Study Design:Retrospective case series.Objective:To report contemporary rates of complications and subsequent surgery after spinal surgery in patients with skeletal dysplasia.Methods:A case series ...
Beware the rebound effect: regional anesthesia increases opioid utilization after humerus fracture surgery

IntroductionRegional anesthesia (RA) is used reduce pain in proximal humerus and humeral shaft fracture surgery. The study hypothesis was that RA would decrease opioid demand in patients undergoing...
Catalytic Codimerization of Ethylene and Butadiene

Publisher Summary The more common types of catalytic transformation reactions are: (1) dimerization or polymerization of α-olefins; (2) dimerization, oligomerization, cyclo-oligomerization, or polymerization of conjugated dienes; and (3) codimerization or cooligomerization of α-olefins and conjugated dienes. The codimerization reaction discussed in this chapter belongs to the last type. The reaction and the reactants involved will be the simplest of them all, i.e., a 1:1 codimerization of ethylene and butadiene to form C 6 dienes. Catalysts for this codimerization reaction can be derived from practically all the Group VIII transition metal compounds. Their catalytic properties, such as rate, efficiency, yield, selectivity, and stereoselectivity, vary from poor to amazingly good. The major codimerization product under the given condition is the linear 1:1 addition product, 1, 4 hexadiene. The formation of this diene and its related C 6 products will become the center of these discussions. The catalyst systems that have been investigated rather extensively are derived from Rh, Ni, Co, and Fe and are discussed in detail. The 1: 1 Codimerization of ethylene and butadiene was first carried out starting with rhodium trichloride tri-hydrate, RhCI 3 .3H20, as catalyst. The most general and comprehensive reaction mechanism of the 1: 1 codimerization such as catalyst activation and nature of the active species are discussed in this chapter. Ni complexes have been used extensively as catalysts for olefin transformations. Some examples are propylene dimerization, butadiene oligomerization and cyclooligomerization, butadiene ethylene cooligomerization, and butadiene polymerization .A lesser-known catalyst system based on Pd is also described in this chapter.
Specificity of the Induced Bactericidin of the West Indian Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus

To investigate the specificity of an inducible hemolymph bactericidin, West Indian spiny lobsters were immunized with a variety of antigens. Bactericidal assays were conducted with strain EMB-1, a gram-negative bacillus isolated from normal lobster intestine. Animals given saline solution with or without 0.3% Formalin exhibited only a slight response similar to sham controls. Injections of type 2 pneumococci or bovine albumin produced slightly higher responses. These were much less pronounced than the homologous response to EMB-1. Formalin exhibited an adjuvant-like effect with EMB-1.
Aerodynamic Flow Quality and Acoustic Characteristics of the 40- by 80-Foot Test Section Circuit of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex

The 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel circuit of the National Full-Scale Aerodynamic Complex (NFAC) has recently undergone major modifications and subsequently completed final acceptance testing. The initial testing and calibration of the wind tunnel are described and in many cases these results are compared with predictions derived from model tests and theoretical analyses. The wind tunnel meets or exceeds essentially all performance objectives. The facility runs smoothly and routinely at its maximum test-section velocity of 300 knots (Mach number = 0.45). An effective cooling air exchange system enables the wind tunnel to operate indefinitely at this maximum power condition. Throughout the operating envelope of the wind tunnel the test-section dynamic pressure is uniform to within + or - 0.5 deg, and the axial component of turbulence is generally less than 0.5 percent. Acoustic measurements indicate that, due to the low noise fans and acoustic treatment in the wind-tunnel circuit and test section, the background noise level in the test section is comparable to other large-scale acoustic wind tunnels in the United States and abroad.
Complexity-Based Agile Enterprises: Putting Self-Organizing Emergence to Work

Organizations competing in hypercompetitive marketplaces have two possible paths to potential success. They can attempt to transform traditional bureaucracies into more nimble, adaptable, and resilient entities, which clearly is the path most traveled. Or they can try pathbreaking, which involves adopting a completely different organizational paradigm: the complexity-based agile enterprise (C-bAE). C-bAEs have no a priori hierarchies, no a priori organizational structures, and no a priori business strategies. They rely instead on ongoing interactions among self-organizing participants operating at the edge of chaos to form and reform, strategize and re-strategize on the fly. Does this work? We don't know for sure, although there is some solid theory and a little bit of evidence to suggest that it might that under the proper conditions, these progressive dynamics may well engender a stream of novel and yet coherent products, services, and solutions capable of delivering a series of temporary competitive advantages and, thus, the possibility of long-term survival. This paper explores the promise, with particular emphasis on the process of mobilizing or creating the conditions that foster the constant co-creation of emergent organizational forms and innovative outputs.
Porphyrin and Heme Metabolism and the Porphyrias

Porphyrins and metalloporphyrins are the key pigments of life on earth as we know it, because they include chlorophyll (a magnesium-containing metalloporphyrin) and heme (iron protoporphyrin). In eukaryotes, porphyrins and heme are synthesized by a multistep pathway that involves eight enzymes. The first and rate-controlling step is the formation of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) from glycine plus succinyl CoA, catalyzed by ALA synthase. Intermediate steps occur in the cytoplasm, with formation of the monopyrrole porphobilinogen and the tetrapyrroles hydroxymethylbilane and a series of porphyrinogens, which are serially decarboxylated. Heme is utilized chiefly for the formation of hemoglobin in erythrocytes, myoglobin in muscle cells, cytochromes P-450 and mitochondrial cytochromes, and other hemoproteins in hepatocytes. The rate-controlling step of heme breakdown is catalyzed by heme oxygenase (HMOX), of which there are two isoforms, called HMOX1 and HMOX2. HMOX breaks down heme to form biliverdin, carbon monoxide, and iron. The porphyrias are a group of disorders, mainly inherited, in which there are defects in normal porphyrin and heme synthesis. The cardinal clinical features are cutaneous (due to the skin-damaging effects of excess deposited porphyrins) or neurovisceral attacks of pain, sometimes with weakness, delirium, seizures, and the like (probably due mainly to neurotoxic effects of ALA). The treatment of choice for the acute hepatic porphyrias is intravenous heme therapy, which repletes a critical regulatory heme pool in hepatocytes and leads to downregulation of hepatic ALA synthase, which is a biochemical hallmark of all forms of acute porphyria in relapse.
Science from Fisher Information: A Unification

This book develops and applies an analytical approach to deriving the probability laws of science in general. It is called 'extreme physical information' or EPI. EPI is an expression of the imperfection of observation: Owing to random interaction of a subject with its observer and other possible disturbances, its measurement contains less Fisher information than does the subject per se. Moreover, the information loss is an extreme value. An EPI output may alternatively be viewed as the payoff of a zero-sum game of information acquisition between the observer and a 'demon' in subject space. EPI derives, Escher-like, the very probability law that gave rise to the measurement. In applications, EPI is used to derive both existing and new analytical relations governing probability laws of physics, genetics, cancer growth, ecology and economics. This unified approach will be fascinating to students and those who seek a new mathematical tool of research.
Use of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems on U.S. Army Facilities

Over the last 15 years, exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) have seen increased use on U.S. Army facilities. Although some use has been for new construction, most of the applications have been to retrofit the exterior walls of existing masonry buildings. Most of these applications have been relatively trouble free. However, some critical problems and failures (e.g., catastrophic system delamination) have also occurred. Contractor deficiencies accounted for a significant number of the observed failures. This paper presents a history concerning the use of EIFS on Army facilities describing both successful and not-so-successful performances of the system. Solutions to the experienced problems are discussed. Future uses of EIFS on Army facilities are addressed. The development of several guidance documents for EIFS including a revised Corps of Engineers Guide Specification for EIFS and an Engineer Technical Manual on EIFS Design are also described.
A Report on the Conference on the Science and Technology of Cloud Seeding in the Black Hills

The past few years have seen a diminishing water supply in the Black Hills of western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. Water levels in the reservoirs in the region have decreased to less than 50% of capacity, some as low as 10%. This causes great concern about future agricultural and municipal water supplies in the area, particularly in light of the fact that the Black Hills are a water resource for an area much more extensive than the Hills themselves. Plans are underway by various groups to drill wells, repair irrigation ditches, improve conservation methods, and study and define more precisely the surface and ground water characteristics of the Hills.
Rapid estimation of amylase activity of serum by turbidimetry.

The method of Waldron for turbidimetric measurement of amylase activity of duodenal contents has been adapted to measurement of amylase activity of serum. The speed and simplicity of the method make it suitable particularly when results are needed quickly. Comparison of the results obtained by the turbidimetric method with those of a saccharogenic method showed that high amylase activities could be established dependably by the turbidimetric method.
Learning to Drink Deeply from Books: Using Experiential Assignments to Teach Concepts

This article explores how to teach students to drink deeply from books. Drawing on the work of Peter Elbow, the article argues for incorporating experiential assignments that are structured to create a mediating realm between abstract concepts and concrete experiences. The bulk of the article explores in detail the author's use of such assignments first in a course on sexuality and religion and, second, in the standard Introduction to Religion course.
The adsorption of NO2 on clean Ru(001) and Ru(001) modified chemically by ordered overlayers of oxygen adatoms

High resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy and thermal desorption mass spectrometry have been used to investigate the adsorption of NO2 on the clean Ru(001), the Ru(001)-p(2 sx 2)-O and the Ru(001)-p(1 × 2)-O surfaces. On the clean surface at 80 K, the initially adsorbed NO2 dissociates to molecularly adsorbed nitric oxide and oxygen adatoms. When the fractional surface coverage of each of these dissociation products reaches approximately 0.2, subsequent chemisorption of NO2 is molecular. The presence of preadsorbed oxygen poisons the surface strongly with respect to dissociative adsorption and less strongly with respect to molecular adsorption of NO2. In all cases the molecular NO2 is chemisorbed weakly with a heat of adsorption of approximately 8–10 kcalmol. The condensed multilayer at 80 K is composed of N2O4 dimers.
An inexpensive inverted microscope system.

An inexpensive and easily constructable inverted microscope system is described in detail. Its multiple experimental usefulness in many branches of biology is mentioned.
Exploring student understanding of parallelism using concept maps

This work explores the conceptual understanding attained by students in the area of parallel computing. Parallelism is continuing to grow as an important topic area in computer engineering and computer science. Even as it increases in popularity, only a limited amount of research has been done to determine how well students construct their knowledge of the field. This work aims to begin exploring the structure of parallel computing as understood by undergraduate computer engineering students. A small group of students was selected to create concept maps that illustrate their understanding. These maps have been used in many different areas of science and engineering. The maps were then analyzed and compared to a reference concept map developed by a group of computer engineering faculty. The results of this analysis revealed that students in this sample demonstrated a limited knowledge of parallelism and concurrency through the organization of their concept maps. The analysis of the concept maps also provides evidence that there is a moderate level of understanding of the challenges to implementing and controlling concurrency. However, the linkages created in the maps reveal students' misinterpretation of the goals of exploiting parallelism.
Minimal congestion trees

Abstract Let G be a graph and let T be a tree with the same vertex set. Let e be an edge of T and A e and B e be the vertex sets of the components of T obtained after removal of e . Let E G ( A e , B e ) be the set of edges of G with one endvertex in A e and one endvertex in B e . Let ec (G:T)≔ max e |E G (A e ,B e )|. The paper is devoted to minimization of ec( G : T ) • Over all trees with the same vertex set as G . • Over all spanning trees of G . These problems can be regarded as “congestion” problems.
Inhibitors of bacterial N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) and demonstration of in vitro antimicrobial activity

The dapE-encoded N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid desuccinylase (DapE) is a critical bacterial enzyme for the construction of the bacterial cell wall. A screen biased toward compounds containing zinc-binding groups (ZBG's) including thiols, carboxylic acids, boronic acids, phosphonates and hydroxamates has delivered a number of micromolar inhibitors of DapE from Haemophilus influenzae, including the low micromolar inhibitor L-captopril (IC(50)=3.3 microM, K(i)=1.8 microM). In vitro antimicrobial activity was demonstrated for L-captopril against Escherichia coli.
Thiothixene in the Treatment of Geriatric Patients with Chronic Organic Brain Syndrome

: Thiothixene was used in a four-week double-blind placebo-controlled study of 42 geriatric patients with chronic organic brain syndrome (psychotic or nonpsychotic). The results, according to several rating measures, showed no significant difference between placebo and thiothixene. Side effects were mild and few. These data support the safety of thiothixene therapy for geriatric patients; however, there is no conclusive evidence of its efficacy in the treatment of chronic organic brain syndrome.
Model-Based Calibration of Band-Limited Impedance Data: Hoover Field

The net-oil thickness at Hoover field, deep water Gulf of Mexico, was successfully estimated from seismic attributes despite the initially scarce well control. Intensive onedimensional seismic modeling supplemented the limited information and captured the anticipated variation in sand thickness, net-to-gross, fluid content, and overlying shale thickness. Attributes extracted from the synthetic bandlimited impedance models proved to give more accurate results than those extracted from the quadrature of the seismic models. The resulting model-based calibration was applied to the real band-limited impedance data. This last step is only possible if the seismic and the synthetic data are very comparable. In this case, controlled amplitude / controlled phase processing, pre-stack time migration, and careful pre-stack reflection flattening provided adequate seismic quality. Ultimately, we predicted the net-oil thickness at the final 11 penetration points with an overall root-mean-square error less than 10 feet.
Low-molecular-weight peptides in bone extracts that stimulate osteoblast mitogenesis.

Summary Although a majority of regulatory peptides elaborated by neuroendocrine cells are small, i.e., less than 50–60 residues, no low-molecular-weight, bone-derived mitogenic peptides have been described. We have size-fractionated extracts of neonatal mouse calvaria, a rapidly forming bone, and assayed for osteoblast proliferation. Mitogenic peptides with estimated sizes of 1,600, 1,050, and 770 daltons were detected. Their protein nature was demonstrated by the reduction in mitogenic activity following protease treatment. Fibroblast mitogenesis was not stimulated by any of the peptides. These data indicate that there are mitogenic peptides in bone smaller than any previously described locally-derived bone cell growth factor.
Improvement in Sensitivity of Allele-specific PCR Facilitates Reliable Noninvasive Prenatal Detection of Cystic Fibrosis

Background: Cell-free fetal DNA circulating in maternal blood has potential as a safer alternative to invasive methods of prenatal testing for paternally inherited genetic alterations, such as cystic fibrosis (CF) mutations. Methods: We used allele-specific PCR to detect mutated CF D1152H DNA in the presence of an excess of the corresponding wild-type sequence. Pfx buffer (Invitrogen) containing replication accessory proteins and Taq polymerase with no proofreading activity was combined with TaqMaster PCR Enhancer (Eppendorf) to suppress nonspecific amplification of the wild-type allele. The procedure was tested on DNA isolated from plasma drawn from 11 pregnant women (gestational age, 11–19.2 weeks), with mutation confirmation by chorionic villus sampling. Results: The method detected 5 copies of the CF D1152H mutant allele in the presence of up to ∼100 000 copies of wild-type allele without interference from the wild-type sequence. The D1152H mutation was correctly identified in one positive sample; the only false-positive result was seen in a mishandled sample. Conclusions: This procedure allows for reliable detection of the paternally inherited D1152H mutation and has potential application for detection of other mutations, which may help reduce the need for invasive testing.
Oxidative damage to RNA: mechanisms, consequences, and diseases

Overproduction of free radicals can damage cellular components resulting in progressive physiological dysfunction, which has been implicated in many human diseases. Oxidative damage to RNA received little attention until the past decade. Recent studies indicate that RNA, such as messenger RNA and ribosomal RNA, is very vulnerable to oxidative damage. RNA oxidation is not a consequence of dying cells but an early event involved in pathogenesis. Oxidative modification to RNA results in disturbance of the translational process and impairment of protein synthesis, which can cause cell deterioration or even cell death. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of oxidative damage to RNA and the possible biological consequences of damaged RNA. Furthermore, we review recent evidence suggesting that oxidative damage to RNA may contribute to progression of many human diseases.
Mice Transgenic for Simian Immunodeficiency Virus nef Are Immunologically Compromised

An intact nef gene is essential for rapid development of immunodeficiency in human immunodeficiency virus and simian immunodeficiency virus infections. To assess the role of <i&g
Effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide on growth of murine bladder cancer, MBT-2.

Intradermal palpable MBT-2 tumor responded with bacterial lipopolysaccharide to hemorrhagic necrosis (LPS) in C3H/HeN (endotoxin sensitive) mice. We have tested LPS fractions isolated from E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella minnesota, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia culture filtrates. All these LPS preparations showed tumor necrotizing activity accompanied by toxicity (body weight loss) in C3H/HeN mice. However, MBT-2 tumors grown in an endotoxin-resistante strain (C3H/HeJ) of mice did not respond to LPS, even at a very high dose. In vitro, the LPS showed no cytotoxic effect on MBT-2 cells. For comparison, systemic administration of tumor necrosis factor (cachexin) did not affect the i.d. tumor growth. These data indicate that host reactions to LPS (endotoxicity) plays a pivotal role in the expression of tumor necrosis. Accordingly, comparisons of tumor response between endotoxin sensitive and resistant mice avoid potential overestimation of the therapeutic value of certain bacterial products and/or LPS contaminated agents.
Estimating Transition Probabilities in Mobility and Total Costs for Medicare Beneficiaries

Abstract Hoffman JM, Ciol MA, Huynh M, Chan L. Estimating transition probabilities in mobility and total costs for Medicare beneficiaries. Objective To examine how persons move back and forth along levels of mobility disability. Design Self-reported mobility limitations were used to create categories of annual transition states. The total cost to Medicare associated with each year was calculated for each participant. In addition, we examined cost relative to transition state, adjusting for demographic and other health status variables. Setting National survey. Participants Participants in the longitudinal Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey from 1992 to 2005. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Annual self-reported mobility limitations and total Medi costs. Results Most participants remained without mobility limitations or improved over time. Reported average costs were 10 times higher for those who transitioned to severe limitations, unable to walk, or death compared with persons who reported no mobility limitation. Estimated costs were highest for those transitioning to increased states of disability and to death. Conclusions Mobility limitations in older adults are dynamic, and improvement (as measured by annual transitions) occurred for a large number of Medicare beneficiaries. High total annual costs were observed in groups that transitioned to worsening mobility states, suggesting a link between mobility limitation transitions and cost. Prevention and treatment of mobility limitation may be an important factor to consider in health care reform.
Inverse source problem and minimum-energy sources

We present a new linear inversion formalism for the scalar inverse source problem in three-dimensional and one-dimensional (1D) spaces, from which a number of previously unknown results on minimum-energy (ME) sources and their fields readily follow. ME sources, of specified support, are shown to obey a homogeneous Helmholtz equation in the interior of that support. As a consequence of that result, the fields produced by ME sources are shown to obey an iterated homogeneous Helmholtz equation. By solving the latter equation, we arrive at a new Green-function representation of the field produced by a ME source. It is also shown that any square-integrable (L2), compactly supported source that possesses a continuous normal derivative on the boundary of its support must possess a nonradiating (NR) component. A procedure based on our results on the inverse source problem and ME sources is described to uniquely decompose an L2 source of specified support and its field into the sum of a radiating and a NR part. The general theory that is developed is illustrated for the special cases of a homogeneous source in 1D space and a spherically symmetric source.
Lessons learned from a PLTL-CS program

The Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) approach has previously been shown to be effective in recruiting and retaining students, particularly under-represented students, in undergraduate introductory CS courses. In PLTL, small groups of students are led by an undergraduate peer and work together to solve problems related to CS. At Columbia University, the Columbia Emerging Scholars Program has used PLTL in an effort to increase enrollment in CS courses beyond the introductory level, and to increase the number of students who select Computer Science as their major, by demonstrating that CS is necessarily a collaborative activity that focuses more on problem solving and algorithmic thinking than on programming. Over the past six semesters, over 80 students have completed the program, and preliminary results indicate that this program has had a positive effect on increasing participation in the major.This paper discusses our experiences of building and expanding the Columbia Emerging Scholars program, and addresses such topics as recruiting, training, scheduling, student behavior, and evaluation. We expect that this paper will provide a valuable set of lessons learned to other educators who seek to launch or grow a PLTL program at their institution as well.
Cell wall-degrading enzymes of Didymella bryoniae in relation to fungal growth and virulence in cantaloupe fruit.

Didymella bryoniae is an important pathogen of cucurbits worldwide. Virulence factors of D. bryoniae were investigated in regard to fungal growth and the production of the cell wall-degrading enzymes, polygalacturonase (PG), pectate lyase (PL), pectin lyase (PNL), β-galactosidase (β-Gal) and cellulase (Cx). Virulence levels of five D. bryoniae isolates were determined by the severity of inoculated cantaloupe fruit decay. The highly virulent isolates had more mycelial growth than the moderately virulent isolates in different media. PG activities produced by the highly virulent isolates in shake cultures and in decayed fruit were greater than those of the moderately virulent isolates. PNL, but not PL, in decayed fruit was higher with the highly virulent isolates compared to the moderately virulent ones. The highly virulent isolates showed higher Cx activity than the moderately virulent ones in decayed fruit and in fruit tissue shake culture. β-Gal activities of the highly virulent isolates in pectin shake culture and in decayed fruit were greater than those of the two moderately virulent isolates although fruit also produced β-Gal. Protein analysis showed two fungal β-Gal isozymes in decayed fruit compared to those of healthy fruit. Correlation analysis indicated that the activities of PG, PNL, β-Gal and Cx in cultures and in decayed fruit positively correlated with fungal growth and fruit decay severity. The results of this study suggest that PG, PNL, β-Gal, and Cx appear to be virulence factors of D. bryoniae in cantaloupe decay with PG and β-Gal as the most predominant fruit decay enzymes.
Calibration of the reflectance of hard targets for a coherent Doppler lidar.

Data on the bihemispherical and directional-hemispherical reflectance were measured on a gold standard, a flowers of sulfur secondary standard, glass bead blasted aluminum, and 120 grade aluminum oxide sandpaper. These reflectances were measured for the P(24) and P(20) 10-micron and R(26), R(20), and P(20) 9-micron CO2 lines. The specular and retroreflection character of scattering from aluminum and sandpaper was evident in the measurements. The results agree reasonably well with previous measurements. Also when the sphere is irradiated with polarized light no difference was noted in the reflectance, which indicates that the integrating sphere is a depolarizer.
Self-Localization on Plan and Oblique Maps

Subjects viewed projected slides of a downtown city area and attempted to find on a map the location at which they would be standing to see each view. Plan and oblique maps were used. As expected, performance using the plan map was significantly better when the map was used in alignment with the view than when it was misaligned. This issue is more complex with the oblique map, because S often has to choose between using the map in alignment with the view and using the map in its upright orientation. Performance was significantly better when the map was used in map-view alignment. However, Ss preferred to use the map in an upright-but-misaligned orientation rather than a non-upright-but-aligned orientation, despite the fact that their performance was much worse in the former case.
Finite Temperature Quantum Field Theory in Minkowski Space

Abstract We formulate finite-temperature quantum field theories in Minkowski space (real time) using Feynman path integrals. We show that at non-zero temperature a new field arises which plays the role of a ghost field and is necessary for unambiguous Feynman rules. Consequently, the finite-temperature Lagrangian is different from the zero-temperature one and a new, discrete Z 2 symmetry arises. We discuss the functional formalism and spontaneous symmetry breakdown at finite temperature and also the possibility of spontaneous breakdown of the (thermal) Z 2 symmetry.
Role of Antioxidants in the Prevention of Cancer

This review study evaluated the literature on the role of oxidative stress in malignant disorders and to search sources of promising antioxidants: pharmaceutical, dietary supplements, or investigational compounds. Oxidative stress plays important role in the pathogenesis of many cancers. Although a chemoprevention approach, which is a relatively new and promising strategy to prevent cancer using natural dietary compounds and synthetic substances, showed promising results in in vitro and animal studies, many showed mixed results after clinical trials. In several clinical trials, selenium, vitamin E, and carotenoids were shown to have no protective role as chemopreventive agents. Although flavonoids and resveratrol supplementation, along with a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables containing antioxidants, were shown to lower the incidence of prostate, breast, renal, and other cancers in in vitro and small trials, further research through larger clinical trials is needed to determine the optimal dosage and formulation that elicit antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. A preliminary literature search of PubMed was performed using the terms antioxidants, oxidative stress, cancer, malignant disorders, and chemoprevention. Bibliographies of all articles retrieved were reviewed.
The Association Between Leukotriene-Modifying Agents and Spontaneously Reported Suicide

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between leukotriene-modifying agents (LTMAs) and completed suicide. Data from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System from 1999 to 2009 were used to identify the number of completed suicides for each LTMA. Data from IMS Health were used to determine the number of prescriptions dispensed by drug in the same time period. The authors calculated the rate of completed suicides per million prescriptions and, using a mixed-effects Poisson regression analysis, determined the empirical Bayes (EB) rate multipliers and 95% confidence intervals for each drug. Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and short-acting beta-agonist (SABAs) were analyzed for comparison purposes. There were 105 completed suicides reported where a LTMA was implicated. Most (n ¼ 101) involved montelukast, and all but 9 occurred in 2008 to 2009, following an FDA warning. Aggregated suicide rates over the 1999-2009 period were 0.51, 0.24, and 4.09 per million prescriptions for montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton. The suicide rate as a class was 0.06 per million prescriptions in the prewarning period and 1.82 per million prescriptions in the postwarning period. Montelukast was associated with a significantly lower rate of suicide when compared to SSRIs and a significantly higher rate when compared to SABAs.
Feasibility and toxicity of dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer.

Introduction The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and toxicity of adjuvant dose-dense chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer. Methods A search of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) breast cancer database was performed to identify all patients age 60 and older who underwent an initial consultation with a breast medical oncologist between October 1, 2002 and June 28, 2005. Inclusion criteria were: (1) age ≥ 60, (2) follow-up care obtained at MSKCC, (3) intent to treat with adjuvant dose-dense AC-T (doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 every 2 weeks for 4 cycles followed by paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 2 weeks for 4 cycles, with white blood cell growth factor support). Results One hundred sixty-two patients (mean age 66, range 60–76) with breast cancer, stages I (n = 5), II (n = 111), and III (n = 46) according to the sixth edition of the AJCC staging system, were included in this analysis. Forty-one percent (n = 67) experienced a grade 3 or 4 toxicity, 9% a grade 3 infection (n = 14), 6% grade 3 fatigue (n = 9), 5% neutropenic fever (n = 8), and 4% thromboembolic events (n = 7). Twenty-two percent (n = 36) did not complete the planned 8 cycles of treatment. There was no statistically significant association between age and either toxicity or treatment discontinuation. In multivariate analysis including age, pretreatment hemoglobin, and comorbidity, the presence of comorbidity (Charlson score ≥ 1) and a lower baseline hemoglobin score were associated with an increased risk of any grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Conclusions We found that the risk of toxicity depended more on comorbid medical conditions and baseline hemoglobin value than age in this cohort of older adults receiving dose-dense adjuvant chemotherapy.
Lasers for tattoo removal: a review.

Tattoos have existed and have been used as an expression of art by man for ages—and so have the techniques to remove them. Lasers based on the principle of selective photothermolysis are now being used to remove black as well as colorful tattoos with varying successes. The commonly used lasers for tattoo removal are the Q-switched 694-nm ruby laser, the Q-switched 755-nm alexandrite laser, the 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser, and the 532-nm Nd:YAG laser. Newer techniques and methods are evolving in tattoo removal with lasers. Choosing the right laser for the right tattoo color is necessary for a successful outcome. Our review aims to understand the principles of laser tattoo removal and their applications for different types and colors of tattoos. The review also highlights the complications that can occur such as dyspigmentation, allergic reactions, epidermal debris, ink darkening, and so on, in this process and how to prevent them.
Managing Danger in the Home Environment, 1900–1940

A growing awareness in the first decades of the twentieth century of the prevalence of home accidents threatened the concept of the home-as-haven and gave rise to the home safety movement. Organizationally, home safety began as part of the National Safety Council, but it never achieved the recognition accorded to industrial nor traffic safety. Increasingly, safety experts as well as society at large designated women as "home safety managers," responsible for creating a risk-free environment. The rise of home economics as a professional science for women encouraged a complementary thrust towards providing the home with the efficiency and managerial values of the factory. The development of accident statistics and the entrance of the insurance industry into the home arena helped set priorities in terms of reducing accidents. The Red Cross and the General Federation of Women's Clubs both launched campaigns against home accidents, based largely on education and admonitions of proper actions, but with only limited results. Throughout these years, women remained the socially designated responsible party, given authority roles in the home that they were often denied in the outside world. Home accident rates, however, remained high, pointing to the limitations of the strategies of the various safety organizations.
Identification of a Preferred Set of Molecular Descriptors for Compound Classification Based on Principal Component Analysis

An algorithm based on principal component analysis was investigated to classify molecules in a database consisting of 455 compounds with activities against seven different biological targets. Diversity profiles of these compound sets were calculated and compared. To effectively classify compounds with similar biological activity, all possible combinations of 17 molecular descriptors were tested by complete factorial analysis, and preferred descriptor combinations were identified. High efficiency was achieved for a combination of a limited set of structural keys and two or three additional 2D descriptors. The performance of the approach was compared to Jarvis−Patrick clustering.