cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of p21ras Gene Products in Fresh Primary and Metastatic Human Tumor Tissue

Activation of cellular genes, termed “proto-oncogenes” has been implicated as significant in the development of many types of neoplasias. However, the role of “activated” oncogene expression as a driving force in tumor progression and the emergence of metastatic cells remains unclear. Aberrant expression (or aberrant gene products) may be required throughout the stages of tumor progression; alternatively, they may be required only at a particular stage. These possibilities can be investigated by examining oncogene expression at various stages of tumors. Perhaps the oncogene family most prevalently linked to tumorigenesis, and therefore the most intensely studied, are members of the c-ras gene family. Recent evidence suggests that normal expression of c-ras genes are involved in regulation of adenylate cyclase (1), and may be critical for initiation of the S-phase of the cell cycle in NIH-3T3 cells (2). In NIH-3T3-transfection assays, transformation results from overexpression of “normal” c-ras genes (3), or by expression of “altered” c-ras genes which encode proteins with only a single amino acid change (4,5). Both types of expression have been observed in human cancers. In human colorectal carcinomas, both point mutation in c-ras genes (6,7) and altered c-ras expression (8) have been observed.
X-ray Surveys and Wide-Field Optical/Near-Infrared Imaging with the Joint Dark Energy Mission

I briefly describe a few important scientific issues that could be addressed effectively via the combination of data from JDEM and X-ray missions. The topics covered are largely focused on active galactic nuclei (AGN) and include (1) the selection of AGN via X-ray emission and optical variability, (2) nuclear outbursts in galaxies due to transient fueling of their supermassive black holes, (3) moderate-luminosity AGN at high redshift (z > 4) found via application of "dropout" techniques to X-ray sources, and (4) the host-galaxy morphologies of X-ray selected AGN. I also describe the substantial challenges to obtaining wide-field X-ray data with sufficient sensitivity to complement JDEM properly.
Mapping Molecular Simulations to Continuum Models for Binary Fluids

In this paper we show recent results on how molecular dynamics simulations can be used to quantitatively map out a mesoscopic continuum model for binary fluids. We map not only the order parameter profile, but also the density and the stress. These are essential details in order to be able to fully describe the dynamics. The boundary conditions for a miscible binary fluid are also described. The molecular dynamics reveals unexpected terms in the boundary conditions, information which cannot be obtained by any other method
Vascular Compression Syndromes

Vascular compression syndromes consist of vascular rings, pulmonary artery slings, and innominate artery compression syndrome. Vascular rings cause the majority of vascular compression syndromes. A double aortic arch and a right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery constitute approximately 85–95% of all thoracic vascular compression syndromes. There are no demographic predispositions to vascular compression syndromes. These anomalies occur equally in both males and females. Complete vascular rings encircle the trachea and esophagus causing compressive symptoms. Younger children tend to present with respiratory symptoms such as noisy breathing, stridor, cyanosis, apnea, respiratory distress, or a brassy cough. Patients might also have a history of reactive airway disease or recurrent pneumonias. It is not uncommon for children with a complete vascular ring to have some feeding difficulty, however formula and breast milk usually pass easily through the compressed esophagus. It is more common for older children to have symptoms of dysphagia and difficulty feeding. Patients with complete rings tend to present earlier and have more severe symptoms.
Lyman-Alpha Comes of Age

The Lyman-alpha (Lyα) line is the strongest recombination line of hydrogen, which constitutes the dominant share of normal matter in the Universe. Fifty-one years ago, it was predicted that Lyα emission should appear prominently in the spectra of young primordial galaxies. For the next 30 years, this prediction was tested by many surveys, but none found the predicted galaxies at the predicted luminosities. The blame for these non-detections was squarely cast on the resonant nature of the Lyα line, which requires Lyα photons to scatter off many hydrogen atoms before escaping from a galaxy. This can hugely increase the path that they traverse, and consequently also the probability that they will be absorbed by dust. This remained the dominant explanation of the missing high-redshift lines for decades, despite some dissenting opinions about the effect of dust. The spectra of nearby galaxies from the International Ultraviolet Explorer are inconclusive about what allows galaxies to be Lyα emitters. The ‘missing’ lines were finally detected 20 years ago, at flux levels much below the original predictions - a difference that we understand to be predominantly due to the hierarchical growth of galaxies, such that star-forming objects at high redshift are much less massive than anticipated in the original prediction. The discovery and study of Lyα galaxies has blossomed into an invaluable method for understanding the youngest stages of galaxy formation, the circumgalactic medium, and ultimately the epoch of reionization. The high equivalent widths of Lyα galaxies from the earliest high-redshift surveys show that they are low-mass galaxies dominated by young stellar populations. The Sakura CLAW workshop (which used the Twitter hashtag #SakuraCLAW) gathered more than 110 participants (Fig. 1) who showcased progress that pushed the frontiers of Lyα galaxy science in sample size, sensitivity, redshifts and physical understanding..
Promoting interprofessionalism within an academic environment

Although clinical laboratory science (CLS) is a vital component of the healthcare system, it is often referred to as the "hidden profession". Patients, as well as many healthcare professionals, are unaware of the specialized training of clinical laboratory scientists. Fortunately, recent interest in interprofessional collaboration has resulted in a number of interprofessional education (IPE) studies. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the incorporation of CLS students in these IPE experiences. The purpose of this study was to incorporate an IPE experience involving CLS and medical students into courses each were involved in, and to obtain student perceptions of the experience. A classroom hematology case-based student learning activity was related to the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competency domains of roles/responsibilities and interprofessional communication. Pre- and post-surveys, which included student self-perception of IPEC competency domains, student assessment of the learning activity, and student reflection were completed by the participants. Significant changes in student perceptions related to all three subcompetencies were noted. Additionally, responses to an open-ended question indicated an increased understanding of another profession9s roles, increased appreciation of another health professional, and increased respect of another profession. These findings indicate that IPE experiences may improve clinicians9 understanding of the "hidden profession".
Out-of-band beamforming in shallow water with horizontal arrays

Out-of-band beamforming methods, frequency-difference and frequency-sum beamforming, are array signal processing methods that allow a user to process signals at either a lower, below-the-signal-band difference frequency, or higher, above-the-signal-band sum frequency. Frequency-difference beamforming has previously been investigated for shallow-ocean propagation with sparse vertical arrays, demonstrating its capability to overcome the negative effects of spatial aliasing [Douglass, Song, and Dowling (2017). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 142, 1663–1673]. In the work presented here, data from the 2012 COAST (Cascadia Open-Access Seismic Transects) experiment is utilized to explore out-of-band methods with horizontal arrays, where variations in environmental characteristics (bathymetry, sound speeds, etc.) may be more pronounced across the array. The abundance of array elements (636 in total) and total array length (7.9 km) in this experiment provide a means for controlling the sparsity and signal coherence within a chosen subarray to determine the capabilities and limitations of out-of-band beamforming. In addition, the bandwidth of the signal of interest is sufficient to compare out-of-band methods to conventional methods where the difference or sum frequencies match the in-band frequency used with conventional beamforming. [Sponsored by ONR.]Out-of-band beamforming methods, frequency-difference and frequency-sum beamforming, are array signal processing methods that allow a user to process signals at either a lower, below-the-signal-band difference frequency, or higher, above-the-signal-band sum frequency. Frequency-difference beamforming has previously been investigated for shallow-ocean propagation with sparse vertical arrays, demonstrating its capability to overcome the negative effects of spatial aliasing [Douglass, Song, and Dowling (2017). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 142, 1663–1673]. In the work presented here, data from the 2012 COAST (Cascadia Open-Access Seismic Transects) experiment is utilized to explore out-of-band methods with horizontal arrays, where variations in environmental characteristics (bathymetry, sound speeds, etc.) may be more pronounced across the array. The abundance of array elements (636 in total) and total array length (7.9 km) in this experiment provide a means for controlling the sparsity and signal coherence within a c...
Metal-organic hybrid metamaterial THz imaging band translators

We investigate the feasibility of negative photoresist as a structural material in metal-organic hybrid THz imaging detectors using SU-8. We will discuss design of metamaterials for MEMS-based terahertz (THz) thermal sensors and design and microfabrication process for building SU8-based MEMS THz focal plane arrays. Metamaterials of this kind, exhibiting absorption properties comparable to those of resonant metamaterials made using traditional thin films, coupled with the applicability of SU-8 as a structural material, offer possibilities for quick, simple microfabrication of focal plane arrays of THz imaging detectors. SU-8 is a low-cost material that can quickly be spun onto a substrate at a wide range of thicknesses and photolithographically patterned into a variety of structures. This removes the need for both PECVD deposition and plasma etching, dramatically increasing the speed and lowering the cost of production of such FPAs. We further investigate feasibility of use of such detectors as band translators rather than traditional bimaterial devices. Translators would be optically probed with an infrared (IR) camera. Individual pixels would absorb THz radiation, heat up and the thermal image would be projected onto an infrared camera, effectively translating the image from THz into IR.
Structure-Activity Relationship and Anticancer Profile of Second-Generation Anti-MRSA Synthetic Retinoids.

We previously reported the antibacterial activity of CD437, a known antitumor compound. It proved to be a potent antimicrobial agent effective against both growing and persister cells of methicilli...
U.S. Surface Transportation Public–Private Partnerships: Objectives and Evidence—Extended Findings:

Public agencies pursue many goals when employing alternative procurement approaches like public–private partnerships (P3s) to develop and renew transportation infrastructure. Evaluators often focus...
414 The prognostic impact of clinical and uterine factors in stage I endometrial cancer with negative lymph-vascular space invasion

Objectives To evaluate the impact of depth of invasion (DOI) and histology on survival of patients with stage I endometrial cancer (EC) with negative lymph-vascular space invasion (LVSI). Methods All patients with stage I EC, negative LVSI and negative peritoneal washings, who underwent surgical staging at our institution between 01/2006–12/2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Appropriate statistical tests were employed. Results We identified 1458 patients: median age 60 years (range, 27–92), median BMI 30 (range, 15–68), diabetes mellitus (DM)- 12%, invasion Conclusions Disease specific survival of patients with stage I endometrial cancer without lymph-vascular invasion is determined by histologic grade, diabetes mellitus and age, but not by depth of invasion.
Computer-mediated Empathy.

While novel social networks and emerging technologies help us transcend the spatial and temporal constraints inherent to in-person communication, the trade-off is a loss of natural expressivity. While empathetic interaction is already challenging in in-person communication, computer-mediated communication makes such empathetically rich communication even more difficult. Are technology and intelligent systems opportunities or threats to more empathic interpersonal communication? Realizing empathy is suggested not only as a way to communicate with others but also to design products for users and facilitate creativity. In this position paper, I suggest a framework to breakdown empathy, introduce each element, and show how computing, technologies, and algorithms can support (or hinder) certain elements of the empathy framework.
Clinical application of Aspergillus lateral flow device in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with classic risk factors for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) remains challenging. We evaluated the performance characteristics of a newly formatted Aspergillus lateral flow test, AspLFD, in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with classic risk factors for IPA. METHODS Prospectively banked BAL samples from 14 patients with proven or probable IPA defined by EORTC/MSG criteria and 28 BAL samples from age-matched high-risk patients without IPA were tested with AspLFD according to manufacturer's directions. Results were read by two independent observers, and test performance was calculated. RESULTS Age, gender and underlying risk factors, except for neutropenia and haematological malignancy, were similar between IPA cases and controls. Seven patients (50%) in the IPA group received a mould-active agent within 5 days prior to bronchoscopy compared with only three patients (11%) in the control group, P = .004. Of 14 patients with proven/probable IPA, AspLFD was positive in 3 and negative in 9; two tests yielded invalid results. All 28 control patients had a negative AspLFD test. AspLFD showed low sensitivity (25%, 95% CI: 5.5% to 57.2%), but high specificity (100%. (95% CI: 87.7% to 100%). CONCLUSIONS A positive AspLFD test in BAL fluid of patients with classic risk factors for IPA could be useful to support the diagnosis of proven/probable IPA because of its high specificity. However, as a stand-alone test for IPA, the use of AspLFD is limited by low sensitivity.
A Reaching Performance Scale for 2 Wolf Motor Function Test Items.

Abstract Objective To adapt the Reaching Performance Scale for Stroke (RPSS) for the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) “Lift Can” (Can) and “Hand to Box” (Box) items. Design Retrospective analysis of video-recorded WMFT assessment performed by 3 raters on 2 occasions. Setting Not applicable. Participants Participants (N=29) with mild to moderate upper extremity impairment less than 3 months after stroke. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Inter- and intra-rater agreement, concurrent validity of WMFT-RPSS. Results Mean ± SD inter-rater Gwet’s agreement coefficient (AC2) was 0.61±0.05 for Can WMFT-RPSS and 0.56 (0.03) for Box. Mean ± SD intra-rater AC2 for Can was 0.63±0.05 and 0.70±0.04 for Box. WMFT-RPSS Can and Box scores correlated with log mean WMFT time (C, -0.73; B, -0.48), Functional Ability Scale (C, 0.87; B, 0.62), Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Motor Score (C, 0.69; B, 0.51), and item movement rate (C, 0.74; B, 0.71) (P Conclusions WMFT-RPSS demonstrated moderate intra-rater and weak-to-moderate inter-rater agreement for individuals with mild-moderate impairment. For construct validity, Can and Box WMFT-RPSS were significantly correlated with 4 standardized measures. Average WMFT-RPSS scores revealed that some participants may have relied on compensatory movements to complete the task, a revelation not discernable from movement rate alone. The WMFT-RPSS is potentially useful as a valid and reliable tool to examine longitudinal changes in movement quality after stroke.
Core Practices for Preservice Teachers in Physical Education Teacher Education

This article contributes to the ongoing discussion on practice-based teacher education in physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. In this article we situate core practices within the ...
Basic Analysis III: Mappings on Infinite Dimensional Spaces

Basic Analysis III: Mappings on Infinite Dimensional Spaces is intended as a first course in abstract linear analysis. This textbook cover metric spaces, normed linear spaces and inner product spaces, along with many other deeper abstract ideas such a completeness, operators and dual spaces. These topics act as an important tool in the development of a mathematically trained scientist. Feature: Can be used as a traditional textbook as well as for self-study Suitable for undergraduates in mathematics and associated disciplines Emphasizes learning how to understand the consequences of assumptions using a variety of tools to provide the proofs of propositions
Drivers and Limiters of Policy Change:Interest Group Competition and Path Dependence in State Charter School Policies

Policies change slowly and incrementally after enactment, if they change at all. Notions of path dependence hold that the influence early decisions and institutional designs hold over policy prevent serious change. Early decision lock-in ways in which benefitting interests interact with institutions regarding the policy. Policies are therefore highly resistant to efforts of interest groups, lawmakers, and even the public to change their trajectories. I test the influence of path dependent inertia versus ongoing efforts of interest groups regarding the shape of charter school policies in the American states from 1996 to 2016. I find that strict notions of path dependence do not manifest in charter policies, and that pressure from competing interest groups starts to emerge a few years after enactment, influence that can slowly start to change the arc of a policy’s development despite the influence of institutions and expectations set at the time of its enactment.
Chapter 1: “Exercise Requires the Greatest Freedom”; Athletic Clothing for American Women, 1880–1920

As women took up athletics between 1880 and 1920, popular periodicals provided guidance to them on how to dress for activities such as bicycling, golf, tennis, and basketball.
A Microwave Biased Submillimeter GaAs Photodetector

Studies were mde of two different GaAs submillimeter detection systems. DC biased and microwave biased GaAs photoconductive detectors were compared and evaluated. The microwave biased detector exhibited a significantly wider bandwidth over that of the DC device.
The Organization of Production in a Competitive Economy

In the present paper we introduce a general equilibrium model of the organization of production and analyze the optimality and existence of an equilibrium.We introduce the production technology of the economy as a collection of production processes and allow each potential producer to choose the production processes to operate. We model organization and transaction costs by means of an organizational technology that determines the production set of a producer as a function of the production processes that the producer chooses to operate. For a competitive economy, we show the equilibrium organization of production is optimal and then prove a general existence theorem for an atomless economy.
Using crowdsourced analog patients to provide feedback on physician communication skills.

Abstract Objective Effective physician-patient communication is important, but physicians who are seeking to improve have few opportunities for practice or receive actionable feedback. The Video-based Communication Assessment (VCA) provides both. Using the VCA, physicians respond to communication dilemmas depicted in brief video vignettes; crowdsourced analog patients rate responses and offer comments. We characterized analog patients’ comments and generated actionable recommendations for improving communication. Methods Physicians and residents completed the VCA; analog patients rated responses and answered:“What would you want the provider to say in this situation?” We used qualitative analysis to identify themes. Results Forty-three participants completed the VCA; 556 analog patients provided 1035 comments. We identified overarching themes (e.g., caring, empathy, respect) and generated actionable recommendations, incorporating analog patient quotes. Conclusion While analog patients’ comments could be provided directly to users, conducting a thematic analysis and developing recommendations for physician-patient communication reduced the burden on users, and allowed for focused feedback. Research is needed into physicians’ reactions to the recommendations and the impact on communication. Practice implications Physicians seeking to improve communication skills may benefit from practice and feedback. The VCA was designed to provide both, incorporating the patient voice on how best to communicate in clinical situations.
The role of platelet-rich plasma therapy in refractory folliculitis decalvans

Folliculitis decalvans (FD) is a rare, chronic primary scarring alopecia that classically presents with perifollicular pustules, scaling, crusting, and tufted hair in the affected areas of the scalp, accompanied by pruritus or pain.1 The cause of FD remains unclear; however, on histopathology, it presents as a predominantly neutrophilic inflammatory process targeting hair follicles, resulting in irreversible damage and permanent hair loss.1 Currently, there is no cure for FD. Most treatment regimens are directed at controlling the scalp-associated microbes with antibiotics and antiseptics, managing the inflammation, and preventing further hair loss with immunomodulators.2 Recent case reports have suggested that autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can be a promising adjunct therapy for the treatment of lymphocytic scarring alopecia.3,4 However, there are no data on the efficacy of PRP in neutrophilic scarring alopecias, such as FD. Here, we present 2 patients with long-standing, refractory FD who experienced stability in hair loss and significant symptomatic improvement in inflammation with concurrent PRP treatments. The severity of scalp inflammation was graded (Table I) by a single dermatologist (NAM) during each clinical visit. Table I Grading scale of disease severity
Predicting Reciprocal Thoracic Change, Proximal Junctional Kyphosis, and Revision Surgery in Adult Spinal Deformity.

Background Compensatory mechanisms in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) that lead to poor quality of life include positive sagittal balance and pelvic retroversion. The objective of this retrospective review was to identify demographic and radiographic parameters of sagittal alignment that are correlated with thoracic kyphosis (TK), PJK, and reoperation in patients undergoing surgical correction for ASD. Methods A single-center database of 155 patients with ASD undergoing surgery from 2008 to 2015 was reviewed. Patients >18 years old who underwent multilevel thoracolumbar fusion or fusion of thoracic vertebrae to the pelvis were included. Demographics and radiographic measurements of sagittal alignment were collected preoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively. Statistical analysis was performed to compare groups that did or did not develop change in thoracic kyphosis or PJK at early or late follow-up. Additionally, patients requiring reoperation were evaluated. Results Increased thoracic kyphosis was associated with older age, hypolordosis, and comorbid PJK. Early PJK was associated with older age, hypolordosis, and increased T1 pelvic angle. Reoperation was associated with older age, higher positive sagittal balance, hypolordosis, and pelvic retroversion; PJK and thoracic kyphosis did not increase risk for reoperation. Conclusions Thoracic reciprocal change following surgical correction of ASD is highly associated with PJK, although neither increased risk of reoperation. PJK may be predicted by older age, hypolordosis, and increased T1 pelvic angle. Reoperation in patients with ASD is more likely in older patients with positive sagittal balance, a compensatory flat lower back, and compensatory pelvic retroversion.
Mechanical properties of human trabecular bone lamellae quantified by nanoindentation

The elastic modulus and hardness of embedded and rewet trabecular bone lamellae of the proximal femur have been quantified in four males and four females by nanoindentation. The average elastic moduli ranged from 6.9 to 15.9 GPa and were found to be significantly different among individuals. Hardness correlated with elastic modulus and followed similar trends.
The power of a personal computer for car information and communications systems

Autonomous car navigation systems have been on the market since the mid-1980s. To date these systems have seen limited market acceptability due to high cost and lack of adequate map data bases and roadway infrastructure to make navigation systems more useful to the consumer. Today, Japan, the US, and Europe all have programs which are beginning to address making our highways more intelligent, specifying the infrastructure necessary for successful implementation. Many geographic areas are now being digitized and stored on CD ROM. Automakers are also now beginning to address the utility of these autonomous systems. One way to increase utility is to take advantage of the power of the personal computer to make a cost-effective car information and communication system which shares the navigation "computer", display and CD player. Some of the functions of the car information and communication system could include: operation and/or display of the automatic temperature control, audio and video entertainment center, trip computer, navigation system, cellular telephone, and car diagnostics. Certain features could be incorporated by taking advantage of the "computer" in the car. These features might include: autodialing, maintenance logs, "yellow pages" directory, paging, route determination and electronic mail. This paper will discuss a conceptual car information and communication system that is based on a highly-integrated, two chip "PC", the Intel386(TM)SL, which could utilize a PC-like Windows(TM) operating system, notebook PC memory cards and CD ROM based maps.
Alternative Assessment and Feedback Techniques in Methods Courses

The limitations of using letter grades to communicate information about a student's progress and level of achievement frustrate instructors from first grade to graduate school. Grades tend to obscure more than they reveal, and what should be described in extensive detail is reduced to a single, abstract symbol. Letter grades are the final product of an oversimplified reporting process that focuses on what the teacher considers acceptable work (Taylor, Harris, and Pearson 1988)
Girls in the Juvenile Justice System: Perspectives on Services and Conditions of Confinement

This report details the results of original survey and interview research on perceptions of Judges, Attorneys and girls in the juvenile justice system on conditions of confinement for girls in detention and post-disposition confinement.
Longitudinal evaluation of the concordance and prognostic value of lymphovascular invasion in transurethral resection and radical cystectomy specimens

THIS IS A COMMENT MODERATED PAPER available at http://www.bjui.org/commentary Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a prognostic marker for biologically aggressive disease in numerous tumour types. Indeed, numerous studies have documented the negative prognostic value of LVI in bladder cancer patients who have undergone radical cystectomy, however few studies have evaluated the prognostic value of LVI at TURBT. The current study examines both the concordance between the presence of LVI at TURBT and radical cystectomy specimens and furthermore examines the survival implications of the presence of LVI at both TURBT and radical cystectomy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the concordance transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) and radical cystectomy (RC) specimens with regard to the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI). Additionally, to evaluate the prognostic value of LVI in the prediction of lymph node metastases, overall survival, disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival following RC. PATIENTS AND METHODS The records of 487 patients who underwent RC at our institution between 1987 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated for the presence or absence of LVI as determined by pathological evaluation. The presence or absence of LVI was then evaluated on previous transrectal resection specimens of this cohort of patients undergoing RC. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis were undertaken to evaluate the contribution of LVI to various outcomes. RESULTS Of 474 patients with complete LVI data, 60 (12.3%) were found to have LVI at TURBT compared to 161 (33.1%) at RC. Although the presence of LVI at TURBT was more significantly associated with the presence of LVI at RC, only 42.9% of patients in whom LVI was documented at TURBT were found to harbour LVI at RC. The risk of nodal disease was higher in those patients with LVI at TURBT than in those with no evidence of LVI at TURBT (48.3% vs 25.0%, P < 0.001). Additionally, LVI at TURBT was associated with an increasing risk of pathological upstaging and the receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy. Survival analysis showed a significant decrement in overall and recurrence-free survival among those with LVI at TURBT compared to those with no evidence of LVI. CONCLUSIONS Lymphovascular invasion at TURBT provides useful prognostic information that should be incorporated into clinical decision-making, particularly with regard to cystectomy for nonmuscle-invasive carcinoma and the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Sensitivity analysis in optimization of time-distributed parameters for a coronary circulation model.

A method has been developed for parameter estimation using sensitivity analysis in a model for transport of substrates and ions between the blood stream and myocardial cells. Experimental data include indicator-dilution curves recorded from the coronary sinus of dogs and rabbits after bolus injections into the aorta. In addition, the intramyocardial density of deposition of radioactive microspheres was used to provide estimates of the heterogeneity of regional flows in the heart. The sensitivity analysis employed a calculation of the domains of dominance (regions of maximal impact defined with respect to the form of the indicator-dilution curves and the time after injection) for each parameter on the basis of their sensitivity functions. Parameter estimation in a new two-barrier convection-diffusion model of coronary circulation has been achieved with great efficiency. Computation time was reduced to several minutes on an Interdata minicomputer as compared with 45 minutes to several hours using conventional optimization techniques such as STEPT (a direct search routine) or Simplex. The new parameter estimation method based on selective sensitivity is recommended for the class of problems which involve parameters with a well expressed distribution over the range of the independent variable.
Contribution of antibody production against neuraminidase to the protection afforded by influenza vaccines

Vaccines are instrumental in controlling the burden of influenza virus infection in humans and animals. Antibodies raised against both major viral surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), can contribute to protective immunity. Vaccine-induced HA antibodies have been characterized extensively, and they generally confer protection by blocking the attachment and fusion of a homologous virus onto host cells. Although not as well characterized, some functions of NA antibodies in influenza vaccine-mediated immunity have been recognized for many years. In this review, we summarize the case for NA antibodies in influenza vaccine-mediated immunity. In the absence of well-matched HA antibodies, NA antibodies can provide varying degrees of protection against disease. NA proteins of seasonal influenza vaccines have been shown in some instances to elicit serum antibodies with cross-reactivity to avian-origin and swine-origin influenza strains, in addition to HA drift variants. NA-mediated immunity has been linked to (i) conserved NA epitopes amongst otherwise antigenically distinct strains, partly attributable to the segmented influenza viral genome; (ii) inhibition of NA enzymatic activity; and (iii) the NA content in vaccine formulations. There is a potential to enhance the effectiveness of existing and future influenza vaccines by focusing greater attention on the antigenic characteristics and potency of the NA protein.
Can You Tell Me How to Get to the Roman Brothel? Public Prominence of Prostitutes in the Roman World

Modern scholarship on the location of sex work in the Roman city has focused almost exclusively on an attempt to label and count brothels, largely within the small city of Pompeii. This is a search concerned, naturally, with definitions and vocabulary: what makes a building a brothel? This hunt for brothels also seeks to locate and segregate Roman prostitutes themselves: both Ray Laurence and Andrew Wallace-Hadrill have suggested “red-light districts” for prostitutes in Pompeii, separating the shameful women from the eyes of respectable matrons and maidens. While Thomas McGinn has recently successfully debunked this theory of “zoning shame” for Pompeii, this article establishes that prostitutes worked in highly public locations in urban areas throughout the Roman Empire. While meretrices certainly did not share the same social status or respect as married women, they formed a ubiquitous part of the urban landscape. This article will examine both literary and archaeological evidence in order to determine in what sort of cultural context urban Roman prostitutes of the first several centuries CE might have worked. Through a set of case studies of possible brothel sites in Pompeii, Ephesus, Ostia, Dougga, and Scythopolis, as well as a review of the surviving literary descriptions, we can further illuminate Roman attitudes towards prostitutes and how they functioned in Roman society. Since brothels are the best archaeological evidence of sex work in areas where graffiti have not survived, this article will primarily concentrate on using brothels as a means of establishing the prominence of prostitutes in the urban environment.
Blood pressure control in eNOS knock-out mice: comparison with other species under NO blockade.

Changes in arterial blood pressure (ABP) lead to changes in vascular shear stress. This mechanical stimulus increases cytosolic Ca 2+ in endothelial cells, which in turn activates the endothelial isoform of the nitric oxide synthase. The subsequently formed NO reaches the adjacent vascular smooth muscle cells, where it reduces vascular resistance in order to maintain ABP at its initial level. Thus, NO may play an important role as a physiological blood pressure buffer. Previous data on the importance of eNOS for blood pressure control are reviewed with special emphasis on the fact that endogenous nitric oxide can buffer blood pressure variability (BPV) in dogs, rats and mice. In previous studies where all isoforms of the nitric oxide synthase were blocked pharmacologically, increases in blood pressure and variability were observed. Thus, we set out to clarify which isoform of the nitric oxide synthase is responsible for this BPV controlling effect. Hence, blood pressure control was studied in knock-out mice lacking specifically the gene for endothelial nitric oxide synthase with their respective wild-type controls. One day after surgery, under resting conditions, blood pressure was increased by 47 mmHg (P < 0.05), heart rate was lower 1-77 beats min -1 P < 0.05), and BPV doubled (P < 0.05). Based on these results, we conclude that chronic blood pressure levels are influenced by eNOS and that there is a blood pressure buffering effect of endogenous nitric oxide which is mediated by the endothelial isoform of the nitric oxide synthase.
The Knowledge Argument and the Implications of Phenomenal Knowledge

This article presents the knowledge argument against physicalism and objections to it. The focus is on the ways responses to that argument have tried to account for phenomenal knowledge within a physicalist picture. Various ‘phenomenal concepts’ strategies are considered, along with recent arguments against them. Also considered are attempts to explain phenomenal knowledge in terms of indexical knowledge and in terms of acquaintance.
A conformational switch controls cell wall‐remodelling enzymes required for bacterial cell division

Remodelling of the peptidoglycan (PG) exoskeleton is intimately tied to the growth and division of bacteria. Enzymes that hydrolyse PG are critical for these processes, but their activities must be tightly regulated to prevent the generation of lethal breaches in the PG matrix. Despite their importance, the mechanisms regulating PG hydrolase activity have remained elusive. Here we investigate the control of cell division hydrolases called amidases (AmiA, AmiB and AmiC) required for Escherichia coli cell division. Poorly regulated amiB mutants were isolated encoding lytic AmiB variants with elevated basal PG hydrolase activities in vitro. The structure of an AmiB orthologue was also solved, revealing that the active site of AmiB is occluded by a conserved alpha helix. Strikingly, most of the amino acid substitutions in the lytic AmiB variants mapped to this domain and are predicted to disrupt its interaction with the active site. Our results therefore support a model in which cell separation is stimulated by the reversible relief of amidase autoinhibition governed by conserved subcomplexes within the cytokinetic ring. Analogous conformational control mechanisms are likely to be part of a general strategy used to control PG hydrolases present within multienzyme PG-remodelling machines.
Brake Systems, an Overview

The brakes of today's vehicles are disk and drum brakes as service brakes with a parking brake corresponding to the design (at least on the rear axle). Thus, these are friction brakes that present special challenges on the design of brake pads and brake disks or drums to decellerate the cars by the necessary friction process. Antilock braking system (ABS) systems are installed to stabilize the vehicle; enable steerability even during severe braking and if possible, reduce the braking distance on slippery roads. In the meantime, these are further improved by electronic stabilization systems (ESP), that attempt to keep the vehicle on the direction specified by the driver's steering wheel angle, reducing throttle and using brake interventions to direct the car. Starting in 2014, ESP will be legally required for new vehicles in the jurisdiction of ECE13 in Europe. Between the operating pedal and the operating brake devices there is usually hydraulic, there is a brake booster powered by vacuum or excess pressure in almost all vehicles. As the majority of drivers do not brake quickly enough nor do they achieve sufficient brake force in emergency situations, brake assistants are installed—either as electronic brake boosters or as an additional function in the electronic stability system (ESP system). Keywords: TBC ; vehicle brakes; leightweight design; brake circuits; park brakes; brake dynamics; brake friction
Public Health Aspects of Ophthalmic Disease: Introduction

Visually disabling diseases are particularly topical as we grapple with new ways to deliver health services, recognize the imperative of functional status and its impact on quality of life, and seek new opportunities for prevention. It is also timely. Rigorous population-based studies in the U.S. and elsewhere are, for the first time, revealing the magnitude, causes, and impact of disabling ocular disease. The impacts of visual impairment and blindness were emphasized by the World Bank's landmark publication, World Development Report 1993: Investing in Health (26). It introduced the Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) as a basis for quantifying the global burden of disease and the relative costeffectiveness of alternative interventions. The most cost-effective is $1 per DALY gained from vitamin A distribution to prevent blindness. In the United States and other developed countries, a considerable proportion of visual impairment can be corrected with appropriate spectacles. Blindness, at either the U S . (20/200 or worse) or WHO (worse than 20/400) definitions, inevitably represents established pathology (23). Prevalence rates of blindness increase with age, particularly among the elderly (9,23), secondary to a small number of chronic degenerative conditions: cataract, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), primary open angle glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (15). Blindness rates among nursing home patients are 15 times as common as among age-matched noninstitutionalized subjects (21). Cataract, an entirely remedial condition, is paradoxically the commonest single cause of blindness around the world, from India, Nepal, and Cairo, to East Baltimore (13). It accounts for roughly half the 40 million blind people in the world. Cataract surgery, almost inevitably combined (in wealthy countries) with implantation of an intraocular lens, is extraordinarily safe and highly effective, providing complete rehabilitation. It led the movement to safe, costeffective outpatient surgery that has dramatically reduced costs per case, com-
A Semi‐Interpenetrating Network Approach for Dimensionally Stabilizing Highly‐Charged Anion Exchange Membranes for Alkaline Fuel Cells

There is a delicate balance between ion exchange capacity (IEC), conductivity, and dimensional stability in anion exchange membranes as higher charge content can lead to increased water uptake, causing excessive swelling and charge dilution. Using highly-charged benzyltrimethylammonium polysulfone (IEC=2.99 mEq g(-1) ) as a benchmark (which ruptured in water even at room temperature), we report the ability to dramatically decrease water uptake using a semi-interpenetrating network wherein we reinforced the linear polyelectrolyte with a crosslinked poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) network. These membranes show enhanced dimensional stability as a result of lower water uptake (75 % vs. 301 % at 25 °C) while maintaining excellent hydroxide conductivity (up to 50 mS cm(-1) at 25 °C). These improvements produced an enhanced alkaline fuel cell capable of generating 236 mW cm(-2) peak power density at 80 °C. This method is easily adaptable and can be a viable strategy for stabilizing existing systems.
Approximate fourth-order perturbation theory of the electron correlation energy

An approximate fourth-order expression for the electron correlation energy in the Moller–Plesset perturbation scheme is proposed. It takes into account all the contributions to the fourthorder energy neglecting only those of the triple-substituted determinants. It is size consistent and correct to fourth order for an assembly of isolated two-electron systems. Illustrative calculations are reported for a series of small molecules.
Magnetic field tuning of the frequency–temperature response of a magnetoelastic sensor

Abstract Earlier work has shown that the resonant frequency of a magnetoelastic sensor shifts linearly in response to temperature [Sens. Actuat. A 84 (2000) 205]. In this work it is shown that over the temperature range examined, 20–60 °C, the temperature–frequency response is dependent upon the magnitude of an applied DC magnetic biasing field, and can be switched from negative, through zero, to positive. Experimental results are compared with a theoretical model that describes the effects of temperature and applied DC magnetic field on both the mechanical and magnetoelastic properties of the sensor material.
Porphyromonas gingivalis induction of mediator and cytokine secretion by human gingival fibroblasts

We hypothesized that bacterial viability and strain characteristics of Porphyromonas gingivalis could affect the induction of pro-inflammatory mediator secretion by human gingival fibroblast cultures. Both killed and viable P. gingivalis elicited production of prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), IL-6 and IL-8, although killed P. gingivalis induced generally higher levels, particularly IL-6 and IL-8, compared with the viable bacteria. P. gingivalis strains, which exhibited wild-type levels of trypsin-like protease activity, stimulated human gingival fibroblasts to secrete increased levels of prostaglandin E2 and IL-1 beta, although minimal levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were noted in supernatants from the gingival fibroblast cells. P. gingivalis strains BEI and NG4B19, which have either decreased or undetectable levels of trypsin-like protease, respectively, induced significantly greater IL-6 and IL-8 levels in gingival fibroblast cultures compared with the other strains. The ability of antibody to P. gingivalis to alter human gingival fibroblast production of pro-inflammatory mediators was tested using nonhuman primate antisera. Both immune and nonimmune sera altered the P. gingivalis-generated pattern of mediators from the gingival fibroblasts. We conclude that: (i) viable and killed P. gingivalis were capable of inducing various pro-inflammatory cytokines from human gingival fibroblasts; (ii) strain differences in cytokine induction were noted, and the expression of a trypsin-like protease activity was related to decreased extracellular levels of IL-6 and IL-8; and (iii) the presence of serum, particularly with specific antibody to P. gingivalis, significantly altered human gingival fibroblast cytokine production compared with P. gingivalis alone.