cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Definitive Tumor Directed Therapy for Metachronous Oligometastatic HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Following Trans-Oral Robotic Surgery.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Recent landmark trials have suggested a survival benefit to definitive tumor directed therapies (DTDT) for selected patients with metastatic disease for various malignancies. We sought 1) to confirm the prognostic significance of metachronous oligometastatic burden for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and 2) to evaluate disease outcomes for oligometastatic HPV-associated OPSCC after upfront DTDT versus upfront systemic therapy. MATERIALS/METHODS This was a single institution retrospective observational cohort study of patients with HPV-associated OPSCC who developed metachronous metastases ≥3 months after primary treatment with trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) from 2008-2017. At metastatic presentation, patients were classified as oligometastatic (≤5 metastases) or polymetastatic (> 5 metastases). Treatment was classified as DTDT (all metastases initially treated with surgery/radiotherapy) or as upfront systemic therapy. Overall survival (OS) was compared using log-rank tests at a significance of P < 0.05. Univariable and multivariable (MV) Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association of patient, disease, and treatment characteristics with survival. Variables with P < 0.15 on univariable analysis (initial metastatic treatment, metastatic site, and number of metastases) were included in the multivariable model. RESULTS Of 676 patients undergoing primary surgical management for HPV-associated OPSCC, 36 patients subsequently developed metachronous metastases. For those 36 patients, the median follow-up time after surgery was 27.5 months (range 4.5-127.0), and the median OS was 42.8 months. The median age at distant metastasis was 62 (range 32-86), and most patients were male (86.1%) and Caucasian (97.2%). Overall, 27 patients presented with oligometastasis and 9 with polymetastasis. Oligometastatic patients had improved median OS compared to polymetastatic patients (47.9 vs. 22.7 months, P = 0.020). For the 27 oligometastatic patients, 12 were initially treated with DTDT while 15 received systemic therapy. DTDT was associated with an improved median OS when compared to systemic therapy (median OS not reached for DTDT vs 40.7 months, P = 0.021), with 3 year OS of 90.0% and 55.0% respectively. DTDT was also associated with improved OS on MV Cox regression (hazard ratio = 0.06, 95% CI 0.004-0.73, P = 0.027) compared to systemic therapy when controlling for number of metastases and metastatic site. CONCLUSION Our study findings suggest that the extent of metastatic disease at metastatic presentation is related to prognosis, with oligometastasis associated with improved overall survival compared to polymetastasis. Among patients with oligometastatic disease, initial DTDT is associated with superior overall survival when compared to upfront systemic therapy.
A SCALAR METRIC FOR ASSESSING THE PRODUCIBILITY OF A HULL FORM IN EARLY DESIGN

A scalar hull surface producibility cost metric is introduced as an area weighted sum of the relative cost of producing classes of hull surface plates. The classes include flat plate, within some small tolerance; plating with curvature of various magnitude in a single direction; plating with double curvature of various magnitudes; and plating with reverse double curvature of various magnitudes. The classification could also be extended to include the orientation of the primary stiffeners and include the cost of producing the stiffened hull surface panels. The normal curvatures of the hull surface are made available at a discrete mesh by current hull surface design software, such as FastShip or Maxsurf. The producibility metric uses this data with the manufacturing-based curved plating classification and relative production cost information from either expert opinion or shipyard specific cost data to produce a scalar metric which can be used by the hull designer to compare alternative hull designs. Due to the natural imprecision of the relevant cost data and the variability among manufacturing in different shipyards, a fuzzy logic approach is used to classify and estimate the relative cost of forming the plating of each element of the surface of the hull. The metric is implemented and tested in the C and PERL languages and will be implemented within the FastShip hull development system using a PERL macro.
Environmental effects on tetrahymena membranes: Temperature-induced changes in membrane fatty acid unsaturation are independent of the molecular oxygen concentration

Abstract The study was designed to show whether the increase in unsaturated fatty acids in Tetrahymena pyriformis membrane phospholipids with decreasing growth temperature is due to the sharp rise in the concentration of dissolved O2 found at lower temperatures. Increasing cell density in cultures growing at a constant temperature was found to have a more drastic effect upon the O2 level than shifting a culture from one temperature extreme to the other. However, the pattern of phospholipid fatty acid unsaturation did not vary over a 30-fold gradual decrease in O2 concentration measured in cultures during logarithmic growth at 39.5°C, and unsaturation in 15°C cells sampled over a 5-fold decrease in O2 concentration was also unchanged. Cells grown at 39.5°C under a constant relatively high O2 concentration (5–6 mg O2/l) or low O2 concentration (0.3 mg O2/l) had nearly identical distributions of membrane fatty acids. Only under almost completely anaerobic conditions was it possible to measure via radioactive labeling experiments an inhibition of fatty acid desaturation. Thus the increased membrane fatty acid unsaturation induced by decreasing growth temperature is caused by some factor other than the rising levels of dissolved O2.
4.2 pW timer for heavily duty-cycled systems

An ultra-low energy wake-up timer suitable for heavily duty-cycled systems is presented. A prototype implemented in 0.18μm CMOS consumes 4.2pW of power for 18Hz of oscillation (0.23pJ/cycle). A dynamic 3-stage architecture, duty-cycled current-source, and low operating voltage (0.6V) enabled by a voltage boost circuit all contribute to the improved efficiency.
Intelligent Control: An Overview of Techniques

In many established fields, the label ?>intelligent ?> heralds new developments that take issue with some traditional assumptions in research. In the case of intelligent control, an explicit attempt is made to draw inspiration from nature, biology, and artificial intelligence, and a methodology is promoted that is more accepting of heuristics and approximations???-???and is less insistent on theoretical rigor and completeness???-???than is the case with most research in control science. Beyond such general and abstract features, succinct characterizations of intelligent control are difficult. Extensional treatments are an easier matter. Fuzzy logic, neural networks, genetic algorithms, and expert systems constitute the main areas of the field, with applications to nonlinear identification, nonlinear control design, controller tuning, system optimization, and encapsulation of human operator expertise. Intelligent control is thus no narrow specialization; it furnishes a diverse body of techniques that potentially addresses most of the technical challenges in control systems. It is also important to emphasize that intelligent control is by no means methodologically opposed to theory and analysis. Chapter 6 of this book, for example, discusses some theoretical results for neural networks and fuzzy models as nonlinear approximators Introductory tutorials to the key topics in intelligent control are provided in this chapter. No prior background in these topics is assumed. Examples from ship maneuvering, robotics, and automotive diagnostics help motivate the discussion. (Other chapters in this volume, notably Chapter 16, also outline applications of intelligent control.) General observations on autonomy and adaptation???-???two characteristics that are often considered essential to any definition of intelligence???-???are also included.
Portal vein encasement predicts neoadjuvant therapy response in liver transplantation for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma protocol

Summary Background Survival and recurrence of cancer after liver transplant (LT) for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy are strongly correlated with the presence of residual CCA in the liver explant. Aim To determine factors predicting response to neoadjuvant therapy using the presence of residual CCA on explant as a surrogate marker. Methods Characteristics of 109 patients having undergone LT for cholangiocarcinoma were abstracted, with attention to parameters hypothesized to influence radiation therapy efficacy. Results In the multivariable model, the presence of portal vein encasement (OR 11.8; 95% CI: 2.43–57.21; P = 0.002) and MELD score (OR 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.26; P = 0.017) were predictive of residual macroscopic disease (c-statistics 0.78). Oral capecitabine in addition to standard 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy (OR 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.71; P = 0.006) was independently protective against residual cancer, independent of MELD score. Conclusions Portal vein encasement was strongly predictive of residual macroscopic disease. Radial tumor diameter did not have greater predictive value than longitudinal diameter, confirming the appropriateness of current protocol selection criteria. No particular tumor morphology predicted better response. Maintenance oral capecitabine following 5-fluorouracil infusion was independently protective against residual disease. Portal vein encasement as a negative prognostic finding should be taken into account to optimize patient selection and management.
Enlightened Localism in Contemporary China: Political Change in Property-Rights Institutions of Township and Village Enterprises

I examine the dynamic and interactive relationships between local governments and local economic elites as they attempted to privatize China’s township and village enterprises (TVEs) in the late 1990s. To pursue financial interests shared with the local economic elite, local governments informally privatized public TVEs and thereby compromised their role as political agents of the central government. This institutional change in property rights demonstrates a Chinese pattern of “enlightened localism” (Gregg 2003) by which the local political and economic actors develop a pragmatic way of coping with ambiguous legal issues. The deployment of enlightened localism in the TVE sector shows that China’s policies of economic decentralization unintentionally have led to a decentralization of political control.
A Numerical Analysis of American Options with Regime Switching

A finite element method and a simple lattice method are proposed for numerical valuation of American options under a regime switching model. Their stability estimates are established. Numerical results are presented to compare our methods and to examine their accuracy for various combinations of parameters. The dependency of early exercise prices and option prices on parameters are also investigated numerically.
Tachysystole in term labor: incidence, risk factors, outcomes, and effect on fetal heart tracings

Objective Recent recommendations called for obstetricians to abandon the terms of "hyperstimulation" and "hypercontractility" in favor of the more rigidly defined term, "tachysystole" (TS). The aim of the current study is to describe incidence of and risk factors for TS, describe fetal heart rate (FHR) changes associated with TS, and investigate maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with TS. Study Design For this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed and analyzed the intrapartum FHR and tocometric characteristics of all patients with a singleton, nonanomalous fetus in term labor in a single hospital system over a 28-month period. Univariate association testing was done using χ 2 and t tests, comparing demographics, pregnancy characteristics, outcomes, and TS events. Multivariable association testing between risk factors and TS events were tested using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for multiple pregnancies during the study period for the same woman. Results There were a total of 50,335 deliveries from 48,529 women during the 28-month period. Of these, there were a total of 7567 TS events in 5363 deliveries among 5332 women. Use of oxytocin or misoprostol, an epidural, hypertension, and induction of labor were associated with an increased risk of TS. We found a doubling of TS events with any oxytocin, a dose-response correlation between oxytocin and TS, FHR changes occurring in a quarter of TS events and, finally, that presence of TS increases the chance of composite neonatal morbidity. Conclusion TS is associated with specific risk factors and impacts FHR and neonatal morbidity.
Teaching research ethics: Can web-based instruction satisfy appropriate pedagogical objectives?

Ethical tasks faced by researchers in science and engineering as they engage in research include recognition of moral problems in their practice, finding solutions to those moral problems, judging moral actions and engaging in preventive ethics. Given these issues, appropriate pedagogical objectives for research ethics education include (1) teaching researchers to recognize moral issues in their research, (2) teaching researchers to solve practical moral problems in their research from the perspective of the moral agent, (3) teaching researchers how to make moral judgments about actions, and (4) learning to engage in preventive ethics. If web-based research ethics education is intended to be adequate and sufficient for research ethics education, then it must meet those objectives. However there are reasons to be skeptical that it can.
An overview of rheology in the computer industry

The rheological characterization of a wide variety of materials used in computer hardware is described. The materials and applications presented include liquid crystal polymers for components, solder paste for surface mounting of integrated circuits, screen printable polyimide for dielectric patterns, new photosensitive polyimide to reduce processing steps, hot-melt adhesive for temporary bonding, pressure-sensitive adhesive for permanent bonding of optical recording disks, bearing grease for magnetic recording disk drive spindles, fluoropolymer lubricants for magnetic recording disks, magnetic particle suspensions for magnetic tape and disks, toner for laser printing, thermoplastic polymer for rapid prototyping, and cathode paste for rechargeable lithium batteries. Rheological tests appropriate for each of the materials were designed to provide key information about its performance in the intended application. This overview provides insight into the relation between interpretation of rheological test data and materials performance in engineering applications as well as for process control. Rheology is essential to the development of computer hardware and peripheral devices.
Dualism Revisited: Body vs. Mind vs. Soul

A large, diverse sample of adults was interviewed about their conception of the ontological and functional properties of the mind as compared to the soul. The existence of the mind was generally tied to the human lifecycle of conception, birth, growth and death, and was primarily associated with cognitive as opposed to spiritual functions. In contrast, the existence of the soul was less systematically tied to the lifecycle and frequently associated with spiritual as opposed to cognitive functions. Participants were also asked about three ethical issues: stem cell research, life support for patients in a persistent vegetative state and cloning. As expected, participants' beliefs about the ontology and function of the soul were linked to their judgments about these ethical issues whereas their beliefs about the mind were unrelated. Overall, the findings show that many adults do not espouse a simple body-mind dualism, and any tendency toward such dualism is unlikely to explain their beliefs in an afterlife. Instead, afterlife beliefs appear to be associated with the idea of an immaterial essence, potentially dissociable from the biology of life and death.
Characteristics of speech production after tracheoesophageal puncture: voice onset time and vowel duration

Voice onset time (VOT) and vowel duration characteristics of speakers following the Singer-Blom technique of tracheoesophageal puncture (1980) were compared to those of traditional esophageal and l...
Cell–matrix adhesion

The complex interactions of cells with extracellular matrix (ECM) play crucial roles in mediating and regulating many processes, including cell adhesion, migration, and signaling during morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. Many of these interactions involve transmembrane integrin receptors. Integrins cluster in specific cell-matrix adhesions to provide dynamic links between extracellular and intracellular environments by bi-directional signaling and by organizing the ECM and intracellular cytoskeletal and signaling molecules. This mini review discusses these interconnections, including the roles of matrix properties such as composition, three-dimensionality, and porosity, the bi-directional functions of cellular contractility and matrix rigidity, and cell signaling. The review concludes by speculating on the application of this knowledge of cell-matrix interactions in the formation of cell adhesions, assembly of matrix, migration, and tumorigenesis to potential future therapeutic approaches.
An introduction to endocrine modulators.

Keywords. Endocrine modulation; target sites; endocrine modulating effects; humans; reproduction; marine invertebrates; wildlife
Sister chromatid separation in vivo and in vitro

Abstract The proteins that are involved in the mechanics of sister chromatid separation and that regulate this process are (as yet) largely unknown. Topoisomerase II activity is known to be essential for sister chromatid separation, probably to decatenate sister chromatids that have remained linked until the metaphase/anaphase transition, but other unidentified proteins are also required. An in vitro sister chromatid separation assay has been developed recently that complements the previously existing techniques used to study the process. This assay has led to some new insights into sister chromatid separation, showing, for example, that the process is regulated by ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of protein(s) that are not known mitotic cyclins.
Cytotoxicity of impression materials

The purpose of this study was to assess the potential cytotoxicity of impression materials. The impression material brands tested included Impregum, Reprosil, Surgident, Permlastic, Jeltrate Regular and Jeltrate Fast Set. These impression materials and their components were tested for their possible cytotoxic effects by three different methods. The results showed that all impression materials were cytotoxic to some degree by all three assay methods and some of the components were also cytotoxic. These results support the literature showing in vivo adverse effects of certain impression materials and/or their components in patients and practitioners.
Elevated blood pyruvate levels and decreased retention of thiamin in rats mildly depleted of vitamin B12

Abstract Nine-moth-old rats that were mildly depleted of vitamin B 12 and their controls were subjected to 26 days of thiamin deficiency. All rats had been equilibrated with the control level of thiamin (500 μg/ 100 g diet) for the previous 8 months. The four subgroups (11 rats/ subgroup) included: controls (CC), vitamin B 12 -depleted (BD), thiamin deficient (TD) and vitamin B 12 depleted rats made thiamin deficient (BD+TD). At the initiation of the thiamin deficiency period, BD-rats were excreting 3 times more methylmalonic acid than their controls. This was indicative of a significant, although mild, depletion of vitamin B 12 . The mild depletion of vitamin B 12 (BD) led to a 49% increased loss of thiamin in urine, whereas 26 days of thiamin deficiency (TD and BD+TD) was accompanied by decreased losses of thiamin in urine. Urinary losses of thiamin were equivalent to 24% of ingested thiamin for controls (CC), but these losses of thiamin were doubled (46%) in rats depleted of vitamin B 12 (BD). Because of their reduced intakes of food, BD-rats received only 78% as much thiamin as the controls (CC), and they retained a similar relative amount (69%) of thiamin in their liver. Thiamin deficient rats (TD) retained only 7% as much thiamin in their liver. The least amount of thiamin was retained in liver when rats had a thiamin deficiency combined with the mild depletion of vitamin B 12 (BD+TD). The mild depletion of vitamin B 12 (BD) and thiamin deficiency (TD) promoted equivalent increases in blood pyruvate. Rats mildly depleted of vitamin B 12 have an inhibited ability to retain absorbed thiamin, and the resulting depletion of thiamin leads to major increases in blood pyruvate.
Neon Matrix Infrared Spectrum of WH6: A Distorted Trigonal Prism Structure

Reactions of laser-ablated W atoms and H2 molecules during condensation in excess neon give the WH, WH2, WH3, WH4, and WH6 hydride products. WH6 absorptions increase on annealing to allow diffusion and further reaction of H2 and decrease on photolysis such that six infrared bands can be grouped and assigned to WH6. Excellent agreement between four observed neon matrix and four DFT calculated W−H stretching modes (two a1 and two e) and bending and deformation modes (a1 and e) confirms the present neon matrix preparation of WH6 and the previous theoretical predictions of a distorted trigonal prism structure which is far from octahedral.
Minimization of Catalase Interference in Glucose Determinations with Immobilized Glucose Oxidase

Abstract Catalase, co-immobilized with glucose oxidase in an open, nylon tube, can decompose hydrogen peroxide and reduce the sensitivity of continuous flow glucose determinatinos. Millimolar concentrations of sodium azide display mixed-type noncompetitive inhibition of catalase. Because of this, the assay sensitivity can be improved by a factor of four or more by adding azide. Azide does not affect the Trinder/peroxidase color-forming reaction, but does inhibit glucose oxidase noncompetitively with an inhibition constant of 18 mM. Significant amounts of catalase are indicated by a nonlinear relationship between instrumental response and reactor length. Upon addition of 1 mM azide to the reaction manifold, the response becomes directly proportional to the reactor length (0-50 cm).
A Season for Birth

In this column, the editor of the Journal of Perinatal Education reflects on changing seasons and how birth remains a constant wonder. The editor also describes the contents of this issue, which offer a broad range of resources, research, and inspiration for childbirth educators in their efforts to promote normal birth.
Effect of ZrO2 inclusions on fracture properties of MgCr204

The effects of unstabilized ZrO2 inclusions on the strength, fracture surface energy and thermal-shock resistance of MgCr2O4 have been evaluated. The fracture surface energy for MgCr2O4-ZrO2 composites was observed to depend on the agglomerate particle size distribution, and volume fraction of the ZrO2 inclusions. Large, nonuniformly distributed ZrO2 inclusions tended to produce a relatively small increase in the fracture surface energy of MgCr2O4. The fracture surface energy increased with increasing ZrO2 content to a maximum value of 24.5J m−2 at 16.5 vol % ZrO2, and decreased as the ZrO2 content increased further. It is proposed that this four-fold increase in fracture surface energy results from the absorption of energy due to microcrack formation in the MgCr2O4 matrix, which results primarily from the tensile stresses due to the tetragonal → monoclinic phase transformation of ZrO2 and the associated volume expansion. The improvement in mechanical properties, specifically the four-fold increase in fracture surface energy, resulted in a substantial increase in thermal-shock resistance of MgCr2O4-ZrO2 composites as indicated by the results of thermal-shock experiments.
Effects of iron-oxygen precursor phase on carbon-carbon bond scission in naphthylbibenzylmethane : Iron-based catalysts for coal liquefaction

Eleven iron-oxygen compounds prepared using standard laboratory syntheses were tested as precursors for carbon-carbon bond scission catalysts with the coal model compound naphthyl-bibenzylmethane in the presence of elemental sulfur and a hydrogen-donating solvent. The structure of the iron-oxygen catalyst precursor was found to be the most significant factor determining the reactivity of the catalyst produced. The reactivity of the iron-oxygen compounds showed little apparent correlation with surface area, iron content, or water content. The iron-containing single-phase materials with the best catalytic activity at 400 °C were determined to be ferric oxyhydroxysulfate (Fe 8 O 8 (OH) 8 SO 4 ), six-line ferrihydrite, goethite (α-FeOOH), and akaganeite (β-FeOOH)
Development of B-eNSP (Baptist Electronic Nutritional Screening Program) Using Integrated Medical Information System and Clinical Efficiency

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a baptist electronic Nutritional Screening Program (B-eNSP) that could be easily used to identify patients with nutrition at risk or malnutrition on their admission to hospital using an integrated medical information system and to evaluate validity, reliability and efficiency of B-eNSP. Methods: From June 1 2009 to June 21 2009, we enrolled 496 patients for prospective research. We analyzed age, sex, weight, height, weight loss in the last 3 months, serum albumin, alteration of dietary intake, gastrointestinal symptom, functional capacity, diagnosis and its relationship to nutritional requirements, physical examination and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). B-eNSP included body mass index (BMI), weight loss in the last 3 months, serum albumin. Each component was scored. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated to evaluate the validity of the B-eNSP. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn by using B-eNSP to choose a cut-off value that maximizes sensitivity and specificity and Yoden Index. Comparison with SGA and the reliability of the B-eNSP was done using kappa statistics. Results: The maximum Yoden Index was 0.866 and the cut-off value of the ROC curve was 2. A B-eNSP score higher than 2 was defined as nutrition at risk or malnutrition. Reliability of the B-eNSP was in accordance with SGA by kappa 0.845. Conclusion: The B-eNSP can be used efficiently to identify patients with nutrition at risk or malnutrition by simply using an integrated medical information system. (J Korean Surg Soc 2010;79:S1-6)
Advanced i-line resist performance with and without phase-shift masks

We propose in this paper a new imaging technology for the 64M DRAM, named "CQUEST” (Canon QUadrupole Effect for Stepper Technology). CQUEST is derived from the mathematical analysis of the partial coherence theory1. It can provide almost the same effects with conventional masks as those that result using phase shift masks. Therefore, it is a promising candidate for next generation lithography. Simulation and some experimental results will be shown to substantiate the above. As shown in the results, the 64M DRAM process can be achieved with the existing i-line technology.
Cyclic bone remodeling in deer

Biopsy samples of rib, metacarpus, metatarsus and tibia were obtained from deer at five intervals during the annual antler growth cycle. Tissues were examined by either histometric methods or by densitometric measurements followed by mineral analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Little remodelling occurred in bones during the period of antler quiescence, but during the peak of antler growth in June, internal bone remodelling reached a peak. The highest resorption of 22.99% occurred in ribs with lower levels of 13.10% for metacarpus and 10.37% for metatarsus. At the cessation of antler growth in the fall, remodelling again decreased to the low level found preceeding antler growth. In ribs lowest values of ash weight per unit volume occurred during the middle of antler growth but no cyclic variations were found for these values in metacarpus, metatarsus and tibia. Percentage of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in bone ash did not vary during the antler growth cycle indicating no change in bone composition during periods of high remodelling.
Evaluation of a live, attenuated respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in infants.

Respiratory syncytial virus ts-1 is a live attenuated experimental vaccine which was administered intranasally to 25 infants 11 to 19 months of age. Clinical evaluation was carried out following a controlled, double-blind protocol which eliminated observer bias, assessed intercurrent illness, and was designed to detect virus transmission. At the low dose of virus used (100 TCID 50 ) 8 of the 25 recipients were successfully infected with RS virus ts-1 as determined by virus shedding or antibody response. transmission of vaccine virus to the nine control subjects given placebos did not occur. The incidence of illness seen in the vaccinees during the trials was comparable to that of the control subjects. The vaccinated children have been followed through subsequent natural RS virus epidemics. Reinfection has occurred in both vaccinees and control subjects; however, there is no evidence for potentiation of natural illness by the live attenuated RS virus vaccine. The format used in these trials represents one successful prototype for the evaluation of experimental vaccines in children.
Interaction of actinomycin D, ethidium quinacrine daunorubicin, and tetralysine with DNA: 31P NMR chemical shift and relaxation investigation

Abstract The binding of actinomycin D, ethidium, quinacrine, daunorubicin, and tetralysine to DNA has been investigated using 31P NMR. Titration of DNA with actinomycin yields a new downfield peak or overlapping peaks as would be expected from the slow dissociation kinetics of this compound. The other intercalators shift the DNA 31P signal downfield as a single exchange averaged peak. Tetralysine causes a slight upfield shift. The chemical shift titration curves for the intercalators are sigmoid curves suggesting that cooperative processes or competing effects on the chemical shift are being observed. The magnitude of the chemical shift change at saturation of DNA with the compounds is found to vary significantly and to be linearly related to the DNA base pair unwinding angle for the compounds. Analysis of 31P spin lattice relaxation times (T1) and linewidths as a function of temperature (below Tm) and titration with the above compounds indicates that T1 does not change significantly while linewidth increases with decreasing temperature and increasing bound intercalator. One interpretation of these results is that in both cases the overall motion of DNA becomes slower while the internal motion is not greatly affected.
The use of restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) in the treatment of essential hypertension: Two case studies

The previous paper (Suedfeld et al., 1982, pp. 553–559) reported the use of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) in treating hypertension. This paper reports the response of two patients to 24 hr of a similar treatment offered as an adjunct to a weight-control program. In both patients blood pressure dropped immediately following the REST session and remained lower for up to 9 months. The initial drop in blood pressure was independent of weight loss. These results are interpreted in terms of a psychobiological model of self-regulation.
A comparison of fibronectin, laminin, and galactosyltransferase adhesion mechanisms during embryonic cardiac mesenchymal cell migration in vitro

Embryonic hearts contain a homogeneous population of mesenchymal cells which migrate through an extensive extracellular matrix (ECM) to become the earliest progenitors of the cardiac valves. Since these cells normally migrate through an ECM containing several adhesion substrates, this study was undertaken to examine and compare three ECM binding mechanisms for mesenchymal cell migration in an in vitro model. Receptor mechanisms for the ECM glycoproteins fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LM) and the cell surface receptor galactosyltransferase (GalTase), which binds an uncharacterized ECM substrate, were compared. Primary cardiac explants from stage 17 chick embryos were cultured on three-dimensional collagen gels. Mesenchymal cell outgrowth was recorded every 24 hr and is reported as a percentage of control. Migration was perturbed using specific inhibitors for each of the three receptor mechanisms. These included the hexapeptide GRGDSP (300-1000 micrograms/ml), which mimics a cell binding domain of FN, the pentapeptide YIGSR (300-1000 micrograms/ml), which mimics a binding domain of LM, and alpha-lactalbumin (1-10 mg/ml), a protein modifier of GalTase activity. The functional role of these adhesion mechanisms was further tested using antibodies to avian integrin (JG22) and avian GalTase. While the FN-related peptide had no significant effect on cell migration it did produce a rounded cellular morphology. The LN-related peptide inhibited mesenchymal migration 70% and alpha-lactalbumin inhibited cell migration 50%. Antibodies against integrin and GalTase inhibited mesenchymal cell migration by 80 and 50%, respectively. The substrate for GalTase was demonstrated to be a single high molecular weight substrate which was not LM or FN. Control peptides, proteins and antibodies demonstrated the specificity of these effects. These data demonstrate that multiple adhesion mechanisms, including cell surface GalTase, are potentially functional during cardiac mesenchymal cell migration. The sensitivity of cell migration to the various inhibitors suggests that occupancy of specific ECM receptors can modulate the activity of other, unrelated, ECM adhesion mechanisms utilized by these cells.
Dynamic screening effects in x-ray absorption spectra

Calculations of x-ray absorption for soft x rays are often dependent on screening of the x-ray field and the photoelectron--core-hole interaction. Though screening is usually calculated with static screening models, we find that L-shell x-ray absorption in $3d$ transition metals is sensitive to dynamic screening effects. This screened interaction is calculated here using a generalization of the time-dependent local-density approximation, based in part on the Bethe-Salpeter equation. For computational efficiency, our approach uses a local screening approximation based on a projection onto a local atomic basis. The approach yields efficient calculations of the spectra in terms of screened transition matrix elements, and can be implemented straightforwardly within a real-space Green's-function approach. Calculations for rare-gas solids demonstrate the effectiveness of this local model, and also give reasonable agreement with the observed fine structure. Calculations based on a dynamic-screening model account for the observed deviations of the ${L}_{3}{/L}_{2}$ intensity branching ratio from the 2:1 value of independent-electron theory.
Feed Protein Fractions: Relationship to Nitrogen Solubility and Degradability

Abstract The classical protein fractions (albumins, globulins, prolamines, glutelins), and N soluble in 10% Burroughs mineral mixture were measured in 43 feeds. Solvents used for classical protein fractionation were: water (distilled deionized), dilute salt (.5% NaCl), aqueous alcohol (80% ethanol), and dilute alkali (.2% NaOH). Correlations between the fractions of protein extracted by each solvent and N soluble in Burroughs mixture were: water, .58; dilute salt, .50; aqueous ethanol, –.11 dilute alkali, .17. The combined fractions of protein extracted by water and dilute salt was highly correlated (.82) with N solubility. Selected feeds were evaluated using in vitro and in situ polyester bag systems. Nitrogen disappearance from bags in vitro at 15min and 12h was correlated with N solubility (.66 and .54, respectively).
Reciprocal changes in hypothalamic receptor binding and circulating leptin in anorectic tumor-bearing rats

Although reduced biological activity of the obese gene product, leptin, has been associated with obesity, little information is available concerning leptin alterations during anorexia. Therefore, we measured circulating leptin concentrations and hypothalamic leptin binding in anorectic tumor-bearing and pair-fed control rats. Plasma concentrations of leptin decreased in tumor-bearing rats early in the course of tumor growth, and fell to nearly non-detectable levels during severe anorexia. The pair-fed control rats that ate the same amount of food as did the anorectic tumor-bearing rats exhibited a 50% decrease in plasma leptin concentration. Concentrations of free fatty acids were elevated in both tumor-bearing and pair-fed groups, while circulating levels of triglycerides were increased only in anorectic tumor-bearing rats. Leptin receptor density was doubled in the hypothalamus of tumor bearing rats, while binding affinity was decreased by 50%. These results suggest that peripheral leptin production is down-regulated, perhaps due to increased lipolysis in tumor-bearing rats. It appears that hypothalamic leptin systems up-regulate receptor numbers in response to decreased blood leptin level, however, the decrease in binding affinity may compensate for these alterations. Therefore, the influence of leptin on hypothalamic neuropeptide Y feeding systems may be minimal in anorectic tumor-bearing rats.
Atypia in cervical cytology as a risk factor for intraepithelial neoplasia

Abstract All Papanicolaou smears obtained during the years 1977 to 1982 were reported by a descriptive cytologic interpretation instead of a numerical report. All smears showing “atypia” were reviewed and found to fall into one of three categories: inflammatory atypia, squamous atypia, and endocervical atypia. Patients with the latter two categories and those with persistent inflammatory atypia after specific therapy underwent colposcopy and directed biopsies if indicated. Colposcopically directed biopsies revealed that 29% of patients with atypical Papanicolaou smears had underlying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of underlying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia among patients in each of the three categories of atypia. Of those with intraepithelial neoplasia, 35% had lesions of greater severity than grade 1 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. We conclude that all patients with squamous, endocervical, and persistent inflammatory atypia on Papanicolaou smear should undergo colposcopic evaluation to rule out intraepithelial neoplasia.
A comparison between the evaporation characteristics of a crucible and a ring source

Abstract The properties of evaporated films largely depend on the uniformity of the evaporation parameters achieved during their deposition. Several types of evaporation sources have been investigated. In this paper, data on the crucible and the ring source as sources for evaporated films are presented and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. For both techniques, the experimental setup, the distribution of film thickness, and the variations of chemical composition over the area of a substrate are described in detail. The experimental results are compared with theoretical considerations.
A practical real option methodology for the evaluation of farm-in/out joint venture agreements in mineral exploration

Abstract Although the “real option valuation” (ROV) methodology offers extremely valuable insights in optimising investment decisions in the face of uncertainty, its practical acceptance in the mining industry has until recently been slow because of its perceived computational complexity. Recent conceptual advances in the use of binomial lattices and software developments in the areas of decision trees and dynamic programming, have significantly simplified ROV analysis and made it of practical application in day-to-day financial evaluations and decisions involving uncertainty. This paper provides general background on the ROV methodology and an example of how a typical farm-in/out agreement, as a preliminary to the establishment of a joint venture (JV), can be valued as a series of sequential and compound real options. For illustrative and quality assurance purposes, a simple farm-in/out agreement is valued from the point of view of the party acquiring equity in the project (the farm-inee) using two distinct methods, i.e. (a) a binomial lattice and (b) a decision tree in combination with binomial stochastic processes, in both cases neutralising risk using the user-friendly “risk-neutral probability”. The fact that exactly the same ROV is obtained by both methods provides confidence in the modified decision tree approach, which opens up the capacity to value the more complex sequential/compound real options inherent in real-life farm-in/out agreements. The model is then modified to incorporate a number of realistic contractual conditions often encountered in typical exploration and mining farm-in/out deals. The paper demonstrates how the increased complexity of the model can be relatively easily addressed using a decision tree with dynamic programming capability.
An update on core needle biopsy for radiologically detected breast lesions.

BACKGROUND. Traditionally, radiologically detected lesions of the breast have been evaluated by open surgical biopsy with wire localization. Recently, core needle biopsy has been introduced as an alternative to open surgical biopsy. The authors evaluated their own results with long term follow-up after core needle biopsy and reviewed the experience of other physicians with this new technique. METHODS. Four hundred thirty-one core needle biopsies performed at UCLA were analyzed. The outcome of these cases was determined by either surgery or long term follow-up. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the accuracy of the method. RESULTS. Definitive outcome was obtained in 96% of the core needle biopsy cases, with a median follow-up time of 18 months (range, 6-38 months). The authors achieved a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100%. The false-negative rate was 1.7%. There were no complications in this series. CONCLUSIONS. Core needle biopsy is a highly accurate and safe method for the diagnosis of radiologically detected lesions of the breast.
Low Physiological Level of Stimulation Elicits Exocytosis, not by Ca2+ Influx, but by Suppression of Ca2+ Syntillas in Mouse Adrenal Chromaffin Cells

Catecholamine and neuropeptide exocytosis from adrenal chromaffin cells (ACCs) is controlled by sympathetic autonomic discharge. It has been thought that sympathetic discharge accomplishes this task exclusively by regulating Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs), which serves as a direct trigger for exocytosis. But our studies on spontaneous exocytosis in ACCs revealed the presence of Ca2+ syntillas, focal cytosolic transients mediated by ryanodine receptors (RYRs), and these had the surprising effect of inhibiting spontaneous exocytosis (Lefkowitz et al., 2009).Here we examine the role of syntillas under physiologic stimulation in ACCs using simulated action potentials (sAPs) designed to mimic native input at a frequency associated with basal sympathetic tone: 0.5 Hz. Stimulation at this frequency induces a general increase in the frequency and size of amperometric events comparable to that observed when syntillas were suppressed under spontaneous release conditions. Unexpectedly, we found that sAPs delivered at 0.5 Hz completely abolished Ca2+ syntillas within two minutes. Ca2+ arising from VGCCs was not enough to elevate the global [Ca2+]i as measured with fura-2. Hence, it appears that inhibition of syntillas by action potentials in ACCs is responsible for the increase in exocytosis at this level of stimulation.Funded by NIH grant HL21697 to JVW and AHA grant 0835580D to VD.Lefkowitz, J.J., K.E. Fogarty, L.M. Lifshitz, K.D. Bellve, R.A. Tuft, R. ZhuGe, J.V. Walsh, Jr., and V. De Crescenzo. 2009. Suppression of Ca2+ syntillas increases spontaneous exocytosis in mouse adrenal chromaffin cells. J Gen Physiol 134(4):267-280.
Pathways From ADHD to Early Drug Use

ABSTRACT Objective This study tests whether attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk of early drug use. Method A community-based sample of 412 low birth weight and 305 normal birth weight children and their mothers initially were assessed when the children were 6 years old with a follow-up assessment at age 11. Results The relationship of ADHD with drug use varied by level of externalizing problems. Regardless of ADHD status, children with a low level of externalizing problems had a low risk of drug use, and those with the highest level of externalizing problems had a high risk. At the middle level of externalizing problems, ADHD increased the incidence of drug use to the magnitude observed at the high level of externalizing problems, and children with ADHD were at significantly higher risk than those without ADHD (odcs ratio=2.1, p = .03). Findings were similar for low and normal birth weight children. Low parent monitoring and high peer drug use signaled increased risk of drug use for children, independent of ADHD status. Psychostimulant treatment for ADHD was unrelated to risk of drug use. Conclusions Risk for early drug use in children with ADHD depends on level of associated externalizing problems. Parent monitoring and peer drug use appear to be potential targets for drug prevention for children with ADHD, as well as children in general.
Talking Ethics: The Uses of Moral Rhetoric and the Function of Ethical Principles

The contribution of social anthropology may be to explore the structure of conversational interaction more directly and thoroughly, as part of ethnography, and to insist on understanding discourse structures as situated, that is, as pertaining to cultural and personal occasions which invest discourse with part of their meaning and structure. (Hymes, 1974:100)
Scaling of Thrust in Self-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters

The magnetoplasmadynamic thruster (MPDT) has recently passed milestones in performance and lifetime that have prompted renewed interest in its unique advantages for energetic space missions. Mission and system studies, as well as ongoing performance characterization, require the use of simple relations for the scaling of performance parameters. The Maecker formula has long played such a role for the thrust of the self-e eld MPDT. The formula is shown to be too simplistic to account for the trends in measured thrust data that exhibit departures from the model, particularly at low current. We show that at high currents, the departures can be explained by the evolution of the current densities over the electrode surfaces that ine uence the spatial distribution of the volumetric Lorentz force densities. At low current levels the departures are attributed to the scaling of gasdynamic pressure distributions induced by the pinching components of the volumetric electromagnetic forces. The insight was used to formulate a more accurate empirically based model for the scaling of the thrust of an MPDT.
A nonstandard χ2-test with application to generalized linear model diagnostics

Abstract A simple goodness-of-fit test is proposed for checking distributional assumptions in a model involving independent but not identically distributed random variables. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic, which is similar to Pearson's χ2, is derived. The method is applied to generalized linear model diagnostics, in which case the asymptotic distribution depends on eigenvalues of a nonnegative definite matrix, which often has a closed-form expression. A simulation is carried out to investigate the finite-sample performance of the test. The method is applied to a real problem involving data from an entomological experiment.