cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The prognostic significance of lymph node size in node-positive colon cancer.

Objectives To (i) show the outcome benefits of enlarged lymph nodes in node-positive colon cancer cases, as it was shown previously in negative node cases; (ii) disprove the stage migration theory and (iii) list the factors affecting lymph node size and yield. Methods A retrospective study including 234 node-positive colon cancer cases was scheduled and performed. All recovered lymph nodes (6969) from 234 cases were microscopically examined in regard to (a) lymph node size (b) presence of metastasis (c) extent of intra-nodal metastasis. On the basis of resulting data, a statistical analysis was performed. Results Metastases occurred in all size categories, though more often in larger lymph nodes. Fifty-one percent of all metastasised nodes were 2 to 6 mm in size. Approximately half of all nodes >10 mm were microscopically free of cancer. Cases with a small lymph node metastasis to lymph node size ratio (MSR) had a better prognosis than others: 85 months (95% CI: 72–97) vs. 67 months (95% CI: 47–88), p <0.001 (mean, overall survival). To differentiate between cases with the same ratio but different absolute lymph nodes sizes, we divided the cases into two groups that differed in their number of moderate to large lymph nodes. The group with more moderate to large lymph nodes showed a clear outcome benefit: 104 months (95% CI: 86–122) vs. 66 months (95% CI: 54–77), p = 0.014 (mean, overall survival). Conclusions Metastasised lymph nodes affect all size categories, and large lymph nodes are not always metastasised. The combination of enlarged lymph nodes and a small lymph node metastasis to lymph node size ratio (MSR) is associated with a better prognosis than others. When enlarged lymph nodes were considered as surrogate markers of an effective local immune response due to nodal hyperplasia, the immune system could be seen as the confounder affecting both lymph node size and prognosis. Our results are pointing in this direction and, along with other reasons, are challenging the stage migration theory.
Proton-induced displacement damage in ZnO thin film transistors: Impact of damage location

Abstract We have investigated the displacement damage (DD) effect on the electrical characteristics of ZnO thin film transistors (TFTs) based on its location of origin in the device structure. The area subjected to the maximum proton dose induces a maximum DD effect in that particular location. ZnO TFTs with two different passivation layer thicknesses were prepared to obtain maximum proton dose distribution in either the ZnO channel layer or ZnO/SiO2 interface. The devices were irradiated by a proton beam with an energy 200 keV and 1 × 1014 protons/cm2 fluence. Transport of Ions in Matter (TRIM) simulation, followed by calculation of depth distribution of the nonionizing energy loss (NIEL), illustrated different proton dose distribution profiles and NIEL profiles along the depth of the device for these two types of samples. The sample with the maximum proton dose peaks at the ZnO/SiO2 interface exhibited a significant degradation in device electrical characteristics as compared to the negligible degradation of the sample when the maximum proton dose was absorbed in the ZnO layer. Therefore, the investigation into the radiation hardness of proton-irradiated ZnO TFTs is non-trivial since the displacement damage induces drastic changes on the device characteristics based on the damage location.
Identification of a Robust Methylation Classifier for Cutaneous Melanoma Diagnosis

Early diagnosis improves melanoma survival, yet the histopathological diagnosis of cutaneous primary melanoma can be challenging, even for expert dermatopathologists. Analysis of epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation, that occur in melanoma can aid in its early diagnosis. Using a genome-wide methylation screening, we assessed CpG methylation in a diverse set of 89 primary invasive melanomas, 73 nevi, and 41 melanocytic proliferations of uncertain malignant potential, classified based on interobserver review by dermatopathologists. Melanomas and nevi were split into training and validation sets. Predictive modeling in the training set using ElasticNet identified a 40-CpG classifier distinguishing 60 melanomas from 48 nevi. High diagnostic accuracy (area under the receiver operator characteristic curve = 0.996, sensitivity = 96.6%, and specificity = 100.0%) was independently confirmed in the validation set (29 melanomas, 25 nevi) and other published sample sets. The 40-CpG melanoma classifier included homeobox transcription factors and genes with roles in stem cell pluripotency or the nervous system. Application of the 40-CpG melanoma classifier to the diagnostically uncertain samples assigned melanoma or nevus status, potentially offering a diagnostic tool to assist dermatopathologists. In summary, the robust, accurate 40-CpG melanoma classifier offers a promising assay for improving primary melanoma diagnosis.
Demographics, self-efficacy, benefits/barriers, stages of adopting pap testing among Korean American women.

Korean American women (KAW) experience the third highest incidence rate of cervical cancer among nine major Asian Americans. This study examined cervical cancer screening among KAW using constructs...
Information-theoretic evaluation of brain-inspired sonar signal representation

Many bat species, such as horseshoe bats, move their external auditory periphery (noseleaf and pinnae) during emission/reception of their biosonar signals. This peripheral dynamics has already been shown to enhance sensory information encoding at the level of the analog echo waveforms. However, the bats' brains do not process any analog waveforms directly but rely on spike codes generated in the auditory nerve instead. Hence, it is desirable to evaluate the effect of the peripheral dynamics at the level of these spike codes. As input for this analysis, natural foliage echoes akin to the forest environments experienced by bats were recorded using a biomimetic robot with a dynamic periphery similar to that of horseshoe bats. The echoes were converted into neural spike trains through a signal-processing model of the bats' cochlea/auditory nerve. The effect of the dynamic periphery was then investigated using information-theoretic techniques. As a first step, entropy was estimated to quantify coding capacity. The results showed an increased entropy within signals corresponding to a dynamic periphery when compared to a static periphery. For the next steps, the variability in characteristic spike train features such as spike timing, spike rates, and spike intervals will be characterized with additional information-theoretic methods.
A new constitutive model for ballistic Roma Plastilina no. 1 clay

Roma Plastilina No. 1 (RP # 1) clay has been widely used as a backing material in ballistic tests of body armor. However, the constitutive behavior of RP # 1 clay is still not well characterized. I...
Novel signals of adaptive genetic variation in northwestern Atlantic cod revealed by whole-genome sequencing.

Selection can create complex patterns of adaptive differentiation among populations in the wild that may be relevant to management. Atlantic cod in the Northwest Atlantic are at a fraction of their historical abundance and a lack of recovery within the Gulf of Maine has created concern regarding the misalignment of fisheries management structures with biological population structure. To address this and investigate genome-wide patterns of variation, we used low-coverage sequencing to perform a region-wide, whole-genome analysis of fine-scale population structure. We sequenced 306 individuals from 20 sampling locations in U.S. and Canadian waters, including the major spawning aggregations in the Gulf of Maine in addition to spawning aggregations from Georges Bank, southern New England, the eastern Scotian Shelf, and St. Pierre Bank. With genotype likelihoods estimated at almost 11 million loci, we found large differences in haplotype frequencies of previously described chromosomal inversions between Canadian and U.S. sampling locations and also among U.S. sampling locations. Our whole-genome resolution also revealed novel outlier peaks, some of which showed significant genetic differentiation among sampling locations. Comparisons between allochronic winter- and spring-spawning populations revealed highly elevated relative (FST ) and absolute (dxy ) genetic differentiation near genes involved in reproduction, particularly genes associated with the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis, which likely control timing of spawning, contributing to prezygotic isolation. We also found genetic differentiation associated with heat shock proteins and other genes of functional relevance, with complex patterns that may point to multifaceted selection pressures and local adaptation among spawning populations. We provide a high-resolution picture of U.S. Atlantic cod population structure, revealing greater complexity than is currently recognized in management. Our genome-scan approach likely underestimates the full suite of adaptive differentiation among sampling locations. Nevertheless, it should inform the revision of stock boundaries to preserve adaptive genetic diversity and evolutionary potential of cod populations.
Membumikan Spirit Toleransi Sunan Kudus Kepada Generasi Millenial Melalui Tali Akrab

Intolerance, violence, riots, terror to religious leaders, hoax news, expressions of hatred, provocative issues, in the name of religion are sources of animosity between people and groups. This triggers national dimensions such as in Indonesia and even the world. Therefore this research focuses on national studies, which seeks to earthing the spirit of tolerance of teachings through the struggle of Sunan Kudus, which is implemented to the millennial generation, through interfaith communities and beliefs (Tali Akrab). This study uses phenomenological approach and content analysis by collecting data through observation, interviews and documentation from 2014 to 2018. The findings revealed that there was a the strengthening of tolerance value of Sunan Kudus era, which can be applied to Millennials through (Tali Akrab), where this activity can produce one of the efforts to strengthen religious tolerance.
Molecular regulation of TLR signaling in health and disease: mechano-regulation of macrophages and TLR signaling.

Immune cells encounter tissues with vastly different biochemical and physical characteristics. Much of the research emphasis has focused on the role of cytokines and chemokines in regulating immune...
The Arabidopsis senescencE-associated gene 13 regulates dark-induced senescence and plays contrasting roles in defense against bacterial and fungal pathogens

SENESCENCE-ASSOCIATED GENE 13 (SAG13) of Arabidopsis is a widely conserved gene of unknown function that has been extensively used as a marker of plant senescence. SAG13 induction occurs during plant cell death processes, including senescence and hypersensitive response, a type of programmed cell death that occurs in response to pathogens. This implies that SAG13 expression is regulated through at least two different signaling pathways affecting these two different processes. Our work highlights a contrasting role for SAG13 in regulating resistance against disease-causing biotrophic bacterial and necrotrophic fungal pathogens with contrasting infection strategies. We provide further evidence that SAG13 is not only induced during oxidative stress but also plays a role in protecting the plant against other stresses. SAG13 is also required for normal seed germination, seedling growth, and anthocyanin accumulation. The work presented here provides evidence for the role of SAG13 in regulating multiple plant processes including senescence, defense, seed germination, and abiotic stress responses. SAG13 is a valuable molecular marker for these processes and is conserved in multiple plant species, and this knowledge has important implications for crop improvement.
Chapter 32 – Plant Toxins

The majority of plant species in the world are not edible, largely owing to the existence of toxins they produce. The process of domestication has diminished the levels of these toxic compounds over time, so the plant foods we consume today are far less toxic than their wild parents. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are the principal plant metabolites that pose a serious health threat to humans via foodborne plant intoxication. The main source of exposure to PAs is consumption of grains and bread that have become contaminated. Other sources such as milk, eggs, honey, and salad greens are less commonly implicated in human disease. PAs are particularly abundant in three plant families, namely Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Boraginaceae. The major health risk of PA intoxication is the development of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD). PAs may also be associated with severe adverse effects including carcinogenic, genotoxic, teratogenic, and pneumotoxic reactions. Because they are present in limited amounts or have low potency, and because of advanced processing techniques in detoxification, plant toxins other than PAs do not at present pose a large threat to human health.
Blood Dehydroepiandrosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate as Pathophysiological Correlates of Chronic Pain: Analyses Using a National Sample of Midlife Adults in the United States.

Objective Identifying biomarkers is a priority in translational chronic pain research. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated form, DHEA-S, are adrenocortical steroids in the blood with neuroprotective properties that also produce sex hormones. They may capture key sex-specific neuroendocrine mechanisms of chronic pain. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Using data from 1,216 community-dwelling adults aged 34-84 from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) cohort, we examined blood DHEA and DHEA-S levels in association with chronic pain in men and women, adjusting for demographics, chronic diseases, medications including opioids, and psychosocial factors. If an association was found, we further explored dose-response relationships by the number of pain locations and the degree of pain interference. Results In women, chronic pain was associated with 0.072 lower (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.127 to -0.017) log10 DHEA-S µg/dL, with pain in one to two locations associated with 0.068 lower (95% CI, -0.131 to -0.006) and in three or more locations 0.071 lower (95% CI, -0.148 to 0.007) log10 DHEA-S (P for trend = 0.074). Furthermore for women, low-interference pain was associated with 0.062 lower (95% CI, -0.125 to -0.000), whereas high-interference pain was associated with 0.138 lower (95% CI, -0.233 to -0.043) log10 DHEA-S (P for trend = 0.004). Chronic pain was not associated with DHEA or DHEA-S levels in men or DHEA levels in women. Conclusions Chronic pain and its functional interference correspond to lower blood DHEA-S levels in women.
Approximate arithmetic training does not improve symbolic math in third and fourth grade children

Abstract Background . Prior studies reported that practice playing an approximate arithmetic game improved symbolic math performance relative to active control groups in adults and preschool children (e.g. Park & Brannon, 2013, 2014; Park et al., 2016; Szkudlarek & Brannon, 2018). However, Szkudlarek, Park and Brannon (2021) recently failed to replicate those findings in adults. Here we test whether approximate arithmetic training yields benefits in elementary school children who have intermediate knowledge of arithmetic. Method . We conducted a randomized controlled trial with a pre and post-test design to compare the effects of approximate arithmetic training and visuo-spatial working memory training on standardized math performance in third and fourth grade children. Results . We found that approximate arithmetic training did not yield any significant gains on standardized measures of symbolic math performance. Conclusion . A Bayesian analysis supports the conclusion that approximate arithmetic provides no benefits for symbolic math performance.
Empirical validation and comparison of methodologies to simulate micro and macro-encapsulated PCMs in the building envelope

Abstract Thermal Energy Storage (TES) has the potential to shift peak electricity demand. Passive TES is usually implemented in building envelope as micro and macro encapsulated phase change materials (PCM) to shift electric energy demand and therefore requires careful heat transfer analysis. Whole building energy modelling with simplified heat transfer analysis has become extremely important for designers, architects, engineers, and researchers to predict energy performance of buildings. It is important to validate PCM modelling algorithms used in building energy programs to quantify their error and prove their capacity to model different PCM encapsulation types. This study uses data from a microencapsulated PCM and two macroencapsulated PCMs (Bio based PCM and hydrate salts) tested in full-scale using the Advanced Multiscale Building Energy Research (AMBER) Lab located at the Colorado School of Mines and is used to validate a numerical algorithm written in MATLAB language. To approximate the heat transfer through a wall assembly with macroencapsulated PCM pouches, several modelling techniques that can reduce 3D heat transfer characteristics to 1D are explored in this research. A parallel path heat transfer modelling approach is found to give the closest agreement with the experimental data for the pouched PCMs in building envelope applications.
Efficient Lignin Decomposing Microbial Consortium to Hasten Rice-Straw Composting with Moderate GHGs Fluxes

We hypothesized that lignin decomposition microbial consortium would make rice-straw decomposition faster as straw contain around 15–24% lignin. In this study, we isolated aerobic lignin degrading microbes from four natural sources and based on their ability towards lignin degradation four microbial strains and their combination (2 bacteria (LB 8, LB 18) and 2 fungi (LF 3, LF 9) were selected for rice straw decomposition. The greenhouse gases emission, enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, cellulase, laccase), reduction in lignin content, weight loss and carbon nitrogen ratio (C:N) were quantified during the process of decomposition. The β-glucosidase, cellulase and laccase activities were higher in compost where LB 18 + LF 3 consortium was applied as compared to others. The lignin content was also decreased (8.9–9.5 to 6.6–7.9%) gradually from initial to 28th days of composting under LB 18 + LF 3. We found the microbial consortium LB 18 + LF 3 decomposed the rice straw relatively faster than other strains/consortium tested as indicated by lowering of C:N ratio and reduction of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose contents of 60, 19.2, 41.5 and 10.3%, respectively at 28th day of composting compared to initial values. However, higher, methane and carbon dioxide fluxes were also observed at 28th days of composting (1.36 and 200.7 mg m−2 h−1) with no significant trend in nitrous oxide fluxes. Further, the consortium identified could be tested for in-situ straw decomposition with proper moisture management to evaluate its potential in field condition. Therefore, we conclude that use of lignin decomposing microbial consortium has the potential to hasten the composting of rice straw in large scale.
Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulation Therapy Following Implantation of the Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Device

Background: Previously, the standard of care following left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman device (Boston Scientific) was 45 days of warfarin and aspirin followed by dual antip...
Prolonged Anaphylaxis to Pfizer Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine: A Case Report and Mechanism of Action

Background: In response to the devastating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, several vaccine prototypes have been developed, with the Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) platform being the first to receive emergency use authorization Although taken to market on an unprecedented timeline, the safety profile of the drug during clinical trials was shown to be favorable Shortly after release, reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention demonstrated a higher-than-average rate of anaphylaxis to the vaccine that has been the cause for concern for safety officials and the general public alike Here, we present a unique case of protracted anaphylaxis in a recipient of the BNT162b2 Case Summary: The patient is a 55-year-old female with a history of multiple allergic reactions who presented with respiratory distress and hives after receiving the first dose of the BNT162b2, despite premedication with IV steroids and diphenhydramine The refractory nature of her reaction was demonstrated by edema of her tongue (visualized on nasolaryngoscopy), requiring an epinephrine infusion for nearly 3 days She was discharged from the hospital with instructions not to receive the second dose of the vaccine Conclusion: Although the exact etiology of anaphylaxis secondary to this messenger RNA-based vaccine is not completely clear, our literature search and review of the patient's course support either polyethylene glycol versus other excipient-related allergy as a possible cause Based on the protracted nature to our patient's anaphylaxis, critical care management for patients with a true anaphylactic reaction to BNT162b2 may require monitoring for an extended period of time
Enhancing Leadership Training Through an Experiential Approach: An Online Model for the 21st Century:

Billions of dollars are spent annually on leadership training and development courses. Unfortunately, this training, both at organizational and university levels, does not appear to consistently re...
Revisiting the Primacy of English in Zero-shot Cross-lingual Transfer

Despite their success, large pre-trained multilingual models have not completely alleviated the need for labeled data, which is cumbersome to collect for all target languages. Zero-shot cross-lingual transfer is emerging as a practical solution: pre-trained models later fine-tuned on one transfer language exhibit surprising performance when tested on many target languages. English is the dominant source language for transfer, as reinforced by popular zero-shot benchmarks. However, this default choice has not been systematically vetted. In our study, we compare English against other transfer languages for fine-tuning, on two pre-trained multilingual models (mBERT and mT5) and multiple classification and question answering tasks. We find that other high-resource languages such as German and Russian often transfer more effectively, especially when the set of target languages is diverse or unknown a priori. Unexpectedly, this can be true even when the training sets were automatically translated from English. This finding can have immediate impact on multilingual zero-shot systems, and should inform future benchmark designs.
Replica Placement in Multi-tenant Database Environments

Database-as-a-service providers typically use replication to meet the performance and availability guarantees demanded by their customers. A crucial problem in this context is that of placing the replicas on machines in such a way as to meet these guarantees while optimally utilizing the available resources, despite having incomplete or erroneous a priori knowledge of the workload characteristics. In contrast to previous work, we incorporate this uncertainty by proposing online algorithms that make little or no assumptions about workload characteristics. In this paper, we provide a formal definition of variants of the replica placement problem, as well as a wide spectrum of criteria to evaluate proposed solutions. We also designed and evaluated a number of new algorithms for the online replica placement problem. We show that one of our algorithms, RkC, which is based on the notion of the "power of two random choices", outperforms others with respect to these evaluation criteria.
Cucumber mosaic virus-associated RNA 5. II. In vitro translation in a wheat germ protein-synthesis system.

Abstract Cucumber mosaic virus-associated RNA 5 (CARNA 5) has been shown to code for the synthesis of two low-molecular-weight polypeptides in a wheat germ in vitro protein-synthesis system. Polypeptide molecular weight estimates of 5200 and 3800 were obtained by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of 8 M urea. These two polypeptides appear to be initiated separately and do not share an obvious precursor-product relationship. The sensitivity of CARNA 5 translation to inhibition by 7-methyl-guanosine-5′-monophosphate strongly suggests that the 5′-terminus of CARNA 5 is “capped”. Possible relationships between these two products of CARNA 5 translation and a lethal necrotic disease of tomato [Kaper, J. M. and Waterworth, H. E. (1977) Science 196 , 429–431] are discussed.
Spectroscopic and kinetic study of the gas-phase CS2Cl adduct

Abstract Time-resolved UV–vis absorption spectroscopy (TRUVVAS) has been coupled with 248 nm laser flash photolysis (LFP) of Cl 2 CO in the presence of CS 2 (and in some cases O 2 , NO or NO 2 ) to generate the CS 2 Cl radical adduct in the gas phase and study the spectroscopy and kinetics of this species. CS 2 Cl is found to possess a strong absorption band at λ max ≈ 365 nm with σ max = (2.3 ± 0.7) × 10 −17 cm 2 molecule −1 (base e) and a weaker band at λ max ≈ 480 nm; the gas-phase spectrum of CS 2 Cl is very similar to the previously reported liquid-phase spectrum in CCl 4 solvent. Reaction of CS 2 Cl with O 2 is found to be very slow; our data suggest that the rate coefficient for this reaction at 240 K is less than 5.0 × 10 −18 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 . Rate coefficients for CS 2 Cl reactions with CS 2 Cl ( k 3 ), NO ( k 5 ), and NO 2 ( k 6 ) were measured at 240 K and, in units of 10 −11 cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 , were found to be 2 k 3 = 15 ± 6, k 5 = 2.2 ± 0.5, and k 6 = 1.3 ± 0.4, where the uncertainties are estimates of accuracy at the 95% confidence level.
A rule-based systems approach to spacecraft communications configuration optimization

An experimental rule-based system for optimizing user spacecraft communications configurations was developed at NASA to support mission planning for spacecraft that obtain telecommunications services through NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. Designated Expert for Communications Configuration Optimization (ECCO), and implemented in the OPS5 production system language, the system has shown the validity of a rule-based systems approach to this optimization problem. The development of ECCO and the incremental optimizatin method on which it is based are discussed. A test case using hypothetical mission data is included to demonstrate the optimization concept.
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Presenting with Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure is an unusual initial manifestation of congenital muscular dystrophy. The authors describe a case of congenital muscular dystrophy in a patient presenting with rhabdomyolysis at birth. Despite an initially poor prognosis, aggressive respiratory therapy during the neonatal period permitted normal subsequent development. The muscular dystrophy predominantly involved the respiratory muscles.
Isolation of a terminal DNA-nucleotidyl transferase from calf thymus non-histone chromatin proteins.

Abstract A terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase has been isolated from the solubilized non-histone chromatin proteins from calf thymus. The chromatin terminal transferase polymerizes deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide from any single nucleoside-5′-triphosphate in the presence of a polymeric deoxyribonucleotide primer. The characteristics of the chromatin enzyme indicate that it resembles the reported nuclear but not the soluble terminal DNA-nucleotidyl transferase.
DNA strand breaks (comet assay) in blood lymphocytes from wild bottlenose dolphins.

Abstract The comet assay was carried out on blood lymphocytes from a large number of wild dolphins (71 from Indian River Lagoon, FL, USA; 51 from Charleston Harbor, SC, USA) and provides a baseline study of DNA strand breaks in wild dolphin populations. There were no significant differences in the comet assay (% DNA in tail) results between the different age and sex categories. Significant difference in DNA strand breaks were found between Charleston Harbor dolphins (median – 17.4% DNA in tail) and Indian River Lagoon dolphins (median – 14.0% DNA in tail). A strong correlation found between T-cell proliferation and DNA strand breaks in dolphin lymphocytes suggests that dolphins with a high numbers of DNA strand breaks have a decreased ability to respond to infection. Higher concentrations of genotoxic agents in Charleston Harbor compared with Indian River lagoon may have been one of the causes of higher DNA strand breaks in these dolphins.
Thermal dosimetry characteristics of deep regional heating of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

AbstractPurpose: The aim of this paper is to report thermal dosimetry characteristics of external deep regional pelvic hyperthermia combined with intravesical mitomycin C (MMC) for treating bladder cancer following transurethral resection of bladder tumour, and to use thermal data to evaluate reliability of delivering the prescribed hyperthermia dose to bladder tissue. Materials and methods: A total of 14 patients were treated with MMC and deep regional hyperthermia (BSD-2000, Sigma Ellipse or Sigma 60). The hyperthermia objective was 42° ± 2 °C to bladder tissue for ≥40 min per treatment. Temperatures were monitored with thermistor probes and recorded values were used to calculate thermal dose and evaluate treatment. Anatomical characteristics were examined for possible correlations with heating. Results: Combined with BSD-2000 standard treatment planning and patient feedback, real-time temperature monitoring allowed thermal steering of heat sufficient to attain the prescribed thermal dose to bladder tis...
An integrated production-inventory model with reprocessing and inspection

Abstract Competitive pressures continually force management to examine cost and quality levels of production systems. In this paper these issues are addressed via a model that synthesizes several potential features of production systems: production processes, quality control procedures, in-process inventory and reprocessing. For any specified inspection configuration the model can be used, for serial production systems, to obtain closed-form expressions for two important decision variables: optimal lot size and reprocessing batch size, which minimize the total system costs. A numerical example highlights the interdependencies and the role of various system features in determining the values of the decision variables and hence in reducing the total costs. The paper also discusses the managerial implications of the model.
Temperature and Water Viscosity: Physiological Versus Mechanical Effects on Suspension Feeding

Water viscosity is inversely related to temperature. This simple physical relation couples two potential influences on organism performance. Seawater viscosity was manipulated, with and without temperature, to distinguish the physiological and mechanical effects of temperature on suspension feeding by ciliated echinoderm larvae. Change in viscosity alone accounted for half of the decline in the feeding rate at lower temperature. High viscosity shifted ingestion toward larger particles, which suggests that viscosity affects particle capture as well as rates of water processing. Temperature-induced change in viscosity, therefore, impacts suspension feeding independently of physiology and has implications for many small-scale biological processes.
Epidemic neonatal gentamicin-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection associated with nonspecific topical use of genetamicin

One hundred sixteen infants in an intensive care nursery acquired Staphylococcus aureus resistant to gentamicin and methicillin; 54 patients acquired S. aureus sensitive to genetamicin and methicillin. Topical application of gentamicin ointment was significantly associated with acquisition of GMRS. Of 78 infants who acquired GMRS, 38 had received GmO before GMRS was first cultured, whereas only one of 49 infants with GMSS had previously received GmO ( P =8.6×10 −8 ). Infants with GMRS were also more likely than patients with GMSS to have had a lower mean birth weight, Apgar score, and gestational age; systemic antibiotic therapy and incubator care were significantly prolonged for patients with GMRS, but these factors did not explain susceptibility to GMRS infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that use of GmO was the single most important risk factor.
Effects of true and inverted feedback on integrated occipital alpha.

Summary Ambient illumination had no effect on baseline levels of alpha of 20 female university students who had their eyes closed, and significant increases from these levels were obtained through true but not inverted feedback procedures. These results indicate that alpha enhancement can be obtained in a manner that is not explicable in terms of disinhibition processes.
The resolution of cultural and biological inheritance: Informativeness of different relationships.

The informativeness of different relationships for resolving the genetic and cultural transmission of a continuous variable is explored by computer simulation. Extended twin, extended nuclear-family, and adoption designs are considered. Combining data on twin and parent-offspring pairs provides a powerful means of detecting genetic and cultural transmission. The addition of uncle-nephew and first-cousin data sometimes leads to an increase in power. Designs involving monozygotic twin pairs and their offspring are weaker. The most powerful adoption designs involve data on both biological parent-adopted-away offspring and adoptive parent-adopted offspring pairs. In the absence of information about biological parents, combining nuclear-family, adoptive parent-adopted offspring, and adoptive/natural sibling relationships still provides a powerful strategy for hypothesis testing. Adoption designs are more robust than extended twin and extended nuclear-family designs for resolving cultural and biological inheritance in the presence of genetic dominance or phenotypic assortative mating.
Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene in supercritical carbon dioxide using well‐defined metal carbene catalysts

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-ene (norbornene) has been effected in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC CO2) with two types of metal carbene catalysts. It has been found that the polynorbornenes prepared in SC CO2 are similar in molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and thermal stability to their counterparts prepared in tetrahydrofuran (THF). More important, the trans/cis ratio of the resulting polymers could be adjusted by varying the amount of cosolvent THF or metal carbene catalysts. However, neither the reaction temperature nor pressure significantly influenced the trans/cis ratio of the polymer. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite strains from non-coaxial strain paths. I. Computational techniques

Abstract Matrix methods provide a powerful technique for calculating cumulative strain during non-coaxial progressive deformation. A straightforward derivation of the matrix equations representing the strain ellipsoid, suitable for the field geologist, is presented. Multiplication of transformation matrices used to model such strain paths results in non-symmetric matrices describing strain ellipsoids with principal axes which cannot be directly solved for by standard eigenvector solution techniques. The Singular Value Decomposition is used instead. The form of the strain ellipse used is completely general and, with appropriate choice of the ellipse description matrix, it can effect both pure and simple shear. In modeling polyphase folded terrains the rotational component of the deformation is generally known, at least in part, from the relative orientations of deformed foliations and lineations. Matrices representing both the rotational and distortional components of strain can be multiplied to compute the resultant finite strain for any specified strain paths. Examples of some simple deformation paths demonstrate that large variations in the symmetry and magnitude of finite strains with orientation can be expected. Such variations are consistent with the range of strains observed in multiply-folded terrains.
Transapical Deployment of Endovascular Thoracic Aortic Stent Graft for an Ascending Aortic Pseudoaneurysm

We report a case of a patient with a history of previous coronary artery bypass grafting undergoing endovascular aortic repair of a large pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta. Due to the limitations of the current technology, the endograft was deployed through a left ventricular transapical approach by using a left mini-thoracotomy.
Algorithms for parallel memory, I: Two-level memories

We provide the first optimal algorithms in terms of the number of input/outputs (I/Os) required between internal memory and multiple secondary storage devices for the problems of sorting, FFT, matrix transposition, standard matrix multiplication, and related problems. Our two-level memory model is new and gives a realistic treatment of {\em parallel block transfer}, in which dureing a single I/O each of the $P$ secondary storage devices can simultaneously transfer a contiguous block of $B$ records. The model pertains to a large-scale uniprocessor system or parallel multiprocessor system with $P$ disks. In addition, the sorting, FFT, permutation network, and standard matrixmultiplication algorithms are typically optimal in terms of the amount of internal processing time. The difficulty in developing optimal algorithms is to cope with the partitioning of memory into $P$ separate physical devices. Our algorithms'' performance can be significantly better than those obtained by the well-known but nonoptimal technique of disk striping. Our optimal sorting algorithm is randomized, but practical; the probability of using more than $\ell$ times the optimal number of I/Os is exponentially small in $\ell$ (log $\ell$)log($M/B$), where $M$ is the internal memory size.
Small Industries in Egypt: an Exploration of the Economics of Small Furniture Producers

In the analysis of the transition from low-income, rural-centered, capital-poor countries to modern, capital-rich, urbanized nations, small enterprises have received increasing attention in recent years. In rural areas, there is a belated recognition of the importance of nonfarm enterprises as supplementary sources of income and employment in village households. In towns and cities, there has been an explosion of interest in small producers, including but not limited to the so-called urban informal sector.
Charge quantization of axion-dilaton black holes.

We present axion-dilaton black-hole and multi-black-hole solutions of the low-energy string effective action. Under $\mathrm{SL}(2, R)$ electric-magnetic duality rotations only the "hair" (charges and asymptotic values of the fields) of our solutions is transformed. The functional form of the solutions is duality invariant. Axion-dilaton black holes with zero entropy and zero area of the horizon form a family of stable particlelike objects, which we call holons. We study the quantization of the charges of these objects and its compatibility with duality symmetry. In general the spectrum of black-hole solutions with quantized charges is not invariant under $\mathrm{SL}(2, R)$ but only under $\mathrm{SL}(2, Z)$ or one of its subgroups ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{l}$. Because of their transformation properties, the asymptotic value of the axion-dilaton field of a black hole may be associated with the modular parameter $\ensuremath{\tau}$ of some complex torus and the integer numbers ($n, m$) that label its quantized electric and magnetic charges may be associated with winding numbers.
The evolution of the globin family genes: Concordance of stochastic and augmented maximum parsimony genetic distances for α hemoglobin, β hemoglobin and myoglobin phylogenies☆

Abstract We compare the amino acid sequences of 70 globing, representing the following families: (a) α hemoglobin chains; (b) β hemoglobin chains; (c) myoglobins; (d) two lamprey, a mollusc, and two plant globins. The comparisons show a convergence of maximal and minimal estimates of genetic differences as calculated respectively by the stochastic and maximum parsimony procedures, thus demonstrating for the first time the logical consistency and complementarity of the two procedures. Evolutionary rates are non-constant, varying over a range of 1 to 75 nucleotide replacements per 100 codons per 108 years. These rate differentials are resolved into two components (a) due to change in the number of codon sites free to fix mutations during the period of divergence of the species involved; (b) due to change in fixation intensity at each site. These two components also show non-uniformity along different lineages. Positive Darwinian natural selection can bring about an increase in either component, and negative or stabilizing selection in protein evolution can lead to decreases. Accelerated rates of globin evolution were found in lineages of cold-blooded vertebrates, some marsupials, and early placental mammals, while slower rates were found in warm-blooded vertebrates, especially higher primates. One manifestation of negative selection in the globins is that minimal 3-base type amino acid replacements occur less frequently than would be expected if base replacements had occurred and were accepted at random. The selection against these replacements is not due to atypical behavior with respect to the change in electrical charge involved in the replacements. Interestingly, the globins from the lamprey, sea hare and the legumes are as distant from one another as are α-hemoglobin and β-hemoglobin from myoglobin.
Perinatal and lifetime exposure to methylmercury in the mouse: blood and brain concentrations of mercury to 26 months of age.

Abstract Chronic, low-level exposures to environmental toxicants, because they often begin prenatally and then persist throughout the individual’s lifetime, pose challenging issues to risk assessment. Exposure to low levels of methylmercury through the diet, based largely on consumption of fish and sea mammals, follows this pattern. Early development is considered to be a period of heightened vulnerability during which even low-level exposures may produce undetected, “silent”, damage that is revealed only under conditions that challenge the functional capacities of the individual. Aging, with its diminished functional capacities and compensatory reserves provides such a challenge, but, to explore this possibility, requires basic information about blood and brain levels under conditions of chronic lifetime exposure. The current research was undertaken to provide such information. One hundred female B6C3F1/HSD mice were assigned to one of three dose groups, 0, 1, or 3 ppm methylmercury chloride administered in a 5 nM sodium carbonate drinking solution. They were bred with male CBA/J HSD mice to produce the trihybrid offspring B6C3F1/HSD×CBA/J HSD. Dosing of the females began 4 weeks prior to breeding and continued for the two methylmercury-exposed groups throughout breeding and gestation. The methylmercury-treated litters were split into two subgroups, one exposed throughout its lifetime (set at 26 months) to the original dose, the other exposed through postnatal day 13 (PND 13). Brain and blood concentrations were assayed by cold-vapor atomic absorption. Samples were obtained on PND 4 and 21, and then at the end of months 14 and 26. On PND 4, brain and blood levels closely reflected maternal dosing. In all groups, concentrations fell sharply from PND 4 to 21, but to a greater extent in the perinatal groups. Blood levels in the 1 ppm lifetime group remained unchanged between months 14 and 26, but brain levels rose modestly. In the 3 ppm lifetime group, both brain and blood levels rose significantly between months 14 and 26, suggesting an interaction between dose and age.
Is fat taste ready for primetime

Mounting evidence suggests that gustation is important for the orosensory detection of dietary fats, and might contribute to preferences that humans, rodents, and possibly other mammals exhibit for fat-rich foods. In contrast to sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami, fat is not widely recognized as a primary taste quality. Recent investigations, however, provide a wealth of information that is helping to elucidate the specific molecular, cellular, and neural mechanisms required for fat detection in mammals. The latest evidence supporting a fat taste will be explored in this review, with a particular focus on recent studies that suggest a surprising role for gut-brain endocannabinoid signaling in controlling intake and preference for fats based on their proposed taste properties.
Dinitrophenol decreases the Radiation Sensitivity of L Cells

BECAUSE the repair of radiation injury would seem to consume energy, chiefly in the form of ATP, we have studied the response to radiation of L cells, severely depleted of intracellular ATP. We have found that 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) can reduce intracellular ATP by about 90 per cent, that L cells treated with DNP for up to 8 h lose none of their reproductive integrity and that treated cells are less sensitive to radiation, particularly at a high dose.
Combining pharmacology and whole-cell patch recording from CNS neurons, in vivo

Whole-cell patch neurophysiology and pharmacological manipulations have provided unprecedented insight into the functions of central neurons, but their combined use has been largely restricted to in vitro preparations. We describe a method for performing whole-cell patch recording and focal application of pharmacological agents in vivo. A key feature of this technique involves iontophoresis of glutamate to establish proximity of drug and recording pipettes. We show data from iontophoresis of glutamate during extracellular and whole-cell recordings made in vivo from auditory neurons in the midbrain of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens, and the effects of blocking GABAA receptors while making a whole-cell recording. This methodology should accelerate our understanding of the roles of particular neurotransmitter systems in normal and pathological conditions, and facilitate investigation of the in vivo effects of drugs and the mechanisms underlying computations.
Optimal behavior and concurrent variable ratio-variable interval schedules

Abstract Concurrent variable ratio-variable interval (CONC VRVI) schedules of reinforcement, and the time-based analog of the same schedule (CONC VT*VT), have been used to determine if the matching law accounts for the distribution of choices between the behavior alternatives more accurately than the assumption that subjects distribute time between the alternatives to maximize total reinforcement rate. The results of those experiments leave room for interpretation. One problem is the lack of understanding of the theoretical outcomes associated with maximization in these schedules. A precise understanding of the characteristics of optimal behavior (OB) could help identify experimental evidence of OB. Here we derive equations that describe the optimal times the subject should spend on each alternative of the schedule. We provide a table of the optimal times for a wide range of parameter values of the schedule that experimenters can use to compare easily experimental results to the results expected if subjects behave optimally. We also derive a function m that relates matching and optimal performance and we prove interesting characteristics of the function. Finally, we describe features of OB with CONC VT*VT and with concurrent variable time schedules that can be used to identify evidence of OB.
Systemic atrioventricular valve replacement in an infant.

A 19-mm St. Jude Medical valve prosthesis was successfully implanted in a 5-kg, 7-month-old infant with congenitally corrected transposition and severe systemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation. The clinical course and ten-month postoperative catheterization data are reported.