cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of in-hospital length of stay after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: results of multivariate logistic regression analysis

To identify variables that predict in-hospital length of stay (LOS) after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). Univariate analysis of patient and intraoperative variables was conducted on an operating room database of LVHRs performed from April 2001 to April 2009. Analysis was performed using either chi-square or linear trend analysis, as appropriate. A multivariate logistic regression model was created manually, to determine independent variables that predict LOS. p Value 2, conversion to open procedure, and recurrent hernia were not associated with longer LOS. Four factors were independently associated with significant longer length of stay on multivariate logistic regression analysis (p < 0.05): mesh size (p = 0.00005), incarcerated hernia (p = 0.002), patient age (p = 0.018), and complex hernia (p = 0.035). Mesh size, incarcerated hernia, patient age, and complex hernia predict longer length of stay after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.
Bilateral sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovaries in a premenarchal girl

Abstract Background. Sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary is a rare benign neoplasm that is usually unilateral in menstruating women with a mean age of 27. Case. An 11-year-old girl presented with asymptomatic bilateral sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovaries prior to menarche. We describe the clinical, radiologic and histologic findings with reference to other reported cases. Conclusion. We herein report a unique case of bilateral sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovaries arising in a premenarchal girl.
Catalytic mechanism of Escherichia coli glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase probed by site-directed mutagenesis and pH-dependent studies.

Site-directed mutagenesis followed by studies of the pH dependence of the kinetic parameters of the mutants has been used to probe the role of the active site residues and loops in catalysis by glycinamide ribonucleotide transformylase (EC 2.1.2.2). The analysis of the mutants of the strictly conserved active site residues, His108 and Asp144, revealed that His108 acts in a salt bridge with Asp144 as a general acid catalyst with a pKa value of 9.7. Asp144 also plays a key role in the preparation of the active site geometry for catalysis. The rate-limiting step in the pH range of 6−10 appears to be the catalytic steps involving tetrahedral intermediates, supported by the observation of a pL (L being H or D)-independent solvent deuterium isotope effect of 2. The ionization of the amino group of glycinamide ribonucleotide both as a free and as a bound form dominates the kinetic behavior at low pH. The analysis of a mutation, H121Q, within the loop spanning amino acids 111−131 suggests the closure of the loop ...
Genetic Engineering of Filamentous Fungi

Filamentous fungi are important in medicine, industry, agriculture, and basic biological research. For example, some fungal species are pathogenic to humans, whereas others produce beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillin and cephalosporin). Industrial strains produce large amounts of enzymes, such as glucoamylase and proteases, and low molecular weight compounds, such as citric acid. The largest and most economically important group of plant pathogens are fungi. Several fungal species have biological properties and genetic systems that make them ideally suited for basic biological research. Recently developed techniques for genetic engineering of filamentous fungi make it possible to alter their detrimental and beneficial activities in novel ways.
Hydrogenation of chemisorbed ethylene on clean, hydrogen, and ethylidyne covered platinum (111) crystal surfaces

The hydrogenation of chemisorbed ethylene was examined on platinum (111) single crystals under ultra-high vacuum using temperature programmed desorption. Ethane was formed in a self-hydrogenation process with an activation energy of 18 kcal/mol, while in the presence of preadsorbed hydrogen, ethane was formed with an activation energy of 6 kcal/mol. A mechanism is proposed for the low pressure hydrogenation which is supported by a computer simulation. At temperatures below 320 K, an ethylidyne saturated Pt(111) surface requires hydrogen pressures greater than 10−5 Torr for coadsorption. Ethylene binds to this surface very weakly or not at all, and consequently no ethane was observed to desorb from this surface during TPD. The results obtained support the model of direct participation of a carbonaceous layer during the steady state catalytic hydrogenation of ethylene on Pt(111) at atmospheric pressures and room temperature, as previously reported.
Enriched neonatal odor exposure leads to increased numbers of olfactory bulb mitral and granule cells

Exposure of rat pups to a variety of airborne odors leads to a greater number of neurons in the mitral and granule cell layers in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs. The results are contrasted with studies on olfactory deprivation and possible mechanisms for the effects are discussed.
Metal Organic Resin Derived Barium Titanate; II, Kinetics of BaTiO3Formation

A physicochemical model has been developed for the kinetics of barium titanate formation from X-ray-amorphous, metal organic precursors by relating the changes in the physical structure of the precursor particles with the degree of transformation in isothermally heated powder samples. From electron microscopy and gas adsorption, it is evident that the precursor particles consist of 20-to 60-nm crystallites and < 10-nm intraparticle pores. A Ba,Ti oxycarbonate phase forms on heating the Ba,Ti metal organic precursor, which subsequently decomposes to form BaTiO3 It is concluded that the formation of BaTiO3 follows the shrinking core model, and the overall transformation is rate-controlled by the diffusion of CO2 through the nanometer-size intraparticle pores.
Excited-state thermionic emission in III-antimonides: Low emittance ultrafast photocathodes

The normalized rms transverse emittance of an electron source is shown to be proportional to m*, where m* is the effective mass of the state from which the electron is emitted, by direct observation of the transverse momentum distribution for excited-state thermionic emission from two III-V semiconductor photocathodes, GaSb and InSb, together with a control experiment employing two-photon emission from gold. Simulations of the experiment using an extended analytical Gaussian model of electron pulse propagation are in close agreement with the data.
Constructing an empirically derived measure for customer contact

This research provides an empirically derived measurement model for customer contact, a widely used construct in service management. The model was created by applying two psychometric scaling techniques, Multidimensional Scaling MDS and the method of paired comparisons, and Content Analysis, to the ratings and responses of service research experts. MDS showed that the construct of Customer Contact is multidimensional and complex. An interval scale was developed using the paired comparison methodology, and a measurement model was developed using this contact scale. The central finding was that the degree or level of contact can be measured at the episode level by averaging the normalized values of communication time, the information richness, and the level of intimacy. The uses of the measurement model include refining current research, and reevaluating past research, developing contingency models for service quality and design, and providing practitioners with a richer understanding of customer contact to facilitate service system design.
Research Spotlight: Why was Arctic sea ice extent low in summer 2010?

[1] Arctic sea ice extent has been declining in recent years, although ice extent varies with changes in atmospheric circulation, especially changes in the phase of the Arctic Oscillation. The negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation has generally favored survival of sea ice, but while an extreme negative phase of the Arctic Oscillation took place in winter 2009–2010, the September 2010 Arctic sea ice extent was the third lowest in the satellite record. Stroeve et al. investigated the causes of the low ice extent in 2010. They analyzed sea ice concentrations as well as sea level pressure and air temperature data from 1979 through 2010 and found that atmospheric circulation during winter 2009–2010 was different from previous negative Arctic Oscillation events. In typical negative events, winds drive thick multiyear ice in the Beaufort Sea northward to areas where the ice thickens and survives the summer melt season, but during the 2009–2010 winter, winds drove older ice across the Beaufort Sea into the warmer southern areas of the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2010GL045662, 2011)
Comparison of transvaginal versus laparoscopic bladder neck suspension for stress urinary incontinence

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this retrospective review was to determine the feasibility of treating anatomic female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) with a retropubic laparoscopic bladder neck suspension. Also, we compared the clinical course and results of the transvaginal bladder neck suspension (VBNS; Raz) and laparoscopic bladder neck suspension (LBNS) among a group of patients of similar age and American Society of Anesthesiologists rating. Methods Nineteen patients undergoing a retropubic LBNS (E.M.M.) were compared with 23 patients undergoing a Raz VBNS (C.G.K.) operated on during the same time period for anatomic SUI. All patients were assessed for their age, preoperative bladder capacity, preoperative postvoid residual, operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, postoperative analgesia requirement, time required to resume a normal voiding pattern, complications, and recurrence rate of the SUI. Results The operative time for the LBNS is longer than the VBNS (124 versus 44 minutes). The LBNS patients required significantly less postoperative parenteral analgesia (6.3 versus 15.6 mg morphine sulfate), and a shorter time to resume a normal voiding pattern (0.6 versus 13 days) compared with the VBNS patients. The overall success rate of the two procedures was similar at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months of follow-up. Conclusions Retropubic LBNS is a technically feasible surgical procedure for patients with anatomic SUI. Compared with the VBNS, the LBNS is associated with minimal postoperative discomfort, no need for suprapubic urinary diversion, and a rapid return to normal activities. The short-term success rate of the LBNS appears to be similar to that for the VBNS.
Source memory impairment in patients with frontal lobe lesions.

In two experiments, we investigated memory for recently learned facts and memory for the source of the facts (i.e. where and when the facts were learned) in patients with frontal lobe lesions, age-matched elderly control subjects, and younger subjects. In both experiments, patients with frontal lobe lesions recalled as many facts as their age-matched subjects and the younger subjects, but they frequently attributed facts to incorrect sources. In the second experiment, both patients with frontal lobe lesions and their age-matched subjects committed more source errors than younger subjects. These findings suggest that the frontal lobes may play a special role in associating facts to the context in which they were learned. The results are also discussed in the light of the source memory impairment that occurs in amnesic patients.
Crosswell Seismic Imaging And Inversion of a Michigan Reef From Above And From Beneath

A high-resolution crosswell seismic survey was conducted using two monitor wells located external to a Silurian (Niagaran) reef, at Springdale field in northern Michigan. These wells extended to much greater depths than the reef, and imaging was conducted both from above and from beneath the reef. The resulting seismic images provide the best views of any Niagaran pinnacle reef obtained to date. The tops of the reservoir can be clearly distinguished, and its lateral extent or dipping edges can be observed along the profile. Reflection events internal to the reef are evident; some of them are fairly continuous across the reef and others are discontinuous. Inversion of the seismic data indicates which events represent zones of higher porosity and which are lower porosity or anhydrite-plugged. The full stacked images include angles that are beyond critical for many of the interfaces, and some reflections are visible only for a small range of angles, presumably near their critical angle. Strong apparent attenuation of signals occurs when seismic ray paths pass through the upper part of the Springdale reservoir; this may be due to intrinsic attenuation and/or scattering of events due to the locally strongly varying gas saturation and extremely low fluid pressures. The seismic images obtained, and interpretations of them, as assisted by inversion, provide additional insight into the internal geometry of this reef and provide data that should be useful for reservoir management.
Scattering and multiple scattering in NISP

It is very common to use Monte Carlo integration to estimate multiple scattering corrections in neutron experiments. The neutron instrument simulation package (NISP) includes various sample types and materials, many of which also account for multiple scattering. By combining the simulation of beam optics and multiple scattering, significant correlations are included. This report describes the implementation of multiple scattering in NISP, and shows the cross-section algorithms currently used. Source codes are available. An example of a full multiple scattering simulation is shown.
Chapman–Enskog solutions to arbitrary order in Sonine polynomials V: Summational expressions for the viscosity-related bracket integrals

Abstract The Chapman–Enskog solutions of the Boltzmann equations provide a basis for the computation of important transport coefficients for both simple gases and gas mixtures. These coefficients include the viscosity, the thermal conductivity, and the diffusion coefficient. In a preceding paper on simple gases (I), we have shown that the use of higher-order Sonine polynomial expansions enables one to obtain results of arbitrary precision that are free of numerical error. In two subsequent papers (II–III), we extended our original simple gas work to encompass binary gas mixture computations of the viscosity, thermal conductivity, diffusion, and thermal diffusion coefficients to high-order. In a fourth paper (IV) we derived general summational representations for the diffusion- and thermal conductivity-related bracket integrals and provided compact, explicit expressions for all of these bracket integrals needed to compute the diffusion- and thermal conductivity-related transport coefficients up to order 5 in the Sonine polynomial expansions used. In all of this previous work we retained the full dependence of our solutions on the molecular masses, the molecular sizes, the mole fractions, and the intermolecular potential model via the omega integrals up to the final point of solution via matrix inversion. The elements of the matrices to be inverted are, in each case, determined by appropriate combinations of bracket integrals which contain, in general form, all of the various dependencies. Since accurate expressions for the needed bracket integrals have not previously been available in the literature beyond orders 2 or 3, and since such expressions are necessary for any extensive program of computations of the transport coefficients involving Sonine polynomial expansions to higher orders, we have investigated alternative methods of constructing appropriately general bracket integral expressions that do not rely on the term-by-term, expansion and pattern matching techniques that we developed for our previous work. It is our purpose in this paper to report the results of our efforts to obtain useful, alternative, general expressions for the bracket integrals associated with the viscosity-related Chapman–Enskog solutions for gas mixtures. Specifically, we have obtained such expressions in summational form that are conducive to use in high-order viscosity coefficient computations for arbitrary gas mixtures and have computed and reported explicit expressions for all of the orders up to 5.
Gastric inhibitory peptide, serotonin, and glucagon are unexpected chloride secretagogues in the rectal gland of the skate (Leucoraja erinacea).

Since the discovery of the rectal gland of the dogfish shark 50 years ago, experiments with this tissue have greatly aided our understanding of secondary active chloride secretion and the secretago...
The relationship between depression and feeding disorder symptoms among persons with severe and profound mental retardation

Among the population at-large, the effect of depression on appetite and feeding behavior is well documented. Despite the prevalent nature of psychopathology among those with severe and profound mental retardation, little has been reported about the relationship between depression and problematic feeding behavior. Consequently, we assessed the relationship of depression and feeding problems across 54 participants diagnosed with either a mood disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, or no Axis I diagnosis. All participants were classified in the severe to profound range of mental retardation. Significant differences on the Screening Tool of Feeding Problems (STEP) were found across feeding problems, indicating that feeding problems may vary as a function of Axis I diagnostic classification.
Escalating Public Interaction with Educational Leaders.

There is, the author contends, no substitute for direct dialog between the school administrator and the private citizen. The following article catalogs methods that can be employed to tap community resources.
“Those who come to do harm”: The Framings of Immigration Problems in Costa Rican Immigration Law

This article examines the political rationales at work behind the particularly repressive 2006 Costa Rican immigration law and subsequent immigration reform process and resulting 2010 law through an analysis of two rival framings of immigration in Costa Rica. First, I examine how the rushed nature of the 2006 law constructed a crisis in which migrants, particularly Nicaraguans, represented urgent threats to national security. Next, I examine the 2010 law that emerged from the reform process and the alternative framings of immigration as an issue of human rights and integration that migration advocates contributed to the new law. I argue that the juxtaposition of integration and security frameworks in the new law reinforces the law's most repressive measures, contributing to an overall project of securitization and marginalization of immigrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Regulation of c‐Fos and NGF1‐A by antidepressant treatments

The influence of antidepressant treatments on the expression of c-Fos and NGF-1A, two immediate early gene (IEG) transcription factors, was examined. Administration of electroconvulsive seizures (ECS), tranylcypromine, or imipramine, three different classes of antidepressants, increased the expression of c-Fos mRNA and immunoreactivity in rat frontal cortex, but the magnitude of the increase for each treatment differed and the effect of imipramine was preceded by inhibition of c-Fos expression. Expression of NGF-1A was increased by acute or chronic administration of ECS or tranylcypromine, and by chronic (21 d), but not acute, administration of imipramine. To study the mechanisms underlying these differences, we examined the neurotransmitter receptors that regulate the expression of c-Fos. ECS- and tranylcypromine induction of c-Fos immunoreactivity in frontal cortex was partially inhibited by pretreatment with specific antagonists for α1-adrenergic, β-adrenergic, and 5-HT2A/2C, but not D2-dopamine receptors. ECS induction of c-Fos was also inhibited by D1-dopamine and NMDA glutamate receptor antagonists, suggesting that the greater induction of c-Fos by ECS results from activation of these, and possibly other, neurotransmitter receptors. In the hippocampus, antagonism of tranylcypromine was similar to that in frontal cortex, except the D1-dopamine receptor antagonist also blocked the c-Fos response. In contrast, antagonism of the ECS response in hippocampus was only blocked by the NMDA receptor antagonist. The results demonstrate that ECS- and tranylcypromine induction of c-Fos is mediated by activation of several different neurotransmitter receptors, but that the exact pharmacological profile is different for each treatment and brain region. Synapse 25:313–320, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
INFRARED EMISSION SPECTRA OF NITRIC OXIDE FOLLOWING THE RADIATIVE ASSOCIATION OF NITROGEN ATOMS AND OXYGEN ATOMS

Abstract The i.r. emission spectrum that arises in the radiative association of N and O atoms is calculated. The emission is characterized by nonthermal vibrational bands with an effective temperature ≈ 2500 K and a thermal rotational distribution.
Compression After Impact on Honeycomb Core Sandwich Panels with Thin Facesheets, Part 2: Analysis

A two part research study has been completed on the topic of compression after impact (CAI) of thin facesheet honeycomb core sandwich panels. The research has focused on both experiments and analysis in an effort to establish and validate a new understanding of the damage tolerance of these materials. Part 2, the subject of the current paper, is focused on the analysis, which corresponds to the CAI testings described in Part 1. Of interest, are sandwich panels, with aerospace applications, which consist of very thin, woven S2-fiberglass (with MTM45-1 epoxy) facesheets adhered to a Nomex honeycomb core. Two sets of materials, which were identical with the exception of the density of the honeycomb core, were tested in Part 1. The results highlighted the need for analysis methods which taken into account multiple failure modes. A finite element model (FEM) is developed here, in Part 2. A commercial implementation of the Multicontinuum Failure Theory (MCT) for progressive failure analysis (PFA) in composite laminates, Helius:MCT, is included in this model. The inclusion of PFA in the present model provided a new, unique ability to account for multiple failure modes. In addition, significant impact damage detail is included in the model. A sensitivity study, used to assess the effect of each damage parameter on overall analysis results, is included in an appendix. Analysis results are compared to the experimental results for each of the 32 CAI sandwich panel specimens tested to failure. The failure of each specimen is predicted using the high-fidelity, physicsbased analysis model developed here, and the results highlight key improvements in the understanding of honeycomb core sandwich panel CAI failure. Finally, a parametric study highlights the strength benefits compared to mass penalty for various core densities.
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery Has Variable Effects on Blood Gases in Patients with Emphysema

Most studies of bilateral lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) report increases in arterial oxygenation (PaO2 ). Some suggest this results from an increased alveolar ventilation, but others imply that ventilation–perfusion heterogeneity is reduced. We measured arterial blood gases (ABGs) on air before and 3 mo following LVRS in 46 patients (61% of eligible patients), estimate the difference between alveolar and arterial O2 (aaPo 2), and correlated the changes observed with preoperative ABGs, and with pre-and postoperative pulmonary function. The mean ± SD change in PaO2 and aaPo 2 was + 3 ± 10 mm Hg (p = 0.058) and + 1 ± 11 mm Hg (p = NS), respectively, and the range of change was large ( − 17 to + 29 mm Hg and − 24 to + 23 mm Hg, respectively). The mean change in PaCO2 was − 3 ± 5 mm Hg (p < 0.05) and ranged from − 11 to + 5 mm Hg. Changes in PaO2 and aaPo 2 were poorly correlated with changes in PaCO2 or with pre- or postoperative pulmonary function. Although some patients had a marked improvement in AB...
3-D characterization of a clastic reservoir analog: From 3-D GPR data to a 3-D fluid permeability model

A three‐dimensional (3‐D) 100 MHz ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) data volume is the basis of in‐situ characterization of a fluvial reservoir analog in the Ferron Sandstone of east‐central Utah. We use the GPR reflection times to image the bounding surfaces via 3‐D velocity estimation and depth migration, and we use the 3‐D amplitude distribution to generate a geostatistical model of the dimensions, orientations, and geometries of the internal structures from the surface down to ∼12 m depth. Each sedimentological element is assigned a realistic fluid permeability distribution by kriging with the 3‐D correlation structures derived from the GPR data and which are constrained by the permeabilities measured in cores and in plugs extracted from the adjacent cliff face. The 3‐D GPR image shows that GPR facies changes can be interpreted to locate sedimentological bounding surfaces, even when the surfaces do not correspond to strong GPR reflections. The site contains two main sedimentary regimes. The upper ∼5 m co...
The relationship between knowledge of results and motor learning in Parkinsonian patients

A simple timing movement was used to investigate augmented feedback on motor learning in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and controls. During acquisition, participants received knowledge of results (KR) about their errors after every trial (100%) or every fifth trial (20%). Participants then performed a retention test without KR. Controls performed better on the retention test after having had 20% KR during acquisition. PDs showed superior retention with 100% KR. This suggests that the PD patients are more reliant on KR for learning motor skills; a difference that may be attributable to reduced proprioceptive acuity in PD patients.
Comparative study of concentrative prostaglandin accumulation by various tissues of mammals and marine vertebrates and invertebrates.

Abstract 1. When incubated with tritiated prostaglandins ( 3 H-PGs) A 1 , E 1 , F 1α or F 2α some tissues of cats and rats accumulate 3 H to a level several times that of the medium, while others appear to exclude PGs. 2. Some tissues of marine vertebrates show similar accumulative activity, for example, the choroid plexuses and liver show concentrative PG uptake in all species studied. 3. Concentrative uptake of 3 H-PGs, especially 3 H-PGA 1 , was demonstrated in all tissues of bivalves and in most tissues of a number of other marine invertebrates. 4. Some marine invertebrates are capable of accumulating 3 H-PGs from the ambient sea water. In the scallop the greatest accumulation was found in the gills. 5. The 3 H-PG accumulation is temperature dependent; in marine forms, especially scallops, it is not readily reversible. 6. The chemical nature of the accumulated labelled product has not been identified. The PGs used were labelled with tritium only at stable positions; thus the accumulated label must represent PGs or closely related metabolites either in the free form or incorporated into tissue components.
Massive spin 5/2 fields coupled to gravity: Tree level unitarity versus the equivalence principle

I show that the gravitational scattering amplitudes of a spin-52 field with mass m<MPl violate tree-level unitarity at energies √s≈√mMPl if the coupling to gravity is minimal. Unitarityup to energies √s≈MPl is restored by adding a suitable non-minimal term, which gives rise to interactions violating the (strong) equivalence principle. These interactions are only relevant at distances d≲1/m.
Immanuel Tremellius' 1569 Edition of the Syriac New Testament

Tremellius' 1569 edition of the Syriac New Testament was a quite distinctive product of Heidelberg oriental scholarship, very different from other sixteenth-century editions produced by Catholic scholars. Tremellius produced his edition by first reconstructing an historical grammar of Aramaic and then, in the light of this, vocalising the text of Vat. sir. 16 which he took to be more ancient than that of Widmanstetter's editio princeps. Thus in this way he sought to construct the earliest recoverable linguistic and textual form of the Peshitta. The anonymous Specularius dialogus of 1581 is here used for the first time to corroborate this assessment of Tremellius' achievement and to cast light on the confessional polemics his edition provoked.
Surgical margins and reresection in the management of patients with soft tissue sarcoma using conservative surgery and radiation therapy

BACKGROUND Patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma (STS) who present to specialist centers after undergoing apparent macroscopic total resection often have a significant incidence of residual tumor and may benefit from reresection of the tumor bed. The potential benefits of such reresection have not been documented adequately. METHODS The clinicopathologic features and disease outcome for 666 consecutive patients with localized STS who presented after undergoing apparent macroscopic total tumor resection were analyzed to elucidate the relative merits of reresection. Actuarial univariate and multivariate methods were used to compare disease outcome of patients who presented with positive or uncertain microscopic resection margins according to whether they underwent reresection. All patients received adjuvant radiation therapy. RESULTS Two hundred and ninety-five patients underwent reresection of their tumor bed, and residual tumor was found in 136 patients (46%), including macroscopic tumor in 73 patients (28%). Final resection margins among patients who underwent reresection were negative in 257 patients (87%), positive in 35 patients (12%), and uncertain in 3 patients (1%). Patients who did not undergo reresection had final margins that were negative in 117 patients (32%), positive in 47 patients (13%), and uncertain in 207 patients (56%). Local control rates at 5 years, 10 years, and 15 years for patients who underwent reresection were 85%, 85%, and 82%, respectively; for patients who did not undergo reresection, the respective local control rates were 78%, 73%, and 73% (P = 0.03). Reresection remained a significant determinant of local control when other prognostic factors were incorporated into a multivariate proportional hazards regression analysis. A similar beneficial effect of reresection was found for metastasis free survival and disease specific survival. CONCLUSIONS Patients with localized STS who were referred to a specialist center after undergoing apparent macroscopic total resection of their tumor had a high incidence of residual tumor in their tumor bed and benefited from undergoing reresection, even if radiation was administered routinely. Cancer 2003;10:2544–53. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11367
WEAK-COUPLING EXPANSION FOR THE GROUND-STATE ENERGY OF A MANY-BOSON SYSTEM

The pair theory of many-boson systems is used to obtain a weak-coupling expansion for the ground-state energy to third order in the coupling constant. The relationship of this expansion to the formal Rayleigh-Schr\"odinger perturbation expansion is discussed, with particular reference to the relationship between the divergent third-order term in the formal perturbation expansion and the terms of $\frac{5}{2}$ and third orders in the correct weak-coupling expansion. The excitation energy is discussed briefly; it is pointed out that the lowest-order "nonpair" correction to the phonon energy is of the right order of magnitude to cancel the spurious energy gap of the pair theory.
CHANGES IN ELECTRICAL POLARITY IN THE AVENA COLEOPTILE AS AN ANTECEDENT TO HORMONE ACTION IN GEOTROPIC RESPONSE.

The coleoptile of Avena sativa has been used extensively in the study of geotropic curvature (1,10). When the coleoptile is placed in the horizontal position, it responds to the force of gravity as the stimulus by curving upward, by accumulating a greater quantity of growth hormones in the lower than remains in the upper half, and by establishing a transverse electrical polarity oriented so that the under side becomes electropositive to the upper side in the external circuit. Although there may be other concurrent responses, this paper is concerned only with these listed. It is generally accepted that the unequal hormone distribution is an essential precursor for the upward bending (1, 10), but these hormones must be directed to the under side by some orienting force (polarity). It has been suggested (1,10), though it has not been proved, that the transverse electrical polarity might be the required orienting force. If the electrical polarity is to fulfill this requirement, then its establishment must chronologically precede the unequal growth hormone distribution. Consequently, an analysis of the experimental data on this point is in order.
GRETA: the gamma-ray energy-tracking array. Status of the development and physics opportunities

A gamma-ray energy-tracking array (GRETA) consisting of a 4π array of highly segmented Ge detectors is a new concept for the detection of gamma radiation. In such an array, all of the individual interactions of each gamma-ray are identified by their energies and positions, the three-dimensional positions being determined by pulse-shape analysis of the signals from the segmented Ge detectors. Then, using tracking algorithms based on the properties of photoabsorption, Compton scattering and pair production, the gamma-ray scattering sequences can be reconstructed, even if many gamma-rays hit the array at the same time. Such a detector will have new and much improved capabilities compared to the current generation of gamma-ray spectrometers and will be vital to fully exploit the most exotic beams from future radioactive beam facilities. One implementation of the tracking array concept, called GRETA, is currently under development in the US. In this presentation the progress of the GRETA project will be reviewed and future plans and prospects will be discussed.
Localization of IBF as a D-2 dopamine receptor imaging agent in nonhuman primates

Preliminary study of iodine-123 labeled IBF, (S)-5-iodo-7-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl] carboxamido-2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran, has demonstrated the potential of using this agent to evaluate the status of the CNS D-2 dopamine receptor in humans. To further characterize this ligand and evaluate single-photon emission tomography (SPET) quantitation, a detailed biodistribution study in monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) with 123I- and 125I-IBF was performed. The dual tracer was simultaneously injected for in vivo imaging, biodistribution, and ex vivo autoradiography in the same monkey. After the injection, SPET data (10 min/frame × 15) were collected with a triple-head gamma camera. Dynamic imaging data indicated that IBF localized in basal ganglia (BG) with a half life of 90-120 min. Other regions, i.e., cerebellum (CB) and cortex (CX), showed very low uptake. At 2.2 h after the injection, the monkey was sacrificed. Organ distribution data indicated that, as expected, there was a significant uptake in basal ganglia (0.029% ID/g), and the BG/CB and BG/CX ratios were 17.8 and 14.2 respectively. Lower ratios were obtained from SPET image analysis (BG/CB=3.5 at 2.5h). The eye uptake was observed with SPET, but was only quantified on autoradiograms with significant uptake (0.017% ID/g). Autoradiography of the eye demonstrated that predominant uptake was localized in the ciliary body and the choroid. The selective retention and high BG/CB ratio of 123I-IBF make it a useful agent for in vivo D-2 dopamine receptor imaging with SPET.
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived inflammatory fibroblasts promote monocyte transition into myeloid fibroblasts via an IL-6-dependent mechanism in the aging mouse heart

Fibrosis in the old mouse heart arises partly as a result of aberrant mesenchymal fibroblast activation. We have previously shown that endogenous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the aged heart are markedly resistant to TGF-β signaling. Fibroblasts originating from these MSCs retain their TGF-β unresponsiveness and become inflammatory. In current studies, we found that these inflammatory fibroblasts secreted higher levels of IL-6 (3-fold increase, P < 0.05) when compared with fibroblasts derived from the young hearts. Elevated IL-6 levels in fibroblasts derived from old hearts arose from up-regulated expression of Ras protein-specific guanine nucleotide releasing factor 1 (RasGrf1), a Ras activator (5-fold, P < 0.01). Knockdown of RasGrf1 by gene silencing or pharmacologic inhibition of farnesyltransferase (FTase) or ERK caused reduction of IL-6 mRNA (more than 65%, P < 0.01) and decreased levels of secreted IL-6 (by 44%, P < 0.01). In vitro, IL-6 markedly increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-driven monocyte-to-myeloid fibroblast formation after transendothelial migration (TEM; 3-fold, P < 0.01). In conclusion, abnormal expression of RasGrf1 promoted production of IL-6 by mesenchymal fibroblasts in the old heart. Secreted IL-6 supported conversion of monocyte into myeloid fibroblasts. This process promotes fibrosis and contributes to the diastolic dysfunction in the aging heart.
Viruses and Cancer

Viruses are ubiquitous and are also the pathogenic agents that are most commonly associated with neoplastic transformation of cells of several organs in human beings – thereby causing cancer of epithelial cells (carcinomas) or cancer of mesenchymal cells (leukemias, lymphomas and sarcomas) depending on the type and location of the infected host cell. This review highlights the six major groups of viruses that have established aetiological association with cancer in human populations. The epidemiology and the processes through which these pathogens cause malignant transformation of the infected host cells are discussed – with particular emphasis on the evolving and changing natures of the diseases as they parallel changes in human behaviours. Also discussed is a brief overview of the current understanding of molecular pathology as they emerge with the advent of new technological capabilities for studying these processes at subcellular (genomic) levels.
Fast ion conduction and phase transitions in various preparations of Na3Sc2P3O12

Abstract The complex admittance of pellets of crystalline Na 3 Sc 2 P 3 O 12 has been determined in the frequency range of 1 to 7×10 5 Hz and the temperature range −100 to 300°C. A plot of log σT vs 1/T shows an abrupt increase in the ionic conductivity and decrease in the activation energy for conduction at 64°C. These discontinuities arise from a structural phase change at this temperature. The Arrhenius plot shows a second abrupt decrease, by about a factor of three, in the activation energy to about 0.15 eV at temperatures above 170°C; this is associated with a second phase change. Differential thermal analysis reveals the presence of specific heat anomalies at 64° and 166°C. The data show evidence for relaxation processes occuring in the two lower temperature phases, and one of these relaxation processes is attributed to the conduction process.
Approximating the target wave function in positronium-helium scattering

We consider the effect of using necessarily inexact target wave functions in a Kohn variational calculation of the $\mathrm{Ps}\mathrm{He}$ scattering length. We use the simplest closed-shell or one-term Hylleraas function in the static-exchange approximation and examine two plausible ways of handling such an inexact function. Both of these methods have been employed in the past, and our results are compared with these previous calculations. Significant differences are found which may persist in more elaborate calculations.
Emissions Reductions in Diesel and Kerosene Flames Using a Novel Fuel Injector

A SPRAY serves as the heart of almost every type of liquidfueled combustion system. Ideally, to promote combustion withmaximumefficiency andminimumharmful emissions, an injector should deliver a fuel spray that rapidly disperses and evaporates to yield a homogeneousmixture of gaseous fuel and air. Characteristics of an ideal injector include good atomization over a wide range of either steady or transient fuel flow rates, unaffected by flow instabilities, low power requirements, scalability, resistant to blockages, and delivery of a fine spray [1,2]. Reviews by McDonell and Samuelsen [3], Razdan [4],Mansour [5], andNakamura et al. [6] deal with fuel sprays optimized for lean combustion. Pressure atomization, air-assist and air-blast atomization, and effervescent atomization [7] are commonly used techniques for a variety of injector applications. In the current study, we are exploring the so-called flow-blurring injector of Ganan-Calvo [8] in a combustion system. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the flow-blurring (FB) concept consists of a liquid nozzle and an orifice plate situated downstream of the nozzle. The nozzle’s wall is tapered at the outlet, and the sharpened edge of the orifice plate is the same diameter as the inner diameter of the nozzle (d). When the axial distance between the nozzle exit and orifice plate (H) is small (i.e., H=d < 0:25), some of the gas flowing into the lateral cylindrical passageway between the nozzle exit and orifice plane is forced upstream a short distance into the nozzle carrying the liquid. The backflow of gas causes vigorous combination of turbulent mixing and effervescing, or the so-called flow-blurring, which results in a spray with very fine droplets. Simmons et al. [9] conducted cold-flow visualization experiments for a range of geometric and flow conditions to demonstrate the high efficiency of the FB injector concept. To the best of our knowledge, the FB injector concept has never been applied to combustion systems. The objective of this study is to experimentally characterize emissions performance of the FB injector in a liquid-fueled combustor operated at atmospheric pressure. Experiments using diesel and kerosene fuels are performed for fixed fuel and total airflow rates, and the atomizing airflow rate is varied. The FB injector performance (NOx and CO emissions) is compared with that of a commercial air-blast (AB) injector. II. Experimental Setup
Understanding Men's Psychological Distress: Contributions of Problem-Solving Appraisal and Masculine Role Conflict

The relations among masculine role conflict, problem-solving appraisal, and 3 aspects of psy-chological distress (depression, anxiety, and dissatisfaction with social support) were investigatedusing latent variable modeling in a sample of 260 male college students. The final model indicatedacceptable representation of the data and explained 35% of variance in men’s experience ofpsychological distress. Problem-solving appraisal predicted 34% of men’s psychological distress.However, contrary to published research, masculine role conflict accounted for only 1% of men’sexperience of psychological distress via its indirect relation through problem-solving appraisal.These findings call into question the uniformity myth that greater masculine role conflict isclosely associated with men’s experience of psychological distress. Potentially salient implica-tions of the findings for practice and future research are discussed.
An entropy-based test for goodness of fit of the von mises distribution

The maximum entropy characterization of the von Mises distribution on the circle is exploited to derive a consistent goodness of fit test for the von Mises distribution. Monte Carlo simulation results are tabulated giving critical values of the test statistic for various sample sizes and values of the concentration parameter. A power analysis is presented for various alternative hypotheses, comparing this entropy statistic to two other competing goodness of fit statistics. The entropy statistic is shown to compare favorably and may be more attractive, especially considering its ease of computation.
Experimental study of the resonance of a circular array

n order to verify the existence of the theoretically predicted, extremely sharp resonances that occur in a circular array with many identical elements but only one driven, an experimental investigation of such an array has been carried out. The circular array consists of 90 monopole elements equally spaced around a 6-meter circumference. The properties of the array are observed through three windows: the input admittance of the array, the relative currents on the parasitic elements, and the radiation patterns. It is found that resonance -- at which the conductance becomes very large and the susceptance very small -- does occur. The experiment shows that the quality of the resonance, Q(equals f/(Delta) f), depends strongly on the equality of the spacing between the elements and good conductive contact between the monopoles and the ground plate.
Effects of amygdaloid stimulation on pituitary-adrenal activity in conscious cats.

Summary The role of the amygdala in ACTH release was studied in freely behaving conscious cats with respect to anatomical specificity, the relation of this hypothalamically mediated function to associated behavioral or electrographic effects and negative feedback action of endogenous steroid levels. Facilitation of ACTH release, as determined by changes in plasma levels of cortisol and corticosterone, occurred primarily in response to stimulation of the corticomedial, basal and lateral amygdaloid nuclei; inhibition, primarily upon stimulation of the corticomedial nuclei. The basal nuclear group also exerted differential inhibitory effects on corticosterone, while the major effect of anterior amygdaloid stimulation was no change in both steroids. These facilitatory and inhibitory effects on ACTH release were unrelated to the occurrence of overt behavioral effects and electrical afterdischarges which were generally avoided by the specific use of low stimulus intensities. The direction of the ACTH response was directly related to the existing level of pituitary-adrenal activity. When initial prestimulatory steroid levels were low, stimulation resulted in facilitation of ACTH release; whereas, when initial levels were significantly higher, inhibition or no change occurred in response to stimulation. These results provide information concerning the organization of the amygdala in its role as a modulator of pituitary-adrenal activity.
Seq2Ref: a web server to facilitate functional interpretation

The size of the protein sequence database has been exponentially increasing due to advances in genome sequencing. However, experimentally characterized proteins only constitute a small portion of the database, such that the majority of sequences have been annotated by computational approaches. Current automatic annotation pipelines inevitably introduce errors, making the annotations unreliable. Instead of such error-prone automatic annotations, functional interpretation should rely on annotations of ‘reference proteins’ that have been experimentally characterized or manually curated. The Seq2Ref server uses BLAST to detect proteins homologous to a query sequence and identifies the reference proteins among them. Seq2Ref then reports publications with experimental characterizations of the identified reference proteins that might be relevant to the query. Furthermore, a plurality-based rating system is developed to evaluate the homologous relationships and rank the reference proteins by their relevance to the query. The reference proteins detected by our server will lend insight into proteins of unknown function and provide extensive information to develop in-depth understanding of uncharacterized proteins. Seq2Ref is available at: http://prodata.swmed.edu/seq2ref .
Massenspektroskopie und ihre Anwendung auf strukturelle und stereochemische Probleme, 15. Mitt. 1 : Steroidsapogenine

Es wurden die Massenspektren einer Reihe von Steroidsapogeninen gemessen und Strukturen fur die wichtigsten Fragmentierungsionen vorgeschlagen. Steroidsapogenine geben ein charakteristisches Fragmentierungsmuster, das zur Identifizierung dieser Verbindungen herangezogen werden kann sowie Ruckschlusse auf bestimmte, Substituenten zulast.