cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5515: Combining FK228 and cisplatin synergistically induces cancer cell death and reduces clonogenic survival

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of FK228 (romidepsin) to increase cisplatin's ability to induce cell death and reduce clonogenic survival of human urinary bladder cancer cells. Human urinary bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, but long-term, disease-free survival in patients is still suboptimal. Therefore, it is crucial to develop effective chemotherapeutic regimens to decrease the morbidity and mortality of this cancer. FK228, a depsipeptide and histone deacetylase inhibitor, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of T cell lymphoma. However, its therapeutic value in treatment of bladder cancer is yet to be determined. Cisplatin is a DNA-damaging agent for treating various human cancers, including bladder, brain, ovary, lung, and testis cancers. However, the efficacy of cisplatin is often dampened by cancer cell drug resistance, mostly associated with glutathione (GSH)-based detoxification. Our study revealed that FK228 combined with cisplatin synergistically induced cell death and reduced clonogenic survival of human urinary bladder cancer cells. The Erk-Nox pathway played an important role in mediating signals highly increased by this combined treatment to induce significantly-elevated levels of reactive oxygen species, leading to substantially-induced caspase activation and synergistically-increased death in cancer cells. Cisplatin was able to enhance the ability of FK228 to significantly reduce GSH, indicating a novel activity of combined FK228 and cisplatin in reducing drug resistance. The ability of combined FK228 and cisplatin to synergistically induce cell death and reduce clonogenic survival was also applicable to colon cancer cells. Hence, combined use of FK228 with cisplatin should be considered in development of therapeutic strategies to control urinary bladder cancer and other cancer development and recurrence. Citation Format: Shambhunath Choudhary, Shilpa Sood, Lenora A. Pluchino, Hwa-Chain R. Wang. Combining FK228 and cisplatin synergistically induces cancer cell death and reduces clonogenic survival. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5515. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5515
Tests for oncogenicity of viruses under conditions of altered host and virus.

SummaryThymectomy of newborn hamsters enhanced the tumorigenicity of polyoma virus given 1 week or 4 months after surgery, of SV40 virus given 1 week after surgery, and of adenovirus 3 and 7 injected immediately after thymectomy. There was no effect on tumor incidence following adenovirus 12 given in high or low dose immediately after surgery. Adenovirus types 1 and 4, influenza types A, A2, and B, ECHO 25, poliovirus 1, reovirus 1, vaccinia, and M. orale 1 failed to induce tumor when inoculated into newborn thymectomized and nonsurgically treated hamsters. The influence of age on host susceptibility to viral oncogenesis was studied by inoculating adenovirus 7 and SV40 virus into newborn, 1-, 3-, and 12.5-14-month-old hamsters. Adenovirus 7 induced tumors in the newborn group alone; by contrast, SV40 virus induced tumors in all age groups. The influence of virus strain and cell culture passage on oncogenicity was studied with the Pinckney and Gomen strains of adenovirus 7. These latter factors did not aff...
Optimal Multi-Period Advertising Budget Allocation within a Competitive Environment

A mathematical model approach is developed for the purpose of aiding advertising and marketing executives in advertising budget allocation decision-making in the face of a competitive environment. Two alternative model formulations are examined to study the dynamic market response to advertising expenditures. These embody numerous realistic characteristics of the advertising phenomenon including carry-over of past expenditures, diminishing returns and saturation effects, response decay in the absence of advertising and product diffusion effects. Through mathematical programming, the model determines the optimal advertising expenditures over a predetermined planning horizon under alternative constraint options (including competitive advertising assumptions). Illustrations of model applications are also presented.
Spinodal decomposition and pattern formation near a crystalline surface

The kinetics of spinodal decomposition and morphological evolution near a crystalline surface (an edge in two dimensions) were investigated by microscopic master equations in both the point and pair approximations and a second-neighbor interaction model in a two-dimensional model system. It is shown that, in the presence of a surface, spinodal decomposition initially involves surface segregation, followed by anisotropic decomposition in the near-surface region, with subsequent isotropic decomposition in the bulk. It is demonstrated that, due to segregation, a surface spinodal decomposition may take place for alloys whose overall average compositions are outside the bulk spinodal. It is found that the presence of a surface results in a dominant concentration wave, which produces interesting transient morphological patterns such as distorted hexagonal precipitate lattices for relatively low-volume fractions and straight stripes at high-volume fractions in the near-surface region. The effect of pair correlations on the kinetics of spinodal decomposition and morphologies was studied.
Alcohol outlet policies and practices concerning sales to underage people

Little is known about the relationship between alcohol outlet policies and practices in the United States and the likelihood that outlets will sell alcoholic beverages to persons under the legal drinking age. This study assessed the prevalence of such outlet-level policies and practices, and analyzed the relationships between outlet variables and outlets' actual propensity to sell alcoholic beverages to youth. The sample consisted of all outlets licensed for off-premise and a 40% random sample of outlets licensed for on-premise sale of alcoholic beverages in 15 small to medium-sized communities in Minnesota and Wisconsin (USA). Data on outlet characteristics, policies and practices were collected by a telephone survey of the owner or manager of each outlet. In addition, alcohol purchase attempts were conducted at each outlet by youthful-appearing study confederates. Generally, policies and practices that may reduce the likelihood of sales to youth were reported by a minority of outlets. Purchase success was found to be associated with a number of outlet characteristics, policies and practices. The implications of these findings for policy and future research are discussed.
Demonstration of moleculelike normal modes of Coulombic three-body systems in hyperspherical coordinates

The adiabatic channel wave functions of Coulombic three-body systems are investigated in mass-weighted hyperspherical coordinates. We consider the ABA Coulombic systems, where two of the particles are identical, and examine the density distribution functions at fixed hyperradii R for different systems as the mass ratio \ensuremath{\lambda}=${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{A}}$/${\mathit{m}}_{\mathit{B}}$ varies from the atomic limit (\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0, as in ${\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$) to the molecular limit (\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}, as in ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}^{+}$). The bonding and antibonding as well as the rovibrational characters of the three-body systems are illustrated by these density plots.
The vapor pressures of explosives

Abstract The vapor pressures (VPs) of many explosive compounds are extremely low, so determining accurate values proves difficult. Many researchers, using a variety of methods, have measured and reported the VPs of explosive compounds at single temperatures, or as a function of temperature using VP equations. There are large variations in reported VPs for many of these compounds, and some errors exist within individual papers. This article provides a review of explosive VPs and describes the methods used to determine them. We have compiled primary VP relationships traceable to the original citations and include the temperature ranges for which they have been determined. Corrected values are reported as needed and described in the text. In addition, after critically examining the available data, we calculate and tabulate VPs at 25°C.
[67Ga]citrate scintiscanning in active inflammatory bowel disease.

Twenty-five hospitalized patients were studied prospectively with [ 67 Ga]citrate (GA) abdominal scintillation scanning in an attempt to define its role in the evaluation of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There were nine patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), seven with Crohn's disease (CD), and nine controls. In four patients, two with UC and two with CD, a tissue/plasma radioactivity ratio was obtained and compared to normals. All the UC patients had positive GA scans and only one of seven of the CD patients had a positive scan. There were no false positive scans. Scans performed after a 3-or 5-day delay were more accurate than 6-hr scans alone. Well-delineated colinic radioactivity 6 hr after injection which persists for 3 to 5 days indicates the presence of UC in patients with IBD, while a negative scan is more consistent with active CD. Colonic uptake at 6 hr which clears by 48 or 72 hr is not indicative of UC. This procedure aided in following the course of UC, delineating the extent of disease, and in differentiating active CD from an intraabdominal abscess. Tissues from UC patients had increased tissue/plasma radioactivity ratios while tissues from CD patients had normal or decreased ratios which were consistent with the imaging data.
Comparative study of optical fluorescent nanosensors (PEBBLEs) and fiber optic microsensors for oxygen sensing

In this paper we report the use of phase sensitive fluorometry to obtain preliminary results from opto-chemical fluorescent oxygen nanosensors. PEBBLE (Probe Encapsulated By Biologically Localized Embedding) sensors were fabricated by immobilizing tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)Ru(II) chloride and tris(1,10-phenanthroline)Ru(II) chloride within a polyacrylamide matrix. PEBBLEs have diameters of 20 - 200 nm and exhibit excellent performance for dissolved oxygen detection. Their performance is compared with micrometer-sized (10 - 20 micrometer) optical fiber sensors and free dye in solution. Oxygen sensing ability of PEBBLEs was tested in the presence of other quenchers and compared with free dyes in solution. While PEBBLEs have been developed for minimally invasive intracellular chemical analysis they show additional advantages, such as increased dynamic range, compared to microsensors, and an absence of interference (quenching) by heavy ions in contrast to free dye solutions.
Does packing the eustachian tube impact cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea rates in translabyrinthine vestibular schwannoma resections

Objective:To calculate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rates for translabyrinthine (TL), middle cranial fossa (MCF), and retrosigmoid/suboccipital (SO) craniotomies performed for removal of vestibular schwannoma (VS) and analyze whether packing the eustachian tube (ET) in TL VS resections impacts CSF
An exploratory study of an online mind–body program for poor sleepers in a community sample

Abstract Introduction Delivering mind–body interventions using the Internet may be an effective way to provide evidence-based treatments to help reduce sleep disturbance. A sleep-focused mind–body intervention, mind–body bridging (MBB), showing promise in improving sleep was adapted for Internet use as SleepSTAR program. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability, and potential sleep health benefits, of SleepSTAR. Methods Thirty-seven participants with self-reported sleep disturbance were recruited into the study. They viewed online SleepSTAR content for 3 consecutive daily sessions (20 min each for a total of 60 min). Participants provided feedback about the SleepSTAR website and contents, and responded to a validated sleep scale to indicate how they slept, after applying SleepSTAR techniques. Assessments were conducted at pre-intervention, post-intervention (after 3 nights of SleepSTAR), and 1 week, 1-month and 3-month follow-ups. Results Most participants responded favorably to SleepSTAR, and reported frequently viewing the website and using the techniques throughout the assessment period. Based on the validated sleep scale, participants’ sleep disturbance declined significantly at post-assessment, and further at the 1-week assessment. These improvements were maintained at all three follow-ups. Conclusions This study provides preliminary support for SleepSTAR as a promising online mind–body intervention to help individuals manage their sleep. The study also supports the great potential of implementing this promising self-help program on the Internet to increase accessibility and promote better health through the use of novel, evidence-based mind–body interventions.
Pseudoempirical-likelihood-based method using calibration for longitudinal data with dropout

In observational studies, interest mainly lies in estimation of the population-level relationship between the explanatory variables and dependent variables, and the estimation is often undertaken using a sample of longitudinal data. In some situations, the longitudinal data sample features biases and loss of estimation efficiency due to non-random drop-out. However, inclusion of population-level information can increase estimation efficiency. In this paper we propose an empirical likelihood-based method to incorporate population-level information in a longitudinal study with drop-out. The population-level information is incorporated via constraints on functions of the parameters, and non-random drop-out bias is corrected by using a weighted generalized estimating equations method. We provide a three-step estimation procedure that makes computation easier. Some commonly used methods are compared in simulation studies, which demonstrate that our proposed method can correct the non-random drop-out bias and increase the estimation efficiency, especially for small sample size or when the missing proportion is high. In some situations, the efficiency improvement is substantial. Finally, we apply this method to an Alzheimer's disease study.
Ajanta: history and development volume 1: the end of the golden age handbook of oriental studies, section 2 18 (1) Spink, Walter M.

(2008). Ajanta: history and development volume 1: the end of the golden age handbook of oriental studies, section 2 18 (1) Spink, Walter M. Material Religion: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 110-112.
Active Control of Vehicle Air Cushion Suspensions

The optimum linear suspension which minimizes a linear combination of vehicle heave acceleration (a passenger comfort index) and suspension-guideway displacement (a measure of required suspension strike length) is synthesized using a Wiener-Hoepf technique. This optimum suspension, which is independent of specific mechanical, magnetic, or fluid methods of implementation, is used to determine the form of active control required to make the performance of a flexible-skirted air cushion suspension approach the optimum performance. The optimally compensated suspension acceleration, flexible base, and gap height excursions are computed and compared with those of optimum passive suspensions.
Human umbilical cord blood: A clinically useful source of transplantable hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells

This is a review and discussion of studies leading to the first use of human umbilical cord blood, material usually discarded, for the provision of stem/progenitor cells for clinical hematopoietic reconstitution. This prospect arose as a result of extensive studies of the harvesting and cryopreservation of cord blood and of its numerical content of progenitor cells demonstrable in vitro. A male patient with Fanconi anemia (FA) was conditioned with a modified regimen of cyclophosphamide and irradiation that accommodates the abnormally high sensitivity to these agents that is characteristic of FA. Cryopreserved cord blood had been retrieved at birth from a female sibling known from prenatal testing to be unaffected by FA and to be human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-compatible with the prospective sibling recipient. After conditioning and therapeutic infusion of thawed cord blood, successful hematopoietic reconstitution was indicated by the general health of the patient, who had previously required supportive transfusions, by satisfactory hematological criteria and by counts of hematopoietic progenitor cells of various types in the bone marrow. Complete engraftment of the myeloid system with donor cells was evident from cytogenetics, ABO typing, study of DNA polymorphisms, and normal cellular resistance to cytotoxic agents that reveal the fragility of FA cells; the blood contained a residuum of host lymphocytes exhibiting chromosomal damage, but the trend has been towards eliminating these damaged cells. This implies that cord blood from a single individual should provide sufficient reconstituting cells for effective hematopoietic repopulation of an autologous or an HLA-compatible allogeneic recipient.
Study of carbon dioxide electrolysis at electrode/electrolyte interface: Part I. Pt/YSZ interface

Abstract CO 2 electrolysis to produce O 2 has been investigated at the Pt/YSZ interface by means of the solid oxide electrolysis in preparation for future human exploration of Mars. With the aid of the current interruption method, the activation overpotentials, which are free of ohmic losses, were measured in the temperature range from 1023 to 1123 K. Both the CO 2 electrolysis performance curve and the activation overpotential curve show three distinct regions. Only impurity O 2 is electrolyzed in regions I and II, which occur at an applied cell voltage well below the threshold value of the open circuit voltage for CO 2 electrolysis, and the reaction is controlled by O 2 gas diffusion on the cathode side. Active electrolysis of CO 2 to form CO and oxygen anion occurs in the third region, where both the magnitudes of the anode and cathode activation overpotentials increase with the current density, and CO 2 electrolysis is controlled kinetically. The large magnitudes of the anode and cathode activation overpotentials indicate that significant room exists for improvement of the cell's performance.
Interhospital transfer occurs more slowly for elderly acute trauma patients.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine whether elderly acutely injured patients take longer to be transferred from referring hospitals to a regional trauma center than younger patients. We reviewed all trauma patients transferred urgently to a regional trauma center over 2 years. We considered age ≥ 65 years to be elderly. We performed multivariable linear regression to determine the extra time spent at the referring hospital attributable to elderly status, after adjustment for confounders. For 371 transfers, mean Injury Severity Score was 12, and 12% of patients had hypotension before transfer. Mean time spent at the referring hospital was 233 ± 110 min. After adjustment for confounders, including Injury Severity Score and computed tomography (CT) scanning before transfer, elderly patients spent 32 min more at referring hospitals than non-elderly patients (95% confidence interval 1–63 min). We conclude that interhospital transfer of elderly acutely injured trauma patients takes longer than for younger patients. Providers may be less aggressive in treating elderly trauma patients.
The equilibrium field near the tip of a crack for finite plane strain of incompressible elastic materials

This investigation is concerned with the deformations and stresses in a slab of all-around infinite extent containing a traction-free plane crack, under conditions of plane strain. The analysis is carried out within the framework of the fully nonlinear equilibrium theory of homogeneous and isotropic incompressible elastic solids. For a fairly wide class of such materials and general loading conditions at infinity, assymptotic estimates appropriate to the various field quantities near the crack-tips are deduced. For a subclass of the materials considered, these results — in contrast to the analogous predictions of the linearized theory — lead to the conclusion that the crack opens up in the neighborhood of its tips even if the applied loading is antisymmetric about the plane of the crack, (e.g., Mode II loading). It is shown further that the non-linear global crack problem corresponding to such a loading in general cannot admit an antisymmetric solution.
Nonideal Diode Behavior and Bandgap Renormalization in Carbon Nanotube p-n Junctions

The p-n junction diodes are formed by electrostatic doping using two gate electrodes positioned beneath individual, suspended single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These devices exhibit nearly ideal diode behavior within a small bias voltage range near 0 V. At higher bias (>\vert 0.2 V\vert), nonideal diode behavior is observed arising from Schottky contacts formed between the nanotube and its metal contact electrodes and the presence of electron tunneling between the N- and P-doped regions. We introduce a back-to-back diode model to explain the observed current versus voltage (I-V) characteristics. The reverse saturation current, parallel resistance, and open-circuit voltage dependence on gate voltage provide quantitative evidence for the theoretically predicted doping-induced bandgap shrinkage in CNTs. The minority carrier lifetimes are also estimated from this model.
Total Therapy 2 in Treatment of Multiple Myeloma: Questions About Gene Expression Profiling and Treatment-Related Mortality

TO THEEDITOR:Inareportpresentingthereiterativeoutcomeof patients with multiple myeloma who were treated as part of the Total Therapy 2 study performed at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Total Therapy II: Study for Multiple Myeloma Evaluating Anti-Angiogenesis With Thalidomide and Post-Transplant Consolidation Chemotherapy), 1 the authors suggest that stability of patient characteristics during the accrual period underpins the robustness of the results and the prognostic factors found. This is only partly accurate; completeness of analysis and data presentation are at least as important in determining validity. Unfortunately, incompleteness in these areas undermines the report as it stands. One major weakness is that the influence of specific cytogenetic abnormalities has not been shown individually, and all abnormalities have been grouped together (present/absent). The prognostic implications of various karyotype abnormalities differ. For example, t(4;14), del(17p), and 1q21 abnormalities are adverse, whereas hyperdiploidy and t(11;14) are favorable. It is not logicalforallofthesekaryotypeabnormalitiestobegroupedtogether. Itispossiblethattheonlyreasonthatgeneexpressionprofiling(GEP), whichapparentlyidentifiesasmallsubgroupofpatientswithhigh-risk
Off-Shell T Matrix and the Jost Function

An off-shell effective-rangelike theory is developed for the low-energy two-nucleon $T$ matrix. It is shown that the parameters in the theory can be determined from on-shell scattering data. The parameters are determined from the $^{3}S_{1}$ and $^{1}S_{0}$ two-nucleon phase shifts, and the validity of the off-shell formula is tested by means of examples. For the cases considered, the formula is found to work very well. A new proof for the separability of the two-body $T$ matrix near bound-state and resonance energies is given. This proof is based on the properties of the $T$ matrix in configuration space. A theorem on the factorization of the Jost function is developed and used to solve the inversion problem for rank-two separable potentials. Results are given for phase shifts that become hard-core phase shifts at high energies and for tensor forces. These results allow one to construct a separable potential that has the same on-shell $T$ matrix and bound-state wave function as a realistic local potential.
Learning and Cognitive Styles in Web-Based Learning: Theory, Evidence, and Application

Cognitive and learning styles (CLS) have long been investigated as a basis to adapt instruction and enhance learning. Web-based learning (WBL) can reach large, heterogenous audiences, and adaptation to CLS may increase its effectiveness. Adaptation is only useful if some learners (with a defined trait) do better with one method and other learners (with a complementary trait) do better with another method (aptitude-treatment interaction). A comprehensive search of health professions education literature found 12 articles on CLS in computer-assisted learning and WBL. Because so few reports were found, research from non-medical education was also included. Among all the reports, four CLS predominated. Each CLS construct was used to predict relationships between CLS and WBL. Evidence was then reviewed to support or refute these predictions. The wholist-analytic construct shows consistent aptitude-treatment interactions consonant with predictions (wholists need structure, a broad-before-deep approach, and social interaction, while analytics need less structure and a deep-before-broad approach). Limited evidence for the active-reflective construct suggests aptitude-treatment interaction, with active learners doing better with interactive learning and reflective learners doing better with methods to promote reflection. As predicted, no consistent interaction between the concrete-abstract construct and computer format was found, but one study suggests that there is interaction with instructional method. Contrary to predictions, no interaction was found for the verbal-imager construct. Teachers developing WBL activities should consider assessing and adapting to accommodate learners defined by the wholist-analytic and active-reflective constructs. Other adaptations should be considered experimental. Further WBL research could clarify the feasibility and effectiveness of assessing and adapting to CLS.
On the complexity of permutation network design

The problem addressed is: Given a set of permutations of n objects, design a network consisting of 2-state switches which realizes the given permutations, and in which the number of switches is minimal. A general standard form for feedback-free permutation networks is proposed and used to formulate the problem mathematically. The complexity of an algorithm to solve the problem is studied, and it is shown that there is evidence to suspect that the problem is in the class NPNP.
Power weakening control of the photovoltaic-battery system for seamless energy transfer in microgrids

This paper presents a power weakening control (PWC) to regulate photovoltaic (PV) power in excessive power conditions, when the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm is not needed. Excessive power leads to the overvoltage in the dc bus when available power from the PV arrays is greater than the sum of the load power and the battery power in the stand-alone mode. It is important to be able to control and limit this excessive PV power for protecting the PV-battery system. This paper explains how to handle excessive power in the PV-battery system. The proposed PWC contains an extra dc voltage control loop, power balance block, and hysteresis control, which decides the operation mode between MPPT and non-MPPT modes. The proposed PWC provides the load following function, thus it keeps dc voltage to be constant by controlling the surplus power. Therefore, it makes the PV-battery system more stable and robust under excessive power condition, resulting in improving the reliability of the PV-battery system. MATLAB/Simulink is used to validate effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Occurrence of methyl sulfide in milk from cows fed fresh, dried, or stored alfalfa.

Abstract Methyl sulfide (Me 2 S) concentrations in milk and Me 2 S peak heights in blood plasma and rumen fluid from cows fed various alfalfa test meals were determined. Comparisons of Me 2 S levels were made when cows were fed green and oven-dried alfalfa at vegetative and bloom stages; also, when fed sun-cured and oven-dried alfalfa after storage. Variations in Me 2 S concentration were established for randomly related cows and for identical twins. Milk Me 2 S concentration increased from zero before feeding a test meal to a maximum about three hours after feeding. Rumen fluid and blood plasma Me 2 S levels reached maxima before or about the time of those in the milk. Oven drying did not reduce Me 2 S production significantly from that obtained with green alfalfa forage. Sun curing and oven drying yielded equivalent results. Feeding immature alfalfa forage resulted in significantly more milk Me 2 S than did feeding bloom-stage alfalfa. Feeding alfalfa hay stored three months resulted in very low Me 2 S milk.
Results of carotid angioplasty and stenting are equivalent for critical versus high-grade lesions in patients deemed high risk for carotid endarterectomy.

Abstract Background To examine outcomes of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) in patients with critical carotid stenosis who are deemed high risk for carotid endarterectomy. Methods Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for patients undergoing CAS between September 2002 and March 2011 at a single institution. Patients were classified as having either critical (≥90%) or high-grade (70%–89%) carotid stenosis based on angiography. The primary composite end point was stroke, myocardial infarction, or death from any cause during the periprocedural period or any ipsilateral stroke during the follow-up period. Results A total of 245 patients underwent 257 CAS procedures during the study period. Fifty-one percentage ( n = 130) of cases involved critical stenosis (66.2% male; mean age, 71 ± 10 y), with the remaining group ( n = 127) involving high-grade stenosis (67.7% male; mean age, 71 ± 9 y). Symptomatic carotid disease was present in 25% of the critical stenosis and 31% of the high-grade stenosis groups ( P = 0.33). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was more commonly found in the high-grade stenosis group (20% versus 8%, P = 0.01). No difference was observed between the groups relative to other baseline demographic characteristics, presence of contralateral carotid occlusion, stent diameter or length, maximum balloon diameter or length, use of embolic protection device, or procedural duration. Technical success was achieved in all cases. There was no difference in the need to predilate before the introduction of the filter or stent based on the degree of stenosis. We found no difference in the primary composite end point between the high-grade or critical stenosis groups (7.1% versus 7.7%, P = 0.74), or there were no differences between the individual components of the composite end point. Mid-term survival was similar between the two groups at a mean follow-up period of 2.4 y. Conclusions Despite concerns regarding the potential for increased neurologic complications, our data demonstrate that patients with high-grade and critical stenosis are able to safely undergo CAS and achieve similar periprocedural outcomes and mid-term prognosis.
Hybrid electro-optic microcombs and frequency domain analysis of modelocking in microresonators

We present a hybrid electro-optically modulated microcomb system for stabilization of frequency comb repetition rates beyond 100 GHz at the 10−15 level. Moreover, we present frequency domain measurements on mode-locked states in microrod resonators.
Gas exsolution during fluid migration and its relation to overpressure and petroleum accumulation

Abstract Petroleum systems in the Tertiary sections of the Gulf of Mexico and Niger Delta, among other basins, are characterized by the close association between petroleum accumulation and over-pressure. Although overpressure is generated mainly by compaction disequilibrium of the low-permeability sediments, exsolution of gases from water and petroleum during migration over great vertical distance may create overpressure or modify the existing overpressure. In this paper, the author combined relative permeability data and petroleum phase behavior modelling to explain and predict the presence of an overpressure and petroleum ‘baffle’ due to gas exsolution. Generalized isoperm diagrams for oil, gas and water phases in sandy and silty/shaly sediments were created based on published data. Aqueous solubility of methane and carbon dioxide as a function of temperature, pressure, and salinity is summarized based on literature data. Phase diagrams of petroleum with a wide range of composition, API gravity, and GOR were produced using phase behavior software with calibration using field data. These tools were integrated to model overpressure and petroleum phase variations in two oil/gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico. The pressure gradients in these fields are likely modified by gas exsolution from the petroleum which migrated and accumulated within and below the pressure transition zone (PTZ). Petroleum trapped within PTZ tends to be fractionated, whereas that accumulated below PTZ tends to be single phase with high API gravity. These results provide a model which explains both the effect of gas exsolution on PTZ and the occurrence of different types of petroleum in these fields. These tools may be integrated with geological and seismic data to assess more accurately the economic value of petroleum accumulations in petroleum systems governed by overpressure and petroleum phase separation and fractionation.
Does Functional Decline Prompt Emergency Department Visits and Admission in Older Patients

Background: Older patients may visit the emergency department (ED) when their illness affects their function. Objectives: To quantify the function of older ED patients, to assess whether functional decline (FD) had occurred, and to determine whether function contributes to the ED visit and hospital admission. Methods: The authors performed an institutional review board–approved, prospective, cross-sectional study in a community teaching hospital ED. Eligible patients were older than 74 years of age, with an illness at least 48 hours old. Patients from a nursing facility and those without a proxy who were unable or unwilling to complete the questions were excluded. The Older Americans Resources and Services Questionnaire, which tests seven instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and seven physical ADLs (PADL), was used. Data are presented as means or proportions with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and comparisons as 95% CI for the difference between proportions. Results: The authors enrolled 90 patients (mean age, 81.6 yr [SD ± 4.9], 40% male). Dependence in at least one IADL was reported by 68% (95% CI = 57% to 77%), and in at least one PADL by 61% (95% CI = 50% to 71%). Functional decline was reported by 74% (95% CI = 64% to 83%). Two thirds of those with IADL decline and three quarters of those with PADL decline said that this contributed to their ED visit. Seventy-seven percent with, and 63% without, IADL decline were admitted (14% difference, 95% CI =−6.1% to 33%). Seventy-nine percent with and 61% without PADL decline were admitted (18% difference, 95% CI =−1.4% to 38%). Conclusions: Functional decline is common in older ED patients and contributes to ED visits in older patients; its role in admission is unclear.
Memory for random shapes and eidetic ability.

A measure of eidetic imagery (memory for random shapes) was evaluated with a group of 56 third grade subjects. No relationship was found between the memory task and a standard eidetic imagery task. The memory task did correlate .44 with Otis-Lennon IQ, .33 reading ability, and .23 teachers' ratings of reading ability.
In vivo delivery of RCAS virus to mice

Injection of RCAS viruses is highly customizable to the desired target tissue. RCAS viruses can be delivered into mice in vivo by injection of virus-producing cells or by injection of concentrated virus. When cells are injected, they persist for several days, continuously producing virus. Typically the decision of whether to inject virus-producing cells or concentrated virus is determined by the volume that can be reliably injected into a given tissue and the age of the animal when the virus delivery is performed. This general protocol describes the intraperitoneal injection of RCAS-expressing cells into mice and discusses the circumstances in which the injection of concentrated virus is preferred.
The preparation and properties of bis-disilanyl sulphide and tris-disilanylamine

Abstract The new compounds bis-disilanyl sulphide, (SiH3SiH2)2S, and tris-disilanylamine, (SiH3SiH2)3N have been prepared from disilanyl iodide, SiH3SiH2I and have been characterized.
Measured and calculated SvO2: do they alter clinical decisions?

Blood gas analysis (BGA) and PA oximetry catheters (PAOC) used to determine mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2) are based on fundamentally different technologies and thus they often produce discrepant values [1]. Directly measured SvO2 by the PAOC is the criterion standard against which calculation of SvO2 from PvO2 by BGA is judged.
LEARNING IN AN INVERTEBRATE WITH A POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT OF WATER

Four isopods, Porcellio scaber, were subjected to a water-deprivation procedure in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment. Ss were then given trials in a T maze. When turning against a ...
“How you durrin?”: Chuck Knipp, Shirley Q. Liquor, and Contemporary Blackface

F. Charles “Chuck” Knipp claims his portrayal of Shirley Q. Liquor, a saucy, middle-aged Louisiana black woman, is more “an extended drag comedy character” than a minstrel routine. But the most salient feature of the live performances by Knipp—a gay, white male—is his blackface makeup.
Platinum Ion Uptake by Dendrimers: An NMR and AFM Study

The reaction of generation 2 and generation 4 poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with K2PtCl4 was studied by several NMR methods. The time dependency of the Pt(II) complexation was followed with 195Pt NMR for both dendrimers and the equilibrium product was further characterized with 1H NMR, and indirectly detected 13C NMR, in the case of the generation 2 dendrimer. After 2 days, a black precipitate of Pt(0) was observed, half the original 195Pt signal was lost, and approximately 20% of the initial Pt(II) was coordinated to the tertiary and secondary nitrogens of the generation 2 dendrimer. The uptake of Pt(II) by the generation 4 dendrimer was much slower, consistent with the steric crowding of the surface groups on the generation 4 dendrimer compared to the more open generation 2. After 10 days, 80% of the Pt(II) was deep within the generation 4 dendrimer; the remaining 20% was unreacted or bound near the surface nitrogens of a single dendrimer. The location and time course of the platinum ion uptake by...
Market Microstructure and Security Pricing in the Warsaw Market

The speed with which information is impounded in security prices is evaluated with respect to several market microstructure variables in the context of a dynamic, rapidly-changing market, the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The dynamic nature of this market allows for predictions concerning pricing efficiency in more mature markets as they merge or expand their number of offerings. The results indicate that the performance of the Warsaw Exchange compares favorably with that of the average security traded on the NASDAQ. To the extent that recent mergers of several exchanges have had the effect of engaging more market participants and enhancing trading opportunities through expanded hours, trading efficiency has been positively affected. There is also weaker support for the view that consolidating securities on fewer exchanges will improve informational efficiency as well.
Profile of procarbazine‐induced embryotoxicity in an embryo hepatocyte Co‐culture system and after in utero glutathione depletion

Procarbazine (PCZ) is an antineoplastic agent useful in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease, brain tumors, and chronic leukemia. PCZ is dysmorphogenic to developing embryos exposed in vivo or cultured in the serum of PCZ-treated rats. However, embryos directly cultured with PCZ (up to 400 μg/ml) or PCZ plus S-9 liver fractions are unaffected. Since intact liver cells provide several advantages over hepatic subcellular fractions for in vitro bioactivation, we exposed rat embryos to PCZ in an embryo/hepatocyte co-culture system. Gestation day (GD) 9.5 rat embryos exposed to 0, 200, 300, or 400 μg PCZ/ml in the presence of untreated or phenobarbital induced male rat hepatocytes failed to display toxicity. However, in a companion study GD 9.5 rat embryos cultured in the serum from PCZ-treated rats exhibited developmental deficiencies. Studies have shown that the formation of toxic metabolites can result from glutathione (GSH) conjugation of toxicants in the liver. Therefore, in a second set of experiments, rat embryos were cultured in serum from rats pretreated with two GSH depleters (phorone and buthionine sulfoximine) and subsequently dosed with PCZ. Effects on development were enhanced when embryos were cultured in the serum from PCZ-treated/GSH depleted rats. These data indicate that PCZ requires in vivo activation to be dysmorphogenic and further suggest that the metabolite(s) responsible for procarbazine embryotoxicity are formed readily under conditions of low GSH levels. This argues against a glutathione conjugate as the ultimate toxicant. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Microbial dissolution of clay minerals as a source of iron and silica in marine sediments

Interactions between microbes and minerals have the potential to contribute significantly to the global cycles of various elements, and serve as a link between the geosphere and life. In particular, the microbially mediated cycle of iron within marine sediments is closely tied to the carbon cycle. The dissolved iron that serves as a nutrient is thought to be primarily drawn from well-known pools of highly reactive, bioavailable iron and iron complexes. Iron contained within the crystal lattice of clay minerals, the most abundant materials found at the Earth’s surface, is not thought to be part of this pool. Here we analyse the mineral composition of Middle-Cambrian-aged mudstones from the western United States. We find intergrown mineral aggregates of quartz, pyrite and calcite. On the basis of mineral phase relationships and temperatures of crystallization derived from stable isotopes of oxygen, we infer that mineral dissolution driven by microbes released iron and silica to the surrounding sediment pore waters, and led to the subsequent precipitation of the observed minerals. The microbial extraction of structurally coordinated Fe3+ from clay minerals after their deposition in marine sediments may liberate a fraction of iron previously considered unavailable, and may be important in iron and silica cycling in marine sediments. Interactions between microbes and minerals are evident in modern global elemental cycles. Relationships between minerals in Cambrian mudstones indicate that such interactions may have released otherwise unavailable, mineral-bound iron and silica into the ancient oceans.
Fission Energetics and Neutron Emission in 13-MeV Proton-Induced Fission of 226 Ra

The energetics of the fission of $^{226}\mathrm{Ra}$ induced by 13-MeV protons have been studied by means of a threeparameter experiment in which the time of flight of one fragment was measured in coincidence with the pulse amplitudes produced by both fragments in silicon surface-barrier detectors. The average number of neutrons emitted from individual fragments and from both fragments together are obtained as functions of fragment mass and total kinetic energy. In addition, the pre- and post-neutron-emission fragment mass distributions are obtained, together with the fragment energy distributions and mass-versus-energy correlations. Fragment excitation energies are inferred from the neutron-emission data, and the total energy balance is investigated. The experimental results suggest the presence of two components in $^{226}\mathrm{Ra}+p$ fission, one a liquid-drop component describing events in the symmetric peak of the mass distribution, the other a fragment-structure component describing events in the asymmetric peaks. The various distributions and correlations obtained, including those involving neutron emission, have been analyzed from this point of view and are seen to be quantitatively consistent with the assumption of two such components. It remains unclear, however, whether one or two saddle points are involved.
Tie2 Receptor Dimerization Mediated by its Extracellular FNIII Domains

The Tie family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulate a number of angiogenic processes that are critical in vascular development, as well as vascularization of tumor masses. The current signaling paradigm is that angiopoietin (Ang)1 binds to Tie2, promoting Tie2 homodimerization and autophosphorylation. This in turn results in cell proliferation, vessel branching, and sprouting. The extracellular regions of the Tie receptors contain three each of immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domains, EGF-like domains, and fibronectin type III (FNIII) domains. The structure of the Ig/EGF domain region of Tie2 in complex with an Ang protein has been described. However, this structure does not fully explain receptor activation or dimerization. Focusing on the three membrane-proximal FNIII domains - missing from the previously reported structure - we have found that this region can independently drive Tie2 dimerization, indicating that the FNIII domains play an important role in defining the activated dimeric configuration of this receptor. To determine the molecular basis for this observation we have solved a 2.5 A resolution crystal structure of the Tie2 FNIII domains, which reveals a domain architecture with intermolecular interactions between the second and third FNIII domains that are highly reminiscent of those seen in ligand-induced dimers of the hGHR receptor. Guided by this crystal structure we have generated mutations in the region that defines receptor dimerization. These mutations appear to reduce dimer formation in solution, and to reduce Ang1 stimulated phosphorylation of Tie2 in a cellular context.
The Nature of Engaged Reading in Classroom Discussions of Literature.

The goal of this investigation was to gain an understanding of engagement as fourth graders and their teachers attempted to construct meaningful interpretations during classroom discussions of lite...
Facebook photo activity associated with body image disturbance in adolescent girls.

Abstract The present study examined the relationship between body image and adolescent girls' activity on the social networking site (SNS) Facebook (FB). Research has shown that elevated Internet “appearance exposure” is positively correlated with increased body image disturbance among adolescent girls, and there is a particularly strong association with FB use. The present study sought to replicate and extend upon these findings by identifying the specific FB features that correlate with body image disturbance in adolescent girls. A total of 103 middle and high school females completed questionnaire measures of total FB use, specific FB feature use, weight dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, thin ideal internalization, appearance comparison, and self-objectification. An appearance exposure score was calculated based on subjects' use of FB photo applications relative to total FB use. Elevated appearance exposure, but not overall FB usage, was significantly correlated with weight dissatisfaction, drive fo...
Developments toward a reliable diode-pumped hydrocarbon-free 795-nm rubidium laser

We report a 795-nm diode-pumpable Rb laser using a buffer gas of pure 3He. 3He gas enhances mixing of the Rb fine-structure levels. This enables efficient lasing at reduced He pressures and improved thermal management.