cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of FDG-PET for early response assessment of novel EGFR kinase inhibitors in mouse models of lung cancer

506 Objectives The recent discovery of novel mutant-selective EGFR kinase inhibitors (ref. 1) may accelerate the progress in finding effective therapies against EGFR-driven non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in which resistance to conventional EGFR inhibitors develops through acquisition of the T790M gatekeeper mutation. Our goal was to evaluate the usefulness of FDG-PET in monitoring the treatment response of these novel kinase inhibitors in vivo using genetically-defined mouse lung cancer models. Methods Lung tumors were induced in mice through the conditional activation of a transgenic EGFR allele carrying both a deletion of exon 19 (activating mutation) and a T790M gatekeeper mutation. Baseline FDG-PET scans were performed when mice developed respiratory symptoms. Mice were assigned to treatment with either vehicle or the irreversible EGFR inhibitor WZ4002. After 3 days of treatment, post-treatment imaging was performed and the tumor SUVs in the lungs were compared between baseline and post-treatment scans. Each mouse as fasted overnight before imaging, administered with ~400 uCi 18F-FDG (~0.2cc) through intraperitoneal injection, warmed and awake during a 60 min. tracer uptake period, and then anesthetized before undergoing 10 min. PET scan. Results The baseline FDG-PET scans were able to consistently identify high tumor glucose utilization in the mouse lung cancer models (SUVmax: ~2.0 or higher). After 3 days of treatment, the SUVmax in the lungs of those mice treated with WZ4002 had dropped to background levels ( Conclusions FDG-PET can be used to monitor the treatment response of novel EGFR kinase inhibitors in vivo using mouse lung cancer models harboring clinically relvant drug resistance mutations. This provides assurance for the potential integration of FDG-PET imaging in the preclinical and clinical development of effective therapies against NSCLCs
Chemical Anatomy of the Dorsal Horn

Catecholamines are highly reactive compounds derived from tyrosine, which proceed via tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) to DOPA, then through DOPA decarboxylase to dopamine (DA), then through dopamine β-oxidase (DβH) to noradrenaline (NA), and finally through phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) to adrenaline. These compounds have many biologic functions, for example, neurotransmitters in the sympathetic nervous system, but for spinal sensory functions they are considered in relation to nociceptive transmission.
Transformation-induced alterations in adhesion. Binding of pre-formed cell aggregates to cell layers.

Abstract The formation of intercellular adhesions by mouse 3T3 cells and their SV40-transformed derivatives is analysed by measuring the binding of pre-formed aggregates of these cells to cell layers or to a plastic substratum. The rationale for this procedure is to reduce the effects of cell dissociation on quantitative assessments of adhesive interactions. The fibroblasts within the aggregates retain the growth characteristics these cells show in monolayer culture. The proportion of aggregates binding is independent of the number of aggregates added and changes with time in a manner consistent with a first-order process, allowing the percent aggregates binding per unit time to serve as a parameter of intercellular adhesion. The rate of binding in homologous adhesive interactions is slower than in heterologous ones, binding in 3T3SV interactions is slower than in 3T3 interactions, and binding to cellular substrata is slower than to plastic. Binding of 3T3SV aggregates is readily distinguished from binding of 3T3 aggregates by the presence of a brief lag in binding rate, the formation of irregular projections from the bound aggregate, and a differential effect on binding rates of varying the temperature or of treating a single reactant with glutaraldehyde. Thus, there are quantitative and qualitative differences in the adhesive interactions of normal and transformed cells. The distinct binding properties of 3T3SV aggregates and the greater binding rates in heterologous interactions may be relevant to the invasive behavior of transformed cells in vivo.
Midday sub-auroral patches (MSPs) associated with interplanetary shocks

[1] We report a new category of dayside auroral transients using auroral image data from the Polar spacecraft Ultraviolet Imager. The transients are characterized by a sudden brightening of the auroral patch in the midday sub-auroral zone, and thus are named midday sub-auroral patches (MSPs). MSPs were found to occur concurrently with storm sudden commencements in response to the compression of the magnetosphere by interplanetary (IP) shocks. After brightening, the MSP widened and/or moved equatorward. The latitudinal location of an MSP depends on the solar wind dynamic pressure in the shock downstream: a larger dynamic pressure corresponds to a lower latitude. The lifetime of an MSP is short (∼5–6 min). The magnetospheric source region for the MSPs, as determined with the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program particle data from one fortuitous event, is the central plasma sheet (CPS). Sudden compression of the Earth's magnetic field due to the IP shock impact may change the pitch angles of a pre-existing population of CPS particles, which consequently fall into the loss cone and produce auroral emission.
Book Review: Viral Spiral: How the Commoners Built a Digital Republic of Their Own

Book review of David Bollier's Viral Spiral (2008). The Internet today is controlled chaos: user-generated content on Web 2.0 platforms, blogs by citizen-journalists, social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, the photo-sharing community of Flickr, digital remixes of music and videos, wikis, open-access journals, and e-books. The Web has been transformed and a new cultural movement - known as "Free Culture" or "the commons" - is underway. Members of the Free Culture movement (commoners) value collaboration, share intellectual property, are self-directed, and resourceful. Yet these trailblazing individuals are simultaneously entrepreneurial and well-aware of traditional market forces. In Viral Spiral: A History of Our Movement, David Bollier argues that these values and behaviors are "history-making," creating a "new species of citizenship in modern life" and over time "this citizenship and the culture that it is fostering are likely to be a politically transforming force." This text is highly recommended for any law library’s collection.
Detection of point objects in spatially correlated clutter using two dimensional adaptive prediction filtering

The performance of a two-dimensional least-mean-square adaptive filter as a prewhitening filter for the detection of small signals in infrared image data is studied. The spatially broad clutter with long correlation length is seen to be narrowband in the two dimensional frequency domain. This narrowband clutter is predicted and subtracted from the input, leaving the spatially small signal in the residual output. The output energy in the residual and prediction channels of such a filter is seen to depend on the correlation length of the various components in the input signal, thus permitting the separation of short correlation targets from the longer correlation clutter. False alarm improvements and detection gains obtained by using this detection scheme on thermal infrared sensor data with known target points are presented. >
Heterogeny in a Beowulf

A Beowulf cluster was built with a large number of different operating systems and processor architectures, in a variety of speed classes. The successful completion of the system confirms the viability of such heterogeneous Beowulf clusters.
A comparison of edge constrained optical reconstruction methods incorporating spectral and MR-derived spatial information

Incorporating near infrared (NIR) diffuse optical tomography into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) increases the value of MR breast cancer imaging because it adds functional imaging of hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, water, lipid content, and scattering parameters, properties that infer tissue health. Reconstruction algorithms that incorporate MR into a diffusive modality accrue unavoidable errors from improper tissue segmentation of the MR image, which create inaccuracies in the structural prior. This paper focuses on identifying the most accurate reconstruction approach based on imperfect prior knowledge of tissue boundaries. Specifically, it focuses on how unavoidable segmentation errors of different breast densities affect edge-constraining reconstruction methods to determine the correct approach. Results show that these reconstruction methods all retain the improperly defined edges, but are quantitatively accurate even when the anatomical boundaries mismatch the optical boundaries by as much as 50%. The most accurate approach is one where the problem has been reduced to the least number of unknowns, and the edges are constrained through regularization.
A novel system for purge‐and‐trap with thermal desorption: Optimization using tomato juice volatile compounds

A system for purge-and -trap with thermal desorption was developed and optimized to moniotor aroma compounds at ambient temperatures. Canned tomato juice volatiles were used as a model system to develop and evaluate the method. Volatile components were first adsorbed on insert-traps packed with Tenax-TA polymer, then thermally desorbed directly inside a gas chromatograph injector. Volatile matgerials occuring in Very low amounts could be entrained and subsequently chrfomatographed, with sensitivity limited by the purity of the sweep gas. Quantitative measurement of tomato juice volatiles was linear with sample size upn to 100 gram samples. The amount of trapped volatiles was proportional to trapping time; howver, low-and intermediate-boilers broke through the trap after one hour while high-boilers continued to be retained. Apurge gas flow rate of 20ml/min gave optimum results mediate-biolers. Optimum recovery of volatile compounds was obtained with a desorption temperature of 200°c for 5 min. Coefficients of variation from triplicate runs were relatively small. The method showed promise for a simple, sensitive, and reproducibel flavor volatiles collection system for the accurate analysis of tomato compounds.
Immune regulation of metabolic homeostasis in health and disease.

Obesity is an increasingly prevalent disease worldwide. While genetic and environmental factors are known to regulate the development of obesity and associated metabolic diseases, emerging studies indicate that innate and adaptive immune cell responses in adipose tissue have critical roles in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. In the lean state, type 2 cytokine-associated immune cell responses predominate in white adipose tissue and protect against weight gain and insulin resistance through direct effects on adipocytes and elicitation of beige adipose. In obesity, these metabolically beneficial immune pathways become dysregulated, and adipocytes and other factors initiate metabolically deleterious type 1 inflammation that impairs glucose metabolism. This review discusses our current understanding of the functions of different types of adipose tissue and how immune cells regulate adipocyte function and metabolic homeostasis in the context of health and disease. We also highlight the potential of targeting immuno-metabolic pathways as a therapeutic strategy to treat obesity and associated diseases.
BglII-based panhandle and reverse panhandle PCR approaches increase capability for cloning der(II) and der(other) genomic breakpoint junctions of MLL translocations.

Panhandle PCR techniques to amplify known sequence flanked by unknown sequence have been useful for MLL genomic breakpoint junctions and fusion transcripts because MLL has a large number of partner genes. However, genomic panhandle PCR approaches are impeded when the restriction fragment that contains the breakpoint junction is too large to amplify. We devised new panhandle PCR approaches for MLL genomic breakpoint junctions that create the template from BglII restriction fragments by attaching MLL sequence to a BglII site in the partner gene. This leads to the annealing of MLL and its complement in the handle and creates an intrastrand loop containing the breakpoint junction sequence for amplification with primers all from MLL. BglII panhandle PCR for der(11) breakpoint junctions was accomplished by ligating a phosphorylated oligonucleotide containing a BglII overhang and sequence complementary to MLL exon 7 to the 3′ ends of BglII digested DNA, and forming the template from the sense strand of DNA. In BglII reverse panhandle PCR for der(other) breakpoint junctions, a phosphorylated oligonucleotide containing a BglII overhang and the complement of antisense sequence in MLL exon 10 was ligated to the 3′ ends of BglII digested DNA, and the template was formed from the antisense strand of DNA. These approaches amplified 5′-MLL-MLLT4-3′ and 5′-AFF1-MLL-3′ breakpoint junctions. The former is significant because few t(6;11) genomic breakpoint junctions have been sequenced. BglII panhandle PCR approaches increase the possibilities for cloning MLL genomic breakpoint junctions where there is heterogeneity in partner genes and breakpoint locations. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
RICK, a Novel Protein Kinase Containing a Caspase Recruitment Domain, Interacts with CLARP and Regulates CD95-mediated Apoptosis

Signaling through the CD95/Fas/APO-1 death receptor plays a critical role in the homeostasis of the immune system. RICK, a novel protein kinase that regulates CD95-mediated apoptosis was identified and characterized. RICK is composed of an N-terminal serine-threonine kinase catalytic domain and a C-terminal region containing a caspase-recruitment domain. RICK physically interacts with CLARP, a caspase-like molecule known to bind to Fas-associated protein with death domain (FADD) and caspase-8. Expression of RICK promoted the activation of caspase-8 and potentiated apoptosis induced by Fas ligand, FADD, CLARP, and caspase-8. Deletion mutant analysis revealed that both the kinase domain and caspase-recruitment domain were required for RICK to promote apoptosis. Significantly, expression of a RICK mutant in which the lysine of the putative ATP-binding site at position 38 was replaced by a methionine functioned as an inhibitor of CD95-mediated apoptosis. Thus, RICK represents a novel kinase that may regulate apoptosis induced by the CD95/Fas receptor pathway.
Impaired nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus☆

Objectives. This study sought to determine whether nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation is abnormal in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Background. Multiple investigations, both in experimental models and in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, demonstrate impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Decreased availability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide may contribute to the high prevalence of vascular disease in diabetes. Methods. Vascular reactivity was measured in the forearm resistance vessels of 21 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 23 matched healthy control subjects. No patient had hypertension or hypercholesterolemia. Each subject was protreated with aspirin to inhibit endogenous production of vasoactive prostanoids. Methacholine chloride (0.3 to 10 μg/min) was administered through a brachial artery cannula to assess vasodilation to endothelium-derived nitric oxide. Sodium nitroprusside (0.3 to 10 μg/min) was infused to evaluate vasodilation to an exogenous nitric oxide donor. Verapamil (10 to 300 μg/min) was administered to distinguish impaired nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation from general dysfunction of vascular smooth muscle. Forearm blood flow was determined by venous occlusion plethysmography, and dose-response curves were generated for each agent. To assess the role of vasoconstrictor prostanoids, a subset of eight diabetic subjects were reexamined in the absence of aspirin treatment. Results. Basal forearm blood flow in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects was comparable. The forearm blood flow responses to both methacholine chloride and nitroprasside were significantly attenuated in diabetic compared with nondiabetic subjects (p 0.50). The forearm blood flow responses to these agents were not significantly affected by cyclooxygenase inhibition. Conclusion. Nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation is impaired in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Vasoconstrictor prostanoids do not contribute significantly to vascular dysfunction. The attenuated response to exogenous as well as endogenous nitric oxide donors suggests that the abnormality is due to increased inactivation of nitric oxide or to decreased reactivity of the vascular smooth muscle to nitric oxide.
Intraurethral Stimulation Evokes Bladder Responses via 2 Distinct Reflex Pathways

Purpose: Recent animal studies have shown that selective activation of pudendal nerve branches can evoke bladder responses through 2 distinct reflex pathways. We examined intraurethral electrical stimulation as a minimally invasive means of selectively activating these pathways in the cat.Materials and Methods: Bladder responses evoked by intraurethral electrical stimulation were measured in α-chloralose anesthetized male cats at different stimulation frequencies, stimulation intensities and intraurethral locations.Results: Intraurethral electrical stimulation evoked inhibitory and excitatory bladder reflexes depending on stimulation frequency and location. Stimulation in the penile urethra 0 to 3 cm from the urethral meatus at 33 Hz evoked bladder contraction and at 10 Hz it evoked bladder relaxation. These responses were abolished after bilateral transection of the dorsal penile nerves. Stimulation in the membranous urethra 5 to 7 cm from the urethral meatus at 2, 10 and 33 Hz evoked bladder contraction...
APPLICATION OF FAULT TREE ANALYSIS TO LONGITUDINAL CONTROL IN AUTOMATED HIGHWAY SYSTEMS

Abstract Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is a group of technologies that provide the tools to help address many of the current surface transportation problems. ITS applies technologies in such fields as electronics, communications, control and information processing to surface transportation needs. Automated Highway Systems (AHS) is one of the most important components of ITS which embodies the full development of automatic vehicle control to achieve the highest levels of efficiency and safety on the highway. The reliability and availability of the AHS using a fault tree and a mathematical model of its failure is presented in this paper. The proper functioning of the system is dependent on many components including the communication system between successive vehicles, data acquisition system, transmitter and other software and hardware. Failure on the part of these elements affects the reliability of the whole system. This study presents the application of fault tree analysis to model failure mec...
An integrated framework to identify significant human exposures (SHELs)

Typically, health risk assessment methodologies have been designed to assess risks associated with exposure to individual chemicals through one specific medium, such as air, water, or food. This is partly because classical experimental methodology is used to study pure chemicals, and partly because a majority of early promulgated environmental laws (e.g., Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act) regulated chemicals in a given matrix via a specific route. Often, however, exposures in the ambient environment are through multiple routes, multiple media and to multiple chemicals. Presented here is a multimedia framework that health risk assessors can use to identify significant human exposure levels (SHELs) on a site-specific basis. This framework is presented in the context of a decision tree that links health guidance values such as minimal risk levels (MRLs) with site-specific data, using a range of decision-support models. It includes a provision to estimate a level of concern by comparing the estimated total dose (exposures) with guidance values established by the Agency, by other federal organizations, and by basket-survey results. If a SHEL has been identified, a range of follow-up public health actions may be indicated (i.e., surveillance, health education, or other preventive interventions). This framework serves to (1) integrate the overall health assessment process, (2) evaluate the need for public health interventions, (3) incorporate innovative decision-support methods/models, and (4) demonstrate utility of such methods in public health practice and the pursuit of the Agency's mission.
Limited angle THz computed tomography for tissue imaging

Due to the low penetration depth of THz waves, research in biomedical THz imaging has been primarily focused on the reflection-mode spectroscopy for the diagnosis of various types of cancer (breast, skin, cervical and colon) as well as the classification of skin burns. However, alternative techniques have been around for many decades. For instance, X-rays provide an inexpensive and high-resolution imaging methodology with excellent tissue penetration. Also, MRI screening offers non-ionizing, high-resolution tomography, and microscopic imaging (biopsy) is a benchmark when it comes to diagnosis reliability. Nevertheless, one of the biggest problems in medical imaging is to combine the microscopic and macroscopic imaging to define cancerous tissue margins more reliably. THz imaging cannot match microscopy in image resolution; however, it can provide unique macroscopic information such as tissue permittivity and absorption. Perhaps more importantly, unlike X-rays, THz waves are non-ionizing and thus considered safe for extended exposure times.
A problem-solving monitor for a deductive reasoning task

Much of a scientist's work is involved with making inferences and deductions from data. On analysing some of these tasks in greater detail one observes that the task is made up of a series of sub-tasks and that it is not always possible to determine a unique solution for a particular sub-task. That is, the problem-solution involves a search through a solution-space. Recently, a number of programs have been implemented which are capable of solving problems of this kind, e.g. HEURISTIC DENDRAL and SYNCHEM. In this paper we discuss the design and implementation of systems which monitor the student as he attempts to solve problems involving a search of the solution space. To pursue this broad and general problem it was necessary to choose a particular task to be investigated in some depth. The task chosen was the interpretation of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra—a task encountered in university organic chemistry courses. The paper discusses in some detail the design of this particular problem-solving monitor and includes an annotated student protocol and the corresponding problem-solving graph. The paper concludes with an outline of reactions to this program and a discussion of possible further developments.
Practical example of the correction of Fourier-transform spectra for detector nonlinearity

HgCdTe photoconductive detectors can display a nonlinear response when illuminated. In interferometric applications, this behavior must be accounted for in the data transformation process to avoid errors in the measurement of the spectral distribution of the incident radiation. A model for the distortion of the interferogram is proposed and applied to solar observations made by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) Fourier-transform spectrometer during orbital sunrise and sunset from the Space Shuttle. Empirical estimation of the dc current level is necessary for this instrument, and satisfactory nonlinearity correction is obtained for several of the primary ATMOS optical filters. For ATMOS broadband optical filters that cover more than one half the alias bandwidth, the model is inadequate because of the presence of antialiasing electronic filters within the instrument, and it is necessary to resort to estimation and subtraction of the residual baseline offset. In either case the remaining baseline offsets are typically smaller than 1%, which is satisfactory, although offset remains a significant systematic source of error in the estimation of the abundance of telluric and solar constituents from the spectra.
Protein Phosphatase 2A Regulates Estrogen Receptor α (ER) Expression through Modulation of ER mRNA Stability

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a ubiquitously expressed member of the serine-threonine phosphatase family that is involved in regulation of many cellular processes including transcription, translation, cellular metabolism, and apoptosis. Because of a correlation between PP2A and estrogen receptor alpha (ER) expression in several human breast cancer cell lines, the effect of PP2A on regulation of ER expression in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was studied. Inhibition of PP2A using the pharmacologic inhibitor okadaic acid at 250 nm for 16 h resulted in a 60% reduction in PP2A activity in MCF-7 cells concurrent with a 75% reduction in ER mRNA and protein expression. Similar results were obtained with a small interfering RNA probe that specifically inhibited PP2A expression. ER promoter studies showed that regulation of ER through the PP2A pathway did not occur through transcriptional activation. Rather, PP2A mediated ER expression through modulation of ER mRNA stability through degradation of ER mRNA, reversible with concomitant treatment with the proteasomal inhibitor MG 132. These data suggest a novel pathway controlling ER expression resulting from the activation of PP2A, potentially providing a novel therapeutic target.
Contables and J. P.'S in iowa

An actual, not a theoretical, statement of what is happening to these ancient offices in a state where they might be expected to be most active
Is it time to stop treating subsets of DLBCL with R-CHOP?

Comment on Winter et al, page [4207][1] Correlative data evaluating BCL6 protein expression and outcome in the US inter-group phase 3 randomized study of R-CHOP versus CHOP demonstrate that CHOP chemotherapy without rituximab is ineffective in BCL6-negative DLBCL. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (
Observing transverse Anderson localization in random air line based fiber

The concept of Anderson localization has been applied to electromagnetic waves for decades and strong photon localization effect has been observed in many two-dimensional systems including optical lattice and optical fibers. Among different types of optical fibers, both fibers with and without air hole were investigated. Air hole based fiber has significant higher refractive index contrast than other fibers which allow much lower filling fraction in order to observe Anderson localization. In a previous research, Anderson localization was observed near the fiber edge with an air fillfraction of 5.5%. At the fiber center region with only 2.2% air fill-fraction, Anderson localization disappeared. However, we observed Anderson localization in fibers with much lower air fill-fraction. In our experiments, random air line fibers with 150, 250 and 350 μm diameters were fabricated and characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Averaged air line diameters were 177, 247 and 387 nm for the 150, 250 and 350 μm diameter fibers, respectively. Air fill-fraction was also measured at fiber center, middle and edge regions. Beam profiles were imaged into a charge couple device (CCD) and Anderson localization was observed. Unlike the previous research in which Anderson localization was only observed at the fiber edge due to non-uniform air line distribution, we observed Anderson localization within the fiber area with air fill-fraction significantly lower than the previous investigation. This is because with smaller air line diameter our fiber has higher air lines density than the previous report.
Efficacy of Bystander Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Out-of-Hospital Automated External Defibrillation as Life-Saving Therapy in Commotio Cordis

We report a child who sustained commotio cordis after being struck by a baseball, and offer documentation of the advantages of having readily available access to bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and an automated external defibrillator (AED). We suggest that communities and school districts reexamine the need for accessible AEDs and CPR-trained coaches at organized sporting events for children.
Simultaneous analysis of verapamil and norverapamil enantiomers in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

An improved HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of the enantiomers of verapamil (V) and its major metabolite norverapamil (NV) in human plasma samples is presented. NV is acetylated immediately to N-acetylnorverapamil (ANV) in the extraction solvent (2% butanol in hexane). Acetylation is so rapid that it does not delay sample processing. ANV and V enantiomers are then separated on an alpha 1-acid glycoprotein chiral column with a mobile phase of phosphate buffer (0.01 M, pH 6.65) and acetonitrile. The fluorescence detector wavelengths are set at 227 nm for excitation and 308 nm for emission. Introduction of the internal standard (I.S.) (+)-glaucine improves accuracy, precision and robustness of the method. The assay is sensitive and specific. Baseline separation is achieved for both V and ANV. Limits of quantitation are 3 ng/ml for V and 2 ng/ml for NV (single enantiomer) with precision and accuracy better than 15% at those levels. Detector response is linear in the range tested (3-200 ng/ml for V and 2-100 ng/ml for NV, single enantiomer). This assay has been applied to a clinical study of the pharmacodynamics of V involving six healthy volunteers.
Effect of Levee Reconstruction and Rainfall on Crawfish, Procambarus clarkii Emergence from Burrows

Abstract Cultured red swamp crawfish, Procambarus clarkii in the southern United States burrow (usually in pond levees) to reproduce and to survive the period when ponds are dry (summer). When necessary, pond levees are renovated during the summer between production seasons. Little is known regarding the impact of levee maintenance on crawfish survival; therefore, this study was undertaken to gain some insight concerning this common practice. Crawfish burrows in pond levees were identified, marked, and mapped prior to the summer drawdown in 1997 and again in 1998 (total n = 849). Half of the levees containing the marked burrows were renovated according to standard industry practices and constituted the experimental treatment in the first part of the study. Crawfish emergence from burrows was monitored after flood-up and correlated to rainfall events. In the second part of this study, burrow entrances were individually disturbed (in 1997 and 1998; n = 80) to simulate levee renovation. The upper 15 cm of th...
Using the Logarithmic Concentration Diagram, Log C, To Teach Acid–Base Equilibrium

Acid–base equilibrium is one of the most important and most challenging topics in a typical general chemistry course. This article introduces an alternative to the algebraic approach generally used in textbooks, the graphical log C method. Log C diagrams provide conceptual insight into the behavior of aqueous acid–base systems and allow students to solve complicated problems using simple geometry and algebra. Examples of the use of log C diagrams are given and the advantages and limitations of the technique discussed.
An efficient hybrid algorithm for incremental data flow analysis

Our exhaustive and incremental hybrid data flow analysis algorithms, based on iteration and elimination techniques, are designed for incremental update of a wide variety of monotone data flow problems in response to source program changes. Unlike previous incremental iterative methods, this incremental algorithm efficiently computes precise and correct solutions. We give theoretical results on the imprecision of restarting iteration for incremental update by fixed point iteration which provided motivation for our algorithm design. Described intuitively, the main algorithm idea is to factor the data flow solution on strong connected components of the flow graph into local and external parts, solving for the local parts by iteration and propagating these effects on the condensation of the flow graph to obtain the entire data flow solution. The incremental hybrid algorithm re-performs those algorithm steps affected by the program changes.
Application to Liapunov model-tracking parameter identification for the CH-47 helicopter

This paper reports results obtained in an evaluation study of model-tracking parameter identification for the optimally controlled CH-47 helicopter while in flight. The model is made to track some of the helicopter parameters by means of Liapunov-designed adaptive algorithm. The topics investigated include the accuracy of identification of the time-varying vehicle and the effect of controller feedback upon the performance of the identifier.
Endogenous gamma interferon production may protect against hepatic cirrhosis and adminstration of exogenous gamma interferon may protect individuals prone to cirrhosis

Hepatic cirrhosis is characterized by the replacement of normal liver parenchyma by collagenous fibrous tissue. Although hepatocytes in the adult retain the ability to divide, under certain circumstances hepatocyte death leads to replacement with fibroblasts and collagen. Whether a particular form of hepatocyte injury leads to cirrhosis is dependent upon the stimulus for the injury and is also highly variable between individuals. It has recently been shown that gamma interferon inhibits collagen synthesis in vitro and fibrosis in vivo. I suggest that individuals who are prone to hepatic cirrhosis from a given stimulus are low producers of gamma interferon while high gamma interferon producers are relatively protected from cirrhosis. I also hypothesize that exogenous gamma interferon administration may halt or slow the progression of cirrhosis in patients with early progressive cirrhosis. Alternatively, endogenous gamma interferon production could be stimulated in these patients with progressive cirrhosis. One agent which may be useful for inducing endogenous gamma interferon is GE-132, an organogermanium.
The Life Cycle of Initial Public Offering Firms

This study uses an integrated and comprehensive approach to study the evolution of IPO issuing firms to the three basic post-IPO states: survive as an independent firm, get acquired, or fail. We develop multinomial logit models that utilize information available at or prior to the IPO to predict the probability of subsequent transition to the three post-IPO states. We find that lower risk, larger firm size, higher investment banker prestige, higher pre-IPO operating performance, and higher industry R&D intensity increase the probability of survival relative to failure. We also find that higher firm size, higher industry R&D intensity, and industry concentration increase the probability of survival relative to being acquired. Finally, lower risk and higher investment banker prestige increase the probability of being acquired relative to failure. Overall, we identify several factors that influence the probability of subsequent transition to one of the three basic post-IPO states.
Gluconeogenesis in the rat renal cortex after warm ischemia and hypothermic storage.

Abstract Rat kidney cortex slices were tested for their gluconeogenic capacity after the kidney has been either subjected to warm ischemia or flushed with and stored in cold hyperosmotic media. Kidneys damaged by warm ischemia for up to 60 min did not lose their ability to convert pyruvate to glucose. However, they then rapidly lost this capacity so that after 2 hr of ischemia they were devoid of activity. This observation closely corresponded to survival of partially nephrectomized rats whose remaining kidney had been treated in a similar manner. Cortex slices obtained from kidneys flushed and stored in cold hyperosmotic media were found to lose most of their gluconeogenic capacity after 3 days of storage.
An open-label evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Stadol NS with ibuprofen in the treatment of pain after removal of impacted wisdom teeth

Abstract Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of transnasal butorphanol tartrate (Stadol NS; Bristol-Myers Squibb, New York, NY) in the treatment of patients with moderate to severe pain after oral surgery for the removal of impacted third molars. Patients and Methods: In this open-label study, third molar extraction was performed on 25 male and 25 female patients. These patients were given Stadol NS nasal spray, 1 mg, administered in a single dose every 4 hours as needed. However, patients were allowed to remedicate 60 to 90 minutes after the initial dose, if necessary. They also took ibuprofen (400 mg) as concomitant medication every 4 to 6 hours for the first 48 hours. Patients recorded pain intensity on a visual analog scale, with 0 representing no pain, to 10 representing the most severe pain. Results: Stadol NS significantly reduced pain (by 50%) after third molar extraction within 15 minutes after administration. It had a high level of patient acceptance, 81% on day 1, and was well tolerated. Conclusion: The rapid onset of analgesia and long duration of action shown by Stadol NS in this study, as well as its ease of administration and high level of patient acceptance, suggest that this drug would be an excellent primary choice for the management of pain after third molar extraction and oral surgery in general. © 2000 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Educational psychology and the adult learner

The middle years of life, from the 20s through the 50s, have been neglected by psychology in general and educational psychology in particular. The current increase in numbers of mature learners calls for more, better, and better-understood psychological data so that learning can be enhanced in this age group. This issue of Contemporary Educational Psychology addresses five relevant questions: (1) What does research tell us about the capacities of adults to learn and retain? (2) What factors other than cognitive functioning affect adult performance? (3) How and in what ways does the adult wish to involve himself as a learner? (4) How might we go about guiding the mature learner, using present knowledge? (5) What theoretical concerns arise from consideration of the foregoing?
Clarifying Cohen: A Response to Jubb and Hall

In this brief essay, we clarify Cohen’s ‘Facts and Principles’ argument, and then argue that the objections posed by two recent critiques of Cohen—Robert Jubb (Res Publica 15:337–353, 2009) and Edward Hall (Res Publica 19:173–181, 2013)—look especially vulnerable to the charge of being self-defeating. It may still be that Cohen’s view concerning facts and principles is false. Our aim here is merely to show that two recent attempts to demonstrate its falsity are unlikely to succeed.
Using video games to facilitate understanding of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a feasibility study

This paper presents an approach for facilitating understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) through the procedural rhetoric of our persuasive video game { em Drawn to Distraction}. Different from realistic simulations, our game is designed to convey a message about the disorder primarily through game mechanics. To test the feasibility of this approach, we conducted a series of studies involving caregivers of ADHD-affected children and the general public. The results, especially in Experiment 3, show promising trends on the feasibility of using persuasive games to promote understanding of psychological disorders.
Scientific Impact Award: Axillary reverse mapping (ARM) to identify and protect lymphatics draining the arm during axillary lymphadenectomy.

Abstract Introduction The axillary reverse mapping (ARM) procedure distinguishes lymphatics draining the arm from those draining the breast. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of ARM to identify and preserve lymphatics draining the arm and the impact on lymphedema. Methods This study included 220 patients undergoing sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy (SLNB) with or without axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) from May 2006 to September 2008. After SLN localization with a radioactive tracer, blue dye was used to map ARM lymphatics. Data were collected on identification and variations in lymphatic drainage, crossover rate, the incidence of metastases, and nodal status. Results Crossover (ARM = SLN) occurred in 6 patients (2.8%). ARM lymphatics were near or in the SLN field in 40.6% of patients, placing it at risk for disruption during lymphadenectomy. ARM lymphatics juxtaposed to the hot SLNB (n = 12 [5.6%]) were preserved. Fifteen ARM nodes were excised and were negative even in positive axillae. There were no cases of lymphedema at 6-month follow-up where ARM nodes were preserved. Conclusion Confluence of the arm and breast drainage is rarely the SLN, and none of these nodes contained metastases. Preserving the ARM nodes may translate into a lower incidence of postoperative lymphedema.
Primary sternal osteomyelitis in paediatric age: a case report with review of the literature

Osteomyelitis of the sternum is a rare clinical entity, mostly described in adults following cardiothoracic surgery, sternotomy, blunt chest traumas, intravenous line insertion and mediastinitis. W...
Chemotherapy of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: A randomized trial of three cis-platin-based chemotherapy regimens

One hundred fifty-two patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer were randomized to receive treatment with one of three cis-platin-containing chemotherapy regimens: vindesine/cis-platin, etoposide/cis-platin, or vindesine/etoposide/cis-platin. Following an 8-week induction course of treatment, patients were evaluated for response; responders continued to receive monthly chemotherapy. All patients were followed until death. Response rates for the three regimens were 10%, 6%, and 24%, respectively; the cis-platin/vindesine/etoposide regimen produced more responses than did either cis-platin/etoposide or cis-platin/vindesine (p less than 0.05). However, median survival was not improved with the three-drug regimen, and myelosuppression produced by this regimen was worse. The 20-week median survival for the entire group suggests that these treatments had no impact on survival. None of these regimens can be recommended for routine treatment of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The addition of vindesine did not make a significant impact in response rate or overall survival in this study.
Pediatric brain tumors

Introduction Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), the most common solid tumors affecting children, account for nearly 20% of pediatric neoplasms. * Among adults, in sharp contrast, brain tumors constitute only 1% to 2% of all new cancers.2 Population-based studies have confirmed that the annual incidence of pediatric neoplasms of the CNS has increased from an average of 2.4 cases per 100,000 between 1973 and 1982, to 3.3 cases per 100,000 in 1986.3, 4 Approximately 1,500 new cases are diagnosed each year, and CNS tumors remain the second most common cause of cancer-related death in children younger than 15 years old.’ Primary CNS tumors in children have been associated with hereditary syndromes, cytogenetic abnormalities, and toxic exposure. Several specific intracranial neoplasms are also part of the clinical manifestation of neuroectodermal syndromes. The most common of such syndromes in children are neurofibromatosis (leading to visual pathway gliomas, meningiomas, and nerve sheath tumors), tuberous sclerosis (subependymal giant-cell tumors), and von Hippel-Lindau disease (cerebellar hemangioblastomas). Recent interest in the molecular biology of brain tumors has allowed the identification of chromosomal abnormalities associated with particular tumors. These include deletions of chromosome 22 in
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in octogenarians with unstable coronary syndromes.

Abstract Coronary artery disease is a common and crippling condition in the elderly population. It is estimated that limitation of activity and compromised quality of life occurs in 85% of men and 55% of women in older age groups (>75 years) who have cardiovascular disease. 1 Little information has been reported regarding the outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) in octogenarians with unstable coronary syndromes. This is because older patients are usually excluded from randomized trials for interventional treatment, and today such treatment modalities are usually avoided unless they prolong longevity. This report documents our experience with PTCA in a group of elderly patients with unstable coronary syndromes. For this study, a special computerized data base was formulated from retrospective reviews of medical records, cineangiograms and patient interviews.
A Fractional-N PLL for SONET-Quality Clock-Syntlhesis Applicationis

A frequency-synthesis IC, targeted toward replacing high frequency XOs and VCXOs, is proposed. It is based on a fixed-frequency XO and a fractional-N PLL. A linearized phase detector, phase-error cancellation, and an integrated shielded LC-VCO are used. The measured jitter is 0.3psrms in the OC-192 band. The chip draws 70mA excluding the output driver.
An uncatalyzed cyclo-elimination process for the release ofN3-alkylated hydantoins from solid-phase: synthesis of novel isoxazoloimidazolidinediones

Abstract Solid-phase regioselective nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to an ω-alkynyl ester followed by reductive α- N -alkylation and isocyanate α- N -acylation delivers I and sets the stage for the uncatalyzed carbanilide cyclo-elimination of isoxazoloimidazolidinedione heterocycles ( I → II ). This traceless release step is induced by simply warming the urea ester intermediate, but requires that the N 3 of the nascent hydantoin be fully substituted ( I → II ; R c ≠H).
Effects of genetics and maternal dietary iodide supplementation on glycogen content of organs within embryonic turkeys

In prior studies it was shown that the growth of turkey embryos was dependent upon maternal dietary iodide as well as genetic selection. The current study posed the question of which organ systems respond to these variables. Embryos from lines selected for 16-wk BW grew at the same rate as unselected embryos from the randombred population serving as the initial source of the selected line until approximately 21 d of incubation (selected = F; randombred control = RBC2). Line differences in growth of F embryos could be accounted for increased liver and heart growth at the expense of muscle growth. Muscle growth increased in the growth-selected line prior to pipping. Muscle growth was affected less when dams were selected for egg production (selected = E; randombred control = RBC1). Muscle growth was slowed in E line embryos compared to that of RBC1, and liver and heart growth were slowed at internal and external pipping stages in E embryos compared to RBC1. Early muscle growth was augmented when F dams were fed supplemental iodide. A similar response was observed in E line embryos but occurred at a later stage of development. Measurements indicated decreased tissue glycogen in liver, heart, and muscle of selected lines may be one possible mechanism by which growth or organ function may come in conflict.
Wald's approximations to the average run length in cusum procedures

Abstract Wald's approximation to the ARL(average run length in cusum) (cumulative sum) procedures are given for an exponential family of densities. From these approximations it is shown that Page's (1954) cusum procedure is (in a sense) identical with a cusum procedure defined in terms of likelihood ratios. Moreover, these approximations are improved by estimating the excess over the boundary and their closeness is examined by numerical comparisons with some exact results. Some examples are also given.