cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Koskinoid perforations in brachiopod shells: function and mode of formation

Clusters of tiny perforations called ‘koskinoid’ have been interpreted as having accommodated byssus-like fibrils for attachment in Devonian Uncites and the Orthotetacea, which range from the Silurian through the Permian. The mode of formation of the tiny holes has inspired three hypotheses: (1) The fibrils protruded at the commissure and then were surrounded by growing shell. (2) The fibrils protruded from a juvenile foramen at the beak, which then was covered by shell that caused them to separate and migrate. (3) The fibrils penetrated their own shells like pedicles of living brachiopods are known to penetrate calcite. The first two hypotheses assume that the fibrils were produced by a rudimentary pedicle within the shell; the third postulates that the fibrils are diverticula from the outer epithelium of the mantle. The facts that the clusters are not confined to the beak region, but occur scattered over the ventral valve, and that they also penetrate the interara, favor the third theory. All Orthotetacea except Thecospira have the koskinoid perforations; all Davidsoniacea except Morinorhynchus lack them. This suggests that the two genera should trade places in the classification.
Targeting melanoma by small molecules: challenges ahead

Significant progress has been made in targeting melanoma using small molecule inhibitors, but challenges remain. Here we describe the history of screening approaches in melanoma and their limitations. We propose several approaches to refine our screening models to enhance the discovery process. It is hoped that this discussion will stimulate further improvements in our development of small molecules inhibitors for treatment of melanoma patients.
Recurrent periorbital cellulitis: an unusual clinical entity.

Objectives To discuss the cause and management of recurrent periorbital cellulitis (RPOC). Study design Retrospective case series and review of literature. Materials and methods In the past 11 years, we have treated 6 patients for recurrent periorbital cellulitis (RPOC). Inclusion criteria were a minimum of 3 episodes of periorbital cellulitis (POC) within a 1-year period, with interval convalescence lasting at least 1 month. All patients were followed for at least 1 year after resolution. Results The causes of RPOC were as follows: (1) 2 patients developed RPOC attributed to environmental allergies; (2) 1 was diagnosed with underlying recurrent sinusitis resistant to medical management with resolution attained through surgery; (3) 1 patient with vesicular RPOC was diagnosed with herpetic RPOC and treated medically with antiviral therapy; (4) 1 patient had allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetic make-up use; and (5) 1 patient was suspected of malingering via repeat subcutaneous self-injection of an irritant. Conclusions Although periorbital cellulitis is a commonly encountered and treatable condition, recurrent periorbital cellulitis is rare and may be challenging to manage. In our experience, the causes of recurrence varied, but resolution was achieved by identifying the underlying cause through continuous clinical reassessment and by appropriate medical or surgical management. EBM rating: C-4
Allometric scaling of rumen–reticulum capacity in white‐tailed deer

Scaling of gut capacity with body weight is part of a hypothesis explaining digestive efficiency across the spectrum of body sizes in ruminant species. Larger animals should retain digesta longer because of gut capacity relative to metabolic demands. Interspecific variation in digestive efficiency is an integral part of the Bell–Jarman principle, which is used to explain interspecific resource selection. Intersexual dietary patterns in some size-dimorphic ruminants have been consistent with the Bell–Jarman principle, thus, supporting its extension within species. However, whether the scalar of the intraspecific scaling relationship of the rumen–reticulum (the organs with the largest capacity and where most fermentation occurs) exceeds the likely scalar of the metabolic rate scaling relationship is unclear. I estimated scaling relationships of rumen–reticulum capacity of 103 white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus that were stocked into a 214 ha enclosure in central Texas, USA. Rumen–reticulum capacity had allometric scaling relationships (scalar=0.67–0.75) with body weight. Rumen–reticulum scaling in white-tailed deer does not support extending the Bell–Jarman principle to explaining intersexual dietary patterns in size dimorphic ruminants.
Children's Word Learning Using Three Modes of Instruction:

This study compared the effectiveness of computer video display tube, videotape, and live adult reading modes of instruction in teaching children vocabulary. The same pictured story was implemented in three modes, computer VDT display of still story pictures in color with an accompanying sound track, videotape presentation of the fully animated story, and a picture book whose pictures and narrative matched those of the VDT-computer mode. 78 normal preschool children were presented the story in one of three modes of instruction. The novel words to be learned were embedded in the story as nouns, verbs, and affective state adjectives. Postexposure tests of word recognition showed a small but significant advantage for live voice reading for two of three recognition tests. The VDT and videotape modes did not differ from each other in effectiveness.
Heart failure, ventricular remodelling and the renin-angiotensin system: insights from recently completed clinical trials

Increased insight has been gained into the pathophysiology of heart failure, which is now recognized as a milieu created by specific diseases that cause myocardial dysfunction resulting in haemodynamic abnormalities. Subsequent compensatory circulatory and hormonal changes cause substantive metabolic derangement, and it is the haemodynamic and metabolic abnormalities that produce the congestive and low cardiac output symptoms and physical findings associated with heart failure. One of the earliest abnormalities noted in the failing heart is activation of the renin-angiotensin-neurohormonal axis. This is associated with both dilation and hypertrophy of the left ventricle. This remodelling may be regulated, at least in part, by myocardial tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme systems. Clinical drug trials in patients with heart failure have demonstrated that certain agents reduce mortality and interdict detrimental hormonal activity and remodelling. The Veterans Administration's (VHEFT-I and II) and Scandinavian (CONSENSUS-I) heart failure trials, as well as Studies of Left Ventricular Dysfunction (SOLVD) and the post myocardial infarction captrophl trial (SAVE—Survival and Ventricular Enlargement) indicate that vasodilators and, in particular, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, decrease heart failure mortality. Furthermore, diminution in morbidity measured as a reduction in hospitalization for congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction was a dramatic beneficial effect noted even in relatively asymptomatic patients with left ventricular dysfunction. Importantly, in the SOLVD and SAVE trials, the diminution in major ischaemic events observed in the treatment groups were noted whether drug was started one week (SAVE) or one year (SOLVD) post infarct. Favourable outcomes seem related to attenuation of remodelling, primarily documented by reduction in left ventricular volume, mass, pressure and wall stress achieved by blocking neurohormonal activity. Certain vasodilators, especially angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, appear to protect the myocardium in patients with impaired systolic ventricular function, particularly when this is induced by ischaemic heart disease.
RESPONSES IN STOMATAL CONDUCTANCE TO ELEVATED CO2 IN 12 GRASSLAND SPECIES THAT DIFFER IN GROWTH FORM

Responses in stomatal conductance (gst) and leaf xylem pressure potential (ψleaf) to elevated CO2 (2x ambient) were compared among 12 tallgrass prairie species that differed in growth form and growth rate. Open-top chambers (OTCs, 4.5 m diameter, 4.0 m in height) were used to expose plants to ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations from April through November in undisturbed tallgrass prairie in NE Kansas (USA). In June and August, ψleafwas usually higher in all species at elevated CO2 and was lowest in adjacent field plots (without OTCs). During June, when water availability was high, elevated CO2 resulted in decreased gstin 10 of the 12 species measured. Greatest decreases in gst(ca. 50%) occurred in growth forms with the highest potential growth rates (C3 and C4 grasses, and C3 ruderals). In contrast, no significant decrease in gstwas measured in the two C3 shrubs. During a dry period in September, reductions in gstat elevated CO2 were measured in only two species (a C3 ruderal and a C4 grass) whereas increased gstat elevated CO2 was measured in the shrubs and a C3 forb. These increases in gstwere attributed to enhanced ψleafin the elevated CO2 plants resulting from increased soil water availability and/or greater root biomass. During a wet period in September, only reductions in gstwere measured in response to elevated CO2. Thus, there was significant interspecific variability in stomatal responses to CO2 that may be related to growth form or growth rate and plant water relations. The effect of growth in the OTCs, relative to field plants, was usually positive for gstand was greatest (>30%) when water availability was low, but only 6–12% when ψleafwas high.
Conceptualizing a Monitoring System for Indicators in Middle Childhood

Middle childhood is often overlooked by researchers and policy makers. However, it is a unique developmental period with its own set of tasks and milestones, and inattention to the needs of this population can have consequences for adolescent and adult functioning. While research on middle childhood is limited compared with adolescence and early childhood, we take a distinctively developmental approach and draw on existing conceptual models and research for adolescence and middle childhood to identify domains and constructs that describe the health and well-being of the middle childhood population. This paper is the first of two papers in a multi-stage process of creating such a monitoring system. In this paper, we (1) review and synthesize relevant existing conceptual frameworks (generally developed for adolescents in the U.S.) that could be adapted for the middle childhood population, (2) outline considerations for identifying multiple domains of functioning within the child and specify multiple contexts of influence for a middle childhood monitoring system, (3) propose criteria for identifying constructs and indicators, and (4) suggest potential constructs and indicators to be reviewed by various stakeholders.
Video/EEG aspects of early-infantile epileptic encephalopathy with suppression-bursts (Ohtahara syndrome)

Early-infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) with suppression-bursts is a severe neonatal epileptic encephalopathy. The etiology is multiple, with cerebral malformations as the more frequent. We review the clinical and video/EEG aspects of eight infants with EIEE. These infants, aged between 4 and 70 days at the time of video/EEG recordings, were studied in relation to their clinical and video/EEG characteristics, evolution, persistence of suppression-burst pattern and etiology. Seven of the eight infants showed an ictal clinical sign correlated to the burst of the suppression-burst pattern, four of whom died within 11 months of age. The other three are alive. One, now aged 4 years, underwent surgery for hemimegalencephaly and is seizure-free, with good neurological outcome. One, now aged 9 months, was pyridoxine-dependent and she is seizure-free, and with normal neurological evolution under pyridoxine therapy. One, now aged 3 years and 9 months, is seizure-free, but with severe neurological and cognitive impairment. The only child who did not show a clinical ictal correlation of burst is also alive, now aged 3 years and 9 months, with drug-resistant epilepsy, and severe neurological and cognitive deficits. With regard to the etiology, three showed structural abnormalities, two more showed some signs of prenatal origin of neurological disease, and three had metabolic etiology. Our study confirms that EIEE is a severe age-dependent early epileptic encephalopathy. The etiology is mostly malformative. The prognosis is poor regarding motor and cognitive development, seizures, as well as life expectancies. The presence of an ictal burst of the suppression-burst pattern usually correlates with a negative outcome.
Discussions About Intimate Partner Violence During Prenatal Care in the United States: The Role of Race/Ethnicity and Insurance Status

Over 1.5 million women are physically, sexually, and emotionally abused by intimate partners in the U.S. each year. Despite the severe health consequences and costs associated with intimate partner violence (IPV), most health providers fail to assess patients for abuse. It was of interest to examine the occurrence of IPV discussions during prenatal care (PNC) visits among women who experienced IPV. This study analyzed data from the 2004–2008 National Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System which included 195,687 women who delivered a live birth in the U.S. IPV victimization was measured using four items that addressed physical abuse by a current or former husband/partner in the 12 months before or during pregnancy. Responses were categorized as preconception, prenatal, preconception and prenatal, and preconception and/or prenatal IPV. The outcome was IPV discussions by health providers during PNC. Separate logistic regression models provided odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. Women who reported prenatal IPV were less likely to have IPV discussions during PNC (OR = 0.81, 95 % CI = 0.70–0.94). Results were similar for women experiencing IPV during the prenatal and preconception periods. Among racial/ethnic minorities, women who experienced preconception IPV were less likely to have discussions about IPV during PNC. Further, Medicaid recipients who reported preconception and/or prenatal IPV were less likely to report IPV discussions (OR = 0.75, 95 % CI = 0.69–0.82). This study underscores a public health problem and missed opportunity to connect battered victims to necessary services and care. It elucidates the state of current clinical practice and better informs policies on incorporating universal IPV screening.
An Introduction to Kernel and Nearest-Neighbor Nonparametric Regression

Abstract Nonparametric regression is a set of techniques for estimating a regression curve without making strong assumptions about the shape of the true regression function. These techniques are therefore useful for building and checking parametric models, as well as for data description. Kernel and nearest-neighbor regression estimators are local versions of univariate location estimators, and so they can readily be introduced to beginning students and consulting clients who are familiar with such summaries as the sample mean and median.
Epidemiologic patterns of Hodgkin's disease.

The epidemiology mid histology of Hodgkin's disease in Cali, Colombia is reported on the basis of data from the Cancer Registry and a review of slides from several of the city's departments of pathology. Comparison of the results with incidence data published by UICC and with other reports on histologic subclassification has led to the identification of several epidemiologic patterns. Pattern I is characterized by high rates in children and predominance of histologic subtypes associated with poor prognosis. Pattern III is characterized by high rates in young adults and predominance of histologic subtypes associated with better prognosis. Pattern II is intermediate. These patterns are related to the economic stratification of the communities studied, and it is suggested that many of the epidemiological variegations of Hodgkin's disease may be explained on the basis of the interplay of environmental and host etiologic factors.
National Animal Health Week: Last Week in May

National Animal Health Week, usually the last week in May, was instituted by presidential proclamation in 1984. (The related observances Be Kind to Animals Week, sponsored by the American Humane Association, and National Pet Week, sponsored by the Auxiliary to the American Veterinary Medical Association, are usually celebrated during the first full week in May.)
Lubiprostone ameliorates the cystic fibrosis mouse intestinal phenotype

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene that impair the function of CFTR, a cAMP-regulated anion channel. In the small intestine loss of CFTR function creates a dehydrated, acidic luminal environment which is believed to cause an accumulation of mucus, a phenotype characteristic of CF. CF mice have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, an altered innate immune response, and impaired intestinal transit. We investigated whether lubiprostone, which can activate the CLC2 Cl- channel, would improve the intestinal phenotype in CF mice. Cftr tm1UNC (CF) and wildtype (WT) littermate mice on the C57BL/6J background were used. Lubiprostone (10 μg/kg-day) was administered by gavage for two weeks. Mucus accumulation was estimated from crypt lumen widths in periodic acid-Schiff base, Alcian blue stained sections. Luminal bacterial load was measured by qPCR for the bacterial 16S gene. Gastric emptying and small intestinal transit in fasted mice were assessed using gavaged rhodamine dextran. Gene expression was evaluated by Affymetrix Mouse430 2.0 microarray and qRT-PCR. Crypt width in control CF mice was 700% that of WT mice (P < 0.001). Lubiprostone did not affect WT crypt width but, unexpectedly, increased CF crypt width 22% (P = 0.001). Lubiprostone increased bacterial load in WT mice to 490% of WT control levels (P = 0.008). Conversely, lubiprostone decreased bacterial overgrowth in CF mice by 60% (P = 0.005). Lubiprostone increased gastric emptying at 20 min postgavage in both WT (P < 0.001) and CF mice (P < 0.001). Lubiprostone enhanced small intestinal transit in WT mice (P = 0.024) but not in CF mice (P = 0.377). Among other innate immune markers, expression of mast cell genes was elevated 4-to 40-fold in the CF intestine as compared to WT, and lubiprostone treatment of CF mice decreased expression to WT control levels. These results indicate that lubiprostone has some benefits for the CF intestinal phenotype, especially on bacterial overgrowth and the innate immune response. The unexpected observation of increased mucus accumulation in the crypts of lubiprostone-treated CF mice suggests the possibility that lubiprostone increases mucus secretion.
Systems biology approaches to dissect mammalian innate immunity

Advances in experimental tools have allowed for the systematic identification of components and biological processes as well as quantification of their activities over time. Together with computational analysis, these measurement and perturbation technologies have given rise to the field of systems biology, which seeks to discover, analyze and model the interactions of physical components in a biological system. Although in its infancy, recent application of this approach has resulted in novel insights into the machinery that regulates and modifies innate immune cell functions. Here, we summarize contributions that have been made through the unbiased interrogation of the mammalian innate immune system, emphasizing the importance of integrating orthogonal datasets into models. To enable application of approaches more broadly, however, a concerted effort across the immunology community to develop reagent and tool platforms will be required.
On canonical bending relationships for plates

In recent years, a series of papers have appeared on algebraic relationships between the solutions (e.g., deflections, buckling loads and frequencies) of a given higher-order plate theory and the classical plate theory. The bending relationships, for example, can be used to generate the transverse deflection of a plate according to the particular higher-order theory from the known deflection of the same problem according to the classical plate theory. In the present study relationships between the bending solutions of several higher-order plate theories and the classical plate theory are obtained in a canonical form (i.e., one set of relationships contain several theories and they can be specialized to a specific theory by assigning values to the constants appearing in the relationships). Numerical examples of bending solutions for rectangular plates with various boundary conditions are presented to show how the relations can be used to determine the deflections and bending moments for various theories. The relationships are validated by comparing the numerical results obtained using the relationships for the Mindlin plate theory against those computed using the ABAQUS finite element program.
On the Least Squares Approximation of Symmetric-Definite Pencils Subject to Generalized Spectral Constraints

A general framework for the least squares approximation of symmetric-definite pencils subject to generalized eigenvalues constraints is developed in this paper. This approach can be adapted to different applications, including the inverse eigenvalue problem. The idea is based on the observation that a natural parameterization for the set of symmetric-definite pencils with the same generalized eigenvalues is readily available. In terms of these parameters, descent flows on the isospectral surface aimed at reducing the distance to matrices of the desired structure can be derived. These flows can be designed to carry certain other interesting properties and may be integrated numerically.
Lymphocyte Subpopulations in the Ferret

Abstract Several different surface markers were sought on ferret lymphocytes. Using a technique which attaches complement to zymosan particles, 16.7% of peripheral blood lymphocytes and 15% of splenic lymphocytes exhibited receptors for complement. Receptors for the Fc portion of IgG, measured by an assay using antibody coated sheep erythrocytes, were found on 11.7% of peripheral blood lymphocytes and 34.8% of splenic lymphocytes. Using an indirect fluorescent antibody technique, surface immunoglobulin was detected on 13.4% of peripheral blood lymphocytes and 10.3% of splenic lymphocytes. Spontaneous “T” lymphocyte rosettes were sought unsuccessfully using erythrocytes from 16 different animals. These studies increase our understanding of the ferret immune system and provide methods for the in vitro separation of lymphocyte subpopulations in ferrets.
Up-regulation of DNA methyltransferase 3B expression in endometrial cancers

Abstract Objective To understand the role of epigenetic regulation in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer, we have characterized DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) gene expression in normal, Grade I and Grade III endometrioid cancers, and examined DNMT3B promoter activities in endometrial cancer cell lines. Methods DNMT3B expression was measured in normal, Grade I, and Grade III endometrioid cancer samples. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to compare DNMT3B mRNA and protein levels. DNMT3B levels were also compared among endometrial cell lines including those for Ishikawa, KLE, AN3, RL-95, HEC-1A, and HEC-1B. DNMT3B promoter reporter plasmids were constructed. Promoter activities in well and poorly differentiated cell lines were compared by in vitro reporter gene transfection. Results DNMT3B was significantly up-regulated in both Grade I and Grade III cancers as compared to normal controls. Western blot analysis confirmed the increased DNMT3B protein expression in cancer tissues. It was also found that the well-differentiated endometrial cell line, Ishikawa, expressed lower levels of DNMT3B than the poorly differentiated KLE cells, the expression patterns similar to those observed in tumor specimens. Conclusion The results suggest that DNMT3B overexpression may play a significant role in endometrial cancer development. In addition, the transfection experiments indicated that DNMT3B promoters are more active in the poorly differentiated endometrial cancer cell lines, suggesting that the in vitro assay provides a useful model for studying the DNMT3B transactivation mechanism related to tumor transformation.
Schemata and smoking relapse

Cognitive schemata were examined in a prospective study of smoking relapse. 100 recent ex-smokers rated the similarity of 44 high-risk situations according to how difficult it would be to avoid smoking in them, and these judgments were analyzed via individual differences multidimensional scaling. As a group, subjects seemed to use two dimensions when judging the similarity of high-risk situations. One, interpreted as a Negative Affect dimension, reflected the degree to which situations are either devoid of positive emotion or charged with negative emotion. The other, interpreted as a Social Factors dimension, reflected the extent to which situations depict social pressure versus relatively solitary activities. Individual differences in emphasis on these group dimensions were significantly associated with subsequent relapse. Similarity judgments of Lapsers had reflected greater emphasis on the Negative Affect dimension and lower emphasis on the Social Factors dimension than did the judgments of 12-month Continuous Abstainers. Results are consistent with prior research linking negative affect smoking to relapse. The long-term predictive validity of the schema measure lends support to the view that scaling procedures are useful for assessing relatively stable aspects of cognitive structure.
Angiotensin-II induces changes in the cytosolic sodium concentration in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells : involvement in the activation of aldosterone biosynthesis

The homeostasis of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and intracellular free sodium ([Na+]i) are linked in many cell types. We, therefore, studied the effect on [Na+]i of two physiological stimulators of aldosterone synthesis that trigger the calcium messenger system, angiotensin-II (Ang II) and potassium ion (K+), in cultured bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells, using the intracellular fluorescent probe for sodium, sodium benzofuran isophthalate. Ang II induced a concentration-dependent and sustained increase in [Na+]i, from a resting value of 9.2 +/- 3.5 to a maximum of 48.5 +/- 5.5 mM (n = 14). This [Na+]i response was mediated by receptors of the AT1 subtype, because it was abolished by losartan (DuP 753). K+ (15 mM) induced a weaker [Na+]i response, from 5.9 +/- 2.6 to 16.8 +/- 2.5 mM (n = 9). In freshly prepared cells, basal [Na+]i was significantly higher (23.9 +/- 1.8 mM; n = 14; P < 0.01) than in cultured cells. Atrial natriuretic peptide, which is known to affect sodium transport in various cell types, did not alter the [Na+]i response elicited by Ang II. Ethylisopropylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange, and dichlorobenzamyl, an inhibitor of Na+/Ca2+ exchange, both inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the Ang II- and K(+)-induced aldosterone response. Isoosmotic replacement of extracellular Na+ markedly reduced basal aldosterone synthesis. Under these conditions, the concentration-response curve for Ang II-induced aldosterone synthesis was shifted to the right, and its maximum was strikingly diminished. These results show that Ang II and, to a lesser extent, K+ induce significant changes in [Na+]i in bovine glomerulosa cells. These [Na+]i changes probably occur through the Na+/H+ and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers and are likely to play a role in activation of the steroidogenic cascade.
Polymerization of organic compounds in an electrodeless glow discharge. VIII. Dependence of plasma polymerization of acrylonitrile on glow characteristic

The effects of experimental conditions (i.e., flow rate, pressure, discharge wattage, and glow characteristics) on the plasma polymerization of acrylonitrile were investigated. It was found that the glow characteristic is highly dependent on both flow rate and discharge wattage and that the plasma polymerization depends strongly on the glow characteristic. However, when experimental conditions are selected to maintain a fully developed glow in the tail flame portion of rf discharge, plasma polymerization is independent of discharge wattage and pressure. The polymer deposition rate is linearly proportional to the monomer flow rate. The deviations from this ideal situation are generally attributable to incomplete glow or partial glow under conditions which caused the deviation. The “character” of the glow largely determines the chemistry of the system. Consequently, the properties of polymers formed under different glow characteristics are also different.
Pregrouping aggression and defense scores influences alcohol consumption for dominant and subordinate rats in visible burrow systems

Five male/two female rat colonies were established in visible burrow systems, with males selected for pregrouping attack scores and also evaluated in open field and cat odor tests. Dominant-subordinate pregrouping attack differences suggested that the males becoming dominant are those showing more persistent and higher level attack. For six colonies showing dominant-subordinate behavioral differences, pregrouping defense tests failed to predict subordinate status. However, pregrouping defense scores were reliably correlated with subordinate pre-postgrouping change scores for voluntary ethanol consumption. Subordinates showed higher ranked ethanol consumption than dominants, but these groups were not different on pregrouping ethanol consumption. Subordinate postgrouping ethanol consumption was positively correlated with pregrouping attack toward an adult intruder, consonant with previous findings that highly aggressive subordinates are the targets of more intense attack by dominants. These results provide further support for a view that subordination stress increases voluntary ethanol consumption in male rats and suggest some additional individual differences factors that may be involved in increased ethanol consumption for male subordinates. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neuropsychological studies in breast cancer: in search of chemobrain.

Earlier detection and diagnosis of breast cancer has resulted in a growing number of patients with non-invasive tumors or localized invasive breast cancers. Among these early-stage patients, survival rates are high and most women can anticipate a normal life expectancy—making understanding and attending to post-treatment quality of life issues particularly pertinent. One area that has received increasing attention over the last several years is cognitive functioning [1–3], which is known to be strongly related to quality of life. The focus on post-treatment neurocognitive function has grown out of the recognition that a sizeable minority of patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy report and/or demonstrate some degree of cognitive compromise. In this issue of ‘Breast Cancer Research and Treatment’, Quesnel and colleagues [4], report findings from a longitudinal study of early-stage breast cancer patients, (half of whom received adjuvant chemotherapy in addition to radiotherapy, half of whom received radiotherapy only), assessed before starting treatment, immediately after stopping, and 3 months post-treatment. They also compare pre-treatment neuropsychological performance of the two breast cancer groups to that of matched, healthy controls, to assess the possibility that rates of cognitive compromise may be elevated in breast cancer patients even prior to starting adjuvant treatment [5, 6]. There are several aspects of this study that we feel are important to address, as they illustrate issues that must be attended to as we move beyond the early wave of cross-sectional studies in this area of research [7]. First, these authors undertook the challenging task of assessing cognitive function in a fairly comprehensive fashion at three different time points along the adjuvant treatment continuum. As the authors suggest, several previous cross-sectional neuropsychological studies of breast cancer survivors have shown higher rates of cognitive compromise among patients at different stages during and after their chemotherapy treatment—but, while provocative, such studies are ultimately limited by their design. Prospective longitudinal studies such as this one can provide the important pre-treatment data that are needed to fully understand whether ‘‘change’’ in cognitive functioning has occurred in a given patient. That said, the analytic strategy that was employed by Quesnel and colleagues did not take maximal advantage of the study design. While their mixed-model ANCOVA offers the ability to look at both Group and Group 9 Time effects, it does not address individual change in performance over time, which is especially relevant when many patients in each clinical group are likely to show minimal or no treatment effect. This has been established in the chemobrain literature— that only a minority of all the patient’s exposed to chemotherapy will show detectable cognitive compromise [8]. We would have preferred to see them employ an analytic technique that addressed the known clinical reality that This is an invited commentary to doi:10.1007/s10549-005-9114-7.
Rates of drainage-water evaporite salt dissolution in water

Abstract Solar evaporators are an important component of systems for managing salts in agricultural drainage water. In California, solar evaporators have been integrated into on-farm drainage management (IFDM) systems as the final stage concentration process following sequential use of drainage water on increasingly salt tolerant crops. In most cases, salts are accumulated in the evaporator basins over a number of years. During months of high precipitation, dry salts redissolve in collected rainwater. Rates of dissolution are important to the design and management of the evaporator to avoid excessive salt concentrations in water displaced from the basin during storm events. The rate at which a solid, dehydrated evaporite salt redissolves in water was simulated and also tested experimentally to validate model predictions. Both model and experimental results show that rain water collecting in an evaporator basin can become saturated within 60 min at 24°C and within 90 min at 10°C with a 0.01 m water depth over solid salt. The thickness of the diffusion layer above the solid surface was calculated in the range of 8.3 × 10− 5 and 1.25 × 10− 4 m. For a mostly sodium sulfate evaporite salt, pH increased up to 9 from 5.5 in 5 min, and then decreased slowly converging to about 8.7 due to likely absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Rook theory. V rook polynomials, Möbius inversion and the umbral calculus

Abstract In this paper we provide the first general expressions for the rook and factorial polynomials associated with a general board. We use Mobius inversion over the lattice of partitions of a set to provide explicit formulas. Alternate formulas are given by the methods of the umbral calculus. We also state a general conjecture concerning the roots of rook polynomials and prove the conjecture for a special class of boards.
a Method for Estimating Snowfall amounts

: Long-term climatic data from National Weather Service stations in six areas of the United States were utilized to develop regression equations relating a “snowfall index” parameter and air temperature. Nearly 200 stations, representing a wide range in physiographic and climatic conditions, were selected for analysis. Snowfall index is defined as the ratio of snowfall depth to precipitation. Using annual data, regression analysis indicated snowfall index to be significantly (α= 0.01) related to temperature for five of the six areas studied. Differences between equations were attributed to the effects of precipitation and temperature during non-snowfall periods. Mean monthly data were also considered and significant equations (α= 0.011, representing a family of similarly shaped curves, were obtained. The illustrated equations can be used for estimating mean monthly and annual snowfall amounts for stations having only temperature and precipitation measurements.
Animal behaviour: How self-organization evolves.

Self-organized systems can evolve by small parameter shifts that produce large changes in outcome. Concepts from mathematical ecology show how the way swarming bees dance helps to achieve unanimous decisions.
Deconstructing relative reinforcing efficacy and situating the measures of pharmacological reinforcement with behavioral economics: a theoretical proposal.

Background: Relative reinforcing efficacy has been assumed to be a homogeneous phenomenon referring to the behavior-strengthening or behavior-maintaining effects of a drug reinforcer. However, a variety of studies suggest that relative reinforcing efficacy may be heterogeneous. Objectives: The purpose of this theoretical proposal is to examine the difficulties associated with this conception of reinforcing efficacy and to explore whether relative reinforcing efficacy is a homogenous concept or whether it is composed of several functionally related heterogeneous phenomena. In examining this issue, we explore whether behavioral economic theory may address some of the challenges to the current conception of relative reinforcing efficacy and use this theory to suggest how the differing measures of reinforcing efficacy may relate to one another. Results: Results indicate that peak-response rate and breakpoint are related to the economic measure of maximal output and elasticity of demand, respectively. Preference is related to and predicted by the relative location of the demand curves obtained under single schedule conditions. This behavioral economic analysis may provide a theoretical understanding of reinforcement that can reconcile results of studies that both support and fail to support the notion of reinforcing efficacy as a homogenous phenomenon. Conclusions: If this theoretical proposal is validated by additional studies, then like other natural phenomena found to be heterogeneous, the study of drug reinforcers may require the adoption of several new scientific terms, such as those used in behavioral economics, each of which has analytical precision and refers to homogeneous phenomena.
A Hybrid Digital/Integrated Optical Processor For On-Line Classification

A new hybrid electrical/optical system for pattern classification is proposed. The optical circuit consists of c sets of analog electro-optic Bragg modulators, each capable of performing an n-dimensional inner product. This circuit is coupled with an optical threshold comparator to provide a binary representation of the class index. Pattern classification is effected through the use of a linear discriminant. The hybrid system is sufficiently rapid to make on-line classification feasible.
Managing organizational transitions: Implications for corporate and human resource management

Abstract This article provides a framework for understanding better the management of organizational growth and transitions in the longterm, based on three models. The first two are models of organizational functioning — an organizational effectiveness model and an organizational life-cycle model. Related to these, a third one is added — a model for managing organizational transitions. As well as discussing five key themes in the framework, Eric Flamholtz examines the implications for general management and human resource management.
Separating Stresses Thermoelastically in a Central Circularly Perforated Plate Using an Airy Stress Function

: Thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) is a contemporary full-field, non-contacting method of experimental stress analysis. In a cyclically loaded structure which experiences adiabatic and reversible conditions, the measured local change in temperature is proportional to the change in stress. Under isotropy, the technique measures information on the sum of the principal stresses. As engineering analyses often necessitate knowing the individual components of stress, additional experimental methods or information are frequently required to ‘separate the stresses’. The ability to evaluate individual stresses reliably in a uniaxially loaded finite plate with a central circular hole from TSA-recorded information without supplementary experimental data is demonstrated here. Measured temperature data are combined with an Airy stress function and some limited traction-free conditions. The present inverse technique does not presuppose knowledge of the external geometry or boundary conditions, overcomes the traditional difficulties of unreliable edge data, and reduces the number of coefficients needed by satisfying the traction-free conditions analytically on the edge of the hole. Particular attention is paid to determining a realistic value for the needed number of Airy coefficients.
Enhanced Infusion of Gold Nanocrystals into Mesoporous Silica with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Gold nanocrystal dispersions in toluene−CO2 mixtures were infused into cylindrical pores in mesoporous silica to achieve high loadings over 2 wt % in 24 h. The nanocrystals were highly dispersed ac...
Chemistry of C-Trimethylsilyl-Substituted Heterocarboranes. 19. Synthetic and Structural Studies on Trinuclear Ln(III) Carborane Clusters [Ln(III) = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho]. I. Conversion to Sandwiched Manganese(II) and Cobalt(III) Carborane Complexes

The reaction of closo-exo-4,5-Li(THF)2-1-Li(THF)2-2,3-(SiMe3)2C2B4H4 with anhydrous LnCl3 (Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho), in a molar ratio of 2:1 in dry benzene (C6H6), produced the sandwiched paramagnetic species {[η5-1-Ln-2,3-(SiMe3)2-2,3-C2B4H4]3[(μ2-1-Li-2,3-(SiMe3)2-2,3-C2B4H4)3(μ3-OMe)][μ2-Li(C4H8O)]3(μ3-O)} (Ln = Sm (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4), Ho (5)) in 59%, 58%, 49%, 52%, and 59% yields, respectively. All compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies; compound 1 was also characterized by 1H, 11B, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1−5 are isostructural clusters consisting of three half-sandwich lanthanacarboranes, three lithiacarboranes, three bridging lithium atoms, and three THF molecules of solvation. Their structures are such that the nine metal atoms form a tricapped trigonal prism with the lanthanide metals at the capping positions. The reaction of 2 with MnCl2 in benzene, followed by the addition of TMEDA, gave a dinuclear manganacarborane san...
Cell-specific regulation of the stably expressed serotonin 5-HT1A receptor and altered ganglioside synthesis

Neurotransmission is dependent on the presence of neuronal receptors at the synapses, and important cell surface molecules such as gangliosides are pivotal in the maintenance of synaptic contacts. To study the interrelationship between these two classes of molecules, we achieved stable expression of the hippocampus- and CNS-localized serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1A-R) in three 5-HT1A-R-deficient neuronal cell lines and also the control, non-neural CHO cells. A strong passage dependence of 5-HT1A-R expression, as measured by mRNA levels as well as membrane binding to the selective agonist [3H]8-OH-DPAT, was observed only in the HN2 (hippocampal) and NCB-20 (CNS) cells which are derived from tissues of natural occurrence of the 5-HT1A-R. A paradigm of stress was obtained by carrying out continuous culture of cells without feeding. During this time a dramatic increase in 5-HT1A-R mRNA and [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding was observed only in the neuronal cells after confluence and during decreased cell viability (days 10/11). This was not due to differentiation, since deliberate serum deprivation and differentiation of cells did not result in any dramatic increase in 5-HT1A-R expression. Analysis of ganglioside synthesis by pulse labeling of the transfected cells produced striking results. In the dorsal root of the ganglion (DRG) derived F-11 cells which show low but significant levels of complex gangliosides before transfection, the mere presence of the serotonin 1A receptor resulted in a dramatic increase in synthesis of gangliosides comigrating with GM2, GD1a, GD1b, and GT1b (20-fold by densitometry). In contrast, there was only a 2-fold increase in the overall content of complex gangliosides in the presence of the 5-HT1A-R. In the NCB-20 cells which contain only GD1a but no GD1b or GT1b before transfection, a decrease in GD1a synthesis was observed following transfection. Also agonist (8-OH-DPAT) binding to the serotonin 1A receptor in NCB-20 cells produced a 3-fold increase in synthesis of a ganglioside comigrating with GM3. Thus, our neuroblastoma transfectants help demonstrate stress-induced regulation of the 5-HT1A-R, which in turn exerts a strong and cell type-specific control over such essential cell-surface determinants like gangliosides.
Nonparametric regression models for right-censored data using Bernstein polynomials

In some applications of survival analysis with covariates, the commonly used semiparametric assumptions (e.g., proportional hazards) may turn out to be stringent and unrealistic, particularly when there is scientific background to believe that survival curves under different covariate combinations will cross during the study period. We present a new nonparametric regression model for the conditional hazard rate using a suitable sieve of Bernstein polynomials. The proposed nonparametric methodology has three key features: (i) the smooth estimator of the conditional hazard rate is shown to be a unique solution of a strictly convex optimization problem for a wide range of applications; making it computationally attractive, (ii) the model is shown to encompass a proportional hazards structure, and (iii) large sample properties including consistency and convergence rates are established under a set of mild regularity conditions. Empirical results based on several simulated data scenarios indicate that the proposed model has reasonably robust performance compared to other semiparametric models particularly when such semiparametric modeling assumptions are violated. The proposed method is further illustrated on the gastric cancer data and the Veterans Administration lung cancer data.
Living polymers. Their discovery, characterization, and properties

The story of the discovery of living polymers is presented. Living polymers are polymers that retain their ability to propagate and grow to a desired size while their degree of termination or chain transfer is still negligible. Theoretical and mechanistic considerations are discussed. The living polymerization technique provides access to uniform polymers (Poisson molecular weight distribution) of controllable size, block copolymers, functional polymers, and star and comb-shaped polymers. The quantitative aspects of electron transfer are fully discussed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: ix–xv, 1998
The Analysis or a Certain Class or Nonlinear Time-Varying Differential Equations

In this paper the partitioning technique is applied to analyze a certain class of nonlinear physical systems whose dynamic behavior can be represented by a nonlinear differential equation having some linear time-varying terms, some nonlinear terms, and a forcing function. Also included here will be some applications to specific nonlinear differential equations. It was found that by placing certain restrictions on the system equations, a unique solution could be obtained which belongs to an L 2 space. See Appendix I for an explanation of the L 2 space. This solution is given as the sequence of Pickard's iterates, each of which is also an L 2 function. In this paper, the well-known mean square error criterion is applied to find the number of iterates necessary to approximate the solution of this class of nonlinear equations.