cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of prolonged length of stay after lobectomy for lung cancer: a Society of Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database risk-adjustment model.

Background Few reliable estimations of operative risk exist for lung cancer patients undergoing lobectomy. This study identified risk factors associated with prolonged length of hospital stay (PLOS) after lobectomy for lung cancer as a surrogate for perioperative morbid events. Methods The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) General Thoracic Surgery Database was queried for patients with lobectomy for lung cancer. A model of preoperative risk factors was developed by multivariate stepwise logistic regression setting the threshold for PLOS at 14 days. Morbidity was measured as postoperative events as defined in the STS database. Risk-adjusted results were reported to participating sites. Results From January 2002 to June 2006, 4979 lobectomies were performed for lung cancer at 56 STS sites, and 351 (7%) had a PLOS. They had more postoperative events than patients without PLOS (3.4 vs 1.2; p Conclusions We identified significant predictors of PLOS, a surrogate morbidity marker after lobectomy for lung cancer. This model may be used to provide meaningful risk-adjusted outcome comparisons to STS sites for quality improvement purposes.
Retinol receptors in corneal epithelium, stroma and endothelium

Specific receptors for retinol are present in the cytosol fraction of corneal epithelium as demonstrated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. These appear to be (1) protein in nature (2) of small molecular size (2 S) (3) specific for retinol and (4) present in several species. Assuming a receptor molecular weight of 15 000 and a single mole of retinol bound/mole of receptor protein, the association constant value is 5.26-10(7) with deltaG degrees = -8.53 kcal/mol. 2-S receptors are also observed in stroma and endothelium along with another binding species of approximately 8 S. Binding of [3H]retinol in bovine epithelial cytosol can also be demonstrated by disc gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. Immunodiffusion techniques demonstrate that monkey corneal epithelial and stromal cytosol samples do not contain contaminating serum retinol binding-protein.
IMPACTS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ON MEDITERRANEAN AGRIGULTURE: CURRENT METHODOLOGIES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS An Introductory Essay

Current trends in Mediterranean agriculture reveal differences between the Northern and Southern Mediterranean countries as related to population growth, land and water use, and food supply and demand. The changes in temperature and precipitation predicted by general circulation models for the Mediterranean region will affect water availability and resource management, critically shaping the patterns of future crop production. Three companion papers analyze in detail future impacts of predicted climate change on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) production in Spain, Greece, and Egypt, and test farm- level adaptation strategies such as early planting and cultivar change with the aid of dynamic crop models. Strategies to improve the assessment of the potential effects of future climate change on agricultural production are discussed.
Balancing performance and fault detection for GPGPU workloads

GPUs are increasingly being used for processing highly parallel scientific and high performance workloads. Such applications require correctness and accuracy of the computation. GPUs lack adequate support for detecting hardware faults that may lead to computation errors. We present a tunable fault detection scheme that allows one to balance GPU performance and fault checking by configuring the amount of resources to allocate for detection and the frequency of checking for faults.
The epicenter and P‐Curve of the April 16, 1937, Fiji Island earthquake

This paper should be considered somewhat as a preliminary report of an exhaustive study that is being made of the violent deep earthquake of April 16, 1937. One hundred and twenty-two stations responded to the request for seismograms by sending either original records or contact-copies. While the distribution of these stations is not ideal, it is as good as can be expected for a Central Pacific epicenter. The chief limitations are the scarcity of near stations; the lack of near control to the east and southeast (the closest station is more than 90° away); and finally the existence to the northwest of mostly mechanically recording instruments or optical ones with low magnification and slow paper-speed. The range of epicentral distances is roughly 155°, from Apia at approximately 8° to Algiers at 164.°8. The present report, however, deals only with a part of this material, namely, that in the range from 8° to 115°, in which the P-phase was recorded. This consists of the original seismograms from 46 stations, contact-copies from 20 stations, and five station-bulletin readings.
Differential effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 upon intestinal vitamin D3-dependent calbindin (a 28,000-dalton calcium binding protein) and its mRNA in D-replete and D-deficient chickens.

The effect of vitamin D3 status upon the responsiveness of chick intestinal epithelium to exogenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] was studied. Intestinal calbindin [A recent consensus decision was made to redesignate the vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein as "calbindin-D28K" (R.H. Wasserman (1985) in Vitamin D: Chemical, Biochemical, and Clinical Update (Norman, A.W., Schaefer, K., Grigoleit, H.-G., and Herrath, D.V., Eds.), pp. 321-322, de Gruyter, Berlin/New York).] protein and intestinal calbindin mRNA were quantitated in birds which had been raised on a vitamin D3-deplete (-D) or on a vitamin D3-replete (+D) diet. 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulated intestinal calbindin mRNA levels in -D chickens in a proportional dose-dependent manner, when measured at both 12 and 48 h after administration of the hormone. A first increase was observed with 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations between 0.065 and 0.65 nmol. The maximal stimulation achieved by 1,25(OH)2D3 (6.5-18 nmol) in -D tissue was approximately 10-fold over the calbindin mRNA levels present in vehicle-treated birds. The increase of calbindin mRNA in -D birds was associated with a similar dose-dependent increase in calbindin protein in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated -D birds after 12 or 48 h. In +D intestine, while exogenous 1,25(OH)2D3 also increased calbindin mRNA levels in a dose-dependent fashion, the maximal stimulation observed after 5 h (1.2- to 2-fold) was clearly less than that observed in -D intestine. In contrast to -D birds, intestinal calbindin levels in +D birds were decreased by administration of exogenous 1,25(OH)2D3. Administration of 32.5 to 65 nmol 1,25(OH)2D3 resulted in an approximately 1.8-fold repression compared to vehicle-treated birds. This differential responsiveness between +D and -D intestines with respect to 1,25(OH)2D3 was not explained either by differences in the uptake in the chromatin fractions of these tissues or by metabolism of radiolabeled 1,25(OH)2D3. Dietary withdrawal of vitamin D3 led to a gradual decline in ambient intestinal calbindin levels, while intestinal sensitivity to 1,25(OH)2D3 was restored. These findings suggest that vitamin D3 status regulates intestinal responsiveness to the seco-steroid 1,25(OH)2D3.
Penetration of AF-2 and 4NQO into multicell spheroids.

The mutagenicity of 4NQO and AF-2 was evaluated in a multicell system, Chinese hamster V79 spheroids, in order to determine the effects of drug delivery and metabolism on toxicity and mutagenicity. Both 4NQO and AF-2 undergo metabolic reduction of the nitro group to produce toxic intermediates. However, 4NQO is metabolized under oxic as well as hypoxic conditions, while AF-2 is reduced predominantly under hypoxia. This difference is apparently responsible for the observed pattern of toxicity and mutagenicity towards cells of large spheroids. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that 4NQO fluorescence localizes primarily in external (oxic) cells while AF-2 can penetrate further into the hypoxic region of spheroids. Although 4NQO is a far more potent single cell mutagen than AF-2 for equimolar exposures of single cells, the internal cells of spheroids exposed to 7.5 μg/ml of either agent under hypoxia were more readily mutated by AF-2 than by 4NQO Evaluation de la mutagenicite de la 4NQO et de l'AF2 dans un systeme multicellulaire, les spheroides V79
The Pendulum Effect: Explaining Shifts in the Democratic Response to Terrorism

Successful modern democracies act to balance the twin obligations of maintaining secure and tolerant environments for their citizens. When faced with external threats such as global terrorism, democracies respond in a pendulum fashion—acting initially by giving security precedence over other values and then swinging back towards moderation, the pursuit of tolerance, and the promotion of policies that match the preferences of the median voter in society. Understanding this behavior helps to explain shifts in U.S. security policy since 9/11, and suggests fruitful avenues for research in political psychology.
Applicability of Parallel μLC for Achiral Method Development and Impurity Profiling in Support of Pharmaceutical Early Development

A comprehensive study has been done to examine the feasibility of applying Eksigent ExpressLC-800 parallel μLC–UV system for the achiral method development and impurity profiling in support of pharmaceutical early development. The system evaluation was performed extensively with respect to linearity, sensitivity and reproducibility. Some real-world applications for method screening and purity assessment are also carried out to demonstrate the instrument’s versatility as well as to address the needs to further improve sensitivity and micro-column packing quality. Some thoughts on future improvement are also discussed.
Selective decrease of mRNAs encoding plasma membrane calcium pump isoforms 2 and 3 in rat kidney.

Selective decrease of mRNAs encoding plasma membrane calcium pump isoforms 2 and 3 in rat kidney. Background Although the existence of multiple isoforms of plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA) is now well documented, their biological functions are not yet known. In this study, we set out to investigate the potential role of PMCA isoforms, previously identified in renal cortical tissue, in tubular reabsorption of calcium (Ca 2+ ). Methods With use of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis, we determined levels of mRNAs encoding isoforms of PMCA1 through PMCA4 in renal cortex, liver, and brain of rats with hypercalciuria induced by feeding with a low-phosphate diet (LPD) as compared with Ca 2+ -retaining rats that were fed a high-phosphate diet (HPD). Results We observed that in hypercalciuric LPD-fed rats, the mRNAs encoding isoforms PMCA2b and PMCA3(a + c) are significantly lower (Δ approximately -50%) than in HPD-fed hypocalciuric rats, whereas no changes in mRNAs encoding isoforms PMCA1b and PMCA4 were observed, and mRNA encoding calbindin 28 kDa was increased. On the other hand, the content of mRNAs encoding PMCA2b and PMCA3(a + c) in liver and brain, respectively, was not changed. Conclusion These findings are evidence that expression of PMCA isoforms in the kidney can be selectively modulated in response to pathophysiologic stimuli. The association of a decrease in mRNA encoding PMCA2b and PMCA3(a + c) with hypercalciuria suggests that the two PMCA isoforms may be operant in tubular reabsorption of Ca 2+ and its regulation.
Developmental Coordination of Luteinizing Hormone/Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Receptors and Acute hCG Responsiveness in Cultured and Freshly Harvested Porcine Granulosa Cells*

A fundamental characteristic of ovarian antral follicle development is the progressive differentiation of the granulosa cells, a process marked by an increase in their complement of LH receptors. In this study we investigated the coordinated expression of [125I]iodo-hCG binding sites and hCGsensitive cAMP production in intact cells from normally differentiating antral follicles of increasing size and in cells maintained in monolayer culture under conditions known to facilitate differentiation. In addition to hCG responsiveness, basal, FSHstimulated, and cholera toxin-stimulated cAMP production were compared. Granulosa cell [125I]iodo-hCG binding capacity was directly related to follicle size; thus, binding provided a convenient marker of cell maturation, which, in turn, reflected the state of follicle development. Basal and hCG-stimulated cAMP production increased as a function of cellular LH/hCG receptor binding. Whereas basal activity increased linearly, and proportionately with LH/hCG receptor binding,...
Simulation and analysis of laser guide star adaptive optics systems for the 8- to 10-m-class telescopes

This paper discusses the design and analysis of laser-guided adaptive optic systems for the large, 8 - 10 meter class telescopes. We describe a technique for calculating the expected modulation transfer function and the point spread function for a closed loop adaptive optics system, parameterized by the degree of correction and the seeing conditions. The results agree closely with simulations and experimental data, and validate well known scaling law models even at low order correction. Scaling law model analysis of a proposed adaptive optics system at the Keck telescope leads to the conclusion that a single laser guide star beacon will be adequate for diffraction limited imaging at wavelengths between 1 and 3 micrometers with reasonable coverage of the sky. Cone anisoplanatism will dominate wavefront correction error at the visible wavelengths unless multiple laser guide stars are used.
Children's Attitudes Toward Languages and Perceptions of Performers' Social Status in the Context of Songs

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of 5th grade Spanish-English bilingual children toward songs performed in Spanish and English. After listening to each song, children answered a series of questions measuring their attitude towards the language, familiarity with the language, and judgment of the performer's social status. Children were found to have a significantly more favorable attitude toward English than Spanish in the context of song. They also rated English-singing performers to be of a higher social status. Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between their attitude towards the Spanish language and the social status rating.
Expression of Tissue Factor in Experimental Bovine Pneumonic Pasteurellosis and Endotoxemia

Tissue factor (TF), a cell surface-associated cofactor and activator of coagulation factor VII, has been implicated in the local and systemic activation of coagulation associated with sepsis. This study describes the pattern of TF expression in experimental bovine pneumonic pasteurellosis and endotoxemia. Immunohistochemical techniques were used to localize TF antigen in tissue sections. Tissue factor expression was not observed in tissues from control animals. In response to Pasteurella haemolytica challenge, TF was expressed within alveolar walls, by mononuclear inflammatory cells within alveoli, and in walls of arteries, arterioles, bronchi, and bronchioles. Tissue factor was not detected in unaffected lung, liver, spleen, lymph node or kidney tissue. Administration of Escherichia coli endotoxin intravenously resulted in tissue factor expression in lung, spleen, and lymph node tissue. Results of this study indicate that TF is expressed locally at sites of inflammation and systemically in endotoxemia. Therefore, TF may be involved in coagulation events associated with pneumonic pasteurellosis.
GABA(A) receptors modulate ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and taste aversion in mice.

Rationale: GABAA receptor antagonists have been shown to reduce ethanol self-administration and ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in rats, suggesting a role for the GABAA receptor in modulating ethanol’s motivational effects. Objectives: The present experiments examined the effects of the GABAA receptor antagonists, bicuculline and picrotoxin, on the acquisition of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and CTA in male DBA/2J mice. Methods: Mice in the CPP experiments received four pairings of ethanol (2 g/kg) with a distinctive floor stimulus for a 5-min conditioning session (CS+ sessions). During CS+ sessions, mice also received bicuculline (0, 1.0, 3.0, or 5.0 mg/kg) or picrotoxin (2.0 mg/kg) before an injection of ethanol. On intervening days (CS– sessions), the pretreatment injection was always vehicle followed by saline injections that were paired with a different floor type. For the preference test, all mice received saline injections and were placed on a half grid and half hole floor for a 60-min session. For the CTA experiments, mice were adapted to a 2-h per day water restriction regimen followed by five conditioning trials every 48 h. During conditioning trials, subjects received an injection of vehicle, bicuculline (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg), or picrotoxin (0.75 and 2.5 mg/kg) before injection of 2 g/kg ethanol or saline following 1-h access to a saccharin solution. Results: Both picrotoxin and the lowest dose of bicuculline (1.0 mg/kg) significantly increased the magnitude of CPP relative to vehicle-treated controls. Picrotoxin alone did not produce place conditioning. Ethanol-stimulated locomotor activity was significantly reduced during conditioning trials with picrotoxin and the higher doses of bicuculline (3.0 and 5.0 mg/kg). Bicuculline did not alter ethanol-induced CTA; however, picrotoxin dose-dependently increased the magnitude of ethanol-induced CTA. Bicuculline and picrotoxin did not produce CTA when administered alone. Conclusions: Overall, these results suggest that blockade of GABAA receptors with bicuculline and picrotoxin enhances ethanol’s motivational effects in the CPP paradigm; however, only picrotoxin enhances ethanol’s motivational effects in the CTA paradigm.
Ethnic Capital and Intermarriage: A Case Study of American Jews

Previous studies of ethnicity have focused on the role played by structural factors in assimilation and related processes. The utility of human and social capital in explaining analogous religious phenomena (e.g., religious switching and apostasy) suggests that similar actor-centered explanations may advance t k understanding of ethnicity. We propose a model of ethnicity that integrates existing structure-centered approaches with the concepts of ethnic human and social capital in a soft rational choice theory framework. The usefulness of this approach is tested with respect to intermarriage among American Jews, who maintain an extraordinarily diverse array of socializing institutions and have wide variation in levels of ethnic capitol. The inclusion of variables measuring ethnic capital provides a significant increase in explanatory power. It is suggested that this framework may be applicable for other ethnic groups and further research is recommended.
Improved synthesis and resolution of β-(3-pyridyl)-DL-α-alanine

beta-Benzamido-alpha-(3-pyridyl)-DL-alpha-alanine hydrochloride was synthesized from 3-pyridinecarboxyaldehyde via the azlactone which was hydrolyzed to the acrylic acid before hydrogenation. The methyl ester was effectively resolved with subtilisin. The optical purity of the D-isomer was established, since the D-isomer was used in synthesis of antagonists of the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone.
Relaxation properties of some segmented polyurethane‐CaCO3 composites. A Dielectric study

Abstract : Dielectric relaxation in three segmented polyurethane - CaCO3 composites was investigated between -70 C and +150 C in the 300 Hz to 100 kHz frequency range. Two of the polymers contained a polyacetal-polyester soft segment, while the soft component of the third polymer was polypropylene oxide. The hard segments consisted of 4,4' -diphenyl methane diisocyanate in two cases and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate in the third case. In parallel studies two calorimetric relaxations, designated alpha and alpha prime, were observed for each sample and were determined to be glass transitions of the soft and hard segments, respectively. In general, the transitions temperatures decrease with increasing filler content. High frequency, low temperature permittivities increase while low frequency, high temperature AC conductivities generally decrease with increasing filler content. The shift in the transition temperatures can be explained using the adsorption theory of filler-polymer interactions and the densities of the samples. The interfacial polarization mechanism becomes important only above the alpha and alpha prime transition temperature and below 1 kHz.
P04.04: Benign fetal ventricular arrhythmias: Doppler and m-mode findings

end of the systole was the minimum cavity size visualized during the cardiac cycle. E/A wave, aortic root, fetal heart rate and diameters longitudinal and transverse of the left ventricle were recorded too. Analysis data’s was made by Stata software. Results: Congenital cardiac anomalies EF% mean in left ventricle was reported in 51.93%. Low values 29.5%. Maximum value 84.2% with a standard deviation of 12.8. Mean ejection fraction in left ventricle fetuses with mothers who had gestational diabetes was reported with 55.29% with a low value in 39% and maximum value in 72% and standard deviation in 9.1. Conclusions: The ejection fraction on the fetal left ventricle by planimetric doesn’t change neither mothers diabetic compensated nor fetuses with cardiac congenital anomalies. More data’s have to be collected to correlated these findings.
Recent advances in thin film filters

Optical thin film filters are widely employed in optical communications systems. Important applications include narrowband filters for DWDM and gain flattening filters for EDFAs. Applications and recent advances in the technology are reviewed.
Optical coherence tomography of glass reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a nondestructive and noncontact technique to image microstructure within scattering media. The application of OCT to highly scattering materials such as polymer composites is especially challenging. In this work, OCT is evaluated as a technique to image fiber tows and voids in two materials: an epoxy E-glass-reinforced composite and a vinyl-ester E-glass-reinforced composite. Features detected using OCT are compared with optical microscopy. Fiber architecture and voids of glass-reinforced polymer composites can be successfully imaged using OCT. The quality of the OCT image is strongly affected by the refractive index mismatch between the fibers and reinforcement. The largest sources of noise in the images arise from fiber lens effects, interference from within the sample, and a very large reflection at the surface.
CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF CYSTIC DYSPLASIA OF THE TESTIS

Cystic dysplasia of the testis is an unusual lesion in boys that has been historically treated with radical orchiectomy. This benign testicular neoplasm, which is often associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis or dysplasia, has been treated successfully with testis sparing surgery in the past.1, 2 To our knowledge the optimal treatment of this benign neoplasm has not been determined. We present 2 unique conservative methods of managing cystic dysplasia of the testis. CASE REPORTS Case 1. A5 1 ⁄2-year-old boy presented with left testicular swelling and pain. Scrotal sonography demonstrated an enlarged testis with multiple cysts of various sizes in the central portion with an associated hydrocele (see figure). Renal sonography showed an absent left kidney. The patient underwent left inguinal exploration, enucleation of the testicular mass and hydrocelectomy. Histological examination of the testicular specimen revealed dilated, irregular cavernous spaces lined by cuboidal epithelium, consistent with cystic dysplasia. Testicular biopsy demonstrated completely normal histology and a normal total germ cell count. A nontender enlarged left testis was noted again 4 months postoperatively. Testicular sonography revealed multiple cysts with a compressed rim of normal parenchyma. The patient underwent repeat scrotal exploration. A testis sparing approach with excision of the testicular mass was again performed. Histological examination revealed cystic dysplasia of the testis as well as normal testicular tubules containing germ cells. Tamm-Horsfall protein was also noted in the specimen. Serial testicular ultrasound has shown no evidence of a further recurrence of cystic dysplasia and almost equal testicular size during 14 months of followup. Case 2. A 9-year-old boy with a history of the VATER syndrome and a left multicystic dysplastic kidney presented with an enlarged left testis. At exploration during surgery for fecal incontinence the posterior portion of the testis appeared cystic and the testis was 2.4 3 1.5 3 1.9 cm. using calipers. Due to the close proximity of adherent epididymis the tissue was not resected. Scrotal sonography 8 months postoperatively revealed a large left testis with multiple multiloculated cystic structures less than 1 cm. in diameter in the mid portion of the testis, consistent with cystic dysplasia. A small rim of normal parenchyma surrounded the cystic structures. On ultrasound the left and right testes were 3.21 3 1.79 3 1.77 and 1.45 3 1.26 3 1.00 cm., respectively. On scrotal sonography 17 months later the left and right testes had enlarged to 3.6 3 2.3 3 1.5 and 1.8 3 1.5 3 1.0 cm., respectively. In the left testis a new 5 mm. cystic lesion was observed along the lateral aspect that had not been previously seen. DISCUSSION
Asymptotic equivalence of group actions on surfaces and Riemann–Hurwitz solutions

The topological data of a group action on a compact Riemann surface can be encoded using a tuple (h; m1, ..., ms) called its signature. There are two number theoretic conditions on a tuple necessary for it to be a signature: the Riemann–Hurwitz formula is satisfied and each mi equals the order of a non-trivial group element. We show on the genus spectrum of a group that asymptotically, satisfaction of these conditions is in fact sufficient. We also describe the order of growth for the number of tuples which satisfy these conditions but are not signatures in the case of cyclic groups.
Designing oxygen reduction catalysts: Insights from metalloenzymes

A thermodynamic analysis using density functional theory suggests a parallelism between the mechanisms of cytochrome c oxidase and that of a bimetallic alloy catalyst for reducing oxygen to water. It is shown that ionic sites such as those in enzymes are thermodynamically more favorable than neutral atoms composing the alloy to catalyze specific reaction steps. The potential for designing novel effective oxygen reduction catalysts is discussed.
A life cycle approach to modeling sea lamprey population dynamics in the Lake Champlain basin to evaluate alternative control strategies

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is a nuisance species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and Lake Champlain that has devastated native fish populations and hampered sport fisheries development. We developed a modified stage-based life history matrix for sea lamprey to analyze the effects of various management efforts to suppress sea lamprey population growth in Lake Champlain. These efforts targeted different life stages of the sea lamprey life cycle. A beta distribution was used to distribute stochastic larval populations among twenty sea lamprey-bearing tributaries and five deltas to Lake Champlain, from which sea lamprey that survive through larval metamorphosis were then pooled into a lake-wide parasitic-phase population. Parasitic-phase survival to the spawning stage was evaluated based on proximity to the natal tributary and on the size of the resident larval population in each tributary. Potential control strategies were modeled at egg to emergence, larval, and spawning stages to reduce vital rates at each stage, with the goal of suppressing parasitic-phase production. Simulations indicate that control of the larval stage was essential to achieving this goal, and with supplemental effort to reduce the vital rates at early life stages and at the spawning stage, the parasitic-phase population can be further suppressed. Sensitivity simulations indicate that the life history model was sensitive to egg deposition rate, abundance of parasitic-phase sea lamprey from unknown, uncontrolled sources, and the method in which parasitic-phase sea lamprey select tributaries for spawning. Results from this model can guide management agencies to optimize future management programs.
Abstract C41: Nuclear Stat5a/b predicts early recurrence and prostate cancer-specific death in patients treated by radical prostatectomy.

There is an urgent need for reliable markers to identify patients whose PCa is most likely to recur after initial therapy and progress to lethal disease. While Gleason score is considered the most accurate predictive marker for disease-specific mortality after primary treatment of localized prostate cancer (PCa), the majority of PCas cluster into intermediate group of Gleason scores 6 and 7 where there is considerable variation in treatment response, disease recurrence and disease-specific death. In this study, we analyzed the predictive value of elevated nuclear Stat5a/b expression in PCas treated by radical prostatectomy or active surveillance. The critical role of Stat5a/b in promotion of PCa growth and progression has been well-documented in preclinical PCa models. Specifically, Stat5a/b is critical for prostate cancer cell viability in vitro and for prostate tumor growth in vivo, and Stat5a/b promotes metastatic dissemination of prostate cancer in nude mice. Here, we demonstrate that in intermediate Gleason score PCas treated by radical prostatectomy, high levels of nuclear Stat5a/b predicted both early recurrence (univariate analysis; p<0.0001, multivariate analysis; HR=0.55, p=0.017) and early PCa-specific death (univariate analysis; p=0.028). In addition, high nuclear Stat5a/b predicted early disease recurrence in both univariate (p<0.0001) and multivariate (HR=0.62; p<0.01) analysis in the entire cohort of patients treated by radical prostatectomy (n=562) regardless of the Gleason score. In the second group of patients treated by active surveillance, elevated nuclear Stat5a/b expression was associated with early PCa-specific death (p=0.0453) by univariate analysis (Cox regression analysis: 60% increased risk of death, p=0.034). If confirmed in future prospective studies, nuclear Stat5a/b may become a useful independent predictive marker of recurrence of lethal PCa after radical prostatectomy for intermediate Gleason score PCas. Citation Format: Tuomas Mirtti, Benjamin E. Leiby, Par Stattin, Anders Bergh, Marja T. Nevalainen, Junaid Abdulghani, Miia Pavela, Elina Aaltonen, Anita Mamtani, Kalle A. Alanen, Lars Egevad, Torvald Granfors, Andreas Josefsson. Nuclear Stat5a/b predicts early recurrence and prostate cancer-specific death in patients treated by radical prostatectomy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr C41.
“Terebellina”; (= Schaubcylindrichnus freyi ichnosp. nov.) in Pleistocene outer‐shelf mudrocks of northern California

Vertically curved, unbranched, strongly lined burrows are prominent features of muddy outer‐shelf/offshore deposits of Cretaceous to Pleistocene age. Such burrows are usually called Terebellina, but use of this ichnogenus should be avoided for two reasons: 1) the type species of Terebellina is a large agglutinated foraminiferid referable to Bathysiphon, not a trace fossil; and 2) most trace fossils identified with Terebellina are either examples of Palaeophycus (in cases where burrows are essentially horizontal and occur individually) or Schaubcylindrichnus (where burrows are oblique to stratification and occur in aggregations or loose clusters). The replacement name S. freyi is proposed for this latter category of burrow. These light‐colored, grain‐lined burrows are conspicuous structures in the dark‐colored, outer‐shelf mudrocks of the lower Pleistocene Rio Dell Formation. The burrows are part of a typical “distal Cruziana ichnofacies”; association of structures, including Teichichnus, Planolites, Palae...
Hypophysectomy reduces the haloperidol-induced changes in striatal dopamine receptor density

The ability of haloperidol (HAL) at doses of 1, 2 and 4 mg/kg to increase the density of the striatal dopamine (DA) receptors was measured in normal and hypophysectomized (Hypox) male rats. In intact rats HAL significantly increased the receptor density at all three doses. In Hypox rats HAL produced significantly less of an increase, with only the 4 mg/kg dose producing a statistically significant increase. Therefore, Hypox appears to reduce the ability of HAL to increase striatal DA receptor density.
Picosecond pulses from a cryogenically cooled, composite amplifier using Yb:YAG and Yb:GSAG

A cryogenic Yb amplifier using two laser materials, Gd3Sc2Al3O12 and Y3Al5O12 (YAG), has been used to obtain 70W average power at 5kHz pulse repetition frequency; the output was compressed to 1.6ps, compared with an input compressible to 1.4ps. The gain broadening obtained by combining two media enables shorter pulses than using Yb:YAG alone but retains the power-scaling advantages of cryogenic Yb:YAG.
Incidence and Prevention of Ischemic Stroke following Myocardial Infarction: Review of Current Literature

Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death today. With the fast progress in pharmacotherapy and revascularization technology, outcomes following a myocardial infarction have become very favorable. While most of the complications from a myocardial infarction can be adequately managed, thus leading to reduced mortality, stroke following a myocardial infarction remains a challenge even today, and can lead to potentially devastating complications. We discuss the incidence, pathophysiology, and management options of non-hemorrhagic stroke following a myocardial infarction.
Task-based comparative study of iterative image reconstruction methods for limited-angle x-ray tomography

For tomography that has available only projection views from a limited angular span, such as is the case in an x-ray tomosynthesis system, the image reconstruction problem is ill-posed. Reconstruction methods play an important role in optimizing the image quality for human interpretation. In this work we compare three popular iterative image reconstruction methods that have been applied to digital tomosynthesis systems: the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART), the maximum-likelihood (ML) and the total-variation regularized least-square reconstruction method (TVLS). Quality of the images reconstructed from these three methods is assessed through task-based performance. Two tasks are considered in this work: lesion detection and shape discrimination. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) is used as the figure-of-merit. Our simulation results indicate that TVLS and SART perform very similarly and better than the ML in terms of lesion detectability, while the ML performs better than the other two in terms of shape discrimination ability.
Palaeoceanographic change in the Pacific at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary

Oxygen isotopic studies both of benthic formanifera1–5 and shallow-marine carbonates6–8 have provided a useful monitor of marine palaeotemperatures. The Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) has provided cores from many ocean basins to conduct detailed stable isotopic and palaeoceanographic studies of the Cenozoic and late Mesozoic. DSDP Sites 277 and 292, separated by ∼60° latitude in Palaeogene times, each record an 18O enrichment in benthic foraminifera of nearly 1‰ beginning at the Eocene–Oligocene boundary. Planktonic foraminiferal trends are similar to benthic trends in the high latitude southwest Pacific Ocean, but tropical planktonics show only a minor (∼0.3‰) increase which may reflect a change in seawater composition. These results suggest a sudden cooling of Pacific deep waters and high latitude surface waters forms a useful stratigraphic marker for the Eocene–Oligocene boundary. This boundary is particularly important because of its association with several worldwide palaeo-oceanographic and biogeographic changes. These include a sudden drop in the calcite compensation depth of 1–2 km (refs 9, 10); a decrease in planktonic microfossil diversity11–13; a change in planktonic biogeographic patterns12–14; and increased erosion of deep-sea sediments over wide areas15,16.
HFES 51st Annual Meeting: Assessing Safety Climate and Organizational Risk

Research conducted at the Navy Postgraduate School, over the past 10 years, has focused on key organizational factors that may influence the likelihood of an accident or organizational failure. The...
Non-invasive assessment of left internal mammary-coronary bypass patency using the external Doppler probe

Non-directional blood velocity of left internal mammary bypass grafts was non-invasively studied with the Doppler ultrasonic probe. Thirteen of 14 subjects had angiographic evidence of bypass graft patency and their Doppler signals demonstrated high amplitude phasic blood velocities. A single patient with proximal left internal mammary arterial graft occlusion manifested marked attenuation of Doppler blood velocity signals. It is concluded that this technic offers a potential for ambulatory and in-office screening of internal mammary artery bypass graft function.
Community Attachment and Negative Affective States in the Context of the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster

This study advances research on the mental health impacts of disasters by examining how a mainstay of the sociological literature, community attachment, influences negative affective states such as...
Coalition Politics in India: 2004–2009

Abstract It is posited here that the coalition imperative of holding the alliances together just to keep in office leads to behavior that is not altogether ethically acceptable. This is not to say that all coalitions are bad by definition; they are not. The issue is: how many partners and what the minimum understanding among them are ideal to run the government? It is suggested that a large and unprincipled coalition on the one hand would debilitate a government, and on the other lead to political corruption and even blackmail. Contrarily, a smaller number of parties with some affinity in ideology and a common purpose would be beneficial for a stable democracy. To glean some insights, the United Progressive Alliance coalitions cobbled together by the Congress Party Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2004, and consequent to the 2009 elections, are studied here.
On the flow of water out of the Weddell Sea

Abstract A distinction is drawn between classically defined Antarctic Bottom Water and Weddell Sea Bottom Water, defined as water with potential temperatures less than -0.7°C and characterized by larger near-bottom temperature gradients and by a slope change on the θ−S correlation curve. The outflow of this water is strongly influenced by the topography of the Scotia Ridge. The flow of water out of the Weddell Sea was calculated from current measurements and the relative geostrophic speed. The total adjusted geostrophic transport is approximately 97 × 106 m3 s−1. Approximately 69 × 106 m3 s−1 is classically defined Antarctic Bottom Water of which about 16 × 106 m3 s−1 is Weddell Sea Bottom Water with potential temperatures less than -0.7°C. From 12 to 31% of the Weddell Sea Bottom Water is newly-formed bottom water and from 2 to 5 × 106 m3 s−1 represents the production rate of bottom water.
Effect of Chloramphenicol on Bacterial Endosymbiotes in a Strain of Amoeba proteus

SYNOPSIS. The effect of chloramphenicol (CAP) on the bacterial endosymbiotes of a strain of Amoeba proteus was studied by growing the symbiotic amebae in media containing 0.5–1.6 mg/ml CAP for up to 4 weeks. Treatments with CAP caused such ultrastructural changes as expansion of the nuclear zone and deformation of symbiotes. The CAP treatment also damaged the mitochondria, e.g. disappearance of central and protrusion of peripheral cristae. Number of bacteria per ameba decreased to < 10% of control in CAP-containing media, but no viable amebae became completely free of symbiotes. The resuts supported previous studies that amebae were dependent on endosymbiotes.
Constitutive modeling of L12 intermetallic crystals

A dislocation model of the hardening of L12 intermetallics is proposed. Hardening is presumed to be the net effect of point obstacles opposing the motion of dislocations. Two sources of point obstacles are considered: forest dislocations and cross-slip pinning. Forest hardening is assumed to be the only operative hardening mechanism for cubic systems. Octahedral systems are presumed to be subject to both forest hardening and hardening by cross-slip pinning. The rate of obstacle generation by the latter mechanism is taken to be proportional to the rate of cross-slip. The activation enthalpy for cross-slip is taken from the work of Paidar et al. (V. Paidar, D. P. Pope and V. Vitek, Acta Metall., 32 (3) (1984) 435). Detailed comparisons between theory and experiment are given. The theory correctly predicts salient aspects of the behavior of L12 intermetallics, including features which had previously been interpreted as indicative of “non-Schmid” yield behavior.
A Comparison of Two Elicitation Methods for a Prior Distribution for a Binomial Parameter

This paper compares two methods of elicitation for the hyperparameters of the conjugate beta distribution for a binomial sampling model. The PM posterior mode method of Chaloner and Duncan appears to be more sensitive to elicitation errors than does a new method proposed here. This new method uses the device of imaginary results, due to I. J. Good Good, I. J. 1967. A Bayesian significance test for multinomial distributions. JRSSB29 399-431 with discussion.. An explicit model for elicitation errors is used in a simulation.
Two-Scatter-Plate Integrator To Reduce Speckle Noise

Long path atmospheric laser transmission measurements require the precise measurement of the radiant energy of laser beams after they have been turbled by the atmosphere. This requires a detector/integrator package with very uniform response and low speckle noise. A two scatter plate device has been fabricated for use with a lmm square cryogenic infrared detector. CO2 laser measurements have been made which verify the uniformity of response and low speckle noise. Absolute accuracies of better than 1% RMS are achieved with this device. The device is augmented with a Si Diode and allows atmospheric transmission measurements to be carried out for lasers in the wavelength range of 0.6 to 11.2 microns.
A new technique for heating specimens in split-Hopkinson-bar experiments using induction-coil heaters

A new technique to heat metallic specimens, in split-Hopkinson-bar experiments, is presented. The heating is achieved with induction coils surrounding the specimen. The main advantages of this technique are (1) a relatively fast heating rate, (2) localization of the heated volume, and (3) heating achieved without touching the specimen. Experimental results for several metals, in terms of high strain-rate stress-strain curves at elevated temperatures, are presented and discussed.
Enhancement of retinal images: Pros and problems

Evaluation of retinal images is essential to modern ophthalmic care. With the advent of image processing equipment, digital recording and processing of retinal images is starting to replace the standard film based fundus photography. The ability to enhance images is cited as one of the major benefits of this expensive technology. This paper critically reviews the practices employed in the image enhancement literature. It is argued that the papers published to date have not presented convincing evidence regarding the diagnostic value of retinal image enhancement. The more elaborate studies in radiology suggest, at best, modest diagnostic improvement with enhancement. The special difficulties associated with the demonstration of an improved diagnosis in ophthalmic imaging are discussed in terms of the diagnostic task and the selection of study populations.
Detecting and eliminating slippery footwear.

Abstract A recently developed walking traction test has proved to be a reliable and rapid method of measuring coefficient of friction (c.o.f.) of floor surfaces and footwear, and is a suitable method for ranking the grip of footwear solings on slippery floors. This paper describes four new experiments in which footwear samples were ranked. The first experiment compared mean rank orders on water wet (wet) and oily surfaces of seven flat solings. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient rs was 0·893, P < 0·005. In the second experiment, five pairs of women's shoes were ranked on wet and oily surfaces. On the wet surfaces, three samples recorded maximum attainable c.o.f. but rank orders on two oily surfaces were identical, rs = 1·0, P < 0·01. In the third experiment, thirteen pairs of discarded footwear were ranked using three different test methods. The test surfaces were oily stainless steel plates cut from the same sheet. Rank orders of the three test methods were significantly similar. Kendall's coefficie...
Origin of Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic systematics in high-Sr basalts from central Arizona

Alkalic and tholeiitic basalts were erupted in the central Arizona Transition Zone during Miocene-Pliocene time before and after regional faulting. The alkalic lava types differ from the subalkaline lavas in Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic ratios and trace element ratios and, despite close temporal and spatial relationships, the two types appear to be from discrete mantle sources. Pre-faulting lava types include: potassic trachybasalts (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7052 to 0.7055, ɛNd= −9.2 to −10.7); alkali olivine basalts (87Sr/ 86Sr = 0.7049 to 0.7054, ɛNd= −2 to 0.2); basanite and hawaiites (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7049 to 0.7053, ɛNd= −3.5 to −7.8); and quartz tholeiites (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7047, ɛNd= −1.4 to −2.6). Post-faulting lavas have lower 87Sr/86Sr (<0.7045) and ɛNd from −3.2 to 2.3. Pb isotopic data for both preand post-faulting lavas form coherent clusters by magma type with values higher than those associated with MORB but within the range of values found for crustal rocks and sulfide ores in Arizona and New Mexico. Pb isotopic systematics appear to be dominated by crustal contamination. Effects of assimilation and fractional crystallization are inadequate to produce the Sr isotopic variations unless very large amounts of assimilation occurred relative to fractionation. It is impossible to produce the Nd isotopic variations unless ancient very unradiogenic material exists beneath the region. Moreover the assumption that the alkalic lavas are cogenetic requires high degrees of fractionation inconsistent with major- and trace-element data. Metasomatism of the subcontinental lithosphere above a subduction zone by a slab-derived fluid enriched in Sr, Ba, P and K could have produced the isotopic and elemental patterns. The degree of metasomatism apparently decreased upward, with the alkalic lavas sampling more modified regions of the mantle than the tholeiitic lavas. Such metasomatism may have been a regional event associated with crustal formation at about 1.6 Ga. Disruption and weakening of the subcontinental lithosphere in the Transition Zone of the Colorado Plateau by volcanism probably made deformation possible.