cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secondary tumors of the bladder: A survival outcome study

Abstract The urinary bladder may be involved by a variety of secondary tumors that originate from other organs. Bladder secondary tumors are rare and may be mistaken as bladder primary tumors because of their overlapping morphologic features. To avoid the diagnostic pitfalls, we analyzed the clinicopathologic features of bladder secondary tumors in a large cohort of patients. Our patient cohort consisted of 45 females and 38 males with a mean age of 58.7 ± 15.4 years (range 10–87 years). The tumors involved the bladder via direct extension from adjacent organs (n = 42) and distant metastasis (n = 41). In females, the majority of secondary tumors originated from the gynecologic tract (n = 25), and other common origins included the colon/rectum (n = 5) and breast (n = 4). In males, the most common origin was the prostate (n = 18), followed by the colon/rectum (n = 4) and kidney (n = 3). 75.9% of the secondary tumors were adenocarcinoma (n = 63), and other common tumor types included sarcoma (n = 6), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 5), melanoma (n = 4), and neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 3). 67.5% of patients (n = 56) died of the disease with a median overall survival of 23 months from the time of secondary involvement of the bladder. Patients with secondary tumors via direct extension had a median survival time of 20 months, which was not significantly different from that for patients with secondary involvement via distant metastasis (24 months) (p = 0.83). Median survival in cases with prostate primary was 20 months as compared to 23 months for all other tumor types (p = 0.68). The majority of secondary tumors are composed of adenocarcinoma, which highlights the importance of differentiating primary from secondary involvement in bladder adenocarcinoma. Regardless of the origin, bladder secondary tumors are associated with a poor prognosis.
Torpedo Your Competition: Strategic Reporting and Peer Firm IPO

A firm’s initial public offering (IPO) generates negative externalities for industry competitors. To mitigate this threat, incumbent firms manage their earnings downwards, issue more negative management forecasts, and use a more negative disclosure tone when industry peers file for an IPO. Negative accruals reverse when the threat subsides. Incumbents manage earnings more aggressively when costs are small and benefits are large. Such strategic disclosure lowers incumbent firm valuation multiples and associates with more negative IPO firm media sentiment. IPO firms obtain lower offer prices, raise less capital, and are more likely to withdraw from the offering. They also invest less, hoard more cash, and experience lower profitability post IPO, while incumbents experience higher profitability and market share growth. Our results highlight the role of strategic reporting on product market competition and identify a new cost of going public.
The Advantages of Limiting the T Cell Repertoire for Antigen & MHC

T cell receptors are made up of two polypeptides α and β, which are constructed in each cell by rearrangement of one of a number of V (variable), D (diversity) and J (joining) gene segments. The inclusion of nucleotides not encoded in the germline, or the exclusion of germline nucleotides, at the V-J junction also adds to the number of possible receptors. The tremendous flexibility which this type of construction allows has been well established for immunoglobulins and T cell receptors and many millions of combinations are possible. Besides the well known processes of thymic positive and negative selection, mice use a number of strategies to reduce the enormous T cell receptor repertoire available to them. In this paper these strategies will be outlined and their possible advantages will be discussed.
A high-speed HVDC breaker topology with integral voltage-changing capability

GE Global Research center has developed a system topology that has been validated experimentally by constructing hardware prototypes, to combine the HVDC breaker and transformer functions in a single system. This is implemented with a resonant converter at high frequency to minimize physical footprint, and to maximize efficiency.
Conservative Management of Chemotherapeutic-Induced Thrombocytopenia in Women with Gynecologic Cancers

During the course of four recent dose-intense chemotherapy trials, the routine practice of transfusing patients with platelet counts <20,000/μl was changed to a more conservative style of management limiting prophylactic transfusions to patients with platelet counts <5000/μl. One hundred seventy-nine episodes of thrombocytopenia in 46 patients enrolled in four dose-intense chemotherapy trials were evaluated. Thirty-two patients had advanced carcinoma of the ovary, 10 had pelvic sarcomas, and 4 had cervical cancer. Of the 179 episodes of thrombocytopenia evaluated, 100 exhibited severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count <20,000/μl). Of these 100 episodes, 30 received prophylactic platelet transfusions while 70 did not. Thirty-eight episodes of thrombocytopenia were 5000-10,000/μl, 24 of which received prophylactic platelet transfusions while 14 did not. Eighteen episodes (10%) of thrombocytopenia resulted in minor bleeding and all occurred during severe thrombocytopenia. Minor bleeding occurred in 27% of episodes of severe thrombocytopenia receiving prophylactic platelet transfusions versus 14% not transfused (P = 0.2). Of the 38 episodes of thrombocytopenia 5000-10,000/μl, minor bleeding occurred in 17% receiving prophylactic platelet transfusions versus 24% not transfused (P = 0.95). None of the 179 episodes of thrombocytopenia resulted in major bleeding, including 70 episodes of thrombocytopenia <20,000/μl not receiving prophylactic platelet transfusions which included 14 episodes of thrombocytopenia between 5000-10,000/μl. In conclusion, in women with gynecologic cancer and chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, we safely limited prophylactic platelet transfusions for episodes of thrombocytopenia <5000/μl. We hope our study will prompt prospective, randomized trials evaluating the need of prophylactic platelet transfusions for chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia in patients with solid tumors.
A 10-Year Set of Ca II K-Line Filtergrams

We have processed a 10-year set of BBSO Ca II K-line filtergrams covering most of solar cycle 22. The excess K-line emission is integrated to form linear and square-root activity indices that are fitted to UV data from UARS and SME. Good fits are found both for the Mg II core-wing ratio (linear) and total Lα irradiance (square root) and the indices are thus good proxies for UV data. The SME Lα irradiance is systematically lower by 20% than predicted from our corresponding K-line indices. The 10.7 cm radio data confirms that SME underestimated the flux. The network is partly responsible for the solar cycle variation of the indices and is relatively more important in Lα than in Mg II and Ca II K. This is due to the saturation of Lα equivalent width. We also report on substantial improvements to the equipment and reduction software. The system is now based on a digital CCD camera which promises more accurate measurements in the upcoming solar cycle 23.
What should We Look for When We Return to Mars

Our moon and terrestrial planets have stimulated human interest by both the scientist and the general public. Mars, in particular, has generated voluminous romantic science fiction, and a vast body of technical literature. Thousands of articles and books, mostly in the last two decades have accumulated. This is largely due to the data returned from the dozen spacecraft sent between 1964 and 1975. Automated spacecraft data have been returned as late as 1982.
Distribution and activity of hypolithic soil crusts in a hyperarid desert (Baja California, Mexico)

Widespread and ecologically important, biological soil crusts include those microbial communities living on the surface of the soil and those that live beneath semitranslucent rocks (a.k.a. hypolithic crusts). We examined the distribution, abundance, physiology, and potential soil N contributions of hypolithic, biological crusts in hyperarid ecosystems of the Baja California peninsula and islands in the midriff region of the Gulf of California, Mexico (Sonoran desert). Crusts were limited in distribution to areas with translucent quartz rocks less than 3 cm thick, were not found on areas of islands with seabird guano deposition, but covered as much as 1% (12,750 m2) of the surface area of one island. The percent of available rocks colonized by crusts was similar between the mainland (38%) and islands without seabird guano (26%). Carbon fixation rates in the field, which have not been previously reported, ranged between 0 and 1.23 μmol m−2 s−1, and in the lab ranged between 0.66 and 0.94 μmol m−2 s−1. Evidence of low rates of N fixation was inferred from δ15N values of crust and soil. Hypolithic crusts were found to have minimal, if any, influence on soil salinity, pH, and \( {\text{NO}}^{ - }_{3} \), but may represent up to 14% of the biomass of primary producers on these islands and provide C and N to the belowground and possibly aboveground heterotrophic communities where crusts exist. The results of this study suggest a limited but potentially important contribution of hypolithic soil crusts to hyperarid ecosystems.
Classification of bacteria by simultaneous methylation–solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of fatty acid methyl esters

Direct methylation and solid-phase microextraction (SPME) were used as a sample preparation technique for classification of bacteria based on fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiles. Methanolic tetramethylammonium hydroxide was applied as a dual-function reagent to saponify and derivatize whole-cell bacterial fatty acids into FAMEs in one step, and SPME was used to extract the bacterial FAMEs from the headspace. Compared with traditional alkaline saponification and sample preparation using liquid–liquid extraction, the method presented in this work avoids using comparatively large amounts of inorganic and organic solvents and greatly decreases the sample preparation time as well. Characteristic gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of FAME profiles was achieved for six bacterial species. The difference between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was clearly visualized with the application of principal component analysis of the GC/MS data of bacterial FAMEs. A cross-validation study using ten bootstrap Latin partitions and the fuzzy rule building expert system demonstrated 87 ± 3% correct classification efficiency.
Alternative inclusion of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 exon IIIc in Dunning prostate tumors reveals unexpected epithelial mesenchymal plasticity.

In epithelial cells, alternative splicing of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) transcripts leads to the expression of the FGFR2(IIIb) isoform, whereas in mesenchymal cells, the same process results in the synthesis of FGFR2(IIIc). Expression of the FGFR2(IIIc) isoform during prostate tumor progression suggests a disruption of the epithelial character of these tumors. To visualize the use of FGFR2 exon IIIc in prostate AT3 tumors in syngeneic rats, we constructed minigene constructs that report on alternative splicing. Imaging these alternative splicing decisions revealed unexpected mesenchymal–epithelial transitions in these primary tumors. These transitions were observed more frequently where tumor cells were in contact with stroma. Indeed, these transitions were frequently observed among lung micrometastases in the organ parenchyma and immediately adjacent to blood vessels. Our data suggest an unforeseen relationship between epithelial mesenchymal plasticity and malignant fitness.
IONIC INTERACTIONS IN ALGIN/CALCIUM/ MYOFIBRILLAR PROTEIN GELS

Algin/calcium/myofibrillar protein gel interactions were investigated by modifying protein basic amino acids to an unreactive state and evaluating Instron texture profile (TP) of gels. Gels analyzed were: 1% algin and 0.075% CaCl2; 1% algin, 0.075% CaCl2 and 1.5% porcine myofibrillar protein (A/C/P); and A/C/P with lysine, histidine or arginine modified. The modification of amino acids reduced (P<0.05) gel TP parameters of hardness, hardness 2, gumminess and chewiness. Similar TP data for protein modified gels indicated that each basic amino acid was involved in algin/protein gelation. Results provided evidence that ionic bonds between protein basic amino acids and algin carboxylate groups may be important for algin/myofibrillar protein gelation.
Cluster prefetch: tolerating on-chip wire delays in clustered microarchitectures

The growing dominance of wire delays at future technology points renders a microprocessor communication-bound. Clustered microarchitectures allow most dependence chains to execute without being affected by long on-chip wire latencies. They also allow faster clock speeds and reduce design complexity, thereby emerging as a popular design choice for future microprocessors. However, a centralized data cache threatens to be the primary bottle-neck in highly clustered systems. The paper attempts to identify the most complexity-effective approach to alleviate this bottleneck. While decentralized cache organizations have been proposed, they introduce excessive logic and wiring complexity. The paper evaluates if the performance gains of a decentralized cache are worth the increase in complexity. We also introduce and evaluate the behavior of Cluster Prefetch - the forwarding of data values to a cluster through accurate address prediction. Our results show that the success of this technique depends on accurate speculation across unresolved stores. The technique applies for a wide class of processor models and most importantly, it allows high performance even while employing a simple centralized data cache. We conclude that address prediction holds more promise for future wire-delay-limited processors than decentralized cache organizations.
TOWARDS SENSING SINGLE OR A FEW BIO-MOLECULAR ARCHITECTURES: DESIGN OF FUNCTIONAL SURFACES

There is considerable interest in electrical sensing of biomolecular binding since it has the potential to be label free, to work easily in aqueous environments native to the biomolecules, and to be integrated with small, fast, and inexpensive microelectronoics as detection instrumentation. Although electrochemical methods have been used successfully in detections of DNA molecules with Ag labels at very high sensitivity (~ p ml), detection of DNA molecules in terms of label free techniques has a lower sensitivity (~ μ ml). Here, the surface attachment chemistry is critical towards the detection of ultra-low concentration of biomolecules. In this article, based on density functional theory, we have calculated and analyzed the electrical characteristics of the contact between aromatic molecules and silicon (100) − 2×1 surfaces. Design principles for silicon based electrodes of electrochemically biomolecular sensing instruments for label-free sensing of single or a few biomolecular molecules have also been discussed.
THREE VARIETIES OF AUTHORITY

Doubts about what can be known may hide what can be said. A focus on knowledge claims and norms that order them--first-, second-, and third-person authority--can replace epistemological projects of all stripes. Further, skeptical worries can be alleviated by attention to the way in which competent language users are secured from radical error by the intersubjective origin and refinement of our thought. Clinical examples, brief outlines of applications, and closer examination of two topics--the assertion of interpretive authority and therapeutic self-disclosure-illustrate some practical uses of these ideas.
Relationship between intracellular GSH levels and hypoxic cell radiosensitivity

The present studies show the following: (a) The plating density of cells (V79 and GM3877) affects the experimentally determined OER values. (b) Fibroblasts depleted of cysteine and GSH are more sensitive to radiation under hypoxic conditions (under aerobic conditions the absence of cysteine or GSH has no detectable effect on radiation sensitivity). (c) Addition of GEE to V79 cells (previously depleted of GSH) leads to increased intracellular GSH levels and protects the cells against radiation under hypoxic conditions.
Absorption, Distribution, and Excretion of Penicillin and Dihydrostreptomycin in Dairy Cows Following Intramammary Infusion

Abstract Six dairy cows were given intramammary infusions of penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin in a 3 replicate experiment with 3 treatments in 1, 2 and 4 quarters. Blood, milk and urine were collected after each test and muscle, fat, liver and kidney were assayed from each treatment after the third test. Both antibiotics were detected in the milk beyond the recommended withdrawal time and also in the milk from untreated quarters. Peaks in sera were reached within 2 to 4 hours post-treatment and were directly related to the number of quarters treated. Some penicillin persisted in urine for 14 days and some dihydrostreptomycin persisted for 15 days. Both antibiotics were detected in the liver and kidney. There was more penicillin in the kidney medulla and more dihydrostreptomycin in the kidney cortex.
Assessing the impact of black shale processes on REE and the U–Pb isotope system in the southern Appalachian Basin

Abstract Upper Devonian Java and Huron shales from the southern Appalachian Basin exhibit evidence of REE redistribution and resetting of the U–Pb isotopic system at the time of deposition (ca. 365 Ma). This alteration to the primary detrital signature of these shales is indicative of black shale diagenetic/depositional processes that in effect obscure paleoenvironmental and provenance information that may be recorded. The most direct evidence of these black shale processes is the rotated nature of the whole-rock REE patterns from this sequence of presumably source related shales. The neo-formation of REE-bearing diagenetic phases such as apatite and possibly carbonate has led to an unusually large range in the whole-rock 147Sm/144Nd and the Ce/Ce* for this sequence of shales. Changes to these whole-rock ratios will effectively alter the Nd model age and create a Ce/Ce* that records evidence of diagenetic processes rather than information about the paleooceanographic conditions of the basin. Simultaneously, the sequestration of U at the time of deposition and subsequent fixation in diagenetic phases such as apatite has effectively reset the 238U–206Pb isotopic system at 340±50 Ma overprinting the Pb isotopic signature of the source area. The trace-element and isotopic signatures recorded by the Java and Huron formation shales from the study area reveal a syn-/postdepositional history dominated by what can be referred to as black shale processes. The diagenetic conditions that develop at and below the sediment water interface during the deposition of organic-rich shale are unique and consequently leave behind a unique geochemical fingerprint that can potentially overprint paleoenvironmental and provenance information.
Hydrocarbon Fouling of SCR During PCCI Combustion

The combination of advanced combustion with advanced selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst formulations was studied in the work presented here to determine the impact of the unique hydrocarbon (HC) emissions from premixed charge compression ignition (PCCI) combustion on SCR performance. Catalyst core samples cut from full size commercial Fe- and Cu-zeolite SCR catalysts were exposed to a slipstream of raw engine exhaust from a 1.9-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine operating in conventional and PCCI combustion modes. The zeolites which form the basis of these catalysts are different with the Cu-based catalyst made on a chabazite zeolite which las smaller pore structures relative to the Fe-based catalyst. Subsequent to exposure, bench flow reactor characterization of performance and hydrocarbon release and oxidation enabled evaluation of overall impacts from the engine exhaust. The Fe-zeolite NOX conversion efficiency was significantly degraded, especially at low temperatures (<250 C), after the catalyst was exposed to the raw engine exhaust. The degradation of the Fe-zeolite performance was similar for both combustion modes. The Cu-zeolite showed better tolerance to HC fouling at low temperatures compared to the Fe-zeolite but PCCI exhaust had a more significant impact than the exhaust from conventional combustion on the NOX conversion efficiency. Furthermore, chemicalmore » analysis of the hydrocarbons trapped on the SCR cores was conducted to better determine chemistry specific effects.« less
The struggles of the lower-scoring students

Abstract Nuthall's exceptional quantitative and qualitative analyses provide us with an illuminating picture of the cognitive and emotional struggles of low-scoring students. His poignant portrayals leave us to consider the types of classroom modifications and settings that will best help these students. The second section explores some apparent differences between Nuthall's finding that the need for four spaced encounters applies to all students and the older research on individual differences in the rate at which students learn new material.
The War of Jenkins’ Ear

Objective In 1731, Spanish sailors boarded the British brig Rebecca off the coast of Cuba and sliced off the left ear of its captain, Robert Jenkins. This traumatic auriculectomy was used as a pretext by the British to declare war on Spain in 1739, a conflict that is now known as the War of Jenkins’ Ear. Here, we examine the techniques available for auricular repair at the time of Jenkins’ injury and relate them to the historical events surrounding the incident.
Adaptation of Sonication-Assisted Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion of Tissues for the Subsequent Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Gulf Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus)

A new adaptation based on matrix solid phase dispersion of tissue for the subsequent isolation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was developed and used for extractions of Gulf menhaden caught during the summer of 2011. Many Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) methods require specific cartridges and other clean-up materials in order to achieve proper extraction. For this study, the tissues were lyophilized prior to applying the adapted MSPD method allowing for a much more complete homogenization with the C18 silica. The tissue was spiked with phenanthrene d 10 as a surrogate as a measure of PAH recovery prior to the lyophilisation process to determine if any target compounds were lost and prior to sonication as per the finalized adaptation procedure to determine method efficiency. This technique used C18 silica in a 1 : 1 ratio as the primary homogenizing material for the menhaden tissue matrix and was eluted with dichloromethane (DCM) until visibly clear. The overall study mean recovery was <path id="x38" d="M249 635q70 0 116 -43t46 -105q0 -46 -28 -80q-22 -25 -80 -64q62 -35 97 -75t35 -99q0 -81 -63 -131t-135 -50q-83 0 -137.5 45.5t-54.5 123.5q0 52 45 95q29 28 89 64q-109 62 -109 155q0 66 50.5 115t128.5 49zM238 603q-42 0 -67.5 -31t-25.5 -72q0 -50 32.5 -79.5 t98.5 -62.5q61 48 61 124q0 59 -29.5 90t-69.5 31zM248 20q46 0 76.5 33.5t30.5 89.5q0 50 -39 85.5t-110 71.5q-81 -54 -81 -137q0 -67 35.5 -105t87.5 -38z" /> <path id="x25" d="M594 629l-404 -661l-31 23l402 661zM194 635q70 0 107 -56t37 -125t-37.5 -125.5t-107.5 -56.5t-107 56.5t-37 124.5q0 70 37.5 126t107.5 56zM193 605q-28 0 -45 -29t-21.5 -59.5t-4.5 -62.5t4.5 -63t22 -60t45.5 -29q22 0 37.5 16t22 42t9 48t2.5 45q0 152 -72 152z M567 351q69 0 106 -56t37 -125t-37 -125.5t-107 -56.5t-107.5 56.5t-37.5 124.5q0 43 14.5 83t49 69.5t82.5 29.5zM566 322q-28 0 -45 -28.5t-22 -59.5t-5 -64q0 -23 3 -46t10.5 -48.5t23 -41.5t36.5 -16q28 0 45 29.5t21 59.5t4 62q0 24 -2.5 46.5t-9.5 48.5t-22 42t-37 16 z" /> <path id="x35" d="M153 550l-26 -186q79 31 111 31q90 0 141.5 -51t51.5 -119q0 -93 -89 -166q-85 -69 -173 -71q-32 0 -61.5 11.5t-41.5 23.5q-18 17 -17 34q2 16 22 33q14 9 26 -1q61 -50 124 -50q60 0 93 43.5t33 104.5q0 69 -41.5 110t-121.5 41q-53 0 -102 -20l38 305h286l6 -8 l-26 -65h-233z" /> with method detection limits between 0.4 ng/g and 4.4 ng/g tissue dry weight. This adapted protocol has been used exclusively on the analysis of high lipid content fish stocks affected by dispersed and weathered oil from the BP Horizon incident.
Electronic structure of hydrogen and oxygen chemisorbed on plutonium: Theoretical studies.

The film linearized-muffin-tin-orbital method has been used to calculate the electronic structure of hydrogen and oxygen chemisorbed on plutonium. The calculated work functions are larger than that obtained for a clean Pu surface. This suggests that a change in the surface dipole moment is induced by the chemisorbed H and O atoms. For the H chemisorbed state it is found that the fourfold-bridging position is stable with regard to motion out of or into the plutonium surface plane---with only a small relaxation effect, and that the energy gained when the H atoms chemisorb on the Pu surface is 4.0 eV per atom. The localized, spin-polarized 5{ital f} electrons in PuH{sub 2} are found to induce a substantial conduction-band moment. The calculations suggest that the electronic structure of the oxygen chemisorbed state is more covalent than the hydrogen chemisorbed state.
Brightness and visual acuity with intermittent illumination.

Data on perceived brightness and visual acuity were obtained under essentially identical conditions of steady and intermittent illumination, using long exposures (up to 45 sec) as well as brief ones (250 msec). Flicker frequencies down to 8 cps and light-time fraction to 0.083 were sampled. By taking into account the exact duration of the test exposures, a more general form of Talbot’s law was derived, which fits all the brightness matches obtained. When this new equation is used as a yardstick, intermittent illumination turns out to be less efficient than steady illumination so far as visual acuity is concerned for brief exposures. For long exposures it is more efficient, as was previously reported by Senders.
DNA-mediated exciton coupling and electron transfer between donor and acceptor stilbenes separated by a variable number of base pairs.

The synthesis, steady-state spectroscopy, and transient absorption spectroscopy of DNA conjugates possessing both stilbene electron donor and electron acceptor chromophores are described. These conjugates are proposed to form nicked DNA dumbbell structures in which a stilbenedicarboxamide acceptor and stilbenediether donor are separated by variable numbers of A−T or G−C base pairs. The nick is located either adjacent to one of the chromophores or between two of the bases. Thermal dissociation profiles indicate that stable structures are formed possessing as few as two A−T base pairs. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra in the base pair region are characteristic of B-DNA duplex structures, whereas CD spectra at longer wavelengths display two bands attributed to exciton coupling between the two stilbenes. The sign and intensity of these bands are dependent upon both the distance between the chromophores and the dihedral angle between their transition dipoles [Δe ≈ Rda-2 sin(2θ)]. Pulsed laser excitation of the ...
Application of a hemolysis assay for analysis of complement activation by perfluorocarbon nanoparticles

Nanoparticles offer new options for medical diagnosis and therapeutics with their capacity to specifically target cells and tissues with imaging agents and/or drug payloads. The unique physical aspects of nanoparticles present new challenges for this promising technology. Studies indicate that nanoparticles often elicit moderate to severe complement activation. Using human in vitro assays that corroborated the mouse in vivo results we previously presented mechanistic studies that define the pathway and key components involved in modulating complement interactions with several gadolinium-functionalized perfluorocarbon nanoparticles (PFOB). Here we employ a modified in vitro hemolysis-based assay developed in conjunction with the mouse in vivo model to broaden our analysis to include PFOBs of varying size, charge and surface chemistry and examine the variations in nanoparticle-mediated complement activity between individuals. This approach may provide the tools for an in-depth structure-activity relationship study that will guide the eventual development of biocompatible nanoparticles.
Small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy has become the procedure of choice for kidney procurement at many centers worldwide. A decrease in postoperative pain and length of stay, a faster return to work, and no difference in morbidity and mortality compared to open nephrectomy have all been reported. However, few data exist regarding the complication of postoperative internal hernia and small bowel obstruction, which is unique to a laparoscopic/transperitoneal approach. Methods: We present three case reports of patients who developed small bowel obstruction from an internal hernia and mesenteric defect after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Results: A total of 635 patients underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy between March 1996 and August 2001 at our institution. Small bowel obstruction developed in three patients (0.47%) within 1 week postoperatively. Each case involved an internal hernia through a left colon mesenteric defect at the site of nephrectomy. Reoperation was necessary in each case and was associated with a prolonged hospital stay (mean, 22.3 days; range, 6–37). Two patients were managed with laparotomy; one patient underwent a laparoscopically assisted exploration. One patient required an additional open exploration for intraabdominal sepsis and cholecystectomy. Conclusions: Small bowel obstruction from internal hernia following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is a rare event, but it can lead to significant morbidity in an otherwise healthy patient. These patients may be at higher risk for bowel obstruction given the soft tissue defect remaining after nephrectomy. Vigilance is required when mobilizing the colon to ensure that mesenteric defects are recognized and repaired.
Distinct Patterns of Membrane Microdomain Partitioning in Th1 and Th2 Cells

Here we show that activated Th1 and Th2 cells have distinct patterns of membrane compartmentalization into lipid rafts. TCR complex members are recruited efficiently to rafts and aggregate with rafts at the site of MHC/peptide contact in Th1 cells but not Th2 cells. TCR/raft association in Th1 cells is deficient in the absence of CD4, suggesting that CD4 aids recruitment of the TCR to rafts. We show differential utilization of rafts in Th1 and Th2 cells by cholesterol depletion studies, which alters calcium signaling in Th1 but not Th2 cells. Furthermore, Th2 cells have a decreased ability to respond to low-affinity peptide stimulation. These studies indicate that components of membrane microdomains are differentially regulated in functionally distinct CD4 T cells.
Role of multimodality imaging in ischemic and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a major and growing problem in the western hemisphere, affecting about 5 million patients in the United States. In daily practice patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and significant angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) are felt to have an ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) and those without CAD or mild–moderate CAD out of proportion to the extent of LVSD are felt to have a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICMP). Although invasive coronary angiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of CAD, recent advances in non-invasive imaging have created multiple options for evaluating ICMP and NICMP. This review details the role of cardiac imaging in the diagnosis of ICMP and NICMP and outlines an algorithm of use of non-invasive tests in asymtomatic LVSD and symptomatic heart failure.
Optimal management strategy for use of compression US for deep venous thrombosis in symptomatic patients: A cost-effectiveness analysis

Rationale and Objectives. The authors' purpose was to identify the optimal strategy for using compression ultrasonography (US) in patients suspected of having deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Materials and Methods. The authors developed a decision-analytic model representing the natural history of DVT and the benefits and risks of anticoagulation therapy. They evaluated six initial imaging strategies: ( a ) unilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins; ( b ) unilateral examination of the common femoral, popliteal, and femoral veins; ( c ) bilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins; ( d ) bilateral examination of the common femoral, popliteal, and femoral veins; ( e ) complete unilateral examination of the symptomatic leg (including calf veins); and ( f ) complete bilateral examination of both legs. Results. For 65-year-old men with unilateral symptoms of DVT, the most effective strategy was bilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins with anticoagulation therapy in patients with proximal DVT and follow-up bilateral examination of the common femoral and popliteal veins in patients without an initial diagnosis of DVT, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $39,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Conclusion. These results suggest that bilateral examination limited to the common femoral and popliteal veins, with follow-up bilateral examination limited to the common femoral and popliteal veins, was as cost-effective as other well-accepted medical interventions. The results were sensitive to the distribution of clot, diagnostic accuracy of compression US, and probability of bleeding with long-term morbidity.
VEGF expression and enhanced production by gonadotropins in ovarian epithelial tumors.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-binding, dimeric polypeptide with potent mitogenic effects on endothelial cells. VEGF expression has also been reported in ovarian epithelial tumors (OETs), which may be associated with gonadotropin stimulatioin. We recently reported that most OETs, including OET cell lines, express gonadotropin receptors. Here we studied VEGF mRNA expression in 141 OET and 35 benign ovarian samples using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization (ISH). We also studied VEGF production by OET cell lines under stimulation of gonadotropins. AO (serous carcinoma), low malignant potential (LMP; SV40-transformed borderline tumor) and ML-5 (SV40-transformed cystadenoma) cells were examined for VEGF protein production under the regulation of gonadotropins in vitro. The biologic function of VEGF was confirmed by using bovine endothelial growth assay. Whereas VEGF was not detected in benign ovarian surface epithelium or in ovarian epithelial inclusions, it was detected in both epithelial and stromal compartments of OETs. For VEGF epithelial expression, only 5% of ovarian cystadenomas and 30% of borderline tumors were positive for VEGF detection by ISH, whereas VEGF mRNA signal was detected in 80% of ovarian carcinoma cases. This increment of VEGF expression in ovarian carcinomas was statistically significant compared with benign and borderline tumors. Within ovarian carcinomas, the percentage of VEGF-positive cells was significantly associated with the grade of cancer but not with cancer cell types or cancer stages. Both follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulated the expression of VEFG165 in AO cells in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal induction was obtained for FSH at dose of 40 mIU/ml and for LH at 50 mIU/ml after 48 hr of culture. Compared with the nonstimulated cells, VEGF level was significantly elevated in both LMP and AO cells after stimulation of gonadotropins. Furthermore, the induction of VEGF expression was significantly stronger in carcinoma cells than in borderline OET cells. These observations suggest that VEGF may play a role in the development of ovarian cancer and that the elevated gonadotropins, as found in menopause and in most ovarian cancer patients after surgery, could accelerate tumor growth and tumor recurrence by inducing VEGF expression in OETs. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Genetic and environmental influences on the relationship among combat exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, and alcohol use.

The role of genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between combat exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and alcohol use were examined in 4072 male–male twin pairs who served in the United States military during the Vietnam era (1965–1975). Results indicate that the relationship between combat and alcohol use and between PTSD symptom factors and alcohol use were both substantially influenced by genetic factors. Findings are most consistent with a shared vulnerability model for the etiology of the association between PTSD symptoms and alcohol use. Specific unique environmental factors were more important than genetic factors for PTSD symptoms, and both factors were equally important for alcohol use. Further support is also found for the role of the unique environment in PTSD symptoms.
Nanostructure formation on tungsten exposed to low-pressure rf helium plasmas: A study of ion energy threshold and early stage growth

Abstract Nanostructure formation on W targets is explored as a function of He+ impact energy, ei, in the range 20 ⩽ ei ⩽ 57 eV. Six targets are exposed at 1120 K for 6 h to pure He plasmas, generated by a low-pressure rf Helicon source. One target is additionally exposed to Ar plasma pre-treatment. It is found that He ions of impact energy 32–37 eV are necessary for nanostructure formation to be observed in this type of plasma, as determined by SEM. At 57 eV a nanostructured surface forms readily (similar to that observed by Baldwin and Doerner, Nuclear Fusion 48 (2008) 035001 in the PISCES–B device), but growth is retarded in the Ar pre-treatment case. Thermal desorption shows that nanostructuring is accompanied by increased trapping of He in degenerate vacancies and clusters, but is reduced by a factor of 8 as a result of Ar pre-treatment.
Homeobox genes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract It is estimated that approximately 60 homeobox genes occur in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. These genes are required for specifying the cell fate of both precursor and terminally differentiated cells. In some ] cases, highly specific cell functions, such as migration pattern or synaptic connectivity, require the action of these genes. Current Opinion in Genetics and Development 1993, 3:275-277
Encountering Islam. Joseph Pitts: An English Slave in 17th-Century Algiers and Mecca. A critical edition, with biographical introduction and notes, of Joseph Pitts of Exeter's A Faithful Account of the Religion and Manners of the Mahometans, 1731, edited by Paul Auchterlonie

Encountering Islam. Joseph Pitts: An English Slave in 17th-Century Algiers and Mecca. A critical edition, with biographical introduction and notes, of Joseph Pitts of Exeter's A Faithful Account of...
Oral History and the Writing of the Other in Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion

Winfried Siemerling argues in his paper "Oral History and the Writing of the Other in Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion" that the simulation of oral narratives in the novel imagines the conveyance of oral histories of immigrant experiences obscured by historiography. The narrative device of simulated orality -the written text casts itself as the outcome of serial story-telling -serves here to introduce erstwhile anonymous societal actors as makers of history, and emphasizes the collective production of story and history. Oral narratives emerge dreamlike like light out of darkness in this text; yet light, like writing, creates a problematic visibility whose multiple sources must be acknowledged. A critique of previous writing of history, In the Skin of a Lion "betrays" in both senses of the word history, silence, and darkness -by imagining necessary possibilities and necessarily omitting others. The interdependence of orality and writing and of darkness and visibility evokes in the novel the romantic valorization of darkness that inverts the classical metaphor of light as purveyor of truth. Yet, this interdependence also critiques orality: articulations of history and the "survival" of events have to cope with the lacunae created by writing and with the hazardous transmissions and temporalities of orality. The title of In the Skin of a Lion evokes the Epic of Gilgamesh intertextually, whose eponymous hero fails to achieve immortality because of his inability of staying awake several nights. Similarly, the oral narratives Patrick Lewis collects and conveys throughout the novel almost remain in darkness when he falls asleep at a critical moment. The "immortality" of these narratives and their silenced subjects is assured only by a listener who later keeps the speaker awake in the night, and the stories alive in a conversation that sees the light of day in a written text and its simulation of oral history. Winfried Siemerling, "Oral History and the Writing of the Other in Ondaatje's In the Skin of a Lion" page 2 of 9 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 6.3 (2004):
Enhanced thermal stability of Ag nanorods through capping

Ag nanorods may serve as sensors in the detection of trace amounts of chemical agents, even single molecules, through surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). However, thermal coarsening of Ag nanorods near room temperature limits their applications. This letter proposes the use of a thin oxide capping layer to enhance the thermal stability of Ag nanorods beyond 100 °C. Using electron microscopy characterization and SERS tests, the authors show that the proposed method is effective in stabilizing both morphology and sensitivity of Ag nanorods. The results of this work extend the applicability of Ag nanorods as chemical sensors to higher temperatures.
Spatial–spectral distribution of Rabi radiation generated in plasma

We report observation and control of the spatial–spectral distributions of coherent, dynamic Rabi sideband radiation. The Rabi sidebands result from the interaction of a shaped picosecond probe laser of intensity 1010 W cm−2, with neutral excited atomic oxygen generated in a laser-induced microplasma. The spatial–spectral distribution is measured and compared for picosecond laser pulses having either an asymmetric temporal shape or a Gaussian temporal shape. The resulting spatial–spectral distributions are in quantitative agreement with theoretical predictions that account for the radial intensity distribution of the picosecond probe pulse.
A Preliminary Report on the Use of Silver Metal Membrane Filters in Sampling for Coal Tar Pitch Volatiles

Abstract Background information concerning reasons for the initiation of this study, the tentative threshold limit of 0.2 mg per cubic meter of air (ACGIH), and previous attempts at sampling with glass fiber filters are discussed. Problems encountered in obtaining consistent results with glass fiber filters and the benzene extraction analysis technique led to a search for a better technique. Comparison of glass fiber filters, cellulose acetate membranes, cellulose filters, and cellulose thimbles with the silver membranes were made. This comparison included weight stability with humidity changes and benzene extraction and airflow determinations. The results of actual sampling are listed, and other possible uses of the metal membrane in industrial hygiene are discussed. A method is presented for collecting and analyzing samples for coal tar pitch volatiles by using a silver metal membrane filter and benzene extraction. The collection of a 1-cubic-meter air sample and the use of a five-place analytical balan...
Correlation between critical micelle concentration, fatty soil removal, and solubilization

Using two model soil-detergent systems (hard substrate/triglyceride; cotton/fat, mineral oil, graphite) it was shown that soil removal begins at, or near, critical micelle concentration (eme), confirming the work of other investigators with different systems. Maximum detergency occurs at concentrations considerably in excess of cmc, varying some 6 to 10 times cmc for different surfactants. An equation for soil removal showed excellent fit of experimental values for both detergency systems.
The Mission of a Mosque

Only Muslim : embodying Islam in twentieth-century France / Naomi Davidson – Ithaca and London : Cornell University Press, 2012. – xi, 299 p. : ill. – ISBN 978-0-8014-5091-4; 9780-8014-7831-4 (pbk)...
Listeria monocytogenes Lineage Group Classification by MAMA-PCR of the Listeriolysin Gene

Nucleotide sequence differences within several virulence genes, including the listeriolysin O (hly) gene, are associated with three evolutionary lineage groups of Listeria monocytogenes. Because the ability of L. monocytogenes to cause disease may vary by evolutionary lineage group, rapid discrimination among the three lineage types may be important for estimating pathogenic potential. A Mismatch Amplification Mutation Assay (MAMA) was developed and used to rapidly screen and characterize L. monocytogenes isolates with regard to lineage type. A standard PCR amplified a 446-bp region within the hly gene with all three L. monocytogenes lineage genotypes. MAMA primers to four different sites within this region of the hly gene were designed to amplify under the same PCR conditions and generated amplicons, the size of which depended on the isolate genotype. Ninety-seven L. monocytogenes isolates were screened. All isolates, except ATCC 19116, could be classified by MAMA PCR as one of the three hly genotypes. Overall, 56, 36, and 4 of the 97 isolates tested were type 1, 2, or 3 respectively. Among the 26 patient isolates, 85%, 15%, and 0% were type 1, 2, or 3 respectively; for the 60 food isolates, 54% were type 1, 43% were type 2, and 3% were type 3. The combination of these MAMA PCR analyses provides a rapid method to screen and categorize L. monocytogenes isolates because of conserved nucleotide differences within the hly gene.
Lupus-related hepatitis: complication of lupus or autoimmune association? Case report and review of the literature

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a25–50%chanceofdevelopingabnormallivertestsintheirlifetimes (1, 2). Prior treatment with potentially hepato-toxic drugs or viral hepatitis has usually been implicatedas the main cause of liver disease in SLE patients. Aftercareful exclusion of these etiologies, the physician maybe confronted with the dilemma of whether to classify thepatient as having a primary liver disease with associatedautoimmune clinical and laboratory features resemblingSLE, such as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), or as havingliver disease as a manifestation of SLE. We present a caseof hepatitis occurring in an SLE patient in which no viralor drug-related etiology could be found. We review bothentitiesandprovideasimpliﬁedguidetohelpdifferentiateSLE-related hepatitis from AIH.
Effects of Temperature and Ionic Strength on the Rate and Equilibrium Constants for the Reaction I•aq + I-aq ↔ I2•-aq

Temperature-dependent forward (kf) and reverse (kr) constants for the title reaction were measured by analyzing the kinetics of formation and decay of I2•-. Over the temperature range 286−320 K, the Arrhenius parameters are kf = (2.4 ± 0.1) × 1013 exp[(−2324 ± 77)/T] M-1 s-1 and kr = (2.6 ± 0.4) × 1012 exp[(−5157 ± 198)/T] s-1. The equilibrium constant was found from the ratio of kf/kr: Keq = (9.2 ± 1.4) exp[(2833 ± 212)/T] M-1. Of particular interest, ionic strength effects on the rate constant of the title reaction are reported for the first time.