cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EP282 Survival analysis of stage IB to IIA2 cervical cancer: a five year single institution review

Introduction/Background This study aims to determine the disease-free survival and overall survival outcome of patients with IB to IIA cervical cancer managed with surgery, chemoradiation, or a combination of both in a tertiary government training hospital. Methodology This is a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with stage IB-IIA2 cervical cancer from January 2013 to June 2017. Data were encoded using Microsoft Excel. Statistical analyses were computed using SPSS. Cox regression and Kaplan Meier analyses were used to predict survival outcome. Results Out of 135 patients were included in the study, 111 received treatment. 61 had no evidence of disease. Median age is 46 years with stage IB1 disease. Majority of patients underwent surgery followed by adjuvant therapy. Tumor recurrence was highest in the surgery alone group, with median time to recurrence of 19 months. Median follow-up time was 10 months. Overall 5-year survival is 51.4%; 5-year disease-free survival is 54.8%. Conclusion Age is a statistically significant factor in survival. Surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy +* radiation had the most favorable survival outcome. Neoadjuvant treatment gave the least number of recurrences. Despite a small sample size, this study provides baseline data into the survival outcome of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer in our institution given the different treatment recommendations. Disclosure Nothing to disclose.
A Model of Honeybee Defensive Behaviour

SummaryA model of defensive behaviour by an individual honeybee (Apis mellifera) is presented. The behavioural sequence involves four basic steps: alerting, activating, attracting and culminating. The model accommodates both genetic and environmental variation.
Synthesis of Pyranopyrans Related to Diplopyrone and Evaluation as Antibacterials and Herbicides.

Stereoselective syntheses of new pyranopyrans that are related to the natural product diplopyrone, which is a phytotoxin implicated in cork oak decline, have been achieved from carbohydrate startin...
Increased early mortality after fludarabine and melphalan conditioning with peripheral blood grafts in haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation with post-transplant cyclophosphamide

Due to the evolving use of haploidentical donor grafts in hematopoietic cell transplantation, there is increased need to better understand the risks and benefits of using bone marrow versus peripheral blood grafts, as well as how specific pre-transplantation conditioning regimens impact patient safety and treatment outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of 38 patients at two centers who underwent haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation using fludarabine plus melphalan-based conditioning regimens with post-transplant cyclophosphamide and peripheral blood donor grafts. We observed an unexpectedly high rate of early non-relapse mortality and severe cytokine release syndrome. The poor outcomes with 1-year overall survival of 34%, disease-free survival of 29%, and non-relapse mortality of 34% motivate us to reconsider the appropriateness of the combination of fludarabine and melphalan conditioning with T-cell replete peripheral blood grafts in the setting of haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplant with post-transplant cyclophosphamide.
Protein Labeling and Crosslinking by Covalent Aptamers

We developed a new approach to selectively modify native proteins in their biological environment using electrophilic covalent aptamers. These aptamers are generated through introduction of a proximity-driven electrophile at specific nucleotide sites. Using thrombin as a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate that covalent aptamers can selectively transfer a variety of functional handles and/or irreversibly crosslink to the target protein. This approach offers broad programmability and high target specificity. Furthermore, it addresses issues common to aptamers such as instability towards endogenous nucleases and residence times during target engagement. Covalent aptamers are new tools that enable specific protein modification and sensitive protein detection. Moreover, they provide prolonged, nuclease-resistant enzyme inhibition.
Understanding the Relationship between Breast Reconstruction Subtype and Risk of Financial Toxicity: A Single-Institution Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND The impact of breast reconstruction on financial toxicity remains poorly understood despite growing awareness. The authors sought to illustrate the relationship between breast reconstruction subtypes and the risk of financial toxicity. METHODS The authors conducted a single-institution cross-sectional survey of all female breast cancer patients undergoing any form of breast reconstruction between January of 2018 and June of 2019. Financial toxicity was measured by means of the validated Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity instrument. Demographics, clinical course, and coping strategies were abstracted from a purpose-built survey and electronic medical records. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify associations with financial toxicity. RESULTS The authors' analytical sample was 350 patients. One hundred eighty-four (52.6 percent) underwent oncoplastic reconstruction, 126 (36 percent) underwent implant-based reconstruction, and 40 (11.4 percent) underwent autologous reconstruction. Oncoplastic reconstruction recipients were older, had a higher body mass index, and were more likely to have supplemental insurance and receive adjuvant hormonal therapy. No significant differences in the risk of financial toxicity were uncovered across breast reconstruction subtypes (p = 0.53). Protective factors against financial toxicity were use of supplemental insurance (p = 0.0003) and escalating annual household income greater than $40,000 (p < 0.0001). Receipt of radiation therapy was positively associated with worsening financial toxicity (-2.69; 95 CI percent, -5.22 to -0.15). Financial coping strategies were prevalent across breast reconstruction subtypes. CONCLUSIONS Breast reconstruction subtype does not differentially impact the risk of financial toxicity. Increasing income and supplemental insurance were found to be protective, whereas receipt of radiation therapy was positively associated with financial toxicity. Prospective, multicenter studies are needed to identify the main drivers of out-of-pocket costs and financial toxicity in breast cancer care.
Ejaculate Allocation and Sperm Characteristics Differ among Alternative Male Types in a Species of Fish with Cooperation and Competition among Unrelated Males.

Sexual selection arising from sperm competition has driven the evolution of immense variation in ejaculate allocation and sperm characteristics not only among species, but also among males within a species. One question that has received little attention is how cooperation among males affects these patterns. Here we ask how male alternative reproductive types differ in testes size, ejaculate production, and sperm morphology in the ocellated wrasse, a marine fish in which unrelated males cooperate and compete during reproduction. Nesting males build nests, court females and provide care. Sneaker males only “sneak” spawn, while satellite males sneak, but also help by chasing away sneakers. We found that satellite males have larger absolute testes than either sneakers or nesting males, despite their cooperative role. Nesting males invested relatively less in testes than either sneakers or satellites. Though sneakers produced smaller ejaculates than either satellite or nesting males, we found no difference among male types in either sperm cell concentration or sperm number, implying sneakers may produce less seminal fluid. Sperm tail length did not differ significantly among male types, but sneaker sperm cells had significantly larger heads than either satellite or nesting male sperm, consistent with past research showing sneakers produce slower sperm. Our results highlight that social interactions among males can influence sperm and ejaculate production.
Novel gene expression profiles define the metabolic and physiological processes characteristic of wood and its extractive formation in a hardwood tree species, Robinia pseudoacacia

Wood is of critical importance to humans as a primary feedstock for biofuel, fiber, solid wood products, and various natural compounds including pharmaceuticals. The trunk wood of most tree species has two distinctly different regions: sapwood and heartwood. In addition to the major constituents, wood contains extraneous chemicals that can be removed by extraction with various solvents. The composition and the content of the extractives vary depending on such factors as, species, growth conditions, and time of year when the tree is cut. Despite the great commercial and keen scientific interest, little is known about the tree-specific biology of the formation of heartwood and its extractives. In order to gain insight on the molecular regulations of heartwood and its extractive formation, we carried out global examination of gene expression profiles across the trunk wood of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) trees. Of the 2,915 expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) that were generated and analyzed in the current study, 55.3% showed no match to known sequences. Cluster analysis of the ESTs identified a total of 2278 unigene sets, which were used to construct cDNA microarrays. Microarray hybridization analyses were then performed to survey the changes in gene expression profiles of trunk wood. The gene expression profiles of wood formation differ according to the region of trunk wood sampled, with highly expressed genes defining the metabolic and physiological processes characteristic of each region. For example, the gene encoding sugar transport had the highest expression in the sapwood, while the structural genes for flavonoid biosynthesis were up-regulated in the sapwood-heartwood transition zone. This analysis also established the expression patterns of 341 previously unknown genes.
Spatiotemporal Patterns in Electrochemical Systems

Some spatiotemporal patterns that have been observed in metal electrodissolution and in electrocatalytic reactions are discussed. The coupling through the electric field plays a major role in the formation of the patterns. This coupling is long range but not global since its strength depends on position. The coupling can be either positive or negative depending on geometry and this type of coupling produces some phenomena not seen in other types of chemically reacting systems.
The wing of Archaeopteryx as a primary thrust generator

Since the late 1800s, the debate on the origin of flight in birds has centred around two antagonistic theories: the arboreal (take-off from trees) and cursorial (take-off from running) models1,2,3,4,5,6. Despite broad acceptance of the idea that birds evolved from bipedal and predominantly terrestrial maniraptoriform dinosaurs1,7, the cursorial model of flight origins has been less successful than the arboreal model. Three issues have contributed to this lack of success: the gap between the estimated maximum running speed of Archaeopteryx (2 metres per second) and its estimated minimum flying speed (6 metres per second)8; the high energy demands of evolving flight against gravity2,3; and the problem of explaining the origin of the ‘flight’ stroke in an earthbound organism3,4. Here we analyse the take-off run of Archaeopteryx through lift-off from an aerodynamic perspective, and emphasize the importance of combining functional and aerodynamic considerations with those of phylogeny1,9,10. Our calculations provide a solution to the ‘velocity gap’ problem and shed light on how a running Archaeopteryx (or its cursorial maniraptoriform ancestors) could have achieved the velocity necessary to become airborne by flapping feathered wings.
Performance Driven Database Design for Scalable Web Applications

Scaling up web applications requires distribution of load across multiple application servers and across multiple database servers. Distributing load across multiple application servers is fairly straightforward; however distributing load (select and UDI queries) across multiple database servers is more complex because of the synchronization requirements for multiple copies of the data. Different techniques have been investigated for data placement across multiple database servers, such as replication, partitioning and de-normalization. In this paper, we describe our architecture that utilizes these data placement techniques for determining the best possible layout of data. Our solution is general, and other data placement techniques can be integrated within our system. Once the data is laid out on the different database servers, our efficient query router routes the queries to the appropriate database server/(s). Our query router maintains multiple connections for a database server so that many queries are executed simultaneously on a database server, thus increasing the utilization of each database server. Our query router also implements a locking mechanism to ensure that the queries on a database server are executed in order. We have implemented our solutions in our system, that we call SIPD (System for Intelligent Placement of Data). Preliminary experimental results illustrate the significant performance benefits achievable by our system.
P and S-wave displacements from kinematic dislocation models

Abstract Numerical dislocation models based on Haskells (1969) formulation are used to estimate the amount of normal motion necessary to produce the high P/S spectral ratios observed from strong-motion records of the Guerrero, Mexico, subduction zone (Castro et al., 1991). While this depends on the nature of the assumed dislocations, a normal motion with amplitude of less than 10% of the amplitude of shear slip is sufficient to produce P/S values comparable with the observations. We model a planar fault with random patches distributed on the fault plane and a nonplanar fault in which a dilatational jog connects en-echelon fault segments (a structural system proposed by Sibson, 1985, 1989, which introduces normal motions on the fault that depend mainly on the geometry of the fault). For the planar fault model the magnitude of the normal motion is prescribed. Both models introduce complexity in both body-wave displacement time histories, although for the P waves this complexity is accentuated at higher frequencies ( f > 1 Hz). For the nonplanar model, a jog with an angle of 10° introduces a normal component of 18% of the slip on the fault.
Bifurcation analysis of Chua's circuit

By transforming the state equation for Chua's circuit into a third-order scalar differential equation, an explicit solution is obtained. This explicit solution can be used to make a computer program to calculate the trajectory of the circuit. The eigenvalues of the characteristic equation for each linear region can be categorized into different patterns. The diagrams of the eigenvalue patterns are found to belong to two groups. Within each group, the maps resemble each other qualitatively. The explicit solution is applied to trace period doublings up to a high period. The data are found to agree with the Feigenbaum number. >
Mineralization induced by β-glycerophosphate in cultures leads to a marked increase in collagenase synthesis by mouse osteogenic MC3T3-E1 cells under subsequent stimulation with heparin

Abstract The clonally derived mouse osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1 was shown to produce latent collagenase (∼0.2 units/ml) under stimulation with either heparin or parathyroid hormone in confluent cultures. However, it was found that MC3T3-E1 cultures which were first induced to undergo mineralization by the addition of β-glycerophosphate and were subsequently stimulated with heparin showed an approximately ten-fold increase in collagenase synthesis. MC3T3-E1 cell collagenase from a small sample of serum-free culture medium was purified 49-fold to a specific activity of 200 units/mg protein with a yield of 14% by heparin-sepharose affinity chromatography and ionexchange high performance liquid chromatography. This new mineralization-primed cell culture system may be a valuable model for the study of osteoblast collagenase.
Plutonium-241 half-life determined by mass-spectrometric measurements of decreasing 241Pu/242Pu ratios

Abstract The half-life of 241 Pu has been measured by mass-spectrometric determinations of the decreasing ratio of a mixture of nearly equal numbers of atoms of 241 Pu and 242 Pu over decay periods of up to 3.6 yr. The measured half-life is 14.38 yr with an associated standard deviation of the mean of 0.013 yr and 95% confidence limits of 14.32 and 14.43 yr. All experimental uncertainties and their statistical treatment are presented in detail.
Implosion therapy by tape-recording.

Abstract According to the model proposed by Stampfl and Levis (1967), implosion reduces fear by evoking anxiety in the presence of cues associated with the phobic object, but in the absence of primary reinforcement. An essential requirement for rapid therapeutic effect is that the patient be made to experience intense affect, since “the greater the non-reinforced anxiety experienced, the greater the extinction of fear” (Hogan and Kirchner, 1967). Thus, the patient is repeatedly presented with fear-evoking stimuli and kept at a high level of arousal until ‘a significant diminution in anxiety has resulted’ (Stampfl and Levis, 1967). This model assumes that this ‘significant diminution in anxiety’ is equivalent to extinction of the fear response. Only a handful of studies of implosion, using human subjects, have attempted to relate the pattern and magnitude of fear during therapy to outcome measures. Hogan and Kirchner (1967) measured heart rate continuously throughout implosion. Compared to a no-treatment control procedure, implosion generated significantly greater heart rate arousal during therapy and greater behavioral improvement at assessment, suggesting support for the extinction model. In contrast, Watson and Marks (1971) found no correlation between overt anxiety during flooding and measures of outcome. Stern and Marks (1973) found ‘little skin conductance activity or tachycardia’ during flooding in fantasy, rather than the high level of arousal required by Stampfl's model. The present study attempted a partial test of some of the model's assumptions within the context of an outcome study of implosion therapy by tape recording. Kirchner and Hogan (1966) have claimed that a single, brief session of implosion therapy by tape recording can dramatically reduce phobic avoidance behavior. However, Hodgson and Rachman (1970) and Fazio (1970) failed to replicate these results. Findings from these and other studies of implosion are difficult to interpret because of the absence of objective measures of fear during the therapy session. In the absence of such measures, it is difficult to judge whether the implosive procedures succeeded in creating the pattern of arousal demanded by Stampfl's model. Failure to meet the requirements of the model might account for the failures to replicate. The present study included physiological and subjective measures of fear during therapy in an attempt to replicate the Kirchner and Hogan (1966) experiment, using double-blind methodology and a placebo control. It was expected that after exposure to a tape recorded session of implosive therapy, rat phobic subjects would demonstrate significantly greater improvement than controls on a behavioral avoidance test and a questionnaire. In conformity with the extinction model, it was predicted that the implosion group would manifest greater average fear, as well as a significant reduction in fear, during therapy, and that measures of fear during therapy and at assessment would he correlated.
Some extensions of Johnson's hierarchical clustering algorithms

Considerable attention has been given in the psychological literature to techniques of data reduction that partition a set of objects into optimally homogeneous groups. This paper is an attempt to extend the hierarchical partitioning algorithms proposed by Johnson and to emphasize a general connection between these clustering procedures and the mathematical theory of lattices. A goodness-of-fit statistic is first proposed that is invariant under monotone increasing transformations of the basic similarity matrix. This statistic is then applied to three illustrative hierarchical clusterings: two obtained by the Johnson algorithms and one obtained by an algorithm that produces the same chain under hypermonotone increasing transformations of the similarity measures.
Fip1 regulates mRNA alternative polyadenylation to promote stem cell self-renewal

mRNA alternative polyadenylation (APA) plays a critical role in post-transcriptional gene control and is highly regulated during development and disease. However, the regulatory mechanisms and functional consequences of APA remain poorly understood. Here, we show that an mRNA 3 0 processing factor, Fip1, is essential for embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and somatic cell reprogramming. Fip1 promotes stem cell maintenance, in part, by activating the ESC-specific APA profiles to ensure the optimal expression of a specific set of genes, including critical self-renewal factors. Fip1 expression and the Fip1-dependent APA program change during ESC differentiation and are restored to an ESC-like state during somatic reprogramming. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that the specificity of Fip1-mediated APA regulation depends on multiple factors, including Fip1-RNA interactions and the distance between APA sites. Together, our data highlight the role for post-transcriptional control in stem cell self-renewal, provide mechanistic insight on APA regulation in development, and establish an important function for APA in cell fate specification.
Pharmacological profile of a potent, efficacious fentanyl derivative in rhesus monkeys

The recent synthesis of fentanyl derivatives, some of which appear to have novel profiles of pharmacological effects, has provided compelling evidence that mu opioid efficacy might be altered systematically by modifications in the parent compound fentanyl. In the present study a new 4-(heteroanilido)-piperidine, compound 28, was studied for its effects in rhesus monkeys. In self-administration studies compound 28 maintained rates of lever pressing similar to those maintained by alfentanil; the reinforcing effects of compound 28 were attenuated by the opioid antagonist quadazocine. In drug discrimination studies compound 28 did not substitute for the kappa agonist ethylketocyclazocine and did substitute for the mu agonist alfentanil. In morphine-treated subjects discriminating between saline and naltrexone, compound 28 did not substitute for naltrexone; however, in morphine-abstinent subjects compound 28 reversed naltrexone lever responding. Moreover, this discriminative stimulus effect in morphine-abstinent subjects was antagonized by naltrexone and by quadazocine in a manner consistent with mu receptor mediation. Compound 28 also was an effective analgesic in a warm-water, tail-withdrawal procedure and it decreased markedly respiratory function. The analgesic effects as well as the respiratory depressant effects of compound 28 were antagonized by quadazocine. Together, these results show compound 28 to be a potent, efficacious mu agonist of similar potency to alfentanil. Large differences in apparent efficacy at mu receptors between compound 28 and another compound in this series (mirfentanil), clearly demonstrate that, within this chemical family, small chemical changes can confer significant differences in pharmacologic effect.
Molmec, a general approach to molecular mechanics computations

Abstract The molecular mechanics program MOLMEC carries out energy minimization on internal coordinates and uses numerical differentiation. Performance of the program on representative molecules is described. Several of the design features have general applicability, particularly the treatment of the force field. The program uses variable size arrays whose maximum limits can be set by data card input.
Tissue Doppler Imaging and Gradient Echo Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Normal Cats and Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) often develop diastolic dysfunction, which can lead to development of left congestive heart failure. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography has emerged as a useful, noninvasive method for assessing diastolic function in cats. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) has been performed in cats and accurately quantifies left ventricular (LV) mass in normal cats. However, assessment of cardiac function in cats by cMRI has not been performed. Six normal Domestic Shorthair cats and 7 Maine Coon cats with moderate to severe HCM were sedated, and TDI of the lateral mitral annulus was performed. Peak early diastolic velocity (Em) was measured from 5 nonconsecutive beats. Cats were anesthetized with propofol and electrocardiogram-gated gradient echo cMRI was performed during apnea after hyperventilation. Short-axis images of the LV extending from the mitral annulus to the apex were obtained throughout the cardiac cycle. LV mass at end systole and LV volumes throughout the cardiac cycle were quantified according to Simpson's rule. To assess the possible influence of propofol on diastolic function, TDI was performed on the 7 cats with HCM while sedated and then while anesthetized with propofol. Em was significantly lower in cats with HCM than normal cats (6.7 +/- 1.3 cm/s versus 11.6 +/- 1.9 cm/s, P < .001, respectively). There was no difference in the cMRI indices of diastolic function in normal and HCM cats. Propofol did not reduce diastolic function (Em) in cats with HCM but mildly reduced systolic myocardial velocity (S) in Maine Coon cats with HCM that were anesthetized with propofol (P = .87 and P = .03, respectively).
Five-step FFT algorithm with reduced computational complexity

We propose a fast Fourier transform algorithm, which removes two steps of twiddle factor multiplications from the conventional five-step FFT algorithm. The proposed FFT algorithm not only reduces the computational complexity of the five-step FFT algorithm by O(n) operations, but also reduces its memory requirement.
Evidence for placing the false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) into the family Gavialidae: inferences from nuclear gene sequences.

The extant crocodylians comprise 23 species divided among three families, Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae, and Gavialidae. Currently, based on morphological data sets, Tomistoma schlegelii (false gharial) is placed within the family Crocodylidae. Molecular data sets consistently support a sister-taxon relationship of T. schlegelii with Gavialis gangeticus (Indian Gharial), which is the sole species in Gavialidae. To elucidate the placement of T. schlegelii within the extant crocodylians, we have sequenced 352 bp of the dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) nuclear gene in 30 individuals and 424 bp of the nuclear gene C-mos in 74 individuals. Molecular analysis of the DMP1 data set indicates that it is highly conserved within the Crocodylia. Of special note is a seven base-pair indel (GTGCTTT) shared by T. schlegelii and G. gangeticus, that is absent in the genus Crocodylus, Osteolaemus, and Mecistops. To date, C-mos is the largest molecular data set analyzed for any crocodylian study including multiple samples from all representatives of the eight extant genera. Analysis of these molecular data sets, both as individual gene sequences and concatenated sequences, support the hypothesis that T. schlegelii should be placed within the family Gavialidae.
Effectiveness factors in trickle‐bed reactors

The over-all catalyst effectiveness factors (g/sub o/) in trickle-bed reactors can be determined by two approximate solutions, which account for partial wetting of the catalyst particles at low liquid rates and for interphase transport effects in reactions where the limiting reactant is in the gas phase (e.g., the removal of a pollutant from a liquid by catalytic oxidation with air in a trickle-bed reactor) or in the liquid phase (e.g., hydrodesulfurization in a trickle-bed reactor under some conditions). A two-dimensional model of a porous particle in an isothermal system with a reaction assumed to be first order and irreversible in the limiting reactant is used with an approximate explicit solution and a numerical solution to the relevant equations. These approximation methods, when tested on a published data for the hydrogenation of ..cap alpha..-methylstyrene over palladium/alumina particles in a trickle-bed reactor at 40.6/sup 0/ C and 1 atm, gave a reasonable estimate of the effectiveness factor.
The effects of surface heat flux on plume spread and concentration: an assessment based on remote measurements

Satellite-derived surface heat-flux maps are presented in order to illustrate the large horizontal variations in surface heating that can occur over heterogeneous terrain. Results of plume-model studies published by Lamb (1978) and Willis and Deardorff (1978) were modified to show that the ground-level pollutant concentration depend closely upon the surface heat flux for the case of an elevated plume source during periods of free convection. It is suggested that remotely determined surface heat-flux patterns can be used in making plume dispersion calculations.
The Transformation of the Ottoman State, 1789-1908

The study of the Ottoman state in tĥe latter part of the eighteenth century and throughout the nineteenth demands a broader analytical framework than hitherto used if its transformation and the social and political history of the Middle East, the Balkans, and even North Africa, which were parts of the Ottoman State at one time or other, are to be properly evaluated and interpreted.
Freeze dehydration by microwave energy: Part II. Experimental study

Experimental drying curves have been obtained for the freeze-dehydration of beef meat with microwave energy at 2450 MHz. In particular, experiments conducted with slabs of raw beef meat approximately 1.5 cm thick show that total drying times of less than 6 hr. can be obtained. Further drying time reductions are possible if microwave heating and freezing techniques are improved. Samples can be dried slightly faster at a higher pressure (for example, 1 mmHg) than at a lower pressure (for example, 0.2 mmHg) for the same microwave power input. However, melt back and vaporization occur if the pressure or the microwave power input is too high. Comparison of the experimental drying curves with those predicted by the theory shows a reasonable agreement which, at least in part, verifies the validity of the previously derived mathematical model.
A Mutation in the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Gene Is Not Associated With Increased Risk for Coronary Artery Disease or Myocardial Infarction

Abstract Objectives. We sought to determine whether the C677T transition in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is associated with increased risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) or myocardial infarction (MI). Background. Elevated plasma homocysteine has been identified as a risk factor for coronary atherosclerosis. Homocysteinemia may result from deficient MTHFR activity. A thermolabile form of MTHFR, associated with a C677T genetic transition, shows reduced activity and may be a risk factor for CAD. Methods. Blood was withdrawn from patients undergoing coronary angiography, and DNA was extracted by a phenol-chloroform method. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a 198-base pair segment of the MTHFR gene that brackets nucleotide 677. The amplicon was digested with the HinfI restriction enzyme. Products were visualized after electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose with ethidium bromide. Results. Among 200 patients with a diagnosis of MI, the polymorphic allelic frequency was 33.3%, compared with 32.1% among 554 control subjects (p = 0.68); homozygosity was present in 11.5% of patients and 10.6% of control subjects (p = 0.74, odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.63 to 1.82). Among 510 patients with severe CAD (>60% stenosis), allelic frequency was 32.0%, compared with 34.8% for 168 subjects without CAD ( Conclusions. Patients with angiographic evidence of CAD or clinical MI do not show an increased frequency of the C677T transition in the MTHFR gene. Our findings do not support this polymorphism as a risk factor for CAD or MI in a predominantly white, well nourished population of unrestricted age.
Nitrogen losses in runoff from three adjacent agricultural watersheds with claypan soils

Abstract Despite improvements in the use of soil conservation practices, crop rotation and managed fertilizer applications, large losses of nitrogen (N) in runoff continue to occur from row-cropped watersheds. Increasing requirements for implementing water quality standards in the United States, has increased pressure for the development of research-based guidelines to reduce N losses from agricultural runoff. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of management, watershed characteristics, and precipitation on TN and nitrate-N (NO3−-N) loss over time by comparing losses on three adjacent watersheds with claypan soils. The three adjacent north-facing, corn–soybean rotational watersheds in northeastern Missouri were instrumented with H-flumes, water samplers, and flow-monitoring devices in 1991. Runoff samples from each individual rainfall event between 1991 and 1997 were analyzed for TN and NO3−-N concentrations. The 7-year mean annual TN losses on the three watersheds ranged from 13 to 19 kg ha−1 with a mean of 16 kg ha−1. Nitrate-N losses ranged from 8 to 14 kg ha−1 with a mean of 11 kg ha−1. During the study, 67% of the TN was lost as NO3−-N with a range from 22% in 1997 to 76% in 1996. The mean annual TN losses for corn and soybean years during the study were 30.7 and 5.7 kg ha−1, respectively. Significantly higher loss (57%) of N from watersheds occurred during the period between fall harvest and spring planting when crops were not present (referred to as the “fallow” period in this paper; 86.8 kg ha−1) compared to N losses during the cropping period (64.5 kg ha−1). In 1994, 96% of the annual TN loss and 98% of the annual NO3−-N loss occurred during the fallow period. In contrast, the lowest fallow period losses of TN (19%) and NO3−-N (14%) occurred in 1993. The watershed-mean TN and NO3−-N losses in 1993 alone accounted for 44 and 46% of the total losses observed over the 7-year period because during that year the study area received 142% of the normal precipitation. When the study area received 51% of the annual precipitation before planting in 1996, the TN and NO3−-N losses accounted for 34 and 38% of the 7-year loss, respectively. Nitrogen fertilizer that was applied in 1993 and 1996 may also have contributed to the observed large losses. The results of this study suggest that the maintenance of a suitable vegetative cover throughout the year could reduce runoff and lower TN and NO3−-N loss from agricultural watersheds under a corn–soybean rotation.
The Diagnostic Fallacy: A Critique of Jane Mercer's Concept of Mental Retardation.

Abstract Jane Mercer's influential book on mental retardation is criticized because it essentially reverts to traditional “diagnosticism”—the assumption that retardation is an entity of biological origin and unfavorable sequelae, rather than a set of behaviors stemming from a diversity of causes. It is argued that this view point is fallacious because it is oversimplified and educationally irrelevant. Instruction is rarely affected by knowledge of original etiology, and therefore elaborate pluralistic assessment procedures designed to unravel cause are not helpful. Criteria and instruments appropriate for classification are discussed in terms of the purposed to be served by school designations.
Electrochemical effects of ALD surface modification on combustion synthesized LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 as a layered-cathode material

Abstract Combustion synthesized Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 particles are coated with thin, conformal layers of Al2O3 by atomic layer deposition (ALD). XRD, Raman, and FTIR are used to confirm that no change to the bulk, local structure occurs after coating. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicate that the surface of the Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 are protected from dissolution and HF attack after only 4-layers, or ∼8.8 A of alumina. Electrochemical performance at an upper cutoff of 4.5 V is greatly enhanced after the growth of Al2O3 surface film. Capacity retention is increased from 65% to 91% after 100 cycles at a rate of C/2 with the addition of only two atomic layers. Due to the conformal coating, the effects on Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 overpotential and capacity are negligible below six ALD-layers. We propose that the use of ALD for coating on Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 particles makes the material a stronger replacement candidate for LiCoO2 as a positive electrode in lithium ion batteries.
Site-Specific Calibration of Multiple Soil Sensor Data Layers

In a majority of cases, soil properties sensed on the go (e.g., electrical conductivity, capacitance, optical reflectance, mechanical resistance, field elevation, ion activity, etc.) are not directly related to agronomic parameters used for management decisions. Nevertheless, these sensors provide us with the opportunity to obtain high resolution data on the spatial variability of soil in agricultural fields, rapidly and at a relatively low cost. To better use this information, the collection of a limited number of targeted samples that would undergo conventional laboratory testing and/or installation of temporal monitoring equipment may be needed. Prescribing representative targeted locations based on multiple sensor data layers is not trivial and, in practice, is conducted in a very subjective manner. Our research provides an analytical methodology to assess the quality of targeted point selection strategies. In the example provided, we used a combination of apparent soil electrical conductivity (EC) and field elevation maps to identify sites for water content monitoring.
Performance of detectors for x-ray crystallography

The performance of a detector can be characterized by its efficiency for measuring individual x-rays or for measuring Bragg peak intensities. The performance for detecting individual x- rays or for measuring Bragg peak intensities. The performance for detecting individual x-rays is well modeled by the DQE. The performance for measuring Bragg peak intensities in the presence of an x-ray background can be modeled by an expanded definition of the DQE which allows inclusion of experimental constraints, the XDCE. These constraints include the observation that by increasing the crystal-to-detector distance and using a larger detector, Bragg peaks can be better resolved and the x-ray background reduced. Calculation of the XDCE for a detector consisting of a fiberoptic taper with a phosphor x-ray convertor deposited on the large end and a CCD bonded to the small end demonstrate the need to make the detector area relatively large, possibly at the expense of a decrease in the DQE.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Small-bowel transplantation

Success with small-bowel transplantation has been hindered by technical difficulties, problems with immunosuppression, and diagnosis of rejection. Studies utilizing rat, dog, and pig models have yielded some success, especially with the use of cyclosporine. However, long-term survival has not been routinely achieved. Efforts at human small-intestinal transplantation prior to cyclosporine availability were unsuccessful. Recently, seven bowel transplants have been performed using cyclosporine immunosuppression. Two patients remain alive at 1 and 4 months postoperatively. Although it is appropriate to undertake small-bowel transplantation in selected centers, our current knowledge and experience does not warrant routine application.
Ring, torus and hypercube architectures/algorithms for parallel computing

Abstract This paper provides a survey of both architectural and algorithmic aspects of solving problems using parallel processors with ring, torus and hypercube interconnection.
Alternate Low-Frequency Dielectric Tests of Delta Transformer Windings

Current test procedures unduly overstress the midpoint of delta transformer windings during low- frequency dielectric testing. A revision to the USAS Transformer Standards (1) has been proposed to allow alternate test procedures to correct this problem and to allow possible economies in the design and testing of such delta winding transformers. This paper has been requested by the IEEE Working Group to explain the proposed revisions.
Solid oxide solutions as catalysts —A comparison with supported Pt

Solid oxide solutions (SOS) of La, Sr and Cr of the formula La1-xSrxCrO3-β (where δ is the deviation from stoichiometry and 0 <x < 0.5) exhibit catalytic activity for oxidation (CO-oxidation) which rivals that of a highly dispersed 0.5% Pt/alumina fume abatement catalysts. Hydrogenation (of propylene) activity is also manifest with the SOS formulation. Exposure of the SOS catalyst to H2S does not reduce catalytic activity.
Sensing capacitance of underwater objects in bio-inspired electrosense

Certain electric fish use a self-generated AC electric field to navigate and hunt. Thousands of sensors on the surface of the fish's body detect the pattern of amplitude and phase distortions of the field caused by nearby objects. Prior research has suggested that phase distortions may be especially useful for recognition of live objects. Here we present the first study of the utility of phase information in a robotic implementation of active electrosense. Using our robotic implementation, we investigated how the phase information depends on the frequency of the emitted field, the conductivity of the surrounding water, and object properties. An analytical model was developed serving as qualitative explanation of the dependency. We show that in certain situations phase information enables discrimination between two objects that are otherwise very similar in the amplitude of their electric images. We also show the utility of probing objects with multiple frequencies.
Synaptic anchoring of glycine receptors in developing collicular neurons under control of metabotropic glutamate receptor activity.

Abstract The role of GlyRs in supramedullar neurons is still enigmatic: although present in the plasma membrane, they seem to be excluded from synaptic transmission. Two distinct stages of inhibitory synaptogenesis in cultured collicular neurons were defined on the basis of strychnine sensitivity of IPSCs, presence of EPSCs, KCC2 expression, and transmitter-induced Ca 2+ responses. In the absence of KCC2 and glutamatergic transmission, newborn VIAAT-labeled boutons contained GlyT2, released glycine, and accumulated postsynaptic gephyrin and GlyRs. With ongoing maturation, when neurons expressed KCC2 and displayed glutamatergic activity, inhibitory synapses contained GAD65, released GABA, and accumulated postsynaptic gephyrin and GABA A Rs, but not GlyRs. This activity- and transmitter-specific regulation of GlyR distribution could be challenged by chronic blockade of group I mGluRs. It is thus concluded that glutamatergic transmission can contribute to the regulation of synaptic GlyR stabilization during inhibitory synapse development.
The selection and use of dropwindsonde-equipped aircraft for operational forecasting applications

Abstract This article discusses the feasibility of using dropwindsonde-equipped aircraft to obtain meteorological observations over oceanic data- void areas for operational forecasting applications. Such in-situ meteorological observations would provide measurements of wind, temperature, and moisture at a higher vertical resolution and greater accuracy than currently available from satellite-derived observations. Such airborne observations, if globally obtained, would greatly enhance global datasets for both numerical weather prediction and for research studies of large-scale phenomena, such as the El Nino/Southern Oscillation. The aircraft could also serve as platforms for collecting frequent oceanic thermal and current information. The advantages and limitations of a dropwindsonde-based observing system are compared with current and proposed ground- and satellite-based systems.
Who do you say you are

Members of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association and guests, it is an honor to stand before you this morning. I am grateful for the kind introduction by Erle Austin. He has been generous in purposefully overlooking most of my faults and shortcomings. I am reminded of the words of Winston Churchill, who, when speaking of another person, could well have been speaking of me when he described “a modest little person, with much to be modest about.” It has been a wonderful and meaningful experience to serve as your President. I wish to give special thanks to the current staff, Council, committee members, and others who have been so helpful to me and have been instrumental in moving the agenda of this special organization forward. I also remind you of the remarkable contributions of former members of our support staff, especially those of Nancy
Abundant Non-canonical dUTP Found in Primary Human Macrophages Drives Its Frequent Incorporation by HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase

Terminally differentiated/non-dividing macrophages contain extremely low cellular dNTP concentrations (20-40 nm), compared with activated CD4(+) T cells (2-5 μm). However, our LC-MS/MS study revealed that the non-canonical dUTP concentration (2.9 μm) is ∼60 times higher than TTP in macrophages, whereas the concentrations of dUTP and TTP in dividing human primary lymphocytes are very similar. Specifically, we evaluated the contribution of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase to proviral DNA uracilation under the physiological conditions found in HIV-1 target cells. Indeed, biochemical simulation of HIV-1 reverse transcription demonstrates that HIV-1 RT efficiently incorporates dUTP in the macrophage nucleotide pools but not in the T cell nucleotide pools. Measurement of both pre-steady state and steady state kinetic parameters of dUTP incorporation reveals minimal selectivity of HIV-1 RT for TTP over dUTP, implying that the cellular dUTP/TTP ratio determines the frequency of HIV-1 RT-mediated dUTP incorporation. The RT of another lentivirus, simian immunodeficiency virus, also displays efficient dUTP incorporation in the dNTP/dUTP pools found in macrophages but not in T cells. Finally, 2',3'-dideoxyuridine was inhibitory to HIV-1 proviral DNA synthesis in macrophages but not in T cells. The data presented demonstrates that the non-canonical dUTP was abundant relative to TTP, and efficiently incorporated during HIV-1 reverse transcription, particularly in non-dividing macrophages.
On the Economics of Institutional Care of the Elderly in the U.S.: The Effects of a Change in Government Reimbursement

We present an optimization model of a nursing home which incorporates the following characteristics: proprietary profit maximization, the distinction between private and Medicaid patients, non-essential expenditure aimed at market identification, and cost-based government reimbursement. The model is used to analyze the effect of changes in government reimbursement. The theoretical analysis indicates that increases in government reimbursement need not lead to increases in non-essential cost expenditures and private patient charges; in fact the contrary may result. The econometric analysis suggests empirical support for the latter. Higher reimbursement factors are associated with lower charges.