cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of HER-2 neu oncoprotein expression as a prognostic indicator of local recurrence in conservatively treated breast cancer: A case-control study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the prognostic signllkance of overexpression of the HER-2 neu oncoprotein with respect to local relapse following conservative surgery and radiation therapy (CS+RT). Methods and Materials: Twenty consecutive patients who sustained a local recurrence as the first and only site of failure followlng CS+RT comprised the case population base for thls study. Only patients who received no adjuvant systemic chemotherapy or tamoxifen were selected for analysis. Following the identllkatlon of 20 consecutive local-relapse patients, the patient database was searched for 20 matching control patients who did not sustain a local relapse. Each control patient was matched to the index case with respect to age, menopausal status, follow-up, primary histology, axillary nodal status, and primary tumor size. Both index cases and the matched control group received full course radiation therapy, to a total dose of 64 Gy to the tumor bed. The paraffinembedded blocks of the original primary tumor of the local-relapse cases and the primary tumor of 20 matched controls were processed for immunohlstochemlcal staining of the HER-2 neu oncoprotein. Each slide was rated on the 3-point scale, 0 representing no stain, l+ indicating light staining, and 2+ denoted heavy staining (overexpression). Results: Of the 20 index cases, with each of the matched controls, 16 were evaluable for analysis. The 4 cases that were eliminated had inadequate paraffin-embedded material in either the case or the match control for adequate staining. By design of the study, the index case group and control group had slmllar ages (52 years index vs. 51.4 control), follow-up (10.8 years index vs. 10.5 years control), and hlstulogles. For the hnmunostalnlng, a value of 2+ was considered to denote high activity and overexpression, and 0 and l+ were considered negative values. Using these criteria, a total of 9 of the 16 index cases (56%) exhibited overexpression of HER-2 neu oncoprotein, and only 3 of the 16 control cases (18%) demonstrated high lmmunoreactivity. The difference in hmnunostaining between the index and control cases was statistically significant by a Pierson &i-square analysis at thep = 0.03 level. Conclusions: In this matched case-control study, overexpression of the HER-2 neu oncoprotein appears to have prognostic signlticance with respect to local relapse ln the conservatively treated breast. The correlation of overexpression of HER-2 neu by multivarlable analysis with other prognostic factors for local recurrence warrants further investigation. The clinical implications of the study are discussed. Conservative surgery, Radiation therapy, HER-2 neu, Local recurrence.
Targeted Deletion of KCNE4 Impairs Ventricular Repolarization in Mice

With 1000 people succumbing to sudden cardiac death each day in the United States alone, it is imperative to continue to elucidate the molecular basis for cardiac ion channel function and dysfunction. KCNE4 (MiRP3) is a 1TM K+ channel β subunit, inherited variants in which are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and Long QT Syndrome, a disorder linked to defective ventricular myocyte repolarization. The mechanisms of pathology are unclear. Here, we deleted the Kcne4 gene in mice and assessed the effects on cardiac function. Transcriptomic analysis suggested no global gene remodeling and hemodynamic parameters were normal. Electrocardiographic measurements revealed normal cardiovascular electrical function at 5 months, but genotype-specific QTc prolongation at 18 months of age. Consistent with this finding, using patch clamp analysis of cardiac myocyte currents we discovered that older Kcne4-/- mice exhibit diminished K+ current in septal ventricular myocytes compared to that of age- and sex-matched Kcne4+/+ littermates. Kinetic and pharmacological analyses pinpointed the affected current to be the 50 µM 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive component of the IK,slow current, which is conducted in mouse ventricles by the Kv1.5 delayed rectifier α subunit. We also found that in CHO cells, KCNE4 co-expression increases the sensitivity of KV1.5 to block by 4-AP. Consistent with these two latter findings, Kcne4-/- mice were less susceptible to 4-AP-induced QTc prolongation (i.e., beyond their existing QTc prolongation) compared to age- and sex-matched Kcne4+/+ littermates. We conclude that Kcne4 regulates Kv1.5 in vivo in mouse heart and that disruption of this regulation is a primary basis for ventricular repolarization defects in Kcne4-/- mice. In human heart, Kv1.5 expression is restricted to the atrial myocytes; future studies should also be aimed at elucidating a potential atrial role for Kv1.5-KCNE4 complexes.
Using portraiture in educational leadership research

(2002). Using portraiture in educational leadership research. International Journal of Leadership in Education: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 51-60.
Medullary thyroid cancer

Medullary thyroid cancer is a rare neoplasm that arises from the parafollicular C cells. It occurs in a sporadic form, or less commonly as a hereditary form, as part of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes types 2A and 2B. The RET proto-oncogene is currently the primary factor that is implicated in the hereditary forms of this neoplasm. The knowledge about the genetic makeup of the neoplasm impacts upon management as it allows for screening, early detection, and prophylactic treatment. Surgery is the main modality that offers a cure. This entails a total thyroidectomy and vigilant management and surveillance of the neck. Prognosis of patients with MTC is variable, but the more constant factors that affect it are the stage of disease and the age of the patient. The emerging molecular genetic understanding of this malignancy will provide the foundation for prognostic and therapeutic decision-making in the future. Interdisciplinary management by surgeons, endocrinologists, pathologists, radiotherapists, radiologists, and medical oncologists should be sought.
NONLINEAR ROBUST/ADAPTIVE CONTROLLER DESIGN FOR AN AIR- BREATHING HYPERSONIC VEHICLE MODEL (PREPRINT)

Abstract : This paper describes the design of a nonlinear controller for an air-breathing hypersonic vehicle. To overcome the analytical intractability of this model, a nominal control-oriented model is used to derive the control law. The nominal model has unstable zero dynamics with respect to the output to be controlled, namely flight path angle and velocity, and presents intricate couplings between the engine dynamics and flight dynamics. The flexible effects have not been included in the analysis yet. Adaptive control techniques and robust control techniques are applied to achieve tracking of velocity and altitude trajectories. Simulation results are provided to show that the derived control law allows to achieves excellent tracking performance on the nominal model.
Preparing ourselves for ambiguity

Extracted from text ... ~ 141 . . . . REVIEWS ??. 2005. If you don't know the taal, then stayoutof the kombuis! Michael Chapman on Kannemeyer on Heywood. LitNet 17 February 2005. http:// www.LitNet.co.za/indaba/chapman_heywood.asp (accessed 8 September 2005). Coetzee, Ampie. 2005. Bespreking van Christopher Heywood se A History of South African literature. LitNet 21 February 2005. http://www.litnet.co.za/ seminaar/history_sa_li.asp (accessed 8 September 2005). Elmhurst, Sophie. 2005. Review of Christopher Hey- wood's A history of South African literature. Times Literary Supplement14 October 2005: 35. Gagiano, Annie. 2005. Heywood's is a dynamic, or- ganic approach. LitNet 17 February 2005. http:// www.LitNet.co.za/indaba/gagiano_heywood.asp (accessed 8 September 2005). ..
A therapeutic rationale in tuberculous broncho-stenosis.

Summary 1. The mechanics of tuberculous ulcero- and fibro-stenosis are discussed. 2. The poor prognosis for cases of this type is presented. 3. Cases are described to illustrate the various features of the condition. 4. Thoracoplasty is recommended before the “opaque lung” appears to forestall further parenchymal damage by the “atomiser” and “backfiring” effects. 5. Resection is to be considered early after the appearance of the “opaque lung” as not only necessary but inevitable.
Bicuculline-induced enhancement of sensory responses and cross-correlations between reticular formation and cortical neurons☆

The visual, auditory and somatosensory responses of neurons in the brain stem reticular formation (RF) and pericruciate cortex of the cat are enhanced by intravenous administration of subconvulsant doses of bicuculline. The degree of enhancement in RF neurons is somewhat greater in magnitude and occurs in a greater percentage of RF neurons. The latency of response is shorter in the RF than in the cortex in 70% of cases. A large percentage of simultaneously recorded RF and cortical neurons which became responsive to the same stimulus exhibited consistent convulsant-induced cross-correlations of firing which were not present before drug treatment. The latency and correlation data are consistent with the possibility that the RF may subserve the cortical enhancement. Auditory response thresholds in RF neurons are reduced by bicuculline administration. Enhancement of RF neuronal responsiveness has previously been observed with several other convulsant drugs which are thought to act on different neurotransmitters suggesting that it may reflect a general action of these agents beyond the effects on specific neurotransmitters. The bicuculline-induced correlation of firing of RF and pericruciate neurons may be involved in the mechanism of initiation of convulsant-mediated seizure generalization induced by sensory stimuli.
Aortofemoral Graft for Multilevel Occlusive Disease: Predictors of Success and Need for Distal Bypass

Results of aortofemoral reconstruction of 181 consecutive patients with multilevel occlusive disease were reviewed and correlated with possible predictors of outcome. Overall, 74% of patients attained satisfactory relief of ischemic symptoms with proximal operation alone. Forty-six patients (26%) had an unsatisfactory result, 31 (17%) of whom underwent distal bypass grafts. Of 42 variables studied, 12 achieved statistical significance as predictors of outcome, and multivariate analysis identified five factors an independent indicators. Factors documenting hemodynamically significant inflow disease were associated most strongly with a good result. Several noninvasive laboratory variables were found helpful, particularly in assessing the hemodynamic compensation of distal disease. While no single variable reliably indicated the definite need for distal grafting, careful consideration of important factors together with the clinical situation will aid the surgeon in selection of the small group of patients best treated by synchronous aortofemoral and femoropopliteal grafts.
Radiocarbon measurement of the biogenic contribution to summertime PM-2.5 ambient aerosol in Nashville, TN

Radiocarbon (14C) measurements performed on PM-2.5 samples collected near Nashville, TN from June 21 to July 13, 1999, showed high levels of modern carbon, ranging from 56% to 80% of the total carbon in the samples. Radiocarbon measurements performed on dichloromethane extracts of a subset of the samples showed modern carbon levels that were on average only 9% smaller than those for total carbon. A new approach based on the Chapman–Richards model of tree growth was used to define the quantitative relationship between measurements of `percent modern carbon' and inferred `percent biogenic carbon'. The results of this study contribute to a growing body of evidence (including measurements of radiocarbon, organic carbon to elemental carbon ratios and organic tracer species, as well as results from chemical mass balance and air quality simulation modeling) in support of the importance of biogenic secondary organic aerosol in the Southeastern US during summer.
Cynthia Ozick: Diverse Functions of Transitional Objects in Fiction

The purpose of this article is to examine the role of transitional love objects in the lives of fictional adults, as depicted in the works of Cynthia Ozick. Ozick's protagonists are characterized by their symbiotic attachment to parent figures with whom they are unable to establish empathic and trusting relationships. In lieu of finding nurturance Ozick's fictional characters go in search of idealized love objects in the form of fetishes or idols, i.e., objects seeming to possess magical trustworthiness. Ozick warns against the choice of such narcissistically-determined, idolatrous objects, and extends her caveat even to human love relationships, with the implication that they are likely to prove disappointing. All of Ozick's fictional love objects represent partially differentiated, fetishistic extensions of the lover's self. These objects include a modern-day golem, idols, demons, witches, a tree, a shawl, and even a literary manuscript. Ozick clarifies the distinction between healthy self-love and self...
Crafting Piety for Success: Gülşeniye Literature and Culture in the Sixteenth Century*

Abstract Today, scholarship on Islamic mysticism mostly prioritizes the poetry and mystical teachings of famous Sufi masters, with limited efforts to historically contextualize them. One of the sub-branches of the Halvetī order, the Gulseniye, while being an influential participant in early modern Ottoman politics and society, presents the historian of Sufism with a rare opportunity to approach this gap. Despite offering a wide range of untapped literary, hagiographical, and historical sources, studies on the Gulseniye remain in the margins. Through Gulseniye literary production, including poetry and hagio-biographies by dervish-authors, this article explores the mystical thought and piety of Ibrāhīm-i Gulseni (d. 940/1534), the founder of the Gulsenī order of dervishes in Egypt. Close textual analysis of sources reveals that Gulsenī’s inspirations formed the contours of the order’s early literature and culture. I argue that the Gulseniye literary corpus, and the culture formed alongside it, was a product of changing socio-political environments, not a replica of the doctrines of the order’s founder. The shifts in the corpus unveil the order’s changing practical priorities and shed light on how the Gulseniye secured a stable niche for itself in Ottoman Egypt in the sixteenth century.
Controller and system design for HVAC with thermal energy storage

Energy consumption by Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems is usually heaviest when electricity prices are at their highest, presenting significant opportunities for the improvement of the underlying control algorithms. The idea being that thermal energy storage can be used to time-shift power consumption away from periods of high power demand to periods of low power cost. In this work, we present a supervisory control scheme, known as Market Responsive Control (MRC), which has the objective of minimizing the expenditure required for the cooling of a given building. The design of this controller is achieved by a fairly simple convex optimization problem. The MRC method is then embedded within an equipment design algorithm. This extended algorithm, known as MRC Embedded Equipment Design (MRC-EED), has the objective of maximizing Net Present Value (NPV) in an effort to size the storage unit and cooling device. Under the economic assumptions of this study, it is concluded that the NPV of installing Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can be significant if electric price variability is sufficiently large.
Fas and Fas Ligand are associated with neuritic degeneration in the AD brain and participate in β-amyloid-induced neuronal death

Abstract It has recently been suggested that neuronal cell death in response to many brain insults may be mediated by the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members and their ligands. In the present study, we investigated whether the expression of the TNFR family death domain receptor, Fas, and its ligand, FasL, is altered in association with neuropathology and activated caspase markers in Alzheimer disease (AD) brain, and Aβ-induced neuronal cell death in vitro. To evaluate this hypothesis, we examined Fas and FasL expression in AD and control brain, and Aβ-treated primary neurons, using immunocytochemistry and Western blots. Neurons in both AD brain and Aβ-treated cultures exhibited FasL upregulation and changes in immunoreactivity for Fas receptor. Further, FasL expression was remarkably elevated in senile plaques and neurofilament-positive dystrophic neurites, and in association with caspase activation and neuritic apoptosis in AD brain. Based on these and previous data regarding protection of primary neuronal cultures from Aβ1–42-induced apoptosis by blockade of Fas-associated death domain signaling, we also tested the hypothesis that dynamic regulation of Fas and FasL may contribute to Aβ-mediated neuronal cell death. Accordingly, neuronal cultures derived from mice carrying inactivating mutations in Fas (Faslpr) or FasL (Fasgld) exhibited protection from Aβ1–42-induced cell death. These findings suggest that Fas–FasL interactions may contribute to mechanisms of neuronal loss and neuritic degeneration in AD.
Centralized, measurement-based, spectrum management for environments with heterogeneous wireless networks

Heterogeneity of wireless networks has become an increasing problem in the wireless spectrum that breaks down spectrum sharing and exacerbates interference. Many coexistence techniques have been proposed to alleviate this interference, however, they are difficult to deploy due to changes needed in the protocols, overhead, and rapid changes in technology. In this paper, we focus on the potential of spectrum management to provide a long-term solution. We introduce novel components to a spectrum management system that overcomes limitations of current models that have remained relatively focused on homogeneous environments. Our approach is a centralized one, where we analyze information collected from heterogeneous monitors available today, structure the information in a hypergraph, and perform an analysis to detect heterogeneous conflicts. Introducing a mixed integer program (in addition to other novel components), we reconfigure devices in the spectrum to avoid conflicts and improve performance.
A full-length cDNA of hREV3 is predicted to encode DNA polymerase ζ for damage-induced mutagenesis in humans

Abstract DNA damage can cause mutations which in turn may lead to carcinogenesis. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, DNA damage-induced mutagenesis pathway requires the REV3 gene. It encodes the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase ζ that specifically functions in translesion DNA synthesis. We have cloned a cDNA of the human homologue of REV3 (hREV3), which consists of 10,716 bp and codes for a protein of 3130 amino acid residues (352,737 Da). Its C-terminal 755 amino acids show extensive homology with the yeast protein at the C-terminus: 43% identity and 74% similarity. This region contains the six highly conserved DNA polymerase motifs. Furthermore, we have identified four sequence motifs in the N-terminal region outside the polymerase domain that are conserved in DNA polymerase δ from various sources. Three of which are present in DNA polymerase ζ encoded by human, yeast, and plant REV3 genes, indicating that this protein is a member of the DNA polymerase δ family. DNA polymerases δ and ζ are structurally distinguished by the presence of a specific δIV motif in the former and motifs ζI and ζII in the latter, respectively. Human DNA polymerase ζ is ubiquitously expressed in various tissues, consistent with the notion that the hREV3 pathway may be a fundamental mechanism of damage-induced mutagenesis in humans.
Magnetohydrodynamic simulations of direct current helicity injection for current drive in tokamaks

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) computations of direct current (DC) helicity injection for tokamak‐like configurations show current drive with no ‘‘loop voltage’’ in a resistive, pressureless plasma. Self‐consistently induced, hollow current profiles are unstable to resistive modes that partially relax the profile through the MHD dynamo mechanism. The resulting current profiles remain quite hollow, however, and tokamaks are not generated. The current driven by the fluctuations leads to closed contours of average poloidal flux, but the 1% fluctuation level is large enough to produce a region of stochastic magnetic field. A limited Lundquist number (S) scan from 2.5×103 to 2×104 indicates that both the fluctuation level and current profile relaxation increase with S. A simple quasilinear power scaling is consistent with these results at low S and suggests that at larger S, the fluctuation level decreases.
The Emergence of iSCSI: Modern SCSI, as defined by the SCSI-3 Architecture Model, or SAM, really considers the cable and physical interconnections to storage as only one level in a larger hierarchy.

When most IT pros think of SCSI, images of fat cables with many fragile pins come to mind. Certainly, that’s one manifestation. But modern SCSI, as defined by the SCSI-3 Architecture Model, or SAM, really considers the cable and physical interconnections to storage as only one level in a larger hierarchy. By separating the instructions or commands sent to and from devices from the physical layers and their protocols, you arrive at a more generic approach to storage communication
Potential Scattering of High-Energy Electrons in Second Born Approximation

Formulas are derived for the scattering cross section of a high-energy electron in a static potential, correct to second order in the potential, in terms of certain integrals. The potential is that due to a screened, spherical charge distribution. The integrals are evaluated explicitly for Yukawa, exponential and Gaussian charge distributions, and are expanded in power series in $k$ and in $\frac{1}{k}$ for an arbitrary charge distribution. Numerical results are presented.
Spatial Vectorcardiograms in Normal Dogs

The spatial vectoreardiogram was recorded on 34 normal mongrel dogs employing the equilateral tetrahedral reference system. The QRS sE-loop was long, narrow, and elliptical, and oriented slightly to the left, ventrad and caudad, the majority of the maximal vectors lying in the fifth sextant of the triaxial reference system in both the anterior and left sagittal plane projections. The trace was inscribed in a counterclockwise direction in the frontal and left sagittal plane projections for most of the dogs. The P and T sE-loops were essentially of the same configuration and had the same spatial orientation as the QRS sE-loops, except that T sE-loops were often oriented in the second sextant of the triaxial reference system in both the frontal and left sagittal plane projections.
A Longitudinal Study of Children of Alcoholics: Predicting Young Adult Substance Use Disorders, Anxiety, and Depression

This study tested the specificity of parent alcoholism effects on young adult alcohol and drug abuse/dependence, anxiety, and depression, and tested whether adolescent symptomatology and substance use mediated parent alcoholism effects. Participants were from a longitudinal study in which a target child was assessed in adolescence and young adulthood with structured interview measures (N = 454 families at Time 1). Results showed unique effects of parent alcoholism on young adult substance abuse/dependence diagnoses over and above the effects of other parental psychopathology. There was some evidence of parent alcoholism effects on young adult depression and of maternal alcoholism effects on young adult anxiety, although these were not found consistently across subsamples. Mediational models suggested that parent alcoholism effects could be partially (but not totally) explained by adolescent externalizing symptoms.
The forkhead transcription factor FoxO1 regulates proliferation and transdifferentiation of hepatic stellate cells.

Background & Aims: The Forkhead box gene, group O (FoxO) family of Forkhead transcription factors is phopsphorylated and inactivated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway and regulates a variety of cellular functions. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a crucial role in liver fibrosis. A fibrotic stimulus causes HSCs to transdifferentiate from a quiescent phenotype to a collagen-producing myofibroblast-like phenotype and to proliferate. Methods: Mutation/deletion mutants of FoxO1 were introduced into primary rat, mouse, and immortalized human HSCs and assessed for activation, proliferation, and signal transduction. The role of FoxO1 in experimental liver fibrosis was assessed in FoxO1+/− and FoxO1+/+ mice. Results: Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or insulin phosphorylates FoxO1 and induces FoxO1 translocation from the nuclei to the cytosol via the PI3K/AKT pathway in HSCs. Constitutively active FoxO1 inhibits proliferation via cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, whereas dominant-negative FoxO1 enhances proliferation of HSCs even in the presence of the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. In addition, the phosphorylation of FoxO1 is increased during transdifferentiation of HSCs. The transdifferentiation is also inhibited by constitutively active FoxO1 and is accelerated by dominant-negative FoxO1. FoxO1 directly induces the expression of p27kip1 and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). After bile duct ligation for 3 weeks, FoxO1+/− mice are more susceptible to liver fibrosis, consistent with our in vitro results. Conclusions: FoxO1 plays a crucial role in the transdifferentiation and proliferation of HSCs in liver fibrosis. Hyperinsulinemia inactivates FoxO1 in HSCs, resulting in HSC activation and may result in the fibrosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
Comparison of different tube materials and use of Chinese finger trap or four friction suture technique for securing gastrostomy, jejunostomy, and thoracostomy tubes in dogs.

Objective— To compare Chinese finger trap (CFT) and 4 friction suture (FFS) techniques to secure gastrostomy (GT), jejunostomy (JT), and thoracostomy (TT) tubes of different materials. Study Design— Prospective experimental study. Animals— Canine cadavers (n=20). Methods— Randomly, GT (n=20), JT (20), and TT (20) were inserted using 2 different suture techniques (10 for each tube type) and either silicone or another material (10 for each type). Axial distraction was applied to each tube until failure. Force and displacement to failure and failure mode were recorded and compared between techniques and materials for GT, JT, and TT. Results— CFT failed most commonly by suture breakage whereas FFS failed mainly by tube slippage (P=.003). For GT, failure occurred more commonly by tube slippage (n=15; P<.001) whereas tube breakage was more common for JT (n=10; P<.001) and suture breakage for TT (n=14; P=.022). Silicone had higher force to failure than latex with GT, lower force to failure than red rubber with JT, and lower displacement to failure than polyvinylchloride with TT. Conclusions— Different failure modes occurred for CFT (suture breakage) and FFS (tube slippage) and among different tube types (tube slippage with GT, tube breakage with JT, and suture breakage with TT). Based on study results, CFT is preferred to FFS for anchoring silicone GT and TT. Silicone GT, red rubber JT, and polyvinylchloride TT were more secure than latex GT, silicone JT, and silicone TT, respectively. Clinical Relevance— CFT should be preferred over FFS based on force and displacement to failure, but tube type and tissue reaction could influence anchoring strength.
Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of trapped ions

This tutorial review presents the technique of infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy of mass-selected trapped ions. This requires coupling of a tunable infrared laser with mass spectrometry instrumentation. IRMPD spectroscopy has recently blossomed due to the emergence of widely tunable free electron lasers, as well as on-going developments of benchtop lasers. The merits of different trapping approaches in mass spectrometry are discussed in the light of photodissociation experiments. This tutorial discusses current capabilities, as well as limitations of the technique.
An elementary proof of some character sum identities of Apostol

Let х denote a primitive character modulo k . Using two different representations for Dirichlet L -functions, Apostol [1] recently derived a representation for involving the sums where m is a positive integer. Furthermore, if х( r ) = ( r | p )the residue class character modulo the odd prime p , he derived a representation for M m (х) involving the sums
Risk-Stratification and Transplant Benefit in Children Listed for Heart Transplant in the United States

Background—The sickest children among those listed for heart transplant (HT) are also at higher risk of post-transplant mortality. We hypothesized that transplant benefit, defined as percentage reduction in risk of 1-year mortality on receiving HT, increases with higher risk of wait-list mortality. Methods and Results—We analyzed all children aged <18 years listed for first HT in the United States between July 2004 and December 2010. We developed a model for 90-day wait-list mortality (or removal because of deterioration) and stratified listed children into deciles based on their risk of wait-list mortality. Listed children were followed up for 1 year to assess cumulative 1-year wait-list mortality among the 10 risk groups. We developed a model for 1-year post-transplant mortality to estimate the risk of post-transplant mortality for children in each risk group. Of 2979 listed children, 15% reached the wait-list end point within 90 days and 18% within 1 year. Of 2034 HT recipients, 6.8% died within 90 day...
Impact of in Vivo Administration of Interleukin 3 on Proliferation, Differentiation, and Chemosensitivity of Acute Myeloid Leukemia'

Early clinical trials of growth factor augmentation of induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia have yielded variable results. To test the hypothesis that this heterogeneity is a consequence of the pleiotropic effects of growth factors on leukemic cell biology, we measured the effects of in vivo interleukin 3 (IL-3) administration on leukemic cell proliferation and drug sensitivity. Thirty-four patients with acute myeloid leukemia with high-risk features or advanced myelodysplasia received IL-3 as a continuous infusion beginning 3 days prior to chemotherapy and continuing for the duration of intensive induction therapy. Bone marrow cells were studied prior to and after 3 days of IL-3 administration to assess changes in overall and leukemic progenitor cell [leukemia colony-forming unit (CFU-L)] proliferation, and progenitor cell sensitivity to 1-betad-arabinofuranosylcytosine. The median fold increase in overall leukemic cell proliferation in response to IL-3, assessed as expression of the nuclear antigen Ki67 in 28 patients, was 1.2. The median fold increase in percentage of cells in S phase (assessed in 29 patients) was 1.3. Despite the increase in overall cell proliferation in 70% of cases, CFU-L number increased in only 4 of 20 patients successfully studied (median day 4:day 1 ratio of CFU-L number, 0.6). While this suggests possible terminal differentiation of leukemic progenitor cells, expression of CD34, HLA-DR, c-kit, CD15, and CD14 were not consistently affected by the cytokine. 1-betad-Arabinofuranosylcytosine sensitivity of CFU-L increased significantly in 30% of cases, decreased in 30%, and was unchanged in 40%. Changes in overall cell proliferation (Ki67 expression) and CFU-L were independent predictors of change in 1-beta-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine sensitivity; increase in percentage of cells in S phase in response to IL-3 was correlated with attainment of complete remission. While these findings support the concept of cell cycle recruitment, IL-3 has marked pleiotropic effects on proliferation, differentiation, and survival of leukemic progenitors which make the clinical impact of in vivo cytokine administration for individual patients difficult to predict.
Assignment of endogenous substrates to enzymes by global metabolite profiling.

Enzymes regulate biological processes through the conversion of specific substrates to products. Therefore, of fundamental interest for every enzyme is the elucidation of its natural substrates. Here, we describe a general strategy for identifying endogenous substrates of enzymes by untargeted liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC−MS) analysis of tissue metabolomes from wild-type and enzyme-inactivated organisms. We use this method to discover several brain lipids regulated by the mammalian enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in vivo, including known signaling molecules (e.g., the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide) and a novel family of nervous system-enriched natural products, the taurine-conjugated fatty acids. Remarkably, the relative hydrolytic activity that FAAH exhibited for lipid metabolites in vitro was not predictive of the identity of specific FAAH substrates in vivo. Thus, global metabolite profiling establishes unanticipated connections between the proteome and metabolome that enabl...
Ultrasonic Velocity and Attenuation in Alkali Halides Containing CN− II. Theoretical Interpretation

The experimental results presented in Part I are interpreted in terms of the continuum elastic dipole theory, assuming that asymmetric lattice relaxation perpendicular to the CN− axis results in a dipole tensor with three different principal axes, one of which is the CN− axis. The equilibrium positions are [001], [110], and [110] and their equivalents. Acoustic interaction with hindered rotor states was also observed. Die experimentellen Resultate, die im ersten Teil dieser Arbeit wiedergegeben wurden, werden an Hand der elastischen Dipoltheorie gedeutet, wobei angenommen wird, das die Gitterrelaxation senkrecht zu der CN−-Achse asymmetrisch ist. Dies fuhrt zu einem dreiachsigen Dipoltensor, mit Gleichgewichtslagen langs [001], [110] und [110] oder equivalenten Richtungen. Hohere Niveaus (gehinderter Rotor) mussen bei der Erklarung der Resultate ebenfalls berucksichtigt werden.
Energy-dependent electrospray ionization mass spectrometric studies of mononuclear metal carbonyls

Abstract Energy-dependent electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (EDESI-MS) technique has been used for investigating the fragmentation of monomeric metal carbonyl complexes of general formula [M(CO) x (COOMe)] − (M = Cr, Fe, Mo, and W). The results show that in addition to the loss of CO, formaldehyde loss provides a pathway of fragmentation. Of all complexes investigated, the chromium complex exhibits the cleanest fragmentation. At very high voltages, the metal ions is either associated with a hydride or a methoxide ions.
Information and Voting: the Wisdom of the Experts versus the Wisdom of the Masses

In a common-values election with continuously distributed information quality, the incentive to pool private information con‡icts with the swing voter’s curse. In equilibrium, therefore, some citizens abstain despite clear private opinions, and others vote despite having arbitrarily many peers with superior information. The dichotomy between one’s own and others’information quality can explain the otherwise puzzling empirical relationship between education and turnout, and suggests the importance of relative information variables in explaining turnout, which I verify for U.S. primary elections. Though voluntary elections fail to utilize nonvoters’information, mandatory
Marine Plankton Algae Grown with Light-Dark Cycles. I. Coccolithus huxleyi

A description is given of an apparatus for semi-continuous cultivation of unicellular algae under various combinations of light intensity, temperature and daylength (photoperiod). In this apparatus growth of the coccolithophorid Coccolithus huxleyi was limited by light intensities below 0.05 cal/cm2 min regardless of daylength. Growth was retarded by daylengths shorter than 16 hours out of a total of 24 hours of light plus dark. The temperature optimum for growth was about 20 C and showed little variation with daylength. The content of chlorophyll a varied between 2 and 15 mg per ml cell volume and was greatest under low light intensities, short daylengths and high temperatures. Cultures were synchronised by four different combinations of light intensity and daylength. In all four cases, cell division was restricted to 6 out of 24 hours. Synchronised cell division took place in the dark but its timing bore no simple relationship to the onset or termination of illumination.
Does logic moderate the fundamental attribution error

The fundamental attribution error was investigated from an individual difference perspective. Mathematicians were compared with nonmathematicians (Exp. 1; n: 84), and undergraduates who scored high on a test of logical reasoning ability were compared with those who scored low (Exp. 2; n: 62). The mathematicians and those participants scoring higher on logic appeared less prone to the fundamental attribution error, primarily using a measure of confidence in attributions.
Magnetron phase locking: Effects of frequency chirp and locking of multiple magnetrons

Summary form only given. Phase-locking is utilized today in many important applications, ranging from small scale devices such as cardiac pacemakers to large scale devices such as radar. We have adopted a magnetron-specific model to qualitatively explain the various regimes observed in magnetron injection-locking experiments, which utilize two continuous wave magnetrons; one functions as an oscillator and the other as a driver. The model has been applied to study injection locking when the driver has a frequency chirp. The model has also recently been extended to analyze peer-to-peer locking of two magnetrons of comparable powers and frequencies. The feasibility of locking will be explored in terms of the variations in these parameters of the individual magnetrons, as well as the degree of coupling among them. Locking among a larger number of such magnetrons will be explored. A preliminary experiment is being conducted on the peer-to-peer locking of two commercial KW magnetrons.
Space‐Charge Development in Glass

Data are given that graphically demonstrate space-charge build-up in a glass containing alkali and in a glass relatively free of alkali. The observed potential distributions show a decided asymmetry and have large potential drops near the electrodes with a linear potential change near the center of the sample. The observations qualitatively fit the expected theoretical distributions, according to Proctor and Sutton, for material having cations mobile and anions essentially immobile. Crude estimates arising from comparison with the theory yield carrier concentration near 2 × 1016 per cm3. mobility of the cation near 3 × 10-6 cm.2 per volt second, and diffusion constant near 2 × 10-6 cm.2 per second. These mobility and diffusion values are two orders of magnitude larger than values computed from conductivity data or computed from measurements of the diffusion coefficient for sodium cations, both in simple alkali silicates. According to the theory, these higher values are perhaps reasonable, since they are associated with only the more mobile portion of the cation population.
Nerve root prolapse into a spinal arachnoid cyst--an unusual cause of radiculopathy.

Abstract Arachnoid cysts are rare lesions of the spine and can present with myelopathy, radiculopathy, local pain or a combination of these symptoms. Nerve root prolapse into an arachnoid cyst causing radiculopathy has not been reported before. We report a nerve root prolapse into a spinal arachnoid cyst presenting clinically as radiculopathy. An 18-year-old female patient presented with mid-back pain, right anterior thigh pain and hip flexor weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) myelography revealed an arachnoid cyst at T12-L1 level on the right side. At surgery, a nerve root was seen prolapsing into an extradural arachnoid cyst. The nerve root was replaced back into dural sac and the dural defect closed. At 20 months of follow-up, the patient continues to be asymptomatic with no evidence of recurrence on imaging. Replacing the prolapsed nerve root into the dural sac with meticulous closure of the dural defect could lead to good clinical outcome. We propose a modification to the popular classification of these lesions to better rationalize their surgical management. Classification of extradural arachnoid spinal cysts (Nabors's type 1) should be based on the presence or absence of dural communication. Sacral meningoceles (Nabors’ type 1B) should be excluded from the classification as they have free communication with the thecal sac and are not true spinal cysts.
The Mesoscale and Microscale Structure and Organization of Clouds and Precipitation in Midlatitude Cyclones. Part XV: A Numerical Modeling Study of Frontogenesis and Cold-Frontal Rainbands

Abstract A two-dimensional, hydrostatic, primitive-equation model is used to investigate the dynamics of frontogenesis in a moist atmosphere. The development of a cold front is simulated through shear-deformation associated with the non-linear evolution of an Eady wave. Simulations are performed with 5, 10, 40 and 80 km horizontal resolutions and 14 levels in the vertical (four in the boundary layer). Compared to the dry case, the inclusion of moisture in the model produces a stronger low-level jet ahead of the front and a stronger upper-level jet. Moisture also produces a stronger ageostrophic circulation across the front and a more concentrated updraft just ahead of the surface front. The updraft develops a banded structure above and behind the surface front, with a wavelength of about 70 km. Bands form near the back edge of the cloud shield and move toward the surface front with a relative velocity of ∼1 m s−1. These characteristics agree with observations of wide cold-frontal rainbands. The banded str...
Effect of an electronic medical record alert for severe sepsis among ED patients.

Abstract Background Severe sepsis and septic shock are a major health concern worldwide. The objective of this study is to determine if Severe Sepsis Best Practice Alert (SS-BPA) implementation was associated with improved processes of care and clinical outcomes among patients with severe sepsis or septic shock presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods This is a single-center, before-and-after observational study. The intervention group (n = 103) consisted of adult patients presenting to the ED with severe sepsis or septic shock during a 7-month period after implementation of the SS-BPA. The control group (n = 111) consisted of patients meeting the same criteria over a prior 7-month period. The SS-BPA primarily acts by automated, real-time, algorithm-based detection of severe sepsis or septic shock via the electronic medical record system. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS), time to antibiotic administration, and proportion of patients who received antibiotics within the target 60 minutes. Results Time to antibiotics was significantly reduced in the SS-BPA cohort (29 vs 61.5 minutes, P Conclusion Implementation of the SS-BPA for severe sepsis or septic shock among ED patients is associated with significantly improved timeliness of antibiotic administration and reduced hospital LOS.
Role of Krev Interaction Trapped-1 in Prostacyclin-Induced Protection against Lung Vascular Permeability Induced by Excessive Mechanical Forces and Thrombin Receptor Activating Peptide 6

Mechanisms of vascular endothelial cell (EC) barrier regulation during acute lung injury (ALI) or other pathologies associated with increased vascular leakiness are an active area of research. Adaptor protein krev interaction trapped-1 (KRIT1) participates in angiogenesis, lumen formation, and stabilization of EC adherens junctions (AJs) in mature vasculature. We tested a role of KRIT1 in the regulation of Rho-GTPase signaling induced by mechanical stimulation and barrier dysfunction relevant to ventilator-induced lung injury and investigated KRIT1 involvement in EC barrier protection by prostacyclin (PC). PC stimulated Ras-related protein 1 (Rap1)-dependent association of KRIT1 with vascular endothelial cadherin at AJs, with KRIT1-dependent cortical cytoskeletal remodeling leading to EC barrier enhancement. KRIT1 knockdown exacerbated Rho-GTPase activation and EC barrier disruption induced by pathologic 18% cyclic stretch and thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) 6 and attenuated the protective effects of PC. In the two-hit model of ALI caused by high tidal volume (HTV) mechanical ventilation and TRAP6 injection, KRIT1 functional deficiency in KRIT1(+/-) mice increased basal lung vascular leak and augmented vascular leak and lung injury caused by exposure to HTV and TRAP6. Down-regulation of KRIT1 also diminished the protective effects of PC against TRAP6/HTV-induced lung injury. These results demonstrate a KRIT1-dependent mechanism of vascular EC barrier control in basal conditions and in the two-hit model of ALI caused by excessive mechanical forces and TRAP6 via negative regulation of Rho activity and enhancement of cell junctions. We also conclude that the stimulation of the Rap1-KRIT1 signaling module is a major mechanism of vascular endothelial barrier protection by PC in the injured lung.
Interruptible rendering

Interruptible rendering is a novel approach to the fidelity-versus-performance tradeoff ubiquitous in real-time rendering. Interruptible rendering unifies spatial error, caused by rendering coarse approximations for speed, and temporal error, caused by the delay imposed by rendering, into a single image-space error metric. The heart of this approach is a progressive rendering framework that renders a coarse image into the back buffer and continuously refines it, while tracking the temporal error. When the temporal error exceeds the spatial error caused by coarse rendering, further refinement is pointless and the image is displayed. We discuss the requirements for a rendering algorithm to be suitable for interruptible use, and describe one such algorithm based on hierarchical splatting. Interruptible rendering provides a low-latency, self-tuning approach to interactive rendering. Interestingly, it also leads to a "one-and-a-half buffered" approach that renders sometimes to the back buffer and sometimes to the front buffer.