cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of Adjuvant Radiation in pN1 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients

Purpose/Objective(s) Previous studies have shown a detrimental effect of postoperative radiation (PORT) in pN1 NSCLC patients after R0 surgery. High lymph node ratio (LNR = number of positive lymph nodes in the resected specimen/number of total lymph nodes resected) has been shown to correlate with worse outcomes. We hypothesize that PORT can improve survival outcomes in pN1 NSCLC patients with high LNR after R0 surgery. Materials/Methods The National Cancer Database was queried for cases of lung cancer from 2004-2016. Patients without neoadjuvant treatment, with at least a lobectomy with resection of at least 10 lymph nodes, with pN1 disease, with histology of squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and large cell carcinoma were included. Exclusion criteria were neoadjuvant therapy, lack of pathological confirmation or lack of information about chemotherapy and metastatic disease. For patients with PORT, RT was directed to thorax with dose≥30Gy. Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare survival adjusted for age, sex, CCI, pT, grade, chemotherapy, LNR, and PORT. Predictors for overall survival (OS) were identified. Results Among 13742 patients, 12542 (91.3%) did not have PORT, and 1200 (8.7%) had PORT. Median follow up was over 5 years. For years of 2004-2010 and 2011-2016, PORT was given to 8% (413 out of 5132) and 5.5% (423 out of 7622) of patients after R0 resection, respectively. PORT was given to 36.8% and 6.55% patients with non-R0 and R0 resection, respectively (P Conclusion For pN1 NSCLC patients after R0 resection, use of PORT is decreasing. High LNR after R0 surgery in pN1 NSCLC patients portends worse survival. PORT does not benefit pN1 NSCLC patients with low LNR after R0 surgery, but it is associated with better survival for patients with high LNR after accounting for multiple confounders including adjuvant chemotherapy.
Development of microbial control for lepidopteran pests of the corn ear

35 Introduction 36 Materials and Methods 38 Results 42 Discussion 43 Acknowledgements 46 References Cited 46 CHAPTER 4: FIELD PERSISTENCE OF A MULTIPLE NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS VIRUS OF THE CELERY LOOPER, ANAGRAPHA FALCIFERA (KIRBY) (LEPIDOPTERA; NOCTUIDAE), ON SWEET CORN SILKS 52 Abstract 52 Introduction 53 Materials and Methods 54 Results and Discussion 58 Acknowledgements 66 References Cited 6652 Introduction 53 Materials and Methods 54 Results and Discussion 58 Acknowledgements 66 References Cited 66
When Things Fell Apart: State Failure in Late-Century Africa

In the later decades of the twentieth century, Africa plunged into political chaos. States failed, governments became predators, and citizens took up arms. In When Things Fell Apart, Robert H. Bates advances an exploration of state failure in Africa. In so doing, he not only plumbs the depths of the continent's late-century tragedy, but also the logic of political order, and the foundations of the state. This book covers a wide range of territory by drawing on materials from Rwanda, Sudan, Liberia, and Congo. Written to be accessible to the general reader, it is nonetheless a must-read for scholars and policymakers concerned with conflict and state failure.
Revisiting Diffuse Interstellar Bands in the Satellite Ultraviolet with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph

Given the number and diversity of diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in the optical, we might expect many similar features in the satellite UV. However. despite considerable effort over the years, analysis of data from both Copernicus ana IUE (resolutions of 12 and 25 km/s, respectively) have produced very little in the way of convincing results, with of course the notable exception of the 2175 A feature. However, 3.5 km/s resolution echelle observations with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope has led to the identification of a probable weak DIB at 1369.1 A in the spectrum of ζ Oph (Tripp, Cardelli, and Savage 1994). This conclusion was reached only after careful consideration of other possible origins of the feature like unidentified atomic (neutral and ionized) and molecular features, including a comparison to GHRS echelle data of ζ Per in which the feature is not seen.
CVD dynamics for real-time control: multi-component and flow modelling

An expanded nonlinear dynamic model of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is presented and analysed to obtain insight into the design of an appropriate control structure.
The Lumbosacral Neurologic Examination

It is important to establish whether the patient’s urinary symptomatology is due to underlying neurologic disease. Patients with underlying neurologic disease may not be amenable to certain therapies. In order to rule out a neurologic etiology in the otherwise apparently normal patient, one needs to do a careful screening neurologic exam. This neurologic exam involves testing the lumbosacral nerve roots, with regards to sensation, motor function and reflexes. Sacral cord segments S2 to S4 contain the most important neurons involved with micturition, however, the sympathetic nervous system (originating from T10 to L2) also significantly influences both the storage and voiding phases. A clinical screening examination aimed at discovering abnormalities is outlined below. Neurologic consultation may be necessary when the exam is abnormal.
The kinetic mechanisms of the bifunctional enzyme aspartokinase-homoserine dehydrogenase I from Escherichia coli.

Abstract The kinetic mechanisms of the reactions catalyzed by the two catalytic domains of aspartokinase-homoserine dehydrogenase I from Escherichia coli have been determined. Initial velocity, product inhibition, and dead-end inhibition studies of homoserine dehydrogenase are consistent with an ordered addition of NADPH and aspartate β-semialdehyde followed by an ordered release of homoserine and NADP + . Aspartokinase I catalyzes the phosphorylation of a number of l -aspartic acid analogues and, moreover, can utilize MgdATP as a phosphoryl donor. Because of this broad substrate specificity, alternative substrate diagnostics was used to probe the kinetic mechanism of this enzyme. The kinetic patterns showed two sets of intersecting lines that are indicative of a random mechanism. Incorporation of these results with the data obtained from initial velocity, product inhibition, and dead-end inhibition studies at pH 8.0 are consistent with a random addition of l -aspartic acid and MgATP and an ordered release of MgADP and β-aspartyl phosphate.
Principles and Practice of aPBL

Faculties as well as committees interested in developing curricula that are authentic in their approach to learning now have a practical guide with an easy, step-by-step approach to developing a dy...
Added precision in 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

Abstract This paper contains (1) the necessary mathematics for a precise interpretation of Mossbauer data, and (2) a characterization of a spectrometer designed specifically to maximize the information avalable from these data. The innovative aspects of this spectrometer are that it provides a known absorber lineshape, that it is quantitative, and that is provides information of the vibrational states of the absorber via the second order Doppler shift vs temperature and the total absorption vs temperature. The spectrometer allows sample temperature and applied magnetic field to be varied in any combination of 2–350 K or 0–6 T, respectively. Simultaneous collection of four data streams allows an accurate representation of the transmission spectrum. Sophisticated computer treatment with extensive use of least squares fitting procedures and fast Fourier transform techniques provides the final output display of sample cross-section vs standardized source velocity. The cross-section display is shown to be independent of the thickness of samples with Mossbauer optical densities up to 3. In addition, we report the method and results of measurements which must precede the operation of the spectrometer: (1) the absorption coefficient of iron at 14 keV: (498±7)cm−1, (2) the Debye temperature of our source (57Co in rhodium matrix): (361±20)K, (3) the source lineshape: three Lorentzians with Heisenberg linewidth, a center line with twice the intensity of the symmetrically placed outer lines which are spaced 0.055 mm/s apart, (4) the Mossbauer effect cross-section for 57Fe: (2.4±0.2) × 10−18 cm2, (5) the Debye temperature of iron (NBS # 1541): (430±30) K, and (6) the values for the Hamiltonian parameters of iron metal (NBS # 1541) at 290, 101 and 4.2 K. The precision of the determined Hamiltonian parameters is defined in terms of a statistic with a weighted χ2 distribution.
EFFECT OF POSTMORTEM AGING AND HYDRODYNAMIC PRESSURE PROCESSING ON PORK LOIN QUALITY

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of hydrodynamic pressure processing (HDP) and aging on the overall quality and protein characteristics of pork loins. Boneless pork loins (n = 12) were split into anterior and posterior halves and were assigned to control and HDP treatments. Following treatment on day 0, each half was divided into two portions (0 and 7 days aging). Samples were removed for the determination of Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), centrifugal moisture loss (CML), gravitational drip loss (DL), color, protein solubility and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of whole muscle protein extracts. WBSF decreased with HDP (P < 0.05) and aging treatments (P < 0.0001). CML decreased (P < 0.0001) with aging. Controls exhibited slightly less DL after 1 day than HDP samples, but the increase in DL between 1 and 7 days was similar for control and HDP samples. Treatment effects on L*, a* and b* measurements were minimal. Myofibrillar and total protein solubility were higher (P < 0.01) in HDP samples compared with controls at day 0 but not at day 7. Sarcoplasmic protein solubility decreased (P < 0.05) with aging. SDS-PAGE analysis of muscle proteins demonstrated a strong aging effect and only minor HDP differences. With aging, bands corresponding to 30–33 and 135 kDa increased (P < 0.0001), while bands corresponding to 38 and 95 kDa decreased (P < 0.05) in intensity (relative to the actin band). The 60 kDa band intensity increased (P < 0.05) with both aging and HDP treatments. Thus, data from this study suggest that HDP enhances aging tenderization in pork loins through the physical disruption of the muscle ultrastructure while having little detrimental effect on other parameters of pork quality. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study demonstrates that hydrodynamic pressure processing is an effective postharvest technology for enhancing aging tenderization in pork loins through the physical disruption of the muscle ultrastructure with minimal impacts on other pork quality parameters such as water-holding capacity and color.
Feature identification and reduction for improved generalization accuracy in secondary-structure prediction

Secondary structure prediction is an important step in understanding gene function. Several algorithms have been proposed for applying machine learning techniques to this problem. This research examines these algorithms and constructs a framework that is effective in providing accurate predictions.
Loss of Calcium and Increased Apoptosis Within the Same Neuron

Loss of neuronal calcium is associated with later apoptotic injury but observing reduced calcium and increased apoptosis in the same cell would provide more definitive proof of this apparent correlation. Thus, following exposure to vehicle or the calcium chelator, BAPTA (1-20 microM), primary cortical neurons were labeled with Calcium Green-1 which was then cross-linked with EDAC, prior to immuno-staining for various proteins. We found that BAPTA-induced changes in calcium were highly correlated with changes in expression of activated caspase-3 as well as the calcium binding proteins calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin. Additionally, in brain slices from P7 neonatal rats, BAPTA induced significant loss of calcium in a brain region we have previously shown to express only moderate levels of calcium binding proteins as well as display robust apoptosis following calcium entry blockade. In contrast, BAPTA had little influence on calcium levels in a brain region we have previously shown to express robust calcium binding proteins as well as display far less apoptosis following calcium entry blockade. These data suggest that the ability of developing neurons to buffer changes in calcium may be critical to their long-term survival.
Chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn in stormwater, roadway dust and stormwater pond sediments

Abstract This study evaluated the chemical fractionation of Cu and Zn from source to deposition in a stormwater system. Cu and Zn concentrations and chemical fractionation were determined for roadway dust, roadway runoff and pond sediments. Stormwater Cu and Zn concentrations were used to generate cumulative frequency distributions to characterize potential exposure to pond-dwelling organisms. Dissolved stormwater Zn exceeded USEPA acute and chronic water quality criteria in approximately 20% of storm samples and 20% of the storm duration sampled. Dissolved Cu exceeded the previously published chronic criterion in 75% of storm samples and duration and exceeded the acute criterion in 45% of samples and duration. The majority of sediment Cu (92–98%) occurred in the most recalcitrant phase, suggesting low bioavailability; Zn was substantially more available (39–62% recalcitrant). Most sediment concentrations for Cu and Zn exceeded published threshold effect concentrations and Zn often exceeded probable effect concentrations in surface sediments.
Unobserved variables and marital status: the schooling connection.

Studies increasingly indicate that some of the characteristics of individuals are jointly determined with marital status, fertility, and labor supply. This study focuses on the effect of schooling on marital status. A Hausman-type test shows that schooling cannot be legitimately treated as an exogenous determinant of marriage and divorce. It is shown that if schooling is treated as an exogenous variable, the negative effect of schooling on the odds of marriage is underestimated. Further, the results indicate that schooling has a significant negative effect on divorce if it is treated as an exogenous variable; the coefficient for schooling is positive if it is treated as an endogenous variable.
Prediction and early detection of preterm labor

Studies of cervical sonography, fetal fibronectin, and uterine contraction monitoring during pregnancy have improved our understanding of how preterm labor occurs, but their use in practice remains uncertain. This article reviews the use of these tests to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of preterm labor and to estimate the likelihood of preterm birth in women with historical risk factors. Because the clinical criteria for a diagnosis of preterm labor are inaccurate until labor is well established, over-diagnosis is common. A cervical length measurement of more than 30 mm or a negative fibronectin obtained from a patient with possible preterm labor can avoid over-diagnosis and unnecessary treatment. There is no role for routine use of either cervical sonography or fibronectin to screen pregnant women for preterm birth risk, but women thought to be at increased risk may be reassured by negative test results. Uterine contraction monitoring has low sensitivity for detecting women at risk of preterm birth. Current use of cervical length and fetal fibronectin in pregnancy is limited to situations where a negative result can avoid unnecessary interventions.
A comparison of male users and nonusers of marijuana on the perceived harmfulness of drugs.

Subjects (n = 108) who volunteered to participate in a study in which they expected to smoke marijuana were asked, as part of a screening procedure, to rate the harmfulness of a number of illicit drugs including marijuana. Subjects were separated into three groups according to their reported history of use of marijuana. The three groups were: (1) naive users (at least 1 but no more than 25 incidences of use in a lifetime), (2) light users (1 to 3 incidences of use per week), and (3) heavy users (at least 5 incidences of use per week). Groups did not differ in terms of their perceived harmfulness of any of the drugs. Cluster analyses of the results for each group and for the total group indicated three distinct clusters: the drugs perceived to be the most harmful were heroin, morphine, and LSD; drugs perceived to be less harmful were cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, and nicotine; and the drugs perceived to be the least harmful were caffeine and marijuana, with marijuana being judged the least harmful o...
Stereotypical Beliefs about Overweight and Smoking and Decision-Making in Assignments to Sales Territories:

This study examined job bias associated with business students' role-playing as sales managers who assigned trainees to sales territories. Personal characteristics of being extremely overweight and being a heavy smoker were studied. Research participants were given a personnel record (training record) of a sales trainee and asked to make a sales territory assignment decision; three vacant territories were also described. The participants were told to assign the trainee to one of the territories or to indicate a preference to not have the recruit assigned to any territory within the role-playing manager's region. Analysis indicates that a sales recruit described as extremely overweight was less likely to be assigned to an important or desirable sales territory and more likely to be assigned to an undesirable territory or not selected at all for an assignment within a sales region. Those described as heavy smokers were similarly treated but to a lesser degree. Overweight saleswomen were discriminated agains...
The effect of bile duct ligation on hepatic bile acid sulfotransferase activity in the hamster.

Abstract Bile duct ligation has been studied in adult hamsters to examine its effect on the capacity of the liver to carry out enzymatic sulfation of glycochenodeoxycholic acid. The increased urinary excretion of bile acid sulfate esters which occurs following bile duct ligation in hamsters may be a result of such enhanced capacity. However, in vitro enzyme activity was reduced by bile duct ligation compared to control animals at each concentration of substrate tested, the reduction being greater for females than males. This was due to a fourfold increase in apparent Km in female animals to values similar to those observed in control male animals, and may occur because of loss of sensitivity to estrogen. The reduced hepatic enzyme activity was partly compensated by a small increase in liver mass in males, but not females. Increased urinary excretion of bile acid sulfates in bile duct-ligated hamsters is consistent with greater substrate availability and impeded biliary excretion of the sulfate metabolites.
Spatial variability overwhelms seasonal patterns in bacterioplankton communities across a river to ocean gradient.

Few studies of microbial biogeography address variability across both multiple habitats and multiple seasons. Here we examine the spatial and temporal variability of bacterioplankton community composition of the Columbia River coastal margin using 16S amplicon pyrosequencing of 300 water samples collected in 2007 and 2008. Communities separated into seven groups (ANOSIM, P 850 m). The ordination of these samples was correlated with salinity (ρ=−0.83) and depth (ρ=−0.62). Temporal patterns were obscured by spatial variability among the coastal environments, and could only be detected within individual groups. Thus, structuring environmental factors (for example, salinity, depth) dominate over seasonal changes in determining community composition. Seasonal variability was detected across an annual cycle in the river, estuary and plume where communities separated into two groups, early year (April–July) and late year (August–Nov), demonstrating annual reassembly of communities over time. Determining both the spatial and temporal variability of bacterioplankton communities provides a framework for modeling these communities across environmental gradients from river to deep ocean.
Comparison of analytic algorithms for detecting glaucomatous visual field loss.

• The sensitivity and specificity of alternate analytic strategies for recognizing glaucomatous visual field loss from automated threshold perimetry (C-30-2 test of the Humphrey Field Analyzer) were compared among one eye each of 106 patients with glaucoma and 249 normal subjects. Algorithms included commercially available global indexes and cross-meridional differences (Statpac 1 and Statpac 2), as well as cross-meridional and cluster analyses that were developed independently for natural history studies and clinical trials. The sensitivity of most algorithms was high, except for those that used only diffuse loss as an indicator of abnormality. Specificity was acceptably high for all algorithms. Subjects who failed to meet the manufacturer's standard for reliability had much reduced specificity, but sensitivity was also affected. Algorithms that were based on any of the alternate definitions of localized reduction in retinal sensitivity performed equally well, which suggests that any of these approaches is useful in searching for glaucomatous visual loss as typified by this database. Availability, familiarity, and convenience may govern the selection of any one analytic approach for use in a particular setting.
The chromosomes of a long-isolated monotypic butterfly genus: Tellervo zoilus (Nymphalidae: Ithomiinae) in Australia

SYNOPSIS The chromosome number of the Australian butterfly Tellervo zoilus, the only representative of the subfamily Ithomiinae outside tropical America, is reported as n = 32. The meiotic metaphase chromosomes and adults of the typical subspecies are illustrated, and the significance of this particular chromosome number is discussed.
Rectal Duplication Cyst in a 12 year old Female Presenting with Chronic Constipation and Rectal Bleeding: A Case Report

Constipation is a common presenting complaint in children. Rectal duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations that need to be considered in patients with chronic constipation that has not responded to typical therapy and in pa-tients presenting with rectal bleeding. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion when diagnosing this condi-tion as other congenital malformations may be present and rectal duplication cysts have the potential for malignant transformation if they go unrecognized. This case report describes a 12 year old female with chronic constipation and rectal bleeding who was found to have a rectal duplication cyst. It discusses the pathophysiology of the disease and highlights the options available for treatment.
An Assessment of the Importance of Chaotic Stirring and Turbulent Mixing on the West Florida Shelf

Application of dynamical systems tools has recently revealed in surface ocean currents produced by a Hybrid-Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) simulation the presence of a persistent large-scale Lagrangian coherent structure (LCS) on the southern portion of the west Florida shelf (WFS). Consistent with satellite-tracked drifter trajectories, this LCS constitutes a cross-shelf barrier for the lateral transport of passive tracers. Because of the constraints that the above LCS, as well as smaller-scale LCSs lying shoreside, can impose on pollutant dispersal and its potentially very important biological consequences, a study was carried out on the nature of the surface ocean Lagrangian motion on the WFS. The analysis is based on the same simulated surface ocean velocity field that has been able to sustain the aforementioned persistent cross-shelf transport barrier. Examination of several diagnostics suggests that chaotic stirring dominates over turbulent mixing on time scales of up to two months or so. More specifically, it is found on those time scales that tracer evolution at a given length scale is governed to a nonnegligible extent by coarser-scale velocity field features, fluid particle dispersion is spatially inhomogeneous, and the Lagrangian evolution is more irregular than the driving Eulerian flow.
Relationship of transient electrical properties to active sodium transport by toad urinary bladder

Application of voltage pulses of 10 mV for periods of 9 sec across toad urinary bladder elicits a rapid deflection in transepithelial current. Frequently, the current decays back towards its baseline value during the course of the polarizing pulse. This transient phenomenon can be induced, or its magnitude increased, by raising the mucosal or serosal Na+ concentration. The transient can be abolished by sufficiently hyperpolarizing the tissue (rendering serosa positive to mucosa), by inhibiting transcellular Na+ transport with amiloride or ouabain, and by increasing the serosal K+ concentration. Vasopressin increases net Na+ movement across toad bladder but does not elicit these transients. It is proposed as a working hypothesis for further study that the transient behavior characterized in this study reflects: (1) the partition of Na+ between the apical plasma membrane and contiguous fluid layers, (2) the partition of K+ between the basolateral plasma membrane and adjacent submucosal fluid layer, and (3) the negative feedback interaction between intracellular Na+ activity and Na+ permeability of the apical plasma membrane of the transporting cells.
International transmission of information: evidence from the Euroyen and Eurodollar futures markets

Abstract This paper examines the information transmission between Japan and the US by using the Tokyo Euroyen and Chicago Eurodollar futures. These two interest rate futures markets provide a better understanding of international information transmission than stock markets, which have been shown to exhibit nonsynchronous trading and market segmentation. The results show that traders in Tokyo (Chicago) use information that is revealed overnight in Chicago (Tokyo). The bivariate EGARCH- t model provides no evidence of volatility spillovers in either direction, suggesting that the opening price rapidly reflects foreign information. The overall results support the hypothesis that the domestic market efficiently adjusts to foreign news. The results are also broadly consistent with the covered interest arbitrage effects.
Demonstration of inositol hexaphosphate induced changes in structure at ligand binding sites in carp hemoglobin carbonyl.

Abstract Infrared and 13C NMR spectra for carbonyl ligands bound to hemoglobin from carp, Cyprinus carpio , at pH 6.0 and 25°C undergo marked shifts when inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) is added to the solution. The relative intensities of the two C-0 stretch bands at 1951 and 1968 cm−1 due to two ligand site conformers are altered by IHP in the same manner as found upon lowering the pH in the absence of IHP. Both the lowering of pH and the binding of IHP enhance the 1968 cm−1 band conformer, the conformer normally of much lower stability. 13C NMR spectra indicate the C0 sites for only one type of subunit, probably the β-subunit, are altered by IHP. These findings demonstrate directly that the observed IHP-induced shift from high affinity (R) to a low affinity (T) form is accompanied by a significant change in ligand binding site structure at two of the four subunits.
Addition of a Water-Soluble α-Tocopherol Analogue to University of Wisconsin Solution Improves Endothelial Viability and Decreases Lung Reperfusion Injury

Abstract Background. Reperfusion injury following lung preservation has been associated with free radical formation and subsequent endothelial cell damage. Trolox is a water-soluble analogue of the free radical scavenger α-tocopherol. We hypothesized that addition of this form of vitamin E to University of Wisconsin (UW) solution would decrease reperfusion injury and improve lung function after cold ischemic preservation. Materials and methods. Bovine aortic endothelial cells were cultured and stored at 4°C for 12, 24, and 48 h in UW or UW + Trolox (UWT). Endothelial cell viability after storage was assessed by dimethylthiazole tetrazolium cytotoxicity assay. An isolated rat perfused lung (IPL) model was used and lungs were flushed with the respective solutions with cold storage times of 6 and 12 h. Following storage, the lungs were reperfused with fresh blood and lung function was assessed by blood gas analysis, alveolar–arterial gradient, and compliance. Results. There was no difference in endothelial cell viability between UW and UWT after 12 or 24 h; however, UWT had higher endothelial cell viability than UW with 48 h of cold ischemic storage. Using the IPL model, the pO2 was higher with UWT than UW after 6 and 12 h of cold ischemia. The alveolar–arterial oxygen difference was significantly lower for UWT versus UW at 6 h. UWT provided increased compliance at 6 and 12 h of ischemia. Conclusions. The addition of a water-soluble vitamin E analogue to UW solution resulted in increased endothelial cell viability after prolonged storage and improved whole lung preservation in the postreperfusion period as evidenced by higher oxygenation and increased compliance. These results are clinically relevant as the lung is extremely sensitive to reperfusion injury and UW solution is being increasingly used in lung transplantation and remains the predominant solution in abdominal organ transplantation.
Update on familial cancer syndromes and the skin

Abstract Familial cancer syndromes reflect an inherited predisposition to develop benign and malignant tumors. Clinically, the cancers occur at an earlier age and involve multiple foci of tumor formation at multiple sites. In the past 10 years, the molecular basis of many of these cancer syndromes have been unraveled with the advent of powerful genetic technologies. Entities which were hypothesized to be related on the basis of clinical features have now been shown to be linked or disparate through genetic analysis. This article reviews some of the recent advances in the clinical and molecular aspects of familial cancer syndromes that involve the skin. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;42:939–69.) Learning Objective: After completing this article, the reader should become (1) fluent with some basic genetic principles underlying the mechanisms of cancer predisposition and positional cloning and (2) aware of the recent breakthroughs in the identification of familial cancer syndrome disease genes.
On interjurisdictional competition and environmental federalism

Herein we construct a competitive interjurisdictional model that reconciles two recent exceptions to the race to the bottom (J. Publ. Econ. 35 (1988) 333–354; J. Urban Econ. 37 (1995) 290–310). Our results suggest that since environmental rents from local production are likely not captured 100 percent by local residents, devolved command and control environmental regulation is inefficient. Moreover, faced with the reality of fiscal constraints, local governments adopt property tax structures that serve to compound inefficiencies. Within such a ‘second best’ setting, if a jurisdiction underprovides non-environmental public goods and jurisdictional capital productivity and emissions are strong complements, a race to the bottom equilibrium is supported.
Transactional programming in a multi-core environment

With single thread performance starting to plateau, HW architects have turned to chip level multiprocessing (CMP) to increase processing power. All major microprocessor companies are aggressively shipping multi-core products in the mainstream computing market. Moore's law will largely be used to increase HW thread-level parallelism through higher core counts in a CMP environment. CMPs bring new challenges into the design of the software system stack.In this tutorial, we talk about the shift to multi-core processors and the programming implications. In particular, we focus on transactional programming. Transactions have emerged as a promising alternative to lock-based synchronization that eliminates many of the problems associated with lock-based synchronization. We discuss the design of both hardware and software transactional memory and quantify the tradeoffs between the different design points. We show how to extend the Java and C languages with transactional constructs, and how to integrate transactions with compiler optimizations and the language runtime (e.g., memory manager and garbage collection).
The Fabric for Frontier Experiments Project at Fermilab

The FabrIc for Frontier Experiments (FIFE) project is a new, far-reaching initiative within the Fermilab Scientific Computing Division to drive the future of computing services for experiments at FNAL and elsewhere. It is a collaborative effort between computing professionals and experiment scientists to produce an end-to-end, fully integrated set of services for computing on the grid and clouds, managing data, accessing databases, and collaborating within experiments. FIFE includes 1) easy to use job submission services for processing physics tasks on the Open Science Grid and elsewhere; 2) an extensive data management system for managing local and remote caches, cataloging, querying, moving, and tracking the use of data; 3) custom and generic database applications for calibrations, beam information, and other purposes; 4) collaboration tools including an electronic log book, speakers bureau database, and experiment membership database. All of these aspects will be discussed in detail. FIFE sets the direction of computing at Fermilab experiments now and in the future, and therefore is a major driver in the design of computing services worldwide.
Effects of medium-chain triglycerides, long-chain triglycerides, or 2-monododecanoin on fatty acid composition in the portal vein, intestinal lymph, and systemic circulation in rats

Background: Fatty acid absorption patterns can have a major impact on the fatty acid composition in the portal, intestinal lymph, and systemic circulation. This study sought to determine the effects of long-chain triglycerides (LCT), medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), and 2-monododecanoin (2mono) on intestinal fatty acid composition during continuous feeding over a brief period. Methods: The lipid sources were 100% LCT, 100% MCT, a 50:50 mixture of LCT and MCT (LCT/MCT), and a 50:50 mixture of LCT and 2mono (LCT/2mono). A total of 27 rats were randomly given 1 of the 4 diets at 200 kcal/kg/d, with 30% of total calories from lipids over 3 hours. Results: MCT significantly increased each of the medium-chain fatty acids (C6:0, C8:0, and C10:0) as free fatty acids in the portal vein and about 10%/mol of C10:0 as triglycerides in the lymph compared with the other groups. There was significantly less C10:0 in lymphatic triglycerides with LCT/MCT than with MCT, but more than in the LCT and LCT/2mono diets. MCT al...
Physiochemical properties of erythropoietin: Isoelectric focusing and molecular weight studies☆

Abstract In this study, ESF has been further characterized with respect to isoelectric point and molecular weight. Isoelectric points varied widely for human urinary ESF, ranging from pH 4.1 to 5.8. Sheep plasma ESF had a relatively low pI, which agreed with published results, but rabbit plasma ESF had a significantly higher pI. It was concluded that ESF is a heterogeneous macromolecule, both between human patients and between species. The molecular weights of ESF from human urine and rabbit and sheep plasma were determined by PAGE and by gel filtration in 6 m GuHCl. Molecular weights determined in polyacrylamide gels were consistently higher (51,300 ± 6,000 daltons) than those obtained by gel filtration (33,000 ± 2,900 daltons). Since glycoproteins frequently appear to have higher molecular weights in polyacrylamide gels, it was concluded that the average value obtained by gel filtration of 33,000 daltons was the more accurate value. Since other laboratories have found the molecular weight of ESF to be approximately twice the value by gel filtration in the presence of 6 m GuHCl, the molecular weights of ESF reported here are for the monomeric form of ESF; however, ESF exists as a dimer in nature.
Osteoarthritis in 2010: New takes on treatment and prevention.

How can we optimize the management of osteoarthritis? Recent studies into the efficacy and mechanisms of interventions that target nociceptive mechanisms, lower-extremity musculature and ligament integrity reflect the progress being made in this field.
Locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.

The Head and Neck Cancer Intergroup phase III clinical trial (Int 0099) for patients with locally advanced, squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of the nasopharynx (or NPC) has been recently completed in the United States. The results of this study have defined the new standard of treatment for the group of patients studied. Patients with untreated, locally advanced stages III and IV NPC were randomized to a conven-tional course of radiation, or to radiation given concurrently with chemotherapy followed by three courses of combination chemotherapy. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 24% versus 69% (P < 0.001) and 46% versus 76% (P < 0.001) for the control and experimental groups, respectively. Recent updates of these survival figures show that they have not changed appreciably. The considerable improvement in OS versus PFS for the patient group receiving radiation alone is accounted for primarily by re-treatment with concurrent radiation-chemo-therapy, combination chemotherapy, and isolated salvage neck dissections. Highly significant differences in local control (41% vs 14%) and distant metastases (35% vs 13%) were demonstrated in favor of the chemoradiation treatment arm. The median age for these patients was 51 years, with a 2:1 male to female ratio. Although many patients had a significant history of tobacco exposure with or without alcohol use or abuse, only 24% had keratinizing or well-differentiated squamous (World Health Organization [WHO] I) type tumors. Whether these results can be extrapolated to the more common Asian variety (WHO II and III) of advanced NPC must be addressed in future clinical trials.
Sediment-induced reduction in the pumping rate of the tropical sponge Verongia lacunosa

The pumping rate of Verongia lacunosa (Lamarck), a tropical marine sponge, varied between 1 and 6 l h-1 in clear seawater for sponges with a volume of about 500 ml. Sponges were exposed to seawater containing suspensions of clay maintained at a constant level for 4 h; concentrations of 11 mg l-1 or greater significantly reduced the pumping rate, while concentrations of 3 mg l-1 did not. Other sponges were exposed to suspensions of clay for 4 days; a concentration of 95 mg l-1 caused a continuing decline in the pumping rate. These sponges were more sensitive to sediment than some other suspension-feeding organisms. Such sensitivity may limit the distribution of V. lacunosa and other sponge species.
On the evolution of deterministic non-periodic behavior of an airfoil

Abstract This paper describes some interesting transitional behavior in the limit cycle response of a typical section airfoil with a loosely connected flap subject to a fluid flow. The freeplay non-linearity associated with the flap connection has considerable practical importance since wear and maintenance problems inevitably accompany moving mechanical parts. Piecewise linear systems have been studied within the non-linear dynamics community for some time. However, application to a relatively complicated, fluid–structure interaction problem such as this shows the ubiquity of a number of characteristically non-linear features. Special attention is focused on almost- or quasi-periodic behavior, and the correpsonding stability transitions. Brief reference is made to some prior experimental work which suggests the extent to which these responses can be realized in wind tunnel testing.
Free actions on spaces with nonzero euler characteristic

Abstract We use group representation theory to study free actions by finite groups on spaces with nonzero Euler characteristic. The main results are: (i) a sharp lower bound on the dimension of QH * ( X ; ℚ) if X is a finite CW-complex with nonzero Euler characteristic admitting a free action by a finite Abelian group and (ii) an algebraic characterization of the finite groups that can act freely on an arbitrary product of complex projective spaces (with the surprising conclusion that any such group must be a 2-group).
Rejuvenating American Journalism: Some Tentative Policy Proposals Workshop Presentation on Journalism, Federal Trade Commission Washington, D.C., March 10, 2010

Among those who care about serious journalism, some are counting on an economic comeback that will bring sufficient media advertising back to newspapers and Web sites to support quality reporting; others bet on the evolution of paywalls and a public that will change course and learn to buy news content; still others put their money on other kinds of news innovation, in which new kinds of outlets find ways to sustain themselves once the philanthropists are tapped out or move on. But what if none of these things work? What is left?Robert W. McChesney is one of those who argue that what is left is public policy and public funding that recognizes and sustains reporting as a public good. McChesney teaches in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is the co-author, with John Nichols, of The Death and Life of American Journalism: the Media Revolution That Will Begin the World Again.
A conserved domain for glycogen binding in protein phosphatase-1 targeting subunits

The skeletal muscle glycogen-binding subunit (GM) of protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) is the founding member of a family of proteins that tether the PP1 catalytic subunit (PP1C) to glycogen and promote the dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase. A hydrophobic sequence (called here the VFV motif) is conserved among GM, the liver subunit GL, and the widely expressed subunits, PTG, R5 and U5. This study analyzed the role of this VFV motif in binding to glycogen and PP1C. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusions with the N-terminal domain of GM (GST-GM(1–240)) and with the full length R5 protein (GST-R5) both bound to glycogen in a co-sedimentation assay. In contrast, GST itself did not bind to glycogen. A single residue substitution in GST-GM(1–240), F155A, reduced glycogen binding by 40%. Double residue substitutions V150A/F155A and F155A/V159A resulted in greater reductions (60–70%) in glycogen binding, showing these hydrophobic residues influenced the protein-glycogen interaction. The wild type and V150A/F155A fusion proteins were digested by trypsin into the same sized fragments at the same rate. Furthermore, the wild type and mutated GST-GM proteins as well as GST-R5 bound equivalent amounts of PP1C, in either pull-down or far-Western assays. These results demonstrated retention of overall tertiary structure by the mutated fusion proteins, and indicated that glycogen and PP1C binding are independent of one another. A 68 residue segment of R5 encompassing the VFV motif was sufficient to produce glycogen binding when fused to GST. This motif, that is in bacterial and fungal starch metabolizing enzymes, probably has been conserved during evolution as a functional domain for binding glycogen and starch.
Using a Bifactor Model to Assess the Factor Structure of the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening for Grades 1 through 3.

The factor structure of the Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening for Grades 1 through 3 (PALS 1-3), a widely used early literacy screener in the Commonwealth of Virginia, was investigated using a large sample of public-school second-grade students (n = 14,993). Three alternative factor models (i.e., a one-factor, two-correlated factors, and a bifactor model) were tested and explored using an exploratory sample consisting of a randomly selected half of the overall sample. Model fit indices using confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a bifactor model fit the best and supported the scoring methods used with PALS 1-3, which is largely measured by a general factor of orthographic knowledge. The model was found to replicate in the randomly selected hold-out sample as well and exhibited adequate measurement precision (ωh = .88).
Consideration of grain packing in granular iron treatability studies.

Commercial granular iron (GI) is light steel that is used in Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs). Investigations into the reactivity of GI have focused on its chemical nature and relatively little direct work has been done to account for the effects of grain shape and packing. Both of these factors are expected to influence available grain surface area, which is known to correlate to reactivity. Commercial granular iron grains are platy and therefore pack in preferential orientations that could affect solution access to the surface. Three packing variations were investigated using Connelly Iron and trichloroethylene (TCE). Experimental kinetic data showed reaction rates 2–4 times higher when grains were packed with long axes preferentially parallel to flow (VP) compared to packings with long axes preferentially perpendicular to flow (HP) or randomly arranged (RP). The variations were found to be explainable by variations in reactive sorption capacities, i.e., sorption to sites where chemical transformations took place. The possibility that the different reactive sorption capacities were related to physical pore-scale differences was assessed by conducting an image analysis of the pore structure of sectioned columns. The analyses suggested that pore-scale factors – in particular the grain surface availability, reflected in the sorption capacity terms of the kinetic model used – could only account for a fraction of the observed reactivity differences between packing types. It is concluded that packing does affect observable reaction rates but that micro-scale features on the grain surfaces, rather than the pore scale characteristics, account for most of the apparent reactivity differences. This result suggests that treatability tests should consider the packing of columns carefully if they are to mimic field performance of PRBs to the greatest extent possible.
Specification of cellulose acetate to be used in semipermeable membranes

Abstract Compositions of casting solutions of cellulose acetate were optimized in order to investigate the performance of the resulting semipermeable membranes as a function of viscosity rating and acetyl content of the polymer. The results show that the effect of viscosity of the cellulose acetate on membrane performance is as important as the effect of acetyl content in the ranges tested.
Age- and tissue-related DNA modifications in untreated rats: detection by 32P-postlabeling assay and possible significance for spontaneous tumor induction and aging.

When liver, kidney, lung and heart DNA preparations of untreated Sprague-Dawley rats of different ages (3 days-10 months) were analyzed for the possible presence of covalent modifications by a 32P-postlabeling assay, characteristic tissue-specific patterns of 32P-labeled spots (termed I-spots) were observed on thin-layer chromatograms. Amounts of these DNA derivatives (termed I-compounds), which were not detected in newborn rat DNA, markedly increased with age. This novel type of DNA modification could be due to environmental (e.g. dietary) factors or to endogenous DNA-reactive metabolites and may conceivably play a role in the initiation of spontaneous cancers or other adverse health effects related to aging.