cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steroid receptors and clinical outcome in patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium.

Abstract Progesterone receptor content was measured in tissue samples from 175 patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma by use of the dextran-charcoal method. The estradiol receptor content was determined in 138 of these samples. Ninety-two tumors (52.6%) tested positive for progesterone receptors (50 fmol/mg cytosol protein) and 111 (80.4%) tested positive for estradiol receptors (6 fmol/mg). Median follow-up was 27.3 months (range 1 to 152 months). Progesterone receptor status correlated significantly with grade, histology, adnexal spread, age, and recurrence rate in stage I cancer. There was no correlation between progesterone receptor status and clinical stage, myometrial invasion, peritoneal cytology, retroperitoneal lymph node involvement, or spread to the cervix. Estradiol receptor status correlated with adnexal spread and recurrence rate. Recurrence in patients with stage I disease was significantly more common if tumors were negative for progesterone receptor (16 of 43, 37.2%) than if they were positive (four of 57, 7%; p p = 0.02). In recurrent or advanced disease, response to progestin was independent of estradiol receptor content, but tumors positive for progesterone receptors responded significantly more often than those lacking progesterone receptors. Overall survival was superior for patients with progesterone receptor-positive tumors ( p = 0.001). Although survival in clinical stages I and II was also superior in patients with lesions positive for progesterone receptors ( p = 0.13), there was no statistical difference in survival between patients with progesterone receptor-positive or -negative cancers and surgical stages I and II disease ( p = 0.12). Estradiol receptor status had no apparent correlation with survival.
The Effects of Search Tool Type and Cognitive Style on Performance during Hypermedia Database Searches

This study investigated the effects of search tools and learner cognitive styles on performance in searches for information within a hypermedia database. Seventy-five students in a university English as a Second Language (ESL) program were blocked for field dependence and assigned to one of four treatments: browser, index/find, map, and all tools. Subjects searched the hypermedia database, EarthQuest, for facts to answer practice and posttest questions on science topics. Results revealed a significant interaction between search tool and cognitive style. Field-independent learners performed significantly better than field-dependent learners under the index/find and map treatments. Subjects in the four treatment groups accessed information from the database differently. Furthermore, cognitive style was significantly related to achievement, tool use, and attitude. Implications for the design and instructional use of hypermedia databases are provided.
Developmental Impacts of Child Abuse and Neglect Related to Adult Mental Health, Substance Use, and Physical Health

This study examined the association between officially recorded child abuse and neglect and adult mental health, substance use, and physical health outcomes. Data are from a longitudinal study of more than 30 years in which individuals were interviewed most recently in their mid -30s. Analyses consisted of group comparisons using chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent samples t-tests for continuous measures. Logistic and linear regressions controlled for gender and childhood SES, adult age, marital status, and education. Adults maltreated in childhood reported more symptoms of adult depression, anxiety, and more impairment due to mental and physical health problems. A higher percentage of those with maltreatment histories reported lifetime alcohol problems and appear at greater risk for substance abuse. Most findings of these bivariate analyses remained significant after accounting for gender and childhood socioeconomic status. Somewhat fewer significant results were observed after controlling for adult age, marital status, and education.
Head CT in new geriatric psychiatry patients: a prospective study.

Computed tomography of the head (HCT) was studied prospectively in 42 new geriatric psychiatry patients. Scans were obtained in 88% of the sample. Subjects underwent a complete evaluation by a geriatric psychiatrist who was blind to the HCT results. The HCT was abnormal in 32 (86%) of the 37 patients who had a scan. The most frequent finding was atrophic changes, which were discovered in ten (27%) of the 37 patients. Subcortical vascular disease was found in 14 patients (38%). Mixed pictures with both vascular disease and atrophic changes were found in nine (24%). The only statistically significant predictor of an abnormal HCT was an abnormal neurobehavioral examination. While the information gained from the HCT did not add appreciably to the clinical evaluation in determining whether there was an organic or idiopathic psychiatric syn drome, it was crucial in determining the location and nature of the central nervous system lesions. (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1989;2:101-105) .
A survey of oral vitamin K use by anticoagulation clinics.

Background Despite published reports of its safety and efficacy, oral vitamin K (phytonadione) may not be widely used for patients with warfarin-associated coagulopathy. We tested the hypothesis that recommendations for phytonadione use from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Fifth Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy are not routinely incorporated into the clinical practice of many anticoagulation clinics. Methods Surveys were mailed to 100 separate clinics in the southwestern region of the United States that are members of the Anticoagulation Forum, an association of anticoagulation clinic personnel and medical directors in the United States and Canada. Respondents were presented with 4 scenarios involving asymptomatic patients taking warfarin whose international normalized ratio is supratherapeutic. In each scenario, the respondents were told the patient's international normalized ratio and whether the patient was at "high" risk for bleeding. Results Of 53 respondents, 13 (25%) indicated that their clinics never use oral phytonadione. Eighteen (34%) indicated that their clinics use subcutaneous phytonadione, despite the absence of a recommendation for this in the ACCP guidelines published in 1998. For each scenario, we made a judgment as to whether the respondent's management was consistent with guidelines found in the ACCP Fifth Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy. Overall, only 17 respondents (32%) provided all 4 answers consistent with the ACCP recommendations. Conclusion For patients with supratherapeutic international normalized ratio values, our survey suggests that a substantial number of anticoagulation clinics underutilize oral phytonadione.
B2-Microglobulin and Associated Amyloidosis Presenting as Bilateral Popliteal Tumors

Chronic hemodialysis has led to the prolongation of life in many patients with end-stage renal disease, but has also allowed for the development of new diseases that are a consequence of this clinical setting. B 2 -Microglobulin accumulation leading to systemic amyloidosis may be the most recent disease in this category. This case report documents the development of bilateral popliteal tumors in a patient undergoing chronic hemodialysis for 9 years. Removal of one of the tumors and pathological examination demonstrated amyloid that was positive for B2microglobulin by specific antibody testing. This case adds further support to the suggestion that B 2 -Microglobulin amyloidosis in chronic hemodialysis patients is truly a systemic disorder. The development of popliteal tumors, particularly in proximity to joints, in a chronic hemodialysis patient, must include amyloidosis in the differential diagnosis.
Statistical power analysis for growth curve models using SAS

Power analysis is critical in research designs. This study discusses a simulation-based approach utilizing the likelihood ratio test to estimate the power of growth curve analysis. The power estimation is implemented through a set of SAS macros. The application of the SAS macros is demonstrated through several examples, including missing data and nonlinear growth trajectory situations. The results of the examples indicate that the power of growth curve analysis increases with the increase of sample sizes, effect sizes, and numbers of measurement occasions. In addition, missing data can reduce power. The SAS macros can be modified to accommodate more complex power analysis for both linear and nonlinear growth curve models.
Historical and methodological developments in clinical trials at the national cancer institute

The first randomized clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), planned in 1954, commenced in 1955 for the treatment of patients with acute leukaemia. The programme in clinical trials at NCI had strong influence from the clinician and administrator, C. Gordon Zubrod, who introduced the randomized clinical trial at NCI and organized the co-operative clinical trials programme of the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center (CCNSC) beginning about 1955. The biostatistician, Marvin Schneiderman, collaborated on the first randomized trials in acute leukaemia and solid tumours and recruited the biostatisticians and statistical centres in the early phase of the co-operative clinical trials programme of the CCNSC. From the beginning, there was acceptance of the principles of the randomization of patients and the statistical analysis of data. The sequence of clinical trials for a new agent included the non-randomized phase I (dosage finding) and phase II (preliminary efficacy) trials as well as the phase III (comparison of treatments) trials. New concepts for the treatment of patients developed from 1955 to the mid-1960s included the combination of therapies with independent activity to increase response rates and the administration of therapy to patients in a disease-free (remission) state to prolong the disease-free state. Methodological developments related to clinical trials up to the mid-1960s included: a plan for phase II trials (Gehan); a generalization of the Wilcoxon test for the comparison of survival distributions with right-censored data (Gehan); a test of proportional hazards for survival distributions, which later became known as the Mantel-Haenszel test (Mantel), and an exponential regression model with an explanatory variable (Feigl and Zelen).
Properties of electrospun PVA/nanoclay composites

Laponite® nanoclay was added to poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solution which was electrospun to make PVA/Laponite® nanocomposites. After adding Laponite® nanoclay, fibers were observed to be warped, making their surface rougher. The addition of Laponite® resulted in less water solubility of electrospun PVA web. PVA/Laponite® nanocomposite disintegrated after exposure to heat and agitation in water reducing its filtration capability. PVA/Laponite® nanocomposites showed lower air permeability than electrospun PVA webs probably because of more resistance to air stream caused by rougher and less uniform fiber surface. Tensile and tear strength were weakened by Laponite® nanoclay due to several reasons: random orientation of nanoclay along fiber axial direction, and fiber discontinuity caused by nanoclay and inhomogeneous distribution of nanoclay.
Could silencing IRF5 improve healing of a myocardial infarct through the reprogramming of the macrophage population

Within minutes following a myocardial infarction (MI), neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages are recruited to the damaged heart. The specific role of the different macrophage subsets in myocardial recovery and remodeling is not well understood. In this issue of the Journal , Courties et al. [(1
Analysis of Optical- and Inelastic-Electron-Scattering Data. Parametric Calculations*†

With the use of a simple model for the complex frequency-dependent dielectric constant ∊(ω), the electron energy-loss function −Im[1/∊(ω)] was calculated with the model parameters being varied systematically in a physically reasonable range. The intensity as well as the position of structure in −Im[1/∊(ω)] are strongly influenced by the admixture of free-electron- and interband-transition contributions to ∊(ω). Where such admixture effects occur in real materials, it is not meaningful to attribute structure in −Im[1/∊(ω)] exclusively to plasmon excitation or to interband transitions.
On Bertini's theorem.

We study the singularities of a generic element of a linear system of divisors on a smooth projective variety inside the base locus of the linear system, and give a generalization of Bertini's theorem.
Subsonic flapping flutter

Abstract A mathematical model of two-dimensional flow through a flexible channel is analyzed for its stability characteristics. Linear theory shows that fluid viscosity, modelled by a Darcy friction factor, induces flutter instability when the dimensionsless fluid speed, S, attains a critical flutter speed, S0. This is in qualitative agreement with experimental results, and it is at variance with previous analytical studies where fluid viscosity was neglected and divergence instability was predicted. The critical flutter speed and the associated critical flutter frequency depend on three other dimensionless parameters: the ratio of fluid to wall damping; the ratio of wall to fluid mass; and the ratio of wall bending resistance to elastance. Non-linear theory predicts stable, finite amplitude flutter for S>S0, which increases in frequency and amplitude as S increases. Both symmetric and antisymmetric modes of deformation are discussed.
Environmental Perceptions and Policy Misconceptions

Several social institutional states and environmental perception processes are analyzed to ascertain why examination of environmental problems and solutions within a holistic framework often does not lead to expected rational solutions. Implication of these factors for policy analyses leads to the conclusion that such analyses can be improved by expanding the scope of the traditional economic model.
Sister-chromatid exchange and cell replication kinetics in fetal and maternal cells after treatment with chemical teratogens.

Effects of selected chemical teratogens on sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies and cell replication kinetics (CRK) in pregnant mice and their fetuses were investigated. Maternal and fetal cells were analyzed for SCE and classified as to whether they had gone through 1 (M1), 2 (M2), or 3 or more (M3+) cell cycles for quantifying cell replication kinetics and estimating average generation time (AGT). The teratogens tested in this system were mitomycin C (MMC), cyclophosphamide (CP), ethylnitrosourea (ENU), dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), lead acetate (LA), benzene (BEN), diethylstilbestrol (DES), diphenyldantoin (DPH), N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). MMC, CP, ENU, DMN, LA and BEN induced significant increases in SCE in both maternal and fetal cells compared with control values. DES and DPH induced increases in SCE in fetal cells only, whereas MNNG and DMSO did not induce any increase in SCE in either maternal or fetal cells. Chi-square analysis of the relative numbers of M1, M2 and M2+ cells revealed significant heterogeneity among test chemical doses in both maternal and fetal cells treated with all of the chemicals except DES. DES had an effect on fetal cells but not on maternal cells. A significant linear relationship between AGT and test chemical dose was noted for ENU and DMSO in maternal cells and DPH and MNNG in fetal cells. Although statistically significant, the effects of DPH, MNNG, and DMSO on AGT were small, with increases in AGT of only 1 h or less at the highest doses tested. ENU, however, resulted in more than a 2-h increase in the AGT of maternal cells. Average generation time was consistently lower in fetal cells as compared with maternal cells (overall mean AGT ± S.D. from solvent controls was 8.6 ± 0.3 h for fetal cells and 11.6 ± 0.7 h for maternal cells). The results indicate that SCE induction and cell replication inhibition can occur independently, and that the assessment of SCE and CRK in maternal and fetal cells may be a promising approach to the identification of teratogenic agents.
The Effects of Well Depth and Land Quality on the Choice of Irrigation Technology

This paper introduces a framework to study the effects of farm characteristics (land quality and well depth) and irrigation technology characteristics (application effectiveness and pressurization requirement) on a farmer's choice of irrigation system. Conditions indicating how the adoption of drip or sprinkler irrigation affects water and energy demands are presented as well as conditions under which these technologies are likely to be adopted. Two functional forms for the production function (quadratic and Cobb-Douglas) are presented with realistic values of key parameters. The empirical analysis demonstrates the importance of using forms which are consistent with the classical three stages of production.
The Time Is Now for Gene- and Genome-Based Bacterial Diagnostics: “You Say You Want a Revolution”

Clinicalmicrobiology ispoised tomove into adynamic ageby embracing molecular diagnostic techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction–based amplification techniques and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). These technologies will revolutionize data acquisition for theranostics and the tracking of outbreaks. Whole-genome sequencing originally proved its worth through investigations of infectious agents.1 In this issue of JAMA Internal Medicine, Reuter et al2 now advocate WGS for routine diagnostics and public health microbiology. These ideas arenot as far-fetchedas they may initially sound. Although the cost and time to conductWGSwouldhaveoncebeenprohibitive,abacterialWGS can be performed for less than $100 in 1 day’s time.Moreover, the computational systems forperforming theanalytics on the WGSdata allow for rapid turnaround times.Collectively, these metrics make WGS competitive with any technology, including traditional methods of culturing bacteria. Although there arenocommercialWGSanalytics thatcould integratewithstandard laboratory informationsystemsnow,suchtoolswill bedeveloped that canaccess cloud-basedcomputing resources containingglobalstraindatabasesannotatedwithrespect toclinical origins, spread, and associated symptoms.
A study of nitrite-dependent dissimilatory micro-organisms isolated from oregon soils

Abstract Three specialized nitrite-dissimilatory microorganisms, found to be incapable of nitrate dissimilation, were isolated from Oregon soils. These isolates were designated as members of the genus Pseudomonas. Soil extracts stimulated nitrite dissimilation, with highest rates of activity observed with extracts from a manured soil. Nitrous oxide accumulation occurred with both nitrite- and oxygen-grown soil isolates during nitrite dissimilation in the presence of oxygen, whereas an isolate derived from a marine mud environment did not accumulate this intermediate when tested under comparative conditions. The soil-derived isolates were better able to adapt to changes between oxygen and nitrite as terminal electron acceptors, in comparison with the marine derived isolate. All isolates appeared capable of utilizing oxygen and nitrite simultaneously in their terminal respiration processes. Nitrous, but not nitric oxide was utilized as an electron acceptor by all isolates, and nitrite and nitrous oxide dissimilation was inhibited to varying degrees by cyanide, azide, and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Such infrequently studied specialized nitrite-dissimilating microorganisms, incapable of nitrate dissimilation, should be further investigated to better understand their role in nitrogen transformations, especially in manured soil environments.
Respiration in Myocardium

The qO2 or oxygen uptake of a tissue is considered to be a reflexion of the metabolic energy produced through substrate catabolism to support its functional activities. It is usually accepted that the total in vivo oxygen consumption is directly related to ATP production as the sole energy transfer and storage mechanism for endergonic processes1. Energy balance calculations in biology make use of this assumption, which is based on the known in vitro efficiencies of these processes. Recently biochemists have shown that certain non-mitochondrial enzyme systems assimilate or “take up” oxygen2 and that respiration without phosphorylation is probably essential to many of the biological functions of mitochondria3. The relative contribution of non-phosphorylating and non-mitochondrial oxygen uptake to total respiration in vivo has been studied in the isolated perfused rat heart. Oligomycin and cyanide were used as inhibitors to distinguish mitochondrial but non-phosphorylating respiration from non-mitochondrial respiration.
Hydrothermal discharge zones beneath massive sulfide deposits mapped in the Oman ophiolite

The area in the Oman ophiolite containing the volcanic-hosted Bayda and Aarja massive sulfide deposits exposes a cross section of ocean crust and reveals to an unprecedented extent the fossil zones of hydrothermal upwelling that fed these sea-floor deposits. The fossil discharge zones are elongate areas of alteration and mineralization characterized by numerous small (metres to tens of metres in length), linear, discontinuous gossans. The gossans result from oxidation of hydrothermal pyrite replacing primary igneous phases and filling voids and fractures in the altered host rocks. The two deposits have separate discharge zones that appear to be sub-sea-floor extensions of their stockworks. The Bayda zone extends through the volcanic section into the upper sheeted dike complex and is interpreted as having formed on the ridge crest above an axial magma chamber; the Aarja zone terminates against a plagiogranite pluton that intrudes the lower volcanic section and is thought to have formed after Bayda in an off-axis environment. Structural, stratigraphic, and compositional characteristics of the Bayda and Aarja massive sulfide bodies are consistent with this interpretation. The geometry of the discharge zones suggests that in both cases upfiow occurred in broad zones (at least 400-600 m wide) that were elongated along strike (i.e., parallel to the spreading axis).
Impact of surface properties of activated carbons on oxidative coupling of phenolic compounds

Abstract Previous studies showed that activated carbons exhibit significantly different behavior for the removal of phenolic compounds in the presence and absence of molecular oxygen. Increase in capacity under oxic conditions (presence of oxygen) as high as 2.5 fold was observed for 2-methylphenol adsorption on a bituminous coal-based activated carbon. The present study was initiated to evaluate some of the possible mechanisms of oxidative coupling of phenols that are promoted by the activated carbon surface and result in such a significant increase in capacity. In particular, acidic and basic surface functional groups and metals and metal oxide complexes that are commonly present on activated carbon surface were investigated for their role in catalyzing oxidative coupling of phenolic compounds under oxic conditions. Bituminous coal-based carbon and a carbonaceous resin were used as model adsorbents, while 2-methylphenol and 2-chlorophenol were used as model adsorbates in this study. Metal content was altered either by prolonged acid washing of activated carbon or by addition of metal oxides to the carbonaceous resin using the incipient wetness method. Oxygen containing acidic and basic surface functional groups were modified by outgassing at different temperatures or by exposure of outgassed carbons to oxygenated water. Freundlich isotherm parameters and solvent extraction efficiencies for virgin and modified varieties of these adsorbents have shown that none of the parameters investigated in this study have a significant impact on the exhibited adsorptive and catalytic properties of activated carbon under oxic and anoxic conditions. It appears that oxygen-containing basic surface functional groups are primarily responsible for the catalytic properties of activated carbon towards oxidative coupling of phenolic compounds.
Managing impact: Leveraging sacred spaces and community celebration to maximize social capital at a sport-for-development event

The purpose of this investigation was to understand how a sport-for-development event can be leveraged socially, and if event organizers created the best possible experiences for homeless participants through the creation of communitas and thus, social capital. We also examined the mechanisms through which liminality is cultivated and communitas can emerge, along with the means for leveraging liminality. It was found that liminality was cultivated and communitas materialized at this SFD event, as event organizers employed various processes to foster a liminoid space and develop community. Additional tactics were employed to leverage liminality and associated communitas for social capital development. We contribute to the research literature on event leveraging and also make important contributions to theory development. Implications are drawn forth for theory, practice, and future research.
Venereal Herpes: A Nursing Overview

Nursing problems associated with venereal herpes are examined. Clinical manifestations, as well as specific effects on the pregnant woman, fetus, and neonate, are discussed. Additional discussion focuses on prevention and therapy and the relation of venereal herpes to cervical cancer. A list of nursing implications is appended; it includes assessment and intervention, patient teaching, nursing education, and public policy.
Promoting Global Citizenship Through Study Abroad: The Influence of Program Destination, Type, and Duration on the Propensity for Development Volunteerism

Study abroad is cited commonly as a critical element of education for global civic engagement, but the significance of various programmatic features has not been well established. This study examines the relationships among three facets of study abroad programs—destination, type, and duration—and subsequent volunteerism through international development organizations. Survey responses were analyzed from 2,250 college alumni (71 % female, 14 % ethnic minority, M age = 27) who studied abroad between 1995 and 2005. The results of logistic regression indicated that studying abroad in a developing country and engaging in international service-learning were positively associated with the odds of development volunteerism. The number of months spent abroad also predicted development volunteerism, though duration did not moderate the effects of program destination and type. An interaction test demonstrated that program effects were not dependent on gender. The findings suggest that differences in the nature of study abroad programs influence the extent to which participants become actively engaged in global civil society.
Development of an improved FRET-imaging two-photon microscope combining lifetime and spectral imaging

FRET imaging is widely used in biology to map protein interactions in living cells. A number of recent technical developments promise to provide more accurate and quantitative measurement FRET efficiencies and protein bonding ratio. Using a reference FRET construct based on a doubly labeled DNA, one can estimate the accuracy of different techniques like spectral or lifetime imaging to resolve FRET. Further improvement have lead to the possibility of measuring in a single detector both spectral and lifetime information from the fluorescence emitted by the sample. We are currently building such a system based on an intensity modulated multi-anode PMT and have developed a global fitting algorithm to extract valuable information from combined spectral and lifetime imaging data sets.
The role of chlorine in the loss of 238U decay chain nuclides and 232Th from a basaltic rock

Volatilization experiments on U decay chain nuclides and Th involving the addition of CaCl{sub 2} to a basanite and heating sequentially at 1,300C were performed. The results indicate loss of {sup 210}Pb with Na and K at low Cl concentrations and {sup 226}Ra with Fe at considerably higher Cl concentrations. {sup 238}U, {sup 230}Th and {sup 232}Th were not lost by volatilization even at the highest Cl concentrations.
"Legitimacy, Transparency, and Economic Performance Within the Microfinance Industry "

This paper examines a theoretical framework which suggests that financial performance (profit) of firms can be achieved through the voluntary adoption of legitimate practices. We explore this framework in the context of the microfinance industry by analyzing the adoption of a key legitimate practice in the field--the implementation of transparent financial reporting. Using archival records and a survey of top managers, we present a set of results that show a significant positive relationship between firm-level transparency and financial performance in both contemporaneous and lead-lag formulations. These findings suggest that in an organizational population with an intermediate level of legitimacy, firms that adopt legitimate practices are likely to outperform their peers.
Migration of aminoalcohols on paper

Abstract The migration of 69 aminoalcohols on Whatman No. 1 paper has been determined in three different developing solvents. The general behavior of the migrating spots in the three solvents is indicated. Variations in migration rates with structural characteristics of the aminoalcohols are briefly discussed.
Chronic ethanol administration attenuates imidazoline I1 receptor- or α2-adrenoceptor-mediated reductions in blood pressure and hemodynamic variability in hypertensive rats

Our previous studies have demonstrated that acute ethanol administration counteracts imidazoline I(1) receptor but not alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-mediated hypotension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the present study, we investigated the effect of chronic ethanol administration on hypotensive responses elicited by acute administration of selective imidazoline I(1) receptor (rilmenidine) or alpha(2)-adrenoceptor (alpha-methyldopa) agonist along with ethanol effects on: (i) locomotor activity and (ii) time-domain indices of variability in blood pressure (standard deviation of mean arterial pressure) and heart rate (standard deviation of beat-to-beat intervals and root mean square of successive differences in R-R intervals). Hemodynamic and locomotor responses elicited by rilmenidine or alpha-methyldopa were assessed in radiotelemetered ethanol-fed (2.5% or 5% w/v, 12 week) and control SHR. In control SHR, i.p. rilmenidine (600 microg/kg) or alpha-methyldopa (100 mg/kg) significantly reduced blood pressure. Rilmenidine had no effect on heart rate whereas alpha-methyldopa elicited a biphasic response (tachycardia followed by bradycardia). Blood pressure and heart rate oscillations were also reduced by both drugs, which may conform to sympathoinhibition. The hypotensive effect of rilmenidine or alpha-methyldopa was significantly attenuated by ethanol feeding (2.5% or 5%) in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, ethanol attenuated alpha-methyldopa-evoked reduction in heart rate, but not blood pressure, variability in marked contrast to attenuating rilmenidine-evoked reductions in blood pressure, but not heart rate, variability. These findings demonstrate that, unlike its acute effects, chronic ethanol attenuates both imidazoline I(1) receptor and alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-mediated hypotension whereas its effect on hemodynamic variability depended on the nature of the hypotensive stimulus.
Newly described or emerging human species of nontuberculous mycobacteria

The advent of molecular testing in the laboratory has brought about the recognition of multiple newly characterized mycobacterial species not previously recognizable with most standard techniques. Some of the species are nonpathogenic, but the majority may cause clinical disease. Each is likely to have its own biology, drug susceptibility pattern, and response to drug/surgical therapy. Thus, it is important to try to recognize these new species in the laboratory. A study of the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of these new species also may help to elucidate the epidemiology and pathogenesis of these organisms. In addition, there are multiple emerging species of nontuberculous mycobacteria including M. ulcerans, M. haemophilum, M. xenopi, and M. malmoense. [table: see text] These species are being recognized increasingly as a cause of human disease and recovered within the laboratory. The clinician must learn about these new pathogens to recognize them clinically and assist the laboratory in their recovery.
Reliability and validity enhancement: A treatment package for increasing fidelity of self‐report

This study investigated the effects of reliability and validity "enhancers" on fidelity of self-report data in an analogue therapy situation. Under the guise of a Concentration Skills Training Program, 57 Ss were assigned randomly to one of the following conditions: (a) Reliability Enhancement; (b) Truth Talk; (c) No Comment Control. Results indicated significant differences among groups (p less than .05). In addition, tests of multiple comparisons revealed that Reliability Enhancement was significantly different from Truth Talk in occurrences of unreliability (p less than .05). These findings are discussed in light of the increased reliance on self-report data in behavioral intervention, and recommendations are made for future research.
A comparative study of line design approaches for serial production systems

Over the past decade two approaches, just‐in‐time (JIT) and theory of constraints (TOC), for designing and operating production lines have developed, each claiming to be the “correct” way. In addition there are still those who maintain that line balanced (whenever possible) is the optimal method. This study uses simulation to compare each of these approaches for designing and operating production lines under various levels of processing time variability, station downtime, and total system inventory. Not surprisingly, the JIT approach appears to work best when system variability is low. The TOC approach works best when system variability is high. This shows that lines designed using TOC principles perform significantly better than JIT lines when inventory is low, and JIT lines perform significantly better than TOC lines as inventory is added to the system. The traditionally balanced line did not perform best under any of the conditions used in this study.
Temporal variation of the Jovian H I Lyman-alpha emission /1979-1982/

Observations of the Jovian H I Lyman-alpha emission have been made with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observatory beginning in 1978 December, just before the time of the Voyager encounters, and extending through 1982 January. A nearly constant disk center brightness of about 8.5 kilorayleighs is observed for the central meridian longitude range lambda(III) = 200 to 360 deg and a variable brightness of between 9 and 15 kilorayleighs is found for the range lambda(III) = 50 to 150 deg. These brightness values have persisted throughout the three years of observation, and the hydrogen bulge near lambda(III) = 100 deg appears to be a fixed feature of the Jovian atmosphere. These results indicate that no substantial changes in the Jovian atomic hydrogen concentration or the average atmospheric conditions have taken place between the time immediately preceding the Voyager encounters and the present. The question of Jovian Lyman-alpha variability prior to 1978 is reexamined in the light of the IUE results.
Pump Probe Molecular Contrast Optical Coherence Tomography Utilizing the Photodegradation of SDC5712

We demonstrate the use of the near-infrared dye SDC5712 as a contrast agent for pump-probe molecular contrast OCT in both tissue phantoms and biological samples, providing up to 20 dB of contrast in initial studies.
Effects of dimilin® application on white‐footed mouse populations in a central appalachian forest

Densities, food habits, and physical condition of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were examined on 10 Dimilinr-treated and 10 untreated areas in 1985 and 1986. Estimates of mouse density did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between treated and untreated areas. However, juvenile/adult female ratios on untreated areas were significantly higher (p 0.05); mice in treated areas apparently compensated for the loss of lepidopterans by using other food sources more heavily. Body measurements, weight, and fat content of mice did not differ (p > 0.05) between treated and untreated areas.
Macular thickness and systemic markers for diabetes in individuals with no or mild diabetic retinopathy.

Background: The relationship between diabetic risk factors and macular thickness in individuals without clinically detectable diabetic macular oedema has yet to be formally explored. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between macular thickness and diabetes control and duration. Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study. All subjects underwent digital retinal imaging and Stratus OCT macular thickness scanning both eyes. Mean retinal thickness was determined for quadrants, rings, hemispheres, and for the central fovea (CFT), total fovea (TFT) and total macula (TMT). Results: We evaluated 92 non-diabetic controls, 92 diabetic subjects with no diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 24 subjects with mild DR at the Veteran's Hospital in Jamaica Plain, MA. In subjects with diabetes, there was a significant negative correlation between retinal thickness and diabetes duration in all macular quadrants, rings and hemispheres, and for CFT, TFT and TMT (CFT: P = 0.0025, r = −0.28; TFT: P = 0.0062, r = −0.25; TMT: P = 0.0026, r = −0.28). There was no significant relationship between retinal thickness and HbA1c level (average of last three readings), systolic or diastolic blood pressure, or triglyceride levels. Additionally, no significant differences in retinal thickness were found between controls, subjects with no DR and subjects with mild DR. Conclusions: In subjects with no or mild DR, macular and foveal thickness is significantly thinner with longer duration of disease. This may reflect neurodegenerative changes in the diabetic retina.
Mitochondrial dysfunction causing cardiac sodium channel downregulation in cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is associated with cardiac Na(+) channel downregulation that may contribute to arrhythmias. Previously, we have shown that elevated intracellular NADH causes a decrease in cardiac Na(+) current (I(Na)) signaled by an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we tested whether the NADH-mitochondria ROS pathway was involved in the reduction of I(Na) in a nonischemic cardiomyopathic model and correlated the findings with myopathic human hearts. Nonischemic cardiomyopathy was induced in C57BL/6 mice by hypertension after unilateral nephrectomy, deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) pellet implantation, and salt water substitution. Sham operated mice were used as controls. After six weeks, heart tissue and ventricular myocytes isolated from mice were utilized for whole cell patch clamp recording, NADH/NAD(+) level measurements, and mitochondrial ROS monitoring with confocal microscopy. Human explanted hearts were studied using optical mapping. Compared to the sham mice, the arterial blood pressure was higher, the left ventricular volume was significantly enlarged (104.7±3.9 vs. 87.9±6.1 μL, P<0.05), and the ejection fraction was reduced (37.1±1.8% vs. 49.4±3.7%, P<0.05) in DOCA mice. Both the whole cell and cytosolic NADH level were increased (279±70% and 123±2% of sham, respectively, P<0.01), I(Na) was decreased (60±10% of sham, P<0.01), and mitochondrial ROS overproduction was observed (2.9±0.3-fold of sham, P<0.01) in heart tissue and myocytes of myopathic mice vs. sham. Treatment of myocytes with NAD(+) (500 μM), mitoTEMPO (10 μM), chelerythrine (50 μM), or forskolin (5 μM) restored I(Na) back to the level of sham. Injection of NAD(+) (100mg/kg) or mitoTEMPO (0.7 mg/kg) twice (at 24h and 1h before myocyte isolation) to animals also restored I(Na). All treatments simultaneously reduced mitochondrial ROS levels to that of controls. CD38 was found to transduce the extracellular NAD(+) signal. Correlating with the mouse model, failing human hearts showed a reduction in conduction velocity that improved with NAD(+). Nonischemic cardiomyopathy was associated with elevated NADH level, PKC activation, mitochondrial ROS overproduction, and a concomitant decrease in I(Na). Reducing mitochondrial ROS by application of NAD(+), mitoTEMPO, PKC inhibitors, or PKA activators, restored I(Na). NAD(+) improved conduction velocity in human myopathic hearts.
A Characterization of Proper Minimal Points as Solutions of Sublinear Optimization Problems

Abstract Proper minimal points are of special interest in multiple objective optimization problems. In this paper, proper minimal points of sets in locally convex spaces and proper minimal solutions of constrained vector problems in topological linear spaces are characterized as solutions of scalar optimization problems. In the latter case no differentiability assumption is made.
Aircraft Collision Avoidance Using Monte Carlo Real-Time Belief Space Search

The aircraft collision avoidance problem can be formulated using a decision-theoretic planning framework where the optimal behavior requires balancing the competing objectives of avoiding collision and adhering to a flight plan. Due to noise in the sensor measurements and the stochasticity of intruder state trajectories, a natural representation of the problem is as a partially-observable Markov decision process (POMDP), where the underlying state of the system is Markovian and the observations depend probabilistically on the state. Many algorithms for finding approximate solutions to POMDPs exist in the literature, but they typically require discretization of the state and observation spaces. This paper investigates the introduction of a sample-based representation of state uncertainty to an existing algorithm called Real-Time Belief Space Search (RTBSS), which leverages branch-and-bound pruning to make searching the belief space for the optimal action more efficient. The resulting algorithm, called Monte Carlo Real-Time Belief Space Search (MC-RTBSS), is demonstrated on encounter scenarios in simulation using a beacon-based surveillance system and a probabilistic intruder model derived from recorded radar data.
Lagrange interpolation on a lattice: bounding derivatives by divided differences

Abstract Fix an integer n > 0. For a multivariate function defined on a (not necessarily rectangular) lattice, an extension is constructed to have, ∀ k ⩽ n , derivatives of total degree k that are bounded by the function's tensor product divided differences of total degree k times a constant independent of the lattice and the function. The extension is locally constructed, can have any prescribed smoothness, and reproduces polynomials of degree n in each variable.
On G-invariant norms

Abstract A result of R. Mathias and Horn [cf. Linear Algebra Appl. 142 (1990) 63] on the representation of the unitarily invariant norm is extended in the context of Eaton triples and of real semisimple Lie algebras. The representation is related to a function ∥·∥α. Criteria for ∥·∥α being a norm is given in terms of α and the longest element of the underlying finite reflection group. In particular, for the real simple Lie algebras, ∥·∥α is a norm on its Cartan subspace for a given nonzero α if and only if ω0α=−α, where ω0 is the longest element of the Weyl group (this is the case if the Weyl group contains −id). Some related results are obtained.
A new comparison of nested case–control and case–cohort designs and methods

Existing literature comparing statistical properties of nested case-control and case-cohort methods have become insufficient for present day epidemiologists. The literature has not reconciled conflicting conclusions about the standard methods. Moreover, a comparison including newly developed methods, such as inverse probability weighting methods, is needed. Two analytical methods for nested case-control studies and six methods for case-cohort studies using proportional hazards regression model were summarized and their statistical properties were compared. The answer to which design and method is more powerful was more nuanced than what was previously reported. For both nested case-control and case-cohort designs, inverse probability weighting methods were more powerful than the standard methods. However, the difference became negligible when the proportion of failure events was very low (<1%) in the full cohort. The comparison between two designs depended on the censoring types and incidence proportion: with random censoring, nested case-control designs coupled with the inverse probability weighting method yielded the highest statistical power among all methods for both designs. With fixed censoring times, there was little difference in efficiency between two designs when inverse probability weighting methods were used; however, the standard case-cohort methods were more powerful than the conditional logistic method for nested case-control designs. As the proportion of failure events in the full cohort became smaller (<10%), nested case-control methods outperformed all case-cohort methods and the choice of analytic methods within each design became less important. When the predictor of interest was binary, the standard case-cohort methods were often more powerful than the conditional logistic method for nested case-control designs.
Antioxidant Approaches to Management of Ionizing Irradiation Injury

Ionizing irradiation induces acute and chronic injury to tissues and organs. Applications of antioxidant therapies for the management of ionizing irradiation injury fall into three categories: (1) radiation counter measures against total or partial body irradiation; (2) normal tissue protection against acute organ specific ionizing irradiation injury; and (3) prevention of chronic/late radiation tissue and organ injury. The development of antioxidant therapies to ameliorate ionizing irradiation injury began with initial studies on gene therapy using Manganese Superoxide Dismutase (MnSOD) transgene approaches and evolved into applications of small molecule radiation protectors and mitigators. The understanding of the multiple steps in ionizing radiation-induced cellular, tissue, and organ injury, as well as total body effects is required to optimize the use of antioxidant therapies, and to sequence such approaches with targeted therapies for the multiple steps in the irradiation damage response.
Usefulness of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in predicting short- and long-term mortality in breast cancer patients.

Background The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with colorectal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic, and lung cancer. To date, the utility of NLR to predict mortality in breast cancer patients has not been studied. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine whether the NLR is predictive of short- and long-term mortality in breast cancer patients.