cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME AT AGE 5 BY SEVERITY OF NEONATAL BRAIN INJURY. ▴ 2231

The purpose of this study was to correlate the relative risk for neurodevelopmental handicap at age 5 with the severity of neonatal neuroimaging abnormality; and determine the relationship between neonatal neuroimaging and measures of intellectual status, academic skills, neuropsychologic deficits, and neuromotor dysfunction. The study population consisted of 152 ECMO-treated neonates who had had routine cranial ultrasonography with followup CT scans and had undergone comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluation at age five. The cohort was divided into four groups based on an independently derived neuroimaging score: No-Lesion: N=88; Mild: N=38; Moderate: N=12; Severe: N=14). Standardized testing at age five included a complete neuropsychological assessment, a neurological evaluation, and assessment of gross motor and fine motor function. The occurrence rate of handicap by severity of neuroimaging was: No-Les=12%; Mild=13%; Moderate=32%; Severe=58%. Severity of neonatal neuroimaging was significantly associated in a stepwise function with intellectual status (FSIQ, VIQ, PIQ), academic skills(WRAT-R arithmetic subtest), neuropsychologic deficit (receptive language, expressive language, verbal memory, visual memory, visual/spatial, visual motor, and attention/executive function), and psychometric measures of neuromotor function (grip strength and manual dexterity). Comprehensive evaluation in childhood following presumptive neonatal brain injury provides an opportunity to study neurologic compensation and recovery and provides important clinical information which can impact patient care.
Extinction coefficients of C60 triplet and anion radical, and one-electron reduction of the triplet by aromatic donors

Abstract The extinction coefficients of the triplet state of C60 are obtained by energy-transfer techniques in flash photolysis studies. The values permit actinometric measurement of the triplet quantum yield (φR=0.93±0.07) and give rates of T—T annihilation close to diffusion-controlled. Rates and radical quantum yields in reversible one-electron reduction of 3C60 by tri-p-tolylamine, TTA, and hydroquinone are determined as well as extinction coefficients in the visible of the C−60 anion radical. Back electron transfer from C−60 to TTA+ occurs at a distance markedly greater than van der Waals contact.
On finite action solutions of the nonlinear σ-model

Abstract The instanton and anti-instanton solutions of the two-dimensional O (3) σ-model are special examples of harmonic maps, which have been studied extensively in the mathematical literature. We give an elementary and self-contained proof that these solutions are the only continuous maps for which the action is finite and stationary under variations, without assuming any additional boundary conditions at infinity. An element of the proof is the vanishing of the stress tensor for a finite action solution, which actually holds true for the general O ( N ) σ-model. For the two-dimensional O (2 l + 1) σ-model we exhibit explicit finite action solutions that do not lie in any lower dimensional sphere; the existence of such solutions has been pointed out in the mathematical literature. We also present a rigorous proof, based on Derrick's scaling argument, that there are no nonconstant finite action solutions in more than two dimensions.
Lentiviral Vector–mediated Autonomous Differentiation of Mouse Bone Marrow Cells into Immunologically Potent Dendritic Cell Vaccines

Approaches facilitating generation of dendritic cell (DC) vaccines for clinical trials and enhancing their viability, bio-distribution, and capacity to stimulate antigen-specific immune responses are critical for immunotherapy. We programmed mouse bone marrow (BM) cells with lentiviral vectors (LV-GI4) so that they produced granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in an autonomous manner. DC/LV-GI4 cells underwent autonomous trans-differentiation to yield typical phenotypic characteristics of DCs. DC/LV-GI4 cells that self-differentiated either ex vivo or in vivo showed persistent and robust viability and stimulated high influx of DCs into draining lymph nodes (LNs). The immunostimulatory efficacy of DC/LV-GI4 cells was evaluated using MART1 and TRP2 as co-expressed melanoma antigens. Mice vaccinated with DC/LV-GI4 cells that self-differentiated in vitro or in vivo produced potent antigen-specific responses against melanoma, which correlated with protective and long-term therapeutic anti-tumor effects. Thus, DC precursors can be genetically engineered after a single ex vivo manipulation, resulting in DC vaccines with improved activity.
Renormalization group computation of the mass distribution in an expanding universe. I - Method

A method is presented for computing the mass distribution that develops in a model universe with no characteristic lengths provided by the matter or by the background expanding cosmological model. This problem is of interest as a possible approximation to our universe and as a test of our ability to compute the evolution of the mass distribution in an expanding universe. A preliminary application of the method yields results intermediate between what has been obtained from conventional N-body models and what followed from the Davis-Peebles (1983) integration of the BBGKY hierarchy: the mass autocorrelation function xi(r) approaches the expected power-law behavior at small lag r, but xi(r) breaks below the power law at a value of xi larger than that suggested by the galaxy clustering data. 27 references.
Structure–activity studies of quinuclidinone analogs as anti-proliferative agents in lung cancer cell lines

Abstract We have synthesized and tested novel quinuclidinone analogs to assay the effects on H1299 lung cancer cell lines alone or with γ-radiation. We have found two series of quinuclidinone analogs that act as anti-cancer agents. Of these, four interesting analogs significantly decreased cell viability in H1299 lung cancer cell lines. Two derivatives decreased cell proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion alone or in the presence of γ-radiation. Radiosensitization increased when derivative treatment preceded radiation treatment for both derivatives. These preliminary studies show an evidence for both additive and synergistic cytotoxicity for treatment of lung cancer by these novel quinuclidinone analogs.
Fluoxetine Effects on Serotonin Function and Aggressive Behavior

Fluoxetine inhibits serotonin uptake selectively and increases extracellular concentrations of serotonin in brain regions. The enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission resulting from increased action of that extracellular serotonin on postsynaptic receptors on target neurons results in various functional changes, reflecting the wide distribution of serotonin nerve terminals in brain regions that regulate numerous physiological functions. One consequence of fluoxetine administration in animals is a reduction of aggressive behavior, consistent with a larger body of data implicating serotonin as an important neurotransmitter modulator of aggression. In humans, preliminary data suggest that fluoxetine may also decrease aggressive behavior and feelings of anger or hostility. Further investigation of the potential usefulness of fluoxetine and other drugs that increase serotonergic function as a means of reducing anger, hostility, and aggressive behavior seems warranted.
Bundle-forming pili from enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli generate moderate forces

Enteropathogenic Esherichia coli (EPEC) is a causative agent of diarrhea in humans, rabbits, dogs, cats and horses and a leading cause of infant mortality in developing countries . The bundle forming pili (BFP) is a filamentous appendage at the bacterial surface, which is of prime importance in EPEC infectivity. BFP mediates attachment to host cells and formation of bacterium microcolonies. This type of filaments is also involved in motility, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. No measurement of EPEC BFP ability to exert force has been described to date. Using an array of force sensors made of elastic pillars we observed and quantified the retraction forces exerted by BFP (35,08±8.94 pN). We observed that the force was able to build up over time to a maximum force in the order of 80 pN and to hold several seconds up to a minute. We demonstrated that BFP applied forces both on the substrate and on neighborhoods bacteria. Those results showed the existence of a force generating mechanisms in EPEC adhesion and microcolonies formation, two events required for a full infectivity.
Recovery: rebuilding a resilient housing stock

Purpose – This paper aims to address a critical aspect of post‐event recovery, namely the rebuilding of the housing stock following a devastating natural disaster. Using hurricanes as an example, challenges and opportunities are systematically discussed in hopes of sparking some further discussion and new economic models (including incentive‐based) that can help move communities toward greater resiliency and sustainability.Design/methodology/approach – As a viewpoint paper, this paper relies on the author's experience in post‐hurricane damage investigation, structural retrofit, and design to minimize loss.Findings – In evaluating how best to rebuild following a natural disaster, there are clear opportunities (and needs) in the areas of structural damage/loss mitigation, codes and standards, building material and system selection, and risk communication. Specific suggestions are made in each of these areas and the importance of risk‐based decision is stressed in each area.Originality/value – This paper con...
Housing growth, forests, and public lands in Northern Wisconsin from 1940 to 2000

Rural, forested areas throughout the United States are experiencing strong housing growth with potentially detrimental impacts on the environment. In this paper, we quantify housing growth in Northern Wisconsin over the last sixty years to determine if growth rates were higher near public lands, which may represent an important recreational amenity. We used data from the U.S. Census to produce decadal housing density estimates, ‘‘backcasts,’’ from 1940 to 2000 for northern Wisconsin to examine ‘‘rural sprawl’’ in northern Wisconsin and its relationship to forested areas and public lands. We integrated housing density estimates with the 1992/1993 National Land Cover Dataset to examine the relationship between rural sprawl and land cover, especially forests. Between 1940 and 2000, private land with <2 housing units/km 2 decreased from 47% to 21% of the total landscape. Most importantly, housing growth was concentrated along the boundaries of public lands. In 14 of the 19 counties that we studied, housing growth rates within 1 km of a public land boundary exceeded growth rates in the remainder of the county, and three of the five counties that did not exhibit this pattern, were the ones with the least amount of public land. Future growth can be expected in areas with abundant natural amenities, highlighting the critical need for additional research and effective natural resource management and regional planning to address these challenges.
Surface waves on a grounded dielectric slab covered by a periodically slotted conducting plane

The surface-wave modes in a dielectric slab covered by a periodically slotted conducting plane are investigated. Two methods-sampling and variational-are used to obtain the surface-wave modes. The dispersion curves obtained by the two methods agree very well. The experimental and the theoretical results are in good agreement, except close to the stopband.
Early-Onset X-Linked Retinitis Pigmentosa in a Heterozygous Female Harboring an Intronic Donor Splice Site Mutation in the Retinitis Pigmentosa GTPase Regulator Gene.

AbstractPurpose: To report a heterozygous female presenting with an early-onset and severe form of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP).Patients and Methods: This is a case series presenting the clinical findings in a heterozygous female with XLRP and two of her family members. Fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, ocular coherence tomography, and visual perimetry are presented.Results: The proband reported here is a heterozygous female who presented at the age of 8 years with an early onset and aggressive form of XLRP. The patient belongs to a four-generation family with a total of three affected females and four affected males. The patient was initially diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) at the age of 4 years. Genetic testing identified a heterozygous donor splice site mutation in intron 1 (IVS1 + 1G > A) of the retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator gene. The father of the proband was diagnosed with RP when he was a young child. The sister of the proband, evaluated at the age of 6 years, sh...
“Connectivity” in urban rivers: Conflict and convergence between ecology and design

Abstract “Connectivity” is a key concept for riparian and landscape ecologists and hydrologists, who use it as a measure of natural integrity in a river ecosystem. Urban designers and politicians use the same term to promote human access to riverfronts. Effective riverfront restoration requires reconciliation of these opposing definitions. A solution is to draw upon abstract and symbolic sources, or “cognitive connectivity,” to raise awareness of the complexity of urban river ecosystems and to provide cues for appropriate use of those systems. Examples of effective cognitive connectivity include restoration plans with strong pedagogical components, water museums, and artistic interventions that reveal ecological processes (eco-revelatory design). The use of visual and conceptual connectivity offers hope for harnessing human creative energy in the interest of ecosystem integrity.
Bayesian Change-Point Analysis of Tropical Cyclone Activity: The Central North Pacific Case*

Bayesian analysis is applied to detect change points in the time series of annual tropical cyclone counts over the central North Pacific. Specifically, a hierarchical Bayesian approach involving three layers—data, parameter, and hypothesis—is formulated to demonstrate the posterior probability of the shifts throughout the time from 1966 to 2002. For the data layer, a Poisson process with gamma distributed intensity is presumed. For the hypothesis layer, a ‘‘no change in the intensity’’ hypothesis and a ‘‘single change in the intensity’’ hypothesis are considered. Results indicate that there is a great likelihood of a change point on tropical cyclone rates around 1982, which is consistent with earlier work based on a simple log-linear regression model. A Bayesian approach also provides a means for predicting decadal tropical cyclone variations. A higher number of tropical cyclones is predicted in the next decade when the possibility of the change point in the early 1980s is taken into account.
Inhibition of oral cancer growth in vitro is modulated through differential signaling pathways by over-the-counter proanthocyanidin supplements.

Background: Approximately 30,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer annually in the United States. Recent evidence suggests that nutrition may play a more complex role in the prevention of oral cancers than previously believed. Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a class of compounds found in normal dietary foods that exhibit chemopreventive properties and chemotherapeutic potential. Recently preliminary evidence suggests that PACs inhibit the proliferation of oral cancer cell lines. The primary goal of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for previous observations that grape seed-derived PACs significantly inhibited oral cancer proliferation. Methods: Using the well-characterized oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, CAL27 and SCC25, as well as nontumorigenic cell lines, a series of in vitro assays was performed to quantify the temporal and dose-specific growth inhibitory properties of PAC on oral cancers. In addition, quantitative analysis of mRNA from
Analysis of Forensic Specimens for Cannabinoids. II. Relationship Between Blood Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Blood and Urine 11-nor-Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic Acid Concentrations

Data from five years of gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) quantitation of blood, or blood and matched (i.e. concurrently collected) urine specimens, for cannabinoids have been used for two distinct evaluations. In the present study, we assessed the relationship of blood delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with blood and urine 11-nor-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (COOH-THC) concentrations. Cannabinoid-containing (i.e. positive) forensic blood specimens (298, 135 with matched urines) were used to test for correlations and other relationships between these analytes. No correlation was found between blood THC and blood or urine COOH-THC concentrations. Significant correlations were found between the log blood and log urine COOH-THC concentration (r = 0.65). The correlations, however, were neither high nor consistent enough to suggest their use in extrapolations of urine to blood concentrations. Others have suggested that a urine COOH-THC concentration in excess of 100 ng/mL may indicate impairment. We observed this would result in 17% of individuals with blood THC less than 1 ng/mL being classified as impaired. The rate of inaccurate interpretations would increase if higher concentrations of blood THC were considered characteristic of impairment. It has been suggested that a ratio of blood COOH-THC/THC less than 4:1 is an indicator of impairment. In this study, the percentage of bloods with a ratio less than 4:1 increased as THC concentrations increased. However, THC concentrations in excess of 10 ng/mL were required before a majority (70%) of the specimens fell below this ratio, suggesting limitations to its use. Blood metabolic ratios (THC/COOH-THC) displayed a bimodal distribution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Caspofungin Dose Escalation For Invasive Candidiasis Due To Resistant Candida Albicans

Previous in vivo studies have reported caspofungin dose escalation to be effective against Candida glabrata with reduced susceptibility. We hypothesized that higher doses of caspofungin would be effective against invasive candidiasis caused by the more virulent species Candida albicans, including isolates resistant to this echinocandin. Immunocompetent mice were inoculated with one of three C. albicans isolates, including one susceptible and two resistant isolates with different FKS1 hot spot 1 point mutations. Mice received daily caspofungin treatment for 7 days and were then followed off therapy for 2 weeks to assess survival. Kidney tissue and blood were collected, and fungal burden and serum (1→3)-β-d-glucan were measured. Significant differences in virulence were observed among the three C. albicans isolates, which translated into differences in responses to caspofungin. The most virulent of the resistant isolates studied (isolate 43001; Fks1p F641S) did not respond to caspofungin doses of up to 10 mg/kg of body weight, as there were no differences in survival (survival range, 0 to 12% with treatment), tissue burden, or (1→3)-β-d-glucan concentration compared to those for untreated controls. Higher doses of caspofungin did improve survival against the second resistant isolate (53264; Fks1p S645P) that demonstrated reduced virulence (5 and 10 mg/kg; 80% survival). In contrast, caspofungin doses as low as 1 mg/kg improved survival (85 to 95%) and reduced tissue burden and (1→3)-β-d-glucan concentration against the susceptible isolate (ATCC 90028). These data suggest that caspofungin dose escalation for invasive candidiasis may not be consistently effective against resistant C. albicans isolates, and this may be associated with the virulence of the strain.
Genome sequence of the chemolithoautotrophic nitrite-oxidizing bacterium Nitrobacter winogradskyi Nb-255

The alphaproteobacterium Nitrobacter winogradskyi (ATCC 25391) is a gram-negative facultative chemolithoautotroph capable of extracting energy from the oxidation of nitrite to nitrate. Sequencing and analysis of its genome revealed a single circular chromosome of 3,402,093 bp encoding 3,143 predicted proteins. There were extensive similarities to genes in two alphaproteobacteria, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 (1,300 genes) and Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 CG (815 genes). Genes encoding pathways for known modes of chemolithotrophic and chemoorganotrophic growth were identified. Genes encoding multiple enzymes involved in anapleurotic reactions centered on C2 to C4 metabolism, including a glyoxylate bypass, were annotated. The inability of N. winogradskyi to grow on C6 molecules is consistent with the genome sequence, which lacks genes for complete Embden-Meyerhof and Entner-Doudoroff pathways, and active uptake of sugars. Two gene copies of the nitrite oxidoreductase, type I ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, cytochrome c oxidase, and gene homologs encoding an aerobic-type carbon monoxide dehydrogenase were present. Similarity of nitrite oxidoreductases to respiratory nitrate reductases was confirmed. Approximately 10% of the N. winogradskyi genome codes for genes involved in transport and secretion, including the presence of transporters for various organic-nitrogen molecules. The N. winogradskyi genome provides new insight into the phylogenetic identity and physiological capabilities of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. The genome will serve as a model to study the cellular and molecular processes that control nitrite oxidation and its interaction with other nitrogen-cycling processes.
Novel endogenous N-acyl amides activate TRPV1-4 receptors, BV-2 microglia, and are regulated in brain in an acute model of inflammation

A family of endogenous lipids, structurally analogous to the endogenous cannabinoid, N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (Anandamide), and called N-acyl amides have emerged as a family of biologically active compounds at TRP receptors. N-acyl amides are constructed from an acyl group and an amine via an amide bond. This same structure can be modified by changing either the fatty acid or the amide to form potentially hundreds of lipids. More than 70 N-acyl amides have been identified in nature. We have ongoing studies aimed at isolating and characterizing additional members of the family of N-acyl amides in both central and peripheral tissues in mammalian systems. Here, using a unique in-house library of over 70 N-acyl amides we tested the following three hypotheses: 1) Additional N-acyl amides will have activity at TRPV1-4, 2) Acute peripheral injury will drive changes in CNS levels of N-acyl amides, and 3) N-acyl amides will regulate calcium in CNS-derived microglia. Through these studies, we have identified 20 novel N-acyl amides that collectively activate (stimulating or inhibiting) TRPV1-4. Using lipid extraction and HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry we showed that levels of at least 10 of these N-acyl amides that activate TRPVs are regulated in brain after intraplantar carrageenan injection. We then screened the BV2 microglial cell line for activity with this N-acyl amide library and found overlap with TRPV receptor activity as well as additional activators of calcium mobilization from these lipids. Together these data provide new insight into the family of N-acyl amides and their roles as signaling molecules at ion channels, in microglia, and in the brain in the context of inflammation.
Activation of yeaR-yoaG Operon Transcription by the Nitrate-Responsive Regulator NarL Is Independent of Oxygen- Responsive Regulator Fnr in Escherichia coli K-12

The facultative aerobe Escherichia coli K-12 can use respiratory nitrate ammonification to generate energy during anaerobic growth. The toxic compound nitric oxide is a by-product of this metabolism. Previous transcript microarray studies identified the yeaR-yoaG operon, encoding proteins of unknown function, among genes whose transcription is induced in response to nitrate, nitrite, or nitric oxide. Nitrate and nitrite regulate anaerobic respiratory gene expression through the NarX-NarL and NarQ-NarP two-component systems. All known Nar-activated genes also require the oxygen-responsive Fnr transcription activator. However, previous studies indicated that yeaR-yoaG operon transcription does not require Fnr activation. Here, we report results from mutational analyses demonstrating that yeaR-yoaG operon transcription is activated by phospho-NarL protein independent of the Fnr protein. The phospho-NarL protein binding site is centered at position -43.5 with respect to the transcription initiation site. Expression from the Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 nnrS gene promoter, cloned into E. coli, similarly was activated by phospho-NarL protein independent of the Fnr protein. Recently, yeaR-yoaG operon transcription was shown to be regulated by the nitric oxide-responsive NsrR repressor (N. Filenko et al., J. Bacteriol. 189:4410-4417, 2007). Our mutational analyses reveal the individual contributions of the Nar and NsrR regulators to overall yeaR-yoaG operon expression and document the NsrR operator centered at position -32. Thus, control of yeaR-yoaG operon transcription provides an example of overlapping regulation by nitrate and nitrite, acting through the Nar regulatory system, and nitric oxide, acting through the NsrR repressor.
Pro-ℓ abelian-by-central Galois theory of prime divisors

In the present paper it is shown that one can recover much of the inertia structure of (quasi) divisors of a function field K|k over an algebraically closed base field k from the maximal pro-l abelian-by-central Galois theory of K. The results play a central role in the birational anabelian geometry and related questions.
Distributed discrete power control for bursty transmissions over wireless data networks

Distributed power control is an important issue in wireless networks. Recently, due to the bursty nature of data communication, packet switching is used in cellular systems. In addition, majority of previous power control algorithm assume that the transmitter power level can take values in a continuous domain. However, recent trends such as the GSM standard and QUALCOMM's proposal to the IS-95 standard use a finite number of discretized power levels. These motivate the need to investigate solutions for distributed discrete power control for bursty transmission. Therefore, we propose a probabilistic power adaptation algorithm and analyze its theoretical properties along with the numerical behavior for bursty transmission. We approximate the discrete power control iterations by an equivalent ordinary differential equation (ODE) to prove that the proposed stochastic learning power control algorithm converges to a stable Nash equilibrium. Conditions when more than one stable Nash equilibrium may exist are also studied. Experimental results are presented for several cases and the impact of data burstiness on the proposed algorithm is also concerned.
External beam radiation therapy for locally advanced and metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Background The role of radiation therapy (RT) in the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is not well described. Here we report our institutional experience for patients with locally advanced or metastatic GIST treated with RT.
Psychology in Philosophy: Historical Perspectives

The chapter examines some common assumptions regarding the shape of the history of theories of mind. It questions the conception that the Scientific Revolution resulted in placing the mind “outside of nature.” During the seventeenth century, the followers of Descartes routinely placed study of the mind, or, at least, mind–body interaction, within “physics” considered as a science of nature in general (and so including physics in the narrow sense, biology, and psychology). By the end of the eighteenth century, many authors treated the psychological and the physical as distinct areas of investigation (with points of contact, to be sure), both amenable to natural scientific study. Another assumption is that, prior to behaviorism, the notion of “the psychological” was equivalent to “the mental.” And yet, during the seventeenth century psychological phenomena were assigned to both sides of the mind–body divide: the Cartesians and their allies offered (nonmentalistic) mechanistic explanations for the sensory and behavioral capacities that human beings share with animals, while also holding that some aspects of mental life (including consciousness, free will, conceptual language, and general intelligence) require an immaterial mind. Finally, from the late eighteenth century onward, some have maintained that if mental states are reached only by introspection then they cannot be studied objectively. The chapter argues that the standard version of this objection misunderstands the nature of introspection, and it mounts a reply founded on Wundt’s methodological discussions and making reference to the perceptual investigations of the Gestalt psychologists.
Time dose relationships in endometrial adenocarcinoma: Importance of the interval from external pelvic irradiation to surgery☆

Abstract One hundred twenty one patients with adenocarcinoma of the endometrium received external pelvic irradiation (EPI ) as a preoperative surgical adjuvant to total abdominal hysterectomy between March, 1951 and February, 1977. Either 400 KVP Xrays, Cobalt teletherapy or 25 MeV photons were used. In more than one third of the hysterectomy specimens, there was no histopathological evidence of residual cancer. Statistical analysis shows a significant reduction in the proportion of positive specimens as the interval to hysterectomy increased. The data support the concept that adenocarcinomas are not radioresistant but may be slow to regress following irradiation. Caution is advised against making decisions about therapy based on histopathological findings in patients who receive surgery immediately following short course or intracavitary preoperative irradiation.
Re: Blau, Butler, Beckett, and the Politics of Seeming

At the core of Herbert Blau's theatre theory are meditations on appearance, repetition, bodily texts, temporality, history, and the illusory and elusive workings of power. Blau's decades of theoriz...
Perforated plate efficiency‐effect of design and operating variables

Experimental plate efficiency and pressure drop data were obtained on the n-octane-toluene system in a 5 plate, 6 in. diam. column at atmospheric pressure. Hole sizes of 1/16, 1/8, and 3/16 in.; 5.68 and 12.5% free areas; weir heights of 1, 2, and 3 in.; and plate spacings of 6, 12, 18, and 24 in. were studied. Reflux ratios of one, two, four, five, ten, and total were utilized to determine the effect on efficiency. It was found that hole diameter, free area, plate spacing, and a wide range of reflux ratio had relatively small effect on efficiency and pressure drop; however weir height and lower reflux showed relatively larger effects on both variables. Efficiencies and pressure drops were lower than those predicted from published correlations particularly at low flow rates.
Understanding queries in a search database system

It is well known that a search engine can significantly benefit from an auxiliary database, which can suggest interpretations of the search query by means of the involved concepts and their interrelationship. The difficulty is to translate abstract notions like concept and interpretation into a concrete search algorithm that operates over the auxiliary database. To surpass existing heuristics, there is a need for a formal basis, which is realized in this paper through the framework of a search database system, where an interpretation is identified as a parse. It is shown that the parses of a query can be generated in polynomial time in the combined size of the input and the output, even if parses are restricted to those having a nonempty evaluation. Identifying that one parse is more specific than another is important for ranking answers, and this framework captures the precise semantics of being more specific; moreover, performing this comparison between parses is tractable. Lastly, the paper studies the problem of finding the most specific parses. Unfortunately, this problem turns out to be intractable in the general case. However, under reasonable assumptions, the parses can be enumerated in an order of decreasing specificity, with polynomial delay and polynomial space.
Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of “Candidatus Pelagibacter ubique” Describe the First PII-Independent Response to Nitrogen Limitation in a Free-Living Alphaproteobacterium

ABSTRACT Nitrogen is one of the major nutrients limiting microbial productivity in the ocean, and as a result, most marine microorganisms have evolved systems for responding to nitrogen stress. The highly abundant alphaproteobacterium “Candidatus Pelagibacter ubique,” a cultured member of the order Pelagibacterales (SAR11), lacks the canonical GlnB, GlnD, GlnK, and NtrB/NtrC genes for regulating nitrogen assimilation, raising questions about how these organisms respond to nitrogen limitation. A survey of 266 Alphaproteobacteria genomes found these five regulatory genes nearly universally conserved, absent only in intracellular parasites and members of the order Pelagibacterales, including “Ca. Pelagibacter ubique.” Global differences in mRNA and protein expression between nitrogen-limited and nitrogen-replete cultures were measured to identify nitrogen stress responses in “Ca. Pelagibacter ubique” strain HTCC1062. Transporters for ammonium (AmtB), taurine (TauA), amino acids (YhdW), and opines (OccT) were all elevated in nitrogen-limited cells, indicating that they devote increased resources to the assimilation of nitrogenous organic compounds. Enzymes for assimilating amine into glutamine (GlnA), glutamate (GltBD), and glycine (AspC) were similarly upregulated. Differential regulation of the transcriptional regulator NtrX in the two-component signaling system NtrY/NtrX was also observed, implicating it in control of the nitrogen starvation response. Comparisons of the transcriptome and proteome supported previous observations of uncoupling between transcription and translation in nutrient-deprived “Ca. Pelagibacter ubique” cells. Overall, these data reveal a streamlined, PII-independent response to nitrogen stress in “Ca. Pelagibacter ubique,” and likely other Pelagibacterales, and show that they respond to nitrogen stress by allocating more resources to the assimilation of nitrogen-rich organic compounds. IMPORTANCEPelagibacterales are extraordinarily abundant and play a pivotal role in marine geochemical cycles, as one of the major recyclers of labile dissolved organic matter. They are also models for understanding how streamlining selection can reshape chemoheterotroph metabolism. Streamlining and its broad importance to environmental microbiology are emerging slowly from studies that reveal the complete genomes of uncultured organisms. Here, we report another remarkable example of streamlined metabolism in Pelagibacterales, this time in systems that control nitrogen assimilation. Pelagibacterales are major contributors to metatranscriptomes and metaproteomes from ocean systems, where patterns of gene expression are used to gain insight into ocean conditions and geochemical cycles. The data presented here supply background that is essential to interpreting data from field studies.
Hypocaloric, High-Protein Nutrition Therapy in Older vs Younger Critically Ill Patients With Obesity

Background: Older patients require more protein than younger patients to achieve anabolism, but age-associated renal dysfunction may limit the amount of protein that can be safely provided. This study examined whether older, critically ill trauma patients with obesity can safely achieve nitrogen equilibrium and have positive clinical outcomes similar to younger obese patients during hypocaloric, high-protein nutrition therapy. Methods: Adult patients with traumatic injury and obesity (body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m2), admitted to the Presley Trauma Center from January 2009 to April 2011, were evaluated. Patients were targeted to receive hypocaloric, high-protein nutrition therapy ( 2 g/kg IBW/d of protein) for >10 days. Patients were stratified as older (≥60 years) or younger (18–59 years). Results: Seventy-four patients (33 older, 41 younger) were studied. Older and younger patients were similar in BMI and injury severity. When given isonitrogenous regimens (2.3 ...
Acidic coagulation of casein micelles: mechanisms inferred from spectrophotometric studies

The acidic coagulation of casein micelles was monitored turbidimetrically at 400 nm using a Cary 219 spectrophotometer. Following acidification with HCI, the rate of coagulation during the initial stage of coagulation was proportional to the rate during the immediate subsequent stages, indicating that progressive stages of coagulation were controlled by similar factors and the slope at any portion of the reaction profile could be used to characterize the kinetics of the coagulation reaction. The rate of coagulation following acidification by glucono-δ-lactone was proportional to the reciprocal of the rate of acidification. The effects of environmental factors on the rate of the acidic coagulation of casein micelles over a range of pH values were evaluated from the smooth, hyperbolic profiles of pH v. coagulation rate. Determination of the pH required to initiate coagulation of casein micelles in skim milk ultrafiltrate at 5–25 °C, together with the maximum rates of coagulation at 5–25 °C, suggested that repulsive forces are reduced by acidification and con-sequently facilitate hydrophobic interactions resulting in the coagulation of casein micelles.
The Xenopus homologue of Bicaudal-C is a localized maternal mRNA that can induce endoderm formation

In Xenopus, zygotic transcription starts 6 hours after fertilization at the midblastula transition and therefore the first steps in embryonic development are regulated by maternally inherited proteins and mRNAs. While animal-vegetal polarity is already present in the oocyte, the dorsoventral axis is only established upon fertilization by the entry of the sperm and the subsequent rotation of the egg cortex. In a screen for maternal mRNAs whose stability is regulated by this cortical rotation, we isolated the Xenopus homologue of the Drosophila gene Bicaudal-C (xBic-C). It encodes a putative RNA-binding molecule expressed maternally and localized predominantly to the vegetal half of the egg. Upon fertilization and cortical rotation, xBic-C mRNA is displaced together with the heavy yolk towards the future dorsal side of the embryo. In UV-ventralized embryos, xBic-C is polyadenylated less than in untreated embryos that undergo cortical rotation. Overexpression of xBic-C by injection of synthetic mRNA in whole embryos or in ectodermal explants leads to ectopic endoderm formation. This endoderm-inducing activity is dependent on the presence of the RNA-binding domain of the protein. In contrast to the two other known maternally encoded endoderm inducers, Vg1 and VegT, xBic-C ectopic expression leads specifically to endoderm formation in the absence of mesoderm induction.
Contouring inguinal and femoral nodes; how much margin is needed around the vessels?

Abstract Purpose To determine the optimal margin needed around the femoral vessels for appropriate inguinofemoral lymph node coverage and to propose guidelines defined by anatomic boundaries for clinical target volume delineation. Methods and Materials Twenty-two patients with pelvic malignancies and involved inguinal lymph nodes treated with conformal radiation therapy were selected. Lymph nodes were considered positive if they were pathologically malignant by biopsy, had 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose avidity on positron emission tomography or measured ≥1.5 cm on computed tomographic scan. We measured distance from the center of node(s) to the edge of the nearest femoral vessel. Results There were 52 total positive inguinal nodes among 22 patients. Relative to the femoral vessels, the location of the nodes were 51.9% anteromedial, 21.2% anterior, 11.5% anterolateral, 9.6% medial, 1.9% posterior, and 3.9% lateral. To cover ≥90% disease, the margins needed around the nearest femoral vessel were anteromedial ≥35 mm, anterior ≥23 mm, anterolateral ≥25 mm, medial ≥22 mm, posterior ≥9 mm, and ≥32 mm lateral. The corresponding anatomic boundaries were the following: laterally, medial border of the iliopsoas; medially, lateral border of adductor longus or medial end of pectineus; posteriorly, iliopsoas muscle laterally and anterior aspect of the pectineus muscle; medially and anteriorly, the anterior edge of the sartorius muscle. Most of the macroscopic nodes were medial or anteromedial to the femoral vessels. No patient had involved posterior or lateral nodes alone without positive nodes in the anterior or anteromedial positions. Conclusions Circumferential margins around femoral vessels required to adequately cover this nodal region were >2 cm in most directions. Contouring the inguinal lymph nodes as a compartment defined by the anatomic landmarks suggested above may be more reproducible. Physicians should exercise caution in extrapolating pelvic nodal contouring guidelines to inguinal lymph nodal contouring.
Multiple keratoacanthomas treated with oral retinoids

Multiple eruptive keratoacanthoma of Witten and Zak is a rare disorder characterized by numerous small, eruptive tumors and larger, more typical keratoacanthomas. Affected patients have features of Grzybowski-type keratoacanthomas and Ferguson Smith type. Two patients with multiple keratoacanthomas were treated with oral retinoids. Both patients had hundreds of follicular papules on the trunk and extremities. Less common lesions included nodules with central horn-filled craters more characteristic of classic keratoacanthomas. Retinoid therapy resulted in regression of the larger, more typical keratoacanthomas in both patients. The small follicular keratoacanthomas remained unaffected. Thus oral retinoids are only partially beneficial for the treatment of the Grzybowski type or the Witten and Zak type of multiple eruptive keratoacanthomas.
Mind and Hylomorphism

For later medieval philosophers, writing under the infl uence of Aristotle’s natural philosophy and metaphysics, the human soul plays two quite diff erent roles, serving as both a substantial form and a mind. To ask the natural question of why we need a soul at all—why we might not instead simply be a body, a material thing—therefore requires considering two very diff erent sets of issues. Th e fi rst set of issues is metaphysical and revolves around the central question of why a human being needs a substantial form. Th e second set of issues is psychological and turns on the question of why we should suppose that our mind is aptly characterised as a soul. Th is chapter takes up these two questions in turn and then turns to whether we should suppose that one and the same thing—a soul—is both substantial form and mind. Th is dualfunction thesis is the most distinctive feature of later medieval psychology and is one reason that work from this era remains well worth reading today. Whereas modern thought furnishes many sophisticated discussions of the immateriality of mind, and the metaphysics of body, philosophers since Descartes have rarely considered that it might be one thing, the soul, that accounts for both thought and substantial unity.
Learning relevance from click data via neural network based similarity models

We introduce a new neural network based similarity model for learning document relevance under a query. The main idea is to use the binomial distribution to model the proportion of people who clicked document d under query q among the users who viewed d under q. Our model is a generalization of existing neural network based latent semantic models in that both its objective function and its parametrization of the user click probability generalizes the existing ones. Compared with the existing models, our new objective function distinguishes the clicked (query, document)-pairs with different relevance information, and our new parametrization of the user click probability considers both the semantic similarity and the term or lexical match information as the reasons for click(s). We tested our model on the media search logs of a commercial search engine and obtained superior performance under several metrics for relevance ranking.
Metadata Effectiveness in Internet Discovery: An Analysis of Digital Collection Metadata Elements and Internet Search Engine Keywords

This study analyzed digital item metadata and keywords from Internet search engines to learn what metadata elements actually facilitate discovery of digital collections through Internet keyword searching and how significantly each metadata element affects the discovery of items in a digital repository. The study found that keywords from Internet search engines matched values in eight metadata elements and resulted in landing visits to the digital repository. Findings of the study indicate that three specific metadata elements are effective in enhancing discoverability of digital collections through Internet search engines, including Dublin Core metadata elements Title, Description, and Subject.
Taking Science Home: Connecting Schools and Families through Science Activity Packs for Young Children.

A Framework for K-12 Science Education indicates that introducing young children to scientific and engineering practices, core disciplinary ideas, and crosscutting concepts during the early years is essential for the development of conceptual understanding in science. Unfortunately, science is infrequently included in preschool and primary classrooms, and parents are sometimes uncomfortable engaging their children in science. This article describes the development and initial evaluation of “family science activity packs” as an intervention to fill this void. The study examined four research questions focused on families' use of the packs, parental questions, children's inquiry behaviors, and the nature of parent and children's reactions to the packs. Questionnaires sent to families regarding the packs and videos of families completing the activities were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative methods. Findings suggest that take-home activity packs have the potential to teach science in a motivating manner and spur further interest in science. However, parent questioning and wait-time impacted the quality of students' responses. A discussion of how family science activities potentially result in high-quality discourse is presented, and implications and suggestions for further research and pack development are reviewed. This article features a Research to Practice Companion Article. Please click on the supporting information link below to access.
A Laboratory Antifeedant Simulation Bioassay for Phytophagous Insects12

A comparative bioassay was developed to evaluate the occurrence of strict antifeeding action of experimental compounds that deter feeding by phytophagous insects. The bioassay is based on starvation-induced physiological differences between cohorts of lepidopterous larvae equivalently stressed by chemical and physical means. The responses caused by guazatine triacetate were not significantly different from starvation when duration of feeding stage, larval weight change, pupal weights, and duration of pupal period were considered in 2 trials. Chemical effects, however, were significantly more severe in delaying development and seemed to cause early death after extended exposure of the larvae, particularly at high rates. Therefore, guazatine triacetate is not a strict antifeedant and should be classified as a feeding deterrent with strong antifeedant properties.