cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A California grasslands alkali specialist, Hemizonia pungens ssp. pungens, prefers non‐alkali soil

Question: Edaphically severe habitats commonly support edaphic endemics, specialized plant species that do not occur elsewhere. The endemism of native plant species in edaphically specialized habitats suggests either (a) that these native endemic species are uniquely specialized to survive and grow better under the conditions prevalent in these harsh areas, or (b) that these areas represent refuges from competition with other (often exotic) species. Location: Central Valley, California, USA. Methods: We surveyed the vegetation distribution in alkali sinks and carried out a reciprocal transplant greenhouse experiment crossed with a competition treatment to examine the interplay between interspecific competition and edaphic factors in determining relative performance of an alkali endemic forb (Hemizonia pungens ssp. pungens) and its exotic grass competitor (Lolium multiflorum). Results: Lolium consistently performed better in non-alkali soil. In contrast, Hemizonia, in the absence of competition, performed significantly better on the non-alkali soils, but in competition with Lolium, performed equally well on alkali and non-alkali soils. Conclusions: These results suggest that Hemizonia does not inherently prefer harsh alkali soil, but is better able to tolerate alkali soil and may be excluded from more moderate soils by competition. Therefore, edaphic and biotic effects may interact to determine the spatial distribution of this edaphic endemic. Our data suggest a mechanism by which competition between native and exotic species on impoverished soils leads to dominance of native species and creation of refugia for native species where exotic species are unable to thrive.
Effect of n-scCO2 on crystalline to amorphous conversion of carbamazepine

Abstract A number of studies have been carried out to investigate the crystalline to amorphous conversion of carbamazepine (CBZ) using solid dispersion techniques. In this study we have tried to achieve conversion using a novel technique combining near-supercritical carbon dioxide (n-scCO2) and pharmaceutically acceptable polymers (Na CMC and PVP) of varying molecular weights. Physical mixtures were prepared in two identical sets, one exposed to n-scCO2 treatment and other was untreated. The treated physical mixtures were compared to untreated using PXRD, DSC and USP in vitro dissolution techniques. Routinely used PXRD analysis involves qualitative estimation of the amorphous conversion of a drug. In this work a previously developed mathematical parameter, ratio of ratios (ROR), was utilized to better quantify the crystalline to amorphous conversion of CBZ. The findings from the three methods indicated that only the lowest molecular weight PVP, PVP10k, facilitated significant crystalline to amorphous conversion of CBZ. In vitro dissolution, which is considered as an estimate of bioavailability demonstrated an initial dissolution of CBZ significantly greater in the treated physical mixtures of PVP10k:CBZ than the initial dissolution of the corresponding untreated physical mixtures and pure untreated CBZ.
Deviations from Rutherford-scattering cross sections

Abstract Recent experiments have demonstrated the utility of high-energy backscattering for thin-film analysis, often exploiting elastic-scattering resonances to increase sensitivity to low-Z elements. However, higher-Z elements may also exhibit deviations from Rutherford scattering, and it is desirable to examine the problem theoretically so that such deviations can be predicted and corrected for. We have used the optical-model computer code SCAT86 to calculate the projectile energy Enr at which the scattering cross section begins to deviate from its Rutherford value. The results agree well with data for both alpha particle and proton projectiles, but the interaction potentials are complicated, and the program does not provide an analytical predictive formula. We have therefore developed a simple classical model which treats the interaction as a sum of Coulomb and Yukawa-like potentials. For small deviations from Coulomb scattering, the problem can be solved analytically, providing a simple expression for Enr which agrees well with both experimental data and SCAT86. The classical approach is valid for all but small-angle forward scattering and can easily be extended to heavier projectiles such as Li.
Solution-Mediated Phase Transformation of Haloperidol Mesylate in the Presence of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Forming a salt is a common way to increase the solubility of a poorly soluble compound. However, the solubility enhancement gained by salt formation may be lost due to solution-mediated phase transformation (SMPT) during dissolution. The SMPT of a salt can occur due to a supersaturated solution near the dissolving surface caused by pH or other solution conditions. In addition to changes in pH, surfactants are also known to affect SMPT. In this study, SMPT of a highly soluble salt, haloperidol mesylate, at pH 7 in the presence of a commonly used surfactant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), was investigated. Dissolution experiments were performed using a flow-through dissolution apparatus with solutions containing various concentrations of SLS. Compacts of haloperidol mesylate were observed during dissolution in the flow-through apparatus using a stereomicroscope. Raman microscopy was used to characterize solids. The dissolution of haloperidol mesylate was significantly influenced by the addition of sodium lauryl sulfate. In conditions where SMPT was expected, the addition of SLS at low concentrations (0.1–0.2 mM) reduced the dissolution of haloperidol mesylate. In solutions containing concentrations of SLS above the critical micelle concentration (CMC) (10–15 mM), the dissolution of haloperidol mesylate increased compared to below the CMC. The solids recovered from solubility experiments of haloperidol mesylate indicated that haloperidol free base precipitated at all concentrations of SLS. Above 5 mM of SLS, Raman microscopy suggested a new form, perhaps the estolate salt. The addition of surfactant in solids that undergo solution-mediated phase transformation can add complexity to the dissolution profiles and conversion.
Monozygotic twins of discordant sex both with 45,X/46,X,idic(Y) mosaicism

A female twin with short stature, unusual facial appearance, widely spaced nipples, and coarctation of the aorta was found to have a peripheral blood lymphocyte karyotype of 45,X(43%)/46,X,idic(Y)(p11). Her twin brother, also short with similar facial appearance, had the same mosaicism (40% 45,X). Cultured skin fibroblast studies showed discrepant karyotypes of 45,X (100%) in the girl and 45,X (78%)/46,X,idic(Y)(p11) in the boy. The mother and the father had normal chromosomes. Comparison of 27 biochemical markers yielded a likelihood of monozygosity of 0.9977. This report documents the occurrence of discordant phenotypic sex in monozygotic twins, involving gonadal dysgenesis with an abnormal dicentric Y, which presumably occurred de novo, followed by anaphase lag probably before the occurrence of twinning. Unequal distribution of the two resultant cell lines in various tissues of each twin could account for the development of the very different phenotypes, apparently normal boy and Ullrich-Turner girl.
Conditioned Emotional Responding (CER) mediated by interference

Abstract Two alternative explanations of conditioned suppression have been proposed: (1) punishment of an ongoing operant; and (2) interference with an ongoing operant. The first explanation is established by well known operant principles. The proposition that interference alone is capable of producing conditioned suppression is tested by this experiment. One group of monkeys received differentiated classical conditioning trials superimposed on a lever pressing operant; the second group received differentiated classical conditioning and lever press training separately. Cardiovascular variables were recorded as independent measures of “emotional” conditioning. The training criterion for the first group was established by differentiated responses in both cardiovascular and lever press measures. The training criterion for the second group was established by differentiated cardiovascular responses only. After meeting criterion the conditional stimulus (CS) alone was superimposed for the first time on the lever pressing operant. The results clearly demonstrate that possible adventitious punishment of a lever pressing response in addition to effects of interference of the CER procedure has no discernible quantitative effect on the suppression obtained. Conditioned suppression was not evident without differentiated cardiovascular responses. All subjects suppressed on test trials in both groups and demonstrated differential autonomic responding.
Elimination of tumor cells using folate receptor targeting by antibody-conjugated, gold-coated magnetite nanoparticles in a murine breast cancer model

Background. The chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer suffers from poor specificity for targeting the tumor cells and often results in adverse effects such as systemic toxicity, damage to nontarget tissues, and development of drug-resistant tumors in patients. Increasingly, drug nanocarriers have been explored as a way of lessening or overcoming these problems. In this study, antibodyconjugated Au-coatedmagnetite nanoparticles, in conjunction with inductive heating produced by exposure to an oscillating magnetic field (OMF), were evaluated for their effects on the viability of tumor cells in a murine model of breast cancer. Treatment effects were evaluated by light microscopy and SEM. Results. 4T1 mammary epithelial carcinoma cells overexpressing the folate receptor were targeted with an anti-folate receptor primary antibody, followed by labeling with secondary antibody-conjugated Aucoated magnetite nanoparticles. In the absence of OMF exposure, nanoparticle labeling had no effect on 4T1 cell viability. However, following OMF treatment, many of the labeled 4T1 cells showed extensive membrane damage by SEM analysis, and dramatically reduced viability as assessed using a live/dead staining assay. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that Au-coated magnetite targeted to tumor cells through binding to an overexpressed surface receptor, in the presence of an OMF, can lead to tumor cell death.
Recurrent second trimester pregnancy loss: evaluation and management.

Purpose of reviewRecurrent pregnancy loss usually refers to first trimester losses. The present article describes the importance of a thorough evaluation for any patient presenting with a second trimester loss, and reviews current data regarding evidence-based evaluation and management for those fam
Body water measurements in premature and older infants using H218O isotopic determinations.

Body Water Measurements in Premature and Older Infants Using H 2 18 O Isotopic Determinations
Symmetric hydrogen bonding in dimethylammonium hydrogen diphenyldiphosphonate.

In the title compound, C2H8N+·C12H11O5P2−, pairs of hydrogen diphenyl­diphospho­nate anions form dimers across a twofold axis, with two symmetric O⋯H⋯O hydrogen bonds [O⋯O = 2.406 (3) and 2.418 (3) A]. The 12-membered ring thus formed has crystallographic 2 and quasi-222 symmetry. Cations on either side of the ring form N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to the four extraannular O atoms, with N⋯O distances of 2.765 (2) and 2.748 (3) A.
Pre-Exposure to Heavy Metal Pollution and the Odor of Predation Decrease the Ability of Snails to Avoid Stressors

Many organisms appear to exhibit adaptive cost–benefit behaviors that balance foraging, safety, and pollution avoidance. However, what if the cognitive facilities needed to make decisions are compromised by industrial pollutants? Are the resulting decisions altered? Similarly, does exposure to kairomones from predators alter an organism’s ability to avoid toxicants? Furthermore, how long an exposure is necessary: A few minutes, hours, or even a lifetime? We wondered if there was an interaction between the ability to respond to a predatory event and the ability to avoid heavy metals.
Population Dynamics of the Beet Leafhopper in Northeastern Oregon and Incidence of the Beet Leafhopper-Transmitted Virescence Agent Phytoplasma

Beet leafhoppers were collected weekly on yellow sticky traps placed at 36 locations in Morrow and Umatilla Counties in northeastern Oregon in April through November 2007, 2008, and 2009. Insects were counted, collected, and a subset of the insects was tested for the presence of the beet leafhopper-transmitted virescence agent phytoplasma, the causal agent of potato purple top disease in this region. Beet leafhoppers were present throughout the sampling period and the number of insects collected peaked in June of each year with smaller peaks in July and October. Of the 804 insects tested for phytoplasma in 2007, 2008, and 2009, 21, 18, and 22% tested positive for phytoplasma, respectively. Most of the phytoplasma-positive insects were collected from mid-June through July. Positive insects, however, were collected as late as 13 November in 2007 and 2008. These data indicate that a relatively high proportion of the beet leafhoppers in this area are harboring the phytoplasma. Therefore, the potential for development of purple top disease of potatoes from migrating beet leafhoppers in this important potato producing region is quite high and measures to control this pest throughout the growing season are probably necessary in order to reduce disease pressure.
Ossifying malignant mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the liver: A case report of a previously undescribed tumor

BACKGROUND Malignant mixed tumors of the liver in adults are rare. To the authors' knowledge, twenty-four cases of primary malignant mixed hepatic tumors have been reported in the literature since the first description by Walter in 1896. Many of the previously reported cases are now considered mixed hepatoblastoma, primary hepatocellular carcinomas with focal sarcomatous metaplasia, or epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. METHODS Clinical, radiologic, histologic and immunohistochemic methods were used to characterize an unusual example of a mixed malignant tumor of the adult liver that the authors descriptively refer to as “ossifying malignant mixed epithelial and stromal tumor” of the liver. RESULTS In contrast to previously reported cases, the tumor in question was morphologically distinct. It was composed of three distinct neoplastic phenotypes: malignant spindle cells, with adenocarcinomatous differentiation, and extensive osteoid formation. The tumor was treated by partial hepatectomy. The patient was alive 8 years postoperatively as of December 2001. The distinctive combination of morphologic features and prolonged survival are much different from previously reported cases of mixed malignant hepatic tumors, which were typically rapidly fatal. CONCLUSIONS The authors believe that the clinical and pathologic features of this patient's tumor are sufficiently distinctive to exclude it from the well-established categories of hepatic neoplasms. Histologically, the authors suggest the descriptive name “ossifying malignant mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the liver” as a preliminary description for this tumor until the origin and relationship to other hepatic neoplasms are further characterized. Cancer 2002;94:1018–22. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10345
Conditioned approach and withdrawal behavior in pigeons: Effects of a novel extraneous stimulus during acquisition and extinction

Abstract Three experiments examined the effects of complete removal of reinforcement and of the introduction of a novel stimulus on conditioned approach and withdrawal behavior exhibited by pigeons in an autoshaping paradigm. Experiment 1 indicated that complete omission of food from the experimental situation resulted in the gradual disappearance of both approach and withdrawal behavior in subjects that had received either explicitly paired or explicitly unpaired conditioning. Subsequent presentation of a novel visual stimulus reinstated both approach and withdrawal. Experiment 2 replicated these findings in a within-subjects, discriminative paradigm. In Experiment 3, presenting the novel visual stimulus during acquisition when approach and withdrawal behaviors were asymptotic did not produce significant disruption of performance. These data suggest that removal of reinforcement leads to the disappearance of withdrawal as well as approach performance, and that subsequent presentation of a novel stimulys reinstates whatever behavior was dominant prior to extinction—a finding that seems analogous to results of experiments concerning proactive interference.
Hepatocyte transplantation in acute liver failure

The majority of patients with acute liver failure (ALF) die waiting for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). No other treatment modality is shown to improve survival. This study was conducted to assess the safety and feasibility of hepatocyte transplantation (HT) and subsequent engraftment and function of donor cells. Functional and structural integrity of cryopreserved and thawed human hepatocytes were assessed by their morphological characteristics, induction of P-4501A1 transcription, and survival in vivo by xenotransplantation into rats. Five patients with severe ALF underwent intrasplenic (4 patients) and/or intrahepatic (2 patients) HT through angiography under cyclosporine immunosuppression. All patients had grade III to IV encephalopathy and factor V levels less than 0.5 U/mL, were ventilator and dialysis dependent, and were not OLT candidates. Three of the 5 patients who survived 48 hours after HT had substantial improvement in encephalopathy scores, arterial ammonia levels, and prothrombin times. Clinical improvement was paralleled by an increase in aminopyrine and caffeine clearances. All 3 patients lived substantially longer than expected based on clinical experience after HT (12, 28, and 52 days) but eventually died. Postmortem examination showed the presence of transplanted hepatocytes in liver and spleen by light microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Cryopreserved and thawed human hepatocytes can be transplanted into recipients with ALF with some acceptable but definite complications. Engraftment of donor hepatocytes was proven by histological examination and FISH by both transjugular biopsy and at autopsy. Improvement in brain edema, encephalopathy grade, and clearance of antipyrine and caffeine suggested function, albeit with a 24- to 72-hour delay posttransplantation.
A TWO-DIMENSIONAL DYNAMIC SIMULATION OF SOLID FRACTURE PART I: DESCRIPTION OF THE MODEL

This paper describes a two-dimensional computer simulation of solid fracture that allows the body and the fragments to be followed well beyond the point of simple crack formation. The model is based on discrete particle computer simulations used for studying granular flows. Here, macroscopic polygonal solid are constructed by “gluing” together small elements. Depending on the stress conditions the glued bonds between the elements can respond elastically, undergo plastic failure or break, allowing cracks to propagate across the macroscopic particle along the boundaries between their microscopic constituents. In essence, this process creates a simulated material upon which breakage occurs. Several element shapes have been studied.
Checking the Independence of Two Covariance-Stationary Time Series: A Univariate Residual Cross-Correlation Approach

Abstract A two-stage method is proposed for investigating the independence of two covariance-stationary time series. It involves, first, fitting univariate models to each of the series, and then cross-correlating the two residual series thereby obtained. The asymptotic distribution of such a set of lagged residual cross-correlations is established to be of a very simple form under the null hypothesis of the two series' independence. A Monte Carlo study verifies the applicability of this distribution for series of length N = 50, 100, and 200. An attendant chi-square test statistic is discussed.
Electrochemical ostwald ripening of colloidal ag particles on conductive substrates.

Thermally evaporated silver nanoparticles on conducting substrates spontaneously evolve in size when immersed in pure water. The process was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and optical absorption spectroscopy. The particles are proposed to reform through an electrochemical Ostwald ripening mechanism driven by the size dependence of the work function and standard electrode potential. We also discuss prior literature experiments where this process appears to occur. Our results show the sensitivity of the electrochemical properties of metallic nanoparticles at relatively large sizes (∼50 nm).
Enhanced response of blood monocytes to in vitro lipopolysaccharide-challenge in patients with recurrent unstable angina.

Background —C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma levels have been associated with short- and long-term occurrence of coronary events. We investigated whether circulating inflammatory cell responsiveness to low-grade stimuli could contribute to the reported association between CRP and coronary events. Methods and Results —We studied 32 patients with unstable angina who were followed for 24 months and were free of symptoms for 6 months (group 1): 19 patients had persistently high CRP levels (>0.3 mg/dL) (group 1A); 13 patients had normal CRP levels (group 1B). During the follow-up, 12 (63%) group 1A but no group 1B patients developed an infarction or recurrence of unstable angina ( P <0.001). Eighteen patients with chronic stable angina (group 2) and 18 healthy subjects (group 3) were studied as controls. Interleukin (IL)-6 production (median, range) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells after 4 hours of in vitro stimulation with 1 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was significantly higher in group 1A (4526 pg/mL, 3042 to 10 583 pg/mL) than in group 1B (1752 pg/mL, 75 to 3981 pg/mL), group 2 (707 pg/mL, 41 to 3275 pg/mL), and group 3 (488 pg/mL, 92 to 3503 pg/mL) (all P <0.001). No significant differences were observed among the other groups. IL-6 production after LPS-challenge was correlated with baseline CRP levels ( r =0.42, P =0.005). Conclusions —Mononuclear cells of patients with recurrent phases of instability exhibit an enhanced production of IL-6 in response to low-dose of LPS, correlated with baseline CRP levels, 6 months after the last acute event. This persisting enhanced acute-phase responsiveness may help explain the association between CRP and acute coronary events.
Structural Features Reminiscent of ATP-Driven Protein Translocases Are Essential for the Function of a Type III Secretion-Associated ATPase

ABSTRACT Many bacterial pathogens and symbionts utilize type III secretion systems to interact with their hosts. These machines have evolved to deliver bacterial effector proteins into eukaryotic target cells to modulate a variety of cellular functions. One of the most conserved components of these systems is an ATPase, which plays an essential role in the recognition and unfolding of proteins destined for secretion by the type III pathway. Here we show that structural features reminiscent of other ATP-driven protein translocases are essential for the function of InvC, the ATPase associated with a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium type III secretion system. Mutational and functional analyses showed that a two-helix-finger motif and a conserved loop located at the entrance of and within the predicted pore formed by the hexameric ATPase are essential for InvC function. These findings provide mechanistic insight into the function of this highly conserved component of type III secretion machines. IMPORTANCE Type III secretion machines are essential for the virulence or symbiotic relationships of many bacteria. These machines have evolved to deliver bacterial effector proteins into host cells to modulate cellular functions, thus facilitating bacterial colonization and replication. An essential component of these machines is a highly conserved ATPase, which is necessary for the recognition and secretion of proteins destined to be delivered by the type III secretion pathway. Using modeling and structure and function analyses, we have identified structural features of one of these ATPases from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium that help to explain important aspects of its function.
Provenance of North American Phanerozoic sandstones in relation to tectonic setting

Framework modes of terrigenous sandstones reflect derivation from various types of provenance terranes that depend upon plate-tectonic setting. Triangular QFL and QmFLt compositional diagrams for plotting point counts of sandstones can be subdivided into fields that are characteristic of sandstone suites derived from the different kinds of provenance terranes controlled by plate tectonics. Three main classes of provenance are termed “continental blocks,” “magmatic arcs,” and “recycled orogens.” Sandstone suites from each include three variants, of which the subfields lie within the larger subdivisions. Average modes for sandstone suites can be classified provisionally according to tectonic setting using the subdivided QFL and QmFLt plots. To test the validity of the classification, average modes for 233 Phanerozoic sandstone suites from North America were plotted on the triangular compositional diagrams and accompanying paleotectonic maps. Paired maps and ternary diagrams were prepared for eight different time slices, for each of which the tectonic setting of each major region within the continent remained relatively unchanged. Time slices are unequal in length but are controlled by the timing of major orogenic and rifting events that affected North America during the Phanerozoic. Comparison of the sandstone compositions with inferred tectonic setting through the Phanerozoic indicates that the proposed classification scheme is generally valid and yields satisfactory results when applied on a broad scale. Its application, together with other approaches, in regions of the world where over-all trends of geologic history are less well known could lead to important conclusions about the timing and nature of major tectonic events.
Accounting, Finance and Adverse Selection: Illustrations and Applications

Accounting is often viewed from a legalistic rather than economic perspective. Finance, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in economic theory, but at its heart is built on assumptions of frictionless markets. Neither perspective fully incorporates the rich economic environment in which we find the practice of accounting and finance; a market setting rife with information inefficiencies. We illustrate and review one such inefficiency, adverse selection. Adverse selection results when market participants have different levels of information about an attribute of payoff relevance. In such cases, less informed parties transact in a market where the profile of assets for sale or employees for hire is worse than the population as a whole. In general, adverse selection causes a loss of social welfare and, in extreme cases, may cause the breakdown of an entire market. Each illustration is based on one of the seminal papers written by the Nobel Laureates of 2001, recognized for their work on adverse selection. We then trace the insights into the accounting and finance literatures. We consider both disciplines jointly, because accounting information is often useful in mitigating the market inefficiencies studied in finance.
An efficient implementation of a maximum-likelihood detector for space-time block coded systems

We investigate maximum-likelihood (ML) sequence estimation for space-time block coded systems without assuming channel knowledge. The quadratic form of the ML receiver in this case does not readily lend itself to efficient implementation. However, under quasi-static channel conditions, the likelihood function reduces to a simple form similar to the classical correlation receiver in matrix notation. It also allows the development of a recursive expression that can be easily implemented by a Viterbi-type algorithm with a reasonable complexity. Although the receiver is suboptimum for the nonstatic case, its performance is close to the optimum for a range of signal-to-noise ratios.
The Impact of Obesity on Wages

ABSTRACT Previous studies of the relationship between body weight and wages have found mixed results. This paper uses a larger data set and several regres-sion strategies in an attempt to generate more consistent estimates of the effect of weight on wages. Differences across gender, race, and ethnicity are explored. This paperjnds that weight lowers wages for white females; OLS esti-mates indicate that a difference in weight of two standard deviations (roughly 65 pounds) is associated with a difference in wages of 9 percent. In absolute value, this is equivalent to the wage effect of roughly one and a half years of education or three years of work experience. Negative cor-relations between weight and wages observed for other gender-ethnic groups appear to be due to unobserved heterogeneity. I. Introduction Several previous studies have found, among females, a negative cor-relation between body weight and wages.' There exist three broad categories of ex-planations for this finding. The first explanation is that obesity lowers wages; for example, by lowering productivity or because of workplace discrimination. The sec-ond is that low wages cause obesity. This would be true if poorer people consume
Postoperative survival and functional outcomes for patients with metastatic gynecological cancer to the spine: case series and review of the literature

OBJECT Spinal metastases from gynecological cancers are rare, with few cases reported in the literature. In this study, the authors examine a series of patients with spinal metastases from gynecological cancer and review the literature. METHODS The cases of 6 consecutive patients who underwent spine surgery for metastatic gynecological cancer between 2007 and 2012 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. The recorded demographic, operative, and postoperative factors were reviewed, and the functional outcomes were determined by change in Karnofsky Performance Scale and the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) score during follow-up. A systematic review of the literature was also performed to evaluate outcomes for patients with similar gynecological metastases to the spine. RESULTS In this series, details regarding metastatic gynecological cancers to the spine are as follows: 2 patients with cervical cancer (both presented at age 46 years, mean postoperative survival of 32 months), 2 patie...
Effects of the Threat of Losses on Duopoly Bargaining

I. Introduction, 296. â€” II. Changes in the experiment, 297. â€” III. The method of the experiment, 298. â€” IV. Results and comparison with Fouraker and Siegel, 299. â€” V. Other related results, 305. â€” VI. Summary, 307. â€” Appendix I, 308. â€” Appendix II, 310.
The evolution of an object-oriented compiler framework

Increasing code reuse in software systems is an important way to decrease development and maintenance costs, reduce the time required to respond to new requirements, and significantly advance the feasible complexity limits for new systems. Object-oriented programming languages and environments provide fundamental support for truly reusable code through abstraction, inheritance, and polymorphism. Reusable code is a prerequisite for a significantly more powerful concept: reusable design. Frameworks of resuable design abstractions are difficult to create and typically evolve over a long period of use and refinement. Thus, it is important to understand how systems evolve and how this evolution can be directed to achieve the best results. This article illustrates some of the standard transformations, called refactorings, that occur in object-oriented systems as they evolve by describing the creation and evolution of a framework for building general-purpose string-to-object translators. It reflects our experiences with object-oriented compilers over a five year period while working on the Typed Smalltalk compiler project.
History based distributed filtering - a tagging approach to network-level access control

Discusses a network-level access control technique that applies the non-discretionary access control model to individual data packets that are exchanged between hosts or subnets. The proposed technique examines the incoming data's integrity properties to prevent applications within a node or subnetwork from so-called subversive channels. It checks outgoing data's secrecy requirements before transmission. Security labels are used to identify data packets as members of different categories and security levels. Additional tags store context information to validate the trustworthiness of a packet's content. Labels and tags of a data packet reflect events that may be relevant to access control throughout its life. As opposed to stateful filtering, which is based on the history of a flow of packets, our approach works on the history of an individual packet. Any state information is part of the packet rather than being stored in all the nodes inspecting the packet; i.e. nodes do not need to create and maintain state information.
Conformal-solution theory of polar fluids: The statistical mechanical basis of shape factors

Abstract Massih, A.R. and Mansoori, G.A., 1983. Conformal-solution theory of polar fluids: the statistical mechanical basis of shape factors. Fluid Phase Equilibria, 10: 57–72. The formalism of conformal-solution theory (CST) has been extended to pure and mixed polar fluids with consideration of dipolar, quadrupolar and induced dipolar forces. The total potential energy is reduced to a form similar to that for neutral molecules by statistical averaging over orientations. The temperature dependences of the conformal parameters faa and haa are derived and it is found that the temperature variations are in opposite directions. These conformal parameters are related to Leland's shape factors θaa and φaa, for which similar trends in temperature variations are observed. Following the theory of Byers-Brown for neutral molecular fluid mixtures, with the random-mixing approximation, an expression is derived for the excess Gibbs free energy of a binary polar mixture, using a generalized mixing-rule approximation.
Kerr Metric, Rotating Sources, and Machian Effects

In a recent paper, the author gave a recipe for constructing exact interior solutions which might serve as sources of the Kerr metric. Here the recipe is given again, but in simpler form, and an example of an interior solution is given in detail. Some properties of these solutions are discussed, including the shape, mass density, and rotation rates of the bodies described. It is proven that solutions of this type exist which describe uniformly rotating bodies at least up to second order in the angular momentum parameter $b$. In the final section, a discussion is given which indicates that strong gravitational fields plus high-rotational velocities can lead to correspondingly high-rotational inertial effects on the observer who is near or inside the body. These inertial effects also give some direct information about the rotation of the body. This enables us to prove that uniformly rotating rings of mass could not serve as sources of the Kerr metric.
Automated Conversion and Simplification of Plan Representations

As planning agents grow more sophisticated, plan representation issues arise. Planners work over increasingly large and difficult problems and output is often complex or unwieldy. Further, where planners must interact with human users - either for plan verification and analysis, or in mixed-initiative settings - plans must be represented so that the intended course of action is readily available. We propose automated techniques for simplification of, and conversion between, plan representations.
Mapping of an autoimmunity susceptibility locus (AIS1) to chromosome 1p31.3–p32.2

Generalized vitiligo is a common autoimmune disorder in which patchy loss of skin and hair pigmentation results from loss of pigment-forming melanocytes from the involved regions. Vitiligo occurs with a frequency of about 1% in most populations, and is highly associated with other autoimmune disorders, particularly Hashimoto thyroiditis. Most cases of vitiligo are sporadic, although some cases cluster in families, and the disorder is thought to be oligogenic in origin. We have studied a large family cluster in which vitiligo and Hashimoto thyroiditis occur in numerous individuals. A whole-genome scan of 24 family members, including 14 affected with autoimmune disease, showed significant linkage of an oligogenic autoimmune susceptibility locus, termed AIS1, to a 14.4 cM interval in 1p31.3-p32.2. A two-locus analysis of Hashimoto thyroiditis in family members segregating an AIS1 susceptibility allele showed suggestive linkage to markers in chromosome 6p22.3-q14.1, in a region spanning both the major histocompatibility complex and AITD1, a susceptibility locus for autoimmune thyroid disease. Our results indicate that the 1p AIS1 locus is associated with susceptibility to autoimmunity, particularly vitiligo, in this family, and that a chromosome 6 locus, most likely AITD1, may mediate the occurrence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in AIS1-susceptible family members.
Blood 2,5-dimethylfuran as a sensitive and specific biomarker for cigarette smoking.

AbstractObjective: We evaluated the validity of blood 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF) for determining smoking status using population-based data.Methods: We obtained blood DMF concentrations and smoking status from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006 and computed sensitivity, specificity and Kappa statistic.Results: Self-reported smoking showed very high agreement (Kappa = 92.8–93.3%) in daily smokers and fair agreement in non-daily smokers (Kappa = 33.7–36.4%). Coffee intake did not influence the detection of blood DMF.Conclusions: Blood DMF has comparable sensitivity and specificity with serum cotinine for identifying current daily smokers, which may make it a useful biomarker in epidemiologic studies.
Molecular heterogeneity analysis of poly(amidoamine) dendrimer-based mono- and multifunctional nanodevices by capillary electrophoresis

Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer-based nanodevices are of recent interest in targeted cancer therapy. Characterization of mono- and multifunctional PAMAM-based nanodevices remains a great challenge because of their molecular complexity. In this work, various mono- and multifunctional nanodevices based on PAMAM G5 (generation 5) dendrimer were characterized by UV-Vis spectrometry, 1H NMR, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and capillary electrophoresis (CE). CE was extensively utilized to measure the molecular heterogeneity of these PAMAM-based nanodevices. G5–FA (FA denotes folic acid) conjugates (synthesized from amine-terminated G5.NH2 dendrimer, approach 1) with acetamide and amine termini exhibit bimodal or multi-modal distributions. In contrast, G5–FA and bifunctional G5–FA–MTX (MTX denotes methotrexate) conjugates with hydroxyl termini display a single modal distribution. Multifunctional G5.Acn–FI–FA, G5.Acn–FA–OH–MTX, and G5.Acn–FI–FA–OH–MTX (Ac denotes acetamide; FI denotes fluorescein) nanodevices (synthesized from partially acetylated G5 dendrimer, approach 2) exhibit a monodisperse distribution. It indicates that the molecular distribution of PAMAM conjugates largely depends on the homogeneity of starting materials, the synthetic approaches, and the final functionalization steps. Hydroxylation functionalization of dendrimers masks the dispersity of the final PAMAM nanodevices in both synthetic approaches. The applied CE analysis of mono- and multifunctional PAMAM-based nanodevices provides a powerful tool to evaluate the molecular heterogeneity of complex dendrimer conjugate nanodevices for targeted cancer therapeutics.
Emotional Intelligence and Simulation

Emotional intelligence (EI) is an established concept in the business literature with evidence that it is an important factor in determining career achievement. There is increasing interest in the role that EI has in medical training, but it is still a nascent field. This article reviews the EI literature most relevant to surgical training and proposes that simulation offers many benefits to the development of EI. Although there are many unanswered questions, it is expected that future research will demonstrate the effectiveness of using simulation to develop EI within surgery.
Façades of Equitable Development Santa Ana and the Affordable Housing Complex

This article problematizes the development of affordable housing as a form of equity planning. Through both qualitative and quantitative data, the article examines three affordable housing projects within a redevelopment plan in Santa Ana, California. The research finds that a narrow focus on affordable housing, as it is designed and produced within the larger affordable housing complex, facilitates the process of gentrification and displacement. The findings show that equity is more than housing production alone. When affordability is defined at a larger scale, and the planning process is stripped of substantive community participation, affordable housing loses its more equitable underpinnings.
Comparison of HPLC and Mouse Bioassay Methods for Determining PSP Toxins in Shellfish

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in shellfish were analyzed and quantified using both a high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique and the standard AOAC mouse bioassay. Good correlation between the two assays was obtained at or below the limit of 80 μg toxin/100g, while at higher levels of toxicity, the HPLC technique tended to underestimate total toxicity slightly. Advantages and disadvantages of both techniques are discussed.
Interleukin 12 p40 production by barrier epithelial cells during airway inflammation.

Human airway epithelial cells appear specially programmed for expression of immune response genes implicated in immunity and inflammation. To better determine how this epithelial system operates in vivo, we analyzed its behavior in mouse models that allow for in vitro versus in vivo comparison and genetic modification. Initial comparisons indicated that tumor necrosis factor α induction of epithelial intercellular adhesion molecule 1 required sequential induction of interleukin (IL)-12 (p70) and interferon γ, and unexpectedly localized IL-12 production to airway epithelial cells. Epithelial IL-12 was also inducible during paramyxoviral bronchitis, but in this case, initial IL-12 p70 expression was followed by 75-fold greater expression of IL-12 p40 (as monomer and homodimer). Induction of IL-12 p40 was even further increased in IL-12 p35-deficient mice, and in this case, was associated with increased mortality and epithelial macrophage accumulation. The results placed epithelial cell overgeneration of IL-12 p40 as a key intermediate for virus-inducible inflammation and a candidate for epithelial immune response genes that are abnormally programmed in inflammatory disease. This possibility was further supported when we observed IL-12 p40 overexpression selectively in airway epithelial cells in subjects with asthma and concomitant increases in airway levels of IL-12 p40 (as homodimer) and airway macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest a novel role for epithelial-derived IL-12 p40 in modifying the level of airway inflammation during mucosal defense and disease.
Plasma‐enhanced deposition of diamond‐like carbon films on high temperature tolerant polymers

The feasibility of depositing carbon films with a diamond-like structure on high temperature polymers, using established plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition techniques, is explored. Potential uses for such a film will depend upon the adhesion of the film to the substrate, the properties of the deposited film, and the effect of the deposition process on the bulk properties of the polymer substrate. Amorphous carbon (diamond-like carbon) coatings with thicknesses ranging from 2 to 18 μm were deposited on polyimide substrates at temperatures below 420°C. Extended exposure to the plasma processing conditions caused no visible damage but halved the room-temperature tensile strength of the polymer films. Diamond-like carbon, graphitic carbon, and a precursor to the diamond-like carbon structure, attributed to an aromatic carbon ring structure, were observed. The optical transparency of the coated polymer film was attenuated uniformly across the spectral range, 2.5-22 μm. Static oxidation and limited thermal cycling of the coated polymer produced no widespread delamination of the coating from the substrate: neither the deposited film nor the coated regions of the polymer showed any effect when oxidized at 370°C, for 450 h. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Structured stochastic optimization strategies for problems with ill-conditioned error surfaces

The paper compares the performance of several structured optimization strategies in adaptive signal processing problems that are characterized by ill-conditioned error surfaces. The genetic algorithm (GA), the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, and a new constrained random search (CRS) algorithm (Siddharth, P., 2004) are considered. When applied to adaptive filters, these structured stochastic search strategies are independent of the adaptive filter structure and are capable of converging to the global solution when applied in circumstances that create multi-modal mean square error surfaces.
Oxides on SiC

Silicon carbide (SiC) is the only compound semiconductor whose native oxide is SiO/sub 2/. This makes it possible to construct a variety of MOS devices in SiC. However, the SiC MOS interface is more complex than on silicon, due to the presence of carbon in the compound and the non-cubic crystal structure. Over the last few years, the midgap interface state density on p-type 6H-SiC has been reduced from the mid-10/sup 11/ to the mid-10/sup 10/ eV/sup -1/ cm /sup -2/ range, and the fixed oxide charge from about 2/spl times/10/sup 12/ to 5/spl times/10/sup 11/ cm/sup -2/. Studies of oxide reliability are underway, and preliminary results on n-type 6H-SiC extrapolate to a lifetime of 20,000 years at a field of 3 MV/cm at 145/spl deg/C.
External medial maxillectomy

The external medial maxillectomy has long been used to manage benign and malignant tumors of the lateral nasal wall. Although many advocate for an endoscopic approach to these tumors, there are still tumors that may lend themselves to an external medial maxillectomy. This article describes the authors' technique for performing an external medial maxillectomy.