cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validated Risk-Stratification System for Prediction of Early Adverse Events Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Closed Ankle Fractures.

BACKGROUND As orthopaedic surgery moves toward bundled payments, there is growing interest in identifying patients at high risk of early postoperative adverse events. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a risk-stratification system for the occurrence of early adverse events among patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for a closed fracture of the ankle. METHODS Patients undergoing ORIF for a closed ankle fracture during the period of 2006 to 2017, as documented by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, were identified. For the 60% of patients randomly selected as the development cohort, multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to identify factors that were independently associated with the occurrence of adverse events (including events such as reoperation, surgical site infection, and pulmonary embolism). On the basis of these results, a nomogram analysis was used to generate a point-based risk-stratification system. To evaluate the validity of the point-based system, the system was applied to the remaining 40% of patients constituting the validation cohort and tested for its ability to predict adverse events. RESULTS Of the 7,582 patients in the development cohort, 455 developed an adverse event (estimated adverse event risk of 6%). On the basis of Cox proportional-hazards regression, patients were assigned points for each of the following significant risk factors: +1 point for age of 40 to 59 years, +3 points for age of 60 to 79 years, +5 points for age of ≥80 years, +1 point for female sex, +2 points for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), +2 points for insulin-dependent diabetes, +3 points for anemia, and +4 points for end-stage renal disease. The validation cohort included 5,263 patients. Among this second cohort, the risk-stratification system predicted the risk of early adverse events (p < 0.001; Harrell C = 0.697). CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of early adverse events following ORIF for closed ankle fractures was associated with greater age, female sex, COPD, insulin-dependent diabetes, anemia, and end-stage renal disease. We present and validate a simple point-based risk-stratification system to predict the risk of early adverse events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of chalcogenide perovskite CaZrSe 3 contributes to high thermoelectric figure of merit

An emerging chalcogenide perovskite, CaZrSe3, holds promise for energy conversion applications given its notable optical and electrical properties. However, knowledge of its thermal properties is extremely important, e.g. for potential thermoelectric applications, and has not been previously reported in detail. In this work, we examine and explain the lattice thermal transport mechanisms in CaZrSe3 using density functional theory and Boltzmann transport calculations. We find the mean relaxation time to be extremely short corroborating an enhanced phonon–phonon scattering that annihilates phonon modes, and lowers thermal conductivity. In addition, strong anharmonicity in the perovskite crystal represented by the Gruneisen parameter predictions, and low phonon number density for the acoustic modes, results in the lattice thermal conductivity to be limited to 1.17 W m−1 K−1. The average phonon mean free path in the bulk CaZrSe3 sample (N → ∞) is 138.1 nm and nanostructuring CaZrSe3 sample to ~10 nm diminishes the thermal conductivity to 0.23 W m−1 K−1. We also find that p-type doping yields higher predictions of thermoelectric figure of merit than n-type doping, and values of ZT ~0.95–1 are found for hole concentrations in the range 1016–1017 cm−3 and temperature between 600 and 700 K.
Smart Trucking - Status of Digital Transformation of the Trucking Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract Industry 4.0 and the Smart Manufacturing paradigm are rapidly transforming the way business is conducted in the manufacturing industry. The underlying core technologies of the emerging digital transformation include the Internet of Things (IoT) and data analytics. While the shop floor is the main focus of these paradigms in the narrow sense, it is becoming more prevalent for other companies or business units along the digital supply network to investigate the potential to improve their processes by leveraging these technologies as well. One area that is traditionally reliant on human operators and optimization is the trucking industry. In recent years, this industry has started to explore how the above-mentioned technologies can be utilized to improve their operations, and new policies are further amplifying this process, e.g., by mandating Electronic Logging Device (ELD) to be used by commercial drivers in the USA. This development forces companies to collect digital, high-resolution data – and the question emerges how to utilize this data in the most value-adding way. In this paper, we analyze the current state of the art of digital transformation in the trucking industry by conducting a bibliometric study of recently published papers to identify the main research areas and themes in this field, the leading authors, countries, and journals in this domain. This work will provide the basis for further in-depth studies on optimization techniques and available case studies to provide theoretical input for practitioners and scholars.
Safety Blanket of Humanity: Thinking of Unfamiliar Humans or Robots Increases Conformity to Humans

As robots become prevalent, merely thinking of their existence may affect how people behave. When interacting with a robot, people conformed to the robot's answers more than to their own initial response [1]. In this study, we examined how robot affect conformity to other humans. We primed participants to think of different experiences: Humans (an experience with a human stranger), Robots (an experience with a robot), or Neutral (daily life). We then measured if participants conformed to other humans in survey answers. Results indicated that people conformed more when thinking of Humans or Robots than of Neutral events. This implies that robots have a similar effect on human conformity to other humans as human strangers do.
The status of thyroid volume of children aged 8 - 10 years and influencing factors in Hefei City

Objective To investigate the status and the influencing factors of thyroid volume of children aged 8 - 10 years in Hefei City. Methods In 2016, according to the requirements of "National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Surveillance Plan (the 2016 Edition)", the method of multistage stratified sampling was used in 9 counties (cities, districts) of Hefei. Five primary schools were randomly selected from each county (city, district), with one in each direction (the east, west, south, north and center), then 40 children aged 8 - 10 years (male∶female= 1∶1, with similar age distribution) were randomly chosen in each primary school. The thyroid volume, height and weight were measured. In addition, a questionnaire with the items including personality, learning pressure, dietary habits, related disease history and contact history was designed and used to collect the data of the subjects. Results Totally 1 800 children aged 8 - 10 years were selected from 45 primary schools in 9 counties (cities, districts). The mean thyroid volume was (3.009 ± 1.197) ml. Totally 71 people were found with thyroid enlargement and the goiter rate was 3.9%, which was in the range described in the elimination iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) standard (< 5%). Univariate analysis showed that for children in different age groups, seafood consumption frequency, radiological examination, height, and body mass, the thyroid volumes were significantly different (P < 0.05); Multivariate linear regression showed that body weight and height were main factors affecting the thyroid volume of children aged 8 - 10 years in Hefei City, the standard partial regression coefficient are 0.288 and 0.140, respectively. Conclusions The thyroid volume of the 8 - 10 years old children is generally in the normal range in Hefei. Goiter rate is lower than the standard for elimination of iodine deficiency The findings have showed that not only age, but also height, body mass and other factors should be considered while evaluating the influencing factors of the thyroid volume of school-aged children. Key words: Thyroid; School-aged children; Influencing factors
Evolution of a Record-Setting AT-Rich Genome: Indel Mutation, Recombination, and Substitution Bias

Genome-wide nucleotide composition varies widely among species. Despite extensive research, the source of genome-wide nucleotide composition diversity remains elusive. Yeast mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are highly A + T rich, and they provide a unique opportunity to study the evolution of AT-biased landscape. In this study, we sequenced ten complete mitogenomes of the Saccharomycodes ludwigii yeast with 8% G + C content, the lowest genome-wide %(G + C) in all published genomes to date. The S. ludwigii mitogenomes have high densities of short tandem repeats but severely underrepresented mononucleotide repeats. Comparative population genomics of these record-setting A + T-rich genomes shows dynamic indel mutations and strong mutation bias toward A/T. Indel mutations play a greater role in genomic variation among very closely related strains than nucleotide substitutions. Indels have resulted in presence-absence polymorphism of tRNAArg (ACG) among S. ludwigii mitogenomes. Interestingly, these mitogenomes have undergone recombination, a genetic process that can increase G + C content by GC-biased gene conversion. Finally, the expected equilibrium G + C content under mutation pressure alone is higher than observed G + C content, suggesting existence of mechanisms other than AT-biased mutation operating to increase A/T. Together, our findings shed new lights on mechanisms driving extremely AT-rich genomes.
Assessing the Ability of Multidimensional Scaling and Pathfinder Networks to Measure Spatial Knowledge

Cognitive maps, or mental representations of external environments, aid spatial navigation. Typically, researchers study cognitive maps by having participants provide a sketched map. However, multi...
Past-Year Kratom Use in the U.S.: Estimates From a Nationally Representative Sample.

Introduction Kratom is a plant with partial opioid agonist effects, and its use has become popular to ameliorate symptoms of opioid withdrawal. However, use has been linked to thousands of poisonings, although most have involved use of other drugs. Little is known regarding prevalence and correlates of use in the general U.S. population. Methods Data were examined from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationally representative probability sample of non-institutionalized individuals aged ≥12 years in the U.S. (N=56,136). Prevalence and correlates of past-year kratom use were estimated. Data were analyzed in 2020. Results An estimated 0.7% (95% CI=0.6, 0.8) of individuals in the U.S. have used kratom in the past year. Past-year proxy diagnosis of prescription opioid use disorder was associated with increased odds for kratom use (AOR=3.20, 95% CI=1.38, 7.41), with 10.4% (95% CI=6.7, 15.9) of those with use disorder reporting use. Opioid misuse not accompanied with use disorder was not associated with kratom use. Those reporting past-year cannabis use both with (AOR=4.33, 95% CI=2.61, 7.19) and without (AOR=4.57, 95% CI=3.29, 6.35) use disorder and those reporting past-year cocaine use (AOR=1.69, 95% CI=1.06, 2.69) and prescription stimulant misuse (AOR=2.10, 95% CI=1.44, 3.05) not accompanied with use disorder were at higher odds for kratom use. Conclusions Kratom use is particularly prevalent among those with prescription opioid use disorder, but it is also prevalent among people who use other drugs. Research is needed to determine reasons for use and potential dangers associated with adding kratom to drug repertoires.
Second Report of PDE10A-BRAF Fusion in Pediatric Spindle Cell Sarcoma With Infantile Fibrosarcoma-Like Morphology Suggesting PDE10A-BRAF Fusion Is a Recurrent Event:

Infantile/congenital fibrosarcoma (IFS) is the most common soft tissue tumor in children less than one year of age. The most common anatomic site of IFS is in the extremities or trunk, and rarely in the abdomen or retroperitoneum. Approximately 70-90% of cases are characterized by a distinct t(12;15)(p13;q25) translocation resulting in an ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion. As such, TRK inhibitors are considered frontline therapy in TRK-fusion positive IFS. The ETV6-NTRK3 fusion is also detected in congenital mesoblastic nephroma (CMN) and less frequently in myeloid leukemias, secretory breast carcinoma, and mammary-type secretory carcinoma of the skin and salivary glands. Infrequently, cases of tumors with IFS-like morphology without the characteristic ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion have been identified. Herein, an ETV6-NTRK3 fusion negative spindle cell sarcoma with IFS-like morphology subjected to genomic profiling revealed a PDE10A-BRAF fusion, a fusion event that has been detected previously in an isolated case of undifferentiated infantile sarcoma.
Loret’s Marketing Revolution: Audience Representation as Positioning Strategy in Seventeenth‑Century Newspapers

The inception of Jean Loret’s Lettre en vers in 1652 constituted a major evolution in information culture. Borrowing the concepts of positioning and segmentation from marketing studies, this article insists on Loret’s tour de force: by portraying Marie de Nemours as the reader and recipient of the news, he conferred the veneer of a private and handwritten correspondence to an object that was public and sold. This formula, which I describe as “addressed information,” presented multiple advantages: it created a new, affective, intimate, and agentive relationship between the readers and the information, renewed audience segmentation, and distinguished the Lettre en vers from the competing gazettes of the time. The article also studies Loret’s depictions of a wider audience and demonstrates the later success of his formula in France, especially in the case of the Mercure galant.
Nanostructured grinding wheels for ultra-precision engineering applications

Manufacturers face challenges when dealing with abrasives that lose roundness, wear excessively, and suffer from pitting of the surface of the grinding wheel that needs rectification using dressing techniques. Nanostructured abrasive grits manufactured by hybrid fusion processes and by sintering/extrusion/printing processes are found to reduce pitting quite significantly. The phenomenon of wheel collapse is increasing and cycle times developed during the grinding of aerospace alloys are much smaller compared to using conventional materials. This paper reviews the phenomenon of wheel collapse induced by pitting and takes a critical look at the production and analysis of hybrid fused and printed/sintered abrasives. A mathematical analysis is carried out of the diffusion of primary and secondary phases due to mechanical and ultrasonic agitation with the aim of producing abrasive grits with improved strength and retention. Current developments in extruded, printed, and sintered grits for use in precision grinding applications are critically reviewed. The paper concludes by explaining how such abrasives are used in practice by industrial manufacturers of high-precision products.
Photodynamic and antibiotic therapy in combination against bacterial infections: efficacy, determinants, mechanisms, and future perspectives

Abstract Antibiotic treatment, the mainstay for the control of bacterial infections, is greatly hampered by the global prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective against MDR infections, but PDT-induced bacterial inactivation is often incomplete, causing the relapse of infections. Combination of PDT and antibiotics is a promising strategy to overcome the limitation of both antibiotic treatment and PDT, exerting increased disinfection efficacy on MDR bacterial pathogens versus either of the monotherapies alone. In this review, we present an overview of the therapeutic effects of PDT/antibiotic combinations that have been developed. We further summarize the influencing factors and the governing molecular mechanisms of the therapeutic outcomes of PDT/antibiotic combinations. In the end, we provide concluding remarks on the strengths, limitations, and future research directions of PDT/antibiotic combination therapy to guide its appropriate usage and further development.
Image-based tracking control of a blimp

Image-based tracking control of an aerial blimp is proposed for surveillance systems. The controller is designed by backstepping techniques for underactuated systems. In our framework, only one camera on a blimp is used to control the blimp without the other sensors and to generate a reference trajectory from image information. After a commander sets a target, the blimp flies around it automatically. This image-based approach reduces to utilize the values estimated by a structure-from-motion algorithm. In this research an aerial blimp is used for indoor experiments, and image-based control are compared with position-based control.
Critical pathways for post-emergency outpatient diagnosis and treatment: Tools to improve the value of emergency care

The decision to admit a patient to the hospital after an emergency department (ED) visit is expensive, frequently not evidence-based, and variable. Outpatient critical pathways are a promising approach to reduce hospital admission after emergency care. Critical pathways exist to risk stratify patients for potentially serious diagnoses (e.g., acute myocardial infarction [AMI]) or evaluate response to therapy (e.g., community-acquired pneumonia) within a short time period (i.e., less than 36 hours), to determine if further hospital-based acute care is needed. Yet, such pathways are variably used while many patients are admitted for conditions for which they could be treated as outpatients. In this article, the authors propose a model of post-ED critical pathways, describe their role in emergency care, list common diagnoses that are amenable to critical pathways in the outpatient setting, and propose a research agenda to address barriers and solutions to increase the use of outpatient critical pathways. If emergency providers are to routinely conduct rapid evaluations in outpatient or observation settings, they must have several conditions at their disposal: 1) evidence-based tools to accurately risk stratify patients for protocolized care, 2) systems of care that reliably facilitate workup in the outpatient setting, and 3) a medical environment conducive to noninpatient pathways, with aligned risks and incentives among patients, providers, and payers. Increased use of critical pathways after emergency care is a potential way to improve the value of emergency care.
Malignant solitary fibrous tumor: cytopathologic findings and differential diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Malignant solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are extremely uncommon and poorly understood mesenchymal neoplasms. There are only rare published accounts of the cytopathologic features of these tumors, prompting the current study. DESIGN: All cases of malignant SFT with preoperative fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) from 1999 to 2008 were retrieved from the archives of 3 large teaching hospitals. FNA smears and cell block material including immunoperoxidase stains were reviewed, and the cytologic characteristics were described. RESULTS: Thirteen cases of malignant SFT were identified in 11 patients. Mean age was 58 years, with a men:women ratio of 1:2.6. The tumors were generally large, with a mean size of 13.4 cm. Cytomorphologic features included mostly hypercellular smears with tissue fragments of monotonous, plump spindled cells with blunt-ended and indented nuclei and fragile, wispy cytoplasm. Also seen were bare nuclei, occasional mitoses, and rare necrosis. Some cases showed a predominance of epithelioid cells, whereas others displayed a loose myxomatous matrix. There was a general lack of single cells. None of the cases was diagnosed accurately as malignant SFT on FNA, and only 6 cases were called malignant or suspicious for malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The FNA diagnosis of malignant SFT is extremely difficult and needs histologic material for accurate interpretation. Predominant FNA diagnoses were SFT or spindle cell neoplasm. Malignant SFT must be included in the differential diagnosis of a spindle cell neoplasm of any anatomic site, particularly if it displays features not typical of benign SFT. Immunoperoxidase staining has some utility, mainly in ruling out other neoplasms in the differential diagnosis. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Operating Systems and Fault-Tolerance

The key to constructing fault-tolerant software is managing the extra complexity through the use of appropriate programming paradigms, abstractions, and system structuring techniques. While significant progress has been made in these areas, it is clear that additional work is required to bring the level of software sophistication in this area up to that found elsewhere. This is a problem not just for the new hardware architectures that are now coming into play, but also for current hardware architectures. However, no matter what advances are made, the inherent complications induced by the need to worry about failures will always make the design, implementation, and verification of fault-tolerant systems more complex than other systems.
BEST: Better Equipped to Start Treatment

Introduction: BEST was developed by a board of key stakeholders of European community group representatives, People Living with HIV (PLWHIV), researchers, clinicians, nurses and medical organisations, representing 6 European countries, (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain). BEST focuses on empowering PLWHIV to make decisions about starting Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) as per current EACS Guidelines. It aims to educate tested, but not treated PLWHIV on the benefits of starting ART according to current guidelines to improve their long-term health and quality of life. Supplement: Abstracts of the Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1758-2652-13-S4-info.pdf Conference: Tenth International Congress on Drug Therapy in HIV Infection 7-11 November 2010 Glasgow, UK (Published: 8 November 2010) doi:10.1186/1758-2652-13-S4-P166 Cite this article as: Bennett: BEST: Better Equipped to Start Treatment. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2010 13(Suppl 4):P166. Full text: PubMed Central: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3112945/
Hidden branches and growing pains: Homosexuality and the family tree.

In reviewing the effects of having a gay or lesbian member in the family of origin, one is repeatedly drawn to the central role played by the social stigma surrounding homosexuality. The resent paper suggests that social stereotypes and prejudices toward homosexuals create an image of homosexuality as incompatible with the family, and that the family's reactions having a homosexual member depend upon their acceptance or rejection of these prejudices. When homosexual family members are discovered, heterosexual family members experience a conflict between their conceptions of homosexual persons and the familiar family role of the homosexual member. The origin and nature of this conflict, and differences among family members in their reactions are reviewed. Long-term resolution and possible models of positive and negative outcome are also described. It is suggested that the conflict experienced by family members is in many ways similar to the "coming out" process of homosexual identity acquisition, and that ...
A fast volume-surface integral equation solver for radiation and scattering from wire antennas, IBC surfaces and inhomogeneous dielectric objects

Dielectric materials are often involved in electromagnetic simulation for real-world problems. Previously, researchers have applied the fast multipole method and a hybrid volume-surface integral equation (VSIE) formulation to solve scattering problems involving both PEC and inhomogeneous dielectric objects. Although the above solver can solve scattering from electrically large objects with optimal computational complexity, it only involves surface and volume basis functions to model currents on PEC surfaces and in dielectric media. In order to solve problems involving additional types of scatterers and radiators, such as wire antennas, thin dielectric sheets, and impedance surfaces, we have enhanced the multilevel fast multipole code in Chao et al. (1998) with the impedance boundary condition (IBC) and the hybrid VSIE formulation. The paper discusses how a variety of basis functions are incorporated into the hybrid VSIE formulation and the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA).
Temperature and the seasonality of births.

The relation between human fertility and temperature has been the subject of extensive examination, with surprisingly inconclusive results. Despite the a priori plausibility that temperature affects fertility through behavioral or biological channels, existing attempts to identify these effects have had only limited success.
Serum apolipoprotein A-IV and lipoprotein cholesterol in patients undergoing total parenteral nutrition

Abstract The distinctive biological properties of apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV suggest that serum levels of this apoprotein should be profoundly and selectively depressed by nutritional modalities that totally bypass the intestine. To test this hypothesis we have measured serum lipid and apoprotein levels in 18 fasting patients receiving total parenteral nutrition and in a group of 31 normal controls. Measurement of total serum lipids revealed that the patients had significantly higher serum triglyceride levels and lower total serum cholesterol levels than the controls. The lower total serum cholesterol levels were a consequence of decreases in both low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The mean serum level of apo A-IV in the patients was 15 ± 13 AU/dl, compared with 93 ± 29 AU/dl in the controls. This difference was almost threefold greater than the differences between levels of apo A-I, apo B, or lipoprotein subfractions. Moreover, apo A-IV was undetectable in 4 patients who had undergone significant small intestinal resection. A trend toward lower apo A-IV levels was seen in the resected patients as compared with those with intact small intestine. Linear regression analysis showed that levels of apo A-IV were not correlated with any apoprotein or lipoprotein parameter in either the patient or control group, with the exception of a positive correlation between serum apo A-IV levels and total serum cholesterol in the controls only, suggesting that apo A-IV synthesis is regulated independently of the synthesis of the major classes of plasma lipoproteins. We conclude that serum apo A-IV levels are especially sensitive to the interruption of enteral feeding and rapidly fall to very low values during prolonged fasting.
Steady state fluorescence spectroscopy of pyranine as a trace extrinsic probe to study structure in aqueous sugar solutions

Abstract The steady state fluorescence behavior of pyranine has been monitored in aqueous solutions of sucrose, glucose, fructose, and lactose. In each case it is possible to use the ratio of peak intensities at 440 and 511 nm (the PIR) as an indicator of the degree of supersaturation of the sugar solutions. We observed both bulk water and water of solvation in all solutions examined, regardless of degree of sapersaturation. In each case the amounts of bulk water and water of solvation per molecule of sugar appear to be nearly equal at saturation. We did not observe any evidence of solvent exclusive clusters in any of the systems we studied.
Oral Cancer Patients at Intermediate Risk of Recurrence Who were Treated with Postoperative Radiotherapy may have Worse Outcomes than Patients with No Postoperative Treatment

Article Title and Bibliographic Information A comparison of outcomes for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma at intermediate risk of recurrence treated by surgery alone or with post-operative radiotherapy. Brown JS, Blackburn TK, Woolgar JA, Lowe D, Errington RD, Vaughan ED, et al. Oral Oncol 2007;43(8):764-73. Level of Evidence Level 2 (Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence) Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable Purpose/Question Does postoperative radiation therapy (RT) affect prognosis of oral cancer patients with intermediate risk of disease recurrence? Source of Funding Information not available. Type of Study/Design Cohort study.
Antitumor alkaloids in callus cultures of Cephalotaxus harringtonia

Abstract Leaves and stems of Cephalotaxus harringtonia were induced to callus on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with additional vitamins, hypoxanthine, naphthaleneacetic acid and kinetin. Analysis by GC-MS showed cephalotaxine and its antitumor esters (harringtonine, isoharringtonine and homoharringtonine) in both callus and medium, whereas deoxyharringtonine was present (in relatively large amounts) only in the medium. The amount of each alkaloid was 2 to 6 times greater at 6 months than at 3 months except for deoxyharringtonine, which was not increased. At 6 months, the total alkaloid production was 1–3% of levels reported for mature trees, but the pattern was the same: 60% cephalotaxine, 40% esters. The pattern of the parent plant was unique (5% cephalotaxine, 80% homoharringtonine, 15% other esters) and may more accurately represent that of fresh plant material. A new cephalotaxine ester, homodeoxyharringtonine, was also detected in the culture medium.
Comparison of the mechanism of induction of apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cells by the conformationally restricted synthetic retinoids CD437 and 4-HPR.

All-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to inhibit the growth of a number of ovarian tumor cell lines while others have been found to be resistant to retinoid suppression of growth. Interestingly, two synthetic retinoids, CD437 and 4-HPR, inhibit the growth of both ATRA-sensitive (CA-OV-3) and ATRA-resistant (SK-OV-3) ovarian tumor cells. However, in contrast to ATRA, both induce apoptosis. Our goal was to elucidate the mechanism by which these two synthetic retinoids induce apoptosis in ovarian tumor cells. Since it has been documented that apoptosis induction is often mediated by the activation of a cascade of proteases known as caspases, we initially studied the role of caspases in induction of apoptosis by CD437 and 4-HPR. We found that both retinoids induced caspase-3 and caspase-9 enzyme activity. Furthermore, using caspase specific inhibitors we determined that caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity was essential for the induction of apoptosis by these synthetic retinoids since these inhibitors completely blocked CD437 and 4-HPR induced apoptosis. Interestingly, we found that treatment with bongkriekic acid (BA), a mitochondrial membrane depolarization inhibitor, blocked apoptosis, caspase-9 activation and caspase-3 activation induced by both retinoids. Finally, we were able to determine that CD437 treatment induced the translocation of TR3, a nuclear orphan receptor, whereas, 4-HPR did not. Our results suggest that CD437 and 4-HPR initially activate separate pathways to induce mitochondrial depolarization but both utilize mitochondrial depolarization, caspase-9 activation, and caspase-3 activation in the later stages of apoptosis induction.
Nonprotein Nitrogen and Protein Distribution in the Milk of Cows

The NPN content of milk represents only 5 to 6% of the total N in milk. However, the significance of this milk N fraction to energy and N metabolism in the dairy cow has not been well characterized. The single largest contributor to the NPN fraction of milk NPN is urea. Urea equilibrates in body water, and blood urea is the primary source of milk urea. The urea in milk can be derived from at least two sources: the end product of digestion and amino acid catabolism. Blood urea N was positively associated with intakes of ruminally degradable and undegradable protein and negatively associated with intake of net energy. Consequently, it might be possible to develop a system to evaluate the dietary protein and energy status of the lactating dairy cow employing milk urea in conjunction with milk true protein.
NMDAR-Dependent Control of Call Duration in Xenopus laevis

Many rhythmic behaviors, such as locomotion and vocalization, involve temporally dynamic patterns. How does the brain generate temporal complexity? Here, we use the vocal central pattern generator ...
Tissue-specific regulation of the WT1 locus

The 11p13 Wilms' tumor locus consists of two coordinately regulated transcripts, WT1 and WIT-1. These genes are highly expressed in the developing urogenital system, beginning with the urogenital ridge at day 10.5, the metanephric blastema at day 11.5, and during glomerular formation at day 13.5, becoming ultimately restricted to the podocytes. Stromal cells of the gonad also show abundant expression. WT1 is expressed at lower levels in spleen, uterus, mesothelial linings of organs in the abdominal and thoracic cavities, and the ependymal layer of the ventral aspect of the spinal cord. WIT-1 mRNA is about 10-fold less abundant than WT1, but appears to be expressed in the same tissue-restricted manner. Expression of the WT1 protein is required for kidney development, although its physiological function remains to be determined. The function of WIT-1 is similarly unknown but one intriguing possibility is that it is an antisense regulator of WT1. An understanding of events controlling spatial and temporal regulation of these genes will greatly improve our ability to study the role of WT1 and WIT-1 in urogenital development. We have found that while chimeric reporter constructs containing 0.6–2.5 kb of the 5′ region of the WT1 gene direct transcription in many different cell lines, we were unable to detect expression in 13.5-day mouse embryos. However, a cosmid containing about 42 kb encompassing this region was able to direct the expression of abundant levels of mRNA from the appropriate transcription initiation sites in both stable transfectants of mouse Leydig cells (TM3) or in transgenic embryos. We are currently localizing the DNA elements required for this expression. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Survivability and β‐galactosidase activity of bifidobacteria stored at low temperatures

Abstract This work evaluated the ability of strains representing six species of Bifidobacterium with probiotic potential to survive and maintain β‐galactosidase activity through a two‐step, low‐temperature storage period. Cultures were also evaluated for their ability to ferment skim milk and retain viability during storage at 4°C. Bifidobacterium longum ATCC 15707, B. breve 15700, and B. bifidum 29521 maintained the greatest viabilities at > 1 x 107 CFU/mL, and B. infantis 15702 maintained the highest β‐galactosidase activity at > 1 U/ml (with 1 × 108 CFU/mL remaining after 14 days of storage at 4°C. Overall, it was found that highest levels of β‐galactosidase activities did not necessarily correlate to the highest plate‐count populations.
SU-GG-T-500: The Feasibility of Using the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) for IMRT Treatment Planning with the Varian Trilogy High Dose Rate (SRS) Mode

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of using the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) for IMRTtreatment planning using the Varian Trilogy stereotactic radiotherapy(SRS) high dose rate mode. Method and Materials: Varian Trilogy has a special treatment mode designed for SRS. The SRS flattening filter limits the 6MV field size to 15×15 cm2 and allows a dose rate of 1000 MU/min at isocenter. AAA was implemented at Stanford Cancer Center in 2007 by modeling the intensity profile, extra‐focal photons and electron contamination using diagonal profiles of a 15×15 cm2 and an extrapolated 40×40 cm2 field. 8 IMRT treatment plans and 9 dynamic conformal arc patient plans were delivered to a homogeneous solid water phantom. Verification measurements were made using ionization chamber and film. Results: Percent depth doses calculated using AAA of open fields defined by collimators, agreed with measurement to within 2%. However larger discrepancies, 2.6%, were observed in small fields defined by MLC at depths larger than 20 cm. Of the 8 IMRT patient plans, measurements showed differences from 0.25% to 3.7%. The 9 dynamic conformal arc plans had a consistently higher discrepancy with AAA calculations, 0.78% to 6.5%. It was found that for smaller target volumes for both IMRT and conformal arc plans, differences between AAA and measurements are greater. It was also noted that for the dynamic conformal arc plans, the discrepancy with measurement is related to treatment volume size with larger variations for smaller target volumes. Conclusion: Due to the limited maximum field size and small field sizes used in SRS, implementation of AAA proved to be a challenge. It is shown that acceptable results, (average ∼2%) though not perfect, could be achieved. AAA is still the preferred calculation algorithm for clinical use as the majority of our SRS cases are targeting the thoracic region.
Determination of Doxycycline in Bovine Tissues and Body Fluids by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Using Photodiode Array Ultraviolet-Visible Detection

A sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic assay was developed to quantitate doxycycline concentrations in bovine tissues and body fluids. The method involved sonication of doxycycline-spiked minced tissues with appropriate solutions to extract tissue-bound drug. Acetonitrile:85% phosphoric acid:water (20:2:78) was added to doxycycline-spiked serum or urine. The mixtures were ultrafiltered through 30000 or 10000 Da molecular weight cutoff microseparation systems. Separation was obtained by a reversed-phase microbore column. Absorbance of the column effluent was measured by an ultraviolet-visible photodiode array detector scanning from 235 to 380 nm and/or a photometric detector operated at 268 or 345 nm. Chromatographic peak homogeneity was evaluated by three-dimensional spectrochromatograms, contour maps, and absorbance ratios.
Development and application of multi-proxy indices of land use change for riparian soils in southern New England, USA.

Understanding the effects of land use on riparian systems is dependent upon the development of methodologies to recognize changes in sedimentation related to shifts in land use. Land use trends in southern New England consist of shifts from forested precolonial conditions, to colonial and agrarian land uses, and toward modern industrial–urban landscapes. The goals of this study were to develop a set of stratigraphic indices that reflect these land use periods and to illustrate their applications. Twenty-four riparian sites from first- and second-order watersheds were chosen for study. Soil morphological features, such as buried surface horizons (layers), were useful to identify periods of watershed instability. The presence of human artifacts and increases in heavy metal concentration above background levels, were also effective indicators of industrial–urban land use periods. Increases and peak abundance of non-arboreal weed pollen (Ambrosia) were identified as stratigraphic markers indicative of agricultural land uses. Twelve 14C dates from riparian soils indicated that the rise in non-arboreal pollen corresponds to the start of regional deforestation (AD 1749 ± 56 cal yr; mean ± 2 SD) and peak non-arboreal pollen concentration corresponds to maximum agricultural land use (AD 1820 ± 51 cal yr). These indices were applied to elucidate the impact of land use on riparian sedimentation and soil carbon (C) dynamics. This analysis indicated that the majority of sediment and soil organic carbon (SOC) stored in regional riparian soils is of postcolonial origins. Mean net sedimentation rates increased ∼100-fold during postcolonial time periods, and net SOC sequestration rates showed an approximate 200-fold increase since precolonial times. These results suggest that headwater riparian zones have acted as an effective sink for alluvial sediment and SOC associated with postcolonial land use.
A RasGRP, C. elegans RGEF-1b, Couples External Stimuli to Behavior by Activating LET-60 (Ras) in Sensory Neurons

Summary RasGRPs, which load GTP onto Ras and Rap1, are expressed in vertebrate and invertebrate neurons. The functions, regulation, and mechanisms of action of neuronal RasGRPs are unknown. Here, we show how C. elegans RGEF-1b, a prototypical neuronal RasGRP, regulates a critical behavior. Chemotaxis to volatile odorants was disrupted in RGEF-1b-deficient ( rgef-1 −/− ) animals and wild-type animals expressing dominant-negative RGEF-1b in AWC sensory neurons. AWC-specific expression of RGEF-1b-GFP restored chemotaxis in rgef-1 −/− mutants. Signals disseminated by RGEF-1b in AWC neurons activated a LET-60 (Ras)-MPK-1 (ERK) signaling cascade. Other RGEF-1b and LET-60 effectors were dispensable for chemotaxis. A bifunctional C1 domain controlled intracellular targeting and catalytic activity of RGEF-1b and was essential for sensory signaling in vivo. Chemotaxis was unaffected when Ca 2+ -binding EF hands and a conserved phosphorylation site of RGEF-1b were inactivated. Diacylglycerol-activated RGEF-1b links external stimuli (odorants) to behavior (chemotaxis) by activating the LET-60-MPK-1 pathway in specific neurons.
A METHODOLOGY FOR TESTING JOB TASK PERFORMANCE: PART II

Scoring procedures used during the measurement of task performance should be reliable and unbiased. Reliability means that evaluation of task performance will not vary over time, and different examiners will evaluate the examinee the same way in any given testing situation. Unbiased scoring procedures ensure that evaluations are not influenced by inappropriate factors, such as the human tendency to be lenient or overly generous.
Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) following platelet transfusion in a patient receiving high-dose interleukin-2 for treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is an uncommon life-threatening complication of hemotherapy. It is hypothesized to be the result of two independent insults: the first related to the clinical status of the patient and the second to the infusion of biologic response modifiers within blood components. We present a case of TRALI in a patient who received high-dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) as treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, where IL-2 is speculated to have been the first insult and transfusion of platelet concentrate the second. This is the first reported case of TRALI complicating treatment with high-dose immunotherapy.
Increased Independence and Decreased Vertigo after Vestibular Rehabilitation

Abstract Objective: We sought to determine the effectiveness in decreasing some symptoms, such as vertigo, and increasing performance of daily life skills after vestibular rehabilitation. Study Design and Setting: Patients who had chronic vertigo due to peripheral vestibular impairments were seen at a tertiary care center. They were referred for vestibular rehabilitation and were assessed on vertigo intensity and frequency with the use of the Vertigo Symptom Scale, the Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire, the Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. They were then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 home program treatment groups. Results: Vertigo decreased and independence in activities of daily living improved significantly. Improvement was not affected by age, gender, or history of vertigo. Conclusion: For many patients a simple home program of vestibular habituation head movement exercises is related to reduction in symptoms and increasing independence in activities of daily living. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;128:60-70.)
Smoothness of pion amplitudes and PCAC

Abstract We point out the essentially obvious result that if the massless pion amplitude is the smooth finite limit of the massive pion world, the Adler self-consistency condition must be true.
Assignment of human dihydrofolate reductase gene to band q23 of chromosome 5 and of related pseudogene ΨHD1 to chromosome 3

The chromosomal location of the human dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR; EC 1.5.1.3) gene that is amplified in a methotrexate-resistant human cell line has been investigated by screening a number of human-Chinese hamster ovary cell hybrids containing terminal and interstitial deletions in human chromosome 5. A correlation of genomic blotting data with the chromosome 5 constitution of the individual hybrids has allowed the assignment of the human DHFR gene to 5q23. The present work also establishes the location of the related intronless pseudogene psi HD1 in chromosome 3.
Thermomechanical response of a viscoelastic rod driven by a sinusoidal displacement

Abstract The forced vibrations of a rod of thermoviscoelastic material are studied. The rod is considered to be laterally insulated but not constrained, such that a one-dimensional analysis may be employed. Temperature dependence of the material properties and the resulting thermomechanical coupling effects are included. The vibrations are forced by the imposition of a sinusiodal displacement of known amplitude and frequency at one end of the rod. This problem corresponds to a dissipative material bonded to the surface of a relatively rigid, vibrating structure. Initial transient behavior is not considered. A steady-state response is found by means of a finite difference formulation. Material properties of a Lockheed solid propellant are used. The presence of critical frequencies, characterized by high stresses and temperatures, is found for small amplitudes of vibration. Nonlinearities and instabilities lead to a lack of one-to-one correspondence between stress and displacement boundary conditions. No relationship is found between the critical frequencies of the driven rod and the natural frequencies of a rod with an equivalent temperature profile.
Ordering the Multiple Pathways of Apoptosis

Abstract Apoptosis plays an important role in development, homeostasis, and disease. Current work has suggested that apoptosis can be evoked by multiple stimuli that, in turn, initiate distinct death pathways. Recently, exciting advances have been made in the understanding of biochemical pathways that regulate apoptotic processes. These pathways contain both evolutionarily conserved elements and components that are dependent on the death stimulus and cell context. Accordingly, this review focuses on the compositions and relative ordering of the apoptotic pathways in four different death paradigms: activation of receptors of the Fas ligand, destruction by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, exposure to DNA damaging agents, and loss of support by neurotrophic factors. These examples illustrate the conservation and divergence in the ways that death pathways are composed and ordered . (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1997;7:294–301). © 1997, Elsevier Science Inc .