cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic impact of lymphadenectomy in clinically early stage malignant germ cell tumour of the ovary

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of lymphadenectomy and nodal metastasis on survival in clinical stage I malignant ovarian germ cell tumour (OGCT). Data were obtained from the National Cancer Institute registry from 1988 to 2006. Analyses were performed using Student's t-test, Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard methods. In all, 1083 patients with OGCT who have undergone surgical treatment and deemed at time of the surgery to have disease clinically confined to the ovary were included 590 (54.48%) had no lymphadenectomy (LND−1) and 493 (45.52%) had lymphadenectomy. Of the 493 patients who had lymphadenectomy, 441 (89.5%) were FIGO surgical stage I (LND+1) and 52 (10.5%) were upstaged to FIGO stage IIIC due to nodal metastasis (LND+3C). The 5-year survival was 96.9% for LND−1, 97.7% for LND+1 and 93.4% for LND+3C (P=0.5). On multivariate analysis, lymphadenectomy was not an independent predictor of survival when controlling for age, histology and race (HR: 1.26, 95% CI: 0.62–2.58, P=0.5). Moreover, the presence of lymph node metastasis had no significant effect on survival (HR: 2.7, 95% CI: 0.67–10.96, P=0.16). Neither lymphadenectomy nor lymph node metastasis was an independent predictor of survival in patients with OGCT confined to the ovary. This probably reflects the highly chemosensitive nature of these tumours.
Phonocardiographic findings in patients with normally functioning ionescu-shiley prostheses

Phonocardiographic findings are reported in 19 patients with normally functioning Ionescu-Shiley prostheses in the mitral or aortic position. Opening clicks were recorded in all 8 patients with mitral prostheses at a mean second heart sound (A2) to opening click interval of 94 ms. In 9 subjects, apical systolic murmurs were found. All 11 patients with the prosthesis in the aortic position had systolic ejection murmurs. Opening clicks were observed in 8 patients with a mean Q wave to opening click interval of 125 ms; closing clicks were found in 9 of 11. No diastolic murmurs occurred in this group. These acoustic characteristics serve as a reference source for the noninvasive evaluation of the bovine pericardial prosthesis.
Maximum Fruit Growth Potential Following Resource Limitation During Peach Growth

Abstract To achieve its maximum organ growth potential, an organ must grow at its potential relative growth rate (RGR) throughout development. When resource availability limits growth, the RGR is reduced below the potential RGR. This study examines whether, following a period of resource-limited growth, the RGR is able to increase to the potential RGR when sufficient resources are available. Fruit RGRs of a late maturing peach cultivar were examined following removal of most of the fruits (heavy thinning) from previously unthinned trees in Apr., May, and Jun. The fruit RGRs after imposition of the thinning treatments were higher than those on unthinned trees during source-limited periods of the growing season, suggesting that fruit RGR can increase in response to increased resource availability. In general, the RGRs of fruits of trees thinned in Apr., May, and Jun. did not exceed those of fruits on trees thinned at bloom, suggesting that heavy thinning at bloom provides a reasonable estimate of the potential RGR. There were times, however, when the effects of competition with vegetative sinks were apparent, suggesting that the RGR of fruits on trees that were heavily thinned at bloom may underestimate the potential RGR during these times. The absolute growth rates of fruits on thinned trees were greater than those on unthinned trees, but generally were not greater than those on trees that were thinned at bloom, suggesting that peach fruits are unable to recover potential growth lost during resource-limited growth periods.
Three-Body Effects in the Fragmentation of D2 by Slow, Highly-Charged Xenon

Fragmentation of D2 by slow Xe26+ ions is studied using multi-hit, position- sensitive detection of both D+ fragments. By detecting both ion fragments, kinematically complete pictures of the breakup dynamics following double electron removal are obtained. These data are compared to 5-body CTMC calculations. For slow collisions, two types of three-body effects are identified. The largest is attributed to interactions between the undissociated molecule and the dipole field of the projectile and is compatible with a two-step fragmentation picture. A smaller effect, attributed to quadrupole-like and higher multipole interactions between the dissociating fragments and the projectile field is also observed. This "true" 3-body effect, extracts internal energy from the exploding molecule and is incompatible with a two-step picture.
Scattering from quasi-homogeneous media

Abstract In analogy with the concept of a quasi-homogeneous source, the concept of a quasi-homogeneous random, time-independent medium is introduced. The scattering on such a medium is considered within the accuracy of the first Born approximation. Expressions are derived for the radiant intensity (the differential scattering cross-section) of the scattered field and for its degree of spatial coherence. These quantities and the quantities that characterize the correlation properties of the scatterer are found to obey interesting reciprocity relations.
Particle size and multiphase effects on cycling stability using tin-based materials

Abstract The use of two tin-based powders of differing particle size oxidized to various extents at elevated temperatures allowed the quantification of the effect of a lithia (Li 2 O) matrix, resulting from the oxide conversion, on the material cycling efficiency. The lithiation capacity ratio of the 15th to the 2nd cycle was utilized as a measure of the material cycling efficiency. A linear variation was established for both types of materials between the capacity retention ratio and the first cycle irreversible capacity loss, which is directly correlated to the material oxygen content. An increase of the material oxygen content resulted in a systematic improvement of the material cycling stability. We also show that a decrease in particle size and a multiphase core at similar oxygen content further improves the material cycling stability. An alternative material exhibiting further improved electrochemical performance was also introduced.
Magnetoamplification in a bipolar magnetic junction transistor

We have demonstrated the first bipolar magnetic junction transistor using a dilute magnetic semiconductor. For an InMnAs p-n-p transistor magnetoamplification is observed at room temperature. The observed magnetoamplification is attributed to the magnetoresistance of the magnetic semiconductor InMnAs heterojunction. The magnetic field dependence of the transistor characteristics confirm that the magnetoamplification results from the junction magnetoresistance. To describe the experimentally observed transistor characteristics, we propose a modified Ebers-Moll model that includes a series magnetoresistance attributed to spin-selective conduction. The capability of magnetic field control of the amplification in an all-semiconductor transistor at room temperature potentially enables the creation of new computer logic architecture where the spin of the carriers is utilized.
Do females necessarily have the same occupational status scores as males? A conceptual and empirical examination of the Duncan Socioeconomic Status Index and Nam-Powers Occupational Status Scores

Abstract Social Science researchers have advanced important yet somewhat contradictory conclusions regarding the different economic and occupational reward structures faced by men and women. Income and wage differences between men and women have been shown to be sizable and persistent throughout the occupational hierarchy. Conversely, gender differences in occupational status, commonly scaled by the Duncan Socioeconomic Index, have been shown to be small or nonexistent in most studies. In an attempt to investigate this incongruity, the present study undertakes a comparison of the Duncan SEI and the Nam-Powers Occupational Status Scores in an empirical study of the occupational position of white men and women in 65 large standard metropolitan statistical areas (SMSAs) in 1970. While the findings of earlier studies showing no gender differences in occupational status are for the most part replicated using the Duncan SEI, use of the Nam-Powers scores prompts a much different conclusion. Large status differences between men and women are indicated using this latter scale, differences which are very much in line with income differences commonly cited. We suggest that the Nam-Powers metric should be used instead of the Duncan SEI in studies of occupational status of women and men.
Fractionation of an oligomeric pyrene pitch via supercritical extraction

Abstract Semi-continuous, packed-column supercritical extraction was investigated for the fractionation of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pitch into its constituent oligomers. The starting pitch had been produced by the catalytic polymerization of pure pyrene using AlCl3. Although neat supercritical toluene (Tc = 318.6 °C; Pc = 41.1 bar) was shown to be an effective solvent for the recovery of both monomer and dimer cuts in high purities, higher-oligomer solubilities in toluene are notoriously low. However, the addition of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a co-solvent enhanced oligomer solubilities in the extractive, supercritical-solvent phase by a factor of 3, making possible the recovery of trimer and higher oligomers. An unexpected benefit of the use of NMP is that it was found to suppress the condensation reaction between toluene and the pyrene oligomers – apparently by forming a Lewis acid–base complex with the AlCl3 catalyst – that can occur in the extraction column at temperatures above 350 °C.
Crisis nursery outcomes for caregivers served at multiple sites in Illinois

Abstract The results of the first study of individual outcomes for caregivers accessing crisis nursery services at multiple sites in Illinois are reported in this paper. Using administrative data collected by the five crisis nurseries in Illinois, outcomes for individual caregivers accessing crisis nursery services were studied. Results showed that caregivers generally reported improved outcomes in stress reduction, risk of abuse, and enhanced parenting skills after receiving crisis nursery services. Ordinal regression analysis of caregiver stress change showed that those who were Caucasian and single, had higher incomes, had children aged four years of age or older, and sought crisis nursery services because of home, mental health, or family violence crises were more likely to report the greatest stress reductions. Service implications and future research are discussed.
Evaluation of mixed lucerne and caucasian bluestem hay diets fed to sheep

Several in vitro experiments, a digestion trial and a growth trial were performed to determine dry matter (DM) and fiber digestibilities, rate and extent of in vitro DM disappearance, ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) release, N metabolism variables, intake and average daily gain in sheep fed various combinations of lucerne and caucasian bluestem hay. Dietary treatments were prepared with lucerne replacing bluestem at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of dietary DM. Associative effects between forages were evaluated. In vitro NH3-N accumulation exhibited a cubic response (P < 0.01) to percentage of lucerne at 6 h of incubation. A positive associative effect on NH3-N accumulation was evident at 6 h, with the 25% lucerne substrate having greater NH3-N accumulation compared with the 0 and 100% lucerne substrates. The extent of DM, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and cellulose disappearance, and the rate of DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) disappearance, decreased (P < 0.05) linearly as the percentage of lucerne increased. However, the addition of lucerne resulted in a linear increase (P < 0.01) in the rate of in vitro DM digestion early in fermentation (0–24 h). In the digestion trial, DM, NDF, ADF and cellulose digestibilities decreased linearly (P 0.90) was observed on true N digestibility due to increasing lucerne in the diet. Diets varying in lucerne were fed ad libitum to 2 pens of lambs (6 lambs per pen; average initial weight, 20 kg) in a 56-day growth trial. Dry-matter intake increased linearly (P < 0.05) as the percentage of lucerne in the diet increased. Quadratic (P < 0.05) responses to an increasing percentage of lucerne were observed for average daily gain (ADG) and feed to gain ratio. Addition of lucerne to caucasian bluestem hay increased the amount of N and cell solubles available for microbial growth and fiber digestion, resulting in increased intake and animal performance despite decreased digestibility.
Deterministic relative attitude determination of formation flying spacecraft

This paper studies deterministic relative attitude determination of a formation of vehicles. The results provide an assessment of the accuracy of the deterministic attitude solutions, given statistical properties of the assumed noisy measurements. A formation of three vehicles is considered in which each vehicle is equipped with sensors to provide line-of-sight, and possibly range, measurements between them. Three vehicles are chosen because this is the minimum number required to determine all relative attitudes given minimal measurement information. Three cases are studied. The first determines the absolute (inertial) attitude of a vehicle knowing the absolute positions of the other two. The second assumes parallel beams between each vehicle, and the third assumes non-parallel beams which requires range information to find deterministic solutions. Covariance analyses are provided to gain insight on the stochastic properties of the attitude errors for all three cases.
Infixing with a Vengeance: Pingding Mandarin Infixation

In the Pingding dialect of Mandarin, the infixing of a retroflex lateral, -l-, before the nucleus marks diminutive. Pingding infixation not only creates onset clusters but also introduces a phoneme. Both features are otherwise not found elsewhere in the language. We argue that the infix -l-, which is cognate with the diminutive -r suffix in other Mandarin dialects, is the result of rhotic metathesis (cf. Blevins and Garrett (1998)). This study shows that Pingding infixation presents an interesting challenge to the theory that claims sound change/metathesis is perceptually optimizing and that it is goal-driven (Hume (1997, 1998, 2001), Steriade (2001)). In this paper, we advance a theory of the origin of Pingding infixation, based on the listener-oriented (i.e., `innocent') view of sound change (Ohala (1993)), which accounts for the appearance of -l- as an excrescent segment through acoustic means, rather than articulatory (Chen (1992)) or phonotactic ones (Lin (2002)).
Validating verdancy or vacancy? The relationship of community gardens and vacant lands in the U.S.

Abstract Community gardens have gained attention and support in recent years because of a range of expected benefits and outcomes, and they are one of many examples of transformations of vacant land into green space. While the improvements to vacant or underutilized land are lauded, the practice of community gardening is underpinned by the assumption that it is a temporary practice on temporarily-available land. This assumption, which is at times implicit and at others explicit, maintains that support for community gardens—technical assistance and especially access to land—can be temporary. Through a genealogy of community garden advocacy in the U.S., we find that a dominant narrative of community gardening as a means to an end has been continuously reproduced for more than a century in large part by government agencies and philanthropic organizations. In recent decades, community gardeners have become key actors in advocacy, and although they portray gardening as a meaningful part of everyday city life, they also reproduce that narrative of temporariness by promoting it as a means to address various issues. We argue that this tension between means and ends—especially coming from community gardeners—is problematic. It is a challenge for community gardeners and the many other producers of green space on supposedly vacant land because their means-oriented discourse takes precedence in the public imagination; it perpetuates the notion that the land is ultimately still vacant.
Derivative complex, BGG correspondence, and numerical inequalities for compact Kähler manifolds

Given an irregular compact Kahler manifold X, one can form the derivative complex of X, which governs the deformation theory of the groups H i(X,α) as α varies over Pic(X). Together with its variants, it plays a central role in a body of work involving generic vanishing theorems. The purpose of this paper is to present two new applications of this complex. First, we show that it fits neatly into the setting of the so-called Bernstein-Gel’fand-Gel’fand (BGG) correspondence between modules over an exterior algebra and linear complexes over a symmetric algebra (cf. [BGG], [EFS], [Eis], [Co]). What comes out here is that some natural cohomology modules associated to X have a surprisingly simple algebraic structure, and that conversely one can read off from these modules some basic geometric invariants associated to the Albanese mapping of X. Secondly, under an additional hypothesis, the derivative complex determines a vector bundle on the projectivized tangent space to Pic(X) at the origin. We show that this bundle, which encodes the infinitesimal behavior of the Hilbert scheme of paracanonical divisors along the canonical linear series, can be used to generate inequalities among numerical invariants of X.
On semidefinite linear complementarity problems

Given a linear transformation L:? n →? n and a matrix Q∈? n , where ? n is the space of all symmetric real n×n matrices, we consider the semidefinite linear complementarity problem SDLCP(L,? n +,Q) over the cone ? n + of symmetric n×n positive semidefinite matrices. For such problems, we introduce the P-property and its variants, Q- and GUS-properties. For a matrix A∈R n×n , we consider the linear transformation L A :? n →? n defined by L A (X):=AX+XA T and show that the P- and Q-properties for L A are equivalent to A being positive stable, i.e., real parts of eigenvalues of A are positive. As a special case of this equivalence, we deduce a theorem of Lyapunov.
The effect of a temperature-sensitive lesion in the alkaline DNase of herpes simplex virus type 2 on the synthesis of viral DNA.

Abstract The alkaline DNase of herpes simplex virus type 2 appears to be a nonessential function, since revertants of the original ts13 mutant selected for growth at nonpermissive temperature (Moss et al., J. Virol. 32, 140–146 1979), have reverted only in the thermostability of the virus particle while still inducing a temperature-sensitive DNase. The properties of one revertant, 4–8, are investigated in this report. During infection at 38.5° production of infectious virus is reduced ca. 10-fold and 4–8 forms tiny plaques on monolayers when compared to 31.5° or to wild type virus at either temperature, where normal plaque sizes are observed. 4–8 is DNA+/− at 38.5°, producing 5 to 10% of the viral DNA made at 31.5° or by wild type virus at either temperature, similar to the DNA phenotype of the original ts13. DNase activity is absent from 4–8 infected cells at 38.5° and DNA polymerase levels are reduced four- to fivefold. Although the viral DNA polymerase, when assayed in extracts from cells infected at 31.5° is more heat stable in 4–8 than in wild type, the DNA polymerase induced by 4–8 at 31.5° is temperature sensitive in vivo, when infected cells are shifted from 31.5° to 38.5°. The drop in DNA polymerase activity under these conditions is paralleled by a decrease in the synthesis of viral DNA. But in contrast to the DNA− mutant ts6, where DNA synthesis turns off completely in response to a temperature shift-up, 4–8 continues to synthesize viral DNA for several hours after shift-up at a 10- to 20-fold reduced rate. The results demonstrate that viral DNA is synthesized in the absence of active DNase, yet less efficiently so than in its presence. The possibility that the DNase is responsible for the generation of rapidly sedimenting, concatemeric viral DNA can be excluded since the same proportion of pulse-labeled DNA appears in this fraction for 4–8 as for wild type independent of the temperature.
Hemodynamics in Human Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms During Rest and Simulated Exercise

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) — the localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta — represent the 13th leading cause of death in the United States. The natural progression of small (3–5 cm) AAAs is 2–6% growth per year until rupture or surgical repair [1]. As AAAs enlarge, adverse hemodynamic conditions (including regions of low mean wall shear stress and high particle residence time) are exacerbated under normal resting conditions.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Family Beliefs and Interventions in Pediatric Pain Management

Whether a child has to endure a procedure that incurs acute pain or a child has chronic pain, the impact on the family, especially parents, can be profound. Parents need to be active members of their child's health care team; however, they are often ill equipped to cope with either acute pain stressors or longstanding chronic pain in their children. This article provides an overview of acute and chronic pain, the impact of parent factors on pediatric pain, parental assessments of parent functioning, and parent-based interventions for pediatric pain management. Case examples are used to illustrate the treatments presented.
Finite-amplitude thermal convection within a self-gravitating fluid sphere.

Finite-difference calculations have been carried out to determine the structure of finite-amplitude thermal convection within a self-gravitating fluid sphere with uniform heat release. For a fixed-surface boundary condition, single-cell convection breaks up into double-cell convection at a Rayleigh number of 30,000, at a Rayleigh number of 500,000 four-cell convection is observed. With a free-surface boundary condition only single cell convection is obtained up to a Rayleigh number of 5,000,000.
Effect of left ventricular size on early diastolic left ventricular filling in neonates and in adults

Peak early diastolic left ventricular (LV) filling rate has been used as an index of LV diastolic function. However, it is known to be affected by LV size. Peak early diastolic transmitral flow velocity measured by pulsed Doppler echocardiography has also been proposed as a noninvasive method of assessing LV diastolic function. To determine if peak early diastolic mitral flow velocity also is influenced by LV size, 20 normal neonates (age 2 days) and 21 normal adults (mean age 38 years) were studied using pulsed Doppler echocardiography to measure mitral flow velocity and M-mode echocardiography to estimate LV end-diastolic volume and mitral valvular area. Peak early diastolic LV filling rate was calculated by multiplying peak early diastolic mitral flow velocity by mitral valvular area. Adults had significantly larger LV end-diastolic volumes (mean ± standard deviation 108 ± 25 vs 7 ± 3 ml) and higher peak early diastolic LV filling rates (305 ± 75 vs 29 ± 10 ml/s) than neonates (both p
Primary care redesign: A simulation study at a pediatric clinic

UW Health (the integrated health system at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI) has been engaged in a multi-year initiative to transform the primary care delivery system. In support of the redesign, discrete event simulation models are developed to analyze the patient flows of pediatric care processes with complex interactions among patients, care providers, and other resources. Using the simulation models, the patient length of stay is evaluated. Analyses with respect to patient demands, staffing levels, and schedule changes are carried out. Such models can help reduce unnecessary variations in care delivery processes, ensure the high efficiency of staff and engage patients in process improvement. This will provide healthcare professionals quantitative tools to evaluate the impact on the system when various input variables are modified, study predicted outcomes and focus improvement efforts based on model analyses, which can lead to significant savings.
Comments and Reflections

It is a great honor for me to have been invited to comment on the foregoing articles, not only because the theme to which they are addressed has been of such central interest to me but also because they rather consistently comment on my work as having positive relevance to their own thinking. There is no greater honor for scholars (particularly because more material honors are generally denied to them) than to have their work taken seriously by their colleagues. Nevertheless, "to be taken seriously" also almost necessarily means to be criticized, for the sciences are not intra- or intergenerational admiration societies but, rather, intra- or intergenerational refinement and replacement societies. Such refinement and replacement would be particularly likely in my case, given the Amerindian and Hawaiian emphases of these articles and, additionally, their immersion in and derivation from anthropological data and theory, none of which have characterized my own work. Indeed, I consider myself fortunate to have come out relatively unscathed and generally unbloodied in this critical process of refinement and replacement. My colleagues have dealt very generously with me, and I thank them for their forbearance. The foregoing articles strike me as being exceptionally stimulating and can lead the thoughtful reader to important further questions and even in important new directions. I will organize my own comments and reflections on them into four separate topical foci, in accord with the four topics that the title of this collection enumerates: language, education, authenticity, and identity. Because the four are closely interrelated by design, some of my comments will necessarily also cross over from one topic to another rather than being restricted only to the particular topic with which I initially associate them. Language A consideration that might benefit from more direct attention pertains to why the perceived discontinuity of languages is so often much clearer than any perceived discontinuity of either authenticity or identity patterns. From an "insider perspective," it is common for members to hear and engage in disputes as to whether language usage is normatively "right or wrong" or functionally "appropriate or inappropriate," but rarely do they dispute whether it is language X or language Y that is being spoken. "Same" or "different" vis-a-vis total language designation
Absence of mitochondrial progesterone receptor polymorphisms in women with spontaneous preterm birth.

Objective: The truncated mitochondrial progesterone receptor (PR-M) is homologous to nuclear PRs with the exception of an amino terminus hydrophobic membrane localization sequence, which localizes PR-M to mitochondria. Given the matrilineal inheritance of both spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) and the mitochondrial genome, we hypothesized that (a) PR-M is polymorphic and (b) PR-M localization sequence polymorphisms could result in variable progesterone—mitochondrial effects and variable responsiveness to progesterone prophylaxis. Methods: Secondary analysis of DNAfrom women enrolled in a multicenter, prospective, study of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate ( 170HPC) versus placebo for the prevention of recurrent SPTB. DNA was extracted from stored saliva. Results: The PR-M localization sequence was sequenced on 344 patients. Sequences were compared with the previously published 48 base-pair sequence, and all were identical. Conclusions: We did not detect genetic variation in the mitochondrial localization sequence of the truncated PR-M in a group of women at high risk for SPTB.
Binding of [3H]ICIA 5165, an H2-receptor antagonist to guinea pig gastric mucosa

ICIA 5165, 2-guanidino-4-[4-(2-cyano-3-methylguanidino)butyl] thiazole, a selective histamine H2-receptor antagonist was radiolabelled with tritium to a specific activity of 50.8 Ci/mmol for use in binding studies. Radiolabelling did not impair bioactivity. Binding characteristics of [3H]ICIA 5165 to guinea pig gastric mucosa were determined. Ligand binding was rapid, reaching equilibrium within five minutes at 0 degrees C, reversible and saturable. Specific [3H]ICIA 5165 binding had an equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.29 X 10(-8) M, determined by Scatchard plot analysis, and of 1.02 X 10(-8) M, calculated from the ratio of the dissociation to association rate constants. A Hill number, nH, of 1.02 was determined for the specific binding component. Specific binding of [3H]ICIA 5165 to gastric mucosal supernatant was not inhibited by methapyrilene, diphenhydramine, mepyramine, d-chlorpheniramine or l-chlorpheniramine (all at 10(-7) M), or by atropine or propranolol (both at 10(-6) M). Specific [3H]ICIA 5165 binding was inhibited in a concentration dependent manner by non-radioactive ICIA 5165 and tiotidine, as well as by a variety of other agents, with H2 agonist or H2 antagonist properties. In competition experiments, however, difficulties encountered in accurately defining the degree of specific binding indicate some reservation should be observed in interpreting these results.
Developmental stages and structure of a Rickettsiella in the navel orangeworm, Paramyelois transitella (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae)

Abstract Stages in the life cycle of a Rickettsiella are described. Uniformly dense primary cells bounded by single membranes were the earliest forms observed. Coarsely granular secondary cells with electron-dense nuclear equivalents and with 2 membrane boundaries differentiate within primary cells which form vesicles. Secondary cells multiply within vesicles and may give rise to inclusion bodies, or more frequently, may develop into long chains of smaller cells. The latter finally form the infective minute cells characteristic of terminal infections.
EPR Spectra and covalency of bis(amidinourea/O-alkyl-1-amidinourea)copper(II) complexes Part II. Properties of the CuN42− chromophore

Abstract EPR and optical absorption studies have been made on some square planar pink CuN 4 2− chromophore complexes, viz. bis(amidinourea/ O -isopropyl-1- amidinourea/ O -ethoxyethyl-1-amidinourea/ O -methoxyethyl- 1-amidinourea)copper(II) complexes, in the solid state and in different solvents (water, DMF and DMSO) to investigate solute-solvent interaction, if any; spin-Hamiltonian constants of the copper(II) ion; metal-ligand bond parameters; and the environment around the copper(II) ion. In an aqueous medium nine nitrogen superfine lines on the high field 3/2 ↔ 3/2 copper hyperfine splitting component is indicative of four equivalent or nearly equivalent nitrogen atoms surrounding the copper(II) ion. The spectra obtained from different media permitted calculation of the degree of covalence of σ- and π-bonds of the copper(II) ion with the four nitrogen atoms of the ligands. The metal-ligand covalency in these compounds is comparable to that found in copper(II) phthalocyanine and porphine complexes. The covalency of the bis(ligand)copper(II) complexes is attributed to the strong σ-interaction of the copper(II) ion with a deprotonated imino ligand bonding site, and electron delocalization occurs throughout the entire chelate ring.
Identifying and utilizing the ischemic penumbra

The penumbral concept is defined as different areas within the ischemic region evolve into irreversible brain injury over time and that this evolution is most critically linked to the severity of the decline in cerebral blood flow (CBF). The ischemic penumbra was initially defined as a region of reduced CBF with absent spontaneous or induced electrical potentials that still maintained ionic homeostasis and transmembrane electrical potentials. The reduction of CBF levels to between 10 and 15 mL/100 g/min and approximately 25 mL/100 g/min are likely to identify penumbral tissue, and the ischemic core of irreversible ischemic tissue has a CBF value below the lower threshold. The role of identifying this critically deprived brain tissue from CBF in triaging patients for endovascular ischemic therapy is evolving. In this review we focus on the basic science of the penumbral concept and identification using various imaging modalities (PET, MRI, and CT) in animal models and human studies. Another article in this supplement addresses the clinical implication and the current understanding and application of this concept into clinical practice of endovascular ischemic stroke therapy.
Multifaceted roles of β-arrestins in the regulation of seven-membrane-spanning receptor trafficking and signalling

Beta-arrestins are cytosolic proteins that bind to activated and phosphorylated G-protein-coupled receptors [7MSRs (seven-membrane-spanning receptors)] and uncouple them from G-protein-mediated second messenger signalling pathways. The binding of beta-arrestins to 7MSRs also leads to new signals via activation of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) such as JNK3 (c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3), ERK1/2 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2) and p38 MAPKs. By binding to endocytic proteins [clathrin, AP2 (adapter protein 2), NSF (N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein) and ARF6 (ADP-ribosylation factor 6)], beta-arrestins also serve as adapters to link the receptors to the cellular trafficking machinery. Agonist-promoted ubiquitination of beta-arrestins is a prerequisite for their role in receptor internalization, as well as a determinant of the differing trafficking patterns of distinct classes of receptors. Recently, beta-arrestins have also been implicated as playing novel roles in cellular chemotaxis and apoptosis. By virtue of their ability to bind, in a stimulus-dependent fashion, to 7MSRs as well as to different classes of cellular proteins, beta-arrestins serve as versatile adapter proteins that regulate the signalling and trafficking of the receptors.
Impact of Total Lymph Node Count and Lymph Node Ratio on Staging and Survival after Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Large, Population-Based Analysis

Background Based on data from other malignancies, the number of lymph nodes evaluated and the ratio of metastatic to examined lymph nodes (LNR) may be important predictors of survival. LNR has never been investigated in a large population-based study of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The diagnostic utility of immunohistochemistry in distinguishing between epithelioid mesotheliomas and squamous carcinomas of the lung: a comparative study

As both mesotheliomas and squamous carcinomas can present a wide variety of morphological patterns, they can on occasion be confused. Recently, some groups of investigators have called attention to the difficulties that sometimes exist in distinguishing between these malignancies and the need to define a panel of markers that can assist in reaching the correct diagnosis. The aim of the present study is to compare the value of the various immunohistochemical markers currently available for the diagnosis of mesothelioma and squamous carcinoma of the lung. A total of 30 epithelioid pleural mesotheliomas exhibiting a solid or predominantly solid pattern, and 30 nonkeratinizing squamous carcinomas of the lung were investigated for the expression of the following markers: podoplanin, calretinin, mesothelin, WT1, keratin 5/6, keratin 7, p63, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), MOC-31, Ber-EP4, B72.3, BG-8 (Lewis(y)), leu-M1 (CD15), and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1). All 30 (100%) of the mesotheliomas reacted for calretinin, mesothelin and keratin 7, 93% each for podoplanin, WT1 and keratin 5/6, 13% for Ber-EP4, 7% each for p63, MOC-31 and BG-8, and 0% for B72.3, CEA, leu-M1 and TTF-1. All 30 (100%) of the squamous carcinomas were positive for p63 and keratin 5/6, 97% for MOC-31, 87% for Ber-EP4, 80% for BG-8, 77% for CEA, 57% for keratin 7, 40% for calretinin and B72.3, 30% for leu-M1, 27% for mesothelin, 15% for podoplanin, and 0% for WT 1 and TTF-1. After analyzing the results, it is concluded that from a practical point-of-view, a combination of two positive mesothelioma markers (WT1 and calretinin or mesothelin) with two negative mesothelioma markers (p63 and MOC-31) would allow the differential diagnosis to be established between epithelioid mesotheliomas and squamous carcinomas of the lung in nearly all instances.
Validation of the 12-Item Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale in a Biethnic Stroke Population

The 12-item Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SSQOL), a shortened version of the original SSQOL, was developed to be an efficient and valid outcome in stroke research. We aimed to assess the validity of this scale in a biethnic ischemic stroke population. Patients with validated ischemic stroke who completed the original 49-item SSQOL at 90 days poststroke were identified from a population-based study, the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi Project. Cronbach's α was used to assess the internal consistency of the scales. Intraclass correlation coefficients and linear regression were used to assess agreement between the 2 scales. The study cohort comprised 45 patients with ischemic stroke, 56% female and 51% Mexican American, with a mean age of 66.0 ± 11.3 years. The mean score for the 49-item scale was 3.33 ± 0.84, compared with 3.31 ± 0.95 for the 12-item scale. Internal consistency was 0.96 for the 49-item scale and 0.88 for the 12-item scale. The 2 scales were highly correlated (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.98; R 2 = 0.97). This study in patients with ischemic stroke from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds found that the more efficient 12-item SSQOL is a valid alternative to the full 49-item SSQOL for the assessment of health-related quality of life.
Estimates of cloud vertical structure and water amount over tropical oceans using VIRS and TMI data

[1] A microwave, visible and infrared (MVI) method was applied to coincident, collocated Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) and VIRS (Visible and Infrared Scanner) data collected from January to August 1998 to estimate the cloud vertical structure and water path over tropical oceans. The derived quantities include the liquid water path (LWP), ice water path (IWP), total water path (WP), the frequencies of single-layer and overlapping nonprecipitating clouds, and the cloud top-height, base-height and thickness for single-layered water clouds. LWP data retrieved from TMI measurements were compared with global and regional LWP retrieved from VIRS for warm nonprecipitating clouds for different seasons. The global mean difference between TMI LWP and VIRS LWP is less than 0.01 mm and varies with season. For cold clouds, the TMI LWP is only 25–30% of the VIRS WP. In these cases, the ice clouds observed by VIRS overlap liquid water clouds. This result is similar to that from an earlier study, however, the well-matched TMI and VIRS data provide more accurate instantaneous estimates than were previously possible. The assumption, that the cloud is entirely ice, used to compute IWP introduces some errors in the WP because of cloud overlapping. However, the difference between IWP estimated for all TMI FOVs containing only ice-phase VIRS pixels and the IWP estimated from the difference between the VIRS WP and TMI LWP is less than 10%. This result suggests that IWP is independent of the lower-level clouds for nonprecipitating systems. For warm single-layered clouds, the estimated low-cloud-base altitudes (∼800m) and thicknesses (between 800 m to 1000 m) are, on average, very close to low-cloud results derived from combined surface and upper-air observations. The frequency of overlapped nonprecipitating clouds over ocean was about 4%, 16% and 38% for low, middle, and high clouds, respectively. The results clearly demonstrate the potential for enhanced monitoring of maritime clouds using infrared, solar, and microwave imagers on the same platform.
Management of posttreatment endodontic pain with oral dexamethasone: A double-blind study

In a double-blind study, twenty-five subjects who received oral dexamethasone and twenty-five placebo subjects rated their postoperative pain 8 and 24 hours following initial endodontic treatment. The subjects who received dexamethasone reported statistically significantly less postoperative pain than the subjects who received the placebos. The question is raised as to whether oral corticosteroids are appropriate for routine management of posttreatment endodontic pain.
Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair: why they fail

The incidence of laparoscopic hiatal hernia recurrence has recently been questioned. The results with open repair have been accepted, but increasingly there is interest in mesh reinforcement when performing laparoscopic surgery. Several small series of mesh repair suggest efficacy. Further study of the causes of failure after the laparoscopic approach is warranted and may assist in determining the place of prosthetic reinforcement.
Comparison of Solid-State and Solution Photophysical Properties of a Platinum(II) Biphenyl Dicarbonyl Complex: A Multiple-State Emission Study

Pt(bph)(CO)2, where bph is the biphenyl dianion, displays multiple emission by altering the temperature, solvent, or its state. Emission spectra and emission quantum yields are concentration and excitation wavelength dependent. In dilute 4:1 ethanol/methanol at room temperature, a structured emission at high energy (∼500 nm) occurs, but in the solid state a nonstructured emission centered at (∼750 nm) is found. Between these extremes, two other emissions located at ∼540 and ∼650 nm are observed. Emissions from high energy to low energy are attributed to the following: triplet emission centered on the bph ligand, emission from a dimer (exciplex), emission from an aggregate, and emission from “stacked” platinum(II) crystals.
Effects of Lactic Fermentation of Milk on Milk Lipids

Fermentation of whole milk by Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulguricus and Streptococcus thermophilus resulted in moderate but significant increase in the levels of saturated fatty acids and oleic acid with a concomitant decrease in the levels of linoleic and linolenic acids in the glyceride fraction. Similarly, the increase in the levels of free fatty acids was moderate. There were significant increases in the levels of stearic and oleic acids. Unusual fatty acids of bacterial origin were not detected, and monoglycerides disappeared completely upon fermentation. Changes in cholesterol levels were also not significant. Acid degree value and free fatty acid levels were correlated significantly (r = 0.711). Results indicate that previously reported hypocholestermic effect of fermented milk is not due to changes in the composition of lipid classes investigated.
The use of mires in monitoring the atmospheric deposition of heavy metals

Bogs are ombrotrophic mire ecosystems receiving all chemical inputs from atmospheric deposition. Thus living vegetation in bogs such as Sphagnum moss and peat derived from the vegetation can be analyzed for metals in order to monitor atmospheric deposition. This can be done relative to a point source such as a smelter or for determining regional differences. A study was made in the area of the copper smelter at Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec in terms of atmospheric deposition. The moss Sphagnum fuscum von Klinggraeff was collected from 10 bogs within a 70-km radius of the smelter. The samples were analyzed for Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn. The concentration of elements Cu, Pb and Zn were high near the smelter and decreased exponentially to approximately 50 km, where they reached background levels. This indicates the zone of influence of the smelter in terms of atmospheric deposition. In the second part of the study, peat cores were collected from bogs located at Barrington, Nova Scotia; Sept Iles, Quebec; Luther, Ontario and a remote site in the James Bay lowland near Moosonee, Ontario. Metals (Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn) were analyzed at 3-cm intervals down to a depth of 1 m. In general, surface enrichment of Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn was noted with minimal enrichment at the James Bay site.
The Enlargement of the European Union and the Behavior of Real Exchange Rates

The authors further investigate the conditional variance and the persistence of real exchange rate (RER) shocks between Germany and some core European Union (EU) members from January, 1973 through 2004. Using data for all EU15 countries, they test whether the enlargement of the Union has reduced the variability and the persistence of RER shocks between Germany and the rest of the members during the 1990s. They also examine the impact of the introduction of the euro on the variance and persistence of real exchange rate shocks. Finally, the authors extend the analysis to the new members who joined in May, 2004. The results have implications for the economic cost of joining the Union, as well as assessing the timing of the newest members to enter the eurozone.
Inositol phosphate formation in the human squamous cell carcinoma line SCC-12 F: studies with bradykinin, the calcium ionophore A23187, and sodium fluoride.

The phospholipase C (PLC) – mediated hydrolysis of membrane phosphoinositides is an important signal transduction pathway coupled to the cell-surface receptors for several hormones and growth factors. In addition, PLC activity can be modulated by changes in intracellular calcium and activation of GTP binding proteins. In this report, differential activation of PLC in the human keratinocyte cell line SCC-12F was studied as judged by specific patterns of inositol phosphate formation. Several hormones and growth factors previously shown to stimulate PLC in a variety of cell types were screened for activity in SCC-12F cells. Only bradykinin was active, stimulating the PLC-dependent generation of inositol (1,4,5) triphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P 3 ). Ins(1,4,5)P 3 was rapidly metabolized to inositol(1,4)biphosphate (Ins(1,4)P 2 ) and inositol(1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate (lns(1 ,3,4,5)P 4 ), and subsequently degraded to inositol monophosphates. The response elicited by bradykinin was concentration dependent (EC 50 value of 50 nM), suggesting involvement of a specific bradykinin receptor. Treatment of these cells with the calcium ionophore A23 187 appeared to result in the direct formation of Ins(1,4)P 2 without Ins(1,4,5)P 3 as precursor, Treatment of the cells with AIF 4 - a putative activator of GTP binding proteins, resulted in the generation of inositol monophosphates as the major metabolites in the absence of detectable lns(1,4,5)P 3 formation. Taken together, these observations suggest that the PLC complex present in SCC-12F cells can be differentially activated to yield either Ins(1,4,5)P 3 , Ins(1,4)P 2 , or InsP. The observed effects may be due to a direct PLC-dependent hydrolysis of the appropriate membrane phosphoinositide.
Examining the relationship between legitimacy-building strategies and firm revenues.

Research question: The secondary ticket market has traditionally lacked the perception that it was a safe and legitimate place to acquire tickets. The current study examined the relationship between legitimacy-building strategies, such as lobbying for the deregulation of anti-ticket-scalping laws and engaging in partnerships with established sport organizations, and the revenues generated by the largest secondary market firm, StubHub. This study was conducted within the context of National Football League (NFL) ticket resale.Research methods: StubHub provided ticket resale figures for all 256 regular season games which took place during the 2007 NFL season. Hierarchical regression was utilized in order to examine the relationships between both price restrictions and secondary market partnerships, and ticket resale price and ticket resale volume.Results and findings: Results indicate secondary market partnerships have a significant influence on firm revenues, increasing the number of transactions while acc...