cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dose escalation of gemcitabine is possible with concurrent chest three-dimensional rather than two-dimensional radiotherapy: a phase I trial in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer.

Purpose To determine in a Phase I study the maximum tolerated dose of weekly gemcitabine concurrent with radiotherapy in locally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as the relationship between the volume of the esophagus irradiated and severe esophagitis. Methods and Materials Twenty-one patients with Stage III NSCLC received gemcitabine initially at 150 mg/m 2 /wk over 7 weeks concurrently with chest radiotherapy to 63 Gy in 34 fractions. The first 9 patients underwent treatment with two-dimensional (2D) radiotherapy; the remaining 12 patients, with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and target volume reduced to clinically apparent disease. Consolidation was 4 cycles of gemcitabine at 1000 mg/m 2 /wk and cisplatin 60 mg/m 2 . Results In the 2D group, the dose-limiting toxicity, Grade 3 esophagitis, occurred in 3 of 6 patients in the 150-mg/m 2 /wk cohort and 2 of 3 patients in the 125-mg/m 2 /wk cohort. No cases of Grade 3 esophagitis occurred at these doses in the 3D group. At gemcitabine 190 mg/m 2 /wk, 2 of 6 patients in the 3D cohort had Grade 3 esophagitis. The mean percentages of esophagus irradiated to 60 Gy were 68% in the 2D cohort and 18% in the 3D cohort. Conclusions We could not escalate the dose of gemcitabine with concurrent radiotherapy when using 2D planning because of severe acute esophagitis. However, we could escalate the dose of gemcitabine to 190 mg/m 2 /wk when using 3D planning. The Phase II dose is 150 mg/m 2 /wk. Three-dimensional CRT permitted the use of higher doses of gemcitabine.
Neuronal desynchronization may act as a trigger for seizure generation

Methods We constructed a computer model of the neuronal network in the CA3 region of hippocampus, a region in the brain frequently associated with seizure generation. The model incorporates two distinct inhibitory hippocampal feedback circuits that have recently been reported [1]. Selective changes in the distribution of interneurons in the hippocampus of patients with epilepsy have also been reported [2,3]. Such changes could result in pathological alteration to synchronization of excitable cells with a potential causative role in epilepsy.
Analysis of oligosaccharides from heparin by reversed-phase ion-pairing high-performance liquid chromatography.

An ion-pairing high-pressure liquid chromatography procedure was developed for analysis of mixtures of oligosaccharides generated by nitrous acid cleavage of heparin. Oligosaccharides were eluted from a Hi-Chrom 5S ODS (C18) column using mixtures of acetonitrile and buffers containing 40 mM ammonium phosphate and 1 mM tetrabutylammonium phosphate. Isocratic conditions were developed for optimal separation of a number of individual disaccharides and tetrasaccharides that were characterized previously (M.J. Bienkowski and H.E. Conrad (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 356-365). These isocratic conditions were then coupled to obtain gradient elution conditions for the ion-pairing separations of mixtures of disaccharides and mixtures of tetrasaccharides. A comparison of the elution profiles obtained in the ion-pairing chromatography procedure with profiles obtained by anion-exchange high-pressure liquid chromatography profiles showed markedly better overall resolution by the ion-pairing procedure. As a result of this improved resolution, the new procedure showed the presence of previously unidentified products in the heparin oligosaccharide mixtures.
miR-451 deficiency is associated with altered endometrial fibrinogen alpha chain expression and reduced endometriotic implant establishment in an experimental mouse model.

Endometriosis is defined as the growth of endometrial glandular and stromal components in ectopic locations and affects as many as 10% of all women of reproductive age. Despite its high prevalence, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains poorly understood. MicroRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression, are mis-expressed in endometriosis but a functional role in the disease pathogenesis remains uncertain. To examine the role of microRNA-451 (miR-451) in the initial development of endometriosis, we utilized a novel mouse model in which eutopic endometrial fragments used to induce endometriosis were deficient for miR-451. After induction of the disease, we evaluated the impact of this deficiency on implant development and survival. Loss of miR-451 expression resulted in a lower number of ectopic lesions established in vivo. Analysis of differential protein profiles between miR-451 deficient and wild-type endometrial fragments revealed that fibrinogen alpha polypeptide isoform 2 precursor was approximately 2-fold higher in the miR-451 null donor endometrial tissue and this elevated expression of the protein was associated with altered expression of the parent fibrinogen alpha chain mRNA and protein. As this polypeptide contains RGD amino acid “cell adhesion” motifs which could impact early establishment of lesion development, we examined and confirmed using a cyclic RGD peptide antagonist, that endometrial cell adhesion and endometriosis establishment could be respectively inhibited both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, these results suggest that the reduced miR-451 eutopic endometrial expression does not enhance initial establishment of these fragments when displaced into the peritoneal cavity, that loss of eutopic endometrial miR-451 expression is associated with altered expression of fibrinogen alpha chain mRNA and protein, and that RGD cyclic peptide antagonists inhibit establishment of endometriosis development in an experimental mouse model suggesting that this approach may prove useful in the prevention of endometriosis establishment and survival.
Innovative Strategies for Incorporating Gerontology Into BSN Curricula

To prepare nurses in providing competent care to older adults, schools of nursing at the Otterbein College and the Florida International University, supported by American Association of Colleges of Nursing/John A. Hartford Foundation, developed innovative strategies for incorporation of gerontological content into their BSN curricula. Both nursing programs integrated these innovative gerontological learning experiences into sophomore-, junior-, and senior-level baccalaureate courses; developed independent gerontology courses, including online courses; supported the development of faculty expertise and sensitivity in elder care; and established new and/or enhanced existing community partnerships. The program objectives, planning, and implementation procedures for each of the two schools evolved similarly. Faculty development strategies and examples of community and international partnerships are presented. Finally, lessons learned from the implementation of these projects and recommendations based on these initiatives are presented.
A new rectangular Re4 cluster compound of the metallocyclodiyne Type

The compound (n-Bu4N)2[Re4Cl8(μ-Cl)2(μ-O)2 · 2THF] has been prepared from (n-Bu4N)2 Re2Cl8 by refluxing it in wet trifluoroacetic acid. It forms brown, block-shaped crystals in space group P\(\bar 1\), withZ = 2 in a cell of dimensions:a = 11.748(1) A,b = 16.847(3) A,c = 16.953(3) A, α = 97.53(1)°β = 106.49(1)° γ = 101.25(1)°V = 3093(1) A3. There are two independent but practically identical tetranuclear anions, each on a crystallographic inversion center. The short, unbridged Re-Re edges, to which triple bonds are assigned have lengths of 2.280(1) A and 2.276(1) A and the longer edges, each with a μ-Cl and a μ-O atom have lengths of 2.611(1) A and 2.615(1) A, for molecules 1 and 2 respectively. This anion completes a series going from [Re4Cl8(μ-O)2(μ-OMe)2]2− through [Re4Cl8(μ-O)2(μ-OMe)(μ-Cl)]2− to the present [Re4Cl8(μ-O)2(μ-Cl)2]2−. These metallocyclobutadiynes can be viewed as products of the 2,2-cycloaddition of two Re-Re quadruple bonds, but the mechanistic details of how they arise remain obscure.
Alterations in red blood cell sugar transport by nanomolar concentrations of alkyl lysophospholipid.

Abstract Acyl lysolipids presented in vitro to red blood cells in amounts comparable to blood serum levels inhibit protein-mediated glucose transport (Naderi, A., Carruthers, A. and Melchior, D.L. (1989) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 985, 173–181). In this study, an alkyl lysolipid (2- O -methyl-1- O -octadecyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine; ALP), was found to be an order of magnitude more effective in inhibiting sugar transport than the most potent acyl lysolipid. Bilayer concentrations of ALP as low as 5 ALP molecules per transporter (0.1 mol% of total membrane lipid) result in a 50% inhibition of transport activity. ALP acts as a competitive inhibitor of exchange l -glucose transport, of CCB binding to the glucose transporter and of d -glucose inhibition of CCB binding to the transporter. Inhibition of zero-trans sugar uptake by ALP is noncompetitive. The two enantiomers of ALP show a different ability to inhibit sugar transport. The action of ALP is consistent with a mechanism in which ALP interacts with a transmembrane portion of the sugar transport molecule resulting in a competitive displacement of d -glucose or cytochalasin B from the cytosolic facing side of the transport molecule. The simplest explanation of our findings is a direct interaction of the ALP molecule with the transport protein.
Investigation of Sodium Distribution in Phosphate Glasses Using Spin-Echo {sup 23}Na NMR

The spatial arrangements of sodium cations for a series of sodium phosphate glasses, xNa{sub 2}O{sm{underscore}bullet}(100{minus}x)P{sub 2}O{sub 5} (x {le} 55), were investigated using {sup 23}Na spin-echo NMR spectroscopy. The spin-echo decay rate is a function of the Na-Na homonuclear dipolar coupling, and is related to the spatial proximity of neighboring Na nuclei. The spin-echo decay rate in these sodium phosphate glasses increases nonlinearly with higher sodium number density, and thus provides a measure of the Na-Na extended range order. The results of these {sup 23}Na NMR experiments are discussed within the context of several structural models, including a decimated crystal lattice model, cubic dilation lattice model, a hard sphere (HS) random distribution model, and a pairwise cluster hard sphere model. While the experimental {sup 23}Na spin-echo M{sub 2} are described adequately by both the decimated lattice and the random HS models, it is demonstrated that the slight nonlinear behavior of M{sub 2} as a function of sodium number density is more correctly described by the random distribution in the HS model. At low sodium number densities the experimental M{sub 2} is inconsistent with models incorporating Na-Na clustering. The ability to distinguish between Na-Na clusters and nonclustered distributions becomes more difficultmore » at higher sodium concentrations.« less
An old problem for the new rationalism

A well known skeptical paradox rests on the claim that we lack warrant to believe that we are not brains in a vat (BIVs). The argument for that claim is the apparent impossibility of any evidence or argument that we are not BIVs. Many contemporary philosophers resist this argument by insisting that we have a sort of warrant for believing that we are not BIVs that does not require having any evidence or argument. I call this view ‘New Rationalism’. I argue that New Rationalists are committed to there being some evidence or argument for believing that we are not BIVs anyway. Therefore, New Rationalism, since its appeal is that it purportedly avoids the problematic commitment to such evidence or argument, undermines its own appeal. We cannot avoid the difficult work of coming up with evidence or argument by positing some permissive sort of warrant.
Simple cysts of the cerebellum.

✓ Four cases of simple cyst of the cerebellum treated at Stanford University Medical Center are presented. Review of the literature and past experience at Stanford suggest that they are uncommon. They seem to occur most often in middle age, presenting the signs and symptoms of an expanding cerebellar mass, and appear to be adequately treated by unroofing and draining the cyst cavity. It is suggested that these cysts do not have a congenital origin but rather represent a degenerated form of cerebellar astrocytoma.
The joint profit maximum as a free-entry equilibrium outcome

Abstract This study investigates the degree of collusion that can be sustained at a free-entry equilibrium. When the number of active firms is endogenous, an increase in the discount factor is found to have two counter-acting effects on the incentive for active firms to deviate from the collusive arrangement. Holding the number of firms fixed, a higher discount factor reduces the incentive for cheating according to the standard argument. However, a higher discount factor also makes entry more profitable since entry entails an initial loss (the cost of entry) and a future stream of positive profits. Raising the discount factor then increases the number of active firms which tends to increase the incentive for firms to cheat. Our analysis shows that the first effect dominates so that the joint profit maximum can be sustained as a free-entry equilibrium outcome when the discount factor is sufficiently high.
The role of JAR1 in Jasmonoyl-l-isoleucine production during Arabidopsis wound response

The Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. JASMONATE RESISTANT 1( JAR1) locus is essential for pathogen defense, but its role in wound response has not been investigated. JAR1 encodes an enzyme that conjugates jasmonic acid (JA) to isoleucine, which was recently shown to function directly in CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (COI1)-mediated signal transduction. Leaf wounding rapidly increased the level of JA–Ile by about 60-fold to a peak of 279 pmole/g FW at 40 min after wounding. Conjugates with Leu, Val and Phe remained near basal level or were not detected. Kinetic analysis showed that JAR1 had a Km of 0.03 mM for Ile, which was 60–80-fold lower than for Leu, Val and Phe. JA–Ile accumulated mostly near the wound site with a minor increase in unwounded portions of wounded leaves. JAR1 transcript also increased dramatically in wounded tissue, reaching a maximum after about 1 h. In the jar1-1 mutant JA–Ile was only about 10% of the WT level at 40 min after leaf wounding, and reached a maximum of 47 pmole/g FW at 2 h. However, the reduced accumulation of JA–Ile had little or no effect on several jasmonate-dependent wound-induced genes. Wound induction of the VSP2 transcript was only slightly delayed while transcripts for LOX2, PDF1.2, WRKY33, TAT3 and CORI3 were unaffected. These results suggest that the rapid increase in JA–Ile mediated by the JAR1 enzyme plays only a minor role in transcriptional modulation of genes induced by mechanical wounding.
Periodic reversal of heart beat in the prolarva of a gyrinid

Abstract In prolarvae of the gyrinid beetle, Dineutus assimilis Aube, the heart was observed through the transparent egg membranes after removal of an opaque outer case. At or near the time of hatching, there were regular periodic reversals of the direction of the peristaltic waves of contraction. Beats forward averaged 41·4 per min at 27°C, whereas beats backward averaged only 15·8 per min. The change from forward to reversed was preceded by a pause of 4–5 sec, but the opposite change occurred without a pause. There were fewer reversed beats than forward beats in any consecutive series, but because the rate forward was greater, the forward beat occurred on the average only 58·8 per cent of the time, and the reversed beat occurred 41·2 per cent of the time.
Tissue-specific expression of cell-surface Qa-2 antigen from a transfected Q7b gene of C57BL/10 mice.

We screened a cDNA library prepared from a BALB.B10 CTL clone that expresses Qa-2 antigen, and isolated four clones derived from Q7b, a Qa region gene of C57BL/10. One of these Q7b cDNAs and the Q7b chromosomal gene were subcloned into expression vectors and transfected into L cells and R1.1 thymoma cells. We found that the chromosomal Q7b gene expresses Qa-2 on the surface of R1.1 cells, but not on L cells while the Q7b cDNA expresses protein on the surface of both cell types. The levels of Qa-2 expression do not correlate with the total levels of Q7b mRNA in these transfectants. Our results suggest that the tissue-specific expression of Qa-2 may be controlled, in part, by mechanisms of alternate RNA splicing. By using hybrid gene constructs, we have mapped the tissue-specific element to the 3' part of the gene, downstream of a site near the middle of exon 4. The hybrid polypeptides differ significantly in their transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions. These portions of the protein also may play a role in the tissue-specific expression of Qa-2.
Geology in America

I AM somewhat chagrined to find that I appear to you (vol. xi. p. 381) to say that the Geological Survey of Great Britain is especially to blame for the diminution of interest in geology in the country that has done the most for its advancement. My remarks were taken down by a reporter, and I have not seen them in print. The point I sought to make was to the effect that in all matters relating to geology, Massachusetts could not do better than to follow the lead of the British Survey. The only question to be considered was whether it was not open to criticism from an educational point of view. On this matter I expressed no individual opinion, but only restated doubts that I had heard expressed by more than one of your own masters in the science. I feel that geological science owes so much to your noble Survey, that none of its students should subject it to hasty criticism. If it is to have its methods questioned, it should be done by some one far better acquainted with its ways than any person from another country is likely to be. It seems to me, however, that the diminution in the number of geologists, compared with the students of other sciences, if not in absolute number, is clear on simple inspection of the field. It is true not only of Great Britain, but of France and America as well. Of mining engineers there is, I believe, a great plenty; but of men who are trained in field work, who can be trusted to unravel a set of rocks, or who care for the science as a science, and not as a means of winning a living, there are far too few.
A complement fixing antigen from an M rhinovirus

Concentrated and purified preparations of rhinovirus type 2 fixed complement with the sera of most children and adults whether or not they carried neutralizing antibody. A rising titre of CF antibody was detected in one child. There were no CF antibody rises in paired sera from 13 subjects showing marked rises of neutralizating antibody following infection or immunization.
Cultural pathways through the information age.

The recent wave of innovation and adaptation to information technologies, giving rise to a new form of human technogenesis, is changing our everyday interactions in an unprecedented and paradigmatic manner, potentially reconstructing the nature and process of human development.
The stably‐stratified outermost core revisited

The P-wave velocity structure of the outermost 200 km of the outer core (the E' region) is analyzed using a suite of differential travel-times for SKS, SKKS and S-waves bottoming below, within, and above this depth range. Core-penetrating phases with paths beneath Alaska exhibit similar SKS-SKKS differential travel-time patterns to phases sampling the core beneath the central Pacific, but very different SKS-S differential travel-times. These patterns can be explained by a core velocity model in which the outermost 50 to 100 km has 1–2% slower P-wave velocities than standard Earth models, perhaps due to a stably-stratified chemical boundary layer, combined with 3% lateral variations in S-wave velocity in the lowermost mantle.
An alkali-basalt through trachyte suite, Mesa Chivato Mount Taylor volcanic field, New Mexico: Summary

A complete alkali basalt through trachyte volcanic suite has been documented from the central part of the Mount Taylor volcanic field, New Mexico (the southeast margin of the Colorado Plateau) showing mineralogic, chemical, and field relations similar to alkalic volcanism of both continental and oceanic settings throughout the world. Thus, the Mount Taylor field is fundamentally distinct from the predominantly calc-alkalic to low-Ti alkali basaltic volcanism of the Basin and Range Provice as a whole. Eruptions of the rocks began in Pliocene-Pleistocene time with alkali basalt (basanatoid) and continued through intermediate (hawaiite, mugearite, benmorite) and trachyte compositions. This progression, together with minor-element and isotopic data, suggests that the suite evolved by fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas. Volcanologic diversity of the field is illustrated by the variety of land forms, including numerous maars, pit craters, silicic flow-domes, and distinct northeasterly oriented fissures. Northeast-southwest oriented faults with as much as 30-m displacements were active concurrently with the volcanism, and several faults are superposed on fissure lines, suggesting that the volcanism was a consequence of deep fracturing of the margin of the Colorado Plateau by late Cenozoic Basin and Range faulting.
Practical experience with adaptive service access

The dynamically changing nature of the emerging networked environments warrants a computing model in which resources are dynamically discovered and opportunistically utilized to maintain continuity of service. This paper describes the design and implementation of Lightweight Adaptive Network Sockets (LANS) for accessing services in such a dynamically changing networked environment. A LANS socket takes a high-level description of a service and opportunistically connects to the best provider of the service in the changing environment of the application. LANS builds on the architectural philosophy of Service-oriented Network Sockets (SoNS)[13], in that it integrates a service-oriented abstraction with the operating system socket interface and provides adaptive service access at the end-host session layer. However, our experience with SoNS led to three key improvements for the LANS architecture. 1) The LANS session layer reduces the computation and communication over-head resulting from the SoNS end-to-end architecture. 2) LANS is designed to offer richer semantics for resource selection and allocation to enable better utilization of resources in shared pervasive environments. 3) Applications in LANS can control the opportunistic behavior of the system to avoid perfunctory reconnections. Our experiments show that LANS running on an iPAQ consumes 40% less power, requires less than 1% of the network traffic, and is far less processor hungry than the original version of SoNS --- without compromising performance and offering richer semantics for adaptive service access.
A noble target tracking algorithm based on dynamic clustering for wireless sensor network

This paper proposes a dynamic clustering algorithm for target tracking to balance energy consumption in a local monitoring region of wireless sensor networks. In order to balance the local energy consumption of a dynamic clustering owing to excessive use of a individual node, one node is preferentially chosen as a tasking node which is marked by a high value of the decision function and the node with the highest value is chosen as the cluster head, and others with a low value are in reserve. In addition to the joint detection probability (JDP) for tasking sensors, particle filter algorithm is used for target tracking in every chosen node. Simulation results show that, the algorithm can achieve the required tracking accuracy, and solve the problem that nodes are reused so as to balance the consumption of energy and prolong the lifetime of wireless sensor networks.
Justice but LittlePeace: Peace‐Building as a New Catholic Social Action Agenda

Roman Catholics with a 1960s worldview used “justice and Peace” as a powerful single expression, almost as a hyphenated word. The end of the cold war and a new consciousness of intrastate armed conflict worldwide intensified the focus on peace-building within the Catholic Church's missionary community. In this new orientation, a wide “inner-outer” understanding of peace is proposed. The peace-building effort is shown to be too important to leave to politicians and diplomats. It must be the work of “multi-tracks” of society. Exploratory peace-building research suggests both a critique of long-established forms of religious peace-building and new opportunities.
Ice as a mechanical factor in death of spermatozoa on freeze-thawing.

SummaryAn attempt was made to ascertain whether or not mechanical injury by ice is a factor in death of bull spermatozoa on freeze-thawing. A tissue disintegrator was employed to produce mechanical injury by shaking. Results of an attempted correlation between survival on shaking and on freezethawing suggest that death on freeze-thawing is not caused by mechanical injury by ice.
Effect of stimulation frequency on immediate freezing of gait in newly activated STN DBS in Parkinson's disease

Background Patients with Parkinson9s disease (PD) may develop freezing of gait (FOG) with chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) at the commonly used frequency of 130 Hz and FOG can be ameliorated by 60 Hz stimulation in some patients. It is not clear whether the development of FOG is due to the disease progression or the chronic stimulation at this 130 Hz frequency. Aims To investigate the effect of stimulation frequency on immediate FOG in newly activated STN DBS patient with PD and determine if stimulation frequency alone could affect the FOG. Methods Two cases of PD who developed FOG immediately upon activation of the newly placed STN DBS were studied for the effect of stimulation frequency on FOG in both `off9 and `on9 medication status. Results Both patients developed severe FOG with the commonly used 130 Hz stimulation. Switching the frequency to 60 Hz immediately alleviated the FOG, without change in contacts, voltages and pulse widths. This frequency effect on FOG was present in both `off9 and `on9 statuses and remained effective during the 10-month follow-up period. Conclusion These two cases demonstrate that lower frequency stimulation of 60 Hz could improve FOG, while the commonly used 130 Hz stimulation could cause FOG or make it worse. In addition, the beneficial effect of low frequency DBS was additive to dopaminergic medication effect and included other axial symptoms.
A Formula for Success

Say you are plowing a field on a hot summer day. Say you possess a yak that pulls you and your plow around the field. Say you happen to be thirsty, your gourd is empty and you fancy something creamy and fresh. Hmmm. You happen to notice that something is dripping from your hairy friend’s underside, and not from the bad parts. No one is watching. It is, after all, a draft animal, is it not? This historic scenario may not be within the breadth of your experience, but you have, likely even in some of your more tender moments, ingested milk that did not come from your mother. Your mother’s bodily fluids may no longer hold much appeal, but milk from our ungulate companions is a nearly unavoidable part of life on Earth. We give a lot of it to our precious little ones, so you should care about milk and, in your capacity as a pediatric medical professional, its chemically enhanced offspring, infant formula. We know the basics of infant formula, and we know that our patients are not hoofed, but you do not know everything—you are not an obstetrician. As was pointed out to me a while back by a patient’s mother while speaking of her infant daughter: “It’s not an animal, it’s a kid.”* That depends on how you define “animal,” but my physical examination suggested that I was not dealing with a goat, although the child had a generous amount of body hair and used all 4 limbs to get around. Furthermore, her mother was the one referring to her child as “it,” a label never to be used by the scrupulous pediatrician. But let us move on. There are about as many formulas as there are male fans of the Twilight movies, that is …
Resonance seeking control in an event-triggered discrete-time domain

Resonance tracking control of oscillatory plants whose natural frequency is unknown is investigated from a Lyapunov stability perspective. In particular, an event-triggered discrete-time system is investigated for this purpose. The proposed resonance tuner is time-synchronized with periodic sampling of the harmonic plant's output to ensure that an analytical relationship exists between the period of the driving squarewave and the tracking error. This relation defines a class of discrete-time nonlinear systems whose origin, is shown to be asymptotically stable.
Pilot and feasibility study of serum chemokines as markers to distinguish prostatic disease in men with low total serum PSA

BACKGROUND. The incidence and prevalence of both benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) increase with the aging process. Our laboratory recently showed that the chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL12, which normally function as inflammatory mediators, are secreted at higher levels by aging prostate stromal fibroblasts and elicit proliferative responses from both prostate stromal fibroblast and epithelial cells. Because both CXCL5 and CXCL12 are secreted molecules, we hypothesized that their levels in patient serum might serve as biomarkers to distinguish between BPH and PCa. METHODS. Serum CXCL5 and CXCL12 levels were determined using sandwich ELISAs for 51 men demonstrating low serum PSA values of � 10 ng/ml who underwent diagnostic needle biopsy for the detection of PCa. The bivariate relationship of circulating chemokine levels, age, and disease status in the prostate was tested using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS. Total serum CXCL12 levels were significantly higher for men who were biopsy positive compared to those who were biopsy negative for cancer and histological prostatitis (P ¼0.050). Among men who were biopsy negative for PCa, total serum CXCL5 levels were inversely associated with prostate volume and were significantly higher in men with concomitant BPH and histological prostatitis compared to those without evidence of prostatic disease (P <0.003). CONCLUSIONS. The results of this pilot and feasibility study suggest that serum or plasma CXCL5 and CXCL12 levels may potentially distinguish between BPH and PCa among patients presenting with low serum PSA, and may be useful toward facilitating decisions to perform diagnostic needle biopsy in this patient population. Prostate 68: 442–452, 2008. # 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Bridge Of Bits

Cellular Automata are discrete physics-like systems that can be exactly simulated by digital hardware. These systems can incorporate many realistic physical constraints and still be capable of performing digital computation. Such systems bridge the boundary between physical models and computational models, and so can play a central role in investigating the relevance of physical ideas to the theory and practice of computation, and computational ideas to the construction and use of physical models.
Gas exchange measurements, what can they tell us about the underlying limitations to photosynthesis? Procedures and sources of error

The principles, equipment and procedures for measuring leaf and canopy gas exchange have been described previously as has chlorophyll fluorescence. Simultaneous measurement of the responses of leaf gas exchange and modulated chlorophyll fluorescence to light and CO2 concentration now provide a means to determine a wide range of key biochemical and biophysical limitations on photosynthesis in vivo. Here the mathematical frameworks and practical procedures for determining these parameters in vivo are consolidated. Leaf CO2 uptake (A) versus intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) curves may now be routinely obtained from commercial gas exchange systems. The potential pitfalls, and means to avoid these, are examined. Calculation of in vivo maximum rates of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) carboxylation (Vc,max), electron transport driving regeneration of RuBP (Jmax), and triose-phosphate utilization (VTPU) are explained; these three parameters are now widely assumed to represent the major limitations to lightsaturated photosynthesis. Precision in determining these in intact leaves is improved by the simultaneous measurement of electron transport via modulated chlorophyll fluorescence. The A/Ci response also provides a simple practical method for quantifying the limitation that stomata impose on CO2 assimilation. Determining the rate of photorespiratory release of oxygen (Rl) has previously only been possible by isotopic methods, now, by combining gas exchange and fluorescence measurements, Rl may be determined simply and routinely in the field. The physical diffusion of CO2 from the intercellular air space to the site of Rubisco in C3 leaves has long been suspected of being a limitation on photosynthesis, but it has commonly been ignored because of the lack of a practical method for its determination. Again combining gas exchange and fluorescence provides a means to determine mesophyll conductance. This method is described and provides insights into the magnitude and basis of this limitation.
Role of the Sinorhizobium meliloti Global Regulator Hfq in Gene Regulation and Symbiosis

The RNA-binding protein Hfq is a global regulator which controls diverse cellular processes in bacteria. To begin understanding the role of Hfq in the Sinorhizobium meliloti–Medicago truncatula nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, we defined free-living and symbiotic phenotypes of an hfq mutant. Over 500 transcripts were differentially accumulated in the hfq mutant of S. meliloti Rm1021 when grown in a shaking culture. Consistent with transcriptome-wide changes, the hfq mutant displayed dramatic alterations in metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds, even though its carbon source utilization profiles were nearly identical to the wild type. The hfq mutant had reduced motility and was impaired for growth at alkaline pH. A deletion of hfq resulted in a reduced symbiotic efficiency, although the mutant was still able to initiate nodule development and differentiate into bacteroids.
Using FLES History to Plan for the Present and Future

All too often in education “new” programs are planned without thoroughly investigating what was done in the past. By examining earlier FLES efforts, curriculum planners can put to good use what was learned from FLES of the fifties and sixties. This articles looks at the history of FLES in the United States. Besides the usually-quoted reasons of 1) lack of money, 2) return to the basics, and 3) xenophobia on the part of Americans, six other important and recurring reasons for the decline of FLES in the fifties and sixties are explored. Based on these reasons, a checklist has been developed for new and existing programs to use as a means of self evaluation.
Introducing DOTUR, a Computer Program for Defining Operational Taxonomic Units and Estimating Species Richness

Although copious qualitative information describes the members of the diverse microbial communities on Earth, statistical approaches for quantifying and comparing the numbers and compositions of lineages in communities are lacking. We present a method that addresses the challenge of assigning sequences to operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on the genetic distances between sequences. We developed a computer program, DOTUR, which assigns sequences to OTUs by using either the furthest, average, or nearest neighbor algorithm for each distance level. DOTUR uses the frequency at which each OTU is observed to construct rarefaction and collector's curves for various measures of richness and diversity. We analyzed 16S rRNA gene libraries derived from Scottish and Amazonian soils and the Sargasso Sea with DOTUR, which assigned sequences to OTUs rapidly and reliably based on the genetic distances between sequences and identified previous inconsistencies and errors in assigning sequences to OTUs. An analysis of the two 16S rRNA gene libraries from soil demonstrated that they do not contain enough sequences to support a claim that they contain different numbers of bacterial lineages with statistical confidence (P > 0.05), nor do they contain enough sequences to provide a robust estimate of species richness when an OTU is defined as containing sequences that are no more than 3% different from each other. In contrast, the richness of OTUs at the 3% level in the Sargasso Sea collection began to plateau after the sampling of 690 sequences. We anticipate that an equivalent extent of sampling for soil would require sampling more than 10,000 sequences, almost 100 times the size of typical sequence collections obtained from soil.
A possible global covariance between terrestrial gross primary production and 13C discrimination: Consequences for the atmospheric 13C budget and its response to ENSO

the potential to influence the 13 C budget of the atmosphere because these changes scale with the relatively large one-way gross primary production (GPP) flux. Over a period of days to years, this atmospheric isotopic forcing is damped by the return flux consisting mostly of respiration, Fire, and volatile organic carbon losses. Here we explore the magnitude of this class of isotopic disequilibria with an ecophysiological model (SiB2) and a double deconvolution inversion framework that includes timevarying discrimination for the period of 1981–1994. If the net land carbon sink and plant 13 C discrimination covary on interannual timescales at the global scale, consistent with
The role of ciprofloxacin in a patient with delirium due to multiple etiologies

A 40-year-old female with a lumbar drain was admitted to the neurosurgery service with a bacterial meningitis. During the course of her treatment with multiple central nervous system (CNS) active medications, the patient became disoriented and agitated with visual hallucinations and generalized myoclonus. A psychiatric consultation was requested. The case is presented and discussed within the context of the importance of understanding etiological mechanisms in treating and reversing delirium. The fluoroquinolone agent ciprofloxacin was considered to be the primary etiology of the patient's delirium. This class of medication as a cause of altered mental status is discussed.
Couple Functioning and PTSD in Returning OIF Soldiers: Preliminary Findings from the Readiness and Resilience in National Guard Soldiers Project

Addressing the mental health needs of returning service members who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their family members, requires careful consideration of the inter-relationships between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and family functioning. This chapter summarizes the theoretical and empirical literature regarding PTSD and couple relationships. It then presents findings from two studies that are part of the Readiness and Resilience in National Guard Soldiers (RINGS) project. The first study examined the importance of pre- and during deployment family concerns on post-deployment PTSD symptoms in a group of 432 National Guard soldiers. The second examined the relationship between PTSD symptoms and soldier- and partner-reported couple functioning in a sample of 49 Operation Iraqi Freedom National Guard soldiers and their partners.
Incremental synthesis

A small change in the input to logic synthesis may cause a large change in the output implementation. This is undesirable if a designer has some investment in the old implementation and does not want it perturbed more than necessary. We describe a method that solves this problem by reusing gates from the old implementation, and restricting synthesis to the modified portions only.
Abstract 1351: Lack of matrix metalloproteinase-10 exacerbates inflammation-associated colon tumor development

Ulcerative colitis is the most common inflammatory bowel disease, and is associated with increased risk of colon cancer. Understanding the mechanisms by which carcinogenesis occurs in the setting of colitis could lead to both prevention strategies and improved therapies. Matrix metalloproteinase-10 (MMP10), a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family of proteolytic enzymes, is expressed at healing edges of colonic ulcers. Although MMPs are usually considered as destructive players in inflammatory disease, we considered the possibility that MMP10 had a beneficial role in ulcerative colitis. We used dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) treatment in MMP10-null and corresponding control wild-type mice to investigate the consequences of MMP10 deletion on colitis development and recovery. Groups of mice were exposed to DSS for 7-day periods and sacrificed at different timepoints following the cessation of the DSS. Strikingly, MMP10-null mice were more severely affected by the treatment as determined by gross observations such as weight loss and colon length. Histological analysis at the various timepoints indicated that wild-type mice showed almost complete recovery from DSS within 14 days after DSS treatment. In contrast, MMP10-null mice still showed clear signs of damage with persistent inflammatory foci and non-healing ulcers. In situ hybridization indicated MMP10 expression predominantly in inflammatory cells, although some fibroblasts were also positive. Colonic epithelium was negative for MMP10. Bone marrow transplant experiments indicated that wild-type bone marrow partially rescued the MMP10-null phenotype. Measurement of cytokines by ELISA in colonic lavage fluid from MMP10-null and wild-type mice showed that IL-1α was significantly increased in the absence of MMP10. Levels of other cytokines such as TNFα, IL6, IL17 and G-CSF were not different. Multiple exposures to DSS results in conversion of an acute colitis to a chronic inflammatory disease. With only 2 DSS exposures, MMP10-null mice manifested a chronic condition which failed to resolve even after 3 months. Similarly-treated wild-type mice, however, appeared normal at this timepoint. Examination of the colonic tissue from the DSS double exposure showed a significant increase in the number of dysplastic foci present in the MMP10-null mice. Thus, expression of MMP10 appears necessary for resolution of colitis, and in its absence, the development of chronic colitis results in tumor development. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1351.
A comparison of some biochemical properties of dissociated liver cells and of slices.

SummaryRat liver cells prepared by using various dissociating solutions were unable to accumulate K+ from the media. The respiration of dissociated liver cells in the presence of succinate was not altered by the presence of 3 × 10-5 sodium tetraphenylborate in the dissociating media. Accumulation of K+ and respiration in the presence of succinate of rat liver slices were shown to be subject to inhibitory action of TPB on a log-dose basis in the concentration range of 3 × 10-5 to 3 × 10-3M. Liver slices exposed to 3 × 10-3M TPB showed the same loss of ability to accumulate K+ which was shown by liver cells dissociated by any of the methods tried, whether TPB was present or not. From these studies it is concluded that freshly isolated cells which exhibit oxygen uptake in the presence of succinate are unable to perform other metabolic functions, such as K+ uptake.
In Situ Studies on Seasonality and Recycling Pattern in California of Lagenidium giganteum Couch, an Aquatic Fungal Pathogen of Mosquitoes

From 1974 through 1980, overwintering survival of Lagenidium giganteum Couch was repeatedly demonstrated in aquatic situations associated with flooded rice fields in the Sacramento Valley in northern California. In two instances, persistence of the fungus through two winters and a summer without the availability of irrigation water was documented. In one instance (1974), however, the fungal infectivity pattern in mosquito larvae was erratic and of low order in nature. No such pattern was observed in the more recent observation (1978). Alternate drying and flooding within a season did not adversely affect fungal establishment in the habitat. This study did not confirm high temperature and soluble salts of the soil as limiting factors for this organism. Within a continuous pond system, a minimum dispersal of 28 to 33 m from the point of introduction was documented. In aquatic habitats situated nearby but separated by a physical barrier (e.g., dirt levee), no airborne dispersal was noted. L. giganteum was found to be a highly virulent microbial agent of Culex tarsalis Coquillett larvae, but in comparative in situ studies appeared to be inconsistent against Anopheles freeborni Aitken larvae. No patent infections were observed in associated aquatic invertebrates collected from test sites.
Abstract 105: A 360 Degree Perspective on the Timing of Patient Discharge: A Multidisciplinary Survey of Patients, Physicians, and Nurses on Discharge Practices Within a Cardiovascular Service Line at a Tertiary Academic Institution

Background: Early hospital discharge for patients has been linked to improved post-discharge outcomes. Health systems continue to struggle with early discharges and past interventions have centered around provider perspectives of the discharge process, with no identifiable studies focusing on patient perspectives. We sought to examine the discharge process from a comprehensive perspective, obtaining simultaneous patient and healthcare provider beliefs to improve our institution’s discharge process. Methods: Our study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Pennsylvania and all participants provided informed consent. Physicians and nurses who took part in discharges from our inpatient cardiology services participated in an electronic survey regarding discharge processes over a six-month period. Patients being discharged from these services also completed anonymous surveys at the time of discharge from the hospital. Results: The survey was completed by 476 patients, 47 nurses, an...
Research on Infrared Image Enhancement Based on Human Visual System

The infrared image has disadvantages of low contrast and gray concentration.Based on the human visual properties,a method of nonlinear transformation of infrared image based on HVS(human visual system) is presented.Based on the human gray resolution function,the human gray resolution-able function and the nonlinear transformation function based on HVS are deduced,and the model of human nonlinear transformation is proposed,which makes the information-limited infrared image suitable for human observation.The simulation results show that the images after processing have good contrasts,texture with clarity and detail with bright contrast,and the algorithm can solve the problems of low contrast and fuzzy detail of infrared image.
Get the data.

Numerous studies affirm the benefit of rapid defibrillation with AEDs. Most of the data have been acquired in emergency medical response systems with EMTs or firefighters providing defibrillation. Yet interest is growing in the provision of rapid defibrillation by other responders, including security officers, flight attendants and laypersons trained as targeted responders. This expansion is embraced in community early defibrillation. A multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial was recently launched to define the benefit of community early defibrillation. Data from this trial will likely identify the most effective deployment of AEDs, frequency and appropriateness of use, time of defibrillation before EMS arrival, device maintenance issues and--most importantly--survival benefit when compared with control groups without AEDs.