cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racial Disparities in Patients with Melanoma: A Multivariate Survival Analysis

Purpose As the most common cause of skin cancer death, incidence and mortality of melanoma vary widely between ethnic and racial groups. Methods Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data were used to examine the incidence and survival in patients with melanoma concerning race and ethnicity in Wayne County, Michigan between 2000 and 2016. Results Analysis of data revealed significantly higher melanoma-specific death in non-Hispanic black patients compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts (p <0.001). However, no increased risk of death due to melanoma was observed following adjustment of data for the stage, age, and sex (H.R. = 1.00, 95% CI 0.64-1.56). Conclusion Non-Hispanic black patients have the highest percentage of late-stage melanoma. Increased incidence of melanoma mortality in non-Hispanic black patients is likely a consequence of late-stage diagnosis.
Paliperidone to Treat Psychotic Disorders.

Purpose of Review: This is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the use of paliperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. It covers the background and presentation of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, as well as the mechanism of action and drug information for paliperidone. It covers the existing evidence of the use of paliperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Recent Findings: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder lead to significant cognitive impairment. It is thought that dopamine dysregulation is the culprit for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Similar to other second-generation antipsychotics, paliperidone has affinity for dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Paliperidone was granted approval in the United States in 2006 to be used in the treatment of schizophrenia and in 2009 for schizoaffective disorder. Summary: Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder have a large impact on cognitive impairment, positive symptoms and negative symptoms. Patients with either of these mental illnesses suffer from impairments in everyday life. Paliperidone has been shown to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
Synthesis, Assembly, and Processing of Nanostructures

Synthesis and processing of nanostructures will employ a diverse array of material types—organic, inorganic, and biological—well beyond examples already realized. The driving forces will be creativity, applications, opportunities, and economics in broad areas of science, medicine, and technology. Increasing emphasis will be placed on synthesis and assembly at a very high degree of precision, achieved through innovative processing. The result will be control of the size, shape, structure, morphology, and connectivity of molecules, supermolecules, nano-objects and nanostructured materials and devices. Integration of top-down physical assembly concepts with bottom-up chemical and biological assembly concepts may be required to create fully functional nanostructures that are operational at mesoscopic scales. The combination of new nanoscale building blocks and new paradigms in assembly strategies will provide nanostructured materials and devices with new, unprecedented capabilities limited only by our imagination.
Large format focal plane array integration with precision alignment, metrology and accuracy capabilities

Focal plane alignment for large format arrays and faster optical systems require enhanced precision methodology and stability over temperature. The increase in focal plane array size continues to drive the alignment capability. Depending on the optical system, the focal plane flatness of less than 25μm (.001”) is required over transition temperatures from ambient to cooled operating temperatures. The focal plane flatness requirement must also be maintained in airborne or launch vibration environments. This paper addresses the challenge of the detector integration into the focal plane module and housing assemblies, the methodology to reduce error terms during integration and the evaluation of thermal effects. The driving factors influencing the alignment accuracy include: datum transfers, material effects over temperature, alignment stability over test, adjustment precision and traceability to NIST standard. The FPA module design and alignment methodology reduces the error terms by minimizing the measurement transfers to the housing. In the design, the proper material selection requires matched coefficient of expansion materials minimizes both the physical shift over temperature as well as lowering the stress induced into the detector. When required, the co-registration of focal planes and filters can achieve submicron relative positioning by applying precision equipment, interferometry and piezoelectric positioning stages. All measurements and characterizations maintain traceability to NIST standards. The metrology characterizes the equipment’s accuracy, repeatability and precision of the measurements.
Ventricular fibrillation during cardiac catheterization successfully treated with external defibrillation and closed chest cardiac massage.

Abstract A case of ventricular fibrillation in an infant with severe congenital heart disease which occurred during cardiac catheterization and was successfully treated with closed chest cardiac massage and external defibrillation is presented. A satisfactory systemic arterial pressure was maintained by closed chest cardiac massage both before external defibrillation and immediately after defibrillation until effective ventricular contractions occurred at an adequate rate.
Une auto-organisation et ses applications dans les réseaux ad hoc et hybrides

Un reseau ad hoc est un reseau sans-fil spontane de terminaux mobiles. S'il est connecte a Internet, il constitue un reseau hybride. Dans cette these, nous nous sommes interesses a la creation d'une couche d'auto-organisation, pre-requis selon nous a une utilisation efficace du reseau. L'ensemble des contributions presentees ici expliquent comment structurer un reseau ad hoc et mettent en exergue l'utilite d'une telle organisation. Nous avons propose une auto-organisation formant plusieurs niveaux de hierarchie et facilitant la diffusion d'information. Les algorithmes ont ete intiment lies pour une maintenance optimisee. Cette structure a ete validee a l'aide de simulations, analytiquement et dans un environnement radio reel. Des proprietes de robustesse, de persistance, d'auto-stabilisation et de passage a l'echelle ont notamment ete mises en exergue. Cette auto-organisation ne constituant aucunement une fin en soi, nous avons egalement propose des protocoles de routage et de localisation s'appuyant sur la structure virtuelle, s'inspirant largement des protocoles actuels tout en ameliorant leur passage a l'echelle et performances.
S-parameter VLSI transmission line analysis

The implementation of scattering parameter techniques for the analysis of high-speed integrated circuit and packaging interconnects is discussed. The use of frequency-domain scattering parameters allows for: frequency-dependent parameters; analysis of harmonic excitation i.e. periodic (clocked) waveforms; non-TEM effects; and the incorporation of measured scattering parameter of data into the analysis. The solution of an arbitrarily interconnected scattering parameter network is reviewed and developed for both frequency and time domain. Scattering parameter models of typical VLSI elements are reviewed and developed. Incorporation of external scattering parameters is discussed. Implementation of the technique in a useful computational tool for analysis of VLSI packaging is described. Two typical VLSI packaging problems are solved, and the results are discussed. >
Nonlinear dynamical modeling of human hippocampal CA3-CA1 functional connectivity for memory prostheses

This paper reports the first nonlinear dynamical model of human hippocampus for building memory prostheses. In this study, spike trains are recorded from the hippocampal CA3 and CA1 regions in epileptic patients performing two memory-dependent behavioral tasks. Using CA3 and CA1 spike trains as inputs and outputs respectively, second-order generalized Laguerre-Volterra models are built to capture the nonlinear dynamics underlying the spike train transformations. These models can predict the CA1 spike trains based on the CA3 spike train and thus be used as the computational basis of the hippocampal memory prosthesis.
The Armed Forces Casualty Assistance Readiness Enhancement System (CARES) A Case Study in Rapid Prototyping and Design for Flexibility

Numerous government benefits are available to the surviving family of fallen U.S. military service members. Unfortunately, most of these entitlements require a considerable amount of paperwork to be correctly processed, necessitating a great deal of patience, attention to detail, and composure from families at a time when their grief is raw. Even though the U.S. Army appoints a Casualty Assistance Officer (CAO) to help surviving family members through this process, the soldiers serving as CAOs tend to be inexperienced and oftentimes find themselves challenged to provide accurate and thorough assistance. Consequently, some families do not receive all benefits in a timely manner, and some entitlements may be overlooked entirely. To help with the military's Casualty Program, we have developed the casualty assistance readiness enhancement system (CARES) - an information system that improves how the Department of Defense cares for military families in arguably their greatest time of need
Breast cancer mortality in African-American and non-Hispanic white women by molecular subtype and stage at diagnosis: a population-based study

Background: Higher breast cancer mortality rates for African-American than non-Hispanic White women are well documented; however, it remains uncertain if this disparity occurs in disease subgroups defined by tumor molecular markers and stage at diagnosis. We examined racial differences in outcome according to subtype and stage in a diverse, population-based series of 103,498 patients. Methods: We obtained data for all invasive breast cancers diagnosed between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012, and followed through December 31, 2012, among 93,760 non-Hispanic White and 9,738 African-American women in California. Molecular subtypes were categorized according to tumor expression of hormone receptor (HR, based on estrogen and progesterone receptors) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate relative hazard (RH) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for breast cancer–specific mortality. Results: After adjustment for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics, outcomes were comparable by race for stage I or IV cancer regardless of subtype, and HR+/HER2+ or HR−/HER2+ cancer regardless of stage. We found substantially higher hazards of breast cancer death among African-American women with stage II/III HR+/HER2− (RH, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03–1.65; and RH, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.10–1.75, respectively) and stage III triple-negative cancers relative to Whites. Conclusions: There are substantial racial/ethnic disparities among patients with stages II/III HR+/HER2− and stage III triple-negative breast cancers but not for other subtype and stage. Impact: These data provide insights to assess barriers to targeted treatment (e.g., trastuzumab or endocrine therapy) of particular subtypes of breast cancer among African-American patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(7); 1039–45. ©2015 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 1001][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/24/1001?iss=7
Consumer-directed health care: will it improve health system performance?

The excellent set of papers contained in this issue provides important insight into early experience with consumer-directed health care plans. While more experience and research are required to reach definitive conclusions, the evidence to date raises major cautions about relying on a consumer-directed health care movement to address fundamental problems in the health care system. Longer-term solutions aimed directly at the root causes of higher costs are needed to improve health system performance and to achieve better quality, safety, and efficiency of care provision.
Phase II clinical trial of 4'-O-tetrahydropyranyl-adriamycin (THP-adriamycin) in recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Fourteen patients previously treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy for primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with 4′-O-tetrahydropyranyl-Adriamycin (THP-adriamycin) for locally or distantly recurrent disease. The starting dose was 60 mg/m2 by i.v. infusion, with courses repeated every 3 to 4 weeks. A total of 34 courses of treatment were delivered (median, 2; range, 1–6). All patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. There were no responses. Severe (grade 3 or 4) neutropenia occurred in 11 patients. Thrombocytopenia, anemia, and gastrointestinal toxicity were modest, and no hepatic, renal, or cardiac toxicity was observed. The lack of response in association with severe neutropenia and moderate other toxicities using this dose and schedule of THP-Adriamycin should be taken into consideration prior to the pursuit of further study of this compound in a similar patient population.
A central crack in a finite rectangular plate with constrained edges parallel to the crack under the opening mode

Abstract In this paper, a Fourier transform and Fourier series technique is used to express the stress intensity factor of a central crack in a finite rectangular plate with constrained edges parallel to the crack under the opening mode in terms of the solution of a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind. The constant loading case is considered in detail and the results given in numerical form.
The structure of the transmitting tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) and the path of pollen tube growth

The compatible response in flowering plants is a complex process involving a series of cell communication events leading the pollen tube through the gynoecium to the ovule. We provide the first description of pollen tube growth in vivo in Arabidopsis thaliana. The structure and composition of the transmitting tissue of the septum are examined at the light microscope and transmission electron microscope levels. We demonstrate that once pollen tubes leave the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the central septum, they adhere to and travel along the ECM of the septum epidermis. This ECM, which surrounds the pollen tubes, is secreted through breaks in the cuticle of the septum surface. The transmitting tract ECM stains strongly for acidic polysaccharides. Monoclonal antibodies to esterified and low-esterified homogalacturonans (pectins) do not localize to this ECM. Yariv phenylglycoside and monoclonal antibodies to arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) provide evidence that AGPs are a component of the septum epidermal ECM.
Sources of uncertainty and design values for field-manufactured FRP

Development of design codes for the use of fiber reinforced polymer composites as externally bonded reinforcement demands the definition of design values for the materials. Externally bonded reinforcement is frequently applied through use of the wet-layup process in field settings. The conditions present during field manufacture can affect the properties of the finished composite and introduce sources of uncertainty that should be considered in the design process. This paper describes sources of uncertainty that may be present in field manufactured FRP materials. Results from tensile testing of several different sets of field-manufactured FRP are presented and discussed. Based on a review of current methods for the determination of design values and the results of material testing a rational definition of material design values for field-manufactured FRP is proposed. This definition is developed for simple integration with reliability-based design procedures, such as load and resistance factor design (LRFD). It is based on the use of the anticipated mean in-situ value as the design value with a separate composite specific resistance factor that considers the potential for different levels of material uncertainty depending on circumstances specific to individual applications of the material. The proposed design values are intended to have a high level of traceability and yet be flexible enough to capture the specific variations in each application in order to prevent the blanket use of excessive knock-down factors used conventionally to capture the worst levels of variation and uncertainty possible.
Bleeding manifestations in males with von Willebrand disease

von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common congenital bleeding disorder in the USA, affecting 1-3% of the population. Previously characterizing the bleeding symptoms in females with type 1 vWD, we evaluated 42 males with type 1 vWD, mean age 16 years (1-64), of whom 24 (57%) presented with bleeding symptoms. The most common initial symptom was postoperative bleeding (26%). The most common bleeding symptoms ever were epistaxis (53%), bruising (50%), postoperative bleeding (47%), haematomas (29%) and oral bleeding (29%). Of postoperative bleeding, ear/nose/throat (44%), dental (17%) and circumcision bleeding (22%) occurred at a median 10 years of age, despite a previous bleeding or family history in 89%. Complications included anaemia in five (12%), neurological sequelae after subdural haematoma and tonsillectomy in two (5%), transfusion-associated hepatitis C in two (5%) and degenerative joint disease after traumatic haemarthroses in one (2%). The bleeding time (BT) was prolonged in 83%, and the ristocetin cofactor (vW:RCoF) and factor VIII (FVIII:C) decreased in 64% and 43%, respectively. Haemarthroses and haematoma formation were associated with a longer activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) (P < 0.05), and anaemia with a lower FVIII:C (P < 0.05). In 81%, a haemostatic response occurred with 1-8 deamino-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP), although, in 13%, surgical intervention was also required to achieve haemostasis. Postoperative bleeding could have been avoided in 89%, if a preoperative past bleeding history or family history had been obtained, and, in at least 94%, if a preoperative BT and APTT had also been performed. The failure to avoid postoperative bleeding and related complications in patients with vWD by taking a personal and family bleeding history constitutes a major public health problem.
Potential wave mechanisms in cat cortex.

Abstract Evidence is presented for two types of potential-wave responses of apical dendrites of cortex. The shorter-latency of these responses decreases when its afferents are stimulated at 6 per sec. or faster, and the longer-latency process increases in amplitude. The incremental sequences include the classical recruiting waves following thalamic stimulation, and similar responses from cortex to stimulation of other regions of cortex, or from stimulating locally at the lead position. Four groups or size ranges of fibers activating cortex can be differentiated. The largest fibers are those of the afferent radiations to sensory primary projection areas. The next smaller activate somewhat similar responses in association area cortex when projection cortex is stimulated. A third group or division activates the decremental short-latency responses of cortex. The fourth group activates incremental or recruiting waves. From its conduction time, the latter group is inferred to consist of unmyelinated fibers. The recruiting property appears to be a function of the excitability cycle of one type of dendritic synapse, which shows two periods of facilitation. After a first stimulus, a second is effective during the 15 msec. duration of response to the first, after which a period of depression or relative refractoriness follows. At one sixth to one tenth sec. this depression passes over into supernormal excitability. That is, the repetition of an initial stimulus causes an increased response during the supernormal phase. Spontaneously arising recruiting spindles in nembutalized or decerebrate preparations show close resemblances to stimulated recruiting trains, and the interaction of these two sequences of waves indicates that they may occur in the same elements. In fact what are apparently waves of the spontaneous spindle type may appear during recruiting responses to repetitive stimulation if the frequency of stimulation is less than the frequency of spontaneous spindle discharge. This phenomenon seems related to that of “doubling” of response to each stimulus during repetitive stimulation that finally passes over into paroxysmal afterdischarge. Certain relations between incremental and decremental sequences of waves, when stimulated at different loci but recorded at the same leads across cortex, indicate that the two types of response may be those initiated at synapses via two afferent paths of different fiber types, impinging on the same dendrites. Inferences that seem reasonable will account for the alpha rhythm and recruiting and spindle responses as processes in the same or similar elements, activated in somewhat different patterns.
Scintillation and anisotropic roton generation by charged particles in superfluid helium

Abstract The physical processes of a superfluid helium-based particle detector are outlined. In particular, we discuss the fluorescent production of UV photons and the generation of an anisotropic roton flux by α particles. These two observed phenomena have potential use in the development of a full-scale helium particle detector.
METHANE AS A CONSTITUENT OF THE INTERNAL ATMOSPHERE OF VASCULAR HYDROPHYTES1

Methane has been detected as a constituent of the internal atmosphere of EZodea canadensis and Myriophykm exalbescens growing in ponds with organic substrates. The gas apparently diffuses from the anoxic substrates into the root or rhizoidal portion of the plants. High concentrations of the gas within the plants have been observed during the winter under an ice cover. Methane was also present during the night ancl early hours during summer, When the gas was added experimentally to pond water, it appeared quickly in the internal atmosphere of plants, apparently diffusing into shoot tissues. In dark-bottle cxperimcnts methane disappeared slowly from internal tissues. It was displaced rapidly from light bottles during periods of active photosynthesis.
Evaluation of HEXORR Tone Assistance Mode Against Spring Assistance

Robots are a promising tool for rehabilitation, and research suggests combining assistance with subject participation to maintain motivation and engagement. In this study, we compare two different types of robotic assistance for hand rehabilitation: Tone, a novel method designed to directly compensate for the user's hypertonia, and Spring, a commonly used method simulating a spring-like force attracting the subject to the target position. Eight chronic stroke subjects played a Gate Game, where they guide a ball through a sweeping, on-screen gate. Each subject was exposed to 5 modes: unassisted, assisted by the Spring and Tone modes, and “delay” modes where the assistance was provided after a period without assistance. Compared to unassisted trials, subjects produced less positive work and more negative work with all types of assistance but also reached a larger ROM and scored higher on the game. Notably, subjects produced more positive work overall with Tone compared to Spring. Further, subjects produced positive work over a significantly shorter range with Spring compared to Unassisted, while there was no difference between Tone and Unassisted. While both modes were effective at enabling the training of a larger workspace, these results suggest Tone assistance maintains a greater level of subject engagement and participation, likely making it a useful tool for hand rehabilitation.
Renal Vein or Inferior Vena Caval Extension in Patients With Renal Cortical Tumors: Impact of Tumor Histology

ABSTRACTPurpose: We determined the prognostic significance of renal vein or inferior vena caval (IVC) extension in patients with nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or oncocytoma undergoing surgery.Materials and Methods: The charts of patients undergoing radical or partial nephrectomy from 1989 to 2001 for nonmetastatic RCC or oncocytoma were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 1,082 patients (1,120 renal units) underwent radical (850 renal units) or partial (270 renal units) nephrectomy.Results: Renal vein extension was present in 60 patients (65.9%) and IVC extension was present in 31 (34.1%). The histological type associated with an increased risk of renal vein/IVC extension was conventional (80 of 702 cases, p <0.0001) and histological types with a decreased risk were oncocytoma (0 of 117, p = 0.00052) and papillary histology (0 of 146, p <0.0001). The 5-year actuarial recurrence-free probability was 59%, 65% and 91% in patients with IVC extension, renal vein extension and no renal vein or IVC e...
Unique man-portable five-element fluxgate gradiometer system

In the past, fluxgate magnetometers have been limited to stationary applications due to their vector nature. Because of its small relative size and cost, many additional potential uses and applications for the fluxgate magnetometer would be generated if this inherent motion noise could be eliminated. This paper describes a unique hardware solution that when coupled with a set of robust software algorithms, would allow the use of inexpensive fluxgate magnetometers to collect high quality data even when the sensor system is in motion. A novel three sensor gradiometer configuration patented by IBM makes this noise cancellation possible. When coupled with appropriate algorithms, significant detection and target tracking capabilites have been demonstrated. This technology has obvious advantages and applications in areas where other technologies are limited, such as buried objects including those underwater, and targets intentionally hidden or obscured from visual detection. While the sensor system is still in the prototype development stage, the described techniques and technology are expected to ultimately make a small, fieldable, man-portable, tracking gradiometer a reality. Advantages of this technique are its simple implementation and wide applicability to a variety of targets and scenarios. Early test results from the first diver prototype system are presented. Several potential areas of application are reviewed, and the technological advantages and limitations discussed.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Variability of currents in late spring in the northern Great South Channel

Abstract The residual flows computed from detided shipboard ADCP data collected in late spring 1988 and 1989 clearly show different circulation patterns in the near-surface and deeper regions in the Great South Channel (GSC). In the upper 50 m, the residual flow in the northern GSC consists of three principal currents: (1) a southward coastal current located along the western flank of the GSC; (2) a broad cyclonic circulation crudely following the local topography in the interior region of the northern GSC; and (3) a northeastward current along the western flank of Georges Bank. Below 50 m, the residual flow tends to be cyclonic along the local 100-m isobath in the northern GSC. These circulation patterns are consistent with the vertical distributions of water properties and the trajectories of satellite-tracked drifters drogued at 5 and 50 m. Comparisons with geostrophic current shears and numerical model results suggest that the residual flow in spring is driven primarily by tidal rectification over the shallower sides of the northern GSC and by buoyancy forcing over the deeper flanks of the GSC. The southward transports of low-salinity plume surface water and Maine Intermediate Water (MIW) were about 0.07 ± 0.03 Sv and 0.31 ± 0.38 Sv in April 1988 and about 0.12 ± 0.06 Sv and 0.66 ± 0.14 Sv in June 1989. The larger transports of low-salinity plume water and MIW found in June 1989 are believed to be due to the increased freshwater river discharge in 1989 and occurrence of a subsurface coastal jet current along the western flank of the GSC.
Who Takes Risks?: Daring and Caution in Foreign Policy Making

National leaders confront risky decisions on a regular basis. Although leaders may differ widely in their tolerance for risk, students of foreign policymaking lack compelling explanations for these differences. One of the few attempts to grapple with this problem holds that decision makers accept risks to avoid losses but refuse to take risks to make comparable gains. This tendency, embodied in prospect theory, is experimentally robust but consistently fails to predict the behavior of one third or more of the subjects. To investigate the contribution of individual differences to risk taking, the authors administered three questionnaires assessing risk propensity and two personality inventories (the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory) to 126 subjects. The results identify strong personality predictors of generalized risk taking. Contrary to prospect theory, some people were especially willing to take risks to make gains, whereas others were particularly unlikely to take r...
Fusion of the Left Aortic Cusp to the Aortic Wall with Occlusion of the Left Coronary Ostium, and Aortic Stenosis and Insufficiency

The case of a 16-year-old girl with a unique anomaly of the coronary arterial tree is presented. This report concerns the first known case of isolated adherence of the left coronary aortic valve cusp to the aortic wall. This produced total obstruction of the left coronary artery ostium, angina pectoris, syncope, aortic stenosis, and aortic insufficiency. Freeing the adherent cusp from the aortic wall restored patency of the left coronary artery, relieved the aortic insufficiency, and resulted in disappearance of the angina pectoris and syncope. This case adds to the growing spectrum of nonatherosclerotic coronary abnormalities which are capable of producing myocardial ischemia.
Evaluation of fibrosis and hepatitis C

Prognosis of hepatitis C is determined primarily by the extent and progression of fibrosis. Fibrosis, or the accumulation of extracellular matrix, is reversible, whereas cirrhosis is not. A large-scale clinical trial showed that extensive fibrosis may go undetected with little or no clinical signs or symptoms. The mean interval from time of infection to development of cirrhosis was approximately 30 years, although cirrhosis may occur in as little as 10 to 15 years or more than 50 years. Viral factors, including genotype and viral RNA levels, predict the response to therapy but do not independently correlate with rate of fibrosis. Host factors that are known to increase the likelihood of fibrosis include older age at infection, male gender, and alcohol intake. Other host factors, possibly the immune phenotype, are thought to be very important in determining rate of fibrosis, yet these factors have not yet been identified. At present, there is no substitute for liver biopsy to assess fibrosis, and there is a compelling need to develop noninvasive markers, because none currently exist. The Metavir system, a five-stage scale used for the evaluation of the extent of fibrosis, is the most carefully validated method for scoring fibrosis. Remarkable progress has been made in understanding the cellular and molecular basis of fibrosis. For example, it is now known that hepatic stellate cells are the major source of extracellular matrix after their activation, which connotes a conversion from a resting, vitamin A-rich cell to one that is proliferative, fibrogenic, and contractile. Future research should focus on better understanding the cellular basis of fibrosis and its natural history as treatments for hepatitis C continue to improve.
Mineral phases of calcium phosphate

Many studies of calcium phosphate precipitation have been made using relaxation techniques in which the concentrations of the lattice ions are allowed to decrease as equilibrium is approached. Since the nature of the phases that form depend markedly on the solution composition, this decrease can lead to concomitant phase transformations during the crystallization experiments. The results of the present constant composition (CC) studies show that defect apatites may be formed under conditions of sustained supersaturation with a non-stoichiometric coefficient dependent on the pH of the growth medium. An important factor in analyzing these experiments is the initial surface modification and ion-exchange processes involving H+ and Ca2+ ions after inoculation of the supersaturated solutions. Thereafter, active growth sites may be eliminated as the crystals undergo lattice perfection. Transformation of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate to octacalcium phosphate, involving dissolution and subsequent nucleation and growth of the new phase, is also influenced by surface roughening of the initial phase. Typical inhibitors that reduce the rate of growth of seed crystals in supersaturated solutions may actually induce the nucleation of calcium phosphate phases when immobilized on inert surfaces. This may be a factor in the modulation of crystal growth in many biological systems.
Impact of screen density on clinical nurses' computer task performance and subjective screen satisfaction

Abstract This study examined the effect of a finite amount of information being displayed in three different methods: one high density, two moderate density, or three low density screens. Screens displaying retrieved laboratory results were used to test clinical nurses' task times, accuracy, and subjective screen satisfaction. The study sample was 110 randomly selected clinical nurses from a university medical center. Repeated measures with post-hoc analyses indicated that, for all repetitions and for practiced tasks, nurses found information targets significantly more quickly on high density than either moderate or low, and significantly more quickly on moderate versus low density screens. Nurses' mean accuracy and screen satisfaction scores were essentially the same for the three screens. These results suggest increases in screen information density, within the study restrictions here, can result in faster performance times without sacrificing nurses' accuracy or screen satisfaction. Implications for system designers and clinicians indicate low density laboratory results retrieval screens in federal computer systems may be redesigned into one high information-density screen without loss of user accuracy or screen satisfaction.
A hybrid formulation for treatment of point-wise state variable constraints in dynamic response optimization

Abstract This paper presents methods of design sensitivity analysis and optimization of dynamic response of mechanical and structural systems. The point-wise state variable constraint function is divided into time sub-domains such that each sub-domain contains only one local maximum point. Then, the original constraint is replaced by a number of equivalent functional constraints. Each functional constraint is the integration of the positive value of the original constraint over its own time sub-domain. A direct differentiation method and three adjoint variable methods of design sensitivity analysis are presented. All of these methods are discussed and compared. It turns out that two of the adjoint variable methods are more efficient than others. A hybrid optimization algorithm based on these methods is proposed in detail. Two problems are solved for optimal design. Comparisons of results with those available in the literature are made. Numerical experience with the proposed method is discussed in detail. It is concluded that the new formulation is extremely efficient and converges to either optimal or near optimal solutions without any difficulty.
The polyvinyl alcohol sponge model implantation.

Wound healing is a complicated, multistep process involving many cell types, growth factors and compounds 1-3 . Because of this complexity, wound healing studies are most comprehensive when carried out in vivo. There are many in vivo models available to study acute wound healing, including incisional, excisional, dead space, and burns. Dead space models are artificial, porous implants which are used to study tissue formation and the effects of substances on the wound. Some of the commonly used dead space models include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) sponges, steel wire mesh cylinders, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) material, and the Cellstick 1,2 . Each dead space model has its own limitations based on its material's composition and implantation methods. The steel wire mesh cylinder model has a lag phase of infiltration after implantation and requires a long amount of time before granulation tissue formation begins 1 . Later stages of wound healing are best analyzed using the ePTFE model 1,4 . The Cellstick is a cellulose sponge inside a silicon tube model which is typically used for studying human surgery wounds and wound fluid 2 . The PVA sponge is limited to acute studies because with time it begins to provoke a foreign body response which causes a giant cell reaction in the animal 5 . Unlike other materials, PVA sponges are easy to insert and remove, made of inert and non-biodegradable materials and yet are soft enough to be sectioned for histological analysis 2,5 .
Inner-valence photoionization of HCN: An example of the complete breakdown of the quasiparticle picture of photoionization

We performed both single- and coupled-channel scattering calculations of the photoionization of HCN at a photon energy range of 40-1000 eV. Based upon the present results, we predict that HCN is a system for which the inner-valence photoionization is characterized by a complete breakdown of the quasiparticle picture of photoionization. We find that there is no inner valence main line and that the intensity from photoionization from the inner valence 3{sigma} orbital is split into two prominent satellites and two weaker satellites. These four satellites occur at binding energies of approximately 27.0, 29.5, 31.0, and 33.0 eV, and are almost solely of inner valence origin. We identify these satellites as being of inner-valence origin as a consequence of the theoretically predicted high-energy convergence of the photoionization cross-section rations to the ratio of corresponding spectroscopic intensity factors. Additionally, we find that there is one mixed provenance satellite that occurs on the shoulder of the highest binding energy (4{sigma}{sup -1}) line at 22.5 eV, i.e., lower than the expected energy range for satellites. The existence of this satellite is another result of the breakdown of the quasiparticle picture. On a phenomenological basis, all four of the inner-valence-derived satellites appear to be dynamicallymore » correlated shake-up states. (c) 1999 The American Physical Society.« less
Design and synthesis of medium-ring lactam libraries inspired by octalactin a. A convergent-divergent approach.

Small molecule compound libraries based on medium rings1 are virtually unknown.2 This critical gap in the literature is probably caused by two main factors. First, medium ring natural products are themselves uncommon and therefore less likely to be the object of total synthesis efforts.3 Second, there is a widely held view that medium rings remain the most challenging and difficult systems to synthesize.4 As part of a program to identify interesting chemotypes for library development, we examined several medium-ring natural products. One system in particular, namely, octalactin A (1) (Figure 1),5 continues to attract intense interest because of its fascinating architecture and potent antitumor profile.6
Hereditary proximal colonic cancer.

Ten families prone to cancer of the colon (in the absence of familial polyposis coli) have been investigated. A significantly greater frequency of carcinomas of the proximal colon was evident relative to non-familial colonic cancers (65% versus less than 35%, P less than .001). Moreover, family members with proximal colonic cancers experienced significantly enhanced survival, compared with family members with distal colonic or rectal cancers. Findings consistent with a genetic predisposition included early mean age at onset (45 years) and a high frequency (40%) of multiple primary cancers in the patients studied. The results are in accord with reported findings in 11 similar kindreds from the literature, and strongly suggest the existence of a heritable variety of colonic cancer in which the proximal colon is at particularly high risk. Extraordinary early diagnostic measures, including colonoscopy, are indicated for members of such families.
Joint state and parameter estimation for Boolean dynamical systems

In a recent publication, a novel state-space signal model was proposed for discrete-time Boolean dynamical systems. The optimal recursive MMSE estimator for this model is called the Boolean Kalman filter (BKF), and an efficient algorithm was presented for its exact computation. In the present paper, we consider the system identification problem, i.e., the problem of parameter estimation for the case where only incomplete knowledge about the system is available. To solve this problem, we propose the application of the BKF in the context of the well-known paradigm of joint estimation of state and parameters. The approach is illustrated via a network inference example.
Graduate Student Cohort Data for Individual Advising and Resource Allocation.

Data of use to students in making plans concerning entry into graduate programs are also likely to be of use to administrators faced with resource allocation decisions. Included are such relatively available data as the percent of students entering a degree program who emerge with degrees, average length of time between entrance to the University and receipt of a graduate degree, and the extent to which sex differences exist in terms of degree completion rate or time required to complete a graduate degree. Average length of time to a degree can be useful in making individual plans and in comparing departments in the efficiency with which they produce degree holders. If these data are available for all degree holders, they allow the individual to make plans for his education and could allow him to compare departments in different universities. If such data are augmented to include all semesters of registration, by those who do not earn degrees as well as those who do, they can be used to yield efficiency indices. Combined with cost data, they can yield figures on the relative costs of the degrees awarded by departments within an institution. The present report summarizes a set of data designed to cast light on the comparative performance of the academic departments at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the production of graduate degrees and focuses on the methodology involved in developing statistical reports useful for such purposes.
Biomarkers in non-Alzheimer dementias

Abstract Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and non-AD dementias could serve as aids to diagnosis and treatment. Biochemical markers have been sought in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood and urine, and are best developed for AD. Ideally, a biomarker should be unique to a dementing disorder and should have high sensitivity. The most widely studied markers for AD, CSF tau and Aβ42, also can show alterations in other disorders. Some non-AD dementias, such as Lewy Body dementia and vascular dementia may be accompanied by AD pathology, making the search for unique markers of these common disorders difficult. However, markers of general pathological processes in neurodegeneration could be used to follow change over time. Prion disorders come closest to having unique biomarkers, although it is difficult to detect the pathogenic Prion proteins (PrPsc) in body fluids. Other protein signatures, such as increased CSF levels of 14-3-3 protein and markedly increased tau have sufficiently high sensitivity and specificity to be used as aids to diagnosis. The development of markers for prion disease stands as a model to drive future research in other dementias.
Leucine metabolism in stable cirrhosis.

Alterations in protein and amino acid metabolism have been postulated to explain the frequent observations of muscle wasting and decreased plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations in cirrhosis. In order to investigate the changes in protein metabolism, we have measured the rates of leucine turnover and oxidation in six stable, biopsy-proven cirrhotics and six age and sex-matched healthy control subjects after an overnight fast, using [1-13C]leucine tracer. Following a primed constant-rate infusion of [1-13C]leucine, the 13C enrichments of plasma leucine and expired CO2 were used to estimate leucine turnover and oxidation, respectively. Fat-free body mass was estimated from the measurements of total body water as quantified by H2[18O] tracer dilution. The rates of CO2 production and oxygen consumption were measured hourly during the study period, using open-circuit respiratory calorimetry. Urinary urea, ammonia and total nitrogen excretion rates were quantified from timed urine samples. Even though the plasma leucine levels were lower in cirrhotics as compared with controls (100.5 ± 17.1 vs. 138.3 ± 20.4 μmoles per liter, mean ± S.D., p < 0.001), the rates of leucine turnover were not significantly different in the two groups (89.4 ± 19.0 vs. 87.8 ± 19.0 μmoles per kg ± hr). In contrast, the rates of leucine oxidation were significantly reduced in cirrhosis (8.1 ± 2.5 vs. 12.7 ± 3.1 μmoles per kg ± hr, p < 0.01). When all subjects were considered, the leucine oxidation rate was correlated with plasma leucine concentration (r = 0.62, p < 0.03). The plasma clearance rate of leucine was significantly increased in cirrhosis (903.5 ± 232.0 vs. 650.8 ± 164.4 ml per kg ± hr, p < 0.001), as was the fractional turnover rate of the free leucine pool (2.3 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2% per min, p < 0.02). Calculated rates of protein degradation and protein synthesis were similar in the two groups. These alterations in protein metabolism were associated with elevated serum levels of insulin (12.5 ± 7.6 vs. 5.9 ± 1.1 μunits per ml, p < 0.03) and β-hydroxybutyrate (0.2 ± 0.6 vs. 0.13 ± 0.05 mM, p < 0.05). Although the basal metabolic rates were similar in the two groups, the respiratory quotients were reduced in cirrhosis (0.75 ± 0.01 vs. 0.84 ± 0.03, p < 0.001), suggesting an increased contribution of fat toward oxidative metabolism. Consistent with reduced leucine oxidation, urinary total and urea nitrogen were also decreased in cirrhosis (p < 0.01). Because total body water was similar in cirrhotics and controls (61.7 ± 6.1 vs. 58.4 ± 5.0% body weight), comparison of the data did not differ whether expressed per unit total body weight or per unit fat-free body mass. These data indicate plasma leucine concentrations may determine the rate of leucine oxidation. Consequently, the decreased rate of leucine oxidation in stable cirrhosis may be a consequence of decreased substrate availability. Although hyperinsulinemia was associated with decreased plasma leucine levels in cirrhosis, there was no significant difference in leucine or protein turnover between the cirrhosis and control groups.
A molecular beam study of the trapping desorption of I2 from a LiF(001) surface

Abstract Rotational, vibrational and translational Boltzmann distributions of I 2 desorbing from LiF(001) were measured using laser-induced fluorescence. The I 2 rotational temperature is lower than the surface temperature ( T S ) at T S > 300 K while the vibrational and translational temperatures are ≈ T S . An upper limit on the I 2 -LiF(001) potential well depth was found to be 0.45 ± 0.03 eV.