cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Urinary Continence after Radical Prostatectomy: Association with Urethral Length and Urethral Fibrosis Measured by Preoperative and Postoperative Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract Background Limited data on endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and urinary continence after radical prostatectomy (RP) are available. Objective To assess whether recovery of urinary continence after RP is associated with endorectal MRI findings regarding preoperative and postoperative membranous urethral length (MUL), percent change in MUL, and postoperative urethral and periurethral fibrosis. Design, setting, and participants Sixty-four patients who received an MRI scan before and after RP for localized prostate cancer were evaluated in a retrospective study at a single institution. Intervention All patients underwent RP. Measurements The postoperative scan was performed to detect local recurrence in patients with rising levels of prostate-specific antigen. Urinary continence was graded on a five-point scale. MUL was measured on T2-weighted images. Urethral and periurethral fibrosis was graded from 0 to III based on axial T2-weighted images. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to assess variables associated with continence. Results and limitations Forty-eight patients regained continence following surgery. The median follow-up for patient who were incontinent at their last assessment was 7 mo. The median interval from RP to postoperative endorectal MRI was 10 mo. A longer preoperative or postoperative MUL was associated with superior continence (both p p =0.02). Patients with a high grade of postoperative periurethral fibrosis tended to have worse postoperative continence; nevertheless a statistical correlation was not reached (hazard ratio: 0.64, p =0.16). This is a retrospective study. Conclusions Preoperative and postoperative MUL and the MUL loss ratio are related to the recovery time and level of urinary continence after RP. Therefore, preservation of urethral length during surgery is recommended. Periurethral fibrosis might impede the recovery of continence after RP by altering the elasticity of the external sphincter.
Transition State Dynamics of Arn·(IHI) (n = 0−20)

Classical trajectory simulations of the dynamics of Ar(n).(IHI) with n = 0-20 are performed to investigate the effects of solvation on the transition state dynamics of the I + HI reaction. Initial conditions for the classical trajectories are sampled from the quantum ground-state phase space distribution for Ar(n).(IHI)-, given by the Wigner distribution function. Neumark and co-workers recently reported a shift of the Ar(n).(IHI)- photoelectron spectra to lower electron kinetic energies when the number of argon atoms was increased from 0 to 15. Analogous shifts are found in the present calculations, and excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated shifts is found. Longer lifetimes of the IHI complex and increasing energy transfer between the hydrogen atom and the argon and iodine atoms are also observed as the number of argon atoms is increased.
Note on level of aspiration as a selective device for psychiatric aides.

2 of each other by the third trial; and (2) estimate on the first trial was 15 or less, with the estimate of the number of squares that would be drawn and performance within 2 of each other by the third trial. The same two combinations of estimate and performance were used in this study. The classification of the 12 aides was based on a rating by the Director of Nursing. This procedure is justified by the fact that rwo different studies (Pulos, et al., 1962; Siskind, 1967) indicated that the Director's ratings were significantly correlated with several other types of rating of aides' performance. The four aides rated as above average were also selected as above average by the Level of Aspiration Test (either of combinations described above); of the 8 aides rated as below average, 2 were above average on the Level of Aspiration Test. Analysis of these data by the Fisher exact probability test (Siegel, 1956) indicated that the null hypothesis could be rejected at P = .01. Results of these studies justify use of the Level of Aspiration Tesc in the immediate demographic area of Carter Hospital. It should not be used without further assessment when the potential employees are part of a different population because populations do differ significantly (Siskind & Drake, 1967). The results suggest that level of aspiration tests merit closer attention as assessment and selective
Kinetics of Lamellar Decomposition Reactions in U-Nb Alloys

Discontinuous precipitation (DP) and discontinuous coarsening (DC) reactions have been observed in numerous alloy systems [1]. DP has been observed in the U-Nb system [2, 3, 4, 5]. The U-Nb phase diagram (Fig. 1) exhibits a continuous γ-BCC solid solution at high temperatures and a two-phase mixture of a-orthorhombic and γ-BCC below the 647°C monotectoid isotherm. The DP reaction occurs during continuous cooling and isothermal aging over 300-647°C. No metallographic evidence of a DC reaction in U-Nb has been published, although this is suggested from x-ray observations of distinct changes in the Nb content of the γ phase upon prolonged holding after the DP reaction [2, 3, 6]. This study will provide direct evidence for a DC reaction. Discontinuous and other aging reactions [7] are undesirable in U-Nb alloys, since they degrade corrosion resistance [5], ductility [8], and the shape-memory effect [9]. Hence, an improved understanding of the kinetics of these discontinuous phase transformations in U-Nb alloys is of practical interest.
Genetic polymorphisms in the metabolic pathway and non-Hodgkin lymphoma survival.

Background Metabolic pathway enzymes, such as Cytochrome P450 (CYP), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and N-Acetyltransferases (NAT) are involved in activation and detoxification of environmental carcinogens as well as drug metabolism. We hypothesized that the genetic variations in such metabolic pathways may affect NHL prognosis and survival.
Many faces of periplakin: domain-specific antibodies detect the protein throughout the epidermis, explaining the multiple protein-protein interactions

Periplakin was first identified as a precursor of the cornified cell envelope, residing in desmosomes and in interdesmosomal plasma membrane of differentiated keratinocytes in epidermis. However, most antibodies used so far have been raised against the C-terminal peptide of periplakin, the region which is heavily involved in protein-protein interactions. In order to avoid the lack of signal due to the epitope masking, other regions of periplakin were selected as antigens. Indeed, periplakin is present throughout the epidermis, but while the head domain is accessible for the antibody recognition throughout the epidermis, the rod domain is readily accessible only in the basal cell layer and needs to be unmasked by detergent treatment in the upper layers of epidermis. The tail domain, which is known to be heavily involved in the protein-protein interactions, specifically binding to the intermediate filament proteins, was masked in the basal cell layer, but was readily detectable in the outer layers of epidermis, where periplakin assembles to the cornified cell envelope. The in vitro assay revealed that periplakin tail serves as a substrate for the tissue-type transglutaminase, TGase 2. The cross-linking may potentially render the tail unaccessible for antibody recognition. A tailless periplakin, unable to function as a cytolinker, results from the proteolytic processing of periplakin by caspase 6, the caspase executing apoptosis through the processing of intermediate filament proteins. It is concluded that multiple localization and protein-protein interactions indicate a functional role for periplakin and its domains throughout the epithelial differentiation.
Hamiltonian mechanics and nonlinear dynamics of a body subject to time-varying gyroscopic and potential forces

We consider the planar dynamics of a body under the simultaneous influence of a force given by the spatial gradient of a potential function and a force that remains perpendicular to the body's translational velocity. Either force can vary with time. We describe a physical example of such a system and analyze the structure of the underlying equations of motion, demonstrating that they exemplify a special class of almost Hamiltonian systems. We show that when the potential function varies periodically with time, the momentum of the body can evolve chaotically.
Underlying genetic diagnosis of Pierre Robin sequence: retrospective chart review at two children's hospitals and a systematic literature review.

Objectives To determine the underlying genetic diagnosis of Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) in 2 cohorts of individuals, assess the accuracy of genetic evaluation in young infants with PRS, and contrast the interventions provided to children with isolated and syndromic PRS. Study design The study involved retrospective chart reviews at 2 children's hospitals and a systematic literature review. Results Approximately 40% of the patients had isolated PRS, and 60% of the patients had additional syndromic features. The patients with PRS with syndromic features required more aggressive medical management. Stickler syndrome was the most common syndromic diagnosis in PRS. The difficulty of making an accurate genetic diagnosis during the neonatal period was demonstrated. Conclusion All infants with PRS should be evaluated to check for the presence of syndromic features, and a longitudinal follow-up is warranted to monitor for the development of any syndromic features.
Mental Health Screening and STI Among Detained Youth

Our objective was to understand the relationship between mental health screening results, health disparity, and STI risk among detained adolescents. In this 24-month cross-sectional study of 1,181 detainees (age 13–18 years), we examined associations between race, gender, mental health screening results (as measured by the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument—2nd Edition) and sexually transmitted infection rates (STI; chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas). Consistent with previous research, females and black youth were disproportionately affected by STI. Race and gender differences were also noted in mental health screening. The odds of having an STI increased by 23% (OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.37) with each one-unit increase in the alcohol/drug subscale score for females. Gender-specific STI interventions for detained youth are warranted. For young women with substance abuse, specific interventions are necessary and may help reduce health disparity in this vulnerable population.
Performance of Severity of Illness Scoring Systems in Emergency Department Patients with Infection

ObjectivesTo validate the Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis (MEDS) score, the Confusion, Urea nitrogen, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, 65 years of age and older (CURB-65) score, and a modified Rapid Emergency Medicine Score (mREMS) in patients with suspected infection. MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study. Adult patients with clinically suspected infection admitted from December 10, 2003, to September 30, 2004, in an urban emergency department with approximately 50,000 annual visits were eligible. The MEDS and CURB-65 scores were calculated as originally described, but REMS was modified in neurologic scoring because a full Glasgow Coma Scale score was not uniformly available. Discrimination of each score was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). ResultsOf 2,132 patients, 3.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.1% to 4.7%) died. Mortality stratified by the MEDS score was as follows: 0–4 points, 0.4% (95% CI = 0.0 to 0.7%); 5–7 points, 3.3% (95% CI = 1.7% to 4.9%); 8–12 points, 6.6% (95% CI = 4.4% to 8.8%); and ≥13 points, 31.6% (95% CI = 22.4% to 40.8%). Mortality stratified by CURB-65 was as follows: 0 points, 0% (0 of 457 patients); 1 point, 1.6% (95% CI = 0.6% to 2.6%); 2 points, 4.1% (95% CI = 2.3% to 6.0%); 3 points, 4.9% (95% CI = 2.8% to 6.9%); 4 points, 18.1% (95% CI = 11.9% to 24.3%); and 5 points, 28.0% (95% CI = 10.4% to 45.6%). Mortality stratified by the mREMS was as follows: 0–2 points, 0.6% (95% CI = 0 to 1.2%); 3–5 points, 2.0% (95% CI = 0.8% to 3.1%); 6–8 points, 2.3% (95% CI = 1.1% to 3.5%); 9–11 points, 7.1% (95% CI = 4.2% to 10.1%); 12–14 points, 20.0% (95% CI = 12.5% to 27.5%); and ≥15 points, 40.0% (95% CI = 22.5% to 57.5%). The AUCs were 0.85, 0.80, and 0.79 for MEDS, mREMS, and CURB-65, respectively. ConclusionsIn this large cohort of patients with clinically suspected infection, MEDS, mREMS, and CURB-65 all correlated well with 28-day in-hospital mortality.
ASSA13-15-2 Relationship of Interleukin-6 –572C/G Promoter Polymorphism and Serum Levels to Post-PCI Restenosis

Background and Objective It has recently been reported that inflammatory mechanisms play an important role in in-stent restenosis (ISR) processes. Inflammatory factors after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for dynamic monitoring can probably predictive ISR. Functional polymorphisms in the promoter region of genes coding for inflammatory factors might be important for determining the magnitude of the inflammatory response. Thus, in the present study, we aim to investigate the serial changes in serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels before and after PCI and the relationship between the –572C/G polymorphism in the promoter region of the IL-6 gene and ISR. We will also discuss genetic polymorphisms in the inflammatory response to PCI. Methods 437 patients who successfully underwent bare metal stent (BMS) implantation with a follow-up angiography were divided into an ISR group (166) and a non-ISR (NISR) group (271). The IL-6 gene promoter polymorphism at position –572 was determined by restricted fragment length polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP) method. The serum IL-6 levels before and one day, five days, and 180 days after PCI were determined by the radioimmunoassay method. Results (1) ISR patients showed higher IL-6 serum levels than NISR patients before PCI (324.42 ± 28.14 ng/L vs. 283.22 ± 47.30 ng/L, PP Increased IL-6 after PCI persisted at a statistically significant level throughout the study in ISR patients, whereas IL-6 levels had normalised 5 days after the procedure in NISR patients. (2) One day post-PCI serum IL-6 levels were the most accurate diagnosis of ISR, the area under the ROC curve was 0.927 (95% CI : 0.878–0.977). The cut-off value for IL-6 to predict ISR was over 355.50ng/L, with a sensitivity of 0.968 and a specificity of 0.865. (3) There were no significant differences in frequencies of –572 genotype and allele between the two groups ( P > 0.05). (4) One day post-PCI IL-6 serum levels in patients with the G allele was significantly higher than in patients without the G allele (366.99 ± 49.37ng/L vs. 347.20 ± 55.30ng/L, P the G allele (405.67 ± 26.56ng/L vs.375.69 ± 38.81ng/L, P. Conclusions (1) IL-6 is an early post-PCI inflammatory cytokine, the day one post-PCI serum IL-6 level is an independent risk factor for restenosis. (2) The frequencies of IL-6 gene –572 genotype and allele are not differ between patients with and without ISR in a Chinese Tianjin Han population, but carrying the IL-6 –572G allele is likely to increase an individual’s susceptibility to ISR by promoting serum IL-6 levels.
Development of economic analysis

Part 1: Preclassical Economics, 1. Early Masterworks as a source of Economic Thought, 2. The Origins of Analytic Economics 3. The Transition to Classical Economics, Part II: Classical Economics, 4. Physiocracy: The Beginning of Analytical Economics, 5. Adam Smith: From Moral Philosophy to Political Economy, 6. Thomas Malthus and J. B. Say: The Political Economy of Population Behaviour and Aggregate Demand, 7. David Ricardo: Economic Analysis of the Distributive Shares, 8. Building on Ricardian Foundations: The Mills, W. N. Senior and Charles Babbage, 9. Classical Theory in Review, Part III: The Critics of Classicism. 10. Socialism, Induction, and the Forerunners of Marginalism, 11. Karl Marx: An Inquiry into the "Law of Motion" of the Capitalist System, 12. First-Generation Marginalists: Jevons, Walras and Menger, 13. Second-Generation Marginalists, Part IV: The Neo-classical Tradition, 1980-1945, 14. Alfred Marshall and the Neo-classical Tradition, 15. Chamberlain, Robinson and Other Price Theorists, 16. The "New" Theory of Welfare and Consumer Behavior, 17. Neo-classical Monetary and business-Cycle Theorists, Part V: The Dissent form Neo-classicism, 1890-1945, 18. The Dissent of American Institutionalists, 19. The Economics of Planning: Socialism without Marxism, 20. J. M. Keynes's Critique of the Mainstream Tradition, 21. Keynes's Theory of Employment, Output and Income, Part VI: Beyond High Theory, 22. The Emergence of Econometrics as a Sister-Discipline of Economics, 23. Neo-Keynesians, Neo-Walrasians and Monetarists, 24. The Analytics of Economic Liberalism: The Theory of Choice, Part VII: Competing Economic Paradigms, 25. From Economic Heterodoxy to Pluralism and the Revival of Political Economy
Digital Subtraction Angiography in the Diagnosis of Vascular Rings

Faulty embryonic development of the aortic arch results in a congenital malformation called a vascular ring [1]. There are many different types of vascular rings and symptoms are produced by compression of the trachea and/or the esophagus.
NUTRIENT RETENTION IN THE BIOREMEDIATION ZONE OF A SANDY BEACH

ABSTRACT A tracer study was conducted on a low-energy beach in Delaware Bay to determine how the nutrient washout rate is affected by the tidal cycle. When tracer was applied during spring tide, it was reduced to background levels following a single high tide; but when it was applied during neap tide, tracer persisted in the bioremediation zone for a much longer time. The washout rate was found to be related to the extent of water coverage during high tide.
Designing Laboratory Exercises for the Undergraduate Molecular Biology/Biochemistry Student: Techniques and Ethical Implications Involved in Personalized Medicine.

Personalized medicine refers to medical care that involves genetically screening patients for their likelihood to develop various disorders. Commercial genome screening only involves identifying a consumer's genotype for a few single nucleotide polymorphisms. A phenotype (such as an illness) is greatly influenced by three factors: genes, gene expression levels, and the environment. The information supplied by personal genomics companies only involves genes and as such is not always indicative of a particular phenotype. Here, we propose a method for developing modular undergraduate laboratories that examine each contributing factor for a single gene. Although each module is suitable as an individual laboratory exercise, every module may be used in the same class to examine a single phenotype of interest, give students a more complete understanding of how a phenotype is produced and allow students to understand the science behind personalized medicine.
The hydrates and deuterates of ferrous sulfate (FeSO4): a Raman spectroscopic study

A comparative analysis has been carried out on the Raman spectra of FeSO4·nH2O (n = 1, 4, 7) including the 2D-analogs. The effects of changing the degrees of hydration have been found from the lattice, SO42− internal, and H2O internal modes. Increasing degrees of hydration shift the intense ν1(SO4) peak to lower wavenumbers and reduce the amount of splitting on the ν3(SO4) peaks. Some of the water librational bands cause the broadening of the ν4(SO4) peaks in FeSO4·7H2O and the ν2(SO4) peaks in FeSO4·7D2O. The ν2(H2O) band in FeSO4·H2O is red-shifted in excess of 100 cm−1 relative to the unperturbed H2O band. Between 240 and 190 K and between 140 and 90 K in the spectra of FeSO4.4H2O, two potential phase transitions have been identified from the changes in the lattice and water-stretching regions. The resolution of the ν1(H2O) and ν3(H2O) bands in FeSO4·4H2O and FeSO4·H2O also improved sharply at low temperatures. The capability of distinguishing various forms of FeSO4 hydrates unambiguously makes the Raman technique a potential analytical tool for the identification of sulfate minerals on planetary surfaces. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of Walker 256 Carcinosarcoma Growth by Dietary Zinc Deficiency

SummaryThe zinc requirements of neoplastic growth were evaluated by comparing growth of a transplanted tumor (Walker 256 carcinosarcoma) in rats on a zinc-deficient diet with growth of this tumor in pair-fed or weight-matched controls. Rats receiving a zinc-deficient diet showed marked reduction of tumor growth and this was accompanied by a striking increase in survival. Rats in the pair-fed or weight-matched groups showed a slight reduction in tumor growth compared with ad libitum-fed controls but this caloric restriction did not increase survival. These results are consistent with a zinc requirement for tumor growth and suggest the need for study of clinical correlations between tumor growth rate and plasma zinc levels.
Co-operation and Competition: Contributions to an Evolutionary and Developmental Model

Combining co-operation with other behaviours is hypothesised as a successful strategy for competing for resources. Studies were conducted with 4- to 8-year-olds from India, Malaysia, South Africa, and the United States. Four children were given the opportunity to view a cartoon (the resource), providing two children helped make the cartoon available to a third child for viewing, thereby relegating the fourth child to a bystanding position. The children quickly learned to co-operate, however, viewing times varied significantly between them, suggesting that they were competing against each other even while co-operating. The inequitable outcomes appear due to individual differences in the ability to combine helping others with more competitive behaviours. Children from different cultures were very similar in their behaviour as well as in their production of inequitable outcomes. These findings suggest the presence of a culturally independent strategy that could be viewed as evolutionarily stable.
Size distribution of raindrops

, collisional disk break-up that results from the fragmentation of a large drop originated by the near head-on collision of two drops is well documented 10 . #e transient shape of the large drop evolves to form a 'bag' a!er collision, and then a 'disk' before breaking to yield a large number of small drops. VB speculate that collisional break-up is unlikely. However, the mean free path for drop-drop collision is of the same order of magnitude as the average distance a drop has to fall before experiencing spontaneous break-up 3 . Furthermore, spontaneous break-up occurs only once for each (rare) large drop, whereas many interactions can occur among a wide size range of small drops in their downward trajectory. Indeed, surveys of laboratory experiments under free-fall conditions 7-9 indicate that collisional disk break-up is responsible for up to 20% of all break-up events 7,8
Continuously Tunable Resonant Ruby Laser Reflector

The general theoretical requirements for making multisurfaced (resonant) reflectors frequency-tunable are described. Specifically, reflectors that can be used to stabilize and control the lasing spectrum of ruby lasers are considered. Fabry-Perot ring analysis showed that a four-surface reflector (two parallel sapphire flats) with a spacer (stellite) having close to the ideal thermal expansion coefficient, for thermal frequency tunability, could be used to continuously tune a ruby laser near 6944 A more than 0.3 A with a spectral width less than ±0.01 A.
The role of minimally invasive surgery in pediatric solid tumors

During recent years, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has become the standard approach for various operations in infants and children. MIS in pediatric thoracic and abdominal tumors is a controversial approach in the surgical management of childhood cancer. Meanwhile, more and more oncological biopsies and resections are being performed laparoscopically or thoracoscopically. Despite its increasing role in pediatric tumor surgery, the different national and international multicenter trial groups have not yet implemented MIS within guidelines and recommendations in most of the current treatment protocols. An increasing number of retrospective reports describes a potential role of MIS in the management of different pediatric oncological entities. Over the time, there has been a diverse development of this approach with regard to the different neoplasms. Nevertheless, there is a lack of prospective randomized trails assessing MIS. This still represents a requirement for evidence-based medicine and judging the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. The purpose of this state-of-the-art article is to review the current literature to describe the application of MIS in pediatric solid tumors.
Harvest, trade and conservation of the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus in Cambodia

1. The worldwide trade in aquarium fish is a multi-billion dollar industry. One of the most popular and expensive species traded is the Asian arowana Scleropages formosus. As a result of over-harvesting for the aquarium fish trade, S. formosus is now endangered and commercial international trade in the species is prohibited under CITES. Despite this, very little is known about S. formosus in the wild. 2. Interviews were conducted with 62 local villagers at four sites in Koh Kong province, south-west Cambodia, to obtain information on the reproduction, historical and current harvest and trade, and population trends of S. formosus. 3. The spawning season of S. formosus in Cambodia begins towards the end of the dry season (March–April) and is approximately 3 months in duration. Each male mouth-broods an average of 30 juveniles. Harvesters target S. formosus fry and juveniles, and typically kill or frighten brooding males into releasing their offspring in order to harvest them. 4. The prices obtained by harvesters for S. formosus has been increasing since collection began, and currently averages $US11–13 per juvenile. After collection, fish are transported through a series of larger towns, most ultimately bound for Thailand. The current number of S. formosus harvested from the wild in Cambodia is almost certainly highly unsustainable, with all respondents indicating that local S. formosus population abundance had declined dramatically in recent years. It is also likely that a number of populations have already become locally extinct. 5. Strengthening legislation to protect the species within Cambodia, increasing enforcement of cross-border trade, and an investigation into alternative low-impact income generation opportunities for local communities is vital. There is also an urgent need to gather detailed information on the distribution, population abundance and threats facing S. formosus in Cambodia, and in other countries throughout its range. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Use of Electronic Computers to Aid in Medical Diagnosis

With the use of computers several mathematical techniques can be applied to aid certain aspects of medical diagnosis. However, much work remains to be accomplished in trying these methods under practical conditions. Although wide interest has been expressed, few studies have been reported in the literature. Among the potential advantages of computer aids are: making available to the physician quantitative methods in areas related to data analysis and differential diagnosis; assisting in the evaluation of the best alternative courses of action during stages of the diagnostic testing processes; and periodic recording and evaluating of individual physiologic norms for more sensitive determination of an individual's health trend relative to disease prevention. Communication between the physician or researcher and the computer is presently technically feasible but much research and planning are still required for realistic application.
Survey of representative species of Aspergillus for regions of DNA homology to Aspergillus nidulans developmental genes

This study surveyed five representative species of Aspergillus for regions of homology with previously cloned A. nidulans developmental genes. Areas of hybridization were found for all A. nidulans genes in the DNA of all of the Aspergillus species examined. All five species had a high level of homology with the tubC gene, but varied in degree of homology with the brlA gene and the SpoC1 gene cluster. These results suggest that DNA sequences analogous to A. nidulans developmental genes are found in other members of the genus and support the hypothesis that genetic investigations of A. nidulans could serve as model systems for genetic studies of other aspergilli.
Copy number variation and cytidine analogue cytotoxicity: A genome-wide association approach

The human genome displays extensive copy-number variation (CNV). Recent discoveries have shown that large segments of DNA, ranging in size from hundreds to thousands of nucleotides, are either deleted or duplicated. This CNV may encompass genes, leading to a change in phenotype, including drug response phenotypes. Gemcitabine and 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (AraC) are cytidine analogues used to treat a variety of cancers. Previous studies have shown that genetic variation may influence response to these drugs. In the present study, we set out to test the hypothesis that variation in copy number might contribute to variation in cytidine analogue response phenotypes. We used a cell-based model system consisting of 197 ethnically-defined lymphoblastoid cell lines for which genome-wide SNP data were obtained using Illumina 550 and 650 K SNP arrays to study cytidine analogue cytotoxicity. 775 CNVs with allele frequencies > 1% were identified in 102 regions across the genome. 87/102 of these loci overlapped with previously identified regions of CNV. Association of CNVs with gemcitabine and AraC IC50 values identified 11 regions with permutation p-values < 0.05. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assays were performed to verify the 11 CNV regions that were associated with this phenotype; with false positive and false negative rates for the in-silico findings of 1.3% and 0.04%, respectively. We also had basal mRNA expression array data for these same 197 cell lines, which allowed us to quantify mRNA expression for 41 probesets in or near the CNV regions identified. We found that 7 of those 41 genes were highly expressed in our lymphoblastoid cell lines, and one of the seven genes (SMYD3) that was significant in the CNV association study was selected for further functional experiments. Those studies showed that knockdown of SMYD3, in pancreatic cancer cell lines increased gemcitabine and AraC resistance during cytotoxicity assay, consistent with the results of the association analysis. These results suggest that CNVs may play a role in variation in cytidine analogue effect. Therefore, association studies of CNVs with drug response phenotypes in cell-based model systems, when paired with functional characterization, might help to identify CNV that contributes to variation in drug response.
Wave packet studies of molecular photofragmentation via strongly coupled electronic surfaces

Abstract The photodissociation process, H 3 + + h ν→[(H 3 + )*]→2H+H + or H 2 + +H wasstudied in a two-dimensional approximation. In this system, two Born-Oppenheimer surfaces intersect in the Franck-Condonregion, and are coupled by non-adiabatic terms in the Hamiltonian. Therefore, both surfaces participate in the photodissociation process. A wave packet was propagated by numerical integration of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation, including coupling between the two surfaces, into the asymptotic region. The effects of variations of the coupling strength on the absorption profile and product state distribution were investigated.
Geografías de género y sexuales de la negrura: Nuevas cartografías negras de resistencia y supervivencia (parte 2)

The articles in part 2 of the themed section Gender and Sexual Geographies of Blackness focus on the creation of new cartographies of resistance, struggle, and survival in which black gender and sexual minority communities are engaged. Using black feminist readings of gender, sexuality, and geography as a point of departure, we consider the complex challenges that black gender and sexual minorities pose to conventional feminists and queer readings of space. These articles map unexplored sites of black struggle, resistance, and survival where black gender and sexual minorities confront marginalization and create new spaces of sociality, community, desire, pleasure, support, and love.
Evaluation of an automated segmentation method based on performances of an automated classification method

We have developed a computerized method for the automatic segmentation of mass lesions on digitized mammograms using gray-level region-growing. This segmentation technique has been incorporated into our automated classification scheme which consists of (1) automated segmentation (2) automated feature-extraction and (3) determination of likelihood of malignancy using an automated classifier. The feature- extraction techniques extract various features from the neighborhoods of the computer-grown mass region to characterize the margin, shape and density of the mass. The automated classifier is then used to merge these computer- extracted features into a number related to the likelihood of malignancy. To evaluate quantitatively the performance of the segmentation technique, we calculate the area of overlap between the computer-grown mass regions and radiologist- identified mass regions. In addition, we substitute the computer-identified margins with radiologist-identified margins in our classification scheme. The performances of individual features as well as the classification scheme in terms of their ability to differentiate between benign and malignant masses are evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The performance obtained based on the mass regions identified by the automated segmentation technique and by radiologists are compared to evaluate the adequacy of the region growing. Results from this study show that the automated segmentation technique tends to undergrow the mass regions by approximately one quarter of the area identified by the radiologists. However, the superior performances of the computer-extracted features and the classification scheme based on the analysis of the computer- grown mass regions indicated that the computer-grown mass regions are sufficient for the subsequent techniques of feature-extraction and classification to accurately characterize mass lesions.
Vicarious consequences as a source of information: A reply to peed and forehand

Abstract Peed and Forehand's conclusion that “a theory of vicarious consequences based upon an informational analysis of imitation has serious limitations” is questioned on several grounds. In addition to the fact that Peed and Forehand's research design is not sufficiently sensitive to warrant accepting the null hypothesis, a review of recent literature suggests that the effects Liebert and Fernandez originally predicted from an informational analysis have been obtained by other investigators. Finally, studies in which an informational heuristic has been employed in areas of observational learning other than vicarious consequences attest further to its usefulness in stimulating discovery.
Photodissociation dynamics of C2N2 at 206.1 nm

Abstract Quantum state distributions of CN(X2Σ) state radicals are measured for the laser photolysis of C2N2 at 206.1 nm. At this wavelength no CN molecules in the ν′' = 1 level are observed. The observed rotational distributions are fit with a phase space model using the parameters Eintvib(C2N2) = 800± 200 cm−1 and D0 = 47000 cm−1 in the calculations. Polarization measurements reveal that the average quadrupole alignment parameter, A0(2), is 0.05. This supports the symmetry-based conclusion that there is a perpendicular- type transition involved in the 206 nm excitation of C2N2.
The Sleep of Abstinent Pure Primary Alcoholic Patients: Natural Course and Relationship to Relapse

Sleep in male pure primary alcoholic inpatients was examined at a mean of 16 days (n = 29), 19 weeks (n = 29), 14 months (n = 9), and 27 months (n = 4) of abstinence. Results were as follows: (1) the sleep of abstinent alcoholic patients is short, fragmented, and shallow early in abstinence; (2) a patient's sleep improves slowly over at least the first year of abstinence; however, (3) some facets of a patient's sleep remain abnormal even after 27 months of abstinence; (4) insomnia and sleep fragmentation after approximately 5 months of abstinence may be related to relapse by 14 months. The mechanism underlying the relationship between sleep and withdrawal in alcoholic patients is not well understood, and the issue of treating sleep problems as an adjunct to prevention of relapse warrants further investigation.
Syntheses and characterization of mono(6,6-dimethylcyclohexadienyl) complexes of titanium and zirconium

Abstract Reactions of appropriate bis(6,6-dmch) (dmch = dimethylcyclohexadienyl) complexes of titanium(II) or zirconium(IV) with dichloroethane or phosphines, respectively, have led to loss of one dienyl ligand, and the formation of mono(6,6-dmch) complexes of Ti(III) or Zr(IV). The polymeric [Ti(6,6-dmch)Cl2]n and Zr(6,6-dmch)Br3(dmpe) (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) have thus been isolated, and fully characterized.
Contributions to the History of Psychology: L. French Historical Views on the Acceptability of Evidence regarding Child Sexual Abuse:

An historical view shows that much plasticity has existed in the acceptability of evidence regarding sexual abuse of children, depending on theoretical underpinnings and more strongly on emotional ...
Pre-induction cervical ripening: a randomized comparison of two methods.

Objectives To compare two methods of pre-induction cervical ripening in a randomized clinical trial. Methods A single intracervical prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) gel application was compared with a single insertion of hygroscopic dilators in 441 women at term with unfavorable cervical scores. Induction success was defined as entry into active labor within 6 hours of oxytocin infusion. Results There was no statistical difference in pre- or post-ripening cervical scores. In the group receiving hygroscopic dilators, only 28% entered the active phase of labor within 6 hours of oxytocin infusion compared with 45% ( P 2 group. Thus, in this study, a change in cervical score did not directly predict induction success. There was a higher rate of postpartum endometritis (24 versus 14%; P =.007) and suspected neonatal infection (10 versus 5%; P =.03) in the dilator group..001) in the PGE 2 group. Thus, in this study, a change in cervical score did not directly predict induction success. There was a higher rate of postpartum endometritis (24 versus 14%; P =.007) and suspected neonatal infection (10 versus 5%; P =.03) in the dilator group..001) in the PGE 2 group. Thus, in this study, a change in cervical score did not directly predict induction success. There was a higher rate of postpartum endometritis (24 versus 14%; P =.007) and suspected neonatal infection (10 versus 5%; P =.03) in the dilator group. Conclusions Pre-induction ripening by hygroscopic dilators and intracervical PGE 2 , was equivalent as measured by changes in the cervical score. The change in cervical score, however, was not predictive of successful induction, and PGE 2 , was more frequently associated with induction success. Hygroscopic dilators were associated with a higher incidence of postpartum maternal and neonatal infection because of a longer duration of labor. Hospital charges for intracervical PGE 2 , gel totaled $522 compared with $91 for the insertion of three dilators.
Ionization of fast hydrogenic ions via coherent excitation by a crystal

Abstract The total ionization rates R 100 → k μ from the ground state to the continuum, via coherent excitation to the first excited state, of a fast hydrogenic ion impinging upon a thin film of gold are computed for ions with atomic number between 6 and 9. Since the inclusion of the relativistic factor makes the analytical manipulation of the total ionization rate and the numerical computations extremely difficult, we adopt the approximation of treating the crystal as one-dimensional in the numerical computations. For incident ions at the calculated resonance velocity, R 100 → k μ exhibits a narrow peak. Further, we found that the resonances are asymmetric with respect to the velocity of the ions and the total ionization rate decreases as the atomic and/or harmonic number increases. These results are qualitatively in agreement with the experiments. Since the ions do not follow exactly the same paths in the channel, they experience different electrostatic potentials. As a result the energy levels of the ions are broadened by approximately 1 eV, The effect of this broadening on the total ionization rate is also discussed.
Interactive effects of salinity, temperature and chronic exposure to oil on the survival and developmental rate of embryos of the estuarine killifishFundulus heteroclitus

The combined effect of salinity, temperature and chronic exposure to water-soluble fractions (WSF) of a No. 2 fuel oil on the survival and development rate of embryos ofFundulus heteroclitus Walbaum are described. The embryos were exposed at 3 salinities (10, 20, 30‰ S) and 3 temperatures (20°, 25°, 30°C) to 3 different oil concentrations (15, 20, 25% WSF, equivalent to approx 0.28, 0.38 and 0.47 ppm total naphthalenes) and to one control without oil. The results were analyzed by responsesurface methodology. The lowest oil concentration was only mildly toxic to embryos under optimal salinity/temperature conditions, while the highest was extremely toxic in all factor combinations. Under optimal conditions, only the highest oil concentration resulted in more than 50% mortality. Under suboptimal conditions, especially high and low temperatures, all 3 oil concentrations caused greater than 50% mortality. The interactive effect of salinity and temperature on survival was greatest at the lowest oil concentration. Temperature had a marked effect and salinity only a slight effect on the developmental rate of the embryos. Exposure to the low oil concentration tended to increase the temperature sensitivity of developmental duration slightly. Generally, exposure to oil decreased the time interval between fertilization and hatching.
TCT-826 Percutaneous Closure versus Medical Therapy for Cryptogenic Stroke in Patients with a Patent Foramen Ovale: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Up to 61% of patients with cryptogenic stroke under the age of 55 years have been found to have a patent foramen ovale(PFO). Observational studies have demonstrated reductions in recurrent, neurologic events with PFO closure compared to medical therapy. Recent randomized controlled trials(RCT) have
New methods in celestial mechanics and mission design

The title of this paper is inspired by the work of Poincare [1890, 1892], who introduced many key dynamical systems methods during his research on celestial mechanics and especially the three-body problem. Since then, many researchers have contributed to his legacy by developing and applying these methods to problems in celestial mechanics and, more recently, with the design of space missions. This paper will give a survey of some of these exciting ideas, and we would especially like to acknowledge the work of Michael Dellnitz, Frederic Gabern, Katalin Grubits, Oliver Junge, Wang-Sang Koon, Francois Lekien, Martin Lo, Sina Ober-Blobaum, Kathrin Padberg, Robert Preis, and Bianca Thiere. One of the purposes of the AMS Current Events session is to discuss work of others. Even though we were involved in the research reported on here, this short paper is intended to survey many ideas due to our collaborators and others. This survey is by no means complete, and we apologize for not having time or space to do justice to many important and fundamental works. In fact, the results reported on here rely on and were inspired by important preceding work of many others in celestial mechanics, mission design and in dynamical systems. We mention just a few whose work had a positive influence on what is reported here: Brian Barden, Ed Belbruno, Robert Farquhar, Gerard Gomez, George Haller, Charles Jaffe, Kathleen Howell, Linda Petzold, Josep Masdemont, Vered Rom-Kedar, Radu Serban, Carles Simo, Turgay Uzer, Steve Wiggins, and Roby Wilson. In an upcoming monograph (see Koon, Lo, Marsden, and Ross [2005]), the dynamical systems and computational approach and its application to mission design are discussed in detail. One of the key ideas is that the competing gravitational pull between celestial bodies creates a vast array of passageways that wind around the Sun, planets and moons. The boundaries of these passageways are realized geometrically as invariant manifolds attached to equilibrium points and periodic orbits in interlinked three-body problems. In particular, tube-like structures form an interplanetary transport network which will facilitate the exploration of Mercury, the Moon, the asteroids, and the outer solar system, including a mission to assess the possibility of life on Jupiter's icy moons. The use of these methods in problems in molecular dynamics of interest in chemistry is also briefly discussed.
Computer programs for the rapid determination of enzyme kinetics on MS-DOS compatible microcomputers.

Molecular biologists and biochemists periodically want to determine the activity and kinetics of enzymes. In order to determine the activity, plots of the data are usually drawn by hand and fitted by eye. In order to determine the kinetics of the enzymatic reaction, the activity data are subjected to various replots (also hand-drawn) and fitted by eye to estimate the kinetic parameters. These graphical approaches to study enzymes are arduous and prone to line-fitting errors. Professional enzyme kineticists (somewhat rare these days) infrequently draw plots, relying instead on powerful computer programs that combine numerical analysis of the data with various statistical routines. These programs often run on minicomputers and time-sharing machines which are not convenient for researchers that do not usually require large amounts of computation power. In contrast, microcomputers are found in most laboratories, and molecular biologists are becoming increasingly comfortable with them for word processing and data analysis. With this in mind, we wrote two FORTRAN progams on MS-DOS compatible microcomputers for quickly calculating enzyme kinetic parameters. In order to determine the specificity (V^JK^, maximum