cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is patient outcome compromised during the initial experience with robot-assisted radical cystectomy? Results of 164 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE • Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) remains controversial in terms of oncologic outcomes, especially during the initial experience. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of initial experience of robotic cystectomy programs on oncologic outcomes and overall survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS • Utilizing a prospectively maintained, single institution robotic cystectomy database, we identified 164 consecutive patients who underwent RARC since November 2005. • After stratification by age group, gender, pathologic T stage, lymph node status, surgical margin status, and sequential case number; we used chi-squared analyses to correlate sequential case number to operative time, surgical blood loss, lymph node yield, and surgical margin status. • We also addressed the relationship between complications and sequential case number. We then utilized Cox proportional hazard modeling and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses to correlate variables to overall mortality. RESULTS • Sequential case number was not significantly associated with increased incidence of complications, surgical blood loss, or positive surgical margins (P= 0.780, P= 0.548, P= 0.545). Case number was, however, significantly associated with shorter operative time and mean number of lymph nodes retrieved (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). • Sequential case number was not significantly associated with survival; however, tumour stage, the presence of lymph node metastases, and positive surgical margins were significantly associated with death. • Although being the largest of its kind, this was a small study with short follow-up when compared to open cystectomy series. CONCLUSION • Initial experience with RARC did not affect the incidence of positive surgical margins, operative/postoperative complications, or overall survival in a single-institution series.
Synonymy of Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Torulopsis burgeffiana

Abstract Torulopsis burgeffiana is placed in the genus Metschnikowia because it has been shown to have a perfect stage corresponding with this genus. Due to the characteristic shape of the ascus and ascospores, T. burgeffiana is to be considered a synonym of M. pulcherrima. The physiological differences which exist between strains are not sufficiently important to maintain a separate species.
MIMO capacity variation with SNR and multipath richness from full-wave indoor FDTD simulations

We demonstrate the joint effect of path loss and multipath richness on capacity through two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations The scenario under study is a simplified model of a section of the 4th floor of an engineering building. We find that multipath richness is fairly constant, and that the capacity is mostly a function of the path loss. A capacity multiplier analysis shows that when average SNR in the environment is high, MIMO systems tend to be very advantageous. However, when average SNR is low, most of the advantage of the multiple antennas comes from diversity and not spatial multiplexing.
Fireproof; The Love Dare

The movie Fireproof portrays a fictional couple, Caleb and Catherine Holt, struggling to make their 7-year marriage survive. The contextual factors of career, extended family, pornography addiction...
Diagnosis and management of spinal metastases from breast cancer.

Metastases to the spine is a common manifestation of breast cancer leading to considerable reduction in the patient's quality of life due to troublesome back pain and neurologic morbidity. It is not uncommon for spinal metastases to be an early and predominant manifestation of the patients systemic disease process. Although the breast cancer must be considered to be advanced, these patients will frequently have a reasonable functional status at the time of diagnosis of the spinal metastases. Accordingly, an aggressive approach of management should be considered in such patients so as to potentially achieve the most effective palliation. In the setting of breast cancer metastatic to the spine, radiation/systemic steroidal therapy remains the first line of management. The principle exception favoring primary surgical management is roentgenographic evidence of spinal instability related to the vertebral involvement by the metastatic process. The surgical team must also remain ready to intervene early with surgical decompression and spinal stabilization when any neurologic deterioration occurs during radiation therapy. When surgery is indicated, the anterior transthoracic approach to spinal metastases is an effective means of palliating these breast cancer patients.
PICOSECOND OPTICALLY-INDUCED INTERVALENCE BAND ABSORPTION IN GERMANIUM

Abstract By using a mode-locked Nd: glass laser with much improved beam properties, we have observed the onset of direct intervalence band absorption at 1.06 μm in germanium at excitation levels between 225 MW/cm 2 (≈2 mJ/cm 2 ) and 10 GW/cm 2 (≈75 mJ/cm 2 ). This absorption limits the transmission to a maximum value well below that expected for complete saturation of the direct valence-to-conduction band absorption coefficient by band filling.
Increasing Northern Quahog Harvest by Using Closed Shellfishing Areas in Coastal Georgia

Abstract The growth rate, age, size distribution, and commercial size-classes of northern quahogs Mercenaria mercenaria were determined at seven stations in Christmas Creek, Little Cumberland and Cumberland islands, Georgia. Experimental commercial harvesting was then allowed within the area, and afterward Christmas Creek was rechecked to determine the effects of harvesting on the clams. Northern quahogs in Christmas Creek reached commercial size (44.4 mm shell length) in 2–2.2 years. Mean age in the population was 16.1 years, and some individuals reached 36 years; 71% of the population was more than 10 years old. Shell lengths were as large as 105 mm and averaged 76.2 mm. Commercial harvest occurred sporadically from April to June 1986 and 1987. Four clammers harvested 70,015 clams from Christmas Creek during 56 person-days in 1986; two clammers harvested 66,400 clams during 44 person-days in 1987. Mean density of northern quahogs decreased by at least a factor of four at the four stations resampled. Mea...
Increased output and accelerated analysis time with the automatic amino acid analyzer.

Abstract Modifications of the automatic amino acid analyzer (Spinco model 120) are described that allow for doubling the output of amino acid analyses by incorporating a second or “satellite” analytical system. The “satellite” system can simultaneously perform an independent analysis (lacking only proline) without impairment of the conventional operation of the analyzer. In addition, an accelerated buffer system has been described that allows for a complete amino acid analysis in a period of 3 hours.
Abel Wolman 1892–1989

Abel Wolman's life spanned nearly a century, and his contributions to society threequarters of a century. Frank Press, president of the National Academy of Sciences, called him “one of the great Americans of the twentieth century.” Indeed, his life gives the lie to those who argue that history is shaped by converging forces, not by individual people. I was privileged to sit at his feet for only the last twenty of his years, so my perspective is truncated. But one thing is true: though he died at 96, I never knew him as an old man. His vitality, involvement and outlook were always youthful. His journals, which I saw as a secondary recipient, were consistently marked up with lines and exclamation marks.
Metatools for knowledge acquisition

Four prototype metatools, Protege, Dots, Dash, and Spark, which researchers are using to experiment with the automatic generation of knowledge-acquisition tools, are discussed. Protege and Dots are stand-alone metatools; Dash and Spark are subsystems. Dash is part of Protege II, a design environment for knowledge-based systems. Spark is part of the Spark, Burn, and Firefighter framework for the design of application systems. The two stand-alone tools, their environments, and their subsystems are compared. Protege demonstrates how one can instantiate knowledge-acquisition tools from a description of a problem-solving method. Dots, on the other hand, lets one design knowledge-acquisition tools for many applications. Spark, Burn, and Firefighter are similar to Protege II in that they emphasize developing problem-solving methods from reusable components, although Spark, Burn and Firefighter associate a knowledge-acquisition tool with each method in the library. Protege II uses Dash to generate knowledge-acquisition tools from domain ontologies. >
Application of Magnesium Oxide Functional Coating for Controlling the Corrosion of Magnesium for Implant Applications

Magnesium and its alloys are great candidates for uses in orthopedic implant applications due to their biocompatibility, mechanical properties and degradability. However, they are susceptible to accelerated degradation rates due to micro galvanic corrosion, which leads to unpredictable corrosion behavior. The poor corrosion resistance limitation restricts the practical use of Mg for implant application, where exposure to aggressive environment of body fluids is unavoidable. This paper describes the growth, characterization and corrosion analyses of MgO coatings which can slow down the degradation of Mg. Bilayer Mg-MgO system was prepared by pulse DC magnetron sputtering method and used as a model for evaluation of sustainability of MgO on Mg surface. Immersion tests were performed on Mg-MgO system with varying thicknesses using the optical density method. The tests were performed at room temperature and 37°C with deionized water, phosphate buffered saline, albumin, media, media with fetal bovine serum and saline solutions. The result showed that degradation rate of MgO on Mg substrate significantly depends on media.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Platelet MAO in schizophrenics: Relationship to symptomatology and neuroleptics

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity has been studied extensively since Murphy and Wyatt (1972) reported low levels of this enzyme in the platelets of chronic schizophrenics. Some investigators, however, have been unable to demonstrate reduced MAO activity in schizophrenics (Wyatt et al. 1980). Consequently, recent work in this field has attempted to elucidate specific clinical criteria to distinguish schizophrenics with low MAO levels. To date, differences between paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenics with regard to MAO activity have been most often noted. In contrast, relatively little is known about the possible relevance of negative versus positive symptoms to MAO activity. As far as the effect of medication is concerned, there is also disagreement over whether
CRYSTAL AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF 4-tert-BUTYLPHOSPHORINANE 1-SULFIDE DERIVATIVES. PART II. Cis/trans-4-tert-BUTYL-1-CHLOROPHOSPHORINANE 1-SULFIDE

Abstract Cis- and trans-4-tert-butyl-1-chlorophosphorinane 1-sulfides were prepared and investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Cis-4-tert-butyl-1-chlorophosphorinane 1-sulfide (2a): space group Pbam (No. 55) with a = 21.152(7) A, b = 11.428(1) A, c = 9.884(3) A, V = 2389(2) A3, and Dcalc = 1.250 g cm−3 for Z = 8 (two independent molecules per asymmetric unit), R = 0.057; for trans isomer (2b): space group Pbca (No. 61) with a = 11.750(1) A, b = 10.550(2) A, c = 20.032(3) A, V = 2483.3(9) A3, and Dcalc = 1.202 g cm−3 for Z = 8, R = 0.058. In both structures the phosphorinane ring adopts a chair conformation with the tert-butyl group in an equatorial position. The relative spatial arrangement of the latter and the chlorine atom defines the cis/trans designation. The equilibration of the title compounds under acidic conditions was studied by 31P NMR spectroscopy and discussed in the context of the results of semiempirical calculations.
Laser Stark measurements on OCS including the observation of zero-field-forbidden ΔJ = 0, ±2 transitions☆

Abstract Laser Stark measurements have been made on the 02 0 000 0 0 and 03 1 001 1 0 vibrational transitions of 16 O 12 C 32 S, 16 O 12 C 34 S, and 18 O 12 C 32 S, and on the 03 1 001 1 0 transition of 16 O 13 C 32 S, using a CO 2 laser. In addition to providing dipole moment information for excited vibrational states, these measurements give vibrational band centers accurate to several megahertz. To aid in optical pumping experiments, several near coincidences between CO 2 laser transitions and OCS absorption lines are discussed. Electric-field-allowed Δ J = 0 transitions are observed for the 2 ν 2 band of 16 O 12 C 32 S and 16 O 12 C 34 S, as well as Δ J = 2 transitions for the same band of 18 O 12 C 32 S.
Better than gold: plasmonic materials for telecom wavelengths

Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) at telecom wavelengths have much better confinement in degenerate wide-gap semiconductors than in silver or gold. For the same confinement, the SPP loss in semiconductors is lower than that in gold.
Adaptation to visual rearrangement: Role of sensory discordance

The relative contributions of proprioceptive and efferent information in eliciting adaptation to visual rearrangement were studied under two conditions of visual stimulation. Subjects permitted sight of their forearm under normal room illumination showed significant adaptation when the forearm was (a) moved up and down under the action of tonic vibration reflexes, (b) voluntarily moved through the same trajectory at the same pace, (c) viewed while still, and (d) viewed while the margins of the elbow were vibrated. The reflex movement condition elicited significantly greater adaptation than the other conditions. Subjects allowed only sight of a point source of light attached to their hand showed significant adaptation when the forearm was (a) reflexly moved, (b) voluntarily moved through the same trajectory at the same rate, (c) passively moved, (d) still, and (e) vibrated while still. Less adaptation occurred as the amount of proprioceptive information about limb position was decreased. The adaptation eli...
Relationship of urinary free cortisol levels in patients with panic disorder to symptoms of depression and agoraphobia

Sixty-five patients with panic disorder and 37 matched controls collected 24-hour urine specimens for measurement of urinary free cortisol. Although patients with panic disorder had significantly higher urinary free cortisol levels than control subjects, this difference was accounted for by panic disorder patients with concomitant depression, agoraphobia, or both. Urinary free cortisol excretion was not related to the age of onset of panic disorder, the number of spontaneous panic attacks, or the degree of impairment associated with the disorder. They were related, however, to the level of symptoms on both the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety in the entire group of panic patients, but this relationship disappeared when those patients with the complications of agoraphobia and depression were excluded. These data suggest that, as with primary depression, depression secondary to panic disorder, as well as to agoraphobia in panic disorder patients, is associated with hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Taxus metabolomics: methyl jasmonate preferentially induces production of taxoids oxygenated at C-13 in Taxus x media cell cultures.

Cells from suspension cultures of Taxus cuspidata were extracted with pentane as a source of relatively non-polar taxoids. Of the 13 taxoids identified in this fraction, eight were oxygenated at C-14 and two had not been previously described. These taxoids, along with existing taxoid standards, were employed to profile the metabolites of Taxus x media cv. Hicksii cell suspension cultures induced with methyl jasmonate to produce paclitaxel (Taxol®). The majority of the taxoid metabolites produced in these induced cultures were oxygenated at C-13, and not C-14.
Simulated Helical Gear Pump Analysis Using a New CFD Approach

The purpose of this paper is to focus on cavitation prediction at high-speeds in helical gear pumps for the purpose of hydrostatic dynamometer system development. Details of the fluid motion will be described through various stages of fluid transfer from the pump inlet to the outlet using various mesh densities. Using the results of these simulations, a discussion of design improvements for high-speed hydrostatic dynamometer operation is included. Conducting CFD simulations on external gear pumps is a difficult problem depending upon the complexity of the individual components. Simulating helical gears is especially taxing due to the complexity of the gear tooth profile. The additional detail in a helical gear pump model leads to an increase of the required mesh density and therefore increased computation time. A less computationally complex approach to simulating helical gears is to consider a helical gear as a series of thin spur gears rotated according to a predetermined helix angle. Details of this approach and results are discussed in this paper.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Microbial nucleation of calcium carbonate in the Precambrian

Microbial sulfate reduction is thought to stimulate carbonate precipitation in modern stromatolites, yet whether this metabolism was important in shaping Precambrian stromatolites is unknown. Here we use geochemical modeling to suggest that the influence of sulfate reduction on the saturation index of calcite (SI) is negligible when seawater is in equilibrium with high pCO_2, as is thought for the Precambrian. Our laboratory experiments with heterotrophic bacteria in a medium mimicking Precambrian seawater chemistry show that even if sulfate reduction does not significantly change the SI, the presence of bacteria stimulates calcite precipitation over sterile controls by effectively increasing the SI over a pH range from 7.3 to 7.8. Under our experimental conditions, dead cells stimulate in situ carbonate precipitation equally, if not more, than active sulfate-reducing bacteria. Heterogeneous nucleation of calcite by microbial cell material appears to be the driving mechanism that explains this phenomenon.
The effects of IT-enabled supply chain process change on job and process outcomes: A longitudinal investigation

Abstract Prior research on information technology (IT)-enabled supply chain management (SCM) has primarily focused on macro-level issues (e.g., IT capabilities related to SCM, and SCM design and optimization) and outcomes (e.g., firm performance). There has been limited research that focuses on micro-level outcomes related to employees who actually execute SCM processes in organizations. These employee-level outcomes are important because successful implementation of SCM systems and processes hinges on SCM employees’ support and commitment. I develop and test a model positing that SCM employees’ perceptions of changes in their work process characteristics, i.e., process complexity and process rigidity, following a new SCM system implementation will influence their job outcomes, i.e., job performance, job satisfaction, job anxiety, and job security, and their perceptions of process outcomes, i.e., process performance and relationship quality. The model incorporates a holistic appraisal of the extent of change—change radicalness—as a mechanism between work process characteristics and outcomes. The model is supported in three studies conducted in the context of three different SCM system implementations (N = 278, 282, and 304, respectively). In particular, I found that individuals perceived a significant change in their work process characteristics following an SCM system implementation, and changes in work process characteristics had a significant impact on job and process outcomes. These findings contribute to the information systems and operations management literatures and their intersections by offering insights on challenges related to IT-enabled SCM innovation implementation in organizations.
Improving Student Teacher Supervision The Preservice Consultation Model

Improving university student-teaching supervision does not require elaborate faculty training sessions, but rather a redefinition of the supervisor's current role and responsibilities. This paper d...
Fused vertical coupler switches

Electrical switching of fused vertical couplers (FVCs) is demonstrated. For a 3.5 mm long coupler, complete switching is observed at 3 V reverse bias. This low voltage is attributed to excess current induced internal heating and the thermo-optic effect. By changing the electrode design and reducing the excess current, a 6.9 mm long FVC with 12 V switching voltage is demonstrated.
Genetic Polymorphism of Cytochrome P450 4F2, Vitamin E Level and Histological Response in Adults and Children with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Who Participated in PIVENS and TONIC Clinical Trials

Vitamin E improved liver histology in children and adults with NAFLD who participated in TONIC and PIVENS clinical trials, but with significant inter-individual variability in its efficacy. Cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2) is the major enzyme metabolizing Vit E, with two common genetic variants (V433M, rs2108622 and W12G, rs3093105) found to alter its activity. We investigated the relationship between CYP4F2 genotypes, α-tocopherol levels and histological improvement in these two trials. V433M and W12G variants were genotyped in TONIC (n = 155) and PIVENS (n = 213) DNA samples. The relationships between CYP4F2 genotypes, plasma α-tocopherol levels at baseline and weeks 48 (w48) and 96 (w96) and histological end points (overall improvement in liver histology and resolution of NASH) were investigated. As a result, the V433M genotype was significantly associated with baseline plasma α-tocopherol in the TONIC trial (p = 0.004), but not in PIVENS. Among those receiving Vit E treatment, CYP4F2 V433M genotype was associated with significantly decreased plasma α-tocopherol levels at w48 (p = 0.003 for PIVENS and p = 0.026 for TONIC) but not at w96. The w96 α-tocopherol level was significantly associated with resolution of NASH (p = 0.006) and overall histology improvement (p = 0.021)in the PIVENS, but not in the TONIC trial. There was no significant association between CYP4F2 genotypes and histological end points in either trial. Our study suggested the a moderate role of CYP4F2 polymorphisms in affecting the pharmacokinetics of Vit E as a therapeutic agent. In addition, there may be age-dependent relationship between CYP4F2 genetic variability and Vit E pharmacokinetics in NAFLD.
RT-13OPTIMIZING RADIATION THERAPY FOR GLIOBLASTOMA PATIENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF USING DIFFERENT MRI MODALITIES TO MINIMIZE RADIATION INJURY

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common and lethal primary malignant brain tumor and radiation therapy is considered the standard of care in the adjuvant setting. Current radiation treatment planning guidelines recommend FLAIR MRI sequence with a 2 cm margin to encompass the subclinical tumor spread. However, the FLAIR modality extensively visualizes the surrounding edema, possibly leading to unnecessary radiation toxicity to healthy brain tissue. We hypothesize that we can optimize radiation therapy by using alternative MRI modalities or by decreasing clinical tumor volume margins to minimize toxicity without compromising accurate tumor targeting. We retrospectively collected data for 21 patients with pathology confirmed recurrence and created radiation treatment plans using ADC, ADC without FLAIR shine-through (ADCst), DWI, T1, and FLAIR. For the FLAIR both a 1 cm and 2 cm margin was used (FLAIR1 and FLAIR2). Boolean operators were used to calculate the accuracy of targeting tumor recurrence and excessive radiation volume compared to the standard FLAIR2 treatment plan. All MRI modalities had complete coverage of the recurrent tumor and the mean differences in accuracy between the different MRI modalities and FLAIR2 was not significant. However, there was a significant reduction in the excessive radiation volume compared to FLAIR2. ADCst had a 51.3% reduction, DWI 42.3%, T1 42.6%, and FLAIR1 44.6% reduction of excessive radiation volume compared to FLAIR2 (p < 0.05). ADC did not have a significant reduction of excessive radiation volume compared to FLAIR2. Our data support the hypothesis that using MRI modalities other than the standard FLAIR or decreasing the margin by 1cm may optimize radiation therapy for GBM patients by reducing unnecessary radiation dose to healthy brain tissue without compromising accuracy. By using new MRI modalities in radiation treatment planning or modifying clinical tumor volume margins we can decrease radiation toxicity to patients to improve their quality of life.
Analysis of variables of plasmid transformation of a bacterial vaccine: studies on recombinant BCG.

Abstract Stepwise regression analysis was applied to evaluate the strength order of the effect of five explanatory variables on the transformation of BCG substrains by electroporation with hybrid shuttle plasmid [pAL5000:pIJ666] and derived as YUB plasmids containing a kanamycin resistance selection marker. From 66 successful transformations, data of 42 transformations of the Pasteur 1172P2 BCG substrain are analysed. The estimated parameters in the multiple linear regression model show that the association of the explanatory variables with the explained variable, i.e. the efficiency of the transformation of BCG expressed in c.f.u./μg DNA, in decreasing strength order is: concentration of the plasmid DNA; viability of the non-electroporated concentrated BCG suspensions; viability of the BCG cultures; age of the BCG cultures; and time constant of the electroporation. More extended analysis of other factors of the transformation will improve objective statistical inference regarding the biophysical and molecular biological interpretation of the transformation mechanism by electroporation of the different bacterial species. More precise understanding of optimal conditions of genetic transformation will be particularly important for developing recombinant BCG vaccines.
REINVENTING ANALOGUE METHODS FOR RESEARCH WITH WOMEN

This article was prompted by the current popularity and acceptance of analogue methods in gender-related research. The use of analogues in research with women is examined here for both its strengths and limitations. We acknowledge the distinctive advantages of analogue methods in revealing the nature, extent, and potential outcomes of gender bias and stereotyping of all minority status groups. While recognizing that any method can be feminist, we address four major concerns with current applications of analogue research to questions about women and gender. These concerns cover: (a) relevance to the questions asked, (b) attention to the context of women's lives, (c) significance for situational behavior, and (d) applicability to social change. We propose a set of transformations that applies feminist scholarship to reconceptualizing analogues in research related to women and gender.
Intra-car multihop wireless sensor networking: a case study

Modern vehicles incorporate dozens of sensors to provide vital sensor data to electronic control units, typically through physical wires, which increase the weight, maintenance, and cost of cars. Wireless sensor networks have been contemplated for replacing the current physical wires with wireless links, although existing networks are all single-hop, presumably because cars are small enough to be covered by lowpower communication, and multihop networking requires organizational overhead. In contradiction with previous works, we experimentally investigate the use of multihop wireless communication to support intra-car sensor networking. Extensive tests, run under various vehicular environments, indicate the potential for significant reliability, robustness, and energy usage improvements over existing single-hop approaches. Our implementation is based on the Collection Tree Protocol, a state-of-the-art multihop data collection protocol.
A Comparison of Water-Soluble Fertilizer with Liquid Fertilizer for Sport-Fish Pond Fertilization

Abstract A finely pulverized, water-soluble fertilizer containing 10% N, 52% P2O5, and 4% K2O was compared with a standard liquid fertilizer (10% N, 34% P2O5, 0% K2O) in ponds containing sunfish Lepomis spp. at the Auburn University Fisheries Research Unit, Auburn, Alabama. Our study suggests that sunfish production with water-soluble fertilizer can equal standard liquid fertilizer results at about 50% of phosphorus application rates of standard fertilization. Applications of 1–2 kg of P2O5/ha in water-soluble fertilizer at 2-week to 4-week intervals are sufficient to provide good sunfish production in waters with 20–40 mg/L total alkalinity, but rates of 4 kg P2O5/ha or more may be necessary in waters of higher total alkalinity. Low phosphorus applications to sport-fish ponds should be used with caution because phytoplankton blooms may not create enough turbidity to prevent excessive growth of undesirable aquatic macrophytes. On a nutrient basis, water-soluble fertilizers are about twice as expensive as ...
Iris melanoma: Features and prognosis in 317 children and adults

Purpose To evaluate iris melanoma in children versus adults. Methods Retrospective, nonrandomized clinical case series including all patients with a clinical diagnosis of iris melanoma managed at the Ocular Oncology Service at Wills Eye Institute over 40 years. Patients were divided into three age categories based on age at presentation: children (≤20 years), mid-adults (21-60 years), and older adults (>60 years). The clinical features, treatments, and outcomes were statistically analyzed based on patient age at presentation. The main outcome measures were melanoma features and related metastasis and death. Results Of 8,101 eyes with uveal melanoma, there were 317 (4%) with iris melanoma, including 24 (8%) children (≤20 years), 187 (59%) mid-adults (21-60 years), and 106 (33%) older adults (>60 years). There was no age-related difference in race, sex, tumor quadrant, thickness, pigmentation, associated corectopia, ectropion uveae, hyphema, or extraocular extension. Significant age-related differences were found with mean tumor basal diameter, tapioca appearance, mean intraocular pressure, secondary glaucoma, tumor seeding in angle, and mean number of clock hours of angle seeding. Multivariate analysis of factors predictive of metastasis included extraocular extension and high intraocular pressure. Factors predictive of death included increased tumor thickness and high intraocular pressure. There was no difference in metastasis or death by age group. Conclusions Iris melanoma shows significant clinical differences in children versus adults, with smaller tumor size, less tumor seeding in angle, and lower incidence of secondary glaucoma. There was no significant difference in metastasis or death by age group.
An algebraic solution for a class of subjective metrics models

It is shown that an obvious generalization of the subjective metrics model by Bloxom, Horan, Carroll and Chang has a very simple algebraic solution which was previously considered by Meredith in a different context. This solution is readily adapted to the special case treated by Bloxom, Horan, Carroll and Chang. In addition to being very simple, this algebraic solution also permits testing the constraints of these models explicitly. A numerical example is given.
Bone Marrow Findings in Infectious Mononucleosis and Mononucleosis‐Like Diseases in the Older Adult

The bone marrow findings in 5 older adults with infectious mononucleosis or mononucleosis-like illnesses are presented. These individuals were initially considered to have lympho-proliferative disorders which often have similar constitutional signs and symptoms. All had atypical lymphocytosis of the peripheral blood. In addition, there were also abnormalities in the bone marrow. The most common findings included focal collection of lymphocytes and the presence of granulomas. The granulomas were small without caseous necrosis and giant cells were infrequent. This is in contrast to the idea that the bone marrow is normal in infectious mononucleosis and gives support to performing core biopsies as the aspirate smears in these individuals did not demonstrate the focal lymphocytosis or granulomas. Whereas, infectious mononucleosis and mononucleosis-like illness may be uncommon in the older individual, they certainly are not rare and it is important to differentiate these benign disorders from the more serious lymphoproliferative diseases. Heterophil test and/or Epstein Barr titers are important confirmatory tests.
Clinical applications of a new parenteral antibiotic in the treatment of severe bacterial infections

Cephalosporins are one of the mainstays of antibiotic therapy, and third-generation cephalosporins are first-line agents for the treatment of many types of serious infections, including those of nosocomial origin. Gaps in activity of currently available third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime, cefoperazone, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime, and increasing reports of gram-negative bacilli resistance to some of these agents, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp., make it necessary to investigate new compounds. Cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin with a wide range of activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including multi-resistant strains of Enterobacteriaceae, was evaluated in comparison with ceftazidime for the treatment of serious infections in hospitalized patients. Ceftazidime is a commonly prescribed third-generation cephalosporin used for empiric treatment of serious infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infection, and skin and skin-structure infection. This investigation was an open, randomized comparative study involving 882 patients in North America. Cefepime 2 g every 12 hours demonstrated similar efficacy to that of ceftazidime 2 g every 8 hours for the treatment of pneumonia and urinary tract infection (including cases associated with concurrent bacteremia), and skin and skin-structure infections. The bacteriologic responses were generally >85%. The most common pathogens isolated were Escherichia coll, Streptococcus pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus, group B. Overall, approximately 94% of pathogens isolated in pretreatment cultures were susceptible to cefepime and ceftazidime. Cefepime and ceftazidime were well tolerated; only 3% of patients in each group discontinued therapy because of an adverse event. The most common adverse events were headache, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, pruritus, and rash. The results of this study indicate that cefepime is a promising, effective, and safe single-agent therapy for serious infections in hospitalized patients.
Estimation and analysis of the rheological properties of a perfluoropolyether through molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract Equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of a perfluoropolyether C 8 F 18 O 4 are reported using an atomistic interaction potential. The bulk rheological properties of the perfluoropolyether are investigated through molecular dynamics simulations as a function of both temperature and shear rate. The effect of molecular structure on viscosity is explored in detail. The rotational relaxation time is reported as a function of temperature. Structural properties, including the mean-square end-to-end chain length, the mean-square radius of gyration of chains, and the distribution functions of bond lengths, bond angles, and bond torsional angles are collected and analyzed as functions of shear rate. After an initial plateau, both mean-square end-to-end chain length and mean-square radius of gyration decrease monotonically with increasing shear rate. The behaviors of the rheological and structural properties are explained through an analysis of the individual contributions due to bond stretching, bond bending, and bond torsion, as well as both intramolecular and intermolecular non-bonded interactions. A further analysis is possible through a meticulous breakdown of each contribution into a specific type of mode; e.g., the total bond stretching is comprised of CC, CO, and CF bond stretching terms. In this way, one can relate the shear viscosity to the specific chemical structure of C 8 F 18 O 4 .
Stochastic variation of system component variables in a network analysis

Abstract A deterministic network simulation was reformulated to include the uncertainty of various parameters. Then, by the recording values obtained for each pathway or system in the network for a set of stochastic parameters and then choosing another set of stochastic parameters and recording the values obtained from that simulation, an average value and standard deviation for any system in the network can be determined. In the decision-making process of choosing from one system over another, the manager will have a better understanding of the complex interactions involved by knowing the effects that uncertainty in the system can cause.
Decomposition of certain products of conjugacy classes of S n

Using the character theory of the symmetric group Sn, we study the decomposition of the product of two conjugacy classes Ka * Kz in the basis of conjugacy classes. This product takes place in the group algebra of the symmetric group, and the coefficient of the class Kr in the decomposition, called structure constant, is a positive integer that counts the number of ways of writing a given permutation of type ~, as a product of two permutations of type 2 and #. In this paper, we present new formulas for the decomposition of the products Klrn_~,KI,,_~ and K~ ..... ), K~ .... ) over a restricted set of conjugacy classes Kr. These formulas generalize the formula for the decomposition of the product of the class of full cycles with itself K(n ) * K(n ). © 1994 Academic Press, Inc.
On a Simultaneous Characterization of the Poisson and Bernoulli Distributions

Summary Kimeldorf et al. (1981) established a simultaneous characterization of the Poisson and Bernoulli distributions. In this note two variants of the authors' characterizing condition are considered each of which is shown also to characterize simultaneously the Poisson and Bernoulli distributions.
Fisher’s α revisited: closed-form representation and computation

Abstract Fisher’s α is a diversity index, widely used in population statistics, ecology, and many other applications. We derive an explicit closed-form representation for α and discuss its computations based on this formula and on its representation through the Lambert W function.
STUDIES UPON THE EFFECT OF LIGHT ON BLOOD AND TISSUE CELLS : II. THE ACTION OF LIGHT ON ERYTHROCYTES IN VITRO.

1. It was found that when hanging drops of whole blood, drawn from a rabbit, were subjected to irradiation from certain light sources, a striking degeneration of the white and of the red cells occurred. In this degeneration of the red cells there was (a) a preliminary period of 15–30 minutes during which no effect was noted; (b) following this, there was a period during which the cells swelled and became first almost biplanar, then biconvex, and finally spherical. After a spherical shape had been assumed, the liberation of blood pigment from the cells began. This process progressed with varied rapidity, sometimes being very slow, and being incomplete; sometimes being of almost explosive rapidity. This liberation was not accomplished in either case through a gross rupture of the cells, but through the agency of some submicroscopic change produced either in the cell contents, the cell wall, or both. Following this liberation of pigment, in some cultures the red cells showed signs of coagulation, as did the white cells. In other cultures, however, the red cells were reduced to achromatic shadows. 2. When whole blood was diluted with unbuffered Locke solution and then irradiated in hanging drop preparations, the erythrocytes swelled, as in whole blood, but then, instead of an almost instantaneous hemolysis of every cell present, or a slow liberation of hemoglobin from each individual cell, all the red cells hemolyzed, one or two at a time, the hemolyzed cells being left as achromatic shadows. 3. This hemolysis of the red cells, as in the case of the degeneration of the white cells, occurred upon irradiation of the culture with white light, or with light lying in each of the three spectral zones of the visual spectrum, defined by Wratten filters Nos. 45, 58 and 29 respectively, as follows: (a) 430µµ–550µµ; infra-red; (b) 475µµ–630µµ; 690µµ-infra-red; (c) 600µµ-infra-red. 4. Within the range of intensities of light employed, there was little or no difference in the rate at which light of these three regions acted on the red cells. Further, this rate was the same as was the rate when the red cells were irradiated with no colored filter interposed in the optical path, or when a 5 per cent total transmission neutral filter was interposed. 5. It was shown that this degeneration of the red cells under the action of light was not dependent on the presence or absence of serum, with the possible exception of that trace which might have been adherent to the red cells even after repeated washing. 6. The white cells in the culture generally showed no changes until after traces of red cell pigment could be seen free in the surrounding medium. 7. On the other hand, no neutrophils were observed moving around for longer than a few minutes after the liberation of red cell pigment had occurred. 8. The liberation of substances from the red blood cells, as a result of irradiation of such preparations, may play some major role in the degeneration of irradiated white cells.
P-151 - Post traumatic stress disorder secondary to cerebral aneurysm rupture

Introduction We will describe the case of a 35-year-old black female who developed PTSD secondary to cerebral aneurysm rupture and hemorrhage. Case summary Ms. X is a 35-year-old African American female with a history of depression who was admitted to the inpatient unit of a teaching hospital for suicidal ideation. Ten months prior to admission, she suffered from subarachnoid hemorrhage from a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm with resulting hydrocephalus. At that time, her CT angiogram confirmed anterior communicating artery aneurysm. She denies history major traumatic events in her life. Her symptoms included flashbacks surrounding the day her cerebral aneurysm ruptured which occur 3x/week. She described symptoms of hypervigilance and panic attacks and she avoids environmental stimuli that remind her of the events surrounding the ruptured aneurysm. These symptoms were not present prior to her ruptured aneurysm. Discussion We hypothesize that her cerebral aneurysm may have reduced blood flow to her prefrontal cortex (PFC) resulting in ischemic damage. The PFC regulates responses from the amygdala in response to stimuli. An intact PFC is necessary for appropriate extinction of conditioned fear responses. Patients with PTSD are known to demonstrate intense reactions when recollecting the traumatic events related to the PTSD. Such patients have also demonstrated hypoactive medial PFC. Neuroimaging research and functional connectivity studies have revealed cognitive activation, and the role of the medial PFC, amygdala, and hippocampus, in mediating symptom formation in PTSD. Conclusion Practitioners should be aware that damage to the PFC may contribute to development of PTSD.
IrDA: past, present and future

The core Internet technologies were in the hands of the research community 10 or more years before the World Wide Web happened and popularized the Internet as a place to find information, access service, and trade. The Infrared Data Association has been in existence for over six years. Products embedding the communication technology the IrDA defines have been around for over five years, starting with printers and portable PCs. IrDA is cheap to embed, uses unregulated spectrum, and is increasingly pervasive in a wide range of devices. From its roots in portable PCs and printers, IrDA technology is present in virtually all new PDAs, it is emerging in mobile phones, pagers, digital cameras, and image capture devices. We are sitting on the cusp of the information appliance age, and IrDA is playing a significant role in enabling the interaction between information appliances, between information appliances and the information infrastructure, and between appliances communicating across the information infrastructure. This article discusses IrDA's communications model. It charts the evolution of the IrDA-Data (1.x) platform architecture, and the early applications and application services now in common Use. It considers the present day and the explosion in device categories embedding the IrDA platform. It broadens its horizons to consider other emerging appliances technologies and to consider communications models that might arise from a blend of IrDA short-range wireless communications and mobile object technologies. Finally, it considers future directions for the IrDA platform itself.
Understanding professional misconduct: the moral responsibilities of professionals

Professor Werhane asks the question: "How do decent people, people who work for reputable companies engaged in worthwhile projects, people who follow their expertise and their consciences, behave questionably in certain circumstances or produce harmful consequences?" The Challenger disaster does indeed provide a useful case study in analyzing this issue. In reflecting on the Challenger incident, I am first reminded that this whole matter recalls a dominant theme in the critical interpretation of American society. The great social critic Thornstein Veblen many years ago pointed out the conflict between "business" in its profit seeking mode and "industry" as an institution which maximizes not simply profit, but enhanced production of goods and services. This conflict also was viewed by Veblen in his characterization of engineers as heroes, that is, playing a productive role in society, and businessmen as inherently more tied to the pecuniary nexus. Of course, writing as he did in the early decades of the Twentieth Century, Veblen could not have foreseen the extent to which engineers have become incorporated into business organizations. I should like to comment on three points that Professor Werhane made in her paper: first, the differing perceptions and priorities of engineers and management suggested by this incident; second, her discussion of the issues of organizational structure, organizational values, and the political-economic context of the times; and third, her discussion of moral responsibility.