cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Knowledge of Result Versus Knowledge of Performance on Treadmill Training on gait ability in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: This study compared the walking ability of chronic stroke patients following either treadmill training with knowledge of the re sult (KR group) or treadmill training with knowledge of the performance (KP group). Methods: Nineteen patients with chronic stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: a KR group (10 patients) and a KP group (9 patients). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy and treadmill training 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. The gait parameters were measured before and after training using the Optogait system. Results: After the training periods, the KR group showed significant improvement in gait speed, cadence, step length of the unaffected limb, stance time of the affected limb, and functional gait assessment compared to the KP group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that treadmill training with KR was more effective in improving the gait speed and cadence, step length of the unaffected limb, stance time of the affected limb, and functional gait ability than the treadmill training with KP. Therefore, to im prove the walking ability of stroke patients, it is necessary to consider treadmill training with KR. If it can be combined with conventional neurological physiotherapy, it would be an effective rehabilitation for stroke patients.
Harnessing disorder for photonic applications (Conference Presentation)

For device applications, structural disorder and optical scattering have long been considered annoying and detrimental features that were best avoided or minimized. In this talk, I will show that disorder and complexity can be harnessed for photonic applications, in particular, to provide unique functionalities of photonic devices. We recently developed an on-chip random spectrometer that combines high resolution with small footprint. In addition, we incorporated disorder to a laser to reduce the spatial coherence for free-speckle full-field imaging, and to disrupt coherent nonlinear coupling of lasing modes to suppress temporal instabilities.
Decay and Uniqueness of Solutions of Nonlinear Hyperbolic Conservation Laws via Generalized Characteristics

In this article we use the theory of generalized characteristics to obtain a result on the decay of BV solutions to strictly hyperbolic, genuinely nonlinear systems of two conservation laws. The a priori estimates discussed here (the detail analysis is given in [25]) in combination with the regularity results of Dafermos [13] for BV solutions, and a criterion for uniqueness by Bressan and LeFloch [6] provide in a sense a uniqueness result for solutions to hyperbolic systems of two conservation laws.
Optimal Monetary Policy with Skill Heterogeneity and Wage Rigidity

Labor market indicators such as unemployment rates and labor force participation show a significant amount of heterogeneity across demographic groups, which is often not incorporated in monetary policy analysis. In this paper, I build a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with skill heterogeneity in the U.S. labor market. Low-skilled workers have a higher elasticity of labor supply and labor demand, resulting in a flatter wage Phillips curve for low-skilled workers. A welfare improving optimal monetary policy with skill differentials can be implemented by a simple interest rate rule with unemployment rates for high and low-skill workers. Welfare improvement is twice that of a naive policy, where the central bank makes low-skill workers significantly better-off but high-skill workers are slightly worse-off.
A Taxonomy of Channel Expansion Strategies in a Changing Environment

A definition of channel expansion and a taxonomy of channel expansion strategies are proposed for channels of distribution research. Channel expansions into traditional formats, non-traditional formats, and non-retail formats are on the increase as retailers position themselves to increase their share of the market in a fast changing global environment.
Fully relativistic hadron spectroscopy

The fully relativistic hadron model of the preceding paper is used to fit and predict experimental hadron spectra. For heavy-quark mesons the fit is at least as good as for nonrelativistic models. For lighter-quark mesons the fit is far better than in nonrelativistic models. The ground-state baryons fit very well too. Earlier theoretical results for baryon ground-state masses do not compare because the errors due to a perturbative approach that are inherent in those computations are too large. The present computations are exact up to rounding-off errors. Baryon excited states are seen to require that qq interactions be qualitatively different from\(q\bar q\) interactions.
Phase difference statistics for Nakagami-m fading channels

We propose a new channel model for investigating the impact of imperfect channel state information (CSI) over Nakagami-m fading channels. A new definition of the phase difference between two correlated Nakagami random variables is proposed and its probability density function, which depends on the fading parameter m and the power correlation coefficients, is developed. Its first order statistical properties are investigated and simplified. This model looks to be a major contender for investigating the impact of imperfect CSI on Nakagami fading channels.
Symmetric Circulations of Planetary Atmospheres

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses axisymmetric circulations, which are obtained from fluid dynamics investigations. It introduces symmetric circulations of planetary atmospheres. Convection on a nonuniformly heated sphere is discussed, under which, the academic case, the case of nonuniform heating the case of uniform heating with rotation, the case of nonuniform heating with rotation, symmetric baroclinic instability, the circulation of Jupiter's atmosphere, and convection in the atmosphere on earth are described. The chapter also describes azimuthal disturbances and discusses the rotating annulus experiment and finite azimuthal disturbances. Finally, the chapter summarizes the progress achieved with the physical understanding of the problem but not mathematical description.
Neighbor-communication distributed model predictive control for coupled and constrained subsystems in networks

This work explores the distributed model predictive control scheme. The Neighbor-Communication, Distributed Constrained-Model Predictive Control (NC-DCMPC) framework is suggested where a centralized problem is divided into dynamically coupled subsystems and the local controllers are allowed to communicate with neighbor agents only. The neighbor structure is defined based on the physical interconnections. Each local controller communicates its predicted effects to its downstream neighbors as well as the predicted costs imposed by the effects from its upstream neighbors. Without any knowledge about neighbor costs or dynamics, converging to the systemwide optimum point is ensured through communication and the closed-loop stability is proved based on this convergence assuming sufficiently a long horizon. To reduce the number of variables due to the long horizon assumption, Laguerre functions are used to parameterize the local control sequences. The result is a smaller size on-line optimization problem for each local controller which allows more communication per sampling time. The proposed algorithm is implemented assuming constraints on the local control actions. An example of networked subsystems is presented to demonstrate the presented DMPC structure.
The Regulation of Green Advertising: The State, the Market and the Environmental Good

In this paper I explore this most recent development in regulatory policy and, in particular, the role government plays when it chooses to use private markets (consumer, institutional and corporate) as regulatory instruments to produce and allocate environmental benefits. The privatization of environmental regulation by employing markets to deliver environmental benefits does not involve the implementation of public policy through executive or legislative action. Rather, it is achieved through a public choice to privatize the delivery of environmental regulation by permitting or encouraging decentralized economic power to respond to consumer demands for environmental quality.
Cause-specific mortality coding: Methods in the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study COMS Report No. 14

Abstract Ascertainment of cause of death is often sought in clinical trials in which mortality is an outcome of interest. Standardized methods of coding all-cause and disease-specific mortality were developed and evaluated in the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study randomized trial of pre-enucleation radiation of large choroidal melanoma. All available clinical and pathologic materials documenting events prior to each reported death were reviewed systematically by a Mortality Coding Committee (MCC) to determine whether melanoma metastasis or local recurrence was present at the time of death. A level of certainty was assigned based on availability of local or central review of pathology materials. The outcome of the mortality coding protocol was evaluated both by assessing agreement between the judgment of the MCC and the presumed cause of death reported by the clinical center and, for a subset of patients, by assessing agreement between the MCC classification and the cause of death reported on the death certificate. As of July 31, 1997 (the cutoff date for the initial mortality report), 435 (95%) of 457 deceased patient files had been reviewed. The MCC classified 269 patients (62%) as dead with melanoma metastasis, 22 (5%) as dead with another malignant tumor, and 92 (21%) as dead with a malignant tumor of uncertain origin. Thirty-eight patients (9%) died with no evidence of malignancy; in 14 cases (3%), the presence or absence of malignancy could not be established due to lack of clinical information. Fair agreement (kappa = 0.34) was observed between the determinations of the MCC based on detailed review of materials and the cause of death reported on the death certificate, but death certificates alone underestimated the proportion of deaths due to metastatic choroidal melanoma. Detailed mortality coding identified difficulties associated with accurate reporting of cause-specific mortality in patients with choroidal melanoma. Control Clin Trials 2001;22:248–262
POSSIBILITIES OF SPECIFIC PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF POLIOMYELITIS

Particular emphasis is placed on possibilities of passive immunization, because it is felt that this offers practical and theoretic advantages over active immunization. A vaccine is not available at present and may never be available in adequate quantities for all immunologic types or at reasonable cost. Furthermore, if an inactivated vaccine is used, annual revaccination for duration of life might logically ensue. Experimental work has demonstrated the effectiveness of serum prophylaxis in animals and has been given field trials in man, the results of which are suggestive but inconclusive. Gamma globulin from adults should contain antibody to all prevalent types and has been shown to be active in monkeys against three types. It has been used on a small scale as a human prophylactic agent but not on an experimental basis. Gamma globulin, on the basis of inadequate experiment and epidemiologic reasoning, might not prevent infection, though it would be expected to prevent clinical disease. If this proves to be a fact, it would not prevent the development of permanent immunity through inapparent infection, a decided practical advantage. Its use would be recommended only during epidemic years and for only the more susceptible age groups. Dosage and interval would have to be determined. Since gamma globulin is now available, it is felt that a carefully controlled field experiment to determine its effectiveness is in order. There is still no evidence that a serum, gamma globulin or other immunologic agent, has any therapeutic effect, or abortive effect, once illness has begun. So far, no report of a reliable nature has appeared for a practical therapeutic or prophylactic antibiotic or chemotherapeutic agent against poliomyelitis. However, developments in this field as applied to rickettsial diseases and a few other virus diseases lead to considerable optimism. It is believed that the most likely final control methods will be developed along these lines.
Self-experience as leisure constraint: the case of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Previous research has yielded a variety of models and conceptual frameworks of leisure constraints that have focused on describing various dimensions or categorizations of constraints, as opposed t...
From the Editor-in-Chief: Make Some Time to Share Your Creative Ideas and Best Practices!

JMBE Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Samantha Elliott, welcomes new Editors to the journal and discusses the ongoing initiatives for 2015, including a new section, Editorial Board changes, and plans for a new themed issue.
The NMR blood flowmeter—design

Two types of crossed-coil nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) blood flowmeter detectors have been developed for the noninvasive measurement of blood flow. The first is a cylindrical coil configuration suitable for limb blood measurement. A cylindrical flowmeter (12.5 cm internal diam) operating at a nuclear resonance frequency of 3.2 MHz has been applied to measurement of flow in the forearm. The second type is the flat crossed-coil detector, which retains many of the operational advantages of the cylindrical detector, but is suitable for blood flow measurement of almost any surface of the body. Three flat crossed-coil detectors are described, operating at NMR frequencies of 9, 21.4, and 75 MHz. Two types of intermediate frequency signal processors have been used in the NMR receivers, a simple diode type, and a synchronous detector. The synchronous detector is preferred for its ease of operation and superior stability. Modular detection systems containing transmitter, receiver, post-detector signal conditioning, and power supply have been designed for all of the flat crossed-coil detectors. A self-contained synchronous detector module is included in the 21.4 and 75 MHz systems.
The computation of chromatic polynomials

Abstract The planar graph representing the truncated icosahedron is a cubic graph with 60 vertices and 90 edges. The computation of the chromatic polynomial of this graph is computed by enhancing the algorithm based on the classical Delete-Contract theorem as well as finding approaches for substantially modifying a computation tree during computation. The result itself is an interesting example of the time/space tradeoffs that are important in large computations.
The future of naval ocean science research

The Ocean Studies Board (OSB) of the National Research Council reviewed the changing role of basic ocean science research in the Navy at a recent board meeting. The OSB was joined by Gerald Cann, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; Geoffrey Chesbrough, oceanographer of the Navy; Arthur Bisson, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for antisubmarine warfare; Robert Winokur, technical director of the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy; Bruce Robinson, director of the new science directorate at the Office of Naval Research (ONR); and Paul Gaffney, commanding officer of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). The past 2–3 years have brought great changes to the Navy's mission with the dissolution of the former Soviet Union and challenges presented by conflicts in newly independent states and developing nations. The new mission was recently enunciated in a white paper, “From the Sea: A New Direction for the Naval Service,” which is signed by the secretary of the Navy, the chief of naval operations, and the commandant of the Marine Corps. It departs from previous plans by proposing a heavier emphasis on amphibious operations and makes few statements about the traditional Navy mission of sea-lane control.
Wet gas scrubbing - State of the art in FCCU emission control

Particulates and SO2 in Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) flue gas can be controlled via wet gas scrubbing. Wet Gas Scrubbers (WGS) are compatible with the gaseous emission control devices such as CO boilers or High Temperature Regeneration (HTR) now in use on FCCU's and require no changes in FCCU operating procedures. Compared with a combination of particulate control with electrostatic precipitators and SO2 control by FCCU feed desulfurization, WGS require less investment and have lower operating costs. Other advantages for WGS include higher service factor, smaller onsite plot space requirement, and simpler operation than electrostatic precipitators. Purged scrubber liquid must be treated by conventional waste water treatment technology to reduce suspended solids and COD. Even after such treatment, the purge stream will still contain dissolved solids. However, at many locations, the disposal of the purge stream can be accommodated without adverse environmental problems. Four commercial scrubbers, now in operation in Exxon Company, U.S.A. refineries, reduce particulate emissions to compliance levels with all pertinent regulations. SO2 removals are in excess of 90%. Currently, four licensee companies are also applying the Exxon scrubbing process. More are anticipated. These commercial units have accumulated over 64 years of combined operations (as of February 1, 1987).
Fuzzy semistar operations of finite character on integral domains

This paper is devoted to the construction of examples of fuzzy semistar operations on integral domains. A special case of interest is the fuzzy semistar operation of finite character. We show that the set of fuzzy semistar operations of finite character on an integral domain is a complete lattice. We also prove that the fuzzy semistar operation on an integral domain defined by a finite collection of overrings and union preserving fuzzy semistar operations of finite character on the overrings is of finite character. An example is constructed to prove that if the collection of overrings is infinite, the corresponding fuzzy semistar operation may not be of finite character. We describe the set of fuzzy semistar operation of finite character on valuation domains.
Kinetics of appearance of the products of poliovirus-induced RNA polymerase.

Abstract Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis has been utilized to analyze the products of the membrane-associated RNA polymerase induced in HeLa cells by poliovirus infection. Single-stranded viral RNA as well as double-stranded RNA (RF) and the multistranded replicative intermediate (RI) have been identified by virtue of their characteristic electrophoretic mobility and other criteria. Kinetic studies including a “pulse-chase” experiment have provided unequivocal evidence that RI represents the functional intermediate in the synthesis of single-stranded viral RNA. Single-stranded RNA does not appear as a product of enzyme preparations rendered soluble by sodium deoxycholate and addition of deoxycholate to a membrane-associated preparation during the course of the reaction leads to the degradation of previously synthesized single-stranded RNA. Study of the degradation of added single-stranded RNA suggests that the phenomenon is probably the consequence of the accessibility of the products of the soluble enzyme to nucleases in the preparation.
A New Pectic Acid Transeliminase Produced Exocellularly by a Bacillus

SUMMARY A new type of endo-pectic acid transeliminase was isolated from the culture medium of a strain of Bacillus. The enzyme attacked pectic substances randomly and produced un saturated trigalacturonic acid as the major end product. The optimum pH on either acid-soluble pectic acid or tetragalaeturonic acid was 9.3–9.7, and the enzyme required calcium ions for maximum activity. Strontium was the only other divalent cation which stimulated activity. Trigalacturonic acid was attacked very slowly. The major site of attack of tetragalacturonic acid was the glycosidic bond on the nonreducing end. Unsaturated tetragalacturonic acid was also attacked at the central bond. The cleavage of pentagalacturouic acid occurred preferentially at bond 3, followed by 4 and 2, in order. The glycosidic bond on the reducing end is called bond 1. With unsaturated pentagalacturonic acid, it was concluded that the major site of cleavage was at bond 3, with a much slower rate at bond 2.
Interaction of Aflatoxicosis with Candida Albicans Infections and Other Stresses in Chickens

Abstract INTRODUCTION AFLATOXICOSIS in chickens has been characterized mainly by lowered growth rates and inefficient conversion of feed (Carnaghan et al., 1966; Gardiner and Oldroyd, 1965; and Smith and Hamilton, 1970) and the possibility of interaction of aflatoxicosis with other diseases has been studied since the disease was discovered. One of the original reports of aflatoxicosis (Siller and Ostler, 1961) described the isolation of Salmonella from the internal organs of turkeys during field outbreaks of the disease. Brown and Abrams (1965) in a more recent study consistently isolated Salmonella from ducklings and chickens with typical aflatoxicosis. They also noted a hypoproteinemia which included low levels of globulins and suggested that aflatoxicosis made birds more susceptible to Salmonella. Abrams (1965) extended this hypothesis to include other bacterial and viral diseases. When this hypothesis was tested directly, aflatoxicosis and S. gallinarum infections were found to exert their effects on body weight and mortality…
Effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on right ventricle function assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography

Background Right ventricle (RV) dysfunction and hypotension can be induced by high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). We sought to determine in an animal model if a novel ultrasound analysis technique: speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), could determine deterioration in RV function induced by PEEP and to compare this to a conventional method of RV analysis: fractional area change (FAC). STE is a sensitive, angle-independent method for describing cardiac deformation (‘strain’) and is particularly useful in analyzing RV function as has been shown in pulmonary hypertension cohorts.
A comparison of gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography for artemisinin analyses

An improved method for high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-EC) is presented for artemisinin analysis. It involves increased concentration of organic phase, elimination of the degassing step in sample preparation, and reduced time for heating and degassing in mobile phase preparation and recycling. The HPLC-EC method was compared to a gas chromatographic (GC) method, which measured artemisinin indirectly through two of its degradation products, labelled A and B. Both methods provided a good separation of artemisinin from artemisitene, arteannuin B, and the semisynthetic dihydroartemisinin. Peak B provided a higher correlation to the levels of artemisinin detected by HPLC-EC. Peaks A, B and Z (a small peak preceding A and B) were identified through electron impact and chemical ionization spectra from GC-mass spectral analysis.
Evaluation of Chemical and Physical Properties of Feeds That Affect Protein Metabolism In the Rumen

The goal of the NC-185 Cooperative Regional Research Project is to provide the information needed to improve the nutrition and feeding of dairy cattle, a major factor determining composition of milk and cost of milk yield. Emphasis is placed on understanding how energy and protein nutrition of lactating cows can be manipulated to increase the quantity and improve the profile of AA passing to the small intestine and to improve yield of milk and milk protein. To achieve this goal, one of the major objectives of this project has been to evaluate quantitatively the chemical and physical properties of protein and energy sources that determine AA availability to lactating cows. Reliable measurements of microbial protein synthesis and protein degradation in the rumen are critical in the evaluation process. Therefore, one of the ongoing areas of investigation of this research project has been to determine the most appropriate methods for estimating microbial protein synthesis and dietary protein degradation in the rumen. Other areas have been investigated, using continuous culture fermenters and ruminally and duodenally cannulated cows, including factors that alter microbial metabolism of N in the rumen and subsequently protein supply to the small intestine, such as sources of carbohydrate, protein, and fat and interrelationships of protein and carbohydrate. Findings of the NC-185 Cooperative Regional Research Project Committee and other investigators are summarized in this review.
Spinodal decomposition in a small radially stressed sphere

Abstract The conditions for thermodynamic equilibrium are derived for a binary alloy configured as a small sphere with radially symmetric composition and elastic fields. These conditions are used to test the stability of a homogeneous alloy against composition fluctuations and to write dynamical equations for microstructural evolution. The surface stress (T) and external traction interact with the second compositional derivative of the lattice parameter ( e cc ), and can either enhance or diminish the stability of the alloy depending on the sign of T e cc . The magnitude of the effect is inversely proportional to the sphere radius. Numerical calculations of the non-linear dynamical equations for decomposition are given that show the dependence of the precipitate composition on the surface stress, the sphere radius, and the composition dependence of the lattice parameter, and demonstrate the existence of two different equilibrium states for a given alloy composition and temperature.
Why good job performance may (not) be rewarded: Sex Factors and Career Development

Abstract An experiment tested the effects of three sex variables on managerial career evaluations. The variables were sex of evaluator, sex of manager (evaluatee), and predominate sex of manager's subordinates. Each subject evaluated four managers, one in each possible combination of the last two independent variables, in an “in basket” format. All four situations included comparable managerial performance data. Subjects evaluated each manager in terms of size of a deserved salary increase, probable performance if promoted, promotability, and probability of attaining 5-year tenure. There were no differences in evaluations between male and female evaluators. Manager's sex and predominate subordinate sex frequently interacted. The interactions were interpreted as a sex-matching bias which can inappropriately benefit managers of opposite sex subordinates and hinder careers of managers with subordinates of their own sex.
Response of Grassland arthropods to burning: a review

Abstract Grassland burning elicits a diverse array of responses by arthropods, depending upon many interactive factors. Empirical models were developed, based on the literature, to qualitatively order selected behavioral characteristics of fire, arthropod life habits and phenology, interactions of arthropods with non-arthropods, and burning-induced habitat alterations as they regulate arthropod populations. The models are based on a four-phase sequence of impacts attributable to prescribed burning (fuel development, combustion, shock and ecosystem recovery) which partition acute and chronic fire influences on arthropod populations. Applications for manipulating arthropod populations may be refined by quantifying arthropod responses during each phase of prescribed burning.
Effects of deadline propagation on scheduling nested transactions in distributed real-time database systems

Abstract In this paper, we address issues concerning efficiently scheduling real-time transactions in a distributed database system using a nested transaction model. In this model, a transaction may consist of several subtransactions, each of which acts as a unit of work. Therefore, a subtransaction can have its own priority to compete for resources. In real-time applications, a transaction is usually submitted with a deadline. A policy that assigns priority to transactions based on their deadlines has been widely used. In order to determine priorities of subtransactions within a nested transaction, deadlines of subtransactions must be known. This means that an efficient deadline propagation scheme must be used to propagate deadline of a transaction to its subtransactions. In this paper, we describe several deadline propagation schemes to derive CPU and data conflict resolution priorities which are based on either top-level transactions' deadline or individual subtransactions' work amounts within a transaction. We then conduct simulation experiments to measure the overall system performance when these schemes are being incorporated into a priority-abort conflict resolution protocol, where earliest deadline first is used for priority assignment. The simulation results indicate the following: 1) a deadline propagation scheme which assigns all members of a transaction with the same deadline works best to derive deadlines for data conflict resolution priority assignment as well as for CPU priority assignment if there are high data conflicts in the system, and 2) when data conflicts are low, individual subtransactions' deadlines based on subtransactions' own execution times should be used for CPU priority assignment.
WE-E-217BCD-02: Update on the Upcoming ACR Digital Mammography QC Manual.

Purpose: We propose a new metric called Distance Discordance (DD), which is defined as the distance between two anatomic points from two moving images, which are co‐located on some reference image, when deformed onto another reference image.Methods: To demonstrate the concept of DD, we created a reference software phantom which contains two objects. The first object (1) consists of a hollow box with a fixed size core and variable wall thickness. The second object (2) consists of a solid box of fixed size and arbitrary location. 7 different variations of the fixed phantom were created. Each phantom was deformed onto every other phantom using two B‐Spline DIR algorithms available in Elastix and Plastimatch. Voxels were sampled from the reference phantom [1], which were also deformed from moving phantoms [2…6], and we find the differences in their corresponding location on phantom [7]. Each voxel results in a distribution of DD values, which we call distance discordance histogram (DDH). We also demonstrate this concept in 8 Head & Neck patients. Results: The two image registration algorithms produced two different DD results for the same phantom image set. The mean values of the DDH were slightly lower for Elastix (0–1.28 cm) as compared to the values produced by Plastimatch (0–1.43 cm). The combined DDH for the H&N patients followed a lognormal distribution with a mean of 0.45 cm and std. deviation of 0.42 cm. Conclusions: The proposed distance discordance (DD) metric is an easily interpretable, quantitative tool that can be used to evaluate the effect of inter‐patient variability on the goodness of the registration in different parts of the patient anatomy. Therefore, it can be utilized to exclude certain images based on their DDH characteristics. In addition, this metric does not rely on ‘ground truth’ or the presence of contoured structures.
Conservative management of low risk superficial bladder tumors

Purpose: The most common approach for nonmuscle invasive urothelial cancers of the bladder is transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, often under regional or general anesthesia. Due to the high rate of recurrence, many such patients experience the potential risks and morbidity of frequent surgical intervention, despite the often slow growth rate and low risk of progression of such tumors. Recent experiences have suggested that some patients with low grade superficial tumors may be treated expectantly. We report on our experience with expectant management of low risk superficial bladder tumors.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 173 patients with superficial bladder cancer who are currently actively treated at our institution and who have complete clinical information. From this population we identified 22 cases (12.7%) under expectant management for bladder tumors in the last 12 months. Demographic and clinical information on this cohort are described as well as clinical and patholog...
The energy equivalents of ATP and the energy values of food proteins and fats

Heats of combustion and energy equivalents of cytoplasmic ATP have been estimated for glucose, 101 food proteins and 116 food fats based on amino acid and fatty acid composition data from food composition tables and the heats of combustion and energy equivalents of cytoplasmic ATP of each individual amino acid, fatty acid, glycerol and glucose. The isodynamic equivalents of carbohydrate, fat and protein at the biochemical level have been investigated. Heats of combustion of food proteins and fats derived from compositional data were within 1% of published values obtained by calorimetry. Cytoplasmic ATP equivalents for glucose, fat and protein range from 9.0 to 14.7, 8.6 to 14.6 and 6.4 to 13.2 mol cytoplasmic ATP/MJ of metabolizable energy respectively, depending on the choice of mitochondrial proton stoichiometries for these estimations. The range is extended further when considering the level and type of mitochondrial 'uncoupling'. Isobioenergetic relationships between the efficiencies of glucose (G) and fat (F) (F = 1.05 G - 0.9) and glucose and protein (P) (P = G(1.02 - 0.19 f) - (1.8 + 0.5 f] energy conversions (where f is the fraction of protein oxidized via gluconeogenesis) were obtained and were essentially independent of the choice of mitochondrial proton stoichiometry and the level and type of uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Potential errors in previous estimates of ATP yield from protein are shown to be as much as -17.6 to greater than 118%; accounting for the efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation narrows this to between -7.9 and 17.4% and accounting for the fraction of protein oxidized via gluconeogenesis limits this further to between -7.9 and 11.1%. Remaining uncertainty is attributed mostly to lack of knowledge about the energy cost of substrate absorption from the gut and transport across cell membranes. Coefficients of variation (cv) in the cytoplasmic ATP yield/g protein and /g protein nitrogen for the 101 food proteins were large (0.033 and 0.058 respectively). This is attributed mostly to variation in the metabolizable heats of combustion (cv 0.033 and 0.053 respectively) and to a much smaller extent in the efficiency with which cytoplasmic ATP equivalents are generated/MJ of metabolizable energy (cv 0.01). It is concluded that the current understanding of biochemical energy transduction is sufficient to permit only a crude estimate of the energy equivalents of cytoplasmic ATP but that these equivalents vary by less than 5% between both different food proteins and different food fats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Mesozoic stratigraphy and paleoenvironments of the Georges Bank Basin: A correlation of exploratory and cost wells

Abstract The Exxon 975-1, Conoco 145-1, and Mobil 312-1 hydrocarbon exploratory wells and the Continental Offshore Stratigraphic Test (COST) G-1 and G-2 wells were drilled in the southeastern part of the Georges Bank Basin. We used drill cuttings and logs from these wells to describe and correlate the dominant lithostratigraphic units and to document lateral changes in the depositional environments. The strata penetrated by the Exxon 975-1 and COST G-1 wells are much more terrestrial than at the seaward (downdip) COST G-2, Conoco 145-1, and Mobil 312-1 wellsites. Oldest rocks penetrated by the exploratory wells represent a Middle Jurassic carbonate-evaporite sequence that correlates to the Iroquois Formation. The Iroquois records nonmarine to marginal-marine sabkha, tidal-flat, and restricted lagoonal paleoenvironments in the Exxon 975-1 and COST G-1 wells, but progressively changes to inner neritic, littoral, and lagoonal paleoenvironments at the Mobil 312-1 wellsite. The nonmarine deltaic siliciclastics of the overlying Mohican Formation, Misaine Shale, and Mic Mac-Mohawk Formations are thicker and the marine carbonates of the Scatarie and Bacarro Limestones are usually thinner in the Jurassic strata of the Exxon 975-1 and COST G-1 wells than at the other wellsites. Similarly, lower delta-plain and delta-front facies of the Early Cretaceous Missisuaga and Logan Canyon Formations at the Exxon 975-1 and COST G-1 wellsites reflect a greater terrestrial influence than the laterally-equivalent shallow marine to delta-front facies present at the downdip wellsites.
Skin histamine in chronic urticaria

Abstract To further study the role of histamine in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria, the concentration of histamine in tissue extracts from skin biopsy samples and in plasma from patients with chronic urticaria was measured by a sensitive radioenzymatic assay. Tissue histamine levels from urticarial lesions and uninvolved skin were compared with extracts of biopsy samples taken from normal controls. The average tissue histamine content in 15 biopsy samples from the chronic urticaria patients was significantly higher than in those of 15 normal controls. Forty percent of the patients had levels 2 SD greater than the mean of the control group. Elevated histamine levels were also found in biopsy samples of uninvolved skin from some urticaria patients. Circulating histamine levels from chronic urticaria patients were rarely elevated and did not correlate with skin concentration. No correlation was noted between tissue histamine concentration and estimated mast cell concentration on Giemsa-stained sections of five biopsy samples. These results indicate that tissue histamine levels are increased in some patients with chronic urticaria. This suggests that local histamine elevations may be important in the pathogenesis of many patients with this disease. In addition, increased tissue histamine in these patients is not reflected by elevated circulating levels.
The effect of the base in the fragmentation of nucleotide C4′ radicals

Abstract A series of 3′- O -diethylphosphoryl-4′-α-[(2-halophenylethylthio)carbonyl] substituted esters of thymidine, cytidine, adenosine and guanosine are prepared by total synthesis and used as C4′-radical precursors in a competition kinetic method using tributyltin hydride as the reductant. The pseudo-first order rate constants for the C4′-radicals so generated decrease in the order guansoine>cytidine>adenosine>thymidine with that for guanosine being too rapid for determination by the present competition kinetic method. A 119 Sn NMR method is presented for estimation of the purity of tin hydride solutions.
Purification of dopamine neurons by flow cytometry

Abstract The heterogeneity and preponderence of other cell types present in cultures has greatly impeded our ability to study dopamine neurons. In this report, we describe methods for isolating nearly pure dopamine neurons for study in culture. To do so, the lipid-soluble dye, 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (diI) was injected into the embryonic rat striata where it was taken up by nerve terminals and transported overnight back to the innervating perikarya in the ventral midbrain. Midbrain cells were then dissected, dissociated and separated on the basis of their (rhodamine) fluorescence by flow cytometry. Nearly all cells recovered as fluorescent positive (>98%) were also immunoreactive for the dopamine specific enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (80%–96%). Little contamination by other cell types was observed after labeling for specific neuronal and glial markers. Purified dopamine neurons continued to thrive and elaborate neuronal processes for at least 3 days in culture. Using this new model, it may now be possible to directly study the cellular and molecular processes regulating the survival and functioning of developing, injured and transplanted dopamine neurons.
The new un trafficking protocol

Abstract The new Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, is a wide-ranging international agreement to address the crime of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, on a transnational level. It creates a global language and legislation to define trafficking in persons, especially women and children; assist victims of trafficking; and prevent trafficking in persons. The trafficking in persons protocol also establishes parameters of judicial cooperation and exchanges of information among countries. Although the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children anticipates accomplishing what national legislation cannot do on its own, it is also intended to jumpstart national laws and to harmonize regional legislation against the trafficking in women and children. This article summarizes the key points of the new trafficking in persons protocol, the debate over the definition of trafficking, which was the most contentious part of the Protocol, how the Protocol is being interpreted, and its implications for regional and national policy against human trafficking. The article also addresses the connections between prostitution and trafficking for sexual exploitation, arguments of those who would dispute these connections, and policy and legislative trends in countries that are seeking to legalize/regulate prostitution as “sex work.”
Increasing computational density of application-specific systems

Application-specific systems are increasingly being deployed on reconfigurable computing platforms such as the field-programmable gate array (FPGA). These systems can integrate many disparate computing elements, and often contain soft processors hosting application components. Soft processors are sequential, synchronous devices with low computational density, and are not capable of exploiting the concurrency available on the FPGA. We present a method for increasing the computational density of application-specific systems by eliminating soft processors within these systems. This method eliminates soft processors by replacing programs that would be hosted on soft processors with custom, self-contained, circuitizable finite-state machine with datapath (FSMD) components that are automatically generated. We show that FS-MDs produced using this method eliminate the computational overhead associated with fetching and decoding instructions. We further show that this method, when applied to interrupt-driven programs, can produce concurrent FSMDs that arbitrate for shared datapath resources. We discuss how these FSMDs are capable of leveraging the spatial computational capabilities of the FPGA and are therefore more aptly suited for deployment within application-specific systems. We show that these FSMDs eliminate overhead associated with interrupt context switching, decrease interrupt servicing latencies, and eliminate interrupt livelock. We discuss implications and limitations of this method, and describe a prototype that implements the method for programs targeted for the Intel 8051.
Investigation of integration accuracy of sound-power measurement using an automated sound-intensity system

Abstract Automated sound-intensity systems have been used routinely for indoor measurement of the sound power of earthmoving equipment and automobiles. The measurement surface is a hemisphere, with sound intensity on the concrete floor assumed to be zero. The system automatically moves an array of sound-intensity probes over the hemisphere, making measurements at desired locations and computing the sound power when the measurements are completed. With an automated system, the number and distribution of measurement positions and the starting position of rotation can be changed without requiring much human labor. In the present paper, the effect on the integration accuracy of the number and distribution of measurement positions and of the starting position of rotation is investigated, using an automated system to measure the sound power of a garden tractor and a motorcycle. Based on these results, guidelines are proposed for achieving good integration accuracy with an automated system.
Far-infrared and CO observations of NGC 6357 and regions surrounding NGC 6357 and NGC 6334

Two 1.7 square degree sections of the galactic plane at 70 microns have been surveyed with one-arcminute resolution. The scanned areas included the giant southern H II region complexes NGC 6357 and NGC 6334. Nineteen far-infrared sources were observed. The sources range in luminosity from 16,000 to 550,000 solar masses. Far-infared continuum and CO line observations of NGC 6357 are presented. Four far-infrared sources were found in this complex and for one of these sources the exciting stars are identified. Far-infrared and CO observations of sources in the field surrounding NGC 6357 and NGC 6334 are presented. The far-infrared sources coincide frequently with CO line temperature peaks. The CO clouds which surround the far-infrared sources have similar CO-13 column densities. Two of the far-infrared sources in the field have associated OH and H2O maser emission and compact H II regions.
Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic Ethic, and Adam Smith

In The Theory of Moral Sentiments (TMS) Adam Smith draws on the Stoic idea of a Providence that uses everything for the good of the whole. The process is often painful, so the Stoic ethic insisted on conscious cooperation. Stoic ideas contributed to the rise of science and enjoyed wide popularity in Smith’s England. Smith was more influenced by the Stoicism of his professors than by the Epicureanism of Hume. In TMS, Marcus Aurelius’s “helmsman” becomes the “impartial spectator,” who judges actions in terms of the way they are seen by others. This is the key to justice, without which society collapses. Business school students should be taught that Smith’s “invisible hand” is best understood as a universal rationality that uses just actions for the benefit of the whole.
Pharmacokinetic variability and the miracle of modern analytical chemistry.

Background: Prior studies have reported an increased risk of diabetes related to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure. No study has yet investigated whether polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), which are similar in chemical structure, increase the incidence of diabetes. Methods: The Michigan PBB cohort was established in 1976 and surveyed again in 1991-1993 and in 2001. PBB and PCB serum levels were measured from blood collected at enrollment. To determine the incidence of adult-onset diabetes, we analyzed cohort members without diabetes at enrollment, ages 20 years and older, with known PBB and PCB levels, who participated in at least 1 follow-up survey (n = 1384). Using Poisson regression, we determined the incidence density ratio (IDR) of diabetes for different serum levels of PBB and PCB, controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol consumption at enrollment. Results: Analyzing 25 years of follow-up data, we did not find that higher PBB serum levels were a risk factor for the incidence of diabetes mellitus. However, in women, but not in men, higher PCB serum levels were associated with increased incidence of diabetes (IDR = 2.33; 95% confidence interval = 1.25-4.34 in the highest PCB group compared with the lowest). In both men and women, overweight and obesity increased the diabetes incidence. Conclusions: We found no association between PBB serum levels and diabetes incidence. In women, there was a positive linear association of diabetes incidence with PCB serum levels at enrollment. This finding is in agreement with 2 prior studies indicating a higher relative risk of diabetes in PCB-exposed women.