cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Coprecipitation of Phosphate and Arsenate with Yttrium and the Rare Earths: The Influence of Solution Complexation

Coprecipitation of yttrium (Y) and rare earth elements (REEs) with phosphate and arsenate removes these elements from solution in variable proportions. During both phosphate and arsenate Coprecipitation, middle REEs (Sm and Eu) are progressively depleted in solution relative to heavier and lighter elements. Solution complexation by oxalate (Ox2-) influences Y and REE removal patterns by strongly enhancing the retention of Y and the heaviest REEs in solution. The extent of this enhancement is well described by a quantitative account of the comparative solution complexation of Y and REEs as M(Ox)+ and M(Ox)\(_{\text{2}}^ - \). The comparative behavior of phosphate and arsenate coprecipitation exhibits both similarities and differences. During arsenate coprecipitation the light REEs are retained in solution, relative to the heavy REEs, to a greater extent than is the case for phosphate coprecipitation. Notable irregularities are observed in the comparative coprecipitation behavior of nearest-neighbor elements (e.g., Eu–Gd–Tb and Tm–Yb–Lu). Such irregularities are very similar for phosphate and arsenate coprecipitation in the absence and in the presence of solution complexation.
Bevacizumab and irinotecan in patients (pts) with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)

2078 Background: Primary GBM exhibits overexpression or amplification of the epidermal growth factor gene. The effectiveness of bevacizumab and irinotecan in pts with relapsed GBM was first reported in 2005 (Stark-Vance, et al, Neuro-Oncol, 2005). In this report, we assess the effects of combination of bevacizumab and irinotecan on overall responses, toxicity, cognitive function and functional status in recurrent GBM pts. Methods: From August 2005 to December 2006, 22 consecutive GBM pts failed > 1 prior chemotherapy with measurable disease on MRI were included. Each patient received bevacizumab 5mg/kg IV and irinotecan 125mg/m2 IV infusion every 2 weeks until disease progression or developed unacceptable toxicity. The response was determined by MRI every 2 cycles. Cognitive function was assessed by Blessed Orientation-Memory-Concentration Test (BOMC) and functional status was assessed by Karnofsky performance status (KPS), Barthel Index (BI) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) prior to eac...
One-Year, Open-Label Extension Study on the Safety and Efficacy of Abiraterone Acetate Fine Particle Formulation in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer:

Purpose:Abiraterone acetate is an androgen synthesis inhibitor used to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The therapeutic equivalence, pharmacokinetics, and safety of abirateron...
The Academic Facility Type Is Associated With Improved Overall Survival for Early-Stage Lung Cancer.

Background Early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is potentially curable with surgical resection. The overall survival rate for early-stage NSCLC may be determined by the healthcare facility type where patients receive their lung cancer treatment. Methods A total of 103,748 cases with the American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical stage I and II NSCLC that were reported to the National Cancer Database at over 1150 facilities were analyzed in this study. Healthcare facilities were dichotomized into the community and academic facility types. Marginal multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate differences in overall survival. Propensity score methodology with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for facility volume and patient-related baseline differences between facility types. Results Patients with early-stage NSCLC who were treated at academic facility types had a significantly better median overall survival (63.2 months) compared with patients who received care at community healthcare facilities (54.2 months) (hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.91; P Conclusions Patients with early-stage NSCLC who were treated at academic facility types had a significantly higher overall median survival compared with patients treated at community facility types. The short-term surgical quality outcomes were significantly better for patients who underwent surgery for early-stage NSCLC at academic facility types.
Photonics-to-Free-Space Interface in Lithium Niobate-on-Sapphire

We present a device in thin-film lithium niobate-on-sapphire that scatters light from a ridge waveguide into a 4.5 × 12.6 milliradian beam in free-space that can be steered by tuning the wavelength.
Information Uncertainty and the Financial Markets: The COVID â€“ 19 Outbreak and Global Implications

The financial markets appeared to have weathered recent storms which dominated the financial landscapes in 2019 â€“ namely trade wars, which spanned from retaliat
A Systematic Sensitivity Study on Surface Pixel Shifts in High Spatial Resolution Satellite Images Resulting from Atmospheric Refraction in the Sensor to Surface Ray Path

When viewing Earth’s surfaces from a low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite platform with an optical sensor, the upward light propagation path from the ground to the satellite is affected by atmospheric refraction. For imaging sensors with a spatial resolution of about one km on the ground, atmospheric refraction is typically neglected during geo-registration of the satellite images. However, for high spatial resolution imaging systems with surface pixel sizes of approximately one meter or finer, the neglect of atmospheric refraction effects can typically introduce errors of a few meters in the spatially registered images. The atmospheric refraction effects need to be properly taken into consideration during the spatial registration of high spatial resolution satellite images. We have found that, with minor modifications, the ray tracing models implemented inside the LOWTRAN series of atmospheric radiative transfer codes developed in the 1970s and 1980s, in particular LOWTRAN7 in late 1980s, can be used for modeling the pixel displacement resulting from atmospheric refraction for satellite observations. The LOWTRAN series models were originally designed for calculating atmospheric transmittances and radiances for radiation going through long paths of the Earth’s atmosphere. In the ray tracing portions of the codes, a spherical model atmosphere from the ground to 100 km is finely divided into about 30 thin atmospheric layers. The refraction angles for ray paths between consecutive layer boundaries are accurately calculated. We make a new use of the refraction angles calculated by the LOWTRAN7 code to study the surface pixel shift resulting from atmospheric refraction for satellite observations. In this letter, we report the modeling results on surface pixel displacements for different satellite altitudes and downward view zenith angles, several atmospheric temperature and pressure profiles, a few surface elevations, and wavelength dependencies from blue (450 nm) to near-IR (865 nm). These results can have reference values for researchers to estimate refraction-induced pixel displacements in their high spatial resolution satellite images. The results may also potentially help in designing spacecraft algorithms for accurate instrument pointing and mission tasking to automatically capture short-lived science events.
The Financialization of Corporate Governance

Hedge funds and other activist investors, in league with pension funds and other institutions have caused a financialization of corporate governance. Stock-market prices rather than long-term earnings are the focus of corporate managers and directors. This essay discusses shareholder primacy and stakeholder theories and suggests that neither adequately deals with the detriment to investors and the public that executive compensation based on equity prices has wrought. Possible remedies recommended by others are discussed as well as some of the author’s ideas for reform.
ORMDL3 regulates poly I:C induced inflammatory responses in airway epithelial cells.

Background Oroscomucoid 3 (ORMDL3) has been linked to susceptibility of childhood asthma and respiratory viral infection. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) is a synthetic analog of viral double-stranded RNA, a toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) ligand and mimic of viral infection. Methods To investigate the functional role of ORMDL3 in the poly I:C-induced inflammatory response in airway epithelial cells, ORMDL3 knockdown and over-expression models were established in human A549 epithelial cells and primary normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells. The cells were stimulated with poly I:C or the Th17 cytokine IL-17A. IL-6 and IL-8 levels in supernatants, mRNA levels of genes in the TLR3 pathway and inflammatory response from cell pellets were measured. ORMDL3 knockdown models in A549 and BEAS-2B epithelial cells were then infected with live human rhinovirus (HRV16) followed by IL-6 and IL-8 measurement. Results ORMDL3 knockdown and over-expression had little influence on the transcript levels of TLR3 in airway epithelial cells. Time course studies showed that ORMDL3-deficient A549 and NHBE cells had an attenuated IL-6 and IL-8 response to poly I:C stimulation. A549 and NHBE cells over-expressing ORMDL3 released relatively more IL-6 and IL-8 following poly I:C stimulation. IL-17A exhibited a similar inflammatory response in ORMDL3 knockdown and over-expressing cells, but co-stimulation of poly I:C and IL-17A did not significantly enhance the IL-6 and IL-8 response. Transcript abundance of IFNB following poly I:C stimulation was not significantly altered by ORMDL3 knockdown or over-expression. Dampening of the IL-6 response by ORMDL3 knockdown was confirmed in HRV16 infected BEAS-2B and A549 cells. Conclusions ORMDL3 regulates the viral inflammatory response in airway epithelial cells via mechanisms independent of the TLR3 pathway.
Striking a Balance: A National Assessment of Economic Development Incentives

The use of incentive packages has intensified as local governments compete for new plants and corporate relocations, and as private firms increasingly demand a deal. While incentives promise jobs and tax revenue, scholars and practitioners criticize their high cost and limited accountability. Through a comparison of matched establishments, this paper explores how governmental incentive-granting strategy impacts incentive performance. We examine the overall impact of incentives and whether incentives granted to smaller firms perform better. Using economic development budget data, we also assess the state’s overall approach to economic development to determine which strategies are prioritized through funding. By showing that incentivized firms fail to create more jobs than matched controls, our analysis casts doubt on claims that “but for” incentives job creation would not occur. Still, our findings suggest that states are smarter in their incentive use when they strike a balance between recruiting industry and supporting “homegrown” businesses and technology.
Brief Glutamine Pretreatment Increases Alveolar Macrophage CD163/Heme Oxygenase-1/p38-MAPK Dephosphorylation Pathway and Decreases Capillary Damage but Not Neutrophil Recruitment in IL-1/LPS-Insufflated Rats.

Background Glutamine (GLN) attenuates acute lung injury (ALI) but its effect on alveolar macrophages is unknown. We hypothesized that GLN pretreatment would induce the anti-inflammatory CD163/heme oxygenase (HO)-1/p38-MAPK dephosphorylation pathway in alveolar macrophages and reduce ALI in rats insufflated with interleukin-1 (IL-1) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
A Generator of Stable Smoke

REFERENCES 1 Hayes, W. D., The Three-Dimensional Boundary Layer, NAVORD Report 1313, NOTS 384, May 1951. 2 Cooke, J. C , An Axially Symmetric Analogue for General Three-Dimensional Boundary Layers, RAE, Aero. TN 2625, June 1959. 3 Freeman, N. C , The "Newtonian" Theory of Hypersonic Flow for Any Three-Dimensional Body, ARC TR C.P. No. 439 (20, 344), August 1958. 4 Hayes, W. D., and Probstein, R. F., Hypersonic Flow Theory—-1st Ed.; Academic Press, New York, 1959. 5 Leigh, D. C , Notes on the Calculation of Three-Dimensional Compressible Laminar Boundary Layers—Part 1, Aero. Memo. No. 69, G-E MSVD, July 1958. 6 Gravalos, F. G., Edelfelt, 1. H., and Emmons, H. W., Supersonic Flow About a Blunt Body of Revolution for Gases at Chemical Equilibrium, TIS R58SD245, General Electric Co., June 1958.
Some Entrepreneurship Pitfalls

All of us have at some point thought how great it would be to be the boss of our own destiny and build a new business. For some it's a dream that won't stop until we try. In the old days, all it would have taken was two months’ rent after we built our leasehold improvements. Oh, how times have changed.
Pentobarbital inhibition of human recombinant α1A P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels involves slow, open channel block

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pre-synaptic neurotransmitter release is largely dependent on Ca2+ entry through P/Q-type (CaV2.1) voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (PQCCs) at most mammalian, central, fast synapses. Barbiturates are clinical depressants and inhibit pre-synaptic Ca2+ entry. PQCC barbiturate pharmacology is generally unclear, specifically in man. The pharmacology of the barbiturate pentobarbital (PB) in human recombinant α1A PQCCs has been characterized.
Levinas and the Philosophy of Religion

This article explores the significance of the work of Emmanuel Levinas for the philosophy of religion. Levinas is well-known as the philosopher of the face of the other which provokes infinite responsibility. In his account of ethical responsibility to the other he regularly employs religious references, though rarely with extended explanations. This article considers a variety of interpretations of these religious references. Given the importance of Judaism for Levinas, we first examine whether Levinas should be understood as a philosopher or Jewish thinker, presenting arguments on both sides of this debate. We then investigate the relationship between ethics and religion in Levinas’s work, including consideration of the Akedah and the problem of evil. We conclude with explorations of the relationship between reason and revelation and the question of how we ought to think about God. These reflections elucidate the contribution Levinas makes to the philosophy of religion.
Exploring the organizational socialization of engineers in Taiwan

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to better understand the more complex social, technical and personal socialization experiences of engineers when they started new jobs in Taiwan. Much of the research and practice on the socialization of newly hired employees is narrowly focused on newcomer learning. Design/methodology/approach – The study is a qualitative, case study approach designed to collect in-depth data about the socialization experiences of engineers in Taiwan. Thirteen participants reported their experiences from when they began new jobs, and the researchers collected and analyzed data from semi-structured interviews. The analysis followed qualitative analysis methods for content analysis. Findings – The findings indicated that interpersonal relationships are critical to successful socialization, and the relational structures encountered by newcomers reflect the broader culture of Confucianism and the social interactions of guanxi in the Taiwanese workplace. Three main dimensions of sociali...
The multilingual turn in Applied Linguistics? A perspective from the periphery

Using a perspective of the periphery, this paper argues that the phrase ‘multilingual turn’ in Applied Linguistics is a form of current intellectual movement that denies the existence of multilingual practices which were and have been highly vibrant not only in Western countries, but also in most post-colonial countries worldwide. Taking a specific case of a periphery country (Indonesia), one of the world's most multilingual and multiethnic countries, I show that the catchphrase ‘multilingual turn’ is a vacuous concept which stands in stark contrast to the multilingual reality of the country. The construct grassroot performativity is proposed to illustrate the complexity of linguistic practices that people in the multilingual country engage in to display ‘mundane identity work’ (Blommaert 2013) Dengan menggunakan perspektif periferi, artikel ini mengajukan argumentasi bahwa frasa ‘pergantian multi-bahasa,’ yang setakat ini sering digaungkan dalam ilmu linguistik terapan, merupakan gerakan intelektual yang menyangkal eksistensi praktik-praktik multi-bahasa yang hidup subur tidak hanya di negara barat, tetapi juga di negara-negara pasca-kolonial di seluruh dunia. Dengan mengambil kasus spesifik dari negara periferi (Indonesia), salah satu negara di dunia yang multi-bahasa dan multi-etnik, penulis menunjukkan bahwa frasa ‘pergantian multi-bahasa’ merupakan konsep yang bersifat hampa dan yang bertolak belakang dengan realitas multi-bahasa di negara tersebut. Penulis juga mengusulkan konstruk grassroot performativity (performa akar-rumput) untuk memberikan ilustrasi mengenai kekompleksitasan praktik-praktik linguistik yang dilakukan oleh masyarakat negara multi-bahasa dalam upaya mereka untuk memajankan apa yang disebut dengan mundane identity work (Blommaert 2013).
The influence of menthol, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products on young adults’ self-reported changes in past year smoking

Objective Progression to regular smoking often occurs during young adulthood. This study examines self-reported changes in past year smoking among young adults and the potential influence of tobacco products on these trajectories. Methods Respondents to the 2011 National Young Adult Health Survey who smoked 100 cigarettes in their lifetime (n=909) described smoking behaviour at the time of the survey and 1 year prior. Cigarette smoking trajectories were categorised as: no change, quit, decreased smoking or increased smoking. Participants were also asked about current use of menthol cigarettes and other tobacco products (ie, cigars, smokeless tobacco, hookah) and ever use of e-cigarettes. Results Most young adults (73.1%) reported stable cigarette smoking behaviours, while 8.2% reported having quit, 5.8% reported that they smoke on fewer days, 5% progressed from someday to daily smoking and 8% increased from not at all to current smoking. The youngest smokers (18–20) had significantly higher odds (adjusted OR (AOR) =2.6) of increasing cigarette use over the past year compared to those aged 30–34, as did blacks versus whites (AOR=2.35). Menthol cigarette use nearly doubled (AOR=1.87) the odds of increased smoking behaviour. E-cigarette and other tobacco product (OTP) use were not associated with increasing smoking but OTP use was negatively associated with remaining quit from cigarettes. Conclusions Young adulthood is a critical period for smoking interventions, particularly among those most vulnerable to increasing smoking behaviours (ie, black and younger young adults). Policy efforts to restrict menthol cigarettes may reduce young adult smoking progression.
Institutionalizing Shangfang within the Chinese Socialist Rule-of-Law Framework

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the viability of the shangfang system within the Chinese historical, political and legal context, and to suggest ways in which shuanggui might benefit from further institutionalization under China’s constitutional framework and its emergent socialist rule of law. To do this, we must first think through what socialist rule of law means, then to look at what shangfang was and is becoming, and then to do two things: one is to decide whether there is a place for shangfang within Chinese socialist rule of law, and two, if there is a place, what does it look like? To look at the shangfang phenomenon in-itself (which is what Western scholars often do, and a lot of Chinese for their own distinct purposes) is to detach it from the most important currents of the evolving political theory. Therefore, it is far more prudent to talk about shangfang going forward within the complex political and historical context of China than just to do yet another formal legal analysis on how shangfang system as it stands right now fails to adhere the Western notions of the rule of law. Part I contextualizes the issue of shangfang within the larger Chinese project of establishing principles of socialist rule of law. Part II then turns to the re-orientation of the mechanisms of shangfang to serve to further the objectives of socialist rule of law as a more legitimate and viable framework for resolving issues of administrative failures or wrongdoing.
Effects of Increased γ-Aminobutyric Acid Levels on GAD67 Protein and mRNA Levels in Rat Cerebral Cortex

Rats were injected with saline or the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transaminase inhibitor gamma-vinyl-GABA for 7 days and the effects on GABA content and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) activity, and the protein and mRNA levels of the two forms of GAD (GAD67 and GAD65) in the cerebral cortex were studied. gamma-Vinyl-GABA induced a 2.3-fold increase in GABA content, whereas total GAD activity decreased by 30%. Quantitative immunoblotting showed that the decline in GAD activity was attributable to a 75-80% decrease in GAD67 levels, whereas the levels of GAD65 remained unchanged. RNA slot-blotting with a 32P-labeled GAD67 cDNA probe demonstrated that the change in GAD67 protein content was not associated with a change in GAD67 mRNA levels. Our results suggest that GABA specifically controls the level of GAD67 protein. This effect may be mediated by a decreased translation of the GAD67 mRNA and/or a change in the stability of the GAD67 protein.
Hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia and the otolaryngology head and neck surgeon.

Ability to successfully accomplish parathyroid surgery, as well as to understand the pathophysiology of parathyroid disease and hypercalcemia, is essential to the Otolaryngology Head and Neck surgeon (who must treat parathyroid disease), because of the more frequent identification of parathyroid adenomata and parathyroid hyperplasia (with their inherent hypercalcemia). Today many more cases are recognized because of hypercalcemia identified by now routine multiphasic biochemical screening tests. The etiology of hypercalcemia is discussed in considering the differential diagnosis of pseudohypoparathyroidism, and true hyperparathyroidism of parathyroid hyperplasia and parathyroid adenomata. Pseudohypoparathyroidism, secondary to ectopic elaboration of parathormone-like substance is treated medically. Parathyroid hyperplasia can sometimes be controlled medically, but the only definitive trentment for hyperplasia and parathyroid adenomata is surgery, to the extent indicated, in these often critically ill patients with this multisystem disease. Medical, as well as surgical treatment, is described. A patient is described who demonstrated in a slowly moving montage all the classic history and findings of severe hyperparathyroidism in successive phases to her ultimate demise, manifesting neurological, renometabolic, skeletal, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal multisystem symptoms which arc described. The complete relief of the acute symptoms following excision of a massive parathyroid adenomata is described and the spectacular pathologic specimen is demonstrated. This patient's course is compared with that of a typical case of pseudohypoparathyroidism.
Decline in muscle mass with age in women: a longitudinal study using an indirect measure.

Muscle mass is known to decline with age, but only limited longitudinal data exist to quantify the rate of loss. Using 24-hour urine creatinine, corrected for the contribution of dietary meat intake, we assessed the change with age prospectively in 107 women who provided a minimum of 3 sets of measurements spanning an average interval of 11.9 years, centered around age 55 years. The rate of change in 24-hour urine creatinine at that age averaged -0.94%/yr (95% confidence interval [CI], -1.24% to -0.64%/yr; P <.001). Change in creatinine excretion was directly correlated with change in weight (P <.01), with those gaining weight tending to gain both lean and fat mass. The rate of change in creatinine excretion with age in our subjects is similar to that described in published cross-sectional studies on age-related change in total body potassium and in longitudinal studies using (40)K and dual-energy xray absorptiometry. Our study is the largest longitudinal study reported to date and provides, perhaps, a more secure basis for estimating muscle mass change with age than has been available heretofore.
Methionine-cystine interrelationships in chicks and rats fed diets containing suboptimal levels of methionine.

Abstract Studies were continued with both chicks and rats on the previously reported (Featherston and Rogler, 1978) growth depression observed when a crystalline amino acid diet adequate in all nonsulfur-containing amino acids and containing .2% DL-methionine and .2% L-cystine was supplemented with an additional .2% L-cystine. In the present investigation, an average growth depression of 37% was observed in chicks fed a diet containing .4% L-cystine and .2% DL-methionine as compared with chicks fed a diet containing .2% L-cystine and the same level of methionine. A comparable depression was noted when cystine was replaced by L-cysteine. In contrast, an additional .2% of another amino acid (L-tryptophan) did not depress growth. When the high and low cystine diets were meal-fed, results obtained were similar to those observed with ad libitum feeding, but the magnitude of the difference was reduced. Foot-pad lesions, similar to those described in turkey poults fed methionine-deficient diets, were observed in two experiments. Factorial analysis of plasma amino acids indicated that the total of all amino acids analyzed was significantly (P .05) differences due to choline, and the absence of a cystine-choline interaction. No detrimental effects were observed when weanling rats were fed a crystalline amino acid diet containing .1% DL-methionine and .2% L-cystine supplemented with additional L-cystine.
6975 Availability of colonoscopy in indiana.

Background: Screening colonoscopy has been designated an appropriate screening strategy in average-risk persons in two major guidelines (Agency for Health care Policy and Research and American Cancer Society). Reimbursement for screening colonoscopy in average-risk persons is generally unavailable. Some have argued that colonoscopy is not sufficiently available in rural communities to provide screening colonoscopy on a wide spread basis. Method: Mail survey and telephone follow-up to endoscopy directors and/or nurse managers in all 114 Indiana hospitals. 103 of 114 have responded thus far. Results: Colonoscopy is available in 100% of hospitals. Emergency colonoscopy is available in 87% and scheduled colonoscopy 5 or 6 days per week in 88%. 30% indicated they were aware of ambulatory surgery centers in their county that perform colonoscopy and 22% know a local physician that performs office colonoscopies. Colonoscopy was performed by gastroenterologists in 84% of hospitals, by general or colorectal surgeons in 87%, and by gastroenterologists, general surgeons or colorectal surgeons in 99%. At least 1 internist or family physician performs colonoscopy at 22% and 38% of hospitals, respectively, primarily in small communities. An estimated 72,513 colonoscopies were performed in these hospitals in 1998. Conclusion: In a Midwestern state with a substantial rural population, colonoscopy equipment and colonoscopists (including colonoscopists who are presumed experts) are available in essentially all hospitals.We are currently evaluating attitudes toward and capacity of current colonoscopists and facilities to increase their volume in anticipation of screening colonoscopy.
Association of surgical resection and survival in patients with malignant primary osseous spinal neoplasms from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database

Malignant osseous spinal neoplasms are aggressive tumors associated with poor outcomes despite aggressive multidisciplinary measures. While surgical resection has been shown to improve short-term local disease control, it remains debated whether surgical resection is associated with improved overall survival in patients with malignant primary osseous spinal neoplasms. The aim of this manuscript is to review survival data from a US cancer registry spanning 30 years to determine if surgical resection was independently associated with overall survival. The SEER registry (1973–2003) was queried to identify cases of histologically confirmed primary spinal chordoma, chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, or Ewing’s sarcoma of the mobile spine and pelvis. Patients with systemic metastasis were excluded. Age, gender, race, tumor location, and primary treatments were identified. Extent of local tumor invasion was classified as confined within periosteum versus extension beyond periosteum to surrounding tissues. The association of surgical resection with overall survival was assessed via Cox analysis adjusting for age, radiotherapy, and tumor invasiveness. 827 patients were identified with non-metastatic primary osseous spinal neoplasms (215 chordoma, 282 chondrosarcoma, 158 osteosarcoma, 172 Ewing’s sarcoma). Overall, median survival was histology specific (chordoma, 96 months; Ewing’s sarcoma, 90 months; chondrosarcoma, 88 months; osteosarcoma, 18 months). Adjusting for age, radiation therapy, and extent of local tumor invasion in patients with isolated (non-metastatic) spine tumors, surgical resection was independently associated with significantly improved survival for chordoma [hazard ratio (95 % confidence interval; 0.617 (0.25–0.98)], chondrosarcoma [HR (95 %CI); 0.153 (0.07–0.36)], osteosarcoma [HR (95 %CI); 0.382 (0.21–0.69)], and Ewing’s sarcoma [HR (95 %CI); 0.494 (0.26–0.96)]. In our analysis of a 30-year US population-based cancer registry (SEER), patients undergoing surgical resection of primary spinal chordoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, or osteosarcoma demonstrated prolonged overall survival independent of patient age, extent of local invasion, or location. Surgical resection may play a role in prolonging survival in the multi-modality treatment of patients with these malignant primary osseous spinal neoplasms.
Der Einfluß der Beugung auf die Emission eines Rubin-Laser

An einer Laser-Anordnung mit getrennten, planparallelen Reflektorspiegeln wurde mittels eines variablen Spalts im inneren Strahlengang der Einflus der Bundelbegrenzung auf die Emission untersucht. Bei nicht zu breiten und hohen Spalten beobachtet man Emissionsbilder, die sich den Normalschwingungen des Perot-Fabry-Resonators zuordnen lassen. Macht man den Spalt eng und niedrig, so entstehen auf der Reflektoroberflache feine Beugungsfransen und in der Fernzone die Fraunhofersche Beugungsfigur der Rechteckblende. Bei gleichzeitiger Registrierung des zeitlichen Intensitatsverlaufs in zwei verschiedenen Teilbundeln der emittierten Laser-Strahlung findet man die Einzelimpulse (spikes) stets zur selben Zeit. Ihre relativen Intensitaten konnen in verschiedenen Teilbundeln jedoch verschieden sein. Die Schwellenenergie steigt bei Verringerung der Bundelbreite von 7 auf 0,2 mm auf den dreifachen Betrag an.
The flux of CO2 and CH4 from lakes and rivers in arctic Alaska

Partial pressures of CO2 and CH4 were measured directly or calculated from pH and alkalinity or DIC measurements for 25 lakes and 4 rivers on the North Slope of Alaska. Nearly all waters were supersaturated with respect to atmospheric pressures of CO2 and CH4. Gas fluxes to the atmosphere ranged from -6.5 to 59.8 mmol m - 2 d - 1 for CO2 and from 0.08 to 1.02 mmol m - 2 d - 1 for CH4, and were uncorrelated with latitude or lake morphology. Seasonal trends include a buildup of CO2 and CH4 under ice during winter, and often an increased CO2 flux rate in August due to partial lake turnover. Nutrient fertilization experiments resulted in decreased CO2 release from a lake due to photosynthetic uptake, but no change in CO2 release from a river due to the much faster water renewal time. In lakes and rivers the groundwater input of dissolved CO2 and CH4 is supplemented by in-lake respiration of dissolved and particulate carbon washed in from land. The release of carbon from aquatic systems to the atmosphere averaged 24 g C m - 2 Y - 1, and in coastal areas where up to 50 % of the surface area is water, this loss equals 1/5 to 1/2 of the net carbon accumulation rates estimated for tundra.
Design and Implementation of the Routing Function in the NOX Controller for Software-Defined Networks

In recent years, Software-Defined Network (SDN) and its OpenFlow-based architecture have been proposed and attracted extensive attentions from academia and industry. SDN is a novel network paradigm that decouples the network control function from the data plane by using OpenFlow technology. SDN realizes the flexible control of the network traffic, and it provides a good platform for the innovation of the applications in the core network. Thus in this paper, after introducing the SDN architecture, we construct the SDN-level network environment and implement the routing function. We deploy one controller, seven OpenFlow switches and two hosts in our SDN environment. The controller and OpenFlow switches support OpenFlow-1.0 protocol. In this network environment, we successfully implement the packet transferring from one host to the other host, and make the corresponding analysis.
The relation of phenotype to habitat in an introduced colony of Cepaea nemoralis.

The introduced colony of Cepaea nemoralis at Lynchburg, Virginia, contains only yellow shells. The populations respond to the characteristics of the environment by adjusting the frequencies of the banding morphs and by regulating the amount of fusion of adjacent bands. In this respect they fulfill a prediction based on the observations of Clarke (1960) on British colonies of Cepaea hortensis.
Rapid Transition from Inhaled Iloprost to Inhaled Treprostinil in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Background Inhaled treprostinil is a prostacyclin analog approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that may provide a more convenient treatment option for patients receiving inhaled iloprost while maintaining the clinical benefit of inhaled prostacyclin therapy.
On Giant Filter Feeders

The largest living marine vertebrates—baleen whales and several lineages of sharks and rays—feed directly on very small organisms (such as plankton and small fishes). Planktivorous sharks and rays collect food by filtering seawater through gill rakers (fingerlike projections on gill arches), whereas mysticete whales sieve small animals from seawater through whalebone or baleen (comblike keratin structures in their upper jaws) ( 1 , 2 ). On page 990 of this issue, Friedman et al. show that the first known large pelagic filter feeders, a group of ray-finned fishes, persisted between 170 and 65 million years ago ( 3 ). And on page 993, Marx and Uhen show that in the Tertiary (65 to 2.5 million years ago), the diversity of mysticete whales was linked to the diversity of diatoms and to climatic variations ( 4 ).
The β-delayed α-spectrum of ^(16)N, and its role in defining the astrophysical cross section for ^(12)C(α,γ)^(16)O

It has proven to be very difficult to determine the astrophysically important cross section for ^(12)C(α, γ)^(16)O at the relevant energies (∼300 keV) from radiative capture measurements. The present paper summarizes a new measurement of the β-delayed α-spectrum of ^(16)N that substantially improves our knowledge of the E1 α-capture cross section on ^(12)C at 300 keV. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the status of the total ^(12)C(α, γ)^(16)O cross section at 300 keV.
Recent trends and the future of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy

Abstract At the Xth Colloquium Spectroscopicum Internationale, held at the University of Maryland in June, 1962, Fred Brech described his initial encouraging spectrochemical measurements using a ruby `maser'-induced plasma. The idea of using a laser-induced `spark' as a spectrochemical plasma source is extremely attractive and the potential advantages are now very well known: no sample preparation is needed; a sample of any phase may be examined, electrically conducting or not; remote measurements are possible; spatial information can be obtained; and rapid, simultaneous multi-element analysis is possible. For the past 35 years, laser-induced plasma spectroscopy has been widely studied during three obvious periods of growing and declining interest. The last five years have seen a renewed level of activity in the field, largely the result of ever improving detection technologies and increasingly reliable laser sources. It now appears likely that laser-induced plasma spectroscopy will find useful applications in elemental process monitoring and in portable semi-quantitative elemental analyzers. The fundamental matrix sensitivity of the technique may limit its use as a general-purpose analytical tool. This review examines selected literature of 1997.
Common dermatoses Part II

Skin diseases are an essential part of primary care medicine. Most dermatologic care is delivered in an outpatient setting. The initial evaluation is usually performed by the primary care physician. Women account for nearly 60% of all visits for dermatologic complaints.
Caffeine ingestion, misattribution therapy, and speech anxiety

Abstract While theoretical analogs of misattribution therapy appeared promising ( Nisbett & Schachter, 1966 ; Ross, Rodin, & Zimbardo, 1969 ), attempts with clinically relevant behaviors have not been so successful ( Kellogg & Baron, 1975 ; Singerman, Borkovec, & Baron, 1976 ). Since the plausibility of the misattribution manipulation appears to be the central problem, the present study attempted to increase plausibility by manipulating familiarity with the setting and actual psychological arousal in a clinically relevant situation. Subjects only slightly fearful of giving speeches presented a speech in front of two observers. Familiarity was varied by having half of the subjects give a pretest speech, while arousal was manipulated by having half of the subjects ingest caffeine while the others ingested a placebo just prior to the test speech. The subjects' attributions were varied by giving them either arousal or irrelevant symptom instructions regarding the effects of the ingested drug. Direct suggestion rather than misattribution effects occurred: Those subjects receiving arousal symptoms reported more nervousness than subjects who had received irrelevant symptoms. The authors conclude that while the misattribution effect may have experimental validity, it is not effective with clinically relevant behavior.
Fas Ligand-dependent and -independent mechanisms of toxicity induced by T cell lymphomas in lymphoid organs and in the liver.

In the current study, we investigated the effect of growth of FasL(+) tumors in vivo on the functions of peripheral lymphoid organs and the liver. Injection of FasL(+) LSA tumor cells into syngeneic C57BL/6 wild-type mice but not C57BL/6 lpr/lpr (Fas-deficient) mice caused apoptosis in splenocytes. Spleen cells expressing CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, Mac-3, and CD44 were all susceptible to tumor-induced apoptosis. Also, activated T cells were more sensitive to apoptosis induced by LSA tumor cell lysate when compared to naive T cells. In contrast, anti-Fas Abs (Jo2) induced apoptosis in only activated but not naive T cells. When the LSA tumor-bearing mice were injected with a superantigen (SEA), these mice showed a significant decrease in the expansion of SEA-reactive Vbeta3(+) and Vbeta11(+) T cells. When injected into syngeneic mice, the FasL(+) LSA tumor cells caused hepatotoxicity, as indicated by an increase in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. Interestingly, Fas-deficient C57BL/6 lpr/lpr mice also showed significant AST levels in the serum following LSA tumor growth. Moreover, hepatocytes isolated from C57BL/6 wild-type and C57BL/6 lpr/lpr mice were equally susceptible to apoptosis induced by LSA tumor cell lysate in vitro. Using cDNA array, LSA tumor cells were found to express several cytokine genes including IL-2, IL-7, IL-11, IL-13, IL-16, lymphotoxin beta, and tumor necrosis factor beta. Together, these data suggested that, in mice bearing FasL(+) LSA tumor, the immunotoxicity is FasL-based, whereas the hepatotoxicity, at least in part, may be FasL-independent.
SAR and B1 field distributions in a heterogeneous human head model within a birdcage coil

Calculations of radiofrequency magnetic (B1) field and specific energy absorption rate (SAR) distributions in a sphere of tissue and a multi-tissue human head model in a 12-element birdcage coil are presented. The coil model is driven in linear and quadrature modes at 63, 175, 200, and 300 MHz. Plots of B1 field magnitude and SAR distributions, average SAR, maximum local SAR, and measures of B1 field homogeneity and signal-to-noise ratio are given. SAR levels for arbitrary pulse sequences can be estimated from the calculated data. Maximum local SAR levels are lower at lower frequencies, in quadrature rather than in linear coils, and in linear fields oriented posterior-to-anterior rather than left-to-right in the head. It should be possible to perform many experiments in the head at frequencies up to 300 MHz without exceeding standard limits for local or average SAR levels.
Disrupting the Pairing Between let-7 and Hmga2 Enhances Oncogenic Transformation

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ∼22-nucleotide RNAs that can pair to sites within messenger RNAs to specify posttranscriptional repression of these messages. Aberrant miRNA expression can contribute to tumorigenesis, but which of the many miRNA-target relationships are relevant to this process has been unclear. Here, we report that chromosomal translocations previously associated with human tumors disrupt repression of High Mobility Group A2 (Hmga2) by let-7 miRNA. This disrupted repression promotes anchorage-independent growth, a characteristic of oncogenic transformation. Thus, losing miRNA-directed repression of an oncogene provides a mechanism for tumorigenesis, and disrupting a single miRNA-target interaction can produce an observable phenotype in mammalian cells.
Current activities within the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been involved in biological environmental specimen banking activities since 1979. These activities, which are known collectively as the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB), include the banking of a variety of specimens (human liver, sediment, mussels/oysters, fish tissue and marine mammal tissues) from several different projects supported by different government agencies. The two most recent projects, the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project (AMMTAP) and the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB), focus on the collection, banking and analysis of marine mammal tissues and they are part of a comprehensive plan to address marine mammal monitoring, specimen banking and quality assurance of analytical measurements associated with contaminant analyses in marine mammals.
A Comparison of the Mid-Arm Circumference/Head Circumference Ratio and Ponderal Index for the Evaluation of Newborn Infants after Abnormal Intrauterine Growth

We studied the accuracy of the ponderal index and the mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio for detecting newborn infants who were likely to be symptomatic because of aberrant intrauterine growth. Sixty infants were evaluated because of suspected intrauterine growth retardation; both the mean ponderal index and mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio were significantly lower in the group of 30 symptomatic infants than in the group of 30 asymptomatic infants (p less than 0.05). However, the mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio identified a significantly higher percentage of the symptomatic infants than the ponderal index (80% vs. 47%; p = 0.007). An additional 60 infants were evaluated because of suspected abnormal intrauterine growth acceleration. The mean mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio, but not the ponderal index, was significantly higher in the group of 30 symptomatic infants than in the group of 30 asymptomatic infants (p less than 0.005). Again, the mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio identified a significantly higher percentage of the symptomatic infants than the ponderal index (79% vs. 33%; p less than 0.001). The mid-arm circumference/head circumference ratio is more accurate than the ponderal index for the evaluation of potentially symptomatic newborn infants who suffered abnormal fetal growth. The ponderal index is not useful for the detection of symptomatic large-for-dates infants.
25 Divorce Attorneys and 40 Clients in Two Not So Big but Not So Small Cities in Massachusetts and California: An Appreciation

PETER: Very common. JANE: It's a very common thing. So how many other people are getting the same kind of treatment I am? With what, I presume, is very sloppily handled orders that are passed out. PETER: I did talk to someone in the know-I won't go any further than that-who said that this one could have been signed purely by accident. I mean, that the judge could have-if he looked at it now-said, "I would not sign that," and it could have been signed by accident. I said, "Well, then, how does that happen?" And he said, "You've got all this stuff going; you come back to your office, and there's a stack of documents that need signatures...." -Sarat and Felstiner, p. 89
Around the Globe: Maori Education in New Zealand

(1993). Around the Globe: Maori Education in New Zealand. Kappa Delta Pi Record: Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 86-88.
Vinyl isocyanate and vinylcyano ether: ab initio studies of geometries and conformations

Abstract Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using the minimal STO-3G basis set have been carried out on vinyl isocyanate. Preliminary calculations employing experimental geometric parameters indicate the existence of two stable conformations: cis and trans , with the latter being of lower energy. Only after geometry optimizations have been carried out is the cis conformer found to be more stable. However, the energy difference is computed to be rather small, namely 0.08 kcal mole −1 . Similar results are found for vinylcyano ether using both the minimal STO-3G basis and the split-valence 4-31G basis. The cis -vinylcyano ether optimized STO-3G structure is computed to be greater than 5 kcal mole −1 more stable than the corresponding optimized cis -vinyl isocyanate.
LHC studies relevant to PeV - EeV cosmic ray physics

At the CERN LHC collider, where p-p collision energies will be equivalent to 100 PeV cosmic ray interactions, the ambiguity of interaction models needed for the interpretation of V.H.E. cosmic ray data is recognized, and relevant inclusive data at high pseudorapidities from p-p and nucleus-nucles interactions will be obtained. In this context, the parameters and plans of the CMS, CASTOR, and TOTEM detectors will be noted.