cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic factors for renal cell carcinoma: integrating laboratory and molecular factors.

T he study of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), previously viewed as a dormant field due to a paucity of major advances, is no longer your mentor's renal cell carci- noma. It is now center stage in modern oncology due to major advances in molecular genetics and targeted thera- peutic approaches. It has been a preferred cancer for the introduction of innovative minimally invasive approaches, and for attempts to integrate surgery and systemic thera- pies. And yet it is still the urological cancer with the highest cancer related mortality rates, with 40% of patients eventu- ally dying of disease progression. Who is at the highest risk of recurrence or death from this cancer? Until recently this critical question could only be answered in a simplistic man- ner, based primarily upon tumor stage and obvious consti- tutional symptoms such as weight loss or a major decline in performance status. 1 The last 5 years have witnessed a major advance in our ability to prognosticate for patients with renal cell carci- noma, localized or metastatic. Sophisticated statistical anal- yses of large datasets containing clinical, pathological and, in many cases, laboratory factors have now yielded a variety of algorithms that integrate these factors, thereby substan- tially improving prognostic power. 2-4 For patients with met- astatic RCC, these algorithms allow division into groups with low, intermediate and high rates of progression, allow- ing management to be tailored appropriately. Initial obser- vation, active therapy and palliative approaches may apply to each of these groups, respectively. For patients with lo- calized RCC, the ability to segregate based upon risk of recurrence has proven useful for counseling about adjuvant protocols and intensity of surveillance. Such algorithms are now being incorporated into clinical trial design, and are commonly referenced when interpreting or comparing vari- ous conventional and historical studies. In addition to the usual litany of clinical (ie symptomatic presentation) and pathological (stage, grade, presence of histological necrosis, etc) factors, several laboratory factors have also withstood multivariate analyses to qualify as po- tential independent prognostic factors for renal cell carci- noma. These include increased serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, anemia, increased sedimentation rates and hypercalcemia. In this issue of The Journal Bensalah et al (page 859) add to a growing literature demonstrating a similar status for thrombocystosis. In this study patients with any platelet count greater than 450,000 were approxi- mately twice as likely to die of renal cell carcinoma. This held true for patients with localized disease as well as those with metastases, and thrombocytosis proved to be indepen- dent of stage, grade and performance status on multivariate analysis. One distinct advantage of such laboratory tests is that they are routinely obtained during the evaluation of virtually all patients with this cancer and, thus, add little if
The RNase Rny1p cleaves tRNAs and promotes cell death during oxidative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cellular response to stress conditions involves a decision between survival or cell death when damage is severe. A conserved stress response in eukaryotes involves endonucleolytic cleavage of transfer RNAs (tRNAs). The mechanism and significance of such tRNA cleavage is unknown. We show that in yeast, tRNAs are cleaved by the RNase T2 family member Rny1p, which is released from the vacuole into the cytosol during oxidative stress. Rny1p modulates yeast cell survival during oxidative stress independently of its catalytic ability. This suggests that upon release to the cytosol, Rny1p promotes cell death by direct interactions with downstream components. Thus, detection of Rny1p, and possibly its orthologues, in the cytosol may be a conserved mechanism for assessing cellular damage and determining cell survival, analogous to the role of cytochrome c as a marker for mitochondrial damage.
Genomic organization and transcriptional analysis of gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase--GRTH/DDX25 gene.

Abstract The gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/DDX25) is a new member of the DEAD-box protein family. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that GRTH is distantly related to other members of the family. GRTH is transcriptionally up-regulated by gonadotropin, displays ATPase and RNA helicase activities, and participates in germ cell development. To understand the regulation of GRTH gene expression, we investigated its structural organization and aspects of basal transcriptional regulation at the promoter domain. The 20-kb mouse GRTH gene contains 12 coding exons and all but one of its conserved helicase motifs are contained within single exons. GRTH is a TATA-less gene with multiple transcriptional start sites (TSS), GC-rich sequences and a promoter located within −205/+63 bp of the gene. Sequences −852/−354 and −501/−354 bp caused 40–60% and >80% inhibition of transcription in expressing and non-expressing cells, respectively. Transcriptional activity was recovered only in expressing cells by the addition of upstream sequences (−1085/−852 bp). Sp1/Sp3 supported basal transcriptional activity in all cell types, while E-box was an activator-binding site only in non-expressing cells. These findings indicate that a differential pattern of transcriptional regulation may be involved in the control of GRTH gene expression in a cell-specific manner.
Is androgen suppression therapy associated with early onset of fatal myocardial infarction

Is androgen suppression therapy associated with early onset of fatal myocardial infarction?
Nonorganic infertility: some research and treatment problems.

Nonorganic infertility is a significant source of psychological and physical suffering The literature on the problem is inconsistent, inconclusive or methodologically flawed. Primary among the diff...
Electrochemical polymerization of aniline on carbon fibers in aqueous toluene sulfonate solution

Polyaniline has been successfully formed by aqueous electrochemical polymerization on carbon fibers. The coatings were formed under potentiostatic conditions with toluene-4-sulphonic acid sodium salt as the electrolyte. The effect of monomer concentration, electrolyte concentration, and the applied potential on the rate of polymerization were studied. The amount of polyaniline coatings formed on carbon fibers increased with increased aniline and electrolyte concentration. Increasing the applied potential also increased the weight of coatings formed on the fibers. The presence of positive y-intercept in the weight gain plots are attributed to the adsorption of the electrolyte on the fibers before electropolymerization. The effect of the electrochemical parameters on the degradation of the polymer has been analyzed using infrared spectroscopy.
Transmitter power efficiency of broadband CW electromagnetic induction sensors

Broadband, continuous-wave, electromagnetic induction sensors have been shown to perform well, but they usually use power inefficiently because of the power wasted in the linear amplifier used to drive the coils. Generally, much more power is dissipated in the power amplifier than in the coil in these systems. Methods for reducing this power are investigated using both linear and switched-mode amplifiers. Significant reductions in power dissipated by the linear amplifier are achieved by optimizing the signal used to drive the coil. Much greater reductions are achieved with the switched-mode amplifier using an optimized signal that has most of its energy in the desired frequencies for the sensor. Both of these techniques are shown to perform well in a prototype system.
Parkinsonism genes: culprits and clues

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a unique clinical constellation that includes: slowness, rigidity, gait difficulty, and tremor at rest. Pathological studies have linked this presentation to the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons (Gelb et al. 1999) although other neuronal populations are also targeted in PD. Epidemiological data implicate both genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of the disease. The identification of a series of genes that underlie relatively rare, familial forms of Parkinsonism (a clinical term that encompasses 'sporadic' PD, familial Parkinson's-like forms, as well as other related syndromes) has brought excitement to the field. Three of the mutated familial Parkinsonism (FP) genes: Parkin, DJ-1, and PINK1, typically present with apparent autosomal recessive inheritance and are implicated in mitochondria and oxidative stress-related survival pathways. Two other FP genes: alpha-Synuclein (alphaSyn) and LRRK2, present in an autosomal dominant pattern and are associated with prominent intracellular protein inclusions. A series of recent publications suggest novel pathways that may link the FP genes.
Prostaglandin synthesis by primary cultures of mouse embryo palate mesenchyme cells

Abstract Primary cultures of mouse embryo palate mesenchyme cells could be stimulated to release compounds which behaved as authentic prostaglandins identified by thin layer chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Melittin was more effective in stimulating the release of incorporated [ 14 C] arachidonic acid from C57BL 6J strain cells than from A J strain cells, suggesting a subtle strain difference in metabolic control over arachidonic acid metabolism.
The Brazilian Gold Rush

“A’ meu Deos, como ouro mos, quereis castigar! Com ouro nos quereis castigar!” Frei Apolinario de Conceicao, O.F.M., Primazia serafica na regism da America (Lisboa, 1733), pp. 45-46. The news of the discovery of gold in Minas Gerais at the threshold of the eighteenth century spread like wildfire. Inebriated with the wealth which many thought would be perpetual, Brazil lived hours of rare exultation. “…those Mines,” wrote a former governor-general of Baia at the beginning of the eighteenth century, “are said to be so permanent that it will not be possible to exhaust them as long as the World lasts….” As early as 1697 the governor of Rio could write that the Caete mines “extend in such a fashion along the foot of a mountain that miners are led to believe that [the extraction of] gold in that locality will be of great duration….” In the absence of more precise information, fantastic rumors became current. The new mining fields were of such dimensions, another contemporary affirmed, that they spread over the vast Brazilian hinterland. In 1709 the Overseas Council (Conselho Ultramarino) was willing to believe that the mines were the richest that had ever been discovered; the Council was certain that they would provoke the jealousy of foreign nations. After so many years of futile search Portugal had at length found another Potosi in the “most expansive heart of that world Emporium,” in that “resplendent diamond” of the finest quality which was Brazil.
Solution of the boussinesq equations by the finite element method

Abstract A finite element procedure is presented for the calculation of two-dimensional transient convective/conductive heat transfer in a fluid region. The governing equations are expressed in terms of the primitive variables; the flow is assumed to be laminar, and the fluid incompressible within the Boussinesq approximation. Three typical problems are examined: flow through a sudden enlargement, natural convection in rectangular enclosures, and natural convection between horizontal concentric cylinders. An assessment of the characteristics of the flow regime is made in association with varying dimensionless Prandtl and Rayleigh numbers, as well as cavity aspects ratios. The upper limit for the Rayleigh number in the present paper is 107. Wherever possible, the results are compared with existing solutions obtained by other numerical methods.
Isolation and characterization of a thermophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfotomaculum thermoacetoxidans sp. nov.

An obligately anaerobic thermophilic sporeforming sulfate-reducing bacterium, named strain CAMZ, was isolated from a benzoate enrichment from a 58°C thermophilic anaerobic bioreactor. The cells of strain CAMZ were 0.7 μm by 2–5 μm rods with pointed ends, forming single cells or pairs. Spores were central, spherical, and caused swelling of the cells. The Gram stain was negative. Electron donors used included lactate, pyruvate, acetate and other short chain fatty acids, short chain alcohols, alanine, and H2/CO2. Lactate and pyruvate were oxidized completely to CO2 with sulfate as electron acceptor. Sulfate was required for growth on H2/CO2, and both acetate and sulfide were produced from H2/CO2-sulfate. Sulfate, thiosulfate, or elemental sulfur served as electron acceptors with lactate as the donor while sulfite, nitrate, nitrite, betaine, or a hydrogenotrophic methanogen did not. The optimum temperature for growth of strain CAMZ was 55–60°C and the optimum pH value was 6.5. The specific activities of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase of cells of strain CAMZ grown on lactate, H2/CO2, or acetate with sulfate were 7.2, 18.1, and 30.8 μmol methyl viologen reduced min−1 [mg protein]−1, respectively, indicating the presence of the CO/Acetyl-CoA pathway in this organism. The mol%-G+C of strain CAMZ's DNA was 49.7. The new species name Desulfotomaculum thermoacetoxidans is proposed for strain CAMZ.
Telecommuting - An Alternative to Urban Transportation Congestion

An interdisciplinary research program of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, has investigated the potential impact of substituting telecommunications and computer technology for certain forms of urban transportation [1]. Emphasis has been placed upon the use of these technologies to alleviate the massive twice-daily peak commuting loads imposed upon most major American cities. The primary means by which these technologies will be used is to allow "information industry" workers to perform their jobs at work centers scattered throughout each city, close to their homes, rather than commuting long distances to work. A basic premise is made that this reorientation of urban work patterns will not occur unless the technological substitutes can be shown to be both economical and effective. The results of a study of a major insurance firm located in the Los Angeles central business district are presented. The study evaluated the present transportation patterns, population distribution, and business contact requirements of a major administrative division of this firm. These commuting and communicating patterns were then used as the basis for assessing the feasibility of the use of various levels of telecommunications and computer technology for allowing the substitution for commuting by "telecommuting." Alternative telecommuting network designs were formulated and evaluated with respect to their ability to facilitate current work functions. Costs of network installation and operation were compared with the present costs of commuting. It is concluded that present communications and computer technology, in terms of "off-the-shelf" hardware and services, can offer an economical substitute for commuting.
Electronic Structure of Ordered Beta Brass

The electronic band structure of ordered beta brass (${\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ CuZn) has been calculated from first principles by the Green's-function technique. Two slightly different crystal potentials of the muffin-tin type have been tested, both based on free-atom Hartree-Fock wave functions. Each potential has yielded essentially identical results as far as the conduction bands near the Fermi energy are concerned. The difference between the potentials is reflected principally in the location of the $d$ bands relative to the conduction bands. Cross sections of the Fermi surface have been constructed and suggest the presence of a surface which can be generated by small modifications of the one-orthogonalized-plane-wave prototype. The first (cubic) Brillouin zone is full except for holes in the corners, and the second (dodecahedral) zone is somewhat more than half full with measurable contact of the Fermi surface with the {110} faces of this zone. These observations agree quantitatively with the interpretation of presently available de Haas-van Alphen data. Optical transitions responsible for the color of the alloy have been tentatively identified as occurring over an energy range of 2.5 to 3.5 eV, from the Fermi surface to higher unoccupied levels. The band structure is also compared with the results of electronic-specific-heat, Hall-effect, and elastic-modulus experiments. A band calculation of the cellular type has been carried out separately and compared with the Green's-function bands. The stability of the beta phase is discussed in terms of the Fermi surface, and is related to the present understanding of Cu and of other alloy phases of the CuZn system.
Barriers to xenotransplantation.

The current resurgence of interest in xenotransplantation will result in better definition of the mechanisms responsible for xenograft rejection and should facilitate appropriate therapeutic strategies to provide for long-term graft survival.
Anion pairs in room temperature ionic liquids predicted by molecular dynamics simulation, verified by spectroscopic characterization

Molecular-level spectroscopic analyses of an aprotic and a protic room-temperature ionic liquid, BMIM OTf and BMIM HSO4, respectively, have been carried out with the aim of verifying molecular dynamics simulations that predict anion pair formation in these fluid structures. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of various nuclei support the theoretically-determined average molecular arrangements.
Hypocalcemia and defective hemostasis after massive blood transfusion. Report of a case.

A case is presented in which massive transfusion of citrated blood was required during the course of an operation for resection of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The occurrence of marked bleeding during the operation was attributed to replacement of the patient's blood with stored blood deficient in viable platelets and labile clotting factors. At one point during the postoperative course, the patient's blood became incoagulable due to a deficiency of ionized calcium. This transitory phenomenon, however, was not thought to be a factor in the pathogenesis of the abnormal bleeding. Despite apparent absence of ionized calcium in circulating blood, cardiac standstill did not occur.
A polarographic study of the complexes formed in alkaline solution by the cadmium(II) ion with ethylenediamine, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine, and N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine

Summary The statistical method of multiple regression analysis has been used with polarographic data to establish the species present and to determine the formation constants of the complexes of the copper(II) ion with each of two hydroxyethyl-substituted ethylenediamine molecules. Studies were made over the range of pH 10 to 14 and of total concentration of amine, 0.05 to 1.0 M.
Corporate social responsibility: a comparison between the United States and the European Union

Investments in social and environmental funds have increased dramatically over the past decade. This has led to an increased reliance on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting. There is a growing debate as to how the information should be reported. The purpose of this article is to compare how the governments and corporations of the United States and the European Union have addressed this issue. While neither the United States nor the European Union appears close to any sort of mandatory regulation of CSR reporting, the movement in Europe seems more progressive on the issue. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Pairwise and higher-order correlations among drug-resistance mutations in HIV-1 subtype B protease

The reaction of HIV protease to inhibitor therapy is characterized by the emergence of complex mutational patterns which confer drug resistance. The response of HIV protease to drugs often involves both primary mutations that directly inhibit the action of the drug, and a host of accessory resistance mutations that may occur far from the active site but may contribute to restoring the fitness or stability of the enzyme. Here we develop a probabilistic approach based on connected information that allows us to study residue, pair level and higher-order correlations within the same framework. We apply our methodology to a database of approximately 13,000 sequences which have been annotated by the treatment history of the patients from which the samples were obtained. We show that including pair interactions is essential for agreement with the mutational data, since neglect of these interactions results in order-of-magnitude errors in the probabilities of the simultaneous occurence of many mutations. The magnitude of these pair correlations changes dramatically between sequences obtained from patients that were or were not exposed to drugs. Higher-order effects make a contribution of as much as 10% for residues taken three at a time, but increase to more than twice that for 10 to 15-residue groups. The sequence data is insufficient to determine the higher-order effects for larger groups. We find that higher-order interactions have a significant effect on the predicted frequencies of sequences with large numbers of mutations. While relatively rare, such sequences are more prevalent after multi-drug therapy. The relative importance of these higher-order interactions increases with the number of drugs the patient had been exposed to. Correlations are critical for the understanding of mutation patterns in HIV protease. Pair interactions have substantial qualitative effects, while higher-order interactions are individually smaller but may have a collective effect. Together they lead to correlations which could have an important impact on the dynamics of the evolution of cross-resistance, by allowing the virus to pass through otherwise unlikely mutational states. These findings also indicate that pairwise and possibly higher-order effects should be included in the models of protein evolution, instead of assuming that all residues mutate independently of one another.
Double pavlov pouch: An operative technique

The vagus nerve trunks on the distal esophagus are known to contain large numbers of afferent axons [l]. These are distributed to the stomach through branches of the nerves of Latarjet along the lesser curvature. The functional significance of the vagal afferent innervation of the stomach remains unknown. In order to gather information in this regard, a technique has been developed for preparing two isolated vagally innervated pouches using the double-layered mucosal bridge technique described by Pavlov [2] (Fig. 1). The most difficult part of this operative procedure is visualizing the various spatial relationships to be described below. It is recommended, therefore, that the diagrams be studied prior to reading the following description. Stated simply, the procedure is a transverse closure of a longitudinal gastrotomy with conversion of the “dog ears” into isolated pouches. The technical procedure can be facilitated by selecting large dogs weighing 18 kg or more. After a 24-hr fast, either general endotracheal or intravenous Nembutal anesthesia is administered. The abdomen is opened through an upper midline incision. The stomach is splayed along its greater curvature, and Babcock clamps are placed to define the extent of the gastrotomy. The most proximal fundic clamp is placed at the upper level of the vasa brevia. If this point is too proximal, the pouches will come to lie under the ribs resulting in excessive traction on the cannulas with erosion of the pouch mucosa.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering on Template-Embedded Gold Nanorod Substrates

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of rhodamine 6G was investigated on template-embedded gold nanorods produced by anodic aluminum oxide template-assisted nanofabrication. A signal enhancement of about 106 was obtained. Two-dimensional arrays of gold nanospheres with different diameters and gap sizes were used as simplified model systems. SERS substrate design principles were investigated in order to achieve maximum electromagnetic enhancement of both the incident and Raman scattered fields.
Subbanding of temporal and spatial UWB SAR imagery of buried mines

A numerical algorithm has been developed for the modeling of ultra-wideband (UWB) plane-wave scattering from a class of buried mines. In particular, the model assumes that a mine can be simulated as a body of revolution (BOR). The numerical results indicate that there are particular frequency subbands in which a given target is excited most strongly, with the subband depending strongly on the target type. Moreover, these optimal subbands are also dependent on the depression angle; therefore, the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) aperture must be limited (spatial-spectrum subbanding) so that the desired depression angle is achieved over the aperture used for imaging. These results indicate that the scattered response from particular buried mines can be highlighted by proper processing of the temporal and spatial spectrum. So motivated, we have applied subbanding to data measured by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) UWB SAR, which collects fully polarimetric data over the 50 - 1200 MHz bandwidth. The measured data, when processed appropriately corroborate the theoretical expectations of where example anti-personnel and anti-tank mines scatter optimally. In particular, we consider the Valmara anti-personnel mine and the M20 anti-tank mine, using data collected at Yuma Proving Grounds. After validating the theory, we present frequency subbanding that will highlight one mine over another, a technique of potential application to the discrimination of targets from clutter.
Study of the binding of anions by a cationic polyelectrolyte using equilibrium dialysis. 1. Chromate anions

Equilibrium dialysis is used to investigate the binding of chromate anions to the cationic polyelectrolyte, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), in the presence and in the absence of added sodium chloride. The binding of chromate to the polyelectrolyte is predicted by using a model which combines thermodynamic relations with the Oosawa two-state polyelectrolyte theory. Allowances are made for the nonideality of the bulk aqueous phase by introducing ion activities and ion activity coefficients. The model quite successfully accounts for the experimental data when the theoretical value of a potential parameter is utilized and when the fraction of the apparent volume containing the bound counterions is determined by considering the dimensions of the bound chromate ions.
Environmental injury to the kidney: Interstitial nephritis

Summary The First Emperor of China (Qin Shi Huang: 259–210 BCE) would have been interested in interstitial nephritis. He might conceivably be fascinated to know that consumption of mercury elixir, instead of giving him immortality, might have shortened his life by giving him interstitial nephritis. In the Balkan region of Eastern Europe, clustering of a peculiar interstitial nephritis is prevalent. One environmental risk contributing to Balkan endemic nephritis is aristolochic acid contamination of cooking flour, drinking water, and herbal medicine. In addition, the popular use of nonprescription Chinese weight reduction herbs and public unawareness of the consequential aristolochic acid nephropathy has become a worldwide problem. Finally, the mighty Romans of antiquity lost their empire, arguably due to lead in their wine containers, lead water pipes, and lead cooking utensils. In modern times, lead paint has become universally banned, which has resulted in a reduction of lead-induced interstitial nephritis. In recent decades, bisphenol A (BPA) has been identified as a new environmental risk. BPA is in the plastic coating of food and beverage containers to prevent corrosion. BPA is so ubiquitous that urinary BPA and proteinuria are present in a high percentage of the population. BPA-induced kidney injury and other health concerns have led certain countries to ban BPA. Now, BPA-free containers are being introduced with great fanfare by manufacturers, but safety issues on all plastic products remain. It begs the question whether “plastics” of today take the place of “lead” in ancient Rome. This is a challenging question without an answer at this point.
Infliximab in Crohn's disease: first anniversary clinical experience.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to report on the first year experience with infliximab for Crohn’s disease. METHODS: All Crohn’s patients receiving infliximab at our institution in the first year of release were prospectively registered. Disease activity was scored at initial infusion, and at 1,3,7, and 12 wk. Results were tabulated separately for patients with luminal (L) or fistulous (F) Crohn’s disease. Steroid withdrawal and adverse events were tabulated. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine patients were treated (81 L, 48 F). Mean number of infusions/patient were 2.38 L, 3.23 F. Median time to response and remission was 8 and 9 days L; 9 and 10 days F, respectively. Initial infusion course response and remission rates at 3 wk were 65% and 31% L; 78% and 24% F, respectively. Rates were higher if concurrently treated with 6-mercaptopurine or azathioprine and improved with subsequent infusions. Relapse occurred in 78% at a mean 8.5 wk L and in 71% at a mean of 12.2 wk F. Steroid tapering was seen in >90%, with 54% completely off steroids after a second infusion. Infusion-related reactions were seen in up to 24% of patients. The incidence of side effects did not differ if on concurrent immunomodulatory therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical experience with infliximab closely parallels the results of the controlled clinical trials, and includes steroid-sparing effects.
Review of Organ Shortage: Ethics, Law, and Pragmatism

Organ Shortage: Ethics, Law, and Pragmatism gives a solid introduction to the broad issue of organ shortage worldwide. The authors examine barriers to increasing the supply of organs for transplant and explore policies to encourage donation, providing a comparison of regulations across numerous nations.
Dopaminergic modulation of the planning phase of skill acquisition in Parkinson's disease.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are often impaired when performing motor acts and in the acquisition of new motor skills. However, the role of dopamine in developing plans for skill acquisition is unclear. To assess the role of dopamine on the planning of actions, we tested 12 PD and 12 matched normal participants on two skill acquisition tasks matched for motor demands, but varying in requirements for planning. The participants with PD were tested on these tasks when they were on and off dopaminergic medications. To minimize influence of movement related deficits, the subjects used a computer track-pointer that generated the required straight lines when the subjects applied a slight force and clicked the track-pointer to initiate and terminate each line segment. The amount of time the track-pointer was deflected determined the line lengths, while clicking of the mouse determined the location of the line. The simple figure replication task only required the subjects to repeatedly generate lines of ...
The preparation and properties of chromium oxide trifluoride (CrOF3)

Abstract For the first time, pure chromium oxide trifluoride has been prepared via the reaction of CrO 3 with ClF followed by subsequent multiple fluorine treatments at 120°C. The stable purple solid reacts with Lewis acids and bases generating new and interesting chromium(V) complexes. The physical, chemical, and spectral properties of CrOF 3 and its complexes will be discussed.
Quantitative computer-assisted analysis of left ventricular wall thickening and motion by 2-dimensional echocardiography in acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Quantitative regional wall motion analyses of 2-dimensional echocardiograms (2-D echo) have usually focused on large arcs (>45 °) of the left ventricular (LV) perimeter rather than on small LV zones. Few studies have assessed changes in wall thickness. To determine normal ranges of regional LV function, the endocardial and epicardial contours of short-axis 2-D echoes obtained at the papillary muscle level of 10 normal subjects were manually traced. Then, 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) were studied, comparing their contours at admission with ranges determined from the normal subjects. In all patients with MI, 2-D echoes located abnormal wall motion involving at least the region identified as abnormal by the electrocardiogram and often extending into adjacent regions. All 9 patients with transmural MI had either decreased wall thickening or abnormal endocardial wall motion; all except 1 had focal thinning in the region of the MI. Of the 6 patients with nontransmural MI, 2 had abnormal endocardial wall motion, and all had decreased wall thickening. Evaluating regional wall motion at multiple points around the LV circumference should permit more precise delineation of LV function in health and disease than has been heretofore possible.
Anonymity-preserving data collection

Protection of privacy has become an important problem in data mining. In particular, individuals have become increasingly unwilling to share their data, frequently resulting in individuals either refusing to share their data or providing incorrect data. In turn, such problems in data collection can affect the success of data mining, which relies on sufficient amounts of accurate data in order to produce meaningful results. Random perturbation and randomized response techniques can provide some level of privacy in data collection, but they have an associated cost in accuracy. Cryptographic privacy-preserving data mining methods provide good privacy and accuracy properties. However, in order to be efficient, those solutions must be tailored to specific mining tasks, thereby losing generality.In this paper, we propose efficient cryptographic techniques for online data collection in which data from a large number of respondents is collected anonymously, without the help of a trusted third party. That is, our solution allows the miner to collect the original data from each respondent, but in such a way that the miner cannot link a respondent's data to the respondent. An advantage of such a solution is that, because it does not change the actual data, its success does not depend on the underlying data mining problem. We provide proofs of the correctness and privacy of our solution, as well as experimental data that demonstrates its efficiency. We also extend our solution to tolerate certain kinds of malicious behavior of the participants.
Rehydration of human red-cell ghosts.

THE thickness of the surface ultra-structure of the dried red-cell ghost, as measured with the electron microscope or with the leptoscope, can be converted into the thickness of the undried surface ultra-structure only if the amount of hydration is known. If one allows for differences in method and for the loss of protein and lipid which may occur during the preparation of ghosts from red cells, there is agreement, to an order of magnitude, among most of the values which have been obtained for the thickness of the dried ultra-structure (200 A., Waugh and Schmitt1; 150–300 A., Wolpers2; 300–800 A., Bernhard3; 1000 A., Bessis and Bricka4; 140–1000 A., Latta5), but there are only two estimates of the amount of hydration. These are a hydration of 25 per cent at most (Waugh and Schmitt1, on the basis of leptoscopic measurements), and a hydration so great that the protein-containing layer of the surface ultra-structure would be about 5000 A. thick and would contain only about 2 per cent protein (Mitchison6, on the basis of birefringence measurements). Any additional evidence which bears on the degree of hydration of the ghost is interesting in view of the discrepancy among the existing estimates.
Cross-talk between phorbol ester-mediated signaling and tyrosine kinase proto-oncogenes. II. Comparison of phorbol ester and sphingomyelinase-induced phosphorylation of ErbB2 and ErbB3.

Abstract In the accompanying paper (Emkey, R., and Kahn, C. R. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 31172–31181), we demonstrated that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment of Fao cells induces tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins including ErbB2 and ErbB3. In the present study we show that sphingomyelinase also results in the enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of ErbB2 and ErbB3 in these cells. In contrast to activation by PMA, the sphingomyelinase-induced phosphorylation of these proteins is independent of protein kinase C. However, both agents stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of the kinase Pyk2 suggesting that it may be involved in the PMA and sphingomyelinase activation of these ErbB proto-oncogenes. Insulin plays a negative regulatory role in the ligand and non-ligand-induced phosphorylation of the ErbB proto-oncogenes via two mechanisms. Prolonged insulin treatment resulted in decreased expression of both ErbB2 and ErbB3. Insulin also appears to negatively regulate the protein tyrosine kinase responsible for phosphorylating ErbB2 in PMA-stimulated cells. The former effect of insulin was relieved by treatment with inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. The similarities in PMA and sphingomyelinase-induced effects and the negative regulatory role of insulin suggest a mechanism by which multiple ligands can synergize with or protect against the tumorigenic effects of phorbol esters.
Outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous ventricular assist device implantation for cardiogenic shock.

Background:Percutaneous ventricular assist devices (PVADs) offer an important but resource-intensive option for management of severe cardiogenic shock (CS). Optimal selection of patients for PVAD s...
Development of a longitudinal study of complications and functional outcomes after traumatic brain injury.

Primary objective : To create a longitudinal database of patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury. Research design : A prospective study design was used to collect data pertaining to demographics, acute and post-acute management, complications, resource utilization and functional outcomes. Methods and procedures : Data were collected on 233 patients with a Glasgow Coma Score of 12 or less, admitted to a Level 1 Trauma Centre within 24 hours of injury and continued through post-hospitalization follow-up. Main outcomes and results : The mean age was 37.7 years, 70% were males, 54% were motor vehicle related accidents, and 21% died. Of the 185 survivors, 23% were discharged directly home from acute hospital care and 74% required inpatient rehabilitation. At hospital discharge, 76% had Rancho Los Amigos Scores of VII or higher; 81% had no or only mild verbal communication deficits and 79% were able to ambulate. Conclusions : The study indicates that while it is difficult to predict functional ...
Risk and return under changing regulation: An empirical analysis

It has been observed that utility executives generally argue for inflation-adjusted rate bases while consumer groups advocate original-cost valuation methods. Recent analytical and empirical studies indicate rate-base valuation methods should not and do not account for differences in utilities-accounting-realized rates of return. However, there is evidence that changes in valuation methods may cause changes in realized returns due to over- or under-compensation for the effects of inflation. This study examines the impact of changes in rate-base valuation methods on (1) systematic risk, (2) expected shareholder returns and (3) realized shareholder returns. A unique time series data set and a new statistical procedure are utilized. Overall, the results are consistent with the earlier analytical and empirical studies. However, the results for utilities in one state provide support for the argument that investors fare better under fair-value regulation.
Efficient Local Estimation for Time-Varying Coefficients in Deterministic Dynamic Models With Applications to HIV-1 Dynamics

Recently deterministic dynamic models have become very popular in biomedical research and other scientific areas; examples include modeling human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dynamics, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis, tumor cell kinetics, and genetic network modeling. In this article we propose estimation methods for the time-varying coefficients in deterministic dynamic systems that are usually described by a set of differential equations. Three two-stage local polynomial estimators are proposed, and their asymptotic normality is established. An alternative approach, a discretization method that is widely used in stochastic diffusion models, is also investigated. We show that the discretization method that uses the simple Euler discretization approach for the deterministic dynamic model does not achieve the optimal convergence rate compared with the proposed two-stage estimators. We use Monte Carlo simulations to study the finite-sample performance, and use a real data application to HIV dynamic...
ROLE OF PLATELET-DERIVED GROWTH FACTOR IN RENAL INJURY

Evidence indicates that PDGF is a major cytokine that impacts on the biology of renal cells and the pathogenesis of renal disease. The biologic effects of PDGF on cells and tissue, whether contraction, proliferation, matrix expansion, or cell migration, can result in beneficial or injurious consequences depending on the particular setting. Although expression of PDGF and PDGF receptors is required for glomerular development, their overexpression can be detrimental in renal disease. The chemotactic and mitogenic effects of PDGF are beneficial in recruitment and repopulation by mesangial cells in focal or diffuse necrotizing diseases. On the other hand, a sustained proliferative response can be detrimental to renal function. There is much to understand about PDGF's role in the cytokine network during renal development and renal injury. Understanding the mechanism of action of PDGF and, specifically, the signaling molecules transduced by the PDGF receptor may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to offset the detrimental effect of PDGF. Methods of targeting PDGF to hypocellular or necrotic areas to effect tissue remodeling and repair are a desirable goal (28). On the other hand, promotion of fibroblast proliferation and smooth muscle cell proliferation is a detrimental effect of PDGF that contributes to interstitial and perhaps periglomerular fibrosis as well as atherosclerosis. Ultimately, understanding the role of PDGF and other cytokines in renal development and organogenesis will provide the means to treat glomerular pathology without residual scarring.
Assessing the temporal variation of macroeconomic forecasts by a panel of changing composition

This paper calls attention to the problem of changing panel composition in surveys of forecasters and documents the problem in the Survey of Professional Forecasters. To study the temporal variation of forecasts, we recommend analysis of the time-series of predictions made by individual forecasters. This makes transparent the heterogeneity of the panel and avoids improper inferences due to changing panel composition. We warn against the traditional practice of aggregate time-series analysis, which con‡ates changes in the expectations of individual forecasters with changes in the composition of the panel. Should analysis of aggregated predictions be thought desirable as a simplifying device, we recommend analyses of sub-panels of …xed composition.
Morphology and Quantitative Nitrogen Impurity Measurements in Homoepitaxial Chemical Vapor Deposited Diamond

A thick (130 im) homoepitaxial diamond film was grown on a polished, single crystal {100} oriented natural type Ila diamond circular plate using high density microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD). The as-grown film shows facets around its perimeter, approaching the form of a cubo-octahedral crystal. The plate dimensions increased from 1.50 mm diameter and 0.25 mm thickness to 1.64 mm diameter and 0.38 mm thickness, corresponding to a growth rate of nearly 11 μm per hour. The substrate temperature during growth was approximately 900 C. The film was characterized by optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) before and after deposition. The surface morphology of the as-grown film shows large growth steps and a few scattered penetration twins. The diamond film is transparent except for localized regions containing the twin defects. Raman spectroscopy shows a strong diamond peak at 1332 cm−1 superimposed on a background fluorescence. A broad Raman band at 1550 cm−1 is present on the surface defects and is indicative of an amorphous network of sp2-bonded carbon. The luminescence of the film reveals the presence of a nitrogen-vacancy pair. The homoepitaxially-grown diamond layer also exhibits the P1 substitutional nitrogen impurity with a concentration of 8 parts per million (ppm) as determined by EPR. No nitrogen impurities were detected in the original substrate before deposition. EPR is also used to confirm the single crystal nature of the grown diamond.
Conceptual models of nursing: international in scope and substance? The case of the Neuman systems model. Interview by Jacqueline Fawcett.

This column focuses on exploration of the international applicability of conceptual models of nursing developed by nurse theorists from the United States of America. Nurse scholars from the United States and Holland discuss their experiences with the international use of the Neuman systems model.
On the value of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences for reconstructing the phylogeny of vanilloid orchids (Vanilloideae, Orchidaceae).

†Background and Aims Most molecular phylogenetic studies of Orchidaceae have relied heavily on DNA sequences from the plastid genome. Nuclear and mitochondrial loci have only been superficially examined for their systematic value. Since 40% of the genera within Vanilloideae are achlorophyllous mycoheterotrophs, this is an ideal group of orchids in which to evaluate non-plastid gene sequences. †Methods Phylogenetic reconstructions for Vanilloideae were produced using independent and combined data from the nuclear 18S, 5.8S and 26S rDNA genes and the mitochondrial atpA gene and nad1b-c intron. †Key Results These new data indicate placements for genera such as Lecanorchis and Galeola, for which plastid gene sequences have been mostly unavailable. Nuclear and mitochondrial parsimony jackknife trees are congruent with each other and previously published trees based solely on plastid data. Because of high rates of sequence divergence among vanilloid orchids, even the short 5.8S rDNA gene provides impressive levels of resolution and support. †Conclusions Orchid systematists are encouraged to sequence nuclear and mitochondrial gene regions along with the growing number of plastid loci available.
Gender Role Conflict and Depression in College Men: Evidence for Compounded Risk

This study investigated the relationships between attitudes toward the male role, gender role conflict factors, and depression in 401 college men. Results indicated that all four of the gender role conflict factors were significantly correlated with depression. Hence, more traditional men may experience a compounded risk comprising increased likelihood of depression coupled with decreased use of counseling services. Both directions for future research and the implications for counselors and student services are discussed.