cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy outcomes after conservative surgical management of ovarian neoplasms treated at a single institution.

Hypothesis: Conservative surgical management of ovarian neoplasms can result in favorable oncologic and obstetric outcomes. Methods: All reproductive-age women (18-45 years old) with stage IA to stage IIC ovarian neoplasms (N = 161) were retrospectively identified from a single institution9s tumor registry between 1990 and 2007. Operative, pathological, outpatient, and delivery records were reviewed to confirm histological findings, stage, extent of surgical resection, adjuvant treatment, oncologic outcomes, and pregnancy outcomes. Results: Women who underwent conservative surgical management for ovarian neoplasms (n = 61 [37.9%]) were identified, including those with low malignant potential (LMP, n = 36), epithelial (n = 12), germ cell (n = 6), and sex cord (n = 7) tumors. Thirteen women conceived 23 pregnancies, producing a pregnancy rate of 25.0% overall and of 68.4% for those attempting conception. Women with LMP tumors conceived most pregnancies and had the highest number of antenatal complications. Of those receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 8), 12.5% were able to conceive after their treatment and with no reported congenital anomalies. Pregnancy after a diagnosis of ovarian neoplasm did not impact disease recurrence (0% vs 7.7%, P = 0.56) or survival (100% vs 100%, P = 1.0). Conclusions: Conservative surgery may be an acceptable option for reproductive-age women with early-stage ovarian neoplasms. We report pregnancy and oncologic outcomes for a cohort of women managed conservatively for LMP, epithelial, germ cell, and sex cord ovarian neoplasms.
The Standard Two-Sided Power Distribution and its Properties: With Applications in Financial Engineering

This article discusses a family of distributions which would seem not to receive proper attention in the literature. The two-parameter distribution is introduced with an application in the financial engineering domain. Special cases of this family include the triangular distribution, the standard power function distribution, and the uniform distribution. Properties of the distribution are investigated and the maximum likelihood estimation procedure for its two parameters is derived. The flexibility of the family as compared to that of the beta family is discussed.
Nutrients released from decaying fish support microbial growth in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract To investigate nutrient release from decaying fish carcasses as a potential source fueling blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis (C.C. Davis) G. Hansen & O. Moestrup this study evaluated the type and quantity of nutrients (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C)) released from decaying fish using both wet chemistry and compound specific (Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, FT-ICR MS) techniques. A 3 day bioassay experiment was then conducted to examine how eutrophic (Charlotte Harbor, CH) and oligotrophic (Blue Water, BW) microbial communities in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) respond to fish-derived nutrients (FDN) relative to other in situ N sources. Decaying fish released a suite of compounds, primarily in the form of ammonium (NH 4 + ); release rates ranged from 37.7 ± 12.6 to 102.3 ± 4.7 μmol N L −1 g −1 wet wt. d −1 . Phosphate release was 13.9 ± 2.8 to 21.4 ± 2.9 μmol P L −1 g −1 wet wt. d −1 . A total of 3515 organic compounds were produced, which were dominated by lipid and protein-like compounds. In the bioassay, FDN were utilized by microbial communities collected from both CH and BW, with complete drawdown of fish-derived NH 4 + in the CH treatment in conjunction with a 3-fold increase in Chl a . FDN provided the necessary nutrients to alleviate P limitation in the BW treatment, resulting in a 13-fold increase in Chl a . Results from this experiment indicate FDN are important N and P sources to the microbial community along the eastern GoM and have important implications for maintenance of associated ichthyotoxic K. brevis blooms.
Pion-Pion Correlations in Antiproton Annihilation Events

Author(s): Goldhaber, Gerson; Fowler, William B.; Goldhaber, Sulamith; Hoang, T.F.; Kalogeropoulos, Theodore E.; Powell, Wilson M.
Uptake and cleavage of β-carotene by cultures of rat small intestinal cells and human lung fibroblasts

Publisher Summary β -Carotene (BC) has assumed importance as an anticarcinogen, both in epidemiologic studies in human beings and in animal models. Recent publications show that the fibroblastic cell line C3H/10T1/2, BC, and canthaxanthin inhibit chemically and physically induced transformation without being converted to retinol, retinal, or retinoic acid (RA). Another important property of BC that has been known for a long time is its lack of toxicity in contrast to retinol. When increasing concentrations of BC are given to rats, the conversion of BC to retinol levels off before the retinol produced becomes toxic. In a study of liver storage of vitamin A in rats and chicks fed with BC, it is reported that for the rat in the range of about one to a maximum of 10 times the daily vitamin A requirement, BC is completely absorbed and transformed to vitamin A, with a relationship of one molecule BC corresponding to one molecule of retinol. With a higher intake, the log of the absorption or transformation rate decreases linearly, inverse to the log of intake.
Crocodilians in Perspective

The prediction of the 1960s that crocodilians would soon be extinct has happily proven to be unduly pessimistic. The survival and recovery of substantial stocks provides us with the unexpected opportunity to learn about their adaptations, important not only because of their place as relicts of a major reptilian radiation, but also as giant animals, reptiles substantially larger than all but marine turtles.
Formation of Buried Oxide in MeV Oxygen Implanted Silicon

We have studied the formation of buried oxide in MeV oxygen implanted Si. A continuous oxide layer is formed in the samples implanted with 2x10^(18)/cm^2 oxygen and annealed at 1300° C. The microstructures are studied by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy and high resolution electron microscopy. Chemical information was obtained by electron energy loss spectroscopy. The effects of implantation temperature are studied. Implantation at a low substrate temperature leads to a well-defined buried SiO_2 layer, inhibits the formation of oxide precipitates in the silicon, and reduces silicon inclusions in the SiO_2.
Why bankers are like bacteria

Financial institutions could learn a thing or two from humble micro-organisms and the scientist who study them, says Harvey Rubin
Kerogen Chemistry 3. Shale Elemental Analysis and Clay Dehydroxylation

For some shales, the isolated organics have a lower H/C ratio than the H/C ratio of the whole rock, both being measured by combustion analysis. The primary cause of this is water produced by clay dehydroxylation during the combustion analysis of the rock that contributes to the rock's measured “hydrogen content”. Organics are also lost to the aqueous phases during dissolution of the minerals in aqueous HCl and HF.
Role of positron emission tomography in management of sinonasal neoplasms—a single institution's experience

Abstract Objective The objective of the study is to examine the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) for staging and restaging after treatment of paranasal sinus carcinomas. Study design Retrospective data review was done. Subjects and methods Patients selected underwent PET for sinonasal neoplasms from 2003 to 2008 at a tertiary care referral center. Results Seventy-seven scans were reviewed from 31 patients. The pathologies included olfactory neuroblastoma (n = 9), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 6), sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (n = 6), sinonasal melanoma (n = 6), and minor salivary gland carcinomas (n = 4). The positive predictive value of studies performed for restaging at the primary, neck, and distant sites were 56%, 54%, and 63%; negative predictive values were 93%, 100%, and 98%, respectively. During restaging, 32% of patients were accurately upstaged secondary to neck or distant site involvement. Conclusion Positron emission tomography serves as a useful adjunct to conventional imaging in the management of sinonasal malignancies. Negative studies are effective in predicting absence of disease as seen in the consistently high-negative predictive values. Positive studies need to be viewed cautiously given the high rate of false-positive studies. When viewed in conjunction with clinical examination, endoscopic assessment, and focused biopsies, they may effectively result in a more accurate assessment of the extent of disease.
Accuracy of the Global Positioning System-Derived Acceleration Vector

The accuracy with which acceleration can be determined from global positioning system (GPS) data has been investigated. This has been done to evaluate the possibility of using the GPS-derived acceleration as an attitude reference or in drop-sphere soundings of the upper atmosphere. The accuracy of the GPS acceleration signal has been investigatedintwo ways. Onewayhas beento mathematically determinetheacceleration errorlevelsinduced by receiver noise and by selective availability. The other way has been to use actual receiver data for receivers with known accelerations. Experimental acceleration accuracy of 0.009 g has been obtained at a 0.2 Hz bandwidth. The predicted achievable accuracy at a 1.6-Hz bandwidth is 0.03 g.
Mobile microrobot characterization through performance-based competitions

Recent advances in the design and fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have enabled the development of mobile microrobots that can autonomously navigate and manipulate in controlled environments. It is expected that this technology will be critical in applications as varied as intelligent sensor networks, in vivo medical diagnosis and treatment, and adaptive microelectronics. However, many challenges remain, particularly with respect to locomotion, power storage, embedded intelligence, and motion measurement. As a result, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has organized performance-based competitions for mobile microrobots that are designed to: 1) accelerate microrobot development by providing researchers a venue to demonstrate and observe novel technologies, 2) reveal the most pressing technical challenges, and 3) evaluate the most successful methods for locomotion and manipulation at the microscale (e.g., actuation techniques for crawling). This paper will discuss the goals and structure of the competition, results from past competitions, and plans to make performance characterization methods an integral component of future competitions.
The determination of the energy barrier for phase slips in superfluid4He

The velocity dependence of the energy barrier for vortex creation in microscopic apertures is determined. When compared to results from other laboratories, the energy barrier seems to be a universal function of velocity. This universality suggests that the vortex nucleation process is independent of the microscopic surface structure of the aperture. In DC flow experiments, the vortices are nucleated at rates up to 700 kHz. In single phase slip experiments, the rate of nucleation is on the order of 10 Hz. Each of these types of experiments gives the energy barrier in a different velocity regime. The energy barrier has more curvature, as a function of velocity, than can be accounted for by the half-ring model of vortex nucleation.
Jet Stream Winds: Comparisons of Analyses with Independent Aircraft Data over Southwest Asia

Cruise-level wind data from commercial aircraft are obtained, and these data are compared with operational jet stream analyses over southwest Asia, an area of limited conventional data. Results from an ensemble of 11 cases during January 1989 and individual cases during December 1988-March 1989 are presented. The key results are: (1) European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), National Meteorological Center, and United Kingdom Meteorological Office analyses of the subtropical jet in southwest Asia are 11 percent, 17 percent, and 17 percent weaker, respectively, than aircraft observations; (2) analyzed poleward shears range up to 1 f (0.00007/s) compared with up to 3 f (0.00021/s) in the aircraft observations where f is the local Coriolis parameters; (3) the ECMWF errors are largest at the base of the jet; (4) the mean ECMWF core location is latitudinally correct but has an rms latitude variance of 1.5 deg; (5) isolated erroneous radiosondes produce unmeteorological structures in the analyzed subtropical jet stream; and (6) the increased utilization of automated aircraft reports is likely to produce a spurious secular increase in the apparent strength of the jets. The magnitude and spatial extent of the errors seen are near limits of current GCM resolution (100 km) but should be resolvable. The results imply that studies of GCM systematic jet stream wind errors in weather and climate forecasts must be interpreted with caution in this region.
The Application of Community Psychology Principles in Diverse Settings

This paper describes the application of such community psychology principles of empowerment and systemic interventions in a variety of applied settings, including school systems, a university campu...
Minimisation of axial dispersion by use of secondary flow in helical tubes

It has been known for some time that many continuous chemical reactors give the greatest conversion when axial dispersion is minimized, i.e., when plug flow occurs. This paper considers the problem of attaining plug flow in continuous flow systems. The geometrical configuration of a tube wound into a helix is suggested us a convenient and efficient means of producing secondary currents which promote plug flow. On the basis of tracer distribution tests and pressure drop data it is conclusively shown that helical coils are far superior to straight tubes or packed beds in minimizing axial dispersion and approaching plug flow. Il est connu que plusieurs reacteurs chimiques de type continu donnent une conversion plus elevee lorsque la dispersion axiale est minimisee. On considere, dans cette recherche, le probleme d'obtenir ce type d'ecoulement dans les systemes a ecoulement continu. On suggere un tube enroule de facon helicoidale afin de produire les courants secondaires qui favorisent le pistonnage. Les essais avec traceurs et les donnes de perte de charge nous permettent de conclure que cette configuration geometrique est de beaucoup superieure a celle de tubes droits ou de lits fixes pour minimiser la dispersion axiale.
Gastrointestinal malignancy and the microbiome

Microbial species participate in the genesis of a substantial number of malignancies—in conservative estimates, at least 15% of all cancer cases are attributable to infectious agents. Little is known about the contribution of the gastrointestinal microbiome to the development of malignancies. Resident microbes can promote carcinogenesis by inducing inflammation, increasing cell proliferation, altering stem cell dynamics, and producing metabolites such as butyrate, which affect DNA integrity and immune regulation. Studies in human beings and rodent models of cancer have identified effector species and relationships among members of the microbial community in the stomach and colon that increase the risk for malignancy. Strategies to manipulate the microbiome, or the immune response to such bacteria, could be developed to prevent or treat certain gastrointestinal cancers.
Foraging movements of the sea star Asterias forbesi (Desor) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island U.S.A.

The movements of marked sea stars Asterias forbesi in the field were recorded under various conditions of prey density. Sea star movement is random, not directional. Individual sea stars did not sh...
Dimensional Regularization in Quarkonium Calculations

Dimensional regularization is incompatible with the standard covariant projection methods that are used to calculate the short-distance coefficients in inclusive heavy-quarkonium production and annihilation rates. A new method is developed that allows dimensional regularization to be used consistently to regularize the infrared and ultraviolet divergences that arise in these perturbative calculations. We illustrate the method by calculating the leading color-octet terms and the leading color-singlet terms in the gluon fragmentation functions for arbitrary quarkonium states. We resolve a discrepancy between two previous calculations of the gluon fragmentation functions for the spin-triplet P-wave quarkonium states. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Maturation and fecundity of a stock‐enhanced population of striped bass in the Savannah River Estuary, U.S.A

The striped bass Morone saxatilis population in the Savannah River (south-eastern U.S.A.) collapsed in the 1980s, and recent efforts to restore the population have resulted in increased catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of striped bass in the Savannah River Estuary (SRE). The abundance of eggs and larvae, however, remain well below historic levels. The primary cause of the population decline was remedied, and environmental conditions seem suitable for striped bass spawning. Regression analysis of data derived from ultrasonic imaging of 31 striped bass resulted in a statistical model that predicted ovary volume well (r 2 =0.95). The enumeration of oocytes from ovarian tissue samples and the prediction of ovary volume allowed fecundity to be estimated without sacrificing the fish. Oocyte maturation in Savannah River striped bass seemed to progress normally, with oocytes developing to final stages of maturity in larger fish (>750 mm L T ). Additionally, fecundity estimates were comparable to a neighbouring striped bass population. The environmental cues needed to trigger development and release of striped bass oocytes into the SRE appeared to be present. If most of the striped bass females in the SRE are still young (<7 years), the ability to produce large numbers of eggs will be limited. As these young fish mature, egg production probably will increase and the density of striped bass eggs eventually will approach historic levels, provided suitable habitat and water quality are maintained.
Left ventricular hemodynamics in anterior and inferior myocardial infarction

Initial hemodynamics were studied in 50 patients with acute myocardial infarction classified according to anterior or inferior location. Twenty-two had anterior transmural infarction (indicated by Q wave changes), 12 had anterior necrosis (S-T and T wave changes plus increases in serum enzymes), 11 had inferior transmural infarction and 5 inferior necrosis. When initial left ventricular filling pressure, stroke index, heart rate and stroke work index were considered together in all patients, there was a significant difference (P
Do High-Elevation Northern Red Oak Tree-Rings Share a Common Climate-Driven Growth Signal?

Abstract Six open-canopy high-elevation northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) ring-width records were evaluated along the Southern Appalachian mountain range for a common climate-driven growth signal. Ring-width records show significant correlations over the past two centuries with principal component one (PC-1) accounting for 50% of the common variance. Spectral analysis reveals that the relative variance in ring-width is concentrated at decadal time scales. Ring-width records show positive correlations (p < 0.05) with prior fall–early winter and current summer mean temperature, and negative correlations (p < 0.05) with prior late summer–winter total precipitation. Yet, temperature-precipitation covariance along the Southern Appalachian mountain range during winter and summer seasons undergoes a significant reversal with intervening spring and fall seasons showing weak association. As a result, ring-width-climate signal strength exhibits time-dependence over the instrumental period, although the temporal c...
Effects of 30 days of creatine ingestion in older men.

In this investigation we evaluated the effects of oral creatine (Cr) supplementation on body composition, strength of the elbow flexors, and fatigue of the knee extensors in 20 males aged 60–82 years who were randomly administered Cr or placebo (P) in a double-blind fashion. Subjects ingested either 20 g of Cr or P for 10 days, followed by either 4 g of Cr or P, respectively, for 20 days. Tests were conducted pre-supplementation and following 10 and 30 days of supplementation. Leg fatigue was determined using an isokinetic dynamometer; subjects performed 5 sets of 30 maximal voluntary contractions at 180° · s−1, with 1 min of recovery between sets. The strength of the elbow flexors was assessed using a modified preacher bench attached to a strain gauge. There was a significant interaction (P<0.05; group × time) in leg fatigue following supplementation. However, this interaction appears to have resulted from a combination of the improved fatigue score by the Cr-supplemented group and the decreased fatigue score by the P-supplemented group, because when the simple main effects were analyzed for the groups individually, there was no significant difference over time for either of the groups. There were no significant differences in body mass, body density, or fat-free mass as assessed by hydrostatic weighing, or strength between the Cr-supplemented or P-supplemented groups. These data suggest that 30 days of Cr-supplementation may have a beneficial effect on reducing muscle fatigue in men over the age of 60 years, but it does not affect body composition or strength.
Selectivity properties of Sephadex gels in column chromatography of biologically important phosphate esters.

Abstract The selectivity properties of Sephadex gels toward various metabolic phosphates (nucleotides and coenzymes) have been examined by column chromatography using distilled water as eluent. These compounds are grouped within a range of K d values from 0.22 to 0.39 on Sephadex G-10. Sephadex G-15 differs from G-10 in possessing a greater affinity for phosphates. The K d values are only slightly less clustered on this gel, and there is but a negligible increase in the range of partition coefficients. Chromatography on G-25, on the other hand, gives a relatively good spread of K d values. Several compounds have partition coefficients greater than 1.00. Whereas phosphate affinity decreases with increasing gel density, riboflavin, a nonphosphorylated reference compound, has the highest affinity for G-10 of all substances tested.
Being a person in psychoanalytic culture.

The author argues that schools of care are really cultures whose practices and teachings are only minimally based in science. Although the early link of mental-health care to medicine was historically fortuitous, bestowing a debatable authority on the field, these schools' consuming preoccupation with scientific legitimacy has severely limited mental-health care professionals' own ability to understand and think wisely about these schools of care. Students of these schools become “enculturated” into the ideology of a particular school, its notions of what is normal and what is ill, of how life works, and of what patients need to do to become well. The listening tradition of psychoanalysts is admirable, but its discounting of external factors, like an individual's upbringing, race, or even friendships, constitutes a major flaw.
Cognitive coping skills training in children with sickle cell disease pain

This study was designed to examine whether brief training in cognitive coping skills would enhance pain coping strategies and alter pain perception in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). Forty-nine participants with SCD were randomly assigned to either a cognitive coping skills condition or a standard care control condition. At pre- and posttesting, coping strategies and pain sensitivity using laboratory pain stimulation were measured. Results indicated that, in comparison to the randomly assigned control condition, brief training in cognitive coping skills resulted in decreased negative thinking and lower pain ratings during low intensity laboratory pain stimulation.
The polarization approximation and the Amos-Musher intermolecular perturbation theories compared to infinite order at finite separations

Abstract We argue that the most common form of intermolecular perturbation theory, the polarization approximation (PA), gives at finite separations, for nearly all systems, no usable, exact relationship between the lowest unperturbed energy and the physical ground state energy. This would be true even if the PA energy expansion converged. In contrast, the Amos-Musher (AM) theory does give an exact relationship between the lowest unperturbed energy and the physical ground state energy. We find no theoretical justification for using the PA theory beyond second order in the energy, but the AM theory may be extended to arbitrarily high order.
Maternal Differences and Birth Outcome Disparities: Diversity Within a High-Risk Prenatal Clinic

We examined the influence of race/ethnicity on appointment attendance, maternal psychiatric and medical diagnoses, and birth outcomes within a diverse, low income, high-risk pregnant population to determine whether birth outcome disparities would be lessened in a sample with high biopsychosocial risk across all groups. Data were retrospectively obtained on all women scheduled for appointments in the San Francisco General Hospital High-Risk Obstetrics clinic during a 3-month period. General linear model and logistic regression procedures were used to examine the associations of race/ethnicity with maternal characteristics, clinic attendance, and birth outcomes. Our sample included 202 maternal–infant pairs (Hispanic, 57 %; Black, 16 %; Asian, 15 %; and White, 12 %). Racial/ethnic differences were seen in language (p < 0.001), gravidity (p < 0.001), parity (p = 0.005), appointment attendance (p < 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.005), psychiatric diagnosis (p = 0.02), illicit drug use (p < 0.001), and smoking (p < 0.001). These maternal characteristics, including rate of attendance at specialized prenatal appointments, did not predict birth outcomes with the exception of an association between diabetes and earlier gestational age (p = 0.03). By contrast, Black maternal race/ethnicity was associated with earlier gestational age at birth (p = 0.004) and lower birth weight (p < 0.001) compared with Whites. Within a diverse maternal population of high biopsychosocial risk, racial/ethnic disparities in birth outcomes persist. These disparities have implications for infant health trajectory throughout the lifecourse and for intervention implementation in high-risk groups.
Hyaluronan‐Based Scaffolds to Tissue‐Engineer Cartilage Implants for Laryngotracheal Reconstruction

Objectives: Donor site morbidity, including pneumothorax, can be a considerable problem when harvesting cartilage grafts for laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR). Tissue-engineered cartilage may offer a solution to this problem. This study investigated the feasibility of using Hyalograft C combined with autologous chondrocytes to tissue engineer cartilage grafts for LTR in rabbits. Study Design: Animal study. Methods: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits underwent LTR: 12 rabbits received autologous tissue-engineered cartilage grafts and 6 animals, serving as a positive control group, native auricular cartilage. To determine any differences in response to the site of implantation and any potential immune response to the scaffold, a second piece of engineered neocartilage and a non–cell-loaded scaffold were inserted paralaryngeally into a subset of the rabbits. The rabbits were sacrificed 3, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after the LTR and their larynx examined. Results: None of the 18 rabbits showed signs of respiratory distress. A smooth, noninflammatory scar was visible intraluminally. Histologically, the native auricular cartilage implants showed excellent integration without any signs of inflammation or cartilage degradation. In contrast, all tissue-engineered grafts and empty scaffolds revealed marked signs of an unspecific foreign body reaction, leading to a complete degradation of the neocartilage, whether implanted para- or intralaryngeally. Conclusion: In contrast to the success with which Hyalograft C has been applied in articular defect repair, our results indicate that, in rabbits, Hyalograft C initiates a foreign body reaction if implanted intra- or paralaryngeally, leading to cartilage degradation and possible graft failure. These findings suggest limitations on the environment in which Hyalograft C can be applied.
Feeding rate of juvenile red king crabs, Paralithodes camtschaticus, in the laboratory: effects of temperature, size, molting, and feeding frequency

Despite the importance of food intake, feed ration has not been determined for many crabs. Juvenile red king crabs of mean size 25–30 mm carapace length (CL) were fed to satiation with squid either once or twice weekly for 6 months. Feed ration (FR = consumption expressed as a proportion of wet body mass) increased to a peak of about 0.10 at 30 days premolt, dropped to 0.03 during molting, then increased to about 0.08 at 14 days postmolt. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects modeling with repeated measures. There was no significant effect of feeding frequency on FR, and no significant interaction between frequency and CL. There was a significant negative relationship between FR and CL, a significant positive relationship between FR and temperature, and a minor but significant interaction between CL and temperature. The FR for juvenile red king crabs is about half that of the ration previously reported for adult crabs. Daily feed ration is a valuable physiological index that can be used to understand the impacts of predators such as king crabs on benthic biomass in boreal ecosystems, and to determine feeding regimes for aquaculture and stock enhancement. The relationships determined by this study can be used to predict daily ration for king crabs under specific temperature conditions, and how this may vary with climate change.
Effect of intracavitary electrode position on endocardial potential estimates

The authors determine the effect of uncertainty in intracavitary electrode position on the accuracy of estimated endocardial potentials. Positional uncertainty is simulated by randomly moving a multielectrode intracavitary probe, and statistical estimation theory is used to build an optimum estimation, under the assumption that the endocardial potentials are uncorrelated. For electrode positional uncertainty within 0.2 cm of its original location, an expected RMS error of 30.17+or-8.41% was achieved. Increasing positional uncertainties to within 0.52 cm and 1.04 cm resulted in errors of 54.59+or-84.62+or-7.13%, respectively. These stimulated results imply that positional uncertainty is a major source of error in estimating endocardial potentials from intracavitary potentials. >
Experimental characterization of simultaneous gain pumping and depletion in a semiconductor optical amplifier

We experimentally characterize gain-pumping in a semiconductor optical amplifier and combine gain-pumping and gain-depletion effects that can enable complex all-optical signal processing functions.
Safety and feasibility of robotic radical trachelectomy in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of robotic radical trachelectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy. We also describe our surgical technique. Methods. This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent robotic radical trachelectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy from October 2008 to May 2009. We analyzed our data to evaluate the safety and feasibility of this surgery. Results. This analysis included 4 patients with early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. The median body mass index was 27.1 kg/m 2 (range, 22.7 to 39.1). Three patients had stage IA2 adenocarcinoma; 1 patient had stage IA1 adenocarcinoma with lymph-vascular space invasion. The median operative time was 339.5 min (range, 245 to 416). The median console time was 282.5 min (range, 217 to 338). The median estimated blood loss was 62.5 ml (range, 50 to 75). There were no conversions to laparotomy. There were no intraoperative complications. No patient required blood transfusion. The median length of hospital stay was 1.5 days (range, 1 to 2). One patient experienced a postoperative complication, transient left lower extremity sensory neuropathy. No patient had residual tumor in the trachelectomy specimen, and no patient underwent adjuvant therapy. The median number of pelvic lymph nodes removed was 20 (range, 18 to 27). The median time to a successful voiding trial was 8 days (range, 7 to 9). The median follow-up was 105 days (range, 82 to 217). There were no recurrences. Conclusion. Robotic radical trachelectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy is feasible and safe and should be considered for patients desiring fertility-sparing surgery.
An implementation of block conjugate gradient algorithm on CPU-GPU processors

In this paper, we investigate the implementation of the Block Conjugate Gradient (BCG) algorithm on CPU-GPU processors. By analyzing the performance of various matrix operations in BCG, we identify the main performance bottleneck in constructing new search direction matrices. Replacing the QR decomposition by eigendecomposition of a small matrix remedies the problem by reducing the computational cost of generating orthogonal search directions. Moreover, a hybrid (offload) computing scheme is designed to enables the BCG implementation to handle linear systems with large, sparse coefficient matrices that cannot fit in the GPU memory. The hybrid scheme offloads matrix operations to GPU processors while helps hide the CPU-GPU memory transaction overhead. We compare the performance of our BCG implementation with the one on CPU with Intel Xeon Phi coprocessors using the automatic offload mode. With sufficient number of right hand sides, the CPU-GPU implementation of BCG can reach speedup of 2.61 over the CPU-only implementation, which is significantly higher than that of the CPU-Intel Xeon Phi implementation.
Grazing, respiration, excretion, and growth rates of tintinnids1

Clearance, ingestion, and growth rates of two coastal tintinnid ciliates were measured in batch culture as a function of temperature and phytoplankton concentration. Oxygen consumption and ammonium excretion rates were determined at food concentrations which supported maximum growth rates at each temperature. Clearance, ingestion, respiration, excretion, and growth rates of both species increased with temperature. Clearing rates declined with increasing phytoplankton abundance. Ingestion and growth rates increased asymptotically with phytoplankton abundance and declined at high food concentrations. Gross growth efficiency was highest at phytoplankton concentrations which supported maximum growth rates. Over a range of temperatures, respiration and excretion were linearly related and exhibited significant linear relationships with ingestion and curvilinear relationships with growth. 0 : N ratios were 4-7, assuming an RQ of 1 .O. The metabolic data were combined with previous measurements of in situ production by tintinnids to estimate their potential carbon requirements and NH,+ regeneration in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Tintinnids ingested a carbon equivalent of 16-26% of the total annual net primary production and 32-52% of < IO-urn nanonlankton oroduction. Nitrogen excretion was sufficient to support 1 l18% of net primary production.
Selective Neck Dissection Is an Option for Early Node-Positive Disease

Selective neck dissection is a function-preserving, low-morbidity optionforpatientswithheadandneck squamous cell carcinoma and occult or early nodal disease. The currentstagingmodalities,(ie,computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emissiontomography)stillareunableto reliably predict either nodal metastasis or presence of extracapsular spread. Therefore, the surgeon often does not know the histologic node stage of the neck during the planning stages of the surgical approach. Quality-of-life studies have demonstrated an improvement in pain scores in patients who are spared dissection of level V. 1,2 Equally important, patients undergoing MRND have significantly worse shoulder function than those undergoing SND. 3 Furthermore, Shah 4 determined that level V was never involved in the absence of involvement of other nodal levels. Therefore, it seems prudent to look upon SND as an accurate means of staging that can dictate subsequent therapy rather than a purely therapeutic modality for early nodepositive disease. The presence of nodal metastasis defines a biologically aggressive subset of disease at greater risk for relapse. Since nodepositive patients have poorer overall survival, they should be carefully evaluated for XRT, which should be strongly considered in the case of 1 or 2 positive lymph nodes—even if prospective randomized studies are yet to prove XRT efficacy in the case of early node-positive disease. Furthermore, the success of subsequent treatment once the patient had a regional recurrence must be evaluated. Recently published studies suggest that postoperative concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is efficacious in patients at high risk for cervical metastasis, particularly those who have 2 or more positive nodes and/or extracapsular extension. 5 Selective neck dissection, therefore, seems appropriate in the presence of N0 or node-positive disease, particularly when the size of the lymph node(s) is less than 3 cm. For advancednodaldisease(nodes3cm and/or extracapsular extension), MRNDisappropriate,combinedwith adjuvant radiation or chemoradiation.Removalofnonlymphaticstructures (sternocleidomastoid muscle, accessory nerve, and internal jugularvein)isindicatedwhenthesestructures are directly involved by tumor extension.
The differential impact of inclusion and inclusive practices on high, average, and low achieving general education students.

The effect that inclusion and inclusionary school practices have on the achievement scores of low, average, and high academically achieving general education students was investigated. Achievement scores for 477 general education students from grades 1 through 5 were sampled over 3 years. During the 2 years that inclusion and inclusive practices were implemented, students either received academic instruction with students with disabilities or only with peers without disabilities. Inclusive school practices (curricular changes and supports) had a differential effect, as low achieving general education students appeared to benefit academically, while higher achieving students lost ground. General education students' reading scores were not significantly affected by the presence of students with disabilities, while in math, the effect was mixed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Age-related changes in meat tenderness and tissue pentosidine: effect of diet restriction and aminoguanidine in broiler breeder hens.

The nonenzymatic glycosylation of tissue protein contributes to the formation of crosslinks that leads to structural and functional deterioration in the long-lived tissue protein, collagen. The accumulation of these crosslinks thus contributes to the objectionable toughness of meat from aged animals, decreases its eco- nomic value, and limits its use in whole muscle foods. The objectives of this study were to determine the effec- tiveness of diet restriction and the crosslinking inhibitor, aminoguanidine (AG), on reducing the accumulation of crosslinks, thereby improving meat tenderness in broiler breeder hens. The glycoxidation product, pentosidine, was also measured in skin (Ps) to determine whether changes in its concentrations correlated with the changes in shear value (SV). Chicks (n = 450) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups from 8 to 125 wk after hatch: ad libitum (AL), diet restricted (DR), AL and DR groups supplemented with 400 ppm AG each (AL+AG and DR+AG, respectively). Shear value was measured with an Instron Universal Mechanical Machine. Skin pen- tosidine was isolated by reverse phase HPLC. There was an age-related, linear increase in SV (P < 0.0001, r = 0.96), which correlated (r = 0.86) with the age-related increase in Ps in AL hens. Diet restriction retarded SV (P < 0.0001) over the sampling period. In general, SV values for AL+AG were similar to those measured in DR, whereas no additive effect was observed for AG in DR birds. It was concluded that there was a linear increase in meat toughness (SV) with age that correlates with the accumu- lation of Ps, and that the decline in meat tenderness can be retarded by DR or AG. Secondly, the effect of DR on accumulation of Ps was so pronounced that AG supple- mentation did not further enhance this effect.
Local Excision of Rectal Cancer Oncologic Results

While radical resection remains the standard treatment for distal rectal cancer, recent improvements in preoperative screening modalities and lower rates of morbidity and mortality have led to renewed interest in local excision. Unfortunately, there are no randomized, controlled trials comparing local excision to APR, and the majority of the data supporting the use of local excision comes from small, single-institution retrospective reviews that do not lend themselves easily to comparison. In this article we will review the current oncologic results available for local excision of rectal cancer.
The origin of photic behavior and the evolution of sexual communication in fireflies (Coleoptera : Lampyridae)

Through a phylogenetic analysis using adult morphological characters, we show that the origin of bioluminescence in cantharoid beetles appears to predate the origin of the family Lampyridae. The ability to produce and emit photic signals was first gained by larvae and appears to function as an aposematic warning display; it was subsequently gained in adults and is used as a sexual signal. Our analysis also suggests that while pheromonal sexual signals are used basally in the family, they are used in conjunction with and then subsequently replaced by photic signals in some lampyrid lineages. Both photic signals and the photic organs used to produce them have become greatly elaborated in the fireflies that no longer employ pheromonal sexual signals. In addition, the ability to produce a flashed sexual signal appears to have arisen at least three times in the family Lampyridae. Convergent evolution is also evident in a number of adult male photic organ morphologies. Further, we recommend that individual signal system components be compared rather than overall signal system complexity. The use of this strategy may allow one to recognize and better interpret adaptive correlations despite convergence or loss. We demonstrate that phylogenetic analysis is a powerful tool even for rapidly evolving traits.
Management of gastrogastric fistula after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Abstract Background Gastrogastric fistula (GGF) secondary to marginal ulceration (MU) is a reported complication of open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; however, its frequency after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) is likely underreported. We present five cases of GGF and detail the management algorithm, including medical, endoscopic, and laparoscopic interventions. Methods Data from 282 patients undergoing LGBP from October 2002 to January 2005 were entered into a prospective, longitudinal database. All patients who subsequently presented with GGF were analyzed. Patients who developed GGF were compared with those who did not using Student's t -test. Results Five patients (1.8%) subsequently developed GGF. Upper gastrointestinal radiographic evaluation documented the presence of a GGF in these patients, and upper endoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of MU. The mean interval between initial LGBP and subsequent diagnosis of GGF was 8.8 months. Patients who developed GGF were significantly younger (32.4 years vs 41.2 years; P = .007) and had lost significantly more weight 1 year after surgery (82.7% excess weight loss vs 70.0% excess weight loss; P = .003). No difference was noted when comparing operative time (164 minutes vs 148 minutes) or preoperative BMI (45.6 kg/m 2 vs 51.4 kg/m 2 ). All MU/GGF patients were treated initially with high-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. In one patient, the GGF closed with PPI therapy alone. A second patient's GGF was successfully resolved with PPI therapy plus endoscopic injection of fibrin sealant. The remaining three cases were managed with laparoscopic division of the fistula after initial unsuccessful PPI therapy. In these patients, the GGF was of larger diameter than in those patients whose GGF closed with medical therapy alone. Conclusions MU/GGF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all postoperative gastric bypass patients who present with abdominal pain. In our series, GGF was always associated with MU. Early diagnosis of GGF can be successfully treated with PPI therapy. Smaller-diameter tracts that do not resolve with medical therapy may respond to endoscopic therapy. Large-caliber fistula are less likely to respond to medical or endoscopic therapy but can be managed laparoscopically.
Entry Range Capability Analysis of the Orion Crew Module

The Orion crew module utilizes skip entry to significantly increase entry range capability when returning from the moon. This extended range capability allows the vehicle to achieve accurate landings at various land and coastal water landing sites in close proximity to the continental United States throughout the lunar month. Six- degree-of-freedom computer simulation coupled with Monte Carlo and deterministic analysis techniques were used to evaluate the guided range capability of the Orion crew module over a range of navigation, environment, and vehicle uncertainties. Additionally, the effects of hypersonic lift-to-drag ratio and flight-path angle at entry interface on vehicle entry range capability were evaluated. Results indicate that skip entry trajectories provide a significant increase in entry range capability over that of the direct entry and loft trajectories of the Apollo program. Crossrange capability degrades as vehicle lift-to-drag ratio is decreased, but substantial capability remains for vehicle lift-to-drag ratios lower than the Apollo entry vehicle. Accuracy degrades in both downrange and crossrange with steeper entry interface flight-path angles. However, higher lift-to-drag ratios partially mitigate these effects, allowing greater freedom in selection of entry interface flight-path angles. The ability to perform long-range entries and accurate landings over the range of design lift-to-drag ratios currently under consideration may provide significant benefits in operational complexity and cost to the Orion program. However, these benefits must be balanced with increased mass and entry system complexity.