cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation of Capillary Flow in Fan-Shaped Asymmetric Interior Corner Under Microgravity

Based on fluid mechanics theories, this research focuses on numerical simulation and analysis of capillary flow under microgravity in fan-shaped asymmetric interior corner. We analyze the effect the contact angle has on rising height in a fan-shaped asymmetric interior corner, and get the Concus-Finn condition the calculation of capillary flow needs to satisfy in fan-shaped asymmetric interior corner. Then we study the effect that different parameters of experimental medium and container configuration has on capillary flow in fan-shaped asymmetric interior corner when Concus-Finn condition is fulfilled. The conclusions of this paper has an important role in guiding the analytic solution of flow in a fan-shaped asymmetric interior corner under microgravity. We can also chose the appropriate experimental medium and design a container based on this paper.
The Vibrio cholerae VexGH RND Efflux System Maintains Cellular Homeostasis by Effluxing Vibriobactin.

Resistance-nodulation-division (RND) superfamily efflux systems have been widely studied for their role in antibiotic resistance, but their native biological functions remain poorly understood. We previously showed that loss of RND-mediated efflux in Vibrio cholerae resulted in activation of the Cpx two-component regulatory system, which mediates adaptation to stress resulting from misfolded membrane proteins. Here, we investigated the mechanism linking RND-mediated efflux to the Cpx response. We performed transposon mutagenesis screening of RND-deficient V. cholerae to identify Cpx suppressors. Suppressor mutations mapped to genes involved in the biosynthesis of the catechol siderophore vibriobactin. We subsequently demonstrated that vibriobactin secretion is impaired in mutants lacking the VexGH RND efflux system and that impaired vibriobactin secretion is responsible for Cpx system activation, suggesting that VexGH secretes vibriobactin. This conclusion was bolstered by results showing that vexGH expression is induced by iron limitation and that vexH-deficient cells exhibit reduced fitness during growth under iron-limiting conditions. Our results support a model where VexGH contributes to cellular homeostasis by effluxing vibriobactin. In the absence of vexGH, retained vibriobactin appears to chelate iron from iron-rich components of the respiratory chain, with the deferrated proteins functioning to activate the Cpx response. Our collective results demonstrate that a native function of the V. cholerae VexGH RND efflux system is in vibriobactin secretion and that vibriobactin efflux is critical for maintenance of cellular homeostasis.IMPORTANCE RND efflux systems are ubiquitous Gram-negative transporters that play critical roles in antimicrobial resistance. In addition to antimicrobial resistance, RND transporters also affect the expression of diverse phenotypes, including virulence, cell metabolism, and stress responses. The latter observations suggest that RND transporters fulfill unknown physiological functions in the cell independently of their role in antimicrobial resistance. Vibrio cholerae is representative of many Gram-negative bacteria in encoding multiple RND transporters that are redundant in antimicrobial resistance and affect multiple phenotypes. Here we describe a novel function of the V. cholerae VexGH RND transporter in vibriobactin secretion. We show that vibriobactin production in VexGH-deficient cells impacts cell homeostasis, leading to activation of the Cpx stress response and reduced fitness under iron-limiting conditions. Our results highlight a native physiological function of an RND transporter and provide insight into the selective forces that maintain what was thought to be a redundant multidrug transporter.
Dynamics of belowground volatile diffusion and degradation

Abstract Above ground herbivory can induce release of plant volatiles that attract natural enemies of the herbivores. Similarly, roots can release herbivore induced volatiles that attract beneficial organisms such as entomopathogenic nematodes belowground. Unlike their aboveground counterparts, belowground volatile signals interact with solids, liquids, and gases as they move through soil pore spaces. These interactions influence belowground signaling, can create non-linear diffusion profiles, and result in surface adsorbtion and degradation of volatiles in space and time. By examining diffusion and degradation in sand-filled microcosms, we found that the diffusion profiles of E-β-caryophyllene, d-limonene, pregeijerene, α-pinene, germacrene-d, and linalool were affected by moisture and pH. Furthermore, the common plant volatile linalool was non-diffusive below ground. In addition, we discovered a novel pathway for the degradation of linalool into rapidly diffusing belowground signals. These findings suggest areas for future exploration and highlight the importance of abiotic factors when studying belowground semiochemically-based interactions such as attraction of beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes to plant roots infested by host insects.
Academically Successful Latino Undocumented Students in College: Resilience and Civic Engagement:

This qualitative study focused on academically successful undocumented immigrant college students who also advocate for access to educational opportunities for others. Using purposeful sampling, eight students attending a large university were recruited and interviewed. Findings indicate that academically successful students are eager to obtain economic security and are highly motivated to give back to their communities. Respondents emphasized that pro-immigrant public policy and institutional processes and support are important factors for their development of academic resiliency and success. Findings revealed that although the results of the U.S. presidential election have saddened and angered the respondents, they continue to express their strong commitment to pursue their dreams. Researchers are urged to focus on academically successful undocumented immigrant students in order to learn about the factors that contribute to their academic success. Learning from resilient students can inform educators re...
Neurotoxicity Associated with a High-Affinity GD2 CAR-Response.

We appreciate the concerns conveyed in the letter from Majzner and colleagues (1) related to our recently published article ([2][1]). We agree that caution must be used in extrapolating results from one CAR T-cell study to another due to the numerous differences in CAR T-cell design and methods of
The Tibia Index: A Step in the Right Direction

Leg injuries are frequent occurrences for occupants involved in automobile crashes. This paper investigates the efficacy of a proposed injury criterion, the tibia index, to predict fractures of the leg. Using an interaction formula, the tibia index combines the applied compressive force and moment to predict mid-shaft fractures of the tibia and fibula. Quasistatic and dynamic test data of the leg are reviewed in an effort to establish critical threshold values of force and moment. The data indicate that there is minimal dependence of the fracture threshold on the direction of applied moment and suggest that a resultant moment is appropriate for the index. Meanwhile, axial loading of the leg results in bending of the tibia due to the curvature of the limb and eccentricity of the load through the ankle and knee. Since the distal and proximal ends of the fibula and tibia are weaker than the shaft, a supplemental compressive criterion is required for these regions. Validation of proposed indices relative to published experimental testing shows good correlation for dynamic results and verifies the dependence of the fracture threshold on an interaction between the applied moment and compressive force. Until additional testing can be conducted to generate injury risk functions, individual investigators must decide whether the static or dynamic criteria are most applicable for their test environment. Furthermore, implementation of the indices into dummy designs requires biofidelic response in order to provide accurate estimates of the injury risk.
A predominant idiotype in the gut associated lymphoid tissue.

A high percentage of gut lamina propria plasma cells in tissue sections were stained by three fluoresceinated rabbit anti mouse IgG3 antisera. Similar cytoplasmic staining was found in several mouse strains including CBA/N mice. To further extend these data, northern hybridization experiments with a cDNA probe specific for IgG3 was performed with total RNA isolated from the small intestine or from cell preparations enriched for lamina propria plasma cells (data not shown). In contrast to the fluorescent studies, little or no mRNA for IgG3 was found. In all cases the antigen used in producing the anti-mouse IgG3 serum was the J 606 (IgG3) myeloma protein, which reacts with certain polysaccharides such as inulin [β(2–1) poly fructosan] and bacterial levan [β(2–6) polyfructosan].
Uteroplacental and Fetal 4D Flow MRI in the Pregnant Rhesus Macaque.

Background Pregnancy complications are often associated with poor uteroplacental vascular adaptation and standard diagnostics are unable to reliably quantify flow in all uteroplacental vessels and have poor sensitivity early in gestation. Purpose To investigate the feasibility of using 4D flow MRI to assess total uteroplacental blood flow in pregnant rhesus macaques as a precursor to human studies. Study type Retrospective feasibility study. Animal model Fifteen healthy, pregnant rhesus macaques ranging from the 1st trimester to 3rd trimester of gestation. Field strength/sequence Abdominal 4D flow MRI was performed on a 3.0T scanner with a radially undersampled phase contrast (PC) sequence. Reference ferumoxytol-enhanced angiograms were acquired with a 3D ultrashort echo time sequence with a center-out radial trajectory. Assessment Repeatability of flow measurements was assessed with scans performed same-day and on consecutive days in the uterine arteries and ovarian veins. In-flow was compared against out-flow in the uterus, umbilical cord, and fetal heart with a conservation of mass analysis. Conspicuity of uteroplacental vessels was qualitatively compared between PC angiograms derived from 4D flow data and ferumoxytol-enhanced angiograms. Statistical tests Bland-Altman analysis was used to quantify same-day and consecutive-day repeatability. Results Same-day flow measurements showed an average difference between scans of 13% in both the uterine arteries and ovarian veins, while consecutive-day measurements showed average differences of 22% and 24%, respectively. Comparisons of in-flow and out-flow showed average differences of 15% in the uterus, 8% in fetal heart, and 15% in the umbilical cord. PC angiograms showed similar depiction of main uteroplacental vessels as high-resolution, ferumoxytol-enhanced angiograms. Data conclusion 4D flow MRI could be used in the rhesus macaque for repeatable flow measurements in the uteroplacental and fetal vasculature, setting the stage for future human studies. Level of evidence 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:534-545.
Circulating Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Tumor Cells With Loss of Heterozygosity in the TSC2 Gene Show Increased Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Activity.

Background Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a destructive metastasizing neoplasm of the lung characterized by proliferation of LAM cells in specialized lung nodules. LAM cells are characterized by expression of the prometastatic and cancer-initiating hyaluronan receptor CD44v6, and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of TSC1 and TSC2. The circulating neoplastic LAM cells are thought to be involved in metastasis. Because LAM cells display properties of neoplastic, metastatic, and stem cell-like cancer cells, we hypothesized that elevated aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity, characteristic of cancer and stem cells, is a property of LAM cells. Methods We performed an in silico search of ALDH genes in microdissected LAM lung nodules. To identify circulating LAM cells, we osmotically removed red blood cells from whole blood to obtain peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which were then sorted by fluorescence-activated cell sorting based on their level of ALDH activity. Results Microdissected LAM lung nodules possess a distinctive ALDH gene profile. The cell subpopulation with high ALDH activity, isolated from circulating cells, possessed TSC2 LOH in 8 of 14 patients with LAM. Approximately 60% of the circulating cells with high ALDH activity expressed CD44v6. Cells with TSC2 LOH from patients with LAM and LAM/TSC exhibited different properties in different body locations, but all cell types showed high ALDH activity. Conclusions This new procedure allows for isolation of circulating LAM cells from cultured cells, blood, and chylous effusions and shows that circulating LAM cells are heterogeneous with neoplastic, metastatic, and cancer-stem cell-like properties.
Lessons learned from routine, targeted assessment of liquid biopsies for EGFR T790M resistance mutation in patients with EGFR mutant lung cancers

Background: Plasma cfDNA evaluation at acquired resistance to targeted therapies in lung cancer is routine, however, reports of extended clinical application and pitfalls in laboratory practice are...
TAG-1 Multifunctionality Coordinates Neuronal Migration, Axon Guidance, and Fasciculation

Neuronal migration, axon fasciculation, and axon guidance need to be closely coordinated for neural circuit assembly. Spinal motor neurons (MNs) face unique challenges during development because their cell bodies reside within the central nervous system (CNS) and their axons project to various targets in the body periphery. The molecular mechanisms that contain MN somata within the spinal cord while allowing their axons to exit the CNS and navigate to their final destinations remain incompletely understood. We find that the MN cell surface protein TAG-1 anchors MN cell bodies in the spinal cord to prevent their emigration, mediates motor axon fasciculation during CNS exit, and guides motor axons past dorsal root ganglia. TAG-1 executes these varied functions in MN development independently of one another. Our results identify TAG-1 as a key multifunctional regulator of MN wiring that coordinates neuronal migration, axon fasciculation, and axon guidance.
Examining the Effects of a Tier 2 Reading Comprehension Intervention Aligned to Tier 1 Instruction for Fourth-Grade Struggling Readers:

This article presents findings from a quasiexperimental study examining the effects of a Tier 2 intervention aligned to Tier 1 instruction, a nonaligned Tier 2 intervention, and a business-as-usual...
Prenatal ultrasound features of Loeys-Dietz syndrome Type 4.

Loeys-Dietz (LDS) syndromes (types 1-5) are autosomal dominant conditions with pathogenic variants in TGFβR1, TGFβR2, SMAD3, TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 that affect the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and craniofacial systems. Aortic root dissection is a major cause of mortality in these individuals. Aortic root dilation is often present in childhood and may be recognized in utero. Our case highlights the prenatal ultrasound features of LDS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Phase I study of intraventricular infusions of autologous ex vivo expanded NK cells in children with recurrent medulloblastoma and ependymoma

Background Recurrent pediatric medulloblastoma and ependymoma have a grim prognosis. We report a first-in-human, phase I study of intraventricular infusions of ex vivo expanded autologous natural killer (NK) cells in these tumors, with correlative studies. Methods Twelve patients were enrolled, 9 received protocol therapy up to 3 infusions weekly, in escalating doses from 3 × 106 to 3 × 108 NK cells/m2/infusion, for up to 3 cycles. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained for cellular profile, persistence, and phenotypic analysis of NK cells. Radiomic characterization on pretreatment MRI scans was performed in 7 patients, to develop a non-invasive imaging-based signature. Results Primary objectives of NK cell harvest, expansion, release, and safety of 112 intraventricular infusions of NK cells were achieved in all 9 patients. There were no dose-limiting toxicities. All patients showed progressive disease (PD), except 1 patient showed stable disease for one month at end of study follow-up. Another patient had transient radiographic response of the intraventricular tumor after 5 infusions of NK cell before progressing to PD. At higher dose levels, NK cells increased in the CSF during treatment with repetitive infusions (mean 11.6-fold). Frequent infusions of NK cells resulted in CSF pleocytosis. Radiomic signatures were profiled in 7 patients, evaluating ability to predict upfront radiographic changes, although they did not attain statistical significance. Conclusions This study demonstrated feasibility of production and safety of intraventricular infusions of autologous NK cells. These findings support further investigation of locoregional NK cell infusions in children with brain malignancies.
Reaching for the Stars: Spatial Competition and Consumer Reviews

Competition is a key feature of the market process assumed to improve market outcomes. But how strong is the relationship between competition and positive consumer experiences, and how does the relationship vary across space and type of competitor? Phoenix is a suitable setting in which to explore these questions because it is a major metropolitan area with thousands of unique restaurants rated on Yelp. The consumer experience is measured based upon Yelp user-generated reviews through July 2016, with higher ratings reflecting better customer experiences. Competition is defined in different ways depending upon the number of overall, same-price and same-type restaurants nearby. Given differences between chain and independent restaurants, competition is further segmented across these two types of establishments. After controlling for restaurant characteristics, census-tract-level demographics, census-tract fixed effects and sub-industry fixed effects the results suggest that spatial competition is only associated with better customer experiences for same-category independent restaurants within driving distance (1-5 miles). The association is not present for overall and same-price independent restaurant competition nor for chain restaurants. Consistent with the sprawling layout of the Phoenix area, the effect of competition is only for restaurants within driving distance. These findings are relevant for cities designing policies to attract residents by offering high-quality consumer amenities.
Performance of modified Igls criteria to evaluate islet autograft function after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation - a retrospective study.

The Igls criteria assess islet function after islet allotransplant, based on C-peptide, insulin use, hemoglobin A1c, and severe hypoglycemia. However, these criteria as currently defined cannot be applied to total pancreatectomy islet autotransplant (TPIAT) patients. We tested modified criteria for assessing islet function in a large cohort of TPIAT patients (n = 379). Metabolic outcomes were assessed. We assigned Auto-Igls class to each patient as able and evaluated the utility, validity, and perioperative risk factors of Auto-Igls at 1-year post-IAT. We tested the association of Auto-Igls with independent measures of islet graft function, specifically continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data or acute C-peptide response to glucose (ACRglu) from intravenous glucose tolerance tests. An Auto-Igls class was assigned to 264 patients (69%). Among patients who could not be classified, most were missing exact insulin dose. Seventy-three percent of TPIAT recipients were classified as optimal or good at 1 year. The only significant predictor of Auto-Igls class was islet mass transplanted (P < 0.0001). Auto-Igls class was associated with percent time in range (70-140 mg/dl) on CGM (P = 0.02) and ACRglu (P < 0.0001). Modified Igls classification for IAT permits simple, comprehensive assessment of metabolic outcomes after TPIAT and is associated with other islet functional measures.
What Do We Know? Teaching Medical Students to Deal with Uncertainty as a Pandemic Unfolds

Background The global COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on medical student education As the pandemic spread nationwide, numerous universities shut down with only days' notice, and medical students were removed from all patient care settings and restricted from campuses Yet, the need and curiosity of these future physicians to understand this new disease was great, including how to interpret and integrate rapidly evolving information on the underlying viral and immune mechanisms, pathophysiology, and epidemiology Time students spent away from patient care settings presented an opportunity to rapidly develop and deliver new curriculum covering SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Methods A team of students and faculty at Indiana University developed a Fundamentals of COVID-19 course that included up-to-date information on the virology, immunology, and pathophysiology of COVID-19 The course was delivered online, with both synchronous and asynchronous activities Virology and immunology of the coronavirus family, including current knowledge to-date of SARS-CoV-2, were delivered using a series of readings and brief videos, followed by a small group exercise that required students to choose and present to their peers a paper from the scientific literature on COVID-19 A similar approach was used to deliver content about the pathophysiology of COVID-19 To place the COVID-19 experience in context of other pandemics, students researched and educated their small group cohort on another historical pandemic Results To measure course effectiveness, we administered a pre-course survey gauging students' self-confidence in their knowledge of these topics;the same survey was administered after completion of the course Surveys from 645 (89% of enrolled) 3rd and 4th year medical students who completed both surveys were analyzed Results showed that the course elicited a 57% increase (p< 0 001) in students' confidence in their knowledge of COVID-19 virology and immunology and a 64% increase (p< 0 001) in knowledge of the pathophysiology Conclusion Data showed that the asynchronous content and group activities were successful in engaging and educating the students on foundational knowledge of COVID-19 and were an effective approach to rapidly evolving information when faced with a novel disease
Fascia Iliaca Block for Postoperative Pain Control After Hip Arthroscopy: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background:Various analgesic modalities have been used to improve postoperative pain in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy.Purpose:To systematically review the literature to compare the efficacy o...
Impression Management and Group Member Performance: Examining the Role of Collective Altruism

There is debate in the literature regarding when impression management motivates affiliative behavior (i.e., helping others) and how well individuals perform organizational tasks when the driving m...
Discoidin domain receptor regulates ensheathment, survival, and caliber of peripheral axons

Abstract Invertebrate axons and small caliber axons in mammalian peripheral nerves are unmyelinated but still ensheathed by glia. How this type of ensheathment is controlled and its roles in supporting neuronal function remain unclear. We performed an in vivo RNAi screen in Drosophila to identify glial genes required for axon ensheathment and identified the conserved receptor tyrosine kinase Discoidin domain receptor (Ddr). In larval peripheral nerves, loss of Ddr resulted in incomplete ensheathment of axons. We found a strong dominant genetic interaction between Ddr and the fly type XV/XVIII collagen Multiplexin (Mp), suggesting Ddr functions a collagen receptor to drive wrapping of axons during development. Surprisingly, while ablation of glia that wrap axons severely impaired larval motor behavior, incomplete wrapping in Ddr mutants was sufficient to support basic circuit function. In adult nerves, loss of Ddr from glia decreased long-term survival of sensory neurons and significantly reduced axon caliber without overtly affecting ensheathment. Our data establish a crucial role for non-myelinating glia in peripheral nerve development and function across the lifespan, and identify Ddr as a key regulator of axon-glia interactions during ensheathment.
Chirurgische Nahtinstrumente bei Anastomosen: Prinzipien und Vorsichtsmaßnahmen

Die Erhaltung der Gewbsdurchblutung in der Klammernaht und der damit gewarhrleisteten Heilungsfahigkeit, ist die Voraussetzung fur die Anwendung der chirurgischen Klammerinstrumente. Bei geeigneter und korrekter Klammerung ist daher auch de Austritt von Blut durch die Klammerreihe zu beobachten. Sie kommt zustande, da die Klammern eine B-Konfiguration bilden. Dadurch gibt es Gewebeanteile in der Klammerreihe, die von der vollstandigen Klammerung ausgeschlossen sind und damit den Blutdurchflus der Anastomose ermoglichen (Abb. 4.1a, b). Wird allerdings zu dickes Gewebe geklammert, resultiert aus der Kompression eine Nekrose. Die Klammertechnik ist damit in solchen Fallen kontraindiziert. Auf der anderen Seite kann das Gewebe zu dunn sein, so das die Klammerreihe nicht mit Sicherheit die Adaptation der Anastomoserander herbeifuhrt, wodurch Blutung und Anastomosenleck die Folge sein konnen. Unsicherheiten bestehen auch bei Vorliegen von Gewebe unterschiedlicher Dicke. Die bei dem TA-Instrument verwendeten Klammern haben eine Lange von 3,5 mm mit 4,0 mm breiter Klammerbasis. Bei 4,8 mm breiten Klammern sind die Klammerschenkel 4,8 mm lang.
The Community of Strangers

Within and underneath the rational community, there exists the possibility for a second community in which we recognize that we are mysteries to one another. To put it another way, the members of this community are all strangers.
Twistor spaces over 6-dimensional Riemannian manifolds

Sur une variete orientee de Riemann a 2n dimensions M on definit un fibre #7B-F dont la fibre sur chaque point x de M est constituee de toutes les structures presque complexes sur l'espace tangent T x M compatible avec la metrique et l'orientation. On trouve des conditions necessaires et suffisantes pour l'integrabilite de la structure canonique presque complexe sur #7B-F
A new discrete-in-time extremum seeking based technique for maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic systems

This work proposes a novel discrete-in-time extremum seeking based technique for maximum power point tracking of photovoltaic systems. The proposed method operates without any knowledge of the power-current characteristic of the utilized photovoltaic panel. This paper first formulates the maximum power point tracking problem for a general power converter connected to a typical solar panel. Then it introduces the proposed tracker algorithm and explains its operation in detail. Finally, it offers simulation results based on application of the proposed method to a boost converter connected to a BP365 solar panel to verify the theoretical results.
General inequalities for gibbs posterior with nonadditive empirical risk

The Gibbs posterior is a useful tool for risk minimization, which adopts a Bayesian framework and can incorporate convenient computational algorithms such as Markov chain Monte Carlo. We derive risk bounds for the Gibbs posterior using some general nonasymptotic inequalities, which can be used to derive nearly optimal convergence rates and select models to optimally balance the approximation errors and the stochastic errors. These inequalities are formulated in a very general way that does not require the empirical risk to be a usual sample average over independent observations. We apply this framework to study the convergence rate of the GMM (generalized method of moments) risk and derive an oracle inequality for the ranking risk, where models are selected based on the Gibbs posterior with a nonadditive empirical risk.
Trends in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma incidence and survival in the United States, 1975-2005

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents aged <20 years; its etiology remains largely unknown. It is believed that embryonal (ERMS) and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), the most common subtypes, arise through distinct biologic mechanisms. The authors of this report evaluated incidence and survival trends by RMS demographic subgroups to inform future etiologic hypotheses. METHODS: Incidence and survival trends in RMS among children and adolescents aged <20 years were analyzed using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Frequencies, age-adjusted incidence and survival rates, and joinpoint regression results, including annual percentage change (APC) and 95% confidence interval (CI), were calculated. RESULTS: Between 1975 and 2005, the incidence of ERMS was stable, whereas a significant increase in the incidence of ARMS was observed (APC, 4.20%; 95%CI, 2.60%-5.82%). This trend may have been attributable in part to shifts in diagnosis, because a significant negative trend in RMS, not otherwise specified was observed concurrently. A bimodal age peak for ERMS was observed, with the second, smaller peak in adolescence noted for males only; ARMS incidence did not vary by age or sex. Five-year survival rates for RMS and ERMS increased during the period from 1976 to 1980 (52.7% and 60.9%, respectively) to the period from 1996 to 2000 (61.8% and 73.4%, respectively), whereas there was little improvement for ARMS (40.1% and 47.8%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Observed differences in incidence and survival for 2 major RMS subtypes across sex and age subgroups further supported the hypothesis that there are unique underlying etiologies for these tumors. Exploration of these differences presents an opportunity to increase current knowledge of RMS. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Probability Logic and Borel's Denumerable Probability

Borel's concept of denumerable probability is described by means of three of his illustrative problems and their solution. These problems are then reformulated in contemporary terms and solved from the viewpoint of probability logic. A section compares Kolmogorov set-theoretic probability with probability logic. The concluding section describes a highly adverse criticism of Borel's conception for its not using something like Kolmogorov theory (introduced two decades later) and, in support of Borel, this criticism is countered from the standpoint of quantifier probability logic.
Risk adjusted infection rates Part 1: what is risk adjustment and when should infection rates be risk adjusted?

The history of Australian infection control and surveillance began with the employment of the first infection control practitioner (ICP) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, in 1965. Since then, the terminology for hospital-acquired infection has moved from the Greek, 'iatrogenic' and 'nosocomial' to 'health care associated' to reflect the inclusion of non-hospital settings.
Improving Written Language Performance of Adolescents with Asperger Syndrome.

The effects of a multicomponent intervention involving self-regulated strategy development delivered via video self-modeling on the written language performance of 3 students with Asperger syndrome were examined. During intervention sessions, each student watched a video of himself performing strategies for increasing the number of words written and the number of functional essay elements. He then wrote a persuasive essay. The number of words written and number of functional essay elements included in each essay were measured. Each student demonstrated gains in the number of words written and number of functional essay elements. Maintenance of treatment effects at follow-up varied across targets and participants. Implications for future research are suggested.
Pesticide Use and Applicator Practices of Commercial Cattle Feeders

While pesticides are extensively used in U.S. agriculture, little research has been done to document pesticide use and practices of applicators in commercial cattle feedlot operations. The purpose of this exploratory study was to: (1) investigate behavior of commercial cattle feeders using pesticides, (2) determine protective clothing and/or equipment used when personnel apply pesticides, (3) determine clothing management practices, and (4) identify formulations and methods of pesticide application used by feedlot personnel. A questionnaire was administered to 54 commercial feedlot operations. A majority of the 54 feedlots fed over 16,000 cattle annually, while most handling of livestock (including pesticide application) was done by small crews (i.e., 1-4 persons). Results indicated that these feedlot crews may be substantially exposed to a variety of pesticides. Generally, protective clothing was not worn or was insufficient to minimize pesticide exposure.
Cohesion Group Approach for Evolutionary Analysis of Aspartokinase, an Enzyme That Feeds a Branched Network of Many Biochemical Pathways

Summary: Aspartokinase (Ask) exists within a variable network that supports the synthesis of 9 amino acids and a number of other important metabolites. Lysine, isoleucine, aromatic amino acids, and dipicolinate may arise from the ASK network or from alternative pathways. Ask proteins were subjected to cohesion group analysis, a methodology that sorts a given protein assemblage into groups in which evolutionary continuity is assured. Two subhomology divisions, ASKα and ASKβ, have been recognized. The ASKα subhomology division is the most ancient, being widely distributed throughout the Archaea and Eukarya and in some Bacteria. Within an indel region of about 75 amino acids near the N terminus, ASKβ sequences differ from ASKα sequences by the possession of a proposed ancient deletion. ASKβ sequences are present in most Bacteria and usually exhibit an in-frame internal translational start site that can generate a small Ask subunit that is identical to the C-terminal portion of the larger subunit of a heterodimeric unit. Particularly novel are ask genes embedded in gene contexts that imply specialization for ectoine (osmotic agent) or aromatic amino acids. The cohesion group approach is well suited for the easy recognition of relatively recent lateral gene transfer (LGT) events, and many examples of these are described. Given the current density of genome representation for Proteobacteria, it is possible to reconstruct more ancient landmark LGT events. Thus, a plausible scenario in which the three well-studied and iconic Ask homologs of Escherichia coli are not within the vertical genealogy of Gammaproteobacteria, but rather originated via LGT from a Bacteroidetes donor, is supported.
An assessment of the psychometric properties of the computer attitude scale

An increasing number of organizational employees are using computers for a variety of different job-related tasks. Therefore, viewed in the aggregate across an organization, the behavior of all employees toward computers may be considered from a general perspective. As a result, general attitudes toward computers are assuming greater importance. Nickell and Pinto (1986) developed the computer attitude scale (CAS) to measure general positive and negative attitudes toward computers. This study presents the results of multiple regression analysis, test-retest analysis, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis of the CAS in order to assess the instrument's predictive ability, construct validity, and reliability. The findings indicate that the CAS demonstrates acceptable construct validity, reliability, and stability over time, as well as the ability to predict computer usage.
Generalizability of the limits of stability test in the evaluation of dynamic balance among older adults.

Abstract Objective: Reliability of platform posturography tests is essential for the identification and treatment of balance-related disorders. The purposes of this study were to establish the reliability of the limits of stability (LOS) test and to determine the relative variance contributions from identified sources of measurement error. Design: Generalizability theory was used to calculate (1) variance estimates and percentage of variation for the sources of measurement error, and (2) generalizability coefficients. Random effects repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) was used to assess consistency of measurements across both days and targets. Participants: Thirty-eight community-dwelling older adults with no recent history of falls. Main Outcome Measures: Outcome measures derived from the LOS tests included movement velocity (MV), maximum center of gravity (COG) excursion (ME), end point COG excursion (EE), and directional control (DC). Results: Estimated generalizability coefficients for 2 and 3 days of testing ranged from .69 to .91. Relative contributions of the day facet were minimal. The RM ANOVA results indicated that for three of the movement variables, no significant differences in scores were observed across days. Conclusions: The 75% and 100% LOS tests are reliable tests of dynamic balance when administered to healthy older adults with no recent history of falls. Dynamic balance measures were generally consistent across multiple evaluations.
Optimization of landmark selection for cortical surface registration

Manually labeled landmark sets are often required as inputs for landmark-based image registration. Identifying an optimal subset of landmarks from a training dataset may be useful in reducing the labor intensive task of manual labeling. In this paper, we present a new problem and a method to solve it: given a set of N landmarks, find the k(<; N) best landmarks such that aligning these k landmarks that produce the best overall alignment of all N landmarks. The resulting procedure allows us to select a reduced number of landmarks to be labeled as a part of the registration procedure. We apply this methodology to the problem of registering cerebral cortical surfaces extracted from MRI data. We use manually traced sulcal curves as landmarks in performing inter-subject registration of these surfaces. To minimize the error metric, we analyze the correlation structure of the sulcal errors in the landmark points by modeling them as a multivariate Gaussian process. Selection of the optimal subset of sulcal curves is performed by computing the error variance for the subset of unconstrained landmarks conditioned on the constrained set. We show that the registration error predicted by our method closely matches the actual registration error. The method determines optimal curve subsets of any given size with minimal registration error.
Dental color standards: shade tab arrangement.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the shade tab arrangement of two popular dental shade guides, suggest possible improvements, and propose clinical guidelines. Materials and Methods: Data were recorded using a colorimeter set to standard illuminant source C and CIE L*a*b* system. The manufacturers' shade tab arrangement as well as the possible improvements in the arrangement of shade tabs of Vitapan Classical and Vitapan 3-D Master (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Sackingen, Germany) shade guides were examined by regression analysis. Results: Certain shortcomings in the manufacturers' arrangement of both color standards were observed. The Vitapan 3-D Master arrangement was more consistent, but with a decrease in lightness, tab saturation decreased as well in four of its five groups. When Vitapan Classical and Vitapan 3-D Master tabs were arranged according to ΔE* in relation to the lightest tab, r2 was 0.98 and 0.96, respectively. After dividing the total ΔE* range into four equal segments for the newly established Vitapan Classical guide, r2 was 0.91, 0.95, 0.68, and 0.94, respectively. Corresponding r2 values for Vitapan 3-D Master were 0.96, 0.94, 0.90, 0.94, and 1.0. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Total color difference in relation to the lightest tab, followed by the tab division into an adequate number of groups, is recommended as a possible and universally applicable mode of tab arrangement in dental color standards.
Impact of marital status in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer

Married (vs. unmarried) individuals have improved health status and longer life expectancies in a variety of benign and malignant disease states, including prostate, breast, head/neck, and lung cancers. We sought to evaluate a cohort of patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer to evaluate the impact of marital status on demographic, peri-operative, and pathological outcomes in order to better understand the factors which may contribute to the survival differences observed. Two-hundred and two patients underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer. Patients were categorized based on marital status as either married or unmarried (widowed, divorced, never married). Correlations were made to demographic factors (age, race, gender, BMI, tobacco use, alcohol use), perioperative factors (pre-op renal function (creatinine), hematocrit, EBL, hospital stay, choice of diversion), and pathological outcomes (organ-confined status, LN positivity). Of the 202 patients, 74% were married. Married individuals (vs. unmarried) were more often male (84 vs. 62%) and had a higher BMI (28.1 vs. 25.9). Married persons had a significantly lower pre-op creatinine (1.1 vs. 1.4) and higher hematocrit (39 vs. 34). Hospital stay was shorter in married patients by a mean of 1.6 days. Regarding operative pathology, married patients had a higher rate of organ-confined disease (59 vs. 47%) (P = 0.05, 0.08 on multivariate) and trended towards a lower rate of LN positivity (15 vs. 21%; P = 0.10, 0.12 multivariate). In patients undergoing cystectomy for bladder cancer, married individuals appear to have improved pre-operative laboratory variables, shorter hospitalization, and improved pathological outcomes versus unmarried patients in our case series. These findings may support the evidence (observed in other tumor types and other disease states) that married persons present earlier than unmarried individuals, and this may help explain the improved survival outcomes that have been observed in married patients with bladder cancer.
Demonstration of 40 GHz analog-to-digital conversion using copy-and-sample-all parametric processing

We present the result of an optical analog-to-digital conversion front-end based on the copy-and sample-all principle for the first time. The new architecture uses self-seeded multicasting and polychromatic sampling. Operation at 40 GHz and 6 ENOBs is experimentally demonstrated.
Manipulation of Alcohol Preference in C57BL/6J Mice by Episodes of Food Poisoning

Individual differences in the amount of alcohol consumed in a choice situation are found in highly inbred C57BL/6J mice. The extent to which environmental stress can modify alcohol preference was studied by coupling acute episodes of poisoning with restricted fluid availability, and recovery with free choice of drinking fluids. Addition of actinomycin D, a mycotoxin, to ordinary chow during 2-day periods produced acute episodes of nonlethal food poisoning from which the mice recovered rapidly. Consumption of a 10% alcohol solution and of water was recorded for several weeks before poisoning and for several weeks after the last episode. By varying drinking fluids available to the mice during the episodes of poisoning, long-lasting changes in alcohol preference were produced. When 10% alcohol was the sole drinking fluid available during poisoning, preference for the alcohol solution was abolished. When water was the sole fluid during poisoning, alcohol preference was increased above the already high levels established in the baseline and above a control group that was restricted to water during the treatment periods but was not poisoned. This increased alcohol preference was due to a nearly complete suppression of water intake in the posttreatment period; there was no significant increase in amount of alcohol consumed. The greatest individual differences in subsequent alcohol preference were found in the group of mice which continued to have free choice of alcohol and water during episodes of poisoning. The variety of responses to the same treatment show how environmental influences outside the experimenter's control may account for the variability found in voluntary alcohol consumption among genetically homogeneous mice.
Examination of the psychometric properties of the adult manifest anxiety scale-elderly version scores

The psychometric properties of the Adult Manifest Anxiety Scale-Elderly Version (AMAS-E) scores were evaluated in two studies. In Study 1, the temporal stability and construct validity of the AMAS-E test scores were examined in a group of 226 older adults, aged 60 years and older. Results indicated adequate to excellent temporal stability (2-week interval) for the AMAS-E test scores. Evidence supporting the construct validity of the AMAS-E scale scores as measures of various aspects of anxiety was found. In Study 2, the factor structure of the AMAS-E was examined across gender for a sample of 863 older adults, 555 women and 308 men, aged 60 to 100 years. Coefficient of congruence and salient variable similarity index values reported suggest that the pairs of matched factors of each of the four factors (i.e., Fear of Aging, Physiological Anxiety, Worry/Oversensitivity, and Lie) and the general anxiety (ganx) or Total Anxiety factor were invariant across gender. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Endogenous ionic currents and voltages in amphibian embryos

Using a noninvasive vibrating electrode for the measurement of extracellular current, we show that a polarized ionic current traverses the embryo for many hours in the anuran, perhaps days in the urodele following gastrulation. The voltage driving these ionic currents is an internally positive transepithelial potential (TEP) normally expressed across embryonic integuments. Current is driven out of the lateral walls of the neural folds and the blastopore and enters most of the rest of the embryo's body surface. The magnitude of the TEP is transitorily dependent on external sodium and can be reduced by the embryo's immersion in Na+ depleted media or by treatment with 50 μM amiloride. Both treatments fail to chronically reduce externally detected currents, however. The pattern of currents traversing the embryo suggests they would be associated with rostral-caudal and medial-lateral gradients of voltage within the embryo. By sampling the distribution of TEPs in axolotl embryos, we provide measurements of the former—an internal, caudally negative, potential gradient beneath the neural plate ectoderm. The magnitude of these endogenous fields is on the order of 10 to 20 mV/mm and is within a range of potential known to affect the shape and migration of a variety of embryonic cell types in vitro. We suggest that endogenous currents and voltages in the vertebrate embryo may provide gross cues for cell movement and emerging developmental pattern. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Anglo-American Capitalism: The Role and Potential Role of Social Accounting

Anglo-American Capitalism: The Role and Potential Role of Social Accounting David Collison, Colin Dey, Gwen Hannah and Lorna Stevenson Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 2010, 23(8), pp...
Hail the Conquering Hero: Remembering the Troops in The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds and Avatar

Three recent movies about war are examined. All have been honored by critics and welcomed by audiences. The three movies are very different from one another. They reflect different ways of thinking and feeling about war. More specifically, they represent ways we relate to the troops we send into battle and our concerns about whether we have done and are doing the right things.