cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A prospective clinical trial of proton therapy for chordoma and chondrosarcoma: Feasibility assessment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Proton therapy (PRT) has emerged as a treatment option for chordomas/chondrosarcomas to escalate radiation dose more safely. We report results of a phase I/II trial of PRT in patients with chordoma/chondrosarcoma. METHODS Twenty adult patients with pathologically confirmed, nonmetastatic chordoma or chondrosarcoma were enrolled in a single-institution prospective trial of PRT from 2010 to 2014. Seventeen patients received adjuvant PRT and three received definitive PRT. Median dose was 73.8 Gy(RBE; range 68.4-79.2 Gy) using PRT-only (n = 6) or combination PRT/intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (n = 14). Quality-of-life (QOL) and fatigue were assessed weekly and every 3 months posttreatment with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Brain (FACTBr) and Brief Fatigue Inventory. Primary endpoint was feasibility (90% completing treatment with < 10 day treatment delay and ≤ 20% unexpected acute grade ≥ 3 toxicity). RESULTS Tumors included chordomas of the skull base (n = 10), sacrum (n = 5), and cervical spine (n = 3), and skull base chondrosarcomas (n = 2). Median age was 57. The 80% had positive margins/gross disease. Median follow-up was 37 months. Feasibility endpoints were met. The 3-year local control and progression-free survival was 86% and 81%. There were no deaths. Two patients had acute grade 3 toxicity (both fatigue). One had late grade 3 toxicity (epistaxis and osteoradionecrosis). There were no significant differences in patient reported fatigue or QOL from baseline to the end-of-treatment. CONCLUSIONS We report favorable local control, survival, and toxicity following PRT.
The Early Finn Cycle

It has become a scholarly cliche to say that narrative ‘cycles’ (specifically the ‘Ulster’, ‘Fenian’, ‘Mythological’, and ‘Kings’ Cycles) are an anachronistic way to talk about storytelling of the ...
Complications following posterior cervical decompression and fusion: a review of incidence, risk factors, and prevention strategies

Posterior cervical decompression and fusion (PCF) is a common surgical technique used to treat various cervical spine pathologies. However, there are various complications associated with PCF that can negatively impact patient outcome. We performed a comprehensive literature review to identify the most common complications following PCF using PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar. The overall complication rates of PCF are estimated to range from about 15% to 25% in the current literature. The most common immediate complications include acute blood loss anemia, surgical site infection (SSI), C5 palsy, and incidental durotomy; the most common long-term complications include adjacent segment degeneration, junctional kyphosis, and pseudoarthrosis. Three principal mechanisms are thought to contribute to complications. First, higher number of fusion levels, obesity, and more complex pathologies can increase the invasiveness of the planned procedure, thus increase complications. Second, wound healing and arthrodesis may be impaired due to poor blood flow due to various patient factors such as smoking, diabetes, increased frailty, steroid use, and other medical comorbidities. Finally, increased biomechanical stress on the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) and lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) may predispose patient to chronic degeneration and result in adjacent level degeneration and/or junctional problems. Reducing the modifiable risk factors pre-operatively can decrease the overall complication rate. Neurologic deficits may be reduced with adequate intraoperative decompression of neural elements. SSI may be reduced with meticulous wound closure that minimizes dead space, drain placement, and the use of intra-wound antibiotics. Careful design of the fusion construct with consideration in spinal alignment and biomechanics can help to reduce the rate of junctional problems. Spine surgeons should be aware of these complications associated with PCF and the corresponding prevention strategies optimize patient outcomes.
Cardio-Oncology and the Intersection of Cancer and Cardiotoxicity: The Role of Palliative Care.

Over the last several decades, palliative care has evolved from a subspecialty focusing on end-stage disease to one that provides comprehensive care for patients with complex illness. It has been well established for many years in oncology. More recently, palliative care has been recognized as a
108 – Surgical Sympathectomy

Publisher Summary Surgical sympathectomy (T1–T3) is helpful in the treatment of pain syndromes, including reflex sympathetic dystrophy (no significant nerve injury) and causalgia (nerve involvement). Both types of pain are likely to be related to increased sensitivity of primary afferent sensory fibers to catecholamines and have been reported to improve after sympathectomy in patients who experienced good, although temporary, pain relief from sympathetic block. In the mid-20th century, sympathectomy was still recommended for the subgroup of patients with a relatively high ankle. Sympathectomy also has been recommended for the treatment of severe or refractory Raynaud syndrome. Over the years, the extent of sympathectomy used to treat hypertension resulted in the failure of ejaculation, increased colonic motility, impaired perception of pain, pain, and postural hypotension. By limiting a surgery to T2–T3 for palmar hyperhidrosis and adding only T4 for axillary hyperhidrosis, many side effects can be avoided. Mild short-term postoperative complications are more common than severe complications and include atelectasis, pneumonia, pneumothorax, and hemothorax. Neuralgia, Horner syndrome, and compensatory sweating are possible long-term complications.
Spot collaborative shipping sans orchestrator using Blockchain

Collaborative shipping refers to multiple independent shippers consolidating their freight flows to share the same set of carriers for goods transportation, in order to reduce cost. In this paper, we design a collaborative shipping marketplace for spot shipments, where the shipping demands are bundled dynamically without premeditated planning by the shippers. Collaborative shipping requires a neutral third party as an orchestrator, who identifies the bundling opportunities, matches with the carrier, and allocates the cost among the shippers. We propose a Blockchain based application that enables decentralized and transparent participation of shippers and carriers in choosing the matching of bundled demand with supply, without an orchestrator. A multi-disciplinary approach with techniques from multi criteria optimization, group decision making, cooperative game theory, and electoral voting are used to develop the distributed collaborative shipping application using Blockchain.
Integrating the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm with Buddhist-Inspired Compassion Meditation

While Ignatian pedagogy is distinctive in Jesuit education, scholarly attention on its applications is scanty. This article demonstrates the relevance of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) to compassion cultivation through showing how it integrates into a Buddhist-inspired contemplation program, Cognitively-Based Compassion Training® (CBCT®). Using a case study of a CBCT® course at a Jesuit University that developed students’ “whole person” and ethical discernment, this research analyzes how CBCT® works with the IPP’s five elements: context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation. This study evaluates participants’ changes in their emotional well-being and ethical concerns by employing psychological measurements such as the Compassionate Love for Humanity Scale. The discussion concludes by elucidating how I have adapted this integrative pedagogical method to teach an undergraduate credited course, “Buddhist Meditation and Practice.” Broadly, this study contributes to a larger conversation about how educators can create an environment that supports both cognitive and affective learning.
Against Empathy Bias: The Moral Value of Equitable Empathy.

Empathy has long been considered central to living a moral life. However, mounting evidence has shown that people’s empathy is often biased toward (i.e., felt more strongly for) others that they ar...
The Upstream Tariff Simulator (UTAS): A Tool to Assess the Impact of Tariff Reform on Input Costs and Effective Protection Across Sectors

Increased international production fragmentation implies that firms at home rely on imported intermediates for production. In this context, tariff policy design needs to consider the impact downstream of changes in tariffs upstream. Policy makers embarking on tariff reforms need to answer questions such as: what is the impact of tariff changes on production costs downstream? What are the key input tariffs that could be reduced to lower production costs in priority sectors considering sectors' backward linkages? Or how will a tariff rationalization plan that focuses on tariff reductions in raw materials and intermediates affect effective protection across sectors? This paper presents the Upstream Tariff Simulator, a simple Microsoft Excel?based tool designed to help policy makers answer these questions, by combining information on tariffs and input-output structures and allowing alternative sectoral aggregations, and alternative market structures for input markets. It provides the underlying conceptual framework and a range of examples that show the insights that the tool can provide to policy makers when analyzing the impact of tariff reforms.
One surgeon’s learning curve with single position lateral lumbar interbody fusion: perioperative outcomes and complications

Background Single position (SP) lateral transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with posterior pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) reduces operative time compared to dual positioning. However, the learning curve has not yet been described. The purpose of this study was to define the learning curve SP LLIF with PPSF. Methods This retrospective case series included the first 161 consecutive patients who underwent SP LLIF and PPSF with the senior author. Primary analysis of operative time versus case number included single level cases without adjacent level procedures. Secondary analyses included 1-3 level cases without adjacent level procedures. Operative time for 2 and 3 level procedures was normalized to single-level cases. The learning curve was assessed with linear regression, which was found to fit the data better than logarithmic regression as judged by R2 values and data visualization. Perioperative outcomes as a function of case number were analyzed by least squares linear regression and Mann Whitney U-tests. Results For single level surgeries without adjacent procedures (n=87), operative time decreased by a total of 28.7 (95% CI, 9.6, 47.9) minutes over the series (P<0.001). For 1-3 level cases with no adjacent procedures (n=131), normalized operative time decreased by 23.1 (7.6, 38.6) minutes (P<0.001). Post-operative change in hematocrit, length of hospital stay, post-operative change in lordosis, 90-day complications, suboptimal screw placement, and 6-week post-operative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score did not correlate with case number. Intraoperative fluids decreased 3.7 mL (95% CI, 0.7, 6.7) per case (P=0.015). Conclusions In SP LLIF with PPSF, case number correlated with decreased operative time, but not complications. The surgeon's prior experience with dual position (DP) LLIF likely contributed to the minimal learning curve observed. Surgeons adopting SP LLIF with minimal prior DP LLIF experience may experience a steeper curve.
Cardiac Tamponade Unmasking Recurrent Ovarian Cancer.

Pericardial disease is a common manifestation of malignancy. Gynecologic malignancies such as ovarian cancer rarely present with cardiac involvement. Cardiac tamponade may be the initial presentation of malignancy in as many as half of pericardial disease cases. We report the case of a 60-year-old female with known ovarian adenocarcinoma, who achieved initial success with tumor debulking and adjuvant chemotherapy but was lost to follow-up. She presented again three years later with new-onset dyspnea and described a syncopal episode. A chest radiograph showed an enlarged cardiac silhouette and bilateral pleural effusions. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large pericardial effusion with diastolic collapse of the right atrium and ventricle, consistent with tamponade physiology. Subxiphoid pericardiocentesis and pigtail drain were placed under fluoroscopy with resolution of symptoms and no recurrence. Neoplastic etiology was confirmed by immunocytochemistry on cell block positive for PAX-8. As an adjunct or alternative to cytologic evaluation, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and calculation of the apparent diffusion coefficient can be used to differentiate between malignant and benign effusions. Malignant pericardial effusion in ovarian cancer is a treatable oncologic emergency where timely diagnosis and management may facilitate palliation and prolong life.
Control requirements of the Shuttle experiments

The paper discusses the pointing and stability requirements of the individual experiments on board the Space Shuttle Orbiter, and describes the general features of certain solutions proposed for meeting these requirements. The Instrument Pointing Control Subsystem is examined, and its attitude control system is discussed.
The new Mathematical and Physical Problems of Superstrong Coupling of Magnetic Monopoles and Composite Hadrons

A new physical problem can be attacked sometimes by the existing mathematical techniques; at other times it needs an entirely new mathematical framework. The relation between the concepts of theoretical physics and the mathematical entities is an intriguing one: the mathematician is often intrigued by how the physicist sets up a physical theory, i.e., a correspondence between physical notions and mathematical symbols obeying certain rules of combinations. The physicist, on the other hand, is intrigued by the abstract formalization of mathematics.
Cytochrome c interaction with membranes. II. Comparative study of the interaction of c cytochromes with the mitochondrial membrane.

Abstract A comparative study of the interaction of various cytochromes c with phospholipid vesicles and with mitochondrial membranes was undertaken. Both mammalian and yeast types of cytochrome c bind preferentially in the oxidized form as evidenced by the midpoint redox potential ( E m 7.0) becoming more negative upon binding. Cytochrome c which is reincorporated into cytochrome c -depleted mitochondria is kinetically comparable with the native cytochrome c component; rate of cytochrome b oxidation is maximally restored at ratios of c 1 :c:a of 1:1:1. Comparison between the electron paramagnetic spectrum of cytochrome c labeled at methionine 65 or cysteine 103 reveals that upon binding to the mitochondrial membrane, the former is immobilized and not the latter. This result suggests that cytochrome c binds to the membrane at the side at which methionine 65 is located.
Guillain-Barre in a Small Illinois Community: An Epidemiology Perspective (P6.036)

OBJECTIVE: We aim to confirm a possible epidemic of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in a small Illinois community of 1,945 people. To our knowledge 7 GBS/GBS spectrum cases were identified over the course of 12 years. This is significantly higher than the national and worldwide incidence. BACKGROUND: GBS incidence worldwide is relatively stable and ranges between 0.38-2.53/100,000. GBS is a sporadic autoimmune disease triggered by infectious agents. In addition, certain studies of GBS like epidemics hypothesized environmental factors, but failed to establish definitive links. A study based in the United States defining a small geographic area with an increased incidence of GBS approaching an epidemic level has yet to be published. DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective chart reviews and updated physical examination were performed on 5 of 7 patients residing in this community. One refused consent and one could not be contacted. The GBS phenotype was defined by presentation, disease course, ancillary test and current functional status. RESULTS: 4/5 patients met the criteria for Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP) (classic GBS) and 1/5 for Miller Fischer variant (GBS spectrum). Acute progressive weakness and hyporeflexia were the main diagnostic criteria. CSF was obtained in 4/5: three showed albumin-cytologic dissociation and one was normal. The patient without a CSF evaluation had electromyography results consistent with AIDP. 3/5 patients were treated with PLEX and 2/5 with IVIG. Clinical course was heterogeneous but outcome was ultimately favorable, with 1/5 developing Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). Patients presented between August-March from 2000-2012. Interestingly 3/5 patients, diagnosed in different years, reported a shared work environment. Given the retrospective nature of this study, other common factors were not found. CONCLUSIONS: The available data confirms an increased GBS incidence in this community meeting the CDC’s definition of an epidemic. The variable clinical phenotype, suggests a multi-factorial etiology, different patient susceptibility or both. We propose a prospective investigation of new cases in an effort to identify a possible cause. Disclosure: Dr. Arias has nothing to disclose. Dr. Claytor has nothing to disclose. Dr. Oroskar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Akhter has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kattah has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer, Inc. as a consultant.
Comparative Circulatory Studies of Diving and Asphyxia

The diving mammals possess several adaptations which are related to their aquatic existence, some of which are of interest to medical science. They have special morphological features concerned with underwater propulsion and temperature regulation, but I will discuss here some physiological aspects of their abilities as divers.
Ontology-based workflow change management for flexible eGovernment service delivery

Often, eGovernment services needed by citizens are composite in nature, where component services are offered by distributed and autonomous government agencies. Our approach to deliver the interagency eGovernment composite services for coordination, cooperation and seamless flow and sharing of data is accomplished through an eGovernment portal system based on a workflow management system (WFMS). Versatile eGovernment service delivery can be achieved through customization of the eGovernment services at the design stage, as well as through run-time adaptation of the services by reacting to changes in the government regulations and mandates, citizens' needs, or unexpected results during service execution. In this paper, we present an approach where the workflows adopt to run-time changes. Given a change condition, our system automatically identifies migration rules that specify operations and tasks needed to achieve run-time adaptation and to generate a new workflow. The migration rules are generated from the regulatory rules ontology, which ensure that the new workflow is in some sense consistent with the original workflow.
COMPUTATIONAL STUDIES OF GENE REGULATORY NETWORKS: IN NUMERO MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Remarkable progress in genomic research is leading to a complete map of the building blocks of biology. Knowledge of this map is, in turn, setting the stage for a fundamental description of cellular function at the DNA level. Such a description will entail an understanding of gene regulation, in which proteins often regulate their own production or that of other proteins in a complex web of interactions. The implications of the underlying logic of genetic networks are difficult to deduce through experimental techniques alone, and successful approaches will probably involve the union of new experiments and computational modelling techniques.
Increasing College-Going Rate, Parent Involvement, and Community Participation in Rural Communities

This study examined the perceptions of leaders of grant-supported projects aimed at increasing the college-going rate of high school students in rural Appalachian counties in Mississippi to determine which factors they felt most influenced the college-going rate, parental participation in school activities, and community participation. Analysis of the leaders’ responses to questions related to these items showed that college visits and ACT preparation workshops were perceived as having the greatest impact on increasing the college-going rate at the schools. No one factor was perceived as having the least impact on increasing the college-going rate at the schools. Factors influencing parental and community participation included events and workshops for parents, especially those which involved community members as mentors. Acknowledgement: This research was supported by Appalachian Regional Commission Grant MS-16115.
Accidental Subdural Spinal Cord Stimulator Lead Placement and Stimulation

Objectives: Neuromodulation with spinal cord stimulation has become an increasingly employed intervention for treatment of a variety of neuropathic pain states. As prevalence increases, so does the incidence of complications. Currently, there is sparse literature describing spinal cord stimulation lead placement and stimulation characteristics in the subdural space. In this case report we describe subdural lead placement and the associated stimulation parameters, and provide evidence-based support to initiate a dialog to further reduce procedural morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: This study is a case report following lead placement during permanent percutaneous spinal cord stimulator placement and stimulation testing. The lead placement and stimulation characteristics were suggestive of extra-epidural lead placement. Results: Using the same cathode/anode configuration (1:anode, 3:cathode, 5:anode), frequency of 40 Hz and pulse width of 650 microseconds, sequential stimulation was performed. Summarizing, the testing demonstrated similar impedance for the left and right leads (within 30 ohms) of approximately 300 ohms, and a large discrepancy in current of 3.2 mA for the left and 0.9 mA for the right. The patient reported “painful intense” stimulation with right lead stimulation. Conclusions: Evidence suggesting subdural lead placement include the lack of cerebrospinal-fluid despite lavage, the absence of post-dural puncture headache, the recent evidence of intentional and reproducible subdural anesthesia, and the conductive properties of the dural spinal elements. It can be argued that subdural lead placement may occur unrecognized more frequently than originally anticipated.
Dynamic relationship between air transport demand and economic growth in the United States: A new look

This paper examines the short- and long-run effects of economic growth and market shocks (e.g., 9/11 terrorist attacks, Iraq war, SARS epidemic, and 2008 financial crisis) on air passenger and freight services using an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration. Results show that, in the long-run, both air passenger and freight services tend to increase with economic growth. In the short-run, however, only air passenger service is responsive to economic growth. Finally, only the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the SARS have detrimental effects on air passenger demand both in the short- and long-run, and in the long-run, respectively. However, these market shocks are found to have little impact on air freight demand.
Mapping of the Q-utilization site (qut) required for antitermination of late transcription in bacteriophage lambda.

Abstract To locate the site required for transcription antitermination by the gene Q product, we constructed a plasmid containing the P ' R promoter, the t , R1 terminator, and gene galK . We measured the galK expression in response to the λ Q product supplied in trans , while deleting various portions of λ DNA adjacent to P ' R . The presence of the λ p ' R promoter together with the downstream DNA coding for only a 34-bp segment of 5'-proximal 6S RNA permits antitermination to occur, whereas deletions removing this segment abolish antitermination, as measured by galK expression, but do not affect the p ' R promoter. Thus the 34-bp segment must contain the p ' R -distal (right) boundary of the Q -specific recognition site qut (Fig. 1). The Q -mediated antitermination appears to be p ' R - qut specific but not t ' R1 , specific, since it does not operate with the p ' p - t ' R1 assembly, but is also effective with terminators other than t ' r1 . e.g., with the combination of the p ' r - qut - t ' 13 modules.
Reply to J. Davis

Mr. Davis finds The Moral Basis of a Backward Society subject to criticism on three grounds: (a) inadequacies of method, (b) inadequacies of formal argument, and (c) omissions and commissions in the presentation of the material itself. Let us examine his bill of particulars on each count.
Bonding of composites: large structures and unprepared surfaces

Abstract The performance record which has been established by composites over the last 30–40 years is acknowledged by the creation of ever larger structures which must fucntion effectively for prolonged periods. The construction of large monolithic hulls is now well founded but even in the ship building industry there is a need to fabricate large structures from panels. Elsewhere, the intricacies of design or transportation problems demand construction techniques based on the assembly of sub-components. Bonding is one method which can be used to assemble the parts and it is known to be very successful. However, in a world where production costs are forever under pressure it is essential to know the limiting parameters; surface preparation being a case in point. Cleaning is expensive, how much is necessary? The paper explores basic issues such as this in relation to the assembly of large structures from panel like components.
Allosteric Stabilization of Fully Resting Voltage Sensors by a Tarantula Toxin

The mechanism of a tarantula toxin's action on the voltage gating of a K channel was investigated. An oxidation-resistant variant of guangxitoxin-1E (GxTX) with methionine 35 replaced by norleucine, was synthesized and found to retain biological activity. When applied to voltage-clamped CHO-K1 cells expressing rat Kv2.1, this GxTX was found to shift channel opening to more positive voltages. In response to short stimulating voltage steps, the voltage shift of conductance saturated at micromolar GxTX concentrations. Prolonged or repetitive pulses to positive potentials ejected GxTX from Kv2.1 channels, revealing the decreased affinity of GxTX for activated voltage sensors. GxTX positively shifted Kv2.1 gating currents, and prevented outward gating charge movement at negative voltages. The modulation of gating charge movement indicates that GxTX stabilizes gating charges in their most internal conformation. Single Kv2.1 channels with GxTX bound exhibited a similar unitary conductance as without tarantula toxin, but had an increased latency to first opening in response to positive voltage steps. A diminished mean open time in the presence of GxTX confirms that channel openings occur with toxin bound and suggests a mechanism for the toxin-induced decrease in peak conductance of macroscopic currents. A simple allosteric model was developed where GxTX stabilizes the earliest resting state of voltage sensors. In this model, GxTX binds activated voltage sensors with decreased affinity, and exerts only a feeble destabilizing influence on the dominant open state. The difference in binding affinity between resting and activated voltage sensors suggests potential for development of GxTX as a probe of voltage sensor conformation in living cells.
Magnetization-Transfer NMR Analysis of Aqueous Poly(vinyl alcohol) Gels: Effect of Hydrolysis and Storage Temperature on Network Formation

The technique of magnetization-transfer nuclear magnetic resonance (MT-NMR) was used to probe the effects of concentration, degree of hydrolysis, and storage temperature on the formation of a network in aqueous solutions and gels of atactic poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The average degree of polymerization of the samples was 1250−1300, and the degrees of hydrolysis of the polymers were 99.5, 98.5, 97.4, and 87.6 mol %. The area of MT profiles and hence the extent of network formation increases nonlinearly with increasing concentration for all PVA samples evaluated, with more extensive network associated with higher polymer concentrations. Network formation is minimal at all concentrations for PVA that is 87.6% hydrolyzed (12.4% residual acetate); the critical concentration of residual acetate groups necessary to disrupt the polymer−polymer hydrogen bonding responsible for forming the network is in the range of 3%. The development of the network proceeds over a period of as long as 18 weeks and is highly sens...
Gamma Radiation-induced Mitotic Abnormalities of Pisum sativum L. as a Measure of Seed Radiosensitivity

Morphological (seedling performance) and cytological (abnormal anaphase) criteria for determining radiosensitivity of Pisum sativum L. were evaluated. The extent of mitotic abnormalities induced by gamma radiation was also considered. The cytological criteria were more nearly accurate and differed significantly from the morphological. Both were negatively correlated with dosage, former being more depressed. Mitotic abnormalities showed dependence of fragment cells and bridges on dosage. Fragments were many and bridges few at low dosages, but fragments declined and bridges increased proportionately at higher dosages.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC DATA-TOPOLOGICAL INDEX DEPENDENCE FOR SELECTED STEROIDS

Selected steroids have been separated by reversed phase thin layer chromatography and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. The chromatographic data (RM and log k′), and partition coefficient (log P) values of the compounds have been correlated with the numerical values of topological indices. The most accurate predictions of the RM, logk′, and log P values of the selected steroids were achieved by using monoparametric equations employing the topological indices oB.
Order of donor type in pediatric kidney transplant recipients requiring retransplantation.

BACKGROUND Living-donor kidney transplantation (KT) is encouraged for children with end-stage renal disease due to superior long-term graft survival compared with deceased-donor KT. Despite this, there has been a steady decrease in the use of living-donor KT for pediatric recipients. Due to their young age at transplantation, most pediatric recipients eventually require retransplantation, and the optimal order of donor type is not clear. METHODS Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we analyzed first and second graft survival among 14,799 pediatric (<18 years old) recipients undergoing KT between 1987 and 2010. RESULTS Living-donor grafts had longer survival compared with deceased-donor grafts, similarly among both first (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73-0.84; P<0.001) and second (aHR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64-0.84; P<0.001) transplants. Living-donor second grafts had longer survival compared with deceased-donor second grafts, similarly after living-donor (aHR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56-0.83; P<0.001) and deceased-donor (aHR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.63-0.95; P=0.02) first transplants. Cumulative graft life of two transplants was similar regardless of the order of deceased-donor and living-donor transplantation. CONCLUSIONS Deceased-donor KT in pediatric recipients followed by living-donor retransplantation does not negatively impact the living-donor graft survival advantage and provides similar cumulative graft life compared with living-donor KT followed by deceased-donor retransplantation. Clinical decision-making for pediatric patients with healthy, willing living donors should consider these findings in addition to the risk of sensitization, aging of the living donor, and deceased-donor waiting times.
Characterization of neurosphere cell phenotypes by flow cytometry.

Background Neural stem cell research regularly utilizes neurosphere cultures as a continuous source of primitive neural cells. Results from current progenitor cell assays show that these cultures contain a low number of neural progenitors. Our goal is to characterize neurosphere cultures and define subpopulations in order to purify neural progenitor cells. Methods Cells from embryonic mouse neurosphere cultures were stained with Hoechst 33342 and analyzed by flow cytometry. Subpopulations were sorted based on their relative fluorescence intensity in the blue and red regions of the spectrum. Individual sorted subpopulations were reanalyzed after 7 days in culture. Results Neurosphere cultures contain a relatively high number of cells that stain weakly with Hoechst 33342. This subpopulation is present when cultured as an entire batch in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF). When cultured separately, this subpopulation gives rise to a neurosphere population with essentially the same characteristics as freshly isolated embryonic mouse brain cells but contains substantially fewer weakly Hoechst-stained cells. Conclusions Similar to hemopoietic systems, neurosphere cultures contain a subpopulation that can be characterized by a low emission of Hoechst fluorescence. When cultured separately, this subpopulation gives rise to a phenotype similar to freshly isolated, uncultured neural cells. Cytometry 40:245–250, 2000 © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Building a protein interaction map: research in the post-genome era.

With the extensive amount of information generated by genome-wide sequencing, the entire set of gene products in an organism can now be predicted. The challenge of understanding the function of each gene in the genome has led to the development of many large-scale and high-throughput experimental techniques. Recently, two papers, Walhout et al.(1) and Uetz et al.,(2) have described studies that add a new functional dimension to research conducted on a genome-wide scale. These two groups have utilized the yeast two-hybrid system to identify interactions among the entire complement of proteins encoded by the Caenorhabditis elegans and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genomes, respectively. Using a set of 29 genes that have been previously characterized, Walhout et al. demonstrated the feasibility and efficiency of this technique by building an interaction matrix among a large number of proteins. On an even larger scale, Uetz et al. conducted two-hybrid analyses using proteins that represent over 87% of the total gene products in yeast and identified interactions for about 15% of the total yeast proteins. BioEssays 22:503–506, 2000. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Measurement of Potential Difference as a Method for Studying the Action of Water on Lead Pipes

WHEN working a R.A.M.C. mobile hygiene laboratory in Northern Ireland in 1941, I found that a number of the water samples submitted for examination had a definite plumbo-solvent action. Thresh1 showed that mere acidity or alkalinity was of minor importance, but the presence of lime with a silicate or organic acid, such as citric, lessened the action.
Profound effects of the weak environmental estrogen-like chemical bisphenol A on the growth of the mammary gland of Noble rats

In the present study we have examined the effects of the environmental estrogenic chemical bisphenol A on proliferative activity, cell cycle kinetics and differentiation of the mammary gland of female Noble rats. Differentiation measured by the degree of lobular maturation revealed that the conversion of immature structures to mature structures was significantly increased in response to exposure to both low (0.1 mg/kg/day) and high (54 mg/kg/day) doses of bisphenol A compared to controls. The proliferative activity of epithelial cells was increased by 143% over controls by the exposure of animals to the low dose of bisphenol A, whereas a 220% increase over controls was observed for the high dose of bisphenol A. The labelling index and growth fraction were 19% and 27%, respectively, for a low dose of bisphenol A; and 27% and 45%, respectively, for a high dose of bisphenol A, compared to 18% and 31%, respectively, in controls. A significant increase in the conversion of mammary epithelial cells from G0, to G1, and S-phase cells by 1.8 and 4.5-fold, respectively, was observed in animals exposed to the high dose of bisphenol A compared to that of controls. Based on the previously reported estrogenic activity of an equivalent dose of bisphenol A to that of diethylstilbestrol (DES) (0.1 mg/kg/day), a calculated theoretical dose of the order of 106-fold higher of bisphenol A will be required to produce the same biological effects as DES. A comparison of the proliferative activity of DES and that of an equivalent dose of bisphenol A observed in this study, however, revealed that its influence on proliferative activity in the epithelial cells of the mammary gland was profound. The weak estrogenic activity of bisphenol A does not explain its profound effect on cell proliferation observed in this study. Perturbation of the cell cycle is considered a risk factor for the development of cancer. Bisphenol-mediated perturbation of the cell cycle in epithelial cells may produce adverse effects in the mammary glands of Noble rats.
Strongly nondegenerate parametric oscillations in a whispering gallery mode resonator

We demonstrate optical continuous wave parametric oscillations in crystalline whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonators fabricated with LiNb03. The required phase matching is achieved by geometrical confinement of the WGMs.
Nonketotic hyperglycinemia: Report of a case and review of the clinical, chemical, and pathological changes

A female infant with neonatal hypotonia and lethargy was found to have nonketotic hyperglycinemia. She died at the age of 5 days. Autopsy revealed slightly retarded myelination and severe spongy change in the well-myelinated areas of the brain. Analysis of this and the other 26 reported cases suggests that patients with nonketotic hyperglycinemia develop severe mental retardation, not seen in ketotic hyperglycinemia. Elevated glycine levels in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid appear to differentiate these two forms of hyperglycinemia better than the presence of ketosis or leukopenia, and high glycine levels apparently occur in the same areas as the spongy change. While both forms show defective glycine cleavage in the liver, defective glycine cleavage in the brain has been reported only in nonketotic hyperglycinemia.
Research Article: Water-Harvesting Applications for Rangelands Revisited

Although water-harvesting techniques have been used effectively in irrigated agriculture and domestic water supplies, there seems to have been little continued exploitation of the same techniques in arid and semiarid rangeland water conservation. A review of the history of rangeland water harvesting allows identification of the methods that have been useful in the past and that would likely be effective in the future. It seems that relatively simple water-harvesting approaches work best on rangelands, particularly waterponding dikes to stimulate vegetation growth. Experience from rangeland water harvesting in New Mexico and other locations in the Southwest indicates that the approach is a long-term solution that produces significant vegetation growth, but generally only 10–15 years after installation because of the sporadic and spatially distributed nature of the summer monsoon rainfall. Additionally, the use of water-ponding dikes seems to most reliably produce an “island” of enhanced soil moisture and increased habitat cover and forage. Water-ponding dikes are easy and relatively inexpensive to construct and produce a pattern of vegetation similar to naturally occurring banded vegetation. Even very shallow dikes (7.5 cm) have been shown to produce a significant vegetation response. As climate changes our water supplies, historical techniques of water harvesting used for over 9,000 years are viable rangeland water conservation alternatives now and in the future for adapting to such changes. Environmental Practice 11:84–94 (2009)
The role of juvenile hormone in the larval diapause of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis

Abstract The possible role of juvenile hormone (JH) in the induction and termination of larval diapause in the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, was investigated using topical applications of both JH I and a JH mimic as well as by monitoring JH titers with the Galleria bioassay. Neither JH nor the JH mimic ZR515 was capable of influencing diapause termination when administered topically. The Galleria bioassay revealed little or no JH in the hemolymph of mid diapause (>30 days) insects, indicating no demonstrable role for JH in diapause maintenance. When ZR515 was administered to nondiapause, newly ecdysed fifth instar larvae the pupal molting cycle was delayed. By use of photoperiodic regimes we were able to show that the molting delay was not equivalent to diapause induction. The Galleria bioassay showed differences in JH titer profiles between diapause and nondiapause animals during the final larval stadium. The nondiapause insects showed titers that decline rapidly to trace amounts following the molt to fifth instar then rose prior to pupation. The diapause insects had generally higher titers and exhibited a more gradual decline after the molt. No evidence was obtained to support the hypothesis that JH plays a key role in the induction, maintenance, or termination of larval diapause.
Magnetotransport in doped manganate perovskites

Recent progress in oxide perovskite thin-film technology has led to the discovery of a large negative magnetoresistance at room temperature in doped manganate perovskite thin films. These films may have potentials for magnetic sensing applications. In this paper we review the basic phenomena and physics of magnetotransport in this class of materials. We also discuss our recent demonstration of a large low-field magnetoresistance effect, and the associated challenges that lie ahead.
Alteration of an annealed and irradiated lunar fines sample by adsorbed water

Apollo 12 lunar fines sample 12070,403 was annealed at 1000 C and subsequently irradiated with a beam of 130 MeV Fe(9+) ions. Adsorptions of nitrogen and water were measured before and after the irradiation. Prior to the irradiation, the fines were nonporous and water had no effect on the physical characteristics of the lunar fines. In contrast, after the irradiation, the interaction with water caused an increase in the specific surface area and created a pore system. These results are definitive evidence that the interaction of water with damage tracks is the prime factor involved in the alteration of lunar fines by adsorbed water.
Phase transitions and structural relationships between Ge5F12, GeF2, SnF2, and TeO2

Abstract Oxidation of 20% of Ge(II) to Ge(IV) in GeF2 leads to Ge5F12, whose chain structure with GeF6 weak interchain bridges, is closely related to the chain structure of GeF2 with weak interchain fluorine bridges. Results reported in the literature about a monoclinic high-temperature phase of GeF2 are reexamined in the light of crystallographic and crystal chemistry considerations, which lead to the conclusion that the high-temperature cell is most likely erroneous. It is shown that GeF2 most likely undergoes a ferro- to paraelastic β ⇌ γ transition similar to the β-SnF2 ⇌ γ-SnF2 and high-pressure TeO2 ⇌ paratellurite TeO2 transitions. High-temperature GeF2 is probably tetragonal like γ-SnF2 and TeO2 and its powder pattern contains, in addition, weak peaks of Ge5F12 and/or SiO2, due to hydrolysis of a minor part of the sample by moisture.
Racial Differences in the Human Endogenous Circadian Period

The length of the endogenous period of the human circadian clock (tau) is slightly greater than 24 hours. There are individual differences in tau, which influence the phase angle of entrainment to the light/dark (LD) cycle, and in doing so contribute to morningness-eveningness. We have recently reported that tau measured in subjects living on an ultradian LD cycle averaged 24.2 hours, and is similar to tau measured using different experimental methods. Here we report racial differences in tau. Subjects lived on an ultradian LD cycle (1.5 hours sleep, 2.5 hours wake) for 3 days. Circadian phase assessments were conducted before and after the ultradian days to determine the change in circadian phase, which was attributed to tau. African American subjects had a significantly shorter tau than subjects of other races. We also tested for racial differences in our previous circadian phase advancing and phase delaying studies. In the phase advancing study, subjects underwent 4 days of a gradually advancing sleep schedule combined with a bright light pulse upon awakening each morning. In the phase delaying study, subjects underwent 4 days of a gradually delaying sleep schedule combined with evening light pulses before bedtime. African American subjects had larger phase advances and smaller phase delays, relative to Caucasian subjects. The racial differences in tau and circadian phase shifting have important implications for understanding normal phase differences between individuals, for developing solutions to the problems of jet lag and shift work, and for the diagnosis and treatment of circadian rhythm based sleep disorders such as advanced and delayed sleep phase disorder.
The precedence of binocular fusion over binocular rivalry.

During fusion, when both eyes view a set of identical vertical contours, reaction times (RT) to decrements in contrast of either set of contours are very brief. When the right eye views a set of vertical contours and the left eye views a set of horizontal contours, vigorous binocular rivalry results. RTs to decrements in the contrast of one set of contours is brief if those contours are dominant in rivalry; RT is lengthened considerably if those contours are suppressed. When the right eye views a set of vertical contours and the left eye views a set of horizontal contours and a set of vertical contours, RTs to decrements in contrast of any of those contours are comparable to those measured during fusion, not during rivalry. This pattern of results indicates that the presence of matching features in the two eyes’ views renders those features exempt from binocular suppression; binocular fusion takes precedence over binocular rivalry.
EFFECTS of STERILIZING DOSES of GAMMA IRRADIATION ON LEVELS of VITAMIN A, AMINO ACIDS, and FATTY ACIDS IN SELECTED DAIRY PRODUCTS

Frozen dairy products intended for low microbial diets of immunosuppressed patients were sterilized by exposure to 40 kGy (4 Mrad) of cobalt-60 irradiation. Levels of vitamin A, amino acids, and selected fatty acids were measured in yogurt bars, ice cream, Cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and nonfat dry milk before and after irradiation. Addition of antioxidants to the frozen dairy desserts prior to irradiation at - 78C was not effective in preventing degradation of vitamin A. There were significant decreases of approximately 90% in levels of vitamin A in Cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese irradiated at -78C and 0–5C compared to the corresponding nonirradiated products. Levels of vitamin A in nonfat dry milk irradiated at three different temperatures (22C, 0–5C, or - 78C) were variable compared to levels in the nonirradiated product. Levels of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids were retained in all irradiated dairy products analyzed. Irradiation at the specified temperatures did not affect levels of individual amino acids in nonfat dry milk or mozzarella cheese.