cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for Barrett's esophagus.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To summarize the emerging data on the risk factors for Barrett's esophagus and risk stratification tools. RECENT FINDINGS Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is associated with Barrett's esophagus, likely because of both mechanical effects promoting gastroesophageal reflux and nonmechanical effects. Circulating peptides related to obesity alter the risk of Barrett's esophagus and may work synergistically with gastroesophageal reflux. Tobacco use is an underappreciated risk for Barrett's esophagus. A number of genetic variants have been associated with Barrett's esophagus, involving pathways in esophageal development. Risk stratification tools are becoming available that have modest discriminatory capability and good calibration. SUMMARY The developing understanding of risk factors for Barrett's esophagus is shifting the clinical guidelines to a nuanced approach incorporating multiple risk factors to select patients for screening for Barrett's esophagus.
Bank risk and charter value: the role of opacity

In this paper, we explore the linkage between bank opacity and bank charter value. We find that opacity contaminates charter value and therefore reduces the ability of charter value to restrain risk-taking in banking. As bank assets become more complex and opaque with the increased use of derivative assets like mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities, and collateralised debt obligations, etc., it becomes more difficult to gauge the true value of banks and the true risk of the bank activities.
Mapping Li-Ion Transport Through a Ceramic Electrolyte by X-Ray Computed Tomography

Low values of critical-current-densities are a significant shortcoming in the performance of Li6.25La3Zr2A10.25O12, a ceramic electrolyte. X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) images obtained from pristine and "exhausted" cells constructed with lithium metal electrodes, are used to map the spatial non-uniformity of lithium transport. The current is shown to be concentrated in a limited area of the interface, ostensibly producing low engineering values of the critical-current-density. The total volume of Li-ion transfer calculated from the CT scans, is consistent with Faradaic transport. A qualitative analysis of the maps suggests a current concentration factor of at least ten, and most likely even higher.
Exploring the Concept Selection Process in subsea field development projects

This paper investigates the rationale for introducing a concept selection process in a small sized Norwegian exploration and production company in a complex systems-of-systems context. There are numerous challenges related to subsea field developments, where decision-takers require the ability of grasping the whole picture in order to make the right decisions. A simplistic process is practical but might not be sufficient for concept selection requiring multifaceted evaluation. The paper shows a first step towards such a process and is based on literature and interviews. The company seeks a concept selection process and a subsea-specific evaluation aid to minimize inconsistencies in projects and project phases. The introduction of such a process shall ensure that significant aspects are considered during concept selection, and reduce frustration due to unclear definitions of deliverables during concept selection. The preliminary results are highly relevant in the oil and gas sector, but also for other complex systems-of-systems where concept selection is based on intuition and practical experience.
International survey on the management of lumbosacral cutaneous stigmata in infants with suspected occult spinal dysraphism.

Objective Occult spinal dysraphism (OSD) is a common pediatric neurosurgical diagnosis rife with controversy surrounding both the screening of asymptomatic infants and the threshold to offer a prophylactic detethering operation. The authors sought to clarify international practice patterns with a survey of pediatric neurosurgeons. Methods A survey asked pediatric neurosurgeons whether they would perform imaging in patients with a variety of cutaneous stigmata associated with OSD and whether they would offer prophylactic detethering surgery for asymptomatic patients with a variety of imaging findings on the OSD spectrum. Results Completed surveys were received from 141 pediatric neurosurgeons. Broad consensus was demonstrated on the need for obtaining images in sample patients with more severe stigmata ranging from large lipoma with a skin appendage to focal dysplastic skin in the lumbar midline. Ninety percent of respondents would perform MRI for these patients. In contrast, for patients with a low-sacral dimple, flat hemangioma, and symmetric (Y-shaped) splaying of the intergluteal cleft, opinion on the need for imaging varied considerably (between 57% and 89% recommended imaging). Respondents differed on the type of imaging that they would perform, with 31% to 38% recommending ultrasound screening. The responses reflected less consensus on when to offer surgery to patients with simple spinal tethering (low-lying conus medullaris and fatty filum terminale). Both a lower level of the conus and increased thickness of the filum terminale affected decision-making. Conclusions The results of this survey showed significant consensus on the recommendation for screening imaging in patients with more dramatic cutaneous stigmata, although these stigmata are the rarest. A significant variance in opinions was reflected in the recommendation for imaging of the most common cutaneous stigmata. Consensus was also lacking on which lesions deserve prophylactic detethering surgery. Significant equipoise exists for future study of screening imaging and of surgical decision-making in patients with asymptomatic OSD and associated cutaneous stigmata.
Tractable Iterative Transmission Topology Control Heuristics Based on Node-Breaker Modeling

This paper addresses optimal power flow (OPF) problems that include a broader range of discrete decision variables using detailed node-breaker models of power networks, and it extends some of the existing heuristics to incorporate the node-breaker model. These heuristics can be used standalone or as a pre-screening step to generate a manageably small set of breaker candidates to be considered in a more computationally intensive mixed integer program (MIP) optimization. The computation time and quality of solution for the proposed heuristics here are benchmarked against some of the existing approaches. Numerical case studies demonstrate significant examples in which the methods proposed here yield improved operating points (i.e., lower operating cost), with low computational burden while more accurately representing the broader range of discrete decision variables.
Reduced Body Fat and Epididymal Adipose Apelin Expression Associated With Raspberry Ketone [4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-Butanone] Weight Gain Prevention in High-Fat-Diet Fed Mice

Raspberry ketone (RK; [4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone]) is a natural aromatic compound found in raspberries and other fruits. RK is synthetically produced for use as a commercial flavoring agent. In the US and other markets, RK is sold as a dietary supplement for weight control. The potential of RK to reduce or prevent excessive weight gain is unclear and could be a convergence of several different actions. This study sought to determine whether acute RK can immediately delay carbohydrate hyperglycemia and reduce gastrointestinal emptying. In addition, we explored the metabolic signature of chronic RK to prevent or remedy the metabolic effects of diet-induced weight gain. In high-fat diet (HFD; 45% fat)-fed male mice, acute oral gavage of RK (200 mg/kg) reduced hyperglycemia from an oral sucrose load (4 g/kg) at 15 min. In HFD-fed female mice, acute oral RK resulted in an increase in blood glucose at 30 min. Chronic daily oral gavage of RK (200 mg/kg) commencing with HFD access (HFD-RK) for 11 weeks resulted in less body weight gain and reduced fat mass compared with vehicle treated (HFD-Veh) and chronic RK starting 4 weeks after HFD access (HFD-RKw4) groups. Compared with a control group fed a low-fat diet (LFD; 10% fat) and dosed with vehicle (LFD-Veh), glucose AUC of an oral glucose tolerance test was increased with HFD-Veh, but not in HFD-RK or HFD-RKw4. Apelin (Apln) gene expression in epididymal white adipose tissue was increased in HFD-Veh, but reduced to LFD-Veh levels in the HFD-RK group. Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (Ppara) gene expression was increased in the hepatic tissue of HFD-RK and HFD-RKw4 groups. Overall, our findings suggest that long term daily use of RK prevents diet-induced weight gain, normalizes high-fat diet induced adipose Apln, and increases hepatic Ppara expression.
Provenance management for data exploration

Computing has been an enormous accelerator to science and industry alike and it has led to an information explosion in many different fields. The unprecedented volume of data acquired by sensors, derived by simulations and analysis processes, and shared on the Web opens up new opportunities, but it also creates many challenges when it comes to managing and analyzing these data.
Systems Support for Ubiquitous Computing: A Case Study of Two Implementations of Labscape

Labscape, a ubiquitous computing environment for cell biologists, was implemented twice: once using only standard tools for distributed systems (TCP sockets and shared file systems) and once using one.world, a runtime system designed specifically to support ubiquitous applications. We analyze Labscape in terms of the system properties that are required to provide a fluid user experience. Though the two implementations are functionally and architecturally similar, we found a significant difference in the degree to which they each exhibited the required properties. The fact that one.world was not designed specifically with Labscape in mind yet was found to support the application's requirements well suggests that ubiquitous applications have many aspects in common, and can benefit from a system support layer for coping with dynamic environments. We present, in detail, the concepts embodied in one.world that we have found to be most important for Labscape, and how some of these concepts might be extended.
Practical implementation of quality improvement for high-dose-rate brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a high-risk procedure with serious errors reported in the medical literature. Our goal was to develop a quality improvement framework for HDR brachytherapy using a multidisciplinary approach. This work describes the time, personnel, and materials involved in implementation as well as staff-reported safety benefits of quality improvement checklists. Methods and materials Quality improvement was achieved using a department-wide multidisciplinary approach. Process mapping of the entire HDR program, from initial scheduling through follow-up, was performed. The scope of the project was narrowed to the point of treatment delivery. Two types of multidisciplinary checklists were created: a safety-timeout checklist to ensure safety-critical actions were performed before treatment initiation; and detailed procedure checklists that served as written procedures for physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, and nurses. Implementation was carried out through initial training led by various staff members, creation of visual training guides, piloting and use of checklists for all treatments, and auditing of checklist compliance. Results Process maps of the entire HDR program were generated and used to guide subsequent changes in the treatment delivery process. A single safety-timeout checklist and the individual procedure checklists were created and used at the time of treatment delivery. The 3-month audit showed that the safety-timeout checklist was used for 100% of treatment fractions. Individual procedure checklists were used for 85% of fractions. All cross-covering physicians and physicists continued to use these checklists 100% of the time. Staff survey results indicated improvements in safety and increased benefits for cross-covering staff. Conclusions In using a multidisciplinary approach to quality improvement, process mapping and comprehensive checklists for HDR treatment delivery have been implemented. This has resulted in improved practices that are optimal in our department. This experience can provide others with practical strategies toward implementing such changes in their own facilities.
Long bone involvement in sickle cell anemia.

Two types of pathologic changes may occur in the long bones of patients with sickle cell anemia. A hyperplastic bone marrow represents the response to continued destruction of erythrocytes and this produces a wide medullary cavity and a thin cortex. The thromboses of vessels in the marrow and bone result in abnormal areas of calcification and new bone formation producing a thick cortex and a small medullary cavity. The findings on roentgenographic examination will depend upon which of the two processes is dominant. A 21 month old Negro infant whose symptoms of sickle cell anemia began at 4 months of age showed typical roentgenographic findings resulting from a hyperplastic marrow. The cortex in the femur had become so thin that a pathologic fracture resulted. This is the first reported instance of the occurrence of a pathologic fracture in sickle cell anemia.
Two-time-scale control designs for large flexible structures

Rapid maneuvers of large flexible structures are proposed by integrating the singular perturbation method and the Lyapunov- based nonlinear control design. The singular perturbation technique is applied for dividing the flexural vibration of large flexible structures into a slow-model and a fast-model subsystems in two separate time scales. The fast-model states characterized by the high frequency modes are significantly active only during a short initial transient period such that they decay in the fast time scale. After that period, behaviors of the system are dominated by its slow-model states associated with the low frequency modes. Based on the linear slow-model subsystem, a linear output feedback gain can be achieved by using the linear control theory such as the optimal control law or the pole-placement method. The control input of the nonlinear fast-model subsystem can be derived through a Lyapunov-based nonlinear control design. Namely, a feedback control of the fast-model subsystem is designed to guarantee its stability by having a positive-definite Lyapunov function which is a decreasing function of time. Combination of these two parts thus ensures a stable feedback control design for nonlinear two-time-scale flexible structures in a Lyapunov sense. This approach is also effective due to its reduced-order of two-time-scale models while dealing with the nonlinear control design. A numerical example is given to demonstrate control designs for rapid slewing maneuvers of large flexible structures with coupled rotational and translational motions while simultaneously suppressing vibrational motion during the control process.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Seismic investigations - The Viking Mars Lander.

A lightweight three-component short period seismometer has been developed for preliminary seismic investigations of Mars. Because of weight and data-rate constraints the Viking seismic experiment is far from optimal but it should, at a minimum, provide information about the microseismic level and an upper bound on the seismicity of the planet. If Mars is tectonically active a start can be made on the problem of the internal structure, dynamics, and composition of the planet. A good distribution of modest sized Marsquakes will make it possible to determine if Mars has a core. The size of the core is related to the conditions of planetary formation.
Fluoroquinolone prescribing in the United States: 1995 to 2002

Purpose To measure changes in the rate and type of fluoroquinolones prescribed in the United States from 1995 to 2002. Methods We performed a longitudinal analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey of adult visits to physicians in ambulatory clinics and emergency departments throughout the United States from 1995 to 2002. The main outcomes were fluoroquinolone prescribing rates and prescribing in accordance with Food and Drug Administration approval as of December 2002. Results Between 1995 and 2002, fluoroquinolones became the most commonly prescribed class of antibiotics to adults in the United States. Fluoroquinolone prescribing rose threefold, from 7 million visits in 1995 to 22 million visits in 2002 ( P P P Streptococcus pneumoniae . Forty-two percent of fluoroquinolone prescriptions were for nonapproved diagnoses. Among patients receiving antibiotics, nonapproved fluoroquinolone prescribing increased over time (odds ratio=1.18 per year; 95% confidence interval: 1.13 to 1.24). Conclusion Fluoroquinolone prescribing increased threefold in outpatient clinics and emergency departments in the United States from 1995 to 2002. Fluoroquinolones became the most commonly prescribed class of antibiotics to adults in 2002. Nonapproved fluoroquinolone prescribing was common and increased over time. Such prescribing patterns are likely to be followed by an increasing prevalence of fluoroquinolone-resistant bacteria.
Note on recorded vs "actual" model behavior and observer performance.

The effects of instructions that the model (M) in the adjacent room was a taped voice as opposed to instructions that the unseen M was an “actual” person were explored. The finding that Ss respond at least as well to the former instructions suggests the parsimonious procedure of informing Ss that the M is, indeed, a recorded voice.
PROGRESS IN STANDARDIZATION OF IMMUNOASSAYS FOR PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN

For volunteer, healthy men 50 to 80 years old in the United States, 90% have a serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 4 ng/mL or less, 8% have a PSA level of 4 to 10 ng/mL, and only 2% have levels higher than 10 ng/mL. Positive biopsy rates for prostate cancer in these three groups are, however, less than 1%, 7 26%, and 53% 3 if systematic, spatially separated biopsies are performed. This extraordinary increase in positive biopsy rates if serum PSA increases to above normal levels explains why PSA is so powerful in screening healthy men for prostate cancer. It also emphasizes why there is an urgent need to standardize immunoassays for PSA. 14
Analysis of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions close to bubbles

The objective of this work is to use numerical simulations to show how bubble (size and shape) and particle properties can influence the selectivity of fast heterogeneously catalyzed gas–liquid reactions. For fast gas–liquid–solid reactions, the reaction occurs primarily in the wake of the bubble and is thus dependent only on the mixing in this region. This work investigates how the wake structure changes for different bubble shapes and how catalyst particles distribute for different Stokes number particles. Finally, the results of this work will be applied to two industrially relevant reaction systems to show how choosing the correct design and operating parameters of a system can significantly influence the selectivity of fast heterogeneously catalyzed gas–liquid reactions. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
Low-cost moderate-resolution spectrometer without grating

Most spectrometers used for field measurements are based on a diffraction grating to disperse light. Not only are they expensive, but they have some design setbacks as well. A prism does not have the resolving power of a grating, however, enhanced dispersion can be obtained using only a prism and a convex hyperbolic mirror. In this study, we present the design of a prism-based spectrometer, and an analytical model that represents its function. Simulations based on this model and experimental results show that a spectral sampling of 0.1 nm can be accomplished with this design. In addition to dispersion, we address the issue of linearity in the spectral domain and we present simulated and experimental results. Our design should to be cheaper, more lightweight and more light-efficient than typical grating spectrometers.
Reproductive toxicity of metals in calanoid copepods

This study investigated the effect of exposure route on metal accumulation, tissue distribution, and toxicity in the marine copepods Acartia hudsonica and A. tonsa. Sublethal toxicity was measured as decreases in egg production, hatching rate, ovarian development and protein (yolk) content of the egg. When algal food, exposed to Hg at 1 nM or Cd at 5 nM resulting in cells containing 34 and 64 nmol metal g–1 dry weight, respectively, was ingested over a 4-h period by copepods, the total copepod body burden increased nine-fold for Hg and two-fold for Cd over background concentrations, and egg production decreased by 50%. Sublethal concentrations of metals were >2 orders of magnitude lower than LC50 concentrations. Hatching rate, ovarian development and egg protein content all decreased following trophic exposure to metals, implying that the process of yolk accumulation (vitellogenesis) was affected. Exposure to dissolved Cd had no effect, but dissolved Hg at concentrations as low as 0.25 nM did affect egg production. Different toxic effects following different exposure routes were related to different metal distributions in the copepods: exposure to dissolved metal resulted in metal deposition in the exoskeleton, whereas exposure to dietary metal resulted in metal deposition in internal tissues. These findings indicate that enrichment of metal concentrations in internal tissues, which occurs primarily after exposure to dietary metal, affects vitellogenesis. The reproduction rate decreases by about 75% at metal concentrations only moderately higher than levels in coastal waters. Toxicity tests involving aquatic animals need to consider effects following uptake by different pathways, including the trophic transfer of metals.
Mexican Migration for Dummies: What Social Workers and the Public Need to Know

SUMMARY Amid the derisive, post-911 political debate about border control, national security, and “illegal aliens,” nobody, not even immigrant advocates and protesters, is articulating the macro-level, global economic root cause of undocumented labor migration to America. In simple terms, this essay describes how the contradictory policies of an open border for trade (i.e., NAFTA) and a closed border for immigration result in a predictable undocumented migration bridge between the U.S. and Mexico that must be sensibly regulated for the good of neighboring countries that now share formally integrated economies, yet informally integrated populations. Implications for policy and immigrant serving social workers and other human service providers are discussed.
How Much is Too Much? The Development and Validation of the Exercise Dependence Scale

This paper presents five studies with 2,420 total participants on the development and validation of the Exercise Dependence Scale (EDS), which is conceptualized based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (APA, 1994) criteria for substance dependence, and differentiates among at-risk, nondependent-symptomatic, and nondependent-asymptomatic exercisers. Results of the studies revealed evidence for the a priori hypothesized components, acceptable test-retest and internal consistency reliability, and content and concurrent validity of the EDS. Individuals at-risk for exercise dependence reported more strenuous exercise, perfectionism, and self-efficacy compared to the nondependent groups. The findings provide initial support for the EDS and indicate the need for a multifaceted approach to its conceptualization and measurement.
Perioperative Care of the Elderly Surgical Patient

Elderly surgical patients undergo approximately 20% or more of all surgical procedures in acute care hospitals across the country. Elderly people also are more at risk for surgical intervention because of age-related system changes and comorbid conditions. In recent years, greater knowledge about aging and advanced surgical, anesthetic, and monitoring technology has made it possible for many elderly people to undergo surgery without significant mortality. This article is intended to increase the ability of perioperative nurses to anticipate, plan, and provide care for their elderly surgical patients.
Human ovarian expression of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1, 2, and 3

Three isozymes of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta HSD) have been cloned and characterized as distinct gene products (17 beta HSD1, 17 beta HSD2, and 17 beta HSD3). The presence and location of these isozymes in the human ovary have not been defined. In this study, we utilized Northern analysis and RT-PCR to examine transcripts for the three isozymes of 17 beta HSD. RNA was isolated from ovarian cortex, stroma (pre- and postmenopausal), hilum, follicles, and corpora lutea obtained from adult women, as well as whole fetal ovaries. By Northern analysis, high levels of 17 beta HSD1 messenger RNA were found in follicles, corpora lutea, and cortex, whereas low levels were detected in the postmenopausal stroma and in fetal ovaries by RT-PCR. 17 beta HSD1 messenger RNA was not detected in hilar tissue by either Northern analysis or RT-PCR. Utilizing RT-PCR, transcripts for 17 beta HSD2 were not detectable in cortex, stroma, (pre-or postmenopausal), hilum, or follicles, but were present in RNA derive...
Promoting social skills generalization with ADHD-diagnosed children in a sports setting

Efforts to promote social skills generalization among ADHD-diagnosed children have had limited success. Despite evidence that attentiveness and social skills can be enhanced, the general absence of gains beyond the original treatment setting or extended through time suggests a need for systematic generalization planning. In the present study, a combination of techniques described by Stokes and Baer (1977) were implemented to foster the transfer of target behaviors across settings. A multiple-baseline design across 4 participants was used to evaluate efforts to promote the generalization of social skills in a sports context. Results suggested that a combination of generalization procedures, including training sufficient exemplars, training loosely, indiscriminable contingencies, programming common stimuli, and training to generalize, was effective in producing generalization of social skills from individual training sessions to a group kickball game. No arbitrary contingencies for appropriate social behavior were in effect during the kickball game and very little evidence of generalization was observed in the absence of explicit programming efforts. Researchers should continue to refine techniques for programming generalization and more actively involving paraprofessionals in the treatment of ADHD-diagnosed children.
The Laplace transform on time scales revisited

Abstract In this work, we reexamine the time scale Laplace transform as defined by Bohner and Peterson [M. Bohner, A. Peterson, Dynamic Equations on Time Scales: An Introduction with Applications, Birkhauser, Boston, 2001; M. Bohner, A. Peterson, Laplace transform and Z -transform: Unification and extension, Methods Appl. Anal. 9 (1) (2002) 155–162]. In particular, we give conditions on the class of functions which have a transform, develop an inversion formula for the transform, and further, we provide a convolution for the transform. The notion of convolution leads to considering its algebraic structure—in particular the existence of an identity element—motivating the development of the Dirac delta functional on time scales. Applications and examples of these concepts are given.
Spatio-temporal activation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein, activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein and brain-derived nerve growth factor: A mechanism for pontine-wave generator activation-dependent two-way active-avoidance memory processing in the rat

The present study explored possible physiological and molecular mechanisms of pontine-wave (P-wave) generator activation-dependent memory processing in the rat using a two-way active-avoidance learning paradigm. The results show that learning training increased rapid eye movement sleep and activated brainstem cells in the P-wave generator. During this period, there was a time-dependent increase in phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the dorsal hippocampus and amygdala and increased synthesis of activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) in the dorsal hippocampus, amygdala, frontal cortex and occipital cortex. Learning training also increased synthesis of brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) in the occipital cortex, amygdala and dorsal hippocampus at different time intervals. During this time, the levels of nerve growth factor did not change. The results also show that the increase in rapid eye movement sleep P-wave density during the post-training 3-h recording session is positively correlated with the increased levels of phosphorylated CREB, BDNF and Arc in the dorsal hippocampus. These results suggest that memory processing of two-way active-avoidance learning may involve excitation of P-wave-generating cells in the brainstem and increased expression of phosphorylated CREB, Arc and BDNF in a time-dependent manner in the forebrain. These dynamic changes in cellular and molecular features provide considerable insight into the mechanisms of the P-wave generator activation-dependent memory consolidation process.
Polymorphic type inference for scripting languages with object extensions

This paper presents a polymorphic type inference algorithm for a small subset of JavaScript. The goal is to prevent accessing undefined members of objects. We define a type system that allows explicit extension of objects through add operation and implicit extension through method calls. The type system also permits strong updates and unrestricted extensions to new objects. The type inference algorithm is modular so that each function definition is only analyzed once and larger programs can be checked incrementally.
Recurrent High-Grade Glioma

Opinions vary on the best treatment options for recurrent high-grade glioma. Some argue that bevacizumab should become standard of care for patients with recurrent glioblastoma, especially in light of recent FDA approval for this indication. However, this opinion is not uniformly accepted. Age, performance status, histology, tumor size and location, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status for glioblastoma, 1p/19q status for oligodendroglial tumors, and the number and types of prior therapies are important considerations. In addition, recurrent disease must be distinguished from “pseudoprogression” due to treatment effects. Enrollment in a clinical trial is the optimal choice for most patients with recurrent high-grade glioma after failure of radiation therapy and temozolomide. For patients who are ineligible or do not have access to clinical trials, then either bevacizumab monotherapy or bevacizumab in combination with a second agent such as irinotecan is recommended. Involved-field external beam radiation should be considered for patients with anaplastic gliomas who have not received radiation. For patients with anaplastic astrocytoma who progress after radiotherapy, temozolomide may be used. For patients with anaplastic oligodendroglioma who progress after radiotherapy, PCV chemotherapy and temozolomide are options. Oligodendroglial tumors with 1p/19q deletions are more likely to respond to treatment. In the past, carmustine was commonly used to treat recurrent high-grade glioma, but the utility of carmustine in the modern era is unknown because most studies were performed prior to the widespread use of temozolomide. High-precision re-irradiation such as stereotactic radiosurgery is another option in high-grade glioma, especially for patients with poor bone marrow reserve or inability to tolerate chemotherapy, but there is a paucity of studies with adequate controls. Surgery may be useful as adjuvant treatment for patients with symptoms due to mass effect or for patients requiring definitive histopathology, but it generally should be combined with another treatment modality. Emerging therapies, including dose-intense temozolomide regimens, targeted molecular inhibitors, other antiangiogenic therapies, viral gene therapies, immunotherapies, and convection-enhanced delivery of targeted immunotoxins, are still under investigation.
Millimeter wave rotational spectrum of HCNO in vibrationally excited states

Abstract A millimeter wave spectrometer equipped with a free space cell and on-line computer averaging has been employed to measure the absorption spectrum of H12C14N16O in the frequency range from 40 to 300 GHz. For each rotational transition up to J = 11 → 12, all of the l-components of transitions in the following vibrational states have been observed and analyzed: 0000020, 2, 0000031, 3, 00020, 200, and 000(11)0, 2. The method of analysis, carried out on the basis of the Nielsen-Amat formulation of the rotation-vibration interaction in linear molecules, is discussed. The unperturbed rotational constants Bv and Dv as well as several vibration-rotation constants were determined using sum rules valid for each group of perturbed levels and lines. The vibrational anharmonicity constants gltlt′ were determined for the first time from pure rotational transitions. The following constants were obtained: gl 5 l 5 (v 5 =2)=−24.2±3.0 cm −1 , gl 4 l 4 (v 4 =2)1.28±0.30 cm −1 gl 5 l 5 (v 5 =3)=−6.24±0.14 cm −1 , gl 4 l 5 (v 5 =1; v 5 =1)=1.63±0.50 cm −1; An interpretation of the results of this analysis, especially for the v5 = 2 and v5 = 3 states, is given. The observed anomalies indicate the presence of a potential function with a hump disturbing the isotropic two-dimensional oscillator potential for ν5, the low-lying degenerate bending mode. In the case of the combination state 000(11)0, 2 the vibrational l-type doubling constants r45(0) = −0.81 ± 1.00 cm−1 and r45(1) = 0.6565 ± 0.0027 MHz have been evaluated for the first time from millimeter wave rotational transitions.
Studies of the Renal Circulation

This work represents an attempt to confirm reported observations of a juxtamedullary by-pass in the kidneys of animals subjected to various physiologic procedures and to shock. Rabbits injected with epinephrine, pitressin, renin and hypertensin, made hypotensive by bleeding and inhalation of amyl nitrite, and after stimulation of one sciatic nerve, were injected with india ink. The kidneys were removed and studied for the paths of blood flow. No evidence of a by-pass mechanism through the juxtamedullary glomeruli was found.
Impact of mitral isthmus anatomy on the likelihood of achieving linear block in patients undergoing catheter ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation

Background Although prior studies have described the anatomy of the mitral isthmus in patients undergoing left atrial (LA) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), none has examined the impact of isthmus anatomy on the likelihood of achieving conduction block. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify morphologic characteristics of the mitral isthmus that may influence the acute efficacy of linear ablation at the mitral isthmus. Methods Fifty-five patients (age 61 ± 10 years, 41 [75%] men, LA 46 ± 6 mm, ejection fraction 0.55 ± 0.11, AF duration 4 ± 3 years) underwent linear ablation at the mitral isthmus during an ablation procedure for persistent AF. Computed tomographic scan was performed before the procedure. The morphology of the mitral isthmus and its anatomic relationship to the adjacent vasculature were analyzed. Results Complete block along the mitral isthmus was achieved in 35 (64%) of 55 patients, 23 (66%) of whom required radiofrequency ablation in the coronary sinus (CS). Patients with incomplete block were more likely to have a pouch at the isthmus (40% vs 9%; P = .01), a greater isthmus depth (8.1 ± 4.2 mm vs 5.7 ± 3.4 mm; P = .04), and a higher prevalence of an interposed circumflex artery between the CS and the mitral isthmus (60% vs 20%; P = .003) compared to patients with isthmus block. An interposed circumflex artery was the only independent predictor of incomplete conduction block at the mitral isthmus (odds ratio 4.9, 95% confidence interval 1.3–18.2; P = .02). Conclusion Preprocedural computed tomographic imaging identifies patients in whom linear ablation at the mitral isthmus is unlikely to be successful. Interposition of the circumflex artery between the mitral isthmus and the CS is associated with a lower probability of achieving complete mitral isthmus block.
Shortened Survival of Fetal Erythrocytes in the Rat

Summary: One to 4 days before birth of their litters, pregnant buffalo rats were injected intravenously with 200 μCi of [2-14C]glycine in order to label a cohort of fetally produced red blood cells (RBC). Shortly after birth, the newborn rats were transferred to noninjected foster mothers, and RBC survival was determined by the rate of production of 14CO in the expired air of the newborn animals. In separate experiments, pregnant rats were injected 1–2 days before birth of their litters; blood was collected from the newborn at 5 days of age, washed, transfused into normal adult hosts, and RBC survival determined from the resultant 14CO production. When compared with adult RBC, in situ survival of fetally produced RBC was 22% of normal (mean life span of 12.1 days in the fetus, and 54.5 ± 1.5 (SE) days in the adult). This shortening of survival resulted from an acceleration of RBC senescence (15.7 days for fetal RBC and 66.2 ± 0.7 days for adult RBC) and an increased rate of random hemolysis (3.70%/day in the fetal RBC and 0.67 ± 0.07%/day in adult RBC). Although cross-transfusion of adult RBC into compatible adult rat hosts resulted in only a modest shortening of RBC lifespan (mean RBC survival reduced from 54.5 ± 1.5 days to 52.8 ± 0.8 days), similar treatment of fetally produced RBC resulted in a marked acceleration of senescence from 15.7 days to 5.8 days. Examination of the RBC survival curves for those litters injected less than 72 hr before birth indicated the presence of an additional population of cells with survival in the range of 25–40 days. The proportion of cells surviving longer than the major cohort (but shorter than times characteristic of adult RBC) increased as the time interval between isotope injection and birth decreased. Speculation: The magnitude of the shortening in survival noted for fetal RBC suggests the presence of structural and/or metabolic alterations peculiar to these cells, rather than alterations secondary to increased erythropoietic rate alone.
Tubulin hyperacetylation is adaptive in cardiac proteotoxicity by promoting autophagy

Proteinopathy causes cardiac disease, remodeling, and heart failure but the pathological mechanisms remain obscure. Mutated αB-crystallin (CryABR120G), when expressed only in cardiomyocytes in transgenic (TG) mice, causes desmin-related cardiomyopathy, a protein conformational disorder. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of toxic misfolded protein species that present as perinuclear aggregates known as aggresomes. Previously, we have used the CryABR120G model to determine the underlying processes that result in these pathologic accumulations and to explore potential therapeutic windows that might be used to decrease proteotoxicity. We noted that total ventricular protein is hypoacetylated while hyperacetylation of α-tubulin, a substrate of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) occurs. HDAC6 has critical roles in protein trafficking and autophagy, but its function in the heart is obscure. Here, we test the hypothesis that tubulin acetylation is an adaptive process in cardiomyocytes. By modulating HDAC6 levels and/or activity genetically and pharmacologically, we determined the effects of tubulin acetylation on aggregate formation in CryABR120G cardiomyocytes. Increasing HDAC6 accelerated aggregate formation, whereas siRNA-mediated knockdown or pharmacological inhibition ameliorated the process. HDAC inhibition in vivo induced tubulin hyperacetylation in CryABR120G TG hearts, which prevented aggregate formation and significantly improved cardiac function. HDAC6 inhibition also increased autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes, and increased autophagy in the diseased heart correlated with increased tubulin acetylation, suggesting that autophagy induction might underlie the observed cardioprotection. Taken together, our data suggest a mechanistic link between tubulin hyperacetylation and autophagy induction and points to HDAC6 as a viable therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease.
Selective expression of the small GTPase RhoB in the early developing mouse lens.

This report describes the expression and distribution pattern of RhoB GTPase in the developing mouse lens. RhoB expression was confirmed by sequencing an reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction–generated DNA fragment of RhoB. Immunohistochemical analysis of RhoB revealed expression in the lens vesicle (both anterior and posterior vesicle) at embryonic day (E) 11.5, and in the epithelium and primary fibers of the E14.5 lens. Compared with the neonatal stage (day 1), where RhoB is detected in the entire lens (epithelium, primary, and secondary fibers), expression of this protein is restricted to the epithelial and outer cortical secondary fibers in postnatal lenses (from day 7 to day18). Interestingly, in E11.5 and E14.5 lenses, RhoB is localized predominantly in the lens, but not detectable in the retina, cornea, or other ocular tissues. RhoB expression appears to be down-regulated in the postnatal lens with concomitant up-regulation in the retina and cornea, compared with earlier stages of development (eyes of E11.5, E14.5, and neonatal mice). This study reveals the selective expression of RhoB in the lens during early eye development and suggests a potential role for this small GTPase in cytoskeletal reorganization associated with lens epithelial cell elongation and differentiation. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Application of multiple adaptive regression splines (MARS) in direct response modeling

Abstract Increasing costs of direct marketing campaigns coupled with declining response rates have prompted many direct marketers to turn to more sophisticated techniques to model response behavior. The underlying premise is that even a small improvement in response rate can have significant implications for the bottom line. This article investigates the use of a recently developed technique, Multiple Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS), together with logistic regression in the context of modeling direct response. Specifically, our goal is to assess the relative effectiveness of MARS models vis-a-vis logistic regression with original predictor variables in modeling direct response behavior. Our analysis shows that the MARS models outperforms the logistic model in general, leading us to conclude that MARS offers a number of advantages over a logistic model. Direct marketing strategy implications are also discussed.
A Non-Foster VHF Monopole Antenna

Non-Foster matching promises to improve the performance of electrically small antennas by tens of decibels over a decade of bandwidth, but only a few successful demonstrations have been reported in the literature. A 15-cm monopole antenna has been matched using a variable negative capacitance based on Linvill's balanced negative impedance converter. The realized gain is improved by >;10 dB relative to the unmatched case over 30-200 MHz. This letter reports the design, simulation, and measurement data and gives an equivalent circuit that can be used to synthesize future designs.
Thyroglobulin-independent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity of human eye muscle cells in tissue culture by lymphocytes of a patient with Graves' ophthalmopathy

Abstract The role of cell-mediated injury in the degeneration of eye muscle characteristic of Graves' ophthalmopathy was explored in tissue culture. Cultured human muscle cells of extraocular and thigh origin were each incubated with peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from a patient with the disease and from a normal control. Muscle cells were pure populations which were obtained by cloning and permitted to differentiate into multinucleated myotubes. A pure population of fibroblasts cloned from the original sample of eye muscle was also tested. Plates of these three target cell types were labeled with 111 In-oxine. Effector cells were PBL isolated from Ficoll-hypaque gradients and plated on the target cells at a concentration of 3 × 10 6 /ml. Cell lysis was studied by measuring the 111 In released into the medium (1 ml) at 0, 2, 4, and 22 hr by removing and counting 50 μl aliquots. For each target cell type, we tested: medium alone, patient or control PBL alone and with added 1 or 50 μg pure human thyroglobulin (Tg). At 22 hr the cells were washed, lysed, and counted. The lysed cell activity plus the total activity released into the medium yielded the 100% dose. Results were expressed as % dose released at the 4–22 hr interval. The data showed: (1) significantly greater lysis of eye muscle cells exposed to patient PBL (17%) than control PBL (7%), an effect not altered by 1 or 50 μg Tg, and (2) no differential effect of the two types of PBL on the lysis of either thigh muscle cells (10%) or fibroblasts (8%), and no effect by added Tg. The patient's serum contained anti-Tg, and a combination of B cells and T helper cells separated from her PBL yielded anti-Tg upon pokeweed mitogen challenge in culture. Thus, the lack of Tg effect suggests that the mechanism of lysis using this patient's PBL is direct and independent of Tg and anti-Tg. Our data provide preliminary but direct evidence that lymphocyte-mediated lysis of eye muscle cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of Graves' ophthalmopathy and suggest that the mechanism may be specific to cells of the muscle phenotype and to muscle of extraocular origin. The cell culture system using clonally derived pure muscle cell populations under well controlled conditions offers promise as a tool to study cell mediated cytotoxicity in a variety of autoimmune diseases which affect skeletal muscle.
A coding theoretic solution to the 36 officer problem

Using the tools of algebraic coding theory, we give a new proof of the nonexistence of two mutually orthogonal Latin squares of order 6.
Identification of Tomato Catsup Comminution Process Using Sucrose Velocity Gradient Centrifugation

Sucrose gradients 5–60% were used to determine the method of comminution used for preparing catsup. Unmilled samples showed a very broad centrifugation pattern while milling or low-speed horhogenization showed a narrower centrifugation pattern. High pressure (210 kg/sq cm) homogenization caused discrete bands upon centrifugation. Results of standard samples were compared to catsup produced by midwest processors.
An Economic Model of Soil Conservation: Comment

McConnell presented a dynamic model of soil erosion which gives insight into the influence of economic factors affecting a farmer's use of soil. We applaud his effort, for there is limited literature on what motivates land users to conserve or erode soil. Ervin and Ervin give an excellent review of that literature. A problem with the article is a number of aspects implied, but not dealt with specifically, which lead to the assertion that the optimal private and social rates of erosion are identical. The following from the abstract reflects McConnell's position.