cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of radiation therapy in posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after liver transplantation

Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a common and life-threatening complication of immunosuppression used to prevent rejection of solid organ and bone marrow transplants. There is no standardized treatment algorithm, but numerous management strategies are available. We describe a patient who developed a solitary lymphoproliferative lesion in the porta hepatis 9 months after orthotopic liver transplant. Following reduction in immunosuppression with no response, she was treated with involved field radiotherapy utilizing CT-based treatment planning. A partial radiographic response was obtained, and she has not developed disease in the engrafted liver or systemically. Based on the present case report, involved field radiotherapy seems to be a reasonable treatment option for patients with localized PTLD. Int. J. Cancer (Radiat. Oncol. Invest.) 90:104–109, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
SU-E-J-44: Design a Platform and Phantom Model for Photoacoustic Imaging in Combination with CT

Purpose: Our (long-term) objective is to develop a US manipulator that will provide in situ radiation response and image-guided therapy for bladder cancer based on photoacoustic molecular imaging. Methods: A platform was devised to provide a reproducible positional frame of reference for targeting anatomic structure between MDCT and US scans, in lieu of CBCT, and to fuse photoacoustic molecular imaging. US and photoacoustic scans are taken of a patient while in the CT scanner and IRMT. Through co-registration, based on anatomical positions, we identified a common coordinate system to be used in Eclipse. A bladder phantom was constructed to validate anatomical tracking via US and photoacoustic imaging. We tested the platform using phantom model to demonstrate validity once moved from the CT couch to the linear accelerator couch. Results: This platform interlocks with Varian exact couch index points for reproducibility of positioning. Construction from low Z material and sized appropriately to fit in CT/IMRT gantry. Error in conversion from cylindrical coordinates of the manipulator to X, Y, Z coordinates of the treatment couch was less than 1mm. We measured the bladder size in 3 different directions in both Eclipse from the CT and Acuson from US. The error was less than 2mm in all directions. CT and US images were co-registered in MATLAB. Co-registration of photoacoustic images is still being developed. Conclusion: For Linear Accelerators without on board imaging, MV portal images are not a viable option for the localization of soft tissue anatomy. We believe our manipulator provides an alternative using US imaging, which will be examined in an upcoming clinical trial. We plan to examine the value of hypoxia guided treatment through photoacoustic imaging during this trial.
Device modeling via nonlinear circuit elements

Two basic approaches to device modeling are presented. The physical approach consists of 4 basic steps: 1) device physics analysis and partitioning, 2) physical equation formulation, 3) equation simplification and solution, and 4) nonlinear network synthesis. The black-box approach consists also of 4 basic steps: 1) experimental observations, 2) mathematical modeling, 3) model validation, and 4) nonlinear network synthesis. Each approach is ilustrated with 2 examples: Gunn Diode and SCR for the physical approach and Hysteretic Inductor and Memristive Device for the black-box approach. While the techniques for carrying out the first 3 steps in each approach presently involve more art than science, a unified theory for carrying out the last step (nonlinear network synthesis) is beginning to emerge. In particular, the universe of all lumped nonlinear circuit elements can now be classified into algebraic and dynamic elements via a completely logical axiomatic approach. Contrary to what is the case in linear circuit theory, it is shown that an infinite variety of basic algebraic and dynamic elements will be needed in the eventual formulation of a unified theory on device modeling. Consequently, these elements are given a complete and in-depth treatment in this paper. This material can also be regarded as a self-contained survey of the state-of-the-art on nonlinear network synthesis.
Comparison of Streamside Visual Counts to Electrofishing Estimates of Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Fry and Adults

Abstract Streamside visual counts and depletion-removal electrofishing were compared for estimating fry and adult abundances of Colorado River cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus. Visual counts of fry were significantly correlated (R = 0.92) with three-pass depletion-removal electrofishing estimates of abundance. Streamside visual counts were generally lower than electrofishing estimates, except in streams having turbulent water, where electrofishing was difficult. Disturbance of fry by observers reduced estimates obtained with the visual counts; however, visual counts can be a useful method for estimating the abundance of cutthroat trout fry in small streams with shallow water. For adults, correlations between streamside visual counts and electrofishing population estimates were low, and therefore visual counts were not considered a viable method for older fish.
Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged: A Philosophic and Literary Companion

Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged: A Philosophic and Literary Companion EDWARD W. YOUNKINS, 2007 Hampshire, England: Ashgate Publishing Limited xviii + 414 pp. Notes on contributors, figures, notes, and in...
Chronobiology of hemostasis and inferences for the chronotherapy of coagulation disorders and thrombosis prevention

The hemostatic system in its multiple components displays an intricate organization in time which is characterized by circadian (approximately 24-hour), circaseptan (approximately 7-day), menstrual (approximately monthly), and circannual (approximately yearly) bioperiodicities. The interaction of the rhythms of the variables participating in hemostasis determine transient risk states of thromboembolic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, and of hemorrhage and hemorrhagic events, each with a unique timing. The circadian staging of the rhythms in vascular, cellular, and coagulation factors that favors blood coagulation and thrombosis coincides with the daily minimum in fibrinolytic activity; as a result there is elevated risk in the morning of acute myocardial infarction and stroke. Similar hemostatic rhythms may determine the epidemiology of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events during the week, month and year. This article focuses on the large-amplitude circadian rhythms operative in the hemostatic system. Their implication for preventive and curative pharmacotherapy of hemostatic disorders is presented, with discussion of related problems.
Towards a unified treatment of Yang-Mills and Higgs fields: A supersymmetric extension.

An approach to a unified treatment of Yang-Mills and Higgs fields was proposed previously starting from a noncommutative algebra constructed from the algebra of smooth functions on space-time and the algebra of Hermitian matrices. The formalism was further applied to the bosonic sector of the standard electroweak theory. Here, in order to incorporate fermions into this framework in a natural way, we extend the formalism to include supersymmetry. We find, however, that the scenario changes drastically in the presence of supersymmetry and the conclusions are substantially different. When applied to the standard model, this yields the supersymmetrized bosonic sector of the theory, but the inclusion of quarks and leptons requires additional superfields as in the conventional supersymmetric models.
Left ventricular assistance without thoracotomy: mediastinal and transseptal approaches to the left heart.

Abstract Two methods to cannulate the left atrium for initiating mechanical left ventricular circulatory assistance using a centrifugal pump were investigated in 25 sheep. A modified Dennis transatrial septal approach produced flow rates of 88.6 ± 14 mL · kg −1 · min −1 through 21F catheters inserted during fluoroscopy through the jugular vein. In 8 animals the septal perforation was plugged after decannulation with a modified Rashkind umbrella plug. Fibroendothelial tissue covered the plug by 4 weeks. In 7 other animals, the septal defect was not plugged. The septal defect reached pinpoint size by 2 weeks and was completely closed by 4 weeks. In 10 sheep, the left atrium was cannulated from the neck through the mediastinum. Left ventricular assistance flow averaged 71.6 ± 14 mL · kg −1 · min −1 . Mean blood loss during 1 hour of left ventricular assistance was 47 mL. In 8 animals, the atrial perforation was plugged with a mean blood loss of 253 ± 194 mL. In 2 animals, the perforation was intentionally not plugged; mean blood loss was 700 mL. All animals survived. The modified Dennis transatrial method is recommended as a safe, expeditious, cost-effective method to implement left ventricular assistance without thoracotomy. The mediastinal approach, which is technically possible in humans, is more difficult but feasible. Left ventricular assistance has been proven to be the most effective way to rest the failing, ejecting left ventricle. Implementation without thoracotomy potentially expands applications of left ventricular assistance for temporary support of patients with severe manifestations of ischemic heart disease.
Ex vivo mechanical loading of tendon.

Injuries to the tendon (e.g., wrist tendonitis, epicondyltis) due to overuse are common in sports activities and the workplace. Most are associated with repetitive, high force hand activities. The mechanisms of cellular and structural damage due to cyclical loading are not well known. The purpose of this video is to present a new system that can simultaneously load four tendons in tissue culture. The video describes the methods of sterile tissue harvest and how the tendons are loaded onto a clamping system that is subsequently immersed into media and maintained at 37°C. One clamp is fixed while the other one is moved with a linear actuator. Tendon tensile force is monitored with a load cell in series with the mobile clamp. The actuators are controlled with a LabView program. The four tendons can be repetitively loaded with different patterns of loading, repetition rate, rate of loading, and duration. Loading can continue for a few minutes to 48 hours. At the end of loading, the tendons are removed and the mid-substance extracted for biochemical analyses. This system allows for the investigation of the effects of loading patterns on gene expression and structural changes in tendon. Ultimately, mechanisms of injury due to overuse can be studies with the findings applied to treatment and prevention.
Correlations of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, quantitative computed tomography, and single photon absorptiometry with spinal and non-spinal fractures

Controversy continues as to which method of measuring bone mineral density (BMD) best detects osteoporosis and best correlates with fractures of the spine, hip and elsewhere. To answer these questions the prevalence of fractures was carefully determined among 90 subjects (70 with osteoporosis, 6 with mild primary hyperparathyroidism, 1 with osteomalacia and 13 normals) and simultaneous measurements were made using spinal computed tomography (QCT), spinal anteroposterior (AP) and supine lateral dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), femoral neck and total hip DXA, and distal third radial DXA and single photon absorptiometry (SPA). The DXA measurements which had the greatest sensitivity in detecting osteoporosis (defined as a BMD lower than -2.5 SD of peak bone mass at age 30 years) were the supine lateral spine DXA (84%) and femoral neck DXA (75%); less sensitive were the DXA measurements of the distal third of the radius (61%) and AP spine (51%). DXA measurements of the femoral neck and distal third of the radius were more useful than spinal measurements in detecting the osteopenia of mild primary hyperparathyroidism. Vertebral compression fractures (VCF) correlated well with spinal QCT (r = 0.38) and lateral spine DXA (r = -0.41), but poorly with AP spine DXA (r = -0.17) and distal third radial DXA (r = -0.02). Non-spinal fractures correlated best with the distal third radial DXA (r = -0.42). In conclusion, spinal QCT, supine lateral spine DXA and femoral neck DXA are the best BMD methods to screen for osteoporosis, whereas AP spine DXA is a poor screening method in women over 60 years of age. Spinal QCT and lateral spine DXA correlate well with VCFs, whereas correlations of VCFs with AP spine DXA, femoral neck DXA and distal third radial DXA are poor.
Nonlinear scattering theory at low energy

Abstract We study the scattering theory of a conservative nonlinear one-parameter group of operators on a Hilbert space X relative to a group of linear unitary operators. Under certain hypotheses, the scattering operator carries a neighborhood of 0 in X into X . The theory is designed to apply to the semilinear Schrodinger and Klein-Gordon equations.
Effects of electrical stimulation on neuromuscular junction morphology in the aging rat tongue

Alterations in neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structure in cranial muscles may contribute to age-related deficits in critical sensorimotor actions such as swallowing. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is used in swallowing therapy, but it is unclear how NMJ structure is affected or if NMJ morphology is best measured in two or three dimensions. Two- and three-dimensional measurements of NMJ morphology in the genioglossus muscle were compared in rats that had undergone 8 weeks of hypoglossal nerve stimulation vs. untreated controls. The relationship between motor endplate volume and nerve terminal volume had a mean positive slope in 90% of the young adult controls, but it was positive in only 50% of the old controls; 89% of NMES old rats had a positive slope. NMJ measurements were more accurate when measured in three dimensions. In the NMJ, aging and NMES are associated with changes in the pre- and post-synaptic relationship.
Effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on vagally mediated tracheal pouch relaxation

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was studied as a possible neurotransmitter of nonadrenergic inhibition in guinea pig tracheas in vivo, by examining the effects of VIP and isoproterenol on pressure changes induced by nerve stimulation in an isolated, fluid filled, tracheal segment (tracheal pouch). VIP though less potent than isoproterenol produced a dose-dependent relaxation of the pouch. Incubation of the histamine-constricted tracheal pouch with isoproterenol resulted in pouch relaxation and a significant (P less than 0.005) loss of pouch responsiveness to sympathetic nerve stimulation, while non-adrenergically mediated pouch relaxation resulting from vagal stimulation in the presence of atropine was inhibited to a much smaller degree. VIP incubation produced relaxation of the histamine-constricted pouch and resulted in a greater loss of responsiveness to vagal than to sympathetic stimulation (P less than 0.02). By demonstrating loss of vagal responsiveness after VIP in guinea pigs, sympathectomized by 6-hydroxydopamine combined with incubation of the pouch with propranolol to eliminate circulating beta adrenergic inhibition, the effects of VIP incubation on vagally induced pouch relaxation were confirmed to be non-adrenergic in nature.
Considerations in Clinical Trials of Combination Antifungal Therapy

The cure rate for serious fungal diseases with currently available agents used as monotherapy is not optimal. The introduction of new classes of antifungal drugs in the last few years naturally leads to the hypothesis that antifungal drugs used in combination may be more effective than the same drugs used alone. The design and interpretation of combination therapy studies raise challenges beyond those encountered when drugs are studied as monotherapy in the treatment of a disease. The definition of combination therapy, the study design, the selection of appropriate patient populations, and the selection of end points, as well as practical considerations, are all important in the design and interpretation of clinical trials of combination therapies. Although combination therapies hold the promise of improved efficacy, it is important to prove this hypothesis, because they also may be associated with increased toxicity and increased drug costs. A careful consideration of study design factors before the initiation of a trial will help obtain the most useful information for patients in this important area.
Metacontrast masking with texture-defined second-order stimuli

We examine metacontrast masking with texture-defined second-order stimuli. Our results reveal that (1) the monotonic type A as well as the nonmonotonic (U-shaped) type B metacontrast effect, which has been extensively examined with first-order luminance-defined stimuli, can be obtained with texture-defined second-order stimuli; and (2) while variations of luminance contrast are known to affect the magnitude of metacontrast with first-order stimuli, neither the size nor orientation contrast between texture elements defining the second-order stimuli have a significant impact on the magnitude or shape of metacontrast. These findings bear on theories of metacontrast masking by showing that the mechanism giving rise to nonmonotonic masking effects can operate beyond the level of first-order stimulus processing.
Specifying agent behavior as concurrent tasks

Software agents are currently the subject of much research in many interrelated fields. Unfortunately, there has not been enough emphasis on defining the techniques required to build practical agent systems. While many agent researchers refer to tasks, few really define what they mean. Tasks only define the internal processing an agent must perform, but also how interactions with other agents relate to internal processes.
Structural changes of isolated hepatocytes during treatment with digitonin

The structural changes accompanying digitonin-induced release of enzymes and metabolites from isolated hepatocytes have been studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In the initial phase, characterized by total release of the cytosolic marker enzyme, lactate dehydrogenase, the plasma membrane was immediately damaged, rapidly followed by extensive damage to the endoplasmic reticulum. The shape of the cell, however, was maintained, and the mitochondria and nucleus remained tightly held together by the cytoskeleton. Mitochondria remained intact initially, whereas the cytosol became less electron dense and the nuclear chromatin was more dispersed. An intermediate phase was characterized by total release of adenylate kinase and most of the glucose-6-phosphatase, marker enzymes for the mitochondrial intermembrane space and the endoplasmic reticulum, respectively. The outer mitochondrial membrane was ruptured, but mitochondria maintained their normal matrix electron density. In the final phase, characterized by the beginning of citrate synthase release from the mitochondrial matrix space, the mitochondria became swollen, and only the nucleus, inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, and the cytoskeleton could be clearly distinguished. Although the plasma membrane could not be readily discerned in electron micrographs after the initial phase, the plasma membrane marker enzyme 5'-nucleotidase remained associated with digitonin-treated hepatocytes. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase was released much more slowly than lactate dehydrogenase, indicating some severe restriction on its release. The release of acetyl-CoA carboxylase closely paralleled the release of glucose-6-phosphatase. The controlled exposure of hepatocytes to digitonin, therefore, leads to the sequential release of soluble, compartmentalized cellular components and some membrane-bound components, but the mitochondrial membrane, cytoskeleton and the nucleoskeleton survive even long-term digitonin treatment.
Sigmoid diverticulitis with perforation and generalized peritonitis.

Sigmoid diverticulitis with perforation and generalized peritonitis is a grave complication of diverticular disease. To compare accurately the results of two operative approaches—proximal colostomy with drainage and proximal colostomy with resection or exteriorization—the authors assessed the clinical and pathologic features of 121 consecutive patients with perforating sigmoid diverticulitis. There were no differences between treatment groups in age, sex, mean duration of symptoms, clinical presentation, number of coexistent diseases, type of peritonitis or chronic corticosteroid use. Overall mortality for emergency operation was 12 percent. Mortality was significantly greater (P<0.05) among the 31 patients treated by colostomy and drainage (26 percent) than among the 90 patients treated by colostomy and resection or exteriorization (7 percent). Seven of the nine patients who died from persistent sepsis had undergone colostomy and drainage. Four clinical factors were found to be predictive of mortality (P<0.05): persistent postoperative sepsis, fecal peritonitis, preoperative hypotension, and prolonged duration of symptoms. These factors identified a subgroup of patients who, because of an increased risk of death, would be likely to benefit from the more complete eradication of the septic focus that is achieved by colostomy and resection.
Fully integrated microfluidic platform enabling automated phosphoprofiling of macrophage response.

The ability to monitor cell signaling events is crucial to the understanding of immune defense against invading pathogens. Conventional analytical techniques such as flow cytometry, microscopy, and Western blot are powerful tools for signaling studies. Nevertheless, each approach is currently stand-alone and limited by multiple time-consuming and labor-intensive steps. In addition, these techniques do not provide correlated signaling information on total intracellular protein abundance and subcellular protein localization. We report on a novel phosphoFlow Chip (pFC) that relies on monolithic microfluidic technology to rapidly conduct signaling studies. The pFC platform integrates cell stimulation and preparation, microscopy, and subsequent flow cytometry. pFC allows host-pathogen phosphoprofiling in 30 min with an order of magnitude reduction in the consumption of reagents. For pFC validation, we monitor the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2 and p38 in response to Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharid...
Re-examining Frankfurt Cases

Dans le cadre du debat sur le principe des possibilites alternatives, du determinisme causal et de la responsabilite morale, l'A. se propose de repondre aux critiques recentes des cas Francfort affirmant que les contre-exemples au principe alternatif definis par H. Frankfurt manquent leur objectif. Examinant la notion de hasard moral, et soulevant le probleme des actions complexes qui se distinguent de la prise de decision des simples etats mentaux, l'A. montre, a partir de la connexion entre les evaluations de caractere et les jugements de responsabilite morale, que les cas Frankfurt refutent le principe des possibilites alternatives. L'A. conclut par l'analyse d'une alternative libertaire a ce meme principe
Conceptions Of Sexuality And Coming Out In Three Young Adult Novels: A Review Of Hero, Sprout, And In Mike We Trust

Three award-winning young adult novels with gay protagonists, Hero, Sprout, and In Mike We Trust, are examined to understand how the books portray sexuality and coming out. All three novels treat (homo)sexuality as natural and self-evident—the protagonists struggle with whom to tell about their sexual orientation and with the discomfort of others, but they do not struggle with whether or not they are gay. Such representations of sexuality construct sexuality as a binary—people are either gay or straight—and the idea that gay men are usually White is reinforced with the absence of gay men of color in any of the books. The difficulties of coming out are treated with sophistication as the protagonists face the complexities of sharing intimate information in an often-hostile society.
Thumb carpometacarpal arthroplasty using flexor carpi radialis

Abstract Ligament reconstruction-tendon interposition arthroplasty using flexor carpi radialis has become a popularprocedure in the surgical treatment of osteoarthrosis of the trapeziometacarpal joint at the base of the thumb. Principles of the surgical reconstruction include partial or complete trapeziectomy, stabilization of the metacarpal at the base of the thumb with a distally based strip of flexor carpi radialis tendon that discourages both dorsal subluxation and proximal migration of the thumb metacarpal, and interposition arthroplasty with the remaining flexor carpi radialis tendon packed into the trapezial fossa. Concurrent stabilization of the metacarpophalangeal joint is performed when there is greater than 30° of hypertension or valgus laxity. Carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain's extensor tenosynovitis, and stenosing flexor tenosynovitis are specifically sought as coexistent conditions and are treated operatively at the time of basal joint arthroplasty. Postoperative immobilization for 1 month with Kirschner wire fixation of the thumb metacarpal is followed by a directed rehabilitation program of active and passive motion and progressive resistive strengthening exercises over a 3 to 6 month period. Pain relief has been uniformly excellent and, at greater than 10-year follow-up, grip strength has improved by an average of 100%, tip pinch strength by more than 50%, and key pinch strength by nearly 35% when compared with preoperative values. Radiographic evaluation demonstrates minimal deterioration of position on stress radiographs, with an average subluxation of 11% of the width of the metacarpal base and an average loss of 13% of the height of the arthroplasty space. This modest radiographic deterioration of the arthroplasty does not correlate with any loss of functional capacity.
Long-Term Physiologic Consequences of the Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Six survivors of the adult respiratory distress syndrome were studied. Measurements were made of lung volumes, flow rates, single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon dioxide (Dsb), arterial blood gas levels at rest and during exercise, the ratio of physiologic dead space to tidal volume (V D /V T ), alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (P[A-a]O 2 ), and percent shunt (using an assumed arteriovenous oxygen content difference). At the time of study, which varied from 3 to 16 months after recovery, we found minor and inconsistent abnormalities in the lung volumes (reduced vital capacity in one patient, elevated residual volume [RV] in two, and reduced RV in three) and in the flow rates (reduced instantaneous forced expiratory flow after 50 percent of the forced vital capacity had been exhaled in two patients). In those tests having to do with transfer of gas, there were more abnormalities, consisting of a decreased Dsb in three patients, an elevated P(A-a)O 2 in four, a low resting arterial oxygen pressure (PaO 2 ) in two, a decrease in exercise PaO 2 in three, an elevated shunt fraction ( Q . san/ Q . t ) in three, and an elevated V D /V T in one patient. Clinically, at the time of study, the patients all had returned to their status before illness.
The geometry of arc interruption — II current-zero phenomena

During the microsecond period in which an interrupter is performing the act of changing from a conductor to an insulator (termed interruption) the current, voltage, and arc resistance undergo variations which materially affect the performance characteristics of the interrupter. The nature of these variations depends upon the medium of interruption design features of the interrupter, and the constants of the current and recovery-voltage circuits. Modern power interrupters employing air present variations in the current-zero region of an entirely different type from that observed in the fluid interrupters. A knowledge of the nature and cause of these variations is becoming of more importance from a design performance and application viewpoint. The rapidly varying resistances within the interrupter during the process of interruption have always presented obstacles to the analyst. In reapproaching this problem on the basis of an orderly, yet practical, variation of circuit current in the region of current zero and allowing the parameter of resistance to become secondary, the problem reduces to one of linear constants and can be solved by standard methods. This paper presents such a treatment. It is generalized in such a way as to include all practical types of current-zero phenomena generally encountered. Recovery-voltage characteristics are literally fabricated from "standard building blocks" of which relatively few are required. The method is flexible enough to be applied to any assumed current variation in the region of current zero. The analysis is presented in terms of the accepted nomenclature of circuit theory. The operational attack is employed.
Microcystic adnexal carcinoma of the vulva.

Abstract Background. Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a subset of sweat gland carcinoma first described as a specific entity by D. J. Goldstein, R. J. Barr, and D. J. Santa Cruz (Cancer 1982;50:566–72). We report the first case of MAC occurring on the vulva and review the literature pertaining to this rare tumor. Case. A 43-year-old multiparous black woman presented initially to Kings County Hospital Medical Center with a chief complaint of a vulvar lesion arising on the left labia majora which she had noted for 4 years prior to presentation. Aside from increasing paresthesia in the area, she denied any constitutional symptoms. Her past medical history was significant only for hyperthyroidism and mild hypertension and surgical history was noncontributory. Gynecologic history was unremarkable, with sporadic care over the last 20 years. Physical examination revealed a 1.5 × 2.0-cm raised, well-circumscribed, firm mobile lesion on the left labia majora. It was noted to be yellow in color with the surrounding tissue being unremarkable in character. The remainder of her gynecologic examination and lymph node survey was unremarkable. Preoperative chest X ray was negative as was the CAT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. All laboratory values were within normal limits. A Pap smear done preoperatively was significant for atypical squamous and glandular cells of undetermined significance. Subsequent colposcopic examination of the cervix was remarkable for cervicitis and was adequate, with the entire transformation zone visualized. Both endocervical curettage and endometrial biopsy were normal. Initially, an excisional biopsy was performed with final pathology demonstrating microcystic adnexal carcinoma with positive surgical margins. She subsequently underwent a left radical hemivulvectomy with bilateral inguinal groin lymph node dissection. At the time of surgery, the left labia majora was noted to be well healed, with a residual surgical scar easily discernible. No areas of discoloration were noted and digital palpation of the area was unremarkable. Microscopic residual tumor was noted; however, all surgical margins and lymph nodes were negative for tumor. Her postoperative course was unremarkable. The patient has continued to do well since the time of her surgery and is being followed conservatively. Conclusion. Radical vulvectomy should be performed when MAC occurs in the vulva to secure negative margins of resection. Groin dissection should be reserved for cases in which the inguinal lymph nodes are clinically suspicious or in cases of tumor recurrence.
Admittance measurements of solid propellants by an acoustic oscillator technique

A dynamic acoustic oscillator technique has been developed for measuring the response of a burning solid propellant surface The experimental arrangement essentially consists of a centrally vented cavity with propellant at one end and a phase-locked mechanical driver, which excites the cavity in a resonant mode, at the other end The bandwidth or Q of the resonance is determined by phase modulation of the mechanical driver and measurement of the resultant side-band amplitudes An independent method for measuring the decay constant of the cavity incorporated into this system involves momentarily shorting out the drive system and observing the free-decay or growth of the oscillations Although the apparatus was designed primarily for investigation of stable or marginally stable propellant systems, it can also be used with unstable propellant systems by introducing a 180° phase shift in the drive circuit whenever the amplitude exceeds a predetermined value Experiments are described in which lock-on to resonance was achieved and maintained for runs of several seconds duration The oscillation amplitude and Q are generally not constant, but change appreciably and iri egularly during a run indicating that the damping of the cavity is undergoing substantial variations
Effect of the reticulo-endothelial blockade by thorotrast on the development of normal heterohemagglutinins in fowl.

Der Kaninchen-Heterohamagglutinin-Titer im Serum von weisen Leghorn-Kucken wurde einen Tag, nachdem die Kucken ausgebrutet waren, bestimmt. Danach wurde der Titer wochentlich, wahrend neun Wochen, ermittelt. Wochentliche intrakardiale Verabreichung von 6 cm3/kg Thorotrast hatte keinen Einflus auf die Entwicklung von normalen Kaninchen-Heterohamag-glutininen. Die gleiche Dosis von Thorotrast erwies sich bei Verabreichung an jedem dritten Tag als toxisch. Die maximal erreichbare retikulo-endotheliale Blockade durch Thorotrast scheint die Entwicklung normaler Heterohamagglutinine nicht zu beeinflussen.
Realistic science data simulator for the IRAC instrument on SIRTF

The Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) is one of three major scientific instruments to be launched aboard the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). This document briefly describes the features, usage, and limitations of the IRAC Science Data Simulator (ISDS) that can be used to generate simulated data to anticipate data quality and reduction issues for mission operations. The software is a combination of C++ and IRAF SPP routines that implement the features already characterized during the integration and test phase of IRAC's development. While no guarantee of accuracy is made, the intention is to replicate as faithfully as possible known characteristics and artifacts of the IRAC instrument. The many beneficial applications of the ISDS include facilitating planning of the IRAC pipeline by the SIRTF Science Center (SSC), and validating observing strategies for SIRTF Guaranteed Time Observers and Legacy teams. The simulator has already been used by mission planners to demonstrate the relative effectiveness of different approaches to data reduction. It will also be of great value in demonstrating IRAC's capabilities for mapping and source detection, and in testing post-pipeline software currently being developed for these purposes.
Prediction model of end-point phosphorous in converter based on cluster analysis and gray theory

According to the characters of converter steelmaking, a prediction model of end-point phosphorous about Multi Refining Converter was developed. The 11 factors which had a rather large correlation with the end-point phosphorus content in dephosphorization stage were chosen by gray Relation Analysis. After the data set were decomposed into clusters by agglomerative hierarchical, the gray GM(0,N) model was built to predict end-point phosphorous. The simulation results show that the built model with cluster is valid.
The Fourth-Generation Marketing Curriculum: Meeting AACSB's Guidelines

In an effort to address industry's concern that business graduates are too narrowly focused, the new AACSB guidelines recommend that business curricula have at least half or more of the required undergraduate degree credits outside the business school. This article contrasts two business schools' efforts to redesign their business curricula to meet AACSB standards and describes the changes for a fourth-generation marketing curriculum.
Evaluation of Beauveria bassiana for Management of Citrus Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) in California Blueberries

Citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton), is a plant-feeding pest most widely recognized for causing damage to citrus and mango fruits. This insect has broadened its host range to become a significant pest of commercial blueberries grown in the San Joaquin Valley of California. We evaluated Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) for control of citrus thrips in blueberries grown under two watering regimes (drip irrigation with and without overhead sprinklers) and using two fungal formulations (commercially available spores in suspension vs. colonized seed) over two sampling periods, that is, for two 3-d periods after treatment. We found significant differences in thrips densities as a function of water regime treatment and fungal formulation. Thrips levels were reduced significantly with both fungal treatments at 3 d after treatment, but at 6 d, only results with colonized seed differed from the control treatment. These data suggest entomopathogenic fungi might be useful for control of citrus thrips on blueberries in particular situations (in organic production or as a resistance management tool) but that traditional pesticides will likely remain the preferred management option.
Personal Illness Models of Diabetes: Preadolescents and Adolescents

The purpose of this research study was to explore personal illness models of preadolescents and adolescents regarding diabetes mellitus. Personal illness models were defined as the adolescents' cognitive representations of their disease. Sixty children ages 10 to 17 years with a diagnosis of insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were content analyzed for common themes. Although most participants expressed an understanding that their disease would last a lifetime, they were hopeful for a cure. Participants wanted healthcare professionals to provide strategies for controlling blood glucose to prevent future complications. Family and friends who followed the same diet as the adolescent with diabetes were viewed as supportive. The majority of adolescents were responsible for much of their own disease management. Their greatest fears concenled insulin reactions and long-term complications such as amputation of limbs.
Desensitization of δ-opioid receptors in nucleus accumbens during nicotine withdrawal

Rationale The synthesis and release of met-enkephalin and β-endorphin, endogenous ligands for δ-opioid peptide receptors (DOPrs), are altered following nicotine administration and may play a role in nicotine addiction.
Ab Initio Study of Inner Solvent Shell Reorganization in the Fe2+–Fe3+ Aqueous Electron Exchange Reaction†

Ab initio RHF molecular orbital calculations are carried out for several hydrate clusters of Fe2+ and Fe3+, using a double-zeta valence atomic orbital basis set and an effective core potential for inner shell electrons, and comparison is made with all-electron results at the monohydrate level. The calculations are shown to give a good quantitiative account of the solvent shell radii and breathing vibration frequencies for the hexahydrates. The large decrease (∼0.15 A) in going from Fe2+(H2O)6 to Fe3+(H2O)6 is related to the interaction of the ag (4s) and ϵg (3d) Fe valence orbitals with the ligand 2p-orbitals, with little π antibonding character found for the tg orbitals. The expansion of the 3d orbitals in the Fe2+ ion, relative to the Fe3+, is also noted and discussed in connection with the change in solvent shell size for the two complexes. The charge transfer from the ligands involves mainly a depletion of the hydrogen atom electrons, implying increased acidity for the first-shell water molecules.
Phase Transitions at Internal Interfaces

Interfaces often undergo phase transitions even though nothing special is happening to the bulk solid. These transitions are possible in any internal interface, such as a grain boundary, an interphase boundary, a stacking fault, or an antiphase boundary. As for bulk solids, interface transitions may be defined from a thermodynamic point of view. When distinct interfacial phases coexist, interfacial phase diagrams are useful in visualizing thermodynamic data. Various classes of these transitions will be discussed in general and then illustrated with examples from recent work on models and experimental systems.
Terahertz surface plasmon polaritons on freestanding multi-walled carbon nanotube aerogel sheets

We demonstrate that multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are capable of supporting surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) at terahertz (THz) frequencies. To achieve this, we fabricated sub-100 μm-thick freestanding and highly oriented multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) aerogel sheets. Utilizing terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, we measured the complex index of refraction of the sheets for two orthogonal nanotube orientations. We found that the MWCNT sheets exhibit highly anisotropic THz polarization behavior. Based on the extracted dielectric properties of the medium, which show that it exhibits metallic behavior in the THz spectral range, we investigated the existence and propagation of SPPs by studying the resonantly enhanced transmission through periodic MWCNT hole arrays. We found that carbon nanotubes support SPP excitations that propagate along the tubes, but highly suppress these surface waves in the direction perpendicular to the nanotubes.
Sound localization acuity in the cat: effect of azimuth, signal duration, and test procedure.

Abstract The sound localization acuity of cats was determined at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° from the median sagittal plane for four durations of noise bursts using two behavioral procedures. Similar thresholds were also obtained for humans. The cats' average thresholds for a 40 ms noise burst ranged from 4.8° at 0° azimuth to 9.0° at 90° azimuth. Comparable thresholds for humans ranged from 1.3° at 0° to 9.7° at 90°. The fact that humans and cats had similar thresholds at 90° azimuth suggests that the mobile pinnae of the cat are not an advantage in localizing sound in the lateral fields. Varying the duration of the stimulus from 10 ms to ‘continuous’ had little effect on threshold. No difference was found between the results of the two behavioral procedures.
Application of a Spectroscopic Measuring Technique to Plasma Discharge in Hypersonic Flow

Abstract : Spatially resolved rotational temperatures have been obtained within the boundary layer of a flat plate model in a Mach 5.1 flow using emission spectroscopy. The temperatures were obtained by matching the measured nitrogen second positive 0-2 rovibrational band with a calculated one. Temperature profiles are given above the cathode and the anode. The maximum temperature obtained above the cathode did not correspond to the surface of the model, but rather at an elevation 0.55 mm above the surface. This indicates that heat is traveling from the discharge into the plate for a period of time after the discharge is ignited. This characteristic in the temperature profile sheds light on some of the effects a plasma has on the flow field as determined by Pitot probe measurements and total lift measurements.
Advances in adaptive parallel processing for field applications

Techniques for the adaptive solution of two-dimensional vector systems for hyperbolic and elliptic partial differential equations on shared-memory parallel computers are described. Hyperbolic systems are approximated by an explicit finite volume technique and solved by a recursive local mesh refinement procedure. Several computational procedures have been developed, and results comparing a variety of heuristic processor load-balancing techniques and refinement strategies are presented. For elliptic problems, the spatial domain is discretized using a finite quadtree mesh-generation procedure and the differential system is discretized by a finite-element Galerkin technique with a hierarchical piecewise polynomial basis. Resulting linear algebraic systems are solved in parallel on noncontiguous quadrants by a conjugate gradient technique with element-by-element and symmetric successive over-relaxation preconditioners. Noncontiguous regions are determined by using a linear-time complexity coloring procedure that requires a maximum of six colors. >
Learning Style Preferences of Southeast Asian Students.

This study investigated the basic perceptual learning style preferences (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and tactile) and preferences for group and individual learning of Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, and Vietnamese students and compared them with those of White students. This study found significant ethnic group differences in the learning style preferences of Southeast Asian and White students as well as significant differences within diverse Southeast Asian groups. But this study did not confirm any gender differences or students’ achievement level differences. Southeast Asian students’ learning styles were not related to their nativity or their length of residence in the United States or their placement in English as a second language classes.
Flaw-tolerance and crack-resistance properties of alumina-aluminum titanate composites with tailored microstructures

The microstructures of alumina-aluminum titanate (A-AT) composites have been tailored with the intent of altering their crack-resistance (R- or T-curve) behavior and resulting flaw tolerance. Specifically, two microstructural parameters which influence grain-localized crack bridging, viz., (1) internal residual stresses and (2) microstructural coarseness, have been investigated. Particulate aluminum titanate was added to alumina to induce intense internal residual stresses from extreme thermal intense internal residual stresses from extreme thermal expansion mismatch. It was found that A-AT composites with uniformly distributed 20-30 vol% aluminum titanate (duplex) showed significantly improved flaw tolerance over single-phase alumina. Coarsening of the duplex microstructure via grain growth scaling was relatively ineffective in improving the flaw tolerance further. Onset of spontaneous microcracking precluded further exploitation of this scaling approach. Therefore, an alternative approach to coarsening was developed, in which a uniform distribution of large alumina grains was incorporated within a fine-grain A-AT matrix (duplex-bimodal), via a powder processing route. The duplex-bimodal composites yielded excellent flaw tolerance with steady-state toughness of [approximately]8 MPa [center dot] m[sup 1/2]. A qualitative model for microstructure development in these duplex-bimodal composites is presented.
High-Density Detection of Restriction-Site-Associated DNA Markers for Rapid Mapping of Mutated Loci in Neurospora

The wealth of sequence information available for Neurospora crassa and other fungi has greatly facilitated evolutionary and molecular analyses of this group. Although “reverse” genetics, in which genes are first identified by their sequence rather than by their mutant phenotypes, serves as a valuable new approach for elucidating biological processes, classical “forward” genetic analysis is still extremely useful. Unfortunately, mapping mutations and identifying the corresponding genes has typically been slow and laborious. To facilitate forward genetics in Neurospora, we have adapted microarray-based restriction-site-associated DNA (RAD) mapping for use with N. crassa oligonucleotide microarrays. This technique was used to simultaneously detect an unprecedented number of genomewide restriction site polymorphisms from two N. crassa strains: Mauriceville and Oak Ridge. Furthermore, RAD mapping was used to quickly map a previously unknown gene, defective in methylation-7 (dim-7).