cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Under 21 Years Old: A US Population Analysis

Abstract Background The purpose of this study is to evaluate trends in the use of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the United States in patients under 21 years of age. Specifically, we examined the frequency of THA in this patient population over the past 2 decades, the epidemiologic characteristics of patients under 21 who underwent THA, and the characteristics of the hospitals where these procedures were performed. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the Kids’ Inpatient Database, an inpatient US national weighted sample of hospital admissions in patients under 21 from approximately 4200 hospitals in 46 states. We queried the database using Current Procedural Terminology codes for elective and non-elective primary THA for the years 2000-2016. We utilized the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes to determine primary diagnoses. Results The weighted total number of THAs performed in patients under 21 in the Kids’ Inpatient Database increased from 347 in 2000 to 551 in 2016. The most common diagnoses were osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory arthritis. The frequency of THA for osteonecrosis increased from 24% in 2000 to 38% in 2016, while the frequency of THA for inflammatory arthritis decreased from 27% in 2000 to 4% in 2016. Conclusion The number of THAs in patients under 21 in the United States has increased over the past 2 decades and these procedures are increasingly performed in urban teaching hospitals. The decrease in THA for inflammatory arthritis in this population likely reflects improvements in medical management during the study period.
Some Problems Associated with Secure Information Flows in Computer Systems

The general problem area of computer security has developed over the past twenty years, but it is only within the last five years that the need for solid mathematical foundations has become apparent. On May 13, 1980 Tom Haigh from Honeywell gave a presentation of recent developments of the subject, including some of his ongoing work. The first part of his talk was a discussion of the threats that are addressed by computer security. The second part of the talk was a description of a more general class of problems associated with access control policy. The write-up below is essentially a written version of his lecture which he sent to us a few days later, with several omissions and additions, and with some input from an article by Boebert, Kain and Young [1].
Proteolytic Activity in Dermatoses: Preliminary Observations on Inflammation and Pruritus1

There is increasing evidence that inflammation is mediated by the breakdown of tissue protein (1). Recently Shelley and Arthur (2) have shown that itching can be produced by a similar mechanism. In this paper experiments which amplify and tend to confirm this concept will be documented.
Field Theory and its Classical Problems

Field Theory and its Classical Problems lets Galois theory unfold in a natural way, beginning with the geometric construction problems of antiquity, continuing through the constructibility of regular n-gons and the properties of roots of unity, and then on to the solvability of polynomial equations by radicals, and beyond. The logical pathway is historic, but the terminology is consistent with modern treatments. No previous knowledge of groups, fields, or abstract algebra is assumed. Notable topics treated along this route include the transcendence of e and of pi, cyclotomic polynomials, polynomials over the integers, Hilbert's, irreducibility theorem, and many other gems in classical mathematics. Historical and bibliographical notes complement the text, and complete solutions are provided to all problems. Field Theory and its Classical Problems is a winner of the MAA Edwin Beckenbach Book Prize for excellence in mathematical exposition.
Comparison of adherence of Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis to silicone catheters in vitro and in vivo

Objectives Although Candida parapsilosis has been associated with device-related infections in the clinical settings, factors that contribute to this association have not been previously examined. The objectives of this study were to compare in vitro and in vivo the adherence to silicone catheters of: (1) Candida albicans vs. C. parapsilosis , and (2) invasive vs. colonizing isolates of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. Methods The records of 840 patients who had had Candida species isolated at three teaching hospitals during a three-month period were reviewed. A total of 20 clinical isolates of each of C. parapsilosis and C. albicans were examined for their adherence to silicone catheters in vitro and in a rabbit model of percutaneously placed catheters. For each Candida species, ten invasive isolates that had caused clinical device-related infection and 10 colonizing isolates that had caused only device colonization were studied. Results Candida parapsilosis accounted for C. albicans. Candida parapsilosis was isolated proportionately more often from blood and/or devices than C. albicans (34.3% vs. 8.5%, respectively, P C. albicans and C. parapsilosis or between invasive and colonizing Candida. Conclusion Although C. parapsilosis was isolated proportionately more often from blood and/or devices than C. albicans in our studied population, there was no significant difference in the adherence of the two Candida species to silicone, nor between invasive and colonizing Candida in our in vitro and in vivo models. Factors other than microbial adherence may help explain the observed association of C. parapsilosis with device-related infections.
Law, Norms, and the Breakdown of the Board

This Article considers the dominant claim in corporate law literature that extra-legal mechanisms such as markets and social norms provide adequate safeguards against corporate mismanagement and opportunism. After noting recognized deficiencies in the arguments from market discipline, the Article draws on psychological insights to show that certain behavioral phenomena prevent social norms from appropriately constraining corporate conduct. It then argues that because neither markets nor social norms can sufficiently discipline corporate officials, a credible accountability mechanism is necessary to prevent director conduct standards from deteriorating. Unfortunately, an inveterate tradition of judicial deference in corporate law has undermined the role of fiduciary duty litigation as a mechanism for accountability. To promote greater accountability in corporate governance, the Article recommends reforms to the director liability regime. It argues that litigation and settlement practices should require negligent directors to make personal payments toward settlements and damage awards, and that such payments should be calibrated based on a director’s ability to pay. This proposal addresses two main weaknesses in the current director liability regime: (1) judicial nullification and (2) legitimacy concerns regarding the scope of directors’ liability risks. ∗ Assistant Professor, Boston College Law School. Significant progress on this Article was made during a fellowship at the Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics at Harvard University. I am grateful to Dennis Thompson, Arthur Applbaum, and seminar participants Jeffrey Abramson, Elizabeth Ashford, Thomas Cochrane, Elisabetta Galeotti, Maria Merritt, and Daniel Philpott for valuable feedback. I would also like to thank Joseph Badarraco, Mary Bilder, Lawrence Cunningham, Joan Heminway, Ray Madoff, Hillary Sale, William Simon, and Lynn Stout for helpful comments on early drafts. This Article also benefited from comments from participants in faculty colloquia at Northeastern, Boston College, and Washington and Lee law schools. Finally, thanks are due to Jason Radford, Jane Morril, Yvonne Chan, and Precious Eboigbe for excellent research assistance. © Copyright 2006 by Renee M. Jones. JONES_FINAL_REVISED 11/20/2006 4:51:51 PM 106 92 IOWA LAW REVIEW [2006] A reduction in penalties for fiduciary breaches should increase the likelihood that judges find liability in appropriate instances. Calibrating penalties should also improve general perceptions of the legitimacy of corporate law rules, and thus support the internalization of proper moral values by directors so that they are better motivated to fulfill their fiduciary obligations to corporations and their shareholders. JONES_FINAL_REVISED 11/20/2006 4:51:51 PM LAW, NORMS, AND THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BOARD 107
A Portrait of Black Leadership during Racial School Segregation

The purpose of this paper is to paint a portrait of an African American public school administrator, capturing the essence of his leadership style and educational philosophy during extremely challenging circumstances. This portrait reveals the many creative ways that this administrator handled discipline, secured resources, and ultimately impacted the lives of many students in his district. This research is important in light of the fact that schools across the nation are returning to segregation and an increase in Black superintendents is concomitant with this increase in predominately Black urban school districts. Much can be learned from examining this portrait as administrators find themselves presiding over districts with historically underserved children from low-income families.
Causes and consequences of habitat fragmentation in river networks

Increases in river fragmentation globally threaten freshwater biodiversity. Rivers are fragmented by many agents, both natural and anthropogenic. We review the distribution and frequency of these major agents, along with their effects on connectivity and habitat quality. Most fragmentation research has focused on terrestrial habitats, but theories and generalizations developed in terrestrial habitats do not always apply well to river networks. For example, terrestrial habitats are usually conceptualized as two-dimensional, whereas rivers often are conceptualized as one-dimensional or dendritic. In addition, river flow often leads to highly asymmetric effects of barriers on habitat and permeability. New approaches tailored to river networks can be applied to describe the network-wide effects of multiple barriers on both connectivity and habitat quality. The net effects of anthropogenic fragmentation on freshwater biodiversity are likely underestimated, because of time lags in effects and the difficulty of generating a single, simple signal of fragmentation that applies to all aquatic species. We conclude by presenting a decision tree for managing freshwater fragmentation, as well as some research horizons for evaluating fragmented riverscapes.
Idiotype and Anti-Idiotype Regulation of Antipolyfructosan Response

The key element of the network theory of the immune system proposed by Jerne(1) is the potential importance of receptor-specific regulation of the immune response.
The impact of histology on clinicopathologic outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma and venous tumor thrombus: a matched cohort analysis.

Objective To evaluate the impact of tumor histology on clinicopathologic outcomes for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and venous tumor thrombus (VTT). Methods We identified 807 patients with RCC and VTT who underwent nephrectomy at our institution between 1970 and 2008. All pathologic specimens were re-reviewed by a single urologic pathologist. Patients with non-clear cell RCC (non-ccRCC, n = 56) were matched 1:2 to patients with clear cell RCC (ccRCC) VTT based on symptoms at presentation, regional lymph node involvement, distant metastases, tumor thrombus level, nuclear grade, and sarcomatoid differentiation. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Results The 56 patients with non-ccRCC VTT included 26 papillary, 11 chromophobe, 5 collecting duct tumors, and 14 RCCs not otherwise specified. Compared to unmatched patients with ccRCC VTT (n = 751), patients with non-ccRCC VTT presented with larger tumor size ( P = .02), higher nuclear grade ( P = .04), and more frequent sarcomatoid differentiation ( P P P = .24) or cancer-specific survival (25% vs 27%, P = .97). Conclusion Non-ccRCC VTT is associated with a high rate of adverse pathologic features. Nevertheless, when matched to patients with ccRCC, patients with non-ccRCC VTT did not have increased rate of recurrence or adverse survival. Aggressive surgical resection represents the mainstay of treatment in these cases, whereas continued efforts to optimize a multimodal management approach to such patients remain necessary.
VHDL-AMS based modeling and simulation of mixed-technology microsystems: a tutorial

This tutorial paper describes different approaches to modeling and simulation of mixed-technology microsystems that consist of electrical circuits connected to subsystems described by partial differential equations (PDEs), which is a typical situation in many modern integrated circuits and systems. We target this paper towards the audience use of VHDL-AMS (a hardware description language suitable for modeling and simulation of such systems). We describe existing approaches to modeling such systems and present three examples accompanied by their VHDL-AMS implementations and simulation results.
Use of vaccines in the evaluation of presumed immunodeficiency.

The assessment of the humoral immune response is a critical component in the evaluation of patients suspected of having a primary immune deficiency disease (PIDD).1 In fact, more than 50% of the patients with immune deficiency have some impairment in the ability to make specific antibodies and/or have a quantitative deficiency of antibodies. Although there are a number of laboratory tools that are helpful in the evaluation of patients suspected of having an antibody deficiency disorder, such as quantitative serum immunoglobulin analysis, analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry, or even genetic diagnoses of single-gene mutations, the evaluation of a patient’s response to immunization with a vaccine and the production of specific antibodies are extremely important. The assessment of qualitative antibody responses is not only important in confirming a specific antibody immune deficiency but is also important in the decision-making process for using immunoglobulin replacement therapy.2,3 If on initial evaluation patients demonstrate a deficient quantitative antibody response, an antigen challenge or booster vaccine immunization with existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)e approved vaccines can determine whether the patient has the ability to generate an adequate qualitative antibody response. In an effort to provide guidance in the evaluation of patients for a humoral PIDD, a working group of the Basic and Clinical Immunology Interest Section of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) published a report in September 2012.4 This article discusses some of the topics related to the use and interpretation of vaccine responses in the evaluation of patients for a possible PIDD. Strategies and Evidence
Nuclear data sheets for A = 218*

Abstract The available nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A=218 is presented. Various decay and reaction data are evaluated and compared. Adopted data, levels, spin and parities are given.
Can mental representations be triggering causes

Fred Dretske’s (1988) account of the causal role of intentional mental states was widely criticized for missing the target: he explained why a type of intentional state causes the type of bodily motion it does rather than some other, when what we wanted was an account of how the intentional properties of these states play a causal role in each singular causal relation with a token bodily motion. I argue that the non-reductive metaphysics that Dretske defends for his account of behavior can be extended to the case of intentional states, and that this extension provides a way to show how intentional properties play the causal role that we wanted explained.
Funding for environmental protection: Comparing congressional and executive influences

Abstract Examining the budget of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a unique opportunity to test the relative importance of executive and legislative influences on funding. In general since establishment of EPA in 1970, Congress has advocated more programs and the president has tried to restrain spending. In particular during the Reagan administration, the executive and legislative branches differed sharply in their priorities.
Synthesis of Fe‐pumpellyite and its stability relations with epidote

Hydrothermal synthesis of Fe-pum-pellyites was conducted using high pressure cold-seal apparatus and solid oxygen buffering techniques at temperatures between 250°C and 550°C and 2.0–9.1 kbar Pfluid. Fe-pumpellyites were synthesized from partially crystalline gel mixtures of compositions: 4CaO - 2.1Al2O3_1.5FeO - 0.3MgO - 6SiO2 (II) and 3CaO - 1.5 Al2O3 - 2.7FeO - 0.3MgO - 6SiO2 (III) in the presence of excess H2O at Pfluid of 5–9.1 Kbar, temperatures between 275°C and 325°C, and fO2 defined by the QFM and HM buffers; for both of these compositions (II and III), the condensed synthetic run products included minor 7A chlorite ± garnet ± Fe-oxide. The cell dimensions and aggregate refractive index (a= 19.13(2)A, b= 5.940(4)A, c= 8.847(5)A, ±= 97.37(6)±, and n= 1.702(2)) of the pum-pellyite synthesized from the bulk composition II mix are compatible with those of natural pumpellyites containing similar total Fe contents. Attempts at synthesizing Fe-pumpellyites from a Mg-free bulk composition were not successful; these results are consistent with the total absence of natural Mg-free pumpellyites. The higher temperature, higher oxygen fugacity assemblages of the equivalent bulk compositions (II and III) consist of epidote ± minor amounts of chlorite, garnet, quartz, hematite, and magnetite. The results of these synthesis experiments accord with the mineral parageneses observed in low-grade metabasites which imply that Fe-pumpellyites are replaced by epidote with increasing temperature and/or fO2 and that Fe3+ is preferentially partitioned into epidote with respect to coexisting pum-pellyite. In addition, these synthesis experiments indicate that Fe-bearing pumpellyites crystallize at and are stable to lower temperatures than more aluminous pumpellyites—a result also consistent with natural systems.
The Mandate of Heaven and The Great Ming Code

Jiang Yonglin. The Mandate of Heaven and The Great Ming Code. Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 2011. Pp. ix. 245.The view that imperial Chinese law was an oppressive tool in the ...
Kinetic-energy mass, momentum mass, and drift mass in steady irrotational subsonic flows

Irrotational flows caused by a body moving with a constant velocity in an unbounded homentropic compressible fluid at rest at infinity are considered. Provided the (steady) flow relative to the body is everywhere subsonic, it is shown that the momentum mass is always equal to the drift mass, and the kinetic-energy mass is equal to the drift mass under certain conditions.
Altered Dynamic Postural Control during Step Turning in Persons with Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease

Persons with early-stage Parkinson's disease (EPD) do not typically experience marked functional deficits but may have difficulty with turning tasks. Studies evaluating turning have focused on individuals in advanced stages of the disease. The purpose of this study was to compare postural control strategies adopted during turning in persons with EPD to those used by healthy control (HC) subjects. Fifteen persons with EPD, diagnosed within 3 years, and 10 HC participated. Participants walked 4 meters and then turned 90°. Dynamic postural control was quantified as the distance between the center of pressure (COP) and the extrapolated center of mass (eCOM). Individuals with EPD demonstrated significantly shorter COP-eCOM distances compared to HC. These findings suggest that dynamic postural control during turning is altered even in the early stages of PD.
Minor quantitative trait loci underlie floral traits associated with mating system divergence in Mimulus.

The genetic basis of species differences provides insight into the mode and tempo of phenotypic divergence. We investigate the genetic basis of floral differences between two closely related plant taxa with highly divergent mating systems, Mimulus guttatus(large-flowered outcrosser) and M. nasutus(small-flowered selfer). We had previously constructed a framework genetic linkage map of the hybrid genome containing 174 markers spanning approximately 1800 cM on 14 linkage groups. In this study, we analyze the genetics of 16 floral, reproductive, and vegetative characters measured in a large segregating M. nasutus 3 M. guttatus F2 population (N 5 526) and in replicates of the parental lines and F1 hybrids. Phenotypic analyses reveal strong genetic correlations among floral traits and epistatic breakdown of male and female fertility traits in the F2 hybrids. We use multitrait composite interval mapping to jointly locate and characterize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying interspecific differences in seven floral traits. We identified 24 floral QTLs, most of which affected multiple traits. The large number of QTLs affecting each trait (mean 5 13, range 5 11-15) indicates a strikingly polygenic basis for floral divergence in this system. In general, QTL effects are small relative to both interspecific differences and environmental variation within genotypes, ruling out QTLs of major effect as contributors to floral divergence between M. guttatus and M. nasutus. QTLs show no pattern of directional dominance. Floral characters associated with pollinator attraction (corolla width) and self-pollen de- position (stigma-anther distance) share several pleiotropic or linked QTLs, but unshared QTLs may have allowed selfing to evolve independently from flower size. We discuss the polygenic nature of divergence between M. nasutus and M. guttatus in light of theoretical work on the evolution of selfing, genetics of adaptation, and maintenance of variation within populations.
Differential effect of traumatic brain injury on the nuclear factor of activated T Cells C3 and C4 isoforms in the rat hippocampus.

Abstract The interaction between the phosphatase calcineurin and transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) plays an important role numerous signaling and the regulatory events. Although NFAT is mostly known for its transcription function in the immune system, NFAT also has essential functions even in the central nervous system (CNS). The effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on NFAT are currently unknown. To determine if there is an alteration in NFAT after TBI, we examined NFATc3 and c4 levels at 6 h, 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks post injury. Rats were anesthetized and surgically prepared for controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury or sham surgery. Semi-quantitative measurements of NFATc3 and c4 in the hippocampal homogenates from injured and sham rats sacrificed at the appropriate time after injury were assessed using Western blot analysis. After TBI insult, in the hippocampus ipsilateral to the injury, NFATc3 expression levels were decreased both in the cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions. However, NFATc4 expression levels were increased in the cytoplasmic fraction but decreased in the nuclear fraction. Double labeling (with NeuN and GFAP) immunohistochemistry revealed that NFATc3 was expressed in subset of astrocytes and NFATc4 was expressed primarily in neurons. These differential responses in NFATc3 and c4 expression after TBI insult may indicate long-term changes in hippocampal excitability and may contribute to behavioral deficits. Further study is warranted to illustrate the role of NFATc3 and c4 in the setting of TBI.
Bilingual skills of deaf/hard of hearing children from Spain

AbstractBackground/aimsThis study described the first language (L1) and second language (L2) skills of a group of Spanish deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) children who were bilingual.MethodsParticipants included parents of 51 DHH children from Spain. Parents completed an electronic survey that included questions on background, details on child's hearing loss, and bilingual status and L2 exposure. Parents also completed the Student Oral Language Observation Matrix, a rating scale that describes language skills.ResultsDHH bilingual children demonstrated L1 skills that were stronger than their monolingual DHH peers. Bilingual children demonstrated a wide range of L2 proficiency, and most were exposed to an L2 through parents and/or schooling. The majority of parents reported that their children demonstrated L2 skills that were either better than or at the level they had expected.ConclusionThese results correspond with earlier studies that indicate the DHH children are capable of becoming bilingual. Implications fo...
Growing root, tuber and nut crops hydroponically for CELSS☆

Among the crops selected by NASA for growth in controlled ecological life-support systems are four that have subsurface edible parts: potatoes, sweet potatoes, sugar beets and peanuts. These crops can be produced in open and closed (recirculating), solid media and liquid, hydroponic systems. Fluorescent, fluorescent plus incandescent, and high-pressure sodium-plus-metal-halide lamps have proven to be effective light sources. Continuous light with 16-C and 28/22-C (day/night) temperatures produce highest yields for potato and sweet potato, respectively. Dry weight yields of up to 4685, 2541, 1151 and 207 g/sq m for potatoes, sweet potatoes, sugar beets and peanuts, respectively, are produced in controlled environment hydroponic systems.
Effect of vitamin A on the mucopolysaccharides of lung tissue

Abstract Three distinct mucopolysaccharide-peptide complexes have been isolated from lung tissue and identified by the following procedures as hyaluronic acid, a sulfated hyaluronic acid, and heparan sulfate: elution pattern from DEAE-Sephadex columns and paper electrophoresis; analysis of chemical composition; and susceptibility or resistance to hyaluronidase or heparinase digestion. The incorporation of 35 SO 2− 4 and glucosamine-1- 14 C into these mucopolysaccharides and into cartilage chondroitin sulfate of vitamin A-normal and vitamin A-deficient pair-fed rats was studied. The amount of each compound was higher in the vitamin A-deficient animals. The distribution of label in the unsulfated and less sulfated mucopolysaccharides showed higher values in the vitamin A-deficient animals. The lung heparan sulfate and inter-costal cartilage chondroitin sulfate, on the other hand, had a higher incorporation of labeled sulfate in vitamin A-normal compared with vitamin A-deficient animals.
Oxidative stress from diverse developmental neurotoxicants: Antioxidants protect against lipid peroxidation without preventing cell loss

Oxidative stress has been hypothesized to provide a mechanism by which apparently unrelated chemicals can nevertheless produce similar developmental neurotoxic outcomes. We used differentiating PC12 cells to compare the effects of agents from four different classes and then to evaluate antioxidant amelioration: fipronil, perfluorooctanesulfonamide (PFOSA), dieldrin and chlorpyrifos. The rank order for lipid peroxidation corresponded to the ability to evoke cell loss: fipronil>PFOSA>dieldrin>chlorpyrifos. The same sequence was found for an index of cell enlargement (protein/DNA ratio) but the effects on neurite outgrowth (membrane/total protein) diverged, with fipronil producing a decrease and PFOSA an increase. Cotreatment with antioxidants reduced (ascorbate) or eliminated (Vitamin E) lipid peroxidation caused by each of the agents but failed to protect against cell loss, with the sole exception of chlorpyrifos, for which we earlier showed partial protection by Vitamin E; addition of higher NGF concentrations protected neither against oxidative stress nor cell loss. Despite the failure to prevent cell loss, ascorbate protected the cells from the effects of PFOSA on neuritic outgrowth; NGF, and to a lesser extent, ascorbate, offset the effects of fipronil on both cell enlargement and neuritogenesis. At the same time, the ameliorant treatments also worsened some of the other toxicant effects. Our results point out the problems in concluding that, just because a neurotoxicant produces oxidative stress, antioxidant therapy will be effective in preventing damage. Instead, additional mechanisms for each agent may provide alternative routes to neurotoxicity, or may be additive or synergistic with oxidative stress.
In Situ Carboxyl Activation using a Silatropic Switch. A New Approach to Amide and Peptide Constructions

The novel reactivity of O-silylthionoesters with amine nucleophiles to generate oxoamides (rather than thioamides) is described. A straightforward first-generation trimethylsilylation protocol using bistrimethylsilylacetamide (BSA) combined with the unique reactivity of the O-silylthionoesters toward 1° and 2° amines to generate oxoamides provides the simplest means of activating a thiol acid for peptide bond formation at neutral pH. Excellent stereoretention is observed.
Durable responses with the metronomic rituximab and thalidomide plus prednisone, etoposide, procarbazine, and cyclophosphamide regimen in elderly patients with recurrent mantle cell lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Targeting the tumor microenvironment and angiogenesis is a novel lymphoma therapeutic strategy. The authors report safety, activity, and angiogenic profiling results with the rituximab and thalidomide plus prednisone, etoposide, procarbazine, and cyclophosphamide (RT-PEPC) regimen in patients with recurrent mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). METHODS: RT-PEPC included induction (Months 1-3) of rituximab 4 times weekly, daily thalidomide (50 mg), and PEPC followed by maintenance thalidomide (100 mg), oral PEPC titrated to the neutrophil count, and rituximab every 4 months. Endpoints included safety, efficacy, quality of life (QoL), and translational studies, including tumor angiogenic phenotyping, plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and circulating endothelial cells. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled, and 22 were evaluable. The median age was 68 years (range, 52-81 years), 24 patients (96%) had stage III or IV disease, 18 patients (72%) had an International Prognostic Index (IPI) score of 3 to 5, and 20 patients (80%) had high-risk Mantle Cell International Prognostic Index (MIPI) scores. Patients had received a median of 2 previous therapies (range, 1-7 previous therapies), and 15 patients (60%) had progressed on bortezomib. At a median follow-up of 38 months, the overall response rate was 73% (complete response [CR]/unconfirmed CR rate, 32%; partial response [PR] rate, 41%; n = 22 patients), and the median progression-free survival was 10 months. Four CRs were ongoing (≥6 months, ≥31 months, ≥48 months, and ≥50 months). Toxicities included grade 1 and 2 fatigue, rash, neuropathy, and cytopenias, including grade 1 and 2 thrombocytopenia (64%) and grade 3 and 4 neutropenia (64%). Two thromboses and 5 episodes of grade 3 or 4 infections occurred. QoL was maintained or improved. Correlative studies demonstrated tumor autocrine angiogenic loop (expression of VEGF A and VEGF receptor 1) and heightened angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in stroma. Plasma VEGF levels and circulating endothelial cells trended down with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: RT-PEPC had significant and durable activity in MCL with manageable toxicity and maintained QoL. Novel, low-intensity approaches warrant further evaluation, potentially as initial therapy in elderly patients. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Nuclear spectroscopic studies of the 23.7 h 248Bk

Abstract Main features of the decay of the 23.7 h 248Bk have been determined by spectroscopy with scintillation and semiconductor detectors. The results are as follows: half-life 23.7 ± 0.2 h; branching is (30 ± 5)% to 248Cm (≈ 23% EC decay to 0+ ground state and ≈ 7% to first 2+ state) and (70 ± 5)%β− decay to 248Cf(5 % to 592 keV Kπ = 2− state and (65 ± 5)% to the ground-state band). The β− decay energy, Qβ−, has been measured to be 860 ± 20 keV, and the electron capture decay energy, QEC, has been derived from closed cycle to be 705 ± 25 keV. The deduced logft values of β− and EC transitions restrict the spin of the 248Bk ground state to 1, with configuration assignment { n [734] 9 2 − ; p [633] 7 2 + . It has also been deduced that the long lived isomer lies 65 ± 40 keV abovethe 23.7h 248Bk ground state.
Significance of surface potential measurements on lipid monolayers during action of phospholipase A on lecithins.

STUDIES on the action of enzymes on lipids and proteins of model membranes are aimed at identifying the relative position and orientation of the hydrophilic groups of the various membrane constituents1,2 so that models of the molecular organization and surface topography of membrane structures can be built.
Reducing Multiple Modes of Vibration by Digital Filtering and Input Shaping

The residual vibration of flexible systems can be reduced by properly shaping the reference command. There has been substantial evidence presented that input shaping is better than notch filtering for shaping reference commands to suppress vibration in mechanical systems. Much of this evidence is empirical comparisons between traditional filters and robust input shapers. Recently, a proof showing that notch filters are always equal to or longer in duration than an input shaper with identical single-mode vibration suppression constraints was presented. This paper expands on that previous result by extending the proof to multi-mode systems. The important ramification of this proof is that multi-mode input shapers suppress vibration more quickly than multi-mode notch filters. Ease of design, computation, and implementation are also discussed. Simulations of an industrial bridge crane demonstrate the key differences between the two methods.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Multicultural Counseling: An Appalachian Perspective

Appalachians have been referred to as the forgotten people and are often overlooked in multicultural counseling. A case study is presented using the extended case method to enhance counselor awareness and demonstrate how counselors can apply knowledge of the Appalachian culture in the provision of best practices for this population. Los Apalaches se han referido como la gente olvidada y se pasan por alto a menudo en el asesoramiento multicultural. Un estudio de caso es presentado usando el metodo extendido del caso para realzar conocimiento del consejero y demuestre como los consejeros pueden aplicar el conocimiento de la cultura Apalache adentro de la disposicion de las mejores practicas para esta poblacion.
Localisation of a fibroblast growth factor and its effect alone and with hydrocortisone on 3T3 cell growth

FGF, a polypeptide found in brain and pituitary, provokes the initiation of DNA synthesis by resting ST3 cells. When glucocorticoids are present FGF stimulates DNA synthesis as effectively as serum.
Obstetric Fistula: What About Gender Power?

Despite over 40 years of research there has been little progress in the prevention of obstetric fistula and women continue to suffer in unacceptable numbers. Gender power imbalance has consistently been shown to have serious implications for women's reproductive health and is known to persist in regions where obstetric fistula occurs. Yet, there is limited research about the role gender power imbalance plays in childbirth practices that put women at risk for obstetric fistula. This information is vital for developing effective maternal health interventions in regions affected by obstetric fistula.
Joint bidding restriction policy for selective E&P firms in the US Gulf of Mexico OCS : How persuasive is its effectiveness?

The principal Minerals Management Service (MMS) policy or regulation intended to promote competition (or inhibit collusion) in the lease market is the Restricted Joint Bidders List. It is compiled and published twice a year and applies to all lease sales held during the subsequent six-month period or until the next list is issued. This paper applies descriptive and econometric analyses to data on lease sales in the US Gulf of Mexico OCS region to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy. In the aggregate, empirical analyses suggest that the imposition of joint bid restrictions on some E&P firms reduces bidding effectiveness for petroleum leases on the OCS. The patterns of bidding for leases on the OCS by E&P firms restricted from bidding jointly do not seem to indicate anticompetitive behavior. Further, joint bidding is found to be consistently associated with higher average high bids and this seems to be consistent with, and perhaps enhances competition in the lease market.
Use of propane as a quench gas in argon-filled proportional counters and comparison with other quench gases

An experimental investigation of propane and six other quench gases was carried out in argon-filled proportional counters. The objective of the study was to find the best gas mixture for optimizing the gas gain and the energy resolution as well as to understand the role of the ionization potential of quench gases in determining these parameters. It was found that the best gas gains and energy resolutions are obtained with propane, ethane, and isobutane in that order. The ionization potentials of these three lie below the argon metastable potentials and have the lowest value of resonance defect compared to the other quench gases. The better results obtained with these mixtures can be explained by an increased ionization yield resulting from the Penning effect. Propylene and trans-2-butene give inferior performance compared to the above three gases. Methane and carbon dioxide, the most commonly used quench gases in the argon-filled detectors, provide the worst results.
Change point analysis of a Gaussian model

In this paper, the testing and estimation of a single change point in means and variances of a sequence of independent Gaussian normal random variables are studied. The Schwarz Information Criterion, SIC, is used to search for the change point. The unbiased version of the SIC for this change point problem is also derived for the finite sample case. Other properties of the SIC test statistic are given as well. Finally, two examples are given at the end of this paper to illustrate the method proposed, and changes are successfully detected.
Targeting of arrhythmogenic pulmonary veins: one for all?

axing tify reoion ients tify or ted oth n of card ance a epeat c ients w re, a tion i trans c) a ostabl veri ying a ted b mog AF c ar off a 3% o and a pred n as w t ural s ion i mon sary t rec tient t ivari first 6 ure. I mic m rst 6 w in t t ablat er, i m r w T i t When pulmonary vein tachycardias were identified nciting triggers for atrial fibrillation (AF), it quickly ame clear that only targeting spontaneously active v or ablation carried a high risk of recurrent AF. 1,2 Thus egan the era of empiric anatomic isolation of 3 pu ary veins, which provided greater efficacy while larg gnoring the electrophysiologic characteristics of ea ein. Is isolation of all pulmonary vein ostia real ecessity for an acceptable outcome? If not, procedure uoroscopy times as well as risk potentially could b uced if only those veins that play a role in arrhythm sis are identified and targeted for ablation. In this issue of Heart Rhythm, Dixit et al 5 provide the esults of a single-center, single-blind, prospective rando zed trial comparing the results of isolation of arrhyth enic veins only to isolation of all pulmonary vein atients with AF refractory to antiarrhythmic medicati he primary endpoint was the efficacy of either approac aintaining “long-term AF control,” which was defined omplete freedom and/or 90% reduction in AF bur ither off or on previously ineffective antiarrhythmic m cation at 1 year after a single ablation procedure. Secon ndpoints included efficacy of either strategy in achiev reedom from AF off antiarrhythmic medication at 1 fter a single ablation procedure, procedure and fluorosc imes, and occurrence of serious adverse events (cere ascular accidents, pericardial tamponade, pulmonary ve tenosis, left atrial– esophageal fistula, death). Dixit et al used incremental doses of isoproterenol (m mum 20 g min) combined with atrial overdrive pac nduction of AF with subsequent cardioversion to iden rrhythmogenic triggers of AF via strategically placed ording catheters. Patients randomized to the arrhythm enic pulmonary vein approach underwent the stimulat rotocol on three occasions compared with two in pat andomized to the all–pulmonary vein approach (to iden onpulmonary vein triggers). Conventional 4-mm-tip -mm-tip ablation catheters or a closed-loop irriga -mm-tip ablation catheter (equally distributed in b rms) was used to perform segmental isolation. Ablatio ulmonary vein ostia was guided by intracardiac echo
Comparison of the rate dependent effects of dofetilide and ibutilide in the newborn heart.

PICKOFF, A.S., et al.: Comparison of the Rate Dependent Effects of Dofetilide and Ibutilide in the Newborn Heart. This study compared the rate dependent changes in atrial and ventricular monophasic action potential duration in the newborn canine heart in response to two Class III antiarrhythmic agents: dofetilide, a pure Ikr blocker, and ibutilide, a Na+ channel opener. Newborn dogs were anesthetized with pentobarbital, vagotomized, and given propranolol to eliminate autonomic responses. A 4 Fr electrical catheter was placed in the right atrium for pacing. Monophasic action potential durations (APDs) at 90% repolarization (APD90) were recorded from the epicardial surface of the left ventricle and atrium with AgAgCl2 suction electrodes. APD90 was measured as cardiac cycle length was shortened by pacing, in the control condition and following two doses of dofetilide (n = 8) or ibutilide (n = 9). Slopes of the APD90 versus decreasing paced cycle length (PCL) relationships were then compared. Large dose dependent increases in atrial and ventricular APD90 were observed after dofetilide and ibutilide. In the neonatal atrium, there were no changes in the APD90 versus PCL relationship with either drug, indicating no rate dependency of drug effect. In contrast, in the ventricle, a steeper APD90 versus PCL slope was noted after dofetilide and ibutilide, indicating a significant loss of drug effect at faster heart rates (i.e., reverse rate dependency). In spite of probable different cellular mechanisms of action, the rate dependent characteristics of dofetilide and ibutilide are identical in the neonatal heart. There is no evidence of (reverse) rate dependency in the atrium, predicting that both agents would be effective at rapid atrial tachycardia rates. For both, however, marked reverse rate dependency is observed in the neonatal ventricle.
The Relative Masses of the Proton, Electron, and Helium Nucleus

THEORETICAL considerations suggest that the square root of mass may be more interesting and important than mass itself in the case of the ultimate particles of matter. For in the modern theory of matter, electric charge is more fundamental than mass, and the dimensional formula for electric charge e is M1/2L3/2T-1 in the electrostatic system. Thus e is proportional to M1/2. This appears in more definite form if we adopt the classical point of view that the mass of the ultimate particles is entirely of electromagnetic origin. According to the theory of relativity, energy and mass are related by the well-known equation E = mc2. But if the energy E is entirely electromagnetic, E= ∫1/8π(F2 + H2)dv, where Fand H are the electric and magnetic field intensities respectively. Thus m depends on the square of F and H, corresponding to the fact that it depends on the square of e. Carrying out this process yields the well-known formula
Neurotransmitters regulating defensive rage behavior in the cat.

Abstract This review of summarizes recent findings of our laboratory that have been directed at: (1) identifying the neural circuits underlying the expression and modulation of defensive rage behavior in the cat and the neurotransmitters associated with these pathways; and (2) determining which components of the circuitry are affected by alcohol administration and which significantly alter the rage mechanism. The experiments described herein incorporated a number of converging methods, which include brain stimulation, behavioral pharmacology, immunocytochemistry, retrograde tract tracing and receptor binding. For behavioral pharmacological studies, monopolar electrodes and cannula-electrodes were implanted into selected regions along the limbic-midbrain axis for electrical stimulation and local microinfusion of drugs. The findings demonstrated: (1) a direct pathway from the anterior medial hypothalamus to the dorsal periaqueductal gray (PAG) over which this response is mediated. This pathway utilizes excitatory amino acids that act upon NMDA receptors within the midbrain PAG; (2) that the region of the dorsal PAG, from which defensive rage could be elicited, receives other inputs from the basal amygdala that facilitate this response by acting upon NMDA receptors; (3) a pathway from the medial amygdala to the medial hypothalamus that also facilitates defensive rage and whose functions are mediated by substance P receptors within the medial hypothalamus; (4) that the PAG also receives enkephalinergic inputs from the central nucleus of amygdala, which act upon μ receptors, and which powerfully suppress defensive rage; and (5) that recent findings reveal that ethanol administration facilitates defensive rage by virtue of its interactions with the medial hypothalamus, its descending projection to the PAG, and possibly with NMDA receptors within this pathway.
Lower Limb Intraarterial Thrombolysis as an Adjunct to the Management of Arterial and Graft Occlusions

Intraarterial thrombolysis is used increasingly for management of arterial and bypass graft occlusions. Current research has been directed at the indications for and methods of catheter-directed thrombolysis. Streptokinase, urokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) are the most commonly used agents. They are administered by a variety of techniques and in various doses involving intrathrombic infusions, thrombus lacing, high-dose bolus therapy, and pulse-spray lysis. The latter methods appear to produce thrombolysis within a few hours, so this chemical therapy has the potential to become the first-line management for all episodes of acute limb ischemia. The role of thrombolysis is to return patients to their prethrombotic or preembolic state, so the underlying condition can be treated by radiologic intervention, surgery, or anticoagulation. Intraarterial thrombolysis is indicated for occlusions of less than 2 weeks' duration where the limb is able to withstand a period of further ischemia. Older occlusions should be treated by surgery, reserving intraoperative lysis for specific situations.
Quadricyclane and norbornadiene radical cations in silicalite: comparison with freon matrices

Abstract The radical cation of nonbornadiene is produced by γ radiolysis of nonbornadiene or quadricyclane in silicalite at 77 K. The bicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-2,6-diene radical cation and the bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene-7-yl radical are observed at higher temperatures. The same radical cation chemistry was recently examined by EPR in freon matrices, and differences with this EPR study in zeolites are discussed. Some zeolite sites must be able to stabilize higher electronic states of radical cations, enabling otherwise photochemical processes to be thermally accessible in zeolites.
Comparative study of the determination of solute-micelle binding constants by micellar liquid chromatography and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Abstract Micellar liquid chromatography and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography were used to determine the solute-micelle binding constants (Kmw) of different compounds. A comparison of the results showed that MECC can be an alternative to MLC for the determination of Kmw. The two techniques are complementary for the determination of Kmw with respect to practical pH ranges.