cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SIR 2003 film panel case 4: neurofibromatosis.

An 11-year-old boy presented with persistent severe hypertension while on several antihypertensive medications. At 4 years of age he underwent resection of a subaortic stenosis. He is somewhat developmentally delayed. He denies headaches, visual disturbances, and abdominal or back pain. Physical examination shows blood pressure of 155/92, repeated at 178/ 80. The patient has a severe deformity of the left foot with contractures of the ankle and heel cord. Multiple cafe-aulait spots are present on the lower extremities and back. Numerous small subcutaneous lesions are also present on the trunk. Urine for VMA is within normal limits. Arteriography was performed (Fig 4.1).
Active anti-islanding schemes for synchronous-machine-based distributed generators

Unintentional islanding of distributed generators is considered undesirable since it exposes the personnel and the power equipment to high voltage through back energisation. Two new anti-islanding schemes for synchronous-machine-based distributed generators are proposed. The principles and design guidelines for the two new schemes are provided, and their effectiveness is validated by illustrative simulation examples conducted in PSCAD. The new proposed methods are reliable, robust to other non-islanding disturbances, and easy for implementation.
Evaluation and Comparison of Bounding Techniques for Convection-Diffusion Problems

The effects of bounding the skew upwind and the second-order upwind discretization schemes for the convection terms in convection-diffusion transport equations have been studied. Earlier studies indicated that these two schemes produce less numerical diffusion but introduce unacceptable numerical dispersion or oscillations in the solution if not bounded. A simplified analytical treatment exploring the reason for this behavior is presented. Two bounding techniques, the flux-corrected transport and the filtering remedy and methodology were evaluated. Test problems used in the evaluation are (1) one-dimensional convection of a rectangular pulse, (2) transport of a scalar step in a uniform velocity field at an angle to the grid lines, (3) Smith and Hutton problem, (4) two-dimensional convection of a square scalar pulse in a uniform velocity field at an angle to the grid lines, and (5) two interacting parallel streams moving at an angle to the grid lines. The results indicate that the flux-corrected transport eliminates the oscillations in the solution without introducing any additional numerical diffusion when used with both schemes. The filtering remedy and methodology also eliminates the oscillation when used with the skew upwind scheme. This technique, however, is not effective in reducing the over-shoots when used with the second-ordermore » upwind scheme.« less
Epistemic Rationality as Instrumental Rationality: A Critique

My aim in this paper is to explore the relationship between epistemic rationality and instrumental rationality. By epistemic rationality, I mean, roughly, the kind of rationality which one displays when one believes propositions that are strongly supported by one's evidence and refrains from believing propositions that are improbable given one's evidence. Prominent epistemologists frequently emphasize the disparate ways in which this term is employed and occasionally question its theoretical usefulness on this account.' With an eye towards such concerns, I will in what follows consider only examples in which the correctness of its application is more or less uncontroversial. Thus, if I have strong, undefeated evidence that the butler committed the crime, and my belief that the butler committed the crime is based on that evidence, then my belief that he did so is epistemically rational. By instrumental rationality, I mean the rationality which one displays in taking the means to one's ends. Thus, if I have the goal of asking the speaker a question, and I know that I will only be able to ask the speaker a question if I raise my hand, then (all else being equal) it is instrumentally rational for me to raise my hand. How are epistemic and instrumental rationality related? Here is a particularly radical suggestion: epistemic rationality jusr is instrumental rationality. More precisely: epistemic rationality is a species of instrumental rationality, viz. instrumental rationality in the service of one's cognitive or epistemic goals. Call this way of thinking about epistemic rationality the instrumentalist conception of epistemic rationality. My primary concem in this paper is to explore the instrumentalist conception of epistemic rational' Plantinga (1993) distinguishes five 'varieties' of rationality; Goldman (1986) explicitly
Serum cystatin C for prediction of dialysis requirement or death in acute kidney injury: a comparative study.

Background Serum cystatin C has emerged as a new and potentially more reliable marker of kidney function. However, its utility and performance in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), particularly for the prediction of dialysis requirement, is not well known. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Settings & Participants Adult patients with AKI enrolled at 2 academic medical centers, at time of nephrology consultation. Predictors Serum cystatin C (primary predictor), serum creatinine, and serum urea nitrogen levels and 24-hour urine output measured at enrollment. Outcomes The composite of dialysis requirement or in-hospital death. Covariates Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, liver disease, sepsis, and mechanical ventilation. Results 200 participants were enrolled for this analysis. Mean age was 65 years, 55% were men, and mean APACHE II score was 20. In unadjusted analyses, increases in serum cystatin C (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36 to 2.59), serum creatinine (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.12 to 2.09), and serum urea nitrogen levels (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.34 to 2.54) were associated with a higher odds (per 1-SD increase) for the composite outcome, whereas greater urine output (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.80) was associated with lower odds. These associations persisted after adjustment for APACHE II score. The addition of serum cystatin C, serum creatinine, and serum urea nitrogen levels or urine output to a basic model entailing APACHE II score, liver disease, sepsis, and assisted mechanical ventilation improved its prediction, evidenced by increases in areas under a receiver operator characteristic curve from 0.816 to 0.829, 0.826, 0.837, and 0.836, respectively. However, there was no significant difference between each of these models. Limitations Observational study, single serum cystatin C measurement. Conclusion In patients with AKI, serum cystatin C level performs similarly to serum creatinine level, serum urea nitrogen level, and urine output for predicting dialysis requirement or in-hospital death. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Stalled Flow Performance for Axial Compressors: II — Rotating Stall Characteristic

This paper describes a study of stalled flow performance of multistage compressors. The study is focused on the performance in rotating stall, in particular, the impact on stall inception and stall recovery. It is argued that the recovery point measured in post-stall compressor tests results from a compression system instability, rather than from an unstable rotating stall flow. If so, recoverability from rotating stall may be improved by altering system parameters. Furthermore, the full-span rotating stall characteristic is extrapolated beyond the measured recovery point. On this basis, the compressor stall point is viewed as a bifurcation, where a change in flow mode exists, perhaps analogous to the critical point in the axial compression of thin shells. An application for the extended rotating stall characteristic is in a model of transient compression system behavior.Copyright © 1984 by ASME
Time course of response of individual messenger RNAs in the rat heart to T3

The time course of response of specific mRNAs following administration of triiodothyronine ( T 3 ) to hypothyroid rats was examined. We were particularly interested in identifying mRNAs showing a rapid response. Hypothyroid rats were injected with 0.2 mg of T 3 /100 g body wt and total cardiac RNA was prepared 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, 12 and 24 h later. RNA was translated in vitro in the presence of [ 35 S]-methionine, the labeled peptides separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and quantitated by digital matrix photometry. Of a total of 427 translational products 13 were identified to be selectively responsive to thyroid hormone. A specific mRNA coding for a protein designated as spot 72b (Mr 81 600, pI 5.34) was observed to show the most rapid response to T 3 . Administration of T 3 to the hypothyroid animal resulted in an increase in the level of spot 72b by 2.6-fold within 1 h. The lag time between injection of T 3 and response of other specific mRNA species varied between 5 to 24 h. These results demonstrate the diversity of response of individual cardiac mRNAs. The specific T 3 responsive mRNA species described in the heart have not been demonstrated in other tissues indicating that induction of distinctive mRNA species is highly tissue specific. Relatively late responses may represent indirect effects of T 3 mediated by interaction with other hormonal or metabolic signals. The rapid induction of spot 72b suggests it may result from the interaction of T 3 with the nuclear receptor leading to a direct effect on the expression of this gene in the heart. Hence, this mRNA would appear to be a useful model to study the mechanisms of early cellular actions of T 3 .
Tet-inducible lymphoma in a new Tax transgenic mouse model

The sufficiency of Tax in cancer initiation is evident in a variety of animal models, but the role Tax plays in cancer maintenance is less well understood. Tax is often undetectable in freshly obtained ATLL cells and while Tax promotes proliferation and protects cells from apoptosis it is also highly immunogenic and cytotoxic. We developed a mouse model in which Tax is expressed in the Tet-On system in vivo. These mice carry 4 transgenes. Tax, under the TET-promoter (TET-TAX) was provided by Warner Greene. The reverse tet activator, coupled to the granzyme B promoter (GZB-rtTA) , drives Tax in activated T and NK cells in a doxycycline (dox)-inducible manner. Two additional transgenes were included for non-invasive imaging. TET-GFP, which is regulated by the same promoter as Tax in this model, serves as a readout for Tax gene expression and firefly luciferase driven by the HTLV-1 LTR (LTR-LUC) serves as a bioluminescent readout for Tax activity. Quadruple transgenic mice were maintained with or without dox-diet for 18 months. Over that time, 6 of 8 animals receiving dox-diet developed marked lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly, compared to 2 of 9 on normal diet. 1 of 9 mice lacking the GZB-rTA transgene and 0 of 7 mice lacking the TET-TAX trangene developed lymphoma. Discontinuation of dox after lymphadenopathy resulted in a decrease in lymph node size and bioluminescence, but remission was transient. This mouse model allows us to regulate and detect Tax activity non-invasively and will enable targeted interrogation of the role of Tax in lymphoma.
Social feminism in the 1920s: Progressive women and industrial legislation

(1973). Social feminism in the 1920s: Progressive women and industrial legislation. Labor History: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 83-91.
Cardiac aging in mice and humans: the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress

Age is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, not only because it prolongs exposure to several other cardiovascular risks, but also owing to intrinsic cardiac aging, which reduces cardiac functional reserve, predisposes the heart to stress, and contributes to increased cardiovascular mortality in the elderly. Intrinsic cardiac aging in the murine model closely recapitulates age-related cardiac changes in humans, including left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis, and diastolic dysfunction. Cardiac aging in mice is accompanied by accumulation of mitochondrial protein oxidation, increased mitochondrial DNA mutations, increased mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as decreased cardiac SERCA2 protein. All of these age-related changes are significantly attenuated in mice overexpressing catalase targeted to mitochondria. These findings demonstrate the critical role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in cardiac aging and support the potential application of mitochondrial antioxidants to cardiac aging and age-related cardiovascular diseases.
Rat sex and strain differences in responses to stress

Sensitivity to stress has been linked to the development of a variety of physical and psychological disorders. Studies to-date have focused on extreme stress phenotypes, have studied mostly male responses, have used limited dependent variables, and have included a limited number of measurement time points. The present experiment was designed to address these limitations. Feeding, body weight, open-field activity, acoustic startle reflex (ASR), and prepulse inhibition (PPI) responses of adult male and female Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats to daily immobilization stress (20 min/day) were evaluated for 3 weeks. Stress significantly decreased feeding and body weight of males but generally not of females. Effects were greatest in Long-Evans males. Stress decreased 15-min activity levels for males on Stress Day 1, but not on other days. Stress did not affect 15-min activity levels of Long-Evans females but decreased 15-min activity levels of Sprague-Dawley females on every measurement day. ASR responses to stress differed based on rat strain; percent PPI responses differed based on rat strain and sex. Stress increased startle responses of Sprague-Dawley males and females but not of Long-Evans males and females. Stress reduced PPI of Long-Evans females on every measurement day but not of other groups. These findings indicate that strain and sex of rat is important to consider in evaluating behavioral and physiological responses to stress.
Modality preference and reading among first graders

Abstract This study was designed to see if children who are taught unfamiliar words according to their measured preferred modality (visual or auditory) learn these words more easily than words they are taught according to their non‐preferred modality. One hundred children, mean C.A. 7‐1, were given a battery of six modality tests, three visual and three auditory, covering the areas of memory, discrimination and closure. They were then taught a list of nonsense words using first either an auditory or visual approach, and then through the remaining modality. Results indicated no interaction between modality preference and reading method. The visual method of teaching resulted in higher achievement regardless of modality preference; however, children with an auditory modality preference were generally superior in achievement compared to those with a visual preference.
Childhood violence exposure: cumulative and specific effects on adult mental health

Childhood exposure to violence and victimization is a significant public health problem, with potentially long-lasting, deleterious effects on adult mental health. Using a longitudinal study design, 123 young adults—identified in adolescence as at-risk for high school dropout—were examined for the effects of multi-domain childhood victimization on emotional distress and suicide risk, net of adolescent risk and protective factors, including family dysfunction. The hypothesis that higher levels of cumulative childhood victimization would be significantly associated with mental health maladjustment in young adulthood was confirmed by the analysis. However, the victimization predictors of adult emotional distress were different than the predictors of adult suicide risk. These findings indicate the need for prevention and intervention approaches that include thorough assessment, and focus on the childhood and adolescent problem areas that are most consequential for long-term psychological well-being.
An information-theory measurement of CVC trigram meaningfulness

The meaningfulness of nonsense syllables has generally been considered in terms of Ss’ ratings and use of associations and pronounceability. The redundancy of nonsense syllables was quantified by means of their component transitional probabilities, using information-theory measurements. These mathematically derived ratings were in agreement with Ss’ ratings of association value and pronounceability used by previous investigators to identify the relative meaningfulness of CVC trigrams. It is hypothesized that the redundancy measures, by measuring the amount of structure in trigrams, are indicative of the potentiality for yielding signification meaning in short verbal units.
Fine structural observations on the origin and associations of primordial germ cells of the mouse.

Abstract This study explores the origin of primordial germ cells (PGCs) of the mouse and examines their morphology and associations with other cells during early development. PGCs have been selectively stained by the alkaline phosphatase histochemical reaction and viewed by light and electron microscopy from the time they are first detectable in the yolk sac endoderm until they enter the gonadal ridges. There are conflicting reports as to whether the PGCs originate from endodermal cells or whether they originate elsewhere and subsequently enter the endoderm. The observations in the present study favor the premise that PGCs of the mouse do not originate in the endoderm. Furthermore, it was observed that PGCs undergo specific changes in morphology during the developmental period studied and this was interpreted to mean that, although PGCs are set aside early in development as a distinct cell line, they also continue to become more specialized within time. The germ cell line is rather unusual in that it does not exist as a discrete tissue but, instead, resides within various other tissues during its life history. This apparent dependence upon somatic cells is maintained even in adult animals and may be important in serving to maintain or modify the environment of the germ cells.
Recurrent periorbital cellulitis and otitis media in an asthmatic child with chronic diarrhea and short stature

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS A 28-month-old male presented in September 1999 to our allergy/immunology clinic for followup of asthma and recurrent infections. Swelling and redness of the left suborbital area was noted that morning. However, the patient was still afebrile and playful. A review of his available medical records revealed that the patient was seen once at our clinic at the age of 10 months. He had been referred for recurrent otitis media (six episodes) and a periorbital cellulitis requiring hospitalization at 8 months of age. The infant’s poor growth had heightened the pediatrician’s suspicion of an immune deficiency. The patient was born at term with a birth weight of 2.93 kg. At 9 months of age, his weight plotted at the 5th percentile and his length was slightly below the 5th percentile. He had a history of five emergency room visits for wheezing and was started on nebulized cromolyn sodium. He had just been evaluated by an otorhinolaryngologist for persistent nasal congestion, snoring, and recurrent otitis media. A tympanostomy had been scheduled and the patient was started on mometasone furoate nasal spray and cefpodoxime proxetil for otitis media prophylaxis. The initial work-up obtained by the pediatrician showed the following: immunoglobulin (Ig)G 5.63 g/L (normal range is 5.76 to 14.03), IgA 260 mg/L (normal 140 to 1,590), IgM 690 mg/L (normal 470 to 2,280), and IgE 17 kIU/L (normal 0.8 to 15). White blood cell count was 5.8 109/L with 17% neutrophils, 49% lymphocytes, and 29% atypical reactive lymphocytes. Hemoglobin 1.78 mmol/L (normal 1.78 to 2.40), mean corpuscular volume 88 fL (normal 82 to 96), mean corpuscular hemoglobin 0.44 fmol (normal 0.37 to 0.47), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration 5.17 mmol/L (normal 4.96 to 5.58), platelets 237 109/L. A sweat chloride test was within normal range. Skin prick tests to common indoor allergens done in our clinic at 10 months of age were negative. The evaluation, at that time, was asthma, moderate in severity, and rhinitis. Discontinuation of cefpodoxime proxetil after 3 weeks was suggested. A followup appointment in 2 months was scheduled, but the patient returned 18 months later, because his asthma was poorly controlled.
Intemal correction of dead-reckoning errors with a dual-drive compliant linkage mobil robot†

This paper presents internal position error correction (IPEC)—a new method for accurate and reliable dead-reckoning with mobile robots. The IPEC method has been implemented on our recently developed multi-degree-of-freedom (MDOF) mobile platform, a vehicle in which two differential-drive mobile robots (called trucks) are physically connected through a compliant linkage. In addition to its four wheel encoders, the MDOF platform has one linear and two rotary internal encoders, which allow measurement of the relative distance and bearing between the two trucks. During operation, both trucks perform conventional dead-reckoning with their wheel encoders. But, in addition, the IPEC method uses information from the internal encoders to detect and correct dead-reckoning errors as soon as they occur. Our system, called compliant linkage autonomous platform with position error recovery (CLAPPER), requires neither external references (such as navigation beacons, artificial landmarks, known floorplans, or satellite signals), nor inertial navigation aids (such as accelerometers or gyros). Nonetheless, the experimental results included in this article show one to two orders of magnitude better positioning accuracy than systems based on conventional dead-reckoning. The CLAPPER corrects not only systematic errors, such as different wheel diameters, but also non-systematic errors, such as those caused by floor roughness, bumps, or cracks in the floor. These features are made possible by exploiting the new growth-rate concept for dead-reckoning errors that is introduced in this article for the first time. The growth-rate concept distinguishes between certain dead-reckoning errors that develop slowly and other dead-reckoning errors that develop quickly. Based on this concept, truck A frequently measures a property with slow-growing error characteristics on reference truck B (thus admitting a small error) to detect a fast-growing error on truck A (thus correcting a large error), and vice versa. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of Adrenaline Iontophoresis on Capillary Filtration in the Forearm of Man

Capillary filtration rate and capillary filtration coefficient have been measured in the forearm of man in control limbs and in limbs subjected to iontophoresis of adrenaline to minimize superficial blood flow. Gross reduction in the rates of tissue fluid accumulation occurred in the iontophoresed limbs. It is concluded that the skin and subcutaneous tissues—that is, the tissues whose vessels are accessible to vasoconstriction by adrenaline administered by ion transfer—are the major site for accumulation of extracellular fluid in the forearm in man.
Increased abundance of specific skeletal muscle protein-tyrosine phosphatases in a genetic model of insulin-resistant obesity and diabetes mellitus

Resistance to the biological action of insulin in its target tissues is a cardinal feature of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases) have been postulated to play a key role in the regulation of the insulin action pathway, especially in skeletal muscle, the major site of insulin-mediated glucose disposal in vivo. To evaluate whether changes in the activity and/or abundance of candidate skeletal muscle PTPases is associated with severe resistance to insulin in an animal model, we measured PTPase enzyme activity and PTPase protein level by immunoblotting in subcellular fractions of skeletal muscle in lean (+/?), insulin-resistant obese (fafa), and diabetic (ZDF/Drt-fafa) Zucker rats. Using a phosphotyrosylmyelin basic protein substrate, the solubilized-particulate fraction PTPase activity was increased by 65% and 74% (P < .05) and in vitro dephosphorylation of a recombinant rat insulin receptor kinase domain was increased by 104% and 114% in obese and diabetic animals, respectively (P < .01). These changes in PTPase activity were associated with an increase in specific immunoreactivity of leukocyte common antigen-related PTPase ([LAR] by 42% and 50%), PTPase 1B (by 61% and 69%), and the SHZ domain containing PTPase (SH-PTP2) (by 44% and 48%) in the solubilized-particulate fraction of obese and diabetic animals, respectively (P < .05). In diabetic muscle, increased SH-PTP2 abundance was also associated with a shift of SH-PTP2 to a plasma membrane component, which may have important consequences for the activation of this enzyme in the insulin-resistant state. These results provide evidence that specific PTPases play a role in the insulin resistance of this genetic model of obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
A note on the Jacobian elliptic sine function

Inequalities involving Jacobian elliptic sine function sn are established. Those results are obtained using log-convexity of the function 1/sn(t) (t∈(0, K]) (see Proposition 2.1), where K is Legendre's complete elliptic integral of the first kind.
Biological-based optimization and volumetric modulated arc therapy delivery for stereotactic body radiation therapy

Purpose: To describe biological-based optimization and Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation-based treatment planning for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in lung, liver, and prostate patients. Methods: Optimization strategies and VMAT planning parameters using a biological-based optimization MC planning system were analyzed for 24 SBRT patients. Patients received a median dose of 45 Gy [range, 34-54 Gy] for lung tumors in 1-5 fxs and a median dose of 52 Gy [range, 48-60 Gy] for liver tumors in 3-6 fxs. Prostate patients received a fractional dose of 10 Gy in 5 fxs. Biological-cost functions were used for plan optimization, and its dosimetric quality was evaluated using the conformity index (CI), the conformation number (CN), the ratio of the volume receiving 50% of the prescription dose over the planning target volume (Rx/PTV50). The quality and efficiency of the delivery were assessed according to measured quality assurance (QA) passing rates and delivery times. For each disease site, one patient was replanned using physical cost function and compared to the corresponding biological plan. Results: Median CI, CN, and Rx/PTV50 for all 24 patients were 1.13 (1.02-1.28), 0.79 (0.70-0.88), and 5.3 (3.1-10.8), respectively. The median delivery rate for allmore » patients was 410 MU/min with a maximum possible rate of 480 MU/min (85%). Median QA passing rate was 96.7%, and it did not significantly vary with the tumor site. Conclusions: VMAT delivery of SBRT plans optimized using biological-motivated cost-functions result in highly conformal dose distributions. Plans offer shorter treatment-time benefits and provide efficient dose delivery without compromising the plan conformity for tumors in the prostate, lung, and liver, thereby improving patient comfort and clinical throughput. The short delivery times minimize the risk of patient setup and intrafraction motion errors often associated with long SBRT treatment delivery times.« less
Inflammatory Signaling in Necrotizing Enterocolitis

The pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is complex and its speed of progression is variable. To gain understanding of the disease, researchers have examined tissues resected from patients with NEC; however, as these are obtained at late stages of the disease, they do not yield clues about the early pathogenic events leading to NEC. Therefore, animal models are used and have helped identify a role for several mediators of the inflammatory network in NEC. In this article, we discuss the evidence for the role of these inflammatory mediators and conclude with a current unifying hypothesis regarding NEC pathogenesis.
Clinical and anatomic outcomes of endovenous radiofrequency ablation performed on symptomatic small-diameter great saphenous veins.

Objective The efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for symptomatic varicose veins is well established. Alternatively, there is less consensus and little data on outcomes when treating great saphenous veins (GSV) of small diameter (≤5 mm). The purpose of this study is to assess clinical and anatomical outcomes of RFA on symptomatic patients with small GSV. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on our symptomatic patients who received RFA of incompetent GSV without any concomitant adjunctive procedures between January 2008 and December 2011. Limbs with GSV thigh diameter ≤5 mm and >5 mm on duplex while standing were subject to review. Clinical success was defined as an improvement in Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) at 3 months. Anatomic success was defined as absence of venous flow ≤3 cm distal to the saphenofemoral junction on duplex ultrasound examination. Changes in CEAP class were noted. Results In 307 patients, 55 limbs in 44 patients met inclusion criteria. Baseline median VCSS was 4 (interquartile range [IQR], 4, 5) for those patients with diameter ≤5 mm. Clinical success was seen in 83% of limbs at 3 months with a median VCSS change of -2 (IQR, −3, −1). None of the treated limbs had phlebectomy for symptomatic refluxing GSV varicosities prior to 3-month follow up. One phlebectomy was performed for cosmesis at 78 days postprocedure. Anatomic success was achieved in 96% of limbs at 3 months. Baseline median CEAP was 2 (IQR, 2, 2). The median CEAP change at 3 months was 0 (IQR, −1, 0). One patient experienced thrombus extension into the saphenofemoral junction at 4 days. Conclusions In our experience, RFA of symptomatic small-diameter GSV provides comparable clinical and anatomic outcomes to that of current published data. Our findings suggest that these patients benefit clinically from RFA.
On the nonlinearity of maximum-length NFSR feedbacks

Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs) are the main building block of many classical stream ciphers; however due to their inherent linearity, most of the LFSR-based designs do not offer the desired security levels. In the last decade, using Nonlinear Feedback Shift Registers (NFSRs) in stream ciphers became very popular. However, the theory of NFSRs is not well-understood, and there is no efficient method that constructs a cryptographically strong feedback function and also, given a feedback function it is hard to predict the period. In this paper, we study the maximum-length NFSRs, focusing on the nonlinearity of their feedback functions. First, we provide some upper bounds on the nonlinearity of the maximum-length feedback functions, and then we study the feedback functions having nonlinearity 2 in detail. We also show some techniques to improve the nonlinearity of a given feedback function using cross-joining.
Adsorbate effects on the electrical conductance of a-Si: H

The influence of adsorbates such as water and ammonia on the electrical conductance of hydrogenated amorphous silicon, a-Si: H, has been studied as a function of doping, temperature, thickness, sur...
Stabilization of 13C-Carbon and Immobilization of 15N-Nitrogen from Rice Straw in Humic Fractions

The transition from open-field burning of straw residues to alternative residue management practices may affect soil C sequestration potential and the supply of nutrients to crops. A field study of dual-labeled ( 13 C and 15 N) rice (Oryza saliva L.) residues examined the effects of winter-fallow flooding (vs. nonflooded) and straw residue incorporation (vs. untilled, open-field burned residue) on straw C and N dynamics in soil organic matter (SOM) fractions. We examined the fate of C and N in the straw, crown, and root system in the incorporated treatments and the uncombusted stubble, crown, and roots in burned treatments during 1 yr. During the winter fallow, straw residue incorporation reduced residue 15 N loss but increased residue 13 C loss compared with burning. Straw 13 C loss after 1 yr was unaffected by either winter flooding or straw management (77.1% of applied). Slightly more straw 15 N was lost of that applied in burned (65.5 ± 3.5%) compared with incorporated (52.0 ± 3.8%) during 1 yr. A greater proportion of soil-recovered 13 C remained as nonalkali extractable humics (humin) in burned (62.0%) compared with incorporated (40.8%). In contrast, incorporated treatments had a larger proportion of 15 N remaining as mobile humic acid (MHA) than burned (42.4 vs. 37.7%). Straw incorporation increased the relative retention of straw 15 N to 13 C compared with burning, indicating that straw 15 N additions with incorporation may increase soil organic N reserves at an even greater rate than the larger straw additions might predict. These results show that straw incorporation results in markedly different straw C and N sequestration pathways compared with untilled, open-field burned residues.
The Lymphocyte Metalloprotease MDC-L (ADAM 28) Is a Ligand for the Integrin α4β1

The interaction of lymphocytes with other cells is critical for normal immune surveillance and response. MDC-L (ADAM 28), a member of the ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) protein family, is expressed on the surface of human lymphocytes. ADAMs possess a disintegrin-like domain similar in sequence to small non-enzymatic snake venom peptides that act as integrin antagonists. We report here that the disintegrin domain of MDC-L is recognized by the leukocyte integrin alpha(4)beta(1). Recombinant Fc fusion proteins possessing the disintegrin domain of MDC-L supported adhesion of the T-lymphoma cell line, Jurkat, in a concentration- and divalent cation-dependent manner. Adhesion of Jurkat cells to the disintegrin domain of MDC-L was inhibited by an anti-MDC-L monoclonal antibody (mAb), Dis1-1. The epitope for mAb Dis1-1 was localized within 59 residues of the disintegrin domain. Recombinant expression of this 59-residue fragment of the disintegrin domain also supported cell adhesion. Adhesion of Jurkat cells to the MDC-L disintegrin domain was specifically inhibited by anti-alpha(4) and anti-beta(1) function-blocking mAbs. Furthermore, adhesion of various cell lines to MDC-L correlated with expression of the integrin alpha(4)-subunit. Transfected K562 cells expressing alpha(4)beta(1) adhered to the disintegrin domain in contrast to non-transfected K562 cells. We further investigated the binding of recombinant MDC-L disintegrin domain (rDis-Fc) in solution. The rDis-Fc was found to bind to Jurkat cells in solution in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner. Both adhesion and solution binding of rDis-Fc was inhibited by the alpha(4)beta(1) ligand mimetic CS-1 peptide. Additionally, recognition of the MDC-L disintegrin domain required "activation" of lymphocyte beta(1) integrins. The interaction of MDC-L with alpha(4)beta(1) may potentially regulate metalloprotease function by targeting or sequestering the active protease on the cell surface. These results suggest a potential role for the lymphocyte ADAM, MDC-L, in the interaction of lymphocytes with alpha(4)beta(1)-expressing leukocytes.
Movement and focused attention: A failure to replicate

Our original goal was to explore the nature of the grouping-by-movement phenomenon reported by Driver and Baylis (1989). In their studies, distractors that moved in common with a centrally located target had a larger influence on focused-attention performance than did more proximate but stationary distractors. These results seemed particularly important since they suggested, contrary to the predictions of space-based models of attention, that attention could be allocated to noncontiguous regions of the visual field. Their results also suggested mandatory processing of stimuli with common motion. Unfortunately, we were unable to replicate this grouping-by-movement effect. In the conditions of Experiment 1 in which we replicated Driver and Baylis’s methodology, stationary distractors produced a larger response-compatibility effect than did the more distant distractors that moved in common with the target. In Experiment 2, we redundantly coded the centrally located target and the far distractors with common movement and color. However, the results were identical to those obtained in Experiment J. The stationary near distractors that appeared in a different color from the target and the far distractors produced the largest response-compatibility effect. In a final experiment, we attempted to compensate for the reduced acuity of the moving distractors by adjusting their size by a cortical magnification factor. However, even with this manipulation, we found a larger response-compatibility effect for the stationary near distractors than for the moving distant distractors. Our results suggest that subjects are capable of selectively processing a target item that moves in common with distractors.
Constructivisms and Objectivity: Disentangling Metaphysics from Pedagogy

We can distinguish the claims of cognitive constructivism from those of metaphysical constructivism, which is almost entirely irrelevant to science education. Cognitive constructivism has strong empirical support and indicates important directions for changing science instruction. It implies that teachers need to be cognizant of representational, motivational and epistemic dimensions which can restrict or promote student learning. The resulting set of tasks for a science teacher are considerably larger and more complex than on the older more traditional conception, but the resources of cognitive sciences and the history of science can provide important parts of the teachers intellectual tool kit. A critical part of this conception of science education is that students must develop the skills to participate in epistemic interchanges. They must be provided opportunities and materials to develop those skills and the classroom community must have the appropriate features of an objective epistemic community.
Development of cell-based assays to measure botulinum neurotoxin serotype A activity using cleavage-sensitive antibodies.

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are zinc-metalloproteases that cleave components of the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimidesensitive factor attachment protein receptor) protein complex, inhibiting acetylcholine release into neuromuscular junctions, resulting in flaccid paralysis and eventual death. The potential for the malicious misuse of these toxins as bioweapons has created an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic countermeasures. Robust cell-based assays will be essential for lead identification and the optimization of therapeutic candidates. In this study, the authors developed novel BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A) cleavage-sensitive (BACS) antibodies that only interact with full-length SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa), the molecular target of the BoNT/A serotype. These antibodies exhibit high specificity for full-length SNAP-25, allowing the BoNT/A-mediated proteolysis of this protein to be measured in diverse assay formats, including several variations of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and multiple immunofluorescence methods. Assays built around the BACS antibodies displayed excellent sensitivity, had excellent reproducibility, and were amenable to multiwell formats. Importantly, these assays provided novel methods for evaluating BoNT/A activity in cellular models of intoxication and allowed for the high-throughput evaluation of experimental compounds. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2010:42-51)
Dissolution and Stabilization of Platinum in Oxygen Cathodes

In this brief review of the dissolution and solubility of platinum under equilibrium conditions and the degradation of platinum nanoparticles at the cathode under various operating conditions, we discuss some mechanisms of degradation, and then offer recent possibilities for overcoming the problem. The data indicate that platinum nanoparticle electrocatalysts at the cathode are unstable under harsh operating conditions, and, as yet, often would be unsatisfactory for usage as the cathode material for fuel cells. Carbon corrosion, particularly under start/stop circumstances in automobiles, also entails electrical isolation and aggregation of platinum nanoparticles. We also discuss new approaches to alleviate the problem of stability of cathode electrocatalysts. One involves a class of platinum monolayer electrocatalysts that, with adequate support and surface segregation, demonstrated enhanced catalytic activity and good stability in a long-term durability test. The other approach rests on the stabilization effects of gold clusters. This effect is likely to be applicable to various platinum- and platinum-alloy-based electrocatalysts, causing their improved stability against platinum dissolution under potential cycling regimes.
Attitudes of patients toward cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the dialysis unit

Some dialysis units have a policy of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on all patients who experience cardiac arrest while undergoing dialysis. However, to perform CPR on patients who do not want it is contrary to ethics and the law. We interviewed hemodialysis patients in 12 units in Missouri, New York, and West Virginia to learn their attitudes about CPR. Four hundred sixty-nine of 830 patients (57%) agreed to be interviewed. Eighty-seven percent of patients wanted to undergo CPR if cardiac arrest were to occur while undergoing dialysis. Patients who had seen CPR on television were more likely to report that they knew what CPR was (94% versus 68%; P < 0.001) and to want CPR (88% versus 78%; P = 0.033). Thirteen percent of patients did not want CPR if cardiac arrest were to occur while undergoing dialysis. Compared with patients who wanted CPR, those who did not were older (69 versus 59 years; P = 0.026), had more comorbid conditions (2.0 versus 1.5 comorbid conditions; P = 0.016), and were more likely to have a living will (61% versus 43%; P = 0.01), be widowed (36% versus 20%; P = 0.026), and live in a nursing home (9% versus 3%; P = 0.017). Blacks were significantly more likely to want CPR than whites (adjusted odds ratio, 6.56; 95% confidence interval, 2.57 to 22.27). Only 20 of 58 patients (35%) who did not want CPR were certain they had a do-not-resuscitate order in their dialysis chart. Ninety-two percent of patients who wanted CPR agreed that patients who did not want CPR should have their wishes respected by the dialysis unit. We conclude that most dialysis patients want to undergo CPR, but also want other patients' preferences not to be resuscitated to be respected. Dialysis units need to do a better job of identifying patients who prefer not to be resuscitated and respecting their wishes in the event of cardiac arrest while undergoing dialysis. Most importantly, nephrologists and dialysis unit staff need to educate dialysis patients about the poor outcomes with CPR so that dialysis patients' decisions about CPR are informed.
Lessons Learned from UvrD Helicase: Mechanism for Directional Movement*

How do molecular motors convert chemical energy to mechanical work? Helicases and nucleic acids offer simple motor systems for extensive biochemical and biophysical analyses. Atomic resolution structures of UvrD-like helicases complexed with DNA in the presence of AMPPNP, ADP.Pi, and Pi reveal several salient points that aid our understanding of mechanochemical coupling. Each ATPase cycle causes two motor domains to rotationally close and open. At a minimum, two motor-track contact points of alternating tight and loose attachment convert domain rotations to unidirectional movement. A motor is poised for action only when fully in contact with its track and, if applicable, working against a load. The orientation of domain rotation relative to the track determines whether the movement is linear, spiral, or circular. Motors powered by ATPases likely deliver each power stroke in two parts, before and after ATP hydrolysis. Implications of these findings for analyzing hexameric helicase, F(1)F(0) ATPase, and kinesin are discussed.
Epidermolysis Bullosa Care in the United States

There is a wide range of health care delivery systems within the United States for patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). They range from nonexistent, primarily because of remote geographic locations, to 4 comprehensive interdisciplinary EB centers. This article lists the subspecialties available at each of the 4 centers.
Noncentrosomal microtubules and type II myosins potentiate epidermal cell adhesion and barrier formation

During differentiation, many cells reorganize their microtubule cytoskeleton into noncentrosomal arrays. Although these microtubules are likely organized to meet the physiological roles of their tissues, their functions in most cell types remain unexplored. In the epidermis, differentiation induces the reorganization of microtubules to cell–cell junctions in a desmosome-dependent manner. Here, we recapitulate the reorganization of microtubules in cultured epidermal cells. Using this reorganization assay, we show that cortical microtubules recruit myosin II to the cell cortex in order to engage adherens junctions, resulting in an increase in mechanical integrity of the cell sheets. Cortical microtubules and engaged adherens junctions, in turn, increase tight junction function. In vivo, disruption of microtubules or loss of myosin IIA and B resulted in loss of tight junction–mediated barrier activity. We propose that noncentrosomal microtubules act through myosin II recruitment to potentiate cell adhesion in the differentiating epidermis, thus forming a robust mechanical and chemical barrier against the external environment.
Hypothermic Machine Preservation Facilitates Successful Transplantation of “Orphan” Extended Criteria Donor Livers

Hypothermic machine preservation (HMP) remains investigational in clinical liver transplantation. It is widely used to preserve kidneys for transplantation with improved results over static cold storage (SCS). At our center, we have used HMP in 31 adults receiving extended criteria donor (ECD) livers declined by the originating United Network for Organ Sharing region ("orphan livers"). These cases were compared to ECD SCS cases in a matched cohort study design. Livers were matched for donor age, recipient age, cold ischemic time, donor risk index and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. HMP was performed for 3-7 h at 4-8 °C using our previously published protocol. Early allograft dysfunction rates were 19% in the HMP group versus 30% in the control group (p = 0.384). One-year patient survival was 84% in the HMP group versus 80% in the SCS group (p = NS). Post hoc analysis revealed significantly less biliary complications in the HMP group versus the SCS group (4 vs. 13, p = 0.016). Mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the HMP group (13.64 ± 10.9 vs. 20.14 ± 11.12 days in the SCS group, p = 0.001). HMP provided safe and reliable preservation in orphan livers transplanted at our center.
Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: hormonal treatment updates.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are a heterogeneous group of carcinomas that remain difficult to treat with conventional cytotoxic regimens. The 2014 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium brought us new insights into the management of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The focus of this review will serve to highlight specific Abstracts (#268 and #273) that help shed light on a novel, targeted means of treating gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Image: Carcinoid tumor of the small bowel ( credit: Ed Uthman )