cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
7a Management of early stage Hodgkin's disease: the role of radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy

Summary The treatment of early stage HD has become more complicated over the past 10 years. The development of standards for both radiation therapy and chemotherapy have made it more feasible to treat HD in community practice settings. Yet initial treatment decisions may have profound long-term effects on patients who are young and likely to have a long survival. Whenever possible, routine cases should be treated along guidelines of standard accepted practice, and physicians should refer patients to major centres for the management of more complicated cases. There is hope that less toxic chemotherapy will be effective in curing occult microscopic disease, perhaps eventually obviating the need for staging laparotomy and splenectomy. Yet for now, there are little long-term data defining specifics of treatment, or the long-term efficacy or toxicity of modified regimens. Thus at present, the management of patients with HD in ways that do not adhere to standard practice, such as modifying standard RT or chemotherapy, should be strongly discouraged outside controlled clinical trials. In parts of the USA there is still a general acceptance of staging laparotomy and splenectomy as a means to aggressively stage patients in order to minimize treatment. By utilizing diagnostic laparotomy and splenectomy, the majority of patients with PS IA-IIA HD will be cured with RT alone thus sparing them the toxicity of combined chemotherapy and RT, and preserving the effectiveness of chemotherapy in case of relapse. Using this approach, patients who are likely to need chemotherapy due to a high risk of relapse (LMA, or extensive B symptoms), or high risk for having abdominal involvement (more than one positive abdominal radiographical test) should not undergo a staging laparotomy. In addition, chemotherapy and limited field irradiation may be preferred under special circumstances (i.e. for paediatric patients). Diagnostic staging laparotomy and splenectomy is not routinely performed outside the continental USA. Academic centres in Canada, Europe and South America have identified prognostic factors to aid in determining treatment for clinically staged patients. Patients with the most favourable characteristics receive RT alone with CMT used for the remainder of patients. On average, without the information obtained at staging laparotomy, patients require more treatment, either with larger radiation fields, or with the more frequent use of chemotherapy.
Atrophic Glossitis From Vitamin B12 Deficiency: A Case Misdiagnosed as Burning Mouth Disorder

Background: Glossodynia, or painful sensation of the tongue, can have a spectrum of etiologies, such as local infection, trauma, nerve damage, glossitis, or the enigmatic neuropathic pain syndrome, burning mouth disorder (BMD; also known as burning mouth syndrome). Careful history-taking, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory screening can differentiate these causes of glossodynia and direct further therapy.Methods: A 73-year-old woman presented with several months of glossodynia having previously been diagnosed by her primary care physician with primary BMD. Subsequently, she consulted an otolaryngologist, who pursued further diagnostic evaluation.Results: Examination revealed the presence of a beefy, red, smooth tongue, and further laboratory evaluation yielded a low serum vitamin B12 level and macrocytosis. Three months of oral vitamin B12 supplementation led to partial restoration of serum vitamin B12 levels and a modest improvement in symptoms. Her final diagnoses were atrophic glossitis a...
On-line computer monitoring of the seriously-ill patient.

A digital computer system for on-line monitoring of seriously-ill patients is described. This system is in continuous operation and is used routinely to determine and report twenty-six variables including heart, pulse and respiration rates, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure, venous pressure, body temperatures, cardiac output and urine flow. Both analog and digital displays of real time and summary data are provided. Comprehensive monitoring has proven of great value in the care of the critically-ill patients and for clinical research.
4466 Effectiveness of eus/fna for diagnosing lung cancer in a managed care setting.

Background: Trans-esophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS/FNA) is an accurate method to diagnose malignant posterior mediastinal lymph nodes. Previous studies have shown the efficacy of EUS/FNA for lung cancer nodes in tertiary referral centers. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of EUS/FNA for diagnosing patients with mediastinal adenopathy in a managed care setting. Methods: Patients who received care from a large staff-model HMO and had CT findings of enlarged posterior mediastinal lymph nodes (LN) located adjacent to the esophagus were referred by a pulmonologist and thoracic surgeon for EUS/FNA. All patients were candidates for surgical biopsy (mediastinoscopy, thoracotomy, etc) if EUS/FNA were negative. Patients with prior EUS/FNA or recent chemotherapy were excluded. Data was prospectively collected with follow-up at 3-month intervals. Results: 44 patients underwent EUS/FNA (25 male/19 female, mean age 64). 82% had prior bronchoscopy. FNA was performed in 54 sites (43 LN, 9 masses, 3 other). Malignancy was diagnosed in 28/54 (52%) of FNA sites. There were 23 nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 3 small cell lung cancers, and 2 lymphomas diagnosed. EUS/FNA made a new cancer diagnosis in 25/44 (57%) (95% CI: 42%,71%) patients. Cancer was diagnosed in 11% of patients before EUS/FNA, and in 68% of patients after EUS/FNA. 15/25 (60%) (95% CI: 41%, 79%) of patients with a final diagnosis of NSCLC had stage N2 nodes diagnosed. A thoracic surgical procedure was subsequently performed in 9/44 (20%) (95% CI: 68%,91%) of patients during a median follow-up of 6.5 months (1-14 months). There was one false negative LN FNA which was later diagnosed by repeat EUS/FNA as small cell carcinoma. The sensitivity was 96%, specificity 100%, and accuracy 98% for diagnosing malignant LNs. There were no complications. Conclusion: 1) EUS/FNA made a new diagnosis of lung cancer in 57% of patients. 2) EUS/FNA diagnosed malignant lymph nodes in 60% of patients with NSCLC, making surgical benefit unlikely. 3) Only 20% of EUS/FNA patients underwent subsequent thoracic surgery, compared to an expected rate of 100% if EUS/FNA were not performed. 4) In this managed care setting, EUS/FNA of selected patients with mediastinal adenopathy was an accurate, safe, minimally invasive method of diagnosing and staging malignancy, and resulted in patients undergoing fewer thoracic surgical procedures. This work was supported by a grant from the ASGE/ADHF.
Immunohistochemical localization of ECE-1 in the human placenta.

Over the last several years, endothelin (ET-1) has emerged as an important mediator in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and preterm labour, as well as in the normal function of gestational tissues. While the distribution of ET and its binding sites in the human placenta have been well studied, much less has so far been reported about the distribution of placental ET-1 processing enzymes. By immunohistochemical analysis and immunofluorescence, endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1), the enzyme that synthesizes ET-1, is localized to five distinct cell populations in the human placenta: (1) the endothelial cells lining the maternal basal plate blood vessels, (2) the intermediate trophoblasts, (3) the endothelial cells lining the chorionic villous blood vessels, (4) the chorionic villous stromal cells and (5) the chorionic villous trophoblasts. The localization of ECE-1 corresponds with the previously reported distribution of ET-1 in the human placenta and is in accordance with the function of this enzyme in regulating vascular tone through synthesis of ET-1. The abundance of ECE-1 in the basal plate is consistent with a second possible function of this enzyme in affecting uterine contractions. ECE-1 may serve as a target for prognosis and therapy in states of pathologically altered vascular tone and/or altered myometrial smooth muscle tone in gestation.
A model of party constraints on optimal candidate positions

In this paper, we propose a generalized version of the spatial model of electoral competition. A model of political parties is developed and a general theorem about the existence of distinct Nash equilibria distributions of party activists is proven. Candidates are assumed to acquire resources from the party and its activists and through the candidate's own campaign organization to assist in their campaign efforts, and they are assumed to value both winning and policy outcomes. We then explore the formal properties of this more general model, especially examining the impact of party-based resources and of candidate policy preferences on the optimal location of candidates. We show, in particular, that such positions will, in general, be divergent, and yet there will be regular differentiation between the nominees of the two political parties.
Blood lipids, infection, and inflammatory markers in the Tsimane of Bolivia.

Objectives: Little is known about blood cholesterol (blood-C) levels under conditions of infection and limited diet. This study examines blood-C and markers of infection and inflammation in the Tsimane of the Bolivian Amazon, indigenous forager farmers living in conditions that model preindustrial European populations by their short life expectancy, high load of infections and inflammation, and limited diets. Methods: We use multivariate models to determine the relationships between lipid levels and markers of infection and inflammation. Adult Tsimane (N = 418, age 20–84) were characterized for blood lipids, cells, and inflammatory markers in relation to individual loads of parasites and village region. Results: Most of the Tsimane (60%) carried at least one parasite species, averaging 1.3 species per person. Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (total-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were below the U.S. norms and varied inversely with markers of infection and inflammation: C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), immunoglobulin (Ig) E and eosinophil count. Although no relationship of parasite load to blood-C was found, there was an association between anemia and parasite prevalence. Conclusions: We conclude that the highly infected environment of the Tsimane is related to low levels of blood total-C, HDL-C, and LDL-C. This may suggest a potential reason why arterial disease is largely absent in the Tsimane. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
River ice as a taphonomic agent: An alternative hypothesis for bone “artifacts”☆

Abstract The annual freezeup and violent breakup of temperate and high-latitude rivers produces unique geomorphic features that can be recognized in ancient sediments. The forces and materials involved in the breakup process could modify entrained bones in ways similar to those attributed to human activity. An intuitive taphonomic model is developed to explain how river ice may affect bones, and to predict the modifications expected. Partial testing of the model by experiments designed to simulate river breakup produced bone modifications such as fractures, flakes, facets, striations, isolated cuts, and polish. The taphonomic effects of river ice must be discounted prior to the interpretation of such features as human in origin.
Flight frequency and mergers in airline markets

Abstract The welfare consequences of airline mergers have been analyzed almost exclusively in terms of ticket price. However, when flight frequency decisions are endogenized in a model, we can estimate measures of the relative importance of price and flight frequency in customer decisions. Hence, in a merger analysis, we can not only predict changes in flight frequency, but also the consequences of those changes on consumer welfare. In this paper, merger simulations suggest that while passenger volume and consumer surplus decrease on the aggregate, some markets benefit from welfare gains once merger-induced changes in flight frequency are factored in.
T-cell antigen discovery (T-CAD) assay: a novel technique for identifying T cell epitopes

The identification of T cell epitopes is a critical step in evaluating and monitoring T cell mediated immune responses. Here, we describe a novel technique for simultaneously identifying class I and class II MHC restricted epitopes using a one-step protein purification system. This method uses Ni/chelate coated magnetic beads and magnetic separation to isolate poly-histidine tagged recombinant antigen from bacterial lysates. These beads, once coated with antigen, are also used to deliver antigen to APC where it is processed and presented to T cells. A colorimetric assay and ovalbumin specific, lacZ inducible, T cell hybridomas were used to validate the system. Further, using PSA specific hybrids, generated from T cells isolated from PSA secreting tumors, both class I and class II MHC restricted epitopes of PSA were identified. Additional characterization has shown that these peptides contribute significantly to the overall PSA specific response in vivo, and may represent the dominant epitopes of PSA.
Fasting before and after ambulatory surgery

During the last decade, questions about the length of time patients were required to fast before elective operations, as well as when they should resume oral fluids after an outpatient operation, became important issues in anesthesia and surgical practice. This review analyzes reasons for the traditional fasting guidelines and presents recent evidence that has caused rethinking in the guidelines. Current recommendations regarding both the presurgical fasting guidelines and fluid intake requirements for discharge after outpatient surgery are outlined.
New satellite record of sea surface temperature

Sea surface temperature is one of the key variables scientists track in studying climate changes; it is also important to meteorology and oceanography. Merchant et al. describe a new 20-year record of sea surface temperature. The record was created using infrared imagery from the Along-Track Scanning Radiometers (ATSR) as part of the ATSR Reprocessing for Climate (ARC) project.
Multiplicative relations in powers of Euler's product

Abstract In a recent paper, Cooper, Hirschhorn, and Lewis conjecture many relations among the coefficients of certain products of powers of Euler's product. Here we use the theory of modular forms with complex multiplication to prove these conjectures.
Identification of endogenous SsrA-tagged proteins reveals tagging at positions corresponding to stop codons.

The SsrA.SmpB quality control system adds a C-terminal degradation peptide (AANDENYALAA) to nascent chains on stalled ribosomes, thereby freeing the ribosome and ensuring proteolysis of the tagged protein. An SsrA mutant with the tag sequence AANDEHHHHHH was used to slow degradation and facilitate Ni2+-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity purification. Display of affinity-purified Escherichia coli proteins on two-dimensional gels revealed small quantities of a diverse set of SsrA-H6-tagged proteins, and mass spectroscopy identified LacI repressor, lambda cI repressor, YbeL, GalE, RbsK, and a SlyD-kan(R) fusion protein as members of this set. For lambda repressor and YbeL, the SsrA-H6 tag was added after the natural C terminus of the protein, suggesting that tagging occurred while the ribosome idled at the termination codon of these genes. Potential causes of tagging for the other proteins include interference from translation of downstream reading frames, rare codons, and gene disruption. These and previous results support a broad role for the SsrA.SmpB system in freeing stalled ribosomes and in directing degradation of the products of these frustrated protein synthesis reactions.
Giving Christian Universities a Scarlet Letter: Examining the Canadian Association of University Teachers' Opposition to Faith-Based Hiring.

Abstract Since 2008 the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has launched investigations into five Canadian faith-based universities to determine if they violate CAUT's particular understanding of academic freedom. The source of the violation concerns the universities’ faith-based hiring requirements, which CAUT maintains violates the Canadian academy's commitment to academic freedom. This article undertakes a critical analysis of this investigation and the responses of the faith-based colleges and universities. It argues that CAUT's definition of academic freedom in these cases fails to account for a particular kind of individual academic freedom professors may wish to exercise in order to advance knowledge.
Effect of Energy Intake on Reproductive Performance of Dairy Bulls. I. Growth, Reproductive Organs, and Puberty

Abstract Two groups of Holstein bulls were fed from 8 wk to 46 months of age on 60 (underfed) or 100% (control) of the total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake recommended in Morrison's feeding standards. From 46 to 58 months of age the feeding regimen of the two groups was reversed. Underfeeding greatly impaired body, endocrine gland, and reproductive tract growth, especially during the early period of rapid growth. Puberty was delayed in the underfed group. Body weight and testis size in the underfed bulls closely followed the percentage difference in TDN intake until the rations were switched. Following the change in rations, the bulls originally underfed gained in body weight to near normal, but no appreciable recovery occurred in bone, endocrine, or testis growth. Reducing the rations of the normal-fed bulls to 60% of the recommended TDN intake caused slight reductions in body weight, but little or no change was observed in the other characteristics measured.
The geography of the British motorcycle industry, 1896-2004

Two major agglomerations or clusters (West Midlands and Greater London) have been shown to have been the driving force behind the historical geography of the British motorcycle industry (its distribution over time and the rate at which motorcycle marques entered and exited). A net positive effect on the West Midlands and a net negative effect on the Greater London area were exerted by motorcycle marque exits from the industry (shakeout). Spin-off of new companies was primarily an internal process in the West Midlands and an external process in the Greater London area. The high level of spatial concentration, The rapid rate of technology diffusion, the large number of spin-off firms and the high level of spatial concentration helped to maintain a wide variety of marques over a long time in the British motorcycle industry. However, the result was an industry that was stagnant and increasingly innovation-averse with each successive shakeout period, which eventually ended in its near total collapse.
Polymerase chain reaction to diagnose infective endocarditis: Will it replace blood cultures?

In this issue of Circulation , Breitkopf and colleagues1 report on a series of 52 excised heart valves on which they performed broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify microbes in valve tissues that were defined as having infective endocarditis (IE). Internal sequencing of amplicons, with specific “nested” primers to identify microbial subspecies, was performed after broad-range PCR. The authors report that on the basis of gross features and histopathology, 22 (42.3%) of the 52 valves, which otherwise had evidence of IE, also had microbial subspecies identified. Eight (44%) of 18 IE valves that were preceded by positive blood cultures, where blood culture data were available, were positive by broad-range PCR. von Reyn’s,2 Duke,3 and modified Duke4 criteria use blood cultures as a major clinical criterion to predict IE and histopathologic evidence of IE on cardiac valves as “definite” evidence of IE. Arguably, these two criteria together represent the most definite evidence of disease. Therefore, it may seem enigmatic that between and among major criteria used for the diagnosis of IE, >50% of the valves in the Breitkopf et al series1 did not yield a causative microorganism identified by broad-range PCR. At first glance, broad-range PCR may seem to be a highly sensitive method to detect the presence of microbes. Indeed, this method was ≈3-fold more sensitive than the Gram stains and cultures performed on these tissues combined. See p 1415 Broad-range PCR is used to target commonly shared bacterial 16S rRNA genes (via pan-bacterial primers), and subsequently, direct sequencing is used to detect and differentiate bacteria. Broad-range PCR should be an added benefit to blood cultures to screen for bacteria that may cause IE. In the past, contamination of PCR reactions with irrelevant bacteria had been a major drawback, but it may still occur …
A configuration interaction study of some potential energy surfaces important to photodissociation in NCNO

Abstract Ab initio configuration interaction calculations have been carried out for the electronic potential energy surfaces of the first six singlet states of NCNO. These one-dimensional surfaces model the photodissociation of NCNO into CN and NO. The computed surfaces provide insight into the electronic states involved in the photodissociation of NCNO.
Migration and Maturation of Hydrocarbons--Evidence from Fluid Inclusions: ABSTRACT

Oil-filled fluid inclusions occur in cements in petroleum reservoirs and are evidence for the generation and migration of hydrocarbons in a basin. Generally, oil-filled inclusions occur together with aqueous inclusions in the same cement crystal. Geothermetric studies of the aqueous inclusions provide thermal and compositional data pertinent to interpreting the time of cementation and hydrocarbon migration relative to source rock maturation. Oil-filled inclusions occur both in random locations and in alignment with crystal cleavages or fractures. Random distributions of fluid inclusions suggest oil entrapment during growth of the cement crystal into primary porosity whereas the occurrence of fluid inclusions along sealed fractures suggests migration through secondary porosity. Generally, the oil-filled inclusions consist of liquid hydrocarbon and a gas phase, but inclusions containing oil, water, and gas also occur. Those different compositions suggest differences in the migration and mechanism of petroleum. End_Page 286------------------------------ Oil-filled inclusions are characterized by fluorescence spectra. In many cases, different episodes of hydrocarbon migration are indicated by the occurrence in the same crystal of oil-filled inclusions whose fluorescence spectra are different. The organic chemical compositions of aqueous and oil-filled inclusions are determined by decrepitation-gas chromatography. Those compositions are compared to organic compositions of whole reservoir rock, reservoir oils, and source rock to decipher the history of oil emplacement and maturation. Oil alteration effects, possibly induced during the early stages of migration, are also detected. End_of_Article - Last_Page 287------------
What do you get when you fall in love? Some health status effects

Abstract Students of the effects of life change events on health have asked for studies in which single, desirable, life events that are appropriate to the life stage of the population sampled are examined in relation to health status. We do this with a single event — romantic involvement — that moves through a number of phases. We found in our college student sample that adverse health reactions are more likely to occur among those who have never been in love or who have been in love more than three times; among those involved in a relationship of two to six months duration as opposed to a shorter or longer period; among those who have just broken up a relationship; among those who attribute the break-up mainly to the other person; and among those who, having broken up, have not found a new romantic interest, or have plunged deeply into a new relationship. Some of the results are moderated by interaction effects with sex of respondent.
Power law of dust devil diameters on Mars and Earth

Estimates from visual surveys of the frequency of dust devils, even at terrestrial localities known for their abundance, vary by some four orders of magnitude, making a quantitative hazard assessment difficult. Here I show (1) that new high-quality observations from Mars fit a power law size distribution, (2) that such a power law population can unify the discrepant terrestrial surveys, and (3) that the populations on the two planets appear similar.
Research in an Undergraduate Interior Design Curriculum

Research is an important component of the design process and should be incorporated into undergraduate interior design curricula. As potential designers, students need to become cognizant of the necessity of systematically seeking information for design solutions and to increase their awareness of the behavioral impact of design through observation. This article describes an undergraduate research experience which focused upon the development of a team research project using a simulated environment as the research laboratory. Because of the success of this project it became the nucleus of a required research course for interior design majors in which students work with a variety of research methods and projects. The goals of the course are to develop an understanding of the relationship between research and the practice of interior design; to develop research skills; to design, develop and implement research projects utilizing primary sources; and to become acquainted with the body of research applicable to interior design. The ultimate goal for incorporation of research methodologies at the undergraduate level is to establish a respect and understanding for research that students will carry into their professional activities.
Contextual Metadata in Digital Aggregations: Application of Collection-Level Subject Metadata and its Role in User Interactions and Information Retrieval

Article discussing a study of contextual metadata in digital aggregations. Results of this study prove importance of provision of collection-level metadata in general and subject metadata in particular to enhance user experiences and information retrieval in digital libraries.
Parainfluenza virus infection in adult lung transplant recipients: an emergent clinical syndrome with implications on allograft function.

Parainfluenza virus is a common cause of seasonal upper respiratory tract infections in children and adults. Studies indicate that parainfluenza virus may play an important role in the etiology of respiratory tract infections in lung transplant recipients with an estimated incidence of 5.3 per 100 patients. Parainfluenza virus type 3 is the most frequent serotype in lung transplant patients. The rate of lower respiratory tract infections with parainfluenza virus among lung transplant recipients is between 10 and 66% of cases. In addition, trans-bronchial biopsy at the time of parainfluenza infection shows signs of acute allograft rejection. Subsequently, 32% of patients have been found to have active bronchiolitis obliterans at a median time of 6 months (range 1–14) postviral infection. These findings indicate that parainfluenza virus infections may have long-term implications for lung transplant recipients. Further studies are required to identify the mechanisms of immunomodulation of parainfluenza virus among these patients. In addition, controlled studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of aerosolized ribavarin in the treatment of parainfluenza virus infection and to determine whether vaccines may be effective in these high-risk patients.
The relationship between Plasmodium gallinaceum density and the fecundity of Aedes aegypti

Abstract The relationship between parasite density and host fecundity was examined using a Plasmodium gallinaceum-Aedes aegypti model system. A reduction in host fecundity was observed at very low parasite densities. No further change in the level of reduction was seen at high parasite densities.
Closed-loop, low-noise fiber-optic rotation sensor.

A closed-loop, multiturn fiber-optic rotation sensor has been developed that exhibits low noise of the order of 0.1°/h for an averaging time of 30 sec. This performance is consistent with the photon-noise limit for our setup. The length of the fiber is 200 m, and the coil diameter is 19 cm. Nonreciprocal phase modulation is accomplished with an electro-optic crystal driven at 470 kHz, and closed-loop operation is achieved by means of acousto-optic frequency shifters.
Genetic-Algorithm Discovery of a Direct-Gap and Optically Allowed Superstructure from Indirect-Gap Si and Ge Semiconductors

Combining two indirect-gap materials-with different electronic and optical gaps-to create a direct gap material represents an ongoing theoretical challenge with potentially rewarding practical implications, such as optoelectronics integration on a single wafer. We provide an unexpected solution to this classic problem, by spatially melding two indirect-gap materials (Si and Ge) into one strongly dipole-allowed direct-gap material. We leverage a combination of genetic algorithms with a pseudopotential Hamiltonian to search through the astronomic number of variants of Si /Ge /.../Si /Ge superstructures grown on (001) Si Ge . The search reveals a robust configurational motif-SiGe Si Ge SiGe on (001) Si Ge substrate (x≤0.4) presenting a direct and dipole-allowed gap resulting from an enhanced Γ-X coupling at the band edges. © 2012 American Physical Society.
Three Generations: The Continuing Evolution of Frederic Kuder's Interest Inventories

In this article the author reviews the history of Frederic Kuder's work in interest measurement and the development of two of his interest inventories currently in use—the Kuder General Interest Survey and the Kuder Occupational Interest Survey. Features of the inventories' most recent editions are discussed, emphasizing those that distinguish them from other popular interest measures. In addition, a third-generation Kuder inventory is briefly described.
Radioactive material transport risk management initiative: AREVA’s extensive approach to operations safety

AbstractSince 2006, when AREVA mandated its Logistics Business Unit to handle ‘Transport Risk Management’, the Unit has executed or has, at least, ensured the proper management of shipments of radioactive material, which involve particular risks. This mission is fully complementary to the strict implementation of national and international regulations regarding the safety of radioactive material transport. Taking these regulations as a starting point, the AREVA Transport Risk Management Initiative develops general principles of risk management appropriate to operations that are sensitive by nature. By applying the Transport Risk Management Initiative to the shipment of radioactive materials, AREVA has widened the precautionary principle beyond the field of safety and radioprotection: accomplishing safe transport necessarily implies the identification and management of all risks inherent in these operations (safety, physical protection, media pressure, geopolitics, etc.). The guiding principles currently i...
Fame more fickle than fortune: On the distribution of literary eminence

Rather than being distributed normally, a number of phenomena - e.g., income, scientific productivity, the frequency with which words are used - are distributed in a skewed or J-shaped fashion. For example, the number of people receiving an income of at least X decreases exponentially as X increases. Literary fame, as defined by the number of books devoted to an author, was investigated for 602 British poets, 108 French poets, and 51 American poets. Unsurprisingly, it was found that fame, so defined, is allocated in an extremely skewed fashion: A very large number of books are devoted to a very small number of authors. The distribution of literary fame is much more skewed than the distribution of income or scientific productivity. More surprisingly, a simple equation accounts almost perfectly for the distribution of literary fame. Literary fame does not follow Lotka's Law or Zipf's Law very closely but is almost perfectly described by an equation first developed by Yule. Causes and consequences of the allocation of literary fame are discussed.
Inside the “Lifeworlds” of Deaf Adolescents

In2001,MarthaSheridanpublishedInner Lives of Deaf Children: Interviews and Analysis, a book that first introduced us to a diverse group of 7 deaf and hardof-hearing children ages 7‐10. Through intensive interviews, Sheridan identified various developmental themes and differences in these children’s lifeworlds, a term she uses to describe ‘‘the individual and collective elements and realities that are present within the participants’ existential experiences, their relationships, and their truths.’’ In Deaf Adolescents: Inner Lives and Lifeworld Development, Sheridan revisits these children in their adolescent years (ages 13‐17) to examine how each one’s perspectives on their lifeworlds have changed as they have progressed into the teenage years. The book explores the adolescents’ experiential themes that they report to exist in their lifeworlds, while also addressing how their families cope with these themes. Initially, Sheridan begins by documenting her own adolescent experience beginning when she entered Gallaudet University. She describes the stifling consequences of growing up deaf in hearing schools and then compares that to the eye-opening personal growth, academic development, and social emersion in the Deaf community she was afforded at Gallaudet. She then progresses to describe a brief profile of each participant, followed by highlights of each of their meetings in turn. ‘‘If you could make a movie or write a book about deaf teenagers, what would you want to tell them?’’ Sheridan asks them at the beginning of each interview. As the children respond to a series of scripted, open-ended questions, we learn that they have accrued many new life experiences and perspectives. They have been through many changes—at school, with peers, with their families, in the community—and Sheridan describes to us in their own words what these changes have meant to them. Besides addressing each adolescent’s own current realities, we are also privy to the possibilities each of them see for their futures. The qualitative research presented in this book allows the readers to come to know these adolescents, with excerpts from each of their interviews also included in the chapters. Furthermore, the fact that Sheridan grew up deaf, paired with her professional experience and training, undoubtedly adds to the depth of information obtained through these interviews. In short, Martha Sheridan has crafted a longitudinal story of seven open and articulate teenagers, giving an inside perspective about the trials, tribulations, as well as joys that exist in their lifeworlds. Providing a venue to explore very unique perspectives, Sheridan has successfully advanced the knowledge surrounding the development of children and adolescents who are deaf. In fact, with all that the book has to offer, Deaf Adolescents: Inner Lives and Lifeworld Development would be a very useful tool for parents and scholars alike to obtain enlightening insight into developmental themes and experiences of adolescents who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Cross-cultural comparison of women's midlife symptom-reporting: a China study

Drawing on ethnographic and survey research conducted by the author in a general population sample in mainland China, this article presents findings on Chinese women's midlife symptom reporting in comparison with pivotal studies conducted by Lock, Kaufert, and McKinlay in Japan, Canada, and the U.S. Analysis of the China survey data (N = 156 women, age 45-55) reveals for sixteen core symptoms a reporting frequency that is much lower than depicted in classic biomedical models of menopause. At the same time, however, the China data indicates problems with the popular extrapolation that midlife Asian women are virtually symptom-free compared to their North American peers. Finding the Chinese level of symptom-reporting low to moderate depending on the symptom, the article reveals important differences between Chinese and Japanese women in their level and pattern of symptom reporting, as well as substantial overlap with North American women in this regard. Referencing ethnographic materials on Chinese women and the cross-cultural literature on menopause, the article assesses potential explanations for the cross-cultural variation observed, including: local reproductive endocrinology, phytoestrogen consumption, aspects of East Asian culture, the nature of social change, the cultural acceptability of monitoring and voicing symptoms, and differences in dominant conceptions of midlife.
Postbuckling response of stiffened composite cylindrical shells

The local buckling and the associated postbuckling response of stiffened composite shells are studied using an asymptotic approach. Both the classical (Kirchhoff) theory (CPT) and a first-order shear deformation theory (SDT) are employed in the study. SDT analysis was carried out using p-version type finite strips, whereas CPT analysis employed h-version based strips. Convergence studies confirm the superiority of the p-version approach. A panel width-to-thickness ratio of 50 was chosen to investigate the influence of shear deformation for stiffened and isolated panels fabricated out of isotropic and composite layered materials. The shear deformation effects were significant for composite stiffened shell panels with CPT giving a noticeably stiffer response. In comparison with isotropic shell panels, orthotropic layered panels buckle at lower nondimensional buckling loads but are appreciably less sensitive to imperfection.
Approach to the Patient Who Presents With Superior Vena Cava Obstruction

Clinical suspicion of SVC syndrome should prompt urgent attention, but in the absence of tracheal obstruction, the symptoms of SVC occlusion are unlikely to prove life threatening. It is therefore possible to consider both the immediate and long-term goals of therapy for the patient with SVC syndrome. Diagnostic procedures of proven value include chest x-rays, chest CT, and nuclear flow studies. A tissue diagnosis should be obtained if possible; noninvasive measures such as sputum cytology have a high success rate. General anesthesia, if required, is usually possible with a low incidence of complications. Treatment of SVC syndrome should be individualized. Small-cell lung cancer and lymphomas respond well to multiagent chemotherapy. Radiotherapy leads to symptomatic improvement in the majority of patients, although long-term survival for those with bronchogenic carcinoma is poor. Patients with indwelling central lines or cardiac pacemakers are at risk of thrombus formation and may require anticoagulation therapy. Surgical reconstruction may be of value in carefully selected patients.
Malignant Neoplasms of the External Auditory Canal and Temporal Bone

• In a review of 136 patients with squamous cell, basal cell, and salivary gland cancers involving the external auditory canal and temporal bone, the majority of patients had received prior treatment and came to us with recurrent tumor. Squamous cell carcinoma of the concha and cartilaginous ear canal behaved aggressively. Five-year survival in 35 patients with deep temporal bone involvement was 29%. The major reason for failure in this group was incomplete resection of disease. Postoperative irradiation was of no benefit when the cancer could not be completely excised. When compared with surgery alone, combined therapy with postoperative irradiation did improve local control in patients with completely resected lesions but did not demonstrate a corresponding increase in five-year survival. ( Arch Otolaryngol 106:675-679, 1980)
Manipulation planning on constraint manifolds

We present the Constrained Bi-directional Rapidly-Exploring Random Tree (CBiRRT) algorithm for planning paths in configuration spaces with multiple constraints. This algorithm provides a general framework for handling a variety of constraints in manipulation planning including torque limits, constraints on the pose of an object held by a robot, and constraints for following workspace surfaces. CBiRRT extends the Bi-directional RRT (BiRRT) algorithm by using projection techniques to explore the configuration space manifolds that correspond to constraints and to find bridges between them. Consequently, CBiRRT can solve many problems that the BiRRT cannot, and only requires one additional parameter: the allowable error for meeting a constraint. We demonstrate the CBiRRT on a 7DOF WAM arm with a 4DOF Barrett hand on a mobile base. The planner allows this robot to perform household tasks, solve puzzles, and lift heavy objects.
Stable limit set behavior in a dynamic parts feeder

We describe a one-joint planar arm which repeatedly throws and catches parts on its surface, and we demonstrate that proper choice of the throw velocity and arm geometry guarantees that the part will enter a unique recurrent motion pattern from a large set of initial configurations. The resulting system resembles an open-loop stable juggler of polygonal parts.
Kinetics of absorption of N-alkyl phthalate plasticizers into PVC resin particles

The kinetics of plasticizer absorption by suspension polymerized polyvinylchloride (PVC) have been investigated. The volume swelling ratios of individual PVC particles, immersed in excess plasticizer, were recorded over a period of time using an optical microscope equipped with a high speed camera, Absorption of din-decylphthalate was studied in the range 70 < T < 100°C. The study shows that the uptake of plasticizer proceeds in three steps: (1) a slow initial absorption into glassy PVC, which is a thermally activated rate process, wherein the polymer is being progressively solvated and evolving toward the rubbery state, (2) the considerable faster diffusion of plasticizer into a rubbery, dynamic polymer matrix, and (3) the asymptotic approach to the equilibrium swelling capacity. Temperature dependency of rate of absorption in the slow initial step was fitted to an Arrhenius expression, and an activation energy for plasticizer uptake was calculated.
Catadromous eels continue to be slippery research subjects

As adults, Atlantic eels (Anguilla rostrata in the Americas and Anguilla anguilla in Europe) are tubular slime-covered fish that spend most of their catadromous life-cycle in coastal environs before swimming far out to sea to reproduce, as part of an intergenerational migratory circuit that provides an interesting reversal of the pattern displayed by adult anadromous salmon that live mostly in the ocean but then migrate long distances to spawn in freshwater streams. Earlier genetic findings on Atlantic eels involved specimens collected across their broad continental ranges and generally indicated that conspecifics probably engage in panmictic or quasi-panmictic spawning,from which arise leaf-shaped leptocephaus larvae that then disperse back to coastal locations more or less at random with respect to the widespread geographical origins of the parental genes they carry. In this issue, Alset al. (2011) add exciting information about this peculiar life-history pattern of catadromous Atlantic eels by extending the genetic analyses to eel larvae collected from the Sargasso Sea, the oceanic area where both species spawn. Results help to confirm standard textbook wisdom that these catadromous eels are nearly unique in the biological world by having both broad geographical distributions and yet displaying intraspecific near panmixia.
Organic semiconductor laser

Summary form only given. Lasing action has been demonstrated in a vacuum-deposited 3000 /spl Aring/ thick layer of tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline)aluminum (Alq/sub 3/) doped with DCM laser dye. We observed a remarkably low lasing threshold at a pump energy density of 1 /spl mu/J/cm/sup 2/ with a 500 psec excitation pulse. Initial lifetime measurements showed an extremely high photochemical stability of the laser material. The low lasing threshold and high stability are primarily due to an excitation method in which pump light is absorbed by the host material (Alq/sub 3/), and the light emitting DCM molecules are excited by means of an efficient non-radiative energy transfer from the Alq/sub 3/ molecules. We also found that the facets of vacuum-deposited films are optically smooth, providing enough reflection for feedback. Hence, no processing of the material is necessary to fabricate a good optical cavity.
Pediatric Perfusion Imaging Using Pulsed Arterial Spin Labeling

Results: In the cohort of neurologically normal children, a 70% increase in the SNR of the ASL perfusion images and a 30% increase in the absolute cerebral blood flow compared to the adult data were observed. The measures of ASL SNR, T1, and M0 were found to decrease linearly with age. Transit time and temporal fluctuation of the ASL perfusion image series were not significantly different between the two age groups. The feasibility of ASL in the diagnosis of pediatric neurologic disease was also illustrated.
Understanding the Dynamic Performace of Microchannel Plates in Pulsed Mode

Summary form only given. The dynamic performance of a microchannel plate (MCP) is highly dependent on the high-voltage waveforms that are applied to it. Impedance mismatches in MCP detectors can significantly vary the waveforms on the MCP compared to the input pulses. High-voltage pulse waveforms launched onto surface coatings on the MCPs have historically been difficult and expensive to measure. Over the past few years, we have developed and tested techniques utilizing probes to measure the voltage propagation on the surface of MCPs. Square and Gaussian pulses with widths ranging from 200 ps to 2 ns have been applied. We have investigated the effects of coating thickness, microstrip width, and open-ended versus terminated strips. These data provide a wealth of knowledge that is enabling a better understanding of images recorded with these devices. This presentation discusses a method for measuring voltage profiles on the surface of the MCP and presents Monte Carlo simulations of the optical gate profiles based on the measured waveforms. Excellent agreement in the optical gate profiles have been achieved between the simulations and the experimental measurements using a short-pulse ultraviolet laser.
Perinatal thrombosis: implications for mothers and neonates

Stroke is more likely to occur in the perinatal period than any other time in childhood, and these events can lead to a lifetime of intellectual and motor disabilities, epilepsy, and behavioral challenges. This review describes the epidemiology and natural history of perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis (CSVT), risk factors for these complications, recent evidence regarding treatment strategies, and current gaps in knowledge. Existing evidence demonstrates the multifactorial etiology of symptomatic ischemic stroke in neonates, which includes a combination of maternal, delivery, and neonatal factors. The importance of inherited thrombophilia in the pathophysiology and long-term outcomes of perinatal stroke requires additional study. At this time, there is no evidence to support routine extensive thrombophilia screening outside of a research setting. Despite the frequency of perinatal stroke and its association with substantial morbidity, treatment strategies are currently limited, and prevention strategies are nonexistent. Anticoagulation is rarely indicated in PAIS, and more work needs to focus on neuroprotective prevention and alternate treatment strategies. Anticoagulation does appear to be safe in CSVT and may prevent thrombus progression but clinical equipoise remains, and clinical trials are needed to obtain evidence regarding short- and long-term efficacy outcomes.