cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mycotic aortic aneurysm due to intravesical BCG immunotherapy: Clinical manifestations and diagnostic challenges.

A live, attenuated form of Mycobacterium bovis, bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), is commonly used as intravesical immunotherapy for non-invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma. While complications are rare, dissemination can occur. A case of mycotic aortic aneurysm following BCG administration with recovery of Mycobacterium bovis in culture is reported. A review of the published experience with this problem is also presented.
A robust, streamlined, and reproducible method for proteomic analysis of serum by delipidation, albumin and IgG depletion, and two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis

Serum is a readily available source for diagnostic assays, but the identification of disease-specific serum biomarkers has been impeded by the dominance of human serum albumin and immunoglobulins (Igs) in the serum proteome. There is a need to reduce the technical variation in serum processing and analysis to allow for a reproducible analysis of large cohorts. To this end, we have developed a rapid and reproducible procedure for sample preparation and high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to analyze human serum. Serum is centrifuged at high speed to remove lipids and aggregated proteins, incubated with protein G resin to remove IgG, precipitated with NaCl/ethanol to deplete albumin, and slowly resolubilized in a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-2'-(2-ethanesulfonic acid) (HEPES) buffer. The delipidated and IgG/albumin depleted serum proteins are focused on pH 4-7 linear large immobilized pH gradient strips, and then resolved by Bis-Tris SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The robustness and reproducibility of the optimized procedure was determined for three individual serum samples on three consecutive days. An image analysis of the nine silver-stained gels demonstrated that the intensity and localization of protein spots are highly reproducible. Our IgG and albumin depletion procedure will aid in screening the patient sera for normal biological variation and disease-specific biomarkers.
Biomechanics of the spine in the polevaulter as related to spondylolysis

An athlete was filmed at high speed to anatomically plot the position of the vertebrae during several pole vaults. A computer analysis adapted from a previously described program (Gainor, BJ, et al: The kick: Bio mechanics and collision injury. Am J Sports Med 6: 185-193, 1978) was used to quantify the kinematic data. The thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of the pole vaulter began in a neutral position but rapidly hyper- extended 40° during pole plant. The spine subse quently flexed 130° in 0.65 seconds as the pole uncoiled and the athlete was propelled towards the bar. Angular velocities of the spine reached a maxi mum of 6 radians/sec during both extension and flexion. More significantly, angular accelerations of 150 radians/sec2 occurred in hyperextension, and 180 radians/sec 2 in hyperflexion. Torque about the spine was estimated to be 1,500 inch-pounds during extension and 1,800 inch-pounds during flexion. The maximum kinetic energy in the athlete's body was calculated to be 36,000 inch-pounds. We believ...
Assessment of microcrack development in concrete materials of different strengths

Comprehensive microstructural investigations were performed on normal-strength (33 MPa) and relatively high-strength concrete (43 MPa) as well as concrete specimens with and without restraint against drying shrinkage movement. The effects of different load and environmental damaging phenomena (cold and hot environment) on concrete microcrack system were detected. Fluorescent and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) techniques with image analysis methodologies were employed to quantify microcrack attributes on planar sections. Stereological aspects were used to derive information on spatial (3-D) microcrack systems in terms of planar (2-D) quantitative data generated on perpendicular sections. Statistical analysis of data was used to determine the differences in microcrack characteristics between normal-strength versus relatively high-strength and unrestrained versus restrained specimens.
Refrigeration Technology for Superconductors

In the three general subdivisions of this paper we discuss the helium refrigerator contracts in the past several years, the current refrigerator development projects and comment on the maximum practical efficiency obtainable today.
Arthroconidia in coccidioidoma: Case report and literature review

Coccidioides immitis is a dimorphic fungus capable of causing a diverse spectrum of disease in humans. Although the diagnostic pathologic finding in tissue is a mature endosporulating spherule, hyphal structures can also be found in over 50% of pathologic specimens. This report presents a case of coccidioidomycosis in which there were no intact spherules, but characteristic barrel shaped arthrospores present in tissue and cultures positively identified the organism as C. immitis. This case was further complicated by presentation in a nonendemic area for the fungus. Coccidioides immitis is a soil fungus with two distinct phases: the saprophytic and the parasitic. This biphasic life cycle was first described by Ophols,1 and more fully characterized by Baker and colleagues. The saprophytic stage occurs in the environment with the organism existing in a mycelial state. As the mold matures, barrel-shaped arthroconidia form and alternate with empty cells. The arthroconidia subsequently fracture from hyphae and are dispersed as an aerosol. The saprophytic cycle repeats itself upon infection of a new soil site. However, if the airborne arthroconidia are inhaled by a susceptible host, the parasitic phase is initiated. In the parasitic cycle, the arthrospore swells and becomes a rounded structure, known as a spherule. The protoplasm of the spherule divides to form large numbers of endospores. If the spherule ruptures, the endospores are released. Each endospore can develop into a new spherule, or, upon expulsion via contaminated secretions from the host, return to the environment where it transforms into its mycelial form. Although the characteristic histologic finding in coccidioidomycosis is the spherule with endospores, hyphal forms also can be found. The mycelial form of C. immitis cannot be definitively identified morphologically and requires confirmation by culture techniques or genetic probes. This report presents a pulmonary coccidioidoma in which arthroconidia were the predominant forms found in tissue.
Testing reliability of MEMS materials in liquids

MEMS are increasingly being considered for applications that involve immersion in liquids. However, there are very little reliability data for MEMS structures in liquids environments. In this study, an apparatus was developed which enables the investigation of fatigue failure of MEMS in liquids. MEMS cantilever beams were mounted on a PZT piezoelectric actuator and immersed in a liquid. A laser is reflected off the tip of the vibrating cantilever and onto a position-sensing photo-diode device (PSD) to obtain position data. From this data resonance frequency can be extracted for long-term monitoring. Cantilevers are resonated for at least 10 8 cycles. This apparatus allows for the testing of many combinations of materials and environments. For this study, the fatigue performance in liquid of silicon nitride cantilever beams was evaluated and compared to single crystal silicon cantilever beams. Tests were conducted in deionized water and a saline solution. Silicon nitride exhibited no long-term degradation of resonance frequency within measurement limits in air, DI water, and saline environments. Silicon exhibited a steady decrease in resonance. Results showed that this method could be extended to conduct reliability studies on other MEMS materials.
Federal ESEA Waivers as Reform Leverage: Politics and Variation in State Implementation

Under President Obama, over 80 percent of states have received executive approval for waivers from the No Child Left Behind Act in the absence of Congressional reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). These comprehensive ESEA waivers have been quite ambitious, in that they were designed to address broad changes in K-12 education in nearly all fifty states and not in response to specific-state concerns or to foster experimentation on a focused set of issues. In reviewing the actual state implementation, we found that the Obama administration has enjoyed substantial success in using the waiver process to leverage states to adopt policy changes. But there are limits, as seen in the difficulties the administration has encountered in leveraging changes in teacher and principal evaluation, and inducing changes in student learning and performance standards. The major obstacles to the accomplishment of administration objectives are internal state political dynamics.
In Defense of Brain Mapping in Social and Affective Neuroscience

The primary question asked for this special issue concerns how neuroscience data might contribute to and generate new theories in social psychology. Interestingly, in attempts to address this question, social neuroscientists have rushed to make sometimes overly bold claims about their data to demonstrate the utility of social neuroscience. The implicit logic in this response is a fear that to be useful, social neuroscience data needs quickly to move beyond brain mapping—the localization of specific social processes such as morality, the self, attitude, or prejudice to a particular brain region—and contribute in a more meaningful way. The promise of social neuroscience has always been to link multiple levels of analysis, constrain interpretation across these levels, and derive new predictions; yet there is now some question as to whether the field can deliver on this promise. Although this is an important question to ask, I suggest that requiring specific answers to this concern may be counterproductive at...
Predicting Farm Tractor Values through Alternative Depreciation Methods

This study compares a variety of farm tractor depreciation methods to determine which most accurately estimates farm tractor values. These alternative depreciation methods consider different factors for estimating remaining value and vary in difficulty of use. Pairwise comparisons of mean absolute percentage error and forecast accuracy regression models were used to evaluate the accuracy of the depreciation methods, which depend on age, intensity of use, and manufacturer. Based on the results of this study, the Cross and Perry method was generally the most accurate.
Flavonoids of Brickellia vernicosa

Abstract Thirteen 6-methoxy-flavonoids and four flavanones were isolated from Brickellia vernicosa. This is the first isolation of flavanones from a member of Brickellia and of the previously unreported 3-rhamnoside of 6-methoxykaempferol.
Viscoelastic Poisson’s Ratio of Asphalt Mixtures

AbstractThe Poisson’s ratio (PR) of asphalt mixtures is a fundamental material property that is an important input parameter to viscoelastic pavement models. It is typically assumed that PR of asphalt is time independent or, in cases where the time dependency of viscoelastic PR is considered, calculated as the negative ratio of the time-dependent transverse and axial strains measured in a uniaxial creep test. This paper presents analytical and experimental results demonstrating the errors involved in these assumptions. The first part of this study derives an expression for viscoelastic PR. The second part of this study reports the results of various experimental tests to measure axial and transverse strains of asphalt concrete specimens under different loading conditions. The viscoelastic PR increased with time in the tensile relaxation test and ramped tensile test, whereas it slightly increased at the beginning of the compressive relaxation test and was subsequently virtually constant. The error introduc...
Geology of crystalline rocks of northern Fiordland: Details of the granulite facies Western Fiordland Orthogneiss and associated rock units

Abstract A c. 700 km2 area of northern Fiordland (South Island, New Zealand) is described in which Early Cretaceous high-pressure metamorphic rocks and virtually unmetamorphosed plutonic rocks occur. The dominant rocks are orthogneisses developed from synmetamorphic basic-intermediate intrusive complexes, the youngest and most widespread of which is the Early Cretaceous Western Fiordland Orthogneiss (WFO). The latter has undergone granulite facies metamorphism and occurs throughout much of western Fiordland. In the study area, the WFO protolith intruded a country rock of amphibolite facies metasediments and orthogneisses. Fragments of the country rock are rafted within WFO and are represented by George Sound Paragneiss and Rafted Granitoid Gneisses. External country rock is represented by Arthur River Complex and Jagged Gneiss (possibly related to the Anita Ultramafites); it may also include Indecision Creek Complex and Mount Anau Complex. The George Sound Paragneiss is correlated with the Central Fiordla...
Validity of CBM measures of oral reading fluency and reading comprehension on high-stakes reading assessments in Grades 7 and 8

We examined the criterion validity and diagnostic efficiency of oral reading fluency (ORF), word reading accuracy, and reading comprehension (RC) for students in Grades 7 and 8 taking into account form effects of ORF, time of assessment, and individual differences, including student designations of limited English proficiency and special education status. Participants were 1,481 students in Grade 7 and 1,462 in Grade 8 attending four middle schools in the Pacific Northwest. Results indicated that (a) the majority of variance in ORF is between individuals, (b) a single ORF passage appears to be equally predictive of the state assessment of reading performance as the mean or the median across three passages, (c) ORF and RC explain 55–58 % of the variance in the state assessment, and (d) a combination of ORF and RC leads to more accurate diagnosis of students who might be at risk for not passing the state assessment than either measure alone. Word reading accuracy contributes little to the prediction of state test scores or risk status. Implications for practice and future research are addressed.
Who Moves and Who Stays?: Rural Out-migration in Nigeria

Data from the nationally representative 1993 Migration and Urbanization Survey of Nigeria are used to simultaneously examine the patterns of rural-rural and rural-urban migration in Nigeria. A multinomial logistic regression model predicts the independent and collective association between individual, household, and regional variables and migration from rural areas to rural and urban destinations. Associations between education, religion and ethnicity and migration propensities exist at the national level. The Kanuri-Shua Arabs are generally non-migrants, the Hausa-Fulani and Yoruba are predominantly rural-rural migrants and the Igbo-Ibibio and Urhobo-Isoko-Edo are predominantly ruralurban migrants. Christians are significantly more mobile than Muslims. While the highly educated are most likely to choose an urban destination, a significant proportion migrate to other rural areas. Concern over population concentration is not supported, as rural migrants move to all regions and to urban and rural areas.
Complex formation between ethidium bromide and the nucleotides AMP and GMP.

— The antimicrobial drug ethidium bromide (EB) has been found to form molecular complexes with nucleotides, the strongest being those with the purines AMP and GMP. For the EB-AMP and EB-GMP complexes (which we characterized) the values of the ground-state association constant have been found to be 100 and 103 M-1, respectively. The fluorescence of the drug is enhanced when complexed to AMP, GMP, and TMP by about 60, 30 and 10%, respectively, whereas it is quenched by about 20% when complexed to CMP. Fluorescence enhancement analysis has yielded the values of 1.1 × 1010 and 0.7 × 1010M-1 s-1 for the excited-state rate constant of complex formation with the former two nucleotides, respectively. About one out of two collisions between an excited EB molecule and an AMP or GMP molecule results in complex formation. The potential implications of these findings for the EB-DNA interaction are discussed.
Gender Differences in Body Satisfaction

Although men and women show similar rates of obesity, women more frequently engage in weight loss efforts, with potentially adverse health consequences. We surveyed 320 college-aged men and women to examine gender differences in the determinants of body dissatisfaction and the degree of importance assigned to bodyweight and shape. Results indicated that, for both genders, satisfaction with bodyweight and shape decreased as body mass index (BMI) increased. Women, however, showed significantly greater body and weight dissatisfaction than men at most weight categories. Only the underweight (BMI < 20) women and men were similarly satisfied with their bodyweight and shape. As BMI increased, however, women became disproportionately more dissatisfied: both normal-weight and overweight women expressed greater dissatisfaction than comparable men. College-aged women also attributed progressively more importance to both weight and shape as BMI increased, unlike college-aged men, who considered body weight equally important to (or slightly less important than) self-esteem as BMI increased. We discuss implications for the self-esteem of obese women and men.
Influence of Acid Polysaccharides on Plaque Formation by Influenza A2 and B Viruses

Summary1. The inhibitory effect of the sulfated agar polysaccharide on strains of influenza A2 and B viruses was investigated. Complexing of the inhibitor from agar through the use of DEAE-dextran resulted in an improvement in plaque development as well as an increase in number of plaques formed. An optimum DEAE-dextran concentration of 1.0 mg/ml agar was found. 2. The inhibitor did not inactivate virus and had no effect on the hemagglutinating activity of both viruses, but it did interfere with virus adsorption to MK monolayers.
Beach Nourishment, Shoreline Change, and Dune Growth at Westhampton Beach, New York, 1996-2009

Abstract Westhampton Beach is located on the barrier island between Moriches Inlet and Shinnecock Inlet, along the south shore of Long Island, New York. This vulnerable area has been subject to a number of beach erosion control measures under the authority of the Fire Island to Montauk Point, New York Beach Erosion and Hurricane Protection (FIMP) project as well as the related Westhampton Interim Project The Westhampton Interim Project, initiated in 1996, provided for beachfill placement, dune construction west of the groin field, periodic beachfill renourishment until 2027, and a tapering of the groins at the western edge of the groin field in order to provide a smooth transition to the downdrift barrier beaches. Project coastal processes monitoring since 1996 has shown that the shoreline position in the project area has been stable and there has been volumetric growth of the dune field west of the groin field. The 10-year average volumetric loss in the project area of 180,000 cubic yards per year is ver...
The optical cross-section theorem with incident fields containing evanescent components

Abstract The optical cross-section theorem is extended to cases in which the incident field contains evanescent waves. Physical interpretations are discussed. Some explicit examples are given and possible applications are proposed.
Automatic Classification of Harris Survey Questions: An Experiment in the Organization of Information

This article describes an ongoing project in the automatic classification of Louis Harris survey questions. The purpose of the project is to explore the feasibility of automatically organizing the questions in a form that can be usefully presented to researchers and to investigate the problems associated with automatic classification of natural language text. In general, the experiment reported here supports the belief that an important application of automatic classification is to transform an intractable mass of data into a structure suitable for further human processing.
Extrapontine Myelinolysis Resulting in Transient Cortical Blindness

Central pontine myelinolysis and extrapontine myelinolysis are characterized by symmetric demyelination subsequent to rapid shifts in serum osmolality. Described here is a novel case of transient cortical blindness in association with imaging features of extrapontine myelinolysis, which occurred in a child with carbamoyl phosphate synthetase deficiency after rapid correction of hyperammonemia. Serum sodium levels were within normal limits at presentation and throughout the period of ammonia correction. A potential pathogenic mechanism of osmotic demyelination in the setting of acute treatment for hyperammonemia in a patient with a urea cycle abnormality includes disruption of the blood-brain barrier and re-equilibration of organic osmolytes, particularly glutamine.
Molecular Genetics of Natural Populations

Significant progress in evolutionary genetics has been made by studying, on the one hand, patterns of DNA sequence polymorphism and, on the other, genetic architecture of complex adaptive traits. However, connections between nucleotide variants under selection and adaptively relevant phenotypes are missing. Such connections can be established using precise gene replacement. We review the recent successful introduction of this technique to the analysis of two evolutionarily interesting loci--Odysseus and desaturase2. Both genes have subtle phenotypes that nevertheless could be identified using gene replacement, demonstrating that effects of naturally occurring alleles can be measured in the laboratory. This is an important first step in connecting statistical signatures of selection with adaptation in nature. More candidate genes involved in adaptation, for example, through cloning of genes responsible for reproductive isolation, now need to be identified. Molecular genetic manipulation, DNA polymorphism analysis, and field studies then have to be integrated to provide fresh insights into the mechanisms of evolutionary change.
Explaining "Memories" of Space Alien Abduction and Past Lives: An Experimental Psychopathology Approach

In this article, I describe how my colleagues, students, and I have used the methods of experimental psychopathology to explain why seemingly sincere, nonpsychotic people claim to have memories of ...
Contrasting patterns of morphological and neutral genetic divergence among geographically proximate populations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka in Lake Aleknagik, Alaska

Levels of differentiation in morphological traits (age at maturity, body length at age, egg mass and body depth) and spawning time were examined in sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from three geographically proximate but physically distinct creeks in Lake Aleknagik, Alaska. Happy Creek fish had significantly greater values for most measured morphological traits, and Eagle Creek fish spawned significantly later than fish in the other creeks. Phenotypic differentiation between creeks, measured as PST, was then compared with microsatellite marker differentiation between creeks, measured as FST. No correlations were apparent between PST and FST values, and PST values were generally significantly larger than zero (PST ¼ 0� 0018–0� 31) whereas FST values were not (FST ¼ � 0� 0004 to 0� 0016). The insignificant pair-wise FST values between creek samples indicated that gene flow occurs between creeks, assuming the creek populations have reached migration–drift equilibrium. However, the strong homing behaviour of sockeye salmon precludes a scenario in which fish from the three creeks constitute a single population that segregates by body size. Rather, significant phenotypic differentiation suggests that strong divergent selection occurs on the phenotypic traits despite the homogenizing effects of gene flow.
Is Analyst Forecast Accuracy Associated with Accounting Information Use? (Retracted)

In 1994, the AICPA's Special Committee on Financial Reporting recommended that participants in business reporting can improve the reporting process by focusing on user needs and finding cost‐effective ways of aligning business reports with those needs. The Committee noted that professional financial analysts are among the most important users of business reporting and that an examination of their accounting information needs would provide useful insight to the profession. Further, the Committee suggested that an investigation of the link between information usage and decision quality could provide a starting point for determining whether currently reported business information is relevant. The current study examines the relation between the forecast accuracy of financial analysts and specific accounting information items used during financial statement analysis. Findings indicate that relatively more accurate analysts tend to emphasize different information items prior to issuing an earnings forecast than...
Taking a load off: nuclear remodeling after mechanically supporting the failing human heart.

The heart adapts exquisitely to changing mechanical loads by changing its size, shape, stiffness, contractility, and electric responsiveness to meet new demands. In recent years we have learned a great deal about how increased load activates signaling pathways that lead to changes in expression of regulatory molecules, contractile proteins, extracellular matrix components, and ion channels.1 Although these pathways are initially adaptive, they can become deleterious when activated to excess, contributing to heart failure. It is less well recognized, however, that human cardiomyocytes initiate cell cycle activity in response to mechanical stress. For example, Adler and Friedburg showed more than 2 decades ago that mechanical loading is associated with increased nuclear ploidy (DNA content per nucleus) and with increased nuclear number in human cardiomyocytes.2 Furthermore, several groups have identified increased cardiomyocyte DNA synthesis in disease states.3 Together, these data suggest that, in response to mechanical stress, differentiated cardiomyocytes can replicate their DNA without undergoing karyokinesis (nuclear division) or cytokinesis (cell division), resulting in a higher DNA content per cell. Article see p 989 In principle, increasing a cell’s DNA content is associated with increased cell size and metabolic output without the necessity of rearranging the cytoskeleton and extracellular attachments (as happens in mitosis).4 In addition, polyploid cells may be more resistant to DNA damage, probably because they have many copies of every gene and because they need not segregate their chromosomes during mitosis.4 Thus, increasing DNA content and cell size may be an advantageous strategy for tissues that are terminally differentiated yet must continue to grow—for example, in the heart exposed to increased mechanical load. In this issue of Circulation , Wohlschlager et al5 bring a new perspective to the dynamics of DNA content in human cardiomyocytes by showing a reduction of the polyploid cardiomyocyte …
A predictive out of step protection scheme based on PMU enabled dynamic state estimation

This paper presents a predictive energy based Out of Step Protection scheme. It is based on real time dynamic monitoring of the system achieved through the implementation of a distributed, substation based dynamic state estimator. The estimator utilizes only local measurements and requires PMU synchronized measurements; additional measurements from non-GPS synchronized relays are also utilized and increase the redundancy of the system. The dynamic state estimator provides the evolution of the dynamic state of the system (real time dynamic model) at rates of 60 times per second. The real time dynamic model of the system is then utilized to evaluate the system's energy function based on Lyapunov's direct method and extract stability properties from the energy function. Comparison of the proposed approach to conventional Out of Step protection schemes (based on impedance relays) is demonstrated through illustrative examples. The proposed method detects out of step conditions much earlier than conventional methods.
Long-term safety and effectiveness of inferior vena cava filters in patients with stroke

Purpose To assess the long-term safety and clinical effectiveness of inferior vena cava (IVC) filters in patients with stroke. Method and materials In this institutional review board-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant retrospective study, we reviewed the clinical data of patients who had stroke and were treated with an IVC filter from 2002 to 2009. The demographics, clinical data, indications for IVC filter, procedural complications, symptomatic post-filter pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), caval occlusion and incidental, imaging-evident filter-related complications were recorded. Safety was assessed through occurrence of filter-related complications during placement and follow-up. Effectiveness was assessed through occurrence of post-filter fatal and non-fatal PE. Results During this period, 371 patients (224 male; mean age 67.5 years) with stroke received an IVC filter. The stroke was hemorrhagic in 28%, ischemic in 20%, associated with intracranial malignancy in 21% and trauma in 31%. 235 (63%) patients (PE in 159) had venous thromboembolism on imaging. The indications for IVC filter included contraindication to anticoagulation in 251 (68%), prophylaxis in 83 (22%), added protection in 22 (6%) and complication or failure of anticoagulation in 15 (4%). There was one procedural complication. During a follow-up of 1.74±2.36 years, 180 (49%) patients died, three due to post-filter PE and the remainder all due to primary disease. Symptomatic post-filter PE and DVT occurred at a frequency of 15% (54/371) and 16% (60/371), respectively. Of these, 15 (4%) had imaging-proven PE. Three (0.8%) succumbed to post-filter PE. Imaging-proven new or recurrent DVT occurred in 6% and 8%, respectively. Symptomatic caval occlusion was seen in five (5/371, 1.3%). Conclusion IVC filters have an acceptable safety profile in stroke patients. In our cohort, they were effective in preventing life-threatening PE.
Spinal Reconstruction with Pedicle Screw-Based Instrumentation and rhBMP-2 in Patients with Neurofibromatosis and Severe Dural Ectasia and Spinal Deformity: Report of Two Cases and a Review of the Literature

Neurofibromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders, with type-I neurofibromatosis having a global prevalence of one in 3000 individuals1-4. Inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, type-1 neurofibromatosis may be known best for its cutaneous manifestations. Cafe au lait spots and peripheral neurofibromas arise as a result of unchecked proliferation of neural crest-derived melanocytes and Schwann cells, respectively5,6. These superficial lesions are generally benign and are often considered to be purely a cosmetic issue7. In contrast, the osteopathological manifestations of type-1 neurofibromatosis are of far greater clinical concern. Spinal deformity, particularly kyphoscoliosis of the thoracic spine, is the most common abnormality (present in 10% to 60% of cases)4,8-10. Although the precise etiology of these spinal abnormalities is not well understood and most are probably multifactorial, a variety of pathologic processes have been implicated4,11-13. Dural ectasia may result from cerebral spinal fluid pulsations, which lead to dilatation of the weakened dural sac, with erosion of the surrounding vertebral elements as the dural sac enlarges14. Peripheral neurofibromas can expand into adjacent ribs, facet joints, pedicles, and paravertebral musculature4,12. Intrinsic pathologic conditions, such as osteomalacia and general mesodermal dysplasia, can also contribute to spinal instability in a more occult fashion13. Evidence of these processes on imaging studies includes rib penciling, meningoceles, expanded neural foramina, vertebral scalloping and wedging, and soft-tissue masses15-17. Clinical sequelae, ranging from simple back pain to decreased pulmonary function and quadriparesis, have been associated with the spinal manifestations of type-1 neurofibromatosis18,19. Despite the potential for major neurologic complications, a substantial proportion of patients with type-1 neurofibromatosis exhibit normal neurologic function4 …
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a predictor of outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a Western perspective.

Background and Objectives Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is simple, inexpensive, and has been proposed to be predictive in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Europe and Asia. We aimed to evaluate whether NLR at presentation in a Western center provides any prognostic value compared to other common prognostic scores. Methods NLR was calculated for 75 consecutive patients at presentation with HCC and regression models were used to analyze its value for predicting treatment strategy and short-term survival with Child-Pugh and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD). Results NLR was not predictive of future treatment regimens with hepatectomy, liver transplant, or transarterial chemoembolization (TACE; odds ratio [OR]: 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–1.02, P = 0.079) as compared the predictive value of MELD (OR: 0.81, CI: 0.72–0.93, P = 0.002) or Child-Pugh (OR: 0.48, CI: 0.34–0.69, P < 0.001). Adding additional adjustment for treatment, NLR did not correlate with short-term overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.09, CI: 0.95–1.24, P = 0.227). MELD also did not correlate with overall survival (HR: 1.04, CI: 0.96–1.13, P = 0.357) whereas Child-Pugh (HR: 1.56, CI: 1.10–2.19, P = 0.011) was predictive. Conclusions This study does not support the prognostic value of NLR to guide therapy for HCC in a Western center, whereas MELD and Child-Pugh score were more predictive. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:95–97. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Overcoming ‘Economic Backwardness’ in the European Union

Long before the cold war and the Iron Curtain's construction, the European continent was marked by a developmental divide in which the east suffered relative economic deprivation compared to the west. This article revisits the sources of ‘economic backwardness’ in eastern Europe and asks whether post-communist states' membership in the European Union (EU) upends the earlier structural conditions that had traditionally prevented east–west economic convergence. The article finds that while there is more economic opportunity for post-communist states in the EU than outside it, EU membership does not subvert the major drivers of the developmental divide. EU membership does, however, limit economic volatility for the New Member States (NMS), which, in historical perspective, is a boon for eastern populations and stabilizing for democratic politics.
Respiratory Disease, the Environment, and the Military: Important, Unexplored Frontiers

[1] report on the incidence of febrile respiratory illness (FRI) among Marine recruits during their first 4 weeks of military training, as well as the effect that closed training environments (units closed to the influx of potentially infectious convalescing persons [hereafter referred to as "closed units"]) versus open training environments (units open to the influx of potentially infectious convalescing persons [hereafter referred to as "open units"] ) had on the transmission of respiratory pathogens, specifically adenoviruses. The open units accepted recruits transferring from medical convalescent or physical conditioning units. Up to 10% of these transferred recruits had adenovi-
Plexin-A4–semaphorin 3A signaling is required for Toll-like receptor– and sepsis-induced cytokine storm

Plexins and semaphorins are ligand–receptor pairs that serve as guidance molecules in the nervous system and play some roles in immunity. Plexins are similar to the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in their evolutionary conservation from flies to mammals. By studying plexin-A4–deficient ( Plxna4−/− ) innate immune cells, in this study we show a novel influence of plexin-A4 on TLR signaling. Plxna4−/− cells exhibit defective inflammatory cytokine production upon activation by a spectrum of TLR agonists and bacteria. Plexin-A4 is required for TLR-induced activation of the small guanosine triphosphate hydrolase (GTPase) Rac1 (ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1). Rac1 activation is accompanied by JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and NF-κB activation, culminating in TLR-induced binding of NF-κB and AP-1 to the promoters of inflammatory cytokines. Plxna4−/− mice are remarkably resistant to TLR agonist–induced inflammation and polymicrobial peritonitis caused by cecal ligation and puncture. Administration of a ligand of plexin-A4, Sema3A (semaphorin 3A), exacerbates the cytokine storm caused by TLR agonists and bacterial sepsis. TLR engagement can induce Sema3A expression, thus completing an autocrine loop. These findings expand the role of plexins to TLR signaling and suggest plexin-A4 and Sema3A as new intervention points for treating sepsis.
Digital Processing of Single-Carrier Cyclic Prefixed Frequency Channelized Receiver for Serial Links

The achievable data rates in modern serial-link systems are limited by the intersymbol interference (ISI) caused by wire losses and package parasitics. Although more sophisticated digital communication techniques can be used to combat ISI, the lack of available multibit analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) has primarily limited their use. A promising approach to relax the ADC requirements so as to enable Nyquist-rate digitization is to channelize the received signal into multiple frequency subbands and then sample using a bank of low-frequency ADCs. In this brief, the digital processing required in such a channelized receiver is presented. The use of single-carrier cyclic prefixed communication is also proposed to reduce the computational complexity in channels with moderate-to-large ISI.
Cobra (Naja spp. ) nicotinic acetylcholine receptor exhibits resistance to Erabu sea snake (Laticauda semifasciata) short-chain α-neurotoxin

Snake α-neutotoxins of Elapidae venoms are grouped into two structural classes, short-chain and long-chain α-neutotoxins. While these two classes share many chemical and biological characteristics, there are also distinct dissimilarities between them, including their binding site on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), specificity among species of Chordata, and the associated pharmacological effects. In the present study we test the hypothesis that structural motifs that evolved to confer natural resistance against conspecific long-chain α-neurotoxins in Elapidae snakes also interfere with the biological action of short-chain α-neurotoxins. We expressed functional nAChRs that contains segments or single residues of the Elapidae nAChR ligand binding domain and tested the effect of short-chain α-neurotoxin erabutoxin-a (ETX-a) from the Erabu sea snake Laticauda semifasciata on the acetylcholine-induced currents as measured by two-microelectrode voltage clamp. Our results show that the Elapidae nAChR α subunit segment T154–L208 ligand binding domain has an inhibitory effect on the pharmacological action of ETX-a. This effect is primarily attributed to the presence of glycosylation at position N189. If the glycosylation is removed from the T154–L208 segment, the nAChR will be inhibited, however, to a lesser extent than seen in the mouse. This effect correlates with the variations in α-neurotoxin sensitivity of different species and, importantly, reflects the evolutionary conservation of the binding site on the nAChR polypeptide backbone per se. Phylogenetic analysis of α-neurotoxin resistance suggests that α-neurotoxin-resistant nAChR evolved first, which permitted the evolution of snake venom α-neurotoxins. A model describing α-neurotoxin resistance in Elapidae snakes is presented.
Cooperative decentralized intersection collision avoidance using Extended Kalman Filtering

Vehicle accidents are a major cause of death and claim more than 40,000 lives annually in the US alone. A substantial portion of these accidents occur at intersections. Stop signs and traffic signals are some of the intersection control devices used to increase safety and prevent collisions. However, these devices themselves can contribute to collisions, are costly, inefficient, and are prone to failure. This paper proposes an adaptive, decentralized, cooperative collision avoidance (CCA) system that optimizes each vehicle's controls subject to the constraint that no collisions occur. Three major contributions to the field of collision avoidance have resulted from this research. First, a nonlinear 5-state variable vehicle model is expanded from an earlier one developed in [2]. Second, a set of constrained, coupled Extended Kalman Filters (EKF) are used to predict vehicular trajectory in real-time. Third, a vehicular network based on the new WAVE standard is presented that provides cooperative capabilities by enabling intervehicle communication. The system is simulated against today's common intersection control devices and is shown to be superior in minimizing average vehicle delay.
Opinion Piece: Medical Marihuana Reconsidered

This commentary presents the case for the legalization of marihuana for medicinal purposes. It examines the history of medical marihuana, briefly discusses its clinical uses and presents a general overview of the legal classification (scheduling) of the drug in the United States of America today.
Ultraviolet Spectrum of Ti i

Four hundred and ten lines of the ultraviolet spectrum, from 2117 A to 3072 A, have been measured in this study, with a probable error of 0.005 A, on high-dispersion quartz-prism spectrograms. A small electronic computer, the Burroughs E101, has been used to great advantage in calculating the wavelengths and wave numbers and in analyzing the spectrum. Two new terms have been discovered. Two hundred and fourteen lines have been classified, of which 152 were previously known. The energy values for 16 levels of seven previously known terms have been revised.
GaInNAs: A New Material in the Quest for Communications Lasers

Dilute nitride GaInNAs alloys grown on GaAs have quickly become an excellent candidate for lower cost 1.3-1.55?m vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) and high power edge emitting lasers in the past few years. Despite the relative immaturity and challenges of this new materials system the results have been very promising. Some of the material challenges include the limited solubility of nitrogen in GaAs, non-radiative defects that may be caused by nitrogen incorporation, and characterization of the unique set of properties nitrogen adds to this metastable alloy. In addition, a new component has been added in order to improve epitaxial growth and optical properties at wavelengths longer than 1.3?m. By adding Sb to the alloy, luminescence has been greatly enhanced between 1.3-1.6?m where normally poor quality material results. This paper describes some of the material challenges and progress in devices based on the GaInNAs and GaInNAsSb system.
The role of psychotherapy in integrated care.

The current emphasis on integrated psychiatric and medical care for people with mental illnesses raises hopes for more favorable clinical outcomes as well as concerns about the quality of the actual care being delivered. The author writes from the perspective of a long career as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in a full service medical building in which communication and, at times, collaboration between mental health and general health providers yielded significant benefits to patients. Psychotherapy played a major role in these favorable outcomes, as did accessibility to general medical services when needed and working relationships between physicians of different specialties. However, conditions in current integrated systems pose seemingly insurmountable obstacles to offering full service psychiatric care. The overwhelming disproportion between the numbers of patients in serious need and the available psychiatric resources creates wrenching clinical dilemmas. The hard-nosed administrative approaches to the challenge appear to leave out the factors of human relationships and the conditions necessary for effective psychotherapy beyond simple triage and ultra-brief supportive therapy in crises. Where it is possible for psychiatrists to work closely with other physicians, certain conditions are necessary to maintain the integrity of the psychotherapeutic relationship and the psychiatrist’s psychotherapeutic skills.
Augmentation of the Neural Inhibitory Response of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lidoflazine and dipyridamole upon the nonadenergic inhibitory response of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) circular muscle in vitro. Both dipyridamole and lidoflazine significantly potentiated the maximal inhibitory responses of LES muscle to electrical stimulation during muscle contraction produced by either acetylcholine or KC1 depolarization. Theophylline did not alter the magnitude of the inhibitory response. These studies indicate: (1) LES muscle neural inhibition may be potentiated by compounds known to block the intracellular uptake of adenosine, and (2) nonadrenergic inhibition of LES muscle may be through adenosine triphosphate or a related purine nucleotide as proposed for other muscles responding similarly to dipyridamole and lidoflazine.This work was supported by Research Grant 1 R01 AM 16280-01 from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Cohen is supported by a Research Career Development Award 1 K04 AM 70, 576-01 from the Na...
Effect of yttrium on elastic strains and fracture of Cr2O3 scales on Ni-30Cr alloys

It has long been known that the addition of so-called reactive elements, such as Y, to alloys forming chromia scales improves the protectiveness of those scales by reducing the rate of scale growth and by reducing the tendency of the scales to spall during thermal cycling. It has been suggested that reduced spallation might arise from better scale adherence or from improved resistance to fracture.In this study Ni-30Cr and Ni-30Cr-0.5Y alloy samples were oxidized at 1000°C in pure O2 for various times, then were either furnace cooled to room temperature, or thermally cycled between 1000°C and different lower temperatures. Scale fracture events, which are detected by acoustic emission, were collected throughout the experiment. An in situ X-ray diffraction technique was used to measure the elastic strains in the oxide scales at the isothermal scale growth temperature and at several temperatures during cooling.These measurements found higher elastic strains in the Cr2O3 scales, during both isothermal oxidatio...