cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aerosol Delivery During Continuous High Frequency Oscillation for Adult and Pediatric Patients Receiving Invasive Ventilation

Background: Continuous high-frequency oscillation (CHFO) of the airway has been reported to improve secretion clearance and lung expansion. The device also provides continuous aerosol using a jet nebulizer (JN). Concomitant aerosol therapy during CHFO is appealing during invasive ventilation. However, evidence on the efficiency of aerosol delivery is rare. We investigated the aerosol delivery efficiency with Metaneb during invasive ventilation in both adult and pediatric settings, and explored methods to improve efficiency. Methods: A model lung (TTL, Michigan Instruments) was connected to an ICU ventilator (PB840, Medtronic) via endotracheal tubes (ETT) of 8.0mm, 6.0mm, and 5.0mm respectively to simulate adult (COPD and healthy), and pediatric (5 and 10 y old) patients. Tidal volume was set at 6 mL/kg for all scenarios and frequencies were 16 breaths/min, except the 5 y-old patient (20 breaths/min). A collecting filter was placed between ETT and the model lung. Metaneb was set at high frequency oscillation with low flow. A vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN, Aerogen) was placed at the inlet of humidifier vs between ETT and Y-piece. Albuterol (2.5mg in 3mL) was nebulized for each condition (n = 3). Drug was eluted from the filter and assayed with UV spectrophotometry (276 nm). Results: With CHFO during invasive ventilation, inhaled dose with JN at its manifold position was low in both adult (1.52 ± 0.44 %) and pediatric (0.86 ± 0.05 %) patients; substituting VMN for JN increased inhaled dose: VMN placed at the inlet of humidifier vs between ETT and Y-piece in adult (13.35 ± 1.01 vs 7.17 ± 0.23%, P = .004) and pediatric patients (7.79 ± 2.46 vs 4.21 ± 0.70 %, P = .004). Regardless of VMN placement, inhaled dose with CHFO was lower than inhaled dose with VMN without CHFO [22.66 (19.54, 25.44) vs 7.19 (5.11, 11.61) %, P
Topology optimization of shape memory polymer structures with programmable morphology

We present a novel optimization framework for optimal design of structures exhibiting memory characteristics by incorporating shape memory polymers (SMPs). SMPs are a class of memory materials capable of undergoing and recovering applied deformations. A finite-element analysis incorporating the additive decomposition of small strain is implemented to analyze and predict temperature-dependent memory characteristics of SMPs. The finite element method consists of a viscoelastic material modelling combined with a temperature-dependent strain storage mechanism, giving SMPs their characteristic property. The thermo-mechanical characteristics of SMPs are exploited to actuate structural deflection to enable morphing toward a target shape. A time-dependent adjoint sensitivity formulation implemented through a recursive algorithm is used to calculate the gradients required for the topology optimization algorithm. Multimaterial topology optimization combined with the thermo-mechanical programming cycle is used to optimally distribute the active and passive SMP materials within the design domain. This allows us to tailor the response of the structures to design them with specific target displacements, by exploiting the difference in the glass-transition temperatures of the two SMP materials. Forward analysis and sensitivity calculations are combined in a PETSc-based optimization framework to enable efficient multi-functional, multimaterial structural design with controlled deformations.
New York Klezmer in the Early Twentieth Century: The Music of Naftule Brandwein and Dave Tarras: by Joel E. Rubin, Rochester, University of Rochester Press (Eastman/Rochester Studies Ethnomusicology), 2020, xvii, 483 pp., $95.00 (hardback), ISBN-13: 978-1-58046-598-4; $24.99 (eBook), ISBN-13: 978-1-78744-831-5

With the resurgence of klezmer music in the late twentieth century and its subsequent turn into a global phenomenon, the repertoire and culture of the klezmorim past and present has become a subjec...
Abiraterone induces SLCO1B3 expression in prostate cancer via microRNA-579-3p.

Understanding mechanisms of resistance to abiraterone, one of the primary drugs approved for the treatment of castration resistant prostate cancer, remains a priority. The organic anion polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3, encoded by SLCO1B3) transporter has been shown to transport androgens into prostate cancer cells. In this study we observed and investigated the mechanism of induction of SLCO1B3 by abiraterone. Prostate cancer cells (22Rv1, LNCaP, and VCAP) were treated with anti-androgens and assessed for SLCO1B3 expression by qPCR analysis. Abiraterone treatment increased SLCO1B3 expression in 22Rv1 cells in vitro and in the 22Rv1 xenograft model in vivo. MicroRNA profiling of abiraterone-treated 22Rv1 cells was performed using a NanoString nCounter miRNA panel followed by miRNA target prediction. TargetScan and miRanda prediction tools identified hsa-miR-579-3p as binding to the 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) of the SLCO1B3. Using dual luciferase reporter assays, we verified that hsa-miR-579-3p indeed binds to the SLCO1B3 3′UTR and significantly inhibited SLCO1B3 reporter activity. Treatment with abiraterone significantly downregulated hsa-miR-579-3p, indicating its potential role in upregulating SLCO1B3 expression. In this study, we demonstrated a novel miRNA-mediated mechanism of abiraterone-induced SLCO1B3 expression, a transporter that is also responsible for driving androgen deprivation therapy resistance. Understanding mechanisms of abiraterone resistance mediated via differential miRNA expression will assist in the identification of potential miRNA biomarkers of treatment resistance and the development of future therapeutics.
Investigating teacher development of self-regulated learning skills in secondary science students

Abstract This multiple case study examined how secondary science teachers supported their students’ self-regulated learning development after an intensive, year-long, professional development. The results suggest that the teachers largely used the SRL coaching strategies of observation and emulation, emphasized different SRL processes, while less than half of the teachers explicitly encouraged their students to use the self-reflection phase of SRL to guide future cycles of SRL. Additionally, even though the majority of the teachers established process goals for their instruction, they evaluated their students with reference to product goals.
Effect of Anti-Hypertensive Medications on Hemorrhagic Transformation in Ischemic Stroke (P3.3-047)

Objective: The objective of this study is to understand the effect of anti-hypertensive medications (AHMs) on hemorrhagic transformation in ischemic stroke patients. Background: Ischemic Stroke is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the US. Hemorrhagic Transformation (HT) is one the most feared complications of ischemic stroke increasing its mortality and disability, especially in the setting of administration of TPA and intervention with thrombectomy. Design/Methods: This is a retrospective study in patients who underwent TPA and/or thrombectomy from 2016 to 2017 at a tertiary referral center. Primary outcome measure was HT at 24 hours in the setting of use of AHMs. Subject stratification was done based on patient’s age, sex, stroke side and location, blood pressure, anti-hypertensive medications (AHMs), admission type (direct emergency room admission versus outside hospital transfer), and lab values on admission. Results: 140 patients were included in this study. Use of AHMs was done in 53 (37.8%) patients. With regards to individual AHMs used, nicardepine was used in 35 (25.00%), labetolol in 50 (35.71%), hydralazine in 15 (10.7%), esmolol in 19 (13.57%) and others in 3 (2.14%) of these patients. Logistic regression model including only admission type and use of any antihypertensive medication as predicting variables was performed, and the use of any anti-hypertensive medications was statistically significant in predicting the odds of HT. Subjects in whom no AHMs were used were found to have 121% higher odds for HT relative to those who were given any AHMs(OR=2.210, 95% C.I. 1.031–4.740, p=0.0416). Individual AHMs and admission type did not differ significantly in predicting the odds of HT. Conclusions: Our study shows the use of AHMs to be associated with decreased risk of hemorrhagic transformation in patients who received TPA, thrombectomy or both. There was no statistical significance in relation to specific antihypertensive medications used with regards to hemorrhagic transformation. Disclosure: Dr. Roman Casul has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jillella has nothing to disclose. Dr. Qeadan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Calder has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sorte has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tran has nothing to disclose.
Complications Related to Lymphatics and Chyle Leak

Chyle leak is an uncommon but potentially devastating complication of cervical lymph node dissection for head and neck cancer. This complication mainly occurs when the thoracic duct is injured during neck dissection in level IV at the lower jugular chain lymph node group. Chyle leak can profoundly affect postoperative recovery after neck dissection by delayed wound healing, malnutrition, electrolyte abnormalities, dehydration, and immunosuppression. Thus, all head and neck surgeons should be well versed in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of chyle leak. This chapter discusses the anatomy and embryology of the lymphatic system in the neck, risk factors for chyle leak, lymphatic drainage patterns of oral cavity cancer, diagnosis, and various conservative and invasive treatment modalities to help surgeons understand the complexity and controversial nature of this subject and effectively treat this situation.
Molecular Profile of a Pituitary Rhabdomyosarcoma Arising From a Pituitary Macroadenoma: A Case Report

Pituitary sarcoma arising in association with pituitary adenoma is an uncommon finding. Most cases of secondary sarcoma have been noted to arise with a median interval of 10.5 years post radiation. In this case report, we describe a 77-year-old man with an incidental discovery of a pituitary macroadenoma on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and underwent radiotherapy. Three years after radiation treatment, there was an acute change in clinical symptoms and increase in tumor size and mass effect on the optic chiasm which prompted surgical resection. A pituitary adenoma along with a separate spindle-cell sarcomatous component was identified in histology. Immunohistochemical stain for muscle markers confirmed a development of pituitary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Molecular profiling of the tumor identified mutations in TP53, ATRX, LZTR1, and NF1. Despite its rarity, characterization of pituitary RMS with immunohistochemistry and molecular studies may provide an insight to its pathophysiological relationship with pituitary adenoma.
Rhinolift Operation in the Treatment of the Aging Nose

Disturbance of the normal relationship between the caudal border of the upper lateral cartilage and the cephalic margin of the lobular cartilage--the so-called "cul-de-sac" area--can result in alar collapse and nasal airway obstruction. This may be caused by either the aging process or trauma, both surgical and nonsurgical. Rhinolift is a surgical procedure that was developed for the treatment of the aging ptotic nasal tip. We have applied this technique to patients with nasal airway obstruction resulting from alar collapse. Elevation of the cephalic margin of the lobular cartilage to a position superficial to the upper lateral cartilage restores the normal relationship between these two structures. The upper lateral cartilage then assists in stenting the vestibule open, and thereby improves nasal breathing. Over the past 10 years, 20 patients have had rhinolifts at our institution for the relief of nasal airway obstruction. Concomitant surgery included nasal septal reconstruction in 12 patients, polypectomy in one patient, and placement of a silicone rubber septal prosthesis for closure of a large septal perforation in three patients. Rhinolift was the sole procedure used for the correction of valvular pathology in 10 patients. The other 10 patients had modifications made in their upper lateral cartilage along with the rhinolift. Five patients described restoration of normal nasal breathing, while 14 patients showed partial symptomatic improvement. One patient reported no improvement in nasal breathing. Rhinolift is a safe effective surgical technique for functional improvement of nasal breathing in patients with alar collapse resulting from inadequate cartilaginous support.
Ulceration of Isolated Amphibian Gastric Mucosa

Protective mechanisms in gastric mucosa were investigated with the use of closed sacs and open sheets of isolated frog gastric mucosa. Closed sacs ulcerated at a high rate (80%) in a phosphate-buffered serosal medium devoid of HCO3- and gassed with 100% O2. In a nutrient solution buffered with CO2-HCO3-, the incidence of ulceration was significantly lower (10%). The protection afforded by HCO3- in the serosal solution was the same regardless of the presence or absence of CO2. Alkalinization of the serosal medium per se did not protect the mucosa, whereas buffering the luminal contents of the sacs to pH 7 completely abolished ulceration. Acetazolamide, and, to a lesser degree, SITS, increased the susceptibility of the sacs to ulceration. Open sheets of frog gastric mucosa exposed to an acidic mucosal solution (pH 2) gassed with N2 on the mucosal surface to simulate the hypoxic conditions prevailing inside the sacs showed significantly lesser decreases in PD and Isc when the serosal solution contained HCO3- than when phosphate buffer was used. Gross ulceration did not occur, however, unless the concentration of pepsin in the acidic mucosal solution was elevated to the level encountered within closed sacs. Ulceration could be induced in open sheets gassed on both sides with 100% O2 in the absence of nutrient HCO3- only upon the addition of luminal pepsin with a mucosal pH of 2.0. The data indicate that both luminal H+ and pepsin are needed for ulceration to occur in the present model. The presence of nutrient HCO3- significantly protects the mucosa, possibly by providing an intracellular buffer to neutralize the in fluxing luminal H+ and/or by maintaining a higher rate of alkali (HCO3-) secretion by the surface cells of the mucosa.
ETIOLOGICAL STATUS AND ASSOCIATED STUDIES OF PALE, SOFT, EXUDATIVE PORCINE MUSCULATURE.

Publisher Summary This chapter briefly reviews the biochemistry and physiology of rigor mortis in regard to the development of pale, soft, exudative (PSE) muscle. It is restricted to PSE musculature and specific closely allied studies. Extremely rapid glycolytic rates, with low pH values being achieved at high or approximately body temperatures, are associated with the development of a pale (white), soft, exudative condition. Regardless of the temperature dependence of the pH values of the buffer systems, it seems pertinent that this elevation in pH may be frequent under normal processing conditions. This depression and elevation in pH may serve, in part, to explain the wide variations noted in the ultimate pH values of PSE muscle. pH changes in any muscle that ultimately has variations in color, gross morphology, and rigor mortis show wide fluctuations and reflect at least six distinct types of pH patterns. The effect of environment on the incidence of PSE muscle has also been studied. In a study of post-mortem changes in muscle, not only are major variations between muscles readily noted but variations within muscles are frequently easily discernible. In a severely PSE carcass the variations among, as well as within, muscles are probably at a minimum. When the condition of the carcass is less severe, variations within muscles are more noticeable. Specific experiments have been conducted to determine the effect of ration on the development of PSE muscle. As with enzymes, it is impossible to cover hormonal considerations of glycolysis and contraction. Consequently, only those hormones that have been studied in relation to PSE muscle have been discussed.
Galileo Spacecraft Operations

On December 7, 1995, the Galileo spacecraft arrived at Jupiter to begin intensive scientific observations of Jupiter, its satellites, and its magnetosphere. Because of loss of use of the high-gain antenna, most of the scientific data collected during each of the satellite closest approaches is recorded on the tape recorder for later playback to Earth. Science data are recorded at several rates from 7.68 kbps to 806.4 kbps and later returned to Earth at downlink telemetry rates ranging from 8 to 160 bps. The encounter data from eleven science instruments are stored on a single tape recorder with a usable capacity of about 750 million bits. Also, radio science data are collected using the downlink radio frequency signal generated by an ultra-stable oscillator in the spacecraft radio frequency subsystem (RFS). Four of the eleven science instruments are mounted on a 2-degree-of-freedom scan platform located on the spacecraft despun section. These instruments perform remote sensing optical scientific observations during every satellite encounter. The remaining seven science instruments are located on the spacecraft spun section. All (except the EUV) are fields and particles science instruments. Most are mounted on the science boom that extends outward from the spacecraft main bus. These instruments collect science data during both the satellite encounter and the Jupiter-Orbit cruise phases.
Interactive traffic analysis and visualization with Wisconsin Netpy

Monitoring traffic on important links allows network administrators to get insights into how their networks are used or misused. Traffic analysis based on NetFlow records or packet header traces can reveal floods, aggressive worms, large (unauthorized) servers, spam relays, and many other phenomena of interest. Existing tools can plot time series of pre-defined traffic aggregates, or perform (hierarchical) "heavy hitter" analysis of the traffic. Wisconsin Netpy is a software package that goes beyond the capabilities of other existing tools through its support for interactive analysis and novel powerful visualization of the traffic data. Adaptive sampling of flow records ensures that the performance is good enough for interactive use, while the results of the analyses stay close to the results based on exact data. Among the salient features of the package are: hierarchical analyses of source addresses, destination addresses, or applications within aggregates identified by user-defined filters; time series plots that separate the traffic into categories specified with ACL-like syntax at run time; interactive drill-down into analyses of components of the traffic mix; "heatmap" visualization of traffic that describes how two "dimensions" of the traffic relate to each other (e.g., which sources send to which destinations, or which sources use which service, etc.).
Significant Levels of Oxidants Are Generated by Isolated Cardiomyocytes During Ischemia Prior to Reperfusion

Oxidants such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been shown to participate in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. While many studies report a burst of ROS at reperfusion, few reports have presented evidence of significant ROS generation during ischemia. Our previous studies of cultured cardiomyocytes indicated that antioxidants are most effective when given prior to reperfusion during ischemia. Therefore, we hypothesized that significant ROS generation may occur during ischemia prior to reperfusion. We tested this in a perfused isolated cardiomyocyte system (i.e. without neutrophils, endothelial cells, or xanthine/xanthine oxidase) during simulated ischemia/reperfusion while measuring oxidant generation using intracellular fluorescent probes. During ischemia, the ROS probes dihydroethidium and 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin were significantly oxidized, suggesting superoxide and H2O2 generation. At reperfusion following 1 h ischemia, these probes suggested a further burst of H2O2 and hydroxyl radicals. The antioxidants 2-mercaptopropionyl glycine and 1,10-phenanthroline used during ischemia attenuated oxidant generation, increased cell viability, and improved return of contraction after ischemia. To further evaluate the relationship between residual O2 and ROS generation, we administered O2 scavengers during ischemia and measured corresponding changes in oxidant generation, cell viability and contraction during reperfusion. Enzymatic scavenging of residual O2 during ischemia (reducing PO2 from 3.5 to 2.5 tau) paradoxically improved subsequent viability and contraction. These results indicate that cultured cardiomyocytes generate significant ROS during ischemia. This ROS generation is related to residual O2 present during ischemia and contributes significantly to the cellular injury seen at reperfusion.
Nonparametric multivariate statistical process control charts: a hypothesis testing-based approach

Nonparametric multivariate control charts are highly sought-after due to their flexibility to adapt to different distribution assumptions. However, most existing nonparametric multivariate control charts involve some tuning parameter, which needs to be pre-specified to implement those control charts. To choose the appropriate tuning parameter to achieve optimal performance, it usually requires the information about the out-of-control distribution. However, in practice, it is rarely known in advance what the out-of-control distribution is. In this paper, we propose a new nonparametric multivariate phase-II control chart using a hypothesis testing-based approach when a body of reference data (phase-I data) is available. The proposed control chart does not depend on any tuning parameter, and can be considered as a natural generalisation of the generalised likelihood ratio chart to the nonparametric setting. Our simulation study and real data analysis show that the proposed control chart performs well across ...
Guanine Nucleotide-sensitive Interaction of a Radiolabeled Agonist with a Phospholipase C-linked P2y-purinergic Receptor

Abstract Analogs of ATP and ADP produce a guanine nucleotide-dependent activation of phospholipase C in turkey erythrocyte membranes with pharmacological properties consistent with those of a P2y-purinergic receptor (Boyer, J. L., Downes, C. P., and Harden, T.K. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 884-890). This study describes the interaction of adenosine-5'-O-2-thio[35S] diphosphate ([35S]ADP beta S) with this putative P2y-purinergic receptor on purified plasma membranes prepared from turkey erythrocytes. In binding assays performed at 30 degrees C, the association rate constant of [35S] was 1.1 x 10(7) M-1 min-1 and the dissociation rate constant was 3.8 x 10(-2) min-1. [35S]ADP beta S bound with high affinity (Kd = 6-10 nM) to an apparently homogeneous population of sites (Bmax = 2-4 pmol/mg protein). ATP and ADP analogs (2-methylthio ATP, ADP beta S, ATP, ADP, 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate, alpha, beta-methylene adenosine-5'-triphosphate, and beta, gamma-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate) inhibited the binding of [35S]ADP beta S with properties consistent with ligand interaction by simple law of mass action kinetics at a single site. The rank order of potency for inhibition of [35S]ADP beta S binding was identical to the potency order observed for these same agonists for stimulation of phospholipase C in turkey erythrocyte ghosts. Guanine nucleotides inhibited [35S]ADP beta S binding in a noncompetitive manner with the following potency order: guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) greater than 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate greater than GTP = GDP greater than guanosine 5'-O-2-(thiodiphosphate). The data are consistent with the idea that [35S]ADP beta S may be used to radiolabel the P2y-purinergic receptor linked to activation of phospholipase C in turkey erythrocyte membranes. In addition, interaction of radiolabeled agonist with the receptor is modified by guanine nucleotides, providing evidence that an agonist-induced receptor/guanine nucleotide regulatory protein complex may be involved in P2y-receptor action.
Multiple pathways from the neighborhood food environment to increased body mass index through dietary behaviors: A structural equation-based analysis in the CARDIA study.

Abstract Objectives To examine longitudinal pathways from multiple types of neighborhood restaurants and food stores to BMI, through dietary behaviors. Methods We used data from participants (n=5114) in the United States-based Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study and a structural equation model to estimate longitudinal (1985–86 to 2005–06) pathways simultaneously from neighborhood fast food restaurants, sit-down restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores to BMI through dietary behaviors, controlling for socioeconomic status (SES) and physical activity. Results Higher numbers of neighborhood fast food restaurants and lower numbers of sit-down restaurants were associated with higher consumption of an obesogenic fast food-type diet. The pathways from food stores to BMI through diet were inconsistent in magnitude and statistical significance. Conclusions Efforts to decrease the numbers of neighborhood fast food restaurants and to increase the numbers of sit-down restaurant options could influence diet behaviors. Availability of neighborhood fast food and sit-down restaurants may play comparatively stronger roles than food stores in shaping dietary behaviors and BMI.
Molecular Biology's Contributions to Geobiology

On August 7, 1996, US President Bill Clinton held a press conference to announce the possibility that the Allan Hills 84001 meteorite might provide insight into ancient life on Mars. With soaring rhetoric, he declared: 'Today, rock 84001 speaks to us across all those billions of years and millions of miles. It speaks of the possibility of life. If this discovery is confirmed, it will surely be one of the most stunning insights into our universe that science has ever uncovered. Its implications are as far-reaching and awe-inspiring as can be imagined. Even as it promises answers to some of our oldest questions, it poses still others even more fundamental.' Shortly thereafter, NASA expanded its support for astro-and geobiological research, which marked the beginning of a renaissance in geobiology. Seemingly overnight, geobiology was transformed from a somewhat arcane discipline to a glamorous field that promised to reveal the secrets of life. While today, most geobiologists would agree that the evidence for past life in AH84001 is inconclusive at best, and find the hype surrounding its discovery to be comical, nonetheless, the excitement it engendered has had a long-lasting and positive impact on our science. The enduring consequence of Clinton's press conference was that it called attention to the fact that life has been leaving signatures in its environment (be it earthly or extraterrestrial) for billions of years. In the years following the meteorite's discovery, it has become clear that to understand life's traces and-more importantly---effects on its environment, it is necessary to understand how life leaves its imprint and whether this can be distinguished from similar imprints left by abiotic processes. This is a central challenge in geobiology.
An Intrinsically Self-Conjugate Boson Structure: The Symplecton

Abstract We demonstrate by explicit construction a primitive minimal realization of the SU(2) ≅ Sp(2) symmetry group in terms of a single boson operator. Our construction denies the usual ‘boson calculus rule’ ( a | 0> ≡ 0) and as such constitutes a generalization of the boson calculus. The resulting inherently conjugation symmetric structure we denote as a symplecton.
Surgical management of combined cervical tracheo-esophageal defects†‡

Three rather complicated cervical tracheo-esophageal problems and their appropriate management, are described. In each case, a tracheal defect required repair. In one case, fascia lata was used to close a defect in the posterior tracheal wall. In another, this type of repair was unsuccessful in one-stage closure of a large tracheo-esophageal fistula. A 7 cm defect of esophagus in heavily irradiated tissues was successfully reconstituted with transposed colon. The co-existing postirradiation tracheo-esophageal fistula was repaired at an earlier stage to ensure that the patient's recovery from the laparotomy would not be complicated by aspiration pneumonitis. Thoracotomy was not required, but resection of the clavicular head and mobilization of the origin of the sternomastoid were used to improve the transcervical exposure of the superior mediastinum. In the second case, a tracheal defect that involved the tracheal cartilage was repaired by sleeve resection and end-to-end anastomosis. In revision surgery of chronic cervical tracheal and subglottic stenosis, one can anticipate massive local scar formation. The densely fibrosed common wall between the trachea and the esophagus should be left completely with the esophagus and only the lateral and anterior remnants of the trachea excised to avoid iatrogenic recurrent nerve paralysis or inadvertent perforation into a traction diverticulum of the esophagus. One should anticipate the use of the laryngeal drop procedure to make up the tracheal defect. The suprathyroid tissues will be virgin, whereas the previous tracheal procedures will have reduced the length attainable below from tracheal remobilization. Suturing the chin toward the chest is an effective and well-tolerated prophylactic measure that prevents both extension of the neck after the operation and undue tension on the tracheal anastomosis. In the third case, closure of a vertical tracheal-esophageal fistula and repair of a tracheal defect were undertaken simultaneously. The procedure involved mobilizing the larynx from its hyoid attachments, dropping the larynx, and bringing the margins of the esophageal defect together transversely, as in a pyloroplasty. This application of the laryngeal drop procedure, not previously described, was effective.
Brain metastases in children with melanoma

BACKGROUND Brain metastases complicate the course of malignant melanoma in at least 20% of adult cases. These events are commonly preceded by metastases to other sites. Due to the rarity of malignant melanoma in children, little is known about the incidence, clinical features, and outcome of children with melanoma who develop brain metastases. METHODS The authors reviewed the records of 44 children with malignant melanoma treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over a 33-year period. Eight (18%) developed brain metastases during the course of their disease. The authors reviewed the clinical and radiologic features of six of these cases, for whom complete clinical information and imaging studies were available. RESULTS The median age at diagnosis of malignant melanoma was 15 years (range, 11-21 years). Brain metastases developed a median of 20 months (range, 0-50 months) after diagnosis and were preceded by metastases to other organs in 5 patients. In most cases, lesions were supratentorial and multiple. Most showed radiologic signs of intralesional hemorrhage. All patients received whole brain radiotherapy, and one had surgical resection. Three patients received chemotherapy. Five patients died a median of 5 months (range, 2-10 months) after diagnosis of brain involvement. One patient, who had a single brain metastasis at diagnosis, is alive more than 34 months later. CONCLUSIONS Brain metastases develop in a significant proportion of children with malignant melanoma and are associated with a poor outcome. The incidence, features, and outcome in children do not appear to differ from those in adults. Cancer 1997; 79:2440-5. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Complexity of 4-dimensional h-cobordisms

In this paper we define the complexity of 4-dimensional h-cobordisms by counting the number of flow-lines between the critical points and prove the existence of h-cobordisms with arbitrary large complexity.
When sanctions can work: Economic sanctions and the theory of moves

The paradox of economic sanctions is that though they are used with increasing frequency in the post‐cold war world, policy makers and scholars still largely conclude that they do not work to produce political change in targeted countries. This paper uses Steven Brams’ revision of standard game theory, the “theory of moves,” to derive conditions for successful sanctions, failed sanctions, and stalemated sanctions disputes. Then, applying the theory of moves to the cases of U.S. sanctions against Vietnam and Haiti, it illustrates how Brams’ theory can explain the dynamics and outcome of sanctions disputes. The paper shows that even if the recipient state has a dominant strategy of noncompliance with the sanctioning state, sanctions can succeed—even when they are costly to the sanctioning state. Further, it demonstrates that the theory of moves provides a better conceptual account of the dynamics of sanctions disputes over time than traditional game theory.
An information matrix test for logistic regression models based on case-control data

SUMMARY We propose an information-matrix-based goodness-of-fit statistic to test the validity of the logistic regression model based on case-control data by extending the information matrix test of White (1982) for detecting one-sample parametric model misspecification to the semiparametric profile likelihood setting under a two-sample semiparamnetric model, which is equivalent to the assumed logistic regression model. The proposed test statistic requires a high-dimensional matrix inversion, but is otherwise easily computed and has an asymptotic chi-squared distribution. This test statistic is an alternative to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov-type statistic of Qin & Zhang (1997) and the chi-squared-type statistic of Zhang (1999) and needs neither to employ a bootstrap method to evaluate its critical values nor to group the combined sample data into a finite number of mutually exclusive categories even when the underlying population distribution is continuous. We demonstrate that the proposed test statistic and its asymptotic distribution may be obtained by fitting the prospective logistic regression model to case-control data. We present some results on simulation and on the analysis of three real datasets.
Effect of nitrogen dioxide on nitrite oxidation and nitrite-oxidizing populations in soil

Abstract When nitrogen dioxide was added to soil at a rate equivalent to 51μg Ng −1 soil, the nitrite formed was oxidized logarithmically. The numbers of nitrite-oxidizing microorganisms also increased logarithmically, but the final count was too low to account for the amount of nitrite metabolized. In soil treated with NO 2 at a rate equivalent to 106μg Ng −1 , the nitrite formed was oxidized, but the counts of autotrophic nitrite oxidizers did not rise. Discrepancies between predicted bacterial numbers and nitrifying activity were also noted in soils amended with nitrite.
The Use of the Language Laboratory to Teach the Reading Lesson

ledge of them and to make his responses on those constructions automatic. The purpose of the laboratory exercise for the reading lesson is more general; it is not ordinarily focused on one specific linguistic point. It would seem that the ideal laboratory drill for a reading lesson should concern itself partly with the lesson itself, partly with the long-range aims of the language course. It should
Patients opting for breast reconstruction following mastectomy: an analysis of uptake rates and benefit.

For women with breast cancer who undergo a mastectomy, breast reconstruction offers improved psychological and cosmetic outcomes. We analyzed the rates of breast reconstruction and potential benefits to these women. The review was based on a PubMed search using the terms “reconstruction,” “mastectomy,” “rates,” “benefits,” and “breast cancer.” Breast-reconstruction rates have continued to rise in recent years; however, there are definite barriers to widespread use of this procedure. These barriers include age, ethnicity, income, tumor characteristics, and the need for adjuvant radiation therapy. There are notable psychological advantages to women who receive breast reconstruction. These women also express an improved quality of life. Breast reconstruction is an acceptable technique for women undergoing mastectomy. It should be offered to all women in an immediate or delayed fashion, with guidance from their physician about the benefits and risks.
Life after College: The Challenging Transitions of the "Academically Adrift" Cohort.

From the housing crisis to high debt, from stagnating incomes to high unemployment, the Great Recession has touched most aspects of many people's lives. College graduates, a highly educated group o...
Review: bright light therapy and dawn simulation reduce symptom severity in seasonal affective disorder.

Golden RN, Gaynes BN, Ekstrom RD, et al . The efficacy of light therapy in the treatment of mood disorders: a review and meta-analysis of the evidence. Am J Psychiatry 2005;162:656–62. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q Is light therapy efficacious for treatment of mood disorders? Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★☆☆ Psychiatry ★★★★★☆☆ Mental health ★★★★★★☆ ### ![Graphic][5] Data sources: Medline (1975 to July 2003), Cochrane Library , and bibliographies of relevant reviews and studies. ### ![Graphic][6] Study selection and assessment: English language randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of adults 18–65 years of age who had a diagnosis of mood disorder based on DSM-III , DSM-III-R , DSM-IV , Research Diagnostic Criteria, or the Rosenthal criteria and were in the acute phase of treatment. Treatment conditions had to meet the following minimum dose criteria: bright light therapy for seasonal affective disorder (⩾4 d of ⩾3000 lux-h) v placebo (⩽300 lux); dawn simulation (increasing light exposure from 0 to 200–300 lux over 1–2.5 h) vs placebo … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DAmerican%2BJournal%2Bof%2BPsychiatry%26rft.stitle%253DAm.%2BJ.%2BPsychiatry%26rft.issn%253D0002-953X%26rft.aulast%253DGolden%26rft.auinit1%253DR.%2BN.%26rft.volume%253D162%26rft.issue%253D4%26rft.spage%253D656%26rft.epage%253D662%26rft.atitle%253DThe%2BEfficacy%2Bof%2BLight%2BTherapy%2Bin%2Bthe%2BTreatment%2Bof%2BMood%2BDisorders%253A%2BA%2BReview%2Band%2BMeta-Analysis%2Bof%2Bthe%2BEvidence%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1176%252Fappi.ajp.162.4.656%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F15800134%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1176/appi.ajp.162.4.656&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=15800134&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F10%2F5%2F146.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000228040600003&link_type=ISI [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif
Design of Memories with Concurrent Error Detection and Correction by Nonlinear SEC-DED Codes

In this paper we propose memory protection architectures based on nonlinear single-error-correcting, double-error-detecting (SEC-DED) codes. Linear SEC-DED codes widely used for design of reliable memories cannot detect and can miscorrect lots of errors with large Hamming weights. This may be a serious disadvantage for many modern technologies when error distributions are hard to estimate and multi-bit errors are highly probable. The proposed protection architectures have fewer undetectable errors and fewer errors that are miscorrected by all codewords than architectures based on linear codes with the same dimension at the cost of a small increase in the latency penalty, the area overhead and the power consumption. The nonlinear SEC-DED codes are generalized from the existing perfect nonlinear codes (Vasil'ev codes, Probl Kibern 8:375---378, 1962; Phelps codes, SIAM J Algebr Discrete Methods 4:398---403, 1983; and the codes based on one switching constructions, Etzion and Vardy, IEEE Trans Inf Theory 40:754---763, 1994). We present the error correcting algorithms, investigate and compare the error detection and correction capabilities of the proposed nonlinear SEC-DED codes to linear extended Hamming codes and show that replacing linear extended Hamming codes by the proposed nonlinear SEC-DED codes results in a drastic improvement in the reliability of the memory systems in the case of repeating errors or high multi-bit error rate. The proposed approach can be applied to RAM, ROM, FLASH and disk memories.
Analyses of nonisothermal effectiveness factors using a generalized Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression

Abstract For a monomolecular, heterogeneous catalyzed reaction, A ⇆ B, analyses of nonisothermal effectiveness factors were made using a Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression based on the three mutually rate-determining steps of adsorption, surface reaction and desorption. The parameters in the rate expression were quantified in terms of temperature with internal thermodynamic consistency. The occurrence of maxima points in the effectiveness factor-modulus curves, as observed by several previous investigators using empirical rate expressions, appears to be a physically plausible phenomenon not strongly dependent on the form or degree of thermo-kinetic completeness of the rate expression used in the analyses. However, the same is not true of the appearance of multiple steady-state solutions. The study revealed that the multiplicity of steady-state solutions, as reported previously by several investigators, was absent in the more generalized treatment. This latter result did appear, however, to be influenced by the degree of thermo-kinetic completeness of the Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression used in the analyses.
A Note on The Bell Jar (1963)

Sylvia Plath’s novel The Bell Jar, which first appeared in print fifty years ago, is a thinly veiled depiction of a particular time in the author’s life, the summer of 1953. The protagonist and stand-in for Plath, Esther Greenwood, comes of age on the cusp of societal changes in the role of women in the US. Naming plays a central role in the development of Esther, a more pivotal one than has previously been recognized. Throughout the novel, Esther’s journey toward mental breakdown and inability to find her true identity is paralleled by a failed struggle to accurately name herself.
Neuro-fuzzy Modeling of Temperature- and Strain-rate-dependent Behavior of NiTi Shape Memory Alloys for Seismic Applications

This article proposes a neuro-fuzzy model of superelastic NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA) wires for use in seismic applications. First, in order to collect experimental data, uniaxial tensile tests are conducted on superelastic wires in the temperature range of 0—40°C, and at the loading frequencies of 0.05—2 Hz with five different strain amplitudes. Then, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) is employed to construct a model of SMAs based on experimental input—output data pairs. The fuzzy model employs strain, strain-rate, and temperature as input variables, and provides stress as single output. Gaussian membership functions (MFs) are assigned to each input variables. A total of 12 if—then rules are used to map these MFs to output characteristic. The model obtained from ANFIS training is validated by using an experimental data set that is not used during training. The developed model is capable of simulating behavior of superelastic SMAs at various temperatures and at various loading rates while...
Multivariate stochastic Korovkin theory given quantitatively

We introduce and study very general multivariate stochastic positive linear operators induced by general multivariate positive linear operators that are acting on multivariate continuous functions. These are acting on the space of real differentiable multivariate time stochastic processes. Under some very mild, general and natural assumptions on the stochastic processes we produce related multidimensional stochastic Shisha-Mond type inequalities of L^q-type [email protected]?q =0. The astonishing fact here is that basic real Korovkin test functions assumptions are enough for the conclusions of our multidimensional stochastic Korovkin theory. We give an application.
Nucleic acid metabolism and bacteriophage multiplication: Effects of 5-fluorouracil on coliphage synthesis

Abstract The effects of 5-fluorouracil on the replication of bacteriophages of the T series were tested. All members of the series are inhibited by interference of the compound with normal RNA metabolism. In addition to this block, synthesis of the T-even bacteriophages is inhibited by interference with thymidylate synthetase activity and the consequent inhibition of net DNA synthesis. The inhibitory effects of the fluoropyrimidine are reversible by the addition of uracil and to a lesser extent by the addition of thymidine to cells infected with bacteriophages T3 or T7. The ability of the fluorouracil-inhibited cells to produce T2, T4, or T6 is partially restored by thymidine while uracil is ineffective. T1 replication responds to the various supplements in a manner similar to the response of the T-even bacteriophages. Inhibition of T5 synthesis can be partially overcome by either uracil or thymidine. These results are discussed in terms of the requirements of the various strains of bacteriophage for synthesis of DNA and messenger RNA.
The influence of a mixed radiation environment on the properties of the passive film on tungsten

Abstract The properties of the passive film formed on the tungsten (W) in H2SO4 (pH 1.6) during proton irradiation (spallation) were characterized with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and the Mott–Schottky (MS) method. EIS data were associated with an adsorption pseudocapacitance. Observed changes in the adsorption pseudocapacitance were consistent with thinning of the outer layer of the passive film. SERS experiments found that the spallation environment had no affect on the molecular state of the oxide. Results from MS experiments found that the oxygen vacancy concentration in films formed during proton irradiation were lower than those films formed in the absence of irradiation. In accordance with the point defect model (PDM) for oxide films, a decrease in the oxygen vacancy concentration indicates proton irradiation alters the passive film by either decreasing the oxygen vacancy flux or increasing oxygen vacancy diffusion. Calculations using the LAHET and MCNP transport codes have demonstrated that spallation reactions are capable of generating numerous energetic particles such as, electrons, neutrons, protons, and photons. Each of these species is capable of generating a wide variety of defects in the oxide film altering its electronic and transport properties and, thus, explaining the observed electrochemical phenomena.
Assembly and disassembly of tubular spherulites

We report a higher-order assembly of lithocholic acid (LCA) into spherulites composed of a large number of well-defined tubules in aqueous solution at physiological pH of 7.5. Under a polarizing optical microscope, the tubular spherulites show a Maltese-cross extinction pattern. The disassembly of tubular spherulites by brief sonication leads to the formation of a large quantity of well-dispersed straight tubules with a crystalline wall and a narrow diameter distribution. We find that the tubules, which are organized in spherulites and dispersed in solution, show a pH-switchable shape transition.