cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Gait Retraining in a Collegiate Runner with Transfemoral Amputation: A Case Report.

# Background More than fifty percent of people with limb amputations participate in sports or physical activity following amputation. Athletes with limb amputations may face additional challenges including phantom limb pain (PLP), psychological barriers, prosthetic complications, and gait abnormalities. Prevalence of PLP in the general amputee population is estimated to be as high as 85%. Despite the high prevalence of PLP, there is little research regarding the use of gait training as a treatment for PLP among both the general amputee population and athletes. # Case Description A 20-year old female collegiate track and field athlete presented with phantom knee pain brought on with running. The athlete demonstrated deficits in core and hip strength as well as decreased single leg stability bilaterally. Running gait analysis revealed circumduction with the prosthesis for limb advancement and increased vaulting with push off on the sound (uninvolved) limb. Gait retraining strategies were implemented to address video analysis findings and create a more efficient running gait and address phantom limb pain symptoms. # Outcomes Rehabilitation and gait retraining strategies were effective in improving several clinical and functional outcomes in this case. Significant improvements were noted in PLP, running gait mechanics, and the patient’s psychological and functional status as measured with a standardized outcome tool, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System^®^ (PROMIS^®^). # Discussion Running gait training following amputation could be a crucial component of rehabilitation for athletes in an attempt to lessen pain while running, especially in those experiencing phantom limb pain (PLP). Utilization of a multidisciplinary team in the gait retraining process is recommended. There is a need for further research to determine the effects of running gait retraining for management of PLP in athletes with amputation. # Level of Evidence 5
Neoadjuvant Yttrium-90 Transarterial Radioembolization with Resin Microspheres Prescribed Using the Medical Internal Radiation Dose Model for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate outcomes of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) undergoing neoadjuvant yttrium-90 (90Y) transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with resin microspheres prescribed using the Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective institutional review board-approved study included 37 patients with iCCA treated with 90Y-TARE from October 2015 to September 2020. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) from 90Y-TARE. The secondary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors 1.1 imaging response, and downstaging to resection. Patients with tumor proximity to the middle hepatic vein (<1 cm) and/or insufficient future liver remnant were treated with neoadjuvant intent (n = 21). Patients were censored at the time of surgery or at the last follow-up for the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS For 31 patients (69 years; interquartile range, 64-74 years; 20 men [65%]) included in the study, the first-line therapy was 90Y-TARE for 23 (74%) patients. Imaging assessment at 6 months showed a disease control rate of 86%. The median PFS was 5.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 3-not reached). The PFS was higher after first-line 90Y-TARE (7.4 months [95% CI, 5.3-not reached]) than that after subsequent 90Y-TARE (2.7 months [95% CI, 2-not reached]) (P = .007). The median OS was 22 months (95% CI, 7.3-not reached). The 1- and 2-year OS rates were 60% (95% CI, 41%-86%) and 40% (95% CI, 19.5%-81%). In patients treated with neoadjuvant intent, 11 of 21 patients (52%) underwent resections. The resection margins were R0 and R1 in 8 (73%) and 3 (27%) of 11 patients, respectively. On histological review in 10 patients, necrosis of ≥90% tumor was achieved in 7 of 10 patients (70%). CONCLUSIONS First-line 90Y-TARE prescribed using the MIRD model as neoadjuvant therapy for iCCA results in good survival outcome and R0 resection for unresectable patients.
Inventory of and Rehabilitation Recommendations for Sites Disturbed by Modern Man's Activities in Grand Teton National Park

This study has four principal objectives. The first was to locate and map the major areas in the Grand Teton National Park and the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway that have been disturbed or altered from their natural condition by modern man's activities. We were particularly concerned with those lands added to the Park in 1950 and up to the present. The second objective was to document the nature and extent of the disturbance at each site, including date of disturbance and the historical context in which the disturbances occurred. The third objective was to evaluate disturbed sites for cultural resource significance, whether or not artificial measures are needed to restore the sites to acceptable natural conditions, and how well they have progressed toward satisfactory restoration since they were disturbed. The final objective was to develop general guidelines and site specific plans for restoring or rehabilitating disturbed sites using information from the scientific and applied management literature and information that can be obtained from the disturbed sites themselves as to expected rates of natural recovery and the effectiveness of artificial measures that have been used previously.
Laos. Fields of desire: Poverty and policy in Laos By Holly High Singapore: NUS Press, 2014. Pp. 221. Maps, Plates, Notes, Bibliography, Index.

Laos Fields of desire: Poverty and policy in Laos By HOLLY HIGH Singapore: NUS Press, 2014. Pp. 221. Maps, Plates, Notes, Bibliography, Index. This monograph by Holly High, senior lecturer at the University of Sydney, studies peasants' relations with the state in Laos. Although based on her doctoral thesis in anthropology, one should not dismiss Fields of desire as just another thesis. For one, it is very readable. It does not deliver new empirical material or a groundbreaking theory on Lao society, but offers an interesting new and original approach in Lao Studies. The guiding research question is directly related to James Scott's work and asks why Lao peasants have not been rebelling against the state (p. 3). The answer is developed on the basis of an approach inspired by Gilles Deleuze and Jacques Lacan, interpreting the symbolic sphere as a socially shared unconscious. The author argues that peasants and state share concepts of power and mutual aid, which they interpret differently while drawing on shared symbols. The peasants are symbolically tied to the state by their desire directed at the vacant and incoherent places in this symbolic configuration. The author's use of the core term of desire is borrowed from Deleuze, who used it to analyse the structure of French capitalism in the 1960s. Drawing on the concept of desire, the author develops a symbolic anthropology of the Lao peasants' attitude toward the state, or rather their symbolic interpretation of the state. The study draws on more than a year of fieldwork in a village in Champasak province. Using a program of poverty reduction, conducted jointly by development organisations and government agencies, as a case study, the author develops her argument in compelling prose, intertwining anthropological narrative, story-telling and theoretical reflection. The book consists of seven chapters, a long introduction, and a conclusion. The introduction is a mixture of literature review and theory chapter. It is not at all comprehensive and tedious but focuses on state-directed desire preventing peasants from rebelling against the state. Brief overviews of Champasak and the structure of the book complement the introduction. The first chapter outlines the ambivalent character of the state, and more generally, power, for the Lao peasants by studying metaphors of 'eating' which play a prominent role in their everyday lives. Chapter 2 very aptly deals with the establishment of the nation-state at the local level of Champasak. The author describes how, to this day, the locals transgress the national border, literally and figuratively (p. 66). The third chapter introduces the concept of desire with regard to the poverty symbolically perceived by the peasants. …
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9)

The substantial involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in adverse cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling makes it one of the most widely investigated MMPs. MMP-9 functions primarily by directly degrading and activating ECM structural and non-structural molecules to regulate cardiac tissue remodeling. This activity is opposed under physiological conditions by a set of endogenous inhibitors known as tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPS). Following myocardial infarction (MI), this constraint is diminished and MMP-9 tissue and plasma levels acutely increase concomitant with a decline in cardiac function. MMP-9 loss-of-function experiments in multiple animal models of MI demonstrate an overall beneficial effect and emphasize the importance of MMP-9 inhibition as a therapeutic intervention. This chapter summarizes MMP-9 structure, transcriptional regulation, post-translational modification, and downstream ECM substrates. We also explore the overall important role of MMP-9 in adverse cardiac remodeling post-MI and its potential utility as a pathophysiological biomarker. Finally, we highlight MMP-9 endogenous and pharmacological inhibitors and the challenges that must be overcome to achieve clinical translation. This is a comprehensive review of MMP-9, from its biochemical structure to its potential role in clinical trials, and can serve as an introduction to young researchers who just joined this research area.
Optical interference analysis in Visible Light Communication networks

Visible Light Communication (VLC) is gaining interest as a viable option to supplement next generation wireless communication systems with dense directional wireless cells. The effect of interference is important when analyzing aggregate performance of these systems. Just as signal to noise ratio (SNR) is used to evaluate link performance when disturbances are primarily related to noise, signal to interference ratio (SIR) and signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) are metrics of interest for evaluation of systems in the presence of interference. For these metrics to be used interchangeably with SNR, interference should be Normally distributed. This assumption is valid in the presence of many interferers when the central limit theorem applies; however, directionality in VLC systems often leads to scenarios with dominant interferers. In this paper, we analyze the validity of the Gaussian assumption in VLC systems and show that the theoretical error rate can be distorted by 100× or more when the assumption is erroneously observed. In addition, we define the distribution of commonly used VLC modulation schemes in relation to average optical power in order to provide fair comparison under constraints of the optical channel.
Strategies used by human immunodeficiency virus that allow persistent viral replication.

A most remarkable feature of HIV is its ability to replicate continuously and unrelentingly despite apparently strong antibody and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Here, Ronald Desrosiers reviews the properties that allow the virus to evade ongoing immune responses and that present formidable obstacles to those seeking long-term control of HIV.
Surveillance mammography among female Department of Defense beneficiaries: a study by race and ethnicity.

BACKGROUND Annual surveillance mammography is recommended after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Previous studies have suggested that surveillance mammography varies by demographics and initial tumor characteristics, which are related to an individual's access to health care. The Military Health System of the Department of Defense provides beneficiaries with equal access health care and thus offers an excellent opportunity to assess whether racial differences in surveillance mammography persist when access to care is equal. METHODS Among female beneficiaries with a history of breast cancer, logistic regression was used to assess racial/ethnic variations in the use of surveillance mammography during 3 periods of 12 months each, beginning 1 year after diagnosis adjusting for demographic, tumor, and health characteristics. RESULTS The rate of overall surveillance mammography decreased from 70% during the first year to 59% during the third year (P < .01). Although there was an overall tendency for surveillance mammography to be higher among minority women compared with non-Hispanic white women, after adjusting for covariates, the difference was found to be significant only during the first year among black women (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.10-1.95) and the second year among Asian/Pacific Islander (OR, 2.29; 95%CI, 1.52-3.44) and Hispanic (OR, 1.92; 95%CI, 1.17-3.18) women. When stratified by age at diagnosis and type of breast cancer surgery performed, significant racial differences tended to be observed among younger women (aged < 50 years) and only among women who had undergone mastectomies. CONCLUSIONS Minority women were equally or more likely than non-Hispanic white women to receive surveillance mammography within the Military Health System. The racial disparities in surveillance mammography reported in other studies were not observed in a system with equal access to health care. Cancer 2013;119:3531–3538.. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Nasal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue: Phenotypic and Functional Evidence for the Primary Role of Peripheral Node Addressin in Naive Lymphocyte Adhesion to High Endothelial Venules in a Mucosal Site

Nasal-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT), a mucosal inductive site for the upper respiratory tract, is important for the development of mucosal immunity locally and distally to intranasally introduced Ag. To more fully understand the induction of nasal mucosal immunity, we investigated the addressins that allow for lymphocyte trafficking to this tissue. To investigate the addressins responsible for naive lymphocyte binding, immunofluorescent and immunoperoxidase staining of frozen NALT sections were performed using anti-mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1), anti-peripheral node addressin (PNAd), and anti-VCAM-1 mAbs. All NALT high endothelial venules (HEV) expressed PNAd, either associated with MAdCAM-1 or alone, whereas NALT follicular dendritic cells expressed both MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1. These expression profiles were distinct from those of the gut mucosal inductive site, Peyer's patches (PP). The functionality of NALT HEV was determined using a Stamper-Woodruff ex vivo assay. The anti-L-selectin MEL-14 mAb blocked >90% of naive lymphocyte binding to NALT HEV, whereas the anti-MAdCAM-1 mAb, which blocks almost all naive lymphocyte binding to PP, minimally blocked binding to NALT HEV. NALT lymphocytes exhibited a unique L-selectin expression profile, differing from both PP and peripheral lymph nodes. Finally, NALT HEV were found in increased amounts in the B cell zones, unlike PP HEV. These results suggest that NALT is distinct from the intestinal PP, that initial naive lymphocyte binding to NALT HEV involves predominantly L-selectin and PNAd rather than alpha4beta7-MAdCAM-1 interactions, and that MAdCAM-1 and VCAM-1 expressed by NALT follicular dendritic cells may play an important role in lymphocyte recruitment and retention.
Calculation of windings equivalents in electrical machines

This work presents a methodology for the calculation of windings, specifically for the case of motors with multiple windings. There are many applications that require multi-speed motors, called a double polarity and double winding motor respectively. In this case, the connection will be made by means of several taps. Regardless of the way windings are connected or distributed in the respective slots, it is possible, through this proposed methodology, to define an equivalent winding once the correct parameters, determined through access to the winding terminals, are known. In this way, it is possible to project the windings within the possibilities and limitations of the manufacturer. Results are also presented and commented upon.
Tapered buffers for gate array and standard cell circuits

Tapered buffer systems are often used in CMOS circuits to drive large capacitive loads. Well accepted tapered buffer design practices neglect the effects of local interconnect capacitance between the buffer stages. However in many design methodologies, particularly semi-custom ASICs based on gate array or standard cell circuits, buffer stages may not be physically abutted, and therefore significant stage-to-stage local interconnect capacitance may exist. This paper presents a design methodology and analytic relationships for the optimal tapering of cascaded buffers which consider the effects of local interconnect capacitance. The method, constant capacitance-to-current ratio tapering (C/sup 3/RT), is based on maintaining the capacitive load to current drive ratio constant, and therefore the propagation delay of each buffer stage also remains constant. Significant reductions in power dissipation and active area, as well as reduced propagation delay, are exhibited as compared with tapered buffers which neglect local interconnect capacitance. >
Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine Emissions Tests Using Special Biodiesel Fuels

A 2003 heavy-duty diesel engine (2002 emissions level) was used to test a representative biodiesel fuel as well as the methyl esters of several different fatty acids. The fuel variables included degree of saturation, the oxygen content, and carbon chain length. In addition, two pure normal paraffins with the corresponding chain lengths of two of the methyl esters were also tested to determine the impact of chain length. The dependent variables were the NO x and the particulate emissions (PM). The results indicated that the primary fuel variable affecting the emissions is the oxygen content. The emissions results showed that the highest oxygen content test fuel had the lowest emissions of both NO x and PM. As compared to the baseline diesel fuel the NO x emissions were reduced by 5 percent and the PM emissions were reduced by 83 percent.
Hepatitis Viral Markers in Patients Undergoing Primary Liver Transplants

The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence in liver transplant (OLTx) patients of the hepatitis markers (anti-A, anti-B, anti-C, anti-D and HBsAg) and the interrelationships between markers and patients' sexes, ages, dates of transplant, clinicopathological diagnoses, and short-term survivals. Slightly more than half of the patients were male. Anti-A and anti-B were about evenly distributed between male and female. Anti-C, anti-D, and HBsAg were far more common in males. Age and year of transplant showed only a moderate increase in anti-A with increasing age. Anti-A was found in 57% of all patients, anti-B in 18%, anti-C in 17%, and HBsAg in 17%. Anti-D was tested only in patients who were positive for anti-B or HBsAg and occurred in 21 (11%) of 185. The poorest short-term survival occurred in males who showed both anti-A and HBsAg.
Extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma arising in the larynx.

Extraskeletal Ewing’s sarcoma (EES), or primitive neuroectodermal tumor, is an uncommon neoplasm with low incidence in the head and neck. Occurrences in the larynx are even more exceptional with only two previous reported cases of EES arising from the larynx. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with a laryngeal Ewing’s sarcoma treated with chemotherapy with radiotherapy to follow. Here we describe the histology, molecular diagnosis and treatment of this unusual tumor.
Adaptation of a γ-glutamyl transpeptidase assay to microtiter plates

A kinetic assay for measuring gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity has been adapted to microtiter plates and an automated microtiter plate reader. This method permits the simultaneous analysis of enzyme activity in a large number of samples incubated with the chromogenic GGT substrate gamma-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide. A major advantage of this assay over previously reported methods is the substantial reduction in the time needed for measuring sample enzyme activity. In addition, reduction of the total assay volume to 0.28 ml conserves both sample and reagents. This method has been calibrated at 23 degrees C using purified GGT, and used to analyze GGT activity in human sera. The assay is sensitive over a range of 3-200 U/liter.
n-deca-2,4-dienal, its origin from linoleate and flavor significance in fats

n-Deca-2,4-dienal was identified as a major component of the carbonyl compounds in deodorization distillates from cottonseed oil, soybean oil, beef tallow, and lard. This compound also was demonstrated as a principal carbonyl component in the heat decomposition of methyl linoleate in the presence of moisture. n-Hept-2-enal and C10 and C9 2-enals also were detected in the latter system. The flavor threshold of decadienal in water was found to be approximately 0.5 parts per billion. Flavor and odor qualities of the dienal perhaps are described best by the term “deepfried.” The compound's significance in fried and baked foods and its performance in the Kreis and 2-thiobarbituric acid tests for fat oxidation are discussed.
Boundary Effects on Microwave Propagation in a Large Waveguide Containing a Magnetoplasma

Solution of Maxwell's equations for a cold, uniform magnetoplasma bounded by conducting walls shows (i) how plane waves evolve in the space of (?/?c,?p/?c) with (kc/?c) as parameter, and (ii) the range of parameters in which whistler mode propagation without Wieder's fine structure can be expected. In this space, the whistler evolves from an electrostatic mode at low densities, the whistler characteristic appears in a range of densities where the static approximation is invalid, and at still higher densities, residual effects of boundaries show up in the fine structure, as accounted for by J. C. Lee. The asymptotic form of the solution when lateral dimensions are large shows the existence of classes of solutions which are inadmissible because none can be reached along a continuous locus in this space. Effects of finite boundaries on the dispersion characteristic and the interpretation of experimental data are discussed.
Hair cortisol levels track phylogenetic and age related differences in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity in non-human primates.

Hair has been shown to archive a uniquely time averaged signal of endocrine activity, and holds attractive advantages for both laboratory and field research. Prior research has explored the potential of hair hormone analysis to examine hormone–behavior relationships. To date, no research has focused on the potential of the technique to investigate age-related changes or taxon differences in endocrine function. It is known that non-human primate infants of many taxa exhibit high cortisol levels after parturition, which rapidly decline with age. It has also been shown that hypercortisolism generally characterizes platyrrhine (New World monkey) endocrine function. These endocrine trends have been characterized using cortisol levels determined from serum, plasma, and feces. Here we test whether cortisol levels determined from hair recover similar phylogenetic and age related patterns in endocrine function in non-human primates. In order to test whether hair cortisol reflect infant hypercortisolism with significant age-related decline, hair cortisol levels are measured in samples from wild vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) and captive Guinea baboons (Papio hamadryas papio), ranging in age from infants through juveniles. Further, in order to test whether platyrrhines exhibit significantly higher hair cortisol levels compared to strepsirrhines and catarrhines, and therefore faithfully recover similar signals as more traditionally used substrates (e.g. serum), hair cortisol levels are quantified in adult female hair samples collected from a broad range of non-human primate taxa. Results confirm that hair cortisol levels accurately reflect known phylogenetic and age related patterns of circulating cortisol levels. Therefore, these results suggest that hair may be an ideal hormone bearing substrate for research focused on the examination of population endocrine profiles, cross-sectional studies of endocrine function and taxon variation in hormone levels, as well as stable behavioral trends.
News in the age of the web

One of the most exciting and successful examples of the Web impacting society is online news. The history of the news industry from print to the online medium is an interesting journey. Broadcast news transformed society by making news available instantly rather than once a day. While more channels became available, barriers to entry remained high and mainstream opinions continued to dominate. News on the net has brought in a number of valuable transformations, allowing news to be made (potentially) more accessible, diverse, democratic, personalized and interactive than before. Blogging has now made "citizen reporting" possible. As with any disruptive technology online news has both positive and negative implications, such as the threat of disinformation. Computer assisted news is a fun area of research that draws upon prior work in information retrieval, data mining and user interfaces. Given the volume of online news being generated today, the ability to find news and related facts quickly and with high relevance affects both readers and journalists. The talk will address the social implications as well as the technical challenges in the dissemination of online news, with a focus on Google News. Google News is an automated service that makes over 4,500 online, English sources searchable and browseable in real time, with an emphasis on breadth of coverage.
Temperatures of serpentinization of ultramafic rocks based on O 18 /O 16 fractionation between coexisting serpentine and magnetite

Five lizardite-chrysotile type serpentinites from California, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic show oxygen isotope fractionations of 15.1 to 12.9 per mil between coexisting serpentine and magnetite (δO18 magnetite=−7.6 to −4.6 per mil relative to SMOW). Nine antigorites (mainly from Vermont and S. E. Pennsylvania) show distinctly smaller fractionations of 8.7 to 4.8 per mil (δO18 magnetite=−2.6 to +1.7 per mil). Two lizardite and chrysotile serpentinites dredged from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge exhibit fractionations of 10.0 and 12.4 per mil (δO18 magnetite=−6.8 and −7.9 per mil, respectively), whereas an oceanic antigorite shows a value of 8.2 per mil (δO18 magnetite=−6.2). These data all clearly indicate that the antigorites formed at higher temperatures than the chrysotilelizardites. Electron microprobe analyses of magnetites from the above samples show that they are chemically homogeneous and essentially pure Fe3O2. However, some magnetites from certain other samples that show a wide variation of Cr content also give very erratic oxygen isotopic results, suggesting non-equilibrium. An approximate serpentine-magnetite geothermometer curve was constructed by (1) extrapolation of observed O18 fractionations between coexisting chlorites and Fe-Ti oxides in low-grade pelitic schists whose isotopic temperatures are known from the quartz-muscovite O18 geothermometer, and (2) estimates of the O18 fractionation factor between chlorite and serpentine (assumed to be equal to unity). This serpentine-magnetite geothermometer suggests approximate equilibrium temperatures as follows: continental lizardite-chrysotile, 85° to 115° C; oceanic lizardite and chrysotile, 130° C and 185° C, respectively; oceanic antigorite, 235° C; and continental antigorites, 220° to 460° C.
Nonlinear adaptive control design for non-minimum phase hypersonic vehicle models with minimal control authority

The design of a nonlinear robust controller for a non-minimum phase model of the longitudinal dynamics of an air-breathing hypersonic vehicle is presented in this work. When flight-path angle is selected as a regulated output and the elevator is the only control surface available for the pitch dynamics, longitudinal models of air-breathing hypersonic vehicle dynamics exhibit unstable zero-dynamics. The approach proposed in this paper uses a combination of small-gain arguments and adaptive control techniques for the design of a state-feedback controller that achieves asymptotic tracking of velocity and flight-path angle reference trajectories in spite of model uncertainties. The method reposes upon a suitable redefinition of the internal dynamics of a control-oriented model of the vehicle dynamics and uses a time-scale separation between the controlled variables to manage the peaking phenomenon occurring in the system. Simulation results on a full nonlinear vehicle model illustrate the effectiveness of the methodology.
Irreversible electroporation: evaluation of nonthermal and thermal ablative capabilities in the porcine kidney.

Objective To compare the renal ablative capabilities of nonthermal irreversible electroporation (NT-IRE) with those of thermal irreversible electroporation (T-IRE) in a porcine model. Materials and Methods A total of 24 laparoscopic renal ablations were performed in 12 pigs using a novel generator capable of alternately delivering NT-IRE and T-IRE. Each pig underwent unilateral interpolar ablation straddling the renal pelvis and lower pole ablation, using a single modality. The pigs were killed at 24 hours and 7 and 21 days. Basic serum laboratory tests, cardiac enzyme levels, and retrograde pyelograms were obtained before and immediately after ablation and at death. Ablation adequacy and lesion size were assessed by histologic examination. Results All procedures were successfully completed without complications. For NT-IRE vs T-IRE, the median lesion size (long axis) at 24 hours, 7 days and 21 days was 3.0 vs 3.3 cm ( P = 1.0), 2.5 vs 3.9 cm ( P = .04), and 1.2 vs 2.8 cm ( P = .03), respectively. Prolonged urinary extravasation and collecting system scarring were observed only for T-IRE. Both NT-IRE and T-IRE ablated the renal tissue adequately. NT-IRE was characterized by acute hemorrhagic necrosis, sparing the large blood vessels and extracellular matrix, and T-IRE by coagulation necrosis with associated moderate inflammation. Conclusion NT-IRE and T-IRE both safe and effectively ablate normal porcine kidneys. NT-IRE created smaller lesions with unique histologic characteristics. Significant collecting system injury occurred with T-IRE. Additional preclinical evaluation aimed at optimizing the ablation protocols is needed.
Extracting a Smooth Trend from a Time Series: A Modification of Singular Spectrum Analysis

Abstract Singular spectrum analysis is commonly used in climatology to extract a trend from a noisy time series. Implicit in this method is the association of trends with high variance. In many cases, it may be more natural to associate trends with smoothness. This paper describes how singular spectrum analysis can be modified to incorporate this idea. The modified approach is illustrated using the annual central England temperature series.
Parallel algorithms for elliptic equations

We describe a number of parallel algorithms for the numerical solution of elliptic equations and present some implementations on the Denelcor HEP Parallel Processor. The equations we study, typical of those encountered in a range of fluid pressure equations, are of the form where the coefficient tensor may represent a density, permeability or dielectric constant. We allow the possibility of discontinuities in , and of line and point sources in F. The equations are discretized using finite elements, with orders ranging from linear to bicubic. We use a tree of increasingly fine grids to achieve parallelism in the course of mesh refinement. We use conjugate gradient methods as well as multigrid methods to solve the resulting algebraic equations within each subgrid. We describe the implementation of these methods as parallel algorithms, and present results of actual performance on the HEP computer. In each case we demonstrate near optimal performance on the HEP, as measured by speedup over the corresponding serial algorithm. We would like to thank both Argonne National Laboratory and Ballistic Research Laboratory for allowing us access to their HEP computers. The operations staffs at both sites gave us unstintingly of their time, even when called on after hours. This research, on an, at times, quite temperamental machine, would never have been completed without their help. We would also like to thank Argonne National Laboratory for the excellent two-day HEP introduction provided us prior to the start of this research. Finally, we wish to thank E. Lusk and R. Overbeek for providing us with copies of their HEP macros.
Differentiation between malignant and normal human thyroid tissue using frequency analysis of multispectral Photoacoustic images

This study investigates the feasibility of using frequency analysis of multispectral PA (Photoacoustics) signals generated by excised human thyroid tissue to differentiate between malignant and normal thyroid regions. Multispectral PA imaging was performed on freshly excised thyroid tissue from 6 patients undergoing thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy. The regions of interests in the PA images corresponding to malignant and normal tissue have been selected with the help of histopathology slides. The calibrated power spectrum of each PA signal from each region of interest was fit to a linear model for extracting the values of slope, midband fit and intercept parameters. The results show that mean values of intercept and midband fit parameters are significantly different between malignant and normal regions for all five wavelengths and mean values of slope are significantly different for two wavelengths.
Toward Millimeter-Wave DACs: Challenges and Opportunities

As line widths in emerging III-V technologies approaching that of modern CMOS, the conception of high performance mixed signal designs such as digital to analog converters (DACs) in the mm-wave space becomes possible. While addressing the speed limitations, candidate III-Vs ((InP, GaAs and GaN) are known to suffer from increased switching power consumption, limited device yield and absolute accuracy. CMOS, on the other hand, has the benefit of low-power digital switching, fine resolution and scalability. Recent attempts in marrying the two technologies have been carried out in the DARPA COSMOS program, by integrating III-V type devices with CMOS circuits, so as to exploit the advantages of low-power digital CMOS and high-speed high-power InP. This paper presents some of the challenges as well as prospects in designing record speed and performance DACs in the COSMOS program while contrasting it to that of deeply-scaled CMOS. A multi-phase parallel DAC architecture is leveraged for ultra-wideband synthesis, to improve noise performance and achieve higher information rates. The architectural bounds between CMOS and InP as well as detailed circuit-level analysis of critical block elements will be highlighted.
A program to improve the quality of emergency endotracheal intubation.

Objective: To assess the results of a quality improvement (QI) project designed to improve safety of emergency endotracheal intubation (EEI). Design: Single center prospective observational. Setting: 16-bed intensive care unit. Participants: Nine pulmonary/critical care fellows. Interventions: For 3 years, EEI performed by the medical intensive care unit team were analyzed to identify interventions that would improve quality of the procedure. By segmental process analysis, the procedure of EEI was subjected to iterative change. Major components of process improvement were development of a combined team approach, a mandatory checklist, use of crew resource management (CRM) tactics, and postevent debriefing. Quality analysis and improvement included training of fellows using scenario-based training (SBT) with computerized patient simulator (CPS) to improve mechanical skills of intubation and team leadership. Fellows received 15 sessions of SBT with CPS using a combined checklist and team approach before ass...
Parental Influences on Physical Activity Behavior in Children and Adolescents: A Brief Review

Understanding the social and environmental factors that influence physical activity is important in the development of effective interventions to increase physical activity behavior in children and adolescents. One factor that has received considerable research attention is the influence of parenting practices and behaviors on child physical activity. This review evaluated 103 studies that examined the influence of parental physical activity, parental support for child physical activity, parenting style, and family cohesion on child and adolescent activity behavior. Results showed that parental support was consistently positively and significantly associated with child activity. With respect to the association between parent and child physical activity, there was little evidence of association. Although the evidence linking parenting style and family cohesion with child physical activity was nonsupportive, too few studies have examined these relationships to draw firm conclusions. Priorities for future research and implications for health care professionals are discussed.
Expression and ligand-binding function of the integrin alpha 4 beta 1 (VLA-4) on neural-crest-derived tumor cell lines.

Human neural-crest-derived tumor cell lines, including three neuroblastomas, an astrocytoma, a glioblastoma, a rhabdomyosarcoma and a melanoma were screened for the expression of the integrin α4β1 (VLA-4). The neuroblastomas IMR-32 and SK-N-SH, the astrocytoma 131-INI, the glioblastoma Fogerty and the rhabdomyosarcoma TE-671 expressed α4β1 as determined by cytofluorometry and immunoprecipitation. Another neuroblastoma line, LA-N-1, did not express α4β1. Analysis of immunoprecipitated α4β1 showed that the α4 subunit from the various cell types differed in relative molecular weight (M r ). The variability in the observed M r could be accounted for by differences in the levels of N-linked glycosylation. The observed variability in M r did not appear to affect function since intact cells and solubilized α4β1 bound to a synthetic peptide identical in sequence to the CS-1 region of the alternatively spliced IIICS domain of fibronectin, a known α4β1, ligand.
Purification of membrane-bound ferredoxin: NADP(+) oxidoreductase and of plastocyanin from a detergent extract of washed thylakoids.

A method is described for the isolation and purification of ferredoxin-NADP(+) oxidoreductase (FNR, E.C. 1.18.1.2) and plastocyanin from spinach thylakoids. FNR is recovered from pools which are loosely and tightly bound to the membrane, with minimal disruption of pigment-protein complexes; yields can thus be higher than from procedures which extract only the loosely bound enzyme.Washed thylakoid membranes were incubated with the dipolar ionic detergent CHAPS (3-(3-cholamidopropyl-dimethylammonio)-1-propane-sulfonate). This provided an extract containing FNR and PC as its principal protein components, which could be rapidly separated from one another by chromatography on an anion-exchange column. FNR was purified to homogeneity (as judged from sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and the ratio between protein and flavin absorption maxima), using chromatography on phosphocellulose followed by batchwise adsorption to, and elution from hydroxylapatite. Plastocyanin was further purified on a Sephadex G-75 molecular sieve column.A typical yield, obtained in 3-4 days from 1 kg of deveined spinach leaves, was 7 mg of pure FNR (a single protein of Mr=37,000) and 3.5 mg of plastocyanin.
Laparoscopic versus open repair of perforated gastroduodenal ulcer: a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis.

Abstract Background Surgical repair of perforated gastroduodenal ulcers remains a common indication for emergent surgery. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the laparoscopic approach (LA) would be associated with reduced length of stay compared to the open approach. Methods Patients with acute, perforated gastroduodenal ulcer were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, of whom 50 had the LA. One-to-one case/control matching on the basis of age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, gender, and cardiac disease was evaluated for outcome analysis. Results After matching, the 2 groups had similar characteristics. The rates of wound complications, organ space infections, prolonged ventilation, postoperative sepsis, return to the operating room, and mortality tended to be lower for the LA, although not significantly. Length of hospital stay was, however, significantly shorter for the LA by an average of 5.4 days. Conclusions The LA appears to be safe in mild to moderately ill patients with perforated peptic ulcer disease and is associated with reduced use of hospital resources.
Does ADHD Affect the Course of Substance Abuse?: Findings From a Sample of Adults With and Without ADHD

The authors examined the effects of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and psychiatric comorbidity on recovery from psychoactive substance use disorder (PSUD) with 130 referred adults with ADHD and 71 non-ADHD adults, all of whom had a lifetime history of PSUD. Although PSUD remitted in 80% of both groups, the rate of remission and duration of PSUD was quite different in the ADHD vs. non-ADHD subjects. The duration of PSUD was 37.2 months longer in the ADHD than in non-ADHD subjects. The median time to PSUD remission was more than twice as long in ADHD than in control subjects (144 vs. 60 months, respectively). ADHD is associated with a longer, duration of PSUD and a significantly slower remission rate. If confirmed, such findings extend previous work showing that ADHD is a risk factor for early initiation and specific pathways of PSUD, providing further evidence of the relevance of this association.
Faecal proteinases of the fungus-growing ant, Atta texana: Their fungal origin and ecological significance

The fluid contained within the mycelium of the fungus cultured by the attine ant, Atta texuna, contains three proteolytic enzymes. One enzyme is a DFP-sensitive alkaline proteinase; the other two are metal-chelator-sensitive neutral proteinases. These three enzymes are identical by all criteria examined to the three proteinasea previously isolated from the faecal fluid of A. texanu. It is concluded that the faecal enzymes of the fungus-growing ants are derived from the mycelial fluid upon which they feed, The basis for the symbiosis between the attine ants and the fungi which they cultivate in their nests is reinterpreted in the context of this finding. ~-CUTTING ants of the genus Atta culture a fungus on fresh plant material, and exploit this fungus as their primary and possible sole food source (WRBRR, 1972). Atta workers characteristic- ally defaecate on the plant material prior to incorpor- ating it into their fungus gardens. In a series of publications we have reported the presence of a number of enzymes in the faecal material of the attine ants (MARTIN et al., 1975, and references cited therein). The faecal fluid of workers of the genus Atta actively degrades protein, chitin, starch, pectin, sodium polypectate, xylan, and carboxy- methylcellulose. We have also described studies which support our suggestion that these enzymes play a vital r61e in the ants' ability to maintain their fungus cultures in their nests (MARTIN et al., 1975). The question of the origin of these enzymes has largely been left to speculation. Recently, however, we reported the partial purification and characterixa- tion of the three enxymes responsible for the proteolytic activity of the faecal fluid of Atta texana (Bon, and MARTIN, 1975). The findings bear directly upon the question of the origin of the faecal enxymes. One of the proteinases was a DFP- sensitive alkaline proteinase; the other two were metal-chelator-sensitive neutral proteinases. The properties of these enzymes had little in common with the properties reported for other insect proteinases, but rather had a striking resemblance to those of proteinases isolated from microbial sources. This finding was rather unexpected, since it had been our bias that the faecal enzymes were probably digestive enxymes secreted in the midgut and concentrated in the rectum. There seemed to be but two plausible sources for the faecal enzymes. They might be produced by microbial endosym- bionts living within the ants' gut, or they might be intracellular fungal enzymes which are ingested by the ants when they feed. Preliminary experiments had revealed that there was proteolytic activity in an extract of a homogen- ate of tbe ants' fungus. The present study was undertaken with the objective of isolating the proteinases present in such an extract, and compar- ing them with the enzymes which earlier had been characterized from the ants' faecal material.
Generalized gradient elements for nonsmooth optimal control problems

Recent advances in nonsmooth sensitivity analysis are extended to describe particular elements of Clarke's generalized gradient for the nonsmooth objective function of a nonsmooth optimal control problem, in terms of states of an auxiliary dynamic system. The considered optimal control problem is a generic nonlinear open-loop problem, in which the cost function and the right-hand side function describing the system dynamics may each be nonsmooth. The desired generalized gradient elements are obtained under two parametric discretizations of the control function: a representation as a linear combination of basis functions, and a piecewise constant representation. If the objective function under either discretization is convex, then the corresponding generalized gradient elements are subgradients, without requiring any convexity assumptions on the system dynamics.
Optimization of Ampacities for Unequally Loaded Underground Power Cables

Underground power cable systems often contain different types of cables with unequal currents. Programs which calculate cable ampacities and temperatures need to be able to maximize these unequal currents subject to the temperature restrictions on each cable's insulation. This paper presents an optimization routine to maximize the currents for unequally loaded cable systems using the reduced gradient method. The computational algorithm also considers the temperature dependence of the conductor electrical resistances in determining cable ampacities and temperatures.
Is There a Booker Aesthetic? Iterations of the Global Novel

Focusing on Britain's prestigious prize for a best annual novel, this essay argues that the Booker Prize should be understood as a complex literary system that gives rise to a generic form—the cosmopolitan global novel—even as it creates the conditions for the subversion and revision of that form. In this sense, the Booker Prize provides a model for the more general study of literary systems within the current era of late capitalism and decolonization.