cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of loteprednol etabonate 0.5% on initiation of dry eye treatment with topical cyclosporine 0.05%.

Objective: The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of loteprednol etabonate (LE) before the initiation of topical cyclosporine A (tCsA) therapy in patients with mild-to-moderate dry eye disease. Prospective, multicenter randomized double-masked parallel group clinical study (NCT00407043). Methods: Hundred and eighteen patients with dry eye disease were randomized to receive either LE and tCsA (n=61) or artificial tears (AT) and tCsA (n=57). Hundred and twelve patients completed the study (LE: n=57, AT: n=55) and are included in the data analysis. Patients selfadministered either LE or AT for 2 weeks 4 times per day, followed by tCsA twice per day accompanied by either LE twice per day or AT twice per day for an additional 6 weeks of treatment. Primary outcome measures included the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, the Likert scale using standardized facial expressions, lissamine green staining, fluorescein staining, and the Schirmer test. Additional measures included global self-assessment, and safety outcomes included slitlamp examination, intraocular pressure, and assessment of visual acuity. Results: Loteprednol etabonate pretreatment significantly reduced tCsA stinging (P,0.05). Both groups showed significantly improved OSDI scores at the 14-, 30-, and 60-day visits. Loteprednol etabonate showed significantly more OSDI improvement than AT. Both pretreatment strategies improved global self-assessment scores, Schirmer test, fluorescein staining, lissamine staining, and adjunctive AT use. Loteprednol etabonate showed superior improvement in Schirmer test, fluorescein staining, and lissamine staining. Intraocular pressure did not increase in either group. Conclusions: Loteprednol etabonate induction therapy 2 weeks before the initiation of long-term tCsA treatment for chronic dry eye disease provides more rapid relief of dry eye signs and symptoms with greater efficacy than tCsA and AT alone.
WHAT WILL THE DEEP DRILLING AT SILJAN, SWEDEN, PROVE?

The following highly-topical contribution is concerned with the experimental deep-drilling programme which has been initiated in the Siljan Ring in Sweden. Readers will recall that according to the theories of Professor Thomas Gold of Cornell University, which were first propounded in our January 1979 issue ( 1(3), 3-19), deep-seated abiogenic hydrocarbon gases may be encountered at this site, where a meteoric impact is believed to have produced a structure favourable for hydrocarbon accumulation. Dr Gibbs, however, here suggests an alternative, more conventional explanation for any hydrocarbon gases that may be found as drilling, which commenced in June 1986, progresses.
Comparison of strength and load-based methods for testing wind turbine blades

The purpose of this paper is to compare two methods of blade test loading and show how they are applied in an actual blade test. Strength and load-based methods were examined to determine the test load for an Atlantic Orient Corporation (AOC) 15/50 wind turbine blade for fatigue and static testing. Fatigue load-based analysis was performed using measured field test loads extrapolated for extreme rare events and scaled to thirty-year spectra. An accelerated constant amplitude fatigue test that gives equivalent damage at critical locations was developed using Miner`s Rule and the material S-N curves. Test load factors were applied to adjust the test loads for uncertainties, and differences between the test and operating environment. Similar analyses were carried, out for the strength-based fatigue test using the strength of the blade and the material properties to determine the load level and number of constant amplitude cycles to failure. Static tests were also developed using load and strength criteria. The resulting test loads were compared and contrasted. The analysis shows that, for the AOC 15/50 blade, the strength-based test loads are higher than any of the static load-based cases considered but were exceeded in the fatigue analysis for a severe hot/wet environment.
Sibling incest offenders

Sibling incest is the least investigated but probably the most common form of incest. This study describes a predominantly Caucasian, middle-income sample of sibling incest offenders from primarily intact families. Demographics, behavioral dysfunction, psychiatric diagnoses, history of victimization, family characteristics, and abuse characteristics are presented. Findings included that 92% of the offenders had a history of being physically abused, whereas only 8% had a history of sexual victimization. Issues of parental denial and minimization and intergenerational transmission of abusive patterns are discussed. Sibling incest demands further attention from clinicians and researchers.
All hazardous waste politics is local: Grass-roots advocacy and public participation in siting and cleanup decisions

The combined effects of federalism and interest group pluralism pose particularly difficult problems for hazardous waste siting and cleanup decisions. Most national environmental groups have only limited involvement in local hazardous waste politics, while local grass-roots advocates have very different interests and sometimes are pitted against one another. Both the Environmental protection Agency and the Department of energy recently have begun to use site-specific citizen advisory boards at cleanup sites. This approach appears to improve communications at some sites, but does not address the issues of ``not in my back yard`` politics and alleged inequitable exposure to hazardous wastes.
Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: what is the appropriate follow-up?

BACKGROUND: Early detection and aggressive surgical and medical management have been associated with higher overall survival rates among patients with invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (IFS). With improved survival comes the question of how to appropriately manage these patients once disease stability has been achieved. Previous reports suggest follow-up only as long as the patients remain immunocompromised. This study attempts to answer the question of long-term clinical follow-up and suggests a regimen suitable for ensuring minimal posttreatment complications. METHODS: A retrospective review included all patients diagnosed with IFS between 1988 and 2004. The study group included patients who survived the initial treatment course, with at least 30 days of posttreatment follow-up of their IFS. Patient records were reviewed for significant complications, evidence of chronic sinus disease, the clinical status of their underlying medical comorbidities, and frequency and mode of follow-up. RESULTS: Thirteen patients were included. The average follow-up time was 633 days. Significant complications included one patient with acute bacterial sinusitis with resultant visual loss and one patient with chronic osteomyelitis of the orbit and skull base. Six of 13 patients had persistent chronic bacterial rhinosinusitis with crusting and bone sequestration. All complications were noted to occur after initial IFS eradication was thought to have taken place. CONCLUSION: Significant complications of IFS can occur after medical remission and recovery of immune competence. Patients with IFS should be followed long term until remucosalization of the sinuses, resolution of crusting, and cessation of bony sequestration has occurred.
Television: Providing Powerful Multicultural Lessons Inside and Outside of School.

Television is responsible for more multicultural education than our public school system. The literature reveals that children's programming reflects society's dominant values and beliefs about a number of diversity-related topics such as race and gender. This article describes the findings of a unique study of preservice teachers' evaluations of children's television programming. Through a list of research-based suggestions, teacher educators are encouraged to prepare preservice teachers to draw upon televisions multicultural teaching power so that young people become more critically literate viewers of television. Academia needs to understand that the popular press and the mass media educate more people about issues regarding ethnicity and race than all other sources of education … providing more public education … than by teachers, professors, and anyone else. (Bartolem & Macedo, 1997, 273)
Arsenic silicide formation by oxidation of arsenic implanted silicon

Wet oxidations of (100) silicon implanted with an arsenic dose of 2 × 1016 cm−2 and an energy of 30 keV were carried out in the temperature range between 600 and 900° C. The oxidation rate is increased on the arsenic implanted samples up to a factor of 2000 as compared to undoped samples. During these oxidations the arsenic suicide phase AsSi is precipitated at the oxide/silicon interface. After short oxidation times at 600° C, a continuous AsSi layer is found. It is dissolved during extended oxidation times and finally almost all As is incorporated in the oxide. After 900° C oxidations, substantial AsSi crystallites remain at the Si/SiO2 interface. They are still observed up to the larg-est oxide thickness grown (2.3 µm). The AsSi phase and the distribution of the im-planted arsenic were analyzed by TEM, SIMS and XRF measurements.
Biochar amendment affects leaching potential of copper and nutrient release behavior in contaminated sandy soils.

Copper (Cu) contamination to soil and water is a worldwide concern. Biochar has been suggested to remediate degraded soils. In this study, column leaching and chemical characterization were conducted to assess effects of biochar amendment on Cu immobilization and subsequent nutrient release in Cucontaminated Alfisol and Spodosol. The results indicate that biochar is effective in binding Cu (30 and 41%, respectively, for Alfisol with and without spiked Cu; 36 and 43% for Spodosol) and reducing Cu leaching loss (from ~47 to 10% for the Cu-spiked Alfisol and from 48 to 9% for the Cu-spiked Spodosol). Copper was likely retained on biochar surfaces through complexation, as suggested by Fourier-transform infrared spectra. Biochar amendment converts a portion of Cu from available pool to more stable forms, thus resulting in decreased activities of free Cu 2+ and increased activity of organic Cu complexes in leachate. Reduction of >0.45-mm solids and nanoparticles concentrations in leachate was also observed. In addition, biochar application rate was correlated negatively with P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, and NH4–N concentration (P < 0.05) but positively with K and Na concentration (P < 0.05) in leachates. These results documented the potential of biochar as an effective amendment for Cu immobilization and mitigation of leaching risk for some nutrients.
Predicting nonlinear cellular automata quickly by decomposing them into linear ones

Abstract We show that a wide variety of nonlinear cellular automata (CAs) can be decomposed into a quasidirect product of linear ones. These CAs can be predicted by parallel circuits of depth O(log2 t) using gates with binary inputs, or O(log t) depth if “sum mod p” gates with an unbounded number of inputs are allowed. Thus these CAs can be predicted by (idealized) parallel computers much faster than by explicit simulation, even though they are nonlinear. This class includes any CA whose rule, when written as an algebra, is a solvable group. We also show that CAs based on nilpotent groups can be predicted in depth O(log t) or O(1) by circuits with binary or “sum mod p” gates, respectively. We use these techniques to give an efficient algorithm for a CA rule which, like elementary CA rule 18, has diffusing defects that annihilate in pairs. This can be used to predict the motion of defects in rule 18 in O(log2 t) parallel time.
A spectroscopic investigation of the mechanism of gel formation in tetraglyme/fumed silica composites

Abstract Mixing a low molecular weight polymer with fumed SiO 2 an inorganic filler can produce a gel at ambient temperature. However, the origin of the gel's structural integrity is not well understood. IR spectroscopy shows that the surface hydroxyl groups on silica are involved in an interaction that is the predominant cause of gel formation in tetraglyme/fumed silica composites. The addition of salt changes the conformation of the polymer, resulting in a decrease in the end-to-end chain distance. It is also speculated that the salt participates in bridging, which links polymer chains together through ion–dipole interactions.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in serum and synovial fluid in rheumatoid arthritis

Serum and synovial fluid levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) were significantly increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but were normal in degenerative arthritis (DJD) and in samples taken at autopsy in cases without joint disease. No significant correlation was found between serum IgE concentration and severity of RA nor was evidence found of the local production of IgE in synovial fluid in RA. The increased IgE in RA may be the result of a general immune response seen in this disease.
Coding for specular and scatter channels [Comments on "A limit for the probability of error for largest-of-selection" by F.G. Splitt]

Splitt's correspondence (ibid., vol CS-11, Dec 1963, pp 494-496), which contained results on error probabilities for noncoherent N-ary frequency and time-shift keying systems, has spurred the present author to communicate asymptotic results which apply to rather general expressions derived in for the slowly varying Rician channel. This channel is known to occm in several physical situations, e.g., high-frequency teletype and tropospheric scatter links.
Decreased dynamical complexity during quiet stance in children with autism spectrum disorders.

A B S T R A C T Background: Postural control deficits in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are widely acknowledged; however, the underlying biomechanical features of these deficits remain unknown. Nonlinear analyses provide insight into the nature of how movement is controlled and have the potential to provide new insight into the postural control abnormalities associated with ASD. The purpose of this study was to further investigate postural control deficits in children with ASD through linear and nonlinear analyses of center of pressure (COP) data. Methods: We evaluated COP data during quiet standing for 16 children with ASD and 17 age-matched typically developing (TD) children. The magnitude of COP fluctuations (COP ranges, velocity, and sway area) and complexity of postural control dynamics, quantified by multiscale entropy (MSE), were compared across groups. Results: Children with ASD displayed larger fluctuations in their COP data, observed in COP ranges (95.5% mediolaterally and 46.9% anteroposteriorly, p < 0.05 respectively) and COP sway area (885%, p < 0.05). Children with ASD also displayed less complexity in their COP data, observed in the MSE complexity index (CI) (32.4% mediolaterally and 35.7% anteroposteriorly, p < 0.05 respectively). Conclusions: The present study successfully revealed that children with ASD have more repetitive patterns in their COP data, indicating a less complex control of posture, on multiple time scales, during quiet stance. These findings suggest a more regular or restricted control of posture and may be an initial step in linking postural instability to stereotypic behavior and the neurobiology of ASD.
Maritime corporate terrorism and its consequences in the western Indian Ocean: illegal fishing, waste dumping and piracy in twenty-first-century Somalia

Abstract This paper identifies the root causes and general typology of the widespread phenomena of piracy off the coast of Somalia. It shows that piracy in this region started as a direct response to illegal fishing, with widespread claims of hazardous waste dumping offering added moral justification. It argues that the two international crimes that are the root causes of Somali piracy constitute corporate terrorism at sea. The alacrity of the earliest illegal trawlers that were captured by the fishermen to pay ransom unleashed the scourge of criminal/ransom piracy that has overshadowed – in figures and discourse – ‘defensive’ piracy. Restoring the state and combating poverty can help minimise the favourable conditions that latter-day pirates exploited to launch their trade, but will not eradicate piracy without successfully containing the corporate terrorism that triggered it in the first place. Moreover, combating poverty among fishing coastal communities require the eradication of illegal fishing.
Importance of the 150‐hour Education Requirement for Internal Auditors

Current emphasis in enhancing the role of internal auditors and broadening knowledge and skills of future internal auditors have given increased impetus for the requirement of 150‐hour accounting education for future Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs). Examines why internal auditors, especially CIAs, need the additional education requirement beyond the Bachelor′s degree and how to implement the 150‐hour education programme for internal auditors.
End-stage renal disease after bariatric surgery

A 57-year-old woman with morbid obesity (body mass index 41.6), diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea sought bariatric surgery for weight loss. Her pre-operative serum creatinine was 1.0 mg/dL (88.4 μmol/L), and she had no history of renal calculi. She underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery with a 75-cm Roux limb. Post-operatively, she was non-adherent with calcium supplementation and had difficulties staying hydrated because of loose bowel movements. She lost 100 lbs (45.5 kg) and her diabetes, hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea resolved. Unfortunately, however, her creatinine gradually rose to 10.8 mg/dL (954.7 μmol/L) 1.5 years after surgery, requiring hemodialysis. The renal biopsy revealed moderate acute tubular injury with extensive calcium oxalate deposition. A diagnosis of oxalate nephropathy was made. The patient remains dialysis dependent despite aggressive calcium supplementation and low oxalate diet. Obesity affects >30% of the US population [1], and bariatric surgery is becoming an increasingly common procedure for its treatment. The Roux-en-Y procedure is considered the bariatric procedure of choice, and 108 000 underwent it in the United States in 2003 [2].
Random forest: A reliable tool for patient response prediction

The goal of classification is to reliably identify instances that are members of the class of interest. This is especially important for predicting patient response to drugs. However, with high dimensional datasets, classification is both complicated and enhanced by the feature selection process. When designing a classification experiment there are a number of decisions which need to be made in order to maximize performance. These decisions are especially difficult for researchers in fields where data mining is not the focus, such as patient response prediction. It would be easier for such researchers to make these decisions if either their outcomes were chosen or their scope reduced, by using a learner which minimizes the impact of these decisions. We propose that Random Forest, a popular ensemble learner, can serve this role. We performed an experiment involving nineteen different feature selection rankers (eleven of which were proposed and implemented by our research team) to thoroughly test both the Random Forest learner and five other learners. Our research shows that, as long as a large enough number of features are used, the results of using Random Forest are favorable regardless of the choice of feature selection strategy, showing that Random Forest is a suitable choice for patient response prediction researchers who want to do not wish to choose from amongst a myriad of feature selection approaches.
Faster implementation of a shortest superstring approximation

Abstract The shortest superstring problem has recently received renewed attention due to its connection to problems in sequencing long pieces of DNA. Most recently, Teng and Yao [6] developed an approximation algorithm for the shortest superstring problem which has a smaller error bound than the previously best approximation due to Blum, Jiang, Li, Tromp and Yannakakis [1]. However, the implementation given in [6] is slower than the implementation suggested by Gusfield, Landau, and Schieber [3] for the approximation method of Blum et al. In this paper we reduce the worst case running time for the new approximation method of Teng and Yao, making it's running time competitive with the approximation method of Blum et al. We exploit suffix trees and properties of the periodicity of strings.
Label free high resolution in vivo optical imaging of microvessels

We have demonstrated a new optical microscopy technique for imaging microvasculature without any labeling. With a very sensitive two-color excited state absorption (ESA) measurement method, we demonstrated that oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin show distinct excited state dynamics. Since this is a collinear measurement, we can readily apply it to the microscopic study of biological tissue. We have already demonstrated in vivo imaging of blood vessels in the nude mouse ear. Here we optimized the excitation and detection pulse train toward longer wavelengths, where tissue scatters less and greater penetration depth can be obtained. More importantly, we are able to separate arterioles from venules by employing different pump and probe wavelength combinations. This provides a powerful method to image blood vessels and their oxygenation level at the same time with micrometer resolution.
Special considerations in pregnancy prevention for the mentally subnormal adolescent female

Eight retarded teenage girls are presented whose cases highlight some of the considerations in pregnancy prevention for this population. Their mean age was 15.8 years, and 7 were considered to be educable (IQ 50–70) and 1 of borderline intelligence. Presenting complaints included pregnancy, sexual molestation, salpingitis, and a request for contraception in 2 patients each. Pelvic examination with no anesthesia was accomplished after multiple educational sessions in 7 patients. Contraceptive choices included an intrauterine device (2 patients), postcoital estrogen (1 patient), abstinence (1 patient), no contraception (2 patients). Of the 2 pregnant teenagers, 1 elected to continue and 1 to terminate. Unique considerations were the need for current information about consent, alternatives to sterilization, specific risks of contraception for the retarded with medical problems, and communication skills for eliciting sexual information and attitudes. The 8 patients presented reflect the special features posed by the interaction of adolescence, sexuality, and retardation.
Is vitamin D the fountain of youth

ABSTRACT Objective To review the role of vitamin D deficiency for both classic and “nonclassic” effects and raise the caution that association does not prove causation. Methods The pertinent literature regarding vitamin D and its effects on bone, muscle function, immune function, glucose tolerance, cancer risk, and development of cardiovascular disease and other conditions is reviewed. In addition, the limitations of observational studies are discussed. Results Vitamin D inadequacy is common worldwide and classically causes osteomalacia and rickets. More recently, the contribution of low vitamin D status to increased falls and fracture risk has become appreciated. Additionally, nonclassic effects of vitamin D inadequacy are being recognized, and low vitamin D status is being potentially associated with a multitude of conditions (including Alzheimer disease, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and hypertension) and higher overall mortality. It is important to recognize that associations in observational studies can be due to chance, bias, or confounders or may be indicative of causality. Conclusion Because vitamin D deficiency has been established to have adverse musculoskeletal consequences, optimization of vitamin D status, for both the individual patient and the overall population, is indicated. (Endocr Pract. 2009;15:590-596)
i3Drefine software for protein 3D structure refinement and its assessment in CASP10.

Protein structure refinement refers to the process of improving the qualities of protein structures during structure modeling processes to bring them closer to their native states. Structure refinement has been drawing increasing attention in the community-wide Critical Assessment of techniques for Protein Structure prediction (CASP) experiments since its addition in 8th CASP experiment. During the 9th and recently concluded 10th CASP experiments, a consistent growth in number of refinement targets and participating groups has been witnessed. Yet, protein structure refinement still remains a largely unsolved problem with majority of participating groups in CASP refinement category failed to consistently improve the quality of structures issued for refinement. In order to alleviate this need, we developed a completely automated and computationally efficient protein 3D structure refinement method, i3Drefine, based on an iterative and highly convergent energy minimization algorithm with a powerful all-atom composite physics and knowledge-based force fields and hydrogen bonding (HB) network optimization technique. In the recent community-wide blind experiment, CASP10, i3Drefine (as ‘MULTICOM-CONSTRUCT’) was ranked as the best method in the server section as per the official assessment of CASP10 experiment. Here we provide the community with free access to i3Drefine software and systematically analyse the performance of i3Drefine in strict blind mode on the refinement targets issued in CASP10 refinement category and compare with other state-of-the-art refinement methods participating in CASP10. Our analysis demonstrates that i3Drefine is only fully-automated server participating in CASP10 exhibiting consistent improvement over the initial structures in both global and local structural quality metrics. Executable version of i3Drefine is freely available at http://protein.rnet.missouri.edu/i3drefine/.
Data-driven nonparametric prediction intervals

Abstract Standard nonparametric prediction intervals for a single future observation are obtained by taking the interval between two pre-specified order statistics from the initial sample. In this paper, we consider the alternate approach of taking the shortest interval that contains a pre-specified number of the subintervals between the order statistics of the initial sample. We develop a method for determining exact confidence coefficients for such intervals, and we show that these data-driven prediction intervals outperform standard equal-tailed nonparametric prediction intervals. Specifically, they are much shorter than the standard intervals when the underlying distribution is skewed, and they are only slightly longer when the underlying distribution is symmetric. We also obtain the asymptotic approximation that to achieve exact confidence coefficient 1 − α when using the new data-driven prediction intervals with initial sample size n, approximately n ( 1 − α ) + 1.12 n α of the subintervals between the order statistics of the initial sample must be included.
Yamamoto's theorem for generalized singular values

Abstract We extend Yamamoto's theorem, an asymptotic result that relates the i th largest absolute eigenvalue to the i th singular value for complex matrices, to various generalized singular values associated with a class of functions weaker than norms.
The failure of therapist assistance and stepped-care to improve weight loss outcomes.

Objective: This investigation was designed to examine whether: (i) individuals could successfully lose 5% of their body weight with minimal assistance, (ii) weight loss would be improved by the addition of therapist assistance, and (iii) individuals unsuccessful at losing 5% total body weight during the minimal assistance phase (with or without therapist assistance) would benefit from a weekly weight loss group. Methods and Procedures: Fifty-four overweight or obese adults (BMI > 27 kg/m2) initially participated in a 14-week self-help (SH) or therapist-assisted SH (TASH) weight loss program. Participants who were unsuccessful at losing 5% total body weight were stepped-up to a 3-month, group-based behavioral weight loss program (BWLP) with weekly weigh-ins. Results: Although ∼60% of the participants were successful at losing 5% of their total body weight (lb) during the minimal assistance phase (M = 10.6; s.d. = 11.5; P < 0.01), treatment outcome was not improved by the addition of therapist assistance. For individuals who were unsuccessful at losing 5% of total body weight during a minimal assistance phase, the addition of a group-based BWLP did not improve their weight loss. Discussion: While many individuals were quite successful at losing weight with minimal assistance, other individuals evidenced difficulties losing weight, even when participating in a greater intensity intervention (i.e., BWLP group).
A Multidimensional Integrative Medicine Intervention to Improve Cardiovascular Risk

BACKGROUND: Integrative medicine is an individualized, patient-centered approach to health, combining a whole-person model with evidence-based medicine. Interventions based in integrative medicine theory have not been tested as cardiovascular risk-reduction strategies. Our objective was to determine whether personalized health planning (PHP), an intervention based on the theories and principles underlying integrative medicine, reduces 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Type II glucocorticoid receptor involvement in habituated activation of lateral hypothalamic area orexin-A-immunopositive neurons during recurring insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

Abstract Neurons that synthesize the potent orexigenic neuropeptide, orexin-A (ORX-A) are confined to the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and adjacent structures, and project throughout the central neuroaxis to structures that govern central nervous system responses to energy imbalance. Insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH) upregulates prepro-orexin mRNA and Fos immunostaining of LHA ORX-A neurons. These neurons apparently become desensitized to this metabolic challenge, since both responses are diminished by recurrent insulin-induced hypoglycemia (RIIH). Recent studies implicate central type II glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in RIIH-associated glucose counterregulatory collapse and decline in Fos labeling of central metabolic loci, including the LHA. The present studies evaluated the role of GR in patterns of LHA ORX-A neuronal transcriptional activation during RIIH. Groups of adult male rats were injected subcutaneously with one or four doses of the intermediate-acting insulin, Humulin NPH, on as many days, or with diluent alone. Rats injected with four doses of insulin were pretreated by intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of the selective GR antagonist, CP-472555, or the vehicle, propylene glycol, prior to insulin administration on days 1–3. All animals were sacrificed by transcardial perfusion 2 h after injections on day 4. Processing of LHA tissue sections for dual-immunoperoxidase staining of ORX-A- and Fos-immunoreactivity (-ir) showed that colabeling of ORX-A neurons for Fos was increased by a single injection of NPH, whereas this genomic response was diminished by RIIH. Icv administration of CP-472555 during antecedent hypoglycemia prevented RIIH-associated reductions in Fos expression by these neurons. Antagonist treatment of diluent-injected controls did not alter mean numbers of ORX-A- plus Fos-ir neurons. Total numbers of ORX-A-immunopositive neurons were not different among treatment groups. These data demonstrate that precedent central GR blockade prevents adaptation of LHA ORX-A neuronal reactivity to RIIH. These results provide unique pharmacological evidence that hypoglycemic hypercorticosteronemia diminishes activation of this neurotransmitter phenotype in this critical metabolic structure to subsequent hypoglycemia via central GR-dependent mechanisms.
Management of multifocal primary cutaneous CD30 anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma in adults is rare, but the prognosis is generally excellent. Skin lesions may be localized or, less commonly, multifocal. Although not extensively reported, multifocal primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma tends to relapse after systemic chemotherapy and is generally considered more prone to progress to extracutaneous involvement than the localized disease. We report the case of a 21-year-old woman with primary cutaneous CD30(+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma manifesting as widespread papules and nodules. Despite remaining localized to the skin, the disease relapsed after multiple chemotherapy regimens and autologous stem-cell transplantation. Treatment with an experimental anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody was successful. Review of this case and similar cases illustrates that traditional combination chemotherapy may not be best. Newer treatments, including anti-CD30 monoclonal antibodies, show promise. However, further study is needed to develop optimal therapeutic strategies.
Characteristics of air jets discharging normally into a swirling crossflow

Jets discharging normally into a swirling crossflow are investigated experimentally. Total jet to total swirling flow axial momentum ratios of 0.43 and 0.96 are examined. A vane swirler with an overall swirl number of 2.25 is used to generate the crossflow in a 125-mm i.d. tube. The jet nozzle with an exit diameter of 8.73 mm is mounted at one tube diameter downstream of the swirler. A one-color, one-component laser Doppler anemometer, operating in the forward scatter mode, is used to measure the flow field downstream of the jet. Results show that the jet does not penetrate deeply into the tube. Instead, it moves downstream along a spiral created by the swirling flow in the absence of the jet. Consequently, the disturbances created by the jet are limited to a small region around the jet, and the reversed flow region along the tube core created by the swirling motion still remains intact. The turbulence field of the swirling flow is affected more by the jet than the mean flowfield. However, the disturbances created by the jet die off quickly. At two tube diameters away from the jet and farther downstream, the mean flow and turbulence fields exhibit behavior characteristic of the swirling flow alone. This demonstrates that the decay of the jet is fairly complete within this region. Finally, as the jet momentum is increased, the jet's effect is also noted in regions other than along the jet trajectory. This indicates jetbifurcation behavior at high jet momentum.
Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emissions: Body Position Effects with Simultaneous Presentation of Tone Pairs.

This study examined the effect of three different body positions on distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitude and noise levels with multiple primary tone pairs simultaneously-presented to 36 normal-hearing female human adults. Other studies have demonstrated that the simultaneously presented tone pairs method shows clinical promise as a screener, but the sequential method remains in widespread clinical use. Postural changes have been suggested to have an effect not only on DPOAEs, but also transient-evoked OAEs and stimulus-frequency OAEs. DPOAE amplitude and noise levels were recorded in seated, supine, and side-lying positions to the following order of simultaneously-presented tone pairs relative to the f2 frequencies: 1187, 2375, and 4812 Hz; 1500, 3000, and 6062 Hz; and 1875, 3812, and 7625 Hz. No DPOAE could be detected reliably at 7625 Hz as result of poor signal-to-noise ratio. For remaining DPOAEs, statistical analyses revealed that amplitudes were not significantly different among the three body positions. However, at 1500 Hz and below, body position did have a statistically significant effect on noise levels though they are likely clinically negligible. Except at 7625 Hz, results suggest that DPOAEs recorded using a simultaneously presented tone pairs appear to be comparably recorded regardless of an individual’s body position.
Total tympanic membrane reconstruction: AlloDerm versus temporalis fascia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients who require surgery for chronic otitis media with perforation and cholesteatoma frequently provide no residual tympanic membrane that is usable in grafting procedures. A novel technique of total tympanic membrane reconstruction (TTMR) is described that maximizes perforation closure rate in these situations while minimizing mucosalization, incomplete healing, and anterior blunting. The specific aim of this report is to assess the safety and efficacy of TTMR and to compare the results obtained with AlloDerm compared with temporalis fascia as a grafting material.METHODS: The records of 50 patients operated within the years 1999 and the 2004 were reviewed. TTMR with intact canal wall was performed in all cases. Both clinical and audiometric data were analyzed.RESULTS: Overall perforation closure rate was 92%. There was no statistical significance in closure rate when grafting with AlloDerm versus temporalis fascia. A statistically significant shortened healing time was obser...
Extended Left Hepatectomy

Extended left hepatectomy (resection of Couinaud segments II, III, IV, V, and VIII of the liver) has only slowly been appreciated as a viable resectional technique for large, strategically placed, left-sided and central hepatic lesions that extend to involve the right anterior sectoral portal pedicular structures. We report on the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings of 51 patients undergoing extended left hepatectomy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering from 1992 to 1998. Median age was 58 years (range 1-85), with 28 males and 23 females. Altogether 34 patients had metastatic hepatic malignancies, 14 had primary hepatic malignancies, and 3 had benign hepatic lesions. Median postoperative length of stay was 10 days (range 6-52). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 53% and 8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis of multiple preoperative variables disclosed that only the largest hepatic lesion of >8 cm (p = 0.033) was an independent predictor of a positive microscopic margin or tumor within one high power field. No preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative variables were independent predictors of postoperative morbidity or mortality. Utilization of extended left hepatectomy allows resection of critically positioned hepatic lesions previously thought unresectable. It can be performed relatively safely, although it is not without somewhat increased postoperative morbidity and mortality compared to lesser anatomic hepatic resections. Patient selection, as dictated by factors associated with adequate tumor clearance (tumor size and proximity to the right sectoral portal pedicular structures), may be important for determining appropriate candidates for this aggressive resectional technique.
Protectionism and Japanese direct investment in the United States

Abstract This paper generates predicted probabilities of the International Trade Commission's affirmative decisions in Japanese dumping cases to determine its influence on the level of direct investment in the United States. The empirical results suggest that Japanese direct investment in the United States is influenced by the state of the economy and the likelihood of protectionist action. These results lend credence to the internalization theory of direct foreign investment and have direct implications for U.S. commercial policy.
Ba 5d 5/2 ndj, J = 4 states and their interaction with the 5d 3/2 ∊d 5/2 J = 4 continuum

We report measurements of the Ba 5d5/2nd J = 4 states with emphasis on the two series above the 5d3/2 limit. These two series appear as a regular series of doublets exhibiting asymmetric profiles of finite width. We have fitted the observed spectra above the 5d3/2 limit using the quantum defect parameters obtained from the interseries interaction below the 5d3/2 limit using the Lee and Lu form of quantum defect theory and an adaptation of the Cooke and Cromer method. Both methods give identical fits to the data, and they predict differences in other observable parameters.
Normal myocardial perfusion on 64-detector resting cardiac CT

Background Computed tomography (CT) of the heart is increasingly used to characterize not only the coronary arteries but also cardiac structure and function. The performance of CT in depicting myocardial perfusion is under active investigation. Objective We describe the pattern of normal myocardial perfusion on resting 64-detector cardiac CT. Methods Patients (n = 33; 20 women, 13 men; mean age, 52 years) with normal radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging and normal coronary arteries on CT angiography (120 kVp) comprised the study population. Segmental myocardial perfusion on CT was measured in Hounsfield units (HU) with manual and semiautomated methods for the 17-segment American Heart Association model in both systole and diastole. Segments were aggregated into coronary artery territories, from apex to base and by myocardial wall. The relationships between myocardial perfusion and various patient factors were evaluated. Results Overall mean myocardial perfusion was 98 HU in systole and 94 HU in diastole with the manual method ( P = .011) and 92 HU in systole and 95 HU in diastole with the automated method ( P = .001). The septum showed significantly higher mean attenuation values than the other walls in systole and diastole with both methods. Generally, attenuation values were lower in the left circumflex artery territory and in the apex. Bivariate analysis showed higher mean myocardial attenuation values for women than men, although this difference did not persist on multivariate analysis adjusted for patient size. Conclusion Normal mean resting myocardial perfusion correlates with CT attenuation values of approximately 92–98 HU on CT angiography in the coronary arterial phase. The septum consistently shows greater attenuation values than the other walls.
The Creole of Mon Louis Island, Alabama, and the Louisiana Connection

Louisiana French Creole (LFC) has clearly been undergoing decreoli-zation in the twentieth century; its exact nature is difficult to determine, since the only evidence from the previous century available up to now has come from literary texts of that time. Language data was elicited from elderly informants whose parents were the last monolingual creole speakers living in the vicinity of Mobile, Alabama. Since communication between the speakers of New Orleans Creole and Mobile Creole was quite commonplace, Mon Louis Island Creole (MLIC) represents new evidence relating to nineteenth century LFC.This study presents an analysis of the MLIC and LFC noun phrase and verb phrase. Mon Louis Island (MLI) speakers use two-stem verbs which are not attested in nineteenth century LFC texts. On the other hand, there are developments in LFC, such as preposed definite articles, that were not documented in MLIC. Thus, the MLIC data might help distinguish the features already present in the nineteenth century from those which represent more recent changes in LFC.
Secondary Principals' Salaries: A National, Longitudinal Study

An analysis of secondary principals' salaries between 1987-1988 and 1999-2000 was conducted to determine trends in salaries, contrast those trends to others' earnings, and examine the variations in urban, suburban, and rural labor markets, states, and gender. Findings provide useful data for various stakeholders when entering discussion about policies related to the secondary principalship.
Core architecture optimization for heterogeneous chip multiprocessors

Previous studies have demonstrated the advantages of single-ISA heterogeneous multi-core architectures for power and performance. However, none of those studies examined how to design such a processor; instead, they started with an assumed combination of pre-existing cores. This work assumes the flexibility to design a multi-core architecture from the ground up and seeks to address the following question: what should be the characteristics of the cores for a heterogeneous multi-processor for the highest area or power efficiency? The study is done for varying degrees of thread-level parallelism and for different area and power budgets. The most efficient chip multiprocessors are shown to be heterogeneous, with each core customized to a different subset of application characteristics — no single core is necessarily well suited to all applications. The performance ordering of cores on such processors is different for different applications; there is only a partial ordering among cores in terms of resources and complexity. This methodology produces performance gains as high as 40%. The performance improvements come with the added cost of customization.
Paucity of HLA-Identical Unrelated Donors for African-Americans with Hematologic Malignancies: The Need for New Donor Options

Abstract Identification of an HLA identical donor/recipient pair using high-resolution techniques at HLA A, B, C, and DRB1 optimizes survival after adult unrelated hematopoietic stem cell transplant. It has been estimated that roughly 50% of African-Americans have suitable unrelated donors based on serologic typing, but there is little information on the likelihood of identifying an HLA-identical unrelated donor using molecular techniques. From February 2002 to May 2007, we performed 51 unrelated donor searches for African-American patients using the National Marrow Donor Program® and found HLA identical unrelated donors for only 3. By contrast, 50 (98%) had at least 1, and often multiple, appropriately matched cord blood units available. Very few African-American recipients have HLA-identical unrelated donors. To allow more African-American patients to proceed to transplant, innovative donor strategies, including adult cord blood transplantation, haploidentical transplant, or the identification of permissive mismatches should be investigated.
Enrichment of vitronectin‐ and fibronectin‐like proteins in NaCl‐adapted plant cells and evidence for their involvement in plasma membrane–cell wall adhesion

Cells of tobacco adapted to grow in high concentrations of NaCl develop tight zones of adhesion between the plasma membrane and cell wall, revealed by concave plasmolysis in osmotic solutions. Unadapted cells exhibit mostly convex plasmolysis and exhibit little or no adhesive character. Wall-less protoplasts isolated from the adapted cells retain the complementary adhesive character and adhere tightly to each other, whereas protoplasts from unadapted cells do not. The hexapeptide gly-arg-gly-asp-ser-pro, in which the arg-gly-asp represents the integrin-binding domain of several animal extracellular matrix proteins,specifically blocks adhesion of the protoplasts. A control hexapeptide, gly-arg-gly-glu-ser-pro, is ineffective in blocking adhesion. Tobacco proteins immunologically related to human vitronectin were found in cell walls and membranes of unadapted and NaCI adapted cells, but the total extractable vitronectin-like protein was enriched in the adapted cells. Tobacco proteins immunologically related to human fibronectin were found in membranes and cell walls of NaCI adapted cells but not in those from unadapted cells.Our observations indicate that plant cells possess cell-matrix adhesion complexes similar to animal cells, and these adhesion complexes accumulate ingrowth-limited cells adapted to saline stress.