cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of an in vivo technique for dose verification at the prone breast board / skin interface.

Due to the limited height of commercial prone breast boards, large or pendulous breasts may contact the base layer of the board during simulation and throughout the course of treatment. Our clinic has historically identified and marked this region of contact to ensure reproducible setup. However, this situation may result in unwanted hotspots where the breast rests atop the board due to electron scatter. In this study, we performed in-vivo dosimetric measurements to evaluate the surface dose in regions of contact with the immobilization device. The average dose and hotspot were identified and evaluated to determine whether plan modifications were necessary to avoid excess skin toxicity at the skin/breast board interface. The film method results were validated against a commissioned in vivo OSLD dosimetry system. Radiochromic film measurements agreed with OSLD readings (n = 18) overall within 1%, σ = 6.4%, with one deviation of >10%. Pertinent information for the physician includes the average, maximum, and minimum doses received at the film interface. Future readings will not require OSLD verification. Physicians now have access to additional spatial data to correlate skin toxicity with doses delivered at the skin/breast board interface. This new technique is now an established procedure at our clinic, and can inform future efforts to model enhanced methods to calculate the dosimetric effects from the prone breast board in the treatment planning system.
Outcome of African-American compared to White-American patients with early-stage breast cancer, stratified by phenotype.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer mortality rates are 39% higher in the African-American (AA) women compared to White-American (WA) women despite the advances in overall breast cancer screening and treatments. Several studies have undertaken to identify the factors leading to this disparity in United States with possible effects of lower socioeconomic status and underlying aggressive biology. METHODS A retrospective analysis was done using a prospectively maintained database of a metropolitan health system. Patients were selected based on diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer between 10/1998 and 02/2017, and included women over age of 18 with clinically node-negative disease. Patients were then stratified by phenotype confirmed by pathology and patient-identified race. RESULTS A total of 2,298 women were identified in the cohort with 39% AA and 61% WA women. The overall mean age at the time of diagnosis for AA women was slightly younger at 60 years compared to 62 years for WA women (p = 0.003). Follow-up time was longer for the WA women at 95 months vs. 86 months in AA women. The overall 5-year survival was analyzed for the entire cohort, with the lowest survival occurring in patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Phenotype distribution revealed a higher incidence of TNBC in AA women compared to WA women (AA 16% vs. WA 10%; p < 0.0001). AA women also had higher incidence of HER2 positive cancers (AA 16.8% vs. WA 15.3%; p < 0.0001). WA women had a significantly higher distribution of Non-TNBC/HER2-negative phenotype (AA 55% vs. WA 65%; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a subgroup analysis was done for a sentinel lymph node (SLN) negative cohort that showed higher rates of grade 3 tumors in AA (AA 35% vs. WA 23%; p < 0.0001); and higher rates of grade 1 and grade 2 tumors in WA (30% vs. 21% and 44% vs. 40%). Despite higher grade tumors in AA women, five-year overall survival outcomes in SLN-negative cohort did not differ between AA and WA women when stratifying based on tumor subtype. CONCLUSION Breast cancer survival disparities in AA and WA women with SLN-negative breast cancer are diminished when evaluated at early-stage cancers defined by SLN-negative tumors. Our evaluation suggests that when diagnosed early, phenotype does not contribute to racial survival outcomes. The lower survival rate in AA women with breast cancer may be attributed to later stage biology between the two races, or underlying socioeconomic disparities.
Deep neural networks for cochannel speaker identification

Speaker identification (SID) in cochannel speech, where two speakers are talking simultaneously over a single recording channel, is a challenging problem. Previous studies address this problem in the anechoic environment under the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) framework. On the other hand, cochannel SID in reverberant conditions has not been addressed. This paper studies cochannel SID in both anechoic and reverberant conditions. We explore deep neural networks (DNNs) for cochannel SID and propose a DNN-based recognition system. Evaluation results demonstrate the proposed DNN-based system outperforms the two state-of-the-art cochannel SID systems in both anechoic and reverberant conditions and various target-to-interferer ratios.
College Students' Emissions "Foodprint": Can Eco-Labels Shift Diet Types?

Due to the higher greenhouse gas emissions from livestock food production compared to plant-based food production, it is imperative that consumers shift their diets away from meat. One possible method of encouraging this shift is eco-labeling of products in grocery stores. This paper explores the consumer impacts of eco-labels, specifically on college students because of their pivotal age. The goal is to better understand the extent to which eco-labels affect college students' purchasing and diet choices. This research uses locality and food miles, rather than livestock product containment, as an indicator to consumers of a food's sustainability because of the study site logistics. To conduct the study, select products in a sustainable foods grocery store near UC Berkeley campus were labeled as “Green” (local), “Yellow” (semi-local), or “Red” (foreign). Difference in difference calculations compared the change in sales volume of labeled products (treatment) to the change in sales volume of unlabeled products (control – estimated using other products in the store). The analysis found statistically significant decreases in sales of all labeled products. The conclusion is that students purchase fewer products when those products are labeled by a tiered system of environmental impact.
Healthcare, Unions, Ministers and More: Civil Cases in the Supreme Court's 2011-2012 Term

Written for the American Judges Association's Court Review, this paper provides a brief overview of the most significant civil cases decided by the Supreme Court during its 2011-2012 Term. The most significant of those cases was, of course, National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, and the paper begins by giving that monumental healthcare ruling its due. The paper then turns to many of the Term’s other civil cases, focusing particularly on decisions that are likely to be of broad interest to those who work or litigate in the nation’s state and federal courtrooms. Those rulings address important issues in the areas of administrative law, arbitration, Bivens, due process, equal protection, federal jurisdiction, qualified immunity, religion, speech, and the Supremacy Clause, among others.
AZW-LA-II white paint on swift BAT and XRT radiators: first time this paint is flown on an operational spacecraft

To minimise the effect of albedo flux and heat flux on the radiators, the AZW-LA-II white paint is used as thermal coating for the swift BAT and XRT radiators in spacecraft. The thermal coatings committee at GFSC recommends the following thermo-optical properties for this coating in the swift mission, when it is not exposed to direct solar radiation. The solar absorptance is 0.08 and hemispherical emittance is 0.91 at beginning of life (BOF). The solar absorptance is 0.12 and hemispherical emittance is 0.90 at the end of life (EOF). After the application of AZW-LA-II white paint on the radiators, these radiators has undergone thermal vacuum cycle test and was found that the paint is in good shape.
Randomised clinical trial of snus versus medicinal nicotine among smokers interested in product switching

Background An essential component of evaluating potential modified risk tobacco products is to determine how consumers use the product and resulting effects on biomarkers of toxicant exposure. Study design Cigarette smokers (n=391) recruited in Minnesota and Oregon were randomised to either snus or 4 mg nicotine gum for 12 weeks. Participants were instructed to completely switch from cigarettes to these products. Urine samples were collected to analyse for carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamine metabolites (4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol and N′-nitrosonornicotine and their glucuronides) and nicotine metabolites (total cotinine and nicotine equivalents) levels. Results Of the 391 participants randomised, 52.9% were male, the mean±SD age was 43.9±12.5 years, baseline number of cigarettes/day was 18.0±6.5 and Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence score was 5.1±2.0. The mean±SD number of snus pouches used/week at week 6 prior to tapering was 39.1±24.0 and nicotine gum pieces used was 37.6±26.3. Dual use of cigarettes and these products were observed in 52.9% and 58.2% of those assigned to snus and nicotine gum, respectively, at week 12. The end of treatment biochemically verified (carbon monoxide, CO Conclusions Snus performed similarly to nicotine gum in cigarette smokers who were interested in completely switching to these products, but was associated with less satisfaction and greater toxicant exposure than nicotine gum. Trial registration number NCT: 00710034.
Varied layer topologies in Luminescent Zinc coordination polymers with flexible aromatic ortho-Dicarboxylate and Dipyridyl Ligands

Hydrothermal synthesis has afforded four divalent zinc flexible-arm aromatic ortho-dicarboxylate coordination polymers containing dipyridyl coligands. According to X-ray crystallography, all four show layered coordination polymer structures. Nevertheless there is significant ligand influence on the nature of zinc atom aggregation and overall topology. In both {[Zn2(hmph)2(dpa)2]·2H2O}n (1) (hmph = homophthalate, dpa = 4, 4′-dipyridylamine), and {[Zn2(hmph)2(dpe)2](ClO4)2·H2dpe·4H2O}n (2) [dpe = bis(4-pyridyl)ethane], large {Zn2(hmph)2} dimeric units are evident, along with an overall herringbone (6, 3) layer topology. The longer span of the dpe ligands results in larger incipient channels, which can accommodate protonated dpe dications and perchlorate counterions. In {[Zn2(hmph)2(3-pna)]·H2O}n (3) (3-pna = 3-pyridylnicotinamide), {Zn2(OCO)2} anti-syn bridged dimers and {Zn2(OCO)4} syn-syn paddlewheel dimers coexist and are linked together by hmph and 3-pna ligands into decorated (4, 4) grid coordination polymer layers. {[Zn(1, 2-phda)(3-pina)]·2H2O}n (4) (1, 2-phda = 1, 2-phenylenediacetate, 3-pina = 3-pyridylisonicotinamide) manifests an undulating (4, 4) grid structure with isolated zinc atoms; the “wavelength” of the layers measures over 40 A. Luminescent properties of these materials are also reported.
Construct system development and attention to face wants in persuasive situations

This study assesses the impact of individual differences in construct system development (cognitive differentiation and abstractness) on concern for, and strategic attention to, face wants in persuasive situations. Hierarchic regression analyses suggest a strong relationship between construct development and concern for face as evidenced in rationales for behavior. Actual use of more sophisticated face saving strategies also was strongly influenced by individual differences in construct development.
Development of an Optimum Bicycle Shifting Strategy Based on Human Factors Modelling

According to ergonomic studies, cyclists can be in an optimum state during cycling with a fixed output power and cadence. This study proposes an intelligent shifting strategy, which can be adjusted automatically according to different environmental conditions, and by cyclists according to human factor aspects. The gear-shifting suggestions can also allow riders to maintain output power and optimum cadence during cycling. The output power change during the gear-shifting process can be reduced, and riders can feel comfortable and efficient during cycling.
Displacement analysis of the temporomandibular condyle from magnetic resonance images

Abstract A technique was developed to investigate the condylar displacement of the human temporoman-dibular joint. Condylar displacement was analyzed from magnetic resonance images of the joint. Fourteen static images were obtained during incremental jaw closure. Landmarks were identified on the magnetic resonance images and reference points were digitized. The condylar displacement was calculated based on an optimization algorithm. The technique was proven to be reproducible based on two feasibility tests. The results provided quantitative descriptions of the condylar displacement as a function of a prescribed jaw movement. The displacement was characterized by a translation of an anatomical point on the condyle and a rotation of the mandible. The condylar displacement was 6 mm at a mouth opening of 17 mm. Maximum rotation of the mandible was 12.3°. The motion of the condyle produced by the mechanical guidance system used in this study may be characterized as a small forward translation at the beginning of jaw opening, followed by a combination of translation and rotation.
Can we predict reactivity for aromatic nucleophilic substitution with [18F]fluoride ion?

SUMMARY The correlation between the 1%-NMR chemical shift of the aromatic ring carbon bearing the leaving group and the yield of nucleophilic aromatic displacement with no-carrier-added [ 18Flfluoride ion was evaluated. In comparison of structurally analogous compounds (fluoro, nitro and trimethylammonium substituted benzaldehydes, benzophenones and benzonitriles), the 13C-NMR chemical shift of the reactive aryl ring carbon correlated quite well with the [18F]fluorination yield (r2 = 0.87) for most but not all ring structures. Compounds with trimethylammonium leaving groups or methyl ring substituents were found to not fit the proposed correlation. Kinetic studies indicated clearly different rates of reaction for these compounds, with much higher than expected reactivity for the ccompounds with the cationic leaving group. Competition experiments suggest that low reactivity of methylsubstituted rings may be due to conversion of [18F[fluoride to an unreactive form. Our results indicate that the correlation between [W'Jfluorination yields for nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions and the 1% NMR chemical shift of the aryl ring carbon bearing the leaving group is applicable to numerous structurally analogous compounds, but cannot be simply generalized to aromatic rings with different leaving groups or ring substituents.
Sepsis in general surgery: a deadly complication

Abstract Background Sepsis is a deadly and potentially preventable complication. A better understanding of sepsis in general surgery patients is needed to help direct resources to those patients at highest risk for death from sepsis. Methods We identified risk factors for sepsis in general surgery patients by using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Project database. Results Analysis of the database identified 3 major risk factors for both the development of sepsis and death from sepsis in general surgery patients. These risk factors are age older than 60 years, need for emergency surgery, and the presence of comorbid conditions. Conclusions Risk factors for death from sepsis or septic shock in general surgery patients include age older than 60 years, need for emergency surgery, and the presence of preexisting comorbidities. These findings emphasize the need for early recognition through aggressive sepsis screening and rapid implementation of evidence-based interventions for sepsis and septic shock in general surgery patients with these risk factors.
Computational Fluid–Structure Interaction for Biological and Biomedical Flows

In this paper, we describe a three-dimensional (3D) computational approach for computing the fluid–structure interaction (FSI) encountered in biological and biomedical flows. The approach combines a Cartesian grid based immerse-boundary method for the viscous incompressible flow and a finite-element method for the solid body mechanics. The separate subroutines of the finite-element method can handle general 3D bodies as well as thin-wall structures such as frames, membranes, and plates. Furthermore, both geometric nonlinearity due to large displacements and large rotations and material nonlinearity due to hyperelasticity have been incorporated. The flow and the solid body are meshed separately, and as the body deforms, no mesh regeneration is needed. The FSI solver has been validated against previous numerical and experimental studies. Applications in insect flight and vocal fold vibration have been demonstrated.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Periodic Intensity Fluctuations in Pulsars

Eight pulsars have been searched for signs of periodic modulation of the pulse amplitudes, such as has already been reported for two pulsars. Five more examples of this phenomenon have been found.
The effects of recptor modulators on the AHH induction activity of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice

Abstract Treatment of immature male C57BL/6J mice with 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (HCB, 100–1000 umol/kg) resulted in a 44–200% increase in levels of the 2,3,7,8-TCDD hepatic cytosolic receptor protein for up to 14 days. The increased binding was not due to an alteration of the affinity of 2,3,7,8-TCDD for the receptor as shown by Scatchard analysis. In contrast treatment of immature DBA/2 mice with 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-HCB did not result in increased hepatic cytosolic receptor levels which were non-detectable in the treated and untreated animals. C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-HCB (500 umol/kg) and after 7 days 2,3,7,8-TCDD (0.32 ug/kg) was administered by i.p. injection; 14 days later the hepatic microsomal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activities were 587 and 1383 pmol product/mg protein/min respectively. In contrast, these activities were 340 and 437 pmol/mg protein/min in animals treated with only 2,3,7,8-TCDD. These synergistic effects were only seen in mice treated with submaximal enzymeinducing doses of 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Treatment of DBA/2 mice with 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-HCB (500 umol/kg) and varying dose levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD (10–5000 nmol/kg) resulted in apparent synergistic AHH and EROD induction activities in mice treated with submaximal and maximal enzyme inducing doses of 2,3,7,8-TCDD.
A Combined In Vitro and In Silico Approach to Estimate the Molecular Arrangement Within a Fibronectin Fiber

It has become apparent that the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a powerful modulator of cell behavior. Fibronectin (Fn) is of particular interest because it is a requisite cell adhesion molecule for development and wound healing and it is a promiscuous binding partner for many soluble signaling molecules. It was recently shown that the binding affinity of some molecules is dependent on the strain state of the Fn [2,3], reinvigorating our interest in the molecular mechanism of Fn fiber extension. The tertiary structure of the approximately 30 Fn type III domains of the protein has been shown to be capable of unfolding in single molecule force spectroscopy experiments, although evidence that unfolding occurs in Fn fibers has been indirect and has not been quantified. Nevertheless, unfolding of Fn molecules predicts a possible mechanism of strain dependant binding in Fn matrix and commensurate strain feedback to attached cells, contributing to the cellular mechanotransduction toolbox [3].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Prevalence and relevance of contact dermatitis allergens: A meta-analysis of 15 years of published T.R.U.E. test data ☆

Abstract Background The patch test procedure is frequently employed to help determine or confirm the cause of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The T.R.U.E. Test has become a global standard and is the commercially available patch test system currently used within the United States. Although many studies report T.R.U.E. Test data, none has measured the overall prevalence and relevance of reactions to the allergens tested by the T.R.U.E. Test. Our objective is to describe the prevalence and relevance of contact dermatitis allergens as tested by the T.R.U.E. Test. Methods We conducted a search of the MEDLINE database from 1966 to June 2000 for all publications on the use of the T.R.U.E. Test in the clinical evaluation of ACD in human subjects. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. For each study, we identified and recorded the number of subjects tested, the number of patients with positive reactions, and the number with relevant reactions. Data were analyzed using the SAS system (Cary, NC). Results Ours is the first study to compile the entire corpus of published T.R.U.E. Test data and to examine these data using meta-analytic techniques. The meta-analysis shows that nickel (14.7% of tested patients), thimerosal (5.0%), cobalt (4.8%), fragrance mix (3.4%), and balsam of Peru (3.0%) are the most prevalent allergens. The 5 least prevalent allergens are paraben mix (0.5%), black rubber mix (0.6%), quaternium-15 (0.6%), quinoline mix (0.7%), and caine mix (0.7%). By contrast, North American Contact Dermatitis Data Group (NACDG) data show that the 5 most prevalent allergens are nickel (14.3%), fragrance mix (14%), neomycin (11.6%), balsam of Peru (10.4%), and thimerosal (10.4%). NACDG data indicate that the prevalence of allergy to cobalt is 9.2%. In order to assess the clinical importance of T.R.U.E. Test allergens, we employ the Significance-Prevalence Index Number (SPIN). Based on SPIN, the most clinically important allergens tested by the T.R.U.E. Test are nickel (SPIN=894), cobalt (266), fragrance mix (158), colophony (141), and thiuram mix (138). Conclusions Our results identify the prevalence of common contact dermatitis allergens as tested by the T.R.U.E. Test and are in general agreement with previously published reports using other patch test methods. Over 3700 allergens have been identified as causing ACD, of which the T.R.U.E. Test tests only 23. Thus, the T.R.U.E. Test is a screening test at best. Comparison with NACDG data suggests that clinically important allergens may be missed by the T.R.U.E. Test.
Development of sensory, motor and behavioral deficits in the murine model of Sanfilippo syndrome type B.

Background Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIB (Sanfilippo Syndrome type B) is caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (Naglu). Children with MPS IIIB develop disturbances of sleep, activity levels, coordination, vision, hearing, and mental functioning culminating in early death. The murine model of MPS IIIB demonstrates lysosomal distention in multiple tissues, a shortened life span, and behavioral changes. Principal Findings To more thoroughly assess MPS IIIB in mice, alterations in circadian rhythm, activity level, motor function, vision, and hearing were tested. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) developed pathologic changes and locomotor analysis showed that MPS IIIB mice start their daily activity later and have a lower proportion of activity during the night than wild-type controls. Rotarod assessment of motor function revealed a progressive inability to coordinate movement in a rocking paradigm. Purkinje cell counts were significantly reduced in the MPS IIIB animals compared to age matched controls. By electroretinography (ERG), MPS IIIB mice had a progressive decrease in the amplitude of the dark-adapted b-wave response. Corresponding pathology revealed shortening of the outer segments, thinning of the outer nuclear layer, and inclusions in the retinal pigmented epithelium. Auditory-evoked brainstem responses (ABR) demonstrated progressive hearing deficits consistent with the observed loss of hair cells in the inner ear and histologic abnormalities in the middle ear. Conclusions/Significance The mouse model of MPS IIIB has several quantifiable phenotypic alterations and is similar to the human disease. These physiologic and histologic changes provide insights into the progression of this disease and will serve as important parameters when evaluating various therapies.
Tie channel sedimentation rates, oxbow formation age and channel migration rate from optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) analysis of floodplain deposits

Using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) analysis we obtained depositional ages ranging from 25 ± 10 to 928 ± 144 years before present for sediments deposited in oxbow lakes along three lowland river systems. The dated sediments were collected from the banks of tie channels along the Lower Mississippi River, the Fly River in Papua New Guinea, and Birch Creek along the Yukon River in Alaska. Tie channels connect the oxbow lakes to the main stem river and allow the exchange of water and suspended sediment between the two. The banks consist of fine sand and sandy silt beds interlayered with silt and clay. OSL samples were collected both horizontally from exposed banks and vertically by coring through levee crests; sample collection was targeted at beds containing appreciable quantities of fine sand. OSL ages were determined using single-grain or in some cases single-aliquot techniques and dose distribution analysis. Samples were first collected along the Lower Mississippi tie channel to compare OSL dates with historical data sources and test the applicability of OSL in these settings; the OSL dates agreed closely with historical data. In all three river systems, OSL dating allowed the determination of vertical accretion rates, tie channel advancement rates, and oxbow lake ages. In Papua New Guinea, OSL sampling also provides an estimate of lateral migration rates of the Fly River and allows a comparison of modern mineinfluenced deposition rates with natural background rates over the last 1000 years. Results from Papua New Guinea and the Mississippi River suggest that the advancement rate of tie channels responds directly to changes in the sediment load of the main stem river. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the nature of word recall: evidence for linguistic specificity

In Experiment 1 mixed lists of English and Spanish words were presented to bilingual subjects. After each list, subjects tried to complete fragments of the presented words, of translations of presented words, and of entirely new words. Thus, -lo-d was given as a cue for cloud following a list that included cloud (consistent condition), its Spanish equivalent nube (inconsistent condition), or neither of these words (no-presentation condition). Performance in the consistent condition exceeded that in the consistent condition, which in turn exceeded that in the no-presentation condition. In Experiment 2 precautions were taken to preclude translation during list presentation as well as at test. Specifically, subjects heard a single list of words all in the same language, either Turkish or English. Performance was again highest in the consistent condition, but this time there was no difference between the inconsistent and no-presentation conditions. These findings suggest that word recall can be direct rather than concept-mediated.
Determining two minimal circumscribing discs for a polygon

Abstract The paper proposes a 2-disc motion planning strategy to navigate an object within free space between obstacles from an initial location to a final location. The method makes use of the medial axis transform of the free space. Two minimal overlapping discs that fully enclose the moving object are determined, and then the centres of the two discs are constrained to move continuously along a path on the medial axis. The paper focuses on the problem of finding the two enclosing discs for an arbitrary moving polygon object. The problem is reduced to one of finding an optimal straight line cut through the polygon such that each of the subpolygons can be covered by a minimal disc. The paper discusses how an arbitrary polygon is cut, and how the two minimal overlapping discs that cover the given polygon are determined. Simulations are presented for a variety of polygons. The method has been used for planning part disassembly motion from inside to outside assembly.
Long‐term retention of impact crater topography on Ganymede

Previous analyses into viscous relaxation of impact craters on Ganymede have predicted short characteristic relaxation times (of the order of 100 Myr or less for larger craters), in disagreement with the apparent great ages of Ganymede's terrains. By applying improved understanding of rheologic parameters and initial crater shapes to a viscoelastic model, we calculate upper limit (zero heat flow) relaxation times in excess of the age of the solar system, eliminating this discrepancy. These very long relaxation times are not due to elastic effects, but are simply due to the effective viscosity of water ice at the appropriate temperatures and stresses.
Bladder carcinoma presenting with rectal obstruction

Two patients with bladder carcinoma that caused annular constriction of the rectum are described. A mechanism of local invasion by genitourinary malignancies (bladder and prostate) involves penetration of the rectovesical fascia of Denonvillier and circumferential rectal spread. Treatment of complete or partial obstructing lesions includes surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy (or combination), as well as several new techniques, notably laser destruction and transrectal tumor resection.
Percutaneous Embolization of a Chylous Leak from Thoracic Duct Injury in a Child

Postoperative chylous leak may result from thoracic duct injury during surgical procedures in the chest or neck and can be successfully treated with percutaneous embolization. We report the case of a child with persistent chylothorax and chyloperitoneum following multivisceral transplantation, which was performed due to unresectable inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the retroperitoneum. Intranodal lymphangiography was used to demonstrate the site of chylous leak from the lower segment of the thoracic duct and the leak resolved within days following percutaneous embolization of the thoracic duct.
CURRENT FOLLOWUP STRATEGIES AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY: A SURVEY OF AMERICAN UROLOGICAL ASSOCIATION UROLOGISTS

AbstractPurpose: Followup care of men who have undergone potentially curative surgical treatment for prostate cancer varies widely among clinicians. To determine current practice patterns we mailed a custom designed questionnaire to American and nonAmerican urologists who were American Urological Association (AUA) members.Materials and Methods: Surveys were mailed to a random sample of the approximately 12,000 AUA members, comprising 3,205 Americans and 1,262 nonAmericans. Evaluable surveys were returned by 760 American (24%) and 290 nonAmerican (23%) urologists. Our analysis is based on these 1,050 responses.Results: In generally healthy patients after radical prostatectomy for stages T1 to 2N0M0 and T3a to cN0M0 prostate cancer the most frequently recommended followup diagnostic tests included office visit with digital rectal examination, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and urinalysis. Although there is appreciable variation in the frequency of use of these methods, respondents generally recommend...
Protograph-based LDPC codes for partial response channels

This paper addresses the design of a protograph-based LDPC code which can approach the independent and uniformly distributed (i.u.d.) capacity of partial response channels. We propose a method to calculate the iterative decoding threshold of a joint graph between a protograph and the state structure of a partial response channel using the extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart. We then describe a simple method to search for a protograph code whose threshold is close to the i.u.d. capacity limit. This new class of codes is needed because experiments show a protograph that is capacity approaching in the AWGN channel may not perform well in partial response channels. In particular, protographs with punctured nodes are often used to produce good AWGN codes, but they perform poorly with the BCJR equalizer. Numerical results support our analysis.
Volunteering for job enrichment: Reaction to job characteristics or to change?

Abstract Employee reactions to the opportunity to participate in a job enrichment program were examined in relation to higher-order need satisfaction levels. It was found that employees whose higher-order needs were less satisfied were more likely to volunteer for job enrichment. The results also indicated that employees reacted to the opportunity for job enrichment in terms of reaction to job characteristics rather than on the basis of desire for a change. Implications for the practice of self-selection in relation to job enrichment are discussed.
The volatile oil of the leaves of chamaecyparis nootkatensis

Abstract Analysis of the volatile leaf oil of the Alaska (yellow) cedar showed (−)-α-pinene, (+)-3-carene, and (+)-limonene to be the main constituents. In addition, nine monoterpene hydrocarbons, seven oxygenated monoterpenes, six sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, nerolidol, cedrol, bisabolol, α-cadinol, nine diterpene hydrocarbons (including one new one), manoyl-, 13- and 8-epimanoyl- and 8,13-diepimanoyl oxides, phyllocladol, six n -alkanes, three alkanals and nine C 5 -branched chain or aromatic esters of isovaleric, 3-methyl-2-, and 3-methyl-3-butenoic acids were identified. The structures of the esters were confirmed by synthesis. Many of the sesquiterpene and diterpene hydrocarbons, cedrol and phyllocladol are typical constitutuents of the order Cupressales, but the new oxides and esters, the n -alkanes, alkanals, and possibly 1-methyl-4-isopropenyl- and 1-methyl-(α-hydroxyisopropyl)-benzene appear to be characteristic of this cedar species. The quantitative composition of the leaf oil from different trees varied little when the leaves were collected in winter, although some variation from one population to another may exist. Large losses of the low boiling components may ensue if the foliage is transported in an unsealed container.
Observation of a magic number in the ion distribution of ethene clusters

Abstract We present in this Letter the observation of a magic number of n = 4 in the (C 2 H 4 ) n + cluster ion distribution only under experimental conditions of low nozzle temperature or high stagnation pressure. We attribute this result not to any special thermodynamic stability of the neutral or ionic cluster, and speculate that it is due to the formation of a C 8 H 16 + molecular ion. We suggest that this product cation is formed via a series of exoergic condensation reactions which occur within the parent ethene cluster ion. Also presented are pressure dependence data which are used to elucidate other competing reactive mechanisms.
Urinary incontinence after laparoscopic cervical sacropexy for severe uterine prolapse

Objective To describe successful management of postoperative urinary incontinence in a woman who underwent laparoscopic cervical sacropexy for severe genitourinary prolapse. Setting Tertiary medical center. Subject A 40-year-old woman, who suffered from severe uterine prolapse and wished to have her uterus preserved, underwent laparoscopic cervical sacropexy. She began to suffer from stress urinary incontinence at 3 months after surgery. Results The patient underwent a minimally invasive tension-free vaginal taping using procedure, which allowed her to regain a normal social life. Conclusions The patient's severe uterine prolapse was repaired by means of laparoscopic cervical sacropexy, and she benefited from relatively less postoperative pain and quicker recovery. Although stress urinary incontinence developed 3 months after surgery, the patient regained continence after minimally invasive tension-free vaginal taping.
Challenging Marginalization at the Universities of the Third Age in Poland

Older people in Poland often describe and experience old age as a time in the life course marked by discrimination and marginalization. In this postsocialist context, a still-dominant Cold-War logic links older people to the devalued socialist past and younger people to the present and future of the Polish nation-state. Contemporary media portray old age as defined by physical and mental decline and social isolation. The most visible challenge to such temporal, bodily, and social exclusion occurs through Universities of the Third Age, where older people learn new skills, cultivate hobbies, and explicitly theorize growing old as a positive phase of life. Drawing on twenty months of ethnographic research, this article traces key sociocultural, political-economic, and historical factors that contribute to discrimination against and empowerment of older people in Poland. By analyzing national politics and media representations of old age together with ethnographic data from Universities of the Third Age, this article highlights the practices through which older Poles feel themselves to be transformed in old age—and asks who may be excluded from such practices—thus contributing to gerontological discussions of “active aging” and anthropological understandings of sociality in late life.
A Football Coil, a Devicf to Produce Afsolute Minimum Magnetic Field and an Isochronous Cyclotron for Heavy Ions

An electric solenoid is considered which consists of several discrete, circular and superconducting wires. The size of each loop varies from one to several meters in the radius. Furthermore, if such a solenoid is made into a football shape by squeezing the ends symmetrically, it is referred to here as a football coil. A discussion is given of the theory of synergic focusing; phase stability and universal orbit; application and computer simulation; and ion self-fields and self-focusing. An isochronous cyclotron was designed using the superconducted football coil and van resonators with flare height. It can accelerate various species of heavy ions; the heavier the rest mass of an ion, the better the present scheme will be.
Long-term outcomes of an arthritis self-management study: effects of reinforcement efforts.

An underlying assumption of self-care interventions is that they are most effective when reinforced. To test this assumption, 8 months after baseline, 589 subjects who had taken a 6-week Arthritis Self-management Course (ASMC) were randomized to (1) receive a bi-monthly arthritis newsletter, (2) attend a new 6-week Arthritis Reinforcement Course (ARC) or (3) receive no reinforcement. Between 8 and 20 months there were no significant differences among the three randomized groups. The results were unaltered by inclusion of assumed data of no change for the 46 subjects who did not complete the full 20-month study. Between baseline and 20 months all participants reduced their pain by 20%, depression by 14%, and visits to physicians by 35% (P<0.01). There were no trends toward loss of these effects over time. These findings indicate that the effects of a self-care intervention were sustained over 20 months and that the tested forms of reinforcement did not alter those effects.
Effects of Photoperiod on Hypothalamic and Anterior Pituitary Tachykinins of Male Siberian Hamsters During Development

In previous reports from our laboratory we showed that the hypothalamus and especially the anterior pituitary gland of the Siberian hamster contain very high concentrations of substance P- and neurokinin A-like immunoreactive substances, as compared with other common laboratory rodents. It was thought, therefore, that a study of the developmental changes of these two tachykinins in the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary of male Siberian hamsters would be of interest. In addition, as this species is very sensitive to changes in environmental light, these studies were carried out in animals kept under short or long daily photoperiods. The results of this investigation show that in male Siberian hamsters, photoperiod did not markedly influence the hypothalamic concentrations of substance P- and neurokinin A-like immunoreactive substances, which steadily increased from prepuberty up to 40-50 days of age. The influence of photoperiod, however, was much more marked on tachykinin levels in the anterior pituitary gland, because the developmental increase of tachykinins in this gland was significantly more evident in animals kept under short daily photoperiods than in animals under long daily exposure to light. These results are similar to those previously obtained in female Siberian hamsters, in spite of the fact that estradiol and testosterone seem to have opposite effects on anterior pituitary tachykinin concentrations. It seems, therefore, that, in addition to gonadal steroids, other factors may be important mediators of the tachykinin response to photoperiods in the anterior pituitary of the male Siberian hamster.
MicroRNA predictors of longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Neither genetic nor environmental factors fully account for variability in individual longevity: genetically identical invertebrates in homogenous environments often experience no less variability in lifespan than outbred human populations. Such variability is often assumed to result from stochasticity in damage accumulation over time; however, the identification of early-life gene expression states that predict future longevity would suggest that lifespan is least in part epigenetically determined. Such “biomarkers of aging,” genetic or otherwise, nevertheless remain rare. In this work, we sought early-life differences in organismal robustness in unperturbed individuals and examined the utility of microRNAs, known regulators of lifespan, development, and robustness, as aging biomarkers. We quantitatively examined Caenorhabditis elegans reared individually in a novel apparatus and observed throughout their lives. Early-to-mid–adulthood measures of homeostatic ability jointly predict 62% of longevity variability. Though correlated, markers of growth/muscle maintenance and of metabolic by-products (“age pigments”) report independently on lifespan, suggesting that graceful aging is not a single process. We further identified three microRNAs in which early-adulthood expression patterns individually predict up to 47% of lifespan differences. Though expression of each increases throughout this time, mir-71 and mir-246 correlate with lifespan, while mir-239 anti-correlates. Two of these three microRNA “biomarkers of aging” act upstream in insulin/IGF-1–like signaling (IIS) and other known longevity pathways, thus we infer that these microRNAs not only report on but also likely determine longevity. Thus, fluctuations in early-life IIS, due to variation in these microRNAs and from other causes, may determine individual lifespan.
CTLA‐4 engagement regulates NF‐κB activation in vivo

CTLA-4 engagement inhibits TCR-dependent functions and CTLA-4(-/-) mice develop a lymphoproliferative disorder leading to early lethality. In vitro, ligation of CTLA-4 reduces TCR-mediated activation of NF-kappaB, a transcription factor implicated in promoting T cell survival and cytokine production. However, whether NF-kappaB inhibition downstream of CTLA-4 is necessary for down-regulation of T cell responses is not known. We hypothesized that signaling pathways that are antagonized when CTLA-4 is engaged should be augmented when CTLA-4 is absent and found thatspontaneous NF-kappaB activity was increased in T cells from CTLA-4(-/-) mice. To determine the importance of NF-kappaB inhibition upon CTLA-4 engagement in vivo, CTLA-4(-/-) mice were interbred with mice expressing a transdominant IkappaBalpha mutant under the control of the Lck promoter. The resulting mice had reduced spontaneous NF-kappaB activity in T cells,delayed mortality, and reduced leukocytic accumulation in spleen, lymph nodes, and exocrine pancreas as compared with CTLA-4(-/-) littermates. However, impaired NF-kappaB activation in T cells did not prevent the up-regulation of activation markers on T cells or the acquisition of effector cytokine production. Thus, impaired NF-kappaB activity in T cells prevents specific aspects of the CTLA-4(-/-) phenotype, suggesting that inhibition of NF-kappaB activation is one of the key biochemical events regulated by CTLA-4 ligation in vivo.
Nine themes in campus racial climates and implications for institutional transformation

This chapter synthesizes fifteen years of published research on campus racial climates. It also presents nine themes that emerged from a qualitative study of campus racial climates at five predominantly White universities.
MULTIFOCAL ATRIAL TACHYCARDIA: A TOXIC EFFECT OF THEOPHYLLINE

Sixteen patients with multifocal atrial tachycardia (MAT) who were taking theophylline were identified over 6 months. After theophylline was discontinued the atrial rate fell and MAT resolved in all sixteen patients. Five patients were challenged with intravenous aminophylline to investigate the role of theophylline in the genesis of MAT. MAT with a rapid ventricular response occurred in all five even though metabolic and respiratory variables did not change. MAT returned on challenge in three patients in whom serum theophylline levels were within the generally accepted therapeutic range (10-20 mg/l). In individual patients, theophylline had a dose-related effect on the atrial rate and the amount of ectopic atrial activity. Thus, theophylline may commonly precipitate MAT and treatment with the drug should be carefully considered in patients with respiratory insufficiency and MAT.
Oxidant-mediated modification of the cellular thiols is sufficient for arginase activation in cultured cells.

Increased arginase activity in the vasculature has been implicated in the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis, leading to the development of vascular disease and the promotion of tumor cell growth. Recently, we showed that cysteine, in the presence of iron, promotes arginase activity by driving the Fenton reaction. In the present report, we showed that induction of oxidative stress in erythroleukemic cells with the thiol-specific oxidant, diamide, led to an increase in arginase activity by 42% (P = 0.02; vs. control). By using specific antibodies, it was demonstrated that this increase correlated with an increase in arginase-1 levels in the cells and with corresponding decreases in glutathione and protein thiol levels. Treatment of cells with aurothiomalate (ATM), a protein thiol-complexing agent, diminished the activity of arginase and arginase-1 levels by 19.5 and 35.2%, respectively (vs. control) and significantly decreased both glutathione and protein thiol levels, further implicating the thiol redox system in the cellular activation of arginase. Furthermore, diamide significantly altered the kinetics of arginase, resulting in the doubling of its Vmax (vs. control). Our presented data demonstrate, for the first time that the intracellular arginase activation is may be enhanced in part, via a cellular thiol-mediated mechanism.