cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anatomic and functional outcomes of pharmacomechanical and catheter-directed thrombolysis of iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis.

Objective Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis (PMT) and catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) are commonly used for the treatment of iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The purpose of this study was to examine the short- and long-term venous patency and venous valvular function as well as clinical outcomes of patients treated for iliofemoral DVT by PMT and CDT. Methods A retrospective review of all patients with symptomatic DVT treated between 2006 and 2011 with PMT or CDT was performed. All patients were treated by local tissue plasminogen activator delivered with PMT or CDT. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of initial treatment modality: patients treated by PMT alone (group 1), and those who underwent PMT and CDT or CDT alone (group 2). Group comorbidities, initial presenting symptoms, and Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathologic (CEAP) classification scores were compared. Postprocedural duplex ultrasound was used to assess valve function and treated vein patency rates. At all visits, Villalta and CEAP scores were recorded and compared. Group demographic and procedural results were analyzed by Fisher exact test for dichotomous variables and Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations rank test for the ordinal and continuous data. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were used to assess preserved valve function as well as primary and secondary patency rates. Results There were 79 patients with 102 limbs treated for extensive iliofemoral DVT (median age, 51.5 years; range, 16.6-83.8 years). There were 18 patients in group 1 and 61 patients in group 2 (PMT + CDT [n = 54] or CDT alone [n = 7]). There were no differences in demographics or comorbidities between groups aside from malignant disease, which was more common in group 1 (35.3% vs 11.5%; P = .03). A total of 102 limbs were analyzed, 24 in group 1 and 78 in group 2. Patients in group 1 had a shorter symptom duration compared with group 2 (7 days vs 16 days; P = .011). The median number of procedures in group 1 was lower than in group 2 (P Conclusions This study suggests that PMT as a stand-alone therapy is as effective as CDT with or without PMT in preserving valve function and preventing postthrombotic syndrome. Long-term physiologic and functional outcomes are comparable between the modalities, with preserved venous valve function in the majority of patients.
Microcanonical simulation of first-order phase transitions in finite volumes

Abstract Microcanonical studies of first-order phase transitions provide essentially the same information as canonical ensemble calculations, and offer no significant advantage over the more common canonical approach. Interpretation of the S-shaped energy-temperature curve that signals a first-order transition as a “van der Waals” curve whose extrema denote “limits of metastability” and bracket an accesible “unstable phase” is unjustified; a simple model of finite-volume effects reproduces such S-shaped curves with good accuracy, as illustrated by the three-dimensional three-state Potts model.
Relaxed Si1−xGex films with reduced dislocation densities grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract The quality of annealed Si 0.86 Ge 0.14 films grown on thin bond-etchback silicon on insulator (BESOI) wafers has been investigated using photoluminescence and X-ray diffraction techniques. We present evidence for the relaxation of these layers under conditions which result in higher film quality than for the same layers grown on bulk Si. The surmised mechanism leading to the reduced dislocation density is the viscous flow of the buried SiO 2 layer, which allows strain in the Si 0.86 Ge 0.14 layer to be relaxed by the introduction of dislocations primarily in the thin Si layer.
Spillover of pH1N1 to swine in Cameroon: an investigation of risk factors

Background: The 2009 pH1N1 influenza pandemic resulted in at least 18,500 deaths worldwide. While pH1N1 is now considered to be in a post-pandemic stage in humans it has nevertheless spilled back into swine in at least 20 countries. Understanding the factors that increase the risk of spillover events between swine and humans is essential to predicting and preventing future outbreaks. We assessed risk factors that may have led to spillover of pH1N1 from humans to swine in Cameroon, Central Africa. We sampled swine, domestic poultry and wild birds for influenza A virus at twelve sites in Cameroon from December 2009 while the pandemic was ongoing, to August 2012. At the same time we conducted point-count surveys to assess the abundance of domestic livestock and wild birds and assess interspecific contact rates. Random forest models were used to assess which variables were the best predictors of influenza in swine. Results: We found swine with either active pH1N1 infections or positive for influenza A at four of our 12 sites. Only one swine tested positive by competitive ELISA in 2011-2012. To date we have found pH1N1 only in the North and Extreme North regions of Cameroon (regions in Cameroon are administrative units similar to provinces), though half of our sites are in the Central and Western regions. Swine husbandry practices differ between the North and Extreme North regions where it is common practice in to let swine roam freely, and the Central and Western regions where swine are typically confined to pens. Random forest analyses revealed that the three best predictors of the presence of pH1N1 in swine were contact rates between free-ranging swine and domestic ducks, contact rates between free-ranging swine and wild Columbiformes, and contact rates between humans and ducks. Sites in which swine were allowed to range freely had closer contact with other species than did sites in which swine were kept penned. Conclusions: Results suggest that the practice of allowing swine to roam freely is a significant risk factor for spillover of influenza from humans into swine populations.
Pulsed‐plasma polymerization of 1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone: Synthesis of a linear polymer

The RF plasma induced polymerization of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone was examined under variable duty-cycle pulsed-plasma conditions. Large-scale progressive changes in the composition of the resultant polymeric films were observed with sequential changes in the plasma duty cycle employed during polymerization, all other plasma variables held constant. The film compositional changes obtained are in the direction of increased retention of the lactam ring of the monomer in the resultant polymers as the duty cycles employed (i.e., the ratio of plasma on to plasma off times) were decreased. Particularly significant are the relatively linear polymeric structures obtained under the exceptionally low-average power deposition conditions made accessible with the pulsed plasma technique. XPS and FTIR spectroscopic examination of these latter films reveal compositions that are similar to those obtained by conventional (i.e., nonplasma) synthesis of the linear polymer. The film chemistry controllability demonstrated in the present study is achieved while maintaining the many advantages of the plasma polymerization approach for surface modifications. This work provides additional support for use of the pulsed operational mode as an effective means of film chemistry control, in particular extending the plasma polymerization technique to include synthesis of linear polymers, in lieu of the more highly crosslinked structures typically produced in conventional continuous-wave plasma polymerization processes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 3121–3129, 1998
The kinetic mechanism of the anterior pituitary progesterone 5α-reductase☆

An analysis of the kinetic mechanism of the microsomal NADPH-linked progesterone 5 alpha-reductase obtained from female rat anterior pituitaries was performed. Initial velocity, product inhibition and dead-end inhibition studies indicate that the kinetic mechanism for the progesterone 5 alpha-reductase is equilibrium ordered sequential. Analysis of the initial velocity data resulted in intersecting double reciprocal plots suggesting a sequential mechanism [apparent Km(progesterone) = 88.2 +/- 8.2 nM; apparent Kia(NADPH) = 7.7 +/- 1.1 microM]. Furthermore, the plot of 1/v vs 1/progesterone intersected on the ordinate which is indicative of an equilibrium ordered mechanism. Additional support for ordered substrate binding was provided by the product inhibition studies with NADPH versus NADP and progesterone versus NADP. NADP is a competitive inhibitor versus NADPH (apparent Kis = 7.8 +/- 1.0 microM) and a noncompetitive inhibitor versus progesterone (apparent Kis = 9.85 +/- 2.1 microM and apparent Kii = 63.2 +/- 12.5 microM). These inhibition patterns suggest that NADPH binds prior to progesterone. In sum, these kinetic studies indicate that NADPH binds to the microsomal enzyme in rapid equilibrium and preferentially precedes the binding of progesterone.
Cl-/HCO3- exchange function differs in adult and fetal rat hippocampal neurons.

Abstract We studied Cl − /HCO 3 − exchange function in acutely dissociated single hippocampal neurons from adult and fetal day 18 rat using a fluorescent intracellular pH (pH i ) indicator dye. The presence of Cl − /HCO 3 − exchange activity was assayed by observing the elevation in pH i upon acute reversal of the Cl − gradient. Resting intracellular pH in acutely dissociated neurons of both adult and fetal tissue was significantly higher than that of cultured fetal hippocampal neurons (day 10–12 in culture). Acute removal of extracellular Cl − caused a rapid and reversible increase in pH i by 0.25 pH units in adult neurons but had virtually no effect in similarly dissociated fetal neurons. Cl − /HCO 3 − exchange activity was also undetectable in fetal cultured hippocampal neurons. The mRNA for the anion exchanger AE3 is expressed abundantly in adult rodent neurons. AE3 is a potential candidate molecule for the observed Cl − /HCO 3 − exchange activity. In situ hybridization was used to monitor expression of the AE3 gene in these two age groups. We found that both adult and fetal neurons express AE3 mRNA. These results indicate that AE3 may not function as a Cl − /HCO 3 − exchanger in fetal neurons, in contrast to its possible role in the adult brain.
Life-Cycle-Cost Methodology for the Space Station Propulsion System

A life cycle cost (LCC) model was developed for the space station propulsion system, to support requirement and configuration trade studies. The model was conceived to be flexible in its structure in order to handle the large variations in propulsion concepts with regard to propellants, hardware, space station characteristics, and operational support schemes. The model categorizes LCC into four cost segments: development, production, transportation, and operational support. The methodology is described with regard to the model structure, assumptions and ground rules, types of cost estimating relationships used, validation, and input/output features. Typical cost analysis results are presented to illustrate the application of the methodology. These cover several propulsion concepts using hydrazine and oxygen/hydrogen as propellants. A comparison is made with previously published cost data by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the cost differences are explained. The methodology includes cost risk; therefore, a description of the risk approach and the different elements of risk are provided.
Variables predicting reintubation after cardiac surgical procedures

Abstract Background . This study sought to determine patient characteristics, processes of care, and intermediate outcomes as predictors of reintubation after cardiac surgical procedures. Methods . We performed a retrospective case-control study that included all patients undergoing cardiac surgical intervention who required reintubation and an equal number of control patients not requiring reintubation. Putative risk factors were analyzed univariately by χ 2 , Fisher exact, Student's t, or Mann-Whitney tests. A logistic regression model was developed using data from patients requiring reintubation for cardiorespiratory reasons. Results . Of the 1,000 consecutive patients reviewed, 41 (4.1%) required reintubation (30 [3%] for cardiorespiratory reasons and 11 [1.1] for unplanned operations). Univariate predictors of reintubation ( p p Conclusions . Patients who required reintubation were sicker and had worse respiratory function and more comorbidity. Prompt extubation did not contribute to reintubation. Patients identified as having a high risk for reintubation should be followed up closely, and interventions should be directed to treating the problems leading to reintubation.
On equating the difference between optimal and marginal values of general convex programs

Unlike elementary finite linear programming, the optimal program value of a convex optimization problem is generally different from the vector product of the marginal price vector and the resource right-hand side vector. In this paper, a duality approach is developed, based on objective function parametrizations, to characterize this difference under rather general circumstances. The approach generalizes the concept of Kuhn-Tucker vectors of a convex program. It is shown that nonstandard polynomial Kuhn-Tucker vectors exist for any convex program having finite value. Two examples illustrate the procedure.
The roles of the future library

“Library,” as a place, will give way to “library” as a transparent knowledge network providing “intelligent” services to business and education through both specialized librarians and emerging information technologies. Libraries will rely heavily on computers and peripherals to facilitate electronic document imaging, publishing, telecommunications, and information delivery in addition to networked collection management and reference services.
Masculinity and Commemoration of the Great War: Gabriele D'Annunzio's La beffa di Buccari and Eugenio Baroni's Monumento al Fante

AbstractThis essay examines two examples of the commemoration of World War I, one a written text, La beffa di Buccari (1918), by Gabriele D'Annunzio, and the other a 1921 proposal for a war memorial entitled Monumento al Fante by sculptor Eugenio Baroni. Before the war, both men had produced deeply patriotic works and availed themselves almost exclusively of female personifications of the nation and images of motherhood when commemorating the heroic deeds of the Italian people. However, during and after the war, when the majority of public literary and sculptural memorials still relied on maternal rhetoric to articulate the mourning process, D'Annunzio and Baroni deviated from these norms. Yet La beffa di Bucari augmented D'Annunzio's reputation as a hero, while the Monumento al Fante was, after several controversial years, eventually deemed unacceptable as a public memorial and remained unrealized. The similarities between the two post-war works under consideration — particularly their reliance on male f...
A watt-level 2.4 GHz RF I/Q power DAC transmitter with integrated mixed-domain FIR filtering of quantization noise in 65 nm CMOS

This paper presents an S-band RF I/Q power DAC transmitter with embedded mixed-domain finite-impulse-response (FIR) filter to suppress out-of-band (OOB) quantization noise for FDD/co-existence. Watt-level output power and low output OOB noise level is achieved through (1) power combining (2) device stacking with thick oxide devices in a switching-class power amplifier (PA) and (3) embedded RF FIR filtering. To combat the strong conductance-to-amplitude/phase nonlinearity of switching-class digital PAs, a transformer-based FIR architecture is proposed that ensures completion of filtering after the nonlinearity. Implemented in 65 nm CMOS, the transmitter has a measured peak output power of 29.1 dBm with 42% system efficiency at 2.25 GHz. The measured noise floor at 100 MHz offset from the 2.4 GHz carrier is -134 dBc/Hz for a 20 MHz 64-QAM signal at 200 MSa/s including 8 dB noise floor suppression from transformer-based two-tap third-order FIR filtering, yielding an ENOB of 8.18.
The American College of Physicians: the first 75 years.

Excerpt The founding and progress of the American College of Physicians (ACP) have been variously interpreted in three published histories and in other documents (1-5). A student of its 75-year met...
Hemoglobin absorption by proximal tubule cells of the rabbit kidney. A study by electron microscopic autoradiography.

Hemoglobin absorption in proximal tubule cells of the rabbit kidney was studied by means of combined autoradiography and electron microscopy and using radioisotope-labeled hemoglobin. The hemoglobin was labeled with tritiated dl -leucine during in vitro synthesis of hemoglobin by rabbit reticulocytes and injected intravenously in small amounts. The bulk of the labeled hemoglobin, after 150 minutes, is located in specific cytoplasmic bodies in the proximal tubule cells. Of all grains observed, 63.4 % lay directly over three varities of the type II cytoplasmic bodies. Of the remaining grains, the majority lay within 0.4 μ of the limiting membrane of these cytoplasmic bodies. Totally, approximately 85 % of all grains were found over or immediately adjacent to the type II cytoplasmic bodies. A small percentage of grains was found in apical vacuoles containing little or no electron dense material. This and other observations indicate that electron dense material in sections of proximal tubule cells during hemoglobinuria cannot be specifically equated with the presence or absence of hemoglobin.
THE EFFECT OF TESTOSTERONE PROPIONATE ON THE BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON

DURING A STUDY of the social behavior of the night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax hoactli (Gmelin), previously reported (i), it was discovered that both sexes of this species undergo a marked increase in the pigmentation of the lores, lower mandible and buccal cavity, also a conspicuous vascularisation of the legs, during the breeding season. When both sexes of a species of birdundergo the same seasonal development of a secondary sexual character it has been assumed, as in the case of Larus ridibundus, that the male and female sex hormones were producing identical effects (2). The recent experiments of Witschi and Miller (3) on the starling, Sturnus vulgaris, however, indicate that a male hormone may be present in sufficient amounts in both sexes during the breeding season to be responsible for these second ary sexual characters. This discovery raises the question as to why the females of those species, which owe their secondary sexual characters to malehormone, do not develop male behavior.
Lessons learned from the introduction of personalized genotyping into a medical school curriculum.

Purpose: There is an expanding gap between the availability of direct-to-consumer whole genome testing and physician knowledge regarding interpretation of test results. Advances in the genomic literacy of health care providers will be necessary for genomics to exert its potential to affect clinical practice. However, implementation of a major shift in medical education to include genomics is not easily done. The purpose of this educational report is to describe efforts to incorporate knowledge of personalized medicine into a medical school curriculum. Methods: In this report, we describe the experiences, both good and bad, of a multidisciplinary faculty group that examined ways to improve genomic education at Tufts University School of Medicine during a 16-month period. Results: The results of the faculty's deliberation process resulted in the use of anonymous, rather than student genomes, to teach material on genomic medicine. Conclusion: Increased medical school education regarding genomic analysis and personalized medicine is a necessity, both to be able to translate the advances made by the Human Genome Project into improvements in human health and to begin to think of diseases as disruptions in specific pathways. Our experiences illustrate that adding this material to a medical school curriculum is a complex process that deserves careful thought and broad discussion within the academic community.
Darwin and the linguists: the coevolution of mind and language, part 2. The language-thought relationship.

This paper examines Charles Darwin's idea that language-use and humanity's unique cognitive abilities reinforced each other's evolutionary emergence-an idea Darwin sketched in his early notebooks, set forth in his Descent of man (1871), and qualified in Descent's second (1874) edition. Darwin understood this coevolution process in essentially Lockean terms, based on John Locke's hints about the way language shapes thinking itself. Ironically, the linguist Friedrich Max Muller attacked Darwin's human descent theory by invoking a similar thesis, the German romantic notion of an identity between language and thought. Although Darwin avoided outright contradiction, when he came to defend himself against Muller's attacks, he undercut some of his own argumentation in favor of the coevolution idea. That is, he found it difficult to counter Muller's argument while also making a case for coevolution. Darwin's efforts in this area were further complicated by British and American writers who held a naturalistic view of speech origins yet still taught that language had been invented by fully evolved homo sapiens, thus denying coevolution.
Fas/CD95 deficiency in ApcMin/+ mice increases intestinal tumor burden.

BACKGROUND Fas, a member of the tumor necrosis family, is responsible for initiating the apoptotic pathway when bound to its ligand, Fas-L. Defects in the Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway have been reported in colorectal cancer. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In the present study, a variant of the Apc(Min/+) mouse, a model for the human condition, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), was generated with an additional deficiency of Fas (Apc(Min/+)/Fas(lpr)) by cross-breeding Apc(Min/+) mice with Fas deficient (Fas(lpr)) mice. One of the main limitations of the Apc(Min/+) mouse model is that it only develops benign polyps. However, Apc(Min/+)/Fas(lpr) mice presented with a dramatic increase in tumor burden relative to Apc(Min/+) mice and invasive lesions at advanced ages. Proliferation and apoptosis markers revealed an increase in cellular proliferation, but negligible changes in apoptosis, while p53 increased at early ages. Fas-L was lower in Apc(Min/+)/Fas(lpr) mice relative to Apc(Min/+) cohorts, which resulted in enhanced inflammation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrated that imposition of a Fas deletion in an Apc(Min/+) background results in a more aggressive phenotype of the Apc(Min/+) mouse model, with more rapid development of invasive intestinal tumors and a decrease in Fas-L levels.
Are Residents Willing to Pay for their Community Forests? Results of a Contingent Valuation Survey in Missouri, USA

Publicly owned trees have important environmental and amenity values contributing to the quality of urban life. Community officials charged with managing this resource face a lack of funding and underestimate the value that residents place on street trees. A survey of residents in 44 Missouri, USA, communities included a contingent valuation method item designed to estimate how residents' willingness-to-pay for improved tree care and maintenance varied with community size and location. Residents in communities with a population of 50 000 or more, in the St Louis and Kansas City suburbs, and in St Louis and Kansas City show strong support for a ballot issue establishing a tree fund supported by a tax of between $14 and $16 per household per year. The results of this survey, together with recent surveys of community forestry officials and street tree inventories, are used to make recommendations to state agencies charged with managing community forests.
'Managed challenge' alleviates disengagement in co-evolutionary system identification

In previous papers we have described a co-evolutionary algorithm (EEA), the estimation-exploration algorithm, that infers the hidden inner structure of systems using minimal testing. In this paper we introduce the concept of 'managed challenge' to alleviate the problem of disengagement in this and other co-evol-utionary algorithms. A known problem in co-evolutionary dynamics occurs when one population systematically outperforms the other, resulting in a loss of selection pressure for both populations. In system identification (which deals with determining the inner structure of a system using only input/output data), multiple trials (a test that causes the system to produce some output) on the system to be identified must be performed. When such trials are costly, this disengagement results in wasted data that is not utilized by the evolutionary process. Here we propose that data from futile interactions should be stored during disengagement and automatically re-introduced later, when the population re-engages: we refer to this as the test bank. We demonstrate that the advantage of the test bank is two-fold: it allows for the discovery of more accurate models, and it reduces the amount of required training data for both parametric identification -- parameterizing inner structure -- and symbolic identification -- approximating inner structure using symbolic equations -- of nonlinear systems.
Crotalaria spectabilis toxicity in chickens.

SummaryConcentrations of 0.05% to 5% Crotalaria spectabilis seed were fed to chicks. All concentrations of the legume were shown to be toxic. Concentrations in excess of 0.3% produced death in all birds within 18 days. When less than 0.2% was fed there was a marked reduction in weight gain. In birds which died, hemorrhage was frequently observed in liver, lungs and the pericardium. Atrophy of liver and ascites were constantly encountered in test birds after death.
Action of retinoids on embryonic and early postnatal testis development

The current study investigates the hypothesis that retinoids have a role in embryonic testis development. The action of retinoids on testis development and the expression of retinoic acid receptors (RAR alpha, RAR beta, RAR gamma) were examined. In embryonic day 13 (E13; plug date = E0) testis organ cultures an RAR-selective agonist and all-trans retinoic acid completely inhibited seminiferous cord formation. In contrast, an RAR alpha-selective antagonist had no effect. RT-PCR demonstrated that RAR alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) was expressed at all developmental time points evaluated, which included embryonic day 14 (E14) through postnatal day 30 (P30). Expression of RAR beta mRNA was present at E15 through P2, whereas RAR gamma mRNA was expressed at E18 through P2. Cellular localization of receptors by immunohistochemistry indicated that RAR alpha was localized to the interstitium at E18 and to the seminiferous cords by P0. RAR beta and RAR gamma were detected in both interstitium and cords at E16 and by E18 were mainly expressed in the cords. At P0 RAR beta and RAR gamma were localized to the germ cell populations. To examine retinoid actions, the growth of P0 testis cultures were investigated. Interestingly, retinol and retinoic acid did not inhibit growth of P0 testis cultures but did inhibit the action of growth stimulators. Retinoic acid inhibited FSH, EGF, and 10% calf serum stimulated growth in P0 testis cultures. The hypothesis tested was that the inhibitory effects of retinoids on P0 testis growth may be mediated through the growth inhibitor, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta). The action of retinoids on TGF beta mRNA expression was examined in P0 testis cultures. Retinoic acid stimulated TGFbeta3 mRNA expression within 24 h and increased expression of TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 after 72 h. Retinol increased expression of TGFbeta1 and TGFbeta2 but not TGFbeta3 after 72 h of treatment. These observations indicate that retinoic acid can influence seminiferous cord formation and testis growth. The inhibitory actions of retinoids may in part be mediated through increased expression of TGFbeta isoforms.
A grassroots approach to teacher training: the Oregon council for computer education

The paper discusses factors contributing to the problem of preparing present and future teachers to accept and become skilled in the use of computers in the instructional process, and the obstacles to achieving a solution.The unique organizational activities of the Oregon Council for Computer Education are presented as a possible solution mechanism. The Council is described as a collective effort to work toward solutions of the many facets of the problem in a coordinated way statewide. The history and structure of the organization are presented, pitfalls described, and some of the accomplishments to date mentioned.
Resolving integral questions in site-specific recombination

Two long-awaited structures of serine and tyrosine site-specific recombinases bound to DNA show how reactions that are basically the same can be carried out in surprisingly different ways.
Coalescence frequencies in agitated liquid‐liquid systems

An experimental technique is described for estimating the coalescence frequency of droplets in an agitated liquid-liquid system. Results are presented for dilute aqueous dispersions in toluene. Quantitative estimates of the coalescence frequency are based upon a simple model proposed to describe the coalescence process. The coalescence frequency is shown to increase markedly with increase in impeller speed and to a lesser extent with increase in the dispersed-phase volume.
Salvage reirradiation for recurrent glioblastoma with radiosurgery: radiographic response and improved survival.

Purpose To determine the radiographic and clinical efficacy of stereotactic single dose radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) as salvage therapy for glioblastoma (GBM) at recurrence. Methods Thirty-six patients with pathologically proven recurrent GBM were treated with salvage reirradiation by either SRS or FSRT between March of 2001 and August of 2006. Thirty-one patients had an initial diagnosis of GBM. Five patients had a malignant transformation. All patients had received radiotherapy with a dose of 50–60 Gy, a median 13.6 months prior to reirradiation (range: 0.8–119 months). At the time of recurrence, 26 patients were treated with SRS with a median dose of 18 Gy (range: 12–20 Gy). FSRT was performed in ten patients with a dose of 36 Gy in six fractions, twice weekly. Follow-up included MRI and clinical examination every 2 months. Results Median survival time after SRS was 8.5 months, compared to 7.4 months after FSRT (P = 0.81). Of 26 patients treated with SRS, radiographic tumor response or stable disease was observed in eight (35%) patients and tumor progression was seen in 18 (65%) patients. Of 10 patients treated by FSRT, radiographic tumor response or stable disease was observed in four (40%) patients and tumor progression was observed in four (40%) patients (two lost to follow-up). Patients who responded to treatment had statistically improved survival compared to non-responders, with median survival of 15.8 vs. 7.3 months (P < 0.05). Conclusion Salvage reirradiation with SRS or FSRT for recurrent GBM results in radiographic response in a proportion of patients. Survival was significantly improved among patients who either responded or had stable disease after salvage reirradiation, compared to non-responders. Further study is warranted to investigate the method and time of reirradiation for recurrent GBM.
GENDER DILEMMAS, GENDER QUESTIONS, AND THE GENDER MANTRA

This paper discusses the social constructions of gender and the problematic effects of these constructions-masculine/feminie-on intimate attachments. It summarizes the aspect of feminist scholarship which revised the traditional developmental paradigm to include a psychology of women and cites recent infant research which re-describes development as a process of increasingly complex forms of relatedness rather than as a progression from attachment to separation. The authors are influenced by the school of feminist revisionism which argues on behalf of the integration of male and female attributes in each person. Two clinical techniques are suggested-“gender questions” and the “gender mantra”-which identify the contradictions inherent in the social construction of gender and encourage alternative constructions that more adequately represent men's and women's actual psychological experience.
Transforming Growth Factor-β Repression of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Dermal Fibroblasts Involves Smad3

Enhanced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1, collagenase-1) is implicated in pathological tissue destruction. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) prevents cytokine-induced MMP-1 gene expression in fibroblasts. In these studies, we examined the hypothesis that repression of MMP-1 may be mediated through the Smad signaling pathway. The results showed that Smad3 and Smad4, but not Smad1 or Smad2, mimicked the inhibitory effect of TGF-β and abrogated interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced stimulation of MMP-1 promoter activity and NFκB-specific gene transcription in dermal fibroblasts. Experiments with truncation mutants indicated that both MH1 and MH2 domains of Smad3 were necessary for inhibitory activity. Dominant negative mutants of Smad3 or Smad4 and antagonistic Smad7, which disrupts ligand-induced Smad3 phosphorylation, abrogated the repression of MMP-1 transcription by TGF-β. Similar results were obtained using immunoblot and Northern analysis. Furthermore, TGF-β failed to repress MMP-1 promoter activity in Smad3-deficient murine embryonic fibroblasts. These results implicated cellular Smads in mediating the inhibitory effects of TGF-β. Overexpression of the transcriptional co-activator p300, but not its histone acetyltransferase (HAT)-deficient mutant, was able to relieve repression of MMP-1 gene expression, suggesting that Smad-dependent inhibition may be due to increased competition between Smad proteins and IL-1β signaling pathways for limiting amounts of cellular p300. Together, these results demonstrate that MMP-1 is a target for negative regulation by TGF-β through cellular Smad3 and Smad4. Smad-mediated repression of MMP-1 gene expression may be important for preventing excessive matrix degradation induced by inflammatory cytokines; disruption of Smad signaling, as occurs in certain cancer cells, may thus be causally linked to uncontrolled tissue destruction mediated through MMP-1.
Amorphous carbon and its surfaces

Abstract We have investigated bulk amorphous carbon at three densities (3.2, 2.6, and 2.0 g/cm3) using density functional theory (DFT). The variation in the structure with density is discussed. The bulk structures are used to create surface structures. If the surfaces are relaxed at 700 K, the surface structures, as a function of density, are more similar than the analogous bulk structures. The relaxed surfaces appear to be graphene sheets with defects, sizable distortions, and have covalently bonded carbon chains holding the sheets together.
Addressing smart grid cyber security

This paper gives an overview of some cyber security challenges in a electric system that need to be addressed as the grid evolves. Understanding what the threats are and formalizing attacks is the first challenge. The peculiarity of a power network, which include software, hardware and humans, leads to the need for developing new methodologies for security and resilience. In this extended abstract we present our current efforts in addressing data integrity attacks, detection and countermeasures together with an agenda of our future research.
COFFEE CONSUMPTION IN RELATION TO SMOKING BEHAVIOR

Summary.-Smokers and nonsmokers, each group consisting of 25 men and women, were observed an average o€ 9.16 min. while engaging in coffee-drinking behavior at the student union cafeteria. Data were tabulated in sips per minute. Smokers sipped coffee significantly less often than nonsmokers. Further, men sipped coffee markedly less frequently than women. Statistical analysis indicated that the major difference resulted from men smokers who sipped coffee significantly less frequently than the other groups. The amount of coffee consumption has been positively correlated with tobacco smoking (Carmody, Brischetto, Matarazzo, O'Donnel, & Connor, 1985; Istvan & Matarazzo, 1984). Several factors tend to confound the findings (Ayers, Ruff, & Templer, 1976; Istvan & Matarazzo, 1984), making it difficult to differentiate the effects of separate variables on coffee consumption. There are multiple interacting factors involved in coffee consumption. Tobacco smoking appears to be so strongly linked to the amount of coffee a person consumes (Carmody, et al., 1985; Istvan & Matarazzo, 1984) that it merits additional investigation. One reason for ascertaining links between behaviors is to facilitate the identification of persons at risk for health problems (Mechanic, 1980). Despite many attempts to establish a correlation between coffee drinking and illness, coffee has not been unequivocally shown to cause any serious health problems (Ray & Ksir, 1987). Its importance lies in its relation to other behaviors which have been shown to cause serious health problems, such as alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking (Ayers, et al., 1976). Carmody, et al. (1985) made a distinction between smokers, exsmokers, and nonsmokers and found that exsmokers sipped significantly more coffee than nonsmokers.
Candidal Pancreatic Abscesses: Report of Two Cases and Review

Pancreatic abscess caused by Candida albicans is very rare. To date, only eight case reports describing a pancreatic abscess caused wholly or in part by Candida species have appeared in the literature. We recently treated two patients with candidal pancreatic abscesses. In our cases as well as those reported in the literature, treatment of the abscess with antifungal agents was delayed because of failure to recognize Candida albicans as a pathogen. Effective treatment appears to consist of drainage of the abscess and administration of amphotericin B.
Mass spectra of pyrrolidides of oxy, hydroxy and trimethylsilyloxy octadecanoic acids

Pyrrolidides of 16 isomeric oxooctadecanoic acids and 17 isomeric hydroxyoctadecanoic acids and their trimethylsily (TMS) ethers have been prepared and their mass spectra measured. Comparison of spectra of all the isomers has shown the variation in amide- and substituent-directed fragmentation with position of the substitutent on the 18 carbon chain. Five diagnostic ions are present in spectra of most oxo pyrrolidides, and the most important one is formed by cleavage between the carbons α and β to the oxo group on the amide side. Mass spectra of hydroxy pyrrolidides have four diagnostic ions; the principal one in most spectra is formed by α-cleavage at the oxygenated carbon on the terminal methyl side. There are four characteristic ions in spectra of the trimethylsiloxy pyrrolidides, and the two formed by α-cleavage on one or the other side of the oxygenated carbon are the most important. Spectra of the 2-, 3- and 4-substituted isomers are considerably different from those of the other isomers. Mass spectra of pyrrolidides of three specifically deuterated oxo acids and of eight deuterated hydroxy acids and their trimethylsilyl ethers also were recorded and used to confirm the mode of formation of almost all the ions in the spectra. Two unusual hydrogen migrations, from the carbon α to the oxygenated carbon on the terminal methyl side, are involved in fragmentation of the trimethylsilyl ethers. Spectra have been compared with those of the corresponding oxygenated methyl esters.
On the projective normality of line bundles of extremal degree

We propose a new method, using deformation theory, to study the maximal rank conjecture. For line bundles of extremal degree, which can be viewed as the first case to test the conjecture, we prove that maximal rank conjecture holds by our new method.
Dexamethasone Inhibition of Hydrogen Peroxide-Stimulated Glucose Transport

Although an action of corticosteroids to inhibit glucose transport is well known, the mechanism by which this is brought about has been unclear. Some evidence has suggested an action on insulin receptors, but a postbinding or postreceptor effect has also been reported. As hydrogen peroxide acts at a postbinding site to stimulate glucose transport, studies were carried out in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts to determine whether corticosteroids would inhibit hydrogen peroxide-induced glucose transport. In this cell type, both insulin and hydrogen peroxide produced a marked increase in glucose transport after a 30-min incubation. The increase produced by hydrogen peroxide, as well as insulin, was inhibited by previous incubation of the cells with dexamethasone. These findings give further support to the conclusion that dexamethasone has effects on glucose transport at a postbinding site. As changes in membrane lipids influence the movement and/or activity of glucose transporters, and dexamethasone alters membrane lipids,...
Mechanistic understanding of line-end shortening

In recent years the line end shortening (LES) phenomena, known also as line end pullback, has emerged as a significant issue in microlithography. The causes of LES include aerial image formation, simple pattern geometry considerations, and diffusion effects. This paper presents an overview of the main causes of LES with particular attention to contributions due to exposure gradients at the feature edge. The effect of exposure gradients on acid diffusion is described and results of experiments designed to study gradient effects are presented along with simulation of diffusion contributions to LES. Simulation and experiment suggest that transport-related resist bias mechanisms affect LES in complex ways. In addition to diffusion simulations, aerial image calculations are presented as simple demonstration of the contribution of the imaging system to LES.
Desmosomal antigens are not recognized by the majority of pemphigus autoimmune sera.

Sera from 7 patient with pemphigus vulgaris and both mouse and rabbit antisera against bovine epidermal desmosomes contained antibodies that bound to cell surface components of the spinous layer of bovine epidermis. The antidesmosomal sera show significant binding to purified desmosomal proteins in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Two of 7 pemphigus sera bound to desmosomal protein-coated microtiter plates at low dilution titers. Two of 6 normal human sera also bound to desmosomal protein-coated microtiter plates at titers comparable to those of the pemphigus sera. Indirect immunofluorescent labeling of frozen sections of monkey esophagus revealed striking differences in the distribution of pemphigus antigens and desmosomal constituents. Pemphigus antisera produced rather uniform fluorescence around the borders of spinous cells of the esophageal epithelium, while anti-desmosomal antibodies bound in a punctate pattern. Anti-desmosomal antibodies labeled cells of the basal layer in a strongly punctate pattern. Only 1 pemphigus serum appreciably labeled basal cells. Two of 3 anti-desmosomal antisera bound avidly in the upper differentiating layers of the epithelium. Pemphigus antibodies did not. Pemphigus sera that reacted with desmosomal proteins in ELISA were absorbed by affinity chromatography on immobilized desmosomal proteins. This treatment did not alter the immunofluorescent labeling patterns produced by these sera. From these results we conclude that the pemphigus autoantibodies studied here bind to epithelial cell surface antigens which are distinguishable from the structural components of desmosomes.
Amyloid in neurodegenerative diseases: Friend or foe?

Accumulation of amyloid-like aggregates is a hallmark of numerous neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and polyglutamine disease. Yet, whether the amyloid inclusions found in these diseases are toxic or cytoprotective remains unclear. Various studies suggest that the toxic culprit in the amyloid folding pathway is actually a soluble oligomeric species which might interfere with normal cellular function by a multifactorial mechanism including aberrant protein-protein interactions. Molecular chaperones suppress toxicity of amyloidogenic proteins by inhibiting aggregation of non-native disease substrates and targeting them for refolding or degradation. Paradoxically, recent studies also suggest a protective action of chaperones in their promotion of the assembly of large, tightly packed, benign aggregates that sequester toxic protein species.
Methane formation in vivo from N-isopropyl α(2-methylhydrazino)-ρ-toluamide hydrochloride, a tumor-inhibiting methylhydrazine derivative

Abstract N -isopropyl-α(2-methylhydrazino)-ρ-toluamide hydrochloride (MIH), a cytotoxic agent with both antitumor and carcinogenic properties, was found to be rapidly degraded in vivo . 14 C and 3 H N -methyl labeled MIH were given intraperitoneally to rats (20 and 200 mg/kg) and, in 8 hr, 7–10 per cent of the methyl group was converted to respired methane and 11–22 per cent to respiratory CO 2 . A comparison of the rate of methane and CO 2 formation from MIH and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) suggests that MMH may be an intermediate in MIH metabolism.
Dryness symptoms among an unselected clinical population with and without contact lens wear

Dry Eye Questionnaire (DEQ) and Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ) from unselected eye care patients (including current, former and non-contact lens wearers) were analyzed to contrast dryness symptoms among patients with and without contact lenses. Contact lens wearers reported a higher incidence of intense symptoms, especially late in the day (12.7% AM versus 41.1% PM, p < 0.0001), that diminished when they removed lenses (p = 0.0001). Dryness intensity was not correlated with gender and was inversely correlated with age among contact lens wearers, differing significantly from the pattern among non-lens wearers. Contact lens related dryness differs from dry eye among non-lens wearers.
Role of laser therapy in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in males older than 50 years of age. 75-80% of this population is considered to have some degree of BPH causing clinical symptoms and requiring urological treatment. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) is currently the standard surgical treatment modality for BPH. In an attempt to minimize the need for hospitalization and the associated perioperative and postoperative morbidity, alternatives have been sought. Various types of laser techniques such as interstitial laser coagulation and side-firing technology have been proposed. Numerous studies have shown that laser procedures safely and effectively reduce the volume of the prostate. Intra- and postoperative bleeding are nearly unknown complications for laser procedures, whereas this is the most relevant complication for the TUR-P. Due to significant tissue edema after laser treatment, patients commonly show delayed time to void adequately and, therefore, catheter drainage is often necessary for 3 to 21 days. Retrograde ejaculation is reported to occur less (0- 10%) compared to TUR-P (greater than 60%). Urinary tract infections are very common after interstitial laser coagulation. Although not many long-term clinical data are available, various studies have shown that BPH patients improve in symptom score, flow rate and post-void residual up to 3 years after laser treatment. This paper presents a concise review of efficacy, advantages and disadvantages of the most frequently used laser techniques as well as the long-term clinical data compared to TUR-P.