cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Leads After Permanent Implant in Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems

Objective The goal of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical indications associated with implantation of single versus dual percutaneous lead spinal cord stimulator (SCS) systems and to look further into how these leads are utilized for treatment. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort analysis of all patients undergoing SCS implantation between January 2001 and December 2013 with a minimum of two year clinical follow-up was performed. Number of trial and implanted leads was recorded. For patients with dual lead systems, it was noted if and when the second lead was used, along with the clinical indication for lead activation. Results Of the 259 patient cohort, 15.8% (n=41) patients underwent placement of a single lead system, 83.0% (n=215) underwent placement of a dual lead system, and 1.2% (n=3) underwent placement of three lead systems. Placement of dual lead systems was similar among all indication groups. Of those patients with a dual lead system in place, 88.1% utilized both leads and average time to programming of the second lead was 2.3 months. Most common reason to activate the second lead was inadequate stimulation coverage. Five of the 41 patients with single-lead systems underwent an additional surgery to implant a second lead due to inadequate stimulation with one lead. Conclusions To our knowledge this is the first descriptive analysis of the frequency of single and dual lead spinal cord stimulator systems. This report indicates that dual lead systems are most often placed and both leads are required for optimal patient therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Emerging immunotherapies for non-Hodgkin lymphomas: the tortoise approaches the finish line.

The path leading from the bench to the clinic has been more tortuous than initially envisioned, but it now appears certain that immunotherapeutic approaches will play an expanding role in the manag...
Improving Outcomes After Hospitalization: A Prospective Observational Multicenter Evaluation of Care Coordination Strategies for Reducing 30-Day Readmissions to Maryland Hospitals

Patients frequently experience suboptimal transitions from the hospital to the community, which can increase the likelihood of readmission. It is not known which care coordination services can lead to improvements in readmission rates. To evaluate the effects of two care coordination interventions on 30-day readmission rates. Prospective multicenter observational study of hospitalized patients eligible for two care coordination services between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2015. Readmission rates were compared for patients who received each care coordination intervention versus those who did not using multivariable generalized estimating equation logistic regression models. A total of 25,628 patients hospitalized in medicine, neurosciences, or surgical sciences units. Patients discharged home and deemed to be at high risk for readmission were assigned a nurse Transition Guide (TG) for 30 days post-discharge. All other patients were assigned the Patient Access Line (PAL) intervention, which provided a post-discharge phone call from a registered nurse. Two large academic hospitals in Baltimore, MD. Thirty-day all-cause readmission to any Maryland hospital. Among all patients, 14.2% (2409/16,993) of those referred for the PAL intervention and 22.8% (1973/8635) of those referred for the TG intervention were readmitted. PAL-referred patients who did not receive the intervention had an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for readmission of 1.27 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.12–1.44, p < 0.001) compared with patients who did. TG-referred patients who did not receive the TG intervention had an aOR of 1.83 (95% CI 1.60–2.10, p < 0.001) compared with patients who received the intervention. Younger age, male sex, having more comorbidities, and being discharged from a medicine unit were associated with not receiving an assigned intervention. These characteristics were also associated with higher readmission rates. PAL and TG care coordination interventions were associated with lower rates of 30-day readmission. Our findings underscore the importance of determining the appropriate intervention for the hardest-to-reach patients, who are also at the highest risk of being readmitted.
Planning amidst precarity: utopian imaginings in South Sudan

ABSTRACTIn spite of their present difficulties, brought again to the world’s attention by the December 2013 political crisis and ensuing violence, many South Sudanese have imagined alternative visions of the future. Utopian imaginings, made manifest through urban plans and business proposals, offer South Sudanese citizens ways to think outside the present, break with the past, and enact solutions when faced with extremely precarious situations. For scholars studying the political dynamics of South Sudan’s transition to statehood, the aspirations revealed in these plans suggest that constructive outcomes were being actively pursued and planned for by some of the same actors involved in conflict. These visions and the activities surrounding them, therefore, have important ramifications for everyday reality in contemporary Africa. They must be incorporated into analyses to attain a fuller, more nuanced, understanding of the potential future of the new nation-state.
Ambient contrast ratio of LCDs and OLED displays

We systematically analyze the ambient contrast ratio (ACR) of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays for smartphones, TVs, and public displays. The influencing factors such as display brightness, ambient light illuminance, and surface reflection are investigated in detail. At low ambient light conditions, high static contrast ratio plays a key role for ACR. As the ambient light increases, high brightness gradually takes over. These quantitative results set important guidelines for future display optimization. Meanwhile, to improve an OLED’s ACR at large oblique angles, we propose a new broadband and wide-view circular polarizer consisting of one linear polarizer and two biaxial films. Good performance is realized.
The Theory of the Brand

In many ways, this is a love story. For any of us that have spent a significant portion of our career managing, nurturing, growing, and building brands, Sidney Levy takes us back to the very beginn...
Poor Iodine Knowledge, Coastal Region, and Non-Iodized Salt Consumption Linked to Low Urinary Iodine Excretion in Zhejiang Pregnant Women.

Background: Iodine deficiency in pregnant women, defined as a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of less than 150 μg/L, is an important public health issue. To improve their iodine intake, it is important to understand the knowledge and practices regarding iodine. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted on 2642 pregnant women during 2016–2017 in Zhejiang province, China. A 3-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to record knowledge. The UIC and iodine content in household salt were determined. Results: Coastal participants were iodine deficient (median UIC 127.6 μg/L) while inland participants were iodine sufficient (median UIC 151.0 μg/L). The average knowledge scores were significantly lower for the coastal participants (24.2 points vs. 25 points for the inland participants; p < 0.001). The percentage for iodized salt consumption was significantly lower for the coastal participants (88.9% vs. 96.0% for those inland; p < 0.001). A generalized linear model analysis showed that non-iodized salt consumption, coastal region, and low knowledge scores were independently associated with a low UIC. Conclusions: Comprehensive interventional strategies are needed to develop to achieve an optimal iodine status. We recommend that coastal pregnant women should take iodine supplements based on the consumption of iodized salt, and improvement of iodine-related knowledge.
How Valid are Voter Registration Statistics? A Demographic Approach for Assessing the Validity of EAVS Voter Registration Data

This paper explores the test validity of items in the Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) that pertain to voter registration and voter-list maintenance. The method that is developed relies on testing the correspondence between EAVS items and related demographic statistics that should be the main drivers of the reported administrative statistics. (For instance, the number of removals from the voter rolls due to death that a county reports should track closely with the number of adult deaths in the county for the same period.) This approach finds a close correspondence with underlying demographics for two items: total new registrations and removals because of death. The approach finds much lower correspondence between list-maintenance statistics and corresponding demographic measures, especially items related to the removal of voters from the rolls because they moved. The approach also finds lack of correspondence between the number of pre-registered young people and the population of young people in a county. Lack of high correlations between certain EAVS items and their associated demographic factors can be due to a number of factors, including differences in recordkeeping and policy implementation, but also raise the question of whether EAVS items reflect a uniformity of data reporting across the country.
State Estimation in Nonlinear Structural Systems

This paper presents the application of state estimators in nonlinear structural systems. The objective is the estimation of earthquake induced damage in building-type structures. The paper compares the effectiveness of four existing methods, namely, Extended Kalman filter, Unscented Kalman filter, Ensemble Kalman filter and the Particle filter. Overall the proposed framework relies on the filters to perform estimation of the state (displacement and velocity) throughout the structure using a model and noise contaminated measured response at limited locations. The estimated state is used as input to a mechanistic damage function, which subsequently outputs the estimated damage per story in the structure model. To assess the accuracy of the different state estimators considered in this study, a ten-story nonlinear building structure was simulated under the conditions of minimal measurements, model class error and unknown excitation.
Association Between Pancreatic Fistula and Long-term Survival in the Era of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Importance In the past decade, the use of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) has increased for patients with borderline and locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Data on pancreatic fistula and related overall survival (OS) in this setting are limited. Objective To compare postoperative complications in patients undergoing either upfront resection or pancreatectomy following NAT, focusing on clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) and potential associations with OS. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study was conducted on data from patients who underwent pancreatic resection for PDAC at the Massachusetts General Hospital from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2017, Exposures Pancreatic cancer surgery with or without NAT. Main Outcomes and Measures Overall morbidity and CR-POPF rates were compared between NAT and upfront resection. Factors associated with CR-POPF were assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis. Survival data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves and a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results Of 753 patients, 364 were men (48.3%); median (interquartile range) age was 68 (61-75) years. A total of 346 patients (45.9%) received NAT and 407 patients (54.1%) underwent upfront resection. At pathologic examination, NAT was associated with smaller tumor size (mean [SD], 26.0 [15.3] mm vs 32.7 [14.4] mm;P Conclusions and Relevance Neoadjuvant therapy may be associated with a significant reduction in the rate of CR-POPF. In addition, standard factors associated with CR-POPF appear to be no longer applicable following NAT. However, once CR-POPF occurs, it is associated with a significant reduction in long-term survival. Patients with CR-POPF may require closer follow-up and could benefit from additional therapy.
Reactive Oxygen Species Target the Degradation of the EVI1 Oncoprotein.

Abstract Aberrant expression of EVI1 has been frequently found in myeloid malignancies as well as in cancers of the ovary, lung, head and neck, cervix, and breast, and is associated with a poor patient survival. Targeted degradation of oncoproteins is an effective strategy for cancer therapy. The AML1/MDS1/EVI1 (AME) transcription factor fusion protein is a product of the human t(3;21)(q26;q22) translocation found as a secondary mutation in some cases of CML during the blast phase (CML-BP) and in patients with de novo and therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Expression of AME in mouse bone marrow cells by retroviral transduction impairs hematopoiesis and eventually induces an acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-like disease in mice. Arsenic Trioxide (ATO) has been found to be an effective treatment for patients suffering from acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This is, at least in part, mediated by degradation of the PML/RARα oncoprotein that is associated with over 90% of APL. We have recently shown that ATO used at therapeutic levels also degrades AME. The ATO treatment induces differentiation and apoptosis in AME leukemic cells in vitro and causes decrease in peripheral leukemic cells and splenomegaly in vivo. ATO appears to target AME at both the EVI1 and MDS moieties of the protein for degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway and proteasome-independent mechanism, respectively. To investigate the mechanism of ATO induced degradation of EVI1 oncoproteins, we examined the effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS), on EVII expression, one of the downstream effectors of ATO-induced apoptosis. We found that EVI1 degradation correlates with the amount of ROS generated in cells. EVI1 can also be targeted for degradation by doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic agent that is effective in treating AML and ovarian cancer and a strong ROS inducer. Interestingly, the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) abrogates the degradation of the EVI1 protein in the presence of doxorubicin. These results demonstrate that EVI1 can be targeted for degradation by ROS. ROS inducing agents could be used as a part of targeted therapy for EVI1-positive malignancies.
Yield estimation in commercial cranberry systems using physiological, environmental, and genetic variables

a b s t r a c t Improved methods of yield prediction are desired by the cranberry industry for developing early crop pricing forecasts. However, yield is a complex trait that is influenced by multiple interacting factors involving plant physiology, the environment, and cultivar genetics. These factors and their interactions are poorly understood and this ambiguity complicates yield prediction. This study sought to improve the current understanding of yield by measuring the effects of physiological, environmental, and genetics variables on yield. Sixty-six variables were evaluated on 'Stevens' and 'Ben Lear' samples collected from eight commercial cranberry marshes located in Wisconsin during the 2011 and 2012 growing cycles. Regression analysis revealed berry number alone explained 84.5% and 91.3% of the variation associated with yield of 'Stevens' and 'Ben Lear', respectively. Models incorporating berry number and size were accurate at predicting yield (R 2 = 0.99 for 'Stevens' and 0.92 for 'Ben Lear'), yet are not useful for early crop forecasting purposes as desired by the industry. Additional regressions done to identify factors that influence berry number revealed large amounts of unexplained variation are associated with this trait. Intracultivar heterogeneity was also found to be substantial across sites and may contribute to the observed variation that could not be explained by the models. Differences in management practices could also contribute to this unexplained variation and is seldom accounted for in yield prediction studies. The main implications of our study suggests that improving the current understanding of variables influencing berry number could have positive implications on future efforts to develop more accurate methods of yield prediction for cranberry.
Collaboration and Co-design

Stepped Care 2.0 is collaborative in design and application. Co-design underlies all activity, whether at the system transformation level, at an interprofessional case conference, on a research team or in each encounter between a client and a provider. Initial co-design is guided by implementation science with careful attention to change management processes. Once implemented, neither the care provided nor the model organizing the care is static. Care structures and processes continuously evolve through data-driven adjustments and self-correction mechanisms. The model also supplies a type of scaffolding for organizing who does what, when and for whom within the broadened network of formal and informal resources.
Identification and Characterization of Atlantic Halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus) Habitats with Bathymetric Data Supplemented with Seafloor Video Observations

The utilization of first-order information about seafloor morphology, derived from multibeam sonar data, has become common in the investigation of deep-sea benthic habitats. When combined with comp...
Effect of drought stress on in situ ruminal starch degradation kinetics of corn for silage

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drought stress on the in situ ruminal starch degradation kinetic parameters of corn for silage. Five commercial corn hybrids for silage were utilized. The experiment was designed as a split-plot within a randomized complete block design with 4 blocks. Eight plots were blocked and randomly subjected to a watered (W) or non-watered (NW) treatment. Within each block, plots were split into 5 sub-plots, to which 1 of the 5 corn hybrids were randomly assigned. Before planting, all plots were irrigated with 150 mm of water to ensure a consistent emergence of corn seedlings. After this pre-planting irrigation, NW plots were not irrigated ever again. After planting, W plots were irrigated with 75 mm of water when the crop showed 2 visible leaves, 6 visible leaves, and pre-tasseling and with 45 mm every week, thereafter, for a total of 8 weeks (360 mm post-tasseling). Three ears from each subplot were collected when corn crops were between the 1/4 and 3/4 milk-line stage of maturity. Kernels were shelled by hand and dried. The in situ ruminal starch degradability was determined on ground (4-mm) grain samples placed in Dacron porous bags. All bags were immersed within the rumen of 3 rumen-cannulated cows fed a totally mixed ration containing 32 % corn silage, 3 % alfalfa hay, and 65 % concentrate mix (DM basis). Bags were incubated for 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. Water stress did not affect the fraction of instantly degraded starch (203 mg/g), the fraction of potentially degraded starch (759 mg/g), the fraction of undegraded starch (38 mg/g), or the differential starch degradation rate (0.0669/h). Corn hybrids did not affect any of these degradation kinetic parameters and no interactions existed between irrigation treatment and corn hybrid. In conclusion, drought stress had no effect on the in situ ruminal starch degradability of corn for silage.
Preclinical data on co-delivery of temozolomide and talazoparib by fucodain-coated nanoscale metal organic frameworks for colorectal cancer chemoradiation.

Abstract Nanoparticle characterization and in vitro data on the effects of combined PARP inhibition and DNA damage by chemoradiation are shown. This data accompanies the research article “Fucoidan-coated nanoparticles target radiation-induced P-selectin to enhance chemoradiotherapy in murine colorectal cancer” (DuRoss et al., 2021) Additional characterization of the physiochemical properties of nanoscale metal organic frameworks (nMOFs) comprised of hafnium and 1,4-dicarboxybenzene (Hf-BDC) loaded with temozolomide (TMZ) and talazoparib (Tal) are presented. Toxicity data of the drug-loaded nMOF coated with fucoidan (TT@Hf-BDC-Fuco) in colorectal cancer cells, CT-26, from alamarBlue-based chemoradiation experiments are shown. Experimental methods for the nanoparticle characterization and cell-based assays of the nMOF formulation are presented.
Economic Costs Versus Social Benefits of Health Insurance

Since so little evidence shows that health insurance leads to better physical health, the argument that health insurance costs more money than it is worth would appear to be a compelling argument for reducing health insurance coverage. However, this ignores that the benefits of health insurance include more than medical benefits.
Roles of Arginine and Canavanine in the Synthesis and Repression of Ornithine Transcarbamylase by Escherichia coli

Conditions were found under which the processes of repression and derepression of ornithine transcarbamylase were separated from the process of enzyme synthesis. After 10 min of arginine deprivation followed by the addition of 2 to 200 mug of l-arginine per ml, a number of strains of Escherichia coli exhibited a significant burst of ornithine transcarbamylase synthesis which lasted 3 to 4 min before the onset of repression. The rapid increase of enzyme activity was shown to require protein synthesis, and was not due to a slow uptake of arginine or induction of an arginine-inducible ornithine transcarbamylase. The capacity of E. coli to synthesize the burst of ornithine transcarbamylase reached a maximum after 10 min of arginine deprivation and then remained constant. The observed increase in enzyme synthesis may reflect the level of unstable messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) for ornithine transcarbamylase present in the cell at the time protein synthesis was reinitiated. After the addition of arginine in the absence of protein synthesis, the burst of ornithine transcarbamylase decayed with a half-life of about 3 min. The data implied that arginine prevents synthesis of new messenger RNA that can translate this enzyme. Repression of ornithine transcarbamylase by l-canavanine (100 to 200 mug/ml) was observed, and no active enzyme was formed in the presence of this analogue. The action of canavanine as a repressor was distinguished from the inhibitory effect of this compound on protein synthesis.
Smooth classification of geometrically finite one-dimensional maps

The scaling function of a one-dimensional Markov map is defined and studied. We prove that the scaling function of a non-critical geometrically finite one-dimensional map is Holder continuous, while the scaling function of a critical geometrically finite one-dimensional map is discontinuous. We prove that scaling functions determine Lipschitz conjugacy classes, and moreover, that the scaling function and the exponents and asymmetries of a geometrically finite one-dimensional map are complete C1-invariants within a mixing topological conjugacy class.
Sharing, caring, and surveilling: an actor-partner interdependence model examination of Facebook relational maintenance strategies.

Abstract Relational maintenance is connected to high quality friendships. Friendship maintenance behaviors may occur online via social networking sites. This study utilized an Actor–Partner Interdependence Model to examine how Facebook maintenance and surveillance affect friendship quality. Bryant and Marmo's (2012) Facebook maintenance scale was evaluated, revealing two factors: sharing and caring. Facebook surveillance was also measured. For friendship satisfaction and liking, significant positive actor and partner effects emerged for caring; significant negative actor, partner, and interaction effects emerged for sharing; and significant positive actor effects emerged for surveillance. For friendship closeness, significant positive actor effects emerged for caring and surveillance.
Role of the transsulfuration pathway and of γ-cystathionase activity in the formation of cysteine and sulfate from methionine in rat hepatocytes.

To assess the extent to which low hepatic gamma-cystathionase levels affect methionine flux to cysteine in hepatocytes, the effect of inhibition of gamma-cystathionase activity with propargylglycine on the metabolism of L-({sup 35}S)methionine was determined in studies with freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. gamma-Cystathionase activity was inhibited 25%, 42%, 63% and 76% (maximal inhibition) by treatment with 2.5 mumol/L, 0.01 mmol/L, 0.02 mmol/L and 2 mmol/l propargylglycine, respectively. Inhibition of gamma-cystathionase activity with up to 0.02 mmol/L propargylglycine had no statistically significant effect on ({sup 35}S)glutathione, ({sup 35}S)sulfate or ({sup 35}S)cysteine formation from ({sup 35}S)methionine. However, treatment of cells with 2 mmol/L propargylglycine markedly inhibited the metabolism of ({sup 35}S)methionine to ({sup 35}S)glutathione by 93%, to ({sup 35}S)sulfate by 88% and to ({sup 35}S)cysteine by 89%; ({sup 35}S)cystathionine accumulation in these incubation systems was 60 times control. Hepatic gamma-cystathionase activity in premature infants has been reported to be about 23% of mature levels; this level of gamma-cystathionase activity may limit cysteine synthesis by the methionine transsulfuration pathway. No evidence for cysteine synthesis from serine and sulfide, which can be catalyzed by cystathionine beta-synthase, or for methionine metabolism by an S-adenosylmethionine-independent pathway was obtained.
Normal Forms for High Co-Dimension Bifurcations of Nonlinear Time-Periodic Systems with Nonsemisimple Eigenvalues

The normal forms for time-periodic nonlinear variational equations witharbitrary linear Jordan form undergoing bifurcations of highco-dimension are found. First, the equations are transformed via theLyapunov–Floquet (L–F) transformation into an equivalent form in whichthe linear matrix is constant with degenerate nonsemisimple lineareigenvalues while the nonlinear monomials have periodic coefficients. Byconsidering the resulting coupling of the bases of the near identitytransformation, the solvability condition for an arbitrary Jordan matrixis then derived. It is shown that time-independent and/or time-dependentnonlinear resonance terms remain in the normal form for various Jordanmatrices. Specifically, the normal forms for quadratic and cubicnonlinearities with the following linear Jordan forms are explicitlyderived: double zero eigenvalues (co-dimension two bifurcation), triplezero eigenvalues (co-dimension three bifurcation), and two repeatedpairs of purely imaginary eigenvalues (co-dimension two bifurcation). Acommutative system with cubic nonlinearities and a double inverted pendulum with a periodicfollower force are used as illustrative examples.
Instructional Characteristics and Motivational Features of a PC-based Game

Abstract : The purpose of the research was to identify and assess instructional and motivational features of a first-person-perspective game environment. The game used was "America's Army", a popular PC-based game developed by the U.S. Army to inform "recruiting age" individuals about the Army. Twenty-one participants first completed a pre-game questionnaire that assessed prior knowledge of information presented in the game, after which they played the "basic training" sections of the game. Then, participants answered questions regarding information presented during the game and about motivational aspects of the game. Participants recalled procedures better than facts. Information relevant to the progression of the game was recalled better than information that was not. Graphic images and spoken text were recalled more accurately than printed text. Realism, challenge, exploration, and control were factors that influenced motivation. The findings of the current research were specific to a single PC-based first-person-perspective game, but were in agreement with a broad range of research using other types of games and instructional media. 1% SLiR.IFflTTPPM.%
Contingent liability in banking : useful policy for developing countries?

Bank owner contingent liability has been important in the development of many industrial countries. Unlimited liability on bank owners was an important element in the success of Scottish banking, which led Scotland to be free of the banking and monetary upheavals that occurred in Britain and the United States. The unlimited liability provision effectively minimized the losses suffered by bank noteholders and other creditors. Three factors were vital to the success of unlimited liability in Scotland: 1) the identities of bank owners were made publicly available, and their level of wealth could be verified; 2) under Scottish bankruptcy law, owner liability extended to both personal and inheritable wealth; and 3) the transfer of ownership claims in private and provincial banks required that ownership first be dissolved before a new bank could be formed. A contingent liability system has three advantages: 1) because double liability imposes postclosure losses on bank stockholders, it increases incentives for banks to hold capital and decreases moral hazard incentives; 2) a contingent liability system can ameliorate asymmetric information problems between bank creditors and owners; and 3) contingent liability can lead to more efficient capital formation if potential capital sources are predominantly in the form of fixed wealth, as is true in many developing countries. But a free-rider problem arises when less-wealthy stockholders rely on the monitoring efforts of wealthier stockholders, who have more incentive to monitor. And in a free and anonymous exchange market, investors with less personal fixed wealth will outbid those with greater wealth, so the value of double liability could collapse overtime.
Synthesis and characterization of titanium and zirconium complexes bearing diphenyltriazenido ligands

Abstract Treatment of tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium(IV) and tetrakis(diethylamido)titanium(IV) with two equivalents of 1,3-diphenyltriazene in hexane afforded bis(dimethylamido)bis(1,3-diphenyltriazenido)titanium(IV) (62%) and bis(diethylamido)bis(1,3-diphenyltriazenido)titanium(IV) (68%), respectively, as deep red crystalline solids. Reaction of tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium(IV) with more than two equivalents of 1,3-diphenyltriazene in refluxing toluene did not lead to substitution of more than two dimethylamido ligands, but only gave extensive decomposition. Treatment of tetrakis(dimethylamido) zirconium(IV) with four equivalents of 1,3-diphenyltriazene in hexane afforded tetrakis(1,3-diphenyltriazenido)-zirconium(IV) (79%) as a deep red crystalline solid. Crystal structures of bis(dimethylamido) tetrakis(1,3-diphenyltriazenido)zirconium(IV) were determined. The titanium complexes exhibit octahedral coordination spheres with cis-dialkylamido ligands, while the zirconium complex is eight-coordinate with η2-1,3-diphenyltriazenido ligands. Solution molecular weight measurements for tetrakis(1,3-diphenyltriazenido)zirconium(IV) indicated a monomeric structure in benzene, consistent with the structural results.
Effect of area x-ray beam equalization on image quality and dose in digital mammography

In mammography, thick or dense breast regions persistently suffer from reduced contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) because of degraded contrast from large scatter intensities and relatively high noise. Area x-ray beam equalization can improve image quality by increasing the x-ray exposure to under-penetrated regions without increasing the exposure to other breast regions. Optimal equalization parameters with respect to image quality and patient dose were determined through computer simulations and validated with experimental observations on a step phantom and an anthropomorphic breast phantom. Three parameters important in equalization digital mammography were considered: attenuator material (Z = 13-92), beam energy (22-34 kVp) and equalization level. A Mo/Mo digital mammography system was used for image acquisition. A prototype 16 x 16 piston driven equalization system was used for preparing patient-specific equalization masks. Simulation studies showed that a molybdenum attenuator and an equalization level of 20 were optimal for improving contrast, CNR and figure of merit (FOM = CNR2/dose). Experimental measurements using these parameters showed significant improvements in contrast, CNR and FOM. Moreover, equalized images of a breast phantom showed improved image quality. These results indicate that area beam equalization can improve image quality in digital mammography.
Case report 367: Hemangioma of the nasal bone.

This 18-year-old young woman sustained a fracture of a nasal bone (or bones) at the age of seven years, when she was hit by a tennis ball. No therapy was administered at that time. She refractured the nose at the age of 15 years in a motor vehicle accident. Over the ensuing period she noted the gradual swelling of her nose without epistaxis, obstruction or any erosion of the skin. Physical examination was remarkable only for slight soft tissue swelling over the right side of the nose. Roentgenograms of the nasal bones were obtained (Figs. I and 2). A surgical excision of the lesion of the nasal bone(s) was performed.
Intraoperative magnetic resonance for the surgical treatment of lesions producing seizures.

Abstract Seizures are a major presenting feature of several non-neoplastic cerebral lesions. We reviewed the experience at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, on the surgical management of benign intracerebral lesions presenting with seizures with intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) guidance. Our aim was to demonstrate that this is an effective and efficient treatment for these lesions. The histories of thirteen patients who presented with seizures secondary to benign intraaxial lesions treated by craniotomy and resection within the iMRI unit at our institution were reviewed. The surgical results, histology and clinical outcomes were reviewed. The mean follow-up was 22.1 months (range 2–48). In all cases, lesions were accurately located with iMRI. After initial macroscopic resection, 5 cases were found to have residual lesion. All had complete radiological resection at the end of the procedure. At follow-up, five patients had no seizures, 5 had rare seizures and the remaining 3 had worthwhile improvement in seizure frequency. Intraoperative MRI is a safe and effective adjunct for the surgical treatment of benign intracerebral lesions presenting with seizures. It provides effective and efficient intraoperative guidance for planning and approach to the lesion and the assurance that the lesion is totally removed. Surgical resection with iMRI may, therefore, provide a useful approach to these lesions.
High Speed Gas Density Measurements Using Proton Induced X-Rays

The need for high speed gas density measurements in interior ballistic environments has led to the development of a technique which uses the attenuation that a gas produces in transiting characteristic x-ray fluxes to determine its density. To assess the technique an apparatus has been constructed that generates K? and Ks x-rays by proton impact on metallic targets and subsequently directs them through beryllium windows across the bore of a high pressure gas chamber (0.0 - 0.1 gm/cm3), and on to a detector. A comparison between the loss of x-ray counts due to the presence of the gas and predictions based upon tabulated mass-absorption coefficients permits a simple evaluation of the gases density. This evaluation is sensitive only to the gross atomic composition and not its detailed chemistry. Calibration of the apparatus was performed with 26 < Z < 40 characteristic x-rays in static pure O2 and N2. Following that work Cu x-rays produced by a 1-2 ?amp/cm2 beam of 1.5 MeV protons were used to study density changes in N2 with < l × 10-3 second resolution. These results indicate that with a small commercial proton accelerator one can create x-ray fluxes intense enough for a density measurement with an error of a few percent at a time resolution of 10-5 seconds. A new apparatus and accelerator are now being installed to evaluate the x-ray technique in the hostile environments of high temperature and pressure that are found in gun tubes.
Navigating the Dance of Touch: An Exploration into the Use of Touch in Dance/Movement Therapy

While the subject of the use of touch in psychotherapy has been widely debated, the field of dance/movement therapy (DMT) has participated negligibly in the conversation, and includes no mention of touch in its code of ethics to date. This highlights a significant and intriguing gap in the field given that there is sufficient evidence that touch may be commonly used in DMT. This qualitative research study is based on interviews with three experienced dance/movement therapists regarding their applications of and choices surrounding the use of touch in their DMT sessions. The study is intended to be an initial exploration into how the issue of touch is approached and used in the DMT session. Several incipient themes are identified and discussed, and the need for more research and involvement by the DMT field is emphasized.
The ventrolateral medulla of the cat mediates vestibulosympathetic reflexes.

Extracellular recordings were made from 94 neurons located in the ventrolateral medulla (VLM) whose firing rate was affected by vestibular nerve (VN) stimulation; 50 of these units were in the subretrofacial (SRF) nucleus, which contains cells that make direct excitatory connections with sympathetic preganglionic neurons. The sample included 12 SRF cells which were antidromically driven from the upper thoracic spinal cord and had conduction velocities of 10 m/s or less; the effect of VN stimulation on all but one of these units was inhibition. The onset latency of the response to VN stimulation was long [20.3 +/- 3.7 (S.E.M.) ms, n = 9, for the antidromically activated neurons and 12.1 +/- 1.2 ms, n = 73, for the others], suggesting that the effects were predominantly polysynaptic. In addition, most of the spontaneously active units tested (33/36) received convergent inputs from the carotid sinus nerve (CSN), as would be expected for neurons which influence sympathetic outflow. Vestibular-elicited inhibition of SRF neurons with projections to the intermediolateral cell column could account for late, long duration inhibition of sympathetic discharges produced by labyrinth stimulation.
The other side of the canvas: Lacan flips Foucault over Velázquez

This essay suggests that the minimal 1966 exchange between Jacques Lacan and Michel Foucault in Lacan’s seminar actually stood in for a much fuller debate about modernity, psychoanalysis and art than its brevity would indicate. Using their contrasting interpretations of Velazquez’s painting, Las Meninas, as its fulcrum, “The Other Side of the Canvas” discovers a Lacanian critique of Foucault’s history of modernity, circa The Order of Things. The effort here is to insert the interpretation of Velazquez into the context of both Lacan’s “Science and Truth” (originally the first session of the 1966 seminar) and Foucault’s recently published book. Our interpretation develops above all from Lacan’s contrast between the definition of a painting as a “window” and Foucault’s implicit understanding of it as a kind of “mirror”—a distinction in which Lacan discovers his seminal concept of “object a.” Pursuing the understanding of object a as the “surface” of the perspectival window allows us to understand why Lacan expands the discussion of Velazquez both into an understanding of twentieth-century paintings (Magritte, Balthus) and an implicit interpretation of the difference between philosophical and psychoanalytic approaches to science and history.
Innovations in United States genetics nursing: Practice and research

Aim: Clinical and research applications from human genome discoveries are growing and creating both opportunities and challenges to the integration of genetic concepts into practice and research. Nurses have a long history of caring for individuals, families, and groups with genetic conditions. In the past two decades, a small group of nurses in the USA have used a variety of strategies to further develop the field of genetics nursing. In this paper we identify innovative approaches to identifying genetics-related nursing roles and opportunities, as well as successful collaborative efforts beyond nursing to address the emerging health and societal challenges related to human genetics discoveries. Methods: The information presented here comes from a variety of sources where the authors or genetics nurses directly participated, including: (i) a systematic literature review of genetics nursing; (ii) a comprehensive research study of models of delivering clinical genetics services and the roles of health professionals; and (iii) participation in numerous national research, planning, programmatic, and advisory groups involved with clinical genetics-related health services, research, education, and public policy. Results: Genetics nurses in the US have developed innovative responses to genetics-related challenges within and beyond the profession of nursing. These include: (i) establishing an organization for nurses in genetics and gaining formal recognition of genetics as a specialty of nursing; (ii) defining the scope of genetics nursing practice and developing a new genetics nursing credential; (iii) establishing a multiprofessional genetics education coalition and defining genetic competency for health-care practice; (iv) creating new clinical practice roles for nurses that integrate emerging genetics concepts and skills into diverse clinical practice areas; (v) expanding nursing involvement in genetics-related research; and (vi) participation in high-level genetics advisory groups. Conclusions: The US experience shows that nurses have made substantial progress in expanding their involvement in genetic services through visionary leadership, innovative approaches to challenges, establishing support with nurse colleagues, and engaging in multiprofessional efforts. The most important first step is developing a supportive environment for nurse advancement. In the US, the genetics nurses’ organization known as the International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) has provided this base.
Integrated 1.06 μm Fiber Gyro Superfluorescent Source

There is great interest in using fiber superfluorescent sources in fiber optic gyroscopes as a replacement for semiconductor superluminescent diodes (SLD's). Potential benefits include higher available power, better wavelength stability with temperature, and improved lifetime. Multiclad Nd:fibers1 pumped by a laser diode array offer high output powers in a single mode core, but are susceptible to lasing due to feedback.2 This type of diode laser pumped source has been successfully employed in a fiber gyroscope using a backward pumping scheme.3 In particular this approach avoided the backreflection of backwards going superfluorescent emission off the high reflectivity diode array facet.4
On Biomimetic Engineering Design

We realized long ago that across the natural world it is possible to find structures, materials, and processes that are of great interest for human applications. In fact, attempts to copy nature to obtain new technologies or improve existing ones go back thousands of years, from the Chinese trying to make artificial silk to Leonardo da Vinci?s designs of flying machines inspired by the flight of birds. As our ability to explore nature increased, so has the perception that we are surrounded by natural designs that surpass most of our own and that great benefits can be achieved by mimicking nature.
Integument of the velvet-mite, Dinothrombium giganteum, and histopathological changes caused by the fungus Aspergillus flavus☆☆☆

Histological and histochemical descriptions of the velvet-mite, Dinothrombium giganteum are presented along with changes noted during infection by the fungus Aspergillus flavus. The integument of healthy mites consists of outer epicuticle and inner procuticle. The epicuticle is composed of outer lipid and inner lipoprotein layers. The outer portion of procuticle is in the mesocuticular (presumptive exocuticle) condition with inner blue-staining endocuticle. Quantitative analysis of elements of cuticle shows that sulfur is present in far larger quantity than in similar analysis of insect cuticle. Nevertheless, sulfur does not form disulfide linkages beween cysteine molecules as it does in keratin. The first sign of fungal disease in the mite is a generalized decoloration caused by loss of the usually scarlet-red plumose cuticular setae. The latter confer a velvety appearance to the mite and are shed when germ tubes of the fungus digest the lipoproteinaceous epicuticular layer that fastens the base to the cuticular sockets. Subsequently, analine blue-positive endocuticle of the healthy mite becomes fuchsinophilic with Mallory's triple stain. Mycosis-induced “pseudomesocuticle” behaves like classical mesocuticle in regard to staining reactions, resistance to mineral acids, and histochemical reactions. Moreover, endocuticle of diseased mites becomes positive to periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent. Subsequently, melanins are deposited in the outer procuticle. When melanization occurs, PAS-positivity of the inner procuticle is masked. Furthermore, epidermal cells also display marked pathological symptoms.
Advances in modelling of snowpack processes utilizing remote sensing technology

Application of models over large areas requires enormous amounts of point data which are seldom available. As a result, the use of remote sensing to acquire data for these models becomes a practical alternative because from space areal measurements can be made over entire regions. Remote sensing data sets of snow are being studied and refined for input into energy balance, hydrological, and general circulation models. Snow influences the amount of solar energy retained and returned to space, the utilization of radiant energy in the hydrological cycle, and the atmospheric circulation by interacting with and modifying air masses. The continually evolving remote sensing technology will be used to provide a better understanding of how snow cover influences global climate and a better fundamental understanding of snow accumulation and ablation processes.
Long-term in vivo cochlear transgene expression mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) integrated transgene expression within guinea pig cochlea has been previously documented. This article extends these studies by characterizing the AAV-mediated gene transfer for duration of transgene expression within the cochlea and its effect upon cochlear cytoarchitecture over a period of 6 months. All animals infused with AAV expressed the transgene product, bacterial β-galactosidase (β-gal) enzyme, in the spiral limbus, spiral ligament, spiral ganglion cells and the organ of Corti at 2–24 weeks after infusion. However, the level of β-gal expression, as determined from intensity of immunoreactivity, was relatively lower at 24 weeks as compared with 2 weeks. The cellular and tissue architecture within the AAV-β-gal perfused cochleae, harvested 2–8 weeks after AAV infusion, was generally intact, ie free from inflammation and cellular degeneration. However, cellular degeneration and degradation was apparent in the cochleae of some but not all animals harvested at 12 and 24 weeks after AAV infusion.
In vivo function of Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells

In the past few years there has been an explosion in the characterization of skin-resident dendritic cells (DCs). This is largely because of the development of several lines of mice with genetic alterations that allow for selective targeting of many of these subsets. There are now considerable data derived from in vivo experiments using these mice. This review focuses on the relative contribution of murine skin-resident DCs in the generation of immune responses to epicutaneous application of ovalbumin and during contact hypersensitivity. We describe a model in which the two best-characterized skin-resident DCs, langerhans cells (LCs) and Langerin + dermal DCs (dDCs) have distinct functions: Langerin + dDCs initiate and LCs suppress T cell responses.