cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Nodal Metastasis in Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx.

Introduction: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) is an uncommon malignancy, with limited literature available on its clinical and pathologic characteristics. Here, we describe the behavior of MEC of the UADT including pathologic characteristics and predictors of nodal metastasis. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients with MEC of the UADT treated at an academic medical center from January 2008 to May 2018. Data was collected about demographics and tumor characteristics including clinical and histological data. The two-tailed Student t test and χ2 analysis were performed to assess for predictors of nodal metastasis. Results: We identified 44 patients with minor salivary gland MEC of the oral cavity (OC) and oropharynx (OP). All patients were treated with primary site surgery. The primary site was the OC in 25 patients (57%) and OP in 19 (43%). Low-grade histology was seen in 27 specimens (61.4%), intermediate histology in 9 specimens (20.5%), and high-grade histology in 8 specimens (18.2%). Perineural invasion was noted in 10 specimens (22.7%). Neck dissection was performed in 17 patients (39%), with pathologically positive nodes found in 9 (20.5%). Notably, 5 of the 9 positive nodal specimens were found in clinically node-negative necks. Pathologically positive cervical lymph nodes were significantly associated with the OP as the primary site (p = 0.0005), perineural invasion (p = 0.012), lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001), and high-grade histology (p = 0.004) in the primary specimen. Discussion: MEC of the UADT is an uncommon malignancy. Our findings suggest elective neck dissection should be considered with perineural and lymphovascular invasion, high-grade tumor, and the OP as the primary site.
A Case of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei With a Synchronous Inguinal Hernia

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare disease that most commonly results from the rupture of an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm. It is characterized by mucinous ascites that disseminates throughout the abdomen and pelvis, and at times to the inguinal canal, in which some patients may complain of inguinal hernia as the initial complaint. The incidence of PMP with concomitant inguinal hernia is reported to be 7.3-9.6% in the current literature. We report a 70-year-old Hispanic male who initially presented with signs of a right inguinal hernia, and on computed tomography (CT) scan, was subsequently found to have a large collection of right lower quadrant cysts extending into the right inguinal canal and hemiscrotum. Patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and was found to have a large right retroperitoneal mass with PMP with mucinous contents herniating through the right inguinal canal encased within peritoneal sac and had surgical debulking of peritoneal cavity and right hemiscrotum. The patient was discharged 9 days later. PMP that presents with an inguinal hernia is a special entity that warrants a discussion on the optimal management of inguinal involvement of a mucinous tumor. J Curr Surg. 2020;10(3):49-53 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jcs415
Housing Wealth and Consumption Over the 2001–2013 Period: The Role of the Collateral Channel

This study estimates changes in the relationship between housing wealth and consumption among homeowners during the recent housing boom and bust in the United States, focusing on the period 2001-20...
High-Isolation Common-Aperture Antenna System Based on Spatial Power Divider for Use in E-Band Fully Polarimetric Radar

A two-port antenna system is proposed that uses a polarization-independent spatial power divider to align the beams from two orthogonally oriented dual-polarized feeds. This antenna system is compatible with fully polarimetric radar and provides high port isolation. It simultaneously provides a common aperture for transmit and receive to minimize radar parallax. The spatial power divider is designed using a combination of all-dielectric metamaterial techniques and the concept of miniaturized-element frequency selective surfaces, and is fabricated on a silicon wafer using standard microfabrication technology. The measured device exhibits at most 0.9 dB of difference between reflection and transmission for both TE and TM incident waves at 45-degree incidence, over a band from 76 GHz to 84 GHz.
Does the Presence of a Physical Disability Affect Classification of Sexual Assault

The occurrence of sexual assault is common and problematic, especially among those with disabilities. While many other characteristics of the victim, perpetrator, and situation involving a sexual a...
Examining user engagement and use of fitness tracking technology through the lens of technology affordances

The promise of fitness tracking technology in promoting positive health behaviours lies in its ability to allow users to track their physical activity, receive personalised feedback, and connect wi...
Renotation from Optical Music Recognition

We describe the music renotation problem, in which one transforms a collection of recognized music notation primitives (e.g. note heads, stems, beams, flags, clefs, accidentals, etc.) into a different notation format, such as transposing the notation or displaying it in a rectangle or arbitrary size. We represent a limited degree of image understanding through a graph that connects pairs of symbols sharing layout constraints that must be respected during renotation. The layout problem is then formulated as the optimization of a convex objective function expressed as a sum of penalty terms, one for each edge in the graph. We demonstrate results by generating transposed parts from a recognized full score.
MicroStressBots: Species Differentiation in Surface Micromachined Microrobots

In this paper we review our ongoing research on untethered stress-engineered microrobots (MicroStressBots), focusing on the challenges and opportunities of operating mobile robots on the micrometer size scale. The MicroStressBots are fabricated with planar dimensions of approximately 260 μm × 60 μm and a total mass less than 50 ng from 1.5-3.5 μm thick polycrystalline silicon using a surface micromachining processes. A single global power delivery and control signal is broadcast to all our robots, but decoded differently by each species using onboard electromechanical memory and logic. We review our design objectives in creating robots on the microscale, and describe the constraints imposed by fabrication, assembly, and operation of such small robotic systems. Our robots have been used to motivate and demonstrate multiple robot control algorithms constrained by a single global signal with a limited number of distinct voltages.
Multilingualism and the Holistic Approach to Multilingual Education

The number of multilingual speakers now outnumbers that of monolinguals (Tucker, 1998). In a figure provided by the Linguistic Society of America, nations that are monolingual or mono-ethnic are the minority; on the contrary, scholars estimate over five-thousand languages are spoken in 160 nations around the world (Valdes, 2012). For those people, the usage of multiple languages occurs on a daily basis, possibly due to the emergence of global markets or the development of the Internet. The present commentary discusses multilingualism in relation to a newer perspective to multilingual education. First, the scope of multilingualism will be provided, followed by a discussion on a newer trend –a holistic approach –to multilingual education. A particular focus will be placed on monolingual bias and insights for research on multilingualism will be proposed.
Rate-Based Resource Allocation Models for Embedded Systems

Run-time executives and operating system kernels for embedded systems have long relied exclusively on static priority scheduling of tasks to ensure timing constraints and other correctness conditions are met. Static priority scheduling is easy to understand and support but it suffers from a number of significant shortcomings such as the complexity of simultaneously mapping timing and importance constraints onto priority values. Rate-based resource allocation schemes offer an attractive alternative to traditional static priority scheduling as they offer flexibility in specifying and managing timing and criticality constraints. This paper presents a taxonomy of rate-based resource allocation and summarizes the results of some recent experiments evaluating the real-time performance of three allocation schemes for a suite of intra-kernel and application-level scheduling problems encountered is supporting a multimedia workload on FreeBSD UNIX.
Prevention of facial pressure ulcers using the Mayfield clamp for sacral tumor resection

Sacral neoplasm resection is managed via partial or total sacrectomy that is performed via the Kraske approach. The combination of the patients positioning and the relatively long operative time required for this procedure increase the risk of pressure ulcers. Facial pressure ulcers can cause tissue necrosis and/or ulceration in a highly visible area, leading to a cosmetically disfiguring lesion. Here, the authors report the use of a Mayfield clamp in the positioning of patients undergoing sacral tumor resection to prevent facial pressure ulceration. After the patient is placed prone in the Kraske or Jackknife position, the hips and knees are flexed with arms to the side. Then while in the prone position, the patient is physically placed in pins, and the Mayfield clamp is fixated at the center of the metal arch via the Mayfield sitting adapter to the Andrews frame, suspending the head (and face) over the table. The authors find that this technique prevents the development of facial pressure ulcers, and it has the potential to be used in patients positioned in the Kraske position for other surgical procedures.
Location privacy policy management system

As location-based services become more and more popular, concerns are growing about the misuse of location information by malicious parties. In order to preserve location privacy, many efforts have been devoted to preventing service providers from determining users' exact locations. Few works have sought to help users manage their privacy preferences; however management of privacy is an important issue in real applications. This work developed an easy-to-use location privacy management system including functions of policy composition, policy conflict detection and policy recommendation.
Leaf UV optical properties of rumex patientia l. and rumex obtusifolius l. in regard to a protective mechanism against solar UV-B radiation injury

Effective UV attenuation in the outer leaf layers may represent an important protective mechanism against potentially damaging solar UV-B radiation. Epidermal optical properties for Rumex patientia and Rumex obtusifolius were examined on field collected and greenhouse grown plants. Rumex patientia, a relatively UV-B sensitive plant, has substantially higher epidermal UV transmittance than Rumex obtusifolius, which indicated that the UV-B flux at the mesophyll layer for Rumex patientia would also be higher. Attenuation of UV-B radiation increased in Rumex obtusifolius by 27% after exposure to solar UV-B radiation. Flavonoid extract absorbance also increased in whole leaves of both species after solar UV-B irradiation. The epidermis is not only an effective filter for UV-B radiation, but is wavelength selective, and shows a degree of plasticity in this attenuation.
Design of radial passenger tires with aramid cord belts

The design for radial passenger tires was optimized to achieve the most efficient use of a high modulus, high tenacity aramid fiber for belt reinforcement. This required balancing crown angle, belt width, footprint force distribution, and tread squirm to give even wear along with maximum cornering. Additional gains in cornering were demonstrated by using a double tread radius (smaller radius at shoulders) to increase the effectiveness of center ribs in developing lateral force. Improved tire performance resulted from modifying the cord structure to obtain higher belt stiffness.
L-Forms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

L-forms of a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were produced by serial subculture of the bacterial form on agar medium containing sucrose as an osmotic stabilizer and carbenicillin. L-forms eventually became stable, i.e., would not revert in the absence of antibiotic, and were adapted to grow well in broth with the osmotic stabilizer. Gross morphology and light microscopic colony morphology were typical of an L-form. L-form cells were approximately spherical and bounded in part by a plasma membrane; they lacked the triple-layer cell wall structure and coarse, electron-dense nucleoidal granules of the parent bacterial form. The L-form, but not the bacterial form, contained cores, organelles previously reported only in group D streptococci. Antibiotic disc-sensitivity studies showed the stable L-form to be as sensitive as, or more sensitive than, the bacterial form to most antibiotics. Exceptions were polymyxin B, colimycin sulfate, and gentamicin, which were more active against the bacterial form. The remainder of the aminoglycosides and cell wall-active antibiotics showed no inhibition of either form. The L-form was more susceptible to cidal activity of normal human serum than the parent form. The L-form exhibited fewer biochemical activities than the parent bacteria or bacterial forms derived by reversion at a time when the L-form was still unstable. L-form colonies appeared colorless, and chemical analysis demonstrated that, if the L-form produces pigment at all, which was not demonstrated, it could not have been more than 3.6% of that produced by the bacterial form.
Surveillance in the routine management of ulcerative colitis: The predictive value of low-grade dysplasia

Abstract Biopsies obtained at colonoscopy from 121 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) for >7 years were reviewed. Dysplasia or neoplasia was found in 27 patients (22%) after a mean of 16 years; 22 (18%) had dysplasia (all low grade), 2 had polyps, and 3 had carcinoma without prior dysplasia. Seven had dysplasia (or neoplasia) on the next examination, and another 4 after multiple negative examinations. Dysplasia preceded carcinoma in 4 (18%) of the 22 patients, and carcinoma occurred in 7 (6%) of 121 patients. The average time from the first encounter of dysplasia to the finding of carcinoma was 6.3 years, and 3 of 4 patients with negative second colonoscopies then had unremarkable examinations for 2–5 years. Dysplasia without cancer was found later in another 3. Dysplasia was found in 12 of 13 colectomy specimens, including the 3 from patients with cancer in whom no dysplasia had been found at surveillance colonoscopy. Active disease did not eliminate the capability to detect dysplasia or negate the value of surveillance for cancer when colonoscopy was conducted for routine clinical indications. Most dysplasia was detected in the rectum and sigmoid, supporting the value of interim sigmoidoscopies and biopsies during routine management of UC. Compliance for surveillance was diminished when the patient was asymptomatic, thereby increasing the risk of cancer. Low-grade dysplasia, like high-grade dysplasia, is predictive of future carcinoma and warrants careful follow-up. A "negative" second examination is no basis for a sense of security or relaxation of vigilance.
MiR‐126 Contributes to Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cell‐Induced Neurorestorative Effects After Stroke in Type‐2 Diabetic Mice

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a high risk factor for stroke and leads to more severe vascular and white-matter injury than stroke in non-DM. We tested the neurorestorative effects of delayed human umbilical cord blood cell (HUCBC) treatment of stroke in type-2 diabetes (T2DM). db/db-T2DM and db/+-non-DM mice were subjected to distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAo) and were treated 3 days after dMCAo with: (a) non-DM + Phosphate buffered saline (PBS); (b) T2DM + PBS; (c) T2DM + naive-HUCBC; (d) T2DM + miR-126(-/-) HUCBC. Functional evaluation, vascular and white-matter changes, neuroinflammation, and miR-126 effects were measured in vivo and in vitro. T2DM mice exhibited significantly decreased serum and brain tissue miR-126 expression compared with non-DM mice. T2DM + HUCBC mice exhibited increased miR-126 expression, increased tight junction protein expression, axon/myelin, vascular density, and M2-macrophage polarization. However, decreased blood-brain barrier leakage, brain hemorrhage, and miR-126 targeted gene vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 expression in the ischemic brain as well as improved functional outcome were present in HUCBC-treated T2DM mice compared with control T2DM mice. MiR-126(-/-) HUCBC-treatment abolished the benefits of naive-HUCBC-treatment in T2DM stroke mice. In vitro, knock-in of miR-126 in primary cultured brain endothelial cells (BECs) or treatment of BECs with naive-HUCBCs significantly increased capillary-like tube formation, and increased axonal outgrowth in primary cultured cortical neurons; whereas treatment of BECs or cortical neurons with miR-126(-/-) HUCBC attenuated HUCBC-treatment-induced capillary tube formation and axonal outgrowth. Our data suggest delayed HUCBC-treatment of stroke increases vascular/white-matter remodeling and anti-inflammatory effects; MiR-126 may contribute to HUCBC-induced neurorestorative effects in T2DM mice.
Pioneering in wind energy: The California experience

Abstract In California today nearly 16,000 wind generators are spinning, providing for the electrical needs of roughly one million residents. Yet in 1980, just sixteen years ago, the state was without wind generators, save for a few experimental models. It is time to reflect on this remarkable growth. What caused it? What transformed a “soft energy path” dream into reality? This paper will focus on four central factors: 1) political climate, 2) tax incentives, 3) the PURPA Act of 1978, and 4) a sympathetic public utility commission.
ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN DRUG DISPOSITION AND RESPONSIVENESS

Interethnic differences are important factors accounting for interindividual variations in drug responsiveness. However, these differences in drug response have been a relatively neglected area of investigation, so that similar doses are prescribed to different ethnic populations without consideration of interethnic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variation. With the increased recognition of genetically determined polymorphism in metabolising ability as an important factor in drug disposition, concern has developed for the importance of individualising drug dose to account for racial differences. The recognition of these differences in drug disposition and responses calls into question the failure of drug licensing authorities to demand information on dosage, efficacy and toxicity in different ethnic groups, and to accept data from limited ethnic groups such as Caucasians. This article reviews the evidence for ethnic differences in drug disposition and sensitivity and should encourage further investigations to elucidate the extent of such differences, their causes and their therapeutic impact.
Natural Selection and Design: Comments on Michael Ruse's New Book

Is the adaptive complexity of living organisms the result of evolutionary processes alone? or does it give evidence of intentional design? Michael Ruse appears to argue that we can have it either way. As a scientist I find the argument from design unnecessary. Yet it has great appeal to humans, whose behavior is largely intentional and who look for patterns in events and for the intentions that may have produced them.
Comparison of Multiple Physiological Sensors to Classify Operator State in Adaptive Automation Systems

Automating tasks alleviates operator resources to be delegated to other demands, but the cost is often situation awareness. In contrast, complete manual control of a system opens the door for greater human error. Therefore, an ideal situation would require the development of an adaptive system in which automation can be triggered based on performance of a particular task, time spent on the task, or perhaps physiological response. The latter pertains to the goal for this particular study. Electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and eye tracking measures were recorded during six multi-tasking scenarios to assess if any one single measure is best suited for future implementation as an automation invocation. EEG showed the greatest potential for that purpose.
Reflections on calling and careers in community psychology.

SUMMARY The current essay discusses the narratives of five community psychologists from the perspective of a career “calling.” Each of the essays highlight different components of a calling: employing deep discernment to know the right path for oneself; experiencing a calling to do one's work, an invitation to which we choose to respond; serving community; discovering your quintessential self or “genius”; and using your gifts for the common good. Moreover, the author discusses how the essays not only illustrate calling, but also the emergence of confidence and the subjective career.
Prevalence of technology-intensive international alliances

A population perspective of the formation, long-term survival, and prevalence of U.S./Japanese alliances in seven technology-intensive areas suggests the presence of two subpopulations. We have called these two subpopulations dominated and hybridized. They were predicted and empirically identified as being comprised of unique combinations of the technical area of operations, the administrative form of the alliance, and the product/knolwedge flow through the entity.
CD5+ B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders: Beyond chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma

CD5 positivity in B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) is usually considered characteristic of either chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). However, other neoplastic B-LPDs may express CD5, albeit infrequently. In this study we have reviewed the tissue pathology of CD5+ B-LPDs that do not fulfill diagnostic criteria for CLL or MCL on flow cytometric studies of peripheral blood or bone marrow. Our results indicate that although CD5 positivity is most commonly associated with CLL and MCL, a significant minority of cases do not fall into these two categories. Phenotypically unusual CLL, marginal zone lymphoma and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma were the most common diagnoses in this group of patients. Applying strict flow cytometry criteria, using genetic studies, and deferring to a lymph node/tissue diagnosis in non-classical cases are critical for accurate diagnosis and classification of CD5+ B-cell LPD.
Acute phobic hallucinations in very young children.

Acute hallucinations in children aged 2–6 is not a rare occurrence. Emerging at times of stress, they are associated with severe anxiety and phobic behavior. The hallucinations are almost always visual and/or tactile. Contrary to reports of hallucinations at other ages, they tend to occur in bright, independent children. They are self-limited, with the acute hallucinatory phase over in a matter of several days and a subacute phobic phase which may last from weeks to months. In all of our cases there was a return to normal functioning. Hallucinations in this age group appear to be a different phenomenon from those occurring in older children, which are more frequently associated with more serious illnesses. These need to be understood in a developmental framework, but current knowledge does not permit a thorough explanation.
Scaling, fixed poles and duality of electromagnetic currents in the dynamical resonance model

Abstract We construct a dynamical resonance model with electromagnetic interaction. The theory is gauge invariant, dual and factorizable. The elastic form factor has an infinite series of poles. The structure functions scale and satisfy dispersion relation. Current algebra sum rules hold with a fixed pole.
Mechanics of molecular collagen is influenced by hydroxyapatite in natural bone

As often seen in biological structural materials, bone exhibits complex hierarchical structure. The primary constituents of bone are collagen and hydroxyapatite (HAP). HAP mineralizes at specific locations at collagen, in such a way that the c-axis of HAP aligns parallel to collagen molecule. The collagen molecule is helical overall with non-helical ends that are N- or C-telopeptides. The collagen molecule with telopeptides interacts with specific surfaces of mineralized HAP. When subjected to load, the interactions at the interface between HAP and collagen may significantly affect the overall mechanics of the collagen molecule. Here, we have performed molecular dynamics (MD) and steered MD (SMD) simulations in order to understand the load carrying behavior of collagen in the proximity of HAP. Our simulations indicate that the load-deformation response of collagen is different when it interacts with HAP as compared to its response in the absence of HAP. The interface between HAP and collagen affects the overall load-deformation response of collagen. Further, bone also has considerable amount of water and we have observed that water significantly influences the load-deformation response of collagen due to collagen-water-HAP interactions.
Pulmonary hydraulic impedance response to cromakalim (BRL 34915) in newborn pigs.

Cromakalim (BRL 34915), a novel vasodilator, is used clinically to manage systemic hypertension. Its effects on the intact newborn pulmonary circulation remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the response of both the mean and pulsatile pulmonary hemodynamic parameters to intravenous infusion of BRL 34915 (0.1 mg/kg/min for 10 min) in 48-hr-old open-chest Yorkshire pigs. Animals were divided into two groups: Group I pigs had a high mean baseline pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) (>17 mm Hg), while Group II pigs had a low to normal baseline mean PAP (<17 mm Hg). Following instrumentation for high-fidelity recordings of PAP and flow, baseline data were acquired. Employing Fourier analysis, characteristic impedance (Zo), input mean impedance (Zm), impedance harmonic moduli (units in dyn sec cm-5), and phase angles (radians) were determined. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was calculated and aortic pressure (AP, mm Hg) was also measured. All values = mean ± SEM. Group I animals ("high tone") underwent a decrease in PAP (17.9 ± 1.6 mm Hg vs 13.6 ± 1.9 mm Hg, P = 0.008) and PVR (4310 ± 816 dyn sec cm-5 vs 3713 ± 687 dyn sec cm-5, P = 0.04). Group II animals ("low tone") responded with an increase in PAP (11.5 ± 0.4 mm Hg vs 16.6 ± 1.8 mm Hg, P = 0.029). AP decreased in Group I (40 ± 3.8 mm Hg vs 21.5 ± 2.8 mm Hg, P = 0.008) and Group II (51.2 ± 10.8 mm Hg vs 31.2 ± 10.9 mm Hg, P = 0.05). BRL 34915 caused Group I impedance moduli to decrease at the lower frequencies. Group II impedance modulus and phase angle were not altered with BRL 34915. Zo was not changed in either group. These data indicate that in animals manifesting an elevated baseline pulmonary arteriolar tone, BRL 34915 caused pulmonary arteriolar dilatation and reduced wave reflections, thereby reducing the total hydraulic input energy by up to 40%. In contrast, animals with a lower baseline PAP and PVR responded with an increase in pressure. A tone-dependent response to K+ channel activators in an intact newborn animal has not previously been reported.
Mutually Exclusive and Exhaustive Quantum States

The identification of a set of mutually exclusive and exhaustive propositions concerning the states of quantum systems is a corner stone of the information-theoretic foundations of quantum statistics; but the set which is conventionally adopted is in fact incomplete, and is customarily deduced from numerous misconceptions of basic quantum mechanical principles. This paper exposes and corrects these common misstatements. It then identifies a new set of quantum state propositions which is truly exhaustive and mutually exclusive, and which is compatible with the foundations of quantum theory.
Defensive acquisitions in the banking industry: The takeover premium hypothesis

We define defensive acquisitions as takeovers made by a firm so as to become so large that it becomes an unattractive target itself. A sample of defensive acquisitions in the banking industry is used to test the takeover premium hypothesis. Under this hypothesis, the defensive acquirers lose because a takeover premium that previously existed in their prices is deflated while the takeover premium increases for smaller competitors because they become more likely targets. We find that the defensive acquirers experience significant negative abnormal returns on the announcement day, and that smaller competitors have positive abnormal returns on the announcements of defensive acquisitions. In contrast, larger competitors do not react to the announcements. The results are consistent with the takeover premium hypothesis.
Experience with right ventricular assist devices for perioperative right-sided circulatory failure

Background. Right-sided circulatory failure remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality for both cardiac transplant and left ventricular assist device recipients. Methods. We reviewed our experience with 11 patients who required a right ventricular assist device (RVAD) after either orthotopic heart transplantation or left ventricular assist device implantation. Variables analyzed included total time of RVAD support, hemodynamic and hematologic parameters, and parameters of end-organ perfusion. These were assessed at five time points: (1) at least 2 weeks before RVAD implantation, (2) intraoperatively just before RVAD insertion, (3) while on RVAD support, and, for those who survived, (4) just before RVAD explantation, and (5) off RVAD support. Survival was assessed as the ability to be weaned successfully from RVAD support. Urine output and serum transaminase levels were recorded throughout the period of RVAD support. Results. Five patients received an ABIOMED 5000 BVS RVAD, and 6 received a Bio-Medicus centrifugal pump. Nine patients in the study underwent orthotopic heart transplantation and had development of right-sided circulatory failure from 0 to 96 hours after donor organ insertion, and 2 patients underwent left ventricular assist device implantation 12 to 48 hours before RVAD support. The mean time of RVAD support for survivors was 133.6 ± 33.6 hours (range, 107 to 190 hours). Six patients were successfully separated from RVAD support, and 5 patients died while on RVAD support. Causes of death included sepsis (2), biventricular failure (2), and coagulopathy (1). Continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis was employed in 3 of 6 survivors and 1 of 5 nonsurvivors. Conclusions. Right ventricular assist devices work most effectively if implanted early enough to avoid significant, potentially irreversible end-organ injury. We liberally employ continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis, minimize the use of heparin immediately postoperatively, keep patients sedated, and continue RVAD support until the patient displays signs of hemodynamic and end-organ recovery as heralded by (1) a decrease in central venous pressure and, more importantly, a decrease in pulmonary artery diastolic pressure, (2) an increase in urine output, and (3) a decrease in serum transaminase levels.
A Multi-Anvil, High-Pressure Facility for Synchrotron Radiation Research at GeoSoilEnviroCARS at the Advanced Photon Source

This paper describes the multi-anvil, large-volume, high-pressure facility that is being constructed at the GeoSoilEnviroCARS at the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. The facility consists of multi-anvil high pressure systems at the end stations of the bending magnet and the insertion device beamline at Sector 13. Various pressure apparatus will be used to cover pressure and temperature conditions up to 40 GPa and 3000°C, with millimeter sized samples at high pressure end and centimeter sized samples at low pressure end. This national facility is open to all users and a variety of high pressure, high temperature experiments will be carried out.
Asynchronous Ca2+ current conducted by voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV)-2.1 and CaV2.2 channels and its implications for asynchronous neurotransmitter release

We have identified an asynchronously activated Ca2+ current through voltage-gated Ca2+ (CaV)-2.1 and CaV2.2 channels, which conduct P/Q- and N-type Ca2+ currents that initiate neurotransmitter release. In nonneuronal cells expressing CaV2.1 or CaV2.2 channels and in hippocampal neurons, prolonged Ca2+ entry activates a Ca2+ current, IAsync, which is observed on repolarization and decays slowly with a half-time of 150–300 ms. IAsync is not observed after L-type Ca2+ currents of similar size conducted by CaV1.2 channels. IAsync is Ca2+-selective, and it is unaffected by changes in Na+, K+, Cl−, or H+ or by inhibitors of a broad range of ion channels. During trains of repetitive depolarizations, IAsync increases in a pulse-wise manner, providing Ca2+ entry that persists between depolarizations. In single-cultured hippocampal neurons, trains of depolarizations evoke excitatory postsynaptic currents that show facilitation followed by depression accompanied by asynchronous postsynaptic currents that increase steadily during the train in parallel with IAsync. IAsync is much larger for slowly inactivating CaV2.1 channels containing β2a-subunits than for rapidly inactivating channels containing β1b-subunits. IAsync requires global rises in intracellular Ca2+, because it is blocked when Ca2+ is chelated by 10 mM EGTA in the patch pipette. Neither mutations that prevent Ca2+ binding to calmodulin nor mutations that prevent calmodulin regulation of CaV2.1 block IAsync. The rise of IAsync during trains of stimuli, its decay after repolarization, its dependence on global increases of Ca2+, and its enhancement by β2a-subunits all resemble asynchronous release, suggesting that IAsync is a Ca2+ source for asynchronous neurotransmission.
Analysis of 3-hydroxydodecanedioic acid for studies of fatty acid metabolic disorders: preparation of stable isotope standards.

Current diagnostic tests to detect disorders of fatty acids metabolism, such as long-chain hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (LCHAD), are hampered by insensitivity or a long delay time required for results. Children with LCHAD deficiency are known to excrete 3-hydroxydicarboxylic acids with chain lengths of 10-16 carbons, but a quantitative method to measure excretion of these potentially diagnostically important compounds has not been reported. We report synthetic schemes for synthesis of 3-hydroxydodecanedioic acid and a di-deuterated analog, suitable for use in a stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometric analytical approach. Evaluation of several common derivatization protocols to produce a volatile derivative for gas chromatography determined that trimethylsyl derivatives produced the best efficiency and stability. Positive-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry provided the greatest yield of characteristic ions. These results indicate the basic reagents needed to develop sensitive and accurate 3-hydroxydodecanedioic acid measurements for diagnosis of LCHAD deficiency and other fatty acid oxidation disorders.
The problem of interpretation in marital therapy

Summary o 1. Marital psychotherapy is a treatment situation in which husband and wife work conjointly with a psychiatrist. The mode of treatment is nondirective and exploratory, seeking defenses and conflicts in the interaction system through interpretation. The aims of treatment are relative neutralization of need pressures and increasing integration. 2. Interaction patterns built into the communication system used by the couple appear as resistances to the treatment process and require clarification before mutative interpretation of defense and conflict can have effect. These problems tend to exclude the therapist or one or both spouses from participation in the treatment interaction. 3. Interpretations in marital therapy work from the defenses of one spouse to complementary defenses in the other in a continuously reverberating fashion spanning the interaction system of the marriage. 4. Projection and introjection, the “mirror-wall” phenomenon, and the issues of therapeutic alliance and transference have been considered.
Personality risk for alcoholism covaries with hangover symptoms

Previous work relating self-reported hangover symptoms and familial risk for alcoholism was extended to personality risk for alcoholism, as measured by the MacAndrew alcoholism scale (MAC). The MAC predicted a significant amount of unique variance in reported hangover symptoms after controlling for gender, average quantity consumed on a drinking occasion, and fathers' scores on the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (SMAST). Individuals at elevated personality risk for alcoholism apparently experience more acute withdrawal and hangover, which may initiate further drinking to relieve these aversive symptoms.
A model transformation approach to automatic model construction and evolution

As models are elevated to first-class artifacts within the software development lifecycle, the task of construction and evolution of large-scale system models becomes a manually intensive effort that can be very time consuming and error prone. To address these problems, this dissertation abstract presents a model transformation approach. There are three main features of this research. First, tasks of model construction and evolution are specified in a model transformation language (called the Embedded Constraint Language). Second, a core transformation engine (called C-SAW) is used to perform model transformation in an automated manner by executing the ECL transformation specification. Finally, testing and debugging tools at the modeling level are provided to assist in detecting errors in the model transformation.
Use of the VersaJet for Pedicle Deepithelialization During Breast Reduction Surgery

Many modern techniques of breast reduction require that a pedicle of breast tissue be deepithelialized. The process of deepithelialization is both tedious and time consuming. Many techniques have been described to facilitate the process of deepithelialization in breast reduction, but none have replaced the gold standard of using the scalpel. This series details the authors’ results using the VersaJet Hydrosurgery System for pedicle deepithelialization in breast reduction surgery. In this study, 20 patients underwent inferior pedicle breast reduction using the VersaJet for pedicle deepithelialization between September 2006 and June 2007. The overall time required for pedicle deepithelialization using the VersaJet was compared with the average overall time required for deepithelialization using the scalpel. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. An overall time-savings of 10 to 25 min per case was noted using the VersaJet for pedicle deepithelialization rather than the scalpel. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered due to use of the VersaJet for pedicle deepithelialization. The VersaJet is a safe and effective tool for pedicle deepithelialization in breast reduction surgery. The VersaJet significantly facilitates the process of pedicle deepithelialization and requires less time than use of the scalpel for the procedure.
Telecommunications opens new strategic vistas.

Telecommunications has become an essential part of every facet of today's business, yet many of us tend to take it for granted. Whenever we pick up the phone, fax documents or messages, or even transmit files from our desktop personal computers or laptops, we are putting telecommunications to use, but we hardly give it a second thought.
ATM-dependent Phosphorylation of Human Rad9 Is Required for Ionizing Radiation-induced Checkpoint Activation

ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated) is a Ser/Thr kinase involved in cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair. Human Rad9 (hRad9) is the homologue of Schizosaccharomyces pombe Rad9 protein that plays a critical role in cell cycle checkpoint control. To examine the potential signaling pathway linking ATM and hRad9, we investigated the modification of hRad9 in response to DNA damage. Here we show that hRad9 protein is constitutively phosphorylated in undamaged cells and undergoes hyperphosphorylation upon treatment with ionizing radiation (IR), ultraviolet light (UV), and hydroxyurea (HU). Interestingly, hyperphosphorylation of hRad9 induced by IR is dependent on ATM. Ser272 of hRad9 is phosphorylated directly by ATM in vitro. Furthermore, hRad9 is phosphorylated on Ser272 in response to IR in vivo, and this modification is delayed in ATM-deficient cells. Expression of hRad9 S272A mutant protein in human lung fibroblast VA13 cells disturbs IR-induced G1/S checkpoint activation and increased cellular sensitivity to IR. Together, our results suggest that the ATM-mediated phosphorylation of hRad9 is required for IR-induced checkpoint activation.
Designing a value based niche search engine using evolutionary strategies

The advent of e-commerce and corporate intranets has led to the growth of organizational repositories containing large, fragmented, and unstructured document collections. Though it is difficult to retrieve relevant documents from such collections, it is relatively less cumbersome to define categories broadly classifying the information contained in the collection. Such categories lend value to the information contained in the collection. This research addresses the issue of improving retrieval accuracy of search engines that retrieve documents from organizational repositories using a value based approach. We test an evolutionary algorithm approach on a document collection. The precision of the search algorithm improved from 40% in generation 1 of the algorithm to nearly 90% in generation 10,000.
Return of the finite-temperature phase transition in the chiral limit of lattice QCD.

Lattice QCD with four flavors of light dynamical quarks is simulated on a ${10}^{3}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6 lattice in order to study the finite-temperature transition in the chiral limit. The mass used, m=0.025 (in lattice units), is half the smallest value previously used on this size lattice. We find evidence for a finite-temperature phase transition which is absent for intermediate masses. The time evolution of the system shows both long correlation times characteristic of a nearby critical point and abrupt changes.
Single cyclic GMP-activated channel activity in excised patches of rod outer segment membrane.

The plasma membrane of retinal rod outer segments contains a cyclic GMP-activated conductance1–6 which appears to be the light-sensitive conductance involved in phototransduction7. Recently, it has been found that this conductance is partially blocked by Mg2+ (refs 3, 8, 9) and Ca2+ (refs 3, 4, 8–11) at physiological concentrations, thus possibly accounting for the absence of observable single-channel activity in excised membrane patches1,3,8 and for the unusually small apparent unit conductance deduced from noise measurements on intact cells4,10,12,13. We now report that, as expected from this idea, single cGMP-activated channel activity can be detected from an excised rod membrane patch in the absence of divalent cations. The most prominent unitary current had a mean conductance of ∼25 pS. Both individual channel openings (mean open time ∼1 ms) and short bursts of openings (mean burst duration of about a few milliseconds) were observed. In addition, there were smaller events which probably represented other states of the conductance. The mean current increased with the third power of cGMP concentration, suggesting that there are at least three cGMP-binding sites on the channel molecule. With 0.2 mM Mg2+ in the cGMP-containing solution, a flickering block of the open channel was observed; the effect of Ca2+ was similar. The results resolve a puzzle about the light-sensitive conductance by demonstrating that it is an aqueous pore rather than a carrier.
Thermal Transport in Finite-Sized Nanocomposites

We report finite volume simulations of the phonon Boltzmann Transport Equation (BTE) for heat conduction in periodic nanowire composites. Models for phonon transport across heterogeneous interfaces are developed, and simulations are performed over a wide range of Knudsen numbers. Conditions are identified under which the thermal conductivity of the composite material is less than the bulk thermal conductivity of the individual host materials and under which the alloy limit of thermal conductivity is recovered. We also compute the length scale needed to achieve bulk behavior in nanoscale composites. The results of this study are expected to inform and improve applications such as thermoelectric devices and flexible macroelectronics.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Artificial neural networks for lithology prediction and reservoir characterization

Artificial neural networks are becoming increasingly popular as a method for parameter classification and as a tool for recognizing complex relationships in a variety of data types. The power of neural networks comes from their ability to `learn' from a set of training data and then to generalized to new data sets. In addition, neural networks have the potential to assimilate data over a wide range of scales and are robust in the presence of noise. A back propagation neural network has been successfully applied in predicting paleosol sequences using well log suites from two wells in a Cenozoic basin in southwestern Montana. The training set consists of neutron porosity, bulk density, and resistivity logs and the interpreted paleosol section. Training is accomplished using well log values over a range of depths rather than discrete depths. The trained network is used to predict paleosol occurrences in a neighboring well. Network prediction results show good agreement with paleosol interpretations. Neural networks are also being applied as part of a reservoir characterization project for a north central Montana oil field. A back propagation network shows limited success in predicting sonic and porosity well logs from resistivity, gamma, and density logs. Preliminary attempts to predict spatial distribution of porosity from 3D seismic data show some promise. The use of high-pass filtered seismic data and seismic trace attributes improves prediction error over the unfiltered seismic data alone.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Involvement of the KIT/KITL Signaling Pathway in 4-Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide-Induced Ovarian Follicle Loss in Rats

Repeated daily dosing of rats with the occupational chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) depletes the ovary of primordial and primary follicles through an increase in the natural process of atresia. Additionally, in vitro exposure of Postnatal Day 4 (PND 4) rat ovaries to VCD causes similar follicular depletion. This study was designed to investigate survival signaling pathways that may be associated with VCD-induced ovotoxicity in small preantral follicles. Female Fischer 344 rats (PND 28) were dosed daily (80 mg/kg/day VCD i.p.; 12 days in vivo), and PND 4 ovaries were cultured (VCD 20 or 30 μM; 8 days in vitro). Microarray analysis identified a subset of 14 genes whose expression was increased or decreased by VCD in both experiments (i.e., via both exposure routes). Particularly, the analysis showed that relative to controls, VCD did not affect mRNA expression of growth and differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9), whereas there were decreases in mRNA encoding bone morphogenic protein receptor 1a (Bmpr1a) and Kit. To confirm findings from microarray, the genes Gdf9, Bmpr1a, and Kit were further examined. When growth factors associated with these pathways were added to ovarian cultures during VCD exposure, GDF9 and BMP4 had no effect on VCD-induced ovotoxicity; however, KITL attenuated this follicle loss. Additionally, there was a decrease in Kit and an increase in Kitl expression (mRNA and protein) following VCD exposure, relative to control. These results support that VCD compromises KIT/KITL signaling, which is critical for follicular survival in primordial and primary follicles.