cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preclinical transfusion-dependent humanized mouse model of β thalassemia major

A preclinical humanized mouse model of β thalassemia major or Cooley anemia (CA) was generated by targeted gene replacement of the mouse adult globin genes in embryonic stem cells. The mouse adult α and β globin genes were replaced with adult human α globin genes (α2α1) and a human fetal to adult hemoglobin (Hb)–switching cassette (γHPFHδβ0), respectively. Similar to human infants with CA, fully humanized mice survived postnatally by synthesizing predominantly human fetal Hb, HbF (α2γ2), with a small amount of human minor adult Hb, HbA2 (α2δ2). Completion of the human fetal to adult Hb switch after birth resulted in severe anemia marked by erythroid hyperplasia, ineffective erythropoiesis, hemolysis, and death. Similar to human patients, CA mice were rescued from lethal anemia by regular blood transfusion. Transfusion corrected the anemia and effectively suppressed the ineffective erythropoiesis, but led to iron overload. This preclinical humanized animal model of CA will be useful for the development of new transfusion and iron chelation regimens, the study of iron homeostasis in disease, and testing of cellular and genetic therapies for the correction of thalassemia.
An unusual presentation of a digital schwannoma: case report

Schwannomas are primary benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. They are also known as neurilemmomas and represent less than 5 % of all upper extremity tumors [1] and 2.8 % of biopsied benign soft-tissue tumors of the hand and wrist [10]. Although most commonly found in the head and neck, schwannomas of the hand and wrist have been reported and reviewed [12]. Schwannomas of the upper extremity typically appear on the volar surface of the hand or arm. There have also been reports of unusual cases of schwannomas associated with macrodactyly [14], associated with trigger finger [16], located in the subungal region of the fingertip [8], located intraosseously [2, 11], and in the fingers of children [18, 19]. A search of the English language literature failed to reveal any reports describing the atypical presentation of a schwannoma originally diagnosed as a mucous cyst or located at the dorsal aspect of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. This report presents a case of a myxoid schwannoma mimicking the clinical findings of a typical mucous cyst. Based on the surgical findings after excision and subsequent pathologic studies, the patient was diagnosed as having a myxoid schwannoma.
Fast and approximate stream mining of quantiles and frequencies using graphics processors

We present algorithms for fast quantile and frequency estimation in large data streams using graphics processors (GPUs). We exploit the high computation power and memory bandwidth of graphics processors and present a new sorting algorithm that performs rasterization operations on the GPUs. We use sorting as the main computational component for histogram approximation and construction of e-approximate quantile and frequency summaries. Our algorithms for numerical statistics computation on data streams are deterministic, applicable to fixed or variable-sized sliding windows and use a limited memory footprint. We use GPU as a co-processor and minimize the data transmission between the CPU and GPU by taking into account the low bus bandwidth. We implemented our algorithms on a PC with a NVIDIA GeForce FX 6800 Ultra GPU and a 3.4 GHz Pentium IV CPU and applied them to large data streams consisting of more than 100 million values. We also compared the performance of our GPU-based algorithms with optimized implementations of prior CPU-based algorithms. Overall, our results demonstrate that the graphics processors available on a commodity computer system are efficient stream-processor and useful co-processors for mining data streams.
Interferon-mediated effect on ribosomal RNA metabolism

Abstract Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) has been shown to be involved in the binding of bacterial messenger RNA (mRNA) and an analogous 18 S rRNA · mRNA complex has been reported in eukaryotic systems. Thus, qualitative changes in host rRNA may be involved in the development of the interferon mediated antiviral state, a process thought to involve the inability of host ribosomes to bind and recognize viral mRNA. Data are reported which suggest that trisomy 21 human fibroblasts respond to human interferon with a marked reduction in cytoplasmic rRNA. [ 3 H]Uridine was used to radioactively label the polysomal RNAs for 24 h beginning 12 h after interferon addition. Subsequent sucrose gradient analysis of the phenol or SDS-extracted RNA revealed that the reduction in radioactive rRNA was nearly complete for the 28 S rRNA. In contrast, considerable residual uridine incorporation was found in the 18 S rRNA species. Corollary data suggesting a net increase in mRNA synthesis and a net decrease in protein synthesis are reported.
SU‐E‐T‐412: Biological Consequences of Errors in MLC Calibration in the Context of IMRT Delivery and QA

Purpose: To quantify biological consequences of MLCcalibration errors in prostate IMRT and relate those biological consequences to IMRT QA action levels. Methods: Ten consecutive prostate cancer patients treated with a 5‐field IMRT (Varian iX with Millenium 120 leaf MLC) were selected. All cases were treated with a prescription dose of 74 Gy. An in‐house program was used to introduce systematic MLC offsets. Combinations of X1 and X2 offsets in the range from −2 to +2mm were explored. Modified files were imported into the treatment planning system (TPS) to recalculate dose for each modified plan. DVHs were exported from the TPS and generalized equivalent uniform doses (gEUD) were calculated for the rectum (n=0.09) and PTV (a=−10). Each plan was also recalculated on a CT scan of a cylindrical phantom with a contoured ion camber. Dose distributions were exported for 3D gamma analysis with dose and distance to agreement set to 3% and 3 mm, respectively. Pass criteria were: at least 95% of voxels have to pass and dose to chamber has to be within 2% of the reference dose. Results: Plans with offsets of 2 mm, single leaf bank or combined, have not passed gamma QA, however 30% of plans passed chamber dose QA. For 1.5 mm offsets 20% and 70% of plans passed gamma and chamber dose QA, respectively. Change in gEUD for PTV and rectum was of the order of 2% for plans passing both QA methods and larger than 3% for those which failed QA. Conclusions: With currently used methods and criteria for prostate IMRT QA, we can only detect changes in gEUD greater than 3% that are resultant from MLCcalibration errors. This is important because it provides a lower limit on the ability of current IMRT QA to estimate a biological impact for machine errors.
The Stark Reality of the "White Saviour" Complex and the Need for Critical Consciousness: A Document Analysis of the Early Journals of a Freirean Educator.

While the anglophone academic literature has long engaged in analysis of the role of privilege in the work of educators in the Global North, this article represents an initial foray into such analysis in non-formal educational settings in the Global South. Through a cultural-textual document analysis of 12 months of personal journal entries written by the author while working as a Freirean adult educator in Mozambique, this article documents a lack of recognition of social privilege exhibited by the author in these entries, which is here referred to as the ‘White Saviour’ complex. This article also documents how the pursuit of what Freire calls ‘critical consciousness’ can effectively problematise this privileged mindset.
DISENTANGLING STATUS QUO AND OMISSION EFFECTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS

Abstract The status quo bias as described by Samuelson and Zeckhauser (1988) can be decomposed into two primary effects-an exaggerated preference for the current or previous state of affairs and an exaggerated preference for inaction. We describe an experiment designed to disentangle these effects. Analysis of results shows that both effects can occur, they appear to be additive, and subjects exhibit these effects unknowingly. These effects relate to and may interact with loss aversion, ambiguity, and regret.
R68-16 A Mathematical Model for the Investigation of Three-Dimensional Fields with Asymmetric Boundaries

The purpose of the investigation reported in this paper was to test the feasibility of solving Laplace's equation in a three-dimensional region having asymmetric boundaries by means of an electrolytic tank and also by a three-dimensional network of resistors. The region considered was one octant of an ellipsoid.
Measurements of laser diode astigmatism using the beam-line method

We propose a novel method to measure the astigmatism of laser diodes that is based solely on power measurements and does not require the use of any imaging system. Experimental realization of this method resulted in a sensitive measuring technique. Using it, a linear dependence of astigmatism change on drive current is demonstrated for commercial index-guided laser structures. The proposed method is believed to be highly adaptable to any experimental environment. Its advantages over currently employed methods are discussed.
Introduction: Gender and Reproductive Technologies in East Asia

This special issue of EASTS examines reproductive technoscience, gender, and the formation of East Asian modernities across the twentieth and into the twenty-first century. We begin our introduction with a brief overview of social science scholarship to date on reproductive topics. We then turn to emergent trends: going to and coming from beyond the West, complicating the issues, and intensive localizing and comparative research. Next, we discuss themes that cut across considerations of gender, reproductive technologies, and related issues in East Asia: issues of imperialisms and colonialisms as roots and contexts, postcolonial and nationalist forms of embeddedness, feminist theories of gender and transnationalism, and relations of gender and reproductive technologies to biological citizenship. Last is an introduction to the articles in this special issue.
The development of travelling waves in cubic auto-catalysis with different rates of diffusion

Abstract In this paper we study the isothermal auto-catalytic chemical reaction, A + 2 B → 3 B involving two chemical species A and B . Their diffusion coefficients, denoted by D A and D B , respectively, are unequal, which happens when the two chemical species have different molecular weights. The propagating reaction–diffusion waves that may develop from a local initial input of the auto-catalyst, B , are investigated in one spatial dimension. We show the existence of travelling wave solutions for all propagation speed v ≥ v 2 ∗ , with v 2 ∗ a function of the ratio of the diffusion rates of the species A and B , representing the estimated minimum propagation speed. Our result improves significantly on the results of early works. In addition, we show the non-existence of travelling wave solutions when v ≤ v 2 , where v 2 depends on the ratio of the diffusion rates of the species A and B . We believe that our non-existence result is the first of the kind for equations of the isothermal auto-catalytic chemical reaction type. We also demonstrate similar results on the general isothermal auto-catalytic chemical reaction, A + n B → ( n + 1 ) B , of n -th order with n > 1 .
Epidermal protein synthesis in newborn rat skin.

Protein synthesis in newborn rat epidermis was assessed by in vivo labeling of epidermal proteins with radioactive glycine and the isolation of neutral buffer, sodium-dodecylsulfates (SDS) dithiothreitol soluble proteins, and 0.1 M NaOH soluble protein fractions of the epidermis. There was an increase in the labeling of proteins in the buffer and SDS fractions for 5 h after injection and then no further increase at 19 h after injection. In the 0.1 M NaOH soluble proteins and the final pellet after these extractions there was a progressive increase in glycine incorporation up to 19 h after injection. SDS gel electrophoresis of the labeled proteins showed early synthesis and continued synthesis of proteins of 56,000 and 65,000 daltons corresponding to the main fibrous proteins (α-keratins) of the epidermis. At 19 h a new protein band of 45,000 daltons first appeared and was associated with a decrease in the labeling of very high molecular weight (or highly aggregated) proteins. This later protein is presumptively identified as keratohyalin. Free amino acid pools were associated with both the neutral buffer and SDS extractable fractions.
Diurnal variation of cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin-1 (Orexin-A) levels in control and depressed subjects

Abstract Background Hypocretins, excitatory neuropeptides at monoaminergic synapses, appear to regulate human sleep-wake cycles. Undetectable cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin-1 levels are seen in narcolepsy, which is frequently associated with secondary depression. Shortened rapid eye movement latency is observed in both narcolepsy and depression. Cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin-1 levels have not been reported in mood disorders. Methods We examined hypocretin-1 levels in 14 control and 15 depressed subjects. Cerebrospinal fluid was drawn continuously in supine subjects for 24 hours with an indwelling intrathecal catheter under entrained light-dark conditions. Depressed subjects were studied before and after 5 weeks of sertraline (n = 10, three nonresponders) or bupropion (n = 5, two nonresponders). Results Hypocretin-1 levels varied slightly (amplitude 10%) but significantly across the diurnal cycle in control subjects, with amplitude significantly reduced in depression (3%). Levels were lowest at midday, surprising for a hypothetically wake-promoting peptide. Mean hypocretin levels trended higher in depressive than in control subjects. Hypocretin-1 levels decreased modestly but significantly after sertraline (−14%) but not bupropion. Conclusions Our results are consistent with previous physiologic findings in depression indicating dampened diurnal variations in hypocretin-1. The finding that sertraline but not bupropion slightly decreased cerebrospinal fluid hypocretin-1 indicates a serotoninergic influence on hypocretin tone.
RGDS tetrapeptide binds to osteoblasts and inhibits fibronectin-mediated adhesion.

Abstract The mechanisms of osteoblast attachment to surfaces were probed using the adhesive tetrapeptide RGDS (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) and the related but non-adhesive RGES (Arg-Gly-Glu-Ser). Specifically, RGDS and RGES were investigated for their ability both to bind to a suspension of well-characterized neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts and to inhibit cell attachment to fibronectin-coated microtiter plates. RGDS bound to the cells with an average K d ~ 9.4 × 10 − 4 M, and RGES bound with an average K d ~ 3.0 × 10 −4 M; at saturation, the osteoblasts bound almost twice as much RGDS as RGES. RGDS partially inhibited cell adhesion (55% to 60%) in a competitive, dose-dependent manner. In contrast, RGES had minimal effect on cell attachment. Since complete inhibition of attachment was not observed, it is likely that a synergistic adhesion site in the fibronectin molecule and/or cell surface molecules such as proteoglycans are active in mediating osteoblast/substrate adhesion.
Academic-Industrial Relations Before the Blockbuster Drugs: Lessons from the Harvard Committee on Pharmacotherapy, 1939-1943

Increasing discussion has developed in recent years over the nature of the relationship between academic medicine and the pharmaceutical industry. This article narrates the history of a little- known attempt at Harvard Medical School between 1939 and 1943 to establish an interdisciplinary, academic–industrial Committee on Pharmacotherapy to enhance and rationalize the relationship between the field of academic research in pharmacotherapeutics and the pharmaceutical industry. Using original archival materials, the authors depict the functioning of the committee, which was headed by Soma Weiss and included such members as Fuller Albright, Henry Beecher, and Walter Cannon. The committee would be collectively funded by seven pharmaceutical companies and was to be predicated on collaboration, both across the entire university and between academia and industry. It was expected to transform the bench-to-bedside study and testing of therapeutic compounds, to redefine the teaching of pharmacotherapy, and to create a unified forum through which to discuss the overall academic–industrial relationship and more specific issues such as patents. Unfortunately, the program proved to be short-lived, the victim of such contingent factors as the untimely death of Soma Weiss and America’s entry into World War II, as well as such more fundamental factors as the inadequate and temporary nature of the funding stream and unresolved tensions regarding the goals of the committee on the part of both the medical school and its industry supporters. Nevertheless, these early forays into collaborative bench-to- bedside translational research and the rationalization of academic–industrial relations remain instructive today.
Results of a Price-Forecasting Competition: Reply

competition did not change significantly. The confidence levels reported by Tegene are indeed the correct ones. In fact, we helped him to understand the procedure used to calculate the Henriksson-Merton test and offered him our (corrected) program to aid his calculations. Therefore, let us leave the original paper behind and move on to two new topics. First, Tegene proposes a "simpler" method of calculating the Henriksson-Merton test using a regression model which was developed by Cumby and Modest. We believe this test to have several drawbacks, and considerable caution needs to be applied when employing this form of the test. Second, because Tegene uses Cumby and Modest's regression framework to perform joint tests on both series included in the original competition, we present some results using the original Henriksson-Merton framework on both series.
Trends in controlled-release oxycodone (OxyContin) prescribing among Medicaid recipients in Kentucky, 1998-2002.

: Context: Prescription opioid abuse has emerged as a public health problem, particularly in rural America. Purpose: To examine temporal and geographic trends in rates of controlled-release oxycodone (OxyContin) prescribing for Kentucky Medicaid recipients. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was completed in which the state was divided into 3 regions (distressed Appalachia, Appalachia, and other Kentucky), and data from Medicaid pharmacy claims from 1998 to 2002 were analyzed. Claims were further stratified by disability status. Findings: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Medicaid recipients in distressed Appalachia were more likely than those in other Kentucky regions to file controlled-release oxycodone claims in 1999, 2001, and 2002. Even after adjusting for the proportion of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients in each region, the distressed region still had significantly higher rates (P< .05) than the non-Appalachian region of controlled-release oxycodone prescription claims among Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients. Similar findings were observed for disabled Medicaid recipients in 2002. Conclusions: Higher rates of claims for controlled-release oxycodone in the distressed Appalachian region of Kentucky suggest that economic and health factors unique to this area may be contributing to increased use of this product. The increased availability of controlled-release oxycodone in distressed Appalachian regions may facilitate abuse.
Octavia, Daughter of God: The Story of a Female Messiah and Her Followers. By Jane Shaw. (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2011. Pp. xviii, 398. $35.00.)

The hardships brought about by the Great War, in particular the enormous loss of life, had a profound impact on all aspects of English society, and religion was no exception. People became dissatis...
On multipliers of Fourier transforms

In this paper G is a locally compact Abelian group, φ a complex-valued function defined on the dual Γ, L p ( G ) (1 ≤ p ≤ ∞) the usual Lebesgue space of index p formed with respect to Haar measure, C ( G ) the set of all bounded continuous complex-valued functions on G , and C 0 ( G ) the set of all f ∈ C ( G ) which vanish at infinity.
Effects of heat and ultraviolet radiation on the stability of a polypropylene–polyisobutylene alloy

Polypropylene and blends of polypropylene are or may be utilized in medical items of equipment, containers, and various devices. Changes in properties of the material may negate its value when used for these purposes. This paper deals with the assessment of the stability of a polypropylene-polyisobutylene alloy when exposed to heat and ultraviolet radiation. Evaluation of stability was based upon (a) differential thermal analysis, (b) tensile properties, and (c) infrared spectroscopy. Results of the study revealed that considerable degradation of the material had occurred when exposed to a combination of heat and radiation, but relatively little degradation when the plastic was exposed to heat only.
Incidence of arterial injuries detected by arteriography following percutaneous right-lobe ultrasound-guided core liver biopsies in human subjects

Incidence of Arterial Injuries Detected by Arteriography Following Percutaneous Right-Lobe Ultrasound-Guided Core Liver Biopsies in Human Subjects
VXD3: the SLD vertex detector upgrade based on a 307 MPixel CCD system

The SLD upgrade CCD vertex detector (VXD3) is described. Its 307 million pixels are assembled from 96 3.2 Mpixel CCDs of 13 cm/sup 2/ each. The system has evolved from the pioneering CCD vertex detector VXD2, which has operated in SLD since 1992. The CCDs of VXD3 are mounted on beryllium ladders in three cylinders, providing three space point measurements along each track of about 5 microns resolution in all three co-ordinates. Significant improvements are achieved with VXD3 in impact parameter resolution (about a factor of two) and acceptance (/spl sim/20%) through optimized geometry and reduced, material. New readout electronics have been developed for this system.
Dicarbonylbis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnium

[59487-86-4] C12H10HfO2 (MW 364.70) InChI = 1S/2C5H5.2CO.Hf/c2*1-2-4-5-3-1;2*1-2;/h2*1-5H;;; InChIKey = RBJVONSTHZIRBR-UHFFFAOYSA-N (couples alkynes to form hafnacyclopentadienes3) Physical Data: subl at 80 °C/10−4 mmHg.2a Solubility: sol hydrocarbons, THF. Analysis of Reagent Purity: IR, NMR.2 Preparative Method: reduction of Dichlorobis(cyclopentadienyl)hafnium with Magnesium Amalgam under CO atmosphere.2b Purification: hexane solution is filtered through alumina and cooled to −20 °C to induce crystallization; sublimation at 80 °C/10−4 mmHg.2 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: store and handle under an inert atmosphere. Use in a fume hood.
Tag-Cloud Drawing: Algorithms for Cloud Visualization

Tag clouds provide an aggregate of tag-usage statistics. They are typically sent as in-line HTML to browsers. However, display mechanisms suited for ordinary text are not ideal for tags, because font sizes may vary widely on a line. As well, the typical layout does not account for relationships that may be known between tags. This paper presents models and algorithms to improve the display of tag clouds that con- sist of in-line HTML, as well as algorithms that use nested tables to achieve a more general 2-dimensional layout in which tag relationships are considered. The first algorithms leverage prior work in typesetting and rectangle packing, whereas the second group of algorithms leverage prior work in Electronic Design Automation. Experiments show our algorithms can be efficiently implemented and perform well.
Using a mismatch transmission line to verify accuracy of a high performance noise figure measurement system

To verify noise figure measurement accuracy, an amplifier fully characterized by a reference laboratory may be used. The uncertainty of such a method is quite large because amplifier noise characteristics drift with temperature and time and quite sensitive to DC bias conditions. Since the noise characteristics of a passive 2-port network are directly related to its S-parameters, its measured noise figure can be directly traceable to S-parameter measurements. Passive 2-port devices such as matched through devices, isolators and 2-port networks that simulate the mismatch characteristics of an amplifier had been proposed. It had been demonstrated that no passive devices can fully verify the wide range of noise figure measurement conditions. More recently, the preferred verification method is to use a passive two port network cascaded with an amplifier. These passive 2-port networks typically provide a limited range of mismatch conditions that the amplifier interacts with and therefore do not fully quantify the operating range of a high performance noise figure measurement system. A mismatch transmission line (Beatty Line) provides a wide range of match conditions over a very wide bandwidth. This paper demonstrates how such a device can be used to verify a high performance noise figure measurement system.
Parodying Paradise: When Mexican Buddy Films turn Rudo y Cursi

This essay explores how the codes of the “buddy film” are deployed in two recent Mexican commercial cinema productions, and how the conventions of previously action-packed narratives turn both inwa...
Managing Patients with Alzheimer’s: The Primary Care Role of Dentists

The primary care role of a dentist in the comprehensive care and management of a patient with Alzheimer's disease and the caregiver is described. As part of a geriatric assessment team, the dentist can contribute to a strategy addressing these patients' complex needs.
Extracted and Secondary Beam Targetry

Meson target manipulators are used to remotely plunge targets anywhere within a 32 in. × 60 in. × 3 in. targeting volume inside the circulating beam chamber of the Argonne Zero Gradient Synchrotron. The mesons produced are of different momentum and enter three separate beam tubes from a single crossover point. Two meson target manipulators normally position the targets for multitargeting of a single synchrotron beam pulse. The speed of targeting permits the rf to move the beam pulse to extract two meson beams of different momentum. Using a shaped two-step command function, a single target is moved swiftly into two distinct positions, again extracting two meson beams of different momentum. Targets, target angles, target positions, and the target manipulators are changed without losing beam chamber vacuum. Fixed point meson targeting mechanisms are used for extended experiments that require only single presurveyed positions. Unique electrical linear actuators drive energy loss targets vertically for fast or slow proton extraction. Such fast drive modules are easily removed without interruption of the beam chamber vacuum. Numerous economical drive units with presurveyed targets are held on standby for quick change into the accelerator. A periscope television apparatus permits remote observation of all targetry for accuracy of position under vacuum.
Order release and dispatching in a sequence dependent job shop

Determining when order release should occur and how dispatching should be accomplished is critical to the success of a manufacturing enterprise. Although a significant amount of job shop production scheduling and control literature exists, a void with respect to order release and dispatching in a sequence dependent setup (SDS) environment remains. This research provides a comprehensive literature review of order review and release simulation based studies in job shop environments, and dispatching techniques in the SDS job shop. The literature review served as the basis for developing order release and dispatching mechanisms for the SDS job shop. The main effects and interactions of order release and dispatching mechanisms in a simulated benchmark job shop model were examined for these mechanisms and select mechanisms from the literature. Analysis of variance results demonstrated that the main effects of both order release and dispatching mechanisms are significant, as is the interaction between these variables. Simulation results also proved that the Work Load Control Machine Center order release and Similar Setup dispatching mechanisms yielded the most favorable and robust performance results.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Explantation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Case Series

Introduction Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) systems are implanted to treat pain conditions such as neuropathic, radicular, and ischemic pain syndromes. Prior to July 2013, SCS systems were not magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible due to the risk of thermal injury at the site of the leads and generator. Although there are some case reports of patients undergoing MRI studies with SCS systems in place, these stimulators are frequently explanted when clinical care has necessitated an MRI. The purpose of this case series is to discuss the role of SCS explantation in order to acquire an MRI. Methods This study was performed at a tertiary academic pain medicine clinic. After exempt status was obtained via the institutional review board, patients were identified via the use of Common Procedural Terminology codes for implantable devices. A chart review was performed to identify all patients >18 years of age who had a lumbar or thoracic dorsal column SCS implanted during January 2001–December 2011. The charts were then followed to identify any patients who underwent a surgery for explantation of the device. Data collection included the total number of patients undergoing permanent SCS implantation, the total number of explantation of these devices, patient demographic factors, indication for SCS implantation, incidence of revisions and the indication, duration between implantation and explant of the device, and indication for explantation. Results During the time between 2001 and 2011, 199 patients were identified who underwent a thoracic or lumbar SCS implant after a successful trial. Among 199 implants, 33 devices were explanted, and of these, four were explanted due to the primary need for an MRI scan.
Clitoral Cyst: An Unusual Cause of Clitorimegaly

We report on an infant evaluated for intersex disorder and possible urethral duplication based on the finding of an enlarged clitoris, which intermittently drained clear fluid. Evaluation revealed a clitoral cyst. CASE REPORT R. S., a female neonate born at term after an uncomplicated gestation, was noted to have significant clitoral enlargement at birth (fig. 1). At physical examination the clitoris was soft and seemed to be distended. Compression of the clitoris resulted in the expression of fluid from a small opening near the tip with a subsequent decrease in size. The remainder of the physical examination was normal. Evaluation for congenital adrenal hyperplasia was negative. Pelvic ultrasound demonstrated normal female internal genitalia and a voiding cystogram was normal. At age 9 months cystoscopy and clitoral reduction were
Membrane proximal lysosomes are the major vesicles responsible for calcium-dependent exocytosis in nonsecretory cells

Similar to its role in secretory cells, calcium triggers exocytosis in nonsecretory cells. This calcium-dependent exocytosis is essential for repair of membrane ruptures. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy, we observed that many organelles implicated in this process, including ER, post-Golgi vesicles, late endosomes, early endosomes, and lysosomes, were within 100 nm of the plasma membrane (in the evanescent field). However, an increase in cytosolic calcium led to exocytosis of only the lysosomes. The lysosomes that fused were predominantly predocked at the plasma membrane, indicating that calcium is primarily responsible for fusion and not recruitment of lysosomes to the cell surface.
Learning to Collaborate: A Case Study of Performance Improvement CME

Introduction: Performance Improvement Continuing Medical Education (PI CME) is a mechanism for joining quality improvement (QI) in health care to continuing medical education (CME) systems together. Although QI practices and CME approaches have been recognized for years, what emerges from their integration is largely unfamiliar, because it requires the collaboration of CME providers and stakeholders within the health care systems who traditionally have not worked together and may not have the same understanding of QI issues to close performance gaps. This study describes how an academic institution and a community-based primary care practice collaborated to enhance patient care in the area of hypertension. It offers lessons learned from a PI CME activity in the area of hypertension. Methods: This was an observational case study. Data were collected through interviews, observations of educational events, and review of documents such as learning logs, which were designed to: (1) help physicians learn and change, (2) satisfy requirements for CME credit, (3) serve as the basis for reimbursement, and (4) provide data for the case study. Results: Nine clinicians from one clinic completed the PI CME activity, achieved measurable improvements in their practice, and contributed to systems change. The study highlighted (1) the value of shared goals and agreement on the process among the participants, planners, and others involved; (2) the advantage of a multidisciplinary approach; (3) the importance of supporting clinicians’continuing motivation to participate; and (4) the need to allow sufficient time to enable the initiative to evolve. Discussion: PI CME required unprecedented collaboration between CME planners and QI stakeholders to enable change in clinical practice.
Stimulation of Aflatoxin Production in Media Supplemented with Taro

The effect of taro supplementation on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus was studied on wheat and in the liquid synthetic glucose-low salts (GLS) medium of Adye and Mateles (Biochem. Biophys. Acta. 86: 418, 1964). Wheat containing added taro extract showed increased growth and sporulation and had 30% more aflatoxins. Adding 5% uncooked or cooked taro shreds to the liquid GLS medium increased toxin production two- to three-fold.
Shark bycatch and depredation in the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fishery

The non-target bycatch of sharks in pelagic longline (PLL) fisheries represents a potential source of compromise to shark populations worldwide. Moreover, shark bycatch and depredation (damage inflicted on gear, bait, and catch) complicates management of sharks and other species, and can undermine the operations and financial interests of the pelagic longline industry. Thus, deducing means to reduce shark interactions is in the best interest of multiple stakeholder groups. Prior to doing so, however, the extent, cause and effect of these interactions must be better understood. In this review we address or conduct the following in relation to the U.S. Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean PLL fishery: (1) U.S. management governing shark interactions in the Atlantic; (2) the primary species encountered and historical shark catch data associated with PLL fishing in the Atlantic; (3) a historical comparison of area-specific shark species catch records between the two primary sources of shark catch data in this fishery; (4) the conditions and dynamics that dictate shark interactions in this fishery, and potential means to reduce these interactions, and; (5) a synthesis of the estimated impacts of this fishery on shark populations relative to other fisheries in the Atlantic. As has been found in other PLL fisheries, the blue shark (Prionace glauca) is clearly the shark species most commonly encountered in this fishery in the Atlantic, and receives the majority of attention in this review. U.S. management areas with high relative shark species diversities had a greater divergence in historical shark species percent-compositions between data sources (Pelagic Observer Program versus mandatory pelagic Logbook databases); this complicates the ability to conclude which species are most impacted by PLL fishing in those areas. The current fishing effort by the U.S. PLL fleet is small compared to that of PLL fishing targeting sharks in the Atlantic by non-U.S. fleets, and therefore poses a comparatively lower threat to the stability of Atlantic shark populations. However, incidental shark encounters are inevitable in U.S. Atlantic PLL fishing operations. Thus, it is in the best interest of all stakeholders in the Atlantic to better understand the extent and conditions governing these interactions, and to explore methods to reduce both their occurrence and those aspects leading to higher rates of incidental shark mortality.
Single-Inductor–Multiple-Output Switching DC–DC Converters

Emerging feature dense portable microelectronic devices pose several challenges, including demanding multiple supply voltages from a single miniaturized power-efficient platform. Unfortunately, the power inductors used in magnetic-based switching converters (which are power efficient) are bulky and difficult to integrate. As a result, single-inductor-multiple-output (SIMO) solutions enjoy popularity, but not without design challenges. This brief describes, illustrates, and evaluates how SIMO dc-dc converters operate, transfer energy, and control (through negative feedback) each of their outputs.
Stability and change in types of behavioral disturbance of children and adolescents.

Changes with aging and stability of dimensions of behavioral disturbance were determined for 732 children and adolescents who constituted the sample reassessed after 5 years of an original cross-sectional sample of Manhattan youth 6 to 18 years old. On three of the six types of disturbance strongly related to the total impairment judgments of psychiatrists, specifically those tapping domains of aggression, greater or constant levels of pathology were noted over time. Cross-sectional versus longitudinal analyses on the same types of disturbance had discrepant results half the time. Stability coefficients for five of the six types of disturbance were greater than .55. Stability curves by age cohorts investigated whether a type of disturbance appeared transitory at certain age periods but more crystallized at other ages. Its prognostic significance would vary accordingly. Implications for intervention-treatment and for studies comparing the predictive value of different classes of behavior, e.g., neurotic versus antisocial, are discussed.
Growth of Scandium Magnesium Oxide on GaN

Sc2O3 and MgO have been previously shown to be promising gate dielectrics for III-nitride devices. However, even though the films are initially epitaxial, they possess large numbers of defects due to the large mismatch with GaN. Thus further improvements in interface electrical characteristics will require a reduction in the interfacial mismatch between the oxides and the GaN. This paper discusses the feasibility of reducing the Sc2O3 lattice constant via the introduction of Mg and in particular investigates the relationship between growth parameters and microstructure for the resulting ScMgO alloy. Increasing the magnesium cell temperature was found to increase the growth rate but have little effect on surface roughness. Higher Mg cell temperatures also produced evidence in x-ray diffraction (XRD) of a second phase of MgScO which has the rock salt crystal structure and contains ∼2%Sc. Increasing the substrate temperature from 100°C to 300°C was found to have little effect on the growth rate and dramatically increased surface roughness. However higher substrate temperature combined with a lower Mg cell temperature produced a more uniform oxygen profile as determined by depth profiling Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). From AES and XRD, the solid solubility limit for ScxMg1−xO with the Bixbyite structure was reached at about XMg =0.28
The Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Thailandepsin A Inhibits Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Growth

Abstract Background Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) remains refractory to available surgical and medical interventions. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors are an emerging targeted therapy with antiproliferative activity in a variety of thyroid cancer cell lines. Thailandepsin A (TDP-A) is a novel class I HDAC inhibitor whose efficacy remains largely unknown in ATC. Therefore, we aimed to characterize the effect of TDP-A on ATC. Methods Human-derived ATC cells were treated with TDP-A. IC 50 was determined by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) rapid colorimetric assay, and cell proliferation was measured by viable cell count. Molecular mechanisms of cell growth inhibition were investigated by Western blot analysis of canonical apoptosis markers, intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis regulators, and cell cycle regulatory proteins. Cell cycle staging was determined with propidium iodide flow cytometry. Results TDP-A dose- and time-dependently reduced cell proliferation. Increased cleavage of the apoptosis markers Caspase-9, Caspase-3, and poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase were observed with TDP-A treatment. Levels of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway proteins BAD, Bcl-XL, and BAX remained unchanged. Importantly, the extrinsic apoptosis activator cleaved Caspase-8 increased dose-dependently, and the antiapoptotic proteins Survivin and Bcl-2 decreased. Among the cell cycle regulatory proteins, levels of CDK inhibitors p21/WAF1 and p27/KIP increased. Flow cytometry showed that ATC cells were arrested in G2/M phase with diminished S phase after TDP-A treatment. Conclusions TDP-A induces a notable dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative effect on ATC, which is mainly attributed to extrinsic apoptosis with concomitant cell cycle arrest. TDP-A therefore warrants further preclinical and clinical investigations.
DC to 50 GHz wideband amplifier with Bessel transfer function

A compact, high-performance active feedback amplifier circuit is presented with more than 50 GHz bandwidth characteristic and less than /spl plusmn/2 ps group delay variation. InP heterogeneous bipolar transistor (HBT) technology is used to design and fabricate this amplifier circuit. Input and output return losses are better than 10 dB up to 50 GHz. The circuit also demonstrates >550 GHz gain-bandwidth product.
Fluidic origami: a plant-inspired adaptive structure with shape morphing and stiffness tuning

Inspired by the physics behind the rapid plant movements and the rich topologies in origami folding, this research creates a unique class of multi-functional adaptive structure through exploring the innovation of fluidic origami. The idea is to connect multiple Miura folded sheets along their crease lines into a space-filling structure, and fill the tubular cells in-between with working fluids. The pressure and fluid flow in these cells can be strategically controlled much like in plants for nastic movements. The relationship between the internal fluid volume and the overall structure deformation is primarily determined by the kinematics of folding. This relationship can be exploited so that fluidic origami can achieve actuation/morphing by actively changing the internal fluid volume, and stiffness tuning by constraining the fluid volume. In order to characterize the working principles and performance potentials of these two adaptive functions, this research develops an equivalent truss frame model on a fluidic origami unit cell to analyze its fundamental elastic characteristics. Eigen-stiffness analysis based on this model reveals the primary modes of deformation and their relationships with initial folding configurations. Performances of the adaptive functions are correlated to the crease pattern design. In parallel to analytical studies, the feasibility of the morphing and stiffness tuning is also examined experimentally via a 3D printed multi-material prototype demonstrator. The research reported in this paper could lead to the synthesis of adaptive fluidic origami cellular metastructures or metamaterial systems for various engineering applications.
Modeling and Evaluation of Opto-Electronic Computing Systems

Optics has many advantages over electronics for interconnection, especially in terms of higher transmission speed, energy efficiency, and better noise immunity. Since photons do not interact with each other, optical interconnects also provide parallelism and high density. The use of free-space interconnections alleviates many topological difficulties, thus facilitating optical implementations at all levels of computing: for local area networks, between processors or memory elements, between boards, between components on a board, and even between components on a chip. Multistage interconnection networks (MIN) are one architecture that implements free space optical interconnections. But this flexibility easily invites a different set of faults into the system. Therefore, it is essential that there exists a methodology to evaluate not only the performance os such implementations, but also the fault-tolerance of the design.
Lymphopenia in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients on Immunosuppressive Medications

Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine (AZA/6MP) are effective immunosuppressives used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. The optimal strategy for monitoring therapeutic efficacy and adequate immunosuppression remains to be defined. White blood cell count, mean corpuscle volume (MCV), and 6-mercaptopurine metabolites (6TGN, 6MMP) have all been suggested as potential parameters to monitor efficacy and safety. However, immunomodulators target lymphocytes specifically rather than leukocytes overall; little data is available on the relationship between lymphocytes and immunomodulators in IBD. This study evaluates the incidence of lymphopenia with immunosuppressive use, and correlates metabolite levels (6TGN and 6MMP) with leukocyte, lymphocyte, and MCV levels in IBD patients treated with AZA/6MP. Medical records of 125 adult IBD patients were analyzed based on the use of AZA/6MP, blood counts, and mercaptopurine metabolites 6TGN and 6MMP. Forty three percent of patients taking AZA/6MP developed lymphopenia. Of those with lymphopenia, only 11% had leukopenia. A low but statistically significant correlation of r = -0.3 (p=0.04) for 6TGN to leukocyte counts as well as to MCV levels was found. No correlation between 6TGN levels and lymphocyte counts was noted. This analysis shows that not only leukocyte counts but lymphocyte counts should be monitored closely in patients on these immunosuppressives. Metabolite markers do not provide information regarding who will develop lymphopenia. Consequences of lymphopenia such as opportunistic infections need to be discussed with patients prior to starting this type of therapy.