cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low objective response and high toxicity to single-agent mitotane in patients with metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC): A 25 year experience at MSKCC.

4105 Background: ACC is a rare but devastating disease, with short life expectancy in the setting of metastatic, unresectable disease. Mitotane, an oral adrenocorticolytic agent, is often used as a systemic treatment though its therapeutic window is narrow. We retrospectively assessed outcomes of patients (pts) with metastatic ACC who received single-agent mitotane therapy to determine treatment toxicities and effectiveness. Methods: In this retrospective IRB-approved study, we identified 35 pts with metastatic ACC treated with single-agent mitotane at MSKCC from 3/15/1989-9/18/2014. All pts had follow-up at MSKCC and all imaging was reviewed according to RECIST 1.1 by reference radiologists. We reviewed pt demographics, clinical symptoms, toxicity (based on CTCAE Version 4), and treatment outcomes. Results: 35 pts were identified with mean age of 53 years (range, 23-87), 60% female. 18/35 tumors (51%) were functional: estradiol (n = 1), cortisol (n = 12), testosterone (n = 3), or both testosterone and co...
Mechanistic Resolution Required to Mediate Operant Learned Behaviors: Insights from Neuronal Ensemble-Specific Inactivation.

Many learned behaviors are directed by complex sets of highly specific stimuli or cues. The neural mechanisms mediating learned associations in these behaviors must be capable of storing complex cue information and distinguishing among different learned associations—we call this general concept ‘mechanistic resolution’. For many years, our understanding of the circuitry of these learned behaviors has been based primarily on inactivation of specific cell types or whole brain areas regardless of which neurons were activated during the cue-specific behaviors. However, activation of all cells or specific cell types in a brain area do not have enough mechanistic resolution to encode or distinguish high-resolution learned associations in these behaviors. Instead, these learned associations are likely encoded within specific patterns of sparsely distributed neurons called neuronal ensembles that are selectively activated by the cues. This review focuses on studies of neuronal ensembles in operant learned responding to obtain food or drug rewards. These studies suggest that the circuitry of of operant learned behaviors may need to be re-examined using ensemble-specific manipulations that have the requisite level of mechanistic resolution.
Against 'Civil Rights' Simplism: How Not to Accommodate Competing Legal Commitments

This Essay, written for a conference on “Faith, Sexuality, and the Meaning of Freedom,” held at Yale Law School in January 2017, criticizes efforts to resolve the conflict between antidiscrimination and religious freedom claims by ascriptions of hatred or animus or by overly simplistic analogies to the Civil Rights movement and its accomplishments. Although pervasive, such rhetoric damages civil discourse and fails to achieve just or stable resolutions. If there is any possibility of achieving acceptable resolutions, the Essay suggests, our discussions will need to be both more pragmatic and more visionary than these modes of argument are.
Live-cell imaging: new avenues to investigate retinal regeneration.

Sensing and responding to our environment requires functional neurons that act in concert. Neuronal cell loss resulting from degenerative diseases cannot be replaced in humans, causing a functional impairment to integrate and/or respond to sensory cues. In contrast, zebrafish (Danio rerio) possess an endogenous capacity to regenerate lost neurons. Here, we will focus on the processes that lead to neuronal regeneration in the zebrafish retina. Dying retinal neurons release a damage signal, tumor necrosis factor α, which induces the resident radial glia, the Muller glia, to reprogram and re-enter the cell cycle. The Muller glia divide asymmetrically to produce a Muller glia that exits the cell cycle and a neuronal progenitor cell. The arising neuronal progenitor cells undergo several rounds of cell divisions before they migrate to the site of damage to differentiate into the neuronal cell types that were lost. Molecular and immunohistochemical studies have predominantly provided insight into the mechanisms that regulate retinal regeneration. However, many processes during retinal regeneration are dynamic and require live-cell imaging to fully discern the underlying mechanisms. Recently, a multiphoton imaging approach of adult zebrafish retinal cultures was developed. We will discuss the use of live-cell imaging, the currently available tools and those that need to be developed to advance our knowledge on major open questions in the field of retinal regeneration.
Information Retrieval Evaluation as Search Simulation: A General Formal Framework for IR Evaluation

While the Cranfield evaluation methodology based on test collections has been very useful for evaluating simple IR systems that return a ranked list of documents, it has significant limitations when applied to search systems with interface features going beyond a ranked list, and sophisticated interactive IR systems in general. In this paper, we propose a general formal framework for evaluating IR systems based on search session simulation that can be used to perform reproducible experiments for evaluating any IR system, including interactive systems and systems with sophisticated interfaces. We show that the traditional Cranfield evaluation method can be regarded as a special instantiation of the proposed framework where the simulated search session is a user sequentially browsing the presented search results. By examining a number of existing evaluation metrics in the proposed framework, we reveal the exact assumptions they have made implicitly about the simulated users and discuss possible ways to improve these metrics. We further show that the proposed framework enables us to evaluate a set of tag-based search interfaces, a generalization of faceted browsing interfaces, producing results consistent with real user experiments and revealing interesting findings about effectiveness of the interfaces for different types of users.
Frequency of Human Disease Mutations and Spermatogonial Stem Cell Function

Some human disease mutations enter the human population each generation as a result of de novo germline base substitutions that immediately affect children born to normal parents. In some cases the frequency of these mutations exceeds the well-documented germline mutation rate 100–1000 fold. Recent technologies have made it possible to estimate the frequency of single base disease mutations in both sperm and testes from normal men. The evidence confirms that, although unaffected, the men have high enough frequencies of these mutations in semen and testis to explain the high sporadic disease incidence. The explanation for the high frequency initially was ascribed to the idea that the affected nucleotide site was a mutation hot spot with a mutation rate per cell division at that site far greater than the rate at other sites. Recent evidence rules out this hot spot model. An alternative model suggests that any of these types of rare disease mutations can confer upon a single testis stem cell a selective advantage. Over time, a disproportionate increase of mutant stem cells over the wild-type stem cells occurs that increases the disease mutation frequency in sperm. The evidence against the hot spot model and for the selection model is reviewed and the functional consequences of these disease mutations on testis stem cell proliferation is also summarized. Finally, the consequence of these mutations is considered within the context of the paternal age effect and the human genetic load.
Systems Theory and the Public Policy Shell Game

This is a preliminary draft of the second of what will be eight chapters in a book titled Politics as a Peculiar Business: Public Choice in a System of Entangled Political Economy. This chapter sets forth the framework to be developed and elaborated in the remaining chapters. The subtitle announces that the book fits within the public choice rubric, through with some differences. For one thing, it is written from within a systems-theoretic orientation which differs from most economic theory in its treatment of the parts-to-whole relationship. This relationship plays out through treating political economy as entangled networks of interaction among political and economic entities, which among other things replaces the notion of political intervention into market activity with one of political participation inside market activity, for better or for worse. The title, moreover, illustrates my view that the object of economic analysis is always concerned with the theoretical treatment of practical action of some sort, which in this case is politics as a peculiar type of business activity.
Pentachlorophenol: a discussion of its properties and its occurrence as a residue in human and animal tissues.

Pentachlorophenol and its salts (primarily, the sodium salt) have many applications in industry and agriculture, with probably more varied uses than any other pesticide at this time. It has been used as a fungicide and/or a bactericide in the processing of cellulosic products, starches, adhesives, proteins, leather, oils, paints, and rubber; it has been incorporated into rug shampoos and textiles to control mildew problems; and it has been used in food processing plants to control mold and slime (Monsanto 1958, Dow 1962). It has also been added to fabrics for mothproofing, and derivatives, such as pentachlorophenyl laurate have been developed for this use because they have a greater resistance to dry cleaning and washing than pentachlorophenol and they are considered to have a lower toxicity risk to human beings (Hueck and La Brijn 1960, MOSS 1961). A recent United States patent granted the use of a mixture containing 80 percent of a pentachlorophenol fatty ester, one-to-ten percent of pentachlorophenol, and 0.5-to-ten percent of thymol for the protection of materials against biological attack (Read 1966). Pentachlorophenol has been used extensively in the construction and lumber industries and in homes to control mold and termite infestation, and for the control of powder post beetles and wood-boring insects (Monsanto 1958, Dow 1962, Carswell and Nason 1938, Carswell and Hatfield 1939). It has been applied in agriculture and around industrial sites as a weedicide and/or a preharvest desiccant (Monsanto 1958, Anonymous 1964) on pasture land (Grigsby and Farwell 1950), in the pineapple and sugarcane fields (Gordon 1956, Hilton 1966) and in the rice fields of Japan (Uede et al. 1962, Goto et al. 1963, Terai et al. 1964). A Japanese manufacturer added pentachlorophenol to soy sauce as a preservative Narahu et al. 1965 ) ; the practice was illegal according to the Japanese food laws (Suzuki 1963). Chloranil (tetrachloro-p-quinone), an oxidation product of pentachlorophenol, has been used as a fungicide under the trade name of “Spergon” to protect seeds and bulbs (Lane 1958).
Youth Ice Hockey Concussions Reported at US Emergency Department’s from 2002-2016: A Peak in 2011 and the Impact of Rule Modifications

Objectives:Ice hockey has one the highest incidences of concussions among youth sports. To combat this, several national campaigns have attempted to increase awareness since the early 2000’s. USA H...
Hot-spot induced mild ignition: Numerical simulation and scaling analysis

Abstract Mild ignition is a ‘non-ideal’ autoignition process observed at some conditions in rapid compression machine, shock tube and flow reactor experiments where flames and/or reaction fronts initiate due to non-uniformities within the test mixture. These flames/fronts can consume the entire mixture, or compression-heat the unburned gas, causing bulk ignition at times earlier than in homogeneous environments. This study numerically investigates mild ignition features using computational fluid dynamics techniques under a scenario where a small hot-spot is employed to initiate the process in a spherically-symmetric geometry. Only subsonic regimes are considered. The intent is to develop greater fundamental understandings of competing phenomena, and formulate a robust framework to quantify the perturbative behavior. Syngas blends (CO/H2 = 80/20) are employed as the fuel, mixed with air at lean fuel loadings of φ = 0.2 and 0.5, with the initial temperatures and pressures covering 900–1120 K, and 1.5–15 bar, respectively. Hot-spots ranging from 50 to 2,000 µm in diameter are utilized with temperatures elevated from the surroundings by 1 to 90%, i.e., Thot/T0 = 1.01–1.90. Scaling arguments are derived to analyze competing processes of: (a) quenching vs. ignition, (b) extinction vs. propagation, and (c) flame consumption/forced autoignition vs. homogeneous ignition. This work provides new insight into non-uniform autoignition phenomena, and discusses opportunities and challenges associated with mitigating it. In particular, scaling arguments indicate that experimental parameters could have potential to either suppress hot-spot initiated flame formation (e.g., via bath gases with high thermal diffusivity), or avert flame compression of the end gas (e.g., via lean/diluted mixtures, or bath gases with high heat capacity).
Next-Generation Architecture and Autonomous Cyber-Defense

This chapter introduces the motivation for and emerging developments in next-generation network architectures to enable autonomous cyber-defense (ACD), including promising studies on cyber-defense approaches and mechanisms applied to contemporary industrial control systems (ICSs).
Mindful Consumption: Three Consumer Segment Views:

As consumers are moving away from mindless consumerism, a mindful consumption literature has emerged that is based on Buddhist and psychological perspectives of mindfulness. While the idea of mindf...
Telling a Tale: How Underachievement Develops in Gifted Girls:

In this multiple-narrative inquiry, we examined the narratives of four underachieving gifted girls to identify aspects that appear to have contributed to the onset, development, and resolution of a...
Perineal Rectosigmoidectomy Revisited.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of perineal rectosigmoidectomy. Background: Multiple surgical options are available for rectal prolapse Perineal rectosigmoide...
Is there a glass ceiling at national trauma meetings

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the roles of women at national trauma meetings. Methods Available scientific programs for the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (2013-19), Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma (2010-19), and Western Trauma Association (2010-19) as well as the Scudder Oration at the American College of Surgeons (1963–2019), were reviewed for names of participants and categorized by gender. Results Women made up 963 of 2746 (35.1%) of presenters, 252 of 1020 (24.7%) of discussants, 116 of 622 (18.6%) of moderators of scientific sessions, 189 of 707 (26.7%) of panelists, and 69 of 254 (27.2%) of panel moderators. Only 12 of 126 (9.5%) of named lectures or presidential addresses were given by women. Conclusions The low rate of female named speakers suggests that there remains a “glass ceiling” when it comes to upper-level participation in national trauma meetings.
A Novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Lumbar Muscle Grade to Predict Health-related Quality of Life Scores Among Patients Requiring Surgery.

Study design Retrospective cross-sectional cohort. Objective The aim of this sudy was to determine whether muscle health measurements are associated with health-related quality of life scores (HRQOLs) for patients with lumbar spine pathology. Summary of background data Poor muscle health has been implicated as a source of pain/dysfunction for patients with lumbar spine pathology. Our aim was to quantify the relationship using muscle health measurements and HRQOLs. Methods Three hundred and eight patients were included (mean age 57.7 ± standard deviation 18.2 years' old). We randomly selected patients into a derivation cohort (200) and validation cohort (108) to create our muscle health grade. We measured muscle health by the lumbar indentation value (LIV), goutallier classification (GC), and ratio of paralumbar muscle cross-sectional area over body mass index (PL-CSA/BMI). A muscle health grade was derived based on whether a measurement showed a statistically significant impact on visual analog scale back and leg pain (VAS-leg and VAS-leg), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), short-form 12 physical health score (SF-12 PHS), short-form 12 mental health score (SF-12 MHS) and Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). A variety of statistical tools were used to determine whether there was a relationship between a measurement and HRQOLs. Results In the derivation cohort, a muscle health grade was created based on the GC and PL-CSA/BMI ratio. For patients with a GC ≤2, one point was given. For patients with a PL-CSA/BMI ≥130, one point was given. Patients with 2 points were graded as "A" and 0 or 1 point were graded "B." Within the validation cohort of patients, there was a statistically significant higher PROMIS (mean 34.5 ± standard deviation 12.6 vs. 27.6 ± 14.0, P = 0.002), ODI (38.8 ± 18.3 vs. 45.8 ± 18.1, P = 0.05) and SF-12 PHS (34.7 ± 11.3 vs. 29.1 ± 6.3, P = 0.002) for patients with a good muscle health grade of "A." Conclusion This study offers an objective measurement of muscle health that correlates with HRQOLs for patients with lumbar spine pathology.Level of Evidence: 3.
Macrocyclic and acyclic supramolecular elements for co-precipitation of square-planar gold(III) tetrahalide complexes

Macrocyclic hosts have long been used for guest encapsulation, and recently a new application has emerged; employment as supramolecular elements for capture and recovery of gold through host/guest co-precipitation. The guests are square-planar tetrahaloaurate anions, practically important gold complexes with a capacity to engage in non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding and Au–π interactions. The successful macrocyclic hosts for co-precipitation include cyclodextrins, cucurbiturils, and cyclophanes, with recent expansion of the structural scope to include acyclic amides.
Twisting organic semiconductor crystals

Crystals that twist as they grow are common but little known and introduce completely unexplored features to materials design. Here, we present growth-induced twists to molecular semiconductor crystals with the expectation that microstructure and continually precessing crystallographic orientations can modulate interactions with light, charge transport, and other optoelectronic processes. We have found that a variety of organic semiconductors and charge transfer complexes can be readily induced to grow from the melt as spherulites of tightly packed helicoidal fibrils. The twisting pitch can be controlled by the degree of undercooling after melting or through the incorporation of additives. Intriguingly, charge mobilities measured using field-effect transistor platforms have been found to increase with increasing extent of twisting. These results indicate crystal twisting to be a promising strategy for modulating the performance of optoelectronic devices.
Scanning Gel Chromatograpy

Gel permeation chromatography is widely used both as a preparative separation technique and as an analytical tool for the estimation of molecular size and the study of interactions between macromolecules. In this latter category it is unsurpassed among physical techniques in sensitivity, precision, and flexibility. The migration rates and detailed shapes of zones containing interacting solutes permit the determination of reaction stoichiometry and equilibrium constants over a very broad range of conditions. In addition to these nonequilibrium transport methods, the technique of equilibrium gel permeation provides a powerful means to study thermodynamic properties of multicomponent interacting solute systems, such as macromolecule-ligand binding (see Ackers, 1975, for a general review). A new and particularly promising development is the technique of active enzyme chromatography (Jones, 1975; Jones et al., 1976), in which a small band of enzyme is passed down a column previously saturated with substrate and the product of the enzymatic reaction is monitored by successive optical scanning of the column during transport. By determining the “rate of motion” of the chromophoric product being formed, it is possible to infer the molecular size of the active species.
Electronic Properties of InAs-GaSb and Related AlSb Superlattices

We describe the InAs-GaSb superlattices and quantum wells with emphasis on their transport and optical properties. We include related structures of InAs-AlSb and GaSb-AlSb which are of interest in their own right.
On Language Teachers’ Classroom Practices: Bridging Conversation Analysis with Language Teacher Education Research

Since the late 1980s, second language teacher education (SLTE) research has grown immensely as a field of inquiry within applied linguistics, particularly as teacher knowledge, expertise, and cognition have been found to influence students’ language learning processes in classroom contexts (Borg, 2011). Much empirical evidence illustrating this connection has been gathered using a variety of ethnographic data techniques such as individual interviews, focus groups, journal writing, questionnaires, field notes, and stimulated recall sessions. The strengths of these data sources are numerous in that, when triangulated, they provide insight into teachers’ thought processes and perceptions of their teaching practices. It has been asserted elsewhere (see Fagan, in press a), though, that while many studies within the SLTE field have attempted to draw implications from such findings for teachers’ classroom practices, the methods used do not allow for such assumptions. In fact, as Borg (2011) presents in his summary of SLTE research over the past two decades, there remains a lack of juxtaposition between findings on teachers’ perceptions and their actual classroom practices in situ.
High Energy Laser Systems for Short Range Defense

The advantages of the use of high energy laser systems in a counter rocket, artillery and mortar projectile mission are described. The history of the development of directed energy weapons in the United States Army and the current high energy laser programs and technologies are outlined. The U.S. Army vision for future ground combat relies on high mobility, lightweight systems with improved survivability. Without the protection afforded by heavy armor, other methods for protecting assets and personnel are required. The Army is now developing the technologies for a future mobile solid state laser weapon system to defeat a wide range of air and ground threats, working to get these revolutionary weapons to our soldiers in the near future.
Transients in Pipelines Carrying Liquids or Gases

Unifying equations are developed for unsteady flow of natural gas, water or petroleum products through long pipelines. Second order accuracy terms for fluid friction are used with the exponential equations in common use. The equations are solved by either the method of characteristics or the centered implicit method. Results of computer studies indicate stability and accuracy of the implicit method, although it requires more computer time than the characteristic method.
Corneal Sensation and Subbasal Nerve Alterations in Patients with Herpes Simplex Keratitis: An In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Study

Purpose To study and correlate corneal sensation in patients with herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) with density and morphologic features of subbasal corneal nerves by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Design Prospective, cross-sectional, controlled, single-center study. Participants Thirty-one eyes with the diagnosis of acute (n = 7) or chronic (n = 24) HSK and their contralateral clinically unaffected eyes were studied and compared with normal controls (n = 15). Methods In vivo confocal microscopy (Confoscan 4; Nidek Technologies, Gamagori, Japan) and corneal esthesiometry (Cochet-Bonnet; Luneau Ophthalmlogie, Chartres, France) of the central cornea were performed bilaterally in all patients and controls. Patients were grouped into normal (> 5.5 cm), mild (> 2.5-5.5 cm), and severe (≤ 2.5 cm) loss of sensation. Main outcome measures Changes in corneal nerve density, total nerve number, main nerve trunks, branching, and tortuosity were evaluated after IVCM and were correlated to corneal sensation, disease duration, and number of recurrences. Results Herpes simplex keratitis eyes, as compared with controls, demonstrated significant (P Conclusions In vivo confocal microscopy revealed that the loss of corneal sensation in HSK correlates strongly with profound diminishment of the subbasal nerve plexus after herpes simplex virus infection. Surprisingly, the contralateral, clinically unaffected eyes also demonstrated a diminishment of the subbasal nerve plexus as compared with normal subjects, revealing bilateral nerve alteration in an apparently unilateral disease.
Using peer review as a vehicle for communication skill development and active learning

There is a renewed interest in incorporating peer review activities into computer science courses in response to current interest in active learning and group projects. The peer review process models real world professional activities, provides students with the opportunity to learn how to deal with criticism and how to provide constructive criticism to others, and can develop team skills. Without peer review or similar activities, students will receive little practical experience in building these types of skills which will serve them throughout their professional careers.This paper describes peer review activities used in an undergraduate software engineering course and provides student and faculty reactions to the peer review activities. The activities described could easily be altered for computer science courses throughout the curriculum. The students reported feeling more confident about their abilities following peer review activities and that the activity improved the quality of work that they submitted for grading.
A 5 GHz floating point multiply-accumulator in 90 nm dual V/sub T/ CMOS

A 32 b single-cycle floating point accumulator that uses base 32 and carry-save format with delayed addition is described. Combined algorithmic, logic and circuit techniques enable multiply-accumulate operation at 5 GHz. In a 90 nm 7M dual-V/sub T/ CMOS process, the 2 mm/sup 2/ prototype contains 230K transistors and dissipates 1.2 W at 5 GHz, 1.2 V and 25/spl deg/C.
Single-Site GPS Models

While the major use of GPS to most geodesists involves the use of two or more receivers in interferometric mode, it is very important to keep in mind the reason GPS was developed in the first place — to determine at an instant the location of a soldier, ship, plane, helicopter, etc. without any equipment other than a single GPS receiver and antenna. This is often referred to as absolute positioning. Without satisfying this requirement, there would be no GPS. Thus it is important that some time and effort be spent in the study of single-site modeling. In this chapter, the processing techniques using the pseudorange measurement are discussed. Also the combination of pseudorange and carrier phase are introduced.
Gossiping on interval graphs (computer networks)

The authors present an algorithm that produces a schedule of transmissions to achieve gossiping in a system where nodes are equipped with radio transceivers; different nodes have transceivers with different ranges. They assume that all the nodes are placed on a line and that all communication occurs in one dimension. Finally, unlike traditional system models for gossiping, they assume that all nodes within range can hear a transmission and that simultaneous transmissions may cause information loss via collisions. The gossiping algorithm developed decomposes a system configuration into a spine tree and uses this structure to recursively produce a transmission schedule. >
Modeling malicious domain name take-down dynamics: Why eCrime pays

Domain names drive the ubiquitous use of the Internet. Criminals and adversaries also use domain names for their enterprise. Defenders compete to remove or block such malicious domains. This is a complicated space on the Internet to measure comprehensively, as the malicious actors attempt to hide, the defenders do not like to share data or methods, and what data is public is not consistently formatted. This paper derives an ad hoc model of this competition on large, decentralized networks using a modification of Lanchester's equations for combat. The model is applied to what is known of the current state of malicious domain activity on the Internet. The model aligns with currently published research, and provides a more comprehensive description of possible strategies and limitations based on the general dynamics of the model. When taken with the economic realities and physical laws to which the Internet is bound, the model demonstrates that the current approach to removing malicious domain names is unsustainable and destined for obsolescence. However, there are technical, policy, and legal modifications to the current approach that would be effective, such as preemptively populating watch lists, limits on a registrant's registrations, and international cooperation. The results indicate that the defenders should not expect to eliminate or significantly reduce malicious domain name usage without employing new digital tactics and deploying new rules in the physical world.
An Eye on Brain Integrity: Acute Optic Neuritis Affects Resting State Functional Connectivity.

Multiple sclerosis (MS), an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), causes significant disability in younger adults.1 Multiple sclerosis pathology results from demyelination and axonal damage.2 The genesis of neurologic disability from inflammatory demyelinating plaques in MS remains unclear. In particular, how acute focal white matter damage leads to higher-order cortical dysfunction is poorly understood.3,4 Functional imaging studies support the concept that neurologic insults from varied disease states result in disruptions in the organization of spontaneous brain activity. Neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, have served as prototypic examples of network derangements that are correlated with neurologic dysfunction,5 typically with a reduction in synchrony between nodes of a cortical network in comparison with healthy controls. Yet in other neurologic diseases, including MS, a different pattern emerges. For example, MS and depression have been linked with increases as well as decreases in functional connectivity using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fcMRI)3,4; however, the time-course and functional significance of these alterations in functional connectivity organization remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects on brain network connectivity of a specific, focal demyelinating event (optic neuritis [ON]) occurring at the earliest clinical time point in the course of MS. Structural neuroimaging changes in MS are modestly associated with disability.6 The rs-fcMRI quantifies correlations of spontaneous blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) fluctuations.7 The rs-fcMRI can be used to investigate physiologic changes in brain networks due to disease.8 Although relatively few rs-fcMRI studies have been performed in MS patients, this technique has shown promise in identifying features associated with MS disability.9–11 However, rs-fcMRI studies are complicated by the presence of multifocal and diverse lesion locations and an inability to relate white matter injury to cortical dysfunction. Furthermore, most rs-fcMRI studies have focused on the later stages of MS,9,12–14 which may not be as beneficial for predicting disease progression. The visual system is appealing to study early functional connectivity changes in MS.15 Visual dysfunction can be quantified using common tests (e.g., Sloan low-contrast letter acuity) or by optical coherence tomography (OCT).16 Optic neuritis is frequently the first clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) leading to a diagnosis of MS and is an ideal candidate for studying early CNS changes due to MS. We hypothesized that during acute ON, functional connectivity changes occur in visual networks and are correlated with visual dysfunction.
Paroxysmal kinesigenic dystonia after methylphenidate administration.

We report a patient who developed paroxysmal kinesigenic dystonia shortly after initiation of therapy with methylphenidate for presumed attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Attacks persisted long after methylphenidate was discontinued and responded completely to treatment with carbamazepine. Though it is possible that methylphenidate caused this syndrome in our patient, it is more likely that the stimulant triggered the onset of a genetically determined disorder. (J Child Neurol 1994;9:45-46).
Secular trends in the incidence of hip fractures

To explore possible changes in proximal femur (hip) fracture incidence over time, an earlier study among Rochester, Minnesota residents for 1928–1977 was updated through 1982. Reanalysis of data demonstrated rising age-adjusted rates for men over this time. Crude rates rose for women as well, but age adjusted rates leveled off in the mid-1950s, as did overall rates, since the majority of hip fractures were in women. Secular trends were primarily due to changes in the incidence of initial hip fractures associated with moderate trauma, the sort usually attributed to osteoporosis. No differences were noted in trends for cervical vs. intertrochanteric femur fractures; and, excluding the low values for 1928–1942, no significant trends were noted for women within various age groups. Our results for women conflict with estimates from a number of other studies, but these differences may provide a basis for hypothesis development.
Light Extraction of OLEDs fabricated on high index corrugated substrates

We fabricated OLEDs on corrugated high-refractive-index substrates with an EQE of 63%. The high efficiency was achieved by suppressing the thin film guided modes and efficiently extracting the surface plasmon mode with the corrugated structure.
A comparison of ultrasound-guided and landmark-based approaches to saphenous nerve blockade: a prospective, controlled, blinded, crossover trial.

BACKGROUND:Blockade of the saphenous nerve is often used for surgeries below the knee. Depending on the approach, success rates vary widely ranging from 33% to 88%. In this prospective volunteer study, we compared 2 ultrasound-guided techniques, the modified vastus medialis and perifemoral saphenous
A nonselective cation channel activated by membrane deformation in oocytes of the ascidian Boltenia villosa.

Cell-attached patch clamp recordings from unfertilized oocytes of the ascidianBoltenia villosa reveal an ion channel which is activated by mechanical deformation of the membrane. These channels are seen when suction is applied to the patch pipette, but not in the absence of suction or during voltage steps. The estimated density of these stretch-activated channels is about 1.5/μm2, a figure equal to or greater than the density of known voltage-dependent channels in the oocyte. Ion substitution experiments done with combined whole-cell and attached patch recording, so absolute potentials are known, indicate that the channel passes Na+, Ca2+ and K+, but not Cl−. The channel has at least two open and two closed states, with the rate constant that leaves the longer-lived closed state being the primary site of stretch sensitivity. External Ca2+ concentration affects channel kinetics: at low calcium levels, long openings predominate, whereas at high calcium virtually all openings are to the short-lived open state. In multiple channel patches, the response to a step change in suction is highly phasic, with channel open probability decreasing over several hundred milliseconds to a nonzero steady-state level after an initial rapid increase. This channel may play a role in the physiological response of cells of the early embryo to the membrane strains associated with morphogenetic events.
Principles for hearing grievances, and an effective response

Two CPR Fall 2007 Meeting panelists re-team to expand their focus on corporate social responsibility and its relationship to conflict resolution. First, John Sherman, of Westborough, Mass., describes why his employer, energy provider National Grid, focuses substantial business efforts on giving communities a voice in its efforts. Caroline Rees, of Cambridge, Mass., examines the need for grievance mechanisms to address inevitable local conflicts. Both authors provide practical advice based on adaptable existing models.
A product of the prune locus of Drosophila is similar to mammalian GTPase-activating protein

A product of the prune locus of Drosophila is similar to mammalian GTPase-activating protein
Hypoxia-Induced Subcellular Distribution of Calbindin-D 28k in the Cerebellum of the Term Guinea Pig Fetus

Hypoxia-Induced Subcellular Distribution of Calbindin-D 28k in the Cerebellum of the Term Guinea Pig Fetus
Online gaming for learning optimal team strategies in real time

This paper first presents an overall view for dynamical decision-making in teams, both cooperative and competitive. Strategies for team decision problems, including optimal control, zero-sum 2-player games (H-infinity control) and so on are normally solved for off-line by solving associated matrix equations such as the Riccati equation. However, using that approach, players cannot change their objectives online in real time without calling for a completely new off-line solution for the new strategies. Therefore, in this paper we give a method for learning optimal team strategies online in real time as team dynamical play unfolds. In the linear quadratic regulator case, for instance, the method learns the Riccati equation solution online without ever solving the Riccati equation. This allows for truly dynamical team decisions where objective functions can change in real time and the system dynamics can be time-varying.
Isolation and characterization of cDNAs encoding xylogenesis-associated and wounding-induced ribonucleases in Zinnia elegans.

The study of plant ribonuclease (RNase) functions is complicated by a complex profile of RNase activities detected in tissues. Thus, isolation of individual RNase genes will be desirable for the further understanding of function of each RNase. Here, we describe the isolation of cDNAs encoding two RNases, ZRNaseI and ZRNaseII, in differentiating tracheary elements (TEs) induced from isolated mesophyll cells of Zinnia elegans. Both the ZRNaseI and ZRNaseII exhibit putative secretion signal sequences at the amino-terminal ends with predicted molecular masses of 24 247 Da and 22 448 Da as mature proteins, respectively. DNA gel blot analysis showed that both RNases in Zinnia appear to be encoded by a small gene family. RNA gel blot analysis showed that the expression of the ZRNaseI gene was associated with the late stage of in vitro TE differentiation, whereas the ZRNaseII gene was mainly induced in response to stress. Neither RNase gene was induced in response to phosphate starvation, or to H2O2 challenge in the cultured mesophyll cells, or to senescence in the leaves. In young leaves, the ZRNaseI gene was not induced in response to wounding. But the ZRNaseII gene was markedly induced by 6 h after wounding. Tissue print hybridization showed that the expression of the ZRNaseI gene was preferentially associated with the differentiating TEs in Zinnia stems, while the ZRNaseII mRNA was not detected in unwounded Zinnia organs. Taken together, the results indicate that the ZRNaseI gene is expressed during the process of xylogenesis both in vitro and in the plant, whereas the ZRNaseII gene is predominantly induced in response to wounding. The identification of these RNase genes provides molecular tools for the dissection of the process of autolysis during xylogenesis, and for the dissection of the role of RNase in wounding response.
Enhanced chemiluminescence production by purified macrophage monolayers from C. parvum-treated mice

Abstract Chemiluminescence (CL) of both Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) and saline elicited murine peritoneal macrophage monolayers was studied employing a luminol-dependent assay. Glycogen-induced macrophages were obtained from animals that had been injected 7–10 days previously with either C. parvum or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Peritoneal exudate cells (3 × 106) were allowed to attach to an 18 mm diameter glass cover slip, and then were cultured an additional 20–24 hr. The cover slips were removed from the culture medium, and were washed thoroughly with PBS to remove contaminating nonadherent lymphocytes and nonviable neutrophils. The macrophage monolayers were then placed in plastic scintillation vials with a suspension of luminol (5 × 10−6 M in PBS) and opsonized zymosan particles. CL was measured at intervals over a 1–2 hr period with a scintillation counter in an out-of-coincidence mode. C. parvum-elicited macrophages demonstrated a 3- to 4-fold increase in CL when compared to control macrophages. Attachment of cells to cover slips did not in itself significantly elevate macrophage CL. Chemiluminescence production by purified macrophage monolayers correlated directly with glucosamine incorporation and inversely with phagocytic uptake. This sensitive, quantitative assay appears to be an excellent indicator of marcophage-specific metabolic activation.
Activity and population characteristics of Andean Condors in southern Chile

Se recolectaron datos sobre los patrones generales de actividad y caractersticas de la poblacion del Condor Andino Vultur gryphus. El estudio se realizo en el Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile, entre julio 1992 y junio de 1994, totalizando 3680 horas de observacion. Durante el estudio fueron evidentes diferencias estacionales en los patrones de actividad y abundancia relativa de estas aves. El numero promedio de condores por observacion durante el otono y el invierno fue significativamente diferente al promedio observado durante la primavera y el verano. Hubo una disminucion significativa desde la primavera - verano hacia el otono - invierno en el porcentaje de observaciones de condores solitarios y tambien hubo un aumento significativo en el numero de grupos de condores. El promedio mensual maximo del tamano de grupo fue significativamente mas alto en el otono - invierno que en la primavera - verano. La proporcion entre los sexos (machos:hembras ) en la poblacion juvenil favorecio significativamente a las hembras, mientras que en la poblacion adulta favorecio a los machos. Esta diferencia en la proporcion entre condores adultos y juveniles posiblemente esta relacionada con diferencias en la distribucion y el uso de habitat y/o bajas tasas de reproduccion. Diferencias en las tasas de mortalidad juvenil al igual que diferencias en las tasas de dispersion tambien pudieron contribuir a las diferencias en proporciones entre los sexos y las edades, pero se necesitan mas investigaciones al respecto. La actividad de los condores en el parque parecio ser dependiente de la fuerza del viento. Observamos mayores cantidades de condores durante dias con vientos de intensidades bajas y menos durante dias con vientos de intensidades altas. La temperatura ambiental tambien parecio influir en la actividad aerea de los condores ; fue mas comun observar a estas aves volar durante los dias con temperaturas mas calidas. Hubo una correlacion debil entre la intensidad del viento y la temperatura ambiental.
Characterization of radical defects from abrasion and u.v.-photolysis in poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres

Abstract Radical products in poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres are characterized using electron paramagnetic resonance (e.p.r.) spectroscopy. Different radical species are detected depending upon whether mechanical abrasion or ultraviolet (u.v.) light is used to degrade the fibre samples. From u.v.-photolysis at 77 K (liquid nitrogen) e.p.r. signals consistent with carbon-centred radicals are observed having a line shape centred at g = 2.0034. (The g factor is a scalar which depends upon the environment of the unpaired spin. For a free electron g = 2.0023.) From mechanical abrasion at 77 K a completely different e.p.r. pattern of two peaks is recorded consistent with an oxygen-centred species. The spectrum has one component centred at g = 2.0318 and another component centred at g = 2.0094. At room temperature only one signal is detected after decay of overlapping components for both abrasion and u.v. signals.
Thermal conductivity and specific heat of boron carbides

Abstract We present measurements of the thermal conductivity (30 T T polycrystalline boron carbides (B 1- x C x ) for carbon concentrations spanning the single-phase field (0.1 x as it evolves from crystalline behavior for carbon-rich specimens to a glass-like conductivity characteristic of amorphous solids. The specific heat of boron carbides is insensitive to the carbon concentration for T > 60 K.
What Does “High Risk” Mean? A PsycINFO Scan of the Literature

Recent health research has emphasized the study of high risk variables without consensus regarding different meanings of the term high risk. We provide a categorization scheme for this concept that includes prediction of consequence variables from antecedent variables in different contexts. Different antecedent-consequence combinations (notions of high risk) across a variety of health research contexts are described based on a search of PsycINFO entries from 1985 to 1990. Investigators apparently limit their notions of high risk by specific research areas. We discuss the potential usefulness of the category scheme for providing a conceptual framework which bridges different research domains, or at least reduces the likelihood of misuse of the term.
Abstract B7: 3-D MR imaging of ECM alterations in mouse model of pancreatic cancer (PC).

Extracellular matrix (ECM) represents the major component of tumor stroma, which plays an important role in tumor biology. The hallmarks of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) include marked stromal fibroblast proliferation and deposition of ECM components, resulting in extensive fibrosis. 3-D volume-rendered MR microscopy provides a means of exploring changes in stromal connective tissue and its association with neighboring parenchyma and vasculature. Pancreata of Pdx-1-Cre/LSL-KRas transgenic and control mice were examined using MR microscopy at 14.1 T. 3-D MR microimages were analyzed using volume rendering methods and volume fraction; thickness and compactness of ECM were calculated. Extensive fibrosis, resulting in greater volume, thickness and density of ECM, was observed in the transgenic mouse pancreas. Image analysis revealed an ECM volume fraction of 36.9 % in the 17-months Pdx-1-Cre/LSL-KRas mouse pancreas, compared to 12.3% in the control. These data demonstrate that the PC-associated ECM remodeling reflected in the 3-D architecture of the pancreas can be detected by high-resolution 3-D MR imaging. Knowledge of the spatial and temporal progression of ECM alterations in PC is necessary for developing therapies that target stroma in PC. Citation Format: Palamadai N. Venkatasubramanian, Paul J. Grippo, Gheorghe Iordanescu, Richard H. Knop, Alice M. Wyrwicz. 3-D MR imaging of ECM alterations in mouse model of pancreatic cancer (PC). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges; Jun 18-21, 2012; Lake Tahoe, NV. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B7.