cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Symptomatic radiation necrosis in brain metastasis patients treated with stereotactic radiosurgery and immunotherapy.

Abstract Objectives The association of symptomatic radiation necrosis (RN) with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in brain metastases patients has been incompletely explored. We aim to discuss the incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of symptomatic RN in patients treated with these modalities. Patients and methods We retrospectively evaluated the incidence of symptomatic RN among all patients with brain metastases treated with both SRS and an ICI at a single academic center. Risk factors for the development of symptomatic RN were determined, along with median overall survival (OS) stratified by the development of RN. Results Between 2010 and 2016, 57 brain metastases patients were treated with both SRS and an ICI. Only 4 (7%) developed symptomatic RN. Symptomatic RN lesions were more likely to be located in the cerebral cortex (p = 0.019) and be associated with a primary renal cell carcinoma (p = 0.032). Median OS was 32 months for those who developed symptomatic RN and 29 months for all other patients (p = 0.16). Conclusion Treatment of brain metastases with both SRS and an ICI is an effective modality that poses mild risk for developing symptomatic RN when compared to the risk of RN from SRS alone.
Decreasing Disability Rates in Older Workers: Some Newer Research Directions

Because of demographic changes in the United States as well as other developed countries, the number of older workers is increasing, and for various reasons the number of older persons working later in life is also growing. These trends raise special issues for occupational health and safety for older workers, in part because of how occupational health and safety programs are organized and deployed, and also because research on older workers has been lacking despite the general availability of health services for older people, particularly Medicare in the USA. This chapter presents a framework for considering productive aging at work, and then considers a selected series of specific health and social issues for older workers: the need for increased genetic risk assessment; the increased recognition of autism spectrum among older persons; dealing with cannabis in the workplace for older persons; the impact of social stressors in the workplace and their potential effects on older persons; and the effect of paid sick leave on health outcomes. Because the nature of work is always evolving for workers of all ages, the chapter concludes with some thoughts on how this evolution might affect coming generations of older workers.
An endoribonuclease-based incoherent feedforward loop for decoupling resource-limited genetic modules

A significant goal of synthetic biology is to develop genetic devices for accurate and robust control of gene expression. Lack of modularity, wherein a device output does not depend uniquely on its intended inputs but also on its context, leads to poorly predictable device behavior. One contributor to lack of modularity is competition for shared limited gene expression resources, which can induce 9coupling9 between otherwise independently-regulated genes. Here we quantify the effects of resource competition on engineered genetic systems in mammalian cells and develop a feedfoward controller to make gene expression robust to changes in resource availability. In addition to mitigating resource competition, our feedforward controller also enables adaptation to multiple log-orders of DNA copy number variation and is predictably tunable with upstream open reading frames. Our resource competition characterization along with the feedforward control device will be critical for achieving robust and accurate controlof gene expression
College Student Commitment and Outdoor Orientation Programming.

Background:Increasingly colleges and universities are utilizing Outdoor Orientation Programs (OOPs) to help incoming students assimilate into college life. These programs have shown promise in rece...
Management of Partial Hydatidiform Mole and Subsequent Intrauterine Adhesions: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) originates from placental tissue and is among rare human tumors that can be cured even in the presence of widespread metastases. The most common form of GTD is hydatidiform mole (HM), commonly referred to as molar pregnancy. Molar pregnancies have the potential to locally invade the uterus and metastasize and result as a result of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) is a condition where scar tissue develops within the uterine cavity, often following a procedure. Hysteroscopy has been established as the criterion standard for the diagnosis of IUAs, although the optimal adjuvant treatment after surgical intervention remains unclear. ‎ Case: A 35-year-old-female underwent suction curettage a week after the detection of a molar pregnancy. Two months later, she suffered from amenorrhea and hormonal therapy was initiated. Saline-infusion sonogram was tried and failed due to cervical stenosis. IUAs leading to scar tissue developed along with uterine polyps. Hysteroscopy successfully lysed IUAs and uterine polyps. The patient conceived two months after stopping hormonal therapy and proceeded to a pregnancy which resulted in a healthy live birth. Conclusion: Although the etiology of the patient’s molar pregnancy is still unknown, this report demonstrates the need to utilize hysteroscopy as a primary and early mode of treatment if IUAs are found in patients along with providing adjuvant treatment while utilizing clinical judgement in order to prevent IUAs recurrence. The patient conceived four months after the hysteroscopy resulting in a healthy live birth. Article Type: Clinical Experience
Topology and geometry of the Berkovich ramification locus for rational functions, II

This article is the second installment in a series on the Berkovich ramification locus for nonconstant rational functions $$\varphi \in k(z)$$ . Here we show the ramification locus is contained in a strong tubular neighborhood of finite radius around the connected hull of the critical points of $$\varphi $$ if and only if $$\varphi $$ is tamely ramified. When the ground field $$k$$ has characteristic zero, this bound may be chosen to depend only on the residue characteristic. We give two applications to classical non-Archimedean analysis, including a new version of Rolle’s theorem for rational functions.
Pediatric to Adult Epilepsy Transition in Ambulatory Care: Benefits of a Multidisciplinary Epilepsy Transition Clinic

Children with epilepsy comprise 3.2% of the estimated 500,000 youth with special medical needs who move from the pediatric to adult care model annually. These 16,000 children who require transfer each year represent a challenging subset of 470,000 youth living with epilepsy in the United States. Transition and transfer of care are complex and require gradual processes. This period for youth with epilepsy is often associated with inadequate follow-up and increased risk of nonadherence. Furthermore, youth and adults with epilepsy are known to have suboptimal social and emotional outcomes compared with peers, with high rates of under education, underemployment, poverty, and struggles with mental health. The goal of improving social determinants and continuity of care prompted the development of formal epilepsy transition clinics. Multiple clinic models exist, sharing the overarching goal of supporting youth while building self-management skills, tailored to age and developmental level. Early evidence shows that transition discussion leads to statistically significant increases in transfer readiness and self-efficacy in young adults with epilepsy. Our center boasts a 100% attendance rate at our transition and transfer clinic and 78% compliance with follow-up, further demonstrating that patients and families value quality transition programming.
Yield Response of Planting Corn in Early April

Introduction Corn is planted earlier each year, which is one important component in maximizing grain yield. Earlier planting dates can be attributed to larger farms, less spring tillage, improvements in corn hybrids, improved drainage systems, and better seed treatments. Research conducted at the ISU Northwest Research Farm from 2006 through 2009 showed that the planting window for 98 percent or greater yield potential in northwest Iowa is April 15 to May 9. A 95 percent or greater yield potential can be realized from April 15 to May 18. A study was conducted from 2009 through 2011 at the Northwest Research Farm to determine how corn planted in early April compares with corn planted in the recommended planting window for the area.
Discourses of Integration in Antwerp

Integration is a co-constructive process that involves the erection of structures, relationship building, and circulation of communal discourses. Utilizing observation and interviews, I critically ...
Explainable prediction of survival using clinical, molecular, and radiomic profiles in recurrent high-grade glioma patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy.

104Background: High-grade glioma (HGG) is an aggressive heterogeneous primary CNS neoplasm with high recurrence rate and poor survival. Multiple ongoing clinical trials are leveraging targeted mole...
To understand a meta-analysis, best read the fine print

The results of a meta-analysis are more than just the reported odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI), and p value. Of equal importance is the fine print of the study which should include assessment of the risk of bias, certainty in evidence, and heterogeneity in the individual point estimates and CIs. These areas all have an influence on the quality of the data in the analysis. Reading and understanding the fine print is important.
Using mathematica to accurately approximate the percent area of grains and phases in digital metallographic images

The objective of this paper is to present an effective methodology to find out the cumulative percentage area of grains and phases present in a digitally captured metallographic image using image processing commands available in Mathematica 8.
Allocating SMART Reliability and Maintainability Goals to NASA Ground Systems

This paper will describe the methodology used to allocate Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) goals to Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO) subsystems currently being designed or upgraded.
A Practical Approach to Service Learning

“Men and Women for Others” is a core Ignatian value. Often, however, when teaching working adults—adults with full-time jobs, families, and a host of other obligations—it is more challenging to incorporate Service Learning into prescribed coursework. This article provides a very practical description of how adult learners can be engaged in Service Learning projects—projects that enhance their learning, their lives, and their communities.
Greenhouse Gas Molecules: A Mathematical Perspective

Introduction Climate change and global warming have drawn worldwide attention in the new century. Concern about possible global warming and the controversy over the claim that it is mainly caused by the greenhouse effect provide motivation for better understanding the mathematics, physics, and chemistry of greenhouse gases. The molecules of these gases trap heat in the form of infrared radiation, causing the atmospheric temperature to rise. But which molecules are the greenhouse gases, and just how do they trap heat? In this article, we wish to give readers of the Notices some flavor of the mathematics involved so that we can understand and appreciate why mathematics is important and useful in chemistry and physics in the understanding of greenhouse gas molecules. The greenhouse effect was first suggested by an unlikely hero, the mathematician Joseph Fourier (1768–1830) in 1824 [13, 27, 28]. He observed from the then available experimental data that the Earth gets most of its energy from solar radiation. He asked a simple question: What determines the average temperature of a planet like the Earth? From his calculations, he recognized that gases
Collaborative, goal-oriented manipulation of artifacts by students during statics lecture

To apply statics effectively, students must link the concepts and symbols of statics to the mechanical paraphernalia of engineering. Forming these links is challenging, however, because the interactions between inanimate objects are difficult to perceive. We have consequently revamped statics instruction so as to introduce the major concepts of statics-forces, moments, couples, static equivalency, free body diagrams and equilibrium - using simple objects on which students can exert forces and couples with their own hands. Small groups of students manipulate objects in lecture. To guide student interactions with the objects, to lay bare key concepts, and to acclimate students to the representations which are common in mechanics, we have devised multiple choice concept questions implemented through powerpoint presentations. Concept questions involve little or no calculation and focus on understanding of concepts. Moreover, insight into the concept questions can be obtained through manipulation of the objects and peer-to-peer discussions.
Geometry of the Trachyte Mesa intrusion, Henry Mountains, Utah: Implications for the emplacement of small melt volumes into the upper crust

[1] The Trachyte Mesa intrusion is one of several small satellite bodies to the larger intrusions of the Henry Mountains, Utah. Most previous studies have worked under the assumptions that Trachyte Mesa is blister shaped and intruded into flat and gently NW dipping strata. In this study we combine structural and geophysical data sets to constrain the structural geology of the host lithologies and the unmodified geometry of the intrusion. Trachyte Mesa intrudes a series of northeast trending upright and open folds formed within the Jurassic Entrada Formation. Truncation of these folds at the contact with the overlying Curtis/Summerville formations indicates the folds are Middle Jurassic. Magnetic and 2-D resistivity surveys focused on the southwestern portion of the intrusion where it is concealed by overlying strata. These data clearly delineate the outline of the buried intrusion. The intrusion is 2.2 km long and 0.7 km wide with an average thickness of ∼15 m (maximum ∼40 m). The majority of the intrusion (both exposed and buried portions) is confined within the axis of a syncline bound to the NW and SE by anticlines. The intrusion does, however, overtop the hinge of the bounding anticline to the northwest in a few places along its length. In cross section the intrusion is characterized by concave-up top and bottom surfaces, except along portions where it overtops the bounding anticline. The geometry and structural position of the Trachyte Mesa intrusion suggest that preexisting structure and the density of the magma relative to that of host rocks fundamentally controlled the emplacement of this intrusion.
Economic Performance in Post-Crisis Korea: A Critical Perspective on Neo-Liberal Restructuring

This paper evaluates the neoliberal economic restructuring process implemented in Korea following the 1997 Asian financial crisis. We first argue that the austerity macroeconomic policy of late 1997 and early 1998 was the main cause of the economic collapse in 1998, and that the decision of the IMF and President Kim Dae Jung to impose a radical neoliberal transformation of financial markets and large industrial firms in the depressed conditions of 1998, though defensible on political grounds, made the failure of these reforms virtually inevitable. A detailed analysis of the macro economy, labor markets, financial markets, and nonfinancial firms in Korea in the past three and one-half years shows that neoliberal restructuring has created a vicious cycle in which a perpetually weak financial sector fails to provide the capital needed for real sector growth, investment and financial robustness, while real sector financial fragility continuously weakens financial firms. Neoliberal policies may have pushed Korea onto a low-investment, low-growth, development path, one with rising insecurity and inequality. Meanwhile, the removal of virtually all restrictions on cross-border capital flows has led to a dramatic increase in the influence of foreign capital in Korea's economy. The paper concludes by arguing that Korea should reject radical neoliberal restructuring and instead adopt reforms designed to democratize and modernize its traditional state-guided growth model.
Wealth effects of regulatory reform

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of California's Proposition 103 on the market value of publicly traded property- and liability-insurance companies. The passage of this referendum on November 8, 1988 moved California from a market-oriented to a heavily regulated insurance-pricing system. During the period surrounding the election, the average stock price of insurance companies doing business in California declined by 6.91%. The decline is positively related to the proportion of a firm's premiums affected by the referendum and the proportion generated in other states where insurance regulation is likely to change, and negatively related to the firm's profitability.
Cyclic Nucleotide-gated Ion Channels

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are activated by cAMP or cGMP, crucial intracellular messenger molecules that regulate physiological activities in a wide variety of cells. In photoreceptors and olfactory neurons, CNG channels play an essential role in transducing sensory stimuli into electrical and chemical responses. Keywords: cyclic AMP; cyclic GMP; photoreceptor; olfaction
Financial Literacy Education for Women.

Exploring the pedagogical approaches of four women's financial literacy education programs, this chapter provides an overview of trends and needs in financial education for women and offers pedagogical strategies for teaching women about finance.
Radiative Transfer Effects on Reflected Shock Waves. II. Absorbing Gas

Radiative cooling effects behind a reflected shock wave are calculated for an absorbing‐emitting gas by means of an expansion procedure in the small density ratio e across the shock front. For a gray gas shock layer with an optical thickness of order unity or less the absorption integral is simplified by use of the local temperature approximation, whereas for larger optical thicknesses a Rosseland diffusion type of solution is matched with the local temperature approximation solution. The calculations show that the shock wave will attenuate at first and then accelerate to a constant velocity. Under appropriate conditions the gas enthalpy near the wall may increase at intermediate times before ultimately decreasing to zero. A two‐band absorption model yields end‐wall radiant‐heat fluxes which agree well with available shock‐tube measurements.
Perceived barriers to research among substance use treatment providers

To help understand substance use treatment providers' attitudes about research, 164 providers completed surveys about experiences with research, perceived barriers, and training needs. Providers tended to consider their agencies' lack of research expertise to be less of a barrier to research than their agencies' focusing on clinical work rather than research. Providers with good or neutral research experience were less likely than others to consider agency's lack of research focus a barrier. However, only providers with good research experience were less likely than others to consider agency's clinical focus a barrier to research. Providers with bad research experience were the least interested in getting further research training. Implications for research are discussed.
Abstract 1967: Rb dephosphorylation and cleavage in Apoptosis.

The Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is important in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Its activity is controlled by reversible phosphorylation on several serine and threonine residues. The role of Rb phosphorylation in the control of apoptosis is largely unknown, although several apoptotic stimuli result in dephosphorylation of Rb. We have recently shown that dephosphorylation of Threonine-821 of Rb is required for apoptosis triggered by UV radiation and by the cdk inhibitor, Roscovitine. Here we show that Roscovitine induced dephosphorylation of Threonine-821 occurred concomitant with C-terminal cleavage of Rb, which is a known marker of apoptosis. In attempt to characterize the role of Rb dephosphorylation in the process of Rb cleavage, we have utilized mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) that express a mutant Rb in which the carboxy-terminal caspase cleavage site (884DEADG888) of Rb is altered to DEAAE which is resistant to cleavage (RB-MI). Roscovitine treatment (8 hours, 25μM) causes a reduction in cell number in WT MEFs, but has no effect on RB-MI MEFs. In addition, Roscovitine causes apoptosis in 60-70% of WT MEFs, however Roscovitine is unable to induce apoptosis in RB-MI MEFs demonstrating that the cdk inhibitor requires the carboxy-terminal cleavage of Rb in order to stimulate apoptosis. Apoptosis was measured using a DNA fragmentation ELISA, TUNEL assay, and by immunoblotting of active caspase-3. Experiments are currently underway to determine whether dephosphorylation of Threonine-821, specifically, is required for Rb cleavage. Citation Format: Lisa Antonucci, Brandon Lentine, Gabriel De Leon, Nancy A. Krucher. Rb dephosphorylation and cleavage in Apoptosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1967. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1967
Pellets, Ooids, Sepiolite and Silica in Three Calcretes of the Southwestern United States

Pellets and ooids are widespread and locally abundant in mature calcrete profiles in the Argus Range, California; near Wickieup, Arizona; and in Kyle Canyon, Nevada. Most concentrations of pellets and ooids either overlie laminar calcrete at various levels in the calcrete profile or fill subhorizontal fractures in the petrocalcic horizon. In all three profiles the petrocalcic horizon has been thickened by the pelletal, chemically deposited fracture fillings. Pellets range from 0.02 to 8.0 mm in diameter and consist principally of micritic calcite and sepiolite. Ooid coatings are chiefly calcite and opal or calcite and sepiolite. The pellets represent small concretions, some of which grew by accretion, either in void space or by displacing adjacent sediment, and the others of which were formed by cementation of pellet-shaped bodies of porous micrite. Ooid coatings with opal or sepiolite may have been deposited as a gel with sufficient strength for surface tension to thin the coatings over angular corners of nuclei so as to increase the roundness and sphericity of the particles. Major problems in calcrete genesis are (1) the cause of subhorizontal fractures and the mechanism for widening a fracture as sediment accumulates in it and (2) what determines the deposition of calcite, sepiolite, and opal as pellets and ooid coatings or as laminar layers.
Tracking workload in the emergency department.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to create a methodology for measuring transient levels of physician workload in a live emergency department (ED) environment. Background: Characterizing, defining, and measuring aspects of this interrupt-driven work environment represent the preliminary steps in addressing impending issues concerning ED overcrowding, efficiency, and patient and provider safety. Methods: A time-motion task analysis was conducted. Twenty emergency medicine (EM) physicians were observed for 180-min intervals in an ED of an academic medical center. Near continuous workload measures were developed and used to track changing workload levels in time. These measures were taken from subjective, objective, and physiological perspectives. The NASA-Task Load Index was administered to each physician after observational sessions to measure subjective workload. Physiological measurements were taken throughout the duration of the observation to measure stress response. Additional informa...
Development of English referring expressions in the narratives of Chinese–English bilinguals*

This paper investigates the development of referring expressions in the narratives of children learning English as a second language (L2). Spoken narratives in English were elicited from sixty Chinese-speaking participants at four ages – five, eight, ten, and young adults – using the wordless picture book Frog, where are you? (Mayer, 1969). Narrative analysis focused on the referring expressions that the L2 speakers used to introduce and maintain reference to story characters in the narratives and on the referential appropriateness of those expressions. We then compared the results of this study with other, similar studies on children learning English as a first language (L1) and found both universal and L2-specific patterns in the development of referring expressions in discourse. On the one hand, regardless of whether English is acquired as an L1 or L2, appropriate use of referring expressions in discourse is developed gradually and is influenced by both discourse function (introduction vs. maintenance) and character type (main vs. secondary). On the other hand, L2 children in our study differed from L1 children in previous studies in the development of referential appropriateness in character introduction, the use of pronominals for referent maintenance, and the timeline of the mastery of appropriate forms for referent introductions versus referent maintenance.
Asymmetric reduction of aliphatic and cyclic ketones with secondary alcohol dehydrogenase from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus: effects of substrate

Abstract The reduction of aliphatic ketones catalyzed by a secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (SADH) from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus affords ( S ) -alcohols in high enantiomeric purities, when the chain has six or more carbons. With 2-pentanone, the reduction gives ( S )-2-pentanol, and ( R )-stereoselectivity is observed in the case of 2-butanone at 37°C. The rate of the reduction of aliphatic methyl ketones decreases about three-fold for each additional methylene increment. A temperature dependent reversal of enantiospeficity is observed in the oxidation of enantiomers of 2-butanol. A linear dependence of RT In E with temperature is observed for 2-butanol, 2-pentanol, and 2-hexanol. The cofactor analogues, thionicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (SNADP) and acetylpyridine adenine dinucleotide phosphate (APADP) gave higher enantioselectivity in the reduction of 2-butanone to ( R ) -2-butanol. For the reduction of cyclic ketones, SADH is enantiospecific for ( S ) isomers of cyclic alkyl ketones, and the transfer of hydrogen is stereoselective for the Re face to give (1 S ) cyclic alcohols. The facial stereospecificity of SADH for hydride transfer to NADP was determined by NMR, and it was found to be re-specific ( ‘A face’ ). In order to explain the stereoselectivity of SADH catalyzed reductions, a model is proposed that emphasizes the importance of the stability of substrate conformation and the steric interaction between substrate, enzyme and coenzyme.
Development of a perceptual hyperthermia index to evaluate heat strain during treadmill exercise

Fire suppression and rescue is a physiologically demanding occupation due to extreme external heat as well as the physical and thermal burden of the protective garments. These conditions challenge body temperature homeostasis and results in heat stress. Accurate field assessment of core temperature is complex and unreliable. The present investigation developed a perceptually based hyperthermia metric to measure physiologic exertional heat strain during treadmill exercise. Sixty-five (28.9 ± 6.8 years) female (n = 11) and male (n = 54) firefighters and non-firefighting volunteers participated in four related exertional heat stress investigations performing treadmill exercise in a heated room while wearing thermal protective clothing. Body core temperature, perceived exertion, and thermal sensation were assessed at baseline, 20-mins exercise, and at termination. Perceived exertion increased from baseline (0.24 ± 0.42) to termination (7.43 ± 1.86). Thermal sensation increased from baseline (1.78 ± 0.77) to termination (4.50 ± 0.68). Perceived exertion and thermal sensation were measured concurrently with body core temperature to develop a two-dimensional graphical representation of three exertional heat strain zones representative of a range of mean body core temperature responses such that low risk (green) incorporated 36.0–37.4°C, moderate risk (yellow) incorporated 37.5–37.9°C, and high risk (red) incorporated 38.0 to greater than 40.5°C. The perceptual hyperthermia index (PHI) may provide a quick and easy momentary assessment of the level of risk for exertional heat stress for firefighters engaged in fire suppression that may be beneficial in high-risk environments that threaten the lives of firefighters.
A critique of methods used to describe the overrepresentation of African Americans in the child welfare system

Abstract The overrepresentation of minority children in the child welfare system has long been a troubling issue. Strategies to reduce this racial imbalance have typically focused on child welfare decision making at various time points in the course of a case, informed by descriptive statistics used to measure racial disproportionality and disparity at these key decision points. In this paper we make comparisons between two methods used to describe racial disproportionality and disparity in child welfare: one uses the general child population as its reference group and the other uses the child welfare population as it changes from one decision point to the next. This paper discusses and critiques these two methods, using the data from four states to illustrate the utility of each in describing racial overrepresentation in child welfare.
Obesity in Patients Undergoing Dialysis and Kidney Transplantation

Obesity poses a major challenge for nephrologists and patients alike, and its prevalence among patients with kidney disease is increasing at least as fast as in the general population. Although the body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used measurement of excess adiposity, it has important limitations that can be ameliorated by incorporating other markers of body composition. The influence of obesity on outcomes in patients undergoing dialysis and kidney transplantation is of great interest. Although the preponderance of epidemiologic data suggests that, at least in patients undergoing dialysis, obesity has a neutral or protective effect on mortality, although this has not been confirmed in interventional studies needed to establish causality. The effect of obesity on other important outcomes such as quality of life has yet to be determined, and much less information on obesity and outcomes is available in the kidney transplantation population. Similarly, research on the optimal strategies and effects of weight loss in dialysis and kidney transplantation patients is at a nascent stage.
Altering the energy dependence of LiF TLDs by pre-irradiation.

Energy dependences (thermoluminescent response to 30–130 keVeffx rays compared to that from 60Co gammas) were measured for normal LiF dosimeters and for ones which had been sensitized by pre‐irradiation (103–106R) followed by annealing near 300°C. Unsensitized LiF (Harshaw's TLD‐100 and TLD‐700) responds slightly higher (5–10%) to the x rays than expected from changes in dose. When LiF is radiation sensitized, the relative response decreases in the 30–135 keVeff range as much as 40% for pre‐exposures ≳ 105 R. A commercial dosimeter (Radiation Detection Co. “throwaway powder”) displays this altered energy dependence because the LiF is pre‐exposed by the manufacturer. To emphasize the major point: Sensitization alters the energy dependence of LiF without any change in atomic number. Possible uses for this effect are discussed.
Undercurrents of History

In her 1989 essay on "Feminist and Gender History Through the Literary Looking Glass: German Historiography in Postmodern Times" (in Central European History 22, no. 3/4 [1989]), Isabel Hull has claimed that femi? nism and postmodern critique are most powerful in their work of destruction: of the traditional claim of historians to universality, of the master narratives that claim to be able to organize the historical world according to coherent principles of which male historians have been the guardians, and in deconstructing the Relevanzhierarchien of modern German historiography. This may very well be so. But in her new book, Isabel Hull is not content with just doing the work of destruction. This book deals with the time period during, before, and after what Reinhard Koselleck has termed die historische Sattelzeit, the time of accelerated change in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, in which the modern world has taken shape. It explores the emergence of civil society and modernity in Central Europe. By focusing on the "offi? cial sexual system," it does so from an angle which is more common in literary studies and which plays a significant role in feminist as well as in postmodernist debates, but continues to be somewhat of a rarity in the historical sciences (in spite of Michel Foucault's book on sexuality). Hull investigates the ways in which the sexual system has changed from the early modern period to the nineteenth century and which role it has played in the organization of state, society, and communities. "Sexual system" is defined as "the patterned ways in which sexual behavior is shaped and given meaning through institutions" (p. 1). What follows is a detailed and very knowledgeable study of institution-building, social and legal change, of the various discourses among church officials, bureaucrats, philosophers, and the educated "public" on morality and sexual norms in the German states. The book actually covers much more than its title promises: it starts in the sixteenth century by describing the sexual system that the church had established, and it ends in the nineteenth century with an outlook on the fully developed civil society. Thus the
Bridging The Gap: A Community Health Program Saved Lives, Then Closed Its Doors

A program connecting community health workers with patients in Boston shows benefits but is shuttered after funds dry up.
Photorefractive keratectomy for compound myopic astigmatism

Abstract PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy for the treatment of primary compound myopic astigmatism. METHODS: In a prospective study, 93 eyes from 56 patients with a mean spherical equivalent of −4.98 ± 1.80 diopters (range, −1.75 to −8.5) underwent photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy with the Summit Apex Plus excimer laser using erodible mask technology and were followed for 2 years. Primary outcome measures included an assessment of astigmatic correction through vector analysis, manifest refraction, uncorrected visual acuity, corneal clarity, and the presence of adverse symptoms. RESULTS: Eighty-five eyes (91.4%) were available for analysis at 6 months. Mean spherical equivalent refraction was reduced 85% (mean, −0.75 ± 0.85 diopter) and the target-induced astigmatism was reduced 70% (mean, 0.98 ± 1.88 diopters). Forty-eight eyes (56%) had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or greater, whereas 70 eyes (82%) had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or greater. Twenty-four eyes (26% ) required re-treatment because of undercorrection of the spherical equivalent and astigmatic components after the 6-month follow-up. Fifty-nine of the remaining eyes were available at the 24-month visit. Mean spherical equivalent refraction was reduced to −0.39 ± 0.72 diopter (91.8%). The target-induced astigmatism was reduced 64% from 1.74 diopters. Forty-one eyes (81.3%) were within ±1.0 diopter of attempted spherical equivalent correction. Stability within a spherical equivalent of ±0.5 diopter occurred after the first postoperative month. Fifty-six eyes (94.9%) had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or greater, whereas 34 eyes (57.6 %) demonstrated an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or greater. One eye (1.7%) lost 2 or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy with the Summit Apex Plus excimer laser is a safe and effective method of reducing compound myopic astigmatism. However, higher re-treatment rates may result from significant undercorrections because of current laser algorithms and variability in the mean angle of error.
Turbulent heat transfer in a channel with two right-angle bends

A numerical study is reported on the flow and heat transfer in a channel with two right-angled bends. The k-epsilon turbulence model with a refined near-wall model is adopted for the computation of the flow field for step ratios ranging H/W = 1-4 and for Reynolds numbers Re = 3,000-10,000. The solution method of the governing transport equations is based on the modified hybrid scheme which produces very small truncation error. As a result of extensive computations, the complex flow patterns in the channel with two bends are clarified and the mechanisms of heat transfer are explained relating to the flow behaviors of separation, deflection, recirculation, and reattachment.
Vibronic spectroscopy of Ag2-Ar

Abstract The weakly bound complex Ag 2 -Ar is produced using laser vaporization of solid silver in a pulsed supersonic molecular beam. Resonant two-photon photoionization yields a vibrationally-resolved electronic spectrum with an origin at 35329 cm −1 . This origin is red-shifted 480 cm −1 from that of the uncomplexed silver dimer. Progressions are observed for the solvated Ag 2 stretch (156 cm −1 ), the van der Waals stretch (74 cm −1 ) and the bending mode (28 cm −1 ). Excited state (755 cm −1 ) and ground state (275 cm −1 ) binding energies are obtained.
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Implementation Strategies to Promote Collaborative Care Attendance in Community Practices

This randomized controlled implementation study compared the effectiveness of a standard versus enhanced version of the replicating effective programs (REP) implementation strategy to improve the uptake of the life goals-collaborative care model (LG-CC) for bipolar disorder. Seven community-based practices (384 patient participants) were randomized to standard (manual/training) or enhanced REP (customized manual/training/facilitation) to promote LG-CC implementation. Participants from enhanced REP sites had no significant changes in primary outcomes (improved quality of life, reduced functioning or mood symptoms) by 24 months. Further research is needed to determine whether implementation strategies can lead to sustained, improved participant outcomes in addition to program uptake.
Influence of pathogens and moderate leukocytes on seminal interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and sperm parameters.

To evaluate the role of pathogens and moderate leukocytes on seminal interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and sperm parameters in men undergoing infertility investigation. Semen samples from men (n = 171) were divided into three groups on the basis of leukocyte count: no leukocytes (L−; ≤0.1 × 106/ml Mio/ml), moderate leukocytes (L±; >0.1 × 106/ml and <1 × 106/ml), and high leukocytes (=leukocytospermia) (L+; ≥1 × 106/ml). Each group was further classified into two subgroups, according to the presence (B+) or absence (B−) of pathogens. IL-6, IL-8, and sperm characteristics were analyzed in each subgroup. A correlation test was performed to show the association between inflammatory parameters and sperm characteristics. No significant differences in leukocyte count, cytokine levels, and sperm characteristics were apparent in subgroups with and without pathogens. Grade b motility was significantly lower in subgroup IIa (L±,B−) than in subgroup Ia (L−,B−)(p < 0.05). More significant limitations in sperm motility (lower rapid progressive motility and increased percentage of immotile sperm) were observed in subgroup IIIa (L+,B−) compared with subgroup Ia (p < 0.05). Moderate and high leukocytes increased significantly cytokine levels (p < 0.001). Moderate leukocyte counts could be an indicator of male genital tract inflammation. Seminal pathogens have no influence on cytokine levels and sperm parameters.
Changes in cervical cancer incidence after three decades of screening US women less than 30 years old

Abstract Objective To examine incidence trends of invasive cervical carcinoma in US women less than 30 years old from 1973 to 1999 by histologic type. Methods Incidence rates were obtained from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database and stratified by age and three histologic categories: all histologic types, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. The estimated annual percent change was calculated by joinpoint regression to measure trends during the entire evaluation period and a recent subperiod (1985–1999). All statistical tests were two-sided. Results Incidence rates of cervical carcinoma overall and squamous cell carcinoma specifically declined during 1973–1999, with estimated annual percent changes of −0.94% (95% confidence interval [CI] −1.47%, −0.41%) and −1.10% (95% CI −1.59%, −0.62%), respectively. Rates of adenocarcinoma increased (+2.90%; 95% CI 1.34%, 4.49%), though trends have been stable since 1990. All cancers were uncommon: the annual incidence per million women ranged from 8.0 to 14.3 for squamous cell carcinoma and from 0.7 to 2.7 for adenocarcinoma. For women younger than 20 years, no statistically significant changes were observed, but cancers were rare (0–3 per million women annually). Conclusions More investigation is necessary to clarify the contribution of screening to declines in the squamous cell carcinoma rate and to determine the etiology of adenocarcinoma rate increases over the last three decades in US women less than 30 years old. Because of the small number of actual observed cases, caution must be exercised in interpreting these trends.
Confirmation of target localization and dosimetry for 3D conformal radiotherapy treatment planning by MR imaging of a ferrous sulfate gel head phantom

A detailed methodology has been developed to verify the three‐dimensional (3D) radiationdose mapping of conformal therapy radiation treatment planning by FeMRI dosimetry. A phantom that consisted of a human skull filled with a 1‐mM solution of ferrous sulfate and 0.1‐N sulfuric acid gelled with 7.5% (by weight) gelatin was employed. With a spherical target volume in the head phantom, five noncoplanar conformal beams were designed through the use of a 3D treatment planning system developed in‐house. The phantom was irradiated with a 6‐MV linear accelerator to a total dose of 25 Gy delivered to the periphery of the target volume. The phantom and a set of calibration vials were scanned simultaneously in a GE 1.5T MR imager with six different multiscan inversion‐recovery pulse sequences. The values of T 1 were evaluated on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis through the use of custom‐built software on a UNIX workstation and were converted to dose using calibration data. Comparisons of dose distributions between those measured by FeMRI and those calculated by 3D treatment planning show good agreement.
Effective potential and quadratic divergences.

We use the effective potential to give a simple derivation of Veltman's formula for the quadratic divergence in the Higgs self-energy. We also comment on the effect of going beyond the one-loop approximation.
Trace-driven knowledge acquisition (TDKA) for rule-based real time scheduling systems

Expert scheduling systems, which develop the schedule automatically on a real time basis, are able to respond to the changes of product demand in Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS). While developing an expert scheduling system, the most time-consuming and difficult step is knowledge acquisition, the process that elicits the knowledge from experts and transfers it into the knowledge base. A trace-driven knowledge acquisition (TDKA) method is proposed to extract the expertise from the schedules produced by expert schedulers. Three phases are involved in the TDKA process: data collection, data analysis, and rule evaluation. In data collection, the expert schedulers are identified and decisions made during the scheduling process are recorded as a trace. In data analysis, a set of scheduling rules is developed based on the trace. The rules are then evaluated in the last phase. If the resulting rules do not perform as well as the expert schedulers, the process returns to phase two and refines the rules. The whole process stops whenever the resulting rules perform at least as well as the expert schedulers. A circuit board production line is used to demonstrate the feasibility of the TDKA methodology. The scheduling rules perform much better than the expert schedulers from whom the rules are extracted.
Soft tissue aspiration cytopathology of malignant lymphoma and leukemia.

BACKGROUND Malignant lymphoma (ML) and leukemia infrequently involve soft tissue and, to the authors' knowledge few reports exist regarding the role of fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in their diagnosis. In the current study, the authors report their experience with FNAB in patients with soft tissue ML and leukemia. METHODS All cases of ML, leukemia, or atypical lymphoid cells from soft tissue aspirates were reviewed. Masses from lymph node-rich sites, those adjacent to enlarged lymph nodes, or those associated with cutaneous lesions were excluded. RESULTS Twenty-one patients (male:female ratio of 1:1) who ranged in age from 10 months to 87 years (mean age, 51 years) were studied. Seven patients had superficial masses and 14 patients had deep soft tissue masses. Sites included the extremities (10 patients), trunk (8 patients), and head (3 patients). Cytologic diagnoses were ML (large cell [11 patients] and Hodgkin [1 patient]), acute leukemia (lymphoblastic [3 patients] and myelogenous [2 patients]), and atypical lymphoid cells (4 patients). Eight aspirates represented the initial diagnosis of ML, three were recurrent ML, four were recurrent leukemia, one was initial leukemia, and one ML aspirate was obtained concurrently with core needle biopsy. Four aspirates were diagnosed as atypical lymphoid cells. Three subsequently were diagnosed as ML and one aspirate was diagnosed as acute leukemia. All ML were of large B-cell type. One case of atypical lymphoid cells was found to be a mantle cell lymphoma. The leukemia cases were T-cell (two cases), pre-B-cell (two cases), and myelogenous (two cases). Immunophenotyping confirmed the cytology by flow cytometry (five cases), cytospin (three cases), and cell block (four cases). Immunophenotyping of eight cases was performed on tissue samples. In one case a cytopathologic diagnosis of ML reversed a prior tissue core biopsy diagnosis of liposarcoma. The specificity and sensitivity rates for a definitive diagnosis of ML or leukemia were 100% and 82%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the majority of cases, it is possible to determine a specific diagnosis and subtype of soft tissue ML or leukemia using FNAB. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2001;93:35–39. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Communication Between the Academician and the Businessman

Many years ago, when I was a reporter on the now defunct New York Sun , I was informed by the city editor that I had been assigned to cover the Westminster, the World Series of dogdom, at Madison Square Garden. While I liked dogs, and got along pretty well with them, I knew nothing whatever about the fine points of judging, and said so.