cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant Therapy and Prognosticators of Survival in Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To identify prognosticators and determine the efficacies of surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (SR) and surgery with immunotherapy (SI) of head and neck mucosal melanoma (HNMM). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective database study. METHODS The 2004 to 2017 National Cancer Database was queried for HNMM patients. Cox proportional hazards and Kaplan-Meier analyses evaluated prognosticators of mortality and survival benefits conferred by SR, SI, or surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy and immunotherapy (SRI). Logistic regression identified predictors of adjuvant radiotherapy or immunotherapy use. RESULTS Overall, 1,910 cases (845 surgery, 802 SR, 51 SI, 101 SRI) were analyzed, with 50.3% females and an average age of 68.6 ± 13.8 years. SI was associated with greater overall survival (OS) than surgery (hazard ratio [HR] 0.672; P = .036). SI (HR 0.425; P = .024) and SRI (HR 0.594; P = .045) were associated with superior OS than SR. Older age (HR 1.607; P < .001), female sex (HR 0.757; P = .006), paranasal sinus localization (HR 1.648; P < .001), T4 classification (HR 1.443; P < .001), N1 classification (HR 2.310; P < .001), M1 classification (HR 3.357; P < .001), and positive surgical margins (HR 1.454; P < .001) were survival prognosticators. Adjuvant radiotherapy use was negatively correlated with older age, oral cavity localization, and M0 or T3 tumors (all P < .05). Adjuvant immunotherapy use was positively correlated with younger age and M1 tumors (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Although SR did not confer survival benefits in HNMM patients, SI and SRI yielded greater OS than surgery alone. SRI was associated with superior survival outcomes than SR. Certain demographic and clinical factors were associated with increased mortality risk. Patient age and certain tumor characteristics were predictors of adjuvant radiotherapy or immunotherapy use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 2021.
Extraneural recurrence of an intracranial nongerminomatous germ cell tumor to cervical lymph nodes in a pediatric patient: Case report.

Background Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) comprise 3%-5% of pediatric primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors in Western countries. Though they are related in embryonic origin to gonadal GCTs, which are considered highly treatable with cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens, intracranial GCTs vary in malignant potential and sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy, generally carrying a worse prognosis. Metastases of intracranial GCTs outside of the CNS are rare, indicate a poor prognosis, and their salvage treatment is not well established. Case A 15-year-old boy presented with bifocal (suprasellar and pineal) intracranial nongerminomatous germ cell tumors of mixed origin. The tumors were treated to full response with a multimodal approach of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical resection, and adjuvant craniospinal proton radiation. Nine months following treatment completion, the patient presented with an enlarged cervical lymph node determined on excisional biopsy to be a recurrence of pure germinoma from the primary tumors. Salvage treatment involved high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation; however, the patient denied further treatment prior to planned focal radiotherapy. Thirty months post-treatment, the patient is well with no evidence of recurrence. Conclusion This case demonstrated the successful salvage treatment of an extraneural recurrence of an intracranial GCT using surgical resection and a high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation regimen, highlighting the unique factors which led to the selection of this regimen.
Case Study Methods in Researching Language and Education

Case study research stems from a special interest in individual cases (Stake, 1994). In the field of language and education, case study methods of research have produced some important discoveries about (1) how children and adolescents learn oral and written language; (2) how language teachers draw on perspectives and assumptions to inform their practices, and (3) how what happens outside the classrooms in school settings interacts with the ways that children and adolescents learn and use oral and written language inside of classrooms.
Fiscal Policy and Tariffs in Post-war International Trade

Recent developments in economic theory are especially rich in policy implications for a single country seeking to maximize its welfare through international trade. They make necessary a restatement of certain parts of the ancient controversy over free trade and protection; namely, those affected by the theory of employment and the theory of imperfect competition. There is little to add to the broader classical conclusions on the maximization of welfare in the world economy, or to the general, if cautious, acceptance of the infant industries argument. However, the former must be qualified in the light of the theory of imperfect competition, particularly the theory of monopsony, and the implications of decreasing costs; while the latter depends on technological considerations normally impounded in ceteris paribus even in modern value theory. The special relevance of any of these universes of discourse in terms of which international trade policy may be discussed and evaluated is itself a controversial point. If, for example, a reasonable and steady approximation to full employment is considered of paramount importance, the practical alternatives of fiscal and international policy are considerably narrowed. The most efficient allocation of resources among alternative uses may have to wait on policies for getting all available human resources into some use. At another level, the optimum allocation of resources for one country may be defined for a national real income made possible by exploiting its neighbours. It is the duty of the economist, not to ignore or to condemn these judgments, but to show how the desired ends may be achieved in practice, and to point out any inconsistencies among ends of policy simultaneously desired.
Regional Stratigraphy of Upper Jurassic Smackover Carbonate Rocks of Southwest Alabama: ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Upper Jurassic Smackover deposition in southwest Alabama was primarily controlled by the Mississippi interior salt basin and the Manila and Conecuh embayments and closely approximated carbonate sedimentation in the present-day Persian Gulf. These depositional sites are characterized by distinctive lithofacies and fossil assemblages. Early salt movement produced local variations in carbonate sediment distribution and pre-Jurassic paleo-highs, such as the Wiggins uplift and Conecuh arch, also modified carbonate sedimentation. Throughout much of southwest Alabama, the Smackover Formation consists of a lower predominately mudstone lithofacies which overlies the Norphlet sandstone and an upper lithofacies sequence dominated by grain-supported textures which is overlain by the Buckner anhydrite. Where present, the lower Smackover lithofacies include laminated mudstone and on occasion peloidal wackestone, peloidal-oncolitic packstone, or dolomite are present. The upper lithofacies sequence consists of oolitic and/or oncolitic grainstone, peloidal and/or oncolitic wackestone to packestone, and occasionally dolomite or mudstone. Petroleum traps in southwest Alabama are principally combination traps involving favorable stratigraphy and salt anticlines, faulted salt anticlines, or extensional faults associated with salt movement. Reservoir rocks include grainstones; leached and dolomitized wackestones, packstones, and grainstones; and dolomite. Porosity is facies-selective and is developed chiefly in lithofacies of the upper Smackover. Porosity includes primary interparticulate, secondary grain moldic, intercrystalline dolomite, vuggy, and fracture. The algal mudstones that characterize the lower Smackover and are interbedded with upper Smackover lithologies throughout most of southwest Alabama make excellent petroleum source rocks. The flanks of the Wiggins-Conecuh ridge and updip Smackover grainstones associated with salt structures are excellent areas for petroleum exploration in southwest Alabama. The key to successful prospecting is the delineation of traps associated with salt movement and recognition of either high to moderate energy lithofacies that have had their primary interparticulate porosity preserved or of lithofacies that have been dolomitized and/or leached with the development of intercrystalline dolomite and/or secondary grain moldic porosity.
Placing Probes along the Genome Using Pairwise Distance Data

We describe the theoretical basis of an approach using microarrays of probes and libraries of BACs to construct maps of the probes, by assigning relative locations to the probes along the genome. The method depends on several hybridization experiments: in each experiment, we sample (with replacement) a large library of BACs to select a small collection of BACs for hybridization with the probe arrays. The resulting data can be used to assign a local distance metric relating the arrayed probes, and then to position the probes with respect to each other. The method is shown to be capable of achieving surprisingly high accuracy within individual contigs and with less than 100 microarray hybridization experiments even when the probes and clones number about 105, thus involving potentially around 1010 individual hybridizations. This approach is not dependent upon existing BAC contig information, and so should be particularly useful in the application to previously uncharacterized genomes. Nevertheless, the method may be used to independently validate a BAC contig map or a minimal tiling path obtained by intensive genomic sequence determination. We provide a detailed probabilistic analysis to characterize the outcome of a single hybridization experiment and what information can be garnered about the physical distance between any pair of probes. This analysis then leads to a formulation of a likelihood optimization problem whose solution leads to the relative probe locations. After reformulating the optimization problem in a graphtheoretic setting and by exploiting the underlying probabilistic structure, we develop an efficient approximation algorithm for our original problem. We have implemented the algorithm and conducted several experiments for varied sets of parameters. Our empirical results are highly promising and are reported here as well. We also explore how the probabilistic analysis and algorithmic efficiency issues affect the design of the underlying biochemical experiments.
Fluorine‐Containing Polymers, Poly(Vinyl Fluoride)

Homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl fluoride are based on free-radical polymerization of vinyl fluoride and comonomers, usually under high pressure. Du Pont first commercialized a poly(vinyl fluoride)-based film in 1961 under the trade name Tedlar. Poly(vinyl fluoride) homopolymers and copolymers have excellent resistance to sunlight degradation, chemical attack, water absorption, and solvent; they have a high solar energy transmittance rate. These properties have resulted in the utilization of poly(vinyl fluoride) (PVF) film and coating in outdoor and indoor functional and decorative applications. These films are used where exceptional high temperature stability, outdoor longevity, stain resistance, adherence, and release properties are required.
Physician-Assisted Dying: The Case for Palliative Care and Patient Choice, by T. Quill and M. Battin

Six years after it was first published, Timothy Quill and Margaret Battin's book on physician-assisted dying remains a timely and salient treatise on this controversial topic. The editors' stated p...
Polymer Optical and Dielectric Properties through Vibrational Spectroscopy

Principles of the refraction and extinction of electromagnetic radiation incident upon homogeneous isotropic condensed phases are reviewed. The relationship between the complex refractive index, n(υ), and the absorption index, k(υ), through the Kramers–Kronig transform is shown as is the relationship of these optical constants to ɛ, the complex dielectric function. The basis of the determination of the optical constants n and k as a function of frequency for polymeric materials by infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IR-RAS) is illustrated with examples as are other external reflection methods. Also discussed is the effect of absorber concentration on the IR-RA spectra. Various methods for the measurement of optical constants and dielectric function of isotropic and anisotropic polymers covered are internal reflection techniques such as attenuated total reflectance (ATR), transmittance-reflectance, transmission, and ellipsometry. The chapter concludes with comments on new spectroscopic techniques with potential application to the determination of optical constants of polymers. Keywords: anisotropic polymers; optical constants; refractive index; absorption index; dielectric function; infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy; Fresnel coefficients; Kramers–Kronig transform; transmittance; ellipsometry
The Time Decay of Bond Premium and Discount—An Analysis of the Time Passage Effect on Bond Prices

In this paper, we show that the price of a premium bond and the price of a discount bond will both move toward face value at an increasing rate as the bonds approach maturity. We present a mathematical proof to show that the decline in premium and discount decline over time, to be referred to as time decay, accelerates as time passes by. We also provide numerical examples and graphical representations to illustrate the time passage effect on bond prices and discuss the implications of the findings to bond investor and asset managers in light of the quantitative easing policies taken by central banks after the 2008 financial crisis.
A comparison of open and minimally invasive surgery for hepatic and pancreatic resections using the nationwide inpatient sample

Background The use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques for pancreatic and liver operations remains ill defined. We sought to compare inpatient outcomes among patients undergoing open versus MIS pancreas and liver operations using a nationally representative cohort. Methods We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for all major pancreatic and hepatic resections performed between 2000 and 2011. Appropriate International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) coding modifiers for laparoscopy and robotic assist were used to categorize procedures as MIS. Demographics, comorbidities, and inpatient outcomes were compared between the open and MIS groups. Results A total of 65,033 resections were identified (pancreas, n = 36,195 [55.7%]; liver, n = 28,035 [43.1%]; combined pancreas and liver, n = 803 [1.2%]). The overwhelming majority of operations were performed open ( n = 62,192, 95.6%), whereas 4.4% ( n = 2,841) were MIS. The overall use of MIS increased from 2.3% in 2000 to 7.5% in 2011. Compared with patients undergoing an open operation, MIS patients were older and had a greater incidence of multiple comorbid conditions. After operation, the incidence of complications for MIS (pancreas, 35.4%; liver, 29.5%) was lower than for open (pancreas, 41.6%; liver, 33%) procedures (all P P = .001) as well as a lower in-hospital mortality (5.1% vs 2.8%; P = .001). Conclusion During the last decade, the number of MIS pancreatic and hepatic operations has increased, with nearly 1 in 13 HPB cases now being performed via an MIS approach. Despite MIS patients tending to have more preoperative medical comorbidities, postoperative morbidity, mortality, and duration of stay compared favorably with open surgery.
A market test of investor reaction to disagreements

Abstract The SEC currently requires that firms disclose recent disagreements with their auditors over accounting or auditing matters when a change in auditor is reported. The effectiveness and usefulness of requirements to disclose disagreements have been questioned, and previous empirical research on the issue has been inconclusive. This study investigates the information content of disclosure of the auditor-firm disagreements. The analysis indicates a significant negative market reaction in the week that the Form 8-K is filed with the SEC. This finding is consistent with the position that the disclosure provides information useful to investors.
Real-time predictive zoom tracking for digital still cameras

Zoom tracking is becoming a standard feature in digital still cameras (DSCs). It involves keeping an object of interest in focus during the zooming-in or zooming-out operation. Zoom tracking is normally achieved by moving the focus motor in real-time according to the so-called trace curves in response to changes in the zoom motor position. A trace curve denotes in-focus motor positions versus zoom motor positions for a specific object distance. A zoom tracking approach is characterized by the way these trace curves are estimated and followed. In this paper, a new zoom tracking approach, named predictive zoom tracking (PZT), is introduced based on two prediction models: auto-regressive and recurrent neural network. The performance of this approach is compared with the existing zoom tracking approaches commonly used in DSCs. The real-time implementation results obtained on an actual digital camera platform indicate that the developed PZT approach not only achieves higher tracking accuracies but also effectively addresses the key challenge of zoom tracking, namely the one-to-many mapping problem.
Inhibition of sclerotium formation of Sclerotium rolfsii by compounds related to phenylthiourea

The addition of nonpolar groups to thiourea enhanced the ability of compounds to inhibit growth and sclerotium formation of Sclerotium rolfsii. At comparable concentrations, oxygen analogues (urea derivatives) did not inhibit growth or sclerotium formation.
Steoid delta-isomerase of the bovine adrenal gland: kinetics, activation by NAD and attempted solubilization.

Treatment of miorosomes of the bovine adrenal gland with deoxycholate yields a preparation which is not sedimented at 100,000 Xg. Molecular sieve chromatography on Sepharose 2B showed that the steroid Δ-isomerase activities of such preparations reside in particles having a wide range of size. While the kinetic properties of an acetone powder and a deoxycholate treated preparation of the microsomes suggest the existence of a single isomerase capable of acting upon C10 and C21-Δ5-3-ketosteroids, gel filtration resulted in a dissociation of isomerase activity toward androst-5-ene-3,17-dione and pregn-5-ene-3,20-dione. Kinetic analysis showed that NAD stimulates the steroid Δ-isomerase of an acetone powder preparation by accelerating the breakdown of the enzyme-substrate complex; this effect of NAD is not obtained after treatment of the microsomes with deoxycholate. (Endocrinology 83: 864, 1968)
A theoretical model of religiosity and drug use with reciprocal relationships: A test using structural equation modeling

Abstract This study of 1093 adolescents from 6 public high schools was designed to test a hypothesized model formulated by theoretical elaboration of control theory with elements from social learning theory using structural equation modeling procedures. The primary purpose was to establish that religion is relevant to illicit drug use when its direct, indirect and reciprocal effects are tested within a more complete system of relationships than found in existing studies. Most aspects of the model were supported by data and religion had direct inverse effects on illegal drug use for all adolescents studied. However, the feedback effects of drug use on religion were significant only among younger adolescents and females. Other age and gender differences were observed when the hypothesized model was tested with structural equation modeling procedures. The implications of these findings were discussed in regard to future conceptual work and intervention.
Automated targeting data fusion (ATDF)

Automated all source data fusion primarily fuses analyst generated messages. The Automated Targeting Data Fusion (ATDF) effort created an application that rapidly associated very diverse information sources automatically. In recent military conflict situations, enormous amounts of multi-source data have been made available to war-fighters. These data include imagery, signals intelligence, acoustic information, input from human analysts, and other sources. The significant magnitude of collected intelligence overwhelms analysts, operators, collection managers and commanders. Complicating matters further is that the data is collected, transmitted, processed, exploited and disseminated via multiple stovepipe architectures involving different types of intelligence and support personnel. It is difficult for diverse users to maintain situational awareness over the battle-space. This is an extremely crucial issue with rapid targeting decisions. This ATDF capability offers an alternative to automatically support each individual user as well as decision makers who must use all of their collective command-level decisions. ATDF rapidly associates diverse intelligence products as they are collected and fuses it into actionable knowledge in near real-time.
Flightless-I, a gelsolin family member and transcriptional regulator, preferentially binds directly to activated cytosolic CaMK-II.

Abstract In order to evaluate links between Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase type II (CaMK-II) and cell cycle progression, CaMK-II binding partners were sought in proliferating cells by epitope-tag tandem mass spectrometry. One protein identified was the gelsolin family member, flightless-I (Fli-I). Fli-I is not a CaMK-II substrate, but binds directly and preferentially to constitutively active (T287D) CaMK-II over inactive CaMK-II. Fli-I gradually enters the nucleus upon CaMK-II inhibition and is retained in the cytosol by T287D CaMK-II. CaMK-II inhibition and Fli-I overexpression suppress transcription of β-catenin dependent transcriptional reporters, whereas Fli-I suppression enhances their transcription. These findings support a novel mechanism whereby cytosolic CaMK-II influences β-catenin dependent gene expression through Fli-I. Structured summary MINT- 6603828 : delta CaMK-II (uniprotkb: Q6PHZ2 ) binds (MI: 0407 ) to Flightless-I (uniprotkb: Q9JJ28 ) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI: 0006 ) MINT- 6603847 : delta CaMK-II (uniprotkb: Q6PHZ2 ) phosphorylates (MI: 0217 ) MAP2 (uniprotkb: P20357 ) by protein kinase assay (MI: 0424 ) MINT- 6603768 : beta CaMK-II (uniprotkb: P28652 ) physically interacts (MI: 0218 ) with Flightless-I (uniprotkb: Q9JJ28 ) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI: 0006 ) MINT- 6603759 , MINT- 6603776 , MINT- 6603786 : delta CaMK-II (uniprotkb: Q6PHZ2 ) physically interacts (MI: 0218 ) with Flightless-I (uniprotkb: Q9JJ28 ) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI: 0006 ) MINT- 6603724 : CaMK-II delta (uniprotkb: Q6PHZ2 ) physically interacts (MI: 0218 ) with beta 5tubulin (uniprotkb: P99024 ), beta 2c tubulin (uniprotkb: P68372 ), alpha 1a tubulin (uniprotkb: P68369 ), b-Actin (uniprotkb: P60710 ), Tropomodulin-3 (uniprotkb: Q9JHJ0 ), Flightless-I (uniprotkb: Q9JJ28 ), FLAP1 (uniprotkb: Q3UZ39 ) and FLAP2 (uniprotkb: Q91WK0 ) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI: 0007 ).
Preparation of gold nanoparticle templated germania nanoshells

Abstract Germania nanoshells of varying sizes were grown using Au nanoparticles as templates. The specific recognition of the Au nanoparticles functionalized with the peptide sequence T-G-H-Q-S-P-G-A-Y-AA-H lead to the efficient formation of germania nanoshells with Au nanoparticles encapsulated within. The diameter of the germania nanoshells formed depended upon the diameter of the Au nanoparticle used. Au nanoparticles in the size range of 10–100 nm were studied. The shell-like structure of the samples was revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The formation of germania was confirmed by diffraction patterns obtained using XRD and ED. Such materials can be used as colloidal catalysts or as gas storage devices.
Goals and Career Progress of Female Community College Honors Graduates.

This study presents information from a follow‐up survey of 124 female community college honors graduates from the years 1989, 1990, and 1991. Results were intended to provide descriptive informatio...
Glucocorticoid receptor phosphorylation: Overview, function and cell cycle-dependence

All steroid hormone receptors are phosphorylated and undergo hormone-induced hyperphosphorylation. Most phosphorylated residues identified so far are serines in the N-terminal domain. Other residues and domains may also be phosphorylated, e.g. the estrogen receptor is phosphorylated on tyrosine in the hormone-binding domain. Many sites lie in consensus sequences for proline-directed, cell cycle-associated kinases. In some receptors hyperphosphorylation is induced by hormone antagonists as well as agonists, and leads to new phosphorylated sites. With glucocorticoid receptors, hyperphosphorylation is specific for glucocorticoid agonists, follows receptor activation and produces no new sites. Rate studies suggest that hyperphosphorylation is due to accelerated phosphorylation rather than delayed dephosphorylation. Evidence to date indicates that steroid hormone receptor phosphorylation serves not as an on-off switch but modulates function more subtly. Mutations of phosphorylated sites to alanine have been found to decrease activity by 0 to 90%, depending on mutated site, cell type, reporter gene and hormone concentration. With glucocorticoid receptors, some alanine mutants are up to 75% less active in hormone-induced transactivation of certain reporter genes. They are also inactive in hormone-induced repression of transcription of their own gene and down regulation of the receptor protein. Furthermore, they are much less sensitive to degradation. Both basal phosphorylation and hormone-dependent hyperphosphorylation of these receptors are cell cycle-dependent, basal phosphorylation being low in S phase and high in G2/M and hyperphosphorylation the reverse, suggesting a causal relation to the cell cycle-dependence of glucocorticoid activity reported with several cell lines. Hyperphosphorylation appears to be regulated by basal phosphorylation through negative charge in the N-terminal domain, which in S phase is relatively low and permits hyperphosphorylation, but in G2/M is relatively high and blocks hyperphosphorylation.
44-MHz LiNbO/sub 3/ transducers for UBM-guided Doppler ultrasound

In the post genome-sequencing era, physiological phenotyping of genetically engineered mice is critical to further our understanding of the functional consequences of specific genetic defects. We have developed a 40-50 MHz ultrasound biomicroscopy-(UBM) guided, pulsed Doppler system for the sensitive detection of in vivo blood velocity waveforms in the mouse embryonic cardiovascular system. Our approach uses separate transducers for simultaneous imaging and Doppler blood flow measurements. To this end, unfocused, air-backed lithium niobate (LiNbO/sub 3/) transducers provide sensitive Doppler detection and the flexibility of adjusting the axial position of the pulsed Doppler sample volume over many millimeters depth range of the collimated ultrasound beam. In this paper we describe the fabrication and characterization of the electromechanical and ultrasonic beam properties of 44-MHz LiNbO/sub 3/ Doppler transducers. We further demonstrate the utility of these Doppler transducers for interrogating blood vessels such as the dorsal aorta over a range of mouse embryonic stages and axial range-gate depths.
Maternal age effect: The enigma of Down syndrome and other trisomic conditions

Aneuploidy is the most frequently observed chromosome abnormality in human liveborn, abortuses and oocytes. The only etiological factor that has been established is advanced maternal age for the occurrence of trisomies, particularly trisomy 21 which causes Down syndrome. The maternal age effect remains an enigma. Recent molecular data bearing on this question are reviewed as are the hypotheses that have been proposed linking nondisjunction and maternal age. Rationale is presented for a compromised microcirculation hypothesis that explains the cause of nondisjunction and why its occurrence changes with maternal age from menarche to menopause. It takes into account two facts: (1) 95% of Down syndrome children receive their extra chromosome from their mother, and in 80% or more of these the nondisjunction occurred in the first meiotic division, which is completed in the ovary. (2) The ovarian follicle containing the primary oocyte has no internal circulation. The hypothesis proposes that aneuploid oocytes arise from a concatenation of events. It begins with hormonal imbalance that causes a less-than-optimal microvasculature to develop around the maturing and mature follicles. The resulting decrease in the size of the perifollicular capillary bed reduces the volume of blood flow through the area, leading to an oxygen deficit and a concomitant increase inside the follicle of carbon dioxide and anaerobic products, such as lactic acid. This in turn causes a decrease in the intracellular pH of the oocyte that diminishes the size of the spindle, with consequent displacement and nondisjunction of a chromosome. The compromised microcirculation hypothesis explains the occurrence of aneuploidy in primary and secondary oocytes, sperm precursor cells, tumor and embryonic cells. It also explains why women of all reproductive ages may have a Down syndrome child.
Proton NMR study of spin density wave thermal fluctuations in (TMTSF)2PF6, where TMTSF is tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene

Measurements of the proton spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T 1 ) at a pressure of 1 bar in a single crystal of (TMTSF) 2 PF 6 (TMTSF is tetramethyltetraselenafulvalene) are reported for the magnetic field in the range 0.25-1.48 T aligned along the b'- and c'- axes over the temperature range 2-30 K. The methyl group rotation contribution to 1/T 1 is subtracted to obtain the spin density wave (SDW) contribution. Through measurements of 1/T 1 below and above the spin flop transition it is determined that phason fluctuations of the SDW are responsible for most of the relaxation. Depinning the SDW's by an electric field leaves 1/T 1 nearly unchanged, which indicates that the SDW and its fluctuation rate near 10 8 rad/s persist when the SDW is sliding. Analysis of the peak in 1/T 1 near 3 K on the applied magnetic field suggests that it represents a slowing of thermally activated fluctuations with an activation energy Δ/k B =18.3±4.0 K, which is close to the single particle gap for this material. The contribution of critical fluctuations to 1/T 1 is consistent with the transition being weakly first order. Unlike the relaxation in the ordered phase, the contribution of the critical fluctuations is isotropic and has little, if any dependence on magnetic field
The quantitation of actin in human lymphocytes by isoelectric focusing.

Abstract A simple and sensitive technique for quantitating the actin content of lymphocytes is described. The method uses isoelectric focusing over a pH gradient of 4.5 to 6.5 to resolve actin from other polypeptides followed by densitometric scanning of Coomassie-blue stained gels. The dye uptake of purified rabbit-skeletal-muscle actin standards was linear from 0.5 to 5.0 μg of applied protein. Cell protein was solubilized in a lysis solution containing urea, β-mercaptoethanol, and NP40. Linear results were obtained when homogenates prepared from 5 to 25 × 10 5 cells were applied. The actin content of human peripheral blood lymphocytes determined with this assay was 2.1 ± 0.3 mg/10 9 cells and represented 6.3 ± 1.6% of the total cellular protein. The ratio of β:γ actin in human lymphocytes was 2:1.
Cor triatriatum: a cause of hemoptysis.

Hemoptysis can be caused by either pulmonary or extrapulmonary causes. Congenital heart disease should be considered as a possible cause in patients who have no obvious evidence of pulmonary disease. We report on an 8-year-old girl who presented with recurrent hemoptysis without other cardiopulmonary signs, except for mild tachypnea and a prominent pulmonic component of the second heart sound, suggesting pulmonary hypertension. A chest X-ray revealed pulmonary venous congestion without other parenchymal disease. An echocardiogram revealed classical cor triatriatum, with a 6-mm orifice in the anomalous septum. Cardiac evaluation should be considered in patients with hemoptysis unexplained by pulmonary causes, even in the absence of overt cardiac symptoms. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 34:405–408. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Two new species of Serjania (Sapindaceae) from Brazil

Two new Brazilian species,Serjania fluminensis andS. unidentata, are described, illustrated, and discussed.
Impacts of Fire on Microbial Carbon Cycling in Subtropical Wetlands

Fire is a major determinant of the global carbon (C) balance. While it is known that C is lost through organic matter combustion, the effect fire has on soil C biogeochemistry is unclear. Studies investigating the role of fire on C greenhouse gas production (CO2 and CH4) have been conducted in forested and grassland ecosystems, yet research in wetlands has been limited. With their high potential for C storage, wetland ecosystems are important in C cycling while simultaneously serving as the largest single CH4 source in the world. Wildfires typically consume a majority of the above-water biomass in wetland systems that result in direct C losses, but the subsequent implications for C processing are unknown. Thus, understanding C cycling in wetlands regularly maintained or influenced by fire is critical to meeting C sequestration management objectives. This study focused on a fire-adapted wetland ecosystem undergoing restoration from agricultural impacts within the Everglades National Park, Florida, USA. Within the site, the effects of prescribed fire on C cycling (organic C, extractable organic C, enzyme activity, CO2, and CH4 production) were monitored in a restored (high-phosphorus [P]) and reference (low-P) wetland at both high and low elevations. Because fire can affect both C and P forms and availability, the objective of this study was to investigate the short- (two-day) and long-term (one-year) effect of fire on C cycling in subtropical wetlands soils of varying soil nutrient concentrations. Initially (two days post fire), C cycling was stimulated in both soils. However, stimulation of CO2 and CH4 production was observed only at the reference (low-P) site. This result suggests that fire may have an adverse effect on C cycling in low-P soils, initially augmenting C greenhouse gas production. Minimal heat transfer coupled with constant microbial biomass suggests that nutrients may have been a regulating factor in this process. After one year, no fire effect was distinguishable on C parameters from reference sites, yet variable effects were observed in restored soils. This suggests that C cycling in reference sites may recover more quickly than restored sites. The ultimate consequences of fire on C cycling in these wetlands systems are dependent on time and are strongly influenced by pre-fire site conditions.
Total neutron cross section of B10 in the thermal neutron energy range

Abstract A precise determination of the total neutron cross section of B10 has been made by means of transmission measurements of boron samples highly enriched in B10. The ORNL fast chopper time-of-flight spectrometer was used to obtain results in the neutron energy range 0.018 ≦ E ≦ 0.4 Ev. It is found that total cross section of B10 in this energy range follows the relation σ t ( b ) = (612±6)/ t E ( eV ) . The total cross section of B10 for neutrons of energy 0.253 eV (velocity = 2200 m/sec) is found to be 3848±38 b.
Promoted activated-carbon fibers used as a catalyst for propionitrile synthesis from methanol and acetonitrile

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers (CFs) have been activated by steam treatments, then used as a catalyst support. The changes in microporous structure and surface chemistry were analyzed. The steam treatment increased significantly the surface area and the number of functional groups of carbon fibers; these factors are responsible for the capacity of ion exchange. Sodium ion-exchanged activated-carbon fiber (ACF) catalysts were studied for the propionitrile (PN) synthesis from methanol and acetonitrile. BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD), TPD, and flame photometry have been applied to characterize the catalysts. The activities of catalysts depend on the sodium content of the carbon fibers, which corresponds to the amount of base on the surface, and on the adsorption capacities of reactants. Sulfur treatment of the ACFs can stabilize the exchanged Na, and therefore the catalyst decay can be reduced.
Leukocytapheresis in inclusion body myositis.

A patient with inclusion body myositis was treated with a course of 22 leukocytaphereses combined with prednisone and azathioprine therapy. He improved clinically during an induction phase of frequent cytapheresis, which reduced the circulating levels of T lymphocytes and monocytes and decreased the ratio of the T4+ to T8+ lymphocyte subsets. During subsequent maintenance cytapheresis there was partial recovery of the T4+ population without recovery of T8+ lymphocytes, and the patient lost most of his clinical improvement. In contrast to T lymphocytes and monocytes, there was no persistent reduction in circulating Blymphocyte levels during the course of therapy. T8+ lymphocyte populations may regenerate more slowly than T4+ lymphocytes following depletion with leukocyatpheresis combined with prednisone and azathioprine therapy. A loss of of T8+ suppressor relative to T4+ helper-cell function could lead to an intensification of autoimmune conditions.
Ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction in the management of intussusception

Objective: A case series study was conducted for two years from 01 June 2002 to 01 June 2004 to study the efficiency of ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction in the management of intussusception in children.Methods: A total of 25 patients who underwent the procedure were evaluated. All the patients were diagnosed by High Resolution Ultrasonography (HRUSG). Continuous monitoring of the progress of reduction during the procedure was done by HRUSG. 500–1000 ml (average 600 ml) of normal saline was used.Results: 24 out of 25 (96%) intussusceptions were successfully reduced. Average time taken was 15 minutes. All the patients were reviewed after 24 hrs for recurrence. None of them showed recurrence within 24 hrs. No complications were observed.Conclusion: The study concludes that ultrasound guided hydrostatic reduction is a safe, simple and effective method for treatment of intussusception in children.
Colonial Rule, Aids, and Social Control in Puerto Rico

(2003). Colonial rule, aids, and social control in Puerto Rico. Socialism and Democracy: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 171-189.
Further clarification of the nomenclature for compound flaps.

Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the attributes and unique niche for compound flaps and their limitations. 2. Comprehend a proposed schema for further clarifying the classification of all types of compound flaps that is differentiated on the basis of the distinct vascular supply to each flap subtype. 3. Appreciate that minor technical modifications of known flaps of any type in general do not necessarily create a new category of flap. Background: A unique niche exists for compound flaps because of their extraordinary capability to allow repair of massive defects where the simultaneous restoration of multiple missing tissue components is demanded. The guidelines from the previous “simplified” classification schema need to be updated to allow a more complete clarification and further standardization of this concept. Methods: Compound flaps can be partitioned into two major classes that in turn are further differentiated into various subtypes according to their inherent pattern of circulation. Results: The subdivisions of compound flaps are those with a solitary source of vascularization and those with combinations of sources of vascularization. Those with a solitary source include composite flaps, defined as multiple tissue components all served by the same single vascular supply, and thereby consisting of dependent parts. Those flaps with combinations of sources of vascularization include (1) conjoined flaps, defined as multiple flap territories, dependent because of some common physical junction, yet each retaining its independent vascular supply; and (2) chimeric flaps, defined as multiple flap territories, each with an independent vascular supply, and independent of any physical interconnection except where linked by a common source vessel. Conclusions: Although many technical modifications have improved and will improve the reliability and versatility of compound flaps, these maneuvers alone should not be confused with creating distinct flap types but rather acknowledged to be only important variations. With this understanding, this revised nomenclature system for compound flaps is intended to be a means of standardizing communication and to facilitate research agendas on a common ground, fully realizing its primary role still only to serve as a convenient guideline.
Modelling engineering change management in a new product development supply chain

The changes within a new product development (NPD) process are handled differently depending on the stage of the project. The changes during the initial stages of the project are addressed by design iterations, while the changes after the product design is complete are addressed using a formal engineering change management (ECM) process. The ECM process is a complex process, especially under a collaborative environment, where various independent entities work together for a common cause of product development. The interactions between the NPD and ECM processes have rarely been investigated in the research community. In this paper, we attempt to study the interactions between the various NPD and ECM process parameters by modelling the processes and simulated the model to understand the parameter interactions. The organisations in a supply chain have been characterised based on their interactions with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) during the NPD process. The organisation process templates repres...
THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITIES OF MO-RE ALLOYS IN THE SUPERCONDUCTING AND NORMAL STATES.

This paper gives details of research carried out on the low-temperature properties of Mo-Re alloys in the superconducting and normal states. Measurements were made on a variety of Mo-Re alloys in various states of anneal, the alloys being in the form of fine wires, as suitable for the winding of high-field superconducting solenoids. Micrograph studies were made to determine the percentage of the various phases present in each specimen. The low-temperature measurements covered observations on the various speciments of the electrical resistivity and the thermal conductivity as functions of temperature and magnetic field. The measurements yielded evaluations of two of the three critical magnetic fields, ${\mathrm{H}}_{c2}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}_{c3}$, as functions of temperature and alloy constitution, the transition temperatures ${T}_{c}$, and the Landau-Ginzburg parameter $\ensuremath{\kappa}$. Detailed comparisons of the results are made with theoretical predictions and with results by previous authors on similar high-field superconducting alloys.
Luminescence from He+O2 collisions at low energy

The emission spectrum resulting from He+O2 collisions in the kinetic energy range 25–400 eV has been measured between 1940 and 8500 A. The results show that highly endoergic charge transfer processes dominate the spectrum, although exoergic processes with excited O2+ production also occur. The nearly resonant charge exchange process yielding ground state He atoms and O2+[c 4Σu−(v=0)] does not occur with high probability.
Delayed recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a major factor impairing the delivery of adjuvant therapy?

Background Delayed recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is believed to preclude adjuvant therapy for approximately 30% of patients who undergo elective PD as initial treatment for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This study reexamined the frequency of delayed recovery and assessed other factors associated with adjuvant therapy administration after PD at a high-volume center. Study Design Preoperative and perioperative variables were reviewed in a consecutive series of 85 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma undergoing PD without preoperative chemotherapy or radiotherapy from 1990 to 2004. Results Study groups included patients undergoing emergency PD (group 1, n=13); elective PD with good preoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) (group 2, ECOG PS: 0 to 1, n=63); and elective PD with marginal preoperative PS (group 3, ECOG PS: 2 to 3, n=9). Delayed recovery of PS precluded adjuvant therapy in 23% of patients in group 1, 6% of patients in group 2, and 44% of patients in group 3 (p=0.0001). Conclusions The impact of delayed recovery after PD on the delivery of adjuvant therapy depends on the urgency of surgery and the preoperative PS. For patients with good preoperative PS who undergo elective PD at a high-volume center, it is uncommon for delayed recovery to preclude delivery of adjuvant therapy.
Intermittent urinary retention in first trimester of pregnancy

Gynecologic diseases are a rare but easily detectable cause of complete urinary retention. Herein we describe a case of intermittent but complete urinary retention secondary to uterine fibroids and prolapse during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Fabrication of micromechanical devices from polysilicon films with smooth surfaces

Abstract Micromechanical devices such as bearings require smooth surfaces. Fine-grained polysilicon can be produced with a surface roughness near 8Arms. The ability to anneal films of this type into tension eliminates size restrictions due to compressive buckling. The use of these films in micromechanical devices has been restricted because hydrogen fluoride-etched structures are covered by an etch residue that leads to contact welding. Contact between opposing surfaces is induced mainly by surface tension effects. This problem may be avoided by removing the deflection mechanism. Thus, freezing of a water-methanol rinse after sacrifical ethcing all but eliminates surface tension. Removal of the ice mixture via sublimation at 0.15 millibar occurs readily. Free-standing structures with smooth surfaces and small gaps are next passivated by silicon deposition or other techniques.
Sexual Addiction among Teens: A Review

Very little thought or research has been directed to the topic of teen sexual addiction. This status quo is due to differences in opinion regarding the concept of sexual addiction as it applies to teens. This article examines this concept. Its definitions, definitional problems, epidemiology, etiology and prediction, prevention and treatment are described. It is concluded that there probably does exist a phenomenon of sexual addiction that applies across the life course (including the teenage years), that deserves much more study.