cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Late effects of radiotherapy for pediatric extremity sarcomas

Abstract Purpose To determine the long-term effects of radiotherapy (RT) in children treated for extremity sarcoma. Patients and methods Between 1964 and 1997, 15 of 33 children treated with RT for extremity sarcomas at the University of Iowa have survived with a median follow-up was 20 years (range, 6–36 years). There were 10 boys and 5 girls with a median age of 13 years (range, 3.5–20 years) at the time of irradiation. The diagnosis was Ewing's sarcoma in 8 (53%), synovial sarcoma in 4 (27%), alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in 2, and fibrosarcoma in 1. Location of primary tumor was lower extremity in 10 (67%) and upper extremity in 5 (33%). RT was given as the definitive therapy for 9 children (median dose, 55.8 Gy; range, 45–66 Gy) and as an adjuvant postoperative treatment in 6 (median, 63 Gy; range, 41.4–66.4 Gy). 60 Co was used in 6 (40%), 4 mV in 4, 6 mV in 2, and 250 kV photons in 2 patients; 1 child was treated with a combination of 12 and 15 MeV electrons for a Ewing's sarcoma of the distal femur. Another child had a 25 Gy intraoperative RT boost after 41.4 Gy conventional RT. Late effects to the muscle, soft tissue, and growing bone were assessed using the objective portion of the LENT-SOMA scale proposed by the Late Effects Consensus Conference. Results Late effects were seen in all patients and included atrophy in 12 (80%), fibrosis in 12 (80%), bone growth abnormalities in 10 (67%), impairment of mobility and extremity function in 6 (40%), edema in 3 (20%), and peripheral nerve injury in 2 (13%). Ten of 15 (67%) children had Grade 1 or 2 growing bone, muscle, soft tissue, or peripheral nerve complications. Two patients (13%) had a Grade 3 mobility and extremity function score and had moderate to severe limitation of movement. Two children (13%) required epiphysiodesis because of a shorter treated leg. The patient who received an intraoperative RT boost of 25 Gy developed sensory dysfunction of the ulnar nerve 11 years after RT. Another developed radial nerve palsy 3 years after marginal resection and postoperative RT and required tendon transfer repair. One patient had radiation-induced vasculitis with popliteal artery thrombosis 23 years after RT. Five (33%) developed a fracture of the irradiated bone at a median time of 8 years after RT (range: 9 months to 22.2 years); all had Ewing's sarcoma, and 3 of these patients were subsequently found to have a secondary bone cancer (osteosarcoma 2, malignant fibrous histiocytoma 1) in the RT field. One of these patients also developed breast cancer 26 years after lung RT for metastatic Ewing's sarcoma. Overall, 11 surgical procedures in 8 children were performed to correct a limb preservation treatment toxicity. Conclusions Although most children treated with RT for a pediatric extremity sarcoma have minimal late toxicity by LENT-SOMA scale, approximately half required a surgical procedure to correct a late effect. A fracture in the irradiated bone may be the presenting sign or may precede a radiation-induced bone malignancy, as seen in 3 of the patients in this study.
Are there heavy leptons

Abstract We have considered both theoretical and experimental evidence for the existence of a lepton (analogous to the muon or electron) whose mass is greater than the muon. We find that theory cannot exclude such a particle. Presently available data show that such a lepton must be heavier than the kaon.
PROFESSIONALS AND INNOVATION: STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL VERSUS RADICAL-STRUCTURAL PERSPECTIVES*

The study of the role of professionals in the organizational innovation process has been dominated by a Structural-Functional perspective. The assumptions associated with this perspective are examined, critiqued, and shown to have led to research findings marked by equivocality and instability. An alternative approach, based on Radical-Structural principles is developed, and suggestions for implementing this approach in future research are offered.
An adaptively scaled frequency-domain parameterization for history matching

History matching problems are typically underdetermined and are at once confronted with the problems of solution non-uniqueness, instability, and the ability to both reproduce field observations and provide a reliable forecast. We address these challenges with a new adaptive multiscale history matching formulation that parameterizes the reservoir properties in the frequency domain. The geologic model updating is carried out by successively increasing the level of detail up to a spatial scale sufficient to match the observed data. Our method begins by constructing a coarse representation of the field using the lowest-frequency components of its discrete cosine parameterization. This substantially reduces the number of unknown parameters to be resolved during history matching, leading to a better posed inverse problem. A gradient-based minimization is then performed to match the production data. Next, the updated model is incrementally refined in the frequency domain and the minimization is repeated until the data misfit is reduced below a pre-specified criterion or until no further improvements are observed. During minimization, components of the gradient insensitive to production information are removed by a truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD), facilitating iterative convergence and providing additional regularization. In this manner a balance is achieved between parameter reduction which is required for stability, and the spatial resolution of heterogeneity required for reproduction of the production history. The low-frequency approximation of the permeability field helps to honor geologic continuity and is particularly suited for resolving the large-scale heterogeneity that has a dominant influence on the field-scale flow regime and production response. Applications of the approach are demonstrated using the SPE10 and PUNQ-S3 models and involve waterflood history matching with water-cut and bottom-hole pressure data. Our results show that the principle geologic features of the reference field are adequately resolved only if we begin at low resolution. As the resolution is iteratively increased, the history match is improved while the TSVD step removes insensitive parameter combinations thereby decreasing the likelihood of convergence to less plausible local minima. Notably, in all our applications an adequate history match is achieved using less than 1% of the original parameter dimension, which leads to increased solution stability and computational savings in history matching large geologic models.
Clopidogrel use and clinical events after drug-eluting stent implantation: findings from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database.

Background Relationships between long-term use and level of dual antiplatelet therapy and outcomes after drug-eluting stent implantation are not well established. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of 9,256 patients receiving drug-eluting stents between January 2003 and August 2006. We classified patients according to tertiles of clopidogrel use during the 12 months after stent implantation. We used inverse probability weighting to account for differential selection into levels of clopidogrel use and logistic regression to estimate propensity scores for levels of clopidogrel use. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate effects of level of clopidogrel use on risk of bleeding events, death, and death or nonfatal myocardial infarction. Results There were 3,102 patients in the high-use group, 3,069 in the medium-use group, and 3,085 in the low-use group. Compared with the high-use group, risk of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction was greater in the medium-use group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46, 95% CI 1.09-1.99, P = .01) and the low-use group (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.18-2.14, P = .002). The risk of bleeding events was lower in the medium-use group (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71-0.98, P = .03) and the low-use group (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.65-0.90, P = .002). Conclusions Higher clopidogrel use 12 months after drug-eluting stent implantation was associated with a greater risk of subsequent bleeding events. Lower use was associated with a greater risk of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction.
Lysis of reconstituted collagen and catabolism of products of collagenolysis by the oral microbiota

Abstract Broth cultures inoculated with human gingival accumulations catabolized l -hydroxyproline, both as the free amino acid and as combined in l -hydroxyprolylglycine or in a digest which was prepared by the action of Clostridium histolyticum filtrate on rabbit skin and contained all of its hydroxyproline in peptide form. This fact limits the usefulness of the previously applied determination of liberated hydroxyproline-containing products as a measure of collagenolysis by growing bacterial cultures. A satisfactory quantitative alternative method uses reconstituted collagen as substrate and determines the hydroxyproline content of the undigested residue. A majority of broth cultures of human gingival scrapings lysed reconstituted collagen from rabbit skin at varying rates. A number of strains of human oral veillonellae, fusiform bacilli, streptococci and diphtheroids, singly and in combination, failed to lyse this substrate.
Androgen binding and metabolism in the cerebral cortex of the developing rhesus monkey.

The influence of gonadal steroids on the maturation of the cerebral cortex and their possible influence on cortical function are not well understood. The present study examines androgen binding and metabolism in regions of the cerebral cortex and several subcortical structures at different time points during the development of the rhesus monkey. Androgen binding and metabolism were assessed in selected cortical and subcortical regions from neonatal, juvenile, and adult rhesus monkeys. Specific high affinity androgen-binding sites (apparent equilibrium dissociation constants for [3H]R1881, 0.04–0.3 nM) were observed in many areas of the rhesus monkey brain. These areas included (but were not limited to) the hypothalamus, amygdala, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbital prefrontal cortex, visual and somatosensory cortex, and corpus callosum. Although the highest level of androgen binding was observed in the hypothalamus (8–20 fmol/mg protein), cortical samples also had measurable levels of binding (1–5 fmo...
An Electrifying iPSC Disease Model: Long QT Syndrome Type 2 and Heart Cells in a Dish

In a recent Nature paper, Itzhaki et al. (2011) generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from patients with a potentially fatal inherited arrhythmia, long QT syndrome type 2. Cardiomyocytes differentiated from the patient-derived iPSCs exhibit the hallmark cardiac electrical signatures of the disease, which can be reversed by pharmacological intervention.
The role of disc cell heterogeneity in determining disc biochemistry: a speculation

The nucleus pulposus is a key player in very early disc degeneration. In the young disc, by acting as a water-like fluid, as opposed to a solid, it resists compression and instantaneously distributes forces evenly in all directions to the inner annulus. The disc anlage notochordal cells contribute not only to how the disc develops, but also to the matrix of the young disc at a time when the nucleus is at its most fluid-like. In humans, the notochordal cells disappear early, when there is a transformation of the nucleus into a more solid cartilaginous tissue. In cell culture, the co-cultures of the notochordal cells and chondrocytic cells enhance proteoglycan synthesis by the opposite cell type due, at least partly, to soluble factors. The continued presence of notochordal cells in vivo may provide protection. In work by others, in vivo reinsertion of notochordal-rich nucleus pulposus in a damaged disc will delay annular degeneration. The notochordal cells in the nucleus may have a different phenotype from when they are in the notochord and they may go through a changing programme of expression critical to disc development and maintaining a fluid-like nucleus. Little is known about why, in many species, the notochordal cells die early during growth and only the chondrocytic cells persist. This area offers an interesting avenue of research that may lead to very early intervention in disc degeneration.
Determinants of Completing Rape and Assault

Is rape unique in terms of the factors which transform an attempt into a completion? Or is rape similar to other forms of assaultive violence? These questions are addressed here by employing the National Crime Survey to develop models of attempted versus completed rape, assault on females, and assault on males. Logistic equations predicting each type of victimization are estimated and compared. The analysis shows that rape victimization is unique. Additionally, the differences between attempted versus completed rape and assault cannot be accounted for by the sex of the victim or the sex of the assailant. The implications of these findings for theories of rape and assault are discussed. The policy implications of these findings are briefly considered.
IDENTIFYING TOPICS FOR WEB DOCUMENTS THROUGH FUZZY ASSOCIATION LEARNING

Due to the explosive growth of available information on the World Wide Web (WWW), users have suffered from the information overload. To alleviate this problem, there is a need for an intelligent tool to help the users screening and filtering for interesting and useful information. In this paper, a method of automatically identifying topics for Web documents via a classification technique is proposed. Topic identification can be applied as a filtering tool for recommender systems to prune down the number of documents to within some particular topics. We adopt the fuzzy association concept as a machine learning technique to classify the documents into some predefined categories or topics. Our approach is compared to the vector space model with the cosine coefficient using the data sets collected from three different Web portals: Yahoo!, Open Directory Project and Excite. The results show that our approach yields higher classification accuracy compared to the vector space model.
Development of the pediatric test of brain injury.

Objective The Pediatric Test of Traumatic Brain Injury (PTBI) (currently in its research edition) is a tool for assessing the cognitive-linguistic skills of school-aged children and adolescents in acute care and rehabilitation settings after traumatic brain injury. Development of the PTBI was motivated by the fact that, to date, no standardized test has been available to assess the full range of cognitive-linguistic impairments associated with pediatric brain injury. In this article we describe how the research edition of the PTBI was developed, provide rationale for the areas of assessment, discuss a plan for standardization, and illustrate its use with three children with TBI. Design The PTBI was constructed to sample the attention, memory, language, reading, writing, metalinguistic, and metacognitive skills that are particularly at risk in pediatric brain injury and that are relevant to the general education curriculum. Material The test material for the PTBI was selected on the basis of clinical and experimental evidence that children and adolescents with TBI demonstrate a wide range of cognitive and language deficits. These first appear in the early stages of recovery and often persist but change over time. Conclusion Our goal is to standardize the PTBI so it can be used to establish baseline behaviors and track cognitive-linguistic recovery.
An Updated Review of the Long-Term Neurological Effects of Galactosemia

Classical galactosemia is an autosomal recessive condition in which there is near total absence of the activity of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase. Patients with this condition have substantial motor, cognitive, and psychiatric impairments despite dietary treatment. A characteristic pattern of biochemical abnormalities is observed in patients with this disorder. Galactose-1-phosphate, the substrate of galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, accumulates within cells, and surplus galactose is reduced to galactitol or oxidized to galactonate. Using sophisticated mass spectrometry, these compounds as well as free galactose can be measured in plasma and in urine. It is clear that initiation of dietary restriction of galactose in the newborn period produces reversal of hepatic, renal, brain, and immune dysfunction, along with reduction of the accumulated galactose metabolites. However, the neurologist should be aware that chronic and progressive neurologic impairments occur even in patients spared these neonatal symptoms. The purpose of this review is to summarize current information about neurologic complications of galactosemia and what is known, and still unknown, about its pathophysiology.
Biological inactivation by single oxygen: distinguishing O2(1Δg) and O2(1Σg+)

Abstract Experiments were performed to determine whether bacterial inactivation in the separated-surface-sensitizer system for singlet oxygen generation is due to O2(1Δg) or O2(1Σg+). The rates of inactivation of Gram-negative Salmonella typhimurium LT-2 and a nonpigmented strain of Gram-positive Sarcina lutea were found linearly with the concentration of 1Δg. The gas phase lifetime of the inactivating agent was found to be within the range of values expected for the gas phase lifetime of 1Δg rather than 1Σg+. These measurements conclusively demonstrate that bacterial inactivation in this system is due predominantly to 1Δg. Therefore, studies of bacterial inactivation with this singlet oxygen generating system can be used to assess the role of singlet oxygen in various biological and medically relevant situations.
Blast wave in a nozzle for propulsive applications

The reported investigation has been conducted in connection with studies concerning the development of a propulsion system based on the use of a detonating fluid propellant. Measurements have been made of the pressure and shock wave velocity in a conical nozzle at various ambient pressures and at an ambient temperature of 25 C. In the experiments a small amount of explosive was placed at the end wall of a conical aluminum nozzle and detonated by a microdetonator inside the nozzle. Differences regarding the characteristics of conventional chemical propulsion and detonation propulsion are illustrated with the aid of a graph. One- and two-dimensional numerical flow calculations were performed and compared with the experimental data.
Elastic Matrices that mimic normal heart are best for beating Cardiomyocytes - Beating stops on mechanical mimics of Scars

Fibrotic rigidification following a myocardial infarct is known to impair cardiac output, and it is also known that cardiomyocytes on rigid culture substrates show a progressive loss of rhythmic beating. Here, isolated embryonic cardiomyocytes cultured on a series of flexible substrates show that matrices which mimic the elasticity of the developing myocardial microenvironment are optimal for transmitting contractile work to the matrix and for promoting actomyosin striation and 1 Hz beating. On hard matrices that mechanically mimic a post-infarct fibrotic scar, cells over-strain themselves, lack striated myofibrils and stop beating; on very soft matrices, cells preserve contractile beating for days in culture but do very little work. Optimal matrix leads to a strain match between cell and matrix and suggests dynamic differences in intracellular protein structures. A “Cysteine Shotgun” method of labeling the in situ proteome reveals differences in assembly or conformation of several abundant cytoskeletal proteins, including vimentin, filamin, and myosin. Combined with recent results that show stem cell differentiation is also highly sensitive to matrix elasticity, the results here highlight the need for greater attention to fibrosis and mechanical microenvironments in cell therapy.
Control engineering and therapeutic drug delivery

A short introduction to the control aspects of therapeutic drug delivery is presented. Intrinsic feedback control mechanisms that occur in most therapeutic situations are discussed. The application of control engineering methods in open-loop drug delivery, which uses mathematical models of the dose-effect relationship of the drugs, together with parameters identified from population statistics, is examined. >
The effects of prescribed fire on bat communities in the longleaf pine sandhills ecosystem

The historical exclusion of fire from the longleaf pine–wiregrass (sandhills) ecosystem has resulted in a tremendous net loss of this important habitat. Prescribed fire is recognized as an essential tool for the maintenance of natural successional dynamics in this system, and its positive effects on native tree, shrub, and ground-layer plant communities are well documented. However, little is known about the influence of fire periodicity on many of the wildlife species occupying these forests. Our goal was to determine the relative degree to which a forest’s structural characteristics and insect abundance and biomass influence the activity of different ecomorphological guilds of insectivorous bats and whether either of these factors was influenced by the periodicity of prescribed fire. We conducted a 2-year echolocation-monitoring study of bats in sandhills forests experiencing 3 categories of fire periodicity: 1–2 years, 3–5 years, and .8 years. We found significant differences in tree, shrub, and ground-layer characteristics among these burn-frequency categories, but few differences in abundance or biomass of most orders of nocturnal insects. However, the biomass of Lepidoptera was greatest at sites with the longest time between burns and was positively associated with fire-dependent deciduous tree and shrub densities. Bat activity below the canopy was significantly lower in the sites with .8year burn frequencies than in either of the other treatments and was positively associated with height of canopy closure (a fire-dependent variable). Species-specific activity patterns confirmed ecomorphological predictions. Small-bodied species with low wing loadings and aspect ratios replaced larger, less-maneuverable species below the canopy at sites with .8-year burn frequencies. We provide support for the hypothesis that the structural characteristics of a habitat have primacy over prey availability in habitat choice by large and fastflying species of bats. We suggest that frequency of fire is an important indirect determinant in structuring the communities of bats that forage in forests.
Current Status of Imaging of the Intervertebral Disc

A brief review of intervertebral disc anatomy and the pathologic changes seen with degenerative disc disease is presented. Degenerative changes may be seen in all three components of the intervertebral disc: the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus, and the vertebral endplates. Findings seen in disc degeneration by plain radiographs, computed tomography, myelography, magnetic resonance imaging, and discography are summarized. Current and proposed methods for classification of degenerative disc changes are discussed. Finally, mention is made of emerging techniques and future methodologies for improving understanding between the imaging findings of degenerative disc disease and the development of pain.
P-Bodies and Stress Granules: Possible Roles in the Control of Translation and mRNA Degradation

The control of translation and mRNA degradation is important in the regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. In general, translation and steps in the major pathway of mRNA decay are in competition with each other. mRNAs that are not engaged in translation can aggregate into cytoplasmic mRNP granules referred to as processing bodies (P-bodies) and stress granules, which are related to mRNP particles that control translation in early development and neurons. Analyses of P-bodies and stress granules suggest a dynamic process, referred to as the mRNA Cycle, wherein mRNPs can move between polysomes, P-bodies and stress granules although the functional roles of mRNP assembly into higher order structures remain poorly understood. In this article, we review what is known about the coupling of translation and mRNA degradation, the properties of P-bodies and stress granules, and how assembly of mRNPs into larger structures might influence cellular function.
Multi-color flow cytometric immunophenotyping for detection of minimal residual disease in AML: past, present and future

Current chemotherapeutic regimens achieve CR in a large percentage of patients with AML. However, relapse after CR remains a significant problem. The presence of leukemic cells at levels too low to be detected by conventional microscopy, termed minimal residual disease (MRD), has been associated with an increased risk of relapse and shortened survival. Detection of MRD requires the use of highly sensitive ancillary techniques. Multi-color flow cytometric immunophenotyping is a sensitive method for quick and accurate detection of MRD. Use of this method in patient management may result in lower rates of relapse and improved survival, and is an effective means of assessing novel therapeutic agents. This method can be used in the vast majority of patients with AML, regardless of the immunophenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular genetic abnormalities present. Unfortunately, conflicting data regarding optimum methods of measurement and reporting, as well as the expertize required to interpret results have limited broad application of this technique. We provide a broad overview of this technique, including its advantages and limitations, and discuss the methods employed at our institution. We also review several possible areas of future investigation.
Plant receptor-like kinase gene family: diversity, function, and signaling

Plant receptor-like kinases (RLKs) are transmembrane proteins with putative amino-terminal extracellular domains and carboxyl-terminal intracellular kinase domains, with striking resemblance in domain organization to the animal receptor tyrosine kinases such as epidermal growth factor receptor. The recently sequenced Arabidopsis genome contains more than 600 RLK homologs, representing nearly 2.5% of the annotated protein-coding genes in Arabidopsis. Although only a handful of these genes have known functions and fewer still have identified ligands or downstream targets, the studies of several RLKs such as CLAVATA1, Brassinosteroid Insensitive 1, Flagellin Insensitive 2, and S-locus receptor kinase provide much-needed information on the functions mediated by members of this large gene family. RLKs control a wide range of processes, including development, disease resistance, hormone perception, and self-incompatibility. Combined with the expression studies and biochemical analysis of other RLKs, more details of RLK function and signaling are emerging.
Two-photon fluorescence excitation spectroscopy by pulse shaping ultrabroad-bandwidth femtosecond laser pulses

A fast and automated approach to measuring two-photon fluorescence excitation (TPE) spectra of fluorophores with high resolution (∼2 nm ) by pulse shaping ultrabroad-bandwidth femtosecond laser pulses is demonstrated. Selective excitation in the range of 675–990 nm was achieved by imposing a series of specially designed phase and amplitude masks on the excitation pulses using a pulse shaper. The method eliminates the need for laser tuning and is, thus, suitable for non-laser-expert use. The TPE spectrum of Fluorescein was compared with independent measurements and the spectra of the pH-sensitive dye 8-hydroxypyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid (HPTS) in acidic and basic environments were measured for the first time using this approach.
Types of Flatidae VII, lectotype designations and taxonomic notes on species in the Zoological Museum of the HUMBOLDT‐University Berlin

Type speciments of 25 Old World species of Flatidae named by MELICHAR and JACOBI were examined. The genital characters of 15 holotype or lectotype males were illustrated. New combinations are Neosalurnis gracilis (MELICHAR), from Phyllyphanta, Phyllphanta declivis (JACOBI), from Lawana, and Sanurus indecora (JACOBI), from Neomelicharia. New synonymies are Siphanta insularis JACOBI, a junior synonym of Sanurus dubius MELICHAR, and Lawana verticiplana JACOBI, a junior synonym of Phyllyphanta producta (SPINOLA). Nephesa intrusa MELICHAR is resurrected as a valid species, not a synonym of Poeciloptera rorida WALKER.
Testing of medical students with open-ended, uncued questions

A written examination based on material covered in the first year of medical school (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and neuroscience) was administered to medical students immediately before they began the pathology course to assess their knowledge of the basic science content that is important for the study of pathology. In alternate years the questions were presented in the standard multiple choice question (MCQ) format or in an open-ended, uncued question (Un-Q) format. The students' mean scores obtained by these two testing methods were comparable. The discrimination indices, which measure the ability of the test questions to distinguish between students of varying ability, were comparable. The Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20), an estimate of the precision of the test given, was 0.53 for MCQ and 0.63 for Un-Q. We conclude that the Un-Q format is an acceptable alternative to the MCQ format and it has several advantages over MCQ. Because the answer sheets for Un-Q tests can be scanned optically and graded by computers, we recommend them as an alternative to MCQ tests.
Experimental designs for system assessment and improvement when noise factors are correlated

Taguchi's strategy for tolerance design provides insight into the transmission of variability from noise factors to the system response. Under assumptions of independent noise factors, simple orthogonal designs and analysis allow for straightforward assessment of system sensitivity and evaluation of alternative system configurations. However, in certain cases the assumptions of independent noise factors are invalid. How, then, should an experiment be designed to allow similar sensitivity analysis? We illustrate our results for a model of a simple circuit, where internal noise factors may be positively correlated due to environmental conditions.
Oversampled modulated filter banks and tight Gabor frames in l/sup 2/(Z)

The subject of this study is paraunitary modulated filter banks. A factorization of the polyphase matrices of these filter banks, which is described, gives complete characterization of tight Gabor frames in l/sup 2/(Z), with arbitrary rational oversampling ratios. Tight Gabor frames, being less constrained than orthogonal bases, allow for filter bank designs with good localization in both time and frequency.
Chronic Sleep Curtailment and Adiposity

OBJECTIVES: To examine the extent to which chronic sleep curtailment from infancy to mid-childhood is associated with total and central adiposity. METHODS: We studied 1046 children participating in a prospective cohort study. At age 6 months and yearly from age 1 to 7 years, mothers reported their children’s sleep duration in a usual 24-hour period. The main exposure was a sleep curtailment score from age 6 months to 7 years. The range of the total score was 0 to 13, where 0 indicated the maximal sleep curtailment and 13 indicated never having curtailed sleep. Outcomes in mid-childhood were BMI z score, dual X-ray absorptiometry total and trunk fat mass index (kg/m 2 ), and waist and hip circumferences (cm). RESULTS: The mean (SD) sleep score was 10.2 (2.7); 4.4% scored a 0 to 4, indicating multiple exposures to sleep curtailment between age 6 months to 7 years, 12.3% scored 5 to 7, 14.1% scored 8 to 9, 28.8% scored 10 to 11, and 40.3% scored 12 to 13. In multivariable models, children who had a sleep score of 0 to 4 had a BMI z score that was 0.48 U (95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 0.83) higher than those who had a sleep score of 12 to 13. We observed similar associations of higher total and trunk fat mass index and waist and hip circumferences, and higher odds of obesity (odds ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.99 to 6.97) among children who had a score of 0 to 4 vs 12 to 13. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic sleep curtailment from infancy to school age was associated with higher overall and central adiposity in mid-childhood.
Stepwise transition from the Eocene greenhouse to the Oligocene icehouse

The Eocene–Oligocene transition is the largest global cooling in the Cenozoic period. A comparison of three independent proxies from the continental shelf and deep ocean reveals a three-step transition to cold glacial conditions, with ice sheets 25% larger than their present size.
Cobalt: A Language for Writing Provably-Sound Compiler Optimizations

We overview the current status and future directions of the Cobalt project. Cobalt is a domain-specific language for implementing compiler optimizations as guarded rewrite rules. Cobalt optimizations operate over a C-like intermediate representation including unstructured control flow, pointers to local variables and dynamically allocated memory, and recursive procedures. The design of Cobalt engenders a natural inductive strategy for proving the soundness of optimizations. This strategy is fully automated by requiring an automatic theorem prover to discharge a small set of simple proof obligations for each optimization. We have written a variety of forward and backward intraprocedural dataflow optimizations in Cobalt, including constant propagation and folding, branch folding, full and partial redundancy elimination, full and partial dead assignment elimination, and simple forms of points-to analysis. The implementation of our soundness-checking strategy employs the Simplify automatic theorem prover, and we have used this implementation to automatically prove the above optimizations correct. An execution engine for Cobalt optimizations is implemented as part of the Whirlwind compiler infrastructure.
Reflection High-energy Electron Diffraction Study of Nanostructures: From Diffraction Patterns to Surface Pole Figure

In this report we present a brief overview of the growth of nanostructures by the oblique angle deposition where the nanostructures possess both out-of-plane and in-plane preferred orientations or a biaxial texture. The degree of preferred crystal orientations can be quantitatively determined from a method called “RHEED surface pole figure analysis” that we developed recently.
Waves of Autocrine Signaling in Patterned Epithelia

A biophysical model describing long-range cell-to-cell communication by a diffusible signal mediated by autocrine loops in developing epithelia in the presence of a morphogenetic pre- pattern is introduced. Under a number of approximations, the model reduces to a particular kind of bistable reaction-diffusion equation with strong heterogeneity. In the case of the heterogeneity in the form of a long strip a detailed analysis of signal propagation is possible, using a variational approach. It is shown that under a number of assumptions which can be easily verified for particu- lar sets of model parameters, the equation admits a unique (up to translations) variational traveling wave solution. A global bifurcation structure of these solutions is investigated in a number of par- ticular cases. It is demonstrated that the considered setting may provide a robust developmental regulatory mechanism for delivering chemical signals across large distances in developing epithe-
A Comparison of Theory-Based and Experimentally Determined Myocardial Signal Intensity Correction Methods in First-Pass Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objectives. To evaluate the impact of correcting myocardial signal saturation on the accuracy of absolute myocardial blood flow (MBF) measurements. Materials and Methods. We performed 15 dual bolus first-pass perfusion studies in 7 dogs during global coronary vasodilation and variable degrees of coronary artery stenosis. We compared microsphere MBF to MBF calculated from uncorrected and corrected MRI signal. Four correction methods were tested, two theoretical methods (Th1 and Th2) and two empirical methods (Em1 and Em2). Results. The correlations with microsphere MBF (n = 90 segments) were: uncorrected (y = 0.47x + 1.1, r = 0.70), Th1 (y = 0.53x + 1.0, r = 0.71), Th2 (y = 0.62x + 0.86, r = 0.73), Em1 (y = 0.82x + 0.86, r = 0.77), and Em2 (y = 0.72x + 0.84, r = 0.75). All corrected methods were not significantly different from microspheres, while uncorrected MBF values were significantly lower. For the top 50% of microsphere MBF values, flows were significantly underestimated by uncorrected SI (31%), Th1 (25%), and Th2 (19%), while Em1 (1%), and Em2 (9%) were similar to microsphere MBF. Conclusions. Myocardial signal saturation should be corrected prior to flow modeling to avoid underestimation of MBF by MR perfusion imaging.
Reexamination of tympanic membrane temperature as a core temperature

Controversies surrounding tympanic temperature (Tty) itself and techniques for measuring it have dampened the potential usefulness of Tty in determining core temperature (operationally defined here as the body temperature taken at a deep body site). The present study was designed to address the following questions. 1) Can a tympanic membrane probe be made that is safer and more reliable than its predecessors? 2) Why is the effect of facial cooling and heating on Tty so inconsistent in reports from different laboratories? 3) Is Tty still useful as a measure of core temperature? Data from this study, obtained with a modified thermocouple probe, suggest that the widely reported facial skin cooling effect on Tty is most probably due to thermal contamination from the surrounding ear canal wall and/or suboptimal contact of the probe sensor with the tympanic membrane because 1) Tty that fell during facial cooling was increased to the precooling level by the repositioning of the probe sensor; 2) Tty determined by using a probe with a larger sensor area (the sensor soldered to a steel wire ring)tended to fall in response to facial cooling, whereas Tty determined with a thermally insulated probe ring did not; and 3) Tty obtained under careful positioning of the insulated probe was relatively insensitive to facial cooling or heating. Because Tty was practically identical to esophageal temperature (Tes) in the steady state, i.e., 36.83 +/- 0.20 (SD) degrees C for Tty and 36.87 +/- 0.16 degrees C for Tes at room temperature (n = 11), and because facial cooling had little effect on both Tty and Tes (36.86 +/- 0.17 degrees C for Tty and 36.86 +/- 0.26 degrees C for Tes during facial or scalp skin cooling), we support the postulate that Tty is a good measure of core temperature. The temperature transient in response to foot warming was detected 5 min (n = 2) faster with Tty than with Tes. Thus, with further improvements in the design of the probe. Tty can become a standard for determination of core body temperature.
Contraception and preconception counseling in special populations

While all women of reproductive age should be counseled regarding their contraception options, appropriate contraceptive management is critical for patients with underlying medical conditions where pregnancy may engender certain maternal and/or fetal risks. Whereas management of conditions such as mental illness, obesity, autoimmune disease, solid organ transplant and gynecological malignancies is complex and often requires expert consultation, effective contraceptive management in these groups can reduce risks and improve outcomes. It is critical, therefore, that clinicians who are caring for such patients understand contraceptive options in such women. In this article, preconception counseling, contraception options and obstetrical risks that these conditions may impose upon pregnancy are reviewed.
Alterations in insulin-signaling and coagulation pathways in platelets during hyperglycemia-hyperinsulinemia in healthy non-diabetic subject

Abstract Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prothrombotic and proinflammatory state. Hyperglycemia (HG) is encountered even in patients without DM. We have shown that combined HG and hyperinsulinemia (HI) in healthy non-diabetic subjects increased circulating tissue factor (TF) and thrombin generation. To understand the changes in platelet and monocyte pathways induced by combined HG and HI in healthy non-diabetic state, we performed whole genome expression profiling of leukocyte-depleted platelets and monocytes before and after 24 hours of combined HG (glucose ~ 200 mg/dL) and HI by glucose infusion clamp in a healthy non-diabetic subject. Results We defined time-dependent differential mRNA expression (24 versus 0 hour fold change (FC) ≥ 2) common to platelets and monocytes. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis revealed alterations in canonical insulin receptor signaling and coagulation pathways. A preliminary group of 9 differentially expressed genes was selected for qRT-PCR confirmation. Platelet 24 hour sample was compared to the 0 hour sample plus 4 controls. Five transcripts in platelets and 6 in monocytes were confirmed. Platelet GSK3B and PTPN1 were upregulated, and STXBP4 was downregulated in insulin signaling, and F3 and TFPI were upregulated in coagulation pathways. Monocyte, PIK3C3, PTPN11 and TFPI were downregulated. Platelet GSKβ3 and PTPN11 protein and TF antigen in platelets and monocytes was increased. Conclusions Even in non-diabetic state, HG + HI for 24 hours induces changes in platelets and monocytes. They suggest downregulation of insulin signaling and upregulation of TF. Further studies are needed to elucidate cellular alterations leading to the prothrombotic and proinflammatory state in DM.
Critical appraisal of androgen use in hereditary angioedema: a systematic review

Abstract Objective To provide an objective basis for evaluating the risk-benefit ratio of long-term androgen use in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE). Data Sources PubMed was searched with no time limitations using the keywords hereditary angioedema or angio-oedema combined with danazol , stanozolol , and androgen . Study Selection Qualifying articles were English-language reports of androgen use in patients with HAE, with relevant safety and/or efficacy information. Reports were categorized according to level of evidence (LOE). Results The search process identified 153 citations, 63 of which contained relevant information; 2 additional publications were identified while other citations were being reviewed. Fifteen LOE 2 studies and multiple LOE 4 reports provided efficacy data, confirming a high level of prophylactic efficacy for androgen therapy in HAE, with occasional reports of poor prophylactic response. Common adverse events include weight gain, menstrual irregularities, virilization, headaches, myalgias or cramps, mood changes, and elevations in creatine phosphokinase level, liver function test results, and serum lipid level. The risk of adverse events is often correlated with dose and/or treatment duration. Rare cases of hepatic adenomas and hepatocellular carcinoma associated with long-term androgen use often had no preceding changes in liver function test results. Conclusion Androgen therapy may be effective for most patients with HAE; however, potential risks and adverse effects must be carefully considered and discussed with patients when considering options for long-term HAE prophylaxis.
Crassostrea virginica as an indicator of lead pollution

After treatment with 1.0 and 3.3 μg Pb kg-1 for 20 weeks in flowing seawater at ambient salinity and temperature, Crassostrea virginica accumulated as much as 6.57 and 11.42 μg g-1 dry weight, respectively, and no mortalities were recorded. Lead uptake was curvilinear; however, the general trend was an increase in lead concentration over time. Dry weight of the oyster had no significant relation with tissue lead concentration (μg g-1); however, a significant positive relationship existed between weight and lead content (μg). A decrease in lead concentration in the tissues occurred from mid-August to mid-September despite continuous addition of lead to the seawater. Addition of lead to the seawater was terminated after 20 weeks (October), and lead loss was studied for the following 12 weeks. Lead loss was studied well after spawning in an attempt to eliminate any influence this might have on lead concentration in the tissues. After 4 weeks, approximately 54% of the accumulated lead was lost under conditions of a natural temperature decline. The biological half-life of lead in C. virginica tissues was calculated to be 5.5 weeks. In the ensuing 8 weeks, little or no lead loss was observed. Larvae from each treatment developed to the straight-hinged stage within 48 h with no apparent abnormalities. Lead appeared to have no adverse effect on larvae when parents had been treated with 1.0 and 3.3 μg kg-1 seawater for 10 weeks.
SOCIOLINGUISTIC APPROACHES TO SLA

The study of second language acquisition involves understanding what bilinguals know about their second language and how they acquire and use it. Because acquisition and use occur in a social context, it is important for second–language acquisition researchers to understand the ways in which social context and the acquisition and use of a second language are related. In recent years, our understanding of language as a social phenomenon has increased greatly. In a recent survey of sociolinguistics and language teaching, McKay and Hornberger (1996) divide the field into four related areas: 1) studies of language and society–how large–scale social and political issues affect language use in a particular society, 2) studies of language variation—how the “same” language varies from speaker to speaker, from place to place, and from situation to situation, 3) studies of language and interaction—how language is used in face–to–face communication, and 4) studies of language and culture—how particular cultures privilege some kinds of language over others.
Disgerminoma of the ovary

Abstract This paper is based upon the study of 17 cases of disgerminoma of the ovary which we have observed in our laboratory. While hitherto only 72 cases have been recorded in the literature, reports of cases of this tumor are now multiplying so rapidly that it may be considered not an exceedingly rare tumor type. Because of the fact that neither gynecologists nor pathologists have become generally familiar with the clinical and pathologic characteristics of ovarian disgerminoma, these have been fully discussed in our paper, together with the histogenesis of the tumor. The microscopic picture is so distinctive that the diagnosis should rarely present any difficulty, certainly far less than with granulosa cell carcinoma or arrhenoblastoma, both of which present many possible histologic variations and gradations. Since these tumors arise from cells dating back to the undifferentiated phase of gonadal development, it is not surprising that an exactly similar tumor, the well-known seminoma, occurs in the testis. Nor is it surprising that disgerminoma exhibits no endocrine activity, being made up of sexually indifferent cells. In this respect it differs from the feminizing granulosa cell carcinoma and the masculinizing arrhenoblastoma. Disgerminoma is often observed in sexually under-developed or pseudohermaphroditic individuals, but it has nothing to do with the production of these sex abnormalities, which persist even after removal of the tumor. While disgerminoma is undoubtedly a malignant type of tumor, there are marked variations in the degree of malignancy of individual tumors. The outlook is very favorable when the tumor is unilateral, with intact capsule, as shown in our own cases, since 9 of 10 such cases have remained well after operation. The results are much less favorable when the capsule has been broken through, with extensive infiltration of surrounding organs, and perhaps metastases. Even when there is considerable infiltration, with incomplete removal, some patients have been apparently cured by postoperative radiation, which we believe is a valuable adjunct in such cases. The general principles of the treatment of ovarian disgerminoma have been discussed in the paper, on the basis of what has been learned as to their varying malignancy.