cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Congenital obstructive lesions of the right aortic arch

Background. In the setting of normal cardiac situs, a right-sided aortic arch is uncommon. When a right arch does occur, it is typically in conjunction with other congenital cardiovascular anomalies, especially defects with abnormal right ventricular outflow. Congenital obstruction of a right arch, caused by coarctation, interruption, or cervical arch, is extremely rare. Methods. We reviewed our experience and all reported cases of right aortic arch with coarctation of the aorta, interrupted arch, or obstruction of a cervical arch in the setting of normal cardiac situs and topology. Results. Since 1992, 4 such patients have undergone repair at our institution, including 1 with interrupted arch, 1 with coarctation of a mirror image arch, and 2 with obstruction of a cervical arch. In addition to these 4 patients, 38 others have been described in the published reports: 15 with interrupted arch, 19 with coarctation, and 4 with obstruction of a cervical arch. Associated cardiac defects were uncommon, except for ventricular septal defect in patients with interrupted arch, but abnormalities of the brachiocephalic vessels were frequent. Except for most of the patients with interrupted right arch, the majority of patients described have undergone successful surgical repair. Conclusions. Although obstructive arch lesions are often grouped together, the etiologies of coarctation of the aorta, interrupted arch, and cervical arch with obstruction almost certainly differ. The rarity of such lesions among patients with right aortic arch may be explained in part by the fact that the fetal hemodynamic conditions associated with persistence of a right arch do not facilitate flow-related arch obstruction. In this review, we discuss these issues in detail, along with specific surgical considerations in the management of obstruction lesions of the right aortic arch.
Adult age differences in attentional selectivity and capacity

Abstract This paper reviews empirical research on adult age differences in the use of attention during visual search and classification tasks. This research suggests that the selective aspect of attention, in the sense of the ability to discriminate relevant and irrelevant information, is relatively resistant to age-related change. The capacity aspect of attention, in the sense of the limited processing resources that underlie task performance, appears to undergo age-related decline. Questions remain, however, regarding whether capacity-reduction explanations of age differences in cognitive performance have any advantages over explanations based on task complexity. Recent analyses of ageing and attention emphasise the potential contribution of formal models of cognitive performance.
Are casein kinases the assistant coaches for DNA metabolism

Abstract A cell can be thought of as a well-coached sports team. To win, it needs superstar players with specialized tasks, but it also needs team players who can be relied on to maintain constant performance. Growth factor receptors or transciptional activators might be considered to be the cell's superstars, whereas ribosomes could be considered team players that faithfully carry out directions from mRNA. The team also needs a head coach for overall direction and assistant coaches to direct the basic skills. The assistant coaches should ensure that basic cellular functions proceed correctly and that the cell responds to specific stimuli. Since almost every phosphorylatable protein is modified by several protein kinases, protein kinases like casein kinases I and II might be the assistant coaches of cellular regulation.
An Exploratory Look at Hydrocarbon Data from the Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations Network

ABSTRACT This paper describes some characteristics of speciated nonmethane organic compound (NMOC) data collected in 1994 at five Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) and archived in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS). Topics include data completeness, distribution of individual NMOCs in concentration categories relative to minimum detectable levels, percentage of total NMOC associated with the sum of the 55 PAMS target compounds, and use of scatterplots to diagnose chromatographic misidentification of compounds. This is an early examination of a database that is expanding rapidly, and the insights presented here may be useful to both the producers and future users of the data for establishing consistency and quality control.
Analytical simulation of rib-web forging

The friction calibration curves were generalized using ALPID simulations of ring compression tests and were used to establish the friction factor associated in the workpiece-tool interface. ALPID simulations were carried out for different rib-web sections. The metal flow characteristics were closely watched and load requirements for these processes were established. The distribution of effective strain and strain rate and stress were established.
How Does the Toad Flip Its Tongue? Test of Two Hypotheses

Two conflicting hypotheses purport to explain the mechanism generating the lingual flip in frogs. The first suggests that the intrinsic tongue muscles are stiffened, rotate over the symphysis and catapult the soft tissues; the second suggests that the hyoid suddenly moves forward and transfers its momentum to propel the tongue. High-speed cinematography and synchronized electromyography show that the tongue is rotated over the symphysis by a complex of rods formed from stiffened intrinsic tongue muscles. As the flip occurs even when the hyoid is immobilized, the hyoid momentum hypothesis does not apply. The tongue is then propelled by sets of fibers locked into connective tissues. With activation, these become rigid rods that form a muscular ballista.
Gastrulation in C. elegans

Gastrulation is the process by which the germ layers become positioned in an embryo. C. elegans gastrulation serves as a model for studying the molecular mechanisms of diverse cellular and developmental phenomena, including morphogenesis, cell polarization, cell-cell signaling, actomyosin contraction and cell-cell adhesion. One distinct advantage of studying these phenomena in C. elegans is that genetic tools can be combined with high resolution live cell imaging and direct manipulations of the cells involved. Here we review what is known to date about the cellular and molecular mechanisms that function in C. elegans gastrulation.
Developmental changes in the arrangement of cortical microtubules in stomatal cells of oat (Avena sativa L.)

Changes in microtubule organization were monitored in the stomatal complexes of Avena sativa using tubulin immunocytochemistry. Radial arrays of cortical microtubules, previously thought to be characteristic of guard cells, also appear in adjacent subsidiary cells early in development. The subsidiary cell arrays are evident even before guard cells form via division of precursor guard mother cells. Thus, before the stomatal pore opens between sister guard cells, each complex contains four similar microtubule arrays. As the pore opens, however, the subsidiary cell system is reorganized into a network of microtubules distributed along the length of the cell. A similar change is effected in the guard cells after the pore opens. Subsidiary cells and guard cells elongate during later stages of differentiation, and a thickened wall is deposited int he narrow midzone of the latter. At the same time, microtubules in both cells assume a more axial orientation. The results are discussed in terms of developmental symmetry and the control of microtubule organization and cell wall deposition.
A critical study of simulations of the Lennard-Jones liquid-vapor interface

Abstract The surface tension and liquid-gas density profile through the interface of one- and two- component Lennard-Jones fluids were calculated using Molecular Dynamics simulation techniques. The system size, film thickness, interface area, intermolecular potential cut-off, composition, and temperature were varied. For the one-component system, the results were compared to previous work and some discrepancies of the past work were resolved. By combining this work with correct results from previous authors, the minimum system size, film thickness, equilibration time, and the trade-off between cut-off and computer time were determined. Using configurations calculated for moderate cut-offs, the surface tension was extrapolated to the full potential value by using a tail correction and the results compared to simulations performed with the longer cut-offs. The results showed the possibility of obtaining estimates of the surface tension for large cut-off simulations from moderate cut-off simulations provided that the density profile does not change significantly with increase in cut-off. Using the criterion for equilibration determined from the one-component systems, two-component systems at varying compositions and temperatures were simulated and the tail correction applied.
Extracapsular spread of squamous cell carcinoma in neck lymph nodes: prognostic factor of laryngeal cancer.

Fifty-two patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent radical neck dissections were studied to provide further information on the prognosis of various clinical and histopathological parameters. Extracapsular spread (ECS) was found in 31% of patients with Nl nodes, and in 60% of patients with histopathologically positive nodes. The 5-year survival rate of histopathological findings was as follows: patients with no pathological evidence of neck metastasis (81%), patients with neck metastasis confined to the lymph node (no ECS) (76%), and patients with ECS (17%). The difference in survival rate between patients with no ECS and patients with ECS was statistically significant (P = .001). Staging classification, T-stage classification, the number of malignant nodes, the diameter of malignant nodes, and combined therapy had no prognostic importance. The most significant factor was the presence of extracapsular spread.
Finite-volume solution of the compressible boundary-layer equations

A box-type finite volume discretization is applied to the integral form of the compressible boundary layer equations. Boundary layer scaling is introduced through the grid construction: streamwise grid lines follow eta = y/h = const., where y is the normal coordinate and h(x) is a scale factor proportional to the boundary layer thickness. With this grid, similarity can be applied explicity to calculate initial conditions. The finite volume method preserves the physical transparency of the integral equations in the discrete approximation. The resulting scheme is accurate, efficient, and conceptually simple. Computations for similar and non-similar flows show excellent agreement with tabulated results, solutions computed with Keller's Box scheme, and experimental data.
Experts, ideas, and policy change: the Russell Sage Foundation and small loan reform, 1909–1941

Between 1909 and 1941, the Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) was actively involved in crafting and lobbying for policy solutions to the pervasive problem of predatory lending. Using a rich assortment of archival records, I build upon political learning theory by demonstrating how institutional conditions and political pressures – in addition to new knowledge gained through scientific study and practical experience – all contributed to the emergence and development of RSF experts’ policy ideas over the course of this 30-year period. In light of these findings, I suggest that policy ideas and political interests are mutually constitutive, and that the notion that ideas must be shown to operate independent of interests in order to “prove” that they matter in policymaking is misguided. Furthermore, I discuss the implications of the remarkable success of RSF’s policy proposals for current understandings of institutional change. In particular, I argue that the passage of RSF’s controversial Uniform Small Loan Law in 34 states suggests that political actors’ collective agency can produce significant policy reforms in a context of normal policymaking without the intervention of major destabilizing events.
Regional dose response to pulmonary irradiation using a manual method.

Abstract Purpose : To better understand the dose dependence of radiation therapy (RT)-induced changes in regional lung perfusion and tissue density, using a manual method to reduce inaccuracies that might be present in previously described automated methods. Materials and methods : Patients who were to receive RT for tumors in and around the thorax, wherein portions of healthy lung would be incidentally irradiated, were prospectively studied. Changes in regional perfusion and tissue density were assessed by comparison of pre- and post-RT single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), lung perfusion scans and computed tomography (CT) scans, respectively. The three-dimensional dose distribution was calculated on the pre-RT CT scan and correlated to the other scans via image registration. Study volumes were defined by hand and individually visualized on pre- and post-RT scans. The manually generated dose response data were compared to data generated using automated methods. The relationship between CT density and SPECT perfusion was also determined. Results : Thirteen patients with lung cancer were evaluated for changes in tissue density and 11 patients were evaluated for changes in regional perfusion at 12 months post-RT. In general, density increases with increasing regional dose, with marked changes at >60 Gy. Regional perfusion decreases with increasing regional dose. In the low dose regions, relative perfusion increases by 35% on average. Manually measured dose responses correlated well with those determined automatically. The relationship between regional perfusion and CT density indicates a wide range of perfusion over a narrow range of CT density, with markedly reduced perfusion at CT densities of >−600 and Conclusions : The manually generated CT density dose response data broadly agree with data previously generated using automated methods. The manually generated perfusion dose response data are in fairly good agreement with automated data, lending credibility to the accuracy of the automated methods. Regional perfusion is markedly diminished where CT density is outside the range of normal lung tissue.
Substrate specificity profiling and identification of a new class of inhibitor for the major protease of the SARS coronavirus.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease associated with a high rate of mortality. The SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been identified as the etiological agent of the disease. Although public health procedures have been effective in combating the spread of SARS, concern remains about the possibility of a recurrence. Various approaches are being pursued for the development of efficacious therapeutics. One promising approach is to develop small molecule inhibitors of the essential major polyprotein processing protease 3Clpro. Here we report a complete description of the tetrapeptide substrate specificity of 3Clpro using fully degenerate peptide libraries consisting of all 160 000 possible naturally occurring tetrapeptides. The substrate specificity data show the expected P1-Gln P2-Leu specificity and elucidate a novel preference for P1-His containing substrates equal to the expected preference for P1-Gln. These data were then used to develop optimal substrates fo...
Sensitivity of Crosstalk in Twisted-Pair Circuits to Line Twist

The prediction of crosstalk induced in an unbalanced twisted pair by an adjacent transmission line is investigated. The induced voltage at one end of the twisted pair is shown, experimentally, to be extremely sensitive to twist for low-impedance loads and relatively insensitive to twist for high-impedance loads. Ex- perimental results are given which show that a slight rotation of one end of the twisted pair ( no more than 1800) can cause a change of as much as 35 dB in the induced voltage. The consequence of these results is that, in a practical situation, one would therefore not be able to predict this crosstalk for low-impedance loads with any con- sistency. A simple model explaining these results is given.
Diagnostic yield of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules

Study objectives To evaluate factors affecting the diagnostic yield of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy in evaluating solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Design Retrospective analysis of bronchoscopies performed over a 4-year period. Setting A tertiary teaching hospital. Patients One hundred seventy-seven patients with pulmonary nodules without endobronchial lesions who underwent bronchoscopy with brushing, washing, and transbronchial biopsy. Results There were 151 malignant and 26 benign lesions. The diagnostic accuracy of bronchoscopy in malignant and benign lesions were 64% (97 of 151) and 35% (9 of 26), respectively. The yield of bronchoscopy was directly related to lesion size (p Conclusions Size is the strongest determinant of diagnostic yield in bronchoscopy when evaluating SPNs. The yield of bronchoscopy is particularly low in lesions
Development of ultra-short pulse, single coherent spike for SASE X-ray FELs

Abstract There is a large interest in the production of high power, ultra-short, 1 fs or less, coherent X-ray pulses, for atomic physics and other applications. However, the present design of X-ray SASE FELs leads to an X-ray pulse about 100 times longer. The time structure of the X-ray pulse is determined by several factors, mainly the electron bunch length and the FEL cooperation length. Until now all FELs have been working in the regime where the electron bunch length is much larger than the cooperation length. In the case of an X-ray SASE FEL this means that the X-ray pulse consists of a series of spikes, a few hundred in the case of the LCLS, and the bunch length is of the order of 200 fs. Several methods to reduce the bunch length to the 10 - 1 fs region have been proposed. These methods are based on electron bunch manipulation to cut the lasing part of the bunch to a fraction of the total length, thus reducing the X-ray pulse length. We are considering here a different method, using ultra-short, very low charge electron bunches, with a length of the order or shorter than the FEL cooperation length. In this case the X-ray pulse length after amplification in the undulator is a few times the electron bunch length. Our simulations show that in the case of LCLS and SPARX, operating with a 1 pC electron beam, we obtain X-ray pulses as short as 300 as, transform limited in the SPARX case, and almost transform limited in the LCLS case. Compared to other modes of producing short X-ray bunches this one offers the advantage of very small background signal, since all electrons are used to lase, and the charge is very small.
Criteria for Concentration Field-Flow Fractionation

Abstract Concentration field-flow fractionation (CFFF) is proposed as a possible new subtechnique of field-flow fractionation (FFF). The equations for solute retention in CFFF are obtained as a function of solute distribution and the solute chemical potential increment, δμ° c , across the flow channel. The minimum practical value of δμ° c is related to the necessary increment, δC c , in the concentration of one component of a mixed solvent across the column. This leads to criteria for δC c , for the solvent component's flux, and for the channel width. The parameters necessary to make the above criteria quantitative are obtained from protein solubility studies and membrane permeability measurements. It is concluded that present FFF channel designs do not meet the criteria of CFFF for the systems studied here, and that some new approach will likely be necessary to implement a practical CFFF system.
Hardening induced by additive coloration in KCl

Abstract The critical shear stress of KCl crystals has been measured as a function of the number of F -centers ( n F ) in the range of 0–10 18 cm −1 introduced by additive coloration. The introduction of the F -centers gives a marked increase of critical shear stress σ c as Δσc = (3.1−0.22 T 1 2 10 −16 n F g mm 2 , where T is the measuring temperature in °K. If the colored crystals are held in the dark below room temperature, even at nitrogen temperature, the critical shear stress increases with time until a saturation level is reached which depends upon nF and the aging temperature. The irradiation of the F-light enhances the rate of the process greatly. The hardening due to aging is a reversible function of the aging temperature. The effect of the coagulation of F -centers on the mechanical properties has also been studied. As the aging proceeds at nitrogen temperature, the absorption curve on the shorter-wavelength side of the F -band produces a broadening and a peak at 2.78 eV. Although cold working before aging does not produce a large effect, deformation at the coloration temperature after coloration gives rise to extensive effects on the broadening of the F -band in the above region, while no indication of the growth of complex centers is observed. A qualitative discussion of the present phenomena is given. This is based on the electronic process associated with the clustering of point defects, including the F -centers, in the vicinity of the dislocations.
Interaction of model class A1, class A2, and class Y amphipathic helical peptides with membranes

To test the hypothesis that differences in the lipid affinity of exchangeable apolipoproteins are due to the presence of different classes of amphipathic α-helical motifs which differ primarily in the distribution of charged amino acid residues, we designed and synthesized model peptides mimicking class A1, class A2, and class Y amphipathic helices present in these apolipoproteins. Both class A1 and class A2 helices have positive residues at the polar−nonpolar interface and negative residues at the center of the polar face. However, clustering of positive and negative residues is less exact in class A1 compared to class A2 helices. The class Y helices have two negative residue clusters on the polar face separating the two arms and the base of the Y motif formed by three positive residue clusters. The lipid affinities of three 18 residue model peptides representing these classes, Ac-18A1-NH2 (Ac-ELLEKWAEKLAALKEALK-NH2), Ac-18A2-NH2 (Ac-ELLEKWKEALAALAEKLK-NH2), and Ac-18Y-NH2 (Ac-ELLKAWKEALEALKEKLA-NH2), we...
Epitaxial growth of ultrathin Al2O3 films on Ta(110)

Abstract Heteroepitaxial growth of ultrathin (5–40 A) aluminum oxide films was successfully carried out on a Ta(110) substrate between 700 and 900 K by means of vacuum reactive deposition. Low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) indicated the formation of a long-range ordered epitaxial Al 2 O 3 film with a slightly distorted ( β = 117.9°) hexagonal lattice corresponding to close-packing of oxygen (O 2− ) anions. The epitaxial overlayer was found to exhibit a Kurdjumov-Sachs (KS) type orientational relationship with respect to the Ta(110) substrate with $ 4.2° rotational mismatch
Counting Affine Roots of Polynomial Systems via Pointed Newton Polytopes

We give a new upper bound on the number of isolated roots of a polynomial system. Unlike many previous bounds, our bound can also be restricted to different open subsets of affine space. Our methods give significantly sharper bounds than the classical Bezout theorems and further generalize the mixed volume root counts discovered in the late 1970s. We also give a complete combinatorial classification of the subsets of coefficients whose genericity guarantees that our bound is actually an exact root count in affine space. Our results hold over any algebraically closed field.
Quasilinearization technique for solution of unsteady state diffusion problems

A new iterative method is given for the numerical solution of the diffusion equation ∂C/∂t = ∂/∂x(D∂C/∂x) in a semi-infinite medium. The nonlinear partial differential equations for unsteady state diffusion problems with variable diffusion coefficients are transformed into nonlinear ordinary differential boundary value problems. It is shown that the quasilinearization technique (also known as the generalized Newton-Raphson method) is an effective tool for solving these non-linear ordinary differential boundary value problems. The versatility and convergence properties of this method are demonstrated by the solution of several representative cases. The following cases discussed herein for which the diffusion coefficients are functions of concentration possess solutions with differing stabilities and rates of convergence: D = D0(1 + αCC0), D0(1 + αCC0 + βC2C02), D0(1 + αCC0 + βC2C02), D0(1 − αCC0), D0(1 − αCC0)2, D0eαCC0 and D0(α + β log (γ + δCC0)).
Quantitative Analysis of Factors Influencing Pressure Change.

Abstract The contribution to density change made by local compression or expansion, advection, and vertical motion, and by horizontal mass divergence or convergence is determined for 132 cases chosen during a period of anticyclogenesis above a polar anticyclone and during two periods of cyclogenesis. The density change in the layer two or three kilometers in thickness just above the tropopause is shown to contribute most to pressure change at the ground. This density change may be considered to be the result either of advection in the lower stratosphere or of the excess of horizontal mass divergence over vertical mass divergence. Advection in the lower stratosphere is found to be closely related to local pressure change and to vertical motion in the upper and middle troposphere: downward motion accompanies rising pressure and advection of denser air and upward motion accompanies falling pressure and advection of lighter air.
A facile one-pot synthesis of ruthenium hydroxide nanoparticles on magnetic silica: aqueous hydration of nitriles to amides

One-pot synthesis of ruthenium hydroxide nanoparticles on magnetic silica is described which involves the in situ generation of magnetic silica (Fe3O4@SiO2) and ruthenium hydroxide immobilization; the hydration of nitriles occurs in high yield and excellent selectivity using this catalyst which proceeds exclusively in aqueous medium under neutral conditions.
Monolayer and multilayer adsorption of water on Ru(001)

The properties of H2O adsorbed on Ru(001) at 95 K have been studied using a variety of techniques. The geometrical properties of the overlayer, deduced from low‐energy electron diffraction and electron stimulated desorption ion angular distributions, indicate that layered, hydrogen‐bonded clusters of H2O molecules form which have specific orientation with respect to the hexagonal metallic substrate. The vibrational, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of the first two layers of H2O admolecules are distinct from the properties of ice multilayers. At an adsorption temperature of 165 K, only the first two layers adsorb, and the H2O lattice is more ordered than at 95 K, which is an effect analogous to the irreversible vitreous‐to‐cubic phase transition which occurs at approximately this temperature in bulk ice. Off‐specular scattering measurements have resolved overlapping vibrational features with different angular distributions of intensity.
Controlled sampling using an energy harvesting sensor

The problem of sampling from a remote sensor, powered by energy harvesting, is considered. The problem is formulated as a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP), since the controller only has partial knowledge of the energy reserve at the sensor. Three policies are proposed and their performances are evaluated and compared to that of a clairvoyant policy.
Common femoral artery ligation and local debridement: a safe treatment for infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms.

Abstract Purpose: The management of infected femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (IFAPs) is difficult and controversial. Use of synthetic or autologous conduit during arterial revascularization in these cases is complicated by the presence of sepsis and unavailability of autologous venous conduit. We present the results of common femoral artery (CFA) ligation and local drainage with debridement for the treatment of IFAP. Methods: A retrospective chart review of six consecutive patients from 1995 to 1999 who presented with IFAP from intravenous drug abuse was performed. Inpatient records, anesthesia records, and outpatient clinic charts were reviewed. All patients were men with right-sided lesions. All six patients abused heroin, and five (83%) abused heroin and cocaine. All six patients had a duplex ultrasound scan, and five (83%) patients had a digital subtraction angiogram to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Proximal vascular control was achieved retroperitoneally through an oblique suprainguinal incision. After vascular isolation and test clamping of the distal external iliac artery (EIA), the pedal pulses were examined with continuous wave Doppler scan. If a Doppler signal was present, this was followed with CFA ligation and local drainage and debridement of the IFAP. Results: Pain at injection site and fever with chills were present in five (83%) and three (50%) patients, respectively. A pulsatile groin mass and thigh or leg edema were present in five (83%) patients. Three patients (50%) had a palpable pedal pulse, and all six had a Doppler signal over a pedal artery at presentation. The mean white cell count was 15.6 thousand per cubic millimeter (range, 9.2-19.3). All patients had a Doppler signal over a pedal artery after distal EIA/CFA test occlusion and ligation. None of the patients required an amputation, and all six patients regained their preoperative ambulatory status. The mean follow-up period was 25 months. Two patients had mild claudication (5-6 blocks) at 18 months and 2 years after surgery. All six patients received drug rehabilitation, but they admitted to drug abuse after surgery and rehabilitation. Conclusion: CFA ligation and local debridement are safe treatment modalities for IFAP, if there is an intraoperative Doppler signal over a pedal artery during test occlusion of the distal EIA/CFA. CFA ligation avoids the use and therefore the risk of synthetic conduit infection, because there is a high incidence of postoperative drug injection despite aggressive drug rehabilitation. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:990-3)
Approaches for automated detection and classification of masses in mammograms

Breast cancer continues to be a significant public health problem in the world. Early detection is the key for improving breast cancer prognosis. Mammography has been one of the most reliable methods for early detection of breast carcinomas. However, it is difficult for radiologists to provide both accurate and uniform evaluation for the enormous mammograms generated in widespread screening. The estimated sensitivity of radiologists in breast cancer screening is only about 75%, but the performance would be improved if they were prompted with the possible locations of abnormalities. Breast cancer CAD systems can provide such help and they are important and necessary for breast cancer control. Microcalcifications and masses are the two most important indicators of malignancy, and their automated detection is very valuable for early breast cancer diagnosis. Since masses are often indistinguishable from the surrounding parenchymal, automated mass detection and classification is even more challenging. This paper discusses the methods for mass detection and classification, and compares their advantages and drawbacks.
Regional differences in hyoid muscle activity and length dynamics during mammalian head shaking.

The sternohyoid (SH) and geniohyoid (GH) are antagonist strap-muscles that are active during a number of different behaviors, including sucking, intraoral transport, swallowing, breathing, and extension/flexion of the neck. Because these muscles have served different functions through the evolutionary history of vertebrates, it is quite likely they will have complex patterns of electrical activity and muscle fiber contraction. Different regions of the sternohyoid exhibit different contraction and activity patterns during a swallow. We examined the dynamics of the sternohyoid and geniohyoid muscles during an unrestrained, and vigorous head-shake behavior in an animal model of human head, neck and hyolingual movement. A gentle touch to infant pig ears elicited a head shake of several head revolutions. Using sonomicrometry and intramuscular EMG we measured regional (within) muscle strain and activity in SH and GH. We found that EMG was consistent across three regions (anterior, belly and posterior) of each muscle. Changes in muscle length however, were more complex. In the SH, mid-belly length-change occurred out of phase with the anterior and posterior end-regions, but with a zero-lag timing; the anterior region shortened prior to the posterior. In the GH, the anterior region shortened prior to, and out of phase with the mid-belly and posterior regions. Head-shaking is a relatively simple reflex behavior, yet the underlying patterns of muscle length-dynamics and EMG activity are not. The regional complexity in SH and GH, similar to regionalization of SH during swallowing, suggests that these ‘simple hyoid strap muscles’ are more complex than textbooks often suggest.
Fiber laser driven EUV generation

Laser-plasma-produced EUV-radiation has been demonstrated using a pulsed fiber laser. Generated radiation is in the spectral range compatible with 13.5-nm EUV lithography. Fiber lasers can overcome power-scaling limitations of current LPP sources for EUV lithography.
Smy1p, a kinesin-related protein that does not require microtubules.

Abstract. We have previously reported that a defect in Myo2p, a myosin in budding yeast ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ), can be partially corrected by overexpression of Smy1p, which is by sequence a kinesin-related protein (Lillie, S.H., and S.S. Brown. 1992. Nature . 356:358– 361). Such a functional link between putative actin- and microtubule-based motors is surprising, so here we have tested the prediction that Smy1p indeed acts as a microtubule-based motor. Unexpectedly, we found that abolition of microtubules by nocodazole does not interfere with the ability of Smy1p to correct the mutant Myo2p defect, nor does it interfere with the ability of Smy1p to localize properly. In addition, other perturbations of microtubules, such as treatment with benomyl or introduction of tubulin mutations, do not exacerbate the Myo2p defect. Furthermore, a mutation in SMY1 strongly predicted to destroy motor activity does not destroy Smy1p function. We have also observed a genetic interaction between SMY1 and two of the late SEC mutations, sec2 and sec4. This indicates that Smy1p can play a role even when Myo2p is wild type, and that Smy1p acts at a specific step of the late secretory pathway. We conclude that Smy1p does not act as a microtubule-based motor to localize properly or to compensate for defective Myo2p, but that it must instead act in some novel way.
Redefining hormone resistance in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer relies on signaling through the androgen receptor (AR) for maintenance and progression; and androgen-deprivation therapy remains a cornerstone of treatment for advanced prostate cancer. An effective clinical classification of prostate cancer should account for the extent of the disease as well as the mechanisms that are driving the growth of the tumor. The previous terms hormone-sensitive and hormone-refractory described response to treatment. It has become clear that these terms do not reflect the mechanism of disease relapse; however over the last decade there has been a better understanding of androgen-receptor mediated signaling effects and incomplete suppression of androgens in prostate cancer. The Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Working Group 2 (PCWG2) now recommends addressing the spectrum of clinical states based on castration status as this ligand-centered terminology can more accurately describe the patients’ disease, and ultimately provides a useful framework for patient management and drug development. Optimized use of androgen-deprivation therapy, low molecular weight inhibitors of adrenal androgen biosynthesis, and new AR antagonists are promising new therapeutics that can further define the meaning of castrate state. As hormone resistance is redefined to include patients that are refractory to treatments that ablate adrenal and in situ tumoral androgens, a meaningful new clinical state in patients will be forged. We propose a model for incorporating these patients into the current PCWG2 conceptualization of the disease.
Personalizing Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review of Models to Predict Risk of Colorectal Neoplasia

Background & Aims A valid risk prediction model for colorectal neoplasia would allow patients to be screened for colorectal cancer (CRC) on the basis of risk. We performed a systematic review of studies reporting risk prediction models for colorectal neoplasia. Methods We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases from January 1990 through March 2013 and of references in identified studies. Case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies that developed or attempted to validate a model to predict risk of colorectal neoplasia were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed model quality. Model quality was considered to be good for studies that included external validation, fair for studies that included internal validation, and poor for studies with neither. Results Nine studies developed a new prediction model, and 2 tested existing models. The models varied with regard to population, predictors, risk tiers, outcomes (CRC or advanced neoplasia), and range of predicted risk. Several included age, sex, smoking, a measure of obesity, and/or family history of CRC among the predictors. Quality was good for 6 models, fair for 2 models, and poor for 1 model. The tier with the largest population fraction (low, intermediate, or high risk) depended on the model. For most models that defined risk tiers, the risk difference between the highest and lowest tier ranged from 2-fold to 4-fold. Two models reached the 0.70 threshold for the C statistic, typically considered to indicate good discriminatory power. Conclusions Most current colorectal neoplasia risk prediction models have relatively weak discriminatory power and have not demonstrated generalizability. It remains to be determined how risk prediction models could inform CRC screening strategies.
Hepatitis B virus X protein interferes with cellular DNA repair.

The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is a broadly acting transactivator implicated in the development of liver cancer. Recently, HBx has been reported to interact with several different cellular proteins, including our report of its binding to XAP-1, the human homolog of the simian repair protein UVDDB. In the present study, several HBx mutants were used to localize the minimal domain of HBx required for binding to XAP-1/UVDDB to amino acids 55 to 101. The normal function of XAP-1/UVDDB is thought to involve binding to damaged DNA, the first step in nucleotide excision repair (NER); therefore, we hypothesized that this interaction may affect the cell’s capacity to correct lesions in the genome. When tested in two independent assays that measure NER (unscheduled DNA synthesis and host cell reactivation), the expression of HBx significantly inhibited the ability of cells to repair damaged DNA. Under the assay conditions, HBx was expressed at a level similar to that previously observed during natural viral infection and was able to transactivate several target reporter genes. These results are consistent with a model in which HBx acts as a cofactor in hepatocarcinogenesis by preventing the cell from efficiently repairing damaged DNA, thus leading to an accumulation of DNA mutations and, eventually, cancer. An adverse effect on cellular DNA repair processes suggests a new mechanism by which a tumor-associated virus might contribute to carcinogenesis.
BlackJack: Hard Error Detection with Redundant Threads on SMT

Testing is a difficult process that becomes more difficult with scaling. With smaller and faster devices, tolerance for errors shrinks and devices may act correctly under certain condition and not under others. As such, hard errors may exist but are only exercised by very specific machine state and signal pathways. Targeting these errors is difficult, and creating test cases that cover all machine states and pathways is not possible. In addition, new complications during burn-in may mean latent hard errors are not exposed in the fab and reach the customer before becoming active. To address this problem, we propose an architecture we call BlackJack that allows hard errors to be detected using redundant threads running on a single SMT core. This technique provides a safety-net that catches hard errors that were either latent during test or just not covered by the test cases at all. Like SRT, our technique works by executing redundant copies and verifying that their resulting machine states agree. Unlike SRT, BlackJack is able to achieve high hard error instruction coverage by executing redundant threads on different front and backend resources in the pipeline. We show that for a 15% performance penalty over SRT, BlackJack achieves 97% hard error instruction coverage compared to SRT's 35%.
Sentence Combining: Assessment and Intervention Applications

Abstract Clinicians can use sentence combining tasks to assess students' written language needs in the area of syntax and also as a context for language intervention. In this brief article, we desc...
Authority, accountability and representation: the United Provinces police and the dilemmas of the colonial policeman in British India, 1902–39*

This article examines police administration and the experience of colonial policing in the villages and towns of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, one of the largest and most important regions of British India in the early twentieth century. During this time it was the inefficiency and weakness of the British in their policing methods, rather than the brutally effective use of the Indian Police Service, that fuelled resentment among the population of colonial India and led to widespread discontent among European and Indian officers and constables. Yet throughout this period, the police remained the most important link between Europeans and Indians, and were a frequent conduit for social exchange as well as a point of bitter conflict.
A role for p53 in base excision repair.

Wild‐type p53 protein can markedly stimulate base excision repair (BER) in vitro , either reconstituted with purified components or in extracts of cells. In contrast, p53 with missense mutations either at hot‐spots in the core domain or within the N‐terminal transactivation domain is defective in this function. Stimulation of BER by p53 is correlated with its ability to interact directly both with the AP endonuclease (APE) and with DNA polymerase β (pol β). Furthermore, p53 stabilizes the interaction between DNA pol β and abasic DNA. Evidence that this function of p53 is physiologically relevant is supported by the facts that BER activity in human and murine cell extracts closely parallels their levels of endogenous p53, and that BER activity is much reduced in cell extracts immunodepleted of p53. These data suggest a novel role for p53 in DNA repair, which could contribute to its function as a key tumor suppressor.
Sexual precocity in a female infant due to feminizing adrenal carcinoma.

A 21-month-old female with virilizing and then feminizing sexual precocity due to an adrenal adenocarcinoma treated surgically at 21 months of age is reported. Urinary neutral 17-ketosteroids were 116 and 106 mg/24 h and correlated with high plasma levels (1408μg/dl) of dehyroepiandrosterone sulfate. Plasma estradiol (17 ng/dl) and urinary estradiol levels (6.3 and 7.1 μ/24 h) were elevated to adult levels and associated with breast development, clitoral enlargement, and an estrogenized vagina. Plasma cortisol was normal. The patient remains healthy over 10 yr later, although capsular invasion was present.
Zn Coordination Chemistry: Development of Benchmark Suites for Geometries, Dipole Moments, and Bond Dissociation Energies and Their Use To Test and Validate Density Functionals and Molecular Orbital Theory

We present nonrelativistic and relativistic benchmark databases (obtained by coupled cluster calculations) of 10 Zn-ligand bond distances, 8 dipole moments, and 12 bond dissociation energies in Zn coordination compounds with O, S, NH3, H2O, OH, SCH3, and H ligands. These are used to test the predictions of 39 density functionals, Hartree-Fock theory, and seven more approximate molecular orbital theories. In the nonrelativisitic case, the M05-2X, B97-2, and mPW1PW functionals emerge as the most accurate ones for this test data, with unitless balanced mean unsigned errors (BMUEs) of 0.33, 0.38, and 0.43, respectively. The best local functionals (i.e., functionals with no Hartree-Fock exchange) are M06-L and τ-HCTH with BMUEs of 0.54 and 0.60, respectively. The popular B3LYP functional has a BMUE of 0.51, only slightly better than the value of 0.54 for the best local functional, which is less expensive. Hartree-Fock theory itself has a BMUE of 1.22. The M05-2X functional has a mean unsigned error of 0.008 A for bond lengths, 0.19 D for dipole moments, and 4.30 kcal/mol for bond energies. The X3LYP functional has a smaller mean unsigned error (0.007 A) for bond lengths but has mean unsigned errors of 0.43 D for dipole moments and 5.6 kcal/mol for bond energies. The M06-2X functional has a smaller mean unsigned error (3.3 kcal/mol) for bond energies but has mean unsigned errors of 0.017 A for bond lengths and 0.37 D for dipole moments. The best of the semiempirical molecular orbital theories are PM3 and PM6, with BMUEs of 1.96 and 2.02, respectively. The ten most accurate functionals from the nonrelativistic benchmark analysis are then tested in relativistic calculations against new benchmarks obtained with coupled-cluster calculations and a relativistic effective core potential, resulting in M05-2X (BMUE = 0.895), PW6B95 (BMUE = 0.90), and B97-2 (BMUE = 0.93) as the top three functionals. We find significant relativistic effects (∼0.01 A in bond lengths, ∼0.2 D in dipole moments, and ∼4 kcal/mol in Zn-ligand bond energies) that cannot be neglected for accurate modeling, but the same density functionals that do well in all-electron nonrelativistic calculations do well with relativistic effective core potentials. Although most tests are carried out with augmented polarized triple-ζ basis sets, we also carried out some tests with an augmented polarized double-ζ basis set, and we found, on average, that with the smaller basis set DFT has no loss in accuracy for dipole moments and only ∼10% less accurate bond lengths.
Trainee and Program Director Perceptions of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Education Preparing for the Next Accreditation System

Objective. To assess the current state of quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) education at a large teaching hospital. Methods. We surveyed 429 trainees (138 residents, 291 clinical fellows) and 38 program directors (PDs; 2 were PDs of >1 program) from 39 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited training programs. Results. Twenty-nine PDs (76.3%) and 259 trainees (60.3%) responded. Most trainees (68.8%) reported participation in projects culminating in scholarly products (39.9%) or clinical innovations (44%). Most PDs reported that teaching (88.9%) and project supervision (83.3%) are performed by expert faculty. Nearly half of the PDs (45.8%) and trainees (49.6%) perceived project-based learning to be of equal value to formal curricula. Compared with trainees, a greater proportion of PDs reported needs for funding for projects, teaching faculty to provide mentorship, and faculty development (P < .05). Conclusions. Providing additional financial, administrative, and operatio...