cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metaplastic breast cancer with chondroid differentiation

Background : Metaplastic carcinoma of the breast is an extremely rare subtype of breast cancer with an incidence of <1% of all breast neoplasms. Metaplastic carcinoma with chondroid differentiation is the rarest among all histologic subtypes of breast cancer. We report a case of infiltrating ductal carcinoma with metaplastic features of chondroid differentiation. Case presentation : A 58-year-old-woman presented to our clinic with a 4-month history of a lump in her right breast. On examination, a firm non-tender mass measuring 2×2 cm was noted in the right upper outer quadrant. It was not attached to the underlying structures. Mammography revealed a dense irregular mass in the axillary tail and a circumscribed nodule in the 6 O’clock periareolar region. This was a new development compared to the patient’s most recent screening mammogram performed 2 years and 6 months previously. Ultrasound demonstrated a lobulated solid mass in the axillary tail and a simple cyst in the 6 O’clock periareolar region. Biopsy of the areolar region of the right breast revealed atypical duct hyperplasia. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the right breast axillary tail revealed a poorly differentiated invasive carcinoma consistent with mammary duct origin. On histopathological examination, it was an infiltrating ductal carcinoma with metaplastic features of chondroid differentiation. The tumor was estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER-2 negative with 0% nuclear staining. Ki-67 index was 52% with strong nuclear staining. The overall ELSTON grade of invasive carcinoma was grade 3. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with AC-T (adriamycin, cytoxan, and taxol) and is currently undergoing surveillance for recurrent disease. Conclusion : Metaplastic breast cancer is an extremely rare subtype of breast carcinoma. Initial management of localized disease consists of wide excision with clear surgical margins followed by radiation or mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Although standard breast chemotherapy regimens such as AC-T are routinely used in metaplastic breast cancer in both adjuvant and metastatic settings, outcomes are significantly inferior to other breast subtypes. Further studies are required to explore targeted treatment to achieve better outcomes in this patient population. Keywords: Metaplastic breast cancer; chondroid differentiation; targeted therapy (Published: 1 September 2015) Citation: Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives 2015, 5 : 28935 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jchimp.v5.28935
Regulating the Financial Innovation Process: Theory and Application

What is “financial innovation” and why should we care about it? This question has become increasingly important in the wake of the recent financial crisis, yet the nature of financial innovation remains poorly understood. Drawing on the “New Institutional Economics” literature, this Article contends that financial innovation should be understood first and foremost as a process of change, a change in the type and variety of available financial products to be sure, but also a change in financial intermediaries (such as banks) and in markets themselves. It argues that this reframing has important policy implications for the economics of regulating the financial innovation process and for understanding the dynamics of modern financial markets in general. As an illustration of these ideas, the Article undertakes a critical analysis of a current policy proposal: the requirement that banks that deal in over-the-counter derivatives transfer the management of certain risks associated with these instruments to a highly regulated third-party called a centralized clearing party. The Article argues that this proposal is properly viewed as an attempt to regulate the process of financial innovation itself and that, when viewed in this light, the proposal is neither as modest nor as obviously superior to the status quo as its proponents claim. Finally, the Article sketches two alternatives to the proposed rule that seek to navigate the trade-offs of what the Article refers to as the “new” economics of financial regulation.
Oxytocin-induced stretch reaction in suckling mice and rats: a semiquantitative bio-assay for oxytocin.

Pups suckling on lactating mice or rats which have been anesthetized with ethanol show a unique reaction after the intravenous or intra-arterial injection of oxytocin into the mother. Characteristically, within 7 to 18 sec after the intravenous injection or within 2 to 8 sec after the intra-arterial injection of oxytocin, the suckling animals develop a stretch position. The hind legs elevate the posterior part of the body, while the anterior extremities are pushed against the abdomen of the mother. During this reaction (3–5 sec), the pups strain maximally upon the nipples. The mean dose eliciting this reaction (mean threshold dose) for intravenouslyintravenously administered oxytocin in mice was 128 μU±49 μU (±S) and in rats 205 μU±77 μU. Retrograde injection into the carotid artery delivers oxytocin to the upper abdominal mammary glands. Here the threshold dose was 72 μU ± 29 μU in mice and 135 μU ± 42 ymU in rats. Retrograde injection into the femoral artery (lower abdominal mammary glands) further incr...
Blood chemical and immunologic effects of adrenalcortical extract in children

Summary The data presented confirm in human subjects the finding of elevated cholesterol levels following the injection of adrenal cortical extract. They further suggest a tendency toward a lowering of the blood sugar level following the injection of this material. A shift in the position of the beta disturbance in the descending electrophoreticpatterns was observed in these same subjects. A complete hemogram, sedimentation rate, total and fractional serum protein, and pertussis titer studies failed to show and significant changes.
Use of cervical mucus to screen for gynecological malignancies: a pilot study

High-grade malignancies are the leading cause of death from gynecological tumors. Unfortunately, no efficient screening method is available for these tumors. In this paper we report the results of a pilot study based on the frequency of TP53 mutations in these cancers. Mucus from the cervix of 32 hysterectomy specimens with no grossly visible cervical or serosal involvement were included in this study. TP53 exons 5-9 mutations were screened for mutations using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Immunostain for p53 protein was performed in all fallopian tubes and in a sample from the tumors that were identified prospectively. A total of 32 cases including 19 malignant, and 13 benign cases were included. P53 immunostain was positive in only 5 cases including 3 high grade malignant tumors and 2 precancerous lesions (serous tubal intraepithelial lesion or p53 signature) in the fallopian tubes. A TP53 mutation band pattern was detected by SSCP in 2/3 and 2/2 cases respectively. Twenty-seven cases were negative for p53 imunostain, 4 of which were positive for TP53 mutation by SSCP including 3 low-grade malignancies. The results of this study provide evidence that DNA from precursor lesions of high grade ovarian, fallopian tube and endometrial carcinomas can be detected in cervical mucus. Further studies using different markers, in preoperative setting and large scale screening studies will determine the utility of using cervical mucus to screen for gynecological malignancies.
Spin-Diffusion Limitations for High-Sensitivity NMR Techniques

The experimental sensitivity attainable in employing such high-sensitivity NMR techniques as double nuclear resonance and rotating-frame relaxation can be limited by spin-diffusion rates within the bulk detected spin system. We develop a diffusion kernel solution to the driven spin-diffusion equation and calculate the detected-system magnetization decay rate induced by a dilute concentration of pumping centers. Our results show that spin-diffusion suppression of the induced decay rate depends only upon local parameters, is independent of concentration of pumping centers, and, in all systems whose experimental study has thus far been reported, would produce at most a 10% effect. These particular conclusions apply only to the case of completely dispersed pumping centers, but the general approach can be extended to treat aggregated systems. Our description of the spin-diffusion behavior yields results in agreement with existing experimental data, but in disagreement with previous theoretical treatments.
Prognostic value of the changes in the mode of ventricular tachycardia induction during therapy with amiodarone or amiodarone and a class 1A antiarrhythmic agent.

Abstract The prognostic value of 3 previously reported programmed stimulation efficacy criteria was studied in 70 patients taking amiodarone for sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT). At baseline all patients had VT inducible by programmed stimulation. After amiodarone loading (935 ± 271 mg/day for 16 ± 7 days), efficacy of amiodarone was determined by 3 programmed stimulation criteria (criterion I = VT not inducible or 15 beats or less; criterion II = VT not inducible or harder to induce; criterion III = VT not easier to induce). Amiodarone was effective in 12, 25 and 49 of 70 patients by criteria I, II and III, respectively. There were 16 recurrences or cardiac arrest during the follow-up period (19 ± 19 months). Actuarial arrhythmia-free survival rates at 1 and 2 years were: 90% and 90% in patients with efficacy by criterion I and 78% and 78% in patients with inefficacy, respectively; 84 % and 84% in patients with efficacy by criterion II and 78% and 78% in patients with inefficacy, respectively; and 80% and 80% in patients with efficacy by criterion III and 79% and 79% in patients with inefficacy, respectively (difference not significant for all). From the results of follow-up at 2 years, sensitivities of criteria I, II and III were 92%, 75% and 33%, respectively. Specificities were 17%, 26% and 70%, respectively, and predictive accuracies were 43%, 43% and 67%, respectively. Thus, patients with efficacy by criterion I appear to have a better prognosis when compared with patients with inefficacy. However, many patients with inefficacy by criterion I had a good outcome (nonspecificity). Criteria II and III based on the changes in the mode of VT induction may not predict clinical outcomes. Criterion II is sensitive but nonspecific and criterion III is specific but insensitive.
Chronology and periodicity of linear enamel hypoplasia among Late/Final Jomon period foragers: Evidence from incremental microstructures of enamel

Abstract This study estimates age-at-defect formation and periodicity of linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) using incremental microstructures of enamel. Results are compared to previous studies and between sites from different regions of Japan (Costal Honshu, Inland Honshu, and Hokkaido). High resolution impressions were collected from the dental remains of 32 individuals from nine archaeological sites. Casts were produced from these impressions and studied under an engineer's measuring microscope. LEH were identified based on enamel surface depressions and accentuated perikymata. Age-at-defect formation was estimated using histological methods. LEH periodicity was estimated using counts of perikymata between defects. Age-at-defect formation ranged between 1.1 and 5.8 years, while interquartile ranges were between 2.9 and 4.1 years. LEH periodicity ranged between 0.1 and 1.7 years, with an average of 0.2 years. There were no significant differences in average age-at-defect formation between regions. Significantly higher LEH periodicities were observed among Jomon foragers from Hokkaido and Inland Honshu compared to Coastal Honshu. Earlier ages-at-defect formation and lower stress periodicities were found by this study compared to earlier research. These differences are attributed to the inclusion of individuals with intact tooth crowns and use of objective, microscopic methods to identify LEH. The interquartile ranges for ages-at-defect formation are consistent with isotopically estimated ages for reductions in breast milk consumption. The lack of differences in average age-at-defect formation between geographic groups may reflect similar environmental stress burdens associated with this process. Comparatively shorter intervals between defects among Late/Final Jomon foragers from Coastal Honshu suggest elevated ecological stress burdens among this sample.
Spread of an introduced vector‐borne banana virus in Hawaii

Emerging diseases are increasing in incidence; therefore, understanding how pathogens are introduced into new regions and cause epidemics is of importance for the development of strategies that may hinder their spread. We used molecular data to study how a vectorborne banana virus, Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), spread in Hawaii after it was first detected in 1989. Our analyses suggest that BBTV was introduced once into Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. All other islands were infected with isolates originating from Oahu, suggesting that movement of contaminated plant material was the main driving factor responsible for interisland spread of BBTV. The rate of mutation inferred by the phylogenetic analysis (1.4 × 10 –4 bp/year) was similar to that obtained in an experimental evolution study under greenhouse conditions (3.9 × 10 –4 bp/year). We used these values to estimate the number of infections occurring under field conditions per year. Our results suggest that strict and enforced regulations limiting the movement of banana plant material among Hawaiian islands could have reduced interisland spread of this pathogen.
Assessment of Parental Satisfaction in Children Undergoing Voiding Cystourethrography Without Sedation

Purpose: Approximately 50,000 children undergo voiding cystourethrography annually. There is a recent trend toward using sedation or delaying voiding cystourethrography due to the anticipated distress to the patient. We hypothesized that with adequate preparation and proper techniques to minimize anxiety, voiding cystourethrography can be performed without sedation. We assessed parental satisfaction associated with patient and parent experience of voiding cystourethrography without sedation.Materials and Methods: We used a 33-question survey to evaluate parental satisfaction with patient and parent experience of voiding cystourethrography without sedation. Children were divided into 3 groups according to toilet training status. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata®.Results: A total of 200 surveys were completed. Of the children 54% were not toilet trained. Of the parents 90% reported adequate preparation. More than half of parents classified the experience of voiding cystourethrography as equiva...
Atherectomy of right coronary ostial stenoses : initial and long-term results, technical features and histologic findings

1. Arapov AD, Vishnerskii AA Jr, Abdullaev FZ, Korchagin VA, Mirtskhulava KA, Sorgin ME. A preliminary report on laser application in cardiosurgery. Eksp Khir Anesteziol 1914;4:10-12. 2. Macruz R, Martins JRM, Tupinnamba HS, Lopes EA, Varbas H, Penna AF, Carvalho VB, Armelin E, Decourt LV. Possibilidades terapeuticas do raio laser em ateromas. Arq Bras Cardiol 1980;34:9-12. 3. Riemenschneider TA, Lee G, Ikeda RM, Bommer WJ, Stobbe D, Ogata C, Rebeck K, Reis RL, Mason DT. Laser irradiation of congenital heart disease: potential for palliation and correction of intracardiac and intravascular defects. Am Heart J 1983;106:1389-1393. 4. Ginsburg R, Wexler L, Mitchell RS, Proffit D. Percutaneous transluminal laser angioplasty for treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Clinical experience with 16 patients. Radiology 1985;156:619-624. 8. Sanborn TA, Cumberland DC, Welsh CL, Greenfield AJ, Guben JK. Percutaneous laser thermal angioplasty: initial results and 1 year follow-up in 129 femoropopliteal lesions. Radiology 1988;168:121-125. 6. Kirklin JW, Barratt-Boyes BG. Cardiac surgery. New York: John Wiley, 1986:821-856. 7. Kirklin JW, Blackstone EH, Shimaznki Y, Maehara T, Pacific0 AD, Kirklin JK, Bargeron LM Jr. Survival, functional status, and reoperations after repair of tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. J The-m Cardiovasc Surg 1988; 96:102-116.
Elevated-temperature cyclic crack growth in a SiC-TiB2 composite

This paper reports that the ability to withstand high temperatures and hostile environments has made SiC attractive for structural uses in chemical processing, power generation and industrial waste heat recovery applications. A major concern, however, has been the structural reliability of the ceramic, especially in a high temperature environment. To address this concern, several studies have been conducted in SiC ceramics with the emphasis on delayed failures and effects of high temperature gaseous environments. The structural reliability of a ceramic can be significantly improved by designing composite microstructures that provide shielding effects on a preexisting crack. A recent example of this is the development of SiC composites reinforced with TiB[sub 2]. Addition of 20 [approx] 30% in volume of TiB[sub 2] particles to SiC increases the fracture toughness by a factor of up to 2. The underlying toughening mechanisms are believed to be crack deflection and stress-induced microcracking at the crack tip As these ceramics will ultimately be used at high temperatures and likely experience thermal and mechanical cycling, concerns have been raised as to the mechanical performance and the effectiveness of the room temperature toughening mechanisms under these severe loading conditions. This brief note reports some of the preliminarymore » results on high temperature fatigue crack growth in a TiB[sub 2] particulate-reinforced SiC matrix composite. Up to the temperature studied, the fracture toughness of the composite does not seem to have changed with temperature, but the material becomes more susceptible to fatigue crack growth at the elevated temperature.« less
Stool methylated DNA markers decrease following colorectal cancer resection--implications for surveillance.

Background Molecular changes associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) are detected by stool deoxyribonucleic acid testing but could persist following tumor resection.
International Trade and Agricultural Labor Markets: Farm Policy as Quasi-Adjustment Policy

I start from the assumption that an important objective of agricultural policy, including international trade policy for agricultural products, is to increase the incomes of the farm population. In particular, I assume that the most important component of income in evaluating whether agricultural policy meets this objective is the labor incomes of the farm population. Obviously real-world agricultural policies have additional objectives, such as food self-sufficiency, stability of food supplies and prices, and retaining a larger rural and agricultural economy than would obtain if market forces were permitted to determine product prices. The objective of a larger farm economy may be viewed in terms of the paths over time of farm employment. Presumably if this objective is achieved, the decline in the farm labor force and population would be slowed down and, at a given time, both would be significantly larger than if there had been no significant intervention in farm product markets.
The role of calcium antagonists in bronchial reactivity.

Abstract Calcium (Ca) ions play an important pathophysiologic role in allergic reactions. Thus, mediator release from mast cells, synthesis of some newly formed chemical mediators, airway smooth muscle contraction, and nerve-impulse conduction are all dependent on the availability and flux of Ca ions. It is likely, therefore, that Ca antagonists would modify allergic bronchoconstriction. In vitro, Ca antagonists have been demonstrated to inhibit mediator release (histamine, slow-reacting substance of anaphylaxis, and platelet-activating factor) from mast cells, passively sensitized human lung fragments, and leukocytes. Ca antagonists have also been found to inhibit synthesis of leukotrienes in rat lungs and cyclooxygenase products in sheep, possibly by inactivating phospholipase A 2 and/or 5-lipoxygenase. In addition, nifedipine, verapamil, and gallopamil have demonstrated inhibition of airway smooth muscle contractions to histamine, carbachol, and antigen in various species. In vivo effects of Ca antagonists are variable, depending on the species, experimental design, the stimulus or the agonist, and the Ca antagonist used. Animal studies have demonstrated the inhibition of histamine, methacholine, citric acid, and prostaglandin F 2α -induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs and dogs by intravenous nifedipine. In contrast, verapamil inhibited antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in allergic sheep without any effect on histamine- and carbachol-induced responses. Ca antagonists (nifedipine and verapamil) have been of limited value in human subjects and generally have no significant bronchodilating activity. Both nifedipine and verapamil prevent the exercise-induced asthma and partly attenuate the histamine and methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction. Oral nifedipine is generally more effective than oral verapamil against acute antigen-induced bronchoconstriction; however, this efficacy may be limited by systemic side effects. Inhaled Ca antagonists may be more effective and free of systemic side effects, as demonstrated by greater efficacy of inhaled verapamil. A new Ca antagonist, gallopamil (a methoxy derivative of verapamil), is being investigated as an aerosol, and preliminary studies in animals and humans have found it fourfold to seventeenfold more potent than verapamil. In sheep, gallopamil has been found to attenuate histamine, carbachol, and platelet-activating factor-induced bronchoconstriction, as well as to inhibit early and late-phase allergic airway responses. Studies in human subjects have also demonstrated the inhibition of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction by inhaled gallopamil, with efficacy comparable or better than cromolyn sodium. Although the currently available Ca antagonists are of limited value in the treatment of asthma, it is hoped that newer potent agents (e.g., gallopamil), when these are administered via inhaled route, may be of potential use.
Solar system: Saturn's tides control Enceladus' plume

Data obtained by the Cassini spacecraft show that the plume of ice particles at the south pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus is four times brighter when the moon is farthest away from the planet than when it is closest. See Letter p.182 Between 2005 and 2012 the Cassini spacecraft's Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) obtained 252 images of the plume of water vapour and ice particles emitting from near the south pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus. These images have been analysed with a view to establishing the nature of the geological forces driving the plume. The authors show that as Enceladus moves along its elliptical orbit, the brightness of the plume peaks — and larger amounts of material join the plume — when the moon is furthest from Saturn. This is consistent with a model in which tidal forces have an important role in controlling plume activity, perhaps by changing the width of the conduits between the surface and various underground reservoirs supplying the fissures through which the plume emerges.
Simulating structured-illumination microscopy in the presence of spherical aberrations

The effect of depth-induced spherical aberrations (SA) on structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is investigated. SIM is a technique used in three-dimensional (3D) fluorescence microscopy to improve resolution in optical sections acquired from 3D specimens. A 3D depth-variant imaging model was developed to predict the intermediate SIM or grid images that are used by the SIM approach to compute improved optical sections. The model incorporates SA due to imaging depth within a sample when there is a refractive index (RI) mismatch between the average RI of the specimen and the RI of the immersion medium of the lens. The model was implemented using a stratum-based model approximation and multiple depth-variant point-spread functions (PSFs)2. SIM optical sections were computed using the subtraction algorithm and simulated grid images that include SA predicted by our model. Simulations were performed for different imaging conditions by varying the grid frequency, the amount of SA and the level of noise added to the grid images. Simulated results demonstrate that SIM images are less accurate in the presence of SA, and confirm that the SIM approach is very sensitive to system noise resulting in a reduced SNR in the optically sectioned images.
The association of smoking and demographic characteristics on body mass index and obesity among adults in the U.S., 1999-2012.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) are an exceptional data source for studies of smoking and body weight because they are the only federal survey series collecting relevant information through detailed interviews and medical examinations. The associations of smoking status and demographic factors with body weight have not been evaluated fully in recent NHANES. Using NHANES datasets from 1999 to 2012, this study uses ordinary-least squares and ordered probit models to investigate the association of smoking and selected demographic variables with body mass index (BMI) and the probability of being in BMI categories among adults aged 25–64 years, and it uses quantile regression to examine whether these factors affect individuals differently depending on where they are located across the BMI distribution. The sample consisted of 11,123 men and 10,949 women. Current smokers had significantly lower BMI than never smokers (1.97 unit for men and 1.46 unit for women), and there was modest variation across the BMI distribution. Among former smokers, only women had a slightly higher BMI compared to never smokers (0.46 unit). Both men and women current smokers were more likely to be underweight and normal weight compared to never smokers and were less likely to be obese. Among men a one-year age increase elevated BMI by 0.2 unit throughout the BMI distribution, while for women an extra year of age increased BMI at the upper tail of the distribution more than at the lower tail. Education beyond high school was associated with a significant decrease in BMI among women, but much less so among men. Married men had higher BMI, but married women had significantly lower BMI, and this difference became larger at the upper tail. Compared to never smokers, men and women current smokers had lower BMI and lower probability of obesity, while only women former smokers had elevated BMIs and increased probability of obesity. In addition, we found that age, education and marital status were associated with different effects on BMI in men and women.
The Uniqueness Criterion: The Analysis of Eclipsing Binary Light Curves

Often, when scientific discussions are permitted to follow their natural course, fundamental questions at the heart of science; the philosophy of science, arise. The extensive and detailed discussions about binary stars at this meeting were no exception. The modeling of binary systems, based on the feeble signals from space, ultimately lead us to basic problems of epistemology and the theory of scientific knowledge.
On Being Happy and Mistaken on a Good Day: Revisiting Forgas’s (1998) Mood-Bias Result

Forgas (1998) reported “on being happy and mistaken,” finding that a happy mood increased the fundamental attribution error (FAE) compared to a sad mood. However, the standard attitude-attribution paradigm used by Forgas might contain demand characteristics, to which happy people might be especially susceptible. In addition, Goldenberg and Forgas (2012) showed that a happy mood decreased a form of the FAE. Using the questioner-contestant paradigm, we replicated Forgas’s result, but only when participants were already having a “good day.”
Diversification of Land Management Goals and Strategies in Response to Climate Change

Ronald Sandler (2013) asks that we consider the implications of future rapid climate change for conservation strategies and conservation goals. We agree with Sandler's conclusion that rapid ecologi...
The Evolution of History and the Informal Empire: La Decena Tráágica in the British Press

The violent events of the Decena Tragica in Mexico, February 1913, were important news in the British Press because Mexico had become a critical region for the commercial or informal British Empire. The journalistic discourse reveals insights about the complicated perceptions foreigners, particularly British, nurtured in regards to Mexican history and the political developments happening inside Mexico and in the broader context of North America. In addition to the often-mentioned notions of racism and cultural prejudices, the language of the press reveals a sophisticated concept of historical evolution that was used to justify and explain the British influence in Mexico.
The gryphon: A flexible lunar lander design to support a lunar outpost

Abstract A lunar lander is designed to provide safe, reliable, and continuous access to the lunar surface by the year 2020. The NASA Exploration System Architecture is used to initially define the concept of operations, architecture elements, and overall system requirements. The design evaluates revolutionary concepts and technologies to improve the performance and safety of the lunar lander while minimizing the associated cost using advanced systems engineering capabilities and multi-attribute decision making techniques. The final design is a flexible lander with a side-mounted minimal ascent stage and a separate stage to perform lunar orbit insertion capable of supporting the outpost crew exchange, sortie, and cargo missions.
Nanofibrillar Surfaces via Reactive Ion Etching

The reactive ion etching of poly(ethylene terephthalate) using various gas compositions was examined. A radio frequency power supply operating at 30 kHz was used to produce plasmas from the following gases and 50:50 gas mixtures: Ar, N 2 , O 2 , Ar-N 2 , Ar-O 2 , and N 2 -O 2 . Exposure times were typically 10, 20, and 30 min. The relatively inert gases and gas mixtures (Ar, N 2 , Ar-N 2 ) produced a polygonal pattern of protrusions surrounding shallow cavities. In contrast, the presence of oxygen or oxygen-containing plasmas invariably imposed a fibrillar structure on these polygons in which "nanofibrils" typically originated at the triple points of several neighboring polygons. The dimensions of these fibrils varied with the exposure time but were up to 300 nm in length and approximately 20 nm in diameter. Atomic force microscopy was used to quantify the surface roughness and show that the inert gas compositions (Ar, N 2 , Ar-N 2 ) produced statistically indistinguishable values of R a (14.1 ′ 1.7, 15 ′ 2.5, 14.2 ′ 2.9 nm) significantly larger than those of the as-received film. The pure oxygen-etched films have R a values approximately twice as large as those of the other gas compositions. Prior work by Nie et al. suggests that films consisting of etching-resistant, low-molecular-weight fragments can form under these conditions. We find that surface physics normally associated with thin polar films on apolar substrates adequately describes the origin of the observed nanofibrils. Prior surface deformation has an additional influence on fibril spacing and density.
Nature of the spin glass state.

The nature of the spin glass state is investigated by studying changes to the ground state when a weak perturbation is applied to the bulk of the system. We consider short range models in three and four dimensions and the infinite range Sherrington-Kirkpatrick (SK) and Viana-Bray models. Our results for the SK and Viana-Bray models agree with the replica symmetry breaking picture. The data for the short range models fit naturally a picture in which there are large scale excitations which cost a finite energy but whose surface has a fractal dimension, ${d}_{s}$, less than the space dimension $d$. We also discuss the possible crossover to other behavior at larger length scales than the sizes studied.
Significant differences in the disposition of cyclic prodrugs of opioid peptides in rats and guinea pigs following IV administration

The stabilities of DADLE ([D-Ala2,D-Leu5]-Enk, H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-D-Leu-OH), the capped derivative Ac-DADLE-NH2, and the oxymethyl-coumarinic acid (OMCA)-based cyclic prodrug of DADLE and [D-Ala2,Leu5]-Enk (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH) were determined at 37 degrees C in rat and guinea pig liver microsomes in the presence and absence of paraoxon, an esterase B inhibitor, and ketoconazole, a CYP3A4 inhibitor. These studies showed that the order of stability in microsomes was: DADLE >> Ac-DADLE-NH2 > OMCA-DADLE = OMCA-[D-Ala2,Leu5]-Enk. While paraoxon produced no significant effect on the stability of the studied compounds in liver microsomes, ketoconazole inhibited the metabolism, suggesting that the capped peptide and the cyclic prodrugs are substrates for cytochrome P450 enzymes. For pharmacokinetic studies, the cyclic prodrugs of DADLE and [D-Ala2,Leu5]-Enk were administered i.v. to rats and guinea pigs. Various biological fluids and tissue (brain, bile, and blood) were collected and analyzed for the free peptide and the prodrugs by high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-MS-MS). These studies showed that the conversion of the cyclic prodrugs to the respective linear peptides (i.e., DADLE and [D-Ala2,Leu5]-Enk) was rapid in rat and guinea pig. In terms of drug elimination, only trace amounts of OMCA-DADLE and OMCA-[D-Ala2,Leu5]-Enk were recovered in guinea pig bile (3.3% and 0.82%, respectively), while significant amounts were recovered in rat bile (38.1% and 51.7%, respectively). Brain uptake of the cyclic prodrugs in guinea pigs compared to previously determined brain uptake of OMCA-DADLE in rats was also significantly different. For OMCA-DADLE, the brain levels of the cyclic prodrug and DADLE in guinea pigs were approximately 80 and 8.5 times greater, respectively, than the levels observed in rat brain. The brain-to-plasma prodrug concentration ratios in guinea pigs (>or= 0.6) were significantly higher than the ratio observed in rats (0.01). These species differences are most likely due to the different substrate specificities of the efflux transporters that facilitate liver clearance of these prodrugs and limit their permeation into the brain.
Collaborative Classifiers in CT Colonography CAD

Multiple classifiers working collaboratively can usually achieve better performance than any single classifier working independently. Our CT colonography computer-aided detection (CAD) system uses support vector machines (SVM) as the classifier. In this paper, we developed and evaluated two schemes to collaboratively apply multiple SVMs in the same CAD system. One is to put the classifiers in a sequence (SVM sequence) and apply them one after another; the other is to put the classifiers in a committee (SVM committee) and use the committee decision for the classification. We compared the sequence order (best-first, worst-first and random) in the SVM sequence and two decision functions in the SVM committee (majority vote and sum probability). The experiments were conducted on 786 CTC datasets, with 63 polyp detections. We used 10-fold cross validation to generate the FROC curves, and conducted 100 bootstraps to evaluate the performance variation. The result showed that collaborative classifiers performed much better than individual classifiers. The SVM sequence had slightly better accuracy than the SVM committee but also had bigger performance variation.
Mulheres e a qualidade de vida: duas normas ou uma?

O artigo trata da questao de como podemos avaliar as injusticas suscitadas pela existencia de duas normas sociais distintas para a vida de homens e mulheres. Argumenta-se que essas injusticas tornam-se mais visiveis quando se confronta essa diferenciacao tal como existe em sociedades de tipo "liberal" comn o modo como se apresenta em sociedades "tradicionais". Essa comparacao pode revelar o papel que o apelo a uma nocao de natureza humana pode desempenhar na critica as injusticas de genero, diversamenter do que sustentam as feministas que aderem ao relativismo cultural ou moral.
Doctoral Training in the Psychology of Adult Development and Aging: 1993-1994. Survey Results.

The purpose of this study was to provide continuing documentation of opportunities for doctoral training and specialization in adult development and aging and to compare the results with those of similar studies conducted previously. Two surveys of doctoral programs in the psychology of adult development and aging were conducted during the 1993‐1994 academic year. The first was sent to 444 programs in the United States and Canada, and the second was sent to 145 clinical psychology programs in the same locations. Results from the first survey indicate a slight decline in the number of responding programs that offer specialization in adult development and aging. Most programs offering such specialization are located within developmental psychology programs in general psychology and human development‐family studies departments. A downward trend appeared in the number of specialization programs offering teaching assistantships specifically related to adult development and aging (from 50% to 38%), whereas an u...
Single dose versus fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for recurrent high-grade gliomas.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) in patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas by comparing two different treatment regimens, single dose or fractionated radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: Between April 1991 and January 1998, 71 patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas were treated with SRT. Forty-six patients (65%) were treated with single dose radiosurgery (SRS) and 25 patients (35%) with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT). For the SRS group, the median radiosurgical dose of 17 Gy was delivered to the median of 50% isodose surface (IDS) encompassing the target. For the FSRT group, the median dose of 37.5 Gy in 15 fractions was delivered to the median of 85% IDS. Results: Actuarial median survival time was 11 months for the SRS group and 12 months for the FSRT group ( p = 0.3, log-rank test). Variables predicting longer survival were younger age ( p = 0.006), lower grade ( p = 0.0006), higher Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) ( p = 0.0005), and smaller tumor volume ( p = 0.02). Patients in the SRS group had more favorable prognostic factors, with median age of 48 years, KPS of 70, and tumor volume of 10 ml versus median age of 53 years, KPS of 60, and tumor volume of 25 ml in the FSRT group. Late complications developed in 14 patients in the SRS group and 2 patients in the FSRT group ( p Conclusion: Given that FSRT patients had comparable survival to SRS patients, despite having poorer pretreatment prognostic factors and a lower risk of late complications, FSRT may be a better option for patients with larger tumors or tumors in eloquent structures. Since this is a nonrandomized study, further investigation is needed to confirm this and to determine an optimal dose/fractionation scheme.
Moorean Pluralism as a Solution to the Incommensurability Problem

Several prominent ethical philosophers have attempted to demonstrate that there exist instances or types of value that are of crucial moral significance but which cannot legitimately be compared with one another. Bernard Williams and Michael Stocker, for example, argue that it can sometimes be rational to regret having chosen the all-things-considered better of two alternatives, and that this sense of regret entails that the goodness of the worse option is not made up for by and is therefore incommensurable with that of the better. Joseph Raz and others have made similar points. In this paper, I propose a theory of value that is monistic in that it countenances just one sort of morally crucial value, but pluralistic in that several distinct properties bearer this value. I then explain how this view avoids incommensurable values without doing violence to the core intuitions that seemed to necessitate them, and how it fits into a larger conception of morality, right conduct, and moral psychology.
The use of glucocorticoids in marmoset wasting syndrome

Background Marmoset wasting syndrome (MWS) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in captive marmosets, and thus far no reliable treatment has been found. Glucocorticoids are used widely to treat inflammatory conditions of the GI tract such as human and feline inflammatory bowel disease, which, such as MWS, are histologically characterized by chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in the intestines. Budesonide is a glucocorticoid with few reported side effects due to the majority of it being metabolized into inactive compounds by the liver before entering the systemic circulation.
Trends in emergency department use of gastric lavage for poisoning events in the United States, 1993-2003.

Objective. To determine current trends in the use of gastric decontamination for the emergency department (ED) treatment of overdose patients. Methods. In the National Health Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), a weighted sampling of U.S. EDs, overdose-related visits were examined using ICD-9 CM E codes and NHAMCS' “reason-for-visit” classification. Results. From 1993 to 2003 there were an estimated 11.68 million ED-treated poisoning events. Some 13.7% of those treated were lavaged. Rates fell significantly, from an annual average of 18.7% of cases during 1993–97 to 10.3% during 1998–2003 (p < 0.001). Controlling for year, urgency, and admission status in multivariate logistic modeling, lavage was significantly and positively associated with private insurance payor status, younger age (<30), female gender, white race, 8 PM–8 AM presentation, and intentional rather than unintentional overdose. Conclusion. ED use of gastric lavage in poisoned patients has decreased significantly over the past decade bu...
The use of metal membranes for fractionating high polymers.

Abstract A diffusion cell has been constructed with highly permeable stainless steel membranes. The cell allows more rapid diffusion than previously described glass membrane cells. It is, therefore, suitable for quantity diffusion experiments on large molecules. The method of gaseous diffusion separation has been modified for use in the fractionation of high polymers in solution. Experiments have been performed to demonstrate the partial fractionation of mixtures. A method has been proposed for the construction of size distribution curves by combining data from free diffusion measurements on the fractions obtained by membrane diffusion. Advantages of the diffusion method over the fractional precipitation method are predicted for cases where very large molecular weight fractions free of low molecular weight material are desired.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SEMINAL AND CROWN ROOTS OF WHEAT SEEDLINGS AS AFFECTED BY TEMPERATURE

Abstract The experiment was conducted to determine the optimum temperature for root growth of wheat seedlings ( Triticum aestivum L.), and to evaluate the effects of temperature on growth and development of seminal and crown roots. Wheat seedlings were grown in a controlled environmental growth chamber and were harvested on alternate days for about 30 days beginning at 4 days after planting (DAP). The number of seminal and crown root axes and the length of each seminal and crown root axis, as well as the days after planting when the root axes and shoots were first observed, were recorded. Dry matter production of shoots and of seminal and crown roots was determined for air temperatures of 10, 20, 25 and 30°C. Some seminal root axes had already appeared at 4 DAP when sampling started, but their lengths were different at different temperatures. Shoots and crown roots emerged much earlier at 25 and 30°C than at 10 and 20°C. The 30°C temperature restricted formation of seminal root axes. The 10°C temperature retarded emergence and elongation of crown root axes. Lengths and dry matter production of both seminal and crown roots increased gradually to a maximum as temperature increased to 25°C, then declined at a temperature of 30°C. Root to shoot ratios were significantly greater and specific root lengths were significantly less at 10°C than those at 20, 25 and 30°C. Wheat grown at 25°C had the most extensive root system.
Development of a submicrometer-grained microstructure in aluminum 6061 using equal channel angular extrusion

Submicrometer-grained (SMG) microstructures are produced in an Al–Mg–Si alloy (6061) by subjecting peak-aged and overaged billets of the alloy to intense plastic strain by a process known as equal channel angular extrusion. Two types of refined structure are distinguished by optical and transmission electron microscopy. One structure is created through intense deformation (four extrusion passes through a 90° die, e = 4.62) by dynamic rotational recrystallization and is a well-formed grain (fragmented) structure with a mean fragment or grain size of 0.2–0.4 μm. The other structure is produced by post-extrusion annealing through static migration recrystallization, resulting in a grain size of 5–15 μm. Intense deformation of peak-aged material to a true strain e of 4.62 (four passes) produces a strong, ductile, uniform, fine, and high angle grain boundary microstructure with increased stability against static recrystallization as compared to the overaged material.
Postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex in the rat. IV. Spatial organization of bipolar cells, parallel fibers and glial palisades

The ontogeny of the spatial organization of some components of the molecular layer was investigated in cerebella sectioned systematically in the sagittal, coronal and horizontal planes. There is no discernible organization in the distribution of cells of the proliferative zone of the external germinal layer (EGL) but from birth the differentiating bipolar cells of the subproliferative zone are aligned parallel to the surface and to the long axis of the folium. While they are still in or at the base of the EGL, the bipolar cells emit long processes, the future parallel fibers. The next step is the outgrowth of a vertical process which may reach the base of the molecular layer before the granule cell nucleus becomes translocated. The idea that the cell body truly migrates through the molecular layer is not supported by the observations. Bergmann glia cells are frequently seen in Golgi material in neonates but they are probably less numerous than in older infants and their processes are not as well as aligned. It is only gradually that the EGL is perforated by glial endfeet which in older infants are occasionally organized into longitudinal rows. In mature cerebella the parallel fibers are separated by thin and relatively narrow, unstained spaces which are oriented in the longitudinal plane and can be traced from the pial surface to a zone just above the layer of Purkinje cells. It is postulated that these spaces are occupied by glial palisades formed by apposed thin vertical processes to which many Bergmann glia cells contribute. The alignment of these palisades is dependent on the orientation of parallel fibers. When the parallel fibers are reoriented by X-irradiation the glial palisades become correspondingly realigned. These observations indicate that the orieted growth of parallel fibers, which follows the polarization of bipolar cells, determines the spatial organization of the glial framework of the molecular layer. They also suggest that the glial palisades mediate functions that are not primarily developmental in nature.
Ocular refractive changes accompanying high blood sugar in alloxan-treated dogs.

SummaryHypermetropic refractive changes may occur in the eyes of alloxan diabetic dogs at a time when the blood sugar level is rising or has reached a high level. Changes in the direction of myopia were not observed.