cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2596: Correlation of TGF beta receptor II and pSmad2 expression with clinico-pathological factors in human breast cancer: An immunohistochemical observation from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Loss of transforming growth factor (TGF)-α expression occurs in the early stages of breast carcinogenesis, which contributes to tumor progression. The loss of TGF-β responsiveness frequently occurs at the level of the TGF- ≤ receptor II (TGF-βRII) in breast cancer. Smad2 is a major receptor-activated Smad downstream of TGF-β signaling. Phosphorylated Smad2 (pSmad2) is translocated into the nucleus to modulate transcription of target genes involved in many cell functions. We evaluated the correlation of TGF-βRII and pSmad2 protein expression with clinico-pathological factors in human breast cancer tissue from 435 breast cancer cases from the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, a population-based, case-control study. Expression of the TGF-βRII and pSmad2 proteins was detected using a double immunofluorescence staining method, which was validated with standard single immunostains. Lab-constructed tissue microarray samples were used as positive and negative controls. The immunofluorescence signals were designated as negative, positive, or strong-positive based on a modified Allred scoring system. Staining patterns of TGF-βRII were classified into membranous or cytoplasmic predominant. TGF-βRII expression intensity was significantly higher in normal and early-stage breast cancers (in situ carcinoma) than that in later stages (in situ carcinoma adjacent to invasive carcinoma, and invasive carcinoma) (P<0.001). The cytoplasmic predominant expression pattern of TGF-βRII was more frequently observed in breast cancer than that in normal breast epithelium on the same tissue section (P<0.001). pSmad2 expression was significantly increased in breast cancer compared with adjacent normal breast epithelium. In addition, the increased pSmad2 expression was significantly associated with higher breast cancer grade (P=0.004). No significant correlations between TGF-βRII/pSmad2 protein expression and other prognostic factors, such as age at diagnosis, menopause status, history of breast cancer, TNM stage, and ER/PR/HER2 status, was found. The results of this study suggest that reduced TGF-βRII expression and its cytoplasmic predominant expression pattern may be associated with the progression of breast cancer, and increased pSmad2 expression may be associated with carcinogenesis and poor differentiation of breast cancer cells. Additional samples are being analyzed to validate these findings and to evaluate the expression of TGF-βRII and pSmad2 in relation to breast cancer survival. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2596. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2596
Asymptotic formula for the condensate wave function of a trapped Bose gas

An analytical property is pointed out for the universal differential equation first derived by Dalfovo, Pitaevskii, and Stringari for the condensate wave function at the boundary of a trapped Bose gas. Specifically, the constant multiplying the Airy function of the solution asymptotically outside the trap is {radical}(2). Accordingly, the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin approximation is determined in the case of a spherically symmetric harmonic potential. This calculation is related to Josephson-type currents flowing between well-separated traps. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Empirical distributional semantics

Over the past 15 years, a range of methods have been developed that are able to learn human-like estimates of the semantic relatedness between terms from the way in which these terms are distributed in a corpus of unannotated natural language text. These methods have also been evaluated in a number of applications in the cognitive science, computational linguistics and the information retrieval literatures. In this paper, we review the available methodologies for derivation of semantic relatedness from free text, as well as their evaluation in a variety of biomedical and other applications. Recent methodological developments, and their applicability to several existing applications are also discussed.
Portal decompression by interposition mesocaval shunt in patients with biliary atresia

Abstract Surgical correction of portal hypertension in infants and children has often been frustrated by limitations imposed by the diminutive vessel size. During the past 18 mo, five patients from 1 to 7 yr of age and weighing between 9 and 19 kg, have required portal decompression for bleeding from esophageal varices. In two patients, a previous dissection in the area of the porta hepatis imposed a further technical obstacle. Both of these patients had biliary atresia and one had undergone a successful portoenterostomy (Kasai). 1 Success of the interposition mesocaval graft in adult patients led us to adopt this procedure in our five patients. Autogenous jugular vein was utilized for construction of the shunt in the smaller patients. Radiographic confirmation of shunt patency has been obtained 1 yr postoperatively.
Dynamic Adjustment of Irrigation Technology/Water Management in Western U.S. Agriculture: Toward a Sustainable Future

Changing water demands induced through climate change and a growing biofuel energy sector throughout the western States are expected to increase pressures on the present allocation mechanisms for an increasingly scarce resource, raising uncertainty about the sustainability of irrigated agriculture in the West. In this paper, we first present the policy motivation for examining continued producer adoption of water conserving irrigation production systems as a foundation for providing a sustainable future for western irrigated agriculture. Second, we summarize the historical transitions that help to define the adjustment path to increased sustainability for the sector. While western irrigated agriculture is on a path toward greater sustainability, evidence suggests that the sustainability goal has not been fully attained. Third, we develop a new conceptual framework for groundwater management that endogenizes both per acre applied water and an acreage-based technology adoption relationship within a normative, dynamic-optimization model for groundwater irrigated agriculture. The framework models producer adoption decisions under uncertainty while accounting for the influence of irrigation technology as a quasi-fixed input, i.e., the influence of asset fixity on producer adoption decisions. In this model, total crop production is based on consumptive use of irrigation water while the cost side is based on total applied water. L’´
Preservation of dopaminergic and alpha-adrenergic function in children with growth hormone neurosecretory dysfunction

The integrity of dopaminergic and alpha-adrenergic neurotransmitter regulation of GH secretion was examined in children with decreased GH secretion. Children with GH neurosecretory dysfunction (GHND; n = 16) those with classical GH deficiency (n = 9), and short but otherwise normal children (n = 12) underwent 24 h GH studies (blood sampling every 20 min for 24 h) and provocative tests using arginine, insulin hypoglycemia, L-dopa (dopaminergic) and clonidine (alpha-adrenergic), and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH). GHND was defined as children with height in the first percentile or below, growth velocity of 4 cm/yr or less, low plasma somatomedin-C for age, delayed skeletal age by 2 or more yr, peak serum GH responses to any one (or more) provocative test of 10 ng/ml or more, and mean 24-h GH concentration below 3 ng/ml. GHND and GH-deficient children had reduced endogenous GH secretion, expressed as mean serum 24-h GH concentration [1.6 +/- 0.1 (+/- SEM) and 2.1 +/- 0.1 vs. 6.1 +/- 0.5 ng/ml (GH-deficient and GHND vs. normal, respectively); P less than 0.01]. the mean peak serum GH levels after arginine [8.2 +/- 2.0 vs. 20.8 +/- 6.6 ng/ml (GHND vs. normal); P less than 0.05] and insulin [9.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 16.2 +/- 1.7 ng/ml (GHND vs. normal); P less than 0.01) were lower in GHND children. The mean peak responses after L-dopa [13.4 +/- 3.4 vs. 14.6 +/- 4.7 ng/ml (GHND vs. normal); P = NS] and clonidine [19.0 +/- 2.2 vs. 23.3 +/- 3.8 ng/ml (GHND vs. normal); P = NS] were preserved in GHND children. In GH-deficient children, mean peak serum GH concentrations after all four provocative tests were low (arginine, 2.7 +/- 0.8; insulin, 2.6 +/- 0.8; L-dopa, 3.0 +/- 0.9; clonidine, 3.4 +/- 1.0 ng/ml; all P less than 0.01 vs. normal). The mean peak serum GH concentration after GHRH was blunted in GH-deficient children (9.1 +/- 1.7 ng/ml) compared to those in GHND (32.9 +/- 8.5 ng/ml) and normal (43.2 +/- 6.4 ng/ml) children (P less than 0.01). The area under the GH curve after GHRH stimulation was greater for normal than GHND children (P less than 0.05). These data demonstrate preservation of dopaminergic and alpha-adrenergic neurotransmitter pathways in GHND children. They further suggest a defect in the release of pituitary GH secondary to an abnormality in alternative neurotransmitter pathways resulting in decreased GHRH and/or increased somatostatin secretion.
Abdominal aneurysm diagnosed by plain radiograph.

A 75-year-old male with a history of hypertension and diabetes presented with severe, progressive low back pain over the past 6 months after a fall. His examination was significant for tenderness to his lower back bilaterally, no abdominal tenderness, and a normal neurovascular exam. His vital signs were stable with a blood pressure of 168/97. A radiograph of his lumbar spine was obtained showing no acute injury, but a large saccular aneurysm (Fig. 1). A computed tomography scan was obtained showing an 8-cm abdominal aortic aneurysm (Fig. 2). Fig. 1 (a) Oblique view of lumbar radiograph showing a saccular aneurysm (white arrows). (b) Lateral view of lumbar radiograph showing a saccular aneurysm (black arrows) Fig. 2 Computed tomography scan showing an 8-cm aneurysm (white arrow) Diagnosing an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can be challenging and requires a heightened sense of awareness. Most patients are asymptomatic, but can present with abdominal pain, groin pain or back pain [1]. While aneurysms over 5 cm are palpable on examination, 76% of the time, physical examination is not reliable in ruling out AAA [2]. Bedside ultrasound and computed tomography have been shown to be very accurate in diagnosing AAA. Plain radiographs have limited usefulness in the diagnosis of a ruptured AAA, with characteristic findings of calcified aneurysm, loss of psoas or renal outline, or renal displacement [2]. Treatment is based on stability as well as anatomical considerations. Recent advances utilizing endovascular repair have been shown to be as effective as open repair, with decreased complications associated with endovascular repair [3].
Durational Aspects of Vowel Production in the Speech of Deaf Children

Two aspects of the duration control of vowel production were examined in deaf and normally hearing subjects: inherent durational differences between two closely related vowels (/i/ and /i/) and the...
Electrochemical detection of 14 common munitions constituents

Electrochemical detections of 14 munitions constituents (MCs) listed on the Environmental Protection Agency hazardous waste list were examined using square wave voltammetry. Of the MCs that showed peak resolution in the scanned range, the reduction potential, limit of detection and limit of quantitation are reported here. The MCs tested are in three groups: nitrobenzenes, nitrotoluenes, and other nitro-aromatics: tetryl, HMX, and RDX. There was a correlation between peak resolution and the number of nitro groups for the nitrobenzenes and nitrotoluenes. The nitro group distance from the methyl for the nitrotoluenes with two nitro groups showed some correlation to the ability to detect as well. Some mixture experiments were conducted in which MCs with three and two nitro groups were detected simultaneously. While tetryl readily displayed two peaks, RDX and HMX did not show such clear peak resolution.
Solvent Effects on the Thioamide Rotational Barrier: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

The solvent effect on the C−N rotational barriers of N,N-dimethylthioformamide (DMTF) and N,N-dimethylthioacetamide (DMTA) has been investigated using ab initio theory and NMR spectroscopy. Selective inversion recovery NMR experiments were used to measure rotational barriers in a series of solvents. These data are compared to ab initio results at the G2(MP2) theoretical level. The latter are corrected for large amplitude vibrational motions to give differences in free energy. The calculated gas phase barriers are in very good agreement with the experimental values. Solvation effects were calculated using reaction field theory. This approach has been found to give barriers that are in good agreement with experiment for many aprotic, nonaromatic solvents that do not engage in specific interactions with the solute molecules. The calculated solution-phase barriers for the thioamides using the above solvents are also in good agreement with the observed barriers. The solvent effect on the thioamide rotational b...
Progesterone inhibits oxytocin- and prostaglandin F2alpha-stimulated increases in intracellular calcium concentrations in small and large ovine luteal cells

There is increasing evidence that the corpus luteum has an important role in regulating its own demise. A series of experiments was performed to study the effects of luteal concentrations of progesterone on the functions of steroidogenic luteal cells. In the first experiment, steroidogenic small luteal cells (SLCs) were separated from endothelial cells, and it was determined that it was the SLCs that contained receptors for oxytocin. Treatment with progesterone (95 μM) for as little as 1 h decreased (P < 0.05) the percentage of SLCs responding to oxytocin (10 μM) with an increase in intracellular concentrations of calcium, and this effect continued for the duration of the experiment. In a second experiment, the response to oxytocin was increased (P < 0.05) by 3 h (but not 1 h) following progesterone removal, with a further increase by 16 h. The ability of 1 μM prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) to increase intracellular concentrations of calcium was also decreased (P < 0.05) by progesterone treatment. By 3 h following removal of progesterone, the percentage of steroidogenic large luteal cells (LLCs) responding to PGF2alpha was increased and not different from that observed in cells 16 h after progesterone removal. Finally, cyclodextrins (methyl-beta cyclodextrin [MbetaCD]) were used to remove cholesterol from the plasma membrane of luteal cells, and MbetaCD loaded with cholesterol was used to put cholesterol back into the plasma membrane of progesterone-treated cells. Treatment with MbetaCD reduced (P < 0.05) the responsiveness of SLCs to oxytocin and LLCs to PGF2alpha. Use of cholesterol-loaded MbetaCD returned the responsiveness of both SLCs and LLCs treated with progesterone to that observed in vehicle (no progesterone)-treated controls. In summary, intraluteal concentrations of progesterone inhibit the ability of oxytocin to increase intracellular concentrations of calcium in SLCs and the ability of PGF2alpha to increase intracellular concentrations of calcium in LLCs. The highest concentration of progesterone appears to act by influencing cholesterol content of the luteal cell membranes.
Hybrid simulations of whistler waves generation and current closure by a pulsed tether in the ionosphere

The dynamic response of a magnetized collisionless plasma to an externally driven, finite size, sudden switch-on current source across the magnetic field has been studied using a two dimensional hybrid code. It was found that the predominant plasma response was the excitation of whistler waves and the formation of current closure by induced currents in the plasma. The results show that the current closure path consists of: (a) two antiparallel field-aligned current channels at the end of the imposed current sheet; and (b) a cross-field current region connecting these channels. The formation of the current closure path occured in the whistler timescale much shorter than that of MHD and the closure region expanded continuously in time. The current closure process was accompanied by significant energy loss due to whistler radiation.
TheE8 theory of multigenerational strong-electroweak interactions: The neutral vector boson masses and% MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatuuDJXwAK1uy0Hwmaerbfv3ySLgzG0uy0Hgip5% wzamXvP5wqonvsaeHbfv3ySLgzaeXatLxBI9gBamXvP5wqSXMqHnxA% Jn0BKvguHDwzZbqehqvATv2CG4uz3bIuV1wyUbqehm0B1jxALjhiov% 2DaebbnrfifHhDYfgasaacH8qrps0lbbf9q8WrFfeuY-Hhbbf9v8qq% aqFr0xc9pk0xbba9q8WqFfea0-yr0RYxir-Jbba9q8aq0-yq-He9q8% qqQ8frFve9Fve9Ff0dmeaaciGacmaadaWabiqaeaqbaqaagaaakeaa% iiaacqWFZbWCcqWFPbqAcqWFUbGBdaahaaWcbeqaaiaaikdaaaqehe% KCPfgBaGWbaOGaa4hiaiabeI7aXnaaBaaaleaacqWF3bWDaeqaaaaa% !4F5C!.

A multigenerational theory of strong and electroweak interactions based on the gauge groupE8 is presented.E8 is broken down to a generation groupSU(3)G and a family groupE6, and various steps of symmetry breakings are discussed. Fermions, gauge bosons, and Higgs bosons are respectively represented by 248-dimensional representations. The completeE8 symmetric interactions are displayed. For definite steps of symmetry breakings, the masses of the neutral vector bosons and their mixing angles are predicted. This model predicts that\(sin^2 \theta _w \) is 1/4.
Electrophoretic motion of two interacting particles

The electrophoretic motion of two particles in a uniform electric field is analyzed using bispherical coordinates. Thin electric double layers on the particle surfaces and Stokes flow of the surrounding fluid are assumed. The particles may be of different sizes and zeta potentials, suspended in an unbounded quiescent Newtownian fluid. The particles are separated by an arbitrary distance, and their line of centers has arbitrary orientation with respect to the electric field. Extensive mathematical treatment is performed on the solutions of the electrostatic and hydrodynamic governing equations, which are solved using scalar stream functions, potential functions, and auxiliary functions in series forms. As a result, fast and accurate solutions are possible for very wide ranges of particle separations and size ratios, thereby extending previous work on electrophoretic mobility functions for interacting particles. The new code can be incorporated directly into other codes which require electrophoretic mobility functions. As an example, pairwise electrophoretic heteroaggregation rates are calculated using the new code.
The Selebi‐Phikwe Nickel/Copper Mine in Botswana

The development of the Selebi-Phikwe nickel/copper mine from its inception to the commencement of production and the role of the various parties in the financing of the project are described. The project was launched with every expectation of financial success by the Government of Botswana and the mining companies involved. Unfortunately, from the beginning it was plagued by technical difficulties which led to cost overruns and by falling nickel/copper prices which led to negative cash flows. Shortages of capital and cash flow difficulties necessitated three separate re-structurings of the financial package.
Adaptive control of a farm tractor with varying yaw dynamics accounting for actuator dynamics and saturations

This paper presents an adaptive control system implemented on an automatically steered farm tractor. The yaw dynamics of the tractor are time varying due to different attached implements and soil conditions; therefore, a model reference adaptive control (MRAC) system is developed to automatically adjust the feed-forward yaw rate controller to changes in the current yaw plant. The MRAC algorithm is next modified from itpsilas original form to account for steering actuator dynamics and nonlinearities. Simulated results are presented that demonstrate the algorithmpsilas performance under ideal conditions. Experimental results are presented that show that the algorithm performs well on a real system with changing yaw dynamics. Finally, experimental results are shown that demonstrate improved tracking performance verses a fixed-gain configuration.
Pediatric mental health services: complex problems demand comprehensive solutions.

IT IS WELL recognized that mental health is no longer the so-called new morbidity. Issues of the new millennium have only broadened the complexity of issues threatening child health. Despite progress in the last 4 decades since the landmark book by Bob Haggerty, many children with mental health needs are still unrecognized and undertreated, or falling through the cracks in health systems. Mental health issues are difficult to diagnose, treat, and manage in childhood, adolescence, and the transition to adulthood. The tipping point in meeting the challenges of mental health services may be the realization that we cannot disentangle pediatric mental health from overall child health or medical systems. Those of us who care for families struggling to care for children and adolescents with mental health issues are well aware of the complexity of these conditions. Targeted efforts have allowed us to realize some limited success, but until we have more comprehensive system solutions, we risk a plateau in improved outcomes without integrated identification, treatment, and long-term management. The 4 articles in this issue of the Journal demonstrate how mental health is an inextricable part of medical utilization, social services, education, and public health. Mental health in pediatrics encompasses a breadth of diverse issues like substance use, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders, and suicidality. These 4 articles also highlight the depth of mental health conditions with effects on all aspects of child health, family functioning, and health service utilization. Population effects are broad as well; these studies examine a wide pool of data for children of all ages, from diverse demographics across the country. Whether children are in foster care or are members of an insured population like Group Health, mental health issues are a major part of health care. How can we use these findings to consider next steps? Clearly the first part is recognition. Each step of mental health services loses patients to attrition by insurance barriers, compliance issues, and other individual or system factors. If we do not even identify children in need, we will never begin to initiate the process to engagement in effective treatment. The article by Jee and colleagues shows that recognition in primary care is possible, even in a complex population of youth in foster care. Primary care pediatrics has often focused more narrowly on early childhood issues like development. Mundt reports on the important effects of alcohol use in adolescents. Issues like substance use
Results from the E917 Experiment at the Ags

Collisions of Au+Au have been studied at beam kinetic energies of 6, 8, and 10.8 GeV/nucleon at the AGS facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Particles emitted from the collisions were momentum analyzed and identified in a magnetic spectrometer system. Measurements were made at spectrometer angles in the range 14° - 59°. m t-spectra of protons from central collisions were analyzed to derive integrated rapidity distributions and inverse slope as a function of rapidity. The results are compared with a thermal model and it is concluded that there is either substantial transparency or longitudinal expansion at all three beam energies.
Multicore power management: ensuring robustness via early-stage formal verification

Dynamic power management (DPM) is important for multicore architectures. One important challenge for multicore DPM schemes is verifying that they are both safe (cannot lead to power or thermal catastrophes) and efficient (achieve as much performance as possible without exceeding power constraints). The verification difficulty varies among designs, depending, for example, on the particular power management mechanisms utilized and the algorithms used to adjust them. However, verification effort is often not considered in the early stages of DPM scheme design, leading to proposals that can be extremely difficult to verify. To address this problem, we propose using formal verification (with probabilistic model checking) of a high-level, early-stage model of the DPM scheme. Using the model checker, we estimate the required verification effort, providing insight on how certain design parameters impact this effort. Furthermore, we supplement the verifiability results with high-level estimates of power consumption and performance, which allow us to perform a trade-off analysis between power, performance, and verification. We show that this trade-off analysis uncovers design points that are better than those that consider only power and performance.
The Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm Trial

Object The purpose of this ongoing study is to compare the safety and efficacy of microsurgical clipping and endovascular coil embolization for the treatment of acutely ruptured cerebral aneurysms and to determine if one treatment is superior to the other by examining clinical and angiographic outcomes. The authors examined the null hypothesis that no difference exists between the 2 treatment modalities in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The current report is limited to the clinical results at 1 year after treatment. Methods The authors screened 725 patients with SAH, resulting in 500 eligible patients who were enrolled prospectively in the study after giving their informed consent. Patients were assigned in an alternating fashion to surgical aneurysm clipping or endovascular coil therapy. Intake evaluations and outcome measurements were collected by nurse practitioners independent of the treating surgeons. Ultimately, 238 patients were assigned to aneurysm clipping and 233 to coil embolizat...
Errata: "Roots of the Cylindrical Shell Characteristic Equation for Harmonic Circumferential Edge Loading"

The roots of Fliigge's complete characteristic equation for small deformations of circular cylindrical shells loaded along the curved edges are compared with those of various widely used approximations to the equation. The roots are found to be extremely sensitive to small changes in the coefficients of the equations when the half-wave length of the circumferential variation of the applied edge load is of the order of three wall thicknesses or less. For these rapid circumferential load variations the roots of the complete equation not only deviate widely from those of the approximate equations but cease to be all complex as has been commonly supposed.
Effects of canopy shade on the morphology, phenology, and seed characteristics of Powell amaranth (Amaranthus powellii)

Abstract Characterizing the response of weeds to canopy shade is important for improved understanding of crop–weed competition and weed population dynamics. In 2000 and 2001, field studies were conducted in central New York state to examine the influence of three neighbor types (none, broccoli, or broccoli plus winter rye) and two locations (between or within rows of broccoli) on the morphology, phenology, and seed germination characteristics of Powell amaranth. Reductions in light availability and in the ratio of red-to-far red light were associated with increases in (1) partitioning of dry weight to stem tissue, (2) stem elongation, and (3) specific leaf area. Canopy shade also resulted in fewer main leaves at flowering and a reduced rate of leaf appearance but had no effect on the number of days to flowering. The relationship between Powell amaranth fecundity and aboveground dry weight was allometric, with both parameters declining significantly under competition. The weight of seeds produced did not v...
Using computational simulation to model CdS/CdTe processing in close-space sublimation

Sublimation based processing has proven to be an efficient method for manufacturing thin film CdS/CdTe PV devices. Recent advancements in computational simulation have opened a door for comprehensive modeling and analysis of the many processes involved in creating a fully functional solar cell. Computational models have been developed for CdS, CdTe, CdCl2, and CuCl that include fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and chemical reactions. This modeling will allow manufacturers to evaluate source geometries, process temperatures, operating pressures, and film properties before committing money to developing hardware.
Laparoscopic resection of giant adrenal cavernous hemangioma

Background: Large adrenal tumors were initially believed to be a relative contraindication to laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Methods: Here we discuss the case of a 42-year-old female with a 12-cm adrenal mass. Results: The patient underwent successful laparoscopic resection, and pathology revealed a cavernous hemangioma, a rare benign tumor of the adrenal gland. Conclusion: The following is a discussion of the case, laparoscopic resection technique, and brief review of adrenal hemangiomas. In experienced hands, adrenal mass size should not be considered a contraindication to laparoscopic intervention.
Municipal Rights: Home Rule in West Virginia

In the United States, the financial crisis that started in December 2007 and entered full force by September 2008 has left many municipalities in financial depredation. Dwindling tax bases are forcing cities to reevaluate services, employment, and basic utilities; however, cities and other municipalities are quite limited in how they may respond to fiscal constraints due to Dillon’s Rule provisions that are prevalent in numerous state constitutions. The basis of these provisions, to be described in greater detail henceforth, requires state legislative approval on many matters of city government. Unless the municipality first obtains permission from the legislature it cannot adjust services and taxes accordingly. In response to these restrictions, municipalities around the United States have been petitioning state legislatures to allow the adoption of home rule. Such has been the case in West Virginia where the legislature has provisionally adopted a municipal home rule pilot program that allows select municipalities that apply and receive approval to enact a limited number of measures directly relating to that municipality. This paper will summarily research the history of home rule and Dillon’s Rule doctrines as well as their usage and success in West Virginia, the Home Rule Pilot Project with particular focus on the four cities under the Project, the implementation of home rule programs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, and then this paper will recommend changes to the Home Rule Pilot Project while discussing the feasibility of those changes. Research on this topic is imperative today as many cities are moving to home rule doctrines in order to change city services; further, West Virginia’s Home Rule Pilot Project is set to be reviewed in 2013, making public awareness of the topic necessary.
Education for Peace: Exploring the Margins of Human Rights and Religion

Education for peace is an urgent topic in global discourse. As wisdom emerges from diverse regions of the world, this is a good moment to deepen educational efforts by analyzing and extending the present forms. Fresh perspectives are also needed, especially in relation to human rights, which has had a complicated and under-investigated relationship with peace (Forsythe, 1993). Peace educators have attended little to human rights discourse, and even less to the rights of people on social margins. Indeed, women and children only entered human rights discourse in the late twentieth century (Cook, 1994; Peters & Wolper, 1995).
The Public Philosophy: Interest-Group Liberalism

Until astonishingly recent times American national government played a marginal role in the life of the nation. Even as late as the eve of World War I, the State Department could support itself on consular fees. In most years revenues from tariffs supplied adequate financing, plus a surplus, from all other responsibilities. In 1800, there was less than one-half a federal bureaucrat per 1,000 citizens. On the eve of the Civil War there were only 1.5 federal bureaucrats per 1,000 citizens, and by 1900 that ratio had climbed to 2.7. This compares with 7 per 1,000 in 1940 and 13 per 1,000 in 1962—exclusive of military personnel.The relatively small size of the public sphere was maintained in great part by the constitutional wall of separation between government and private life. The wall was occasionally scaled in both directions, but concern for the proper relation of private life and public order was always a serious and effective issue. Americans always talked pragmatism, in government as in all other things; but doctrine always deeply penetrated public dialogue. Power, even in the United States, needed justification.Throughout the decades between the end of the Civil War and the Great Depression, almost every debate over a public policy became involved in the larger debate over the nature and consequences of larger and smaller spheres of government. This period was just as much a “constitutional period” as that of 1789–1820. Each period is distinguished by its effort to define (or redefine) and employ a “public philosophy.”
Sustainability, Democracy and Three Challenges to Global Judgment Integrity Capacity

Threats to natural and human sustainability abound: 'de-naturing' our planet and dehumanizing global stakeholders, in part due to managerial overemphasis on economic results, that shifts sustainability risks onto the public and future generations; the relative weakness of current forms of democratic capitalism to adequately address global sustainability threats; and, the lack of a robust theory of human nature that synthesizes scientific findings and restrains dehumanizing policies. The author interprets these diverse causal factors as aspects of the erosion of global judgment integrity capacity, which must be reclaimed and redeveloped to 're-nature' and 're-humanize' large segments of our planet constructively.
Sampling and Distribution of Potato Leafhopper Eggs in Alfalfa Stems

The distribution of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), eggs in alfalfa stems was studied in 2 fields in Montgomery Co., Va. to develop sampling plans for studies on leafhopper population dynamics. Stems collected in the field were cleared and stained with a lactophenol-acid fuchsin mixture. This permitted visual observation of the eggs inside the stems. Egg density in the field and their allocation in the plant were determined from June through Aug. 1976. Eggs were found mainly in the primary and lateral stems, with ca. 3% in the leaf petioles, but none in the leaves or leaf midribs. Succulent plant tissue was preferred for oviposition. Eggs were seldom found more than 17 cm from the growing tip. As the primary stem lignified, more eggs were placed in the lateral stems. Egg distribution patterns generally fit the negative binomial model. Sampling efficiency based on this distribution was in most cases only reliable within a 30% coefficient of variation due to low egg densities.
The Munroe-Meyer Approach: Continuous Integration of Didactic Instruction, Research, and Clinical Practice.

Increased demand for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services has increased the need for additional masters-level practitioners and doctoral-level academicians and clinical directors. Based on these needs, the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s (UNMC) Munroe-Meyer Institute has developed a PhD program. The academic structure at UNMC allowed us to create our PhD program in a relatively quick and efficient manner. Our PhD program has many unique features, including (a) close integration of didactic instruction with clinical and research training provided by leading experts in ABA in which students immediately apply concepts introduced in the classroom during coordinated clinical and research practica; (b) structured grant writing training in which students learn to write and submit an NIH-level grant; (c) financial support in the form of a stipend of $23,400 per year, free health benefits, and a full-tuition waiver for up to 12 credits per semester for UNMC courses (a benefits package worth approximately $50,000 per year for an out-of-state student); and (d) encouragement and financial support to present papers at local, regional, and national behavior analysis conferences.
A Distributed Algorithm with Linear Convergence for Maximum Lifetime Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks

A wireless sensor network of nodes with limited energy is considered. The problem of computing a routing flow that maximizes the network lifetime is formulated as a linear program. We consider a convex optimization problem with a separable objective function that computes an approximate solution to this linear program. Approximation bounds are given for the solution to this convex problem. A distributed algorithm with linear convergence is proposed to solve the approximate optimization problem. The approximation can be chosen such that the lifetime given by the approximate problem is arbitrarily close to the optimal lifetime given by the linear program. The main step of the algorithm can be implemented using the Bellman-Ford algorithm for computing the shortest path in a graph.
The Last Chronicle of Palliser: The Duke’ s Children

In the Autobiography, Trollope concludes his discussion of The Prime Minister with these words: “I have an idea that I shall even yet once more have recourse to my political hero as the mainstay of another story” (p. 310). Trollope had more than simply “an idea” when he wrote these words. The Duke’s Children (All the Year Round, October 1879–July 1880; published in three volumes in 1880) was finished in 1876 but put away for three years when The Prime Minister failed so dismally. The last Palliser novel was not a popular success either (Trollope’ s accountants in the venture lost £ 120, which the novelist offered to repay1), but it was received by the critics with enthusiasm; and in recent years, though it remains one of Trollope’s more neglected novels, The Duke’s Children has been treated with respect and admiration by the few critics who have dealt with it.
Rescue Procedures after Suboptimal Deep Brain Stimulation Outcomes in Common Movement Disorders

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a unique, functional neurosurgical therapy indicated for medication refractory movement disorders as well as some psychiatric diseases. Multicontact electrodes are placed in "deep" structures within the brain with targets varying depending on the surgical indication. An implanted programmable pulse generator supplies the electrodes with a chronic, high frequency electrical current that clinically mimics the effects of ablative lesioning techniques. DBS's efficacy has been well established for its movement disorder indications (Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia). However, clinical outcomes are sometimes suboptimal, even in the absence of common, potentially reversible complications such as hardware complications, infection, poor electrode placement, and poor programming parameters. This review highlights some of the rescue procedures that have been explored in suboptimal DBS cases for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. To date, the data is limited and difficult to generalize, but a large majority of published reports demonstrate positive results. The decision to proceed with such treatments should be made on a case by case basis. Larger studies are needed to clearly establish the benefit of rescue procedures and to establish for which patient populations they may be most appropriate.
Characterization of Error-Tolerant Applications when Protecting Control Data

Soft errors have become a significant concern and recent studies have measured the "architectural vulnerability factor" of systems to such errors, or conversely, the potential that a soft error is masked by latches or other system behavior. We take soft-error tolerance one step further and examine when an application can tolerate errors that are not masked. For example, a video decoder or approximation algorithm can tolerate errors if the user is willing to accept degraded output. The key observation is that while the decoder can tolerate error in its data, it can not tolerate error in its control. We first present static analysis that protects most control operations. We examine several SPEC CPU2000 and MiBench benchmarks for error tolerance, develop fidelity measures for each, and quantify the effect of errors on fidelity. We show that protecting control is crucial to producing error-tolerance, for without this protection, many applications experience catastrophic errors (infinite execution time or crashing). Overall, our results indicate that with simple control protection, the error tolerance of many applications can provide designers with considerable added flexibility when considering future challenges posed by soft errors.
America's Forgotten Colony: Cuba's Isle of Pines

America's Forgotten Colony examines private US citizens' experiences on Cuba's Isle of Pines to show how American influence adapted and endured in republican-era Cuba (1902–58). This transnational study challenges the notion that US territorial ambitions waned after the nineteenth century. Many Americans, anxious about a 'closed' frontier in an industrialized, urbanized United States, migrated to the Isle and pushed for agrarian-oriented landed expansion well into the twentieth century. Their efforts were stymied by Cuban resistance and reluctant US policymakers. After decades of tension, however, a new generation of Americans collaborated with locals in commercial and institutional endeavors. Although they did not wield the same influence, Americans nevertheless maintained a significant footprint. The story of this cooperation upsets prevailing conceptions of US domination and perpetual conflict, revealing that US-Cuban relations at the grassroots were not nearly as adversarial as on the diplomatic level at the dawn of the Cuban Revolution.
Coagulation Profile As Prognostic Indicator in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract Abstract 3593 Background: Evidence of deranged coagulation is encountered at presentation in a subset of patients with non-promyelocytic acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). High fibrinogen level at presentation is reported to be predictive of failure to achieve complete remission and of early death in AML (Lancet. 2010 Dec 11;376(9757):2000–8). Broader correlation of abnormal coagulation parameters with additional clinical outcomes in AML is needed. Objective: To determine association of coagulation parameters with overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), complete response (CR) as well as CR duration (CRD). Study design: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 869 consecutive patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center between the years 2005–2009. Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) were excluded. Coagulation parameters were recorded at the time of diagnosis and included prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen level and D-Dimer. Chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, as well as logistic regression analysis were applied to determine the association of CR with coagulation parameters. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the probability of survival outcomes and Cox proportional hazards models were fit to determine the association of time to event outcomes (CRD, OS and EFS) with coagulation parameters. Results: Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with higher fibrinogen levels had lower CR rates (p=0.02), shorter CRD (p=0.05) and OS (p=0.04). Event free survival was defined as time from presentation to loss of response, failure to respond and death due to any cause. By multivariate logistic regression, high fibrinogen was also associated with shorter EFS (p value = 0.03). PT, aPTT, D-Dimer as continuous variables were not significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Conclusion: High fibrinogen level at presentation is associated with poor outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. The potential biological role of high fibrinogen level in resistance to chemotherapy or the possibility of fibrinogen levels being a surrogate marker of heightened inflammatory state needs to be explored. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
A parliamentary reception (of sorts): the Russian mission of 1645–46

SUMMARYThe arrival of a Russian emissary, Gerasim Semenovich Dokhturov, in London in the midst of the English Civil War created a dilemma for parliamentarians who did not want to offend the Tsar’s envoy and risk losing privileges in the northern trade to the Dutch. With King Charles I absent from the capital and George, Lord Digby (later, the second Earl of Bristol), Secretary of State, having fled the country, the reception of the envoy devolved on Parliament. The focal point of the story of that reception is a decorated letter signed by the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, William Lenthall (Commons) and Edward Montagu, second Earl of Manchester, which was sent to Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich in June 1646. The experience of the envoy, the preparations by Parliament and the sending of the letter itself to the Tsar can be seen as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the new role that Parliament would play in state receptions after the execution of King Charles I in 1649.
Synthesis of the Hydrazinyl Pyridine Intermediate: Phase-Appropriate Delivery

A two-step synthesis of an intermediate for a drug-candidate, 3-fluoro-2-hydrazinyl-5-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridine (1), was developed and optimized according to the strategic priorities of the program. The bond disconnection remained unchanged from the initial route to the scale-up routes; however, the process evolved as the program’s priorities progressed. Speed, securing the raw material supply chain, and cost were all factors considered during development. The strategies to enable multikilogram deliveries are highlighted in this report.
Cerebellar Purkinje cell simple spike activity in awake mice represents phase differences between oscillations in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

The cerebellum has long been recognized for its role in tasks involving precise timing, particularly the temporal coordination of movements. Here we asked whether cerebellar might be involved in the temporal coordination of the phases of neuronal oscillations in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsal hippocampus CA1 region (CA1). These two structures and the cerebellum are jointly involved in spatial working memory. The phases of oscillations in the mPFC and CA1 have been shown to reach a stable alignment (coherence) during the decision making process in a spatial working memory task. Here we report that PC simple spike activity in the cerebellar lobulus simplex in awake, head-fixed mice represents specific phase differences between oscillations in the mPFC and CA1. Most PCs represented phase differences in more than one the conventional frequency bands (delta, theta, beta and gamma). Between the 32 PCs analyzed here, phase differences in all frequency bands were represented. PCs representing phase differences in the theta and low gamma bands showed significant population preference for mPFC phase leading CA1 phase. These findings support the possibility of a cerebellar involvement in the temporal coordination of phase relationships between oscillations in the mPFC and CA1.