cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aspects of dynamical symmetry breaking in gauge field theories

Abstract The dynamics of chiral and scale symmetry breaking in quenched, planar QED is further examined. Particular attention is focused on the renormalization properties of the model and the relevance of the four-fermion operators. In accordance with our previous results, the scale symmetry is explicitly broken and the dilation is not found at either strong or weak coupling. An effective lagrangian simultaneously realizing both spontaneously broken scale and chiral symmetries is constructed.
Economic Hardship, Parent Positive Communication and Mental Health in Urban Adolescents Seeking Outpatient Psychiatric Care

Economic hardship and poor parenting behaviors are associated with increased risk for mental health problems in community adolescents. However, less is known about the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) and parenting behaviors on youth at elevated risk for mental health problems, such as teens seeking outpatient psychiatric care. This study examined whether family SES and parent positive communication were directly and indirectly associated with mental health symptoms 6 months later in urban teens seeking outpatient treatment, after accounting for baseline levels of symptoms. At baseline, adolescent participants (N = 346; 42 % female; 61 % African-American) ages 12–19 years old (M = 14.9; SD = 1.8) and their primary caregivers reported on SES and teen internalizing and externalizing symptoms and engaged in a videotaped discussion of a real-life conflict to assess parent positive communication. At 6-month follow-up, 81 % (N = 279) of families were retained and teens and caregivers again reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypothesized models with a sample of 338, using the full information likelihood method to adjust for missing data. For parent-reported externalizing symptoms, SEM revealed support for the indirect association of SES with follow-up externalizing symptoms via parent positive communication and externalizing symptoms at baseline. For parent reported internalizing symptoms, there was a direct association between SES and follow-up internalizing symptoms, but not an indirect effect via parent positive communication. Youth-reported symptoms were not associated with SES nor with parent positive communication. Current findings extend prior research on adolescent mental health in a diverse sample of urban youth seeking outpatient psychiatric care. These families may benefit from interventions that directly target SES-related difficulties and parent positive communication.
On discriminant-like polynomials

Abstract Homogeneous polynomials p ( x 1 ,…, x n ) satisfying p ( x 1 +1,…, x n +1)= p ( x 1 ,…, x n ) are characterized, and are shown to possess some unexpected properties.
The role of epithelial plasticity in prostate cancer dissemination and treatment resistance

Nearly 30,000 men die annually in the USA of prostate cancer, nearly uniformly from metastatic dissemination. Despite recent advances in hormonal, immunologic, bone-targeted, and cytotoxic chemotherapies, treatment resistance and further dissemination are inevitable in men with metastatic disease. Emerging data suggests that the phenomenon of epithelial plasticity, encompassing both reversible mesenchymal transitions and acquisition of stemness traits, may underlie this lethal biology of dissemination and treatment resistance. Understanding the molecular underpinnings of this cellular plasticity from preclinical models of prostate cancer and from biomarker studies of human metastatic prostate cancer has provided clues to novel therapeutic approaches that may delay or prevent metastatic disease and lethality over time. This review will discuss the preclinical and clinical evidence for epithelial plasticity in this rapidly changing field and relate this to clinical phenotype and resistance in prostate cancer while suggesting novel therapeutic approaches.
Mathematical Models and Control Algorithms for Dynamic Optimization of Multicore Platforms: A Complex Dynamics Approach

The continuous increase in integration densities contributed to a shift from Dennard's scaling to a parallelization era of multi-/many-core chips. However, for multicores to rapidly percolate the application domain from consumer multimedia to high-end functionality (e.g., security, healthcare, big data), power/energy and thermal efficiency challenges must be addressed. Increased power densities can raise on-chip temperatures, which in turn decrease chip reliability and performance, and increase cooling costs. For a dependable multicore system, dynamic optimization (power / thermal management) has to rely on accurate yet low complexity workload models. Towards this end, we present a class of mathematical models that generalize prior approaches and capture their time dependence and long-range memory with minimum complexity. This modeling framework serves as the basis for defining new efficient control and prediction algorithms for hierarchical dynamic power management of future data-centers-on-a-chip.
The use of the Ligasure for hemostasis during thyroid lobectomy

Abstract Background The Ligasure electrothermal vessel sealer (Valleylab, Boulder, CO) has been introduced as a new method for hemostasis during thyroidectomy. We hypothesized that the use of Ligasure would potentially reduce operative time during thyroid surgery. Methods From 2001 to 2005, 150 patients had a thyroid lobectomy by a single surgeon. Data from these patients were prospectively collected in a database and retrospectively analyzed. Results Of the 150 patients, 51 underwent thyroid lobectomy with the use of the Ligasure and 99 patients underwent conventional ligation of vessels. There were no differences between groups with regard to demographic factors, thyroid gland pathology, or complications. Operative time was significantly shortened by 40 minutes in patients who had surgery with the Ligasure. Conclusion In patients undergoing thyroid lobectomy, the use of the Ligasure decreases operating room time and is associated with no increase in complications. Thus, we advocate the routine use of this technology during thyroid surgery.
Retinitis and renal function in cardiovascular renal disease

This paper is based on eighty cases, studied in the Section on Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. These seem to show that retinal edema, exudates and hemorrhages, with hypertension, do not always mean nephritis. The type of nephritis cannot be decided by the type of retinitis. Retinitis of a nephritic type means progressive renal insufficiency, or functional conditions with malignant hypertension. Read before the Minnesota Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology, Nov. 16, 1923.
What menu changes do restaurants make after joining a voluntary restaurant recognition program

Programs that recognize restaurants for offering healthful options have emerged as a popular strategy to address the obesity epidemic; however, program fidelity and business responses to such programs are rarely assessed. This study sought to examine how retail restaurants in Los Angeles County chose to comply with participation criteria required by the Choose Health LA Restaurants initiative in the region; the program recognizes restaurants for offering reduced-size portions and healthy children's meals. Menus of all restaurants that joined within 1 year of program launch (n = 17 restaurant brands) were assessed for changes. Nine of the 17 brands made changes to their menus to meet participation criteria for reduced-size portions while 8 of the 10 restaurant brands that offered children's menus made changes to improve the healthfulness of children's meals. Results of this comparative assessment lend support to restaurant compliance with program criteria and menu improvements, even though they are voluntary, representing an important step toward implementing this strategy in the retail environment.
Parenting Moderates a Genetic Vulnerability Factor in Longitudinal Increases in Youths’ Substance Use

A longitudinal, prospective design was used to investigate a moderation effect in the association between a genetic vulnerability factor, a variable nucleotide repeat polymorphism in the promoter region of 5HTT (5-HTTLPR) and increases in youths’ substance use. The primary study hypothesis predicted that involved-supportive parenting would attenuate the link between the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and longitudinal increases in substance use. African American youths residing in rural Georgia (N = 253; M age = 11.5 years) provided four waves of data on their own substance use; the youths’ mothers provided data on their own parenting practices. Genetic data were obtained from youths via saliva samples. Latent growth curve modeling indicated that 5-HTTLPR status (presence of 1 or 2 copies of the s allele) was linked with increases in substance use over time; however, this association was greatly reduced when youths received high levels of involved-supportive parenting. This study demonstrates that parenting processes have the potential to ameliorate genetic risk.
Effect of carbohydrate source on alpha-amylase and glucoamylase formation by Clostridium acetobutylicum SA-1

An examination into the effect of different carbohydrate sources indicated that the production of extracellular alpha-amylase and glucoamylase was under similar biosynthetic control inClostridium acetobutylicum SA-1. Cell-associated starch-hydrolytic enzymes may be more important than extracellular enzymes in the processing of the starch molecule.
Reactivation of type 1 herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus in an immunosuppressed patient with acute peripheral facial weakness

We describe a 26-year-old man treated with azathioprine for myasthenia gravis who developed acute left-sided peripheral facial weakness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed enhancement in the left geniculate ganglion and in the intracanalicular and tympanic segments of the facial nerve. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum revealed intrathecal synthesis of anti-varicella zoster virus (VZV) IgG antibody. Although previous analyses of saliva, blood mononuclear cells, serum antibodies, middle ear fluid, and auricular and geniculate zone skin scrapings have shown that a small but definite proportion of patients with idiopathic peripheral facial palsy ("Bell's palsy") have the Ramsay Hunt syndrome zoster sine herpete (RHS ZSH), this is the first confirmation of RHS ZSH by intrathecal synthesis of anti-VZV IgG antibody. In addition, herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 DNA was found in saliva of the patient on 3 consecutive days. Simultaneous reactivation of two alphaherpesviruses (HSV-1 and VZV) in our immunosuppressed patient underscores the need to consider opportunistic infection as a cause of facial weakness.
A tunnel wick 100,000 watt-inch heat pipe.

The tunnel wick is a new type of heat pipe artery which can prime in a gravity environment by temperature-induced pressure differences between interior and exterior. The paper discusses the concept and its application in the design of room-temperature high-transport-capacity heat pipes. The analytical model of the system is summarized; and performance data obtained with the aid of a related computer program is included. Test data verifying the concept is presented for several pipes, including an eight-foot-long, 0.9-inch ID heat pipe, using ammonia working fluid, with a transport capacity in excess of 150,000 watt-inches. A brief discussion of potential applications for this type of heat pipe includes a variable conductance device to serve as a radiator header and a high capacity heat transport system.
Vaginal rings for menopausal symptom relief.

The vagina is an alternative delivery site of sex steroids for menopausal women. New ring technology provides continuous and consistent delivery of steroids for up to 3 months. Rings rest on the pelvic floor muscles in a nearly horizontal position and are usually imperceptible. Steroid is delivered directly into the systemic circulation which may result in less alteration of coagulation/fibrinolysis pathways as seen with transdermal hormone therapy. Fewer adverse effects are noted when progesterone is applied vaginally, possibly due to lower serum levels of metabolites such as alloprenanolone. Women often switch to a ring for the longer dosing interval but also appreciate the reduced messiness. Over 5700 healthy US women who evaluated an unmedicated ring as a drug delivery platform found it very acceptable independent of age or prior use of barrier contraceptives. Marketed rings in the US include: (i) a ring for systemic and vaginal menopausal therapy that provides average serum estradiol levels of 40.6 pg/mL for the 0.05mg and 76 pg/mL for the 0.1mg dose; (ii) a ring for urogenital menopausal symptoms only that minimally elevates serum estradiol, usually within the menopausal range, treating atrophic vaginitis and urethritis; and (iii) a ring labelled for contraception that provides ethinyl estradiol 15µg and etonogestrel 120µg appropriate for nonsmoking perimenopausal women. A ring for combination hormone therapy and another releasing progesterone for contraception in lactating women have been reported in the literature, but are not yet available commercially. These may offer future options for hormone therapy. Women with a uterus receiving estrogen, even in low doses, should be given progestogen to prevent endometrial hyperplasia or carcinoma. Even women who have had an endometrial ablation are likely to have some endometrial tissue remaining since long-term amenorrhoea is uncommon. Since no marketed combination ring product is available, other forms of progestogen are necessary. Vaginal rings offer a novel approach to menopausal hormone therapy producing consistent serum levels sustained for up to 3 months per unit dose with lower adverse effects than other vaginal products and high acceptability among users.
Preconditioned iterative 3-D finite-difference migration or modeling on MPP system

In seismic data processing, the formulation of the three-dimensional one-pass 45/spl deg/ implicit finite-difference migration schemes requires the solution of a huge number of very large pentadiagonal complex linear systems. Most of the effort in using iterative methods to accurately solve the problem was not successful due to the bad condition numbers of the systems. We present a parallel algorithm to solve the large sparse systems iteratively, based on the preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG) method. First, by reformation of the linear systems and choosing a special preconditioner, the PCG method is effective in solving these linear systems. By using a nonuniform distribution of linear systems among all PEs, a special global summation procedure and a heterogeneous computation technique, the parallel algorithm is quite efficient. Finally, we present some numerical results on both the CRAY-YMP and CRAY-T3D showing the efficiency and effectiveness of the algorithm. >
Rod and cone function in coneless mice.

Transgenic coneless mice were initially developed to study retinal function in the absence of cones. In coneless mice created by expressing an attenuated diphtheria toxin under the control of flanking sequences from the human L-cone opsin gene, a small number of cones ~3-5% of the normal complement! survive in a retina that otherwise appears structurally quite normal. These cones predominantly ~;87% of the total! contain UV-sensitive photopigment. ERG recordings, photoreceptor labeling, and behavioral measurements were conducted on coneless and wild-type mice to better understand how the nature of this alteration in receptor complement impacts vision. Signals from the small residual population of UV cones are readily detected in the flicker ERG where they yield signal amplitudes at saturation that are roughly proportional to the number of surviving cones. Behavioral measurements show that rod-based vision in coneless mice does not differ significantly from that of wild-type mice, nor does their rod system show any evidence of age-related deterioration. Coneless mice are able to make accurate rod-based visual discriminations at light levels well in excess of those required to reach cone threshold in wild-type mice.
On optimal scheduling for time-division systems with quality of service constraints

A wireless communication system, where a common base station (BS) is scheduled to transmit information to mobile users on a time division (TD) basis, under quality of service (QoS) constraints is considered. The QoS requirement is specified in terms of asymptotic decay rate of buffer occupancy. The optimal scheduling scheme for this system is found, which is then used to characterize the effective capacity. Furthermore, it is shown that the optimal scheduling schemes without QoS constraints and the opportunistic scheduling scheme fall out as special cases of a more generalized class of scheduling schemes derived in this paper.
Collaborative Strategic Reading as a Means to Enhance Peer-Mediated Instruction for Reading Comprehension and Content-Area Learning:

This article reports on a series of studies designed to enhance reading comprehension and content-area reading for students with diverse learning needs in general education classrooms. Strategies were implemented through a peer-mediated instructional format (either small groups or pairs). Findings from professional development, students' academic progress, and discourse analysis revealed that many students made significant progress in both understanding text and learning content. However, carefully monitoring the progress of all students is necessary because gains for some students are minimal.
Response to letter regarding article, "Limitations of Doppler echocardiography in the evaluation of serial stenoses".

We appreciate the insightful comments by Drs Jenni and Martin regarding our recent publication.1 We agree with them that the determination of serial gradients using conventional Doppler data is problematic. The derivation used for Figure 3 results in the generation of negative gradients, which are nonphysiological, supporting the conclusions that we and Drs Jenni and Martin have presented. Drs Jenni and Martin correctly pointed out that the velocity V2 in …
Multi-objective optimization of the energy capture and boost inductor mass in a module-integrated converter (MIC) photovoltaic energy system

As photovoltaic (PV) energy continues to gain market penetration, thanks in part to substantial cost reductions on the solar modules, attention is shifting to the balance-of-system performance and costs. For the power electronics, effective design approaches are required to ensure maximum energy harvest from the PV modules at a price-point that makes the technology economically viable. Inevitably, this means design tradeoffs are required. In this paper we present a multi-objective optimization methodology to maximize the energy harvested from a PV module while minimizing the mass of the module-integrated converter. The optimization between the size of the boost-converter inductor and the deviation from the maximum power point of the module is not trivial since the boost inductor affects the ripple current drawn from the PV module. Models for the optimization will be provided and simulation results showing the validity of the tradeoffs presented.
Human rights, self-determination, and external legitimacy

It is commonly supposed that (a) at least some states possess a moral right against external intervention in their domestic affairs and (b) all human rights violations give members of the international community reasons to undertake preventive or remedial action against offending states. No state, however, currently protects or could reasonably be expected to protect its subjects’ human rights to a perfect degree. In view of this reality, many have found it difficult to explain how any existing or readily foreseeable state could enjoy a moral right of nonintervention without denying the normative force of human rights. This article seeks to reconcile these apparently incompatible commitments by arguing that, in addition to acting in defense of human rights, outsiders must be appropriately responsive to individuals’ distinct and potentially countervailing interests in collective self-determination. I show that, under certain demanding but not unrealistic conditions, individuals’ interests in self-determina...
Frequent amplification and rearrangement of chromosomal bands 6p12‐p21 and 17p11.2 in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly malignant bone neoplasm of children and young adults. It is characterized by chaotic karyotypes with complex marker chromosomes. We applied a combination of molecular cytogenetic techniques including comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), spectral karyotyping (SKY), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to decipher the chromosomal complexity in a panel of 25 tumors. Combined SKY and G-banding analysis identified several novel recurrent breakpoint clusters and 9 nonrecurrent reciprocal translocations. CGH identified several recurrent chromosomal losses including 2q, 3p, 9, 10p, 12q, 13q, 14q, 15q, 16, 17p, and 18q, gains including Xp, Xq, 5q, 6p, 8q, 17p, and 20q, and high-level chromosomal amplifications at Xp11.2, 1q21-q22, 4p11, 4q12, 5p15, 6p12.1, 8q13, 8q23, 10q11, 10q22, 11q13, 11q23, 12q13-q14, 13q21-q34, 16q22, 17p11.2, 17q21-q22, 18q22, 20p11.2, and 20q12. Frequent amplification and rearrangement involving chromosomal bands at 6p12-p21 and 17p11.2 were found in 28% and 32% of cases, respectively. In an attempt to identify the genes involved in these amplicons, we used three nonoverlapping BAC clones contained within each amplicon as probes for FISH analysis, leading to a more detailed characterization and quantification of the 6p and 17p amplicons.
Harald Weinrich, The linguistics of lying and other essays

Harald Weinrich, The linguistics of lying and other essays. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2005, Pp. vii, 148. Pb. $18.95.This book examines the nature of lying by considering the correlation between language and thought, language and reality, and language and context. In the five essays included, Weinrich relies on literary and philosophical works from Aristotle to Zola to propose his argument that linguistics can examine how language hides thoughts and how truth becomes distorted into lie. He weaves a sophisticated philosophy of the ways in which language is true or untrue, and the mechanisms of linguistics, literature, and life that signal these truths or untruths.
Changes in Frailty After Kidney Transplantation

With advances in transplant surgery, including better surgical technique and immunosuppression, kidney transplantation (KT) has become the preferred treatment option for appropriate individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).1 KT reverses the physiology of ESRD, restoring the kidneys’ function of removing excess fluid and waste from the blood without the burden of hemodialysis, but involves an initial invasive procedure. The surgical insult that occurs during KT is profound, and recovery is potentially challenging for vulnerable recipients. During this time, recipients are at high risk of postsurgical complications and acute rejection episodes.2 Thus, there is an interesting duality after KT; recipients recover physically and psychosocially because of restored kidney function and gained independence, but they must undergo major surgery, after which they are at risk of early postoperative complications. It is hypothesized that people initially get worse after the physical insult of transplantation and then will continue down one of two paths: continued improvement or progressive decline. Frailty, a measure of physiological reserve initially described and validated in geriatric populations,3 is emerging as an important risk factor for adverse KT outcomes, including delayed graft function (DGF),4 early hospital readmission,5 and mortality6 in adult recipients of all ages. Although previous studies suggest that older adults become more frail as they age,7–9 little is known about changes in frailty after surgery and in particular after KT. Although it is likely that increased frailty would certainly be the natural history of ESRD, it is unclear whether frailty status worsens initially after the physical insult of surgery and whether recipients continue to worsen or improve in the months after KT. Furthermore, it is unclear whether being frail at the time of KT represents an irreversible state of low physiological reserve in which recipients are unable to return to their baseline frailty status or whether they are able to increase their physiological reserve after kidney function is restored. The goal of this study was to characterize the change in frailty over time after transplantation and identify predictors of long-term changes in frailty score.
Study of sulfur‐containing molecules in the EUV region. II. Photoabsorption cross section of COS

Using synchrotron radiation as a continuum background, the absorption cross sections of SO2 have been measured using a double ionization chamber. The cross sections range from 10 to a maximum value of 56 Mb in the 175-760 A region. A possible window resonance series was observed and tentatively assigned to a Ryberg series converging to the (6a sub 1) to the -1st ion state. From the fluorescence excitation function the vibrational progressions of the SO2(+) ion states have been measured and found in good agreement with those observed from photoelectron spectroscopy. The same correspondence between peaks in the fragment fluorescence excitation function and the photoelectron spectrum suggests that these ion states of SO2 are dissociative in nature.
Synovial inflammatory processes in the hand

The numerous synovial articulations and tendon sheaths of the hand afford it a central role in the diagnosis and management of inflammatory arthropathies. Inflammation may be idiopathic, infectious, post-traumatic, or secondary to deposition diseases. In most cases, synovial inflammation represents the primal event in the onset of destructive arthropathies. We review the imaging features of acute and chronic synovitis in the hand. Magnetic resonance imaging is very sensitive to the earliest changes of synovitis and provides a modality for early detection of disease. Additionally, once a diagnosis is established, magnetic resonance imaging has an emerging role in rapid assessment of response to therapy. Positron emission tomography and ultrasound also show promise in the evaluation and treatment of inflammatory arthropathies. Although highly sensitive to the presence of inflammation these more advanced imaging techniques often lack specificity. Therefore, the radiographic evaluation of the pattern of bone destruction remains critical to distinguishing among the different synovial inflammatory processes.
Telelogs: a social communication space for urban environments

This paper presents a novel idea for a system known as Telelogs. Utilizing the ubiquity of mobile devices, Telelogs functions as a service by which individuals in an urban environment can establish a better sense of community awareness. In addition, this system could serve as a medium through which these individuals can communicate their thoughts and ideas with others within their environment. This would result in a better sense of community solidarity. Telelogs is targeted towards those persons in society that come across one another on a consistent basis but rather than establishing a direct line of communication, they maintain a relationship that could be characterized as one of courteous detachment. In other words, these individuals are known as familiar strangers. There is strong potential for this relationship to be augmented with a mediated communication space. Telelogs would act as a space through which individuals learn more about themselves while reciprocally gaining a better understanding of those persons present in their environment. Telelogs transfers the essence of the blog into an audio form as an extension for mobile devices. A first prototype of Telelogs is presented and accompanied by feedback after a demonstration. In addition, details of a first cell phone implementation follow.
Skull, mandible, and hyoid of Shinisaurus crocodilurus Ahl (Squamata, Anguimorpha)

Shinisaurus crocodilurus Ahl is an endangered lizard of uncertain phylogenetic affinities with a very restricted geographic distribution within southern China and northern Vietnam. Available cranial descriptions are brief and based on incomplete or immature specimens. Consequently, the cranial structure of this important species remains poorly documented. This paper provides a detailed redescription based on several well-preserved adult and subadult skeletons. Description of individual bones corrects errors in previous studies. Comparisons with extant and fossil anguimorphs, especially Xenosaurus, allow a new diagnosis of cranial autapomorphies for Shinisaurus. The significance of Shinisaurus for anguimorph interrelationships is discussed briefly. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 141, 399–434.
Expanding the action of duplex RNAs into the nucleus: redirecting alternative splicing

Double-stranded RNAs are powerful agents for silencing gene expression in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells. The potential for duplex RNAs to control expression in the nucleus has received less attention. Here, we investigate the ability of small RNAs to redirect splicing. We identify RNAs targeting an aberrant splice site that restore splicing and production of functional protein. RNAs can target sequences within exons or introns and affect the inclusion of exons within SMN2 and dystrophin, genes responsible for spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, respectively. Duplex RNAs recruit argonaute 2 (AGO2) to pre-mRNA transcripts and altered splicing requires AGO2 expression. AGO2 promotes transcript cleavage in the cytoplasm, but recruitment of AGO2 to pre-mRNAs does not reduce transcript levels, exposing a difference between cytoplasmic and nuclear pathways. Involvement of AGO2 in splicing, a classical nuclear process, reinforces the conclusion from studies of RNA-mediated transcriptional silencing that RNAi pathways can be adapted to function in the mammalian nucleus. These data provide a new strategy for controlling splicing and expand the reach of small RNAs within the nucleus of mammalian cells.
On-Chip Testing Techniques for RF Wireless Transceivers

This article describes a set of on-chip testing techniques and their application to integrated wireless RF transceivers. The objective is to reduce final product cost and accelerate time to market by providing means of testing the entire transceiver system as well as its major building blocks without using off-chip analog or RF instrumentation. On-chip test devices fabricated in a standard CMOS process and experimentally evaluated support the proposed test strategy
Clinical importance of cytogenetics in acute myeloid leukaemia

Acquired chromosome aberrations are present in the marrow of most patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at diagnosis. Cytogenetically, AML is a very heterogeneous disease with over 160 structural chromosome abnormalities observed recurrently to date. Molecular dissection of many reciprocal translocations and inversions has resulted in cloning of the genes involved in leukaemogenesis. Some recurrent aberrations and the resulting gene rearrangements, namely inv(16)/t(16;16) and CBFbeta- MYH11, t(8;21) and CBFA2-CBFA2T1, t(15;17) and PML-RARalpha, and rearrangements of band 11q23 and the MLL gene, are now used to help define distinct disease entities within AML in the new World Health Organization classification of haematological malignancies. Moreover, cytogenetic abnormalities, whether molecularly characterized or not, are among the most important, independent prognostic factors in AML, and are being used in the management of AML patients. This review presents current information on chromosome abnormalities in AML, and on associations between karyotype and clinical characteristics and outcome of AML patients.
The benefit of lymph node debulking in metastatic cervical cancer: a research bias or an actual effect?

Cervical cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer death among women in the world. Despite the major advances made in the fields of screening and prevention, management of advanced stage disease continues to be problematic. Lymph node metastasis is one of the major factors impacting local and distant recurrence as well as disease-specific survival. In the current issue of Gynecologic Oncology, the study by Kupets et al. addresses the role of pelvic lymph node debulking in advanced cervical cancer [1]. After reviewing the existing published data, the authors conducted a mathematical analysis to assess the potential benefit of lymph node debulking. They concluded that a surgical debulking of pelvic lymph nodes would be of benefit for a very small fraction of patients and that a randomized controlled trial to test this hypothesis is not feasible. The main impediments to the successful management of lymph node metastases have been establishing an accurate diagnosis and then planning effective treatment. Since standard pelvic radiation effectively treats microscopic and low-volume pelvic nodal disease ( 2 cm), accurate diagnosis becomes critical in planning the therapy of women with bulky macroscopic ( 2 cm) pelvic lymph node metastases or paraaortic lymph node metastases of any size. Over the years, different approaches have been tested and used to diagnose lymph node metastases. A metaanalysis by Sheidler et al. included 38 studies that looked at LAG, CT, and MRI for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical cancer [2]. They concluded that the three modalities were equally effective in detecting lymph node metastasis from cervical cancer. The current data on the use of positron emission tomography scanning in the evaluation of cervical cancer is very promising and need to be confirmed with larger studies. In view of the limitations of the various radiologic modalities especially in identifying paraaortic node metastases, many authors have continued to advocate the use of surgical staging
The effect of oxygen delivery-directed resuscitation on splanchnic and hepatic oxygen transport after hemorrhagic shock.

Background: Gut and hepatic dysfunction, during and after hypovolemic shock, have been implicated as causative mechanisms in the development of multiple system organ failure in the trauma patient. Current techniques of assessment of perfusion only detect changes in systemic oxygen transport. We designed an animal model that can measure changes in oxygen transport in the liver and gut during hypovolemic shock and resuscitation. Materials and methods: Animals were hemorrhaged to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 60 mm Hg and maintained at 60 mm Hg for 60 min. Animals were then assigned to one of three groups. Group I served as nontreatment controls. Group II received shed blood and saline in sufficient volumes to restore MAP to baseline. Group III animals were resuscitated with shed blood, saline, and donor blood to restore systemic oxygen delivery to the preshock value. Results: The animals resuscitated to their baseline systemic oxygen delivery, Group III, had significantly higher systemic, hepatic, and splanchnic oxygen delivery than the remaining groups. In addition, Group III had higher oxygen consumption, portal flow, and hepatic artery flow than the blood pressure-directed group, Group II. The decrease in oxygen extraction ratio in the gut and liver was significantly greater in Group III than in Group II. Conclusions: These data show that hepatic and gut vascular beds are better perfused when resuscitation from hemorrhage is guided by systemic oxygen transport measurements compared to resuscitation guided by blood pressure.
Oval-shaped cornea, lens duplication, and optic nerve hypoplasia associated with myelomeningocele.

Abstract Oval-shaped cornea associated with true lens duplication and separate capsules is a rare anomaly. It can occur as an isolated finding 1 , 2 or be associated with other ocular and facial maldevelopments. 3 , 4 , 5 We report a novel association of an hourglass cornea, lens duplication, and optic nerve hypoplasia with myelomeningocele in a male infant. J AAPOS 2000;4:377-8.
Decentralized voting with unconditional privacy

The aggregation of conflicting preferences is a key issue in multiagent systems. Due to its universality, voting has a central role among preference aggregation mechanisms. Voting among a set of alternatives can be used for such diverse tasks as choosing a joint plan in a multiagent system, determining a leader in a group of humans or agents, or voting among different resource or task allocations. Maintaining privacy of individuals' votes is crucial in order to guarantee freedom of choice (e.g., lack of vote coercing and reputation effects), and not facilitate strategic voting. We investigate whether unconditional full privacy can be achieved in voting, that is, privacy that relies neither on trusted third parties (or on a certain fraction of the voters being trusted), nor on computational intractability assumptions (such as the hardness of factoring). In particular, we study the existence of distributed protocols that allow voters to jointly determine the outcome of an election without revealing any information but the election outcome. We show the impossibility of reaching unconditional full privacy for a variety of the most common voting schemes ranging from simple veto voting to the single transferable vote scheme. On the positive side, we propose several distributed protocols that privately compute the outcome of common voting schemes while only revealing a limited amount of information.
Spring Succession of Necrophilous Insects on Wildlife Carcasses in Louisiana

Seven fresh animal carcasses were monitored throughout decomposition in a mixed flatwood forest in East Baton Rouge Parish, LA from 1 April to 1 July 1999. Succession patterns of necrophilous insects were documented for the following: one Louisiana black bear (threatened species), two white-tailed deer, two alligators, and two swine as the experimental reference. Our results suggest variation in the species composition of necrophilous insects among animal carcass types. A total of 93 arthropod species, from 46 families and three classes, were manually collected from the seven carcasses. Only 19 insect species were collected on all four animal types and were represented by eight families: Coleoptera: Histeridae, Nitidulidae, Silphidae, Staphylinidae; Diptera: Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Piophilidae, Sepsidae. Eleven of the 46 families were not collected at either alligator site but were observed at bear, deer, and swine carrion: Coleoptera: Cleridae, Dermestidae, Geotrupidae, Scarabaeidae; Diptera: Micropezidae, Sarcophagidae, Syrphidae; Hymenoptera: Apidae; Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae; and Odonata: Libellulidae. Residency and succession patterns of necrophilous insects are presented for each animal type with particular emphasis on selected fly (Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Piophilidae, Stratiomyidae) and beetle species (Cleridae, Dermestidae, Histeridae, Nitidulidae, Silphidae, Staphylinidae).
Effects of rapamycin on cerebral oxygen supply and consumption during reperfusion after cerebral ischemia

Activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) leads to cell growth and survival. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of mTOR would increase infarct size and decrease microregional O2 supply/consumption balance after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. This was tested in isoflurane-anesthetized rats with middle cerebral artery blockade for 1h and reperfusion for 2h with and without rapamycin (20mg/kg once daily for two days prior to ischemia). Regional cerebral blood flow was determined using a C(14)-iodoantipyrine autoradiographic technique. Regional small-vessel arterial and venous oxygen saturations were determined microspectrophotometrically. The control ischemic-reperfused cortex had a similar blood flow and O2 consumption to the contralateral cortex. However, microregional O2 supply/consumption balance was significantly reduced in the ischemic-reperfused cortex. Rapamycin significantly increased cerebral O2 consumption and further reduced O2 supply/consumption balance in the reperfused area. This was associated with an increased cortical infarct size (13.5±0.8% control vs. 21.5±0.9% rapamycin). We also found that ischemia-reperfusion increased AKT and S6K1 phosphorylation, while rapamycin decreased this phosphorylation in both the control and ischemic-reperfused cortex. This suggests that mTOR is important for not only cell survival, but also for the control of oxygen balance after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.
O & M Costs and Optimal Capacity Expansion

O & M costs for wastewater facilities incurred at a particular load are likely to be higher for plants with greater excess installed capacity, since recommended O & M staffing levels are determined on the basis of design capacity rather than actual load. Consideration of off-design O & M cost margins in the sizing of capacity increments to handle an increasing load shows optimality to be associated with smaller increments than if off-design costs are ignored. Analytical methodology is presented for optimal sizing of increments for minimum total cost of capital and O & M, in the case of a load increasing linearly with time. a simplified dynamic programming framework set up for the same purpose can accomodate generalized load versus time schedules. Use of these two methods is illustrated by working an example problem to obtain the same result by each.
Book Review of the History of the New York Court of Appeals, 1932-2003, by Bernard S. Meyer, Burton C. Agata & Seth H. Agata

This is a short book review of the long overdue sequel to Judge Francis Bergan's The History of the New York Court of Appeals, 1847-1932.
Application of Virtual Worlds to Environmental Security

Virtual worlds are online replicas of real-world environments, often geospatially accurate and globally complete. In many cases, they combine not only the physical environment, but also the human-oriented environment through virtual representations of people called avatars. Governments, businesses, and consumers are all users of this emerging technology, focused on applications such as social networking, engineering collaboration, education, enterprise management, and more. Virtual worlds hold tremendous promise for environmental security applications. They can be used to catalog, analyze, and visualize the environment as it exists today, as it once existed, or as it may exist in the future. They can also provide simulations of environmental security scenarios that are too dangerous, impractical, or unethical to either create or experience in the real world.
CELLULAR ASPECTS OF ETHANOL-INDUCED FATTY LIVER: A CORRELATED ULTRASTRUCTURAL AND CHEMICAL STUDY.

Fatty liver induced by acute intoxication was studied chemically, histologically, and electron microscopically in rats. Six hours after administration of ethanol and corn oil, hepatic lipids (mainly triglycerides) had increased by 32%. Electron microscopy revealed concurrent marked accumulation in cytoplasmic vesicles of droplets measuring 500–2500 A. In control animals receiving an isocaloric amount of glucose plus corn oil, lipid droplets also appeared to enter liver cells in vesicles; they were visible mainly in peripheral portions of the cytoplasm. In alcohol-treated animals, however, the small lipid particles were more numerous and were present in vesicles throughout the cytoplasm. These smaller droplets appeared to fuse, forming larger droplets, and others were contiguous with the normally occurring larger storage lipid droplets. A possible explanation, that these changes represent an ethanol-induced impairment of the metabolism of lipid entering the liver cells, is discussed.
Trusted CVS

The CVS (Concurrent Versions System) software is a popular method for recording modifications to data objects, in addition to concurrent access to data in a multi-user environment. In current implementations, all users have to trust that the CVS server performs all user operations as instructed. In this paper, we develop protocols that allow users to verify that the server has been compromised, and that it has performed exactly the users operations on the data. We first show that communication between users is necessary to guarantee that users can detect that the server has been compromised. We then propose efficient protocols that fast enable detection of server integrity under CVS workloads. Our techniques also have applications in the outsourcing model where multiple users own a common database maintained by an untrusted third-party vendor.
Fetal origins of autism spectrum disorders: the non-associated maternal factors

Aim: Several population-based studies have been conducted to determine whether maternal exposures are involved in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We review these studies and describe the factors not associated with increased risk for ASD development. Methods: We identified studies describing associations between maternal exposures and ASD development. These studies include the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment, Nurses’ Health Study II, and the Swedish population registry. Results: Factors not associated with ASD development include Type 2 and gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, fever treated with antipyretic medication, autoimmune disease and short interpregnancy intervals. Conclusion: There is increasing evidence that maternal exposures are involved in the pathophysiology of ASD in the developing fetus.
A New Species of Achlya

Mycelium modice densum, hyphae usque ad 1 cm. longae in seminibus Cannabis sativae, diam. culturae plerumque 2-2.5 cm. Sporangia copiosa, longa, cylindrica, in medium ferme 271.4 g longa et 37.6 g lata. Ejectio sporae typica generis. Gemmae copiosae, efformatae hypha transformata in seriem cellularum brevium cylindricarum. Oogonia globosa, ex 33.3 ad 60 in diam., plerumque ferme 48.6 u, obtusis papillis tecta. Paries terminalis papillarum vel tenuior vel eadem crassitudine. Longitudo caulis oogonii ferme aequalis latitudini oogonii. Ova eccentrica, 1-3, rare 5, 22.2-30.7 g, plerumque 27.6 A in diam., saepe ellipsoidea, non complentes oogonium. Antheridia rara, plerumque origine diclina sed interdum androgyna, reperta in ferme uno ex 14 oogoniis, omnino vacua antequam ova matura sunt.