cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the breast cancer patient.

Abstract #P3-1 Breast conserving therapy (BCT) is well established. Using standard guidelines, most patients are eligible, and those who are not can be identified with a high degree of accuracy with clinical evaluation and mammography. Local recurrence rates have decreased since the initial trials of BCT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identifies cancer not found by clinical exam or mammography. Improved definition of the extent of carcinoma in the breast has the potential to improve patient outcomes in the short term by decreasing the number of patients requiring conversion from BCT to mastectomy, or decreasing the number of excisions needed to obtain negative margins. Elimination of patients with extensive disease would be expected to decrease the rate of local recurrence of BCT in the long term. We examined the effect of MRI on short term outcomes in 577 patients seen between 2004-2006. MRI did not decrease positive margins at initial lumpectomy (21.6% MRI vs 14% no MRI) or conversion from BCT to mastectomy (9.8%MRI vs 5.9% no MRI). MRI was associated with a 19-day delay in surgery, and after controlling for stage, the odds ratio of mastectomy was 1.8 in the MRI group (p= .024). Solin et al (JCO, 2008) examined the effect of MRI on local recurrence in 756 patients. After adjustment for patient and tumor features, 8-year local recurrence rates were 3% and 4% in the MRI and no-MRI groups, and contralateral cancer rates did not differ. A meta-analysis of 2763 breast cancers found that MRI detected additional disease in 16% of cases, a rate significantly higher than the 5-8% 10-year rates of local recurrence observed in most modern studies of BCT. These observations raise important questions regarding unnecessarily radical surgery performed for MRI findings which may not result in improved outcomes. MRI is of benefit in selected, relatively uncommon circumstances including: a) Axillary adenopathy with occult primary tumor b) Paget9s disease without evidence of tumor c) Assessing response to neoadjuvant therapy in patients desiring BCT d) Major discrepancy among clinical and conventional imaging findings Conclusion: Breast cancer is well documented by pathologic studies to be a multifocal /centric disease. This occult disease has been successfully treated with RT. MRI is a technology capable of finding some of this disease, but how this benefits patients is unclear. In the absence of this information, MRI should not be a part of routine pre-surgical evaluation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-1.
Finite element modeling of discontinuities with dilatancy and surface degradation

Abstract A constitutive law for dilatant frictional behavior is derived by distinguishing between the macrostructural and microstructural features of a material discontinuity. The result is an incremental relation between contact stresses (traction) and relative surface deformation. A quadratic displacement isoparametric finite element is derived that permits modeling of contact surfaces and crack surfaces. Emphasis is on the use of established finite element solution methodologies and program architecture. Several example problems are considered. The resulting methology is useful for modeling geologic discontinuities, crack shear transfer in concrete, and dilatancy-induced mixed mode fracture mechanics.
Octreotide does not prevent bacterial translocation in an infant piglet model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion☆

The process of bacterial translocation (BT) after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is reported to be mediated by local mucosal factors, the effects of pancreatic enzymes, epithelial disruption, and by dysfunctional intestinal motility. Octreotide (OCT), a somatostatin analog, has been postulated to protect against BT by influencing one or more of these factors. Twenty-two formula-fed piglets (weight, 3.5 +/- 0.5 kg; age, 20 +/- 5 days) were divided into four groups: control (no drug given; no I/R; n = 6), I/R (no drug given; n = 5), I/R plus low-dose OCT (LD OCT, 0.08 microgram/kg; n = 6), and I/R plus high-dose OCT (HD OCT, 8 micrograms/kg; n = 5). All experimental subjects had nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia induced by reversible pericardial tamponade with mesenteric flow decreased to 25 +/- 5% of baseline for 5 hours followed by 15 +/- 5 hours of reperfusion. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), liver, spleen, blood, and peritoneum were harvested for blind microbial analysis. None of the animals in the control group experienced translocation to the tissues tested. All of the animals in the I/R group experienced BT to the MLN. The subjects in the LD OCT and HD OCT groups experienced BT to the MLN 66% and 80% of the time, respectively. Despite the reported clinical evidence that OCT can protect the intestinal mucosa from injury and increase the clearance of bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract, in this study in which variables other than I/R known to promote bacterial translocation were eliminated, OCT failed to modify or prevent the occurrence of translocation to the MLN after I/R injury.
SU-GG-I-18: An Image-Domain Based Cone Beam CT Scatter Correction Method

Purpose: Due to a large cone angle, scatter contribution significantly degrades the image quality of cone beam computed tomography(CBCT) by introducing the cupping effect. The objective of this study is to develop a new CBCT scatter correction method in image domain. Method and Materials: The hypotheses of the proposed method are that the image intensity of different kind of materials in CBCTimage is globally uniform and the cupping effect can be described as a bias field, a low frequency signal across the whole 3‐D images. Based on above assumptions, we proposed a maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) framework to estimate the bias field contribution. The well‐known fuzzy C‐mean model is extended to define the likelihood function of the CBCTimage. A markov random field model is used to describe the prior probability of the mixture defined in FCM model. The bias field is characterized by a zero mean Gaussian prior probability. An iterated conditional mode‐like approach is utilized to maximize the objective function. The corrected CBCTimage can be obtained by subtracting the bias field from original CBCTimage.Results: The performance of correcting the cupping effect of CBCTimage with the proposed MAP framework was tested using both digital phantoms and clinical CBCTimages. In the phantom studies the intensity of higher density material in the simulated CBCTimages of contrast phantoms is even lower that that of lower density material due to cupping effect. The corrected CBCTimage showed almost same intensity distribution as the original contrast phantom images. For real patient study, compared to the original brainCBCTimage, the corrected CBCTimage significantly improved the uniformity of intensity distribution of brain soft tissue.Conclusion: The proposed image‐based scatter correction method showed a promising result to reduce the cupping effect commonly encountered in CBCTimage.
Gait Variability Patterns are Altered in Healthy Young Individuals During the Acute Reperfusion Phase of Ischemia-Reperfusion

Background The role of ischemia reperfusion contributing to functional impairment in lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients has not previously been elucidated. The evaluation of gait variability patterns has proven useful in many pathologic populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to isolate and determine the specific effect of the acute reperfusion phase of ischemia-reperfusion on gait variability in young individuals with no vascular disease. Materials and Methods Thirty healthy young individuals walked on a treadmill during baseline and the acute reperfusion phase of ischemia-reperfusion conditions while lower extremity joint kinematics were captured. Stride to stride variability was assessed using the largest Lyapunov exponent, approximate entropy, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. Differences in gait variability between conditions were assessed using dependent t-tests. Results The largest Lyapunov exponent values and approximate entropy values were significantly higher in the acute reperfusion phase of ischemia-reperfusion condition for the ankle, knee, and the hip. Coefficient of variation was significantly higher at the hip and standard deviation was higher at the knee and the hip during the acute reperfusion phase of ischemia-reperfusion condition. Conclusions The acute reperfusion phase of the ischemia-reperfusion cycle alters gait variability patterns at the ankle, knee, and the hip in healthy young individuals. Our findings indicate increased noise and irregularity of gait variability patterns post-ischemia. In young healthy individuals who do not have neuromuscular impairments, significant gait alterations are present during walking after a period of interruption of blood flow.
Chronic treatment with long acting phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil alters proteomic changes associated with cytoskeletal rearrangement and redox regulation in Type 2 diabetic hearts.

Diabetic patients are prone to metabolic perturbations that progressively contribute to structural, functional and proteomic alterations in the myocardium. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors exhibit cardioprotective effects against ischemic/reperfusion injury, however the effects of chronic administration of PDE-5 inhibitors, particularly under diabetic conditions, remain unknown. Hence, the present study was designed to identify novel protein targets related to long-acting PDE-5 inhibitor tadalafil-induced cardioprotection in diabetes. Using two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis with 3 CyDye labeling and MALDI–TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry we identified alterations in the expressions of cardiac proteins in diabetic db/db mice treated with tadalafil. Tadalafil reversed the coordinated alterations of cytoskeletal/contractile proteins such as myosin light chain (MLY) 2 and 4, myosin heavy chain α and myosin-binding protein C which contributes to contractile dysfunction. The expression of intermediate filament protein vimentin and extra-cellular matrix proteins like cysteine and glycine rich protein-3 and collagen type VI α were upregulated in db/db mice indicating cardiac remodeling in diabetes. These detrimental proteomic alterations were reflected in cardiac function which were reversed in tadalafil treated mice. Tadalafil also enhanced antioxidant enzyme glutathione S-transferase Kappa-1 (GSKT-1) and downregulated redox regulatory chaperones like heat shock protein 8 (HSPA8), and 75 kD glucose regulatory protein (75GRP). Furthermore, tadalafil treatment significantly attenuated GSSG/GSH ratio and improved the metabolic status of db/db mice. Chronic treatment with tadalafil in db/db mice modulates proteins involved in cytoskeletal rearrangement and redox signaling of the heart, which may explain the beneficial effects of PDE-5 inhibition in diabetes.
Work characteristics and fathers' vocabulary to infants in African American families

Fathers' vocabulary to infants has been linked in the literature to early child language development, however, little is known about the variability in fathers' language behavior. This study considered associations between fathers' work characteristics and fathers' vocabulary among a sample of employed African American fathers of 6-month old infants who were living in low-income rural communities. After controlling for family and individual factors, we found that fathers who worked nonstandard shifts and reported more job flexibility used more diverse vocabulary with their infants.
Interrelation between Photosynthesis and Respiration in the Marine Flagellate, Dunaliella euchlora

The photosynthetic assimilation of carbon-14 from the external medium by unicellular algae appears to proceed at a rate which is equivalent to the plants' net photosynthesis (the difference between photosynthesis and respiration). This was demonstrated in experiments in which the assimilation of carbon-14 was compared simultaneously with the evolution of oxygen1, and was most apparent under conditions of low light intensity or nutrient depletion where respiration approached or equalled photo synthesis. For example, at or below the compensation-level no significant uptake of carbon-14 could be detected in 24 hr. despite the occurrence of measurable photosynthesis by oxygen production.
The effects of end-groups on the critical miscibility temperatures and thermodynamic interactions in poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(methylphenylsiloxane) blends

Abstract The effect of end-groups on the phase separation of polymer blends may be significant when the long chain polymers are replaced by low molar mass oligomers which have a high proportion of chemically different end-groups. This investigation is concerned with characterizing the miscibility of binary blends of linear siloxane hompolymers, in which the components have different terminal groups. The phase separation temperatures (cloud points) were measured by a light scattering technique for blends containing poly(dimethylsiloxane) and poly(methylphenylsiloxane) in various proportions. UCST type behaviour was seen in each case and the interaction energy density parameters, A12, of the blend systems were evaluated under critical conditions. When α,ω-hydroxyl terminated PDMS was substituted for α,ω-trimethylsilyl terminated PDMS, the interaction energy density parameters had comparable values, despite the silanol groups having the potential of forming hydrogen-bonds. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the interaction energy density parameter in a Flory-Huggins treatment for evaluating the effect of end-groups on the miscibility of binary polymer blend systems.
Stabilisation with feedback control utilising packet-dropping network links

The possibility of using networks, such as the Internet, for data transmission between physically distributed sensors and actuators in a system gives rise to several new challenges in control design. An approach is discussed for dealing with missing or delayed information because of packet drops or deteriorating network performance. More specifically, a stochastic set-up is used to find appropriate and optimal conditions for a system to remain stable despite packet drops. Both discrete-time and continuous-time systems are considered. Under reasonable assumptions on the behaviour of the network and the noise model, it is possible to characterise optimal control strategies in terms of the probability of a packet drop, the noise statistics, the instability of the open-loop system and, in the case of continuous-time systems, the sampling frequency.
The selective functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons. Part 47. Investigation of the size of the reagent involved in the FeII–FeIV manifold

Abstract Competition experiments between cyclohexane and various aromatic substrates have been carried out in pyridine-acetonitrile in order to ascertain the steric requirements of the FeII-H2O2 reagent in comparison with the FeIII-H2O2 reagent already studied. The latter is distinctly larger and much less reactive than the former. Although these results might indicate that the FeII-H2O2 reagent is simply the hydroxyl radical, the chemistry observed is strictly dependent on the presence of picolinic acid. Without the latter, no significant oxidation of any substrate is observed. Hydroxyl radical formation (Fenton Chemistry) is not considered to be ligand dependent in preceding investigations.
The psychophysical inquiry into binocular summation

Experiments that compare monocular and binocular visual performance of human psychophysical Os on a variety of visual tasks are reviewed. The review attempts to include all experiments published in English in this century, excluding work on stereopsis, rivalry, and evoked potentials. The concept of probability summation as a baseline for assessing the presence of neural summation is discussed, and the assumptions of several models for estimating probability summation are considered. Experiments are classified in terms of visual task, major categories being increment detection, flicker fusion, brightness magnitude, and contour resolution. A major conclusion is that binocular performance is superior for essentially all task categories and in most cases by a magnitude greater than that predicted by appropriate probability summation models.
Surface Wave–Turbulence Interactions. Scaling ϵ(z) near the Sea Surface

Abstract A freely rising profiler was used to collect vertical microstructure profiles in the upper oceanic boundary layer under various atmospheric and sea conditions. Near the sea surface, the rate of viscous dissipation of turbulence kinetic energy, ϵ, exhibited a range of behaviors under different forcing conditions. Sometimes, ϵ was closely balanced by the wind stress production of turbulence kinetic energy. At other times, ϵ was greatly enhanced relative to wind stress production and exhibited an exponential depth deny. In these instances, simple scaling laws predicted for turbulence near a solid surface severely underestimate turbulent mixing near the ocean surface. Plausible explanations for enhanced ϵ(z) near the sea surface will have to address the effects of wave-turbulence interactions. The authors propose two different mechanisms to explain the behavior of ϵ near the surface, leading to two scaling schemes. The first mechanism requires high levels of turbulence kinetic energy, created by wave...
Cytokinins Inhibit Abscisic Acid Biosynthesis in Cercospora Rosicola

Summary The fungus Cercospora rosicola produces the plant hormone, abscisic acid (ABA), as a secondary metabolite. We developed C. rosicola into a convenient system to determine the effects of compounds on the biosynthesis of ABA. Another important group of plant hormones, the cytokinins, inhibited ABA biosynthesis in C. rosicola. The inhibition of ABA biosynthesis was concentration dependent and, in studies using farnesyl-[1-14C]pyrophosphate, appeared to be specific rather than resulting from a general blocking of terpenoid biosynthesis. Inhibitors of ABA biosynthesis have not previously been reported. Knowledge that cytokinins have the ability to inhibit ABA biosynthesis in this fungal system indicates the need for further studies to determine if cytokinin inhibition of ABA biosynthesis occurs in plants and is an element of the hormonal action of cytokinins.
On the triplet lifetime and triplet-triplet absorption spectra of naphthaldehydes

Abstract Triplet-triplet absorption spectra of 1- and 2-naphthaldehyde have been studied in laser flash photolysis experiments. Triplet lifetimes are found to vary with laser intensity and concentration of the solution. Sensitization of naphthaldehyde triplets with thioxanthone and biphenyl in flash photolysis and pulse radiolysis experiments lead to the same spectra as produced by direct excitation. It has been concluded that only the lowest 3 π-π* state is responsible for the observed triplet-triplet absorption spectra.
Recurrent hyperparathyroidism and a novel nonsense mutation in a patient with hyperparathyriodism-jaw tumor syndrome.

Objective: To present the case of a hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor (HPT-JT) patient with a novel nonsense mutation of the CDC73 gene. Methods: We present the case of a patient with a history of three prior maxillectomies and two prior parathyroidectomies who presented with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). We also briefly review the literature pertaining to HPT-JT. Results: Genetic analysis revealed a novel nonsense mutation (c.85G>T; pGlu29) in exon 1 of CDC73. The patient’s son underwent genetic testing for a CDC73 mutation and was found to be negative. Conclusion: HPT-JT is a rare condition characterized by PHPT and benign tumors of the mandible and maxilla. Up to 15% of HPT-JT patients with PHPT have parathyroid carcinoma. HPT-JT is associated with an inactivating mutation of CDC73, a gene that codes for the tumor suppressor protein parafibromin. This report expands our understanding of the genetics underlying this rare disorder and emphasizes the importance of early detection in order to prevent hypercalcemic complications such as parathyroid carcinoma. (Endocr. Pract. 2013;19:e134-e137) Abbreviations: HPT-JT = hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor; PHPT = primary hyperparathyroidism; PTH = parathyroid hormone
Emergent Theory and Model of Practice in Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is widely applicable across a variety of mental health settings, but little is known about the theoretical underpinnings of mental health providers who employ this technique. This qualitative study explored providers’ philosophical framework and approach to AAT in counseling. Four categories emerged: (a) possessing unique skills and competencies, (b) utilizing a highly developed relationship with a therapy animal, (c) impacting the therapeutic process, and (d) enhancing the scope of traditional counselor–client relationships. Finally, implications for practice and research are discussed.
The presence of intra-lamina lucida blister formation in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: possible role of leukocytes.

In evaluating patients we have noted disparity between the locations of bound immunoreactants and the level of blistering in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA). We examined 10 consecutive EBA patients by routine histology, direct (DIF) and indirect (IIF; intact and NaCl-split skin) immunofluorescence, immunofluorescence mapping (IM), and/or direct immunoelectron microscopy (DIEM). DIF was positive in each. IIF was positive in 3/8 and 6/7 patients when intact and split skin were used as substrates. DIEM revealed immunoreactants within the lamina densa (LD) in 6/10, sub-LD in 1/10, and both LD and sub-LD in 3/10 patients. In contrast, by DIEM and IM, blister formation was noted within the lamina lucida (LL) in 7/9 and 8/10, sub-LD in 1/9 and 1/10, and within both LL and sub-LD in 1/9 and 1/10, respectively. In the presence of neutrophils within the upper dermis (n = 6), cleavage occurred within the LL in 5 specimens; in one additional specimen containing predominantly neutrophils, cleavage occurred within both LL and sub-LD. In the presence of mononuclear cells (n = 2), intra-LL cleavage occurred. In the presence of eosinophils, cleavage occurred within both LL and sub-LD. In the one specimen lacking any infiltrate, the cleavage plane was exclusively sub-LD. Intra-LL cleavage planes arc more common than sub-LD ones in at least early cases of EBA. These findings likely represent the intra-LL-separating effect of leukocyte-derived proteolytic enzymes. when such cells are chemoattracted to the dermoepidermal junction by bound immunoreactants.
Neuroanatomical and cognitive correlates of adult age differences in acquisition of a perceptual-motor skill.

The objective of this study was to examine age differences in procedural learning and performance in conjunction with differential aging of central nervous system (CNS) structures. Sixty-eight healthy volunteers (age 22-80) performed a pursuit rotor task (four blocks of 20 15-second trials each). Volumes of the cerebellar hemispheres, neostriatum, prefrontal cortex, and hippocampus were measured from Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. Improvement in pursuit rotor performance was indexed by increase in time on target (TOT). A general improvement trend was evident across the blocks of trials. Overall, younger participants showed significantly longer TOT. The rate of improvement was age-invariant during the initial stages of skill acquisition but became greater in middle-aged participants as the practice progressed. When the influences of regional brain volumes were taken into account, the direct age effect on mean TOT measured during the first day of practice disappeared. Instead, reduced volumes of the cerebellar hemispheres and the putamen and poorer performance on nonverbal working memory tasks predicted shorter TOT. In contrast, neither the volume of the caudate and the hippocampus, nor verbal working memory showed association with motor performance. Pursuit rotor performance at the later stages of practice was unrelated to the reduction in putamen volume and was affected directly by age, cerebellar volume, and nonverbal working memory proficiency. We conclude that in a healthy population showing no clinical signs of extrapyramidal disease, age-related declines in procedural learning are associated with reduced volume of the cerebellar hemispheres and lower nonverbal working memory scores. During initial stages of skill acquisition, reduced volume of the putamen is also predictive of poorer performance.
Pseudospectral beam-propagation method for optical waveguides

We propose a wide-angle pseudospectral beam-propagation method using the Pade approximant operator for strongly guiding and longitudinally varying optical waveguides. We validate the numerical results of our method by comparison against results obtained from a robust and widely used finite-element beam-propagation method.
Low dose four-dimensional computerized tomography with volume rendering reconstruction for primary hyperparathyroidism: How I do it?

Low dose four-dimensional computerized tomography with volume rendering reconstruction for primary hyperparathyroidism: How I do it?
Sleep Disturbed by Chronic Pain in Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel, and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes

In this article evidence is discussed related to the reciprocal features of sleep and pain across three chronic multisymptom conditions, referred to as functional somatic syndromes, that are disproportionately found in women. Light and fragmented polysomnography sleep patterns, although often of lesser severity, match subjective reports of nonrestorative sleep quality and excess risk for sleep-related disorders. Health ecology factors (personal and environmental) contributing to women's vulnerability to these stress-embedded conditions and potential mechanisms related to emotional arousal and inflammatory/immune activation are discussed as linked to pain processing and poor sleep.
Comparison of intraocular lens power calculation methods in eyes that have undergone LASIK

Abstract Objective To compare methods of calculating intraocular lens (IOL) power for cataract surgery in eyes that have undergone myopic LASIK. Design Noncomparative case series. Participants Eleven eyes of 8 patients who had previously undergone myopic LASIK (amount of LASIK correction [±standard deviation], −5.50±2.61 diopters [D]; range, −8.78 to −2.38 D) and subsequently phacoemulsification with implantation of the SA60AT IOLs (Alcon Surgical, Inc., Fort Worth, TX) were included (refractive error after cataract surgery, −0.61 ± 0.79 D; range, −2.0 to 1.0 D). Methods We evaluated the accuracy of various combinations of: (1) single-K versus double-K (in which pre-LASIK keratometry is used to estimate effective lens position) versions of the IOL formulas; the Feiz–Mannis method was also evaluated; (2) 4 methods for calculating corneal refractive power (clinical history, contact lens overrefraction, adjusted effective refractive power [EffRP adj ], and Maloney methods); and (3) 4 IOL formulas (SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, and Holladay 2). The IOL prediction error was obtained by subtracting the IOL power calculated using various methods from the power of the implanted IOL, and the F test for variances was performed to assess the consistency of the prediction performance by different methods. Main outcome measures Mean arithmetic IOL prediction error, mean absolute IOL prediction error, and variance of the IOL prediction error. Results Compared with double-K formulas, single-K formulas predicted lower IOL powers than the power implanted and would have left patients hyperopic in most cases; the Feiz–Mannis method had the largest variance. For the Hoffer Q and Holladay 1 formulas, the variances for EffRP adj were significantly smaller than those for the clinical history method (0.43 D 2 vs. 1.74 D 2 , P = 0.018 for Hoffer Q; 0.75 D 2 vs. 2.35 D 2 , P = 0.043 for Holladay 1). The Maloney method consistently underestimated the IOL power but had significantly smaller variances (0.19–0.55 D 2 ) than those for the clinical history method (1.09–2.35 D 2 ; P Conclusions The most accurate method was the combination of a double-K formula and corneal values derived from EffRP adj . The variances in IOL prediction error were smaller with the Maloney and EffRP adj methods, and we propose a modified Maloney method and second method using Humphrey data for further evaluation.
Clinical assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among American minorities who served in Vietnam

This paper will review issues in clinical assessment of minority combat veterans who served in Vietnam. We will specify differences and similarities for assessing minorities within the context of evaluating the larger combat veteran population. As a way of introducing a need for specialized diagnosis and treatment, we will present data demonstrating that minorities may be characterized as a distinct group among Vietnam combat veterans; data demonstrating differential rates of PTSD and other psychological disorders; as well as differences in vocational, social, educational, physical and health adjustment along with differential rates of health services utilization. Throughout this paper, we will attempt to give a historical perspective to the role of the minority soldier before, during, and after military service in Vietnam, as well as inter-related civilian events that impacted minority veterans. We will review pertinent theories that explain higher PTSD rates among minority veterans—considering the special nature of the Vietnam War and its impact on young minority soldiers. We will frankly discuss problems we have observed about clinician prejudice that adversely affect clinical assessment and treatment. We emphasize that every combat veteran, regardless of racial background, is a unique individual with his or her own unique story to tell. We are aware, though, that cross-cultural interactions, because of factors internal to both client and clinician, can impede, if not preclude, effective therapeutic encounter. We recognize that providing information about minorities may do relatively little to alter deeply rooted prejudice of an unconscious nature. We hope to address the issues of ethnicity in ways that do not stir clinical resistance but rather that enhance clinician sensitivity, curiosity, and confidence.
Shortening of Cardiac Action Potential Duration Near an Insulating Boundary

It is known, from both experiments and simulations, that cardiac action potentials are shortened near a nonconducting boundary. In the present paper, this eect is studied in a simple, two-current ionic model, with propagation restricted to a one-dimensional fiber. An asymptotic approximation for the dependence of action potential duration on distance to the boundary is derived. This estimate agrees well with simulations.
A transformer-based broadband I/O matching-balun-T/R switch front-end combo scheme in standard CMOS

A transformer-based broadband front-end combo scheme (I/O matching, balun, and T/R switch) is proposed and achieves both high isolation and linearity performance. A design example is prototyped in a standard 90nm CMOS process covering a 1dB-bandwidth of 2GHz from 5GHz to 7GHz based on the total insertion loss. In the transmitting (TX) mode, the complete front-end combo achieves 2.77dB insertion loss, +45.7dBm IIP3, and −42dB antenna-receiver isolation. In the receiving (RX) mode, the front-end combo demonstrates an insertion loss of 2.62dB and +44.2dBm IIP3 with −42dB transmitter-antenna isolation. The front-end combo occupies a core area of 0.5mm2 including on-chip balun, which is conducive to broadband transceiver system-on-chip (SOC) integration.
Src tyrosine kinase activity is related to luteinizing hormone responsiveness: genetic manipulations using mouse MA10 Leydig cells.

The Src family of tyrosine kinases play an important role in various signal transduction pathways in many different cell types, however, the role of these kinases in steroidogenic cells has not been examined. In the present study, genetic approaches were used to directly alter Src tyrosine kinase activity in mouse MA10 Leydig cells in order to determine the effect of changes of Src activity on LH-responsiveness with regard to cAMP and progesterone secretion. MA10 cells expressing a dominant negative Src (MA10(Srck-3)) secreted more cAMP and progesterone in response to LH than control transfected cells. Phosphodiesterase activity was decreased in MA10(Srck-3) cells. Conversely, MA10 cells expressing a temperature sensitive Src (MA10(tsUP)) lost LH-responsiveness with regard to cAMP and progesterone secretion at the Src active temperature (35 degrees C). It is concluded that Src tyrosine kinase has an important role in regulating steroid secretion in MA10 Leydig cells. This regulation may in part be due to ...
Reoperative lower extremity revascularization with cadaver vein for limb salvage.

We evaluated our experience using cryopreserved cadaver vein allografts (CVGs) for infrageniculate revascularization in patients with a history of failed bypass or no suitable autogenous vein. Records of all patients who underwent lower extremity revascularization with CVG for critical limb ischemia were reviewed. Patient demographics, vessel treated, and postoperative course were analyzed. Patients who had a redo cadaver vein bypass were compared to those with a first-time cadaver vein bypass. Cumulative patency rates, limb salvage, mortality, and factors associated with outcomes were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method with Cox proportional hazards. Between January 2000 and December 2006, 66 CVGs were done in 56 patients out of 1,726 total bypasses. There were 36 men and 20 women, and the mean age was 71.67 ± 10.50 years. Mean follow-up was 12.12 ± 14.16 months. Seventy-eight percent of patients had previous bypasses, and 50% of all failed bypasses were failed expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bypasses. Operative indications were tissue loss (73%) and ischemic rest pain (27%). The mean preoperative ankle-brachial index was 0.43 ± 0.16, and this increased to 0.89 ± 0.18 at 30 days (p = 0.001). Procedure-related complications included graft infection (3, 4%), graft thrombosis (3, 4%), pseudoaneurysm (3, 4%), and bleeding (2, 3%). Cumulative 1-year primary, primary assisted, secondary patencies, limb salvage, and survival rates with confidence intervals were 0.19 (0.10-0.36), 0.29 (0.18-0.47), 0.42 (0.29-0.60), 0.73 (0.62-0.86), and 0.77 (0.65-0.90). Reoperative procedures fared the same as primary procedures. Multivariable analysis showed that predictors for increased risk of secondary patency loss were age >70 (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.13, p = 0.009) and patients with secondary revascularization (HR = 3.36, p = 0.015). Older patients (HR = 2.92, p = 0.042) and those with renal insufficiency (HR = 2.92, p = 0.019) were at increased risk of mortality. CVG remains an option for reoperative lower limb revascularization for limb salvage if there is no autogenous vein available. However, patency rates are poor, and patients older than 70 are more likely to have inferior outcomes.
Towards a critical theory of democratic peace

The Democratic Peace research programme remains a prominent and influential strand of International Relations theory. It occupies a central place in the discipline, both as a dominant version of liberal internationalism, and as a supposedly paradigmatic case demonstrating the strengths of positivist scholarship. Nonetheless, Democratic Peace scholarship has been challenged by recent real world events, notably the belligerent behaviour of democratic states during the so-called ‘War on Terror’, and the use of its findings to justify the US led invasion of Iraq. In this regard, Democratic Peace research has struggled to deal with the ethical and practical consequences of its work, as the focus has been on empirically observable and testable problems that fit within the remit of positivist social scientific practice. Responding to this state of affairs, it is argued here that there is a pressing need to further extend and pluralise existing scholarship by incorporating approaches which commence from different ontological, epistemological and methodological starting points. While there are multiple possibilities, Frankfurt School Critical Theory has great potential to contribute to an expanded research agenda. The article outlines what a Critical Theory approach to the study of Democratic Peace would entail, highlighting the substantial contribution it can make.
Clustering Linear Discriminant Analysis for MEG-Based Brain Computer Interfaces

In this paper, we propose a clustering linear discriminant analysis algorithm (CLDA) to accurately decode hand movement directions from a small number of training trials for magnetoencephalography-based brain computer interfaces (BCIs). CLDA first applies a spectral clustering algorithm to automatically partition the BCI features into several groups where the within-group correlation is maximized and the between-group correlation is minimized. As such, the covariance matrix of all features can be approximated as a block diagonal matrix, thereby facilitating us to accurately extract the correlation information required by movement decoding from a small set of training data. The efficiency of the proposed CLDA algorithm is theoretically studied and an error bound is derived. Our experiment on movement decoding of five human subjects demonstrates that CLDA achieves superior decoding accuracy over other traditional approaches. The average accuracy of CLDA is 87% for single-trial movement decoding of four directions (i.e., up, down, left, and right).
Low-potassium solution for lung preservation in the setting of high-flow reperfusion

Background. We previously demonstrated that standard preservation using Euro-Collins solution impairs lung function in the setting of high-flow reperfusion because of potassium-induced vasoconstriction. Preservation strategies for single-lung transplantation are an important factor in patients with pulmonary hypertension. This study investigates the hypothesis that low-potassium preservation solution will improve function of lungs subjected to high-flow reperfusion. Methods. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbit lungs were harvested and studied on an isolated, blood-perfused model of lung function after 4 hours of cold ischemia at 4°C. Control lungs were preserved with 50 mL/kg of cold saline solution flush (group 1). Experimental lungs were preserved with low-potassium solution (group II) or Euro-Collins solution (group III) at similar temperatures and volumes. Results. The pulmonary arteriovenous oxygen gradient at the end of the 30-minute high-flow reperfusion period was significantly higher in group II compared with group III (121.3 ± 19.2 mm Hg versus 31.1 ± 4.2 mm Hg; p 3 dynes · s · cm −5 versus 79.8 ± 8.4 × 10 3 dynes · s · cm −5 ; p p p Conclusions. These data demonstrate that a low-potassium preservation solution yields improved lung function after high-flow reperfusion in an ex vivo rabbit lung model. Lung preservation should be aimed at the clinical setting.
Blast injury research models

Blast injuries are an increasing problem in both military and civilian practice. Primary blast injury to the lungs (blast lung) is found in a clinically significant proportion of casualties from explosions even in an open environment, and in a high proportion of severely injured casualties following explosions in confined spaces. Blast casualties also commonly suffer secondary and tertiary blast injuries resulting in significant blood loss. The presence of hypoxaemia owing to blast lung complicates the process of fluid resuscitation. Consequently, prolonged hypotensive resuscitation was found to be incompatible with survival after combined blast lung and haemorrhage. This article describes studies addressing new forward resuscitation strategies involving a hybrid blood pressure profile (initially hypotensive followed later by normotensive resuscitation) and the use of supplemental oxygen to increase survival and reduce physiological deterioration during prolonged resuscitation. Surprisingly, hypertonic saline dextran was found to be inferior to normal saline after combined blast injury and haemorrhage. New strategies have therefore been developed to address the needs of blast-injured casualties and are likely to be particularly useful under circumstances of enforced delayed evacuation to surgical care.
PGC‐1α protects neurons and alters disease progression in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mouse model

Introduction: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease. We sought to determine whether peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor c coactivator 1a (PGC-1a) would have a beneficial effect on this disease. Methods: PGC-1a transgenic mice were crossed with SOD1 mutant G93A DL mice. Results: We observed a moder- ate but non-significant increase in average lifespan in PGC-1a/ G93A DL mice, as compared with G93A DL mice (292 6 3 days vs. 274 6 7 days). Although the onset of ALS was not altered, progression of the disease was significantly slower ( � increase in duration) in the PGC-1a/G93A DL mice. These mice also exhibited markedly improved performance on the rotarod test, and the improved motor activity was associated with a decreased loss of motor neurons and less degeneration of neuromuscular junctions. Conclusion: A sustained level of excitatory amino acid transporter protein 2 (EAAT2) in astro- cytes of the PGC-1a/G93A DL mice may contribute to neuronal protection. Muscle Nerve 44: 947-956, 2011
Quorum Based IP Address Autoconfiguration in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

IP address autoconfiguration poses a challenge for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) since it has to be done to ensure correct routing. Protocols for IP address autoconfiguration can be classified into two categories. In the stateless category, nodes in the network do not keep IP allocation information, thus duplicate address detection (DAD) is used to resolve possible address conflicts. Protocols in the stateful category require nodes, cooperatively or separately, to maintain state information and ensure address uniqueness. They use either a full replication or no replication scheme to maintain IP information. In this paper, we propose a quorum based IP address autoconfiguration protocol in MANETs using partial replication. Making the compromise between message overhead and data consistency, quorum voting enforces data consistency by ensuring a fresh read upon every access so that each node is configured with a unique IP address. The protocol is scalable and no central server is involved. Extensive experiments are implemented comparing the configuration latency, message overhead and address reclamation cost between our protocol and existing stateful protocols. The simulation results show that nodes are configured in lower latency and the message overhead for maintaining the network is fairly low. Moreover, the proposed protocol greatly enhances the address availability by keeping proper redundancy.
Empirical Evidence of Priming, Transfer, Reinforcement, and Learning in the Real and Virtual Trillium Trails

Over the past 20 years, there has been a debate on the effectiveness of virtual reality used for learning with young children, producing many ideas but little empirical proof. This empirical study compared learning activity in situ of a real environment (Real) and a desktop virtual reality (Virtual) environment, built with video game technology, for discovery-based learning. The experiences were in the form of two field trips featuring statistically identical wildflower reserves. While the results support that the Real is superior for learning activity, they also show that the Virtual is useful for priming and reinforcing in-curriculum material, or for situations when the real environment is inaccessible. Offering the Virtual first primes for learning activity in the Real; if used second, it reinforces the Real experience, as supporting evidence shows significant transfer effects. Thus, the Virtual may serve educational goals, if used appropriately, and can come close to the Real. As informal learning environments, such as field trips and video games, are accepted as motivational, an attitudinal survey was conducted postexperiences to capture motivational factors at play, to aid in comparison and contrast, and to provide context to the empirical results on learning activity in situ; however, more work is needed.
A GLRT for multichannel radar detection in the presence of both compound Gaussian clutter and additive white Gaussian noise

Motivated by multichannel radar detection applications in the presence of both white Gaussian noise and Gaussian clutter with unknown power, we develop maximum likelihood parameter estimates for the disturbance process. Both cases with known and unknown white noise variance are treated. As the estimators do not admit closed-form solutions, numerical iterative procedures are developed that are guaranteed to at least converge to the local maximum. The developed estimates allow us to construct a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) for the detection of a signal with constant but unknown amplitude. This GLRT has important applications in multichannel radar detection involving both white Gaussian noise and spherically invariant random process clutter and is shown to have better detection performance and CFAR property compared with existing statistics.
Opioidergic modulation of ethanol self-administration in the ventral pallidum.

Background: Striatopallidal medium spiny neurons have been viewed as a final common path for drug reward and the ventral pallidum as an essential convergent point for hedonic and motivational signaling in the brain. The medium spiny neurons are GABAergic, but they colocalize enkephalin. Purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the opioidergic mechanisms of the ventral pallidum in ethanol self-administration behavior. Methods: Effects of bilateral microinjections of μ-, δ-, and κ-opioid receptor agonists and antagonists into the ventral pallidum on voluntary ethanol consumption were monitored in alcohol-preferring Alko Alcohol (AA) rats using the 90-minute limited access paradigm. Results: Stimulation of μ-opioid receptors with DAMGO (0.01 to 0.1 μg) or morphine (1 to 10 μg) in the ventral pallidum decreased ethanol intake dose-dependently. Conversely, blocking μ-receptors with CTOP (0.3 to 3 μg) increased ethanol intake significantly. Unlike CTOP, DAMGO also increased locomotor activity. Consumption of ethanol was not modified significantly by a broad-spectrum opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone, by δ-opioid receptor agonist DPDPE or antagonist naltrindole, or by a κ-opioid receptor agonist U50,488H or antagonist nor-BNI. Conclusions: The study provides evidence for μ- but not δ- or κ-opioid receptors in the ventral pallidum playing a role in the regulation of voluntary ethanol consumption. Furthermore, present findings give support to earlier work, suggesting an essential role of pallidal opioidergic transmission in drug reward.
Aerosol formation and distribution in the Arctic during AGASP-II, March-April 1986

The Arctic Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program has undertaken the determination of the distribution, transport, chemistry, aerosol physics, and radiative effects of the 'Arctic haze' air-pollution phenomenon. Attention has been given the April 2-3, 1986 haze zone, with large condensation nuclei, SO2, and soot-carbon concentrations, which appeared near the Barrow Baseline Station. The composite trajectory of the haze zone has been determined, as has its probable source region. After travelling 10,000 km, the haze still had SO2, aerosol black carbon, and condensation nuclei concentrations in excess of those measured off the East Coast of the U.S. in January of the same year.