cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A mathematical framework for critical transitions: Bifurcations, fast–slow systems and stochastic dynamics

Abstract Bifurcations can cause dynamical systems with slowly varying parameters to transition to far-away attractors. The terms “critical transition” or “tipping point” have been used to describe this situation. Critical transitions have been observed in an astonishingly diverse set of applications from ecosystems and climate change to medicine and finance. The main goal of this paper is to give an overview which standard mathematical theories can be applied to critical transitions. We shall focus on early-warning signs that have been suggested to predict critical transitions and point out what mathematical theory can provide in this context. Starting from classical bifurcation theory and incorporating multiple time scale dynamics one can give a detailed analysis of local bifurcations that induce critical transitions. We suggest that the mathematical theory of fast–slow systems provides a natural definition of critical transitions. Since noise often plays a crucial role near critical transitions the next step is to consider stochastic fast–slow systems. The interplay between sample path techniques, partial differential equations and random dynamical systems is highlighted. Each viewpoint provides potential early-warning signs for critical transitions. Since increasing variance has been suggested as an early-warning sign we examine it in the context of normal forms analytically, numerically and geometrically; we also consider autocorrelation numerically. Hence we demonstrate the applicability of early-warning signs for generic models. We end with suggestions for future directions of the theory.
A green function-based parasitic extraction method for inhomogeneous substrate layers

This paper presents a new Green function-based approach for substrate parasitic extraction in substrates with inhomogeneous layers. This new formulation allows analysis of noise coupling with sinkers, trenches and wells, - a limitation in prior Green function-based extractors. Numerical examples for sinkers and trenches are provided and compared with the results from threedimensional semiconductor device simulations. It is shown that the proposed method is accurate and computationally efficient.
Health ownership in American indigenous communities

Introduction : Although the Indian Health Service (IHS) has adequately stifled acute infectious diseases that once devastated American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities, this system of health provision has become obsolete in the face of chronically debilitating illnesses. Presently, AIAN communities suffer disproportionally from chronic diseases that demand adequate, long-term health maintenance such as hepatitis, renal failure, and diabetes to name a few. A number of research endeavors have sought to define this problem in the literature, but few have proposed adequate mechanisms to alleviate the disparity. The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of both the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the relative few tribal healthcare systems (PL 93-638) respectively in their sociopolitical contexts, to determine their utility among a financially lame IHS. Methods: Domestic and international indigenous health systems were compared through analysis of the current literature on community and indigenous health. Informal interviews were carried out with indigenous practitioners, community members, and political figures to determine how AIAN communities were receiving PL 93-638 programs. Results: Although the IHS has adequately stifled the acute infectious diseases that once devastated AIAN communities, this system of health provision has become obsolete in the face of chronically debilitating illnesses. A number of research endeavors have sought to define this problem in the literature, but few have proposed adequate mechanisms to alleviate the disparity. International indigenous health systems are noted to have a greater component of community involvement in the successful administration of health services.
Optimum Investment in Structural Flood Control

National flood damages have been increasing, despite extensive construction programs, due largely to economic encroachments on the flood plain. This situation calls for a reconsideration of flood control economics. Much of this encroachment occurs as a result of the areas being protected by flood control projects and may be described as project induced. Analysis of project-induced damages indicates that, contrary to the conclusions of certain academic critics, only quite high degrees of flood protection can be justified economically. As a result of this approach benefit-cost ratios as usually computed should be reduced. Basin-wide reservoir systems inherently involve extensive partial flood protection, due partly to the extension of effects downstream and partly to the continual economic development in flood plain areas lower than those to which adequate protection is afforded. Therefore, some way must be found to control project-induced growth downstream, as an adjunct of reservoir systems. This could be done by general reservation of floodways downstream of flood control reservoirs.
Acute encephalopathy in an immunocompromised boy with astrovirus-MLB1 infection detected by next generation sequencing

We report a case of an immunodeficient 4-year-old boy with acute encephalopathy possibly related to human astrovirus-MLB1 infection. The astrovirus-MLB1 genome was identified in his stool, serum, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, and throat swabs by next generation sequencing. We present additional evidence showing human astroviruses are important infectious agents, regardless of their clades, involving the central nervous system in immunocompromised hosts.
Between fiction and reality: Transforming the semiotic object

(Commentary on Umberto Eco’s article On the ontology of fictional characters: A semiotic approach in the present issue.) The contrast between real and fictional characters in our thinking needs further elaboration. In this commentary on Eco’s look at the ontology of the semiotic object, I suggest that human semiotic construction entails constant modulation of the relationship between the states of the real and fictional characters in irreversible time. Literary characters are examples of crystallized fictions which function as semiotic anchors in the fluid construction — by the readers — of their understandings of the world. Literary characters are thus fictions that are real in their functions — while the actual reality of meaningmaking consists of ever new fictions of fluid (transitory) nature. Eco’s ontological look at the contrast of the semiotic object with perceptual objects ( Gegenstande ) in Alexius Meinong’s theorizing needs to be complemented by the semiotic subject. Cultural mythologies of human societies set the stage for such invention and maintenance of such dynamic unity of fictionally real and realistically fictional characters.
Dynamic Stiffness Reveals New Cardiac Phenotypes in Patient-Derived iPSCs

After nearly a decade of recognition that extracellular matrix (ECM) properties can influence cell behavior to similar degree as growth factors, in particular ECM composition, topography, porosity,...
The complete bibliography of scientific works of Jacques-Marie-Frangille Bigot

A complete bibliography of scientific works of the dipterist, Jacques-Marie-Frangille Bigot, is presented in chronological order with accurate dates of publication. A total of 411 works are listed including taxonomic works, reviews of the works of colleagues, errata, and other types of articles.
Support vector hazards machine: a counting process framework for learning risk scores for censored outcomes

Learning risk scores to predict dichotomous or continuous outcomes using machine learning approaches has been studied extensively. However, how to learn risk scores for time-to-event outcomes subject to right censoring has received little attention until recently. Existing approaches rely on inverse probability weighting or rank-based regression, which may be inefficient. In this paper, we develop a new support vector hazards machine (SVHM) approach to predict censored outcomes. Our method is based on predicting the counting process associated with the time-to-event outcomes among subjects at risk via a series of support vector machines. Introducing counting processes to represent time-to-event data leads to a connection between support vector machines in supervised learning and hazards regression in standard survival analysis. To account for di_erent at risk populations at observed event times, a time-varying offset is used in estimating risk scores. The resulting optimization is a convex quadratic programming problem that can easily incorporate nonlinearity using kernel trick. We demonstrate an interesting link from the profiled empirical risk function of SVHM to the Cox partial likelihood. We then formally show that SVHM is optimal in discriminating covariate-specific hazard function from population average hazard function, and establish the consistency and learning rate of the predicted risk using the estimated risk scores. Simulation studies show improved prediction accuracy of the event times using SVHM compared to existing machine learning methods and standard conventional approaches. Finally, we analyze two real world biomedical study data where we use clinical markers and neuroimaging biomarkers to predict age-at-onset of a disease, and demonstrate superiority of SVHM in distinguishing high risk versus low risk subjects.
Emerging PET/MRI applications in neuroradiology and neuroscience

PET and MRI are powerful imaging techniques that have been used extensively to study diseases of the brain, head, and neck. In many diseases, including dementia, epilepsy and head and neck cancers, PET and MRI play important and complementary roles in standard diagnostic evaluation. Recent advances in PET detector technology have allowed combination of PET and MRI into a single machine capable of simultaneous imaging which may offer several, distinct advantages over serial imaging and post-acquisition fusion such as decreased patient burden and improved PET imaging quantification. In addition, a PET/MR instrument potentially has the unique ability to combine time-dependent physiological and functional information from MRI with the specific metabolic and receptor specific information from PET imaging. Over the past several years, numerous anecdotal reports and several larger studies showed the feasibility of PET/MR in various brain and head and neck applications including, for example, concomitant fMRI and PET neuroreceptor imaging. Future well-designed studies with a focus on evaluating and optimizing the synergistic qualities of these combined technologies may fulfill the promise of PET-MRI to provide unparalleled opportunities to understand complex brain function and pathology.
Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Screening: Progress or Passé?

This special issue of Clinical Chemistry includes multiple important studies on clinical and analytic aspects of established and emerging biomarkers for cardiovascular disease. Several biomarkers featured in these pages—cardiac troponin and measures of natriuretic peptides, as well as validated biomarkers such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)2 and coronary calcium scores—can improve the performance of risk prediction algorithms based solely on more traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Yet while patients and providers are interested in ever more “personalized” recommendations for risk prevention, the major guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, European Society of Cardiology, and US Preventive Services Task Force remain focused on absolute risk based on epidemiologic modeling to determine when to give preventive treatments such as aspirin and statin therapy. Thus, considerable tension exists between traditional epidemiologic approaches to risk prediction for the “average patient” and the biologic reality that different pathophysiologic processes are highly relevant for the individual patients seen in daily practice. The biomarkers with the broadest application in cardiovascular medicine are cholesterol and blood pressure. These markers predict cardiovascular risk, identify patients for whom a particular therapy has benefit, and serve as treatment targets. As “factors of risk” for coronary heart disease, blood pressure and cholesterol are nearly as old as the specialty of cardiovascular medicine and were described by Dr. William B. Kannel and colleagues in their seminal publication from the Framingham Heart Study in 1961 (1). In the ensuing 55 years, there has been a steady year-over-year increase in the publications indexed with “cardiovascular biomarkers” in PubMed, both as an absolute number of publications (Figure 1A) and a proportion of all “cardiovascular” publications indexed (Figure 1B). And yet, despite the predictive accuracy or prognostic value of many of these biomarkers, none was found to offer sufficient new information …
Retinoic acid receptor regulation of epimorphic and homeostatic regeneration in the axolotl

Salamanders are capable of regenerating amputated limbs by generating a mass of lineage-restricted cells called a blastema. Blastemas only generate structures distal to their origin unless treated with retinoic acid (RA), which results in proximodistal (PD) limb duplications. Little is known about the transcriptional network that regulates PD duplication. In this study, we target specific retinoic acid receptors (RARs) to either PD duplicate (RA treatment or RARγ agonist) or truncate (RARβ antagonist) regenerating limbs. RARE-EGFP reporter axolotls showed divergent reporter activity in limbs undergoing PD duplication versus truncation, suggesting differences in patterning and skeletal regeneration. Transcriptomics identified expression patterns that explain PD duplication, including upregulation of proximal homeobox gene expression and silencing of distal-associated genes, whereas limb truncation was associated with disrupted skeletal differentiation. RARβ antagonism in uninjured limbs induced a loss of skeletal integrity leading to long bone regression and loss of skeletal turnover. Overall, mechanisms were identified that regulate the multifaceted roles of RARs in the salamander limb including regulation of skeletal patterning during epimorphic regeneration, skeletal tissue differentiation during regeneration, and homeostatic regeneration of intact limbs.
The Mitochondrion: A Physiological Target of Nitrite

Mitochondria maintain cellular homeostasis through ATP generation, redox signaling, and initiation of apoptosis. These functions are dynamic and tightly regulated to adapt to rapidly changing cellular environments. Nitrite (NO2−) has recently emerged as an endogenous signaling molecule and potential therapeutic that is now known to regulate mitochondrial number, morphology, and function. Notably, the mitochondrion represents a hub of signaling through which nitrite mediates many effects including protection from ischemic injury and enhancement of exercise efficiency. This chapter outlines the interactions between mitochondria and nitrite, and defines mechanisms by which nitrite controls mitochondrial function to mediate signaling in physiology and disease.
Observations of simultaneous multiple upward leaders from tall structures

We present high-speed video observations (up to 54,000 images per second) and correlated electric field measurements of upward leaders initiated simultaneously from several towers. Four towers spanning a distance of 2.9 km, ranging in height from 121 to 191 m, developed upward leaders following a nearby positive cloud-to-ground (+CG) flash on 7/16/09 UT in Rapid City, South Dakota, USA. The optical and electromagnetic observations suggest that all four leaders were positive polarity.
Shear deformation theory using logarithmic function for thick circular beams and analytical solution for bi-directional functionally graded circular beams

A shear deformation theory including a logarithmic function in the postulated expression for the circumferential displacement is developed for thick circular beams and is used to analytically solve static deformations of bi-directional functionally graded circular beams. The consideration of a logarithmic term is motivated by the displacement field in the analytical solution of the plane strain elasticity problem of a hollow circular cylindrical shell. The non-zero shear traction boundary conditions at the two major surfaces of the beam are a priori satisfied by the assumed displacement field. The material properties are assumed to vary according to exponential and power laws, respectively, in the tangential and the thickness directions. Parametric studies conducted for the variation of stresses and displacements indicate that material properties can be tailored to satisfy several structural constraints. For the bending of a sandwich beam with a bi-directionally graded core and homogeneous isotropic facesheets, it is found that the maximum interfacial bending stress, the peak interfacial shear stress and the maximum interfacial peeling stress can be reduced, respectively, by 20%, 44% and 42%.
“Behind the Mask”: An African Gay-Affirmative Website

In this interview, conducted entirely via email, the Webmasters of Behind the Mask, a gay-affirmative Website serving Southern Africa, discuss the origins and goals of their project. The digital conversation touches on the need to disseminate information about sexuality to African peoples and the concurrent difficulties of establishing “gay” communities in Africa, since many Africans do not use terms such as “gay” or “homosexual” to describe identities or behavior.
Hassan Najafi, May 22, 1930–May 20, 2017

Dr Hassan Najafi, an immigrant from Iran who became the 18th president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, died on May 20, 2017. He had also served as chair of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and the Residency Review Committee for Thoracic Surgery, and was a founding member and first president of the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association. A superb technical surgeon, educator, and investigator, Dr Najafi led the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center for 25 years. Refined and charismatic, he was wholly devoted to his patients, family, trainees, colleagues, and our profession.
U.S. State Ignition Interlock Laws for Alcohol Impaired Driving Prevention: A 50 State Survey and Analysis:

Objectives:Over the past two decades, all U.S. states have incorporated alcohol ignition interlock technology into sentencing laws for individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI). This...
Motivating Security-Aware Energy Management

This article presents a security review of energy management systems and makes the first case for security-aware energy management. The authors demonstrate how contemporary energy management systems can be misused to induce faults that break security on modern Android phones.
On the Road Again: Assessing the Use of Roadsides as Wildlife Corridors for Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus)

Abstract Small populations resulting from the impacts of habitat fragmentation are prone to increased risks of extinction because of a lack of population connectivity. Roads increase habitat fragmentation, but properly managed roadsides may be able to function as wildlife corridors. Here we use radiotelemetry to observe movement patterns of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) along potential roadside corridors at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, USA, to determine if tortoises use roadsides as movement pathways between larger habitat patches or as residential habitat. Additionally, we translocated tortoises to study the feasibility of roadsides to function as movement corridors. We found that roadsides are not used as a movement pathway but rather as an apparent long-term residential habitat. Only one tortoise was observed exiting the roadside corridor, and minimum convex polygon (MCP) home range sizes and distances traveled remain similar to those exhibited by tortoises in larger habi...
Exchanges of Multiple Stocks and Securities in Corporate Divisions or Acquisitive Reorganizations

When a corporate division or acquisitive reorganization involves an exhange of multiple blocks of securities and stocks, an unresolved issue is how the exchanged properties are to be matched in determining the amount of gain recognized and the basis of the acquired properties. Should the exchanged properties be compared in the aggregate, or should the exchange be divided into separate segments? If divided into segments, should each segment be subject to a further division into sub-segments? How should the segmentation be determined? This article examines the different approaches that are possible, the difference in tax consequences attending each approach, and the authors' view of the best solution.
The Upper Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh Coal Bed: Resources and Mine Models

The U.S. Geological Survey recently completed a digital coal resource assessment model of the Upper Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh coal bed, which indicates that after subtracting mined-out coal, 16 billion short tons (14 billion tonnes) remain of the original 34 billion short tons (31 billion tonnes) of coal. When technical, environmental, and social restrictions are applied to the remaining Pittsburgh coal model, only 12 billion short tons (11 billion tonnes) are available for mining. Our assessment models estimate that up to 0.61 billion short tons (0.55 billion tonnes), 2.7 billion short tons (2.4 billion tonnes), and 8.5 billion short tons (7.7 billion tonnes) could be available for surface mining, continuous mining, and longwall mining, respectively. This analysis is an example of a second-generation regional coal availability study designed to model recoverability characteristics for all the major coal beds in the United States.
Late Inflammatory Reactions Induced by IgE Antibodies

Contrary to popular belief, IgE-mediated inflammatory reactions can last not just a matter of minutes, but for many hours. The concept of biphasic responses induced by IgE antibodies has thus arisen. The initial phase is the typical immediate hypersensitivity reaction, classically represented in the skin by the wheal and flare response (WFR). This develops rapidly after injection of antigen, peaks in 10–20 min, and then subsides within 1–2 hr. The second phase is designated as a “late” reaction to distinguish it from the “delayed” hypersensitivity or cell-mediated reaction. It represents a continuation of, but of greater intensity than, the initial phase. Typically, the WFR begins to fade after 2 hr, but by 3–4 hr the site undergoes renewed inflammation which reaches its greatest intensity at 8–12 hr and thereafter gradually resolves over 24–48 hr. The characteristics of this late-phase response (LPR) are quite different from the well-circumscribed, pruritic wheal of the initial reaction. The lesion is characterized by diffuse erythema, warmth, edema, and tenderness, usually more extensive in area and resulting in much greater discomfort than the WFR.
Fluorescein Angiography in Retinopathy of Prematurity: Comparison of Infants Treated with Bevacizumab to Those with Spontaneous Regression.

Objective Medium- and long-term sequelae of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) are uncertain. Our aim was to describe the fluorescein angiography (FA) findings in patients who received IVB as primary treatment for type 1 ROP and compare them to findings in patients with ROP that spontaneously regressed. Design Retrospective cohort. Participants Twenty-eight patients with a history of ROP who underwent fluorescein angiography between December 1, 2013, and July 31, 2018. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether they had received IVB or had ROP that spontaneously regressed. Methods We reviewed the angiograms in the 2 groups for neovascularization (NV) and other abnormal vascular patterns in both the periphery and the posterior pole. Main Outcome Measures Fluorescein angiography findings, including NV, peripheral, and macular vascular abnormalities. Results Forty eyes of 20 infants were included in the IVB group and 16 eyes of 8 infants in the untreated group. Median gestational age at birth was similar in the 2 groups (24.5 and 24.7 weeks, respectively; P = 0.44), as was the median birth weight (648.5 and 560.0 g, respectively; P = 0.26). Median postmenstrual age at the time of FA was 65.1 and 83.9 weeks, respectively (P = 0.0002). Review of angiograms demonstrated NV in 30.0% and 37.5% in the IVB and untreated cohorts, respectively (P = 0.75). Abnormal vascular patterns in the periphery were similar in both groups (100.0%), whereas posterior pole findings of vessels encroaching onto the fovea were more prevalent in the IVB cohort (65.0% vs. 25.0%; P = 0.009). Conclusions Fluorescein angiography after bevacizumab for ROP reveals abnormal vascular patterns in all eyes and NV in approximately one-third. Similar abnormal vascular patterns on FA are seen at a similar prevalence after spontaneous regression of ROP. These findings suggest that the abnormal vascular patterns identified by FA in patients with ROP result from the disease process itself rather than as a result of exposure to anti–vascular endothelial growth factor medications.
Ramsauer-Townsend effect in the total cross section of He 4 + He 4 and He 3 + He 3

Total scattering cross-section measurements for /sup 4/He + /sup 4/He and /sup 3/He + /sup 3/He are presented for velocities between 60 and 900 m/sec and 105 to 1000 m/sec, respectively. For /sup 4/He + /sup 4/He, a Ramsauer-Townsend effect is resolved and s and d phase shifts are obtained. The behavior of the s phase shift suggests that this system is not bound. For /sup 3/He + /sup 3/He a virtual state at 135 m/sec is resolved and some p phase shifts are obtained. A fit to the data for both pairs indicates that mass-polarization effects are negligible. (AIP)
Policy Contagion During A Pandemic

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated rapid policy changes at the national level In response, social distancing policies, which use non-pharmace
“Glass half full: cautious optimism and the future of Black women political elites in America”

In this essay, we place Black women's electoral challenges and opportunities in context. We situate this year of “Black Women Candidates” as an anomaly, but one that has been a long in the making. We also point to the appeal of Black women lawmakers among voters to mirror Alberder Gillespie's claims in this epigraph. We note that Black women have long been the backbone of the Democratic Party and are willing to use their clout for their own political means. Furthermore, given the unique ways that Black women represent their constituents, an influx of Black women into governing bodies may have a substantial, lasting impact on policy-making. We conclude with insights from our own research and that of other scholars on Black women to demonstrate future avenues of scholarly research.
Adsorption and regeneration on iron-activated biochar for removal of microcystin-LR

Abstract Novel iron activated biochars (FA-BCs) were prepared via simultaneous pyrolysis and activation of FeCl3-pretreated bermudagrass (BG) for removing microcystin-LR (MC-LR) in aqueous solution. Compared to the raw BC (without activation), the surface area and adsorption capacity of FA-BC at iron impregnation ratio of 2 (2 g FeCl3/g BG) were enhanced from 86 m2/g and 0.76 mg/g to 835 m2/g and 9.00 mg/g. Moreover, FA-BC possessed various iron oxides at its surface which provided the catalytic capacity for regeneration of MC-LR spent FA-BC and magnetic separation after the MC-LR adsorption. Possible mechanisms for the MC-LR adsorption onto FA-BC would include electrostatic attraction, π+-π, hydrogen bond, and hydrophobic interactions. The detailed adsorption studies indicated mainly chemisorption and intra-particle diffusion limitation would participate in the adsorption process. The thermal regeneration at 300 °C kept high regeneration efficiency (99–100%) for the MC-LR spent FA-BC during four cycles of adsorption-regeneration. In addition, the high regeneration efficiency (close to 100%) was also achieved by persulfate oxidation-driven regeneration. FA-BC also exhibited high adsorption capacity for the MC-LR from the real lake water to meet the MC-LR concentration below 1 μg/L as a safe guideline suggested by WHO.
Natural History of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a heterogeneous immune-mediated disease that involves demyelination with inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), as well as a neurodegenerative component. The natural history of the disease has changed favorably over time with the advent of efficacious disease modifying therapies (DMTs) that prevent or limit inflammatory disease activity. In this chapter, we discuss the various phenotypes of MS and their individual characteristics. Next, we discuss important imaging and clinical prognostic factors in MS that may help predict the natural history of an individual patient’s disease. We then review the impact of the advent of the DMT era on the natural history of MS. Comorbidities and health behaviors as they influence MS and its natural history are then discussed.
Current Updates on Mycobacterial Taxonomy, 2018 to 2019.

This minireview provides an updated overview of taxonomic changes for the genus Mycobacterium, with a focus on new species identified from humans or those associated with human disease for the period 2018 to 2019.
COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing in a College Setting

Abstract Objective Assess the impact of the pandemic on STI (sexually transmitted infections) testing in a college health setting. Design Exploratory analysis of the number of STI tests done, positive rates for those tests and of percentage of “compliance to follow-up” from March to December 2020 and its comparison with historical data at the University Health Services, UW-Madison. Sample students’ STI tests during the analyzed period. Measurement Observed (2020) vs Expected (2015-2019, average) number of STI tests, positive rate, compliance to follow-up testing for STIs. Results There was a significant decrease in the number of tests done and increase of positive rate when compared to historical for total sample and per sex. There was a decrease in the percentage of follow-up for the entire sample and females and an increase for males. Conclusions Considering the three outcomes assessed, we observe an impact in STI testing during the pandemic. In concordance with national data, our analysis shows significant declines in STI testing and follow-up during 2020 compared to previous years and an increase in positivity rate. The finding of higher positivity with lower number of tests is likely due to triaging patients, facilitating testing for those at highest risk of infection.
Quelques considérations sur la relation entre le Paléolithique chinois et le Paléolithique japonais

Resume Cet article presente la description des relations culturelles entre le Paleolithique chinois et le Paleolithique japonais. Dans ce numero special, Dr Takehana et ses collaborateurs evoquent les relations, les traditions paleolithiques de Hokkaido au Japon septentrional avec les cultures paleolithiques de la Siberie cotiere. Pour cette raison, nous nous concentrons sur les trois iles principales et le Paleolithique chinois. Actuellement, cette region consiste essentiellement en trois grandes iles, Honshu, Shikoku et Kyushu et plusieurs ilots a leur peripherie. Cependant, nous supposons que ces iles etaient presque toutes en continuite territoriale durant l’epoque glaciaire. Ainsi, nous devons considerer que ces iles etaient plus grandes encore. A present, la Mer de Chine orientale, la Mer Jaune, le golfe de Bohai et la Mer du Japon separent ces iles principales du continent asiatique. Il apparait que l’homme anterieur a Homo sapiens a du utiliser un pont terrestre alors apparu, la zone maritime etant tres etroite et peu profonde. Nous supposons que l’Homo sapiens a migre vers Honshu a partir du continent asiatique. Ce qui n'a pu se realiser que pendant une periode froide ayant provoque la regression des mers. Un premier itineraire correspond a la route meridionale alors que Taiwan, les iles Sakishima, les Iles Yaeyama, les iles Ryukyu, les iles Amami s’assechaient en formant un pont terrestre. Un deuxieme itineraire correspond a la route occidentale qui atteint Kyushu par la Peninsule coreenne, en passant par la Mer de Chine orientale , la Mer Jaune et la baie de Bohai alors assechees, c'est ce qu'on appelle "la plaine des trois mers". Un troisieme itineraire passe par le sud de l’ile Sakhalin et atteint la partie nord-est d’Honshu par Hokkaido. La possibilite d'atteindre l'archipel japonais depuis le continent asiatique est limitee a ces trois itineraires. Cependant, l’itineraire par le sud presentait une grande difficulte. Dans la partie septentrionale de cette serie d’iles, le detroit de Tokara interrompt le passage des iles Osumi aux iles Amami puisqu’il est si profond qu’il ne s'est jamais asseche, a aucune periode. La distribution des sites paleolithiques anterieurs a 62 000 ans en Chine avait ete arretee au sud du 40eme degre parallele. Par consequent, il apparait que l’homme paleolithique ne s’est installe qu’a partir de 62 000 ans en passant par la route septentrionale vers le nord du Japon. Pour cette raison, il est certain que la diffusion culturelle du Paleolithique s’est faite seulement par le pont terrestre correspondant a l’itineraire occidental.
The usefulness of biorepositories in translational research

AACR Centennial Conference: Translational Cancer Medicine-- July 20-23, 2008; Monterey, CA B12 It is today accepted that tumor biology plays a major role in the tumor progression and explains its aggressiveness, which depends on the equilibrium between activators and inhibitors of several factors involved in the cancer hallmarks, their pathways and interactions. Subsequently, modern analytical tools are being developed to identify biomarkers of clinical usefulness. There are biomarkers, which predict the predisposition of a person to become ill, or the dignity of a sickness, or the risk of recurrence of a disease. Other markers predict the chance of responsiveness to a medication or the incidence of adverse events. All these biomarkers are essential to achieve personalized medicine and shorten the necessary development period. For this purpose good quality specimens including not only formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues but also fresh frozen tissues and body fluids accompanied by relevant and robust clinical and biological data are prerequisites. These aspects promoted us to found in 1995 a non-for-profit Tumorbank organization. We collected data, fresh frozen tissues and sub-fractions of 10’000 breast cancer patients and more recently also from prostate cancer patients. The data include clinical parameters at time of material acquirement and of follow-ups, data produced by the collaborative pathologists at an immuno- and histo-pathological level and the quantitative assessment of several markers at protein and RNA expression levels. Using such a repository source, we were able to gain important knowledge. In this context we report, what we consider as the most clinical relevant results achieved. We described the epidemiology of the incidence of ERBB2 overexpression / amplification varying from 40% in very young to 12% in old post-menopausal breast cancer patients independently from the nodal status. Such information correctly integrated in the design of clinical trials could have spared unnecessary costs and speed up the introduction of helpful medications to the sensitive patient cohorts. More recently, we demonstrated that the quantification of the transcription factor E2F1 recapitulates breast tumor proliferation, which is now demonstrated also by several other groups to be the most important prognostic component for risk of recurrence of breast cancer patients. The quantitative detection of E2F1 together with the one of estrogen and progesterone receptors and ERBB2 by QRT-PCR in a core biopsy gives already at preoperative stages relevant clinical information for the treatment of breast cancer patients comparable with the Oncotype Dx recurrence score and the more complex gene signatures obtained from microarray based assays. In our organization unpublished data and a representative number of specimens remain available and upgradeable. Moreover, new acquisitions are still on going and could be performed accordantly to new research needs in collaboration with supportive partners.
SU-E-I-69: A Cloud Based Application for MRI Brain Image Processing

Purpose: In this study we present a cloud based application dedicated to MRI brain image processing, providing the flexibility to end users for managing and processing medical image data, dynamically allocating computational resources. Methods: The proposed application is based on the Software as a Service (SaaS) cloud model and it can be accessible by any available browser. The developed cloud takes advantage of the Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) in order to easily scale its capabilities. Virtual Machines are used on demand of the users’ requested pipeline. The implemented techniques were incorporated on a cloud application framework consisting of a web interface where the user can upload data (NIfTI format) and initiate the processing algorithms. The proposed application is providing the following functionalities: a) a user-based authentication and authorization mechanism, b) an application data manager which is a tool enabling the user to manage his/her uploaded image data, c) a “Data Processing Task” where the user is able to select the appropriate processing algorithm to define his/her processing pipeline on demand. Results: The proposed implementation has already been tested in several end-users’ devices executing a pipeline for brain tumor detection in followup scans. A pipeline processing has been implemented, where the user uploads two scans of a patient (before and after treatment), they are registered, normalized and a difference map is calculated for quantitative evaluation of tumor growth or reduction. Results are stored in the cloud storage space and are available to the user anytime, at request. Conclusion: Cloud computing is one of the current biggest trends in Information Technology providing and accessing computing resources via Internet adhoc. Our goal is to offer a cloud implementation providing a way to deploy medical image processing as an application, enabling algorithm sharing without the hustle of maintaining complex infrastructures. This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational Program “Education and Lifelong Learning” of the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) Research Funding Program: Thales. Investing in knowledge society through the European Social Fund.
Effects of anisotropy on dynamic tensile behavior

A stability analysis for an anisotropic stretching rod is presented. We consider the particular case of a rapidly stretching titanium jet using a continuum code to examine anisotropic plastic response in the finite-neck regime. It was found that the classical analysis (yield strength is inversely proportional to stability) is insufficient; anisotropic jets can be more or less stable than their maximum or minimum yield strengths, depending on initial perturbations and the orientation of the anisotropy. One particular anisotropy -- with the weak direction along the jet axis -- appears to be generally stabilizing. 10 refs., 6 figs.
Chemical studies on malformin—II. : Synthesis of cyclic pentapeptides related to malformin A☆

Abstract Two cyclic pentapeptides related to malformin A, cyclo- d -cysteinyl- l -valyl- d cysteinyl- d -leucyl- l -isoleucyl and cyclo- l -cysteinyl- l -valyl- l -cysteinyl- l -leucyl- l -isoleucyl, were synthesized by the p -nitro-phenylester method. During cyclization of the corresponding straight chain p -nitrophenyl pentapeptide hydrobromides no doubling reactions occurred, as judged by molecular weight determination employing the isothermal distillation method. Both cyclic pentapeptides were inactive in a biological assay for malformin.
Medical malpractice and sarcoma care—A thirty‐three year review of case resolutions, inciting factors, and at risk physician specialties surrounding a rare diagnosis

Background We reviewed medico-legal cases related to extremity sarcoma malpractice in order to recognize those factors most commonly instigating sarcoma litigation. Methods Over one million legal cases available in a national legal database were searched for malpractice verdicts and settlements involving extremity sarcoma spanning 1980–2012. We categorized verdict/settlement resolutions by state, year, award amount, nature of the complaint/injury, specialty of the physician defendant, and academic affiliation of defendant–amongst other variables. Results Of the 216 cases identified, 57% of case resolutions favored the plaintiff, with a mean indemnity payment of $2.30 million (range $65,076–$12.66 million). Delay in diagnosis (81%), unnecessary amputation (11%), and misdiagnosis (7%) accounted for the majority of complaints. The greatest numbers of claims were filed against primary care specialties (34%), orthopaedic surgeons (23%), and radiologists (12%). Individual state tort reform measures were not protective against case resolution outcome. Conclusions Reported medico-legal claims involving sarcoma care continue to rise, with mean indemnity payments approaching 10 times that for other reported medical/surgical specialties. Primary care and orthopaedic specialties are the most commonly named physician defendants, citing a delay in diagnosis. This suggests further education in the front line diagnosis and management of sarcomas is needed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014; 110:919–929. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography for Glaucoma Diagnosis

Identification of structural damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is an essential component of diagnosis and management of glaucoma. The introduction of spectral-domain OCT (SD-OCT) has allowed objective quantification of damage to these structures with unprecedented resolution. In addition, recent attention has been directed towards imaging the macular area for quantifying loss of neural tissue caused by the disease. Many studies have evaluated and compared the diagnostic accuracies of a variety of parameters that can be obtained from imaging these areas of the ocular fundus. In this article, we critically review the existing literature evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of SD-OCT in glaucoma and we discuss issues related to how SD-OCT results should be incorporated into clinical practice.
Effects of Therapeutic Gardens in Special Care Units for People with Dementia

Abstract Researchers and designers have recently focused on design of Special Care Units and effects of the environment on people with dementia. However, empirical findings that question the effects of such units on people with dementia are limited. Smaller still are empirical studies with regard to the outdoor environment in facilities housing those in Special Care Units. This research explores the idea that “therapeutic garden” spaces may play an important role in therapeutic restoration of people with dementia, and questions how well such spaces are integrated into the designs of outdoor spaces for this population. This research conducts post-occupancy evaluations of outdoor spaces of two special care units of assisted living facilities for people with dementia in a Midwest metropolitan area. Multimethod qualitative research techniques were employed including interviews, behavior-mapping, and observations using the AARS observation tool for dementia behavior interpretation. Residents, family members an...
CAD tools for the design and analysis of surface acoustic wave chirp devices

CAD tools for designing interdigital surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) devices are presented. The software computes the exact spatial position of the metal interdigital electrodes for any given chirp specification. A linear FM up-chirp SAW device was designed with the CAD tools, with one dispersive and one wideband transducer (dual in-line geometry). The device was designed to produce a chirp pulse with a rectangular window envelope using four electrodes per period. A center frequency of 100 MHz, a bandwidth of 10 MHz, and a pulse duration of 2 mu s were used. An HP8753C automatic network analyzer was used to test the designed device. >
The role of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in pilocarpine-induced seizures

Pilocarpine-induced seizures are mediated by the M(1) subtype of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR), but little is known about the signaling mechanisms linking the receptor to seizures. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascade is activated by M(1) mAChR and is elevated during status epilepticus. Yet, the role of ERK activation prior to seizure has not been evaluated. Here, we examine the role of pilocarpine-induced ERK activation in the induction of seizures in mice by pharmacological and behavioral approaches. We show that pilocarpine induces ERK activation prior to the induction of seizures by both western blot and immunocytochemistry with an antibody to phosphorylated ERK. In addition, we show that the ERK pathway inhibitor SL327 effectively blocks the pilocarpine-induced ERK activation. However, SL327 pretreatment has no effect on the initiation of seizures. In fact, animals treated with SL327 had higher seizure-related mortality than vehicle-treated animals, suggesting activated ERK may serve a protective role during seizures. In addition, ERK inhibition had no effect on the development of the long-term sequelae of status epilepticus (SE), including mossy fiber sprouting, neuronal death and spontaneous recurrent seizures.
Assessing Nonverbal Communication Skills Through Video Recording and Debriefing of Clinical Skill Simulation Exams

Context: Nonverbal communication (NVC) skills are a critical component to clinician interactions with patients, and no research exists on the investigation of athletic training students' nonverbal ...
Metastatic Competence Can Emerge with Selection of Preexisting Oncogenic Alleles without a Need of New Mutations.

Several experimental models faithfully recapitulate many important facets of human metastatic disease. Here we have performed whole exome sequencing in five widely used experimental metastasis models that were independently derived through in vivo selection from heterogeneous human cancer cell lines. In addition to providing an important characterization of these model systems, our study examines the genetic evolution of metastatic phenotypes. We found that in vivo selected highly metastatic cell populations showed little genetic divergence from the corresponding parental population. However, selection of genetic variations that preexisted in parental populations, including the well-established oncogenic mutations KRASG13D and BRAFG464V, was associated with increased metastatic capability. Conversely, expression of the wild-type BRAF allele in metastatic cells inhibited metastatic outgrowth as well as tumor initiation in mice. Our findings establish that metastatic competence can arise from heterogeneous cancer cell populations without the need for acquisition of additional mutations, and that such competence can benefit from further selection of tumor-initiating mutations that seed primary tumorigenesis.