cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ubiquitin signalling in the NF-κB pathway

The transcription factor NF-kappaB (nuclear factor kappa enhancer binding protein) controls many processes, including immunity, inflammation and apoptosis. Ubiquitination regulates at least three steps in the NF-kappaB pathway: degradation of IkappaB (inhibitor of NF-kappaB), processing of NF-kappaB precursors, and activation of the IkappaB kinase (IKK). Recent studies have revealed several enzymes involved in the ubiquitination and deubiquitination of signalling proteins that mediate IKK activation through a degradation-independent mechanism.
Trastuzumab and Doxorubicin-Related Cardiotoxicity and the Cardioprotective Role of Exercise:

Women diagnosed with breast cancer typically undergo a multimodal approach to treating their disease. The treatments used often result in sequelae such as fatigue, hair loss, nausea and vomiting, and functional impairment. Many of these sequelae can be controlled or eliminated with pharmacological, physical, or social interventions. However, 2 effective cytotoxic agents, doxorubicin and trastuzumab, are associated with a potentially life-threatening sequela, cardiotoxicity. Currently, these agents are dosage and duration limited to circumvent cardiac damage. Exercise prior to and during the administration of these agents is emerging as a possible cardioprotective intervention based on the findings of animal model studies. Incorporating exercise into the breast cancer treatment trajectory may eliminate the dosage and duration restrictions of these antineoplastic agents and ultimately affect survival and quality of life. The authors present the pharmacological mechanism for each agent and the exciting results of animal model studies that lay the groundwork for future clinical trials.
Deferrable loads in an energy market: Coordination under congestion constraints

We consider a scenario where price-responsive energy consumers are allowed to optimize their individual utilities via mechanisms of load-shifting in a distribution network subject to capacity constraints. The uncoordinated selfish behavior of the consumers would lead, in general, to requests that could not be served by the distribution network because of such constraints. Thus, a centralized or hierarchically coordination mechanism is required. We derive algorithms and methods to determine in real-time the largest set of consumers' decisions that are compatible with the physical constraints of the network and capable of avoiding congestion phenomena in the future. These methods are shown to be applicable to the design of coordination mechanisms with the aim of providing a large number of degrees of freedom to the users while guaranteeing the integrity of the system.
Spectra of Some Composition Operators

Abstract If H is a Hilbert space of holomorphic functions on the unit ball BN in CN and φ is a non-constant holomorphic map of the unit ball into itself, the composition operator Cφ is the operator on H defined by Cφf = f ∘ φ. In this paper, we give spectral information for bounded composition operators on some weighted Hardy spaces under the condition that φ is univalent and has a fixed point in the ball. When H is the usual Hardy space or a standard weighted Bergman space on the unit disk, this information shows that the spectrum of the composition operator is the disk centered at 0 whose radius is the essential spectral radius of the operator together with some isolated eigenvalues.
Quantisation of hydrogen gas formed by aqueous corrosion of metallic uranium

AbstractThree unirradiated experimental breeder reactor II blanket fuel samples containing depleted uranium metal (238U) were corrosion tested in simulated J13 well water at 90°C. The purpose was to study the products of the aqueous corrosion of U metal, i.e. UO2, UO2 + x, UH3, and H2. The corrosion products were weighed for mass balance and analysed by X-ray powder diffraction. The data showed that UO2 powder, as well as higher oxides, i.e. UO2 + x had formed. However, no UH3 was detected. The corrosion rate of uranium metal in water at 90°C was inferred by collecting and quantitatively measuring the hydrogen gas evolved.
Fragmented power and state-corporate killings: a critique of blackwater in Iraq

Especially given the invasion of Iraq, a growing number of criminologists have been attending to the transformation of state power and security within a neo-liberal political context. Although the capacity and influence of the state is not disappearing altogether there is a discernible erosion of authority within the sovereign state. In the realm of policing, we witness continued fragmentation of authority in which state power is relinquished to expanding commercial markets. The de-coupling of policing and government raises serious questions about the changing architecture of liberal democratic societies, prompting concerns over the waning monopoly of legitimate coercion. The project here explores the controversy over the use of private military firms in occupied Iraq, particularly the recent killings of civilians by Blackwater personnel. While offering specific details of those incidents, the analysis elaborates on state–corporate crime by revealing how state power is dispersed to the private sector; by doing so, the article examines how private military personnel evade prosecution for war crimes and other human rights abuses.
A course in emergency care for first-year medical students

A 52-hour course in emergency medicine for first-year medical students was developed from the Department of Transportation's (DOT) training program for emergency medical technicians (EMT). The objective of the course was to train students to provide life support and emergency care in the field at the level of competence of the EMT. Ninety-four percent of the first class met these standards on written examination. Problems in the course included over-simplified presentations by paraprofessional faculty and an overemphasis on inhospital management by physician faculty. The program is well received by students and allows for introduction of clinical material into the first-year curriculum. The DOT training program for the EMT provides a useful model that, with slight adaptation, is appropriate for the first-year medical student.
The Variability of Large Alluvial Rivers

Do you know of a major river with tremendous suspended sediment loads that drains the center of a nation and serves as the drainage divide between two smaller rivers? Where do seasonal trade winds blow flood-deposited sands upstream onto a river's floodplains and in-channel bars, later to be retransferred downstream? Can you name a major nonbedrock river whose 23 significant meanders have been cut off? This same river has been buried in debris from a major volcanic eruption, has annual sediment yields of 3,100 tons per square kilometer, and is absolutely stable in planform. Give up? If you are bewildered, don't miss The Variability of Large Alluvial Rivers. This wonderful book answers these and other integral questions about nineteen major rivers on five continents.
CLOCK:BMAL1 is a pioneer-like transcription factor

The mammalian circadian clock relies on the master genes CLOCK and BMAL1 to drive rhythmic gene expression and regulate biological functions under circadian control. Here we show that rhythmic CLOCK:BMAL1 DNA binding promotes rhythmic chromatin opening. Mechanisms include CLOCK:BMAL1 binding to nucleosomes and rhythmic chromatin modification; e.g., incorporation of the histone variant H2A.Z. This rhythmic chromatin remodeling mediates the rhythmic binding of other transcription factors adjacent to CLOCK:BMAL1, suggesting that the activity of these other transcription factors contributes to the genome-wide CLOCK:BMAL1 heterogeneous transcriptional output. These data therefore indicate that the clock regulation of transcription relies on the rhythmic regulation of chromatin accessibility and suggest that the concept of pioneer function extends to acute gene regulation.
Sheared interpolation and gradient estimation for real-time volume rendering

In this paper we present a technique for the interactive control and display of static and dynamic 3D datasets. We describe novel ways of tri-linear interpolation and gradient estimation for a real-time volume rendering system, using coherency between rays. We show simulation results that compare the proposed methods to traditional algorithms and present them in the cantezt of Cube-B, a special-purpose architecture capable of rendering 5123 16-bit per voxel datasets at over 20 frames per second.
Integration of BaTiO/sub 3/ferroelectric thin films with GaAs for functional devices

The integration of ferroelectric oxides with GaAs could enable monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuits, advanced metal-insulator-semiconductor structures, and multifunctional optoelectronic devices. BaTiO/sub 3/ is a good candidate for this integration due to the large spontaneous polarization and large electro-optic effects, but presents a challenge due to the large lattice mismatch and difficulty in achieving a crystalline oxide interface on GaAs. In this paper we investigate the deposition of BaTiO/sub 3/ onto GaAs by pulsed laser deposition using varied substrate preparation techniques and MgO buffer layers. Highly oriented [001] BaTiO/sub 3/ thin films are achieved exhibiting spontaneous polarization characteristic of ferroelectric material.
Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging: ex vivo and in vivo demonstration of transient shear wave propagation

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging utilizes brief, high energy, focused acoustic pulses to generate radiation force in remote locations in tissue, and conventional diagnostic ultrasound methods to detect the resulting tissue displacements in order to provide information about the mechanical properties of tissue. Tissue displacement magnitude is inversely related to local tissue stiffness, and the temporal response of the tissue is related to its viscosity. In addition, ARM imaging allows visualization of the transient shear waves generated by the impulsive radiation force, whose propagation velocity and attenuation reflect the local tissue properties. ARFI imaging is implemented on a modified Siemens Elegra scanner with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer using radiation force application times ranging from .03 to 1 msec. Good correlation is observed between the matched pathology, B-mode, and ARM images of ex vivo breast and cervical tissues. ARFI image representation of tissue stiffness is consistent with manual palpation. In addition, localized radiation force induced shear wave propagation is visualized by ARFI imaging in phantoms, ex vivo breast tissue, and in vivo abdominal tissue. Shear wave speeds ranging from 1 to 5 m/s are observed in abdominal tissue in vivo. These results suggest that ARM imaging holds clinical promise.
Fuzzy logic classification of seismic events

Two different methods that incorporate fuzzy logic are examined for the classification of seismic events from time-series data. Linguistic descriptors incorporate characteristics such as energy content, clutter, and bursts along with well developed heuristic rules as part of a classification scheme. A direct approach involves preprocessing the waveforms and applying the parametric data to a fuzzy associative memory. In the case of direct application, the test database was capable of 100% training of three event classes from a single seismic station.
Linear Concepts and Hidden Variables: An Empirical Study

Some learning techniques for classification tasks work indirectly, by first trying to fit a full probabilistic model to the observed data. Whether this is a good idea or not depends on the robustness with respect to deviations from the postulated model. We study this question experimentally in a restricted, yet non-trivial and interesting case: we consider a conditionally independent attribute (CIA) model which postulates a single binary-valued hidden variable z on which all other attributes (i.e., the target and the observables) depend. In this model, finding the most likely value of anyone variable (given known values for the others) reduces to testing a linear function of the observed values. We learn CIA with two techniques: the standard EM algorithm, and a new algorithm we develop based on covariances. We compare these, in a controlled fashion, against an algorithm (a version of Winnow) that attempts to find a good linear classifier directly. Our conclusions help delimit the fragility of using the CIA model for classification: once the data departs from this model, performance quickly degrades and drops below that of the directly-learned linear classifier.
Educating Mary: A Special Education Case Study in One Western Australian High School

In this article, Miguel Fernandez examines the integration of a female student with an intellectual disability into a mainstream high school in Western Australia. A major concern is to achieve, with limited educational support facilities, an inclusive placement that facilitates both academic requirements and life skills training. In what settings will she learn most effectively and what does she need to learn? In this context, the author suggests that given the similarities between UK and Australian special educational needs policies, both derived from the 1978 Warnock Report, threats to inclusion in the UK also apply in Western Australia.
Bridging the transfer gap: laboratory exercise combines clinical exposure and anatomy review.

Objectives One of the goals of medical education is to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical practice. Students acquire basic science knowledge during their pre-clinical years, yet have limited opportunities to apply this knowledge clinically. This hands-on laboratory exercise was designed to facilitate a review of anatomy in the context of select clinical procedures, highlighting the application of anatomical concepts in clinical practice. Methods In 2008, Year 2 medical students participated in a clinical procedures laboratory taught by senior residents and attending physicians. Before participating, all students completed anatomy and clinical pre-tests and received syllabi detailing the select procedures and the anatomy pertinent to each. Students were organised into experimental (EG, n = 48) and control (CG, n = 17) groups. The EG observed and practised five procedures on cadavers and the CG participated in a traditional anatomy review laboratory with no procedural demonstrations or practice. Anatomy and clinical post-tests were administered to both groups following the 3-hour interventions. Surveys and focus sessions were used to assess student opinions. Results Scores on the anatomy pre- and post-tests were compared and were found to have significantly increased (P ≤ 0.015) in each group, with the EG performing better than the CG (P = 0.001). The EG also showed significant improvement in clinical post-test scores (P < 0.001). Clinical test scores in the CG did not improve (P = 0.393). Conclusions Review of anatomy coupled with the teaching of clinical procedures results in an anatomical review superior to that of traditional methods, enhances knowledge of clinical procedures, and heightens students’ awareness of the relationships between basic science and clinical practice.
Initiation of spontaneous ventricular tachycardia: from spark to fire.

A famous restaurant is consumed by fire. As on-lookers watch the blaze, the most frequently asked question is, “How did it start?” The more insightful question is posed by the firefighters, “Why did it burn?” Clearly, heat and flame were ever present in the kitchen. The spark itself was omni-present, so the fire must result from some breakdown of the protective measures or changes in the flammable environment. This analogy applies to the relationship between PVC's and VT onset.
Can a marker be a surrogate for development of cancer, and would we know it if it exists?

Carcinogenesis proceeds through a very long preclinical period. Our collective hope is that multiple opportunities exist for chemoprevention to arrest or reverse progression towards malignancy. In the hope of faster progress with fewer subjects and lower total cost, much effort is being expended on the search for reliable biomarkers to predict the likelihood of developing cancer and/or to signal the effectiveness of chemopreventive therapy. Considerable attention is paid to identifying those markers that can act as surrogate markers for cancer development, since favorable modulation of the surrogate end point biomarker (SEBM) may demonstrate effectiveness of a putative preventive treatment. However, the complexity of the biology challenges our ability to measure the effectiveness of attempts to arrest or reverse carcinogenesis, other than through costly and time-consuming prospective trials with disease state as the endpoint. Despite much work, to date no prehistologic biological or molecular intermediate marker has been validated for sporadic cancers. Several factors accounting for the difficulties encountered in SEBM development are reviewed. Discussion is focused on the common thread of the complexity of the underlying biological changes in carcinogenesis limiting the effectiveness of any single biomarker. Additionally, the incidence of sporadic cancers is also low, further limiting the positive predictive value of any putative prognostic marker. Recent successes in development of chemopreventive agents show the concept is valid and worth pursuing, but the current strategies to develop biochemical and genetic markers to identify surrogate biomarkers is flawed, and need to be reassessed in light of the difficulties faced over the last 20 years.
Antarctic Holocene Climate Change: A Benthic Foraminiferal Stable Isotope Record from Palmer Deep

The first moderate- to high-resolution Holocene marine stable isotope record from the nearshore Antarctic continental shelf (Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 1098B) suggests sensitivity of the western Antarctic Peninsula hydrography to westerly wind strength and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-like climate variability. Despite proximity to corrosive Antarctic water masses, sufficient CaCO3 in Palmer Deep sediments exists to provide a high-quality stable isotopic record (especially in the late Holocene). Coherence of benthic foraminifer delta(18)O, delta(13)C, sedimentologic, and CaCO3 fluctuations suggests that rapid (<20 years) Palmer Deep bottom water temperature fluctuations of 1D-1.5DC are associated with competitive interactions between two dominant oceanographic/climatic states. An abrupt shift from a warmer, stable Upper Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW) state to a cooler, variable shelf water state occurred at S3.6 ka. Palmer Deep bottom waters oscillated between UCDW and shelf water-dominated states between S3.6 and 0.05 ka. Cool shelf water intervals correlate with Neoglacial events, the most recent and largest being the Little Ice Age (LIA; S0.7-0.2 ka). Similarities between Palmer Deep and global Holocene records and the rapidity of inferred bottom water fluctuations suggest that western Antarctic Peninsula shelf hydrography has not been controlled by thermohaline reorganizations but by variable strength and/or position of the Southern Hemisphere westerly wind field. We suggest that these atmospheric perturbations may have originated in the low-latitude tropical Pacific.
Short read alignment with populations of genomes

Summary: The increasing availability of high-throughput sequencing technologies has led to thousands of human genomes having been sequenced in the past years. Efforts such as the 1000 Genomes Project further add to the availability of human genome variation data. However, to date, there is no method that can map reads of a newly sequenced human genome to a large collection of genomes. Instead, methods rely on aligning reads to a single reference genome. This leads to inherent biases and lower accuracy. To tackle this problem, a new alignment tool BWBBLE is introduced in this article. We (i) introduce a new compressed representation of a collection of genomes, which explicitly tackles the genomic variation observed at every position, and (ii) design a new alignment algorithm based on the Burrows–Wheeler transform that maps short reads from a newly sequenced genome to an arbitrary collection of two or more (up to millions of) genomes with high accuracy and no inherent bias to one specific genome. Availability: http://viq854.github.com/bwbble. Contact: ude.drofnats.sc@mifares
Regulation of Astroglial-Derived Dopaminergic Neurotrophic Factors by Interleukin-1β in the Striatum of Young and Middle-Aged Mice

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) can induce dopaminergic axonal sprouting in the denervated striatum of parkinsonian animals. In order to determine whether IL-1β effects on dopaminergic axonal sprouting are mediated by the induction of astroglial-derived dopaminergic neurotrophic factors, effects of IL-1β treatment on acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF and bFGF) and glial cell line-derived growth factor (GDNF) gene expression were examined in primary striatal astrocyte cultures and after in vivo administration. We found a selective induction of bFGF mRNA synthesis but not aFGF or GDNF mRNA after IL-1β treatment both in vitro and in vivo. This suggests that bFGF may be the putative endogenous dopaminergic neurotrophic factor mediating lesion-induced plasticity of dopamine neurons. In addition, to determine why recovery from injury becomes reduced with age, we examined whether there was an aging-associated decline in the ability of IL-1β to induce the synthesis of neurotrophic factors in middle-aged animals compared to young mice. Interestingly, IL-1β stimulated a greater induction in bFGF mRNA levels in the middle-aged mice compared to young mice. These results suggest that the regulation of bFGF and possibly its receptor signaling efficacy may vary as the brain ages.
Evaluation of self-reported ethnicity in a case-control population: the stroke prevention in young women study

Background Population-based association studies are used to identify common susceptibility variants for complex genetic traits. These studies are susceptible to confounding from unknown population substructure. Here we apply a model-based clustering approach to our case-control study of stroke among young women to examine if self-reported ethnicity can serve as a proxy for genetic ancestry.
Heart Rate of Chickens Determined by Radio Telemetry during Light and Dark Periods

Abstract Diurnal variation in activity, body temperature, and metabolic rate in chickens and other birds has been studied and reported by a number of investigators (Sturkie, 1954; King and Farner, 1961). Since heart rate is known to be influenced by these parameters, it might be expected to exhibit diurnal variation. No really critical experiments have been conducted on the heart rate of unrestrained birds under normal conditions. Most data on heart rate were obtained on birds restrained and subject to excitement and handling, and the rates are quite variable (Sturkie, 1954; McNally, 1941). Some have considered a resting or basal heart rate as one obtained on a bird that was restrained and kept quiet for varying periods of time. In recent years radio telemetry has been employed to determine heart rate in humans, cats, dogs, and rabbits (Essler and Folk, 1961) under normal conditions, free of restraint and excitement. In general,…
The effect of home characteristics on dust antigen concentrations and loads in homes

On-site home visits, consisting of a home inspection, dust sampling, and questionnaires were conducted in 777 homes belonging to an ongoing birth cohort study in Cincinnati, Ohio. Various home characteristics were investigated, and antigen levels (concentrations [microg/g] and loadings [microg/m(2)]; IU for cockroach allergen) in floor dust samples collected in child's primary activity room were analyzed by ELISA. Monoclonal antibodies were used for the analysis of cat, house dust mite, and cockroach allergens, and polyclonal antibodies for Alternaria and dog antigens. The relationship between the antigen levels and home characteristics was investigated through a generalized multiple regression model. More than half of the homes experienced mold/water damage. Cats and dogs were present in 19.7% and 31.1% of homes, respectively. More than 90% of homes had either carpet or area rug covering their floors. Among 777 homes, 87-92% of homes had measurable amount of Alternaria, cat, and dog allergen/antigen in house dust, whereas only 38% and 14% of homes had measurable levels of house dust mite and cockroach, respectively. Alternaria antigen level in house dust was not associated with visual mold/water damage, which was suspected to be one of the sources for this antigen in homes. Instead, the antigen level was high in samples taken in fall and in homes having dogs implicating that Alternaria antigen appears to be transported from outdoors to indoors. A high level was also measured in homes using a dehumidifier (these homes have experienced excessive humidity) and in-home venting of clothes dryer, which might be associated with microclimate affecting mold growth and spore release. The allergen/antigen level (both concentration and loading) of cat, dog and cockroach was significantly associated with the number of cats and dogs, or the appearance of cockroaches, respectively. High level of house dust mite allergen was measured in bedrooms and in homes using dehumidifier and no central forced air heating system. Having indoor plants was shown to reduce allergen levels. Carpeted floor was found to hold larger amount of antigens than non-carpeted floor. Antigen loading demonstrated more consistent and larger numbers of associations with home characteristics compared to antigen concentration. This study encompassed a wide range of home characteristics and various antigen types. Our findings provide information on home characteristics that can be used for allergen avoidance and in planning future exposure assessment studies.
Do Policy Messengers Matter? Majority Opinion Writers as Policy Cues in Public Agreement with Supreme Court Decisions

Does the identity of a majority opinion writer affect the level of agreement a Supreme Court decision receives from the public? Using a survey experiment, we manipulate majority opinion authors to investigate whether individuals are willing to agree with Supreme Court opinions authored by ideologically similar justices even though the decisions cut against their self-identified ideological policy preferences. Our study provides insight into the extent to which policy cues—represented by a political institution’s policy messenger—affect agreement with a given policy. We find that a messenger effect indeed augments the level of agreement a given Supreme Court case receives.
Polarization dependence of L- and M-edge resonant inelastic X-ray scattering in transition-metal compounds.

The resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) cross section at the L and M edges of transition-metal compounds is studied using an effective scattering operator. The intensities of the elastic peak and for spin-flip processes are derived. It is shown how the polarization dependence can be used to select transitions. Comparisons are made with experiment. A detailed analysis of the polarization and angular dependence of L- and M-edge RIXS for divalent copper compounds, such as the high-T{sub c} superconductors, is given.
Gram—Schmidt Orthogonalization for Rapid Reconstructions of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic Imaging Data:

Increasingly voluminous Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging data sets are being generated with the advent of both faster array detectors and the implementation of time-resolved imaging techniques, resulting in data processing becoming the limiting step in visualizing sample heterogeneity and temporal profile evolution. We report the application of a Gram–Schmidt vector orthogonalization procedure in interferogram space to provide a significant time saving advantage in processing of one to two orders of magnitude in comparison to conventional spectral processing. Illustrative data from human skin biopsies and from dynamic molecular reorganizations within liquid crystalline microdomains is employed to discuss the capabilities and limitations of this information-extraction approach.
Magma oceans in the inner solar system

Theory and observations point to the occurrence of magma ponds or oceans in the early evolution of terrestrial planets and in many early-accreting planetesimals. The apparent ubiquity of melting during giant accretionary impacts suggests that silicate and metallic material may be processed through multiple magma oceans before reaching solidity in a planet. The processes of magma ocean formation and solidification, therefore, strongly influence the earliest compositional differentiation and volatile content of the terrestrial planets, and they form the starting point for cooling to clement, habitable conditions and for the onset of thermally driven mantle convection and plate tectonics. This review focuses on evidence for magma oceans on planetesimals and planets and on research concerning the processes of compositional differentiation in the silicate magma ocean, distribution and degassing of volatiles, and cooling.
NPSNET: Hierarchical Data Structures for Real-Time Three-Dimensional Visual Simulation

Abstract 3D visual simulation systems must present a world, including terrain, cultural features, and 3D icons, in real-time at a level of detail that supports the use for which the system is intended. A “simple” world lends itself to blasting all the polygons through the workstation's existing graphics pipeline. However, a “simple” world is not very realistic and/or does not operate in real-time. For complex worlds, such as that modeled in NPSNET, providing high fidelity in real-time requires the use of hierarchical data structures. We explore the implementation of such a structure on the world modeled by NPSNET utilizing quadtrees.
Biomedical computing and visualization software environments

Problem-solving environments and advanced visualization take on the complexity of biomedical computing, improving its utility to scientists and clinicians alike.
President Reagan's life saving colectomy and subsequent historical implications.

INTRODUCTION It has been almost three decades since our country saw its President subjected to a life-saving right colectomy for colon cancer. Presidential health care is often the subject of criticism and perhaps excess scrutiny, and the history of this operation is no exception. We will explore the interesting details of the way this colon cancer was discovered, the method of treatment, and the ultimate result. A principal member and leader of President Reagan’s surgical team, Dr. John E. Hutton, was occasionally heard to say lightheartedly that this colectomy saved the free world (Interview with John E. Hutton, May 10, 2011, Uniformed Services University, by Farnsworth, Roberts, Sorensen). Rightly proud of the excellent result achieved, one can still wonder whether a delay in diagnosis could have led to a much less favorable outcome for our President. Had the medical outcome been different, President Reagan’s second term in office may have gone much differently. These sorts of thoughts are those which dwell in the mind, and even years later, lead to conjecture and debate. This article will put this operation in its historical context, and comment on how, in fact, it may have literally changed history.
The Psychology of Fraud: What Motivates Fraudsters to Commit Crime?

For decades, fraud examiners and forensic accountants have been perplexed by the question: “Why do people commit fraud?” Over the years, researchers have conducted many studies with the objective of developing a deeper understanding of fraudulent behavior. This paper provides an overview of both historic and emerging research regarding the psychology of fraud and the factors that motivate fraudsters to commit crime. From the classic fraud triangle theory that was born from Donald R. Cressey’s research to more recent developments regarding fraudulent behavior, this paper provides a comprehensive examination of the theories surrounding fraud motivation. Then, recommendations for ways to deter fraud and a thorough list of fraud warning signs are presented based on the findings.
Sex, drugs, and violence: An analysis of women in drug court

Aims: Recent evidence suggests that damage to the insular cortex (IC), the cerebral cortex beneath the sylvian fissure, disrupts nicotine-induced cravings and is associated with a greater likelihood of cessation relative to non-IC damage. The role hemispheric dominancemay play in regulating these changes, however, has not yet been explored. We hypothesized that current smokers with damage to their dominant ICwouldexperience lesswithdrawal and cravings and be more likely to quit than those with non-dominant IC damage. Methods: A total of 37 smokers with unilateral IC strokes (17 dominant and 20 non-dominant) were recruited from 3 acute care hospitals in Rochester, NY. Validated questionnaires were administered during admission to assess urge (Questionnaire on Smoking Urges) before and during admission and 3 months post-stroke, withdrawal intensity (Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale) during admission, and continuous abstinence at 3months post-stroke. Bivariate statistics and multivariable linear regression were used to evaluate differences in urge, withdrawal, and cessation between dominant and non-dominant damaged groups, controlling for covariates. Results: On average, smokers with dominant IC lesions had a larger decrease in urge from baseline to hospitalization (ˇ =−0.82, 95% CI: −2.08, 0.44) but slight increase from baseline to 3-month follow-up (ˇ =0.55, 95% CI: −0.69, 1.79) compared to those with non-dominant damage. Dominant IC damage was also associated with a lower withdrawal score during hospitalization (ˇ =−2.33, 95% CI:−5.48, 0.82) relative to non-dominant damage. Dominance did not seem to play a role in continuous abstinence at 3 months post-stroke (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.18, 4.14). Conclusions:Although limitedbysample size, these results suggest little impact of dominant insular adaptations in regulating urge, withdrawal, and cessation. Financial support: This study was supported in part by the NHLBI Grant # T32 HL007937 and by CTSI Grant # UL1 RR024160 from the NIH.
Arthroscopic management of synovial chondromatosis of the knee. Findings and results in 18 cases

We report the results of arthroscopic removal of loose bodies and abnormal synovium from 18 knees with primary synovial chondromatosis. After a mean of three years, six months (range one to 10 years), 14 knees were either symptom-free or had only minor symptoms. Three of these had required two arthroscopic operations. Three patients were improved but not cured and there was one failure. The results were better than the published results of open operation for this condition. Three patterns of macroscopic appearances were noted: four knees had large lesions covered by normal synovium, 10 had small fragments of cartilage lying in or on the synovium and four had only free fragments of cartilage in the joint cavity but none in, on, or under, the synovium. These three appearances may represent three different disease processes.
Controlled Modulation of Electronic Properties of Graphene by Self-Assembled Monolayers on SiO2 Substrates

In this study, with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of aminopropyl-, ammoniumpropyl-, butyl-, and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilanes deposited in-between graphene and the SiO2 substrate, a controlled doping of graphene was realized with a threshold voltage ranging from −18 to 30 V. In addition, the SAMs are covalently bonded to the SiO2 surface rather than the graphene surface, thereby producing minimal effects on the mobility of the graphene. Finally, it is more stable than conventional noncovalent dopants.
Why is there still doubt to cut it out

Surgical treatment for epilepsy has made tremendous strides in the past few decades as a result of advances in neurodiagnostics-particularly structural and functional neuroimaging-and improved surgical techniques. This has not only resulted in better outcomes with respect to epileptic seizures and quality of life, and reduced surgical morbidity and mortality, but it has also increased the population of patients now considered as surgical candidates, particularly in the pediatric age range, and enhanced cost-effectiveness sufficient to make surgical treatment available to countries with limited resources. Yet surgical treatment for epilepsy remains arguably the most underutilized of all accepted medical interventions. In the United States, less than 1% of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy are referred to epilepsy centers. Although the number of epilepsy surgery centers has increased appreciably over the past two decades, the number of therapeutic surgical procedures performed for epilepsy has not increased at all. For patients who are referred, the average delay from onset of epilepsy to surgery is more than 20 years-too late for many to avoid a lifetime of disability or premature death. Not only has there been no consistent message to convince neurologists and primary care physicians to refer patients for surgery, but the increase in epilepsy surgery centers in the United States has appeared to result in a divergence of approaches to surgical treatment. Efforts are still needed to further improve the safety and efficacy of surgical treatment, including the identification of biomarkers that can reliably determine the extent of the epileptogenic region; however, the greatest benefits would derive from increasing access for potential surgical candidates to epilepsy surgery facilities. Information is needed to determine why appropriate surgical referrals are not being made. Consensus conferences are necessary to resolve controversies that still exist regarding presurgical evaluation and surgical approaches. Standards should be established for certifying epilepsy centers as recommended by the Institute of Medicine's report on epilepsy. Finally, the epilepsy community should not be promoting epilepsy surgery per se but instead emphasize that epilepsy centers do more than epilepsy surgery, promoting the message: All patients with disabling pharmacoresistant seizures deserve evaluation by specialists at epilepsy centers who can provide a variety of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services.
Nonsurgical removal of a rectal foreign body using a vacuum extractor. Report of a case.

PURPOSE: Rectal foreign bodies can be extracted by non-surgical methods. However, glass objects require technical considerations to minimize morbidity and may necessitate surgical extraction. We describe a technique that allowed safe transanal extraction of a glass foreign body and avoided laparotomy. METHODS: A patient with a history of a previous rectal foreign body that required laparotomy presented with another incarcerated rectal foreign body. After attempts at manual extraction failed, spinal anesthesia was induced, and an obstetric vacuum extractor was used to transanally withdraw the glass foreign body. RESULTS: The glass foreign body was withdrawn uneventfully using the vacuum extractor. Laparotomy was avoided. The patient was hospitalized for observation and discharged 24 hours later. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the delivery vacuum extractor provided a safe, cost-effective method of glass foreign body removal by the transanal route. Literature review found no other reports of rectal foreign body removal by this method.
A Family Disease: Witnessing Firsthand The Toll That Dementia Takes On Caregivers

A geriatric psychiatrist recounts the life-changing stress experienced by relatives who care for loved ones with dementia.
Severe Fetomaternal Hemorrhage: A Review

The etiology, clinical presentation, obstetrical antecedents, and outcome of pregnancies complicated by large fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) were reviewed by doing a MEDLINE search from 1966 to the present and manual search before 1966. One hundred thirty-four infants with FMH > 50 dl were reported in the literature. The primary variables: birth weight, gestational age, presence of sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern, decrease or absent fetal body movements (FBM) estimated the amount of fetomaternal bleeding and the pretransfusion hemoglobin. Other variables included the condition of the infants at birth, erythroblasts, and reticulocyte blood counts at birth, as well as the year of publication. Thirty-five of the 134 cases were preterm. Twenty infants born to mothers reporting decreased or absent FBM survived. FBM was absent in 17 cases for a period ranging between 24 hours and 7 days. In this group, six infants survived, five were stillborn, and five died in the neonatal period. A sinusoidal heart rate (SHR) pattern was reported in 21 cases. A SHR pattern was associated with decreased FBM in 13 cases (39.3 percent). Fifteen cases with sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern survived (71.4 percent). Both decreased or absent FBM and SHR patterns were reported more often in 1990 or later than before 1990 (P 200 ml or < 200 ml. Thus, decreased or absent FBM, SHR pattern, or hydrops fetalis are late signs of FMH. Other means of early detection are needed. The role of intrauterine transfusion (IUT) needs to be better defined. The inadequate outcome data indicate the need to follow infants born with large FMH into childhood to document the effect on the central nervous system.
Contemporary Cystectomy with Pelvic Node Dissection Compared to Preoperative Radiation Therapy Plus Cystectomy in Management of Invasive Bladder Cancer

Between August 1971 and August 1982, 197 consecutive patients underwent single stage radical cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection and urinary diversion as definitive management of high grade, invasive bladder cancer. In 100 patients 1,600 rad of radiation therapy were given for 4 days preoperatively and 97 patients underwent an operation only. Although not constituting a prospective randomized study, an analysis of these 2 groups of patients managed during an 11-year period by the same surgical team, using identical surgical technique, provides useful information that questions the benefit of preoperative radiation therapy in the management of high grade, invasive bladder cancer. Other factors, such as improved surgical technique with meticulous pelvic node dissection as well as better preoperative and postoperative care, may be responsible for survival results of contemporary surgery only that equal those reported following combination therapy protocols using preoperative radiation therapy. Contemporary surgery with or without preoperative radiation therapy yielded a 5-year survival rate free of tumor of 75 per cent for patients with pathologic stages P2 and P3A disease, 44 per cent with P3A and P3B disease, and 36 per cent with P4 disease and positive pelvic nodes.
E-086 non-ischemic etiologies by ct perfusion

Introduction CT perfusion imaging is commonly used in evaluation of patients who present with symptoms of acute ischemic stroke. Numerous entities can simulate an acute cerebral infarct. Knowledge of the common imaging manifestations of non- ischemic entities can prevent misdiagnosis and can facilitate appropriate therapy. We present a review of findings of common non-ischemic entities on CT perfusion imaging. Materials and methods We present several cases of non-ischemic diagnosis and review their imaging findings on CTP. This includes: malignancy, Todd’s paralysis, Multiple Sclerosis, migraine headaches, Bell’s palsy, complex seizure disorder, hypertensive encephalopathy, herpes encephalitis and chronic subdural hematoma. Conclusion The radiologist should be aware of the imaging findings of etiologies which may mimic an acute ischemic stroke on CT perfusion imaging. Disclosures M. Chehab: None. J. Wilseck: None.
Spray deposition of compositionally graded hybrid layers for high-performance adhesion

Delamination at organic/inorganic interfaces continuous to be a ubiquitous challenge in microelectronic packaging including conventional flip-chip and lead frame structures to emerging 2.5 and 3D packages. Hybrid molecular materials with both organic and inorganic components proven to be a good candidate for solving this problem. In this work, we assessed the utility of multi-pass dry regime spray coating to deposit such a hybrid material that is made of an epoxy-factionalized silane and a zirconium alkoxide. We demonstrated both bilayer and dual-source concurrent spray strategies and proved their ability for nanolength-scale control of the through-thickness film composition. Highly compositionally graded hybrid layers were achieved and optimized and showed to have better interfacial film property than homogeneous coatings.
International action for tobacco control

Electrifying events in the United States concerning tobacco in 1996–97 have sparked new energy and new efforts to combat the tobacco epidemic. The United States Food and Drug Administration has declared cigarettes and smokeless tobacco a drug and drug delivery device subject to regulation, a decision upheld by a Federal court in North Carolina, a tobacco-growing state. Numerous state class action and individual suits have been brought against the tobacco companies in products liability cases. In a brilliant legal strategy, 40 jurisdictions—states, counties and cities—have brought suits against the tobacco companies to recover their expenditures for medical care of persons suffering from smoking-related diseases. This enormous threat of potential liability led the tobacco industry to enter into negotiations with state attorneys general to reach a settlement of these suits. On 20 June 1997, a pact was reached in which the tobacco companies agreed to pay US$ 368.5 thousand million over the next 25 years to compensate states for the costs of treating tobacco-related illness, to finance nationwide anti-smoking programmes, to underwrite health care for millions of uninsured children in lieu of punitive damages and to pay penalties if smoking among young people is not reduced. The proposed settlement must be approved by the President and Congress. The public health community almost unanimously opposes the settlement because of grave shortcomings which limit the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to regulate nicotine, restrict the right to sue the tobacco companies, require inadequate penalties for continued smoking among the young and, most importantly, fail to control the assault of the multinational tobacco companies on the developing countries (New York Times, 1997a).