cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the effectiveness of automatic patching

We study the effectiveness of automatic patching and quantify the speed of patch dissemination required for worm containment. We focus on random scanning as this is representative of current generation worms, though smarter strategies exist. We find that even such "dumb'' worms require very fast patching. Our primary focus is on how delays due to worm detection and patch generation and dissemination affect worm spread. Motivated by scalability and trust issues, we consider a hierarchical system where network hosts are partitioned into subnets, each containing a patch server (termed superhost). Patches are disseminated to superhosts through an overlay connecting them and, after verification, to end hosts within subnets. When patch dissemination delay on the overlay is negligible, we find that the number of hosts infected is exponential in the ratio of worm infection rate to patch rate. This implies strong constraints on the time to disseminate, verify and install patches in order for it to be effective. We also provide bounds that account for alert or patch dissemination delay. Finally, we evaluate the use of filtering in combination with patching and show that it can substantially improve worm containment. The results accommodate a variety of overlays by a novel abstraction of minimum broadcast curve. They demonstrate that effective automatic patching is feasible if combined with mechanisms to bound worm scan rate and with careful engineering of the patch dissemination. The results are obtained analytically and verified by simulations.
Minimally invasive staging of endometrial cancer is feasible and safe in elderly women.

Abstract Study Objective To compare the surgical outcome of elderly and younger patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic surgical staging of endometrial cancer. Design Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting University-affiliated hospital. Patients One hundred twenty-nine patients comprised the study group. Sixty patients were aged 65 years or older (elderly group), and 69 patients were younger than 65 years (younger group). Intervention Abdominal, laparoscopic, or robotic hysterectomy. Measurements and Main Results Among the 109 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic staging, there were no differences in estimated blood loss, lymph node count, surgical time, complications, rate of blood transfusion, conversion to laparotomy, and mean postoperative stay between elderly and younger patients. Conclusion Minimally invasive surgical staging for endometrial cancer is both feasible and safe in the elderly population and offers similar outcomes as in younger patients.
Orthotopic models of pediatric brain tumors in zebrafish

High-throughput screens (HTS) of compound toxicity against cancer cells can identify thousands of potential new drug-leads. But only limited numbers of these compounds can progress to expensive and labor-intensive efficacy studies in mice, creating a ‘bottle neck’ in the drug development pipeline. Approaches that triage drug-leads for further study are greatly needed. Here we provide an intermediary platform between HTS and mice by adapting mouse models of pediatric brain tumors to grow as orthotopic xenografts in the brains of zebrafish. Freshly isolated mouse ependymoma, glioma and choroid plexus carcinoma cells expressing red fluorescence protein were conditioned to grow at 34 °C. Conditioned tumor cells were then transplanted orthotopically into the brains of zebrafish acclimatized to ambient temperatures of 34 °C. Live in vivo fluorescence imaging identified robust, quantifiable and reproducible brain tumor growth as well as spinal metastasis in zebrafish. All tumor xenografts in zebrafish retained the histological characteristics of the corresponding parent mouse tumor and efficiently recruited fish endothelial cells to form a tumor vasculature. Finally, by treating zebrafish harboring ERBB2-driven gliomas with an appropriate cytotoxic chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil) or tyrosine kinase inhibitor (erlotinib), we show that these models can effectively assess drug efficacy. Our data demonstrate, for the first time, that mouse brain tumors can grow orthotopically in fish and serve as a platform to study drug efficacy. As large cohorts of brain tumor-bearing zebrafish can be generated rapidly and inexpensively, these models may serve as a powerful tool to triage drug-leads from HTS for formal efficacy testing in mice.
Online Resources for Engaging Students in Bioethical Discussions

This review highlights free online resources for teaching bioethics that will be useful for educators working with high school and undergraduate students. These materials provide frameworks of ethi...
Pentoxifylline Does Not Influence Maximum Ultrafiltration Rates and Peritoneal Transport in Rats

Previous publications have suggested that peritoneal capillary blood flow and filtration pressure equilibrium may limit ultrafiltration rates with very hypertonic exchanges. Rats were treated with ...
Spontaneous one-kidney rats are more susceptible to develop hypertension by DOCA-NaCl and subsequent kidney injury compared with uninephrectomized rats

There is little clinical data of how hypertension may influence individuals with nephron deficiency in the context of being born with a single kidney. We recently developed a new rat model (the heterogeneous stock-derived model of unilateral renal agenesis rat) that is born with a single kidney and exhibits progressive kidney injury and decline in kidney function with age. We hypothesized that DOCA-salt would induce a greater increase in blood pressure and therefore accelerate the progression of kidney injury in rats born with a solitary kidney compared with rats that have undergone unilateral nephrectomy. Time course evaluation of blood pressure, kidney injury, and renal hemodynamics was performed in the following six groups of animals from weeks 13 to 18: 1) DOCA-treated rats with a solitary kidney (DOCA+S group), 2) placebo-treated rats with a solitary kidney, 3) DOCA-treated control rats with two kidneys (DOCA+C group), 4) placebo-treated control rats with two kidneys, 5) DOCA-treated rats with two kidneys that underwent uninephrectomy (DOCA+UNX8 group), and 6) placebo-treated rats with two kidneys that underwent uninephrectomy. DOCA+S rats demonstrated a significant rise (P < 0.05) in blood pressure (192 ± 4 mmHg), proteinuria (205 ± 31 mg/24 h), and a decline in glomerular filtration rate (600 ± 42 μl·min(-1)·g kidney weight(-1)) relative to the DOCA+UNX8 (173 ± 3 mmHg, 76 ± 26 mg/24 h, and 963 ± 36 μl·min(-1)·g kidney weight(-1)) and DOCA+C (154 ± 2 mmHg, 7 ± 1 mg/24 h, and 1,484 ± 121 μl·min(-1)·g kidney weight(-1)) groups. Placebo-treated groups showed no significant change among the three groups. An assessment of renal injury markers via real-time PCR/Western blot analysis and histological analysis was concordant with the measured physiological parameters. In summary, congenital solitary kidney rats are highly susceptible to the induction of hypertension compared with uninephrectomized rats, suggesting that low nephron endowment is an important driver of elevated blood pressure, hastening nephron injury through the transmission of elevated systemic blood pressure and thereby accelerating decline in kidney function.
Paramagnetic Spectra of E 2 ' Centers in Crystalline Quartz

The electron spin resonance spectra of the ${{E}_{2}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ center, a defect of the quartz structure, are in agreement with a phenomenological Hamiltonian for a spin state $S=\frac{1}{2}$. The Hamiltonian is $\mathcal{H}=\frac{1}{6}N\ensuremath{\Sigma}{i=1}^{}^{6}(\ensuremath{\beta}\mathrm{H}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{g}}_{i}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\mathrm{S}+\mathrm{S}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{A}}_{\mathrm{ki}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\mathrm{I}}_{\mathrm{ki}})$. The $i$ subscript refers to the symmetry operations of the quartz crystal and indicates that a defect at an arbitrary point in the unit cell has an equal probability of being at five other equivalent sites which are related by the symmetry operations of the crystal. The $k$ subscript identifies the nuclear sites with which a defect at the $i\mathrm{th}$ site may interact. The $k=1$ site is occupied by a proton for nearly all of the ${{E}_{2}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ centers. $k=2, 3, 4, 5$ are Si sites. Of these sites, 4.7% are occupied by ${\mathrm{Si}}^{29}$ ($I=\frac{1}{2}$). The occupancy of the $k=1$ site by a proton was confirmed by substituting a deuteron for the proton. The hyperfine interaction with the proton is less than the magnitude of the interaction with the field $H$ at the proton, i.e., $|\ensuremath{\gamma}(\mathrm{H}){\ensuremath{\beta}}_{n}H|g|A|, |B|$ where $A$ and $B$ are the principal values of the hyperfine interaction tensor. The angular variation of the splitting agrees with the values calculated on this basis. The hyperfine interactions with ${\mathrm{Si}}^{29}$ were not of this form. A model is proposed which is in agreement with the observations. The principal feature of the model is a Si-O vacancy with an electron trapped on the defect Si from which the O ion is missing. The proton is trapped nearby. The data for the ${\mathrm{E}}_{2}$\ensuremath{'} center are compared with the data for the ${{E}_{1}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ center.
Cuterebra myiasis in humans: six new case reports from the United States with a summary of known cases (Diptera: Cuterebridae).

New and unusual cases of Cuterebra myiasis in humans are reported from Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Missouri, and New Hampshire. Larval development occurred in cutaneous warbles in an adult male, an adult female, and in 3 small children ages 6 weeks to 20 months. Partial development occurred in the respiratory passages of an adult male. A review of previous cases of human Cuterebra myiasis including 8 additional unpublished cases is included.
Other VTOL Configurations

This chapter focuses on the dominant characteristics of various types of rotors. The see-saw rotor of two blades, with a single central flapping hinge but without lag hinges, has been used extensively by certain designers. There are several ways by which changes of blade pitch, in proportion to flapping, can be accomplished. The simplest is by ordinary orientation of the blade flapping hinge. The major effects can be divided into those associated with coupling between collective pitch and coning, and those because of coupling between cyclic pitch and cyclic flapping. The augmentation of angular velocity damping, pitch and roll, through a first order dynamic lag, is a feature of certain stabilizing devices. The best known of these are the Bell stabilizer bar and the Hiller control rotor. Rigid rotors are mechanically very simple, especially if blade pitch change is eliminated along with flapping. The tandem rotor arrangement is a configuration that has been proved to have a number of important advantages for large helicopters. They are primarily a result of the very strong control power available from a differential collective pitch, which is capable of producing strong pitching moments. The ducted rotor produces pitching moments that are large and that have unfortunate variations. At zero angle of attacks, there is a large nose-up pitching moment that is proportional to speed. The ducted rotor produces pitch and roll damping from Coriolis effects on the rotating slipstream.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Quadriceps Versus Achilles Tendon Bone Block Allograft.

Background:Long-term studies of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction suggest that normal stability is not restored in the majority of patients. The Achilles tendon allograft is frequently utilized, although recently, the quadriceps tendon has been introduced as an alternative option due to its size and high patellar bone density.Purpose/Hypothesis:The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical strength of PCL reconstructions using a quadriceps versus an Achilles allograft. The hypothesis was that quadriceps bone block allograft has comparable mechanical properties to those of Achilles bone block allograft.Study Design:Controlled laboratory study.Methods:Twenty-nine fresh-frozen cadaveric knees were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: (1) intact PCL, (2) PCL reconstruction with Achilles tendon allograft, or (3) PCL reconstruction with quadriceps tendon allograft. After reconstruction, all supporting capsular and ligamentous tissues were removed. Posterior tibial translation was measured at n...
Format: Dressing Documents for Success

When you create a document on a computer, you are faced with many formatting decisions, from choosing a typeface to selecting the amount of white space that precedes a heading. In making these decisions, you want to choose a format that is easy to read, that is in character with the kind of document you have written, and that presents the work in such a way that the most important details stand out. Because of the wide selection of typography and layouts, the best thing to do is to consult a graphic designer. Most graphic designers have spent years studying different designs and can tailor a format to meet your needs.
Genetics, white matter, and cognition: The effects of methylation on FMR1.

The fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is an X-linked genetic disorder in which the premutation (55–200 CGG repeats) in fragile X mental retardation 1 ( FMR1 ) causes elevated levels of FMR1 mRNA, which in turn causes RNA toxicity through sequestration of critical proteins, dysregulated DNA repair processes, and production of FMRpolyG, a toxic protein produced from repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation.1,2 FXTAS is associated with tremor and ataxia, and it presents in aging carriers of the premutation. However, there is evidence that the premutation causes changes in the brain far earlier than the onset of tremor and ataxia.3,4 The premutation is unmethylated, whereas those with fragile X syndrome have a full mutation (>200 CGG repeats), and the full mutation is methylated, leading to a lack of mRNA and a lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP).
Rebuilding Chromosomes After Catastrophe: Emerging Mechanisms of Chromothripsis

Cancer genome sequencing has identified chromothripsis, a complex class of structural genomic rearrangements involving the apparent shattering of an individual chromosome into tens to hundreds of fragments. An initial error during mitosis, producing either chromosome mis-segregation into a micronucleus or chromatin bridge interconnecting two daughter cells, can trigger the catastrophic pulverization of the spatially isolated chromosome. The resultant chromosomal fragments are religated in random order by DNA double-strand break repair during the subsequent interphase. Chromothripsis scars the cancer genome with localized DNA rearrangements that frequently generate extensive copy number alterations, oncogenic gene fusion products, and/or tumor suppressor gene inactivation. Here we review emerging mechanisms underlying chromothripsis with a focus on the contribution of cell division errors caused by centromere dysfunction.
Symmetric lagrangian singularities and Gauss maps of theta divisors

Recently three of the authors studied the Thom-Boardman singularities and the local ℤ/2-stability of the Gauss map of the theta divisor of a smooth algebraic curve of genus three [12]. In this paper we develop a theory of ℤ/2-symmetric Lagrangian maps appropriate to the study of theta divisors of curves of arbitrary genus, and we apply this theory to the genus three case, obtaining Lagrangian analogues of the results of [12]. We find that the local classification of ℤ/2-Lagrangian-stable Gauss maps coincides with our previous local classification of ℤ/2-stable Gauss maps in genus three. The corresponding classifications in higher genus are expected to diverge, as in the nonsymmetric case (cf.[3]).
Regional cerebral blood flow and blood volume measured with the gamma camera

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), hemispheric blood flow (HBF), extracranial blood flow, and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) have been measured in a series of patients using a gamma camera equipped with a magnetic tape system for storage and retrieval. This method eliminates the need for multiple probes in measuring these parameters. 133Xe and 99m Tc injected into the carotid arteries were used as radioactive indicators. These measurements were carried out in patients with cerebral infarction, intracerebral hematoma, brain tumor, arteriovenous malformation, and dementia. The HBF values obtained with this method were in excellent agreement with those using the hydrogen bolus method in the same patients. The effects of 5% CO2 inhalation, intravenous infusion of glycerol, and vasodilator drugs on rCBF and rCBV were evaluated and were found useful from diagnostic and therapeutic points of view. “Intracerebral steal” or “intracerebral squeeze” were demonstrated only in patients with space-occupying lesions such as intracerebral hematoma or brain tumor. Cerebral revascularization using a recently developed intracranial bypass procedure for the occluded internal carotid artery was found effective in increasing rCBF in selected cases where the procedure was successful.
Adverse event reporting patterns of concomitant botanical dietary supplements with CYP3A4 interactive & CYP3A4 non-interactive anticancer drugs in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

Background: To examine the adverse event (AE) reporting patterns for concomitant Botanical Dietary Supplements (BDS) and anticancer drugs.Research design and methods: Using the 2004–2015 U.S. Food ...
Photoacoustic switching of methylene blue via interactions with sodium dodecyl sulfate (Conference Presentation)

The interaction of methylene blue (MB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) leads to a reversible spectral shift during SDS micellization, but the underlying mechanism has remained unclear. Here, we measured photoacoustic (PA) intensity, micelle concentration, and spectral shift of MB-SDS complex to elucidate this interaction mechanism. We observed a switchable PA effect of MB, which is sensitive to critical micelle concentration (CMC) of SDS (i.e. 8 mM). The addition of 3.47 mM SDS increased the PA intensity of 0.05 mM MB 492-fold because of fluorescence quenching. Then, the PA intensity decreased by 54-fold when the SDS concentration was increased above the CMC at 8.67 mM due to decrease of MB aggregation. Meanwhile, we observed increased number of non-micellar MB-SDS clusters, ranging from 80 to 400 nm, as the SDS concentration approaching to CMC and then the number decreased once the SDS concentration was above CMC. The correlation between PA intensity and nanoparticle number indicated that the formation of MB-SDS cluster was responsible for the PA enhancement. Further controlled studies using MB/hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, MB/sodium octyl sulfate, and MB/sodium chloride showed that the binding between MB and SDS occurred at the sulfate moiety of SDS. They also found that MB-SDS clusters disassociated to micelles MB-SDS monomers at the SDS micellar concentrations. These findings further elucidate the binding mechanism of MB and SDS and presented the potential for developing an activatable MB PA contrast agent.
Abstract 145: Knockout of Gamma-Adducin Impairs Vascular Function in Renal Arterioles in Association With Htn-Induced Renal Injury

The FHH rat is a genetic model of hypertension that develops proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and chronic kidney disease. However, the genetic causes are unknown. We have previously identified an i...
Words matter: extensive misapplication of "non-invasive" in describing DNA sampling methods, and proposed clarifying terms

A recommendation of: Marie-Caroline Lefort, Robert H Cruickshank, Kris Descovich, Nigel J Adams, Arijana Barun, Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Johnaton Ridden, Victoria R Smith, Rowan Sprague, Benjamin Waterhouse, Stephane Boyer Blood, sweat and tears: a review of non-invasive DNA sampling 10.1101/385120
Scaling and Quality of Modularity Optimization Methods for Graph Clustering

Real-world graphs exhibit structures known as “communities” or “clusters” consisting of a group of vertices with relatively high connectivity between them, as compared to the rest of the vertices in the network. Graph clustering or community detection is a fundamental graph operation used to analyze real-world graphs occurring in the areas of computational biology, cybersecurity, electrical grids, etc. Similar to other graph algorithms, owing to irregular memory accesses and inherently sequential nature, current algorithms for community detection are challenging to parallelize. However, in order to analyze large networks, it is important to develop scalable parallel implementations of graph clustering that are capable of exploiting the architectural features of modern supercomputers.In response to the 2019 Streaming Graph Challenge, we present quality and performance analysis of our distributed-memory community detection using Vite, which is our distributed memory implementation of the popular Louvain method, on the ALCF Theta supercomputer.Clustering methods such as Louvain that rely on modularity maximization are known to suffer from the resolution limit problem, preventing identification of clusters of certain sizes. Hence, we also include quality analysis of our shared-memory implementation of the Fast-tracking Resistance method, in comparison with Louvain on the challenge datasets.Furthermore, we introduce an edge-balanced graph distribution for our distributed memory implementation, that significantly reduces communication, offering up to 80% improvement in the overall execution time. In addition to performance/quality analysis, we also include details on the power/energy consumption, and memory traffic of the distributed-memory clustering implementation using real-world graphs with over a billion edges.
Assessing the Calculation of Exchange Coupling Constants and Spin Crossover Gaps Using the Approximate Projection Model To Improve Density Functional Calculations

This work evaluates the quality of exchange coupling constant and spin crossover gap calculations using density functional theory corrected by the approximate projection model. Results show that improvements using the approximate projection model range from modest to significant. This study demonstrates that, at least for the class of systems examined here, spin projection generally improves the quality of density functional theory calculations of J-coupling constants and spin crossover gaps. Furthermore, it is shown that spin projection can be important for both geometry optimization and energy evaluations. The approximate projection model provides an affordable and practical approach for effectively correcting spin-contamination errors in such calculations.
Multiphysics for nuclear energy applications using a cohesive computational framework

Abstract With the recent development of advanced numerical algorithms, software design, and low-cost high-performance computer hardware, reliance on coupled multiphysics to predict the behavior of complex physical systems is beginning to become standard practice. This is especially true in nuclear energy applications where strong nonlinear interdependencies exist between reactor physics, radiation transport, multi-scale nuclear fuels performance, thermal fluids, etc. Resolving these nonlinear dependencies requires choices in multiphysics software approaches. Two main multiphysics modeling and simulation approaches have emerged. The first is based upon “code coupling” where disparate physics codes of different software design, code languages, and spatial and temporal integration schemes are coupled together with relatively complex data passing interfaces. The second multiphysics software approach is to employ a “cohesive” framework where all physics applications are developed with a common software design, i.e., data structures, syntax, input format, integrated spatial and temporal discretization schemes, etc. Here we present the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) development and runtime framework and describe the framework’s cohesive modeling and simulation multiphysics approach. Then, a “cohesive-like” extension of the MOOSE framework is presented where MOOSE-based physics software applications are efficiently coupled to non-MOOSE (external) physics codes to form multiphysics applications using MOOSE’s unique interface capabilities. Finally, several examples of MOOSE’s cohesive and cohesive-like multiphysics applications will be demonstrated. These multiphysics demonstrations will incorporate both MOOSE-based applications and external codes, including Nek5000, RELAP-7, TRACE, BISON, and Pronghorn.
Boundaries of reasoning in cases: The visual psychoanalysis of René Spitz:

This article argues that the foundational separation between psychoanalysis and experimental psychology was challenged in important ways by psychoanalytic infant researchers. Through a close examin...
The Patterns and Impact of Social Media Exposure of Journal Publications in Gastroenterology: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Medical journals increasingly promote published content through social media platforms such as Twitter. However, gastroenterology journals still rank below average in social media engagement. Objective: We aimed to determine the engagement patterns of publications in gastroenterology journals on Twitter and evaluate the impact of tweets on citations. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study comparing the 3-year citations of all full-length articles published in five major gastroenterology journals from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012, tweeted by official journal accounts with those that were not. Multivariate analysis using linear regression was performed to control for journal impact factor, time since publication, article type, frequency of reposting by other users (“retweets”), and media addition to tweets. Secondary analyses were performed to assess the associations between article type or subtopic and the likelihood of social media promotion/engagement. Results: A total of 1666 articles were reviewed, with 477 tweeted by the official journal account. Tweeting an article independently predicted increased citations after controlling for potential confounders (β coefficient=13.09; P=.007). There was significant association between article type and number of retweets on analysis of variance (ANOVA) (P<.001), with guidelines/technical reviews (mean difference 1.04, 95% CI 0.22-1.87; P<.001) and meta-analyses/systemic reviews (mean difference 1.03, 95% CI 0.35-1.70; P<.001) being retweeted more than basic science articles. The manuscript subtopics most frequently promoted included motility/functional bowel disease (odds ratio [OR] 3.84, 95% CI 1.93-7.64; P<.001) and education (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.62-13.58; P=.004), while basic science papers were less likely tweeted (OR 0.154, 95% CI 0.07-0.34; P<.001). Conclusions: Tweeting of gastroenterology journal articles independently predicted higher 3-year citations. Wider adoption of social media to increase reach and measure uptake of published research should be considered.
Variation in State Early Childhood Lead Educator Qualifications: Pre-service Versus In-service Qualification, Professional Organization, and Geographical Proximity

Early childhood (EC) educator qualifications shape the quality of education/care provided to children. Although past research demonstrates that EC educator qualifications are lower than recommended by research, little is known about how qualification attainment differs at the state level where policy change primarily occurs. Using restricted-access data from the National Survey of Early Care and Education, inclusive of all 50 states, the current study seeks to understand EC lead educator’s qualifications. We ran a cluster analysis to understand the variation between state workforces. We found that, at the state level, EC lead educator workforces cluster in four distinct groups, which we label: the Informally-Qualified Educator, the Non-EC Track Educator, the K-12 Aligned Educator, and the Pre-Service Trained Educator. We find the latter two clusters have the highest membership in unions and professional development associations. We also identify professional development, most likely to occur as in-service training, as the most common form of qualification. Finally, an emergent finding demonstrates evidence of geographical proximity across clusters. Findings contribute to a more adequate understanding of how the EC lead educator profession is qualified and, thus, permit informed policy decisions to support educators and improve the quality of EC care and education.
Efficient wireless network simulations with detailed propagation models

Accurate simulation of wireless networks requires realistic models of the channel propagation medium. The widely used free space model is computationally efficient but ignores many attenuation components which affect wireless signal propagation. This paper describes the impact of the accuracy of the wireless channel model on the accuracy of the results and on the execution time of large-scale network models. It then introduces means to reduce the runtime execution when deploying such detailed propagation models.
A personal experience with pancreatic and duodenal neuroendocrine tumors.

Abstract Background: Since the concept of hormones was proposed in 1901, numerous gastrointestinal hormones and neuroendocrine tumors that can produce these hormones have been identified. The most common tumors are gastrinomas and insulinomas. Study Design: During a 35-year experience, there were 82 neuroendocrine tumors, including 37 gastrinomas, 11 insulinomas, 16 nonfunctioning tumors, 11 gastrinomas suspected but not found, 3 tumors arising in lymph nodes, 1 somatostatinoma, 1 glucagonoma, and 2 amphicrine tumors. MEN I syndrome coexisted with three pancreatic gastrinomas, two pancreatic and duodenal gastrinomas, four suspected gastrinomas, one nonfunctioning tumor, two insulinomas, and no duodenal gastrinomas. Results: Of the nine patients with pancreatic gastrinoma without MEN I, three had lymph node, three had liver metastases, and one had both. The mean survival time was 4.8 years. Three patients with pancreatic gastrinoma and MEN I were alive at 2, 17, and 20 years, respectively. Of the 20 patients with duodenal gastrinoma, none had MEN I; 13 had lymph node metastases and 1 had liver metastases. The overall followup was 7.0 years. Ten patients were biochemically cured. Nonfunctioning tumors, with one exception, originated in the pancreas. Of the three gastrinomas potentially arising in lymph nodes, two, and possibly three, were cured by node removal. Eleven patients had an insulinoma. No patient had recurrence of hypoglycemia after removal of an insulinoma. Conclusions: Patients with duodenal gastrinoma with lymph node metastases were curable, and cures were achieved occasionally after resection of liver metastases. Results of operation were similar for those with and without MEN I. MEN I and metastases were not contraindications to operation; instead, these patients should be operated on aggressively. Gastrinomas not found at operation were likely to be small duodenal gastrinomas. Gastrinomas can arise in a lymph node and can be cured by its removal. Parietal cell vagotomy is recommended after operation for gastrinomas in the event of residual tumor. With the exception of patients with MEN I or microadenomata, insulinomas were treated best by tumor enucleation. Otherwise, Whipple operation or distal pancreatectomy and enucleation of tumor in the remaining pancreas was indicated.
Hardware implementation of habituation

Habituation is a biological behavior allowing non-critical information to be disregarded enabling more processing resources for critical tasks. We have implemented habituation adaptation in VLSI. Our simulations and experimental results illustrate the habituation response.
Necessity of the small gain theorem for multidimensional systems

In this paper, we study the necessity of linear matrix inequality conditions derived using scaled small-gain arguments for multidimensional system analysis. Since multidimensional analysis conditions involve the computation of structured singular values, the linear matrix inequalities are in general conservative; we show that the conservatism can be described using multidimensional unitary operators. The proofs extend to standard S-procedure based necessity results for scaled small-gain conditions to the case where some of the perturbations are restricted to be unitary (and not just contractive), and to a descriptor generalization of linear fractional transformations.
Teaching in the Storm's Wake: Post-Katrina Public Education Reform in New Orleans

The Orleans Parish School District suffered from corruption, mismanagement, racial tension, poor performance, patronage, and decrepit facilities, among other things, before Hurricane Katrina arrived on August 29, 2005. Louisiana’s Department of Education attempted to ameliorate these problems before the storm hit New Orleans. It hired a financial turnaround group from New York to manage the school district’s finances. That company, Alvarez & Marsal, began to cut jobs and the budget in the summer of 2005. The state also assumed the ability to take over failing schools and the Recovery School District operated a handful of New Orleans schools as the 2005-2006 school year commenced. This paper describes the performance of New Orleans schools in the pre-Katrina period and it explains how the state attempted to address these problems. The poster provides an overview of the characteristics and outputs of New Orleans schools in the post-Katrina era.
A matched case-control study of IBD-associated colorectal cancer: IBD portends worse outcome.

Background and Objectives The effect of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on outcome in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Our objective is to evaluate oncologic outcomes of patients with IBD-associated CRC. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database to identify patients with IBD-associated CRC. Clinicopathologic variables and overall survival were compared to patients with sporadic CRC using a 2:1 matched-controlled analysis. Results Fifty-five patients with IBD and CRC were identified. On univariate analysis, CRC patients with IBD had a significantly shorter median overall survival (68.2 months vs. 204.3 months, P = 0.01) compared to patients with sporadic CRC. On multivariate analysis, after adjusting for N and M stage, IBD was associated with an increased risk of death compared to sporadic CRC (HR = 2.011, 95% CI 1.24–3.23, P = 0.004). Stage 3 CRC patients with IBD in particular showed significantly decreased survival (23.0 vs. 133.9 months, P = 0.008). Conclusions In this study, patients with node-positive IBD-associated CRC had a significant increased risk of death and a shorter overall survival than those with sporadic disease and may require tailored adjuvant therapy and surveillance protocols. Continued investigation to elucidate the mechanisms that contribute to these observations is justified. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:117–121. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heaven's Door: Immigration Policy and the American Economy . By George J. Borjas. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1999. Pp. xvii, 263. $16.95, paper.

Since the middle of the 1980s George Borjas has made significant contributions to our understanding of the economics of immigration to the United States. This book synthesizes those contributions, makes them accessible to an audience of nonspecialists, and is likely to shape the debate over the nation's future immigration policy. Borjas explicitly ties his previous work on the changing skill composition of immigrants, the costs and benefits of immigration, and the long-run patterns of immigration assimilation to specific recommendations for lawmakers. He finds that the changing mix of source countries since the 1960s has led to the arrival of less-skilled immigrants who have adversely impacted less-skilled native workers, that the net benefits of immigration are small, and that the disadvantages suffered by immigrants last through several generations of their offspring. He advocates a â€œpointâ€ system that would admit a larger fraction of more highly-skilled workers, and a reduction in the overall number of immigrants to 500,000 per year, 33 percent fewer than were admitted in the 1980s and 1990s.
Effect of vehicle size and engine displacement on automobile fuel consumption

Analysis of EPA data on 1977 automobiles shows that rate of fuel consumption increases roughly linearly with automobile weight. This is largely the consequence of engine size that is proportional, on the average, to the 1.8th power of the weight. However, increased consumption due to larger engine size is partially offset by a specific engine efficiency that improves linearly with increasing engine size. The specific consumption, measured as gal/(in 3-lb/mi), is inversely proportional to engine displacement. It is suggested that sacrifice of body size (i.e. weight) to obtain improved overall fuel consumption is only one possible trade-off; an alternative might be sacrifice of performance while retaining size which might be more acceptable to one section of the market. (a) (TRRL)
Protein immobilization on 3C-SiC (100) as a substrate for detecting the onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

Silicon Carbide (SiC), has been shown to be a bio- and hema-compatible substrate that could potentially be used in biosensor applications. The development of a viable biorecognition interface using SiC as the substrate material for bio-detection is described. Surface modification with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and immobilization via covalent conjugation of antimyoglobin (anti-Myo) on the modified surfaces is achieved, which are initial steps for immunosensing based devices. Successful formation of APTES layers and antibody immobilization were identified with surface water contact angle (SWCA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
Relating Dopaminergic and Cholinergic Polymorphisms to Spatial Attention in Infancy

Early selective attention skills are a crucial building block for cognitive development, as attention orienting serves as a primary means by which infants interact with and learn from the environment. Although several studies have examined infants' attention orienting using the spatial cueing task, relatively few studies have examined neurodevelopmental factors associated with attention orienting during infancy. The present study examined the relationship between normative genetic polymorphisms affecting dopamine and acetylcholine signaling and attention orienting in 7-month-old infants during a spatial cueing task. We focused on 3 genes, including the CHRNA4 C¹⁵⁴⁵T SNP (rs10344946), DAT1 3'UTR VNTR, and COMT Val¹⁵⁸Met SNP (rs4680), as previous adult research has linked spatial attention skills to these polymorphisms. Behavioral measures included both facilitation of orienting at the cued location as well as inhibition of return (IOR), in which attention orienting is suppressed at the cued location. Results indicated that COMT Val carriers showed robust IOR relative to infants with the Met/Met genotype. However, COMT was unrelated to infants' facilitation responses, and there were no effects of CHRNA4 or DAT1 on either facilitation or IOR. Overall, this study suggests that variations in dopamine signaling, likely in prefrontal cortex, contribute to individual differences in orienting during early development.
Nonlinear rheology of a dilute emulsion of surfactant-covered spherical drops in time-dependent flows

The effect of an insoluble surfactant on the rheological behaviour of a dilute emulsion is theoretically studied under low-capillary-number conditions. The dynamics depends on three dimensionless time-scale parameters that characterize the strength of the mechanisms that control the magnitude of the distortion of the surfactant distribution on the drop interface. These mechanisms include Marangoni relaxation, drop rotation by the imposed flow, and oscillations of the imposed flow. The interaction of the time scales gives rise to a complex rheological behaviour. The evolution of the system is described by a nonlinear matrix equation derived by expanding the fluid velocity and surfactant distribution in spherical harmonics. Analytical expansions are developed for conditions where the surfactant distribution is only slightly perturbed, which occurs when one of the time-scale parameters is small.
MEASURING THE STATE OF REDUCTION OF A WATERLOGGED SOIL

Summary Eh and pH measurements and the term rEh=Eh+3 × 2·3 RT/FpH have been tested under simulated field conditions and errors assigned to them. The author considers that, whilst Ehmeasurements in the field may be used to differentiate between reduced and oxidized soils, their error is too large for them to supply more precise information about the state of reduction of a waterlogged soil; he also considers that there is little point in adjusting these measurements for pH change. It is proposed that an estimation of the concentrations of the two states of iron in a waterlogged soil should be used as the basis of a field method for measuring the soil's state of reduction. The results give some support for the argument that the equation is applicable to waterlogged soils.
The Potential of Exon Skipping for Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is mainly caused by mutations that disrupt the generation of a translatable mRNA transcript. Most such mutations occur in parts of the gene that are not essential for its function and thus might be eliminated from the transcript to permit translation of a partially functional protein that would convert the disease to a milder clinical form. Two such antisense oligonucleotides of different backbone chemistries have been successful when tested on the mdx mouse, targeting exon 23, containing the nonsense mutation. Subsequently, the morpholino, the more effective of these, has been tested on the dystrophic dog, where it is necessary to skip 2 exons, again with beneficial results. Currently, results of 2 human trials targeting exon 51 have also yielded promising preliminary results.
Promoters are in the operators in phage lambda.

E. coli RNA polymerase binds to a specific site within each λ operator. This DNA site is recognised by three proteins: RNA polymerase, the λ phage repressor, and a restriction endonuclease (Hin).
Pouchitis: What Every Gastroenterologist Needs to Know

Pouchitis is the most common complication among patients with ulcerative colitis who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. Pouchitis is actually a spectrum of diseases that vary in etiology, pathogenesis, phenotype, and clinical course. Although initial acute episodes typically respond to antibiotic therapy, patients can become dependent on antibiotics or develop refractory disease. Many factors contribute to the course of refractory pouchitis, such as the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, infection with Clostridium difficile, pouch ischemia, or concurrent immune-mediated disorders. Identification of these secondary factors can help direct therapy.
Synaptic linkages between red nucleus cells and limb muscles during a multi-joint motor task

The magnocellular red nucleus (RNm) becomes highly active when a monkey reaches to grasp an object. However, the only spike-triggered averaging studies of the RNm to date have been restricted to a simple wrist tracking paradigm and electromyographic (EMG) measurements of muscles of the forearm. We have now measured EMG signals from a large number of muscles throughout the shoulder, arm, forearm, and hand during a variety of tasks, including unconstrained reaching and grasping movements. Relations between these EMG signals and single-unit activity were assessed by on-line spike-triggered averaging and revealed significant post-spike effects among muscles of the shoulder and proximal arm, as well as intrinsic hand muscles. Although there remained a strong bias toward the extensor muscles of the forearm, as has been shown earlier, these results reinforce the importance of the RNm in the control of coordinated, whole-limb reaching movements.
A numerical simulation for the expansive diaphragm within creeping salt deposits

Abstract An analysis technique has been developed which models the behavior of concrete plugs made from expansive concretes which are especially suitable to seal openings in salt formations which are under consideration for nuclear waste storage. Theoretical models include considerations of creep in salt and concrete, time dependent changes, and nonlinearity in the mechanical strength characteristics of concrete and salt. The incremental technique is used in the computer programs to compare the predicted and measured behavior of concrete plugs. Several parametric sensitivity studies have been performed and it is found that the time variation in the early elastic modulus of the concrete and unrestrained concrete expansion significantly influences the interfacial stresses.
Beyond easy answers: the plastic surgeon and prenatal diagnosis.

Abstract Objective: To explore how plastic surgeons handle the issue of prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate. Design: Mail survey. Participants: The plastic surgeon listed as team contact in the team directory of the American Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Association was identified. In cases in which a plastic surgeon was not listed as a team contact, the first plastic surgeon listed as a team member was identified. A total of 211 surgeons were contacted. Intervention: Each surgeon was mailed a survey asking for his/her experience in prenatal diagnosis for cleft conditions. Ethical issues concerning the surgeon's personal beliefs about abortion and the potential influence of the surgeon's presentation of information were explored. Results: A 50% response rate was obtained. Eighty-five percent of respondents were experienced in prenatal counseling; 92% offer consults on a routine basis. Ninety-six percent indicated they did so because they felt it was helpful to families. Treatment (98%), appearance of c...
Capacity-based order review/release strategies to improve manufacturing performance

Given the increased emphasis by manufacturing organizations to reduce work-in-progress inventories thereby shortening their manufacturing lead times, more attention is being given to the control of the materials released to the shop floor. The control of input into the shop is one of the activities associated with order review/release (ORR). A common assumption of the published literature on ORR is that all orders received by the shop will be accepted, regardless of shop conditions. In this paper, this assumption is relaxed such that in times of high shop congestion, it may be better to reject an order to allow the customer to seek another supplier than to accept the order and deliver it to the customer late. When the shop is highly congested, accepting all orders will jeopardize the ability of the shop to meet customer due dates. In an industry that demands fast and reliable turnaround of customer orders, not meeting due dates may result in customers placing their orders with other more reliable supplier...