cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resident Perspectives on Effective Surgical Training: Incivility, Confidence, and Mindset

OBJECTIVE Ample evidence exists that one's internal state (e.g., mindset, emotion) impacts one's performance. Both the military and sports organizations have focused on optimizing internal states of their service members and athletes, respectively, to improve performance and wellbeing. The internal states of surgical residents and the factors that influence their internal states have not yet been examined. Our goal is to better understand whether certain internal states are beneficial for resident operative performance, and how to optimize these during surgical training. DESIGN A 17-question survey, containing both open-ended and multiple-choice questions, was distributed to all (n = 134) surgical residents at the University of Wisconsin. In open-ended questions, recurring themes were identified utilizing content analysis. Recurring themes stated by 25% or more of the respondents are reported. SETTING Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. PARTICIPANTS Surgical residents at the University of Wisconsin. RESULTS The survey response rate varied between n = 47 (35%) and n = 32 (24%), as not all respondents answered all questions. (1) Effective surgical educators were identified to demonstrate humanism and focus on teaching. (2) Nearly all residents affirmed that certain mindsets help them excel in the OR, including positive and confident mindsets. (3) Nearly all residents affirmed that faculty and senior residents influence their mindsets. (4) Constructive resident mindsets were promoted by positive faculty behaviors and personal preparation, while negative faculty behaviors were identified to stifle constructive mindsets. (5) Factors contributing to favorable OR performance included personal preparation and positive OR environments. (6) Factors contributing to poor OR performance included inadequate preparation and negative interactions with faculty. CONCLUSIONS Residents near unanimously believe that certain mindsets help them excel, and that faculty impact their mindsets. As teachers, we must strive to better understand how to foster constructive mindsets in residents to optimize learning, performance, and wellbeing.
Abstract IA15: Tissue-agnostic development of TRK inhibitors for pediatric cancer

Fusions involving in the NTRK1, NTRK2, and NTRK3 genes that encode the TRKA, TRKB, and TRKC neurotrophin receptors (TRK fusions) occur across a wide range of cancers in children and adults. These fusions result in constitutive expression and ligand-independent activation of the TRK kinase. TRK fusions are pathognomonic for certain rare cancers, including infantile fibrosarcoma and cellular congenital mesoblastic nephroma, and occur at a lower frequency across a range of more common cancers in children including soft-tissue sarcomas, gliomas, and leukemias. Recently, larotrectinib was FDA approved for the treatment of TRK fusion solid tumors in children and adults, representing the first kinase inhibitor to receive FDA histology-agnostic approval for the treatment of cancer. This approval was based on a combined analysis of three clinical trials, including an ongoing pediatric phase 1/2 trial that demonstrated a 94% response rate in 34 children with TRK fusion-positive solid tumors. Remarkably, due to nearly concurrent development in pediatrics and adults, more than 30% of the patients with TRK fusion solid tumors treated with larotrectinib on clinical trials to date have been children. Other TRK inhibitors are also in pediatric development, including entrectinib and LOXO-195, and clinical trials of additional agents including repotrectinib are planned. Entrectinib, which also antagonizes ROS1 and ALK, was reported to induce responses in 11/11 children whose tumors harbored fusions of the TRK, ROS1 or ALK genes. LOXO-195 and repotrectinib have the potential to antagonize resistance mutations that can develop during treatment with first-generation TRK inhibitors, and we reported a 45% response rate to LOXO-195 among 20 patients enrolled to either single-patient treatment protocols or an ongoing pediatric and adult phase 1 study who harbored a TRK kinase resistance mutation. In this talk, I will review the data on the use of TRK inhibitors for TRK fusion cancers in children, discuss unanswered questions related to the use of TRK inhibitors in children and planned clinical trials designed to address these, and highlight the challenges and opportunities that arise when studying novel therapies for rare, molecularly defined diseases. Citation Format: Theodore W. Laetsch. Tissue-agnostic development of TRK inhibitors for pediatric cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 17-20; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(14 Suppl):Abstract nr IA15.
Triangular Sign of Amalric in Intravascular Lymphoma.

Purpose To report a case of bilateral ocular ischemia caused by intravascular lymphoma with presence of bilateral Triangular Sign of Amalric. Observations A 67-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for progressive paraplegia and a 6-month history of acute painless vision loss OD. Initial exam showed vision of CF OD and 20/20 OS with normal anterior exam. Fundus exam revealed a likely previous CRAO OD with pale nerve and attenuated vessels. Both fundi had triangular regions of pigmentary change known as the Triangular Sign of Amalric, indicative of choroidal ischemia. However, the left eye was asymptomatic. Neuro-imaging revealed multifocal enhancing lesions throughout the central nervous system of unclear etiology. An extensive neurologic and systemic workup was unrevealing, including a brain biopsy, and empiric treatment for an unspecified inflammatory condition with IV corticosteroids was initiated. During her hospitalization, she developed acute painless vision loss OS, and exam showed NLP vision OU with signs of acute retinal and choroidal ischemia OS. A subsequent brain biopsy revealed intravascular lymphoma. Conclusions and Importance: Triangular pigmentary changes indicate choroidal ischemia, and can be seen in many conditions. This patient presented with the Triangular Sign of Amalric in both eyes, including her asymptomatic left eye. Intravascular lymphoma should be considered in cases of concomitant inflammatory brain lesions and chorio-retinal ischemia.
Laboratory evaluation of short stature in children

Abstract The evaluation of short stature in children requires a skilled interaction between the clinician and the laboratorian in order to provide a cost-effective and expedient diagnostic assessment of the infant or child. Based initially on growth velocity, the evaluation can be targeted to use laboratory and economic resources appropriately. Growth is a complex process. This chapter focuses on linear growth emphasizing the growth-hormone/insulin-like-growth-factor I axis.
Early Surgical Outcomes of En Bloc Resection Requiring Vertebrectomy for Malignancy Invading the Thoracic Spine

Background En bloc vertebral resection of locally invasive T4 lung cancers led to the development of a surgical sequence for resection; posterior stabilization, reposition, thoracotomy, lobectomy, vertebrectomy, and anterior spine stabilization in 1 procedure. This technique expanded indications for vertebrectomy to selected patients with sarcoma and metastatic disease. We review our experience to identify areas for clinical improvement. Methods Operative case logs were cross-checked with billing data from 2003 to 2014 with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT, American Medical Association) codes for vertebrectomy. Thirty-two cases involving en bloc resection of malignancy invading at least 1 thoracic vertebra were selected. Outcomes data were analyzed using summary statistics. Results Series includes 14 men and 18 women, median age 50 years. Twenty-five patients (78%) received preoperative chemoradiation. Nineteen total and 13 partial vertebrectomy were performed. Average number of vertebrae resected was 1.6 (range, 1 to 4). Median operative length was 8.5 hours (range, 2.8 to 14.5), mean blood loss 923 mL (SD ± 477 mL), and median length of stay 8 days (range, 3 to 56). Major morbidity followed 56% of cases. Thirty-day mortality was 3%. Overall median survival was 43.6 months, 1-year survival was 73.6%, and 5-year survival was 40.3%. Conclusions En bloc vertebrectomy for malignant disease is feasible. Our 1 stage and 2 team approach allows completion of the operation within a standard day, but is associated with long operative time. Complication rates may improve with decreased operative times. Review of available data warrants future prospective studies.
Statistical physics: Advances in aggregation

The theory of how atoms and molecules diffuse and collide to form clusters and droplets is incomplete. A new approach can predict the growth of thin films on a surface.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Contact Lens and Noncontact Lens Characteristics

Purpose: To identify potential differences in time to diagnosis and final visual outcome between contact lens and noncontact lens users with Acanthamoeba keratitis. Background: Prior studies have shown early diagnosis and therapy to be related to outcome but have not analyzed differences among patients with and without contact lenses. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive cases (involving 13 eyes) of Acanthamoeba keratitis diagnosed at one institution over a 3-year period. Results: Mean time to diagnosis was significantly longer in noncontact lens users versus those who wore contact lenses (mean, 5.8 versus 3.3 weeks). Fifty percent of patients who did not wear contact lenses had a poor outcome (visual acuity worse than 20/40 or penetrating keratoplasty) versus 14% of patients who wore contact lenses. Conclusion: Diagnoses were made later in patients without contact lenses, and these patients had a worse visual outcome than those with Acanthamoeba keratitis who wore contact lenses. All patients with unresponsive microbial keratitis, even those without contact lens use, should be evaluated for Acanthamoeba .
Calcineurin-phospholipid interactions : identification of the phospholipid-binding subunit and analyses of a two-stage binding process

Photoaffinity labeling of calcineurin by 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-N-(4-azido-3-[125I]iodo-2- hydroxybenzoyl)ethanolamine resulted in preferential labeling of its regulatory B subunit. Photolabeling of B was greatly enhanced by Ca2+ which further supports the hypothesis that the phospholipid-binding site of calcineurin is located on this Ca2(+)-binding subunit. Extending the time of incubation of calcineurin with the photoprobe prior to photolysis also elevated labeling of the B subunit, probably as a result of time-dependent changes in protein conformation. Support for these conformational changes was obtained when time-dependent preincubation of calcineurin with acidic phospholipids enhanced subsequent tryptic degradation of its B subunit. Activity measurements and analyses of the reversibility of phospholipid-binding provided evidence for a two-stage mechanism of calcineurin-phospholipid interactions. Initial binding of calcineurin to phospholipids is rapid, Ca2(+)-sensitive, reversible, and leads to stimulation of the phosphatase toward a number of its substrates. A subsequent slow phase strengthens the association and appears to correlate with the phospholipid-promoted conformational change of the B subunit; the corresponding time-dependent effects on enzymatic activity are, again, substrate-dependent.
Real-time tool wear estimation using cutting force measurements

Presents a robust strategy for estimating tool wear in metal cutting operations. The proposed estimation algorithm consists of two components: a recurrent neural network to model the tool wear dynamics, and a robust observer to estimate the tool wear from this model using measurements of cutting force. It is shown that the algorithm ensures that the tool wear estimation error is uniformly bounded in the presence of bounded unmodeled effects, and that the ultimate bound on this error can be made as small as desired. The proposed approach is applied to the problem of estimating tool wear in turning and is shown to provide wear estimates which are in close agreement with published experimental results.
Ultralow Background Searches for ββ-Decay, Cold Dark Matter and Solar Axions

An ultralow background Ge detector in the Homestake gold mine is applied to searches for Oν ββ-decay, cold dark matter candidates and invisible axions from the sun. A large body of low background Ge data imply ≲ 2.3 eV. Particles with spin independent Z° exchange interactions and masses between 20 GeV and 5 TeV are excluded as dominant in the galactic halo. Finally, axions with F/2x′e ≲ 0.5 × 107 GeV are also ruled out.
A high efficiency and high power factor electronic ballast using ZVS-PLR inverter

This paper presents the analysis, design and implementation of a high frequency (maximum 75 kHz) resonant inverter with power factor correction for driving fluorescent lamps. The inverter is based on parallel resonant half-bridge topology. The inverter employs a boost-derived power factor correction scheme. The switches turn-on at zero voltage. Experimental results from a laboratory prototype are presented and compared with the performance of conventional 60 Hz and high frequency commercial units.
Chabazite; energetics of hydration, enthalpy of formation, and effect of cations on stability

The stability of synthetic cation-exchanged zeolites having the chabazite framework (CHA) and their cation-water interaction were studied using high-temperature reaction calorimetry. Four cations (K, Na, Li, and Ca) were exchanged into CHA. The enthalpies of formation were determined for all samples, and the partial molar enthalpy of hydration was measured by varying the water content of one Ca-CHA. The enthalpy of formation depends strongly on the exchanged cation, becoming more exothermic in the order Ca, Li, Na, K. The integral hydration enthalpy does not depend strongly on the nature of the cation, but becomes slightly less exothermic with increasing aluminum content. For the one Ca-CHA studied in detail, the average enthalpy of hydration is {minus}34.6 {plus{underscore}minus} 1.2 kJ/mol relative to liquid water. A quadratic fit to the transposed temperature drop data gives {Delta}h{sub H{sub 2}O} = {minus}52.97({plus{underscore}minus}4.74) + 2.94({plus{underscore}minus}0.68) n (kJ/mol), where {Delta}{bar h}{sub H{sub 2}O} is the partial molar enthalpy of hydration and n is the number of water molecules per 24 oxygen formula.
Carnosine in nucleated erythrocytes.

IN the course of studies of the metabolism of intracerebrally administered L-U-14C-histidine in brains of mice and frogs (Rana pipiens), analyses were also performed on blood samples from the injected animals. The mice received 1.5×106 c.p.m. of the labelled histidine, and 1 h later samples of blood were taken by means of orbital puncture. Frogs were injected with 2.9×106 c.p.m. and blood was obtained after 1 h by cardiac puncture. The samples were deproteinised in 5 volumes of 0.4 N perchloric acid and processed in the manner described previously for brain and tumour tissues1. Aliquots of neutralised extracts were electrophoresed on Whatman No. 3 paper at pH 10.0 together with known standards of carnosine, homocarnosine, histidine, imidazoleacetic acid, N-acetylhistidine, and histamine; and stained with Fast Red B in the manner described previously1.
Strategic sourcing: a progressive approach to the make-or-buy decision

Executive Overview Historically, many firms have made sourcing decisions—commonly known as make-or-buy decisions—based disproportionately on unit cost, with insufficient regard for strategic or technological issues. This cost-focused approach has led to competitive tragedy for many firms, indeed, entire industries. Managers need better tools for evaluating sourcing decisions—tools that can accommodate the long-term, strategic issues. This article presents such a tool, the strategic sourcing model, which augments the traditional cost analysis by considering strategic and technological factors. Using this framework, in conjunction with a cost analysis, can help companies make the sourcing decisions that will move them into the leagues of world-class manufacturing and position them for sustained competitive success in the future.
Defects and strains at magnetic and semiconductor interfaces

Defects and strains at surfaces and interfaces are examined with respect to how they can be measured and how they affect resulting magnetic, electronic or mechanical properties. Emphasis is on MnZn ferrite, GaAs and PbS with deformation being examined by selected area channeling pattern (SACP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) techniques. Damage produced during preparation of magnetic surfaces is examined by broadening of lines in SACP patterns while epitaxial strains and their relaxations by dislocations are estimated using both line shifts of SACP patterns and direct imaging by TEM. Of particular importance is that a new SACP method with accuracy approaching 0.1 percent has been developed for non-destructive examination of epitaxial strains in InGaAs/GaAs. Also, for the first time microcrack features in a low band gap semiconductor have been examined with STM.
Summary statistics for acute cardiac ischemia and chest pain visits to United States EDs, 1995–1996

In this article we describe characteristics of emergency encounters for patients with a diagnosis of acute cardiac ischemia (ACI) and for patients with chest pain complaints. Data are from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, which includes abstracts from the medical records of a national probability sample of visits to emergency departments (ED). Analysis was limited to records of patients 25 years of age and older with a diagnosis of either confirmed or suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or unstable angina pectoris and records with a nontraumatic chest pain complaint. There was an estimated annual average of 1.2 million visits to EDs by patients 25 years and over with a diagnosis of ACI in 1995-1996, an average annual rate of 7.2 visits per 1,000 persons. Visit rates varied by patient's age, race, and gender. Chest pain was a complaint in three-fourths of all ACI visits. There were an estimated 4.6 million annual ED visits where in patients aged 25 years and older had complaints of nontraumatic chest pain, an average annual rate of 27.7 visits per 1,000 persons. ACI accounted for 11% of all chest pain visits, but the probability of the chest pain visit having an ACI diagnosis varied by patient's age and race. There remains a large amount of variation in treatment for suspected and confirmed AMI, and for patients presenting with chest pain to EDs.
Treatment with lipopolysaccharide enhances the pathogenicity of a low‐pathogenic variant of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus

Intracerebral infection of susceptible mouse strains with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) results in an immune-mediated demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) similar to human multiple sclerosis (MS). Although the etiology of MS remains unknown, a role of an infectious agent has been implicated in its onset. Previously we have shown the ability of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to alter susceptibility to TMEV-IDD in genetically resistant C57BL/6 mice. In this study, the potential of LPS to alter pathogenicity of a low/non-pathogenic variant of TMEV was investigated. After intraperitoneal treatment of genetically susceptible SJL/J mice with LPS before and during viral infection, 80-100% of the mice developed clinical symptoms, while without LPS treatment none of the mice were affected. However, clinical severity in these LPS-treated mice was much milder than the level induced by the wild type pathogenic virus. Increased susceptibility to the disease after LPS treatment did not correlate with splenic T cell proliferative responses against viral antigens. However, by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses, an early increase in the production of Th1-type proinflammatory cytokine messages (e.g., interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and enhancement of viral persistence was observed in the CNS of LPS-treated, virus-infected animals as compared to mice infected with the variant virus alone. These results indicate that environmental factors such as a bacterial infection (e.g., LPS) promoting proinflammatory cytokine production can significantly enhance the pathogenicity of demyelination induced by a normally non-pathogenic virus.
A beam propagation method that handles reflections

Abstract We review the fast Fourier transform beam propagation method (FFT-BPM) that is commonly used to describe diffraction of electromagnetic waves and introduce a time-domain version that takes into account arbitrary longitudinal index profiles, as well as transverse effects. This method can describe all relevant aspects of paraxial propagation in linear or nonlinear media. That is, the technique can handle transmission, diffraction, and, in particular, reflection of electromagnetic waves.
A Statistical Analysis of a Pediatric Dermatology Clinic

Abstract: Statistical analysis was performed of the diseases seen and therapies utilized during the first two years of the Pediatric Dermatology Clinic at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, This survey includes 2,821 patient visits made by 1,578 patients. This analysis classifies patients by diagnosis, sex, age, race, and treatment. Diagnostic and treatment frequencies, sex and race ratios, and trends in the patient's age at presentation are also noted. This survey reveals a wide spectrum of pediatric dermatologic disease with 154 different diagnoses made. A review of the 86 different therapeutic modalities utilized is also presented.
Eosinophilic Folliculitis in HIV-Infected Women

Background and objective: Dermatologic conditions are often presenting signs of HIV infection and may be the sole cause of morbidity in patients who have otherwise stable HIV disease. Eosinophilic folliculitis is a pruritic, follicular eruption that typically manifests late in the course of HIV infection. Most published reports of eosinophilic folliculitis have been in HIV-infected men. In those reports, a characteristic truncal distribution was present, with involvement of the head, neck, and upper extremities commonly seen as well. The objective of this study was to better characterize the presentation of eosinophilic folliculitis in women. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of six HIV-seropositive women with eosinophilic folliculitis previously seen in our dermatology clinics. We also reviewed the literature for cases of eosinophilic folliculitis in women and for clinical and therapeutic aspects of the condition, particularly in women. Results: In our case series, we found that eosinophilic folliculitis in women may predominantly affect the face and mimic acne excoriee. A review of the literature of HIV-associated eosinophilic folliculitis in women supports these findings. Regarding treatment, many therapies are available, but none is uniformly effective. Conclusion: Given the dramatic rise in the incidence of HIV infection in women, who now represent nearly 50% of adults living worldwide with HIV/AIDS, a heightened awareness of HIV-related dermatoses in women is essential. HIV-associated eosinophilic folliculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic, pruritic, papular facial eruptions in females.
Organizational influences on individual ethical behavior in public accounting

A framework is presented for studying ethical conduct in public accounting practice. Four levels of analysis are distinguished: individual, local office, multi-office firm and professional institute. Several propositions are derived from the framework and discussed: (1) The effects of ethical vs. unethical behavior on an accountant's prospects for advancement are asymmetrical in nature; (2) the way individuals perceive or frame the decision problem at hand will make an ethical response more or less likely; (3) the economic incentives present in competitive markets influence the work goals of firms and offices, and lead to ethical dilemmas for individuals; and (4) initiatives at the firm or institute level aimed at compliance with professional ethical standards will by themselves have little effect on individual ethical behavior. Research into ethical behavior of practitioners will capture self-conscious and biased responses unless it is designed so as to permit indirect observation and recording of spontaneous comments. To assure valid research findings, practitioners should be interviewed and their motives assessed indirectly. A longitudinal approach is recommended, beginning with students who are choosing an accounting career. Two types of questions for use in these interviews are described.
Effect of Feeding Regimens on the Functional Recovery of Pancreatic Enzymes in Postnatally Malnourished Weanling Rats

Malnutrition was induced in the immediate postnatal period by expanding newborn litters to 20 rat pups/dam. The reversibility of the effects of malnutrition on the pancreas was evaluated by comparing two different feeding methods. At 21 days of age, pups from the expanded litters exhibited significantly decreased body (P less than 0.0005) and pancreatic (P less than 0.0025) weights as compared to those from control litters (12 pups/dam). Malnourished pups also had less contents of amylase (P less than 0.01), lipase (P less than 0.0005) and trypsinogen (P less than 0.0025) in their pancreases. The concentrations (specific activities) of amylase (P less than 0.05) and lipase (P less than 0.0125) were significantly decreased but trypsinogen (P less than 0.35) was not affected. Subsequent nutritional rehabilitation by an ad libitum (food available 24 h/day) or restricted (food available 2 h/day) feeding regimen failed to allow for "catch-up" in body (P less than 0.025) and pancreatic weight (P less than 0.05) by 56 days of life. With ad libitum feedings, enzyme contents and concentrations of amylase and lipase in malnourished animals attained control values by 7 and 14 days, respectively. Restricted feedings, however, delayed the recovery in amylase by an additional 7 days but lipase remained depressed in both content, (P less than 0.005) and specific activity (P less than 0.0025) for the duration of the experiment (56 days). Changes in pancreatic enzymes in response to malnutrition are readily reversible with ad libitum feedings but changes in somatic and pancreatic weights were not reversed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pharmacotoxicology of monocyte-macrophage nanoformulated antiretroviral drug uptake and carriage

Limitations inherent to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in its pharmacokinetic properties remain despite over 15 years of broad use. Our laboratory has pioneered a means to improve ART delivery through monocyte-macrophage carriage of nanoformulated drug-encapsulated particles (nanoART). To this end, our prior works sought to optimize nanoART size, charge, and physical properties for cell uptake and antiretroviral activities. To test the functional consequences of indinavir, ritonavir, and efavirenz formulations we investigated relationships between human monocyte and macrophage cytotoxicities and nanoART dose, size, surfactant, and preparation. Wet-milled particles were more cytotoxic to monocytes-macrophages than those prepared by homogenization; with concurrent induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Interestingly, pure suspensions of indinavir and ritonavir at 0.5 mM, and efavirenz at 0.1 mM and 0.5 mM also proved cytotoxic. Individual surfactants and formulated fluconazole neither affected cell function or viability. Although nanoART did not alter brain tight junction proteins ZO-2 and occludin, 0. 5mM ritonavir formulations did alter brain transendothelial electric resistance. These results underscore the potential importance of evaluating the physicochemical and functional properties of nanoART before human evaluations.
Excitonic effects in optical spectra of a quasi-one-dimensional electron gas

The radiative recombination of electrons in a quasi-one-dimensional gas with valence band holes localized by potential fluctuation or acceptors is investigated. For holes localized by potential fluctuations the emission spectrum contains the singularity at low energy due to the divergence in single particle density of states and a singularity at the Fermi level (Fermi Edge Singularity) due to the electron-hole pair excitations. For holes localized on acceptors only the Fermi Edge Singularity survives as the dominant structure in the spectrum.
Structure-guided forcefield optimization

Accurate modeling of biomolecular systems requires accurate forcefields. Widely used molecular mechanics (MM) forcefields obtain parameters from experimental data and quantum chemistry calculations on small molecules but do not have a clear way to take advantage of the information in high-resolution macromolecular structures. In contrast, knowledge-based methods largely ignore the physical chemistry of interatomic interactions, and instead derive parameters almost exclusively from macromolecular structures. This can involve considerable double counting of the same physical interactions. Here, we describe a method for forcefield improvement that combines the strengths of the two approaches. We use this method to improve the Rosetta all-atom forcefield, in which the total energy is expressed as the sum of terms representing different physical interactions as in MM forcefields and the parameters are tuned to reproduce the properties of macromolecular structures. To resolve inaccuracies resulting from possible double counting of interactions, we compare distribution functions from low-energy modeled structures to those from crystal structures. The structural and physical bases of the deviations between the modeled and reference structures are identified and used to guide forcefield improvements. We describe improvements resolving double counting between backbone hydrogen bond interactions and Lennard-Jones interactions in helices; between sidechain-backbone hydrogen bonds and the backbone torsion potential; and between the sidechain torsion potential and Lennard-Jones interactions. Discrepancies between computed and observed distributions are also used to guide the incorporation of an explicit Cα-hydrogen bond in β sheets. The method can be used generally to integrate different sources of information for forcefield improvement.
Three-tesla imaging of the knee: initial experience.

To assess 3-T imaging of the knee. We reviewed 357 3-T magnetic resonance images of the knee obtained using a dedicated knee coil. From 58 patients who had arthroscopy we determined the sensitivity and specificity for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and medial and lateral meniscal tear. A chemical shift artifact showed prominently at 3 T even after improvements had been made by increasing the bandwidth. For complete ACL tear the sensitivity was 100% (95% confidence interval, CI, 75.30–100.00), and the specificity was 97.9% (95% CI 87.7–99.9). For the medial meniscus the sensitivity was 100.00% (95% CI 90.0–100.00), and the specificity was 83.3%(95% CI 66.6–95.3). For the lateral meniscus the sensitivity was 66.7% (95% CI 38.4–88.2), and the specificity was 97.6% (95% CI 87.1–99.9). In general 3-T imaging allows a favorable display of anatomy and pathology. The lateral meniscus was assessed to be weaker than the other anatomic structures. Three-tesla imaging allows increased signal-to-noise ratio, increased resolution, and faster scanning times.
Flying Under the Radar? The State and the Enforcement of Labour Laws in Brazil

Over the past three decades, developing countries have deregulated, privatized and liberalized their economies. Paradoxically, they have also retained or even strengthened their labour laws and regulations. This compromise has created enormous political tension, which manifests itself as recurrent calls for either a rollback or a deepening of reforms. Few of these calls have been heeded, so the burden of reconciling the conflicting policies ends up being transferred to those public agents who enforce the regulations on the ground. To understand how these agents act, the latitude they have, the limits they face and the results they accomplish, this paper examines how labour inspectors and prosecutors intervened in four beleaguered industries in Brazil. It finds that enforcement agents often do more than just impose fines or teach infringers about the law. Rather, they use their discretion and legal powers to realign incentives, reshape interests and redistribute the risks, costs and benefits of compliance ...
American graffiti: deconstructing gendered communication patterns in bathroom stalls

Bathroom graffiti, in both its text and pictorial form, represent viable means for strangers to communicate with each other. The text or drawings in the bathroom stalls, while written or drawn in a private space and presumably during a very private moment, are meant to be public, as they transmit ideas, images, and even responses. Using data collected in 10 bathroom stalls at a university (five men's bathrooms and five women's bathrooms), this study examines differences in communication patterns in women's and men's bathroom stalls through an analysis of graffiti content and style. Findings reveal that while communication patterns tend to be supportive and relationship-focused in women's bathrooms, the graffiti in men's bathroom walls are replete with sexual content and insults, in the course of the construction of hegemonic masculinity. In addition, an analysis of the response-and-reply chains suggests that, in the bathroom stalls, hierarchies of power are established and reinforced even in anonymous, un...
A simple method of analysing axisymmetric data from a Wollaston prism schlieren interferometer

A simple algorithm is developed for the analysis of Wollaston prism schlieren interferometer data for axisymmetric flow fields. An Abel Fourier transform pair is utilised and a closed form analytical expression is derived whereby the density (or temperature) field can be directly calculated from fringe shift data. The present method thus eliminates any iterative or 'stepping' solutions that were required for all previous techniques. The method is applied to a specified density field and shown to be within 1%, but a previous method is in error by more than 20%. The method is also applied to previous experimental free convection data and shown to be within 2%, but a previous analysis yielded a 6% error. Thus the present method is both much easier to use and more accurate than previous methods.
Antioxidants improve antibacterial function in hyperoxia-exposed macrophages.

Abstract Hyperoxia and pulmonary infections are well known to increase the risk of acute and chronic lung injury in newborn infants, but it is not clear whether hyperoxia directly increases the risk of pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) the effects of hyperoxia and antioxidant enzymes on inflammation and bacterial clearance in mononuclear cells and (2) developmental differences between adult and neonatal mononuclear cells in response to hyperoxia. Mouse macrophages were exposed to either room air or 95% O 2 for 24 h and then incubated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After 1 h, bacterial adherence, phagocytosis, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α production were analyzed. Bacterial adherence increased 5.8-fold ( p p p
Issues in the care of the disabled low back pain patient

Dr. Hazard observes that virtually all chronic low back pain patients want a diagnosis from their physicians, but that the imaging techniques currently used in the assessment of low back pain are not always helpful. As he points out, findings on plain radiographs correlate poorly with low back pain symptoms. Many individuals with no history of low back pain have degenerative changes, spondylolysis, lumbar lordosis, or congenital anomalies on radiographs, and many people with low back pain show no radiograph abnormalities. 1°,11,1~-18,21,23 Such studies have led some experts to recommend against the use of diagnostic radiologic studies of the spine in the evaluation of acute activity-related low back pain in the absence of serious trauma, history of neoplasm, or neurologic deficit. 4,2° However, plain films are still being obtained and advocated for the routine evaluation of back pain. ~3 Dr. Hazard also points out the problems associated with newer, more expensive imaging tech-
A Sequential Sampling Strategy to Improve Reliability-Based Design Optimization With Implicit Constraint Functions

Reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) has a probabilistic constraint that is used for evaluating the reliability or safety of the system. In modern engineering design, this task is often performed by a computer simulation tool such as finite element method (FEM). This type of computer simulation or computer experiment can be treated a black box, as its analytical function is implicit. This paper presents an efficient sampling strategy on learning the probabilistic constraint function under the design optimization framework. The method is a sequential experimentation around the approximate most probable point (MPP) at each step of optimization process. Our method is compared with the methods of MPP-based sampling, lifted surrogate function, and nonsequential random sampling. We demonstrate it through examples.
A Mechanistic Model for Time-Dependent Fatigue

Elevated-temperature failure of structural materials (e.g., austenitic stainless steels, low-alloy steels) used in energy-conversion systems can occur by fatigue, creep, or by interactive processes involving creep, fatigue, and environment. The fracture surfaces of these materials exhibit a variety of microstructural features depending upon the type of material, strain rate, temperature, environment, hold times, and sequence of waveshapes. These microstructural observations have been used as a guide in the formulation of generalized damage-rate equations that include interaction between a crack and cavities in a given environment. Crack-propagation rate as well as total life of a fatigue specimen have been calculated by integrating the damage-rate equations over the inelastic strain history of the specimen, and compared with experimental results.
Speech deterioration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a case study.

Few detailed reports have been published on the nature of speech and voice changes during the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The subject of this case study is a woman who was diagno...
Kinematics of the H2O Masers in W49N: Analysis of the Velocity Variance-Covariance Matrix

The proper motions of the H2O masers in W49N have been measured with multiepoch very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) by Gwinn, Moran, & Reid. The number of motions derived is large (105), and the spatial coverage of the source by maser spots is excellent, making W49N a natural candidate for analytic tools based on diagonalization of the velocity variance-covariance matrix (VVCM). The velocity dispersions (or internal relative velocities) used in VVCM analysis are the quantities directly determined by VLBI proper motion experiments, which lack an absolute phase reference. I apply the VVCM diagonalization procedure to the H2O masers in W49N, deriving in an objective, model-independent way the kinematic axes of the outflow. I then compare these local axes with various geometrical axes suggested by the morphology of an apparent "ring" of H II regions that accompany the one containing H2O masers, and with the axis of the large-scale outflow seen in molecular emission. I also present kinematic evidence not revealed by previous modeling for pronounced asymmetry of the collimating mechanism that channels the maser outflow, and propose an explanation in terms of magnetic drag.
Temporal Changes in Wind as Objects for Evaluating Mesoscale Numerical Weather Prediction

Abstract The study describes a method of evaluating numerical weather prediction models by comparing the characteristics of temporal changes in simulated and observed 10-m (AGL) winds. The method is demonstrated on a 1-yr collection of 1-day simulations by the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5) over southern New Mexico. Temporal objects, or wind events, are defined at the observation locations and at each grid point in the model domain as vector wind changes over 2 h. Changes above the uppermost quartile of the distributions in the observations and simulations are empirically classified as significant; their attributes are analyzed and interpreted. It is demonstrated that the model can discriminate between large and modest wind changes on a pointwise basis, suggesting that many forecast events have an observational counterpart. Spatial clusters of significant wind events are highly continuous in space and time. Such continuity sugg...
Sibling sexual abuse: an exploratory study of long-term consequences for self-esteem and counseling considerations

Great advances have been made regarding the study of child sexual assault since the 1970’s. In spite of these advances, the gravity of sibling sexual abuse has largely been overlooked in sexual abuse literature. This paper uses peer reviewed research to highlight some of the major issues and unique long-term consequences associated with sibling sexual abuse. Specifically, an altered version of the Conflict Tactics Scale Straus (Journal of Marriage and the Family 41:75-88, 1979) and The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale Rosenberg (1965) were used to explore the long-term impact on self-esteem for those having experience with sibling sexual abuse as a child. In addition, clinical considerations for working with survivors, offenders, and families are provided.
Botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Purpose Raynaud's phenomenon is a vasospastic disorder of the palmar and digital vessels of the hand and feet that can lead to ischemic ulcers, pain, and loss of function. This study is a review of patients I have injected with botulinum toxin type A for patients with Raynaud's phenomenon. Methods Raynaud's patients were injected with 50 to 100 units of onabotulinumtoxinA to improve perfusion of the digits. An institutional review board–approved retrospective review was undertaken to analyze outcomes. Laser Doppler scans were performed before and after injection to quantitatively measure perfusion. Results A total of 14 men and 19 women with Raynaud's phenomenon were injected with onabotulinumtoxinA. All but 5 patients experienced improved vascularity and relief of pain. Laser Doppler scans illustrated notable improvement in perfusion. Five patients had repeat injections for recurrent pain. Conclusions Botulinum toxin appears to improve perfusion of the hand after direct injection around the neurovascular bundles. Further investigations are warranted to identify the exact mode of action in relieving vasospasm and alleviating pain.
Independent evaluation of computer classification of malignant and benign calcifications in full-field digital mammograms.

Rationale and Objectives To evaluate whether a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) technique can accurately classify breast calcifications in full-field digital mammograms (FFDMs) as malignant or benign. The computer technique was developed previously on screen-film mammograms (SFMs) in which individual calcifications were identified manually. The present study evaluated the computer technique independently on a new database of FFDM images with automatic detection of the individual calcifications.
Efficient Top-k Query Evaluation on Probabilistic Data

Modern enterprise applications are forced to deal with unreliable, inconsistent and imprecise information. Probabilistic databases can model such data naturally, but SQL query evaluation on probabilistic databases is difficult: previous approaches have either restricted the SQL queries, or computed approximate probabilities, or did not scale, and it was shown recently that precise query evaluation is theoretically hard. In this paper we describe a novel approach, which computes and ranks efficiently the top-k answers to a SQL query on a probabilistic database. The restriction to top-k answers is natural, since imprecisions in the data often lead to a large number of answers of low quality, and users are interested only in the answers with the highest probabilities. The idea in our algorithm is to run in parallel several Monte-Carlo simulations, one for each candidate answer, and approximate each probability only to the extent needed to compute correctly the top-k answers.
Emerging Research Architectures

Morphic architectures embrace a broad class of mixed-signal systems that focus on a particular application and draw inspiration for their structure from the application. In some cases, processing is carried out in the analog domain, offering orders-of-magnitude improvement in performance and power dissipation, albeit with reduced accuracy. The emergence of many-core (symmetric and asymmetric) architectures has become an established industry trend. With high-end microprocessor architecture moving to a multicore format, dual-core products have become available commercially and quad-core chips are entering the marketplace. Indeed, a recently announced 80-core experimental chip heralds a new milestone. Several other companies now produce multicore-like devices that some call next-generation field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Specifically, these companies are implementing field- programmable object array (FPOA) technology, which consists of object arrays that are simple processors and other support objects such as memory.
Reproducing tna operon regulation in vitro in an S-30 system. Tryptophan induction inhibits cleavage of TnaC peptidyl-tRNA.

Expression of the tryptophanase (tna) operon of Escherichia coli is regulated by catabolite repression and tryptophan-induced transcription antitermination. Catabolite repression regulates transcription initiation, whereas excess tryptophan induces antitermination at Rho factor-dependent termination sites in the leader region of the operon. Synthesis of the leader peptide, TnaC, is essential for antitermination. BoxA and rut sites in the immediate vicinity of the tnaC stop codon are required for termination. In this paper we use an in vitro S-30 cell-free system to analyze the features of tna operon regulation. We show that transcription initiation is cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent and is not influenced by tryptophan. Continuation of transcription beyond the leader region requires the presence of inducing levels of tryptophan and synthesis of the TnaC leader peptide. Using a tnaA′-′trpE fusion, we demonstrate that induction results in a 15–20-fold increase in synthesis of the tryptophan-free TnaA-TrpE fusion protein. Replacing Trp codon 12 oftnaC by an Arg codon, or changing the tnaCstart codon to a stop codon, eliminates induction. Addition of bicyclomycin, a specific inhibitor of Rho factor action, substantially increases basal level expression. Analyses of tna mRNA synthesis in vitro demonstrate that, in the absence of inducer transcription is terminated and the terminated transcripts are degraded. In the presence of inducer, antitermination increases the synthesis of the read-through transcript. TnaC synthesis is observed in the cell-free system. However, in the presence of tryptophan, a peptidyl-tRNA also appears, TnaC-tRNAPro. Our findings suggest that inducer acts by preventing cleavage of TnaC peptidyl-tRNA. The ribosome associated with this newly synthesized peptidyl-tRNA presumably stalls at the tnaC stop codon, blocking Rho's access to the BoxA and rut sites, thereby preventing termination. 1-Methyltryptophan also is an effective inducerin vitro. This tryptophan analog is not incorporated into TnaC.