cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Operator-Directed Sedation and Anesthesiologist Care in the Pediatric/Congenital Catheterization Laboratory: A Study Utilizing Data From the IMPACT Registry.

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to assess contemporary use of operator directed sedation (ODS) and anesthesiologist care (AC) in the pediatric/congenital cardiac catheterization laboratory (PCCL), specifically evaluating whether the use of operator-directed sedation was associated with increased risk of major adverse events. Background The safety of ODS relative to AC during PCCL procedures has been questioned. Methods A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was performed studying procedures habitually performed with ODS or AC at IMPACT (Improving Adult and Congenital Treatment) registry hospitals using ODS for ≥5% of cases. The risks for major adverse events (MAE) for ODS and AC cases were compared, adjusted for case mix. Current recommendations were evaluated by comparing the ratio of observed to expected MAE for cases in which ODS was inappropriate (inconsistent with those guidelines) with those for similar risk AC cases, as well as those in which ODS or AC was appropriate. Results Of the hospitals submitting data to IMPACT, 28 of 101 met inclusion criteria. Of the 7,042 cases performed using ODS at these centers, 88% would be inappropriate. Use of ODS was associated with lower likelihood of MAE both in observed results (p Conclusions Across a range of hospitals, ODS was used safely and with improved efficiency. Clinical judgment better identified cases in which ODS could be used than pre-procedural risk score. This should inform future guidelines for the use of ODS and AC in the catheterization laboratory
Congestion-Aware Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control for Mitigation of Self-Organized Traffic Jams

Previous work has shown that Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) can improve traffic flow by raising the critical vehicular density at which congestion first appears. However, these works also indicate that traffic with medium-to-high penetration of ACC-equipped vehicles is more susceptible to the formation of self-organized phantom traffic jams induced by perturbations in vehicular demographics. In this work, we propose a congestion-aware Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control (CACC) algorithm as an alternative to address the trade-off between competing goals of raising the critical density, and reducing susceptibility to congestion observed at higher penetration rates of ACC-equipped vehicles. The congestion-aware CACC algorithm is modeled after the General Motor's car-following models, wherein the driver sensitivity is altered based on the prevailing congestion state (or traffic jam size) downstream of the connected vehicle. The dynamics of the self-organized traffic jam are modeled using a master equation. Results indicate that the congestion-aware CACC algorithm can increase the effective critical density leading to higher traffic flows, while also reducing the susceptibility to perturbations in vehicle demographics in the density range that adversely affects ACC-equipped vehicles.
Spontaneous Helical Order of a Chiral p-Wave Superfluid Confined in Nanoscale Channels.

Strong interactions that favor chiral $p$-wave pairing, combined with strong pair breaking by confining boundaries, are shown to lead to new equilibrium states with different broken symmetries. Based on a strong-coupling extension of the Ginzburg-Landau theory that accurately accounts for the thermodynamics and phase diagram of the bulk phases of superfluid $^{3}\mathrm{He}$, we predict new phases of superfluid $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ for confined geometries that spontaneously break rotational and translational symmetry in combination with parity and time-reversal symmetry. One of the newly predicted phases exhibits a unique combination of chiral and helical order that is energetically stable in cylindrical channels of radius approaching the Cooper pair coherence length, e.g., $R\ensuremath{\sim}100\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{nm}$. Precise numerical minimization of the free energy yields a broad region of stability of the helical phase as a function of pressure and temperature, in addition to three translationally invariant phases with distinct broken spin and orbital rotation symmetries. The helical phase is stable at both high and low pressures and favored by boundaries with strong pair breaking. We present calculations of transverse NMR frequency shifts as functions of rf pulse tipping angle, magnetic field orientation, and temperature as signatures of these broken symmetry phases.
The Resurrection and Unborn Beings: The Seeds of a Materialist Emergence Proposal:

This article looks at how two apparently unrelated issues—the afterlife and reproductive loss—turn out to be interrelated in complex theological and ethical ways. Eschatology is important to addres...
The Past, Present, and Future of the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Skills Examination.

In January 2021, the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) announced the permanent suspension of their Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) examination. Launched in 2004, the Step 2 CS examination was intended to ensure that physicians entering graduate medical education possess the necessary information gathering, clinical reasoning, and communication skills necessary to provide patient care. Although the requirement that doctors pass a clinical skills examination as a condition of licensure likely improved some elements of medical education and physician practice, the Step 2 CS examination was deeply unpopular among many medical students since its inception. The demise of USMLE Step 2 CS provides an opportunity to re-examine the test's value and incorporate improvements in future iterations. However, doing so requires a clear understanding of why the test was so vigorously challenged. Here, we review the history of clinical skills examinations used for medical licensure in the United States and highlight the persistent concerns regarding Step 2 CS's cost, value, validity, and lack of examinee feedback before proposing future improvements to address each concern.
State of the art progress in hydraulic fracture modeling using AI/ML techniques

With the ongoing evolution of both the quality and quantity of data in the oil and gas fields, the optimal implementation of machine learning becomes of great benefit. The repetitive iterations process of approaching problem-solving mechanisms can yield effective and functional outputs for the gains of the industry. Notably, this paper aims to examine the imminent methods of the machine learning techniques that are associated with hydraulic fracturing operations, especially in shale gas reservoirs. This paper mainly focuses on the design, interpretation, real-time prediction, and re-frac selection of hydraulic fracturing. The discussion of the findings is aimed to be broad with less focus on depth to avoid complexities and help readers acquire a general sense. Also, it introduces the novel techniques that are being implemented in the industry and portrays a clear depiction of the processes involved. The analysis of the discussion concludes machine learning as an accurate method to deal with a large amount of fracturing data for designing, prediction, and real-time analysis.
Mechanische Grundlagen der Operationstechnik

Selten ist der Novize in der Chirurgie mit solch angeborenem Talent versehen, das ihm Wissen und Analyse aller mechanischen Manipulationen — wie einem Naturtalent gute Leistungen im Sport — in den Schos fallen. Bei der Betrachtung der nachfolgend diskutierten mechanischen Aspekte in der chirurgischen Technik sollte man sich bewust werden, das jeder chirurgischen Technik das von Halsted formulierte Grundprinzip zugrunde liegt.
RNA Structures as Mediators of Neurological Diseases and as Drug Targets

RNAs adopt diverse folded structures that are essential for function and thus play critical roles in cellular biology. A striking example of this is the ribosome, a complex, three-dimensionally folded macromolecular machine that orchestrates protein synthesis. Advances in RNA biochemistry, structural and molecular biology, and bioinformatics have revealed other non-coding RNAs whose functions are dictated by their structure. It is not surprising that aberrantly folded RNA structures contribute to disease. In this Review, we provide a brief introduction into RNA structural biology and then describe how RNA structures function in cells and cause or contribute to neurological disease. Finally, we highlight successful applications of rational design principles to provide chemical probes and lead compounds targeting structured RNAs. Based on several examples of well-characterized RNA-driven neurological disorders, we demonstrate how designed small molecules can facilitate the study of RNA dysfunction, elucidating previously unknown roles for RNA in disease, and provide lead therapeutics.
LETTER: String Motion in Curved Space and the Bianchi Identity

It is shown that the motion of a string in the field of a massive object can be derived from the Bianchi identities using the method of Papapetrou. The time average equation of motion is that of point geodesic only at lowest order, and the method may be extended to obtain structure dependent, non-geodesic motion.
Post-traumatic stress and age variation in amygdala volumes among youth exposed to trauma

Theoretically, normal developmental variation in amygdala volumes may be altered under conditions of severe stress. The purpose of this article was to examine whether posttraumatic stress moderates the association between age and amygdala volumes in youth exposed to traumatic events who are experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Volumetric imaging was conducted on two groups of youth aged 9-17 years: 28 with exposure to trauma and PTSD symptoms (boys = 15, girls = 13) and 26 matched (age, IQ) comparison youth (Controls; boys = 12, girls = 14). There was a significant group by age interaction in predicting right amygdala volumes. A positive association between age and right amygdala volumes was observed, but only in PTSD youth. These associations with age remained when controlling for IQ, total brain volumes and sex. Moreover, older youth with PTSD symptoms had relatively larger right amygdala volumes than controls. Findings provide evidence that severe stress may influence age-related variation in amygdala volumes. Results further highlight the importance of utilizing age as an interactive variable in pediatric neuroimaging research, in so far as age may act as an important moderator of group differences.
Low power response of all-optical crossbar networks in quantum well heterostructures.

A new device configuration has been examined for its potential as a compact, all-optical modulator, operating at low input powers (~3 mW). This device utilizes the large optical nonlinearities of AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs multiple quantum well heterostructures to modulate a low power-guided wave test beam with an orthogonally propagating control beam. This configuration has the advantage of maximizing the packing density of nonlinear modulators having interaction lengths of only ~5 μm. Several modes of device operation are possible, including thermal modulation, optical limiting, bistable switching, and multiple-input logic. We present experimental results for the throughput of single and multiple waveguide beams, as well as for the operation of this device as a waveguide modulator array. A theoretical model is compared with the experimental results for input pulse lengths ranging from ~300 ns to 1 s and input powers up to ~3 mW. Several optical nonlinearities are experimentally observed, including an electronic nonlinearity and two thermal effects, which are classified as either local or global in origin, with time constants of ~30 ns, ~4 μs, and ~40 ms, respectively. For an optimized waveguide geometry, the intrinsic optical device described herein should be suitable for use in systems requiring fast, high-density waveguide arrays for optical computing and serial/parallel data-processing applications.
Making sense of personal data in clinical settings

This contribution addresses clinical data, but acquired outside hospital walls, to improve the quality of care and/or to reduce the cost of healthcare delivery. Such data must meet the clinical quality requirements for one to leverage current best practices with minimal changes to clinical workflows. We present signal-processing solutions for acquiring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals outside hospital walls and validate them against current gold standards in clinical settings. We show that the proposed approaches enable wired ECG quality and resting state ECG quality in the presence of packet losses and motions artifacts, with low sensor power to enable wearable form factors.
Snapshots of History and the Nature of the Archaeological Image

By its very definition, archaeology is situated at the intersection of the material and the temporal worlds. Photography is similarly positioned, and yet it can be manipulated to produce constructed contexts according a photographer’s agenda. In order to explore how the abilities and limitations of archaeology and photography are entwined I examine the representational power of the photograph and the phenomenon of Japanese tourist photography. I then discuss the construction of archaeological photographs, both in practice and in the prescribed theory contained archaeological methods textbooks, as well as how photographs are used to represent the embodied, physical performance of archaeology.
An Analysis of Irrigated Agricultural Outcomes under the Prior Appropriation Doctrine: Hypotheses and Applications

This article measures irrigated agricultural outcomes under the prior appropriation doctrine by developing a model of farmers’ land allocations in response to water supply change. The modelling approach considers the institutional factors of water rights and permits the inclusive determination of water and land allocations. We utilize farm-level data of irrigated agriculture in Water District #1 in Idaho to examine the predictions from our theoretical model. The water rights priority date is consolidated at the farm level and used to differentiate farmers’ responses. We test a set of hypotheses that relate to water supply and crop revenue. Our results suggest that the water rights priority has a profound impact on agricultural outcomes, indicating strong institutional effects and weak influence of market-based approaches. Farmers respond to both long-term and seasonal water supply change and variation, and they respond to seasonal water supply forecasts in varied ways depending on their water rights portf...
Abstract 5057: The role of health locus of control and self-efficacy beliefs in sunscreen use: Evidence from 2012 Health Information National Trends Survey

Sun exposure has been identified as a cause of skin cancer (Armstrong & Kricker, 2001). Extensive empirical evidence shows that sunscreen use was associated with lower skin cancer incidence (Green et al., 1999, 2011). However, only 32% U.S. adults used sunscreen regularly (NCI, 2010); the percentage was even lower (21.7%) among adolescents (Eaton et al., 2012). To reduce skin cancer burden, sunscreen use promotion should be enhanced. Locus of control, the extent to which people believe they have control over their lives with external and internal dimensions (Rotter, 1954), is a significant predictor of behavioral changes (Bundek et al., 1993). Internal locus of control, i.e., beliefs that reinforcements are dependent upon one9s own behavior, is positively related with behavioral changes, e.g., weight loss (O9Bryan, 1972) and health information seeking (Wallston & Maides, 1976), etc. Self-efficacy, the extent to which one believes to be capable of performing the recommended behavior (Bandura, 1977), is a robust predictor for behavioral changes including smoking cessation (Norman, 1994) and AIDS prevention (Yzer, 1998), etc. However, little research focuses on the role of locus of control and self-efficacy in promoting sunscreen use by using nationally representative cross-sectional data. The present study bridges this gap by examining the following two hypotheses: H1: People with high external locus of control were less likely to use sunscreen. H2: People with high health self-efficacy were more likely to use sunscreen. Results show that people high in external locus of control were less likely to use sunscreen (B=-0.160, p=0.001) and people high in health self-efficacy were more likely to use sunscreen (B= 0.331, p=0.046), both of which were statistically significant. Males, Pacific Islanders, homemakers, and non-immigrants were more likely to use sunscreen. The findings attest to the necessity of enhancing people9s internal locus of control and self-efficacy with the purpose of promoting sunscreen use. Public health efforts could be allocated based on the socio-demographic findings. Citation Format: Xiaofei He. The role of health locus of control and self-efficacy beliefs in sunscreen use: Evidence from 2012 Health Information National Trends Survey. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5057. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5057
The nature of the bots: how people respond to robots, virtual agents and humans as multimodal stimuli

This research agenda aims to understand how people treat robots along two dialectics. In the mechanical-living dialectic, fabricated entities are assessed against their organic counterparts to see if people respond differently to robots versus other people. Multiple experiments are conducted that compare human-robot relationships to human-human relationships by manipulating roles in videos of dyadic conversations shown to participants. In the physical-digital dialectic, a physically embodied robotic agent is compared to either a digitally-presented virtual agent (such as an animated character on a computer screen) or a digitally-presented robotic agent (such as a live video feed of the robot). The role of physical and digital embodiment and display medium are explored through a comprehensive survey and analysis of existing experimental works comparing physical and digital agents. Key research questions, related work, scope, research approach, current findings and remaining work are outlined.
Epigenetic modifications and p21-cyclin B1 nexus in anticancer effect of histone deacetylase inhibitors in combination with silibinin on non-small cell lung cancer cells

There is a renewed focus on targeted therapy against epigenetic events that are altered during the pathogenesis of lung cancer. However, the use of epigenomic modifiers as monotherapy lacks efficacy; thus, there is a need to develop safe and effective drug combinatorial regimens, which reverse epigenetic modifications and exhibit profound anticancer activity. Based on these perspectives, we evaluated, for the first time, the efficacy and associated mechanisms of a novel combinatorial regimen of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi)-trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA)-with silibinin (a flavonolignan with established pre-clinical anti-lung cancer efficacy) against non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Silibinin inhibited HDAC activity and decreased HDAC1-3 levels in NSCLC cells, leading to an overall increase in global histone acetylation states of histones H3 and H4. Combinations of HDCAi with silibinin synergistically augmented the cytotoxic effects of these single agents, which was associated with a dramatic increase in p21 (Cdkn1a). Subsequent ChIP assay indicated increased acetylated histone H3 and H4 levels on p21 promoter region, resulting in its increased transcription. The enhanced p21 levels promoted proteasomal degradation of cyclin B1, the limited supply of which halts the progression of cells into mitosis. Indeed, the resultant biological effect was a significant G 2/M arrest by the combination treatment, followed by apoptotic cell death. Similar epigenetic modulations were observed in vivo, together with a marked reduction in xenograft growth. These findings are both novel and highly significant in establishing that HDACi with silibinin would be safe and effective to suppress NSCLC growth.
Current management strategies for the treatment and prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in solid organ transplant recipients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in solid organ transplantation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Primary infection, secondary infection or superinfection may occur in this setting. Progression to disease may ensue with development of symptoms, with or without organ involvement. The mainstay of treatment of CMV disease is intravenous ganciclovir. Aside from protective organ matching and use of CMV-seronegative blood products, methods of preventing CMV infection and disease include passive immunisation with immunoglobulins, vaccination, and prophylaxis with antiviral agents such as aciclovir, oral or intravenous ganciclovir, and oral valaciclovir. A promising subunit vaccine is currently being investigated. Pre-emptive therapy is a form of prevention that is based either on the early detection of CMV or targeting of transplant recipients with risk factors for CMV. New sensitive laboratory assays, including the pp65 anti-genaemia assay, qualitative, quantitative and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction assays, hybridisation assays, and nucleic acid sequence-based assays, have the ability to detect early CMV replication before disease becomes evident. These assays are being used as prospective surveillance tests, with pre-emptive therapy initiated when they become positive or demonstrate an increasing titre.
Kinetics and mechanisms of flash pyrolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)

Flash pyrolysis (600–1000°C/s) of a film of anionically polymerized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was conducted at controlled temperatures in the 380–600°C range by T-jump/FTIR spectroscopy. In the endothermic decomposition process, the methyl methacrylate monomer (MMA ≥ 90%) and CO2 (≤ 10%) are the only pyrolysis products detected. Arrhenius parameters for evolution of MMA and CO2 were determined under a pressure of 2 and 11 atm Ar for PMMA with MW = 2000 and 131,000. A zeroth-order rate model was used. A slope break occurs at 460–500°C in the Arrhenius plots. Below this range for MMA, Ea = 43–66 kcal/mol and In(A/s) = 26–44, which are comparable to previous reports for random C-C scission kinetics. For CO2, Ea = 30–46 kcal/mol and In(A/s) = 23–27, which are comparable to the decarboxylation rates of other organic compounds. Above 460–500°C, increased control of the rates by desorption/diffusion of MMA and CO2 is suggested by the lower values of Ea in the 12–30 kcal/mol range and In(A/s) in the 5.7–17 range. Thus, the limiting temperature of pyrolysis of PMMA is about 500°C before the deconsolidation rate of the pyrolysis products begins to take control from the bulk decomposition rate in determining the rate of product evolution.
Epidemiology of sharka disease in North America

L'histoire des epidemies nord-americaines (Etats-Unis et Canada) du Plum pox virus (PPV) ainsi que des hypotheses sur l'epidemiologie generale du PPV en Amerique du Nord, sont es. La methode d'echantillonnage hierarchique combinee avec des procedures fiables de detection/confirmation par DASI-ELISA a ete utilisee avec succes pour des vastes prospections sur le PPV dans des zones produisant des fruits a noyaux dans les deux pays. L'influence des analyses epidemiologiques sur la politique d'eradication est decrite.
THE USEFULNESS OF SCREENING FOR MENTAL ILLNESS

Abstract The study assessed the effect of screening for mental disorder by means of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) on the rate of detection of mental disorder by fourteen physicians in a primary-care clinic. After completing the GHQ, patients were randomised into control (722 patients) and experimental (730 patients) groups. GHQ results of the experimental group were made available to the physicians; those of the control group were not. Sociodemographic factors influenced the physicians' rate of diagnosis of mental disorders (rates were lower for men, students, and patients with at least a partial college education than in subjects who had a low income, less than 7 years of school, or were widowed) but there was no difference between control and experimental groups (16·8% vs 16·0%). Among patients with a prior diagnosis of a mental disorder, twice as many were found to have mental disorders by the physicians as by the GHQ (70% vs 33%).
Computer Technology as Applied to Rare Book Cataloguing

Le signalement automatise des livres et documents rares entraine des amenagements des normes de description bibliographique (ISBD; ISBD(A)) et de presentation des catalogues et, l'adaptation du format MARC (US MARC Holdings Format) aux besoins de ce type de document. Le catalogage et la recherche informatises conduiront a une plus grande souplesse dans la recherche d'informations et une edition plus rapide, et aux possibilites multiples, de catalogues
Project risk pattern based on pattern analysis

From the perspective of general risk pattern and knowledge reuse, project risk management patterns, including project risk passively solving pattern and project risk proactively planning pattern, are proposed. Their application background, structure, advantages and disadvantages are analyzed then. At last an example is taken to point out that the effective project risk management should balance in these two kinds of patterns according to the actual situation, rather than simply take one kind of the patterns. The research of risk pattern is benefit to the team of project to extract and accumulate knowledge about risk management and improve the communication of risk.
The big software chill

If a technology (or idea) does not achieve mainstream status quickly enough, it dies. Video on demand (interactive TV), the information superhighway (ISDN), and massively parallel supercomputing may be examples. These ideas are okay, but they could die for lack of legs. At present, consumers are simply shunning them, illustrating the power of Information Age mainstreaming. A corollary to this law is that a technology (or idea) thrives, even if it is a bad technology or idea, as long as it quickly achieves mainstream status. Microsoft Windows, Java, C++ and others illustrate the overwhelming power of mainstreaming. It's positive feedback. Simply put, the rich get richer, especially when they hold a monopoly. In the Information Age, the definition of wealth includes domination of standards as well as having cash in the bank. The problem with software is that software companies don't get paid unless they reap a profit within the time limit set by the mainstreaming law. Commercial software companies have to hit the big time, or else.
Secure lazy provisioning of virtual desktops to a portable storage device

It is the software and data stored on a 'personal computer' that makes it personal. These contents can be conveniently stored as a disk image on a server and made available on the users' personal storage as and when required through lazy provisioning. We describe a desktop virtualization system that allows users to securely execute virtual machines on untrusted physical machines. This system is enabled through a portable personal device which contains a bootloader in tamper-proof storage. The hypervisor and the virtual machines are securely provisioning from a trusted server. Blocks are cached on the local storage of the portable device after their first access through a copy-on-read driver. We show that a desktop OS can be started promptly using the system and that the subsequent user experience is close to that for a conventional machine.
Real-time solution measurement of RAD51- and RecA-mediated strand assimilation without background annealing

RAD51 is the central strand exchange recombinase in somatic homologous recombination, providing genomic stability and promoting resistance to DNA damage. An important tool for mechanistic studies of RAD51 is the D-loop or strand assimilation assay, which measures the ability of RAD51-coated single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) to search for, invade and exchange ssDNA strands with a homologous duplex DNA target. As cancer cells generally overexpress RAD51, the D-loop assay has also emerged as an important tool in oncologic drug design programs for targeting RAD51. Previous studies have adapted the traditional gel-based D-loop assay by using fluorescence-based substrates, which in principle allow for use in high-throughput screening platforms. However, these existing D-loop methods depend on linear oligonucleotide DNA duplex targets, and these substrates enable recombinase-independent ssDNA annealing that can obscure the recombinase-dependent strand assimilation signal. This compelled us to fundamentally re-design this assay, using a fluorescent target substrate that consists of a covalently closed linear double-hairpin dsDNA. This new microplate-based method represents a fast, inexpensive and non-radioactive alternative to existing D-loop assays. It provides accurate kinetic analysis of strand assimilation in high-throughput and performs well with human RAD51 and Escherichia coli RecA protein. This advance will aid in both mechanistic studies of homologous recombination and drug screening programs.
Active learning framework for post-silicon variation extraction and test cost reduction

Traditional process variation modeling is primarily focused on design-time analysis and optimization. However, with the advances of post-silicon techniques, accurate variation model is also highly desired in various post-silicon applications, such as post-silicon tuning, test vector generation, and reliability prediction. The accuracy of such post-silicon variation models is greatly improved by incorporating test measurements from each wafer or die. However, to limit test cost, the number of measurements must be reduced as much as possible. This paper proposes an active learning framework to dynamically extract post-silicon process variation models with tightened variance from measurements. The framework is composed of two stages, active training and model adaptation. Active training collects information and initializes the models to be used for the forthcoming wafers. Model adaptation stage then validates the models and optimally determines the test configuration for partial testing to reduce the test cost. Experimental results based on the measurements from two industrial processes show that the proposed framework can achieve variation models with variance reduction of ~80% when compared with design-time variation models. Meanwhile, the average estimation error for those untested sites is well maintained at ~2-3% using merely ~30% available test structures for two processes.
Novel function for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 on epidermal keratinocytes

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), a potent stimulus for angiogenesis, is up-regulated in the skin after wounding. Although studies have shown that VEGF is important for wound repair, it is unclear whether this is based solely on its ability to promote angiogenesis or if VEGF can also promote healing by acting directly on non-endothelial cell types. By immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, expression of VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1), but not VEGFR-2, was detected in murine keratinocytes during wound repair and in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). The presence of VEGF receptors on NHEKs was verified by binding studies with 125I-VEGF. In vitro, VEGF stimulated the proliferation of NHEKs, an effect that could be blocked by treatment with neutralizing VEGFR-1 antibodies. A role for VEGFR-1 in keratinocytes was also shown in vivo because treatment of excisional wounds with neutralizing VEGFR-1 antibodies delayed re-epithelialization. Treatment with anti-VEGFR-1 antibodies also reduced the number of proliferating keratinocytes at the leading edge of the wound, suggesting that VEGF sends a proliferative signal to these cells. Together, these data describe a novel role for VEGFR-1 in keratinocytes and suggest that VEGF may play several roles in cutaneous wound repair.
Feasibility and safety of targeted cisplatin delivery to a select lung lobe in dogs via the AeroProbe intracorporeal nebulization catheter.

Delivery of drugs by airway can minimize systemic toxicity and maximize local drug concentrations. Most cancers metastasize to the lungs. Our purpose was to determine platinum concentrations in the lung after targeted delivery of cisplatin (CDDP) with an intracorporeal nebulizing catheter (INC), and to determine the safety of escalating doses of inhaled CDDP. In anesthetized and mechanically ventilated healthy dogs, the INC (AeroProbe®) was introduced via flexible bronchoscope into the right caudal lung lobe (RCLL) and CDDP (10 mg/m2) administered. Tissue and serum platinum concentrations were compared to those after an equivalent intravenous dose of CDDP (n = 3 dogs/group). In three additional dogs, pharmacokinetics were performed after inhaled and intravenous CDDP. Increasing dosages of inhaled CDDP (10, 15, 20, and 30 mg/m2) were then administered every 2 weeks. Dogs were sacrificed for postmortem examination at week 10. One additional dog was treated with a single dose of 30 mg/m2 and sacrificed 2 wee...
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy for salivary gland lesions

Core needle biopsy (CNB) of salivary gland lesions is a relatively new technique that may offer benefits for diagnosis of the lesions. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies published between January 1, 1985, and March 15, 2011. Summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity were obtained by using a summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC) curve. Study quality was assessed by using the QUADAS survey. We identified 5 studies (277 cases) for inclusion. The area under the SROC for CNB was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99-1.00). Based on histologically verified cases, the sensitivity of CNB is 0.92 (95% CI, 0.77-0.98) and the specificity is 1.00 (95% CI, 0.76-1.00). We conclude that CNB has high accuracy and a low (1.2%) inadequacy rate. CNB is more accurate than fine-needle aspiration, at least in some settings, but the best selection of which test to use for an individual patient and setting remains to be defined.
Phase selection in precursor-derived yttrium aluminum garnet and related Al2O3–Y2O3 compositions

Al2O3–Y2O3 powders were synthesized in the range of 25–55% Y2O3 by reverse coprecipitation of nitrate solutions. All starting powders were amorphous and formed primary yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) upon crystallization. X-ray diffraction detected only garnet in compositions of 30–40% Y2O3 after heat treatment at 1250 °C. Compositions of 45–55% Y2O3 established a metastable YAG + Y4Al2O9 microstructure. The YAG phase field was metastably extended away from its stoichiometry, as indicated by a systematic increase in lattice parameter with Y2O3 content. Although some Al2O3 enrichment was achieved, YAG appears to tolerate greater off-stoichiometry on the Y2O3-rich side. Possible defect structures accommodating the solubility extension were examined. Phase selection results indicate that compositional inhomogeneity is not the only reason behind the appearance of hexagonal YAlO3, which is frequently reported during YAG synthesis.
Evaluating the effects of a single amino acid substitution on both the native and denatured states of a protein

Abstract For proteins that contain a disulfide bond, stability is linked thermodynamically to thiol-disulfide exchange. We use this relationship to obtain unfolding free energies for both the reduced and oxidized forms of Escherichia coli thioredoxin from measurements of the effective concentrations of protein thiols. We then evaluate the effect of an amino acid substitution on disulfide bond formation in both the native and denatured states of the protein. Although the Pro-34----Ser substitution in thioredoxin results in a decrease of the effective concentration of protein thiols in the native state, the effective concentration increases in the denatured state. The net effect of the amino acid substitution is to increase the stability of reduced thioredoxin by approximately 2.4 kcal/mol, whereas the stability of the oxidized protein remains the same. By assuming a two-state unfolding equilibrium and a mutation free energy of -7.7 kcal/mol for the Pro-34----Ser substitution in the reduced, urea-unfolded state (based on estimates of solvation and entropic changes), we obtained relative free energies for the native and denatured states of the mutant and wild-type proteins, in both the reduced and oxidized forms.
Age, Racial/Ethnic Minority Status, Gender and Misdemeanor Sentencing

ABSTRACT Researchers have increasingly examined interactions between various combinations of legal and extralegal variables to explain disparities in felony criminal sentencing decisions. This paper focuses on the combined effects of extralegal variables such as age, racial/ethnic minority status, and gender have on misdemeanor criminal sentencing. Results indicate that adult, White males experienced the harshest fine amounts, while young, young adult, and adult racial/ethnic minority males had a higher likelihood of receiving other punitive sentences in addition to, or rather than just a fine. The results provide support for competing theoretical approaches of contextual discrimination and focal concerns. The implications for racial/ethnic bias in lower court decisions are discussed.
The New Interventionism

This paper focuses on the boundaries of political sovereignty, one key aspect of global political justice and an important background condition to the issues of global economic justice treated in the other papers of this volume. I first present an interpretive summary of the traditional arguments against and for intervention, stressing, to a greater extent than is usual, the consequentialist character of the ethics of intervention. It makes a difference whether we think that an intervention will do more good than harm, and some of the factors that determine the outcome are matters of strategy and institutional choice. I then explore the significance of a key factor that makes for much of what is new in the new interventionism: the role of multilateral and particularly U.N. authorization and implementation. I argue that the more salient role of the United Nations should lead us to a more expansive tolerance of international intervention and that global standards of justice, both political and economic, can therefore be more widely enforced against claims to national autonomy.
The Antibiotic Bicyclomycin Affects the Secondary RNA Binding Site of Escherichia coli Transcription Termination Factor Rho

Abstract The interaction of Rho and the antibiotic bicyclomycin was probed using in vitro transcription termination reactions, poly(C) binding assays, limited tryptic digestions, and the bicyclomycin inhibition kinetics of ATPase activity in the presence of poly(dC) and ribo(C)10. The approximate I50 value for the bicyclomycin inhibition of transcription termination at Rho-dependent sites within a modified trp operon template was 5 μM. At antibiotic concentrations near the I50 value, bicyclomycin inhibition of Rho-dependent transcripts was accompanied by the appearance of a new set of transcripts whose size was midway between the Rho-dependent transcripts and the readthrough transcripts. Bicyclomycin did not inhibit poly(C) binding to Rho. In the presence of poly(dC), bicyclomycin showed a reversible mixed inhibition of the ribo(C)10-stimulated ATPase activity. The extrapolated Ki for bicyclomycin was 2.8 μM without ribo(C)10 and increased to 26 μM in the presence of ribo(C)10. Correspondingly, the Km(app) for ribo(C)10 without bicyclomycin was 0.8 μM and with bicyclomycin was 5 μM at infinite inhibitor concentration. The data suggested that the antibiotic binds to Rho, influencing the secondary RNA binding (tracking) site on Rho and slows the tracking of Rho toward the bound RNA polymerase.
Cytolytic T lymphocyte-defined retroviral antigens on normal cells: encoding by the Akv-1 proviral locus

We previously described the generation and specificity of H-2-restricted cytolytic lymphocytes (CTL) directed against tumors induced by AKR/Gross murine leukemia viruses (MuLV). Such anti-AKR/Gross virus CTL demonstrated type specificity; only tumors induced by endogenous MuLV that expressed the Gross cell-surface antigen were lysed. These CTL and their precursor also recognized normal spleen cells from AKR-H-2 b , but not AKR-H-2 b , Fv-1 b mice, however, suggesting that N-ecotropic, retrovirus-associated antigens were primarily involved. Here, expression of these CTL-defined retroviral antigens by H-2b-positive AKR × C57L recombinant inbred strains was examined by using normal spleen cells as stimulators in the generation of specific anti-AKR/Gross virus CTL. Analysis of the strain distribution pattern of stimulation indicated that a single proviral locus, Akv-1, was primarily, if not entirely, responsible for CTL-defined retroviral antigen expression. The lack of correlation with two other well-defined proviral loci was interesting. Whereas Akv-3 is known to encode a defective virus, Akv-4 has been shown to code for an infectious virus thought to be very similar or identical to that of Akv-1. Although quantitative differences cannot be formally excluded, dose response experiments argued against this possibility and suggested that Akv-1 and Akv-4 may exhibit qualitative differences germane to antiviral CTL recognition.
A liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric assay for quantitation of the histone deacetylase inhibitor, vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamicacid, SAHA), and its metabolites in human serum

Abstract Vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) is undergoing evaluation as an antineoplastic agent. We developed a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) assay for quantitating vorinostat and its major metabolites, vorinostat glucuronide and 4-anilino-4-oxobutanoic acid, in human serum. The assay uses: deuterated internal standards; acetonitrile protein precipitation; a BDS Hypersil C18 (3 μm, 100 mm × 3 mm) column; a gradient mobile phase of 0.5% acetic acid in acetonitrile and water; and electrospray positive-mode ionization with selected reaction monitoring (SRM) detection. The lower limit of quantitation was 3.0 ng/ml for each analyte. The assay is being employed in at least 12 clinical studies of vorinostat-containing regimens.
Introduction of endovascular aneurysm repair into community practice: initial results with a new Food and Drug Administration-approved device.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of endovascular aneurysm repair in a defined geographic region during the first 2 years after Food and Drug Administration approval of a new endovascular device. Method: Clinical results of all attempted endovascular aneurysm repairs from 1999 to 2001 with the AneuRx stent graft in the northern California/Nevada region were reviewed. All cases performed in 23 hospitals by 21 endovascular treatment teams were included on an intent-to-treat basis. Community physician training, proctoring, and assistance in case selection was provided by the manufacturer, with outcome monitored by external physician observers and clinical vascular specialists. Results in 22 community hospitals were compared with concurrent results in the regional university hospital training center and with results from the controlled, multicenter AneuRx clinical trial. Results: Endovascular aneurysm repair was attempted in 257 patients by 20 endovascular teams working in 22 community hospitals. The mean number of cases per team was 13 ± 2 (range, 1 to 36). Patient age was 74.1 ± 6.5 years (89% men and 11% women), and 29% of patients were not candidates for open surgical repair because of multiple medical comorbidities. Mean aneurysm diameter was 5.7 ± 0.8 cm. The endoluminal stent graft was successfully deployed in 254 patients (98.8%). In two patients, iliac access could not be obtained, and in one case, the iliac limb was misdeployed and the patient underwent successful open surgical repair. The surgical conversion rate was two of 257 patients (0.8%). The 30-day mortality rate was 1.2%, with one patient dying of stroke, one of multisystem organ failure, and one of cerebral hemorrhage. No device-related deaths occurred. Secondary procedures were performed in 8% of patients. Primary graft patency rate was 98%, and secondary graft patency rate was 100%. Concurrent university training center experience with 100 patients with similar characteristics and aneurysm size was not statistically different (deployment success rate, 100%; 30-day mortality rate, 0%; surgical conversion rate, 0%; secondary procedure rate, 8%). No aneurysm ruptures and no late surgical conversions have been seen in either the community or university experience, with follow-up periods extending to 2 years. Conclusion: Early results of endovascular aneurysm repair introduced into community practice are favorable. Initial community experience, with clinical support from the manufacturer, does not appear to differ significantly from concurrent results in the university training center or from results reported from the multicenter controlled clinical trial with the same device. (J Vasc Surg 2002;36:226-33.)
Prediction of smart substations' network traffic based on improved particle swarm wavelet neural networks

Compared with traditional substation, smart substations has process layer network, which functions as the secondary circuit of traditional substation protection an d is actually equivalent to relay protection and automatic safety devices. Once an exception occurs in the network traffic of process layer, the reliability, rapidity and agility of relay protection action will be affected instantly. According to the characteristics of network traffic of smart substations, a network traffic prediction model, which is based on improved particle swarm wavelet neural network, is proposed in this paper to assist decision-making for the network performance analysis and prediction, network failures and virus invasion warning of smart substations. Experiments have been carried out and validated the high accuracy and fast convergence of the prediction model, which could improve the accuracy and rapidity of smart substation network traffic prediction and ensure the safe operation of grid.
Experimental reproduction of bovine Salmonella encephalopathy using a norepinephrine-based stress model

Neurological disease represents a sporadic but serious manifestation of bovine salmonellosis that is thought to be related to systemic infection. Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin (S. Dublin) is the serovar most associated with systemic infection in cattle, although reports of neurological disease associated with S. Dublin or any other serovar are rare and usually anecdotal. This study reports the involvement of three strains of S. enterica, serovars Saintpaul, Montevideo, and Enteritidis, in Salmonella encephalopathies. Encephalopathies were reproduced in calves using a norepinephrine-based stress model. Neurological signs were not observed in calves infected with control strains of S. enterica, including S. Dublin, or in calves infected with clinical strains in the absence of norepinephrine. Therefore, norepinephrine may play a role in Salmonella encephalopathies.