cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis of cost and clinical outcome in palliation for advanced pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background The optimal palliative method for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer remains controversial. Methods A retrospective chart review evaluated patients who underwent exploration for presumed resectable pancreatic cancer. Cost-based analysis was performed using relative value units (RVUs) that included the initial surgical procedure and any additional procedure required to achieve satisfactory palliation. Results Of 96 patients (1993–2002), 6% had biliary bypass, 42% had duodenal bypass, 40% had double bypass, and 13% had no procedure with equivalent clinical outcomes. If biliary bypass was not initially performed, there was a significant incidence of biliary complications before definitive endoscopic stenting ( P = .01). If duodenal bypass was not initially performed, 11% developed duodenal obstruction ( P = .04). Total RVUs was highest for a double bypass and lowest for no initial surgical palliative procedure. Conclusions Although surgical bypass procedures at initial exploration provide durable palliation, these procedures are associated with greater costs.
Towards context aware data fusion: Modeling and integration of situationally qualified human observations to manage uncertainty in a hard+soft fusion process

This paper presents a framework for characterizing errors associated with different categories of human observation combined with a method for integrating these into a hard+soft data fusion system. Error characteristics of human observers (often referred to as soft data sensors) have typically been artificially generated and lack contextual considerations that in a real-world application can drastically change the accuracy and precision of these characteristics. The proposed framework and method relies on error values that change based upon known and unknown states of qualifying variables empirically shown to affect observation accuracy under different contexts. This approach allows fusion systems to perform uncertainty alignment on data coming from human observers. The preprocessed data yields a more complete and reliable situation assessment when it is processed by data association and stochastic graph matching algorithms. This paper also provides an approach and results of initial validation testing of the proposed methodology. The testing approach leverages error characterization models for several exemplar categories of observation in combination with simulated synthetic data. Results have shown significant performance improvements with respect to both data association and situation assessment fusion processes with an average F-measure improvement of 0.16 and 0.20 for data association and situation assessment respectively. These F-measure improvements are representative of fewer incorrect and missed associations and fewer graph matching results, which then must be considered by human analysts. These benefits are expected to translate into a reduction of the overall cognitive workload facing human analysts in situations where they are tasked with developing and maintaining situational awareness.
The quasi-stationary state approximation to coupled mass transport and fluid-rock interaction in a porous medium

Abstract The quasi-stationary state approximation to mass transport and fluid-rock interaction provides a quantitative description of metasomatic processes over geologically significant time spans. The time evolution of a geochemical system within the quasi-stationary state approximation is represented by a sequence of stationary states. Each stationary state describes the fluid composition and rates of reacting minerals as a function of distance corresponding to a particular state of alteration of the host rock. Because time steps separating stationary states are not restricted by stability and accuracy requirements as apply to conventional finite difference algorithms, geologic time spans are attainable for complex geochemical systems. The approximation is valid if mineral reaction zone boundaries, surface area, porosity and permeability change slowly compared to the time required to establish a stationary state. The propagation in time of mineral alteration zones can be predicted without any additional assumptions of the functional relationship of the zone boundaries on time. Pure advective mass transport within the quasi-stationary state approximation is equivalent to a multiple reaction path description of combined fluid flow and chemical reaction based on a Lagrangian reference frame. The validity of the quasi-stationary state approximation is examined for reaction of the minerals calcite and quartz. An exact expression is obtained for the velocity and position of the dissolution front formed in a single component system for a linear kinetic rate law. Under certain conditions the velocity of the front is independent of the reaction rate constant and surface area and equal to the local equilibrium result. The mineral volume fraction profile depends linearly on the rate constant and surface area in the vicinity of the front. Numerical and analytical examples for the dissolution of quartz at 550°C and 1 kb are in excellent agreement with numerical finite difference calculations based on exact transient mass conservation equations. Finally, the quasi-stationary state approximation is applied to the hydrochemical weathering of K-feldspar resulting from infiltrating rainwater. Product minerals gibbsite, kaolinite and muscovite form alteration zones which propagate with time in response to the reduction in surface area and, eventually, complete reaction of the dissolving K-feldspar mineral grains. During the initial stages of alteration gibbsite forms directly from K-feldspar, but in later stages forms indirectly from kaolinite.
Aerodynamic Analysis of a Generic Fighter Using Delayed Detached-Eddy Simulation

The modular transonic vortex interaction configuration was developed at the NASA Langley Research Center to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of a generic fighter incorporating a chined fuselage and delta wing. Previous experiments showed that the fuselage and leading-edge vortex interactions are detrimental to the vehicle's aerodynamic characteristics for angles of attack greater than 23 deg at low angles of sideslip. This is largely due to abrupt asymmetric vortex breakdown, which leads to pronounced pitch-up and significant nonlinearities in lateral stability that could result in roll departure. An improved understanding of the exact origins of this nonlinear behavior would improve future fighter design, and predictive capabilities of such nonlinearities could drastically reduce the cost associated with flight testing new or modified aircraft. The nonlinearities experienced by the modular transonic vortex interaction configuration at a 30 deg angle of attack, Reynolds number of 2.68 x 10 6 , and Mach number of 0.4 are computed using delayed detached-eddy simulation. Computational predictions of rolling moment compare very well with previous wind-tunnel experiments at the same conditions, including the abrupt nonlinear increase in rolling moment as a function of sideslip angle at small sideslip angles. A detailed investigation of the computational fluid dynamic data confirms that this nonlinearity is due to a rapid change in the flowfield structures from symmetric to asymmetric vortex breakdown.
Neural computation with efficient population codes

Brain function depends on populations of neurons that perform computations on perceptually and behaviorally relevant variables. One of the main goals of neuroscience is to understand how the responses of populations of neurons and the connectivity patterns between groups of neurons allow brains to perform a wide range of neural computations. The Neural Engineering Framework (NEF) is a promising approach to designing neural models that perform many neural computations [1,2]. The central thesis behind the NEF is that populations of neurons represent, and perform computations on, low-dimensional time-dependent variables. By characterizing how neurons in a population encode a variable, and how the variable can be decoded from the distributed representation, functioning neural circuits are constructed that allow a comparison with experimental data at a range of levels from single neuron responses to connectivity patterns to perceptual and behavioral performance. The particular models that result from this approach depend on how the neural encoding and decoding processes are characterized. This is where emerging principles of neural computation constrain models of neural encoding and decoding. We describe how efficient codes are used to design neural circuit models that perform a wide variety of computations. The fundamental characteristic of the efficient code is that the neural representation is adapted to the statistics of the environment. Here, we take an efficient code to be one where the preferred stimuli are drawn from the prior distribution and the neural tuning curves are proportional to the likelihood function [3-6]. We show that in an efficient code, a general center-of-mass decoder can extract Bayesian estimates of encoded variables or functions of encoded variables, which allows for the construction of networks that perform many computations [3,4]. Networks constructed using the method we describe have several nice functional properties and match many experimental observations. First, neural tuning properties match the statistics of the variables they process. Second, in this framework, normalization is an essential computation at each stage of processing. This is consistent with normalization being described as a canonical neural computation [7]. Also, computation in networks of neurons using efficient coding is robust to neuronal loss and uses local connection rules. Finally, the networks we describe are flexible and can incorporate changes to environmental statistics or goals using gain modulation or changes in tuning curve widths. The overall result is to show the importance of several emerging principles of neural computation in an already successful modeling framework.
Lower bounds on the eigenvalue sums of the Schrödinger operator and the spectral conservation law

We consider the Schrodinger operator H = −Δ − V(x), V > 0, acting in the space $ L^2 (\mathbb{R}^d) $ and study relations between the behavior of V at infinity and properties of the negative spectrum of H. Bibliography: 34 titles.
Nanomechanical characterization and mechanical integrity of unaged and aged Li-ion battery cathodes

Abstract Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been implemented for numerous applications, one of which is in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and pure electric vehicles (EV). In an effort to prolong battery life it is important to understand the mechanisms that cause reduced battery capacity with aging. In this work, nanomechanical characterization and mechanical integrity studies were carried out on unaged and aged LiFePO 4 battery cathodes using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoindentation. Changes in hardness, elastic modulus, creep, nanowear, nanoscratch and nanofriction properties were measured. Measured changes are believed to occur as a result of coarsening and agglomeration of LiFePO 4 nanoparticles.
Cross-dialysis in the treatment of experimental fulminant hepatic coma.

Abstract Fulminant hepatic failure carries a very poor prognosis in spite of recent advances in certain metabolic and extracorporeal treatments. Working on the principle that there is a wide variety of molecular changes in this condition we developed a model of liver necrosis and subsequently applied crossdialysis across membranes of different pore sizes. A Kiil type of dialyzer was used. Consistent predictable coma occurred with this new model at 7 to 10 hr after the procedure and death by 12 to 14 hr. Cross-perfusion improved both coma and survival in 3 out of 3 experiments; cross-dialysis across different membranes improved coma in 7 out of 10 cases and improved survival in 3 out of 10.
The Description of Material Symmetry in Materials with Memory

Two forms of the conventional procedure for describing material symmetry are presented in the context of the mechanics of materials with memory, in which the stress matrix at time t is assumed to be a functional of the history of the deformation gradient matrix in the time interval [t 0, t]. In one of these forms the particle considered is identified by its position at time t 0 and in the other by its position at time t. This procedure is contrasted with that proposed by Noll in 1958. Unlike the conventional procedure, in that of Noll the concepts of material symmetry and material frame indifference are inextricably intertwined. Moreover, it does not have general applicability to areas of continuum physics other than mechanics, as does the conventional procedure.
Duplex scanning of the inferior epigastric artery

Abstract Purpose: The inferior epigastric artery (IEGA) has been used as a conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting. Because of varying lengths, diameters, and depths, a method of determining vessel adequacy before operation was needed. Method: A BioSound Phase II scanner (BioSound, Indianapolis, Ind.) with a 10 MHz probe was used to image the IEGA in 40 patients. Beginning at the common femoral artery and moving superiorly, the external iliac artery is identified with its first branch, which is the IEGA. The IEGA is located deep in the rectus muscle, along the posterior rectus sheath. Frequent measurements of the diameter and depth are taken along the length of the IEGA. Results: When comparing the group of patients in whom there was operative confirmation of the ultrasound findings, we found, on the right side, a mean length of 9.0 cm and mean diameter of 2.4 mm by ultrasonography and 10.5 mm and 2.4 mm at operation. On the left side the findings were 9.6 cm and 2.6 mm by ultrasonography and 11 cm and 2.6 mm at operation. There was one wound complication in an IEGA harvest site that had a body wall thickness of less than 4 cm (1/23; 4.2%), but all four sites with a body wall thickness of 4 cm or greater developed wound complications (4/4; 100%). Conclusion: The use of duplex scanning of the IEGA before operation provided excellent information about the length, diameter, depth, and patency of the vessel. Preoperative scanning prevented unnecessary dissection when the IEGA was not of adequate length or diameter. It was also very useful in providing information regarding risk of wound complications in obese patients. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:559-62.)
Restriction of Vaccinia Virus Replication in CHO Cells Occurs at the Stage of Viral Intermediate Protein Synthesis

Abstract Vaccinia virus (VV) and cowpox virus (CPV) differ in their abilities to replicate in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells because VV has a disrupted host range ( hr ) gene. To facilitate an examination of the molecular events associated with abortive infection of CHO cells with VV, we constructed two sets of recombinant viruses that contain a viral early promoter regulating the cat gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and viral intermediate or late promoters regulating the lacZ gene encoding β-galactosidase. The first set has the disrupted hr gene and the second set has the intact CPV homolog, allowing replication in CHO cells. Reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase and β-galactosidase assays demonstrated that early gene expression was unperturbed, whereas intermediate and late gene expression were severely inhibited under abortive conditions. Metabolic labeling studies confirmed the absence of viral late protein synthesis. The accumulation of viral DNA under abortive conditions was consistent with the synthesis of viral early proteins and established that inhibition of late protein synthesis was not primarily due to a replicative block. Analysis of steady state levels of viral mRNAs revealed substantial quantities of early and intermediate species but only very small amounts of late mRNAs under nonpermissive conditions. Despite the presence of viral intermediate mRNAs, the corresponding intermediate proteins, which function as late transcription factors, were not detected by immunoprecipitation of lysates from metabolically labeled infected CHO cells. Furthermore, when expression of lacZ was regulated by an intermediate promoter, no β-galactosidase was detected even though lacZ transcripts were present. Thus, the abortive phenotype in CHO cells can be explained by a block to translation of intermediate mRNAs which prevents the synthesis of late transcription factors.
Keeping pace with permanent pacemakers.

Find out how they work, how to recognize their activity on an ECG, troubleshooting tips, and what patients need to know.
Women and HIV infection: The makings of a midlife crisis

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral agents, women with HIV infection can expect to live longer than ever before. This increased survival has led to concerns about the long-term implications of HIV disease and its treatment. Women with HIV infection appear to lose ovarian function earlier in life than women without HIV infection. They also have evidence of reduced bone mineral density and increased cardiovascular risk. Moreover, many of these increases in risk factors are present even prior to the menopausal transition. All of these risks, present at midlife, augur poorly for future health and describe a substantially increased burden of disease likely to accrue to HIV-infected women as they enter older age groups. Further compounding the adversity faced by the HIV infected, the demographics of women most vulnerable to this disease include adverse social and economic influences, both of which worsen their long-term prognosis. For example, drug use and poverty are related to more severe menopausal symptoms and chronic stress is related to worse psychological and cardiovascular risk. An understanding of how menopause interacts with HIV infection is therefore most important to alert the clinician to perform surveillance for common health problems in postmenopausal women, and to address directly and appropriately symptomatology during the menopausal transition.
Construction of dense linkage maps “on the fly” using early generation wheat breeding populations

In plant species, construction of framework linkage maps to facilitate quantitative trait loci mapping and molecular breeding has been confined to experimental mapping populations. However, development and evaluation of these populations is detached from breeding efforts for cultivar development. In this study, we demonstrate that dense and reliable linkage maps can be constructed using extant breeding populations derived from a large number of crosses, thus eliminating the need for extraneous population development. Using 565 segregating F1 progeny from 28 four-way cross breeding populations, a linkage map of the hexaploid wheat genome consisting of 3,785 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci and 22 simple sequence repeat loci was developed. Map estimation was facilitated by application of mapping algorithms for general pedigrees implemented in the software package CRI-MAP. The developed linkage maps showed high rank-order concordance with a SNP consensus map developed from seven mapping studies. Therefore, the linkage mapping methodology presented here represents a resource efficient approach for plant breeding programs that enables development of dense linkage maps “on the fly” to support molecular breeding efforts.
Mining diverse small RNA species in the deep transcriptome

Transcriptomes of many species are proving to be exquisitely diverse, and many investigators are now using high-throughput sequencing to quantify non-protein-coding RNAs, namely small RNAs (sRNA). Unfortunately, most studies are focused solely on microRNA changes, and many investigators are not analyzing the full compendium of sRNA species present in their large datasets. We provide here a rationale to include all types of sRNAs in sRNA sequencing analyses, which will aid in the discovery of their biological functions and physiological relevance.
Transforming growth factor-β in calcium alginate beads for the treatment of articular cartilage defects in the rabbit

Abstract Purpose: Articular cartilage has only limited capability for intrinsic repair. The use of growth factors has been suggested to improve the repair of cartilage after injury. Reliable delivery systems for these agents are needed. In this study we tested calcium alginate for the delivery of TGF-β in the treatment of osteochondral defects in the rabbit knee. Type of Study: Randomized trial animal study and basic science study. Methods: In vitro, to establish the kinetics of TGF-β release from the alginate, 125 I- labeled TGF-β was suspended in 1.2% sodium alginate at concentrations of 1 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL. Beads were formed from 50 μL aliquots and placed into standard culture medium by immersion in calcium chloride solution and incubated at 37° C. A gamma counter was used to measure the amount of TGF-β that was released into the medium at various time points. In vivo, osteochondral defects were created in the trochlear grooves of 32 New Zealand White rabbits. Defects were treated with plain alginate or with alginate containing TGF-β at 20 ng/mL or 2,000 ng/mL. Untreated defects served as a control. Animals were killed after 6 and 12 weeks. Knee joints were evaluated grossly with a 12-point grading scale. Histologic sections of the repair tissue were stained with Safranin O and evaluated using a 24-point grading scale by 2 independent blinded observers. Mean scores and standard deviations were calculated. P values were determined using the Student t test. Results: The TGF-β was released at a surprisingly slow but steady rate. Release rates extrapolated from the gamma counter measurements were 0.25% per hour and 0.33% per hour, for the 1 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL beads, respectively. Gross analysis scores at 6 and 12 weeks resulted in higher scores for both TGF-β groups without reaching statistical significance. The lower TGF-β concentration reached the highest scores, whereas the higher concentration (2,000 ng/mL) resulted in increased osteophyte formation. Histologic analysis at 6 weeks resulted in average scores ranging from 14.5 for empty defects and 18.1 for alginate-treated defects, to 20.0 and 20.3 for the 2,000 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL TGF-β groups, respectively ( P P Conclusions: The use of alginate allows the controlled delivery of TGF-β selectively to the site of injury, potentially avoiding systemic side effects. Furthermore, treatment with TGF-β appears to improve the repair of articular cartilage defects. Longer-term studies are needed to assess whether the benefits of the TGF-β treatment can be sustained. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 18, No 8 (October), 2002: pp 892–900
THE VOLATILE MATTER, ORGANIC CARBON AND NITROGEN CONTENTS OF TREE SPECIES GROWN IN CLOSE STANDS

In a previous paper (Ovington, 1956) the fresh and dry weights were given of a number of forest plantations at three series of experimental plots located in the forests of Thetford Chase, Bedgebury and the Forest of Dean. As early as 285 B.C., Theophrastus (Hort, I9I6) had commented on the differences of texture and ash in the woods obtained from various tree species. The mineral and organic constituents of trees differ considerably between parts of the same tree, from species to species, and even for trees of the same species grown at different localities, so that the dry matter produced varies not only in quantity but also in quality. In the present paper an account is given of the different amounts of volatile matter, carbon and nitrogen contained in the trees and plantations at the three experimental areas. Further analysis has been completed and it is hoped to report the results of this later.
NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL, PHYCHOLOGICAL, AND NUTRITIONAL INVESTIGATIONS DURING DISCONTINUATION OF THE PHENYLALANINE-RESTRICTED DIET IN CHILDREN WITH CLASSIC PHENYLKETONURIA

Assessment of cortical sensory and psychological functions in children with classic phenylketonuria during the time period of diet discontinuation did not uncover any significant changes when pre-diet and post-diet termination data were compared. Analysis of relationships among the study variables found that children who had adequate dietary control and who were of average or above average intelligence displayed normal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) whereas those children with less adequate dietary control and lower IQ scores had atypical SEP waveforms.
The rate of uptake and radioautographic localization of S35 in the central nervous system, pituitary, and skeletal muscle of the normal male rat after the injection of S35-labeled cystine.

Several studies which demonstrate or suggest an uptake of various amino acids by the central nervous system (CNS) have been reported by a number of workers. Of these, perhaps methionine has been the most thoroughly investigated. Cystine, which may be derived from methionine, has received scant attention despite its presence in the neurosecretory peptides. Therefore, the following investigations were performed to determine the rate and sites of uptake of S35-l-cystine into the CNS, pituitary, and muscle after either intravenous or intraperitoneal injection. Thirty-five adult and six 5-week-old male rats were used. The data were obtained by means of radioautography or by gas-flow couning of tissue samples following various combustion procedures. A definite uptake of S35 into the CNS and other tissues was noted in both adult and young animals, the uptake in the young males being 6.5 times higher than in adults. The S35 activity in the brain was shown by ascending paper chromatographic analysis of several hydrolyzed brain samples to be mainly associated with cystine. The presence of some TCA-precipitable S35 (presumably as cystine) in the brain after intravenous injection suggests that some of this highly insoluble amino acid, which has apparently passed through the blood-brain barrier, has also become incorporated into neural protein.
Nuclear modification factor in d + Au collisions: onset of suppression in the color glass condensate

Abstract We perform a quantitative analysis of the nuclear modification factor in deuteron–gold collisions R d Au within the Color Glass Condensate approach, and compare our results with the recent data from RHIC experiments. Our model leads to Cronin enhancement at mid-rapidity, while at forward rapidities it predicts strong suppression of R d Au at all p T due to low- x evolution. We demonstrate that our results are consistent with the data for dAu charged hadron spectra, R d Au and R CP recently reported for rapidities in the interval η = 0 – 3.2 by the BRAHMS experiment at RHIC. We also make a prediction for R pA at mid-rapidity in pA collisions at the LHC.
Microfluidic device for multimodal characterization of pancreatic islets

A microfluidic device to perfuse pancreatic islets while simultaneously characterizing their functionality through fluorescence imaging of the mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in addition to enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) quantification of secreted insulin was developed and characterized. This multimodal characterization of islet function will facilitate rapid assessment of tissue quality immediately following isolation from donor pancreas and allow more informed transplantation decisions to be made which may improve transplantation outcomes. The microfluidic perfusion chamber allows flow rates of up to 1 mL min−1, without any noticeable perturbation or shear of islets. This multimodal quantification was done on both mouse and human islets. The ability of this simple microfluidic device to detect subtle variations in islet responses in different functional assays performed in short time-periods demonstrates that the microfluidic perfusion chamber device can be used as a new gold standard to perform comprehensive islet analysis and obtain a more meaningful predictive value for islet functionality prior to transplantation into recipients, which is currently difficult to predict using a single functional assay.
On the solution H1(μ) of Ambarzumian-Chandrasekhar H-equation

Abstract It is shown in a simple manner why the H-equation admits two solutions and how they are related to each other. A justification for rejecting the solution H 1 (μ) is given without referring to the auxiliary equation for the source function.
Environmental influences upon mercury, radon and helium concentrations in soil gases at a site near Denver, Colorado

Abstract Variations in soil gas Hg, Rn and He concentrations and meterological variables were monitored daily at one site over a period of 22 months. Air and soil temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, soil moisture, wind direction and velocity, soil freeze-thaw, water table elevation, crustal strain and gas emissions were determined simultaneously in order to assess the influence of the environmental variables on gas emission. Mercury concentrations were found to be higher in the summer while Rn and He concentrations were higher in the winter. It is hypothesized that adsorption-desorption controls the migration of Hg whereas Rn and He concentrations are controlled by diffusion and mass transport. Gas emissions respond to seasonal and shorter-term changes in environmental conditions. Stepwise multiple regression using gas emissions as the dependent variables suggests that environmental parameters account for 62% of the total Hg variance, 83% of the total Rn variance, and 33% of the total He variance. Temperature, barometric pressure and soil moisture exert the most influence on gas emissions with temperature effects dominating gas emissions throughout the year. Soil gas emissions display a predictable behavior during winter and summer when more stable meteorological conditions exist. During the transitional seasons of spring and fall, soil gas emissions become erratic and exhibit increased variability. Environmental variables are interrelated and appear to control the manner of gas migration. Increased adsorption by solids during the season of falling temperature decreases soil gas Hg −1 , which is desorbed as the soil warms in the spring. Transport of Rn and He is primarily by convection. During the winter months, air temperatures are less than soil temperatures promoting upward movement of Rn and He by convection. During the summer, soil temperatures are less than air temperatures and an inversion layer below the level of sampling reduces upward flux and observed concentration.
National Cancer Data Base report on esophageal carcinoma

BACKGROUND The prognosis for patients with esophageal carcinoma is poor, with less than fifty percent surviving 1 year after diagnosis. Although diagnostic and staging methods have improved, a large proportion of patients present with advanced disease. Research is being conducted to determine what multimodality treatment regimens provide the best local control and survival. METHODS Using the National Cancer Data Base's most current accrual of oncologic data for cases diagnosed in 1988 and 1993, patterns of care and outcome were analyzed for esophageal carcinoma. RESULTS A substantial increase was demonstrated between 1988 and 1993 in the proportion of esophageal adenocarcinomas and patients presenting with Stage IV disease. The therapeutic regimen most frequently employed in 1993 was combined radiation therapy and chemotherapy, which rose 8.2% from 22% in 1988. CONCLUSIONS The dramatic rise across the years of this study in the occurrence of esophageal adenocarcinomas indicates a need for developing strategies to evaluate Barrett's preneoplastic mucosal changes more precisely. The increasing use of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy reflects the results of randomized trials that have demonstrated improved response and outcome for this combined regimen compared with radiation therapy alone. There was no substantial increase in the use of surgical resection with chemotherapy and radiation therapy throughout these years. Cancer 1996;78:1820-8.
The individual investor in the market: Forming a belief regarding market efficiency

Abstract Do the actions of investors drive the market toward efficiency or do investors utilize fads and other information unrelated to the true value of the security to drive the market away from efficiency? Investors have been forced to examine a multitude of challenges to the efficient markets hypothesis in recent years. One of the most formidable of the challenges is the “excessive market price volatility” argument. We examine this argument, as presented in the “variance bounds” literature, and conclude that, although markets may be inefficient, the “variance bounds” literature has not proved the case conclusively.
Perceptions about computers and the internet in a pediatric clinic population.

Background.—A digital divide with respect to computer and Internet access has been noted in numerous studies and reports. Equally important to ownership is comfort with computers and Internet technology, and concerns about privacy of personal data. Objective.—To measure how households in a pediatric clinic vary in their attitudes toward computers, concerns about Internet confidentiality, and comfort using the Internet and whether these views are associated with household income or education. Design/Methods.—A phone survey was administered to a population-based sample of parents with children aged 0 to 11 years. All children received medical care from a community-based clinic network serving patients in King County, Wash. Results.—Eighty-eight percent of respondents used a computer once a week or more, and 83% of respondents reported favorable feelings toward computers. Although 97% of respondents were willing to share personal information over the Internet, many respondents considered data security important. While household income and parental education were associated with comfort and familiarity with computers, the effect is small. Respondents who already owned a computer and had Internet access did not differ in their perceptions according to socioeconomic or educational attainment. Conclusions.—Most families like using computers and feel comfortable using the Internet regardless of socioeconomic status. Fears about the digital divide's impact on the attitudes of parents toward computers or their comfort using the Internet should not be seen as a barrier to developing Internet-based health interventions for a pediatric clinic population.
The effect of herbal medicines on platelet function: an in vivo experiment and review of the literature.

Background: Herbal medicines are used by a considerable number of surgical patients. An increased risk of bleeding, substantiated by anecdotal reports, has been attributed to the use of certain herbs, and numerous in vitro experiments have identified some herbal extracts as platelet inhibitors. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether standard commercial preparations of commonly used herbal medicines have an effect on platelet function in vivo and, by extension, to provide clinical scientific evidence of the safety of their use in the perioperative period. Methods: Five commercially available herbal agents were investigated, including Ginkgo biloba, garlic, Asian ginseng, St. John’s wort, and saw palmetto. In a blinded fashion, one of the agents was administered to 10 adult volunteers at the manufacturer’s recommended dose for 2 weeks. At the end of the 2-week period, in vivo platelet function was quantified using the PFA-100 assay. After a 2-week “washout” period, the protocol was repeated using a different agent. This 4-week cycle was repeated for each of the five herbal agents, as well as the control agent aspirin. Results: In vivo platelet function was not affected by the administration of any herbal agent and was markedly inhibited with the administration of aspirin. Conclusions: The herbal medicines investigated in this study do not affect platelet function in vivo. Neither this experiment nor a review of the literature supports the concern of perioperative bleeding in users of these herbal medicines.
Isolated adult lymphadenopathy: a rare presentation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Abstract Intro Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease involving the proliferation of histiocytes in one or more organ systems. The presentation of LCH is more common in the pediatric population and rarely occurs within the adult population. Isolated lymph node involvement is an extremely rare presentation of the disease. The authors present a case of isolated lymph node LCH in an otherwise healthy adult female and discuss management strategies for these unusual findings. Methods A case report of a patient at a tertiary care facility in June 2014 is discussed. Results/Discussion The diagnosis, clinical course, and management strategies for isolated adult LCH are discussed and reviewed. Conclusion Langerhans cell histiocytosis rarely presents with isolated lymph node involvement in adults. Management and surveillance algorithms are discussed in this unusual case of seemingly benign lymphadenopathy.
Empirical Hankel norm model reduction with application to a prototype nonlinear convective flow

In this paper we develop and apply an empirical Hankel norm model reduction technique to a Galerkin model. The latter is obtained by projecting the governing equations of a nonlinear convective flow on its proper orthogonal decomposition basis. The nonlinear convective flow is chosen as a prototype problem and has the same nonlinearity as the Navier-Stokes equations which govern general fluid flows.
Work, aging and dependency in a Sherpa population in Nepal

Abstract This paper suggests a conceptual framework for the cross-cultural study of dependency in order to encourage and facilitate data-based cross-cultural comparisons. It offers an etic, operational definition encompassing biological, activity and economic components. It also emphasizes that the emic definition is crucial for understanding a situation. The utility of distinguishing several components of an etic definition of dependency and distinguishing etic from emic definitions is illustrated using the examples of Sherpas in Helambu, Nepal. From the etic viewpoint, the Sherpas are apparently healthy, economically productive and physically active and therefore lie near the independent end of the dependency continuum. The recent emigration of many young adults has produced a demographic situation where few elderly can achieve their expectation of growing old while sharing their own households with their youngest son and his family. Although family life is valued and most elderly Sherpas have other offspring and other relatives in the village, the majority of elderly Sherpa live alone and express dissatisfaction at doing so. From their standpoint, reliance upon someone other than the youngest son for lodging or food is considered prejoratively and as dependency. Their emic definition of dependency is different from the Western definition and both differ from what we have referred to as etic dependency.
The immunology of corneal xenotransplantation: a review of the literature

As the worldwide demand for human donor corneas far exceeds supply, there is a need for a new source of corneas for clinical transplantation. Genetically engineered pigs may prove to be that new source, particularly as current evidence indicates that the anatomical and biomechanical properties of human and pig corneas are similar. Experience with clinical and experimental corneal xenotransplantation has been comprehensively reviewed and is summarized. Studies in small and large animal models have documented that both humoral and cellular immune responses play roles in xenograft rejection. Recent progress in the genetic manipulation of pigs has led to the prospect that clinical corneal xenotransplantation, in the absence of exogenous immunosuppressive therapy, may become successful in the foreseeable future.
Environmental Factors That Contribute to Upper Eyelid Ptosis: A Study of Identical Twins

Background Current literature provides little information about the impact of environmental exposures on the severity of acquired blepharoptosis. Objective The authors assessed environmental factors that may contribute to eyelid ptosis in a population of identical twins. Methods Photographs of 286 sets of twins from a prospectively collected database from 2008 to 2010 were reviewed. The authors identified 96 sets of identical twins (192 individual persons) who had differing severity of ptosis. Digital photographs were analyzed, and the degree of ptosis was measured in each eye of every subject. The external factors that could potentially contribute to blepharoptosis were taken into consideration. The authors then assessed the correlations of 9 different environmental risk factors with ptosis. Generalized linear mixed model were constructed to determine the associations of ptosis measurements with environmental risk factors obtained from the subject survey database. Results The mean level of upper eyelid ptosis in the study population was 1.1 mm. The mean difference in ptosis between twins was 0.5 mm. Wearing contact lenses, either hard or soft, was significantly associated with ptosis. The mean ptosis measurement among twins who did not wear contact lenses was 1.0 mm; for those who wore soft contact lenses, the mean was 1.41 mm, and for those who wore hard contact lenses, the mean was 1.84 mm. Conclusions Acquired ptosis is not linked to body mass index, smoking behavior, sun exposure, alcohol use, work stress, or sleep. Wearing either hard or soft lenses was associated with an increased risk of ptosis. These influences are independent of genetic predisposition. Level of Evidence 3![Graphic][1] Diagnostic [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
An FPGA Implementation of Decision Tree Classification

Data mining techniques are a rapidly emerging class of applications that have widespread use in several fields. One important problem in data mining is classification, which is the task of assigning objects to one of several predefined categories. Among the several solutions developed, decision tree classification (DTC) is a popular method that yields high accuracy while handling large datasets. However, DTC is a computationally intensive algorithm, and as data sizes increase, its running time can stretch to several hours. In this paper, we propose a hardware implementation of decision tree classification. We identify the compute-intensive kernel (Gini score computation) in the algorithm, and develop a highly efficient architecture, which is further optimized by reordering the computations and by using a bitmapped data structure. Our implementation on a Xilinx Virtex-II Pro FPGA platform (with 16 Gini units) provides up to 5.58times performance improvement over an equivalent software implementation
Fascism, Industrialism and Socialism: The Case of Italy

The correlation between socialism and industrialism was found to be. 30. Thus, there is a small positive correlation between the two factors. That is, socialism tends to occur most strongly in industrial areas; however, the relation is not especially strong.The correlation between socialism and fascism as measured by violence per 100,000 population was found to be. 55. Thus there is a fairly strongest.
A crossbridge for measurement of gate-limited source/drain diffusion

For self-aligned CMOS technology a test structure for measuring and controlling the electrical width of the source-drain diffusion, the gate-limited source drain crossbridge, and supporting electrical data is described. The results of the linewidth measurements are shown. The distribution of the difference between the polysilicon line spacing and the source-drain diffusion width is shown. A variation in source-drain diffusion width which is larger than the experimental error and not attributable only to the variation in polysilicon linewidth is detected. Additional factors which contribute to source-drain dimension variations are described. >
Anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody prevalence in the JCV Epidemiology in MS (JEMS) trial.

Background and purpose Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is caused by reactivation of JC virus (JCV) infection due to combined host and viral factors. Anti-JCV antibodies provide a means to assess JCV exposure and stratify PML risk. The reported seroprevalence of anti-JCV antibodies varies from 39% to 91% depending on assay methodology and population studied. A two-step anti-JCV antibody assay (STRATIFY JCV™; Focus Diagnostics, Cypress, CA, USA) detected anti-JCV antibodies in approximately 55% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. This study describes the prevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in a large, multinational MS population. Methods This cross-sectional epidemiology study was designed to enroll a minimum of 2000 patients with an MS diagnosis of any type, irrespective of treatment, from Europe, Canada and Australia. Anti-JCV antibody prevalence was determined by STRATIFY JCV; the effects of demographic and disease characteristics were evaluated. Results A total of 7724 patients from 10 countries participated in the study. Overall anti-JCV antibody prevalence was 57.1% (95% confidence interval 56.0%–58.2%). Seroprevalence was significantly associated with increasing age, gender and country of current residence (P < 0.0001). No significant differences in anti-JCV antibody prevalence were associated with MS disease characteristics, including duration and type of MS and number and duration of MS therapies. Conclusions Overall seroprevalence of anti-JCV antibodies in MS patients from Europe, Canada and Australia was consistent with previous studies using the STRATIFY JCV assay. Anti-JCV prevalence differed significantly by age, gender and country, but no geographical pattern was evident. Disease and treatment type were not associated with differences in anti-JCV antibody status.
Chemokines Referee Inflammation within the Central Nervous System during Infection and Disease

The discovery that chemokines and their receptors are expressed by a variety of cell types within the normal adult central nervous system (CNS) has led to an expansion of their repertoire as molecular interfaces between the immune and nervous systems. Thus, CNS chemokines are now divided into those molecules that regulate inflammatory cell migration into the CNS and those that initiate CNS repair from inflammation-mediated tissue damage. Work in our laboratory throughout the past decade has sought to elucidate how chemokines coordinate leukocyte entry and interactions at CNS endothelial barriers, under both homeostatic and inflammatory conditions, and how they promote repair within the CNS parenchyma. These studies have identified several chemokines, including CXCL12 and CXCL10, as critical regulators of leukocyte migration from perivascular locations. CXCL12 additionally plays an essential role in promoting remyelination of injured white matter. In both scenarios we have shown that chemokines serve as molecular links between inflammatory mediators and other effector molecules involved in neuroprotective processes.
Context-sensitive resource discovery

This paper presents the "Solar" system framework that allows resources to advertise context-sensitive names and for applications to make context-sensitive name queries. The heart of our framework is a small specification language that allows composition of "context-processing operators" to calculate the desired context. Resources use the framework to register names, and applications use the framework to look up context-sensitive name descriptions. The back-end system executes these operators and constantly updates the context values, adjusting advertised names and informing applications about changes. We report experimental results from a prototype, using a modified version of the intentional naming system (INS) as the core directory service.