cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effective-field distributions and resistivity minima in amorphous ferromagnets

We show that the anomalous low-temperature resistivity minima that have been observed in practically all amorphous metals can be explained by a modified Kondo mechanism as suggested by Tsuei. If some spins exist in zero field, even in a ferromagnet, they will give rise to a Kondo minimum in the resistivity. We have performed a Monte Carlo calculation of the effective fields that are present at each ion in a strong ferromagnet such as ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.8}$ ${\mathrm{B}}_{0.2}$, using measured radial distribution functions (RDF's). Including both direct-exchange and Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) interactions, we find no spins which are in zero field. However, if we include superexchange interactions between those next-nearest-neighbor magnetic atoms which are separated by a metalloid atom, there is a long tail in the distributions of fields which goes through zero and is nonzero at relatively large negative fields. This distribution can explain why the resistivity is unaltered in applied magnetic fields of up to 50 kOe. It can also explain why the resistivity minimum can shift to much higher temperatures upon the addition of a second type of magnetic element.
Simultaneous stabilization with fixed closed-loop characteristic polynomial

A solution is given to the problem of simultaneously stabilizing m single-input-single-output plants by one dynamic compensator with the constraint that each closed-loop system has the same characteristic polynomial.
Chinese-type pro in a Romance-type null-subject language

Abstract In this paper, I analyze null subjects in absolute clauses (AC) in Spanish, comparing them to finite-clause null subjects and infinitival subjects. AC null subjects mostly pattern like finite-clause null subjects, but they cannot be identified by a rich inflection and they require a grammatically encoded antecedent (like some infinitival subjects). I propose that AC null subjects must be identified by a topic operator through the operation of AGREE, a matching operation between two categories in which one of them copies its values to the other. AC null subjects remain unvalued in their own clause, seeking an antecedent in the preceding clause through a mediating null topic in the absolute clause’s periphery. Finite-clause null subjects, on the other hand, are identified within their own clause by verbal morphology through the same AGREE mechanism. Two distinct ways of relating null subjects to discourse-antecedents are proposed, one for finite-clause subjects, one for absolute-clause subjects. By proposing a distinct discourse-identification process not mediated by rich agreement, this proposal opens the door to a unified theory of null referential categories, in which discourse-topic identification plays a central role.
AB initio linear response calculations of the dipole polarizability of the acetylene molecule

Abstract The static and dynamic dipole polarizabilities of C2H2 molecule are calculated using the time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) scheme and its multiconfiguration extension, the MCTDHF method. These methods provide the correct linear response to optimized single configuration and multiconfiguration wavefunctions, respectively. Hence, MCTDHF includes correlation effects for the polarizability. For the static polarizability we find α∥ (0) = 31.37 au and α− (0) = 19.34 au in the TDHF approximation and for an initial MCTDHF calculation including in the complete active space only the 2σg, 2σu, 3σg, 3σu, 1πu and 1πg orbitals α∥ (0) =28.75 au and α− (0) = 17.44 au.
Nonlinear control of the optical delay line pathlength

This paper discusses the problem of designing a control system for an interferometer delay line which contains coarse-vernier loops. The vernier loop compensator has nonlinear dynamics and includes a local feedback path containing a deadzone. This accomplishes two objectives: global stability and good transient response to large signals. In addition, by ensuring global stability in the vernier loop, the gain of the coarse loop may be increased thus providing greater disturbance rejection in the overall loop.
Visual signal detection with two-component noise: low-pass spectrum effects

Detection of signals in natural images and scenes is limited by both noise and structure. The purpose of this study is to investigate phenomenological issues of signal detection in two-component noise. One component had a broadband (white) spectrum designed to simulate image noise. The other component was filtered to simulate two classes of low-pass background structure spectra: Gaussian-filtered noise and power-law noise. Measurements of human and model observer performance are reported for several aperiodic signals and both classes of background spectra. Human results are compared with two classes of observer models and are fitted very well by suboptimal prewhitening matched filter models. The nonprewhitening model with an eye filter does not agree with human results when background-noise-component power spectrum bandwidths are less than signal energy bandwidths.
Organization Structure and Performance: A Critical Review

We examine the literature addressing the empirical relationships, if any, between organization structure and performance, and draw distinctions between “hard” and “soft” performance criteria, subgroup versus organization units of analysis, and “structuring” versus “structural” dimensions of structure. Our concluding recommendations for future research are offered not as the inevitable prescription but rather in the interest of correcting marked deficiencies and imbalances.
Replication initiator DnaA binds at the Caulobacter centromere and enables chromosome segregation

During cell division, multiple processes are highly coordinated to faithfully generate genetically equivalent daughter cells. In bacteria, the mechanisms that underlie the coordination of chromosome replication and segregation are poorly understood. Here, we report that the conserved replication initiator, DnaA, can mediate chromosome segregation independent of replication initiation. It does so by binding directly to the parS centromere region of the chromosome, and mutations that alter this interaction result in cells that display aberrant centromere translocation and cell division. We propose that DnaA serves to coordinate bacterial DNA replication with the onset of chromosome segregation.
The distribution of moderately repeated DNA sequences among Chinese hamster chromosomes

Abstract Mitotic chromosomes isolated from cells of the Chinese hamster M3-1 cell line were fractionated by size by sucrose gradient sedimentation centrifugation. DNA purified from the chromosomes in these fractions was sheared, melted and allowed to reassociate. Analysis of the kinetics of reassociation showed that there exist moderately repeated DNA sequences that are shared among many chromosomes but also moderately repeated sequences that are found only in one (or a few) chromosomes. It was also found that small chromosomes contain a higher proportion of repeated DNA sequences per chromosome than do large chromosomes.
Stoichiometry of Slag Hydration with Calcium Hydroxide

The stoichiometry of the reaction between ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) having an empirical formula of C7.88S7.39M3A and calcium hydroxide (CH) was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to determine the slag consumption as well as the Ca/Si ratio in calcium silicate hydrate gel (C-S-H) products. A tentative stoichiometric ratio of 2.6 mol of CH consumed per mole of slag reacted was determined using two methods. By combining consumption data determined separately for slag and CH a molar stoichiometry of 2.79 was found. Similarly, by directly determining the Ca/Si ratio in the C-S-H gel product, a range for the molar stoichiometry between 1.65 and 3.42 was found. Finally, a comparison of the stoichiometry of the slag/CH reaction was made with slag/portland cement hydration. The basic features of both appear similar. In the C-S-H gel around slag grains, a calcium-to-silica ratio of 1.3 to 1.4 was found for both slag/CH and slag/cement systems.
An Evaluation of Ocean-Climate Theories on the North Atlantic

The role of the oceans in ice-age climatic change has been conceived differently in various publications over the last two decades. Figure 1 summarizes three broad categories into which these viewpoints might be divided. The focus here is on the role of the mid-latitude to high-latitude North Atlantic Ocean.
Theory and method in treatment evaluation

Abstract We outline a conceptual model of evaluation research that has both guided and flowed from our research on the process and outcome of treatment for alcohol abuse and for depression. The conceptual model encompasses three basic processes: the process of treatment selection, the process of treatment, and the process underlying the onset and course of the disorder or problem being treated. A theory guiding a program evaluation can focus on one or more of these processes, and findings from evaluations can contribute to the development of better theories of these processes. We discuss how theories can guide both experimental and naturalistic evaluations, as well as aid in the estimation of treatment effects with either type of design. We then consider the role of theory and method in exploring patient-treatment matching. Finally, we discuss the implications of theory-guidance for the utility of evaluations—particularly the utility for evaluation researchers.
The therapeutic management of differentiated thyroid cancer.

Background: The management of thyroid cancer is difficult because the tumors comprise a wide range of biologic behaviors, from small papillary thyroid microcarcinomas that pose little or no threat ...
Analysis of quasilinear dynamical systems with periodic coefficients via Liapunov—Floquet transformation

Abstract In this paper, a new analysis technique in the study of general quasilinear systems with periodically varying parameters is presented. The method is based on the fact that all quasilinear periodic systems can be replaced by similar systems whose linear parts are time-invariant, via the well-known Liapunov-Floquet (L-F) transformation. A general technique for the computation of the L-F transformation matrices is outlined. In this technique, the state vector and the periodic matrix of the linear system equations are expanded in terms of the shifted Chebyshev polynomials over the principal period. Such an expansion reduces the original problem to a set of linear algebraic equations from which the state transition matrix can be constructed over the period as an explicit function of time. Application of Floquet theory and use of symbolic software yields the L-F transformation matrix in a form suitable for algebraic manipulations. Once the transformation has been applied, the solution of the resulting system is obtained through an application of the time-dependent normal form theory . The method is suitable for both numerical and symbolic computations and in some cases approximate closed form solutions can be obtained. Two simple examples of quasilinear periodic systems—namely, a commutative system with quadratic nonlinearity and a Mathieu equation with cubic non-linearity—are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. For verification, results obtained from the proposed technique are compared with the numerical solutions computed using a standard Runge-Kutta type algorithm. It is shown that the present technique is applicable to systems where the periodic matrix does not contain a small parameter, which is not the case with averaging and perturbation procedures. It can also be used even for those systems for which the generating solutions do not exist in the classical sense.
No association between phosphatase and tensin homolog genetic polymorphisms and colon cancer.

No association between phosphatase and tensin homolog genetic polymorphisms and colon cancer
Role of PknB kinase in antibiotic resistance and virulence in community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300.

The regulation of cellular processes by eukaryote-like serine/threonine kinases is widespread in bacteria. In the last 2 years, several studies have examined the role of serine/threonine kinases in Staphylococcus aureus on cell wall metabolism, autolysis, and virulence, mostly in S. aureus laboratory isolates in the 8325-4 lineage. In this study, we showed that the pknB gene (also called stk1 ) of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain COL and the community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) strain USA300 is involved in cell wall metabolism, with the pknB mutant exhibiting enhanced sensitivity to β-lactam antibiotics but not to other classes of antibiotics, including aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin, bactrim, and other types of cell wall-active agents (e.g., vancomycin and bacitracin). Additionally, the pknB mutant of USA300 was found to be more resistant to Triton X-100-induced autolysis and also to lysis by lysostaphin. We also showed that pknB is a positive regulator of sigB activity, resulting in compromise in its response to heat and oxidative stresses. In association with reduced sigB activity, the expression levels of RNAII and RNAIII of agr and the downstream effector hla are upregulated while spa expression is downmodulated in the pknB mutant compared to the level in the parent. Consistent with an enhanced agr response in vitro , virulence studies of the pknB mutant of USA300 in a murine cutaneous model of infection showed that the mutant was more virulent than the parental strain. Collectively, our results have linked the pknB gene in CA-MRSA to antibiotic resistance, sigB activity, and virulence and have highlighted important differences in pknB phenotypes (virulence and sigB activity) between laboratory isolates and the prototypic CA-MRSA strain USA300.
A report on the human computation workshop (HComp 2009)

The first Human Computation Workshop (HComp2009) was held on June 28th, 2009, in Paris, France, collocated with SIGKDD 2009. This report summarizes the workshop, with details of the papers, demos and posters presented. The report also includes common themes, issues, and open questions that came up in the workshop.
Propylene on Pt(111)

Abstract The thermal chemistry of propylene on Pt(111) single-crystal surfaces was studied under vacuum by using temperature-programmed desorption spectroscopy. Besides molecular desorption and hydrogen production from propylene dehydrogenation (first to propylidyne and eventually to surface carbon), a small amount of propane from self-hydrogenation of the olefin is detected at about 280 K. Hydrogen coadsorption weakens the adsorption of propylene on the surface, and enhances the production of propane. In addition to deuteration to propane, deuterium coadsorption with propylene leads to H–D exchange. Multiple exchange is evidenced by the formation of all possible deuterium-substituted propylenes and propanes, including propylene-d6 and propane-d6. A detailed analysis of the data provided support for a mechanism where the slow half-hydrogenation of propylene to propyl species is followed by competitive β-hydride and reductive elimination, to (exchanged) propylene and propane, respectively. The unexpectedly low yields of propylene-d5 and propane-d7 suggest a preferential hydrogenation at the central carbon atom. Most of the propylene that remains on the surface above 350 K dehydrogenates to propylidyne (Pt3CCH2CH3). A small fraction of that species rehydrogenates to propane at 430 K, while the rest undergoes stepwise dehydrogenation to surface carbon. Arguments against the formation of an allylic intermediate are provided, and a comparison with the chemistry of ethylene on the same surface is included.
Lack Of Access Due To Costs Remains A Problem For Some In Massachusetts Despite The State’s Health Reforms

Did the Massachusetts health reforms, which provided near-universal insurance coverage, also address problems of unmet need resulting from the cost of care and of inadequate preventive care for diverse patient groups? We found that nearly a quarter of adults who were in fair or poor health reported being unable to see a doctor because of cost during the implementation of the reforms. We also found that state residents earning less than $25,000 per year were much less likely than higher earners to receive screening for cardiovascular disease and cancer. The state needs to implement new strategies to build on the promise of universal coverage and address specific needs of vulnerable populations, such as limiting out-of-pocket spending for this group. Also, more data are needed on the social determinants of health to identify specific barriers related to cost and access for vulnerable groups that general insurance reforms may not address.
Rabies Virus in Nasal Mucosa of Naturally Infected Bats

Rabies virus was demonstrated in the olfactory mucosa of naturally infected bats by staining with fluorescent antibody and by isolation of the virus from the nasal tissues. The olfactory mucosa is a potential portal of entry and exit for airborne rabies virus in bat caves.
Regulation of anterior chamber fibrinolysis

Levels of plasminogen activator (PA), plasmi nogen (Plg), and antiplasmin activity (APli) were compared in feline aqueous humor obtained from normal eyes, eyes inflamed by chronic mycobac terial-induced uveitis (CMIU), opposite eyes, and in plasma. Fibrin-agar plate microassays were utilized to visually confirm the extent of differences in in vitro fibrinolysis, per se. Chromogenic peptide (S2251) microassays were utilized to quantify differences.Normal AH showed much more available PA than did plasma. However, when APli activity was first neutralized their levels of total PA were comparable. Available PA activity in both normal and CMIU AH was considerably amplified in the presence of trace amounts of free plasmin. Plasma failed to show this response. AH levels of circulating Plg and APli in normal eyes were far below plasma levels. During CMIU, total PA levels remained approximately normal while levels of Plg and APli were greatly increased. The net effect of these concurrent rises was that antiplasmin ...
Zeeman effect in the forbidden lines of antimony Sb i

The Zeeman effect was studied experimentally and theoretically for two mixed forbidden lines of Sb i. The experimental studies were performed on two separated isotopes (121 and 123) for two directions of observation, i.e., longitudinal (L) and transverse (π and σ) using a silver-coated Fabry–Perot etalon and a three-prism Steinheil spectrograph. The interference effect between M1 and E2 radiation in the ΔM = ±1 Zeeman components has been observed in the 609.8-nm line. By using the percentage admixture of electric-quadrupole radiation predicted by Garstang [ J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand. Sect. A.68, 61 ( 1964)], the relative intensities of the ΔM = ±1 and ΔM = 0, ±2 transitions of the hyperfine structure components were calculated as a function of the external magnetic field for both directions of observation. The agreement of the computed and experimentally determined relative intensities shows that the 609.8-nm line contains (1.43 ± 0.45)% of electric-quadrupole radiation. In the Zeeman pattern of the 541.5-nm line of antimony, no interference effect is seen. Thus this line is of a predominantly magnetic-dipole type, which is in agreement with theoretical predictions.
Chronic pancreatitis with synchronous and metachronous malignancy: three unusual cases and a literature review.

Hypothesis Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for pancreatic cancer. The association between these 2 disease processes is not well known. We present 3 unusual cases of pancreatitis associated with pancreatic cancer and review the possible mechanisms that can cause pancreatitis to degenerate into pancreatic cancer. Design A case series reviewing 3 unusual cases of chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreatic cancer. The patients’ charts are reviewed, and a literature search is performed looking for chronic pancreatitis associated with pancreatic cancer. Setting The cases were performed at a small community hospital in New York City, New York. Participants The surgeons involved are experienced pancreatic surgeons with a large referral group. The endoscopies were performed by gastroenterologists with years of experience in biliary and pancreatic disease. Results The cases and the literature review support the hypothesis that there is an association between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Conclusions Three unusual case of chronic pancreatitis, 2 with synchronous and 1 with metachronous malignancies, are presented. The pathway of benign to malignant change is reviewed, and the constant awareness that pancreatitis is associated with malignancy must be kept in mind.
Protein phosphorylation plays an essential role in the regulation of alternative splicing and sex determination in Drosophila

Alternative mRNA splicing directed by SR proteins and the splicing regulators TRA and TRA2 is an essential feature of Drosophila sex determination. These factors are highly phosphorylated, but the role of their phosphorylation in vivo is unclear. We show that mutations in the Drosophila LAMMER kinase, Doa, alter sexual differentiation and interact synergistically with tra and tra2 mutations. Doa mutations disrupt sex-specific splicing of doublesex pre-mRNA, a key regulator of sex determination, by affecting the phosphorylation of one or more proteins in the female-specific splicing enhancer complex. Examination of pre-mRNAs regulated similarly to dsx shows that the requirement for Doa is substrate specific. These results demonstrate that a SR protein kinase plays a specific role in developmentally regulated alternative splicing.
Optimum government credibility in an open-economy fiscal expansion

A real open-economy model is constructed in which the government's commitment to a future fiscal expansion is not credible. Government credibility (measured by the growth rate of the probability that the expansion will occur) becomes a parameter of the system and appears directly in the eigenvalues. Simulations are performed demonstrating the effect of credibility on GNP, the exchange rate, and other variables. Lastly, the optimum credibility is determined which minimizes a loss function associated with deviations from full employment.
A faster algorithm for the single source shortest path problem with few distinct positive lengths

In this paper, we propose an efficient method for implementing Dijkstra's algorithm for the Single Source Shortest Path Problem (SSSPP) in a graph whose edges have positive length, and where there are few distinct edge lengths. The SSSPP is one of the most widely studied problems in theoretical computer science and operations research. On a graph with n vertices, m edges and K distinct edge lengths, our algorithm runs in O(m) time if nK=<2m, and O(mlognKm) time, otherwise. We tested our algorithm against some of the fastest algorithms for SSSPP on graphs with arbitrary but positive lengths. Our experiments on graphs with few edge lengths confirmed our theoretical results, as the proposed algorithm consistently dominated the other SSSPP algorithms, which did not exploit the special structure of having few distinct edge lengths.
Monocyte Differentiation in Localized Juvenile Periodontitis Is Skewed toward the Dendritic Cell Phenotype

Several lines of evidence indicate that the monocytes of subjects with localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) are functionally distinct from cells of age- and race-matched nonperiodontitis (NP) subjects. Among the abnormalities are the propensity to secrete large amounts of prostaglandin E(2) and the induction of immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) antibodies. The experiments described here were performed to further characterize the LJP monocytes and to determine if these cells mature differently than NP monocytes. When adherent monocytes from LJP subjects were cultured in the presence of human serum, both macrophages and cells with the morphology of immature monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) were observed. Within 4 days the prevalence of the immature MDDC was approximately twofold higher in LJP cultures than in NP cultures. In addition to their dendritic morphology, these cells were CD11c(+) and CD14(-) or CD14(low) and stimulated potent autologous mixed leukocyte reactions, consistent with differentiation to the MDDC phenotype. Like LJP monocytes, cultures of MDDC generated with interleukin-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor selectively induced IgG2 in cultures of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated NP leukocytes. Together, these data suggest that the monocytes of LJP subjects have a propensity to differentiate into MDDC and that this differentiation may be related to the high levels of IgG2 that are observed in the sera of LJP subjects. As high levels of circulating IgG2 are correlated with less severe disease, the propensity of LJP monocytes to differentiate into MDDC may have important implications for both the host response against oral pathogens and the progression of LJP.
Review of Evans Lansing Smith, Thomas Pynchon and the Postmodern Mythology of the Underworld, Modern American Literature: New Approaches vol. 62 (New York: Peter Lang, 2012)

Book review of Evans Lansing Smith, Thomas Pynchon and the Postmodern Mythology of the Underworld, Modern American Literature: New Approaches vol. 62 (New York: Peter Lang, 2012)
Silence of Chromosomal Amplifications in Colon Cancer

Oncogene activation by gene amplification is a major pathogenetic mechanism in human cancer. Using comparative genomic hybridization, we determined that metastatic human colon cancers commonly acquire numerous extra copies of chromosome arms 7p, 8q, 13q, and 20q. We then examined the consequence of these amplifications on gene expression using DNA microarrays. Of 55,000 transcripts profiled, 2,146 were determined to map to one of the four common colon cancer amplicons and to also be expressed in normal or malignant colon tissues. Of these, only 81 transcripts (3.8%) demonstrated a 2-fold increase over normal expression among cancers bearing the corresponding chromosomal amplification. Chromosomal amplifications are common in colon cancer metastasis, but increased expression of genes within these amplicons is rare.
Nuclear DNA Polymorphisms in a Wild Population of Yellow Baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) From Mikumi National Park, Tanzania

Yellow baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) from Mi- kumi National Park, Tanzania were studied for polymorphisms in nuclear DNA. The study population consists of four social groups that inhabit overlap- ping home ranges and exchange males. As a result, these groups are consid- ered to be members of a single interbreeding population. Human DNA clones were used as probes to screen five loci (AT3, REN, HEXB, VIM, and APOB) for restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP). A total of 14 polymor- phisms, at least one at each locus, was detected in a panel of 27 baboons tested using six restriction enzymes for each locus. Eleven of these RFLP systems have average heterozygosity values greater than 0.40. This initial screening demonstrates that human DNA clones can be used to detect significant num- bers of informative DNA polymorphisms in single-copy nuclear genes of this species and suggests that the average proportion of nucleotides polymorphic across nuclear loci in this population may be between 1.0% and 1.3%. 0 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc
Preservation of support and positivity for solutions of degenerate evolution equations

We prove that sufficiently smooth solutions of equations of a certain class have two interesting properties. These evolution equations are in a sense degenerate, in that every term on the right-hand side of the evolution equation has either the unknown or its first spatial derivative as a factor. We first find a conserved quantity for the equation: the measure of the set on which the solution is non-zero. Second, we show that solutions which are initially non-negative remain non-negative for all times. These properties rely heavily upon the degeneracy of the leading order term. When the equation is more degenerate, we are able to prove that there are additional conserved quantities: the measure of the set on which the solution is positive and the measure of the set on which the solution is negative. To illustrate these results, we give examples of equations with nonlinear dispersion which have solutions in spaces with sufficient regularity to satisfy the hypotheses of the support and positivity theorems. An important family of equations with nonlinear dispersion are the Rosenau–Hyman compacton equations; there is no existence theory yet for these equations, but the known solutions of the compacton equations are of lower regularity than is needed for the preceding theorems. We prove an additional positivity theorem which applies to solutions of the same family of equations in a function space which includes some solutions of compacton equations.
Percutaneous mitral valve repair for mitral regurgitation in high-risk patients: results of the EVEREST II study.

Abstract Background The EVEREST II (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge REpair STudy) High-Risk registry and REALISM Continued Access Study High-Risk Arm are prospective registries of patients who received the MitraClip device (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, California) for mitral regurgitation (MR) in the United States. Objectives The purpose of this study was to report 12-month outcomes in high-risk patients treated with the percutaneous mitral valve edge-to-edge repair. Methods Patients with grades 3 to 4+ MR and a surgical mortality risk of ≥12%, based on the Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk calculator or the estimate of a surgeon coinvestigator following pre-specified protocol criteria, were enrolled. Results In the studies, 327 of 351 patients completed 12 months of follow-up. Patients were elderly (76 ± 11 years of age), with 70% having functional MR and 60% having prior cardiac surgery. The mitral valve device reduced MR to ≤2+ in 86% of patients at discharge (n = 325; p Conclusions The percutaneous mitral valve device significantly reduced MR, improved clinical symptoms, and decreased LV dimensions at 12 months in this high-surgical-risk cohort. (Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge REpair STudy [EVERESTIIRCT]; NCT00209274)
Epidemiology of Lung Cancer: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition)

Background The objective of this study was to summarize the published literature concerning the epidemiology of lung cancer. Methods A narrative review of published evidence was conducted, identifying and summarizing key reports that describe the occurrence of lung cancer in populations and factors that affect lung cancer risk. Results In the United States, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women, even though an extensive list of modifiable risk factors has long been identified. The predominant cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke, with active smoking causing most cases but passive smoking also contributing to the lung cancer burden. Conclusions The reductions in smoking prevalence in men that occurred in the late 1960s through the 1980s will continue to drive lung cancer mortality rates downward in men during the first portion of this century, but rates in women have not yet begun to decrease. Fortunately, exposures to major occupational respiratory carcinogens have largely been controlled, but the population is still exposed to environmental causes of lung cancer, including radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer death.
Culture Influencing Language: Plurals of Hopi Kin Terms in Comparative Uto‐Aztecan Perspective

Uto-Aztecan languages exhibit classification of noun categories by plural marking. In Hopi and in the Tepiman languages, the marked-plural noun category is elaborated to distinguish the flat surfaces of bodies, real and metaphorical, from elements that protrude from and intrude into these surfaces. In Tepiman, nonpatrilineal kin are seen metaphorically as such protrusions/intrusions. The metaphor of the lineage as a body occurs among the matrilineal Hopi, but the specific affective relational dynamics involving nonmatrilineal relatives require that these kin be shifted to the unmarked plural category, for an "anti-Whorfian" effect where culture overrides language.
Does bilateral transverse cerebral venous sinus stenosis exist in patients without increased intracranial pressure

Abstract Objective Transverse cerebral venous sinus stenosis (TSS) is common among patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. TSS likely also exists among individuals with normal intracranial pressure (ICP) but the prevalence is unclear. The goal of this study was to identify patients with incidental TSS and normal ICP and describe their characteristics. Methods Among 240 adult patients who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with magnetic resonance venography (MRV) with contrast at our institution between September 2009 and September 2011, 44 had isolated TSS without further substantial imaging abnormality. Medical records were reviewed for symptoms of increased ICP, papilledema, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) constituents and opening pressure (OP), and reason for brain imaging. Of these, 37 were excluded for confirmed or possible idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Of the remainder, 5 had CSF-OP ≤25 cmH2O without papilledema, and 2 did not have measured ICP, but had no papilledema or symptoms of increased ICP. Imaging was re-interpreted to assess for signs suggestive of elevated ICP and to characterize the TSS further. Results All patients were women (mean age: 41, mean BMI: 37.1). CSF contents were normal, but OPs were at the upper limit of normal (22–25 cmH2O). Indications for MRI/MRV included query pituitary abnormality (1), migraine (4), and anomalous-appearing optic nerves (2). All had bilateral TSS. Six had short TSS and an empty sella; 1 had long TSS and no empty sella; 1 had flattening of the posterior sclera; 2 had prominence of peri-optic nerve CSF. Conclusion Asymptomatic bilateral TSS exists in patients with ICP ≤ 25 cmH2O, but is likely uncommon. CSF-OP was at the upper limit of normal in our patients, who also had other radiologic signs suggestive (but not specific) of chronically-raised ICP. Findings of bilateral TSS on imaging should prompt funduscopic examination for papilledema.
Microfabricated collagen tracks facilitate single cell metastatic invasion in 3D

While the mechanisms employed by metastatic cancer cells to migrate remain poorly understood, it has been widely accepted that metastatic cancer cells can invade the tumor stroma by degrading the extracellular matrix (ECM) with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Although MMP inhibitors showed early promise in preventing metastasis in animal models, they have largely failed clinically. Recently, studies have shown that some cancer cells can use proteolysis to mechanically rearrange their ECM to form tube-like “microtracks” which other cells can follow without using MMPs themselves. We speculate that this mode of migration in the secondary cells may be one example of migration which can occur without endogenous protease activity in the secondary cells. Here we present a technique to study this migration in a 3D, collagen-based environment which mimics the size and topography of the tracks produced by proteolytically active cancer cells. Using time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy, we find that these microtracks permit the rapid and persistent migration of noninvasive MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, which are unable to otherwise migrate in 3D collagen. Additionally, while highly metastatic MDAMB231 breast cancer cells are able to invade a 3D collagen matrix, seeding within the patterned microtracks induced significantly increased cell migration speed, which was not decreased by pharmacological MMP inhibition. Together, these data suggest that microtracks within a 3D ECM may facilitate the migration of cells in an MMP-independent fashion, and may reveal novel insight into the clinical challenges facing MMP inhibitors.
Feedback-directed page placement for ccNUMA via hardware-generated memory traces

Non-uniform memory architectures with cache coherence (ccNUMA) are becoming increasingly common, not just for large-scale high performance platforms but also in the context of multi-core architectures. Under ccNUMA, data placement may influence overall application performance significantly as references resolved locally to a processor/core impose lower latencies than remote ones. This work develops a novel hardware-assisted page placement paradigm based on automated tracing of the memory references made by application threads. Two placement schemes, modeling both single-level and multi-level latencies, allocate pages near processors that most frequently access that memory page. These schemes leverage performance monitoring capabilities of contemporary microprocessors to efficiently extract an approximate trace of memory accesses. This information is used to decide page affinity, i.e., the node to which the page is bound. The method operates entirely in user space, is widely automated, and handles not only static but also dynamic memory allocation. Experiments show that this method, although based on lossy tracing, can efficiently and effectively improve page placement, leading to an average wall-clock execution time saving of over 20% for the tested benchmarks on the SGI Altix with a 2x remote access penalty and 12% on AMD Opterons with a 1.3-2.0x access penalty. This is accompanied by a one-time tracing overhead of 2.7% over the overall original program wallclock time.
Effect of Movement and Position in the Evaluation of Tension Headache and Nonheadache Control Subjects

SYNOPSIS This study evaluated the effects of three positions (reclining, standing, sitting) and four movements (leftand right cervical rotation; left and right lateral tilt) on the frontalis, sternocleidomastoid, and trapeziuselectromyographic (EMG) responses of 12 muscle contraction headache and 12 non-headache controls.While the headache group tended to show higher levels of muscle activity, position and movement effectswere much greater than headache group effects. Knowledge of kinesiology is required if one is tomeaningfully interpret muscular activity in the nonresting condition. The frontalis muscle was the musclewhich best discriminated headache and nonheadache groups. The reclining position was the position thatbest differentiated headache groups, suggesting an inability of headache subjects to relax even whenmuscle tension was not needed to maintain position. Results of the study have implications forassessments of muscular activity which deviate from the standard laboratory assessment which measuresonly frontalis EMG while the subject closes his eyes and rests in a recliner.
Geologic Contexts of the Acheulian (Middle Pleistocene) in the Eastern Sahara

The Bir Tarfawi and Bir Sahara East region of northeast Africa contains sedimentary remnants associated with Acheulian artifacts. The geology of these localities can be used to help examine paleobiogeographic and taphonomic contexts and paleoclimatic chronologies related to Middle Pleistocene hominids. Recognized by the presence of handaxes, Acheulian occurrences in the Eastern Sahara have been found with paleosols, cemented gravels, and tufas, and are often found as deflationary lags. In the Tarfawi region, handaxes were found embedded in sands overlain by carbonates, embedded in limestones, and in deflated contexts. These Acheulian sites likely date to before 300 ky B.P. The lithostratigraphic sequences indicate that paleoclimatic conditions in the Sahara during the Pleistocene were wetter than in the Holocene. The geologic context (stratigraphy, sedimentology, dating) of the Acheulian in the Eastern Sahara seems to indicate wet paleoclimatic intervals during the Pleistocene when biogeographic conditions were favorable for hominid habitation in the region. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Individual differences in semantic switching flexibility: effects of handedness.

The semantic fluency task is a widely used assessment tool for evaluating memory-related cognitive deficits in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study investigates individual differences in performance on this task in a normal population. The aim is to explore handedness differences in switching and clustering tendencies when performing this task. Consistent with our prediction, when asked to produce as many animal names as possible in 1 min, mixed handers demonstrated greater switching between different subcategories of animals than strong handers. These findings are interpreted in terms of the more diffuse spread of activation among conceptual representations in the right hemisphere, and greater access to right hemisphere processes in mixed handers. The findings have implications for the research communities using the semantic fluency task, irrespective of whether or not they are looking at handedness differences per se. (JINS, 2009, 15, 1023–1027.)
Human mesotrypsin exhibits restricted S1' subsite specificity with a strong preference for small polar side chains.

Mesotrypsin, an inhibitor-resistant human trypsin isoform, does not activate or degrade pancreatic protease zymogens at a significant rate. These observations led to the proposal that mesotrypsin is a defective digestive protease on protein substrates. Surprisingly, the studies reported here with α1-antitrypsin (α1AT) revealed that, even though mesotrypsin was completely resistant to this serpin-type inhibitor, it selectively cleaved the Lys10–Thr11 peptide bond at the N-terminus. Analyzing a library of α1AT mutants in which Thr11 was mutated to various amino acids, we found that mesotrypsin hydrolyzed lysyl peptide bonds containing Thr or Ser at the P1′ position with relatively high specificity (kcat/KM∼105 m−1·s−1). Compared with Thr or Ser, P1′ Gly or Met inhibited cleavage 13- and 25-fold, respectively, whereas P1′ Asn, Asp, Ile, Phe or Tyr resulted in 100–200-fold diminished rates of proteolysis, and Pro abolished cleavage completely. Consistent with the Ser/Thr P1′ preference, mesotrypsin cleaved the Arg358–Ser359 reactive-site peptide bond of α1AT Pittsburgh and was rapidly inactivated by the serpin mechanism (ka∼106 m−1 s−1). Taken together, the results indicate that mesotrypsin is not a defective protease on polypeptide substrates in general, but exhibits a relatively high specificity for Lys/Arg–Ser/Thr peptide bonds. This restricted, thrombin-like subsite specificity explains why mesotrypsin cannot activate pancreatic zymogens, but might activate certain proteinase-activated receptors. The observations also identify α1AT Pittsburgh as an effective mesotrypsin inhibitor and the serpin mechanism as a viable stratagem to overcome the inhibitor-resistance of mesotrypsin.
A Novel Approach to Computer Architecture

Perkin-Elmer have recently introduced a new computer with unique features geared for the simulation industry. Its name is 3200 MultiProcessing System (3200 MPS). This computer was actually specified by a large simulation customer and then implemented, built and marketed by Perkin-Elmer. Before talking about the 3200 MPS let me however, give you a bit of background about Perkin-E1mer’s computer history.
A Framework for Analyzing Exemption and UBIT Effects of Joint Ventures

This article proposes an overall framework for analyzing the tax-exemption and unrelated business income tax (UBIT) effects of joint ventures (partnerships) between exempt charities and for-profit entities. The article suggests that joint venture activities should be analyzed simply as if the exempt organization was directly conducting a commercial activity. Given the overall relationship between Code Section 501(c)(3) and the UBIT, the article suggests that joint venture activities should fall within one of four possible categories: (1) the activity itself could be charitable, in which case it would have no effect on the exempt status of the charitable partner nor would be subject to the UBIT; (2) the activity itself is not charitable but is "substantially related" to the exempt partner's charitable purpose, in which case the federal tax consequences would be the same as category (1), although state property tax consequences could vary; (3) the activity could be noncharitable and unrelated to the exempt partner's charitable purpose, but not substantial in relation to other charitable activities, in which case the activity should have no effect on exempt status, but revenue from the activity would be taxed under the UBIT; or (4) the activity could be both unrelated and substantial, in which case exempt status should be denied to the charitable partner under the "primary purpose" test and "commerciality doctrine." Using variations on the facts of Redlands Surgical Services v. Commissioner, the article illustrates the application of the framework and critiques current IRS positions regarding joint venture activities by health care providers.
Nonlinear Method for Determining Reactivity Ratios of Ring-Opening Copolymerizations

A nonlinear errors-in-variables-model (EVM) regression method was used to determine reactivity ratios for enzyme-catalyzed ring-opening copolymerizations of e-caprolactone (e-CL) and δ-valerolacton...
Effect of Dopants on the Energy of Oxygen-Vacancy Formation at the Surface of Ceria: Local or Global?

Doping of oxides is used to modify their catalytic properties. The question we address here is whether a dopant affects only the oxygen atom next to it or also the ones further away. We find that low-valence dopants (Na and Li dopants in MgO and La and Y dopants in CeO2) have both a long-range and a short-range effect. In contrast, Pt, Ru, Zr, Ta, Mo, and W dopants in CeO2(111) affect only the oxygen atoms next to them. Furthermore, these dopants lower the energy of making an oxygen vacancy next to them by roughly the same amount. This is puzzling because these dopants have vastly different dopant–oxygen bond strength in their own oxide. By analyzing the electronic structure of the doped oxide and the changes caused by vacancy formation, we suggest that they have similar effects on vacancy formation energy because when they dope ceria, they become tetravalent, just like the Ce atom they replace.
A Proof of Gödel's Theorem in Terms of Computer Programs

By considering a few conditions which a universal axiomatic system should satisfy, it is not hard to see that such a system is impossible.
Utility of RET Mutation Analysis in Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2

Abstract Objective.—To review the role of RET mutation analysis in the diagnosis of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) and in presymptomatic screening for this disorder. Data Sources.—Review of the medical literature and current clinical practice. Conclusions.—RET mutation analysis is a sensitive and specific test for MEN 2. It plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of patients and families with MEN 2 and in the individual who presents with an apparently sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma or pheochromocytoma. These disorders may first come to the attention of either the anatomic or clinical pathologist, who has the opportunity to see that appropriate testing is done. As with any familial disease, professional genetic counseling is an important part of the care of these patients.