An evaluation of immunoreactivity for c-erbB-2 protein as a marker of poor short-term prognosis in breast cancer.

Eighty-five breast carcinomas from the same number of patients have been assessed immunohistochemically using the antiserum 21N for the presence of the c-erbB-2 protein. Twenty-two of the patients had evidence of advanced disease (tumour fixation or distant metastases) at presentation. Follow-up was for a median of 24 months. c-erbB-2 protein was detected in the majority of cells in 14 (16.5%) carcinomas, and to a lesser extent in a further six (7%) tumours. There was no relationship between staining and stage, node status or size but more poorly differentiated carcinomas had evidence of staining (36%) than well (17%) or moderately (14%) differentiated carcinomas (P = 0.02). There was a significant association between staining and mortality (P = 0.009) and recurrence (P = 0.0002). The relative risk of death for staining compared to no staining (after adjusting for node status, stage and grade) was 2.97 (95% confidence interval 1.29, 6.84) and the relative risk of recurrence for staining compared to no staining after similar adjustment was 3.85 (95% confidence interval 1.86-7.97). In this particular group of patients immunoreactivity for c-erbB-2 protein is an independent indicator of poor short-term prognosis

Detection of an atmosphere around the super-Earth 55 Cancri e

We report the analysis of two new spectroscopic observations of the super-Earth 55 Cancri e, in the near infrared, obtained with the WFC3 camera onboard the HST. 55 Cancri e orbits so close to its parent star, that temperatures much higher than 2000 K are expected on its surface. Given the brightness of 55 Cancri, the observations were obtained in scanning mode, adopting a very long scanning length and a very high scanning speed. We use our specialized pipeline to take into account systematics introduced by these observational parameters when coupled with the geometrical distortions of the instrument. We measure the transit depth per wavelength channel with an average relative uncertainty of 22 ppm per visit and find modulations that depart from a straight line model with a 6$\sigma$ confidence level. These results suggest that 55 Cancri e is surrounded by an atmosphere, which is probably hydrogen-rich. Our fully Bayesian spectral retrieval code, T-REx, has identified HCN to be the most likely molecular candidate able to explain the features at 1.42 and 1.54 $\mu$m. While additional spectroscopic observations in a broader wavelength range in the infrared will be needed to confirm the HCN detection, we discuss here the implications of such result. Our chemical model, developed with combustion specialists, indicates that relatively high mixing ratios of HCN may be caused by a high C/O ratio. This result suggests this super-Earth is a carbon-rich environment even more exotic than previously thought.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables, Accepted for publication in Ap

Agrammatic but numerate

A central question in cognitive neuroscience concerns the extent to which language enables other higher cognitive functions. In the case of mathematics, the resources of the language faculty, both lexical and syntactic, have been claimed to be important for exact calculation, and some functional brain imaging studies have shown that calculation is associated with activation of a network of left-hemisphere language regions, such as the angular gyrus and the banks of the intraparietal sulcus. We investigate the integrity of mathematical calculations in three men with large left-hemisphere perisylvian lesions. Despite severe grammatical impairment and some difficulty in processing phonological and orthographic number words, all basic computational procedures were intact across patients. All three patients solved mathematical problems involving recursiveness and structure-dependent operations (for example, in generating solutions to bracket equations). To our knowledge, these results demonstrate for the first time the remarkable independence of mathematical calculations from language grammar in the mature cognitive system

"It has no meaning to me". How do researchers understand the effectiveness of literature searches? A qualitative analysis and preliminary typology of understandings

This study aimed to address the question: what does “effectiveness” mean to researchers in the context of literature searching for systematic reviews? We conducted a thematic analysis of responses to an e‐mail survey. Eighty‐nine study authors, whose studies met inclusion in a recent review (2018), were contacted via e‐mail and asked three questions; one directly asking the question: in literature searching, what does effective (or effectiveness in) literature searching mean to you? Thirty‐eight (46%) responses were received from diverse professional groups, including: literature searchers, systematic reviewers, clinicians and researchers. A shared understanding of what effectiveness means was not identified. Instead, five themes were developed from data: 1) effectiveness is described as a metric; 2) effectiveness is a balance between metrics; 3) effectiveness can be categorised by search purpose; 4) effectiveness is an outcome; and, 5) effectiveness is an experimental concept. We propose that these themes constitute a preliminary typology of understandings. No single definition of effectiveness was identified. The proposed typology suggests that different researchers have differing understandings of effectiveness. This could lead to uncertainty as to the aim and the purpose of literature searches and confusion about the outcomes. The typology offers a potential route for further exploration

A radiologic classification of talocalcaneal coalitions based on 3D reconstruction

Talocalcaneal coalitions can be difficult to detect on plain radiographs, despite obvious clinical findings. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to delineate the benefits of thin-cut computed tomography (CT) and 3D reconstructions and (2) to develop a classification scheme for talocalcaneal coalitions that will provide valuable information for surgical planning. From 2005 to 2009, 54 feet (35 patients) with a talocalcaneal coalition were evaluated with thin-cut (1 mm) CT, using multi-planar 2D and 3D reconstructions. The talocalcaneal coalitions were classified into five types based on the cartilaginous or bony nature, location, and facet joint orientation. Bilateral coalitions were found in 22/35 patients. Types I and II were fibrocartilaginous coalitions, which was the most common type, comprising 40.7 and 16.7% of the coalitions, respectively. Of the patients, 14.8% had a shingled Type III coalition, while 11.1% of the feet examined had a complete bony coalition (Type IV). Small peripheral posterior bony coalitions (Type V), which are heretofore not described, were found in 16.7% of feet. CT scans can provide valuable information regarding the bony or cartilaginous nature of coalitions, as well as the facet orientation, which is helpful in diagnosis and treatment. In this study, the 2D and 3D reconstructions revealed previously unreported peripheral posterior bony coalitions (Type V), as well as coalitions that are in the same plane as the standard CT cuts or Harris view radiographs (Type I). The CT scan also improved the crucial pre-operative planning of the resection in the more complex vertical and combined horizontal and vertical fibrocartilaginous coalitions (Type I and II). Additionally, the complete bony coalitions (Type IV) can be sized accurately, which is helpful in decision-making on the resectability of the coalition

Revisiting the need for a literature search narrative: A brief methodological note

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI inthis recordIn this method note, we question if the primary search strategy in a systematic review should be accompanied by a search narrative. A search narrative could offer a conceptual and contextual report on the search strategy, which we suggest might benefit the peer review of literature searches and increase engagement with, and discussion of, the literature search strategy from review stakeholders, topic experts, and lay users of research. Search narratives would also increase the transparency of decision-making in literature searching.Centre for Outcomes Research and Effectiveness (CORE)National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)Cochrane Common Mental Disorders (CCMD) Grou

Dynamics of a map with power-law tail

We analyze a one-dimensional piecewise continuous discrete model proposed originally in studies on population ecology. The map is composed of a linear part and a power-law decreasing piece, and has three parameters. The system presents both regular and chaotic behavior. We study numerically and, in part, analytically different bifurcation structures. Particularly interesting is the description of the abrupt transition order-to-chaos mediated by an attractor made of an infinite number of limit cycles with only a finite number of different periods. It is shown that the power-law piece in the map is at the origin of this type of bifurcation. The system exhibits interior crises and crisis-induced intermittency.Comment: 28 pages, 17 figure

Energy Workshop Report No. 4: Energy Analysis Of Some Wave Power Systems

Energy analysis is a developing technique which has been applied to nuclear power and to conventional fuels from established and new sources. Although it has produced valuable non-intuitive insights into the energetics of these technologies there is still much debate about methodological problems associated with the technique and about the significance of the contribution which energy analysis can make to the decision making about energy technologies. The work on wave power reported here is part of a programme of work which will extend the application of energy analysis to the fluidic alternative energy sources (wave, wind, hydro and tidal power). The aim is to contribute in a significant way to the decision making/ technology assessment and R & D planning associated with these technologies as well as to address some of the methodological criticisms which have been made of the technique. The main conclusions from the first stage of the study are:- 1.1) If energy analysis is to be used in a positive way in the assessment of the potential of a proposed technology it is essential to analyse a wide range of feasible designs and technical options so that those with the best energetics can be identified. In this study we have found it convenient to use two parameters to characterize designs. These are:- a) an energy ratio. b) the percentage of the available energy which . the design entracts. Wave power extraction efficiency. When a graph is plotted for a range of feasible designs using these two quantities as axes, all the designs are observed to lie below a limiting curve. The designs on the limiting curve are those with the best energetics. A comparison of the limiting curves of different families of wave generators should highlight the inherent physical differences between the families in rather the same way that thermal efficiency characterizes inherent physical differences between heat engines. This comparison could be a useful part of the decision making which will precede the next stage of the U.K. wave energy programme. In making the choice of which families of devices to develop further (if any) the family with the best energetics should be a strong contender. 1. 2) The energy ratio and energy pay back times for Salter 'duck ' designs are reasonable. There are designs with energy ratios of 13.1 (this is above the rule of thumb 10.l threshold for economic viability) and the times required to payback the original energy invested are of the order of l yr. 1.3) The energy output /m of the duck string can be increased by increasing the percentage of available energy extracted and this requires an increase in the duck size, in the power limit of the machines and hence in the cost. When the net energy produced by the system is calculated it is found that there is a point beyond which this declines even though the percentage of available energy entracted is still increasing. Using the assumptions of this analysis the peak in net energy production occurs at 55% of available energy entracted. There can be no benefit in pursuing increased percentage of entraction beyond this limit because designs with lower percentages of extraction will produce the same amounts of net energy at lower costs. One of the aims of energy analysis has been to set absolute energetic limits on the energy resources exploitable by a technology. Previously the limit has been that of zero net energy. However the determination of points of zero net energy has never been considered too important outside of energy analysis circles because it is usually felt that a conventional cost analysis of such systems would show them to be haplessly uneconomic before the point of zero net energy is reached i.e. if the economics is right then the energy analysis must be right. It is clear now that the limit of a technology in terms of exploitable resources is determined by the point at which the net energy goes through a max and begins to decline and that this will occur for systems which have significantly lower costs than those which produce zero net energy. The energy analysis has unearthed a significant non-intuitive factor which sets the limit to the exploitable resources made available by a technology. It is likely that parametric energy analysis of the type reported here would indicate a similar limit in the cases of a wide range of conventional as well as alternative energy technologies. It would seem to be important to perform energy analysis of this type so that it will be possible to test whether proposals lie pn the right or the wrong side of the limit. 1.4) In designing a wave energy supply system a compromise must be struck between choosing a design which has a good energy ratio (and hence low costs/unit) and a design further down the limiting curve which has a lower energy ratio (and hence higher costs/unit) but which makes better use of sea room (higher total output ). There are many ways in which this could be done depending on relative evaluations of system costs and the utilization of sea room. The following three are interesting examples. a) A system utilizing designs which have the highest energy ratios (and hence lowest unit costs). There are designs on the limiting curve with energy ratios of 13:1 which extract 20% of the available energy. b) A system utilizing designs on the limiting curve with energy ratios of 10:1. These are just on the limit of economic viability but make better use of the sea room extracting 40% of the available energy. c) A system utilizing designs on the limiting curve with with energy ratios of 5:1. These are probably below the limits of economic viability at the present time~ but make maximum net fuel savings and hence best use of sea room. This study has not been primarily concerned with financial appraisal and the cost estimate; have been simply obtained from the energy requirements by dividing them by an energy intensity. They give no more than a guide to possible financial costs. Even so it is interesting to compare them with the revised costings of 'Plan for Coal'. Here a capital investment of £3,150 x 106 is required to provide a 42 mtc/yr capacity, this is £75/tonne of coal capacity. Provided that it is borne in mind that miners wages' are the major factor in coal costs it seems that assessing wave power simply on a fuel saving basis may provide sufficient economic justification for proceeding with the programme. 1.6) There is nothing in the energy analysis of this system which would militate against a second phase in the wave power programme

Crystal plasticity as an indicator of the viscous-brittle transition in magmas

Understanding the flow of multi-phase (melt, crystals and bubbles) magmas is of great importance for interpreting eruption dynamics. Here we report the first observation of crystal plasticity, identified using electron backscatter diffraction, in plagioclase in andesite dome lavas from Volcán de Colima, Mexico. The same lavas, deformed experimentally at volcanic conduit temperature and load conditions, exhibit a further, systematic plastic response in the crystalline fraction, observable as a lattice misorientation. At higher stress, and higher crystal fraction, the amount of strain accommodated by crystal plasticity is larger. Crystal plastic distortion is highest in the intact segments of broken crystals, which have exceeded their plastic limit. We infer that crystal plasticity precludes failure and can punctuate the viscous-brittle transition in crystal-bearing magmas at certain shallow magmatic conditions. Since crystal plasticity varies systematically with imposed conditions, this raises the possibility that it may be used as a strain marker in well-constrained systems