cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Image Processing Pipeline for Web-Based Real-Time 3D Visualization of Teravoxel Volumes

With high-throughput and high-resolution imaging technologies such as Knife-Edge Scanning Microscopy (KESM), it is possible to acquire teravoxel sized three-dimensional neuronal and microvascular images of the whole mouse brain with sub-micrometer resolution. It is imperative to be able to visualize and share these teravoxel volumes efficiently, to facilitate group efforts from research communities. However, due to the immense size of the data sets, sharing and managing them have always been a big challenge. This paper describes an image processing pipeline for a real-time 3D visualization framework that allows research groups to work in collaboration. The proposed work can visualize and share terabyte-sized three-dimensional images for study and analysis of mammalian brain morphology. Although the image processing pipeline used a KESM data set to show the feasibility of it, the proposed pipeline can also be used for other larger data sets. We believe that this novel framework for Web-based real-time 3D visualization can facilitate data sharing of teravoxel volumes across research communities.
Rule-based models of legal expertise

This paper describes a rule-based legal decisonmaking system (LDS) that embodies the skills and knowledge of an expert in product liability law. The system is being used to study the effect of changes in legal doctrine on settlement strategies and practices. LDS is implemented in ROSIE, a rule-oriented language designed to facilitate the development of large expert systems. The ROSIE language is briefly described and our approach to modeling legal expertise using a prototype version of LDS is presented.
Longitudinal Dynamics—Special Problems

This chapter discusses a few problems of longitudinal dynamics. It discusses control-free dynamic stability, longitudinal dynamics along steep trajectories, short period stability, and perturbation stability of an orbiting satellite. The dynamics of an airplane with control-free stability are known to be of considerable importance to handling qualities. In the longitudinal case, the elevator, or stick position, is an unknown, and the additional equation required is the one for control surface hinge moments. Moments to be considered include inertia, aerodynamics, and gravity. The characteristics of the short-period mode can usually be investigated even for steep nonequilibrium flight paths by using the linearized small perturbation methods. Small perturbations are superposed on a mean path, and the effect of small, fast oscillations in angle of attack on the trajectory is considered negligible. This separation is roughly equivalent to the uncoupling of short-period and phugoid modes in more conventional aircraft dynamics.
Critical Evaluation of the Periorbital Aesthetic Patient

The periorbital aesthetic evaluation requires a structured approach. The assessment may be subdivided to the following units: (1) orbitoskeleton and globe, (2) the forehead and upper eyelid complex, and (3) the lower eyelid and midface complex. It is imperative to recognize the interrelationships and continuity of these structures. Underlying anatomy should be correlated to physical findings. Eyelid and facial dynamic function are important in the assessment. The exam should also include palpation and digital repositioning. Patient involvement and dialogue is vital and a mirror is a helpful tool. With an organized evaluation, a customized approach can be offered and optimal functional and aesthetic surgical results can be achieved.
Augmentation of Physician Assessments with Multi-Omics Enhances Predictability of Drug Response: A Case Study of Major Depressive Disorder

This work proposes a "learning-augmented clinical assessment" workflow to sequentially augment physician assessments of patients' symptoms and their socio-demographic measures with heterogeneous biological measures to accurately predict treatment outcomes using machine learning. Across many psychiatric illnesses, ranging from major depressive disorder to schizophrenia, symptom severity assessments are subjective and do not include biological measures, making predictability in eventual treatment outcomes a challenge. Using data from the Mayo Clinic PGRN-AMPS SSRI trial as a case study, this work demonstrates a significant improvement in the prediction accuracy for antidepressant treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder from 35% to 80% individualized by patient, compared to using only a physician?s assessment as the predictors. This improvement is achieved through an iterative overlay of biological measures, starting with metabolites (blood measures modulated by drug action) associated with symptom severity, and then adding in genes associated with metabolomic concentrations. Hence, therapeutic efficacy for a new patient can be assessed prior to treatment, using prediction models that take as inputs selected biological measures and physicians' assessments of depression severity. Of broader significance extending beyond psychiatry, the approach presented in this work can potentially be applied to predicting treatment outcomes for other medical conditions, such as migraine headaches or rheumatoid arthritis, for which patients are treated according to subject-reported assessments of symptom severity.
A Father with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and a Son with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Case Study

AbstractChildren with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit significant challenging behaviors coupled with relational dysfunction. These symptoms call for specialized behavioral care that fo...
Pre-training on Grayscale ImageNet Improves Medical Image Classification

Deep learning is quickly becoming the de facto standard approach for solving a range of medical image analysis tasks. However, large medical image datasets appropriate for training deep neural network models from scratch are difficult to assemble due to privacy restrictions and expert ground truth requirements, with typical open source datasets ranging from hundreds to thousands of images. A standard approach to counteract limited-size medical datasets is to pre-train models on large datasets in other domains, such as ImageNet for classification of natural images, before fine-tuning on the specific medical task of interest. However, ImageNet contains color images, which introduces artefacts and inefficiencies into models that are intended for single-channel medical images. To address this issue, we pre-trained an Inception-V3 model on ImageNet after converting the images to grayscale through a common transformation. Surprisingly, these models do not show a significant degradation in performance on the original ImageNet classification task, suggesting that color is not a critical feature of natural image classification. Furthermore, models pre-trained on grayscale ImageNet outperformed color ImageNet models in terms of both speed and accuracy when refined on disease classification from chest X-ray images.
Swinging into art with pendulum paintings

Children are captivated with how things work and they like to build things and in many ways, engineering comes naturally for them. Progress does not come from technology alone but from the melding ...
To the Editor: Aleukemic leukemia cutis.

Readers comment on aleukemic leukemia cutis (February 2019) and on human papillomavirus vaccination (March 2019).
A Descriptive and Comparative Analysis of the Content of Stereotypes About Native Americans

This research explores the content of stereotypes about Native Americans and how they differ from stereotypes about other racial groups from a psychological perspective. Building on a classic social psychology paradigm, participants identified adjectives associated with stereotypes of Native Americans and either Asian Americans or African Americans. Native American stereotypes were less favorable than Asian American stereotypes, but more favorable than African American stereotypes. Predominant themes that emerged in the stereotypes participants held about Native Americans reflected being historic (e.g., ancient) and contemporary negative behaviors and outcomes (e.g., alcoholic). Furthermore, relative to the stereotypes about other social groups, stereotypes about Native Americans more closely aligned with participants’ personal beliefs. Lastly, along dimensions of the stereotype content model (Fiske et al. in J Personal Soc Psychol 82(6):878–902, 2002), Native Americans were viewed as less competent, less competitive, and lower in social status than Asian Americans, and less competent and lower in social status than African Americans.
Labour market institutions and economic performance

Labour markets Richard Freeman Do particular types of labour market institution hold the key to economic success? Should other countries try to emulate the flexibility of the American labour market or the centralization of Swedish-style corporatism? Since 1970 within the OECD there has been a sharp divergence both of economic performance and of indicators of labour market structure. The paper uses union density and the degree of wage dispersion across industries to proxy a country's underlying labour market institutions. In assessing economic performance, it is argued that cross-country differences in output growth were much smaller than differences in employment growth. For given output growth, there is a clear negative relationship between employment growth and real wage growth across countries. Why do different countries find themselves at different points on this trade-off? The final part of the paper examines the correlation between indicators of labour market structure and the position on the wage-employment trade-off. It concludes that the degree of wage dispersion across industries is the most important indicator of market structure and that countries with very high or very low dispersion, typically the countries with highly centralized or highly decentralized bargaining in the labour market, have better employment performance than countries with intermediate degrees of centralization and wage dispersion.
Correction to: Impacts of High Resolution Data on Traveler Compliance Levels in Emergency Evacuation Simulations

The authors would like to add the following paragraphs in the article note section of the original version of the paper:
Delayed graft function and acute rejection following HLA-incompatible living donor kidney transplantation

Incompatible living donor kidney transplant recipients (ILDKTr) have pre-existing donor-specific antibody (DSA) that, despite desensitization, may persist or reappear with resulting consequences, including delayed graft function (DGF) and acute rejection (AR). To quantify the risk of DGF and AR in ILDKT and downstream effects, we compared 1406 ILDKTr to 17 542 compatible LDKT recipients (CLDKTr) using a 25-center cohort with novel SRTR linkage. We characterized DSA strength as positive Luminex, negative flow crossmatch (PLNF); positive flow, negative cytotoxic crossmatch (PFNC); or positive cytotoxic crossmatch (PCC). DGF occurred in 3.1% of CLDKT, 3.5% of PLNF, 5.7% of PFNC, and 7.6% of PCC recipients, which translated to higher DGF for PCC recipients (aOR = 1.03 1.682.72 ). However, the impact of DGF on mortality and DCGF risk was no higher for ILDKT than CLDKT (p interaction > .1). AR developed in 8.4% of CLDKT, 18.2% of PLNF, 21.3% of PFNC, and 21.7% of PCC recipients, which translated to higher AR (aOR PLNF = 1.45 2.093.02 ; PFNC = 1.67 2.403.46 ; PCC = 1.48 2.243.37 ). Although the impact of AR on mortality was no higher for ILDKT than CLDKT (p interaction = .1), its impact on DCGF risk was less consequential for ILDKT (aHR = 1.34 1.621.95 ) than CLDKT (aHR = 1.96 2.292.67 ) (p interaction = .004). Providers should consider these risks during preoperative counseling, and strategies to mitigate them should be considered.
Transient neonatal myasthenia gravis: refining risk estimate for infants born to women with myasthenia gravis.

OBJECTIVE Transient neonatal myasthenia gravis (TNMG) can render a neonate vulnerable to catastrophic respiratory depression. Our aim was to describe the clinical manifestations of TNMG, and to determine when the myasthenic signs become apparent in TNMG. METHODS We reviewed our own experience of infants who underwent routine inpatient monitoring for TNMG and combined our local data with observations from previous studies. RESULTS Only three case series (n = 110) reported both the type and timing of onset of myasthenic signs. Adding local data (n = 37) yielded 147 infants born to women with MG. Fifteen infants (10%) developed signs of TNMG with onset being 1.5 ± 2.6 days (mean ± 3SD) after birth. Feeding difficulties and low tone were the commonest presenting signs, and only 1 of the 147 infants needed intubation for hypoventilation. CONCLUSIONS TNMG signs were mostly not life-threatening. We suggest only 4 days of routine postnatal observation for infants born to women with MG.
The psychosocial impact on frontline nurses of caring for patients with COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic in New York City.

Abstract Background Infectious disease pandemics, such as COVID-19, have dramatically increased in the last several decades. Purpose To investigate the personal and contextual factors associated with the psychological functioning of nurses responding to COVID in the New York City area. Method Cross sectional data collected via a 95-item internet-based survey sent to an email list of the 7,219 nurses employed at four hospitals. Findings 2,495 nurses responded (RR 35%). The more that nurses cared for COVID patients as well as experienced home-work conflict and work-home conflict the higher the nurses' depression and anxiety. When asked what has helped the nurses to carry out their care of patients the most common responses were support from and to co-workers, training in proper PPE, and support from family/friends. Discussion Understanding the potential triggers and vulnerability factors can inform the development of institutional resources that would help minimize their impact, reducing the risk of psychological morbidity.
Selfing rate variation within species is unrelated to life-history traits or geographic range position

PREMISE In plants, populations and species vary widely along the continuum from outcrossing to selfing. Life-history traits and ecological circumstances influence among-species variation in selfing rates, but their general role in explaining intraspecific variation is unknown. Using a database of plant species, we test whether life-history traits, geographic range position, or abundance predict selfing rate variation among populations. METHODS We identified species where selfing rates were estimated in at least three populations at known locations. Two key life-history traits (generation time and growth form) were used to predict within-species selfing rate variation. Populations sampled within a species' native range were assessed for proximity to the nearest edge and abundance. Finally, we conducted linear and segmented regressions to determine functional relationships between selfing rate and geographic range position within species. RESULTS Selfing rates for woody species varied less than for herbs, which is explained by the lower average selfing rate of woody species. Relationships between selfing and peripherality or abundance significantly varied among species in their direction and magnitude. However, there was no general pattern of increased selfing toward range edges. A power analysis shows that tests of this hypothesis require studying many (i.e., 40+) populations. CONCLUSIONS Intraspecific variation in plant mating systems is often substantial yet remains difficult to explain. Beyond sampling more populations, future tests of biogeographic hypotheses will benefit from phylogeographic information concerning specific range edges, the study of traits influencing mating system (e.g., herkogamy), and measures of abundance at local scales (e.g., population density).
Conflict & Community: Twin Tensions in Becoming a Multiethnic Congregation

This in-depth case study investigates the religious, ethnic, and social conflicts that exist between two groups co-located in the same congregation. A diocesan cost-based merger brought together two religio-ethnic communities that were formerly housed in separate parishes. One group already had their congregation in the existing building and is mostly composed of aging Polish immigrants. The second group had been in a building across town that was closed and moved, and its congregants are mostly younger, Spanish-speaking, Latino immigrants, predominantly from Mexico. The merger appears to have been unsuccessful, and the two groups remain divided, functioning as two congregations within the same building. Analyses focus on first demonstrating the intense group-to-group conflict and then explaining it through their respective interpretations. The two groups evidence distinct demographic, social class, values, norms, and traditions that inform their group-to-group conflict in shared community. The case illuminates larger issues of religio-ethnic conflict and provides rich data on the perceptions and stereotypes each group has of the other. Findings indicate twin tensions of community, with in-group solidarity experienced more intensely as each group expresses their out-group divisions, conflict, and hostilities. As the Impossible Triangle sculpture visualizes (Bess et al. 2002), this case highlights the ways in which community encloses those within its boundaries while leaving those outside its boundaries confused about socially acceptable norms. Theoretically, the case contributes to understandings of community and conflict generally, as well as the ways cultural and religious historical memories influence present-day interpretations.
Abstract 20575: An Alpha-1A Adrenergic Receptor Agonist Prevents and Treats Heart Failure

INTRODUCTION: The neurohormonal hypothesis that sympathetic activation in heart failure (HF) is toxic to the heart led to class I recommended drugs. However, contrary data suggest that sympathetic blockade in HF has limits, such as the negative effects of alpha-1-adrenergic receptor (a1-AR) blockade in humans in ALLHAT and V-HeFT. Conversely, a1-agonists protect myocytes and hearts of multiple species in multiple models through pleiotropic mechanisms, but this is untested in HF in vivo. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that a1-AR agonism can treat HF in vivo. METHODS: We screened drugs in neonatal rat and adult mouse ventricular myocytes (NRVM, AMVM), measured telemetry blood pressure (BP), and did subcutaneous infusion in mice with HF from cardiotoxin (doxorubicin, DOX) and pressure overload (TAC). RESULTS: In NRVMs, the a1A agonist A61603 (A6) was the most efficacious and potent of 10 a1 agonists in ERK activation (EC50 6±1 nM, Emax 22±7) and protein synthesis (EC50 10±1 nM, Emax 1.7±0.1), and EC50s matched a1A binding affinity. In AMVMs, A6 activated ERK (EC50 39±5 nM) and protected against DOX (EC50 15±8 nM, Emax 35±6), an effect lost in the a1A KO. In isolated hearts, A6 activated ERK target genes. A6 10 ng/kg/d infused sc for 7 days had no effect on BP, but increased cardiac pERK (EC50 0.1±0.1 μg/kg/d). With DOX, A6 10 ng/kg/d started at the same time enhanced survival (A6+DOX 84%, n=21; Veh+DOX 34%, n=49). A6 also preserved function (A6 FS 61±2% vs. Veh 49±3%), and reduced serum CK (571±67 vs. 1204±98), TUNEL staining (0.5±0.1 vs. 1.3±0.2), and Sirius Red staining (25±1 vs. 32±1) (n=3-5). A6 effects on survival and FS after DOX were lost in the a1A KO. With TAC (gradient 109 mmHg), FS fell over 2 weeks to 40±1%. A6 from weeks 2 to 4 increased FS (to 51±2%, n=30), while FS remained low with Veh (39±2%, n=24). A6 after TAC did not change heart or myocytes size, but did increase pERK and bMyHC, and reduced cardiac troponin I (A6 5±2 vs. 11±2), cleaved caspase 3 (77±7% of Veh), collagens I and III (46±5% and 56±8% of Veh), and Sirius Red staining (5±4% vs. 9±8%) (n=3-22). CONCLUSIONS: The high affinity a1A-AR agonist A61603, at a low dose that does not change BP, prevents cell death and fibrosis and improves function and mortality in two mouse models of HF. a1A-AR agonists might be potential HF therapies.
Street Detection with Asymmetric Haar Features

We present a system for object detection applied to street detection in satellite images. Our system is based on asymmetric Haar features. Asymmetric Haar features provide a rich feature space, which allows to build classifiers that are accurate and much simpler than those obtained with other features. The extremely large parameter space of potential features is explored using a genetic algorithm. Our system uses specialized detectors in different street orientations that are built using AdaBoost and the C4.5 rule induction algorithm. Experimental results show that Asymmetric Haar features are better than basic Haar features for street detection.
A public key cryptosystem based on the word problem

The undecidable word problem for groups and semigroups is investigated as a basis for a public-key cryptosystem. A specific approach is discussed along with the results of an experimental implementation This approach does not give a provably secure or practical system, but shows the type of cryptosystem that could be constructed around the word problem. This cryptosystem is randomized, with infinitely many ciphertexts corresponding to each plaintext.
Economical Quality Control Policies for a Single Cause System

Abstract We consider four types of process control procedures; variables control charts, attributes control charts, a never-inspect policy, and a regular inspection policy consisting of periodic process reset and/or repair. Using a designed experiment, we compare the optimal economic designs associated with these policies for a practical range of costs and other system parameters. We find that the regular inspection policy is economically optimal in many configurations. Moreover, we find that the type of policy that yields minimum cost depends primarily on the expected magnitude of the process shift, the relative cost of variable versus attribute sampling, and the expected search time for an assignable cause. Some general guidelines for the appropriate type of control procedure for use in practice are given.
Severe protein S deficiency in a newborn.

Protein S is a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein which acts as a cofactor for the anticoagulant activity of protein C.1,2 With production under autosomal control, heterozygotes produce half-normal levels and thrombotic disease may develop.3-6 Although thromboses occur primarily in adults, there are isolated reports of their occurrence in affected children.7-13 Severe protein C deficiency results in a syndrome in which affected children develop multiple thromboses in the newborn period.14 A recent report described a child with homozygous protein S deficiency who presented with neonatal purpura fulminans and other thromboses similar to those found in protein C deficiency.15,16 In this report, we
Transfer of iron from uteroferrin (purple acid phosphatase) to transferrin related to acid phosphatase activity

There is continuing controversy as to whether iron can be exchanged from the purple phosphatase, uteroferrin (Uf), to fetal transferrin (Tf) and whether this process might be of physiological relevance during pregnancy in the pig. Here, iron transfer from Uf to apoTf at pH 7.1 was followed by measuring the loss of acid phosphatase activity from native Uf as a function of incubation conditions and time. In the presence of apoTf and 1 mM ascorbate (but not in the presence of either agent alone), 50% of enzyme activity was lost in about 12 h. Loss of activity was accompanied by bleaching of Uf purple color and the appearance of the characteristic visual absorption spectrum of Fe-Tf. Citrate could replace ascorbate in the reaction. Loss of Uf iron did not occur at pH 5.3, at which pH Tf cannot bind Fe. [59Fe]Uf was prepared and shown to be identical in its enzymatic and physical properties with unmodified Uf. Transfer of 59Fe from Uf to apo-Tf was promoted by conditions identical to those which led to loss of purple color and acid phosphatase activity. However, the results suggested that only one of the two iron atoms at the bi-iron center on Uf was readily lost, and that exchange of the second iron occurred more slowly. Loss of iron made Uf more susceptible to denaturation. A third technique, quantitation of the g' = 4.3 signal of iron specifically bound to Tf by EPR, was also tested as a means assaying accumulation of Fe-Tf, but the method was too insensitive to measure the kinetics of iron transfer at physiological protein concentrations. We conclude that iron can be transferred directly from Uf to apoTf in the presence of low molecular weight chelators, and that the process is likely to be of physiological significance.
Molecular Gas and Star Formation in Interacting And Isolated Galaxies

The results of the FCRAO Extragalactic CO Survey are used to examine the trends regarding the molecular gas distribution, the star formation efficiency, and the global gas surface densities (HI and H2) in galaxies as a function of environment. Relative to a sample of isolated Sbc-Scd galaxies, the strongly interacting galaxies have more compact gas distributions, a higher mean value for the global star formation efficiency, and a larger fraction of gas in molecular form. Not only is the molecular gas redistributed during interactions, but evidence is presented for an enhanced conversion of atomic to molecular gas as well.
Effect of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) on Sox9 function and chondrocyte phenotype (LB40)

TGF-β enhances Sox9 protein expression as well as downstream targets that regulate extracellular matrix production in bovine articular chondrocytes (BACs). The extracellular matrix protein 3-Prime-Phoshoadenosine 5-Prime-Phosphosulfate Synthase 2 (Papss2) has been associated with spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasias in humans and is required for proper sulfation of proteoglycans in cartilage. Our work and that of others has shown that TGF-β can regulate Papss2 expression in articular cartilage. We aim to identify whether Sox9 is involved downstream of TGF-β in the regulation of Papss2 mRNA expression. Using primary BACs in micromass cultures, we analyzed the effect of TGF-β (5ng/ml) on chondrocyte phenotype, Sox9 protein expression, stability, cellular localization and activity. We also assessed the effect of TGF-β and/or Sox9 overexpression on the mRNA expression of Papss2, Prg4 and GAPDH via quantitative real-time PCR. We found that treatment with TGF-β enhanced proteoglycan content and delayed chondrocyte...
Some reflections on the nature of entropy, irreversibility and the second law of thermodynamics

We discuss the conceptual problem of understanding irreversibility and the arrow of time. We point out that by generalizing the concepts of system and state, and the mechanics which governs them, it is possible to create the conceptual framework in which the occurrence of irreversibility can be understood naturally. The destruction of correlations is the principal mechanism which, in the generalized evolution given by a stochastic dynamics, leads to the increase of entropy and all the consequences of the second law. In the Appendix, we treat the case of two interacting spin systems and show that the destruction of correlations and the appropriate stochastic dynamics lead to irreversibility.
Performance analysis of image registration techniques

Discussed various important topics in image registration. Special emphasis has been placed on local methods and the issue of computational efficiency. The time factor is crucial, not only in many real-time applications, but also in all applications in which interactive registration is more appropriate and effective. There are a number of questions concerning optimal registration which remain to be solved. The techniques presented in this paper have to be augmented with an application-dependent, high-level, symbolic feature matching. The authors believe that these two approaches i.e. numerical registration and symbolic matching, are complimentary. In an interactive mode how the images to be registered are presented, manipulated and superimposed, has a crucial importance for identification and precise location of control points, and consequently may determine the quality of registration. >
Monitoring substrate uptake and distribution by tumors using percutaneous catheters and solid nuclear track detectors.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to test a new technique for measuring intratumoral drug and substrate concentrations using a modified percutaneous catheter and solid nuclear track detectors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nephrostomy catheter was modified to allow exposure of the lumen of the catheter to adjacent tissue and placed percutaneously in a 4047 colon cancer growing in the flank of a Fischer 344 rat. Measurement of metabolite distribution was obtained using carbon-14-labeled deoxy-d-glucose and multiple strips of CR-39 (a solid nuclear track detector) placed sequentially in the catheter to measure the low energy beta emissions from the carbon-14. RESULTS: The administered deoxy-d-glucose initially distributed to the vascularized rim of the tumor, but rapidly defused down concentration gradients into the necrotic core. CONCLUSION: The preliminary data suggest that this technique is feasible. Further validation studies may show that this technique may allow for monitoring of temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of drugs and metabolites within tumors.
Anti-Stokes GaAs random laser: on the road to thermally pumped lasers

We demonstrate first anti-Stokes laser in which only one pumping photon is required to produce one higher-energy emission photon. The difference of energy is drawn from phonons. This regime is realized in GaAs random laser. We also propose a laser system based on an anti-Stokes laser, which can be pumped by heat only. The temperature of the heater does not need to be high. The heat pumping energy (at practically no cost) can be provided via thermal contact of the laser element with an ambient environment, such as atmosphere, ocean, ground, etc.
Targeted disruption of Müller cell metabolism induces photoreceptor dysmorphogenesis

Within the retina, the Muller cells and photoreceptors are in close physical proximity and are metabolically coupled. It is unknown, however, whether Muller cells affect photoreceptor differentiation and outer segment membrane assembly. The objective of this study was to determine whether targeted disruption of Muller cell metabolism would induce photoreceptor dysmorphogenesis. Intact isolated Xenopus laevis embryonic eyes were cultured in medium with or without Muller cell-specific inhibitors (i.e., alpha-aminoadipic acid and fluorocitrate). To assess Muller cell injury, the gross retinal morphology was examined along with immunocytochemical assessment of Muller cell-specific protein expression patterns. The steady-state levels of opsin were quantified to determine whether the Muller cell inhibitors negatively affected photoreceptor protein synthesis. Muller and photoreceptor cell ultrastructure was scrutinized and the organization of the outer segment membranes was graded. In control retinas, there was no swelling of Muller cell cytoplasm. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was undetectable, whereas glutamine synthetase was abundant. The steady-state level of opsin was high and photoreceptors elaborated properly folded outer segments. Exposure to both Muller cell-specific inhibitors induced swelling of Muller cell endfeet, cytoplasmic paling and alterations of Muller cell-specific protein expression patterns. The steady-state level of opsin in retinas exposed to alpha-aminoadipic acid was unchanged compared with control eyes, whereas, in eyes exposed to fluorocitrate, opsin levels were slightly reduced. The most significant finding was that targeted disruption of Muller cell metabolism adversely affected photoreceptor outer segment membrane assembly, causing dysmorphogenesis of nascent outer segments. These results suggest that the termination signal(s) necessary for proper outer segment folding were disrupted by targeted inhibition of Muller cells and support the hypothesis that Muller cells interact with photoreceptors through mechanisms that may regulate, at least in part, the assembly of photoreceptor outer segment membranes.
Which Variables Are Associated With Patient-reported Outcomes After Discectomy? Review of SPORT Disc Herniation Studies

Background The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) evaluated the effects of surgery versus nonoperative treatment for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (IDH), among other pathologies. Multiple subgroup analyses have been completed since the initial publications, which have further defined which patient factors lead to better or worse patient-reported outcomes; however, the degree to which these factors influence patient-reported outcomes has not been explored.
Action, Causality, and Teleology

IA significant dispute in the philosophy of action centres on the question of the appropriateness of selecting certain patterns of explanation, rather than others, for the purpose of explaining human behaviour or action. A related problem deals with the question of the applicability of certain conceptual categories which are usually held to be in opposition to one another: causes of action versus reasons for acting; causality versus purpose; causal explanations versus teleological explanations. In this paper I shall focus on the second and third pairs of opposing conceptual categories. I shall argue that not only are purposive explanations compatible with causal explanations, but also that the former-when suitably recastcan plausibly be construed as a species of the latter. The notion of purpose is usually taken to be crucial for characterising the concept of human action, as well as for understanding and explaining particular actions. As a minimum explication of the concept of purpose, we may say that the concept expresses the notion of goal-directedness and bears the same sense as the locutions 'in order to', or 'for the sake of'. When we say: 'X's purpose in doing A was to do B', this expression can be replaced by the expressions 'X did A in order to do B' or 'X did A for the sake of doing B'. Of course, this minimum account does not go far in explicating the notion of purpose, but merely shows the replaceability of expressions containing the term 'purpose' by other terms which express the same concept. Another concept related to purpose is that of means and ends. And all of the notions mentioned comprise what is meant by the term 'teleological'. There is no doubt that human beings do act purposively, that they do things for the sake of other things, that they usually have goals or ends in view and that their behaviour is almost always goal-directed in some way. The question arises, however, whether the fact that actions are essentially purposive or goal-directed entails that explanations of human action need be teleological in form. A second question which immediately follows this one is related to the broader issue of conceptual frameworks mentioned above. This question is whether or not the employment of teleological categories precludes the
Comparison between Ramp Pulse Modulation (RPM) and constant frequency modulation for the beat frequency oscillation in voltage regulators

In the voltage regulator (VR) applications, the load frequency varies in a very wide range from several kHz to several MHz. When the load transient frequency approaches to the switching frequency of VR, there is a low frequency oscillation in the system, which is the beat frequency oscillation between the load transient frequency and the switching frequency of VR. When this low frequency oscillation becomes significant, the system may be hurt. The root cause of this beat frequency oscillation is constant frequency operation of the VR. In order to resolve this problem, Ramp Pulse Modulation (RPM) method is proposed. A Ramp Pulse Modulation control is one of the ripple based control methods, which is generally used in the single phase voltage regulators. In this paper, RPM method is reviewed and it is compared to the constant frequency control method with experiments.
Salsa Music as a Cultural Expression of Latino Consciousness and Unity

A content analysis of lyrics ofpopular Salsa music reveals the emergence over the last fifteen years of cultural themes emphasizing the shared lives of Spanishspeaking groups in the United States. This new orientation is different from the ethnic-distinctive Puerto Rican reality that formed the content of the original Salsa sound. The emerging "Latino "character is examined, with major emphasis given to identifying the various cultural elements or symbols used by the performers in their construction of this Latino world.
Lymphangiogenesis and lymphangiodysplasia: From molecular to clinical lymphology

The lymph vascular system parallels the blood vasculature and as one of its key functions returns liquid and solutes to the bloodstream, including macromolecules that have escaped from blood capillaries and entered the interstitium. In conjunction with interspersed lymph nodes and lymphoid organs, the lymphatic vasculature also acts as a conduit for trafficking immune cell populations. Echoing the explosion of knowledge about blood vessel angiogenesis (properly termed "hemangiogenesis"), the past two decades have also witnessed a series of significant, yet less-noticed discoveries bearing on "lymphangiogenesis," along with delineation of the spectrum of lymphedema-angiodysplasia syndromes. Failure of lymph transport promotes a brawny proteinaceous edema of the affected limb, organ, or serous space that is disfiguring, disabling, and on occasion even life-threatening. Key members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin families of vascular growth factors (and their corresponding tyrosine kinase endothelial receptors) have been identified which preferentially influence lymphatic growth and, when manipulated in genetically engineered murine models, produce aberrant "lymphatic phenotypes." Moreover, mutations in VEGF receptor and forkhead family developmental genes have now been linked and implicated in the pathogenesis of two familial lymphedema-angiodysplasia syndromes. Thus, recent advances in "molecular lymphology" are elucidating the poorly understood development, physiology, and pathophysiology of the neglected lymphatic vasculature. In combination with fresh insights and refined tools in "clinical lymphology," these advances should lead not only to earlier detection and more rational classification of lymphatic disease but also to better therapeutic approaches, including designer drugs for lymphangiostimulation and lymphangioinhibition and gene therapy to modulate lymphatic growth.
The Occluded Nucleotide Conformation of P-Glycoprotein

We review recent work on E552A/E1197A P-glycoprotein. This ATPase-defective mutant occludes MgATP tightly with maximal 1/1 stoichiometry in drug-sensitive fashion. The occluded nucleotide conformation appears to represent a transient, asymmetric, catalytic intermediate. We present a model for catalysis incorporating nucleotide binding domain (NBD) dimerization and the occluded nucleotide conformation, and we speculate as to how catalysis seen in P-glycoprotein might be harmonized with symmetrical dimer structures of isolated NBDs.
Isolation and characterization of three endosomal fractions from the liver of estradiol-treated rats

Abstract Three distinct endosomal fractions were isolated in high purity from livers of estradiol-treated rats. Each fraction had characteristic physical and ultrastructural properties, but the lipid composition and major proteins of their membranes were similar and differed from those derived from the Golgi apparatus. Injected radioiodinated low density lipoproteins accumulated first in the fraction of intermediate density and later in the low density fraction. The latter was composed almost exclusively of lipoprotein-filled multivesicular bodies, most of which had a single membranous appendage. The fraction of intermediate density was composed of lipoprotein-filled vesicles that were smaller than multivesicular bodies and also had membranous appendages. The high density fraction was composed of membranes resembling the appendages of the two vesicular fractions. All three fractions were enriched in receptors for low density lipoproteins and asialoglycoproteins, but receptor concentrations were considerably reduced in multivesicular bodies. The fraction of intermediate density may represent the compartment of uncoupling of receptor and ligand (CURL) described by Geuze et al. [Geuze, H. J., Slot, J. W., Strous, G. J. A. M., Lodish, H. F. & Schwartz, A. L. (1983) Cell 32, 277-287]. CURL vesicles may lose some of their appendage as multivesicular bodies are formed. The high density fraction then may represent a receptor-recycling compartment.
Novel RNA-binding properties of Pop3p support a role for eukaryotic RNase P protein subunits in substrate recognition.

Abstract Ribonuclease P (RNase P) catalyzes the 5′-end maturation of transfer RNA molecules. Recent evidence suggests that the eukaryotic protein subunits may provide substrate-binding functions (True, H. L., and Celander, D. W. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 7193–7196). We now report that Pop3p, an essential protein subunit of the holoenzyme in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, displays novel RNA-binding properties. A recombinant form of Pop3p (H6Pop3p) displays a 3-fold greater affinity for binding pre-tRNA substrates relative to tRNA products. The recognition sequence for the H6Pop3p-substrate interaction in vitro was mapped to a 39-nucleotide long sequence that extends from position −21 to +18 surrounding the natural processing site in pre-tRNA substrates. H6Pop3p binds a variety of RNA molecules with high affinity (K d = 16–25 nm) and displays a preference for single-stranded RNAs. Removal or modification of basic C-terminal residues attenuates the RNA-binding properties displayed by the protein specifically for a pre-tRNA substrate. These studies support the model that eukaryotic RNase P proteins bind simultaneously to the RNA subunit and RNA substrate.
Detection of equine and bovine T- and B-lymphocytes in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of equine and bovine lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and Peyer's patches were incubated with monoclonal antibodies to B-lymphocyte markers BLA.36, B29, and mb-1 and T-lymphocyte markers CD3 and CD5. The monoclonal antibody BLA.36 reacted with 80-90% of lymphocytes in the germinal centers and mantle zones of follicles in lymph nodes, spleen, and Peyer's patches. In addition, 90% of lymphocytes in the marginal zone of the spleen, and variable numbers of lymphocytes within lymph node medullary cords were immunopositive for BLA.36. Antibodies to B29 and mb-1 produced similar staining patterns as BLA.36 with fewer positive cells in the germinal centers and medullary cords. BLA.36, B29, and mb-1 reacted with 30-50% of lymphocytes in the medulla of the thymus and with 5-10% of lymphocytes in the cortex. CD3 and CD5 reacted with 90% of lymphocytes in the paracortex and parafollicular zones of lymph nodes, spleen, and Peyer's patches; 40-50% of lymphocytes in the medullary cords of lymph nodes, and scattered positive cells within follicles. Anti-CD3 antibody reacted with 95% of lymphocytes in the splenic red pulp, but antibodies directed against CD5 reacted only faintly with approximately 5-10% of lymphocytes in the red pulp. CD3 and CD5 reacted with 50-60% of cells in the medulla of the thymus and with 40-80% of lymphocytes in the thymic cortex. The biochemical characterization of the antibodies by Western blotting against lysates of equine and bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells confirmed that antibodies to BLA.36, mb-1, B29, CD3, and CD5 detected molecules of the same approximate molecular mass as found on lymphoid cells of human beings and rats.
New Transplant Technique With Hemiazygos Continuation and Interrupted Inferior Vena Cava

In the presence of left superior vena cava, cardiac transplantation is performed at the risk of left superior vena cava flow obstruction. In patients with hemiazygos continuation with interrupted inferior vena cava, the patency of left superior vena cava is vital. We introduced a new surgical technique to use a Fontan connection including the native central pulmonary artery as the systemic venous return. The pulmonary artery anastomosis was performed distal to the superior vena cava anastomosis sites. We used this treatment approach successfully to perform cardiac transplantation in two patients who developed severe heart failure after Fontan completion.
The International Law Commission and Legal Principles Related to the Non‐navigational Uses of the Waters of International Rivers

There are serious problems related to the use and conservation of international rivers. Riparian nations tend to use their waters and to transfer negative impacts, such as pollution, to other countries. This paper examines the work of the International Law Commission as it seeks to elaborate a framework convention for the use and conservation of shared watercourses. Although this task is still in progress, basic substantive principles such as ‘equitable apportionment’ and ‘prohibition against appreciable harm’ seem to be widely agreed upon. The immediate need is the development of and the agreement on, procedural systems for conflict resolution.
Local control and distant metastases in primary canine malignant melanomas treated with hyperthermia and/or radiotherapy

Forty-three dogs with primary malignant melanoma were randomized to receive radiotherapy alone (XRT) or hyperthermia plus radiotherapy (δ + XRT). Tumour responses were analysed in terms of complete response rates, rate of one year disease free survival and the incidence and time to develop distant metastasis.The frequency of complete responses (CR) was greater with adjuvant heat (76 per cent vs 21 per cent for XRT; P = 0.001). A trend towards an improvement in one year disease free survival was observed with δ + XRT (23.8 per cent) as compared with XRT (7.7 per cent), but the difference was not statistically significant. The frequency of distant metastases was not different between the two treatments.Descriptors of intratumoural temperatures achieved during therapy indicated that higher CR rates could be achieved with higher minima. When minima were less than and greater than 20 Equivalent minutes at 43°C (Eq43) the CR rates were 64 and 90 per cent, respectively. One year disease free survival rates and f...
Extended coverage for preventive services for the elderly: response and results in a demonstration population.

OBJECTIVES. This study was undertaken to test the acceptability of preventive services under Medicare waivers to a community-dwelling population aged 65 and over and to examine the effect of such services on health. METHODS. Medicare beneficiaries and designated primary care providers were sampled, and beneficiaries were screened and surveyed. A total of 4195 individuals were then randomized into intervention or control groups. Those in the intervention group were offered free preventive visits (under waivers) to their physicians. A follow-up survey of the entire group was administered after completion of the intervention. RESULTS. Sixty-three percent of the intervention group made a preventive clinical visit, and about half of them a counseling visit. For men, being married and having a solo practitioner were positively associated with accepting the intervention services, while for women, having had a mammogram, having a confidant, having a high school education, and having a female practitioner were so ...