cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of vaginal cuff brachytherapy in endometrial cancer.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this article is to review the data, rationale, and recommendations of vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) in the post-operative treatment of endometrial cancer patients. Methods The authors performed a thorough review of the medical literature regarding the use of adjuvant VBT in the treatment of endometrial cancer. Relevant data are presented in this review. Additionally, personal and institutional practices from the authors are incorporated where relevant. Results VBT for the adjuvant treatment of early stage endometrial cancer patients results in a low rate of recurrence (0–3.1%) with very low rates of toxicity. PORTEC-2 supports the use of adjuvant VBT versus external beam radiotherapy specifically for high-intermediate risk endometrial cancer patients. VBT has low rates of acute and chronic gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicity and very low rates of second primary malignancy. The primary toxicity of VBT is vaginal atrophy and stenosis with controversy regarding the use of vaginal dilators for prevention. Data support that patients prefer to be involved in the decision making process for their adjuvant therapy, and patients have a lower minimal desired benefit of adjuvant VBT than do physicians. Guidelines exist from the American Brachytherapy Society and American Society of Radiation Oncology with support from the Society for Gynecologic Oncologists regarding the use of adjuvant VBT. Conclusions VBT decreases the risk of recurrence with minimal toxicity in the adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancer. Adjuvant therapy should be discussed in a multi-disciplinary setting with detailed counseling of the risks and benefits with the patient so that she ultimately makes an informed decision regarding her adjuvant therapy.
A Property Right to Medical Care

This article asserts that all Americans have a property right to receive medical care, created by the massive public investment in medical training, research, infrastructure, financing, and delivery that we make to deliver health care in this country. This investment into the public fisc creates a public property interest in medicine as a socially funded, public good. Moreover, the investment made to create this public good obligates the state to exercise its spending power to provide equal access to basic medical care for all Americans. After examining the economic enormity of the public funds that make health care delivery possible in America, this article tests the concept of calling health care a public good, by comparing its features and attributes with those of other acknowledged public goods. While the fit is not perfect, the article concludes that a legally cognizable, property interest in health care exists when medical care is viewed as a public good. From this premise, we conclude that the non-rivalrous, non-excludable nature of health care goods and services must be allocated in a just and equitable manner. In fact, justice requires that in exchange for the universally borne burden to pay for the creation and delivery of medical goods and services in this country, basic health care must be distributed universally and fairly to all.
Artificial Immune System for Heterogeneous Mobile Robotic Systems

Artificial immune system draws its inspiration from the biological immune functions mainly those of humans. Recently, newer definitions of biological immune system have appeared and gained significance because of their strong immunological roots e.g. danger theory. This raises the need to look into earlier work on immuno-inspired robotics. Especially, older approach of idiotypic-network must be compared with the newer approach of danger-theory. Authors in this research have successfully applied both the definitions on heterogeneous mobile robotic systems. Idiotypic connections between antibodies have been used as a tool to navigate robots as well as to establish inter-robot communication in an immune network approach. Similarly, co-stimulatory signal concentrations have been used to contextualize the environment, in a danger theory approach, to initiate and regulate the immuno responses. Immune metaphors have been translated into relevant computational models and simulated in search and rescue operation in an obstacle filled arena.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Frequency-dependence of the microwave surface resistance of ceramic Y1Ba2Cu3Oy

Abstract The frequency dependence of the surface resistance R 3 of ceramic Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O y was measured between 5 GIIz and 20 GIIz in both the normal and superconducting states. The measurements were carried out using a fully superconducting resonant cavity made of the oxide superconductor. The surface resistance was found to vary as R s ∝ f γ , with γ =0.6±0.2 at 118 K in the normal state, and γ =2.0±0.3 in the superconducting state. The normal state results are consistent in magnitude and frequency dependence with the classical skin effect, and the quadratic dependence in the superconducting state clearly indicates a local electrodynamics of a Josephson-coupled network.
Effect of advanced glycation end products on accelerated apoptosis of retinal capillary cells under in vitro conditions.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are considered to play an important role in the development of retinopathy in diabetes, and are shown to induce retinal vascular changes resembling that of diabetic retinopathy. We have shown that apoptosis of retinal capillary cells is accelerated in diabetes. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of AGEs in accelerated retinal capillary cell death in in vitro conditions, and to identify the possible mechanism involved. Bovine retinal endothelial cells and pericytes were incubated in the presence of 5 μM AGE-bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) or untreated control BSA (BSA) for up to five days. The cell death was determined by performing ELISA for cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments and by measuring the activity of caspase-3. Incubation of endothelial cells or pericytes with AGE-BSA increased oxidative stress and NO by 60%, and in the same cells nuclear transcriptional factor (NF-kB) was also activated by over 60%. AGE-BSA induced their apoptosis by 55%, and activated caspase-3 by about 50% compared to the cells incubated with unmodified BSA. Co-addition of AGE-BSA and antioxidants (N-acetyl cysteine or α-lipoic acid) inhibited oxidative stress, nitrotyrosine formation, NF-kB activation and capillary cell apoptosis. These data strongly suggest that increased AGE in diabetes could play an important role in retinal capillary apoptosis and that oxidative stress is involved in this process. Inhibition of AGEs in the retinal capillary cells could prevent their apoptosis, and ultimately, the development of retinopathy in diabetes.
Clinically significant antigenic differences in weed pollen grains demonstrated by provocative nasal inhalation tests

Abstract Natural weed pollen grains were employed in a series of provocative intranasal tests to determine the important etiologic factors affecting individual hay-fever subjects. Contrary to expectations, each patients' provocative exposure to responsible pollen offenders did not usually elicit reactions that closely resembled typical episodes of his particular clinical disorder. Each species within a family of related pollen grains induced one or several of the patients' characteristic symptoms in various reproducible combinations which differed from patient to patient. The antigenic uniqueness of each species of pollen was confirmed as each species demonstrated its capacity to independently sensitize different shocktissue receptors in the same host.
Fluxless tin bonding of silicon chips to aluminum substrates

The high thermal conductivity and light weight properties of aluminum (Al) make it a promising material in high power device packaging and automotive design applications. A primary challenge is its high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 23ppm/°C. In this research, we investigated the possibility of surmounting this challenge by bonding large Si chips to Al substrates using fluxless tin (Sn). Si versus Al pair probably has the largest CTE mismatch among all bonded structures in electronic packaging. In experiments, 0.1μm Cr layer and 0.2μm Cu layer were deposited on Al substrates, followed by an electroplated thicker 25μm copper (Cu) layer. The Sn solder layer was then electroplated over the Cu followed immediately by thin (0.1μm) silver (Ag) layer. The bonding process is entirely fluxless. The joint thickness was controlled either by bonding pressure or by Cu spacers. Microstructure and composition of the joints were studied under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Despite the large CTE mismatch, the bonded structures did not break. This preliminary result suggests potential adaption of Al substrates in electronic packaging where Al is avoided because of its high CTE.
A calculus of variations approach to file allocation problems in computer systems

This paper is concerned with the parameter optimization in closed product-form queueing networks. Our approach is to combine the techniques of the calculus of variations with the mean value analysis (MVA) recursion of closed queueing networks. We view the MVA recursion as nonlinear difference equations describing a multi-stage system, wherein a stage corresponds to the network population, and the response times at each node constitute the state variables of the multi-stage system. This viewpoint leads to a two-point boundary value problem , in which the forward system corresponds to the MVA recursion and the backward system corresponds to an MVA-like adjoint recursion. The method allows for a very general class of objective functions, and the adjoint equations provide the necessary information to compute the gradient of the cost function. The optimization problem can then be solved by any of the gradient-based methods. For the special case when the objective function is the network delay function, the gradient vector is shown to be related to the moments of the queue lengths. In addition, the adjoint vector offers the potential for the on-line adaptive control of queueing networks based on the state information (e.g., actual degree of multi-programming, response times at the devices.) The theory is illustrated via application to the problem of determining the optimal disk routing probabilities in a large scale, modern I/O (Input/Output) subsystem. A subsequent paper will deal with extensions of the theory to multi-class networks.
Single Molecule Studies of Protein-DNA Interactions inside Porous Nanocontainers

We adapted porous vesicle encapsulation to single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. Our results provide unique insights in the importance of compartmentation in the origin of life.
Hepatitis C virus induces interferon-λ and interferon-stimulated genes in primary liver cultures

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in primary liver cells is less robust than that in hepatoma cell lines, suggesting that innate antiviral mechanisms in primary cells may limit HCV replication or spread. Here we analyzed the expression of 47 genes associated with interferon (IFN) induction and signaling following HCV infection of primary human fetal liver cell (HFLC) cultures from 18 different donors. We report that cell culture-produced HCV (HCVcc) induced expression of Type III (λ) IFNs and of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Little expression of Type I IFNs was detected. Levels of IFNλ and ISG induction varied among donors and, often, between adapted and nonadapted HCV chimeric constructs. Higher levels of viral replication were associated with greater induction of ISGs and of λ IFNs. Gene induction was dependent on HCV replication, as ultraviolet light-inactivated virus was not stimulatory and an antiviral drug, 2′-C-methyladenosine, reduced induction of λ IFNs and ISGs. The level of IFNλ protein induced was sufficient to inhibit HCVcc infection of naive cultures. Conclusion: Together, these results indicate that despite its reported abilities to blunt the induction of an IFN response, HCV infection is capable of inducing antiviral cytokines and pathways in primary liver cell cultures. Induction of ISGs and λ IFNs may limit the growth and spread of HCV in primary cell cultures and in the infected liver. HCV infection of HFLC may provide a useful model for the study of gene induction by HCV in vivo. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
Agenda 21: biotechnology at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

Preparation has yet to be completed for the 1992 Earth Summit UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Nonetheless it has been planned as a forum in which recommendations will be made to governments and international organizations on how to alleviate environmental damage caused by human activities and how to prevent future damage without retarding development in the Third World. It will declare basic principles for national and individual conduct regarding environmental preservation and sustainable development; adopt international conventions to protect biodiversity and manage climatic change; lay out Agenda 21 activities as specified by UNCED; provide an agenda to help Third World governments manage environmental matters; and provide an agenda for improving the transfer of technology to developing countries. Where biotechnology is concerned scientists and policy makers in developing countries have shown their interest. Limited resources and capabilities however constrain their abilities to engage in serious research and development. International organizations such as the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) may help UNCED and developing countries with biotechnology. Since 1986 UNIDO has held the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) as a special project. The ICGEB conducts research and development (RD trains scientific and technical personnel from member countries in advanced biotechnology techniques; helps member countries implement and operate ICGEB-affiliated RD and manages an information exchange for internationally affiliated centers. To maximize the potential of biotechnology to help Third World nations clear their environments of pollutants while safely exploiting natural resources organizations should promote full use of available training resources; promote biosafety and the dissemination of information on risk assessment and risk management; increase funding to support existing information networks; help make equipment and supplies available to developing countries; help bridge the gap between research and applications by encouraging universities and research institutions to market their research; and promote entrepreneurship in developing countries.
Predicting perchlorate exposure in milk from concentrations in dairy feed

Perchlorate has been detected in U.S. milk samples from many different states. Applying data from a recently reported 9-week experiment in which 16 Holstein dairy cows were administered perchlorate allowed us to derive an equation for the dose-response relationship between perchlorate concentrations in feed/drinking water and its appearance in milk. Examination of background concentrations of perchlorate in the total mixed ration (TMR) fed in addition to the variable dose supplied to treated cows as a ruminal infusate revealed that cows receive significant and variable exposure to perchlorate from the TMR. Weekly examination of the TMR disclosed that a change in ingredients midway through the experiment caused a significant (78%) change in TMR perchlorate concentration. Analyses of the ingredients comprising the TMR revealed that 41.9% of the perchlorate came from corn silage, 22.9% came from alfalfa hay and 11.7% was supplied by sudan grass. Finally, USDA Food and Nutrition Survey data on fluid milk consumption were used to predict potential human exposure from milk that contained concentrations of perchlorate observed in our previous dosing study. The study suggests that reducing perchlorate concentration in dairy feed may reduce perchlorate concentrations in milk as well as the potential to reduce human exposure to perchlorate in milk.
A Structured Approach to Instrumentation System Development and Evaluation

Software instrumentation is a widely used technique for parallel program performance evaluation, debugging, steering, and visualization. With increasing sophistication of parallel tool development technologies and broadening of application areas where these tools are being used, runtime data collection and management activities are growing in importance; we use the term instrumentation system (IS) to refer to components that support these activities in state-of-the-art parallel tool environments. An IS consists of Local Instrumentation Servers, an Instrumentation System Manager, and a Transfer Protocol. The overheads and perturbation effects attributed to an IS must be accounted for to ensure correct and efficient representation of program behavior, especially for on-line and real-time environments. Moreover, an IS is a key facilitator of integration of tools in an environment. In this paper, we define the primary components of an IS and their roles in an integrated environment, and classify ISs according to selected features. We introduce a structured approach to plan, design, model, evaluate, implement, and validate an IS. The approach provides a means to formally address domain-specific requirements. The modeling and evaluation processes are illustrated in the context of three distinctive IS case studies for PICL, Paradyn, and Vista. Valuable feedback on performance effects of IS parameters and policies can assist developers in making design decisions early in the software development cycle. Additionally, use of structured software engineering methods can support the mapping of an abstract IS model to an implementation of the IS.
Evaluation of Prolonged aPTT Values in the Pediatric Population

To assess the likelihood of significant bleeding disorders in children with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin times (aPTTs), a retrospective chart review was performed. Data analyses determined that in the absence of symptoms and a negative family history, the diagnosis of a bleeding disorder was unlikely in an individual with a prolonged aPTT (negative predictive value = 80%). Conversely, a prolonged aPTT was predictive (positive predictive value = 62%) in the presence of both clinical symptoms and a documented family history. The scope of laboratory investigation in any child with a prolonged aPTT should be tempered by the clinical presentation and the associated personal and family histories.
CONFESSIONS OF A PRACTICING NATURALISTIC THEIST: A RESPONSE TO HARDWICK, PEDERSON, AND PETERSON

. In my response to the comments of Charley Hardwick, Ann Pederson, and Greg Peterson, I continue the narrative, confessional mode of my writing in Dancing with the Sacred. First, I sketch some methodological decisions underlying my naturalistic, evolutionary, practical theology. I then respond to the encouraging suggestions of my commentators by further developing my ideas about naturalism, mystery, creativity as God, the place of ecological responsibility in my thinking, sin, and eschatology. I offer suggestions as to how I might widen the practical applications of my theology beyond environmental and medical ethics to other areas of moral responsibility in relation to the creative process. I do all this with much appreciation for the care and careful critical reflection that my commentators have devoted to my thinking.
Analysis of orientation and scale in smoothly varying textures

We present a novel representation for modeling textured regions subject to smooth variations in orientation and scale. Utilizing the steerable pyramid of Simoncelli and Freeman as a basis, we decompose textured regions of natural images into explicit local attributes of contrast, bias, scale, and orientation. Additionally, we impose smoothness on these attributes via Markov random fields. The combination allows for demonstrable improvements in common scene analysis applications including unsupervised segmentation, reflectance and shading estimation, and estimation of the radiometric response function from a single image.
Fundamentals of pyrosequencing.

Context.—DNA sequencing is critical to identifying many human genetic disorders caused by DNA mutations, including cancer. Pyrosequencing is less complex, involves fewer steps, and has a superior limit of detection compared with Sanger sequencing. The fundamental basis of pyrosequencing is that pyrophosphate is released when a deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate is added to the end of a nascent strand of DNA. Because deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates are sequentially added to the reaction and because the pyrophosphate concentration is continuously monitored, the DNA sequence can be determined. Objective.—To demonstrate the fundamental principles of pyrosequencing. Data Sources.—Salient features of pyrosequencing are demonstrated using the free software program Pyromaker (http://pyromaker.pathology.jhmi.edu), through which users can input DNA sequences and other pyrosequencing parameters to generate the expected pyrosequencing results. Conclusions.—We demonstrate how mutant and wild-type DNA sequences result ...
Survival prediction of diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma based on both clinical and gene expression information

Motivation: It is important to predict the outcome of patients with diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma after chemotherapy, since the survival rate after treatment of this common lymphoma disease is <50%. Both clinically based outcome predictors and the gene expression-based molecular factors have been proposed independently in disease prognosis. However combining the high-dimensional genomic data and the clinically relevant information to predict disease outcome is challenging. Results: We describe an integrated clinicogenomic modeling approach that combines gene expression profiles and the clinically based International Prognostic Index (IPI) for personalized prediction in disease outcome. Dimension reduction methods are proposed to produce linear combinations of gene expressions, while taking into account clinical IPI information. The extracted summary measures capture all the regression information of the censored survival phenotype given both genomic and clinical data, and are employed as covariates in the subsequent survival model formulation. A case study of diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma data, as well as Monte Carlo simulations, both demonstrate that the proposed integrative modeling improves the prediction accuracy, delivering predictions more accurate than those achieved by using either clinical data or molecular predictors alone. Availability: R programs are available at http://www4.stat.ncsu.edu/~li/survipi/ Contact: li@stat.ncsu.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at http://www4.stat.ncsu.edu/~li/survipi/bioinfo-supp.pdf
Alternative Base Calling Method for Resequencing Microarrays

Analysis of high density oligonucleotide arrays for resequencing requires methods which are highly robust and accurate. We introduce an alternative base calling method built upon ABACUS with the particular advantage of achieving a very low rate for false positive detection of heterozygotes
Prospects of Plasma Flow Modeling and Control for Micro Pulsed Plasma Thrusters

*† A slug-model for the plasma flow in an ablative, parallel plate micro pulsed plasma thruster is presented. This low-order dynamic model is used to develop a feedback control strategy. The sensitivity analysis shows the effect of external circuit parameters on the acceleration characteristics of the current sheet. The feedback control is applied to a nominal operation of a pulsed plasma thruster and allows the maximation of the objective exhaust velocity. A damping function is introduced in the slug-model to simulate losses. The feedback control provides a means to account for unmodelled dynamics, in the form of damping, and a way to improve performance via increased exhaust velocity.
Local tissue water assessed by measuring forearm skin dielectric constant: dependence on measurement depth, age and body mass index.

Background: Tissue dielectric constant (TDC) measured at 300 MHz via the coaxial line reflection method is useful to evaluate local tissue water (LTW) and its change. Because excitation field penetration depth depends on size and geometry of the coaxial probe in contact with the skin, TDC values reflect skin and subcutaneous fat to varying depths depending on the probe used. Because tissue changes that occur with age or body mass index (BMI) may affect tissue water content and its depth distribution, our goal was to use TDC measurements to characterize depth patterns of LTW in normal tissue and to investigate the possible impact of age and BMI. Methods: TDC was measured to depths of 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mm on both forearms of 69 healthy women (age: 22‐82 years, BMI: 18.7‐46.1 kg/m 2 ). Results: Independent of age or BMI, TDC values decreased significantly with increasing measurement depth (33.7 � 5.8 at 0.5 mm to 21.8 � 3.7 at 5.0 mm) but at all depths dominant and non-dominant TDC values were similar to each other with ratios ranging from 1.025 � 0.081 at 0.5 mm to 1.017 � 0.097 at 5.0 mm. TDC values only at 2.5 and 5.0 mm decreased significantly with increasing BMI whereas TDC values only at 0.5 and 1.5 mm increased significantly with age. Conclusion: The findings indicate that normal TDC values are affected differentially by BMI and age in a depth-dependent manner. Possible explanations are discussed.
Arachidonic Acid Influences Proinflammatory Gene Induction by Stabilizing the Inhibitor-κBα/Nuclear Factor-κB (NF-κB) Complex, thus Suppressing the Nuclear Translocation of NF-κB *

Arachidonic acid (AA), through its myriad metabolites, is involved in inflammation in a number of ways. AA is produced and released by several cell types, including endothelial cells (EC), and acts on a variety of cells. EC activation plays a key role in inflammation presumably by modulating the immune response through up- or down-regulation of several genes. We have previously shown that AA and its nonmetabolizable analogue, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), inhibit up-regulation of proinflammatory genes in EC. In the present study we identify a mechanism to explain the inhibitory effects: AA and ETYA both inhibit the translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) to the nucleus by blocking the degradation of the inhibitor of NF-kappaB (IkappaB) and thus stabilizing the IkappaB/NF-kappaB complex. To investigate the mechanism whereby AA inhibits up-regulation of genes encoding proinflammatory mediators, we examined the ability of ETYA to inhibit tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mediated phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha. Western blot analysis revealed that preincubation of EC with ETYA for 40 min prior to stimulation with TNF-alpha inhibits the phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaBalpha. These findings establish a mechanism by which AA inhibits nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB and thereby explaining its modulatory role in the induction of proinflammatory genes.
BACULOVIRUS-BASED EXPRESSION OF AN INSECT VIRAL PROTEIN IN 12 DIFFERENT INSECT CELL LINES

SUMMARY The ability of 12 unique lepidopteran insect cell lines from Anticarsia gemmatalis, Heliothis virescens, Lymantria dispar (two lines), Mamestra brassica, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera frugiperda (two lines), and Trichoplusia ni (three lines) to support production of a recombinant polydnavirus (PDV) protein (GiPDV 1.1) expressed using the Bac-to-Bacy baculovirus expression system was examined. Polydnavirus gene GiPDV 1.1 was cloned into the pFastBac baculovirus vector under the control of the polyhedron promoter, followed by generation of recombinant bacmid‐GiPDV 1.1 by site-specific transposition. The ability of each insect cell line to support recombinant PDV gene expression was estimated using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Each insect cell line infected with recombinant bacmid‐GiPDV 1.1 and tested in this study was capable of supporting and producing recombinant protein. Time course expression analysis showed that 72‐96 h after transfection to be the optimal time for harvest of recombinant protein for each insect cell line.
Functional roles for the GerE-family carboxyl-terminal domains of nitrate response regulators NarL and NarP of Escherichia coli K-12

NarL and NarP are paralogous response regulators that control anaerobic gene expression in response to the favoured electron acceptors nitrate and nitrite. Their DNA-binding carboxyl termini are in the widespread GerE–LuxR–FixJ subfamily of tetrahelical helix–turn–helix domains. Previous biochemical and crystallographic studies with NarL suggest that dimerization and DNA binding by the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) is inhibited by the unphosphorylated amino-terminal receiver domain. We report here that NarL-CTD and NarP-CTD, liberated from their receiver domains, activated transcription in vivo from the class II napF and yeaR operon control regions, but failed to activate from the class I narG and fdnG operon control regions. Alanine substitutions were made to examine requirements for residues in the NarL DNA recognition helix. Substitutions for Val-189 and Arg-192 blocked DNA binding as assayed both in vivo and in vitro, whereas substitution for Arg-188 had a strong effect only in vivo. Similar results were obtained with the corresponding residues in NarP. Finally, Ala substitutions identified residues within the NarL CTD as important for transcription activation. Overall, results are congruent with those obtained for other GerE-family members, including GerE, TraR, LuxR and FixJ.
A business model for telemedicine.

The US Military Healthcare System commissioned a clinical and business case study for telemedicine in Europe. The aims of the study were to identify the major cost areas by specialty for each European location, to assess the feasibility of a telemedicine alternative and to carry out a cost–benefit analysis. We also examined 2000 consecutive air referrals to determine whether telemedicine could have avoided evacuation. The study showed that 31, 000 conventional consultations could be replaced by telemedicine in Europe each year. The potential savings amounted to $3.7 million in travel costs and 25, 000 working days. The business and clinical case for telemedicine was strong, thus providing one of the prerequisites for successful telemedicine.
Myocardial contrast echocardiography in the detection of coronary stenosis

The need for the capillary bed to maintain normal hydrostatic pressure results in capillary derecruitment distal to a stenosis during hyperemia. This pathophysiologic behavior is seen irrespective of the method by which coronary driving pressure is reduced. The functional consequences of the decrease in MBV are an increase in myocardial vascular resistance and a concomitant reduction in hyperemic MBF. These phenomena form the basis for the detection of CAD with MCE, which isa unique noninvasive tool that allows the separate assessment of both MBV and MBF velocity. Because of its excellent spatial and temporal resolution, portability, widespread availability,and relatively low cost, MCE should provide an attractive method for the noninvasive detection of CAD and for the quantification of stenosis severity.
Medullary raphe neurones and baroreceptor modulation of the respiratory motor pattern in the cat

1Perturbations of arterial blood pressure change medullary raphe neurone activity and the respiratory motor pattern. This study sought evidence for actions of baroresponsive raphe neurones on the medullary respiratory network. 2Blood pressure was perturbed by intravenous injection of an α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, unilateral pressure changes in the carotid sinus, or occlusion of the descending aorta in thirty-six Dial-urethane-anaesthetized, vagotomized, paralysed, artificially ventilated cats. Neurones were monitored with microelectrode arrays in two or three of the following domains: nucleus raphe obscurus-nucleus raphe pallidus, nucleus raphe magnus, and rostral and caudal ventrolateral medulla. Data were analysed with cycle-triggered histograms, peristimulus time and cumulative sum histograms, cross-correlograms and spike-triggered averages of efferent phrenic nerve activity. 3Prolongation of the expiratory phase and decreased peak integrated phrenic amplitude were most frequently observed. Of 707 neurones studied, 310 had altered firing rates during stimulation; changes in opposite directions were monitored simultaneously in fifty-six of eighty-seven data sets with at least two baroresponsive neurones. 4Short time scale correlations were detected between neurones in 347 of 3388 pairs. Seventeen pairs of baroresponsive raphe neurones exhibited significant offset correlogram features indicative of paucisynaptic interactions. In correlated raphe-ventrolateral medullary neurone pairs with at least one baroresponsive neurone, six of seven ventrolateral medullary decrementing expiratory (E-Decr) neurones increased their firing rate during baroreceptor stimulation. Thirteen of fifteen ventrolateral medullary inspiratory neurones correlated with raphe cells decreased their firing rate during baroreceptor stimulation. 5The results support the hypothesis that raphe neuronal assemblies transform and transmit information from baroreceptors to neurones in the ventral respiratory group. The inferred actions both limit and promote responses to sensory perturbations and match predictions from simulations of the respiratory network.
Antigen Peptide-Based Immunosensors for Rapid Detection of Antibodies and Antigens

The homogeneous immunosensor design described here utilizes the bivalent nature of the antibody. Antigen peptide is conjugated using flexible linkers with short complementary oligonucleotides (signaling oligonucleotides), each of which containing a fluorochrome that can form a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor-acceptor pair. The complementary signaling oligonucleotides are short enough to prevent their annealing on their own. Binding of the peptide-signaling oligonucleotide constructs to bivalent antibody results in a large increase in local concentration of signaling oligonucleotides causing their annealing and appearance of FRET signal. We used simple model system (antibiotin antibody) to obtain proof-of-principle validation of the sensor design. We then constructed two sensors based on two peptides corresponding to the antigens of two antibodies raised against human cardiac troponin I. We demonstrated that these sensors could be used for sensitive detection of the antibody and for competition-based detection of the intact troponin I. Furthermore, we showed that these sensors could be used for detection of kinase activity targeting the antigen peptide. These simple and robust immunosensors may find applications in antibody detection (for example, in diagnosis of autoimmune or infectious disease), in protein detection (especially when speed of detection is essential), and in assays for detecting enzymatic activities involved in post-translational modifications of proteins.
The gift in the animal: The ontology of hunting and human–animal sociality

Many hunting peoples conceive of hunting as a process of reciprocal exchange between hunters and other-than-human persons, and anthropologists have tended to view such accounts as purely symbolic or metaphorical. To the extent that our theories deny the validity of northern hunters' conceptions of animals and the ontological assumptions on which they are based, however, we legitimize agents of the state when they dismiss the possibility that aboriginal knowledge and practices might serve as the factual basis for making wildlife management policy. In this article, I argue that our refusal to consider aboriginal accounts of hunting as perhaps literally as well as metaphorically valid has both contributed to the marginalization of aboriginal peoples and foreclosed important avenues of inquiry into hunting societies and the nature of human–animal relations. I focus on human–animal relations as a form of reciprocal exchange and argue that the development of a theoretical framework that can accommodate northern hunters' ontological assumptions is warranted theoretically as well as politically.
Fine structure and function of kupffer cells

Kupffer cells are macrophages that are attached to the luminal surface or inserted in the endothelial lining of hepatic sinusoids. In this site, Kupffer cells play a key role in host defense by removing foreign, toxic and infective substances from the portal blood and by releasing beneficial mediators. Under some conditions, toxic and vasoactive substances also are released from Kupffer cells which are thought to play a role in a variety of liver diseases. Many of these activities may be modulated by the levels of gut derived endotoxin normally present in the portal blood. The ultrastructural aspects of Kupffer cell structure function in situ are best studied using perfused-fixed livers. In fixed livers, transmission and scanning electron microscopy reveal Kupffer cells during health to be irregular in shape with their exposed surfaces presenting numerous microvilli, filopodia, and lamellopodia. Long filopodia penetrate endothelial fenestrae to secure Kupffer cells to the sinusoid lining. Specific membrane invaginations known as worm-like bodies or vermiform processes are seen in the cytoplasm of Kupffer cells as are numerous endocytotic vesicles and lysosomes which vary in density, shape and size. Sometimes, annulate lamellae connected to the rough endoplasmic reticulum also are found. The principal endocytic mechanisms of Kupffer cells are phagocytosis of particulates and cells, and bristle-coated micropinocytosis for fluid-phase endocytosis of smaller substances. Many of these events are mediated by specific receptors. In some species, Kupffer cells can be distinguished from other sinusoidal lining cells and monocytes by specific cytoplasmic staining or monoclonal antibodies. Kupffer cells have been shown to be of monocytic origin as well as having the capacity for self-replication.
Simultaneous arterial and venous ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis for phlegmasia cerulea dolens.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens is a rare condition in which an extensive deep venous thrombus can partially or completely occlude venous outflow from the affected extremity. Clinical presentation is typically characterized by extremity edema, cyanosis, and pain. This condition is associated with a high rate of extremity amputation and mortality. Although numerous therapies have been described, there is no generalized treatment consensus and less invasive forms of therapy continue to evolve. We report a case of phlegmasia cerulea dolens in a patient who presented with concomitant arterial and venous thrombosis of the affected extremity. The patient’s condition was successfully treated using combined ultrasound-assisted intra-arterial and intravenous catheter-directed thrombolysis.
Neuroscience and Higher Brain Function: From Myth to Public Responsibility

The sections in this article are: 1 Prescientific Beginnings: Brain Succeeds Heart as Organ of Mind; Dualism Arises and Prevails 2 Early Neuroscience and Associated Speculations About Higher Brain Function 3 Antilocalizationist: Unitary View of Cerebral Function 4 Rise of Clinical Neuroscience and its Movement Toward Mental Materialism 5 Growth of Neuroanatomy Affirms a Materialist Position 6 Experimental Approaches Linking Clinical and Anatomic Studies to Neurophysiology 7 Jackson: Leading Clinical Neuroscientist of Nineteenth Century 8 Beginnings of Modern Evidence for Material Mind 9 The Present: Acceptance of Material Basis of Mind and Resulting Philosophical-Social Effects 10 Future Goals of Neuroscience of Higher Brain Function
Characterizing human subjects in real-time and three-dimensional spaces by integrating thermal-infrared and visible spectrum cameras

In human health and performance studies, there is a need to detect, track and describe human subjects in real-time and in three-dimensional (3D) space. The work presented here is motivated by the problem of detecting human subjects in physical spaces, reconstructing their location in 3D, describing their spectral characteristics at each 3D location, and rendering 3D and spectral characteristics in real time. In this paper, we address the problem of integrating thermal infrared (IR) cameras and visible spectral cameras so that the 3D and spectral characteristics can be acquired in real time. We report performance tradeoffs associated with the integration of thermal-infrared and visible spectrum cameras and the discuss implications of our design for human health and performance studies.
Algorithms for minimum‐cost paths in time‐dependent networks with waiting policies

We study the problem of computing minimum-cost paths through a time-varying network, in which the travel time and travel cost of each arc are known functions of one's departure time along the arc. For some problem instances, the ability to wait at nodes may allow for less costly paths through the network. When waiting is allowed, it is constrained by a (potentially time-varying) waiting policy that describes the length of time one may wait and the cost of waiting at every node. In discrete time, time-dependent shortest path problems with waiting constraints can be optimally solved by straightforward dynamic programming algorithms; however, for some waiting policies these algorithms can be computationally impractical. In this article, we survey several broad classes of waiting policies and show how techniques for speeding up dynamic programming can be effectively applied to obtain practical algorithms for these different problem variants. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 44(1), 41–46 2004
Dual-Wavelength Mode-Locked Fiber Laser With an Intracavity Silicon Waveguide

We demonstrate dual-wavelength short pulses lasing at 1540 and 1675 nm based on a silicon waveguide. The inline silicon waveguide inside a laser cavity facilitates pulse compression and laser mode-locking due to two-photon absorption (TPA) and TPA-induced free-carrier absorption at 1540 nm. Compressed pulses provide pump for stimulated Raman scattering. Raman amplification and low threshold Raman lasing are observed based on the same silicon waveguide.
A statistical framework for joint eQTL analysis in multiple tissues.

Mapping expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTLs) represents a powerful and widely adopted approach to identifying putative regulatory variants and linking them to specific genes. Up to now eQTL studies have been conducted in a relatively narrow range of tissues or cell types. However, understanding the biology of organismal phenotypes will involve understanding regulation in multiple tissues, and ongoing studies are collecting eQTL data in dozens of cell types. Here we present a statistical framework for powerfully detecting eQTLs in multiple tissues or cell types (or, more generally, multiple subgroups). The framework explicitly models the potential for each eQTL to be active in some tissues and inactive in others. By modeling the sharing of active eQTLs among tissues, this framework increases power to detect eQTLs that are present in more than one tissue compared with “tissue-by-tissue” analyses that examine each tissue separately. Conversely, by modeling the inactivity of eQTLs in some tissues, the framework allows the proportion of eQTLs shared across different tissues to be formally estimated as parameters of a model, addressing the difficulties of accounting for incomplete power when comparing overlaps of eQTLs identified by tissue-by-tissue analyses. Applying our framework to re-analyze data from transformed B cells, T cells, and fibroblasts, we find that it substantially increases power compared with tissue-by-tissue analysis, identifying 63% more genes with eQTLs (at FDR = 0.05). Further, the results suggest that, in contrast to previous analyses of the same data, the majority of eQTLs detectable in these data are shared among all three tissues.
A combination of microdialysis, electrophysiology and histology for exploring secondary damage upon spinal cord Injury

Injury to the spinal cord is a major health care issue, causing lifelong disability to the victims. The damage worsens for hours after the initial trauma by secondary destructive processes that include release of agents that kill neurons, post injury ischemia, edema, inflammation, and oxidative damage. Agents suspected of causing secondary damage include excitatory neurotransmitters, free fatty acids, neuropeptides and free radicals. Oxidative damage to proteins, DNA and membrane lipids could be the final common pathway by which secondary injury substances cause neuronal degeneration. Reduction of secondary damage is the chief hope in the near future for reducing long term disability from spinal cord injury. A better understanding of the mechanisms behind secondary damage that accompany central nervous system trauma will pave the way to therapies that reduce damage following spinal cord injury.
Ethnicity, Social Status, and Psychiatric Disorder in the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Survey

Our previous examinations of the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) to specific psychiatric disorders using data from the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) Epidemiologic Catchment Area Project (ECA) did not include results regarding race and ethnicity (Holzer, Shea et al., 1986). While at least one paper (Somervell, Leaf, Weissman, Blazer, & Bruce, 1989) has presented ECA findings separately for Hispanics and blacks, it did not explicitly address SES per se in relation to ethnicity or race. The present chapter thus attempts to systematically examine the joint relationship of ethnicity and SES to psychiatric disorder.
Photochemical Formic Acid Dehydrogenation by Iridium Complexes: Understanding Mechanism and Overcoming Deactivation

The mechanism of photochemical formic acid dehydrogenation catalyzed by [Cp*Ir(bpy)(Cl)]+ (1, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Cp*Ir(bpy-OMe)(Cl)]+ (1-OMe, bpy-OMe = 4,4′-dimethoxy-2,2′-bipyridine) is examined. The catalysts operate with good turnover frequency (TOF) across an unusually wide pH range. Above pH 7, the evolved gas is >95% pure H2 (along with traces of CO2 but no detectable CO). Light-triggered H2 release from a metal hydride intermediate is found to be the turnover-limiting step, based on the observed first-order dependence on catalyst concentration, saturation behavior in formate concentration, and direct in situ observation of a metal hydride resting state during turnover. Deactivation pathways are identified, including ligand loss and aggregate formation, precipitation of insoluble forms of the catalyst, and deprotonation of the iridium hydride intermediate. Guided by mechanistic insights, improved catalytic activity (initial TOF exceeding 50 h–1), stability (>500 turnovers at nearly 5 atm), ...