cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase I/II trial of brentuximab vedotin plus rituximab as frontline therapy for patients with immunosuppression-associated CD30+ and/or EBV + lymphomas.

Treatment strategies for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) consist of response-adapted risk-stratified methods using immunosuppression reduction, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. We investigated the efficacy of Brentuximab vedotin given concurrently with Rituximab (BV + R) once weekly for four weeks, followed by optional consolidation, and up to one year of maintenance. Among 20 assessable patients, BV + R therapy resulted in an overall response rate of 75% (95% CI 51 to 91, p = 0.044) with 60% achieving a complete response. Median time to best response was 28 days. Two-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 75 and 90%, respectively. Most common severe grade 3/4 treatment-related toxicities included neutropenia (40%), hypertension (30%), infection (25%), and peripheral neuropathy (15%). BV + R is a novel and effective therapeutic strategy that achieved rapid and durable remissions in previously untreated PTLD patients; however, this treatment platform requires further modification due to the high rates of treatment-related toxicity.Key pointsBrentuximab vedotin + Rituximab showed ORR and CR rates of 75 and 60% in patients with immunosuppression-associated lymphoid malignanciesHigh rates of treatment delay were attributed to treatment-related toxicity; further dosing optimization of this regimen is required.
Supercontinuum Generation by Saturated χ(2) Interactions

We establish a model for supercontinuum generation in dispersion-engineered χ(2) nanowaveguides based on saturated second-harmonic generation, and show that this process exhibits favorable scaling laws when compared to approaches based on χ(3) non- linearities.
Where I Live

This world has a tall roof. Wind is its wall. This world has a hard floor? many have fallen. If I ever forgave you we could meet here; or we could start walking some morning and never come back. Our friends would forget us; without us the hawthorn hedge would smother the rose; the sound of our street would lull, but be almost the same. Dogs could inherit this town we once wanted to come back to again?
Video-assisted thoracoscopic extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant pleural mesothelioma

This video demonstration represents our first attempt at video-assisted thoracoscopic extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for a 51-year-old patient with right-sided malignant pleural mesothelioma following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (Video 1). While originating as an initial inspection for a possible radical decortication, it was apparent that the tumor was involving the diaphragm. The details of this case history were reported elsewhere. The patient’s discharge planning was intercepted by signs of an infection that was treated successfully by right thoracoscopic empyema drainage. The patient underwent 14 days of intrapleural antibiotic irrigation without patch removal. He was discharged on day 30. The patient succumbed from an abrupt illness, possibly hepatitis, one year after this operation (1). Video 1 Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Extrapleural Pneumonectomy for Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma There are elements of this video that might be of use for other complex video-assisted thorascoscopic operations. For instance, several methods that manage broad fields of capillary oozing are demonstrated. An aggressive intrapericardial exposure, near complete diaphragm resection, and large volume tissue controls are described. It has to be acknowledged that this surgical approach should only be used in highly selected cases by experienced surgeons. Also demonstrated in this video is that an entire surgical specimen can be removed through a 4 cm access incision without rib injury provided the specimen is oriented in a manner to be extracted as a thin cylinder rather than a fat sphere. Finally, our techniques to reconstruct the defects of the pericardium and the diaphragm through a complete thoracoscopic approach are shown. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first video article demonstrating video-assisted thoracoscopic EPP.
Evolving a single scalable controller for an octopus arm with a variable number of segments

While traditional approaches to machine learning are sensitive to highdimensional state and action spaces, this paper demonstrates how an indirectly encoded neurocontroller for a simulated octopus arm leverages regularities and domain geometry to capture underlying motion principles and sidestep the superficial trap of dimensionality. In particular, controllers are evolved for arms with 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 segments in equivalent time. Furthermore, when transferred without further training, solutions evolved on smaller arms retain the fundamental motion model because they simply extend the general kinematic concepts discovered at the original size. Thus this work demonstrates that dimensionality can be a false measure of domain complexity and that indirect encoding makes it possible to shift the focus to the underlying conceptual challenge.
Effects of repeated application of emollient cream to premature neonates' skin.

Objective Emollient cream moisturizers are often used on premature newborns in neonatal intensive care units without accurate knowledge of the risks or benefits to the neonate. Design We prospectively compared premature neonates treated with a water-in-oil emollient cream for up to 16 days to untreated premature neonates. Setting The study was completed in a neonatal intensive care unit on neonates admitted for respiratory distress and/or possible sepsis. Patients Thirty-four neonates, between 29 and 36 weeks estimated gestational age, entered the study. Interventions One-half of the neonates were treated twice a day with an water-in-oil emollient cream, and the other half served as controls. Outcome measures The skin condition of the neonates' hands, feet, and abdomen was evaluated on entering the study and twice a week. Fungal cultures and quantitative bacterial cultures were obtained from the axilla and abdomen on entering the study and twice a week. Results The mean gestational age of the treated neonates was 32.3 weeks, whereas the mean gestational age of the control neonates was 32.5 weeks. The neonates treated with emollient cream demonstrated statistically less dermatitis of their hands (day 2 through day 11), their feet (day 2 through day 16), and their abdomen (day 7 through day 11). Fungal cultures and quantitative bacterial cultures of the abdomen and axilla were equivalent in both groups. Conclusions These studies document that emollient cream moisturizer therapy of premature neonates decreases dermatitis without changing the microbiological flora.
GENETIC TRANSFER OF THE ABILITY TO GROW AT 55 C IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS.

McDonald, William C. (U.S. Army Chemical Corps, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.) and Thomas S. Matney. Genetic transfer of the ability to grow at 55 C in Bacillus subtilis. J. Bacteriol. 85:218–220. 1962.—Two strains of Bacillus subtilis, 168 and P1, were found to grow at 55 C (55+) on complete media; strain 168Sr failed to grow at temperatures above 50 C (55−). When 168Sr bacteria were grown in the presence of deoxyribonucleic acid extracted from 168, the ability to grow at 55 C was transformed at a frequency of 10−4. An incubation period of 3 to 4 hr at 37 C was necessary for phenotypic expression of the 55+ character. Only 10 to 20% of the 55+ transformants retained the high-level streptomycin resistance (Sr) of the recipient, indicating close linkage between the Ss and 55+ loci.
A wavelet-based lossless video coding scheme

Lossless video coding techniques are needed for applications that cannot tolerate any loss of visual information. In this paper, we propose a new wavelet-based lossless video coding scheme; that switches between two operations based on the different amount of motion activities between two consecutive frames. For low motion frames, differential coding of wavelet coefficients without motion compensation in spatial domain is applied. For frames with more moving areas, motion compensation in spatial domain is first performed and wavelet coefficients of residuals are then entropy coded. Experiments show that the proposed scheme significantly improves the compression ratio over JPEG-LS.
Transaction coordination for the new millennium: SQL Server meets OLE transactions

Summary form only given, as follows. Computing hardware is now available at a price, performance, and reliability point such that enterprise computing tasks may be performed on "commodity" class machines. These economic benefits have been achieved through producing large numbers of systems from standardized components. The OLE Transaction Architecture defines a set of distributed component object model (COM) interfaces that can be used to coordinate distributed transactions using standard two-phase commit protocols. One of the goals of this architecture is to support the development of commodity enterprise computing software. A crisply defined and unambiguous transaction coordination architecture is a foundation for advanced applications requiring distributed transaction support. These applications may be developed and deployed in large numbers, achieving the same economic benefits that standard component hardware has experienced. We describe the motivation for developing the OLE Transaction Architecture, present the programming model for transactions as objects, and describe the implementation of the first transaction and resource Managers based upon the OLE Transaction Architecture.
Scaling commercial verification to larger systems

Simulation test coverage does not scale gracefully with growing system design size. Component interactions grow exponentially with the number of system components, while conventional system test at best can increase coverage as a linear function of allotted test time. Likewise, capacity limitations are commonly cited as the essential gating factor that restricts the application of automatic formal verification (model checking) to at most a few design blocks. Nonetheless, abstraction has long been used successfully in pilot projects to apply model checking to entire systems. Abstraction in conjunction with guided-random simulation can be used in the same way to increase coverage for conventional test. While academic use of abstraction is old, its use in the EDA industry's commercial tool sets has been very limited, due to a perception that its use entails an unacceptably disruptive methodology change. It is shown here how quite general data-path abstraction incorporated into a hierarchical design flow can be introduced with only a modest change in methodology. This hierarchical design flow supports verification based on either simulation or model checking that can scale gracefully with increasing design complexity.
Receipt of Regular Primary Care and Early Cancer Detection in Appalachia.

Purpose The objective was to examine the impact of regular primary care encounters (PCE) on early breast cancer detection in an Appalachian sample of Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed 2006-2008. Determinants of PCE were investigated and a mediation analysis was conducted where PCE was a mediator to cancer stage. Methods A total of 3,589 cases were identified from Appalachian areas in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, and North Carolina, and health care services were examined 2 months to 2 years prior to diagnosis. A regular care PCE variable was constructed with 4 ordinal levels: none, any, “annual,” and “semi-annual.” Association of PCE with stage, mortality and covariables was conducted using ordinal logistic regressions and Cox Proportional Hazards survival models. Results Sixty-eight percent of the cases had semi-annual PCE. Regular PCE was strongly associated with late-stage cancer rates (39%-13% by increasing PCE level, P < .0001) and 5-year all-cause mortality (42%-24%, P < .0001). Subgroup analysis revealed variations by hypertension and urban status, with nonhypertensives with no PCE being at particularly increased risk. Significant determinants of PCE included age, rural/urban status, comorbidity, dual Medicaid insurance, Appalachian region economic classification, state, select comorbidities, hypertension, and minimum distance to provider. Mediation analysis results were consistent with lower number of comorbidities leading to increased late cancer detection due to patients having a decreased PCE. Conclusion PCE is an important determinant of cancer detection, with a dose-response relationship. Variations exist by geography and hypertension. Comorbidity may influence both PCE and late-stage rates with partial mediation through PCE.
Loss of host-controlled restriction of lambda bacteriophage in Escherichia coli following methionine deprivation.

lambda Bacteriophages produced in Escherichia coli C (designated as lambda . C) are restricted in their ability to grow in E. coli K-12. The rare successful infections that arise in the K-12 population occur in "special" cells which have lost their capacity to restrict lambda . C. These infections yield modified progeny phage (designated as lambda . K) which, unlike lambda . C, plate equally well on E. coli C and E. coli K-12. When methionine, but no other amino acid, was removed from the growth medium of a mutant strain of E. coli K-12, the number of special cells rapidly increased 500- to 3,000-fold. These new special cells retain their capacity to produce modified lambda . K progeny. This conversion of restricting cells into special cells does not require the synthesis of new protein. The special cells formed when methionine was removed from the culture did not revert into restricting cells when methionine was restored. Such cells have also lost the ability to divide for at least 4 hr after methionine supplementation. When methionine was restored, the remaining restricting cells, but not the special cells, immediately resumed growth. Removing methionine from cultures of E. coli B caused a similar increase in the number of special cells able to support the growth of lambda . C and lambda . K. However, when E. coli K-12 (P1) cultures were deprived of methionine, the number of special cells increased for lambda . C but not for lambda . K. Thus, retention of the P1-restriction system, unlike the B- and the K-12-systems, does not require the presence of methionine.
A Virtuous Circle: The Rise of the Postmodern Campaign?

To understand the implications of these developments and the longer-term changes in campaigning outlined in the preceding chapter, we can turn to detailed case studies of American and British elections in the mid-1940s, just prior to the rise of television and opinion polls, and compare them to campaigns in the 1990s. The techniques of modern campaigning probably have been transformed most radically in America, so a case study of U.S. presidential elections should highlight the extent of the changes and the outlines of the postmodern campaign that is emerging. Comparisons can be drawn with Britain, a country sharing strong cultural bonds with America, with important similarities in party and electoral systems, and therefore perhaps one of the countries most strongly influenced by transatlantic trends. The first section compares party organizations, news environments, and electorates in the 1948 U.S. and 1945 British elections as exemplars of premodern campaigning. The next section goes on to compare the situations in the 1996 American presidential election and the equivalent 1997 British general election and then considers the implications of these changes. THE PREMODERN AMERICAN CAMPAIGN The 1948 American presidential campaign represented the last hurrah for the old system. The Truman and Dewey campaign organizations still relied heavily on traditional face-to-face retail politics for getting out the message, with whistle-stop railway tours across the country, meetings with party notables, ticker-tape parades in major cities, and keynote speeches before packed crowds.
GPS receiver autonomous interference detection

Interference presents a challenge in the use of GPS for an aircraft high precision approach, by posing a threat to the accuracy and integrity of the GPS navigation solution. Such interference may result from 'unintentional' sources (such as TV/FM harmonics, radar, MSS), or may result from hostile (jamming) efforts. This research focuses on algorithms for on-board interference detection and monitoring. Types of interference considered include coherent CW and broadband, pulsed and continuous. We study the effects of different types of interference on GPS receiver measurements. From simulation and bench test validation we present interference detection algorithms based on the observable effects of the various types of interference on the GPS receiver derived measurements. Interference detection is based on a combination of the following: test statistic-correlator output power, variance of correlator output power, carrier phase vacillation, and AGC control loop gain. The role and benefits of pseudolites in reducing the adverse effects of interference are also discussed.
Novel magnetic nanostructured multilayer for high sensitive magnetoresistive sensor

The magnetic properties of the soft ferromagnetic layer in magnetic tunnel junctions are one of key factors to determine the performance of magnetoresistive sensor. In this paper, we compare two magnetic tunnel junctions with different free layer thicknesses that have very different magnetic characters, such as magnetization reversal behavior, magnetic corecivity, magnetic saturation field, and tunnel magnetoreistance ratio etc. In this study, we show a sensor with a sensitivity as high as 1916 %/mT. This magnetic sensor only dissipates 20 μW of power while operating under an applied voltage of 1 V.
Meiofauna meso-scale variability in two estuarine habitats

Abstract Spatial and temporal variations in meiofauna abundances were measured for 13 months within two estuarine habitats, an intertidal mudflat and a small, usually subtidal pond. Three locales within each habitat were sampled monthly (nine replicate cores per habitat) to quantify nematode and copepod species within-habitat, meso-scale (m-km) variation. Significant levels of variation were found between habitats (all taxa tested), among locales within habitats (all taxa except the harpacticoid species Microarthridion littorale ) and among months. The magnitude of variation differed greatly within the two habitats. Species with marsh affinities predominated in two of the three mudflat locales, while the third locale was predominated by subtidal species. This within-habitat heterogeneity was related to the proximity to the marsh and/or to the position on an exposure gradient. Although significant meso-scale variability was also found in the pond, species responses were more individualistic suggesting that physical gradients were not as influential. These data indicate that meso-scale variability should be considered when planning long-term or baseline meiofauna investigations to assure that the study is representative of the habitat and that subsequent ecological inferences are valid.
Improved Resistivity Imaging of Targets with Sharp Boundaries Using an Iterative Disconnect Procedure

Abstract The smoothness constraint inversion is not appropriate for imaging sharp targets such as archaeological structures. Alternative approaches requires either a priori information about the subsurface (e.g., disconnect inversion) or requires two or more geophysical datasets to be collected at the same site (e.g., joint inversion). Here we propose a 3-D inversion strategy that does not require a priori information and is theoretically more appropriate for imaging targets with sharp resistivity contrasts. Our approach combines an initial smoothness constraint inversion that is used only at the first iteration to recover a resistivity model that is fairly consistent with the measured data, from which an initial target location is estimated using an edge detector method and from which a disconnect in the inversion is identified. This disconnect defining the target outline is then progressively improved following each iteration of the inverse procedure. We applied our approach on 3-D synthetic studies tha...
Explaining the Poor Bacteriologic Eradication Rate of Single-Dose Ceftriaxone in Group A Streptococcal Tonsillopharyngitis: A Reverse Engineering Solution Using Pharmacodynamic Modeling

Objective. To explore pharmacokinetic factors underlying the poor bacteriologic eradication rate with a single 500-mg dose of ceftriaxone for streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis and to identify the minimum ceftriaxone dose required for effective treatment. Methods. Population modeling techniques were applied to pharmacokinetic data derived from paired plasma and tonsil samples from 153 children to assess the contribution of pharmacokinetic variability to patients9 responses to ceftriaxone. In addition, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed to determine (1) the amount of time that free ceftriaxone concentrations must exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of group A Streptococcus to achieve bacteriologic eradication and (2) the ceftriaxone dose required to maintain free drug concentrations above the target MIC for the requisite amount of time. Ceftriaxone MICs for group A Streptococcus were obtained from a previous trial, in which all MICs (n = 115) were ≤0.064 mg/L; 33.9% were susceptible at ≤0.016 mg/L, 66.4% were susceptible at 0.032 mg/L, and 1.7% were susceptible at 0.064 mg/L. Results. Mean population pharmacokinetic parameters and their variances reflected substantial variability of clearance and half-life in the target population. Tonsillar ceftriaxone protein binding was 89.1%. The proportions of 1000 simulated patients with free ceftriaxone concentrations that exceeded MICs of 0.016 mg/L, 0.032 mg/L, and 0.064 mg/L at 24 hours were 71.7%, 65.4%, and 57.2%, respectively, and at 48 hours were 41.8%, 35.8%, and 28.6%, respectively. The amount of time that free ceftriaxone concentrations need to exceed MIC to achieve bacteriologic success was estimated to be 36 hours. Using this time criterion, two 500-mg doses of ceftriaxone separated by 18 hours should achieve a bacteriologic cure rate of ∼95%. Conclusions. Pharmacokinetic variability and high ceftriaxone tonsillar protein binding explain the high microbiologic failure rate for a single 500-mg dose of ceftriaxone in group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Monte Carlo simulation suggests that a second dose administered 18 hours after the first will be required to achieve an acceptable bacteriologic cure rate.
Observation of exciton-polariton oscillating emission in a single-quantum-well semiconductor microcavity

We have observed direct time domain exciton-polariton oscillating emission from a single-quantum-well GaAs microcavity. Observed oscillation periods of 21.7 ps were in good agreement with the spectral splitting of 0.12 nm. Such observations are consistent with the view that recently observed thresholdless coherent emission is not resonant Rayleigh scattering but rather exciton-polariton emission.
An angular multigrid method for computing mono-energetic particle beams in Flatland

Beams of microscopic particles penetrating scattering background matter play an important role in several applications. The parameter choices made here are motivated by the problem of electron-beam cancer therapy planning. Mathematically, a steady particle beam penetrating matter, or a configuration of several such beams, is modeled by a boundary value problem for a Boltzmann equation. Grid-based discretization of such a problem leads to a system of algebraic equations. This system is typically very large because of the large number of independent variables in the Boltzmann equation-six if no dimension-reducing assumptions other than time independence are made. If grid-based methods are to be practical for these problems, it is therefore necessary to develop very fast solvers for the discretized problems. For beams of mono-energetic particles interacting with a passive background, but not with each other, in two space dimensions, the first author proposed such a solver, based on angular domain decomposition, some time ago. Here, we propose and test an angular multigrid algorithm for the same model problem. Our numerical experiments show rapid, grid-independent convergence. For high-resolution calculations, our method is substantially more efficient than the angular domain decomposition method. In addition, unlike angular domain decomposition, the angular multigrid method works well even when the angular diffusion coefficient is fairly large.
Analysis of Protocols to Ethernet Automation Networks

The Ethernet technology dominates the market of computer networks. However, it was not been established as technology for industrial automation, where the requirements demand determinism and real-time performance. Many solutions have been proposed to solve the problem of non-determinism, which are based on TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), Token Passing and Master-Slave. This article realizes measurements performance comparing implementations in the data communication with UDP and RAW Ethernet protocols, identifying the most viable alternative to support the development of real-time application to industrial automation networks.
Autoshaping with several concurrently available conditioned stimuli

Nine pigeons were trained with an autoshaping procedure that provided six concurrent conditioned stimuli (CSs). Each bird pecked particular keys within 2-133 trials (group mean = 49). The CSs included a white key, a flickering white key, an alternating white light with a white “x,” and a white light that moved across three keys. Rearranging the CSs on the keys did not greatly influence the response distributions of seven of the birds.
Disease Targets and Strategies for the Therapeutic Modulation of Endogenous Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells

Neural stem cells, able to self-renew and give rise to both neurons and glia, line the cerebral ventricles of the adult human brain. Humans also harbor lineage-restricted neuronal progenitors in the hippocampus and glial progenitor cells in both the gray and white matter of the forebrain. These various stem and progenitor cell types may provide targets for pharmacotherapy for a variety of disorders of the central nervous system. Each resident progenitor phenotype may be mobilized and induced to differentiate in vivo by the actions of both exogenous growth factors and small molecule modulators of progenitor-selective signaling pathways. This strategy may be particularly efficacious in neurodegenerations such as Huntington's disease, in which lost neurons may be replenished through the directed induction of progenitor cells lining the ventricular wall of the affected striatum. Similarly, the mobilization of glial progenitor cells may permit the introduction of new oligodendrocytes to demyelinated regions of adult white matter. Our rapidly increasing understanding of the molecular control of progenitor cell mobilization and differentiation should provide a wealth of new opportunities for recruiting endogenous progenitors as a means of treating neurological disease.
Catalytic diastereoselective polycyclization of homo(polyprenyl)arene analogues bearing terminal siloxyvinyl groups.

Highly diastereoselective polycyclization of homo(polyprenyl)arene analogues bearing terminal siloxyvinyl groups was catalyzed by tin(IV) chloride (10 mol %). The cyclizations of tert-butyldiphenylsilyl and triisopropylsilyl polyenol ethers gave 4α(equatorial)- and 4β(axial)-siloxypolycycles as major isomers, respectively. The strong nucleophilicity of pro-C(9), a (6E) geometry, and a bulky silyl group effectively favored the 4α-preference, whereas the weak nucleophilicity of pro-C(9), a (6Z)-geometry, and less steric hindrance of a silyl group favored the 4β-preference.
Dopaminergic Supersensitivity Factors in Tourette's Syndrome: A Hypothesis

Alterations in striatal dopamine receptor functions are thought to underlie the major symptoms of Tourette's syndrome (TS). In this communication, evidence is presented to suggest that the striatal dopamine receptor supersensitivity in TS may be mediated by alterations in the release and function of dopamine supersensitive factors including prolactin, estrogens, beta-endorphin, melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), and adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH). It is suggested that treatment of TS should be directed towards rectifying these endocrine and neuropeptide imbalances.
Chlorpromazine metabolism I: Quantitative fluorometric method for 11 chlorpromazine metabolites

Abstract Eleven chlorpromazine metabolites have been reacted with dimethylaminonaphthyl sulfonyl chloride to obtain fluorescent products.The reaction has been standardized and adapted to quantitative determination of nanogram amounts of the metabolites.A procedure for application to biological fluids has been developed.Addition and recovery experiments on urine and plasma indicate that the method is applicable to the study of the pharmacokinetic aspects of chlorpromazine metabolites in human subjects.
The Effect of Positive and Negative Verbal Feedback on Surgical Skills Performance and Motivation

There is considerable effort and time invested in providing feedback to medical students and residents during their time in training. However, little effort has been made to measure the effects of positive and negative verbal feedback on skills performance and motivation to learn and practice. To probe these questions, first-year medical students (n = 25) were recruited to perform a peg transfer task on Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery box trainers. Time to completion and number of errors were recorded. The students were then randomized to receive either positive or negative verbal feedback from an expert in the field of laparoscopic surgery. After this delivery of feedback, the students repeated the peg transfer task. Differences in performance pre- and post-feedback and also between the groups who received positive feedback (PF) vs negative feedback (NF) were analyzed. A survey was then completed by all the participants. Baseline task times were similar between groups (PF 209.3 seconds; NF 203 seconds, p = 0.58). The PF group averaged 1.83 first-time errors while the NF group 1 (p = 0.84). Post-feedback task times were significantly decreased for both groups (PF 159.75 seconds, p = 0.05; NF 132.08 seconds, p = 0.002). While the NF group demonstrated a greater improvement in mean time than the PF group, this was not statistically significant. Both groups also made fewer errors (PF 0.33 errors, p = 0.04; NF 0.38 errors, p = 0.23). When surveyed about their responses to standardized feedback scenarios, the students stated that both positive and negative verbal feedback could be potent stimulants for improved performance and motivation. Further research is required to better understand the effects of feedback on learner motivation and the interpersonal dynamic between mentors and their trainees.
Effect of Imaging in Tissue on Resolution of Pulsed STED Two-Photon Excitation Microscopy

We examine the resolution of two-photon imaging combined with STED microscopy and find resolution depends on imaging depth. The depth dependence of resolution is consistent with the depth dependence of depletion efficiency, suggesting resolution is limited by STED laser propagation through tissue.
Review: pharmacotherapy provides minimal improvements in the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia.

Sink KM, Holden KF, Yaffe K. Pharmacological treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: a review of the evidence. JAMA 2005;293:596–608. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q How effective are pharmacological treatments for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia? ### ![Graphic][5] Design: Systematic review. ### ![Graphic][6] Data sources: MEDLINE (1966 to July 2004), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, plus hand search of reference lists. ### ![Graphic][7] Study selection and analysis: The review included placebo controlled, double blind randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of drug therapy for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, and meta-analyses of such RCTs. Studies of drugs not available in the US or no longer in clinical use and studies of depressive symptoms alone were excluded. ### ![Graphic][8] Outcomes: Neuropsychiatric symptoms. Atypical antipsychotics: six RCTs, all of risperidone or olanzapine, met inclusion criteria. Four RCTs (1380 people) found that antipsychotic treatment improved neuropsychiatric symptoms compared with placebo (see http://www.ebmentalhealth.com/supplemental for table). However, improvements were often small, and risperidone and olanzapine have been reported to increase cerebrovascular events in people with dementia. Typical antipsychotics: two meta-analyses met inclusion criteria. One meta-analysis (seven RCTs; 252 people) found that typical antipsychotics reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms more than placebo (standardised effect size 0.18; p = 0.004). The second meta-analysis (five RCTs; 573 people) found that haloperidol reduced aggression … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.stitle%253DJAMA%26rft.issn%253D0002-9955%26rft.aulast%253DSink%26rft.auinit1%253DK.%2BM.%26rft.volume%253D293%26rft.issue%253D5%26rft.spage%253D596%26rft.epage%253D608%26rft.atitle%253DPharmacological%2BTreatment%2Bof%2BNeuropsychiatric%2BSymptoms%2Bof%2BDementia%253A%2BA%2BReview%2Bof%2Bthe%2BEvidence%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.293.5.596%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F15687315%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.293.5.596&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=15687315&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmental%2F8%2F3%2F83.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000226694200023&link_type=ISI [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [7]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [8]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif
Protein partitioning in PEG/dextran aqueous two‐phase systems

Utilizing a modified form of the Flory-Huggins theory of polymer solution thermodynamics, a generalized expression has been obtained for correlating protein partitioning in the polyethylene glycol (PEG)/dextran aqueous two-phase systems. The expression relates the natural logarithm of the partition coefficient of the protein to the polymer concentration difference between the phases. The parameters of the relationship are a function of protein and phase forming polymer molecular weight, protein-water, protein-polymer and polymer-water interaction parameters, and the electrostatic potential difference between the phases. The relationship was verified by partitioning 17 proteins covering a wide range of molecular weight in the tie lines of the above systems, along with data from the literature. This correlation will facilitate the selection and engineering scale-up of aqueous two-phase systems for biomolecule purification.
Altered ultrastructure of cells of sunflower leaves having low water potentials

Desiccation-induced alterations in cell structure were investigated in sunflower (Helianthus annum L.) leaves using light and electron microscopy. Desiccation was imposed by withholding water from the tissue, and all tissue fixation was carried out under isosmotic conditions. In addition to shrinkage of the vacuoles and intercellular spaces caused by water loss, the significant features of cell desiccation were the appearance of lipid droplets and vesicles close to dictyosomes, and plasmalemma and/or tonoplast breakage in the mesophyll cells. Breakage was followed by massive loss of cell organelles except for the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts, which retained much of their integrity even in the air-dried state. Plasmalemma and tonoplast disruption began in a few cells at water potentials of — 15 bars (relative water contents of 47%) and went to completion below —26 bars (relative water contents less than 28%) in the leaf mesophyll. Typically in this tissue, net photosynthesis becomes zero and the tissue becomes increasingly incapable of full rehydration at water potentials below — 20 bars. By contrast, water potentials of — 26 bars had no detectable effects on the phloem tissue. Structural alterations were little influenced by the rapidity of desiccation (a few minutes to as long as four days). It was concluded that desiccation-induced changes in cell structure are tissue-specific and occur on a cell-by-cell basis rather than in all cells of a tissue at once. The concentration of the cytoplasm and the disruption of the plasmalemma and/or tonoplast seem to be central events in the alteration of cell ultrastructure by desiccation.
From genetic counseling to "genomic counseling".

Genetic counseling is “the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, and familial implications of genetic contributions to disease.” Traditionally, this process includes collecting and interpreting the family and medical history, risk assessment, a comprehensive educational process for potential genetic testing, informed consent, and psychosocial assessment and support (National Society of Genetic Counselors' Definition Task Force et al. 2006). While genetic counseling falls within the scope of many health care professionals, clinical geneticists (physicians) and masters level genetic counselors have been working in the United States for more than 40 years, providing genetic counseling primarily for single-gene conditions. Debate about what “genomic counseling” will include and who will practice it has been fueled by the transition from single-gene focused genetic counseling and testing to a full genomic medicine approach. The routine incorporation of genomic medicine will likely induce differences in the scope, approach and process of genetic counseling (Table ​(Table1).1). In this commentary, I will discuss the several areas where practice will likely change as we move toward “genomic” counseling, with a focus on the unique skills and roles that genetic counselors and clinical geneticists provide.
Open source layered sensing model

This paper will look at using open source tools (Blender © [17], LuxRender © [18], and Python © [19]) to build an image processing model for exploring combinations of sensors/platforms for any given image resolution. The model produces camera position, camera attitude, and synthetic camera data that can be used for exploitation purposes. We focus on electro-optical (EO) visible sensors to simplify the rendering but this work could be extended to use other rendering tools that support different modalities. Due to the computational complexity of ray tracing we employ the Amazon Elastic Cloud Computer to help speed up the generation of large ray traced scenes. The key idea of the paper is to provide an architecture for layered sensing simulation which is modular in design and constructed on open-source off-the-shelf software. This architecture shows how leveraging existing open-source software allows for practical layered sensing modeling to be rapidly assimilated and utilized in real-world applications. In this paper we demonstrate our model output is automatically exploitable by using generated data with an innovative video frame mosaic algorithm.
Multielectron x-ray photoexcitation observations in x-ray-absorption fine-structure background

Multielectron excitations involving deep and shallow core levels have been identified for the first time in the x-ray-absorption fine-structure (XAFS) energy range for crystalline samples, RbBr and \ensuremath{\beta}-${\mathrm{PbO}}_{2}$. The XAFS oscillations have been fitted and subtracted from the experimental data using theoretical standards. The positions of steps in the extracted background are in excellent agreement with the Z+1 approximation. The ability to determine this structure has important implications for XAFS and multiexcitation studies.
Katina’s baby: The Charleston acquisitions conference at 15

At 15, the Charleston Acquisitions Conference continues to be a success. It began as a regional conference with 32 participants and speakers and is now an international meeting with over 400 participants from the United States and other countries. The author first attempts to define an objective methodology for evaluating the success of professional meetings. Next he describes the conference and its evolution over time concentrating on the attendees, speakers, programs, publications, and he compares it to other acquisitions meetings. Finally, using the methodology developed earlier, the author discusses why Charleston is a successful conference.
The development of a C-band Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) geophysical model function at NOAA/NESDIS

Validation of the ASCAT wind vectors show that the ASCAT wind speed errors are within 2 m/s RMS error for wind speeds up to 15 m/s, however they exhibit and increasing low bias beyond 15 m/s. An examination of the ASCAT σ0 revealed some additional sensitivity at the higher wind speeds that was not adequately represented by the current geophysical model function (GMF). A revised GMF is empirically derived using a near-real-time QuikSCAT as a surface truth. A new DC term in the GMF is derived and replaced in the operational CMOD5.5 GMF. Validation of the revised GMF shows that the wind speed retrievals are closer to QuikSCAT for wind speeds > 15 m/s than the operational retrievals, while wind direction retrievals remain the same for all wind speeds as expected.
Expression patterns and transcript processing of ftt-1 and ftt-2, two C. elegans 14-3-3 homologues

A wide diversity of biological functions have been attributed to the highly conserved and ubiquitous 14-3-3 protein family. Yet how much of this diversity is inherent in the basic structure of 14-3-3 and how much is due to isoform specific functions is not yet fully understood. Here, two Caenorhabditis elegans 14-3-3 isoforms whose protein sequences are 90% similar were found to differ significantly in both their genomic structure and expression patterns. The two genes, ftt-1 (IV) (fourteen-three-three) and ftt-2 (X), differ in both the position and sequence of their introns. Since the various intron/exon boundaries respect neither functional nor structural protein motifs, the introns appear to be relatively recent evolutionary additions. ftt-1(IV) encodes three germline enhanced transcripts, two of which are related through the differential use of alternative poly(A) addition sites. RNA in situ hybridization studies reveal high levels of ftt-1 throughout the gonad with particularly high levels in the distal arm. In contrast, ftt-2 (X) encodes a single transcript which is expressed somatically. In embryos, high levels of ftt-1 transcripts appear to be maternally supplied, whereas ftt-2 is expressed as an early zygotic transcript whose expression pattern later localizes to the posterior region of post-proliferative embryos. These expression pattern differences between ftt-1 and ftt-2 suggest that these two 14-3-3 isoforms perform distinct biological roles within the worm.
p21 (WAF1/CIP1) Is Required for the Mitogenic Response to Intestinal Resection

Abstract Background. Increased enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis characterize the intestinal adaptive response to massive small bowel resection (SBR). Since p21 (WAF1/CIP1) has been implicated to play a role in cellular differentiation and apoptosis, this study tested the hypothesis that p21 is obligatory for adaptation to occur. Materials and methods. p21-null ( n = 36) and wild-type (C57B1/6, n = 19) mice underwent a 50% SBR or sham operation. After 3 days, parameters of adaptation (ileal wet weight, villus/crypt morphology, and ileal protein content), an enterocyte proliferation index (PI), and an apoptotic index (AI) were determined in the residual ileum. In a separate set of experiments, p21-null ( n = 11) and control ( n = 20) mice underwent the aforementioned operative procedures and the remnant intestine was subjected to a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for p27 (KIP1). Results. Both AI and PI increased after SBR in the wild-type mice. In the p21-null mice, SBR increased AI, but did not affect the PI. After SBR, adaptive parameters increased in the wild-type mice, but failed to increase in the p21-null mice. The absence of p21 caused a baseline increase in p27 mRNA, which did not change after SBR. Conclusion. p21 appears to be required to increase enterocyte proliferation and to augment the other parameters of intestinal adaptation. In the absence of p21, the proliferative and apoptotic responses to SBR are uncoupled. These results suggest a differential mechanism for the regulation of enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis in the adapting intestine.
Variable color Doppler sonographic appearances of retained products of conception: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Object of study Retained products of conception (RPOC) displays variable vascularity, ranging from avascular to markedly vascular on color Doppler sonography. We hypothesize that variability in sonographic vascularity may be due to histopathologic variation in the placental tissue. Materials, methods, and procedures After institutional review board approval, sonographic images and pathologic specimens were retrospectively reviewed in 26 patients with pathologically proven RPOC. Ultrasound (US) images were scored 0-3 for the degree of vascularity by two radiologists blinded to the diagnosis. Corresponding pathologic specimens were evaluated for vascularization of chorionic villi, degree of inflammation, morphology of maternal arteries, chorionic villous preservation, and percentage of clot, membranes, chorionic villi, and decidua/myometrium. Statistical analysis, including multiple linear regression, was performed. Results RPOC with histologically avascular chorionic villi or those with markedly reduced vascularization had significantly lower US vascularity scores (p = 0.030) than those with chorionic villi showing normal or decreased vascularization. Sonographically avascular RPOC had a significantly lower percentage villi (p = 0.028) and higher percentage of decidua (p = 0.004) than specimens where US showed any Doppler vascularity. Histologic vascularity of villi (p = 0.049) and non-observation of maternal arteries (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of US vascularity scores in multivariate linear regression analysis, while inflammation of villi (p = 0.053) was a marginally significant predictor. Significance of the conclusions Histologic vascularity of villi appears to contribute to the observed variation in sonographic vascularity. This finding may underlie known differences in clinical outcomes between sonographic vascularity groups.