cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extensive Restriction Site Polymorphism Surrounding a Single Copy I-Aβ Gene

The I region of the mouse major histocompatibility (H-2) complex was originally defined as the portion of murine chromosome 17 containing immune response (Ir) genes (1, 2). Subsequent investigation of this genetic region by immunogenetic, serologic, and biochemical approaches revealed that genes controlling accessory cell-T cell interaction (MHC restricted antigen presentation), syngeneic and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte responses, and the fine specificity of T cell antigen recognition, as well as coding for the cell surface glycoprotein antigens termed Ia, also mapped to this same chromosomal segment (3–5). The discovery of this wide array of functions for I region genes raised the question as to whether they reflected pleiotropic manifestations of a limited number of gene products, or if a large and diverse series of molecules was encoded in this region.
La medicina de óptima calidad (MOC) en Colombia: Los internistas debemos abrir el camino High –value care in Colombia: Internists should set the path

Resumen En muchos paises existe evidencia de un creciente aumento del gasto en salud. Se estima que hasta un 30% del mismo es innecesario y representa por lo tanto despilfarro de recursos. Una gran parte de ese despilfarro corresponde a la sobre-utilizacion de pruebas de laboratorio e imagenes diagnosticas que no agregan calidad a la atencion de los pacientes. Se considera que para que una intervencion en salud sea de calidad para el paciente, su beneficio neto debe ser superior a la suma de sus costos (directos y los denominados “cascada abajo”) y los danos que pueda ocasionar. En un intento por reducir el desperdicio en salud, buena parte del cual depende de los profesionales de la salud, varias organizaciones internacionales han desarrollado estrategias para identificar aquellas pruebas diagnosticas que no agregan valor a la atencion de los pacientes, independientemente de su costo. Campanas como “Choosing Wisely” del American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) y “High-value, cost-conscious care” del American College of Physicians y la Alianza para la Medicina Interna Academica (AAIM por sus siglas en ingles) promueven la identificacion, al interior de las diferentes especialidades medicas y quirurgicas, de las 5 pruebas diagnosticas que son mas frecuentemente ordenadas por sus medicos, pero que se consideran no agregan calidad a la atencion del paciente y que por lo tanto deben ser desaconsejadas. Estas pruebas asi identificadas se conocen como las “top 5”. Tambien los pacientes deben estar involucrados y ser informados acerca del poco o ningun valor que estas pruebas representan para su atencion. En Colombia el Capitulo Colombia del American College of Physicians (ACP) ha conformado un grupo de trabajo de medicina de optima calidad (MOC), como se ha denominado la iniciativa en nuestro pais, encargado de su difusion entre las diferentes sociedades cientificas e instituciones academicas a nivel de pre-y postgrado. Bajo la consideracion que los medicos internistas deben liderar esta iniciativa en Colombia, se trabaja ya en la metodologia mas apropiada que permitira identificar un primer grupo de pruebas diagnosticas propias de la Medicina Interna que se consideran de poco valor (calidad) en nuestro medio.
Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction is a Highly Arrhythmogenic Disease

Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a relatively common mode of death in patients with heart failure preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the spectrum and burden of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly those of ventricular arrhythmias, has not well established in these patients. Methods We performed routine arrhythmia surveillance using a 14-day adhesive patch ambulatory ECG recorder (ZioPatch) in patients with HFpEF, enrolled in a subspecialty heart failure clinic. Cardiac electrophysiologists interpreted the ECG recordings. We extracted the clinical data from electronic medical records. Results A total of 40 patients (mean age 71.1±9.9 years, 53% women) with HFpEF underwent routine Ziopatch monitoring. Mean ejection fraction was 59.4±4.4% and 44% had history of coronary artery disease. Of the 40 patients, 32.5% had episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) (mean 5±5.2 episodes), 15.0% had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and 80.0% had episodes of supraventricular tachycardia during the monitored period. All patients had premature ventricular complexes (PVC) with 7.5% having a PVC burden that exceeded 5%. Patients with non-sustained VT had a relatively lower EF, higher NT-proBNP level and were more likely to be obese (Table). Conclusion Patients with HFpEF have a high, and possibly underappreciated, burden of cardiac arrhythmias. The frequent episodes of non-sustained VT in these patients may provide insight into the mechanism of SCD in HFpEF.
Electronic Controller Design of a Semi-Automatic Cell Microinjection System

Cell microinjection systems are widely used in cell micromanipulation and are integral part of many useful procedures, including drug design, organ development and in-vitro fertilization. Due to the involvement of micro scale movements, manually guiding the process is error prone. This has led to the introduction of semi and fully automated cell microinjection systems. The electronic control system of a cell microinjection system is one of its most critical components. Given its significance, we present a cost-effective design of the electronic controller using off-the-shelf components in this paper. Both the hardware and software aspects of the design are presented along with the testing setup for the controller. The testing results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Nation Dreaming: A Consideration of the American Dream in Poland, the U.S., and among Polish Americans

This paper examines the cooperation and influences between Poland and the U.S on their respective dreams, including the influence of the American Dream on Polish Americans and their potential distinctness from those who remain in Poland. Attitudes involving the American Dream that are examined include beliefs about freedom, liberty, democracy, getting ahead, status/mobility, and inequality. Although scholars have compared these belief systems across countries, there has been no distinct focus on Poland and the U.S., and those who immigrate between these countries. A conceptual framework that combines the American Dream, American exceptionalism, and beliefs about inequality guides the research. Data from the General Social Survey and the World Values Survey are used to answer the research questions. Findings show that Polish Americans agree with other Americans on a majority of items measuring elements of the American Dream. However, Americans and Poles have significantly different opinions on each of the American Dream items. Usually, (but not always) it is Americans who are more supportive of the American Dream. When considering the three groups, Polish Americans, Americans, and Poles, our conclusions suggest a trend where Polish Americans are a hybrid of other Americans and Poles when it comes to their views on the Dream. However, the differences often run in the direction that Polish Americans’ views are more like other Americans and distinct from Poles. Conclusions and implications are provided within the historical context of the long history of cooperation between the U.S. and Poland in fights for freedom and democracy.
Policies That Define Instruction: A Systematic Review of States’ and Districts’ Recommendations for Evaluating Special Educators:

Educational policies addressing instruction may fail to acknowledge that effective instruction is not the same for all learners. We reviewed teacher evaluation systems across all states and the 25 ...
Abstract IA08: Regulation of YAP by tyrosine phosphorylation of core Hippo pathway components: Lessons learned from the GNAQ oncogene and FAK

Dysregulation of the Hippo signaling pathway and the consequent YAP1 activation is a frequent event in human malignancies, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. In prior studies we have focused on uveal melanoma, the most frequent eye malignancy in adults that is caused by constitutively active mutations in the GNAQ oncogenes, which encode Gαq and Gα11 heterotrimeric G protein α subunits. We found that GNAQ promotes the activation of YAP1 by a mechanism involving the activation of RhoA by the direct association of Gαq to TRIO, a Rho-GEF, and the consequent stimulation of acting polymerization and the release of YAP from its complex with AMOT. We also showed that YAP1 is essential for uveal melanoma cell growth, thus representing a potential therapeutic target for this malignancy. However, no effective and safe YAP1 inhibitors are currently available. Using a novel integrated bioinformatics pipeline, we recently found that PTK2, encoding Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK), represents a candidate synthetic lethal gene with GNAQ activation (Feng et al., Cancer Cell 2019). We found that Gαq activates FAK through the TRIO-RhoA noncanonical Gαq-signaling, and that genetic ablation or pharmacologic inhibition of FAK inhibits uveal melanoma growth. Surprisingly, analysis of the FAK-regulated transcriptome indicated that GNAQ stimulates YAP1 through FAK. Dissection of the underlying mechanism revealed that FAK regulates YAP1 by tyrosine phosphorylation of MOB1, thereby disrupting MOB1/LATS association and core Hippo pathway signaling. By coupling the power of an unbiased computational pipeline to the unique genetic landscape of uveal melanoma, we uncovered a molecular framework regulating YAP1 and identified FAK as a druggable signaling hub downstream from GNAQ in uveal melanoma. Our findings established FAK as a potential therapeutic target for uveal melanoma and other diseases that may involve FAK activation and unrestrained YAP1 function. Further studies on how multiple growth promoting and oncogenic tyrosine kinase signaling networks may converge to phosphorylate core Hippo pathway components to activate YAP1 in cancer will be also discussed. Citation Format: J. Silvio Gutkind. Regulation of YAP by tyrosine phosphorylation of core Hippo pathway components: Lessons learned from the GNAQ oncogene and FAK [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Hippo Pathway: Signaling, Cancer, and Beyond; 2019 May 8-11; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(8_Suppl):Abstract nr IA08.
Situating Human Rights Approaches to Corporate Accountability in the Political Economy of Supply Chain Capitalism

In this chapter I engage with a number of critical case studies written by scholars and advocates regarding efforts to improve human rights outcomes in global supply chains through private regulatory initiatives (PRIs). More particularly, I suggest that situating these PRIs in the political economy of corporate power that I and others term “supply chain capitalism” helps to explain many of the difficulties PRIs have had in achieving their justice objectives. My argument proceeds in three parts. First, I give more context to the political economy of supply chain capitalism and suggest why it is significant for development policy, inequality, and human rights outcomes in global supply structures. Next, I argue that the power imbalances and competitive conditions that predominate in supply chain capitalism are a significant factor contributing to the limited justice impact of the PRIs. I conclude with some suggestions for ways in which PRIs might increase their impact by using their unique knowledge, organizational capacity, and relationships in particular supply chains to challenge the concentrations of corporate power that are shaping the unjust distributional and human rights outcomes of supply chain capitalism.
Early stage colon cancer: Current treatment standards, evolving paradigms, and future directions

Colon cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity throughout the world despite the availability of reliable screening tools and effective therapies. The majority of patients with colon cancer are diagnosed at an early stage (stages I to III), which provides an opportunity for cure. The current treatment paradigm of early stage colon cancer consists of surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in a select group of patients, which is directed at the eradication of minimal residual disease to achieve a cure. Surgery alone is curative for the vast majority of colon cancer patients. Currently, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy can achieve long term survival in about two-thirds of colon cancer patients with nodal involvement. Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for all patients with stage III colon cancer, while the benefit in stage II patients is not unequivocally established despite several large clinical trials. Contemporary research in early stage colon cancer is focused on minimally invasive surgical techniques, strategies to limit treatment-related toxicities, precise patient selection for adjuvant therapy, utilization of molecular and clinicopathologic information to personalize therapy and exploration of new therapies exploiting the evolving knowledge of tumor biology. In this review, we will discuss the current standard treatment, evolving treatment paradigms, and the emerging biomarkers, that will likely help improve patient selection and personalization of therapy leading to superior outcomes.
Mapping the Class Ceiling: The Social Class Disadvantage for Attaining Management Positions

It matters greatly for individuals, organizations and societies whether particular groups are disadvantaged for attaining management positions. Low social class origin is a likely candidate for suc...
Fundamentals of immunology for understanding immunotherapy for lymphoma

An effective antitumor immune response in patients with lymphoma would eradicate the malignant B cells and cure the patient of the disease. This, however, does not occur, and a suboptimal antitumor response results in persistence and subsequent progression of the patient's disease. The goals of immunotherapy are therefore to restore an effective antitumor immune response by promoting immune recognition, optimizing immune activation, and supporting persistence of the immune response resulting in subsequent immunological memory. Multiple mechanisms, however, are present within the tumor microenvironment that account for an inadequate immune response. These include loss of major histocompatibility complex expression on tumor cells and subsequent inadequate antigen presentation, increased expression of immunosuppressive ligands on malignant cells, populations of immune cells with suppressive function present in the tumor, and cytokines secreted by the malignant cell or other cells in the microenvironment that promote immune exhaustion or suppress the immune response. Successful immunotherapeutic strategies are specifically addressing these issues by promoting antigen presentation, improving recognition of the malignant cell, directly activating T cells and natural killer cells, and blocking immune checkpoint signaling that would suppress the immune response. Many of these approaches have proven highly successful in patients with various subtypes of lymphoma and are now being incorporated into standard clinical practice.
The development of a social norms adherence intervention for adolescents with epilepsy.

Abstract Introduction Adherence is suboptimal in adolescents with epilepsy. Social norms comparison (i.e., feedback about someone else’s behavior related to one’s own behavior) strategies may be beneficial in improving medication adherence. Using a novel model of behavioral intervention development, the aim of the current study was to create a social norms intervention for adolescents with epilepsy via focus groups and usability studies. Methods A focus group, individual interviews, short-term usability, and extended usage testing studies were conducted. Across all study phases, content and images of intervention components were displayed to participants as mock-ups in PowerPoint slide decks. After each phase, updated iterations were shown to participants to refine the intervention. Several questionnaires were completed by adolescents and caregivers to characterize the samples. Results Twelve adolescents participated in the focus group/individual interviews and usability studies. The final Behavioral Economic Adherence for Teens (BEAT) intervention consists of a text messaging system and a graphical user interface. General feedback indicated the need for simplicity and ease of use regarding obtaining the graphical messages (e.g., no extra login and passwords); engaging visual images; and weekly comparisons of a target patient’s medication adherence to other adolescents’ performance. The average system usability system (SUS) rating was 88.3 + 3.8. Conclusions Our final intervention had high usability ratings and was perceived as engaging and easy to understand. An important next step is to test the BEAT intervention in a Phase 2 randomized trial.
Mobility and the effective reproduction rate of COVID-19

Abstract Objectives Due to the infectiousness of COVID-19, the mobility of individuals has sharply decreased, both in response to government policy and self-protection. This analysis seeks to understand how mobility reductions reduce the spread of the coronavirus (SAR-CoV-2), using readily available data sources. Methods Mobility data from Google is correlated with estimates of the effective reproduction rate, Rt, which is a measure of viral infectiousness (Google, 2020). The Google mobility data provides estimates of reductions in mobility, for six types of trips and activities. Rt for US states are downloaded from an on-line platform that derives daily estimates based on data from the Covid Tracking Project (Wissel et al., 2020; Systrom et al., 2020). Fixed effects models are estimated relating mean Rt and 80% upper level credible interval estimates to changes in mobility and a time-trend value and with both 7-day and 14-day lags. Results All mobility variables are correlated with median Rt and the upper level credible interval of Rt. Staying at home is effective at reducing Rt,. Time spent at parks has a small positive effect, while other activities all have larger positive effects. The time trend is negative suggesting increases in self-protective behavior. Predictions suggest that returning to baseline levels of activity for retail, transit, and workplaces, will increase Rt above 1.0, but not for other activities. Mobility reductions of about 20–40% are needed to achieve an Rt below 1.0 (for the upper level 80% credible interval) and even larger reductions to achieve an Rt below 0.7. Conclusions Policy makers need to be cautious with encouraging return to normal mobility behavior, especially returns to workplaces, transit, and retail locations. Activity at parks appears to not increase Rt as much. This research also demonstrates the value of using on-line data sources to conduct rapid policy-relevant analysis of emerging issues.
Opioid Use in the Treatment of Pain States

Opioid medications are used ubiquitously in the treatment of moderate and severe pain. They are a safe, convenient, and reliable method used to alleviate pain related to cancer and should be considered first-line therapies. This chapter will discuss safe prescribing guidelines, practical applications of opioid medications, common medications used, strategies for the management of adverse effects, and methods of effectively achieving optimal analgesia in patients suffering from pain related to cancer. It will also offer more nuanced recommendations of treatment as they may relate to specific sub-populations of patients and specific medications used in their treatment.
Species-wide phylogenomics of the Staphylococcus aureus agr operon reveals convergent evolution of frameshift mutations

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is a prominent nosocomial pathogen that causes several life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia and bacteremia. S. aureus modulates expression of its arsenal of virulence factors through sensing and integrating responses to environmental signals. The agr (accessory gene regulator) quorum sensing (QS) system is a major regulator of virulence phenotypes in S. aureus. There are four agr specificity groups each with a different autoinducer peptide sequence (encoded by the agrD gene). Though agr is critical for expression of many toxins, paradoxically, S. aureus strains often have non-functional agr activity due to loss-of-function mutations in the four-gene agr operon. To understand patterns in agr variability across S. aureus, we undertook a species-wide genomic investigation. We developed a software tool (AgrVATE; https://github.com/VishnuRaghuram94/AgrVATE) for typing and detecting frameshift mutations in the agr operon. In an analysis of over 40,000 S. aureus genomes, we showed close association between agr type and S. aureus clonal complex. We also found strong linkage between agrBDC alleles (encoding the peptidase, the autoinducing peptide itself, and the peptide sensor respectively) but not agrA (encoding the -response regulator). More than five percent of genomes were found to have frameshift mutations in the agr operon. Though most mutations occur only once in the entire species, we observed a small number of recurring mutations evolving convergently across different clonal lineages. Phylogenetic patterns suggested that strains with agr frameshifts were evolutionary dead ends. Overall, genomic analysis of agr operon suggests evolution through multiple processes with functional consequences that are not fully understood. Importance Staphylococcus aureus is a globally pervasive pathogen that produces a plethora of toxic molecules that can degrade, evade, or inhibit the host immune cells. Production of these toxins is mainly controlled by an active agr quorum sensing system, which senses and responds to bacterial cell density. However, there are many reports of S. aureus strains with genetic changes leading to impaired agr activity, often found during chronic bloodstream infections, and may be associated with increased disease severity. We developed an open-source software called AgrVATE to type agr systems and identify putative frameshifts. We used AgrVATE for a species-wide genomic survey of S. aureus, finding that more than 5 % of strains in the public database had non-functional agr systems. We also provide new insights into the evolution of these genetic mutations in the agr system. Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of a common but relatively understudied means of virulence regulation in S. aureus.
Historicism and Materiality in Legal Theory

Current interest in a rapprochement between legal theory and legal history rests on a transformation of legal theory into a species of historicism, a mode of inquiry that emphasizes the tempero-spatial locatedness of its objects of attention, and examines the multiplicity of relations existing between object and context. Contemporary paradigms in historicism further contend that whatever the context in relationship to which the object of inquiry is situated, the outcome is indeterminacy – the irreducible contingency of alternative possibilities, paths taken and not taken. Given the stranglehold that historicism has achieved in legal history, it is not surprising that its core contentions should be the drivers of revisionism in legal theory. However, alternatives should be considered. This paper undertakes a critique of historicism, and examines a rival philosophy of history that I will call “materiality.” A less developed, more eclectic, standpoint, materiality stresses the impact upon the formation of law of technologies, artifacts, and material practices. Rather than collapse law into its context, it seeks to examine the fabrication of law’s differentiation. Its potential is exemplified in work as varied as Cornelia Vismann’s Files: Law and Media Technology (2000; trans. 2008) and Bruno Latour’s The Making of Law (2002; trans. 2010). My main emphasis, however, will be on the species of historical materialism developed in the work of Walter Benjamin (1892-1940), where one finds both an intense stress on the materiality of an object of attention, and an understanding of historical perspective to entail much more than the derivation of the object’s meaning from the circumstances in which it is located. If history promises to enliven our understanding of an object, we must recognize the object is not enlivened by the relationalities of its time, within which it allegedly belongs, but by the fold of time that creates it in constellation with the present, the moment of its recognition.
Depolarization of negative mouns stopping in liquid hydrogen

The depolarization of negative muons stopping in liquid hydrogen has been measured by observing the distribution of μ-e angles for muons decaying in a hydrogen bubble chamber. Checks for impurities established that transfer of muons from hydrogen to impurities could be neglected. A fit of the expression (N/2) (1+a cos θ) d(cos θ) to the data gives a valuea=−0.0185±0.0140 for the asymmetry parameter. For a 100% polarized μ beam, the corresponding residual polarization is 0.056±0.032. This result indicates a depolarizing mechanism other than simple cascade depolarization. Expected mechanisms including Stark mixing and collisional exchange are discussed. Similar measurements for negative mouns decaying at rest in liquid deuteriuma=−0.0140±0.0165 anda=−0.206±0.044, respectively.
Vibrational Spectroscopy of Subnanogram Samples with Tunneling Spectroscopy

As mentioned in Chapter 1, sample preparation is the most challenging part of tunneling spectroscopy. In sample preparation, the most critical step is doping the junction. Thus, it is understandable that a great deal of time and energy have gone into development of improved techniques for doping. The three general categories of techniques that have been discussed thus far in the book are (1) vapor doping, (2) liquid phase doping, and (3) infusion doping. In this chapter we discuss a relatively new technique for liquid phase doping in which a very small drop of dopant solution is placed on the tunneling barrier and evaporated to dryness. This simple new technique has the advantage that it requires orders of magnitude less of the doped compound than other techniques.
An improved shape matching algorithm for deformable objects using a global image feature

We propose an improved shape matching algorithm that extends the work of Felzenszwalb [3]. In this approach, we use triangular meshes to represent deformable objects and use dynamic programming to find the optimal mapping from the source image to the target image which minimizes a new energy function. Our energy function includes a new cost term that takes into account the center of mass of an image. This term is invariant to translation, rotation, and uniform scaling. We also improve the dynamic programming method proposed in [3] using the center of mass of an image. Experimental results on the Brown dataset show a 7.8% higher recognition rate when compared with Felzenszwalb's algorithm.
"El caso Ellen West": la ética médica en los albores de la anorexia nerviosa

0 0 1 242 1333 UNAM FES IZTACALA 11 3 1572 14.0 Normal 0 21 false false false ES-TRAD JA X-NONE Abstract. The case of Ellen West was published before anorexia nervosa was conceived as a clinical entity and previous to the birth of bioethics. This study seeks to understand the moral issues that Binswanger followed according to traditional medical ethics. Three dimensions are outstanding: formation of a firm pact based on trust, prudent judgments and virtues as personal excellences, which shaped the psychotherapeutic dialogue. In addition, he respected the professional secrecy, communication of alternative therapies and a dialogue based on saying and uncovering the truth. The final suicide was foreseen but he respected it as a choice of a project of existence although failed. Key words: anorexia nervosa, Ellen West, bioethics, suicide, existence. Resumen. El caso Ellen West se publico antes que se describiera la anorexia nerviosa como entidad nosologica y previo al nacimiento de la bioetica. El presente estudio busca comprender las conductas morales que Binswanger adopto de acuerdo a la etica medica tradicional. Tres dimensiones resaltan: formacion de un pacto firme basado en la confianza, juicios prudentes y las virtudes entendidas como excelencias personales determinantes del dialogo psicoterapeutico. Ademas, el respeto el secreto profesional, la comunicacion de terapias alternativas y construyo un dialogo fundamentado en decir y descubrir la verdad. El suicidio final fue previsto por el, y lo acato como la eleccion de un proyecto de existencia aunque fracasado. Palabras clave: anorexia nerviosa, Ellen West, bioetica, suicidio, existencia.
A high resolution, stictionless, CMOS compatible SOI accelerometer with a low noise, low power, 0.25 /spl mu/m CMOS interface

The implementation and characterization of a high sensitivity silicon-on-insulator (SOI) capacitive microaccelerometer with sub-25 /spl mu/g resolution is presented. The in-plane accelerometers were fabricated on 40 /spl mu/m thick SOI substrates using a two-mask, dry-release low temperature process comprising of three plasma etching steps. The fabricated devices were interfaced with a high resolution, low noise and low power switched-capacitor integrated circuit (IC) fabricated in a 2.5 V 0.25 /spl mu/m N-well CMOS process. The measured sensitivity is 0.2 pF/g and the output noise floor is 20 /spl mu/g//spl radic/Hz. The total power consumption is 3 mW.
Decomposition of the camera calibration matrix

Two topics related to camera calibration are discussed. First, a novel system is designed, using a sonic digitizer, to automate the measurement of corresponding 3D object points and 2D image points for use in camera calibration. Second, the calibration matrix, which is estimated during camera calibration, is decomposed into the ten geometric parameters that define the standard pinhole camera model, and an eleventh parameter. >
Accelerated MRI with CIRcular Cartesian UnderSampling (CIRCUS): a variable density Cartesian sampling strategy for compressed sensing and parallel imaging.

Purpose: This study proposes and evaluates a novel method for generating efficient undersampling patterns for 3D Cartesian acquisition with compressed sensing (CS) and parallel imaging (PI). Methods: Image quality achieved with schemes that accelerate data acquisition, including CS and PI, are sensitive to the design of the specific undersampling scheme used. Ideally random sampling is required to recover MR images from undersampled data with CS. In practice, pseudo-random sampling schemes are usually applied. Radial or spiral sampling either for Cartesian or non-Cartesian acquisitions has been using because of its favorable features such as interleaving flexibility. In this study, we propose to undersample data on the ky-kz plane of the 3D Cartesian acquisition by circularly selecting sampling points in a way that maintains the features of both random and radial or spiral sampling. Results: The proposed sampling scheme is shown to outperform conventional random and radial or spiral samplings for 3D Cartesian acquisition and is found to be comparable to advanced variable-density Poisson- Disk sampling (vPDS) while retaining interleaving flexibility for dynamic imaging, based on the results with retrospective undersampling. Our preliminary results with the prospective implementation of the proposed undersampling strategy demonstrated its favorable features. Conclusions: The proposed undersampling patterns for 3D Cartesian acquisition possess the desirable properties of randomization and radial or spiral trajectories. It provides easy implementation, flexible sampling, and high accuracy of image reconstruction with CS and PI.
Sign structures for short-range RVB states on small kagome clusters

We extended the Schwinger boson construction to obtain wave functions that are resonating valence bond (RVB) counterparts of the degenerate coplanar classical states on the kagome lattice. We examined all 84 of them on the 36-site cluster and found that they form a narrow energy band. On the 12-site cluster, there are only four such states and their superpositions accurately account for the second through fourth exact diagonalization (ED) states, while the ED ground state is accurately reproduced by allowing a particular two-vison insertion on top of the q=0 RVB state. Thus, we have established the RVB sign structures for the low-energy states on this cluster.
From "Fear-based" Choice to "Freedom-based" Choice: Georgia's Tuition Grants Act, 1960–1997

Georgia's General Assembly passed the 1961 “Tuition Grants Act” as a method for avoiding school desegregation. In 1993, an Atlanta attorney attempted to use the Act to provide private school vouchers. This study compares and contrasts arguments for and against the Act, and public support for the Act, in 1961 and 1993, using Robinson's (2004) “fear-based” choice vs. “freedom-based” choice model, finding that: At both times, school choice politics were elite-based, with public opinion and broader political activism playing subordinate roles; pro-school choice elites had different goals in the two eras; and the Act was not implemented in either era.
The heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein, GS, modulates the Cl- conductance of rat parotid acinar secretory granules.

Abstract Gsαhas been reported to be present in rat parotid acinar secretory granule membrane (SGM) fractions. In the present study, we evaluated epitope orientation of Gsαon the secretory granule (SG) and the ability of Gsto modulate the Cl−conductance of isolated granules by measuring granule lysis. Gsαwas found to be associated with the cytoplasmic face of the SGM. Aluminum fluroide (AlF4−, 20μM Al3+and 10 mM F−) significantly increased granule lysis and this effect was blocked by GDPβS. Cholera toxin (5μg/ml) mimicked the effects of AlF4−on granule lysis, whereas pertussis toxin (0.5μg/ml) was without effect. GTPγS, however, reduced granule lysis in a concentration-dependent manner. The orientation of Gsαon the SGM as well as the effects of AlF4−and cholera toxin on granule lysis lends support for a role of Gsin the exocytotic process.
Characterization of a temperature-sensitive, DNA-positive, nontransforming mutant of simian virus 40

Abstract We have characterized an early mutant of SV40, tsA1642 ( M. J. Tevethia and L. W. Ripper, 1977, Virology , 81 , 192–211 ), which differs from other tsA mutants both in its location on the genome and in its phenotype. Marker rescue experiments position tsA1642 between 0.304 and 0.325 map units in the unique coding region for large T antigen. DNA sequencing within this region reveals a single nucleotide substitution at position 1782. Unlike other tsA mutants, the tsA1642 mutation does not result in the metabolic instability of large T antigen at nonpermissive temperature, nor does it lead to a defect in autoregulation of early gene expression. At nonpermissive temperature in the lytic cycle, tsA1642 accumulates viral DNA, T antigens, and late proteins at near wild-type levels, but produces only low levels of infectious virus. In addition to its defect in lytic growth, tsA1642 is markedly defective in transformation. It is unable to transform Brown Norwegian rat kidney (B/NRK) cells to anchorage-independent growth at 40.5°. However, using the same assay, tsA1642 is nonconditionally defective in the transformation of a continuous line of C57B1/6 mouse embryo fibroblasts. TsA1642 generates transformed B/NRK cell lines some of which are temperature sensitive and some temperature resistant for the maintenance of the transformed phenotype. This mutant, therefore, appears to genetically separate, at least partially, some of the functions of large T antigen required for lytic growth from those required for transformation.
Can we produce true tolerance in patients with food allergy

Immune tolerance is defined as nonresponsiveness of the adaptive immune system to antigens. Immune mechanisms preventing inappropriate immune reactivity to innocuous antigens include deletion of reactive lymphocytes and generation of regulatory T (Treg) cells. The normal response to food antigens is the generation of antigen-specific Treg cells. In patients with food allergy, the dominant immune response is a TH2-skewed T-cell response and the generation of food-specific IgE antibodies from B cells. It is not known whether a failure of the Treg cell response is behind this inappropriate immune response, but interventions that boost the Treg cell response, such as mucosal immunotherapy, might lead to a restoration of immune tolerance to foods. Tolerance has been notoriously difficult to restore in animal disease models, but limited data from human trials suggest that tolerance (sustained nonresponsiveness) can be re-established in a subset of patients. Furthermore, studies on the natural history of food allergy indicate that spontaneous development of tolerance to foods over time is not uncommon. The current challenge is to understand the mechanisms responsible for restoration of natural or induced tolerance so that interventions can be developed to more successfully induce tolerance in the majority of patients with food allergy.
Measurement of translational energies of ionic dissociation fragments

Abstract Using a 12-inch 60° sector mass spectrometer the translational energies of some fragment ions formed near onset have been determined by the method of ion deflection. The principle of the method is described in detail. The values of the translational energies of fragment ions found by this method compare well with those found by Haney and Franklin [1] using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer employing an entirely different method.
Receptor‐mediated endocytosis of iron‐oxide particles provides efficient labeling of dendritic cells for in vivo MR imaging

Dendritic cells (DCs) function as antigen presenting cells in vivo and play a fundamental role in numerous diseases. New methods are described for high-efficiency intracellular labeling of DCs with superparamagnetic iron-oxide (SPIO) utilizing a receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME) mechanism. Bone marrow-derived DCs or a fetal skin-derived DC line were incubated with SPIO conjugated to anti-CD11c monoclonal antibody (mAb) under conditions favoring RME. These cells exhibited approximately a 50-fold increase in uptake relative to DCs incubated with SPIO without the mAb. Flow cytometry studies assaying cell surface markers showed a down-modulation of CD11c, but no other changes in phenotype. Immunological function of the DCs was unmodified by the labeling, as determined by cytokine secretion assays. The RME mechanism was confirmed using electron microscopy, endocytosis inhibition assays, and incubation experiments with SPIO conjugated to mAbs against accessory molecules that are not expressed on DCs. Labeled DCs were injected into murine quadriceps and monitored in vivo for several days using MR microimaging at 11.7 T. DCs were observed to remain within the muscle for >24 hr. The use of RME is an efficient way to label immune cells for in vivo MRI and can be applied to a wide variety of cell types.
Comments on innovations in cognitive behavioral treatments of anxiety disorders

Authors of the present series of articles offer cognitive behavioral practitioners some exciting new possibilities for enhancing the treatment of anxiety disorders. In this article, I speculate about the promise of these innovations and discuss some of the practical issues to be addressed if advances in technology are to be widely adopted by clinicians in nonacademic settings.
Robustness of systems with uncertainties in the input

Abstract In B. R. Barmish (IEEE Trans. Automat. ControlAC-22, No. 7 (1977) 123, 124; AC-24, No. 6 (1979), 921–926) and B. R. Barmish and Y. H. Lin (“Proceedings of the 7th IFAC World Congress, Helsinki 1978”) a new notion of “robustness” was defined for a class of dynamical systems having uncertainty in the input-output relationship. This paper generalizes the results in the above-mentioned references in two fundamental ways: (i) We make significantly less restrictive hypotheses about the manner in which the uncertain parameters enter the system model. Unlike the multiplicative structure assumed in previous work, we study a far more general class of nonlinear integral flows, (ii) We remove the restriction that the admissible input set be compact. The appropriate notion to investigate in this framework is seen to be that of approximate robustness. Roughly speaking, an approximately robust system is one for which the output can be guaranteed to lie “e-close” to a prespecified set at some future time T > 0. This guarantee must hold for all admissible (possibly time-varying) variations in the values of the uncertain parameters. The principal result of this paper is a necessary and sufficient condition for approximate robustness. To “test” this condition, one must solve a finite-dimensional optimization problem over a compact domain, the unit simplex. Such a result is tantamount to a major reduction in the complexity of the problem; i.e., the original robustness problem which is infinite-dimensional admits a finite-dimensional parameterization. It is also shown how this theory specializes to the existing theory of Barmish and Barmish and Lin under the imposition of additional assumptions. A number of illustrative examples and special cases are presented. A detailed computer implementation of the theory is also discussed.
Background colouration influences body colour segregation in mollies

When given a choice of swimming against a black background near an empty black end compartment or swimming against a white background near an empty white compartment, black morph mollies Poecilia latipinna spent significantly more time against the black background. The presence of a shoal (either white or black mollies) in the black compartment increased the preference of the test fish for the black background. However, black molly test fish spent significantly less time against a black background if a black shoal was present in the white compartment than in assays in which a white shoal was in the white compartment. In assays where test fish were given the choice between two black shoals, test fish spent significantly more time near the black shoal on the black background. Similarly, when given the choice between two white shoals, test fish spent significantly more time against the black background. The results suggest that the presence of cryptic backgrounds alter shoalmate choices in fish that assort according to body colouration.
Crystal orientation dependence of piezoelectric properties of single crystal barium titanate

Abstract The dielectric and piezoelectric constants of single crystal barium titanate have been theoretically calculated and experimentally measured for different cutting orientation directions. The dielectric constant rapidly increases as the cutting direction deviates away from the unique spontaneous polarization direction [001]. The effective piezoelectric strain constant d 33 exhibits the same trend in the range from 0° to 50° away from the polarization direction and has the maximum value more than 3.5 times larger than its value along the polarization direction. The electromechanical coupling factor k 33 is also enhanced by choosing a cutting direction canted away from the polarization direction.
Risk for Osteoporosis in Elderly Nuns: Need for Better Recognition and Treatment

Background: The risk for osteoporosis in Catholic sisters (nuns) may be even higher than that of the general female population given their longer life expectancy (82.0 to 89.0 years vs 79.6 years for the average white woman) and the use of a traditional habit as a young adult, resulting in limited sun exposure (ie, exposure to vitamin D). Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine, in a group of elderly nuns attending an annual health screening day (Health Forum), how many met National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) treatment criteria using peripheral bone mineral density (BMD) measurements and risk factors; what proportion received adequate vitamin D; whether BMD was related to length of time that nuns wore a habit; and whether BMD measurement led to medical interventions. In addition, we compared the usefulness of calcaneal BMD with that of BMD at central sites for identification of those at risk for osteoporosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed BMD by calcaneal dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and, for some participants, central DXA. A baseline questionnaire and follow-up mail survey also were included. Results: Of the 230 nuns attending the Health Forum, 146 (63%) (mean age, 70 years; range, 48–90 years) participated in the study. Of these, 14% had calcaneal osteoporosis (T-score <−2.5) and 32% met NOF treatment criteria, indicating risk comparable to that of other postmenopausal American women. Sixty-four percent were receiving less than the recommended amount of vitamin D (≥400 IU/d for those aged <71 years and ≥600 IU/d for those aged ≥71 years). Calcaneal BMD was inversely related to the length of time nuns had worn a habit. Fifty-six women subsequently underwent central DXA. Using a calcaneal T-score of −1.2 to identify those with central osteoporosis, sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 76%, respectively, were obtained. According to the mail survey, 11 of 42 respondents who had met NOF treatment criteria started new medications for osteoporosis. Conclusions: Elderly nuns are at substantial risk for osteoporosis. Most receive inadequate vitamin D. For nuns and others who may have limited access to central DXA measurement, peripheral measurements may help identify those in need of further intervention. Further efforts, in addition to BMD measurements, are necessary to ensure appropriate therapy for those who meet treatment criteria.
The cold pressor test: Vascular and myocardial response patterns and their stability

The purposes of the present study were to compare the cardiovascular response patterns evoked by three versions of the cold pressor test (either forehead stimulation or hand or foot immersion) and to determine the reproducibility of the responses over a 2-week interval. Blood pressure, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and systolic time intervals were obtained during rest and during the cold pressor test in 42 young men. Across conditions, the pressor response was supported by peripheral resistance increases with concomitant stroke volume decreases. Although the response patterns were generally similar across sites, exceptions were apparent for heart rate. Forehead stimulation was characterized by no significant change in heart rate, whereas limb (hand or foot) immersion was associated with significant heart rate acceleration. The responses elicited by the three cold pressor test conditions were reliable and showed little evidence of attenuation over the test-retest interval.
Hyper-cooperation is deep in our evolutionary history and individual perception of belief matters

For all its virtues in binding strangers together, religious cooperation is born out of competition and conflict between groups… Big God religions are both the fire department and the arsonist. (No...