cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unusual Cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia: First Report of Intracranial Migration of Spinal Cord Stimulator.

Background Spinal cord stimulation has been shown to be an effective treatment for some patients diagnosed with chronic pain and failed back syndrome. However, lead migration from the implantation site is a potential complication that may reduce treatment efficacy, produce unintended symptoms, and require invasive and costly surgical replacement or removal. Case Description A 71-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with diffuse headache and burning left-sided facial pain consistent with trigeminal neuralgia. She had a history of chronic regional pain syndrome that had been successfully treated for 8 years with a percutaneous spinal cord stimulator, and 2 weeks before presentation she had had the cervical lead replaced. Computed tomography demonstrated intradural and intracranial migration of the cervical lead, which had traversed along the left lateral aspect of the medulla and terminated at the pontomedullary junction. The migrated cervical lead was removed surgically. At follow-up, her trigeminal pain had resolved. Conclusions Although spinal cord stimulation has demonstrated effectiveness as a treatment for chronic pain, care must be taken to ensure that the spinal cord stimulator leads are properly placed within the epidural space and are firmly anchored to avoid migration. Intracranial migration of a spinal cord stimulator lead poses significant risks for injury to adjacent cortical structures and may produce pain syndromes including trigeminal neuralgia.
Ethnic/Racial Identity as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Discrimination and Adolescent Outcomes

Ethnic/racial identity, a multidimensional concept, broadly captures how youth think and feel about being a member of their ethnic/racial group and has been linked to many positive outcomes for minority youth (Rivas-Drake et al. Child Dev 85:77–102, 2014; Smith & Silva, J Couns Psychol 58(1):42–60, 2011). As adolescents simultaneously encounter experiences of discrimination from proximal and distal sources during this crucial developmental time span, aspects of ethnic/racial identity may buffer or exacerbate various outcomes. This chapter explores current research on how developmental and social conceptualizations of ethnic/racial identity moderate the relationships between discrimination and academic and mental and physical health outcomes among minority adolescents.
A Novel Telemedicine System for Care of Statewide Hand Trauma

Background: Telemedicine is an evolving tool to increase patients' access to subspecialty care. Since 2014, Arkansas has been utilizing telemedicine in the evaluation of patients with hand injuries. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of this novel telemedicine system for the management of hand trauma on patient transfer. Methods: We reviewed data from the first year of the telemedicine program (2014) and compared it to data from the year prior (2013). Data collection from both years included number of hand consults and need for transfer. From the 2014 data, we also recorded the use of telemedicine, type of transfer, distance of transfer, and time to disposition. Results: During 2013 (pre-telemedicine), there were 263 hand traumas identified. In all, 191 (73%) injuries required transfer to a higher level of care, while 72 (23%) were managed locally. In the first year of the telemedicine program (2014), a total of 331 hand injuries were identified. A total of 298 (90%) resulted in telemedicine consultation with 65% (195) utilizing video encounters. After telemedicine consultation, local management was recommended for 164 injuries (55%) while transfer was recommended for 134 (45%). Using telemedicine, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of transfer for hand injuries (P < .001). Conclusions: The telemedicine program was well utilized and provided patients throughout the state with continuous access to fellowship trained hand surgeons including regions where hand subspecialty care is not available. The program resulted in a significant decrease in the number of hospital transfers for the management of acute hand trauma.
Targeted Therapy for Advanced Thyroid Cancer: Kinase Inhibitors and Beyond

The treatment of advanced thyroid cancer has undergone rapid evolution in the last decade, with multiple kinase inhibitor drug approvals for each subtype of thyroid cancer and a number of other commercially available drugs that have been studied for this indication. Although most of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs are antiangiogenic multikinase inhibitors-vandetanib, cabozantinib, sorafenib, lenvatinib-there are two FDA indications that are mutation specific-dabrafenib/trametinib for BRAF-mutated anaplastic thyroid cancer and larotrectinib for NTRK-fusion thyroid cancer. Furthermore, other mutation-specific drugs, immunotherapies, and novel strategies for advanced thyroid cancer are under investigation. Understanding the molecular basis of thyroid cancer, the drugs of interest for treatment of advanced thyroid cancer, and how these drugs can be administered safely and in the appropriate clinical scenario are the topics of this review.
Primer on machine learning: utilization of large data set analyses to individualize pain management.

Purpose of review Pain researchers and clinicians increasingly encounter machine learning algorithms in both research methods and clinical practice. This review provides a summary of key machine learning principles, as well as applications to both structured and unstructured datasets. Recent findings Aside from increasing use in the analysis of electronic health record data, machine and deep learning algorithms are now key tools in the analyses of neuroimaging and facial expression recognition data used in pain research. Summary In the coming years, machine learning is likely to become a key component of evidence-based medicine, yet will require additional skills and perspectives for its successful and ethical use in research and clinical settings.
Relationship between students' perceptions of the adequacy of M1 and M2 curricula and their performance on USMLE step 1 examination.

Performance on United States Medical Licensing Exam® (USMLE®) Step 1 examination (Step 1) is an important milestone for medical students. It is necessary for their graduation, and selection to interview for the National Resident Match Program®. Success on Step 1 examination requires content alignment, and continuous evaluation and improvement of preclinical curriculum. The purpose of this research was to observe the association between students’ perceptions of deficits in the curriculum based on core disciplines and organ systems in relation to students’ performance in those disciplines and systems on USMLE® Step 1 examination. An anonymous survey with closed-ended and open-ended questions was sent to 174 medical students, the class of 2018 (77), and 2019 (97) within 2–3 weeks of taking Step 1 examination. Students’ feedback as well as students’ performance on Step 1 examination were organized into disciplines and organ systems to allow for more specific curriculum analyses. The closed-ended questions provide three selections (yes, no and not sure) regarding students’ agreement to the adequacy of M1 and M2 curricula to prepare students for Step 1 examination. Students’ responses on the closed-ended questions were reviewed in conjunction with their Step 1 performance. The open-ended feedback was qualitatively analyzed for emergent themes or similarity with closed-ended questions in identifying any shortcoming of the curriculum. The data show an apparent relationship between students’ evaluations and students’ performance on Step 1 examinations. A high percentage of students’ disagreement of the curriculum adequacy was also reflected in a lower performance on Step 1 examination. Additionally, the themes that emerged from the qualitative analysis have confirmed the areas of curricular deficiency. The data collected from this research provides insight into the degree of usefulness of students’ evaluations as a way of assessing curriculum deficits in preparing students for their Step 1 examination.
The shape of things to come.

Shape-directed assembly of engineered microparticles enables multicomponent machines that can reconfigure dynamically to control their field-driven locomotion.
Transformations of 4-Space

By a transformation of 4-space, we mean a rule T which assigns to each vector X of ℝ4 some vector T(X) of ℝ4. The vector T(X) is called the image of X under T, and the collection of all images of vectors in ℝ4 under the transformation T is called the range of T. We continue to denote transformations by capital letters such as P, Q, R, S, T.
Laparoscopic Discoid Rectal Endometriosis Resection: The Squeeze Technique

Laparoscopic excision of full thickness rectal endometriosis using a discoid resection can avoid the need for a bowel resection. This may help avoid some of the morbidity and prolonged hospitalization that can be associated with larger bowel surgery. Patients with a single anterior nodule that is less than 3 cm and do not involve more than half of the circumference of the bowel are good candidates for this surgical approach. The maximum amount of unaffected bowel can be spared, while still obtaining disease free surgical margins, by gently squeezing the nodule and bouncing off. This technique shows the surgeon where to make the proper incision and allows for a primary two-layer closure rather than a bowel resection.
Synthesizing realistic brain mr images with noise control

Image synthesis in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been an active area of research for more than ten years. MR image synthesis can be used to create images that were not acquired or replace images that are corrupted by artifacts, which can be of great benefit in automatic image analysis. Although synthetic images have been used with success in many applications, it is quite often true that they do not look like real images. In practice, an expert can usually distinguish synthetic images from real ones. Generative adversarial networks (GANs) have significantly improved the realism of synthetic images. However, we argue that further improvements can be made through the introduction of noise in the synthesis process, which better models the actual imaging process. Accordingly, we propose a novel approach that incorporates randomness into the model in order to better approximate the distribution of real MR images. Results show that the proposed method has comparable accuracy with the state-of-the-art approaches as measured by multiple similarity measurements while also being able to control the noise level in synthetic images. To further demonstrate the superiority of this model, we present results from a human observer study on synthetic images, which shows that our results capture the essential features of real MR images.
A READABILITY COMPARISON OF ONLINE SPANISH AND ENGLISH PATIENT EDUCATION MATERIALS ABOUT VISION HEALTH.

Purpose: Current United States national guidelines recommend patient education materials (PEMs) be written at a 5th–6th grade level. The objective of this study was to compare the readability of Sp...
WNT4 Balances Development vs Disease in Gynecologic Tissues and Women’s Health

The WNT family of proteins is crucial in numerous developmental pathways and tissue homeostasis. WNT4, in particular, is uniquely implicated in the development of the female phenotype in the fetus, and in the maintenance of mullerian and reproductive tissues. WNT4 dysfunction or dysregulation can drive sex-reversal syndromes, highlighting the key role of WNT4 in sex determination. WNT4 is also critical in gynecologic pathologies later in life, including several cancers, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and infertility. The role of WNT4 in normal decidualization, implantation, and gestation is being increasingly appreciated, while aberrant activation of WNT4 signaling is being linked both to gynecologic and breast cancers. Notably, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the WNT4 gene locus are strongly associated with these pathologies and may functionally link estrogen and estrogen receptor signaling to upregulation and activation of WNT4 signaling. Importantly, in each of these developmental and disease states, WNT4 gene expression and downstream WNT4 signaling are regulated and executed by myriad tissue-specific pathways. Here, we review the roles of WNT4 in women's health with a focus on sex development, and gynecologic and breast pathologies, and our understanding of how WNT4 signaling is controlled in these contexts. Defining WNT4 functions provides a unique opportunity to link sex-specific signaling pathways to women's health and disease.
Residents' Confidence in Performing Robotic Hysterectomy in Obstetrics and Gynecologic Training Programs.

ABSTRACT Study Objective To compare residents’ perceptions of readiness to perform robotic-assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy with the perceptions of residency program directors in obstetrics and gynecology programs throughout the United States. Design A survey was administered to all residents taking the 2019 Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology Exam and concurrently to program directors in all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education–accredited training programs. Setting The survey was designed to assess resident confidence to perform robotic hysterectomies by the time of graduation. Patients No patients were included in the study. Interventions The only intervention was administration of the survey. Measurements and Main Results De-identified survey data were analyzed using chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. A total of 5473 resident respondents and 241 residency program directors were included in the study. Fifty-two percent of graduating residents reported that they felt they were given surgical autonomy to perform robotic hysterectomies, and 53.7% reported that they could perform one independently (if it was an “emergency” and they had to). By the time of graduation, only 59% of residents reported confidence performing a robotic hysterectomy, and only 56% reported they felt that it would be an important procedure for their future career. Program directors were significantly more likely to report that their residents were given autonomy to perform robotic hysterectomy by graduation (61.0% [95% confidence interval (CI), 54.3–67.3]), could perform a robotic hysterectomy independently (60.9% [95% CI, 53.9–67.6]), or could perform a robotic hysterectomy by graduation (70.2% [95% CI, 63.5–76.3]) than residents themselves (38.6% [95% CI, 37.2–40.0], 22.8% [95% CI, 21.6–24.0], 62.6% [95% CI, 61.2–64.0], respectively). Conclusion At the time of graduation, residents’ confidence in performing robotic hysterectomy independently is lower than their confidence in performing all other approaches to hysterectomy.
Region Specific Automatic Quality Assurance For MRI-Derived Cortical Segmentations

Quality control (QC) is a vital step for all scientific data analyses and is critically important in the biomedical sciences. Image segmentation is a common task in medical image analysis, and automated tools to segment many regions from human brain MRIs are now well established. However, these methods do not always give anatomically correct labels. Traditional methods for QC tend to reject statistical outliers, which may not necessarily be inaccurate. Here, we make use of a large database of over 12,000 brain images that contain 68 parcellations of the human cortex, each of which was assessed for anatomical accuracy by a human rater. We trained three machine learning models to determine if a region was anatomically accurate (as ‘pass’, or ‘fail’) and tested the performance on an independent dataset. We found good performance for the majority of labeled regions. This work will facilitate more anatomically accurate large-scale multi-site research.
Managing the adverse effect of supply chain risk on corporate reputation: The mediating role of corporate social responsibility practices:

Within the last decade, research has focussed on corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices as a strategic tool that enables firms to improve stakeholder perception, brand image and corporate ...
Professional Aspects in Education

Under a grant from the Bureau of Libraries and Learning Resources of the U.S. Office of Education, the Center for the Study of Information and Education established three task forces to explore the relationship of information systems and educational systems. The study reported here, includes partial analysis of the questionnaire data obtained in the Development and Evaluation of Curricula in Information Science under a grant from N.S.F. GZ-2525 and is based on the work of one of the three task forces: the task force on Curriculum Reform of Library and Information Science. (The task force consisted of C. Walter Stone — MARC, Inc., Pacific Grove, California, James Brown — San Jose University, and Jack Beizer -University of Pittsburgh.) One of the other two task forces worked on Information and Information Needs, and the other on Alternative Information Systems for Emerging Institutions. All of the task forces were established by the Center for the purpose of exploring the relationship of information systems and educational systems and to consider alternative uses of information.
WE‐G‐207‐03: Mask Guided Image Reconstruction (MGIR): A Novel Method for Ultra‐Low‐Dose 3D and Enhanced 4D Cone‐Beam Computer‐Tomography

Purpose: Recently, compressed sensing (CS) based iterative reconstruction (IR) method is receiving attentions to reconstruct high quality cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images using sparsely sampled or noisy projections. The aim of this study is to develop a novel baseline algorithm called Mask Guided Image Reconstruction (MGIR), which can provide superior image quality for both low-dose 3DCBCT and 4DCBCT under single mathematical framework. Methods: In MGIR, the unknown CBCT volume was mathematically modeled as a combination of two regions where anatomical structures are 1) within the priori-defined mask and 2) outside the mask. Then we update each part of images alternatively thorough solving minimization problems based on CS type IR. For low-dose 3DCBCT, the former region is defined as the anatomically complex region where it is focused to preserve edge information while latter region is defined as contrast uniform, and hence aggressively updated to remove noise/artifact. In 4DCBCT, the regions are separated as the common static part and moving part. Then, static volume and moving volumes were updated with global and phase sorted projection respectively, to optimize the image quality of both moving and static part simultaneously. Results: Examination of MGIR algorithm showed that high quality of both low-dose 3DCBCT and 4DCBCT images can be reconstructed without compromising the image resolution and imaging dose or scanning time respectively. For low-dose 3DCBCT, a clinical viable and high resolution head-and-neck image can be obtained while cutting the dose by 83%. In 4DCBCT, excellent quality 4DCBCT images could be reconstructed while requiring no more projection data and imaging dose than a typical clinical 3DCBCT scan. Conclusion: The results shown that the image quality of MGIR was superior compared to other published CS based IR algorithms for both 4DCBCT and low-dose 3DCBCT. This makes our MGIR algorithm potentially useful in various on-line clinical applications. Provisional Patent: UF#15476; WGS Ref. No. U1198.70067US00
Salutory Effect of Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty on Coronary Circulatory Dynamics

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has been demonstrated to reduce the extent of coronary artery narrowing as judged angiographically in a large population of symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease [3], In addition, noninvasive nuclear tests have suggested that coronary blood flow to previously ischemic myocardium may be increased [2]. However, no data are yet available directly assessing the effect of angiographically successful PTCA on coronary blood flow. Thus, the goal of this investigation was to measure coronary blood flow and myocardial metabolism directly to test the hypothesis that angiographically successful PTCA corrects abnormal coronary dynamics and myocardial ischemia resulting from significant coronary artery stenosis.
Purification and properties of rat liver lysosomal lipase.

Abstract A triglyceride lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) was purified 1200-fold from homogenates of rat liver, by cosedimentation with lysosomes, detergent solubilization, selective elution from carboxymethylcellulose by lipid activator, and gradient elution from carboxymethylcellulose. Removal of phospholipids and detergent was achieved by rechromatography on carboxymethylcellulose. The purified enzyme contains a major band of protein (58,000 mol wt) and three minor bands as indicated by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of approximately 4.0, except in the presence of cardiolipin and acetate buffer (pH optimum 4.5). Activator saturation functions are hyperbolic in acetate buffer and sigmoidal in citrate buffer. Cardiolipin is a more efficient activator than phosphatidylserine. The enzyme preparation catalyzes the hydrolysis of all saturated fatty acylesters of p-nitrophenol tested (C2 – C18). In the presence of cardiolipin, p-nitrophenylcaprate (C10) is the best. It also catalyzes the hydrolysis of cholesteryl-3-palmitate, but only in the presence of phospholipid and only at 7% the rate of tripalmitin. No phospholipase A was detected. The purified lipase is inhibited by fluoride, ethanol, and heparin. Divalent metal ions, chloride, sulfate, acetate, and citrate activate.
The Optimality of Debt versus Outside Equity

This paper presents a theory of outside equity based on the control rights and the maturity design of equity. We show that outside equity is a tacit agreement between investors and management supported by equityholders right to dismiss management regardless of performance and by the lack of a prespecified expiration date on equity. Furthermore, as a tacit agreement outside equity is sustainable despite management s potential for manipulating or diverting the cash flows and regardless of how costly it is for equityholders to establish a case against managerial wrongdoing. We establish that the only outside equity hat investors are willing to hold in equilibrium is outside equity with unlimited life, the very outside equity that corporations issues. Consistent with empirical evidence, this model predicts that debt-equity ratios will be higher in industries where cash flow variability is low relative to industries where cash flow variability is high. Furthermore, our theory implies that investors practice maturity- matching: they match the maturity of the optimal debt contract with the life of the physical assets and the maturity of the equity contract with the life of the company s real options.
Safety Evaluation Results from the Field Operational Test of an Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) System

This paper describes the safety evaluation results from a Field Operational Test (FOT) of an Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system. The primary goal of this evaluation was to determine safety effects of the ICC system. Safety surrogate measures were established and examined for normal driving situations as well as for safety-critical situations. It was found that use of the ICC system in the FOT was generally associated with safer driving compared to manual control and is projected to result in net safety benefits if widely deployed. (A) For the covering abstract see ITRD E106371.
A new quadtree complexity theorem

Complexity of hierarchical representation of images is defined as the total number of nodes in the representation tree. An a priori knowledge of this quantity is of considerable interest in problems involving tree search, storage and transmission of imagery. This paper proposes a systematic approach for the evaluation of quadtree complexity that is based on a flexible linkage paradigm. It is further realized that a quadtree may undergo a complexity reduction through node condensation. This event is fully modeled and absorbed in the expected complexity expression through a multidimensional weighting function. Inspection of the weighting surface provides a more clear view of the interaction of quadtree complexity and the random image model. >
Upper mantle anisotropy and transition zone thickness beneath southeastern North America and implications for mantle dynamics

A variety of models for mantle flow beneath southeastern North America have been proposed, including those that invoke westward driven return flow from the sinking Farallon slab, small-scale convective downwelling at the edge of the continental root, or the upward advective transport of volatiles from the deep slab through the upper mantle. We use shear wave splitting observations and receiver function analysis at broadband seismic stations in the southeastern United States to test several of these proposed mantle flow geometries. Near the coast, stations exhibit well-resolved null (no splitting) behavior for SKS phases over a range of back azimuths, consistent with either isotropic upper mantle or with a vertical axis of anisotropic symmetry. Farther inland we identify splitting with mainly NE–SW fast directions, consistent with asthenospheric shear due to absolute plate motion (APM), lithospheric anisotropy aligned with Appalachian tectonic structure, or a combination of these. Phase-weighted stacking of individual receiver functions allows us to place constraints on the timing of arrivals from the 410 and 660 km discontinuities and on average transition zone thickness beneath individual stations. At most stations we find transition zone thicknesses that are consistent with the global average (∼240 km), with two stations showing evidence for a slightly thickened transition zone (∼250 km). Our results are relevant for testing different models for mantle dynamics beneath the southeastern United States, but due to the sparse station coverage, we are unable to uniquely constrain the pattern of mantle flow beneath the region. Our SKS splitting observations support a model in which mantle flow is primarily vertical (either upwelling or downwelling) beneath the southeastern edge of the North American continent, in contrast to the likely horizontal, APM-driven flow beneath the continental interior. However, our receiver function analysis does not provide unequivocal support either for widespread hydration of the transition zone or for widespread thickening due to the downwelling of relatively cold mantle material. We expect that the necessary data to constrain such models more tightly can be obtained from the operation of denser seismic networks, including the Transportable Array and Flexible Array components of USArray.
Rifaximin Therapy of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of specific organic pathology. Although the underlying pathogenesis of IBS is not well-understood, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or other abnormalities in the gut flora is believed to contribute to the development of a subset of IBS cases. Rifaximin is a poorly absorbed antimicrobial with activity against enteric pathogens. A number of studies have shown a significant improvement in IBS symptoms with antibiotic therapy including rifaximin. In this review, we discuss the pharmacokinetics, in vitro susceptibility profile, and efficacy and safety data from clinical trials of rifaximin treatment of IBS.
Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of Renal Angiomyolipomas.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of US-guided percutaneous microwave (MW) ablation in the treatment of renal angiomyolipoma (AML). From January 2011 to April 2014, seven patients (5 females and 2 males; mean age 51.4) with 11 renal AMLs (9 sporadic type and 2 tuberous sclerosis associated) with a mean size of 3.4 ± 0.7 cm (range 2.4–4.9 cm) were treated with high-powered, gas-cooled percutaneous MW ablation under US guidance. Tumoral diameter, volume, and CT/MR enhancement were measured on pre-treatment, immediate post-ablation, and delayed post-ablation imaging. Clinical symptoms and creatinine were assessed on follow-up visits. All ablations were technically successful and no major complications were encountered. Mean ablation parameters were ablation power of 65 W (range 60–70 W), using 456 mL of hydrodissection fluid per patient, over 4.7 min (range 3–8 min). Immediate post-ablation imaging demonstrated mean tumor diameter and volume decreases of 1.8 % (3.4–3.3 cm) and 1.7 % (27.5–26.3 cm3), respectively. Delayed imaging follow-up obtained at a mean interval of 23.1 months (median 17.6; range 9–47) demonstrated mean tumor diameter and volume decreases of 29 % (3.4–2.4 cm) and 47 % (27.5–12.1 cm3), respectively. Tumoral enhancement decreased on immediate post-procedure and delayed imaging by CT/MR parameters, indicating decreased tumor vascularity. No patients required additional intervention and no patients experienced spontaneous bleeding post-ablation. Our early experience with high-powered, gas-cooled percutaneous MW ablation demonstrates it to be a safe and effective modality to devascularize and decrease the size of renal AMLs.
Vision-Based Assistance for Ophthalmic Micro-Surgery

This paper details the development and preliminary testing of a system for 6-DOF human-machine cooperative motion using vision-based virtual fixtures for applications in retinal micro-surgery. The system makes use of a calibrated stereo imaging system to track surfaces in the environment, and simultaneously tracks a tool held by the JHU Steady-Hand Robot. As the robot is guided using force inputs from the user, a relative error between the estimated surface and the tool position is established. This error is used to generate an anisotropic stiffness matrix that in turn guides the user along the surface in both position and orientation. Preliminary results show the effectiveness of the system in guiding a user along the surface and performing different sub-tasks such as tool alignment and targeting within the resolution of the visual system.The accuracy of surface reconstruction and tool tracking obtained from stereo imaging was validated through comparison with measurements made by an infrared optical position tracking system.
Functional divisions for visual processing in the central brain of flying Drosophila

Although anatomy is often the first step in assigning functions to neural structures, it is not always clear whether architecturally distinct regions of the brain correspond to operational units. Whereas neuroarchitecture remains relatively static, functional connectivity may change almost instantaneously according to behavioral context. We imaged panneuronal responses to visual stimuli in a highly conserved central brain region in the fruit fly, Drosophila, during flight. In one substructure, the fan-shaped body, automated analysis revealed three layers that were unresponsive in quiescent flies but became responsive to visual stimuli when the animal was flying. The responses of these regions to a broad suite of visual stimuli suggest that they are involved in the regulation of flight heading. To identify the cell types that underlie these responses, we imaged activity in sets of genetically defined neurons with arborizations in the targeted layers. The responses of this collection during flight also segregated into three sets, confirming the existence of three layers, and they collectively accounted for the panneuronal activity. Our results provide an atlas of flight-gated visual responses in a central brain circuit.
System probabilistic serviceability assessment of braced excavations in clays

The system probability of serviceability failure for braced excavations in clays is investigated in this paper. The serviceability assessment involves the potential damage to the adjacent infrastructures caused by the excessive wall deflection and the associated ground surface settlement. In this study, the finite element program of PLAXIS implemented with user-defined soil models is adopted as a tool to simulate the excavation-induced wall deflection and ground surface settlement. The performance functions for both wall deflection and ground surface settlement are constructed through response surface method (RSM). Depending on the limiting excavation-induced responses, the serviceability limit state (SLS) design can be realized through meeting the acceptable system reliability or the corresponding system probability of serviceability failure. A case study is presented herein to demonstrate the feasibility of the system reliability approach in the design of braced excavations.
Relationships Between the Regulation of the Lactose and Galactose Operons of Escherichia coli

A group of structurally related compounds, including galactose, fucose, and a number of galactosides, are regulatory effectors for both the lac and gal operons of Escherichia coli. Although a common set of effectors exists, each operon appears to be regulated independently of the other. Experiments with various regulatory mutants have shown, first, that the presence of the proteins of one operon is without effect on the regulation of the other and, second, that the influence an effector has on one operon is independent of the presence or the functional state of the regulatory genes of the other operon. It is unlikely, therefore, that the two operons share a common regulatory macromolecule. Both gal R(-) and gal o(c) regulatory mutants are equally resistant to repression by glucose and galactosides. It has been possible to show, in the gal operon, that induction and repression are competitive processes. For this operon, the differential rate of enzyme synthesis is set by the relative intracellular concentrations of inducer (fucose) and repressor (isopropylthiogalactoside).
The war on poverty and social science research, 1965–1980

Abstract Declaration of the War on Poverty in the U.S. in 1965 was accompanied by a substantial increase in Federal research spending on the poverty problem in subsequent years. Both an input and output indicator are used to analyze the impact of this policy initiative on the social science disciplines. Both indicators—Federal poverty research expenditures and poverty-related Journal content—indicate that, from 1965 to 1985. poverty-related research has grown from a very low base to about 7–10 percent of social science research activity.
Interaction of radiation and photoperiodism in xanthium chineńse: effects of variation in time of radiation with respect to photoinduction

Abstract Groups of Xanthium chinense plants received a dose of 5125 rads Co60 γ-radiation before, during and after short day photoinduction. Another group of plants received 5125 rads, but was kept on long days. Two groups of non-irradiated control plants were either photoinduced or kept on long days. Flowering was not significantly altered in plants irradiated before photoinduction, was permanently suppressed in plants irradiated during photoinduction, and was temporarily enhanced in plants irradiated after photoinduction. None of the long day plants flowered. Stem elongation and leaf production were enhanced in plants irradiated before, during and after photoinduction. Increases in vegetative growth patterns also were observed in irradiated long day plants.
The National Digital Newspaper Program: Building on a Firm Foundation

The development of the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP) is founded on the distributed cataloging and preservation microfilming work of an earlier United States Newspaper Program. This article provides a high-level review of NDNP goals, participant roles, phased development approach, and the Chronicling America Web site.
Overlaid Viscous/Anviscid Model for the Prediction of Near-Field Jet Entrainment

The development of a computational model (BOAT) for calculating near-field jet entrainment, and its application to the prediction of nozzle boattail pressures, is discussed. BOAT accounts for the detailed turbulence and thermochemical processes occurring in the near-field shear layers of exhaust plumes, while interfacing with the inviscid exhaust and external flowfield regions in an overlaid, interactive manner. The ability of the model to analyze basic free shear flows is assessed by detailed comparisons with fundamental laboratory data. The overlaid methodology and the entrainment correction employed to yield effective plume boundary conditions are assessed via application of BOAT in conjunction with the codes comprising the NASA/LRC patched viscous/inviscid model for determining nozzle boattail drag for subsonic/transonic external flows. Comparisons between the predictions and data on underexpanded laboratory cold airjets are presented.
Solubility of organic solvents in 1,4-cis-polybutadiene

Abstract Capillary-column inverse gas chromatography (CCIGC) at infinite dilution of solvent was used to determine partition coefficients of polymer–solvent systems in 1-4,cis-polybutadiene. Experiments were performed at 45, 60 and 80 °C. Partition coefficients were used to determine the following thermodynamic parameters: infinitely dilute weight fraction activity coefficients, Flory–Huggins interaction parameters, and the solubility parameter of the polymer. The results indicated that ethylbenzene and toluene are the most suitable solvents for polybutadiene. The UNIFAC-vdW-FV model gives reasonable predictions of the phase equilibria in these systems.
Comment on charmonium bound-state calculations using potentials

We show that using the Dirac equation to calculate quark bound states can give rise to significantly different eigenspectra than those obtained by using the same potential in the Schr\"odinger equation, even when $〈\frac{{v}^{2}}{{c}^{2}}〉$ is small. The origin of this effect is identified and discussed.
Interaction of alcohol dehydrogenase with tert-butylhydroperoxide: stimulation of the horse liver and inhibition of the yeast enzymes.

Preincubation of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) with the oxidative agent, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBOOH) results in a twofold stimulation of the ethanol dehydrogenase activity of this enzyme. This stimulation was dependent on tBOOH concentration up to 100 mM; above this concentration tBOOH did not further stimulate ethanol oxidation by HLADH. Active-site-directed reagents and classical ADH binary complexes were used to probe the possible mechanism of this activating effect. The rate and extent of stimulation by tBOOH is strongly reduced by binary complexes with NAD(+) or NADH, whose pyrophosphate groups bind to Arg-47 and Arg-369. In contrast stimulation by tBOOH was not prevented by AMP or the sulfhydryl reagents dithiothreitol and glutathione, suggesting, respectively, a lack of role for Lys-228 and sulfhydryl group oxidation in the stimulation by tBOOH. In contrast to the liver enzyme, treatment of yeast ADH (YADH) with tBOOH irreversibly inhibited its ethanol dehydrogenase activity. Inhibition of YADH by tBOOH approximated first-order rate kinetics with respect to enzyme at fixed concentrations of tBOOH between 0.5 to 300 mM. Four -SH groups per molecule of YADH were modified by tBOOH, whereas only two -SH groups were modified in HLADH. The stimulation of HLADH by tBOOH is suggested to be due to destabilization of the catalytic Zn-coordination sphere and amino acids associated with coenzyme binding in the active site, while inactivation of YADH appears to be associated with -SH group oxidation by the peroxide.
Systems view on spatial planning and perception based on invariants in agent-environment dynamics

Modeling agile and versatile spatial behavior remains a challenging task, due to the intricate coupling of planning, control, and perceptual processes. Previous results have shown that humans plan and organize their guidance behavior by exploiting patterns in the interactions between agent or organism and the environment. These patterns, described under the concept of Interaction Patterns (IPs), capture invariants arising from equivalences and symmetries in the interaction with the environment, as well as effects arising from intrinsic properties of human control and guidance processes, such as perceptual guidance mechanisms. The paper takes a systems' perspective, considering the IP as a unit of organization, and builds on its properties to present a hierarchical model that delineates the planning, control, and perceptual processes and their integration. The model's planning process is further elaborated by showing that the IP can be abstracted, using spatial time-to-go functions. The perceptual processes are elaborated from the hierarchical model. The paper provides experimental support for the model's ability to predict the spatial organization of behavior and the perceptual processes.
Coming to terms with a ‘European identity’: The Sudeten Germans between Bonn and Prague

This assessment of Germany's European identity examines the impact of the ‘Sudeten German question’ on relations between Bonn and Prague. The analysis joins this issue with a proposed theoretical a...
Formation Optimal Maneuvers Under Inertial Attitude Dynamics

robustness of the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman optimization. The resultant technique scales well with the number of thruster switches and is generally applicable to spacecraft for which inertial frame dynamics are known over one or moreorbits.Theapproachisevaluatedinsimulation onatwo-spacecraft cooperativeinspectionmission. Analysisis performed on a variety of potential strategies for choosing reference centers, stabilizing relative orbits, and decreasing orbit separation distance, showing excellent performance in both solution accuracy and fuel use while reducing computation time compared with traditional approaches.
Developmental Exposure to Estradiol and Bisphenol A Increases Susceptibility to Prostate Carcinogenesis and Epigenetically Regulates Phosphodiesterase Type 4 Variant 4

Early developmental perturbations have been linked to adult-onset prostate pathology, including excessive exposure to estrogenic compounds; however, the molecular basis for this imprinting event is not known. An important and controversial health concern is whether low-dose exposures to hormonally active environmental estrogens, such as bisphenol A, can promote human diseases, including prostate cancer. Here, we show that transient developmental exposure of rats to low, environmentally relevant doses of bisphenol A or estradiol increases prostate gland susceptibility to adult-onset precancerous lesions and hormonal carcinogenesis. We found permanent alterations in the DNA methylation patterns of multiple cell signaling genes, suggesting an epigenetic basis for estrogen imprinting. For phosphodiesterase type 4 variant 4 (PDE4D4), an enzyme responsible for cyclic AMP breakdown, a specific methylation cluster was identified in the 5′-flanking CpG island that was gradually hypermethylated with aging in normal prostates, resulting in loss of gene expression. Early and prolonged hypomethylation at this site following neonatal estradiol or bisphenol A exposure resulted in continued, elevated PDE4D4 expression. Cell line studies confirmed that site-specific methylation is involved in transcriptional silencing of the PDE4D4 gene and showed hypomethylation of this gene in prostate cancer cells. Importantly, the PDE4D4 alterations in the estrogen-exposed prostates were distinguishable before histopathologic changes of the gland, making PDE4D4 a candidate molecular marker for prostate cancer risk assessment as a result of endocrine disruptors. In total, these findings indicate that low-dose exposures to ubiquitous environmental estrogens affect the prostate epigenome during development and, in so doing, promote prostate disease with aging.
Translocation of latex beads after laser ablation of the avian neural crest.

Previous studies from this laboratory (M. E. Bronner-Fraser, 1982, Dev. Biol. 91, 50–63) have demonstrated that latex beads translocate ventrally after injection into avian embryos during the phase of neural crest migration, to settle in the vicinity of neural-crest-derived structures. In order to examine the role of host neural crest cells in the ventral translocation of implanted beads, latex beads have been injected into regions of embryos from which the neural crest cells have been ablated using a laser microbeam. Prior to their migratory phase, neural crest cells reside in the dorsal portion of the neural tube. Laser irradiation of the dorsal neural tube was used to reproducibly achieve either partial or complete ablation of neural crest cells from the irradiated regions. The effectiveness of the ablation was assessed by the degree of reduction in dorsal root ganglia, a neural crest derivative. Because of the rapidity and precision of this technique, it was possible to selectively remove neural crest cells without significantly altering other embryonic structures. The results indicate that, after injection of latex beads into the somites of embryos whose neural crest cells were removed by laser irradiation, the beads translocate ventrally in the absence of the endogenous neural crest.
Sensory neuron targeting by self-complementary AAV8 via lumbar puncture for chronic pain

Lumbar puncture (LP) is an attractive route to deliver drugs to the nervous system because it is a safe bedside procedure. Its use for gene therapy has been complicated by poor vector performance and failure to target neurons. Here we report highly effective gene transfer to the primary sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) with self-complementary recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (sc-rAAV8) modeling an LP. Transgene expression was selective for these neurons outlining their cell bodies in the DRGs and their axons projecting into the spinal cord. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated transduction of cells positive for the nociceptive neuron marker vanilloid receptor subtype 1, the small peptidergic neuron markers substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, and the nonpeptidergic neuron marker griffonia simplicifolia isolectin B4. We tested the efficacy of the approach in a rat model of chronic neuropathic pain. A single administration of sc-rAAV8 expressing the analgesic gene prepro-β-endorphin (ppβEP) led to significant (P < 0.0001) reversal of mechanical allodynia for ≥3 months. The antiallodynic effect could be reversed by the μ-opioid antagonist naloxone 4 months after gene transfer (P < 0.001). Testing of an alternative nonopioid analgesic gene, IL-10, alone or in combination with ppβEP was equally effective (P < 0.0001). All aspects of the procedure, such as the use of an atraumatic injection technique, isotonic diluent, a low-infusion pressure, and a small injection volume, are consistent with clinical practice of intrathecal drug use. Therefore, gene transfer by LP may be suitable for developing gene therapy-based treatments for chronic pain.