cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
3D model processing for high throughput phenotype extraction – the case of corn

Abstract High resolution RGB imagery collected using a UAV and a handheld camera was used with structure from motion to reconstruct 3D canopies of small groups of corn plants. A methodology for the automated extraction of phenotypic characteristics of individual plants is presented based on these 3D reconstructed canopies. Such information can enhance the evaluation of crop traits and provide accurate and frequent statistics for in-season assessment of their changes with growth stage. Industries that target yield optimization and crop hybrid production can benefit greatly from this approach. The use of 3D models provides elevated information content, when compared to alternative planar methods, mainly due to the alleviation of leaf occlusions. High resolution images of corn stalks are collected and used to obtain 3D models for individual plants. Based on those extracted 3D point clouds, the calculation of phenotypic characteristics are obtained, such as the number of plants in an area, the Leaf Area Index (LAI), the individual and average plant height, the individual leaf length, the location and the angles of leaves with respect to the stem. An experimental validation using both artificial corn plants emulating real world scenarios and real corn plants in different growth stages, supports the accuracy of the proposed methodology. Our experiments conclude that phenotypic characteristics of individual plants can be extracted automatically with high accuracy based on a 3D model. The results include the individual plant segmentation and counting from a given 3D reconstructed field scene with 88.1% accuracy, the Leaf Area Index (LAI) estimation with 92.5% accuracy, the individual plant height computation with 89.2% accuracy, the leaf length extraction with 74.8% accuracy, the measurement of angles between leaves and stems, and the distance between the leaves of the same plant. We interpret the last two variables qualitatively to show that the method can show the trend of the angles to change with respect to the leaf position on the stem as the crops grow.
On Holy Ground: A Visit to the Greater Denver Interfaith Alliance

This article describes an immersion experience, part of the program of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Pastoral Theology (SPT) in 2019. SPT meeting participants were invited to visit the Grea...
Clinical Assisted Reproduction: Hypothalamic-Pituitary Suppression with Oral Contraceptive Pills Does Not Improve Outcome in Poor Responder Patients Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer Cycles

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the use of OCP with GnRHa for hypothalamic-pituitary suppression in poor responder IVF patients. Methods: Retrospective analysis of IVF-ET cycles of poor responders. Hypothalamic-pituitary suppression with OCP (Group I, n = 29) or GnRHa (Group II, n = 52), followed by stimulation with gonadotropin, oocyte retrieval, and embryo transfer. Baseline characteristics and cycle outcomes were compared. Results: 73 women underwent 81 cycles from 1/1/1999 to 1/1/2000. Baseline characteristics were similar. 31/81 (38%) cycles were cancelled (Group I, 14/29 (48%) vs. Group II, 17/52 (33%), NS). Cycle outcomes including amount of gonadotropin, number of eggs retrieved, number of embryos transferred, and embryo quality were similar. Patients in Group I required fewer days of stimulation to reach oocyte retrieval. Pregnancy outcomes were similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Our retrospective analysis revealed no improvement in IVF cycle outcomes in poor responders who received OCPs to achieve hypothalamic-pituitary suppression instead of GnRHa.
Human trafficking: a comprehensive exploration of modern day slavery

Readers of this journal share an interest and expertise in the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders. This shared interest in substance use disorders spans a number of populations, in...
Discretized sequential pattern mining for behaviour classification

This paper proposes an approach for behavioural analysis on continuous data based on sequential pattern mining (SPM) and classification. Discretization and granularity issues associated with SPM and classification with time series data are examined, and a thorough examination of the many factors and parameters that are used to control the granularity of the various dimensions of the problem is conducted. The key contribution of the paper is the seminal examination of machine learning-based classification driven by sequential pattern mining to classify behaviour patterns. Results are reported on the effectiveness of various levels and settings on acceleration data collected from the walking activity of 17 subjects obtained from a publicly available dataset. Using the optimal set of parameter settings identified, the classifier was able to correctly identify 70% percent of walking data segments from a held-out test set as belonging to a particular subject, and 78% of those not belonging to the subject. Moreover, a number of interesting findings were identified when varying the granularity and other settings for the various discretization parameters, solidifying the work as a significant advancement in the area of behavioural analysis with sequential pattern mining and classification on time series data.
The Perils of Primacy: Successor Liability for Lenders Turned Declarants in Louisiana Common Interest Communities

In surveying the landscape of contemporary American real estate, it is increasingly difficult — if not impossible — to find a development that is not part of a common-interest community. Whether one is strolling through the avenues of a mixed-use commercial development or driving down the manicured tree-lined streets in a residential neighborhood, a complex and detailed legal regime underpins these developments in order to ensure that the order, quality, and aesthetic of the project is ensured and maintained from its earliest days and long into its future.Since its inception in the early 1900s, the complexity of common interest communities has grown tremendously, particularly through the increasing emergence of mixed-use and non-traditional developments. But, as might be imagined, these complex and highly sophisticated developments require large amounts of capital. Real estate lending — which has for most of its history been tied to more traditional types of residential or commercial developments — has had to morph and evolve in order to fit the needs of the ambitious developers of these complex common interest communities. And like all lenders, a primary concern in assessing whether a loan for a common-interest community has merit involves evaluating what type of collateral is available to secure the debt. Common interest communities provide a very unique type of asset — the declaration of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (the "CCRs"). CCRs provide the legal mechanisms which allow the developer — and later the owners’ association — to exercise control over the project. And importantly, these declarations serve as an ample form of collateral to guarantee that the lender, upon foreclosure, is able to continue to ensure that the asset maintains its quality and value until a third party buyer can be procured. As such, many lenders have come to require that the developer grant a security interest in the CCRs. But while many common law jurisdictions throughout the country have dealt with the notion of collateralizing CCRs — as well as what liabilities arise for the lender in connection with their foreclosure — Louisiana law is fairly silent. Can CCRs be used as security in Louisiana, and, if so, how would a Louisiana court address the successor liability of lenders who don the mantle of the declarant? This Article explores the multi-faceted nature of CCRs under Louisiana’s civil law and statutory system and analyzes how Louisiana’s various security devices interface with CCR collateral. Further, this Article discusses the potential successor liability of lenders who foreclose on CCR declarations, and, in turn, advocates for the adoption of a comprehensive and uniform statutory framework for all types of common interest communities in Louisiana.
Development of the person-centered prenatal care scale for people of color.

Abstract Background Given stark disparities in maternal mortality and adverse birth outcomes among Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, there is a need to better understand and measure how individuals from these communities experience their care during pregnancy. Objectives To develop and validate a tool that can be used to measure person-centered prenatal care (PCPC) that reflects the experiences of people of color. Study design We followed standard procedures for scale development—integrated with community-based participatory approaches—to adapt a person-centered maternity care scale that was initially developed and validated for intrapartum care in low resource countries to reflect the needs and prenatal care experiences of people of color in the US. The adaptation process included expert reviews with a Community Advisory Board (CAB), consisting of community members, community-based health workers, and social service providers from San Francisco, Oakland, and Fresno, to assess content validity. We conducted cognitive interviews with potential respondents to assess clarity, appropriateness, and relevance of the questions, which were then refined and administered in an online survey to people in California who had given birth in the past year. Data from 293 respondents (84% of whom identified as Black) who received prenatal care were used in psychometric analysis to assess construct and criterion validity and reliability. Results Exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors with eigenvalues of greater than one, but with one dominant factor. A 34-item version of the PCPC scale was developed based on factor analyses and recommendations from the CAB. We also developed a 26-item version using stricter criteria for relevance, factor loadings, and uniqueness. Items grouped into three conceptual domains representing subscales for “dignity and respect,” “communication and autonomy,” and “responsive and supportive care.” The Cronbach alphas for the 34-item and the 26-item versions, and for the subscales, were >0.8. Scores based on the sum of responses for the two PCPC scale versions and all subscales were standardized to range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate more PCPC. These scores were correlated with global measures of prenatal care satisfaction suggesting good criterion validity. Conclusions We present two versions of the PCPC scale: a 34-item and a 26-item version. Both versions have high validity and reliability in a sample made up predominantly of Black women. This scale will facilitate measurement to improve person-centered prenatal care for people of color and could contribute to reducing disparities in birth outcomes. The similarity with the original scale also suggests that the PCPC may be applicable across different contexts. Validation with more diverse samples in additional settings are however needed.
How did the COVID crisis affect use of neoadjuvant therapy for patients with breast cancer

e18708Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused shifts in terms of cancer management, but the impact of this has not been well-elucidated in a contemporary cohort of patients in clinical practic...
A no-Wnt situation for alveolar macrophage self-renewal.

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are central to defense against respiratory pathogens. Impediments in restoring AMs after infection increase the risk for superinfection, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this issue of Immunity, Zhu et al. report a Wnt-β-catenin-HIF-1α axis in AMs that promotes an inflammatory phenotype while restricting proliferation and self-renewal.
Role of Research in Ensuring Continuing Quality Improvement in Outcome-Based Education in the Health Professions

The Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through Memorandum Order 46 Series 2012, unmistakably espouses outcome-based education (OBE) as the main approach to higher education learning. To attain its goal of developing a critical mass of high-quality graduates, research that will drive technological innovation, economic growth and global competitiveness and provide directions to the country’s policies and strategies must be supported. Research plays at least two roles in ensuring quality in outcome-based education – in curriculum development and in the implementation of OBE. Greater student involvement in research to hone their skills in research will help them become independent producers of knowledge and capable lifelong learners. Teachers enrich the content of their courses with research experience and findings, both from reviewing the literature and from the conduct of actual experiments and studies. To overcome problems with OBE implementation, research can be utilized as a problem-solving activity. Researches can provide situational analysis on the level of quality of education and monitor its trends, seek causal factors that account for variations in the attainment of quality standards, test for educational interventions and identify good/best practices in teaching and learning. This paper provides suggestions for designs for the application of research for these purposes.
Where is the psychotherapy content in PMHNP programs

Purpose Psychotherapy is the essence of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) role. Yet much debate exists within programs as to the best way to include psychotherapy in an already loaded curriculum. Conclusion Two large midwestern universities review their approaches to psychotherapy education; student evaluations measure the quality and effectiveness. Data revealed a high level of student satisfaction. Practice implications Programs will vary on how to teach psychotherapy skills, but the use of psychotherapy within the PMHNP role is crucial and informs the entire practice. Examples of how others teach psychotherapy can inform educators of innovative ways to prepare PMHNP students to practice psychotherapy.
Networks of ADHD and SCT Symptoms in Emerging Adulthood.

OBJECTIVE Emerging adulthood (18-25 years) is a transitional and understudied developmental period. Yet, little is known about how specific symptoms of ADHD, as well as those from the related SCT domain, may differentially relate to one another during this period, if there are differences based on biological sex, or how closely results will align with adulthood. METHODS We used network analysis techniques to explore the structure of ADHD and SCT symptoms within emerging adulthood, with additional comparisons between sexes as well as between emerging adulthood and adulthood. Using an online platform, 8,506 adults reported on their symptoms of ADHD and SCT. RESULTS Symptoms grouped together within their respective domains during emerging adulthood with no significant differences in overall network structure between sexes. Similarly, network structure appeared to be robust across emerging adulthood and adulthood. CONCLUSION Such consistency supports a conceptualization of ADHD in emerging adulthood as similar to adulthood.
Custom as a Source of Law

A central puzzle in jurisprudence has been the role of custom in law. Custom is simply the practices and usages of distinctive communities. But are such customs legally binding? Can custom be law, even before it is recognized by authoritative legislation or precedent? And, assuming that custom is a source of law, what are its constituent elements? Is proof of a consistent and long-standing practice sufficient, or must there be an extra ingredient - that the usage is pursued out of a sense of legal obligation, or, at least, that the custom is reasonable and efficacious? And, most tantalizing of all, is custom a source of law that we should embrace in modern, sophisticated legal systems, or is the notion of law from below outdated, or even dangerous, today? This volume answers these questions through a rigorous multidisciplinary, historical, and comparative approach, offering a fresh perspective on custom's enduring place in both domestic and international law.
Diabetic Striatopathy with Isolated Sensorimotor Symptoms Masquerading as Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage (P1.038)

OBJECTIVE: We report a case of hemibody sensorimotor symptoms due to diabetic striatopathy, initially diagnosed as intracerebral hemorrhage. BACKGROUND: Diabetic striatopathy (DS) is a rare, variably described syndrome typically comprised of hemiballism/hemichorea (HB/HC), characteristic MRI T1 hyperintensity limited to the contralateral basal ganglia, and strong association with non-ketotic hyperglycemia and less commonly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DESIGN/METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 31-year-old woman with poorly controlled Type 1 Diabetes mellitus, ESRD and diabetic retinopathy presented with acute onset right hemibody numbness, paresthesias and weakness. A non-contrasted head CT showed hyperdensity within the left basal ganglia, initially concerning for intraparenchymal hemorrhage. Laboratory studies revealed blood glucose >400mg/dL, HbA1c 12.9[percnt], and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis due to DKA. Brain MRI showed T1 hyperintense, T2 hypointense signal abnormality involving the left caudate and lentiform nucleus, which was sharply demarcated and closely conformed to the corpus striatum contours. Symptoms resolved within 3 days concurrent with resolution of metabolic disarray. The pathophysiology of DS is not well understood. Limited biopsy and post-mortem pathologic specimens suggest this is an obliterative vasculopathy. Other reports based on advanced imaging techniques suggest local metabolic derangement with vascular insufficiency, hypoperfusion, reduced glucose metabolism and local gliosis as contributing mechanisms. Though typically presenting with HB/HC, there are rare case reports of sensorimotor findings followed by hemichorea onset days to weeks later. In cases where imaging has been repeated, findings typically resolve within weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic striatopathy is a poorly understood syndrome typically presenting with hemiballism/hemichorea. We present a case of isolated sensorimotor symptoms in the setting of DKA, with typical DS imaging findings of T1 hyperintensity of the striatum initially diagnosed as ICH due to CT hyperintensity of the basal ganglia. This syndrome should be considered in all hyperglycemic patients with abnormal basal ganglia imaging. Disclosure: Dr. Ehrlich has nothing to disclose.
Evaluation of hyperbaric oxygen as a chemosensitizer in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer in xenografts in mice

Background. Resistance to chemotherapy is common in bulky hypoxic tumors such as epithelial ovarian cancer. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) oxygenates hypoxic tissues and promotes neovascularization. These unique properties of HBO may help overcome chemotherapy resistance by increasing both tumor perfusion and cellular sensitivity. This study was undertaken to determine if HBO increases the response of epithelial ovarian cancer to cisplatin chemotherapy. Methods. In Phase I,64 nu/nu mice were divided into four groups and subcutaneously inoculated with cells from the A2780 human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line. Group 1 served as controls. Group 2 received weekly intraperitoneal cisplatin (3.15 mg/kg). Group 3 was exposed to HBO (dives) at 2.4 atmospheres absolute pressure for 90 minutes, 7 days a week. Group 4 received both cisplatin and HBO. In Phase II, 72 mice were divided into two groups and similarly inoculated. Both groups received weekly intraperitoneal cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg). Group 1 was not exposed to HBO. Group 2 was exposed to HBO for 5 days a week. Results. Dramatic tumor neovascularization was found in tumors of mice exposed to HBO (P = 0.0001). There was significant (P = 0.014) tumor growth retardation in Phase I for mice receiving both cisplatin and HBO compared with those treated with cisplatin alone. This significance was noted after just two doses of cisplatin but subsequently lost due to reduced numbers of mice. In Phase II, neovascularization was detectable after 10 HBO treatments (2 weeks) and was maximal after 15 treatments (3 weeks). Conclusions. Hyperbaric oxygen increases vascularity in bulky tumors such as epithelial ovarian cancer. There appears to be a relationship between increased vascularity and enhanced response to chemotherapy that merits further investigation. Cancer 1995 ;75 :2313-22.
Rotating-waveplate optical-frequency shifting in lithium niobate

A rotating-waveplate optical frequency shifter using lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ) has been constructed and fully evaluated. The experimental modulator frequency shifts the incoming 6328-A light by 110 MHz, requires 15 W of drive power, and has an inherent 12-MHz bandwidth. The output beam has high spectral purity with very little power in unwanted sidebands and closely matches the TEM 00 mode of the input beam. An analysis of the effects of electrical and optical maladjustments on modulator performance shows only moderate requirements on optical and electrical alignment. Heating due to the absorbed drive power slightly degrades the modulator in agreement with a temperature analysis of the modulator. An increase in insertion loss due to diffraction of the light by acoustic waves in the LiNbO 3 crystal was observed.
Invasion of wolbachia into anopheles and other insect germlines in an ex vivo organ culture system

The common bacterial endosymbiont Wolbachia manipulates its host's reproduction to promote its own maternal transmission, and can interfere with pathogen development in many insects making it an attractive agent for the control of arthropod-borne disease. However, many important species, including Anopheles mosquitoes, are uninfected. Wolbachia can be artificially transferred between insects in the laboratory but this can be a laborious and sometimes fruitless process. We used a simple ex vivo culturing technique to assess the suitability of Wolbachia-host germline associations. Wolbachia infects the dissected germline tissue of multiple insect species when the host tissue and bacteria are cultured together. Ovary and testis infection occurs in a density-dependent manner. Wolbachia strains are more capable of invading the germline of their native or closely related rather than divergent hosts. The ability of Wolbachia to associate with the germline of novel hosts is crucial for the development of stably-transinfected insect lines. Rapid assessment of the suitability of a strain-host combination prior to transinfection may dictate use of a particular Wolbachia strain. Furthermore, the cultured germline tissues of two major Anopheline vectors of Plasmodium parasites are susceptible to Wolbachia infection. This finding further enhances the prospect of using Wolbachia for the biological control of malaria.
White Slavery, Whorehouse Riots, Venereal Disease, and Saving Women: Historical Context of Prostitution Interventions and Harm Reduction in New York City during the Progressive Era

Harm reduction and structural approaches to reduce HIV risk among sex workers face several barriers. One such barrier is based on moral arguments, and it has a rich historical context. This article examines the historical context of interventions with sex workers in New York City during the Progressive Era (1890–1920). Present at the time, though under a different name, the harm reduction approach was largely dismissed. These same moral underpinnings may be active today in driving interventions and policy toward those that are morally focused and away from those that focus on harm reduction and structural change.
Reflections on early malaria vaccine studies, the first successful human malaria vaccination, and beyond.

Advances towards protective vaccines against malaria were made feasible by the development of a rodent model of mammalian malaria that allowed production of all stages of the malaria parasite for study. Investigations with sporozoites (the stage transmitted by mosquitoes in their saliva) demonstrated that immunization with radiation-attenuated sporozoites could produce a solid, sterile immunity, first shown in studies with mice and later with human volunteers. Protective immune mechanisms involve anti-sporozoite antibodies that immobilize sporozoites injected into the skin by mosquitoes, followed by CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells acting against liver stage parasites produced by sporozoites that have escaped antibody-based immunity and invaded hepatocytes. Two alternative approaches now being used in human trials are immunization with intact, attenuated sporozoites vs. immunization with “sub-unit” vaccines based on immunogenic components of sporozoites or liver stage parasites. In addition to immunization against these pre-erythrocytic stages, encouraging progress is being made on immunization against blood stage parasites and on immunization for production of transmission-blocking antibodies. There is reason to be optimistic that one or more of the approaches will work on a large scale, and that a multi-stage vaccine may be able to combine several of these approaches in a sequential immunological assault against the malaria parasite as it progresses through its stages.
The Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Undergoing Saphenous Vein Bypass Surgery

The results of the first 400 consecutive patients (335 males, 65 females; mean age 52 years) having saphenous vein-coronary artery graft surgery at Stanford between October 1968 and January 1972 were reviewed. Through patient or physician contact, 100% follow-up period was achieved in the 375 patients surviving surgery. The mean follow-up period was 9.9 months, with the range 2 to 40 months. The operative mortality was 6.5%; patients having this surgery electively had a 0.8% mortality. The major cause of operative mortality was myocardial infarction (9 patients) and congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock (10 patients). Predominant postoperative morbidity was due to pulmonary emboli (17 patients) and intrathoracic hemorrhage requiring thoracotomy (11 patients). The use of anticoagulants in the early postoperative period has reduced the incidence of pulmonary emboli. Angina was completely relieved in 79% (295 patients), 237 of whom had returned to full time employment. However, another 12% either were unchanged from their preoperative symptomatic state or incurred major late complications. This group includes 15 patients (3.9%) who had late deaths from cardiovascular causes. Another 23 patients had late, nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Using as a data base the degree of preoperative congestive heart failure, the extent of electrocardiographic changes and the presence of mitral regurgitation, a prognostic preoperative clinical risk-benefit guideline has been developed for use in any patient undergoing saphenous vein coronary artery graft surgery.
Erratum in article by Stone, Adrouny, and Adrouny

ERRATUM IN ARTICLE BY STONE, ADROUNY, AND ADROUNY. — In BRITTONIA Vol. 17, No. 2 (Apr 1965), Fig. 1 (p. 100) was unfortunately printed upside down.
Leading the charge for consumer acceptance

Purpose – The paper seeks to conduct a qualitative analysis to determine if organizational attempts to communicate positive images affect consumer perceptions of organizational effectiveness.Design/methodology/approach – Through a rhetorical analysis, the authors categorized responses into four basic types of issues: issues of fact, issues of definition or category, issues of value, and issues of policy. The authors then employed qualitative analysis, using a rhetorical approach to categorize respondents' opinions related to their shopping experiences.Findings – Data results support the notion that consumers' buying habits are forged or altered based on stimuli outside the quality of goods or services. Some of the factors that most influence a consumer's decision to continue to patronize a retail outlet include courtesy of sales associates, responsiveness of management in dealing with complaints and concerns, and added values such as knowledgeable staff.Research limitations/implications – The authors ackn...
Effect of direct exchange coupling between antiferromagnetic grains on magnetic behavior of ferro/antiferromagnetic exchange coupled polycrystalline layer systems

Two fundamental properties, unidirectional rotational hysteresis and training effect, of ferro/antiferromagnetic exchange coupled polycrystalline layer systems are discussed in which a direct exchange coupling between antiferromagnetic grains is found to play a decisive role. A new model is proposed to describe the systems. The analysis of some experimental data suggests the existence of preferential angular distribution of anisotropy axes of antiferromagnetic grains.
Electrical properties of ultrathin Ga-doped ZnO films on Si and ZnO

Ga-doped ZnO films of thicknesses 3 – 500 nm were grown on either Si or ZnO at 200 °C by pulsedlaser deposition in 10 mTorr of Ar. Sheet carrier concentration n s and mobility μ were measured at room temperature by the Hall effect and were fitted, respectively, to the equations n s (d) = n(∞)(d - δd) and μ(d) = μ(∞)/[1 + d*/(d - δd)], where n is the volume carrier concentration at d = ∞ (the bulk value), δd is the thickness of the dead layer, μ(∞) is the mobility at d = ∞, and d* is a figure of merit for the electrical properties of the interface. Roughly, d* may be thought of as the minimum layer thickness that will produce good conductance. For GZO/Si, the fitted d* = 23 nm, and for GZO/ZnO, 3 nm. As evidence of the usefulness of d*, a 3-nm layer of GZO/Si showed no measurable conductance (since d << d*), whereas a 5-nm layer of GZO had excellent conductance (since d ≈ d*). In fact, the latter had a resistivity of about 4 × 10-4 Ω-cm at room temperature, possibly the lowest value ever reported in ZnO at this thickness.
Characferistics of an Adolescent Cohort Undergoing Large Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP)

Background LEEP is a safe and effective treatment for cervical dysplasia in adults, but its role in the management of adolescents has not been established. The objectives of this study were to describe the characteristics of a cohort of adolescents undergoing LEEP and to desaibe post-operative complications, short-term recurrence rate of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and compliance with follow-up. Methods All 35 adolescents who underwent a LEEP between 1995 to 1997 were enrolled in this retrospective cohort. The cohort included: 29 patients with HSIL on biopsy, 4 patients with HSIL on Pap Smear and a discordant biopsy result, 1 with persistent low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and 1 with diffuse LSIL and unsatisfactory colposcopy. Data were collected through chart review. End-points included: post-operative complications, subsequent pregnancies first or second trimester spontancous abortion, recurrence of high-grade SIL (diagnosed by pre-operative biopsy or LEEP) and compliance with 3 follow-up visits over a year. A descriptive analysis was done using SPSS. Results Mean age of the subjects was 17.9 years (SD 1.5). 34% of the subjects smoked cigarettes at the time of the procedure. Only 28.6% reported use of condoms. The Pap Smear which led to referral was atypical cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in 25.7%. LSIL in 54.3% and HSIL in 20% of patients. The mean interval between reported age of coitarche and LEEP was 3.7 years (SD 2.1). Post-operative complications included: bleeding (5.7%). pain (2.9%), vaginal discharge (2.9%), cervicitis (8.6%) and endometritis (5.7%). Only one of the 35 patients required short-term post-operative hospitalization (endometritis). Eight pregnancies were diagnosed during the study period. One was terminated and 7 are ongoing. There were no spontancous abortions. Mean length of follow-up was 10.7 (SD 6.7) months. Of the 14 patients followed-up for greater than 12 months, there was one recurrence of HSIL in an immunocompromised patient. There were no recurrences in those patients for whom data was available (12 of the remaining 21) who were followed for less than 12 months. Follow-up compliance was 41%. Conclusions In this population of adolescents, the post-operative complication rate was low and there was no evidence of an adverse effect on fertility. The short-term recurrence rate of high-grade SIL was extremely low. Compliance with follow-up visits was 41%. LEEP appears to be a safe, effective treatment strategy for HSIL in adolescents, but additional long-term data are needed.
RAY MORPHOLOGY AND CYTOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS OF SENECIO CAMBRENSIS ROSSER

SUMMARY Experimentally synthesized allohexaploids between Senecio vulgaris L. and S. squalidus L. allow the genomic constitution of S. cambrensis Rosser to be defined. Ray morphology in this synthesized allohexaploid is interpreted on the basis of the known location of the ‘rayed’ gene, and the relevance of this information to ray morphology in S. cambrensis is discussed. Meiotic studies of the raw allohexaploid show that meiotic regularity is likely to have been a feature of the species from its inception, and is not the result of recent selection.
Thrombosis complicating balloon angioplasty of left pulmonary artery stenosis after Fontan's procedure: successful treatment with intravenous streptokinase.

Abstract Fontan's procedure is an acceptable alternative for the palliation of tricuspid atresia, when there is no obstruction to flow within the pulmonary artery (PA) tree. We describe balloon angioplasty of a stenotic left PA in a patient with Fontan's repair of tricuspid atresia. The procedure was complicated by left PA thrombosis, successfully treated with streptokinase.
The role of formamide in the preparation of cellulose acetate membranes by the phase inversion process

By varying the concentration of formamide within the acetone solutions from which cellulose acetate membranes were fabricated, a series of membranes exhibiting a wide range of performance characteristics was prepared. The morphological, optical, swelling and water transport properties of these membrane gels have been interpreted with reference to a phase inversion in their sol precursors.
A Trace Method for Directly Synthesizing Liapunov Functions of Aperiodic Systems

Liapunov functions synthesis for aperiodic linear systems by inspecting traces of state matrix and products
Political Freedom and Organic Theories of States

Some of the great opponents of tyranny believed that states are like living things. Plato is the most famous example. Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas, and Edmund Burke were also organic theorists and lovers of political freedom. Today it is commonly thought that organic theories reflect a totalitarian ideology and that an organic state is ipso facto totalitarian. Organic theories are in disrepute. No one bothers much to criticize them. It is simply taken for granted that organic theories exclude individual rights and imply management of all affairs within a state. If the dominant view is correct, then Plato and other organic theorists are guilty of a monstrous inconsistency. But the dominant view is false. A political theory that is organic by any standard and which would have us affirm the theses that are supposed to warrant or require totalitarian rule in states does not, in fact, justify totalitarian rule. On the contrary, it implies the desirability of other features, such as rule of law, limited government, and subsidiarity that are inconsistent with such rule. If this is correct, then a wholesale rejection of modern, liberal political theory is not, at the same time, a denial of inviolable individual rights. Indeed, it will emerge that the rights of individuals are as secure in an organic framework as in liberalism.
Phrenic nerve responses to chemical stimulation of the subregions of ventral medullary respiratory neuronal group in the rat

Phrenic nerve (PN) responses to unilateral microinjections of L-glutamate (L-Glu, 5 mM) or N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA, 1 mM) into different subregions of ventral respiratory neuronal group (VRG) were studied in urethane-anesthetized, immobilized, and artificially ventilated, adult male Wistar rats. A 50-nl volume of microinjection was used in all the subregions of VRG except in Pre-Botzinger complex (Pre-BotC) where a 20-nl volume was used. Unilateral microinjections of L-Glu or NMDA into the Botzinger complex (BotC) and caudal VRG (cVRG), caused a transient cessation of phrenic nerve (PN) activity. Expiratory neurons, abundant in BotC and cVRG, were excited by stimulation of cardiopulmonary receptors while their responses to carotid chemoreceptor stimulation were variable. Microinjections of L-Glu or NMDA into the Pre-BotC caused an increase in the PN background discharge (this response was unique to Pre-BotC) superimposed on which was an increase in the PN burst frequency. Microinjections of L-Glu or NMDA into the rostral VRG (rVRG) caused an increase in the frequency and amplitude of PN bursts. Inspiratory neurons, abundant in Pre-BotC and rVRG, were excited and inhibited by activation of carotid chemoreceptors and cardiopulmonary receptors, respectively. The coordinates for the location of different subregions of VRG were as follows (reference points are listed in parentheses). BotC: 1.6-2.6 mm rostral (calamus scriptorius), 1.7-2.7 mm lateral (midline), and 2.3-2.8 mm deep (dorsal surface of medulla); Pre-BotC: 1.4-1.6 mm rostral, 1. 8-2.5 mm lateral, and 2.3-2.8 mm deep; rVRG: 0.4-1.4 mm rostral, 1. 6-2.5 mm lateral, and 2.3-2.8 mm deep; and cVRG: 0.5 mm caudal to 0. 5 mm rostral, 1.0-2.2 mm lateral, and 2.1-2.6 mm deep. A detailed map of the subregions of VRG, functionally identified by L-Glu and NMDA-microinjections, has been presented. These data are likely to prove useful in future studies on respiratory reflex mechanisms.
HETEROGENEITY OF H CHAINS OF MYELOMA PROTEINS: SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PAPAIN AND TRYPSIN.

PROTEOLYTIC digestion of proteins has been one of the methods used in determining protein structure1–3. Closely allied proteins such as γ-globulins revealed after enzyme cleavage significant differences in products. It was shown that the main fragments (S and F) of normal human 7S γ-globulins obtained by papain digestion are heterogeneous4–6. These investigations were now extended to abnormal γ-globulins (7S and β2A myeloma γ-globulins) in order to compare the structural make-up of the sub-components of their S and F fragments. During the course of the investigation an F fragment, extremely labile to proteolytic digestions, was found in one of the 7S myeloma γ-globulins studied.
Digital Angiography Using a Matched Filter

Both digital subtraction and recursive filtering schemes have been employed successfully for intravenous and intraarterial arteriography. Either processing method results in an image(s), S, which is a linear combination of discrete images Ij acquired during the flow of iodinated contrast material, i.e., S = 1; ?Nj=0kjlj, j = 0 where kj are the weighting coefficients for the N+1 samples. It is shown that for a given set of images {Ij} there exists a set of weighting coefficients {kj} which maximizes the iodine signal to noise ratio and simultaneously removes stationary background anatomy. The kj are related to the contrast dilution curve measured over an artery of interest, kj = s[j]-s?, where {s[j]} is the set of measured image variations due to the flow of contrast material, and s?, is the mean value of the s[j]. This choice of kj defines a matched filter. Compared to subtraction angiography, matched filtering is 4-6 times more dose efficient.
Implicitly defined optimization problems

This paper considers the solution of the problem: inff[y, x(y)] s.t.y ∈\(\bar R\)[y, x(y)] ⊆E k , wherex(y) solves: minF(x, y) s.t.x ∈R(x, y) ⊆E n . In order to obtain local solutions, a first-order algorithm, which uses {dx(y)/dy} for solving a special case of the implicitly definedy-problem, is given. The derivative is obtained from {dx(y, r)/dy}, wherer is a penalty function parameter and {x(y, r)} are approximations to the solution of thex-problem given by a sequential minimization algorithm. Conditions are stated under whichx(y, r) and {dx(y, r)/dy} exist. The computation of {dx(y, r)/dy} requires the availability of ∇ y F(x, y) and the partial derivatives of the other functions defining the setR(x, y) with respect to the parametersy.
Slow light waves at sonic propagation speed in active photonic lattices

Stimulated cross-cavity photon emission and carrier depletion in closely packed microlaser arrays supports the propagation of long-range intercavity oscillations in the coupled populations of coherent photons and carriers. The related periodic variations in the cavity radiation envelopes propagate as slow optical waves over the array at sonic group velocity. Externally driven excitation of such waves is investigated by numerical simulations and compared with theoretically obtained dispersion relation. While the theoretical minimum group velocity tends to zero at the lattice dispersion band edges, the requirement that the spatial decay constant be much smaller than the inverse lattice period limits the useful parameter regime. The lowest observed propagation velocities are of the order of the sound speed (km/s), a five order of magnitude reduction.
Determinants of confirming and disconfirming responses to negative social labels

Abstract Two experiments explored the question of when people will respond to negative labels by confirming them and when they will respond by disconfirming them. In a field experiment subjects were accused of not taking advantage of the opportunities available in a nearby city, and in a laboratory experiment they were accused of having low self-confidence. After these accusations, subjects were given an opportunity to behave in ways that varied in the degree to which they were consistent with the experimenter's labels. For some subjects the experimenter's accusations included mention of the fact that the negative label also applied to many other members of their group, while for other subjects this group factor was not mentioned. The reference to the group either increased or decreased subjects' label-confirming behavior, depeding on whether the subject had provided the experimenter with evidence consistent with the label before the accusations were made. When the experimenter had this evidence, subjects subsequently confirmed the label more if the fact that the negative label applied to many group members was mentioned than if it was not mentioned. When the experimenter accused the subject without having any evidence, subjects disconfirmed the label more if the group was mentioned than if it was not.
The representation of fuzzy relational production rules

We look at the representation within the framework of the approximate reasoning of relational type rules. A relational production rule consists of a rule in which one of the antecedent requirements involves the satisfaction of a relationship between two variables. An example of this type of rule is if lower and upper bounds are close then the uncertainty is low.
Structures linking microfilament bundles to the membrane at focal contacts

We used quick-freeze, deep-etch, rotary replication and immunogold cytochemistry to identify a new structure at focal contacts. In Xenopus fibroblasts, elongated aggregates of particles project from the membrane to contact bundles of actin microfilaments. Before terminating, a single bundle of microfilaments interacts with several aggregates that appear intermittently over a distance of several microns. Aggregates are enriched in proteins believed to mediate actin-membrane interactions at focal contacts, including beta 1-integrin, vinculin, and talin, but they appear to contain less alpha-actinin and filamin. We also identified a second, smaller class of aggregates of membrane particles that contained beta 1-integrin but not vinculin or talin and that were not associated with actin microfilaments. Our results indicate that vinculin, talin, and beta 1-integrin are assembled into distinctive structures that mediate multiple lateral interactions between microfilaments and the membrane at focal contacts.
Coronavirus-induced demyelination of neural pathways triggers neurogenic bladder overactivity in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis

In the present study, we aimed to determine whether mice with coronavirus-induced encephalomyelitis (CIE) develop neurogenic bladder dysfunction that is comparable with the neurogenic detrusor over...
Is It Possible To Estimate the Parameters of the Sigmoid Emax Model with Truncated Data Typical of Clinical Studies

Many drug concentration-effect relationships are described by the nonlinear sigmoid E(max) model. Clinical considerations frequently limit the magnitude of effect intensity that may be produced; the most pronounced effect intensity may be considerably below E(max). We have tested and quantified the influence of this limitation on the estimatability of the sigmoid E(max) model parameters. We have used the estimated parameter values to calculate data descriptors (drug concentrations required to produce certain effect intensities) and compared these with concentrations determined by using exact parameter values. We found that when the highest measured effect intensity was less than 95% of E(max), E(max) and EC50 were poorly estimated (high coefficient of variation and pronounced bias). Nevertheless, the fit to the data was quite good and the data descriptors were estimated with precision within the range for which data were available but not beyond. Baseline effect was estimated with good precision but the sigmoidicity parameter (gamma) was highly variable. Thus, where clinical considerations prevent determination of concentration-effect data near the maximum effect intensity, E(max) and EC50 estimations are unreliable. The use of estimable data descriptors is proposed to characterize the concentration-effect relationship under these conditions.
An exact component mode synthesis approach

The paper presents a method for synthesizing the modal properties of substructures to obtain the exact modal properties of a combined structure. Unlike the currently available modal synthesis approaches, the proposed approach does not require the solution of any transformed eigenvalue problem of the combined structure by conventional means. The substructures are assumed to be coupled by connecting elements and the coupling is done sequentially with one element at a time. The eigenvalues at each stage of coupling are obtained by solving a non-linear characteristic equation. A simple Newton-Raphson solution scheme is adequate for this purpose. Once the eigenvalues are determined, the eigenvectors can be calculated in closed form. Several examples demonstrating the applicability of the proposed approach are presented.
A new sigmoidal function describing the small field dose profile data from a linear accelerator

Dose profile data from small circular fields have been used in treatment dose planning for stereotactic radiosurgery. Generally, a two‐dimensional interpolation of the measured beam profiles from circular collimators is used to calculate the dose at any axial depth and radial distance from the central axis. Instead, the dose profile data can be transformed into a sigmoidal form. A new three parameter sigmoidal function was developed to fit the transformed (sigmoidal) dose profile data. The values of the three estimated parameters were found to follow either linearly or exponentially as a function of axial depth. Thus, instead of linear interpolation, these formulas can be used to calculate dose at any axial depth and radial distance from the central axis for circular collimators of various diameters. This new sigmoidal function provides another formula to describe dose profile data from circular collimator of small fields.