cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Family Context to Inform Intervention Planning for the Treatment of a Child with Autism

Children with autism often engage in problem behavior that can be highly disruptive to ongoing family practices and routines. This case study demonstrated child and family outcomes related to two distinct treatment approaches for challenging behavior (prescriptive vs. contextualized) in a family raising a child with autism. The processes of behavior change directed either solely by the interventionist (prescriptive) and in collaboration with the family (contextualized) were compared. The family-directed intervention involved an assessment of family context (i.e., via discussion of daily routines) to inform the design of a behavioral support plan. Information gathered from the assessment of family routines was used to (a) help select specific behavioral strategies that were compatible with family characteristics and preferences, and (b) construct teaching methods that fit with the family's ongoing practices, routines, and interaction goals. More favorable results (i.e., reductions in challenging behavior, ...
Coronary artery disease in aortic stenosis: importance of coronary arteriography and surgical implications.

In our report, the presence or absence of angina pectoris did not predict the presence of coronary artery disease. A significant number of patients with aortic stenosis and angina pectoris have coronary artery disease but coronary artery disease also exists in asymptomatic form in a significant number of patients with severe aortic stenosis that could not be detected clinically and therefore suggests that the routine use of selective coronary arteriography is indicated in patients over 40 years undergoing cardiac catheterization because of aortic stenosis. This is very important in the preoperative evaluation and in planning the technique of operation to employ during extracorporeal circula tion and in determining the necessity of combining aortic valve replacement and myocardial revascularization.
An equivalent squares template.

A template for calculating equivalent squares of irregularly shaped fields is described. Calculations using the template are essentially scatter summations. Comparisons with a computer program showed good agreement in equivalent squares and tumor doses (within 0.8%). Comparisons with area–perimeter ratio methods of computing equivalent squares showed consistently better accuracy using the template. For highly irregular fields, the template calculation required 3–10 min for central axis computation, comparable to that required by the other manual methods.
The term newborn potentially exposed to herpes simplex virus.

More than 75% of infants with HSV infection are born to mothers who had no history of HSV or Two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV) cause disease in humans (HSV-1 and HSV-2); humans are the only natural host of the virus. HSV is spread by direct contact between mucocutaneous surfaces. Both infections tend to be mild except in immunocompromised patients, which include newborn infants. After a primary infection, this virus establishes a latent infection in regional sensory ganglion neurons, maintaining its ability to reactivate and cause recurrent infection. This latent infection may be asymptomatic, yet still contagious, thus explaining the widespread prevalence of
Empirical investigation of the signal performance of a high‐resolution, indirect detection, active matrix flat‐panel imager (AMFPI) for fluoroscopic and radiographic operation

Signal properties of the first large-area, high resolution, active matrix, flat-panel imager are reported. The imager is based on an array of 1536×1920 pixels with a pixel-to-pixel pitch of 127 μm. Each pixel consists of a discrete amorphous siliconn-i-pphotodiode coupled to an amorphous siliconthin-film transistor. The imager detects incident x rays indirectly by means of an intensifying screen placed over the array. External acquisition electronics send control signals to the array and process analog imaging signals from the pixels. Considerations for operation of the imager in both fluoroscopic and radiographic modes are detailed and empirical signal performance data are presented with an emphasis on exploring similarities and differences between the two modes. Measurements which characterize the performance of the imager were performed as a function of operational parameters in the absence or presence of illumination from a light-emitting diode or x rays. These measurements include characterization of the drift and magnitude of the pixel dark signal, the size of the pixel switching transient, the temporal behavior of pixel sampling and the implied maximum frame rate, the dependence of relative pixel efficiency and pixel response on photodiode reverse bias voltage and operational mode, the degree of linearity of pixel response, and the trapping and release of charge from metastable states in the photodiodes. In addition, x-ray sensitivity as a function of energy for a variety of phosphor screens for both fluoroscopic and radiographic operation is reported. Example images of a line-pair pattern and an anthropomorphic phantom in each mode are presented along with a radiographicimage of a human hand. General and specific improvements in imager design are described and anticipated developments are discussed. This represents the first systematic investigation of the operation and properties in both radiographic and fluoroscopic modes of an imager incorporating such an array.
Paying for Medicare: benefits, budgets, and Wilbur Mills's policy legacy.

Medicare features an unusually complex financing design. The Hospital Insurance Trust Fund pays for Part A of Medicare (hospital stays), while the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund finances Part B (doctor visits, outpatient care, and certain home health services). At a time when Medicare policy is generating debate, this article takes a new analytical look at the origins and consequences of the program's peculiar bifurcated structure. Addressing historians of the U.S. welfare state as well as contemporary health policy reformers, the article focuses on the crucial role of legendary Ways and Means Committee chair Wilbur Mills in Medicare's enactment in 1965. The central theme of the article is that fiscal conservatism and a commitment to budgetary restraint constitute important elements of Medicare's original political understanding. Contrary to analysts who argue that Medicare's financing design has produced "perverse" effects, we argue that it has served a valuable social function by encouraging policy makers to confront periodically the costs of one of the largest and fastest-growing federal programs. An argument can be made that Medicare's original division requires modification in order to integrate health care delivery changes of the past few decades. It is crucial, however, for reformers not to lose sight of the policy goals, including fiscal rectitude, that motivated the adoption of Medicare's bifurcated structure in the first place.
Clinical observations of early and late normal tissue injury in patients receiving fast neutron irradiation

This communication describes early and late normal tissue effects in 177 patients treated totally or in part by 15 MeV neutrons from the Naval Research Laboratory Cyclotron in Washington, D.C. between October 1973 and December 1976. Late normal tissue reactions were found to be greater than would be expected from careful observation of the early clinical responses to neutron treatment. Neutron prescriptions must be written based on the late effect tolerance level experience which is being accumulated at several neutron therapy facilities.
Molecular propane adsorption dynamics on Pt(111)

Abstract Supersonic molecular beam techniques and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) were used to study the adsorption dynamics of propane onto clean and propane-covered Pt(111). The propane sticking probability was measured directly as a function of incident translational energy, E i , incident angle, θ i , and propane coverage, θ cov , at a surface temperature of 95 K. Under these experimental conditions, propane adsorbs molecularly onto Pt(111) terrace sites. Non-normal energy scaling is observed at all propane coverages indicating the importance of parallel momentum in the adsorption process. At all incident translational energies and angles studied, the sticking probability on a propane covered surface, S (θ cov ), increases with increasing propane coverage. Upon saturation of the Pt(111) terrace sites, spontaneous desorption is observed in the direct adsorption probability experiments.
Schwinger model with the overlap-Dirac operator: Exact results versus a physics motivated approximation

We propose techniques for the numerical implementation of the overlap-Dirac operator, which exploit the physical properties of the underlying theory to avoid nested algorithms. We test these procedures in the two-dimensional Schwinger model and the results are very promising. These techniques can be directly applied to QCD simulations. We also present a detailed computation of the spectrum and the chiral properties of the Schwinger model in the overlap lattice formulation.
Religious characteristics of US women physicians

Physicians' religious attributes are unknown, and may affect patient care. The Women Physicians' Health Study (WPHS) is a random sample (n = 4501 respondents, 59% response rate) of US women physicians aged 30-70; the first large, national study of US women physicians. In this study US women physicians were less likely to be Christian than were other Americans (61.2% of women physicians versus 85.1% of the general population), but were more likely to be Jewish (13.2% vs 2.0%), Buddhist (1.4% vs 0.3%), Hindu (3.9% vs 0.4%), or atheist/agnostic (5.9% vs 0.6%). Protestantism (29.3% of the population) and Catholicism (24.9%) were the most commonly reported religious identities. The strongest religious identity was claimed by Mormons and Seventh Day Adventists. Thus, women physicians' religious beliefs differ from those of the general population in the US. This may be particularly important for physicians practicing with patient populations with different religious affiliations, and in addressing clinical questions with ethical or religious dimensions.
McMediate care: Pediatric urgent care in the new millennium: What relationships should we be serving up next?

Abstract Urgent care centers are here to stay. Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) providers treat a spectrum of diseases that range from medical and surgical emergencies to benign, low-acuity medical conditions. Therefore, it makes intuitive sense for PEM providers to be integrally involved in the development, support, and operations of urgent care (UC) centers as they evolve to meet the acute episodic health care needs of children and their families. This report outlines the spectrum of UC centers that exist, the interrelationship with PEM providers, and the balancing of UC centers within the spectrum of ambulatory care for children.
TH-A-141-08: Instrument Design to Measure the Optical Properties of Reflectance and Transmittance

Purpose: To estimate performance of crystaline scintillator‐based pixelated detectors depending on the optical properties of the crystal surface (cut, etched, polished) and the septum material between each crystal. We propose a new device design to measure the optical reflectance and transmittance properties of candidate crystal‐septum structures. Methods: Using a measurement device including a laser and an arc of photodiode detectors, the reflectance of two sandwich samples that each mimic a pixel was measured: CdWCO4‐glue‐ESR‐glue‐CdWCO4 and CdWO4‐glue‐(Al‐sputtered‐ESR)‐glue‐CdWO4. Reflectance was normalized to that of ESR (a multi‐layer optical film, highly specular reflector). To provide the required range of incident light angles at the interface of interest, a BGO hemisphere with a high index of refraction (n=2.2) was glued (Meltmount, n=1.7) to the top surface of the sandwich. Results: The sandwich structure demonstrated constant reflectivity over all laser angles with reflectances of 95% and 60% for ESR and Al‐sputtered‐ESR sandwiches respectively. This is because the highest incident angle achieved at the crystal‐glue interface was only 25.8 degrees due to the large difference in refractive indices between air (n=1) and CdWO4 (n=2.2), which is below the critical angle for total internal reflection. With the BGO hemisphere added, there are two boundaries where total internal reflection can occur, and three levels of reflectivity were detected with the steps corresponding to the critical angles of 45 degrees and 54 degrees. Normalization is required to remove the influence of the Meltmount and BGO crystal from the measured reflectivities. Conclusion: The optical reflectance due to surface conditions and septum materials can be accurately measured via the addition of a high‐refractive‐index hemisphere to a sandwich structure that has equivalent characteristics to the finished pixel matrix. Reflectance and transmittance are both important to develop an efficient pixelated detector, therefore the instrument has been modified and being assembled to measure them. This work is supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH R01 CA138426) and the Richard M. Lucas Foundation. There is no conflict of interest to disclose.
Random X-chromosome inactivation in interspecific hybrids of Meriones libycus (male) x Meriones shawi (female) (Rodentia: Gerbillinae).

Des cultures obtenues a partir d'hybrides femelles entre deux especes deMeriones a 44 chromosomes et differant par l'acrocentrie (M. shawi) ou la metacentrie (M. libycus) de l'X ont permis l'etude de clones cellulaires. C'est alors tantot l'X metacentrique, tantot l'X acrocentrique qui se revele inactive («latereplicating»). Bien que la proportion 1/1, significative d'une inactivation due uniquement au hasard, n'ait pas ete rigoureusement observee, ces resultats sont nettement en faveur de l'hypothese deLyon.
Cranial shape varies along an elevation gradient in Gambel's white-footed mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus gambelii) in the Grinnell Resurvey Yosemite transect.

Environmental variation over a species's range creates differing pressures to which organisms must adjust in order to survive. Taxa can respond to these pressures at population and individual levels, leading to localized phenotypic differentiation. Assessing the spatial distribution of phenotypic variation can illuminate how dramatically varying environmental factors shape phenotypes and may forecast a taxon's ability to adapt should conditions change. We characterized morphological variation along a transect sampled in the Grinnell Resurvey project to determine whether Gambel's white-footed mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus gambelii), a generalist taxon inhabiting the full elevational range of habitats in Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas, has responded morphologically to variation in its environment. We quantified variation in modern P. m. gambelii cranial shape using 2D generalized Procrustes analysis and Euclidean distance matrix-based geometric morphometrics. We performed multivariate regression of shape coordinates on elevation to test for environmental influences on shape within the principal geographic dimension of change along the transect. We observe a statistically significant correlation with shape on elevation for occlusal and lateral views of the cranium, explaining a small percentage of the overall variation in shape. Modern P. m. gambelii crania show a pattern of flexion in which the angle of the cranial base decreases at higher elevations. Results of EDMA parallel these findings, but highlight additional areas of the cranium that vary with elevation. Collectively, the patterns of variation detected suggest a biological response to the environment that warrants further study. This work lays the foundation for comparison with morphological data from historical specimens, which can address evolutionary scenarios generated from our findings, and for investigation of other taxa included in the resurvey project. J. Morphol. 271:897–909, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optimization models for mine planning

Mixed Integer Linear Programming models are presented to develop a schedule for the mining of precious metal from available deposits. Alternate formulations and branch-and-bound search strategies are discussed. LINGO was used to build and solve the models.
Renal and hormonal effects of phosphodiesterase III inhibition in congestive heart failure

Abstract Evaluation of the impact of therapeutic interventions in congestive heart failure (CHF) with compounds such as the phosphodiesterase (PDE) III inhibitors must include the determination of regional blood flow and functional changes. Thus, whereas PDE III inhibitors produce a significant increase in cardiac output and reduction of systemic vascular resistance, it is necessary to understand their effects on the kidney and neurohormonal parameters. The evaluation of these effects must take into consideration both the baseline renal and neurohormonal abnormalities in CHF, and the cellular actions of PDE III inhibition, which include an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cytosolic calcium. In a group of 13 patients with CHF, milrinone therapy for 1 month did not increase renal blood flow or glomerular filtration rate, or favorably affect neurohormonal parameters. However, forearm blood flow increased proportionately with cardiac output. Therefore PDE III inhibition produces a preferential increase in skeletal muscle blood flow, which may be a relative shunting of blood from the kidney. Alternatively, PDE III inhibition may activate renal cellular mechanisms that offset the anticipated favorable response to the increase of cardiac output produced by milrinone.
Elastic electron scattering from the isotopes 36Ar and 40Ar

Abstract The charge structure of 36 Ar and 40 Ar has been investigated using the technique of elastic electron scattering. Data were collected at the National Bureau of Standards Linear Accelerator with incident electron energies ranging from 65 to 115 MeV and a scattering angle of 110°. The data span a range of q 2 between 0.29 and 0.92 fm −2 . Phase shift fits to a two-parameter Fermi distribution yield model dependent rms charge-radius values of 3.33 ±0.02 fm for 36 Ar and 3.39 ± 0.02 fm for 40 Ar, where the quoted uncertainties are statistical only. These values are compared with the results of previous experiments on these nuclei.
A Zinc—Potassium Continuum in Neuronal Apoptosis

Intraneuronal zinc homeostasis is tightly regulated by a variety of specialized ionic transport mechanisms, metal binding proteins, and organelle com-partmentalization. Dysregulation of these processes by pathophysiological conditions, especially those in which reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS, RNS) have been implicated, is central to the progression of neuronal injury. In addition to disruption of zinc homeostatic mechanisms, a reduction of intracellular ionic strength via enhanced potassium efflux is a critical and perhaps requisite mediator of apoptotic cell death induced by lethal insults to the brain. In this chapter, we describe the manner by which the cellular dysregulation of these two essential ions, zinc and potassium, lies along a signaling continuum leading to the demise of central neurons. By reviewing the current status of the field and presenting new information, we detail the molecular mechanisms linking intracellular zinc liberation to cellular potassium efflux in acute neuronal injury, such as ischemia. The complete characterization of this potentially ubiquitous cell death signaling cascade will likely provide novel therapeutic targets for cerebral ischemia and, possibly, other forms of neurodegeneration.
Response properties of neurons in nuclei of the mouse inferior colliculus

1. Extracellular recordings were obtained from 414 single-units in the inferior colliculi (IC) of tranquilized inbred C57BL/6J mice. 2. Spontaneous activity was encountered in 48% of units in the ventrolateral nucleus (ICVL), in 47% of units in the pericentral and external nuclei (ICP-ICX), and in 39% of units in the dorsomedial nucleus (ICDM). 3. PSTH response patterns typical of IC neurons of other species were found in the mouse (Figs. 2 and 3). These included phasic on and or bursts, off-, sustained excitation, “pauser,” “chopper,” and sustained inhibition of spontaneous activity. Despite the mouse's poor low-frequency hearing, phase-locked responses also occurred. Responses with latencies of up to 100–200 ms which were only driven by relatively long-duration tones were also observed. Other units showed off-suppression of spontaneous activity which could last for several seconds following long-duration tones (Fig. 3). 4. Sustained responses (excitatory and inhibitory) were most prominent in ICVL units, phasic responses in ICP-ICX units, and long-latency and off-responses in ICDM units. Habituation and “sluggish” responses were often found in ICP-ICX units, but rarely were seen in ICVL units. 5. Threshold tuning curves for ICVL units were typified by sharpness and low thresholds, whereas tuning curves of ICP-ICX units were often broad, had higher thresholds, and were difficult to obtain (Figs. 6 and 7). Suprathreshold response ranges of ICVL units strongly represented frequencies of 10–25 kHz, the mouse's most sensitive frequency range. Distributions of response ranges for units in other IC nuclei were more evenly distributed and included more low frequencies (Fig. 8).
Perturbed beta–gamma systems and complex geometry

Abstract We consider the equations, arising as the conformal invariance conditions of the perturbed curved beta–gamma system. These equations have the physical meaning of Einstein equations with a B-field and a dilaton on a Hermitian manifold, where the B-field 2-form is imaginary and proportional to the canonical form associated with Hermitian metric. We show that they decompose into linear and bilinear equations and lead to the vanishing of the first Chern class of the manifold where the system is defined. We discuss the relation of these equations to the generalized Maurer–Cartan structures related to BRST operator. Finally we describe the relations of the generalized Maurer–Cartan bilinear operation and the Courant/Dorfman brackets.
Surface excitations in absorbing media

Abstract Exact propagation constants and Poynting vectors are calculated for surface excitations at an interface between two media with complex dielectric functions. It is found that the electric fields associated with the surface excitations decay as damped oscillating exponentials. It is also found that the mean-free-paths can be of the order of meters, even in the presence of damping. At intermediate frequencies, the surface plasmon mean-free-paths are proportional to the free carrier lifetime.
How Dry is “OAB-Dry”? Perspectives from Patients and Physician Experts

Purpose: Overactive bladder is subtyped into overactive bladder-wet and overactive bladder-dry, based on the presence or absence, respectively, of urgency incontinence. To better understand patient and physician perspectives on symptoms among women with overactive bladder-wet and overactive bladder-dry, we performed patient focus groups and interviews with experts in urinary incontinence.Materials and Methods: Five focus groups totaling 33 patients with overactive bladder symptoms, including 3 groups of overactive bladder-wet and 2 groups of overactive bladder-dry patients, were conducted. Topics addressed patient perceptions of overactive bladder symptoms, treatments and outcomes. A total of 12 expert interviews were then done in which experts were asked to describe their views on overactive bladder-wet and overactive bladder-dry. Focus groups and expert interviews were transcribed verbatim. Qualitative data analysis was performed using grounded theory methodology, as described by Charmaz.Results: During...
Dynamic Procurement, Quantity Discounts, and Supply Chain Efficiency

We study a model with a single supplier and a single buyer who interact multiple times before the buyer sells her product in the end-consumer market. We show that when the supplier uses a wholesale price contract, even under perfect foresight, the supplier, the buyer, and the end-consumers benefit from multiple trading opportunities versus a one-shot procurement agreement.
Stability of protein synthesis initiation complexes in the presence of edeine

Abstract The antibiotic inhibitor edeine has been used to study various aspects of the initiation of protein synthesis in a rabbit reticulocyte cell-free system. Edeine prevents assembly of the 80S initiation complex while allowing accumulation of a 44S initiation intermediate. The complete 80S initiation complex, once formed, is stable in the presence of edeine. The functioning of the initiation complex, as judged by release of methionyl-puromycin, is only partially inhibited by a concentration of edeine which fully inhibits formation of the initiation complex. The above effects of edeine on a eukaryotic system differ from the effects edeine has been found to have in a prokaryotic system.
Assessment of characteristics of intrusive thoughts and their impact on distress among victims of traumatic events.

OBJECTIVE This study examines the psychometric properties of the Intrusive Thoughts Questionnaire (ITQ) and its utility as a predictor of distress among trauma victims. METHOD Victims of three types of trauma, a motor vehicle accident (N = 115), a hurricane (N = 182), and recovery work after an airline disaster (N = 159), completed the ITQ along with the Impact of Event Scale (IES) and the Symptom Checklist-90, Revised (SCL-90-R), at several different time points after their exposure. RESULTS The ITQ was a reliable and valid instrument that was positively related to concurrent measures of distress as well as a predictor of long-term stress responding. Characteristics of intrusive thoughts reflecting the extent to which they were unwanted or controllable, were identified as key determinants of distress. CONCLUSIONS The ITQ is a useful adjunct to current measures of intrusions, allowing for greater specificity in analyses of responses to trauma. Evaluation of characteristics of intrusions indicated that frequency of intrusions was neither the only predictor of distress nor the best predictor of trauma-related outcomes.
On tubular neighbourhoods of manifolds. II

Author(s): Hirsch, MW | Abstract: Introduction. LetXbe a submanifold ofY, in either the topological, smooth, or piecewise linear ( =PL) categories. Anormal cell bundleonXinYis a bundle ξ = (p, E, X) in the category whose fibre is a closed cell, and such thatEis a neighbourhood ofXinYandp: E → Xis a retraction. The triple (Y, X, ξ) is atubular neighbourhood, or briefly, atube. For convenience we may refer to a tube by its cell bundle.
Development of a reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of amoxicillin, metronidazole, and pantoprazole in human plasma using solid-phase extraction

A high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of amoxicillin, metronidazole, and pantoprazole in human plasma. Solid-phase extr...
Vibriolytic Antibody-Forming Cells: A New Application of the Pfeiffer Phenomenon

Complement-mediated immune lysis was first described by Pfeiffer after observing an immune reaction against Vibrio cholerae. Application of this reaction in agar gel, with viable vibro organisms, gave results which were unique compared to the red blood cell or enterobacterial systems. Among these was the lack of a detectable "background," a lengthened latent period and differentiable results among the three major cell wall antigens characteristic of this bacterial groups.
The gastro-ileac reflex: Further experimental observations

The activity of exteriorized loops of jejunum, ileum and colon in continuity in trained dogs was studied in relation to feeding. A prompt motor response following feeding was noted in both the jejunal and the ileac loops. The response occurred more rapidly in jejunal than in the ileae loops. Moreover, in an animal in which two exteriorized loops of small intestine at different levels were prepared, the motor response constantly appeared in the loop at the higher level before appearing in the lower loop. Feeding by a duodenal fistula gave as constant results as feeding by the mouth. Section of the intestine orad to the loop and reanastomosis in such a way as to prevent at least immediate union of the muscular coats and the intrinsic enteric plexuses, did not prevent the occurrence of the motor response. A constant motor response was noted, after feeding, in the distal part of the colon but not in its proximal part. The findings are taken to suggest that following the ingestion of food, a wave of aetivity traveling at the rate of about 1 em. per second passes down the length of the small intestine. The gastro-colic reflex does not appear to be a part of this excitatory proeess. It is suggested that the term gastro-ileae reflex is not sufficiently inelusive.
Compartmental distribution of complement activation products in artificial kidneys

Compartmental distribution of complement activation products in artificial kidneys. The compartmental distribution of the human anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a has been defined during simulated hemodialysis performed with various types of hemodialyzers. New cuprophan hollow fiber dialyzers were found to activate human complement very readily in vitro, while re-used cuprophan dialyzers displayed only modest complement activating potential. The C3a and C5a antigens, formed as a result of complement activation in these dialyzers, accumulated predominantly in the blood path and were not adsorbed extensively on the membrane surface or transported into the dialysate compartment. Cellulose acetate membranes also produced complement activation in vitro, but to a lesser degree than new cuprophan hollow fibers. However, these membranes exhibited a significant capacity to bind the anaphylatoxins to their surface. Polyacrylonitrile membranes appeared to be unique in that they not only failed to activate complement significantly, but they rapidly adsorbed large quantities of C3a and C5a. These findings demonstrate that hemodialysis membranes may differ with regard to their complement activating potential as well as their ability to remove circulating anaphylatoxins from the blood path. Clinical measurements of anaphylatoxin production during hemodialysis reflect these dynamic events.
Photoactivatable fluorescent proteins for diffraction-limited and super-resolution imaging

Photoactivatable fluorescent proteins (PA-FPs) are molecules that switch to a new fluorescent state in response to activation to generate a high level of contrast. Over the past eight years, several types of PA-FPs have been developed. The PA-FPs fluoresce green or red, or convert from green to red in response to activating light. Others reversibly switch between 'off' and 'on' in response to light. The optical "highlighting" capability of PA-FPs has led to the rise of novel imaging techniques providing important new biological insights. These range from in cellulo pulse-chase labeling for tracking subpopulations of cells, organelles or proteins under physiological settings, to super-resolution imaging of single molecules for determining intracellular protein distributions at nanometer precision. This review surveys the expanding array of PA-FPs, including their advantages and disadvantages, and highlights their use in novel imaging methodologies.
A Novel Approach to 2-D Shape Representation Based on Equilateral Polygonal Approximation

Shape representation is a very important issue in computer vision and pattern recognition. This paper presents a novel shape representation algorithm based on equilateral polygonal approximation. Firstly, the problem and definition of equilateral polygonal approximation are presented in this paper. Then a new equilateral polygonal approximation method based on detecting optimal edge length using genetic algorithm is proposed.
Synergistic effects of C-peptide and insulin on low O2-induced ATP release from human erythrocytes.

Erythrocytes participate in the matching of oxygen (O2) delivery with local need in skeletal muscle via the release of O2 and the vasodilator, ATP. It was reported that a concentration of insulin f...
Protonation Sites and Dissociation Mechanisms of t-Butylcarbamates in Tandem Mass Spectrometric Assays for Newborn Screening

Structures of tert-butylcarbamate ions in the gas-phase and methanol solution were studied for simple secondary and tertiary carbamates as well as for carbamate-containing products and internal standards for lysosomal enzyme assays used in newborn screening of a α-galactosidase A deficiency (Fabry disease), mucopolysaccharidosis I (Hurler disease), and mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter disease). The protonation of simple t-butylcarbamates can occur at the carbonyl group, which is the preferred site in the gas phase. Protonation in methanol solution is more favorable if occurring at the carbamate nitrogen atom. The protonation of more complex t-butylcarbamates occurs at amide and carbamate carbonyl groups, and the ions are stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding, which is affected by solvation. Tertiary carbamates containing aminophenol amide groups were calculated to have substantially greater gas-phase basicities than secondary carbamates containing coumarin amide groups. The main diagnostically important ion dissociation by elimination of 2-methylpropene (isobutylene, i-C(4)H(8)) and carbon dioxide is shown by experiment and theory to proceed in two steps. Energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation of the Hurler's disease enzymatic product ion, which is a coumarin-diamine linker-t-butylcarbamate conjugate (3a(+)), indicated separate energy thresholds for the loss of i-C(4)H(8) and CO(2). Computational investigation of the potential energy surface along two presumed reaction pathways indicated kinetic preference for the migration of a t-butyl hydrogen atom to the carbamate carbonyl resulting in the isobutylene loss. The consequent loss of CO(2) required further proton migrations that had to overcome energy barriers.
tay's as good as cay: Reply

Abstract In a recent comment on our published work [Lettau, M., Ludvigson, S., 2001. Consumption, aggregate wealth, and expected stock returns. Journal of Finance 56, 815–850], Michael Brennan and Yihong Xia [2005. tay 's as good as cay . Finance Research Letters 2, 1–14] advance the following argument: A “mechanistic” variable tay , where t is a linear time trend, forecasts stock returns. Since “ t has no foresight,” the argument goes, the predictive power of this variable must be attributable to what they call “look-ahead bias.” The authors assert that cay is subject to the same look-ahead bias (generated because we use the full sample to estimate the cointegrating parameters in cay ), implying that its forecasting power must be spurious. In this response, we explain why this critique is misplaced.
Value of autoantibodies for prediction of treatment response in patients with autoimmune epilepsy: Review of the literature and suggestions for clinical management

Summary The detection of antineural autoantibodies in patients with epilepsy has led to the new concept of “autoimmune epilepsy.” A particularly important implication is that knowledge of the antigenic target of the underlying antibody permits prognostic estimates. Patients with antibodies to the potassium channel complex (mostly to its leucine-rich glioma inactivated 1 [LGI1] component) have a high chance of becoming seizure free within days to months upon immunotherapy but less so with antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment alone. Seizures in the setting of antibodies to the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor also have a high likelihood to remit, again especially with rapid institution of immunotherapy. In contrast to these antibodies to neuronal surface molecules, antibodies directed to intracellular antigens (onconeural antibodies, antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase) portend a low likelihood of seizure remission, regardless of the treatments chosen. These outcome differences are probably related to the underlying pathophysiology—with largely reversible functional effects of antibodies to surface antigens and irreversible destructive sequelae (probably caused by T cells) in patients with antibodies to intracellular antigens. With ongoing experience with these conditions, clinical and paraclinical clues to the diagnosis of autoimmune epilepsies are emerging.
Group delay measurement for balancing dispersion in complex stretcher-compressor systems

The phase-shift technique for measuring group-delay has novel applications for aligning and commissioning grating compressors and balancing dispersion in large, high-energy petawatt and other complex, chirped-pulse amplifier systems.
Novel copper-binding and nitrogen-rich thiols produced and exuded by Emiliania huxleyi

In surface seawater, dissolved copper (Cu) is predominantly bound by a small pool of strong ligands, with further complexation by a larger pool of weaker ligands. Although the chemical structure of both classes of ligands observed in the open ocean remains unknown, it is believed that the stronger ligands are of biological origin, and it has been hypothesized that they are thiols. Using precolumn derivatization high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry, we found that the ubiquitous coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi constitutively produces two previously uncharacterized thiols, arginine-cysteine and glutamine-cysteine, in high intracellular concentrations. E. huxleyi exudes these novel thiols, along with cysteine, in response to increased Cu concentrations in the growth media. Furthermore, stable Cu (I) complexes with the exuded thiols were observed in the growth media using matrix-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry following size exclusion chromatography. Additionally, E. huxleyi appears to utilize these novel thiols in nitrogen storage and assimilation, as they are rapidly synthesized upon nitrogen addition to a nitrogen-depleted culture. The identification of specific ligands produced by this organism will facilitate further linkages between this likely source and the pools of Cu-binding ligands observed in surface seawater, while the discovery of novel thiols signifies the presence of unique and previously unknown biochemical pathways in E. huxleyi.
Spectroscopic and oxidation-reduction properties of Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome c1 and its M183K and M183H variants.

Abstract Two variants of the cytochrome c 1 component of the Rhodobacter capsulatus cytochrome bc 1 complex, in which Met 183 (an axial heme ligand) was replaced by lysine (M183K) or histidine (M183H), have been analyzed. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of the intact complex indicate that the histidine/methionine heme ligation of the wild-type cytochrome is replaced by histidine/lysine ligation in M183K and histidine/histidine ligation in M183H. Variable amounts of histidine/histidine axial heme ligation were also detected in purified wild-type cytochrome c 1 and its M183K variant, suggesting that a histidine outside the CSACH heme-binding domain can be recruited as an alternative ligand. Oxidation–reduction titrations of the heme in purified cytochrome c 1 revealed multiple redox forms. Titrations of the purified cytochrome carried out in the oxidative or reductive direction differ. In contrast, titrations of cytochrome c 1 in the intact bc 1 complex and in a subcomplex missing the Rieske iron–sulfur protein were fully reversible. An E m7 value of −330 mV was measured for the single disulfide bond in cytochrome c 1 . The origins of heme redox heterogeneity, and of the differences between reductive and oxidative heme titrations, are discussed in terms of conformational changes and the role of the disulfide in maintaining the native structure of cytochrome c 1 .
Coinfection with Hepatitis C Virus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Virological, Immunological, and Clinical Outcomes

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated to affect 2% of the world population ([90][1]) and is a leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is also a very important global public health problem, infecting about 33 million people worldwide ([
Growing up with a Cochlear Implant: Education, Vocation, and Affiliation

The long-term educational/vocational, affiliation, and quality-of-life outcomes of the first and second cohorts of children with bilateral, profound hearing loss who received cochlear implants under a large National Institutes of Health-funded study was investigated in 41 of 61 eligible participants. Educational and vocational outcomes were collected from user survey data. Affiliation and quality-of-life data were collected from the Satisfaction-with-Life scale and the Deaf Identity Scale. Qualitative results indicated that compared with their hearing, adult-age peers, this group obtained high educational achievement, and they reported a very high satisfaction of life. With respect to forming an identity in these first 2 cohorts of cochlear implant users, we found that most of the individuals endorsed a dual identity, which indicates they feel just as comfortable with Deaf individuals as they do with hearing individuals. Quantitative results revealed a significant relationship between ability to hear and ability to speak, in addition to consistency of device use. Additional relationships were found between mother's and the individual's educational statuses, hearing scores, and communication system used. Younger individuals scored higher on satisfaction-with-life measures, and they also tended to endorse a dual identity more often. Taken together, these findings diminish concerns that profoundly deaf individuals growing up with cochlear implants will become culturally bereft and unable to function in the hearing world.
Trust Establishment in Distributed Networks: Analysis and Modeling

Recently, trust establishment is recognized as an important approach to defend distributed networks, such as mobile ad hoc networks and sensor networks, against malicious attacks. Trust establishment mechanisms can stimulate collaboration among distributed computing and communication entities, facilitate the detection of untrustworthy entities, and assist decision-making in various protocols. In the current literature, the methods proposed for trust establishment are always evaluated through simulation, but theoretical analysis is extremely rare. In this paper, we present a suite of approaches to analyze trust establishment process. These analysis approaches are used to provide in-depth understanding of trust establishment process and quantitative comparison among trust establishment methods. The proposed analysis methods are validated through simulations.
Perceptions of Crowding and Pleasantness in Public Settings.

Sixty-one college students viewed 139 slides of public settings (restaurants, stores, airports, libraries) and rated each slide on crowding or pleasantness. the slides varied, and were rated by experts, on 12 dimensions thought to be important in determining perceptions of crowding. Scenes are rated as more crowded if they picture more people in less space with smaller interpersonal distances, if the people are working rather than playing, and if more of the people are standing or waiting. Social density is more strongly related to crowding ratings than is spatial density. The negative correlation between crowding and pleasantness is large only for shopping and work settings, but crowding does predict low pleasantness ratings when coupled with other variables-in the multiple regressions. Other predictors of pleasantness include work-play, amount of space, waiting, and percent of people alone or unaccompanied.
NIST High Accuracy Reference Reflectometer-Spectrophotometer

A new reflectometer-spectrophotometer has been designed and constructed using state-of-the-art technology to enhance optical properties of materials measurements over the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) wavelength range (200 nm to 2500 nm ). The instrument, Spectral Tri-function Automated Reference Reflectometer (STARR), is capable of measuring specular and diffuse reflectance, bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of diffuse samples, and both diffuse and non-diffuse transmittance. Samples up to 30 cm by 30 cm can be measured. The instrument and its characterization are described.
Effects of English admixture and geographic distance on anthropometric variation and genetic structure in 19th‐century Ireland

The analysis of anthropometric data often allows investigation of patterns of genetic structure in historical populations. This paper focuses on interpopulational anthropometric variation in seven populations in Ireland using data collected in the 1890s. The seven populations were located within a 120-km range along the west coast of Ireland and include islands and mainland isolates. Two of the populations (the Aran Islands and Inishbofin) have a known history of English admixture in earlier centuries. Ten anthropometric measures (head length, breadth, and height; nose length and breadth; bizygomatic and bigonial breadth; stature; hand length; and forearm length) on 259 adult Irish males were analyzed following age adjustment. Discriminant and canonical variates analysis were used to determine the degree and pattern of among-group variation. Mahalanobis' distance measure, D2, was computed between each pair of populations and compared to distance measures based on geographic distance and English admixture (a binary measure indicating whether either of a pair of populations had historical indications of admixture). In addition, surname frequencies were used to construct distance measures based on random isonymy. Correlations were computed between distance measures, and their probabilities were derived using the Mantel matrix permutation method. English admixture has the greatest effect on anthropometric variation among these populations, followed by geographic distance. The correlation between anthropometric distance and geographic distance is not significant (r = -0.081, P = .590), but the correlation of admixture and anthropometric distance is significant (r = 0.829, P = .047). When the two admixed populations are removed from the analysis the correlation between geographic and anthropometric distance becomes significant (r = 0.718, P = .025). Isonymy distance shows a significant correlation with geographic distance (r = 0.425, P = .046) but not with admixture distance (r = -0.052, P = .524). The fact that anthropometrics show past patterns of gene flow and surnames do not reflects the greater impact of stochastic processes on surnames, along with the continued extinction of surnames. This study shows that 1) anthropometrics can be extremely useful in assessing population structure and history, 2) differential gene flow into populations can have a major impact on local genetic structure, and 3) microevolutionary processes can have different effects on biological characters and surnames.
Mechanisms of fluid and electrolyte retention in experimental preparations in dogs. III. Effect of adrenalectomy and subsequent desoxycorticosterone acetate administration on ascites formation.

The role of the adrenal cortex in the pathogenesis of ascites has been studied in adrenalectomized dogs with thoracic inferior caval constriction. Discontinuation of hormone therapy resulted in a diuresis which demonstrates that adequate adrenocortical function or replacement therapy is essential for ascites formation during normal sodium (Na) intake. Evidence is presented in support of the thesis that sodium retention results from an excess of circulating adrenocortical salt-retaining hormones.