cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Case ∣ Renal failure with intracapillary thrombi

A 66-year-old lady of Asian descent presented with hypertension of 1-year duration, heart murmurs, and hypercholesterolemia. She had frontal headaches, syncope, and 10 lb weight loss over the past few months. Physical examination revealed an elderly well-oriented lady in no distress. Her pulse was 82 min-1, blood pressure 140/90, neck supple with no bruits or venous distention, skin showed no rashes, lower limbs revealed no edema, cardiovascular examination showed normal S1 and S2 with III/VI systolic murmur heard over the left sternal border, lungs were clear to auscultation, and abdomen was soft and non tender. Her medications included an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and a statin. Laboratory findings were significant for a serum creatinine level of 1.3 mg per 100 ml, creatinine clearance of 44 ml min-1, and proteinuria (3.2 g 24 h-1). Lipid profile showed total cholesterol of 179 mg per 100 ml, triglycerides 84 mg per 100 ml, high-density lipoprotein 37 mg per 100 ml, low-density lipoprotein 129 mg per 100 ml, and very-low-density lipoprotein 16.8 mg per 100 ml. Remaining work up, including serologies, was negative. A renal biopsy was performed to explain the proteinuria and declining renal function.
Histidinemia: Studies on histidase activity in stratum corneum☆

Abstract The procedure for determining histidase activity in stratum corneum has been modified with respect to thiol protective reagent, reaction pH, substrate concentration, and estimation of product. Stratum corneum from 46 control subjects, 5 histidinemic patients, 7 parents, and 5 sibs were assayed for histidase activity. The mean value for the parents was one-half that for control subjects; all affected individuals had very low values. Although a gene-dosage relationship can be demonstrated, the usefulness of stratum corneum histidase activity has limitations for diagnosis and for heterozygote identification. The three genotypes cannot be clearly separated, local medication may reduce enzyme activity, genetic variants may not be detected, and differences in activity are found between samples from the feet and hands.
A neural network approach to approximating MAP in belief networks.

Bayesian belief networks (BBN) are a widely studied graphical model for representing uncertainty and probabilistic interdependence among variables. One of the factors that restricts the model's wid...
Planar dual-band microstrip antenna

A novel dual-band microstrip antenna is introduced. The entire structure is planar and can be easily mass-produced by using printed-circuit technology. The antenna consists of multiple layers with metallic strips placed at one of the dielectric interfaces under the radiating patch. The resonant frequencies can be selected over a wide frequency range, and the impedance matching at those two frequencies is relatively simple. The physically intuitive cavity model is used for the analysis. A relatively simple design scheme is included. >
Features of groups and status hierarchies in girls' and boys' early adolescent peer networks

Girls and boys were more similar than different in the structural features of their social groups and networks in early adolescence. Boys' groups were somewhat larger than girls' groups, but contrary to prominent theoretical views, there were no systematic sex differences in tight-knittedness or in the salience of status hierarchies.
Differential effects of triethyllead on synaptosomal [3H]dopamine vs. [3H]acetylcholine and [3H]γ-aminobutyric acid release

Abstract In vitro exposure to tetraethyllead (Et4Pb, 10 μM) did not alter the release of [3H]dopamine (DA), [3H]acetylcholine (ACh), or [ 3 H ]γ- aminobutyric acid (GABA) from superfused synaptosomes isolated from rat brain striatum, hippocampus, and cortex, respectively. On the other hand, a concentration-dependent increase in the spontaneous release of these transmitters was observed following exposure to triethyllead (Et3Pb, 0.1–10 μM). The magnitude of 1 μM Et3Pb-induced [3H]DA release was 5-fold greater than that observed for [3H]ACh or [3H]GABA release. Removal of [Ca2+]e did not alter the Et3Pb-induced increase in the release of these three transmitter substances, nor did Et3Pb alter synaptosomal 45Ca efflux. EtePb-induced [3H]ACh and [3H]GABA release, but not [3H]DA release, was blocked by lowering [Na+]e from 140 to 50 mM. Similarly, the release of [3H]ACh and [3H]GABA, but not [3H]DA, induced by either Na,K-ATPase inhibition or veratridine (a Na+-ionophore), was attenuated by lowering [Na+]e from 140 to 50 mM. However, Et3Pb did not inhibit isolated synaptic membrane Na,K-ATPase, nor did the magnitude or temporal patterns of Et3Pb-induced transmitter release resemble transmitter release induced by Na,K-ATPase inhibition. Et3Pb and veratridine, but not Na,K-ATPase inhibition, produced an increase in synaptosomal [3H]deoxyglucose phosphate (dGluP) efflux, suggesting that both compounds increase membrane permeability. A Et3Pb-induced increase in membrane permeability is further supported by electrophysiological studies using the frog neuromuscular junction in which Et3Pb was found to reduce both the input resistance and membrane potential of muscle cells. As with [3H]ACh and [3H]GABA release, the Et3Pb-induced increase in synaptosomal [3H]dGluP efflux was attenuated by lowering [Na+]e. The membrane Na+ channel blocker, tetrodotoxin (TTX), delayed, but did not block, the Et3Pb-induced increase in [3H]ACh release, whereas TTX blocked the release of [3H]ACh induced by veratridine. Unlike Et3Pb, a differential effect of veratridine on the magnitude of [3H]DA release was not observed. These experiments suggest that the Et3Pb-induced increase in [3H]ACh and [3H]GABA release is due to an increase in membrane permeability. The mechanisms underlying the differential sensitivity of [3H]DA release to Et3Pb are unresolved.
Physical process first law for bifurcate Killing horizons

The physical process version of the first law for black holes states that the passage of energy and angular momentum through the horizon results in a change in area ({kappa}/8{pi}){delta}A={delta}E-{omega}{delta}J, so long as this passage is quasistationary. A similar physical process first law can be derived for any bifurcate Killing horizon in any spacetime dimension d{>=}3 using much the same argument. However, to make this law nontrivial, one must show that sufficiently quasistationary processes do in fact occur. In particular, one must show that processes exist for which the shear and expansion remain small, and in which no new generators are added to the horizon. Thorne, MacDonald, and Price considered related issues when an object falls across a d=4 black hole horizon. By generalizing their argument to arbitrary d{>=}3 and to any bifurcate Killing horizon, we derive a condition under which these effects are controlled and the first law applies. In particular, by providing a nontrivial first law for Rindler horizons, our work completes the parallel between the mechanics of such horizons and those of black holes for d{>=}3. We also comment on the situation for d=2.
The effects of frequency and temperature on the fatigue behavior of a unidirectional titanium-matrix composite

In this study the effects of frequency and temperature on the fatigue behavior of a unidirectional titanium-matrix composite (TMC), SCS-6/Ti-6-4, have been investigated. Fatigue tests were conducted under tension-tension, load-controlled, isothermal conditions. Specimens were cycled over a range of frequencies (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 Hz) and at different temperatures (23°C, 370°C, 427°C and 538°C) in the laboratory environment. It was observed that there was no dependence on frequency below 400°C, but above 400°C the test frequency affected the cyclic stress/strain response, damage mechanisms, and fatigue life. Plots of test frequency versus cycles to failure showed that fatigue life was more cycle-dependent at higher frequencies and more time-dependent at lower frequencies. Comparisons of fatigue lives under different isothermal temperature environments showed that these frequency effects were magnified as the temperature increased above 427°C which was a result of the time-dependent nature of the matrix at higher temperatures.
Unleashing a “True” pSer-Mimic in the Cell

In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Arrendale and coworkers demonstrate a new prodrug strategy for intracellular delivery of an α, α-(difluoromethylene)phosphonate phosphoserine mimic. The deprotected pseudo-phosphopeptide releases the pro-apoptotic FOXO3a-transcription factor from its 14-3-3-adaptor protein complex, resulting in leukemic cell death.
Higher-Order Deformations and Electric Monopole Transitions in Deformed Nuclei

Calculation of electric monopole $X$ ratios in deformed nuclei using the higher-order shape deformations ${Y}_{4}$ and ${Y}_{6}$ yields much better agreement with measured values than is obtained when only pure quadrupole surfaces are assumed. Use was made of recently measured values of ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{4}$, and ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{6}$.
Motion aware motion invariance

We address motion de-blurring using a computational camera that captures an image while the stabilizing optical element moves in a modified Canon IS lens. Our work builds on that of Levin et al. [11], who introduce parabolic motion as a means of achieving invariance to unknown subject velocity in an a priori known direction. While the previous work addresses a specific scenario - exact knowledge of motion orientation and a uniform, symmetric prior on its magnitude - we generalize this to address scenarios where the motion of objects in the scene or the camera itself are known to various extents. We describe a motion invariant camera based on an off-the-shelf lens, and show how its motion and position sensors can be used to inform both the image capture and de-blurring. We demonstrate that our changes to motion invariance improve the quality of captured images in the case of both object and camera motion.
Improving Outcomes for Diabetic Patients Undergoing Revascularization for Critical Limb Ischemia: Does the Quality of Outpatient Diabetic Care Matter?

Background Diabetic patients who undergo lower extremity surgical revascularization for critical limb ischemia (CLI) are at high risk for amputation or death, even when their inpatient procedures are successful. We hypothesized that postoperative outcomes might be improved in regions where diabetics with CLI receive more frequent high-quality outpatient care. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed among 172,134 patients with CLI (52% male, 15% black, mean age 76 years) who underwent open and endovascular lower extremity revascularization procedures using Medicare claims (2004–2007), which included 84,653 (49%) beneficiaries who were diabetic. Regional utilization of annual serum cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c testing were used to assess the quality of outpatient diabetic care. We examined relationships between frequency of diabetic testing with amputation-free survival (AFS), major adverse limb events (MALE), and rates of readmission across all US hospital referral regions. Results There was significant regional variation in annual serum cholesterol and hemoglobin A1c testing across the United States (87% highest quartile vs. 59% lowest quartile, P Conclusions Diabetic patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization in regions with higher utilization of diabetic care quality measures have significantly better long-term limb salvage and readmission outcomes. Our study underscores the importance of providing optimal outpatient care to diabetics following vascular surgery and outlines a potential strategy for quality improvement in these high-risk patients.
Statistical Estimation of Relative Density

A new procedure is proposed to evaluate in situ relative density using SPT values, and to quantify the uncertainty associated with that prediction. The relationship is first developed under laboratory conditions, then corrected for in situ conditions. The relationship is compared with commonly used relationships, namely the Gibbs and Holtz, Bazaraa, and Waterways Experiment Station. The predictability of the proposed relationship is better than the others when the relationships are compared to field measurements where all the relevant information is available. However, the uncertainty associated with all the predictive models is considerable.
The Cardiac Mutant Mexican Axolotl Is a Unique Animal Model for Evaluation of Cardiac Myofibrillogenesis

Hearts from cardiac mutant Mexican axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, do not form organized myofibrils and fail to beat. Though previous biochemical and immunohistochemical experiments showed a possible reduction of cardiac tropomyosin it was not clear that this caused the lack of organized myofibrils in mutant hearts. We used cationic liposomes to introduce both rabbit and chicken tropomyosin protein into whole hearts of embryonic axolotls in whole heart organ cultures. The mutant hearts had a striking increase in the number of well-organized sarcomeric myofibrils when treated with rabbit or chicken tropomyosin. FITC-labeled rabbit tropomyosin was used to examine the kinetics of incorporation of the exogenous protein into mutant hearts and confirmed the uptake of exogenous protein by the cells of live hearts in culture. By 4 h of transfection, both normal and mutant hearts were found to incorporate FITC-labeled tropomyosin into myofibrils. We also delivered an anti-tropomyosin antibody (CH 1) into normal hearts to disrupt the existing cardiac myofibrils which also resulted in reduced heartbeat rates. CH1 antibody was detected within the hearts and disorganization of the myofibrils was apparent when compared to normal controls. Introduction of a C-protein monoclonal antibody (ALD 66) did not result in a disruption of organized myofibrils. The results show clearly that chicken or rabbit tropomyosin could be incorporated by the mutant hearts and that it was sufficient to overcome the factors causing a lack of myofibril formation in the mutant. This finding also suggests that a lack of organized myofibrils is caused primarily by either inadequate levels of tropomyosin or endogenous tropomyosin in mutant hearts is unsuitable for myofibril formation, which we were able to duplicate with the introduction of tropomyosin antibody. Furthermore, incorporation of a specific exogenous protein or antibody into normal and mutant hearts of the Mexican axolotl in whole heart organ culture offers an unique model to evaluate functionalroles of contractile proteins necessary for cardiac development and differentiation.
Separation of alpha and beta chains of rabbit globin using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

A procedure to separate the α and β globin chains of rabbit hemoglobin, denatured with sodium dodecyl sulfate in the presence of mercaptoethanol, on a column of polyacrylamide gel was developed. The identity of the two separated chains was verified by (a) differences in distribution of radioactivity between the chains when the hemoglobin samples were labeled uniformly with various 3H- or 14C-labeled amino acids; (b) the analysis of the chain distribution of radioactivity in purified hemoglobin isolated from rabbit reticulocytes, pulse-labeled with [3H] leucine; and (c) the separation pattern of a mixture of authentic [α-3H]- and [β-14C]-labeled globin chains. The globin chains of human hemoglobin A also could be separated in a similar manner. This procedure is particularly useful when only microgram quantities of hemoglobin are available for study.
A hybridGaussian-discrete variable representation approach to molecular continuum processes II: application to photoionization of diatomic Li2+

We describe an approach for studying molecular photoionization with a hybrid basis that combines the functionality of analytic basis sets to represent electronic coordinates near the nuclei of a molecule with numerically-defined grid-based functions. We discuss the evaluation of the various classes of two-electron integrals that occur in a hybrid basis consisting of Gaussian type orbitals (GTOs) and discrete variable representation (DVR) functions. This combined basis is applied to calculate single photoionization cross sections for molecular Li_2+, which has a large equilibrium bond distance (R=5.86a_0). The highly non-spherical nature of Li_2+ molecules causes higher angular momentum components to contribute significantly to the cross section even at low photoelectron energies, resulting in angular distributions that appear to be f-wave dominated near the photoionization threshold. At higher energies, where the de Broglie wavelength of the photoelectron becomes comparable with the bond distance, interference effects appear in the photoionization cross section. These interference phenomena appear at much lower energies than would be expected for diatomic targets with shorter internuclear separations.
Tuning the hydrogen desorption of Mg ( BH 4 ) 2 through Zn alloying

We study the effect of Zn alloying on the hydrogen desorption properties of ${\mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{BH}}_{4}{)}_{2}$ using ab initio simulations. In particular, we investigate formation/reaction enthalpies/entropies for a number of compounds and reactions at a wide range of temperatures and Zn concentrations in ${\mathrm{Mg}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{x}{(\mathrm{BH}}_{4}{)}_{2}$. Our results show that the thermodynamic stability of the resulting material can be significantly lowered through Zn alloying. We find, e.g., that the solid solution ${\mathrm{Mg}}_{2/3}{\mathrm{Zn}}_{1/3}{(\mathrm{BH}}_{4}{)}_{2}$ has a reaction enthalpy for the complete hydrogen desorption of only 25.3 kJ/mol ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$---a lowering of 15 kJ/mol ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ compared to the pure phase and a corresponding lowering in critical temperature of 123 K. In addition, we find that the enthalpy of mixing is rather small and show that the decrease in reaction enthalpy with Zn concentration is approximately linear.
Application of rate-ratio asymptotics to the prediction of extinction for methanol droplet combustion☆

Asymptotic methods are employed to describe the flame structure and extinction of quasisteady, spherically symmetrical diffusion flames around methanol droplets. Starting with a short mechanism involving 14 steps, five of which are reversible, sequentially reduced overall descriptions of four, three, and two steps are obtained by investigating the character of the departure of the H atom and its associated radicals from steady states and by demonstrating in agreement with earlier work that, contrary to hydrocarbon flames, water-gas equilibrium is an excellent approximation in the reaction zones of these methanol flames. It is shown that a useful two-step approximation is described qualitatively by CH3OH + O2 → CO + 2H2O and CO + 12O2 → CO2, in which CO stands for the mixture of CO and H2 needed to maintain water-gas equilibrium. The rate of the first of these steps is controlled mainly by that of the elementary step CH3OH + H → CH2OH + H2, in which CH2OH stands for both isomers, and the rate of the second by that of H + O2 + M → HO2 + M. The flame structure involves a thin fuel-consumption zone on the rich side of a broader but still thin layer of H2 and CO oxidation. The maximum temperature, that of the fuel-consumption zone, is calculated as a function of the rate of scalar dissipation at the stoichiometric mixture fraction, and extinction conditions are identified from the maximum of this scalar dissipation on the resulting C-shaped curve. Extinction diameters are calculated explicitly from these results for methanol droplets burning in oxygen-nitrogen mixtures initially at 300 K and at normal atmospheric and subatmospheric pressures. Absorption of water in the liquid methanol is verified to exert a large effect on extinction and is included in the analysis by treating the two limiting cases of time-dependent liquid-phase diffusion and perfect liquid-phase mixing, along with the quasisteady gas phase. It is found that the second of these limits is in better correspondence with existing experiments and that, for burning in air, typically between about 40% and 80% of the droplet mass is water at extinction. Reasonable agreement with previously reported extinction diameters, obtained from detailed time-dependent computations and from microgravity droplet-combustion experiments, is thereby achieved. The results provide an analytical method for calculating methanol droplet combustion and extinction.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Monitoring of Multiple Sclerosis

In addition to providing information on tissue structure, magnetic resonance (MR) technology offers the potential to investigate tissue metabolism and function. MR spectroscopy (MRS) offers a wealth of data on the biochemistry of a selected brain tissue volume, which represent potential surrogate markers for the pathology underlying multiple sclerosis (MS). In particular, the N-acetylaspartate peak in an MR spectrum is a putative marker of neuronal and axonal integrity, and the choline peak appears to reflect cell-membrane metabolism. On this basis, a diminished N-acetylaspartate peak is interpreted to represent neuronal/axonal dysfunction or loss, and an elevated choline peak represents heightened cell-membrane turnover, as seen in demyelination, remyelination, inflammation, or gliosis. Therefore, MRS may provide a unique tool to evaluate the severity of MS, establish a prognosis, follow disease evolution, understand its pathogenesis, and evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, which complements the information obtained from the various forms of assessment made by conventional MR imaging.
Excess low frequency conduction noise in a granular composite

Abstract Granular composites consisting of 25% nickel as 8 nm diameter particles dispersed in an aluminium oxide matrix display excess conduction noise. Co-deposited films with resistance per square about 10 5 ohms and negative temperature coefficient show a noise power spectral density S v (ƒ) = S v (1) ƒ α where α ≅ 1.10 ± 0.03 over the accessible spectral range of 0.1 Hz ≲ ƒ ≲ 5000 Hz. The amplitude 3 × 10 −15 ≲ S v (1) ≲ 5 × 10 −12 V 2 Hz −1 , appears to increase approximately quadratically as the applied voltage V s up to V s ≲ 2.5 V and as the first power of V s for 2.5 ≲ V s
The present and future medicolegal importance of record keeping in anesthesia and intensive care: The case for automation

The anesthesia record is often crucial to successful defense in a meritless claim, because the adversarial role of the plaintiff's medical expert witness requires an attack on the record. Likewise the record may be pivotal in determining whether a defense should even be mounted as an alternative to an early settlement, because the failure of meaningful, supportive, or exculpatory documentation raises serious questions about the quality of care rendered. Advancing technology has made possible revolutionary changes in real-time monitoring and data recording. Concepts favoring the development and adoption of automated record systems for anesthesia are outlined through historic medicolegal perspectives on record keeping in general and computerization of the monitoring and recording methods in specific as a means of providing the best medicolegal evidence in defense of the anesthesiologist's performance. The analogy is often made between the successful development and acceptance of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder combination in aviation and ongoing software development for automated recordkeeping and the quest for its use and professional acceptance in both anesthesia and intensive care settings.
Relationship of body composition to energy intake and energetic efficiency.

Abstract In heifers of dairy breeds and ranging in age from 1 day to 14 months, weights of body protein and fat and the amount of body energy increased linearly with increasing empty-body weight. That the variation in the respective relationships is small is indicated by the r 2 of 0.997, 0.961, and 0.985. The rate of change in body energy per kilogram of empty-body weight was 2.55 Meal. Although the data examined represent animals with a variety of nutritional histories, much further study is needed to determine the degree to which relationships between the body components and body weight will resist nutritional alteration. In dairy cows 28 months to 15 years of age, relationships between body components and body weight were quite variable, reflecting the mobility of body fat, water, and protein. Although these relationships have no predictive value, they suggest general trends such as the overall rate of change of 4.38 Meal, of energy per kilogram of empty-body weight. Composition and energy value of the body tissue gain or loss by cattle are variable. Energy equivalence values (Meal per kg) derived from various studies with cows range from 4.8 to 9.4 for body gain and from 6.3 to 7.9 for body loss. It appears possible that body tissue gain or loss could range from as much as 100% of water to about 90% of fat. Increasing degrees of body fatness in ruminants are associated with decreasing intakes of feed. The mechanism by which fatness influences appetite is not known. However, it is possible that the accumulation of fat in the abdominal cavity, in a manner similar to that of the developing gravid uterus, might restrict gastrointestinal capacity to curtail appetite, especially when high-forage diets are ingested. Present information suggests that the intake of high-concentrate diets is regulated by other or additional means. It has been proposed that body fat depots of fat animals may release substances that depress appetite or that the adipose tissue of thin cows may utilize some unknown products of digestion at a greater rate than does the adipose tissue of fat cows to increase intake by thin cows. In fat ruminants, digestibility of energy may be depressed at a lower intake of feed than it is in thin ones, as the level of intake increases. Whether the energy requirement for maintenance is influenced by body fatness in cattle is unsettled; in sheep, the maintenance requirement does not appear to be different for fat and thin animals. for body gain, the net utilization of the metabolizable energy ingested above maintenance appears unaffected by the degree of fatness in ruminants of the same sex. Additional study is needed to determine the effect of body fatness on the energy requirement of maintenance in cattle, especially in the lactating cow.
Noradrenergic antagonism enhances the conditioned aversive effects of cocaine

The propensity to self-administer cocaine may be a function of both its positively reinforcing and aversive effects, with the latter acting as a limiting factor on overall drug taking. However, relative to what is known about the physiological underpinnings of cocaine's positively reinforcing effects, little is known about its aversive effects. There is some evidence that cocaine's aversive effects, as indexed in the conditioned taste aversion (CTA) preparation, are catecholaminergically mediated, i.e., through cocaine's actions on the dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems. Although limited evidence suggests a role for dopamine, there has yet to be a direct assessment of noradrenergic involvement. To better characterize a role for this system, cocaine-induced CTAs (10, 18 and 32 mg/kg) were conducted under conditions of antagonism at the norepinephrine α1 and β receptors using prazosin (0.3 mg/kg; Experiment 2) and propranolol (10 mg/kg; Experiment 3), respectively, at doses that were determined to be non-aversive (Experiment 1). In each case of noradrenergic antagonism, CTAs with cocaine were not attenuated, suggesting that this drug's conditioned aversive effects are mediated by non-noradrenergic NT activity. Furthermore, prazosin and propranolol administration appeared to facilitate the conditioned aversive effects of cocaine. The implications of these findings in regards to other neurochemical processes are discussed.
The grass-roots modernization in a Japanese Village

The critical role played by national or central direction in Japan's modernization is well recognized, but the role of rural Japan in the nation's modernizing process has not been adequately understood. Ways of life in rural Japan, or buraku, are usually viewed negatively, and considered stumbling blocks in the process of modernization. However, acloser analysis of Ryumon, an ordinary Japanese village in W Japan which successfully transformed its agricultural system to become a citrus specialty area, has revealed that the villages achieved a new way of life through many years of grass-roots effort in the context of buraku society. Clearly, buraku society must be examined more thoroughly before our understanding of Japan's process of modernization becomes complete.
Immune response to Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites, which can cause complications in immunocompromised individuals. Very little is known about the host immune response generated against these infectious agents. Encephalitozoon cuniculi is the best studied microsporidian and the protective immune response against this parasite is mediated by cytotoxic CD8+ T cells.
Comparison of lp-regularization-based reconstruction methods for time domain fluorescence molecular tomography on early time gates

Time domain florescence molecular tomography (TD-FMT) allows 3D visualization of multiple fluorophores based on lifetime contrast and provides a unique data set for enhanced quantification and spatial resolution. The time-gate data set can be divided into two groups around the maximum gate, which are early gates and late gates. It is well-established that early gates allow for improved spatial resolution of reconstruction. However, photon counts are inherently very low at early gates due to the high absorption and scattering of tissue. It makes image reconstruction highly susceptible to the effects of noise and numerical errors. Moreover, the inverse problem of FMT is the ill-posed and underdetermined. These factors make reconstruction difficult for early time gates. In this work, lp (0<p≤1) regularization based reconstruction algorithm was developed within our wide-field mesh-based Monte Carlo reconstruction strategy. The reconstructions performances were validated on a synthetic murine model simulating the fluorophores uptake in the kidneys and with experimental preclinical data. We compared the early time-gate reconstructed results using l1/3, l1/2 and l1 regularization methods in terms of quantification and resolution. The regularization parameters were selected by the Lcurve method. The simulation results of a 3D mouse atlas and mouse experiment show that lp (0<p<1) regularization method obtained more sparse and accurate solutions than l1 regularization method for early time gates.
Microsporidian Spore Envelope Keratins Phosphorylate and Disassemble During Spore Activation

The microsporidian spore stage of the nerve parasite, Spraguea lophii, consists of outer envelope stabilized in part by keratins, including K4 and K13. The nonepidermal K4 and K13 keratins were found only in the spore envelope and were absent in the internal microsporidian sporoplasm. At the time of spore activation, the keratin-based outer spore envelope assemblage dissociated and became phosphorylated when the spores were placed in the presence of labeled ATP. Verapamil or lanthanum, agents which block S. lophii spore activation, also blocked spore envelope keratin disassembly and phosphorylation when the spores were incubated in activation medium with labeled ATP. However, after the removal of the verapamil or lanthanum, the spores regained the capacity to activate in discharge medium and the keratin analogues appeared to dissociate and phosphorylate.
Comparisons of Sex-Specific Growth and Weight–Length Relationships in Minnesota Black Crappie Populations

Abstract We examined differences in sex-specific growth and weight–length relationships for five Minnesota populations of black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus. Male black crappies typically grew slightly faster than females, but observed differences in mean total lengths (TLs) at age were always 15 mm or less and were typically less than 10 mm. We detected few differences in log10(weight)–log10(TL) regressions between sexes, and predicted weights at 200 and 250 mm differed between sexes by less than 10 g. Our results indicate that biologists are justified in pooling sexes when estimating population metrics such as growth and condition because the minor differences in growth and weight–length relationships we observed would be unlikely to affect management decisions. Furthermore, while our evaluation did not specifically examine angler harvest selectivity, the small differences in growth and weight–length relationships observed between sexes seemed unlikely to promote sex-selective angler harvest within t...
Successive acquisition and extinction in a runway with the domestic Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata)

Twenty domestic Muscovy ducks were trained to traverse a runway for food reward. Subjects were then randomly assigned to treatments. In one treatment, subjects received six nonrewarded trials followed by six rewarded trials every day for 12 days; and, in the other treatment, subjects received six rewarded trials followed by six nonrewarded trials every day for 12 days. These successive acquisition and extinction (SAE) treatments were selected because different extinction rates on the nonrewarded trials are expected on the bases of previous research performed with rats. Analyses of variance revealed the former treatment yielded significantly greater resistance to extinction than did the latter treatment. It was concluded that ducklings performed similarly to rats in the above SAE situation.
UNITED STATES RAILWAY TRAFFIC: AN UPDATE

Recent decades have seen changes in the pattern of rail traffic in the United States. This article describes the development of a United States railroad map depicting current levels of traffic on all rail lines handling over five million gross tons per year. This traffic pattern is compared with the 1929 traffic levels appearing on a similiar map developed by Edward Ullman. Revenue ton-miles have nearly doubled since 1929, with most of the increases concentrated on western and southern lines. Traffic on eastern lines has increased only slightly above 1929 levels.
Lipid Research Clinics Program

To the Editor.— In reading the LRC-CPPT findings, 1 I wonder why the cholestyramine group had a higher incidence of accidental and homicidal deaths. Is this merely chance or is it possibly causal? The authors note that half of the victims had high blood alcohol levels. Does cholestyramine increase the risk of excessive alcohol consumption in a subgroup of patients? Consider the increased hospitalization rates for gastritis and ulcer in cholestyramine patients. Consider their increases in liver function enzyme levels. Consider that in Table 6 noting selected variables, all values quoted are mean values except those for alcohol consumption, which are quoted as median values. Does this obscure a skewed distribution (with a higher mean) due to a subgroup of patients using cholestyramine with high alcohol consumption? It may be that the higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the cholestyramine group are related to an increased alcohol consumption. It would
A real-time simple light detection application for a flying robot in extreme noise and interference:

In this work, a real-time vision-based algorithm has been developed and implemented on a flying robot, in order to detect and identify a light beacon in the presence of excessive colored noise and interference. Starting from very basic and simple image analysis techniques including color histograms, filtering techniques, and color space analyses, typical pixel-based characteristics or a model of the light beacon has been progressively established. It has been found that not only are various color space-based characteristics significant, but also the relationships between various channels across different color spaces are of great consequence, in a beacon detection problem, specifically referring to a blue light-emitting diode. A block-based search algorithm comprising of multiple thresholds and linear confidence level calculation has been implemented to search established model characteristics in real-time video image data. During implementation, once excessive noise was encountered during flight tests, a simple and low cost noise and interference filter was developed. This filter very effectively handled all noise encountered in real time. The proposed work was successfully implemented and utilized on GeorgiaTech’s participating aircraft for the International Aerial Robotics Competition by Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International for detection of a blue light-emitting diode problem. Major contributions of this work include establishing a multiple threshold search and detection algorithm based on not only various color channels but also their relationships and handling of as much as 40% noisy or interfered video data with successful practical implementation and demonstration of proposed approach.
Cervical neck dissection without drainage in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Objective To review the safety of thyroidectomy combined with cervical neck dissection without drainage, in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Materials and methods Two groups were defined depending on whether cervical neck dissection was or was not performed (groups one and two, respectively). Results Group one included 153 patients with central neck dissection and 52 patients with central and lateral neck dissection. Group two included 121 patients. Post-operative drainage was not used in either group. Overall, 17 patients (5 per cent) developed post-operative haematoma and/or seroma: 12 patients (6 per cent) in group one and 5 patients (4 per cent) in group two. There were no major bleeding episodes; only minor bleeding or seroma was encountered, not requiring surgical intervention. Overall, 91 per cent of patients had a post-operative stay of 1 day. The number of peri-operative local complications and length of stay did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusion Thyroidectomy plus cervical neck dissection without drainage is safe and effective in the treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma.
The dynamic response of optical oxygen sensors and voltammetric electrodes to temporal changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations

Accurately measuring dissolved oxygen concentrations in fresh and salt water environments has long been an interdisciplinary priority. Many methodologies exist, including two very promising new ones, optical fluorescence quenching optrodes (or optodes) and solid-state voltammetric electrodes. In this study we compare the responsiveness of these two techniques to dynamic changes in dissolved oxygen concentrations, using traditional methods of polarographic oxygen sensors and Winkler’s chemical titrations to corroborate the measurements. Advantages of the optrode system include simplicity of operation and high sensitivity when changes in oxygen concentrations are small (<� 10 MO 2 min −1 ). Advantages of voltammetry include equally high sensitivity, independent of rate of change of oxygen concentration, and the capability of simultaneously measuring other chemical species. Both systems have the capability of producing high-resolution, continuous oxygen profiles by collecting and reporting real-time data. Kinetic estimates of the binding and dissociation constants for the ruthenium–oxygen complex in the optrode revealed a relatively long half-life of the Ru 2+ –O2 complex for dissociation (t1/2 of 43.2 s to equilibrate from a 100 to 0% O2 saturation change). In contrast, the Ru 2+ –O2 association constant was 5.0 times faster (t1/2 of 8.6 s to equilibrate fro ma0t o100% O2 saturation change). Therefore, because of these differential kinetics, researchers should take care when using a ruthenium-based optrode to measure real-time dissolved oxygen concentrations undergoing temporal variability. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Stabilization of Video from Miniature Air Vehicles

Miniature Air Vehicles (MAVs) equipped with lightweight, inexpensive cameras have recently been employed in a great variety of missions due to their increased capability and continued affordability. Unfortunately, MAVs often experience unintended motions due to atmospheric turbulence. As a result, MAV video streams are often characterized by high-frequency jitter, making it difficult for a human operator to obtain information from the video. This paper describes a tool, operating on a mobile ground station, that produces real-time stabilized MAV video by estimating the actual and intended video motion between frames to remove jitter. The difficulty of this problem is compounded by the noise introduced during transmission.
Lists2Networks: Integrated analysis of gene/protein lists

Systems biologists are faced with the difficultly of analyzing results from large-scale studies that profile the activity of many genes, RNAs and proteins, applied in different experiments, under different conditions, and reported in different publications. To address this challenge it is desirable to compare the results from different related studies such as mRNA expression microarrays, genome-wide ChIP-X, RNAi screens, proteomics and phosphoproteomics experiments in a coherent global framework. In addition, linking high-content multilayered experimental results with prior biological knowledge can be useful for identifying functional themes and form novel hypotheses. We present Lists2Networks, a web-based system that allows users to upload lists of mammalian genes/proteins onto a server-based program for integrated analysis. The system includes web-based tools to manipulate lists with different set operations, to expand lists using existing mammalian networks of protein-protein interactions, co-expression correlation, or background knowledge co-annotation correlation, as well as to apply gene-list enrichment analyses against many gene-list libraries of prior biological knowledge such as pathways, gene ontology terms, kinase-substrate, microRNA-mRAN, and protein-protein interactions, metabolites, and protein domains. Such analyses can be applied to several lists at once against many prior knowledge libraries of gene-lists associated with specific annotations. The system also contains features that allow users to export networks and share lists with other users of the system. Lists2Networks is a user friendly web-based software system expected to significantly ease the computational analysis process for experimental systems biologists employing high-throughput experiments at multiple layers of regulation. The system is freely available at http://www.lists2networks.org .
Forward Pruning for Approximation and Flexible Computation, Part II: Multiagent Game Playing

The idea of forward pruning is also used in search extension or selective search in multi-agent adversary games. Selective search selectively explores some promising search lines decper than a fixed depth. The most promising search avenues are identified as the ones that have the greatest impact on the decision of the next move. Selective search is one of the major contributing factors in the success of the IBM Deep Blue chess program [3] and the Chinook checkers program [130]. In principle, extending some search branches can be equivalently viewed as eliminating other branches permanently. Therefore, selective search can be viewed as forward pruning. A recent analysis also suggests that forward pruning is effective in the game of bridge [135].
Stroke Location and Brain Function in an Embolic Rabbit Stroke Model

Purpose Current rabbit stroke models often depend on symptoms as endpoints for embolization and produce wide variation in location, size, and severity of strokes. In a further refinement of an angiographic embolic stroke model, localized infarctions were correlated to neurologic deficits with the goal to create a rabbit model for long-term studies of therapies after stroke. Materials and Methods New Zealand White rabbits (4–5 kg; N = 71) had selective internal carotid artery (ICA) angiography and a single clot was injected. At 24 hours, neurologic assessment score (NAS) was measured on an 11-point scale (0, normal; 10, dead). Brains were removed and stained to identify stroke areas. All animals with single strokes ( n = 31) were analyzed by specific brain structure involvement, and NAS values were correlated. Results Stroke incidence differed by location, with cortex, subcortical, and basal ganglia regions highest. The middle cerebral artery (MCA), at 52%, and anterior cerebral artery (ACA), at 29%, were most commonly involved, with the largest stroke volumes in the ACA distribution. Brainstem and cerebellum strokes had disproportionately severe neurologic deficits, scoring 2.25 ± 1.0 on the NAS, which represented a significant ( P Conclusions MCA and ACA distributions included 81% of strokes. These sites were relatively silent (potentially allowing longer-term survival studies) whereas others in the posterior circulation produced disproportionately severe symptoms. Symptoms were not reliable indicators of stroke occurrence, and other endpoints such as imaging may be required. These are important steps toward refinement of the rabbit stroke model.
The triassic seed cone Telemachus from Antarctica

The compressed conifer seed cone Telemachus elongatus is described from the Upper Triassic of Antarctica. The ovate cone measures up to 4.0 cm long and 4.0 cm wide, and contains helically arranged cone scale complexes. Each cone scale consists of an elongated bract fused to a 5-lobed ovuliferous scale. Two or three slightly reflexed ovules are borne on the adaxial surface of the ovuliferous scale. The cone scale cuticle is thin and possesses monocyclic stomata; cuticles are present on the ovules as well. These specimens represent the first record of an early conifer reproductive axis from the Triassic of Antarctica, and confirm that the early conifers were distributed southward to Antarctica by the early Mesozoic.
Sleep Disturbance Associated With Rotator Cuff Tear Correction With Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Background:Sleep disturbance is a common complaint of patients with a rotator cuff tear. Inadequate and restless sleep, along with pain, is often a driving symptom for patients to proceed with rotator cuff repair. To date, no studies have examined sleep disturbance in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair, and there is no evidence that surgery improves sleep disturbance.Hypothesis:Sleep disturbance is prevalent in patients with a symptomatic rotator cuff tear, and sleep disturbance improves after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A total of 56 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for full-thickness tears were enrolled in a prospective study. Patients were surveyed preoperatively and postoperatively at intervals of 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks. Patient outcomes were scored using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), visual analog scale for pain (VAS), and single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE). Demog...