cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Target Placement of iStent inject Combined with Phacoemulsification

A patient’s surgical candidacy for microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) should have been assessed preoperatively by evaluating the angle anatomy with slit lamp-based gonioscopy to ensure adequate visualization to safely perform surgery (University of Iowa Health Care Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, www.gonioscopy.org). The scleral spur serves as a surgical landmark separating the pigmented trabecular meshwork (TM) anteriorly from the ciliary body band posteriorly. The Schlemm’s canal (SC) located deep to the pigmented TM is the final resting place for the microstent. The rate-limiting step in performing angle surgery is visualization of the angle with intraoperative gonioscopy (Exp Rev Ophthalmol 9(6):515–527, 2014; J Glaucoma Today Sept/Oct 2016; 42–46; eyetube.net/video/esibe/?sa=migs-education). Target placement of the iStent (Glaukos Corp.) includes areas of greater TM pigmentation (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 50(4):1692–1697, 2009) believed to be in close proximity to collector channels (CC) for optimal aqueous outflow via the aqueous veins (AV) to the episcleral veins (EV) (Surgical innovations in glaucoma, New York, 2014). The authors propose that the following induction of relative ocular hypotony, areas of initial focal blood reflux into SC are in close proximity to CC and serve as intraoperative surgical targeting for implantation in optimizing aqueous outflow. One can anticipate a reduction in IOP and/or reduction in medication burden post-op (J Cataract Refract Surg 41(12):2664–2671, 2015). Should the desired pressure reduction not be achieved or there is evidence of glaucoma progression, the patient may need to be restarted on glaucoma medical therapy. Additionally, angle surgery does not preclude traditional ab externo filtration or tube shunt surgery and forms part of a continuum in glaucoma surgical management. Risks, benefits and alternatives, and appropriate educational material should have been provided to the patient regarding angle surgery and need for cataract surgery based upon visual impairment as outlined in chapters addressing cataract extraction in this textbook.
Factors Associated With Patient Engagement in Shared Decision-Making for Stroke Prevention Among Older Adults with Atrial Fibrillation.

Objective To examine the extent of, and factors associated with, patient engagement in shared decision-making (SDM) for stroke prevention among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods We used data from the Systematic Assessment of Geriatric Elements-Atrial Fibrillation study which includes older ( ≥65 years) patients with AF and a CHA2DS2-VASc≥2. Partici­pants reported engagement in SDM by answering whether they actively participated in choosing to take an oral antico­agulant (OAC) for their condition. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess associations between sociodemographic, clinical, geriatric, and psychosocial factors and patient en­gagement in SDM. Results A total of 807 participants (mean age 75 years; 48% female) on an OAC were studied. Of these, 61% engaged in SDM. Older participants (≥80 years) and those cognitively impaired were less likely to engage in SDM, while those very know­ledgeable of their AF associated stroke risk were more likely to do so than respective comparison groups. Conclusions A considerable proportion of older adults with AF did not engage in SDM for stroke prevention with older patients and those cognitively impaired less likely to do so. Clinicians should identify patients who are less likely to engage in SDM, promote patient engagement, and foster better patient-provider communication which may enhance long- term patient outcomes.
Lichenicolous Fungi in WIS

The WIS herbarium has ca. 1000 specimens of lichenicolous fungi distributed across 406 species. Fifty-nine of the specimens are types, of which fourteen are isotypes and seven holotypes.
Building a career in cardiology and palliative care

A 68-year-old man with ischaemic cardiomyopathy presents with acute on chronic systolic heart failure with severe mitral regurgitation. He has a history of coronary artery disease status post-coronary artery bypass surgery, stage 3 chronic kidney disease and diabetes. He is deemed high risk for surgical valve replacement and is being evaluated for transcatheter mitral valve intervention. In a goals-of-care discussion, he expresses that it is important to him to be functional and independent in his daily activities, and he wishes never to be placed on dialysis. His independence is more important to him than longevity at all costs. He is unsure how he feels about mitral valve intervention. His son, who is his healthcare power of attorney, is in favour of the intervention because he wants his father to live as long as possible, even if he is not as independent as he would like to be. They ask you how they should proceed. Cardiovascular disease is a chronic illness with periods of acute exacerbation and intense decision-making. Our therapies are not curative, and they carry the potential to be burdensome to the patient if used unwisely. Palliative care (PC) is an approach to medical care that focuses on managing symptoms, providing emotional and spiritual support, promoting communication …
Retrieval of local surface wave velocities from traffic noise - an example from the La Barge basin (Wyoming)

ABSTRACT In regions where active source seismic exploration is constrained by limitations of energy penetration and recovery, cost and logistical concerns, or regulatory restrictions, analysis of natural source seismic data may provide an alternative. In this study, we investigate the feasibility of using locally‐generated seismic noise in the 2–6 Hz band to obtain a subsurface model via interferometric analysis. We apply this technique to three‐component data recorded during the La Barge Passive Seismic Experiment, a local deployment in south‐western Wyoming that recorded continuous seismic data between November 2008 and June 2009. We find traffic noise from a nearby state road to be the dominant source of surface waves recorded on the array and observe surface wave arrivals associated with this source up to distances of 5 kms. The orientation of the road with respect to the deployment ensures a large number of stationary points, leading to clear observations on both in‐line and cross‐line virtual source‐receiver pairs. This results in a large number of usable interferograms, which in turn enables the application of standard active source processing methods like signal processing, common offset stacking and traveltime inversion. We investigate the dependency of the interferograms on the amount of data, on a range of processing parameters and on the choice of the interferometry algorithm. The obtained interferograms exhibit a high signal‐to‐noise ratio on all three components. Rotation of the horizontal components to the radial/transverse direction facilitates the separation of Rayleigh and Love waves. Though the narrow frequency spectrum of the surface waves prevents the inversion for depth‐dependent shear‐wave velocities, we are able to map the arrival times of the surface waves to laterally varying group and phase velocities for both Rayleigh and Love waves. Our results correlate well with the known geological structure. We outline a scheme for obtaining localized surface wave velocities from local noise sources and show how the processing of passive data benefits from a combination with well‐established exploration seismology methods. We highlight the differences with interferometry applied to crustal scale data and conclude with recommendations for similar deployments.
Japanese-Brazilians and the Future of Brazilian Migration to Japan

The number of Japanese-Brazilians working in Japan grew from less than 15,000 in 1989 to more than 300,000 in 2006. This rapid growth in migration was initiated by a law change in Japan allowing third-generation Japanese-Brazilians to work in Japan, the “push” of poor economic conditions in Brazil, and the “pull” of a booming economy in Japan. Cultural links between Japan and the Japanese-Brazilians, together with the development of highly efficient organized labour recruitment networks, have acted to foster this, leading to the creation of what some experts believe to be a self-sustaining migration system. We use a new representative survey of Japanese-Brazilians to examine the sustainability of this migration flow. We find both the economic and cultural reasons for emigration to be weakening. Japanese-Brazilians now occupy the upper tiers of the income and occupational distributions in Brazil, and the majority of the third-generation are not participating in many aspects of the Japanese community in Brazil. Moreover, demographic analysis shows that over the next 20 years, the share of migration-age Japanese-Brazilians who are fourth-generation will rise considerably, with such individuals not eligible to migrate under current Japanese immigration law. As a consequence, we predict the rapid growth in the Japanese-Brazilian population in Japan will soon turn to a gradual decline in migrant numbers, and in the long term, erode the stability of this new migration system.
Rat Liver Adenosine Triphosphate:Adenosine Monophosphate Phosphotransferase Activity II. SUBCELLULAR LOCALIZATION OF ADENYLATE KINASE ISOZYMES

Abstract Adenylate kinase activity (ATP:AMP-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.4.3) was studied in subcellular extracts of rat liver tissue. Essentially all of the activity, over 150 units per g of tissue, wet weight (1.7 units per mg of protein), was released into the cytosol when the tissue was homogenized in 0.025 m sucrose. Isotonic (0.25 m sucrose) homogenization and separation of subcellular fractions by both differential centrifugation and linear sucrose density gradient centrifugation revealed 8 units per g (0.4 units per mg) in the nuclear fraction, 84 units per g (2 units per mg) in the heavy mitochondrial fraction, 22 units per g (0.6 unit per mg) in the light mitochondrial fraction, and 30 units per g (0.5 unit per mg) in the cytosol fraction. Rat liver adenylate kinase activity was separated into four electrophoretically distinct isozymes. Isozyme I, at 3 units per g of tissue, wet weight, was observed only in the nuclear fractions. Isozyme II was found in the cytosol at 19 units per g. Isozyme III, at 110 units per g, was the predominant adenylate kinase isozyme in the rat liver; it was localized in the outer compartment of the mitochondria. Since adenylate kinase III is easily released from mitochondria, mitochondrial damage can be observed by monitoring this isozyme. Also, because of this release, the true subcellular distribution of rat liver adenylate kinase activity is probably better represented by the corresponding values for each isozyme, not the values obtained by normal subcellular extraction procedures.
Pseudoephedrine-Induced Tachycardia and Hypertension in an Infant Misdiagnosed as Supraventricular Tachycardia: Case Report

A Seven-month-old Hispanic girl was referred to the pediatric emergency department for evaluation of acute onset of supraventricular tachycardia. Physical exam revealed extremely agitated infant with inconsolable crying, tachycardia, tachypnea and hypertension. Toxicologic studies of urine were positive for pseudoephedrine. The possible mechanisms and the principle of management of pseudoephedrine toxiciy are discussed. List of key words: Pseudoephedrine, toxicity; symptom; mechanism; management
Language Learning Beyond the Classrooom

David Nunan and Jack C. Richards have compiled an engaging collection of case studies focusing on out-of-class activities that facilitate autonomous learning for second language (L2) learners. Inspired by years of observing how successful language learners throughout the world are often highly motivated, reflect on their progress, set their own goals, and seek out opportunities for language learning outside the classroom, the editors present a wide range of resources and opportunities currently available for bringing learning beyond the classroom and promoting autonomous learning. Citing learning contexts in Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia/Oceania, this book provides information on how out-of-class learning activities can be designed, planned for, and implemented for L2 learners.
TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

This chapter discusses how to recognize as to which functions can be integrated in the sense of finding a recognizable indefinite integral. There are many techniques that have evolved over a period of decades. The chapter discusses a collection of tricks. Each trick was discovered in response to the need to calculate a particular integral. The definite integral of any continuous function can be calculated to any number of decimal places of accuracy by a variety of numerical techniques. The chapter discusses some of these techniques and reviews the basic formulas of integration. The most powerful method is called integration by parts; it is derived from the product rule of differentiation written in terms of differentials. The trick in using integration by parts is to rewrite an expression that is difficult to integrate in terms of an expression for which an integral is readily obtainable. The chapter discusses how to integrate some classes of trigonometric functions. There are many different kinds of substitutions that allow to integrate more easily.
Staufen-dependent localization of prospero mRNA contributes to neuroblast daughter-cell fate

The generation of cellular diversity is essential in embryogenesis, especially in the central nervous system. During neurogenesis, cell interactions or asymmetric protein localization during mitosis can generate daughter cells with different fates1,2,3,4. Here we describe the asymmetric localization of a messenger RNA and an RNA-binding protein that creates molecular and developmental differences between Drosophila neural precursors (neuroblasts) and their daughter cells, ganglion mother cells (GMCs). The prospero (pros) mRNA and the RNA-binding protein Staufen (Stau) are asymmetrically localized in mitotic neuroblasts and are specifically partitioned into the GMC, as is Pros protein5,6,7. Stau is required for localization of pros RNA but not of Pros protein. Loss of localization of Stau or of pros RNA alters GMC development, but only in embryos with reduced levels of Pros protein, suggesting that pros RNA and Pros protein act redundantly to specify GMC fate. We also find that GMCs do not transcribe the pros gene, showing that inheritance of pros RNA and/or Pros protein from the neuroblast is essential for GMC specification.
URBANISM AND NEOLIBERAL ORDER: THE DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT OF AMMAN

This article explores the self-representation of market urbanism as an economic project. It does so through an historically situated study of the redevelopment of the Abdali district of Amman. Draw...
Low-complexity interpolation coding for server-based computing

Summary form only given. The growing total cost of ownership has resulted in a shift away from the distributed model of desktop computing toward a more centralized server-based computing (SBC) model. In SBC, all application logic is executed on the server while clients simply process the resulting screen updates sent from the server. To provide good performance, SBC systems employ various techniques to encode the screen updates to minimize the bandwidth and processing requirements of sending the screen updates. However, existing SBC encoding techniques are not able to effectively support multimedia applications. To address this problem, we have developed a family of linear interpolation algorithms for encoding SBC screen updates. We first present an overview of an optimal linear interpolation (OLI) algorithm. Given a rectangular region of pixels to be encoded, OLI represents the region as a one-dimensional function, mapping from the cardinal number of each pixel to the color value of the pixel. To reduce encoding complexity, we developed two linear interpolation algorithms with linear encoding and decoding computational complexity. The algorithms are near optimal linear interpolation (NOLI) and 2-D lossless linear interpolation (2DLI). We have implemented our linear interpolation algorithms and compared their performance with other approaches on discrete-toned and smoothed-toned images.
The Effects of Cigarette Prices and Tobacco Control Programs on Youth Smoking Initiation in a U.S. Sample of Adolescents

Rationale: Since 1998, funding for state tobacco control programs in the U.S. increased marketedly, including several states that focused on preventing youth smoking. In addition, cigarette prices have increased considerably over this same timeframe. There has been considerable debate in the literature about the true effects of cigarette prices on youth smoking initiation. Objective: In using a longitudinal national panel of youth ages 12-17 at baseline (1997) and 7 follow-up waves, we model the effects of both cigarette prices, exposure to a national anti-smoking campaign and funding for tobacco control program on youth smoking initiation and cessation over this time period. Methods: We model smoking using intiation to any smoking, experimental smoking (smoked 1-19 days in the last month), and established smoking (smoked on 20+ days in the last month). We code transitions to different smoking states from baseline to the last follow-up and model this change with a logistic regression. The independent variables of interest include state cigarette prices, funding for tobacco control programs, and media market level exposure to anti-smoking campaigns. We also use a discrete time hazard model using all waves of data. We test the sensitivity of the results to various specifications, including the inclusion of state fixed effects and various methods of modeling funding for tobacco control programs (e.g., cumulative funding versus annual funding). Results: We find that cigarette prices are associated with progression to established smoking, but not experimental smoking. We also found that exposure to a national anti-smoking campaign was associated with experimental smoking and established smoking. The results for the effects of state tobacco control program funding varied based on specification. Conclusions: Various state tobacco control interventions can be an effective method for curbing youth smoking. Results are influenced by the inclusion of state fixed effects.
A physically‐based treatment of elemental carbon optics: Implications for global direct forcing of aerosols

To date, global models of direct radiative forcing have treated elemental carbon (EC) as completely externally mixed or well-mixed internally. No global study has treated EC as a core in an internal mixture. It is hypothesized that the well-mixed treatment is unphysical and reality lies between the externally-mixed and core treatments. It is also suggested, but not proven, that most EC particles are coated to some degree; hence, the core treatment may be more representative than the external-mixture treatment. Global simulations with the core treatment resulted in EC forcing 50% higher and 40% lower than forcings obtained with the externally-mixed and well-internally-mixed treatments, respectively. In the core case, EC's positive forcing more than offset negative forcing due to all other anthropogenic aerosol components combined. Further studies are needed to understand the mixing state of EC and determine the accuracy of the core treatment.
Electron microscopy of the skin of the teleost, Hippoglossoides elassodon

The normal skin of the pleuronectid fish, Hippoglossoides elassodon, is described by light and electron microscopy. The epidermis consists of 5 to 9 layers of cells, the majority of which are squamous cells and the minority mucous cells. The squamous cells are characterized by numerous desmosomes and associated cytoplasmic filaments. The mucous cells accumulate mucous droplets in vacuoles of Golgi origin and are observed apparently in the process of releasing their content at the free surface. The dermis consists of alternating lamellae composed of typical collagen fibers. Pigment cells are of three types: melanophores, iridophores (guanophores), and lipophores.
Chemotherapy for brain metastases in small-cell lung cancer.

Abstract PURPOSE Brain metastasis occurs commonly in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Herein, we report the efficacy of irinotecan and carboplatin in the treatment of brain metastases from SCLC. In addition, we review the existing data on chemotherapy for brain metastases in SCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty patients with metastatic or relapsed SCLC were enrolled in a phase II trial of irinotecan and carboplatin. Patients naive to chemotherapy were treated with irinotecan 200 mg/m 2 and carboplatin AUC of 5, and patients previously treated with chemotherapy received irinotecan 150 mg/m 2 and carboplatin AUC of 5, every 21 days for 6 cycles. RESULTS Among the 80 patients, 15 (19%) presented with brain metastases. An analysis of 14 assessable patients with brain metastases revealed an overall response rate of 65% after 2 cycles of chemotherapy and a median survival of 6 months (range, 1-24 months). Upon review of the literature, 8 studies were identified as having > 10 patients who received chemotherapy for brain metastases from SCLC. Based on these studies, the response rate of brain metastases from SCLC to a variety of chemotherapy and median survival of patients ranged from 22% to 85% and 3 months to 9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION Chemotherapy, including the regimen of irinotecan and carboplatin, is an effective treatment for SCLC brain metastases.
Ant Tending of Miami Blue Butterfly Larvae (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae): Partner Diversity and Effects on Larval Performance

The larvae of many lycaenid butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) are tended by ants that protect them from natural enemies in return for sugar-rich secretions that the larvae produce to attract and retain their ant guards. We investigated the relationship between larvae of the endangered Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri Comstock & Huntington) and potentially mutualistic ants. We observed 10 ant species interacting with Miami blue larvae in the field, and raised larvae successfully in captivity with 3 of these and 6 other ant species that are not known to tend larvae in the wild. In an experimental assessment of ant effects on larval performance, we found no differences in age at pupation, pupal mass, length of pupation, total time as an immature or ratio of time as a larva to time as a pupa among larvae raised with Camponotus floridanus Buckley, Linepithema humile Mayr, or in a no-ant control. Larvae raised with C. floridanus were significantly more likely to pupate in the ant harborage than larvae in the other treatments. We did not observe ants behaving antagonistically toward Miami blue larvae in field, laboratory, or experimental conditions; even ant species previously identified as potential predators tended larvae. Our results demonstrate that Miami blue larvae can elicit typical tending behaviors across diverse ant taxa and that ant tending does not substantially alter larval development, findings that may have implications for conservation and population restoration of the Miami blue butterfly.
X‐ray lasers for high density plasma diagnostics (invited)

Collisionally pumped soft x‐ray lasers now operate over a wavelength range extending from 35 to 300 A. These well‐characterized sources have high peak brightness (GeV blackbody temperature) and narrow bandwidth making them ideal for x‐ray imaging and interferometry. We will describe experiments which have used the yttrium neon‐like x‐ray laser operating at 155 A to probe plasmas at electron densities exceeding 4×1021 cm−3. The short pulse duration of this x‐ray laser (∼150 ps) has made it possible to image directly driven thin foils with 1–2 μm spatial resolution. Advances in multilayer mirrors and beam splitters have now also made it possible to develop x‐ray laser interferometers. We will describe initial experiments to probe plasmas relevant to ICF using x‐ray laser interferometry. The progress in the development of short pulse x‐ray lasers (∼30 ps) which are ultimately necessary to extend x‐ray laser diagnostic techniques to higher densities will also be presented.
Poststroke depression: an examination of the literature.

Abstract Objective: To examine literature on poststroke depression (PSD). Data Sources: More than 200 articles related to stroke and depression were selected from a computer-based search spanning 1985 to 1995. Study Selection: All relevant articles on PSD. Articles in foreign languages, case studies, anecdotal reports, book chapters, and reviews were excluded. Data Extraction: Summary findings were independently reviewed by the authors. Data Synthesis: PSD remains a frequent sequela of stroke; its prevalence remains uncertain because of continued methodologic problems in defining subject groupings and in utilizing psychiatrically normed assessment tools with neurologically impaired individuals, and because of the poor specificity/sensitivity of neuroendocrine markers in determining a diagnosis. The etiology of PSD appears to be complex and not fully understood. Although there has been much research on PSD, this review highlights the sparsity of available literature on its treatment. Conclusion: The review points out the further need for more carefully designed studies of PSD that examine both assessment and treatment.
THIA AND AZA BASED ALANES: SYNTHESIS AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF [Np2Al-N(H)Ph]2, [Np2Al-SNp]2, AND [Ph2Al-N(H)Ph′]2 (Np = Me3CCH2-; Ph = Biphenyl)

Abstract Reaction of trineopentylaluminum, Np3Al (Np = Me3CCH2-), with 1,2-diphenylhydrazine, Ph(H)N-N(H)Ph, or elemental sulfur in toluene affords the dimeric crystalline products [Np2Al-N(H)Ph]2, I, and [Np2Al-SNp]2, II, respectively. The etherate of triphenylalumium, Ph3Al·OEt2, when allowed to react with 2-aminobiphenyl, yields the dimer [Ph2AL-N(H[Ph′]2, (Ph′ = Biphenyl) III. Each compound has been characterized by 1H NMR, elemental analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. I and II crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14); I: a = 9.801 (3), b = 20.490 (9), c = 17.569 (8) A, β = 97.81 (3)°, V = 3496 (3) A3 for Z = 4; II: a = 10.191 (5) A, b = 10.907 (5) A, c = 16.779 (6) A, β = 97.18 (3)°, V = 1851 (1) A8 for Z = 2. Refinement of I converged at R = 0.051, R w = 0.049, while refinement of II converged at R = 0.051, R w = 0.066. III crystallizes in the tetragonal space group l41/a (No. 88); a = 26.628 (5) A, c = 11.017 (4) A, V = 7812 (4) A3, for Z = 8. Refinement of III converged...
ADRENAL STEROIDS IN MATERNAL AND GORD BLOOD AFTER DEXAMETHASONE ADMINISTRATION AT MIDTERM

We undertook a study designed to evaluate whether it is feasible to suppress fetal adrenal secretion of androgens at mid-pregnancy by giving dexamethasone (DX) to the mother. Levels of DX and adrenal steroids were measured in maternal and cord plasma of 13 DX-treated and 16 untreated mothers undergoing abortion at 18–20 weeks of pregnancy. Maternal adrenal suppression was evidenced by a sharp fall of plasma cortisol (F), cortisone (E), corticosterone (B), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). However, in cord blood no fall of DHEA-S or corticosterone sulfate (BS) was found up to 20 hours after DX administration, and cord plasma ACTH remained detectable. The failure of DX to suppress the fetal adrenal at mid-pregnancy suggests that this drug would not be effective in the intrauterine treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (C. A. H.).
Influence of Treated Sewage on Infections of Eustrongylides ignotus (Nematoda: Dioctophymatoidea) in Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) in an Urban Watershed

The prevalence of eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) infected with larvae of Eustrongylides ignotus declined during an 8-yr period from 54% in 1990 to 0% during the last year at a site near a sewage inflow into a watershed in north-central Florida, U.S.A. Treated human sewage had been discharged into this watershed for about 68 yr, but this practice was discontinued in the fifth year of our study. During the last 3 yr of the study, samples of mosquitofish, oligochaetes, water, and sediment were examined in detail from this site plus 3 other sites along the watershed. The density of aquatic oligochaetes was greater at the site near the historic sewage inflow than at other sites and did not change significantly during the later part of the study. Initially, dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water column was lower at the site of the historic sewage inflow than at other sites, whereas mean sediment, total nitrogen, total carbon, and total phosphorous were greater. Dissolved oxygen increased and the other parameters declined after sewage input was terminated and coincided with a decline in numbers of infected fish. Although other factors, such as human disturbance and changes in wading bird foraging patterns, may have contributed to variations in the prevalence of infected fish, we conclude that discharge of sewage effluent into wading bird foraging areas may result in increased prevalences of fish infected with eustrongylid larvae.
Steroids, sex and the cerebellar cortex: implications for human disease

Neurosteroids play an important role in the development of the cerebellum. In particular, estradiol and progesterone appear capable of inducing increases in dendritic spine density during development, and there is evidence that both are synthesized de novo in the cerebellum during critical developmental periods. In normal neonates and adults, there are few differences in the cerebellum between the sexes and most studies indicate that hormone and receptor levels also do not differ significantly during development. However, the sexes do differ significantly in risk of neuropsychological diseases associated with cerebellar pathology, and in animal models there are noticeable sex differences in the response to insult and genetic mutation. In both humans and animals, males tend to fare worse. Boys are more at risk for autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder than girls, and schizophrenia manifests at an earlier age in men. In rats males fare worse than females after perinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, and male mice heterozygous for the staggerer and reeler mutation show a more severe phenotype. Although very recent evidence suggests that differences in neurosteroid levels between the sexes in diseased animals may play a role in generating different disease phenotypes, the reason this hormonal difference occurs in diseased but not normal animals is currently unknown.
Thermal properties of paramagnetic solid helium 3

It was shown in recent work that over a limited molar volume range and at asymptotically high temperatures the thermal modulations of the pressure along isochores of paramagnetic solid3He could be accounted for through the formalism of the Heisenberg model of an antiferromagnetically interacting localized spin-1/2 system. The internal consistency of this formalism requires the characteristic exchange-interaction parameter of the model derived from pressure modulation data to be identical with that appearing in the other thermal properties of this quantum solid. In a restricted temperature region where the spin excitations are the dominant thermal excitations of the solid, heat capacity data yield exchange-interaction parameters in fair agreement with those derived from pressures along isochores of larger molar volume. At higher temperatures, within well-defined limitations, thermal excitations involve both spin and phonon excitations. Here, because of the opposite temperature variations of the spin and phonon heat capacity components, the ensuing heat capacity minimum determines exactly the exchange-energy parameter and the relevant limiting Debye temperature as a function of the measured temperature location and value of the heat capacity extremum along the experimentally explored isochore. The exchange-energy parameters so derived display larger deviations from their predicted pressure-based values than those resulting from the lower temperature but still asymptotic spin-only heat capacities. At the present time, ambiguities in the experimental determinations of the characteristic Weiss temperatures of the asymptotic paramagnetic susceptibilities prevent one from deriving exchange-energy parameters with them. The present work leads to the prediction, within the limitations of the model formalism, of thermal properties of magnetized solid3He. Experimental investigations of these properties offer new approaches for probing the validity of the model formalism applied to paramagnetic solid3He.
Assessing contemporary white collar crime textbooks: A review of common themes and prospects for teaching

(2001). Assessing contemporary white collar crime textbooks: A review of common themes and prospects for teaching. Journal of Criminal Justice Education: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 455-475.
Commercial Hunting by Subsistence Hunters: Sirionó Indians and Paraguayan Caiman in Lowland Bolivia

There is increasing interest in including indigenous peoples of Amazonia in conservation activities. Conservation biologists and anthropologists often rely on assumptions of sustainable resource use by these native Amazonians based on traditional patterns of subsistence. As indigenous societies become more market oriented, however, they often must exploit floristic and faunal resources to meet growing needs for trade goods. Little is known about how these groups use their resources (particularly those involving animal products) under these conditions, or whether this use is in fact sustainable. In this paper we explore the question of subsistence hunters as commercial hunters, drawing on data collected among the Siriono of lowland Bolivia and their exploitation of the Paraguayan caiman (Caiman yacare). We suggest that any attempt to develop and implement resource conservation management plans must include both biological and social research to assess fully the complexities inherent to the human exploitati...
Varicella inoculation to prevent shingles, and cytomegalovirus inoculation to prevent cytomegalovirus associated graft failures

I suggest varicella virus inoculation be considered to reduce the risk of herpes zoster (the shingles), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) inoculation be considered to reduce the risk of CMV associated transplant graft failure. Such inoculations are inexpensive and easy to implement, and are simple potential solutions to common and often severe medical problems with suboptimal current treatments.
Nonlinear waves: Dynamics and transport

Abstract Interfacial waves illustrate a wide variety of nonlinear effects including: multiple stationary states; bifurcations affected by symmetry; low-dimensional chaotic dynamics; patterns with long range order; and secondary instabilities leading to spatiotemporal chaos. Theoretical descriptions based on amplitude equations have been quite successful in describing many of these phenomena. Recent experiments on the transport and mixing properties of capillary waves show that particle trajectories can follow Brownian statistics, while concentration fields acquire fractal structure.
Experimental hyperphenylalaninemia: Dendritic alterations in cerebellum of rat

Abstract A quantitative analysis was made of the morphology of the cerebellar vermis in rats rendered hyperphenylalaninemic by daily injections on postnatal days 3 through 82 of the phenylalanine hydroxylase inhibitor, p-chlorophenylalanine (60 mg/kg), in combination with phenylalanine (300 mg/kg). This treatment resulted in a significant hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) compared with saline-injected controls. In HPA animals there was a reduction in the cerebellar cross-sectional areas and in molecular layer thickness of midsagittal sections. Utilization of a classification strategy showed no specific qualitative changes in Purkinje cell structure between groups, but did indicate a hetereogeneity in Purkinje cell morphology between specific lobular sites of both HPA and control groups. Areas encompassed by Golgi-Cox-stained Purkinje cell dendritic trees were significantly smaller in HPA animals than in controls. The changes produced by HPA were of lesser degree in the nodulus than in the remaining lobes of the vermis. It is proposed that the decreased effect of HPA in the nodulus is related to normal differences in monoaminergic innervation between the nodulus and the other regions of the cerebellum.
Enhancing metrology by combining spatial variability and global inference

Recently, there has been significant interest in so-called Hybrid or Holistic Metrology, the practice of combining measurements from multiple sources in order to improve the estimation of one or more critical parameters. There also has been significant research in capturing and modeling the hierarchical spatial variability of CDs at the die, wafer, and lot level. However, the information inherent in spatial variability models has not been used towards improving the accuracy/precision of CD estimates. In this paper, we review the current trends in Hybrid Metrology and Spatial Variability Modeling, and provide a simple example based on the work of Zhang et al. 1 that illustrates how we can incorporate spatial information for improved measurement estimates.
Hepatitis B virus subtypes ad and ay among blood donors in the Greater Los Angeles area.

In late 1971 and 1972, one voluntary and three commercial blood banks in the Los Angeles area provided specimens from hepatitis B antigen-positive donors. These were characterized as ad or ay subtypes of hepatitis B virus. Of 202 voluntary donors, 81 per cent had subtype ad and 19 per cent subtype ay, Of 129 paid donors, 66 per cent had subtype ad and 34 per cent had subtype ay, with one commercial bank accounting entirely for the statistically significant overall difference. Analysis by sex, race, and age of donors indicated only age to be a factor in this series. Voluntary donors less than 25 years of age had a higher frequency (30%) of ay strains than did voluntary donors 25 and over (15%). Paid donors under 25 had an even higher frequency (58%) and differed significantly from the voluntary donors under 25. Paid donors 25 and over (of whom 20% had ay strains), however, did not differ significantly from unpaid donors 25 and over (15%). These findings could indicate that illicit self-injection was the immediate background causing a high frequency of subtype ay among young donors, paid and voluntary. Review of available information, however, suggests that the disproportion may be an indirect rather than a direct consequence of epidemic drug abuse.
A STUDY ON THE EFFICIENCY OF COMMUNITY TO HOSPITAL REFERRAL SYSTEM IN THE CATCHMENT AREA OF DODOMA HOSPITAL, TANZANIA

Unnecessary or delayed hospital admissions are prevented by an efficient referral system. Objectives of the study: Community Health Services (CHS) coverage, accessibility, efficiency, and interaction with the hospital. Method: from March to June 1991 four Dodoma hospital paediatricians, using two structured questionnaires, studied 1,154 consecutive case of children (< 5 yrs) examined at the Outpatients Dept and 796 admitted to the Paediatric Ward. Preliminary results: 1) Outpatients Dept: 84,5% of the children bypassed the CHS. Of them, 73% could have been treated in the CHS without needing to go directly to hospital. 2) Paediatric Ward: 66% of the children bypassed the CHS; 48% of these unreferred patients were admitted to the hospital with delay as compared to only 17% of the previously referred children. This delayed admission was followed by a high mortality rate within 48 hours (12,5%). Conclusion: there is a need to study the factors which influence the flow of patients from the Community to the CHS and ultimately to the Hospital.
New insights in crustal accretion expected from Indian Ocean Spreading Centers

Since a large percentage of the mid-ocean ridge system remains uncharted and unsampled, studying the diverse processes involved in the generation of new oceanic crust is an ambitious goal that requires international cooperation. The Ridge InterDisciplinary Global Experiment (RIDGE) initiative is doing just that in cooperation with InterRIDGE, an international organization of countries active in mid-ocean ridge research. The two programs are working to characterize the morphology, structure, composition, biological communities, and energy fluxes of the mid-ocean ridge system on a global scale. Over the next few years RIDGE will explore the virtually unstudied spreading centers of the Indian Ocean, and InterRIDGE will target the slow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge.
Evangelicals and the Quest for the Historical Jesus

This article deals with historical Jesus studies done by evangelical scholars. The works are divided up into three broad categories: textbooks, construc tive studies and apologetic works. The article asks whether or not one can find good historical scholarship being done in the evangelical community. The results are, as might be expected, mixed. While there is some very good work being done by evangelical Jesus scholars such as N.T. Wright, Scot McKnight and Greg Boyd, there is a fair amount of shoddy scholarship com ing from this camp as well. The article points out both strengths and weak nesses in Jesus research being done by modem evangelicals and ends with suggestions for evangelical Jesus scholars.Anyone writing so small a book about so great a man must leave something out.G.K. Chesterton
Germline Stem Cells Anchored by Adherens Junctions in the Drosophila Ovary Niches

How stem cells are recruited to and maintained in their niches is crucial to understanding their regulation and use in regenerative medicine. Here, we demonstrate that DE-cadherin–mediated cell adhesion is required for anchoring germline stem cells (GSCs) in their niches in the Drosophila ovary. Two major components of this adhesion process, DE-cadherin and Armadillo/β-catenin, accumulate at high levels in the junctions between GSCs and cap cells, one of the niche components. Removal of these proteins from GSCs results in stem cell loss. Furthermore, DE-cadherin is required for recruiting GSCs to their niche. Our study demonstrates that anchorage of GSCs in their niche by DE-cadherin–mediated adhesion is important for stem cell maintenance and function.
INCREASING A TELESCOPE'S FIELD OF VIEW, AND SUBSEQUENT OBSERVATIONS OF EDGE-ON GALAXIES NGC 4244 AND NGC 5907

A unique focal reducer for the Steward Observatory 2.3 m Ritchey-Chretien telescope on Kitt Peak was designed and built. It increased the field of view and a Loral 2048 X 2048 charged couple device (CCD) with 15 mu m pixels from about 5' x 5' to 24' x 24'. The inverted-Cassegrainian, two-mirror design permits high efficiency of UV wavelengths and good broad band image quality from 3500 A to 8500 A without significant chromatic aberrations. Other features include a coronagraph and a filter slide in the slow f/9 beam which achieves the difficult and useful combination of narrow band imaging with a wide field of view. THe filter slide tilts to vary the center wavelength of narrow interference filters to accommodate different red shifts. The image quality is seeing-limited in the central 12' diameter, and degraded by about 0.8" in the central 18' diameter, and degraded by 1"-2" at the edges of the field. The development of hte optical system prescription is briefly discussed. The instrument is used to obtain continuum-corrected H-alpha and [S II] images of the edge-on galaxies NGC 4244 and NGC 5907. Interesting filamentary structure is evident. The distribution of ionized hydrogen gas in NGC 4244 and NGC 5907 is quantified. THe data indicates those galaxies do not have an extended halo like that in NGC 891 and our Galaxy.
Impact of diagnostic ureteroscopy on long-term survival in patients with upper tract transitional cell carcinoma.

AbstractPurpose: We determine whether diagnostic retrograde ureteroscopy for evaluation of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma adversely affects survival outcomes in terms of urothelial and metastatic tumor recurrence, and tumor-free and overall survival.Materials and Methods: A total of 96 patients underwent total nephroureterectomy or resection of the distal ureter with a bladder cuff for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma. Of the patients 48 (study group) had undergone preoperative diagnostic ureteroscopy while 48 (control group) had not. Grade and stage of disease were compared, and time to recurrence, and disease-free and overall survival were analyzed.Results: Grade and stage of disease were equivalent in both groups. There were no significant differences in recurrence rates, time to recurrence or mortality between the groups. Metastases developed in 9 patients (18.8%) in the control group and 6 (12.5%) in the study group (p = 0.58), while 5 (10.4%) in each group died of metastases of upper...
An analysis of a hybrid neural network and pattern recognition technique for predicting short-term increases in the NYSE composite index

We introduce a method for combining template matching, from pattern recognition, and the feed-forward neural network, from artificial intelligence, to forecast stock market activity. We evaluate the effectiveness of the method for forecasting increases in the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index at a 5 trading day horizon. Results indicate that the technique is capable of returning results that are superior to those attained by random choice.
Perfluoro-Poly(ethers) with Hydroxyl End Groups: Analysis by TOF-SIMS

TOF-SIMS spectra of perfluoro-poly(ethers) (PFPE) with hydroxyl end group(s), Fomblin Z-DOL, Krytox-OH, and Demnum-SA, were analyzed. Previously we have observed that while the positive-ion TOF-SIM...
Study of PcaV from Streptomyces coelicolor yields new insights into ligand-responsive MarR family transcription factors

MarR family proteins constitute a group of >12 000 transcriptional regulators encoded in bacterial and archaeal genomes that control gene expression in metabolism, stress responses, virulence and multi-drug resistance. There is much interest in defining the molecular mechanism by which ligand binding attenuates the DNA-binding activities of these proteins. Here, we describe how PcaV, a MarR family regulator in Streptomyces coelicolor, controls transcription of genes encoding β-ketoadipate pathway enzymes through its interaction with the pathway substrate, protocatechuate. This transcriptional repressor is the only MarR protein known to regulate this essential pathway for aromatic catabolism. In in vitro assays, protocatechuate and other phenolic compounds disrupt the PcaV-DNA complex. We show that PcaV binds protocatechuate in a 1:1 stoichiometry with the highest affinity of any MarR family member. Moreover, we report structures of PcaV in its apo form and in complex with protocatechuate. We identify an arginine residue that is critical for ligand coordination and demonstrate that it is also required for binding DNA. We propose that interaction of ligand with this arginine residue dictates conformational changes that modulate DNA binding. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism by which ligands attenuate DNA binding in this large family of transcription factors.
Transfer factor: Isolation of a biologically active component☆

Abstract The chromatographie separation of transfer factor from a tuberculin-sensitive donor resulted in isolation of a fraction which was proved to be active by both local and systemic transfer of the specific immunity present in the donor. This isolation technique may lead to the ultimate characterization of transfer factor.