cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contributions of VLDLR and LRP8 in the establishment of retinogeniculate projections

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the output neurons of the retina, project to over 20 distinct brain nuclei, including the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), a thalamic region comprised of three functionally distinct subnuclei: the ventral LGN (vLGN), the dorsal LGN (dLGN) and the intergeniculate leaflet (IGL). We previously identified reelin, an extracellular glycoprotein, as a critical factor that directs class-specific targeting of these subnuclei. Reelin is known to bind to two receptors: very-low-density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8), also known as apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoER2). Here we examined the roles of these canonical reelin receptors in retinogeniculate targeting. To assess the roles of VLDLR and LRP8 in retinogeniculate targeting, we used intraocular injections of fluorescently conjugated cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) to label all RGC axons in vivo. Retinogeniculate projections in mutant mice lacking either VLDLR or LRP8 appeared similar to controls; however, deletion of both receptors resulted in dramatic defects in the pattern of retinal innervation in LGN. Surprisingly, defects in vldlr −/− ;lrp8 −/− double mutant mice were remarkably different than those observed in mice lacking reelin. First, we failed to observe retinal axons exiting the medial border of the vLGN and IGL to invade distant regions of non-retino-recipient thalamus. Second, an ectopic region of binocular innervation emerged in the dorsomedial pole of vldlr −/− ;lrp8 −/− mutant dLGN. Analysis of retinal projection development, retinal terminal sizes and LGN cytoarchitecture in vldlr −/− ;lrp8 −/− mutants, all suggest that a subset of retinal axons destined for the IGL are misrouted to the dorsomedial pole of dLGN in the absence of VLDLR and LRP8. Such mistargeting is likely the result of abnormal migration of IGL neurons into the dorsomedial pole of dLGN in vldlr −/− ;lrp8 −/− mutants. In contrast to our expectations, the development of both the LGN and retinogeniculate projections appeared dramatically different in mutants lacking either reelin or both canonical reelin receptors. These results suggest that there are reelin-independent functions of VLDLR and LRP8 in LGN development, and VLDLR- and LRP8-independent functions of reelin in class-specific axonal targeting.
Incorporation of N-acetylmannosamine into rat brain subcellular gangliosides: effect of pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions on brain gangliosides.

: The labeling pattern of the major individual gangliosides from the microsomal and synaptosomal fractions of rat brain was determined following intracerebral injection of the radioactive sialic acid precursor, N-acetylmannosamine. Microsomal gangliosides initially had a higher specific radioactivity than synaptosomal gangliosides, with both fractions reaching similar specific radioactivities 18 h after precursor injection. In both subcellular fractions, the polysialogangliosides GT1b and GQ1b were initially more highly labeled than all other gangliosides. With the establishment of the labeling pattern, the effect of the convulsant pentylenetetrazol on brain gangliosides was examined in detail. Significant decreases in radioactive label were noted in the polysialogangliosides, GT1b and GQ1b, from the synaptosomal and microsomal fractions of the convulsed animals. The decreases may be due to activation of the membrane-bound neuraminidase present with the gangliosides in neuronal tissue. Prior to experimentation, a methodology was developed to insure quantitative isolation of small amounts of ganglioside free of other lipids and water-soluble contaminants. Combination of this isolation procedure with quantitative densitometry of thin-layer chromatograms permits accurate distributional analyses for individual gangliosides. In applications involving radioactive gangliosides, the method allows the determination of both radioactivity and sialic acid distributions from the same thin-layer chromatogram.
Use of a Highly Sensitive Assay to Analyze the Excision Repair of Dimer and Nondimer DNA Damages Induced in Human Skin Fibroblasts by 254-nm and Solar Ultraviolet Radiation

The excision repair of nondimer DNA damages induced in normal human skin fibroblasts exposed to the Mylar-filtered UV produced by a fluorescent sunlamp was investigated. This work was accomplished through the development of a modification of the bromodeoxyuridine photolysis assay that greatly increases the sensitivity of this assay. This enhancement in sensitivity was achieved through use of alkaline elution to measure the DNA strand breakage produced by the photolysis of bromodeoxyuridine incorporated into the DNA through excision repair. Using this modified bromodeoxyuridine photolysis assay, it was found that the solar UV-induced nondimer DNA damages appear to have been repaired by a short patch repair mechanism in which a small number of nucleotides (two to four) were inserted into the repaired site. This is in contrast to the long patch repair process involved in the excision of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in which approximately 40 nucleotides were inserted into each repaired region.
Crystal structure of the repetitive segments of spectrin

The elongated proteins of the spectrin family (dystrophin, alpha-actinin, and spectrin) contain tandemly repeated segments and form resilient cellular meshworks by cross-linking actin filaments. The structure of one of the repetitive segments of alpha-spectrin was determined at a 1.8 angstrom resolution. A segment consists of a three-helix bundle. A model of the interface between two tandem segments suggests that hydrophobic interactions between segments may constrain intersegment flexibility. The helix side chain interactions explain how mutations that are known to produce hemolytic anemias disrupt spectrin associations that sustain the integrity of the erythrocyte membrane.
Spatiotemporal Fourier filtration of acoustic quantification endocardial borders using Cartesian vs. Polar coordinate system

The analysis of endocardial borders by Acoustic Quantification (AQ) of 2D echocardiographic images is limited by the presence of random high frequency noise. Using 1D filtration in the Fourier domain we have shown previously that smoothing of AQ images improves signal-to-noise ratio. In this paper we have extended the study by applying 2D Fourier filtration (spatial and temporal) to the AQ borders, and study which of the two sampling methods, Polar or Cartesian sampling, yields a more accurate representation. Various image processing techniques including region labeling, thresholding, edge detection, and area fill algorithms along with 2D-DFT and Hanning filters were used to process the images. Using the original AQ as the gold standard, our results favor Cartesian sampling over Polar sampling. >
The Red Effect, Anxiety, and Exam Performance A Multistudy Examination

Laboratory studies have established a negative relationship between the color red and academic performance. This research examined whether this effect would generalize to classroom performance and ...
Looking at people: sensing for ubiquitous and wearable computing

The research topic of looking at people, that is, giving machines the ability to detect, track, and identify people and more generally, to interpret human behavior, has become a central topic in machine vision research. Initially thought to be the research problem that would be hardest to solve, it has proven remarkably tractable and has even spawned several thriving commercial enterprises. The principle driving application for this technology is "fourth generation" embedded computing: "smart" environments and portable or wearable devices. The key technical goals are to determine the computer's context with respect to nearby humans (e.g., who, what, when, where, and why) so that the computer can act or respond appropriately without detailed instructions. The paper examines the mathematical tools that have proven successful, provides a taxonomy of the problem domain, and then examines the state of the art. Four areas receive particular attention: person identification, surveillance/monitoring, 3D methods, and smart rooms/perceptual user interfaces. Finally, the paper discusses some of the research challenges and opportunities.
Acromegaly with Diabetes Insipidus after Pituitary Tumor Removal: Successful Pregnancy and Delivery

A 33-year-old woman visited our hospital because of oligomenorrhea. Acromegaly was diagnosed based on elevated insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and paradoxical growth hormone (GH) rise in oral glucose tolerance test. Pituitary macroadenoma was detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The pituitary tumor was removed. Still, diabetes insipidus developed. We prescribed desmopressin and bromocriptine. Two months post-surgery, IGF-I was decreased and a combined pituitary function test was normal, except for the follicle stimulating hormone response. Residual tumor was detected on MRI. The bromocriptine dose was increased and treatment with the long-acting somatostatin analogue octreotide long acting release (LAR) was begun. After the fifth round of octreotide LAR, IGF-I was normalized. After the seventh round of octreotide LAR, the patient became pregnant. Bromocriptine and octreotide LAR were stopped, and desmopressin was continued. Successful delivery occurred at week 38 of pregnancy. The patient was discharged without any complications. Acromegaly is a disease caused by chronic GH hypersecretion, generally related to a somatotroph adenoma. Amenorrhea and menstrual irregularities are common in acromegaly. Pregnancy rarely occurs because chronic anovulation usually exists. When gonadotroph axis was preserved, the possibility of pregnancy in a woman of child-bearing age with acromegaly should be considered. (J Korean Endocr Soc
Two-photon spectroscopy and analysis with a white-light continuum probe.

We present a powerful experimental tool and analysis for characterization of two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra. We demonstrate this method with ZnS and then apply it to organic dyes in solution. We also compare the results with those from other methods such as two-photon fluorescence spectroscopy. This femtosecond pump–probe method uses a white-light continuum (WLC) as the probe to produce a nondegenerate 2PA spectrum. The extreme chirp of the WLC requires that transmittance data be collected over a range of temporal delays between pump and probe pulses. These data then need to be corrected for the effects of this chirp as well as for the temporal walk-off of the pulses in the sample that result from the frequency nondegenerate nature of the experiment. We present a simple analytic solution for the transmitted fluence through the sample, which is applicable for most practical cases.
Learning, hypothesis testing, and Nash equilibrium

Consider a finite stage game G that is repeated infinitely often. At each time, the players have hypotheses about their opponents' repeated game strategies. They frequently test their hypotheses against the opponents' recent actions. When a hypothesis fails a test, a new one is adopted. Play is almost rational in the sense that, at each point in time, the players' strategies are ϵ-best replies to their beliefs. We show that, at least 1−ϵ of the time t these hypothesis testing strategies constitute an ϵ-equilibrium of the repeated game from t on; in fact the strategies are close to being subgame perfect for long stretches of time. This approach solves the problem of learning to play equilibrium with no prior knowledge (even probabilistic knowledge) of the opponents' strategies or their payoffs.
Bipolar pulsed reset for AC coupled charge-sensitive preamplifiers

A new type of charge restoration is described for use particularly in germanium gamma-ray spectrometers for accelerator and space physics applications. A bipolar pulsed reset technique is applied to these applications for the first time. This technique overcomes the problems introduced by the need here to AC couple detectors and the fact that very large energy depositions occur due to charged particles present in substantial fluxes, particularly in space. The circuit is described and experimental results are presented and discussed.
A Plethora of Prognostic Pearls

“In acute diseases it is not quite safe to prognosticate either death or recovery.” — Hippocrates, Aphorisms, II, 19 The modern cardiologist would probably not agree with Hippocrates’ reluctance to prognosticate about the likely outcome for a patient who presents today with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In fact, prognostic indicators have been available for patients with AMI since the earliest days of specialized coronary care. Two of the earliest prognostic instruments were the Killip and Norris indexes, which were derived from observations made in the first dedicated coronary care units during the 1960s.1,2 Interestingly, these 2 early prognostic indicators for AMI patients are still useful and have retained their accuracy in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.3–6 Article p 1335 The Norris and Killip prognostic indexes for AMI patients were based on clinical signs and symptoms that correlated with the extent of post-MI left ventricular dysfunction. Since their advent, a plethora of additional prognostic indicators have been described for patients with AMI. Indeed, in an in-depth review of risk stratification in the reperfusion era of AMI therapy, Michaels and Goldschlager7 found 42 different variables that independently …
Morphometry-based measurements of the structural response to whole-brain radiation

Purpose Morphometry techniques were applied to quantify the normal tissue therapy response in patients receiving whole-brain radiation for intracranial malignancies.
Simple Common Plane contact algorithm

SUMMARY The common-plane (CP) algorithm is widely used in the discrete element method to model contact forces between interacting particles or blocks of rock. A new simple contact algorithm, similar to the CP algorithm, is proposed to model discontinuities such as joints, faults and material interfaces in an explicit finite difference code. The CP is defined as a plane separating interacting faces of grid cells, instead of blocks or particles used in the original CP method. The new method does not require iterations even for very stiff contacts. It is very robust and easy to implement, both in 2D and 3D parallel codes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Normal-tension glaucoma: is it different from primary open-angle glaucoma?

Purpose of reviewNormal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a common form of open-angle glaucoma throughout the world, and yet there are many unanswered questions regarding both the mechanisms of the optic neuropathy and the treatment of these patients. The present review considers how recent literature advan
Progressive Murine Cytomegalovirus Disease after Termination of Ganciclovir Therapy in Mice Immunosuppressed by Cyclophosphamide Treatment

Treatment of mice with cyclophosphamide causes immunosuppression and an enhancement of murine cytomegalovirus infection. In chemotherapy experiments, animals received cyclophosphamide (100 mg/kg by intraperitoneal [ip] injection) every 3-4 days starting 1 day before viral challenge. Once-daily ip treatments with ganciclovir (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) for 5 or 10 days starting 24 h after viral challenge delayed but did not prevent death. In each case the animals died 8-12 days after the last dose of drug was given. Murine cytomegalovirus titers in tissues were suppressed during ganciclovir treatments but rose with discontinuation of therapy. Concanavalin A (T cell blastogenic) responses and, to a lesser extent, lipopolysaccharide (B cell blastogenic) responses were increased in ganciclovir-treated mice compared with the placebo group. Because of the progressive nature of the infection after termination of drug treatment, this model mimics the situation encountered in AIDS patients. The cyclophosphamide model will be useful to study drug treatment regimens.
Drug Use Surveys: Method and Madness

There are many measurement problems inherent in the drug survey field, e.g., defining dosages and choosing user categories. This paper discusses the pros and cons of interview techniques, mailed questionnaires, and group-administered questionnaires. The particular importance of the social psychology of the data gathering process is noted, including the provision of anonymity for the respondents and the establishment of credibility for the investigators. Means for dealing with these and also for improving reliability and validity are discussed, along with reasons for performing a survey, the nature and intent of the questions asked, and some other political and ethical issues.
The Emotion Dysregulation Model of Anxiety: A preliminary path analytic examination

Both temperamental (e.g., behavioral inhibition) and environmental (e.g., family emotional environment) factors are associated with etiology and maintenance of anxiety; however, few studies have explored mechanisms through which these risk factors operate. The present study investigation of a developmental model of anxiety (i.e., the Emotion Dysregulation Model of Anxiety; EDMA) that hypothesizes that emotion dysregulation is the mechanism through which temperamental and emotion parenting variables relate to anxiety. Emerging adults (N=676, M age=19.5) retrospectively reported on behavioral inhibition and emotion parenting factors in childhood, and current emotion regulation skills and symptoms of anxiety. Results of path analyses provide initial support for the EDMA. Emotion dysregulation fully mediated the relationship between behavioral inhibition and anxiety and partially mediated the relationship between family emotional environment and anxiety.
Photosynthetic Responses of Wheat, Triticum aestivum L., to Defoliation Patterns on Individual Leaves

The impact of defoliation by fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), on the photosynthetic rates of injured, individual wheat, Triticum aestivum L., leaves and the impact of different spatial patterns of artificial insect defoliation on photosynthesis of remaining leaf tissue of injured, individual wheat leaves were evaluated in this study. Photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and chlorophyll a fluorescence were recorded in the flag-leaves of wheat plants 1 and 24 h after defoliation in 2003 and at 1 h, 24 h, 7 d, and 14 d after defoliation in 2004. Photosynthesis of injured leaves was not significantly affected by any defoliation treatment (i.e., control, natural, and artificial). Similarly, we did not observe interactions between defoliation treatments and time after defoliation. Stomatal conductance was significantly affected by time after defoliation and by the interaction between defoliation treatment and time after defoliation. However, in general, our results showed that wheat responded similarly to insect defoliation and artificial defoliation, which, therefore, may be used to simulate leaf mass consumption. Spatial defoliation patterns had a significant effect on photosynthetic parameters of injured leaves, but responses were dependent on plant developmental stages. The chlorophyll a fluorescence data revealed no significant effects from any defoliation pattern on the photochemical efficiency of the injured leaf. No significant interactions between defoliation patterns and time after defoliation were observed. Our findings reveal that the spatial pattern of defoliation in wheat affects photosynthetic and other gas exchange responses, which suggests that when simulating insect defoliation in wheat, researchers need to be cognizant of the defoliation pattern to adequately simulate insect defoliation.
Fathers of children with or without ID: understanding long-term psychological symptoms.

Background Researchers have primarily relied on mother report to understand the parenting contexts of rearing children with intellectual disabilities. Fathers are increasingly being considered as equally important reporters of their child's behaviours, as they have unique and independent relationships with their children. The purpose of this study was to understand how one source of stress – reports of child behaviour problems – along with spousal support related to parenting tasks, associated with fathers' reports of psychological symptoms over time. Method One hundred eighty-two father participants completed measures of child behaviour problems, spousal support and psychological symptoms. Growth curve modelling was employed to examine paternal psychological symptoms over the child's developmental trajectory. Results Fathers' reports of child behaviour problems predicted initial levels of paternal psychological symptoms but did not predict change in paternal psychological symptoms over time. Spousal support further reduced initial levels of paternal psychological symptoms. Conclusions Child behaviour problems are more important than disability status in predicting father's psychological symptoms. Spousal support predicts paternal psychological symptoms and can be viewed as an additional resource for fathers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
CONTROLLING NYLON DYEING BY DYE AND CHEMICAL METERING

Closed-loop control of the dosing of dyes and chemicals is used to obtain an on-tone build-up of shade in dyeing polyamide fibers with a binary mixture of monosulfonated acid dyes. Computerized dos...
The Alternate Complement Pathway in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Quantitation of the C3 proactivator (factor B) protein

A component of the complement system's alternate pathway was investigated in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The mean C3PA (Factor B) titer in normals was 74 ± 15%; in ulcerative colitis, 92 ± 18%; and in Crohn's disease, 119 ± 24%. Significance was at the P
A computational study of CH4 storage in porous framework materials with metalated linkers: connecting the atomistic character of CH4 binding sites to usable capacity

To store natural gas (NG) inexpensively at adequate densities for use as a fuel in the transportation sector, new porous materials are being developed. This work uses computational methods to explore strategies for improving the usable methane storage capacity of adsorbents, including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), that feature open-metal sites incorporated into their structure by postsynthetic modification. The adsorption of CH4 on several open-metal sites is studied by calculating geometries and adsorption energies and analyzing the relevant interaction factors. Approximate site-specific adsorption isotherms are obtained, and the open-metal site contribution to the overall CH4 usable capacity is evaluated. It is found that sufficient ionic character is required, as exemplified by the strong CH4 affinities of 2,2′-bipyridine-CaCl2 and Mg, Ca-catecholate. In addition, it is found that the capacity of a single metal site depends not only on its affinity but also on its geometry, where trigonal or “bent” low-coordinate exposed sites can accommodate three or four methane molecules, as exemplified by Ca-decorated nitrilotriacetic acid. The effect of residual solvent molecules at the open-metal site is also explored, with some positive conclusions. Not only can residual solvent stabilize the open-metal site, surprisingly, solvent molecules do not necessarily reduce CH4 affinity, but can contribute to increased usable capacity by modifying adsorption interactions.
Political and economic accountability in a delegative democracy

Recently, economic accountability theory as a means by which to hold political leaders accountable in the industrialized world has been generalized in transitional democracies. The theory advances how mass publics in young democracies evaluate and assess the performance of chief executives based on sociotropic or pocketbook economic evaluations and the occurrence of pivotal political events. The study finds that self-placement on poverty among Filipinos and primordial assessments of hunger are predictors of presidential approval. Pivotal political events involving attempted coups, corrupt practices and executive level malfeasance are not likely to affect presidential approval ratings over time. Furthermore, changes in the national economy have no association with Philippine presidential approval ratings from 1986–2009. The results of the study suggest that political and economic theories of accountability as applied to the developing world should be reassessed by taking into account the non-institutionali...
Analysis of Correlative Factors of Nephrotic Syndrome in Infants and Young Children Occurred with Hospital Oneset of Infection

Objective To analyze the correlative factors of nephrotic syndrome(NS) in infants and young children occurred with hospital onset of infection.Methods The study was performed in all the infants and young children with NS(from Jan.2005 to Oct.2007).The correlation factors under analysis involved the gender,length of stay,serum albumin level(to draw 2 mL blood,3 000 r·min-1 10 minutes of centrifugalization;bromocresol green method was used to test the higher level of serum albumin),volume ejection of urine protein(to apply the method of pyrogallol red molybdenum to test 24-hour urine protein level),IgG level(to draw 2 mL blood,3 000 r·min-1 10 minutes of centrifugalization,immune scatter colour turbidimetric method was used to test serum IgG level),renal patho-category and administration of immune depressant.Results 1.Length of stay≥30 d had high rate of hospital onset of infection(P0.05);2.Serum albumin level20 g·L-1 were easier to get infection;3.It was obvious that the hospital onset of infection in infants and young children with 24 hours volume ejection of urine protein≥100 mg·kg-1·d-1(63.6%)was higher than those100 mg·kg-1·d-1(24.6%)(P0.05);4.Infection rate of the patients receiving immune depressant treatment(60.0%) was higher than those only with prednisonum treatment(31.7%)(P0.05);5.The same age infants and young children with 75% lower level of normal IgG had high rate of hospital onset of infection.Conclusions There was an obvious correlation observed in infants and young children who got hospital onset of infection and their gender,length of stay,serum albumin level,volume ejection of urine protein,IgG level,renal patho-category and administration of immune depressant.
Effects of Cell Concentration and Various Anticoagulants on Neutrophil Migration

The effects of cell concentration and anticoagulants on neutrophil passive migration and chemotaxis were examined. A relationship between passive migration and cell numbers was documented using blood neutrophils from neutropenic and normal individuals, as well as with purified granulocytes suspended in autologous serum. At granulocyte levels below 1500/cu mm, passive migration is impaired. The apparent defect in neutropenic patients can be normalized by adjusting cell counts to normal levels. Inhibition of passive migration by standard concentrations of heparin and chelator anticoagulants necessitates the use of small and carefully controlled amounts of these agents. Cell concentration and anticoagulants likewise influence chemotaxis. EDTA, oxalate, and citrate prevent the formation of chemotactic factor(s), whereas heparin appears to inhibit chemotaxis by a different mechanism possibly related to a direct cell effect. A knowledge of these variables is essential for proper evaluation of leukocyte migration studies.
Structural requirements for the metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene to mutagenic products: effects of modifications in the 4,5-, 7,8-, and 9,10-positions.

The metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene and eight benzo[a]pyrene derivatives to products mutagenic to Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 was evaluated with a highly purified, cytochrome P-448-dependent monooxygenase system free of epoxide hydrase. Metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene derivatives saturated in the 7,8-position of the molecule either by reduction (7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene) or by the cis or trans addition of hydroxyl groups (7,8-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene) resulted in 10-20 times more mutations than occurred after metabolic activation of benzo[a]pyrene. Benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-quinone was not intrinsically mutagenic to the bacteria and could not be metabolically activated. 9,10-Dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene was metabolized to mutagenic products to the same extent as benzo[a]pyrene, but derivatives that were totally saturated in the benzo ring (7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene and trans-7,8-dihydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene) could not be activated. 4,5-Dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene, which cannot be epoxidized in the 4,5-position (K-region), was also nonmutagenic in the presence of the purified monooxygenase system. Epoxide hydrase, incubated together with the purified monooxygenase system reconstituted with 0.08 nmole of cytochrome P-448, almost completely deactivated the mutagenic products formed from 9,10-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene, but reduced the mutation frequency induced by the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene by only 30%. Evaluation of the intrinsic mutagenic activity of 7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide, benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide, and pyrene 4,5-oxide indicated that saturation or removal of the benzo ring of benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide markedly reduces the intrinsic mutagenicity of this K-region arene oxide.
Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences in the Blind: A Study of Apparent Eyeless Vision

Article reporting the results of an investigation into near-death and out-of-body experiences in 31 blind respondents. The study sought to address three main questions: (1) whether blind individuals have near-death experiences (NDEs) and, if so, whether they are the same as or different from those of sighted persons; (2) whether blind persons ever claim to see during NDEs and out-of-body experiences (OBEs); and (3) if such claims are made, whether they can ever be corroborated by reference to independent evidence.
Introduction and Historical Perspectives on Image-Guided Surgery

This chapter traces the development of image-guided neurosurgery systems. The process is broken down into image acquisition, registration, localizers, and display. In addition the forces driving each step of the development are examined.
Laser-micromachining for 3D silicon detectors

We laser-micromachined hole arrays into silicon with aspect ratios up to 100:1. Direct laser-drilling and trepanning were used. Since laser-machining leaves a damaged silicon region that is not suitable for detector fabrication, we removed the damaged silicon with an isotropic xenon difluoride etch step. Hole arrays with trepan drilled holes had lower leakage currents. We successfully collected a Co-57 photon spectrum (energy resolution: 3.0 keV FWHM at 122 KeV) with a 3D silicon detector based on trepan-drilled holes. Our results show that silicon laser-machining can be used for 3D detector fabrication with good charge collection propeties.
“Sacred Ties of Brotherhood”: The Social Mediation of Imperial Ideology in The Last of the Mohicans and Canadian Crusoes

Katherine Magyarody, “‘Sacred Ties of Brotherhood’: The Social Mediation of Imperial Ideology in The Last of the Mohicans and Canadian Crusoes ” (pp. 315–342) This essay analyzes narrative patterns of colonist-indigenous relations within Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe (1719) and two Robinsonade texts, James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans (1826) and Catharine Parr Traill’s Canadian Crusoes (1852). Within the latter texts, the multiplication of Crusoe into “castaway” groups allows for an investigation of the social collateral of reaffirming racial hierarchies via settlers’ allegiance to indigenous individuals while destroying larger indigenous communities. In The Last of the Mohicans , the hybrid Cora Munroe and the Mohican Uncas’s love for her threatens the established pattern of homosocial interracial friendship; their deaths reaffirm racial boundaries. Conversely, by depicting a “coterie” of Scotch, French-Canadian, hybrid, and Mohawk members, Canadian Crusoes self-consciously rewrites the tragedy of Cooper’s novel so that sororal love enables cross-cultural marriage. Nevertheless, Traill’s proleptic descriptions of Canadian settlement mark her narrative as an alternate history that diverges from the progressive alienation of Native communities.
Introduction to 3D Microelectronic Packaging

Advanced 3D microelectronic packaging technology has been employed to meet portable electronics demand of ultra-thin, ultra-light, high performance with low power consumption. It also opens up a new dimension for the semiconductor industry to maintain Moore’s law with a much lower cost. Motivations as well as various architectures of 3D packaging are illustrated. Challenges in 3D packaging, including fabrication, assembly, cost, design, modeling, thermal management, material, substrate, quality, reliability, and failure analysis, are reviewed with brief introduction to the chapters addressing these challenges.
Aspects of the Ordovician System, Edited by David L. Bruton.

The proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on the Ordovician System, held in Norway in 1982, are presented in this volume.
Process control and computer operation

This is an important area that has to be thoroughly analyzed and studied to obtain the desired performance of the complete line and/or its parts, such as the extruder. The first task is to determine what is required and how to approach any problem(s). Examples of a few problems that could develop are listed in Table 6.1. One example of potentially many product problems is shown in Fig. 6.1. Proper equipment to meet requirements and capabilities in-line, such as the down-stream cutter (Table 6.2), has to be used. (For those not to familiar with problems that can develop, this book includes many of them.) With proper controls, different advantages occur, such as better economics, improved quality of product, maximized output rate, plastic reduction by minimizing tolerances, reduced setup times by means of automated startup aids, savings (electrical and water) by the optimization of the plasticator, and reduced scrap. Table 6.3 provides a guide for comparing important requirements for processes and products [397].
Self calibrating lenticular markers and articulated pose estimation

Chromo-coded lenticular markers have a color that depends on their viewing angle, which gives stronger constraints than typical fiducial markers for pose-estimation. In this paper, we work to make chromo-coded lenticular markers practical to use on a wide scale by solving their self-calibration problem: given freehand pictures taken of markers placed on an object by hand, solve for their relative position, orientation, and the colorto-angle relationship. We pose this as an optimization problem and show that standard tools give good solutions with naive initialization conditions. Using this calibration with a physical prototype, we show substantial improvements for pose estimation of rigid and simple articulated objects over standard fiducial markers.
Reduction of protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of ATXN1-S776 in Purkinje cells delays onset of Ataxia in a SCA1 mouse model.

Abstract Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat neurodegenerative disease in which a primary site of pathogenesis are cerebellar Purkinje cells. In addition to polyQ expansion of ataxin-1 protein (ATXN1), phosphorylation of ATXN1 at the serine 776 residue (ATXN1-pS776) plays a significant role in protein toxicity. Utilizing a biochemical approach, pharmacological agents and cell-based assays, including SCA1 patient iPSC-derived neurons, we examine the role of Protein Kinase A (PKA) as an effector of ATXN1-S776 phosphorylation. We further examine the implications of PKA-mediated phosphorylation at ATXN1-S776 on SCA1 through genetic manipulation of the PKA catalytic subunit Cα in Pcp2-ATXN1[82Q] mice. Here we show that pharmacologic inhibition of S776 phosphorylation in transfected cells and SCA1 patient iPSC-derived neuronal cells lead to a decrease in ATXN1. In vivo, reduction of PKA-mediated ATXN1-pS776 results in enhanced degradation of ATXN1 and improved cerebellar-dependent motor performance. These results provide evidence that PKA is a biologically important kinase for ATXN1-pS776 in cerebellar Purkinje cells.
Gone Too Far: Federal Regulation of Health Care Attorneys

Outside health care counsel frequently obtain medical records, billing records, health insurance claims records, and other records containing individually identifiable health information in the course of representing health industry clients in medical malpractice, licensure, certification, accreditation, fraud and abuse, peer review, and other civil, criminal, and administrative health law matters. This Article is the first to argue that state rules of professional conduct, not federal health information confidentiality regulations, should govern outside health care counsel’s use and disclosure of confidential client information, and that outside counsel should be excepted from direct federal regulation under the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
A Testbed For Rapid Prototyping Of Feature Based Applications

Abstract The A.S.U. Features Testbed provides an infrastructure for rapid prototyping of feature based applications. The system has an open architecture in which users can define feature libraries for modeling their products and build knowledge bases for a variety of manufacturing applications. The Testbed is organized into two shells: one for feature based product definition, the other for feature based product evaluation or manufacturing planning. The product modeler allows one to integrate features, dimensions, tolerances, assembly data, geometry, topology, and design rules into a unified product description. The applications shell facilitates the creation of knowledge bases and reasoning procedures desired for the applications. In this chapter, we give a brief overview of the system and then discuss several applications that have been implemented. These include GT coding for machining, machinability evaluation, and composite panel forming. The Testbed can be used for two different purposes: (1) Organizations that want to evaluate feature based technology in conjunction with knowledge based applications can quickly do so in this integrated system. (2) feature related techniques and algorithms can be evaluated by software developers. Customization of the Testbed does not require any programming or re-compiling because the system is data-driven.
Some philosophical problems with formal learning theory

Recent work in formal learning theory has attempted to capture the essentials of the concept-learning task in a formal framework. This paper evaluates the potential contributions of certain kinds of models to the study of learning by exploring the philosophical implications of these models. Some of my remarks bear on mainstream AI learning techniques such as version spaces and explanation-based learning.
A Temperature-Decay Method for Determining Superinsulation Conductivity

The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel transient method for determining the thermal conductivity of practical layups of superinsulation* and to report the results of some early testing. This method has the advantage of permitting large-area sample tests for lower cost than standard methods, while allowing a range of boundary temperature conditions. Interest in advanced versions of the Apollo service module and studies of advanced Saturn boosters have common requirements for superinsulation. The Saturn uses involved liquid-hydrogen boundary temperatures, while the Apollo applications were for thermal control at near-ambient temperatures. A common test method was desired to cover the wide ranges of boundary temperatures, up to +200°F on the high side. The temperature-decay calorimeter has been used to perform tests for both applications with the result that new methods for support and attachment have been compared along with a screening of material concepts.
Bacterial Model Membranes Deform (resp. Persist) upon Ni2+ Binding to Inner Core (resp. O-Antigen) of Lipopolysaccharides

The surface charge densities, apparent equilibrium binding constants, and free energies of binding of nickel ions to supported and suspended lipid membranes prepared from POPC and two types of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are reported. Second- and third-order nonlinear optical mixing shows that rough LPS (rLPS)-incorporated bilayers carry the highest charge density and provide the most binding sites for nickel ions while LPS-free bilayers exhibit the lowest charge density and fewest binding sites. Ni2+ binding is almost fully reversible at low concentrations but less so at higher Ni2+ concentrations. Ni2+ adsorption isotherms exhibit hysteresis loops. The role of interfacial depth on the observed second harmonic generation (SHG) responses is discussed in the context of complementary dynamic light scattering, X-ray spectroscopy, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy experiments. The latter reveal considerable Ni2+-induced structural deformations to the bacterial membrane models containing the short, O-antigen-free rLPS, consistent with complex formation on the vesicle surfaces that involve Ni2+ ions and carboxylate groups in the inner core of rLPS. In contrast, Ni2+ ion complexation to the charged groups (phosphates and carboxylate) of the considerably longer O-antigen units in sLPS appears to protect the phospholipid backbone against metal binding and thus preserve the vesicle structure.
Sediment associated with algal turfs inhibits the settlement of two endangered coral species.

Populations of Acropora palmata and Orbicella faveolata, two important reef-building corals, have declined precipitously across the Caribbean region since at least the 1970s. Recruitment failure may be limiting population recovery, possibly due to lack of suitable settlement habitat. Here, we examine the effects of algal turfs and algal turfs + sediment, two widely abundant substrate types across the Florida Keys, on the settlement of these two ecologically-important species. We show that sediment significantly impedes coral settlement, reducing settlement 10- and 13-fold for A. palmata and O. faveolata, respectively, compared to turf algae alone. This result is corroborated by our field survey data that showed a strong, negative relationship between the abundance of turf + sediment and the abundance of juvenile corals. Turf algae alone did not reduce coral settlement. Our results suggest that sediment-laden turf algae are detrimental to settling corals, but that turf algae alone may be relatively benign.
Databases, Sequenced Genomes

Since 1995, whole-genome sequencing projects have been revealing DNA sequence information from simple bacteria to plants and animals. Free and easy access to DNA sequence data to the scientific community is crucial for the maximal utilization of this data for biological research. Several DNA databases are now available online that allow downloading of sequence data or interactive analysis of the data using online software tools such as BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool).
The beginnings of religion, with special attention to the North America board

ABSTRACTThis article outlines the genesis of the journal’s name as ‘Religion: A Journal of Religion and Religions’, Ninian Smart’s recruitment and formation of an international North American edito...
Modular 2n-phase Inverter (M2I) Topology with Novel Phase Current Injection Scheme for Fault-tolerant Multiphase Electric Machine Drives

This paper proposes a new modular 2n-phase inverter (M2I) topology for fault-tolerant multiphase electric machine drives. The proposed M2I topology consists of multiple two-phase inverters, which provide individual phase current controllability for phase redundancy in case of phase-leg open-circuit failures. Each two-phase inverter module can also independently produce constant instantaneous output torque for parallel redundancy in case of inverter module failures. This paper also introduces a novel phase current injection scheme for two-phase inverter operation. The proposed scheme overcomes one of the main drawbacks of the conventional two-phase inverter, which is 40% higher amplitude of neutral current than that of phase current. The design and operating principle of the proposed M2I are introduced, and the improved fault-tolerant operation capability is verified with simulation.
A Novel Diagnostic Algorithm for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia in a Retrospective Cohort of Lung Transplant Recipients.

Introduction:Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is characterized by thrombocytopenia and potential for thromboembolism. Lung transplant recipients are at risk of developing HIT due to heparin e...
Synthetic versatility, reaction pathway, and thermal stability of tetrahedrite nanoparticles

Copper-antimony-sulfide compounds have desirable earth-abundant compositions for application in renewable energy technologies, such as solar energy and waste heat recycling. These compounds can be synthesized by bottom-up, solution-phase techniques that are more energy and time efficient than conventional solid-state methods. Solution-phase methods typically produce nanostructured materials, which adds another dimension to control optical, electrical, and thermal material properties. This study focuses on a modified-polyol, solution-phase synthesis for tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13), a promising thermoelectric material with potential also for photovoltaic applications. To dope the tetrahedrite and tune material properties, the utility of the modified polyol synthetic approach has been demonstrated as a strategy to produce phase-pure tetrahedrite that incorporates transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Ag) dopants for Cu, Te dopant for Sb, and Se for S. Six of these reported tetrahedrite compounds have not previously been made by solution-phase methods. For the bottom-up formation of the tetrahedrite nanomaterials, the evolution of the chemical phases has been determined by an investigation of the reaction progress as a function of temperature and time. Digenite (Cu1.8S), covellite (CuS), and famatinite (Cu3SbS4) are identified as key intermediates and are consistently observed for both undoped and doped tetrahedrites. The effect of nanostructuring and doping tetrahedrite on thermal properties has been investigated. It was found that nanostructured undoped tetrahedrite has reduced thermal stability relative to samples made by solid-state methods, while the addition of dopants for Cu increased the thermal stability of the material. Crystallinity, composition, and nanostructure of products and intermediates were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. This synthetic study with thermal property analysis demonstrates the potential of the modified polyol method to produce tetrahedrite and other copper-antimony-sulfide compounds for thermoelectric and photovoltaic applications.
Coherent imaging through scatter using an interpretable deep neural network

We propose a deep neural network model that is agnostic to scatter displacements, and system defocus up to 10X depth of field. We develop an analysis framework for interpreting the mechanism of our DNN model.
Toward a Universal Definition of Child Sexual Grooming

It is estimated that 30–45% of child sexual abusers use sexual grooming tactics. While sexual grooming is considered integral to the child sexual abuse process, there has yet to be a universally ac...