cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cerebral small vessel disease: A glymphopathy?

Abstract Small vessel disease (SVD) is a common instigator of dementia in the aging population. The hallmarks of SVD are enlargement of the perivascular spaces and white matter hyperintensities. The latter represents local fluid accumulation in white matter that either subsides or develops into lacunar infarcts. We here propose that failure of brain fluid transport—via the glymphatic system—plays a key role in initiation and progression of SVD. Our major case for this concept is that perivascular spaces are utilized as waterways for influx of cerebrospinal fluid. Stagnation of glymphatic transport may drive loss of brain fluid homeostasis leading to transient white matter edema, perivascular dilation, and ultimately demyelination. This review will discuss how glymphatic rodent studies of hypertension and diabetes have provided new insight into the pathogenesis of SVD.
A Comparison of Adult and Pediatric Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Pathways: A Move for Standardization.

ABSTRACT Background Enhanced recovery protocols (ERP) are a multimodal approach to standardize perioperative care. To substantiate the benefit of a pediatric-centered pathway, we compared outcomes of children treated with pediatric ERP (pERP) versus adult (aERP) pathways. We aimed to compare components of each pathway to create a new comprehensive pERP to reduce variation in care. Methods Retrospective study of children (≤18 y) undergoing elective colorectal surgery from August 2015 to April 2019 at a single institution managed with pERP versus aERP. Multivariable linear and logistic regression, adjusting for demographics and operation characteristics, were used to compare outcomes. Results Out of 100 hospitalizations (72 patients) were identified, including 37 treated with pERP. pERP patients were, on average, younger (13 versus 16 y), more likely to be ASA III (70% versus 30%), and more likely to receive regional (32% versus 3%) or neuraxial (35% versus 8%) anesthesia. Epidural use was an independent risk factor for longer length of stay (P = 0.000). After adjustment, pERP patients had similar LOS and time to oral intake, but shorter foley duration. pERP patients used significantly fewer opioids and were less likely to return to the operating room within 30 d. 30-d readmissions and ED visits were also lower, but this was not statistically significant. Conclusions At our institution, data from both ERPs contributed formation of a synthesized pathway and reflected the pERP approach to opioid utilization and the aERP approach to earlier enteral nutrition.
Direct measurement of nitric oxide (NO) production rates from enzymes using ozone-based gas-phase chemiluminescence (CL).

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) chemiluminescence detectors (CLDs) are specialized and sensitive spectroscopic instruments capable of directly measuring NO flux rates. NO CLDs have been instrumental in the characterization of mammalian nitrite-dependent NO synthases. However, no detailed description of NO flux analysis using NO CLD is available. Herein, a detailed review of the NO CL methodology is provided with guidelines for measuring NO-production rates from aqueous samples, such as isolated enzymes or protein homogenates. Detailed description of the types of signals one can encounter, data processing, and potential pitfalls related to NO flux measurements will also be covered.
1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea Treatment of Spontaneous Radiogenic C57BL Mouse Leukemia/lymphoma

Spontaneous radiation-induced or radiation leukemia virus (RadLV)-induced leukemias were treated in vivo in an early-to-advanced lymphomatous state by using 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosouea (BCNU). BCNU was given at various times after the tumor induction procedure. Treatment was based upon the findings that the RadLV-derived transplant lymphosarcoma (LSA) tumor was cured with a frequency of greater than 90% and a tumor-resistant state was produced by tumor cure. Death from RadLV lymphomas which had been initiated in newborn C57BL mice by ip injection of RadLV was scored in untreated or BCNU-treated mice. At 150 days after initiation, control mice had developed extensive thymic lymphomas, whereas BCNU-treated mice had developed less extensive tumors, had a reduced incidence by approximately 50% and had an increased survival time. Similar findings were noted for the radiation (190 rad of cobalt-60 gamma rays weekly X 4)-induced thymic lymphoma-bearing C57BL mice. Injection of 10(6) living LSA cells before BCNU treatment greatly decreased the tumor load for all groups treated but also shortened the mean survival time. Challenge of long-term survivors with small numbers of viable LSA tumor cells did not identify any host resistance of the survivors to the transplant LSA tumor and indicated that the induction procedure, whether RadLV or radiation, was strongly immunosuppressive.
Platelet-delivered ADAMTS13 inhibits arterial thrombosis and prevents thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in murine models

ADAMTS13 metalloprotease cleaves von Willebrand factor (VWF), thereby inhibiting platelet aggregation and arterial thrombosis. An inability to cleave ultralarge VWF resulting from hereditary or acquired deficiency of plasma ADAMTS13 activity leads to a potentially fatal syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Plasma exchange is the most effective initial therapy for TTP to date. Here, we report characterization of transgenic mice expressing recombinant human ADAMTS13 (rADAMTS13) in platelets and its efficacy in inhibiting arterial thrombosis and preventing hereditary and acquired antibody-mediated TTP in murine models. Western blotting and fluorescent resonance energy transfer assay detect full-length rADAMTS13 protein and its proteolytic activity, respectively, in transgenic (Adamts13(-/-)Plt(A13)), but not in wild-type and Adamts13(-/-), platelets. The expressed rADAMTS13 is released on stimulation with thrombin and collagen, but less with 2MesADP. Platelet-delivered rADAMTS13 is able to inhibit arterial thrombosis after vascular injury and prevent the onset and progression of Shigatoxin-2 or recombinant murine VWF-induced TTP syndrome in mice despite a lack of plasma ADAMTS13 activity resulting from the ADAMTS13 gene deletion or the antibody-mediated inhibition of plasma ADAMTS13 activity. These findings provide a proof of concept that platelet-delivered ADAMTS13 may be explored as a novel treatment of arterial thrombotic disorders, including hereditary and acquired TTP, in the presence of anti-ADAMTS13 autoantibodies.
Convergence of Recursive Optimization Algorithms using IPA Derivative Estimates

We propose two estimation and updating schemes which use infinitesimal perturbation analysis based derivative estimates for the recursive optimization of queues. With the aid of extensions of convergence theorems from stochastic approximation, we prove convergence of the two proposed algorithms, when applied to an M/G/1 queue and to a multi-queue system. We also present simulation results illustrating our theorems for the case of an M/M/1 queue, and a three-queue system.
Wireless VoIP phone architecture and hardware requirements

A handheld set implementation using a wireless VoIP protocol is an inexpensive and effective solution to cellular phones. Although network to network interface has already been implemented using VoIP, the bottle-neck for wireless network is usually at the wireless access interface. Extending the use of IP packet to the edge benefits companies with cost management and effectively raise its customer base. A VoIP implemented in a handheld phone will deliver a more robust solution of VoIP from user to end user interface. Implementation of a handheld wireless VoIP handheld set needs new hardware. Functionality in wireless chipsets has been divided between MAC/DSP/RF layers. The medium access controller (MAC) layer serves as the media information interface and controller. The wireless VoIP custom chip in this design integrates those functionalities to implement the handheld wireless VoIP handset. The Physical layer includes the base-band signal processing functions and the RF front-end circuitry, provides the necessary filtering and variable gain, and signal converter functions. With the MAC and base-band DSP functions at the back-end of the physical layer having been fully digitized, these functions may be integrated onto a single digital chip. Vendors then provide the front-end physical layer functions, RF and analogue circuits on RF chips, usually incorporating minimal digital functionality while the back end of the functions can be implemented more efficiently using the DSP technology.
Development and Performance of Detectors for the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search Experiment with an Increased Sensitivity Based on a Maximum Likelihood Analysis of Beta Contamination

The Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) uses cryogenically-cooled detectors made of germanium and silicon in an attempt to detect dark matter in the form of Weakly-Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). The expected interaction rate of these particles is on the order of 1/kg/day, far below the 200/kg/day expected rate of background interactions after passive shielding and an active cosmic ray muon veto. Our detectors are instrumented to make a simultaneous measurement of both the ionization energy and thermal energy deposited by the interaction of a particle with the crystal substrate. A comparison of these two quantities allows for the rejection of a background of electromagnetically-interacting particles at a level of better than 99.9%. The dominant remaining background at a depth of {approx} 11 m below the surface comes from fast neutrons produced by cosmic ray muons interacting in the rock surrounding the experiment. Contamination of our detectors by a beta emitter can add an unknown source of unrejected background. In the energy range of interest for a WIMP study, electrons will have a short penetration depth and preferentially interact near the surface. Some of the ionization signal can be lost to the charge contacts there and a decreased ionization signal relativemore » to the thermal signal will cause a background event which interacts at the surface to be misidentified as a signal event. We can use information about the shape of the thermal signal pulse to discriminate against these surface events. Using a subset of our calibration set which contains a large fraction of electron events, we can characterize the expected behavior of surface events and construct a cut to remove them from our candidate signal events. This thesis describes the development of the 6 detectors (4 x 250 g Ge and 2 x 100 g Si) used in the 2001-2002 CDMS data run at the Stanford Underground Facility with a total of 119 livedays of data. The preliminary results presented are based on the first use of a beta-eliminating cut based on a maximum-likelihood characterization described above.« less
Efficient implementation of multilevel algorithms on hypercube supercomputers for computer vision

The authors deal with the problem of implementing multilevel algorithms on hypercube parallel computers for computer vision problems. The conventional pyramid is a multilevel structure with identical 2 /spl times/ 2 reductions between all pairs of neighboring levels. The mapping algorithms proposed for source multilevel structures and target parallel computers implementing the hypercube topology are based on some of the most important pyramid mapping algorithms. Application algorithms are classified according to their performance requirements and the most appropriate mapping algorithms are then chosen for their implementation The new mapping algorithms are compared according to a set of graph embedding metrics and from results produced on a Connection Machine system CM-2 massively parallel computer. The comparison of the CM-2 results shows that the selection of multilevel structures other than the pyramid for the implementation of algorithms is a more efficient solution most of the time. In addition, the selection of the most appropriate mapping algorithm often becomes a very critical decision for high yields.
The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: From Mechanism to Translation

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a form of severe hypoxemic respiratory failure that is characterized by inflammatory injury to the alveolar capillary barrier, with extravasation of protein-rich edema fluid into the airspace. Although many modalities to treat ARDS have been investigated over the past several decades, supportive therapies remain the mainstay of treatment. In this article, we briefly review the definition, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of ARDS and present emerging aspects of ARDS pathophysiology that encompass modulators of the innate immune response, damage signals, and aberrant proteolysis that may serve as a foundation for future therapeutic targets.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled and longitudinal study of riluzole in early Parkinson's disease

Abstract Background: To the extent that excitotoxicity may play a role in the pathogenesis of certain neurodegenerative disorders, antagonists of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, should exert neuroprotective effects in these disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Patients in early stages of PD, not previously treated with levodopa, were randomized to receive riluzole 50 mg capsules orally, taken twice daily or a matching placebo. All subjects were evaluated at baseline (pre-treatment), at 1, 3 and 6 months (post-treatment), and following a 6-week washout. After the washout, all subjects were offered an enrollment in an open label, 1-year, extension study. The principal investigator (JJ), however, remained blinded to the original assignment during the entire study. The patients were assessed by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Hoehn & Yahr (HY) stage, and Schwab and England (SE) ADL scale. The quantitative assessments included Movement Time (MT) and Reaction Time (RT). Additionally, the time to initiate dopaminergic therapy was assessed. Safety was determined at each visit by clinical history and examination, a panel of blood safety laboratory tests including complete blood count, chemistry profile, and liver function studies. Results: Twenty patients with a mean age of 62±9.02 (range: 46–73) years and mean duration of symptoms of 18±9.53 (range: 6–36) months were enrolled. One patient withdrew from the study because he needed more aggressive treatment of his symptoms. Analysis of the efficacy variables showed no meaningful symptomatic effect of riluzole on UPDRS score. Likewise, there was no significant change in the median HY stage, SE ADL rating, or the MT/RT. Seventeen patients (mean age 62±9.26) elected to continue in the open label extension study. Although the observed deterioration in UPDRS scores seemed to be more pronounced in the placebo group than in the riluzole group, the difference did not reach statistical significance. There was no statistically significant difference in the latency between enrollment and start of symptomatic therapy when patients initially treated with riluzole were compared to those initially treated with placebo (8.3 vs 9 months). Conclusions: This pilot and extension study showed that riluzole, 100 mg/day, was well tolerated in patients with early PD. No evidence of symptomatic effect of riluzole was observed. Because of the exploratory nature of the design and small size of the study, it was not possible to determine whether riluzole affected the natural history of PD. The encouraging results from our study, however, suggest that larger, longitudinal studies are warranted.
Cross-Validating FRAP and FCS to Quantify the Impact of Photobleaching on In Vivo Binding Estimates

Binding can now be quantified in live cells, but the accuracy of such measurements remains uncertain. To address this uncertainty, we compare fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) measurements of the binding kinetics of a transcription factor, the glucocorticoid receptor, in the nuclei of live cells. We find that the binding residence time measured by FRAP is 15 times longer than that obtained by FCS. We show that this discrepancy is not likely due to the significant differences in concentrations typically used for FRAP and FCS, nor is it likely due to spatial heterogeneity of the nucleus, improper calibration of the FCS focal volume, or the intentional FRAP photobleach. Instead, our data indicate that photobleaching of bound molecules in FCS is mainly responsible. When this effect is minimized, FRAP and FCS measurements nearly agree, although cross-validation by other approaches is now required to rule out mutual errors. Our results demonstrate the necessity of a photobleach correction for FCS measurements of GFP-tagged molecules that are bound for >0.25 s, and represent an important step forward in establishing a gold standard for in vivo binding measurements.
Connectivity, genus, and the number of components in vertex-deleted subgraphs

Abstract Let c ( G ) denote the number of components in a graph G . It is shown that if G has genus γ and isk-connected with k ⩾ 3, then c ( G − X ) ⩽ (2/( k − 2))(| X | − 2 + 2 γ ), for all X ⊆ V ( G ) with | X | ⩾ k . Some implications of this result for planar graphs ( y = 0) and toroidal graphs ( y = 1) are considered.
Effects of overtraining on reversal and half-reversal shift performance employing aural stimuli

The effect of overtraining a set of nonsense sounds on a reversal and half-reversal shift was investigated. Overtraining facilitated reversal but not half-reversal shift performance. These results confirmed previous findings using visually presented stimuli.
Dynamic actuation of electro-elastic spherical membranes using dielectric elastomers

This paper presents dynamic results for spherical dielectric elastomer actuators subject to an inflating mechanical pressure and an applied voltage. Different equilibria modes arise during dynamic operation due to inertial effects. In previous work, the inertial effects have been studied for the limited case of a constant applied pressure during membrane deformation [1]. Here, novel results are presented in which the dynamic response of spherical dielectric elastomer actuators to a pressure-time loading history as well as a more realistic constant gas flow rate are considered. The results are calculated for both the damped and the zero-damped cases. The spherical membrane is assumed to follow the Mooney material model where various inflation modes arise depending on the material parameters. The range of Mooney material parameters considered, the driving pressure and the applied voltage all affect the dynamic response.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The Effects of Base Stacking on DNA Flexibility

DNA is the main genetic component of life and understanding its basic properties is crucial for advancement in applied sciences. DNA, a long macromolecule, must complex with proteins and other molecules for packaging and condensing to fit in the nucleus of a cell. Persistence length is a physical property that defines the stiffness of a polymer, ranging from rod-like to string-like. The persistence length of double-stranded DNA is ∼150bp or ∼50nm making it a relatively inflexible molecule. It is hypothesized that the two main contributors limiting DNA flexibility are mutual charge repulsions along the DNA backbones and attractive base stacking interactions. However, the relative contributions to DNA stiffness of electrostatic repulsion and base stacking forces are unknown. We use experimental T4 DNA ligase-mediated cyclization kinetics experiments to measure the physical properties of DNA, specifically DNA longitudinal and torsional flexibilities and helical repeat.We measured the impact on DNA stiffness of enhancing or diminishing stacking energy involving modified adenine and guanine bases. Diaminopurine (DAP) is hypothesized to increase DNA bending stiffness by changing the base geometry and dipole moment so as to enhance stacking energy and inosine (dITP) is hypothesized to decrease DNA bending stiffness. Cyclization assays were performed with radiolabeled DNA probes varying in length from 211bp to 201bp. The free ends of the probes are complementary and, in the presence of T4 DNA ligase, yield various linear and circular species in vitro. The J-factor (related to persistence length through the worm-like chain polymer model) can be estimated in such assays. We found that the bending persistence length changed slightly relative to natural DNA but it is the twist persistence length that has a more dramatic change.
Metabolic clearance of thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the rat in hypothyroid and hyperthyroid states: comparison with serum degradation in vitro.

The effect of thyroid status on the metabolic clearance of TRH was studied in the rat. TRH (2 μg) was administered iv to hypothyroid [thyroidectomized (Tx)], hyperthyroid (T4-treated), and euthyroid control (C) animals; multiple blood and urine samples were obtained thereafter for determination of immunoassayable TRH. The plasma disappearance curves showed a double exponential in the C and Tx groups; the half-times of the first component were similar in both (2.1–2.2 min), while the second component was prolonged in the Tx rats (4.8 vs. 3.6; P < 0.01). The degradation rate of TRH was more rapid in the T,rtreated animals (P < 0.01); the disappearance curve was linear with a t½ of 1.6 min. The initial volume of distribution, MCR, and renal clearance were increased in the T4-treated rats but were reduced in the Tx animals. Despite alterations in renal clearance, the amounts of TRH excreted were similar in all groups, reflecting plasma TRH levels that were higher in Tx but lower in T4-treated animals after TR...
Numerical simulation of hail formation in the 28 June 1989 Bismarck thunderstorm: Part I. Studies related to hail production

Abstract This study assesses the relative influence of an active warm rain process on precipitation development and hail formation in a series of cells in numerical simulations of the severe hailstorm case of 28 June 1989 from the North Dakota Thunderstorm Project. Two model runs are reported, Case I with rain autoconversion on and Case II with rain autoconversion off. Various aspects of hail production are examined within the context of these simulations. The results illustrate the importance of the microphysical path to precipitation on subsequent hail formation, especially for isolated cells. Precipitation is initiated earlier in Case I than in Case II. Frozen drops initiate the precipitating ice in Case I; for Case II, ice processes initiate the precipitating ice field and precipitation development is slower than in Case I. Pronounced differences in precipitation development, especially hail growth and production, are indicated for a relatively isolated cell undergoing rapid evolution. Much more hail mass and larger hail are produced in this cell in Case I than in Case II, with the major embryo source for hail being frozen drops in Case I and ice embryos in Case II. Differences between Case I and Case II are much less pronounced for the other cells in the simulations which experience multiple growth surges. For a strong cell embedded in the storm system, the effect of the autoconversion process is of minor significance because the surrounding cloud mass provides an ample supply of embryos in both cases. The net effect is Case II produces slightly more hail for this embedded cell. Hail growth analyses indicate that the major growth of the ice particles occurs in high liquid water regions between −5 and −35 °C, usually between −10 and −25 °C. Trajectory analyses indicate that particles which grow to relatively large size begin their major growth cycle in a very narrow ribbon-like region in an area of weak updraft near the updraft/downdraft interface on the forward flank of the storm cells, in agreement with recent observations. Model results compared favorably with recent aircraft observations of cloud properties in the neighborhood of −40 °C within fresh, vigorous deep convection. Substantial amounts of supercooled liquid water at temperatures as low as −38 °C and an abrupt transition from water to ice at slightly colder temperatures were common features in the observations and model results.
Economics of Treating Heart Failure

Abstract Over 400,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF) annually. The 3 major causes of acute cardiac hospitalizations in the United States—CHF, unstable angina, and acute myocardial infarction—all reflect a failure to prevent progression of established cardiovascular disease. More effective treatment strategies for CHF should be directed at preventing rehospitalization through modification of cardiac risk factors. Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, while considered preferred therapy, are routinely underutilized by all healthcare practitioners. Digoxin has also been shown in several clinical trials to reduce the need for rehospitalization in CHF patients. Finally, patients’ quality of life and the morbidity associated with CHF can be reduced through well-structured disease management programs in conjunction with ACE inhibitor and digoxin therapy.
An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for total glycoalkaloids in potato tubers

An antiserum raised against a solanine-bovine serum albumin conjugate has been characterised and shown to be specific for the glycoalkaloids found in commercially available potatoes. The antiserum has been employed at high dilution in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the glycoalkaloids. The assay is sensitive and precise and has many advantages over alternative procedures currently employed. Potato sample preparation is minimal and no recovery factors are required.
Kinetics of the Nitridation of Dysprosium During Mechanochemical Processing

Abstract Dysprosium nitride was synthesized by the reactive milling of the rare earth metal under 400 kPa nitrogen gas in a planetary ball mill. The nitrogen consumption rate was calculated from in situ temperature and pressure measurements to find the reaction extent as a function of milling time at milling speeds from 350 to 650 rpm. The results are analyzed in terms of a fundamental milling dynamics model in which the input milling energy is the primary driving force for reaction and the rate limiting step of the nitridation kinetics is the formation of chemically active surfaces. The model differs from traditional gas–solid reactions which are often limited by diffusion of a species through a surface layer or by dissociation of the gas molecule. These results give fresh insight into reactive gas–solid milling kinetics.
Decisions following reading and bias in recall

The role of decision making in biasing recall of prose was examined. Both making a decision subsequent to reading and encountering an experimenter-provided decision resulted in recall biased in the direction of the decision. Conditions in which subjects made their own decisions, however, resulted in greater levels of decision-congruent recall than did conditions in which the experimenters furnished decisions to subjects. In addition, the level of recall of incongruent information in the subject-made decisions conditions was as high as the level of congruent information observed in the experimenter-provided decisions conditions. A memory-restructuring model, suggested by Dellarosa and Bourne (1984), accounts for the results if it is true that greater elaboration of both decision-congruent and decision-incongruent information during subject-made decisions occurs.
Novel Immune-Based Treatment Strategies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Immune-based treatments represent a new group of therapeutic strategies for patients with cancer, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), that employ immune effector mechanisms. Among these strategies is passive immunotherapy with monoclonal antibody, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Active immunotherapy strategies currently under development include vaccines, administration of expanded and activated T cells, and allogeneic stem cell transplantation. These immune-based strategies represent new treatments with potentially complementary mechanisms of action to standard therapies and signify major advances in treatments for patients with CLL.
Antibody-coated erythrocytes induce secretion of tumor necrosis factor by human monocytes: a mechanism for the production of fever by incompatible transfusions.

. The transfusion of incompatible red blood cells (RBC) rapidly results in the development of fever by an unknown mechanism. In this study, the human monocyte secretion of the endogenous pyrogens tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) was measured. Exposure to human RBC sensitized with antibodies to D or Fya antigens induced the rapid secretion of TNF, but not IL-1. TNF secretion persisted when monocytes remained in contact with sensitized RBC, but returned to baseline several hours after removal of RBC. Thus, TNF secreted by monocytes may be a mediator of fever during the immune-mediated destruction of RBC in vivo.
Book Review: Review of Social Psychology: Handbook of Basic Principles (2nd ed.)

(2008). Book Review: Review of Social Psychology: Handbook of Basic Principles (2nd ed.) The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 148, No. 6, pp. 775-777.
Upright and Inverted Faces: The Right Hemisphere Knows the Difference

The existence of a right hemisphere capacity, specific to upright faces was investigated. Upright and inverted faces, equally complex as patterns, were presented under lateralized tachistoscopic conditions to two groups of normal adult subjects. A significant orientation by visual field advantage was found. While there was a highly significant left visual field advantage for upright faces, the visual field difference for inverted faces failed to reach significane. This pattern of results supports the hypothesis that the right hemisphere is specialized for the perception of faces in particular, in addition to its specialization for the perception of visuospatial patterns in general.
An improved Bayesian tensor regularization and sampling algorithm to track neuronal fiber pathways in the language circuit

Purpose: The purpose of this work is to design a neuronal fiber tracking algorithm, which will be more suitable for reconstruction of fibers associated with functionally important regions in the human brain. The functional activations in the brain normally occur in the gray matter regions. Hence the fibers bordering these regions are weakly myelinated, resulting in poor performance of conventional tractography methods to trace the fiber links between them. A lower fractional anisotropy in this region makes it even difficult to track the fibers in the presence of noise. In this work, the authors focused on a stochastic approach to reconstruct these fiber pathways based on a Bayesian regularization framework. Methods: To estimate the true fiber direction (propagation vector), thea priori and conditional probability density functions are calculated in advance and are modeled as multivariate normal. The variance of the estimated tensor element vector is associated with the uncertainty due to noise and partial volume averaging (PVA). An adaptive and multiple sampling of the estimated tensor element vector, which is a function of the pre-estimated variance, overcomes the effect of noise and PVA in this work. Results: The algorithm has been rigorously tested using a variety of synthetic data sets. The quantitative comparison of the results to standard algorithms motivated the authors to implement it forin vivo DTI data analysis. The algorithm has been implemented to delineate fibers in two major language pathways (Broca’s to SMA and Broca’s to Wernicke’s) across 12 healthy subjects. Though the mean of standard deviation was marginally bigger than conventional (Euler’s) approach [P. J. Basser et al., “In vivo fiber tractography using DT-MRI data,” Magn. Reson. Med.44(4), 625–632 (2000)], the number of extracted fibers in this approach was significantly higher. The authors also compared the performance of the proposed method to Lu’s method [Y. Lu et al., “Improved fiber tractography with Bayesiantensor regularization,” Neuroimage31(3), 1061–1074 (2006)] and Friman’s stochastic approach [O. Friman et al., “A Bayesian approach for stochastic white matter tractography,” IEEE Trans. Med. Imaging25(8), 965–978 (2006)]. Overall performance of the approach is found to be superior to above two methods, particularly when the signal-to-noise ratio was low. Conclusions: The authors observed that an adaptive sampling of the tensor element vectors, estimated as a function of the variance in a Bayesian framework, can effectively delineate neuronal fibers to analyze the structure-function relationship in human brain. The simulated andin vivo results are in good agreement with the theoretical aspects of the algorithm.
On the Connection Between the Correction and Weighting Functions in the Correction Procedure via Reconstruction Method

In this note, the connection between the correction and weighting functions for the correction procedure via reconstruction (CPR) method in 1D is addressed. A one-parameter family of weighting functions is constructed from the discontinuous test space. It is found that if the solution polynomials lie in the space P k , then the first k weighting functions can always be chosen as the basis of the polynomial space P k?1 and the last weighting function can be selected as a piece-wise continuous polynomial. There exists at least one set of weighting functions which can recover the energy stable flux reconstruction (ESFR) schemes. This strategy has been successfully applied to recover several known high-order discontinuous schemes, including DG, SD, SV, and Huynh's g 2 scheme.
Transfer factor and cellular reactivity to varicella-zoster antigen in childhood leukemia.

Abstract The present studies were designed to evaluate possible efficacy of specific human transfer factor (TF) in preventing or attenuating varicella-zoster (VZ) infection in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). TF was prepared following leukapheresis of adult donors who were convalescing from chicken pox. Recipients were VZ seronegative children with ALL, 12 in remission and 3 in relapse; a single injection of TF was given equivalent to 108 lymphocytes per 7 kg body wt. The following VZ-specific parameters were measured: lymphocyte blastogenesis, cytotoxicity and leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF) production, and indirect fluorescent and CF antibody titers. No patients in relapse converted immune response while 10 12 in remission developed positive reactivity in at least one assay of cell-mediated immunity (CMI); 3 12 were positive in all three parameters of CMI and 8 12 in two assays. Cytotoxicity was the most consistently positive test following TF administration. No patients developed VZ antibody. Seventeen months follow-up has demonstrated persistent cellular immunity.
A CMOS SOI Stacked Shunt Switch with Sub-500ps Time Constant and 19-Vpp Breakdown

This work demonstrates a shunt stacked-FET switch with both high switching speed (~1ns) and high RF voltage handling capability (30 dBm). A key development in the implementation of this stacked structure is a dynamic gate bias adjustment to track the voltage swing. Measured performance for a shunt capacitor-switch network fabricated in 45-nm CMOS SOI (Leff = 40 nm) is characterized. The switch achieves a RonCoff time constant of less than 500ps, and is shown to handle a 19Vpp RF signal swing. These characteristics enable use in digital dynamic load modulation of power amplifiers at bandwidths above 10 MHz.
Ethical Sensitivity for Organizational Communication Issues: Examining Individual and Organizational Differences

This descriptive study discusses cognitive mapping as a technique for analyzing ethical sensitivity, examines whether the method allows comparisons between people, compares the ethical sensitivity levels of participants from three organizations, examines which indicators of ethical sensitivity are most salient to members of specific organizations, and examines whether education level or organizational membership is the best predictor of an individual’s ethical sensitivity level. Subjects from three organizations read background information, listened to two audiotaped scenarios containing multiple ethical issues related to organizational communication, responded to focused interview questions, and completed questionnaires. The interviews were taped, transcribed, and analyzed using cognitive mapping techniques. Significant differences in levels of ethical sensitivity were found between the members of the three organizations. However, a hierarchical regression model demonstrated that the difference was likely due to the differences in level of education in each organization. Organizational membership seemed to affect the particular aspects of the scenarios that participants noticed.
The non-competitive AMPA antagonist LY 300168 (GYKI 53655) attenuates AMPA-induced hippocampal injury in neonatal rodents

Abstract In contrast with the neuroprotective efficacy of competitive and non-competitive N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) antagonists versus NMDA neurotoxicity, reported neuroprotective effects of non-NMDA antagonists in limiting α -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) toxicity have been less robust. We tested the effect of the non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist LY 300168 (GYKI 53655; E. Lilly) (0.25 or 2.5 mg/kg per dose i.p. ×3 doses vs. vehicle) on AMPA-induced excitotoxic injury in postnatal day 7 (P7) rats. To assess specificity, we tested the effect of LY 300168 (2.5 mg/kg per dose ×3 doses) on NMDA-induced excitotoxic injury. P7 rats received right intrahippocampal injections of either ( S )-AMPA (2.5 nmol, n =67) or NMDA (12.5 nmol, n =11). Injection of AMPA resulted in right hippocampal atrophy with pyramidal cell loss. LY 300168 treatment produced dose-dependent attenuation of AMPA-induced right hippocampal injury; based on comparisons with left hippocampal volumes, 2.5 nmol AMPA resulted in 42±3% (mean±SEM) right hippocampal volume loss in controls, but only 10±5% after LY 300168 2.5 mg/kg per dose ( P
Perceptions of the screening mammography experience by Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women.

Abstract Purpose To uncover perceptive differences in mammography experiences (from scheduling the mammography appointment to receipt and reporting of mammography results) between women from two different racial/ethnic groups. Methods Focus groups ( n = 9) were conducted with Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White women ( n = 88) who were aged 40 years or older and had a mammogram within the preceding 36 months. We used a qualitative ethnographic approach with content analysis to identify key categories present in the transcripts and domain analysis to discover domains of meaning. A matrix was designed to determine which domains differed by racial/ethnic group. The primary mammography-related topics of focus group discussion included 1) the scheduling process, 2) the day of the mammogram, 3) receipt of results, and 4) recommendations to improve the mammography process. Main Findings Six domains uniquely described issues women of the differing racial/ethnic groups experience and perceive as important. Hispanic women highlighted embarrassment surrounding the examination and fear of negative news about their mammography results. Non-Hispanic White women focused on instructions given before or during the examination as a critical process feature. Conclusions Perceptions of the mammography experience vary by race/ethnicity. Mammography experiences might be improved through enhanced sensitivity of healthcare personnel to cultural differences in perceptions of mammogram testing. Future research to investigate the extent to which the domains of meanings uncovered in this study influence a women's decision to return for routine mammograms would be of great value.
Structure of a γδ T Cell Receptor in Complex with the Nonclassical MHC T22

γδ T cell receptors (TCRs), αβ TCRs, and antibodies are the three lineages of somatically recombined antigen receptors. The structural basis for ligand recognition is well defined for αβ TCR and antibodies but is lacking for γδ TCRs. We present the 3.4 A structure of the murine γδ TCR G8 bound to its major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib ligand, T22. G8 predominantly uses germline-encoded residues of its δ chain complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) loop to bind T22 in an orientation substantially different from that seen in αβ TCR/peptide-MHC. That junctionally encoded G8 residues play an ancillary role in binding suggests a fusion of innate and adaptive recognition strategies.
Cytochemical studies of metaphase chromosomes by flow cytometry

The cytochemical properties of metaphase chromosomes from Chinese hamster and human cells were studied by flow cytometry. This technique allows precise quantitation of the fluorescence properties of individual stained chromosome types. Chromosomes were stained with the following fluorescent DNA stains: Hoechst 33258, DAPI, chromomycin A3, ethidium bromide, and propidium iodide. The relative fluorescence of individual chromosome types varied depending on the stain used, demonstrating that individual chromosome types differ in chemical properties. Flow measurements were performed as a function of stain and chromosome concentration to characterize the number and distribution of stain binding sites. Flow analysis of double stained chromosomes show that bound stains interact by energy transfer with little or no binding competition. For most hamster chromosomes, there is a strong correlation between relative fluorescence and stain base preference suggesting that staining differences may be determined primarily by differences in average base composition. A few hamster chromosome types exhibit anomalous staining which suggests that some other property, such as repetitive DNA sequences, also may be an important determinant of chromosomal staining.
Growth of human skin fibroblasts in dialyzed fetal bovine serum

Human diploid fibroblast cultures plated at or below a density of 2×103 cells per cm2 grew very slowly or not at all in MEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum that had been dialyzed for 24 hr. Adding serine (0.2 mM) or pyruvate (1.0 mM) to MEM and 10% dialyzed serum restored growth to the level observed with 10% nondialyzed serum. Serine and pyruvate also were able to overcome partially the growth arrest induced by a reduced serum concentration (1 or 2%). Human fibroblast cultures grew very well in 100% fetal bovine serum that had been dialyzed against MEM. For cells grown in dialyzed serum, the final number increased with increasing serum concentration, in contrast to the well established toxic effects of high concentrations of nondialyzed serum.
Magnetron sputtered diamond-like carbon microelectrodes for on-chip measurement of quantal catecholamine release from cells

Carbon electrodes are widely used in electrochemistry due to their low cost, wide potential window, and low and stable background noise. Carbon-fiber electrodes (CFE) are commonly used to electrochemically measure "quantal" catecholamine release via exocytosis from individual cells, but it is difficult to integrate CFEs into lab-on-a-chip devices. Here we report the development of nitrogen doped diamond-like carbon (DLC:N) microelectrodes on a chip to monitor quantal release of catecholamines from cells. Advantages of DLC:N microelectrodes are that they are batch producible at low cost, and are harder and more durable than graphite films. The DLC:N microelectrodes were prepared by a magnetron sputtering process with nitrogen doping. The 30 microm by 40 microm DLC:N microelectrodes were patterned onto microscope glass slides by photolithography and lift-off technology. The properties of the DLC:N microelectrodes were characterized by AFM, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Quantal catecholamine release was recorded amperometrically from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells on the DLC:N microelectrodes. Amperometric spikes due to quantal release of catecholamines were similar in amplitude and area as those recorded using CFEs and the background current and noise levels of microchip DLC:N electrodes were also comparable to CFEs. Therefore, DLC:N microelectrodes are suitable for microchip-based high-throughput measurement of quantal exocytosis with applications in basic research, drug discovery and cell-based biosensors.
The Pathway to Fusion in Synthetic Membrane Systems

Considerable evidence indicates the pathway to fusion of synthetic and biological membranes consists of two stages. The first is a transition to a hemifused intermediate where only contacting leaflets are fused and distal leaflets engaged in a hemifusion diaphragm (HD). The second consists in rupture of the growing or fully developed HD to give fusion. Here we present a quantitative model for this pathway in protein-free systems. The first stage is described by our model of hemifusion (presented elsewhere) which outputs time-evolutions of HD tension and area. We find that complete fusion results only if the HD tension, initially twice that outside the HD, excedes the lysis threshold for sufficiently long. Fusion does not occur instantaneously after hemifusion nucleation since membranes transiently tolerate tensions above lysis as previously demonstrated by micropipet aspiration of vesicles [Evans et al, Biophys J, 2003]. Tension relaxes rapidly with HD size such that a growing HD surviving the initial high tension episode matures into a dead-end hemifused state. Thus fusion and dead-end hemifusion are alternative outcomes; the favored outcome depends critically on cation concentration, lipid composition and other physical factors. We find higher salt levels create higher tensions which favor complete fusion. Predicted fusion times are in quantitative agreement with a study of giant vesicles where HD rupture yielded fusion after ∼1-2 s in 6 mM Ca2+ [Nikolaus et al, Biophys J, 2010]. We predict dead-end hemifusion at lower salt, consistent with stable HDs reported in 2 mM Mg2+. In suspended bilayer-vesicle systems we find cation-induced vesicle tensions are dissipated upon hemifusion and thus Ca2+ drives dead-end hemifusion only. This is in agreement with the consistently reported experimental finding that calcium alone cannot fuse vesicles to bilayers, and fusion requires additional osmotic swelling.
The Ionization Gauge Investigation for the Streak Mission

An experimental investigation into the characteristics and dynamics of the Earth’s thermosphere using a low-Earth orbiting platform is described. An overview of the investigation and its host mission, Streak, is given. The centerpiece of the investigation, a sensitive pressure sensor that utilizes an ionization gauge, is described in detail. Presented are the observational objectives of the instrument, its principles of measurement, and a technical description of its design and implementation. Orbital operations are discussed, and an early sample of the returned measurements is presented.