cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolving the Medipix2 Technology For Use As An Active Space Radiation Dosimeter

As reported last year, a new solid state detector, known as Medipix, developed by a consortium of academic institutions has been evolved from a technology originally created for use at the LHC at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. This technology is being harnessed for use as an active personal dosimeter for space radiation applications. The pixel based technology embeds the entire required readout electronics for each pixel within the pixel's 55 micron square footprint. That allows the seamless tiling of multiple arrays of detectors. Ultimate versions may be deployed that are both wireless and self-contained, as well as having a package size comparable to current passive personal dosimeters. Prospect are excellent for building them into spacesuits, which would provide ground-based real-time monitoring of the detailed doses being taken by crew members during such high-risk periods as EVAs. These dosimeters could also be used as active area monitors in a variety of both space and ground-based applications. An advanced version of this technology, known as TimePix, that effectively incorporates a pixel-by-pixel Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC) capability has recently become available, and we anticipate that a report of initial accelerator tests of the capability of this version will be reported at the conference, although those results are not available at the time of the submission of this paper.
DEFORMABLE REGISTRATION OF SUPINE AND PRONE COLONS USING CENTERLINE ANALYSIS

CT colonography (CTC) is a minimally invasive screening technique for colorectal polyps and colon cancer. Through the addition of prone scanning with the original supine scanning, the possibility of detecting the polyps is increased. Thus, the comparison between the prone and supine colons is required for diagnostic purposes. A piece-wise centerline matching algorithm and, the interpolation and extrapolation methods of deformation field are presented in this paper for highly accurate deformable registration. By incorporating these two methods into a modified demons algorithm, registration accuracy is enhanced even though there are severe deformations between prone and supine colons
Broadly Neutralizing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Antibody Gene Transfer Protects Nonhuman Primates from Mucosal Simian-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) can prevent lentiviral infection in nonhuman primates and may slow the spread of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Although protection by passive transfer of human bnAbs has been demonstrated in monkeys, durable expression is essential for its broader use in humans. Gene-based expression of bnAbs provides a potential solution to this problem, although immune responses to the viral vector or to the antibody may limit its durability and efficacy. Here, we delivered an adeno-associated viral vector encoding a simianized form of a CD4bs bnAb, VRC07, and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy. The expressed antibody circulated in macaques for 16 weeks at levels up to 66 μg/ml, although immune suppression with cyclosporine (CsA) was needed to sustain expression. Gene-delivered simian VRC07 protected against simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) infection in monkeys 5.5 weeks after treatment. Gene transfer of an anti-HIV antibody can therefore protect against infection by viruses that cause AIDS in primates when the host immune responses are controlled.
Phosphoranylidenephines (R3P=Pr) as Phospha-Wittig Reagents

Abstract We have recently discovered direct and high yielding routes to phosphoranylidenephosphines ArP=PMe3 (la, Ar = Dmp; lb, Ar = Mes*, eq. l).1
Laser tracker surface measurements of the 8.4 m GMT primary mirror segment

We have developed a metrology system that is capable of measuring rough ground and polished surfaces alike, is nearly independent of the nominal surface shape, and can accommodate surfaces up to 8.4 m in diameter. The system couples a commercial laser tracker with an advanced calibration technique and a system of external references. This system was built to guide loose abrasive grinding and initial polishing of the off-axis primary mirror segments for the Giant Magellan Telescope, and will be used to guide the fabrication of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope primary and tertiary mirrors as well. The results obtained using this system during the fabrication of the first segment of the Giant Magellan Telescope are presented along with an assessment of the expected system accuracy.
An inhibitory effect of thyrocalcitonin on calcium release in vivo and on bone metabolism in vitro.

The effect of acute injection of a crude preparation of thyrocalcitonin on the stable and radioactive calcium of serum was studied at different times after the administration of 45Ca to rats. Thyrocalcitonin produced no change from controls in serum 45Ca when given to rats labeled with the isotope 3 hr previously but caused a significant reduction in 40Ca. When 45Ca had been given 2 weeks prior to thyrocalcitonin, however, both the serum 40Ca and 45Ca were significantly reduced. Under similar conditions parathyroid extract caused an increase in both isotopes of calcium in the serum, but no changes from control were produced when both parathyroid extract and thyrocalcitonin were given concomitantly. Calvaria from animals injected with thyrocalcitonin incubated in vitro had a lower glucose uptake and lactate production and a reduced specific activity of matrix hydroxyproline and hexosamine when compared with controls. These observations seem most compatible with the hypothesis that thyrocalcitonin causes an...
Complementary effects of extracellular nucleotides and platelet-derived extracts on angiogenesis of vasa vasorum endothelial cells in vitro and subcutaneous Matrigel plugs in vivo

Platelets contribute to vascular homeostasis and angiogenesis through the release of multiple growth factors, cytokines and nucleotides, such as ATP and ADP. Recent reports have demonstrated a marked growth-promoting effect of total platelet extracts and selected platelet growth factors on therapeutic angiogenesis. However, since endogenous adenine nucleotides are rapidly degraded during the platelet isolation and storage, we examined whether supplementing a platelet-derived extract with exogenous adenine nucleotides would augment their pro-angiogenic effects. Pulmonary artery vasa vasorum endothelial cells (VVEC) were used to examine the effects of dialyzed platelet-derived soluble extracts and extracellular adenine nucleotides on proliferation, migration and tube formation. In addition, an in vivo Matrigel plug assay was used to examine the effects of platelet extracts and adenine nucleotides on neovascularization of plugs subcutaneously placed in 50 ICR mice. The number of vascular structures in Matrigel plugs were evaluated by histological and statistical methods. Platelet extracts (6.4-64 μg/ml) significantly induced DNA synthesis and at a concentration of 64 μg/ml had a biphasic effect on VVEC proliferation (an increase at 48 hrs followed by a decrease at 60 hrs). Stimulation of VVEC with platelet extracts also significantly (up to several-fold) increased cell migration and tube formation on Matrigel. Stimulation of VVEC with extracellular ATP (100 μM) dramatically (up to ten-fold) increased migration and tube formation on Matrigel; however, no significant effects on cell proliferation were observed. We also found that ATP moderately diminished platelet extract-induced VVEC proliferation (48 hrs) and migration, but potentiated tube formation. Neither ATP, or a mixture of non-hydrolyzable nucleotides (ATPγS, ADPβS, MeSATP, MeSADP) induced vascularization of Matrigel plugs subcutaneously injected in mice, however, the combination of these nucleotides with platelet extracts dramatically increased the number of functional capillaries in the Matrigel plugs. Data from this study suggest that platelet-derived growth factors and extracellular nucleotides represent important regulatory signals for angiogenesis. Supplementation of platelet extracts with exogenous adenine nucleotides may reveal new possibilities for therapeutic angiogenesis and tissue regeneration approaches.
Signal dependent ER export of lemur tyrosine kinase 2

The membrane anchored kinase, LMTK2, is a serine/threonine kinase predominantly localized to endosomal compartments. LMTK2 has been shown to be involved in the trafficking of the CFTR ion channel, the androgen receptor, as well as modulating neurodegeneration. As a membrane anchored protein, LMTK2 must be exported from the ER, yet the mechanisms whereby LMTK2 is sequestered within the ER for efficient export are unknown. Sequence analysis of the carboxyl tail of LMTK2 revealed a putative di-acidic ER export motif. Site-directed mutagenesis was utilized to ablate this potential motif. Subcellular fractionation, immunofluorescence microscopy, and transferrin recycling assays were used to determine the consequence of mutating LMTK2’s export motif. Mutation of the di-acidic export motif led to ER retention of LMTK2, and an increase in protein half-life and a concomitant loss of LMTK2 from its appropriate terminal destination. Loss of LMTK2 from endosomal compartments by preventing its release from the ER is linked to a reduction in transferrin recycling. We have identified a di-acidic ER export motif within the carboxyl tail of the membrane anchored kinase LMTK2. This sequence is used by LMTK2 for its efficient export from the ER.
3D echocardiography in congenital heart disease: a valuable tool for the surgeon

Real-time 3D echocardiography has been used increasingly in the assessment of patients with congenital heart disease. A number of studies have confirmed that this modality can be used as a complementary method to delineate morphology and spatial relationships of simple and more complex congenital heart lesions during surgical planning. Communication between the echocardiographer and surgeon can be simplified as simulation of surgical views can be achieved, thus minimizing the potential for error related to mental reconstruction. This review summarizes the available evidence for the role of real-time 3D echocardiography in congenital heart disease as an imaging modality to assist surgeons.
Cerebral ischemia enhances polyamine oxidation: identification of enzymatically formed 3-aminopropanal as an endogenous mediator of neuronal and glial cell death

To elucidate endogenous mechanisms underlying cerebral damage during ischemia, brain polyamine oxidase activity was measured in rats subjected to permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Brain polyamine oxidase activity was increased significantly within 2 h after the onset of ischemia in brain homogenates (15.8 +/- 0.9 nmol/h/mg protein) as compared with homogenates prepared from the normally perfused contralateral side (7.4 +/- 0.5 nmol/h/mg protein) (P <0.05). The major catabolic products of polyamine oxidase are putrescine and 3-aminopropanal. Although 3-aminopropanal is a potent cytotoxin, essential information was previously lacking on whether 3-aminopropanal is produced during cerebral ischemia. We now report that 3-aminopropanal accumulates in the ischemic brain within 2 h after permanent forebrain ischemia in rats. Cytotoxic levels of 3-aminopropanal are achieved before the onset of significant cerebral cell damage, and increase in a time-dependent manner with spreading neuronal and glial cell death. Glial cell cultures exposed to 3-aminopropanal undergo apoptosis (LD50 = 160 microM), whereas neurons are killed by necrotic mechanisms (LD50 = 90 microM). The tetrapeptide caspase 1 inhibitor (Ac-YVAD-CMK) prevents 3-aminopropanal-mediated apoptosis in glial cells. Finally, treatment of rats with two structurally distinct inhibitors of polyamine oxidase (aminoguanidine and chloroquine) attenuates brain polyamine oxidase activity, prevents the production of 3-aminopropanal, and significantly protects against the development of ischemic brain damage in vivo. Considered together, these results indicate that polyamine oxidase-derived 3-aminopropanal is a mediator of the brain damaging sequelae of cerebral ischemia, which can be therapeutically modulated.
Hybrid velocity/force control for robot navigation in compliant unknown environments

We combine a “hybrid” force-/position-control scheme with a potential field approach into a novel method for collision recovery and navigation in unknown environments. It can be implemented both on manipulators and mobile robots. The use of force sensors allows us to locally sense the environment and design a dynamic control law. Multiple Lyapunov functions are used to establish asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system. The switching conditions and stability criteria are established under reasonable assumptions on the type of obstacles present in the environment. Extensive simulation results are presented to illustrate the system behavior under the designed control scheme, and verify its stability, collision recovery, and navigation properties.
Insect Repellency of Substituted AUV-Diethylbenzamidines

Abstract The synthesis of N,N -diethylbenzamidine, N , N -diethyl- 3-trifluoromethylbenzamidine, N , N -diethyl-4-trifluoromethylbenzamidine, and N , N -diethyl-3,5-di(trifluoromethyl)benzamidine is described; the compounds were designed to produce long-lasting insect repellent activity. The repellency of these agents on cloth against Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes is reported.
Non-heart-beating donors in thoracic transplantation

Access to lung transplantation is severely limited by a scarcity of suitable donors, resulting in increasing numbers of deaths on the heart and lung transplant waiting lists, and strict selection criteria for recipients. Unlike some other solid organs, the lung may be ideally suited to retrieval for transplant following substantial intervals after circulatory arrest. This may be because lung parenchymal cells do not rely on perfusion for cellular respiration. This review outlines the relevant published experimental data that addresses the concept that lungs might be suitable for transplant even if retrieved from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs), and the small published clinical experience with NHBDs as lung donors. Aspects of reperfusion injury in this setting are reviewed. The prospect of heart transplant from NHBDs is addressed. The impact of the routine use of NHBDs on lung transplantation is discussed.
A Weighted Selection Algorithm for Certain Tree-Structured Linear Programs

We solve a simple class of linear programming problems with tree-structured constraint matrices. Our procedure separates the problem into a sequence of continuous knapsack problems, each of which requires linear time to solve, for total solution time no worse than proportional to the number of nonzero entries in the original constraint matrix. The model arises in portfolio selection, advertising, and inventory and production planning.
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy as a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in neurologically impaired children.

Abstract Rationale: Children with neurologic impairment often present with airway obstruction that may require intervention. No single method of airway intervention is universally appropriate and effective in this patient population. This study was performed to examine the effectiveness of using adenotonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) in resolving obstructive apnea (OA) in patients with neurologic impairment. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 15 patients with neurologic impairment and OA treated with adenotonsillectomy and UPPP between 1986 and 1998 at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) was performed. All patients in the series had their primary area of obstruction in the posterior oropharynx involving the soft palate, pharyngeal walls and base of tongue. Post-operative improvement following adenotonsillectomy and UPPP was examined. Measures of improvement were based primarily on recorded lowest oxygen saturations, but clinical parameters, flexible upper airway endoscopy and polysomnography were used as well. Results: Patient improvement was documented in 87% of patients treated with this modality. For the group, the mean lowest recorded oxygen saturation demonstrated a statistically significant improvement from 65% pre-operatively to 85% post-operatively (P=0.005). In long-term follow-up of these patients, 77% (10 of 13) of those showing initial improvement have done well and have required no further airway intervention. However, 23% of these patients demonstrated the need for further airway intervention during follow-up. Conclusions: Adenotonsillectomy with UPPP is worthy of consideration in certain neurologically impaired patients with moderate to severe OA, limited primarily to the posterior pharyngeal area. Initial improvement may not be permanent and close long-term follow-up of patients is imperative.
Membrane organization of luteinizing hormone receptors differs between actively signaling and desensitized receptors.

Signaling by the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHR) is of considerable interest because of its requirement for successful reproduction. Time-resolved phosphorescence anisotropy and fluorescence resonance energy transfer were used to investigate the organization of endogenous LHRs in porcine follicular membranes in two distinct signaling states, active and desensitized. Desensitized LHRs exhibited ∼3-fold slower rotational correlation times compared with active LHRs (59 ± 4 and 21 ± 9 μs, respectively), suggesting that with agonist-dependent desensitization the receptors are organized into larger protein complexes. Incubation of membranes with inhibitors of LHR desensitization, such as neutralizing anti-arrestin antibodies, a synthetic peptide corresponding to the third intracellular loop of the LHR but not the corresponding scrambled peptide, or catalytically inactive ARNO, resulted in faster rotational diffusion times equivalent to those of actively signaling LHRs. Furthermore, desensitized LHRs exhibited a 2.4-fold increase in fluorescence resonance energy transfer between LHRs suggesting that the larger protein aggregates formed during desensitization contain more self-associated LHRs. These results indicate that agonist-dependent LHR desensitization precedes organization of LHRs at the cells surface into larger protein aggregates.
Haptic noise cancellation: Restoring force perception in robotically-assisted beating heart surgery

Beating heart surgical methods have the potential to remove the need for the heart-lung machine and its attendant side effects, but must contend with the motion of the heart. Recent research in robotically-assisted surgery has produced a handheld, actuated instrument that can track and compensate for heart motion; however, the reaction forces caused by the actuation mechanism make it difficult for the surgeon to feel the heart during the operation, which can lead to unsafe tissue manipulation. This paper investigates an instrument design that negates reaction forces to the user by moving a counterweight out of phase with the moving mass of the actuator. The resulting instrument retains the tracking and motion compensation abilities of the current instrument, but reduces reaction forces felt by the user by over 80%. Subjects used the new instrument in an in vitro beating heart surgical contact task and performance was compared to the previously existing instrument. The new instrument provided a 28% increase in user force sensitivity and improved user reaction times by 51%, indicating that the new instrument greatly enhances force perception in beating heart tasks.
Primary Cardiac Fibroma in an Adult

Cardiac fibromas are benign primary tumors composed of connective tissue and fibroblasts. These uncommon tumors are primarily found in the pediatric population, and their prevalence among the adult population is exceedingly rare. We report a case of an adult with nonspecific symptoms, who was subsequently found to have a solitary mass located in the left ventricle. This case highlights an unusual finding in an adult who through various imaging modalities, surgical excision, and immunohistological analysis was found to have a cardiac fibroma.
Sensitivity estimation in time-of-flight list-mode positron emission tomography

Purpose: An accurate quantification of the images in positron emission tomography (PET) requires knowing the actual sensitivity at each voxel, which represents the probability that a positron emitted in that voxel is finally detected as a coincidence of two gamma rays in a pair of detectors in the PET scanner. This sensitivity depends on the characteristics of the acquisition, as it is affected by the attenuation of the annihilation gamma rays in the body, and possible variations of the sensitivity of the scanner detectors. In this work, the authors propose a new approach to handle time-of-flight (TOF) list-mode PET data, which allows performing either or both, a self-attenuation correction, and self-normalization correction based on emission data only. Methods: The authors derive the theory using a fully Bayesian statistical model of complete data. The authors perform an initial evaluation of algorithms derived from that theory and proposed in this work using numerical 2D list-mode simulations with different TOF resolutions and total number of detected coincidences. Effects of randoms and scatter are not simulated. Results: The authors found that proposed algorithms successfully correct for unknown attenuation and scanner normalization for simulated 2D list-mode TOF-PET data. Conclusions: A new method is presented that can be used for corrections for attenuation and normalization (sensitivity) using TOF list-mode data.
More fun & games with rings, strings & rods

The formation of polyrotaxanes of type 1 by “statistical” threading1 will be described. Examples will include polymerization in the presence of macrocycles and threading of preformed polymers and macrocycles. An analysis of the structural and experimental factors involved in the threading process will be presented. The solution and solid state behavior of the polyrotaxanes will be discussed, including situations in which Tg can be controlled by macrocycles that are compatible with the backbone and situations where the threaded macrocycles crystallize. The preparation of polyrotaxanes of type 3 by threading of polymacrocycles 2 with linear polymers and the resultant changes in physical properties will also be described.
Infant diet affects serum lipoprotein concentrations and cholesterol esterifying enzymes in baboons

We characterized the preweaning differences in cholesterol metabolism between breast-fed and formula-fed baboons and determined if formulas with low and high polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acid (P:S) ratios simulated the effects of breast feeding. At birth, 45 infant baboons from three sires and 44 dams were assigned to breast-fed, low P:S formula or high P:S formula diet groups until weaning at 14 wk. From 4 to 14 wk breast-fed infants had higher serum cholesterol because of much higher HDL1- and HDL2-cholesterol concentrations but had lower HDL3-cholesterol than both formula-fed groups. LDL-cholesterol was higher in infants fed the low P:S fomula. Breast-fed infants had higher serum apolipoprotein E than the formula-fed groups, but diet did not affect apolipoprotein A-I or B concentrations. Breast-fed infants had higher hepatic acyl CoA cholesterol acyltransferase activity and lower plasma lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity. These enzyme activities were not different between infants fed low or high P:S formulas. Post-heparinized plasma lipoprotein lipase activity was greater in breast-fed infants than in those fed formula. These findings demonstrate that the P:S ratio of formulas has little effect on cholesterol metabolism during the preweaning period and suggest that factors other than fat composition account for the metabolic differences between breast feeding and commercial infant formula.
The Epidemiologic Surveillance Project: A Computer-Based System for Disease Surveillance

The Epidemiologic Surveillance Project (ESP) is a computer-based surveillance system for the rapid transmission and analysis of national morbidity data. These data are transmitted weekly by state health department computers to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), using a commercial electronic mail facility (MINET). Participating state health departments transmit data through existing computer systems using a standard record and data transmission protocol. State and national data are rapidly analyzed at the CDC, and reports of these analyses are transmitted through MINET to the states. Maps based on these data and other tabular displays of demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of the diseases being tracked are periodically prepared and distributed. Because the efficiency, speed, and uniformity of tabulation of this system are greater than those of systems that use protocol and telephonic reports of case totals, the ESP may be a model for future surveillance systems.
Valvular Heart Surgery

In the past 18 years rapid strides have been made in surgery for valvular heart disease. With the development of the heart-lung machine it has been possible to perform open heart surgery and repair valves by techniques that allow for normal or near normal function of these valves. With marked destruction of these valves, however, it is necessary to replace them. With the improvement in design there are various prostheses that can be inserted with a low surgical mortality and with few complications. One of the remaining important complications which requires further work, however, is the problem of thromboembolization. However, this complication plays a far less prominent role than it did with the early prosthetic devices.
An adult with juvenile hyaline fibromatosis of the foot

An unusual consideration in the differential diagnosis of benign, solid tumors of the foot is juvenile hyaline fibromatosis, which only superficially resembles the better known myofibromatosis. The onset of the typical cutaneous lesions of this affliction, more frequently found in the head, trunk, or upper extremity, usually begins in childhood, with a progressive increase in their size and number. No cure is known, but early surgical excision of smaller lesions will minimize bony erosion and skin ulceration that otherwise risks toe amputation, thereby preserving function and a reasonable esthetic result. Incomplete excisions are doomed to recurrence, but, fortunately, this normally is a slowly growing tumor.
"Chronic myelogenous" leukemia of juvenile type. Report of two cases and review of therapy.

The juvenile type of “chronic myelogenous” leukemia (CMLJT) is a rare disease with only 40 cases reported to date. Clearly distinguishable from adult CML on both clinical and laboratory grounds, is is often confused with “congenital” leukemia, pseudoleukemia, leukemoid reactions or chronic granulomatous disease. According to studies of muramidasuria and colony-forming cells it is neither a chronic nor a granulocytic leukemia. It is a panmyelopathy with monocyte predominance and should thus be classified as a variant of myelomonocytic leukemia. We review reported responses to chemotherapy and splenectomy and report our results with cytosine arabinoside in the treatment of 2 cases with this disease. Chemotherapy may prolong life and splenectomy may be useful in some cases; but the survival rate is 0%, justifying new approaches.
Hypoxic regulation of nitric oxide signaling in vascular smooth muscle.

the current article in focus by Mingone and colleagues (Ref. [16][1], see [p. L296][2] in this issue) describes a novel permissive effect of hypoxia on cGMP-independent relaxation to nitric oxide (NO) in bovine pulmonary and coronary arteries. Interestingly, whereas NO-mediated vasorelaxation
The Characterization of Linear Polyethylene SRM 1475. III. Density Determination.

The density of SRM 1475 at 23 °C was determined by ASTM method D 1505-67 on samples prepared by Procedure A of ASTM method D 1928-68, with the result 0.9784 g/cm3.
Measurement of In Vitro P-Selectin Expression by Flow Cytometry

Measurement of in vivo platelet activation is difficult after phlebotomy and during blood processing for analysis. We used flow cytometry to measure platelet surface expression of P-selectin in the presence and absence of trimethylsphingosine (a platelet activation inhibitor) and compared the results with those from the standard methods of preventing in vitro P-selectin expression. Percent activation was calculated as a ratio of mean sample fluorescence to 100% mean fluorescence after phorbol myristate acetate treatment. Twenty-five micromoles per liter of trimethylsphingosine kept in vitro platelet activation below 5% up to 6 hours after collection and below 10% at 24 hours after collection. Trimethylsphingosine failed to prevent platelet activation caused by centrifugation, storage at 4°C, or stimulation with common agonists. Addition of trimethylsphingosine to whole blood was valuable in preventing in vitro platelet activation. This compound promises to be a useful preservative for diagnostic testing of platelet activation.
Non-surgical tubal embryo transfer

Selective cannulation of the Fallopian tubes via the utero-tubal junction, without analgesia, anaesthesia or surgery, has been carried out to replace three embryos in a patient. Cannulating the Fallopian tubes did not appear materially to affect the transport of embryos or the receptivity of the endometrium for implantation.
Social and Emotional Characteristics and Early Childhood Mathematical and Literacy Giftedness Observations From Parents and Childcare Providers Using the ECLS-B

Research has demonstrated mixed results regarding differences in social and emotional characteristics between gifted and typical populations. The purpose of this secondary analysis of data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study: Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) is to investigate the affective characteristics of early mathematics and literacy ability among preschool children using a logistic regression analysis. Specifically, parents and childcare providers were asked a series of questions relating to socially maladaptive behaviors, concentration, empathy, worry, and friendship of a nationally representative sample of children born in 2002. The results of the study demonstrate that childcare providers and parents of preschool children (M age = 53 months) have different patterns of observations of social and emotional characteristics of children, and that concentration and socially maladaptive behaviors were significant predictors of early giftedness in literacy. There were no social or emotional predictors of ea...
Effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on isolated atria.

2-Deoxyglucose depresses atrial contractility without altering membrane potentials significantly, although the ATP level is progressively reduced. Pyruvate is able to counteract the 2-deoxyglucose depression only partially, indicating some relation between the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and contraction. Nevertheless, pyruvate elevates the ATP level above the control values. 2-Deoxyglucose depresses more rapidly in the absence of glucose. Addition of glucose restores the developed tension partially, indicating that contractility to some extent depends either on the initial phases of glucose metabolism, or on the operation of a nonglycolytic pathway, since there is evidence that 2-deoxyglucose blocks the Embden-Meyerhof pathway under these conditions. Atrial rate is not altered by removal of exogenous glucose, is only slightly depressed by 2-deoxyglucose in glucose medium, but is markedly slowed by 2-deoxyglucose in the absence of glucose. Since pyruvate has only a limited ability to restore the depressed rate, the discharge of pacemaker calls is also related to glucose utilization.
In Vivo Porcine Model of Venous Air Embolism During Pars Plana Vitrectomy.

Purpose Venous air embolism (VAE) during pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) can occur owing to improper positioning of the infusion cannula in the suprachoroidal space and may lead to sudden compromise of cardiac circulation and death. This was an in vivo demonstration of fatal VAE during PPV to show that air can travel from the suprachoroidal space into the central circulation. Design Experimental in vivo surgical study on porcine eyes. Methods Experimental PPV under general anesthesia was performed on porcine eyes (Yorkshire species) at a University Surgical Training & Education Center. Infusion cannulas were placed into the suprachoroidal space and fluid–air exchange (FAE) was started with sequential increases in infusion air pressure. Vital signs of porcine animals were continuously monitored and recorded in real time during the PPV, including end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO 2 ), oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ), intra-arterial blood pressure, electrocardiography (EKG), and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Results Intracardiac air was detected on TEE less than 30 seconds after increasing air infusion pressure to 60 mm Hg. ETCO 2 declined precipitously, followed by hypotension and EKG changes. Oxygen desaturation was a late phenomenon. The animal died within 7 minutes of VAE. During autopsy, the heart was open under water and air escaped from the right ventricle. Conclusion This in vivo porcine model confirms that during the FAE in PPV, pressurized air from an infusion cannula malpositioned in the suprachoroidal space can transit through the eye to the central circulation, resulting in fatal VAE.
Impact of chronic systolic heart failure on lung structure-function relationships in large airways.

Heart failure (HF) is often associated with pulmonary congestion, reduced lung function, abnormal gas exchange, and dyspnea. We tested whether pulmonary congestion is associated with expanded vascular beds or an actual increase in extravascular lung water (EVLW) and how airway caliber is affected in stable HF. Subsequently we assessed the influence of an inhaled short acting beta agonist (SABA). Thirty-one HF (7F; age, 62 ± 11 years; ht. 175 ± 9 cm; wt. 91 ± 17 kg; LVEF, 28 ± 15%) and 29 controls (11F; age; 56 ± 11 years; ht. 174 ± 8 cm; wt. 77 ± 14 kg) completed the study. Subjects performed PFTs and a chest computed tomography (CT) scan before and after SABA. CT measures of attenuation, skew, and kurtosis were obtained from areas of lung tissue to assess EVLW. Airway luminal areas and wall thicknesses were also measured. CT tissue density suggested increased EVLW in HF without differences in the ratio of airway wall thickness to luminal area or luminal area to TLC (skew: 2.85 ± 1.08 vs. 2.11 ± 0.79, P < 0.01; Kurtosis: 15.5 ± 9.5 vs. 9.3 ± 5.5 P < 0.01; control vs. HF). PFTs were decreased in HF at baseline (% predicted FVC:101 ± 15% vs. 83 ± 18%, P < 0.01;FEV1:103 ± 15% vs. 82 ± 19%, P < 0.01;FEF25–75: 118 ± 36% vs. 86 ± 36%, P < 0.01; control vs. HF). Airway luminal areas, but not CT measures, were correlated with PFTs at baseline. The SABA cleared EVLW and decreased airway wall thickness but did not change luminal area. Patients with HF had evidence of increased EVLW, but not an expanded bronchial circulation. Airway caliber was maintained relative to controls, despite reductions in lung volume and flow rates. SABA improved lung function, primarily by reducing EVLW.
How to Teach Old Antibiotics New Tricks

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), or more generally host defense peptides, have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and use nonspecific interactions to target generic features common to the membranes of many pathogens. As a result, development of resistance to such natural defenses is inhibited compared to conventional antibiotics. The disadvantage of AMPs, however, is that they are often not very potent. In contrast, traditional antibiotics typically have strong potency, but due to a broad range of bacterial defense mechanisms, there are many examples of resistance. Here, we explore the possibility of combining these two classes of molecules. In the first half of this chapter, we review the fundamentals of membrane curvature generation and the various strategies recently used to mimic this membrane activity of AMPs using different classes of synthetic molecules. In the second half, we show that it is possible to impart membrane activity to molecules with no previous membrane activity, and summarize some of our recent works which aim to combine advantages of traditional antibiotics and AMPs into a single molecule with multiple mechanisms of killing as well as multiple mechanisms of specificity.
Determination of E2 and E4 transition moments in $sup 232$Th

In a precision Coulomb excitation experiment, 16.5 and 17.0 MeV $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ projectiles were employed to measure the electric quadrupole and hexadecapole transition matrix elements of the ground state rotational band of $^{232}\mathrm{Th}$. The results are $〈{0}^{2}\ensuremath{\parallel}\mathfrak{M}(E2)\ensuremath{\parallel}{2}^{+}〉=3.305\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.030$ e b and $〈{0}^{2}\ensuremath{\parallel}\mathfrak{M}(E4)\ensuremath{\parallel}{4}^{+}〉=1.36\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.14$ e ${\mathrm{b}}^{2}$. Model-dependent ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{2}$ and ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{4}$ deformation parameters are then extracted.
HIP DISLOCATION INCREASES ROUGHNESS OF OXIDISED ZIRCONIUM FEMORAL HEADS IN TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY

Introduction Wear-related osteolysis continues to be a concern in the long-term outcome and survivorship of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and there continues to be an emphasis on bearing materials that exhibit improved wear profiles. Oxidized zirconium metal (Oxinium®, Smith & Nephew) was developed to reduce the amount of polyethylene wear as compared to cobalt chromium femoral heads, without the risk of brittle fracture seen with older generation ceramics. There are a limited number of retrieval studies evaluating the performance of Oxinium in THA. The aims of this study were 1) to visually assess damage on the surface of a large number of retrieved Oxinium femoral heads, 2) to measure surface roughness of scratches on the surfaces of Oxinium femoral heads, and 3) to use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess the integrity of the oxidized zirconium surface in damaged areas. BIOLOX delta (CeramTec), a ceramic alternative to Oxinium, was included in this study for comparison. Methods From 2006 to 2013, 59 retrieved Oxinium femoral heads in THAs were collected after an average time to revision surgery of 1.64 years. The mean patient age was 61.9 years, with 32 males and 27 females. Reasons for revision surgery were recurrent dislocation (24), femoral component loosening or subsidence (13), infection (9), acetabular loosening (4), periprosthethic fracture (4), acetabular malposition (2), heterotopic ossification (2), and 1 case of leg length discrepancy. The diameters of the femoral heads were 28 mm (9), 32 mm (22), 36mm (26) and 40mm (2). Three observers visually graded surface damage on all femoral heads according to the following criteria: 1) no scratches, 2) minimal damage with one to two scratches, 3) significant damage with multiple scratches. We measured the surface roughness of retrieved Oxinium and BIOLOX delta femoral heads with an interferomic profiler, and SEM to evaluate the extent of surface effacement. Results Oxinium femoral heads explanted for recurrent dislocation showed substantially more severe damage as compared to heads retrieved during revision surgery for other reasons (p delta heads (p Discussion This study represents the first large-scale retrieval analysis of oxidized zirconium femoral heads in THA. The results show that high impact between an acetabular shell and an Oxinium femoral head during dislocation increases the surface roughness and causes substantial effacement to the oxidized zirconium layer compared with matched modern ceramic bearings. The surface damage seen to these femoral heads is of clinical concern because it has the potential to increase the wear of polyethylene liners in THA.
Hierarchical control of procedural and declarative category-learning systems.

Abstract Substantial evidence suggests that human category learning is governed by the interaction of multiple qualitatively distinct neural systems. In this view, procedural memory is used to learn stimulus-response associations, and declarative memory is used to apply explicit rules and test hypotheses about category membership. However, much less is known about the interaction between these systems: how is control passed between systems as they interact to influence motor resources? Here, we used fMRI to elucidate the neural correlates of switching between procedural and declarative categorization systems. We identified a key region of the cerebellum (left Crus I) whose activity was bidirectionally modulated depending on switch direction. We also identified regions of the default mode network (DMN) that were selectively connected to left Crus I during switching. We propose that the cerebellum—in coordination with the DMN—serves a critical role in passing control between procedural and declarative memory systems.
A Non-Sticky Trap for Tarnished Plant Bug (Heteroptera: Miridae)

A simple trap that does not require the use of sticky material to capture tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is described. The 28 × 11 cm (diam) cylindrical trap was const...
New Rules for a New World: How Technology and Globalization Shape Bankruptcy Venue Decisions

Technological change has created new possibilities and new challenges in commercial bankruptcy practice. Debtors may now exist entirely online, with no “brick-and-mortar” presence to anchor them to any particular physical location. Companies today increasingly amass substantial, valuable assets, including vast amounts of consumer information, which they may sell in bankruptcy to other entities. A bankrupt company’s assets may now include intangibles that defy easy categorization or valuation, including social media accounts, domain names, and electronic data. Technological change has also dramatically altered traditional theories of U.S. bankruptcy law. Location has historically played a significant role in bankruptcy, and in practice, a bankruptcy case’s location can significantly affect how the case proceeds. From a theoretical standpoint, concerns over the determination of a bankruptcy case’s location contribute to perceptions of the legitimacy and fairness of the bankruptcy system. Advances in technology may at first appear to moot many of these concerns; with increased technological capabilities, the argument goes, a bankruptcy case’s physical location becomes less important. This Article counteracts claims that location is no longer a key consideration in bankruptcy law and emphasizes the significant role location should continue to play when considering bankruptcy venue. Bankruptcy law faces significant challenges in adapting to technological change, and this Article argues that bankruptcy venue must continue to receive careful consideration in order to ensure the integrity of the bankruptcy system in the face of technological change. Indeed, technological change makes it more critical to reform the venue rules now so that parties may take into account the various benefits and drawbacks stemming from technological advances. As technology improves, it will become increasingly necessary to precisely identify rules that facilitate appropriate access to bankruptcy courts for all parties in interest. Through exploring technology’s impact on bankruptcy venue, this Article raises several broader questions, including how technology has changed bankruptcy theory, why a bankruptcy case’s location remains relevant in light of technological advances, and how to approach changes to the bankruptcy venue rules. Technological change has the capacity to fundamentally alter the nature of the businesses that may enter bankruptcy, as well as the number and type of stakeholders that are affected when a business experiences financial distress. While exploring some of the changes technology has wrought upon the bankruptcy system, this Article posits that a mechanism for deliberately determining the physical location of a bankruptcy case is more necessary than ever if bankruptcy is to continue to meet the needs of all stakeholders in a case.
The Role of Discrimination in Care Postponement Among Trans-Feminine Individuals in the U.S. National Transgender Discrimination Survey

Abstract Purpose: This study examines the associations between discrimination experiences (types and locations) and care postponement among trans-feminine individuals in the United States. Methods:...
Transcriptional Regulation of the Endocrine Function of Bone

The homeostatic role of the skeleton has expanded beyond the regulation of bone growth and remodeling to fulfill two novel endocrine functions: regulation of energy metabolism and male fertility. Bone regulates energy metabolism by favoring insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity, and energy expenditure. In a tight regulatory mechanism, insulin targets the osteoblast to control bone remodeling and through it to promote insulin production by the pancreas. Similar to every endocrine organ, skeletal endocrinology is also under the control of other organs. The fat–brain axis acts through leptin to regulate both the remodeling and endocrine functions of the skeleton. In an opposing and balancing mode of action the brain and the gut exert opposite effects on bone mass accrual, remarkably, through the same protein, serotonin. The intercommunication between the skeleton and its regulating or regulatory organs is mainly mediated by three transcription factors CREB, FoxO1 and ATF4.
The expansion of targetable biomarkers for CAR T cell therapy

Biomarkers are an integral part of cancer management due to their use in risk assessment, screening, differential diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of response to treatment, and monitoring progress of disease. Recently, with the advent of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, a new category of targetable biomarkers has emerged. These biomarkers are associated with the surface of malignant cells and serve as targets for directing cytotoxic T cells. The first biomarker target used for CAR T cell therapy was CD19, a B cell marker expressed highly on malignant B cells. With the success of CD19, the last decade has shown an explosion of new targetable biomarkers on a range of human malignancies. These surface targets have made it possible to provide directed, specific therapy that reduces healthy tissue destruction and preserves the patient’s immune system during treatment. As of May 2018, there are over 100 clinical trials underway that target over 25 different surface biomarkers in almost every human tissue. This expansion has led to not only promising results in terms of patient outcome, but has also led to an exponential growth in the investigation of new biomarkers that could potentially be utilized in CAR T cell therapy for treating patients. In this review, we discuss the biomarkers currently under investigation and point out several promising biomarkers in the preclinical stage of development that may be useful as targets.