cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malignant microcalcification clusters detection using unsupervised deep autoencoders

Detection and localization of microcalcification (MC) clusters are very important in mammography diagnosis. Supervised MC detectors require learning from extracted individual MCs and MC clusters. However, they are limited by number of datasets given that MC images are hard to obtain. In this work, we propose a method to detect malignant microcalcification (MC) clusters using unsupervised, one-class, deep convolutional autoencoder. Specifically, we designed a deep autoencoder model where only patches extracted from normal cases’ mammograms are used during training. We then applied our trained model on patches extracted from testing images. Our training dataset contains 408 normal subjects, including 1961 full-field digital mammography images. Our testing datasets contains 276 subjects. Specifically, 106 of them were patients diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In-Situ (DCIS); 70 of them were diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC); the rest 100 are normal cases containing 484 negative screening mammograms. Patches extracted from DCIS and IDC cases (positive patches) contain MC clusters, whereas patches extracted from normal cases (negative patches) don’t. As the model is trained only on negative images that do not contain MCs, it cannot reconstruct MCs well, and thus, the reconstruction error will be larger on positive patches than negative patches. Our detection algorithm’s decision is made based on Max-Squared Error between autoencoder’s input and output patches. To confirm the results were not simply due to blurring, we then compared our designed detector with unsharp mask with Gaussian blur results. The results using the unsupervised autoencoder on testing patches with size 64×64 achieves an AUC result of 0.93. The best performance on testing patches using Gaussian blur with kernel size equal to 11has an overall AUC of 0.82.
Radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves prior to total knee replacement has no effect on postoperative pain outcomes: a prospective randomized sham-controlled trial with 6-month follow-up.

Background and objectives Refractory chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis (OA) is commonly treated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). TKA can be associated with severe postoperative pain and persistent postsurgical knee pain. Poorly controlled postoperative pain can negatively effect functional outcomes following TKA, and effective opioid-sparing analgesia is key to the ideal recovery. Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (GN-RFA) has been shown in several trials to be clinically effective in patients with severe refractory knee pain from OA. We aimed to assess if preoperative GN-RFA would improve postoperative pain outcomes following TKA. Methods This was a sham-control prospective clinical trial in which blinded participants were randomized to image-guided GN-RFA or a simulated sham procedure 2-6 weeks prior to elective TKA. Outcomes were assessed at 48 hours and 1, 3 and 6 months following TKA. Results Seventy participants enrolled in this study. As compared with sham controls, GN-RFA had no treatment effect on postoperative opioid consumption, pain or functional measures at any time point. Conclusions Cooled RFA of the superior lateral, superior medial and inferomedial genicular nerves, when performed 2–6 weeks prior to elective TKA as part of a multimodal postoperative pain management regime, had no measurable effect on postoperative opioid use, analgesia use or function in the 48 hours following surgery. In addition, we found no longer term effect on outcome measures 1, 3 and 6 months after TKA. Trial registration number NCT02746874.
Is This Akathisia or Restless Legs

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is common in psychiatric settings. It has a prevalence rate of 5–15% in the general population. It can be caused by various medications used to treat psychiatric symptoms such as antidepressants or antipsychotics. Patients with restless legs syndrome have an “urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by or in response to uncomfortable and unpleasant sensation in the legs.” The urge begins or worsens during periods of rest or inactivity, is partially or totally relieved by movement, and is worse in the evening or night compared to during the day or occurs only in the evening or night.
Sources and Loading Technologies

Brachytherapy is an exciting and beneficial treatment modality that has grown over the past decade with numerous technological developments. This chapter provides a brief review of the following: a description of standard-of-care sources and loading technologies currently available, emerging technologies that are being examined in research settings and by clinical innovators, and the developments in brachytherapy source calibrations to bring emerging technologies into the mainstream. Today, there are five vendors of high-dose rate (HDR) and two of pulsed-dose rate (PDR) high-energy remote afterloading systems. Elekta Brachytherapy has two remote afterloading systems. The microSelectron Digital system can contain an HDR Ir or PDR Ir source, and can be configured with 6, 18, or 30 channels for connecting to brachytherapy applicators or catheters/needles. Varian Medical Systems has two remote afterloading systems. The newest company to provide a commercial offering for radionuclide-based HDR remote afterloaders is Eckert & Ziegler BEBIG. They offer the following three systems: GyneSource, MultiSource, and SagiNova.
Missed Opportunities When Communicating With Limited English-Proficient Patients During End-of-Life Conversations: Insights From Spanish-Speaking and Chinese-Speaking Medical Interpreters

Abstract Context Research has shown that using medical interpreters in language-discordant patient-provider encounters improves outcomes. There is limited research evaluating the views of medical interpreters on best interpreter practices when they are used to break bad news or participate in end-of-life (EOL) conversations. Objectives To develop insights from medical interpreters about their role when interpreting discussions regarding EOL issues, identify practices interpreters perceive as helping to improve or hinder patient-provider communication, and obtain suggestions on how to improve communication during EOL conversations with Spanish-speaking and Chinese-speaking patients. Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with Spanish or Chinese medical interpreters. Participants were recruited until thematic saturation was reached. Twelve interviews were conducted, audiotape recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using standard qualitative methods. Results Six major themes were identified: medical interpreters' perceived comfort level during EOL interpretation; perception of interpreter role; communication practices perceived as barriers to effective communication; communication practices felt to facilitate effective communication; concrete recommendations how to best use medical interpreters; and training received/perceived training needs. Conclusion Medical interpreters provide literal interpretation of the spoken word. Because of cultural nuances in Chinese-speaking and Spanish-speaking patients/family members during EOL conversations, medical interpreters can translate the meaning of the message within a specific cultural context. Conducting premeetings and debriefings after the encounter are potentially important strategies to maximize communication during EOL conversations.
Effects of a Community-to-Clinic Navigation Intervention on Colorectal Cancer Screening Among Underserved People.

Background Colorectal cancer screening remains suboptimal among poor and underserved people. Purpose We tested the effectiveness of a community-to-clinic navigator intervention to guide multicultural, underinsured individuals into primary care clinics to complete colorectal cancer screening. Methods This two-phase behavioral intervention study was conducted in Phoenix, Arizona (2012-2018). Community sites were randomized to group education or group education plus tailored navigation to increase attendance at primary care clinics (Phase I). Individuals who completed a clinic appointment received the tailored navigation in person or via phone (Phase II). Results In Phase I (N = 345), 37.9% of the intervention group scheduled a clinic appointment versus 19.4% of the comparison group. In Phase II, 26.5% of the original intervention group were screened versus only 10.4% of the original comparison group. Those in the intervention group were 3.84 times more likely to be screened than were those in the comparison group (odds ratio = 3.84; 95% confidence interval = 1.81-6.92). Conclusions Translation of an efficacious tailored navigation intervention for colorectal cancer screening to a community-to-clinic context is associated with significantly increased rates of colorectal cancer screening. Navigation assistance to address barriers to screening may serve as the most important component of any educational program to increase individual adherence to colorectal cancer screening.
Stochastic Two-Player Zero-Sum Learning Differential Games

The two-player zero-sum differential game has been extensively studied, partially because its solution implies the $H_{\infty}$ optimality. Existing studies on zero-sum differential games either assume deterministic dynamics or the dynamics corrupted by additive noise. In realistic environments, high-dimensional environmental uncertainties often modulate system dynamics in a more complicated fashion. In this paper, we study the stochastic two-player zero-sum differential game governed by more general uncertain linear dynamics. We show that the optimal control policies for this game can be found by solving the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation. We prove that with the derived optimal control policies, the system is asymptotically stable in the mean, and reaches the Nash equilibrium. To solve the stochastic two-player zero-sum game online, we design a new policy iteration (PI) algorithm that integrates the integral reinforcement learning (IRL) and an efficient uncertainty evaluation method—multivariate probabilistic collocation method (MPCM). This algorithm provides a fast online solution for the stochastic two-player zero-sum differential game subject to multiple uncertainties in the system dynamics.
A model and simulation of lattice vibrations in a superabundant vacancy phase of palladium-deuterium

A one dimensional Bravais lattice model is applied to a superabundant vacancy (SAV) delta δ phase (Pd3VacD4 - octahedral), in the palladium – isotopic hydrogen system. SolidWorks is used to simulate the motion of atoms and ions in the lattice. These two approaches give identical results for the vibrations of the deuterons indicating that large vibrations of deuterons are possible when the microstructure is a mixture of beta deuteride and small volume percent delta SAV phase. These conditions result from the unique geometry and crystallography of δ phase. According to both the model and simulation, as the size of δ phase increases, opportunity for high amplitude vibrations of deuterons increases. Increasing temperature should have a similar effect.
Exploring second generation Korean American alcohol use through church‐based participatory research: A rapid ethnographic assessment in Los Angeles, California, United States

The prevalence of heavy drinking is high among Korean Americans (KAs), but alcohol treatment utilisation is low. Korean American drinking behaviours may be attributable to the Korean drinking culture. However, relatively little research has been conducted to explore this narrative. The aim of this paper was to examine the social and cultural contexts of drinking and help-seeking behaviours among second generation KAs. In 2016, we conducted a rapid ethnographic assessment (REA) in partnership with a Korean American church in Los Angeles. The REA involved participant observation and ten unstructured interviews. We used constructivist grounded theory to analyse the themes emerging from field notes and interview transcripts. Respondents perceived the existence of a Korean drinking culture in the United States that has been passed down from prior generations and preserved in ethnic enclaves. This Korean drinking culture was marked by festive occasions with heavy drinking, but the extent to which respondents adopted this drinking culture may have depended on their ethnic identities and connections to the community. For many second generation KAs, identity and community were tied to religious life. We found that KAs perceived professional treatment and recovery resources to be underutilised. We offer insights about church-based participatory research as an approach to studying drinking among KAs.
Abstract P238: Importance of Self-Efficacy in the Patient-Reported Physical Function of Patients With Stroke

Background: Self-efficacy is the belief that one is able to respond to demands of a stressful situation and it has both direct and indirect effects on health. The study objective is to investigate ...
A Space Problem and not a Housing Problem

Housing affordability has decreased dramatically since the 1960s. Housing policy in the post-WWII period mandated the construction of new housing on a massive scale with significant government subsidies as well as financial incentives for buyers, especially from government loan agencies like the HUD (created in 1965) and FHA. The creation of GSAs to enhance the loan stability market and promote housing (like Freddie Mac) in 1970 was a part of this effort. However, housing affordability began to fall in the 1980s and has dropped to levels not seen since the pre-war and immediate post-WWII periods which spurred the passage of the Wagner-Steagall Act in 1937 to create more housing. The lack of affordable housing has many factors, but some of the most important are: the increase in the population, financial return to investors and builders, income and wage growth, and size of house to cost, demolition of older affordable housing for new housing. Over the past 100 years housing space per person as increased dramatically increasing costs. The essential element in housing production in the private sector is profitability, returns on affordable housing are not as great as market rate or luxury housing, so competition for investment dollars is skewed to the latter. Government programs to balance the need for affordable housing have not kept up, and resistance from the housing sector (banks, investors, builders) have tended to limit such programs for fear that increased supply of affordable housing would decrease rents and property values.
'Progress in the Midst of Continued Obstacles-Women’s Advancement to Cabinet Posts in Canada and the United States.'

In the U.S. and Canada, women have made great strides in attaining cabinet positions, especially since the 1990s. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of women’s participation in the American and Canadian executive branches since the middle of the 20th Century. Women continue to comprise a minority of executive officials, serve at lower cabinet ranks and disproportionately in positions considered stereotypically female. While socio-economic factors do not seem working against women’s promotion to executive positions, gender stereotypes continue to interact with political institutions and processes, significantly hindering women’s advancement. While the analysis provides some evidence that women cabinet ministers substantively represent women’s interests, further research is required to bolster this assertion. We call for the need to refresh and refine analyses of women’s political participation especially regarding women in cabinet posts.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the treatment of neonatal sepsis due to group B streptococci.

The potential toxicity of digitalis preparations has been recognized since Withering9s original report of the medicinal uses of foxglove in 1785. Over the years, physicians have developed clinical practices to maintain most patients who require digitalis preparations on dosage regimens that maximize clinical efficacy while minimizing the potential for serious toxicity. However, in some instances therapeutic administration still leads to clinical toxicity and may cause the death of a patient. Examples of such "iatrogenic" induction of digitalis intoxication are well known to anyone who deals with pediatric patients who are seriously ill with heart disease. Two other all-too-common phenomena are the accidental ingestion of digitalis preparations by young children and the intentional ingestion of this potent drug with suicidal intent.
Visual Reading of Enzyme Immunofluorescence Assays for Human Cytomegalovirus Antibodies

Enzyme immunofluorescence assays for cytomegalovirus antibodies could be read satisfactorily using a light box with ultraviolet illumination. Higher antibody titers were obtained with a fluorogenic substrate than with a color-producing substrate.
Hydraulic properties of adsorbed water films in unsaturated porous media

Adsorbed water films strongly influence residual water saturations and hydraulic conductivities in porous media at low saturations. Hydraulic properties of adsorbed water films in unsaturated porous media were investigated through combining Langmuir's film model with scaling analysis, without use of any adjustable parameters. Diffuse double layer influences are predicted to be important through the strong dependence of adsorbed water film thickness (f) on matric potential ({Psi}) and ion charge (z). Film thickness, film velocity, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity are predicted to vary with z{sup -1}, z{sup -2}, and z{sup -3}, respectively. In monodisperse granular media, the characteristic grain size ({lambda}) controls film hydraulics through {lambda}{sup -1} scaling of (1) the perimeter length per unit cross sectional area over which films occur, (2) the critical matric potential ({Psi}{sub c}) below which films control flow, and (3) the magnitude of the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity when {Psi} < {Psi}{sub c}. While it is recognized that finer textured sediments have higher unsaturated hydraulic conductivities than coarser sands at intermediate {Psi}, the {lambda}{sup -1} scaling of hydraulic conductivity predicted here extends this understanding to very low saturations where all pores are drained. Extremely low unsaturated hydraulic conductivities are predicted under adsorbed film-controlled conditions (generally < 0.1 mm y{sup -1}). On flat surfaces, the film hydraulic diffusivity is shown to be constant (invariant with respect to {Psi}).
Use of online safety decision aid by abused women: effect on decisional conflict in a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: An Internet safety decision aid was developed to help abused women understand their risk for repeat and near-lethal intimate partner violence, clarify priorities related to safety, and develop an action plan customized to these priorities. PURPOSE: To test the effectiveness of a safety decision aid compared with usual safety planning (control) delivered through a secure website, using a multistate RCT design. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of the safety decision aid in reducing decisional conflict after a single use by abused women. DESIGN: RCT referred to as Internet Resource for Intervention and Safety (IRIS). SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Abused women who spoke English (n=708) were enrolled in a four-state RCT. INTERVENTION: The intervention was an interactive safety decision aid with personalized safety plan; the control condition was usual safety planning resources. Both were delivered to participants through the secure study website. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This paper compares women's decisional conflict about safety: total decisional conflict and the four subscales of this measure (feeling: uninformed, uncertain, unsupported, and unclear about safety priorities) between intervention/control conditions. Data were collected from March 2011 to May 2013 and analyzed from January to March 2014. RESULTS: Immediately following the first use of the interactive safety decision aid, intervention women had significantly lower total decisional conflict than control women, controlling for baseline value of decisional conflict (p=0.002, effect size=0.12). After controlling for baseline values, the safety decision aid group had significantly greater reduction in feeling uncertain (p=0.006, effect size=0.07) and in feeling unsupported (p=0.008, effect size=0.07) about safety than the usual safety planning group. CONCLUSIONS: Abused women randomized to the safety decision aid reported less decisional conflict about their safety in the abusive intimate relationship after one use compared to women randomized to the usual safety planning condition. Language: en
The spheroidal component of Seyfert galaxies

We use measurements of the stellar and gaseous kinematics for a large sample of Seyfert galaxies to examine properties of the host galaxy and their relationship to the active nucleus. We find that Seyferts are offset from the Faber-Jackson relation for normal galaxies having brighter bulges at a given velocity dispersion than normal galaxies. This indicates that Seyferts have lower mean mass-to-light ratios than normal galaxies and therefore younger stellar populations. Comparing gas and stars, we find that the kinematics of ionized gas in Seyferts are largely due to gravitational motion in the host galaxy potential. Additional acceleration of emission line gas can occur in objects with kiloparsec-scale linear radio sources and in interacting or morphologically disturbed galaxies. We also find correlations between the emission line and radio luminosity and the stellar velocity dispersion suggesting a link between the host galaxy potential and the strength of the NLR emissions.
Real-time distortion correction of spiral and echo planar images using the gradient system impulse response function.

Purpose MRI-guided interventions demand high frame rate imaging, making fast imaging techniques such as spiral imaging and echo planar imaging (EPI) appealing. In this study, we implemented a real-time distortion correction framework to enable the use of these fast acquisitions for interventional MRI. Methods Distortions caused by gradient waveform inaccuracies were corrected using the gradient impulse response function (GIRF), which was measured by standard equipment and saved as a calibration file on the host computer. This file was used at runtime to calculate the predicted k-space trajectories for image reconstruction. Additionally, the off-resonance reconstruction frequency was modified in real time to interactively deblur spiral images. Results Real-time distortion correction for arbitrary image orientations was achieved in phantoms and healthy human volunteers. The GIRF-predicted k-space trajectories matched measured k-space trajectories closely for spiral imaging. Spiral and EPI image distortion was visibly improved using the GIRF-predicted trajectories. The GIRF calibration file showed no systematic drift in 4 months and was demonstrated to correct distortions after 30 min of continuous scanning despite gradient heating. Interactive off-resonance reconstruction was used to sharpen anatomical boundaries during continuous imaging. Conclusions This real-time distortion correction framework will enable the use of these high frame rate imaging methods for MRI-guided interventions. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Geometry of density matrices. III. Spin components

A definition is given for the spin-tensorial components of a p-electron density matrix for arbitrary p. Certain of these are defined to be standard components, and it is shown that all others can be obtained from them by linear combinations of permutations. When the density matrix is reduced, the standard components either map into standard components of the fewer-electron density matrix or into the origin. One- and two-electron density matrices are treated in greater detail. Reducing bases are given for the spaces in which the spatial coefficients of the spin components are elements. For spin eigenstates traces of all components are determined, and the π = 1 parts of all components are determined in terms of two independent components, which are themselves determined by the two-electron charge density matrix. Geometric consequences are investigated.
Trinucleotide repeat containing 6a (Tnrc6a)-mediated microRNA function is required for development of yolk sac endoderm.

Tnrc6 family members (Tnrc6a/b/c) are key components of the RNA-induced silencing complex in microRNA (miRNA)-mediated gene suppression. Here, we show that Tnrc6a, also known as GW182, is selectively expressed in the yolk sac endoderm and that gene trap disruption of GW182 leads to growth arrest and apoptosis. We found that targets of miRNAs highly expressed in the yolk sac are significantly derepressed in GW182gt/gt mutant mice, although levels of miRNAs are not altered. Specifically, growth arrest and apoptosis phenotype are associated with significant derepression of Cdkn1a (p21), Cdkn1c (P27), Lats1, Lats2, Rb1, Rbl, Bim, and Pten, known targets of miRNAs from miR-17/20/93/106 clusters highly expressed in yolk sac endoderm. Together, these data strongly suggest that GW182 is an essential functional component in the RNA-induced silencing complex for miRNA-mediated gene silencing in vivo, and selectively regulation of miRNA activity plays an important role in the proper development of yolk sac.
Socio‐perceptual bases for the emergence of language: An alternative to innatist approaches

Recent challenges from a variety of fields suggest a re-examination of the nativist position and its implications for child language and communication research and theory. Basic assumptions crucial to the innatist position influence researchers to ignore the source of input, its characteristics, and its impact on language development. In contrast, from a socio-perceptual/ecological position, the linchpin of the emergence of language is the dynamic structure of the social-interactive environment in which the child develops. Evidence from a series of studies investigating the social and perceptual bases of the emergence of the lexicon is marshaled to support and illustrate this perspective. Parallel arguments can and ought to be constructed to explain other aspects of language learning.
The adsorption of nitrogen dioxide, nitrate and sulfate on Ag(110): A quantum-chemical study

Abstract The bonding of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrate (NO3) and sulfate (SO4) to Ag(110) has been examined employing semi-empirical MO-SCF calculations (INDO/S) and metal clusters of limited size (Agn, n = 17,18). NO2 and NO3 appear as net electron acceptors (π-donors, σ-acceptors) when adsorbed on a-top and bridge sites of Ag(110). The NO2Ag(110) bond is mainly a product of the interaction between the 6a1, 1a2 and 4b2 orbitals of nitrogen dioxide and the Ag(5s,5p) orbitals. The possible effects of coadsorbed electron-transferring species on the surface chemistry of NO2 are analyzed in light of the present description of the NO2-Ag(110) chemisorption bond. The bonding mechanism of NO3 to Ag(110) involves transfer of electrons from the NO3(4e′, 1e″) orbitals into the orbitals of the surface and charge transfer from the substrate into the NO3(1a'2) orbital. The bond order indices indicate that from the viewpoint of the substrate the Ag(5s,5p) orbitals are primarily responsible for the chemisorption of NO2, NO3 and SO4 on Ag(110). An increase in the work function of this surface upon adsorption of NO2, NO3 and SO4 is predicted. The influence of chemisorption effects on the NO bonds of NO2 and NO3, and on the SO bonds of SO4 is examined. On the basis of these INDO/S results, the possible UPS spectra for NO2, NO3 and SO4 adsorbed on Ag(110) are discussed.
Atropisomeric amides: Achiral ligands with chiral conformations.

A new class of achiral ligands with atropisomeric conformations has been coordinated to titanium(IV). The ligands are ortho-hydroxy benzamide derivatives which are deprotonated on reaction with titanium tetraisopropoxide to furnish Ti(L)(2)(O-iPr)(2) complexes (L=ortho-phenoxy benzamide). In these octahedral titanium compounds, the ortho-phenoxy benzamide ligands chelate to titanium, bonding through the phenoxide oxygen and the amide carbonyl oxygen. The benzamide ligands adopt atropisomeric conformations with an angle between the aryl and amide groups of approximately 35 degrees. The ligand precursor, ligand, and titanium complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Only one diastereomer of each titanium complex was observed in the solid state structures.
The Relationships Between Hypergender, Gender, and Psychological Adjustment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how the constructs of hypermasculinity and hyperfemininity correlate with gender-related individual differences in agency, communion, and occupational interests over and above hypergender’s hypothesized associations with psychological symptomatology. Hypermasculinity and hyperfemininity were significantly related to overall symptomatology. Only hyperfemininity was significantly related to one measure of gender-related personality traits (i.e., communion). Exploratory analyses revealed various relationships between gender measures and relative scores of psychological symptomatology. Overall, results indicated that hypergender may represent an independent domain of gender and may be especially useful in delineating the relationships between gender and psychological well-being.
BMP antagonism by Spemann's organizer regulates rostral–caudal fate of mesoderm

Abstract Recent revisions to the Xenopus fate map challenge the interpretation of previous maps and current models of amphibian axial patterning (Lane, M.C., Smith, W.C., 1999. The origins of primitive blood in Xenopus: implications for axial patterning. Development 126 (3), 423–434.; Lane, M.C., Sheets, M.D., 2000. Designation of the anterior/posterior axis in pregastrula Xenopus laevis. Dev. Biol. 225, 37–58). We determined the rostralmost contributions to both dorsal and ventral mesoderm concomitantly from marginal zone progenitors in stage 6 embryos. Data reveal an unequivocal rostral-to-caudal progression of both dorsal and ventral mesoderm across the pre-gastrula axis historically called the dorsal–ventral axis, and a dorsal-to-ventral progression from animal-to-vegetal in the marginal zone. These findings support the proposed revisions to the fate and axis orientation maps. Most importantly, these results raise questions about the role of the organizer grafts and organizer-derived BMP antagonists in the “induction” of secondary axes. We re-examine both phenomena, and find that organizer grafts and BMP antagonists evoke caudal-to-rostral mesodermal fate transformations, and not ventral-to-dorsal transformations as currently believed. We demonstrate that BMP antagonism evokes a second axis because it stimulates precocious mediolateral intercalation of caudal, dorsal mesoderm. The implications of these findings for models of organizer function in vertebrate axial patterning are discussed.
Synaptic vesicles are depleted from motor nerve terminals of deltamethrin-treated house fly larvae, Musca domestica

Abstract Deltamethrin perfused onto dissected last instar larvae of house fly, Musca domestica , at micromolar concentrations caused a blockage of synaptic transmission from excitatory axons to intersegmental muscles within 1 hr. Ultrastructure of the intersegmental muscles in treated preparations was indistinguishable from the appearance of untreated muscles. The presynaptic nerve terminals of treated larvae showed a general lack of synpatic vesicles in marked contrast to abundant synaptic vesicles in untreated tissues. Mitochondria of treated terminals showed swelling and vacuolated interiors whereas muscle mitochondria were normal in appearance. Neurosecretory terminals were similar in appearance between control and treated. The synaptic vesicle depletion reflected a presynaptic action of deltamethrin on house fly larvae motor nerve terminals as previously indicated by intracellular recordings.
‘Little works of art’: photography, camera clubs and democratizing everyday life in early twentieth-century Japan

AbstractBy the end of the Meiji period in 1912, members of Japan's new middle classes had taken up the pastime of photography, once a luxury affordable only to Japan's urban elite. The availability of cheaper, domestically produced cameras and developing materials fueled this popularization of photography. Along with affordable products, the rapid growth in popular camera clubs helped spread photographic know-how. Camera clubs were shared social spaces where members, primarily men, explored photographic art and technique. By spreading the idioms and practices of artistic expression among a wider audience, camera clubs, along with museums, galleries and exhibitions, were the primary institutional setting for the democratization of the fine arts in modern Japan. At the same time, clubs were voluntary associations and operated along democratic procedural principles that provided members the opportunity to participate in democratically run organizations where they could exercise individual rights not granted ...
Management of acral myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma

BACKGROUND: Acral myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma (AMFS) is a rare, low-grade sarcoma that commonly affects the distal extremities. From the published cases, therapy for AMFS to date has been comprised of excision or amputation, with limited use of radiotherapy (RT) or chemotherapy. In this report, the outcome of 17 patients with AMFS treated at the study institution was reported. METHODS: A retrospective review of all cases of AMFS identified in the Sarcoma Database in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the study institution was conducted. Treatment records and data from follow-up visits of patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were identified. All the patients underwent surgical resection (15 excisions and 2 amputations). Positive surgical margins after excisions were noted in 5 patients and were widely positive in 1 patient. Of the 17 patients, 14 patients received some form of RT. The average total dose was 56.4 Gray (Gy). Eight patients received preoperative RT alone, 5 patients received preoperative RT and postoperative RT, and 1 patient received preoperative RT and intraoperative RT. Median follow-up was 24.5 months. One patient presented with recurrent disease and was treated with resection, and both pre- and postoperative RT. He was free of disease 23 months after his last treatment. No local recurrence was noted in the remaining patients. Of the 14 patients undergoing preoperative RT, complete pathologic necrosis or no tumor was noted in 1 of the patients. No metastatic disease was observed in any of the patients. There was no significant radiation toxicity observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Data were consistent with local control of distal extremity sarcomas with resection and RT, suggesting that limb-sparing surgery with this treatment combination is an appropriate option in the limb-sparing control of patients with AMFS, even those with positive surgical margins.
Children’s Coping with Family Violence: Policy and Service Recommendations

This qualitative synthesis describes the successful coping strategies and service needs of children exposed to family violence using the evidenced based meta-synthesis approach. Social services abstracts, academic search premiere, PubMed, and Google scholar database searches were conducted. 17 studies published between 1991 and 2012 were included in the meta-synthesis. The 17 studies included in the synthesis is not an exhaustive list of studies published on the topic. Findings suggest that social support, resilience, and hope are important factors in helping children successfully cope with exposure to family violence. Child serving agencies can assist children cope with family violence by developing programs that include family mentors, increase children’s knowledge about available services, and encourage children to tell someone about their experiences. Child welfare practice and policy recommendations are provided by the author.
Emitted and elicited behavior: An analysis of some learning mechanisms associated with fluid intake of rats☆

Abstract Rats licked single drops of water, one drop at a time. Three groups licked either .004, .012, or .020-ml drops, while a fourth licked all three sizes in random order. Approach latencies to drops and the duration of licks and interlick intervals were measured. The response to a drop was typically a single burst of licks; lick rate decayed in time during the burst. For rats exposed to single drop sizes, bigger drops produced longer bursts of licks at a higher rate, and shorter approach latencies, than smaller drops. For rats exposed to all three sizes, bursts varied in length the same way, but approach latencies were uniformly short. The data speak to the stereotopy of licking, to theories of reinforcement such as those of Spence and Sheffield, and to the distinction between elicited and emitted behavior.
A framework for protocol composition in Horus

The Horus system supports a communication architecture that treats protocols as instances of an abstract data type. This approach encourages developers to partition complex protocols into simple microprotocols, each of which is implemented by a protocol layer. Protocol layers can be stacked on top of each other in a variety of ways, at run-time. First, we describe the classes of protocols that can be supported this way. Next, we present the Horus object model that we designed for this technology, and the interface between the layers that makes it all work. We then present an example layer that implements a group membership protocol. Next, we show how, given a set of required properties, an appropriate stack can be constructed. We look at an example stack of protocols, which provides fault-tolerant, totally ordered communication between a group of processes. The work contributes a standard framework for protocol development and experimentation, provides a high performance implementation of the virtual synchrony model, and introduces a methodology for increasing the robustness of the protocol development process.
Conservative management of patients with moderately elevated serum iron levels.

AbstractFor the four year period 1990–1993, we retrospectively reviewed all cases of iron ingestion reported to a regional poison control center that had serum iron levels in the 300–500 μ/dL range and did not receive deferoxamine. A total of 32 patients did not undergo deferoxamine therapy or challenge testing. The mean age was 6.7 years (range five months to 21 years). The mean serum iron Level was 372.8 μ/dL (range 301–487 μ/dL) Ten patients (31.3 %) were asymptomatic. Symptoms included vomiting in 18(56.3 %), diarrhea in six (18.8 %), lethargy in one (3. 1 %). and transient hypotension in one patient (3.1 %). No patients presented with grossly bloody emesis or stool. Fifteen patients (46.9 %) were hospitalized for at least one day. Seventeen (53.1 %) were treated and released from the emergency department. All 32 patients recovered without sequelae. A conservative approach without deferoxamine therapy or challenge should be considered when serum iron levels are in the 300–500μ/dL range in asymptomatic...
STUDIES ON THE RH (D) ANTIGEN.

Summary 1 Human erythrocyte stroma has been shown to maintain its Rh specificity following lyophilization. 2 The ability of D + lyophylized red cell ghosts to consume specific anti-D antibody has been shown to exhibit sensitivity to temperature, pH levels below 5.8 and above 9.2, and to a variety of proteolytic enzymes. 3 Several thiols in high concentrations were observed to so affect D+ LCG as to abolish its ability to consume specific anti-D. 4 Several sulfhydryl binding reagents abolished antibody consumption. This effect could be prevented by supplying excess thiol at the same time. The loss in antibody consumption due to p-chloromercuribenzoate was reversible. 5 These properties were shared by the single other antigen of the Rh system studied, namely C. 6 A and B activities, as measured by specific antibody consumption, were completely unaffected by these reagents. Resume 1 Les stromas d'erythrocytes humains conservent leur specificite Rhesus a la suite de lyophilisation. 2 Les stromas erythrocytaires lyophilises D + demontrent avoir une propriete de consommer l'anticorps anti-D specifique. Cette propriete est sensible a la temperature, au pH en-dessous de 5,8 et au-dessus de 9,2 et a certains types d'enzymes proteolytiques. 3 De nombreux thiols a haute concentration agissent sur les stromas erythrocytaires lyophilises D+ au point d'abolir leur aptitude a consommer l'anti-D specifique. 4 De nombreuses substances reagissant par liaison des groupes sulphydryls suppriment la consommation de l'anticorps. Cet effet peut etre empeche en ajoutant un exces du thiol au meme moment. La suppression de la consommation de l'anticorps par le p-chloromercuribenzoate est reversible. 5 Ces proprietes sont aussi presentes chez les autres antigenes du systeme Rhesus, plus particulierement chez l'antigene C. 6 Les activites A et B mesurees par la consommation d'anticorps specifiques ne sont, en aucune maniere, modifiees par ces reactifs. Zusammenfassung 1 Die Rh-Spezifitat von menschlichem Erythrozytenstroma wird durch Lyophilisation nicht beeintrachtigt. 2 Die Fahigkeit D-positiver lyophilisierter Erythrozytenstromata zur spezifischen Bindung von Anti-D-Antikorpern erwies sich als empfindlich auf Temperatur, pH-Werte unter 5,8 und uber 9,2 sowie auf eine Reihe proteolytischer Enzyme. 3 Verschiedene Thiole unterdruckten in hoher Konzentration die Fahigkeit der Stromata zur spezifischen Anti-D-Bindung. 4 Verschiedene sulfhydrylbindende Reagentien unterdruckten die Antikorper-bindung. Dieser Effekt unterblieb, sofern gleichzeitig Thiol im Uberschus zugesetzt wurde. Der durch p-Chloromercuribenzoat hervorgerufene Schwund der Antikorperfixation erwies sich als reversibel. 5 Das einzige mituntersuchte weitere Rhesusantigen C zeigte dasselbe Verhalten. 6 Die an Hand der spezifischen Antikorperkonsumption ermittelten A- und B-Aktivitaten blieben unter diesen Versuchsbedingungen unbeeinflust.
Internal Relationships and Activities Associated with High Levels of Purchasing Service Quality

SUMMARY This article presents findings from a comprehensive survey concerning internal service quality in a wide variety of U.S. companies. The objectives of this article were to further develop the internal service quality model and to study the internal customer-supplier relationships of companies with high levels of purchasing service quality. Purchasing managers were asked to assess and describe both incoming and outgoing internal service quality and associated activities for their purchasing departments and the organization as a whole. The respondents were also asked to assess the service quality provided to their firm's external customers. This information was used to summarize performance in each area for respondents with high levels of internal service quality, from both an internal supplier and internal customer perspective. Comparative information is provided for firms having low-to-moderate levels of internal service quality.
Integrity Matters: Linking Nuclear Architecture to Lifespan

Daily choices, of food, activity level, sun exposure, can positively influence the chance of living a long healthy life. Through these choices, we apparently influence some of the same biochemical and genetic pathways that regulate lifespan in lower eukaryotes. For example, conserved genes that regulate insulin/IGF-1 signaling and oxidative stress responses control longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila , and mice (1). The genetic control of lifespan is conserved in metazoan evolution, as first shown by classic studies with the nematode C. elegans (2). Lifespan and aging in mammals also may be influenced by the efficiency of DNA repair and replacement of damaged tissue by stem cells (1). Because aging is a complex phenomenon, and because lifespan can be shortened by many extraneous factors (e.g., toxins, bad genes, bad driving), the litmus test for truly aging-relevant pathways has been whether mutations in these pathways can extend lifespan. In contrast, lifespan is reduced in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and other human “accelerated aging” (progeria) syndromes, leading to ongoing debate as to whether these syndromes can provide insight into the mechanisms of normal aging (1, 3). New findings in C. elegans , the classic model organism for aging, now reveal a fundamental link between lifespan and the nucleus. In a key breakthrough, Haithcock et al. (4), in a recent issue of PNAS, showed that normal aging in C. elegans involves progressive stochastic (cell-by-cell) deterioration of nuclear …
Kinetics of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C with vesicles of a thiophosphate analogue of phosphatidylinositol.

Abstract l.2-Dimyristoyloxypropane-3-thiophospho(1D-1-m.yo-inositol) (D-thio-DMPI) was synthesized as a substrate for the continuous spectrophotometric assay of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) from Bacillus cereus. Release of thio-diglyceride is followed by a coupled reaction with 4,4′-dithiopyridine to produce a chromophore, 4-thiopyridine, measured by its absorption at 324 nm. Sonicated vesicles of D -thio-DMPI gave sigmoidal Michaelis-Menten kinetics with PI-PLC as a function of bulk concentration of substrate (Hill plot:Vmax = 132 μmol min−1, mg−1, apparent Km = 0.115 mM, h = 1.8). Addition of dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine (DMPC) or dimyristoyl phosphatidylmethanol to vesicles of D-thio-DMPI resulted in an initial increase in rate followed by a decrease at higher concentrations of non-substrate lipid. Binding of PI-PLC to vesicles of DMPC with 10 mol% of N-dansyl phosphatidylethanolamine was demonstrated by fluorescence resonance energy transfer from tryptophan in the enzyme to the dansyl lipid probe.
Contribution of Bone Tissue Modulus to Breast Cancer Metastasis to Bone

Certain tumors, such as breast, frequently metastasize to bone where they can induce bone destruction. Currently, it is well-accepted that the tumor cells are influenced by other cells and growth factors present in the bone microenvironment that lead to tumor-induced bone disease. Over the past 20 years, many groups have studied this process and determined the major contributing factors; however, these results do not fully explain the changes in gene expression and cell behavior that occur when tumor cells metastasize to bone. More recently, groups studying metastasis from soft tissue sites have determined that the rigidity of the microenvironment, which increases during tumor progression in soft tissue, can regulate tumor cell behavior and gene expression. Therefore, we began to investigate the role of the rigid bone extracellular matrix in the regulation of genes that stimulate tumor-induced bone disease. We found that the rigidity of bone specifically regulates parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and Gli2 expression in a transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and mechanotransduction-dependent mechanism. In this review, we summarize the mechanotransduction signaling pathway and how this influences TGF-β signaling and osteolytic gene expression.
Synthesis, Structure, and Olefin Metathesis Activity of Two Ruthenium Monofluoromethylidene Complexes

The monofluoromethylidene complexes Ru(CHF)(H2IMes)(PCy3)Cl2 (10) and Ru(CHF)(H2IMes)(py)2Cl2 (11) have been synthesized from Ru(CHPh)(H2IMes)(PCy3)Cl2 and Ru(CHPh)(H2IMes)(py)2Cl2 via reaction wit...