Degradation of temporal contrast from post-pedestal interference with a chirped pulse in an optical parametric amplifier

Pre-pedestal generation is observed in a 0.35-PW laser front end coming from a post-pedestal via instantaneous gain and pump depletion in an optical parametric amplifier during chirped-pulse amplification. Generalized simulations show how this effect arises from gain nonlinearity and applies to all optical parametric chirped-pulse-amplification systems with a post-pedestal. An experiment minimizing the effect of B-integral is used to isolate and study the newly observed conversion of a continuous post-pedestal into a continuous pre-pedestal. Matching numerical simulations confirm experimental results and additionally reveal how third-order dispersion largely controls the slope of the generated pre-pedestal.

Global forecasts in reservoir computers

A reservoir computer is a machine learning model that can be used to predict the future state(s) of time-dependent processes, e.g., dynamical systems. In practice, data in the form of an input-signal are fed into the reservoir. The trained reservoir is then used to predict the future state of this signal. We develop a new method for not only predicting the future dynamics of the input-signal but also the future dynamics starting at an arbitrary initial condition of a system. The systems we consider are the Lorenz, Rossler, and Thomas systems restricted to their attractors. This method, which creates a global forecast, still uses only a single input-signal to train the reservoir but breaks the signal into many smaller windowed signals. We examine how well this windowed method is able to forecast the dynamics of a system starting at an arbitrary point on a system's attractor and compare this to the standard method without windows. We find that the standard method has almost no ability to forecast anything but the original input-signal while the windowed method can capture the dynamics starting at most points on an attractor with significant accuracy.

Final amplifier of an ultra-intense all-OPCPA system with 13-J output signal energy and 41% pump-to-signal conversion efficiency

Optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA) using high-energy Nd:glass lasers has the potential to produce ultra-intense pulses (>1023 W/cm2). We report on the performance of the final high-efficiency amplifier in an OPCPA system based on large-aperture (63 × 63-mm2) partially deuterated potassium dihydrogen phosphate (DKDP) crystals. The seed beam (180-nm bandwidth, 110 mJ) was provided by the preceding OPCPA stages. A maximum pump-to-signal conversion efficiency of 41% and signal energy up to 13 J were achieved with a 52-mm-long DKDP crystal due to the flattop super-Gaussian pump beam profile and flat-in-time pulse shape.

Achieving 100 GW idler pulses from an existing petawatt optical parametric chirped pulse amplifier

Optical parametric chirped-pulse-amplification produces two broadband pulses, a signal and an idler, that can both provide peak powers >100 GW. In most cases the signal is used, but compressing the longer-wavelength idler opens up opportunities for experiments where the driving laser wavelength is a key parameter. This paper will describe several subsystems that were added to a petawatt class, Multi-Terawatt optical parametric amplifier line (MTW-OPAL) at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics to address two long-standing issues introduced by the use of the idler, angular dispersion, and spectral phase reversal. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that compensation of angular dispersion and phase reversal has been achieved in a single system and results in a 100 GW, 120-fs duration, pulse at 1170 nm.

Short-term risk prediction after major lower limb amputation: PERCEIVE study

BACKGROUND

The accuracy with which healthcare professionals (HCPs) and risk prediction tools predict outcomes after major lower limb amputation (MLLA) is uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of predicting short-term (30 days after MLLA) mortality, morbidity, and revisional surgery.

METHODS

The PERCEIVE (PrEdiction of Risk and Communication of outcomE following major lower limb amputation: a collaboratIVE) study was launched on 1 October 2020. It was an international multicentre study, including adults undergoing MLLA for complications of peripheral arterial disease and/or diabetes. Preoperative predictions of 30-day mortality, morbidity, and MLLA revision by surgeons and anaesthetists were recorded. Probabilities from relevant risk prediction tools were calculated. Evaluation of accuracy included measures of discrimination, calibration, and overall performance.

RESULTS

Some 537 patients were included. HCPs had acceptable discrimination in predicting mortality (931 predictions; C-statistic 0.758) and MLLA revision (565 predictions; C-statistic 0.756), but were poor at predicting morbidity (980 predictions; C-statistic 0.616). They overpredicted the risk of all outcomes. All except three risk prediction tools had worse discrimination than HCPs for predicting mortality (C-statistics 0.789, 0.774, and 0.773); two of these significantly overestimated the risk compared with HCPs. SORT version 2 (the only tool incorporating HCP predictions) demonstrated better calibration and overall performance (Brier score 0.082) than HCPs. Tools predicting morbidity and MLLA revision had poor discrimination (C-statistics 0.520 and 0.679).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians predicted mortality and MLLA revision well, but predicted morbidity poorly. They overestimated the risk of mortality, morbidity, and MLLA revision. Most short-term risk prediction tools had poorer discrimination or calibration than HCPs. The best method of predicting mortality was a statistical tool that incorporated HCP estimation.

Analysis of pump-to-signal noise transfer in two-stage ultra-broadband optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification

In optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification (OPCPA), pump temporal intensity modulation is transferred to the chirped-signal spectrum via instantaneous parametric gain and results in contrast degradation of the recompressed signal. We investigate, for the first time to our knowledge, the pump-to-signal noise transfer in a two-stage ultra-broadband OPCPA pumped by a single laser and show the dependence of pump-induced signal noise, characterized both before and after pulse compression, on the difference in pump-seed delay in the two stages. We demonstrate an up-to-15-dB reduction of the pump-induced contrast degradation via pump-seed delay optimization. Experiments and simulations show that, even when parametric amplifiers are operated in saturation, the pump-seed delay can be used to minimize the pump-induced contrast degradation that is attributed largely to the noises from the unsaturated edges of the pulse and that of the beam.

Looking down: a model for visual route following in flying insects

Insect visual navigation is often assumed to depend on panoramic views of the horizon, and how these change as the animal moves. However, it is known that honey bees can visually navigate in flat, open meadows where visual information at the horizon is minimal, or would remain relatively constant across a wide range of positions. In this paper we hypothesise that these animals can navigate using view memories of the ground. We find that in natural scenes, low resolution views from an aerial perspective of ostensibly self-similar terrain (e.g. within a field of grass) provide surprisingly robust descriptors of precise spatial locations. We propose a new visual route following approach that makes use of transverse oscillations to centre a flight path along a sequence of learned views of the ground. We deploy this model on an autonomous quadcopter and demonstrate that it provides robust performance in the real world on journeys of up to 30 m. The success of our method is contingent on a robust view matching process which can evaluate the familiarity of a view with a degree of translational invariance. We show that a previously developed wavelet based bandpass orientated filter approach fits these requirements well, exhibiting double the catchment area of standard approaches. Using a realistic simulation package, we evaluate the robustness of our approach to variations in heading direction and aircraft height between inbound and outbound journeys. We also demonstrate that our approach can operate using a vision system with a biologically relevant visual acuity and viewing direction.

Simulation of grating compressor misalignment tolerances and mitigation strategies for chirped-pulse-amplification systems of varying bandwidths and beam sizes

The effects of pulse compressor grating misalignment on pulse duration and focusability are simulated for chirped-pulse-amplification systems of varying bandwidths, beam sizes, groove densities, and incident angles. Tilt-alignment tolerances are specified based on a 2 drop in focused intensity, illustrating how tolerances scale with bandwidth and compressor beam size, which scales with energy when transformed via known grating damage thresholds. Grating-alignment tolerance scaling with grating groove density and incident/diffracted angles is investigated and applied to compressor design. A correlation between grating tip and in-plane rotation error sensitivity is defined and used to compensate residual out-of-plane angular dispersion, even for ultra-broadband pulses. Simulation of dispersion compensation methods after grating misalignment is shown to mitigate pulse lengthening, limited by temporal contrast degradation and higher-order effects for ultrabroad bandwidths.

Abstract 745: Interleukin-13 conjugated quantum dots to identify glioma initiating cells and exosomes

High grade brain tumors like glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and certain other brain metastatic cancers possess high tumor invasive and infiltrating properties making them harder to detect. Identification of cancer stem cells and exosomes secreted by them in the biofluids like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will be an ideal way of detecting the presence of residual cancer after therapy. In the current approach, a ligand conjugated quantum dot (QD) was utilized to specifically label the cancer stem cells and exosomes to identify the presence of IL13Rα2 a tumor invasive marker. Human glioma initiating cells were cultured in adherent form and were exposed to interleukin-13 conjugated quantum dots (IL13QD), which binds the glioma initiating cells expressing IL13Rα2 receptor. Similarly the exosomes isolated from cancer stem cell condition media and CSF was briefly incubated with IL13QD, before analyzing their complexing pattern. Exosomes that were isolated from glioma stem cells and patients CSF were demonstrated to express IL13Rα2 receptor. Fluorescent microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and flow cytometry were performed on the exosomes after complexing with IL13QD. IL13QD was demonstrated to specifically bind glioma stem cells both in the monolayer and spheroid culture. The binding affinity of the exosomes to the quantum dots were quantitatively and qualitatively confirmed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The morphology and size of exosomes before and after complexing with exosomes were confirmed by electron microscopy and AFM. The density plot from the flow cytometry experiments with IL13QD-exosomes complex indicates a possibility to identify the tumor associated exosomes. Our experiment infers that tumor targeted quantum dots can selectively bind with glioma stem cells and extracellular vesicles (exosomes) that are secreted by cancer cells. This binding profile could be utilized to identify the expression of certain tumor promoting receptors and antigens on the surface of exosomes present in the CSF and cancer stem cells from the glioma patients. Experiments are in progress to identify the tumor initiating cells in an orthotopic mouse glioma tumor model after intravenous administration of wild type IL13 and certain high affinity mutated IL13 conjugated quantum dots, by non-invasive way.

Citation Format: Achuthamangalam B. Madhankumar, Oliver Mrowczynski, Brad Zacharia, Michael Glantz, Lichong Xu, Becky Webb, Christopher Siedlecki, Akiva Mintz, James R. Connor. Interleukin-13 conjugated quantum dots to identify glioma initiating cells and exosomes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 745. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-745

Comparative evaluation of nephrotoxicity and management by macrophages of intravenous pharmaceutical iron formulations

Background

There is a significant clinical need for effective treatment of iron deficiency. A number of compounds that can be administered intravenously have been developed. This study examines how the compounds are handled by macrophages and their relative potential to provoke oxidative stress.

Methods

Human kidney (HK-2) cells, rat peritoneal macrophages and renal cortical homogenates were exposed to pharmaceutical iron preparations. Analyses were performed for indices of oxidative stress and cell integrity. In addition, in macrophages, iron uptake and release and cytokine secretion was monitored.

Results

HK-2 cell viability was decreased by iron isomaltoside and ferumoxytol and all compounds induced lipid peroxidation. In the renal cortical homogenates, lipid peroxidation occurred at lowest concentrations with ferric carboxymaltose, iron dextran, iron sucrose and sodium ferric gluconate. In the macrophages, iron sucrose caused loss of cell viability. Iron uptake was highest for ferumoxytol and iron isomaltoside and lowest for iron sucrose and sodium ferric gluconate. Iron was released as secretion of ferritin or as ferrous iron via ferroportin. The latter was blocked by hepcidin. Exposure to ferric carboxymaltose and iron dextran resulted in release of tumor necrosis factor α.

Conclusions

Exposure to iron compounds increased cell stress but was tissue and dose dependent. There was a clear difference in the handling of iron from the different compounds by macrophages that suggests in vivo responses may differ.

Comparative Modeling of Drug Target Proteins☆

In this perspective, we begin by describing the comparative protein structure modeling technique and the accuracy of the corresponding models. We then discuss the significant role that comparative prediction plays in drug discovery. We focus on virtual ligand screening against comparative models and illustrate the state-of-the-art by a number of specific examples.

Abstract 4436: The down-regulation of ferritin heavy chain as an adjuvant therapy in human glioma

Increased iron requirements and heightened iron metabolism is among the key characteristics of highly proliferative cancer cells. As the major iron storage protein, ferritin expression is elevated in cancer cells and we have previously shown that ferritin down-regulation in human glioblastoma cells increases their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agent both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we report that the sensitization of H-ferritin down-regulation in glioma cells against radiation and suggest the potential of H-ferritin down-regulation as an adjuvant therapy in human glioma.

Down-regulation of H-ferritin was performed in human glioma cell line U251 through a nanotechnology-based transfection platform and effective knockdown efficiency was achieved. A transient decrease in transferrin receptor level was also observed, suggesting a release of intracellular iron with loss of ferritin. This iron release in turn produced intracellular oxidative stress, demonstrated by protein oxidation damage, as well as a decrease in the stability of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which is an indicator of radioresistance. In U251 cells, exposure to radiation resulted in protein oxidation which could be exacerbated by H-ferritin down-regulation.

Previously we have demonstrated a DNA protection role for H-ferritin. Here we report that the down-regulation of H-ferritin is associated with increased DNA vulnerability when cells were exposed to ionizing radiation. Moreover, the activation of DNA repair mechanisms was impaired when H-ferritin was absent. The in vitro data suggest a synergistic effect of radiation and H-ferritin down-regulation.

Additionally, we expand our research into CD133-positive glioma stem cells (GSCs), which are notoriously resistant to anti-cancer treatment. Down-regulation of H-ferritin in these cells inhibited cell proliferation in vitro. With an intracranial glioma model established by GSC implantation, we demonstrated that the survival was significantly prolonged by H-ferritin siRNA transfection through intravenous injection, in tumor bearing mice treated with first-line drug Temodar. This study supports the potential of H-ferritin siRNA as an adjuvant therapy in glioma treatment.

Citation Format: Min Pang, A.B. Madhankumar, Becky Webb, Xiaoli Liu, James R. Connor. The down-regulation of ferritin heavy chain as an adjuvant therapy in human glioma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4436. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4436

Elemental and non-elemental olfactory learning in Drosophila

Brain complexity varies across many orders of magnitude between animals, and it is often assumed that complexity underpins cognition. It is thus important to explore the cognitive capacity of widely used model organisms such as Drosophila. We systematically investigated the fly's ability to learn discriminations involving compound olfactory stimuli associated with shock. Flies could distinguish binary mixtures (AB+ CD-), including overlapping mixtures (AB+ BC-). They could learn positive patterning (AB+A- B-) but could not learn negative patterning (A+ B+ AB-) or solve a biconditional discrimination task (AB+ CD+ AC- BD-). Learning about the elements of a compound (AB+) was not affected by prior conditioning of one of the elements (A+ AB+): flies do not exhibit blocking in this task. We compare these results with the predictions from simulation of several well-known theoretical models of learning, and find none are fully consistent with the overall pattern of observed behaviour.

Abstract 84: The L-ferritin receptor, Scara5, is expressed on breast cancer and glioma cells: A potential functional significance for cancer-associated high serum/CSF levels

Elevated levels of circulating ferritin have been associated with several neoplasms, including neuroblastoma, glioblastoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and breast cancer. Despite the prognostic value of serum ferritin levels, its role in cancer biology is not understood. Ferritin has long been considered exclusively as an intracellular iron storage protein. However, several lines of evidence have suggested a role for ferritin beyond iron storage, such as angiogenesis, iron delivery, and modulation of the immune response. Recently, a receptor for L-ferritin (the predominant ferritin subunit in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid) has been identified as scavenger receptor class A, member 5 (Scara5). Our preliminary data show Scara5 to be expressed in glioma, neuroblastoma, and breast cancer cells. This novel observation led us to hypothesize that Scara5 internalizes L-ferritin, and serves as a non-transferrin iron delivery mechanism in cancer cells. In support of this hypothesis, we report here that both human liver and human heart ferritins increased cellular survival of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in serum free conditions. Taken together, these observations suggest an active functional role for circulating ferritin in tumor biology. The elevated levels of circulating ferritin observed in some cancers may enhance tumor metabolism and growth.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 84.

A model of antennal wall-following and escape in the cockroach

Cockroaches exploit tactile cues from their antennae to avoid predators. During escape running the same sensors are used to follow walls. We hypothesise that selection of these mutually exclusive behaviours can be explained without representation of the stimulus or an explicit switching mechanism. A neural model is presented that embodies this hypothesis. The model incorporates behavioural and neurophysiological data and is embedded in a mobile robot in order to test the response to stimuli in the real world. The system is shown to account for data on escape direction and high-speed wall-following in the cockroach, including the counter-intuitive observation that faster running cockroaches maintain a closer distance to the wall. The wall-following behaviour is extended to include discrimination of tactile escape cues according to behavioural context. We conclude by highlighting questions arising from the robot experiments that suggest interesting hypotheses to test in the cockroach.

Detection of HCV and HIV-1 antibody negative infections in Scottish and Northern Ireland blood donations by nucleic acid amplification testing

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

To reduce the risk of transfusion-transmissible viruses entering the blood supply, the nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) was implemented to screen Scottish and Northern Irish blood donations in minipools. After 5 years of NAT for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 2 years for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), the yield of serologically negative, nucleic acid positive 'window donations' and cost-benefit of NAT is under review.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

When the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) implemented NAT in 1999, a fully automated 'black box' system was not available. Therefore, an 'in-house' assimilated NAT assay was developed, validated and implemented. The system is flexible and allows testing for additional viral markers to be introduced with relative ease.

RESULTS

The HCV and HIV NAT assays have 95% detection levels of 7.25 IU/ml and 39.8 IU/ml, respectively, as determined by probit analysis. One HCV (1 in 1.9 million) and one HIV (1 in 0.77 million) window donation have been detected in 5 and 2 years, respectively, of NAT.

CONCLUSION

The SNBTS NAT assays are robust and have performed consistently over the last 5 years. The design of the in-house system allowed HIV NAT to be added in 2003 at a relatively small additional cost per sample, although for both assays, the royalty fee far exceeds the cost of the test itself. Clearly NAT has a benefit in improving the safety of the blood supply although the risks of transfusion-transmitted viral infections, as reported in the Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) report, are extremely low. Also, in UK the yield of HCV antibody negative, NAT positive donations is far lower than predicted although the early detection of an HIV window period donation and the increase of HIV in the blood donor and general populations may provide a stronger case for HIV NAT. SUMMARY SENTENCE: The yield of HCV and HIV NAT in UK is significantly less than that anticipated from statistical models.

Solution structure of the carboxyl-terminal cysteine-rich domain of the VHv1.1 polydnaviral gene product: comparison with other cystine knot structural folds

Polydnaviruses are an unusual group of insect viruses that have an obligate symbiotic association with certain parasitic wasps. These viruses are transmitted with the wasp egg during oviposition into lepidopteran insects, enabling the survival and development of the egg inside the host larvae. We report the three-dimensional structure of a novel polydnaviral cysteine-rich motif (cys-motif), identified as the carboxyl-terminal domain of a two cys-motif containing polydnaviral VHv1.1 gene product, abbreviated "C-term VHv1.1". This 65-residue domain was identified experimentally by limited proteolysis of the full-length protein and was subsequently cloned in a bacterial expression system for NMR studies. The C-term VHv1.1 3D structure was determined in solution by two-dimensional (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Calculation of the structure was based on a total of 300 upper distance restraints and 20 dihedral angle constraints, and resulted in an ensemble of 25 representative conformers with an average rmsd of 0.47 A from the mean structure for core backbone atoms. The protein core is made of a four beta-strand scaffold held together in a compact structure by three disulfide bonds, which form a cystine knot. The four beta-strands are arranged in an unusual configuration to form a triple-stranded beta-sheet and double-stranded beta-sheet. Comparison with other classes of cystine knots provides indication that C-term VHv1.1 represents a new and distinct cystine knot motif. This analysis provides a structural basis for interpretation of the genetic and amino acid sequence data classifying polydnavirus gene products as members of cysteine-rich protein families.

Can robots make good models of biological behaviour?

How should biological behaviour be modelled? A relatively new approach is to investigate problems in neuroethology by building physical robot models of biological sensorimotor systems. The explication and justification of this approach are here placed within a framework for describing and comparing models in the behavioural and biological sciences. First, simulation models--the representation of a hypothesis about a target system--are distinguished from several other relationships also termed "modelling" in discussions of scientific explanation. Seven dimensions on which simulation models can differ are defined and distinctions between them discussed: 1.

RELEVANCE

whether the model tests and generates hypotheses applicable to biology. 2. Level: the elemental units of the model in the hierarchy from atoms to societies. 3. Generality: the range of biological systems the model can represent. 4. Abstraction: the complexity, relative to the target, or amount of detail included in the model. 5. Structural accuracy: how well the model represents the actual mechanisms underlying the behaviour. 6. Performance match: to what extent the model behaviour matches the target behaviour. 7. Medium: the physical basis by which the model is implemented. No specific position in the space of models thus defined is the only correct one, but a good modelling methodology should be explicit about its position and the justification for that position. It is argued that in building robot models biological relevance is more effective than loose biological inspiration; multiple levels can be integrated; that generality cannot be assumed but might emerge from studying specific instances; abstraction is better done by simplification than idealisation; accuracy can be approached through iterations of complete systems; that the model should be able to match and predict target behaviour; and that a physical medium can have significant advantages. These arguments reflect the view that biological behaviour needs to be studied and modelled in context, that is, in terms of the real problems faced by real animals in real environments.

An exploratory study in a community National Health Service Trust to understand why enrolled nurses choose not to convert to first-level registration

AIM

The aim of this research study was to more fully understand at local level what it was that prevented enrolled nurses (ENs) coming forward for conversion to the first level of the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (UKCC) nursing register.

BACKGROUND

An NHS Trust had first-level nursing shortages and looked to the 69 ENs nurses -- 12% of the nursing workforce -- to meet that shortfall via conversion to first-level UKCC nurse registration. Based on local surveys, their intention to convert was the same as national findings, in that high numbers said they wanted to convert. In addition, this NHS Trust provided support and fully funded conversion courses, yet they did not come forward.

METHODS

A qualitative approach based on focus groups with ENs was adopted to research this 'problem' within the local organizational context.

FINDINGS

ENs were unaware that fully funded course places were available, extremely fearful of the academic expectations of the conversion course and highly committed to family needs. Conclusions Nationally, policymakers advocated the retention of and/or the conversion of ENs, on the grounds that research participants did not perceive or believe that managers were supportive of this proposal.

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

Create managers who looked beyond the immediate 'problem' of nursing shortages and invested in ENs to retain them in the NHS workforce. Establish local policy and an implementation plan to address the needs of ENs in line with clinical governance and the local nurse retention strategy. Empower ENs who would secure solutions to the issues for themselves.

Demonstration of different patterns of musculoskeletal, soft tissue and visceral involvement in melioidosis using 99m Tc stannous colloid white cell scanning

Melioidosis is an infectious disease that can present with multiple foci of disease involvement. Assessment of disease extent can be difficult, especially in musculoskeletal, visceral and soft tissue infection. This study examined the usefulness of white cell scans in this condition. 99mTc stannous colloid white cell scanning was performed in 21 patients with culture-proven melioidosis. Scan results were compared with clinical assessment and correlated with other forms of imaging. White cell scans demonstrated all but one of the clinically apparent sites of musculoskeletal, visceral and other soft tissue infection. Unsuspected disseminated soft tissue lesions were seen in two patients, including femoral node uptake in both, and these patients subsequently presented with relapsing musculoskeletal disease. Unsuspected musculoskeletal disease was found in one patient. Clinically suspected musculoskeletal disease was accurately excluded by white cell scan in another patient. The results of white cell scanning were also examined in disease of other viscera. Renal and prostatic disease were visualized. Unsuspected parotid involvement was found in two patients. Only one of two spinal lesions was visualized. Pulmonary disease was not necessarily associated with abnormal uptake. White cell scanning is a quick and effective way of assessing the extent of musculoskeletal, visceral and soft tissue disease in melioidosis.

View from the boundary

Re-implementing biological mechanisms on robots not only has technological application but can provide a unique perspective on the nature of sensory processing in animals. To make a robot work, we need to understand the function as part of an embodied, behaving system. I argue that this perspective suggests that the terms "representation" and "information processing" can be misleading when we seek to understand how neurobiological mechanisms carry out perceptual processes. This argument is presented here with reference to a robot model of cricket behavior, which has demonstrated competence comparable to that of the insect, but utilizes surprisingly simple central processing. Instead it depends on sensory interfaces that are well matched to the task, and on the link between environment, action, and perception.

What does robotics offer animal behaviour?

There is a growing body of robot-based research that makes a serious claim to be a new methodology for biology. Robots can be used as models of specific animal systems to test hypotheses regarding the control of behaviour. At levels from learning algorithms to specific dendritic circuits, implementing a proposed controller in a robotic device tests it against real environments in a way that is difficult to simulate. This often provides insight into the true nature of the problem. It also enforces complete specifications and combines bodies of data. Current work can sometimes be criticized for drawing unjustified conclusions given the limited evaluation and inevitable inaccuracies of robot models. Nevertheless, this approach has led to novel hypotheses for animal behaviour and seems likely to provide fruitful results in the future. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Enrolled nurse conversion: a review of the literature

AIM

The aim of this literature review was to examine the policies and professional literature from the last 50 years about the introduction, the role and subsequent plight of the enrolled nurse (also known as second level nurses), and the need to convert to the first level of the UKCC nursing register.

BACKGROUND

Nurse shortages within the NHS have been cyclical since its inception in 1948. The policy decision to cease the training of enrolled nurses within the frame of modernizing the education and training of the nursing workforce had two distinct implications for enrolled nurses. Firstly, they could choose to stay as enrolled nurses or convert to first level nursing. Nevertheless, enrolled nurses have cited the lack of funded conversion course places, and managerial support for non-conversion.

METHODS

A critical review of the national policies and professional literature concerned with the evaluation of enrolled nurses' contribution to the NHS.

FINDINGS

It was argued that national policy needs to be supported on the ground, whereby enrolled nurses are proactively supported to come forward for conversion and/or meaningful roles are created and sustained where enrolled nurses continue to make a valuable contribution to the NHS agenda. Finally, the paper challenges all NHS organizations to consider the profile and value of enrolled nurses and become proactive in their recruitment and retention of this nursing group.

A simple latency-dependent spiking-neuron model of cricket phonotaxis

A simple hypothesis regarding the recognition behaviour of crickets for conspecific songs is implemented in a dynamic simulation of spiking neurons and tested on a robot base. The model draws on data from cricket neurophysiology but requires only four neurons to reproduce a wide range of the observed behaviour. The directional response depends on relative latencies in firing onset, and the 'recognition' emerges from the implicit filtering properties of leaky-integrate-and-fire neurons. Experimental conditions reproduced include tests of syllable rate preference, song from above with sound from one side, and choice between songs. The robot produces behaviour closely comparable to the cricket in all but a 'split-song' condition. A number of properties can be observed in the neural circuit that correspond to cricket neurophysiology including apparent 'recognition neurons'. Limitations of the model, extensions and alternative models are discussed.

MnSOD expression is increased in metastatic gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) catalyzes the scavenging of superoxide radicals in order to protect cells from the damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Previous studies implicate MnSOD in cancer progression, but its role in gastric cancer metastasis is poorly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To determine whether MnSOD expression correlates with gastric cancer metastasis, we compared immunostaining for MnSOD in the primary tumors of gastric cancer patients with (n = 15) and without (n = 9) nodal metastases. These patients were matched for risk factors associated with gastric cancer metastasis, such as tumor site, depth, and grade. MnSOD expression was scored positive (increased) if MnSOD staining of tumor cells was more intense than MnSOD staining in corresponding normal gastric epithelial cells. Statistical analyses were via chi(2) test and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

MnSOD expression was increased in 14 of the 15 (93%) metastatic tumors, compared to only 4 of the 9 (44%) nonmetastatic tumors (P = 0.015). There was no significant difference in staining when the two groups were compared based on tumor grade (P = 0.70) or depth of tumor cell invasion (T stage) (P = 0.22).

CONCLUSIONS

MnSOD expression is upregulated in the primary tumors of gastric cancer patients with lymph node metastases. This finding supports an involvement of MnSOD and possibly the reactive oxygen status of the gastric tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer metastasis.

The development and pharmacological characterization of calcium channel currents in cultured embryonic rat septal cells

We characterized the development and pharmacology of Ca(2+) channel currents in NGF-treated embryonic day 21 cultured rat septal cells. Using standard whole-cell voltage clamp techniques, cells were held at -80 mV and depolarized to construct current-voltage relations in conditions that eliminated Na(+) or K(+) currents. Barium (10 mM) was used as the charge carrier. Maximum current was produced when cells were depolarized to 0 or +10 mV. Recordings from 77 cells revealed that Ca(2+) channel current density increases over time in culture from nearly 0 pA/pF on day 2 in vitro (0.65+/-0.65 pA/pF) to (6.95+/-1.59 pA/pF) on days 6-8. This was followed by a period where currents became nearly 3 times more dense (21.05+/-7.16 pA/pF) at days 9-17. There was little or no evidence for low voltage activated currents. Bath application of 50-100 microM CdCl(2) abolished approximately 95% of the current. Application of 10 microM nimodipine produced a 50.5+/-3.22% reduction in current, 2 microM omega-CTx-GVIA produced a 32.4+/-7.3% reduction, and application of 4 microM omega-Aga-IVA produced a 29.5+/-5.73% reduction in current. When all three inhibitors (10 microM nimodipine, 2 microM omega-CTx-GVIA, and 4 microM omega-Aga-IVA) were applied simultaneously, a residual current remained that was 18.0+/-4.9% of the total current and was completely abolished by application of CdCl(2). This is the first report to characterize Ca(2+) channel currents in cultured embryonic septal cells. These data indicate that there is a steady increase in Ca(2+) channel expression over time in vitro, and show that like other cultured neuronal cells, septal cells express multiple Ca(2+) channel types including L, N, P/Q and R-type channels.

All-optical crossbar switch using wavelength division multiplexing and vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

A design for an all-optical crossbar network utilizing wavelength-tunable vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) technology and a combination of free-space optics and compact optical waveguides is presented. Polymer waveguides route the optical signals from a spatially distributed array of processors to a central free-space optical crossbar, producing a passive, all-optical, fully connected crossbar network directly from processor to processor. The analyzed network could, relatively inexpensively, connect local clusters of tightly integrated processors. In addition, it is also believed that such a network could be extended, with wavelength reuse, to connect much larger numbers of processors in a multicluster network.

A neuromorphic hair sensor model of wind-mediated escape in the cricket

Crickets are able to extract directional information about a wind stimulus through the filiform hairs located on their cerci. This paper describes the design and testing of a neuromorphic sensor that aims to achieve a close correlation with both the physical and functional properties of these hairs. An integrate and fire neural network is used to process the sensory information in real time. The resulting system is shown to be capable of extracting directional information from a wind stimulus and producing an appropriate motor control pattern.

Experience in treating recalcitrant scalp psoriasis with automated shampooing and debridement

We report the cumulative clinical experience and financial implications of treating severe scalp psoriasis in an outpatient phototherapy center by means of an automated scalp debridement unit. Benefits of this approach included increased patient and staff satisfaction, enhanced response of recalcitrant scalp psoriasis, and detection of scalp dermatoses mimicking psoriasis.

A framework for models of biological behaviour

Modelling is most clearly understood as a adjunct in the process of deriving predictions from hypotheses. By representing a hypothesised mechanism in a model we hope by manipulating the model to understand the hypotheses' consequences. Eight dimensions on which models of biological behaviour can vary are described: the degree of realism with which they apply to biology; the level of biology they represent; the generality or range of systems the model is supposed to cover; the abstraction or amount of biological detail represented; the accuracy of representation of the mechanisms; the medium in which the model is built; the match of the model behaviour to biological behaviour; and the utility of the model in providing biological understanding and/or technical insight. It is hoped this framework will help to clarify debates over different approaches to modelling, particularly by pointing out how the above dimensions are relatively independent and should not be conflated.

Harnessing IT systems to support patient care: good practice

The incorporation of information management and technology into healthcare environments has long been advocated, but resistance from clinicians and perceived financial constraints have laboured its successful implementation in many trusts. This article looks at the reasons behind these problems and highlights the benefits to patients of effective use of information technology in the delivery and documentation of patient care.

Squamous cell papillomatosis of esophagus following placement of a self-expanding metal stent

The esophageal self-expanding metal stent has gained widespread acceptance for the management of tracheoesophageal fistulas and the palliative management of malignant esophageal strictures. The complications associated with its use can be classified as either immediate or delayed. The most frequent delayed complications include tumor ingrowth, stent migration, reflux of gastric contents, bleeding, and perforation. This case report illustrates an otherwise unrecognized delayed complication of a self-expanding metal stent. Near complete ingrowth of the stent by squamous mucosal hyperplasia occurred within six weeks of the metal stent's placement. This finding supports the hypothesis that mucosal injury and regeneration underlies the etiology of esophageal squamous cell papilloma formation.