Methods in Visual Mathematics: Reductionism in Researching Mathematical Principles in Art

The visual arts offer a reflective source for understanding the processing of aesthetics and beauty that is significant to an awareness of brain function and the human psyche. Evaluating and determining what factors are integral to the experience of aesthetics holds value for understanding deeper psychological implications of perception. I conducted a survey of Western portraiture determined to be famed through repeated Internet searching of famous art and best-selling prints for the purpose of examining the works for mathematical attributes proposed to cause the experience of visual pleasure. While mathematical principles and patterns can be found within each example of portraiture, the overarching issue encountered is the validity of the methods that are present in the research that declares the merit of the principles and patterns used. As the data suggesting the value of the attributes sought in the works is flawed, so too is any conclusion based upon it. The ability to quantify the qualitative in an objective manner does not yet exist. Therefore, it is invalid and reductionist to assert the experience of visual pleasure as relates to fame is based on a singular attribute that cannot be empirically established. Attempts to discover adequate methods are not wasted, as the discussion generated by inquiry into the experience of aesthetics offers positive philosophical and critical thinking applications. Furthermore, the promising new frontier for aesthetic research involves utilization of social networking and the Internet as tools

Comparison of 3D and 4D CBCT for the Localization of Moving Targets

Purpose: Compare the localization accuracy of 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and 4D CBCT for a dynamic respiratory phantom, considering cases with and without respiratory variations between planning and treatment. Methods and Materials: A respiratory phantom was imaged using 3D CBCT and 4D CBCT. Measurements of the amplitude of motion in 3D CBCT and 4D CBCT and size of the sphere at its exhale position in 4D CBCT were acquired. The phantom was then misaligned by known distances relative to a reference position. 3D CBCT and 4D CBCT were used to re-align the phantom by comparing localization images to reference images. Because the ideal 4D CBCT registration approach was to be determined, multiple localization-reference pairs of images were examined. Comparison was performed for multiple respiratory waveforms at two amplitudes as well as for waveforms where amplitudes were increased or decreased by 30%, simulating changes in respiratory behavior between simulation and localization. Error of localization trials was defined as the difference between the recommended table shifts and the known displacement. Results: Measurements of the respiratory amplitude were underestimated for all cases. Measurement of the sphere diameter exhibited \u3c 2 mm error. Localization errors were less than 2.6 mm for all cases. When the motion amplitude was the same during localization as planning, automatic registration of the exhale frame from the 4D CBCT to the reference exhale frame had the smallest error in localization of 0.54 ± 0.03 mm. However, automatic registration of the 4D CBCT AIP to the reference AIP had the smallest errors when the motion amplitude changed between planning and localization, 1.59 ± 0.12 mm for the +30% amplitude change and 0.69 ± 0.02 mm for the -30% amplitude change. Conclusion: Because lung tumor motion amplitude throughout treatment may vary between planning and treatment, the use of 4D CBCT AIP registered to reference AIP was recommended for localization. 4D CBCT provided additional benefits compared to 3D CBCT of substantial reduction in target blurring and verification of respiratory motion characteristics prior to treatment

Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides and Their Mode of Action: A Genomics Approach for a Better Understanding

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced from naturally occurring peptides have recently become a focus for drug design. These synthetic derivatives are relatively small (6-12 amino acids), potent, not easily resisted, and active against a broad-range of pathogens; making such compounds particularly attractive as platforms for the development of novel antimicrobials. However, the mode of action of these synthetic peptides, as well as many naturally occurring peptides, remains largely uncharacterized. This lack of understanding, and more specifically the absence of detailed knowledge of the complexity of AMP mode(s) of action, continues to limit our capabilities for taking full advantage of these compounds (Mangoni, Papo et al. 2004). This work was designed to understand the mode(s) of action of the AMPs Bac8c (a synthetic AMP) and histone (naturally occurring AMP), and mode(s) of resistance to these compounds using high-throughput genomic tools and classic genetic approaches. I found that both peptides have different mechanism of action against Bacteria. Bac8 is more complex and a specific target may not be found. It is possible that Bac8c is a “dirty drug” and target multiple complexes within the cell. Histones however, we found were mainly pore formers, and the main mode of resistance against them is through colanic acid biosynthesis

A Paradigm For Affordable Housing Through Equity Sharing and the Use of Accrued-Interest Mortgage Notes

Affordable housing is a familiar problem to first-time homebuyers in North Carolina's most expensive housing market, Chapel Hill. Culbreth Park, a new Chapel Hill subdivision, will address this problem by creating an economically diverse neighborhood that will include very low income to moderate-income homeowners. This article describes the goals of Culbreth Park Community Development Corporation, the project's sponsor, and then focuses on the financial arrangements for the project

Die hard: necroptosis and its impact on age-dependent neuroinflammatory diseases

The pro-inflammatory form of cellular death, necroptosis, is critical to age-related pathologies.Necroptosis primarily functions as an antipathogenic and antitumor biological mechanism by triggering inflammatory pathways within rogue cell bodies, resulting in cell death. Several neurodegenerative conditions have hallmarks of necroptosis, suggesting a potential role for this cell death pathway in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death, likely through the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines that perpetuate inflammatory signaling and neurodegeneration. The receptor-interacting protein kinases 1 and 3 (RIPK1/3) signaling cascade is critical to necroptosis regulation; however, the complete mechanism behind necroptotic activation, regulation, and resolution remains incomplete. In cases where necroptosis is disadvantageous, such as neurodegenerative diseases, we lack effective pharmacological suppressors of necroptosis that could mitigate disease progression. Targeting regulatory proteins within the necroptotic signaling pathway has shown promise; however, the need for specific inhibitors limits therapeutic opportunities. This review focuses on necroptosis and its role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in age-dependent disorders. We comprehensively detail the known necroptotic signaling pathways and potential signaling partners and discuss the ongoing therapeutic efforts in targeting and preventing active necroptotic signaling and their relevance to neuroprotection

The relation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and regulatory t-cells (Tregs) with HPV persistence in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected women

Other than CD4+ count, the immunologic factors that underlie the relationship of HIV/AIDS with persistent oncogenic HPV (oncHPV) and cervical cancer are not well understood. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are of particular interest. pDCs have both effector and antigen presenting activity and, in HIV-positive patients, low pDC levels are associated with opportunistic infections. Tregs downregulate immune responses, and are present at high levels in HIV-positives. The current pilot study shows for the first time that low pDC and high Treg levels may be significantly associated with oncHPV persistence in both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. Larger studies are now warranted

Neuronal p38α mediates age‐associated neural stem cell exhaustion and cognitive decline

[EN] Neuronal activity regulates cognition and neural stem cell (NSC) function. The molecular pathways limiting neuronal activity during aging remain largely unknown. In this work, we show that p38MAPK activity increases in neurons with age. By using mice expressing p38α-lox and CamkII-Cre alleles (p38α∆-N), we demonstrate that genetic deletion of p38α in neurons suffices to reduce age-associated elevation of p38MAPK activity, neuronal loss and cognitive decline. Moreover, aged p38α∆-N mice present elevated numbers of NSCs in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone. These results reveal novel roles for neuronal p38MAPK in age-associated NSC exhaustion and cognitive decline

Mammography Services Quality Assurance: Baseline Standards for Latin America and the Caribbean

Fil: Barr, Helen. No especifíca;Fil: Blanco, Susana Alicia Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Ministerio de Salud. Instituto Nacional del Cáncer; ArgentinaFil: Butler, Priscilla. No especifíca;Fil: da Paz, María Angela. No especifíca;Fil: Fleitas, Ileana. No especifíca;Fil: Craig, George. No especifíca;Fil: Jimenez, Pablo. No especifíca;Fil: Luciani, Silvana. No especifíca;Fil: Manrique, Javier. No especifíca;Fil: Mazal, Jonathan. No especifíca;Fil: Medlen, Kayiba. No especifíca;Fil: MIller, Colie. No especifíca;Fil: Mora, Patricia. No especifíca;Fil: Valdez Moreno, Martha Elena. No especifíca;Fil: Mosodeen, Murrie. No especifíca;Fil: Mysler, Gustavo. No especifíca;Fil: Nuche-Berenguer, Bernardo. No especifíca;Fil: Pastel, Mary. No especifíca;Fil: Pinochet, Miguel. No especifíca;Fil: Sisney, Gale. No especifíca;Fil: Ruiz Trejo, Cesar. No especifíca;Fil: Saraiya, Mona. No especifíca;Fil: Solis, Esteban. No especifíca;Fil: Swann, Phillip. No especifíca