Viewpoint Planning for Range Sensors Using Feature Cluster Constrained Spaces for Robot Vision Systems.

The efficient computation of viewpoints for solving vision tasks comprising multi-features (regions of interest) represents a common challenge that any robot vision system (RVS) using range sensors faces. The characterization of valid and robust viewpoints is even more complex within real applications that require the consideration of various system constraints and model uncertainties. Hence, to address some of the challenges, our previous work outlined the computation of valid viewpoints as a geometrical problem and proposed feature-based constrained spaces (C-spaces) to tackle this problem efficiently for acquiring one feature.

Epidemiology, production losses, and control measures associated with an outbreak of avian influenza subtype H7N2 in Pennsylvania (1996-98).

An outbreak of H7N2 low-pathogenicity (LP) avian influenza (AI) occurred in a two-county area in Pennsylvania from December of 1996 through April of 1998. The outbreak resulted in infection of 2,623,116 commercial birds on 25 premises encompassing 47 flocks. Twenty-one (one premise with infection twice) of the twenty-five infected premises housed egg-laying chickens and one premise each had turkeys, layer pullets, quail, and a mixed backyard dealer flock.

Nucleocytoplasmic transfer of the NF2 tumor suppressor protein merlin is regulated by exon 2 and a CRM1-dependent nuclear export signal in exon 15.

The neurofibromatosis 2 protein merlin is a classical tumor suppressor protein. Germline mutations predispose to the development of schwannomas, meningiomas and ependymomas. Merlin has been implicated in cellular migration and adhesion.

Treatment of hypertension in pregnancy: effect of atenolol on maternal disease, preterm delivery, and fetal growth.

Objective: To assess the impact of antihypertensive therapy initiated early in pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated in early pregnancy with atenolol was conducted. Therapy was directed by measurements of cardiac output.

Lobular carcinoma of the breast in an 85-year-old man.

The present study describes a case of the extremely rare histological picture of a lobular carcinoma of the male breast. The 85-year-old patient presented with a tumour in a very advanced stage. The results of genetic studies excluded Klinefelter's syndrome, but a new gene mutation affecting the BRCA1 gene (breast cancer gene 1) was found in the patient.

Low-dose, short-acting, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors as rescue therapy in pregnancy.

Objective: To assess the risks and potential benefits of low-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment in pregnancies complicated by severe hypertension.

Methods: A retrospective review of pregnant women treated with ACE inhibitors was conducted. Hemodynamics before and after treatment were assessed by using Doppler technique to measure cardiac output.

Prevention of preeclampsia: a randomized trial of atenolol in hyperdynamic patients before onset of hypertension.

Objective: To determine if assessment of maternal hemodynamics could predict women at risk for the development of preeclampsia, if treatment directed at hemodynamic abnormalities before the onset of hypertension could prevent preeclampsia, and if mothers could be treated in a way that protects fetal growth.

Methods: A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Subjects were considered to be at risk for preeclampsia if their cardiac output was greater than 7.

Maternal hemodynamics and pregnancy outcome in women with prior orthotopic liver transplantation.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hemodynamics and pregnancy outcome of women with prior orthotopic liver transplantation. Hemodynamic measurements by Doppler technique were performed on pregnant subjects with prior orthotopic liver transplantation. Maternal characteristics, renal function, pregnancy complications, delivery indications, delivery mode, and neonatal outcomes were evaluated.

Novel alternatively spliced isoforms of the neurofibromatosis type 2 tumor suppressor are targeted to the nucleus and cytoplasmic granules.

We cloned novel splice variants Mer150, Mer151 and Mer162 of the neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor, which demonstrate a tissue-specific and development-specific expression pattern. Isoform Mer150 is created by cryptic splicing from exon 8 to 14 and represents an N-terminal truncation of 259 residues. Mer151 is characterized by in-frame splicing out of several exons and a modified C-terminus due to a frameshift in exons 13+14 and premature termination.

Mosaicism for a full mutation and a normal size allele in two fragile X males.

Confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of fragile X syndrome by molecular tests is based on both the presence of a full mutation and methylation of the promotor region of the FMR1 gene. The mechanism leading to mosaic alleles of repeat number and the role of methylation in this process is still under discussion. We report two cases of males who show mosaic patterns for both number of CGG repeats and methylation status.

Pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy: treatment with pulmonary vasodilators.

Objective: To describe the clinical course of pregnancies complicated by pulmonary hypertension and treated with the pulmonary vasodilators nifedipine and prostacyclin.

Methods: Four pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension were treated with pulmonary vasodilators. Therapy with oral nifedipine and intravenous prostacyclin was guided by right pulmonary artery catheterization and Doppler measurements of cardiac output.

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of third-trimester calcium supplementation on maternal hemodynamic function.

Objective: To determine the effect of third-trimester calcium supplementation on maternal hemodynamic function.

Methods: Pregnant women were randomized to receive either 1.5 g of elemental calcium or placebo for 6 weeks during the third trimester.

Mutational analysis and expression studies of the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) gene in a patient with a ring chromosome 22 and NF2.

The case of a seriously disabled and retarded female patient with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is reported. She suffered from bilateral vestibular schwannomas, multiple intracranial meningiomas and neurinomas. The constitutional karyotype of the patient was 46, XX, r(22)/45,XX,-22.

Subcellular localization and expression pattern of the neurofibromatosis type 2 protein merlin/schwannomin.

To elucidate the physiological function of the neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) tumor suppressor protein merlin/schwannomin, we studied the expression pattern and subcellular localization in human fibroblasts by Western blot analyses and immunofluorescence using a polyclonal antibody raised against the C-terminus of merlin. Three of the six merlin isoforms identified in this study (75 kDa, 58 kDa, 45 kDa) have been reported earlier and can be explained by alternative splicing. In addition, we detected higher molecular weight bands of about 110 kDa, 100 kDa and 84 kDa.

Mosaicism of a microdeletion of 486 bp involving the CGG repeat of the FMR1 gene due to misalignment of GTT tandem repeats at chi-like elements flanking both breakpoints and a full mutation.

Although the majority of fragile-X patients demonstrate methylation and a much-expanded CGG repeat region in the 5'-untranslated region of exon 1 of the FMR1 gene, exceptional cases have been reported to be due to deletions. However, fine mapping of the deletion breakpoints is still lacking and so far the underlying mechanism is unknown. We identified a fragile-X patient mosaic for a full mutation and a microdeletion.

Two brothers with multiple congenital anomalies and mental retardation due to disomy (X)(q12-->q13.3) inherited from the mother.

We present the phenotypic, cytogenetic and molecular findings in two dysmorphic and mentally retarded brothers with disomy Xq12-->q13.3. The mother and the grandmother carry the same rearrangement of the X chromosome, which was interpreted as an inverted insertion of the segment (X)(q12-->q13.

A PCR based X-chromosome inactivation assay for carrier detection in X-linked immunodeficiencies using differential methylation of the androgen receptor gene.

Carrier detection in X-linked immunodeficiencies (X-SCID, WAS, XLA) relies on the demonstration of non-random X inactivation patterns in blood cell lineages. Only a limited number of cells are available after cell separation methods. PCR-based techniques are therefore necessary to analyze active and inactive X chromosomes.

The hemodynamic effects of isometric exercise during late normal pregnancy.

Objective: Our study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of isometric exercise in late normal pregnancy.

Study Design: Study subjects were 10 healthy pregnant volunteers with uncomplicated singleton gestations between 25 and 36 weeks. Doppler methods were used to derive cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and stroke volume before, during, and after a defined protocol of lower extremity isometric exercise.

Maternal hemodynamics and aortic diameter in normal and hypertensive pregnancies.

The aortic diameters of 89 normotensive pregnant women were compared with those of nine rigorously defined preeclamptic women and 59 women who required antihypertensive therapy. Over the course of normal pregnancy, the diameter increased significantly; it was larger in preeclamptic than in normotensive women throughout pregnancy. The aortic diameter in women with high-resistance hypertension was smaller than that in normotensive women and in those with high-output, low-resistance hypertension, but it was larger in women with low-resistance hypertension than in normotensive women.

The effect of maternal hemodynamics on fetal growth in hypertensive pregnancies.

Seventy-six pregnancies in which hypertension complicated pregnancy before 28 weeks' gestation were studied. In 36, hemodynamics were characterized by increased cardiac output and low vascular resistance; in 32, hemodynamics were characterized by high resistance; in eight hemodynamics crossed over from high output to high resistance during pregnancy. High-resistance hypertension was associated with a mean birth weight 1058 gm less than that in the low-resistance group (p = 0.

Maternal hemodynamics in pregnancies complicated by hyperthyroidism.

The hemodynamics of six pregnant women with hyperthyroidism were studied before and after therapy. Cardiac output was measured by Doppler technique, and blood pressure by automated cuff. When compared with values in euthyroid pregnant women, blood pressure (83.

Maternal hemodynamics in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies: a longitudinal study.

Preeclampsia is a disease unique to pregnancy that contributes substantially to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The condition has been thought to be one of hypoperfusion in which increased vascular resistance characterizes the associated hypertension. This study was designed to test an alternative hypothesis, that preeclampsia is characterized by high cardiac output.

An improved closed cranial window technique for investigation of blood-brain barrier function and cerebral vasomotor control in the rat.

A modification of the closed cranial window technique for small laboratory animals is presented. The method facilitates investigation of blood-brain barrier permeability in association with studies of the cerebrovascular response under normal and pathological conditions. Following trephination and preparation of the pia-arachnoid surface, the skull defect is closed again by sealing a cover glass onto a wall of dental cement surrounding the cranial window.

Measurement of cardiac output in pregnancy by Doppler technique.

Doppler technique of measuring cardiac output was evaluated during pregnancy. In a study of accuracy Doppler technique correlated well with thermodilution, (r = 0.95, y = 1.