Perceived density of road maps

Maps should be designed so that users can comprehend and use the information. Display decisions, such as choosing the scale at which an area is shown, depend on properties of the displayed information such as the perceived density (PD) of the information. Taking a psychophysical approach we suggest that the PD of information in a road map is related to the scale and properties of the mapped area. 54 participants rated the PD of 60 maps from different regions. We provide a simple model that predicts the PD of electronic road map displays, using the logarithm of the number of roads, the logarithm of the number of junctions and the length of the shown roads. The PD model was cross-validated using a different set of 60 maps (n = 44). The model can be used for automatically adjusting display scales and for evaluating map designs, considering the required PD to perform a map-related task.     

An Ultra-Low Dose of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Alleviates Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Cognitive Impairments and Modulates TrkB Receptor Expression in a 5XFAD Mouse Model

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, but there is still no available treatment. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is emerging as a promising therapeutic agent. Using THC in conventional high doses may have deleterious effects. Therefore, we propose to use an ultra-low dose of THC (ULD-THC). We previously published that a single injection of ULD-THC ameliorated cognitive functioning in several models of brain injuries as well as in naturally aging mice. Here, 5xFAD AD model mice received a single treatment of ULD-THC (0.002 mg/kg) after disease onset and were examined in two separate experiments for cognitive functions, neurotropic, and inflammatory factors in the hippocampus. We show that a single injection of ULD-THC alleviated cognitive impairments in 6- and 12-month-old 5xFAD mice. On the biochemical level, our results indicate an imbalance between the truncated TrkB receptor isoform and the full receptor, with AD mice showing a greater tendency to express the truncated receptor, and ULD-THC improved this imbalance. We also investigated the expression of three AD-related inflammatory markers and found an ameliorating effect of ULD-THC. The current research demonstrates for the first time the beneficial effects of a single ultra-low dose of THC in a mouse model of AD after disease onset.     

G Protein-Coupled Receptors Regulated by Membrane Potential

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in a vast majority of signal transduction processes. Although they span the cell membrane, they have not been considered to be regulated by the membrane potential. Numerous studies over the last two decades have demonstrated that several GPCRs, including muscarinic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic receptors, are voltage regulated. Following these observations, an effort was made to elucidate the molecular basis for this regulatory effect. In this review, we will describe the advances in understanding the voltage dependence of GPCRs, the suggested molecular mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon, and the possible physiological roles that it may play.     

Exfoliated CrPS4 with Promising Photoconductivity

Layered semiconductors have attracted significant attention due to their diverse physical properties controlled by composition and the number of stacked layers. Herein, large crystals of the ternary layered semiconductor chromium thiophosphate (CrPS₄) are prepared by a vapor transport synthesis. Optical properties are determined using photoconduction, absorption, photoreflectance, and photoacoustic spectroscopy exposing the semiconducting properties of the material. A simple, one‐step protocol for mechanical exfoliation onto a transmission electron microscope grid is developed, and multiple layers are characterized by advanced electron microscopy methods, including atomic resolution elemental mapping confirming the structure by directly showing the positions of the columns of different elements' atoms. CrPS₄ is also liquid exfoliated, and in combination with colloidal graphene, an ink‐jet‐printed photodetector is created. This all‐printed graphene/CrPS₄/graphene heterostructure detector demonstrates a specific detectivity of 8.3 × 10⁸ (D*). This study shows a potential application of both bulk crystal and individual flakes of CrPS₄ as active components in light detection, when introduced as ink‐printable moieties with a large benefit for manufacturing.     

Ulcerative colitis and coexisting colorectal cancer: recurrence rate after restorative proctocolectomy

BACKGROUND: The association between mucosal ulcerative colitis (MUC) and adenocarcinoma is well established. METHODS: Records of patients who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) from 1983 through 1992 were examined. Of these, 604 had MUC and 27 (4.3%) had MUC with coexisting cancer. Patients were surveyed annually for recurrent disease. Pouch function and quality of life were evaluated with a questionnaire and physical examination. RESULTS: The duration of disease was longer (p = 0.001) in patients with cancer (16.1 +/- 8.0 years) than in those without cancer (9.1 +/- 7.1 years), although the mean age at diagnosis of MUC was the same. Of the 27 patients, 20 had colon cancer and seven had rectal cancer. Multicentricity was found in seven (25.9%) patients. Using the TNM staging classification, 14 patients (51.8%) had stage 1 cancer, eight (29.6%) had stage 2, four (14.8%) had stage 3, and one (3.8%) had stage 4. The patient with stage 4 cancer died 5 months after surgery and was excluded from the follow-up analysis. During a mean follow-up time of 4.3 +/- 2.6 years, cancer recurred in two of the remaining 26 patients (7.7%). In one patient, a local recurrence was found 8 months after surgery, and distant metastases were found in the other patient 35 months after surgery. Both recurrences were in patients with colon cancer. Two of the 26 patients died; one death was related to cancer recurrence (3.8%). Pouch function is good to excellent in all surviving patients. CONCLUSIONS: Restorative proctocolectomy for patients with MUC and coexisting colorectal cancer can be performed with a favorable prognosis and function. It is appropriate for curative intent, given that an adequate margin without tumor is obtained.     

Recombinant ATM protein complements the cellular A-T phenotype

Analysis of the admission patterns in a leprosy referral hospital during the last 27 years (1966 through 1993) shows a decrease in the number of annual admissions since 1987. While there were 1550 admissions during 1981-1983, only 842 patients were admitted during 1991-1993. There was no great change in the reasons for admission, about 46% for reactions, 37% for ulcers, 5% for neuritis and about 12% for other problems. However, compared to the pre-MDT days, admissions for neuritis have increased. A case is made for the continuation of special leprosy referral hospital even beyond the year 2000 AD, i.e., even after elimination of leprosy as a public health problem.