Single Classification Scheme Research Articles

Haematolymphoid malignancies: It is not important WHO we are but WHERE we go from here.

The World Health Organization and the International Consensus Classification have both addressed and categorized T-cell lymphomas and histiocytic and dendritic tumours. Differences in the classification systems has generated considerable debate. Falini and colleagues now provide some clarity for the readership, with a framework for navigating the current classifications. They highlight the importance of finding a common path to formulate a single classification scheme in the near future. Commentary on: Falini et al. A comparison of the International Consensus and 5th WHO classifications of T-cell lymphomas and histiocytic/dendritic cell tumours. Br J Haematol 2023;203:369-383.

What mysteries lay in spore: taxonomy, data, and the internationalization of mycology in Saccardo's Sylloge Fungorum.

Italian mycologist Pier Andrea Saccardo is best remembered for his monumental Sylloge Fungorum, the first 'modern' effort to compile all identified fungi within a single classification scheme. The existing history of mycology is limited and has primarily focused on developments within England, but this article argues that Saccardo and his collaborators on the Sylloge supported a vital transnational expansion of mycological knowledge exchange and played a crucial role in stabilizing the tangled knot of local naming and identification among the world's amateur and professional mycologists. Written in the 'universal' scientific language of Latin, the Sylloge served as an early database of fungal knowledge and symbolized a broader unification of mycological inquiry in a moment of expanded scientific correspondence. The article situates this proto-database in broader histories of big data in biology and shows how the Sylloge formed a globalizing foundation for the twentieth century's major collecting and taxonomic advances in mycology.

Making sense of the taxonomy of the most commercially important shrimps Penaeus Fabricius, 1798 s. l. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Penaeidae), a way forward

Members of Penaeus s.l. are the most economically important shrimps, but there has been substantial confusion on their classification over the last few decades. In this study, we reconstructed a robust molecular phylogeny for these shrimps based on the most extensive dataset to date in terms of the number of molecular markers (four nuclear and three mitochondrial) and taxon coverage (31 of 32 known species in Penaeus s.l.). Two of the six genera proposed for Penaeus s.l. were revealed to be paraphyletic. Moreover, none of the morphological characters generally used for separating the species groups are synapomorphic or evolutionarily informative. As synapomorphic characters have yet to be discovered for all the main clades within Penaeus s.l., it is appropriate to retain these shrimps in a single genus to reflect their evolutionary relationships in terms of integrated taxonomy. A single genus classification scheme is also the least disruptive to the taxonomic names of these very important commercial shrimps.

The Meaning of Words Related to Orofacial Pain and Headache Conditions: The Need for a Single and Unified Classification Scheme in a People-Centered Language

The Meaning of Words Related to Orofacial Pain and Headache Conditions: The Need for a Single and Unified Classification Scheme in a People-Centered Language

The Analysis of the Image-Metaphor Semantic Field Structure
 in R. Bradbury’s Novel «Fahrenheit 451»

This article is devoted to identification of the image-metaphor semantic field in R. Bradbury’s anti-utopian novel «Fahrenheit 451». The reserch applies cluster analysis aimed at the classification of multi-level features that are identi-
 fied by qualitative methods within the framework of a single classification scheme. Firstly, we distinguished a list of semantic features, organized within five semantic plans: «categorical» (substantive, verbal, adverbial, adjective features), «anthropological» (anthropo-somatic, anthropo-mental features), «social» (socio-personal, socio-non-personal features), «naturalistic» (natural-biogenic, natural-abiogenic features) and «ontological» (onto-material, onto-non-material features). These semantic features are independently defined according to the di-
 rect and figurative subject of image-metaphors. Then, with the help of the cluster analysis, we are able to group all the previously identified semantic features into clusters and select the corresponding typical metaphors

Using multiple taxa and wetland classification schemes for enhanced detection of biological response signatures to human impairment

Wetland indices of biological integrity (IBIs) are a common component in monitoring the wetland water resources as required by the United States’ Clean Water Act (CWA). The effectiveness of an IBI to monitor disturbance is dependent on the metrics being consistently responsive to measures of human disturbance within a described classification category. We present IBIs designed for two types of commonly used wetland classification systems – the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) and the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). The metrics making up the IBIs were derived from anuran, avian, macroinvertebrate, and vegetation communities; each representing increasing levels of resources associated with gathering the necessary data. Knowing which communities’ data best corresponds to impairment can maximize limited wetland monitoring resources, especially if the response differs based on the wetland vegetation type NWI or HGM position on the landscape. By combining these two classification schemes together, to better define a wetland’s form and context on the landscape, more of the variability in community metrics are explained by human impairment. Moreover, when multiple taxa are used within a single wetland classification scheme, the response of the multi-taxa community IBI to the human disturbance gradient is often more sensitive than one-taxa group alone. This approach, a combination of taxa, in hybrid 2-system classification schemes, creates additional utility in measuring the effectiveness of wetland assessments and, or restoration success.

Perspective, Voice, Reference, and Warrant: A Sample of Ameliorations to the Multi-Perspective Design Requirement and Some Arguments Against It

In this concept paper I sketch these potential ameliorations at a high level and then work to address some foundational issues associated with attempts at communicating multiple perspectives in a single classification scheme. These include both Melanie Feinberg’s work on rhetorical stance of the classificationist (2010, 2012) and Birger Hjørland’s work on explicit philosophical grounding and classification scheme design (2013).

A Two‐Parameter Exponential‐Demand Formula with a Behavioral Momentum Normalization: A Novel Method to Characterize the Reinforcing Effectiveness of Drugs

Application of behavioral economic principles to the characterization of drugs of abuse has yielded compelling evidence for a relationship between price (P) and consumption (Q). In turn, a quantitative assessment of this relationship provides a metric for comparing the reinforcing effectiveness (α) of various drugs, and demand analysis may provide a screening mechanism to evaluate candidate medications for the management of substance abuse. However, discordance between the α values for some drugs in nonhuman subjects and their reinforcing effectiveness in humans (e.g., high α avalues and high rates of abuse of nicotine) suggests that previous demand equations may require further refinement. In the present work, demand equations were derived to try to more accurately reflect the contribution of behavioral momentum‐ evident in resistance to vehicle extinction‐ to the calculation of reinforcing effectiveness. Resistance to extinction conceivably may influence demand curve elasticity, especially at higher prices. Here, demand curves were derived from intravenous self‐administration data obtained with four psychomotor stimulant drugs using a logarithmic model modified from the Hursh‐Silberberg (2008) exponential equation with a two‐parameter fitting algorithm for consumption versus price. The new algorithm reduces the three free parameter model to a two free parameter model by interpolating data at the minimum fixed ratio (FR) and at the breakpoint pB (i.e., the FR where Q=0). The augmented model takes the form: urn:x-wiley:08926638:media:fsb2fasebj2019331supplement80512:fsb2fasebj2019331supplement80512-math-0001where QFRLdenotes consumption at the lowest evaluated FR and pB denotes the breakpoint price. A strategy was tested for developing a single parameter classification scheme for fitted models using the parameter α as a measure of elasticity of the demand curves. The strategy normalizes behavioral momentum as measured by data for vehicle self‐administration. More specifically, if Q(P) denotes the demand curve for a particular drug, the discounted demand curve, Qd(P), is defined by: urn:x-wiley:08926638:media:fsb2fasebj2019331supplement80512:fsb2fasebj2019331supplement80512-math-0002where Qs(P) denotes the demand curve generated by vehicle. To test this approach, two doses of cocaine, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), and methcathinone (MCAT) were examined in rhesus monkeys (N=4). Using the Hursh‐Silberberg (2008) exponential formula, a rank‐order of reinforcing effectiveness of cocaine>MDPV>MCAT>>MDMA was established, and reinforcing effectiveness did not vary as a function of dose. However, in the Two‐Parameter Exponential‐Demand formula, a rank‐order of cocaine (large dose)>MDMA=MCAT>MDPV (large dose)>MDPV (small dose)>cocaine (small dose) was established. These results suggest that behavioral momentum may influence demand elasticity in a dose‐dependent manner, and α values derived in the augmented model may differentiate drug effects that contribute to price‐consumption relationships in a pharmacologically sensitive manner.Support or Funding InformationDA002519, DA039306, and HMS‐ Livingston AwardThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

ОСЕЛИЩНА КОНЦЕПЦІЯ У ВИРІШЕННІ ПРОБЛЕМИ ЗБЕРЕЖЕННЯ BISON BONASUS В ЄВРОПІ ТА УКРАЇНІ

The principles of the habitat concept of biodiversity protection and features of the organization of the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) are outlined. EUNIS covers a wide range of habitats from natural to artificial, from terrestrial to freshwater and marine. It forms a single classification scheme for the entire European space. The factors that influence on bison (Bison bonasus) existence are determined. According to the classification of the WWF, an overview of such ecoregions as Central European mixed forests, East European forest steppe, Pontic steppe, Carpathian montane forests, Crimean Submediterranean forest complex, Pannonian mixed forests. It was investigated that according to the conditions of the Bison bonasus existence among the listed ecoregions, the most favored on the territory of Ukraine are Central Europeanmixedforests. Habitats of Bison bonasus in Europe, which are included in the ecological network Natura 2000, namely Bieszczady, Puszcza Białowieska, Bukovské vrchy, Laborecká vrchovina, Mirosławiec, Jezioro Lubie i Dolina Drawy, Beskyd, Jezioro Wielki Bytyń, Wolin i Uznam, Ostoja Knyszyńska, Ostoja Borecka, Bukovské vrchy, Puszcza nad Gwdą, Jelonka, are established. Of these, 4 are fully and 3 partially located within the ecoregion Central European mixed forests (in full – Puszcza Białowieska, Ostoja Knyszyńska, Ostoja Borecka, Jelonka; partly - Mirosławiec, Jezioro Lubiei Dolina Drawy, Puszcza nad Gwda).It is substantiated that the conservation of bison as a species depends on the possibility of creating large herds existing in the natural environment, which are characterized by maximum genetic diversity. The minimum number of individuals in the bison stage for residence is set. Geosystems which are actual and potential habitats of Bison bonasus within the Ukrainian part of the Central European mixed forestsecoregion and can be added to the European system of protection of Bison bonasus are identified. A map of potential bison habitats within the Ukrainian part of the Central European mixed forests ecoregion is presented.

IgA nephropathy in Brazil: apropos of 600 cases.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is th e commonest primary glomerular disease worldwide. Studies on its prevalence in Brazil are however scarce. Databases and clinical records from 10 reference centres were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and laboratory features at the moment of the biopsy were retrieved (age, gender, presence of hematuria, serum creatinine [mg/dL], proteinuria [g/24 h]). Renal biopsy findings were classified according to Haas single grade classification scheme and the Oxford Classification of IgAN. 600 cases of IgAN were identified, of which 568 (94.7 %) were on native kidneys. Male to female ratio was 1.24:1. Patients averaged 32.76 ± 15.12 years old (range 4–89, median 32). Proteinuria and hematuria were observed, respectively in 56.63 and 72.29 % of patients. The association of both these findings occurred in 37.95 % of the cases. Serum creatinine averaged 1.65 ± 0.67 mg/dL (median 1.5 mg/dL) at diagnosis. Segmental sclerosis and mesangial hypercellularity were the main glomerular findings (47.6 and 46.2 %) The commonest combination by Oxford Classification of IgAN, was M0 E0 S0 T0 (22.4 %). Chronic tubulo-interstitial lesions with an extension wider than 25 % of the renal cortex could be identified in 32.2 % of the cases. Tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis were more strongly associated with higher 24-h proteinuria and serum creatinine levels. Segmental sclerosis (S1) showed a stronger tendency of association with the presence of tubulo-interstitial lesions (T1 and T2) than other glomerular variables. To the best of our knowledge this is the largest series of IgAN in Brazil. It depicts the main biopsy findings and their possible clinical correlates. Our set of data is comparable to previous reports.

Adult bronchiolitis – A clinical and pathological interpretative classification

IntroductionBronchiolitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases of an inflammatory nature, centered on small conducting airways and often associated with other pulmonary disorders. No single classification scheme for bronchiolar diseases has been widely accepted. In this retrospective study, it was decided to apply a new clinical and pathological interpretative classification. ObjectivesTo propose a new clinical and pathological interpretative classification for adult bronchiolitis, based on statistical analysis of a population of 193 patients with histopathological diagnosis of bronchiolitis. Materials and methodsA retrospective study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, co-morbidities and radiological findings present in a group of patients with histopathological diagnosis of bronchiolitis. ResultsThis trial involved 193 cases collected over a period of eleven years; 48 (24.9%) patients had simultaneous pulmonary disease; non-pulmonary diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, type II Diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were present in 57 cases. The image study was extremely important in order to integrate clinical and pathological aspects.In this study respiratory bronchiolitis related to smoking dominated. The radiological findings confirmed the secondary nature of the histopathological features, with prevalence of ground-glass patterns, pneumothorax and patterns of interstitial involvement, as described in the literature. It was also verified that clinical behavior of different forms of bronchiolitis was important to distinguish the various types, since they could progress without typical anatomopathological aspects. ConclusionThis trial showed that the vast majority of diagnosis obtained corresponded to bronchiolitis as secondary to pulmonary pathology. In most cases, morphological findings had to be complemented with clinical and radiological characteristics, in order to obtain the final diagnosis.

On the delineation of tropical vegetation types with an emphasis on forest/savanna transitions

Background: There is no generally agreed classification scheme for the many different vegetation formation types occurring in the tropics. This hinders cross-continental comparisons and causes confusion as words such as ‘forest’ and ‘savanna’ have different meanings to different people. Tropical vegetation formations are therefore usually imprecisely and/or ambiguously defined in modelling, remote sensing and ecological studies. Aims: To integrate observed variations in tropical vegetation structure and floristic composition into a single classification scheme. Methods: Using structural and floristic measurements made on three continents, discrete tropical vegetation groupings were defined on the basis of overstorey and understorey structure and species compositions by using clustering techniques. Results: Twelve structural groupings were identified based on height and canopy cover of the dominant upper stratum and the extent of lower-strata woody shrub cover and grass cover. Structural classifications did not, however, always agree with those based on floristic composition, especially for plots located in the forest–savanna transition zone. This duality is incorporated into a new tropical vegetation classification scheme. Conclusions: Both floristics and stand structure are important criteria for the meaningful delineation of tropical vegetation formations, especially in the forest/savanna transition zone. A new tropical vegetation classification scheme incorporating this information has been developed.

Unveiling protein functions through the dynamics of the interaction network.

Protein interaction networks have become a tool to study biological processes, either for predicting molecular functions or for designing proper new drugs to regulate the main biological interactions. Furthermore, such networks are known to be organized in sub-networks of proteins contributing to the same cellular function. However, the protein function prediction is not accurate and each protein has traditionally been assigned to only one function by the network formalism. By considering the network of the physical interactions between proteins of the yeast together with a manual and single functional classification scheme, we introduce a method able to reveal important information on protein function, at both micro- and macro-scale. In particular, the inspection of the properties of oscillatory dynamics on top of the protein interaction network leads to the identification of misclassification problems in protein function assignments, as well as to unveil correct identification of protein functions. We also demonstrate that our approach can give a network representation of the meta-organization of biological processes by unraveling the interactions between different functional classes.

A Unifying Perspective on Context-Aware Evaluation and Management of Heterogeneous Wireless Connectivity

The growing market of wireless devices with multiple connectivity technologies, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and UMTS, is pushing toward the necessity of seamless autonomic selection of the proper connectivity network at any time. That selection should be context-dependent and consider several elements, at different abstraction layers, from bandwidth requirements to network congestion, from connectivity costs to user preferences. As a symptom of the recognized relevance of this topic, relevant research work has recently addressed context-dependent connectivity management. We claim the need to provide both practitioners and newcomers of this research field with a comprehensive survey with a unifying perspective, to better point out similarities and specific aspects of the numerous solutions in the literature. In particular, the paper aims to achieve the twofold goal of i) identifying the primary design choices, together with corresponding tradeoffs, emerging from recent proposals, and ii) better positioning the wide variety of related work based on a single classification scheme. To that purpose, we introduce an original model to represent solution architectures, by showing how it makes the adopted design choices manifest and facilitates the positioning of proposed approaches, e.g., by throwing new light on the usage of 4th Generation and Always Best Connected terms. In addition, based on that model, we propose a novel taxonomy to cluster the proposals in the field along three first-level classification directions: management scope, evaluation process, and continuity management. A wide set of examples illustrate how our taxonomy is useful to thoroughly understand the differences and similarities among state-of-the-art solutions in the literature, to some extent independently on technology-specific implementation details, thus providing a valuable classification tool also for future proposals.

WHO classification of tumours of haemopoietic and lymphoid tissues - what's new in the lymphomas?

The World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumours of the Haemopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (4th Edition), published in 2008, incorporates new information that has emerged from basic and clinical investigation in the interval since publication of the 3rd edition. Most of the changes are incremental but some have implications for clinical management. A number of EBV-related diseases of both T-cell and B-cell lineage have been defined and included. Cutaneous lymphomas of B-cell and T-cell lineage recently defined in the consensus EORTC/WHO classification have been incorporated into what is now a single classification scheme and these account for many of the changes in the T/NK cell neoplasms. ‘Blastoid T/NK cell lymphoma’, now understood to be a tumour of plasmacytoid dendritic cell origin, is reclassified under acute myeloid leukaemia and related precursor neoplasms. In the indolent B-cell lymphomas, paediatric variants of follicular and marginal zone lymphomas have been added. In the aggressive B-cell neoplasms, diffuse large b-cell lymphoma, its many variants and its interface with Burkitt lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma has been revised and developed with the inclusion of borderline categories which have implications for both diagnosis and management. The World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumours of the Haemopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (4th Edition), published in 2008, incorporates new information that has emerged from basic and clinical investigation in the interval since publication of the 3rd edition. Most of the changes are incremental but some have implications for clinical management. A number of EBV-related diseases of both T-cell and B-cell lineage have been defined and included. Cutaneous lymphomas of B-cell and T-cell lineage recently defined in the consensus EORTC/WHO classification have been incorporated into what is now a single classification scheme and these account for many of the changes in the T/NK cell neoplasms. ‘Blastoid T/NK cell lymphoma’, now understood to be a tumour of plasmacytoid dendritic cell origin, is reclassified under acute myeloid leukaemia and related precursor neoplasms. In the indolent B-cell lymphomas, paediatric variants of follicular and marginal zone lymphomas have been added. In the aggressive B-cell neoplasms, diffuse large b-cell lymphoma, its many variants and its interface with Burkitt lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma has been revised and developed with the inclusion of borderline categories which have implications for both diagnosis and management.

WHO classification of tumours of haemopoietic and lymphoid tissues - what's new in the lymphomas?

The World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumours of the Haemopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues (4th Edition), published in 2008, incorporates new information that has emerged from basic and clinical investigation in the interval since publication of the 3rd edition. Most of the changes are incremental but some have implications for clinical management. A number of EBV-related diseases of both T-cell and B-cell lineage have been defined and included. Cutaneous lymphomas of B-cell and T-cell lineage recently defined in the consensus EORTC/WHO classification have been incorporated into what is now a single classification scheme and these account for many of the changes in the T/NK cell neoplasms. ‘Blastoid T/NK cell lymphoma’, now understood to be a tumour of plasmacytoid dendritic cell origin, is reclassified under acute myeloid leukaemia and related precursor neoplasms. In the indolent B-cell lymphomas, paediatric variants of follicular and marginal zone lymphomas have been added. In the aggressive B-cell neoplasms, diffuse large b-cell lymphoma, its many variants and its interface with Burkitt lymphoma and classical Hodgkin lymphoma has been revised and developed with the inclusion of borderline categories which have implications for both diagnosis and management.

The variability of turbidite sandbody pinchout and its impact on hydrocarbon recovery in stratigraphically trapped fields

Abstract Stratigraphic trapping is an important component of many hydrocarbon fields reservoired in deep-water, turbidite deposits. The trapping may occur at channel margins, onlap surfaces and when turbidite sandbodies exhibit lateral variations in sand quality and/or bed thickness. The range of geometries occurring at these sandbody terminations has been the subject of detailed previous research and a number of classification schemes have been proposed. A single classification scheme, based only on the geometry of the sandbody and individual sandstone beds, is proposed here. The different geometries of sandbody termination or pinchout will have an impact on both the static and dynamic behaviour of hydrocarbon reservoirs. Dynamic simulation of a range of models of sandbody pinchout by onlap indicates that the recovery factor of stratigraphically trapped fields will be influenced by a range of geological and engineering parameters. Producing wells positioned too far from the sandbody termination run the risk of leaving behind significant volumes of up-dip oil. If wells are moved closer to the sandbody termination, they may intersect the onlap surface, and so not penetrate the lowest sandstone beds. In systems with a low effective vertical permeability, oil from these lower beds may not be efficiently produced. In this case, the optimum well location, in terms of recovery factor, is close to the initiation of onlap. Unfortunately, this position may be difficult to identify in the subsurface without the drilling of many appraisal wells. Variation in a range of parameters has been modelled, in order to examine their impact on hydrocarbon recovery. For layered sand/shale successions, with low effective vertical permeability, the initiation of onlap, and therefore the optimum well location, moves further from the onlap termination as the angle of onlap decreases. The maximum recovery factor is also lower for the lower onlap dips, as a greater volume of the reservoir lies up-dip of the producer at its optimum location. If individual sandstone beds thin towards the onlap, the volume of oil which might be left up-dip of producing wells is reduced, so that the risk in placing a well away from the sandbody termination is lower. The degree of trapping of hydrocarbons in the lower layers, as the producing well location moves onto the onlap surface, depends on the effective vertical permeability of the sandbody. If the vertical permeability is zero (as would be the case for a perfectly layered system with continuous sealing shales) no oil will be produced from the lower layers. As the vertical permeability is increased, fluids are able to flow vertically from these beds into higher beds and thence to the producer. The trapping potential is significantly reduced for kv:kh ratios of 2 × 10 −5 or more, which is equivalent to an effective kv of 0.01 mD for a kh of 500 mD. In layered turbidites, this effective kv could be produced by 2 m thick sandstone beds, with a kv of 400 mD, interbedded with thin, non-sealing siltstones or silty shales, with permeabilities of the order of 10 −4 mD. In practice, the effective kv:kh ratio of interbedded turbidite sandstones and shales is greatly influenced by the local erosion of the shales. Flow simulation through models representing various proportions of shale removal indicates that significant trapping of hydrocarbons in the lower layers may occur for proportions of shale removal below 15%. Above this value of shale removal, little trapping occurs, as fluids are able to move sufficiently easily between the individual sandstone layers. These results suggest that the risk of reduced hydrocarbon recovery, as producing wells are moved closer to the onlap termination, are significant only in the case of well-layered reservoirs with low proportions of shale removal and sand-bed amalgamation. Examination of available core should enable the proportion of bed amalgamation, and therefore the risk of reduced recovery, to be evaluated for a stratigraphically trapped reservoir of this type.

Modelling and Encoding Therapeutic Guidelines: Applying ICD-10-AM and European Article Number Codes

This article reports on the assignment of ICD-10-AM and EAN codes to 2500 topics in Therapeutic Guidelines (TG). The analysis of the assignment of ICD-10-AM codes in this project has revealed that ICD-10-AM is not capable of describing the complete clinical information in the guidelines series. It is not likely that any existing single classification scheme will be capable of this and that a combination of schemes will be necessary. The TG data model was integrated with the prototype MCCA data model for drug products. This integration indicates that the representation of drugs, while not ideal, is an appropriate means of linking clinical drug reference information to drug product information.

Bronchopulmonary afferent nerves.

Vagal afferent nerves are the primary communication pathways between the bronchopulmonary system and the central nervous system. Input from airway afferent nerves to the CNS is integrated in the brainstem and ultimately leads to sensations and various reflex outputs. Afferent nerves innervating the airways can be classified into various distinct phenotypes. However, there is no single classification scheme that takes all features, including conduction velocity, cell body diameter, ganglionic origin, and stimuli to which they respond (modality) into account. At present, bronchopulmonary afferent nerves are typically considered to belong to one of three general categories, namely C-fibres, rapidly adapting stretch receptors (RARs), and slowly adapting stretch receptors (SARs). As our understanding of bronchopulmonary afferent nerves continues to deepen, we are likely to see more sophisticated classification schemes emerge. It is clear that the function of afferent fibres can be substantively influenced by airway inflammation and remodelling. The perturbations and perversions of afferent nerve function that occur during these states almost certainly contributes to many of the signs and symptoms of inflammatory airway disease. A more lucid characterization of bronchopulmonary afferent nerves, and a better understanding of the mechanisms by which these nerves influence pulmonary physiology during health and disease anticipates future research.

Luminosity Functions of 10 Nearby Clusters of Galaxies. I. Data

Wide field CCD imaging was carried out in the RC band for 10 nearby clusters of galaxies and four control fields to derive the total and type-specific luminosity functions. Observation and data reduction procedures are described. We extract galaxies down to RC ∼ 20 mag and classify them into two broad types, r1/4-like and exponential-like, on the basis of the bulge-to-total luminosity ratio B/T estimated from Petrosian quantities. We describe our classification scheme in detail. We apply a single classification scheme to both giant and dwarf galaxies. The consistency of our classification is verified for giant galaxies using both simulated images and real data in the literature. We set the boundary of our two types at B/T = 0.35. This boundary gives 70% completeness to both the r1/4-like sample (for E/S0 galaxies) and the exponential-like sample (for Sa–Irr galaxies). Our classification for dwarf galaxies is investigated using higher resolution images of some 20 dwarf galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Galaxy catalogs are constructed, which include position, magnitude, and B/T. The projected sky distribution of each type of galaxies is shown for the clusters and control fields.