cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The challenge of defining relative adrenal insufficiency.

Defining relative adrenal insufficiency in preterm infants remains a significant challenge for neonatologists. The phenomenon of relative adrenal insufficiency in adults and children has been well described, with normal basal levels of cortisol, yet inadequate response to stress as documented by a blunted response to adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) stimulation.1, 2, 3 In preterm infants, numerous confounding factors make the definition more elusive. Preterm infants developmentally may have low basal cortisol levels in the absence of symptomatology,4 and it is less clear what constitutes an appropriate stress response in the face of an acute illness, such as respiratory distress syndrome or sepsis.5, 6 Similarly, many of the symptoms of relative adrenal insufficiency, such as hypotension and electrolyte abnormalities, are common in this population, with many possible underlying etiologies.
Conditional overexpression of transgenes in megakaryocytes and platelets in vivo

Megakaryocyte (MK)–specific transgene expression has proved valuable in studying thrombotic and hemostatic processes. Constitutive expression of genes, however, could result in altered phenotypes due to compensatory mechanisms or lethality. To circumvent these limitations, we used the tetracycline/doxycycline (Tet)–off system to conditionally over-express genes in megakaryocytes and platelets in vivo. We generated 3 transactivator transgenic lines expressing the Tet transactivator element (tTA), under the control of the MK-specific platelet factor 4 promoter (PF4-tTA-VP16). Responder lines were simultaneously generated, each with a bidirectional minimal cytomegalovirus (CMV)–tTA responsive promoter driving prokaryotic β-galactosidase gene, as a cellular reporter, and a gene of interest (in this case, the mitotic regulator Aurora-B). A transactivator founder line that strongly expressed PF4-driven tTA–viral protein 16 (VP16) was crossbred to a responder line. The homozygous double-transgenic mouse line exhibited doxycycline-dependent transgene overexpression in MKs and platelets. Using this line, platelets were conveniently indicated at sites of induced stress by β-galactosidase staining. In addition, we confirmed our earlier report on effects of constitutive expression of Aurora-B, indicating a tight regulation at protein level and a modest effect on MK ploidy. Hence, we generated a new line, PF4-tTA-VP16, that is available for conditionally overexpressing genes of interest in the MK/platelet lineage in vivo.
Salicylamide II: A Note on the Effect of Salicylamide on the Circulating Eosinophils and Ascorbic Acid of the Rat

Salicylamide was found to produce a significant decrease in eosinophils in four hours and a more marked decrease in six hours. Salicylamide also produced a significant decrease in ascorbic acid content of the adrenal glands. These effects are considered indicative of increased activity of the adrenal cortex.
ASSIGNMENT MIXING IN SU(6) AND RADIATIVE MESON DECAYS.

It has recently been emphasized by Capps, Belinfante, and Cutkosky (CBC) that under certain conditions we may classify the ${0}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ($P$) and ${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ($V$) mesons\char22{}in $\mathrm{SU}(6)$\char22{}by their total angular momenta rather than their spins. It was noted, however, that this gives rise to an ambiguity in filling the 35-dimensional representation and that, $a$ priori, we may consider a linear combination of the available $\mathrm{SU}(3)$ multiplets, the coefficients to be determined by experiment. Here we explore the possibility that the radiative meson decays can help determine some of these coefficients ("assignment mixing" angles). In particular, from an analysis of decays involving the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ and ${X}^{0}$ mesons we conclude that it is consistent to include the pseudoscalar octet and the pseudoscalar singlet in the same 35. Furthermore, the best over-all fit to the data is obtained for $\frac{{cos\ensuremath{\theta}}_{1}}{{cos\ensuremath{\theta}}_{8}}\ensuremath{\approx}1$, where the cosines represent the respective mixing coefficients for ${P}_{1}$ and ${P}_{8}$. This value has been used by CBC and is also required by ${\mathrm{SU}(6)}_{W}$. Our treatment makes use of the vector pole model to separate the couplings into strong and electromagnetic vertices.
Moving Toward Justice for Female Juvenile Offenders in the New Millennium Modeling Gender-Specific Policies and Programs

This article presents an overview of national and state efforts to address gender-specific programming and summarizes findings from a statewide assessment in California in 1997 and 1998. Review of ...
Rate data and derivatives

In most rate process problems, the original experimental data must be differentiated to obtain the derivatives, which are the information actually sought. For first derivatives all the commonly used methods give about the same result. However, the common methods of calculating derivatives can give very different second derivatives for the same set of starting data. Thus, in problems in which the desired result is a second derivative, the answer obtained is a strong function of the method used to calculate second derivatives. This is illustrated by several examples.
Truth, Meaning, and Circularity

It is often argued that the combination of deflationism about truth and the truth-conditional theory of meaning is impossible for reasons of circularity. I distinguish, and reject, two strains of circularity argument. Arguments of the first strain hold that the combination has a circular account of the order in which one comes to know the meaning of a sentence and comes to know its truth condition. I show that these arguments fail to identify any circularity. Arguments of the second strain hold that the combination has a circular explanation of the ideas or concepts of meaning and truth. I show that these arguments identify a genuine, but acceptable, circularity.
Aortic Valve Replacement in the Young

The attractiveness of the aortic allograft in any form, whether It be free style or root, is the high 10-year freedom from thromboembolism, absence of requirement for anticoagulants, use in active infections, excellent homodynamic, and freedom from reparation. The 10-year freedom from all valve related complications has been reported to be around 92% versus only 75% for the porcine bioprosthetic valve. Gradients across the allograft aortic valve are comparable to that of the St. Jude valve (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) with valve areas approaching 2 cm2 in the extremely large homograft. Between November 1986 and September 1993, the author used the aortic allograft as a freehand procedure In 51 patients and for root replacement in 22 patients. Stimulus for use of limited root replacement with the allograft in aortic valve replacement has occurred because of the unpredictability of the freehand operation with regard to valve Insufficiency. This has been done in spite of the Ross modification of retaining the noncoronary sinus. Evaluation of freehand allograft function by echo analysis has demonstrated an unacceptable incidence of insufficiency not found when a small segment of the allograft root is used. The native coronary arteries, however, must be transposed to the donor root, which of itself has the potential of introducing new problems not seen with other valve substitutes. Complications with the freehand allograft have consisted of explantation in eight patients, four early and four late. Six of the early and late explantations have been for insufficiency. Techniques of valve and valve root implantation will be presented In detail. In my experience, justification for Its use has been rather rigid and the technique has been used only where insertion of this type of valve would be an obvious advantage to the patient. Follow-up has included 32 patients having a late echo evaluation for allograft function. In the future, use of the allograft root appears to be the procedure of choice when this valve is the desirable substitute for the aortic valve. This procedure preserves the entire aortic cylinder and guarantees valve competency. (J Card Surg 1994;9[Suppl):188–191)
Hot flash therapies in breast cancer survivors.

Abstract More than 86% of those diagnosed with invasive breast cancer are expected to survive for ≥ 5 years after their diagnosis. Approximately 75% of postmenopausal women who had breast cancer report experiencing hot flashes. More than 90% of young survivors also experience hot flashes, which can be more severe and long lasting, with iatrogenic ovarian ablation or antiestrogen therapy. There are numerous options for the treatment of hot flashes. Not one treatment fits all. Some treatments are generally more effective than others, and each has different side effects. This review is meant to provide the basic information needed to make a decision about the best treatment for a breast survivor experiencing hot flashes.
Are low-activity comets intrinsically different from more active comets?

A group of comets defined as 'normal' by Cochran (1987) is compared with comets from which no C2 or C3 emissions have been detected and exhibit anomalously low activity. It is established that the low-activity comets are C2- and C3-depleted relative to CN, and that this depletion is not due to these comets' being low producers of all types of gases. A study of all the orbital parameters of the group of comets is conducted, but no parameter is found able to account for the observed difference between normal and low-activity types. Several alternative scenarios for the differences in question are proposed and discussed.
The Effects of Mortality Salience and Reminders of Terrorism on Perceptions of Interrogation Techniques

Through a novel application of terror management theory, we investigated the effect of mortality salience and reminders of terrorism on people's perceptions of the effectiveness and acceptability of interrogation techniques. A dimensional structure by which people perceive interrogation techniques was identified. Mortality salience was found to induce higher levels of acceptance of violent and demeaning techniques, but no other significant effects were found. In line with terror management theory, the effect of mortality salience on only the perceived acceptability of violent interrogation techniques suggests that people may be motivated to endorse the usage of punitive techniques on military prisoners, regardless of the perceived effectiveness of these techniques.
Newly diagnosed diabetes/hyperglycemia in hospitals: what should we do?

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the clinical problem of newly diagnosed diabetes/hyperglycemia in hospitals, and to develop a management strategy. Methods A review of the literature on outcomes and management of such patients. Results There are very few published papers on this subject, the majority being in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, there is recognition that the problem is common. No randomized clinic trials have been carried out on therapeutic strategies in such patients. The limited data available suggest that patients with newly diagnosed diabetes and hyperglycemia tend to have a poor prognosis. Conclusion Newly diagnosed diabetes/hyperglycemia in hospital is a common problem and is associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, it seems appropriate that such patients be managed the same way as patients with established diabetes. Following discharge, appropriate diagnostic testing is needed to establish the presence or absence of diabetes so that long-term treatment plans can be initiated. (Endocr Pract. 2006;12[Suppl 3]:108-111)
Mineralogical Evolution of Meteorites

The approximately 250 mineral species found in meteorites record the earliest stages of the birth of our solar system. Refractory minerals that formed during the violent deaths of other stars and during condensation of our own solar nebula mixed with a wide range of silicates, sulfides, and metals to form the most primitive chondritic meteorites. Subsequent aqueous alteration, thermal metamorphism, and shock metamorphism further diversified the minerals found in meteorites. Asteroidal melting at first increased and then dramatically decreased mineralogical diversity, before a new phase of igneous differentiation that presaged the processes that would occur in terrestrial planets.
Non-hydrolytic sol–gel synthesis, properties, and high-pressure behavior of gallium molybdate

A new material, Ga2Mo3O12, was prepared for the first time using non-hydrolytic sol–gel chemistry. Rietveld analysis of variable temperature X-ray diffraction data showed that this compound crystallizes in the monoclinic Sc2W3O12 structure, and that it displays positive thermal expansion up to its decomposition temperature of 650 °C. No phase transitions were observed in this temperature range. The high-pressure behavior was investigated with an in situ synchrotron diffraction study. Reversible phase transitions to new monoclinic structures occurred at approximately 3.2 and 4.1 GPa. In addition, irreversible amorphization was observed above 8 GPa.
Efferent projections of the gracile nucleus in the cat

The efferent projections of different portions of the gracile nucleus in the cat were studied using both autoradiographic and degeneration tracing methods. The results suggest that there are two aspects to the functional organization of these projections. First, the somatotopic organization of the gracile n. (GR) is maintained, but inverted, by the topographic organization of its projections to VPL1. Fibers from the lateral portions of GR terminate medially in VPL1; fibers from the dorsal portions terminate ventrally. These fibers, especially those from the middle and caudal portions of GR, terminate in dense, precisely located groups of clusters. Dorsally located clusters in VPL1 (predominantly from middle-ventral portions of GR) are significantly smaller than ventrally located clusters (predominantly from middle-dorsal portions). The second aspect of this organization, involving the projections both to VPL1 and to other brain stem targets, is that some kind of functionally relevant sorting process appears to occur as fibers leave different portions of the gracile n. The afferent projections of the rostral (GRr) and middle-ventral portions (GRmv) of the gracile n. are different from those from the other portions of the nucleus. Projections to VPL1 from GRr are less dense, less likely to form clusters, less clearly topographically organized, and extend further rostrally and dorsally in VPL1 than those from the rest of GR. The clusters are small, like those from GRmv. Similarly, although all portions of GR project to several other brain stem regions, these projections appear to be derived preferentially from GRr and/or GRmv. These brain stem regions involve certain portions of the inferior olive, inferior and superior colliculi, red n., zona incerta, pretectum, thalamic posterior group and the H field of Forel. This dual organization of efferent connectivity is similar to that of the cuneate n.20, and is consistent with many of the differences in cytoarchitecture, afferent connectivity and response properties of cells within different portions of the dorsal column nuclei.
The effect of join selectives on optimal nesting order

A heuristic query optimizer must choose the best way to process an incoming query. This choice is based on comparing the expected cost of many (or all) of the ways that a command might be processed. This expected cost calculation is determined by statistics on the sizes of the relations involved and the selectivities of the operations being performed. Of course, such estimates are subject to error, and in this paper we investigate the sensitivity of the best query plan to errors in the selectivity estimates. We treat the common case of join queries and show that the optimal plan for most queries is very insensitive to selectivity inaccuracies. Hence, there is little reason for a data manager to spend a lot of effort making accurate estimates of join selectivities.
750-2 Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid in Fish Oils Reverse the Thromboxane A2Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

There is conflicting data to indicate whether omega-3 fatty acids present in dietary fish oil supplementation can prevent the development of restenosis following angioplasty. Thromboxane A2(TxA2) released at sites of vascular injury due to platelet aggregation, is a known mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). This may playa role in the development of restenosis following angioplasty. We examined whether the omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) present in fish oils, can prevent TxA2induced SMC proliferation. Canine primary aortic SMC were grown in 1% fetal bovine serum with different concentrations of TxA2(U46619) and with 3.3 μM each of EPA, DHA, linolenic acid (LOA) (n-3), oleic acid (OA) (n-9) or without any fatty acids (control I. and then 3H-thymidine incorporated into the DNA of SMC was measured. We used LOA and OA as non omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids for comparison in our study. The data shows that the TxA2induced SMC proliferation is reversed by EPA and DHA and not by LOA or OA. Conclusion This suggests that omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, may attenuate the development of restenosis following coronary angioplasty by inhibiting the TxA2induced SMC proliferation. Download : Download high-res image (103KB) Download : Download full-size image
Charte et société : vers un nouvel ordre politique canadien?

L’enchâssement de la Charte des droits et libertes dans la Constitution canadienne est generalement percu comme une avancee politique importante dans l’histoire du pays. Presque toutes les analyses s’accordent pour conferer a la Charte des vertus democratiques qui devraient necessairement conduire a la mise en place, au Canada, d’un contrat social plus flexible et plus ouvert. Rares sont les analyses qui tentent plutot d’en evaluer l’impact social reel ou de saisir le sens de l’ordre politique nouveau qu’elle impose inevitablement. Le present texte veut commencer a rectifier cette lacune en proposant les elements d’une problematique d’interpretation de la Charte canadienne des droits et libertes a la lumiere des mutations sociales et economiques qui, depuis les annees 1970, ont conduit a l’instauration d’un nouvel ordre politico-administratif au Canada. Les auteurs soutiennent qu’en insistant sur les droits individuels, la Charte neutralise la mouvance collectiviste et sociale-democrate instituee par l’Etat-providence et tend a banaliser le contenu conflictuel des rapports sociaux. Sans le savoir, les formulateurs de la Charte ont peut-etre pose, pour l'an 2000, les jalons d’une profonde crise de la gouverne et de la legitimite.
Changes in climate and biota on geologic time scales

The 1980s saw the emergence of a new approach that is both enhancing our understanding of climatic change on geologic time scales and providing insight into the impact of these climatic changes on the continental and marine biota. This approach (loosely termed 'data-model comparisons') has been applied both to glacial-interglacial changes occurring during the last three million years and driven by variations in the earth's orbit around the sun, and to the slower climatic changes occurring over much longer time scales and driven by tectonic processes. The strength of this approach lies in comparing the results of two independent ways of studying the climate system, and thus providing insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each. Comparisons are made between climatic changes simulated by experiments with General Circulation Models and those reconstructed from fossils. Close agreement between the results of these two independent techniques implies that the key physical processes acting within the climate system have been identified; fundamental mismatches motivate re-examination of both the models and the fossil biotic data.
Physical Stabilization of Insulin by Glycosylation

The modification of human insulin by the covalent attachment of monosaccharide moieties to insulin amino group(s) alters the aggregation and self-association behavior, improving both the pharmaceutical stability and biological response. The synthesis of p-succinamidophenyl glucopyranoside-insulin conjugate(s) (SAPG-insulin) has resulted in seven possible glucosylated insulin derivatives (three monosubstituted, three disubstituted, and one trisubstituted). These derivatives were isolated and purified using ion exchange chromatography. Characterization of the derivatives includes determining the site and number of sugar groups attached for each individual derivative and an evaluation of biological activity. Nearly all the derivatives retained in vivo biological activity comparable to insulin. In addition, extensive physicochemical characterization of the glucosylated insulin derivatives was undertaken to determine association/aggregation properties using GPC, dynamic light scattering, UV/Vis, and CD spectroscopy. Protein self-association was most suppressed with the disubstituted derivatives, especially those substituted on PheB1, and the trisubstituted derivative. The same general pattern was observed for physical stability of glucosylated insulin derivatives. As the number of glucosyl moieties attached to insulin increased, solution physical stability dramatically improved. Yet, the most significant impact to stability was glycosylation at the PheB1 site.
Fuzzy input-output analysis

Abstract This paper generalizes Leontief's celebrated input-output analysis to incorporate fuzzy numbers.
Acoustic coupling of thin superconducting films

The acoustical coupling of two thin superconducting films forming a tunnel junction was measured. The experiment was performed by photoexciting quasiparticles in one film and studying the resulting change in the energy gaps. The results show that the phonon escape parameter from lead to tin agrees with calculated values and there is an indication of an additional escape mechanism in the lead films.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF THE NORMAL FELINE NASAL CAVITY AND PARANASAL SINUSES

Computed tomography (CT) images of the feline nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were acquired from normal adult cats. Good resolution and anatomic detail were obtained from the CT images using soft tissue formatting. A description of normal feline nasal cavity and paranasal sinus anatomy using CT is presented.
The Proactive Removal of Discriminatory Barriers: Affirmative Action as Effective Help

A review of the empirical literature shows that affirmative action has been moderately successful in increasing the representation of women and minorities in many organizations. However, the affirmative action recipient often must bear the stigma of “preferentially selected” —a stigma that can raise self-doubts about one's ability and status. To account for these effects, we proposed a social psychological model of affirmative action as help (Turner & Pratkanis, 1994c). According to this model, help that does not conform to societal values and implies the recipient lacks certain abilities can be threatening and induce defensive behaviors. On the other hand, help that is directed toward removing discriminatory barriers does not produce these negative effects and can further the goals of an affirmative action program. We conclude by describing twelve principles for making affirmative action more effective.
Moore's Law in the innovation era

Traditional transistor scaling methods served our industry well for more than three decades until the early 1990s when leakage current and active power constraints threatened to end the continued improvements provided by Moore's Law. The end of the traditional scaling era ushered in the beginning of the innovation era. Process technology innovations such as strained silicon, high-k metal gate transistors, and copper + low-k interconnects have enabled continued performance improvements for scaled devices. Microprocessor design and architecture innovations such as multi-core designs combined with power gates were significant contributors to improved performance and improved power efficiency. Future computing products demand small form factors and long battery life that can be met through a combination of transistor innovation, System-on-Chip and System-in-Package integration techniques.
Gabapentin for the Treatment of Tremor

OBJECTIVE:To review the use of the antiepileptic drug gabapentin for the treatment of various types of tremor.DATA SOURCES:A search of biomedical literature was completed through MEDLINE and EMBASE (1993–May 2002) to identify all clinical trials pertaining to the use of gabapentin for the treatment of tremor in humans.DATA SYNTHESIS:Outcome data from the few published studies have varied widely. Patient groups have been small, and conclusions have been based largely on subjective patient and investigator ratings.CONCLUSIONS:A trial of gabapentin is warranted in patients who fail therapy with traditional agents. Improvement should be measured by a patient's perceived functional ability.
Impact of a Prospective-Audit-With-Feedback Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at a Children's Hospital

Background. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant organisms and the lack of development of new antimicrobials have made it imperative that additional strategies be developed to maintain the effectiveness of these existing antibiotics. The objective of this study was to describe the impact of a prospective-auditwith-feedback antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) on antibiotic use in a children’ sh ospital. Method. A quasi-experimental study design with a control group was performed to assess the impact of a prospective-audit-with-feedback ASP. The control group was the combined antibiotic use at 25 similar children’s hospitals that are members of the Child Health Corporation of America. Results. The ASP reviewed 10 460 broad-spectrum or select antibiotics in 8765 patients in the 30 months following the intervention. The most common select antibiotics reviewed were ceftriaxone/ cefotaxime (43%), vancomycin (18%), ceftazidime (12%), and meropenem (7%). A total of 2378 recommendations were made in 1703 (19%) patients; the most common recommendation was to stop antibiotics (41%). Clinicians were compliant with agreed-upon ASP recommendations in 92% of patients. When comparing our antibiotic use with that of the control group, a monthly decline in all antibiotics of 7% (P= .045) and 8% (P = .045) was observed for days of therapy (DoT) and length of therapy (LoT) per 1000 patient-days, respectively. An even greater effect was observed in the select antibiotics as the monthly DoT per 1000 patient-days declined 17% (P< .001) and the monthly LoT per 1000 patient-days declined 18% (P < .001). Conclusions. A prospective-audit-with-feedback ASP can have a significant impact on decreasing antibiotic use at a children’s hospital.
Molecular Analysis of Rifampin Resistance in Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus

Rifampin-resistant mutants were selected from UV-light-treated Bacillus cereus (20 mutants) and attenuated B. anthracis (23 mutants). In addition, spontaneous rifampin-resistant mutants were also isolated in attenuated B. anthracis (22 mutants). The rifampin resistance clusters of the rpoB gene were sequenced for all 65 mutants. Mutations associated with resistance were consistent with those from other bacteria, though two novel changes were observed. The spontaneous rate of resistance was estimated at 1.57 × 10−9 mutations/generation by a Luria-Delbruck fluctuation test.
NESTING HABITS OF SPHEX XANTHOPTERUS (CAM.) (HYMEN.)

Certain of the nesting habits of the wasp, Sphex xanthopterus (Cam.), have been observed at and near Los Angeles, California. The insect nests for the most part in the moist or wet, sandy soil of the river bed. It digs a short tunnel and enlarges it into a cell at the end. Into this is stored a stung lepidopterous larva, often the young of the moth, Zale lunata (Drury) and its varieties, to the side of which is fastened the egg of the wasp. The entrance to the tunnel and nest is then closed and in due time, if all goes well the egg hatches, the larva devours the prey, spins its cocoon, pupates, and later emerges an adult wasp. A more detailed account of some of the facts in its nesting habits and life history is given below.
Reading the Tea Leaves: Anticarcinogenic Properties of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate

Green tea is an extremely popular beverage worldwide. Derivatives of green tea, particularly (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been proposed to have anticarcinogenic properties based on preclinical, observational, and clinical trial data. To summarize, clarify, and extend current knowledge, we conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed database and other secondary data sources, as appropriate, regarding the chemopreventive potential of EGCG. Apparently, EGCG functions as an antioxidant, preventing oxidative damage in healthy cells, but also as an antiangiogenic agent, preventing tumors from developing a blood supply needed to grow larger. Furthermore, EGCG may stimulate apoptosis in cancerous cells by negatively regulating the cell cycle to prevent continued division. Finally, EGCG exhibits antibacterial activity, which may be implicated in the prevention of gastric cancer. Although in vitro research of the anticarcinogenic properties of EGCG seems promising, many diverse and unknown factors may influence its in vivo activity in animal and human models. Some epidemiological studies suggest that green tea compounds could protect against cancer, but existing data are inconsistent, and limitations in study design hinder full interpretation and generalizability of the published observational findings. Several clinical trials with green tea derivatives are ongoing, and further research should help to clarify the clinical potential of EGCG for chemoprevention and/or chemotherapy applications.
The origins and nature of the cognitive paradigm: an overview.

Although cognitive science, the 'science of mind' is generally regarded as of relatively recent vintage, its origins can actually be traced back to ideas from the 1930s. The purpose of this paper is to offer a view of the essential nature of what has come to be called the cognitive paradigm - the framework around which cognitive science has come to be constructed - and about its origins and development. Of particular note is the interdisciplinarity of the field, with its strong links to psycholog.y, linguistics, neurobiology, computer science and philosophy. As will be e:w:.plained below, this interdisciplinary character is rooted in the historical development of the science itself, and can only be understood in such a context. Thus, the present article is strongly historical in spirit and content.
Breaking Barriers Addressing Structural Obstacles to Social Service Provision for Asian Survivors of Domestic Violence

Many studies have attributed the disproportionately high rate of domestic violence in Asian communities to Asian patriarchal "cultural norms" and the psychological and behavioral traits that these norms produce in individuals. This article seeks to expand the scope of domestic violence analysis beyond these individual and cultural frameworks, arguing that Asian domestic violence is also a product of larger scale, social systems of inequality. By examining the funding criteria of the Family Violence Prevention Services Administration (FVPSA) and the Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) standard used by Robin Hood, my research shows how state and private organizations systematically devalue and underfund minority-targeted programs.
Corruption Contagion in South Asia and East Asia: An Econometric study

Many studies have analyzed the economic consequences of corruption using alternative economic theories. A new area of research has recently emerged that explores how one country’s corrupt practices spread to neighboring countries. It can be reasonably assumed that corruption is shaped by the culture or climate of doing business within a particular country, and these practices are shared to some extent by the neighboring countries. It is therefore possible for corruption to spread from one country to its neighbors, but the rate of corruption contagion should diminish with greater distance. This study estimates the impact of geographical distance on corruption for 16 emerging countries in South Asia and East Asia and finds that corruption contagion indeed diminishes with geographical distance, and that the rate of contagion is lower in East Asian countries.
Using a survey to assess perioperative staff learning needs

The learning needs survey is an effective means of ranking staff learning needs. The learning needs survey should be used every year to reevaluate the staff's needs and to incorporate new content areas. Newly hired nurses should take the survey only after they have been employed six months. The survey allows the educator to differentiate the needs of the new versus experienced staff, and it involves the staff in planning for their personal needs. The use of a learning needs survey keeps the content focused on the learner as opposed to the instructor's interest or needs. The staff rated needs differently than the instructor. For example, the staff rated a review of pediatrics growth and development low (13) even though there is an increased number of outpatient pediatric cases at our facility. Staff members' comments also provide data for follow-up and more specific surveys. A learning needs survey is the first step in providing continuing education for the perioperative staff.
Cytoplasmic 17 beta-[3H]estradiol binding in rat adipose tissues.

Ovarian hormones, particularly 17 beta-estradiol, have important effects on body fat levels in rats, but it is not known whether 17 beta-estradiol can act directly on various fat depots to affect adiposity or whether these effects are entirely indirect (e.g. via food intake, exercise, or various metabolic actions). We have found high affinity, estrogen-specific macromolecular binding of 17 beta-[3H]estradiol in the cytoplasmic fraction of adipose tissues from ovariectomized rats. Saturation analysis indicates a Kd of 7.4 X 10(-10) M, and binding is inhibited by unlabeled 17 beta-estradiol or 11 beta-methoxy-17-ethynyl-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17beta-diol (R2858) but not by progesterone, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, or cortisol. 17 beta-[3H]Estradiol binding is virtually abolished by incubation with pronase but not with DNase or RNase, indicating that the binding macromolecule is probably a protein. Binding is seen in all adipose tissues studied, including abdominal, sc, and brown fat. Binding site concentration is highest in parametrial fat pads, followed by retroperitoneal, brown, omental, and inguinal depots. Binding is also seen in the cytoplasmic fraction of isolated parametrial adipocytes. These data indicate that the various adipose tissues might be estrogen target tissues in rats. Therefore, it is possible that estrogenic effects on body weight and composition could be mediated in part by direct estrogen action on adipose tissues.
Methods to speed up error back-propagation learning algorithm

Error back propagation (EBP) is now the most used training algorithm for feedforward artificial neural networks (FFANNs). However, it is generally believed that it is very slow if it does converge, especially if the network size is not too large compared to the problem at hand. The main problem with the EBP algorithm is that it has a constant learning rate coefficient, and different regions of the error surface may have different characteristic gradients that may require a dynamic change of learning rate coefficient based on the nature of the surface. Also, the characteristic of the error surface may be unique in every dimension, which may require one learning rate coefficient for each weight. To overcome these problems several modifications have been suggested. This survey is an attempt to present them together and to compare them. The first modification was momentum strategy where a fraction of the last weight correction is added to the currently suggested weight correction. It has both an accelerating and a decelerating effect where they are necessary. However, this method can give only a relatively small dynamic range for the learning rate coefficient. To increase the dynamic range of the learning rate coefficient, such methods as the bold driver and SAB (self-adaptive back propagation) were proposed. A modification to the SAB that eliminates the requirement of selection of a good learning rate coefficient by the user gave the SuperSAB. A slight modification to the momentum strategy produced a new method that controls the oscillation of weights to speed up learning. Modification to the EBP algorithm in which the gradients are rescaled at every layer helped to improve the performance. Use of expected output of a neuron instead of actual output for correcting weights improved performance of the momentum strategy. The conjugate gradient method and self-determination of adaptive learning rate require no learning rate coefficient from the user. Use of energy functions other than the sum of the squared error has shown improved convergence rate. An effective learning rate coefficient selection needs to consider the size of the training set. All these methods to improve the performance of the EBP algorithm are presented here.
MicroRNAs miR-186 and miR-150 Down-regulate Expression of the Pro-apoptotic Purinergic P2X7 Receptor by Activation of Instability Sites at the 3′-Untranslated Region of the Gene That Decrease Steady-state Levels of the Transcript

The P2X7 receptor regulates cell growth through mediation of apoptosis. P2X7 levels are lower in cancer epithelial cells than in normal cells, and previous studies showed that expression of P2X7 was regulated post-transcriptionally. The objective of the study was to understand regulation of P2X7 mRNA stability. Overexpression of a reporter containing the full-length human P2X7 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) or reporters containing parts of the 3′-UTR-P2X7 were associated with increased abundance of the construct in normal cells and decreased abundance in cancer epithelial cells. Sequences within the 3′-UTR-P2X7, which are putative target sites for the microRNAs, miR-186 (middle segment) and miR-150 (distal segment), decreased the abundance of the P2X7 transcript. Overexpression in cancer cells of mutated miR-186 and miR-150 target sites was associated with lower levels of the reporter genes. In normal cells overexpression of the mutated miR-186 target site was associated with marked increased concentration, but overexpression of the miR-150 target site reporters, wild-type and mutant, did not change over time. Levels of miR-186 and miR-150 were higher in cancer than in normal cells, and treatment with miR-186 and miR-150 inhibitors increased P2X7 mRNA. In human embryonic kidney-293 cells heterologously expressing the full-length 3′-UTR-P2X7 luciferase reporter, miR-186 and miR-150 inhibitors increased luciferase activity, whereas miR-186 and miR-150 mimics decreased luciferase activity after actinomycin D treatment. These data suggest that increased expression of miR-186 and miR-150 in cancer epithelial cells decreases P2X7 mRNA by activation of miR-186 and miR-150 instability target sites located at the 3′-UTR-P2X7.
Pragmatic semantic unification

The term unification is meaningful only with respect to applications. A term's meaning, or semantics, is evident in its use - if the application is successful, the terms have been used correctly. Unifying academic ontologies is unification in a vacuum. The only way to know if we have done it correctly is to test whether the applications associated with the terms interoperate successfully - a notion called pragmatic semantic unification. Ontologies should refer to applications, and unification success should be tested with interoperability.
Adaptive observers for active automotive suspensions: theory and experiment

An adaptive observer is developed for a class of nonlinear systems. Conditions for convergence of state and parameter estimates are presented. The developed theory is used for observer-based parameter identification in the active suspension system of an automobile. A realistic model of the suspension system incorporating the dynamics of the hydraulic actuator is used. The observer is used to adapt on dry friction which is usually present in significant magnitudes in hydraulic actuators. The observer can also be used to adapt on spring stiffnesses, viscous damping and hydraulic bulk modulus. A special adaptive observer is proposed for identification of the sprung mass of the automobile. Since the sprung mass depends on the number of passengers and the load on the automobile, it needs to be regularly updated. The adaptive observers use measurements from two accelerometers and an LVDT. They yield good experimental performance when implemented on a half-car suspension test rig. >
The Behavior Problems Checklist-Spanish: A Preliminary Study of a New Scale for the Assessment of Depressive Symptoms and Disruptive Behaviors in Hispanic Patients With Dementia

Few instruments are available with which to measure behavioral and psychological signs and symptoms in Hispanic patients with dementia. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to develop and evaluate a 17-item scale adapted from the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist. This measure, the Behavior Problems Checklist-Spanish (BPC-S), assesses caregiver-reported symptoms of depression and disruption in patients with dementia. The sample for this study comprised 27 Spanish-speaking Hispanic patients and their family caregivers evaluated at a university-affiliated memory disorders center. All patients met diagnostic criteria for possible or probable Alzheimer's disease as set forth by the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. Satisfactory convergent validity, discriminant validity, and internal consistency reliability were demonstrated for the Depression and Disruption subscales of the BPC-S. Both of these neuropsychiatric disturbances were related to heightened levels of caregiver burden. The results of this preliminary study suggest the BPC-S is a brief, psychometrically sound caregiver-report instrument to assess symptoms of mood disturbance and behavioral disruption in Hispanic patients with dementia. This instrument may have utility for both clinical and research purposes.
High-Throughput Nano-Biofilm Microarray for Antifungal Drug Discovery

ABSTRACT Micro- and nanoscale technologies have radically transformed biological research from genomics to tissue engineering, with the relative exception of microbial cell culture, which is still largely performed in microtiter plates and petri dishes. Here, we present nanoscale culture of the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans on a microarray platform. The microarray consists of 1,200 individual cultures of 30 nl of C. albicans biofilms (“nano-biofilms”) encapsulated in an inert alginate matrix. We demonstrate that these nano-biofilms are similar to conventional macroscopic biofilms in their morphological, architectural, growth, and phenotypic characteristics. We also demonstrate that the nano-biofilm microarray is a robust and efficient tool for accelerating the drug discovery process: (i) combinatorial screening against a collection of 28 antifungal compounds in the presence of immunosuppressant FK506 (tacrolimus) identified six drugs that showed synergistic antifungal activity, and (ii) screening against the NCI challenge set small-molecule library identified three heretofore-unknown hits. This cell-based microarray platform allows for miniaturization of microbial cell culture and is fully compatible with other high-throughput screening technologies. IMPORTANCE Microorganisms are typically still grown in petri dishes, test tubes, and Erlenmeyer flasks in spite of the latest advances in miniaturization that have benefitted other allied research fields, including genomics and proteomics. Culturing microorganisms in small scale can be particularly valuable in cutting down time, cost, and reagent usage. This paper describes the development, characterization, and application of nanoscale culture of an opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans. Despite a more than 2,000-fold reduction in volume, the growth characteristics and drug response profiles obtained from the nanoscale cultures were comparable to the industry standards. The platform also enabled rapid identification of new drug candidates that were effective against C. albicans biofilms, which are a major cause of mortality in hospital-acquired infections.
Peritubular Myoid Cells Participate in Male Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cell Maintenance

Peritubular myoid (PM) cells surround the seminiferous tubule and together with Sertoli cells form the cellular boundary of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) niche. However, it remains unclear what role PM cells have in determining the microenvironment in the niche required for maintenance of the ability of SSCs to undergo self-renewal and differentiation into spermatogonia. Mice with a targeted disruption of the androgen receptor gene (Ar) in PM cells experienced a progressive loss of spermatogonia, suggesting that PM cells require testosterone (T) action to produce factors influencing SSC maintenance in the niche. Other studies showed that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is required for SSC self-renewal and differentiation of SSCs in vitro and in vivo. This led us to hypothesize that T-regulated GDNF expression by PM cells contributes to the maintenance of SSCs. This hypothesis was tested using an adult mouse PM cell primary culture system and germ cell transplantation. We found that T induced GDNF expression at the mRNA and protein levels in PM cells. Furthermore, when thymus cell antigen 1-positive spermatogonia isolated from neonatal mice were cocultured with PM cells with or without T and transplanted to the testes of germ cell-depleted mice, the number and length of transplant-derived colonies was increased considerably by in vitro T treatment. These results support the novel hypothesis that T-dependent regulation of GDNF expression in PM cells has a significant influence on the microenvironment of the niche and SSC maintenance.
Activated CD8 T Cells Redistribute to Antigen-Free Lymph Nodes and Exhibit Effector and Memory Characteristics

Exogenous dendritic cells display restricted trafficking when injected in vivo and stimulate CD8 T cell responses that are localized to a small number of lymphoid compartments. By examining these responses in the presence and absence of FTY720, a drug that causes sequestration of T cells in lymph nodes, we demonstrate that a significant fraction of divided CD8 T cells redistribute into Ag-free lymph nodes within 3 days of activation. Despite variation in the level of expression of CD62L, redistribution of these cells is CD62L-dependent. Redistributed CD8 T cells exhibit characteristics of differentiated effectors. However, when re-isolated from Ag-free lymph nodes 3 days after activation and transferred into naive mice, they persist for at least 3 wk and expand upon Ag challenge. Thus, CD8 T cells that redistribute to Ag-free lymph nodes 3 days after immunization contain memory precursors. We suggest that this redistribution process represents an important mechanism for establishment of lymph node resident central memory, and that redistribution to Ag-free nodes is an additional characteristic to be added to those that distinguish memory precursors from terminal effectors.