cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics and analgesic effects of intravenous buprenorphine

Background buprenorphine (BUP), a semi-synthetic opioid, is used as an analgesic for post-operative and chronic pain. Because of very low plasma concentrations its pharmacokinetics and related pharmacodynamics are not well characterized. BUP pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics were investigated as part of a study on the efficacy of naltrexone (NTX) in reversing its analgesic effects. Methods randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study in 12 healthy male volunteers who received 0.15 mg/70 kg BUP iv. Data were collected up to 8 hours after drug administration. Quantitative sensory testing, using thermal and electrical stimulations (Viking IV, Madison USA), and testing for pain tolerance (cold pressor) were performed. Plasma concentrations of BUP were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification was 50 pg/mL. Results BUP significantly increased the nociceptive threshold and pain tolerance for the first 2 hours (p<0.05). A two compartment model adequately described BUP pharmacokinetics. The mean elimination half-life was 3.9h (CV=75%). Plasma clearance was 7.6 L/h (CV=83%), and AUC was 39h ng/mL (CV=87%). Conclusions a two compartment pharmacokinetic model adequately characterizes buprenorphine pharmacokinetics. Significant analgesic effects are observed during the distribution phase. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P51–P51; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.087
Cytokine therapy in cancer

Background: Cytokines provide important intercellular signals in inflammation, immunity and tumor and endothelial cell biology. Several cytokines have therapeutic potential when delivered exogenously alone or in combinations with chemotherapy or other biological agents. Objectives: To summarize current data on the biology and therapeutic use of human cytokines in malignancy. Methods: The review focuses on the most important physiological and pathological functions of each cytokine and a unifying concept for its potential role in human malignancy based on preclinical models and current published literature. Results/conclusions: Interleukin-2 is the model cytokine for the study of other cytokines that have similar or distinct properties with potential for superior therapeutic uses. Ongoing studies of cytokine networks involved in normal and pathological processes, along with enhanced knowledge of mechanisms of counterregulation and resistance, will guide future therapeutic strategies.
Sexual signal exaggeration affects physiological state in male barn swallows.

Summary A prevailing view in sexual selection theory is that costly physiological processes underlie the development, maintenance and expression of sexual signals, and that the costs of these signals enforce their honesty [1,2]. However, this unidirectional view of how physiology governs signal expression is narrow, because many of the putative physiological underpinnings of signals, such as health status, are themselves dynamic [3]. As such, we predicted that physiological parameters should be affected by sexual signal expression. We therefore manipulated a known sexual signal — plumage coloration — in male barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) and measured circulating androgen levels and body mass before and after the manipulation. We found that androgen concentrations increased in color-enhanced males, but decreased in control males, as expected due to typical seasonal androgen declines [4,5]. Color-enhanced males also lost body mass, whereas control males gained weight between successive captures one week apart. These results indicate the existence of feedbacks between an individual's morphological signals and physiology — a finding that is not currently explained by honest signaling theory.
Exploring self‐organized emergence in an agent‐based synthetic warfare lab

Artificial‐life techniques – specifically, agent‐based models and evolutionary learning algorithms – provide a potentially powerful new approach to understanding some of the fundamental processes of war. This paper introduces a simple artificial‐like “toy model” of combat called Enhanced ISAAC Neural Simulation Tool (EINSTein). EINSTein is designed to illustrate how certain aspects of land combat can be viewed as self‐organized, emergent phenomena resulting from the dynamical web of interactions among notional combatants. EINSTein's bottom‐up, synthesist approach to the modeling of combat stands in stark contrast to the more traditional top‐down, or reductionist approach taken by conventional military models, and represents a step toward developing a complex systems theoretic toolbox for identifying, exploring, and possibly exploiting self‐organized emergent collective patterns of behavior on the real battlefield. A description of the model is provided, along with examples of emergent agent patterns and behaviors.
Osteopontin Gene Expression Determines Spontaneous Metastatic Performance of Orthotopic Human Breast Cancer Xenografts

A major problem in the therapeutic management of cancer is the growth of metastases in distant organs, but the genes orchestrating the process need to be identified for the rational design of new treatment. Here, we provide decisive experimental evidence demonstrating the causal involvement of a specific gene, osteopontin (OPN), in the pathogenesis of metastasis by human breast cancer cells and implicating some of its probable partners. Stable long-term depletion, or up-regulation, of OPN gene expression in a matched, isogenic pair of human breast cancer cell lines of differing metastatic proficiency reproducibly changed their ability to colonize distant organs. OPN down-regulation was achieved by transduction of the metastatic line with a DNA construct encoding a small hairpin RNA in a vector labeled with red fluorescent protein and resulted in a marked reduction of metastatic load (P < 0.01). Up-regulation of OPN in the negligibly metastatic line, with a green fluorescent protein-marked retroviral vector containing OPN cDNA driven by a strong promoter, resulted in heavy colonization of the lungs and lymph nodes (P < 0.005). The reciprocal changes in behavior of these matched cell lines cross-corroborate each other. Concomitant changes were seen in the expression of other metastasis-related genes in both modulated lines. The data indicate that therapeutic targeting of tumor OPN molecules could reset metastatically relevant gene networks, resulting in clinical benefit.
Checklist for US of the bowel in children with inflammatory bowel disease

(1) Elimination of exposure to ionizing radiation (CT enterography:2–6× higher than small bowel follow-through [SBFT]; repeated studies raise lifetime cumulative dose) (2) Diagnostic accuracy is relatively high (sensitivity: 74– 88%; specificity 78–93%) (3) Early changes easier to appreciate (mild focal bowel wall thickening and hyperemia) (4) Rapid and effective complement to clinical decisionmaking (positive predictive value 99.5%: positive blood work-up with bowel wall thickening) (5) Preparation for US not obligatory (avoid oral contrasts and enteric tubes) (6) Fastest imaging modality (15 min) (7) Widespread availability of US scanners and easier accessibility (“while-the-clinician-is-waiting” and same-day studies)
Two-dimensional numerical modeling of dam-break flows over natural terrain using a central explicit scheme

Abstract A two-dimensional (2D) numerical model has been developed to solve shallow water equations for simulation of dam-break flows. The spatial derivatives are discretized using a well-balanced explicit central upwind conservative scheme. The scheme is Riemann solver free and guarantees the positivity of the flow depth over complex topography if the Courant number is kept less than 0.25. The time integration is performed by Euler’s scheme. The model is verified against analytical results for water surface elevation and discharge for three benchmark test cases. A good agreement between analytical solutions and computed results is observed. The property of well-balancing in still water over an uneven bottom is also confirmed. The model is then validated by simulating a laboratory experiment in which a dam break flow propagates over a triangular obstacle. The model performance was found to be satisfactory. A dam break laboratory experimental test case on a frictionless horizontal bottom is also simulated for 2D validation of the model, and good agreement between simulation and the experimental data is observed. The suitability of the proposed model for real life applications is demonstrated by simulating the Malpasset dam-break event, which occurred in 1959 in France. The computed arrival time of the flood wave front and the maximum flow depths at various observation points matched well with the measurements on a 1/400 scale physical model. The overall performance indicates that this model can be applied for simulation of dam-break waves in real life cases.
Information presentation format preferences of art museum visitors

Behavioral differences between infrequent and frequent art museum visitors, in the absence of demographic differences, suggest the need to investigate information presentation format styles. Four formats were tested in the present study. Results indicate that infrequent and frequent visitors do prefer different formats. Implications of the obtained results for exhibit labels and broader consumer research are discussed.
Intraglomerular inhibition: signaling mechanisms of an olfactory microcircuit

Microcircuits composed of principal neuron and interneuron dendrites have an important role in shaping the representation of sensory information in the olfactory bulb. Here we establish the physiological features governing synaptic signaling in dendrodendritic microcircuits of olfactory bulb glomeruli. We show that dendritic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release from periglomerular neurons mediates inhibition of principal tufted cells, retrograde inhibition of sensory input and lateral signaling onto neighboring periglomerular cells. We find that L-type dendritic Ca(2+) spikes in periglomerular cells underlie dendrodendritic transmission by depolarizing periglomerular dendrites and activating P/Q type channels that trigger GABA release. Ca(2+) spikes in periglomerular cells are evoked by powerful excitatory inputs from a single principal cell, and glutamate release from the dendrites of single principal neurons activates a large ensemble of periglomerular cells.
Acoustic Startle Response Affected by Aging and Cholinergic Neurotransmitters

Abstract The acoustic startle response has been used to evaluate tinnitus and hyperacusis in animal models. Gap induced prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex (gap-PPI) is affected by tinnitus and loudness changes. Since tinnitus and reduced sound tolerance are commonly seen in elderly, we measured gap-PPI in Fischer 344 rats, an aging related hearing loss model, at different ages: 3-5 months, 9-12 months, and 15-17 months. The startle response was induced by three different intensity of sound: 105, 95 and 85 dB SPL. Gap-PPI was induced by different duration of silent gaps from 1 to 100 ms. When the startle was induced by 105 dB SPL sound intensity, the gap-PPI induced by 50 ms silent gap was significantly lower than those induced by 25 or 100 ms duration, showing a “notch” in the gap-PPI function. The “notch” disappeared with the reduction of startle sound, suggesting the “notch” may be related with hyper-sensitivity to loud sound. As the intensity of the stimulus decreased, the appearance of the hyperacusis-like effect decreased more quickly for the youngest group of rats. We also tested scopolamine, a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, and mecamylamine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, on the effect of gap-PPI. When scopolamine was administered, the results indicated no addition effect on the hyperacusis-like phenomenon in the two older groups. Mecamylamine, the nicotinic antagonist also showed effects on the appearance of hyperacusis on rats in different ages. The information derived from the study will be fundamental for the further research in determining the cause and treatment for hyperacusis.
Criteria for Competence

From a review of studies on competence and personological approach to competent behavior, a new theory is presented.
Protease-Activated Receptor 2-Mediated Protection of Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: Role of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Receptors

Activation of the protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) or the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channels expressed in cardiac sensory afferents containing calcitonin gene-relate...
An electrophysiological study of the red chromatophore of the prawn, Palaemonetes: observations on the action of red pigment-concentrating hormone☆

Abstract 1. 1. The resting potential of the prawn red chromatophore is a function of the external potassium concentration and was observed to be 55 ±15 mV inside negative. 2. 2. The isosmotic addition of potassium ion to the bathing medium induces a calculated shrinkage of a pigment-containing compartment of 40 per cent per tenfold change in [K+]out. 3. 3. An approximate internal potassium level of 200 mequiv./1 is predicted from electrochemical equations. 4. 4. The effective resistance (Reff) of the chromatophore is 1·1× 105 ohms. 5. 5. These chromatophores are electronically coupled. The true membrane resistance (Rm) is therefore somewhat higher than Reff. 6. 6. Red pigment-containing hormone causes membrane hyperpolarization, the magnitude of which is a function of the amount of pigment concentration that occurs. No major change in ion permeability occurs during the period of response.
Alleviation of scopolamine amnesia by different retrieval enhancing treatments

Abstract Mice were trained in a one-way active avoidance task to a criterion of 9 10 avoidances. Immediately following training they were injected with scopolamine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg SC) or with saline. Retention was assessed 3 days after training by 5 test trials on which the UCS was not present. Thirty min prior to the test, groups were injected with different doses of arecoline, d-amphetamine sulphate or with saline. Other scopolamine-treated mice were exposed to the CS or the UCS 24 hr prior to the test. The scopolamine-induced amnesia was attenuated by both 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg arecoline and by 2.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine. Retention was also improved by exposure to the CS and the UCS. These data show that scopolamine amnesia can be alleviated by treatments which activate retrieval processes.
Velocity sedimentation of tumor cells: a comparison of methods.

Tumor cells isolated from a murine fibrosarcoma were grown in primary culture for two days and then separated on a basis of size by velocity sedimentation. Centrifugal elutriation and STAPUT methods were compared for their ability to isolate biophysically unique tumor subpopulations. The isolated cell fractions were assayed for cell number, incorporation of triatiated thymidine and Coulter volume. Both methods were comparable with regard to ability to separate tumor cells on a basis of size. Elutriation had the advantage of speed but required sophisticated equipment. The STAPUT method was less expensive but required somewhat longer times for separation.
Glutathione S-transferase PI (GST-pi) Class Expression by Immunohistochemistry in Benign and Malignant Prostate Tissue

ABSTRACTPurpose: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes may prevent carcinogenesis through inactivation of reactive electrophiles by conjugation to reduced glutathione. Recently, it was reported that most prostate cancers fail to express GST-pi despite an abundant presence in benign prostate tissue, suggesting a common genetic alteration. To define its presence in prostate tissue, we evaluated GST-pi expression in a variety of prostate tissues.Materials and Methods: Immunostaining with anti-GST-pi antibody was performed on 69 benign prostates, 44 malignant prostates, 12 incidental prostate carcinomas and 17 prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) specimens. Specimens were evaluated for the presence and percent of GST-pi. Within benign tissue, GST-pi immunostaining was distinguished between basal cells and secretory acinar epithelium.Results: In benign epithelium, the basal cells demonstrated intense staining in all cases. The mean percent staining among the basal cells was 67% (R 40-90%). The acinar ep...
Nitrofurantoin-induced pulmonary toxicity during pregnancy: A report of a case and review of the literature

Acute pulmonary reactions to nitrofurantoin are an uncommon side effect of therapy and can cause minor or life-threatening pulmonary dysfunction. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea. Rarely, pleural effusion and/or pulmonary hemorrhage may occur. Diagnosis is made by clinical suspicion and exclusion of other causes of respiratory compromise. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) may be used to rule out infectious etiologies, and an increase in BAL fluid eosinophils is suggestive of drug-induced toxicity. The acute reaction to nitrofurantoin is believed to be mediated by an immune mechanism. Treatment is mainly discontinuation of the drug, however, corticosteroid therapy is recommended for severe reactions. A chronic reaction associated with long-term treatment with nitrofurantoin has also been reported and causes irreversible pulmonary fibrosis. Nitrofurantoin is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections during pregnancy. Despite the known pulmonary side effects of nitrofurantoin, there is no report of this toxicity occurring in pregnant patients. We present a case of respiratory failure occurring in a woman at 16 weeks' gestation who was being treated with nitrofurantoin for a urinary tract infection.
Comprehensive monitoring of firefighters by a Wireless Body Area Sensor Network

Current research suggests that firefighters are under high risks of cardiac attacks due to heat stress and high physiological exertion. Thus, it is very important to track the location of firefighters in a real fire scenario, so as to alert the fire crew chief during a medical emergency. In this paper, we use Wireless Body Area Sensor Networks (WBASN) to gather various physiological data from monitoring devices and constantly monitor the firefighters in training or in action. A fire disaster is also a source of potentially hazardous gases. Therefore, systems should be developed that can monitor the level of such gases in the vicinity of the firefighters and generate appropriate alarms if levels of such gases exceed the prescribed safe levels. We also propose to set up wireless sensor devices to monitor the mobility of the firefighters inside the crisis area by measuring the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values received by these sensor motes strategically placed at different locations. We propose to develop a comprehensive location and monitoring system to be used by the firefighters while fighting fires. Our system would be ad-hoc, thus enabling it to be setup fairly quickly.
Non-deductive rules of inference and problems in the analysis of inductive reasoning

As it is well-known, one of the most fundamental logical differences between deductive and inductive processes of inference is the factor that a (valid) deductive-style argument must yield a true conclusion from true premisses, whereas a (correct and proper) inductive-style argument need not lead from true premisses to a true conclusion. This consideration would seem to suggest the need for a systematic study of inferential procedures which on the one hand are sufficiently plausible to have some warrant for consideration, but on the other hand may possibly yield false conclusions from true premisses. On just this point, however, there is a gap in the logical literature of the present day, for it includes no discussion of rules of inference that fail to conform to the orthodox deductive type. The aim of the present paper is to make some steps in the direction of at least a tentative beginning towards removing this gap, by offering a brief examination of the logic of non-deductive rules of inference.
Lipids: COX-2's new role in inflammation

COX-2 is the enzyme largely responsible for causing inflammation, a common mechanism of disease. A study now reports that derivatives generated by COX-2 from naturally occurring ω-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory mediators.
Interference effects and the longitudinal fraction in the process gg-->ZZ.

The contribution to pp..-->..ZZ+X from gluon fusion (gg..-->..ZZ) is determined and combined with the contributions from the subprocesses qq-bar..-->..ZZ, WW..-->..ZZ, and ZZ..-->..ZZ to find the total Higgs-boson signal in ZZ production and the fraction of events where the Z's are longitudinal.
Low-power adiabatic computing with NMOS energy recovery logic

An NMOS energy recovery logic (NERL) scheme is introduced which exhibits high throughput with low energy consumption due to efficient energy transfer and recovery using adiabatic logic and bootstrapping. NERL achieves dramatic energy savings, insensitive to output load capacitance and is less dependent on the power-clock frequency.
Evaluation of WaySafe: a disease-risk reduction curriculum for substance-abusing offenders

With a focus on reducing disease risk behavior in the community, a six-session curriculum, WaySafe, was developed to increase positive decision-making skills among soon-to-be-released inmates participating in a therapeutic community substance abuse treatment program. The intervention used TCU Mapping-Enhanced Counseling as an approach to focus on cognitive aspects of risky sexual and drug use behaviors in an effort to improve problem recognition, commitment to change, and strategies for avoiding behavioral risks of infections. A total of 1393 inmates from eight different institutions in two states were randomly assigned to receive WaySafe or treatment as usual (TAU). Baseline and follow-up surveys measured knowledge, confidence, and motivation regarding general HIV information, risky sex and drug use, HIV testing, and risk reduction skills. WaySafe participants had significantly better scores on all measures at follow-up than did TAU participants, supporting the efficacy of WaySafe in improving knowledge, motivation, and confidence in avoiding risky behaviors.
Quality of Evidence about Effectiveness of Treatments for Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Purpose To evaluate and comment on the published peer-reviewed literature for evidence of effectiveness of treatments for metastatic uveal melanoma.
A switched-capacitor realization of a spectral line enhancer

An adaptive system is described that tracks the peak of the spectral density function of the input signal. The system has been designed so that it can be easily realized in a single MOS integrated circuit using switched-capacitor (SC) techniques. Many characteristics, such as the transient response and the tracking of sine waves corrupted by noise, of a prototype (built from discrete components) are described.
Ecological risk assessment in the United States environmental protection agency: a historical overview.

ABSTRACT EDITOR'S NOTE: This is 1 of 4 papers from the US Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board's Ecological Processes and Effects Committee workshop on the current and future practice of ecological risk assessment. The workshop was held in Washington, DC in February 2006. Risk assessment originated with the insurance industry and spread to the estimation of risks to people and property in other contexts, including the regulation of environmental contamination. Ecological assessment became an important component of environmental management in the United States with the legal mandate for environmental impact assessment in 1970. Risk assessment and ecological assessment merged in the 1980s to form ecological risk assessment (ERA). Since then, ERA has been institutionalized with the development of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (hereafter, USEPA or Agency) framework and guidance documents. Ecological risk assessment has been adapted by the Agency's program offices to fit their lega...
Wideband linear and dual-polarized antenna based on Huygens' source principle

A Huygens source principle is used to design a wideband antenna. An electric dipole and a slot are located above a ground plane to have unidirectional broadside radiation with high front to back ratio. A symmetry radiation patterns are obtained. Linear and dual polarized antennas are designed and tested. The antennas achieve more than 50% bandwidth for both cases. The dually polarized antenna achieves around 30 dB isolation between the two ports.
A Theoretical Framework for Design Space Exploration of Manycore Processors

With ever expanding design space and workload space in multicore era, it is a challenge to identify optimal design points quickly, desirable during the early stage of multicore processor design or programming phase. To meet this challenge, this paper proposes a theoretical framework that can capture the general performance properties for a class of multicore processors of interest over a large design space and workload space, free of scalability issues. The idea is to model multicore processors at the thread-level, overlooking instruction-level and micro architectural details. In particular, queuing network models that model multicore processors at the thread level are developed and solved based on an iterative procedure over a large design space and workload space. This framework scales to virtually unlimited numbers of cores and threads. The testing of the procedure demonstrates that the throughput performance for many-core processors with 1000 cores can be evaluated within a few seconds on an Intel Pentium 4 computer and the results are within 5% of the simulation data obtained based on a thread-level simulator.
Robust IR Remote sensing technique of the total column of trace gases including carbon dioxide and methane

Progress on the development of a differential radiometer based upon the Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) for methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) detection in the atmosphere is presented. Carbon dioxide and methane measurements are becoming increasingly important as a component of NASA's programs to understand the global carbon cycle and quantify the threat of global warming. Methane is the third most important greenhouse gas in the Earth's radiation budget (after water vapor and carbon dioxide) and the second most important anthropogenic contributor to global warming. The importance of global warming and air quality to society caused the National Research Council to recommend that NASA develop the following three missions1,2 ASCENDS (Active Sensing of CO 2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons), GEOCAPE (Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events), and GACM (Global Atmosphere Composition Mission). The importance of CO 2 and methane study is reflected in the successful operation of the Japanese Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) monitoring those trace gases globally from orbit.3
Characterization of the Beam-Spread Function for Underwater Wireless Optical Communications Links

Optical links are currently being considered for high-bandwidth underwater communications at short ranges (<100 m). To predict the performance of these links, a firm understanding of how the inherent optical properties of water affect the encoded optical signal is needed. Of particular interest is the impact of scattering due to particulates. Typically, the link loss is computed using the beam attenuation coefficient, which describes the attenuation of nonscattered light due to absorption and scattering. This approach is insufficient, as it neglects the contribution of scattered light to the total received signal. Given the dynamic nature of underwater platforms, as well as the dynamic nature of the environment itself, knowledge of the angular dependence of forward-scattered light is imperative for determining pointing and tracking requirements as well as overall signal to noise. In this work, the theory necessary to describe spatial spreading of an optical beam in the presence of scattering agents underwater is reviewed. This theory is then applied to a performance prediction model that is validated via laboratory experiments. Finally, the model is used to study the impact of spatial spreading on an underwater optical link.
Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Microcystin in a Missouri Reservoir

Abstract Environmental factors associated with spatiotemporal variation of microcystin (MC) in Mozingo Lake, a Missouri reservoir, were studied during summer 2001, and annual MC trends were characterized from May 2001-May 2002. MC increased during summer, ranging from 20 to1220 ng/L. Seasonal patterns in MC corresponded with chlorophyll >35 μm (Net Chl) and cyanobacterial biovolume associated with increased dominance by Microcystis and Anabaena. MC showed strong negative correlations with dissolved nitrogen (r=−0.95) and cations (r=−0.98), and strong positive correlations with Net Chl (r=0.91). Once the lake stratified, MC and Net Chl remained uniform throughout the photic zone and decreased significantly (p<0.05) in the aphotic zone. Field experiments indicated MC did not change independently of Net Chl in response to decreased light or increased nutrients; however, enclosure effects may have substantially influenced experimental results. Mozingo Lake MC was tightly coupled with seasonal lake processes, ...
SENSORY CUES FOR CONSPECIFIC ASSOCIATIONS IN AQUATIC SAN MARCOS SALAMANDERS

The mode and effectiveness of signals greatly depends on habitat characteristics and the activity patterns of a species. Visual cues frequently are involved in social interactions, although their effectiveness can be reduced with nocturnal species or in habitats with limited visibility. The combination of multiple signals, such as chemical and visual cues, can increase the accuracy and efficacy of communication in these systems. Association preferences of male and female Eurycea nana were examined by allowing individuals to choose between members of both sexes based on (1) chemical signals, (2) visual signals, and (3) chemical and visual signals. Both sexes showed stronger associations with the chemical signals and combined chemical and visual signals of the opposite sex than with visual cues alone. The simultaneous inclusion of both chemical and visual signals did not increase male or female responses suggesting that chemosensory communication is sufficient for individuals of this aquatic species to distinguish between the sexes at close range. Additionally, the finding that females as well as males exhibit sexual discrimination suggests that both sexes seek out potential mates, a phenomenon rarely seen in salamanders.
PERCEPTIONS OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION: COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES AND COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES

ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, the Jacob Wetterling Act and Megan's Law were passed, respectively, formalizing the practice of registering sex offenders in publicly accessible, state-wide databases. The laws were passed in an effort to prevent recidivism of sex offenders and to promote community awareness of convicted sex offenders living in communities. However, the creation of these registries have led to numerous unforeseen collateral consequences for offenders. In qualitative in-depth interviews with registered sex offenders in Jefferson County, Kentucky, respondents reported experiencing difficulties with employment and relationships, instances of harassment, stigmatization, and persistent feelings of vulnerability, all of which they believed were attributable to their status as registered sex offenders. The collateral consequences reported by sex offenders are consistent with those reported for felons in past research. However, the extent to which sex offenders experienced these consequences appears to ...
Desferroxamine infusion increases cerebral blood flow: A potential association with hypoxia-inducible factor-1

Finding an effective means to improve cerebral perfusion during hypoxic/ischaemic stress is essential for neuroprotection. Studies in animal models of stroke have shown that desferroxamine activates HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor-1), reduces brain damage and promotes functional recovery. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of desferroxamine infusion on the cerebral circulation in humans. Fifteen volunteers were enrolled in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. We measured cerebral blood flow velocity by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in the middle cerebral artery, arterial blood pressure, end-tidal CO(2), as well as HIF-1 protein and serum lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in response to 8 h of desferroxamine compared with placebo infusion. Cerebrovascular resistance was calculated from the ratio of steady-state beat-to-beat values for blood pressure to blood flow velocity. We found that desferroxamine infusion was associated with a significant cerebral vasodilation. Moreover, decreased cerebrovascular resistance was temporally correlated with an increased HIF-1 protein concentration as well as HIF-1 transcriptional activation, as measured by serum lactate dehydrogenase concentration. The findings of the present study provide preliminary data suggesting that activators of HIF-1, such as desferroxamine, may protect neurons against ischaemic injury by dilating cerebral vessels and enhancing cerebral perfusion.
Stability of Motions near Resonances in Quasi-Integrable Hamiltonian Systems

Nekhoroshev's theorem on the stability of motions in quasi-integrable Hamiltonian systems is revisited. At variance with the proofs already available in the literature, we explicitly consider the case of weakly perturbed harmonic oscillators; furthermore we prove the confinement of orbits in resonant regions, in the general case of nonisochronous systems, by using the elementary idea of energy conservation instead of more complicated mechanisms. An application of Nekhoroshev's theorem to the study of perturbed motions inside resonances is also provided.
Can Criminal Law Do without Moralism

This is a review of Hyman Gross, Crime and Punishment: A Concise Moral Critique (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012). A substantially shorter version will be published by Journal of Moral Philosophy in 2013.
Opportunistic Resales and the Uniform Commercial Code

This article takes up a split in the courts on a matter arising under the Uniform Commercial Code (the "Code") regarding advantageous resales of goods by sellers where the seller attempts to keep the resale profit under section 2-706 and collect a market-based remedy under section 2-708(1). While there was a split in the commentators some time ago, the cases had primarily prohibited this practice as a windfall to the seller. The recent case of Peace River Seed Coop, Ltd. v. Proseeds Mktg., Inc., though, permitted the seller to collect the windfall. The problem, of course, is that if a seller is permitted to engage in this behavior and collect a loss it did not suffer from the breaching buyer, then the seller can speculate at the expense of the buyer. This article attempts to guide courts that seek to apply this section when the seller makes the favorable resale, but does not elect a resale remedy under section 2-706, perhaps due to failure to follow its strictures. Part I surveys the basic U.C.C. provisions involves, including the legislative history. Part II exams the accepted policy behind contractual damages under the Code and at common law. This Part highlights common misunderstandings regarding windfalls and contracting party behavior that can contribute to a faulty approach to damages. Part III examines Peace River and opposing cases, as well as providing an evaluation and critique of the commentators on this issue. Part IV that a seller who resells at a higher price should be limited to its actual loss. Any default rule on this point should take into account the policies underlying the Code, contracting behavior and consistency with other provisions of the Code.
Pair reduction of a pair-interacting simple Fermion fluid* (adrift in a sea of loose ends)

ABSTRACTThis is a somewhat biased review of the background and current state of the use of reduced density matrices (also known as quantum marginals) to convert the analysis of pair-interacting single species stationary Fermion systems to operations involving only few-particle intermediates. Emphasis is placed on bounds on low-lying energy levels in particular, and on few-particle expectations in general.
A meta-parallel evolutionary system for solving optimization problems

The purpose of the Meta-Parallel Evolutionary System (MPES) is to develop fast, efficient parallel evolutionary systems for function optimization. Given an optimization problem and a set number of nodes available for the computation, the MPES searches for a strong, potentially heterogeneous combination of evolutionary algorithms to coordinate in order to effectively solve a problem. The Evolutionary Algorithms that are utilized in the parallel system are a Particle Swarm Optimizer (PSO), a variety of Genetic Algorithms (GAs), and an Evolutionary Hill-Climber Algorithm (EHC). The subpopulations communicate with each other via one or more centralized buffers. At a higher level exists the MPES, which uses evolutionary methods in order to discover parameters for effective parallel systems. This methodology provides an immediate benefit in the form of a strong tool to solve the optimization problem. Further, it provides a long-term benefit by identifying a system that has the potential to effectively solve other difficult optimization problems with a similar search space.
Changes in Globin Synthesis With Erythroid Cell Maturation in Sickle Thalassemia

a- over groups of patients with sickle f3-thalas- a-type chain synthesis in peripheral semia (S-thaI) are described. In a blood. These mildly affected patients group of relatively asymptomatic black are in contrast to two other groups of patients with sickle thalassemia, there S-thaI patients of both Mediterranean is mild anemia and no clinical symp- and black extraction who have anemia tomatology. a and fl-type (/3A,/3s, and y) and clinical symptomatology and in globin chain synthesis in these patients whom there is absent or more de- is balanced in bone marrow cells, al- creased /3Achain production. T HE SICKLE CELL /3-THALASSEMIA(S-thai) syndromes are a group of disorders of variable clinical severity resulting from heterozygosity for both the sickle and f3-thalassemia genes.' In general, two types of S-thai patients ofeither Mediterranean or black origin have been described : those with hemoglobin A (HbA) production, and those with no HbA. Although S-thals with HbA have generally higher total hemoglobin levels than those without HbA,"2 it has been difficult to correlate clinical severity of the dis- ease with the amount of HbA production.2'3 Few studies of globin chain synthesis have been reported in these subjects and have indicated unbalanced globin chain synthesis in reticulocytes in peripheral blood.47 This report presents the clinical and biochemical findings in a group of mildly affected black patients with S-thai whose cells contain significant amounts of HbA. There is balanced �- and a-type (f3A, jS, and y) globin chain synthesis in nucleated erythroid cells in the bone marrow of these patients, although there is a relative excess of a_chain synthesis in reticulocytes in peripheral blood.
Pavement Marking Retroreflectivity and Crash Frequency: Segmentation, Line Type, and Imputation Effects

This paper investigates the effects of segment length, line types, and imputed retroreflectivity values on pavement-marking retroreflectivity and crash frequency analyses. Road data, crash data, pavement condition data, and pavement-marking retroreflectivity data from Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) databases were acquired and spatially integrated. Data sets for 1-, 3-, and 5-mi segments were prepared to investigate the effect of segmentation. Additional data sets with imputed and measured retroreflectivity data were prepared for comparison. A series of negative binomial regression analyses were run to estimate the expected number of crashes on varying segment lengths and data subsets based on the two retroreflectivity collection methods. The findings show that using smaller segments and data sets with measured retroreflectivity rather than imputed retroreflectivity leads to a more significant relationship between the retroreflectivity of longitudinal pavement markings and crash frequency. The findings also suggest that keeping longitudinal pavement markings in good condition has significant positive effects on safety. The results further suggested that the expected number of annual crashes significantly decreased with the increasing retroreflectivity of white-edge lines (WELs) and yellow-edge lines (YELs) for four-lane road segments. In addition, a significant relationship between pavement condition, measured with the International Roughness Index (IRI) and the expected number of crashes was found for all data sets.
Quantum Metrology with Cold Atomic Ensembles

We present our experimental and theoretical work developing measurement-feedback implementations of precision sensors using cold atomic ensembles. We will focus on our work on spin-squeezed magnetometers.
Binomials to Binomials

(2000). Binomials to Binomials. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 211-212.
Non-Contacting Acoustic Emission Inspection Technique for Rolling Bearings based on Wavelet Analysis and Empirical Mode Decomposition(EMD)

Rolling bearings were inspected using non-contacting acoustic emission technique.The signals of the fault bearings were decomposed using the wavelet analytical method in different frequency bands,then the signals were reconstructed based on the energy of each frequency band to cancel background noises and to decompose the lowered noise signals in EMD.A Hilbert marginal spectrum analysis was conducted of the interesting intrinsic mode function(IMF) after decomposition,the characteristic frequency bands were observed,and clear fault information was obtained for inspecting bearing faults.
The Binding of Tritiated Ouabain to Sodium- and Potassium-Activated Adenosine Triphosphatase and Cardiac Relaxing System of Perfused Dog Heart

Isolated dog hearts were perfused in situ with ouabain; control hearts were perfused for similar lengths of time without the addition of ouabain. After the onset of a significant positive inotropic effect, the hearts were removed, and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and cardiac relaxing system were isolated. The (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity was significantly decreased in the ouabain-treated hearts. The binding in vitro of 3H-ouabain to the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase of the treated hearts was significantly lower than biniding to control enzyme. A small extent of binding of 3H-ouabain to the cardiac relaxing system was observed and may be attributed to the presence of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase.
Three forms of meaning and their psychoanalytic significance.

The existence of three distinct forms of meaning--unearthed, reshaped, and improvised--is claimed to be a part of every analysis. These forms are defined and distinguished from one another. Each is presented as conforming to a certain set to psychological needs in the patient and so as having no overall or general significance as to its propriety vis-a-vis the others. As a group these meanings necessarily alter the concept of neutrality, rendering it relative to the individual patient.
Theories of Bank Regulation

Bank regulation in the United States has evolved since the first commercial bank was chartered in 1781. This evolution has largely been in response to bank crises. In other words, there has been no master plan for the regulation of commercial banks but, rather, a trial and error approach. In response to a crisis or instability, regulation has been established. If, down the road, the regulation is not working, it may be revised, replaced, or removed. Our commercial bank history, as this book demonstrates, is rife with examples of regulators responding to crisis with new or revised regulation. Figure 2.1 offers a timeline of the primary regulation and institutions in U.S. bank history and also highlights all of the bank crises throughout the history. From this illustration, it is easy to see the historical pattern of crisis followed by regulation. In order to properly evaluate the evolution of regulation, it is important to first understand the economic theory of regulation in general and then the theories of bank regulation more specifically. This chapter is designed to introduce the theoretical underpinnings of bank regulation so that we may critically analyze the evolution of commercial banking and commercial bank regulation in the chapters to follow.
Preventing disease relapses in autoimmune pancreatitis with maintenance steroids: are we there yet?

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a fibro-inflammatory disease, which has defining histopathology and is characterised by a dramatic response to steroid treatment.1 Type 1 AIP describes the pancreatic manifestation of a multiorgan syndrome, currently referred to as IgG4-related disease and is frequently associated with an elevated serum IgG4 antibody level.2 This is a chronic disease with relapses occurring in 30–50% of patients within 3 years of disease onset.3 ,4 Published data suggest that low-dose maintenance steroids may decrease the risk for future disease relapse; however, this has not been demonstrated in a prospective clinical trial.5 In the present study, Masamune et al 6 present their findings from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of low-dose steroids for maintenance of disease remission. We discuss this article in the context of the existing literature and identify future opportunities to improve the management of type 1 AIP. In the present study, the authors present their findings from a multicenter, double-blind RCT using low-dose steroids for maintenance of disease remission. A total of 49 subjects were enrolled with a diagnosis of AIP based on the Japanese Pancreas Society diagnostic criteria, with all but two also meeting the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria for AIP. Treatment naive subjects were randomised at the time of diagnosis to one of two strategies for maintenance therapy. Both groups received similar treatment over the initial 26 weeks, which consisted of high-dose steroids (prednisolone 0.6 mg/kg/day) with a taper over 12 weeks, then intermediate-term exposure to a low steroid dose (prednisolone 5–7.5 mg/day) over the next 14 weeks. At the end of 26 weeks, subjects randomised to the maintenance therapy arm continued their low steroid dose for the remainder of the 3 year study period, whereas those in the steroid cessation arm discontinued steroid use. The …
Decision Modeling Framework to Minimize Arrival Delays from Ground Delay Programs

Convective weather and other constraints create uncertainty in air transportation, leading to costly delays. A Ground Delay Program (GDP) is a strategy to mitigate these effects. Systematic decisio...