cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Orbitofrontal State Representations Are Related to Choice Adaptations and Reward Predictions

Animals can categorize the environment into "states," defined by unique sets of available action-outcome contingencies in different contexts. Doing so helps them choose appropriate actions and make accurate outcome predictions when in each given state. State maps have been hypothesized to be held in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), an area implicated in decision-making and encoding information about outcome predictions. Here we recorded neural activity in OFC in 6 male rats to test state representations. Rats were trained on an odor-guided choice task consisting of five trial blocks containing distinct sets of action-outcome contingencies, constituting states, with unsignaled transitions between them. OFC neural ensembles were analyzed using decoding algorithms. Results indicate that the vast majority of OFC neurons contributed to representations of the current state at any point in time, independent of odor cues and reward delivery, even at the level of individual neurons. Across state transitions, these representations gradually integrated evidence for the new state; the rate at which this integration happened in the prechoice part of the trial was related to how quickly the rats' choices adapted to the new state. Finally, OFC representations of outcome predictions, often thought to be the primary function of OFC, were dependent on the accuracy of OFC state representations.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT A prominent hypothesis proposes that orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) tracks current location in a "cognitive map" of state space. Here we tested this idea in detail by analyzing neural activity recorded in OFC of rats performing a task consisting of a series of states, each defined by a set of available action-outcome contingencies. Results show that most OFC neurons contribute to state representations and that these representations are related to the rats' decision-making and OFC reward predictions. These findings suggest new interpretations of emotional dysregulation in pathologies, such as addiction, which have long been known to be related to OFC dysfunction.
Interaction of Religion/Spirituality With Internalized HIV Stigma, Depression, Alcohol Use, and Sexual Risk Among Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: The 6 City HPTN 061 Study.

BACKGROUND Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) remain at highest risk for HIV in the United States. Internalized HIV stigma and depression contribute to substance use and condomless anal intercourse (CAI). Religion and spirituality (R/S) are associated with decreased HIV-related risk behaviors for some groups, but their impact among BMSM is uncertain. We investigated the main and moderating roles of R/S on pathways from internalized HIV stigma to CAI while under the influence of drugs. METHODS We used baseline data from 1511 BMSM from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 061 study to examine the associations between internalized HIV stigma, depressive symptoms, alcohol use, and CAI while under the influence of drugs, adjusting for covariates in generalized structural equation models. We then tested whether R/S moderated the association between (1) internalized HIV stigma and depressive symptoms, (2) depressive symptoms and alcohol use, and (3) alcohol use and CAI while under the influence of drugs. RESULTS Spiritual beliefs [F(1,2) = 9.99, P < 0.001], spiritual activities [F(1,2) = 9.99, P < 0.001], and religious attendance [F(1,2) = 9.99, P < 0.001] moderated the pathway between internalized HIV stigma and depressive symptoms. As internalized HIV stigma increased, those with lower spiritual activity scores experienced significantly higher increases in depressive symptoms compared with those with higher spiritual activity scores whose depressive symptom scores remained unchanged [stigma × spiritual activities B = -0.18 (SE = 0.07), P < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS Religion and spirituality were protective against CAI among BMSM. Future intervention research should explore ways to incorporate religious and/or spiritual activities to reduce internalized HIV stigma as one way to reduce depressive symptoms among BMSM.
Interpreting nature's finest insect silks (Order Embioptera): hydropathy, interrupted repetitive motifs, and fiber-to-film transformation for two neotropical species.

Abstract Silks produced by webspinners (Order Embioptera) interact with water by transforming from fiber to film, which then becomes slippery and capable of shedding water. We chose to explore this mechanism by analyzing and comparing the silk protein transcripts of two species with overlapping distributions in Trinidad but from different taxonomic families. The transcript of one, Antipaluria urichi (Clothodidae), was partially characterized in 2009 providing a control for our methods to characterize a second species: Pararhagadochir trinitatis (Scelembiidae), a family that adds to the taxon sampling for this little known order of insects. Previous reports showed that embiopteran silk protein (dubbed Efibroin) consists of a protein core of repetitive motifs largely composed of glycine (Gly), serine (Ser), and alanine (Ala) and a highly conserved C-terminal region. Based on mRNA extracted from silk glands, Next Generation sequencing, and de novo assembly, P. trinitatis silk can be characterized by repetitive motifs of Gly-Ser followed periodically by Gly-Asparagine (Asn—an unusual amino acid for Efibroins) and by a lack of Ala which is otherwise common in Efibroins. The putative N-terminal domain, composed mostly of polar, charged and bulky amino acids, is ten amino acids long with cysteine in the 10th position—a feature likely related to stabilization of the silk fibers. The 29 amino acids of the C-terminus for P. trinitatis silk closely resemble that of other Efibroin sequences, which show 74% shared identity on average. Examination of hydropathicity of Efibroins of both P. trinitatis and An. urichi revealed that these proteins are largely hydrophilic despite having a thin lipid coating on each nano-fiber. We deduced that the hydrophilic quality differs for the two species: due to Ser and Asn for P. trinitatis silk and to previously undetected spacers in An. urichi silk. Spacers are known from some spider and silkworm silks but this is the first report of such for Embioptera. Analysis of hydropathicity revealed the largely hydrophilic quality of these silks and this feature likely explains why water causes the transformation from fiber to film. We compared spun silk to the transcript and detected not insignificant differences between the two measurements implying that as yet undetermined post-translational modifications of their silk may occur. In addition, we found evidence for codon bias in the nucleotides of the putative silk transcript for P. trinitatis, a feature also known for other embiopteran silk genes.
Conceptual design of HTS magnets for fusion nuclear science facility

Abstract Second-generation high temperature superconductors (HTS) are available for producing >20 T at the magnet bore compared to 13–16 T for lower temperature superconducting (LTS) toroidal field magnets proposed in recent fusion energy systems studies (FESS) of Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF). HTS may enable higher fusion power density and smaller device size. High current density cables of multi-layered REBCO tapes have achieved >10 kA at 4–20 K operation in short sample tests for fusion. High current density cables are required for engineering design of FNSF to allow space for interior plasma components. High current density HTS magnets are particularly attractive in reducing the size of a fusion device, beneficial for compact tokamaks, due to their space constraints. Successful HTS magnet development may enable the design of smaller and cheaper fusion pilot plants with a mission of demonstrating net electricity. It may also offer significant cost and performance advantages in non-fusion applicants such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We developed HTS magnet design concepts for a compact FNSF radial build in order to define the coil size, winding pack mechanical loading and engineering requirements. Partnering with vendors in the US, PPPL is also testing high current cable prototypes aiming at enabling low cost cable technology toward 100 A/mm2 engineering current density over the winding pack desired in high field model coil development for compact fusion pilot plants.
TP53 variant allele frequency correlates with the chemotherapy response score in ovarian/fallopian tube/peritoneal high-grade serous carcinoma.

Summary Molecular findings in ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSCa) are emerging as potential prognostic indicators. The chemotherapy response score (CRS) has been proposed as a histologic-based prognostic factor in patients with HGSCa treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). No study details the relationship between the mutational landscape of HGSCa and the CRS. This study addresses this issue using next-generation sequencing (NGS). We retrospectively identified 25 HGSCas treated with NACT and pathology material available to calculate the CRS. All cases had NGS on the primary debulking specimen post-NACT. The three-tier Bohm CRS was applied to the omentum or adnexa and calculated as a combined score. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) and TP53 variant allele frequency (VAF) were calculated and used in correlative analysis. All cases had at least one mutation, most commonly TP53 (25 cases, 100%). Other mutations were BRCA2 (one case, 4%), ARID1A (two cases, 8%), and 1 (4%) of each of the following: ERBB2, NTRK3, STK11, NTRK2, TSC1, PIK3CA, NF1, NOTCH3, CDK2, SMAD4, and PMS2. TMB ranged from 2.58 to 7.75 (median 3.84). There was no statistically significant relationship between the TMB and omental CRS, R-squared = 0.011 (P = 0.62); adnexal CRS, R-squared = 0.005 (P = 0.74); or with the combined CRS, R-squared = 0.009 (P = 0.65). Statistically significant correlation was found between the TP53 VAF and the omental CRS (R-squared = 0.28, P = 0.007), adnexal CRS (R-squared = 0.26, P = 0.01), and the combined CRS (R-squared = 0.33, P = 0.0026). The TP53 VAF was adjusted for percent of tumor present on the slide resulting in an average per cell TP53 mutational load, resulting in similar results with a statistically significant correlation between the average per cell TP53 mutational load and the omental CRS (R-squared = 0.27, P = 0.02), adnexal CRS (R-squared = 0.16, P = 0.05), and the combined CRS (R-squared = 0.23, P = 0.02). In summary, NGS confirmed TP53 mutations in all cases of HGSCa. TMB showed no correlation with the CRS. TP53 VAF and average per cell TP53 mutational load showed significant correlation with the CRS, whether graded on the adnexa or omentum or as a combined score, indicating concordance between molecular and histological findings following NACT.
Cryopreservation in Tissue Banking

Successful cryopreservation of cells and tissues ensures genetic stability and preserved function of a banked sample throughout storage. It also provides valuable time for quality and suitability assessments to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. This flexibility lends significant support to the increased adoption of tissue therapies and the development of new protocols and procedures. This chapter considers the design and execution of current cryopreservation protocols, outlining the causes, both physical and biological, of potentially lethal cryo-injuries and how these can be reduced to clinically acceptable levels during freezing and thawing. The appropriate preparation of freshly harvested samples is discussed, including the selection of, and pre-treatment with, effective cryoprotectant compounds and the necessary use of controlled cooling and warming rates. The implications of possible differences between post-thaw survival of low volume samples, typically preserved for quality control functions, and their large volume counterparts is also considered. As well as dealing with cell suspensions the discussion includes current approaches towards the cryopreservation of larger samples, ranging from spheroids, organoids and bioartificial materials to entire, natural organs. The risk to both samples and personnel due to contaminants that inevitably accumulate in liquid nitrogen storage vessels over long banking times is detailed. Finally, alternatives to the use of liquid nitrogen in the management of the entire cryochain due to its safety, sterility and usability issues and difficulties appear necessary and are proposed.
Tissue scale agent-based simulation of premalignant progressions in Barrett’s esophagus:

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a benign condition of the distal esophagus that initiates a multistage pathway to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Short of frequent intrusive (and costly) surveillance,...
TF Inner Leg Space Allocation for Pilot Plant Design Studies

A critical design feature of any tokamak is the space taken up by the inner leg of the toroidal field (TF) coil. The radial build needed for the TF inner leg, along with shield thickness, size of t...
Topological Quantum Field Theories: Relations between Knot Theory and Four Manifold Theory

We discuss Topological Quantum Field Theories related to the Donaldson theory of four manifolds through dimensional reduction. This leads to theories of instantons, magnetic monopoles, vortices as well as other theories. Stochastic quantization offers a unifying picture of relating theories differing in one dimension. We show how the different topological field theories offer different perspectives on knot theory. Finally, a four-dimenensional picture of surfaces in four dimensions is proposed as a four manifold viewpoint on knot theory.
Cannabinoids and levodopa-induced dyskinesia

The endocannabinoid system modulates the release of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in several brain areas implicated in motor control. Cannabinoid and dopamine receptors are highly abundant and often co-expressed in the basal ganglia circuitry, and the cross talk between these two systems regulates short- and long-term synaptic plasticity in the striatum. Dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system has been reported in animal models of Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonian patients and is exacerbated in dyskinetic states, following chronic levodopa administration.
Abstract W P364: Advanced Stroke Life Support: Making a Difference in Stroke Care

Background and Purpose: A Comprehensive Stroke Center provides many opportunities for interactions with smaller facilities. Needs identified by our community facility partners was a standardized and effective neurological assessment of the stroke patient that could be performed by all staff and staff stroke education. Investigation into the Advanced Stroke Life Support (ASLS) course provided information that would serve as a blueprint to resolve both education needs. Method: Six staff members were certified as ASLS Instructors. ASLS course has been provided using didactic and hands on participation for scoring of patients with the Miami Emergency Neurologic Deficit (MEND) exam and stroke education. Participants were given a pre-test at the beginning of the educational experience, followed by a post test at the conclusion of class. Lectures included overview of five major stroke syndromes, basic MEND exam knowledge and scoring requirements, followed by review of treatment options and care provided once hospitalized. The learning opportunity was enhanced by interactive hands on session by each participant through performing the MEND exam on fellow participants and scoring of the MEND exam on scenario based test patients. Use of the interactive practice session with immediate feedback from instructors was key elements of student satisfaction and perceived learning during the educational experience. Results: Initial class evaluations and changes in pre and post test scores indicate an increase in participant stroke knowledge. 47 of 50 failed the pre-test with scores ranging from 35 to 85. Upon posttest all participants passed with scores ranging from 80 to 100. There was an increase in proficiency using the MEND exam from the initial practice session to use during the test patient scenarios. Additional survey results will be obtained using post class value analysis survey at least three months after class completion to demonstrate participants’ ability to apply knowledge to practice setting. Conclusion: Completion of ASLS course provides an increase of stroke knowledge that promotes application of information learned to care of stroke patients in practice settings.
Anthropogenic land-use change in the North American tall grass-short grass transition and modification of near-surface hydrologic cycle

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the landscape of the North American Great Plains was rapidly modified from natural grasslands to agricultural farmlands. These changes affected much of the continent with potential impacts in grasslands equal to deforestation elsewhere. Therefore, the resulting impacts on weather and climate should be studied. In this study, a soil water balance model is applied for 3 land uses at 3 locations. These locations are representative of the east to west declin- ing precipitation gradient of the Great Plains. It was found, in McCook, Nebraska, for example, that annual total evapotranspiration for irrigated maize is 36% higher compared to natural grass. This accounts for an additional 50 million m 3 of water evapotranspired into the atmosphere from an area of 19 000 ha during the growing season. In some instances, Clay Center, Nebraska, and the vicinity evapotranspired nearly 100 million m 3 additional water (compared to a grass covered surface) from irrigated maize during the growing season. Compared to grass, irrigated maize farming elevated soil water in the soil profile, while rainfed maize lowered soil water. This study shows that intensity of the response of soil water distribution in the root zone is a function of vegetation cover and soil physical properties.
Nonlinear Guidance and Consensus for Unmanned Vehicles with Time Varying Connection Topologies

This paper deals with the design of 3D nonlinear guidance laws for trajectory tracking of a cooperative group of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) based on a backstepping like technique.The interaction between the UAVs is represented by algebraic graph connections and we consider both the cases of fixed and time varying communication topologies between the UAVs. The reference trajectory is pinned into a subset of the network and each UAV obtains information according to their connection. The proposed guidance laws shows good performance to reach consensus in a cooperative way to track any arbitrarily defined trajectory. The stability of the system is investigated through a Lyapunov analysis. We consider a group of 3 UAVs as an example, which are connected through a directed graph and the consensus of UAVs is shown mathematically as well as extensive simulations.
Contemplating the Role of Precision and Range in Homeland Security Policy Analysis: A Response to Mueller

In an effort to address some of the gaps in homeland security policy analysis—at present a relatively understudied topic from an analytic perspective—Professor Mueller offers an examination of policy decision making for a subset of low probability–high consequence events; particularly the idea of passive asset defense. This article provides a critical examination of Professor Mueller's work, tendering what we identify as a number of critical limitations with his framework and argues it does not provide an adequate basis for sound analysis in this policy area. We also offer several suggestions where one could build upon a portion of the groundwork his paper lays, especially in moving toward a greater appreciation of what terrorism means for an all‐hazards management system.
The walk-in patient as a 'customer': a key dimension in evaluation and treatment.

Fourteen categories of patient requests are described, on the basis of 200 interviews in a walk-in clinic of an urban general hospital. An approach is then proposed by which the patient is treated as a customer whose requests are usually legitimate and always a key part of the clinical negotiations.
Gastrin-Releasing Peptide in Hypoplastic Lungs

The relative abundance of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells synthesizing gastrin-releasing peptide (CRP) was estimated for normal fetal lungs and hypoplastic lungs. Percentage of bronchiolar epithelial area staining positively with anti-GRP antiserum was computed for each case using a SAMBA 4000 image analyzer. The majority of hypoplastic lungs (10 of 12 cases) showed markedly diminished GRP immunoreactivity, which appeared to vary with etiology. Six cases of pulmonary hypoplasia associated with renal anomalies, three cases associated with hydrops, and one case of diaphragmatic hernia showed an average fivefold reduction in percentage of GRP immunostaining. A case of hypoplasia associated with Werdnig-Hoffmann disease had GRP immunoreactivity similar to that of controls, and GRP expression was markedly elevated (fivefold) in a case of hypoplasia with omphalocele.
Apparent equivalence between perception and imagery in the production of various visual illusions

The ability of high and low imagers (as assessed by the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire) to utilize imagery in the production of a visual illusion was examined in three experiments. In Experiment 1, subjects were to imagine noninducing elements oi the Ponzo figure. In Experiment 2, subjects were asked to imagine the inducing angle of the Ponzo figure. Subjects were requested to imagine the inducing diagonals of the Hering and Wundt figures in Experiment 3. Regardless of which figure was presented, high imagers consistently reported an illusion whether it was produced by real or imagined lines. Also, the imagery-produced illusion was equivalent in magnitude to the actual illusion (when all lines are physically present). Low imagers reported an illusion only when lines were physically present. These results were interpreted in terms of Finke’s (1980) equivalence theory.
Image Segmentation using Salient Points-Based Object Templates

Using prior knowledge about object(s) is greatly beneficial for accurate image segmentation. In this paper, we present an image segmentation method that performs segmentation using a set of user provided object templates. For the object templates, we call the salient points in the object the characteristic points of the object. Based on the correspondence between the salient points of an arbitrary image and the characteristic points of the objects, object templates are mapped onto the image as bit masks. All templates for the same object are combined to generate the final object/background segmentation. Experiments show that this method can create good segmentations.
Coherence engineering for microscopy

We describe the connection between phase imaging methods that use illumination coherence patterning via coded illumination at the source plane. Our framework is in phase space, the wave-optical analogy to light field space-angle distributions.
The Adjoint of the Carlitz Module and Fermat's Last Theorem

We define the adjoint ?* of a Drinfeld module ? and discuss the duality between the v-adic realizations of ? and ?*. We then introduce Fermat equations for the adjoint of the Carlitz module and show how an analog of Fermat?s Last Theorem holds for them.
Social psychology, unemployment exposure and equilibrium unemployment

Abstract Statistical evidence provided by social psychologists suggests an association between unemployment and social psychological well-being. They believe unemployment exposure leaves an individual with a sense of ‘helplessness’ that impairs motivation, hampers learning and generates adverse emotional consequences all of which are expected to reduce personal productivity. If a substantial number of people experience spells of unemployment these individually based productivity and attachment affects are likely to manifest themselves in observable impacts upon aggregate labor supply and demand. In this paper, the labor market is respecified to account explicitly for social psychological influences. Then the impact of an exogenous contractionary shock is explored within the context of this model.
Patients’ perceptions of touch during labor

MF-$0.83 HC-$1.E7 Plus Postage. *Birth; *Medical Care Evaluation; Medical Research; Medical Services; *Nonverbal Ccamunication; *Nurses; *Physicians; Speech Cculunicaticn; *Tactual Perception An exploratori study using nterviews of 150 postpartum patients was conducted to determine their perceptions of the touching they received during labor. Answers to the interview questions were analyzed in terms of overall perceptions, positive experiences, and negative experiences, and selected demographic variables were examined for differences between those whc had positive and those who had negative perceptions cf touching during labor. The results show that, in general, being touched was a positive experience; young subjects (ages 15 thtcugh 19), nonwhites, and si.gle or divorced subjects perceived touch sore negatively than older, white, and married subjects. Variables were also analy2;td regarding who gave the +ouch, the part'"cf the body touched, and the meaning of touch to the receiver. Attitudes toward touch were shown to be context-related. Suggestions fcr hospital staff are given, based on the research results, and several bypctheses art presented for further research. (CC) lic**1*####**************###************4****###*######*********44#44****4 * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the origiral document. * ******************A****************************************************
Longisquama fossil and feather morphology.

The Triassic reptile Longisquama has blade-like integumental appendages that Terry D. Jones and colleagues propose in their report “Nonavian feathers in a Late Triassic archosaur” ([1][1]) are homologous with avian feathers. However, examination of their evidence suggests that this conclusion is
Children’s discrimination learning as a function of intertrial interval duration

Preschool children were trained on a successive discrimination in which four stimulus-response associations were learned concurrently, with different groups of Ss receiving ITI durations of 1, 6, 11, and 16 sec. Learning rate was slower with a 1-sec duration than with a 6-, 11-, or 16-sec duration; but there was no difference in learning rate among the latter three durations. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that in such a task children do not benefit from opportunities to rehearse beyond several seconds because they do not retain the stimulus information needed for rehearsal.
Ethidium bromide enhancement of frameshift mutagenesis caused by photoactivatable ethidium analogs.

Abstract Ethidium azide analogs (3-amino-8-azido-ethidium monoazide and ethidium diazide) have been developed as photosensitive probes in order to analyze directly the reversible in vivo interactions of ethidum bromide. Our preliminary observation [11], relating the mutagenic potential of the monoazide analog of ethidium, have been extended and refined, using the highly purified ethidium azide analogs [5]. A number of physical-chemical studies indicate that the monoazide analog interaction with nucleic acids, prior to photolysis, resembles remarkably the interaction of the parent ethidium (unpublished). It was anticipated, therefore, that competition by ethidium for the ethidium monoazide mutagenic sites in Salmonella TA1538 would be observed when these drugs were used in combination. Previous results in fact showed a decreased production of frameshift mutants when ethidium bromide was added to the ethidium monoazide in the Ames assay [11]. However, more extensive investigations, reported here, have shown that this apparent competition was the result of neglecting the toxic effects of ethidium monoazide and its enhanced toxicity in the presence of ethidium bromide. Conversely, an enhancement of the azide mutagenesis and toxicity for both the mono- and diazide analogs was seen when ethidium bromide was used in combination with these analogs.
Cloning and characterization of the murine beta(3) integrin gene promoter: identification of an interleukin-4 responsive element and regulation by STAT-6.

Expression of the alpha(v)beta(3) integrin by murine bone marrow macrophages is regulated by cytokines such as IL-4 and GM-CSF through transcriptional activation of the beta(3) subunit gene. To characterize the molecular mechanisms by which such regulation occurs, we isolated the murine beta(3) integrin promoter. To this end, we first cloned a full length beta(3) cDNA and used the 5'UTR and leader peptide coding sequence to identify genomic clones containing the beta(3) promoter region. The transcriptional start site, identified by primer extension and S1 nuclease assay, is 34 nt upstream of the translation initiation codon. A 1.1 kb fragment of the promoter region drives IL-4 responsive transcription in transiently transfected murine bone marrow macrophages. Deletion analysis of the beta(3) promoter indicates the IL-4 responsive element lies between -465 to -678 nt relative to the transcriptional start site. This promoter fragment contains two overlapping STAT consensus recognition sites and nuclear extracts from BMMs contain an IL-4-inducible DNA binding factor, identified by super shift analysis, as STAT-6. Furthermore, an oligonucleotide which includes the two STAT recognition sites residing in the IL-4 responsive region of the beta(3) promoter, competes for STAT-6 binding. Confirming IL-4 induction of the integrin subunit is specifically mediated by STAT-6, beta(3) mRNA is not enhanced in BMMs derived from STAT-6 deleted mice, which however, retain their capacity to respond to GM-CSF.
Obstructive and relative aortic stenosis; differential diagnosis by phonocardiography.

Abstract Seventy clinical cases with loud aortic systolic murmurs were investigated by clinical, roentgenologic, and graphic means. The tracing of the suprasternal notch, the carotid tracing, and the aortic kymogram presented data (slow rise, flat top, or anacrotic notch, multiple vibrations) which were helpful in the differential diagnosis between obstructive stenosis, minor nonobstructive aortic lesions, and relative aortic stenosis. The phonocardiogram revealed that no statistical significance could be attached to the amplitude of the murmur and its distance from the first and second sound, or to the magnitude of the second aortic sound. The shape of the murmur, on the contrary, seemed important since 87.5 per cent of the cases with relative stenosis had an “early diamond” and 66.7 per cent of the cases with organic stenosis had a “late diamond.” A late beginning and a late termination of the murmur, and a small, delayed second aortic sound are found more often in organic, obstructive valvular stenosis than in relative or nonobstructive stenosis.
ULF tree potentials and geomagnetic pulsations

HIGH-SENSITIVITY measurements of ultra-low-frequency (ULF; frequencies less than 5 Hz) geomagnetic pulsations1 usually require elaborate receiving antennas ranging from large air-cored coils2 through multi-turn steel, or mumetal-cored solenoids3–5 to small superconducting loops immersed in liquid helium6. Pairs of electrodes inserted in the ground have also been used as antennas7,8. The need for a large spacing between the electrodes (varying from hundreds to thousands of metres) and the difficulty of calibrating the measurements absolutely have resulted in the almost universal use of the more compact and easily calibrated coil-type antennas in recent years. I describe here a new method for measuring ULF geomagnetic pulsations, which requires a minimum of elaborate equipment. The method is based on the use of trees, or, more specifically, on the use of pairs of electrodes inserted into trees, as ULF receiving antennas.
Restructuring Lisp programs for concurrent execution

This paper describes the techniques that the program transformation system CURARE uses to restructure Lisp programs for concurrent execution in multiprocessor Lisp systems and discusses the problems inherent in producing concurrent programs in a flexible and dynamic programming language such as Lisp.CURARE's overall organization is similar to other program restructuring systems: it detects potential conflicts between statements in a program, then transforms the program to improve its concurrent performance, and finally inserts synchronization to ensure the program's concurrent behavior. However, the language and programs that CURARE transforms are very different from the FORTRAN programs that are the traditional targets of program restructuring and so CURARE requires new algorithms and approaches, which are described in this paper.
Seasonal activity and thermoregulation in Meriones unguiculatus : A gerbil's choice

Mongolian gerbils were observed over seasonal changes in day length and temperature in an outdoor enclosure containing an extensive burrow system. Animals could choose between the stable environment of their burrow and the daily and seasonal flunctuations aboveground. Surgically implanted radio transmitters provided body temperature and location of animals. Gerbils avoided temperature extremes by emerging from their burrow when ambient temperature fell below burrow temperature in hot weather and rose above burrow temperature in cold weather. They delayed emergence in the winter until several hours after sunrise and emerged before or after sunset in summer (Fig. 1). Circadian changes in core-body temperature corresponded to increases and decreases in behavioral activity. Emergence from the burrow was predictable by an increase in body temperature, as a ‘warm-up’ period preceded emergence (Fig. 3). We conclude that gerbils, when subjected to extreme temperatures in the wild, probably time their activity to correspond to preferred ambient temperatures and thus shift from diurnal activity in the winter to nocrurnal activity in the summer (Fig. 2). This desert rodent's exceptional thermoregulatory capacity adapts it for synchronizing its daily activity to temperature.
[The significance of quality of life--an ethical approach].

Zusammenfassung Lebensqualitat ist in der Medizin als Bewertungskriterium und als Handlungsziel anerkannt, wird jedoch unzureichend angewendet. Eine konsentierte Definition von Lebensqualitat gibt es nicht. Philosophisch kann man subjektivistische von objektivistischen Konzeptionen unterscheiden. In der Medizin differenziert man zwischen allgemeiner, gesundheitsrelevanter und krankheitsspezifischer Lebensqualitat. In diesem Beitrag wird argumentiert, dass aus Grunden der Patientenorientierung und der Selbstbestimmung des Patienten einem umfassenden und subjektivistischen Konzept von Lebensqualitat eine hohe ethische Bedeutung zukommt. Die normative Bedeutung von Lebensqualitat sollte in klinischer Forschung, in medizinischer Versorgung und bei Allokationsentscheidungen im Gesundheitswesen von den zustandigen Akteuren verstarkt berucksichtigt werden. (Wie vom Gastherausgeber eingereicht)
Development of inhibitory synaptic transmission to motoneurons.

The inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitters glycine and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on motoneurons and their role in mediating the timing of motor output have been understood for some years. Recent work, however, has revealed that these neurotransmitters function very differently in developing motor circuits. Most strikingly, both GABA and glycine depolarize neonatal motoneurons, and, in many instances, provide excitatory drive to developing motor networks. Additionally, the relative contributions of GABA and glycine to inhibitory synaptic transmission in a circuit or, indeed, within the same synapse, change with postnatal development. Here, we review three fundamental properties of inhibitory neurotransmission that are altered postnatally and may be important in shaping the unique behaviors of these synapses early in development.
On Roughness of Exponential Dichotomy

We present new perturbation theorems on the roughness of exponential dichotomy, which improve previous results. The proofs given here are also much simpler compared with previous ones. The new results provide significant improvements of existing results in the case where the operator A(t) is unbounded for t ∈ J. This is precisely the situation that is of interest from the point of view of the applications in lobe dynamics. The results are also valid in Banach spaces and useful for general purposes.
Martingale Problems for Conditional Distributions of Markov Processes

Let $X$ be a Markov process with generator $A$ and let $Y(t)=\gamma (X(t))$. The conditional distribution $\pi_t$ of $X(t)$ given $\sigma (Y(s):s\leq t)$ is characterized as a solution of a filtered martingale problem. As a consequence, we obtain a generator/martingale problem version of a result of Rogers and Pitman on Markov functions. Applications include uniqueness of filtering equations, exchangeability of the state distribution of vector-valued processes, verification of quasireversibility, and uniqueness for martingale problems for measure-valued processes. New results on the uniqueness of forward equations, needed in the proof of uniqueness for the filtered martingale problem are also presented.
Methodological issues affect variability in reported incidence of lower extremity amputations due to diabetes

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of different methodological techniques commonly utilized to identify the incidence of diabetes related lower extremity amputations. Medical records for each hospitalization for an amputation in 1993 in six metropolitan statistical areas in South Texas were abstracted. Every hospitalization, amputation and amputee was identified to allow separate analysis. Furthermore, data was categorized by ethnicity, level and age. Diabetes was verified using WHO criteria. Incidence rates were calculated per 10 000 diabetic patients at risk per year, both diagnosed only (DO) and diagnosed and undiagnosed combined (DUC). In total 1922 amputations were carried out during 1228 hospitalizations for 1043 amputees. The incidence rates per 10 000 diabetic patients (DO) were: 157.6 amputations, 101.2 hospitalizations and 87.0 amputees. When calculated using the DUC population at risk the rates were: 92.8 amputations, 59.6 hospitalizations and 51.2 amputees. Trends were found to be similar when analyzed by gender and ethnicity. The variability detected using of different methodological techniques to determine incidence rates is considerable and may have significant consequences when rates from different studies are compared.
Potassium-electron elastic spin-exchange: Comparison of experiment with a close-coupling calculation

Abstract Measurement are reported on the ratio of the differential exchange cross section to the full differential cross section for the elastic scattering of low energy electrons by potassium, for angles between 15° and 180° and energies between 0.5 and 1.2 eV.
Conductance behavior of electrolytes in 3-methylsulfolane at 25°C

3-Methylsulfolane is evaluated as an electrolytic solvent utilizing conductance techniques. Conductance data for triisoamylbutylammonium tetraphenylborate and iodide, NaBPh4, KBPh4, NaSCN, KSCN, NaI, and KI were analyzed by the Fuoss-Shedlovsky, Fuoss-Onsager, expanded Pitts, and Fuoss-Hsia treatments. Assocation decreases in the order thiocyanates > iodides > tetraphenylborates. These conductance data at 25°C agree with those obtained in previous investigations of 3-methylsulfolane at 30°C and sulfolane.
Comparison of capillary pressure relationships of organic liquid-water systems containing an organic acid or base

The presence of surface-active solutes such as organic acids and bases may have a profound influence on the transport of organic liquid contaminants through their impact on the constitutive relationship of capillary pressure vs. saturation. This relationship is a function of the interfacial tension and wettability of the system, which, in turn, depend on the pH and the concentration of organic acids and bases that are present. This study examines the impact of pH and the concentration on the interfacial tension, contact angle, and capillary pressure of systems consisting of tetrachloroethylene, water, and quartz containing either octanoic acid or dodecylamine. In general, the ionic form of the solute tended to remain in the aqueous phase and reduced the capillary pressure through its impact on the interfacial tension and contact angle; on the other hand, the neutral form of the solute partitioned into the organic liquid phase and had a lesser impact on the capillary pressure for the same total mass of solute. A comparison of these data with data generated in previous research in similar systems where o-xylene was the organic liquid showed that the trends are analogous. Thus, the behavior of these two solvent systems seems to be driven primarily by the aqueous phase speciation of the solute, and the differences between the capillary pressure relationships for the two systems could be attributed to the pure system interfacial tension.
Security in instant lottery tickets

Abstract Over the last ten years, the use of lottery tickets of the scratch-off type has soared. This has necessitated ever-increasing sophistication in their production methods to eliminate fraud which has become a major threat, particularly on the European continent where the value of prizes is considerably higher than in the UK. This paper discusses the make-up of the lottery tickets, together with the many security techniques now employed to combat the elaborate fraudulent practices that may be encountered.
Change from Below Integrating Bottom-Up Entrepreneurship into a Program Development Framework

What is the relationship between program implementation and bureaucratic entrepreneurship? The work presented here, based on a comparative case study of three public programs, integrates both implementation and entrepreneurship into a larger framework encompassing patterns of program development. Additionally, it describes a pattern of bureaucratic entrepreneurship called bottom-up entrepreneurship to indicate that people working at lower levels of the system developed the programs. Comparing patterns of entrepreneurship with patterns described in the implementation literature suggests two critical dimensions of program development. These dimensions involve efforts to gain acceptance among actors engaging in the action (lower level acceptance) and efforts to gain acceptance from actors with the authority to provide funding and officially adopt new programs (upper level acceptance). The author uses these two factors to construct a program development framework that both integrates and distinguishes between...
Wavelet-based multiscale level-set curve evolution and adaptive statistical analysis for image denoising

The deficiency of the existing level-set-based denoising techniques is that they are sensitive to noise. This is due to that fact that the curvature and gradient measurements in the partial differential equation are very sensitive to noise, and the denoising performance is affected. This work proposes to perform the level-set-based curve evolution on the dyadic wavelet transform domain. The main advantage is that in the dyadic wavelet transform domain, noise has less influence on curvature and gradient measurements as the scale increases. Thus, the edge indicator function value can be directly calculated from the dyadic wavelet coefficients rather than from an external force field by convolving the noisy image with a Gaussian filter. For further reducing the noise at the finest scale where noise is dominant, minimum mean-squared-error (MMSE)-based filtering is performed as the first pass of denoising, followed by performing the level-set curve evolution as the second pass of further denoising and enhancement. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm generates state of the art denoising results.
Lethal postoperative infections following cardiac surgery. Review of four years' experience.

Seventeen of 1,494 patients (1.1%) succumbed to infection following open-heart operations at New York University Hospital between January, 1968 and December, 1971. All but two of these patients had Starr-Edwards ball-valve prostheses inserted. One had repair of a tetralogy of Fallot, and one had aortic commissurotomy and a double coronary bypass graft. The sites of infection were pulmonary (15 patients), urinary tract (14), mediastinum or pleura (10), and blood (15). Pulmonary infection appeared as the source of endocarditis in 13 patients and as a source of pleural or mediastinal infection in nine. Candida species infection was directly responsible for the deaths of 10 of the 17 patients, being the sole organism isolated in 5 of the 10. Predisposing factors to infection were preoperative bacterial endocarditis 2 patients, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (>3½ hours) 6 patients, a "low output" state following operation 12 patients, postoperative cerebral dysfunction 6 patients, and postoperative dissemina...
Detailed grid integration analysis of distributed PV

This paper shows examples of detailed PV grid integration analysis performed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) on two separate distribution feeders with two different simulated PV deployments for each. Through the use of advanced modeling tools and techniques, examples of time-series detailed feeder modeling are presented. Feeders in Utah and Georgia with simulated 100% PV penetration, either central or distributed, were studied. The analysis approach of each deployment type and location on the feeder is described, as well as the use of advanced PV output estimations for modeling maximum solar variability. Comparisons of the performance measured for each feeder, including maximum steady-state voltage and voltage regulation equipment operations, are shown. Impact results from the analyses are described, as well as any potential mitigations. Future analysis aspects are discussed in relation to the detailed study findings thus far.
Simultaneous Determination of Safingol and d - erythro -Sphinganine in Human Plasma by LC with Fluorescence Detection

l-threo-Sphinganine (safingol) is a putative synthetic sphingosine kinase inhibitor currently being tested in clinical trials as an anticancer agent. To enable defining the pharmacokinetic properties of safingol in humans, we developed a sensitive analytical method to simultaneously quantitate safingol and its naturally-occurring diastereomer, d-erythro-sphinganine in human plasma. Of the two different fluorogenic derivatization agents (NDA and OPA) and several pH conditions compared for the derivatization, we found that NDA derivatization achieved more than 20 times greater sensitivity compared with OPA derivatization, and pH 9.0 showed the highest sensitivity for both compounds. An analytical method for liquid chromatography (LC) with a fluorescence detector (FLD) was developed and validated with calibration curve ranges of 20–1,000 ng mL−1 for safingol and d-erythro-sphinganine. Our LC-FLD method using NDA-derivatization enabled simultaneous quantification of safingol and its naturally-occurring diastereomer, d-erythro-sphinganine with satisfactory sensitivity in human plasma.