cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Fecal Primary Bile Acids Detects Increased Stool Weight and Colonic Transit in Patients With Chronic Functional Diarrhea.

Background & Aims Patients with bile acid diarrhea (BAD) are identified based on increased levels of BAs in fecal samples collected over a 48-hr period while on a 100-gram fat diet (48-hr BA), retention of 75Se-labeled homocholic acid taurine, or serum levels of C4 or FGF19. BAD increases fecal weight and colonic transit. We investigated whether results of tests for BAD associate with increased fecal weight and more rapid colonic transit over a 24- or 48-hr period in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). We also estimated the prevalence of increased 48-hr fecal BAs in patients with chronic diarrhea. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 64 patients with IBS-D, 30 patients with IBS-constipation, 30 healthy volunteers (controls). We collected data on fecal weights (measured over a 48-hr period), colonic transit over a 24-hr period (measured by scintigraphy), and percentages of different BAs in stool samples. Colonic transit was measured as the geometric center (weighted average) of colonic counts on a scale of 1 (100% in ascending colon) to 5 (100% in stool). We performed area under the curve (AUC) analyses to assess the association between result of serum and stool tests and high fecal weight (>400g/48 hrs) or rapid colonic transit (>3.34, corresponding to isotope geometric center in sigmoid colon). We estimated the prevalence of increased 48-hr fecal BAs among 938 patients with chronic diarrhea. Results Total fecal 48-hr BA alone, or in combination with percentage of primary fecal BAs, identified patients with increased fecal weight with an AUROC of 0.86. Percentage of primary fecal BA alone identified patients with increased fecal weight with an AUROC of 0.73. Total fecal 48-hr BA alone identified patients with increased colonic transit with an AUROC of 0.65 and percentage of primary fecal BA alone identified patients with increased colonic transit with an AUROC of 0.69; combined data on these features identified patients with increased colonic transit with an AUROC of 0.70. Serum level of C4 identified patients with increased colonic transit with an AUROC of 0.60. Primary BAs >10% identified patients with increased fecal weight (sensitivity 49% and specificity 91%) and rapid colonic transit (sensitivity 48% and specificity 87%). Among the patients with chronic diarrhea, 45.6% had fecal primary BAs >10% and 27% had increased total fecal BAs (>2337 μmol/48 hrs). Conclusions In a retrospective analysis of patients with IBS-D, we found percentage of primary BAs in fecal samples to provide an alternative to total fecal BAs in identification of patients with BAD or chronic diarrhea.
PRESENCE OF SPLENIC SUPPRESSOR CELLS IN ALLOGRAFT ENHANCED RATS

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the presence of splenic suppressor cells in allograft-enhanced rats. In a study described in the chapter, 8–12 weeks old inbred rats, Brown Norway (BN) Ag–B 3 ; Lewis (Lew) Ag–B 1 and F 1 hybrid Lew/BN (LBN) were utilized. Lew rats were enhanced with 10 7 BN bone marrow cells given 10 days prior to heterotopic grafting with LBN hearts and postoperative injection of 0.5 ml Lew anti-BN hyperimmune serum I.V. The animals were sacrificed on day 8 and the spleens were collected under sterile conditions. Splenocytes were suspended in buffered cell culture medium and were separated by nylon wool filtration into adherent (Adh) and non-adherent (NAd) populations. Cells obtained from enhanced (Enh) untreated rejecting (Rej) allograft recipients, and ungrafted Lew rats were prepared identically. The in vitro interaction of both Adh and NAd cells with normal syngeneic lymphocytes was assessed. Mixtures of unfractionated normal Lew spleen cells (sp) with mitomycin C-treated normal Lew sp served as controls. Vitrual identity between OBs and Exp counts demonstrated that these control cultures did not promote cell-to-cell interaction. In contrast, suppression of blastogenesis was found when Enh Adh cells were added to Lew spl.
The nutritional value of normal and high lysine corns for weanling and growing-finishing swine when fed at four lysine levels.

Summary One-hundred-ninety-two weanling pigs from two separate trials, (initial weight 6.0 and 5.6 kg) and 400 growing-finishing pigs (initial weight 17 kg) were fed normal and high lysine corn diets containing four levels of lysine in a 2  4 factorial arrangement. Crossbred (Large White  Landrace x Duroc) pigs were used in all experiments. The objectives of the experiments were to (1) compare normal and high lysine corn when fed at different lysine levels, (2) determine the lysine requirements for the three stages of growth and (3) evaluate the effect of protein level on the lysine requirement. All diets were balanced on a lysine basis. The results indicated that both weanling and growingfinishing pig performance and final carcass composition were similar for pigs fed normal or high lysine corn diets balanced on a lysine basis. Weanling pigs from 5 to 14 kg required at least 1.10% lysine. Based on changes in body weight gain and feed efficiency, the lysine requirement of growing pigs (17 to 54 kg) was .70%, and that of finishing pigs (54 to 101 kg) was .50%. However, based on lean tissue growth rate (as reflected by longissimus muscle area and percentage of lean in the carcass) the requirement was at least .75% during the growing stage
An Evolutionary Perspective on Infant Intelligence

Any attempt to construct an evolutionary view of infant intelligence should raise a certain skepticism in the reader’s mind. What, after all, is the nature of intelligence in infancy? And how shall the validity of an evolutionary account by judged? Not, certainly, by its predictive power for the future evolution of infant behavior! On the first question I shall defer largely to Piaget (1952), whose descriptions and explanations of infant intelligence I find consistent with an evolutionary view. On the second question, a few words about evolutionary theory may be helpful.
Biosynthesis of factor XIII A and B subunits

Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa), the blood coagulation enzyme, functions as a transglutaminase to covalently stabilize fibrin clots by introducing γ-glutamyl-e-lysyl peptide bonds between fibrin molecules (for detailed reviews, see references 1 and 2). The FXIII proenzyme exists in two zymogenic forms.3 Extracellular or plasma FXIII is composed of two subunits, A(Mr =80,500)4 and B(M =76,500),5 associated non-covalently as a tetrameric complex, A2B2.6,7 Intracellular FXIII is a dimer of only A subunits, A2.6 The A chains in both zymogens are identical and contain the active center sulfhydryl group.7,8 Upon activation by thrombin in the presence of calciurn ions, both zymogens give rise to the same enzymatic activity, FXIIIa.8,9
Least Squares Minimization Closure Models for LES of Turbulent Combustion

This work summarizes the development and testing of a new family of chemical closure models for large-eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent combustion using finite-rate chemistry. The goal of this research is to provide a simple, yet effective model that provides a correction to the ‘laminar chemistry’ prediction formed by evaluating chemical production terms using filtered-mean data. The general model takes the form $\overline {\dot {{\omega }}_{s} (q)} =f(\overline {{q}},{\Delta } ,{\ldots } )\dot {{\omega }}_{s} (\overline {{q}})$ , where the enhancement factor, f, accounts for the effects of the subgrid fluctuations on apparent reactivity as expressed at a given mesh level. A form for the enhancement factor is derived by least-squares minimization (LSM) of a ‘reactivity functional’ connecting information at different mesh levels. A modified a priori analysis, in which simultaneous large-eddy simulations are performed on fine and coarse mesh levels, is used to identify candidate modeled forms for the enhancement factor. In the modified a priori analysis, coarse-mesh realizations are constrained by the filtered fine-mesh velocity, allowing eddy structures to be highly correlated. Several LSM variants are described and tested through comparisons with experimental data. The test cases include three experiments conducted at the University of Virginia’s supersonic combustion facility involving non-premixed hydrogen and partially-premixed ethylene combustion as well as a premixed propane-air flame in the Volvo Validation Rig. The results demonstrate the capability of the models to provide a consistent (if modest in some cases) improvement in predictive capability, relative to ‘laminar chemistry’, in a cost-effective manner.
Association of formal and informal care with health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms: findings from the Caring for Adults Recovering from the Effects of Stroke study.

To investigate the association between informal and formal care and stroke participants’ self-reported health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms one year after the stroke event.We exam...
Differential effects of auditory masking on cerebral palsied speakers

Abstract Three adult cerebral palsied speakers spontaneously “read” sentences presented in rebus form under two control and one white noise masking condition. Measures from wide-band spectrograms indicated individual variation in word, interword, and total utterance durations. Extraneous vocal behaviors and articulatory errors were also varied. Individual variation is discussed in relation to the nature of dysarthrias and habituatory speaking patterns.
Binary collision of CMAS droplets—Part II: Unequal-sized droplets

The analysis presented in Part I of this study on the binary collision of equal molten calcium–magnesium–alumino–silicate (CMAS) droplets is extended to investigate the flow and interfacial dynamics of unequal CMAS droplet collision. Numerical investigations of head-on, off-center, and grazing collisions of two CMAS droplets of size 1 and 2 mm are conducted at pressure and temperature of 20 atm and 1548 K, respectively, that are representative of a gas-turbine combustor. At these conditions, the physical properties of CMAS are density, ρCMAS = 2690 kg/m3, surface tension between CMAS/air, σCMAS = 0.40 N/m, and viscosity, μCMAS = 11.0 N-s/m2. The primary difference between the CMAS and a fictitious fluid with viscosity 1/10 of CMAS was higher deformation for the lower viscosity case, leading to stretching and subsequent breakup of the liquid structure. These mechanisms are supported by the time evolution of surface, kinetic, and viscous dissipation energies.
How globalization became a thing that goes bump in the night

For almost 200 years, globalization has been seen as a positive development, albeit with costs and benefits, and as progress and modernization, a broadening of humanity’s scope from the local and parochial to the cosmopolitan and international. That changed dramatically with the Great Recession, the waves of migration of the last decade, and the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020. For many, globalization now connotes economic dislocation, increasing inequality, unwanted immigration, and a vehicle for the transmission of disease. The pandemic reminds us that most economic activity takes place within national borders. It has emphasized the dangers rather than the benefits of efficient linkages between markets, laying bare the dangers of complex global supply chains where any node can become a “choke point”, and the risks of overspecialization or the concentration of technological knowledge and/or production capacity in a single country or region. A more positive view of globalization will require restoring the balance between independence and integration, mitigation of its costs within and between countries, and dealing with redundancy and supply risk.
Gallium: Automated Software Middlebox Offloading to Programmable Switches

Researchers have shown that offloading software middleboxes (e.g., NAT, firewall, load balancer) to programmable switches can yield orders-of-magnitude performance gains. However, it requires manually selecting the middle-box components to offload and rewriting the offloaded code in P4, a domain-specific language for programmable switches. We design and implement Gallium, a compiler that transforms an input software middlebox into two parts---a P4 program that runs on a programmable switch and an x86 non-offloaded program that runs on a regular middlebox server. Gallium ensures that (1) the combined effect of the P4 program and the non-offloaded program is functionally equivalent to the input middlebox program, (2) the P4 program respects the resource constraints in the programmable switch, and (3) the run-to-completion semantics are met under concurrent execution. Our evaluations show that Gallium saves 21-79% of processing cycles and reduces latency by about 31% across various software middleboxes.
Noise tube sources for mm wave FT spectroscopy

Noise tubes in the wavelength region 6–4 mm, 3.3–2.1 mm and 2.1–1.36 mm are useful sources for millimeter wave Fourier Transform spectrometers. The output of the noise tubes has been adapted to the Michelson interferometer and the concentration optic of the pumped He cooled bolometer. Power comparison with the Mercury-Xenon lamp and power dependence of the noise tube on the driving currents has been studied. Plexiglas has been used as a long pass filter and the absorption coefficient measured.
Influence of summer fallow on aromatic secondary products in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrids)

Cover crops are sustainable alternatives to current fallow practices (cultivation with and without synthetic herbicides) for sugarcane cultivation in Louisiana. Potential benefits of such ecological approach include additional profits from harvested cash crops, pest/disease management, and retention of highly erodible alluvial soils. This study investigated the impact of conventional (tillage and glyphosate) and newer (sweet sorghum and soybean cover crops) fallow practices on the chemical quality of sugarcane juice extracted from the first-ratoon of four commercial cultivars. Although antioxidant is expected to influence sucrose yield, genotype-dependent polyphenol composition in sugarcane juice is largely unknown. The cultivar HoCP 09-804 accumulated the highest sucrose, cis-aconitic acid, total organic carbon, and fluorescent polyphenols. Oppositely, cultivar HoCP 96-540 produced the lowest sucrose and polyphenols, and highest tryptophan-like fluorophore. Partial least squares calibration was developed to predict the amounts of secondary products in juice using low-cost aqueous UV/visible spectrophotometry with the ultimate goal of providing QA/QC protocols for the renewable chemical feedstocks (aconitic acid) and food additives (polyphenols) at biorefineries. Different fallow practice had no significant effects (p < 0.05) on the chemical composition of sugarcane juice. The results will allow sugarcane growers to maximize the sucrose yield, regardless of the summer fallow practice implemented.
Mixed-Signal Neuromorphic Computing Circuits Using Hybrid CMOS-RRAM Integration

Recent integration of Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) with standard CMOS has spurred exploration of high-density and low-power in-memory computing. RRAM arrays are being intensely investigated for analog-domain Vector Matrix Multiplication (VMM) and Neuromorphic Computing. However, to exploit the advantages of RRAM over other forms of nonvolatile memories, mixed-signal circuit designers need to accommodate their device nonidealities, and design circuits to translate high-level deep neural network algorithms to mixed-signal hardware. This brief reviews the field of neuromorphic computing using hybrid CMOS-RRAM circuits, associated circuit design challenges, and potential approaches for their mitigation, followed by benchmarking of recent demonstrations.
Semi-parametric models of spatial market integration

We develop fully flexible, semi-parametric models of price linkages in spatially distinct regional US markets for plywood and lumber products. The models are developed within the framework of generalized additive models (GAM) which are estimated using penalized maximum likelihood estimation methods and generalized cross-validation techniques. Such nonlinear models are a natural extension to an extensive literature that has developed increasingly flexible models of the Law of One Price and spatial market integration. The GAM estimates and marginal responses to price changes exhibit substantial nonlinearities. Dynamic impulse responses demonstrate significant asymmetries in price responses to exogenous shocks. The results are largely consistent with efficiently linked regional markets for lumber and plywood products in that price transmission elasticities are generally close to unity and localized market shocks evoke equilibrating adjustments in regional markets.
Scalable and Accurate Binary Code Search Method Based on Simhash and Partial Trace

Binary code search has received much attention recently due to its impactful applications, e.g., plagiarism detection, malware detection and software vulnerability auditing. However, developing an effective binary code search tool is challenging due to the gigantic syntax and structural differences in binaries resulted from different compilers, compiler options and malware family. In this paper, we propose a scalable and accurate binary search engine which performs syntactic matching by combining a set of key techniques to address the challenges above. The key contribution is binary code searching technique which combined function filtering and partial trace method to match the function code relatively quick and accurate. In addition, a simhash and basic information based function filtering is proposed to dramatically reduce the irrelevant target functions. Besides, we introduce a partial trace method for matching the shortlisted function accurately. The experimental results show that our method can find similar functions, even with the presence of program structure distortion, in a scalable manner.
Brain imaging of cannabinoid type I (CB1 ) receptors in women with cannabis use disorder and male and female healthy controls.

Cannabis effects are predominantly mediated by pharmacological actions on cannabinoid type 1 (CB1 ) receptors. Prior positron emission tomography (PET) studies in individuals who use cannabis included almost exclusively males. PET studies in females are needed because there are sex differences in cannabis effects, progression to cannabis use disorder (CUD), and withdrawal symptom severity. Females with CUD (N = 10) completed two double-blind cannabis smoking sessions (Session 1: placebo; Session 2: active), and acute cannabis effects were assessed. After Session 2, participants underwent 3 days of monitored cannabis abstinence; mood, craving, and withdrawal symptoms were assessed and a PET scan (radiotracer: [11 C]OMAR) followed. [11 C]OMAR Distribution volume (VT ) from these participants was compared with VT of age/BMI-similar female non-users of cannabis ("healthy controls"; N = 10). VT was also compared between female and male healthy controls (N = 7). Females with CUD displayed significantly lower VT than female healthy controls in specific brain regions (hippocampus, amygdala, cingulate, and insula). Amygdala VT was negatively correlated with mood changes (anger/hostility) during abstinence, but VT was not correlated with other withdrawal symptoms or cannabis effects. Among healthy controls, females had significantly higher VT than males in all brain regions examined. Chronic cannabis use appears to foster downregulation of CB1 receptors in women, as observed previously in men, and there are inherent sex differences in CB1 availability. Future studies should elucidate the time course of CB1 downregulation among females who use cannabis and examine the relation between CB1 availability and cannabis effects among other populations (e.g., infrequent users; medicinal users).
Control by Permission: A Case Study of Cooperative Problem Solving in the Interactions of Airline Dispatchers with ATCSCC

A 7-hour focus group session was held to explore issues concerning the interactions between airline operations control (AOC) and staff of the Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center (ATCSCC). This session was organized with three goals in mind: •To gain insight into the nature of the distributed and cooperative problem solving activities that arise in the interactions of the airlines with ATCSCC. •To identify the successful aspects of these interactions and to better understand the nature of underlying factors contributing to those successes. •To identify areas for potential improvement. Four factors were identified as contributing to successful cooperative problem solving: development of a shared understanding of goals and constraints, distribution of responsibilities, incorporation of feedback and process control, and staff selection. In addition, several areas for improvement were identified, including education, information exchange, policies and practices, work assignments, and computer support.
Ocular Complications in Children with Diabetes Mellitus

Purpose The effectiveness of annual eye examinations in diabetic children is unclear. We sought to determine the prevalence and onset of ocular pathology in children with diabetes mellitus (DM), identify risk factors for ocular disease, and recommend a screening regimen for asymptomatic children. Design Retrospective, consecutive cohort study. Participants Children aged less than 18 years with type 1 or 2 DM examined over a 4-year period. Methods All children underwent a complete eye examination, including dilated fundoscopy and cycloplegic refraction. A literature review was performed, identifying the youngest reported age and shortest reported duration of DM before the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of DR, cataract, high refractive error, and strabismus. Results A total of 370 children (mean age, 11.2 years; range, 1–17.5 years) had 693 examinations, with a mean DM duration of 5.2 years (range, 0.1–16.2 years) and a mean hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) of 8.6 (range, 5–≥14). No children had DR. A total of 12 children had cataract; 5 required extraction but were identified by decreased vision, not diabetic screening. A total of 19 children had strabismus; only 1 was microvascular paralytic strabismus. A total of 41 children had high refractive error. There were no associations between these conditions and duration or control of DM. In the literature, the youngest age at diagnosis of severe DR was 15 years, and the shortest duration of disease was 5 years. Conclusions Diabetic retinopathy is rare in children regardless of duration and control of DM. On the basis of our study and literature review, screening examinations for type 1 diabetes could begin at age 15 years or at 5 years after the diagnosis of DM, whichever occurs later, unless the child is judged by the endocrinologist as being at unusually high risk. Other ocular complications are identifiable through existing amblyopia screening methods.
Suboptimality and stability analysis for feedback boundary control of heat-diffusion equations

We develop an effective approach to feedback control design of parabolic systems that takes into account specific properties of heat-diffusion and related dynamical processes. Some results obtained in this direction have been reported mostly for the case of Dirichlet boundary controls. Here we pay the main attention to justifying suboptimal characteristics of feedback controllers in Neumann boundary conditions and stability analysis of nonlinear closed-loop control systems obtained in this way. Based on the variational approach to the stability analysis and monotonicity properties of transients, we are able to reduce stability questions in the closed-loop nonlinear system to considering special optimal control problems with infinite horizon.
The Regulatory Framework for Privacy and Security

The internet enables the easy collection of massive amounts of personally identifiable information. Unregulated data collection causes distrust and conflicts with widely accepted principles of privacy. The regulatory framework in the United States for ensuring privacy and security in the online environment consists of federal, state, and self-regulatory elements. New laws have been passed to address technological and internet practices that conflict with privacy protecting policies. The United States and the European Union approaches to privacy differ significantly, and the global internet environment will likely cause regulators to face the challenge of balancing privacy interests with data collection for many years to come.
How Species Arise

Speciation . by Jerry A. Coyne and H. Allen Orr. Sinauer, Sunderland, MA, 2004. 557 pp. $89.95. ISBN 0-87893-091-4. Paper, $54.95, £34.99. ISBN 0-87893-089-2. The authors provide a thorough and critical review and synthesis of recent research on the origin of species, covering both plants and animals
TRPV1-lineage neurons are required for thermal sensation

The ion-channel TRPV1 is believed to be a major sensor of noxious heat, but surprisingly animals lacking TRPV1 still display marked responses to elevated temperature. In this study, we explored the role of TRPV1-expressing neurons in somatosensation by generating mice wherein this lineage of cells was selectively labelled or ablated. Our data show that TRPV1 is an embryonic marker of many nociceptors including all TRPV1- and TRPM8-neurons as well as many Mrg-expressing neurons. Mutant mice lacking these cells are completely insensitive to hot or cold but in marked contrast retain normal touch and mechanical pain sensation. These animals also exhibit defective body temperature control and lose both itch and pain reactions to potent chemical mediators. Together with previous cell ablation studies, our results define and delimit the roles of TRPV1- and TRPM8-neurons in thermosensation, thermoregulation and nociception, thus significantly extending the concept of labelled lines in somatosensory coding.
Chapter IV The Proof in the Case of No Incompressible Surface

Publisher Summary The chapter presents an outline of the proof in the case of no incompressible surface. The hypothesis on incompressible surfaces implies in particular that M is irreducible in the sense that every smooth 2-sphere in M bounds a 3-ball. The theorem described in the chapter implies that the boundary of the tubular neighborhood of K is not incompressible. Thus, if the hypothesis about incompressible surfaces is true, it is vacuously true. The proof of the theorem depends on a fundamental result of Thurston's about the existence of hyperbolic structures on 3-manifolds, and on an algebraic result of Bass's. The chapter also presents the proof of the theorem, referring to Thurston's and Bass's theorems and discusses some of the immediate history of the proof. The method of proof of the theorem, in the generic case in which Σ–K is not Seifert-fibered, is to introduce a geometric structure on Σ–K that gives rise to a faithful representation of Γ≈π1(Σ– K) in a matrix group.
p40 is a more specific marker than p63 for cutaneous poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma.

Background Poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin may pose a diagnostic challenge for pathologists. p40 is a recently introduced antibody that recognizes specific p63 protein isoforms and has shown superior results labeling non-cutaneous SCC. We hypothesize that p40 may improve diagnostic accuracy of poorly differentiated SCC. Methods Twelve cases of poorly differentiated SCC were stained with p63, p40 and cytokeratin MNF116. Control cases included nine atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX), five cutaneous leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and three giant cell tumors of soft tissue (GCTST). Results All 12 cases labeled with p63 and p40 and 11/12 were positive with MNF116. Whereas p40 labeled fewer cells, it showed exclusive nuclear staining, with no staining of cytoplasm or of background cells, in contrast to p63. Six of nine AFX and 2 of 3 GCTST showed scattered nuclear staining with p63 but were negative with p40. Additionally, one LMS showed focal staining with MNF116 but was negative with p40. Conclusion For the diagnosis of cutaneous poorly differentiated SCC, p40 appears equally sensitive to MNF116 and p63. While labeling fewer cells, p40 labels without confounding staining of tumor cytoplasm or background cells. More importantly, p40 appears to be more specific for SCC than p63 and MNF116, each of which occasionally labels non-squamous tumors.
Multipolar spiral ganglion neurons following organ of corti loss

Abstract Spiral ganglion neurons from guinea pigs drug deafened 9 or 16 months prior to sacrifice were studied using reconstructions of serial 3 μm thick sections. In the 9-month deaf animals, 38% of the neurons were multipolar and in the 16-month deaf animals, 78% were multipolar. Evidently one response of these deafferented neurons is to sprout new processes.
Brain activation by the umami taste substance monosodium L-glutamate via gustatory and visceral signaling pathways, and its physiological significance due to homeostasis after a meal

Abstract Monosodium l -glutamate (MSG) elicits a unique taste sensation termed umami and is widely used as a flavor enhancer in various cuisines. In addition, recent studies have suggested the existence of receptors for l -glutamate (Glu) and transduction molecules in the gut mucosa as well as in the oral cavity. The gastric afferent vagal nerve responds specifically to luminal stimulation by Glu in the stomach and regulates autonomic reflexes. The intragastric infusion of MSG also activates several brain areas (insular cortex, limbic system, and hypothalamus) and is able to induce flavor-preference learning in rats. These results suggest that Glu signaling via the gustatory and visceral pathways plays an important role in digestion, absorption, metabolism, and other physiological functions by activating the brain.
A compact amplifier for extracellular recording.

Abstract This report describes an amplifier designed for the extracellular recording of single or multineuronal activity. It has high input impedance, high gain, low noise, wide dynamic range, wide band pass, and is of small size and simple construction. In animals with chronically implanted microelectrodes, the first stage can be mounted directly on the connecting plug which fits into the implant on the animal's head. This results in a reduction of interference and of movement artifacts.
A Multiyear Photometric Study of IC 348

The extremely young cluster IC 348 has been monitored photometrically over five observing seasons from 1998 December to 2003 March in Cousins I with a 0.6 m telescope at Van Vleck Observatory. Twenty-eight periodic variables and 16 irregular variables have been identified. The variability study is most sensitive for stars with I < 14.3 mag; at that brightness level, we find that 24 of the 27 known pre–main-sequence (PMS) cluster members in the monitored field are variables, illustrating the value of photometric monitoring for identifying PMS cluster members. Among this brighter sample, 14 of the 16 known K or M-type weak-line T Tauri stars (WTTS) were found to be periodic variables, while all five of the known classical T Tauri stars (CTTS) were found to be irregular variables. In the full sample, which includes 150 stars with I as faint as 18, we find that 40% of the 63 WTTS are detected as variables, nearly all of them periodic, while 55% of the 20 CTTS are also detected as variable, with none of them periodic. Our study suggests that 80%–90% of all WTTS in young clusters will be detected as periodic variables given sufficiently precise and extended monitoring, whereas CTTS will reveal themselves primarily or solely as irregular variables. This has clear consequences for PMS rotational studies based on photometric periods, suggesting that any such sample may be biased against stars that are currently actively accreting (i.e., CTTS). We examine the stability of the periodic light curves from season to season. All periodic stars show modulations of their amplitude, mean brightness, and light-curve shape on timescales of less than 1 yr, presumably due to changes in spot configurations and/or physical characteristics. In no case, however, can we find definitive evidence of a change in period, indicating that differential rotation is probably much less in WTTS than it is in the Sun. While some stars show a hint of what could be cyclic behavior analogous to the sunspot cycle, no clear cycles could be found. It appears that most of the variation in light-curve shape is caused by redistribution of spots on the surface rather than by an increase or decrease in the areal spot coverage. While most of the variables are of K or M spectral class, we do confirm the existence of three, low-amplitude, periodic G stars. The rotation periods of these more massive stars are short compared to the bulk of the sample; it appears that mid-K to early M (i.e., ~0.5 M⊙) represents a minimum in mean rotation rate for extremely young stars. Among the nonperiodic stars, we report the detection of two possible UX Orionis stars as well as a pre–main-sequence star, HMW 15, which apparently undergoes an eclipse with a duration exceeding 3 yr.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTICURARE ACTIVITY AND TIME COURSE OF THE ENDPLATE POTENTIAL; A STRUCTURE‐ACTIVITY APPROACH

A comparison of the effects of several quaternary ammonium ions has been made on the intracellularly recorded endplate potential of curarized frog muscle. The hydroxyanilinium ions usually caused an increase in endplate potential amplitude, a slowing of rate of rise and marked prolongation, but rarely caused spike generation. Contrariwise, tetraethylammonium and triethylphenylammonium consistently caused an increase in both amplitude and rate of rise of the endplate potential but no prolongation; these endplate potentials generated muscle spikes. The results suggest a relationship between rate of rise of the endplate potential and the probability of spike generation. Using the neurally evoked contractile response as a signal of transmitter action, the hydroxyanilinium ions were found to be relatively weak antagonists of tubocurarine at deep levels of curarization, indicating a ceiling effect. There was also a ceiling to the effect of hydroxyaniliniums on endplate potential amplitude. Thus, in the presence of high concentrations of tubocurarine, tetraethylammonium is a more potent anticurare agent than is triethyl(3-hydroxyphenyl) ammonium.
Desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the ovary: A rare but devastating disease in young women.

Desmoplastic small round cells tumor (DSRCT) is a rare intra-abdominal neoplasm. It is primarily found in young men with a reported male to female ratio of four to one (Ota et al., 2010). Common presenting symptoms include abdominal pain and distension. Unfortunately, DSRCT is often widely disseminated throughout the peritoneal cavity at diagnosis and quickly recurs despite treatment so prognosis is exceedingly poor. Given the male predominance of this disease, DSRCT rarely enters the differential diagnosis in young women with an ovarian mass; however, it is important to keep DSRCT in mind as it may influence how aggressively one chooses to surgically treat a patient with an unusual pelvic mass. This study's objective was to provide an overview of this uncommon disease, add three cases (including a 6-year-old girl) to the previously reported 12 and review the literature for treatment recommendations.
effect of prior disturbances on the extent and severity of wildfire in colorado subalpine forests

Disturbances are important in creating spatial heterogeneity of vegetation patterns that in turn may affect the spread and severity of subsequent disturbances. Between 1997 and 2002 extensive areas of subalpine forests in northwestern Colorado were affected by a blowdown of trees, bark beetle outbreaks, and salvage logging. Some of these stands were also affected by severe fires in the late 19th century. During a severe drought in 2002, fires affected extensive areas of these subalpine forests. We evaluated and modeled the extent and severity of the 2002 fires in relation to these disturbances that occurred over the five years prior to the fires and in relation to late 19th century stand-replacing fires. Occurrence of disturbances prior to 2002 was reconstructed using a combination of tree-ring methods, aerial photograph interpretation, field surveys, and geographic information systems (GIS). The extent and severity of the 2002 fires were based on the normalized difference burn ratio (NDBR) derived from satellite imagery. GIS and classification trees were used to analyze the effects of prefire conditions on the 2002 fires. Previous disturbance history had a significant influence on the severity of the 2002 fires. Stands that were severely blown down (> 66% trees down) in 1997 burned more severely than other stands, and young (approximately 120 year old) postfire stands burned less severely than older stands. In contrast, prefire disturbances were poor predictors of fire extent, except that young (approximately 120 years old) postfire stands were less extensively burned than older stands. Salvage logging and bark beetle outbreaks that followed the 1997 blowdown (within the blowdown as well as in adjacent forest that was not blown down) did not appear to affect fire extent or severity. Conclusions regarding the influence of the beetle outbreaks on fire extent and severity are limited, however, by spatial and temporal limitations associated with aerial detection surveys of beetle activity. Thus, fire extent in these forests is largely independent of prefire disturbance history and vegetation conditions. In contrast, fire severity, even during extreme fire weather and in conjunction with a multiyear drought, is influenced by prefire stand conditions, including the history of previous disturbances.
Linearly-polarized-photon asymmetry predictions for inelastic J/psi photoproduction

The predictions of two quantum-chromodynamics-based models for inelastic J/psi photoproduction are compared. The models differ in the manner in which color is treated at the perturbative level. While both models predict similar momentum distributions, there are marked differences in the predictions for the linearly-polarized-photon asymmetry.
The biological activity and metabolic stability of peptidic bifunctional compounds that are opioid receptor agonists and neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists with a cystine moiety.

Abstract In order to improve metabolic stability, a ring structure with a cystine moiety was introduced into TY027 (Tyr- d -Ala-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro-Leu-Trp-NH-[3′,5′-(CF3)2Bzl]), which is a lead compound of our developing bifunctional peptide possessing opioid agonist and NK1 antagonist activities. TY038 (Tyr-cyclo[ d -Cys-Gly-Phe-Met-Pro- d -Cys]-Trp-NH-[3′,5′-(CF3)2Bzl]) was found as a highly selective δ opioid agonist over μ receptor in conventional tissue-based assays, together with an effective NK1 antagonist activity and good metabolic stability with more than 24 h half life in rat plasma.
Effect of pentoxifylline on cytokine- and eicosanoid-induced acute pulmonary hypertension in piglets.

The methylxanthine derivative pentoxifylline (PTF) demonstrates vasodilatory properties in vivo. We tested the hypothesis that PTF infusion would blunt or inhibit tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-induced and U46, 619-induced increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in the neonatal piglet and would do so by altering production of eicosanoid vasoactive mediators. Anesthetized, paralyzed piglets (age 10–29 d) were randomized and treated with a 30-min infusion of TNFα alone (n = 13 animals), with a combination of TNFα plus pretreatment and continuous infusion with PTF (n = 6), or with a combination of U46, 619 for 30 min plus pretreatment and continuous infusion of PTF (n = 5). There was no difference in pulmonary or systemic hemodynamic indices between the three groups at baseline. PVR was significantly elevated at 15 min and at 2 h in the TNFα-only group. The TNFα-induced rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure and PVR was inhibited by the PTF until 2 h, by which time PVR was elevated above baseline and was comparable to the value found in animals treated with only TNFα. PTF produced no inhibition in the U46, 619-induced elevation of PVR during the 30-min simultaneous treatment. In the PTF + TNFα group, mean systemic blood pressure declined to 50% of baseline value (p < 0.02) by 2 h of age. No significant decline was noted in mean systemic arterial pressure of the TNFα-only or the U46, 619-treated group. Plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α increased above baseline values by 2 h only in the PTF + TNFα-treated group (p < 0.02); no significant change from baseline in thromboxane B2 levels was found in any experimental group. We conclude that treatment with PTF transiently inhibited the TNFα-induced elevation in mean pulmonary artery pressure and PVR but was associated also with significant systemic hypotension. PTF failed to counteract elevated PVR produced by the thromboxane mimetic, U46, 619.
Dielectric properties of montmorillonite clay films: Effects of water and layer charge reduction

Abstract An initial survey is made of the dielectric properties of a series of oriented smectite clay films including Na+-montmorillonite, Li+-montmorillonite, and charge-reduced montmorillonite. The properties of a structurally-related mica silicate, muscovite, was included for comparison purposes. In contrast with previous measurements on aqueous clay suspensions in which the clay content was a few wt.%, the measurements reported here are for comparatively dry clays where the water content is a few wt.%. The dielectric properties in the direction perpendicular to the clay sheets depend strongly on the amount of water takeup, which in turn depends strongly on the type and concentration of the cations in the gallery. Mica does not absorb water and thus its dielectric constant and conductivity are independent of ambient water vapor pressure. On the other hand for the swelling clays, Na+ and Li+-montmorillonite, the dielectric constant and conductivity are highly dependent on the ambient water vapor pressure. These quantities are greatly diminished for charge reduced montmorillonite in which the Li cations are diffused into the silicate layers. Dielectric constants much greater than that for pure water are observed in the hydrated clays. These are ascribed to a Maxwell-Wagner effect.
TGFβ1 and TGFα contrarily affect alveolar survival and tumorigenesis in mouse mammary epithelium

Growth factors and hormones are responsible for development of the mammary gland and can contribute to mammary carcinogenesis. The transforming growth factors (TGF) α and β1 demonstrate opposing effects on the mammary epithelium. TGFα is a mitogen and survival factor for mammary secretory cells and is often upregulated in cancer, while TGFβ1 may act as a growth suppressor and has been shown to inhibit alveolar development and lactogenesis. To examine the contradistinct effects of TGFα and TGFβ1 on normal mammary epithelium, we crossed MT-TGFα mice with WAP-TGFβ1 transgenic mice. The newly generated bitransgenic mice failed to nurse their pups and were resistant to mammary tumorigenesis (0% at 12 months of age), compared to single transgenic MT-TGFα in which the majority (65% at 12 months of age) of the mice developed hyperplastic alveolar mammary lesions. Transplantation studies showed that bitransgenic tissue was highly resistant to tumor formation even after multiple pregnancies. WAP-TGFβ1 mammary transplants often failed to grow and fully fill cleared mammary fat pads upon transplantation. This repression of growth was completely reversed in the bitransgenic implants, which grew as well as normal epithelium upon transplantation. In addition, TGF and bitransgenic TGFα/TGFβ1 mice had reduced rates of apoptosis during involution as compared to wild type and TGFβ1. These data demonstrate that TGFβ1 and TGFα exhibit opposing effects upon the proliferation and survival of mammary epithelium when expressed alone but when expressed together result in reciprocally suppressive effects upon one another in the context of mammary development and tumorigenesis. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Concept of Moral Obligation

The principal aim of this book is to develop and defend an analysis of the concept of moral obligation. The analysis is neutral regarding competing substantive theories of obligation, whether consequentialist or deontological in character. What it seeks to do is generate solutions to a range of philosophical problems concerning obligation and its application. Amongst these problems are deontic paradoxes, the supersession of obligation, conditional obligation, prima facie obligation, actualism and possibilism, dilemmas, supererogation, and cooperation. By virtue of its normative neutrality, the analysis provides a theoretical framework within which competing theories of obligation can be developed and assessed. This study is a major contribution to metaethics that will be of particular interest to all philosophers concerned with normative ethical theory.
Late Occurrence of Incessant Atrial Tachycardia Following the Maze Procedure

We report a patient with incessant atrial tachycardia and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia tachycardia and AV nodal reentrant tachycardia beginning almost 18 months following a successful maze procedure. Both tachycardias were cured by radiofrequency ablation. We speculate that the right atrial tachycardia may have been related to the maze procedure. Finally, we believe this report should emphasize the importance of careful and long-term follow-up of all patients undergoing the maze procedure. Proper evaluation of the place of this therapy greatly depends on reporting of all short- and long-term complications of this new procedure.
Physiologic stages of vocal reaction time.

A simple vocal reaction time (RT) task was performed by 10 male subjects while measures from intrinsic laryngeal muscles and subglottal air pressure were obtained simultaneously. Based only on each...
Performance Evaluation for Systems of Assigned Service Providers A Demonstration Assessing Systems of Indigent Defense

We present a design for evaluating tiered systems of service providers in which assigned service providers are compared with each other through comparison against a benchmark of privately purchased providers. It tests the utility of this approach to data collec tion and analysis by evaluating the quality of two systems for providing representation to indigent defendants: a part-time public defender versus ad hoc appointment of the private bar. In addition, this article recognizes the need to consider the costs associated with provisions of services. It is unique in estimating costs for specific types of cases (felonies and misdemeanors) rather than aggregating across case types. Finally, the arti cle is the first to present a method for estimating cost per case among case types for a system where only a lump sum payment is made.
Growth elasticity of poverty: estimates from new data

Purpose – By using the World Bank's new poverty data that are based on the most recent International Comparison Program report, this research aims to revisit the response of poverty rate to increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.Design/methodology/approach – The response is summarized in terms of elasticity of poverty with respect to real GDP per capita, which is the ratio of annual percentage fall in poverty rate to annual percentage increase in real GDP per capita. The main calculations are done for the entire group of less‐developed countries (LDCs), poverty‐dense South Asia region, and India, which probably has the highest poverty rate. The periods studied are 1981‐1990, 1990‐1999, and 1999‐2005. The calculations are done for four different poverty measures.Findings – Five major points are noted. First, the elasticities generally show a declining tendency over the period, indicating that poverty‐reducing impact of income growth has been weakening. Second, the elasticities show huge d...