cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence of residual choledocholithiasis detected by intraoperative cholangiography at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients having undergone preoperative ERCP

Introduction The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of residual common bile duct (CBD) stones after preoperative ERCP for choledocholithiasis and to evaluate the utility of routine intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in this patient population.
Sagitol, a pyridoacridine alkaloid from the sponge Oceanapia sagittaria

The sponge Oceanapia sagittaria from Palau contained the known sponge metabolite dercitamide (1) and a new pyridoacridine alkaloid sagitol (2). The structure of sagitol (2) was determined by interpretation of spectral data and confirmed by oxidation of dercitamide (1). CD measurements suggest that sagitol (2) is not an artifact.
Dinosaur paleobiology, by Stephen L. Brusatte, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex and Hoboken, NJ, 2012, 322 p, £90.00/$149.95 (hardcover), ISBN 978-0-470-65657-0, £34.95/$84.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-470-65687

At least for a while, this will be one of the most useful books in my personal library. Brusatte has undertaken a very demanding project: summarising the current state of knowledge on what dinosaur...
Twiki and wetpaint: two wikis in academic environments

This paper describes a community-based effort to preserve organizational knowledge and to orientate newcomers to a graduate school. It presents a very brief review of recent research on wiki use in corporate and organizational environments and initial data from two wiki implementation iterations within our academic community. We contrast use of a TWiki with that of a WetPaint wiki. Our data suggest that with low barriers to participation and a great deal of patience, wikis can be useful stores for community information and knowledge sharing.
Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐Assembly of Ceramic Particles for Coating Complex Shape Substrates

Key parameters for controlling the layer-by-layer self-assembly of ceramic particles were studied using a model system, which consisted of an Si substrate, 100 and 500 nm silica spheres, and a polycation/polyanion combination that provided binding between the substrate and silica particles, as well as between the silica particle layers. The overall quality of the particle assemblies was mainly dictated by (1) the degree of electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged silica particles and the outermost positively charged electrolyte layer of a polyelectrolyte multilayer and (2) electrostatically repulsive interactions between the silica particles. The surface coverage of the silica particles improved with an increase of NaCl used in deposition of the polyelectrolyte layers and silica particles, and with an increased number of the polyelectrolyte/particle layers deposited. We found that the effects of particle size, polydispersity, and electrolyte concentration in the particle suspension on the surface coverage and morphology of the first silica particle layer deposited on the polyelectrolyte layer surface were highly coupled, and resolution of these effects was important in generating a rational basis for infiltrating a uniform coating of multilayer silica particle assemblies into a cellular structure.
Jackiw transformation in path integrals

Abstract We show that the Jackiw transformation, ωτ=tan-1(ωt), R =r(1+ω 2 t 2 ) -1 2 , converts the path integral for a charged particle in a magnetic monopole field into that for a charged oscillator in the same field. We also see this by an exactly soluble example.
Electron acceleration at nearly perpendicular collisionless shocks. 3: Downstream distributions

Spacecraft observations at the Earth's bow shock and at interplanetary shocks have established that the largest fluxes of accelerated suprathermal electrons occur in so-called shock spike events immediately downstream of the shock ramp. Previous theoretical efforts have mainly focused on explaining upstream energetic electron beams. Here we investigate the general motion and acceleration of energetic electrons in a curved, nearly perpendicular shock by numerically integrating the orbits of solar wind halo electrons in shock fields generated by a hybrid simulation (core electron fluid and kinetic ions). Close to the angle Theta(sub Bn) = 90 degs between the upstream magnetic field and shock normal, the calculations result in a (perpendicular) temperature increase proportional to the magnetic field ratio and give the highest phase space densities in the overshoot. For a steep distribution, the temperature change can correspond to an enhancement of the distribution by several orders of magnitude. These results are in agreement with predictions from adiabatic mapping. With smaller angles Theta(sub Bn), the overshoot and downstream densities fall off quickly, because the adiabatic energy gain is less and fewer electrons transmit. The shock curvature also leads to an accumulation of electrons close to 90 degs. Without pitch angle scattering, energization is only significant within a few (approximately 5 to 10 degs) degrees of the point of tangency. However, shock spike events appear to be observed more easily and farther away from 90 degs. Given that over a region of several degrees around 90 degs the theory gives enhancements of up to approximately 4 orders of magnitude, such electrons could in principle account for the typically observed enhancements of 1 to 2 orders of magnitude, if they were distributed over Theta(sub Bn). To test the idea that scattering could efficiently redistribute the energetic electrons, we have conducted test particle simulations in which artificial pitch angle scattering is included. We find that such a process can indeed be very efficient and can explain observations of shock spike events far away from Theta(sub Bn) is approximately 90 degs. The scattering naturally leads to much higher phase space densities at smaller Theta(sub Bn) than what a local one-dimensional mapping would predict and thus can account for an observed discrepancy with adiabatic theory stated in the literature.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme: accumulation in medium from cultured endothelial cells.

Abstract The activity of angiotensin converting enzyme has been measured in endothelial cells cultured from hog aorta, and in serum-free culture medium taken from both endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Endothelial cells maintained in medium containing 20% fetal calf serum contained 43 pmol/min/106 cells of converting enzyme activity; freshly collected cells contained 518 pmol/min/106 cells. Endothelial cells held in serum-free medium release this activity into the medium in amounts up to 40 times that associated with the cells; at the same time the activity associated with the cells rises 2 fold. The rise in cell-associated activity and the appearance of activity in the medium are both blocked by cycloheximide. These observations provide direct evidence that endothelial cells can produce excess angiotensin-converting enzyme and release it in active form, and thus serve as the source of circulating converting enzyme activity.
Phase field modeling of twinning in indentation of transparent crystals

Continuum phase field theory is applied to study elastic twinning in calcite and sapphire single crystals subjected to indentation loading by wedge-shaped indenters. An order parameter is associated with the magnitude of stress-free twinning shear. Geometrically linear and nonlinear theories are implemented and compared, the latter incorporating neo-Hookean elasticity. Equilibrium configurations of deformed and twinned crystals are attained numerically via direct energy minimization. Results are in qualitative agreement with experimental observations: a long thin twin forms asymmetrically under one side of the indenter, the tip of the twin is sharp and the length of the twin increases with increasing load. Qualitatively similar results are obtained using isotropic and anisotropic elastic constants, though the difference between isotropic and anisotropic results is greater in sapphire than in calcite. Similar results are also obtained for nanometer-scale specimens and millimeter-scale specimens. Indentation forces are greater in the nonlinear model than the linear model because of the increasing tangent bulk modulus with increasing pressure in the former. Normalized relationships between twin length and indentation force are similar for linear and nonlinear theories at both nanometer and millimeter scales. Twin morphologies are similar for linear and nonlinear theories for indentation with a 90° wedge. However, in the nonlinear model, indentation with a 120° wedge produces a lamellar twin structure between the indenter and the long sharp primary twin. This complex microstructure is not predicted by the linear theory.
Physician location and distribution: a social systems approach

Abstract A social systems model of the health services system serving the state of Indiana is presented. The model specifies the causal relationships hypothesized as existing among a set of social, demographic and economic variables known to be related to the supply of health manpower and facilities. Inclusion of feedback into the model as well as lagged values of physician supply variables permits the examination of the dynamic behavior of the social system over time. Estimates of the model parameters are based on data obtained from the U.S. census, the American Medical Association's physician distribution series and the annual guide issue of Hospitals , the journal of the American Hospital Association. Methods for deriving the reduced form and the final form of the structural model are presented along with the reduced and final form equations. These equations provide valuable information for policy decisions regarding the likely consequences of changes in the structure of the population and in the supply of health manpower and facilities. The structural and reduced forms of the model have been used to examine the likely consequences of several proposed policies that would affect the delivery of health services in the state of Indiana.
Mammalian bombesin-like peptides extend the intermeal interval in freely feeding rats

Abstract THAW, A. K., J. C. SMITH AND J. GIBBS. Mammalian bombesin-like peptides extend the intermeal interval in freely feeding rats. PHYSIOL BEHAV 64 (3) 425–428, 1998.—We evaluated the effects of systemic delivery of amphibian bombesin and its mammalian homologues on the length of the postprandial intermeal interval. Adult male rats, feeding ad libitum, were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) 5 min after the end of the first nocturnal meal with 0 (vehicle), 2.5, 5, or 10 nM/kg of tetradecapeptide bombesin (BN), gastrin-releasing peptide 1–27 (GRP 1–27 ), the C-terminal decapeptide of GRP 1–27 (GRP 18–27 ), the C-terminal decapeptide of neuromedin B (NMB 23–32 ), or combinations of equimolar doses of GRP 1–27 and NMB 23–32 . BN produced a potent, dose-related extension (maximum of 177%) of the first postprandial intermeal interval; GRP 1–27 produced a lesser but significant prolongation (maximum of 47%); the combination of GRP 1–27 and NMB 23–32 produced an intermediate prolongation (maximum of 70%); GRP 18–27 alone and NMB 23–32 alone failed to produce any significant change. Peptide effects were limited to the first postprandial intermeal interval. The results demonstrate that systemic, postprandial injection of BN, GRP 1–27 , or the combination of GRP 1–27 and NMB 23–32 extends the duration of the postprandial intermeal interval. The results suggest that the endogenous peptides, released in the gastrointestinal tract by ingested food, have a potent satiety action, selectively lengthening the intermeal interval.
In Vitro Progesterone Stimulates the Release of Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone from Superfused Hypothalamic Tissue from Ovariectomized Estradiol-Primed Prepuberal Rats*

This study was designed to determine if in vitro treatment with progesterone (P4) would activate the LHRH apparatus in hypothalmic fragments from ovariectomized, estradiol- primed rats. Immature, 28-day-old female rats were ovariectomized and implanted with Silastic capsules containing estradiol. At 30 days of age, the animals were decapitated, and the mediobasal hypothalamic-anterior hypothalamic-preoptic area fragments were removed and transferred to supervision chambers. These hypothalamic units received P4, delivered either in pulses (10 min on, 20 min off; 10 ng/ml) or in a continuous mode. LHRH was determined in perfusates and postsuperfusion tissues by RIA. The intermittent mode of P4 administration unequivocally stimulated episodic LHRH release. A maximal stimulatory effect of P4 (close to a 4-fold increment over pretreatment levels) was observed about 1 h after initial P4 administration. After a decline in LHRH release to approximately initial levels, it took about 1 h more for the intermittent P...
Use of Self-Adhesive External Defibrillator Pads for Complex Cardiac Surgical Procedures

We describe a useful technique for the management of life-threatening arrhythmias that occur during complex or reoperative cardiac surgical procedures when internal defibrillation cannot be achieved. Two self-adhesive external pads are attached to the patient before draping to enable the delivery of current for defibrillation or cardioversion without the need for removal of adhesive surgical drapes and the cumbersome use of external defibrillator paddles.
Strategies for Knowledge Acquisition

This paper describes knowledge acquisition strategies developed in the course of handcrafting a diagnostic system and reports on their consequent implementation in MORE, an automated knowledge acquisition system. We describe MORE in some detail, focusing on its representation of domain knowledge, rule generation capabilities, and interviewing techniques. MORE's approach is shown to embody methods which may prove fruitful to the development of knowledge acquisition systems in other domains.
Against transglobal reliabilism

David Henderson and Terry Horgan argue that doxastic epistemic justification requires the transglobal reliability of the belief-forming process. Transglobal reliability is reliability across a wide range of experientially possible global environments. Focusing on perception, I argue that justification does not require transglobal reliability, for perception is non-accidentally reliable and confers justification but not always transglobally reliable. Transglobal reliability is an epistemically desirable property of belief-forming processes, but not necessary for justification.
Some reactions of persistent benzofuranone radicals related to the ‘old’ diazonamide structure

Abstract The benzofuranone dimers 9 and 10 / 11 readily (ca. 75 °C) dissociate to the persistent radicals 16 and 17 respectively, which are stable to, dioxygen. The OMe analog 25 dissociates to form the radical 24 , which reacts with dioxygen of TEMPO to give 26 .
Fetoprotectivity of the flavanolignan compound siliphos against ethanol-induced toxicity.

Of the three flavanolignans that are found in silymarin (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn.), silybin is thought to be the primary therapeutic constituent. To test the capacity of silybin to protect the rat fetus from toxic effects of maternally ingested EtOH we did the following: Adult female rats were assigned to one of four groups; EtOH, EtOH/silybin, pair-fed control, and chow fed control. Silybin was orally administered as Siliphos(R), which is one part silybin to two parts phosphatidylcholine. All groups except the chow-fed control were maintained on a liquid diet throughout pregnancy. On day 21 of pregnancy the rats were killed and the fetuses removed. Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined for liver and brain tissue for both the fetuses and the dams. Maternal and fetal GGTP activity in the EtOH rats was significantly higher than that of pair-fed controls, whereas the GGTP activity observed in the Siliphos(R)/EtOH rats was not elevated. Fetal mortality rates in the EtOH rats significantly exceeded those of all three other groups.
The MVM Imaging System And Its Spacecraft Interactions

The present work describes the main considerations and steps taken in determining the functional design of the imaging system of the Mariner Venus/Mercury (MVM) spacecraft and gives examples of some of the interactions between the spacecraft and the imaging instrument during the design and testing phases. Stringent cost and scheduling constraints dictated the use of the previous Mariner 9 dual-camera TV system. The TV parameters laid the groundwork for the imaging definition. Based on the flyby distances from Venus and Mercury and the goal of surface resolution better than 500 meters per sample pair, calculation was performed on focal length, format size, planetary coverage, and data rates. Some problems encountered in initial mechanical operation and as a result of spacecraft drift during the mission are also discussed.
Parents' Attitudes toward Juveniles' Rights in Interrogation.

Does requiring the presence of parents at pretrial interrogations of juveniles ensure adequate protection of juveniles' rights to silence and to retain legal counsel? The study assessed the attitudes of parents regarding nurturance and self-determination rights for juveniles—including rights which are relevant to interrogation—for juveniles of two age groups and of both delinquent and nondelinquent status. Nurturance rights for juveniles in legal-judicial contexts were strongly endorsed, but most parents did not believe that juvenile suspects should be allowed to withhold information from police. Parents were negatively disposed to allowing juveniles to decide regarding waiver or assertion of rights to silence and to retain legal counsel. The procedure also included a hypothetical situation examining parents' advice to juveniles and their rationale regarding waiver of rights. The results question parents' abilities to provide meaningful protections for juveniles in interrogation.
Theory of dichroism in high-temperature superconductors.

We consider the circumstances under which non-{ital s}-wave superconductivity could give rise to optical dichroism. Depending on the type of state, circular or linear dichroism and birefringence can occur, and we show how the experiments can be used to investigate the microscopic pair wave function. We also show that we can reconcile the seemingly contradicting experimental results by assuming spin-orbit coupling and the mixing of spin singlet and triplet.
Effectiveness of a novel interactive health care education tool on clinical outcomes and quality of life in acne patients: A randomized controlled pilot study

AbstractBackground: We developed an Internet-based education tool (My Personalized Application for health Care Education, MyPACE) to promote patient comprehension about acne. Objective: To determine if MyPACE improves clinical outcomes and quality of life in acne patients. Methods: Modeling the spaced education approach, 50 participants received weekly multiple-choice questions for 12 weeks. Those randomized to the intervention group received acne-related questions, while those in the control group received non-dermatologic health-related questions. Acne lesion counts and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores were recorded at initial enrollment and at 12 weeks. Results: Within-group analysis for the intervention group showed a significant mean change in inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne lesions per person (−3.2 ± 1.3, p = 0.0219; −4.4 ± 1.8, p = 0.0267, respectively). The control group only demonstrated a significant mean change in inflammatory lesions (−2.8 ± 0.80, p = 0.0040). Both groups ha...
Coherence Properties of Light Refracted and Reflected at an Interface

We consider reflection and refraction of a partially coherent beam at a planar interface and discuss the spatial coherence properties of the transmitted and the reflected fields at the interface.
Lp-PLA2 Inhibitors for the Reduction of Cardiovascular Events.

Evidence suggests that inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (Libby, Nature 420:868–874, 2002). Inflammation is a physiologic process with highly regulated and often redundant mechanisms to balance pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses. The complexity of these networks has made it challenging to identify those specific pathways or key enzymes that contribute directly to atherogenesis and could act as a valuable therapeutic target. Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a member of the phospholipase A2 family of enzymes and is believed to contribute to atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability by promoting inflammation. A large number of epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that elevated levels of Lp-PLA2 are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events across diverse patient populations, independent of established risk factors including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Further, a growing number of preclinical and genetic studies support a causal role for Lp-PLA2 in atherosclerosis. The development of a novel therapeutic agent that directly inhibits the Lp-PLA2 enzyme has provided a unique opportunity to directly test the hypothesis that inhibition of this inflammatory enzyme will translate into improved clinical outcomes. In this article, we will review the evidence to support the notion that Lp-PLA2 is causally implicated in the pathobiology of atherogenesis and discuss the potential utility of inhibiting this enzyme as a therapeutic target.
USING AN INTERNET ACTIVITY TO ENHANCE STUDENTS' AWARENESS OF AGE BIAS IN SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS

Seeking to extend curricula in a Psychology of Aging course, an online Internet test that assesses user's implicit attitudes was used as part of a learning activity to enhance students' awareness of age-bias in social perceptions. A pretest-posttest methodology examined the efficacy of this learning activity in three separate investigations. Overall, results suggest the learning activity increases students' awareness of cognitive biases in their perceptions of others. Further, self-enhancement motivation and alliance with a group that has suffered prejudice or discrimination were found to mediate bias ratings. The need to recognize age as a diversity issue and promote positive representations of older adults is discussed.
La autoantigen binding to a 5' cis-element of rubella virus RNA correlates with element function in vivo.

Abstract Rubella virus genomic RNA contains a 5′ stem-loop (5′(+) SL) which is required for efficient translation and replication. The La autoantigen previously was shown to bind this RNA sequence in vitro. Results reported here demonstrate that this cellular RNA-binding protein binds to the RV 5′ SL RNA with sufficient specificity for the binding to occur in the presence of excess total cellular RNA. Further, the affinity of purified La for the RV sequence is similar to its affinity for known cellular substrates. To address the functional significance of La binding, mutant forms of the RV 5′(+) SL were analysed which bind La weaker or stronger than the native form. These three forms of the RV 5′ SL were incorporated into RV-luciferase constructs which expressed luciferase activity in transient transfection. The level of expression from each construct correlated with the ability of its RV sequence to bind La. The detection of La/RV–RNA complexes in infected cells further supported the physiological relevance of this interaction. Possible implications of autoantigen La interaction with RV RNA for rubella virus pathology and vaccine associated adverse reactions are discussed.
Web-Based Supervisor Training: Real Relationships in Cyberspace

Little attention has been devoted in the past to the in-depth training of clinical supervisors, although they play a pivotal role in the professional development of social workers. To address this learning gap, the Smith College School for Social Work inaugurated the Advanced Clinical Supervision Certificate Program in 2005, as part of its continuing education series. This article addresses a unique feature of the training program: a 9-month “winter practicum” of online case presentations and group discussions that follows the participants' week together on the Smith campus. The author, the practicum facilitator, describes the adjustment of the group to interactions that are not face-to-face. Themes and dynamics emerge as in any other supervisory group. The author concludes that real relationships can be fostered and maintained in cyberspace, particularly when a connection among group members has already been established through prior in-person contact.
Blood groups in two Amish demes.

Blood group studies in two Old Order Amish isolates support previous evidence for genetic differences in the two groups. The more completely studied Amish community, that of Lancaster Co., Pa., revealed higher A and lower O phenotype frequencies than found in the Amish of Holmes Co., Ohio. In both groups, about one-fourth of individuals are Rh negative. Three blood group genes (Kell-positive, CDue and CDE) are present in low frequency in the Lancaster Amish, and pedigree studies identified individuals who may have introduced them to the Amish. Preliminary studies of an unusual antibody found in one Amish female provide evidence for a “new” red cell antigen which is present in about one-fourth of Americans.
Excitation and inhibition in crab muscle fibres

Abstract 1. 1. The opener and closer muscles of the spider crab, Chionecetes tanneri, contain thick and thin muscle fibres. The former have short sarcomeres and a uniformly fibrillar appearance in cross section, whereas the latter have much longer sarcomeres and are often deeply invaded by sarcolemmal elements. 2. 2. The thick fibres often gave large spikes and fast, phasic mechanical responses to direct stimulation. 3. 3. The thin fibres did not produce spikes, and their mechanical responses were very slow. 4. 4. In the opener muscle, the thick fibres produced repetitive spikes when the single motor axon was stimulated at high frequencies. The thin fibres gave large, slowly decaying post-synaptic potentials at low frequencies of stimulation. The slow mechanical response of the muscle as a whole at these frequencies was attributable to contraction of the latter fibres. 5. 5. In the closer muscle, the thin fibres responded to stimulation of the “slow” motor axon and the “common” inhibitor axon. Membrane conductance in these fibres was markedly increased by γ-aminobutyric acid. The thick fibres of the closer responded mainly to the “fast” motor axon and were relatively insensitive to stimulation of the inhibitor axon and to γ-aminobutyric acid.
PREDICTING SATISFACTION WITH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR A SAMPLE OF ADULTS WITH NEW SPINAL CORD INJURIES

To assess the validity of the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment-Consumer Form for persons with a new spinal cord injury, 10 men and 10 women completed the scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory while in acute rehabilitation. One month postdischarge, subjects completed the Perceived Needs Inventory and rated their satisfaction with assistive technology. Significant positive correlations between items of the Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment and Satisfaction with Life Scale (and their significant negative correlations with scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory–Depression) suggest the selected Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment items measure quality of life (concurrent validity) Only Assistive Technology Device Predisposition Assessment scores predicted satisfied use 1-mo. postdischarge as measured by the Perceived Needs Inventory.
The pH-dependent reduction of Adriamycin catalysed by NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase.

Abstract Adriamycin is a redox active antineoplastic antibiotic that upon reduction can, in the presence of oxygen, redox cycle to form reactive oxygen species, while in anaerobiosis can generate a reactive quinone methide. NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase catalysed the reduction of adriamycin at pH 6.6 with an apparent Km of 1.8 μM; at pH 7.6, no measurable reduction of adriamycin occurred. Aerobically, in the presence of enzyme and NADH, adriamycin stimulated oxygen consumption and concomitant accumulation of hydrogen peroxide. At pH 7.6, no discernible oxygen consumption nor detectable hydrogen peroxide generation was observed. The findings demonstrate that NADH:cytochrome b5 reductase is capable of reducing adriamycin, in a pH-dependent manner, to species that can redox cycle in the presence of oxygen to form reactive oxygen molecules and thus may contribute to the generation of oxidative stress, a phenomenon suggested to be involved in both the toxicity and the antineoplastic activity of adriamycin.
Binaural cross-correlation and auditory localization in the barn owl: a theoretical study

The barn owl is a nocturnal predator that is able to capture mice in complete darkness using only sound to localize prey. Two binaural cues are used by the barn owl to determine the spatial position of a sound source: differences in the time of arrival of sounds at the two ears for the azimuth (interaural time differences (ITDs)) and differences in their amplitude for the elevation (interaural level differences (ILDs)). Neurophysiological investigations have revealed that two different neural pathways starting from the cochlea seem to be specialized for processing ITDs and ILDs. Much evidence suggests that in the barn owl the localization of the azimuth is based on a cross-correlation-like treatment of the auditory inputs at the two ears. In particular, in the external nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICx), where cells are activated by specific values of ITD, neural activation has been recently observed to be dependent on some measure of the level of cross-correlation between the input auditory signals. However, it has also been observed that these neurons are less sensitive to noise than predicted by direct binaural cross-correlation. The mechanisms underlying such signal-to-noise improvement are not known. In this paper, by focusing on a model of the barn owl's neural pathway to the optic tectum dedicated to the localization of the azimuth, we study the mechanisms by which the ITD tuning of ICx units is achieved. By means of analytical examinations and computer simulations, we show that strong analogies exist between the process by which the barn owl evaluates the azimuth of a sound source and the generalized cross-correlation algorithm, one of the most robust methods for the estimate of time delays.
Effect of High Fat and Iron Levels on the Growth and Mortality of Chickens

Four experiments were conducted with chicks to determine whether the heating of vegetable oil and its contamination with iron might have detrimental effects upon its use in chicken diets. Soybean oil and safflower oil heated at 230 C for 51 hr and linseed oil heated at 240 C for 24 hr gave reduced growth when fed to chickens at 20 percent of the diet. Heating soybean oil at 175 C for 51 hr had no detrimental effect. However, iron at 5000 ppm depressed growth significantly when fed in a low fat diet. The depression was greatly reduced when soybean oil was fed at 10 or 20% of the diet. A different lot of soybean oil was found to cause skin dermatitis and high mortality when fed at 20% of the diet due to its physical contamination on the skin.
First measurement of the electromagnetic form factor of the neutral kaon at a large momentum transfer and the effect of SU(3) breaking

Abstract At large momentum transfers the photon interacts with the charges and spins of the constituent partons in a hadron. It is expected that the neutral kaon can acquire finite electromagnetic form factors because its wave function is affected by the order of magnitude difference between the mass of the strange quark and that of the down quark, or flavor SU ( 3 ) breaking. We report on the first measurement of the form factor of neutral kaons at the large timelike momentum transfer of | Q 2 | = 17.4 GeV 2 by measuring the cross section for e + e − → K S K L at s = 4.17 GeV using CLEO-c data with an integrated luminosity of 586 pb−1. We obtain F K S K L ( 17.4 GeV 2 ) = 5.3 × 10 − 3 , with a 90% C.L. interval of ( 2.9 – 8.2 ) × 10 − 3 . This is nearly an order of magnitude smaller than F K + K − ( 17.4 GeV 2 ) = ( 44 ± 1 ) × 10 − 3 , and indicates that the effect of SU ( 3 ) breaking is small. In turn, this makes it unlikely that the recently observed strong violation of the pQCD prediction, F π + π − ( | Q 2 | ) / F K + K − ( | Q 2 | ) = f π 2 / f K 2 , which is based on the assumption of similar wave functions for the pions and kaons, can be attributed to SU ( 3 ) breaking alone.
The art of describing sounds

Abstract The visual representation of sounds in various contexts is reviewed briefly, with particular emphasis on the choice between pictorial and verbal descriptions. Research by the Post Office into the specific problem of depicting the auditory signals (tones) which help customers use the telephone system is described. Application of the population stereotype procedure produced a notation for specifying tones diagrammatically which was superior to the others tested. The aspects of tones studied and the conventions recommended for representing them are: 1. Temporal structure. Time should be plotted on a horizontal axis, the presence of a tone being indicated by a line and its absence by a space. 2. Pitch, which should be plotted on a vertical axis with the highest notes nearest the top of the diagram. 3. Loudness, which should be represented by the thickness of a line or bar, with the greater thickness indicating the louder tone. 4. Timbre, which should be represented by line texture, eg, a wavy line to represent a modulated tone. Comparison with written descriptions showed that diagrams were more effective aids in simple tone identification tasks, such as those confronting the telephone user, but that people without special training found written descriptions more helpful for complex tasks.
High-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma relapsing as low-grade follicular lymphoma: So-called downgraded lymphoma

Evolution of low-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) into a more aggressive neoplasm is a common, well-documented event in NHL. The reverse process, in which a less aggressive component becomes evident during the course of treatment for a higher-grade NHL, has only recently been recognized. This lymphoma "downgrading" has been reported at the time of relapse in both radiation- and chemotherapy-treated patients who initially presented with high- or intermediate-grade lymphoma. The etiology of this unusual transformation has not yet been determined. We present the clinical, morphologic, immunologic, and flow-cytometric features of a patient with diffuse immunoblastic lymphoma who achieved a complete response to chemotherapy and then relapsed with follicular small-cleaved-cell lymphoma 3 years later. Morphologic and immunophenotypic findings suggest that both immunoblasts and small cleaved cells were present in the initial biopsy. DNA content analysis of the initial and relapse biopsies suggests that the immunoblastic component was more susceptible than the small cleaved cells to the chemotherapy that the patient received. Successful eradication of the rapidly proliferating immunoblasts with survival of less rapidly proliferating small cleaved cells may account for the unusual histologic transformation seen in this case.
Molecular discrimination of N-protected amino acid esters by a self-assembled cylindrical capsule: spectroscopic and computational studies.

A self-assembled, cylindrical capsule was used to bind N-α-protected amino acid esters. The reversible encapsulation was studied using NMR spectroscopy in deuterated mesitylene solution and by computer-aided molecular modeling. BOC-l-alanine alkyl esters and BOC-β-alanine alkyl esters were tested as guests, and the relative binding affinities were established by direct competition experiments. A good correlation was found between the experimental and calculated relative binding affinities in these two series. Guests that were slightly longer than the internal dimensions of the cavity were accommodated by adopting compacted conformations.
What does distractibility in ADHD reveal about mechanisms for top-down attentional control?

In this study, we attempted to clarify whether distractibility in ADHD might arise from increased sensory-driven interference or from inefficient top-down control. We employed an attentional filtering paradigm in which discrimination difficulty and distractor salience (amount of image “graying”) were parametrically manipulated. Increased discrimination difficulty should add to the load of top-down processes, whereas increased distractor salience should produce stronger sensory interference. We found an unexpected interaction of discrimination difficulty and distractor salience. For difficult discriminations, ADHD children filtered distractors as efficiently as healthy children and adults; as expected, all three groups were slower to respond with high vs. low salience distractors. In contrast, for easy discriminations, robust between-group differences emerged: ADHD children were much slower and made more errors than either healthy children or adults. For easy discriminations, healthy children and adults filtered out high salience distractors as easily as low salience distractors, but ADHD children were slower to respond on trials with low salience distractors than they did on trials with high salience distractors. These initial results from a small sample of ADHD children have implications for models of attentional control, and ways in which it can malfunction. The fact that ADHD children exhibited efficient attentional filtering when task demands were high, but showed deficient and atypical distractor filtering under low task demands suggests that attention deficits in ADHD may stem from a failure to efficiently engage top-down control rather than an inability to implement filtering in sensory processing regions.
The Brave New World of Research Surveillance

Institutional review boards (IRBs) were created to review biomedical and psychological research involving demonstrable risk to human participants. During the past half decade, however, many campus ...
MS-20LEPTOMENINGEAL DISSEMINATION IN RELAPSED ADULT MEDULLOBLASTOMA: PATTERNS OF DISEASE AND ROLE OF INTRATHECAL CHEMOTHERAPY

INTRODUCTION: The role of intrathecal chemotherapy (ITc) for relapsed adult medulloblastoma (MB) with leptomeningeal dissemination (LMD) has not been prospectively evaluated. OBJECTIVES: 1. Evaluate clinical, imaging and CSF findings, treatment and outcome of adults developing LMD at MB relapse. 2. Compare outcome of patients treated with ITc vs. other treatments alone (NITc). METHODS: Retrospective review of single institutional experience (1978-11/2004) of adult patients (≥18 yo) was performed. Clinical, imaging, CSF, treatment and outcome data were collected. Time to progression (TTP) and survival from LMD diagnosis were estimated by Kaplan Meier method. Outcome of patients who received ITc vs. NITc was compared by log-rank test. RESULTS: Among 105 patients, we identified 20 patients with imaging and/or CSF diagnosis of LMD at relapse. Thirteen had received craniospinal radiation without chemotherapy at initial diagnosis. Median survival after LMD diagnosis was 9 months (95%CI 7, 12). Two patients died without starting therapy for relapse and were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining 18, 6 received ITc (3 methotrexate, 2 liposomal cytarabine, 1 topotecan) in addition to systemic chemotherapy, and 1 received spinal radiation. The remaining 12 received systemic chemotherapy (varied regimens), in addition to spinal radiation (2) and radiosurgery to posterior fossa (1). Median TTP from LMD diagnosis was 7 months (95%CI 5, 9) and did not differ between the 2 groups (p = 0.99). Median survival for ITc group was 8 months (95%CI 4, 11), vs. 12 months (95%CI 0-30) for NITc group (p = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis of LMD in relapsed adult MB is poor. More than 50% of patients had not received adjuvant chemotherapy, potentially increasing the risk for treatment failure. Addition of ITc to treatment regimen did not improve outcome in our series. Results need to be confirmed in prospective trials.
Educating the public about skin cancer prevention: a role for pharmacists.

Summary Objectives: The incidence of skin cancer is increasing at an alarming rate. This study aimed to assess pharmacists' willingness to counsel patients about skin cancer and factors which are predictive of this. Methods: A 30 item survey assessing skin cancer prevention counselling attitudes and behaviours, personal skin cancer prevention behaviours, and willingness to counsel on skin cancer prevention, was mailed to 300 randomly selected San Diego County pharmacists. Results: Data obtained from 128 pharmacists (43% response rate) indicated that the incidence of skin cancer prevention counselling was very low, with over one-third stating that they never counsel patients on this topic. Of those that did counsel, the percentage of patients counselled on skin cancer prevention was below 5%. Bivariate analyses indicated that pharmacists who counselled on this topic differed from those that did not on knowledge of skin cancer, attitudes and beliefs about counselling patients, pharmacy setting, services offered by their pharmacies, and their personal sun protective behaviours. Multivariate analysis indicated that two variables independently predicted skin cancer prevention counselling; whether the pharmacy where the respondent was employed offered this service, and attitude about counselling. Over 90% of respondents reported they were willing to counsel patients on skin cancer prevention and other health-related topics. Conclusions: Future studies should focus on skin cancer prevention counselling barriers and environmental prompts encouraging this type of interaction between pharmacists and patients.
The role of mutual empathy in relational/cultural therapy

Central to the notion of healing in connection is the power of mutual empathy in the therapeutic relationship. Isolation is a major source of human suffering and is often accompanied by immobilization, which prevents movement back into relationship after disconnections. Healing is seen as occurring in connection with others. In order for patients to relinquish strategies of disconnection and shift their negative expectations in relationships, they must actually experience a sense of relational efficacy, of having an impact on the other person, the therapist. This happens when the therapist is emotionally present, attuned, therapeutically authentic, and working with the connections and disconnections in the therapy relationship itself. In this way, people begin to move back into growth-fostering relationships, expecting that others may respond empathically and finding that they can be effective in shifting and moving relationships in ways that allow them to bring themselves more fully into relationship, to be more whole and authentic.
Montesquieu on Slavery

(2005). Montesquieu on Slavery. Perspectives on Political Science: Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 70-78.
Recurrence of Reis-Bücklers' Corneal Dystrophy in a Graft

A 46-year-old white woman had Reis-Bucklers corneal dystrophy; the disease had recurred in a corneal transplant within ten years of transplantation.
Animals in food production — American issues

Abstract Activists promoting humane policies are having an impact on animal agriculture in the United States. A guide for the care and use of agricultural animals in agricultural research and teaching is being prepared for publication; an Animal Welfare Information Center has been established in the National Agricultural Library; and agricultural organizations are exploring ways to increase research on farm animal welfare. More research on farm animal welfare is needed, in part because of the potential harm to the animals that might be caused by unsound regulations. Hardwick's “welfare plateau” is an aid to accommodating both animal welfare and production economics in the design of animal production systems. Basic and applied research on farm animal welfare should be supported by all who want to engender the highest possible level of well-being in farm animals.
Management of Xanthomonas Leaf Blight of Onion with a Plant Activator, Biological Control Agents, and Copper Bactericides

Gent, D. H., and Schwartz, H. F. 2005. Management of Xanthomonas leaf blight of onion with a plant activator, biological control agents, and copper bactericides. Plant Dis. 89:631-639. Xanthomonas leaf blight (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. allii) is a yield-limiting disease of onion (Allium cepa) in the western United States. Frequent applications of copper-based bactericides amended with an ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicide (e.g., maneb or mancozeb, class B2 carcinogens) provide some disease suppression, but strategies to reduce conventional bactericide use are needed to minimize grower costs, environmental impact, and public exposure to class B2 pesticides. Applications of acibenzolar-S-methyl reduced in planta and epiphytic populations of X. axonopodis pv. allii as effectively as applications of copper hydroxide-mancozeb in growth chamber studies. Under field conditions, four weekly applications of acibenzolar-S-methyl reduced severity of Xanthomonas leaf blight as or more effectively than 9 to 12 weekly applications of copper hydroxide or copper hydroxide-mancozeb. Acibenzolar-S-methyl applications did not increase bulb yield or grade compared with copper bactericide treatments. However, bulb yield was reduced 22 to 27% when 10 weekly applications of acibenzolar-S-methyl were made in the absence of disease. Application of a commercial formulation of both Pantoea agglomerans strain C9-1 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain A506 reduced severity of Xanthomonas leaf blight in field experiments. Weekly copper hydroxide applications starting 1 to 2 weeks before bulb initiation were as effective as weekly applications started 3 to 4 weeks before bulb initiation, irrespective of the maneb rate used. Integration of acibenzolar-S-methyl and biological control agents with copper hydroxide in a carefully timed spray program may eliminate the use of the class B2 carcinogens maneb and mancozeb on onion without compromising efficacy for management of Xanthomonas leaf blight.
MAC-PDU Size Optimization for OFDMA Modulated Wireless Relay Networks

Hop adaptive MAC-PDU (Protocol Data Unit) size optimization is proposed for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) based wireless relay networks. Such optimization improves the end-to- end goodput via MAC-PDU size optimization. We provide design and evaluation for two hop cellular networks with fixed relays where the Base Station (BS) to Relay Station (RS) links are potentially robust and are Line of Sight (LOS). The proposal reduces the total overhead transmitted in the end-to-end path via transmitting longer length packets in the potentially robust BS-to-RS links. The link level simulations show that, the reductions in overhead that consists of header and tailer is 25% to 44%. The system level investigations in a multi-user environment with a total of 3 relays in the cell show an average end-to-end goodput gain of 13%.