cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absence of microclimate selectivity in insectivorous birds of the Neotropical forest understory

Abstract Local abiotic conditions (microclimates) vary spatially and selection of favorable microclimates within a habitat can influence an animal’s energy budgets, behavior, and ultimately, fitness. Insectivorous birds that inhabit the understory of tropical forests may be especially sensitive to environmental variation and may select habitat based on microclimatic (e.g. temperature, humidity, light) conditions. Sensitivity to microclimate could contribute to the population declines of understory insectivores in response to forest fragmentation or degradation, which changes the physical structure of the forest, thereby increasing light intensity and temperature and decreasing humidity. To understand the role of microclimates in the habitat selection of understory insectivores, we characterized the microclimatic associations of nine species of understory insectivores at three sites along a precipitation gradient and across seasons in central Panama. We compared the distributions of microclimates selected by birds with microclimates at randomly chosen points within their home ranges to test for microclimate selectivity. We predicted that: (1) birds would select microclimates that are more humid, cooler, and less bright than random microclimates, (2) selectivity would be greater in hotter, drier habitats and (3) selectivity would be greatest in the dry season. We found no evidence of selectivity for the nine species we sampled on a seasonal or spatial basis. Microclimate variation was minimal in the forest understory at all sites, particularly in the wet season. Understory insectivores did not use microhabitats characterized by high light intensity, and may be sensitive to light, though the mechanism remains unclear. The lack of microclimate variation in the understory of tropical forests may have serious fitness consequences for understory insectivores due to increasing temperatures associated with climate change coupled with a lack of thermal refugia.
Finite Element Modelling of Cell Adhesion Mediated by Receptor-Ligand Binding

The process of cell adhesion and spreading on the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein layer is mediated by the interaction of cell receptors and ECM ligands [1]. Receptors diffuse along the cell membrane surface and interact with ligands in ECM to form bonds. Cells spread and the adhesion zone grows as bond formation at the adhesion front increases to a critical level. This process involves coupling of reaction-diffusion and mechanical contact between cells and ECM. In this study, a novel numerical algorithm is developed to implement this coupling into the finite element method for modeling the process of cell adhesion and spreading. By taking the mass diffusion and the user-defined gap conductance features provided in a commercial FEM code, Abaqus [2], the process has been solved in an integrated and fully coupled manner. Preliminary results have been obtained from the simulation of cell spreading on a rigid substrate. The influence of glycocalyx layer (present at cell surface) on the adhesion development has also been incorporated into the modeling.
Interferometric three-dimensional single molecule localization microscopy using a single high-numerical-aperture objective

Interferometric detection of the fluorescence emission from a single molecule [interferometric photoactivated localization microscopy (iPALM)] enables a localization accuracy of nanometers in axial localization for 3D superresolution imaging. However, iPALM uses two high-numerical-aperture (NA) objectives in juxtaposition for fluorescence collection (a 4Pi microscope geometry), increasing expense and limiting samples that can be studied. Here, we propose an interferometric single molecule localization microscopy method using a single high-NA objective. The axial position of single molecules can be unambiguously determined from the phase-shifted interference signals with nanometer precision and over a range of 2λ. The use of only one objective simplifies the system configuration and sample mounting. In addition, due to the use of wavefront-splitting interference in our approach, the two parts of the wavefront that eventually merge and interfere with each other travel along nearly equivalent optical paths, which should minimize the effect of drift for long-term 3D superresolution imaging.
All-optical NAND logic gate using four-wave mixing

We demonstrate a high-speed all-optical NAND gate based on four-wave mixing Bragg scattering in highly nonlinear fiber. A 15.2-dB depletion of the signal is obtained and time domain measurements show 10-Gb/s NAND operation.
EFFECTIVENESS OF TRANSCATHETER REDUCTION OF SIGNIFICANT MITRAL REGURGITATION IN HIGH SURGICAL RISK PATIENTS WITH MITRACLIP: FINAL 5 YEAR RESULTS OF THE EVEREST II HIGH RISK REGISTRY

The EVEREST II High Risk Registry (HRR) enrolled 78 patients with severe mitral regurgitation (MR) who were too high risk for mitral valve (MV) surgery. As of November 2013, all patients completed 5 year follow-up. Results through 1 year have been published, and final outcomes through 5 years will
Challenges to the clinical application of pluripotent stem cells: towards genomic and functional stability

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can undergo unlimited self-renewal and are pluripotent, retaining the ability to differentiate into all cell types in the body. As a renewable source of various types of human cells, hESCs hold great therapeutic potential. Although significant advances have been achieved in defining the conditions needed to differentiate hESCs into various types of biologically active cells, many challenges remain in the clinical development of hESC-based cell therapy, such as the immune rejection of allogeneic hESC-derived cells by recipients. Breakthroughs in the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which are reprogrammed from somatic cells with defined factors, raise the hope that autologous cells derived from patient-specific iPSCs can be transplanted without immune rejection. However, recent genomic studies have revealed epigenetic and genetic abnormalities associated with induced pluripotency, a risk of teratomas, and immunogenicity of some iPSC derivatives. These findings have raised safety concerns for iPSC-based therapy. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the genomic and functional stability of human pluripotent stem cells, current challenges to their clinical application and the progress that has been made to overcome these challenges.
Seismic Tomography of the Lithosphere with Body Waves

A pair of papers in 1976 lead-authored by Kei Aki heralded the beginning of the field of seismic tomography of the lithosphere. The 1976 paper by Aki, Christoffersson, and Husebye introduced a simple and approximate yet elegant technique for using body-wave arrival times from teleseismic earthquakes to infer the three-dimensional (3-D) seismic velocity heterogeneities beneath a seismic array or network (teleseismic tomography). Similarly, a 1976 paper by Aki and Lee presented a method for inferring 3-D structure beneath a seismic network using body-wave arrival times from local earthquakes (local earthquake tomography). Following these landmark papers, many dozens of papers and numerous books have been published presenting exciting applications of and/or innovative improvements to the methods of teleseismic and local earthquake tomography, many by Aki’s students.
Ship detection in satellite imagery using rank-order grayscale hit-or-miss transforms

Ship detection from satellite imagery is something that has great utility in various communities. Knowing where ships are and their types provides useful intelligence information. However, detecting and recognizing ships is a difficult problem. Existing techniques suffer from too many false-alarms. We describe approaches we have taken in trying to build ship detection algorithms that have reduced false alarms. Our approach uses a version of the grayscale morphological Hit-or-Miss transform. While this is well known and used in its standard form, we use a version in which we use a rank-order selection for the dilation and erosion parts of the transform, instead of the standard maximum and minimum operators. This provides some slack in the fitting that the algorithm employs and provides a method for tuning the algorithm's performance for particular detection problems. We describe our algorithms, show the effect of the rank-order parameter on the algorithm's performance and illustrate the use of this approach for real ship detection problems with panchromatic satellite imagery.
The Origin of the Professional Group on Medical Electronics

The IRE Professional Group on Medical Electronics was organized in 1952. It was formed to provide a means of bringing together the relatively few electronic engineers who were interested in applying their knowledge to the problems of measurement and treatment in modern medical research and practice. The Group has grown from a few scattered individuals to an organization of some 2000, with local chapters in several of the large medical centers. As is the case with other IRE Professional Groups, it has its own publication and holds meetings for presentation of scientific papers. It also cooperates with other professional societies and organizations in the presentation of meetings and in the advancement of the professional status of its members.
Uncovering pre-service music teachers’ assumptions of teaching, learning, and music

In this study, the author collected narratives from her students in a music teacher education programme. Using narrative analysis, students’ assumptions and thoughts about music teaching, music learning and music making were uncovered. Through the presentation of a case study of one student, the author demonstrates some of the ways that the insights that she gained through collecting and analysing her students’ narratives have influenced her teaching and advising. Working with narratives in this way has powerful implications for research and practice in music teacher education. Researchers can learn a great deal about the thinking and assumptions that pre-service music educators bring to their studies, and practitioners can develop strategies to more effectively support their students as they develop their professional identities as music educators.
Optimal decimation-in-frequency iterative interlacing technique for synthesis of computer-generated holograms

Optimal decimation-in-frequency iterative interlacing techniques that have been developed involve iterative processing of hologram blocks in a novel scheme for the minimization of mean-square error (MSE) between the desired image and the reconstructed image. The algorithms can be used together with any existing computer-generated hologram (CGH) synthesis technique. We use them together with the method of projections onto constrained sets. There are two versions of the new algorithm. The first algorithm is adaptive and adjusts the value of λ involved in the MSE after a hologram block is updated. The second algorithm keeps the value of λ constant during each run of the algorithm and updates λ at the end of the run to yield the minimum MSE. The new value of λ is used in the next run. A run of the algorithm is defined as processing all the hologram blocks once. The simulation results show that the second algorithm has much lower reconstruction error and higher diffraction efficiency than those of the previous binary CGH coding techniques.
Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer Observations of a High-Latitude Coronal Hole with High Oxygen Temperatures and the Next Solar Cycle Polarity

We announce the resurgence of extreme ion properties in a large, high-latitude coronal hole observed above the north heliographic pole in 2001 February at solar maximum. The observations were taken with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. These observations are part of an ongoing campaign to determine the plasma properties of coronal holes during the current solar cycle. In this Letter, we compare the observations and analysis of O VI λλ1032, 1037 spectral lines of a high-latitude coronal hole in 2001 with observations of an equatorial solar maximum hole in 1999 and polar coronal holes observed near solar minimum (1996-1997). These lines provide spectroscopic diagnostics of O+5 velocity distributions and outflow velocities. The O VI line profiles show a narrow core and broad wings. The narrow core is attributed to foreground and background streamers and, possibly, dense polar plumes at the lowest observed heights. The broad wings are attributed to the coronal hole. The comparison of the coronal hole line widths shows that the O+5 perpendicular kinetic temperatures in the 2001 high-latitude hole are similar to those observed in polar coronal holes at solar minimum. These observations of extremely high ion kinetic temperatures (exceeding 108 K) at the north pole in 2001 occurred nearly simultaneously with the polarity change of the Sun's magnetic field, as seen in recent magnetogram data. This coronal hole in 2001 may represent the first manifestation of the negative polarity polar coronal holes that will dominate the Sun's open magnetic flux tubes at the next solar minimum. The reappearance of broad O VI profiles at a time when not all of the "new polarity" magnetic flux has migrated to the poles was an interesting development. The variations in coronal hole parameters with the solar cycle provide constraints on models of extended coronal heating.
International Mutual Fund Performance and Political Risk

Recent years have witnessed phenomenal growth in both the number and size of US based international equity mutual funds. While the benefits of international diversification are well documented in the literature, empirical research relating to the performance of international mutual funds has been limited and contradictory. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of political risk on the risk-adjusted returns of international mutual funds using a modified event study methodology. More specifically, the dummy variable event study methodology using portfolios rather than individual funds is used. This methodology addresses the problems of multiple event days and calendar clustering. The macro political risk event of interest is the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Results of the study suggest that shareholders of international equity mutual funds earn significant abnormal returns in the face of political turmoil.
Online Monitoring of Distributed Systems with a Five-Valued LTL

In this paper, we deal with two kinds of uncertainties in distributed systems. On one hand, the order of causally unrelated executions is not determined when a global clock is not available. On the other hand, in a finite amount of time, the behaviour can be observed only up to a certain moment, and the future behaviour is unknown. In this paper, we investigate a monitoring approach based on linear temporal logic (LTL) specifications. We propose a five-valued semantics for LTL to deal with both kinds of uncertainties. We develop an efficient runtime verification algorithm using formula rewriting, and show the feasibility of our approach with a case study in the railway domain.
Involvement of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in regulation of cardiac G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) expression

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) plays a key role in cardiac signaling regulation, and its expression is increased in heart failure. Recently, increased expression of GRK5 in the myocardium of mice has been shown to be detrimental in the setting of pressure-overload hypertrophy. The ubiquitous nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) is involved in the regulation of numerous genes in various tissues, and activation of NF-κB has been shown to be associated with heart disease. Here, we investigated the role of NF-κB signaling in the regulation of the GRK5 gene and expression of this kinase in cardiomyocytes. First, in analyzing the 5′-flanking DNA of GRK5, the presence of a potential NF-κB binding site was observed in the promoter region. Phorbol myristate acetate, a known stimulator of NF-κB, increased the levels of GRK5 in myocytes whereas treatment of cells with N-acetyl cysteine, a known inhibitor of NF-κB, or with SC 514, an inhibitor of IκB kinase 2 decreased GRK5. Utilizing EMSA or ChIP assays, we found that both p50 and p65 NF-κB could interact with the promoter of GRK5 following myocytes NF-κB activation. Importantly, short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated loss of p65 in myocytes decreased the stimulated increased levels of GRK5 mRNA and protein. Finally, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of a dominant-negative IκBα in myocytes inhibited the levels of GRK5. Taken together, our study demonstrates that NF-κB plays a critical role in the regulation of GRK5 transcription in myocytes and that this may translate to the significant expression changes seen in heart disease.
Neuroendocrine effects of caffeine in normal subjects

In double-blind crossover experiments, we examined the effects of oral caffeine (250 or 500 mg) added to decaffeinated coffee on plasma hormone levels in adults who normally consume one to three cups of coffee a day. In one experiment, 250 mg (about 4 mg/kg) caffeine was given to men; in two other experiments, 500 mg (8 mg/kg) was given to both sexes. Caffeine, 500 mg, elevated plasma levels of beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in both men and women but had no significant effect on plasma levels of cortisol, thyroid-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, or triiodothyronine in men nor on plasma levels of prolactin or cortisol in women. The 250-mg dose induced no significant changes in plasma levels of any of the hormones measured. We conclude that the threshold for caffeine's endocrine effects is higher than that for its behavioral effects.
Racial Barriers to African American Entrepreneurship: An Exploratory Study

Much has been written in the ethnic entrepreneurship literature about the contrasting business performance of African American entrepreneurs and those from other minority and immigrant groups. Yet very little research has been conducted by social scientists on the business experiences of black entrepreneurs. In this exploratory study we examine the situation of black contractors in the U.S. construction industry, utilizing 76 in-depth interviews in one of the South's metropolitan areas. We document the nuanced character of the racial barriers faced by black contractors in several areas of the construction industry. We find racial discrimination in unions, in white general contractors' contracting and bidding processes, in construction project conditions, and in the bonding, lending, supplier networks critical to a successful construction business. Looking at persisting discrimination theoretically, we suggest examination of the cumulative, interlocking, and externally-amplified dimensions of discrimination. Our empirical and conceptual analyses provide a start toward understanding how discrimination is organized in a major U.S. industrial sector long neglected in social science research.
Attrition or rupture of digital extensor tendons due to carpal boss: report of 2 cases.

We present 2 cases that demonstrate the potential for tendon involvement in the presence of a carpal boss. In the first, a patient presented with tendon rupture without antecedent pain. In the second, pain and tendon irritation prompted magnetic resonance imaging that revealed tendon fraying, which was confirmed at surgery. These cases illustrate the potential for tendinous sequelae of a carpal boss. Advanced imaging may be considered when tendon irritation is clinically suspected. Attention to the possibility of tendon rupture in the setting of an otherwise asymptomatic carpal boss is advised.
V → V,R, excitation of librational energy for CO physisorbed on ice and silica

Abstract The rate of the zero-phonon, V → V, R, near-resonant energy between OH( υ = 1) and CO( υ = 1, J = 7) molecules on ice, induced by a dipole-dipole interaction between the molecules, has been calculated using Fermi's golden rule. Average values of the reduced rate coefficient for this process, which leads to the population of a highly excited librational level of the CO molecule, have been found to be 5 × 10 8 -1 × 10 11 s -1 , depending on the orientation of the two molecules. The non-resonant zero-phonon and phonon-assisted analogous energy exchange processes on silica have been found to be significantly slower.
Cloning, sequencing, and in vitro expression of glycoprotein gp48 of a noncytopathogenic strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus.

Abstract Total cellular and viral RNA isolated from cells infected with noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strain 2724 was used for reverse transcription of viral specific sequences encoding the putative signal sequence and protien-encoding region of gp48. The cDNA template was amplified twice by the polymerase chain reaction with a nested set of primers designed from nucleotide sequences of cytopathic BVDV strains NADL and 72, and ligated into a plasmid vector. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cloned cDNA indicated it was 921 base pairs long, encoded 307 amino acid residues, had high sequence homology to other pestiviruses, and had no significant sequence homology to members of the Flaviviridae. In vitro expression of the cDNA yielded a 30 kDa protein that was precipitated by BVDV polyclonal antiserum. The protein was glycosylated in the presence of canine microsomal membranes to give a 46 kDa product and was secreted into the lumen of the microsomal vesicles. The characteristics of the putative signal peptide were consistent with signal sequences for protein translocation found in eukaryotes. A putative signal peptidase cleavage site was identified at a glycine residue at amino acid position 270. Based on signal peptidase cleavage of gp 48 and lack of a membrane anchor, we proposed that gp48 is a glycosylated protein lacking a transmembrane domain, and is analogous to the glycosylated secreted portion of the pre-M protein of flaviviruses.
Conductivity and dielectric constant of the polymeric solid electrolyte, (PEO)8NH4SO3CF3, in the 100 Hz to 1010 Hz range

Abstract Frequency dependent conductivity and dielectric constant of crystalline and amorphous phases of the polymeric solid electrolyte-(PEO) 8 NH 4 SO 3 CF 3 were studied in the frequency range from dc to 37 GHz. The complex permittivity variation with frequency conforms to the dynamic percolation model.
The detection of mercury, lead, and methylmercury binding sites on lysozyme by carbon-13 NMR chemical shifts of the carboxylate groups.

Abstract The chemical shift changes observed in the carbon-13 NMR spectra of the carboxylate region in conjunction with previous fluorescence data indicate that mercury and lead bind to both disulfide bridge 64–80 and to Asp-52 in hen egg-white lysozyme. Methylmercury appears to bind primarily to the disulfide linkage. The carbon-13 NMR results support previous investigations by halide ion NMR and x-ray crystallography. The combined information from all of these techniques is useful for providing a clearer description of heavy metal binding to proteins.
School Psychologists' Rankings of Stressful Events.

The issue of stress among school psychologists and other helping professionals has achieved a position of prominence in recent literature. Critical stressful events in the professional lives of 534 school psychologists are identified and rated. The demographic data for the subjects and the mean rankings of the 35 stressful events are reported. In addition, a factor analysis was performed on the stressful events, yielding nine factors: Interpersonal Conflict, High Risk to Self and Others, Obstacles to Efficient Job Performance, Public Speaking, Time Management, Keeping District “Legal,” Hassles, Professional Enrichment, and Insufficient Recognition of Work. Analyses of variance were performed, pairing the 11 demographic variables with the nine factor scores. One or more statistically significant (p<.05) factor loadings were obtained for gender, age, type of community, number of districts, number of years, and salary.
Influence of Nonfat Milk Diets on Intake, Growth, and Energy Utilization by Young Calves

Abstract The influence on intake, growth, and energy utilization of feeding undiluted and diluted fresh and reconstituted instantized nonfat milks ad libitum was studied with calves 2 through 22 days of age. Diets were a) fresh nonfat milk; b) reconstituted nonfat milk isocaloric on the metabolizable energy basis to Diet a); c) Diet a) diluted with 1.5 parts of water and d) Diet b) diluted with 1.5 parts of water. Milk intakes and weight gains for the 21 days averaged 273 and 15.8; 232 and 14.6; 380 and 10.2, and 383 and 10.0 kg for Diets a through d. Dietary intakes were significantly different except between the 2 diluted milks. Calves on the diluted milks gained significantly less than those on undiluted. The kilocalorie intake above resting metabolism per gram of gain was 3.20, 2.75, 1.63, and 1.62 on the respective diets. All values differed significantly except for the comparison between the diluted milks. When values were adjusted for intake, differences were not significant.
Novel preparation method for enhancing nanoparticle dispersion and barrier properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(m‐xylylene adipamide)

A modified melt blending method has been developed for preparing exfoliated nanocomposites of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with sodium-montmorillonite (Na-MMT) and poly(m-xylylene adipamide) with Na-MMT. In this novel compounding process, a Na-MMT water solution was blended with the polymer in a twin screw extruder. This mixing process ensured that the silica nanoparticles were exfoliated in the polymer matrix through fixing the nanoparticles within the polymer matrix almost as they were in water. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction were used to determine nanoparticle dispersion level. The absence of the X-ray basal reflections in conjunction with the TEM images revealed the exfoliation of clay platelets. Differential scanning calorimetry illustrated that the nucleating abilities of montmorillonite were related to clay content and dispersion morphology. Oxygen permeation results indicated that the improved morphologies had enhanced the barrier properties of the nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Bandwidth Adaptive Nanophotonic Crossbars with Clockwise/Counter-clockwise Optical Routing

Future processors are anticipated to have hundreds or even thousands of processing cores placed entirely on a single silicon chip. The increasing number of cores placed on a single chip presents new challenges, pushing researchers to explore opportunities in emerging technologies such as on-chip silicon nanophotonics. Implications of nanophotonic technology has created a unique landscape for new interconnect designs. Among the many architectures made possible by nanophotonics, there has been notable interest in crossbar topologies that were previously impractical using only electrical components. In this paper, we present a new nanophotonic crossbar interconnect architecture with the aim of retaining the low latency, single-hop characteristic of the crossbar topology, while also improving the networks utility of the static laser source which is often wasted to insertion losses and unused bandwidth. We compare our architecture design to other proposed architectures according to area, power consumption, throughput, and latency. Approximately a 13% improvement in throughput is achieved compared to other optical crossbar topologies and a 92% improvement is achieved compared to a conventional electrical flattened butterfly topology on synthetic traffic patterns.
Multiple-Objective Waste Load Allocation

In an attempt to improve managing river water quality, this paper presents a model to a three-objective WLA problem using the constraint method in conjunction with the parametric linear programming technique. The three objectives considered are: (1) maximization of total waste load discharge, (2) minimization of the largest difference in equity between dischargers, and (3) maximization of the lowest allowable water quality standard.
Digitoxin induces apoptosis in cancer cells by inhibiting nuclear factor of activated T-cells-driven c-MYC expression.

Background : Cardiac glycosides such as digitoxin have been shown to directly cause apoptotic death of cancer cells both in vitro, and in vivo. However, the mechanism connecting cardiac glycoside action to apoptosis is not known. It has been reported that compounds resembling digitoxin are able to reduce c-MYC expression. Furthermore, it has been previously shown that the transcription of c-MYC depends on nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) binding sites in the c-MYC promoter. We have therefore hypothesized that NFAT might mediate digitoxin effects on c-MYC mRNA message. Materials and Methods : We have chosen to study this process in HeLa cells where structurally intact c-MYC genes in 8q24 co-localize with human papilloma virus 18 at all integration sites. Results : Here we show that within the 1 st h following treatment with digitoxin, a significant reduction in c-MYC mRNA occurs. This is followed by a precipitous loss of c-MYC protein, activation of caspase 3, and subsequent apoptotic cell death. To test the NFAT-dependence mechanism, we analyzed the effects of digitoxin on NFAT isoform-dependent auto-activation of a NFAT-luciferase expression system. Drug dependent effects on expression varied according to each of the four canonical NFAT isoforms (1, 2, 3 or 4). The most digitoxin-sensitive NFAT isoform was NFAT1. Using c-MYC chromatin immune precipitation, we find that digitoxin inhibits interaction of NFAT1 with the proximal c-MYC promoter. Conclusions : These results suggest that the carcinotoxic activity of digitoxin includes suppression of NFAT-driven c-MYC expression.
Enhanced Anticonvulsant Activity of Neuroactive Steroids in a Rat Model of Catamenial Epilepsy

Summary: Purpose: Perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy may in part be due to withdrawal of the endogenous progesterone-derived neurosteroid allopregnanolone that potentiates γ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor–mediated inhibition. Here we sought to determine whether the anticonvulsant potencies of neuroactive steroids, benzodiazepines, phenobarbital (PB), and valproate (VPA) are altered during the heightened seizure susceptibility accompanying neurosteroid withdrawal in a rat model of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy. Methods: Test drugs were evaluated for their ability to alter the convulsant activity of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) in young adult female rats, in pseudopregnant rats with prolonged exposure to high levels of progesterone (and its neurosteroid metabolites), and in pseudopregnant rats 24 h after acute withdrawal of neurosteroids by treatment with the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride. Test drugs were administered at doses equivalent to twice their ED50 values for protection against PTZ-induced clonic seizures in naive young adult female rats. Results: The anticonvulsant activity of allopregnanolone (5 mg/kg, s.c.), pregnanolone (5 mg/kg, s.c.), allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (15 mg/kg, s.c.), and tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (10 mg/kg, s.c.) were enhanced by 34–127% after neurosteroid withdrawal. The anticonvulsant activity of PB (65 mg/kg, i.p.) was also enhanced by 24% in neurosteroid-withdrawn animals. In contrast, the anticonvulsant activity of diazepam (4 mg/kg, i.p.), bretazenil (0.106 mg/kg, i.p.), and VPA (560 mg/kg, i.p.) were reduced or unchanged in neurosteroid-withdrawn animals. Conclusions: The anticonvulsant activity of neuroactive steroids is potentiated after neurosteroid withdrawal, supporting the use of such agents in the treatment of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy.
Distortion-tolerant minimum-mean-squared-error filter for detecting noisy targets in environmental degradation

single-template algorithms are useful when the orientation of the target is known. However, if a target's exact aspect angle is unknown a priori, then multiple templates may be combined to yield a distortion- tolerant filter. In addition, the presence of environmental degradation between the target and the observer degrades the detection and classification performance of electro-optical sensors. We introduce a minimum- mean-squared-error filtering algorithm that takes into account the environmental degradation, additive system noise, nonoverlapping background noise, and target distortions. This distortion-tolerant filter is shown to be tolerant of different target aspects, and detects true class targets well in complex scenes.
A nonconditional mutant of Rous sarcoma virus containing defective polymerase.

Abstract A nonconditional mutant of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) cd SE 52dPR-C ( SE 52d), which is a recombinant between PR-RSV-C and RAV-0, has been isolated. It is shed from a clone of transformed quail cells, but is unable to exogenously infect or transform any other avian cells. It contains subgroup C envelope glycoproteins and the internal structural protein p27o characteristic of RAV-0. SE 52d virions contain no detectable polymerase activity as measured in either an endogenous reaction or after addition of exogenous template. The genome of SE 52d contains a deletion of approximately 10% of the genome as compared to PR-RSV, which can be localized between about 0.7 and 0.8 of the genome length from the 3′ terminus of the RNA. The deletion includes about 30% of the polymerase gene. The virions contain no α or β polymerase subunits (95,000 and 65,000 daltons), but do appear to have a small amount of a new protein species of about 57,000 daltons which precipitates with antibody to viral polymerase.
Olfactory Dysfunction in Schizophrenia: A Qualitative and Quantitative Review

Olfactory dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia has been a topic of increasing interest, with deficits in odor identification, detection threshold sensitivity, discrimination, and memory being reported. Despite increasing knowledge, controversy has existed about possible differential deficits among olfactory tests as well as the influences of gender, smoking, and medication status on olfactory measures. To help elucidate some of this controversy, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative (meta-analytic) review of the English language literature on olfaction in schizophrenia. Moderator variables such as gender, medication status, and smoking history were also examined. Results indicated that substantial olfactory deficits, across all domains, are observed in patients with schizophrenia. No differential deficits were observed across domains of odor identification, detection threshold sensitivity, discrimination, and memory. The influences of gender, medication status, and smoking on effect sizes were not significant across studies. This supports the hypothesis of primary dysfunction in the olfactory system that is regulated by brain regions where structural and functional abnormalities have also been reported in neuroimaging studies.
Asymptotic and variational derivations of the simplified PN equations

Abstract It is demonstrated that the simplified PN equations are a leading order asymptotic limit of the transport equation. This limit is one of locally nearly planar transport involving scattering which is highly peaked in the forward direction. This asymptotic equivalence is valid in full generality, in that it allows time-dependent transport in a heterogeneous medium. It is also shown that the simplified PN equations can be derived variationally, making use of certain trial functions in a variational characterization of the even-parity transport equation. In this case, however, there appears to be an inherent restriction to time-independent transport in a homogeneous medium.
ARISTOTLE AND PERCEPTUAL REALISM

L'A. reprend l'article de S. Broadie «Aristotle's Perceptual Realism» et s'appuie sur les memes textes d'Aristote concernant sa psychologie, afin de prendre parti dans le debat contemporain entre le physicalisme fonctionnaliste et le physicalisme non-reductionniste
Developing an easy-to-use tablet computer application for assessing patient-reported outcomes in patients with cancer.

In order to be practically useful, computer applications for patients with cancer must be easily usable by people with limited computer literacy and impaired vision or dexterity. We describe the usability development process for an application that collects quality of life and symptom information from patients with cancer. Usability testing consisted of user testing with cancer patients to identify initial design problems and a survey to compare the computer application's ease of use between elderly and younger patients. In user-testing phase, seven men aged 56 to 77 with prostate cancer were observed using the application and interviewed afterwards identifying several usability concerns. Sixty patients with breast, gastrointestinal, or prostate cancer participated in the ease of use survey, with 40% (n = 24) aged 65 or older. Younger patients reported significantly higher scores than elderly patients (14.0 vs. 10.8, p = .001), even when prior computer and touch screen use was controlled. Elderly users reported lower ease of use scores than younger users; however, their average rating was quite high—10.8 on a scale of −16 to +16. It may be unrealistic to expect elderly or less computer literate users to rate any application as positively as younger, more computer savvy users—perhaps it is enough that they rate the application positively and can use it without undue difficulties. We hope that our process can serve as a model for how to bridge the fields of computer usability and healthcare.
The Mysticism of the School of Saint Victor

The School of St. Victor derived its name from the monastery, or rather priory, of St. Victor, situated near Paris. The monastery became a school when William of Champeaux, in 1108, gave up his chair of philosophy at the Cathedral school in Paris and retired there to devote his life to monastic seclusion. His reputation as a teacher was such that students followed him to the monastery and at their insistence he resumed his career as teacher, and continued to give lectures until he was promoted to the bishopric of Chalons-sur-Marne. The place, however, owes its fame as a center of philosophical studies not to William of Champeaux, but primarily to Hugh the founder of its system of mysticism and in a less degree to Richard the scholar, and to Adam the poet. Hugh of St. Victor, in the opinion of his contemporaries and of some of the most discriminating of modern writers, deserves to rank not only with the greatest of the philosophers and theologians of the twelfth century but of the entire Middle Ages. He was an indefatigable student, a man of broad culture, of independent judgment, and a scholar who influenced profoundly the course of philosophical and theological thought and speculation. Though there is considerable discussion as to his nationality it seems reasonably certain that he received his early education in the monastery of Hamersleben near Halberstadt. It was in order to become a student of William of Champeaux that he came to Paris and to the monastery of St. Victor. He commenced to teach in 1115, and from 1133 until his death in 1141 he was the head of the school. The reproach which was so frequently brought against Hugh that he was opposed to profane science is shown by Ueberweg-Baum-gartner to be utterly without foundation, and it is clearly proved that he was interested in all science, and that he was convinced that secular art and science are valuable auxiliaries in the promotion of theological knowledge. His writings embrace treatises on theology, philosophy and exegesis, together with several works dealing expressly with mysticism or contemplation. The best known of these works on the subject of mysticism are De Contemplatone et ejus Speciebus, De Meditando, De Amore Sponsi ad Sponsam, De Arca Noe Mystica, De Arca Noe Morali, De Vanitate Mundi, De Arrha Animae, De Laude Caritatis, De Modo Orandi.
“Gatalone” in the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Eleven patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were treated with high dosages of "Gatalone" (usually 1600 mgms. daily) for a period of six months or longer. At the end of six months of treatment symptomatic response was very favorable and substantial roentgenographic improvement was observed in six cases (54.5 per cent). The incidence of cavity closure was 27.3 per cent and the sputum conversion rate on three or more consecutive cultures was also 27.3 per cent. Findings attributed to peripheral neuropathy appeared in seven patients (63.6 per cent). Whereas, weight for weight "Gatalone" may be less toxic than isoniazid, results in this small series suggest that isoniazid given in the form of "Gatalone" is no less toxic than isoniazid per se on a therapeutic dosage basis. There was no indication that the higher dosages of isoniazid given in the form of "Gatalone" were more effective than 300 mgms. of isoniazid daily in the usual case of pulmonary tuberculosis; nor that "Gatalone" had chemotherapy virtue aside from its content of isoniazid.
The Fuzzy CMAC Based on RLS Algorithm

In this paper, the structure of the fuzzy crebellar model articulation controller (FCMAC) neural network was discussed. The FCMAC can improve the accuracy of the CMAC. It also has excellent generalization ability and fault-tolerance ability. The recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm was introduced into the FCMAC. The FCMAC based on RLS algorithm has potential application prospect in the research of modeling and emulation on the complex systems.
Swimming performance trade-offs across a gradient in community composition in Trinidadian killifish (Rivulus hartii).

The impacts of predation and competition on life history, behavioral, and morphological traits are well established for many organisms, but effects on locomotor performance have received relatively little attention. We examined variation in sprint speed and critical swimming speed (Ucrit, a measure of stamina) in the Trinidadian killifish (Rivulus hartii) across a gradient of ecological communities. R. hartii are located in (1) “high-predation” sites with large, piscine piscivores, (2) “Rivulus–guppy” sites with guppies, and (3) “Rivulus-only” sites with only R. hartii. R. hartii suffer higher mortality in high-predation sites. In Rivulus–guppy sites, population densities are reduced and growth rates increased compared with Rivulus-only sites, which likely represent indirect effects of guppy predation on young R. hartii. We show a significant negative relationship, suggesting a trade-off, between sprint speed and endurance; Rivulus from high-predation sites were faster sprinters but had reduced critical s...
Evidence-based diagnosis of severe aortic stenosis.

Sir, The recent article by Das et al .1 describes the difficulties encountered in clinical practice in the diagnosis of aortic stenosis. Recent emphasis on the use of likelihood ratios to emphasize symptoms, signs and diagnostic tests has greatly enhanced appreciation of clinical data.2 The use of likelihood ratios in medical decision‐making has been greatly emphasized in an article by Dujardin et al . …
Cereal bran fortified-functional foods for obesity and diabetes management: Triumphs, hurdles and possibilities

Abstract Cereal brans, the by-products of grain processing, have acquired a crucial status in functional food formulation. They have been recognized to be storehouse of non-starch carbohydrates (arabinoxylan, beta-glucan), phenolic acids (ferulic acid), flavonoids (anthocyanin), oil (γ-oryzanol), vitamins (carotenoids, tocols), oligosaccharides, folates and sterols among others. Their physico-chemical properties render them desirable for food fortification. Brans derived from rice, wheat, oat, barley, sorghum, millet, rye and maize have been characterized to possess a wealth of health-promoting ingredients. They have been validated to impart antilipaemic, antiatherogenic, antihypertensive and hypoglycaemic properties. They have been verified to combat oxidative stress, attenuate insulin resistance, avert obesity risk by inducing satiety and alleviate cardiovascular complications. This paper delineates the recent findings on their phytochesmitry, emerging therapeutic roles and mechanism of biological action in nutshell, with an aim to stimulate further research.
Probing Temperature Sensing of Thermal TRP Channels by Calorimetry

Proteins such as ion channels generally involve specialized mechanisms for optimal interaction with stimulus. Thermal TRP channels are molecular entities in mammals for detection and transduction of temperature among other pain-evoking stimuli. Sensitive detection of temperature by thermal TRP channels is made possible by large enthalpy changes between closed and open states of the channels. Thus, to understand the mechanism of their temperature sensitivity and to properly identify the underlying molecular and structural basis, it is important to have the capability to directly probe the energetics of temperature sensing by these channels. Unfortunately, direct measurement of the energetics of the channels has not been possible; instead they are inferred from functional measurements, typically based on the steepness of temperature dependence of current responses. Since thermal TRP channels are allosteric proteins and the gating convolves multiple steps, such measurements are indirect and have limitations. In this work we tested the idea of using calorimetry to directly probe the energetics of thermal TRP channels. Modern colorimeters have a sensitivity in the range of micro calories, and our experiments suggest that the energetics of thermal TRP channels are within this detectable range. Thus our results support the applicability of calorimetry for direct detection of thermal transitions in thermal TRP channels, and such measurements will be instrumental for understanding and probing properties of temperature sensors, analogous to the use of gating charge measurement for studying voltage-gated channels or binding assays for ligand-gated channels.
Automatic tuning of whole applications using direct search and a performance-based transformation system

In many cases, simple analytical models used by traditional compilers are no longer able to yield effectively optimized code for complex programs because of the enormous complexity of processor architectures. A promising alternative approach for optimizing applications effectively has been the use of search-based empirical methods. The success of empirically tuned library generators such as ATLAS has shown that this strategy can be effective for domain-specific programs. However, to date there has been no general-purpose tool for effective empirical optimization of whole programs. The main obstacle to this approach has been the need for evaluating a prohibitively large number of alternative program variants. To address this problem, we have developed a prototype tool for automatic application tuning that uses loop-level performance feedback and a direct search strategy to guide search for the best set of optimization parameters. Experiments on four different architectures show that direct search can be an effective technique for finding good values for transformation parameters in a reasonable time.