cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multisensory integration: current issues from the perspective of the single neuron.

Multisensory integration allows information from multiple senses to be combined, with benefits for nervous-system processing. Stein and Stanford discuss the principles of multisensory integration in single neurons in the CNS and consider the questions that the field must address.
The Spiritual Exercises as an Ecumenical Strategy

The ecumenical movement, proceeding comparing doctrines and ecclesial structures that divide, has foundered. The article suggests turning to what all churches share in common as a new starting point, namely, an ecclesial spirituality of following Jesus. The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola can help bring this bond of unity to the surface. Negotiating on the basis of this common possession will allow the ideal of a pluralistic unity to take hold and encourage ecclesial structures that protect and honor rather than exclude different church traditions.
The natural history of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients

The natural history of Barrett's esophagus (BE) in orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients
Quantification of the extent of attenuation of the rate of turnover chemistry of the TEM-1 β-lactamase by the α-1R-hydroxyethyl group in substrates

Abstract The 6 α -1 R -hydroxyethyl group of imipenem, a clinically used carbapenem antibacterial agent, is believed to displace the hydrolytic water from its optimal position in the active site of class A β-lactamases. This interaction renders the molecule a poor substrate for these bacterial enzymes, hence preserving the antibacterial property of the antibiotic. The extent of the contribution of the 6 α -1 R -hydroxyethyl group in substrates toward stabilization of the antibiotic to the hydrolytic action of class A TEM-1 β-lactamase was studied by the synthesis and evaluation of two penicillanic acid derivatives, 6 α -(1 R -hydroxyethyl)penicillanic acid ( 2 ) and 6 β -(1 R -hydroxyethyl)penicillanic acid ( 3 ). The kinetic evaluation of the enzymic hydrolysis of these two penicillanic acid derivatives indicated that the 6 α -1 R -hydroxyethyl group imparts as much as 10 4 -fold to the hydrolytic stability of the β-lactam substrate. The role of the 6α-1 R -hydroxythermal group in imparting hydrolytic stability to β-lactam antibiotics towards class A β-lactamase was investigated.
The MSC: An Injury Drugstore

Now that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to be perivascular in vivo, the existing traditional view that focuses on the multipotent differentiation capacity of these cells should be expanded to include their equally interesting role as cellular modulators that brings them into a broader therapeutic scenario. We discuss existing evidence that leads us to propose that during local injury, MSCs are released from their perivascular location, become activated, and establish a regenerative microenvironment by secreting bioactive molecules and regulating the local immune response. These trophic and immunomodulatory activities suggest that MSCs may serve as site-regulated "drugstores" in vivo.
Recommended standards for newborn ICU design, eighth edition

This is the eighth edition of the Recommended Standards for Newborn ICU Design. It contains substantive changes in recommendations for patient room size and feeding preparation areas, and a number of refinements of previous Recommended Standards with respect to family space, hand hygiene, lighting and other aspects of the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) design.
Pion - only, chiral light front model of the deuteron

We investigate the symptoms of broken rotational invariance, caused by the use of light front dynamics, for deuterons obtained using one- and two-pion-exchange potentials. A large mass splitting between states with m=0 and m=1 is found for the deuteron obtained from the one-pion-exchange (OPE) potential. The size of the splitting is smaller when the chiral two-pion-exchange (TPE) potential is used. When the TPE potential constructed without chiral symmetry is used, the deuteron becomes unbound. These results arise from significant relativistic effects which are much larger than those of the Wick-Cutkosky model because of the presence of the tensor force.
Undergraduate Nonmusic Majors' World Music Preference and Multicultural Attitudes:

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between world music preferences and multicultural attitudes of nonmusic-major undergraduate students. The World Music Preference Inventor...
Microwave spectrum and substitutional structure of CH2DF

Abstract Forty-two transitions of the microwave spectrum of CH 2 DF have been observed in the region between 75 and 450 GHz. The measurement of both a-type and b-type transitions makes possible the analysis of the spectrum and the accurate calculation of the rotational constants (in MHz): = 119 675.0535 ± 0.074, = 24 043.4415 ± 0.072, ∉ = 22959.3732 °0.072, °j = 0.049371 ±0.00011, ° jk = 0.34268 ±0.0006, † k = 3,3774 ± 0.0035, δ j = 0.002329 ± 0.000045, δ k = 0.0687 ± 0.036. These constants, in combination with the results of earlier work on the symmetric speci r s structure calculation based entirely on high-accuracy microwave data. The structural parameters are r CH = 1.100 A, r CF = 1.383 A, and ∠HCH = 110° 37'.
Dynamic simulation of ray tracing for jitter and drift analysis

Dynamic ray tracing is a new tool that combines optical ray tracing and dynamic simulation codes. The implementation presented in this paper is a customization of the commercial code ADAMS. The tool features a special subroutine that was written and linked to the code, enabling it to compute and display the paths and intersection points of reflected and refracted optical rays as the optical surfaces move dynamically. Its first intended use would be for analysis and control of high-frequency jitter and lower-frequency drift. In addition to "undesired" motions or deformations, the method may also be used to simulate intentionally moving optical components such as scanners or zoom systems. The main difference in this capability and that of the existing optical design codes is that this method yields visual dynamic results. In quasi-real time, the user can watch the ray trace move and the resultant image quality metric change due to unwanted or intentional motion of the optical elements. This approach will enable the user to more quickly understand and visualize the situation and will reduce the chances of error that arise when two codes have to be used (static ray tracing and dynamic simulation) to analyze the system.
Results of attacks on a claimed robust digital image watermark

Placing either a visible or invisible mark on a document to help establish its ownership is not a new or revolutionary concept. For hundreds of years, owners of important documents or works of art have imprinted identifying marks onto them, not only to help establish their ownership, but also to discourage those who might wish to misappropriate the work. Today, invisible watermarking of digital images is attempted for those same purposes. To be useful, an ownership watermark must robustly survive and be detectable after any manipulation that does not damage a digital image beyond usability. In the extreme, the watermark must survive the printing and rescanning of the image. Additionally, the probability of detecting a watermark in an image that does not have one must be vanishingly small. An embodiment of invisible watermarking claiming to have these properties has been presented previously by the author. This paper reports the results of typical image manipulations and deliberate attacks on robust invisible watermarks of the type reported. Image manipulations include lossy JPEG compression, small angle rotation, linear and nonlinear resizing, cropping, and sharpening. Attacks include the superposition of uncorrelated noise fields, overmarking, and RSS alterations.
The Lived Experience of Gratitude

The lived experience of gratitude as it arises in the context of cooperation and exchange is discussed here. The chapter begins with a description of the features of first-order emotion experience with an emphasis on somatic responses. Based on a series of interviews, the phenomenology of gratitude is presented beginning with somatic descriptions of sensations in the heart and chest, release, awakening, comfort, security, and acceptance. Additional sentiments of the phenomenal profile of gratitude include feeling blessed, being witnessed, joy, love, and a feeling of presence. The affective range of gratitude across several dimensions is discussed.
Anticipating Stream Ecosystem Responses to Climate Change: Toward Predictions that Incorporate Effects Via Land–Water Linkages

Climate change (CC) is projected to increase the frequency and severity of natural disturbances (wildfires, insect outbreaks, and debris flows) and shift distributions of terrestrial ecosystems on a global basis. Although such terrestrial changes may affect stream ecosystems, they have not been incorporated into predictions of stream responses to CC. Here, we introduce a conceptual framework to evaluate to what extent responses of streams to CC will be driven by not only changes in thermal and hydrologic regimes, but also alterations of terrestrial processes. We focused on forested watersheds of western North America because this region is projected to experience CC-induced alteration of terrestrial processes. This provided a backdrop for investigating interactive effects of climate and terrestrial responses on streams. Because stream responses to terrestrial processes have been well-studied in contexts largely independent of CC research, we synthesized this knowledge to demonstrate how CC-induced alterations of terrestrial ecosystems may affect streams. Our synthesis indicated that altered terrestrial processes will change terrestrial–aquatic linkages and autotrophic production, potentially yielding greater sensitivity of streams to CC than would be expected based on shifts in temperature and precipitation regime alone. Despite uncertainties that currently constrain predictions regarding stream responses to these additional pathways of change, this synthesis highlighted broader effects of CC that require additional research. Based on widespread evidence that CC is linked to changing terrestrial processes, we conclude that accurate predictions of CC effects on streams may be coupled to the accuracy of predictions for long-term changes in terrestrial ecosystems.
Automated liquid microjunction surface sampling-HPLC-MS/MS analysis of drugs and metabolites in whole-body thin tissue sections.

Background: The aim of this work was to develop a fully automated liquid extraction-based surface sampling system utilizing a commercially available autosampler coupled with HPLC–MS/MS detection. Results: Discrete spots selected for droplet-based sampling and automated sample queue generation, for both the autosampler and MS, were enabled by using in-house developed software. In addition, co-registration of spatially resolved sampling positions and HPLC–MS information to generate heat maps of compounds monitored for subsequent data analysis was also available in the software. The system was evaluated with whole-body thin tissue sections from propranolol-dosed rats. Conclusion: The spatial distributions of both the drug and its hydroxypropranolol glucuronide metabolites were consistent with previous studies employing other liquid extraction-based surface sampling methodologies.
Laser-induced afterimages in humans.

Afterimages induced by incoherent light sources have been studied as complex visual perceptions for over 200 years; however, individuals who have viewed a coherent source (a laser) on-axis have reported visual experiences unlike those observed for full-field flashes from incoherent sources. In the present study, 10 volunteers viewed all combinations of blue, green, and red laser light and background colors that matched the wavelengths of the laser sources (a total of 9 conditions). The bright focal (50 microm retinal irradiance diameter) 3-sec. exposures (approximately 9 log trolands-40% of the maximum permissible exposure level) given to the volunteers were administered as they performed a simulator tracking task. A 50/50 mirror (a mirror which reflected 50% of the laser beam into the optical pathway while allowing the 50% of the light from the visual scene to pass through the mirror) permitted simultaneous intrabeam viewing of the laser source and the scene. The volunteers were asked to report what they saw immediately after the laser was turned off and 1-min postexposure. The immediate reports indicated that the image they observed was the same color as the laser source and not the complementary color. Also, the images were of ten surrounded by well-defined borders and, regardless of laser's or background's col or, were generally red. One minute following presentation of the laser light the images seen were predominantly purple, dark or no longer present; however, the edge color when present generally appeared red. The immediate appearance of the images was inferred to be neural in nature and not photochemical. These results suggest the properties of the laser source, i.e., coherency, monochromaticity, and the laser's capacity to place an intense beam of light in a small retinal area, all contributed to the unique appearance of the postflash images.
A clinicopathologic analysis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Sixty consecutive patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were studied from both a clinical and laboratory standpoint. Hypoimmunoglobulinemia was found in 45% of patients; many of these patients suffered from severe bacterial infections. Second primary malignancies were diagnosed in 20% of patient's; most of these predated the diagnosis of CLL. HLA-B17 typing was found in unexpectedly high frequency in a small group of Coombs'-positive patients. The Rai-staging system was found to be generally useful for determining prognosis of groups of patients, although less useful in any individual patient. Findings relating to surface membrane immunoglobulin-positive (B) and E-rosetting (T) lymphocytes are described. A patient with null-cell CLL is described. All patients with proliferation of gamma heavy-chain-bearing cells were diagnosed in early Rai stages suggesting that this marker may identify a subset of patients who present early and have a good prognosis. These data suggest that lymphocyte marker studies augment the Rai criteria in evaluating prognosis and may eventually be of value to the clinician in evaluating stage of disease and response to treatment.
Quantum theory of nonequilibrium processes, I

Green's function techniques for studying nonequilibrium quantum processes are discussed. Perturbation expansions and Green's function equations of motion are developed for noncorrelated and correlated initial states of a system. A transition, from the Kadanoff-Baym Green's function equations of motion to the Boltzmann equation, and specifications of the respective limit, are examined in detail.
Altered collagen structure in mouse tail tendon lacking the α2(I) chain

Abstract Type I collagen is the most prevalent member of the fibril forming family of collagens in higher vertebrates and its heterotrimeric form is comprised of two α1(I) chains and one α2(I) polypeptide chain. The functional importance of having two distinct chain types in type I collagen is largely undefined. The existence of a mouse model with a Cola-2 gene mutation (termed oim) that results in non-functional proα2(I) chains presents a unique opportunity to explore changes in collagen structure resulting from the complete (oim/oim mice) and partial (oim/+ mice) loss of functional α2(I) chains. Tail tendon is a tissue with a well-defined, hierarchical organization of type I collagen. X-ray diffraction studies on oim/oim versus control tendons indicate that the total absence of α2(I) chains results in a decrease in the order of axial packing and a loss of crystalline lateral packing. This suggests that the non-equivalence of three chains is an important determinant of lateral interactions between adjacent molecules and may be involved in the long-range axial order in type I collagen-containing tissues. Both homotrimeric and heterotrimeric type I collagen molecules are found in heterozygous oim mice and these appear to be present in the same co-polymeric fibrils, preventing crystalline lateral packing. In addition to these changes at a fibrillar level, the absence of the α2(I) chain results in an increased enzymatic susceptibility at one site. The oim/oim mice are observed to have reduced body size and smaller tendon bundles, which may be a consequence of these molecular and fibrillar changes in collagen. Furthermore, it is likely that a similar alteration in the molecular packing of collagen in bone fibrils contributes to the osteopenia and decreased bone strength in mice with the oim mutation that are also characteristic of human osteogenesis imperfecta.
Regulation Before Regulation: The Local-National Struggle for Control of Radio Regulation in the 1920s

The standard narrative of U.S. radio policy history before 1927 focuses almost exclusively on the federal level, ignoring the vibrant and far-reaching policymaking that was occurring at a wide range of sites below the federal level during this era, especially municipalities. Such local regulation became an important structuring “other” of federal policy, resulting in political, legal, and cultural struggles over not just the narrow question of the reach of federal jurisdiction over radio, but the larger question of the place of local autonomy in an age of national economic and political consolidation.
SU-FF-T-493: Can An Addition of a Simple Constant to Linear Quadratic Formula Improve Cell Survival Curve Fits for Some Cell Lines?

Purpose: To investigate the effect of an unrecognized hyper radio‐sensitivity on radiobiological parameters α and β of the linear quadratic odel. Methods and Materials: A Chinese hamster cell line designated “choaa8” and a lungcancer cell line designated “ncih226” were fitted to the inear quadratic (LQ) model (lnS = −αD −βD2) and to a simple constant plus linear quadratic (CLQ) model (lnS = −c −αD −βD2). The χ2/df of each fit was compared to determine which model gives the best fit to the cell survival curve. Results: The linear quadratic χ2/df for the “choaa8” and the “ncih226” are 1.55 and .095 respectively. The simple constant plus linear quadratic χ2/df for the “choaa8” and the “ncih226” are 1.18 and .075 respectively. So the addition of a simple constant to the linear quadratic formula provides greater than 20% improvement to the survival curve fits. The α/β _ratio for the LQ “choaa8” is 11.0, whereas the α/β _ratio for the CLQ “choaa8” is 5.4. The α/β _ratio for the LQ “ncih226” is 5.1, whereas the α/β _ratio for the CLQ “ncih226” is 0 indicating α = 0. So the addition of a simple constant in the linear quadraticformula can have a dramatic effect on the α/β _ratio._ Conclusion: CLQ provided superior fits compared to the LQ for the two data sets mentioned above. The value of the α/β _ratio was heavily dependent on whether or not an addition of a simple constant to linear quadratic formula was used. Further work is required to determine if the improved fit is due to actual physical phenomena such as hyper radio‐sensitivity or an alternative explanation like experimental error or noise in the data.
On sampling the ocean using underwater gliders

surface to 1000 m and back took 5.6 h and covered 5.3 km, resulting in a horizontal speed of 0.26 m s −1 . SeaSoar undulated between the surface and 400 m, completing a cycle in 11 min while covering 2.6 km, for a speed of 3.9 m s −1 . Adjacent profiles of temperature and salinity are compared between the two platforms to prove that each is accurate. Spray and SeaSoar data are compared through sections, isopycnal spatial series, and wave number spectra. The relative slowness of the glider results in the projection of high‐ frequency oceanic variability, such as internal waves, onto spatial structure. The projection is caused by Doppler smearing because of finite speed and aliasing due to discrete sampling. The projected variability is apparent in properties measured on depth surfaces or in isopycnal depth. No projected variability is seen in observations of properties on constant density surfaces because internal waves are intrinsically filtered. Wave number spectra suggest that projected variability affects properties at constant depth at wavelengths shorter than 30 km. These results imply that isobaric quantities, like geostrophic shear, are valid at wavelengths longer than 30 km, while isopycnal quantities, like spice, may be analyzed for scales as small as a glider measures.
The Enactment of the Moral in What Teachers Do

How does one know whether a teacher is fair or kind or patient or honest or possesses any of the other virtues that teachers are supposed to exhibit? It does little good to ask them of course because few would admit they lacked such admirable qualities. They might not even admit it to themselves. Moreover, it is not at all clear that they could report accurately on the presence or absence of their own virtues even if they were inclined to do so. We might try asking the teacher's students, which is what happens today in many schools and colleges when it comes time to evaluate a teacher's worth. (This is now a standard practice at my university, for example, as I am sure it is at many others.) But there are obvious problems with that approach as well. Chief among them is the fact that students often disagree in their evaluations. Moreover, even when they do agree we are left with the question of how much credence to give what they say. A third approach, favored by researchers and school administrators, is to observe the teachers in action. Here the problem is one of deciding what to look for and how to see it. Having recently spent two or three years exploring that problem, I shall here report a small portion of what I have learned. Most of what I shall report upon is based on visits to eighteen classrooms and on individual conversations and group discussions with the teachers in charge, all of which took place over a period of three academic years. The classrooms were located in three elementary and three high schools situated in three kinds of institutions: public, private, and parochial, all in Chicago. I visited a half dozen of the rooms quite frequently, at least a score of times and possibly more. The others I visited only occasionally, as little as five or six times each. Sometimes my visits took only a few minutes, but typically they lasted for an hour or longer. The group discussions took place at biweekly dinner meetings of the teachers and the research staff. These occurred throughout each of the school years during which the project was in operation. Informal conversations with individual teachers also occurred sporadically throughout the life of the project. Over the course of the three years, each teacher also participated in three hour-long interviews.
Happy in Our Chains? Agency and Language in the Postmodern Age

This collection of essays on agency displays historical thought at an important crossroads, beyond which a revived focus on agency beckons. The collection includes powerful statements of our historical moment of crisis and opportunity; it provides cogent critiques of dominant modes of thought across a broad spectrum of literate culture; and it takes steps beyond such critique to suggest constructive ways for historians and philosophers to advance. If you believe in agency, which may these days have logical and rhetorical similarities to believing in God, then it is a time of re-organization and ferment. In the fascinating language of Noel Bonneuil, we should hope that we are in a "leadership domain," in which our choices-and that means our words-can make a crucial difference.2 The problem of agency has been perennial within human thought.3 Fortune and fate once dominated the course of events. In Homer, the agency that matters most is the emotionally driven decision of the gods; in the Torah, it is a difficult exchange of the human and divine, feeling and power unevenly distributed between the two. Where supreme beings harden the heart, humanity may be reduced to watching and weeping. Such a perspective has been endemic throughout history. Even when conceived as free, people have understood themselves as overawed and fundamentally limited. To see, as some now do, the power of the environment or ecological factors as central in directing affairs is to downgrade
Cost Implications of Caring for Chronic Kidney Disease: Are Interventions Cost-effective?

Recent data suggest a large, rising burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population and rising expenses associated with it. In 2007, CKD contributed 27.6% of costs and CKD subjects constituted 9.8% of the population. Between 1993 and 2007, overall Medicare costs nearly doubled and CKD-associated costs increased about 5-fold. The Medicare cost of end-stage renal disease has risen from $12.2 in 2000 to $20.8 billion in 2007. This review examines cost-effectiveness of prevention and treatment of CKD. Mathematical derivation of savings associated with prevention of CKD is not feasible because of dearth of data. However, examination of various factors that would affect such a hypothetical derivation indicates that prevention of CKD is cost-effective. Better data enable modeling of gross savings of slowing the progression of CKD. Data suggest that if at the beginning of the current decade, the rate of decline in GFR decreased by 10% and 30% in every patient with GFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 or less the gross direct cumulative health care savings over the next 10 years amount to $18.56 and $60.61 billion, respectively. Additional benefits accrue as a result of diminishing disability and gain in productivity. The analysis suggests that prevention and slowing progression of CKD is cost-effective.
Computational models of chemical systems inspired by Braess’ paradox

Systems chemistry is a new discipline which investigates the interactions within a network of chemical reactions. We have studied several computational models of chemical systems inspired by mathematical paradoxes and have found that even simple systems may behave in a counterintuitive, non-linear manner depending upon various conditions. In the present study, we modeled a set of reactions inspired by one such paradox, Braess’ paradox, an interesting phenomenon whereby the introduction of additional capacity (e.g. pathways) in some simple network systems can lead to an unexpected reduction in the overall flow rate of “traffic” through the system. We devised several chemical systems that behaved in this counterintuitive manner; the overall rate of product formation was diminished when an additional pathway was introduced and, conversely, there was an enhancement of product formation when the same interconnecting pathway was removed. We found that, unlike a traffic model, the chemical model needed to include reversible pathways in order to mimic “congestion”—a condition necessary to produce Braess-like behavior. The model was investigated numerically, but a full analytical solution is also included. We propose that this intriguing situation may have interesting implications in chemistry, biochemistry and chemical engineering.
Nerve growth factor receptors on PC12 cells: Evidence for two receptor classes with differing cytoskeletal association

Abstract PC12, an NGF responsive cell line, exhibits two classes of NGF receptors which we designate "Fast" and "Slow." Fast receptors, accounting for 75% of specific NGF binding, are distinguished by their rapid rates for association and dissociation of 125 I-NGF. At 37°C, binding of 125 I-NGF to Fast receptors is 5-fold more rapid than to Slow receptors and dissociation of 125 I-NGF from Fast receptors is 40-fold more rapid than from Slow receptors. No evidence was obtained for a ligand-induced conversion of receptors from Fast to Slow characteristics. Scatchard analysis of binding experiments indicates that PC12 cells possess 60,000 specific receptors for NGF of which 15,000 are of the Slow class. Despite having very different kinetic constants, Slow and Fast receptors have similar equilibrium binding constants (about 2 × 10 −10 M) due to cancelling effects of differing association and dissociation rates. Brief digestion of PC12 cells with trypsin before addition of NGF inactivates essentially all Fast receptors without significantly affecting Slow receptors. Therefore Fast and Slow classes of receptors must exist prior to addition of NGF, and the observed receptor heterogeneity is not due to ligand-induced changes. 125 I-NGF bound to Slow receptors is preferentially associated with preparations of Triton X-100 insoluble cytoskeletons, while 125 I-NGF bound to Fast receptors is solubilized by this procedure. Cytoskeletally associated NGF is almost exclusively associated with the extranuclear cytoskeletal matrix rather than with the nucleus itself. Preparation of nuclei by various methods suggests that the presence of contaminating cytoskeletal elements should be considered in evaluating the existence of translocation and binding of NGF to the nucleus. Inhibition of endocytotic internalization of NGF either by lowering of temperature to O°C or by preincubation of cells with sodium azide in medium lacking glucose does not reduce the slowly released component of bound NGF, nor alter its cytoskeletal association. The possible functional roles of Slow and cytoskeletal receptors are discussed.
Computer assisted determination of the biological activity of polychlorinated biphenyls using gas chromatographic retention indices as molecular descriptors

Abstract Gas chromatographic retention indices of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on several different chromatographic columns are used as molecular descriptors to predict the toxicity of PCBs. Principal component and discriminant analysis are performed on the retention index data to classify a learning set of 27 PCB molecules of known toxicity. It was found that 25 of 27 PCBs were correctly classified using this method. The errors in classification are presumed to be a result of the varying degrees of toxicity of the PCB molecules. Further calculations using a set of 114 PCB congeners gave similar results. The predictions followed qualitative structure-activity relationships known for PCBs.
Systemic administration of the adenosine A2A agonist CGS 21680 induces sedation at doses that suppress lever pressing and food intake

Adenosine A2A receptors are involved in the regulation of several behavioral functions. Adenosine A2A antagonists exert antiparkinsonian effects in animal models, and adenosine A2A agonists suppress locomotion and impair various aspects of motor control. The present experiments were conducted to study the effects of low doses of the adenosine A2A agonist CGS 21680 on lever pressing, specific parameters of food intake, and sedation. In the first experiment, the effects of CGS 21680 on fixed ratio 5 lever pressing were assessed. In the second experiment, rats were tested in 30 min feeding sessions, and also were observed for drug-induced sedation using a sedation rating scale. CGS 21680 (0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mg/kg IP) produced a dose related suppression of lever pressing, and also reduced the amount of food consumed. The feeding effect was largely dependent upon a slowing of the rate of feeding, and there was only a modest suppression of time spent feeding. Doses of CGS 21680 that suppressed lever pressing and feeding also were associated with sedation/drowsiness. In conjunction with other studies, the present results suggest that sedative effects may play an important role in some of the behavioral effects produced by systemic administration of adenosine A2A agonists.
Fast algorithms for bispectral reconstruction of two-dimensional signals

Algorithms are developed to reconstruct the phase and magnitude of the Fourier transform of a two-dimensional, discrete, deterministic signal from samples of its bispectrum B( omega , lambda ). The samples are derived from the plane omega - lambda . The techniques involve finding the DFTs (discrete Fourier transforms) of the phase and magnitude of the bispectrum samples, and from them, recovering samples of the phase and magnitude of the Fourier transform of the signal at select frequencies. >
Space-time diversity systems based on linear constellation precoding

We present a unified approach to designing space-time (ST) block codes using linear constellation precoding (LCP). Our designs are based either on parameterizations of unitary matrices, or on algebraic number-theoretic constructions. With an arbitrary number of N/sub t/ transmit- and N/sub r/ receive-antennas, ST-LCP achieves rate 1 symbol/s/Hz and enjoys diversity gain as high as N/sub t/N/sub r/ over (possibly correlated) quasi-static and fast fading channels. As figures of merit, we use diversity and coding gains, as well as mutual information of the underlying multiple-input-multiple-output system. We show that over quadrature-amplitude modulation and pulse-amplitude modulation, our LCP achieves the upper bound on the coding gain of all linear precoders for certain values of N/sub t/ and comes close to this upper bound for other values of N/sub t/, in both correlated and independent fading channels. Compared with existing ST block codes adhering to an orthogonal design (ST-OD), ST-LCP offers not only better performance, but also higher mutual information for N/sub t/>2. For decoding ST-LCP, we adopt the near-optimum sphere-decoding algorithm, as well as reduced-complexity suboptimum alternatives. Although ST-OD codes afford simpler decoding, the tradeoff between performance and rate versus complexity favors the ST-LCP codes when N/sub t/, N/sub r/, or the spectral efficiency of the system increase. Simulations corroborate our theoretical findings.
Disturbance dynamics influence Carex pensylvanica abundance in a northern hardwood forest1

Abstract We examined relationships involving the abundance of Carex pensylvanica Lam., a native sedge that can form dense mats in northern hardwood understories, and three types of disturbances: forest management, deer herbivory, and exotic earthworm activity. Stands managed using even-aged silvicultural systems in areas with high deer densities (> 20 deer km−2) had greater C. pensylvanica cover than stands managed using even-aged silvicultural systems in areas with lower deer densities (10–20 deer km−2), or unharvested second-growth communities. Stands managed using uneven-aged silvicultural systems were not significantly different from any other treatment group, regardless of deer density. There was a significant management × deer × earthworm interaction, and earthworm density had a positive relationship with C. pensylvanica cover in most management history × deer density combinations. High levels of disturbance associated with at least two of the three factors considered in this study were associated w...
Prognostic significance of myeloperoxidase expression in childhood acute myeloid leukemia

Background The percentage of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-positive blast cells is associated with prognosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but this association is unsubstantiated in pediatric AML. Procedure We retrospectively compared cytochemical MPO results with outcome in 154 patients younger than 21 years treated on three consecutive institutional protocols for newly diagnosed AML (1987–2001). Patients with FAB M0 and M7 AML (no MPO expression) or M3 AML (100% MPO expression) and Down's syndrome were excluded. Results Median MPO expression was higher in FAB M2 subtype than in other subtypes (P < 0.0001) and differed significantly across cytogenetic risk groups (P = 0.002) with highest MPO expression among those with favorable karyotypes. The percentage of MPO-positive blasts was not significantly associated with the probability of complete remission (P = 0.97), event-free survival (P = 0.72), or survival (P = 0.76) in multivariate analyses that accounted for age, FAB subtype, presenting WBC count, cytogenetic and protocol treatment risk group. In analysis limited to patients with intermediate-risk cytogenetics, higher MPO expression appeared to be associated with improved EFS (P = 0.06) but was not associated with remission induction rate (P = 0.16) or overall survival (P = 0.38). Conclusions The percentage of MPO-positive blast cells is related to FAB subtype in pediatric AML but has limited prognostic relevance. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:542–548. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Perioperative Outcomes after Resection for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Background Associations between diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are well established; however, the impact of DM on perioperative morbidity and mortality after PDAC resection is unclear. Study Design A prospectively maintained database review identified all patients undergoing PDAC resection between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2008. Diagnosis of DM was established by history and biochemical profile. Records were reviewed for comorbidities, operative variables, and histologic parameters. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were assessed for diabetic and nondiabetic patients using standardized definitions. Results Of 251 PDAC cases, 116 (46%) patients had preoperative DM. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 220 (87.6%), left pancreatectomy in 29 (11.6%), and total pancreatectomy in 2 (0.8%). The major complication rate was 25.5%, with 60-day mortality of 3.6%. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) occurred in 40.1% of patients. Pancreatic fistulas developed in 17 (6.8%) patients; 11 of them were clinically significant (grades B/C). DM patients had a higher likelihood of developing fistulas (DM 10.3%, non-DM 3.7%, p=0.04). When controlled for age, comorbidities, body mass index, preoperative albumin level, operation type, operative time, and pancreatic quality, DM maintained an independent association with fistula formation (odds ratio 4.3, 95% CI 1.18 to 15.8, p=0.027). Acute kidney injury was more frequent in the DM group (DM 23.3%, non-DM 12.6%, p=0.03). DM and non-DM patients had similar frequency of DGE, wound infections, intra-abdominal abscesses, and cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, as well as length of stay and mortality. Conclusions Comorbid DM does not influence perioperative outcomes dramatically after pancreatectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma. The role of PDAC-associated DM as a risk factor for postresection pancreatic fistula should be further explored. Evaluation of glycemic control and outcomes after PDAC resection may be useful.
Versatility and Unix semantics in namespace unification

Administrators often prefer to keep related sets of files in different locations or media, as it is easier to maintain them separately. Users, however, prefer to see all files in one location for convenience. One solution that accommodates both needs is virtual namespace unification---providing a merged view of several directories without physically merging them. For example, namespace unification can merge the contents of several CD-ROM images without unpacking them, merge binary directories from different packages, merge views from several file servers, and more. Namespace unification can also enable snapshotting by marking some data sources read-only and then utilizing copy-on-write for the read-only sources. For example, an OS image may be contained on a read-only CD-ROM image---and the user's configuration, data, and programs could be stored in a separate read-write directory. With copy-on-write unification, the user need not be concerned about the two disparate file systems.It is difficult to maintain Unix semantics while offering a versatile namespace unification system. Past efforts to provide such unification often compromised on the set of features provided or Unix compatibility---resulting in an incomplete solution that users could not use.We designed and implemented a versatile namespace unification system called Unionfs. Unionfs maintains Unix semantics while offering advanced namespace unification features: dynamic insertion and removal of namespaces at any point in the merged view, mixing read-only and read-write components, efficient in-kernel duplicate elimination, NFS interoperability, and more. Since releasing our Linux implementation, it has been used by thousands of users and over a dozen Linux distributions, which helped us discover and solve many practical problems.
Psychological adjustment and adaptive impairments in young adults with ADHD

The present study compared a group of 25 young adults with ADHD to 23 young adults drawn from the community equated for age (Mean = 25 yrs.) and educational level (Mean 13 yrs.) using a structured ...
Computer architecture design for robotics

Previous work on computer architecture design for robotics is reviewed. Based on the analysis of the performance data, two crucial issued are addressed: the decision on how specific an architecture should be and which architecture styles should be chosen for particular applications. >
TRACHELOMONAS HISPIDA VAR. CORONATA (EUGLENOPHYCEAE). III. ENVELOPE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION AND MINERALIZATION1,2

This report is the first direct demonstration of Mn deposition in envelopes (loricas) of Trachelomonas in culture. The envelopes of Trachelomonas hispida var. coronata Lemm. were analyzed for elemental composition by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA), and electron microscopic, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EM-EDS). The envelopes contained extensive deposits of manganese (20 to 60 wt. %) and lesser amounts of Si, Ca and either Ba or Ti, the last three together totalling less than 5% by weight. The average amount of Mn per envelope was estimated at 1.5 x 10/sup -10/ g. Traces of Na, K, P, S and Cl were also detectable. Biomineralization of envelopes was studied by comparison of envelope substructure and composition in lightly colored, golden and dark brown envelopes that were isolated by micromanipulation, processed individually or in groups, and analyzed by SEM, TEM, EM-EDS, and scanning transmission EM-EDS (STEM-EDS). Dark envelopes were thicker (1 to 4..mu..m), more ornate and less porous than light envelopes, but the ultrastructure of the two was similar. In both types of envelopes, distribution and thickness of Mn-containing fibrillar to needle-like microcrystallites were similar. However, dark envelopes contained a greater density of granular deposits around the needlelike microcrystallites thanmore » did light envelopes. Dark envelopes contained 2 to 40 times more Mn than did light envelopes, but since envelope mass is proportionately greater, Mn concentrations were similar. Results suggest that the extent of mineralization depends upon the amount of mucilage secreted. Biomineralization studies with Trachelomonas offer the rare advantage that mineral deposition occurs extracellularly, and not within membrane-bound compartments as in many other unicellular model systems.« less
Infectious and lethal doses of H5N1 highly pathogenic Avian influenza virus for house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and rock pigeons (Columbia livia)

Terrestrial wild birds commonly associated with poultry farms have the potential to contribute to the spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus within or between poultry facilities or between domesticated and wild bird populations. This potential, however, varies between species and is dependent on several virus and host factors, including habitat utilization, susceptibility, and viral shedding patterns. To provide data on susceptibility and shedding patterns of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) and rock pigeons (Columba livia), 20 birds from each species were inoculated with decreasing concentrations of A/whooper swan/Mongolia/244/05 (H5N1) HPAI virus, and the birds were evaluated for morbidity, mortality, viral shedding, and seroconversion over a 14-day trial. The house sparrows were highly susceptible to the H5N1 HPAI virus as evidenced by low infectious and lethal viral doses. In addition, house sparrows excreted virus via the oropharynx and cloaca for several days prior to the onset of clinical signs. Based on these results, house sparrows could play a role in the dissemination of H5N1 HPAI virus in poultry. In contrast, pigeons were resistant to the HPAI virus, requiring a high concentration of virus to produce infection or death. When infection did occur, the duration of viral shedding was brief, and viral titers were low. The data suggests that pigeons would contribute little to the transmission and spread of H5N1 HPAI virus in poultry.
Diverse Patterns of T-Cell Response against Multiple Newly Identified Human Y Chromosome–Encoded Minor Histocompatibility Epitopes

Purpose: Donor T cells respond to minor histocompatibility antigens (mHA), resulting in both graft-versus-host disease and graft versus leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Because relatively few mHAs are known, we developed a new approach to predict and subsequently validate candidate mHA. Experimental Design: We developed an algorithm based on genetic disparities between Y chromosome–encoded and X chromosome–encoded proteins and known requirements for binding to HLA class I molecules to predict Y chromosome–derived, HLA A*0201–restricted peptides (HY) and ranked peptides based on potential immunogenicity. We evaluated T-cell responses to 41 candidate peptides in 28 male recipients with female donors (FM), 22 male recipients with male donors (MM), and 26 normal individuals. All patients and donors were HLA A*0201 positive. Results: Thirteen peptides derived from five proteins elicited significantly greater T-cell responses in FM patients compared with MM patients and in normal females compared with normal males. Six peptides were more immunogenic than the only previously known HLA A*0201–restricted Y-encoded mHA. Twenty-seven of 28 FM patients responded to at least one HY peptide, but despite a common Y chromosome mismatch and expression of HLA A*0201, each patient responded to a unique set of peptides. Conclusions: Novel HLA A*0201–restricted HY epitopes can be predicted and validated in patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Highly diverse patterns of T-cell response against these epitopes have been identified. Prospective monitoring of responses to large panels of immunogenic peptides can facilitate the identification of clinically relevant targets of graft-versus-host disease and graft versus leukemia. Clin Cancer Res; 16(5); 1642–51
The two be 's of English

This qualitative study investigates the uses of be in Contemporary English. Based on this study, one easy claim and one more difficult claim are proposed. The easy claim is that the traditional distinction between be as a lexical verb and be as an auxiliary is faulty. In particular, 'copular-be', traditionally considered to be a lexical verb, is in fact a prototypical auxiliary. The harder claim is that there is a syntactic distinction between lexical-be and auxiliary-be, but that distinction does not coincide with the copular vs. non-copular usages. Rather, the syntactic distinction between lexical and auxiliary be has an entirely different, semantic motivation based on stativity vs. activity. In the process of providing evidence for these claims, the paper challenges a major assumption of traditional grammar – namely that every English sentence requires a lexical verb. This assumption is replaced by the notion that every English sentence requires Inflection. The proposals in this paper bridge the gap between theoretical and applied linguistics and have the potential to simplify significantly the conceptualization, teaching and learning of English grammar.