cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic signal intensity on T1-weighted fat saturation MR images: clinical correlation.

To determine whether signal intensity (SI) of the pancreas that was less than that of liver on T1-weighted fat-suppressed (T1FS) magnetic resonance (MR) images could be used to help predict the presence of pancreatic disease, three blinded independent observers graded pancreatic SI relative to liver and/or renal cortex in 89 patients on T1FS images. Results were correlated with patient age and diagnosis. Among the 47 patients with a clinically normal pancreas, pancreatic SI was higher than that of liver in 42 and equal to that of liver in the rest, none of whom had evidence of fatty pancreas. These five patients had a mean age of 71 years, compared with 55 years for patients whose pancreas was more intense than liver (P = .02). Of the 42 patients with a clinically abnormal pancreas, only eight had pancreatic SI higher than that of liver. The positive predictive value for normal pancreas of an SI higher than that of liver was 84% and the positive predictive value for abnormal pancreas of an SI less than or equal to that of liver was 88%, with an overall accuracy of 86%. If normal pancreatic SI is defined as higher than that of liver for patients younger than 60 years and as equal to or higher than that of liver for patients older than 60 years, the positive predictive value of normal SI becomes 76%, the positive predictive value of decreased SI becomes 100%, and the overall accuracy becomes 83%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Cardiac remodeling after substantial weight loss: a prospective cardiac magnetic resonance study after bariatric surgery

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and excess cardiovas- cular disease and mortality. Substantial weight loss is associated with a decrease in cardiovascular mortality. Using volumetric cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, we studied changes in cardiac anatomy and systolic function in women undergoing substantial weight loss in a university hospital. Methods: A total of 17 women (body mass index (BMI) 44.1 4.2 kg/m 2 ; age 44 11 yr) scheduled for bariatric surgery underwent volumetric CMR imaging before and 3 and 17 months after surgery. Results: The body weight declined by 37.2 10.5 kg (32%) with a decrease in BMI to 29.9 4.7 kg/m 2 (32%, P.004) during 17 months of observation. The LV mass decreased from 120 23 g to 82 11 g (32%, P.004), with a linear relationship between the decrease in BMI and decrease in LV mass (P.008) for the duration of the observation period. After adjustment for systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure, the relationship remained significant (P.001). The right ventric- ular (RV) mass declined from 31.7 6.7 g preoperatively to 26.6 4.5 g at 3 months (16%, P .001) but without additional changes at 17 months. No change was found in the LV or RV end-diastolic volume or ejection fraction. Conclusion: In morbidly obese women, substantial weight loss was associated with a reduction of LV and RV mass. The decrease in LV mass was linearly related to the reduction in BMI, independent of changes in blood pressure, and might partially explain the reduction in cardiovas- cular mortality associated with substantial weight loss. The BMI was a predictor of LV mass in this population. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2009;5:648-652.) © 2009 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.
A secreted cell number counting factor represses intracellular glucose levels to regulate group size in dictyostelium.

Abstract Developing Dictyostelium cells form evenly sized groups of ∼2 × 104 cells. A secreted 450-kDa protein complex called counting factor (CF) regulates group size by repressing cell-cell adhesion and myosin polymerization and by increasing cAMP-stimulated cAMP production, actin polymerization, and cell motility. We find that CF regulates group size in part by repressing internal glucose levels. Transformants lacking bioactive CF and wild-type cells with extracellular CF depleted by antibodies have high glucose levels, whereas transformants oversecreting CF have low glucose levels. A component of CF, countin, affects group size in a manner similar to CF, and a 1-min exposure of cells to countin decreases glucose levels. Adding 1 mm exogenous glucose negates the effect of high levels of extracellular CF on group size and mimics the effect of depleting CF on glucose levels, cell-cell adhesion, cAMP pulse size, actin polymerization, myosin assembly, and motility. These results suggest that glucose is a downstream component in part of the CF signaling pathway and may be relevant to the observed role of the insulin pathway in tissue size regulation in higher eukaryotes.
Re-Using Today's Metadata for Tomorrow's Research: Five Practical Examples for Enhancing Access to Digital Collections

According to the Framework of Guidance for Building Good Digital Collections, a good collection is broadly available and avoids unnecessary impediments to use. Two challenges, however, are the constant change in users’ expectations and the increasing volume of information in local repositories. Therefore, as academic and research institutions continue to work on providing online access to primary source materials, they need to integrate effective interaction methods among digital objects, metadata, and user interface. This article provides an overview of the implementation of five features for customizing digital collections Web sites: AutoSuggest, TagCloud, A-Z List, Share-It, and CalView.
Alignment and orientation parameters for proton-impact ionization of the 2p and 3p shells of argon.

In this paper, theoretical results are given for proton ionization of a p state of argon. If relativistic effects can be ignored and the scattered proton is not observed, the density matrix describing the p hole for a given ejected-electron energy and angle is fully described by five independent parameters. In addition to the (absolute) doubly differential cross section, there are four (relative) alignment and orientation parameters which, in the case of the 2p shell, can be determined experimentally by observing in coincidence both the ejected electron and the light emitted in the 3s..-->..2p decay of Ar/sup +/. In the present paper distorted-wave Born results are presented for these five parameters for 300-keV incident protons and ejected-electron energies in the range of 30--300 eV.
Practical considerations and guidelines for dosing sulfonylureas as monotherapy or combination therapy.

Abstract Background: Oral antidiabetic agents are the initial and most commonly used therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus.To effectively utilize the oral antidiabetic agents, familiarity with the efficacy and side effects of each agent is essential so that strategies for effective therapy with 1 or more agents can be developed when transitioning is needed either with monotherapy or to combination therapy with another antidiabetic agent. Objectives: The purposes of this article were to review the efficacy and adverse-event profile of sulfonylureas, the most widely used class of oral antidiabetic agents in the United States, and to provide a simple set of guidelines for use in transitioning patients between sulfonylureas or to combination therapy. Methods: A comprehensive search of the MEDLINE and PubMed databases for the years 1966 to present anda thorough review of abstracts of recently presented clinical trials were used to identify relevant literature on dosing conversion and equivalence between sulfonylureas. Search terms used were as follows: sulfonylureas, dosing conversion, equivalence, glyburide, glipizide, glimepiride, and combination therapy . Strategies are provided for switching patients between sulfonylureas so that switching within the sulfonylurea class or to a combination tablet can be accomplished efficaciously and safely. Recommendations for dosing conversion were based on the results of the literature and abstract search, manufacturer recommendations for each available agent, and the author's clinical experience. Results: When switching between agents or starting combination therapy, it is important to monitor for hypoglycemia. Fasting serum glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin should also be monitored to determine the optimal dose of sulfonylurea for each patient Patients not achieving adequate control on a single agent should be transferred to combination therapy. Conclusion: When transferring a diabetic patient to a combination tablet, improved compliance, cost savings, and better glycemic control may be achieved.
An Isc-type extremely thermostable [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin from Aquifex aeolicus. Biochemical, spectroscopic, and unfolding studies.

Analysis of the genome of the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus has revealed the presence of a previously undetected gene potentially encoding a plant- and mammalian-type [2Fe−2S] ferredoxin. Expression of that gene in Escherichia coli has yielded a novel thermostable [2Fe−2S] ferredoxin (designated ferredoxin 5) whose sequence is most similar to those of ferredoxins involved in the assembly of iron−sulfur clusters (Isc-Fd). It nevertheless differs from the latter proteins by having deletions near its N- and C-termini, and no cysteine residues other than those involved in [2Fe−2S] cluster coordination. Resonance Raman, low-temperature MCD and EPR studies show close spectral similarities between ferredoxin 5 and the Isc-Fd from Azotobacter vinelandii. Mossbauer spectra of the reduced protein were analyzed with an S = 1/2 spin Hamiltonian and interpreted in the framework of the ligand field model proposed by Bertrand and Gayda. The redox potential of A. aeolicus ferredoxin 5 (−390 mV) is in keepi...
Sexuality in nursing homes.

: Since so little has been written on the subject of sexuality among the elderly in nursing homes, a study was conducted in some nursing home populations in Wisconsin. Resistance was encountered in certain areas but finally 63 residents (27 men and 36 women) agreed to be interviewed. A recently designed questionnaire was used, followed by a relaxed conversational period. Our findings indicate that the aged interviewees believed that sexual activity was appropriate for other elderly people in the homes; they personally were not involved, chiefly because of lack of opportunity. Most of them admitted having sexual thoughts and feelings. Medical and behavioral personnel showed great reluctance to discuss the subject. It would seem that, if the quality of life in old age is to be improved, there should be some provision in nursing homes for those who desire appropriate sexual activity.
Picornavirus, the Most Common Respiratory Virus Causing Infection among Patients of All Ages Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Illness

We evaluated the prevalence of respiratory virus infection (RVI) in 403 illnesses of 364 persons hospitalized over a 2-year period with acute respiratory conditions using virus-specific reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays in addition to cell culture and serology. RVIs were identified in >75% of children under 5 years of age and 25 to 37% of adults. The molecular assays doubled the number of infections identified; picornaviruses were the most frequent in patients of all ages, followed by respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses.
Pharmacologically Induced Resistance to Heat Shock 3. Effects of Rauwolfoids and Chlorpromazine on Heart Rate

Abstract OBSERVATIONS on the protective action of three tranquilizing drugs—the rauwolfoids reserpine and reserpine-free mother liquor, and chlorpromazine—against death from exposure to a standardized experimental acute thermal stressor (Burger and Lorenz, 1960a) led to observations suggesting that a reduction in reactivity of the sympathetic nervous system is important (Burger and Lorenz, 1960b). Since heart rate reflects (however imperfectly) the activity of the sympathetic system, a series of experiments was undertaken attempting to relate heart rates to treatment with two of these drugs and to conditions of heat shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the experiments an electrocardiotachometer was constructed: Each lead was a flexible shielded cable (grid-lead wire) terminated at one end with a phono pin plug. At the other end the active lead was terminated with two 2-inch safety pins, and the indifferent lead with one. The leads were connected to a switch box with 48 input positions; the …
Body temperature response of young chicks to intraventricular injections of various cations and EGTA

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of intraventricular injections of various cations or ethylene glycol bis [β-amino ethyl ether]- N , N , N ' N -tetra acetic acid (EGTA) on cloacal body temperature ( T c ) of young chicks ( Gallus domesticus ) was investigated. 2. 2. K + and Mg 2+ had no effect on T c while Mn 2+ caused a significant decrease. 3. 3. Na + and EGTA caused a significant increase in T c . 4. 4. The control of the set point for body temperature of chicks is similar to that observed in mammals.
Correlates and 6-month outcomes for co-occurring cannabis use in rural and urban at-risk drinkers.

We know little about the functional correlates of recent cannabis use when such use is additional to an “alcohol disorder” in non-treatment populations. We report on data from a prospective study of a large probability community survey of 733 at-risk drinkers in six Southern U.S. states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee) conducted from 1995 to 1996. Twenty-one percent reported cannabis use during the past six months at the baseline interview. These cannabis users were significantly less likely to be married, employed, or a high school graduate (p<.05). They were also more likely to have a diagnosis of “antisocial personality disorder” or “panic disorder.” Recent cannabis users also reported more negative consequences of their alcohol use, including more frequent recent diagnoses of an “alcohol disorder,” legal difficulties associated with their drinking, and more social consequences attributed to drinking. At the six-month follow-up interview, negative alcohol outcomes wer...
Changing Paradigms from Empirically Supported Treatment to Evidence-Based Practice: A Cultural Perspective

Psychotherapy research guidelines have a profound impact on research, training, and practice, and they also influence reimbursement decisions which can have ethical and legal consequences. Furthermore, research guidelines have implications for the treatment of culturally diverse groups. Unfortunately, these implications have often been overlooked. Therefore, this paper contrasts the impact of two prominent research guidelines on the development of culturally sensitive psychotherapies: (1) empirically supported treatments (ESTs) developed in 1995 by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology), and (2) evidence-based practice in psychology (EBPP) developed by the APA (2006) Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice. Although overall we believe that EBPP is more responsive to the needs and characteristics of culturally diverse groups, ESTs also have many strengths. As the cultural implications of research guidelines are better understood, researchers and clinicians will be able to more effectively advance the development of culturally sensitive evidenced-based psychological treatments.
Mechanisms of Altered Water Metabolism in Psychotic Patients with Polydipsia and Hyponatremia

Water intoxication is a serious problem in many patients with chronic psychiatric illness. In an effort to determine the mechanism of this disorder, we investigated the osmoregulation of water intake and antidiuretic function in psychiatric patients with polydipsia and hyponatremia and in matched controls with psychiatric illness but neither polydipsia nor hyponatremia. We found that a water load suppressed plasma osmolality and vasopressin and urine osmolality in both groups, but that urinary dilution and free water clearance were impaired in the patients with hyponatremia, even though plasma levels of vasopressin and solute clearance were similar in the two groups. Moreover, during water loading and infusion of hypertonic saline, the plasma level of vasopressin was higher at any given plasma osmolality in the test patients than in the controls, indicating a downward resetting of the osmostat. Patients' estimates of the amount of water they desired were shown to correlate significantly with the amount of water consumed and, at any given level of plasma osmolality, appeared to be higher in the test patients than in the controls. We conclude that psychiatric patients with polydipsia and hyponatremia have unexplained defects in urinary dilution, the osmoregulation of water intake, and the secretion of vasopressin.
Current multicentre studies with the excimer laser: design and aims.

. Excimer laser ablation to remove atherosclerotic plaque has been used for over a decade as a methodology to treat cardiovascular disease. Improvements in the technique and technology of excimer laser angioplasty, coupled with the recognition of new clinical opportunities for this treatment modality, have resulted in a resurgence of interest in the laser. Three clinical trials are now being conducted to explore potential applications, including the LARS trial of excimer laser versus balloon angioplasty to treat in-stent restenosis, the PELA trial of excimer laser angioplasty in occluded superficial femoral artery disease, and the LACI trial of excimer laser angioplasty in limb-threatening ischaemia. This article describes the rationale and objectives of these new approaches to some of the more challenging problems in cardiovascular disease.
Trends Versus Reactor Size of Passive Reactivity Shutdown and Control Performance

Favorable passive reactivity shutdown performance in response to unprotected accident initiators has been shown to be achievable when several measurable, integral reactivity parameters related to t...
Progress in the development of a multidimensional measure of fear of failure: The performance failure appraisal inventory (PFAI)

Measuring fear of failure (FF) is a tremendous challenge for researchers and practitioners because (a) existing measures have demonstrated limited support for the validity of their score interpretations, and (b) existing measures are unidimensional while accumulating evidence suggests that FF is multidimensional. The Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI) was developed to measures a set of empirically-derived congnitive-motivational-relational appraisals associated with FF. Results indicated that PFAI scores represented fears of (a) experiencing shame and embarrassment, (b) devaluing one's self-estimate, (c) losing social influence, (d) having an uncertain future, and (e) upsetting important others. Correlations with external measures of achievement goal orientations, trait anxiety, and social desirability were consistent with theoretical predictions. PFAI scores correctly classified 76.5% of participants' perceptions of underachievement.
Local interneurons in the terminal abdominal ganglion of the crayfish

1. On the basis of comparisons between total cell counts and cell counts of cobalt backfills of all roots and connectives leaving the ganglion, we estimate that 38–50% of the approximately 650 neurons in the last abdominal ganglion of the crayfish are local interneurons. 2. The soma size distributions for all of the neurons and for projecting neurons were compared. The comparison indicates that most local neurons are small. All neurons larger than 40 μm (n = 121) have axons that leave the ganglion, while 77 % of neurons smaller than 21 μm (n = 140) are local interneurons (Figs. 1,2). 3. We have recorded and filled with Lucifer yellow 63 local interneurons from which 15 unambiguously different types could be recognized. Five criteria were used in our initial classification. In addition to structure, we noted if each local interneuron was spiking or nonspiking, and, in our most complete experiments, if it was capable of affecting motor activity or projecting interneuron activity when depolarized. We also tried to determine its optimal sensory modality and receptive field. 4. Of the 15 interneuron types we encountered, 5 types (represented by 11 fills) were unilateral, nonspiking, premotor interneurons in the uropod motor circuits (Figs. 3–6). 5. Two types of local premotor interneurons were bilateral and spiking. One excited exopodite motor neurons on one side only. Our evidence suggests that the cells had a nonspiking input region on one side and a spiking output region on the other (Figs. 7–9). 6. Six other types of interneuron were encountered for which we have no evidence of motor effects. All of these neurons had bilateral but asymmetric processes, and were spiking on the putative output side. Some of these neurons appear to be part of sensory processing circuits on the basis of clear modality, distinct receptive field, and short-latency response to sensory input (Figs. 10–12). 7. Two nonspiking, bilateral interneurons were found (Fig. 13). These cells had very large processes which permitted them to be penetrated repeatedly and studied in detail. Although nonspiking, these neurons had separate input and output sides. They are involved in lateral inhibition within the sensory circuits (Reichert et al., submitted). 8. Our results indicate considerable heterogeneity in the properties and functions of local interneurons. Three basic modes of operation were found: (i) five types of interneurons functioned without spikes and may have diffuse input and output; (ii) eight types of bilateral interneurons had properties suggestive of nonspiking input and spiking output sides; and (iii) two bilateral neurons were nonspiking but had distinct input and output sides.
Once-and-forall management protocol (OFMP)

OFMP is a hierarchical, network management protocol that enables group operations to be executed on the management information bases of all nodes in the group. As long as no faults occur, OFMP ensures that all nodes execute their local operation exactly once in each group operation. If "immediately-detectable" faults occur, it ensures masking fault-tolerance; i.e., all non-failed nodes execute their local operation exactly once in each group operation. And, if "eventually-detectable" faults occur, it ensures stabilizing fault-tolerance; i.e., it eventually converges to a state from where all non-failed nodes execute their local operation exactly once in each subsequent group operation. Of special note is the ability of OFMP to detect using only a bounded amount of memory whether nodes have executed in same group operation, in a manner that masks immediately-detectable faults and stabilizes from eventually-detectable faults.
A processing technique for the truncated projections of asymmetric-fan-beam transmission imaging

The authors have developed a new imaging geometry-the asymmetric-fan-beam (AsF)-to expand the imaging field of view (FOV) for transmission imaging on current SPECT systems. The AsF geometry samples slightly more than one-half of the FOV in each projection and yields half-truncated projection data. Although each projection profile is not complete, the combined acquired data set meets the minimum sampling requirement because the other half of the FOV is sampled in the opposite projections after a full 360/spl deg/ rotation of the detector system. To take advantage of the simple convolution-backprojection algorithm for reconstruction, the key is in the handling of the projection profile for convolution. The authors have investigated such a technique to process the truncated projection profile for reconstruction without the side effects caused by the truncation. This technique entails filling in the truncated portion of each profile with interpolated data derived from other projections. After convolution, only the corresponding half of the original projection profile is backprojected in reconstruction. This is done to minimize propagation of the errors of interpolation in the reconstruction. Reconstructed images from phantoms and human subjects demonstrate that this processing technique yields good quality transmission images.
Participatory action research and popular education in Latin America

One of the signal developments in educational reform over the past two decades in Latin America has been the ascendancy of popular educational participatory action research. Popular education and participatory action research are two central traditions of nonformal education in Latin America. Popular education is highly critical of mainstream education, seeking to empower the marginalized, the disenfranchised, and the poor. Participatory action research combines research, educational work, and social action. These paradigms share a number of epistemological, theoretical, methodological, and political elements, and both paradigms have been influenced by the works of the Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire. This article discusses the origins of participatory action research, its basic premises, its main differences compared with nonparticipatory research, and some practical and critical conclusions that can be derived from these origins, theoretical‐political premises, and epistemological foundations. 1 In des...
Correlates of availability and accessibility of fruits and vegetables in homes of low-income Hispanic families

Availability and accessibility (AA) has been consistently shown across studies as the most important correlate of fruits and vegetables (FV) intake. However, there is little data on factors that influence AA of FV, especially in Hispanic families. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between parental factors, child's preferences for FV and AA of FV in homes of low-income Hispanic families with children 5-12 years old. A convenience sample of 184 parents of low socioeconomic status recruited through public elementary schools completed a self-administered questionnaire about demographics, language spoken at home and food insecurity (FI). Parental factors and child's preferences were measured using a 16-item questionnaire, which was developed specifically for the study. AA of FV was measured using a validated nine-item index. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that language spoken at home, parental practices that promote consumption of FV, parental role modeling and perceived benefits of fast food had significant and independent associations with AA of FV at home. Intervention programs should take into consideration the language spoken at home and target at improving parental factors in order to improve AA of FV.
A Study of the Impact of SLS, Life Skills Classes, on Graduation Rates

The purpose of this study was to see if the graduation rates were higher for students who successfully completed SLS, Student Life Skills, classes in the Student Development Instruction Department when compared to students who never completed a SLS, Student Development Instruction, class. The results indicate this to be true.
On regularity and identifiability of blind source separation under constant-modulus constraints

We investigate the information regularity and identifiability of the blind source separation (BSS) problem with constant modulus (CM) constraints on the sources. We establish for this problem the connection between the information regularity [existence of a finite Crame/spl acute/r-Rao bound (CRB)] and local identifiability. Sufficient and necessary conditions for local identifiability are derived. We also study the conditions under which unique (global) identifiability is guaranteed within the inherently unresolvable ambiguities on phase rotation and source permutation. Both sufficient and necessary conditions are obtained.
Relationship between changes in dietary sucrose and high density lipoprotein cholesterol: The CARDIA study

Abstract PURPOSE: Cross-sectional data from several observational studies have suggested that dietary sucrose may be inversely associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). This study examined associations between energy from dietary sucrose and HDL-C at baseline, year 7 and longitudinally (year 7 minus baseline) in a cohort of young black and white men and women from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. METHODS: The sample included 4734 black men, black women, white men and white women, ages 18–30 years, in 1985–86 (baseline); 3513 at year 7; and 3335 for longitudinal analyses. Multivariate analyses was used with adjustment for age, BMI, cigarettes smoked per day, physical activity score, and alcohol intake. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses indicated that energy intake from sucrose was inversely associated with HDL-C for each race-gender group at baseline, year 7, and longitudinally from baseline to year 7. This association was significant at baseline for black men, and white men and women ( p p p CONCLUSIONS: The consistent inverse associations between energy from dietary sucrose and HDL-C observed in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, and in different race and gender groups in CARDIA suggest that lowering dietary sucrose intake may be beneficial for those who may have low HDL-C.
Bacterial Adhesion: Seen Any Good Biofilms Lately?

The process of surface adhesion and biofilm development is a survival strategy employed by virtually all bacteria and refined over millions of years. This process is designed to anchor microorganisms in a nutritionally advantageous environment and to permit their escape to greener pastures when essential growth factors have been exhausted. Bacterial attachment to a surface can be divided into several distinct phases, including primary and reversible adhesion, secondary and irreversible adhesion, and biofilm formation. Each of these phases is ultimately controlled by the expression of one or more gene products. Ultrastructurally, the mature bacterial biofilm resembles an underwater coral reef containing pyramidal or mushroom-shaped microcolonies of organisms embedded within an extracellular glycocalyx, with channels and cavities to allow the exchange of nutrients and waste. The biofilm protects its inhabitants from predators, dehydration, biocides, and other environmental extremes while regulating population growth and diversity through primitive cell signals. From a physiological standpoint, surface-bound bacteria behave quite differently from their planktonic counterparts. Recognizing that bacteria naturally occur as surface-bound and often polymicrobic communities, the practice of performing antimicrobial susceptibility tests using pure cultures and in a planktonic growth mode should be questioned. That this model does not reflect conditions found in nature might help explain the difficulties encountered in the management and treatment of biomedical implant infections.
Opioid stimulation in the ventral tegmental area facilitates the onset of maternal behavior in rats.

This research investigated the effect of an increase or decrease in opioid activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) on the onset of maternal behavior in rats. In Experiment 1, the latency to show maternal behavior toward foster rat pups (sensitization latency) was determined in maternally naive female rats given either nothing or a unilateral intra-VTA injection of morphine sulfate (MS) (0.0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1 or 0.3 µg), on the first three days of a 10-day period of constant exposure to pups. Rats treated with 0.03 µg MS had significantly shorter sensitization latencies than did rats treated with 0.0 µg MS, 0.01 µg MS, or receiving no treatment (higher doses of morphine produced intermediate results). The facilitating effect of intra-VTA MS on the onset of maternal behavior was blocked by pretreatment with naltrexone hydrochloride and was found to have a specific site of action in the VTA (MS injections dorsal to the VTA were ineffective). In Experiment 2, sensitization latencies were determined in periparturitional rats given a bilateral intra-VTA injection of either the opioid antagonist naltrexone methobromide (quaternary naltrexone), its vehicle, a sham injection, or left untreated 40 min after delivery of the last pup. The mothers' own pups were removed at delivery; mothers were nonmaternal at the time of testing. Quaternary naltrexone treatment produced significantly slower sensitization to foster pups than did control conditions. Total activity and pup-directed activity did not differ significantly with treatment. The results demonstrate that increased opioid activity in the VTA facilitates the onset of maternal behavior in inexperienced nonpregnant female rats, and decreased opioid activity in the VTA disrupts the rapid onset of maternal behavior at parturition.
Node caching enhancement of reactive ad hoc routing protocols [MANET]

Enhancing route request broadcasting protocols constitutes a substantial part of recent research in mobile ad hoc network (MANET) routing. In this paper, we introduce a novel node caching approach for constraining the route request protocol in ad hoc routing. We have implemented node caching enhancement AODV-NC of AODV which improves the original AODV in all three metrics - extensive simulations in NS-2 show average decrease by 90% in communication overhead as well as average decrease by 63% in the delay, and average increase by 20% in the delivery ratio. We have also proposed a new measure of fairness of ad hoc routing protocols which depends on distribution of the forwarding load among nodes. The AODV-NC protocols are shown to be unfair and make certain overused nodes exhaust their batteries prematurely. We also suggest a load-balancing scheme that improves fairness and lifetime of AODV-NC, sustaining considerable improvement in overhead, delivery ratio and delay over the standard AODV.
Multi-class teaching–learning-based optimization for truss design with frequency constraints

Abstract The primary objective of this study is to introduce a multi-class teaching–learning-based optimization (MC-TLBO) technique for structural optimization with frequency constraints. Teaching–learning-based optimization (TLBO) is based on a simple and efficient algorithm with no intrinsic parameters controlling its performance. The multi-class approach proposed here increases the initial exploration capability of the optimization process resulting in a more efficient search. MC-TLBO extends the concept of the education process from a single classroom to a school with multiple parallel classes. The MC-TLBO algorithm employs a two-stage procedure: in the first stage, parallel classes explore the search space; in the second stage, the best solutions of the first stage form a super class to be the initial population for a modified TLBO. In order to examine the efficiency of the proposed methodology, the MC-TLBO algorithm is applied on various benchmark truss optimization problems with frequency constraints and the designs results are compared to the results of both a modified TLBO algorithm and other optimization methods.
The economics of scan design

The authors present a model that allows the designer to calculate the cost of scan-path design for testability (DFT) for standard cell-based chips. The model is used to estimate the profitability of designs that use DFT techniques over the product life cycle and those that do not. It is shown that, under dynamic market conditions, it is sometimes better to choose a more expensive solution if the product can be delivered faster. Thus, scan-path techniques can more than make up for their extra area if they reduce test generation time and therefore product lead times. >
Selecting next speaker: The context-sensitive operation of a context-free organization

This report extends earlier context-free treatments of turn-taking for conversation by describing the context-sensitive operation of the principal forms of addressing employed by current speakers to select next speakers. It first describes the context-specific limitations of gaze-directional addressing, and the selective deployment and more-than-addressing action regularly accomplished by address terms (most centrally, names). In addition to these explicit methods of addressing, this report introduces tacit forms of addressing that call on the innumerable context-specific particulars of circumstance, content, and composition to select a next speaker. (Turn-taking, turn allocation, conversation, context.)*
Recurrent Affective Disorders: Lessons from Limbic Kindling

Various endocrinological and biochemical conceptualizations of affective illness relate to different aspects of its phenomenology and course. Most endocrinological and animal modeling investigatory approaches focus on acute state changes of depressive behavior or its opposing phase of mania. In this chapter, we focus on the longitudinal course of affective illness, which is often characterized by a tendency for recurrence of episodes and a speeding up over time. This aspect of affective illness will be considered from the perspective of two different phenomena that can be studied in the laboratory — behavioral sensitization to psychomo- tor stimulants and limbic kindling.
Beyond Human Performance

Number Five is alive! In fact, Eric Allard and his talented All Effects crew have several new robots ready for the filming of a sequel to Short circuit. As I watched the movie, I was struck by a personal association with that robot, and have since concluded that its anthropomorphic form and its near-human role promoted those feelings. However, this response probably should be considered typical, since it has been deeply conditioned.
Generalized TDMA: The Multi-Accessing Tree Protocol

The tree algorithm, a new basic protocol for accessing a satellite channel by a large number of independent users, is considered. Previous multi-accessing techniques suffered from long delays, low throughput and/or congestion instabilities. The ALOHA algorithm, for example, when applied to the Poisson source model, has a maximum throughput of .37 packets/slot and is unstable. The tree protocol, under similar conditions, is stable, has a maximum average throughput of .43 and has respectable delay properties. In this protocol, the sources are assigned to the leaves of a tree graph. Message contentions are resolved by systematically moving from node to node through the tree, trying to determine the branches containing the conflicting users. It is shown that the tree protocol is a generalization of TDMA and that an optimum dynamic tree adaptively changes from an essentially random access protocol in light traffic to TDMA in heavy traffic. A major result is that if q . the probability that a user has a packet to transmit, is greater than 1/\sqrt{2} , then TDMA and the optimum tree protocol axe the same. If, on the other hand, q , then the optimum tree protocol is more efficient than TDMA. The maximum average throughput of a system consisting of the optimum tree protocol and a finite number of users is one packet/slot. The tree protocol may be applied either to a direct access system or to a demand assignment access system. Consequently, an example is presented comparing the average delay properties of tree and TDMA protocols when applied to direct access and to reservation access systems.
Late-Onset Offending: Fact or Fiction

This research focuses on a detailed exploration of late-onset offending. Using the National Youth Survey, this work seeks to answer three questions. First, is late-onset offending a real phenomenon? Second, if late onset does exist, is the evidence for it conditioned by how we define crime and delinquency? Finally, is late-onset offending an artifact of measurement methodology? Most literature evidencing late onset relies on official police contact and arrest data. Propensity or control theories in general posit that late onset should not exist. Propensity, namely self-control, should be instilled early in life and if absent, results in early initiation into crime and delinquency. Research in developmental psychology seems to support this notion. The findings from this study indicate that late-onset offending is almost nonexistent when self-reported measures are used leading one to conclude that contemporary evidence for late-onset is heavily conditioned by how we measure crime and delinquency. A comprehe...
History of vascular disease and mild parkinsonian signs in community-dwelling elderly individuals.

Background: Mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) are commonly found during the clinical examination of older people.Thesesignscouldreflecttheaccumulationofvascular pathological changes in the brain. If the etiology werevascular,onecouldhypothesizethatindividualswith MPS would be more likely to have systemic vascular disease than would their counterparts without these signs. Objectives:ToexaminewhetherMPSareassociatedwith ahistoryofvasculardiseaseandwhethercertainMPS(rigidity, changes in axial function) are more strongly associated with a history of vascular disease than are other MPS (tremor). Methods: Evaluation of older people without dementia in Washington Heights-Inwood, northern Manhattan, NY. The presence of vascular diseases was assessed with a structured health interview. Results: Mild parkinsonian signs were present in 375 (16.4%) of 2286 participants without dementia. Diabetes mellitus, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, andstrokeweremoreprevalentinparticipantswithMPS than without MPS, whereas nonvascular diseases (cancer, thyroid disease) were not. In a logistic regression analysis that adjusted for age, sex, education, and depressive symptoms, the number of vascular diseases was associated with MPS (odds ratio, 1.31 [95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.46]; P! .001). The combination of diabetesmellitusandheartdiseaseincreasedtheoddsofMPS by 70% and the combination of these with stroke increased the odds by 332%. Conclusions: The presence of MPS in elderly individuals might reflect, in part, the accumulation of vascular pathological changes in the basal ganglia or white matterregionscausedbypreventablevasculardiseases.Prospective and pathological studies are needed to further explore this finding.
Rethinking about Type-Flaw Attacks

Many security protocols are vulnerable to type flaw attacks, in which a protocol message may be forged from another message. The previous approaches focus on heuristic schemes to protect specific protocols but fail to expose the enabling factors of such attacks. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between the type flaw attacks on the security protocols and the knowledge of the principals. We formalize the notion of recognizability that characterizes the fact that a message could not be type-flawed. The approach helps us better understand security protocols and gives insights into the detection and prevention of type- flaw attacks.
Between-session practice and therapeutic alliance as predictors of mindfulness after mindfulness-based relapse prevention.

Objectives Mindfulness-based treatments have demonstrated efficacy in reducing symptoms in clinical populations. Not surprisingly, research suggests increases in client mindfulness might be a mechanism of change in these treatments. However, little is known about specific factors that lead to increased mindfulness. Design The present study is a secondary analysis of 93 adults in outpatient treatment for substance abuse, assessing effects of between-session mindfulness practice and therapeutic alliance on levels of mindfulness after an 8-week Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) program. Results Between-session practice over the course of the 8 weeks was predictive of mindfulness at postcourse, although not at the 2-month or 4-month follow-up assessments. Client-rated therapeutic alliance was a significant predictor at the 2-month follow-up, although not at 4 months. Conclusions These findings suggest that between-session practice and therapeutic alliance might be important factors in the initial increases in mindfulness after mindfulness-based treatments, but factors supporting longer term mindfulness might shift over time.
ccKOPLS: Confounder-correcting kernel-based orthogonal projections to latent structures

Building accurate predictive models for biological data sets from next-generation high-throughput data sources is essential to bioinformatics. However, confounding variables such as sex, age, and habitat can skew the results of such models, leading to biased and inaccurate results. While Li et. al have developed a confounder-correcting framework for Support Vector Machines (SVMs) [1], there is no such method available for machine learning algorithms suited for high-dimensional data sets with small sample sizes (d≫n). We have extended Li et. al's confounder-correcting (cc) algorithm (ccSVM) to allow Kernel Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structures (KOPLS) to explicitly account for confounding factors. We demonstrate that our novel method complements and improves the accuracy of a non-cc KOPLS with implicit orthogonal signal correction. Finally, we show that ccKOPLS is better suited to high-dimensionality data sets than ccSVM.
Energy based multi-signal transmission

This paper presents a bandwidth-efficient transmission scheme where several signals are sent simultaneously. To allow users’ differentiation at the receiver (s), each user data sequence is first multiplied by a specific amplitude sequence prior to being sent through the channel. In addition, the proposed scheme uses error correcting codes and soft-decision demodulation to reduce residual multi-user interference and channel noise at the receiver. Simulation results show that the considered scheme allows achieving spectral efficiencies of several bits per channel use. Finally, we discuss trade-offs between required resources (bandwidth, SNR) to transmit the signals and the BER performance of the proposed scheme.
A linear parameter varying control design to stabilize a decomposable system

In this paper we present a novel linear parameter varying (LPV) approach to control a decomposable system. As a result, a polytopic LPV controller is formed which guarantee to stabilize the system over the whole range of parameter variation. Furthermore, for the desired performance of the controller pole placement using linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is incorporated. To illustrate the effectiveness of the technique a multi agent system (MAS) as a special case of decomposable system is chosen for controller synthesis, in which the number of agents can be selected arbitrarily.
A microcosting approach for isolated, unilateral cleft lip care in the first year of life.

Background: The concept of value-based health care underlies many new improvement initiatives in U.S. health care. To determine value, accurate measures of both outcomes and costs are essential, which may then be compared for the same provider or system over time or between providers, to foster improvement. Although outcomes measurement has received a great deal of attention since the quality movement began in the United States, costing methodologies are lacking. Methods: A basic microcosting methodology was used to obtain direct medical costs, including physician compensation, for individuals with isolated, unilateral cleft lip deformity receiving their full course of care from one surgeon. The authors analyzed costs associated with the timeline of care during the first year of life. Results: The median cost for the first year of life was $13,013 (range, $10,426 to $16,115; n = 12). Ninety-one percent of costs were associated with the cleft lip repair, which occurred at a median age of 3.7 months. The majority of these costs stemmed from time in the operating room and the inpatient stay, which accounted for 68 and 19 percent of first-year costs, respectively. Conclusions: Using a microcosting approach, the authors identified specific cost drivers and outlined a distinct timeline of care for patients with isolated cleft lip in the first year of life. This approach may serve as a template for the cost side of the value equation, for which accurate methodologies are needed. When combined with key outcomes measures, it will be possible to measure and improve value at the patient and provider levels.