cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional Annotation of IFN-α-Stimulated Gene Expression Profiles from Sensitive and Resistant Renal Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines

The antiproliferative, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties of interferons (IFNs) have led to its therapeutic implementation. IFNs effects are mediated by a complex network of signal transducers, culminating in IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) induction. This complexity leads to diverse clinical responses to IFN, from no response to complete regression of disease. Elucidation of ISG induction patterns is, therefore, essential to understand and maximize its therapeutic potential. To correlate ISG expression profiles with IFN responsiveness, two renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines differing in antiviral and apoptotic response to IFN were treated with IFN-α for different times, and expression profiles were analyzed using a customized microarray containing 850 unique putative ISGs. Genes with similar kinetics of induction in both cell lines were clustered and analyzed for gene function. Seven sets of coordinately regulated genes were identified by k-means cluster analysis, and significant functional similari...
Parietal cell hyperplasia following the mann-williamson procedure☆

Abstract An average 86% increase in parietal cell numbers was found in 19 paired biopsy specimens taken from the dog gastric corpus before and 1 month after the Mann-Williamson operation. In this experimental model it seems likely that exclusion of acid gastric juice from the duodenal lumen results in the loss of inhibitory hormonal control of gastric secretion, and secondarily in parietal cell hyperplasia. Increase of the parietal cell mass has now been induced by several apparently different mechanisms.
Interaction of macrophages and lymphocytes for lymphokine production and cellular proliferation.

Abstract We have confirmed the requirement of macrophages in the antigen-induced T-lymphocyte proliferative response and in the generation of migration inhibition factor (MIF) by immune lymphocytes. Extending these observations, we have found that autologous and non-syngeneic, oil-induced peritoneal exudate macrophages were equally effective in restoring the proliferative response and MIF production by column-purified lymph node T cells. MIF activity was optimally restored when T cells were reconstituted with 1 to 40% exudate-derived macrophages whereas 10 to 30% macrophages were needed to optimally restore the T-cell proliferative response. Normal resident macrophages from the peritoneal cavity were also capable of restoring T-cell reactivity as were normal or BCG-activated pulmonary alveolar macrophages. It was also found that the addition of as few as 1.0% glycogen-elicited peritoneal exudate cells restored the production of MIF by T cells. Quantitative considerations demonstrated that the responsible cells in these preparations were polymorphonuclear cells rather than macrophages. In contrast, neither MIF production nor the proliferative response by T cells were restored by the addition of red blood cells. In these studies we were able to demonstrate that freeze-thawed macrophages could restore antigen-induced MIF production, but not antigen-induced cellular proliferation. The ability of freeze-thawed macrophages to stimulate T cells to produce MIF was apparently associated with the macrophage membranes and not with a soluble factor in the macrophage extracts. These results demonstrate that multiple sources of phagocytic cells may interact cooperatively with lymphocytes in reactions of cell-mediated immunity. Further, at least in the case of MIF production, this interaction involves a membrane-bound determinant that is effective even in the absence of viable macrophages.
Reduction of Mutagenic Products in the Presence of Polyphenols during Pyrolysis of Protein

The reduction in mutagenic products was studied using Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 in the presence of tannic acid and some polyphenols during pyrolysis of protein. Albumin was pyrolyzed with or without tannic acid at different temperatures under N2 or air atmosphere. The addition of tannic acid reduced the mutagenic activity of the pyrolysis products, and the reduction was observed in the basic and neutral fractions. The mutagenic activity of the pyrolyzates of albumin in the presence of polyphenols (such as quercetin, rutin, catechin, catechin gallate, n propyl galiate, chlorogenic acid, pyrocatechol or protocatechuic acid at the rate of 0.2 g per 1 g albumin) was from 20 to 76% of that of albumin without additives. The content of mutagen 2-amino-9H-pyrido[2,3-b ]indole in pyrolyzates decreased in the presence of polyphenols.
A Simplified Preoperative Assessment Predicts Complete Cytoreduction and Outcomes in Patients with Low-Grade Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix

Background Complete cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC) has been shown to improve survival in patients with low-grade mucinous adenocarcinoma (LGMA). However, incomplete cytoreduction exposes patients to significant morbidity without a similar survival benefit. Preoperative assessment of the ability to achieve CRS is therefore a critical step in selecting patients for CRS/HIPEC.
Nine-month predictors and outcomes of SSRI antidepressant continuation in primary care

Background: This study aimed to identify the predictors and outcomes of SSRI antidepressant continuation, discontinuation and switching over a 9-month period of naturalistic observation. Methods: Primary care patients (n=573) with physician-diagnosed depression from 37 practices were randomized to an open-label trial of one of three selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) managed in their primary care setting. Psychiatric characteristics and treatment course were assessed at baseline and at 1, 3, 6 and 9 months after medication initiation. Results: Nineteen percent of patients switched SSRIs, which occurred significantly sooner than discontinuation (median: 41 vs. 100 days). Time to discontinuation was primarily explained by baseline patient skepticism about taking an antidepressant (62% increase in discontinuation risk). In contrast, time to switch was associated with greater impairment at baseline and lesser improvement in impairment during the first month on medication. Patients who discontinued were significantly less likely to be depressed 9 months after starting medication than those who either continued or switched medication, and were less symptomatic and impaired than patients who switched. Conclusions: Baseline impairment may increase the risk for SSRI antidepressant switching. Additionally, patient skepticism about antidepressants predicts early SSRI discontinuation and may predict rapid recovery. Intent-to-treat analyses in nonrandomized clinical trials may paradoxically inflate antidepressant effect sizes.
Posterior hypothalamic modulation of the respiratory response to CO2 in cats.

Several studies have provided evidence that suprapontine structures are involved in modulating the respiratory response to increases in carbon dioxide. However, the actual neuroanatomical site(s) responsible for this effect has not been identified. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine if the posterior hypothalamus is one rostral site involved in the modulation of the respiratory response to hypercapnia. Phrenic nerve responses to progressive step increases in end-tidal PCO2 were recorded before and after unilateral microinjection of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonists into the posterior hypothalamus of anesthetized cats, which were paralyzed and ventilated. Microinjection of the antagonists reduced the apneic threshold to lower values of end-tidal PCO2. In addition, phrenic nerve responses to changes in CO2 above the apneic threshold were augmented following microinjections of the GABA antagonists. This augmentation resulted from larger respiratory frequency responses with slight increases in the tidal phrenic response. Microinjection of a GABA agonist into the same hypothalamic site reversed the effects of the GABA antagonist. Microinjection of the GABA agonist without a preceding antagonist injection had no effects. These results suggest that the respiratory responses to increases in PCO2 above the apneic threshold are modulated by neurons in the posterior hypothalamus in anesthetized cats. This hypothalamic modulation involves a GABAergic mechanism.
Effects of Computer Self Efficacy on the Use and Adoption of Online Social Networking

Online Social Networking (OSN) systems such as Ning, MySpace, Facebook and Friendster have achieved tremendous popularity. However, little research has been conducted to determine factors motivating users with varying capabilities to use and adopt OSN systems addressing target tasks, with varying system capabilities and characteristics. The relationships between user characteristics and use/performance have not been adequately addressed. This study used a cross-sectional survey of 262 graduate and undergraduate students to examine how end user Computer Self-Efficacy (CSE) affects performance and use of OSN systems and how A¢â‚¬A“fitA¢â‚¬Â determines whether there are user, task and/or systems characteristics associated with the best performance and usage levels. Significant direct and indirect relationships were found between CSE, task and system characteristics as measured by performance and use, and these relationships were further significantly strengthened when there was good A¢â‚¬A“fitA¢â‚¬Â between the variables. Results indicate that users having high self-efficacy A¢â‚¬A“fitA¢â‚¬Â with task or systems characteristics produce higher performance and use.
Everything Old Is New Again

To the Editor: In the July 2008 issue of the Journal, Cappola and colleagues (1) discuss the disappointing results of detecting and treating single-hormone deficiencies in older adults. They propose an alternate model for endocrine dysfunction in aging, in which multiple, concurrent hormone deficiencies interact, and they suggest that a more integrated treatment approach that simultaneously evaluates multiple hormones might be more promising. In the late 1950s, the combination drug Ritonic was marketed “for patients who are losing their drive, alertness, vitality and zest for living because of the natural degenerative changes of advancing years” (2). In addition to 5 mg of methylphenidate, the formulation contained methyltestosterone 1.25 mg, ethinyl estradiol 5 μg, and a variety of vitamins and minerals frequently deficient in older adults (3). Between 1958 and 1960, several uncontrolled trials of Ritonic in older adults with fatigue; apathy; depression; anorexia; and other common, nonspecific symptoms suggested a good response in 78%–82% of patients, with few side effects (3–5). Although this particular formulation was withdrawn from the market after the 1962 amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act required evidence of effectiveness as well as safety for drug approval (2), an approach that addresses multiple deficiencies, both hormonal and nutritional, to minimize the symptoms associated with aging likely remains valid.
Fitness cost of ampicillin resistance in Escherichia coli

Abstract. A long-standing hypothesis regarding antibiotic resistance assumes that the evolution of resistant genotypes comes at a fitness cost to individuals. This predicts that resistance will disappear from populations when antibiotic stress is removed because susceptible individuals can then outcompete resistant individuals. However, recent studies have shown that low fitness costs and the evolution of fitness compensation cause very low levels of reversion to susceptibility in some situations. This study evaluated the fitness parameters associated with ampicillin resistance in Escherichia coli under optimal, temperature stressed, and nutrient limited conditions by comparing optical density values between resistant and susceptible individuals. Unexpectedly, the ampicillin resistant population grew faster than the susceptible population under optimal and limited nutrient conditions and experienced no fitness cost under temperature stress conditions. Though ampicillin is not used in clinical settings and...
IMPACT OF EXCHANGE RATE UNCERTAINTY ON COMMODITY TRADE BETWEEN THE US AND AUSTRALIA

Exchange rate volatility is said to have negative or positive effect on trade flows. Previous studies that considered the impact of exchange rate uncertainty on the trade flows of Australia employed trade data either between Australia and rest of the world or between Australia and her few major trading partners. They were unable to discover any significant impact. In this paper when we disaggregate trade data by commodity between Australia and one of her major trading partners, the US, we find exchange rate volatility to have short-run effects on trade flows of most industries. However, the short-run effects last into long run, only in limited cases, though more in export commodities than import ones.
D-Optimal Mixture Design: Optimization of Ternary Matrix Blends for Controlled Zero-Order Drug Release From Oral Dosage Forms

The objective of the present study was to develop a tablet formulation with a zero-order drug release profile based on a balanced blend of three matrix ingredients. To accomplish this goal, a 17-run, three-factor, two-level D-Optimal mixture design was employed to evaluate the effect of Polyox (X1), Carbopol (X2), and lactose (X3) concentrations on the release rate of theophylline from the matrices. Tablets were prepared by direct compression and were subjected to an in vitro dissolution study in phosphate buffer at pH 7.2. Polynomial models were generated for the responses Y4 (percent released in 8 h) and Y6 (similarity factor or f2). Fitted models were used to predict the composition of a formulation that would have a similar dissolution profile to an ideal zero-order release at a rate of 8.33% per hour. When tested, dissolution profile of the optimized formulation was comparable to the reference profile (f2 was 74.2, and n [release exponent] was 0.9). This study demonstrated that a balanced blend of matrix ingredients could be used to attain a zero-order release profile. Optimization was feasible by the application of response surface methodology, which proved efficient in designing controlled-release dosage forms.
High Interest in Screening and Treatment for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES: To assess interest of older adults in screening and treatment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, in-person pilot survey with a convenience sample. SETTING: Two university-based geriatrics clinic waiting rooms in Chicago. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy adults aged 35 and older without cognitive impairment (n=149). MEASUREMENTS: Following a description of MCI extracted from the Alzheimer's Association Website “Fact Sheet,” questions concerning willingness to be screened and treated for MCI. RESULTS: Ninety-eight percent of respondents would be willing to be tested for MCI if a family member suggested they had memory problems, 99% were willing to take a medication if it would cut the risk of conversion from MCI to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in half, and 92% would take a medication to delay the conversion from MCI to AD by 1 year. If a family member suggested memory problems, African Americans were more willing than whites to be screened for MCI (75% vs 57%; P=.05). CONCLUSION: Older adults expressed high interest in screening and treatment for MCI. Interest in screening is even stronger in African Americans than in whites. Such high interest is potentially troubling, given the current state of knowledge about MCI.
Investigation of the antigenicity of the carbohydrate moiety of chicken ovalbumin.

Abstract Evidence for the antigenicity of the carbohydrae moiety of ovalbumins was sought by methods capable of detecting specific antibodies. These methods include: (a) the immunoelectrophoretic reaction of the ovalbumins with IgG fraction of goat antichicken ovalbumin serum in the presence and absence of Concanavalin A, (b) the ability of 14 C-acetylglycopeptides from chicken ovalbumin to be coprecipitated with the goat immunoglobulins, using the Farr technique, and (c) the ability of the 14 C-acetylglycopeptides to be coprecipitated with the goat immunoglobulins, using rabbit antigoat IgG. In no instance was there any evidence for the presence of carbohydrate-specific antibodies. The data strongly suggest that the carbohydrate moiety of chicken ovalbumin is not antigenic in the goat. The failure to detect specific antibodies in goat antiovalbumin IgG is discussed in relation to availability of the carbohydrate moiety for reaction with antibody, to alteration of the carbohydrate's conformation in the glycopeptides relative to its conformation in native ovalbumin, and in relation to the role of the carbohydrate moiety in the phylogeny of avian ovalbumins.
Color learning and illumination invariance on mobile robots: A survey

Recent developments in sensor technology have made it feasible to use mobile robots in several fields, but robots still lack the ability to accurately sense the environment. A major challenge to the widespread deployment of mobile robots is the ability to function autonomously, learning useful models of environmental features, recognizing environmental changes, and adapting the learned models in response to such changes. This article focuses on such learning and adaptation in the context of color segmentation on mobile robots in the presence of illumination changes. The main contribution of this article is a survey of vision algorithms that are potentially applicable to color-based mobile robot vision. We therefore look at algorithms for color segmentation, color learning and illumination invariance on mobile robot platforms, including approaches that tackle just the underlying vision problems. Furthermore, we investigate how the inter-dependencies between these modules and high-level action planning can be exploited to achieve autonomous learning and adaptation. The goal is to determine the suitability of the state-of-the-art vision algorithms for mobile robot domains, and to identify the challenges that still need to be addressed to enable mobile robots to learn and adapt models for color, so as to operate autonomously in natural conditions.
Docetaxel, Estramustine, and 15-Month Androgen Deprivation for Men With Prostate-Specific Antigen Progression After Definitive Local Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Purpose Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is effective for relapsed prostate cancer, but is rarely curative. The purpose of this trial was to determine the feasibility, toxicity, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response of chemotherapy and limited ADT for men with PSA relapse. Patients and Methods Eligible men had an increasing PSA and no metastases after prostatectomy and/or radiation for localized disease. Treatment consisted of four cycles of docetaxel (70 mg/m2) every 21 days and estramustine 280 mg tid on days 1 through 5. After chemotherapy, goserelin acetate and bicalutamide were prescribed for 15 months. Results Sixty-two patients were enrolled. A complete PSA response (CR) was defined as PSA at or below the assay-specific lower limit. The proportion of patients with CR after chemotherapy, after ADT, and at 1 year after completion of ADT was 53%, 63%, and 36%, respectively. Testosterone was more than 100 ng/dL (median, 250 ng/dL) 1 year after completion of ADT in 97% of patients. Patients wit...
Impaired V(D)J Recombination and Lymphocyte Development in Core RAG1-expressing Mice

RAG1 and RAG2 are the lymphocyte-specific components of the V(D)J recombinase. In vitro analyses of RAG function have relied on soluble, highly truncated “core” RAG proteins. To identify potential functions for noncore regions and assess functionality of core RAG1 in vivo, we generated core RAG1 knockin (RAG1c/c) mice. Significant B and T cell numbers are generated in RAG1c/c mice, showing that core RAG1, despite missing ∼40% of the RAG1 sequence, retains significant in vivo function. However, lymphocyte development and the overall level of V(D)J recombination are impaired at the progenitor stage in RAG1c/c mice. Correspondingly, there are reduced numbers of peripheral RAG1c/c B and T lymphocytes. Whereas normal B lymphocytes undergo rearrangement of both JH loci, substantial levels of germline JH loci persist in mature B cells of RAG1c/c mice, demonstrating that DJH rearrangement on both IgH alleles is not required for developmental progression to the stage of VH to DJH recombination. Whereas VH to DJH rearrangements occur, albeit at reduced levels, on the nonselected alleles of RAG1c/c B cells that have undergone D to JH rearrangements, we do not detect VH to DH rearrangements in RAG1c/c B cells that retain germline JH alleles. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for noncore RAG1 functions and for the ordered assembly of VH, DH, and JH segments.
Locomotor capacity and foraging behaviour of kalahari lacertid lizards

Abstract Closely related lacertid lizards (Eremias, Nucras) in the Kalahari desert differ in patterns of foraging behaviour. Some species are relatively sedentary (‘sit-and-wait’) whereas others are more active (‘widely-foraging’) predators. We determined whether whole-animal locomotor capacities (cruising endurance on a treadmill, initial speed and maximum burst speed in a racetrack, and sprint endurance in a torus-shaped track) correlated with interspecific differences in foraging behaviour. Two of three widely-foraging species had greater cruising endurance, graater sprint endurance, but lower burst speed than did a sit-and-wait species. However, the two species that sprinted quickly also had limited endurance, and vice versa. Pre-feeding negatively influenced endurance but not sprint capacity. Theoretical models of foraging behaviour should recognize that ectotherms have limited endurance, that there can be a trade-off between speed and endurance, and that pre-feeding can reduce some aspects of locomotor capacity.
Evidence that a slowly cycling subpopulation of adult murine epidermal cells retains carcinogen.

The distribution and persistence of radioactively labeled benzo( a )pyrene [B(a)P] in the skin of adult female SENCAR mice were investigated by autoradiography of epidermal whole mounts and cross-sections at intervals following a single initiating application of 200 nmol of either [3H]B(a)P (2 mCi) or [14C]B(a)P (23 µCi). One day after treatment, the entire thickness of the skin was labeled; the grain density was greatest over hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and interfollicular epidermis. At 1 and 2 weeks, decreases in the nuclear grain density were consistent with the overall pattern of epidermal renewal. One month after treatment, carcinogen label-retaining cells made up approximately 2% of the interfollicular basal cells. They were also present in the hair follicles, approximately 4 and 5% of basal cells in the infundibulum and external root sheath, respectively. They were rare in the germ region and dermal papilla. Carcinogen label-retaining cells were compared with slowly cycling [3H]thymidine label-retaining cells and “maturing” basal cells, two distinct proliferative subsets of adult murine epidermis. Carcinogen label-retaining cells were found to have characteristics of the slowly cycling cells: ( a ) most of the carcinogen labeled nuclei were found in the central regions of the epidermal proliferative units; ( b ) treatment of the carcinogen label-retaining cells with 2 µg of 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate elicited labeled mitoses within 1 day, and a general decrease in grain density over basal nuclei. In contrast, maturing basal cells 4 days after a single injection of [3H]thymidine were found at the periphery of the epidermal proliferative units. Within 1 day after treatment with 2 µg of 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, maturing basal cells were displaced to the suprabasal layers. Double isotope-double emulsion autoradiographs demonstrated doubly labeled cells 1 month after continuous labeling with [3H]thymidine and [14C]B(a)P and provide evidence that the radioactive carcinogen is retained by the slowly cycling [3H]thymidine label-retaining cells. These observations suggest that a slowly cycling population of epidermal cells may be relevant to the initiation phase of two-stage carcinogenesis.
Retinomorphic Vision Systems I: Pixel Design

I present and analyze test results from circuits that perform all four major operations performed by biological retinae using neurobiological principles: (1) continuous sensing for detection, (2) local automatic gain control for amplification, (3) spatiotemporal bandpass filtering for preprocessing, and (4) adaptive sampling for quantization. In the retinomorphic system that I describe, all these operations are performed at the pixel level, to eliminate redundancy, to reduce power dissipation, and to make efficient use of the capacity of the output channel.
d-Amphetamine attenuates decreased cerebral glucose utilization after unilateral sensorimotor cortex contusion in rats.

Abstract Unilateral contusion injury to the sensorimotor cortex causes, among other symptoms, a transient contralateral hindlimb hemiparesis in rats. A single i.p. 2 mg/kg dose of d-amphetamine (d-AMPH) 24 h after injury accelerates spontaneous recovery from this particular deficit. The mechanism(s) of spontaneous and d-AMPH enhanced recovery are unknown but alleviation of a neuronal depression has been proposed. This quantitative CMRglu study was designed to determine effects of cortical contusion injury and d-AMPH on CMRglu in cortical and subcortical structures. At 2 days after injury, CMRglu was significantly reduced compared to sham-operated controls only in structures ipsilateral to contusion. Affected structures included the caudate putamen, medial geniculate nucleus, lateral geniculate nucleus and the parietal cortex immediately posterior to injury. By 6 days post-contusion, the hypometabolism partially reversed in all structures. A single low dose of d-AMPH significantly alleviated the post-traumatic CMRglu reduction at 2 days after injury. Importantly, while this alleviation was not significant for any single structure, the main effect of treatment was highly significant. d-AMPH increased CMRglu at 2 days post-injury by 18–33% compared to contused/saline-treated rats. These results suggest that alleviation of neuronal metabolic depression may contribute to spontaneous and d-AMPH enhanced recovery.
Current management of advanced resectable oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

The oral cavity is the most common site of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, a disease which results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Though the primary modality of treatment for patients with oral cavity cancer remains surgical resection, many patients present with advanced disease and are thus treated using a multi-disciplinary approach. Patients with extracapsular spread of lymphatic metastasis and surgical margins that remain positive have been found to be at high risk for local-regional recurrence and death from disease, and are most often recommended to receive both post-operative radiation as well as systemic chemotherapy. The basis for this approach, as well as scientific developments that underly future trials of novels treatments for patients with high-risk oral cavity cancer are reviewed.
The Role of Family Therapists in Veterinary Medicine: Opportunities for Clinical Services, Education, and Research

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) are applying their specific skill set in a variety of arenas. A new area for collaboration is veterinary medicine. The veterinary medical profession is emphasizing the importance of non-biomedical skills such as communication skills, acknowledging that human clientele are likely to view their pets as family members, and discussing veterinarian personal well-being. Each of these trends has clear application for intervention by MFTs. A discussion of how MFTs may be uniquely positioned to assist veterinary medicine is presented. An example of collaboration between MFT and veterinary medicine at Kansas State University is highlighted. Recommendations are made for development of effective educational relationships and possible private sector collaborations.
Stub-tuned microstrip bandpass filters for millimeter-wave diplexer design

This letter presents a new design for microstrip bandpass filters and its application to a millimeter-wave diplexer. Basically, parallel-coupled microstrip lines are utilized for bandpass response and non-uniform open-circuited stubs are added to tune the bandwidth of the passband and improve out-of-band rejection. The designed filters are connected to make a diplexer, which can be used in a phased-array transceiver system operating in millimeter-wave range. The diplexer is designed to separate an input signal containing both 32GHz and 35GHz into two signals of 32GHz and 35GHz, respectively or to combine two signals at 32GHz and 35GHz into one signal.
Infrared laboratory absorbance spectra of olivine: using classical dispersion analysis to extract peak parameters

Laboratory measurements quantifying the effect of Fe substituting for Mg in olivine are needed to distinguish compositional from temperature, grain size and grain shape effects in observational data. To address this need, we study room temperature absorption spectra of a large suite of olivines evenly spaced across Mg and Fe compositions. We apply the principle that classical dispersion theory may be used to determine peak positions as well as peak widths, strengths and possibly optical function (n(λ) and k(λ)) estimates from absorption spectra of thin film samples of these olivines and two additional isotropic and anisotropic minerals with varying hardness and numbers of spectral bands. For olivine, we find that this method provides good estimates of peak position and that accounting for asymmetric peak shapes in this way increases the error on full width at half-maximum and oscillator strengths. Values from classical dispersion fits better match published n and k derived from reflectivity of single crystals when the dust proxy is soft and the thickness of the sample is independently constrained. Electronic data and peak parameter trends for the laboratory olivine absorption spectra and the viability of the extracted n and k are discussed with regard to astronomy.
Monitoring and Management of Pyrethroid Resistance in the Tobacco Budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma

A treated glass vial monitoring technique was developed in Texas in 1986 to test for resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). Use of this technique was extended to Arkansas and Louisiana late in the 1986 season and to Mississippiand Oklahoma in 1987. More than 57,000 insects were tested from 1986 through 1988. Data are presented on the occurrence of resistance at each location by year and by month for the 3 yr. The data confirm the presence of region-wide resistance to pyrethroids in the tobacco budworm and suggest its successful management in areas where pyrethroid use was restricted to the critical midseasonperiod. The data alsorepresent baseline values for future resistance monitoring and confirm the usefulness of a discriminating dose assay as the basis for determining the extent of resistance.
Influence-based model decomposition for reasoning about spatially distributed physical systems

Many important science and engineering applications, such as regulating the temperature distribution over a semi conductor wafer and controlling the noise from a photocopy machine, require interpreting distributed data and designing decentralized controllers for spatially distributed systems. Developing effective computational techniques for representing and reasoning about these systems, which are usually modeled with partial differential equations (PDEs) , is one of the major challenge problems for qualitative and spatial reasoning research.
Tonic opioid inhibition of the subiculo‐accumbens pathway

There is evidence to suggest that medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAS) should be sensitive to opiate compounds. However, neuronal responses in the NAS evoked by fimbria stimulation (F-D) are insensitive to systemically or iontophoretically administered morphine. The hypothesis of this study was that fimbria-evoked NAS responses may fail to demonstrate sensitivity to morphine because they are under tonic opioid inhibition and can't be further inhibited by opiates. If correct, then pharmacological inhibition of opioid actions on these NAS neuronal responses should result in an increase of response to fimbria stimulation. The effects of systemic and iontophoretic administrations of naloxone on NAS responses evoked by fimbria stimulation were observed. Systemically and locally administered naloxone selectively increased the excitability of accumbens single-unit responses to fimbria stimulation. Conversely, systemic or iontophoretic administration of morphine was without effect on the same types of NAS responses. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that a tonic opioid inhibition may regulate this pathway. In contrast, naloxone and morphine effect other NAS circuit responses differently than F-D NAS responses. In some cases naloxone and morphine tests have been conducted on different evoked responses from the same neuron. Those results have shown that different responses from the same cell may be differentially affected. Consequently, opioid modulation of activity in the NAS is probably pathway-specific rather than neuron-specific. Synapse 41:71–85, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Circadian Modulation of the Limulus Eye for Day and Night Vision

The horseshoe crab has been an outstanding model for vision and circadian research. Its lateral eyes are probably the best understood neural structure in the animal kingdom. Fundamental principles of image processing were first gleaned from the animal, including phototransduction, light adaptation, and lateral inhibition. A circadian clock in the brain modulates anatomical and physiological properties of the eyes to increase visual sensitivity each night. As a result, horseshoe crabs can use their eyes to locate mates equally well day and night. This chapter summarizes studies that have localized the clock output neurons that regulate vision, characterized their patterns of electrical activity, and identified octopamine as their primary circadian neurotransmitter. We are at a stage now where we can begin to model the response of each photoreceptor and each optic nerve fiber to natural visual scenes day and night.
Use of the D-dimer assay for diagnosing thrombosis in cases of canine cutaneous vasculitis.

The objectives of this study were to measure D-dimer concentrations and assess their value in diagnosis of thrombosis in three groups of dogs; (i) dogs with cutaneous vasculitis without histopathological evidence of thrombosis; (ii) dogs with cutaneous vasculitis with histopathological evidence of thrombosis; and (iii) pruritic dogs with erythematous skin and underlying allergic skin disease. D-dimer test results were reported as negative at or =250 ng/mL. Ten dogs with a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and/or cutaneous adverse food reaction were enrolled in the study, and the D-dimer results were 500-1000 ng/mL (14 dogs) and >1000 ng/mL (one dog); 11 dogs had no histological evidence of thrombi with a D-dimer of 500-1000 ng/mL (four dogs). However, two of four dogs with a D-dimer of >500-1000 ng/mL without histological evidence of thrombi developed necrotic skin lesions over the next 24-48 h. In conclusion, a D-dimer >500 ng/mL is strong evidence to support the current presence or subsequent development of cutaneous vessel thrombosis, and a D-dimer of <500 ng/mL correlates well with the absence of cutaneous vessel thrombi and necrotic skin lesions. No dogs with histopathological evidence of thrombi had a false-negative D-dimer.
Stability of nonlinear systems described by a second-order vector differential equation

The stability of a class of nonlinear dynamical systems described by a second-order vector differential equation Md/sup 2/x/dt/sup 2/+Ddx/dt+f(x)=0 is considered. It is shown that for such systems all the equilibrium points are hyperbolic. Moreover, that the number of right half plane eigenvalues of the system Jacobian matrix depends only on f(x), independent of the elements of M and D. The asymptotic behavior of the trajectories of the system is studied, showing that every bounded trajectory (x(t), dx(t)/dt) of the system converges to one of the equilibrium points as t approaches infinity . It is also shown that without the transversality condition, the stability boundary of the second-order system is contained in the union of the stable manifolds of the equilibrium points on the stability boundary and that the stability region of the second-order system is unbounded. >
Incremental learning from unbalanced data

An ensemble based algorithm, Learn++. MT2, is introduced as an enhanced alternative to our previously reported incremental learning algorithm, Learn++. Both algorithms are capable of incrementally learning novel information from new datasets that consecutively become available, without requiring access to the previously seen data. In this contribution, we describe Learn++. MT2, which specifically targets incrementally learning from distinctly unbalanced data, where the amount of data that become available varies significantly from one database to the next. The problem of unbalanced data within the context of incremental learning is discussed first, followed by a description of the proposed solution. Initial, yet promising results indicate considerable improvement on the generalization performance and the stability of the algorithm.
Baroclinically Unstable Geostrophic Turbulence in the Limits of Strong and Weak Bottom Ekman Friction: Application to Midocean Eddies

Abstract This paper examines the plausibility of mesoscale eddy generation through local baroclinic instability of weak midocean gyre flows. The main tool is a statistically steady, two-layer quasigeostrophic turbulence model driven by an imposed, horizontally homogeneous, vertically sheared mean flow and dissipated by bottom Ekman friction. A wide range of friction strengths is investigated. In the weakly damped limit, flow is nearly barotropic, and the horizontal length scale of barotropic energy increases with decreasing friction, consistent with previous studies. The strongly damped limit, explored here for the first time, is equivalent barotropic (lower-layer velocities are nearly zero) and features an increase in the horizontal scale of potential energy with increasing friction. Current-meter data suggest that midocean eddies lie between the barotropic and equivalent barotropic limits. In accord with this suggestion, the moderately damped regime of the model compares well to observations of eddy amp...
Release of histamine into gastric venous blood following injury by acetic or salicylic acid.

Summary The stomachs of anesthetized dogs were filled with 154 mm NaCl, 100 mm HCl, 100 mm acetic acid, or 20 mm salicylic acid in 100 mm HCl. Gastric venous and femoral arterial blood samples were taken at various intervals for the next 120 rein, and their histamine content was determined. Within 5 min there was a significant increase in the histamine concentration of the blood draining the stomachs filled with acetic acid. A similar increase occurred within 10 min in the blood from the salicylic acidtreated stomachs. Femoral arterial samples taken concurrently with the gastric venous samples containing the peak amounts of histamine contained little or no histamine. In no experiment was an increase in histamine detected in blood from a stomach containing NaCl or HCl. Histamine always appeared early in the salicylic and acetic acid irrigation solutions and reached peak concentrations at 15 min. Histamine was usually absent from the NaCl solutions until 1 hr of irrigation had elapsed, and then the concentrations reached were low. We conclude that the increased amount of histamine in the gastric venous blood during injury is proof that it is released into the mucosal interstitial fluid, where it can exert its characteristic physiological actions.
Witnessing violence and self-harming behaviors in women and men with severe mental illness

ABSTRACTPeople with severe mental illness (SMI) report high rates of having witnessed violence resulting in injury or death, but little is known about the relationship between having witnessed violence and self-harming behaviors. With 420 women and men diagnosed with SMI, we tested the hypothesis that one or more lifetime episodes of having seen someone “seriously harmed or killed in combat, home, or crime situation” would correlate with self-harming behaviors while controlling for other correlates of self-harm. Results showed that depression and having witnessed another person being harmed or killed were significantly associated with self-harm. Limitations included the cross-sectional design.
Neuroblastoma--when are urinary catecholamines and their metabolites 'normal'?

SUMMARY. The overproduction of catecholamines and their metabolites is a well recognised feature of neuroblastoma. Published data are scarce for their urinary excretion in children with neuroblastoma and in ill children in whom this diagnosis may be considered. We have determined a graphical upper reference limit for total catecholamines, total metadrenalines and HMMA in urine, expressed as a ratio to the creatinine concentration, for a group of 174 children with neuroblastoma and 704 hospitalised children with other disorders. This graph has been determined by examining the overlap region between the results for the two groups of children and avoids the irregularities caused by statistical outliers. The sensitivity and specificity of the individual tests indicate that total catecholamines is marginally the best single test to perform when trying to diagnose neuroblastoma, with the best clinical sensitivity being achieved by examining both total catecholamines and HMMA. Only two of the 174 children with neuroblastoma would not have been detected using these two tests. Total metadrenalines did not appear to add any further information and could be dropped from the repertoire in favour of the other two measurements.
Hybrid Evolutionary Search Methods for Training an Artificial Neural Network

In recent decades, hydrologic models have become increasingly complex in order to better simulate the physical processes that occur in watershed s. Highly detailed modeling, however, comes only at the expense of increased computational requirements. Such computational demand is typically not problematic wh ile simulating hydrologic responses of a watershed for predefined land management policies; however, it is a major drawback when repeated simulations are required as part of an iterative, decision management approach. This paper presents a hybrid evolutionary search method for training an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) that will simulate hydrologic responses (e.g., flows, sedim ent and nutrient yield) and economic profits that can be generated as a result of particular watershed landscapes. The ANN is trained to mimic outputs of the comprehensive, but computationally intensive, hydrologic model known as Soil and Water Assessment tool (SWAT). The hybrid search method is derived by combining a Particle Swarm Optimizer (PSO) and the Back Propagation algorithm (BP). Test results indicate that the developed data -driven models are capable of simulating SWAT outputs with greatly reduced computational demands. The ultimate goal of this study will be to integrate this SWAT-based ANN for use in a watershed management decision model.
Structural organization of the human cerebral cortex prior to the appearance of the cortical plate

The early development and the structural organization of the human cerebral cortex, prior to the appearance of the cortical plate (Carnegie stage 22, ca. 54 days), was studied in two embryos: 43 (stage 18) and 50 day old (stage 20), respectively. It has been shown that the human cerebral cortex begins its ontogenetic development around the sixth rather than around the eighth week of gestation as it has been previously assumed. The human cerebral cortex starts to develop soon after the cerebral vesicles have been formed (stage 15) and a primitive internal capsule has been established (stage 17, ca. 41 days). By stage 18 of human development fibres from this primitive internal capsule have reached and probably have penetrated into the developing cerebral vesicle, through its more superficial zone. Fibres from this primitive internal capsule have been traced backward through the ventral thalamus to the mesencephalic tegmentum. The possible existence of primitive ascending fibres from the mid-brain which terminate in the superficial zone of the developing cerebral cortex (tegmento-thalamostriato-cortical tract) is suggested. The arrival of these primitive corticipetal fibres establishes in the outer zone of the cerebral cortex a primordial plexiform lamina or an external white matter. Horizontal-bipolar cells (embryonic Cajal-Retzius neurons) begin to differentiate by stage 18 of human development (43 days in our case). By stage 20 (50 days in our case), the primordial plexiform lamina is well established, extends throughout the entire surface of the developing cerebral cortex, and is considered to be functionally active. It is, by this age, a superficial, 40 micrometers thick, complex fibrillar neuronal organization composed of numerous horizontal corticipetal fibres (demonstrable with silver methods), horizontal-bipolar Cajal-Retzius neurons and a few other, less defined, cellular elements. This primordial plexiform lamina is considered to represent a primitive "premammalian" cortical organization. The next event in cortical ontogenesis is the appearance of the cortical plate or the mammalian neocortical grey at stage 22 (ca. 54 days). Migrating neuroblasts attracted toward the preexisting primordial plexiform lamina and guided by glial fibres start to accumulate within it.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Effect on the recovery rate of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A by selective use of aerobic and anaerobic blood culture approaches

Objective To evaluate the effect on the recovery rate of Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A by selective use of aerobic and anaerobic blood culture approaches.Methods A 10 ml blood sample was collected from 18 684 patients with suspected blood stream infections and cultured by using mini-VITAL automated fluorescent blood cultivator or BacT/Alert 3D cultivator.When both aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles were used,17 733 were detected;Aerobic culture alone detected 935 and anaerobic culture alone detected 16,each bottle held about 5-ml draw.Results A total of 3888 isolates(20.81%) were recovered from 18 684 blood samples,with 3613 isolates recovered from paired aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles,2802 isolates(77.55%) recovered from both bottles in each pair of bottles,406 isolates(11.24%) recovered only from aerobic bottles,and 405 isolates(11.21%) recovered only from anaerobic bottles.The aerobic and anaerobic blood culture positive alarming times for 2802 isolates were(22.56±13.22)h and(26.69±15.80)h,the aerobic culture positive alarming time for 406 isolates was(32.85±23.33)h,the anaerobic culture positive alarming time for 405 isolates was(34.46±18.44)h.Conclusions The recovery rates of aerobic and anaerobic blood culture approaches are identical.The increased positive rate when using paired aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles is due to the additional blood volume.
Primary malignant myelomatous pleural effusion

Primary malignant myelomatous pleural effusion (PMMPE) occurs in less than 1% of patients with multiple myeloma and is diagnosed either by visualization of plasma cells on cytology or by positive flow cytometry. The presence of immature plasma cells characterized by high nucleus to cytoplasm ratio, visible nucleolus and presence of Mott cells and Russell bodies are independent poor prognostic factors. The clinician should differentiate PMMPE from secondary pleural effusion as it is associated with a significantly worse prognosis and poor overall survival.