Showing papers by "Georgetown University published in 1998"
TL;DR: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, initial therapy withinterferon and ribavirin was more effective than treatment with interferon alone.
Abstract: Background Only 15 to 20 percent of patients with chronic hepatitis C have a sustained virologic response to interferon therapy. We compared the efficacy and safety of recombinant interferon alfa-2b alone with those of a combination of interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin for the initial treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods We randomly assigned 912 patients with chronic hepatitis C to receive standard-dose interferon alfa-2b alone or in combination with ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg orally per day, depending on body weight) for 24 or 48 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by measurements of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA and serum aminotransferases and by liver biopsy. Results The rate of sustained virologic response (defined as an undetectable serum HCV RNA level 24 weeks after treatment was completed) was higher among patients who received combination therapy for either 24 weeks (70 of 228 patients, 31 percent) or 48 weeks (87 of 228 patients, 38 percent) than among patients who received interfe...
3,531 citations
TL;DR: The authors proposed a new theoretical framework for understanding simultaneous trust and distrust within relationships, grounded in assumptions of multidimensionality and the inherent tensions of relationships, and separate this research from prior work grounded in assumption of uni-dimensionality and balance.
Abstract: We propose a new theoretical framework for understanding simultaneous trust and distrust within relationships, grounded in assumptions of multidimensionality and the inherent tensions of relationships, and we separate this research from prior work grounded in assumptions of unidimensionality and balance. Drawing foundational support for this new framework from recent research on simultaneous positive and negative sentiments and ambivalence, we explore the theoretical and practical significance of the framework for future work on trust and distrust relationships within organizations.
2,606 citations
1,236 citations
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: The lateral intraparietal area (LIP) as mentioned in this paper has been shown to have visual responses to stimuli appearing abruptly at particular retinal locations (their receptive fields) and the visual representation in LIP is sparse, with only the most salient or behaviourally relevant objects being strongly represented.
Abstract: When natural scenes are viewed, a multitude of objects that are stable in their environments are brought in and out of view by eye movements. The posterior parietal cortex is crucial for the analysis of space, visual attention and movement 1 . Neurons in one of its subdivisions, the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), have visual responses to stimuli appearing abruptly at particular retinal locations (their receptive fields)2. We have tested the responses of LIP neurons to stimuli that entered their receptive field by saccades. Neurons had little or no response to stimuli brought into their receptive field by saccades, unless the stimuli were behaviourally significant. We established behavioural significance in two ways: either by making a stable stimulus task-relevant, or by taking advantage of the attentional attraction of an abruptly appearing stimulus. Our results show that under ordinary circumstances the entire visual world is only weakly represented in LIP. The visual representation in LIP is sparse, with only the most salient or behaviourally relevant objects being strongly represented.
1,007 citations
TL;DR: The lateral intraparietal area (LIP) as mentioned in this paper has been shown to have visual responses to stimuli appearing abruptly at particular retinal locations (referred to as receptive fields) and showed that the visual representation in LIP is sparse with only the most salient or behaviourally relevant objects being strongly represented.
Abstract: When natural scenes are viewed, a multitude of objects that are stable in their environments are brought in and out of view by eye movements. The posterior parietal cortex is crucial for the analysis of space, visual attention and movement. Neurons in one of its subdivisions, the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), have visual responses to stimuli appearing abruptly at particular retinal locations (their receptive fields). We have tested the responses of LIP neurons to stimuli that entered their receptive field by saccades. Neurons had little or no response to stimuli brought into their receptive field by saccades, unless the stimuli were behaviourally significant. We established behavioural significance in two ways: either by making a stable stimulus task-relevant, or by taking advantage of the attentional attraction of an abruptly appearing stimulus. Our results show that under ordinary circumstances the entire visual world is only weakly represented in LIP. The visual representation in LIP is sparse, with only the most salient or behaviourally relevant objects being strongly represented.
974 citations
TL;DR: The presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality, largely explained by an increase risk for pump-failure death.
860 citations
TL;DR: A new plan, for 1998-2003, is presented, in which human DNA sequencing will be the major emphasis, and an ambitious schedule has been set to complete the full sequence by the end of 2003, 2 years ahead of previous projections.
Abstract: The Human Genome Project has successfully completed all the major goals in its current 5-year plan, covering the period 1993–98. A new plan, for 1998–2003, is presented, in which human DNA sequencing will be the major emphasis. An ambitious schedule has been set to complete the full sequence by the end of 2003, 2 years ahead of previous projections. In the course of completing the sequence, a “working draft” of the human sequence will be produced by the end of 2001. The plan also includes goals for sequencing technology development; for studying human genome sequence variation; for developing technology for functional genomics; for completing the sequence of Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster and starting the mouse genome; for studying the ethical, legal, and social implications of genome research; for bioinformatics and computational studies; and for training of genome scientists.
833 citations
TL;DR: The authors examined the effects of negotiated interaction on the production and development of question forms in English as a second language (ESL) and found that interaction with intensive recasts may be more beneficial than interaction alone in facilitating an increase in targeted higher level morphosyntactic forms.
Abstract: This article examines the effects of negotiated interaction on the production and development of question forms in English as a second language (ESL). The study focused on one feature of interaction, recasts, which have recently been the topic of interactional work in the SLA literature (Long, 1996; Long, Inagaki, & Ortega, this issue; Lyster & Ranta, 1997; Oliver, 1995). The study compared groups of learners who received interactionally modified input with learners who received the same input containing intensive recasts in order to investigate: (a) the effect of recasts on learners' short term interlanguage (IL) development, and (b) the nature and content of learners' responses to recasts. The results suggest that for more advanced learners, interaction with intensive recasts may be more beneficial than interaction alone in facilitating an increase in production of targeted higher-level morphosyntactic forms. These positive developmental effects were found for recasts even though, as is generally acknowledged in the discourse, recasts were usually not repeated and rarely elicited modification by the learners. This study, therefore, suggests that recasts may be beneficial for short term IL development even though they are not incorporated in learners' immediate responses. In fact, the responses may be red herrings.
816 citations
TL;DR: The large proportion of bimodal tactile and visual neurons with congruent response properties in area VIP indicates that there are important functional differences between area VIP and other dorsal stream areas involved in the analysis of motion.
Abstract: Duhamel, Jean-Rene, Carol L. Colby, and Michael E. Goldberg. Ventral intraparietal area of the macaque: congruent visual and somatic response properties. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 126–136, 1998. In a pr...
779 citations
TL;DR: Channel deactivation was fast and comparable among receptors obtained by cotransfecting five distinct spliced variants of the NR1 subunit, each with the NR2A subunits, and recovery from desensitization was slower for NR1/NR2B than for NR2/NR3 channels, suggesting mechanisms additional to subunit composition may also regulate deactivation time course.
Abstract: N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors transiently transfected into mammalian HEK-293 cells were characterized with subunit-specific antibodies and electrophysiological recordings. Deactivation time course recorded in response to fast-glutamate pulses were studied in isolated and lifted cells, as well as in outside-out membrane patches excised from cells expressing recombinant NR1 subunits in combination with the NR2A, NR2B, NR2C, or NR2D NMDA receptor subunits. Transfected cells were preidentified by the fluorescence emitted from the coexpressed Aequorea victoria jellyfish Green Lantern protein. Currents generated by NR1/NR2A channels displayed double exponential deactivation time course being faster than that in NR1/NR2B or NR1/NR2C channels. However, a large decay variability was observed within each cotransfection, suggesting that mechanisms additional to subunit composition may also regulate deactivation time course. NR1/NR2D channels displayed slowly deactivating currents. Channel deactivation was fast and comparable among receptors obtained by cotransfecting five distinct spliced variants of the NR1 subunit, each with the NR2A subunit. Additionally, recovery from desensitization was slower for NR1/NR2B than for NR1/NR2A channels. The average deactivation time course of responses to brief L-glutamate applications in cells where NR1/NR2A/NR2B cDNAs were cotransfected at variable ratio was intermediate between those of the NR1/NR2A and NR1/NR2B channels. Although immunocytochemical evidence indicates that the majority of cells are cotransfected by all plasmids in triple transfection, our experimental condition did not allow for a tight control of the expression of NMDA receptor subunits. This produced the result that many cells were characterized by deactivation time course and haloperidol sensitivities of separate NR1/NR2A and NR1/NR2B subunit heteromers. We also speculate on the possible formation of channels resulting from the coassembly in the same receptor of NR1/NR2A/NR2B subunits from a minority of cells that gave responses to brief application of L-glutamate characterized by slow deactivation time course and decreased haloperidol sensitivity.
689 citations
TL;DR: The hypothesis of a preferential benefit from doxorubicin in patients with erbB-2-positive breast cancer is supported, with data supporting this hypothesis after a mean time of 13.5 years.
Abstract: Background: Overexpression of the erbB-2 protein by breast cancer cells has been suggested to be a predictor of response to doxorubicin. A retrospective study was designed to test this hypothesis. Methods: In National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project protocol B-11, patients with axillary lymph node-positive, hormone receptor-negative breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive either L-phenylalanine mustard plus 5-fluorouracil (PF) or a combination of L-phenylalanine mustard, 5-fluorouracil, and doxorubicin (PAF). Tumor cell expression of erbB-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry for 638 of 682 eligible patients. Statistical analyses were performed to test for interaction between treatment and erbB-2 status (positive versus negative) with respect to disease-free survival (DFS), survival, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and distant disease-free survival (DDFS). Reported P values are two-sided. Results: Overexpression of erbB-2 (i.e., positive immunohistochemical staining) was observed in 239 (37.5%) of the 638 tumors studied. Overexpression was associated with tumor size (P = .02), lack of estrogen receptors (P = .008), and the number of positive lymph nodes (P = .0001). After a mean time on study of 13.5 years, the clinical benefit from doxorubicin (PAF versus PF) was statistically significant for patients with erbB-2-positive tumors-DFS: relative risk of failure (RR) = 0.60 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-0.83), P = .001; survival: RR = 0.66 (95% CI = 0.47-0.92), P =.01 ; RFS: RR = 0.58 (95% CI = 0.42-0.82), P = .002; DDFS: RR = 0.61 (95% CI = 0.44-0.85), P = .003. However, it was not significant for patients with erbB-2-negative tumors-DFS: RR = 0.96 (95% CI = 0.75-1.23), P = .74; survival: RR = 0.90 (95% CI = 0.69-1.19), P = .47; RFS: RR = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.67-1.16), P = .37; DDFS: RR = 1.03 (95% CI = 0.79-1.35), P = .84. Interaction between doxorubicin treatment and erbB-2 overexpression was statistically significant for DFS (P = .02) and DDFS (P = .02) but not for survival (P = .15) or RFS (P = .06). Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis of a preferential benefit from doxorubicin in patients with erbB-2-positive breast cancer.
TL;DR: Orlistat is an effective treatment modality in obese patients with type 2 diabetes with respect to clinically meaningful weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, improved glycemic control, and improved lipid profile.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE Obesity is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with improved glycemic control and reduced cardiovascular disease risk factors, but weight loss is notably difficult to achieve and sustain with caloric restriction and exercise. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of treatment with orlistat, a pancreatic lipase inhibitor, on weight loss, glycemic control, and serum lipid levels in obese patients with type 2 diabetes on sulfonylurea medications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In a multicenter 57-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, 120 mg orlistat or placebo was administered orally three times a day with a mildly hypocaloric diet to 391 obese men and women with type 2 diabetes who were aged > 18 years, had a BMI of 28–40 kg/m 2 , and were clinically stable on oral sulfonylureas. Changes in body weight, glycemic control, lipid levels, and drug tolerability were measured. RESULTS After 1 year of treatment, the orlistat group lost 6.2 ± 0.45% (mean ± SEM) of initial body weight vs. 4.3 ± 0.49% in the placebo group ( P P 1c ( P P P P P P P P CONCLUSIONS Orlistat is an effective treatment modality in obese patients with type 2 diabetes with respect to clinically meaningful weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, improved glycemic control, and improved lipid profile.
TL;DR: The psychometric properties of the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire (SLESQ), a recently developed trauma history screening measure, are reviewed and some of the challenges of assessing traumatic event exposure are addressed.
Abstract: This article reviews the psychometric properties of the Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire (SLESQ), a recently developed trauma history screening measure, and discusses the complexities involved in assessing trauma exposure. There are relatively few general measures of exposure to a variety of types of traumatic events, and most of those that exist have not been subjected to rigorous psychometric evaluation. The SLESQ showed good test-retest reliability, with a median kappa of .73, adequate convergent validity (with a lengthier interview) with a median kappa of .64, and good discrimination between Criterion A and non-Criterion A events. The discussion addresses some of the challenges of assessing traumatic event exposure along the dimensions of defining traumatic events, assessment methodologies, reporting consistency, and incident validation.
TL;DR: This paper showed that the courses of syntactic and morphological development are independent and that the mapping between them is much less direct than previously supposed, concluding that it is not a direct relation between the acquisition of inflectional morphology and the development of functional phrase structure in the syntax.
Abstract: This article reviews recent SLA studies which have methodologically assumed a direct relation between the acquisition of inflectional morphology and the development of functional phrase structure in the syntax. Results from naturalistic production data collected over eight years apart are reported, establishing the ‘fossilization’ of English L2 tense morphology for an adult native Chinese speaker at a consistently very low rate of suppliance (approximately 34%) in obligatory contexts. Nevertheless, in addition to robust evidence for CP in the grammar, the data also show perfect distribution of pronominal case (100%) in all contexts, suggesting the presence of a TP bearing a fully specified [± finite] feature. Viewed in light of the steady state (in other words, where grammatical development has ‘ended up’), these results indicate that the courses of syntactic and morphological development are independent and that the mapping between them is much less direct than previously supposed. I conclude that it is ...
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A Theory of Information Warfare and its Applications: Protecting National Infrastructures and Privacy Compromises, 2nd Ed.I.
Abstract: I. INTRODUCTION. 1. Gulf War-Infowar. The Gulf War. Information Warfare. From Chicks to Chips. 2. A Theory of Information Warfare. Information Resources. The Value of Resources. Players. The Offense. The Defense. A Dual Role. Offensive Information Warfare. Increased Availability to Offensive Player. Decreased Availability to Defensive Player. Decreased Integrity. Other Classification Schemes. Defensive Information Warfare. Types of Defense. Information Security and Information Assurance. The CIA Model and Authorization. 3. Playgrounds to Battlegrounds. Play. Motivation. Culture. More than Child's Play. Crime. Intellectual Property Crimes. Fraud. Computer Fraud and Abuse. Fighting Crime. Individual Rights. National Security. Foreign Intelligence. War and Military Conflict. Terrorism. Netwars. Protecting National Infrastructures. II. OFFENSIVE INFORMATION WARFARE. 4. Open Sources. Open Source and Competitive Intelligence. Privacy. Snooping on People Through Open Sources. Web Browsing. Privacy Regulations. Piracy. Copyright Infringement. Trademark Infringement. Dark Sides. 5. Psyops and Perception Management. Lies and Distortions. Distortion. Fabrication. Hoaxes. Social Engineering. Denouncement. Conspiracy Theories. Defamation. Harassment. Advertising. Scams. Spam Wars. Censorship. United States Restrictions. 6. Inside the Fence. Traitors and Moles. State and Military Espionage. Economic Espionage. Corporate Espionage. Privacy Compromises. Business Relationships. Visits and Requests. Fraud and Embezzlement. Bogus Transactions. Data Diddling. Inside Sabotage. Physical Attacks. Software Attacks. Penetrating the Perimeter. Physical Break-ins and Burglaries. Search and Seizure. Dumpster Diving. Bombs. 7. Seizing the Signals. Eavesdropping on Conversations. Cellular Intercepts. Pager Intercepts. Law Enforcement Wiretaps. Foreign Intelligence Intercepts. Deciphering the Messages. Traffic Analysis. Pen Registers and Trap and Trace. Location Tracking. Telecommunications Fraud. Blue Boxes. PBX and Related Fraud. Voice Mail Fraud. Calling Card Fraud. Cloned Phones and Cellular Fraud. Computer Network Monitoring. Packet Sniffers. Keystroke Monitoring. Environment Surveillance. Cameras and Video. Satellites and Imagery. Van Eck Receptors. Miscellaneous Sensors. Shoulder Surfing. Privacy and Accountability. Sabotage. Tampering with Phone Service. Jamming. Radio Frequency Weapons. Physical Attacks. 8. Computer Break-Ins and Hacking. Accounts. Getting Access. Tools and Techniques. A Demonstration. Network Scanners. Packet Sniffers. Password Crackers. Buffer Overpows and Other Exploits. Social Engineering. Covering up Tracks. Information Theft. Gathering Trophies. More than Trophies. Tampering. Web Hacks. Domain Name Service Hacks. Takedown. Remote Shutdown. Extent. 9. Masquerade. Identity Theft. Forged Documents and Messages. E-Mail Forgeries. Forgeries in Spam. E-Mail Floods. IP Spoofing. Counterfeiting. Trojan Horses. Software Trojans. Riding the Web. E-Mail Relays. Chipping. Undercover Operations and Stings. 10. Cyberplagues. Viruses. Program Viruses. Boot Viruses. Macro Viruses. Concealment Techniques. Who Writes Viruses. Prevalence. Virus Hoaxes. Worms. III. DEFENSIVE INFORMATION WARFARE. 11. Secret Codes and Hideaways. Locks and Keys. Cryptography. Digital Ciphers. Code Breaking. Generation and Distribution of Keys. Public-Key Distribution and Diffie-Hellman. Public-Key Cryptography and RSA. Key Storage and Recovery. Applications of Encryption. The Limits of Encryption. Steganography. Anonymity. Sanitization. Trash Disposal. Shielding. 12. How to Tell a Fake. Biometrics. Passwords and Other Secrets. Integrity Checksums. Digital Signatures. Public-Key Management and Certificates. Watermarks. Call Back and Call Home. Location-based Authentication. Badges and Cards. 13. Monitors and Gatekeepers. Access Controls. Authorization Policies. Access Control Monitors. Limitations. Filters. Firewalls. Junk E-Mail Filters. Web Filters. Intrusion and Misuse Detection. Workplace Monitoring. Automated Detection. Computer Intrusion and Misuse Detection. Analogy with the Human Immune System. Detecting and Eradicating Viruses and Malicious Mobile Code. 14. In a Risky World. Vulnerability Monitoring. Finding Computer and Network Security Flaws. Monitoring Security Publications. Building It Secure. The Orange Book. The ITSEC and Common Criteria. Evaluation. Commercial Criteria. ICSA Certification. Accreditation. The Capability Maturity Model. Security Awareness and Training. Avoiding Single Points of Failure. Backups. Risk Management. Risk Assessment and Asset Valuation. Insurance. Benchmarking. Due Care and Liability. Incident Handling. Investigation and Assessment. Containment and Recovery. Improving Security. Notification. In-Kind Response. Legal and Civil Remedies. Economic and Military Response. Emergency Preparedness. Obstacles. 15. Defending the Nation. Generally Accepted System Security Principles. Protecting Critical Infrastructures. President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection. Presidential Decision Directive. Encryption Policy. Code Making. Code Breaking. International Policies. U.S. Policy. Legal Challenges. Legislation. Encryption Policy in Perspective. Bibliography of Books. Endnotes. Index. 0201433036T04062001
TL;DR: The excess glucocorticoids and CRH, and the state of anticipatory anxiety, contribute to allostatic load, a new term that refers to the wear and tear on the body and brain arising from attempts to adapt to adversity.
TL;DR: The data suggest that the PFA-100 system is highly accurate in discriminating normal from abnormal platelet function and the ease of operation of the instrument makes it a useful tool to use in screening patients for platelet-related hemostasis defects.
Abstract: The PFA-100 system is a platelet function analyzer designed to measure platelet-related primary hemostasis. The instrument uses two disposable cartridges: a collagen/epinephrine (CEPI) and a collagen/ADP (CADP) cartridge. Previous experience has shown that CEPI cartridges detect qualitative platelet defects, including acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced abnormalities, while CADP cartridges detect only thrombocytopathies and not ASA use. In this seven-center trial, 206 healthy subjects and 176 persons with various platelet-related defects, including 127 ASA users, were studied. The platelet function status was determined by a platelet function test panel. Comparisons were made as to how well the defects were identified by the PFA-100 system and by platelet aggregometry. The reference intervals for both cartridges, testing the 206 healthy subjects, were similar to values described in smaller studies in the literature [mean closure time (CT) 132 s for CEPI and 93 s for CADP]. The use of different lot numbers of cartridges or duplicate versus singleton testing revealed no differences. Compared with the platelet function status, the PFA-100 system had a clinical sensitivity of 94.9% and a specificity of 88.8%. For aggregometry, a sensitivity of 94.3% and a specificity of 88.3% were obtained. These values are based on all 382 specimens. A separate analysis of sensitivity by type of platelet defect, ASA use versus congenital thrombocytopathies, revealed for the PFA-100 system a 94.5% sensitivity in identifying ASA users and a 95.9% sensitivity in identifying the other defects. For aggregometry, the values were 100% for ASA users and 79.6% for congenital defects. Analysis of concordance between the PFA-100 system and aggregometry revealed no difference in clinical sensitivity and specificity between the systems (p > 0.9999). The overall agreement was 87.5%, with a Kappa index of 0.751. The two tests are thus equivalent in their ability to identify normal and abnormal platelet defects. Testing 126 subjects who took 325 mg ASA revealed that the PFA-100 system (CEPI) was able to detect 71.7% of ASA-induced defects with a positive predictive value of 97.8%. The overall clinical accuracy of the system, calculated from the area under the ROC curve, was 0.977. The data suggest that the PFA-100 system is highly accurate in discriminating normal from abnormal platelet function. The ease of operation of the instrument makes it a useful tool to use in screening patients for platelet-related hemostasis defects.
TL;DR: This retrospective case-control study has shown a significant association between antecedent high-dose corticosteroid therapy and the development of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), and should discourage the use of high-drugs in patients with early diffuse SRC who are at increased risk of developing SRC.
Abstract: Objective
To determine whether the initiation of corticosteroids or other types of therapy affects the development of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).
Methods
Using a case-control study, 110 patients with systemic sclerosis who developed SRC between 1981 and 1993 were closely matched with controls on sex, race, age, disease duration, skin score, levels of creatine phosphokinase, and presence of tendon friction rubs. Corticosteroid use was determined prior to the onset of SRC in cases or prior to the first visit in controls. Cases were compared with matched controls using McNemar's matched-pair analysis and conditional logistic regression analysis. The effects of other drugs, including D-penicillamine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, were also evaluated.
Results
In the 6 months prior to SRC onset or to the first visit, high-dose corticosteroids (≥15 mg/day prednisone or equivalent) were administered significantly more frequently in SRC patients (36%) than in the controls (12%) (McNemar's odds ratio 4.37, 95% confidence interval 2.03-9.43, P < 0.0001). New use of low-dose steroids, continuous use of any steroid dose, NSAIDs, calcium channel blockers, and ACE inhibitors were not associated with an increased risk of SRC. Antecedent D-penicillamine therapy may have been protective against the development of SRC in controls.
Conclusion
This retrospective case-control study has shown a significant association between antecedent high-dose corticosteroid therapy and the development of SRC. These results should discourage the use of high-dose corticosteroids in patients with early diffuse scleroderma who are at increased risk of developing SRC.
TL;DR: This paper examined naturalistic longitudinal production data from Patty, a native Chinese speaker whose L2 English grammar has "fossilized" with regard to verbal agreement morphology, and found that, despite the omission of regular agreement suffixation in about 96% of obligatory contexts, theyatic verbs are never raised in Patty's English,thus showing no optionality of raising.
Abstract: This article addresses current proposals in the literature suggesting that thematic verb-raising is optional in the grammars of L2 acquirers, due either to failure to acquire verbal agreement morphology or to an impairment of the mechanism relating the ‘richness’ of morphological agreement paradigms to syntactic feature strength. I examine naturalistic longitudinal production data from Patty, a native Chinese speaker whose L2 English grammar has ‘fossilized’ with regard to verbal agreement morphology. The data show that, despite the omission of regular agreement suffixation in about 96% of obligatory contexts, thematic verbs are never raised in Patty's English,thus showing no optionality of raising.The results indicate that even in cases where regular verbal morphology is neveracquired,it is still possible for the learner to determine feature strength and the status of verb-raising in the target language.
TL;DR: It is suggested that rather early in development synaptic receptors comprising NR1/NR2B subunits could be associated with other subunits so that blockade by haloperidol and CP101,606 is prevented.
Abstract: 1. Pharmacologically isolated miniature NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (mN-EPSCs) were recorded in large visual cortical neurons in layer V of rat cortical slices. Haloperidol (100 microM) and CP101,606 (10 microM), two specific blockers of NMDA receptors comprising NR1/NR2B subunits, were tested on mN-EPSCs in rats at postnatal days 7 and 8 (P7-P8) and P13-P15. At both ages tested, no significant effects of these drugs were seen in the whole population of neurons, although in few neurons at both ages changes in amplitude were observed with haloperidol. Other dopamine receptor antagonists, spiperone and clozapine, failed to decrease mN-EPSCs in cortical neurons at P13-P15. 2. CP101,606 (10 microM) significantly decreased the amplitude of evoked N-EPSCs (eN-EPSCs) in visual cortical slices from rats at P3-P5, a developmental stage at which mRNA studies have indicated the virtual absence of NR2A mRNA. CP101,606 failed to significantly change evoked AMPA-mediated EPSCs at P5 and eN-EPSCs at P7-P8 and P13-P15. 3. NMDA receptor-mediated currents were also studied in somatic outside-out patches at P13-P15 with fast application of L-glutamate (1 mM). Haloperidol (50 microM) and CP101,606 (10 muM) blocked these currents in all patches tested. The effect of CP101,606 was concentration dependent. 4. We suggest that rather early in development synaptic receptors comprising NR1/NR2B subunits could be associated with other subunits so that blockade by haloperidol and CP101,606 is prevented. Moreover, the consistent blockade seen in outside out patches might be ascribed to the confinement of NR1/NR2B receptors to an extrasynaptic population.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a methodology for analyzing the revenue and efficiency performance of auctions when buyers have private information about their willingness to pay and ability to pay, and applied the framework to scenarios involving standard auction mechanisms.
Abstract: We develop a methodology for analyzing the revenue and efficiency performance of auctions when buyers have private information about their willingness to pay and ability to pay. We then apply the framework to scenarios involving standard auction mechanisms. In the simplest case, where bidders face absolute spending limits, first-price auctions yield higher expected revenue and social surplus than second-price auctions. The revenue dominance of first-price auctions over secondprice auctions carries over to the case where bidders have access to credit. These rankings are explained by differences in the extent to which financial constraints bind in different auction formats.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: This paper showed that the United States is in a money-dominant regime and that the price level is determined in more conventional ways than in the money-defiant regime. And they developed testable restrictions that differentiate between the two regimes.
Abstract: A new theory of price determination suggests that if primary surpluses are independent of the level of debt, the price level has to jump' to assure fiscal solvency. In this regime (which we call Fiscal Dominant), monetary policy has to work through seignorage to control the price level. If on the other hand primary surpluses are expected to respond to the level of debt in a way that assures fiscal solvency (a regime we call Money Dominant), then the price level is determined in more conventional ways. In this paper we develop testable restrictions that differentiate between the two regimes. Using post war data, we present what we think is overwhelming evidence that the United States is in a Money Dominant regime; even the post Reagan data (1980 to 1995) seem to support that contention.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Mutational analysis of multiple regions from several tumor samples showed that the β-catenin mutations were present focally and therefore may occur during tumor progression.
Abstract: Beta-catenin plays essential roles in both intercellular adhesion and signal transduction. As a signaling molecule, beta-catenin supplies an activating domain to the T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor family of DNA-binding proteins and activates gene transcription. Posttranslational stabilization of beta-catenin, leading to elevated protein levels and constitutive gene activation, has been proposed as an important step in oncogenesis. Stabilization of beta-catenin can occur through mutation to highly conserved amino acids encoded in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene (CTNNB1). To determine whether this pathway of malignant transformation is important in prostate cancer, we analyzed 104 prostate cancer tissue specimens, 4 prostate cancer cell lines, and 3 prostate tumor xenografts for activating mutations in exon 3 of CTNNB1. Mutations were detected in 5 of the 104 prostate cancer tissue samples. Four of the five mutations involved serine or threonine residues implicated in the degradation of beta-catenin. A fifth tumor had a mutation at codon 32, changing a highly conserved aspartic acid to a tyrosine. Mutational analysis of multiple regions from several tumor samples showed that the beta-catenin mutations were present focally and therefore may occur during tumor progression.
TL;DR: The incidence of any infection and sepsis/ meningitis are significantly reduced in human milk-fed VLBW infants compared with exclusively formula- fed V LBW infants.
Abstract: Background. Preterm infants are immu- nologically immature at birth. Previous studies have demonstrated that human milk protects against infection in full-term infants, but there are few studies of its effect for preterm infants. Objective. To examine the effect of human milk feed- ings on infection incidence among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during their initial hospitalization. Study Design. The sample consisted of 212 consecu- tive VLBW infants admitted to the Georgetown Univer- sity Medical Center neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) during 1992-1993 and surviving to receive enteral feed- ing. Type of feeding (human milk vs formula), presence of infection and sepsis/meningitis (clinical signs and positive cultures for pathogenic organisms), and poten- tial confounding variables were abstracted from medical records. Multiple logistic regression was used to control for confounders. Results. The incidence of infection (human milk (29.3%) vs formula (47.2%)) and sepsis/meningitis (hu- man milk (19.5%) vs formula (32.6%)) differed signifi- cantly by type of feeding. Major risk factors for infection were similar in both groups. Human milk feeding was independently correlated with a reduced odds of infec- tion (odds ratio (OR) 5 0.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.23- 0.81), controlling for gestational age, 5-minute Ap- gar score, mechanical ventilation days, and days without enteral feedings; and was independently correlated with a reduced odds of sepsis/meningitis (OR 5 0.47, 95% CI:0.23- 0.95), controlling for gestational age, mechanical ventilation days, and days without enteral feedings. Conclusions. The incidence of any infection and sepsis/ meningitis are significantly reduced in human milk-fed VLBW infants compared with exclusively formula-fed VLBW infants. Pediatrics 1998;102(3). URL: http://www. pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/102/3/e38; infection, sepsis, in- fant, low birth weight, human milk, breastfeeding.
Patent•
15 Jan 1998TL;DR: In this paper, a plurality of bus channels are provided, each specified for the broadcast transmission of data packets to members of a respective one of the emulated local area networks, and the content addressable memory provides a data field which indicates whether a request for the resolution of the destination address into a specific virtual channel number has been made.
Abstract: Data received in the form of data packets which include destination addresses is transmitted over virtual channels in an asynchronous transfer mode to emulate the operation of a plurality of emulated local area networks. A plurality of bus channels are provided, each specified for the broadcast transmission of data packets to members of a respective one of the emulated local area networks. An address look-up data-base is used to receive the destination address of a data packet and data defining the respective bus channel for the broadcast transmission of that packet in the respective emulated local area network. The data packet is then transmitted over the respective bus channel. The content addressable memory provides a data field which indicates whether a request for the resolution of the destination address into a specific virtual channel number has been made.
TL;DR: The hypothesis is put forward that the central auditory pathways in the macaque monkey are organized into parallel streams, similar to the visual system, one for the processing of spatial information, the other for theprocessing of auditory ‘patterns’.
Abstract: Evidence from anatomical tracer studies as well as lesions of the primary auditory cortex (AI) indicate that the principal relay nucleus of the auditory thalamus, the ventral part of the medial genicu
Book•
06 May 1998TL;DR: The study of Meaning and the Dimensions of Meaning examines language in use, semantic roles, and the construction of meanings in the context of a semantic web.
Abstract: Introducing English Semantics, Second Edition is a practical introduction to understanding how meanings are expressed in the English language. Presenting the basic principles of the discipline of semantics, this newly revised edition explores the knowledge of language that speakers have which enables them to communicate - to express observations, opinions, intentions and the products of their imagination. The text emphasises pragmatic investigation with numerous illustrative examples of concepts and ample exercises to help students develop and improve their linguistic analysis skills.
Introducing English Semantics:
Discusses the nature of human language and how linguists categorise and examine it.
Covers meanings expressed in English words, prefixes, suffixes and sentences.
Examines such relations as synonymy, antonymy, hyponymy, ambiguity, implication, factivity, aspect, and modality
Draws comparisons between English and other languages
Illustrates the importance of 'tone of voice' and 'body language' in face-to-face exchanges and the role of context in any communication
Contains a wealth of exercises and a glossary to clearly define all terminology
This new edition includes expanded and updated textual exercises and a greater focus on compounds and other kinds of composite lexemes. Written in a clear and accessible style, Introducing English Semantics is an essential text for any student taking an introductory course in semantics.
TL;DR: Determination of QTD from the surface ECG even when performed with the best available methodology failed to predict subsequent risk in this large series of infarct survivors.
Abstract: Background —Risk stratification by means of analysis of QT dispersion (QTD) in the 12-lead surface ECG is under intense investigation in various patient populations. The aim of the present prospective study was to evaluate the prognostic value of QTD and other ECG variables reflecting dispersion of ventricular repolarization in comparison with established risk stratifiers during long-term follow-up in a large cohort of post–myocardial infarction patients treated according to contemporary therapeutic guidelines.
Methods and Results —In 280 consecutive infarct survivors, the 12-lead ECG was optically scanned and digitized for analysis of QTD (QTmax−QTmin) and 25 other repolarization variables, including recently developed and validated parameters such as the T peak–to–T end interval and the area under the T wave. In addition, a variety of established risk stratifiers were assessed. After a mean follow-up period of 32±10 months, 30 patients reached one of the prospectively defined study end points (death, ventricular tachycardia, or resuscitated ventricular fibrillation). Comparisons between event and nonevent patients by means of Kaplan-Meier event probability analyses revealed that none of the ECG dispersion variables were of discriminative value. In contrast, variables such as left ventricular ejection fraction ( P =0.007), mean 24-hour heart rate ( P =0.022), or heart rate variability ( P =0.007) proved to be potentially useful risk stratifiers in this patient population. On multivariate analysis, only LVEF, heart rate variability, and a history of thrombolysis were independent predictors of outcome.
Conclusions —Determination of QTD from the surface ECG even when performed with the best available methodology failed to predict subsequent risk in this large series of infarct survivors.
TL;DR: NAB directed against IFN-β have in vivo biological consequences in patients with MS and treatment decisions in MS patients treated withIFN- β should take into account development of NAB.
Abstract: Background: Interferon beta is an effective treatment for relapsing multiple sclerosis(MS). As with other protein drugs, neutralizing antibodies (NAB) can develop that reduce the effectiveness of treatment. Objectives: To determine the incidence and biological significance of NAB to interferon beta-1a (IFN-β-1a; Avonex; Biogen, Cambridge, MA) in MS patients. Methods: A two-step assay for NAB to IFN-β-1a was developed and used to assay serum samples from participants in the phase III clinical trial of IFN-β-1a, and from patients in an ongoing open-label study of IFN-β1a. The biological significance of NAB to IFN-β-1a was determined by relating the NAB assay result to in vivo induction of the IFN-inducible molecules neopterin and β-2 microglobulin, and the clinical significance was determined by comparing clinical and MRI measures of disease activity after 2 years of IFN-β-1a therapy in patients who were NAB+ and NAB-. The incidence of NAB was compared in MS patients who had used only IFN-β-1a with the incidence in MS patients who had used only IFN-β-1b. Results: In patients in the open-label study, development of NAB to IFN-β-1a resulted in a titer-dependent reduction in neopterin induction after interferon injections. In patients in the phase III study, development of NAB was associated with a reduction in β-2 microglobulin induction. In the phase III study, a trend toward reduced benefit of IFN-β-1a on MRI activity in NAB+ versus NAB- patients was observed. The incidence of NAB to IFN-β-1a in the open-label study was approximately 5% over 24 months of treatment of IFN-β-1a therapy, but was four- to sixfold higher using the same assay for patients exposed only to IFN-β-1b for a similar duration. There were no clinical, MRI, or CSF characteristics that were predictive of which patients would develop NAB. Conclusions: NAB directed against IFN-β have in vivo biological consequences in patients with MS. The frequency with which MS patients develop NAB against IFN-β is significantly greater with IFN-β-1b therapy compared with IFN-β-1a therapy. Treatment decisions in MS patients treated withIFN-β should take into account development of NAB.