Bounds on the Location of the Maximum Stirling Numbers of the Second Kind

Let K_n denote the smaller mode of the nth row of Stirling numbers of the second kind S(n, k). Using a probablistic argument, it is shown that for all n>=2, [exp(w(n))]-2<=K_n<=[exp(w(n))]+1, where [x] denotes the integer part of x, and w(n) is Lambert's W-function.Comment: accepted by Discrete Mathematic

The Applicability of Spike Time Dependent Plasticity to Development

Spike time dependent plasticity (STDP) has been observed in both developing and adult animals. Theoretical studies suggest that it implicitly leads to both competition and homeostasis in addition to correlation-based plasticity, making it a good candidate to explain developmental refinement and plasticity in a number of systems. However, it has only been observed to play a clear role in development in a small number of cases. Because the fast time scales necessary to elicit STDP, it would likely be inefficient in governing synaptic modifications in the absence of fast correlations in neural activity. In contrast, later stages of development often depend on sensory inputs that can drive activity on much faster time scales, suggesting a role in STDP in many sensory systems after opening of the eyes and ear canals. Correlations on fast time scales can be also be present earlier in developing microcircuits, such as those produced by specific transient “teacher” circuits in the cerebral cortex. By reviewing examples of each case, we suggest that STDP is not a universal rule, but rather might be masked or phased in, depending on the information available to instruct refinement in different developing circuits. Thus, this review describes selected cases where STDP has been studied in developmental contexts, and uses these examples to suggest a more general framework for understanding where it could be playing a role in development

47P Dawka MTX, jego eliminacja a objawy toksyczne

W latach 1992–1997 leczenie MTX zastosowano u dzieci. Analizie poddano 92 pacjentów. Zostali oni podzieleni na 4 grupy w zależności od rozpoznania, dawki MTX oraz czasu jego podania.Grupa I: MTX 3,0 g/m2 - 24 h - 59 dzieci z ALL-LRG (236 cykli)Grupa II: MTX 3,0 g/m2 - 3 h - 8 dzieci z B-NHL gr. B (37 cykli)Grupa III: MTX 5,0 g/m2 - 24 h - 13 dzieci z NB-NHL (46 cykli)Grupa IV: MTX 5,0 g/m2 - 24 h - 9 dzieci z nawrotem ALL (27 cykli)Grupę IV wyodrębniono ze względu na stosowanie dodatkowych cytostatyków dożylnych. Analizowano wpływ dawki MTX, czasu jego infuzji i eliminacji leku oraz stotusu wirusulogicznego pacjentów (HCV) na wystąpienie i nasilenie zmian toksycznych (zmianyskórne, śluzówkowe, hepatopathia, gastroenterocolitis). Do przeprowadzenia analizy zastosowano test T-studenta do prób zależnych i niezależnych.GrupaIIIIIIIVLiczba cykli236374627Liczba cykli z upośledzonąeliminacją482114Toksyczność18121+HCV/+/9010Liczba cykli z prawidłowąeliminacją MTX188353523Toksyczność498128+HCV/+/284124Wnioski1)Brak korelacji pomiędzy eliminacją MTX a objawami toksycznymi.2)Stwierdzono statystycznie znamienną różnicę między grupą III a IV w wystąpieniu objawów toksycznych(prawdopodobnie ze względu na zasto sowanie dodatkowych dożylnych cytostatyków).3)Brak różnicy między grupą I a II, pomimo różnego czasu infuzji MTX.4)Zakażenie HCV miało istotny wpływ na wystąpienie objawów toksycznych

Molekylärgenetisk analys av dilaterad cardiomyopati hos hund

Canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality and with a high prevalence in certain breeds. Predominatly large breeds are affected, such as Great danes, Newfoundlands, Deerhounds and Dobermanns. One exception is Cocker spaniels, where both American and English Cocker spaniels are affected in a quite high frequency. Cardiomyopathy is characterised as a disease that affects the myocardium and gives an impaired heart function. To diagnose DCM following criteria have to be observed: 1. Dilation of the left ventricle. 2. Reduced systolic heart function. 3. Increased sphericity of the left ventricle. To be certain of the diagnosis, alternative reasons for the symptoms such as lung- and heart diseases with other etiologies have to be excluded Two different types of DCM have been found upon histological examination. One type where the myocytes are thinner than normal and have a wavy appearance – attenuated wavy fibers. There has also been observed a space between the myocytes which indicates edematous fluid. The alternative histological findings are infiltrates of fatty- and connective tissue. Since this is a disease of great suffering both for the dog and for its owner it would be of great interest to find the altered genes that gives an increased risk to develop this disease. Our study was done in a family of Newfoundlands where certain individuals were diagnosed with DCM of the wavy fibers type. Blood samples from dogs representing a few generations were available to us. We started our study with a candidate gene approach, and the gene of our choice was desmin, since it has been documented to be the cause of DCM in certain studies of human families. The histological appearance also indicated that a protein in the cytoskeleton is involved in the disease. The desmin gene was analysed in a few individuals by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequencing of exon 8 in the desmin gene. When analysing our results we found a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). The SNP was evaluated for genetic association to DCM. However, the SNP did not cause any change in amino acids and neither of the alleles showed association with DCM. The identified SNP can be used in future association mapping studies in a larger Newfoundland population to conclusively exclude desmin as a disease gene for DCM

Witnessing wife abuse predictors of children\u27s vulnerability ot its negative effects.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, page: . Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1982

Ernst Henze: Nachruf

Vorgetragen in der Plenarversammlung am 13. Februar 198