cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Negotiations in Corporate Governance: Evidence From Withdrawn Shareholder-Initiated Proposals

We examine shareholder proposals that are withdrawn by the sponsor during the period 1989 to 1995 to identify factors that affect the relative ability of shareholders and managers to negotiate. We determine factors that affect withdrawal probability and investigate the effect of relaxations in the regulatory environment brought about by the 1992 SEC Proxy reforms. We find that proposals sponsored by institutional shareholders and coordinated groups are more likely to be withdrawn indicating that larger entities have greater ability to negotiate. Likelihood of withdrawal also increases as the number of corporate governance proposals filed by a sponsor increases. Managers are more successful in negotiating a compromise that leads to a withdrawal prior to 1992, whereas proposal sponsors are more successful in achieving proposal adoptions without a compromise after 1992. We also find that withdrawn proposals are associated with a positive valuation effect before 1992 and a negative valuation effect after 1992. We conclude that negotiations between managers and shareholders are most effective when both parties can contribute to the negotiation process and that tilting the process in favor of one party has adverse effects.
A Review of “The Allure of the Archives.” Arlette Farge, translated by Thomas Scott-Railton; foreword by Natalie Zemon Davis.

Historian Arlette Farge, as Natalie Zemon Davis emphasizes in her foreword to The Allure of the Archives, writes a sort of history that pays intimately close attention to the daily realities of typ...
Analysis of Abuse-Free Contract Signing

Optimistic contract signing protocols may involve subprotocols that allow a contract to be signed normally or aborted or resolved by a third party. Since there are many ways these subprotocols might interact, protocol analysis involves consideration of a number of complicated cases. With the help of Murk?, a finite-state verification tool, we analyze the abuse-free optimistic contract signing protocol of Garay, Jakobsson, and MacKenzie. In addition to verifying a nmnber of subtle properties, we discover an attack in which negligence or corruption of the trusted third party may allow abuse or unfairness. Contrary to the intent of the protocol, the cheated party is not able to hold the third party accountable. In addition to analyzing a modification to the protocol that avoids these problems, we discuss issues involved in the application of finite-state analysis to fair exchange protocols, in particular models of fairness guarantees, abuse, and corrupt protocol participants.
Moiré interferometry with ±45-deg gratings

Specimen gratings with rulings oriented +45 deg and −45 deg to they axis can be used to determine theu andv displacement fields, i.e., the displacements in thex andy directions. The fringe patterns are identical to those obtained with (X) and (Y) specimen gratings. The analysis leading to this conclusion is presented. A vector quantity related to the fringe gradient in the interference pattern is defined and found effective for visualizing and describing the image-forming rays. Advantages relate to construction of apparatus for moire interferometry.
Multiconfigurational electronic wavefunctions in the full optimized reaction space: the isomerization of nitrosyl hydride to nitrogen hydroxide in the lowest singlet and triplet states

Energy curves are determined for the lowest singlet and triplet states of the HNO molecule. The geometry is varied in that the hydrogen moves through 13 positions around the NO core to describe the isomerization reaction HNO yields HON. Quantitatively determined are the stable and metastable equilibrium positions in both states, the energy differences between these two equilibrium positions and between the two states, and the barriers with respect to isomerization. The calculations are carried out using a novel configuration interaction approach called the Full Optimized Reaction Space method, which involves multiconfigurational self-consistent field calculations as an integral part. In order to interpret the bonding changes occurring during the reaction, a novel type of orbital is developed and calculated. These are called Directed Localized Reaction Orbitals. With their help it proves possible to give an interpretation of the isomerization in terms of concepts which fit chemical intuition.
Resistance to dislodgement of zirconia copings cemented onto titanium abutments of different heights.

Statement of problem For patients with limited interocclusal space, standard height implant abutments may not be usable. Shorter abutments may be desirable. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the height of titanium abutments on the tensile strength required to dislodge zirconia copings. Material and methods Two experimental groups of abutments were prepared: (1) 4.3-mm platform width implant abutment with a 6.5-mm height (control), and (2) a 4.3-mm platform width implant abutment with a 5.5-mm height (shorter). Each abutment had 5 zirconia copings (custom designed) fabricated through a 3-dimensional computer-assisted design (3-D CAD) process by scanning an identical wax pattern. The zirconia copings were designed to have a 6-mm projection above the titanium abutment to accommodate a 2-mm hole. A wire was inserted through this hole to attach the zirconia coping to a universal testing machine. Each abutment was placed onto an implant embedded in a brass base designed to fit onto the universal testing machine. The zirconia copings were cemented onto the abutments with a provisional luting agent (Improv), and a tensile force was applied at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The removal force was recorded for each specimen. An unpaired t test was used for the statistical analysis (α =.05). Results The mean force (SD) necessary to remove the zirconia copings (Newtons) from the 6.5-mm titanium abutment (198.09 (28.83)) was higher ( P =.0078) than for the 5.5-mm abutment (124.89 (36.388)). Conclusions By increasing the height of the abutment 1 mm and maintaining the diameter of the abutment, the resistance to tensile forces increased significantly between the 2 abutment dimensions evaluated.
Nondecreasing paths in a weighted graph or: how to optimally read a train schedule

A travel booking office has timetables giving arrival and departure times for all scheduled trains, including their origins and destinations. A customer presents a starting city and demands a route with perhaps several train connections taking him to his destination as early as possible. The booking office must find the best route for its customers. This problem was first considered in the theory of algorithms by George Minty [14], who reduced it to a problem on directed edge-weighted graphs: find a path from a given source to a given target such that the consecutive weights on the path are nondecreasing and the last weight on the path is minimized. Minty gave the first algorithm for the single source version of the problem, in which one finds minimum last weight nondecreasing paths from the source to every other vertex. In this paper we give the first linear time algorithm for this problem. We also define an all pairs version for the problem and give a strongly polynomial truly subcubic algorithm for it.
Design and synthesis of CVD precursors to thin film ceramic materials

Abstract The application of cyclic organometallic compounds as single source precursors for the chemical vapor deposition of materials such as AIN and SiC is discussed and new results relating to the decomposition of a novel SiC CVD precursor are presented. The decomposition of the cyclic carbosilane [μ-(CH 2 ) 2 Si(CH 3 )(H)Si(CH 3 )(CH 2 SiH 2 CH 3 )], ( I ) on a heated glassy carbon subst rate in an ultra-high vacuum molecular beam system has been studied by pulsing the precursor molecule onto the surface and following the mass spectrum as a function of the substrate surface temperature. The evolution of CH 3 SiH 2 , C 2 H 5 and CH 3 was evidenced, suggesting loss of excess carbon as C 1 and C 2 species.
Factors related to adult patient decision making about withholding or withdrawing nutrition and/or hydration.

(1) End-of-life decisions that focus on withholding or withdrawing nutrition and/or hydration present difficult choices at particularly vulnerable times for patients and families. Clinical ethics studies published in the last twenty years provide insight about the decision making process that can be useful to all parties involved. The purpose of the systematic research review is to synthesize empirical data about patient/surrogate decision making related to withholding or withdrawing nutritional sustenance toward the end of life, and contextual factors that influence their decision making. Future topics for clinical ethics research and clinical practice implications are posed.
Quadratic Growth of Convergence Radii for Eigenvalues of Two-Parameter Sturm–Liouville Equations

Abstract The n th eigenvalue μ of the equation y ″+( μ + λr ( x )) y =0, a ⩽ x ⩽ b , subject to self-adjoint boundary conditions admits a power series expansion into powers of λ for sufficiently small | λ |. It is proved that the convergence radii of these series grow like n 2 as n tends to infinity provided r ( x ) is analytic on [ a , b ]. Applications to the Airy and Mathieu equation are given.
A hollow cathode source applicable to spectrographic analysis for the halogens and gases.

Investigations aimed at developing methods of spectrographic quantitative analysis of the halogens and non-metals have been carried out, with emphasis on analysis for fluorine. The relative sensitivities of fluorine spectrum lines in the vacuum ultraviolet region and in the visible region were studied, and it was found that certain visible lines are, at present, more sensitive than the theoretical raies ultimes of fluorine. The greatest absolute sensitivity obtained, using a specially designed hollow cathode source, involved detection of about 0.01 microgram of fluorine, while the greatest concentrational sensitivity was slightly less than one part per million. Chlorine and sulphur were readily detected in amounts as small as 0.20 microgram and 1.0 microgram, respectively, in samples weighing 20 milligrams. Sample handling time was reduced sufficiently to permit routine analyses for these elements.
Biosynthesis of α-galactosidase A in cultured chang liver cells☆

Abstract An investigation of the structure and biosynthesis of α-galactosidase A (α- d -galactoside glycohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) and its N-linked oligosaccharide chains was undertaken by metabolic labeling of Chang liver cells with [2-3H]mannose, immunoprecipitation of the activity, and examination of the resulting immunoprecipitates. From cells pulse labeled for 3 h, two radioactive bands with Mr = 58,000 and 49,000 were detected by SDS-gel electrophoresis; following a 20-h chase, only the Mr = 49,000 band was observed. Examination of the oligosaccharide fraction derived from pulse-labeled enzyme revealed that 18% of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides were complex and 82% were high-mannose type. After a 20-h chase, 48% of the oligosaccharides were complex and 52% were high mannose. The high-mannose oligosaccharides of α-galactosidase A immunoprecipitated from both pulsed and pulse-chased cells had the same mobilities as Man8–9GlcNAc on thin-layer chromatography and Bio-Gel P-4. Two fractions of complex glycopeptides derived from the α-galactosidase A of pulsed and pulse-chased cells had the same migration on Bio-Gel P-4 as glucose oligomers containing 14 and 19–39 glucose units. Based on their apparent size and their behavior on concanavalin A-Sepharose, the complex oligosaccharides are believed to be composed of tri- and/or tetraantennary structures.
Allogeneic fibroblasts and keratinocytes for venous leg ulcers - Authors' reply.

Robert Kirsner and colleagues (Sept 15, p 977) describe a spray formulation of allogeneic neonatal keratinocytes and fi broblasts for the treatment of chronic venous leg ulcers. Such therapies are novel and of major interest. However, although this technique certainly has potential, we have some concerns about the interpretation of the results of Kirsner and colleagues’ study. First, it is not clear whether Kirsner and co-workers tested the viability of the fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Viable cells are crucial in the treatment of ulcers. Second, why are there no representative fi gures to show that wound healing was greater with 0·5×106 cells/mL every 14 days than with vehicle alone? Third, the follow-up (12 weeks) was too short to show the eff ect of spray-applied cell therapy with human allogeneic fi broblasts and keratinocytes on longterm outcomes. Were there any such follow-up fi ndings with regard to this technology? Finally, this spray-applied cell therapy contains compound solutions, including cells and matrix. It would be interesting to know which part is responsible for the clinical eff ects, and whether the mechanisms of action are direct (diff erentiation into myofi broblast or vascular endothelial cells), indirect (cell–cell contact or paracrine eff ects), or both.
Mesler entrainment in alcohols

Mesler entrainment has been studied extensively in water and, more recently, in silicone oils. Studies of Mesler entrainment in liquids other than these are rare. The extant experimental results in water show significant irreproducibility both in the qualitative characteristics of Mesler entrainment and in the existence or nonexistence of Mesler entrainment when, for example, drops of the same diameter are released from the same height. In contrast, in silicone oils, Mesler entrainment is highly reproducible, essentially occurring either all of the time, or none of the time for a given set of conditions. A goal of the present work was to determine which of these two behaviors is the “standard” behavior—that is, to determine whether Mesler entrainment is typically repeatable or not. The experimental studies presented herein were conducted in three liquids that have not been the subject of detailed investigation to date: ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and methyl alcohol. All of these alcohol results showed behavior very similar to that observed in silicone oils, suggesting that Mesler entrainment is typically repeatable and that water is an atypical fluid, causing irreproducible results. Additionally, we present data obtained in silicone oils and combine that with the alcohol data in an attempt to develop a combination of dimensionless groups that predicts the boundaries within which Mesler entrainment occurs for liquids other than water.
Tetrameres (Petrowimeres) striata in ducks.

Tetrameres (Petrowimeres) striata is an uncommon and incompletely described nematode from North American and Eurasian waterfowl. Specimens collected from mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) from the Playa Lakes Region (PLR) in western Texas (USA), the mottled duck (A. platyrhynchos fulvigula) in Florida (USA), the mallard in the Amur River Basin of eastern Russia and the blue-winged teal (Anas discors) from western Texas (USA) provide the basis for redescription of T. (P.) striata. This species is differentiated from the closely related T. (P.) zakharowi and T. (P.) galericulata by the size of the left spicule and the prominent cuff on the proximal end of the right spicule. In mallards from the PLR, one to several adult males and a single female occurred within distended mucosal glands or, more rarely, in cystic cavities in the submucosal tissue of the proventriculus; intensities ranged from one to seven nematodes per host (x ± SE = 2.9 ± 0.8). Infected proventricular gland mucosae were compressed as a result ...
Activation of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Improves Heart Function and Metabolism after Hemorrhagic Shock

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that activation of myocardial pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) would improve recovery of heart function after brief, severe hemorrhagic shock. Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats were instrumented to monitor arterial blood pressure and right ventricular pressures. Rats were hemorrhaged via femoral artery to 25-30 mmHg mean arterial pressure (MAP) for 60 min, followed by retransfusion of shed blood with either 1.0 cc saline with no dichloroacetate (-DCA) or 1.0 cc saline containing 150 mg/kg sodium dichloroacetate (+DCA). Rats were observed for 3 h after retransfusion. Hearts were freeze-clamped in situ for analysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), creatine phosphate (CrP), lactate and pyruvate content as well as PDH activity (PDHa) and total PDH activity (PDHt). Three h after retransfusion, the rate pressure product (RPP=HRxPSP) was 23 000+/-2733 with no DCA treatment v 36 2769 mmHg/min with DCA treatment (P<0.05, ANOVA). Treatment with DCA also increased myocardial tissue content of high energy phosphates (ATP=10.1+/-1.1 and CrP=5.8+/-1.0 micromol/g weight-DCA, v 15.1+/-0.9 and 14.7+/-1.0 micromol/g dry weight+DCA, P<0.05, both measurements). DCA administration also significantly reduced myocardial lactate contents (14.6+/-2.7 micromol/g dry weight-DCA v 5.9+/-1.0+DCA). Hemorrhagic shock did not change PDHa or PDHt compared to hearts obtained during the pre-hemorrhage period. Retransfusion with DCA significantly increased PDHa activity (6.8+/-1.1 micromol/g dry weight/min-DCA v 29.7+/-2.0 micromol/g dry weight/min+DCA). PDHt was not different between controls and DCA-treated groups. These data indicate that activation of myocardial PDH by adding DCA to retransfused blood improved heart function and metabolism after severe hemorrhagic shock.
Awakening the Scientist Inside: Global Climate Change and the Nature of Science in an Elementary Science Methods Course

This investigation assessed the impact of situating explicit nature of science (NOS) instruction within the issues surrounding global climate change and global warming (GCC/GW). Participants in the study were 15 preservice elementary teachers enrolled in a science methods course. The instructional intervention included explicit NOS instruction combined with explicit GCC/GW instruction situated within the normal elementary science methods curriculum. Participants’ conceptions of NOS and GCC/GW were assessed with pre- and postadministrations of open-ended questionnaires and interviews. Results indicated that participants’ conceptions of NOS and GCC/GW improved over the course of the semester. Furthermore, participants were able to apply their conceptions to decision making about socioscientific issues. The results provide support for context-based NOS instruction in an elementary science methods course.
Decay of aerosols in the lung during breath holding

Abstract An analysis is presented for the aerosol loss in the human respiratory tract during breath holding following a single breath inhalation of aerosol from the mouth. The airway dimensions are assumed to follow Weibel's model A. It is found from this analysis that the aerosol recovery from the exhaled lung air decays exponentially with the breath holding time, as observed by experiments, and that the decay rate decreases as the lung volume increases.
The development of a modified double-cantilever-beam specimen for measuring the fracture energy of rubber to metal bonds

Rubber to metal bonds are important in a variety of automotive, tire and marine applications. A new technique is discussed for measuring the strain-energy release rates of these adhesively bonded joints in the presence of harsh environments. Guidelines for design and applications are given.
Mechanical system monitoring using hidden Markov models

A hidden Markov model (HMM)-based approach to mechanical system monitoring is presented. The resulting system is shown to be useful for machining applications with the associated problems of tool wear detection and prediction. The approach is based on continuous density, left-right HMMs that closely match the one-way, fresh-to-worn transition process of machining tools. The Baum-Welch iterative training procedure is modified to incorporate prior knowledge of the transitions between tool wear states. Results presented demonstrate that a multisensor HMM-based system is an effective approach for tool wear detection and prediction. >
Covariate effect on the life expectancy and percentile residual life functions under the proportional hazards and the accelerated life models

The present paper is concerned with statistical models for the dependence of survival time or time to occurrence of an event, such as time to tumor, on a vector X of covariates or prognostic variables such as age, sex, blood pressure, length of exposure to a toxic material, etc., measured on a group of individuals in biomedical investigations. It is assumed that the covariates influence the distribution of time to tumor only through a linear predictor μ =β′X. The object of our paper is to investigate the effect due to the covariates on the Life Expectancy and the Percentile Residual Life (PRL) function of a family of organisms under the proportional hazards and the accelerated life models. The key result is that the families of survival distributions under these models have the 'setting the clock back to zero' property if the family of baseline survival distributions does. This property is a generalization of the lack of memory property of the exponential distribution. Simple examples of the members of th...
Measuring Singing Voice Development in the Elementary General Music Classroom

The primary goal of this study was to examine the reliability of Rutkowski's Singing Voice Development Measure for use in the general music classroom, Grades 1-6. Results indicated that the rating ...
An Experimental Study on Shear Strength of Chemically-Based Self-Consolidating Concrete

An experimental investigation was conducted to compare the shear strength of full-scale beams constructed with chemically-based, self-consolidating concrete (SCC) with conventional concrete (CC). This experimental program consisted of 16 rectangular beams (12 without shear reinforcing and 4 with shear reinforcing in the form of stirrups), 8 beams for each mix design. Additionally, three different longitudinal reinforcement ratios were evaluated within the test matrix. The beam specimens were tested under a simply supported four-point condition. The experimental shear strengths of the beams were compared with both the shear provisions of selected standards (U.S., Australia, Canada, Europe, and Japan) and a shear database of CC specimens. This comparison indicates that chemically-based SCC beams possess comparable shear strength as CC beams.
Fuel Optimal Propulsive Maneuver of an Experimental Structure Exhibiting Spacelike Dynamics

The implementation of four fuel-optimal methods for propulsive maneuver of space structures is described. Toward this end, an experimental structure that possessed spacelike dynamics was fabricated and used to test the previously mentioned fuel optimal methods. The results given highlight the differences among fuel optimal methods for propulsive maneuver of space structures, their relative strengths and weaknesses, and the sources of
Quantitative Methods for Determining Progestins in Corpora Lutea, Ovaries, and Adrenals of the Cow and Sow Using Progesterone-4-C14 as a Measure of Recovery of Extracted Hormone

Summary A quantitative method is described for the chemical assay of progesterone and Δ 4 -pregnene-20β-ol-3-one. The tissues were extracted with ethyl acetate, followed by vacuum distillation and partitioning of the residue between Skellysolve B - 70% methanol and benzene. The progestins were separated and further purified by paper chromatography using the Bush Skellysolve B - 95% methanol system, eluted, and rechromatographed in the same system. Progesterone-4-C 14 (0.08µg; 3,500 c.p.m.) was added at the time of initial extraction to estimate recovery of progesterone during each assay. The radiochemical purity of the compound was 93–94%. About 4% of the radioactivity remained in the tissue during initial extraction and approximately 16% was lost during each elution of the paper chromatograms. Average recovery of progesterone-4-C 14 was 40% for 224 samples of cow tissues (standard error 0.7%) and 51% for 114 samples of sow tissues (standard error 1.1%). No Δ 4 -pregnene-20β-ol-3-one was detected in sow tissues.
On the estimation and application of max-stable processes

The theory of max-stable processes generalizes traditional univariate and multivariate extreme value theory by allowing for processes indexed by a time or space variable. We consider a particular class of max-stable processes, known as M4 processes, that are particularly well adapted to modeling the extreme behavior of multiple time series. We develop procedures for determining the order of an M4 process and for estimating the parameters. To illustrate the methods, some examples are given for modeling jumps in returns in multivariate financial time series. We introduce a new measure to quantify and predict the extreme co-movements in price returns.
Engaging Beginning Teachers as Experts in Professional Development

Beginning teachers most often are viewed as needing significant support in all areas of teaching. As a result, professional development (PD) associated with induction programs typically is presented by experienced professionals. This article describes one induction program’s attempt to draw on the strengths within its network, engaging new teachers as “expert” presenters. Having opportunities to share expertise helped develop a strong sense of collegiality and professionalism within the group and contributed to teachers’ sense of efficacy and confidence in their teaching skills. Postsession evaluations and teacher interviews support the effectiveness of this strategy as part of a comprehensive induction program.
Polyelectrolyte-surfactant complexes: An aqueous titration method to model ion-pairing within polymeric membranes of polyion-sensitive electrodes

A model for estimating the degree of cooperative ion-pairing that occurs between polyions and lipophilic ion-exchangers doped into the organic polymer membranes of polyion-sensitive electrodes has been developed. The binding of several polyanionic (e.g., heparins, carrageenans, polyphosphates, and polyglutamates) and polycationic species (e.g., protamine, polyarginine, and polylysines) with water soluble surfactants, quaternary ammonium and alkyl- and alkylbenzene sulfonates, respectively, which are structurally analogous to the ion-exchangers, is monitored in aqueous solutions with surfactant-selective electrodes. Analysis of the binding data reveals that the polyion structure, including polyion molecular weight, lipophilicity, and charge density, has a significant impact on the observed binding affinities, as does the surfactant structure. It is also shown that the measured aqueous phase binding affinities have a strong linear correlation with the equilibrium EMF changes observed with the respective polyion-sensitive electrodes, confirming the validity of using an aqueous system to model the binding behavior of ion-exchangers with polyions within the organic polymer membranes of polyion-sensitive electrodes.
DETERMINATION OF GLUCURONIC ACID BY NAPHTHORESORCINOL.

Abstract A modified naphthoresorcinol procedure is described for the quantitative determination of glucuronic acid. A sensitive and stable naphthoresorcinol solution yields precise and reproducible results.
Development of a Scale Model for the Dynamic Interaction of a Pile in Clay

Similitude theory is used to develop a scale model for determining the dynamic response properties of a single pile embedded in over-consolidated clay. The basis for the design is a full-scale pile embedded in natural soil, for which dynamic response measurements had been made in previous work. Correlation of the model and prototype results constitutes a major difference in this work over previous efforts using scale models. The model pile material is selected to provide the correctly scaled stiffness and mass properties. The required model soil properties are achieved by developing a mixture of bentonite, aerosil, and veegum. Elastic properties of the model soil are compared with those of the prototype by standard monotonic stress and cyclic stress soil tests. Nonlinearity of the soil stiffness is included in the modeling. Dynamic response of the pile is monitored while excited by impact and swept sine forces at the pile top cap. The results are obtained in terms of time histories for excitation and response at various locations, frequency response functions, natural frequency and mode shapes, and modal damping. Validity of the model is established by comparing the appropriately scaled responses with those of the prototype under similar excitation conditions. It is concluded that the approach should be suitable for measurement of pile/soil dynamic interaction behavior in other types of material and excitation conditions, providing that suitable soil and pile material properties can be selected to allow testing in a one-g environment. Therefore, the scale model approach can be used to verify predictions made by analytical design methods or to provide input parameters for those methods.
Host Defense Mechanisms against Infection with Influenza Virus. I. Effect of Sensitized Spleen Cells on Infection in Vitro

Sensitized murine spleen cells decrease the spread of influenza infection in cell cultures derived from human and syngeneic murine tissues. This control of infection is immune-specific and can be induced by immunization with identical hemagglutinin or neuraminidase antigens. The antiviral effect is evident in the absence of added immune serum and can be blocked by adsorption of sensitized spleen cells with antiserum to murine IgG. The antiviral effect persists despite separation by agar of the sensitized spleen cells from the virus-infected monolayer. Spleen cells that do not adhere to glass are quantitatively more capable of limiting the spread of influenza virus in cell culture than are glass-adhering cells. These results suggest that mice immunized with influenza virus have sensitized spleen cells that elaborate antibody to influenza virus, which can act locally to control the spread of infection.
Transfer characteristics of first and second order lateral canal vestibular neurons in gerbil.

Abstract Discharge patterns of first and second order vestibular neurons responding to angular acceleration in the plane of the lateral canals were studied in gerbil. The resting discharge activity of each cell was used to characterize the neuron by measuring the coefficient of variation and coefficient of skewness of the interspike interval distributions. Sinusoidal angular oscillations ranging in frequency from 0.0125 to 5.0 Hz were delivered by a velocity controlled rate-table. A PDP-12 minicomputer system was used on-line to display period and post-stimulus histograms of discriminated single unit activity. Off-line Fourier analysis of the period histograms was used to determine the phase of cell response to sinusoidal accelerations, while the average level and amplitude were determined by a least squares fitting algorithm applied over the fraction of the stimulus period where the cell discharged. First order neurons were found to have high discharge rates (average= 61.7imp./sec) and bidirectional responses to rotation, and were of two groups called regular and irregular according to their resting discharge patterns. Second order neurons, located mainly in the medial and lateral vestibular nuclei, had low or even zero resting discharge rates (average= 17.8) resulting in more uni-directional responses and were of a single population. For frequencies less than 10 Hz, the Bode plots of the regular first order neurons are similar to that of a first order system with a time constant of about 2 sec as predicted by the torsion pendulum theory for cupula movement. The irregular first order neurons show an increasing gain above 0.5 Hz and a large phase lead relative to angular velocity above 1.0 Hz suggestive of a fractional power transfer function. The second order neurons show the phase and gain characteristics of the regular first order neurons being in phase with angular velocity above 1.0 Hz.
An Abstract Language for Specifying Markov Reliability Models

In principle, Markov models can be used to describe the reliability of virtually any fault-tolerant system. However, the process of delineating all of the states and transitions in a model of a complex system can be devastatingly tedious and error-prone. This paper presents a new approach to this problem by using an abstract model-definition language. The language essentially defines a set of rules which are used to generate the Markov model automatically. These rules correspond to the basic concepts used to create models of fault-tolerant systems. A small number of statements in the language can be used to describe a very large model. A variation in the system (such as in the number of initial spares) can be accomplished by changing only one line in the model definition, although such a change represents a large increase in the size of the Markov model. This high-level language is described in a non-formal manner and illustrated by several examples. A computer program has been developed which translates the abstract language described in this paper into the input language for the SURE (Semi-Markov Unreliability Range Evaluator) program. The program has been named ASSIST (Abstract Semi-Markov Specification Interface to the SURE Tool). It is written in Pascal and runs on a VAX 11/750 in the NASA AIRLAB Facility.
The Impact of Three Different First Aid Curricula on Emergency Helping among College Students

Abstract The occurrence of emergency helping behavior among university first aid students was evaluated in relation to three different methods of first aid instruction. The study included 98 students at a regional western university who were enrolled in three different sections of first aid, and one section of health and wellness (control group). First aid sections were randomly assigned to one of three different teaching methods: American Red Cross (ARC), National Safety Council (NSC), or Emergency Helping Behavior (EHB). Toward the end of the course, students were individually exposed to a mock emergency without prior knowledge. Helping rates for each group were: EHB—45 percent, ARC—26 percent, NSC—16 percent, and Control—12 percent. Statistically significant differences between groups were found using Chi-square analysis. Findings of this study have implications for improving the effectiveness of university level first aid instruction.
A Procedure for Truncating SPRT's

Abstract Various methods have been used to find truncated SPRT's. The approach used here is to find the exact distribution of the sum of random variables and to treat the SPRT problem as a Markov chain with absorbing barriers. Exact and approximate formulas are given for the average sample number and for the error probabilities. Monte Carlo simulation shows this approach to be an improvement over that suggested by Anderson [1] when testing for the mean of a normal distribution. The present approach is general and applies to other distributions as well.
Effects of parabrachial opioid antagonism on stimulation-induced feeding.

Abstract The pontine parabrachial nucleus (PBN) contains gustatory relay neurons and a high concentration of opioid receptors. To investigate the involvement of PBN opioid activity in feeding behavior, antagonists were infused into the PBN bilaterally and effects on stimulation-induced feeding were determined. Naloxone, a μ-preferring antagonist, increased the lateral hypothalamic stimulation threshold for eliciting feeding behavior while nor-binaltorphiminea κ-selective antagonist, did not. Neither antagonist increased threshold when infused into dorsal pontine sites outside of the PBN or the fourth ventricle. In as much as PBN contains μ and κ but no detectable δ receptor, the present results suggest that μ opioid activity within the PBN is involved in the mediation of feeding behavior.
Racial Differences in Resistance to P2Y12 Receptor Antagonists in Type 2 Diabetic Subjects

Although resistance to the P2Y12 antagonist clopidogrel is linked to altered drug metabolism, some studies suggest that these pharmacokinetic abnormalities only partially account for drug resistance. To circumvent pharmacokinetic complications and target P2Y12 receptor function we applied the direct P2Y12 antagonist 2-methylthio-AMP (2-methylthioadenosine 5′-monophosphate triethylammonium salt) to purified platelets ex vivo. Platelets were purified from healthy and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and stimulated with thrombin or the selective protease-activated receptor agonists, protease-activated receptor 1–activating peptide (PAR1-AP), or PAR4-AP. Platelet activation as measured by αIIbβ3 activation, and P-selectin expression was monitored in 141 subjects. Our results demonstrate that, compared with healthy subjects, platelets from diabetic patients are resistant to inhibition by 2-methylthio-AMP, demonstrating P2Y12 pharmacodynamic defects among diabetic patients. Inhibition of thrombin-mediated αIIbβ3 activation by 2-methylthio-AMP was lower in diabetic platelets versus healthy platelets. Subgroup analysis revealed a racial difference in the resistance to 2-methylthio-AMP. We found no resistance in platelets from diabetic African Americans; they were inhibited by 2-methylthio-AMP equally as well as platelets from healthy African Americans. In contrast, platelets from Caucasian patients with diabetes were resistant to P2Y12 antagonism compared with healthy Caucasians. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that other variables, such as obesity, age, or gender, could not account for the differential resistance to 2-methylthio-AMP among races. These results suggest that in addition to altered drug metabolism, P2Y12 receptor function itself is altered in the Caucasian diabetic population. The racial difference in platelet function in T2DM is a novel finding, which may lead to differences in treatment as well as new targets for antiplatelet therapy.
Comparable solutions to nth-order linear difference equations

We consider the n^t^h-order linear difference equation l"ny(t) = L"ny(t) + q(t)y (t + [n2]) = 0, for t @e [a, b] where q(t) is a real-valued function defined on [a, b]. We define the (formal) adjoint operator l^*"n of l"n by l^*"nz(t) = L^*"nz(t) + (-1)^nq(t)z (t + [n2]), for t @e [a, b]. We compare boundary value solutions of l"ny(t) = 0 to similar solutions of the adjoint equation l^*"nz(t) = 0.
Hidden zero-temperature bicritical point in the two-dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg model: Monte Carlo simulations and proper finite-size scaling

By considering the appropriate finite size effect, we explain the connection between the Monte Carlo simulations of the two dimensional anisotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet in a field and the early renormalization group calculation for the bicritical $episolon$ dimensions. We found that the long length scale physics of the Monte Carlo simulations is indeed captured by the anisotropic nonlinear $sigma$ model. Our Monte Carlo data and analysis confirm the bicritical point in two-dimensions in Heisenberg-like and occurs at $T=0$, therefore the uncertainty in the phase diagram of this model is removed.
Effects of cadmium and zinc on microbial activity in soil; influence of clay minerals. Part II: Metals added simultaneously

Investigations were conducted to determine the effects of combinations of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) on heterotrophic microbial activity in soil and on the mediating influence of clay minerals. Soil was treated with 0, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, or 15,000 ppm Zn alone and in combination with 100 or 1,000 ppm Cd. There was a sequential lag in the initiation of glucose degradation with increasing concentrations of both metals: the greatest lag was with 15,000 ppm Zn plus 1,000 ppm Cd, where CO2 evolution began approximately 2 days after it began in the untreated soil. The effect on the lag period of the two metals together was additive rather than synergistic. The addition of kaolinite (K) or montmorillonite (M) slightly reduced the extension of the lag induced by the addition of 10,000 ppm Zn + 1,000 ppm Cd. The inhibitory effect of Zn on the total amount of carbon mineralized was not affected by the concomitant addition of 100 ppm Cd, but when added with 1,000 ppm Cd, Zn either had no effect on or increased the total amount of carbon mineralized. 10,000 ppm Zn + 1,000 ppm Cd reduced the number of eubacteria and actinomycetes isolated from the soil to a greater extent than the number of fungi. K and M protected the fungi and M protected the actinomycetes, but neither clay protected the eubacteria from the toxic effects of these two metals. Exposure to Cd alone and in combination with Zn in soil reduced the sensitivity of the isolated fungi to Zn and Cd.
Accumulation of dieldrin by benthic algae in laboratory streams

The accumulation of dieldrin by benthic algal communities was studied in laboratory streams. Dieldrin concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 7.0 ppb were maintained in the water of laboratory streams for periods of two to four months. Analyses of algal samples by gas chromatography showed dieldrin concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 ppm. These results indicated that increases in concentration up to 30,000 times that of the water had occurred. Quantitative evaluation of species composition revealed that communities dominated by filamentous algae accumulated greater amounts of the insecticide than those in which unicellular diatoms were prevalent.
Quartz c-axis fabric differences between porphyroclasts and recrystallized grains

Abstract Observed differences in c -axis fabrics between quartz porphyroclasts and recrystallized quartz from the same quartzite samples suggest some changes in the fabric-forming parameters during deformation. The fabric patterns are consistent with a change in the incremental strain history from flattening to constriction during duplex development, which is supported by the observed overprinting of structures in the field.
Factors influencing ammonia volatilization from urea in soils of the shortgrass steppe

The effects of soil moisture, temperature, and humidity treatments on urea hydrolysis and NH3 volatilization were assessed in the laboratory. Field studies were conducted to determine seasonal NH3 losses from simulated urine patches applied to contrasting soils of a representative hillslope of the shortgrass steppe region in the North American Great Plains.
Measurement of two-time correlations in a two-mode ring laser

Abstract Photoelectric counting and two-time correlation measurements of each of the two counter-propagating waves of a He : Ne ring laser have been carried out. The results show reasonable agreement with theory over a range of laser pump parameters from -12 to +2, but increasing departures at higher excitations. The departures are believed to be due to backscattering.
The urgency of building global capacity for biodiversity science

The biodiversity sciences represent the disciplines of whole-organism biology, including systematics, ecology, population biology, behaviour and the fields of comparative biology. The biodiversity sciences are critically important to society because it is knowledge of whole-organisms that is essential for managing and conserving the world's species. Because of an acceleration in environmental degradation and global biodiversity loss in recent decades, the need for the biodiversity sciences has never been more urgent. Yet, biodiversity science is not well supported relative to other fields of science, and thus the need for knowledge about organisms and their environment is far outstripping biologists' ability to provide it. National and international capacity for biodiversity science must therefore be increased substantially. Each nation should establish a national biodiversity research programme coordinated across all government agencies. An international biodiversity research programme should also be established, perhaps with an organizational structure that parallels the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme. Biodiversity scientists must assume a leadership role in educating the public and bringing about policy changes that will enhance our understanding of the world's species and their ecosystems.
Processing and Characterization of SiC-Whisker-Reinforced Alumina-Matrix Composites

Brittle monolithic alumina can be reinforced with high-strength single-crystal SiC whiskers with the effect of increasing fracture toughness. In this study, well-mixed and nearly fully dense SiC whisker/alumina composites were fabricated by wet-blending the constituents and uniaxially hot-pressing the resulting powder. The alumina-matrix grain size depended on whisker volume fraction, whisker surface-oxygen content, and hot-pressing environment. Fracture toughness, measured by an indentation-fracture method, increased from 3.0 MPa[center dot]m[sup [1/2]] for the hot-pressed unreinforced alumina to 10.7 MPa[center dot]m[sup [1/2]] for the composite containing 25 vol% SiC whiskers. Fracture surfaces revealed evidence of toughening by the mechanisms of crack deflection, pullout, and crack bridging by the whiskers. The observed increase in fracture toughness of alumina due to the addition of SiC whiskers was correlated with existing models of toughening mechanisms.
IUE observations of a starburst disk and the detectability of high redshift galaxies

The high-surface-brightness inner disk of NGC 1068 has been observed with the IUE to determine the ultraviolet spectrum and surface brightness profile. This disk is explained by an intense starburst, requiring formation of 1-2 massive stars/yr, so it is a good prototype for seeking at early epochs in the universe. Calculations of isophotal diameter as a function of redshift are presented. It is found that this disk could be resolved to z of about 0.3 from the ground or to z of about 2.0 with the Hubble Space Telescope. For z greater than about 1.3, such a disk is more easily observable than a large, normal galaxy.
A PCR‐based strategy to generate yeast strains expressing endogenous levels of amino‐terminal epitope‐tagged proteins

An epitope tag introduced to a gene of interest (GOI) greatly increases the ease of studying cellular proteins. Rapid PCR-based strategies for epitope tagging a protein's C-terminus at its native gene locus are widely used in yeast. C-terminal epitope tagging is not suitable for all proteins, however. Epitope tags fused to the C-terminus can interfere with function of some proteins or can even be removed by C-terminal protein processing. To overcome such problems, proteins can be tagged with epitopes at their amino-termini, but generating yeast strains expressing N-terminal epitope tagged genes under control of the endogenous promoter at the native locus is comparatively more difficult. Strategies to introduce N-terminal epitope tags have been reported previously but often introduce additional sequences other than the epitope tag into the genome. Furthermore, N-terminal tagging of essential genes by current methods requires formation of diploid strains followed by tetrad dissection or expression of an additional copy of the GOI from a plasmid. The strategies described here provide a quick, facile means of epitope tagging the N-terminus of both essential and nonessential genes in a two-step PCR-based procedure. The procedure has the significant advantage of leaving tagged genes under the control of their endogenous promoters, and no additional sequences other than the epitope tag encoding nucleotides are inserted into the genome.