cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of circulating fibroblast growth factor-2 in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury in mice

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) is an angiogenic growth factor involved in renal growth and regeneration. Previous studies in rodents revealed that single intrarenal injections of FGF-2 improved the outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI). Septic children usually show elevated plasma levels of FGF-2, and are at risk of developing AKI. However, the role of circulating FGF-2 in the pathogenesis of AKI is not well understood. We have developed a mouse model to determine how FGF-2 released into the circulation modulates the outcome of AKI induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Young FVB/N mice were infected with adenoviruses carrying a secreted form of human FGF-2 or control LacZ vectors. Subsequently, when the circulating levels of FGF-2 were similar to those seen in septic children, mice were injected with a non-lethal dose of LPS or control buffer. All mice injected with LPS developed hypotension and AKI, from which they recovered after 5 days. FGF-2 did not improve the outcome of AKI, and induced more significant renal proliferative and apoptotic changes during the recovery phase. These findings suggest that circulating FGF-2 may not necessarily prevent the development or improve the outcome of AKI. Moreover, the renal accumulation of FGF-2 might cause further renal damage.
The Relationship Between Trust and Usability in Systems

There is a large body of literature on trust, which focuses on interpersonal relationships. In recent years the scope of this research has expanded, as some studies have begun to explore trust betw...
Molecular Aggregation of Poly[(1,3-phenyleneethynylene)-alt-oligo(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenyleneethynylene)]: Effects of Solvent, Temperature, and Polymer Conformation

By altering solvent/nonsolvent ratio and temperature, a comprehensive study is carried out to understand the molecular aggregation of poly[(1,3-phenyleneethynylene)-alt-oligo(2,5-dialkoxy-1,4-phenyleneethynylene)]s 1 and 2 in solution, which possess different lengths of linear phenylene-ethynylene (PE) fragments. Although both polymers exhibit random-coil conformation in THF solution, PPE 2 of longer rigid-rod fragment exhibits a higher tendency to form aggregate than 1. In a good solvent, optical spectra of PPEs reveal a gradual spectral shift in responding to the temperature change, which is attributed to molecular conformational change (planarity of chromophore). With addition of methanol to polymer solutions in THF, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy detects the aggregation band from 2 but not from 1. The combination of solvent/nonsolvent and low temperature provides improved sensitivity to probe molecular aggregation. Although chromophore planarity is anticipated to play an important role, current results favor the π-π interaction in the aggregate formation of 1 and 2.
A new monograph by Aristarchus

This article argues that the Homeric scholia preserve the title of a lost monograph by the second-century BC Alexandrian scholar Aristarchus on the date of Hesiod?s life. Apparent references to the contents of this monograph occur in the Homeric as well as the Hesiodic scholia, and demonstrate that Aristarchus compared the works of the two poets and concluded that Hesiod had lived sometime near 700 BC.
MALDI induced saturation effects in chevron microchannel plate detectors

Abstract Pulsing the gain from a low level to a high level is an effective way to reduce or eliminate saturation of a chevron microchannel plate detector struck by large numbers of low molecular weight ions, such as the matrix ions generated in matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization events. In this study, we used a switching circuit to vary the initial voltage across the first microchannel plate from 37 to 100% of its final, full-gain voltage. This has enabled us to examine microchannel plate saturation over a broader range of gain than any previously reported. Experiments with a proteolytic digest of a protein clearly demonstrate that apart from the matrix ions, the ions from a lower mass molecule in a mixture can make it more difficult or even impossible to detect signals from larger molecules originating from the same mixture. Composite spectra, which might provide a more complete accounting of the compounds present in a mixture, can be easily produced by varying the switching delay in steps during the course of acquisition.
A model for stock price fluctuations based on information

The author presents a new model for stock price fluctuations based on a concept of "information." In contrast, the usual Black-Scholes-Merton-Samuelson (1965, 1973) model is based on the explicit assumption that information is uniformly held by everyone and plays no role in stock prices. The new model is based on the evident nonuniformity of information in the market and the evident time delay until new information becomes generally known. A second contribution of the paper is to present some problems with explicit solutions which are of value in obtaining insights. Several problems of mathematical interest are compared in order to better understand which optimal stopping problems have explicit solutions.
Call for a randomized controlled trial: early glycemic control in the development of retinopathy of prematurity.

Call for a randomized controlled trial: early glycemic control in the development of retinopathy of prematurity
OSI product survey

As OSI standards are becoming finalized, computer manufacturers and vendors are beginning to provide networking solutions based on OSI protocols. Products which implement OSI protocols are available from most major suppliers. They cover all seven layers and support several technologies and applications. Technologies supported include X.25 networks and various types of local area networks; applications supported are file transfer, virtual terminal, message handling, and directory services. Several projects are underway to promote conformance and interoperability testing of OSI products. This article describes some of these testing projects and a sample of OSI products available.
The effect of enflurane and fentanyl anaesthesia on human platelet aggregationin vivo

In 30 patients undergoing major operations, and anaesthetized with either nitrous oxide. oxygen and enflurane. or nitrous oxide, oxygen and fentanyl, there was no significant alteration in platelet aggregation induced by either adenosine diphosphate or collagen. The absence of any significant effect on platelet function was confirmed by an unchanging thromboelastogram pattern during the study.
PEG-based transformer provides front-, middle-and back-end stages in a simple compiler

Traditional compiler generators target a single stage within the compilation process. Each generator typically uses a dedicated specification language and the generated code often imposes restrictions on the program representation accepted as input or generated as output. This makes compilers larger and more complex than they need to be. We present a simple compiler that unifies specification and implementation of all its stages, using PEG-based transformations on a single, versatile representation. The resulting compiler is small, easy to understand, and highly suited to implementing its own implementation language.
The game-frame guild

Four Brazilian geeks dream of creating the next big hit in massive online games - with creativity a bit of luck, and an IBM mainframe.
Abstract 2141: The differential apoptotic responses of normal breast cells versus luminal and triple negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Triple negative breast cancer is characterized by the loss or low expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 proteins which have been targeted and established as somewhat effective therapy regiments in other breast cancer subtypes including luminal tumors. Since triple negative tumors are missing these established drug targets, there has been little advancement in the establishment of targets in this breast cancer subtype. Triple negative breast cancer is described as aggressive due to their invasiveness and metastatic properties. One potential mediator of triple negative breast cancer aggressive behavior may be due to the fact this breast cancer subtype may have as high as an 80% p53 tumor suppressor gene mutation rate. While p53 may be mutated at high rates, it may be possible to design drugs to target some of the downstream genes that p53 transactivates, including the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p21 and the pro-apoptotic gene PUMA, in order to inhibit the further growth of the triple negative breast cancer cells. Here, we stressed a normal breast cancer control, luminal subtype, and triple negative subtype cancer cell lines with Actinomycin D, doxorubicin, and staurosporine. We show that all cell lines responded to the various DNA damaging agents via apoptosis as observed by light microscopy and by PARP cleavage using Western blot analysis. Interestingly, the “normal” breast cell line, AG1132, showed a delayed apoptosis response to doxorubicin treatment as compared to the breast cancer cell lines, HCC1806, HCC70, and HCC1500. We are monitoring the p53 tumor suppressor pathway network in all of these cells to determine its integrity and whether there is a direct or indirect involvement of p53 on the apoptosis responses. We are also further analyzing the chemotherapeutic agents to determine their effectiveness in killing breast cancer cells with limited cytotoxic effects to normal breast cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2141. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2141
Consistent injury to medium spiny neurons and white matter in the mouse striatum after prolonged transient global cerebral ischemia.

Abstract A reproducible transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI) mouse model has not been fully established. Although striatal neurons and white matter are recognized to be vulnerable to ischemia, their injury after tGCI in mice has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate injuries to striatal neurons and white matter after tGCI in C57BL/6 mice, and to develop a reproducible tGCI model. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to tGCI by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Mice whose cortical cerebral blood flow after BCCAO decreased to less than 13% of the pre-ischemic value were used. Histological analysis showed that at 3 days after 22 min of BCCAO, striatal neurons were injured more consistently than those in other brain regions. Quantitative analysis of cytochrome c release into the cytosol and DNA fragmentation in the striatum showed consistent injury to the striatum. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis revealed that DARPP-32-positive medium spiny neurons, th...
Measurement of the neutron leakage from a dedicated intraoperative radiation therapy electron linear accelerator and a conventional linear accelerator for 9, 12, 15(16), and 18(20) MeV electron energies

The issue of neutron leakage has recently been raised in connection with dedicated electron-only linear accelerators used for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). In particular, concern has been expressed about the degree of neutron production at energies of 10 MeV and higher due to the need for additional, perhaps permanent, shielding in the room in which the device is operated. In particular, three mobile linear accelerators available commercially offer electron energies at or above the neutron threshold, one at 9 MeV, one at 10 MeV, and the third at 12 MeV. To investigate this problem, neutron leakage has been measured around the head of two types of electron accelerators at a distance of 1 m from the target at azimuthal angles of 0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, and 180 degrees. The first is a dedicated electron-only (nonmobile) machine with electron energies of 6 (not used here), 9, 12, 15, and 18 MeV and the second a conventional machine with electron energies of 6 (also not used here), 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV. Measurements were made using neutron bubble detectors and track-etch detectors. For electron beams from a conventional accelerator, the neutron leakage in the forward direction in Sv/Gy is 2.1 x 10(-5) at 12 MeV, 1.3 x 10(-4) at 16 MeV, and 4.2 x 10(-4) at 20 MeV, assuming a quality factor (RBE) of 10. For azimuthal angles > 0 degrees, the leakage is almost angle independent [2 x 10(-6) at 12 MeV; (0.7-1.6) x 10(-5) at 16 MeV, and (1.6-2.9) x 10(-5) at 20 MeV]. For the electron-only machine, the neutron leakage was lower than for the conventional linac, but also independent of azimuthal angle for angles > 0 degrees: {[0 degrees: 7.7 x 10(-6) at 12 MeV; 3.0 x 10(-5) at 15 MeV; 1.0 x 10(-4) at 18 MeV]; [other angles: (2.6-5.9) x 10(-7) at 12 MeV; (1.4-2.2) x 10(-6) at 15 MeV; (2.7-4.7) x 10(-6) at 18 MeV]}. Using the upper limit of 6 x 10(-7) Sv/Gy at 12 MeV for the IORT machine for azimuthal angles > 0 degrees and assuming a workload of 200 Gy/wk and an inverse square factor of 10, the neutron dose equivalent is calculated to be 0.012 mSv/wk. For the primary beam at 12 MeV (0 degrees), the 10 x higher dose would be compensated by the attenuation of a primary beam stopper in a mobile linear accelerator. These neutron radiation levels are below regulatory values (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, "Limitation of exposure to ionizing radiation," NCRP Report No. 116, NCRP Bethesda, MD, 1993).
Amputee socks: Thickness of multiple socks:

Background and aim:It is unclear how total sock ply and thickness are related when more than one sock is worn. The objectives were to determine whether the thickness of one multi-ply amputee sock of ply P was the same as the thickness of a stack of reduced-ply socks of total ply P, and whether the thickness of N single socks stacked one on top of the other was equal to the sum (1 to N) of the single sock thicknesses.Technique:Using a custom instrument, compressive stresses were applied while sock thickness was measured.Discussion:The thickness of one multi-ply sock of ply P was typically less than the thickness of a stack of reduced-ply socks of total ply P. The thickness of N single socks stacked one on top of the other was approximately equal to the sum (1 to N) of the single sock thicknesses.Clinical relevanceOur findings suggest three 1-ply socks to be 20% greater in thickness than one 3-ply sock, and one 3-ply + two 1-ply socks to be 30% greater in thickness than one 5-ply sock.
The Zeigarnik effect in a sample of mentally retarded persons.

Kurt Lewin (1939), father of modern social psychology, argued that to begin an integrated activity of any hnd creates a "tension" which continues after the overt activity has been interrupted and persists after that particular activity is finished. Thus, if the tension is prevented from discharging, the individual remains in a state of disequilibrium. This theoretic'il iormulation found empirical support in the many studies of one of Lewin's students, Bluma Zc~gnrn~k (1939/1965). Zeigarnlk's research has led to the development of the well known Ze~g~rn~k effect: "people will recall interrupted tasks much better than finished ones." The present study attempted a conceptual replication of the Zeigarnik effect in a sample of mentally retarded persons. Fifty-six adults (30 men, 26 women) with mental retardation who attended a d:iy habilitation training program participated. Their IQs ranged from 32 (moderate) to 70 (mild); their ages ranged from 20 to 60 years. Informed consent was obtained horn each participant's parent or guardiiln. Subjects were matched on the basis of their most recent IQ scores, and subject pairs were then formed and randomly assigned to one of the two conditions. A series of 10 tasks (similar to Zeigarn~k's) was used for the recall portion of the experiment. Condition 1 re¶uired subjects be allowed to finish all 10 tasks that were started, while in condition 2 subjects were interrupted during each of the 10 tasks. The recall test was given as soon as work on the series of tasks was completed. A t test for independent samples indicated that the subjects in the interrupted task group recalled more tasks than did the subjects who were allowed to complete the tasks (t,,=5.08, p < .01). Descriptive information for the interrupted task group included tt = 28, M = 4.61, and SD= 1.07 and for the completed task group n=28, M=3.25, and SD=0.93. Thus, the fundamental idea behind the Zeigarndc effect From Lewin's theory of tension holds also for individuals who are retarded. Further research involving sex daerences in this and intellectually normal groups is recommended.
Radiation-Guided Targeting of Combretastatin Encapsulated Immunoliposomes to Mammary Tumors

Radiation upregulates expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules providing a potential avenue for targeting drugs to irradiated tissue. Induced upregulation of E-selectin can be used to target immunoliposomes to solid tumors. The effects of targeting immunoliposomes containing the antivascular drug combretastatin disodium phosphate (CA4P) to irradiated mammary tumors were investigated in this study. Mice bearing transplanted MCa-4 mouse mammary tumors were assigned to one of the factorial treatments permuting the administration of free CA4P, tumor irradiation, CA4P encapsulated liposomes, and CA4P encapsulated immunoliposomes (conjugated with anti-E-selectin). Single and fractionated dosing of radiation and/or CA4P was evaluated. For single dose treatments the group that received a single dose of radiation plus a single dose of immunoliposomes showed a significant delay in tumor growth compared to all other treatment groups. Fractionated radiation plus fractionated doses of immunoliposomes resulted in further tumor growth delay; however, it was not significantly different from other fractionated dose treatment groups that combined radiation and CA4P. Targeting of antivascular drugs to irradiated tumors via ligand-bearing liposomes results in significant tumor growth delay. This effect can be further potentiated using a fractionated irradiation dosing schedule combined with fractionated immunoliposome treatments.
Mass Conservation in Grain Growth

Several alternatives to Hillert`s work on grain growth have been proposed. Unfortunately some of these theories have been shown to violate mass conservation. The authors have shown that applying local mass conservation to grain growth leads to a correction term in the current representing the interaction between a grain and its surrounding. They also showed that Hillert`s model of grain growth is equivalent to a mean field theory in which all grains want to shrink. The mass conserving backflux give a physical justification for the critical radius in Hillert`s theory.
Effects of viral specific cytotoxic lymphocytes on the expression of murine leukemia virus induced neurologic disease

A dose and time related effect on neurologic disease expression followed transfer of viral specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) to recipient NFS/N mice previously infected at 2 days of age with Cas-Br-M murine leukemia virus. Cas-Br-M MuLV gp70 was expressed in spleen and capillary endothelial cells in the brain and spinal cord of CTL recipients, but the progression of gliosis, vacuolation, and cell death that followed endothelial cell MuLV gp70 expression in unprotected Cas-Br-M MuLV infected mice was interrupted in protected CTL recipients. A direct cytotoxic effect of CTL on infected brain capillary endothelial or neural cells could not be demonstrated. Reduced levels of infectious MuLV and MuLV gp70 expression in brain following syngeneic CTL transfer early in the course of disease suggest that CTL may function by preventing a time-limited interaction of Cas-Br-M MuLV with a susceptible target cell or receptor critical for neurologic disease induction during the perinatal period.
Survival and differentiation within the adult mouse striatum of grafted rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12) genetically modified to express recombinant β-NGF

Rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells were genetically modified in vitro to express recombinant beta-nerve growth factor (beta-NGF) using a replication-deficient retroviral vector carrying the mouse beta-NGF gene and subsequently implanted into the striatum of a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. The fate of the genetically modified PC12 cells (PC12N.8) was assessed at varying times postimplantation by studying immunoreactivity (IR) to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or the rat NGF receptor (NGFR). In vitro, the genetically modified PC12 cells displayed a neuronal morphology in the absence of exogenous NGF which was characterized by extensive neurite outgrowth. In addition, the genetically modified PC12 displayed a catecholaminergic phenotype in vitro as assessed by TH-IR. Following implantation into the striatum, the survival of PC12N.8 cells was limited. Surviving cells could be identified by NGFR-IR, but not by TH-IR. In addition, PC12N.8 cells with a neuronal morphology similar to that observed in vitro were only rarely observed in vivo. No tumors were observed in PC12N.8 graft recipients up to 30 days postimplantation. In contrast, intrastriatal tumors were observed in 50% of the PC12 cell recipients. These data demonstrate that PC12 cells genetically modified in vitro to synthesize beta-NGF do not revert to the mitotic phenotype of the parent PC12 cell line following implantation into the adult striatum, an observation that suggests that these cells may continue to express recombinant beta-NGF in vivo. The data further suggest that the genetically modified PC12 cells lose the catecholaminergic phenotype following implantation into the striatal parenchyma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Efficient and Recyclable Monomeric and Dendritic Ru-Based Metathesis Catalysts

Several highly active, recoverable and recyclable Ru-based metathesis catalysts are presented. The crystal structure of Ru complex 5, bearing a 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene and styrenyl ether ligand is disclosed. The heterocyclic ligand significantly enhances the catalytic activity, and the styrenyl ether allows for the easy recovery of the Ru complex. Catalyst 5 promotes ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and the efficient formation of various trisubstituted olefins at ambient temperature in high yield within 2 h; the catalyst is obtained in >95% yield after silica gel chromatography and can be used directly in subsequent reactions. Tetrasubstituted olefins can also be synthesized by RCM reactions catalyzed by 5. In addition, the synthesis and catalytic activities of two dendritic and recyclable Ru-based complexes are disclosed (32 and 33). Examples involving catalytic ring-closing, ring-opening, and cross metatheses are presented where, unlike monomer 5, dendritic 33 can be readily recovered.
The baculovirus anti-apoptotic protein Op-IAP does not inhibit Drosophila caspases or apoptosis in Drosophila S2 cells and instead sensitizes S2 cells to virus-induced apoptosis

The Op-IAP protein from the baculovirus Orgyia pseudotsugata M nucleopolyhedrovirus (OpMNPV) is highly effective at inhibiting apoptosis triggered by a variety of different stimuli in lepidopteran cells as well as in several different mammalian cell types, suggesting that it functions at a highly conserved step in the apoptotic pathway. However, the mechanism by which Op-IAP inhibits apoptosis is unclear. Since some IAP proteins can bind and inhibit caspases, we tested whether Op-IAP could inhibit the activity of caspases from Drosophila melanogaster. We found that recombinant Op-IAP protein was not able to bind or directly inhibit the activity of the Drosophila caspases DRONC, DrICE, or DCP-1 in vitro. In addition, expression of Op-IAP was unable to inhibit apoptosis triggered by either actinomycin D or UV light in D. melanogaster S2 cells. Surprisingly, Op-IAP expression in S2 cells enhanced apoptosis caused by baculovirus infection, but did not cause increased sensitivity to either actinomycin D or UV damage-induced apoptosis. The observation that Op-IAP cannot inhibit these insect caspases suggests that it functions by a mechanism that does not involve direct caspase inhibition.
The centrosome is a dynamic structure that ejects PCM flares.

The Drosophila Centrosomin (Cnn) protein is an essential core component of centrosomes in the early embryo. We have expressed a Cnn-GFP fusion construct in cleavage stage embryos, which rescues the maternal effect lethality of cnn mutant animals. The localization patterns seen with GFP-Cnn are identical to the patterns we see by immunofluorescent staining with anti-Cnn antibodies. Live imaging of centrosomes with Cnn-GFP reveals surprisingly dynamic features of the centrosome. Extracentrosomal particles of Cnn move radially from the centrosome and frequently change their direction. D-TACC colocalized with Cnn at these particles. We have named these extrusions `flares9. Flares are dependent on microtubules, since disruption of the microtubule array severs the movement of these particles. Movement of flare particles is cleavage-cycle-dependent and appears to be attributed mostly to their association with dynamic astral microtubules. Flare activity decreases at metaphase, then increases at telophase and remains at this higher level of activity until the next metaphase. Flares appear to be similar to vertebrate PCM-1-containing `centriolar satellites9 in their behavior. By injecting rhodamine-actin, we observed that flares extend no farther than the actin cage. Additionally, disruption of the microfilament array increased the extent of flare movement. These observations indicate that centrosomes eject particles of Cnn-containing pericentriolar material that move on dynamic astral microtubules at a rate that varies with the cell cycle. We propose that flare particles play a role in organizing the actin cytoskeleton during syncytial cleavage.
Recombinant-inbred strains: general methodological considerations relevant to the study of complex characters.

If appropriately determined, recombinant-inbred (RI) strain means provide an excellent method for determining genetic correlations among complex characters. However, little systematic attention has been paid to important environmental influences on strain means such as random effects due to litter membership or systematic maternal influences, which are inevitably confounded with genetic effects. It is suggested that users of RI strains would do well to control for litter effects by sampling appropriately from many litters and assessing the potential role of maternal influences by appropriate fostering procedures. Concern for these and other environmental sources of variation has caused reliability of strain means to emerge as an important issue in studies with RIs which focus on complex characters. Examples of estimating the reliability of RI strain means are provided to draw attention to the value of this kind of information in both gene-mapping studies and genetic correlational analyses. In addition, particularly in the case of behavioral tests which are susceptible to considerable day-to-day variation, repeated testing of the same animals can serve to diminish the influence of extreme deviations which are due to random variations in the manner in which the test is conducted on any given day. The advantages of RIs for gene mapping are well established. However, via the power of genetic correlational analysis, the RI methodology is emerging as a major alternative method, e.g., as distinct from lesion studies, pharmacological interventions, etc., in the biobehavioral sciences to explore relationships between different domains of inquiry. Via its cumulative and integrative power, it is likely to make a major contribution to investigations of relationships between complex characters at various levels of and this application which should be considered separately from its application to gene mapping.
STRENGTH AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF FINE GLASS FIBERS AND YARNS

Glass fibers have been produced in large quantities running from 0.0007- to 0.00005-inch fiber diameter. The strength of individual fibers and the strength of yarns produced from these fibers have received preliminary investigation. Some of the strengths obtained are quite remarkable, running into the order of 11/2 million pounds per square inch. Even these strengths fall short of the theoretical possibilities. Some possible reasons and explanations are discussed.
Is growth a dirty word? Pollution, abatement and endogenous growth

Abstract Potential conflicts between economic growth and environmental degradation are central to the sustainable development debate. An endogenous growth model is used to investigate tradeoffs between economic growth and environmental quality, where growth is dependent on technology improvements, emissions are generated during final goods production, and physical resources can be used to abate pollution. Pollution growth is higher in a decentralized economy, but technology growth rates can not be ranked between the efficient and equilibrium paths. Even with restricted abatement activity, second-best pollution growth will be below the unregulated level. Zero economic growth policies may increase the rate of environmental degradation.
Effects of five insecticides on zygospore germination and growth of the green alga Chlamydomonas moewusii.

The toxic effects of various pesticides on algae have been studied extensively, and several review articles containing information about algae and pesticides have been written (Ware and Roan 1970; Hurlbert 1975; Tu and Miles 1976; Butler 1977; McCann and Cullimore 1979; Lal and Saxena 1980). However, an examination of previous pesticide-algae studies reveals that toxic effects have been demonstrated chiefly with the vegetative phases of algal life histories~ This is perhaps unfortunate since many algae, in addition to vegetative phases, produce reproductive stages such as gametes and spores as part of their sexual and/or asexual life cycles. For example, Chlamydomonas moewusii, a common alga in both freshwater aquatic and soil habitats, produces a thickwalled zygospore as a result of sexual reproduction. Therefore, this organism possesses in its sexual life cycle two different morphological entities, both of which could theoretically experience toxic effects from pesticides. The only study of which we are aware which has examined toxic effects of pesticides on an algal reproductive stage is our own recent work (Cain and Cain 1983). The results of this latter study, which examined the effects of 20 different herbicides on zygospore germination and growth of C. moewusii, demonstrated that zygospore germination can be inhibited by herbicide presence, and that zygospores are more resistant than vegetative cells to some but not all herbicides. In view of these results, we felt it important to conduct a similar study with 5 insecticides, to examine and compare possible toxic effects of these compounds on both morphological stages of the C. moewusii sexual cycle.
Cadmium exposure attenuates the initiation of behavioral sensitization to cocaine

Employing a paired-watering procedure to control for differential fluid intake confounds, adult male rats were exposed in the home cage to water containing 100 ppm cadmium chloride, or a control solution containing no added cadmium chloride. On Day 61 of exposure to their respective watering regimens, half the animals from each condition received 12 repeated daily i.p. injections of 10 mg/kg cocaine-HCl, or saline. Locomotor activity (total distance traveled) was recorded in Digiscan Activity Monitors for a 20-min baseline period prior to each injection, and for a 40-min period post-injection. On Day 13 of testing, all animals received saline injections only in the test chambers, in an effort to evaluate the role of conditioned cues in the expression of cocaine sensitization. On Day 14-16 of testing, all animals received successive daily challenges of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg cocaine in the test chamber. The results indicated that the initiation (development) of behavioral sensitization to 10 mg/kg cocaine was attenuated in cadmium-exposed rats. Moreover, the supersensitivity to higher doses of cocaine during dose-effect testing that was registered by control animals pretreated with cocaine, was not evident in cadmium-exposed pretreatment animals. These data suggests that environmental contaminants may alter drug responsiveness, and thereby may influence patterns of drug selection and use.
On Quasi-Geostrophic Turbulence: A Numerical Experiment

Abstract The results of extended integrations of a two-level, quasi-geostrophic model with Newtonian heating and dissipation in terms of surface friction, internal friction, and lateral diffusion are described. The major emphasis is on an analysis of the integrations in wavenumber space, including the calculations of spectra for available potential energy, kinetic energy, enstrophy, energy generations, conversions and dissipation, as well as the nonlinear cascades of the first three quantities. It is found that the fluxes of available potential energy and kinetic energy through the wavenumber domain are very small above planetary wavenumber n = 10, while the enstrophy flux is large and positive for 6 ≤ n ≤ 10, but decreases rapidly for n > 10. The available potential energy, the kinetic energy and the enstrophy as a function of wavenumber vary approximately as n−5, n−3 and n−1, for 10 ≤ n ≤ 20. Dimensional considerations based on a balance between the convergence of the enstrophy flux and the dissipation ...
Halogenation by Phase Transfer Catalysis

Several ketones have been halogenated with carbon tetrachloride employing basic phase transfer catalytic conditions. Acetophenone and phenylace-tone yield halogenated epoxides while several other aromatic compounds underwent α-oxidation.
Electric dipole moments in polar solvents. II. Tetraisoamylammonium nitrate ion pairs in chlorobenzene. Effect of mutual polarization of the ions

The dielectric constant and conductivity of dilute solutions of tetraisoamylammonium nitrate in chlorobenzene are measured between −34.6° and 99.0°C to give association constants for the formation of ion pairs (K A) and triple ions, and electric dipole moments. The quantityK A as a function of temperature is reproduced by the Denison-Ramsey-Fuoss treatment for unolarized ion pairs [Eq. (2)] with a distance of closest approach of 4.90 A. The dielectric data are reproduced by Onsager's equation with an inherent (gas-phase) dipole moment of the ion pairs of 14.2±0.3 D. Other methods of calculation lead to consistent dipole moments, confirming that the mutual polarization of the ions is important. The energetics of ionic association is considered on the basis that the ion pair may be treated as a polarizable dipole in a spherical cavity.
Cranial surgery among Medicare beneficiaries.

Background: This article examines the incidence of inpatient cranial surgery among Medicare beneficiaries. Many of these surgeries are trauma related or reflect chronic disabilities. The costs of care and the mortality rates are high for these patients. Methods: A retrospective study examined the inpatient discharge data on Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries during FY 1997 for diagnosis-related groups 1, 2, and 484. Incidence patterns, length of hospital stay, and mortality were examined by age, race, sex, source of admission, and discharge destination. Results: Approximately 86% of the Medicare cranial surgery patients were 65 years of age or older, but only 10.2% were 85 years of age or older. The average patient age was 72 years. Nearly 51% of the patients were male, and 86.3% were white. Approximately 35% of the patients were admitted from the emergency room. The average length of stay was 9.6 days, and the average intensive care unit stay was 3.5 days. Whereas 42.3% of the patients were discharged to home, 44.6% were discharged to postacute care, and 10.9% died in the hospital. The average inpatient charge was $30,746. Conclusions: Cranial surgery in the Medicare population results in high inpatient mortality and high rates of postacute care use, especially as patient age increases.
Platelet Deposition on ePTFE Grafts Coated with Fibrin Glue with or without FGF-1 and Heparin

Introduction. The disappointing long-term patency of small-caliber prosthetic grafts may be due in part to early thrombogenicity of the prosthetic surface. We previously reported that the coating of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) with fibrin glue (FG) containing fibroblast growth factor type 1 (FGF-1) and heparin accelerated spontaneous endothelial coverage of ePTFE grafts in an animal model; however, FG's effect on platelets remains unclear. This study was done to evaluate platelet deposition onto FG/FGF-1/ heparin-coated vs FG-coated vs whole-blood-preclotted ePTFE surfaces. Methods. Twelve 5-cm ePTFE grafts were treated either with FG (thrombin, 0.32 U/ ml, and fibrinogen, 32.1 mg/ml, n = 8) or with FG containing FGF-1 (11 ng/ml) plus heparin (250U/ml, n = 4). Twelve control ePTFE grafts were preclotted with canine (n = 8) or human (n = 4) whole blood. These treated grafts were placed onto a loop pulsatile perfusion system in pairs (preclotted with either FG or FG/ FGF-1/heparin) and perfused with a M-199/10% FBS/ 111 indium-labeled platelet suspension. After 60 min the grafts were gamma counted and CPM/mm 2 were determined. Results. In both trials, the preclotted ePTFE grafts demonstrated similarly increased platelet deposition when compared to grafts treated with FG/FGF-1/heparin or FG alone (P < 0.001 for each). Conclusion. The decrease in platelet deposition on the FG/FGF-1/ heparin-coated grafts vs preclotted grafts is not due to heparin and is not specific to canine or human platelets. FG-coated grafts may induce a decrease in early graft thrombogenicity when compared to whole blood preclotting.
Severe Obesity as an Explanatory Factor for the Black/White Difference in Stage at Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Black women with breast cancer are less likely than white women to be diagnosed while their disease is still at a localized stage. Racial differences in the prevalence of obesity in the United States have also been documented. This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which the observed racial difference in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer could be explained by racial differences in obesity, specifically severe obesity. This was a population-based, retrospective study of 145 black women and 177 white women in Connecticut who were diagnosed with breast cancer between January 1987 and March 1989. Severe obesity was associated with both race and stage at diagnosis: Black women were significantly more likely than white women to be severely obese (26% vs. 7%, respectively), and severe obesity was significantly associated with diagnosis at TNM stage II or greater (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio = 3.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28-7.52). Adjustment for severe obesity in a logistic regression model reduced the risk of later stage at diagnosis in blacks relative to whites by 33%, from an odds ratio of 1.98 (95% CI 1.22-3.19) to one of 1.66 (95% CI 1.01-2.73). The higher prevalence of severe obesity among black women may play an important role in explaining their relative disadvantage in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer.
Cell‐level modeling of nutrient competition on the growth of microalgal biomass

Growth of microalgal biomass is driven by nutrient availability but also by species competition for these nutrients. In this study, a modeling procedure has been developed by means of which impacts of nutrient competition on microalgae cells can be investigated on a cell-level. The goal of this modeling is to enhance the understanding of nutrient competition in a given biological environment and to enable predicting the biomass' species composition. These models are compared with experimental data and empirical assessments published earlier in this journal. Because these simulations have been built on very generic assumptions, transferring this chemometric methodology to other cell types is straightforward. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pair Programming in Graduate Software Engineering Course Projects

Pair programming has been used in undergraduate classes in order to develop student skills and to enhance student learning. Experiments with such an approach have demonstrated positive effects. This paper investigates the effects of pair programming in the graduate software engineering class by conducting a case study with six students who were assigned to work on incremental changes on an open source application either as pairs or as individuals. The results of the case study showed that paired students completed their change request tasks faster and with higher quality than individuals. They also wrote less lines of code and used more meaningful variable names. Pair programming could be an effective and useful approach for graduate software engineering classes
A Nanoscale Vertical Double-Gate Single-Transistor Capacitorless DRAM

We experimentally demonstrate and characterize a vertical (current flow that is perpendicular to the wafer) source (bottom)/drain (top) double-gate capacitorless single-transistor DRAM on a bulk silicon wafer. We have electrically measured retention times in excess of 25 ms. Device fabrication was facilitated by several key process innovations, which allow the device to also be integrated with planar devices using minimal additional process steps. The structure results in a highly scalable DRAM down to 22-nm technology node.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Operational Psychology and Clinical Practice in Operational Environments

Military psychologists and psychologists employed by various government agencies are increasingly recognized as instrumental in providing operational support to both military and national security ...
Effect of height and orientation (microclimate) on geomorphic degradation rates and processes, late-glacial terrace scarps in central Idaho

Terrace scarps can serve as a nearly ideal natural laboratory for the study of the evolution of slopes. This paper examines the effects of scarp size (height) and orientation (microclimate) by keeping constant variables such as age, lithology, and regional climate. If a scarp degrades as a closed system, and downslope movement is directly proportional to surface gradient , the evolution of the scarp is modeled by the diffusion equation. For a group of scarps of same age and known starting angle, the diffusion-equation model predicts the relation between maximum scarp angle (𝛉) and scarp height ( h ). Late Pleistocene terrace scarps now as steep as 33.25°, as well as measured angles of repose for sand and gravel, require a starting angle as steep as 33.5°. For latest Pleistocene Idaho and Utah scarps, as h increases, 𝛉 is gentler (more degraded) than modeled by the diffusion equation with a constant rate coefficient. The degradation-rate coefficient ( c ) increases tenfold with scarp height; it should not change with scarp height if downslope movement is solely determined by surface gradient (to the first power). Soil wash appears to be responsible for this departure from the diffusion-equation model, for transport rate by soil wash is a function of scarp size (height). South-facing scarps are less vegetated and more degraded than north-facing scarps. For scarps 2 m high, the degradation rate ( c *) on S-facing scarps is 2 times that on N-facing scarps; for 10-m scarps, it is 5 times. The observed dependence of the rate coefficient c * on scarp height can be removed by normalizing c * to values for west-facing scarps of the same height. The residual c * values calculated by this method correlate well with differences in incident solar radiation resulting from the different scarp orientations and maximum gradients. This correlation demonstrates the importance of orientation on slope processes and their rates through the differences in freeze-thaw cycles, soil moisture, and vegetative cover. Scarp morphology may be used to estimate age, if one accounts for the effects of climate and for scarp height, orientation, and lithology. For example, using the dated Bonneville shoreline scarps for calibration and comparing only scarps of equal height, we estimate the Drum Mountains fault scarps to be 9,000 yr old. This age is about twice that produced by previous diffusion-equation calculations that have not accounted for the height as we have here, but it is the same as independent geologic estimates of their age.
ASYMPTOTIC EXPANSIONS AND POSITIVITY OF COEFFICIENTS FOR LARGE POWERS OF ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS

We derive an asymptotic expansion as n →∞ for a large range of coefficients of (f (z)) n ,w here f( z) is a power series satisfying | f( z)| <f (|z|) for z ∈ C, z ∉R + .W henf is a polynomial and the two smallest and the two largest exponents appearing in f are consecutive integers, we use the expansion to generalize results of Odlyzko and Richmond (1985) on log concavity of polynomials, and we prove that a power of f has only positive coefficients.
Delta's New Song: A Case on Cost Estimation in the Airline Industry

This case provides the opportunity to use various empirical techniques (i.e., high‐low method, simple regression, and multiple regression) in the estimation of cost functions. The case uses the airline industry as the setting for this analysis and, in particular, focuses on the ef forts of Delta Airlines to plan for salaries, the cost category that dominates its income statement. The case provides the data and the opportunity to learn the details of cost function estimation, but more importantly, it provides a rich setting in which issues related to the interpretation of these cost functions can be discussed. Finally, the entry of Delta into the low‐cost carrier segment with its formation of Song provides a unique opportunity to think about how the cost function of an established full‐service airline compares to that of a low‐fare startup. Data from successful newcomer JetBlue is used to illustrate these differences. More generally, the case shows how the use of historical costs and cost estimation techni...
A Rotationally Asymmetric Reluctance Machine With Improved Torque Density

Reluctance machines (RM) have desirable features including low rotor and no-load rotational losses. In this paper, a new type of RM is introduced, namely the asymmetrical RM. This machine has higher torque density than a conventional RM and is useful in situations where low rotor and no-load rotational losses are desirable. A design model for the new type of machine is presented and validated using finite-element analysis. The machine is compared to other machine types by comparing Pareto-optimal fronts of loss versus electromagnetic mass for a given torque.
Variation of Circumsporozoite 26 and 29 Genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum Infecting Patients and Association with HLA-DQA Allotypes in Western Thailand

We evaluated the proportion of variants of circumsporozoite protein (cp) gene 26 and cp29 antigenic epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum infecting patients among 3 provinces in western Thailand, in addition to published variants from Gambia. The proportion of patients coinfected with cp26 and cp29 strains was significantly higher in patients reporting to malaria clinics in Tak than in Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi and higher in Kanchanaburi than in Ratchaburi. In western Thailand, coinfection with cp26 and cp29 appears to increase with increasing latitude. There were also significant differences in proportion of these variants among Thai provinces and Gambia. An association of patient human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genotype was associated with P. falciparum strains. There were significant associations among the HLA-DQA alleles in patients, the province of origin, and cp variants of P. falciparum.
The Sandwich Generation: Challenges and Coping Strategies of Multigenerational Families.

This article presents a review of recent literature of the “sandwich generation” with an emphasis on women. Counseling interventions, family counseling implications, and two case studies follow the literature review.