cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Significant Unusual Transactions

Significant unusual transactions as significant transactions that are outside the normal course of business for the company or that otherwise appear to be unusual due to their timing, size, or nature. A company’s significant unusual transactions can create complex accounting and financial statement disclosure issues that could pose increased risks of material misstatement.
Forty Years from Fascism: Democratic Constitutionalism and the Spanish Model of National Transformation

Just over four decades ago, Spain was a quasi-fascist state with an authoritarian government led by Generalissimo Francisco Franco. It was a rare holdout to the wave of democracy and constitutionalism that swept Europe and then much of the globe in the aftermath of World War II and the founding of the United Nations. With the death of Franco, Spain's future was uncertain. But within a few years, the newly reigning king and remnants of Franco's own power structure had facilitated an unlikely democratic transformation--the final democratic transition in Western Europe. This Article examines and evaluates core elements of the past promise and present reality of Spain's transformation from Francoist dictatorship to modern European democracy by investigating the role of the Constitution of 1978 and of the distinctive Spanish Model of constitutional transformation in facilitating Spain's transition to democracy. The Spanish Model refers to a relatively peaceful transition from authoritarianism to constitutionalism through negotiated, consensus-based reforms without disruption of the existing legal framework through violence or revolution. The Model allowed Spain to minimize internal threats to the transition, solidify popular constitutional elements, and postpone contentious issues. The Model helped Spain identify and codify settled processes for dynamic resolution of conflicts. The result was a broadly democratic but uniquely Spanish Constitution in the modern European model. The 1978 Constitution provided viable solutions to Spain's pressing and recurring challenges: centrifugal tension between national and regional levels of government, the power of the military, the quasi-governmental power and role of the Catholic Church, and the structure of the economy. For modern Spain, the question was whether the rule of law, democracy, the organization and distribution of authority, and the protection of individual rights could viably counter the errors of autocracy, authoritarianism, and fascism. This Article demonstrates that, despite recent, significant, and evolving challenges, constitutional democracy is strong in Spain and has been significantly aided by its constitutional text and the Spanish Model that inaugurated it.
Effect of stress, harmonic status, and lexical status on Hungarian vowel-to-vowel coarticulation

The present study examines vowel-to-vowel coarticulation in Hungarian with particular emphasis on the effects of word stress and lexical status (real words versus nonce words) on the direction and degree of vowel coarticulation. Previous investigations indicate that lexical stress exerts a powerful influence on vowel coarticulation. Specifically, stressed vowels are thought to resist coarticulation (see, e.g., Beddor et al., 2002; Majors, 2006). It is not clear, however, whether this effect is universal across languages, nor if it can be suppressed by the presence of more influential factors. In addition, it is not known whether vowel-to-vowel coarticulation always affects real and nonce words in a similar fashion, though some previous research indicates that speakers differ in their coarticulatory handling of nonce words (Scarborough, 2012). Finally, previous research suggests that the presence of vowel harmony in a language may place restrictions on the direction of vowel-to-vowel coarticulation (Beddor and Yavuz, 1995). Hungarian has a vowel harmony system that includes several neutral vowels, which do not participate in harmony. This study reports the results of an acoustic analysis of coarticulation in stressed and unstressed vowels (both neutral and harmonizing) in real and nonce words produced by native speakers of Hungarian.The present study examines vowel-to-vowel coarticulation in Hungarian with particular emphasis on the effects of word stress and lexical status (real words versus nonce words) on the direction and degree of vowel coarticulation. Previous investigations indicate that lexical stress exerts a powerful influence on vowel coarticulation. Specifically, stressed vowels are thought to resist coarticulation (see, e.g., Beddor et al., 2002; Majors, 2006). It is not clear, however, whether this effect is universal across languages, nor if it can be suppressed by the presence of more influential factors. In addition, it is not known whether vowel-to-vowel coarticulation always affects real and nonce words in a similar fashion, though some previous research indicates that speakers differ in their coarticulatory handling of nonce words (Scarborough, 2012). Finally, previous research suggests that the presence of vowel harmony in a language may place restrictions on the direction of vowel-to-vowel coarticulation (Beddor...
NLRP3 inflammasome activation in platelets in response to sepsis.

Sepsis is a complex syndrome characterized by organ dysfunction and a dysregulated immune host response to infection. There is currently no effective treatment for sepsis, but platelets have been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of sepsis. We hypothesized that the NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in platelets during sepsis and may be associated with multiorgan injury in response to polymicrobial sepsis. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in 12- to 13-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats. The necrotic cecum was removed at 24 h post-CLP. At 72 h post-CLP, activated platelets were significantly increased in CLP versus Sham rats. Colocalization of NLRP3 inflammasome components was observed in platelets from CLP rats at 72 h post-CLP. Plasma, pulmonary, and renal levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly higher in CLP rats compared to Sham controls. Soluble markers of endothelial permeability were increased in CLP versus Sham. Renal and pulmonary histopathology were markedly elevated in CLP rats compared to Sham controls. NLRP3 is activated in platelets in response to CLP and is associated with inflammation, endothelial permeability and multiorgan injury. Our results indicate that activated platelets may play a role to cause multiorgan injury in sepsis and may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of sepsis multiorgan injury.
Immediate versus delayed loading of mandibular implant-retained overdentures: A 60-month follow-up of a randomized clinical trial.

Aim The purpose of this observational, post-trial follow-up study was to evaluate 60-month outcomes of a randomized controlled clinical trial that compared immediately and delayed loaded two unsplinted implants, supporting a locator-retained mandibular overdenture. Materials and methods Patients from a randomized controlled clinical trial, treated with either immediate or delayed loading of two implants, supporting a locator-retained mandibular overdenture, were recalled for 60-month evaluation. Patients underwent a clinical and radiographic examination to evaluate the peri-implant soft tissue parameters and bone. Prosthetic maintenance needs and complications were also recorded. Results Twenty three of the 30 patients were available for the 60-month follow-up. The mean radiographic bone level change measured using standardized periapical radiographs from baseline to 60 months was 0.89 mm (±0.74) and 0.18 (±0.41) for delayed loading and immediate loading groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed at 60 months with a smaller radiographic bone level change in the immediate loading group. No implants were lost between 12 and 60 months. At 60 months, per-protocol implant survival rate was 100% for both the groups. No difference was found in the peri-implant soft tissue parameters and prosthetic needs between the groups. Conclusion Both immediately and delayed loaded implants supporting a locator-retained mandibular overdenture showed similar clinical outcomes.
Justification as a loaded notion

The problem of skepticism is often understood as a paradox: a valid argument with plausible premises whose conclusion is that we lack justification for perceptual beliefs. Typically, this conclusion is deemed unacceptable, so a theory is offered that posits conditions for justification on which some premise is false. The theory defended here is more general, and explains why the paradox arises in the first place. Like Strawson’s (Introduction to logical theory, Wiley, New York, 1952) “ordinary language” approach to induction, the theory posits something built into the very notion of justification: it is loaded with a bias towards the proposition that we are not massively deceived. Beyond the paradox, remaining skeptical problems consist of metaphysical and practical questions: whether we are massively deceived, or why we should use our loaded notion rather than some other. Such challenges have profound epistemological significance, but they are not problems that an a priori theory of justification can solve.
Neuromorphic Image Sensor Design with Region-Aware Processing

This paper presents a pixel parallel architecture of a neuromorphic image sensor, designed as a 3D bottom-up architecture composing of several computational planes where each plane performs different image processing algorithms. The model emulates the hierarchical process in biological vision by providing feedforward and feedback information flow between different planes. The on-chip attention module dynamically detects regions with relevant information and produces a feedback path to sample those regions with a higher clock frequency, whereas regions with low spatial and temporal information receive less attention. The results suggest that by sampling non-relevant regions with a lower frequency, the sensor can reduce redundancy and enable high-performance computing at low power. Furthermore, by deploying high-level reasoning only on the selected regions instead of the entire image the model can decrease computational expenses.
Conducting Health Research in Carceral Systems: Considerations and Recommendations

Although the number of people incarcerated in the United States has grown dramatically, research on how incarceration affects individuals and the communities they return to has lagged behind. This may be because of the unique challenges of doing research within carceral systems and the relatively small number of investigators who are competent to undertake these efforts.We provide a primer for investigators with limited experience conducting research in carceral settings and highlight considerations and recommendations that may aid those conducting health research with incarcerated persons. We follow this with an illustrative case example exemplifying how the considerations apply to recent health research that our team conducted on mental illness prevalence in a large regional jail.Understanding how to effectively conduct research with criminal justice populations and systems is the first step in beginning to understand the effects of mass incarceration as a driver of health disparities and health inequity.
Nonlocking Plate Functions 2

This chapter will focus on three main types of nonlocking plates—bridging, wave, and fixed angle. Bridge plating is ideal for comminuted fractures and can accomplish the goal of restoring functional alignment, rotation, and length while minimally disrupting soft tissues. Wave plates are contoured with a centrally curved segment that allows for access to the fracture or nonunion for packing of bone graft. Additionally, wave plates limit the direct plate to bone contact and function as tension bands, converting tension forces to compression through the fracture site. Fixed angle devices include any device that provides a fixed angle relationship within the implant and include sliding hip screws, dynamic condylar screws, as well as blade plates. These nonlocked plates can be used in a variety of settings depending on the fracture or nonunion environment. Surgeons should understand the biomechanical benefits of each device in order to apply them appropriately.
Plasma modification of vanadium oxynitride surfaces: Characterization by in situ XPS experiments and DFT calculations

Plasma modification of transition metal nitride/oxynitride (MOxNy) surfaces for enhanced surface properties is highly desirable, given the scalability of such methods and limitations of thermal treatments. In situ x-ray excited photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that the O2 plasma oxidation of VOxNy films generates non-lattice N1s surface features with binding energies near 396.5 eV, which are associated with the nitrogen reduction reaction activity but not observed upon thermal oxidation. The NH3 plasma generates N1s surface features near 400.5 eV binding energy. The O2+NH3 plasma generates both types of N1s features. Annealing in UHV to <1000 K reverses plasma-induced changes to N1s spectra. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations integrated with the experiments indicate that the plasma-induced N1s features at ∼396.5 eV and 400.5 eV are V≡N: and V—NH2 sites, respectively, with significantly lower thermal stabilities than lattice N sites. These results provide practical insight regarding the plasma modification of MOxNy surfaces for important applications.
Impact of social networking for advancing learners’ knowledge in E-learning environments

Social networking has modernized digital education through the provision of novel functionalities, such as reacting, commenting, motivation or group formation. In the light of the new developments, this paper presents SNAKE (Social Networking for Advancing Knowledge in E-learning environment), which is an e-learning software incorporating social characteristics for the tutoring of computer programming. However, investigating the impact of e-learning software holding social characteristics is yet a quite under-researched area. To this end, an extensive exploration of SNAKE has been conducted which examined different factors affecting social networking-based learning. The population of this study included 200 undergraduate students of computer science. To analyze the disposable data, the structural equation modeling was utilized. Upon analysis and structural model validities, the experimentation led to an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) utilized for estimating the impact of the various variables. In more detail, the research model consisted of the TAM core constructs and three external variables. Concluding, the study confirmed that the model adequately explained causal relationships between variables and presented direct and indirect significant impacts of them on SNAKE which can promote learners’ better academic performance and knowledge acquisition.
SCALING LAWS AND DIFFUSE LOCALITY OF BALANCED AND IMBALANCED MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC TURBULENCE

The search of ways to generalize the theory of strong MHD turbulence for the case of non-zero cross-helicity (or energy imbalance) has attracted considerable interest recently. In our earlier publications, we performed three-dimensional numerical simulations and showed that some of the existing models are inconsistent with numerics. In this Letter, we focused our attention on low-imbalance limit and performed new high-resolution simulations. The results strongly suggest that in the limit of small imbalances we smoothly transition to a standard Goldreich-Sridhar balanced model. We also claim that the Perez-Boldyrev model that predicts the same nonlinear timescale for both components due to the so-called dynamic alignment strongly contradicts numerical evidence.
Stability of SPECT uptake value ("SPECT-UV") in normal abdominal organs for 111In-pentetreotide imaging

585 Objectives Quantitative PET has become important in oncologic imaging. Some cancer types, such as pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, are however generally followed with SPECT radiopharmaceuticals. It would therefore be desirable to quantitate treatment response with SPECT in a manner analogous to PET. In order to implement quantitative SPECT, however, the normal variability of SPECT uptake in solid organs must be known. Methods 7 patients imaged with 111In-pentetreotide 24 hours after injection at multiple time points to monitor progression or assess therapy of neuroendocrine disease were used (total 17 scans). Images were reconstructed with quantitative SPECT (QSPECT) methods that compensated all image degrading effects (OSEM, 30 iterations, 8 subsets). Normal iver and kidney volumes-of-interest (VOIs) were manually drawn on a clinical workstation. The maximum, mean, and peak (in a 1 cm spherical region) SPECT-UVs were computed in the VOIs analogously to methods used to evaluate PET SUV. Results Image noise led to larger variability in the maximum and peak SPECT-UV values than for the mean. The mean SPECT-UV values for left and right kidneys (means 8.28 and 8.32) were highly correlated (r=0.962), indicating spatial reliability within the images. The coefficients of variation (COVs) in the kidneys and liver were, respectively, 28 and 72% over all scans and 17 and 38% between scans for the same patient averaged over all patients. The intraclass correlation coefficients, indicating the fraction of variation due to patient differences, were 0.32 and 0.73 for the liver and kidneys. The intra-patient variability in kidney SPECT-UV was similar to that previously reported for the liver SUV for FDG-PET. Conclusions Inter-patient organ SPECT-UV variability was greater than intra-patient variability, suggesting that patient-specific criteria are needed. The reliability of SPECT-UV in normal organs indicates it may find an important role in standardizing the assessment of treatment response in tumors imaged with SPECT radiopharmaceuticals. Research Support U01CA140204
Lifestyle habits and obesity progression in overweight and obese American young adults: Lessons for promoting cardiometabolic health

Obesity among young adults is a growing problem in the United States and is related to unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as high caloric intake and inadequate exercise. Accurate assessment of lifestyle habits across obesity stages is important for informing age-specific intervention strategies to prevent and reduce obesity progression. Using a modified version of the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (mEOSS), a new scale for defining obesity risk and predicting obesity morbidity and mortality, this cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of overweight/obese conditions in 105 young adults and compared their lifestyle habits across the mEOSS stages. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and one-way analyses of variance were performed. Eighty percent of participants (n = 83) fell into the mEOSS-2 group and had obesity-related chronic disorders, such as diabetes, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia. There were significant differences in dietary quality and patterns across the mEOSS stages. Findings highlighted the significance of prevention and early treatment for overweight and obese young adults to prevent and cease obesity progression.
Some Experiments with Cysteine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Animal Tumors

Whether glutathione, or cysteine, which contains the sulfhydryl radical, increased or inhibited tumor growth had not been determined in 1932, when we started some experiments with cysteine hydrochloride. Since then Reimann and Hammett and their associates (1) and Voegtlin (2) have published reports upon related substances. In general, Reimann and the Lankenau Hospital group report a retardation effect upon tumors, with greater differentiation of cells and longer life of treated animals. Voegtlin, using animals upon an inadequate amino acid diet, found that cystine and glutathione greatly stimulated the growth of tumors as well as the animals bearing them. Our experiments indicate that cysteine, while having a definite effect upon some tumors, is practically inert when applied to others. Our reasons for beginning the experiments reported here were admittedly vague. Cystine, or methionine, is needed for normal tissue growth, and Voegtlin and Thompson (3) had reported that cystine and cysteine were not present in tumors studied by them. Perhaps a substance necessary for proper cell maturation is lacking in tumors and, since cysteine is so closely associated with cell growth, this would be the first chemical to investigate. The following experiments were done over a period of years as different tumors became available in the laboratory.
Clinical development of bivalirudin (Angiox®): rationale for thrombin‐specific anticoagulation in percutaneous coronary intervention and acute coronary syndromes

As the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has been clarified in recent years, major advances have been made in the management of the disease. The magnitude of the thrombotic process triggered upon plaque disruption is modulated by different elements that determine plaque and blood thrombogenicity. Thrombin plays a pivotal role in ACS because of its extensive procoagulant and prothrombotic actions. Antithrombotic therapy and powerful antiplatelet therapies, in addition to early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), have become central in the management of ACS. A number of options for anticoagulation regimens are available. However, many agents currently used have significant limitations, recognition of which has led to the development, evaluation and clinical introduction of the class of thrombin-specific anticoagulant agents. This paper will discuss the clinical development of the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin as the core anticoagulant in the contemporary PCI setting and the implications for its use in ACS.
Manipulating the response criterion in visual monitoring.

Forty-eight subjects were required to detect long-duration brightness changes (signals) and ignore short-duration changes (nonsignals) occurring on an electroluminescent panel during a 60-min. monitoring session. Signal-to-nonsignal ratios (constant 1/9, changing 1/9 to 1/1, or constant 1/1) and signal detectability (0.3 or 0.6 sec. difference between signal and nonsignal duration) were combined factorially in a between-subject design. The changing signal-to-nonsignal ratio resulted in an intermediate level of signals correctly detected. The classical decrease in percent of signals detected over time occurred in the constant 1/9 ratio condition under both levels of signal detectability. Signal detection theory analyses were restricted to low detectable signals. A marked increase in β over the monitoring session occurred in the constant 1/9 ratio condition, whereas β remained low and relatively constant in the other signal-to-nonsignal ratio conditions. Both the limitations of a decision-theory interpretat...
Staff development and differential recruitment

Arden E. Melzer, DSW, is Associate Professor of Social Welfare and Research, School of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Marie Haug, Ph.D., is Asso ciate Professor of Sociology, Sociology Depart ment, Case Western Reserve University, Cleve land, Ohio. The program described was part of the Improvement of Community Probation Services Program, Cleveland College, carried out by Case Western Reserve University and a metropolitan juvenile court.
Classification of Psychopathology According to a Scientific (Psychology and Psychiatry) and an Artistic (Film Noir) Perspective

Psychopathology can be studied from a scientific or artistic perspective. While there are important differences between the two perspectives, similarities also exist. Recognition of these similarit...
Secular musical practice in sacred art

EMANUEL WINTERNITZ The study of secular music in the Middle Ages faces two grave problemsthe scarcity of surviving instruments and of pertinent, precise information. This may seem surprising when we know that Europe in the Middle Ages teemed with music and abounded with musical instruments of many shapes, sounds, and functions. Nonetheless, only a handful of medieval instruments have survived. Climate, war, iconoclasm, neglect-all have taken their toll. Also, fragile tools die not only by neglect, but also simply from being played. One could also turn to treatises on music and on musical instruments
Rapid drug screening using toxi-lab® extraction followed by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy

We report here a method of analyzing drugs in body fluids by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) without the necessity for derivatization. Specimens (urine and serum) were extracted one time using Toxi-Lab® extraction tubes. The organic extract was evaporated to dryness, taken up in methanol, and injected directly onto a Hewlett-Packard 5995B GC/MS equipped with a 20-m, 5% phenylmethylsilicone capillary column. Most drugs of clinical interest eluted in 1–10 min and were identified by their mass spectra. Amphetamines were readily distinguished from other sympathomimetic amines; cocaine and its principal metabolite ecgonine methyl ester were readily detected without derivatization. We conclude that the combination of Toxi-Lab extraction and capillary GC/MS analysis provided a rapid, versatile, and efficient method for screening and/or confirming the presence of drugs in biological specimens.
Comparative circular dichroism and fluorescence studies of oligodeoxyribonucleotide and oligodeoxyribonucleoside methylphosphonate pyrimidine strands in duplex and triplex formation.

An analogue of the homopyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotide d(CT)8 has been synthesized. This analogue, d(CT)8 contains nonionic methylphosphonate internucleoside linkages. The pH-dependent conformational transitions of d(CT)8 have been studied and its ability to form duplexes and triplexes with the normal homopurine oligonucleotide d(AG)8 has also been investigated as a function of pH. Circular dichroism spectroscopy and ethidium bromide fluorescence enhancement have been used to monitor pH-dependent conformational transitions driven by the protonation of cytosine residues, and the different behavior of d(CT)8 and d(CT)8 has been compared. It was possible to form self-associated complexes by using either d(CT)8 or d(CT)8, and both compounds combined with d(AG)8 to form duplex or triplex DNA. At neutral pH, the CD spectrum of d(AG)8.d(CT)8 duplex was quite different from the CD spectrum of d(AG)8.d(CT)8 duplex, reflecting most likely a difference in conformation. The duplex to triplex transition characteristic of this DNA sequence occurred at a lower pH when d(CT)8 was substituted for d(CT)8; however, at pH 4.2, triplex containing d(CT)8 was similar in conformation to triplex containing d(CT)8. Several of these observations can be related to the alterations in electrostatic and steric interactions that occur when the negatively charged phosphodiester backbone of d(CT)8 is replaced with a nonionic methylphosphonate backbone.
Managing Depression in Home Health Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial

A prospective randomized trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness, feasibility, and degree of implementation of home health care quality improvement interventions when implemented under usual conditions by usual care providers. A total of 311 older adults were randomized to enhanced usual care (EUC) that included routine depression screening and staff training in depression care management for older adults or to the intervention group (INT) that included antidepressants and/or psychotherapy treatment plus EUC. Implementing a routine screening protocol using the PHQ-9 and depression care management quality improvements is feasible in diverse home health care organizations and results in consistently better (but not statistically significant) depression outcomes in the INT group.
Conformational Instability, Aggregation, and Hydrogel formation of a 16-Residue Alanine-Based Peptide in Aqueous Media

Table of Contents˚Conformational Instability, Aggregation, and Hydrogel formation of a 16-Residue Alanine-Based Peptide in Aqueous MediaPolyalanine peptides doped with a small number of charged residues typically adopt alpha-helical conformations in aqueous solution if the number of residues exceeds a certain threshold value. Helical wheel projections of peptides based on the repeating unit (AAKA)n clearly illustrate the amphipathic nature of the peptides, with all the lysine residues residing on the same side of the helix. The amphipathic nature of these peptides distinguishes both them and their behavior in solution from alanine peptides of similar length and composition. At sub-millimolar concentrations, Ac-(AAKA)4-NH2 shows conformational instability over time upon dissolution in aqueous media. UV-Circular Dichroism (UV-CD) spectra indicate the presence of some α-helical structure at concentrations below ∼ 100 μM, with increasing β-structural content as the concentration enters the millimolar regime. Above a certain threshold concentration (single digit millimolar), the peptide adopts a mostly β-like structure, which, upon salt addition, undergoes hydrogelation to form a network of fibers, as evidenced by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) images. Electronic and vibrational studies will be presented of both the gelled and un-gelled state, as will rheological and imaging studies of the hydrogel.
Guide for crystal drawing

Abstract A guide, for student use, is presented for the drawing of a crystal using the gnomonic projection. For artificial crystals, about 0.1 mm. to 1 mm. in diameter, it is recommended that a camera lucida drawing of the top and bottom of the crystal be made, and that this be used as a basis for the orthogonal plan. Using this method, an accurate picture of the typical crystal can be obtained. For an ideal crystal the drawing is made to correspond to the symmetry of the crystal system.
Pressure-Viscosity Coefficients of Liquid Lubricants

The Barus equation relating viscosity to pressure includes a pressure-viscosity coefficient used widely by investigators even though that coefficient is grossly inaccurate at elevated pressures. A new empirical equation was developed relating viscosity to pressure. The equation is mathematically simple and provides two coefficients that are satisfactory over a wide pressure range. These coefficients are temperature dependent and produce a pressure-viscosity relationship with a maximum error of only about 8 percent at a temperature of 37.8°C over a pressure range to 0.60 GPa for a number of fluids. One of the coefficients in this new equation directly reflects the chemical nature of the lubricants investigated. It distinguishes between paraffinic and naphthenic petroleum oils and relates to their degree of aromaticity. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 5–7, 1981
Reliability and cost: Questions for the engineer

In designing a subsystem for a major system, a design engineer is often faced with a number of options, ranging from an inexpensive subsystem with low reliability to a highly reliable subsystem, usually costing considerably more. The basic question which we address in this paper is how to choose among these competing subsystems. This paper utilizes both reliabilities and costs to find the subsystems with the lowest overall expected cost. These concepts are then applied to k-out-of-n: G subsystems. A computer program has been developed to assist the design engineer in exploring and graphing the relative expected costs of competing subsystems over a range of values.
Dynamics of carbon and nitrogen during the decomposition of detritus derived from estuarine macrophytes

Laboratory studies were undertaken to monitor the decompositional kinetics of seaweed, seagrass, marshgrass and mangrove detritus in seawater. After 150 days of aging, red algal detritus had lost about 65% of their original content; mangrove and seagrass detritus lost about 20% of their original organic content, while brown algal detritus lost quantities intermediate between these two extremes. There was a continuous efflux of carbon from all detritus. Beginning with 10 g of each detritus, initial rates of carbon efflux ranged from 40 to 60 mg C day−1, but after the initial leaching period, C efflux dropped to 2 to 6 mg C day−1. Red algal detritus continuously lost nitrogen during decomposition, initially at a rate of 6 mg N day−1 and 0·60 mg N day−1 after initial leaching. After a brief period of nitrogen leaching, vascular plant detritus increased in absolute nitrogen content at rates of 0·11 to 0·31 mg N day−1. All macrophyte detritus are sources of carbon to estuarine waters. Decay-resistant vascular plant detritus may be a nitrogen sink to the sediments unless recycling by detritivores and benthic regeneration conserves nitrogen for re-use in the ecosystem.
Five Conditions Commonly Used to Down-regulate Tor Complex 1 Generate Different Physiological Situations Exhibiting Distinct Requirements and Outcomes

Five different physiological conditions have been used interchangeably to establish the sequence of molecular events needed to achieve nitrogen-responsive down-regulation of TorC1 and its subsequent regulation of downstream reporters: nitrogen starvation, methionine sulfoximine (Msx) addition, nitrogen limitation, rapamycin addition, and leucine starvation. Therefore, we tested a specific underlying assumption upon which the interpretation of data generated by these five experimental perturbations is premised. It is that they generate physiologically equivalent outcomes with respect to TorC1, i.e. its down-regulation as reflected by TorC1 reporter responses. We tested this assumption by performing head-to-head comparisons of the requirements for each condition to achieve a common outcome for a downstream proxy of TorC1 inactivation, nuclear Gln3 localization. We demonstrate that the five conditions for down-regulating TorC1 do not elicit physiologically equivalent outcomes. Four of the methods exhibit hierarchical Sit4 and PP2A phosphatase requirements to elicit nuclear Gln3-Myc13 localization. Rapamycin treatment required Sit4 and PP2A. Nitrogen limitation and short-term nitrogen starvation required only Sit4. G1 arrest-correlated, long-term nitrogen starvation and Msx treatment required neither PP2A nor Sit4. Starving cells of leucine or treating them with leucyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitors did not elicit nuclear Gln3-Myc13 localization. These data indicate that the five commonly used nitrogen-related conditions of down-regulating TorC1 are not physiologically equivalent and minimally involve partially differing regulatory mechanisms. Further, identical requirements for Msx treatment and long-term nitrogen starvation raise the possibility that their effects are achieved through a common regulatory pathway with glutamine, a glutamate or glutamine metabolite level as the sensed metabolic signal. Background: Five different conditions have been employed interchangeably to down-regulate TorC1. Results: Four of the five conditions exhibit different, hierarchially related phosphatase requirements. Gln3 responses to long-term nitrogen starvation and Msx treatment exhibit the same phosphatase requirements. Conclusion: Previous conditions for down-regulating TorC1 are not physiologically equivalent. Significance: The cellular responses to varying nitrogen supplies occur via multiple, distinguishable regulatory pathways.
Representative Versus Direct Democracy: a Test of Allocative Efficiency in Local Government Expenditures

The influence of government structure on the efficient allocation of public resources is examined A test developed by Brueckner is used to examine differences in the allocative efficiency of representative versus direct democracy forms of local government. The empirical results suggest that the form of government has no influence on the level of allocative efficiency.
Nitrogen fixation and accretion by wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) in slash pine (Pinus elliottii) plantations

Abstract The effects of wax myrtle ( Myrica cerifera L.) on the nitrogen cycle were examined in a 23-year-old slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii ) plantation located near Gainesville, FL. These shrubs occurred naturally as an understory and had a crown cover of 8% of the study area. The potential rate of nitrogen fixation by wax myrtle was estimated to be 13 g N m −2 year −1 , or 10.6 kg N ha −1 year −1 on a stand wide basis. Wax myrtle fixed substantial amounts of nitrogen throughout the year although winter rates were significantly less due to the greatly reduced activity of old nodules during that season. The average accumulation rate of nitrogen beneath wax myrtle was 1.5 g N m −2 year −1 in the soil and 0.9 g N m −2 year −1 in the forest floor. On a stand wide basis this amounted to an accretion of 1.9 kg N ha −1 year −1 in the soil and forest floor.
Intraoperative electron-beam radiotherapy and ureteral obstruction.

Purpose: To quantify the risk of ureteral obstruction (UO) after intraoperative electron-beam radiotherapy (IOERT). Methods and Materials: One hundred forty-six patients received IOERT of 7.5 to 30 Gy to 168 ureters; 132 patients received external radiotherapy. Results: Follow-up ranged from 0.01 to 19.1 years (median, 2.1 years). The rates of clinically apparent type 1 UO (UO from any cause) after IOERT at 2, 5, and 10 years were 47%, 63%, and 79%, respectively. The rates of clinically apparent type 2 UO (UO occurring at least 1 month after IOERT, excluding UO caused by tumor or abscess and patients with stents) at 2, 5, and 10 years were 27%, 47%, and 70%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of UO before IOERT ( p p Conclusions: Risk of UO after IOERT increases with dose. However, UO risk for ureters not receiving IOERT was also high, which suggests an underlying risk of ureteral injury from other causes.
Fibroblast-like cells from embryonic chick cornea, heart, and skin are antigenically distinct.

Abstract Populations of fibroblast-like cells from 14 day embryonic chick cornea, heart, and skin were grown in vitro as primary cultures and found to be antigenically distinct from one another. Corneal fibroblasts were obtained by dissection, whereas heart and skin fibroblast-like cells were separated from nonfibroblastic cell types by their rapid adhesion to substrata. Cultured cells were used as antigens in rabbits. Antisera were first absorbed against homogenates of embryonic chicks from which the homologous tissue was removed. Each such 1° absorbed antiserum then was absorbed against homogenates of the two respective heterologous fibroblast-like cell populations (2° and 3° absorptions). Resulting 3° absorbed antisera were tested for specificity by immunodiffusion, immune agglutination, immune cytotoxicity (trypan blue uptake and 51Cr release), and indirect immunofluorescence. Each 3° antiserum was judged tissue specific when it reacted only with the fibroblast-like cells of its own tissue, i.e., the homologous population. Unabsorbed antisera reacted with both homologous and heterologous fibroblast-like cells, as did 1° absorbed antisera. Absorption of 1° antisera with homogenates of the two heterologous fibroblast-like populations removed antibodies against the heterologous populations without significantly reducing the 3° antiserum titer against the homologous fibroblast cell type. Moreover, absorption of 1° antisera with each of the two heterologous fibroblast-like populations removed antibodies not removed by the other. Thus, the fibroblast-like cells from cornea, heart, and skin are antigenically different from one another in vitro. The stable antigenic differences detected may have arisen during the differentiation of these cells in vivo. Some of the tissue-specific antigens detected must occur on the cell surface.
Rat memory: Have we anthropomorphized?

The present study sought to ascertain the extent of memory utilization by the rat in a simple reinforcement schedule of four events. The results indicated that even under conditions that should have maximized memory (i.e., within-subject trial administration, odor-reduced conditions, short intertrial interval) the rat appears to be incapable of learning such a schedule. Attention is directed toward a consideration of the functional role of events that precede or follow reward.
Lectin receptors in the cockroach neuromuscular system. II. Effects of denervation on muscle lectin receptors.

Abstract The binding of fluorescent derivatives of plant lectins to the 6 coxal depressor muscles in the leg of the cockroach was examined at 1, 2, 3 and 5 weeks after denervation. Histochemical analysis of the binding of the lectins to frozen sections of the muscles demonstrated that all detectable binding was to the surfaces of the muscle fibers. In addition, within one week of denervation those muscles which in the innervated state have different amounts of d -galactose and/or α-N-acetylgalactosamine on their surfaces, now all have identical amounts of these carbohydrates. Biochemical analysis of concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin glycoprotein receptors by sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that approximately 17% of all the receptors detected altered their relative levels in denervated muscles. These changes were observed in those receptors that were present in equal amounts in each of the muscles as well as in those receptors that were distributed among the 6 muscles in a manner that correlated with innervation by an identified motor neuron. However, in spite of these changes that reduced the biochemical differences in the denervated CDMs it was still possible to distinguish among the 6 muscles by the nature of the Con A and WGA glycoprotein receptors. Denervated muscles still present biochemically different cell surfaces to regenerating motor neurons.
Phosphatidyl choline and the growth in serum-free medium of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and corneal endothelial cells

Liposomes made by sonication of egg yolk phosphatidyl choline support the proliferation of low-density bovine vascular and corneal endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells maintained on basement laminacoated dishes and exposed to a defined medium supplemented with transferrin. The optimal growth-promoting effect of phosphatidyl choline was observed at concentrations of 25 micrograms/ml for low-density cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells, and 100 micrograms/ml for vascular and corneal endothelial cells. The growth rate and final cell density of vascular endothelial cells exposed to a synthetic medium supplemented with transferrin and either high-density lipoproteins or phosphatidyl choline has been compared. Although cultures exposed to phosphatidyl choline reached a final cell density similar to that of cultures exposed to high-density lipoproteins, they had a longer average doubling time (17 h vs. 12 h) during their logarithmic growth phase and a shorter lifespan (17 generations vs. 30 generations). Similar observations were made in the case of vascular smooth muscle cells or bovine corneal endothelial cells maintained in medium supplemented with transferrin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin and exposed to either high-density lipoproteins or phosphatidyl choline. Since phosphatidyl choline can, for the most part, replace high-density lipoproteins in supporting the proliferation of various cell types, it is likely that the growth stimulating signal conveyed by high-density lipoproteins is associated with its polar lipid fraction, which is composed mostly of phosphatidyl cholines.
Combined Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C for refractory glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To describe the surgical technique and clinical outcomes of a procedure for refractory glaucoma, concurrent Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of all patients who underwent combined Prolene-ligated BGI and trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were retrospectively reviewed. Main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, visual acuity, and complications. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to determine success, defined as IOP < 22 mm Hg, no reoperation for glaucoma, and no loss of light perception vision. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD follow-up period for 38 eyes of 36 patients was 34 +/- 36 months (range, 3-121 months), during which 18 of 38 eyes (47%) required laser suture lysis of the Prolene suture. Intraocular pressure was reduced from a mean (+/- SD) preoperative value of 35.7 +/- 12.8 to 12.7 +/- 4.7 mm Hg at 1-year follow-up and 11.9 +/- 5.5 mm Hg at the last follow-up visit ( < 0.001). Number of medicines used for glaucoma was reduced from a mean +/- SD preoperative value of 2.5 +/- 0.9 to 0.5 +/- 0.6 at 1-year follow-up and 0.6 +/- 0.8 at the last follow-up visit ( < 0.001). LogMar visual acuity remained stable at mean of 1.15 +/- 0.85 preoperatively, compared with 1.14 +/- 1.05 at 1-year follow-up, but declined to 1.61 +/- 1.01 at the last follow-up visit, a loss of an average of four lines of vision ( = 0.004). Cumulative success was 91% at year 1, 86% at year 2, and 81% at year 3. Three eyes (8%) had suprachoroidal hemorrhages, one eye (3%) needed reoperation for an extruded implant, one (3%) eye had poor vision due to chronic hypotony, three eyes (8%) required additional glaucoma surgery during the postoperative period, and one eye (3%) needed revision of the implant for pressure control. CONCLUSIONS: Combined BGI and mitomycin C trabeculectomy provides excellent postoperative IOP control in patients with refractory glaucoma.
Chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides in plasma and milk of pregnant and lactating women.

Five pregnant women were studied for chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide residues in their blood and milk. Blood samples were obtained from each between 30 days of pregnancy and 115 days postpartum. Three milk samples were collected from each between three and 96 days postpartum. Sample extracts of plasma and milk were analyzed by electron-capture gas-liquid chromatography for chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. Eight chlorinated insecticides were detected. The concentrations of these compounds in plasma were within the lower part of the range previously reported for nonpregnant women. A small but statistically significant decrease in the plasma concentration of p,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDE, o,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDD, and total BHC was observed one to six days postpartum. The concentration of the detected compounds in milk varied greatly among the individual women but was within the range reported by others.
Microwave spectrum of CD3BF2

Abstract The rotational spectrum of CD 3 BF 2 was studied by microwave spectroscopy. The ground state ( m = 0) spectrum of the 11 B isotopic species was assigned with a centrifugal distortion correction. The rotational constants, A (BF 2 ) = 10 585.35 MHz, B = 6876.04 MHz, and C = 4157.13 MHz were found to be quite consistent with a structure consisting of a regular tetrahedral methyl top and a −CBF 2 framework with parameters determined from the electron diffraction study. The dipole moment and the quantum defect were determined to be 1.63 Debye and 0.328 amu-A 2 .