cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resolutions of Fat Point Ideals Involving Eight General Points of P2

Abstract The main result, Theorem 1, provides an algorithm for determining the minimal free resolution of fat point subschemes of P 2 involving up to eight general points of arbitrary multiplicities. The resolutions obtained hold for any algebraically closed field, independent of the characteristic. The algorithm works by giving a formula in nice cases and a reduction to the nice cases otherwise. The algorithm, which does not involve Grobner bases, is very fast. Partial information is also obtained in certain cases with n > 8.
Help make a difference with education and outreach for the global energy challenge

High gasoline prices are one of the many symptoms that the global energy system is being challenged by the rising demand compared with supply. A stable and environmentally responsible energy supply is one of the major issues that confronts mankind in the 21st century. Our personal energy use, the development of novel energy resources, and policies adopted by government are all influenced by the awareness of the public of the choices that we face in our energy use and the consequences of those choices. For this reason, energy education and outreach is essential for making the public better aware of our energy situation. SEG members, in their roles as employees of energy companies, as government employees working in the geosciences, or as educators at universities, are well prepared to help educate the public about the challenges and opportunities that we face in our energy supply. Here we sketch those challenges and opportunities and give ideas on how one can assist in energy outreach and education. We hav...
A technique to facilitate the introduction of vascular catheters into arteries and veins

This method has been used routinely for arteriography by us during the past 4 years. No complication has ever arisen as a result of this procedure. The method allows the formation of a straight and momentarily rigid catheter and guide wire system which can be pushed into the vessel with minimal trauma to the vessel wall and catheter tip.
Carbon dioxide concentrating mechanism in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii: inorganic carbon transport and CO2 recapture

Many microalgae are capable of acclimating to CO2 limited environments by operating a CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM), which is driven by various energy-coupled inorganic carbon (Ci; CO2 and HCO3 −) uptake systems. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (hereafter, Chlamydomonas), a versatile genetic model organism, has been used for several decades to exemplify the active Ci transport in eukaryotic algae, but only recently have many molecular details behind these Ci uptake systems emerged. Recent advances in genetic and molecular approaches, combined with the genome sequencing of Chlamydomonas and several other eukaryotic algae have unraveled some unique characteristics associated with the Ci uptake mechanism and the Ci-recapture system in eukaryotic microalgae. Several good candidate genes for Ci transporters in Chlamydomonas have been identified, and a few specific gene products have been linked with the Ci uptake systems associated with the different acclimation states. This review will focus on the latest studies on characterization of functional components involved in the Ci uptake and the Ci-recapture in Chlamydomonas.
High Performance, Low Cost Motor Cases of Aluminum

D = mean radius of celestial body, km = a/R, dimensionless = half angle subtended by circle of alignment uncertainty, rad = area segment of celestial disk image coincident with active detector area, cm detector output voltage due to noise originating within detector volt detector output voltage due to incident radiant power, volt peak-to-rms signal-to-noise ratio, dimensionless linear detector displacement attributable to N, cm fractional area of disk image coincident with detector area, dimensionless radiant power available for processing by detector wafer, watt fraction of square detector area illuminated by P8) dimensionless irradiance (averaged over £2) incident upon lens, w/cm diameter of optical aperture, cm transmission coefficient of optical path, dimensionless radiant emittance of body disk intercepted by and averaged over Q, w/cm = }{nd), dimensionless = noise equivalent power processed by detector wafer, watt = detectivity of detector, per watt Av = noise bandwidth of the detector-amplifier combination, cps D* = detectivity in the reference condition E, cm-cps/w Dm* = maximum value of D* with respect to the frequency, cm-cps/w r = time constant of detector considered as a single time constant device, sec Mi = figure of merit for Class I I detectors, dimensionless
Modeling growth of Atlantic cod larvae on the southern flank of Georges Bank in the tidal-front circulation during May 1999

Abstract Cruises were conducted in spring 1999 to describe the interaction between tidal-front processes and the transport, retention, and growth of cod larvae and their prey during the seasonal transition to a stratified water-column along the southern flank of Georges Bank. All the physical and biological observations were integrated in coupled circulation-trophodynamic simulations. The three-dimensional circulation fields were modeled using data assimilation methods described in Aretxabaleta et al. [2005. Data assimilative hindcast on the Southern Flank of Georges Bank during May 1999: frontal circulation and implications. Continental Shelf Research 25, 849–874]. The individual-based model (IBM) of Lough et al. [2005. A general biophysical model of larval cod growth applied to populations on Georges Bank. Fisheries Oceanography 14, 241–262] was used to consider trophodynamic effects on the growth and survival of larval cod. Prey fields were specified for mixed and stratified water columns from field surveys and allowed to adjust in the circulation model. Encounter and ingestion rates of larvae were functions of prey concentration, larval search patterns, light, swimming speeds of predator and prey, and turbulence. Model outputs provide hourly depth-dependent estimates of growth rates, prey biomass ingested, and larval length and weight. Simulations were conducted along a 2-D transect across the tidal front, from mixed to stratified water columns, before and after a wind event. Pre-storm, observed larval cod growth rates, based on RNA–DNA analysis, were highest in the surface 20 m at the stratified and front stations. Post-storm, larval growth rates decreased 1–2% d −1 at the stratified and front stations, corresponding with a
Characteristics of proton excretion in normal and acidotic toad urinary bladder.

Abstract This study, performed on the urinary bladder of Bufo marinus , was to investigate the characteristics of H + excretion in the normal and metabolic acidotic toad. Experiments were run in modified Ussing chambers in the presence and absence of exogenous CO 2 . Amiloride in the mucosal medium (1.5 · 10 −4 M) inhibited H + excretion in the acidotic bladder but this inhibition was reversed in the presence of 5% CO 2 . Na + -free muscosal medium revealed a component of H + excretion in the normal toad that is Na + -dependent and not reversed by 5% CO 2 . Acetazolamide (10 −3 M) had no effect on H + excretion in normal toad but inhibits excretion in the acidotic toad both in the presence and absence of exogenous CO 2 . In both the presence and absence of exogenous CO 2 and in the presence of varying pH gradients, the bladders from acidotic toads excreted H + at a greater rat and were able to generate greater pH gradients than in normal bladders. Voltage clamp experiments revealed that H + excretion in the acidotic toad was inhibited by a mucosal potential difference of −20 to −100 mV but this inhibition was completely reversed by 5% CO 2 . In the normal toad bladder H + excretion was stimulated by a mucosal potential difference of −20 to −100 mV in both the presence and absence of exogenous CO 2 . Our evidence suggests the possibility of two H + excretory mechanisms in toad urinary bladder each with its' own set of characteristics dependent on the acid-base state of the animal. Proposed models are presented for these mechanisms.
Progress and prospects in male hormonal contraception

Testosterone functions as a contraceptive by suppressing the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary. Low concentrations of these hormones deprive the testes of the signals required for spermatogenesis and results in markedly decreased sperm concentrations and effective contraception in a majority of men. Male hormonal contraception is well tolerated and acceptable to most men. Unfortunately testosterone-alone regimens fail to completely suppress spermatogenesis in all men meaning that in some the potential for fertility remains. Because of this novel combinations of testosterone and progestins which synergistically suppress gonadotropins have been studied. Two recently published testosterone/progestin trials are particularly noteworthy. In the first a long-acting injectable testosterone ester testosterone decanoate was combined with etonogestrel implants and resulted in 80-90% of subjects achieving a fewer than 1 million sperm per milliliter. In the second a daily testosterone gel was combined with 3-monthly injections of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate producing similar results. Testosterone-based hormone combinations are able to reversibly suppress human spermatogenesis; however a uniformly effective regimen has remained elusive. Nevertheless improvements such as the use of injectable testosterone undecanoate may lead to a safe reversible and effective male contraceptive. (authors)
Racial Differences in the Progression of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer Disease

Objective Alzheimer disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in older persons, but little is known about racial differences in its clinical manifestations. The purpose of the current study was to examine the association of race with rate of cognitive decline in AD. Methods Older persons with clinically diagnosed AD were recruited from healthcare settings. At 6-month intervals for up to 4 years, they completed a battery of nine cognitive tests from which a previously established measure of global cognition was derived. Follow-up data were available on 452 participants (27.6% African American, 68.8% women), 88.1% of those eligible. Results A growth curve approach was used to estimate individual paths of change in global cognition. In a model that controlled for age and education, African Americans had a lower level of global cognition at baseline than non-African Americans, but declined at a 25% slower rate on average. In additional models, there was no indication that the association of race with cognitive decline varied by age, gender, or education. Conclusion The rate of cognitive decline in AD appears to be slower in African Americans than non-African Americans.
Apoptotic death by ceramide: will the real killer please stand up?

Many studies have shown that the addition of ceramide to an incubation medium, or procedures that lead to increased ceramide concentrations, can begin a process that leads to slowing of cell growth or apoptotic cell death. Only a few studies have examined the nature of the accumulating ceramide: is it composed of a fatty acid and sphinganine, or a fatty acid and sphingosine? Of the studies involving addition of ceramide to a cell culture, almost all have found that the sphingosine amide is active, not the sphinganine amide. Nearly all of these studies have utilized the rare form of ceramide, containing an acetyl group rather than the commonly found palmitoyl, stearoyl, or longer group. Acetyl sphingosine produces some unexpected effects with cells, the most striking being the formation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial damage. This mitochondrial damage appears to be an essential step in apoptosis. The possibility should be considered that the reactive oxygen species appear as the result of oxidation of the allylic alcohol group in unsaturated ceramides. This question is very relevant to a host of ceramide functions, particularly cancer chemotherapy and cell growth.
Estimation of thrusting trajectories in 3D from a single fixed passive sensor

The problem of estimating the state of thrusting/ballistic endo-atmospheric projectiles moving in three-dimensional space for the purpose of impact point prediction (IPP) using two-dimensional measurements from a single passive sensor (stationary or moving with constant velocity) is investigated. The location of a projectile's launch point (LP) is generally unavailable, and this could significantly affect the performance of the estimation and the IPP. However, if the altitude of the LP is known, the launch position can be obtained with negligible error from the first line of sight measurement intersected with the terrain map. The estimability is analyzed based on the Fisher Information Matrix (FIM) of the target parameter vector that determines its trajectory: the initial launch (azimuth and elevation) angles, drag coefficient, and thrust. Lack of knowledge about the LP altitude makes the problem substantially more difficult, since this altitude is then an additional unknown target parameter and must be included into the target parameter vector that needs estimability analysis. The full rank of the FIM, with/without the LP altitude, ensures that one has estimable target parameters. The corresponding Cramer-Rao lower bound quantifies the estimation performance of the estimator that is statistically efficient and can be used for the IPP accuracy evaluation. In view of the inherent nonlinearity of the problem, the maximum likelihood estimate of the target parameter vector can be found by using a suitable numerical approach. A search strategy with two stages-a mixed (partially grid-based) search followed by a continuous search-is proposed. For even a coarse grid, this approach is shown to have reliable estimation performance and leads to an IPP of good accuracy. Due to its parallelizable nature, the mixed search allows the two-stage strategy to be implementable in real time.
Implications of altered replication fidelity on the evolution and pathogenesis of coronaviruses

RNA virus evolution results from viral replication fidelity and mutational robustness in combination with selection. Recent studies have confirmed the impact of increased fidelity on RNA virus replication and pathogenesis; however, the impact of decreased fidelity is less defined. Coronaviruses have the largest RNA genomes, and encode an exoribonuclease activity that is required for high-fidelity replication. Genetically stable exoribonuclease mutants will allow direct testing of viral mutational tolerance to RNA mutagens and other selective pressures. Recent studies support the hypothesis that coronavirus replication fidelity may result from a multi-protein complex, suggesting multiple pathways to disrupt or alter virus fidelity and diversity, and attenuate pathogenesis.
Effects of Cage Population on the Productive Performance of Layers

Two commercial layer strains (3,456 hens total) were used to examine the effects of bird population on productive performance. Four cage population sizes (6, 8, 12, and 24 birds per cage) were compared. All cages were 35.7 cm deep and varied in width (61.2, 81.6, 122.4, and 244.8 cm). Floor space per bird was 364.1 cm2 and feeder space per bird was 10.2 cm in each cage configuration. Egg production and egg quality were measured from 20 to 72 wk of age. Strain differences were detected in hen-day egg production, egg mass, feed consumption, cracked egg percentage, Grade A eggs, Grade B eggs, peewee eggs, and large egg yield. There were no interactions between strain and cage population size. Cage population had no influence on hen-day egg production, mortality, feed conversion, egg size (peewee, small, medium, large, extra large), egg mass, lost eggs (by meat or blood spots), and percentage Grade B eggs. Percentage Grade A eggs, cracked egg percentage, and feed consumption were significantly influenced by cage population size. Hens housed at eight birds per cage had a greater percentage of Grade A eggs and a lower percentage of cracked eggs than those at other populations. Feed consumption was significantly greater for hens housed at 12 and 24 birds per cage compared with those at 6 and 8 birds per cage, respectively.
Organization of immune-responsive medullary projections to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, central amygdala, and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: Evidence for parallel viscerosensory pathways in the rat brain

Immune-responsive neurons in the brainstem, primarily in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and ventrolateral medulla (VLM), contribute to a significant drive on forebrain nuclei responsible for brain-mediated host defense responses. The current study investigated the relative contribution of brainstem-derived ascending pathways to forebrain immune-responsive nuclei in the rat by means of retrograde tract tracing and c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Fluorogold was iontophoresed into the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BST), central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA), paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), and the pontine lateral parabrachial nucleus (PBL; an important component of ascending viscerosensensory pathways) followed 2 weeks later by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.1 mg/kg) or saline. The NTS and VLM provide immune-responsive input to all four regions, via direct, predominantly catecholaminergic, projections to the PVN, the lateral BST, and the CEA, and mostly non-catecholaminergic projections to the PBL. The PBL provides a major LPS-activated input to the BST and CEA. The pattern of LPS-activated catecholaminergic projections from the VLM and NTS to the forebrain is characterized by a strong predominance of VLM input to the PVN, whereas the NTS provides a greater contribution to the BST. These findings indicate that direct and indirect pathways originate in the caudal brainstem that propagate immune-related information from the periphery with multiple levels of processing en route to the forebrain nuclei, which may allow for integration of brain responses to infection.
Is It Our Day or the Bride’s Day? The Division of Wedding Labor and Its Meaning for Couples

Based on qualitative interviews with southern California heterosexual engaged couples, I examine how wedding planning work is divided between the bride and the groom and how couple’s meaningfully interpret the division of labor. I find that couple’s wedding planning work disproportionately falls to women, especially that labor that is invisible. Wedding work, in many respects, is another form of unpaid and unappreciated women’s work, not that unlike housework. Yet, couples do not understand wedding work as an unequal pursuit. Couples use an assortment of interactional strategies to interpret wedding work as a joint and equal enterprise.
Rapid and parallel formation of Fe3+ multimers, including a trimer, during H-type subunit ferritin mineralization

Conversion of Fe ions in solution to the solid phase in ferritin concentrates iron required for cell function. The rate of the Fe phase transition in ferritin is tissue specific and reflects the differential expression of two classes of ferritin subunits (H and L). Early stages of mineralization were probed by rapid freeze-quench Mossbauer, at strong fields (up to 8 T), and EPR spectroscopy in an H-type subunit, recombinant frog ferritin; small numbers of Fe (36 moles/mol of protein) were used to increase Fe3+ in mineral precursor forms. At 25 ms, four Fe3+-oxy species (three Fe dimers and one Fe trimer) were identified. These Fe3+-oxy species were found to form at similar rates and decay subsequently to a distinctive superparamagentic species designated the "young core." The rate of oxidation of Fe2+ (1026 s(-1)) corresponded well to the formation constant for the Fe3+-tyrosinate complex (920 s(-1)) observed previously [Waldo, G. S., & Theil, E. C. (1993) Biochemistry 32, 13261] and, coupled with EPR data, indicates that several or possibly all of the Fe3+-oxy species involve tyrosine. The results, combined with previous Mossbauer studies of Y30F human H-type ferritin which showed decreases in several Fe3+ intermediates and stabilization of Fe2+ [Bauminger, E. R., et al. (1993) Biochem. J. 296, 709], emphasize the involvement of tyrosyl residues in the mineralization of H-type ferritins. The subsequent decay of these multiple Fe3+-oxy species to the superparamagnetic mineral suggests that Fe3+ species in different environments may be translocated as intact units from the protein shell into the ferritin cavity where the conversion to a solid mineral occurs.
Meeting the Cool Neighbors. V. A 2MASS-Selected Sample of Ultracool Dwarfs

We present the initial results of our effort to create a statistically robust, volume-limited sample of ultracool dwarfs from the Two Micron All Sky Survey Second Incremental Data Release. We are engaged in a multifaceted search for nearby late-type objects, and this is the first installment of our search using purely photometric selection. The goal of this work is a determination of the low-mass star and brown dwarf luminosity function in the infrared. Here we outline the construction of the sample, dubbed 2MU2, and present our first results, including the discovery of 186 M7–L6 dwarfs—47 of which are likely to be within 20 pc of the Sun. These results represent 66% of the ultracool candidates in our sample yet constitute a 127% increase in the number of ultracool dwarfs known within the volume searched (covering 40% of the sky out to 20 pc). In addition, we have identified 10 M4–M6.5 objects that are likely to be within 20 pc (or within 1 σ). Finally, based on these initial data, we present a preliminary luminosity function and discuss several interesting features of the partial sample presented here. Once our sample is complete, we will use our measured luminosity function to constrain the mass function of low-mass stars and brown dwarfs.
Re-Os isotopic systematics in chromitites from the Stillwater Complex, Montana, USA

Abstract New Re-Os isotopic data on chromitites of the Stillwater Complex demonstrate isotopic equilibrium between cumulate chromite and whole rock. Initial osmium isotopic ratios for the chromitites, chosen for their freshness, are consistent with derivation from a mantle-derived magma that suffered little or no interaction with the continental crust prior to crystallization. Molybdenite, separated from a sample of the G-chromitite, yields a Re-Os age of 2740 Ma, indistinguishable from the age of the intrusion. The presence of molybdenite documents rhenium, and probably osmium, mobilization by hydrothermal fluids that permeated the intrusion shortly after crystallization. Initial osmium isotopic variability observed in chromitites and other rocks from the Stillwater Complex could result from interaction with these fluids. In this context, there is no compelling reason to call on assimilation of crust by mantle-derived magma to explain the osmium or neodymium isotopic variability. Although osmium isotopic systematics have been affected by hydrothermal processes, Re-Os results demonstrate that more than 95% of the osmium, and by inference other PGEs in the Stillwater Complex, derive from the mantle.
Paper versus Pixel: Effectiveness of Paper versus Electronic Maps To Teach Map Reading Skills in an Introductory Physical Geography Course

Abstract This article addresses the lack of outcome-based research on the integration of technology into pedagogy at the undergraduate college level. It describes a study performed at a Midwestern university, testing the relative effectiveness of paper and electronic topographic maps for teaching map-reading skills, and considers the relationship between learning styles and paper or digital map preference. Results indicate that, although student map skill performance did not differ significantly with the use of paper or electronic maps, students preferred paper maps. Neither their performance nor their preferences were related to learning style. The article discusses the significance of these findings.
Mutagenesis Analysis of Functionally Important Domains within the C-terminal End of Smooth Muscle Caldesmon

The ability of chicken gizzard smooth muscle caldesmon (CaD) to inhibit actomyosin ATPase activity is due mainly to an inhibitory domain that resides within the C-terminal 67 amino acid residues of the CaD molecule. In the present study, a series of C-terminal truncation and internal deletion mutants of chicken gizzard smooth muscle CaD were systematically designed using a site-directed mutagenesis approach, and these mutant proteins were overexpressed in a baculovirus expression system. Analysis of actin binding and inhibition of actomyosin ATPase activity using these mutants identified a strong actin-binding motif of 6 amino acid residues (from Lys718 to Glu723), which also form the core sequence for CaD-induced inhibition of actomyosin ATPase. However, maximal inhibition by CaD requires the presence of residues 728-731, which are not associated with actin binding. Our data provide direct evidence for the requirement of actin binding to a specific region in CaD for CaD-induced inhibition of actin activation of smooth muscle myosin ATPase. Furthermore, our findings also show that the region between residues 690 and 717 is responsible for the weak inhibition of actomyosin ATPase and reveal that the inhibitory determinants located in the regions between residues 690 and 717 and residues 718 and 756 can function independently.
Total Deformation, Plane-Strain Contact Analysis of Macroscopically Homogeneous, Compositionally Graded Materials With Constant Power-Law Strain Hardening

Plane-strain contact analysis is presented for compositionally graded materials with power-low strain hardening. The half-space, y ≤ 0, is modeled as an incompressible, nonlinear elastic material. The effective stress, σ e , and the effective total strain, ∈ e , are related through a power-low model, σ e = K 0 ∈ e μ ; 0 0, 0 ≤ |k| < 1. This material description attempts to capture some features of the plane-strain indentation of elastoplastic or steady-state creeping materials that show monotonically increasing or decreasing hardness with depth. The analysis starts with the solution for the normal line load (Flamant's problem) and continues with the rigid, frictionless, flat-strip problem. Finally, the general solution of normal indentation of graded material by a convex, symmetric, rigid, and frictionless two-dimensional punch is given. Applications of the present results range from surface treatments of engineering structures, protective coatings for corrosion and fretting fatigue, settling of beam-type foundations in the context of soil and rock mechanics, to bioengineering as well as structural applications such as contact of railroad tracks.
Calculation of thermodynamic properties of species of biochemical reactants using the inverse Legendre transform.

The determination of apparent equilibrium constants and heats of enzyme-catalyzed reactions provides a way to determine ΔfG° and ΔfH° of species of biochemical reactants. These calculations are more difficult than the calculation of transformed thermodynamic properties from species properties, and they are an application of the inverse Legendre transform. The ΔfG° values of species of a reactant can be calculated from an apparent equilibrium constant if the ΔfG° values are known for all the species of all the other reactants and the pKs of the reactant of interest are known. The ΔfH° of species of a reactant can be calculated from the heat of reaction if the ΔfH° values are known for all species of the other reactants and ΔfG° values are known for all species in the reaction. The standard enthalpies of acid dissociation of the reactant of interest are also needed. The inverse Legendre transformation is accomplished by using computer programs to set up the simultaneous equations that involve the ΔfH° of th...
IMPROVED HIPPARCOS PARALLAXES OF COMA BERENICES AND NGC 6231

A method to reprocess the Hipparcos Intermediate Astrometry Data that reduces the propagation of the along-scan spacecraft attitude errors was developed and successfully used to obtain a more consistent parallax of the Pleiades (Makarov, published in 2002). The same technique is used now to correct the Hipparcos parallaxes of the Coma Berenices and NGC 6231 open clusters, which are also in error. The new mean parallax of Coma is 12.40 ± 0.17 mas (against previously 11.43 mas) and of NGC 6231 1.7 ± 0.4 mas (against previously -0.8 mas). The new data for Coma are in excellent agreement with the pre-Hipparcos main-sequence fitting estimates. All six members of NGC 6231 that have negative parallaxes in Hipparcos obtain positive parallaxes. These results suggest that the main source of astrometric error has been correctly identified, and that a more accurate Hipparcos catalog can be computed.
A study of the relationship of internal secretions to the metabolism of malignant tumor tissue.

It is well known that various glands of internal secretion are important factors in influencing growth and metabolism of the normal intact organism. During recent years, considerable attention (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) has been directed toward their possible influence upon growth of abnormal tissue structures such as tumors, while their possible influence upon tumor metabolism has been largely overlooked. This subject offers interesting possibilities, because transplanted tumors are essentially parasitic tissue having no function essential to the host, which might be stimulated. They are made up of a constant cell structure and they have a relatively constant and characteristic metabolism. It is the purpose of this communication to report the measurements of the metabolism of mouse tumors after administration of various hormones and after deprivation of certain glands of internal secretion. Aside from the primary aim of obtaining data relative to the effect of the hormones upon tumor metabolism, it was thought that this method might add information regarding the mechanism of hormone action, for it might be presumed that any particular effect was obtained directly through the blood stream rather than by nerve stimulation, since the transplanted tumor has virtually no nerve supply.1 Of course, if no effect were noted, converse conclusions could not be drawn.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Insulin Supplementation for Correction of Bedtime Hyperglycemia in Hospitalized Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Clinical guidelines recommend point-of-care glucose testing and the use of supplemental doses of rapid-acting insulin before meals and at bedtime for correction of hyperglycemia. The efficacy and safety of this recommendation, however, have not been tested in the hospital setting. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this open-label, randomized controlled trial, 206 general medicine and surgery patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a basal-bolus regimen were randomized to receive either supplemental insulin ( n = 106) at bedtime for blood glucose (BG) >7.8 mmol/L or no supplemental insulin ( n = 100) except for BG >19.4 mmol/L. Point-of-care testing was performed before meals, at bedtime, and at 3:00 a.m. The primary outcome was the difference in fasting BG. In addition to the intention-to-treat analysis, an as-treated analysis was performed where the primary outcome was analyzed for only the bedtime BG levels between 7.8 and 19.4 mmol/L. RESULTS There were no differences in mean fasting BG for the intention-to-treat (8.8 ± 2.4 vs. 8.6 ± 2.2 mmol/L, P = 0.76) and as-treated (8.9 ± 2.4 vs. 8.8 ± 2.4 mmol/L, P = 0.92) analyses. Only 66% of patients in the supplement and 8% in the no supplement groups received bedtime supplemental insulin. Hypoglycemia (BG P = 0.50) or the as-treated (4% vs. 8%, P = 0.37) analysis. CONCLUSIONS The use of insulin supplements for correction of bedtime hyperglycemia was not associated with an improvement in glycemic control. We conclude that routine use of bedtime insulin supplementation is not indicated for management of inpatients with type 2 diabetes.
Product market pricing power, industry concentration and analysts' earnings forecasts

This is the first study to establish a link between product market power and analysts’ earnings forecast accuracy and bias. Relating two different dimensions of market power to earnings forecastability, we document that (a) a firm’s relative pricing power and (b) its industry concentration are strong positive determinants of analysts’ earnings forecast accuracy. We find that forecasting earnings of higher market power firms is less complex due to their ability to withstand cost shocks as well as greater informational-efficiency enjoyed by such firms. Further, forecast optimism increases with weakening product market pricing power and with lower industry concentration. The knowledge derived from this study will hopefully improve the accuracy of equity valuation, and thereby engender better buy-side (stock selections) and sell-side recommendations by analysts. Our analysis also suggests that brokerage firms compensating analysts based on forecast accuracy need to adjust for the differential in the information complexity of different industries.
Lingering questions and doubts: online information-seeking of support forum members following their medical visits.

Abstract Objective To examine the prevalence and predictors of patients' post-appointment online health information-seeking and the reasons behind their information searches. Methods Survey of 274 Internet support community members who had been seen by a physician within 30 days. The questionnaire included measures of trust in the physician, health worries, changes in amount of worrying following the visit, online health information-seeking, and standard demographic and visit characteristics. Results A majority of respondents (68%) went online in search of information after their visits. In a logistic regression analysis, going online was associated with lower trust ( P =.002), greater worrying ( P =.049), and becoming more ( P =.024) or less worried ( P =.05) by the visit. Among those who went online, the most common reasons for doing so were sheer curiosity (71%) and disappointment with some aspect of the physician's behavior (32%). Conclusion Patients in this online forum routinely turned to the Internet after their medical visits, but were especially likely to do so when trust in the physician was low, anxieties were high, and the visit altered (for better or worse) their anxiety levels. Practice Implications Since many patients seek online information after their appointments, physicians should suggest credible websites suited to the circumstances of each patient.
129: Immunomodulation by Photopheresis Involves Regulatory T Cells

was confirmed by histopathological examination. Results: Expression of IA in transduced antigen-presenting cells (APCs) from CBA mice, promoted operational tolerance to B6 hearts which showed no sign of cardiac allograft vasculopathy. Control third party transplants as well as B6 hearts implanted in GFP-treated CBA mice were rejected with a mean survival time 20 days. In contrast, genetic matching for IA between B10.A(5R) donor and B6 recipient mice treated with anti-CD8, led to delayed acute rejection of heart grafts (84 31.9 days). Conclusions: Results indicate that contrary to genetic MHC II matching, somatic MHC II matching via IA gene transfer in bone marrow, leads to immune tolerance. Given that: 1) it is known that thymic medulla includes bone marrow-derived APCs and 2) we previously demonstrated that IA gene transfer induced IA-specific regulatory T cells (T-regs), we suggest that selective IA expression in thymic medulla favors T-reg differentiation/activation in this model.
Approach to the steady state in competitive—Consecutive gas reactions☆

Abstract Competitive consecutive reaction pairs represented by AA1→ B + C. A + AA2→ C + D. do not reach a steady state. Nevertheless, experimentalists frequently assume that the rate of disappearance of A is given by −dA dt = 2K1A. This assumption is examined and a simple criterion is developed which allows quick estimation of the time required to approach the steady state closely. The criterion defines what may be termed the pseudo-steady state for the system. P2 properties can be calculated readily. Four experimental examples are examined as illustrations.
Urinary Excretion of 17-Ketosteroids in Ovarian Failure I. In Hirsutism and Virilizing Syndromes1

DURING THE PAST THREE YEARS various members of our group have been engaged in a study of the gynecic roles of androgens. A number of reports of these studies have dealt with the urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids under diverse conditions (1-6). The present series of communications considers the levels of excretion of these compounds in various grades of ovarian failure. I. In hirsutism and in virilining syndromes; II. In functional menometrorrhagia; III. In amenorrhea and IV. During the climacteric. These studies are reported for the purpose of discussing and defining, if possible, the reciprocities in function which may exist between estrogenic function of the ovaries and androgenic function of the adrenal, that is, the hormonal relations of the gonado’ pituitary and adreno-pituitary axes. Previous studies by our group have suggested that secondary or late ovarian failure (estrogenic type) may be associated with increase in androgenic function of the adrenal (2, 6).
Bluff-Body Flow Control via Two Types of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuation

In this experimental study, dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuators are used to control vortex shedding from circular cylinder models in uniform crossflow at a Reynolds number of ReD 85; 000. Circular cylinders in crossflow are chosen for study, since they represent a generic flow geometry that is similar in all essential aspects to a landing gear oleo or strut. The focus of the flow control is the elimination/minimization of the unsteady flow separation from the models and the associated large-scale wake vorticity. Two actuation strategies are used: spanwiseand streamwise-oriented plasma actuators. Global flow visualization, near-field microphone measurements, and detailed study of the near wake using laser Doppler velocimetry are presented in the paper. Both spanwise and streamwise actuators are shown to significantly suppress Karman shedding and provide nearfield unsteady pressurefluctuation reductions of 11.2 and 14.2 dB, respectively, within the frequency band associated with shedding.
Movers and shakers and PCB takers: Hazardous waste and community power

In 1977 a large hazardous waste facility was established in Sumter County, Alabama, during a period of intense political struggle between an entrenched White establishment and leaders of the local Black population, which makes up 70% of the county's total. The facility, owned and operated by Chemical Waste Management, Inc., has attracted strenuous opposition from a small grass roots environmental organization. However, during the 15 years of its existence, hazardous wastes have yet to be an issue in local electoral campaigns. On the surface, the presence of this facility appears to have had minimal effect on community power relationships in Sumter County. The company's success at not becoming a local political issue is explained here as a function of limited local legal jurisdiction and the existence of more immediate and pressing demands associated with Black political empowerment and widespread poverty. The study is based on detailed, semistructured interviews over a 5‐year period.
Baseline characteristics of 10-day placebo washout responders in antidepressant trials.

Abstract In antidepressant drug trials, the randomized treatment phase is usually preceded by a single-blind placebo period or “washout.” Ninety-four depressed patients who improved during this 10-day placebo period constitute our study focus. Analysis of baseline and postplacebo measures showed that the 10-day placebo responders in our sample were convincingly depressed at baseline and improved significantly after placebo washout. This group of patients differed from 6-week placebo responders in our randomized trials in being more mildly ill, being more chronic, containing fewer cases of primary depression, and having fewer illness precipitants. They differed from placebo nonresponders largely in manifesting milder illness symptoms across the range of psychopathology. The proportion of placebo washout responders declined in the winter months.
Proxy-based hybrid cache management in Mobile IP systems

In this paper, we propose and analyze a proxy-based hybrid cache management scheme for client-server applications in Mobile IP (MIP) networks. We leverage a per-user proxy as a gateway between the server and the mobile host (MH) such that any communication between the MH and server must pass through the proxy. The proxy has dual responsibilities in our design. It keeps track of the current location of the MH by acting as a regional Gateway Foreign Agent (GFA) as in the MIP Regional Registration protocol for mobility management. The proxy is also responsible for cache consistency management and query processing on behalf of the MH. To reduce the network traffic, a threshold-based hybrid cache consistency management policy is applied. That is, when a data object is updated at the server, the server sends an invalidation report to the MH through the proxy to invalidate the cached data object, provided that the size of the data object exceeds the given threshold. Otherwise, the server sends a fresh copy of the data object through the proxy to the MH. We identify the best ''threshold'' value that would minimize the overall network traffic incurred due to mobility management, cache consistency management, and query processing, when given a set of parameter values characterizing the operational and workload conditions of the MIP network.
Accelerating the convergence of the diagonalization and projection algorithms for finite-dimensional variational inequalities

This paper presents an acceleration step for the linearly convergent diagonalization and projection algorithms for finite-dimensional variational inequalities which is reminiscent of a PARTAN step in nonlinear programming. After establishing the convergence of this technique for both algorithms, several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the sometimes dramatic savings in computation time which this simple acceleration step yields.
An efficient EM-based training algorithm for feedforward neural networks

Abstract A fast training algorithm is developed for two-layer feedforward neural networks based on a probabilistic model for hidden representations and the EM algorithm. The algorithm decomposes training the original two-layer networks into training a set of single neurons. The individual neurons are then trained via a linear weighted regression algorithm. Significant improvement on training speed has been made using this algorithm for several bench-mark problems. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
1099 DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY OF HUMAN IgG SUBCLASS-SPECIFIC ANTIBODIES TO NATIVE TYPE III GROUP B STREPTOCOCCAL (III-GBS) POLYSACCHARIDE

The human immune response to carbohydrates is believed to be restricted primarily to the IgG2 subclass which, relative to IgG1 and IgG3, has poor complement (C) fixing activity. However, for bacterial polysaccharides, the immunospecific IgG subclass distribution and its functional correlates are poorly defined. Following immunization with III-GBS vaccine, serum from a healthy adult was subjected to ion exchange chromatography yielding 1935mg/dl IgG and 1200μg/ml III-GBS antibody (Ab). Bnploying agammaglobulinemic serum as a C source, bactericidal activity (BA) >1 log10 for log phase III-GBS was present to a 1:400 dilution of the IgG. After protein A-Sepharose (PAS) chromatography, 72% of IgG3 but 1 log10 BA at a 1:200 dilution. Digestion of IgG with papain for 4 hr at 37°C (to selectively cleave IgG1 but not IgG2) followed by Sephacryl chromatography yielded an intact IgG pool containing 31% of initial IgG, 69% of III-GBS Ab, 58% of IgG2, but only 17% of IgG1. This IgG2-rich pool had BA >1 log10 to a 1:400 dilution. These results indicate that IgG3 has no functional activity for III-GBS. In contrast, IgG2 comprises a disproportionately high percentage of III-GBS immunospecific Ab and appears to be the major heat-stable opsonin in adult sera.
Proteolipid protein antiserum does not affect CNS myelin in rat spinal cord culture

Sera from 3 rabbits and 1 goat which contained precipitating antibodies to highly purified rat CNS myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) did not inhibit CNS myelin formation nor destroy intact CNS myelin in cultures of rat spinal cord. CNS myelin which formed in the presence of antiPLP serum and complement appears ultrastructurally identical to myelin formed in normal control cultures. The lack of demyelinating and myelin formation inhibiting activities in antisera to PLP suggests either: (1) PLP is not exposed on the external surface of the myelin membrane; or (2) the externally exposed portions of PLP were rendered nonantigenic during the purification of PLP.
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY, LOCALIZATION AND INTERACTION EFFECTS IN SUPERCONDUCTOR-INSULATOR SUPERLATTICE SYSTEMS.

Abstract Some novel superconductor-insulator superlattice systems, Nb 0.53 Ti 0.47 Ge, Nb 0.53 Ti 0.47 Si and Nb 3 SnGe were synthesized with the dc sputtering technique. The parallel upper critical fields at zero temperature of these superlattices were estimated to be many times larger than their respective bulk values, due to the quasi-2D nature of the superconducting layers and associated fluxoid accomodation within the insulating layers. The disorder related quantum effects of weak anti-localization, electron interaction and superconducting fluctuations were also observed in these superlattices. The experimental data were compared with recent theories and the analysis provided microscopic information on these quasi-2D superconductors.
TEST FAIRNESS: A COMMENT ON FAIRNESS IN STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

An argument is presented to suggest that the analysis of covariance may in some circumstances be an unfair method to use in the study of the question of test fairness. As an alternative, the use of equipercentile methods or equivalent linear methods may be preferred in these circumstances.
Protoplasts of Neurospora crassa: α-amylase improves yield from wild-type hyphae

Treatment of wild-type hyphae of Neurospora crassa with a mixture of chitinase (4 units/ml), Zymolyase 20T (5 units/ml), cellulysin (100 units/ml), lytic enzyme L-1 (1 mg/ml), and β-glucuronidase (1500 units/ml) to which 5000 units/ml α-amylase had been added resulted in the quantitative conversion of hyphae to protoplasts which did not aggregate or clump. Overall, α-amylase addition improved protoplast yield by over twofold.