cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A specific neural substrate predicting current and future impulsivity in young adults

Impulsivity (rash action with deleterious outcomes) is common to many psychiatric disorders. While some studies indicate altered amygdala and prefrontal cortical (PFC) activity associated with impulsivity, it remains unclear whether these patterns of neural activity are specific to impulsivity or common to a range of affective and anxiety symptoms. To elucidate neural markers specific to impulsivity, we aimed to differentiate patterns of amygdala–PFC activity and functional connectivity associated with impulsivity from those associated with affective and anxiety symptoms, and identify measures of this circuitry predicting future worsening of impulsivity. Using a face emotion processing task that reliably activates amygdala–PFC circuitry, neural activity and connectivity were assessed in a transdiagnostically-recruited sample of young adults, including healthy (N = 47) and treatment-seeking individuals (N = 67). Relationships were examined between neural measures and impulsivity, anhedonia, and affective and anxiety symptoms at baseline (N = 114), and at 6 months post scan (N = 30). Impulsivity, particularly negative urgency and lack of perseverance, was related to greater amygdala activity (beta = 0.82, p = 0.003; beta = 0.68, p = 0.004; respectively) and lower amygdala–medial PFC functional connectivity (voxels = 60, tpeak = 4.45, pFWE = 0.017; voxels = 335, tpeak = 5.26, pFWE = 0.001; respectively) to facial fear. Left vlPFC, but not amygdala, activity to facial anger was inversely associated with mania/hypomania (beta = −2.08, p = 0.018). Impulsivity 6 months later was predicted by amygdala activity to facial sadness (beta = 0.50, p = 0.017). There were no other significant relationships between neural activity and 6-month anhedonia, affective, and anxiety symptoms. Our findings are the first to associate amygdala–PFC activity and functional connectivity with impulsivity in a large, transdiagnostic sample, providing neural targets for future interventions to reduce predisposition to impulsivity and related future mental health problems in young adults.
Cardiac sarcoidosis masquerading as ventricular tachycardia storm: a challenging diagnosis.

A 67-year-old African-American woman with remote history of complete heart block (s/p pacemaker 3 years ago) and recent onset of ventricular tachycardia (VT) (s/p VT ablation and cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator upgrade 3 months ago) presented to the hospital with VT storm. Workup showed newly reduced left ventricular ejection fraction with global hypokinesis (20%) and restrictive physiology. Positive technetium pyrophosphate scan was suspicious for TTR amyloid while serological workup revealed a monoclonal gammopathy. Cardiac MRI was contraindicated given remote brain aneurysm clip. Given clinical suspicion for cardiac sarcoidosis and divergent non-invasive workup, endomyocardial biopsy was performed which showed non-necrotising granulomas consistent with cardiac sarcoidosis. She was started on steroids with clinical improvement. Cardiac sarcoidosis is a challenging clinical diagnosis, particularly in patients without extracardiac manifestations. This case highlights the importance of a detailed and thorough workup of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy and being cognizant of infiltrative disease as it can change patient management and outcomes.
Comparison of real-time PCR and ELISA for the detection of crustacean shellfish allergens.

Food allergies are a significant public health concern, and crustacean shellfish represent one of the major FDA regulated food allergens. Allergic individuals must avoid foods containing crustacean...
Long Term Hemodynamic Monitoring

Heart failure (HF) readmissions are burdensome to the healthcare economy and therefore is a common metric used to evaluate the delivery of care provided by health systems. Many attempts to monitor heart failure patients remotely have failed in the past. More recently, ambulatory invasive monitoring, particularly of the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), has been shown to decrease readmission rates in patients suffering from heart failure. This chapter will look in detail the previous attempts at telemonitoring in heart failure patients, the indications for ambulatory PAP monitoring, and the future other devices used to decrease hospital readmissions.
Impact of COVID-19 on the US Construction Industry as Revealed in the Purdue Index for Construction

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented impacts (e.g., labor shortage, suspension and cancellation of projects, and disrupted supply and logistics) on the...
Lynn Peril. Swimming in the Steno Pool: A Retro Guide to Making It in the Office

Before I returned to graduate school I worked in offices, usually as an administrative assistant in some capacity: filing reports, answering phones, serving as the first line of defense against vis...
Die verborgene Politik des impliziten Wissens: Michael Polanyis Republik der Wissenschaft

Michael Polanyis politische Theorie und sein erkenntnistheoretischer Beitrag, insbesondere seine bahnbrechenden Schriften uber die implizite Dimension der Wissensbildung – oder wie er es nannte, „personliches Wissen“ – stehen nach unserer Auffassung in einem Spannungsverhaltnis. Denn einerseits vertritt er in seinem politischen Essay eine klassisch-konservative Haltung, wahrend er andererseits in seiner Theorie des impliziten Wissens viel an postmoderner, radikaler Kritik an den aufklarerischen Annahmen uber wissenschaftliche Objektivitat und das unvoreingenommene Streben nach Wissen vorwegnimmt.
Smooth Transition ARCH Models: Estimation and Testing

In this paper, we suggest an extension of the ARCH model, the smooth-transition autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (STARCH) model. STARCH models endogenously allow for time-varying shifts in the parameters of the conditional variance equation. The most general form of the model that we consider is a double smooth-transition model, the STAR-STARCH model, which permits not only the conditional variance, but also the mean, to be a function of a smooth-transition term. The threshold ARCH model, the Markov-ARCH model and the standard ARCH model are special cases of our STARCH model. We also develop Lagrange multiplier tests of the hypothesis that the smooth-transition term in the conditional variance is zero. We apply our STARCH model to excess Treasury bill returns. We find some evidence of a smooth transition in excess returns, but in contrast to previous studies, we find almost no evidence of volatility persistence once we allow for smooth transitions in the conditional variance. Thus, the apparent persistence in the conditional variance reported by many researchers could be a mere statistical artifact. We conduct in-sample tests comparing STARCH models to nested competitors; these suggest that STARCH models hold promise for improved predictions. Finally, we describe further extensions of the STARCH model and suggest issues in finance to which they might profitably be applied.
Sacculation of the uterus

Abstract A case of sacculation of the uterus has been described. Actual photographs of a uterus with a sacculation has been presented. An attempt has been made to differentiate the terms "sacculation" and "diverticulum" as they apply to the pregnant uterus. It is our thesis that sacculations are due to functional malformations of the uterus. The diagnosis, clinical findings, and management at various stages of pregnancy and labor have been outlined. Conservative treatment is suggested as the main form of therapy.
Appendicitis within Morgagni Hernia and simultaneous Paraesophageal Hernia

Morgagni hernia is a congenital diaphragmatic defect that rarely presents with symptomatic findings in adults. The presence of one diaphragmatic defect may decrease the occurrence of a separate diaphragmatic defect. Appendicitis may be a unique presentation of incarcerated bowel in a Morgagni defect. Review of recent literature and presentation of a patient with Morgagni defect. Only five cases of simultaneous Morgagni hernia and paraesophageal hernia have been described in the English-language literature since 1958. Here, we report the first case of acute appendicitis within an incarcerated right Morgagni hernia in a 76-year-old patient who also had a paraesophageal hernia. This case illustrates that there is no role for watchful waiting in the management of Morgagni Defects when diagnosed in adult patients.
Monte Carlo study of phase transitions out of symmetry-enriched topological phases of bosons in two dimensions

We study a statistical mechanics model of two species of bosons with mutual statistics θ=2π/n in (2+1) dimensions. This model realizes a fractionalized topological phase of bosons, which is a fractionalized version of the boson integer quantum Hall effect. The model can be studied with sign-free Monte Carlo simulations. We study the phase transitions between the fractionalized topological phase and a trivial insulator, and between different topological phases. We find that these transitions are continuous, and we measure their critical exponents.
Synthesis and Growth Inhibitory Activity of Chiral 5-Hydroxy-2-N-Acyl-(3E)-Sphingenines: Ceramides with an Unusual Sphingoid Backbone

The unusual sphingoid base 5-hydroxy-3-sphingenine was identified in the hydrolysate of brain sphingolipids more than 40 years ago. We present here the first synthesis of the 5R and 5S diastereoisomers of the N-acyl derivatives of 5-hydroxy-3-sphingenine, 2 and 3, respectively, which represent regioisomers of (2S,3R)-ceramide (1). The key steps include the synthesis of α,β-unsaturated ketone intermediates 4 and 5 from N-Cbz- and N-Boc-l-serine and diastereoselective reduction of the enones. The configuration at the new carbinol center was deduced by proton NMR analysis of (R)- and (S)-Mosher [methoxy(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetate] ester derivatives. Ceramide analogues 2 and 3 showed a markedly higher antiproliferative activity than 1 on MCF-7 cells.
Diffuse lymphadenopathy as a manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis

Diffuse lymphadenopathy has not been previously described in association with ankylosing spondylitis. A 22-year-old man who presented with anorexia, weight loss, shoulder pain, and diffuse lymphadenopathy is described. Lymph node biopsy showed a nonspecific pattern of reactive hyperplasia with sinus histiocytosis. Clinical evaluation disclosed active spondylitis with HLA-B27 positivity. No other cause for the lymphadenopathy was found. The association between lymphadenopathy and connective tissue diseases is discussed. Ankylosing spondylitis should be added to the differential diagnosis of patients with generalized lymphadenopathy of uncertain cause.
An Analysis of the Horticulture Industry as a Potential Value-Added Market for Compost

A major barrier to adoption of composting by the livestock industry is a lack of information regarding the relative economic advantages and disadvantages for producing and marketing compost. The ten markets evaluated in this research are seen as typical markets for horticultural products or markets that have the greatest potential interest in compost. The focus of the research was to determine and evaluate potential paying markets for compost using Illinois as a model. Approximately 2,275 surveys were mailed to members of various horticultural trade associations in Illinois. Questions included inquiries as to the type of business conducted, the current use of compost and whether it was thought that the company had an organic waste problem. Questions were also asked regarding the respondents’ beliefs about the economics of making and using compost, and perceived benefits from utilizing compost. A 33.7% response rate was achieved with 746 surveys returned and analyzed. Substantial numbers of respondents were involved in commercial nursery, golf course and lawn care operations. The operation classifications showing the most interest in composting were commercial tree growers, commercial nurseries and greenhouses, landscape contractors and lawn care operations. A majority of the respondents have either used compost in the past or are currently using compost. Of the respondents who reported using compost, a majority (P<0.05) were satisfied with the results. Most compost users reported purchasing compost in bulk as opposed to in bags. The primary reasons cited for using compost were related to soil tilth, building humus content of the soil and increased plant growth. Replacement of chemical fertilizer use and greater seed germination were not cited as primary reasons for using compost. In addition, respondents to the survey reported that development of quality standards for compost would not encourage use.
The use of sulfapyridine in primary pneumococcic pneumonia and in pneumococcic pneumonia associated with measles

Summary Seventy-one patients proved to have pneumonia by x-rays were treate with sulfapyridine. Typable pneumococci were isolated from the nasopharynx in each instance. Thirty-three of these patients had primary pneumonia. In 38 of them the pneumonia was associated with measles. All the patients recovered. In nearly every case the temperature became normal and definite improvement took place within forty-eight hours after institution of treatment. The method of administration of the drug is described and certain untoward effects are mentioned. The presence of pneumococci in the nasopharynx of a number of patients after the withdrawal of sulfapyridine was noted.
MRI with Magnetic Nanoparticles Monitors Downstream Anti-Angiogenic Effects of mTOR Inhibition

To study the effect of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition on angiogenesis with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNP). One million CAK-1 renal cell carcinoma cells were subcutaneously implanted into each of 20 nude mice. When tumors reached ∼750 μl, four daily treatment arms began and continued for 4 weeks: rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) 10 mg/kg/day; sorafenib (VEGF inhibitor) high dose (80 mg/kg/day) and low dose (30 mg/kg/day); and saline control. Weekly MRI (4.7 T Bruker Pharmascan) was performed before and after IV MION-48, a prototype MNP similar to MNP in clinical trials. Vascular volume fraction (VVF) was quantified as ΔR2 (from multi-contrast T2 sequences) and normalized to assumed muscle VVF of 3%. Linear regression compared VVF to microvascular density (MVD) as determined by histology. VVF correlated with MVD (R2 = 0.95). VVF in all treatment arms differed from control (p < 0.05) and declined weekly with treatment. VVF changes with rapamycin were similar to high-dose sorafenib. This study demonstrates noninvasive, in vivo anti-angiogenic monitoring using MRI of mTOR inhibition.
Are viruses alive

This article discusses how viruses, somewhere between living and nonliving, are categorized in biology, and their role in evolution. For about 100 years, the scientific community has repeatedly changed its collective mind over what viruses are. First seen as poisons, then as life-forms, then biological chemicals, viruses today are thought of as being in a gray area between living and nonliving: they cannot replicate on their own but can do so in truly living cells and can also affect the behavior of their hosts profoundly. The seemingly simple question of whether or not viruses are alive, which my students often ask, has probably defied a simple answer all these years because it raises a fundamental issue: What exactly defines "life?" Viruses have their own, ancient evolutionary history, dating to the very origin of cellular life. In fact, along with other researchers, Philip Bell of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and I contend that the cell nucleus itself is of viral origin. INSETS: Overview/A Little Bit of Life;Rising from the Dead--and Other Tricks.
Unambiguous Gibbs dividing surface for nonequilibrium finite-width interface: Static equivalence approach

The definition of all properties of the nonequilibrium interface depends on the choice of the position of the dividing surface. However, the definition of its position has been an unsolved problem for more than a century. A missing principle to unambiguously determine the position of the Gibbs' dividing surface is found: the principle of static equivalence. A sharp interface (dividing surface) is statically equivalent to a nonequilibrium finite-width interface with distributed tensile stresses if it possesses (a) the same resultant force, equal to the interface energy, and (b) the same moment, which is zero about the interface position. Each of these conditions determines the position of a sharp interface, which may be contradictory. This principle is applied to resolve another basic problem: the development of a phase field approach to an interface motion that includes an expression for interface stresses, which are thermodynamically consistent, and consistent with a sharp-interface limit. Using an analytical solution for a curved propagating interface, it is shown that both conditions determine the same dividing surface, i.e., the theory is self-consistent. The expression for the interface energy is also consistent with the expression for the velocity of the curved sharp interface. Applications to more complex interfaces that support elastic stresses are discussed.
Monitoring serum theophylline levels.

Recent definition of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of theophylline have increased the safety and efficacy of the drug for acute bronchodilator therapy and have greatly expanded its potential as a prophylactic agent in the management of chronic asthmatic symptoms. Specifically, benefit and risk from theophylline have been demonstrated to relate directly to serum theophylline concentration, which is itself a function of not only the dose but also the elimination characteristics of the drug in the individual patient. When used to treat acute symptoms, an initial loading dose of theophylline based on a volume of distribution of 0.5L/kg (range — 0.3 to 0.7L/kg) is required to rapidly attain maximum bronchodilator effect. There are wide interpatient differences in elimination rate. Dosage for continued therapy must be matched to the rate of elimination in the individual patient, which can be expressed as clearance. Under normal circumstances, this can only be done empirically by monitoring serum theophylline concentration at intervals and adjusting dosage until a steady state is reached with the serum theophylline concentration within the 10 to 20μg/ml therapeutic range. During long term therapy, product formulation must be carefully considered; sustained release preparations, if completely and reliably absorbed, offer therapeutic advantage, particularly for children. The most acceptable way to determine final dosage for long term therapy is to begin with doses sufficiently low to allow virtually universal acceptance of the medication, although optimum benefit will be obtained in very few. Gradual increases in dose at 3 day intervals until average doses are reached, if tolerated, minimises the frequency with which serum theophylline concentrations need to be measured. These doses should then, however, not be maintained or increased further without measurement of serum theophylline concentration. Final dosage adjustment can then be made. Serum theophylline measurement is therefore essential for optimum management of chronic asthma and, when rapidly available, increases the utility of theophylline for acute therapy. Six different basic methods for measuring theophylline in serum or plasma have been developed and multiple modifications of many of these have been utilised in various laboratories. Of greatest relevance are: (I) modifications of the traditional extraction methodology and measurement of ultraviolet absorbance first reported by Schack and Waxler in 1949; (2) high pressure liquid chromatography of which the reverse phase technology has become the most popular because of its commercial availability; and (3) the enzyme immunoassay which has recently been released and appears to have distinct advantage for the average clinical laboratory with regard to cost, specificity, ease of operation, speed of the assay and potential application of the equipment for assaying drugs other than theophylline.
Accelerative autoactivation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by PGG2

Summary : Cyclooxygenase catalysis is stimulated by its product, PGG2, and by other lipid hydroperoxides. The endoperoxide, PGH , was not stimulatory. The results provide a direct demonstration of an essen & ial role for lipid hydroperoxides in prostaglandin biosynthesis, and show how the biosynthetic intermediate PGG2 has a positive accelerative effect.
Abstracts and the Home Economics Research Journal

At a meeting in Detroit, June 27,1972 the RESEARCH JOURNAL advisory committee, editorial board, and editor decided that priority should be given to obtaining original research papers of high quality and that abstracts should not be included at the present time. The report adapted here served as a basis for the decision and was presented and approved at the Research Section meeting. Factors considered included the number of existing abstract journals of interest to home economists, audiences and functions of such journals, sources of materials to be abstracted, and needs in terms of personnel and money.
Interaction between microsomal electron transport systems of trout and male rat in cyclodiene epoxidation

Abstract 1. 1. The conversion of the insecticide aldrin to its epoxide dieldrin has been found to be much lower in trout liver microsomes (TLM) than in male rat liver microsomes (MRLM). 2. 2. The low epoxidative activity in TLM is not due to inadequate incubation conditions or to the presence of endogenous inhibitors, but rather is due to a deficiency of the epoxidative enzyme. 3. 3. When liver microsomes of trout and male rat are mixed, the epoxidative activity is greater than expected, the enhancement being two- to fourfold. 4. 4. The enhancement in the combined system of TLM and MRLM is the result of an interaction between the microsomal electron transport systems of TLM and MRLM wherein the component enzymes, especially electron transport component “X” in TLM and epoxidative “E” in MRLM, are more fully utilized.
Culture studies of Pacific coast Phaeophyceae

SummarySyringoderma abyssicola, the little known type species of an apparently dictyotalean genus, is reported on after field and culture observations. Fungal infestations of the genus Eurychasma produce conspicuous sporangia which give the appearance of reproductive structures of the alga itself, and perhaps SETCHELL and GARDNER observed these when they figured « aplanosporangia » for this species. Sporangia belonging to the alga itself have not been seen. The genus may be better placed in the Sphacelariales than with the Dictyotales.Coilodesme bulligera and C. fucicola (Punctariaceae) both demonstrated in culture direct development of new saccate thalli from spores of unilocular sporangia. In Coilodesme califomica, Saundersella simplex, and Halorhipis winstonii plethysmothalli which repeated themselves were obtained. These microscopic phases formed plurilocular and unilocular organs in C. califonica and S. simplex. The alga that has been called Stictyosiphon tortilis in California and Washington lacks t...
Conformal Einstein spaces in N-dimensions: Part II

Abstract This paper generalizes the main result of “Conformal Einstein spaces in N-dimensions” published in Ann. Global Anal. Geom. 20(2) (2001). We present necessary and sufficient tensorial conditions for a certain class of semi-Riemannian manifolds to be conformally related to Einstein spaces.
Coagulation profiles in 27 horses with large colon volvulus

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate coagulation profiles in horses with surgical treatment of large colon volvulus (LCV), and determine if an association exists between hemostatic dysfunction and outcome. Design: Prospective clinical investigation from February to December 2000. Setting: Large animal intensive care unit in a veterinary teaching hospital. Interventions: Blood was collected from horses intra-operatively, 24, and 48 hours following surgical treatment for LCV. Measurements: Coagulation profiles, thrombin–antithrombin (TAT) levels, and D-dimer concentrations were determined for each time point. The number of tests abnormal in the standard coagulation profile, defined as the degree of hemostatic dysfunction, was determined for each horse for the duration of the study period. The association between each test and outcome, as well as the degree of hemostatic dysfunction for each horse and outcome, was determined using univariate analysis and logistic regression. TAT levels and D-dimer concentrations were compared to the results of the standard coagulation profile and to patient outcome using univariate analysis and logistic regression. Main results: Seventy percent of horses evaluated with surgical treatment of LCV had evidence of hemostatic dysfunction (3/6 tests abnormal). Only 18% of those patients had clinical signs recognized by the attending clinician as a coagulopathy. There was an association between the development of a coagulopathy and outcome, with horses with 4/6 tests abnormal being more likely to be euthanized, and those with 3/6 tests abnormal having a prolonged hospital stay. Platelet count, prothrombin time, and TAT levels may be helpful in predicting outcome in horses with LCV. Conclusions: Hemostatic function should be evaluated in horses with surgical treatment of LCV to detect subclinical coagulopathies and direct subsequent intervention.
Studies of ion-exchange fiber “IONEX” for precoating material

Abstract This paper represents studies of ion-exchange fiber “IONEX” for precoating materials at nuclear power plants. Cation-exchange fiber “IONEX” (ca. 40 μm diameter and ca. 0.3 mm length) with sulfonic acid group for cation exchange, which is suitable for precoating materials, has been prepared. The microcolumn tests, carried out by forming precoat layers using mixtures of powdered resins and “IONEX”, indicate that filter performance can be improved considerably. These results are attributed to bridge effects and large specific surface areas of “IONEX”. Based on the results of these laboratory tests, “IONEX” has already been used at several power plants.
Closed Loop Stability of Switching Controller for Wind Turbine

Wind power intermittency due to wind speed variations can be alleviated by using a rechargeable battery as the reserve power source. In such an integrated wind turbine-battery system, wind turbine controller is frequently required to switch between two control modes. We have derived linearized approximations of the closed loop wind turbine system for both control modes after applying feedback control laws. Stability of this linearized switching system is established with the use of Common Quadratic Lyapunov Function (CQLF). Limitations on control gains and switching conditions required to achieve system stability are discussed. Simulations confirming the system stability are also presented.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Change in teachers' ratings of attention problems and subsequent change in academic achievement: a prospective analysis.

Background. Recent research has documented a link between attention problems at school entry and later academic achievement. Little is known about the association of change in attention problems during the early school years with subsequent change in academic achievement. Method. A community-based cohort was followed up and assessed for attention problems at ages 6 and 11 (Teacher Report Form; TRF) and for academic achievement in math and reading at ages 11 and 17 (Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery). Complete data were available on 590 children (72% of the initial sample). Ordinary least squares regressions were used to estimate change in academic achievement from age 11 to age 17 in relation to change in TRF-attention problems from age 6 to age 11. Children's IQ and family factors were statistically controlled. Results. Change in teachers' ratings of attention problems from age 6 to age 11 was negatively associated with change in math and reading from age 11 to age 17, controlling for children's IQ and family factors. Externalizing problems had no significant association with change in math or reading, when added to the multivariable model. Conclusions. Increases in teacher-rated attention problems from age 6 to age 11 were followed by declines in academic achievement from age 11 to age 17; decreases were followed by gains. The results underscore the need for research on the course of attention problems, the testing of interventions to address children's early attention problems and the evaluation of their effects on subsequent academic achievement.
Comparative study of argon content and argon diffusion in mica and feldspar

Abstract The A 40 /K 40 ratios for coarse and fine-mesh samples of 100-m.y.-old feldspar (perthitic orthoclase-microline) were compared with those for coarse- and fine-mesh samples of lepidolite from the same pegmatite and found to be in agreement, although there was some evidence for migration of argon from the potash feldspar phase to the soda feldspar phase of the perthite. Fine samples of both minerals were then heated to various temperatures for 48 hours and the radiogenic and atmospheric argon released was measured. At all temperatures below that at which mica is disrupted, leakage from the feldspar was greater. The temperature-dependence of the leakage from the two minerals was found to be quite different. That for the mica suggests that there are two components of argon in the mineral: a minor component which is loosely bound, and a major component tightly bound. The leakage curve for feldspar is quite regular, suggesting that there is only a single argon component. If this is assumed to be so, an extrapolation of the curve provides a lower limit of 10 −19 cm 2 /sec for D , the diffusion coefficient. This value of D is high enough to account for about 35 per cent argon loss in 1-cm grains of 2000-m.y.-old potash feldspar. Atmospheric argon in the minerals appears to be more loosely bound than the radiogenic argon. The A 40 /K 40 ratio for samples from the Pala District, California, pegmatite is 0.00526 ±0.00016, corresponding to an age of 92.0 ± 2.5 m.y..
Henri Fayol as strategist: a nineteenth century corporate turnaround

Successful corporate turnarounds occur, thus avoiding liquidation, but historical examples are few. In late nineteenth century France Henri Fayol became managing director (CEO) of a vertically integrated iron and steel firm and made various decisions that retrieved the firm from the brink of liquidation. In examining his career, the competitive nature of the industry, and his decisions, it is suggested that he employed a deliberate and comprehensive corporate strategy to guide the firm toward its objectives. While he developed his theory of management from these experiences and claimed that its application was the primary cause of the turnaround, this paper suggests that there were several other factors at work.
Differential utilization of summer rains by desert plants

Seasonal changes in the hydrogen isotope ratios of xylem waters were measured to determine water sources used for growth in desert plants of southern Utah. While all species used winter-spring recharge precipitation for spring growth, utilization of summer rains was life-form dependent. Annuals and succulent perennials exhibited a complete dependence on summer precipitation. Herbaceous and woody perennial species simultaneously utilized both summer precipitation and remaining winter-spring precipitation, with herbaceous species much more reliant on the summer precipitation component. Several of the woody perennials exhibited no response to summer precipitation. Currently, precipitation in southern Utah is evenly partitioned between winter and summer time periods; however, global circulation models predict that summer precipitation will increase in response to anticipated climate change. Our data indicate that components within the community will differentially responde to the change in precipitation patterns. These results are discussed in relation to impact on competition and possible changes in community structure.
Persistence in food webs—I Lotka-Volterra food chains

Persistence-extinction in simple food chains modelled by Lotka-Volterra dynamics is governed by a single parameter which depends upon the interspecific interaction coefficients, the intraspecific interaction coefficients, and the length of the food chain. In persistent systems with nonzero carrying capacity, two new features predominate. Trophic level influence factors relate persistence on different trophic levels and determine, in conjunction with the persistence parameter, the magnitude of persistence. Equilibrium component ordering, which results in persistent systems, mandates once again that systems need to be studied on the complete ecosystem level; static field measurements reflect species location in the food chain, the total length of the food chain and assume characteristics according to these factors.
Fast Monte Carlo methodology for multivariate particulate systems—I: Point ensemble Monte Carlo

Abstract A fast Monte Carlo methodology for particulate processes is introduced. The proposed methodology combines concepts from discrete population balance equations and dynamic Monte Carlo simulations of chemical kinetics to construct a new jump Markov model that approximates the population balance dynamics. The Markov model consists of a definition of a new type of reaction channel, in which the reaction product is a stochastic process by itself. One feature of this model is that, although a coarse view of the process is taken, it still conserves the history of individual particles. This is a very important aspect for effective modeling of multivariate models, especially when part of the goal is to study the evolution of the internal states of the particles (i.e., composition, phase behavior, etc.). Numerical experiments show that this algorithm can improve the computational load of the exact method by orders of magnitude without sacrificing computational accuracy. The methodology is useful especially in stochastic optimization applications where many function calls (simulations) are required. Possible applications are optimization and dynamic optimization using an artificial chemical process algorithm, genetic algorithm, or simulated annealing among others.
Speculative bubbles, crashes and rational expectations

Abstract Self ending speculative bubbles, i.e., speculative bubbles followed by market crashes, are consistent with the assumption of rational expectations. More generally, speculative bubbles may take all kinds of shapes. Detecting their presence or rejecting their existence is likely to prove very hard.
Studies on the metabolism of xanthurenic acid-4-C14.

Abstract Xanthurenic acid-C 14 is not metabolized by the normal rat, even if pyridoxine is injected concomitantly. The total C 14 activity is rapidly excreted in the urine as unchanged XA-C 14 and two XA-C 14 conjugates. The latter compounds appear to contain glucuronide residues at the 8-and 4,8-positions of XA respectively, and the amino acid, serine, is attached at the carboxyl group. The radioactivity from injected XA-C 14 is excreted quantitatively in the urine of rabbits as a single conjugate, in addition to unchanged XA-C 14 . This conjugate is apparently an ethereal sulfate rather than a glucuronide of XA.
Frequent and prolonged hospitalizations: A risk factor for early mortality in sickle cell disease patients

A subset of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) has frequent and prolonged hospitalizations. Clinical outcomes for this subset of patients are not known. We analyzed mortality data in 71 such patients enrolled in a case management study. Adult patients (mean age 32 years) with SCD and > or = 50 hospitalization days/year or > or = 6 admissions/year were enrolled. Clinical and psychosocial data were obtained. During a mean 24-month follow up, 11 of 71 patients died (15.5%). Patients who died had a higher mean number of hospitalization days in the year before study entry (116 vs. 40, P < 0.000008) and were also more depressed than those who survived (mean score 17.8 vs. 11.9, P = 0.031). Frequent and prolonged hospitalizations are a risk factor for early mortality in patients with SCD.
Optical Computing By Monte Carlo Methods

At low light levels, detected photoevents can provide a physical source of random numbers. In turn, these optically generated random numbers can be used to construct Markov chains, which form the mathematical frame-work for many of the Monte Carlo procedures. In this paper a method for optically generating bivariate random deviates with a specified probability den-sity function and correlation coefficient is given. The optical implementations of two Monte Carlo procedures also are discussed. First, a method to calculate two-dimensional definite integrals is considered. Next, an optical method for solving systems of linear algebraic equations by the Von Neumann-U lam Monte Carlo procedure is given.
Trial of the University Assistance Program for Alcohol Use Among Mandated Students

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a brief intervention for mandated students in the context of the University Assistance Program, a Student Assistance Program developed and modeled after workplace Employee Assistance Programs.
PBTI response to interfacial layer thickness variation in Hf-based HKMG nFETs

The impact of SiO 2 interfacial layer (IL) thickness on the Positive Bias Temperature Instability (PBTI) is investigated for nMOSFETs with an IL/High-K/metal/poly-Si gate stack architecture. Results from extensive PBTI measurements using three different measurement methodologies consistently demonstrate that thickening the IL results in threshold voltage (V T ) instability reduction and thus significantly enhances PBTI device lifetime. The voltage acceleration is found to increase with thicker IL, while the PBTI fractional recovery is independent of the IL thickness, providing new insights into the PBTI buildup and recovery mechanisms.
Material handling: simulating the transport and scheduling of priority lots in semiconductor factories

As high technology product market becomes more dynamic and competitive, chip manufacturers need to bring products to customers in short periods of time. As a result, semiconductor fabrication plants regularly contain lots with priority status. These lots have several unique characteristics compared to other production lots, both in terms of lot transport and scheduling on tools. These lots consume tool capacity that may impact the factory output rate. Priority lots also have specific policies for transport. The impact of these priority lots on other lots in the fab is not easily quantified, as many factors are involved. Dynamic factory and AMHS simulation models are capable of capturing the variability of a factory, and the interactions of critical constraints that prevent predictable manufacturing. This paper presents a breakthrough modeling approach to study the behaviors of priority lots, and to quantify their impact to manufacturing.
The black male urban barbershop as a sex-role socialization setting

Two hundred-eighty participants-as-observer hours and eight hours of informal interviewers with “informants” during a two-month period in summer 1983 were data sources in an analysis of a Black male urban barbershop in a midwestern city. The study focused on the barbershop as a sex-role socialization setting in which adult Black males actively negotiate masculinity while Black male youth passively negotiate masculinity and in all likelihood are socialized to become active negotiators. Content analyses of taped barbershop sessions and the researcher's written reports of the session revealed that the barbershop studied perpetuates sex-role stereotypes, encourages sexist attitudes toward women, and, in general, is a sex-role socialization setting that promotes sex-role inequality.
Transmissive Reminiscence Therapy with College Students and Institutionalized Senior Adults

Abstract The aims of this study were to determine the effectiveness of five sessions of one-on-one, transmissive reminiscence therapy (TRT) and to assess the effects of serving as a facilitator for TRT. Fifty-one undergraduate college students from the University of Toledo were trained to conduct five 45-minute sessions of TRT with institutionalized senior adults. A pretest/posttest control group design was employed in order to detect differential effects of the therapy. The impact of the therapy was measured using a survey instrument, the Short Form General Health Survey (SF-36). The impact of serving as a TRT facilitator was measured qualitatively via weekly journals and a final reflection paper.
Wage inequality between financial hubs and periphery

The observation that large cities pay higher wages for the same skilled work has caught the attention of scholars recently. The urban wage premium thesis suggests that urban sorting, skill matching and learning externalities in large cities result in a spatial wage gap between large and small cities. In this paper, a different spatial lens of wage premium is examined. Specifically, we hypothesize that the wage premium phenomenon may be more prominent between networked and less networked cities than between large and small cities. We test this hypothesis on skilled financial workers and their human capital networks. The results indicate that the financial human capital network is structured spatially around hubs and peripheral cities. Wage inequality is significant between centrally located hubs and peripherally located cities compared to large and small cities. The findings provide evidence for a networked city wage premium, suggesting that information and resource connections structured by skilled individuals contribute to wage differences between cities.
Roles of estradiol and progesterone in regulation of hippocampal dendritic spine density during the estrous cycle in the rat

We have previously shown that the density of dendritic spines on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells is dependent on circulating estradiol and progesterone and fluctuates naturally during the 5 day estrous cycle in the adult rat. To date, however, no detailed characterization of the roles that these hormones play in regulation of spine density has been made. In order to determine the time courses and extent of the effects of estradiol and progesterone on dendritic spine density, we have analyzed the density of dendritic spines on the lateral branches of the apical dendritic tree of Golgi-impregnated CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells in several experiments. In summary, our findings included the following: (1) Following ovariectomy, circulating estradiol is undetectable within 24 hours; however, spine density decreases gradually over a 6 day period. (2) Spine density does not decrease any further up to 40 days following ovariectomy. (3) Treatment with estradiol alone can reverse the ovariectomy-induced decrease in spine density. (4) Spine density begins to increase within 24 hours following estradiol benzoate injection in an ovariectomized animal, peaks at 2 and 3 days, then gradually decreases over the next 7 day period. (5) Although free estradiol is metabolized more rapidly than estradiol benzoate, there is no difference in the rate of decrease in spine density following injection of either form. (6) Progesterone has a biphasic effect on spine density in that progesterone treatment following estradiol initially increases spine density for a period of 2 to 6 hours but then results in a much sharper decrease than is observed following estradiol alone. By 18 hours following progesterone treatment, spine density is decreased nearly to 6 day ovariectomy values. (7) Treatment of intact rats with the progesterone receptor antagonist, RU 486, during the proestrus phase of the estrous cycle inhibits the proestrus to estrus drop in spine density. These findings account for both the gradual increase and rapid decrease in spine density which we have previously observed during the estrous cycle and indicate that progesterone in particular may be an important factor in the regulation of rapid morphologic changes which occur naturally in the adult brain. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Control of pyrimidine nucleotide formation in Pseudomonas fulva

Control of pyrimidine formation was examined in Pseudomonas fulva ATCC 31418. Pyrimidine supplementation lowered pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway enzyme activities in cells grown on glucose or succinate as a carbon source indicating possible repression of enzyme synthesis. Pyrimidine limitation experiments were conducted using an orotidine 5′-monophosphate decarboxylase mutant strain isolated in this study. Compared to uracil-supplemented, glucose-grown mutant cells, pyrimidine limitation of this strain caused aspartate transcarbamoylase, dihydroorotase, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase and orotate phosphoribosyltransferase activities to increase about 6-, 13-, 3-, 15-fold, respectively, which confirmed regulation of enzyme synthesis by pyrimidines. At the level of enzyme activity, transcarbamoylase activity in Ps. fulva was strongly inhibited by pyrophosphate, CTP, GTP and GDP under saturating substrate concentrations.
Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis (Reptilia, Crocodylia, Alligatoridae)

Testicular samples were collected to describe the ultrastructure of spermiogenisis in Alligator mississipiensis (American Alligator). Spermiogenesis com- mences with an acrosome vesicle forming from Golgi transport vesicles. An acrosome granule forms during ves- icle contact with the nucleus, and remains posterior until mid to late elongation when it diffuses uniformly through- out the acrosomal lumen. The nucleus has uniform diffuse chromatin with small indices of heterochromatin, and the condensation of DNA is granular. The subacrosome space develops early, enlarges during elongation, and accumu- lates a thick layer of dark staining granules. Once the acrosome has completed its development, the nucleus of the early elongating spermatid becomes associated with the cell membrane fl attening the acrosome vesicle on the apical surface of the nucleus, which aids in the migration of the acrosomal shoulders laterally. One endonuclear canal is present where the perforatorium resides. A prom- inent longitudinal manchette is associated with the nuclei of late elongating spermatids, and less numerous circular microtubules are observed close to the acrosome complex. The microtubule doublets of the midpiece axoneme are surrounded by a layer of dense staining granular mate- rial. The mitochondria of the midpiece abut the proximal centriole resulting in a very short neck region, and pos- sess tubular cristae internally and concentric layers of cristae superficially. A fibrous sheath surrounds only the axoneme of the principal piece. Characters not previously described during spermiogenesis in any other amniote are observed and include (1) an endoplasmic reticulum cap during early acrosome development, (2) a concentric ring of endoplasmic reticulum around the nucleus of early to middle elongating spermatids, (3) a band of endoplasmic reticulum around the acrosome complex of late developing elongate spermatids, and (4) midpiece mitochondria that have both tubular and concentric layers of cristae. J. Morphol. 271:1260-1271, 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.