cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of putative diuretic factors on intracellular second messenger levels in the Malpighian tubules of Aedes aegypti

Intracellular levels of the second messengers, 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) were measured in the Malpighian tubules of Aedes aegypti following the in vitro application of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the putative mosquito diuretic peptides, Culex salinarius diuresin and mosquito leucokinins (culekinin depolarizing peptides (CDPs) I, II, III, A. aegypti leucokinin peptides (ALPs) I, II, III). The C. salinarius diuresin significantly (p<0.05) increased tubule intracellular cAMP concentrations. Treatment of tubules with either 5-HT or CDP-II resulted in significant increases in both intracellular cAMP and IP(3) concentrations. All of the mosquito leucokinins, with the exception of CDP-I, significantly stimulated intracellular IP(3) in isolated tubules. These data suggest that the mosquito leucokinins may function on the Malpighian tubules of A. aegypti by increasing the intracellular Ca(2+) levels through the release of IP(3) sensitive Ca(2+) stores. The physiological relevance of these data to the regulation of mosquito Malpighian tubule function is discussed.
The Basque stem family household: myth or reality?

Observers of rural Basque society have regularly contended that its basic social unit is the stem family household associated with the baserria system of agricultural production. The stem family household has long been an object of speculation and its sanctity and preservation was a common theme in Basque literature. A close analysis of the population records of the village of Echalar in Navarre [Spain] making use of both synchronic and longitudinal analysis suggests that the stem family household was indeed realized regularly in Echalar and the fact of its statistical minority at any one point in time was due more to demographic limitations rather than to the presence of a competing family ethos. (EXCERPT)
An ab initio calculation of the vibrational force field and spectrum of pyrazole

Abstract The complete harmonic vibrational force field of pyrazole has been computed at the Hartree—Fock level with the 4–21 basis set of Gaussian orbitals. The harmonic force field was scaled by using 6 scale factors previously derived by fitting the computed force field of benzene to the observed benzene vibrational spectrum. The resulting scaled force field was then used to predict the vibrational spectrum of pyrazole. The frequency predictions have also been done by using the 9 scale factors (including those for the NH motions) previously optimized for imidazole. The predicted values for the fundamentals ν12 and ν19, for which no experimental data are available, are totally consistent in the above two procedures. In order to obtain the best possible force field, a new set of 10 scale factors, some of which turned out to be identical with those from imidazole, was derived by fitting the computed spectrum of pyrazole to the observed pyrazole spectrum. Dipole-moment derivatives were also calculated and used to predict infrared intensities which are compared with experimental values.
A displacement bound technique for elastic continua subjected to a certain class of dynamic loading

Abstract The paper presents a general inequality relating statically admissible stress fields and kinematically admissible strain and displacement fields in an elastic continuum. The relation between the inequality and the classical energy theorems is discussed, and the inequality is used to compute displacement bounds for elastic continua subjected to certain types of impulsive loading.
CAMERA: a compact, automated, laser adaptive optics system for small aperture telescopes

CAMERA is an autonomous laser guide star adaptive optics system designed for small aperture telescopes. This system is intended to be mounted permanently on such a telescope to provide large amounts of flexibly scheduled observing time, delivering high angular resolution imagery in the visible and near infrared. The design employs a Shack Hartmann wavefront sensor, a 12x12 actuator MEMS device for high order wavefront compensation, and a solid state 355nm ND:YAG laser to generate a guide star. Commercial CCD and InGaAs detectors provide coverage in the visible and near infrared. CAMERA operates by selecting targets from a queue populated by users and executing these observations autonomously. This robotic system is targeted towards applications that are diffcult to address using classical observing strategies: surveys of very large target lists, recurrently scheduled observations, and rapid response followup of transient objects. This system has been designed and costed, and a lab testbed has been developed to evaluate key components and validate autonomous operations.
Geographical Cost of Living Differences: An Update

This article develops a method for estimating current geographical differences in the cost of living index for all states for 1981–1990. These estimates based on BLS data are shown to correspond closely to statewide cost of living estimates for 1989 based on the American Chamber of Commerce Research Association data for selected cities. Living costs are highest in Hawaii, Alaska, Connecticut, Washington D.C., New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and California. They are lower in Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. The basic pattern persists since 1977 with shifts related to economic growth rates.
Mid-gap states measurements of low-level boron-doped a-Si:H films

Abstract Previous measurements of the effects of low-level boron-doping on a-Si:H thin films indicated that the conductivity decreased as a function of boron concentration. This effect was reinvestigated in this work by measuring the leakage current of stacked p–i–n diodes as a function of boron concentration. The supporting measurements employed films deposited onto insulating substrates. The diodes were also examined by a charge recovery measurement to measure the dangling-bond density of states (DOS) near between 0.7 and 1.0 eV from the conduction band edge. The spectrum shows a broad band with a peak at 0.88 eV, which increases as a function of the boron concentration, but does not shift with respect to energy. The dangling-bond density increase is proportional to the B2H6/SiH4 gas flow ratio, but not linear with respect to boron concentration in the film.
The Decision to Disclose Environmental Information: A Research Review and Agenda

Abstract Environmental accounting issues related to financial disclosure and reporting are increasingly relevant to a multitude of firm stakeholders (e.g., employees, management, investors, creditors, regulators, unions, public interest groups, etc.). Environmental disclosures by firms are one means of communicating such information to these stakeholders. While many studies have examined environmental disclosures, a number of research questions still remain. This study categorizes and provides the results of prior studies, addressing the forces affecting the decision to disclose environmental information, and provides suggestions for future research. The categories used include: (1) laws and regulations, (2) legitimacy, public pressure, and publicity, (3) firm/industry characteristics, (4) rational cost-benefit analysis, and (5) cultural forces and attitudes. Research from outside the accounting discipline is often included to provide background or indicate related information from other academic disciplines.
Rat serum lipoproteins during carcinogenesis of the liver in the preneoplastic and the neoplastic state.

The serum lipoproteins of rats during carcinogenesis of the liver, induced by N-2-fluorenylacetamide, were investigated by disc electrophoresis, preparative ultracentrifugation and lipid and protein analyses. In the case of rats with preneoplastic livers, the very low-density lipoproteins increased by about 100%, whereas both low-density and high-density lipoproteins increased by about 200% as compared with control rats. The serum lipoprotein concentrations were also determined in an additional control group of rats which were given a restricted amount of normal diet. The results established that the reduced intake of feed in carcinogen-supplemented animals was not responsible for the elevation in serum high-density lipoproteins. In rats bearing large, primary hepatomas, the total lipids and two lipid classes were significantly increased whereas the total serum proteins were unaffected as compared with control rats. At three different gel concentrations, no striking changes were observed in the total serum electrophoretic patterns of normal and tumor-bearing animals. The lipoprotein concentrations obtained in this study provided the most conclusive proof to date that most of the serum lipoproteins, including HDL2(1.063 < d < 1.12.5), were significantly elevated in tumor-bearing animals. On the basis of these and other observations, it was argued that the host serum high-density lipoprotein concentrations were perhaps related to lipoprotein synthesis by liver tumors or the lack of it by non-hepatic tumors such as Walker carcinosarcoma, mammary tumor or Ehrlich ascites tumor. In view of certain similarities between serum high-density lipoproteins and cellular membraneous lipoproteins, it was proposed that these serum lipoproteins were perhaps utilized in the formation of cellular membranes.
A review for clinical outcomes research: hypothesis generation, data strategy, and hypothesis-driven statistical analysis.

In recent years, more and more large, population-level databases have become available for clinical research. The size and complexity of these databases often present a methodological challenge for investigators. We propose that a “protocol” may facilitate the research process using these databases. In addition, much like the structured History and Physical (H&P) helps the audience appreciate the details of a patient case more systematically, a formal outcomes research protocol can also help in the systematic evaluation of an outcomes research manuscript.
Supporting Critical Dialogue Across Educational Contexts

We dedicate this article to our good friend and colleague, Jennifer Wilson, a person with whom we loved to think and laugh and write. Through an act of violence, her life was taken away from us on August 28th, 2011. This article draws upon five different empirical studies to examine how critical dialogue can be fostered across educational settings and with diverse populations: middle-school students discussing immigration picture books, a teacher study group exploring texts on homelessness, a teacher education class studying critical literacy, working class adults in a culture circle in Brazil interrogating systems of poverty, and teens in youth organizations discussing their photo-essays that challenge negative stereotypes of youth. In this paper, we analyze discursive practices that fostered critical dialogue across these settings. In doing so, we seek to describe practices that can support practitioners as they facilitate critical dialogue with learners and one another in order to become more criticall...
Scanning tunnelling microscopy of nucleic acids and polynucleotides.

Abstract We have obtained high-resolution images of DNA and RNA by scanning tunnelling microscopy which allow us to determine the conformation, which depends on hydration state, of individual molecules from measurements of helical periodicity, packing distances in aggregates, and handedness.
Multi-Scale Dynamics of Rhodopsin Activation as a Paradigm for GPCR Function

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane proteins that act as signaling cascade initiators responsible for a myriad of cellular processes. Ligand binding causes GPCR conformational changes that allow the receptor to interact with its cognate G-protein. Several techniques have structurally characterized rhodopsin photointermediates, but none have directly revealed the protein dynamics.Here we report a model whereby ps-ns ligand dynamics are coupled to the μs-ms protein motions during activation. These protein motions represent activated conformational substates on a hierarchy of time scales. Previous models propose that rhodopsin activation is a simple switch whereby retinal isomerizes from an 11-cis to an all-trans conformer, transforming from an inverse agonist to an agonist. In contrast, our model is motivated by FTIR and UV-visible results showing thermodynamic coupling to several substates in rhodopsin activation (metaI, metaIIa, and metaIIb) [1]. Furthermore, new 2H NMR data from selectively labeled retinal ligands bound to rhodopsin are able to show that each retinylidene methyl group, especially the C9-methyl, acts as a dynamical hotspot in the activation pathway [2]. Relaxation times are fitted to three-fold jump and continuous diffusion models and correlated to methyl rotation rates in the different rhodopsin activation states, revealing distinct site-specific characteristics for each photointermediate. Recent solid-state NMR [3] and EPR [4] studies showed appreciable protein movements in the photointermediate pathway, further supporting our data. An activation mechanism emerges whereby conformational substates depend on a multivariate energy landscape encompassing retinal and protein dynamics as well as lipid bilayer interactions. [1] M. Mahlingam et al. (2008) PNAS105, 17795-17800. [2] M.F. Brown et al. (2009) BBA, in press. [3] S. Ahuja et al. (2009) J. Biol. Chem.284, 10190-10201. [4] C. Altenbach et al. (2008) PNAS105, 7439-7444.
Mechanisms of telomerase-dimer catalysis.

Abstract There is evidence that human telomerase acts as a dimer [Wenz, C., Enenkel, B., Amacker, M., Kelleher, C., Damm, K., Lingner, J., 2001. Human telomerase contains two cooperating telomerase RNA molecules. EMBO J. 20, 3526–3534]. Three possible mechanisms have been proposed. We translate those proposals into three detailed mechanistic models for telomerase action, also introducing optional isomerizations with equilibrium constants inversely related to the number of bound nucleotides. To distinguish between these models by in situ experiments we propose a microscopic system which uses two-photon excitation of fluorescence in a volume of about 0.5 μm 3 . A variety of detection strategies and experimental designs are considered; we focus on those best suited to observation of a small volume under limitations imposed by diffusion to and from the reacting micro-volume, and consequently restrict ourselves to constant flow. Numerical simulation is used to help identify an optimal experimental design. The detection of mechanistic changes hinges on linking fluorescence reporters to selected reaction components, either directly (chemically) or indirectly (via an indicator reaction). We show that rapid mixing experiments are better than chemical relaxation experiments, as the statistics of single molecule kinetics affects the latter more than the former. However, some fast reaction steps can only be revealed by chemical relaxation coupled with mixing experiments. We explore connections between our methods and studies of HIV and other systems with RNA to DNA transcription.
Electron Spin Resonance of Hydrogen Atoms in CaF2

An investigation is carried out of the electron spin resonance of a hydrogen atom in an interstitial position in CaF/sub 2/. The following aspects of the problem are treated: apparatus and sample preparation; a spin Hamiltonian with four parameters describing the g value and hfs of the hydrogen atom with the eight equivalent fluorine nuclei surrounding it; the electron-nuclear double resonance spectrum and the resonance linewidth; and an attempt to calculate the parameters of the spin Hamiltonian starting from atomic and ionic wave functions. The sample preparation technique permits deuteration of the specimens, and spin Hamiltonian parameters are found for the deuterium center. Most of the data are obtained at room temperature, but some data are given on the hydrogen center at 77 deg K. An explanation of the small proton-deuteron and temperature-dependent differences of the spin Hamiltonian parameters is proposed. (auth)
The production and modification of cytochrome P-450 difference spectra by in vivo administration of methylenedioxyphenyl compounds

Abstract The in vivo administration of piperonyl butoxide (PB) or propyl isome (PI), both methylenedioxyphenyl compounds, to mice affects the levels of several hepatic cytochrome P-450 spectral interactions. The difference spectrum produced by carbon monoxide (commonly employed as a measurement of cytochrome P-450 levels) is initially lowered in magnitude by both compounds. The reduction is followed by an increase with time indicative of cytochrome induction. This biphasic effect, when produced by piperonyl butoxide, is accompanied by specific changes in the levels of the cytochrome P-450 difference spectra produced by hexobarbital, a type-I substrate, and pyridine, a type-II substrate. In addition, the ethyl isocyanide (EtNC) equilibrium point, calculated from the pH effect on the 455-nm and 430-nm peaks of the ethyl isocyanide-cytochrome P-450 difference spectrum, undergoes a biphasic shift. In contrast, propyl isome has the same effect on the substrate difference spectra as it does on the cytochrome level and produces no change in the ethyl isocyanide equilibrium point with time. Piperonyl butoxide, administered in vivo, produces a cytochrome P-450 difference spectrum when dithionite-reduced microsomes from treated animals are compared at different pH values. This spectrum, when observed by comparing microsomes from treated and untreated animals, has two pH-dependent Soret peaks and is essentially identical to the NADPH-dependent piperonyl butoxide-cytochrome P-450 spectrum produced by in vitro treatment. This spectrum is also produced in vitro by propyl isome and sulfoxide.
Burial Diagenesis in Gulf Coast Pelitic Sediments

Subsurface samples of shales ranging in age from Pleistocene to Eocene obtained from five Gulf Coast oil wells were examined mineralogically and chemically to determine the nature and extent of burial diagenesis in pelitic sediments. Illite/montmorillonite dominates the mineralogy and undergoes a monotonic decrease in expandability from about 80 to a limit of 20 per cent montmorillonite layers with increasing depth. The interstratification changes from random to ordered at about 35 per cent expanded layers. Discrete illite and kaolinite phases are ubiquitous and judged detrital. The discrete illite (mica) content of the whole rock decreases with depth, while the kaolinite shows no systematic variation. Chlorite occurs in appreciable amounts in only one well and there only in samples from the shallow water facies. This chlorite is also considered detrital.
Bending and twisting vibration control of a cantilever plate via electromechanical surface damping

The electromechanical surface damping technique (EMSD) is applied to suppress the bending and twisting peak vibration amplitudes of a cantilever plate. The technique is a combination of the constrained layer damping (CLD) and the shunted piezoelectric methods in which the constraining layer of the CLD is replaced by a shunted piezoelectric ceramic. The frequency responses, to a white noise random base excitation, of the EMSD-treated plate at the vicinity of the first and second bending and twisting resonant frequencies are determined and compared with the corresponding responses of the CLD-treatment. It is shown that, in general, the EMSD treatment provides more suppression of the bending and twisting peak vibration amplitudes than the conventional CLD treatment. The EMSD treatment, however, is more effective at higher frequencies and lower temperatures, which suggests that the EMSD method can be applied to extend the effective range of frequencies and/or temperatures of the conventional CLD method. The work presented is primarily analytical, however crude and preliminary experimental results are presented in order to demonstrate the feasibility of the EMSD technique.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The association between ß-glucocerebrosidase mutations and parkinsonism.

Mutations in the s-glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA), which encodes the lysosomal enzyme s-glucocerebrosidase, have traditionally been implicated in Gaucher disease, an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. Yet the past two decades have yielded an explosion of epidemiological and basic-science evidence linking mutations in GBA with the development of Parkinson disease (PD) as well. Although the specific contribution of mutant GBA to the pathogenesis of parkinsonism remains unknown, evidence suggests that both loss of function and toxic gain of function by abnormal s-glucocerebrosidase may be important, and implicates a close relationship between s-glucocerebrosidase and α-synuclein. Furthermore, multiple lines of evidence suggest that although GBA-associated PD closely mimics idiopathic PD (IPD), it may present at a younger age, and is more frequently complicated by cognitive dysfunction. Understanding the clinical association between GBA and PD, and the relationship between s-glucocerebrosidase and α-synuclein, may enhance understanding of the pathogenesis of IPD, improve prognostication and treatment of GBA carriers with parkinsonism, and furthermore inform therapies for IPD not due to GBA mutations.
Epidemiology of low total plasma cholesterol concentration among young adults: The CARDIA study

Abstract Background. Data on stability of plasma total cholesterol levels and its determinants among young adults are lacking. Knowledge of factors associated with low levels of plasma total cholesterol during young adulthood may help clarify the nature of associations between hypocholesterolemia and health or illness. Methods. Tracking of plasma total cholesterol was investigated using data from the baseline (1985–1986), Year 5 (1990–1991), and Year 7 (1992–1993) examinations of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study. Lifestyle (including dietary), physiological, medical, and psychological correlates of plasma total cholesterol were examined cross-sectionally at baseline using ANCOVA and multivariate logistic regression. The attributes of participants with persistently low plasma total cholesterol level after 7 years (i.e., remaining below the 10th percentile of sex- and race-specific distributions) were also examined. Results. The cohort in this analysis comprised 720 black men, 922 white men, 899 black women, and 944 white women who were between the ages of 18 and 30 years at baseline. Between 44 and 52% of those with plasma total cholesterol levels below the 10th percentile remained below the same percentile 7 years later. Among black men, a difference of 1 SD in age [3.7 years; odds ratio (OR) = 0.69; 95% CI = 0.52–0.91] and a difference of 1 SD in systolic blood pressure (10.5 mm Hg; OR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.54–0.97) were independently associated with lower odds, respectively, of being in the lowest 10th percentile of the plasma total cholesterol distribution. Also among black men, current smoking and more calories from carbohydrates were associated with nonsignificantly higher odds of low total cholesterol level. Among white men, a 1 SD older age (3.4 years; OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.61–1.00) and a 1 SD higher physical fitness (118 sec; OR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.09–1.82) predicted lower and higher odds, respectively, of low plasma total cholesterol. Among black women, a 1 SD difference in albumin (0.3 g/dL; OR = 0.80; 95% CI = 0.63–1.03) was related to lower odds of low plasma total cholesterol. Among white women, the factors independently associated with low plasma total cholesterol were body mass index (OR for a difference in 4.0 kg/m 2 = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.54–1.00) and γ-glutamyl transferase (OR for an increase in 9.6 IU/L = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.18–0.93). The independent predictive factors of stably low total cholesterol levels were age and uric acid among black men (both inversely related) and age, Framingham Type A Behavior (inversely), and calories from carbohydrates (positively related) among white men. Conclusion. Young adults with low plasma total cholesterol level have characteristics generally associated with good cardiovascular health. However, adverse attributes such as current cigarette smoking (notably among black men) may confound future associations between low total cholesterol and disease.
Effect of 5-bromodeoxyuridine on the induction of adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase in 3T3-L fibroblasts

Abstract Cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase activity is increased threefold in 3T3-L fibroblasts by 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine. Actinomycin D (2 μg/ml) and cycloheximide (10 μg/ml) prevent this increase. Cells pretreated with inducer (0.5 m m ) in the presence of cycloheximide for 12 h, rinsed, and then treated with actinomycin D ( t = 0) show a nearly twofold increase in enzyme activity in the next 90 min. The results suggest that cAMP phosphodiesterase is an inducible enzyme in 3T3-L cells and that the increase in enzyme activity requires transcription. The induction of cAMP phosphodiesterase was employed as a model to investigate enzyme induction in cells grown in the presence of the thymidine analog, 5-bromodeoxyuridine. Growth of 3T3-L fibroblasts in 1 μ m bromodeoxyuridine results in an inhibition of the induction of cAMP phosphodiesterase by 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (0.5 m m ). This effect increases when bromodeoxyuridine is raised from 0.1 to 10 μ m . The basal level of the enzyme is not altered by bromodeoxyuridine. Addition of thymidine (0.1 to 10 μ m ) to the culture medium prevents the bromodeoxyridine effect, indicating that the analog must be incorporated into DNA to act. An increase in the inducer concentration from 0.1 to 1.0 m m partially overcame the bromodeoxyuridine effect on enzyme induction. These results suggest that the induction of cAMP phosphodiesterase can be inhibited by the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine into DNA, and that an inducer of the enzyme can override the inhibition but at higher concentrations than are necessary in control cultures.
Impact ionisation in high-output-conductance region of 0.5 μm AlSb/InAs HEMTs

DC and RF measurements on AlSb/InAs HEMTs biased in the commonly observed high output conductance region are reported. In this region, high gate current, inductive output impedance and increased noise were observed resulting from impact ionisation. Devices with a 0.5 μm gate length exhibited a maximum f T and f max of 25 and 40 GHz, respectively
Dense-Pinch Photocathode

A promising approach to the generation of low-emittance e-beams for particle beam and FEL application employs a photoelectron cathode. IF such an e-beam source is to be viable at high power, a high-performance hard-UV illuminator is needed. Toward this end, experiments have been performed by illuminating a metal photocathode with the VUV radiation from a laser-guided gas-embedded high-density high-Z pinch. Such a VUV source is interesting because the plasma is created at high density and is optically thick. Thus, it is both a stable and an efficient radiator. Coupled with a copper photocathode it has generated a-beam current densities up to 60 A/sq-cm. The test device has been modified to utilize a pinch formed from a liquid jet in vacuum, rather than the laser-guided discharge in high-pressure gas. This is more suitable for rep-rate operation as it dispenses with the VUV-absorbing interposed gas, the channel-forming laser, and gas transport at high average power. A decane-jet device has been tested at 10 Hz with a peak pulse VUV power of 100 MW.
Automatically partitioning packet processing applications for pipelined architectures

Modern network processors employs parallel processing engines (PEs) to keep up with explosive internet packet processing demands. Most network processors further allow processing engines to be organized in a pipelined fashion to enable higher processing throughput and flexibility. In this paper, we present a novel program transformation technique to exploit parallel and pipelined computing power of modern network processors. Our proposed method automatically partitions a sequential packet processing application into coordinated pipelined parallel subtasks which can be naturally mapped to contemporary high-performance network processors. Our transformation technique ensures that packet processing tasks are balanced among pipeline stages and that data transmission between pipeline stages is minimized. We have implemented the proposed transformation method in an auto-partitioning C compiler product for Intel Network Processors. Experimental results show that our method provides impressive speed up for the commonly used NPF IPv4 forwarding and IP forwarding benchmarks. For a 9-stage pipeline, our auto-partitioning C compiler obtained more than 4X speedup for the IPv4 forwarding PPS and the IP forwarding PPS (for both the IPv4 traffic and IPv6 traffic).
Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test: Stratify or not?

The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney (WMW) test is the most commonly used nonparametric method to compare two treatments when the underlying distribution of the outcome variable is not normally distributed. In the presence of stratum effects, the van Elteren (vE) test, a stratified WMW test, can be used to adjust for the stratum effect. We provide guidance on how to choose between the two tests in the design phase of clinical trials and in the analysis of clinical data. We show by simulations that both tests preserve the type I error rate regardless of the presence of the stratum effects. Therefore, the test with greater power is preferred. In comparing powers, we found that the WMW test is better when the stratum effects are small, whereas the vE test is better when the stratum effects are large. Finally, when the stratum effects are moderate, the decision depends on the shape of the distribution and the ratio of the number of strata and the number of subjects. In this case, results presented in this article or from similar simulations may be used to determine which test is better.
Gastric electrical stimulation with short pulses reduces vomiting but not dysrhythmias in dogs.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of 3 different methods of electrical stimulation in the prevention of vasopressin-induced emetic response and gastric dysrhythmias. Methods: Seven female hound dogs chronically implanted with 4 pairs of electrodes on gastric serosa were used in a 5-session study. Saline and vasopressin were infused in sessions 1 and 2, respectively. In the other 3 sessions with vasopressin infusion, 3 different methods of electrical stimulation (short-pulse stimulation, long-pulse stimulation, and electroacupuncture) were applied. Gastric slow waves and vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea were recorded in each session. In a separate study, additional experiments were performed in 5 vagotomized dogs to investigate vagally mediated mechanisms. Results: Vasopressin induced gastric dysrhythmias, uncoupling of slow waves, and vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea (P < 0.02, analysis of variance). Long-pulse stimulation, but not short-pulse stimulation or electroacupuncture, was capable of preventing vasopressin-induced gastric dysrhythmias and gastric slow wave uncoupling. Short-pulse stimulation and electroacupuncture, but not long-pulse stimulation, prevented vomiting and significantly reduced the symptom scores, which was not noted in the dogs with truncal vagotomy. Conclusions: Long-pulse stimulation normalizes vasopressin-induced slow wave abnormalities with no improvement in vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea. Short-pulse stimulation and electroacupuncture prevent vomiting and behaviors suggestive of nausea induced by vasopressin but have no effects on slow waves, and their effects are vagally mediated.
Review of "Graduate professional programs in information systems: a survey by Dickson, Gary W.; and Dock, V. Thomas." Interfaces 6, 1 (Nov. 1975), 38-43.

In his recent article regarding curriculum in information systems (IS), A Vazsonyi ["The information systems option in Master of Business Administration degree programs," Interfaces 4, 4 (Aug. 1974), 12-17.] references the "lack of consensus on what to do and wide disparity in status among schools." Unfortunately, neither Vazsonyi or anyone else has muc idea of what the "consensus" is or, for that matter, what the status is in this new academic area. Since the authors' institutions are engaged in graduate educational programs in information systems and we are frequently questioned about what others are doing, we set out to obtain a better understanding of what IS programs various schools have and the level of resources being devoted to graduate programs in information systems. Our findings should provide some interesting background on many of the assertions Vazsonyi makes concerning educational programs and the assumptions upon which they are based.
High Temperature Properties and Decomposition of Inorganic Salts, Part 4. Oxy‐Salts of the Halogens

The literature dealing with the high‐temperature behavior of inorganic oxygen‐containing salts of chlorine, bromine and iodine has been critically reviewed. Values of (GTo−H298o)/T of the reactants and products of the decomposition reactions were calculated and have been tabulated from 298 K up to as high a temperature as possible. Equilibrium constants and partial pressures were tabulated. Auxiliary data on phase transitions and densities have also been included. Qualitative information about the thermal decomposition of the salts is reviewed.
Hereditarily weakly confluent maps and a characterization of Class HW

Abstract First it is proved that the image of any hereditarily unicoherent continuum under a hereditarily weakly confluent map is also hereditarily unicoherent. This answers a question raised in 1979 by T. Mackowiak. Second, a characterization is established for Class HW , i.e., for the class of all continua Y such that each mapping from a continuum onto Y is hereditarily weakly confluent. That characterization is used to prove J.F. Davis' theorem that atriodic, acyclic curves are in Class HW .
Effect of a Single Prepubertal Injection of Testosterone Propionate on Later Reproductive Functions of the Female Golden Hamster

Female hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were injected sc with testosterone propionate (TP) (100 μg/g body weight) at 2, 4, 6, 12, or 20 days of age. At maturity, the females given TP at 4 days or later displayed normal 4- day vaginal, estrous and ovulatory cyclicity, whereas females given TP at 2 days were acyclic and their ovaries lacked corpora lutea. Apparently, the female cyclic type of hypothalamic control over pituitary gonadotropin secretion is normally determined on the 3rd or 4th day of age in this species. An unusual result of TP injection on the 4th or 6th day of age was that mating failed to interrupt 4-day cyclicity and to result in pregnancy. Evidently, coitus did not cause reflex release of pituitary luteotropic hormone in these normally cyclic females. In hamsters given TP at 12 or 20 days, as well as in controls, mating interrupted 4-day cyclicity and resulted in delivery of normal young. Injection of TP at 2 days prevented fusion of the vestibular walls, resulting in a common exterior ope...
Temporal coordination of phonation and articulation in a case of verbal apraxia: A voice onset time study ☆

Abstract A study of voice onset time (VOT) in stop production was undertaken in order to investigate the hypothesis that the voicing feature errors in the speech of an apraxic patient (Sands, E. S., Freeman, F. J., & Harris, K. S. 1978. Brain and Language , 6, 97–105) were related to deficits in temporal coordination of phonation and articulation. Results demonstrated that the VOTs of the apraxic subject differed markedly from those of normal subjects. The apraxic productions did not include voicing lead for voiced stops. Lag times for voiced stops were longer than normal, while those for voiceless stops were shorter than normal, yielding a compression of the two categories and a marked overlap.
Studies of Double-Layer Effects at Single-Crystal Gold Electrodes. 1. The Reduction Kinetics of Hexaamminecobalt(III) Ion in Aqueous Solutions

The effect of the double-layer on the reduction of [Co(NH3)6]3+ cation has been studied at four different single-crystal gold substrates, namely, Au(111), Au(100), Au(110), and Au(210), and at various concentrations of perchloric acid. The values of the experimental transfer coefficient (αex) are much larger than 1.0 at all gold surfaces and decrease with increasing concentration of the supporting electrolyte. The value of αex also depends on the crystallographic orientation of the gold substrate and increases in the following order: Au(111) < Au(100) < Au(110) < Au(210), consistent with a decreasing reduction rate from Au(111) to Au(210) at constant electrode potential. The experimental transfer coefficients are rationalized on the basis of the classical theory of the double-layer with consideration of reactants and products in estimation of the diffuse-layer potential. The charge on the reactant transported through the double-layer is 2+. Corrected Tafel plots yield an apparent transfer coefficient αa ...
Angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy study of m-type cathode activation

Abstract Angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the chemistry occuring in osmium-ruthenium coated impregnated dispenser cathodes. This analytical technique allows the selection of acceptance angle of electrons analyzed in an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, thus providing surface or depth enhancement of the signal. Spectra of the barium MNN Auger peaks and 3d and 4d photoelectron peaks were followed throughout activation. Surface enhancement, particularly of the barium MNN peak, showed a marked increase in the metallic component, confirming the increased concentration of metallic-like barium in the topmost layer. Auger-Photoelectron Energy Separations were also plotted for comparison to previous data on impregnated dispenser cathodes [Lampert et al., Appl. Surface Sci. 8 (1981) 66] and barium model compounds. By using higher resolution conditions, we have resolved the barium metal feature in the M4N4,5N4,5 Auger transition at cathode operating temperatures. Using a digital subtraction technique, we are able to clearly distinguish elements which are predominant in the near-surface region as opposed to those which lie deeper in the cathode.
A comparative study of alternative conduits for lower extremity revascularization: all-autogenous conduit versus prosthetic grafts.

Abstract Purpose: In the absence of an adequate ipsilateral greater saphenous vein, various alternative conduits have been used for the performance of lower extremity revascularization. In this study we compared the effectiveness of all-autogenous arm vein bypass grafts with that of prosthetic grafts. Methods: Seven hundred forty lower extremity revascularization procedures (506 arm vein, 234 prosthetic) performed between 1990 and 1999 were followed prospectively by means of a computerized vascular registry. Results: Bypass graft configurations were femoro-above-knee-popliteal (26 arm vein, 100 prosthetic); femoro-below-knee-popliteal (38 arm vein, 29 prosthetic); femorotibial (174 arm vein, 55 prosthetic); femoropedal (23 arm vein, 2 prosthetic); popliteotibial/pedal (101 arm vein, 1 prosthetic); and extension "jump" grafts (144 arm vein, 47 prosthetic). The indications for surgery were limb salvage (98.0% arm vein, 89.7% prosthetic) and disabling claudication (2.0% arm vein, 10.3% prosthetic). The mean follow-up was 23.4 months (range, 1 month–7.4 years). Overall patient survival at 4 years was 54% (arm vein) and 69% (prosthetic). Cumulative patency varied with graft configuration. The 1-year primary patency rates for femorotibial grafts were 81.6% ± 3.6% (arm vein) and 58.0% ± 8.4% (prosthetic); the 3-year rates were 68.3% ± 6.1% (arm vein) and 41.1% ± 9.8% (prosthetic) ( P P =.02). The 1-year primary patency rates for femoro-below-knee-popliteal grafts were 92.9% ± 5.1% (arm vein) and 83.4% ± 8.0% (prosthetic); the 3-year rates were 72.8% ± 10.1% (arm vein) and 55.5% ± 12.1% (prosthetic) ( P =.05). The 1-year limb salvage rates for femoro-below-knee-popliteal grafts were 100% (arm vein) and 91.3% ± 7.0% (prosthetic); the 3-year rates were 94.7% ± 7.3% (arm vein) and 75.3% ± 14.6% (prosthetic) ( P = NS). Conclusion: In this study autogenous arm vein grafts demonstrated increased patency and limb salvage, compared with prosthetic grafts. These increases achieved statistical significance in the femoro-below-knee-popliteal and femorotibial configurations. An effort to use an all-autogenous vein conduit is justified on the basis of these results; however, if no autogenous vein is available, prosthetic grafts provide a reasonable alternative to primary amputation. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:1080-90.)
Confronting the challenge of greenline parks: Limits of the traditional administrative approach

The National Park Service, like other natural resource management agencies, has adopted the traditional model of public administration, which emphasizes efficiency, effectiveness, economy, and dichotomy between politics and administration. This approach is particularly ineffective in greenline parks and increasingly inappropriate in traditional areas. In an era of ecological interdependence, relationships with other agencies and jurisdictions and with adjacent as well as noncontiguous landowners are as important as controlling visitors. Recreation managers need to develop more skill in negotiation, cooperation, coordination, and interpersonal communication if they are to preserve and protect park resources.
Global Transformations for Legacy Parallel Applications via Structural Analysis and Rewriting

Performance and scalability optimization of large HPC applications is currently a labor-intensive, manual process with very low productivity. Major difficulties come from the disaggregated environment for HPC application development: the compiler is only involved in local decisions (core or multithreaded domain), while a library-based, communication-oriented programming model realizes whole-machine parallelism. Realizing any major global change in such a disaggregated environment is very difficult and involves changing large portions of the source code. We present semi-automated techniques, based on structural analysis and rewriting, for performing global transformations on an HPC application source code. We present two case studies using the Self-Consistent Field (SCF) standalone benchmark as well as the Coupled Cluster (CCSD) module (2.9 million lines of Fortran code), a key module of the NWChem computational chemistry application. We demonstrate how structural rewriting techniques can be used to automate transformations that affect multiple sections of the application’s source code. We show that the transformations can be applied in a systematic fashion across the source code bases with minimal manual effort. These transformations improve the scalability of the SCF benchmark by more than two orders of magnitude and the performance of the full CCSD module by a factor of four.
Statistical tests for evaluating earthquake prediction methods

The impact of including postcursors in the null hypothesis test is discussed. Unequal prediction probabilities can be included in the null hypothesis test using a generalization of the central limit theorem. A test for determining the enhancement factor over random chance is given. The seismic earthquake signal may preferentially precede earthquakes even if the VAN methodology fails to forecast the earthquakes. We formulate a statistical test for this possibility.
Excited Precursor Reactivity, Fast 1,2-H Shifts, and Diffusion-Controlled Methanol Insertion in 1,2-Diphenylalkylidenes.

The photochemistry of several arylalkyldiazo compounds has been investigated by steady-state direct and triplet sensitized irradiations and by nanosecond laser flash photolysis. Steady-state photol...
Flux estimation using isotopic tracers: common ground for metabolic physiology and metabolic engineering.

Metabolic physiologists and metabolic engineers share the need to estimate flux. However, the physiologist often works with systems that do not maintain steady state for long. Many sites cannot be sampled, and calculating mass and isotopic balance for the entire system may not be feasible. To deal with these constraints, metabolic physiologists have developed specialized isotopic techniques that may be unfamiliar to metabolic engineers. A selection of these techniques is presented here, not because it is anticipated that they would be used by engineers exactly as in the physiologist's setting, but because they illustrate novel applications of tracer methodology. Creative engineers may find new adaptations of these tools in metabolic engineering and opportunities to increase redundancy. Physiologists, entering into a dialog with engineers, may see more clearly the potential of comprehensive models and revisit the impediments to a more complete analysis of human metabolic systems.
A Comparison of the Rates of Earning of Large-Scale and Small-Scale Industries

Development of large-scale industry, 465. — Support of the idea of economies of large-scale production, 465. — Results of statistical tests of relation of size to efficiency, 467. — Scope and method of the present study, 468. — Limitations of the method used, 474. — Smallest companies show highest earnings, 476. — In some industrial fields, earnings decrease as investment is increased, 476. — Final comparison of earnings of large and small concerns, 478. — Conclusions, 478.
Estimates of residence times of sulfate aerosols in ambient air

Abstract The aerodynamic size distribution of sulfates in ambient aerosol particles were measured using a high-resolution, submicron region low-pressure cascade impactor. In continental areas the mass (volume) distribution of sulfates determined by ion chromatography, was largely associated with submicron aerosols in the accumulation mode (0.1–2 μm) peaking in the 0.2–0.5 μm size range. The mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) varied from 0.25 to 0.31 μm (mean 0.28 μm). The mean value of the geometric standard deviation σ g was 2.06. In estimating lifetimes of sulfate aerosols, the residence times of 12 days applies to aerosols of ∼ 0.3 μ m MMAD size.
Signaling through ERBB receptors: Multiple layers of diversity and control ☆

The four known ERBB receptors in humans are involved in a broad range of cellular responses, and their deregulation is a significant aspect in a large number of disease states. However, their mechanism of action and modes of control are still poorly understood. This is largely due to the fact that the control of ERBB activity is a multilayered process with significant differences between the various ERBB members. In contrast to other receptor tyrosine kinases, the kinase domain of EGFR (ERBB1) does not require phosphorylation for activation. Consequently, the overall activation state of the receptor is controlled by constant balancing of activity favoring and activity suppressing actions within the receptor molecule. Influences of the membrane microenvironment and context dependent interactions with varying sets of signaling partners are superimposed on this system of intramolecular checks and balances. We will discuss current models of the control of ERBB signaling with an emphasis on the multilayered nature of activation control and aspects that give rise to diversity between ERBB receptors.