cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum and follicular fluid concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and in-vitro fertilization outcome.

There is evidence of endocrine disruption and reproductive effects in animals following exposure to certain PBDEs, but human studies are limited. The goal of this study was to investigate the use of serum and follicular fluid as biomarkers of exposure to PBDEs and to explore whether a relationship between PBDE exposure and early pregnancy loss exists. We measured 8 PBDE congeners in archived serum and ovarian follicular fluid samples from 65 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Logistic regression models were used to predict the odds of failed embryo implantation associated with higher levels of PBDEs among the women in the study. There were moderate Kendall's Tau-beta correlations between serum and follicular fluid concentrations of BDE 28, 47, 100 and 154 (T(β)=0.29-0.38, all p-values 0.05). Women with detectable concentrations of BDE 153 (39% had detectable levels) in follicular fluid had elevated odds of failed implantation compared with women who had non-detectable concentrations (adjusted OR=10.0; 95%CI: 1.9 to 52; p=0.006; adjusted by age and body mass index). These findings suggest that exposure to BDE 153 may be associated with failed embryo implantation. Due to our observation of only moderate correlations between matrices, serum PBDE concentrations may not be a good indicator of follicular fluid concentrations when studying early pregnancy endpoints in women undergoing IVF.
Coating bacteriological dishes with fibronectin permits spreading and growth of human diploid fibroblasts

Abstract The ability of human diploid fibroblasts to spread and grow has been compared in control and fibronectin-coated bacteriological dishes and tissue culture dishes. After 6 hr in culture, complete cell spreading occurred in tissue culture dishes, but no cell spreading was observed in bacteriological dishes. If however, the bacteriological dishes were pre-coated with fibronectin, cell spreading occurred similarly to that observed in the tissue culture dishes. Rates of cell growth were found to be similar in control tissue culture dishes and in fibronectin-coated tissue culture and bacteriological dishes. After 72 hours, the cell yield was about 490% of the starting cell number. On the other hand, in control bacteriological dishes there was much less cell growth. After 72 hours, the cell yield was only about 170% of the starting cell number.
Isometries of matrix algebras

Abstract The sum of the first κ singular values of an n -square complex matrix is a norm, 1 ⩽ κ ⩽ n . In this paper all isometries of the algebra of n -square complex matrices which preserve this norm are determined. For κ = 1 and κ = n the result specializes to earlier work of Morita and Russo, respectively.
Processes and rates of sediment and wood accumulation in headwater streams of the Oregon Coast Range, USA

Channels that have been scoured to bedrock by debris flows provide unique opportunities to calculate the rate of sediment and wood accumulation in low-order streams, to understand the temporal succession of channel morphology following disturbance, and to make inferences about processes associated with input and transport of sediment. Dendrochronology was used to estimate the time since the previous debris flow and the time since the last stand-replacement fire in unlogged basins in the central Coast Range of Oregon. Debris flow activity increased 42 per cent above the background rate in the decades immediately following the last wildfire. Changes in wood and sediment storage were quantified for 13 streams that ranged from 4 to 144 years since the previous debris flow. The volume of wood and sediment in the channel, and the length of channel with exposed bedrock, were strongly correlated with the time since the previous debris flow. Wood increased the storage capacity of the channel and trapped the majority of the sediment in these steep headwater streams. In the absence of wood, channels that have been scoured to bedrock by a debris flow may lack the capacity to store sediment and could persist in a bedrock state for an extended period of time. With an adequate supply of wood, low-order channels have the potential of storing large volumes of sediment in the interval between debris flows and can function as one of the dominant storage reservoirs for sediment in mountainous terrain. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictions of the Periodic Response of a Single-Degree-of-Freedom Foam-Mass System by Using Incremental Harmonic Balance

Vehicle occupants are exposed to low frequency vibration that can cause fatigue, lower back pain, spine injuries. Therefore, understanding the behavior of a seat-occupant system is important in order to minimize these undesirable vibrations. The properties of seating foam affect the response of the occupant, so there is a need for good models of seat-occupant systems through which the effects of foam properties on the dynamic response can be directly evaluated. In order to understand the role of flexible polyurethane foam in characterizing the complex seat-occupant system behavior better, the response of a single-degree-of-freedom foam-mass system, which is the simplest model representing a seat-occupant system, is studied. The incremental harmonic balance method is used to determine the steady-state behavior of the foam-mass system subjected to sinusoidal base excitation. This method is used to reduce the time required to generate the steady-state response at the driving frequency and at harmonics of the driving frequency from that required when using direct time-integration of the governing equations to determine the steady state response. Using this method, the effects of different viscoelastic models, riding masses, base excitation levels and damping coefficients on the response are investigated.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Altered Mechanical Properties and Fiber Re-Alignment in Diabetic Mouse Supraspinatus and Achilles Tendons

Tendons function to transfer load, maintain alignment and permit motion in joints. To perform these functions, tendons have complex mechanical behavior which is modulated by the tissue’s structure and composition, such as the collagen fibers and surrounding extracellular matrix. When these matrix proteins are altered, the mechanical properties are also altered, which could potentially lead to reduced loading and healing capacity. Diabetes is a metabolic disease which, among other co-morbidities, has been associated with Achilles tendon disorganization and tendinopathy, as well as increased overall joint stiffness in humans [1]. We have recently reported that the skin from the Db/Db diabetic mouse, a model of Type II Diabetes, as well as the skin from human diabetics, have impaired biomechanical properties compared to non-diabetic skin as the result of altered extracellular matrix composition. [2]. However, the mechanical properties of tendons from these animals have never been studied and could serve as a unique model of altered collagen structure as well as provide further understanding to the cause of tendinous injuries in the diabetic population. Therefore, the objective of this study is to measure the tensile mechanical properties and collagen fiber re-alignment in the db/db mouse model compared to non-diabetic controls. We hypothesize that tendon stiffness and modulus will be increased in the db/db group in the insertion site and midsubstance, and that db/db tendons will re-align earlier and faster during the testing protocol.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Mathematical characterization of oxidized crystalline silicon nanowires grown by electroless process

Abstract Silicon nanowires were created via the electroless etching technique using silver nitrate (AgNO3)/hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution. The prepared raw samples were oxidized for various intervals, so as to have an end result of various nanowire thicknesses. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were taken of the original nanowires, the oxidized nanowires and then the oxidized and etched (in HF solution) nanowires. When silicon nanowires are made, the area of exposed silicon undergoes “amplification,” a formula for which is provided herein. When silicon nanowires are oxidized, the growth rate of the oxide layer varies according to the crystalline alignment. A formula for a polar plot is provided for illustrating the shape of a silicon nanowire after oxidation for various intervals, based on the Deal–Grove and Massoud models of oxidation.
Distribution of hydrolytic enzymes at barley powdery mildew encounter sites: implications for resistance associated with papilla formation in a compatible system

Abstract Distributions of the hydrolytic enzymes acid phosphatase and non-specific esterase in compatible barley coleoptiles inoculated with Erysiphe graminis fsp. hordei were investigated histochemically by light and electron microscopy. The four different enzymes investigated-acid β-glycerophos-phatase, acid naphthol AS-TR phosphatase, indoxyl acetate esterase and naphthol AS-D acetate esterase—had similar localization patterns. Reaction products were distributed generally in the fungal and host cells, but distinct accumulations were found in certain regions and structures at the encounter sites, including appressoria, penetration pegs, haustoria, papillae, and host cytoplasm. Most papillae showed conspicuous amounts of reaction products, suggesting that papilla formation includes depositions from secretory vesicles derived from the lysosomal system in host cells. There was a marked difference in the apparent concentration of hydrolytic enzyme activity between normal-size papillae accompanied by haustoria (sites of successful penetration) and oversize papillae (sites of unsuccessful penetration). Hydrolytic enzymes, localized most intensively in a lAyer of the oversize papillae, may confer resistance to fungal ingress by degrading components of the penetration pegs.
Does matter really matter? Computer simulations, experiments, and materiality

A number of recent discussions comparing computer simulation and traditional experimentation have focused on the significance of “materiality.” I challenge several claims emerging from this work and suggest that computer simulation studies are material experiments in a straightforward sense. After discussing some of the implications of this material status for the epistemology of computer simulation, I consider the extent to which materiality (in a particular sense) is important when it comes to making justified inferences about target systems on the basis of experimental results.
Modelling the impacts of civil war on land use and land cover change within Kono District, Sierra Leone: a socio-geospatial approach

Capturing the scope and trajectory of changes in land use and land cover (LULC) is critical to urban and regional planning, natural resource sustainability and the overall information needs of policy makers. Studies on LULC change are generally conducted within peaceful environments and seldom incorporate areas that are politically volatile. Consequently, the role of civil conflict on LULC change remains elusive. Using a dense time stack of Landsat Thematic Mapper images and a hybrid classification approach, this study analysed LULC changes in Kono District between 1986–1991, 1991–2002 and 2002–2007 with the overarching goal of elucidating deviations from typical changes in LULC caused by Sierra Leone's civil war (1991–2002). Informed by social survey and secondary data, this study engaged the drivers that facilitated LULC changes during war and non-war periods in a series of spatial regression models in exploring the interface between civil conflict and LULC change.
Posture, intraocular pressure and visual function

For several decades, there has been no consensus among experts on the magnitude of postural influence on intraocular pressure (IOP). An early report observed a mean IOP difference between sitting and supine body positions was only 0.3 mm Hg in glaucoma patients using the Goldmann tonometer.1 For those who accepted this finding of a very small postural IOP difference, it seemed likely that outside the office hours, a sitting IOP value would be similar to what obtained in the supine position. Other early reports indicated that the mean IOP differences after a similar postural change with Goldmann tonometry were significantly larger in the range of 2.2–4.7 mm Hg.2 Some thought that a larger postural IOP difference could be relevant to the optic nerve damage of glaucoma. Recent work in our laboratory has repeatedly confirmed that mean postural IOP (pneumatonometer) …
Evaluation of heavy water for indicator dilution cardiac output measurement.

We evaluated deuterium oxide (D2O) as a tracer for cardiac output measurements. Cardiac output measurements made by thermodilution were compared with those made by indicator dilution with D2O and indocyanine green as tracers. Five triplicate measurements for each method were made at intervals of 30 minutes in each of 9 anesthetized, mechanically ventilated goats. Cardiac output ranged between 0.68 and 3.79 L/min. The 45 data points yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.948 for the comparison of D2O indicator dilution cardiac output measurements with thermodilution measurements and a linear regression slope of 1.046. D2O indicator dilution measurements were biased by −0.11±0.22 L/min compared with thermodilution measurements and had a standard deviation of ±0.12 L/min for triplicate measurements. Hematocrits ranging between 20 and 50 vol% had no effect on optical density for D2O. D2O is more stable than indocyanine green and approximately one-tenth the price (40 cents per injection compared with $4). The basic instrumentation cost of approximately $9,000 is an additional initial expense, but provides the ability to perform pulmonary extravascular water measurements with a double-indicator dilution technique. D2O has potential as a tracer for the clinical determination of indicator dilution cardiac output measurements and pulmonary extravascular water measurements.
Atrioventricular Valve Dyssynchrony Resulting From Severe Mitral Regurgitation

A nearly 4-year-old Ethiopian girl with a 1-year history of weight loss and rapid breathing who had just immigrated to the United States presented to the emergency department with respiratory distress and increasing lethargy. Over the preceding year, she had been found to have increasing tachypnea, anorexia, a 5-kilogram weight loss, fatigue, intermittent emesis, and decreased urine output. There were multiple notable findings on the physical examination. Abnormalities of the vital signs included a respiratory rate of 52 breaths per minute, blood pressure of 70/53, and an oxygen saturation of 85% on room air. In general, she was cachectic and lethargic. There was jugular venous distension with accentuated a waves. There were diffuse fine inspiratory crackles across the lung fields. There was asymmetrical protrusion of the left anterior chest with a visible, dynamic cardiac impulse. On auscultation, there was a regular rhythm with an S3 present. There was a III/VI, holosystolic, midfrequency, blowing murmur in the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line with radiation to the apex and the left axilla. A diastolic rumble was not appreciated. The liver edge was 4 centimeters below the right costal margin. Pulses were normal at the brachia and femoral arteries, bilaterally. There was no peripheral edema or clubbing. Blood work revealed a negative troponin and a B natriuretic peptide of 2761 picograms per milliliter. A chest radiograph was performed, which showed cardiomegaly with enlargement of the left superior cardiac border, bilateral pulmonary edema, and superior deviation of the left mainstem bronchus suggestive of left atrial dilatation (Figure 1). A 15-lead electrocardiogram demonstrated sinus rhythm with left atrial enlargement and ST segment elevation in the anterior precordial leads (Figure 2). Figure 1. A chest radiograph taken in an anteroposterior projection demonstrates: pronounced cardiomegaly with a cardiothoracic ratio of 71%; a double contour of …
Rate of Weight Loss of Tree Frogs at Various Temperatures and Humidities

Sixteen Hyla regilla, four each from four localities, were desiccated at each of four temperatures (10, 15, 20, 250C); each animal was weighed five times in 23 hr. Three of the frogs maintained at 25'C died after a loss of approximately 36 to 52% of body weight during 23 hr; none died at lower temperatures. The rate of weight loss was significantly higher at high temperatures than at low temperatures and increased logarithmically with temperature. The total difference between localities was not statistically significant. Fifteen combinations of temperature (5, 10, 15, 20, 25'C) and humidity (35 to 40, 50 to 55, 60 to 80% R.H.) were successively established in a plant growth chamber. The mean rate of weight loss of 6 Hyla regilla from each of 11 localities and 6 H. californiae from 1 locality was obtained at each set of conditions. The effect on rate of weight loss of a given increase in temperature is greater at low humidities than at high humidities. The rate of weight loss was adjusted by initial weight and by eigenvector values from principal component analysis of morphological values. The adjusted rates were then analyzed by split-plot design analysis of variance. The sample means were found to differ significantly with respect to temperature, humidity and locality. The interaction of locality and tempera- ture or humidity was not significant; temperature and humidity did have a significant interaction. Multivariate discriminant analysis separated the populations into three groups. One group consisted of frogs from southern California desert and Baja California localities. The second group consisted of frogs from southern California coast and mountains, and frogs from Yo- semite. The third group consisted of frogs from the northern part of the range. The rate of weight loss of different localities demonstrates a relation between latitude and some linear function of the first two discriminant axes. The data were reanalyzed after removal of the 25'C conditions. The split-plot design analysis of variance then indicated that the rate of weight loss of the frogs from the different localities were not significantly different. The dis- criminant analysis did not show a grouping as discrete as before, but the general pattern was about the same. The grand means for each locality of all frogs for all conditions were obtained and com- pared. A single sample (Lee's Camp) differed greatly from all other samples, more than Hyla regilla differs from H. californiae. No relation between available environmental moisture and rate of weight loss was discerned. The linear arrangement of the discriminant values of the northern populations suggests some relation to the "ecogeographical rules." This relation- ship is not shown in the discriminant values of the rates from southern localities.
Training personnel in a state government: An empirical study

Research into public sector training has been neglected, especially in quantitative terms, despite the increase in recent years in the scope of, and interest in, the field. This study examines the number, type, and salary of training personnel in a state government. The data indicate that the number of trainers in Arizona State Government is substantial, that the ratio of employees to trainers is at the lower end of the middle range when compared to 23 private sector companies, and that the bulk of the training is technically oriented. The data also indicate that solely using training classifications substantially underestimates the actual number of training personnel.
Optimization of nested polygons

The optimization problem under consideration requires to find the largest regular polygon withk sides to be fitted into a regular polygon withk − 1 sides. If the sequence of these maximal polygons is started with an equilateral triangle, then the final nested polygon, a circle, possesses a radiusr=0.3414r 3, wherer 3 is the radius of the inscribed circle of the equilateral triangle. Lower bounds for the ratior/r 3 are also obtained.
The Endocrinology of Reproduction in Lampreys and Applications for Male Lamprey Sterilization

This review briefly summarizes the latest findings on the reproductive endocrinology of sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) and the application of these findings to the control of sea lamprey populations by sterilization. Since the last Sea Lamprey International Symposium (SLIS) meeting in 1979, substantial new evidence has now clearly shown that lamprey reproduction is controlled by the neuroendocrine axis. This evidence includes the identification of reproductive hormones—five brain and six pituitary hormones of lampreys have been identified between 1986 and 2000. In addition, there have been extensive physiological and immunological studies on lamprey reproduction. It is concluded that lamprey reproduction is a highly synchronized process that is initiated and mediated by a complex neuroendocrine coordination and integration of environmental cues and hormonal mechanisms. This newly acquired information permits the pursuit of a new approach of sterilization for control of reproduction in male lampreys. It is proposed that lamprey gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs can be developed for sterilizing sea lampreys in a sterile-male-release program in the Great Lakes region. This approach could complement other methods being used to control sea lampreys. The potential of using GnRH analogs (antagonist) is high because these compounds are proteins which are easily degraded within the organism, are non-toxic to humans, are easy to administer, can be administered in the field, are low in cost, and are relatively easy to synthesize. This report includes a summary of the experiments to identify putative GnRH agonists/antagonists that inhibit spermatogenesis without destroying the mating competitiveness of males.
From spacetime foam to holographic foam cosmology

Abstract Due to quantum fluctuations, spacetime is foamy on small scales. For maximum spatial resolution of the geometry of spacetime, the holographic model of spacetime foam stipulates that the uncertainty or fluctuation of distance l is given, on the average, by ( l l P 2 ) 1 / 3 where l P is the Planck length. Applied to cosmology, it predicts that the cosmic energy is of critical density and the cosmic entropy is the maximum allowed by the holographic principle. In addition, it requires the existence of unconventional (dark) energy/matter and accelerating cosmic expansion in the present era. We will argue that a holographic foam cosmology of this type has the potential to become a full fledged competitor (with distinct testable consequences) for scalar driven inflation.
Requirements for frameshift (deletion) during translesion synthesis

Frameshift (deletion) is induced by many types of DNA damage in cells. However, the mechanism by which deletions are generated has not been extensively explored. The number of deletions during DNA synthesis catalyzed by the 3’→5’ exonuclease-free (exo-) Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (pol I) was determined systematically on dG-acetylaminofluorene (dG-AAF)-modified oligodeoxynucleotides templates with different bases 3’ and/or 5’ to the lesion. Under conditions where the dNMP (deoxynucleoside 3’-monophosphate) positions opposite dG-AAF can pair with its complementary base at the 5’flanking position, one-base deletions are produced. Since the relative frequency of base insertion opposite the lesion followed the order: dCMP>dAMP>dGMP>dTMP, frequency of generating deletions paralleled to the insertion frequency of dNTP opposite the lesion. Inhibition of chain extension from the dC:dG-AAF pair also be involved in the formation of deletions. These results were supported by steady-state kinetic studies. Two and more base deletions were formed in a similar manner to that observed for one-base deletions. When the dG-AAF-modified templates containing iterated bases 5’ to the lesion were used, shorter deletions predominated. The formation of deletions was reduced when exo+ Klenow fragment was used, suggesting that the proofreading function of the enzyme minimizes the deletion formation. Thus, the ability of generating deletions depends on the (a) the nature of base inserted opposite the lesion, (b) sequence context to the lesion, and (c) the overall rate of translesion DNA synthesis past the lesion. The mechanism for deletions by E. coli DNA pol I may be applied to predict the nature of deletions generated by a variety of DNA adducts and by other prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases.
Children's Elicitation of Changes in Parenting during the Early Childhood Years.

Abstract Using a subsample of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B; n = 1550), this study identified parents who engaged in more developmentally problematic parenting—in the form of low investment, above average television watching, and use of spanking—when their children were very young ( M = 24.41 months, SD = 1.23) but changed their parenting in more positive directions over time. Latent profile analysis and other techniques revealed that parents who demonstrated less optimal parenting behaviors when their children were 2 years old were more likely to be African American, from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and experiencing greater depressive symptoms. Approximately half of such parents, however, made positive changes in their parenting practices, with 5% in the profile characterized by high investment and low use of spanking by the time that their children were in elementary school. These positive changes in parenting behavior were more likely to occur among parents whose children were already demonstrating early reading skills and less problem behavior. These potential “child effects”, suggesting that children elicited improvements in parenting, were more pronounced among higher income families but did not vary according to parents’ educational attainment. Findings from this study have implications for intervention programs, suggesting that children's academic and behavioral skills can be leveraged as one means of facilitating positive parenting.
Standard Silicon CMOS Device uses for developing a Biological Sensor

Antibody/antigen concept biological sensors as presented in D. Diamond (1998) have shown a very impressive growth in the last decade due to their high selectivity to specific biomolecules. They can allow fast and early detection of various kinds of illnesses and infections. One of the main challenges in this field is to develop biosensors that can be easily inserted within the human body and act as "illness or body malfunction detectors" by reacting to changes in antibody concentration. An important issue facing researchers in this aspect is to build biosensors as stated in K. Gartsman et al. (1998) by using known and inexpensive technologies presented in D. G. Wu et al. (2000). The use of silicon (Si) is very attractive in this sense due to its low price and high reliability
Convolution and Composition of Totally Positive Random Variables in Economics

This paper studies a class of multidimensional screening models where different type dimensions can be aggregated into a single-dimensional sufficient statistic. The paper applies results of totally positive functions to show that some critical properties of distributions of asymmetric information parameters, such as increasing hazard rate, monotone likelihood ratio, and single-peakedness are preserved under convolution or composition. Under some general conditions, these invariance results also provide a natural ordering of alternative screening mechanisms. I illustrate how these preservation results provide a unifying framework to interpret several contributions in economic models of adverse selection, moral hazard, and voting.
Race-of-Interviewer Effects Among Southern Adolescents

Bias arising from the race-of-interviewer effect was found to occur among both black and white high school seniors living in the South. The magnitude of the effect was comparable to that observed among non-Southern adults. Such bias was limited to items mentioning the race of the interviewer, and the direction of bias was always toward deference to the interviewer's race. Low status respondents showed a sporadic tendency toward increased deference. The magnitude of the effect of the interviewer's race rarely exceeded 3 percent of variance explained. Bruce A. Campbell is Associate Professor of Political Science and Acting Director of the Survey Research Center at the University of Georgia. The author wishes to thank Susan Dukes for her able assistance. The data reported here were collected with the support from the National Institute of Education (NEG-00-3-0188). Public Opinion Quarterly Vol. 45 231-244 ? 1981 by The Trustees of Columbia University Published by Elsevier North-Holland, Inc. 0033-362X/81/0045-231/$2.50 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.57 on Fri, 09 Sep 2016 04:26:37 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 232 BRUCE A. CAMPBELL goal is to measure the existence of race-of-interviewer effects in a sample of high school seniors, and to determine whether racial or interpersonal deference provides the most satisfactory explanation. The extent to which status amplifies the race-of-interviewer effect is also tested. In addition to this, there are five characteristics of the dataset that provide an opportunity to broaden our understanding of this potential impediment to validity in survey research. First, the respondents are southerners, a group that in spite of obvious reasons to suspect race-of-interviewer effects, has not been much studied in this literature over the past 20 years. Second, the respondents are adolescents: while Schuman and Hatchett (1974) found no effect for the interviewers age, it may be that deference is greater among adolescent respondents than it is among adults. Thus, the youth of the sample allows us to address the problem of race-of-interviewer effects as it may bear on research in adolescent socialization. Third, the effect of status is often obscured by the absence of upper-status blacks in small samples; the present dataset contains 116 upper-status black families. Fourth, the study assesses opinion on a wide variety of measures. Since Schuman and Hatchett (1974) demonstrate in their data that race-of-interviewer effects emerge only in connection with certain types of items, the presence of multiple criterion variables confers important advantages. Finally, a method using paper and pencil is tested in the face-to-face interview context, to see whether race-of-interviewer effects can be reduced.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM OF LOAN CONCENTRATION AND FUND MOBILITY WITHIN A BRANCH BANKING ORGANIZATION

IN DISCUSSING DISADVANTAGES and shortcomings of branch banking, authorities assert that funds of small communities, received by branches in the form of deposits, are exported to large financial centers for investment and loan purposes, thus impeding economic development of small communities. The purpose of this study is to present data and conclusions concerning the practices of loan, deposit, and investment concentration in three financial centers in California by a large branch banking institution, the Bank of America, National Trust and Savings Association; to describe the actual methods employed by the institution to make funds available to branches serving communities; and to discover to what extent funds are actually made available to small communities for economic development. The data indicate that funds are not exported from small communities and concentrated in the financial centers, but flow to areas where loan demand is great, whether it is a small community or a financial center. Supply and demand appear to be the governing principle in shifting funds from branches with surplus deposits to branches with heavy loan demand. To facilitate the flow of funds throughout the system, the bank has devised an efficient accounting system which enables officers to know daily which branches supply funds and which are using them. Because of the close relationship between reserve and investment management the bank finds it expedient to concentrate all investment activity in the head office. Major emphasis has been placed upon the analysis of selected branches, comparing their loan-deposit ratios with those of branches in the financial centers and the banking institution as a whole. This comparison reveals no definite pattern. Some branches had loandeposit ratios consistently greater than either the financial center branches or the bank as a whole, others were quite comparable, and
Contributions of phosphorylation to regulation of OCTN2 uptake of carnitine are minimal in BeWo cells

Physiological functions of organic cation transporters (OCTs) in the placenta include transporting essential nutrients from the maternal to fetal circulations. OCTN2 transports carnitine with high affinity, and the transport of several drugs has also been shown to be mediated by this transporter. In this work, the role of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation mechanisms in regulating OCTN2 was investigated by observing the effects of various activators and inhibitors of kinases and phosphatases on the uptake of carnitine in BeWo cells, a human choriocarcinoma trophoblast cell line frequently used as an in vitro model of the rate-limiting barrier for maternal-fetal exchange. Preincubation with genistein resulted in significant increases in both alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and carnitine uptake. Levamisole, an ALP inhibitor, caused a more substantial decrease in carnitine uptake than expected from its corresponding decrease in ALP activity. It was determined that levamisole competitively inhibits carnitine uptake, with a Ki value of 1.01 ± 0.05 mM, and this effect has a greater role in decreasing carnitine uptake than any indirect effects of ALP inhibition upon OCTN2 function. Progesterone also competitively inhibited carnitine uptake (Ki = 48.6 ± 5.0 μM), but had no effect on ALP activity in BeWo cells.
EFFECT OF A SHORT-RANGE REPULSION ON LOW ENERGY SINGLET NUCLEON-NUCLEON SCATTERING

Modifications needed in order that low energy singlet scattering be described when a repulsive core is introduced in a phenomenological nucleon-nucleon interaction are investigated. It is found that if a square well is used to represent the attractive part of the interaction, a range of potential parameters allows a description of the data and also satisfies the charge independence hypothesis. When the Yukawa potential is investigated, the assumption of charge independence is more restrictive, and a single set of parameters is found.
The Interplay of Gender and Ethics in Corporate Offending Decision-Making

There is a growing knowledge base on the factors associated with white-collar and corporate offending decisions. Limitations to this line of research include the lack of attention paid to moral and ethical considerations in decision-making and the need to better understand potential gender differences in the processes and outcomes of corporate offending. This paper uses data from a sample of adult MBA students to explore the interplay between ethics, gender, and corporate offending decisions. Results show that women are more likely to believe that corporations need regulation (i.e., women are more ethical) and that they are less likely to report affirmative offending intentions. Additionally, women are over two times more likely than men to report lower offending intentions and higher ethics. Implications for theoretical work on gender and organizations generally as well as within corporate crime contexts in particular are outlined.
Scanning transmission electron microscopy of multiphases in graphite-alkali metal intercalation compounds

Abstract Structural and micro-analytical evidence is presented for the presence of multiphase regions in graphite-Rb intercalation compounds for stages n ⩾ 2. The intercalate layers are composed of islands of alkali metal, ordered incommensurately with respect to the adjacent graphite layers and embedded in a background of disordered rubidium in the intercalate layer. The results confirm the non-integral stoichiometry of graphite alkali metal intercalation compounds for stages n ⩾ 2.
The electronic excited states of indole: indirect evidence for excited 2H indole

Abstract Anomalous solvent effects on the rate of intersystem crossing in indole have been observed. These observations have been interpreted in terms of the thermal isomerization of indole to 2H indole. This interpretation is found to be consistent with previously observed anomalies in the fluorescence emission from indole.
Failure of methionine to reduce nitrogen loss in postoperative herniorrhaphy patients on restricted diet.

ConclusionUnder thc conditions oi this experiment the administration of 6.0 q of mcthionine daily to men receiving a low caloric diet failed to show a significant proteiniparing action as indicated by the effect on urinary nitrogen excretion.
Poverty and Conservation: The New Century’s “Peasant Question?”

Summary By issuing its Millennium Development Goals, the United Nations has declared its intention to alleviate poverty and hunger at a global scale over the next decade. But, the perspectives and policies to achieve those goals have not addressed the failures of previous development efforts of this kind. Nor have the plans to meet the Millennium Development Goals paid sufficient attention to the costs of rural development for wild nature. This paper points up the absence of a new analytical framework for sustainability and an action program in favor of a poverty- and conservation-oriented rural development program to ensure that the benefits of multilateral development plans accrue to the truly poor and to the future of wild nature.
Application of the Conjugate Gradient Technique to Stripline Packaging Problems

In most applications the Method of Moments (MoM) generates full reaction matrices. However, in this paper, we demonstrate that sparse reaction matrices are produced when modeling stripline interconnects. This is demonstrated by investigating the sparse nature of the MoM reaction matrices that are produced when using the Full-Wave Layered Interconnect Simulator (UA-FWLIS) with a parallel-plate Green's function. In order to explain the sparse nature of the reaction matrices, the electric fields that are excited by horizontal and vertical electric dipole sources are briefly overviewed. Then the variations of the reaction elements with distance are studied, and this information is used to provide a cut-off criterion for the reaction element calculations. We found that by applying sparse matrix storage techniques and a sparse matrix solver, the matrix solution time is dramatically improved when compared with a commercial MoM-based simulator.
Suppression of human spermatogenesis by depot androgen: Potential for male contraception

Abstract The gonadotropic hormones, LH and FSH, are required for normal sperm production. Inhibition of gonadotropin secretion by exogenously administered sex steroids represents one possible approach for male contraception. In the present study testosterone enanthate (TE) was administered IM to 39 normal adult men (age 21–39) to assess its efficacy as a suppressor of spermatogenesis and to determine possible adverse effects. Seventeen subjects (Group A) received TE (200 mg/wk) for 16–20 weeks. 16 17 lowered sperm counts to less than 5 million/cc; 11 17 to less than 300,000; and 10 17 became azoospermic. Group B received TE (200 mg/2 wk). In 10 22 , sperm counts were less than 5 million/cc at 16 weeks; 9 22 were less than 300,000; and 5 22 were azoospermic. When those with sperm counts greater than 5 million/cc were switched at 16 weeks to weekly treatment (additional 3–16 weeks), 9 12 lowered sperm counts to less than 5 million/cc. Overall, 19 22 of Group B attained this level. Serum LH and FSH were decreased on both regimens. These effects were dose-related. Mean serum testosterone was elevated above baseline (+64%) at 1 week after injection (Group A), but remained at basal levels 2 weeks after TE injection in Group B. Serum oestradiol levels parallel those of serum testosterone. Decreasing the frequency of TE (3 or 4 weeks) resulted in a rebound of FSH and LH above baseline and increased sperm counts. After discontinuing treatment, sperm counts and hormonal measurements returned to normal in all subjects. Modest increase in body weight, red cell mass, oiliness of skin and mild acne were seen in some subjects. Liver function tests, glucose tolerance, blood lipids and renal function were unchanged. Based on these data, testosterone enanthate demonstrates significant suppression of spermatogenesis. Further refinement of dose and/or delivery system, as well as investigation of combination hormonal regimens show promise for the development of a safe, effective male contraceptive agent.
Reducing Tuber Damage by Potato Tuberworm (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) with Cultural Practices and Insecticides

Cultural practices and insecticide treatments and combinations were evaluated for effect on tuber damage by potato tuberworm, Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in the Columbia basin of eastern Oregon and Washington. A range of intervals between initial application of several insecticides and vine-kill were tested to determine how early to implement a program to control potato tuberworm tuber damage. Esfenvalerate, methamidophos, and methomyl were applied at recommended intervals, with programs beginning from 28 to 5 d before vine-kill, All insecticide treatments significantly reduced tuber damage compared with the untreated control, but there was no apparent advantage to beginning control efforts earlier than later in the season. Esfenvalerate and indoxacarb at two rates and a combination of the two insecticides were applied weekly beginning 4 wk before and at vine-kill, and indoxacarb was applied at and 1 wk postvine-kill as chemigation treatments. Application of insecticides at and after vine-kill also reduced tuberworm infestation. ‘Russet Norkotah’ and ‘Russet Burbank’ plants were allowed to naturally senesce or were chemically defoliated. They received either no irrigation or were irrigated by center-pivot with 0.25 cm water daily from vine-kill until harvest 2 wk later. Daily irrigation after vine-kill reduced tuber damage, and chemical vine-kill tended to reduce tuber damage compared with natural senescence. Covering hills with soil provides good protection but must be done by vine-kill. Data from these trials indicate that the most critical time for initiation of control methods is immediately before and at vine-kill.
ABNORMAL PROTHROMBIN CONSUMPTION TIME IN ULCERATIVE COLITIS

The prothrombin consumption time was assayed in 40 patients suffering from ulcerative colitis and compared with that of 30 control patients who did not have clinical evidence of a hemorrhagic disease. Prothrombin time was also measured in each patient. Platelets were examined on a blood smear, and peripheral capillary fragility was evaluated in the diseased patients.
Fragments of rDNA within the Chinese hamster genome.

We report the isolation and partial characterization of distinctEcoRI fragments of the Chinese hamster genome which contain regions complementary to a 1-kb portion of the mature 18 S ribosomal RNA molecule. This previously undescribed 18 S rDNA-like region, which we have termed a “fragment of ribosomal DNA” (frDNA), has been shown by sequence analysis to correspond to a region extending 1 kb upstream from the 3′ terminus of the mature 18 S rRNA. Within the five frDNA-containing clones described here, no other region of the ribosomal RNA cistron was detected, making it unlikely that these are polymorphic forms of the ribosomal DNA repeat. The 18 S rDNA-complementary region appears to be flanked by an imperfect direct repeat, which could have been the result of the retroinsertion of a fragment of ribosomal RNA. Directly adjacent to the 18 S rDNA-like region we have identified nonribosomal sequences which appear common to all of the frDNA-containing clones we examined. At least eight different-sizedEcoRI fragments contain frDNAs and the abundance of the frDNAs appears to be of the order of 30 per genome. The occurrence of multiple copies of this ribosomal-nonribosomal chimera suggests that, once formed, the chimera was duplicated within the genome.
Serum acid phosphatase activity during hemorrhagic shock.

Abstract Rat serum acid phosphatase activity was measured before hemorrhage, after one hour of hemorrhage and after two hours of hemorrhage. Rats were pretreated with either estradiol, corticosterone, prednisone or DMSO. Control groups were not pretreated and one of the control groups underwent the surgical procedures but was not hemorrhaged. Serum acid phosphatase activity increased in all groups hemorrhaged compared to those not hemorrhaged. DMSO pretreated rats showed a greater change of activity than did the hemorrhaged control group. Corticosterone or estradiol pretreatment significantly decreased activity due to shock. There was no significant difference between male and female tolerance to shock, but initial activity of estradiol pretreated males was similar to untreated females and significantly lower than untreated males.
Arguments and cases: An inevitable intertwining

We discuss several aspects of legal arguments, primarily arguments about the meaning of statutes. First, we discuss how the requirements of argument guide the specification and selection of supporting cases and how an existing case base influences argument formation. Second, we present,our evolving taxonomy of patterns of actual legal argument. This taxonomy builds upon our much earlier work on `argument moves" and also on our more recent analysis of how cases are used to support arguments for the interpretation of legal statutes. Third, we show how the theory of argument used by CABARET, a hybrid case-based/rule-based reasoner, can support many of the argument patterns in our taxonomy.
HOW CHAOS DOES NOT DESTROY RIDERSHIP: OPERATIONS OF AN EXCLUSIVE BUSWAY CARRYING MORE THAN 35,000 PASSENGERS PER HOUR PER DIRECTION

Busways have been reported to carry up to 28,000 passengers per hour per direction (pphpd). However, recent passenger counts indicate that the exclusive busway in Bogota, Colombia, has a flow of more than 35,000 pphpd. This passenger flow is achieved despite poor operating conditions and a general lack of maintenance without a city busway management and operation authority. Consequently, there is little police control, no systems management, and scarce information for users. These conditions should affect passenger flow negatively, but the Bogota busway carries more passengers than all busways for which data are available. The analysis suggests that the Bogota busway is able to move high passenger flows due to three concurrent and interactive sets of factors. First, the high competition among bus operators provides drivers with an incentive to operate more efficiently. Second, the design provides two lanes, allowing for vehicle overtake, as well as stations that enable six or more buses simultaneously to ...
Almost all self-dual codes are rigid

Abstract We prove that almost every binary self-dual code has trivial automorphism group. We also construct a self-dual code with trivial automorphism group.
Impact of die-to-die thermal coupling on the electrical characteristics of 3D stacked SRAM cache

We study the thermal coupling in a 3D stack with multiple cores in one tier and an SRAM array (cache) in a second tier with face-to-back bonding. For identical statistical distribution of power dissipation in cores, the SRAM sub-arrays experience much higher mean and variance in temperature in a 3D stack compared to a conventional 2D system. The increased variability in temperature increases leakage, degrades performance, and accelerates aging in 3D integrated SRAM. This is studied using 32nm predictive technology. Further, the spatial and temporal variations in performance of SRAM blocks become a strong function of the power variations in cores.