cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ritual and interpretation: the early medieval case

In dealing with early medieval ‘rituals’ (whatever this category may mean), historians have to take into account that they were written about, staged, and participated in by members of a culture that was steeped in interpretation, and especially by the exegetical dialectic between letter and spirit. The consequences for narrative techniques, and therefore for our approach to the sources depicting ‘rituals’ are plural. The narratives can heighten or de-emphasize the ‘ritualness’ of an event, as well as heighten or hide conflict (or consensus) within the ritual event, regardless of what actually happened. Rituals in texts, therefore, should seldom be taken at face value. Such techniques suggest that often enough the textual rendition (or even imagination) of a solemnity had more political impact than its performance.
Harnett and Peto: A Note on Style

The following notes comparing the styles of William M. Harnett and John F. Peto are based on study of the voluminous material on the two painters assembled by Alfred Frankenstein, and on examination of a number of their paintings and of the scientific data on them gathered by Sheldon Keck (see this issue, pp. 38–56). In both cases the comparison is of their mature and not their early work.
The Parkinson Disease-linked LRRK2 Protein Mutation I2020T Stabilizes an Active State Conformation Leading to Increased Kinase Activity

The effect of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) mutation I2020T on its kinase activity has been controversial, with both increased and decreased effects being reported. We conducted steady-state and pre-steady-state kinetic studies on LRRKtide and its analog LRRKtideS. Their phosphorylation differs by the rate-limiting steps: product release is rate-limiting for LRRKtide and phosphoryl transfer is rate-limiting for LRRKtideS. As a result, we observed that the I2020T mutant is more active than wild type (WT) LRRK2 for LRRKtideS phosphorylation, whereas it is less active than WT for LRRKtide phosphorylation. Our pre-steady-state kinetic data suggest that (i) the I2020T mutant accelerates the rates of phosphoryl transfer of both reactions by 3–7-fold; (ii) this increase is masked by a rate-limiting product release step for LRRKtide phosphorylation; and (iii) the observed lower activity of the mutant for LRRKtide phosphorylation is a consequence of its instability: the concentration of the active form of the mutant is 3-fold lower than WT. The I2020T mutant has a dramatically low KATP and therefore leads to resistance to ATP competitive inhibitors. Two well known DFG-out or type II inhibitors are also weaker toward the mutant because they inhibit the mutant in an unexpected ATP competitive mechanism. The I2020 residue lies next to the DYG motif of the activation loop of the LRRK2 kinase domain. Our modeling and metadynamic simulations suggest that the I2020T mutant stabilizes the DYG-in active conformation and creates an unusual allosteric pocket that can bind type II inhibitors but in an ATP competitive fashion.
Noah Webster The Schoomaster of Our Republic

Rutgers University Library has recently acquired "A Collection of Essays and Fugitive Writings on Moral, Historical, Political and Literary Subjects" to add to its group of writings by Noah Webster. The volume is especially valuable and interesting because it was Webster's personal copy. All of the essays in this collection were written before Webster was thirty years of age and were published in June 1790. In 1838, approximately fifty years after most of the essays were written, Webster carefully read the volume, marking passages and making marginal notations, signing and dating many of his comments.
Submillimeter wave spectrometry for in-situ planetary science

Absorption and emission of gases in the submillimeter wavelengths is currently exploited for laboratory spectroscopy as well as remote astronomy and limb sounding. We are developing a field-ready submillimeter spectrometer that will enable in-situ sensing with a goal for characterization of biogenic gases and life tracers. Progress toward a field-ready instrument includes: the development of a brass board THz transceiver module; the development of the brass board RF/IF subsystem; an embedded computer and runtime software. Science experiments, including the study of laboratory simulations of Titan, will be performed while the final field instrument components are developed.
Racial differences in nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation

Along with the growing heterogeneity of the American population, ethnic/racial disparity is becoming a clear health issue in the United States. The awareness of ethnic/racial disparities has been growing because of considerable data gathered from recent clinical and epidemiological studies. These studies have highlighted the importance of addressing these differences in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases potentially according to race. It is becoming particularly clear that there is a 2- to 3-fold racial difference in certain cardiovascular diseases (eg, preeclampsia) associated with dysfunctional nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation. In this review, the authors summarize the current literature on racial disparities in nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation in relation to cardiovascular health with an emphasis on vascular nitric oxide bioavailability as a balance between production via endothelial nitric oxide synthase and degradation through reactive oxygen species. The major hypotheses postulated on the biological basis of these differences are also highlighted.
I-E expression and susceptibility to parasite infection

In most inbred strains of mice, antigen-presenting cells express I-A and I-E antigens (class II major histocompatibility complex antigens), and these antigens are involved in antigen-recognition by T cells. In some strains I-E products are not expressed or aberrantly expressed, yet these mice seem to be immunologically normal. In this article, Don Wassom and his colleagues discuss reports that antigen presented in the context of I-E produces a response which suppresses I-A restricted T-cell proliferation, in relation to their own findings that mice which do express I-E molecules are more susceptible to certain nematode infections than mice which do not express I-E.
Nrf2-mediated transcriptional induction of antioxidant response in mouse embryos exposed to ethanol in vivo: implications for the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Abstract Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that is important in protection against oxidative stress. This study was designed to determine the role of Nrf2 signaling in transcriptional activation of detoxifying and antioxidant genes in an in vivo mouse fetal alcohol syndrome model. Maternal ethanol treatment was found to increase both Nrf2 protein levels and Nrf2-ARE binding in mouse embryos. It also resulted in a moderate increase in the mRNA expression of Nrf2 downstream target detoxifying and antioxidant genes as well as an increase in the expression of antioxidant proteins. Pretreatment with the Nrf2 inducer, 3H-1,2 dithiole-3-thione (D3T), significantly increased Nrf2 protein levels and Nrf2-ARE binding, and strongly induced the mRNA expression of Nrf2 downstream target genes. It also increased the expression of antioxidant proteins and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, D3T pretreatment resulted in a significant decrease in ethanol-indu...
Octopus: evaluating touchscreen keyboard correction and recognition algorithms via

The time and labor demanded by a typical laboratory-based keyboard evaluation are limiting resources for algorithmic adjustment and optimization. We propose Remulation, a complementary method for evaluating touchscreen keyboard correction and recognition algorithms. It replicates prior user study data through real-time, on-device simulation. We have developed Octopus, a Remulation-based evaluation tool that enables keyboard developers to efficiently measure and inspect the impact of algorithmic changes without conducting resource-intensive user studies. It can also be used to evaluate third-party keyboards in a "black box" fashion, without access to their algorithms or source code. Octopus can evaluate both touch keyboards and word-gesture keyboards. Two empirical examples show that Remulation can efficiently and effectively measure many aspects of touch screen keyboards at both macro and micro levels. Additionally, we contribute two new metrics to measure keyboard accuracy at the word level: the Ratio of Error Reduction (RER) and the Word Score.
Inhibition of DPNH oxidase activity of tissues by steroid hormones.

Abstract Steroids of the C 18 , C 19 and C 21 series inhibited the rate of oxidation of DPNH by homogenates of liver, kidney, heart and skeletal muscle from guinea pigs, rats and mice. The action was non-competitive. The most potent inhibitors of the three series of steroids were nearly equally effective. The inhibitory activity in the C 19 steroids decreased: androstene > androstane > etiocholane. Polar groups further modified the efficacy of the steroids. The presence of oxygen at C 11 and C 17 markedly decreased the effectiveness of the C 21 steroids. The steroids did not influence the cytochrome c reductase activity of the liver and kidney of the guinea pig, but markedly reduced that of the heart and skeletal muscle. They also had no effect on the diaphorase activity of these tissues. Nicotinamide also inhibited DPNH oxidase activity. Some of the properties of the DPNH oxidase of guinea-pig liver were determined. Optimal activity was obtained at pH 8.2. The enzyme activity was localized in the microsomal fraction, but a heat labile factor in the soluble (105 000 × g ) fraction was necessary for full activity. The enzyme was very sensitive to CN − , Ag + , Hg 2+ , p -chloromercuribenzoate and Cu 2+ .
Codeword design and information encoding in DNA ensembles

Encoding of information in DNA-, RNA- and other biomolecules is an important area of research in fields such as DNA computing, bioinformatics, and, conceivably, microbiology and genetics. This survey focuses on two fundamental problems, the codeword design problem and the representation problem of abiotic information, for massively parallel processing with DNA molecules. The first problem requires libraries of DNA sequences to be designed so that specific duplexes are formed during annealing while simultaneously preventing other undesirable hybridizations from occurring in the course of a computation in the tube. The second involves a search for efficient and cost-effective methods of representing non-biological information in DNA sequences for storage and retrieval of large amouns of data (tera- and peta-byte scales). Two approaches are treated, namely thermodynamic and combinatoric-computational. Both experimental and theoretical results are described. A reference list of major works in the area is given. Finally, some open problems deemed important for their possible impact on encoding of abiotic information representation and processing are discussed.
ROAD DRAINAGE AND EQUILIBRIUM IN SMALL STREAM BASINS

Roads and road drainage accompany the development of the physical landscape for cultural purposes. The addition of a road network to a small stream basin creates a situation of geomorphic disequilibrium by adding to the length of surface drainage channels. Effects of road drainage on the geomorphic equilibrium of small stream basins are analyzed using Horton's Law of Stream Lengths. The effects of different types of road networks are analyzed using an hypothetical stream basin and eight hypothetical road networks, suggesting a method of predicting the location and extent of disequilibrium in a stream basin system as a result of road drainage.
In vivo formation of tritium-labeled lactic acid from [2-3H]mannose or [15-3H]retinol by hamster intestinal epithelial cells.

Abstract In studies designed to reexamine the in vivo occurrence of retinyl phosphate mannose we injected hamsters intraperitoneally with either [2- 3 H]mannose or [15- 3 H]retinol and sacrificed the animals 15 min later. The small intestine was removed, the epithelial cells were scraped, and a methanolic extract of the labeled cells was prepared and chromatographed on a Mono Q anion-exchange column. Intraperitoneal administration of either [2- 3 H]mannose or [15- 3 H]retinol lead to the formation of a tritium-labeled anionic compound with a retention time on the Mono Q column similar to that of standard retinyl phosphate mannose. However, the biochemical properties of this labeled anionic compound were those expected of an organic acid and not retinyl phosphate mannose. The compound was resistant to both strong acid hydrolysis and mild base hydrolysis, as well as digestion with α- or β-mannosidase, phosphodiesterase I, nucleotide pyrophosphatase, or β-glucuronidase. When chromatographed on an Aminex HPX-87H organic acid analysis column or a silicic acid column the labeled anionic compound derived from either [2- 3 H]mannose or [15- 3 H]retinol comigrated with standard lactic acid. Treatment of the anionic compound derived from [2- 3 H]mannose with lactate oxidase or l -lactate 2-monooxygenase resulted in the formation of a tritium-labeled product that cochromatographed, respectively, with pyruvate or acetate on the Aminex HPX-87H column. However, treatment of the anionic compound derived from [15- 3 H]retinol with these same two enzymes resulted in a labeled product that migrated on the Aminex column at the same position as tritiated water. This result demonstrated that the labeled hydrogen was removed during enzymatic digestion and suggested that it was present on the second carbon of lactic acid. During the course of these studies no evidence for the in vivo labeling of a compound with the properties of retinyl phosphate mannose was found. Since [2- 3 H]mannose leads to labeled lactic acid in vivo the tritium label must not always be lost, as expected, during the entry step into glycolysis in which mannose 6-phosphate is converted to fructose 6-phosphate. The results suggest that an intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the C-2 position of mannose 6-phosphate to the C-1 position of fructose 6-phosphate can occur during the phosphomannose isomerase reaction. The finding that the position of the tritium label on lactic acid derived from [15- 3 H]retinol is on the second carbon is consistent with it coming from NADH labeled with tritium in the transferable hydrogen which was formed intracellularly during the NAD + -linked oxidation of retinol to retinaldehyde.
Blink rate in children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

Spontaneous blink rate, a noninvasive measure of dopamine function, was coded in 28 children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and in 47 normal children during a listening, a conversation, and a verbal recall task. Unlike the normal children, the children with ADHD did not increase their blink rates significantly across these three tasks. The ADHD subjects who were not on stimulants had significantly lower blink rates than the normal children during verbal recall. The ADHD subjects on stimulants, however, had significantly higher blink rates than the normal subjects during the listening task. These preliminary findings are discussed in light of their potential implications for theories on neurotransmitter dysfunction and arousal in ADHD.
The ionization conditions in the Milky Way halo - Infalling gas toward the North Galactic Pole

Observations of gas in the Milky Way halo are studied with an eye toward the theoretical predictions of the Galactic Fountain model for the production of halo gas. Data are shown that indicate significant variations in the ionization conditions in infalling halo gas in the northern galactic hemisphere. Understanding the nature of Milky Way halo gas plays a critical role in interpreting QSO absorption lines in the investigation of galaxies at high redshift.
LINGUISTIC POLITENESS IN BRITAIN AND URUGUAY: A CONTRASTIVE STUDY OF REQUESTS AND APOLOGIES. Rosina Marquez Reiter. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 2001. Pp. xviii + 225. $95.00 cloth.

When asked by a group of toying aristocrats whether he has an opinion about certain events in world politics, Stevens, the British butler of Kazuo Ishiguro's award-winning novel, The remains of the day, replies to one of the gentlemen in the group, “I'm very sorry, sir; but I am unable to be of assistance on this matter” (p. 195). It is the kind of indirect apology that Rosina Marquez Reiter would find delicious and perfect proof of her working thesis that British speakers (especially when compared with Uruguayan speakers) try to maintain “face” as much as possible while at the same time trying to mitigate potential threats that might arise between speakers.
Guidelines for the treatment of newly diagnosed glioblastoma: introduction.

Glioblastoma is a diagnosis familiar to all individuals whose practice of medicine deals with the nervous system. Of common concern is the recognition that glioblastoma is among the most difficult tumors to treat in oncology [1]. A review of Cushing’s experience over three decades showed he encountered no 5 year survivors [2, 3]. Subsequent populations based studies since then have shown little difference from that experience [4–9]. Certainly selected cases of long-term survival have been recognized and summary their clinical circumstances allow practitioners insight into individuals that may have better prognosis. However, this has not allowed practitioners to design a treatment at initial diagnosis that will guarantee such longterm control [10]. As there is a lack of reliably curative therapy for glioblastoma there is controversy on how to utilize the tools available. Experts in the field espouse a variety of surgical, radiation therapy and medically based therapies based on their experience their area of clinical experience or research interest. Perhaps the best opportunity for disease control with glioblastoma, as with other diseases, is at the time of initial diagnosis. Management of this disease is not confined to one intervention or one practitioner, but is multidisciplinary in nature. To explore the opportunity of early optimal intervention the disciplines most commonly involved the initial diagnosis and management of glioblastoma were chosen as the basis for development of this set of guidelines. The major goal of this guideline is to summarize the currently available knowledge related to the management of newly diagnosed glioblastoma in a manner that will serve as a point of departure for further research. The minor goal is to provide a scientific basis for current medical practice in the management of newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Self-injurious behaviour: a comparison of caffeine and pemoline models in rats

Self-injurious behaviour (SIB) is a debilitating behaviour disorder that can have life-threatening consequences. It is often exhibited in intellectually handicapped and autistic populations, and it has been modeled with pharmacological manipulations in animals. We have characterized the induction of SIB using high doses of caffeine and pemoline in rats. Caffeine only produced very mild SIB in a small proportion of the rats, when administered repeatedly at very high doses (140-185 mg/kg/day). All the caffeine-treated rats showed profound signs of caffeine-toxicity at these doses, and lower doses did not induce any self-injury. On the other hand, pemoline was effective across a range of doses (100-300 mg/kg/day), including doses that did not produce overt signs of toxicity (100-200 mg/kg/day). The topography of the tissue injury sites (tail vs. paws and ventrum) differed between caffeine and pemoline treatments, and across doses of pemoline. The speed of onset, the incidence, and the severity of SIB occurred in a dose-orderly manner across the pemoline doses, and there was substantial individual variability in the induction of SIB when a moderately high dose (200 mg/kg/day) was used. These individual differences in vulnerability to self-injure are reminiscent of the fact that some humans with specific neurobiological disorders express SIB and some individuals with those same disorders do not. Accordingly, the pemoline model of SIB may be useful to investigate the neurobiological basis of factors that contribute to etiology of SIB.
Synthetase recognition determinants of E. coli valine transfer RNA.

We have studied the interactions between Escherichia coli tRNAVal and valyl-tRNA synthetase (ValRS) by enzymatic footprinting with nuclease S1 and ribonuclease V1, and by analysis of the aminoacylation kinetics of mutant tRNAVal transcripts. Valyl-tRNA synthetase specifically protects the anticodon loop, the 3' side of the stacked T-stem/acceptor-stem helix, and the 5' side of the anticodon stem of tRNAVal against cleavage by double- and single-strand-specific nucleases. Increased nuclease susceptibility at the ends of the anticodon- and T-stems in the tRNAVal.ValRS complex is indicative of enzyme-induced conformational changes in the tRNA. The most important synthetase recognition determinants are the middle and 3' anticodon nucleotides (A35 and C36, respectively); G20, in the variable pocket, and G45, in the tRNA central core, are minor recognition elements. The discriminator base, position 73, and the anticodon stem also are recognized by ValRS. Replacing wild-type A73 with G73 reduces the aminoacylation efficiency more than 40-fold. However, the C73 and U73 mutants remain good substrates for ValRS, suggesting that guanosine at position 73 acts as a negative determinant. The amino acid acceptor arm of tRNAVal contains no other synthetase recognition nucleotides, but regular A-type RNA helix geometry in the acceptor stem is essential [Liu, M., et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25, 4883-4890]. In the anticodon stem, converting the U29:A41 base pair to C29:G41 reduces the aminoacylation efficiency 50-fold. This is apparently due to the rigidity of the anticodon stem caused by the presence of five consecutive C:G base pairs, since the A29:U41 mutant is readily aminoacylated. Identity switch experiments provide additional evidence for a role of the anticodon stem in synthetase recognition. The valine recognition determinants, A35, C36, A73, G20, G45, and a regular A-RNA acceptor helix are insufficient to transform E. coli tRNAPhe into an effective valine acceptor. Replacing the anticodon stem of tRNAPhe with that of tRNAVal, however, converts the tRNA into a good substrate for ValRS. These experiments confirm G45 as a minor ValRS recognition element.
Determination of barium and calcium evaporation rates from impregnated tungsten dispenser cathodes

Abstract The evaporation rates of barium and calcium from impregnated tungsten dispenser cathodes have been determined by both a vapor-collect method and line-of-sight mass spectrometry. Cathodes having molar ratios of BaO, CaO, and Al 2 O 3 of 4:1:1, 5:3:2, and 1:1:1 have been studied. All measurements were conducted in ultrahigh vacuum. For the vapor-collect method, a W(110) collector was found to be suitable for monolayer growth. The procedure involved plotting the ratio of the adsorbate Auger peak-to-peak height to that from the collector as a function of collection time. Break-points in these plots characterized the collection of one monolayer of adsorbate. A geometrical correction then allowed the evaporation rates to be determined. Evaporation rates were determined at cathode temperatures of 1050, 1100, and 1150°C. For the line-of-sight mass spectrometry an Extranuclear quadrupole was used. The quadrupole was capable of measuring species up to 300 amu. Measurements with the quadrupole were made on a 5:3:2 and a 4:1:1 cathode. Results obtained using these two methods are compared.
Recent results from the 256-node columbia machine

Abstract The two major calculations currently underway on the Columbia machine are a two flavor simulation using staggered fermions on a 32 4 lattice with quark masses of 0.025 and 0.01 and an eight flavor calculation on 16 3 × N t lattices for N t = 4, 8, 16 and 32 using a dynamical quark mass of 0.015 and a variety of valence quark masses. These eight flavor calculations suggest a quite complex phase structure for eight flavor QCD including a strong, first order bulk transition for β = 4.59(2). Questions related to the zero quark mass limit of our earlier 16 3 × 32 hadron mass calculations are also discussed.
A specification paradigm for design and implementation of non-WIMP user interfaces

The SHADOW System is a user interface management system designed to address the specific needs of non-WIMP interfaces such as virtual environments, gesture recognizers and other interactions that involve highly parallel, continuous interaction. The proposed UIMS consists of a graphical specification language based on augmented transition networks and data flow graphs, a code translation system which supports dynamic constraint binding, modular design and code reuse, and a run time engine designed to optimize the use of processing resources within a time sensitive environment while preserving a layer of platform independence for the application.
Optimal planning on register automata

This paper addresses the optimal planning problem on register automata, a special class of finite state machines which can process continuous inputs. Register automata emerge as abstractions of a class of switched dynamical systems with convergent continuous component dynamics, and dwell times sufficiently large to allow convergence to neighborhoods of parameterized limit sets in finite time. A word in a register automaton corresponds to a specific switching sequence in the switched system. The goal is to construct switching input sequences with the appropriate limit set parameterization so that the switched system is steered to a given region of its state space in minimum time.
Vesicular monoamine transporter-2: immunogold localization in striatal axons and terminals

The vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) mediates the reserpine-sensitive neuronal uptake of monoamines into vesicles and other intracellular organelles. Accordingly, this transporter is expressed at high levels in regions that contain a dense monoamine innervation, such as the rat dorsolateral striatum. We used ultrastructural immunocytochemistry in this region to show that immunogold labeling for VMAT2 is present in varicose axonal processes, many of which also contain the catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme tyrosine-hydroxylase. Within these mainly dopaminergic processes, VMAT2 was associated with small synaptic vesicles (SSVs) and more rarely with large dense-core vesicles or tubulovesicles. These findings suggest that SSVs are the major organelles involved in the storage and release of dopamine in the dorsolateral striatum.
Evaluation of immune function in mice exposed to ordram

The potential effects that the thiocarbamate herbicide Ordram has on the immune system of mice was evaluated following 12 days of acute dosing by oral gavage. Dosages of Ordram ranging from 20 to 320 mg/kg/day had no consistent significant effects on a variety of immune parameters investigated. The immune parameters measured were the following: body and lymphoid organ weights; splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity; lymphoproliferative responses to B and T lymphocyte mitogens and allogeneic spleen cells in a one-way mixed lymphocyte reaction; and delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody responses to sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The effects that the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide has on these immune parameters was also examined. The results indicate that Ordram does not appear to affect key parameters of the immune system of mice under the conditions of exposure employed.
An Exploratory Study of the Emotion-Expressive Behaviors of “Peace,” “Contentment,” and “Annoyed/Irritated”: Implications for Dead and Living Faces

This study initially set out to explore the facial features (and their descriptions) of the emotion-expressive behaviors of “peace” and “contentment” but ended up with a third one, “annoyed/irritated.” The emotion-expressive behaviors of “peace” and “contentment” have been associated with the faces of deceased persons in a previous study. The pictures of two volunteers taken during a class on relaxation technique were given to 93 respondents made up of volunteer students from a small midwestern college and volunteer residents of a nursing home (see Appendix A and B). Participants were asked to choose from a list provided them the emotion-expressive behavior (“e.g., peace, content, hopeful, other”) that closely described each of the facial pictures presented. They were also asked to both identify and describe the facial feature(s) that closely matched the emotion-expressive behavior they had chosen. Most of the respondents identified Picture #1 as “peaceful” and Picture 2 as “annoyed/irritated.” The eyes a...
Scaling subjective velocity, distance, and duration

By magnitude estimation, the relation between the subjective and physical values of linear velocities, durations, and distances were found to be power functions with exponents of about 0.75, 0.90, and 0.90. When subjective values are substituted for their physical correlates in the equation, velocity = distance/duration, we obtain: $$subjective velocity = k(\tfrac{{subjective distance}}{{subjective duration}})0.8$$ This relation depends on no physical measurements for its confirmation.
Second-order non-linear difference equations containing small parameters

Abstract This paper presents a method for solving second-order non-linear difference equations containing small parameters. The theory of first approximation, which is widely used in solving non-linear differential equations (1, 2)? is extended to the field of non-linear difference equations.This approach furnishes either exact or approximate solutions and reveals any possible self-sustained recurrent oscillations.
Evidence for presynaptic facilitation in primary cochlear afferent neurons.

Abstract Evidence for presynaptic facilitation was sought in the discharge patterns of single units in the chinchilla cochlear nerve. Pairs of acoustic clicks, separated by a variable interval, were delivered and spike discharge times stored for offline analysis. By choosing an appropriate binwidth (5 ms) and collecting data only from units with high characteristic frequencies (CF) the response to each click was contained in a single bin. The ratio of spike counts in the bins containing the responses to the two clicks was computed. For units with low spontaneous rates (SR) of discharge (SR 15 spikes/s) seldom exhibited enhancement of the response to the second click. The results are explained with a conceptual model in which two processes, depletion and facilitation decay exponentially following a stimulus. Since the two processes have opposite influences on the rate of transmitter release, the magnitudes of both processes may be underestimated by observing their net effect.
Indoor stability tests on CdS/CdTe/ZnTe n-i-p submodules

Abstract Progress in the development of solar modules of the n-i-p CdS/CdTe/ZnTe structure is reported. By a combination of laser and mechanical scribing steps, several submodules were produced on 3 in × 6 in substrates. Results of the indoor stability tests show that the submodules are stable after 1500 h of exposure.
Better Spectrograms from Children's Speech

A major problem in the spectrographic analysis of children's speech is the poor resolution of formants, which is the result of the widely spaced harmonics of the high fundamental frequency. An atte...
Understanding Current and Potential Consequences of Population Growth

ABSTRACT In three semiguided inquiry lessons on population biology, students use models and simulations to examine population trends and make projections. They are guided to create and evaluate data and to use algebraic and geometric representations to examine biotic and logistic growth models as part of examining human population growth. As they recognize the relationship between population growth and resources, they explore and propose solutions for addressing complex socioscientific problems. The underlying mathematics and science concepts of these learning cycle lessons can help students understand the complexity of environmental issues and prepare them to reason in an informed manner when they encounter debates on population and environmental issues that are often voiced in political arenas.
Pressure and magnetic field effects on transport in NbSe3

Abstract We have performed dc resistance measurements on the charge density wave (CDW) conductor NbSe 3 , at pressures up to 38kbar, and magnetic fields up to 8T. We show that a magnetic field generates no anomalous magnetoresistance in the lower CDW state if the CDW transition is suppressed by pressure. We also show that the upper CDW state is unaffected by the application of a magnetic field. Furthermore, we show evidence of a possible H-induced phase transition at ∼30K.
Thermal Decomposition of Bulk K-CoMoSx Mixed Alcohol Catalyst Precursors and Effects on Catalyst Morphology and Performance

Abstract Cobalt molybdenum sulfide-type mixed alcohol catalysts were synthesized via calcination of precipitated bulk sulfides and studied with temperature programmed decomposition analysis. Precursors containing aqueous potassium were also considered. Precipitates thermally decomposed in unique events which released ammonia, carbon dioxide, and sulfur. Higher temperature treatments led to more crystalline and less active catalysts in general with ethanol productivity falling from 203 to 97 g (kg cat) −1 h −1 when the calcination temperature was increased from 375 to 500 °C. The addition of potassium to the precursor led to materials with crystalline potassium sulfides and good catalytic performance. In general, less potassium was required to promote alcohol selectivity when added before calcination. At calcination temperatures above 350 °C, segregated cobalt sulfides were observed, suggesting that thermally decomposed sulfide precursors may contain a mixture of molybdenum and cobalt sulfides instead of a dispersed Co Mo S type of material. When dimethyl disulfide was fed to the precursor during calcination, crystalline cobalt sulfides were not detected, suggesting an important role of free sulfur during decomposition.
The author and typification of Tradescantia zebrina (Commelinaceae)

Tradescantia zebrina Heynh. ex Bosse is found to be the correct citation for this common plant, although the older name Tradescantia zebrina Heynh. has been used for it in some recent publications and on-line databases. The Heynhold citation lacks a description and therefore it is an invalid name. Tradescantia zebrina is neotypified by a modern collection from Mexico.
Evidence for transient dynamics in plant populations based on long‐term demographic data

Summary Recent interest in the importance of short-term, transient responses in population dynamics has prompted the development of many new methods for describing transient responses in population models. Many of these methods focus on the largest possible responses for a model, thus providing a description of the ‘transient potential’ of a model that does not depend on knowledge of initial conditions in the population. This study uses long-term demographic data from five perennial plant species to evaluate how well measures of transient potential reflect actual transient responses in the populations. I used previously published matrix population models to create a set of initial conditions derived from empirically-based simulations for each population. Maximum transient responses within this set of initial conditions were then compared with responses used in describing transient potential. Transient responses based on empirical modeling results were smaller than responses used for measures of transient potential. Realized responses were strongly correlated with the distance between the current demographic structure in the population and the asymptotically stable stage structure of the model (SSD). Theoretical transient potential was predictive of the amount of variation in distance from SSD observed in each population in the simulations. Synthesis. Methods based on largest possible responses tend to overemphasize the role of transient dynamics. These results suggest that traditional, asymptotic analyses may be appropriate in many cases. Measures of transient potential can be helpful for identifying species and situations that may be prone to larger transient responses, but do not necessarily indicate that transient dynamics are more important in those systems.
Sem Observation of Growth and Defect Formation of Heteroepitaxially grown sic on (100) Silicon

Single crystal, cubic SiC films used in this study were grown by a two step CVD process on (100) oriented silicon substrates. The two surfaces of such grown SiC films are different. The SiC surface at the Si/SiC interface is more conductive than the SiC/air surface. This Si/SiC surface appears smooth under optical microscopy, but Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) reveals characteristic “growth features” on it. Each growth feature protrudes from the smooth SiC surface, and most often it either fills or borders the rectangular shallow pyramids present on the (100) Si surfaces. Plasma etching of the SiC at the Si/SiC interface creates cavities with vertical boundaries. Some of the cavities have been traced to the original location of some growth features.
Simulations of the dissociation of small helium clusters with ab initio molecular dynamics in electronically excited states

The dynamics resulting from electronic excitations of helium clusters were explored using ab initio molecular dynamics. The simulations were performed with configuration interaction singles and adiabatic classical dynamics coupled to a state-following algorithm. 100 different configurations of He7 were excited into the 2s and 2p manifold for a total of 2800 trajectories. While the most common outcome (90%) was complete fragmentation to 6 ground state atoms and 1 excited state atom, 3% of trajectories yielded bound, He2(*), and <0.5% yielded an excited helium trimer. The nature of the dynamics, kinetic energy release, and connections to experiments are discussed.
Orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatic‐based metabolic disorders

Between January 1989 and June 1993, a total of 470 liver transplantations were performed at King's College Hospital. Thirty-seven transplantations were performed in 34 patients with liver-based metabolic disease. There were 16 females and 18 males with a median age of 19 years (range 1 month to 62 years). There were 14 patients under 16 years of age. The indications for liver transplantation were Wilson's disease (n=16), alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency (n=10), tyrosinaemia (n=2), primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1; n=2), congenital haemochromatosis (n=1), familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP; n=1, familial hypercholesterolaemia) (n=1) and Crigler-Najjar syndrome type I (CNS1; n=1). These included two patients who received combined heart-liver grafts for familial hypercholesterolaemia and FAP, respectively. Two patients received combined liver-kidney transplants for PH1. There were four deaths: from sepsis (n=2), acute hepatic vein obstruction in a left lateral segment graft (n=1) and portal vein thrombosis with liver necrosis (n=1). Three patients were retransplanted, one for chronic rejection and two for hepatic artery thrombosis, giving an overall graft survival of 81% and patient survival of 88% (30/34), at a mean follow-up of 34 months (range 10–64 months).
Chemical bath deposited zinc sulfide buffer layers for copper indium gallium sulfur-selenide solar cells and device analysis

Abstract Cadmium-free copper indium gallium sulfur-selenide (CIGSS) thin film solar cells have been fabricated using chemical bath deposited (CBD) zinc sulfide (ZnS) buffer layers. Shell Solar Industries provided high quality CIGSS absorber layers. The use of CBD-ZnS, which is a higher band gap material than CdS, improved the quantum efficiency of fabricated cells at lower wavelengths, leading to an increase in short circuit current. The best cell to date yielded an active area (0.43 cm 2 ) efficiency of 13.3%. The effect of the ZnS buffer layer thickness on device performance was studied carefully. This paper also presents a discussion of issues relevant to the use of the CBD-ZnS buffer material for improving device performance.
Relative value of analog and digital teaching files.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives This study was performed to determine if it is financially reasonable for radiology residency programs that create and maintain their own teaching files to switch from analog teaching files (ATFs) to digital teaching files (DTFs). Materials and Methods Radiology residency program directors were surveyed electronically about the monetary value and importance of conventional ATFs and DTFs. The costs for maintaining each type of file were calculated at the authors' institution. Results Surveys were sent to the program directors of all 197 accredited radiology residencies. Responses were received from 48 (24%). DTFs were scored as more important than ATFs, but the difference was not significant ( P = .22). DTFs were rated as less complete ( P = .01) but more current ( P ⪡ .001) than ATFs. DTFs included the American College of Radiology Learning File (85%), in-house productions (77%), and other commercially available products (63%). Thirty percent of respondents had a DTF integrated into a picture archiving and communication system, and 28% reported having a technician dedicated to the teaching file. Program directors ascribed total median dollar values of $250 and $3,000 per year to their ATFs and DTFs, respectively. The annual costs at the authors' institution were much higher than these ascribed values: $44,720 ($91 per case) for maintaining a DTF produced in house and $24,601 ($50 per case) for maintaining an ATF, excluding physician time. Conclusion Program directors are more willing to pay for a DTF than an ATF. For both, the costs of maintenance are great and the relative monetary value is low.
An Empirical Assessment Of The Zeithaml, Berry And Parasuraman Service Expectations Model

The study empirically evaluated the Zeithaml et al. model of service expectations. Data on. service reliability was gathered from 267 auto repair service personnel who bought auto parts from manufacturer dealerships and independent suppliers. The model was partially successful in explaining customer perceptions of service quality and satisfaction. A significant finding was that buyers appear to tolerate a range of service performance and the size of this range is linked to service quality perceptions.
Capitalism, Peace, and the Historical Movement of Ideas

A logical and causal exploration of the growing acceptance of capitalism and peace, or war aversion, is part of what Robert Dahl has called “the historical movement of ideas.” Although war aversion...
Current Therapeutic Options in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Practical Approach

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in the United States continues to grow rapidly, paralleling the overweight and obesity epidemic. For many years the only therapeutic options for type 2 DM were sulfonylureas and insulin. However, over the last 9 years there has been an explosion of new and exciting agents approved for the treatment of type 2 DM. Some of the treatments target insulin deficiency and others insulin resistance, the hallmarks of the disease. Other drugs delay the intestinal absorption of carbohydrate. Recently several combination agents have been released. With these new drugs has come an overwhelming mountain of information, making it difficult for the busy clinician to know how best to manage the ever-increasing portion of patients with type 2 DM. New questions have arisen: Which agent to start as first line? How much of this drug to use before adding something else? How long for this drug to reach full effect? Which agent to add second? Should a patient uncontrolled on dual therapy begin insulin or start a third oral agent? If insulin therapy is started, what should become of the patient's oral agents? How best to explain the patient's weight gain on therapy? These are not easy questions and no review can fully detail all the therapeutic combinations possible. Instead, the practical approach of reviewing the agents in terms of their mechanism of action and critically comparing their dosing, effect and cost, is undertaken herein. Also addressed is the possible niche some newer classes of agents and combination drugs may or may not hold in the management of type 2 DM. The decision of using insulin versus a third oral agent will be looked at from the standpoint of where the patient is on dual therapy in relation to the hemoglobin A1c goal. In this way it is hoped that some clarity will be brought to the dizzying array of information that both the physician and patient have to deal with in regard to the management of this prevalent and serious disease.
Estimation of parameters of the gped

Janardan (1973) introduced the generalized Polya-Eggenberger distribution as a limiting form of the generalized Markov-Polya distribution (GMPD), Ja¬nardan (1998) derived GPED formally by means of Lagrange's expansion and discussed its various properties systematically. Here, a new urn model is pro¬vided for the GPED. Moment estimators of the parameters are given in closed form. Maximum hkelihood estimators are also given. Some apphcations are provided.
Comparing Socioemotional Outcomes for Early Adolescents Who Join After School for Internal or External Reasons

Students' reason for joining after school programs can be categorized into two groups: self-joined (internal orientation) or other-joined (external orientation stemming from parents, teachers, etc.). Drawing upon Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), we tested whether students' reason to join an after school program related to proximal and distal socioemotional outcomes (i.e., autonomy, perceived trust in staff, self-efficacy, and prosocial behavior) in 277 low-income, early adolescents (sixth through eighth graders) participating in an after school program. Within the context of an external evaluation of a large after school program, student surveys were administered at the beginning and end of the school year to assess change over time in socioemotional outcomes. After controlling for gender, compared to other-joined students, self-joined students demonstrated significantly higher autonomy, self-efficacy, and prosoical behaviors both initially and over time. However, students who switched their reported motivation for joining from self-joined at pretest to other-joined at posttest significantly decreased socioemotional ratings compared to all other student groups. Implications for youth development researchers, evaluators, and after school practitioners are discussed. Language: en