cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Cowbird parasitism on parental provisioning and nestling food acquisition and growth

Brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) is known to affect the fitness of many hosts by causing a reduction in the number of chicks that fledge from parasitized nests. However, little is known ahout less immediate effects on host fitness. We studied nestling growth and food acquisition and parental provisioning in parasitizcd and unparasitized nests of the Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea). Indigo Bunting nestlings in parasitized nests exhibited reduced rates of mass gain, but not tarsus growth, relative to bunting chicks in unparasitized nests. Bunting nestlings in parasitized nests received less food than did buntings in unparasitized nests. Buntings in parasitized nests spent more time begging than did those in unparasitized nests, but energy expended in this behavior may not have detracted greatly from the amount of energy available for growth. Adults at parasitized nests exhibited a higher provisioning rate than those at unparasitized nests. Increascd provisioning by adult buntings at parasitized nests did not come at the expense of time spent brooding nestlings, but increased provisioning has the potential to affect the survival and future reproductive success of host adults. Because cowbird parasitism appears to impose substantial costs on Indigo Bunting nestlings and adults, concern over the conservation implications of parasitism should not be limited to species that suffer total reproductive failure when parasitized.
Nonparametric estimation of normal ranges given one-way ANOVA random effects assumptions

In this note, we compare three strategies that are commonly used in practice for estimating quantiles and quantile functions when data are assumed generated from a standard balanced one-way ANOVA random effects model, e.g. data from repeated assays, where the goal is to nonparametrically estimate/define a normal range. Strategy 1 consists of averaging the within subject values and then estimating quantiles based upon the averaged values in a standard fashion. Strategy 2 consists of estimating quantiles within each replication and then averaging the marginal quantiles over the replications. Strategy 3 consists of estimating quantiles and ignoring the repeated measures mechanism all together. We show that Strategy 1 is generally a poor choice when the goal is to refine the quantile estimation from a single replication through the application of repeated repetitions of an experiment. Strategy 2 and 3 are shown to be asymptotically equivalent.
Potentiation of Halomethane Hepatotoxicity: Chlordecone and Carbon Tetrachloride

The propensity for chlordecone to potentiate hepatotoxicity of CCl4 and some related analogs (CHCl3 and CBrCl3) has been well established. The interaction results in potentiation of halomethane hepatotoxicity at incredibly small, nontoxic levels of chlordecone and these halomethanes. Biological effects of such interactions include extensive hepatotoxicity characterized by total hepatic failure as determined by histopathological alterations, hepatic dysfunction, elevation of serum enzymes, and perturbation of related biochemical parameters. The chlordecone + CCl4 interaction occurs in animals of both sexes and is characterized by profoundly potentiated lethality. Close structural analogs of chlordecone such as mirex and photomirex do not share the propensity of chlordecone to potentiate halomethane toxicity. The mechanism of this potentiation of halomethane hepatotoxicity has eluded several investigations. Induction of microsomal P-450 by chlordecone and greater lipid peroxidation appear inadequate to explain the powerful potentiation of toxicity. Time-course studies in which liver tissue was examined 1 to 36 hr after CCl4 administration to chlordecone treated animals revealed possible mechanisms. It appears that a greater bioactivation of CCl4 in chlordecone treated animals resulted in an initial potentiation of toxic events in the liver cells. While animals receiving a normally nontoxic dose of CCl4 alone demonstrate repair and renovation of liver tissue as revealed by greatly increased mitotic index after 12 hours, such a renovation process is totally suppressed in animals exposed to chlordecone. Thus, a combination of initial greater injury along with prevention of hepatocellular repair and renovation appears to play a key role in the potentiation of liver injury. The greater initial liver injury is consistent with enhanced metabolism and bioactivation of CCl4 in chlordecone exposed animals. The mechanism of suppressed cellular mitosis is less clearly understood. Recent studies have revealed a greater perturbation of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in chlordecone treated animals and this observation is consistent with continued destruction and cellular damage. These observations point to more than a single factor involved as underlying mechanisms and two such mechanisms are consistent with the available information. First, chlordecone induction of a specific form of P-450 capable of greater bioactivation of CCl4. Second, chlordecone sensitization of hepatocellular plasma membrane for excessive accumulation of intracellular Ca2+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Short duration time constant associated with chewing in the guinea pig

Previous investigations have reported a time constant on the order of a few seconds associated with temporal perception in humans, and with movement patterns in humans and other mammalian species. It has been suggested that the time constant represents the operation of a physiological oscillatory mechanism that is common among many mammalian species. However, the time constant has not yet been observed in laboratory animals; therefore, there is no laboratory-based behavior paradigm upon which studies into the physiological nature of this time constant can be based. Because of our familiarity with guinea pig feeding, the current study was undertaken in order to find evidence of the time constant in feeding-associated activities of guinea pigs. Eleven guinea pigs were starved for a 24 hr period, then placed individually into a rich behavioral arena for 30 min, during which time they were videotaped continuously while they roamed freely. The animals inevitably ate during these videotape sessions, and a detailed analysis of chewing parameters was done. It was found that chewing typically occurs in bursts, and that the median burst duration was 1.03 - 3.46 s for individual animals. Chewing burst durations were similar to the durations of many movement patterns in other species including humans. This provides further support for the hypothesis that there is a highly conserved time constant associated with movement patterns in mammals. It is believed that guinea pig chewing bursts provide a convenient laboratory based model for elucidating the neuro-physiologic mechanisms of this time constant.
Comparison of interproximal carious lesion detection in panoramic and standard intraoral radiography

Three panoramic units are compared with traditional radiographic techniques in the detection of depth and number of interproximal carious lesions. The best radiographic survey for detecting depth and number of interproximal carious lesions, according to this study, is the combination of periapical and posterior bitewing radiographs. Panoramic radiographs were found ineffective for the early detection of interproximal carious lesions.
The Intersubjective Ethic of Julieta Paredes' Poetic

This paper explores the ways in which the feminist activist group Mujeres Creando’s contemporary urban street performances and Julieta Paredes‘ poetry catalyze discussions around intersubjective ethics in the Andes. First, I discuss subjectivity as suspended in the inextricable space between embodiment and textuality, between the physical attributes of breathing bodies and the subsequent categorization of them in language and texts. Second, I argue that Mujeres Creando's and Paredes’ emphasis on the body as a site of active resistance to social norms contributes to the creation of what Emmanuel Levinas calls a “living poetic.“ This living, embodied poetic is less about producing a frozen "said," fixed in language than about creating a breathing, moving "saying", as is perpetuated through spoken dialogue. The necessity for an ethical poetic emerges out of colonial conditions that have created definitions of the human and the “less than” or “other than,” often based on superficial physical categorizations. Ultimately, through their ongoing work, Mujeres Creando and Julieta Paredes expand the potential for a more inclusive community based upon mutual responsibility and respect for the self and other, regardless of race, gender, or sexuality. Este trabajo explora los modos en que la poesia de Julieta Paredes y los performances callejeros del colectivo feminista Mujeres Creando catalizan discusiones en torno a una etica intersubjetiva en los Andes. Comienzo discutiendo la subjetividad como situada en el inextricable espacio entre la corporeizacion y la textualidad, entre las cualidades fisicas de cuerpos que respiran y su subsecuente categorizacion en lengua y textos. En segundo lugar, sostengo que el enfasis que Mujeres Creando y Paredes ponen en el “cuerpo” como sitio de resistencia activa a la normatividad social, contribuye a la creacion de lo que Emmanuel Levinas llama una “poetica viva”. Se trata de una poetica menos interesada en producir un decir congelado, fijado en el lenguaje, que en crear un decir que respira, que se mueve, conforme es perpetuado a traves del dialogo hablado. De aqui la necesidad de una etica poetica, que emerge de las condiciones coloniales que han creado definiciones del ser humano y el “menos que” o “distinto a” que a menudo se basan en clasificaciones fisicas superficiales. En ultima instancia, mostrare que a traves de su trabajo, Mujeres Creando y Julieta Paredes amplian el potencial de una comunidad mas inclusiva basada en la responsabilidad y el respeto mutuo, sin importar la raza, el sexo, o la sexualidad.
Identification of the target cells and sequence of infection during experimental infection of ovine fetuses with Cache Valley virus

ABSTRACT Cache Valley virus-induced malformations have been previously reproduced in ovine fetuses; however, no studies have established the course of infection of cells and tissues with Cache Valley virus. To address these questions, ovine fetuses at 35 days of gestation were inoculated in utero with Cache Valley virus and euthanized at 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 days postinfection. On postmortem examination, arthrogryposis and oligohydramnios were observed in some infected fetuses. Morphological studies showed necrosis in the central nervous system and skeletal muscle of infected fetuses evaluated after 7 to 14 days postinfection, and hydrocephalus, micromyelia, and muscular loss were observed in infected fetuses after 21 to 28 days postinfection. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, intense Cache Valley virus antigen and RNA staining was detected in the brain, spinal cord, skeletal muscle, and, to a lesser degree, in fetal membranes and other tissues of infected fetuses. Viral antigen and RNA staining decreased in targeted and infected tissues with the progression of the infection.
In-Situ Simultaneous Measurement of Thickness, Elastic Moduli and Density of Thermal Sprayed WC-Co Coatings by Laser-Ultrasonics

A method for simultaneous nondestructive evaluation of WC-Co coating thickness, elastic moduli, and density is presented. The technique, known as laser-ultrasonics, is used to generate and detect surface acoustic waves in a noncontact and nondestructive manner. The surface acoustic wave velocity dependence on frequency is compared to a model and an optimization procedure is used to evaluate the coating properties. The results obtained demonstrate the ability of the technique to simultaneously determine such properties with a single and possibly in situ measurement.
Concurrent hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and gastroschisis: An unusual presentation of a rare association

Abstract Gastroschisis and hypertrophic pyloric stenosis rarely occur in the same patient, with few reports of this unusual association published to date. We describe a neonate with prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis treated with interval silo reduction and closure. Following definitive repair, the patient had a 30-day interval of difficulty feeding and occasional emesis that progressed to projectile vomiting. Upper GI series was consistent with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Upon surgical exploration, multiple gastric adhesions were found to cause a 180° organoaxial gastric volvulus with aberrant relocation of the pylorus to the left upper quadrant. Following adhesiolysis and reduction of the volvulus, a Ramstedt pyloromyotomy was performed on the hypertrophied pylorus. Postoperatively, the patient's diet was advanced as tolerated, and he was discharged home on postoperative day 10.
Thermal conductivity of rock-forming minerals☆

Abstract New values of the thermal conductivity, K of 119 rock-forming minerals reveal the following empirical relationships: (1) K is a linear function of density for constant mean atomic weight (similar to Birch's law for the velocity of compressional waves); (2) the K of silicates is controlled by the structure of the silicon-oxygen network; (3) within a group of minerals of similar crystal structure and bonding, K decreases as the mean atomic weight increases; (4) for a series of minerals which form a binary solid solution, K has a minimum at an intermediate composition; and (5) the K of silicates is related linearly to elastic wave velocities.
A Ranking Method for Evaluating Constructed Responses

This article presents a comparative judgment approach for holistically scored constructed response tasks. In this approach, the grader rank orders (rather than rate) the quality of a small set of responses. A prior automated evaluation of responses guides both set formation and scaling of rankings. Sets are formed to have similar prior scores and subsequent rankings by graders serve to update the prior scores of responses. Final response scores are determined by weighting the prior and ranking information. This approach allows for scaling comparative judgments on the basis of a single ranking, eliminates rater effects in scoring, and offers a conceptual framework for combining human and automated evaluation of constructed response tasks. To evaluate this approach, groups of graders evaluated responses to two tasks using either the ranking (with sets of 5 responses) or traditional rating approach. Results varied by task and the relative weighting of prior versus ranking information, but in general the rank...
Subacute toxicity of aqueous-suspended Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in rats

Abstract Thailand marihuana plant stock was extracted; purity of the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) obtained was 99% as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy and gas-liquid chromatography. An aqueous suspension of THC was prepared. Purity of the THC in water remained at 99%. Male albino Holtzman rats were given daily ip injections (3.75–30 mg/kg) of aqueous-suspended THC for 30 days. Animals receiving the highest dose of THC exhibited the following signs approximately 10 min post injection: hypersensitivity to auditory or tactile stimulation, depression, ataxia, lacrimation and diarrhea. Animals receiving lower doses of THC exhibited the same signs but to a lesser degree. At the end of the 30-day test period, the body weight of the highest dose group was significantly less than that of the control group. Increases in the number of large hyperchromatic hepatic cells, some of which were binucleated, were found in some livers at 3 of 4 dose levels. An interesting observation concerning behavior of the animals was that the rats appeared to become more sensitive to THC during the last 10 days of the 30-day test period.
MstX and a Putative Potassium Channel Facilitate Biofilm Formation in Bacillus subtilis

Biofilms constitute the predominant form of microbial life and a potent reservoir for innate antibiotic resistance in systemic infections. In the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis, the transition from a planktonic to sessile state is mediated by mutually exclusive regulatory pathways controlling the expression of genes required for flagellum or biofilm formation. Here, we identify mstX and yugO as novel regulators of biofilm formation in B. subtilis. We show that expression of mstX and the downstream putative K+ efflux channel, yugO, is necessary for biofilm development in B. subtilis, and that overexpression of mstX induces biofilm assembly. Transcription of the mstX-yugO operon is under the negative regulation of SinR, a transcription factor that governs the switch between planktonic and sessile states. Furthermore, mstX regulates the activity of Spo0A through a positive autoregulatory loop involving KinC, a histidine kinase that is activated by potassium leakage. The addition of potassium abrogated mstX-mediated biofilm formation. Our findings expand the role of Spo0A and potassium homeostasis in the regulation of bacterial development.
Fluorescence lifetimes: fundamentals and interpretations

Fluorescence measurements have been an established mainstay of photosynthesis experiments for many decades. Because in the photosynthesis literature the basics of excited states and their fates are not usually described, we have presented here an easily understandable text for biology students in the style of a chapter in a text book. In this review we give an educational overview of fundamental physical principles of fluorescence, with emphasis on the temporal response of emission. Escape from the excited state of a molecule is a dynamic event, and the fluorescence emission is in direct kinetic competition with several other pathways of de-excitation. It is essentially through a kinetic competition between all the pathways of de-excitation that we gain information about the fluorescent sample on the molecular scale. A simple probability allegory is presented that illustrates the basic ideas that are important for understanding and interpreting most fluorescence experiments. We also briefly point out challenges that confront the experimenter when interpreting time-resolved fluorescence responses.
Safe compositional specification of networking systems

The science of network service composition has emerged as one of the grand themes of networking research [17] as a direct result of the complexity and sophistication of emerging networked systems and applications. By "service composition" we mean that the performance and correctness properties local to the various constituent components of a service can be readily composed into global (end-to-end) properties without re-analyzing any of the constituent components in isolation, or as part of the whole composite service. The set of laws that govern such composition is what will constitute that new science of composition.The heterogeneity and open nature of network systems make composition quite challenging, and thus programming network services has been largely inaccessible to the average user. We identify (and outline) a research agenda in which we aim to develop a specification language that is expressive enough to describe different components of a network service, and that will include type hierarchies inspired by type systems in general programming languages that enable the safe composition of software components. We envision this new science of composition to be built upon several theories, possibly including control theory, network calculus, scheduling theory, and game theory. In essence, different theories may provide different languages by which certain properties of system components can be expressed and composed into larger systems. We then seek to lift these lower-level specifications to a higher level by abstracting away details that are irrelevant for safe composition at the higher level, thus making theories scalable and useful to the average user. In this paper we focus on services built upon an overlay traffic management architecture, and we use control theory and QoS theory as example theories from which we lift up compositional specifications.
Pulsed arterial infusions. Chemotherapeutic implications

To simulate the intra-arterial infusion of chemotherapy, ink was infused at a steady rate through a vascular catheter inserted in a transparent tube carrying water at a rate similar to that of arterial blood. The ink ran in one or two discrete streams for 10 to 15 cm before mixing with the water, and there were substantial differences in the concentrations of ink in the water collected from side holes made at various distances from the catheter tip. If the ink was delivered in short pulses, however, it mixed with the water 2 to 3 cm beyond the catheter tip, and the samples collected from the side holes showed similar concentrations of ink. A similar situation may be encountered when chemotherapeutic agents are infused into patients. Therefore, pulsation may produce a more homogeneous drug distribution in the infused tissue. The in vitro data was substantiated in patients by the following: (1) the intra-arterial administration of technetium 99m(99mTc)labeled macroaggregated albumin (MAA) by both steady and pulsed infusions; and (2) changes in the severity of inflammatory skin reactions frequently associated with intra-arterial chemotherapy of the extremities. Improved isotope distribution was noted in 19.3% of the liver and 40% of the extremity studies. Reduced skin reactions were observed in approximately 90% of the extremities receiving pulsed chemotherapeutic infusions.
Quality-Aware Retrieval of Data Objects from Autonomous Sources for Web-Based Repositories

The goal of this paper is to develop a framework for designing good data repositories for Web applications. The central theme of our approach is to employ statistical methods to predict quality metrics. These prediction quantities can be used to answer important questions such as: How soon should the local repository be synchronized to have a quality of at least 90% precision with certain confidence level? Suppose the local repository was synchronized three days ago, how many objects could have been deleted at the remote source since then?
Inferring Fertility from Relative Mortality in Historically Controlled Cemetery Remains From Barbados

Fertility (crude birth rate) was estimated from skeletal and corresponding historical relative mortality ratios for a seventeenth- to eighteenth-century Barbados slave population. The estimates varied widely among themselves according to which data source and mortality ratio was used; they also varied from the actual historical fertility rate. In addition, we have raised logical objections to the use of stable model life tables for inferring nonstable vital rates in archaeological populations. These points are problematic for the broad use of relative mortality to infer relative fertility.
Postmodernism and Power/Control

Poses the question of how to manage disorder, upheaval, revolution, transformation and chaos. When creativity and specialized work practices are involved, there is persuasive evidence for managers to stay out of the way. Such advice sounds like a paradoxical injunction, probably because it is: manage by not managing! Trapped “inside” this paradox, the distinctions between control and power become crucial.
Design and predicted performance of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite will obtain high spectral resolving power ((lambda) /(Delta) (lambda) equals 30,000) measurements of astrophysical objects in the 905 - 1195 angstroms wavelength region from low-earth orbit. The instrument's high effective area (30 - 100 cm2) and low detector background will permit observations of solar system, galactic, and extragalactic targets that have been too faint for previous instruments at this high resolution. The instrument design achieves both high resolution and high throughput by using four nearly identical optical channels. The optics consist of four normal incidence mirrors, four high density holographically-ruled diffraction gratings, and a pair of large format double delay line detectors. These components are supported by a graphite-composite structure. A commercially-procured spacecraft provides pointing stability of 0.5 arcseconds (1 (omega) ), by using data from a Fine Error Sensor included in the instrument. In early 1995 the FUSE mission was reconstructed to be a lower-cost, PI-class mission. The construction phase began in December, 1995, and launch is scheduled for late 1998. We present a description of the FUSE instrument, including details of the optical and mechanical design, along with an estimate of its on-orbit performance.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
LIMB CIRCULATION IN ANOREXIA NERVOSA

. Blood flow, skin temperature and blood pressure of the lower limbs and the effect of indirect, radiant heat on calf blood flow and leg skin temperature was determined in sixteen children with anorexia nervosa (group A) and fourteen healthy children (group H) of the same age and body height. Calf blood flow was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Arm blood pressure was obtained by tourniquet and toe pressure and digital plethys-mograms by a strain-gauge. Skin temperature was measured with a thermocouple. In group A calf blood flow was about 50–60 % lower than the mean values observed in group H and a marked difference was maintained after the heat load. Skin temperature of the knees and toes were higher in group H. Systolic arm blood pressure and toe pressure were on the average 20 mmHg and 13 mmHg lower in group A. It is suggested that there is a heat-conserving, selective peripheral vasoconstriction in the anorexic patients.
Coupling Multicriteria Decision Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment for Nanomaterials

LCA models that fail to complete the impact assessment stage leave designers, decisionor policy makers vulnerable to biases such as prematurely anchoring on first impressions, placing undue emphasis on narrow – albeit salient – aspects of a choice, or judging on the basis of stigma. thinking about materials, including nanomaterials (Davis 2007; USEPA 2008). The principal advantage of conducting formal life cycle assessment (LCA) is that it quantifies environmental impact at different product life cycle stages and avoids shifting potential environmental problems from one stage to another. However, nanomaterials present at least three significant challenges to existing LCA techniques.
Dynamic capability: explaining the impact of ISO 14001 on Corporate Financial Performance

This study employs a quasi-experimental design to examine the function of dynamic capabilities (early adoption and path-dependent learning experience) in the process of implementing ISO 14001. Approximately 97 pairs of companies (N = 194) were collected from the Standard & Poor's (S&P) database, all of whom had at least one International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) certificate and for whom five years of financial data were available. The initial differences were controlled using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) to compare ISO companies with their matched comparison companies on the effect of ISO 14001 registration (independent variable) and on financial performance (two dependent variables): Return on Revenue (ROR) and Return on Assets (ROA). The results indicate that ISO 14001 registration has led to a reduced ROR in the two-year period and no change in the third year. ROA was not associated with ISO 14001 registration. Early adoption, the length of ISO registration and the size of the company did not affect the relationship between ISO registration and financial performance. Furthermore, the results illustrate that many companies have not yet gained the capability to ruminate and digest the dynamic nature of ISO 14001. An opportunity exists for future researchers to establish and examine the function of dynamic capabilities and their impact on the quality of ISO implementation.
How useful is histologic confirmation of intestinal metaplasia in patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus?

How useful is histologic confirmation of intestinal metaplasia in patients with long-segment Barrett's esophagus?
A new passive colorimetric air monitoring badge system for ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide

A new passive colorimetric air monitoring badge system has been developed to determine the time-weighted average (TWA) concentration of specific inorganic vapor contaminants in air. The system consists of a small passive badge which either can be worn by employees for personal monitoring or used as an area monitor and a portable colorimetric readout instrument which determines the exposure dose in ppm-hours. To date, systems have been developed for ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and they will meet or exceed both NIOSH and OSH A accuracy requirements. The overall performance of these systems, based on laboratory tests designed to show overall accuracy, linearity, and environmental effects, is described. Field test results are also presented.
Natural history of vocal fold paralysis in Arnold-Chiari malformation

Abstract Objective : Neurologic disease is the most common cause of bilateral vocal fold paralysis in children. Arnold-Chiari malformations (ACM) account for the majority. Early decompression results in the resolution of preoperative symptoms in the majority of patients. The purpose of present study is to describe the time to vocal fold function recovery following neurosurgical management of children with vocal fold paralysis secondary to ACM. Methods : Prospective case series. Inclusion criteria included diagnoses of both ACM and vocal fold paralysis. All children were followed with office flexible laryngoscopy at two-month intervals following diagnosis until complete return of vocal fold motion was noted. Return of recurrent laryngeal nerve function was confirmed with intraoperative laryngeal electromyography (EMG); one child additionally underwent EMG during partial return of vocal fold function. Results : Four patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age at neurosurgical decompression was 3.1 months (range 1–7.5). Three subjects demonstrated bilateral paralysis; one had a left-sided paralysis. Three subjects, including the child with unilateral paralysis, required tracheotomy. Initial return of vocal fold motion was seen at a mean of 5.75 months after decompression (range 4–8). Complete return of function was seen at a mean of 9.5 months (range 7–12). One child underwent EMG when vocal fold function was initially seen to return, with low-amplitude activity seen. The patient demonstrated full amplitude when EMG was repeated following return of full abduction. EMG likewise confirmed return of motion in the three other subjects. All tracheotomized patients were decannulated without further surgical procedures. Conclusion : Methods of airway management that do not result in permanent alteration of laryngeal anatomy are preferred. Families may be counseled that return of vocal fold function is expected within one year of neurosurgical decompression. The presence of electrical activity on laryngeal EMG may have a role in predicting return of vocal fold motion before complete function is visible on flexible laryngoscopy.
Sexual dysfunction and depression: etiology, prevalence, and treatment.

Sexual dysfunction and depression are very common conditions that are age-related and chronic. In men, epidemiologic studies have confirmed a strong correlation between erectile dysfunction and symptoms of depression. Both conditions have a significant negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their partners. Several studies showed that restoration of normal sexual function improves the quality of life of patients and their partners, regardless of treatment method. The literature review and recent observations emphasize the multifactorial nature of sexual dysfunction and, more specifically, erectile dysfunction and underline the importance of the comor-bidity and bidirectional relationship between erectile dysfunction and depression. Research is progressing on the possible link between andropause, sexual dysfunction, and depression, thus opening potential new opportunities to address issues of aging-related morbidities.
Early parenthood for the sisters of adolescent mothers: A proposed conceptual model of decision making

Previous research has demonstrated that the sisters of adolescent mothers have an increased risk of becoming teenage parents. From our experience in caring for over 600 teenage mothers in a comprehensive family-oriented teen-tot clinic, we have developed a conceptual model, based on social cognitive theory, which describes the influence of teenage mothers on their sisters' decisions about pregnancy and childbearing. Our model focuses on the direct effects of both intrafamilial and social-cultural factors on adolescents' childbearing attitudes and their individual sexual values. Intrafamilial factors include the impact of sibling teenage parents and influences of parenting styles. Social-cultural factors include social norms that favor early sexual behavior and childbearing. These interact with peer influence to directly affect social and self-regulative skills, feeling of self-efficacy, and the individual's sexual values. Personal factors, such as hopelessness and depression, are influenced by multigenerational poverty. These personal factors are integrated with intrafamilial and social-cultural factors to produce the adolescent's personal meaning and cognitive assessment of pregnancy and childbearing. Clinicians can use this model when developing interventions that focus on the various factors that influence an adolescent sister's decisions about becoming pregnant.
Efficient rhodium-catalyzed hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones

A cationic rhodium(I) catalyst bearing the air-stable and crystalline diphosphine 1,1′-bis-(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocene (1, DiPFc) allows the hydrogenation of aldehydes and ketones under mild conditions.
Finite difference formulas for neumann conditions on irregularly shaped boundaries

A method, based on finite element techniques, is described for obtaining finite differences for Neumann conditions on irregularly shaped boundaries. The resultant difference equatios may be used in both time-dependent and -independent problems. As an example, the propagation of an elastic surface wave (Rayleigh wave) arounda 90° corner is studied. The results of this simulation compare favorably with laboratory experiments.
“Unpublished” Judicial Opinions in the United States: Law Or Not?

I am honored to participate in this celebration of my friend and colleague Professor Ernst - Joachim Mestmacker . Although the topic of my contribution may jar this Law Review by being purely American, and what's more by having nothing to do with business organizations, the American part, at least, may be justified by Professor Mestmacker 's expertise in American law and by all he has done to promote legal and academic cross-fertilization between the European and American gardens. I myself have benefited enormously from the welcome and encouragement that Professor Mestmacker has provided to me, as to so many other American scholars, at the Max Planck Institute in Hamburg. I salute him, and I trust that he will continue his own scholarly contributions for many years to come.
FERMIONIC STRINGS AND THE EXACT SOLUTION OF EDGE MODELS IN THREE DIMENSIONS

A three-dimensional statistical system, called here the six-edge model, is shown, for a particular domain of parameters, to be equivalent to a theory of Fermionic strings. This model has a local U(1) gauge invariance, similiar to the global invariance of the two-dimensional six-vertex model. Further restricting the parameters gives a system named here the five-edge model, which is exactly solvable. The conformal anomaly of the surfaces is calculated. The transfer matrix is diagonalized, and the free energy, phase diagram and correlation length are determined exactly. The surfaces of the model display a roughening transition similiar to that analyzed by Blote, Hilhorst and Nienhuis.
Impact of coal surface mining and reclamation on suspended sediment in three Ohio watersheds.

Prior to PL95-87 little research had been conducted to determine the impacts of mining and reclamation practices on sediment concentrations and yields on a watershed scale. Furthermore, it was unknown whether sediment yield and other variables would return to undisturbed levels after reclamation. Therefore, three small watersheds, with differing lithologies and soils, were monitored for runoff and suspended sediment concentrations during three phases of watershed disturbances: undisturbed watershed condition, mining and reclamation disturbances, and post-reclaimed condition. Profound increases in suspended-sediment concentrations, load rates, and yields due to mining and reclamation activities, and subsequent drastic decreases after reclamation were documented. Even with increases in runoff potential, reductions in suspended-sediment concentrations and load rates to below or near undisturbed-watershed levels is possible by using the mulch-crimping technique and by removing diversions. Maximum concentrations and load rates occurred during times of active disturbances that exposed loose soil and spoil to high-intensity rains. Sediment concentrations remained elevated compared with the undisturbed watershed when diversions were not well maintained and overtopped, and when they were not removed for final reclamation. Diversions are useful for vegetation establishment, but should be maintained until they are removed for final reclamation after good vegetative cover is established.
Applicability of fluorescence-based sensors to the determination of kinetic parameters for O2 in oxygenases

Optical methods for O2 determination based on dynamic fluorescence quenching have been applied to measure oxygen uptake rates in cell culture and to determine intracellular oxygen levels. Here we demonstrate the applicability of fluorescence-based probes in determining kinetic parameters for O2 using as an example catalysis by a cofactor-independent oxygenase (DpgC). Fluorescence-based sensors provide a direct assessment of enzyme-catalyzed O2 consumption using commercially available, low-cost instrumentation that is easily customizable and, thus, constitutes a convenient alternative to the widely used Clark-type electrode, especially in cases where chemical interference is expected to be problematic.
Immediately preceding stimuli increase the detection of a less detectable but not a more detectable stimulus

Both a small (S) and a large (L) stimulus occurred individually and randomly over trials. The task was to make the same speeded response to either stimulus. LSSS sequences on trials N-3, N-2, N-1, and N, respectively, resulted in a faster RT to S on trial N than to S on trial N-2. However, SLLL sequences did not produce a corresponding increase in detection. Also, overall, S was less detectable than L. Suppose that the physical S on trial N was lower in detectability-memorability than a memorial S produced by S on the immediately preceding trials N-1 and N-2. If so, the physical S may have assimilated in detectability-memorability to the memorial S, explaining why its detectability increased. In contrast, the physical L may have been sufficiently high in detectability-memorability to preclude a comparable assimilation. The theory: assimilation underlies detectability, regardless of whether two components are both physical (previous research), or whether one is physical and the other is memorial (the present research).
NOAO: building the future

Abstract As the nature of astronomical research and the distribution of scientific funding change, the National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO) will transform its programs to gain maximum advantage from new scientific capabilities. Moreover, the operation of 4-m class facilities in the era of new 8–10-m telescopes radically alters our mandate. NOAO will continue to enable top-ranked research at Kitt Peak National Observatory and Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory and will support the US community’s use of the Gemini Observatory. Over the past decade NOAO has revitalized its capabilities through the construction of new telescopes and instrumentation critical to enabling world-competitive research. NOAO is now transforming its program to enable science conducted on 8-m class telescopes in unique ways. NOAO will build instrumentation and telescopes for wide-field imaging and spectroscopy in both the optical and infrared to complement Gemini capabilities.
The effects of cocaine and its metabolites on the production of reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen intermediates

Cocaine, a naturally occuring alkaloid, is known to affect the immune system. The present authors have demonstrated that peritoneal macrophages, isolated from mice injected with cocaine, have an increased capacity for the production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and a decreased capacity for the production of reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI). The present studies were done to determine the effects of certain cocaine metabolites on the induction of ROI and RNI by peritoneal macrophages. C57BL/6 mice were injected i.p. with either saline or 5 mg/kg of one of the following: cocaine, norcocaine, benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester HCl or ecgonine HCl. The ROI were measured using a chemiluminescence assay and the RNI were measured as nitrite secretion following exposure of isolated Mo to interferon γ and LPS. Isolated peritoneal Mo from mice injected i.p. with cocaine, norcocaine and benzoylecgonine exhibited an increase in the production of ROI and a concomitant decrease in the production of RNI. However, injections of either ecgonine methylester HCl or ecgonine HCl had no effect on the induction of either ROI or RNI by murine peritoneal Mo. The cocaine metabolites, norcocaine and benzoylecgonine, have been reported to cause hepatic and/or cerebral toxicity. The present study also demonstrated that injection of these metabolites in vivo, also altered Mo functions which were measured in vitro.
Effect of predictive cuing on response inhibition in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure.

Background Heavy prenatal exposure to alcohol leads to widespread cognitive deficits, including problems with attention and response inhibition. This study examined blood oxygen level-dependent response in children with and without histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure during a task of response inhibition consisting of cued and noncued trials. Methods Children and adolescents (ages 8 to 18 years) with (alcohol-exposed [AE] = 20) and without (control [CON] = 15) histories of heavy prenatal exposure to alcohol underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a go/no-go task. Unbeknownst to subjects, a predictive cue preceded the no-go stimulus in 87% of trials. Results Groups were matched on demographic variables and did not differ on most measures of task performance. However, following cued stimuli, the AE group demonstrated a lower hit rate to go stimuli and more conservative response bias than the CON group. AE participants demonstrated more activation during no-go trials (inhibition) relative to go trials in the left precuneus, cingulate gyrus, anterior cingulate, and right medial frontal gyrus. During cue-dependent response inhibition, the AE group demonstrated less activation in the left precentral and postcentral gyrus compared to the CON group. Conclusions Consistent with previous studies of response inhibition, the AE group demonstrated greater frontal and parietal activation when attempting to inhibit prepotent responses than the CON group, despite similar rates of commission errors. This study further demonstrated that the AE group had impaired behavioral performance on cued trials and demonstrated less activation in precentral and postcentral gyri relative to the CON group on these trials. This investigation provides evidence of impaired behavioral and neural processing of sequential information in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which can help improve inhibition in typical populations.
Christian Counseling: A Synthesis of Psychological and Christian Concepts

Presented at a Symposium: Religion Based Counseling and Psychotherapy at the American Psychological Association Convention, San Francisco, California, August 27, 1977. Reprinted with permission from the author and Counseling and Values , Vol. 21 (1977), pp. 89-128.
Compact expressions for the Biot- Savart fields of a filamentary segment

Compact and computationally efficient expressions for the Biot–Savart magnetic field and vector potential of a single filamentary segment are derived. The expressions are singular only on the segment.
Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic effects of furosemide on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Background We have previously shown that children with mild asthma have a modest improvement in their pulmonary function tests after aerosolized furosemide. The mechanism of action is not known. The observation that furosemide possesses a similar profile of protection as sodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium suggests that furosemide may inhibit mediator production and release. Objective We studied the in vitro effects of furosemide on cytokine release from normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) induced by E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation, stimulated with LPS and incubated at 37°C with varying concentrations of furosemide, hydrocortisone, sodium cromoglycate, and nedocromil sodium for 24 hours. Supernatants were extracted and study for levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Intracellular IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations were also measured by cell cytometry. Cell viability was examined using XTT cell proliferation test and measuring the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Results There was a significant reduction in levels of TNF-α and IL-6 at a furosemide concentration of 0.5 × 10 -2 M and a reduction in IL-8 levels at 10 -2 M. This inhibition was comparable to that found with equivalent molar concentrations of hydrocortisone. These findings were also confirmed with measurements of intracellular IL-6 and TNF-α by cell cytometry. High concentration of furosemide at 10 -2 M caused significant cellular cytotoxicity. Conclusion These data suggest that furosemide may exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect. Specifically, the addition of furosemide resulted in decreased production of cytokines. This effect may be due to an immunosuppressive activity on monocytes as well as a direct cytotoxic effect at high furosemide concentrations.
Debt-Financed Consumption Sprees: Regulation, Freedom and Habits of Thought

Debt-financed consumption sprees can be socially costly. Easy access to credit can push economic activity above sustainable levels, eventually requiring cutbacks in spending, lay-offs from over-grown sectors, and write-downs of bad debts. This paper investigates problems of over-borrowing, emphasizing two key insights from institutional economics. First, tendencies toward over-borrowing have roots in consumers' predispositions to conform to rising consumption norms. Second, following Commons, regulation should be confined to bona fide public problems not better solved via private means. These insights imply that reregulation of consumer-credit markets by itself is not the right way to tackle problems of debt-financed consumption sprees.