cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Take It or Leave It: The Effects of Founder Managers on Merger Payoffs in US Public Companies

This paper examines how founder management in target firms affects merger payoffs of large public companies. Drawing from upper echelons theory, entrepreneurship and family business literature, I argue that a founder manager’s unique perspective, values, and influence on the process of the firm's strategic decisions may systematically affect the firm value of both the target and acquiring firms in the M&A market. I also argue that the balance of power between a founder manager and other managers may affect the target firm takeover premium. Finally, I argue that the preferences of succeeding family generations may be different from those of the founding generation, resulting in a lower takeover premium for descendant-managed firms. I test my arguments using a unique hand-collected data set that includes detailed information about founders of 423 target firms. Analyses show that all the arguments are supported and findings are robust to a number of sensitivity checks and econometric specifications.
Modification of cysteines reveals linkage to acetylcholine and vesamicol binding sites in the vesicular acetylcholine transporter of Torpedo californica.

Abstract: Properties of cysteinyl residues in the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) of synaptic vesicles isolated from Torpedo californica were probed. Cysteinespecific reagents of different size and polarity were used and the effects on [3H]vesamicol binding determined. The vesamicol dissociation constant increased 1,000-fold after reaction with p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate or phenylmercury acetate, but only severalfold after reaction with relatively small methylmercury chloride or methylmethanethiosulfonate (MMTS). Methylmercury chloride, but not MMTS, protected binding from phenylmercury acetate. Thus, two classes of cysteines react to affect vesamicol binding. Class 1 reacts with only organomercurials, and class 2 reacts with both organomercurials and MMTS. Quantitative analysis of the competition between p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate and VAChT ligands was possible after defining second-order reaction conditions. The results indicate that each cysteinyl class probably contains a single residue. Acetylcholine protects cysteine 1, but apparently does not protect cysteine 2. Vesamicol, which binds to a different site than acetylcholine does, apparently protects both cysteines, suggesting that it induces a conformational change. The relatively large reagent glutathione removes a substituent from cysteine 1, but not cysteine 2, suggesting that cysteine 2 is deeper in the transporter than cysteine 1 is. The complete sequence of T. californica VAChT is given, and possible identities of cysteines 1 and 2 are discussed.
Behavior of evaporating electrically charged droplets

Abstract Quantitative observations have been carried out on the behavior of evaporating, charged droplets, 60 to 200 microns in diameter, while they are electrically supported in an electric field between two horizontal metal plates. As the drop decreases in size, the electric charge density on its surface increases to values that produce potential gradients of several hundreds of kilovolts cm.−1, until finally one or more small highly charged droplets are ejected and the suspended droplet thereby loses about 30% of its charge. The phenomenon is explained by Rayleigh's criteria for charged droplet stability within the accuracy of the observations.
Multi-Frequency Focused Ultrasound for Tissue Ablation

In this study, the effectiveness of tissue ablation was investigated using multi-frequency high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducers (950 kHz, 1.5 MHz). Temperature rise and lesion volume were recorded when chicken tissue was ablated by focused ultrasound (FUS) with controlled ultrasound power and exposure time using single frequency and multi-frequency modes. It was found that multi-frequency tissue ablation gives a higher maximum temperature accompanied by a faster rise, and a larger ablation lesion volume, compared with single frequency ablation, under the same input conditions of electrical power, exposure time and depth of focus. Also, it was concluded that the same desired tissue temperature and ablation lesion conditions can be attained by using less power for the multi-frequency ablation. These findings are promising because the multi-frequency ultrasound ablation using FUS with a greater frequency difference could result in promising imaging guided effective therapy using one multi-frequency probe.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Effect of material properties and processing conditions on RESS of poly(l-lactide)

Abstract Rapid-expansion experiments with CO 2 + THF solutions of poly( l -lactide) (PLLA) have demonstrated that the solid-state diffusion coefficient of the solute ( D ) is a key variable for controlling particle size during RESS processing. PLLA polymers with melting points ( T m ) of 121 and 162 °C, pre-expansion temperatures ( T pre ) of 70 and 100 °C, and THF co-solvent concentrations of 10 and 20 wt.% were all investigated for their effect on the solid-state diffusion coefficient. The weight average molecular weights of the investigated PLLAs were 1340 and 6050, well below the critical molecular weight for entanglement M C , which is approximately 9000. An increase in T m , a decrease in T pre , and a decrease in THF concentration each resulted in a consistent decrease in both particle size and interparticle fusion. Because D ∝ exp(− T m / T ), where T is the particle temperature, these effects can be explained in terms of their impact on the solid-state diffusion coefficient. In general, RESS products from PLLA consisted predominantly of nanoparticles 30–100 nm in diameter, dispersed with either micron-sized particles or agglomerates of nano- and submicron-sized particles, with the type of dispersion depending on the value of D . These results suggest that the initially formed precipitates during RESS are nano-sized, and that the larger particles are subsequently obtained because of coalescence in the free jet, a process that is favored by higher values of D (and, thus T / T m ). In summary, then, our recent studies indicate that the best candidates for producing nanoscopic products by RESS are high-melting materials that can be processed at relatively low pre-expansion temperatures.
A note on the transport of the Brazil Current

Stommel's hypothesis on the influence of the thermohaline circulation on the transport of the Brazil Current is illustrated using the product of Semtner and Chervin's model. The velocity distribution along specifically chosen zonal sections is analyzed. A procedure of singling out the thermohaline component of the circulation is suggested and the significance of the component is proved.
Fractal dimension of propagating interfaces in turbulence.

The fractal dimension of propagating interfaces in turbulence is analyzed using a variant of a method recently used to obtain intermittency corrections to the fractal dimension of diffusive-scalar interfaces. The fractal dimension is found to be the same as for diffusive-scalar interfaces.
Multidecadal Variability in North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity

Abstract Recent increases in Atlantic basin tropical cyclone activity since 1995 and the associated destructive U.S. landfall events in 2004 and 2005 have generated considerable interest into why there has been such a sharp upturn. Natural variability, human-induced global warming, or a combination of both factors, have been suggested. Several previous studies have discussed observed multidecadal variability in the North Atlantic over 25–40-yr time scales. This study, using data from 1878 to the present, creates a metric based on far North Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies and basinwide North Atlantic sea level pressure anomalies that shows remarkable agreement with observed multidecadal variability in both Atlantic basin tropical cyclone activity and in U.S. landfall frequency.
Using constructed analogs to improve the skill of National Multi-Model Ensemble March–April–May precipitation forecasts in equatorial East Africa

In this study we implement and evaluate a simple ‘hybrid’ forecast approach that uses constructed analogs (CA) to improve the National Multi-Model Ensemble’s (NMME) March–April–May (MAM) precipitation forecasts over equatorial eastern Africa (hereafter referred to as EA, 2°S to 8°N and 36°E to 46°E). Due to recent declines in MAM rainfall, increases in population, land degradation, and limited technological advances, this region has become a recent epicenter of food insecurity. Timely and skillful precipitation forecasts for EA could help decision makers better manage their limited resources, mitigate socio-economic losses, and potentially save human lives. The ‘hybrid approach’ described in this study uses the CA method to translate dynamical precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) forecasts over the Indian and Pacific Oceans (specifically 30°S to 30°N and 30°E to 270°E) into terrestrial MAM precipitation forecasts over the EA region. In doing so, this approach benefits from the post-1999 teleconnection that exists between precipitation and SSTs over the Indian and tropical Pacific Oceans (Indo-Pacific) and EA MAM rainfall. The coupled atmosphere-ocean dynamical forecasts used in this study were drawn from the NMME. We demonstrate that while the MAM precipitation forecasts (initialized in February) skill of the NMME models over the EA region itself is negligible, the ranked probability skill score of hybrid CA forecasts based on Indo-Pacific NMME precipitation and SST forecasts reach up to 0.45.
Contributions to the History of Psychology: IV. Joseph Buchanan (1785-1829) and the “Law of Exercise” (1812)

This is a discussion of the law of exercise as found in a work of a forgotten American author whose major work has been described as “the first native American treatise on physiological psychology.”
Protein structural models for nucleic acid interactions.

Abstract It is proposed that particular segments of some ribosomal, histone and plant viral capsid proteins adopt a helical structural mode for interaction with nucleic acid. The amino acid regions were determined by three probes applied to 26 protein sequences: searches for helical wheels displaying asymmetric basic charge distributions, secondary structural predictions, and searches for primary structural homologies. In 11 of the protein sequences examined, homologous heptapeptides were found in the residue spans delineated by the three probes. A helical wheel analysis of the oligopeptide amino acids showed a distinct positive charge clustering. It is suggested that the basic amino acid side chains on the hydrophilic helical side interact with nucleic acid negative phosphate groups while the somewhat hydrophobic side is available for interaction within the protein or possibly with the major groove of double-stranded nucleic acid.
Spirituality and Religion in the Care of Surgical Oncology Patients with Life-Threatening or Advanced Illnesses

Spiritual and religious concerns often become of central importance in the care of surgical oncology patients confronted with their mortality. Unfortunately, surgeons are often ill prepared or reluctant to address the spiritual and religious needs of their patients. In this article, working definitions of spirituality versus religiosity will be developed in the context of the three largest monotheistic religions in America: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Disease, dying, and death will be explored with respect to these faiths and examples of how to address religious beliefs in practical clinical settings will be given. Finally, specific suggestions will be made for surgeons to better understand, empathize with, and address the needs of their seriously ill patients in a holistic manner.
Demonstration of a macromolecule cross-reacting with antibodies to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone and its tissue distribution.

Abstract Hypothalamic cytosol contains a macromolecule which cross-reacts with antibodies to luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LRH). This cross-reacting material (macro-CRM) is insoluble in methanol or acid ethanol, and its molecular weight is about 70,000. Macro-CRM is also found in cytosols of extra-hypothalamic regions of the brain, liver, kidney, spleen, and skeletal muscle. Plasma contains only marginal amounts of macro-CRM. This substance inhibits the binding of [125I]LRH to LRH antibodies in a reversible, competitive manner.
MEMS shear stress sensors for microcirculation

Abstract Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized nations. Both biochemical and biomechanical stimuli modulate the pathogenesis of coronary artery diseases. Shear stress acting on the lumen of blood vessels intimately modulates the biological activities of vascular endothelial cells (ECs). We hereby develop micro electro mechanical system (MEMS)-based sensors at the dimension comparable to a single EC to monitor real-time shear stress in a micro fluidic channel. Our goal is to fabricate sensors for shear stress measurement at low Reynolds number commonly encountered in human microcirculation. The MEMS sensors are designed based on the previously described heat transfer principles. The polysilicon was doped with phosphorous in order to increase the resistivity of the sensing element at 2.5 kΩ. The development of backside wire bonding enabled the application for the vascular geometry. The small dimension (80 μm × 2 μm) and the gain amplitude at 71 kHz offers an entry point to measure shear stress with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Thyroxine counteracts the effect of menhaden oil on fatty acid synthesis in BHE rats

Abstract Two experiments were conducted. In each, rats were fed a 6% fat-64% sucrose diet and de novo fatty acid synthesis was determined. Half of the rats were injected daily with 10 μg thyroxine (T 4 )/100 g body weight/day for seven days. In Experiment 1, the dietary fat was either corn oil or hydrogenated coconut oil. In Experiment 2, the dietary fat was menhaden oil. Treatment with T 4 resulted in an increase in fatty acid synthesis in the liver regardless of dietary fat source. Fatty acid synthesis in the fat pad was increased by T 4 when corn oil or menhaden oil was fed but not when coconut oil was fed. Plasma fatty acids rose only in those rats fed coconut oil when treated with T 4 . These results suggest that the effect of T 4 on de novo fatty acid synthesis depends on the type of dietary fat included in the diet.
Temporal Synergism of Circadian Neuroendocrine Oscillations Regulates Seasonal Conditions in the Gulf Killifish

Abstract The gulf killifish Fundulus grandis undergoes an annual cycle of reproductive, metabolic, and behavioral changes. The seasonal changes are determined primarily by water temperature and by endogenous seasonal alterations in the interpretation of water temperature. The evidence suggests that both exogenous and endogenous determinants involve an interaction of two circadian neuroendocrine oscillations. One neuroendocrine oscillation, and its circadian expressions, is entrained by the daily light-dark cycle. The other oscillation, and its circadian expressions, is coupled to the first oscillation in various phase relations as a function of season and ambient temperature. A temporal synergism of these oscillations and their circadian expressions produces appropriate complexes of physiological and behavioral conditions. The circadian rhythms of plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations appear to be circadian expressions of the two oscillations, and timed daily injections of cortisol and prolactin ca...
A future for community psychology practice

Community psychology has never really looked at its practice as a profession, though many of us as students came to the field with high expectations that we could learn how to make a difference in communities. This article discussed what I think about community psychology practice and how I have tried to approach it.
OFF‐LINE STORMWATER DETENTION SYSTEMS

ABSTRACT: This paper looks at the use of off-line detention systems as a means of stormwater management. Conventional detention basins are typically designed and built as in-line systems in which all runoff is directed to the basin. Off-line systems are designed so that only a portion of the runoff is directed to the basin. Several simulation experiments were run to examine the behavior of in-line and off-line systems designed to reduce the peak flow from a developed area to the pre-development level. The results demonstrate that off-line systems require considerably less storage than in-line systems to achieve the same management goal. The results also show that off-line and in-line systems have significantly different flow-duration characteristics with the off-line system generally producing lower flows over longer periods. Unfortunately, off-line systems may exacerbate downstream flooding problems, especially when used in the upper portions of a watershed. Nevertheless, an off-line system can be an alternative to in-line detention in many cases.
Inhibition of development of transformation by Rous sarcoma virus in cultures of high cell density.

The effect of cell density on morphological transformation of chick embryo cells by Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) was examined in this study, and a cell density optimum for transformation was found. Less than 10% of the transformed foci appearing at the optimum density (2.5 × 104 cells per cm2) developed at high cell densities, and the diameters of the foci (an indication of the number of cells per focus) decreased with increasing cell density. No correlation was found between the decrease in transformation at high cell densities and the effect of cell density on the initial rate of cell proliferation, although dissociation of transformation from incorporation of radioactive precursors into nucleic acids could not be established. Redistribution of cells infected at high density showed that only a small proportion of successfully infected cells developed into foci. The results indicate that transformation of cells containing the RSV genome can be suppressed by physiological factors accompanying high cell density.
Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II logging-while-drilling data acquisition and analysis

Abstract One of the objectives of the Gulf of Mexico Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project Leg II (GOM JIP Leg II) was the collection of a comprehensive suite of logging-while-drilling (LWD) data within gas-hydrate-bearing sand reservoirs in order to make accurate estimates of the concentration of gas hydrates under various geologic conditions and to understand the geologic controls on the occurrence of gas hydrate at each of the sites drilled during this expedition. The LWD sensors just above the drill bit provided important information on the nature of the sediments and the occurrence of gas hydrate. There has been significant advancements in the use of downhole well-logging tools to acquire detailed information on the occurrence of gas hydrate in nature: From using electrical resistivity and acoustic logs to identify gas hydrate occurrences in wells to where wireline and advanced logging-while-drilling tools are routinely used to examine the petrophysical nature of gas hydrate reservoirs and the distribution and concentration of gas hydrates within various complex reservoir systems. Recent integrated sediment coring and well-log studies have confirmed that electrical resistivity and acoustic velocity data can yield accurate gas hydrate saturations in sediment grain supported (isotropic) systems such as sand reservoirs, but more advanced log analysis models are required to characterize gas hydrate in fractured (anisotropic) reservoir systems. In support of the GOM JIP Leg II effort, well-log data montages have been compiled and presented in this report which includes downhole logs obtained from all seven wells drilled during this expedition with a focus on identifying and characterizing the potential gas-hydrate-bearing sedimentary section in each of the wells. Also presented and reviewed in this report are the gas-hydrate saturation and sediment porosity logs for each of the wells as calculated from available downhole well logs.
Army focused research team on functionally graded armor composites

With the emphasis on smaller but more mobile combat forces to meet a broad range of mission requirements, future weapon platforms and upgrades will require materials to do better, do more, weigh less, size less and cost less. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are such material candidates for niche Army applications such as armor, armaments, and vehicle structures. Under the shadow of shrinking resources, a focused research team (FRT) composed of the US Army Research Laboratory (ARL), academia, and small business was assembled to address MMC issues for Army applications. The immediate focus of this team is on the development of MMCs with a tailored ceramic-to-metal through-thickness gradient known as functionally graded armor composites (FGACs). The goal is to provide the science and technology to deliver a high space and mass efficient armor material for ballistic protection against light to medium threats. Technical issues being addressed by this team encompass the role of microstructure in affecting the dynamic flow and ballistic performance of FGACs, high-resolution non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques, joining FGACs to dissimilar materials, and the availability of versatile low-cost near-net-shape processing of FGACs. In this paper, highlights from these activities are presented. They include high-strain-rate testing and modeling, apertureless near-field optical scanning microscopy (ANSOM) of FGACs, micro- and nano-scale self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reactions, ballistic evaluation, and pressure assisted casting. These efforts represent key technologies necessary for prompt delivery of FGAC technology to the warfighter.
Self-organizing leader clustering in a neural network using a fuzzy learning rule

This paper describes a modular, unsupervised neural network architecture that can be used for data clustering and classification. The adaptive fuzzy leader clustering (AFLC) architecture is a hybrid neural-fuzzy system that learns on-line in a stable and efficient manner. The system consists of a fuzzy K-means learning rule embedded within a control structure similar to that found in the adaptive resonance theory (ART-1) network. AFLC adaptively clusters analog inputs into classes without a priori knowledge of the entire data set or of the number of clusters present in the data. The classification of an input takes place in a two stage process: a simple competitive stage and a euclidean metric comparison stage. Due to the modular design of AFLC, the euclidean metric can be replaced with various other metric for improved performance in a particular problem. The AFLC algorithm and operating characteristics are described, and the algorithm is compared to fuzzy K-means for both computer generated and real data.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Educating interventional radiology personnel in nonpharmacologic analgesia: Effect on patients' pain perception

Rationale and Objectives. The purpose was to evaluate the effects on patients' pain perception of educating interventional radiology personnel in nonpharmacologic analgesia. Materials and Methods. Ninety-six patients undergoing lower-extremity arteriography or percutaneous nephrostomy were asked to rate the pain they experienced during the procedure on a scale of 0 to 5 (0 = no pain, 1 = mild pain, 2 = moderate pain, 3 = severe pain, 4 = very severe pain, 5 = worst pain possible). Patients were studied at two baseline sessions (baseline 1, December 1993 to August 1994, n = 15; and baseline 2, September 1995 to January 1996, n = 11) and after the staff underwent one of two training sessions (posttraining 1, January 1995 to July 1995, n = 34; posttraining 2, January 1996 to April 1996, n = 36). Training targeted nurses and technologists and included rapport skills, correct use of language and suggestions, distraction, relaxation training, and self-hypnosis. Data were evaluated with analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results. The mean pain scores reported after training were lower (1.48) and matched an “acceptable” pain score of 1.52 more closely than those reported under baseline conditions (2.54, P = .001). There was a tendency toward reduced use of intravenously administered agents for conscious sedation after training. There were no statistically significant differences in the pain scores between patients who underwent arteriography and patients who underwent nephrostomy overall (1.76 and 1.78, respectively), at baseline (2.58 and 2.43, respectively), and after staff training (1.49 and 1.42, respectively). Conclusion. Interventional radiology personnel trained in nonpharmacologic analgesia methods can help reduce patients' pain perception during interventional procedures.
Ultra-high sensitivity intra-grain poly-diamond piezoresistors

Abstract Chemical vapor deposited (CVD) polycrystalline diamond is inexpensive and can become a commercially viable piezoresistive sensor material if its typical gauge factor (GF) exceeds that of crystalline Si and SiC. In this paper, a study of GF of B-doped polycrystalline diamond film leads to an intra-grain GF above 4000, which is comparable to GF of single crystal p-type diamond. This result, reported for the first time, shows that large-grain (50–80 μm) CVD diamond can be used to build inexpensive ultra-high sensitivity piezoresistive sensors.
Learning from the law to address uncertainty in the precautionary principle.

Environmentalists have advocated the Precautionary Principle (PP) to help guide public and private decisions about the environment. By contrast, industry and its spokesmen have opposed this. There is not one principle, but many that have been recommended for this purpose. Despite the attractiveness of a core idea in all versions of the principle—that decision-makers should take some precautionary steps to ensure that threats of serious and irreversible damage to the environment and public health do not materialize into harm—even one of the most widely endorsed principles needs considerable specification and refinement before it can be used. Moreover, the PP is an approach or guide to utilizing scientific evidence in social or legal decision-making contexts. In this it does not differ in kind from other approaches to using factual information such as in the law. The law provides some models for different strategies to guide decision-making under uncertainty when factual issues cannot be resolved with certainty. These in turn can help guide the formulation of different versions of PP and help clarify some presuppositions of the principle. Once some plausible versions of PP are articulated, I suggest some applications to existing environmental problems.
Experimental and Computational Steady and Unsteady Transonic Flows about a Thick Airfoil

An experimental and computational investigation of the steady and unsteady transonic flowfields about a thick airfoil is described. An operational computer code for solving the two-dimensional, compressible NavierStokes equations for flow over airfoils was modified to include solid-wall, slip-flow boundary conditions to properly assess the code and help guide the development of improved turbulence models. Steady and unsteady fiowfieids about an 18% thick circular arc airfoil at Mach numbers of 0.720, 0.754, and 0.783 and a chord Reynolds number of 11 x 10 are predicted and compared with experiment. Results from comparisons with experimental pressure and skin-friction distributions show improved agreement when including test-section wall boundaries in the computations. Steady-flow results were in good quantitative agreement with experimental data for flow conditions which result in relatively small regions of separated flow. For flows with larger regions of separated flow, improvements in turbulence modeling are required before good agreement with experiment will be obtained. For the first time, computed results for unsteady turbulent flows with separation caused by a shock wave were obtained which qualitatively reproduce the time-dependent aspects of experiments. Features such as the intensity and reduced frequency of airfoil surface-pressure fluctuations, oscillatory regions of trailing-edge and shock-induced separation, and the Mach number range for unsteady flows were all qualitatively reproduced.
Bacteriophage Sigma Factor for RNA Polymerase

An RNA polymerase factor analogous to the E. coli σ factor has been isolated from T4-infected cells. The σ factor and the T4 factor direct the transcription of different portions of the T4 genome.
Control of fixation duration in visual search and memory search: another look.

In visual search a variable delay (up to 150 msec) between the beginning of each fixation and the onset of a search stimulus reduces the time (oculomotor latency) between stimulus onset and the subject's next saccadic eye movement. Two hypotheses for this effect of stimulus onset delay (SOD) were compared: first, process monitoring, that SOD simply serves as a warning interval to facilitate saccadic responses; and second, preprogramming, that saccades are preprogrammed at short SODs. In the first experiment SOD produced a decline in oculomotor latency in search similar to that seen in previous studies. In the second and third experiments, the size of the memory set in a Sternberg memory search paradigm was varied, or a mask flanking some of the search stimuli was used, to vary the processing time of each stimulus. Partial preprogramming of saccades at short delays would predict that increasing the processing time of individual stimuli would increase oculomotor latency at only short SODs. However, oculomotor latency increased equally at all SODs. In this search task, then, the SODs appeared to facilitate saccade initiation. Language: en
Predation on marine bryozoan colonies: taxa, traits and trophic groups

While bryozoans are important components of marine benthic ecosystems, their sig- nificance as food has scarcely been considered in any comparative study. An analysis of the phylo- genetic range of predators on bryozoan colonies was undertaken to elucidate relationships among different consumers. Functional feeding traits and diet categories were determined from literature sources and observations for 399 predator species. Multivariate analyses were used to identify groups of species that consume similar food resources and have related functional traits corresponding to finding, acquiring and ingesting prey. These analyses distinguished gradients among trophic groups based on dissimilar feeding mechanisms, body sizes, types of locomotion and dietary breadths. Co-occurrences of certain diet categories also emerged as important factors. Trophic groups were largely consistent with species clusters at different taxonomic ranks among the predator phyla. At one extreme, fishes and decapod crustaceans with large dietary breadths and body sizes, and crush- ing or tearing feeding mechanisms, appear to consume bryozoans as minor or even incidental parts of their diets. At another extreme, species of nudibranchs, pycnogonids, turbellarians, and certain polychaetes, small arthropods and nematodes that consume bryozoans do so primarily or exclusively. Their body sizes are comparatively smaller and they often have piercing and suctorial feeding mech- anisms. These differences are associated by inference with different probabilities of antagonistic encounters and likelihoods of lethal or sublethal predation. The analyses provide a baseline for eco- logical and evolutionary comparisons, and a broader context for the questions, 'Who eats bryozoans, how, and how frequently?'.
Liquid Crystalline Solvents as Mechanistic Probes. VII. Investigation of a Photochromic Merocyanine to Indolinospiropyran Isomerization in the Isotropic and Smectic Phases of n-Butyl Stearate and in Polybutadiene Oligomers

Abstract The unimolecular isomerization of a merocyanine (t - 2a) to an indolinospiropyran, 1', 3', 3'-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro [2H-benzopyran-2,2'-indoline] (1a), has been followed in the isotropic and smectic liquid crystalline phases of n-butyl stearate (BS) and in three polybutadiene oligomers (PB). The rate constants, k−t, for isomerization in PB demonstrate that viscosity is not a factor as long as the solvent chains are mobile. The k−t for all three PB fractions (η 13.1-506 cP) at 25°C range only from 1.0-3.6 min−1. Comparison of the activation parameters in the two phases of BS (Ea = 17.4 kcal mole−1 and ΔS‡ = -9.3 e.u. in the isotropic phase; Ea = 38.2 kcal mole−1 and ΔS‡ ≈ +55 e.u. in the smectic phase) with each other and with other solvents reveals that polarity considerations, although important, are incapable of explaining the data completely. The effect of solvent order on the activation parameters must be included.
Sliding-window motion artifact rejection for Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIR) is an optical brain monitoring technology that tracks changes in hemodynamic responses within the cortex. fNIR uses specific wavelengths of light, introduced at the scalp, to enable the noninvasive measurement of changes in the relative ratios of deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) and oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) during brain activity. This technology allows the design of portable, safe, affordable, noninvasive, and minimally intrusive monitoring systems that can be used to measure brain activity in natural environments, ambulatory and field conditions. However, for such applications fNIR signals can get prone to noise due to motion of the head. Improving signal quality and reducing noise, can be especially challenging for real time applications. Here, we study motion artifact related noise especially due to poor and changing sensor coupling. We have developed a simple and iterative method that can be used to automate the preprocessing of data to identify segments with such noise for exclusion and this method is also suitable for real time applications.
The Stationary Distribution and First Exit Probabilities of a Storage Process with General Release Rule

Consider a storage process X = {Xt, t ≥ 0} with compound Poisson input and a state-dependent release rule r· which is arbitrary except for the requirement that state zero be reachable in finite time from any positive starting state. We show that there exists a stationary distribution for X if and only if there is a limiting distribution independent of the initial state, in which case the stationary distribution is unique and coincides with the limiting distribution. A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a stationary distribution, as well as a general solution for the distribution when it exists, is given. We also give a general formula for Ux, the probability that level b is exceeded before level a is reached, starting from state x ∈ a, b]. Both the stationary distribution and Ux are expressed in terms of a certain positive kernel.
Active coupled-resonator optical waveguides. II. Current injection InP-InGaAsP Fabry-Perot resonator arrays

We investigate active, electrically pumped coupled-resonator optical waveguides (CROWs) in the form of InP-InGaAsP Fabry-Perot resonator arrays. We discuss the fabrication of these devices and present measurements of the transmission spectra. The signal-to-noise ratio is found to be a strong function of wavelength and degraded rapidly along the resonator chain away from the input. Our results highlight a number of ingredients toward practical implementations loss-compensated and amplifying CROWs.
Membrane-bound and releasable nucleotidase activities: differences in canine mesenteric artery and vein.

1. At least two enzymatic activities are proposed to degrade the extracellular ATP: (i) ubiquitously expressed membrane-bound enzymes (ecto-nucleotidases); and (ii) soluble (releasable) nucleotidases that are released during stimulation of sympathetic nerves and break down neuronal ATP. No quantitative data have placed the magnitude of these nucleotidase activities into a physiological perspective of neurovascular control. 2. We studied comparatively the membrane-bound and releasable nucleotidase activities in canine isolated inferior mesenteric arteries and veins using 1,N6-etheno(epsilon)-nucleotides (i.e. epsilon-ATP, epsilon-ADP, epsilon-AMP and epsilon-adenosine) as exogenous substrates. The enzymatic activities were estimated by measuring the disappearance of the epsilon-substrate and appearance of epsilon-products by means of HPLC-fluorescence detection during either stimulation of sympathetic perivascular nerves (releasable activity) or in the absence of nerve stimulation (ecto-nucleotidase activity). 3. Incubation of vascular segments with 50 nmol/L epsilon-ATP for 60 min resulted in a decrease of the epsilon-ATP substrate by 63.5 +/- 4.6 and 91.2 +/- 6.2% in the artery and vein, respectively. In contrast, the decrease of the epsilon-ATP during electrical field stimulation (EFS; 16 Hz, 0.3 msec, 2 min) was 39.8 +/- 4.2% in the artery and 13.1 +/- 7.3% in the vein. Therefore, the mesenteric arteries demonstrate a greater releasable ATPase activity and a weaker ecto-ATPase activity than mesenteric veins. 4. The degradation of epsilon-ADP and epsilon-AMP was similar in both blood vessels under either experimental protocol. The epsilon-adenosine was not significantly degraded in the absence or presence of EFS. 5. These data implicate a differential removal of extracellular ATP as a potential mechanism of serving resistance and capacitance in the splanchnic circulation.
Lanthanide ethylenediaminetetraacetates as aqueous shift reagents: Interaction with cyclopropane carboxylic acid

Abstract Lanthanide-induced-shift data are presented for cyclopropane carboxylic acid binding to nine lanthanide ethylenediaminetetraacetate chelates at pH 6. Plots of the C(α) shift data by two linear methods reveal a break in the data near the center of the lanthanide series. Possible sources of this break are discussed.
Severity of Elastase-Induced Emphysema Is Decreased in Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin-1β Receptor-Deficient Mice

A single intratracheal dose of porcine pancreatic elastase, which is cleared from the lung by 24 hours, was administered to wild-type, IL-1beta type 1 receptor-deficient, double TNF-alpha (type 1 and type 2) receptor-deficient, and combined TNF-alpha (type 1 receptor) plus IL-1beta receptor-deficient mice. The mean linear intercept (Lm) of saline-treated mice was 32(3) microm [mean(SE)]. For wild-type elastase-treated mice, Lm was 81(6) microm at 21 days versus 52(5) microm at 5 days after treatment, indicating that alveolar wall remodeling occurs long after the elastase injury. At 21 days, Lm values were 67(10), 62(3), and 39(5) microm in elastase-treated mice deficient in the IL-1beta receptor, double TNF-alpha receptors, and combined receptors, respectively. The level of apoptosis assessed by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-catalyzed in situ nick end-labeling assay was increased at 5 days after elastase treatment and was markedly and similarly attenuated in the IL-1beta, the double TNF-alpha, and the combined receptor-deficient mice. Our results indicate that inflammatory mediators exacerbate elastase-induced emphysema. We estimate that in the combined TNF-alpha + IL-1beta receptor-deficient mice, inflammation accounts for about 80% of the emphysema that develops after elastase treatment; decreased apoptosis of lung cells likely contributes to decreased severity of emphysema.
Effect of particle size on energy dissipation in viscoelastic granular collisions.

We analyze the scaling properties of the Hertz-Kuwabara-Kono (HKK) model, which is commonly used in numerical simulations to describe the collision of macroscopic noncohesive viscoelastic spherical particles. Parameters describing the elastic and viscous properties of the material, its density, and the size of the colliding particles affect the restitution coefficient e and collision time τ only via appropriate rescaling but do not change the shape of e(v )a ndτ(v) curves, where v is the impact velocity. We have measured the restitution coefficient experimentally for relatively large (1 cm) particles of microcrystalline cellulose to deduce material parameters and then to predict collision properties for smaller microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) particles by assuming the scaling properties of the HKK model. In particular, we demonstrate that the HKK model predicts the restitution coefficient of microscopic particles of about 100 μm to be considerably smaller than that of the macroscopic particles. In fact, the energy dissipation is so large that only completely inelastic collisions occur for weakly attractiveparticles.Weproposeastraightforwardself-consistentextensiontotheJohnson-Kendall-Roberts(JKR) model to include dissipative forces and discuss the implications of our findings for the behavior of experimental powder systems.
Superior predictive ability for death of a basic metabolic profile risk score.

Background The basic metabolic profile (BMP) is a common blood test containing information about standard blood electrolytes and metabolites. Although individual variables are checked for cardiovascular health and risk, combining them into a total BMP-derived score, as to maximize BMP predictive ability, has not been previously attempted. Methods Patients (N = 279,337) that received a BMP and had long-term follow-up for death were studied. Risk models were created in a training group (60% of study population, n = 167,635), validated in a test group (40% of study population, n = 111,702), and confirmed in the NHANES III (Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) participants (N = 17,752). The BMP models were developed for 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year death using logistic regression with adjustment for age and sex. The BMP parameters were categorized as low, normal, or high based on the standard range of normal. Glucose was categorized as normal, intermediate, and high. Creatinine ≥2 mg/dL was further categorized as very high. Results Average age was 53.2 ± 20.1 years, and 44.3% were male. The areas under the curve for the training and test groups for 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year death were 0.887 and 0.882, 0.850 and 0.848, and 0.858 and 0.847, respectively. The predictive ability of these risk scores was further confirmed in the NHANES III population and independent of the Framingham Risk Score. Conclusion In large, prospectively followed populations, a highly significant predictive ability for death was found for a BMP risk model. We propose a total BMP score as an optimization of this routine baseline test to provide an important new addition to risk prediction.
Optimization of in situ cellular ELISA performed on influenza A virus-infected monolayers for screening of antiviral agents

Viral susceptibility testing has been traditionally performed by the plaque reduction assay (PRA) which is laborious, time consuming, relatively expensive, and requires subjective input by the reader. An in situ cellular enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been developed with the potential to overcome many of the limitations of PRA and has been applied to a variety of viruses. This study establishes the specific conditions necessary for susceptibility testing of influenza A virus to antiviral agents such as amount of inoculum size, duration of incubation, fixative type, and cell number; factors which are critical to the performance of the in situ cellular ELISA. In situ cellular ELISA was found to correlate strongly with the plaque assay (PA) (R2 = 0.997, P < 0.002). Both assays were applied to test the susceptibility of influenza A virus to a new antiviral emulsion agent and yielded comparable data. The optimized in situ cellular ELISA can serve as a reliable assay for the rapid screening of large numbers of antiviral agents.
Epidural hematomas in the setting of regional anesthesia: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention

egional anesthesia has many benefits over general anesthesia including decreased use of systemic medications, less nausea and vomiting, decreased incidence of airway manipulation, and minimal mental status changes. It also offers improved quality and duration of pain control in comparison to IV analgesics. The disadvantages of regional anesthesia include failed block, neurologic damage, infection, bleeding, and headaches. One of the most disastrous epidural/spinal complications that can potentially be avoided is neurologic damage secondary to a spinal epidural hematoma. Until 1993, spinal epidural hematomas were considered one of the rarest complications of regional anesthesia. The reported incidence of hematomas was less than 1:150,000 among the epidural population and less than 1:220,000 among the spinal population. ~ Vandermeulen reported 62 cases of hematomas, 15 spinal and 46 epidural. 2 Unfortunately, since the introduction of enoxaparin (Lovenox TM) into the United States in May of 1993, there have been over 80 cases of spinal epidural hematomas. 23 The number of reported cases of hematomas in the last 10 years is 120% of the number reported in the previous 80 years. Because of the dramatic increase of hematomas in association with regional anesthesia, as well as the introduction of newer anticoagulation related medications, there have been several revisions of the recommendations for performing regional anesthesia. This review article will attempt to describe the signs and symptoms, the differential diagnosis, the diagnosis, and the treatment of an epidural hematoma in the spinal cord. The current recommendations for performing neuraxial anesthesia/analgesia in the postoperative, obstetric, and pain settings will be discussed. For most peripheral nerve blocks, hematomas are uncommon and usually of little consequence. 3 Nevertheless, the recommendations for neuraxial anesthesia should also be applied towards peripheral nerve blocks for medico-legal purposes. For clarity's sake, a spinal epidural hematoma will refer to a hematoma in the epidural space of the spine.