cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What's Manhattan worth? A land values index from 1950 to 2014

Abstract Using vacant land sales, we construct a land values index for Manhattan from 1950 to 2014. We find three major cycles (1950 to 1977, 1977 to 1993, and 1993 to 2009) with land values reaching their nadir in 1977, just after the city's fiscal crisis. Overall, we find the average annual real growth rate to be 5.5%. Since 1993, land prices have risen quite dramatically, and much faster than population or employment growth, at an average annual rate of 15.8%, suggesting that barriers to entry in real estate development are causing prices to rise faster than other measures of local well-being. Further, we estimate the entire amount of developable land on Manhattan in 2014 was worth approximately $1.74 trillion. This would suggest an average annual return of about 6.4% since the island was first inhabited by Dutch settlers in 1626.
Moral Foundations of Money Production (Farsi Edition)

We will talk about the ethics of money production. our research will be about some theories of ethics which can cover our discussion and then we will have a look on the history of money production. Last part has been dedicated to adjust these two different fields and as the conclusion, we found that: by definition in which we define the morality, money production is immoral.
A Review of “Modern languages in the primary school”

In Modern Languages in the Primary School, Hood and Tobutt offer a research-based, practical guide to modern language planning, teaching and assessment in the primary school through authentic examp...
Immediate postpartum insertion of the Norplant contraceptive device.

Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of Norplant (Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Philadelphia, PA) insertion immediately postpartum. Design Prospective study of 14 women receiving Norplant immediately postpartum compared with controls (n=6) having a bilateral tubal ligation. Subjects were followed for 3months postpartum, and data were analyzed by analysis of variance and χ 2 . Setting Academic Health Sciences Center. Patients Female subjects 18 to 35 years old who had an uncomplicated term pregnancy, normal spontaneous vaginal delivery, and did not breast-feed. Intervention A brief interview, physical exam, and blood and urine samples were evaluated during a 12-week postpartum period. Main Outcome Measures Major complaints, serum chemistry panels, hematologic and coagulative measures, serum E 2 , P, levonorgestrel, PRL, LH, FSH, and urinary estrone-3 conjugates and pregnanediol-3-glucuronide concentrations. Results Serum levonorgestrel peaked at approximately 2,000pg/mL (6,400pmol/L) during the 1st week after Norplant insertion, declining to approximately 250pg/mL (800pmol/L) by the 8th week. Significant differences between Norplant and control groups included bleeding irregularities, headaches, alopecia, and abdominal discomfort. Serum electrolytes, metabolic markers, and blood components were within normal limits. Serum E 2 , P, and urinary steroid biomarkers indicated that steroid secretion was suppressed severely in the Norplant group compared with controls who exhibited normal postpartum ovarian activity. Conclusion Norplant inserted immediately postpartum appears to be a safe and effective method of contraception. However, the long-term hypoestrogenic state and contraceptive efficacy beyond the 3-month postpartum period as observed in this study are concerns that need further clinical evaluation.
Testing finite state machines based on a structural coverage metric

Verification is a critical phase in the development of any hardware and software system. Finite state machines have been widely used to model hardware and software systems. Therefore, testing finite state machines (FSMs) is an important issue. Coverage analysis of a test suite for a system's implementation determines the adequacy and the confidence level of the verification phase. In this paper, we derive a fault coverage metric for a test suite for an FSM specification. We also extend this metric for fault coverage estimation of interconnected FSMs, and we propose symbolic input based fault coverage for large FSMs. Finally, we also study incremental construction of a test suite associated with a coverage for a given FSM specification.
Using the XFEL to drive the gain of inner-shell x-ray lasers using photo-ionization and photo-excitation processes

Four years ago an inner-shell X-ray laser was demonstrated at 849 eV in singly ionized neon gas using the LCLS X-FEL at 960 eV to photo-ionize the 1s electron in neutral neon followed by lasing on the 2p – 1s transition in singly-ionized neon. It took many decades to demonstrate this scheme because it required a very strong X-ray source that could photo-ionize the 1s (K shell) electrons in neon on a time scale comparable to the intrinsic auger lifetime in the neon, which is typically 2 fsec. In this work we model the neon inner shell X-ray laser under similar conditions to those used at LCLS and investigate how we can improve the efficiency of the neon laser and reduce the drive requirements by tuning the XFEL to the 1s-3p transition in neutral neon in order to create gain on the 2p-1s line in neutral neon. We also explore using the XFEL to drive gain on 3-2 transitions in singly-ionized Ar and Cu plasmas.
Thermal Physiology, Disease, and Amphibian Declines on the Eastern Slopes of the Andes

Rising temperatures, a widespread consequence of climate change, have been implicated in enigmatic amphibian declines from habitats with little apparent human impact. The pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), now widespread in Neotropical mountains, may act in synergy with climate change causing collapse in thermally stressed hosts. We measured the thermal tolerance of frogs along a wide elevational gradient in the Tropical Andes, where frog populations have collapsed. We used the difference between critical thermal maximum and the temperature a frog experiences in nature as a measure of tolerance to high temperatures. Temperature tolerance increased as elevation increased, suggesting that frogs at higher elevations may be less sensitive to rising temperatures. We tested the alternative pathogen optimal growth hypothesis that prevalence of the pathogen should decrease as temperatures fall outside the optimal range of pathogen growth. Our infection-prevalence data supported the pathogen optimal growth hypothesis because we found that prevalence of Bd increased when host temperatures matched its optimal growth range. These findings suggest that rising temperatures may not be the driver of amphibian declines in the eastern slopes of the Andes. Zoonotic outbreaks of Bd are the most parsimonious hypothesis to explain the collapse of montane amphibian faunas; but our results also reveal that lowland tropical amphibians, despite being shielded from Bd by higher temperatures, are vulnerable to climate-warming stress.
Interfacial Shear Stresses Calculation of RC Beams Strengthened with FRP Plate under Symmetry Concentrated Loading

The performance of the interface between fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) and concrete is one of the key factors to affect the behaviors of RC beams strengthened with FRP plate. Under external loading, the relative slip occurring on the interface between FRP plate and concrete causes the redistribution of stress and then the bearing capacity of the member is reduced. This study analyzes the effect of the interfacial soft behavior on the interfacial shear stresses of RC beams strengthened with FRP plate under symmetry concentrated loading. The analytical model is established, and the differential equations of interfacial shear stresses of RC beams strengthened with FRP plate are established. The calculated formulas of interfacial shear stresses are deduced under symmetry concentrated loading.
The Propagation and Scattering of EM Waves with TE Polarization in Electrically Large Ducts

The electromagnetic scattering from large curved ducts with complex terminations is studied here by a hybrid technique. The propagation of electromagnetic waves in the duct is analyzed in terms of an approximate modal solution. A finite-difference technique is employed for computing the reflection characteristics of the complex terminations. Numerical results are obtained for two-dimensional geometries.
Immunofluorescent microscopic investigation of the distal arrector pili: A demonstration of the spatial relationship between α5β1 integrin and fibronectin

Abstract Currently there is limited knowledge regarding the anatomy of the distal arrector pili (AP) muscle. A previous study implicated fibronectin and α5β1 integrin binding as the anchor between the AP and the extracellular matrix (ECM). The purpose of this study was to strengthen this hypothesis. Serial frozen sections of human scalp skin were double-labeled via immunofluorescent staining for α5β1 with fluorescein and fibronectin with rhodamine, followed by fluorescent microscopy. Granular staining for α5β1 with fluorescein and smooth staining for fibronectin with rhodamine were seen at the periphery of the AP muscle bundles and along the distal fibers. Precise co-localization of α5β1 and fibronectin was observed at the AP-ECM interface by means of a dual filter. Analysis of variance was used on the relative density of staining for each epitope. Staining for both epitopes was significantly brighter at the distal fibers than at the middle or proximal portions of the muscle. A computerized three-dimensional reconstruction provides a detailed picture of the microanatomy of the distal AP, which allows mathematical evaluation of the forces of contraction. The anatomic co-localization between α5β1 and fibronectin strengthens our hypothesis that interaction of these epitopes mediates the attachment of the distal AP to the ECM. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;43:19-23.)
FIRE AND GRAZING REGULATE BELOWGROUND PROCESSES IN TALLGRASS PRAIRIE

In tallgrass prairie, belowground processes are even more important than in forested systems because aboveground biomass and standing dead litter are periodically removed by frequent fires or grazers. Thus, studies that address factors regulating below- ground processes are especially relevant for tallgrass prairie. We predicted that effects of grazing and burning differ belowground and that changes in root productivity caused by burning or grazing provide feedback that affects ecosystem fluxes of C and N. These dif- ferences in belowground response should be driven largely by changes in N dynamics and the degree to which burning and grazing affect the pathway and magnitude of N loss and the degree of N limitation in these systems. Fire, the major pathway of N loss in ungrazed tallgrass prairie, should result in reduced net N mineralization and N availability. We expected plants to compensate for increased N limitation by increasing their allocation to roots, as manifested in increased soil respiration and C cycling belowground. In contrast, grazing conserves N in the ecosystem by redistributing the N once contained in grass to labile forms in urine and dung. Thus, we predicted that grazing should increase N cycling rates and N availability to plants. Consequently, grazed plants should be less N limited and should allocate less C to roots and more to shoots. This, in turn, should decrease belowground C cycling, manifested as reduced soil CO2 flux. We explored the roles of grazing and burning on root growth in experimental watersheds at Konza Prairie, Kansas, USA. To assess effects of fire on root productivity, we installed root ingrowth cores in two watersheds without grazers that differ in fire frequency: annually vs. infrequently burned (four years since the last fire). To assess effects of grazing, we installed root ingrowth cores in an annually burned watershed grazed by bison and in fenced controls (exclosures). Within bison "grazing lawns," root ingrowth cores were installed in lightly and heavily grazed patches. Concurrently, we measured in situ rates of net N min- eralization and soil respiration as indices of soil N and C cycling. Annual burning resulted in a 25% increase in root growth compared to the unburned watershed (four years since last fire), as plants compensated for N limitation by increasing allocation to roots. Grazing had the opposite effect: it decreased root growth, especially in heavily grazed patches (-30% less than in fenced controls). Grazing by ungulates increased N cycling and availability. Therefore, grazed plants, instead of being N limited, experienced C. limitation as shoots regrew and plants allocated less C to roots. Interestingly, root ingrowth
Comparison of satiate feeding and restricted feeding of channel catfish with various concentrations of dietary protein in production ponds

Abstract A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) using satiate or restricted feeding with 26, 32 or 38% dietary protein concentrations in practical catfish diets. The diets were similar to commercial catfish feeds, with major ingredients being soybean meal, ground corn, fish meal and wheat middlings, and small amounts of vitamin and mineral supplements. The protein concentration of the diets was increased by substituting a fixed ratio of soybean meal to fish meal (5 : 1) for corn. Essential amino acids in all diets were adequate. Energy concentration of the diets was not regulated. Fish were grown from 60 g to marketable size at a stocking density of 13 590 fish per ha in 400-m2 earthen ponds. Fish in the satiation feeding group were fed as much as they would consume each day for the 125-day spring-summer experimental period. Fish in the restricted feeding group were not fed more than 60 kg/ha day−1; this rate was reached at approximately day 70 of the experiment. There was a significant interaction between feeding regime and dietary protein concentration on weight gain. Weight gain of fish fed to satiation decreased linearly as dietary protein content increased, while weight gain of fish under restricted feeding increased linearly with increasing dietary protein percentage. Weight gain of fish fed to satiation was positively correlated with feed consumption, which decreased linearly as dietary protein concentration increased. Dietary protein concentration had no influence on feed conversion under satiate feeding, but had a positive effect on feed conversion under restricted feeding. Feed conversion of fish fed to satiation was higher than that of fish under restricted feeding. Dietary protein had a quadratic effect on dressing percentage; it increased as dietary protein increased from 26 to 32% and decreased as dietary protein increased from 32 to 38% for both satiate and restricted feeding. Body fat content of fish in both feeding regimes was negatively correlated with the protein/digestible energy ratio of the diets. Body fat content of fish fed to satiation was higher than that of fish fed at the restricted rate. These results indicate that feeding rate significantly influences weight gain and body composition of channel catfish. In addition, channel catfish can obtain sufficient nutrients from a 26%-protein, amino-acid-balanced practical diet for maximum weight gain with satiate feeding, but when fed to less than satiation higher-protein diets are required.
Racial, ethnic, and economic disparities in the prevalence of pregnancy complications.

Objectives Our objective was to use maternal self-reported data to estimate the prevalence of urinary tract infections, placenta disorders, and preterm rupture of the membranes (PROM) and to explore the association between these complications and race, ethnicity, and economic status. Methods We used data for the years 2000–2002 from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), an ongoing survey of women with a recent live birth, to examine the prevalence of and hospitalizations for self-reported urinary tract infections, placenta disorders, and PROM and to investigate differences by maternal race, Hispanic ethnicity, and economic status. Prevalence and hospitalizations were calculated as a percent of the represented population using SUDAAN to account for the sampling design. Results Urinary tract infections were commonly reported, occurring in more than 17% of women during their pregnancy. Placenta disorders and PROM were each reported by approximately 6% of women. Poverty and race had independent effects on each of the pregnancy complications examined. Fewer than half of the women who experienced these pregnancy complications were hospitalized. Conclusions Pregnancy complications are common and not adequately measured by hospitalizations alone. Both more research and improved surveillance are needed to understand the effect of pregnancy complications on women’s health and the reasons for the increased risk among poor or black women.
The Vitamin A Requirements of Dairy Cows for Production of Butterfat of High Vitamin A Value. III. Availability of Carotene in Dehydrated Alfalfa Hay as Compared with Carotene in Oil

Summary 1. Experiments have been conducted to determine the relative availability of carotene in dehydrated alfalfa hay as compared with isolated carotene (in oil) as a source of vitamin A in the rations of dairy cows. 2. Two groups of cows were used in these experiments. Each group of cows was fed equal amounts of carotene at levels of 130, 200, and 300 milligrams daily. 3. The results of these experiments indicate that dairy cows can utilize the carotene from the alfalfa hay as readily as isolated carotene.
Approximate self-consistent potentials for density-functional-theory exchange-correlation functionals

We show that potentials for exchange-correlation functionals within the Kohn-Sham density-functional-theory framework may be written as potentials for simpler functionals multiplied by a factor close to unity, and in a self-consistent field calculation, these effective potentials find the correct self-consistent solutions. This simple theory is demonstrated with self-consistent exchange-only calculations of the atomization energies of some small molecules using the Perdew-Kurth-Zupan-Blaha (PKZB) meta--generalized-gradient-approximation (meta-GGA) exchange functional. The atomization energies obtained with our method agree with or surpass previous meta-GGA calculations performed in a non-self-consistent manner. The results of this work suggest the utility of this simple theory to approximate exchange-correlation potentials corresponding to energy functionals too complicated to generate closed forms for their potentials. We hope that this method will encourage the development of complex functionals which have correct boundary conditions and are free of self-interaction errors without the worry that the functionals are too complex to differentiate to obtain potentials.
Early Life Adversity Alters the Developmental Profiles of Addiction-Related Prefrontal Cortex Circuitry

Early adverse experience is a well-known risk factor for addictive behaviors later in life. Drug addiction typically manifests during adolescence in parallel with the later-developing prefrontal cortex (PFC). While it has been shown that dopaminergic modulation within the PFC is involved in addiction-like behaviors, little is known about how early adversity modulates its development. Here, we report that maternal separation stress (4 h per day between postnatal days 2–20) alters the development of the prelimbic PFC. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy revealed differences between maternally-separated and control rats in dopamine D1 and D2 receptor expression during adolescence, and specifically the expression of these receptors on projection neurons. In control animals, D1 and D2 receptors were transiently increased on all glutamatergic projection neurons, as well as specifically on PFC→nucleus accumbens projection neurons (identified with retrograde tracer). Maternal separation exacerbated the adolescent peak in D1 expression and blunted the adolescent peak in D2 expression on projection neurons overall. However, neurons retrogradely traced from the accumbens expressed lower levels of D1 during adolescence after maternal separation, compared to controls. Our findings reveal microcircuitry-specific changes caused by early life adversity that could help explain heightened vulnerability to drug addiction during adolescence.
Measurement of the thermal absorption cross section in lucite using fermi age theory

The diffusion processes of neutrons in Lucite have been investigated. The mechanisms of these processes have been described as having two steps. In the first step, the fast neutrons collide with the nuclei of Lucite, losing energy until they reach thermal energies, In the second step of the diffusion process, the thermal neutrons continue to diffuse through the Lucite without any significant loss of energy until they are finally absorbed or leak out of the system. Experiments were performed to study these two processes and to estimate the absorption cross section in Lucite. The experiments yielded an average range of 6.3 cm for fast neutrons slowing down to thermal energies and a thermal absorption cross section in Lucite of 0.52 b.
Thermal degradation of semiconductor qubit inverter operation in narrow band-gap materials

Abstract Recently, quantum computing has received a great deal of focus as a possible means of achieving rapid computational speeds when compared with that of classical computation. Nonetheless, in many of the current implementations of a “quantum computer”, the semiconductor platform has been largely overlooked. It has been previously demonstrated that it is possible to form the NOT gate in a coupled semiconductor waveguide structure in III–V materials. However, to this point, investigations have not included the effects of non-zero temperature on the system. It is crucial to determine what effect temperature has on the system. We present results of a semiconductor waveguide inverter in GaAs and InAs with non-zero thermal effects included in the simulation. The behavior of the device clearly shows that with the inclusion of thermal effects in these materials, waveguide NOT gate function is still possible. Nevertheless, care must be taken when selecting the operational values of the inverter as shifts in the I–V curves occur which could cause unwanted operation of the inverter.
Routes to identification of intrinsic twist in helical MoS 2 nanotubes by electron diffraction and annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging

Objective molecular dynamics simulations coupled with a density functional-based tight-binding model indicated that a stress-free single-walled ($14,6$) MoS${}_{2}$ nanotube exhibits a torsional deformation of 0.87 deg/nm. Simulated electron diffraction patterns and atomic-resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) images of the computed nanotube structures show promise that this peculiar feature can be identified experimentally. The small intrinsic twist removes the translational periodicity prescribed by the rolled-up construction and defines a nanotube for which the atomic order is most fundamentally described by the objective structures concept.
Cardiac hypertrophy in neonatal nephrectomized rats: the role of the sympathetic nervous system

Cardiac hypertrophy is frequently encountered in patients with renal failure and represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy is related to multiple factors, including excess adrenergic activity. This study investigated how renal injury in the early stages of life affects the adrenergic system and thereby potentially influences cardiac growth. Biomarkers of cardiac hypertrophy were used to assess adrenergic function. Newborn male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to three groups of five rats each: 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx), pair-fed controls (PF), and sham-operated (SH). Nx animals had significantly higher plasma urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and mean arterial blood pressure. The heart-weight/body-weight ratio of the Nx cohort was higher than SH and PF (p < 0.001) groups. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) of Nx animals was almost twofold higher than SH and PF (p < 0.01) animals. Compared with SH and PF, Nx animals had higher α1A-receptor protein expression, lower cardiac β1- and β2-receptor protein expression (p < 0.05), but higher G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2) expression (p < 0.05). Norepinephrine transporter protein (NET) and renalase protein expression in cardiac tissue from Nx pups were significantly lower than SH and PF. Our data suggest that early age Nx animals have increased circulating catecholamines due to decreased NE metabolism. Enhancement of cardiac GRK2 and NE can contribute to cardiac hypertrophy seen in Nx animals. Furthermore, AKT (activated via α1A receptors), as well as increased α1A receptors and their agonist NE, might contribute to the observed hypertrophy.
Noise trauma alters D-[3H]aspartate release and AMPA binding in chinchilla cochlear nucleus

Exposure of adults to loud noise can overstimulate the auditory system, damage the cochlea, and destroy cochlear nerve axons and their synaptic endings in the brain. Cochlear nerve loss probably results from the death of cochlear inner hair cells (IHC). Additional degeneration in the cochlear nucleus (CN) is hypothesized to stem from overstimulation of the system, which may produce excitotoxicity. This study tested these predictions by exposing one ear of anesthetized adult chinchillas to a loud noise, which damaged the ipsilateral cochlea and induced degeneration in the glutamatergic cochlear nerve. During the first postexposure week, before cochlear nerve axons degenerated, glutamatergic synaptic release in the ipsilateral CN was elevated and uptake was depressed, consistent with hyperactivity of glutamatergic transmission and perhaps with the operation of an excitotoxic mechanism. By 14 days, when cochlear nerve fibers degenerated, glutamatergic synaptic release and uptake in the CN became deficient. By 90 days, a resurgence of transmitter release and an elevation of AMPA receptor binding suggested transmission upregulation through plasticity that resembled changes after mechanical cochlear damage. These changes may contribute to tinnitus and other pathologic symptoms that precede and accompany hearing loss. In contrast, the other ear, protected with a silicone plug during the noise exposure, exhibited virtually no damage in the cochlea or the cochlear nerve. Altered glutamatergic release and AMPA receptor binding activity in the CN suggested upregulatory plasticity driven by signals emanating from the CN on the noise-exposed side.
NEAR DOUBLING OF HEART RATE AFTER INTRAVENOUS VERAPAMIL FOR TREATMENT OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION WITHOUT PREEXCITATION

Initial treatment of atrial fibrillation often involves pharmacological therapy to control ventricular response. While verapamil is usually safe and effective when used for this purpose, we report a proarrhythmic response. In this report a 30-year-old female presented with paipitations associated with atrial fibrillation and a ventricular response of 145 beats/min. Soon after she was given 5 mg of intravenous verapamil her ECG documented a regular wide QRS tachycardia at 290 beats/min. After 7 seconds the rhythm returned to an irregularly irregular narrow QRS tachycardia at 125–150 beats/min. At a later electropliysiology study there was neither evidence of preexcitation norinducible supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia. These data suggest that verapamil may have been associated with acceleration of the heart rate. The mechanism of proarrhythmia may be reiated to an aiteration in the atrial rhythm from atriaL fibrillation to atrial flutter, with additional factors as well.
Non-inductive plasma start-up on NSTX and projections to NSTX-U using transient CHI

Transient coaxial helicity injection (CHI) in the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) has generated toroidal current on closed-flux surfaces without the use of the central solenoid. When induction from the central solenoid was added, CHI initiated discharges in NSTX achieved 1 MA of plasma current using 65% of the solenoid flux of standard induction-only discharges. In addition, the CHI-initiated discharges have lower density and a low normalized internal plasma inductance of 0.35, as desired for achieving advanced scenarios. Transient CHI will be used for non-inductive plasma start-up on the upgrade to NSTX (NSTX-U) that is now under construction. It will have numerous improvements that significantly enhance CHI start-up capability. The TSC code is now starting to be used for full discharge simulation, which includes solenoid-less start-up with CHI and subsequent non-inductive current ramp-up using neutral beams. These results suggest that the increased injector flux capability of NSTX-U should allow CHI start-up at more than the 400 kA level and that the new tangential neutral beam system on NSTX-U should be able to ramp the current to the 1 MA levels.
New polyisobutylene-based UV-curable flexible coatings

New UV-curable solventless flexible transparent coatings have been prepared of acrylate- and methacrylate-capped linear or three-arm star polyisobutylenes PIB in the presence of conventional “reactive diluents” (multifunctional acrylate or methacrylate esters) and a UV-sensitizer. Solvent extraction studies show essentially complete network formation. The swelling ratios were surprisingly small indicating highly crosslinked gels. Films cast on glass, Teflon, stainless steel and aluminum and UV cured very strongly adhere to these surfaces and could not be removed without destroying the films. Films obtained by casting on aluminum, UV curing and subsequently dissolving the support by concentrated NaOH, contain no pinholes. DSC traces show a low and a high temperature transition characteristic of a domain separated morphology of soft PIB and hard acrylate or methacrylate segments. The exact positions of the transitions in the range from −57 to −45°C, and from 62 to 78°C are affected by the overall film composition. Tensile and elongation data have been obtained. The water absorption of these highly hydrophobic coatings is negligible.
Activation of arachidonoyl-phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine turnover by K+-evoked stimulation of brain synaptosomes

Abstract The turnover of arachidonoyl groups in synaptosomal phospholipids after stimulation by K + was examined. Raising the K + concentration in the incubation medium from 5 to 55 mM caused a rapid hydrolysis of labeled arachidonate from the synaptosomal phospholipids. Under this condition, radioactivity released from phosphatidylinositols was proportionally higher than that from phosphatidylcholines. Hydrolysis of arachidonoyl group from phospholipids was correlated to an increase in radioactivity in the free fatty acid-ion complex which appeared in the interphase after extraction with chloroform-methanol 2:1 (v/v). The K + -evoked phospholipid hydrolysis and the formation of fatty acid-ion complex, were Ca 2+ -dependent. Phospholipid deacylation activity was localized mainly in synaptic vesicles and synaptic plasma membranes but not in the mitochondria. The stimulated turnover of synaptosomal phospholipids appeared to be mediated by the deacylation-reacylation mechanism, because similar treatment with high K + stimulated the incorporation of labeled arachidonate into phosphatidylinositols and phosphatidylcholines of synaptosomes. The possible physiological implication of membrane lipid involvement in synaptic processes is discussed.
The Evolution of a Simplified Method for Interpretation of EEG in the Preterm Neonate

ABSTRACT. We describe the evolution of a simplified method for the interpretation of serial EEG in preterm enonates which was tested in a first sample and revised and unproved in a second sample of preterm neonates. There were 185 EEGs in the first sample and 206 EEGs in the second sample. The interpretation of the EEGs was related to mental, motor and neurological outcome in late infancy. Serial EEG is an excellent indicator of brain function in the preterm neonate.
Isolation and characterization of S. cerevisiae mutants deficient in amino acid-inducible peptide transport.

The transport of small peptides into the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is subject to complex regulatory control. In an effort to determine the number, and to address the function, of the components involved in peptide transport and its regulation, spontaneous mutants resistant to toxic di- and tripeptides were isolated under inducing conditions. Twenty-four mutant strains were characterized in detail and fell into two phenotypic groups; one group deficient in amino acid-inducible peptide uptake, the other with a pleiotropic phenotype including a loss of peptide transport. Complementation analysis of recessive mutations in 12 of these strains defĩned three groups; ptr1 (nine strains), ptr2 (two strains), and ptr3 (one strain). Isolation and screening of 31 additional N-methyl-N-nitro-N-Nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced, peptide transport-deficient mutants produced one ptr3 and 30 ptr2 strains: no additional complementation groups were detected. Uptake of radiolabeled dileucine was negligible in ptr1 and ptr2 strains and was reduced by 65% and 90% in the two ptr3 mutants, indicating that all strains were defective at the transport step. We conclude that the S. cerevisiae amino acid-inducible peptide transport system recognizes a broad spectrum of peptide substrates and involves at least three components. One gene, PTR3, may play an indirect or regulatory role since mutations in this gene cause a pleiotropic phenotype.
Comparison of Abscission Spray Application Practices for Mechanical Harvesting of Oranges

Two air-carrier sprayers were used to investigate the feasibility of applying abscission materials from one side of the tree in a two-row bedded orange grove. One-sided (bed side) and two-sided (both bed and ditch side) applications at 2.4 and 4.8 km/h were compared using each sprayer. Tank mixture contained active ingredient (a.i.) 5-chloro-3-methyl-4-nitro-1-H-pyrazole (CMN-P) at about 350 mg/L a.i., a surfactant, a drift retardant, and a fluorescent tracer. Leaf samples were collected from different locations on the bed and ditch sides, and deposition was determined by fluorometry. The efficacy of abscission application was assessed in terms of fruit detachment force (FDF) and percent fruit removal (PFR) by trunk shakers. With both sprayers, one-sided applications resulted in comparable depositions to two-sided applications at the far side of the lower canopy level. This result implies that one-sided applications might provide acceptable spray coverage in lightly foliated canopies. Abscission sprays at one-half or full a.i. (526 or 1052 g/ha) rate reduced fruit detachment force significantly. The best results were obtained with two-sided applications at lower ground speed (highest volume/a.i. rate). The air-curtain sprayer at full a.i. rate and the air-blast sprayer at one-half or full a.i. rate resulted in a significant increase in percent fruit removal.
The economic value of wetland services: a meta-analysis

Abstract The number of studies quantify the value of wetlands and the services provided by these ecosystems is rapidly expanding. The time is ripe for an assessment of what has been learned from this literature. Using results from 39 studies, we evaluate the relative value of different wetland services, the sources of bias in wetland valuation and the returns to scale exhibited in wetland values. While some general trends are beginning to emerge, the prediction of a wetland's value based on previous studies remains highly uncertain and the need for site-specific valuation efforts remains large.
New thoughts on river regulation

The thoughts herein set forth have been inspired by the experimental dredging-operations conducted during the past year and a half in several North American rivers. They relate to new applications of old and well-established principles of river dynamics. While a description of the experimental work is beyond the scope of this paper, it may be stated that it is concerned with the establishment and maintenance of navigable channels in tidal as well as non-tidal rivers. The methods employed, which here will be referred to collectively as the Ferguson system of river regulation, are aimed chiefly at securing a more complete utilization of the kinetic energy in flowing water than has been attempted hitherto. (Col. Barley B. Ferguson, Corps of Engineers, United States Army, and Division Engineer in charge of river and harbor work along the South Atlantic Coast, is the originator of the new system referred to and is directing the experimental work.) The remarkable success that has attended this experimental work to date indicates that the methods are basically sound and are likely to find wide application.
A survey of constraint based scheduling systems using an artificial intelligence approach

Abstract Recently, Artificial Intelligence approaches have been used to solve the problem of constraint based scheduling. The aim is to find a feasible solution which satisfies a maximum number of constraints within a reasonable amount of time. An AI system in this domain should not replicate the human scheduler but extend his capabilities by doing more problem solving than was manually possible. The constraints are used to help reduce the search space. This paper reviews various AI techniques used in constraint based scheduling, by comparing existing systems. The aim is to help future research concerning the application of AI to constraint based scheduling, by evaluating the progress that has been made in this area.
Consensus guidelines for sustained neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children.

Summary Background: The United Kingdom Paediatric Intensive Care Society Sedation, Analgesia and Neuromuscular Blockade Working Group is a multidisciplinary expert panel created to produce consensus guidelines on sedation, analgesia and neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children and forward knowledge in these areas. Neuromuscular blockade is recognized as an important element in the care of the critically ill and adult clinical practice guidelines in this area have been available for several years. However, similar clinical practice guidelines have not previously been produced for the critically ill pediatric patient. Methods: A modified Delphi technique was employed to allow the Working Group to anonymously consider draft recommendations in up to three Delphi rounds with predetermined levels of agreement. This process was supported by a total of four consensus conferences and once consensus had been achieved, a systematic review of the available literature was carried out. Results: A set of consensus guidelines was produced including six key recommendations. An evaluation of the existing literature supporting these recommendations is provided. Conclusions: Multidisciplinary consensus guidelines for maintenance neuromuscular blockade in critically ill children (excluding neonates) have been successfully produced and are supported by levels of evidence. The Working Group has highlighted the paucity of high quality evidence in these important clinical areas and this emphasizes the need for further randomized clinical trials in this area.
Variable Reliability of Endoscopic Findings With White-Light and Narrow-Band Imaging for Patients With Suspected Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Background & Aims Endoscopic findings have been used to support a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and to assess response to therapy, but their reliability is unknown. The aim of the study was to assess inter- and intraobserver reliability of endoscopic findings with white-light endoscopy and to assess changes in interobserver reliability when narrow band imaging (NBI) was added to white light. Methods We collected data from 35 academic and 42 community adult gastroenterologists using 2 self-administered, online assessments of endoscopic images in patients with suspected EoE. First, gastroenterologists evaluated 35 single white light images. Next, they examined 35 paired images of the initial white light image and its NBI counterpart. To assess intraobserver reliability, a second survey to re-examine the single white light images was performed ≥2 weeks later. Agreement was determined by calculating κ values for multiple observers. Results Among all gastroenterologists, interobserver agreement was fair to good when white light was used to identify rings ( κ = 0.56) and furrows ( κ = 0.48). Interobserver agreement was poor for identification of plaques ( κ = 0.29) and for images with no findings ( κ = 0.34). Levels of agreement did not change in an analysis stratified by practice setting or patient volume. Agreement did not improve when NBI images were added to white light images. Levels of intraobserver agreement varied greatly and in some cases were not greater than those expected by chance. Conclusions Using white light endoscopy and NBI to analyze EoE, gastroenterologists identified rings and furrows with fair to good reliability, but did not reliably identify plaques or normal images. Intraobserver agreement varied. Endoscopic findings might not be reliable for supporting a diagnosis of EoE or for making treatment decisions.
Enhancing creative thinking: A study of children making decisions in human movement programs

Abstract This study assessed the consequences of allowing students to make decisions relevant to their learning. Specific focus was placed on the effects such decision-making had on elementary children's creative thinking in a human movement program. The subjects ( N = 201) were grouped into two experimental groups and one control. The students in the shared decision-making approach (SDMA) group were allowed to share in decisions relevant to their learning. Students in the teacher decision-making approach (TDMA) group had all decisions dominated by the teacher. The control group received no formal program. The SDMA and TDMA groups received respective treatments once per week, in 45 minute classes, for eight weeks. The units of treatment instruction included four weeks of fundamental motor skills and four weeks of gymnastics. Data were collected on all subjects pre- and posttest using the Minnesota Tests of Creative Thinking — Form NVA. These tests offered five non-verbal measures of a child's creative thinking: fluency, flexibility, originality, elaboration and activity. A 3(treatment)x2(sex)x5(grade) multivariate analysis of covariance, with the pretest serving as the covariate, described between groups differences on the identified measures. Results indicated children allowed to make decisions regarding their learning had significantly higher scores than children who made no such decisions. It was therefore concluded that if a teacher desires to enhance creative thinking it appears encouraging children to make meaningful decisions is a viable approach to meeting this goal.
Development of a system for dynamic 3-D analysis of foot and ankle motion

The purpose of this work was to develop a system to analyze dynamic foot and ankle motion in three dimensions. A unique marker set was developed and tested in conjunction with a corresponding reference frame. The system employs VAX Station 3100 and VICON based motion analysis technology.
Changes in glutamate receptor subunit 4 expression in the deafferented olfactory bulb of zebrafish

The distribution of ionotropic glutamate receptor subunit 4 (iGluR4) was examined in both normal and deafferented olfactory bulbs of adult zebrafish, Danio rerio. With the exception of the olfactory nerve layer, there was extensive labeling with antibodies to iGluR4 in the olfactory bulbs, specifically in juxtaglomerular cell bodies and their processes. These results are consistent with previous work, which has suggested differential distribution of glutamate receptors in the vertebrate olfactory system. Analysis of bulbs following olfactory organ removal revealed a significant loss of iGluR4 immunoreactivity by 24 h post-deafferentation. At 48 h after denervation, iGluR4 labeling had returned to normal levels and was retained through 3 weeks post-surgery. Thus, afferent input plays a role in reduced labeling of this protein immediately following injury, but return of immunoreactivity can occur even without sensory innervation.
A Calvinist Heritage to the “Curse of Ham”: Assessing the Accuracy of a Claim about Racial Subordination

This article assesses the validity of the claim that Puritan theology was “preset for racism” and that it played a preeminent role in establishing racial hatred in America. It does so by examining a number of Puritans beliefs regarding the most important theological justification for slavery, the socalled Curse of Ham.
Crystal and molecular structure of tricyclopentadienyltetrahydrofuranuranium (III), (η5-C5H5)3U•OC4H8

Abstract Tricyclopentadienyltetrahydrofuranuranium(III), (η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) 3 U·OC 4 H 8 , crystallizes in the centrosymmetric monoclinic space group P2 1 / n with a 8.248(3), b 24.322(17), c 8.357(4) A, β 101.29(5)°, V 1644.0 A 3 and ρ(calc) 2.04 g cm −1 for Z = 4 and mol.wt. 595.0. Diffraction data (Mo-K α , 2θ(max) 45°) were collected on an Enraf-Nonius CAD4 diffractometer and the structure was refined to R w (F) 4.7% for those 1530 reflections having I > 2σ( I ). The molecule consists of a distorted tetrahedral arrangement of THF and (η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) ligands with CpUCp angles in the range 110.4–122.4° and CpUO angles between 90.2 and 106.0°. Individual uranium-carbon distances range from 2.76(2) to 2.82(2) A and average 2.79[1] A. The uranium-oxygen distance of 2.551(10) A suggests a 10-coordinate U 3+ radius of 1.20 A in this class of compounds.
Effects of Polarity on Grain‐Boundary Migration in ZnO

The migration of boundaries between single crystal and polycrystalline ZnO was investigated using single crystals with well-defined crystallographic faces. The migration rate of the basal (0001) planes through polycrystalline ZnO depended on the crystallographic polarity of the basal plane. Grain boundary migration in the [0001] direction was much faster than in the [000[Onemacr]] direction. Migration rates of boundaries in nonpolar directions were somewhat slower than that in the [0001] direction. Slow growth in the [000[Onemacr]] direction and rapid growth in nonpolar directions found in the present study help to explain the anisotropic growth of the grains that contain head-to-head inversion boundaries in ZnO varistor ceramics.
Myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) induces actin cytoskeletal reorganization and apoptotic‐like blebbing in lens cells

DMPK, the product of the DM locus, is a member of the same family of serine-threonine protein kinases as the Rho-associated enzymes. In DM, membrane inclusions accumulate in lens fiber cells producing cataracts. Overexpression of DMPK in cultured lens epithelial cells led to apoptotic-like blebbing of the plasma membrane and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Enzymatically active DMPK was necessary for both effects; inactive mutant DMPK protein did not produce either effect. Active RhoA but not constitutive GDP-state mutant protein produced similar effects as DMPK. The similar actions of DMPK and RhoA suggest that they may function in the same regulatory network. The observed effects of DMPK may be relevant to the removal of membrane organelles during normal lens differentiation and the retention of intracellular membranes in DM lenses. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.