cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic study of gas-phase Y(a 2D3/2) and La(a 2D3/2) with O2, N2O, CO2 and NO

Abstract The second-order rate constants of gas-phase Y(a 2 D 3/2 ) and La(a 2 D 3/2 ) with O 2 , N 2 O, CO 2 and NO as a function of temperature are reported. In all cases, the reactions are relatively fast. For Y(a 2 D 3/2 ), the bimolecular rate constants (in cm 3 s −1 ) are described in Arrhenius form by k (O 2 )=(2.2±0.1)×10 −10 exp(−3.5±0.6 kJ mol −1 / RT ), k (N 2 O)=(1.9±0.2)×10 −10 exp(−4.0±0.8 kJ mol −1 / RT ), k (CO 2 )=(1.0±0.1)×10 −10 exp(−2.3±0.6 kJ mol −1 / RT ), where the uncertainties are ±2σ. The rate constants for Y reacting with NO are temperature insensitive with a value of 1.0×10 −10 cm 3 s −1 . For La(a 2 D 3/2 ), the bimolecular rate constants for all the reactants are near the gas-kinetic collision rate.
Micellar solubilization of cholesteryl esters of C18 fatty acids by a nonionic surfactant

Abstract The micellar solubilization of cholesteryl stearate, oleate, linoleate, and linolenate by a representative nonionic surfactant, nonoxynol 10, was investigated at different temperatures. Nonoxynol 10 is an effective solubilizing agent. A crucial factor in determining solubilization limits is the physical state of the esters at the temperature of measurement. Below the melting points, the solubilization limits increased gradually with temperature. They doubled or tripled at the respective melting points, where the esters changed to smectic liquid crystals. Subsequent transitions to cholesteric liquid crystals and to isotropic melts were accompanied by significant increases in the temperature coefficient of the solubilization limits which were, however, much smaller than the increases which occurred at the melting points. At body temperature, cholesteryl stearate and oleate are crystalline solids. The linoleate changes from a smectic to a cholesteric mesophase at 37°C while the linolenate is a cholesteric mesophase. Therefore, cholesteryl stearate and oleate underwent far less extensive micellar solubilization at body temperature than cholesteryl linoleate and linolenate. By analogy, the polyunsaturated esters may also be much more soluble in lipoproteins at 37°C than the monounsaturated and saturated esters and are, therefore, less prone to form atherosclerotic deposits. When cholesteryl oleate, linoleate, and linolenate were compared at absolute temperatures 1% below their melting points, each additional double bond increased the solubilization limit by 57%. At absolute temperatures corresponding to 3.8% above their melting points, these esters are isotropic liquids. Under those conditions, each additional double bond increased the solubilization limit by 9%.
Methylprednisolone may improve lumbosacral radiculoplexus Neuropathy

La methyprednisolone peut ameliorer la neuropathie du plexus lombo-sacre. Objectif: De rapporter une etude ouverte sur l'injection intraveineuse de methylprednisolone (MPIV) chez des sujets non diabetiques presentant une neuropathie du plexus lombo-sacre (NPLS). Introduction: La neuropathie lombosacree est un syndrome douloureux subaigu unilateral ou asymetrique accompagne de faiblesse et de paresthesies du membre inferieur qui est attribue a une lesion ischemique due a une microvasculite des racines lombosacrees, du plexus et des nerfs. Methodes: Onze patients non diabetiques presentant une NPLS de plus en plus severe ont ete traites - dix au moyen d'infusions (1 gm par semaine) de MPIV pendant 8 a 16 semaines et un au moyen d'une dose equivalente de prednisone orale. Les principaux criteres d'evaluation des resultats etaient: 1) le Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS) et 2) les Neuropathy Symptoms and Change (NSC) scores. Resultats: L'âge median des patients etait de 67 ans (ecart de 49 a 86 ans). Sept des patients etaient des femmes. Tous les patients ont rapporte une amelioration des symptomes pendant le traitement et cette amelioration etait importante chez neuf. Le NIS s'est ameliore de 42 points (ecart de 9 a 106 points) avant le traitement, a 20 points (ecart de 5 a 57 points) (p = 0.005) apres le traitement. La douleur est disparue completement chez quatre et a ete tres amelioree chez sept. L'analyse statistique des scores de changement et de severite du NSC a montre une amelioration significative apres le traitement. Avant le traitement, tous les patients avaient une faiblesse importante et six etaient confines au fauteuil roulant alors que quatre utilisaient un soutien mecanique pour la marche. Apres traitement, la faiblesse etait tres amelioree chez neuf patients; seulement un utilisait un fauteuil roulant et six marchaient sans aide (p = 0.03). Conclusions: 1) Dans la NPLS, la douleur et les deficits neurologiques se sont ameliores, souvent de facon dramatique, avec le traitement par la MPIV; 2) bien que nos resultats doivent etre interpretes avec prudence etant donne qu'il s'agit d'une etude ouverte, la MPIV peut influencer favorablement l'histoire naturelle de la NLS; 3) ces resultats sont assez prometteurs pour justifier des etudes prospectives, a double insu, avec placebo.
Disinhibitory effects of intrahippocampal or intrahypothalamic injections of anticholinergic compounds in the rat

Abstract The effects of intrahippocampal or intrahypothalamic injections of anticholinergic compounds on operant responding were observed in a multiple schedule paradigm consisting of reinforced, punished, and nonreinforced components and on a punished ingestive passive avoidance task. The pattern of results suggests that cholinergic components of the hippocampus and hypothalamus mediate responding suppressed by nonreinforcement but not by punishment. The data are discussed with reference to Carlton's proposed central cholinergic inhibitory mechanisms.
Fiber-Optic Interconnect Devices For VLSI Optical Micro-Area Networks

The concept of an optical "micro-area network" is introduced as a means of providing reconfigurable optical interconnection between VLSI chips. Key integrated fiber-optic components of the optical micro-area network, including a modulator, tap, and photodetector, are proposed and demonstrated. Using these components, the experimental demonstration of a synchronous optical micro-area network, with a time-division multiple-access communication protocol, is reported.
Neural imaging in songbirds using fiber optic fluorescence microscopy

The song control system of juvenile songbirds is an important model for studying the developmental acquisition and generation of complex learned vocal motor sequences, two processes that are fundamental to human speech and language. To understand the neural mechanisms underlying song production, it is critical to characterize the activity of identified neurons in the song control system when the bird is singing. Neural imaging in unrestrained singing birds, although technically challenging, will advance our understanding of neural ensemble coding mechanisms in this system. We are exploring the use of a fiber optic microscope for functional imaging in the brain of behaving and singing birds in order to better understand the contribution of a key brain nucleus (high vocal center nucleus; HVC) to temporal aspects of song motor control. We have constructed a fluorescence microscope with LED illumination, a fiber bundle for transmission of fluorescence excitation and emission light, a ~2x GRIN lens, and a CCD for image acquisition. The system has 2 μm resolution, 375 μm field of view, 200 μm working distance, and 1 mm outer diameter. As an initial characterization of this setup, neurons in HVC were imaged using the fiber optic microscope after injection of quantum dots or fluorescent retrograde tracers into different song nuclei. A Lucid Vivascope confocal microscope was used to confirm the imaging results. Long-term imaging of the activity of these neurons in juvenile birds during singing may lead us to a better understanding of the central motor codes for song and the central mechanism by which auditory experience modifies song motor commands to enable vocal learning and imitation.
Regulation of Cellular Oncosis by Uncoupling Protein 2

Cell death can proceed through at least two distinct pathways. Apoptosis is an energy-dependent process characterized morphologically by cell shrinkage, whereas oncosis is a form of cell death induced by energy depletion and initially characterized by cell swelling. We demonstrate in HeLa cells but not in normal diploid fibroblasts that modest increases in the expression level of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2) leads to a rapid and dramatic fall in mitochondrial membrane potential and to a reduction of mitochondrial NADH and intracellular ATP. In HeLa cells, increased UCP-2 expression leads to a form of cell death that is not inhibited by the anti-apoptotic gene product Bcl-2 and that morphologically resembles cellular oncosis. We further describe the creation of a dominant interfering mutant of UCP-2 whose expression increases resting mitochondrial membrane potential and selectively increases the resistance to cell death following oncotic but not apoptotic stimuli. These results suggest that distinct genetic programs may regulate the cellular response to either apoptotic or oncotic stimuli.
Verification of communicating data-driven web services

We study the verification of compositions of Web Service peers which interact asynchronously by exchanging messages. Each peer has access to a local database and reacts to user input and incoming messages by performing various actions and sending messages. The reaction is described by queries over the database, internal state, user input and received messages. We consider two formalisms for specification of correctness properties of compositions, namely Linear Temporal First-Order Logic and Conversation Protocols. For both formalisms, we map the boundaries of verification decidability, showing that they include expressive classes of compositions and properties. We also address modular verification, in which the correctness of a composition is predicated on the properties of its environment.
Feasibility of diffusion-NMR surface-to-volume measurements tested by calculations and computer simulations

It has been demonstrated previously that the surface-to-volume ratio S/V can be determined from the derivative of the time-dependent diffusion coefficient D(t), in the limit t --> 0. Several questions arise concerning the practicality of determining S/V by NMR. In particular, how large are the errors generated by (1) working outside the t --> 0 limit and (2) measuring D outside the b --> 0 limit, both for narrow and full-width gradient pulses? Here b is gamma2G2delta2Delta for narrow pulses and gamma2G2t3/12 for broad pulses. These questions are addressed by random-walk computer simulations and numerical calculations in geometries relevant to small-airways of lung. The results demonstrate that one can work well outside the t --> 0 and b --> 0 limits, provided 10-20% accuracy in the measured S/V is sufficient. Emphasis is placed on the useful range of times t for which NMR determinations of lung S/V are feasible.
The meniscus: Basic science and clinical applications

The menisci of the knee are wedge-shaped fibrocartilaginous structures that accommodate the incongruent femur and tibia. Meniscal collagen fibers are oriented circumferentially, allowing hoop stresses to dissipate load and absorb shock. Attachments to the joint capsule and tibia allow the menisci to provide joint stability; however, meniscal excursion does occur with knee motion. As more meniscal functions, including joint lubrication, cartilage nutrition, and proprioceptive feedback, are elaborated, it becomes apparent that the menisci play an integral role in the motion and preservation of the knee joint. Elucidation of the anatomy, biochemistry, and biomechanics will guide treatment of meniscal injuries in the future.
Flavonoids and the systematics of Luffa

Abstract Flavonoids were characterized from leaves and flowers of six species of Luffa . Each species had a distinct flavonoid pattern. Based on leaf flavonoids, Luffa is separable into two groups of species: L. graveolens and L. operculata contain only flavonols. L. acutangula, L. aergyptiaca, L. echinata and L. forskalii contain only flavones. Flavonoid data indicate that the New World disjunct species. L. operculata , is most closely related to L. graveolens .
The antibacterial effects of calcium hydroxide apexification pastes on Streptococcus sanguis

Four calcium hydroxide-based apexification pastes were tested for their antibacterial effects on Streptococcus sanguis. Their zones of growth inhibition on blood agar plates were measured at 2, 4, 6, and 8 days. Only the camphorated parachlorophenol and the metacresylacetate pastes showed zones of inhibition. Both of these zones of inhibition decreased with time; however, the zones of inhibition for the parachlorophenol paste decreased at a slower rate.
On continuum theories of suspensions of deformable particles

Das vonAllen, DeSilva undKline [1] vorgeschlagene Kontinuumsmodell richtungsorientierter Flussigkeiten wird auf die TheorieEricksens [2, 3] undHands [4] zuruckgefuhrt. Es wird die Suspension fester Drehkorper in Flussigkeiten und solche spharischer Partikel unter elastischer Verformung behandelt.
Isolation of Tetracycline-Resistant Megasphaera elsdenii Strains with Novel Mosaic Gene Combinations of tet(O) and tet(W) from Swine

Anaerobic bacteria insensitive to chlortetracycline (64 to 256 microg/ml) were isolated from cecal contents and cecal tissues of swine fed or not fed chlortetracycline. A nutritionally complex, rumen fluid-based medium was used for culturing the bacteria. Eight of 84 isolates from seven different animals were identified as Megasphaera elsdenii strains based on their large-coccus morphology, rapid growth on lactate, and 16S ribosomal DNA sequence similarities with M. elsdenii LC-1(T). All eight strains had tetracycline MICs of between 128 and 256 microg/ml. Based on PCR assays differentiating 14 tet classes, the strains gave a positive reaction for the tet(O) gene. By contrast, three ruminant M. elsdenii strains recovered from 30-year-old culture stocks had tetracycline MICs of 4 microg/ml and did not contain tet genes. The tet genes of two tetracycline-resistant M. elsdenii strains were amplified and cloned. Both genes bestowed tetracycline resistance (MIC = 32 to 64 microg/ml) on recombinant Escherichia coli strains. Sequence analysis revealed that the M. elsdenii genes represent two different mosaic genes formed by interclass (double-crossover) recombination events involving tet(O) and tet(W). One or the other genotype was present in each of the eight tetracycline-resistant M. elsdenii strains isolated in these studies. These findings suggest a role for commensal bacteria not only in the preservation and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the intestinal tract but also in the evolution of resistance.
Paints, paper, and programs: first steps toward the computational sketchbook

This paper describes what we believe to be important initial steps toward realizing a novel computational medium that combines elements of programming, painting, and papercrafts. Briefly, this genre of paper computing allows a user to create functional computational artifacts on painted paper substrates. We introduce a construction kit for paper computing that consists of computational elements---microcontrollers, sensors, actuators, and power sources---that are held on paper surfaces by magnetic paint and magnets. Conductive paint applied to these surfaces takes on the role of "wires", connecting the computational elements to one another. These elements can be moved around and from surface to surface, much like magnets on a refrigerator, and the overall result is a tangible medium in which painting, programming, and the affordances of paper blend together. In addition to introducing the kit, we describe example constructions and discuss a variety of potential applications, design projects, and issues for continued research.
Anatomy of a Coacervate

Coacervates, prepared by adding inorganic and organic salts to aqueous solutions of Aerosol OT (AOT), were analyzed for their AOT, salt, and water content. In addition, the volumes of the coacervates generated under standard conditions were determined. It was found that for inorganic salts, there is a “critical salt concentration” below and above which the volume of coacervate is very small. For example, NaCl has a critical concentration of 0.3 M, a concentration that will convert 50 mL of 0.02 M AOT into more than 7 mL coacervate (the remainder being equilibrium liquid that floats above the immiscible coacervate phase). At 0.2 or 0.6 M NaCl, the coacervate volume is reduced to 2 mL or less. The coacervate formed at the critical salt concentration has an [AOT] = 0.2 M and a [NaCl] = 0.3 M. Thus, a coacervate of 0.2 M AOT and 0.3 M NaCl is immiscible with 0.3 M NaCl despite the highly aqueous nature of both. This is attributed to the enthalpic requirements for breaking up three-dimensional AOT structures c...
System III variations in apparent distance of Io plasma torus from Jupiter

System III variations in apparent distance of the Io plasma torus from Jupiter are examined on the basis of data obtained from UVS scans across Jupiter's satellite system. The displacement of the dawn and dusk ansae are found to be unexpectedly complex. The displacements are unequal and both ansae are in motion with the motion of the approaching ansa being the lesser of the two. The radial motions, as measured from either the center of Jupiter or the offset-tilted dipole, are of unequal magnitude and have the System III periodicity. It is concluded that the cross-tail electric field that causes these torus motions is concentrated on the dusk ansa, varied with the System III period, and shows magnetic-anomaly phase control. It is found that the dawn-dust asymmetry in brightness is not explained simply by the cross-tail electric field. It is concluded that there is a heating mechanism that causes the dusk side of the Io plasma torus to be brighter than the dawn side.
Effect of edema and height on bronchial diameter and shape in excised dog lung

Abstract Mechanical interactions among the artery, bronchus, and lung parenchyma cause the bronchus to be pulled from a circular cross-section in such a way that the largest diameter of the bronchus (Db2) lies along a line joining the centers of bronchus and artery. To effect these interactions, the peribronchovascular interstitial space must transmit stresses from the lung parenchyma to the artery and bronchus. To test how interstitial edema affects the interdependence between the artery and the bronchus, we measured orthogonal diameters (Db2, Db1) from tantulum bronchograms as a function of edema formation at a fixed transpulmonary pressure (Ptp). As lobe weight increased to three times normal, Db2/Db1 decreased from 1.08 to 1.0 at a Ptp of 6 and 25 cm H2O. Cross-sectional area decreased only at a Ptp of 6 cm H2O. We conclude (1) that peribronchovascular interstitial (Pi) pressure became more uniform with edema present, causing the bronchus to assume a more circular shape, and (2) that it increased, causing bronchial cross-sectional area to decrease at a Ptp of 6 cm H2O. To determine whether Pi is uniform with height, in a separate group of lungs we measured Db1 as a function of height in two configurations; hilus-dependent, Db1(d) and then inverted or hilus-nondependent, Db1(nd). Db1 was unaffected by lobe inversion at 25, 10, 6 and 4 cm H2O Ptp. At a Ptp of 2 cm H2O, the difference Db1(d) - Db1(nd) was positive near the hilus, decreased to zero in the lung periphery, and increased with edema. This bronchial distortion due to lobe inversion was consistent with the effect of gravitational forces on lung parenchyma as modeled by a finite-element analysis, and was opposite to that predicted by a vertical hydrostatic gradient in Pi.
CHEMICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL COMPARISON OF SYNTHETIC AND PATHOLOGIC MEMBRANE SYSTEM.

Characteristic membranous bodies have been previously reported in the cytoplasm of the cerebral neurons in Tay-Sachs disease (1) (Fig. 1). Subsequently (2) these lamellated particles were isolated from homogenized autopsy tissue by differential and density gradient centrifugation and subjected to extensive chemical analysis. The membranous cytoplasmic bodies (MCB) were found to consist of about 50 per cent (dry weight) gangliosides and could account for the accumulation of this complex sphingolipid which characterizes this lipid-storage disease. The appearance and composition of the MCB suggested: (1) that they might arise from an alteration of cytoplasmic organelles, or (2) that they were formed spontaneously by interaction of the component lipids in a fashion analogous to myelin figure formation (3). Chemicals approximating the known composition of the MCB were combined in proper proportion in vitro as a test of this latter hypothesis. The resultant aggregates were examined with light and electron microscopy.
Nonlinear hierarchical models for predicting cover crop biomass using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index

Abstract Incorporating cover crops into agricultural systems can improve soil structural properties, increase nutrient availability, reduce erosion and loss of agrochemicals, and suppress weeds. These benefits are a function of the amount of cover crop biomass that enters the soil. The ability to easily and inexpensively quantify the spatial variability of cover crop biomass is needed to better understand and predict its potential as an input to agricultural systems. Here, we explore the use of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a source of information for improving accuracy and precision of cover crop biomass prediction. We focus on developing models that account for biomass variability within and among fields. These models are used to produce digital data layers of predicted biomass and associated uncertainty. We propose hierarchical nonlinear models with field random effects and a residual variance function to accommodate strong heteroscedasticity. These models are motivated using aboveground biomass of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) measured on three different dates in five fields in southwest Michigan. Model adequacy was assessed using the Deviance Information Criterion. Given this criterion, the “best” fitting model included field effects and a polynomial function to account for non-constant residual variance. Importantly, we demonstrate that accounting for heteroscedasticity in the model fitting is critical for capturing uncertainty in subsequent biomass prediction.
Immunologic consequences of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer: Impaired responses to the influenza vaccine

Objectives To examine the effect of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer on immunologic function and to define the effect on the serologic response to the influenza vaccine.
Methodology and analysis for residues of MCP and 2,4,5-T in wheat.

The phenoxy herbicides MCP and 2,4,5-T undergo extensive conjugation with plant constituents. ThereFore, in order to measure total herbicide residues, a method must be used which will extract and hydrolyze such conjugates. The studies reported here showed that heating plant tissue under dilute alkaline conditions is adequate to measure total herbicide residues. Using the alkaline extraction method, it was shown that there were no detectable residues of MCP or 2,4,5-T in the grain of wheat plants treated with these herbicides.
Arson for revenge: The role of environmental situation, age, sex, and race

Research on arson and its many motivations continues to be absent from the criminological literature. Although some authorities cite revenge or retaliation as the primary motive for arson in certain areas of our central cities, revenge arson has not been systematically addressed. The research presented here explores whether demographic variables (age, race, and sex) along with the environmental character of the offender's place of residence adequately determine the likelihood that offenders will commit arson for revenge. The analysis not only indicates that important age and racial differences affect the likelihood that individuals will use fire as a weapon of retaliation but also reveals that the environmental situation or character of the offender's place of residence appears to condition the relationship of both age and race with retaliation.
Adjunctive numerical relation codes in multimedia signal covers

This paper introduces a new redundant number system, the adjunctive numerical relation (ANR) codes, which offer improvements over other well known systems such as the Fibonacci, Lucas, and the Prime number systems when used in multimedia data hiding applications. It will be shown that this new redundant number system has potential applications in digital communications, signal, and image processing. the paper will also offer two illustrative applications for this new redundant coding system. First an enhanced bit-plane decomposition of image formatted files with data embedding (steganography and watermarking). Secondly, an example of an expanded bit-line decomposition of audio formatted files with data embedding and index-based retrieval capability will be described. The computer simulations will detail the statistical stability required for effective data encoding techniques and demonstrate the improvements in the embedding capacity in multimedia carriers.
Hostility as a moderator of physical reactivity and recovery to stress.

This experiment was designed to assess differences in physiological reactivity and recovery to stress among low- and high-hostile men. Specifically, 25 low- and 25 high-hostile undergraduates were identified using the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale (Cook & Medley, 1954). To ensure homogeneity, all subjects were right-handed and had a general right hemibody preference, as indicated by a score of +7 or higher on the Coren, Porac, and Duncan Laterality Test (Corer, Porac, & Duncan, 1979). All subjects underwent a traditional cold-pressor stressor test. Physiological measures heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were recorded before the stressor (Prestress), after the stressor (Poststress), and then again 9 min later (Recovery). Increased physiological arousal between pre- and poststress measurements was used as an indicator of reactivity. Subsequent decreases in physiological arousal were used as recover measures. Given the current models of negative emotion and hostility, it was ex...
Resonance assignment of the first and second KH (hnRNP-K homology) domains of human poly(C)-binding protein-2 (PCBP2)

PCBP2 is a ~40 kDa protein containing three copies of the KH nucleic acid binding domain. It is a member of the PCBP family that recognizes poly(C) DNA and RNA sequences in mammalian cells. Binding poly(C) sequences via the KH domains is critical for various PCBP functions, such as mRNA stability, translational activation/suppression, etc. To better understand how PCBP functions are regulated by RNA/DNA binding, we carried out NMR studies of the N-terminal KH domains of PCBP2 (residues 11-169, the NMR construct contains MKH6K prior to the native sequence). The extent of backbone and overall N, C, and H chemical shift assignments is 98 and 90% respectively. BMRB deposit with accession number 15049.
Clinical research in ancient babylon: methodologic insights from the book of Daniel

Around 600 BC, Daniel of Judah conducted what is widely regarded as the earliest recorded clinical trial. His trial compared the health effects of a vegetarian diet with those of a royal Babylonian diet over a 10-day period. The strengths of his study include the use of a contemporaneous control group, use of an independent assessor of outcome, and striking brevity in the published report. Weaknesses include probable selection bias, ascertainment bias, and confounding by divine intervention. Although Daniel probably never achieved tenure, he did get "learning and skill in all letters and wisdom ... and understanding in all visions and dreams" (well before Freud). Despite the trial's dramatic findings, over 4 centuries elapsed before publication of Daniel's results. Daniel apparently perished, then published.
Partial excision of the triangular fibrocartilage complex articular disk: A biomechanical study

A cadaver study was performed to evaluate the effects of partial and complete excisions of the articular disk of the triangular fibrocartilage complex on the kinematics of the distal radioulnar joint and the structural integrity of the triangular fibrocartilage. An excision that did not violate the peripheral 2 mm of the disk and that comprised less than two thirds of the disk area resulted in no significant kinematic or structural changes, but larger excisions produced measurable changes. These results provide further support for limited excision of central triangular fibrocartilage complex tears.
Effective and Ineffective Student Performance Behaviors in a Policy Making Management Game

Management games and teaching simulations have obtained widespread adoptions in business schools and management development programs. While a number of summary evaluations have demonstrated the efficacy of the management game as a learning environment, little is known about what behaviors players exercise within the game situation. Using the critical incident technique, the author collected 1,453 behavior citations of effective and ineffective performance by 211 students playing in two different management games. The reported behaviors fell into seven broad performance groupings covering the students' pregame preparation, their company's personality and operating characteristics, Board meeting atmosphere and interpersonal climate, the team's use of forecasting, analytical, and planning techniques, and their decision-making mechanics. It was found that the management games rewarded rational policy and decision-making practices and that chance played no consistant part in company success. As a teaching devi...
Selective in situ transcription of Drosophila polytene chromosomes by Drosophila RNA polymerases.

Abstract Using RNA polymerases from Drosophila melanogaster on a template of salivary gland chromosomes we observe some but not all of the transcriptional specificities found in vivo. Enzyme II shows synthesis along the chromosomes, while equally active preparations of enzyme I b show none unless the template is first treated with pronase and RNAase. Control experiments in which mixtures of the two enzymes were allowed to synthesize, with and without specific RNA polymerase inhibitors, show that the differential synthesis is not due to a contaminant in one or both of the enzyme preparations. Experiments done with E. coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme show a pattern of synthesis similar to Drosophila RNA polymerase II, and also demonstrate that the squash preparations will support more synthesis by the E. coli enzyme than the Drosophila enzyme II. Sites have thus been shown to exist for both enzymes I b and II on the chromosomal DNA, but the I b sites are completely and selectively masked in our in situ system. It is concluded that this system maintains some of the transcriptional characteristics found in vivo.
New First and Second Order Slip Models for the Compressible Reynolds Equation

In the original derivations of the first order and the second order slip models of the generalised Reynolds equation in the literature [3,4], a length scale equal to the mean free path of the gas molecules was used in a Taylor series expansion of the mean velocity field. The coefficients of the correction terms in the derived lubrication equation depend on that length scale. This choice of the length scale is arbitrary to some extent. In this paper, new first order and the second order slip models are derived using a somewhat more physical approach, in which the requirement that the expansion length scale be the mean free path is relaxed. In this approach the momentum transfer rate across each surface element is obtained by summing up the contributions from each group of molecules impinging on the surface at an angle θ to the surface normal within a solid angle dω. The new second order slip lubrication equation appears to be preferable to the original one when the inverse Knudsen number is small, and it is free of any contact pressure singularity, whereas the new first order slip model continues to contain the unacceptable pressure singularity in the limit as the spacing approaches zero, as does the original first order model.
Antinociceptive properties of inhibitors of endopeptidase 24.15.

Endopeptidase 24.15, a metalloendopeptidase active in brain, rapidly converts prodynorphin-derived peptides into leu-enkephalin. Inhibitors of this enzyme slow the degradation of these peptides in vivo and in vitro. The present study evaluated two inhibitors of endopeptidase 24.15, N-[l-(RS)-carboxy-3-phenyl-propyl]-Ala-Ala-Phe-p-aminobenzoate (cFP-AAF-pAB), and N-[l-(RS)-carboxy-3-phenyIpropyl]-Ala-D-Ala-Phe-p-aminobenzoate (cFP-A(D)AF-pAB), for antinociception on the tail-flick and jump tests in rats following intracerebroventricular administration relative to an inhibitor of endopeptidase 24.11, N-(l-(RS)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-Phe-p-aminobenzoate (cFP-F-pAB). cFP-AAF-pAB, cFP-A(D)AF-pAB and cFP-F-pAB produced equipotent dose-dependent (25–250 nmol) and time-dependent (5–7 h) antinociception with larger effects on the jump (49–51% increase) relative to the tail-flick (28–41% increase) test. Naloxone (1 mg/kg, SC) significantly reduced antinociception elicited by all inhibitors on the jump test. Motor ...
A message-based fault diagnosis procedure

A new diagnostic message protocol that provides fault diagnosis capabilities for the communications in a distributed system environment is described. The protocol is designed to operate in conjunction with a standard end-to-end communication protocol and uses special messages to determine the system fault state. A diagnosis message is represented using a test dependency model that is derived from the system topology. These messages are used by an adaptive strategy designed to achieve specific objectives such as reduced testing cost. Using the test dependency model, a general purpose algorithm is developed for generating these strategies based on an information theory criterion. Specific properties of the protocol are discussed, and several examples of strategies for a distributed system topology are provided.
The Bernoulli boundary condition for traveling water waves

Abstract The Bernoulli boundary condition for traveling water waves is obtained from Euler’s equation for inviscid flow by employing two key reductions: (i) the traveling wave assumption, (ii) the introduction of a velocity potential. Depending on the order of these reductions, the Bernoulli boundary condition may or may not contain an arbitrary constant. This note shows the equivalence of the two formulations. Further, we arrive at a physical interpretation for the Bernoulli constant, namely, that it is associated with an average current. Last, we show that the Bernoulli constant and the average current cannot simultaneously be zero for non-trivial traveling waves.
The effects of psychosine upon growth of human skin fibroblasts from patients with globoid cell leukodystrophy.

Abstract [ 3 H]Thymidine incorporation into cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) and from control individuals was utilized to monitor the effects of psychosine (galactosylsphingosine) upon cell replication. The concentration of psychosine necessary to inhibit 50% (ID 50 ) of the growth of cultured skin fibroblasts was approximately 15 μg/ml for both normal and GLD fibroblasts deficient in the enzyme galactosylceramide β-galactosidase. Growth inhibition curves for GLD and for control fibroblasts were comparable after 3 days and after 7 days exposure to the glycolipid, so that accumulation of psychosine was not a critical factor affecting toxicity. Galactosylceramide, the major substrate for the enzyme galactosylceramide β-galactosidase, did not inhibit [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into either normal or GLD fibroblasts at the concentration tested, in contrast to the highly toxic effects of psychosine at similar concentrations. The comparable inhibitory levels of psychosine in control cells and in GLD fibroblasts which are deficient in ability to hydrolyze this glycolipid suggest that the toxicity of psychosine is nonspecific. Therefore, these results are not consistent with the concept that globoid cell leukodystrophy is primarily a psychosine lipidosis.
Hypochondriasis Associated with Organic Brain Syndrome: A New Approach to Therapy

Symptoms of hypochondriasis in patients with organic brain disease usually disappear during the course of an anticoagulant-psychotherapy regimen for the treatment of dementia.
The radiative effects of building groups on single structures

Abstract The role of building group configuration in controlling the heating and cooling abilities of structures is considered. A computer model is described which simulates the thermal stresses of simple building groups composed of identical structures. The natural heating of the structures is measured as a function of the daily exposure of individual structures to direct sunlight. The cooling of structures is measured as a function of their sky view factor. Building groups are compared in terms of these measures at different latitudes and times of the year. The results show that group design can have a significant impact on the thermal stresses experienced by individual buildings.
Magnon-Coupled Nuclear Spin-Phonon Interaction

The magnon-coupled nuclear spin-phonon interaction first proposed by Silverstein is discussed on the basis of a classical model. In addition to being conceptually quite simple, the model points out several interesting new features of this coupling mechanism.
Formation of glutathione adducts and 2-aminofluorene from 2-nitrosofluorene in postimplantation rat conceptuses in vitro.

Abstract The formation of glutathione (GSH) adducts and 2-aminofluorene (AF), GSH-derived metabolic products from 2-nitrosofluorene (NOF), was examined as a possible mechanism of GSH-mediated protection from NOF embryotoxicity in the gestational day 10 (GD 10) rat conceptus in vitro. When added to whole embryo culture medium, NOF produced dose-dependent decreases in growth parameters and increases in the incidence of axial rotation defects in embryos cultured for 26 h. Culture of GD 10 rat conceptuses in 50 μM NOF for 24 h following 2 h pretreatment with an irreversible inhibitor of glutathione disulfide reductase, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)1-nitrosourea (BCNU, 25 μM) did not result in statistically significant differences in morphology or biochemical parameters compared to NOF alone; viability, however, was decreased relative to controls. Nearly equal amounts of GS-AF I , a stable S-oxide conjugate of GSH with NOF, AF, a GSH-dependent reaction product of NOF, and the parent NOF were recovered following short-term incubation of conceptuses with NOF (100 μM) in serum-free medium. Stimulation of GSH synthesis with the cysteine prodrug 2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylate (OTC, 5 mM) resulted in a significant increase in AF concentrations (205% of control) and a decrease in NOF (50% of control) after 30 min. Sixty-minute exposure to the GSH depletor, diethylmaleate (DEM, 500 μM), resulted in apparent reductions in both GS-AF I and AF by 36% and 34%, respectively, though these reductions were not statistically significant. Treatment with 25 μM BCNU for 2 h, followed by exposure to 100 μM NOF in serum-free medium resulted in a significant decrease in AF to 76% of control concomitant with lower GSH levels relative to NOF treatment alone. Exposure of conceptuses to 50 μM NOF in complete medium following pretreatment with BCNU resulted in a reduction of GSH levels in the visceral yolk sac after 3 h and in embryos after 5 h relative to controls. These data demonstrate that the intracellular protective effects of GSH toward NOF embryotoxicity may act through a nonenzymatic mechanism of direct formation of GSH-NOF adducts in the day 10 rat conceptus in vitro, followed by the GSH-mediated conversion to a less toxic metabolite, AF.
Thermodynamic Expressions Relating Different Types of Preferential Interaction Coefficients in Solutions Containing Two Solute Components

In aqueous solutions that contain a macromolecular solute (charged or uncharged) and molecules or ions of a smaller solute, differences between solute−macromolecule and water−macromolecule interactions have solute-concentration-dependent thermodynamic effects that are characterized quantitatively by “preferential interaction” coefficients. Of primary interest in this paper are Γμ1 and Γμ3, defined as partial derivatives that specify the dependence of the molality of the smaller solute on the macromolecular molality at fixed temperature and pressure and the chemical potential indicated by the subscript (μ1 for water and μ3 for the smaller solute). Coefficients of the type Γμ3 (but not Γμ1) are direct gauges of thermodynamic effects due to the preferential interactions of a small solute with a macromolecule. Although individual values of Γμ3 cannot generally be obtained directly by any experimental method, corresponding values of Γμ1 are directly measurable for involatile solutes (0.01 ≲ m3 ≲ 3 m) by an acc...
Evolving QWOP gaits

QWOP is a popular Flash game in which a human player controls a sprinter in a simulated 100-meter dash. The game is notoriously difficult owing to its ragdoll physics engine, and the simultaneous movements that must be carefully coordinated to achieve forward progress. While previous researchers have evolved gaits using simulations similar to QWOP, we describe a software interface that connects directly to QWOP itself, incorporating a genetic algorithm to evolve actual QWOP gaits. Since QWOP has no API, ours detects graphical screen elements and uses them to build a fitness function. Two variable-length encoding schemes, that codify sequences of QWOP control commands that loop to form gaits, are tested. We then compare the performance of SGA, Genitor, and a Cellular Genetic Algorithm on this task. Using only the end score as the basis for fitness, the cellular algorithm is consistently able to evolve a successful scooting strategy similar to one most humans employ. The results confirm that steady-state GAs are preferred when the task is sensitive to small input variations. Although the limited feedback does not yet produce performance competitive with QWOP champions, it is the first autonomous software evolution of successful QWOP gaits.
Do Accounting Estimates Get More Accurate With Experience and Does The Market Care: The Case of SFAS 106

This paper posits that the precision of accounting estimates should be an increasing function of experience due to learning effects. Using a sample of 747 observations for 305 firms for the period 1993–96 with complete data available on the COMPUSTAT, CRSP, and COMPACT DISCLOSURE databases, the paper conducts regression analyses to examine the precision of two estimates (discount rates and health care cost inflation rates) required under SFAS 106. Tests show that the estimation errors for the health care cost inflation estimates decrease with experience, but those for discounts rates do not. The results persist after controlling for the profile of participants of the health care plan, predisclosure uncertainty, and propensity to manipulate by managers. The results are consistent with “learning effect” for health care cost inflation rates that were being estimated for the first time, while no such effect is visible for discount rates that had been estimated in the past for pension plans. The paper also hypothesizes that the market rewards perceived precision of accounting estimates attributable to learning effect. Cross‐sectional tests confirm that the valuation coefficient of postretirement benefit obligations increases in absolute value as the estimation errors decline, suggesting that the market relies more on reported accounting estimates as their perceived precision improves. Thus, the extant research findings of weak or non‐existent value relevance of SEAS 106 liabilities may have been confined to the initial period after the adoption of SEAS 106 when the measurement errors were high. The documented evidence of improvement in precision provides support for FASB's claim that the reliability of accounting estimates, especially those required by complex standards such as SEAS 106, should improve with experience. The evidence of improvement in value‐relevance should also be reassuring for FASB, since one of the intended benefits of SEAS 106 was to provide value relevant information to the investors.
Physician counseling of young adults with rapid weight gain: a retrospective cohort study

The incidence of weight gain is highest during young adulthood. Our study aims to describe weight gain patterns among young adults and to evaluate physician recognition of and counseling for rapid weight gain. This retrospective cohort study included patients ages 18-35 at an academic internal medicine clinic between 2004-2008. We conducted chart reviews to determine weight change over time, whether weight gain greater than 3 lbs/year was documented, whether counseling was provided, and whether patients became overweight. We categorized weight gain documentation by location on the problem list, encounter diagnosis, or note text. We categorized counseling as weight-specific or general diet and exercise counseling. We used Chi-square tests to evaluate the relationship between weight change over time and the following variables: gender, diagnosis of weight gain, and counseling for weight gain. Fisher's Exact test was used to test for an association between diagnosis and counseling category. The study included 365 patients. Weight gain was greater than 3 lbs/year for 24% (90/365) of patients, of whom 56 (15%) gained 3-5.9 lbs/year, and 34 (9%) gained more than 6 lbs/year. Among patients gaining more than 3 lbs/year, physicians documented weight gain as a problem in only 10% (9/90). Of the 9 patients for whom weight gain was documented, physicians provided weight-specific counseling in three, and general diet and exercise counseling in four. Of the 81 individuals with no documented diagnosis of weight gain, 63% had no documented counseling, but 34% received general diet and exercise counseling. Among patients with over 180 days of follow-up, 8% (10/126) became overweight. Physicians infrequently recognize or counsel for weight gain among young adult patients. Improving identification of patients with rapid weight gain can provide an opportunity for tailored weight-related counseling.
A low overhead built-in delay testing with voltage and frequency adaptation for variation resilience

Process variations and circuit aging continue to be a main challenge to the power-efficiency of VLSI circuits, as considerable power budget must be allocated at design time to mitigate timing variations. Modern designs incorporate adaptive techniques for variation compensation to reduce the extra power consumption. Composing an efficient adaptation system requires low cost techniques for delay variation detection as well as handling the variations. This work presents an area-efficient built-in delay testing scheme which exploits BIST SCAN architecture and dynamic clock skew control to minimize overheads induced by detection circuitry. Using this built-in delay testing scheme, we propose a fine-grained adaptation system utilizing boostable repeater design in conjunction with adaptive clock skew control to compensate variations detected. The proposed adaptive system is compared against conventional approaches through SPICE simulations with 45nm technology from PTM. The results demonstrate that the proposed system efficiently mitigates process variation and aging induced timing degradations with 26% less power consumption, while occupying 7.2% of extra die area overhead.