cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selling strong medicine: The rhetoric of Ontario's Harmonized Sales Tax

Taxes have appeared in many forms in different societies, and yet, while society abhors paying them, society wants the benefits they bring. The challenge for governments is to sell the benefits of taxation to society through effective economic and political rhetoric. Through an examination of specific Government and business press releases for Ontario's Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that came into effect on July 1, 2010, the rhetoric used to sell the HST as a positive benefit to society failed to convince the majority of Ontario's citizens that tax reform was beneficial. By comparing the classical Aristotelian elements of ethos, pathos, and logos of the Premier of Ontario's YouTube message on HST to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce's press release on HST, and considering previous Canadian regional tax reform messages, we can understand the influences on the Ontario government's choice of rhetoric and the impact of the rhetoric that adapted by the Province. This article may help practitioners of the art of technical communication understand how to better communicate difficult messages.
Proposed Metric for Evaluation of Solar Forecasting Models

This work presents an alternative metric for evaluating the quality of solar forecasting models. Some conventional approaches use quantities such as the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) and/or correlation coefficients to evaluate model quality. The direct use of statistical quantities to assign forecasting quality can be misleading because these metrics do not convey a measure of the variability of the time-series for the solar irradiance data. In contrast, the quality metric proposed here, which is defined as the ratio of solar uncertainty to solar variability, compares the forecasting error with the solar variability directly. By making the forecasting error to variability comparisons for different time windows, we show that this ratio is essentially a statistical invariant for each forecast model employed, i.e., the ratio is preserved for widely different time horizons when the same time averaging periods are used, and therefore provides a robust way to compare solar forecasting skills. We employ the proposed metric to evaluate two new forecasting models proposed here, and compare their performances with a persistence model.
Equilibrium‐range constant in wind‐generated wave spectra

[1] The equilibrium range in wind-driven wave spectra is characterized to have an f−4 form in deep water (k−5/2 shallow-water form). Absolute energy levels for six physically diverse sites are shown to be well fit by an expression involving the wind speed measured at a fraction of a wavelength above the sea surface in combination with the phase speed of the spectral peak. Observed energy levels suggest that nonlinear wave-wave interactions are capable of maintaining the observed energy-flux balance in the equilibrium range.
Directionally specific changes in arterial pressure induce differential patterns of fos expression in discrete areas of the rat brainstem: a double-labeling study for Fos and catecholamines.

Although the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) has been established as the primary site of synaptic integration for the baroreceptor reflex, the higher-order pathways responsive to, and mediating, changes in vasomotor tone are not well characterized. We used immunohistochemistry to determine the distribution of cells expressing the Fos protein follwing pharmacologically induced, directionally specific changes in arterial pressure. The goal of this investigation was to determine if this immediate early gene product is differentially expressed in neurons of the rat brainstem follwing increased (pressor) versus decreased (depressor) arterial blood pressure (AP). Because brainstem catecholaminergic (CA) cell groups have been implicated in cardiovascular regulation, a double-labeling immunohistochemical procedure was used to examine the distribution of Fos in CA cells. Animals received continuous intravenous infusion of either a vasoconstrictor (l-phenylephrine hydrochloride), a vasodilator (sodium nitroprusside), or physiological saline. Extensive Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) was induced in both the pressor and depressor conditions in the NTS, caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM), rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), A5, locus coeruleus (LC), Kolliker-Fuse, and parabrachial nucleus (PBN). These regions have all been implicated in central cardiovascular regulation. There were differences in the anatomical distribution of Fos-positive cells along the rostrocaudal axis of CVLM in the pressor and depressor conditions. Specifically, increased AP induced significantly more FLI cells within the rostral aspects of CVLM, whereas decreased AP resulted in a significantly greater number of FLI cells within the caudal CVLM. This result suggests that selective vasomotor responses differentially engaged discrete subsets of neurons within this brainstem region. Overall, approximately 50% of CA-immunoreactive cells were also FLI (CA-FLI) in the A1, A5, and A7 regions. Interestingly, increased AP produced significantly more CA-FLI doublelabeled cells within the caudal than rostral A1 compared with depressor and control groups. Additionally, increased AP yielded significantly less CA-FLI double-labeled cells within the caudal A2 region. This suggests that CA barosensitive neurons in the CVLM/A1 and NTS/A2 regions are functionally segregated along the rostrocaudal axis of these structures. While twice as many PNMT-FLI double-labeled neurons were found in the C1–C3 regions following vasomotor changes versus saline control, there were no differences in the numbers or anatomical locations of labeled cells between pressor versus depressor groups. The results of this study indicate that (1) tonic changes in AP induce robust Fos expression in brainstem cardiovascular areas and (2) neurons responsive to specific directional changes in arterial pressure are segregated in some brainstem regions. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Dynamic modeling and control by utilizing an imaginary robot model

A dynamic model that represents an exact linearization scheme with a simplified nonlinear feedback is presented. To realize this model for robotic systems, the output functions should be chosen so that a special decomposition of the total inertial matrix is satisfied. The concept of an imaginary robot is utilized to achieve the formulation and to solve the realization problem. Two illustrative examples are given in the paper, one for the Stanford arm and the other for a PUMA type of robot. An optimal robotic physical design and a control system design based on the new model are also discussed. >
Monte Carlo study of growth in the two-dimensional spin-exchange kinetic Ising model

Results obtained from extensive Monte Carlo simulations of domain growth in the two-dimensional spin-exchange kinetic Ising model with equal numbers of up and down spins are presented. Using different measures of domain size---including the pair-correlation function, the energy, and circularly-averaged structure factor---the domain size is determined (at T=0.5${T}_{c}$) as a function of time for times up to ${10}^{6}$ Monte Carlo steps. The growth law R(t)=A+${\mathrm{Bt}}^{1/3}$ is found to provide an excellent fit (within 0.3%) to the data, thus indicating that at long times the classical value of (1/3 for the exponent is correct. It is pointed out that this growth law is equivalent to an effective exponent for all times (as given by Huse) ${n}_{\mathrm{eff}}$(t)=(1/3-1)/3 C/R(t). No evidence for logarithmic behavior is seen. The self-averaging properties of the various measures of domain size and the variation of the constants A and B with temperature are also discussed. In addition, the scaling of the structure factor and anisotropy effects due to the lattice are examined.
Comment on “Photonic tunneling times"

In [1], some misleading statements were made about [2] and «zero-time» tunneling. We criticize these claims
Protective effect of keratinocyte growth factor against lung abnormalities associated with hyperoxia in prematurely born rats.

We used a prematurely born rat/hyperoxia model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) to test whether keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) treatment would protect against the development of several serious (cardio-)pulmonary complications of early life exposure to hyperoxia. KGF significantly protected against hyperoxic lethality (13-day survival rate = 50/64 (78%) for the O2-KGF vs. 29/66 (44%) for the O2-saline group, p 2-saline group vs. +3% for the O2-KGF premature rat group (p
A comparative analysis of global energy models

Abstract A comparative analysis is presented of seven leading models concerned with forecasts of worldwide energy demand to 1985. There are wide variations in the models' projections of non-communist world demands for OPEC petroleum in 1985. This variation is attributed to differences in assumptions about economic growth and about energy utilization rates. It is concluded that differences in assumptions about economic growth were less important than those about energy utilization rates. Petroleum demand projections were also analysed. Variations in these projections were attributed to different assumptions about economic growth, energy utilization and interfuel substitution possibilities. Variations in assumptions about the latter prove to be the largest single source of differences. Supply assumptions accounted for almost none of the differences between projections.
Neuronal susceptibility to damage: comparison of the retinas of young, old and old/caloric restricted rats before and after transient ischemia

Compared to young rats, old age increases susceptibility and caloric restriction decreases susceptibility for the loss of retinal ganglion cells and displaced amacrine cells following retinal ischemia/reperfusion. In retinas of old animals before ischemia, reactive gliosis, including activation of Muller cells, microglia and astrocytes, is increased compared to retinas from young and old/caloric restricted animals. Post-ischemia, the existing reactive gliosis in retinas of old animals is not neuroprotective and the reactive gliosis is even further increased in old animals compared to young or old/caloric restricted animals. In retinas from old/caloric restricted animals, inducible heat shock protein-70 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor increased more markedly after ischemia/reperfusion compared to retinas from young and old animals. Thus, compared to retinas in young animals, neurons of old animals may be more susceptible to cell death by secondary glial mechanisms after retinal ischemia/reperfusion. Caloric restriction in old animals is neuroprotective against damage in the retina following ischemia, perhaps by suppressing glial activity and by the neuroprotective effects of inducible heat shock protein-70 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Nanopore sensors for DNA analysis

Solid-state nanopore sensors are promising devices for single DNA molecule detection and sequencing. This paper presents a review of our work on solid-state nanopores performed over the last decade. In particular, here we discuss atomic-layer-deposited (ALD)-based, graphene-based, and functionalized solid state nanopores.
Management of relapsed multiple myeloma after autologous stem cell transplant.

Abstract Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains a standard of care for multiple myeloma patients who are eligible to receive high-dose therapy, recognizing that the optimal timing and integration of this approach is now under study in a number of randomized trials. Despite the improved response rates with induction therapy consisting of immunomodulatory drugs and/or proteasome inhibitors, as well as the increasing use of post-ASCT maintenance therapy, most myeloma patients relapse and die of their disease. Here we discuss the options for managing post-ASCT relapse, including the role of various salvage regimens in the setting of relapsed and refractory myeloma, salvage ASCT, and salvage allogeneic SCT.
TWO-PHASE FLOW OF HYDROGEN IN HORIZONTAL TUBES

Semirigorous equations are developed for flow of flashing liquids in pipe lines. These relations are applied to the flow of hydrogen, and computed correlations are presented for the pressure drop and vapor fraction. The calculations have been carried out as functions of the parameters: diameter, 3/8 to 4 in.; mass rate per unit area, 0.0528 to 682 lb./(sq. ft.) (sec.); pressure, 14 to 30 lb./sq. in. abs.; vapor fraction, 0.005 to 0.65; and heat leak, equivalent to 0 to 0.0224 B.t.u./(sq. ft.) (sec.) for a 3/4-in. line.
Familial responses to stress: The case of cystic fibrosis

Abstract The effects of a cystic-fibrotic child upon the personalities of family members, intra-familial role functioning, and family-community relationships are described and discussed in relationship to the findings of other studies of chronic and terminal childhood illness and related areas of investigation.
Fatty Acid Transport and Utilization for the Developing Brain

To determine the transport and utilization of dietary saturated, monounsaturated, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for the developing brain and other organs, artificially reared rat pups were fed a rat milk substitute containing the perdeuterated (each 97 atom% deuterium) fatty acids, i.e., palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic, from day 7 after birth to day 14 as previously described. Fatty acids in lipid extracts of the liver, lung, kidney, and brain were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine their content of each of the deuterated fatty acids. The uptake and metabolism of perdeuterated fatty acid lead to the appearance of three distinct groups of isotopomers: the intact perdeuterated, the newly synthesized (with recycled deuterium), and the natural unlabeled fatty acid. The quantification of these isotopomers permits the estimation of uptake and de novo synthesis of these fatty acids. Intact perdeuterated palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids from the diet were found in liver, lung, and kidney, but not in brain. By contrast, perdeuterated linoleic acid was found in all these organs. Isotopomers of fatty acid from de novo synthesis were observed in palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids in all tissues. The highest enrichment of isotopomers with recycled deuterium was found in the brain. The data indicate that, during the brain growth spurt and the prelude to myelination, the major saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in brain lipids are exclusively produced locally by de novo biosynthesis. Consequently, the n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids must be transported and delivered to the brain by highly specific mechanisms.
Kinetics of styrylquinolinc formation

A comprehensive kinetic investigation of reactions occurring in the formation of styryl-quinolines has been conducted. Specific rate data such as rate equations, rate constants, and thermodynamic activation values have been determined and utilized in a study of which factors are of greatest importance in the reactions forming 2-styrylquinolines. A mechanism has been proposed for the condensation reaction which agrees with rate relationships found. Gas-liquid partition chromatography was used to follow the kinetics of the condensation reactions. A rate constant of 5.41 × 10−2M−1min−1 was found for the reaction of benzaldehyde with 2-methyl-quinoline using zinc chloride as a catalyst at 104.0°. Rate constants of 1.28 × 10−2 MT−1 min−1 and 1.05 × 10−2 M−1 min−1 were found for the reactions of p-methylbenzaldehyde and p-methoxybenzaldehyde with quinaldine to form 2-(p-methylstyryl)quinoline and 2-(p-methoxystyryl)-quinoline, respectively at 92.4°. A linear relationship was found using the Hammett equation. An Arrhenius plot was constructed from rate constants determined at five different temperatures for the reaction of benzaldehyde and quinaldine to form 2-styrylquinoline, using zinc chloride as a catalyst. The energy of activation, Ea, was found to be 22.2 kcal/mole for this reaction. The enthalpy of activation, ΔH‡, free energy of activation, ΔF‡, and entropy of activation, ΔS‡, were found to be 21.4 kcal/mole, 27.7 kcal/mole and -16.7 eu/mole, respectively, at 104.0°. The mechanism proposed in the formation of 2-styrylquinoline involves the fast formation of a carbanion-zinc chloride complex, which then attacks, in the rate determining step, the aldehyde utilized in the reaction. The lack of reaction of certain methylquinolines is attributed to the inadequacy of the carbanion formed and not to the difficulty involved in the initial formation of the carbanion.
Functional proteometrics for cell migration.

Background: Advances in living cellular fluorescence biosensors and computerized microscopy enable a vision of fully automated high-resolution measurements of the detailed intracellular molecular dynamics directly linked to cellular behaviors. Given the heterogeneity of cell populations, a statistically relevant study of molecular-cellular dynamics is a key motivation for improved automation. Methods: We explored automating computerized, microscope-based data extraction and analyses that monitor cell locomotion, rates of mitoses, and spatiotemporal activities of intracellular proteins via ratiometric fluorescent biosensors in mouse fibroblasts. Novel image processing methods included K-means clustering segmentation preprocessing followed by modified discrete, normalized cross-correlational alignment of two-color images; ratiometric processing for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements; and intracellular spatial distribution measurements of RhoA GTPase activity. Results: The interdivision time was 19.4 h (mean) ± 6.0 h (SD) (n = 7) for the GFP-histone cells in the two-by-two field that was scanned for 72 h. After registration and ratioing of the cells with the RhoA biosensor, increases in both cell protrusion and retraction were coincident with to increases in RhoA activity. Conclusions: These advances lay the foundation for extracting and correlating measurements characterizing the functional relationships of spatial localization and protein activation with features of cell migration such as velocity, polarization, protrusion, retraction, and mitosis. © 2006 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Ultrastructure of Vegetative and Reproductive Apices of Chenopodium album

The apical meristem of the vegetative shoot of Chenopodium album (lamb's-quarters) exhibits alterations in cytoplasmic structure as early as 3 hours after the plant has been subjected to one photoinductive cycle which promotes flowering. The endo-plasmic reticulum shows an altered distribution and there is evidence of an increase in acid phosphatase production. Dictyosomes increase in number per cell by the end of the second inductive cycle.
Ultrasonic techniques for detecting helium leaks

Abstract We have examined two ultrasonic techniques for their applications in helium leak detectors. In one technique, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device is used to detect helium gas through changes of thermal conductivity in helium/air mixtures. The second technique measures variations of sound speed (SS) in such mixtures. Sensitivities and detection limits of both techniques were predicted with simple models and verified by measurements. The SAW sensor and the SS techniques can detect helium leaks as small as 10−4 and 10−5 cm3/s, respectively.
Remote controlled vehicle for inspection of vertical concrete structures

Long term operation and maintenance of steam and hydropower driven electric power plants requires periodic inspection of the concrete cooling, containment and impoundment structures to assure safety, and reliability. Currently, inspections of large, vertical concrete structures are performed manually which is time-consuming, costly, and exposes workers to potentially dangerous work environments. To address this inspection technology gap, EPRI researched and evaluated various types of robotic technologies; and developed a crawler device that could be adapted to perform a multitude of concrete inspection tasks. Its payload of advanced NDE instrumentation, computer encoded data and imaging provide unprecedented capabilities to interrogate the interior of concrete structures; and locate and characterize voids, rebar corrosion, and other internal defects. The concrete crawler obviates the need to use scaffolding and supports long-term operation of generating assets by enabling automated, safe, and comprehensive inspections of structures such as cooling towers, hydro dams, and reactor containments.
The temperature dependence of isosteric heat of adsorption on the heterogeneous surface

Abstract The determination of the isosteric heat of adsorption, qst, from a series of adsorption isotherms can provide information on the energetics of the gas-solid interface as well as the distribution of energetic sites on the solid surface. In practice, qst is often assumed to be independent of temperature within a short temperature range. This is generally verified by the linearity of the Clausius-Clapeyron plot. However, there are a few instances in which a considerable temperature coefficient of qst has been observed. The present work indicates that, under certain conditions, this could be due to the surface heterogeneity, the curvature of the Clausius-Clapeyron plot occurring at the transition from one type of site to the other. The adsorption of nitrogen on highly dehydrated silica-alumina provides an example of this possibility. A model of the adsorption equation considering two types of surface sites and describing satisfactorily both the adsorption isotherms and the temperature dependence of the isosteric heat of adsorption is presented.
Hardware implementation of image registration algorithms

Abstract Practical applications of image registration demon throughputs in the order of several hundreds of million of operations per second. Such high throughputs can be achieved by implementing the desired image registration, algorithm in hardware. This paper presents architecture for implementation of crosscorrelation, absolute difference and moments methods. In the proposed architecture an effort has been made to minimize the amount of hardware needed to perform the registration function.
Benefits of Surface Coatings for Impacted Composites for Cryogenic Tankage

NASA intends to use composite materials for both fuel tanks and fuel feedlines on future generations of reusable launch vehicles in an effort to reduce the overall vehicle weight, which in turn increases the weight of payload that can be sent into orbit. Composite feedlines have been found to be vulnerable to impacts (dropped tools and accidental bumps, etc.). Because composites dissipate impact energy through the formation of damage, it was necessary to determine whether polymeric coating materials could be used to improve the composite's resistance to impact, and also whether these same coatings could prevent fuel permeation through any damage that would result from these impacts. Furthermore, many polymeric materials continue to embrittle with time, and so the effects of aging were studied. Finally, thermal cycling of the coated composite specimens was performed to simulate the conditions present in launch-to-landing cycles.
Antibiotic Resistance: A Global, Interdisciplinary Concern

This article presents a brief overview of the impact that antibiotic use in clinical medicine and in other settings, such as agriculture and animal farming, exerts on antimicrobial resistance. Resistance has been described to all antibiotics that are currently in use, and resistant strains were sometimes reported as soon as months after specific antibiotics became commercially available. There are many examples in which the increasing prevalence of resistant microbial strains jeopardized the continuing effective use of the respective antibiotics in clinical medicine. In addition to resistant infections that occur in health-care establishments, one of the recent challenges is the emergence of pathogens, such as MRSA, in the community, among individuals without any apparent risk factors for the infection. The transmission of resistant pathogens and antimicrobial resistance determinants across different components of the ecosystem transforms antibiotic resistance into a topic that extends beyond the scope of clinical medicine and needs to be visualized through an integrated global perspective that should incorporate a broad range of disciplines, including molecular genetics, microbiology, food science, ecology, agriculture, and environmental science. Understanding this complex multi- and interdisciplinary framework will enable the implementation of the most appropriate interventions toward determining the dynamics of antimicrobial resistance, limiting the emergence and spread of resistant strains, and ensuring the ongoing effective and safe use of antibiotics.
Binary encoding distributed fiber optic sensors

A design useful for small spatial range distributed fiber optic sensor is presented. This sensor array has advantages of zero dead zone, high spatial resolution, and fast response time, which can be used in the areas of smart skin as well as distributed pressure, force, displacement, and temperature sensors.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Surface-mediated self-coupling of ethanol on gold

The transformation of ethanol to its carbonyl compounds, namely acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and ketene, occurs on Au(111) with O-containing Au nanoparticles formed as a result of Au atom release upon ozone exposure. The product distribution strongly depends on the surface oxygen coverage. Ethoxy and acetate are identified as two key reaction intermediates during the oxidation of ethanol. The formation of acetaldehyde is due to the deprotonation of ethoxy, which can be further oxidized into acetate. The low-temperature formation of the ester, ethyl acetate, proceeds via the coupling of acetaldehyde with excess surface ethoxy. These reaction pathways appear relevant to heterogeneous processes catalyzed by supported gold nanoparticles, thus providing further insight into the mechanistic origin of gold-mediated oxidation of alcohols.
The distribution of the binomial coefficients modulo p

If p is a prime, a is a primitive root modulo p, and n is a positive integer, let ri(n) be the number of k such that 0 ≤ k ≤ n and (kn) ≡ ai modulo p, and let Rn(x) = Σi = 0p −2 ri(n)xi be their generating function. We show that Rn(x) ≡ Πj = 1p −1 Rj(x)tj modulo (xp − 1 − 1), where tj is the number of appearances of the digit j in the p-ary expansion of n. The proof uses the fact that a certain mapping of p-ary digit strings to polynomials modulo (xp − 1 − 1) is a homomorphism. We use this result to study how the values of the binomial coefficients sit in the quadratic residues modulo p.
Feeding Behavior of Chickens: Effect of Cropectomy

Abstract FOR many years it has been acknowledged that the function of the crop is one of food storage. This is evident in wild as well as domestic birds, especially when the domestic birds are meal rather than ad libitum fed. Fisher and Weiss (1956) have shown that cropectomy has only a slight effect on food intake especially after an adequate recovery period. In addition, cropectomized birds responded in a manner similar to normal birds when the diet was diluted with fiber; namely, there was an increased intake of the fiber-containing diets. The authors concluded that the crop has little function in birds consuming all mash diets, however, one question remained to be answered. Do cropectomized birds compensate for decreased storage capacity by eating more frequently? If cropectomized birds do eat more frequently than the unoperated birds then the presence of the crop does serve a useful, although not essential function.…
Oscillations in the Glow Discharge in Argon

Radio-frequency oscillations consisting of one or two fundamentals together with a series of harmonics for each fundamental have been observed in large current glow discharges in neon. The observed frequencies lie in the range from approximately 1.5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{4}$ to 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{5}$ cycles per second. The oscillations are very sensitive to pressure changes, their frequency increasing rapidly with decreasing gas pressure. The oscillation frequency also increases markedly with increasing current. The frequency is quite independent of resistance in series with the discharge.The suggestion is made that the oscillations are due to the presence of a reversed electric field in the negative glow of the discharge.
Role of 20-HETE in Elevating Loop Chloride Reabsorption in Dahl SS/Jr Rats

In vivo tubular perfusion experiments were performed in normotensive Dahl salt-sensitive (SS/Jr) and salt-resistant (SR/Jr) rats maintained from birth on a low salt (0.4% NaCl) diet to examine the role of 20-HETE in elevating loop Cl- transport in SS/Jr rats. Chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle was significantly greater in SS/Jr than in SR/Jr rats (77 +/- 2% versus 57 +/- 3% of the perfused Cl- load). When the renal metabolism of arachidonic acid by P450 was blocked by the addition of 17-octadecynoic acid (10 micromol/L) to the perfusate, loop Cl- transport increased in SR/Jr rats to 70 +/- 2% of the delivered Cl- load, but it had no effect in SS/Jr rats. Conversely, addition of 20-HETE (10 micromol/L) to the perfusate lowered loop Cl- transport in S rats to 60 +/- 2% of perfused Cl- load, but it had no effect in SR/Jr rats. Addition of another endogenously formed HETE to the perfusate, 15-HETE (20 micromol/L), had no effect on Cl- reabsorption in the loop of Henle of SS/Jr rats. These findings indicate that endogenously produced P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid regulate Cl- transport in the loop of Henle of the rat in vivo and support the view that a diminished production of 20-HETE in the outer medulla of SS/Jr rats contributes to the elevation in loop Cl- transport and the resetting of the pressure-natriuresis relation in these animals.
WISC‐R factor structures among White, Mexican American, and African American children: A research note

The factor structure for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) was investigated for White (n = 183), Mexican American (n = 129), and African American (n = 139) nonreferred school-age children (6.8 to 14.6 years) of low-to middle-class socioeconomic background. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed. The WISC-R factor structure model tested was Kaufman's (1975) three-factor solution that consisted of Verbal Comprehension (VC, Factor 1), Perceptual Organization (PO, Factor 2), and Freedom from Distractibility (FD, Factor 3). The results of the exploratory analyses showed Kaufman's three-factor solution for the three ethnic groups, but the order of Factor 2 and Factor 3 was reversed for the Mexican American and African American samples—thus raising questions about the comparability of the WISC-R factor structure across groups. The confirmatory analyses, which used the orthogonal nested factors approach by Gustafsson and Balke (1993), resulted in a model (for each of the ethnic groups) in which a G factor explained most of the variance (followed by the nested first-order factors—VC, PO, and FD). The results of the confirmatory analyses provide some support for David Wechsler's (1974) original intentions that the WISC-R structure is best described as having a general, or global, factor. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Biogeochemistry of Strontium: a review of H.T. Odum's contributions

Howard T. Odum spent the late 1940s at Yale University. He completed his doctoral dissertation, “The Biogeochemistry of Strontium,” in 1950 under the direction of the famous limnologist and theoretical ecologist G. Evelyn Hutchinson. Without access to notes or personal correspondence, one may only speculate as to why Odum chose to study the global cycle of this trace element. Possibly, Hutchinson suggested the topic: in his own treatise on the biogeochemistry of aluminum and several “lithophilic” trace elements (Hutchinson, 1943), Hutchinson pointed out the uncertainty in the amount of strontium in living terrestrial plants. Strontium was also seen as a means to trace paleoecological processes such as diagenesis of limestones (Odum, 1951a, 1957a, 1957b). Finally, strontium attracted worldwide attention as a notable fission product (90Sr) during the post-World War II years. In the early 1950s, the American public was introduced to the word strontium by extensive media coverage of the discovery that radioactive strontium from nuclear bomb testing had entered food chains and, through biomagnification, made milk sufficiently radioactive to warrant warnings against its consumption. Odum concluded his dissertation after three years of research while moving from Yale to a faculty position at the University of Florida in 1950. He published his doctoral work in a half dozen papers, of which I will review the three most important. The first was “The
Does quadriceps neuromuscular activation capability explain walking speed in older men and women

Age-related impairment of neuromuscular activation has been shown to contribute to weakness in older adults. However, it is unclear to what extent impaired neuromuscular activation independently accounts for decline of mobility function. The hypothesis of this study is that the capability to produce rapid neuromuscular activation during maximal effort leg muscle contractions will be shown to be an independent predictor of mobility function in older men and women after accounting for muscle size and adiposity, body composition and age. Twenty six older men and eighteen older women (aged 70-85years) participated in this study. Mobility function was assessed by the 400-m walk test. Neuromuscular activation of the quadriceps muscle group was assessed by surface electromyography ("rate of EMG rise"). Thigh muscle cross sectional area and adiposity were assessed by computed tomography. In males, univariate regression analysis revealed strong associations between walking speed and a number of predictors including age (p<0.01), muscle area (p<0.01), intermuscular adipose tissue area (p<0.01), and rate of EMG rise (p<0.001). Subsequent multiple regression analysis with all variables accounted for 72% of the variability in walking speed (p<.0001), with age and rate of EMG rise as the dominant variables in the model. In females, univariate analysis showed a significant association only between walking speed and subcutaneous adipose tissue area (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis accounted for only 44% of the variability in walking speed, and was not statistically significant (p=0.18). The present findings indicate that the capability to rapidly activate the quadriceps muscle group is an important factor accounting for inter-individual variability of walking speed among older men, but not among older women. This research is important for informing the design of assessments and interventions that seek to detect and prevent impairments that contribute to age-related mobility disability.
Heavy top quark from Fritzsch mass matrices.

It is shown, contrary to common belief, that the Fritzsch Ansatz for the quark mass matrices admits a heavy top quark. With the Ansatz prescribed at the supersymmetric grand unified theory (GUT) scale, one finds that the top quark may be as heavy as 145 GeV, provided that $tan\ensuremath{\beta}$ (the ratio of the vacuum expectation values of the two Higgs doublets) \ensuremath{\gg}1. Within a nonsupersymmetric GUT framework with two (one) light Higgs doublets, the corresponding approximate upper bound on the top mass is 120 (90) GeV. Our results are based on a general one-loop renormalization group analysis of the quark masses and mixing angles and are readily applied to alternative mass matrix Ans\"atze.
REPLACEMENT OF LEAF PRIMORDIA WITH IAA IN THE INDUCTION OF VASCULAR DIFFERENTIATION IN THE STEM OF COLUCUS

Summary Removal of a leaf of Coleus before or early in the differentiation of leaf traces severely reduced vascular differentiation in the subjacent internode. Auxin (IAA) in anion exchange beads (applied on 2 out of every 3 d for 2 to 4 weeks) restored normal structure with respect to arrangement of leaf traces and their composition, size, and rate of development. That IAA is the likely leaf-limiting factor for vascular differentiation in situ is suggested by the formation of normal quantities of procambium, phloem and xylem under the influence of IAA after leaf excision. However, some peculiarities were induced as well. Plants treated with IAA showed earlier xylem maturation in side bundles, earlier and more frequent differentiation of xylem opposite putative phloem-only bundles, and corner-trace xylem connections at the node of IAA application. These can be accounted for by a lack of well-defined channelling of IAA through petiolar tissues when IAA was applied to the cut surface after leaf excision. Phloem-only bundles are regarded as an early auxin-deficient stage in collateral bundle formation, which depends on auxin availability to the bundle for fulfillment.
Operant Conditioning Effects upon Drawing Content

Abstract The variability of drawing content classes and the effects of the Ss awareness of contingencies were tested through an experimental reinforcement of human and object content. In three individual sessions 60 Ss completed drawings each time responding to 25 standardized perceptual cues. In the second session, two matched experimental groups were treated with reversed forms of reinforcement. A questionnaire and interview were used to refine the data. Findings show a significant consistency of several content classes; nevertheless, the contingent classes were efficiently conditioned. The male Ss and contingency-aware pairs conditioned better than the nonawareness and female Ss. The relative lack of extinction points to the persistent effects of reinforcement.
Introduction to the Symposium on Drug Improvement of Memory

This paper introduces a symposium in which three main speakers discussed the prospect that drugs may improve cognitive functioning, including memory. Even though the participants agreed that presently available drugs can alleviate memory disorders only to a limited extent and do not increase ability of well-functioning individuals, it is important to consider social implications of drugs that might increase learning ability and intelligence. It is also important to consider, as alternatives to drugs, behavioural approaches to improving abilities that do not share possible drawbacks of pharmacological treatments. Dans ce symposium trois experts ont considere la possibilite que des agents pharmaceutiques puissent ameliorer les processus cognitifs, y compris la memoire. Bien que les participants soient d'accord qu'a heure actuelle ces agents ameliorent peu les deficits de memoire et n'augmentent pas la memoire de ceux qui fonctionnent deja bien, il est important de penser aux consequences sociales des agents pharmaceutiques susceptibles d'augmenter l'apprentissage et l'intelligence. Il est aussi important de considerer, comme alternatifs aux agents pharmaceutiques, des methodes comportementales pour ameliorer la cognition sans les effets secondaires des agents pharmaceutiques.
Support for Medication Safety and Compliance in Smart Home Environments

The rapid pace of new medications introduced to the market and the trend of modern healthcare towards specialization complicates doctors' prescribing process and patients' management of medications, resulting in an increase in the likelihood of unsafe prescriptions. The severity of this problem is magnified when patients require multiple medications or have cognitive impairments. The Medicine Information Support System (MISS) is designed to integrate related information systems from doctor offices, pharmacies and patients' smart homes with a universal database of medication conflicts to enable safety checks for adverse reactions among prescribed medications. MISS enhances the quality of patients' healthcare by monitoring and promoting the compliance of patients' medication intake. It also ensures patients' medical records remain private by following the privacy guidelines and regulations such as the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) law in the United States.
Intermediate mass fragment emission as a probe of nuclear dynamics.

Element distributions and fragment multiplicity distributions have been measured for E/A=50 MeV $^{129}\mathrm{Xe}$${+}^{12}$C, $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$, $^{51}\mathrm{V}$, $^{\mathrm{nat}}\mathrm{Cu}$, $^{89}\mathrm{Y}$, and $^{197}\mathrm{Au}$ reactions using a low threshold 4\ensuremath{\pi} detector. Both distributions show a strong correlation with the detected charged particle multiplicity and a large degree of target independence. The measured distributions are compared with hybrid model calculations which incorporate important dynamical aspects in both the preequilibrium and statistical emission phases. Results of these calculations are in reasonable agreement with the data. However, uncertainties with regard to the compressibility of nuclear matter remain due to uncertainties in the coupling of the two models.
Residential Density, Social Overload, and Social Withdrawal

A number of recent studies of the effects of high densities on people have suggested that it is not density per se that results in perceptions of crowding and negative social and affective responses. Rather these responses are related to the experience of excessive social encounters and exposure to more social information than a person can handle cogni-tively (e.g., Baum & Koman, 1976; Langer & Saegert, 1977; Saegert, Mackintosh, & West, 1975). These experiences are characterized by the term social overload.
Changes in soft tissue composition are the primary predictors of 4-year bone mineral density changes in postmenopausal women.

Summary Changes in body weight influence bone mineral density, but the role of body composition is not clear in postmenopausal women. Body weight and soft tissue composition predicted bone changes independent of calcium supplementation and exercise frequency, indicating that soft tissue composition should be measured in clinical trials.
E-learning and deliberate practice for oral case presentation skills: A randomized trial

Background: Oral case presentations are critical for patient care and student assessment. The best method to prepare early medical students for oral presentations is unknown.Aim: We aimed to develo...
The Natural Host Range Shift and Subsequent Evolution of Canine Parvovirus Resulted from Virus-Specific Binding to the Canine Transferrin Receptor

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a host range variant of a feline virus that acquired the ability to infect dogs through changes in its capsid protein. Canine and feline viruses both use the feline transferrin receptor (TfR) to infect feline cells, and here we show that CPV infects canine cells through its ability to specifically bind the canine TfR. Receptor binding on host cells at 37°C only partially correlated with the host ranges of the viruses, and an intermediate virus strain (CPV type 2) bound to higher levels on cells than did either the feline panleukopenia virus or a later strain of CPV. During the process of adaptation to dogs the later variant strain of CPV gained the ability to more efficiently use the canine TfR for infection and also showed reduced binding to feline and canine cells compared to CPV type 2. Differences on the top and the side of the threefold spike of the capsid surface controlled specific TfR binding and the efficiency of binding to feline and canine cells, and these differences also determined the cell infection properties of the viruses.
Approximation and Model Management in Aerodynamic Optimization with Variable-Fidelity Models

This workdiscussesan approach,e rst-orderapproximation and modelmanagementoptimization (AMMO), for solving design optimization problems that involve computationally expensive simulations. AMMO maximizes the use of lower-e delity, cheaper models in iterative procedures with occasional, but systematic, recourse to highere delity, more expensive models for monitoring the progress of design optimization. A distinctive feature of the approach is thatit is globally convergent to a solution oftheoriginal, high-e delity problem. VariantsofAMMObased on three nonlinear programming algorithms are demonstrated on a three-dimensional aerodynamic wing optimization problemand atwo-dimensionalairfoiloptimizationproblem. Euleranalysisonmeshesof varying degrees of ree nement provides a suite of variable-e delity models. Preliminary results indicate threefold savings in terms of high-e delity analyses for the three-dimensional problem and twofold savings for the two-dimensional problem.
Evaluation of Some Organic Acids as Mold Inhibitors by Measuring CO2 Production from Feed and Ingredients

Abstract A 15 × 150 mm test tube containing 5.5 cm3 of feed or corn meal and capped with a rubber septum was used to evaluate the antifungal properties of a commercial mold inhibitor, Mold-X, and its components, propionic, acetic, sorbic, and benzoic acids. Production of CO2 by the native flora was measured by injecting head-space gas into a gas chromatograph. In general, the higher the moisture content of the substrate the higher the concentration of inhibitor required to obtain a certain degree of inhibition. For example, the minimal inhibitory concentration of the commercial product was .125 mg/g of corn meal at 20% H2O, .25 mg/g at 25% H2O, and .50 mg/g at 35% H2O. All four components inhibited CO2 production. The order of effectiveness depended on moisture content and substrate. In corn meal of 20% H2O the order was propionic > benzoic > sorbic > acetic, while at 35% H2O the order was sorbic > propionic > acetic = benzoic. In a broiler starter mash of 20% H2O the order was sorbic > propionic = acetic = benzoic and at 35% H2O the order was sorbic > propionic > benzoic > acetic.