cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measurements of fusion reactions induced by radioactive 132Sn on 64Ni

Evaporation residue and fission cross sections of radioactive 132Sn on 64Ni were measured. Statistical model calculations using parameters simultaneously fitting stable Sn+64Ni data reproduce the 132Sn induced reaction very well. A large sub-barrier fusion enhancement was observed. The enhancement can be accounted for by coupled-channels calculations including inelastic excitation of the projectile and target, and neutron transfer.
Asymptotics for the likelihood ratio test in a two-component normal mixture model

Abstract This paper characterizes the asymptotic properties of the likelihood ratio test (LRT) statistic for testing homogeneity in a two-component normal mean mixture model. We justify that the LRT statistic 2λn is asymptotically equivalent to the square of the supremum of the stochastic process studied in Bickel and Chernoff (Statistics and Probability: A Raghu Raj Bahadur Festschrift (1993) 83). In particular, we prove that 2λn diverges to +∞ at a rate of log log n which confirms a conjecture of Hartigan (Proceedings of Berkeley Conference in Honor of Jerzy Neyman and Jack Kiefer (1985)). More specifically, under the null hypothesis we prove the following fact: lim n→∞ P {2λ n − log log n+ log (2π 2 )⩽x}= exp (− e −x/2 ), x∈ R .
Discrimination learning with ever-changing positive and negative cues

Abstract Eighty fourth and fifth grade children were asked to solve a “double-variation” discrimination problem where both the positive and negative cues changed on every trial. Twenty children approached the problem without pretraining, 20 after pretraining with a varying-positive condition, 20 after pretraining with a varying-negative condition, and 20 after pretraining with a simultaneous discrimination problem with constant positive and negative stimuli. A majority of the S s solved the double-variation problem with or without pretraining, and the various kinds of pretraining were of little help. It is suggested that double-variation learning is not explainable by processes conventionally used to describe learning but may be solved by a process in which models of seen cues are repeatedly stored, used as templates for interpretation of new cues, and revised.
Susceptibility of the filbertworm (Cydia latiferreana, Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and filbert weevil (Curculio occidentalis, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to entomopathogenic nematodes

The objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility of the two primary direct insect pests of hazelnuts in Oregon to three species of entomopathogenic nematodes. The entomopathogenic nematodes (Heterorhabditis marelatus Pt. Reyes, Steinernema carpocapsae All and Steinernema kraussei L137) were used in laboratory soil bioassays to determine their virulence against filbertworm, Cydia latiferreana (Walsingham) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) and filbert weevil, Curculio occidentalis (Casey) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). All three nematode species were infective in laboratory bioassays. Infectivity ranged from 73-100% and 23-85% for filbertworm and filbert weevil, respectively. Field results were similar to those found in the laboratory with filbertworm larvae being more susceptible to nematode infection.
Comment on “Analytical expressions of group-delay dispersion and cubic phase for four-prism sequence used at other than Brewster’s angle”

Abstract It is indicated that generalized expressions for d φ 2 /d n and d 2 φ 2 /d n 2 , applicable to multiple-prism pulse compression, have been known in the literature since 1987.
Time-domain integration of the Maxwell equations on finite elements

An explicit time-domain integration scheme is developed for finite-element spatial discretization of the Maxwell equations. A generalized wave equation is used in weak form, which is free of vector parasites when discretized on single C/sup 0/ elements. The use of integral lumping renders the mass matrix diagonal with no necessary degradation in accuracy. The explicit method which results combines the economy of established finite-difference techniques with the geometric flexibility of finite elements. Test problems representative of practical hyperthermia applications show agreement with analytic and frequency-domain finite-element methods, and confirm scaling arguments on run-time and memory. >
Writing Toward Readers' Better Health: A Case Study Examining the Development of Online Health Information

Each year, more people search the Internet for health information. Through a case study conducted at a prominent health-information company, I will show that technical communicators are well-suited to contribute to the development of online health information. Like other technical communicators, online health-information developers must make rhetorical choices based on audience needs, function within specific social contexts, and work through challenges of writing, editing, and project management.
Satellite studies of the lower atmosphere.

Low atmosphere meteorological observations by satellite, discussing sensing of radiation patterns cloud patterns and earth-atmosphere radiative energy balance
Positive reinforcement and the elimination of reinforced responses

Key pecking was maintained on a fixed-interval schedule while either a differential-reinforcement-of-not-responding or a fixed-time schedule was imposed simultaneously. The lower the time parameter of the not-responding schedule, the lower was the response rate. Similar effects occurred with the fixed-time schedule, if the pigeons had experience with reinforcement for not responding. Otherwise the effects were less orderly, to the extent that rate could reach maximum with the lowest-valued fixed-time schedule. The not-responding and the response-independent schedules had similar effects on rate in experienced pigeons only when the time parameter or nominal frequency of food presentation was considered. When considered in terms of obtained frequency of food presentation, reinforcement of not responding produced larger decrements in rate than did the fixed-time schedule.
Crystal structures of group IVa metals at ultrahigh pressures

High-pressure energy-dispersive x-ray-diffraction studies were carried out on the group IVa metals hafnium (Hf) to 252 GPa (to a volume compression {ital V}/{ital V}{sub 0} of 0.48) and titanium (Ti) to 87 GPa using a synchrotron source. Two new structural phase transformations between an hcp phase and an {omega} phase and between the {omega} phase and a bcc phase (isostructural with group V transition metals) were observed during both compression and decompression in Hf. Equilibrium transformation pressures for Hf are 38{plus minus}8 and 71{plus minus}1 GPa for the hcp-to-{omega} and {omega}-to-bcc phase transformations, respectively, at room temperature. In Ti, only the hcp-to-{omega} phase transition was observed above 8 GPa, and the {omega} phase was stable to 87 GPa. The crystal structure sequences of Ti, Zr, and Hf at ultrahigh pressures are discussed.
Adaptive control in transportation

A transportation control system maintains the flow of traffic according to a schedule by implementing various policies (e.g. procedures, rules, priorities, etc.). In a conventional control system the schedule is fixed and the policies are deterministic. An adaptive control system, on the other hand, has an internal mechanism for altering its policies which, in turn, adjust the schedule in response to demand and system status. An adaptive control system combines five basic functions: (1) surveillance, to detect traffic; (2) communications, to relay surveillance data and control signals; (3) performance evaluation, to compare the difference between the desired and current operation; (4) on-line data processing, to determine the control signals and scheduling; and (5) overall system operation, i.e., the functional summation of (1), (2), (3) and (4). An ultimate system would also generate predictions of future demand which would be factored into the control adaptation process. This paper summarizes recent progress in the implementation of adaptive control systems in transportation. The applications discussed include control of freeway ramps, urban street traffic, air traffic, and urban rapid transit.
Sensor driven feedback for puff estimation using unmanned aerial vehicles

The puff (or the pollutant puff) represents an instantaneous pollution cloud released in the ambient atmosphere. This paper describes, and validates a complete dynamic data driven application system (DDDAS) for measuring and simulating a puff in a dynamic, urban environment. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used as mobile sensors to collect data from the concentration field which is then assimilated into a running advection diffusion simulation to predict the puff motion. In turn, the running simulation is used to determine desirable locations to place the sensors based on the previously collected data. We directly compare the error achieved in a real-time, low resolution simulation by using both static and mobile sensors in a the DDDAS. The scenario investigated here is analogous to a chemical puff that is released in an urban environment and travels downstream according to the advection diffusion equation. We find that a single mobile sensor in the DDDAS outperforms an array of several static sensors in this scenario. Additionally, groups of mobile sensors are able to further decrease the error levels in the simulation.
The Rupture Mode of the Shallow Large‐Slip Surge of the Tohoku‐Oki Earthquake

Abstract The remarkable feature of the M w 9.1 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake of 2011 was a late, shallow, surge that propagated from about 12 km depth all the way to the trench. This surge had very large slip and was depleted in high‐frequency radiation. It was followed by normal faulting in the outer wedge; this requires that the postsurge basal shear stress be close to zero. Explanations for the surge propagating through the velocity‐strengthening region by a thermal weakening mechanism fail to produce the near‐total stress drop required by the postseismic extension. The surge propagated in a region of material contrast across the plate interface. The combination of a strong nucleation pulse from down dip, velocity strengthening, and the bimaterial effect satisfies the conditions for wrinkle pulse propagation. A wrinkle pulse rupture mode can produce an instability by overcoming velocity strengthening with the normal stress reduction produced by the bimaterial effect. It also leads to total stress drop, satisfying the extension constraint and explaining the prodigious slip amplitude of the surge. Because the surfaces are detached in wrinkle pulse mode, asperity contact is reduced, which explains the dearth of high‐frequency radiation during the surge. This behavior appears to be a common feature of many of the greatest subduction earthquakes.
Versatile, Modular Readout System for CAMAC Scalers

A display and readout system for CAMAC scalers will be described which has been in use at SLAC for over a year. Flexibility and versatility are the keynotes of the system, which includes a modular quad display unit employing highly readable Nixie tubes. Other units which may be connected to the expandable bus include an X-Y scope display and a preset count module. The system employs a simple, but versatile CAMAC crate controller. Capability for connection to computers is included, and the system has been interfaced to several different computers.
Multivariate Analysis of Differences in Buyer Decision Time

New data on the duration of the purchase decision process for cars and major household appliances are analyzed using two multivariate techniques (AID and MCA) in combination. The results emphasize ...
You Cannot Derive ‘Ought’ from ‘Is’

In his recent discussion, Robert V. Hannaford argues that we ought to derive ‘ought’ from ‘is’. (‘You Ought to Derive “Ought” from “Is”’, Ethics, vol. 82 (January 1972), pp. 155-62. All page references in the text are to this article.) In this response I shall argue that whether we ought to or not, we do not and can not derive ‘ought’ from ‘is’ and that in the procedure used by Hannaford he does not derive ‘ought’ from ‘is’ but does muddy the water concerning what is involved in generating moral rules.
Effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation on aortic vasoconstrictor responsiveness.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) on vasocon-strictor effectiveness, in vitro. Aortic rings were obtained from rats and placed on isometric force transducers in oxygenated Krebs buffer (95% O2/5% CO2, PO2 > 500 torr). Cumulative concentration/effect relationships to nor-epinephrine, G-protein activation by AlC13/NaF, depolarization by KCl or BayK-8644, mobilization of intracellular calcium by caffeine, and protein kinase C activation by l-indolactam were evaluated. Hypoxia (PO2 < 5 torr) was induced by rapidly bubbling the Krebs buffer with 95% N2/5% CO2 for 15 min. Vessel rings were reoxygenated for 30 min and concentration/effect relationships reevaluated. The dissociation constant (KA) for norepinephrine was also determined. The pD2 for maximal norepinephrine responsiveness decreased from 7.7 to 7.3 following H/R. Maximal tension generation was significantly decreased following H/R. Endothelium denudation or nitric oxide synthesis inhibition did not prevent the right shift in norepinephrine concentration/effect relationship caused by H/R. The combination of superoxide dismutase and catalase prevented the dextral shift in the concentration/effect curve. The dissociation constant for norepinephrine increased from 0.16 to 0.32 μM following H/R, suggesting decreased affinity of adrenergic receptor. H/R did not alter AlC13/NaF, KCl, BayK-8644 or l-indolactam-induced vasoconstriction. Caffeine-induced vasoconstriction was significantly impaired following H/R, suggesting that release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is compromised. These results suggest that H/R leads to an endothelium independent, oxidant-mediated decrease in vascular norepinephrine responsiveness that may be related to defects in the mobilization of intracellular calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum pool.
Noise mechanisms in oxide-coated cathodes*)

Synopsis A critical review is given of a number of mechanisms that have been (or might be) invoked, to explain flicker noise in vacuum tubes. It is shown that only Schottky's emission center theory and a new depletion layer theory can account for the observed noise. The former theory most likely applies to W, Th-W and L-cathodes, whereas the latter theory seems to give the right order of magnitude of noise for oxide-coated cathodes.
Gustatory responses and eating duration of obese and lean adults

Obese adults and matched controls were testing in two main experiments: (1) sweetness perception and preference in lemonade and corresponding judgments of viscosity in apricot nectar, and (2) length of time required to consume palatable and unpalatable foods. No significant differences were obtained between the obese and the lean adults in perception of sweetness intensity or degree of liking for lemonade containing from 6 to 18% sucrose. For apricot nectar, however, the obese subjects demonstrated significantly higher perceived viscosity, a lower degree of liking, and less discrimination than did the lean. Classification of a larger population of female adults, into 20 underweight, 33 normal, and 22 overweight, again resulted in no difference in hedonic responses to lemonade with an expanded sucrose content (2 to 30%). Relative to eating rates, the time required to consume sugar cookies or chocolate milk adulterated with NaCl was inversely related to palatability, with the obese taking longer to consume both. In a subsequent study, times required to consume a carrot stick, a cookie, and 240 ml of chocolate milk were similar between the two groups, although the obese drank the milk significantly faster. No significant correlations were obtained between percent ideal weight and any of the foregoing measurements. The large within-group variation overshadowed between-group differences, suggesting that gustatory and eating responses are related to factors independent of, or additional to, the singular measure of body size.
Total internal reflection without change of polarization using a right-angle prism with half-wavelength-thick optical interference coating.

Monochromatic light, which is polarized in an arbitrary state, is totally internally reflected at angle of incidence ϕ=45° without change of polarization by a right-angle prism of refractive index n0=1+1/2=1.70711 (e.g., N-LAK8 Schott glass at wavelength λ=706 nm), which is coated with a transparent thin film of refractive index n1=(1+1/2)1/2=1.30656 (e.g., vacuum-deposited fluoride material) and of metric thickness equal to half of the vacuum wavelength of incident light, d=λ/2. The ambient medium of evanescent refraction is assumed to be vacuum, air, or an inert gas. Wavelength shifts of +/-50 nm, or changes of the internal angle of incidence of +/-1° around 45°, cause phase errors of only a few degrees. The reflected and incident polarization states are nearly identical in the presence of such small phase errors.
THE NATURE OF SERUM ANTITRYPSIN : STUDIES ON FERMENT ACTION. XIII.

1. The ferment-inhibiting action of the serum is due to the presence of compounds of the unsaturated fatty acids. 2. These fatty acid compounds may be removed from the serum by means of chloroform or ether. 3. Soaps prepared by saponifying the chloroform or ether extracts inhibit the action of trypsin. 4. The anti-enzyme action of the serum can be removed by filtering acid serum through kaolin, and can in part be restored by extracting the kaolin. 5. The decrease in strength of anti-enzyme in old sera is probably due to the action of the serum lipase. 6. Iodin, potassium iodide, or hydrogen peroxide remove the inhibiting action of the serum. 7. Soaps of the unsaturated fatty acids lose their ferment-inhibiting action when heated with serum at 70° C.
Aquatic macrophyte growth in a turbid windswept lake

ABSTRACT High water turbidity developed in the 1970s in shallow windswept Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and created a depauperate macrophyte community that has persisted more than a decade later. In 1989, this flora was characterized by species with early spring growth, summer leaf canopies, and winter tubers or rhizomes. The community was dominated inshore by water lilies (Nymphaea tuberosa and Nuphar variegatum) and offshore by pondweeds (Potamogeton pectinatus and P. natans). Together with coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum), water crowfoot (Ranunculus longirostris), and elodea (Elodea canadensis), the submersed flora reached a summer dry-weight standing crop of only 28–31 g/m2.
Uranium and thorium abundance measurements across the cretaceous-tertiary boundary in Colorado, U.S.A.

Abstract U and Th isotopes were measured in several sedimentary layers across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in the Raton Basin of Colorado. One of these layers is the well-known boundary clay, enriched in Ir and thought to be the fallout from the impact of a large extraterrestrial body. We found that the 234 U 232 Th activity ratio of the kaolinitic boundary clay was 3.4, compared to activity ratios near 1 for shale and mudstone above and below the boundary clay. The unusual 234 U 232 Th activity ratio may be characteristic of the impact site and may eventually be useful in locating the region of impact.
The role of genetic variants in angiotensin I converting enzyme, angiotensinogen and the angiotensin II type-1 receptor in the pathophysiology of heart muscle disease

The cardiac vasculature and myocardium contain components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which may regulate local growth and cellular function. Alterations in the expression or action of these components, which include angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen, and angiotensin II type-1 receptors, may contribute to the development of disease, such as hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and end-stage heart failure. ACE is one RAS component found to have genetic variants associated with cardiovascular disease. Molecular variants in any of the RAS components may affect signalling pathways, possibly increasing the risk of heart failure. In addition, variants may exacerbate the deleterious effects of altered RAS expression on cardiac function. Genetic variation in RAS components may affect therapy with ACE inhibitors and receptor-blocking agents. Although at present there is no compelling reason to target molecular variations for treatment, a new era in selective pharmacological therapy for cardiovascular disease may be imminent.
Partial cross sections in the predissociation of quasibound states of NeHF. An adiabatic channel interpretation

Abstract We have computed partial cross sections for the internal rotational predissociation of certain quasibound states of the NeHF van der Waals complex, using the time-dependent close-coupled wave packet method. These cross sections show strong selectivity in the orbital angular momentum of the outgoing fragments. We provide an explanation of these propensities based on an adiabatic channel interpretation, and discuss the observable physical consequences of the partial cross sections we calculate.
Tear volume in normal eyes and keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Tear volume measurements were made in normal individuals and in patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca using a fluorescein dilution method. The mean tear volume in normals was found to be 6.5±0.3μl (S.E.M.) with a range of 3.4 to 10.7 μl. In sixteen eyes with keratoconjunctivitis sicca most of the values were moderately decreased with a mean of 4.8±0.4μl and a range of 2.9 to 8.0μl. This decrease seems to manifest itself primarily as a reduction of the tear meniscus. Among the keratoconjunctivitis sicca patients there was no correlation between the values of volume and the results of the Schirmer test or the degree of Rose bengal staining. On the basis of average Schirmer test values for unstimulated tear secretion (“basic secretion”), the tear secretion rate was estimated to range from 0.6 to 1.1μl/min in normals, and from virtually zero to 0.2μl/min in the patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Europeanization, Domestic Legacies and Administrative Reforms in Central and Eastern Europe: A Comparative Analysis of Hungary and the Czech Republic

Abstract In this paper, I explore how European dynamics and domestic legacies interact in generating a specific pattern of change at the domestic level. Specifically, I examine the different impacts of the European Union (EU) on the adoption of administrative reforms in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in the 1990s and the early 2000s. I claim that the EU’s influence on the reforms was mediated by the reformist legacies of preceding communist regimes in those countries. While the EU affected the reforms through the mechanism of anticipation in countries with strong reformist legacies, the influence of the EU flowed through the mechanism of conditionality in countries with weak reformist legacies. I illustrate my case through a comparative analysis of Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Can inflammation relieve pain

Immune cells secreting the opioid peptide β-endorphin undergo selectin-mediated migration to peripheral sites of injury where they promote analgesia (pages 1425–1428).
Analysis of two length-based mortality models applied to bounded catch length frequencies

Abstract We performed an assessment of the length-based total mortality model of Beverton and Holt, assuming that catch length-frequency distributions in tropical artisanal fisheries are constrained by (1) the selective properties of multiple gears used and (2) the spatiotemporal availabilities of certain size classes of fish to operationally restricted fleets. Positive bias always resulted with the Beverton and Holt estimator of Z (total mortality); this estimator assumes an infinite exploitable life span. Estimates of Z were unreasonably biased when exploitable life spans were 50% or less of the biological life span of the species considered in the analyses. Biases were larger at lower levels of fishing mortality rates. We developed a new method from a truncated equation for average fish length. It considers length at first capture and the maximum retainable length actually observed in the fishery catch. The method has no explicit solution for Z, so we used numerical methods to provide its solution. The...
VASCULAR NETWORKS FROM EXPLANTS OF HUMAN SYNOVIALIS IN VITRO.

Explants of human synovialis obtained surgically were cultivated under dialysis membrane in the multipurpose Rose chamber and in Eagle's medium enriched with 20% pooled human cord sera. Within 24 hours monocytes and lymphocytic cells emerged from the majority of explants while spindle and stellate cells appeared later on the second and third days of culture. A monolayer of cells developed in which active mitosis was observed. Between 12 to 15 days, fingerlike projections of cells adjacent to the explants branched out between the cover glass and the monolayer of mesenchymelike growth and by the twenty-fifth day had developed into anastomosing networks eventually ranging in length from 1.2 to 3.2 mm. Cine and still phase photomicrographs decumented findings. Vascular networks developed in vitro in 85% of the total 80 Rose chambers examined over an average period of 58 days. Minute vessels, patent for only short distances, were lined with endothelial cells characterized by slender elongated nuclei and with two or three small nucleoli. In contrast, flanking fibroblasts were considerably larger with clear oval nuclei containing conspicuous nucleoli. Differential stains demonstrated reticular fibers and distinct bundles of collagen lying along the vessels, particularly in the area adjacent to the fragment. In the study of rheumatoid arthritis, where vascular lesions are known to occur, it is possible that such preparations may provide favorable test objects.
Incremental value of simultaneous assessment of myocardial function and perfusion with technetium-99m sestamibi for prediction of extent of coronary artery disease.

Objectives. This study assessed the incremental value of technetium-99m myocardial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and simultaneous first-pass radionuclide angiography, when added to treadmill exercise, for prediction of the extent of coronary artery disease. Background. Technetium-99m count statistics permit the simultaneous assessment of myocardial perfusion and function. However, whether this characteristic improves prediction of the extent of coronary artery disease remains unknown. Methods. We studied 70 consecutive patients who had coronary angiography within 6 months of the scintigraphic study. All patients underwent a symptom-limited treadmill exercise test. Treadmill data were summarized using a previously validated score. Left ventricular ejection fraction and regional wall motion were evaluated from a first-pass radionuclide angiogram acquired at peak treadmill exercise in the anterior view. Perfusion was assessed visually. Extent of angiographic disease was expressed as the presence or absence of multivessel disease (more than two coronary artery territories with >50% stenosis) and as a score that reflects the location of severe (>75%) stenosis. Results. Stepwise addition of scintigraphic data (perfusion first, followed by function) to the treadmill score showed significant incremental value for prediction of the angiographic score at each step; exercise ejection fraction alone was the strongest independent predictor. Discriminant accuracy for detection of multivessel disease was also improved by the addition of perfusion information to the treadmill score and addition of regional wall motion analysis to both of them. In this case, ejection fraction failed to show independent value. Conclusions. The addition of simultaneously performed sestamibi perfusion SPECT and first-pass radionuclide angiography to the treadmill exercise test significantly improved prediction of the extent of coronary artery disease.
Attitude control of a satellite in an elliptic orbit.

A satellite, with inertia properties within a specific range of values, is assumed to be in an orbit of small eccentricity. Cold-gas jets that are bounded in thrust level supply the torques for attitude control. The performance criterion is minimum-fuel consumption for reaching the desired attitude in a given time. The elliptic orbit introduces parametric excitations and forcing terms not present for a circular orbit. The linearized equations that describe the small attitude motion are time-vary ing. Pontryagin's maximum principle is employed to determine the characteristics of the minimum-fuel, optimal control for the linearized motion, and a suboptimal, feedback, attitude-control system is developed that is both simple and efficient. This control system is shown to work well when the initial attitude errors are large, and the problem of steady-state control is discussed. In all cases it is assumed that through the use of star trackers, sun sensors, gyros, and/or horizon scanners, the state of the attitude motion is known completely and accurately.
Foreign direct investment and state export performance

Since the early 1980s, there has been widespread debate over the impacts of rising levels of inward foreign direct investment (FDI) on the U.S. economy. A frequently noted, but little studied, issue within the debate is the impact of FDI on U.S. foreign trade, and particularly, on the foreign trade of US. regions. This study assesses the effects of FDI on the manufacturing export performance of U.S. states during the period from 1980 to 1991. Results indicate that increased levels of FDI are positively related to future improvements in state manufacturing export performance.
Cinoxacin in female mongrel dogs: Effect of urine ph on urinary drug excretion and correlation of in vitro characteristics of oral dosage forms with bioavailability

Cinoxacin was measured in plasma and in urine of female mongrel dogs after single 10-mg/kg iv doses. The terminal half-life of plasma cinoxacin was 0.873 hr in dogs whose urine had been alkalinized by oral administration of sodium bicarbonate, 3.79 hr in normal dogs, and 15.8 hr in dogs whose urine had been acidified by oral administration of ammonium chloride. Dogs with alkalinized urine were chosen for cinoxacin bioavailability studies to minimize interanimal variability and to maximize recovery of unaltered cinoxacin in the urine. Four lots of crystalline cinoxacin with widely different particle sizes were prepared and characterized with respect to their specific surface areas, particle-size distributions, and dissolution profiles in vitro. Capsules of cinoxacin from these lots and aqueous solutions of cinoxacin were administered as single oral doses to dogs with alkalinized urine. Four aspects of the bioavailabilities of the oral preparations, peak plasma cinoxacin concentration, time of peak plasma cinoxacin concentration, area under the plasma cinoxacin concentration-time curve, and urinary excretion of cinoxacin, were determined and found to follow rank-order relationships with the characteristics of the same preparations in vitro. Linear relationships were observed between the reciprocal of the dissolution rate constant and the area under the plasma cinoxacin concentration-time curve, between the reciprocal of specific surface area and the reciprocal of the time of peak plasma cinoxacin concentration, and between the reciprocal of specific surface area and the amount of cinoxacin excreted in urine in 24 hr.
Utilization and viability of biologically inspired algorithms in a dynamic multiagent camera surveillance system

In view of the growing complexity of computational tasks and their design, we propose that certain interactive systems may be better designed by utilizing computational strategies based on the study of the human brain. Compared with current engineering paradigms, brain theory offers the promise of improved self-organization and adaptation to the current environment, freeing the programmer from having to address those issues in a procedural manner when designing and implementing large-scale complex systems. To advance this hypothesis, we discus a multi-agent surveillance system where 12 agent CPUs each with its own camera, compete and cooperate to monitor a large room. To cope with the overload of image data streaming from 12 cameras, we take inspiration from the primate’s visual system, which allows the animal to operate a real-time selection of the few most conspicuous locations in visual input. This is accomplished by having each camera agent utilize the bottom-up, saliency-based visual attention algorithm of Itti and Koch (Vision Research 2000;40(10-12):1489-1506) to scan the scene for objects of interest. Real time operation is achieved using a distributed version that runs on a 16-CPU Beowulf cluster composed of the agent computers. The algorithm guides cameras to track and monitor salient objects based on maps of color, orientation, intensity, and motion. To spread camera view points or create cooperation in monitoring highly salient targets, camera agents bias each other by increasing or decreasing the weight of different feature vectors in other cameras, using mechanisms similar to excitation and suppression that have been documented in electrophysiology, psychophysics and imaging studies of low-level visual processing. In addition, if cameras need to compete for computing resources, allocation of computational time is weighed based upon the history of each camera. A camera agent that has a history of seeing more salient targets is more likely to obtain computational resources. The system demonstrates the viability of biologically inspired systems in a real time tracking. In future work we plan on implementing additional biological mechanisms for cooperative management of both the sensor and processing resources in this system that include top down biasing for target specificity as well as novelty and the activity of the tracked object in relation to sensitive features of the environment.
Vanadium-fulvic acid chemistry: conformational and binding studies by electron spin probe techniques

Two fractions of soil fulvic acid (FA) were separated by gel filtration chromatography. An observed increase in volume of the heavier fraction (FA I) with increasing pH was attributed to aggregation, intramolecular negative charge repulsions and the rupture of hydrogen bonds, which control molecular conformation. Optical absorption properties and elemental analyses of both fractions were determined. The stability constants and stoichiometries of FA complexes with vanadyl, VO2+, at pH 5.0 and ionic strength of 0.04 M were measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. EPR spectra of model VO2+ complexes with phthalic and salicylic acids, which are the probable functional groups present in FA, are identical to those of the VO2+-FA complexes. Aggregation of FA I occurs in the presence of VO2+ to form a complex that can be approximated as ‘(VO)2(FA I)6’. The average site distance between vanadyl ions in this complex is shown to be greater than 1.2 nm. EPR parameters for FA I suggest binding by carboxylate groups. These parameters are compared with those of other vanadyl complexes with fulvic and humic acids reported by others. Reduction of VO3− to VO2+ by these materials is discussed.
Contributions of Myristoylation to Calcineurin Structure/Function

Calcineurin is a serine/threonine protein phosphatase composed of a catalytic subunit, calcineurin A (58 kDa), and a NH2-terminal myristoylated regulatory subunit, calcineurin B (19 kDa). In order to study the effect of myristoylation on calcineurin structure/function, a dual plasmid transfection system was used to generate myristoylated and nonmyristoylated calcineurin B. Both metabolic labeling of calcineurin B with radiolabeled myristic acid and electrospray mass spectral analysis confirmed that myristic acid was covalently and stoichiometrically linked to calcineurin B. Myristoyl and non-myristoyl calcineurin B were reconstituted with recombinant calcineurin A to form native-like heterodimers, and the properties of the two calcineurin forms were examined. Myristoylation had no effect on enzymatic activity, calcineurin-immunosuppressant/immunophilin interactions, or Ca2+ binding. Surprisingly, myristoylation also had no effect on calcineurin heterodimer association with phospholipid monolayers. Fatty acylation, however, significantly influenced the thermal stability of calcineurin, with an approximate 10°C increase in t1/2 observed for myristoyl calcineurin when compared to the non-myristoyl form. Myristoylation of calcineurin B therefore appears to provide structural stability to the calcineurin heterodimer.
Cell volume regulation in nonrenal epithelia.

Cell volume regulation occurs in both tight, Na+-transporting epithelia (e.g., frog skin) and in leaky, NaCl-transporting epithelia (e.g., amphibian gallbladder). In tight epithelia volume
Aerosol size determination in the submicron range by thermophoresis

Abstract A device is proposed whereby particles in the submicron range may be distributed by size in situ by a thermal force mechanism. An aerosol is to be is to be passed upward through two porous metal plates separated by a space of 1 to 5 cm. The upper plate is to be heated and the lower one cooled, such that a temperature gradient exists between plates. Particles moving through the cooler plate at essentially the same velocity as the carrier gas will come to a halt in the space between the plates when the thermal and drag forces on the particles are in equilibrium. This equilibrium stopping distance depends on the particles' size, the larger particles stopping closer to the upper plate. Continued passage of the aerosol-laden stream leaves increasing numbers of particles stratified in order of increasing size. When sufficient concentration is achieved, optical techniques could be employed to determine the particle size distribution.
Separable approximation methods for orientational filters and VLSI implementations

Two separable approximation methods, Chebyshev approximation and SVD approximation, are described as ways of implementing an orientational filtering operation on a 2D image. They are both suitable for parallel implementation and enable the orientational filter to be performed on an N X N image in O(N2) time with a small amount of hardware. It is shown that these algorithms can be combined with Shensa's algorithm so that a multi- resolution pyramid can be efficiently constructed from orientational filter wavelets. Performance of the algorithms is evaluated by applying them to both Gabor filters and the first derivative of Gaussian filters. A VLSI architecture for orientational filters using the separable approximation is presented.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Prevalence of benign microscopic hematuria among women with interstitial cystitis: implications for evaluation of genitourinary malignancy.

Abstract Objectives To assess the prevalence of benign microscopic hematuria among a cohort of women with clinical interstitial cystitis (IC). Methods A total of 100 women were prospectively assessed for microscopic hematuria with postvoid sterile catheterization. The evaluation for all patients included urine culture, potassium sensitivity test (PST), cystoscopy with hydrodistension under general anesthesia, and symptom assessment with the Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) questionnaire. Results The mean age ± SD was 37 ± 15 years, with no difference noted in those with or without microscopic hematuria (P = 0.71). Microscopic hematuria was present in 24 (24%) of the 100 women. No patient had gross hematuria, positive urine culture, or cystoscopic findings suspicious for malignancy. The mean PUF score was 17 ± 6. The PST was positive in 92 (92%) of 100 women, and 8 patients had only cystoscopic findings diagnostic of IC. The likelihood of a positive PST or positive cystoscopic findings among patients with microscopic hematuria was similar to that of patients without microscopic hematuria. The PST results correlated with the cystoscopic findings (P Conclusions In this cohort of women with IC, the prevalence of benign microscopic hematuria was 24%. These data suggest that in women at low risk of genitourinary malignancy who have clinical IC, microscopic hematuria may be an incidental finding.
Multiplication Stimulating Activity Regulates Ornithine Decarboxylase in Isolated Porcine Granutlosa Cells in Vitro

The polypeptide growth factor, multiplication stimulating activity (MSA), stimulates ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in isolated porcine granulosa cells maintained under chemically defined conditions in vitro. The stimulatory action of MSA is saturable, and dose-dependent (0.1-1000 ng/ml). MSA effects are additive to those of luteinizing hormone (LH), but not those of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Stimulation of ODC activity by MSA requires cellular protein and RNA synthesis, and appears to be mediated independently of cyclic AMP. These observations provide the first demonstration of MSA action in the mammalian ovary.
Nationalism, Regionalism, and State Institutions: An Assessment of Opinions in Spain

Acknowledging Spain's diversity, this article assesses the impact of nationalism, regionalism, and other factors on public opinion about the country's young democratic institutions. Utilizing survey data, the analysis focuses on national and regional variations in public preferences for central state institutions and federalist or other designs for state-regional relations. It concludes that a strong base of support exists for the current democratic system and the institutions through which it is implemented. Nevertheless, some doubts remain about the basic state structure of central-regional relations.
« L'usage des pratiques bilingues dans la communauté cadienne »

Notre objectif dans cet article est de decouvrir les pratiques bilingues qui caracterisent les echanges naturels en francais cadien (FC) et en anglais cadien (AC) et de determiner leur role sociolinguistique dans cette communaute. Les donnees pour cette etude proviennent du corpus de francais/anglais cadien representant 131 locuteurs. L'echantillon utilise pour notre etude est compose de 30 entrevues de la paroisse d'Avoyelles, d'une duree d'environ 90 minutes pour le FC et de 45 minutes pour l'AC. En nous inspirant de la methodologie de Poplack (1993), nous distinguons trois types de melange de langues : l'emprunt d'unites lexicales, l'alternance de code et ce que nous avons appele l'« alternance de discours », c'est-a-dire la combinaison de plusieurs phrases creant un long monologue discursif. Nous montrerons qu'il existe une divergence frappante dans l'usage des pratiques bilingues entre le FC et l'AC et que le facteur sexe influence fortement leur production en FC.
Women and Work: A Reader

Women and Work:. Reader. Paula J. Dubeck and Kathryn Borman. eds. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1997.550 pp.
Fertility Following Marital Dissolution The Role of Cohabitation

Surprisingly, nearly one third of all nonmarital births in the United States are to formerly married mothers. The author uses data from the National Survey of Families and Households to investigate the level and timing of such births as well as their determinants. Discrete time-event history analyses are used to evaluate the associations between various life course factors and postmarital childbearing. The present study improves on prior research by examining the role of postmarital cohabitation experience in fertility following marital dissolution. Postmarital cohabitation experience more than doubles the odds of having a postmarital birth. In fact, about 20% of postmarital births occur to cohabiting mothers.
Antenna array configuration for high-throughput communications

Strategically selecting the location of antennas in sparse arrays can dramatically improve a communication system's resilience to both multipath fading and interference. By formulating the information theoretic capacity of a system employing an antenna array (both SIMO and MIMO) for a specified channel and interference model, we show how to optimally choose the locations of each antenna in both a 1D and 2D space to maximize mutual information given prior constraints on the antenna positions.
Determination of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin produced by malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasias and male germ cell tumors using a lectin-based immunoassay and surface plasmon resonance

Abstract The ability to reliably detect aberrant glycosylation of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may have profound implications for the diagnosis and monitoring of malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, germ cell tumors, other malignancies, and pregnancy complications. To become a clinically useful assay, however, this discrimination of glycoforms should be possible on minimally treated biological specimens. Towards this end, we have developed a lectin-based sandwich-type immunoassay to compare the glycosylation patterns of hCG among urine specimens from patients presenting with a normal pregnancy, invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, and male germ cell tumors using carbohydrate-free antibody fragments as capture reagents and a panel of eight lectins, five recognizing neutral sugars and three recognizing sialic acid. There was no significant difference in the binding of any of the lectins to hCG in the urine of women over the gestational range of 6–38 weeks. Three lectins, however, exhibited differential binding to urinary hCG derived from these normal pregnant controls and that from patients with malignant forms of gestational trophoblastic disease and male germ cell tumors. Galanthus nivalis agglutinin and Maackia amurensis lectin, which bind terminal mannose and α(2-3)sialic acid, respectively, preferentially bound pregnancy-derived hCG, whereas the lectin, wheat germ agglutinin, which binds sialic acid and β(1-4) N -acetylglucosamine, exhibited decreased binding to pregnancy-derived hCG compared to that from patients with male germ cell tumors and malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The differential binding observed with these three promising lectins is most encouraging and warrants further examination. The experimental paradigm also holds promise for the development of comparable assays for other glycosylated tumor markers.
OUT‐OF‐PRINT BUT NOT OUT OF MIND

In the past, librarians have often viewed antiquarian booksellers somewhat negatively—making money from those precious tomes that belong in rare book collections. In fact, librarians have often deliberately kept deaccessioned materials from these book dealers, so as not to support this once thought dubious business.
Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: volumetric measurement of nasogastric aspirate to determine imaging modality.

The authors postulated that volumetric measurement of residual gastric aspirate in neonates and infants with nonbilious projectile vomiting could enable differentiation between patients with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) and those with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and help to determine whether ultrasound (US) or fluoroscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract would best confirm the diagnosis. In the 38 patients (all but two of whom had been fasting for 3-4 hours), 10 mL or more of nasogastric aspirate was considered indicative of obstruction. HPS occurred in 91.7% of patients with 10 mL of aspirate or more, whereas GER occurred in 85.7% of patients with less than 10 mL. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Solely on the basis of residual volume (greater than or equal to 10 mL), the cause of vomiting could be differentiated, prior to standard radiologic studies, 89.4% of the time. It is concluded that patients with projectile vomiting who have 10 mL or more of resid...