cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
14-3-3 ζ Negatively Regulates Raf-1 Activity by Interactions with the Raf-1 Cysteine-rich Domain

Although Raf-1 is a critical effector of Ras signaling and transformation, the mechanism by which Ras promotes Raf-1 activation is complex and remains poorly understood. We recently reported that Ras interaction with the Raf-1 cysteine-rich domain (Raf-CRD, residues 139–184) may be required for Raf-1 activation. The Raf-CRD is located in the NH2-terminal negative regulatory domain of Raf-1 and is highly homologous to cysteine-rich domains found in protein kinase C family members. Recent studies indicate that the structural integrity of the Raf-CRD is also critical for Raf-1 interaction with 14-3-3 proteins. However, whether 14-3-3 proteins interact directly with the Raf-CRD and how this interaction may mediate Raf-1 function has not been determined. In the present study, we demonstrate that 14-3-3 ζ binds directly to the isolated Raf-CRD. Moreover, mutation of Raf-1 residues 143–145 impairs binding of 14-3-3, but not Ras, to the Raf-CRD. Introduction of mutations that impair 14-3-3 binding resulted in full-length Raf-1 mutants with enhanced transforming activity. Thus, 14-3-3 interaction with the Raf-CRD may serve in negative regulation of Raf-1 function by facilitating dissociation of 14-3-3 from the NH2 terminus of Raf-1 to promote subsequent events necessary for full activation of Raf-1.
EFFECTS OF DEPTH AND RATE OF BREATHING ON HEART RATE AND HEART RATE VARIABILITY

Effects of depth and rate of breathing on heart rate (HR) and HR variability were observed in two experiments. Respiration rate (RR) affected only cardiac stability, faster breathing producing more stable cardiac rate. Respiration depth (RD) affected both HR level and variability. Deep breathing produced faster, more variable HR, while shallow breathing had the opposite effects. A third experiment, in which Ss were trained to control HR using respiration, further illustrated the dramatic effects of respiration on cardiac rate. Implications of these results for experiments utilizing HR as a dependent variable and studies of autonomic control were discussed.
Passage of water and electrolytes through natural and artificial keratin membranes

Abstract The feasibility of reconstituting dissolved α-keratin was tested by rekeratinizing bovine hoof into sheets through electrodialysis. The aim was to produce a membrane that simulated the permeability characteristics of the shed snake skin. Voltage densities of 10, 15, and 25 V/cm were successful in forming thin, fragile membranes on the surface of a dialysis membrane. Average Na flux rates of 291, 133, and 121 μmol/cm 2 ·h respectively were found and with the addition of linoleic acid could be lowered to 2.97 μmol/cm 2 ·h. Permeability characteristics of shed snake skin, turtle scutes, and bovine hoof slices were tested at pressures up to 300 lb/in 2 and compared to the commercial reverse osmosis membrane, SEPA 97. The first three are composed of keratin and the latter of cellulose acetate. Both types of shed snake skin tested showed an immediate and complete passage of fluid with no salt rejection. Turtle scute section and thin (60 μm) sections of bovine hoof allowed the passage of no fluid and therefore retained 100% of the salt. Rekeratinized membranes were too delicate to perform high pressure permeability tests on. SEPA 97 had an average fluid passage rate of 180 μl/cm 2 ·h and a salt rejection rate of only 16%. Both values being lower than publicized.
Concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons and trace elements in marine mammal tissues archived in the U.S. national biomonitoring specimen bank

Abstract The U.S. National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB) provides for the long term storage of well documented and preserved specimens representing several types of environmental matrices. A major part of this inventory consists of marine mammal tissues (e.g., blubber, liver, kidney, and muscle). Within the NBSB selected specimens are periodically analyzed for chlorinated hydrocarbons and trace elements. Although only 20% of the 560 marine mammal specimens in the NBSB have been analyzed, the database is of value in evaluating the stability of analytes and sample degradation during storage, for comparing with results from samples collected in the future for long-term monitoring, and for comparing with analytical results from other laboratories on samples collected at the same time for monitoring purposes. The NBSB analytical database contains results for 37 elements, many of which are not analyzed routinely by conventional analytical techniques used in monitoring programs, and the following organic compounds: selected PCB congeners, DDT compounds, α- and γ-HCH, HCB, heptachlor epoxide, oxychlordane, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor, and dieldrin in 9 marine mammal species: northern fur seal ( Callorhinus ursinus ), ringed seal ( Phoca hispida ), spotted seal ( P. largha ), bearded seal ( Erignathus barbatus ), pilot whale ( Globicephala melas ), harbor porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ), white-sided dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus acutus ), beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas ), and bowhead whale ( Balaena mysticetus ). Analyses of beluga whale blubber for toxaphene and additional chlorinated hydrocarbons are obtained through collaboration with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Scanning electrochemical microscopy 50. Kinetic study of electrode reactions by the tip generation-substrate collection mode.

A scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) methodology for localized quantitative kinetic studies of electrode reactions based on the tip generation−substrate collection (TG−SC) operation mode is presented. This approach does not use the mediator feedback required in typical kinetic SECM experiments. The reactant is galvanostatically electrogenerated on a tip placed in proximity to the substrate. It diffuses through the tip−substrate gap and undergoes the reaction of interest on the substrate surface. The substrate current is monitored with time until it reaches an apparent steady-state value. The process was digitally simulated using an explicit finite difference method, for an irreversible first-order electrode reaction at the substrate. Transient responses, steady-state polarization curves, and TG−SC approach curves can be used to obtain substrate kinetics. The effects of the experimental parameters were analyzed. The possibility of easily changing the experimental conditions with the SECM is an attr...
Environmental impacts and regulatory policy Implications of spray disposal of dredged material in Louisiana wetlands

Abstract The capabilities of a new wetland dredging technology were assessed along with associated newly developed state and federal regulatory policies to determine if policy expectations realistically match the technological achievement. Current regulatory practices require amelioration of spoil bank impacts upon abandonment of an oil/gas well, but this may not occur for many years or decades, if at all. Recently, a dredging method (high‐pressure spray spoil disposal) was developed that does not create a spoil bank in the traditional sense. Its potential for reducing environmental impacts was recognized immediately by regulatory agencies for whom minimizing spoil bank impacts is a major concern. The use of high‐pressure spray disposal as a suitable alternative to traditional dredging technology has been adopted as policy even though its value as a management tool has never been tested or verified. A qualitative evaluation at two spoil disposal sites in saline marsh indicates that high‐pressure spray dis...
Complex plant–soil interactions enhance plant species diversity by delaying community convergence

Summary A plant that causes specific changes to soil biota may either positively or negatively affect the performance of the plant that subsequently grows in that location. These effects, known as plant–soil feedback, can affect plant species diversity at multiple spatial scales. It has been hypothesized that positive plant–soil feedback reduces alpha (local) diversity by allowing dominance by early-arriving species, but increases gamma (regional) diversity by promoting community divergence (increased beta diversity) through the emergence of alternative stable states. In contrast, negative plant–soil feedback has been thought to increase alpha diversity by allowing local species coexistence, but to reduce gamma diversity by promoting community convergence (reduced beta diversity). Although widely accepted, these hypotheses do not consider the possibility that plant species differ in their effect on, and their response to, a given other species via soil biota. In reality, plant–soil interactions can be complex, with the strength of the interactions variable between plant species. Using a basic simulation model of plant community assembly, we investigated how complex plant–soil interactions might affect plant diversity during succession. When we included only positive or negative intraspecific plant–soil feedback in the model, with no variation in the strength of interspecific plant–soil interactions, results were consistent with the conventional hypotheses. When we allowed the strength of plant–soil interactions to differ between species, plant–soil interactions enhanced alpha diversity initially and beta and gamma diversity subsequently. Diversity enhancement occurred not necessarily because alternative stable states emerged, but primarily because complex plant–soil interactions lengthened the time during which local species composition changed. Due to the longer time for changes in species composition, the high level of beta and gamma diversity at the early stage of succession was maintained for a long time despite eventual community convergence. Thus, diversity enhancement was often transient, though long-lasting, making the conventional concept of alternative stable states inadequate for explaining diversity. Synthesis. Based on these findings, we propose the new hypothesis that complex plant–soil interactions enhance plant species diversity by delaying community convergence. This hypothesis highlights the role of plant–soil interactions as a driver of long-lasting transient dynamics of community assembly.
The cuticular protuberances of insects

Abstract Studies, especially with transmission electron microscopy of developmental stages, show that the many superficially different spines, bristles, hairs, etc. can be classified into 4 major types: (1) multicellular with cells similar to those of the general epidermis (spines); (2) multicellular with differentiation of a segregated trichoid complex (setae); (3) unicellular (acanthae); and (4) subcellular in the sense of several or many per cell (microtrichia). Except for eversible pouches, there are no flaccid projections because the cuticle of setae and other projections is always sclerotized. Spines, as the term is used above, occur primarily on external surfaces, except for comparable structures in the proventriculi of some insects. Setae are on external surfaces only, and most of them retain a sensory function. Acanthae are best known on internal surfaces of foregut and reproductive ducts but can be found on external surfaces also. Microtrichia occur mostly on external surfaces but occasionally on the taenidia of tracheae. Only the socketed setae include one or more sense cells, and hence only setae are sensory (but spines can bear setae). Several or numerous subtypes can be recognized for each of these types. All of the types can have the cells withdraw; they then usually become filled with cuticle and even commonly become underlaid by cuticle; the producing cells may or may not persist. Such solid hairs commonly cannot be identified as to type without knowledge of their development.
An estimation of dioxin emissions in the United States

Total annual US air emissions of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzo‐furans (PCDD/Fs) from all known sources are estimated to be about 400 kilograms as of 1989, almost entirely from combustion sources. Municipal solid waste incineration is the largest known source of PCDD/Fs, as of 1989. The next largest sources include hospital waste incineration, forest and agricultural fires, and residential wood burning. Anthropogenic emissions of PCDD/Fs are estimated to be an order of magnitude greater than emissions of PCDD/Fs from forest fires. Dioxin emissions are shown to generally increase with the chlorine content of the combusted material, in the absence of effective pollution control systems. Dioxin emissions from 1940 and 1970 are also estimated. The estimates are verified through analysis of the concentrations of dioxin in soil, air, and sediments.
A limited flight study for investigating hyperstereo vision

A number of currently proposed helmet-mounted display (HMD) designs relocate image intensification (I 2 ) tubes to the sides of the helmet. Such a design approach induces a visual condition referred to as hyperstereo vision (or hyperstereopsis). This condition manifests itself to the user as an exaggerated sense of depth perception, causing near- to mid-range objects to appear closer than they actually are. Hyperstereopsis is potentially a major concern for helicopter operations that are conducted at low altitudes. As part of a limited flight study to investigate this phenomenon, five rated U.S. Army aviators, as technical observers, wore a hyperstereo HMD during the conduct of a series if 13 standard maneuvers. Two subject aviators acquired a total of eight hours and three aviators a single hour of flight. Using a post-flight questionnaire, these aviators were asked to compare their visual experiences to that of normal I2-aided flight. Depth perception at distances below 300 feet was identified as the greatest challenge. The two 8-hour aviators reported a 5-8 hour "adaptation" period for most maneuvers.
Simultaneous high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in biological samples

The ascorbic acid (AA)-dehydroascorbic acid redox couple is an important component of many biological systems, and various physiological roles have been described for this vitamin. Simultaneous measurement of both AA and dehydroascorbate using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has proven difficult owing to detection problems. A simple, single-step HPLC assay for the simultaneous detection of both AA and dehydroascorbate was developed without the burden of derivatization of either compounds. This has proven to be a reliable technique and should be applicable to a wide variety of biological samples.
Deficiency of BrpB causes major defects in cell division, stress responses and biofilm formation by Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans, the primary aetiological agent of dental caries, possesses an YjeE-like protein that is encoded by locus SMU.409, herein designated brpB. In this study, a BrpB-deficient mutant, JB409, and a double mutant deficient of BrpB and BrpA (a paralogue of the LytR–CpsA–Psr family of cell wall-associated proteins), JB819, were constructed and characterized using function assays and microscopy analysis. Both JB409 and JB819 displayed extended lag phases and drastically slowed growth rates during growth in brain heart infusion medium as compared to the wild-type, UA159. Relative to UA159, JB409 and JB819 were more than 60- and 10-fold more susceptible to acid killing at pH 2.8, and more than 1 and 2 logs more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide, respectively. Complementation of the deficient mutants with a wild-type copy of the respective gene(s) partly restored the acid and oxidative stress responses to a level similar to the wild-type. As compared to UA159, biofilm formation by JB409 and JB819 was drastically reduced (P<0.001), especially during growth in medium containing sucrose. Under a scanning electron microscope, JB409 had significantly more giant cells with an elongated, rod-like morphology, and JB819 formed marble-like super cells with apparent defects in cell division. As revealed by transmission electron microscopy analysis, BrpB deficiency in both JB409 and JB819 resulted in the development of low electron density patches and formation of a loose nucleoid structure. Taken together, these results suggest that BrpB likely functions together with BrpA in regulating cell envelope biogenesis/homeostasis in Strep. mutans. Further studies are under way to elucidate the mechanism that underlies the BrpA- and BrpB-mediated regulation.
Impact of response characteristics of an agricultural sprayer control system on nozzle flow stabilization under simulated field scenarios

Practice of programming one VCN would not provide optimum nozzle flow response.Greater application errors for scenarios involving sprayer acceleration and deceleration.Operator behavior impacted response and application errors during speed changes.Brake point digit exhibited greater impact in reducing stabilization time.Future controllers need robust control algorithms to auto-selection of VCN. Rate controllers with automatic section control (ASC) capabilities represent sprayer technology used to not only regulate application flow rate to compensate for variations ground speed and target rate but also change in spray width. Ideally, ASC should maintain precise control to ensure uniform application, but the precision of that control is limited by the speed at which the controller can respond to variations in those conditions. The response characteristic of the controller is normally a selectable feature using a value programmed by the user, often called a valve control number (VCN). The choice of a VCN for a given spray system is a compromise between selecting a high rate of response to rapidly varying conditions and potential oscillations in output flow rate that might be induced. Both types of errors result in off-rate application. The objective of this study was to investigate the magnitude of off-rate errors caused by a range of VCN choices for simulated field conditions. Nine valve calibration numbers (VCNs) were selected for five simulated but common field operating scenarios. Simulations were conducted using a LabVIEW program to send predetermined navigation (GPS NMEA strings) and control commands to specify ground speed and boom-section actuation status to the rate controller. Variations in flow rate during simulations were measured using nozzle pressure transducers mounted across the spray boom. Results indicated manufacturer-recommended selections for the VCN (743) were not optimal and using alternate values reduced flow stabilization times in response to simulated changes in ground speed by up to one third (VCN 313). Brake point reduced nozzle flow stabilization time to a higher degree than the valve speed. The largest errors were observed when the sprayer was undergoing simulated acceleration or deceleration plus experiencing a change in nozzle actuation, emphasizing the relationship between operator driving choices and overall application errors. These results suggested using a single VCN in all operating conditions would not be appropriate. Future control strategies should consider adding the capability to adjust the rate control system characteristics (e.g. VCN) to compensate for varying operator aptitudes and field conditions.
Stabilization of vesicular and supported membranes by glycolipid oxime polymers

We report herein new synthetic glycolipid dimers and polymers that provide unprecedented stability to both supported (SLBs) and vesicular lipid bilayers against dehydration and serum exposure. These novel physical properties will enable pharmaceutical delivery and development of SLB bioanalytical devices.
A Qualified Bioethic: Particularity in James Gustafson and Stanley Hauerwas

Most theoretical approaches in bioethics begin with a theory that articulates and defends basic principles or rules that are more or less systematically related and that seek to yield more or less precise conclusions with regard to specific acts, cases, or policies. Concerns about the agent and descriptions of the context of action stand on the margins of the theory. This is ironic, given the overwhelming importance and impact the training of health care professionals has upon them and upon the practice of health care as a whole, and given the fact that many advocates of the theories themselves concede that one's beliefs and how one describes a situation and weighs "facts" and values relevant to the case strongly determine one's conclusions. While morality may not lead ineluctably to religion, as Kant believed, bioethics does appear inevitably to involve particularity. I examine the work of James M. Gustafson and Stanley Hauerwas to analyze two views of the role of particularity in bioethics. I then show the relevance of their work for addressing some problems with the practicality and concreteness of current models in bioethics.
Hybrid bidirectional optical backplane with multiple bus lines

The architectural design and performance of bi-directional optical backplanes with multi-bus lines are presented and analyzed. Previously, we have reported a general purpose bi- directional optical backplane with single bus line. With the integration of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers and photodetector arrays, in this paper, we further propose and demonstrate an optical backplane with multi-bus lines. With the multi-bus line structure, the bandwidth of the bus system is greatly increased. The performance related issue, such as the power budget consideration, the misalignment, etc., are also discussed, and related experiments are presented.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
U.S. National Security Discourse and the Political Construction of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

ABSTRACT The controversy concerning oil development in the federally protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge of Alaska is constituted by actors with multiple perspectives on security. Development of the region is often claimed by the Bush Administration as a national security imperative, necessary to alleviate U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Other participants in the debate, including environmentalists, oil companies, the Alaskan state government, organized labor, and Alaskans, perceive different threats and hold conflicting perspectives on security. This article adds to research on the “social construction of nature” by exploring the constitutive effects of the invocation of national security discourse on the refuge, both as a place and as the subject of national debate. It combines perspectives on “social nature” and “critical geopolitics” to explore how this invocation helps construct notions of threat and identity within the debate. This is accomplished via textual analysis of articles of public arg...
Calculation of knight-shift values for alkali and noble metals by a direct method

Abstract A direct method for evaluating conduction-electron wave functions in monovalent metals is developed and applied to the calculation of the isotropic Knight shift, using measured values of the effective mass and spin susceptibilities. Good agreement with experiment is obtained.
Power and slew-aware clock network design for through-silicon-via (TSV) based 3D ICs

In this paper, three effective design techniques are presented to effectively reduce the clock power consumption and slew of the 3D clock distribution network: (1) controlling the bound of through-silicon-vias (TSVs) used in between adjacent dies, (2) controlling the maximum load capacitance of the clock buffer, (3) adjusting the clock source location in the 3D stack. We discuss how these design factors affect the overall wirelength, clock power, slew, skew, and routing congestion in the practical 3D clock network design. SPICE simulation indicates that: (1) a 3D clock tree with multiple TSVs achieves up to 31% power saving, 52% wirelength saving and better slew control as compared with the single-TSV case; (2) by placing the clock source on the middle die in the 3D stack, an additional 7.7% power savings, 9.2% wirelength savings, and 33% TSV savings are obtained compared with the clock source on the topmost die. This work aims at helping designers construct reliable low-power and low-slew 3D clock network by making the right decisions on TSV usage, clock buffer insertion, and clock source placement.
Loan underpricing and the provision of merger advisory services

Abstract This paper investigates the primary and secondary syndicated bank loan market to analyze the effect on pricing when the financial institution commingles syndicated lending with merger advisory services. In particular, we investigate the connection between the acquirer’s choice of financial advisor in a merger and future financing commitments. We find evidence of underpricing of syndicated bank loans in both the primary and secondary market. In the primary market, we show that non-acquisition loans granted by merger advisors to acquiring firms after the merger announcement date are charged a lower all-in-spread relative to acquisition loans if there has been a prior lending relationship. Consistent with this finding, we find that syndicated bank loans for non-acquisition purposes arranged by the acquirer’s advisor after the merger announcement date trade in the secondary market at a significant discount. Since the terms on these non-acquisition loans are not set upon merger announcement, they are most subject to risk shifting and underpricing agency problems. These findings offer evidence consistent with the existence of loss leader and potentially conflicted loans (priced at below-market terms) that are offered by the acquirer’s relationship bank advisor in order to win merger advisory business.
VLA observations of the inner corona

VLA observations at 91.6 cm wavelength describe large-scale features that either coincide with filaments, seen in emission rather than absorption, or act as large-scale magnetic loops that connect active regions and provide a conduit for relativistic electrons that trigger bursts at remote sites on the solar surface. VLA observations at 20.7 cm wavelength describe smaller, hotter coronal loops within active regions where impulsive bursts originate.
Going straight to the point: intra-BM injection of hematopoietic progenitors

Intra-BM injection (IBMI) has been used clinically as a technique to deliver medications, blood products and fluids to critically ill children and war-wounded soldiers. Interest in IBMI has now been renewed in the setting of hematopoietic cell transplantation, in particular when umbilical cord blood is the graft source. Clinical studies have not yet unequivocally shown improvement in hematopoietic recovery. However, most intriguing is the observation, both in the clinical setting and in murine models, that the IBMI delivery of hematopoietic grafts and lymphocytes may reduce in the risk of acute GVHD. The underlying mechanism of the reduced risk of GVHD requires further investigation. In this study, we review the rationale as well as the clinical and pre-clinical data that support the study of IBMI as a method to deliver hematopoietic cells.
Terrorism and the Kenyan Public

Since 11 September 2001, terrorism has been a global security threat. One of the partners in the war on terrorism is Kenya. Considering Kenya"s recent experience with terrorist acts, their effects on its public psyche, and Kenya"s reactions to them in domestic and foreign policies, this study presents perceptions on terrorism from an exploratory survey in Kenya. Respondents feel most threatened not by terrorism but by AIDS and local criminals. Among terrorist acts, the most threatening include suicide terrorism, a plane crash, and stabbing attacks. Media reports on terrorism not only intensify feelings of anxiety and helplessness but also strengthen feelings for both peaceful and revengeful reactions. In order to prevent terrorist attacks, routine security checks, recognizing a Palestinian right to statehood, and intelligence collaboration with the CIA and Mosad are considered the most effective measures. Kenya"s commitment to the war on terrorism may be less a response to Kenyans" perceptions of terroris...
Modified representational difference analysis: isolation of differentially expressed mRNAs from rare cell populations

Abstract Representational difference analysis of cDNAs (cDNA-RDA) is a sensitive subtractive hybridization technique capable of isolating rare mRNAs differentially expressed in two cell populations. cDNA-RDA can detect sequences represented at 0.0001% in the starting mRNA. By using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cDNA-RDA also lends itself to studies in which samples are derived from limited numbers of cells. Standard cDNA-RDA protocols depend upon the presence of specific restriction enzyme sites in each cDNA, typically enzymes with four base recognition sequences. These sites are used to reduce the cDNA size range and provide primer sites for subsequent PCR amplification. Consequently, transcripts containing fewer than two of the chosen restriction sites are undetectable by cDNA-RDA. We have developed a restriction enzyme site-independent cDNA-RDA protocol called modified RDA (MRDA). We constructed MRDA test sequences from random hexamer-primed cDNA, thereby increasing the representation of mRNAs which are excluded by cDNA-RDA protocols. MRDA is also more efficient than cDNA-RDA at removing highly expressed housekeeping genes during the subtractive hybridization process, thereby allowing more efficient isolation of preferentially expressed mRNAs. Using MRDA, we isolated cDNAs differentially expressed between limited numbers of human CD4+ naive and memory T lymphocyte subsets and skin- and gut-homing memory T cell subsets.
A Method for Symbolic Evaluation of Indefinite Integrals Containing Special Functions or their Products

A method that can be used to extend the capabilities of the integrator of computer mathematics systems to include symbolic evaluation of indefinite integrals containing special functions or their products is described. The approach is based on a technique of indefinite integration which was first described in a previous article [Piquette, J. C., Van Buren, A. L. (1984). Technique for evaluating indefinite integrals involving products of certain special functions. SIAM J. Math, Anal. 15, 845-855]. Special-case expressions which are useful in evaluating integrals containing either one or two Bessel functions, Legendre functions, Hermite functions, or Laguerre functions are also given. An implementation of this method in the SMP(TM) language is described. A tabulation of some of the integrals that have been evaluated using the method is given.
Diffusion of Benzocaine from Ointment Bases

The release of benzocaine from oleaginous, absorption, emulsion (water-in-oil and oil-in-water), and water-soluble ointment bases via dialysis through a cellulose membrane to an aqueous sink was studied at 37.5°, and benzocaine release from some commercially available products was compared with experimental preparations. The rate of release was found to be greater from water-soluble bases than from other bases and was generally dependent on the concentration of drug in the base. An explanation is offered for the case in which the rate of release is not concentration dependent.
Econometric Models of the Agricultural Sector

The sharp and continued rise in food prices during 1973 and 1974 has directed attention to commodity analysis in particular and to economic forecasting in general. Heller's oft quoted comment that 1973 was a year of infamy in forecasting is hardly the attention one might desire. But if such attention leads to a reevaluation and improvement of econometric models, it will be worthwhile. I prefer to focus attention on such an evaluation rather than explain for one more time that weather can drastically affect production and prices, that a food grain reserve is an important aspect of agricultural food policy, that Russian wheat deals and lack of information can be disruptive to commodity markets, and that a continued search for an improved food and agricultural policy is a must. Dale Hatheway has provided us with an excellent discussion of "Food Prices and Inflation" covering these points. Also, Cromarty will focus on short-term forecasting in the following paper. The general thrust of this paper is that although agricultural economists have made important advances in supply and demand analysis in the past decade, we have not exposed these models to the same scrutiny on predictive performance as for macromodels of the economy. This may be for several reasons. First, there is considerable publicity given to predictions of GNP by various macromodels; second, the commodity "Outlook" reports of the Economic Research Service generally are not explicit as to the underlying model used; third, with some exceptions, the commodity models published by state experiment station researchers are not designed for the purpose of a continual update, prediction, and evaluation; and fourth, the export demand equations of commodity models are particularly difficult to quantify. Ongoing work in the Economic Research Service in long-term forecasting, trade, and commodity models perhaps will rectify some of these limitations, but it is my impression that a coordinated evaluation of the models is overdue. The symposium on econometric model performance reported in the 1974 International Economic Review certainly has no counterpart in the agricultural commodity model building fraternity. This should be done. Further, I suggest that we should move to develop the required data banks, the econometric models, the estimations and simulations of alternative outcomes on a continuing basis rather than what appears to be the present start-stop characteristic of much of our work.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the basket cell of the human motor cortex.

The basket cell is a specialized interneuron of the human motor cortex which forms pericellular baskets around the soma of the pyramidal neurons ~. This cell appears to be spatially oriented in a specific manner within the motor cortex 3. The study of rapid Golgi preparations has suggested that the basket cell is a fiat neuron enclosed in its entirety within a narrow, by-and-large disc-shaped tissue volume oriented perpendicular to the pia mater and to the long axis of the precentral gyrus ~,4. The basket cell can be visualized in its entirety only in preparations cut in that particular plane; any change in the angle of view of this fiat neuron would change its morphological appearance. It has been postulated 5 that if this neuron were to be viewed 'in profile' or in preparations cut parallel to the long axis of the precentral gyrus it would have the appearance of a 'double-tufted' neuron. To pursue this suggestion we have devised a model lbr a 3-dimensional reconstruction of the cortical basket cell utilizing the computer and data (tomographic series of camera lucida drawings) obtained from microscopic observations of rapid Golgi preparations. Basket cells from layers If, upper Ill, lower Ill, IV and V were selected from rapid Golgi preparations (cut perpendicular to the pia and to the long axis of the precentral gyrus) of the motor cortex of a 2-month-old infant. A continuous camera lucida drawing was made of each selected neuron to illustrate its morphological appearance from that angle of view (Fig. 1). In addition, a series of separate camera lucida drawings was made of each neuron by setting the microscope at various subsequent depths, such as 0, 5, 10, 15... l~m from the surface of the preparation. At each of these depths only those axonic and dendritic components of the selected neuron which were in sharp focus were drawn. The number of steps (drawings) necessary to draw a complete neuron represents the thickness of the cell as well as that of its territory of distribution. The series of separate drawings of each neuron were reduced to numerical forms by reading the (×, y) coordinates of numerous points along the cell arborizations. These were entered into a computer file. The Dartmouth time-sharing system was used, the central processing system of which is a GE (Honeywell) 635 processor. The z value or depth of points read from each drawing were also entered. The computer
Studies on the development of mouse embyros in vitro. III. The effect of fixed-nitrogen source

There has been considerable discussion as to whether the developing mouse ova requires an exogenous protein supply. A series of experiments were performed to determine the effect of various fixed-nitrogen sources on the development in vitro of two-cell mouse ova into blastocysts. It was found that two-cell mouse ova would not develop into blastocysts in medium that did not contain a fixed-nitrogen source. Crystalline bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 1 mg/ml or, alternatively, the constituent amino acids of BSA could supply this requirement for fixed-nitrogen. In the presence of single amino acids at 10−3M or 8 × 10−3M, only an occasional two-cell ova developed into a blastocyst. Single amino acids were omitted from the medium containing the constituent amino acids of BSA in an attempt to demonstrate an essential amino acid requirement of two-cell mouse ova. The omission of no single amino acid from the medium, completely prevented the development of some two-cell ova into blastocysts. The only amino acid whose omission resulted in a significant decrease in development was cystine. In the medium where amino acids were used in place of BSA, a non-protein polymer was used to replace the physical properties of albumin. The non-protein polymers which appeared best were Polyvinylpyrrolidone (MW = 150,000), Acacia, Dextran, and Ficoll.
CHANGING CONCEPTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF THYROID NODULES

Thyroid nodules are extremely common, affecting from 4% to 7% of the population. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is the most accurate and cost-effective technique for nodule diagnosis. It is simple, safe, and should be the first test used in patient work-up. Routine thyroxine (T4) suppressive therapy is no longer recommended for cytologically benign nodules. T4 suppression can cause or aggravate osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women. New data on T4 suppressive therapy, cost analysis, and nodule guidelines are reviewed.
American Law in Japanese Perspective

What Winston Churchill once said about democracy can probably also be said about the adversary system of criminal justice: It may well be the worst system of justice, "except [for] all the other [systems] that have been tried from time to time" [1982, 417]. I can state with confidence that there is no system in the world that strikes a more appropriate balance than ours does among the rights and interests of the prosecution, the defendant, the victim, and the public. .. Justice is not only a result. It is a process. . . The American system of justice is not fundamentally broken. It is far from perfect, but no such system has ever been perfect [1996, 199]. (Dershowitz 1982, 1996)
Dynamics of two fluids under periodic acceleration

The evolution of the interface between two fluids confined in a rectangular cavity is investigated numerically to predict its transient behavior. These computations address mixing characteristics of fluids under microgravity conditions, particularly g-jitter conditions resulting from aircraft vibration or crew motion, and have applications in solution crystal growth. The two-dimensional formulation employs the Boussinesq approximation and treats the mixing of two fluids as an initial value problem with a prescribed concentration field. For fluid mixing of practical applications inside a cavity, it is shown that nonlinear convective transport can dominate over both viscous and molecular diffusion. However, viscous diffusion can become important for low Reynolds number or certain cavity sizes. A stacking phenomenon is shown to occur for aspect ratios (Ar) approximately between 5 to 10. For aspect ratios in the neighborhood of 0.1 to 0.2, inner cells evolve at the interface with increasing time. For a square cavity of Ar = 1, chaotic mixing of the fluid appears to occur for a Stokes-Reynolds number greater than about 5.
Trials of antihypertensive treatment-new agenda for the millennium

In 1968 a group of investigators from the US Veterans Association study reported that, compared to placebo, antihypertensive medication dramatically reduces morbidity and mortality in patients whose diastolic blood pressure was 115 mm Hg or higher. Three years later a reduction of morbidity had also been demonstrated in subjects whose diastolic pressure ranged from 95 to 114 mm Hg. In the following decades these findings were confirmed in numerous investigations of various populations. We now know that antihypertensive treatment is beneficial in mild hypertension, in isolated systolic hypertension, and in hypertension of the elderly. When it comes to the treatment of mild hypertension we will have to practice evidenceless medicine and act on the internal logic of the issue. The logic suggests that many present-day antihypertensive agents are harmless, that over the long term they may prevent target organ damage, that early intervention may be more beneficial than late treatment, and, finally, that treating mild hypertension may have a major positive impact on public health.
The Market for Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance

Directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability insurance is a commonly used risk management tool for corporations both in the United States and abroad. While prior research has focused on the demand for D&O insurance and its role in corporate governance, there is an absence of literature on the supply side of the D&O market. Using the newly available D&O Insurance Coverage Supplement to insurers’ statutory filings, we develop a more comprehensive understanding of the D&O insurance market and of those firms that write D&O coverage. We develop and estimate a model of the decision to write D&O insurance and the extent of market participation. Our results suggest that there are significant operational and financial differences between firms that supply D&O insurance and those that do not. Several of these differences (specifically, size, diversification, and organizational form) are consistent with the predictions of the managerial discretion hypothesis.
Privacy in "the cloud": applying Nissenbaum's theory of contextual integrity

The present essay is organized into five main sections. We begin with a few preliminary remarks about "cloud computing," which are developed more fully in a later section. This is followed by a brief overview of the evolution of Helen Nissenbaum's framework of "privacy as contextual integrity." In particular, we examine Nissenbaum's "Decision Heuristic" model, described in her most recent work on privacy (Nissenabum 2010), to see how it enables the contextual-integrity framework to respond to privacy challenges posed by new and emerging technologies. We then apply that heuristic device to questions surrounding one aspect of cloud computing -- viz., "cloud storage" technology. In particular, we focus on current practices affecting Google Docs as an instance of a cloud-storage system.
Magnetic priming effects on noise, startup, and mode competition in magnetrons

Azimuthally varying axial magnetic fields have been utilized to perform "magnetic priming" of magnetrons for rapid startup, low noise, and mode control. An overview of the latest magnetic priming experimental and simulation results are presented in this paper. Magnetic priming experiments in dc-operating microwave oven magnetrons show sideband elimination, even with the cathode heater turned off. Simulations using three three-dimensional (3-D) improved concurrent electromagnetic particle-in-cell (ICEPIC) codes with two different computational algorithms recover the oven magnetron experimental results obtained with magnetic priming including fast mode growth, rapid spoke formation, and the tendency toward lower noise operation. A new, axially symmetric, azimuthally varying magnetic field geometry for oven magnetrons is explored and preliminary results are reported. Simulations using two-dimensional (2-D) MAGIC code for the University of Michigan/Titan relativistic magnetron show that the oscillation startup time can be dramatically decreased (almost by a factor of 3) and mode competition can be suppressed with magnetic priming.
Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in the domestic cat

Helicobacter pylori has been cultured from the inflamed gastric mucosae of naturally infected cats; the lesions in H. pylori-infected cat stomachs mimic many of the features seen in H. pylori-infected human stomachs. To determine whether H. pylori-negative specific-pathogen-free cats with normal gastric mucosae were susceptible to colonization by this bacterium and whether gastritis developed after infections, four H. pylori-negative cats treated with cimetidine were orally dosed three times with 3 ml (1.5 x 10(8) CFU/ml) of H. pylori every 4 days. All four cats became persistently colonized as determined by gastric cultures and PCRs from serial gastric biopsy samples and necropsy samples at 7 months postinfection. H. pylori was not isolated from the two control cats, nor were their gastric tissues positive by PCR; one of the two cats had a few focal lymphocytic aggregates in the body submucosa, whereas the second cat had a normal gastric mucosa. All four H. pylori-infected cats had multifocal gastritis consisting of lymphoid aggregates plus multiple large lymphoid nodules, which were most noticeable in the antral mucosa. In addition, one H. pylori-infected cat had a moderate diffuse infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the subglandular region of the antrum. H. pylori-like organisms were focally distributed in glandular crypts of the antrum. Two of the H. pylori-infected cats had significant (eightfold) increases over baseline in levels of immunoglobulin G H. pylori serum antibody. The H. pylori isolates from the four experimentally infected cats had restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns specific for the flaA gene that were identical to those of the inoculating strain. H. pylori readily colonizes the cat stomach and produces persistent gastritis.
The epidemiology of delirium in the community: the Eastern Baltimore Mental Health Survey.

The 1981 East Baltimore Mental Health Survey, part of the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) program, provided data for the examination of the prevalence of delirium in the general adult population. From an original 3,841 households surveyed, 810 individuals were selected for psychiatric evaluation and, of these, 6 individuals were diagnosed as suffering from delirium. The estimated prevalence of delirium in the population was .4% and 1.1% among those 55 years of age and over. A comparison of these cases with cases of diagnosed dementia and individuals of the same age range who did not receive a psychiatric diagnosis found that those with a diagnosis of delirium suffer from a greater number of medical conditions, take more prescribed medications, and have a higher level of physical disability.
The Effects of Implanted Nitrogen on Diffusion of Boron and Evolution of Extended Defects

We studied effects of nitrogen on reduction of boron diffusion in BF 2 -implanted source/drain regions of a p-channel MOSFET. Evolution of extended defects induced by nitrogen implantation in silicon and its dependence on implant energy were investigated. Characterization with TEM and SIMS led to validation of models of nitrogen as interstitial traps and strain-induced gettering. Electrical measurement of the PMOS threshold voltage shows a consistent trend of the nitrogen effects on boron redistribution in the S/D regions.