cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decomposition of brain waves

Abstract After briefly discussing the electroencephalogram, some of its applications and electrogenesis, we describe various mathematical analysis procedures which have been applied to assist brain researchers to interpret brain functioning from the electrical traces of the remotely sensed brain waves. The analysis procedures encompass various forms of digital filtering and signal processing, e.g. inverse filtering, cepstrum analysis, adaptive filtering, complex demodulation and frequency-wavenumber spectrum analysis to track wavefronts propagating across an array of scalp electrodes.
Design, Construction, and Validation of an Internally Lit Air-Lift Photobioreactor for Growing Algae

A novel 28 L photobioreactor for growing algae was developed from a previous bubble column system. The proposed design uses the air lift principle to enhance the culture circulation and induce light/dark cycles to the microorganisms. Optical fibers were used to distribute photons inside the culture media providing an opportunity to control both light cycle and intensity. The fibers were coupled to an artificial light source, however the development of this approach aims for the future use of natural light collected through parabolic solar collectors. This idea could also allow the use of non-clear materials for photobioreactor construction significantly reducing costs and increasing durability. Internal light levels were determined in dry conditions and were maintained above 80 µmol/(s•m2). The hydrodynamic equations of the air lift phenomena were explored and used to define the geometric characteristics of the unit. The reactor was inoculated with the algae strain Chlorella sp. and sparged with air. The reactor was operated under batch mode and daily monitored for biomass concentration. The specific growth rate constant of the novel device was determined to be 0.011 h-1, similar to other reactor designs reported in the literature, suggesting the proposed design can be effectively and economically used in carbon dioxide mitigation technologies and in the production of algal biomass for biofuel and other bioproducts.
Parametric Imaging of the Chick Embryonic Cardiovascular System: A Novel Functional Measure

Morphogenesis of the cardiovascular system is likely linked to its functional development. This report presents an approach to functional assessment of early cardiovascular development using parametric imaging based on videodensitometry. Trypan blue was injected into the sinus venosus of chick embryos at stage 20 (3.5 d of incubation). Images were recorded on videotape, digitized, and analyzed by a microcomputer. A sampling window was placed over the entire image, and a densogram (time-density curve) for each pixel in the window was obtained. Parameters extracted from the densogram and its derivative were plotted in form of: 1) maximal image, 2) peak derivative image, and 3) time to peak derivative image. This approach revealed isochronal lines that divide the aortic arch and dorsal aorta into several segments. Regional flow velocity at these segments was estimated by dividing the distance between isochronal lines by the time interval. Flow velocity at the mid-systolic phase at the dorsal aorta and at the fourth aortic arch was 35.9 and 45.0 mm/s, respectively. Shear rate at the vessel wall was estimated to be 2.7 times larger at the fourth aortic arch than at the dorsal aorta. The extensive remodeling experienced by the aortic arch system compared with the dorsal aorta could be related to increased shear rate on the walls of the aortic arches.
“Walking the Walk” of Public Service Motivation: Public Employees and Charitable Gifts of Time, Blood, and Money

Research generally indicates that public employees ‘‘talk the talk,’’ but do they also ‘‘walk the walk’’ of the public service motive (PSM)? Are public service employees more likely than others to engage in public service activities? The behavioral implications of PSM are addressed by studying the involvement in charitable activities of public, nonprofit, and private workers. Using data from the 2002 General Social Survey, multivariate logistic regression models are estimated to examine self-reported gifts of time, blood, and money to charitable organizations. It is found that government employees are more likely to volunteer for charity and to donate blood than for-profit employees are. Additionally, nonprofit workers are also more likely than their for-profit counterparts to volunteer. However, no difference is found among public service and private employees in terms of individual philanthropy. These findings generally lend support for the hypothesis that PSM is more prominent in public service than in private organizations, especially as it pertains to government personnel.
Myoglobin and cytochrome oxidase in the myocardium of the developing chick

Abstract Myocardial tissue of chick embryos and developing chickens of 3 to 30 days of age was investigated by sensitive spectrophotometry. Spectral and kinetic evidence showed that no hemoglobin was present in the myocardial tissue preparations. Difference spectra of anoxic vs. oxygenated heart tissue of 3- and 4-day-old embryos demonstrated the oxidation-reduction changes of cytochromes only. At variance with the results of previous studies, myoglobin was first detected at an age of 5 days. At later developmental stages myoglobin dominated the spectrum. Therefore, in order to demonstrate the presence of cytochromes, myoglobin was transformed into derivatives incapable of oxygen binding by treatment of the tissue with nitrite or ethylhydroperoxide. The molar ratio of myoglobin to cytochrome oxidase increased rapidly from 5 to 14 days of age, thereafter a slow decrease was observed.
Spousal Bereavement following Cancer Death

Loss due to cancer could predispose surviving spouses or partners to a variety of negative outcomes. Although a terminal prognosis may provide opportunities to prepare for the loss, existing evidence is inconclusive as to whether death expectedness buffers potentially negative bereavement outcomes. Using data from the Living After Loss study, we examined longitudinally outcomes of bereaved individuals whose spouses/partners died from cancer (n = 112) versus other causes (n = 213) while accounting for death expectedness. While most of the cancer deaths were expected, more than half of the non-cancer deaths were not. The lowest levels of depression, grief, and loneliness over time were among those whose spouses/partners died expectedly from causes other than cancer. Cancer-bereavement was as equally distressing as any unexpected death. Future efforts should focus on the mechanisms underlying these outcomes and develop effective and early interventions to those in greatest need.
Predicting U.S. tuberculosis case counts through 2020.

In 2010, foreign-born persons accounted for 60% of all tuberculosis (TB) cases in the United States. Understanding which national groups make up the highest proportion of TB cases will assist TB control programs in concentrating limited resources where they can provide the greatest impact on preventing transmission of TB disease. The objective of our study was to predict through 2020 the numbers of U.S. TB cases among U.S.-born, foreign-born and foreign-born persons from selected countries of birth. TB case counts reported through the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System from 2000–2010 were log-transformed, and linear regression was performed to calculate predicted annual case counts and 95% prediction intervals for 2011–2020. Data were analyzed in 2011 before 2011 case counts were known. Decreases were predicted between 2010 observed and 2020 predicted counts for total TB cases (11,182 to 8,117 [95% prediction interval 7,262–9,073]) as well as TB cases among foreign-born persons from Mexico (1,541 to 1,420 [1,066–1,892]), the Philippines (740 to 724 [569–922]), India (578 to 553 [455–672]), Vietnam (532 to 429 [367–502]) and China (364 to 328 [249–433]). TB cases among persons who are U.S.-born and foreign-born were predicted to decline 47% (4,393 to 2,338 [2,113–2,586]) and 6% (6,720 to 6,343 [5,382–7,476]), respectively. Assuming rates of declines observed from 2000–2010 continue until 2020, a widening gap between the numbers of U.S.-born and foreign-born TB cases was predicted. TB case count predictions will help TB control programs identify needs for cultural competency, such as languages and interpreters needed for translating materials or engaging in appropriate community outreach.
The impact of primary tumor volume on local control for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radiotherapy.

Background A study was needed to determine the effect of primary tumor volume on local control of oropharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiation therapy, with or without induction chemotherapy. Methods Between July 1983 and April 1995, 114 patients with T2–T4 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx were treated for cure with radiation therapy, with or without induction chemotherapy, and had a pretreatment CT scan available for retrospective review. All scans were reviewed by a single radiologist (A. A. M.) to determine the tumor volume of the primary lesion. Volume was measured with a computer digitizer for each CT slice showing the primary lesion. Results A large variation in tumor volume within a given T stage was found. Multivariate analysis demonstrated T stage to be the most significant factor affecting local control. Tumor volume marginally influenced local control (p = .10). Conclusions Primary tumor volume varies significantly within a given T stage and has a marginal impact on the likelihood of local control after radiotherapy. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 22: 1–5, 2000.
Laparoscopic resection for Crohn’s disease: an experience with 335 cases

Laparoscopic resection for Crohn’s disease has had a slow adoption rate in gastrointestinal surgery. This is not unexpected considering the inflammatory nature of the disease, the need for reoperative surgery, and the presence of fistulas. The authors review their experience with 335 laparoscopic resections for Crohn’s disease over the past 15 years. This study is a retrospective analysis of a prospective database from one surgeon at the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY. Since 1993, 335 patients with Crohn’s disease in the current series have undergone laparoscopic resection. The mean age of the patients was 39 years, and 54% of the patients were women. In most cases, the indication for surgery was intestinal obstruction (73%) or abdominal pain (16%). The most common operation was primary ileocolic resection, performed for 178 cases (49%). Secondary ileocolic resections were performed for 20% and small bowel resections for 11% of the cases. Of the 117 patients with enteric fistulas, 45% had multiple fistulas. There were 80 enteroenteric, 51 ileosigmoid, 33 enteroabdominal wall, and 22 ileovesical fistulas. Multiple resections were performed for 33 patients (9%). Eight conversions occurred (2%), primarily because of large inflammatory masses involving the intestinal mesentery. The mean length of hospital stay was 5 days, and the mean operative time was 177 min (range, 62–400 min). There were no mortalities. The complications were primarily bowel obstruction, anastamotic leak, and postoperative bleeding, resulting in a postoperative complication rate of 13%. This review summarizes the largest series of laparoscopic resection for Crohn’s disease to date. The most common operation performed was ileocolic resection. Fistulous disease is common, but it is not a contraindication to laparoscopic resection. These cases can be managed safely and with acceptable morbidity in experienced hands.
GATES: a small, agile imaging satellite prototype for GOES-R

By using current technology, it appears possible to build and launch a prototype for an advanced geosynchronous imager on a small within a few years. This could be done independently of upgrading the other GOES mission functions of atmospheric sounding, communications, and space- and solar-monitoring. At NASA-GSFC, we are engaged in a feasibility study for a Geosynchronous Advanced Technology Environmental System (GATES). GATES is envisioned as a high performance imager on a small dedicated satellite with a complete ground system. GATES could fly in the era of the Earth Observing System and serve as a prototype for NOAA's next generation of operational satellites. In addition to carrying all the channels identified for NOAA's GOES-R Imager, GATES is being designed to carry all the broadband channels specified for NASA's Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer instrument on the EOS platforms. This channel complement gives GATES the capability to fill in the space-time gaps in cloud observations from polar-orbiting satellites and to serve as a cross-reference between polar radiometers. Multispectral rapid-imaging requirements are met by using several recently developed technologies: large detector arrays with active cooling, star-tracking and gyroscopic attitude-determination, a small and rigid spacecraft, a heat-resistent telescope, a phased-array Ka- band downlink, realtime digital image rectification, and Internet data distribution on the ground. The GATES design is so small and agile that it could use the momentum wheels to scan the entire spacecraft back-and-forth across the Earth.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of flupenthixol and butaclamol isomers on prolactin secretion in rats.

Cis (α)-flupenthixol and (+)-butaclamol are effective anti-psychotic agents but trans (β)-flupenthixol and (-)-butaclamol are not. α-Flupenthixol was found to be 245 times more active in elevating rat plasma prolactin than the β-isomer. The discrepancy between (+)-butaclamol and (-)-butaclamol was even greater. These results support the hypothesis that the dopamine receptors that mediate the effects of dopamine on prolactin secretion are similar to those that mediate the anti-psychotic effect of neuroleptic drugs.
Disagreement and Intellectual Scepticism

Several philosophers have recently argued that disagreement with others undermines or precludes epistemic justification for our opinions about controversial issues (e.g. political, religious, and philosophical issues). This amounts to a fascinating and disturbing kind of intellectual scepticism. A crucial piece of the sceptical argument, however, is that our opponents on such topics are epistemic peers. In this paper, I examine the reasons for why we might think that our opponents really are such peers, and I argue that those reasons are either (a) too weak or (b) too strong, implying absurd conclusions. Thus, there is not a compelling case for disagreement-based intellectual scepticism.
Task-specific modulation of anticipatory postural adjustments in individuals with hemiparesis

Abstract Objectives : To study adaptation of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in paretic and non-paretic muscles of individuals with hemiparesis to changes in the direction of the self-initiated perturbation and additional manual support. Methods : Electrical activity of leg and trunk muscles on both sides of the body and ground reaction forces were recorded in 10 patients with hemiparesis and a group of matched control subjects. Subjects released a standard load, held in the hand of the extended relatively unimpaired arm. The load was released either in front of the body or to the side, with or without the impaired arm touching an external stable surface. Results : APAs were reduced in individuals with hemiparesis, especially on the paretic side. In paretic muscles, the modulation of APAs with the direction of the perturbation was decreased or showed atypical patterns. Also the effects of touch were decreased in patients. Center of pressure displacements shortly after load release were similar in control subjects and patients. Conclusions : The results suggest that the ability of individuals with hemiparesis to prepare for a self-initiated predictable perturbation is reduced and that they may use alternative strategies of postural stabilization.
Effects of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on HRP retrograde transport from hippocampus to midbrain raphe nuclei in the rat

The combination of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing and specific lesioning using 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) was applied to the midbrain raphe-hippocampal system. Serotonergic fibers from the median raphe nucleus (MRN) of the rat reach the dorsal hippocampus (HIPP) through the cingulum bundle (CB) and the fornix-fimbria (FF). Intracerebral microinjections of 5,7-DHT in these two bundles were made at various times before HRP injections into the dorsal HIPP. After both CB and FF lesion, the number of labeled cells in MRN is reduced to 49.6% at zero time (HRP injected immediately after 5,7-DHT) and to 6.5% after 2 days. There was no significant effect on the number of labeled cells in the locus ceruleus. Selective lesioning of 5-HT fibers in the CB or the FF revealed that raphe-CB-HIPP neurons and raphe-FF-HIPP neurons have a similar distribution pattern in the MRN, but that a dorsal group of neurons at the junction of MRN and dorsal raphe nucleus took the CB route exclusively to innervate the HIPP. The CB pathway was used by more neurons (55% of total number of labeled neurons) than was the FF (21%). An appreciable number of fibers (23%) appear to have branches in both pathways. Our findings are discussed with regard to the recovery of HIPP function seen after long term destruction of 5-HT fibers in the CB.
Coping as Part of Motivational Resilience in School: A Multidimensional Measure of Families, Allocations, and Profiles of Academic Coping.

A study was designed to examine a multidimensional measure of children’s coping in the academic domain as part of a larger model of motivational resilience. Using items tapping multiple ways of dealing with academic problems, including five adaptive ways (strategizing, help-seeking, comfort-seeking, self-encouragement, and commitment) and six maladaptive ways (confusion, escape, concealment, self-pity, rumination, and projection), analyses of self-reports collected from 1,020 third through sixth graders in fall and spring of the same school year showed that item sets marking each way of coping were generally unidimensional and internally consistent; and confirmatory analyses showed that multidimensional models provided a good fit to the data for both adaptive and maladaptive coping at both time points. Of greatest interest were the connections of these ways of coping to the constructs from a model of motivational resilience. As predicted, adaptive coping was positively correlated with students’ self-syste...
Semi-volatile species in PM2.5: comparison of integrated and continuous samplers for PM2.5 research or monitoring.

Fine particles in urban atmospheres contain substantial quantities of semi-volatile material [e.g., NH4NO3 and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs)] that are lost from particles during collection on a filter. Several diffusion denuder samplers have been developed for the determination of both NO3- and organic semi-volatile fine particulate components. The combination of technology used in the BOSS diffusion denuder sampler and the Harvard particle concentrator has resulted in the Particle Concentrator-Brigham Young University Organic Sampling System (PC-BOSS) for the 24-hr (or less) integrated collection of PM2.5, including NH4NO3 and semi-volatile organic material. Modification of the BOSS sampler allows for the weekly determination of these same species. Combination of BOSS denuder and tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) monitor technology has resulted in the real-time ambient mass sampler (RAMS) for the continuous measurement of PM2.5, including the semi-volatile components. Comparison of the results obtained with the BOSS and with each of the newly developed modifications of the BOSS indicates that the modified versions can be used for the continuous, daily, or weekly monitoring of PM2.5, including semi-volatile species, as appropriate to the design of each sampler.
On-line continuous measurement of blood glucose and meal pattern in free-feeding rats: the role of glucose in meal initiation.

Abstract LouisSylvestre and LeMagnen have suggested that the premeal decline in blood glucose is or reflects a signal for meal initiation in rats. In order to extend and test this hypothesis, a computer controlled system for continuously and concurrently measuring blood glucose and food intake in free-feeding rats was developed. In 18 experiments (with and without intravenous saline infusions), blood glucose declined about 12 minutes prior to meal onset. During 2−1 2 hours of observation, no decline in blood glucose and no meal occurred in 19 other experiments. In 7 experiments in which 10 percent glucose was infused IV to partially block the premeal decline (average blockade=46.5%), the subsequent meal was significantly delayed. These results suggest that the pre-meal decline in blood glucose is not only correlated with but is also causally related to meal onset. These studies suggest that the premeal decline in blood glucose is among the signals for meal initiation.
The role of dopamine in the discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine

Abstract The discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine were studied in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals discriminating 10 mg/kg cocaine from saline were tested with several agonists. Methylphenidate, d -amphetamine and apomorphine generalized to cocaine. Catapresan, imipramine, fenfluramine, pseudococaine, cocaine methiodide, strychnine, procaine and mescaline did not generalize. The receptor antagonist haloperidol shifted the cocaine dose-response curve to the right and diminished the maximum response. Cinanserin, atropine, phenoxybenzamine and sotalol had no effect. The catecholamine depletor, reserpine, shifted the dose response curve to the right and diminished the maximum response. Alpha-methyl- para -tyrosine had no effect. This study suggests that the discriminative stimulus properties of cocaine are mediated by the release of dopamine from the central nervous system.
Organocatalytic Enantioselective Cascade Michael-Alkylation Reactions: Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopropanes and Investigation of Unexpected Organocatalyzed Stereoselective Ring Opening of Cyclopropanes

The development of efficient methods for the facile construction of important molecular architectures is a central goal in organic synthesis. An unprecedented organocatalytic asymmetric cascade Michael-alkylation reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with bromomalonates has been developed. The process, efficiently catalyzed by chiral diphenylprolinol TMS ether in the presence of base 2,6-lutidine, serves as a powerful approach to the preparation of synthetically and biologically important cyclopropanes in high levels of enantio- and diastereoselectivities. Remarkably, the power of the cascade process is fueled by its high efficiency of the production of two new C−C bonds, two new stereogenic centers, and one quaternary carbon center in one single operation, which otherwise is difficult to achieve by traditional strategies. Moreover, the beauty of the cascade process is further underscored by the nature of the product formation depending on the reaction conditions. With the alternation of base from 2,6-lut...
K-Theory and Analytic Isomorphisms.

Ifs is a central nonzerodivisor of a ringA, letB denote thes-adic completion ofA. By a theorem of Karoubi, there is a long exact sequence relating theK-theory ofA, B, A[s −1], andB[s −1]. This sequence was first exploited by Vorst in his thesis. We give two applications of the Karoubi sequence: (1) an example of a 2-dimensional normal domain withNK 0≠0, answering a question of Murthy, and (2) a complete computation ofK 2 of an (affine) seminormal curve over an algebraically closed field.
Ground-water recharge through active sand dunes in northwestern Nevada

: Most water-resouree investigations in semiarid basins of the Great Basin in western North America conclude that ground-water recharge from direct precipitation on the valley floor is negligible. However, many of these basins contain large areas covered by unvegetated, active sand dunes that may act as conduits for ground-water recharge. The potential for this previously undocumented recharge was investigated in an area covered by sand dunes in Desert Valley, northwestern Nevada, using a deep percolation model. The model uses daily measurements of precipitation and temperature th determine energy and moisture balances, from which estimates of long-term mean annual recharge are made. For the study area, the model calculated a mean annual recharge rate of as much as 1.3 inches per year, or 17 percent of the long-term mean precipitation. Model simulations also indicate that recharge would be virtually zero if the study area were covered by vegetation rather than dunes.
Shallow water redox conditions from the Permian-Triassic boundary microbialite: The rare earth element and iodine geochemistry of carbonates from Turkey and South China

Redox sensitive elements serve as useful proxies of the oxygenation state of ancient environments, but their interpretation may not always be straightforward. To evaluate the inherent complexities, rare earths and yttrium (REY), iodine, and major element concentrations are determined in two carbonate sections spanning the Permian–Triassic (P–Tr) transition in Demirtas, Turkey and Cili, South China. We use major oxides to identify non-seawater REY sources such as siliciclastics, Fe-oxides, phosphates and diagenetic fluids. Additionally, we employ Y/Ho ratio, La anomaly, and light rare earth element depletion to identify which samples preserve a seawater-like REYSN distribution. In contrast to past interpretations, we find that the P–Tr boundary microbialites in both sections contain REY signatures indicative of deposition in an oxic environment. These boundary microbialites have their base at the extinction horizon and are widespread within the Tethyan region. In the Cili section, the underlying Permian limestone also preserves a seawater-like REY signature with a negative Ce anomaly. This indicates that the water column was oxygenated both before and after the extinction event. The Permian limestone in the Demirtas section does not preserve a seawater-like REYSN distribution, so the absence of a Ce anomaly cannot be used to distinguish prevailing redox conditions during deposition. However, in these samples, we find the presence of a diverse Permian benthic community sufficient to identify deposition in an oxic environment. The geochemical evidence for a continuously oxic environment during the deposition of the boundary microbialite presented in this study strongly supports work done using ostracods as redox indicators within the boundary microbialite in South China. The microbialite has been proposed as a disaster facies, in part resulting from the exclusion of grazers. Although anoxia is one of the suggested mechanisms for the exclusion of grazers, we find that it is not supported by geochemical and biotic evidence.
Mathematical programming applied to cement-plant and quarry operations

A large linear-programming model is developed that describes cement operations from the quarry to the market. Separate optimization of clinker composition and quarry scheduling leads to inconsistencies, thereby creating a need for simultaneous optimization. By including both problems and their interfaces in the mode, simultaneous optimization is accomplished. Other factors included in the model are equipment acquisition and assignment, hauling distances and capacities, plant capacities, market prices and demands, and operational costs. Optimization objectives are maximization of net present value, life of mine, or production. Time periods are organized so that long-range profits guide short-range scheduling. Computer implementation of the model is also discussed.
Hydrogen metal hydride storage with integrated catalytic recombiner for mobile application

Abstract A novel, thermodynamically efficient device is under development at Battelle in Frankfurt, by which the range of hydrogen-driven cars with a metal hydride tank might be roughly doubled. The device makes use of the properties of metal hydrides, combined with catalytic combustion. Its development is funded by the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Technology; it is to be completed by the end of 1990. High-temperature hydrides (HTH) have about three times the storage capacity of low temperature hydrides (LTH), but require relatively large amounts of heat at high temperatures to release the hydrogen. The exhaust heat from combustion-engine-driven vehicles is insufficient for this, and vehicles with electric (fuel cell) drive produce practically no exhaust heat at all. The Battelle-developed device is a combination of an HTH storage cell, an LTH storage cell and a catalyst. It is started by inflowing air which triggers catalytic combustion of part of the hydrogen; the combustion heat is sufficient to discharge the HTH cell, so that no external heat is needed. The device can also be designed as a heat supply unit; in this case the stored hydrogen is used up completely to generate heat. This paper describes the concept of the device and reports first experimental results.
Disciplines as Worlds: A Constructivist Approach to Instruction

Abstract Knowledge expands the breadth and depth of life, but only to the extent that what is known is also understood. A constructivist approach to instruction fosters intuitive understanding of academic disciplines by treating them as conceptual territories that can be imaginatively entered. The art of instruction lies in the evocative presentation of ideas that point beyond themselves. The evocative teacher draws students into conceptual landscapes; the student reaches an understanding of academic fields by dwelling within them. In attaining disciplinary mastery, students fashion a distinctive perspective consistent with their views of the world. The rewards of a constructivist approach include enjoyment of intellectual play, development of disciplinary vision, and a sense of communion.
A continuous-time portfolio turnpike theorem

Abstract We prove a continuous-time portfolio turnpike theorem. The proof uses the theory of martin-gales and is more intuitively appealing than the usual discrete-time mode of proof using dynamic programming. When the interest rate is strictly positive, the present value of any contingent claim having payoffs bounded from above can be made arbitrarily small when the investment horizon increases. Thus an investor concentrates his wealth in buying contingent claims that have payoffs unbounded from above at the very beginning of his horizon. As a consequence, it is the asymptotic property of his utility function as wealth goes to infinity that determines his optimal investment strategy at the very beginning of his horizon.
Fertility in New York Artificially Inseminated Holstein Herds in Dairy Herd Improvement

Abstract This was a field study to gain information on fertility of New York dairy herds and factors influencing it. Data were from 125 Dairy Herd Improvement Holstein herds with 9,750 cows. All breedings to milking cows were by artificial insemination. Herds were further selected with equal numbers of small and large herds and free-stall and conventional (stanchion) housing. Conception on first service averaged 50% and the 60 to 90 day nonreturns, 58%. Interval from calving to first service averaged 87 days and days open 116 days. Intervals between first and second service averaged 41 days and between second and third service 40 days. A total of 76 and 89% of all cows were pregnant on the first two and first three services. Conception declined markedly with increased production when age, herd size, and other variables in the model were not allowed to vary. Cows producing > 907 kg above herdmates were 20.5 percentage units in conception on first service lower than the base group of cows which were ≤ 907 kg below their herdmates in milk production. As age advanced beyond 4 yr, fertility declined for given milk production. As size of herds increased, reproductive efficiency, as indicated by conception rate, declined; however, milk produced per cow increased. Lengths of dry period were not influenced by production or herd size but did increase with age of cow.
More about an acquired group B antigen.

The discovery of an acquired B antigen in an A2 individual enabled us to predict the existence of a colonic carcinoma before the patient went to surgery. Reports of such changes in blood group antigenicity are rare, and most cases have been associated with carcinoma. This change, though its etiology is unknown, suggests a relationship with malignancy and/or bacteria, and with further refinements might even serve as a screening test for early detection of some forms of cancer.
Severe Croup: The Child With Fever and Upper Airway Obstruction

Infectious causes of airway obstruction can be distinguished by anatomic location and causative agent. Epiglottitis, the most common supraglottic obstruction, is bacterial in origin. An artificial airway and antibiotic therapy are mandatory. Spasmodic croup is a mild, transitory subglottic swelling which responds to mist and sometimes antihistamine therapy. Laryngotracheitis, or viral croup, affects the subglottic airway with fluctuating severity and is treated with mist, racemic epinephrine, oxygen, and sometimes steroids. Obstruction may be so severe that intubation or tracheostomy is needed. Laryngotracheobronohitis is the downward extension of viral croup, frequently accompanied by bacterial superinfection. Antibiotics may be needed, and airway intervention is more likely to be indicated than it is for uncomplicated viral croup. Bacterial tracheitis is a primary bacterial infection which causes thick secretions and membrane formation. Antibiotic therapy and sometimes airway intervention are needed. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection with toxin production, the treatment of which always includes both antitoxin and antibiotic and, sometimes, an artificial airway.
Reserpine and Cutaneous Response Threshold

In animal studies on the effects of drugs on emotional response and learning, electric shock is often used as a motivating agent. It is, therefore, important to determine how various drugs may influence response to shock. Data have been obtained on minimal current values required to produce visible response in rats following inrraperitoneal injection of reserpine. Freshly prepared aqueous solutions of lyophilized reserpine phosphate were employed. Some of the observations obtained to date have been based on single drug doses of 0.3, 3.0, and 7.0 mg/kg body weight, with controls receiving injections of isotonic saline. In this series female ran, 119-195 days old, were after habituation to the apparatus, assigned at random 5 to a group, and given pre-experimental threshold tests. Each block of the subsequent experimental tests consisted in running an S from each condition during the same time period. For the first block, Ss were run in the order of increasing magnitude of dose. Each succeeding block followed a reverse order to the preceding one. Tests were conducted with a continuously increasing current, by a procedure previously reported (8), with the stimulating grid being cleaned several times a day. Although there was much individual variability, all groups had the same median pre-experimental threshold of .18 ma. Table 1 gives results for 5 different times after injection.
Actions and interactions of amphetamine on self-stimulation in rats.

Abstract The dose-response relationship for d-amphetamine (0.125–2 mg/kg, IP) and its l-isomer (0.125–3 mg/kg, IP) was studied in self-stimulation behavior of rats each with an electrode at posterior hypothalamus (PH, mainly monoaminergic) or area ventralis tegmentum (A10, dopaminergic). The drug effects increased with the dose reaching a peak (at 0.5 mg/kg with d-amphetamine and at 1.0 mg/kg with l-amphetamine) and then decreased. The d-isomer was approximately twice as potent as the l-isomer in enhancing intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) rate with electrodes at either site. Azaperone (mainly an α-adrenergic blocker) and haloperidol (an antidopaminergic neuroleptic) used in small doses (0.05 and 0.008 mg/kg respectively) which not affect the baseline responding, blocked amphetamine-induced enhancement of ICSS in both groups of rats. Thus, amphetamine-induced facilitation of ICSS at both PH and A10 areas and its blockade by an α-adrenergic blocker as well as an antidopaminergic show the involvement of both noradrenergic and dopaminergic mechanisms in self-stimulation behavior.
Elucidation of the nifedipine-quinidine interaction

Four case reports have been published that document a clinically significant drug interaction between nifedipine and quinidine in patients with left ventricular dysfunction. To define the population at risk and the mechanisms involved in manifestations of this interaction, 12 patients currently treated with quinidine for either ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias were stratified into two groups based on left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) measurements (group A >35%; group B <35%). The interaction was conducted through two phases: oral quinidine (Q) and oral quinidine plus nifedipine (N + Q). Pharmacokinetic modeling of total body clearance (CL) and AUC were assessed for each phase. One patient (group A, 70% EF) exhibited the interaction with a 41% decrease in steady-state serum quinidine concentrations. The patient's AUC and CL were 48.2 µg/ml · hr (Q) versus 28.6µg/ml · hr (N + Q) and 94.4 ml/min (Q) versus 159.1 ml/min (N + Q), respectively. There was no difference in AUC or CL between the Q and N + Q phases or between groups A and B for the entire population. The N + Q interaction is not hemodynamically mediated. Clinical consideration of the possibility of this low-frequency interaction should be noted. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1989) 45, 411–416; doi:10.1038/clpt.1989.48
Is Obesity Bad for Older Persons? A Systematic Review of the Pros and Cons of Weight Reduction in Later Life

Objectives The purpose of this review was to describe the characteristics of late-life obesity, including prevalence, pathophysiology, and influences on morbidity and mortality. A second objective was to systematically review the empiric evidence on the effects of intentional weight loss interventions in older individuals. Design We summarized the characteristics and known impact of late-life obesity and conducted a systematic review of the outcomes of weight loss interventions in obese older subjects. The inclusion criteria for the review were the following: randomized controlled trial; subjects aged 60 years or older; baseline BMI 27 or higher; weight loss versus baseline 3% or more or 2 kg; and trial duration 6 months or longer. Results The search strategy yielded 16 articles on weight loss interventions that were examined in detail. Overall, these interventions led to significant benefits for those with osteoarthritis, coronary heart disease, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), while having slightly negative effects on bone mineral density and lean body mass. Conclusion Longitudinal trials examining mortality and body weight suggest that maintaining weight is beneficial in older persons who become obese after age 65; in contrast, intervention trials show clinically important benefits of weight reduction with regard to osteoarthritis, physical function, and possibly DM-2 and coronary heart disease. Given these findings, we recommend that decisions about whether or not to institute a weight loss intervention for obese older persons be carefully considered on an individualized basis with special attention to the weight history and the medical conditions of each individual.
On the fundamentals of Cr(III) removal from liquid streams by a bacterial strain

Abstract This paper deals with the removal of Cr(III) species from liquid streams by a hydrophobic bacteria strain, Rhodococcus opacus . Zeta potential measurements, sorption and microflotation studies were carried out in order to evaluate the industrial potential application of such strain. It was observed that R. opacus exhibited an isoelectric point around pH 3.2 and the zeta potential profiles suffered a slight deviation after the contact with the sorbate. From the sorption studies, it was concluded that the highest metal removal took place at pH around 5.0 and the isotherm that best suited the sorption phenomenon was related to the Freundlich model with constants K F = 1.71 mg 0.14 dm 2.58 g −1 and 1/ n = 0.86. Furthermore, the kinetics data indicated that biosorption is relatively slow providing 49.10% of metal removal after 200 min; moreover, the pseudo-second order model fitted best the experimental data. Lastly, three different concentrations of R. opacus were tested in a bioflotation system. With only one cycle of operation, the highest biomass concentration, 1.50 g dm −3 , achieved 96.30% of metal removal after 20 min of flotation.
An efficient scaling procedure for domain CMOS logic

The layout area required by a domino CMOS gate to support a specific response-time performance for a particular capacitive load can be substantially reduced by scaling the NFET chain. A scaling procedure that requires little execution time is described and illustrated by its application to AND, AOI, and OAI domino CMOS gates. The procedure is equally applicable to other forms of dynamics logic. >
An experimental confirmation of thermal transitions in native and regenerated spider silks.

Abstract Biological structures such as spider silks are formed by proteins. The physical properties of such proteins are determined by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. In this paper, we confirm the thermal transitions that take place in spider silks using differential scanning calorimetry and study how the interaction of spider silk proteins with water affects the onset temperatures for these thermal processes. Native fibres and regenerated films of dragline silk and egg sac silk from Argiope argentata spiders were used to study thermal transitions of protein based structures. For the first time, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests were carried out with spider silk samples of relatively large mass (10 mg). Previous attempts of DSC tests applied to spider silk samples failed to detect thermal transitions in a conclusive way. The tests reported here, however, show thermal transitions on both natural and regenerated samples that are in agreement with results from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests reported in the literature. The water content on spider silks seems to lower the temperatures at which such thermal transitions take place. The results also confirm that the amorphous regions of native and regenerated spider silk and silk worm silk give rise to similar thermal transitions.
Ataxia without telangiectasia

Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessive hereditary disorder characterized by onset in infancy or childhood of a cerebellar and later extrapyramidal disorder associated with telangiectasias and an immune deficit. Only a handful of cases have been described in which the features were not stereotypic. This report describes a case that is classic except for the absence of telangiectasias through age 17. This and other cases suggest that a new, more inclusive term be used to describe the syndrome of ataxia with immune deficit until the genetic abnormalities in these disorders become identifiable.
Electrical Stimulation of Salivary Flow in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome

Patients with the salivary component of Sjogren's syndrome (SS) develop chronic xerostomia, which causes oral symptoms and functional impairment in approximate proportion to its severity. The purpose of this double-blind study was to determine whether an electrical stimulus applied to the tongue and hard palate by a battery-operated device (SAL II, Biosonics, Inc.) could stimulate salivary flow in subjects with generally severe SS. Twenty-nine patients with the salivary component of SS (diagnosed as the presence of focal chronic sialadenitis in a labial salivary gland biopsy specimen with a focus score of > 1 focus/4 mm2) were randomly assigned active or placebo devices, which they used for three minutes, three times a day for four weeks. Whole saliva flow rates were measured at weeks 0, 2, and 4 by collection of whole saliva both before and after stimulation with the device. Twenty-four subjects completed the study. The change in mean post-stimulation flow rate from week 0 to week 4 was greater for the 1...
Radiographic diode development on the RITS-6 accelerator

Summary form only given. The RITS-6 accelerator has recently been commissioned at Sandia National Laboratories. It is a six cell induction voltage adder capable of delivering greater than 10 MV, 125 kA, 75 ns pulses to high impedance (>200 ohms) electron beam diodes. Flexibility in the architecture also allows for the ability to deliver ~7.5 MV, 150 kA, 75 ns pulses to lower impedance (~50 ohms) diodes. Over the next few years experiments on RITS-6 will be conducted to enhance and optimize the X-ray intensity of the next generation radiographic sources, with the goal of achieving a greater than five fold increase in intensity compared to present day pulsed power driven sources. An overview of the upcoming diode research and development plans will be presented
Activin-A and Bmp4 Levels Modulate Cell Type Specification during CHIR-Induced Cardiomyogenesis

The use of human pluripotent cell progeny for cardiac disease modeling, drug testing and therapeutics requires the ability to efficiently induce pluripotent cells into the cardiomyogenic lineage. Although direct activation of the Activin-A and/or Bmp pathways with growth factors yields context-dependent success, recent studies have shown that induction of Wnt signaling using low molecular weight molecules such as CHIR, which in turn induces the Activin-A and Bmp pathways, is widely effective. To further enhance the reproducibility of CHIR-induced cardiomyogenesis, and to ultimately promote myocyte maturation, we are using exogenous growth factors to optimize cardiomyogenic signaling downstream of CHIR induction. As indicated by RNA-seq, induction with CHIR during Day 1 (Days 0–1) was followed by immediate expression of Nodal ligands and receptors, followed later by Bmp ligands and receptors. Co-induction with CHIR and high levels of the Nodal mimetic Activin-A (50–100 ng/ml) during Day 0–1 efficiently induced definitive endoderm, whereas CHIR supplemented with Activin-A at low levels (10 ng/ml) consistently improved cardiomyogenic efficiency, even when CHIR alone was ineffective. Moreover, co-induction using CHIR and low levels of Activin-A apparently increased the rate of cardiomyogenesis, as indicated by the initial appearance of rhythmically beating cells by Day 6 instead of Day 8. By contrast, co-induction with CHIR plus low levels (3–10 ng/ml) of Bmp4 during Day 0–1 consistently and strongly inhibited cardiomyogenesis. These findings, which demonstrate that cardiomyogenic efficacy is improved by optimizing levels of CHIR-induced growth factors when applied in accord with their sequence of endogenous expression, are consistent with the idea that Nodal (Activin-A) levels toggle the entry of cells into the endodermal or mesodermal lineages, while Bmp levels regulate subsequent allocation into mesodermal cell types.