cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic factors influencing the maintenance of contractile embryonic heart cells in vitro. II. Biochemical analysis of heart muscle conditioned medium.

Abstract Results are presented concerning the nature of the active factors in heart conditioned medium which enhance spreading and contractile activity in low density cultures of 7-day embryonic heart cells. Aliquots of conditioned medium were either analysed directly, or pretreated in a variety of ways and then assayed for activity on cultured heart cells. The contractile factor was found to be non-dialysable, fairly heat-stable, inactivated by both trypsin and hyaluronidase, unaffected by neuraminidase, and could be removed from the medium by centrifugation at 200 000 RCF. The factor which enhances spreading of cultured heart cells was found to be non-dialysable, heat-stable, inactivated by trypsin, unaffected by hyaluronidase or neuraminidase, and was still active after centrifugation at 200 000 RCF. Pooled lots of heart conditioned medium contained approx. 40 μg/ml protein, 20 μg bound hexose sugars per 100 μg protein, 1.3 μg bound lipid per 100 μg protein, and glucosamine and galactosamine. DNA, RNA, and hydroxyproline were not detected. The results suggest that the contractile factor is a protein-carbohydrate complex of the proteoglycan type and that the spreading factor contains protein.
The New Constitutional Order and the Heartening of Conservative Constitutional Aspirations

The basic question for this conference is whether we as a people have entered, or are on the verge of entering, a new constitutional order. In 2003, Mark Tushnet published a terrific book, The New Constitutional Order,1 an expansion of his insightful Foreword: The New Constitutional Order and the Chastening of Constitutional Ambition in the Harvard Law Review.2 The title of that book was an inspiration for the title of this conference. And the title of that article is the basis for the title of my article. For years, liberals and progressives have been anticipating or announcing a conservative revolution or counter-revolution ushering in a new constitutional order. Tushnet argued that the Rehnquist Court’s constitutional jurisprudence amounted to a chastening of constitutional aspirations rather than a launching of a conservative revolution or counterrevolution. Let me illustrate what he means by chastening as opposed to a revolution. Consider United States v. Lopez,3 in which the Rehnquist Court struck down the federal Gun-Free School Zones Act basically forbidding students to carry guns to school. It was the first case in sixty years in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law as exceeding Congress’s power to regulate interstate commerce. Some alarmist liberals and progressives saw the case as evidence of an impending conservative revolution. Tushnet, by contrast, viewed it as chastening and symbolic: It really just sent a message to Congress that there is no general federal police power. And, he argued, the Act itself was a largely symbolic instance of “feel good legislation”
The mental prognosis in hypothyroidism of infancy and childhood; a review of 128 cases.

A study of 128 children with hypothyroidism is presented. The mental attainments are evaluated in relation to the severity and age of onset of symptoms, and in relation to the age when adequate therapy was instituted. A summary diagram is provided depicting the duration of hypothyroidism in relation to the mental attainments for adequately treated patients. The best result in severe cretinism, insofar as mental achievement is concerned, is obtained by early adequate therapy. Ten of twenty-two patients in the complete absence of thyroid function treated adequately before 6 months of age, and 12 of 29 patients treated adequately before 12 months of age eventually attained an I.Q. greater than 90. In contrast, none of 50 patients who were inadequately treated, or were treated after 12 months of age, attained such an I.Q. Mild cretinism, with partial thyroid dysfunction, appears to confer partial protection against mental impairment as 13 of 32 such patients attained an I.Q. of 90 or greater even though not treated early. Hypothyroidism acquired after 2 years of age apparently exerts little or no serious, irreversible effect on mental development as 13 of 17 patients with acquired hypothyroidism achieved an I.Q. of 90 or greater. Neurologic sequelae, characterized by spasticity, tremor, and hyperactive deeptendon reflexes, are found frequently in severe cretinism, but not in mild cretinism or acquired hypothyroidism. The severity of neurologic sequelae parallels mental retardation. Early therapy apparently prevents, in part, these sequelae as only 4 of 22 patients with severe cretinism treated adequately in the first 6 months of life had these findings but 22 of 57 patients treated after this age or inadequately treated in the first 6 months, were afflicted with neurologic sequelae. Early, adequate therapy may fail to establish normal mentality in a certain percentage of patients; 12 of 22 patients treated adequately in the first 6 months of life did not attain an intelligence quotient of 90 or greater. These patients apparently incurred such severe damage to the brain in utero that normal cerebral function could never be established. This surmise is supported by data presented showing a correlation of the severity of retardation of osseous development at birth with the severity of mental impairment.
Mechanical response of a calcified plaque model to fluid shear force.

Vascular calcification is associated with atherosclerosis, but whether it mechanically affects plaque stability remains controversial. To assess the effect of mineralization on plaque vulnerability to mechanical shear stress, we applied fluid shear to cultures of calcifying vascular cells (CVC), a subpopulation of smooth muscle cells that spontaneously mineralize. CVC cultures containing nodules were treated for 10 days with vehicle control or beta-glycerophosphate (BGP) to accelerate mineralization. Cultures were placed in a parallel-plate flow system and were subjected to increasing fluid shear stress (4.9 dyn/cm2/min up to 400 dyn/cm2). The number of nodules remaining attached was recorded every 10 min. Results showed that control cultures and BGP-treated cultures, which contained significantly greater calcium mineral than control cultures, had similar detachment thresholds (50–100 dyn/cm2), with linear portions of their stress/detachment curves from 100 to 275 dyn/cm2. Based on repeated measure analysis of variance, BGP-treated nodules were no more likely to detach at a given shear than controls, although they showed a trend toward greater stability. Thus, calcification does not appear to increase plaque vulnerability to fluid shear stress, although it may contribute to a slight stabilization. This model may represent the first in vitro model of mechanical rupture of atherosclerotic plaque.
Impedance spectrum of a single grain boundary in yttrium stabilized zirconia

Abstract Impedance measurements are reported for a bicrystal and single crystals of yttrium-stabilized ZrO 2 (YSZ) over the range from 100 to 10 7 Hz, and for temperatures from 200 to 500°C in air. In addition to the impedances introduced by the conduction process within the grains and by charge transfer process at the electrodes, the grain-boundary introduced an additional impedance which was observed as an additional arc when the impedance was plotted in the complex plane. These data and an examination by both optical and scanning electron microscopy reveal the grain boundary to be a gap between the adjacent crystals, with occasional bridges of YSZ. These results illustrate the potential of impedance spectroscopy for studying intercrystalline interfaces in solid conductors.
Specific 5-Hydroxylation of Piperlongumine by Beauveria bassiana ATCC 7159

A new hydroxylated derivative was efficiently prepared by transforming the natural anti-cancer product, piperlongumine, with Beauveria bassiana ATCC 7159. Its structure was determined to be 5-hydroxylpiperlongumine on the basis of the spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration at C-5 was established as R by Mosher's method.
Cycloxygenase-2 Inhibitor Celecoxib Is A Potent Activator Of Vascular KCNQ K+ Channels And An Inhibitor Of L-type Ca2+ Channels

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are important members of the family of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Celebrex® (celecoxib) and Vioxx® (rofecoxib) were introduced in 1999 and rapidly became the most frequently prescribed new drugs in the United States. Vioxx® was voluntarily withdrawn from the market because of a reported increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in patients taking the drug for prolonged periods of time. Celecoxib has been reported to inhibit several classes of ion channels, but its effects on vascular smooth muscle ion channels have not been described. Using whole-cell perforated patch clamp techniques we examined effects of celecoxib on K+ and Ca2+ currents in A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Application of 10μM celecoxib enhanced K+ current by 2-3 fold and substantially inhibited Ca2+ currents with an apparent positive shift in the voltage-dependence of activation. Both effects were reversible on washout. Nether rofecoxib (10μM), another selective COX-2 inhibitor, nor diclofenac (10μM), a nonselective COX inhibitor, affected Ca2+ or K+ currents in A7r5 cells. We previously reported that KCNQ5 channels are the predominant K+ channels determining outward potassium current at negative membrane potentials in A7r5 cells. We estimated cumulative dose-response curve of celecoxib on isolated KCNQ5 currents. Celecoxib enhances KCNQ5 current in 3.5 fold with an EC50 of 6.9 ± 1.5 μM, without shifting the activation curve. Celecoxib (10μM) was unable to restore KCNQ current inhibited by 100 pM vasopressin (AVP, vasoconstrictor hormone) or 1nM PMA (PKC activator) but inhibition of L-type Ca2+ currents (with a positive shift of activation) persisted. The effects of celecoxib, but not rofecoxib, on vascular Ca2+ and K+ channels may explain the differential risks of cardiovascular diseases in patients treated with Celebrex® or Vioxx®.
Knockout-transgenic mouse model of sickle cell disease

When transgenic mice that expressed human sickle hemoglobin were mated with mice having knockout mutations of the mouse α- and β-globin genes, animals were produced that synthesized only human hemoglobin in adult red blood cells. Similar to many human patients with sickle cell disease, the mice developed a severe hemolytic anemia and extensive organ pathology. Numerous sickled erythrocytes were observed in peripheral blood. Although chronically anemic, most animals survived for 2 to 9 months and were fertile. Drug and genetic therapies can now be tested in this mouse model of sickle cell disease.
Sampling sea surface films: A laboratory evaluation of techniques and collecting materials1

Fourteen techniques for sampling the sea surface microlayer were compared for their collection efficiencies and the degree to which they may preferentially adsorb lipid, protein, and carbohydrate material in the films collected. 3H:14C ratios in doubly labeled surface films generated in the laboratory show that widely disparate results for the chemical nature of in situ films can be obtained depending on the collection device and its compositional material. Stainless steel and Nitex screens exhibit a strong preferential adsorption of lipid material which can only be removed by rinsing in solvent. Filters yield a more representative sample than screens and are better sampling devices when small quantities of film material are needed. Collection efficiencies of slides and prisms are much lower than those of screens or filters.
Structurally stable burst and synchronized firing in human amygdala neurons: Auto- and cross-correlation analyses in temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract Burst structure and synchronized firing of bursts were studied, in the interictal period, using auto- and cross-correlation analyses in human amygdala neurons in temporal lobe epilepsy patients diagnosed as having a unilateral limbic seizure focus in anterior hippocampus and/or amygdala. Satisfactory single unit recordings were obtained from chronically implanted microelectrodes in 51 amygdala neurons, and auto-correlation analysis identified 27 of 51 neurons where burst firings recurred with regular interspike interval structures (structurally stable burst: S-burst). This structural stability was characteristic only for a short burst, or at the beginning of a series of repetitive firings, involving 2–5 action potentials. In ‘non-epileptic’ amygdala neurons located contralateral to the seizure focus, the average duration of S-burst was 15 msec and the number of action potentials (spikes) in the S-burst was inversely related to the interspike intervals in the S-burst, suggesting that endogenous membrane characteristics of non-epileptic amygdala neurons determine the patterns of S-burst. In contrast, in the seizure focus amygdala (‘epileptic’), the duration of the S-burst was prolonged among epileptic neurons, not because of the occurrence of more action potentials within the S-burst, but because of a prolonged interspike interval within the S-burst. Furthermore, there was no relationship between the interspike interval and the number of action potentials in the S-burst, suggesting that synaptic inputs and/or extracellular environmental factors may affect an intrinsic mechanism for generating stable S-burst in epileptic neurons. Cross-correlation analysis identified synchronized firings in epileptic neurons: when two epileptic neurons both exhibited S-bursts, when either epileptic neuron exhibited S-burst, but never when neither exhibited S-bursts. Conversely, non-epileptic neurons rarely fired synchronously; even though they showed S-bursts. The difference in the pattern of S-bursts between epileptic and non-epileptic amygdala neurons seems to be the degree of firing synchrony. Our results provide, for the first time, direct evidence that human epileptogenic amygdala neurons recorded in vivo have unique burst firing patterns and significant synchronous excitatory interactions, different from a burst pattern found in non-epileptogenic amygdala neurons during the interictal period.
Behavioral consequences of hormonal deprivation on the responsiveness of female rats to estradiol

Abstract Female rats which had been ovariectomized either 7 days earlier (short-term deprivation, N=11) or 35 days earlier (long-term deprivation, N=11) were tested for their response to treatments of estradiol benzoate (6.0 μg/kg body weight) and progesterone (1.2 mg/kg). The long-term deprived females showed less sexual behavior than females deprived for only 7 days prior to treatment. In particular, lordosis quotients after treatment with estradiol alone were significantly lower in the long-term deprived females, t (20)=3.194, p t (20)=3.481, p t (20)=3.737, p
A generation of framework structures for the tectosilicates using a molecular-based potential energy function and simulated annealing strategies

Abstract More than 1400 framework model structures have been derived using simulated annealing strategies and the geometry and a potential energy function calculated for the disilicic acid molecule. The derivation was undertaken starting with either 3 or 6 formula units of SiO 2 randomly distributed in a unit cell of variable geometry and P 1 space group symmetry. More than 40 model low energy structures are described, including quartz and a mixed stacking sequences of tridymite and cristobalite. As observed in earlier calculations with 4 formula units per unit cell, the tridymite topology was not generated. In addition to model structures that match or relate to the framework structures of the zeolites NaJ, bikitaite, sodalite and cancrinite, model structures with Si networks were derived that match those enumerated by Smith [J.V. Smith, Am. Min. 62 (1977) 703] and O'Keeffe and Brese [M. O'Keeffe, N.E. Brese, Acta Cryst. A48 (1992) 663]. A number of the model structures are apparently new and have yet to be described and cataloged. The successful derivation of the known structure types of silica and the framework models of known tectosilicates using molecular models, indicate that the forces that govern the structure of silica behave as if short ranged.
The application of endochronic plasticity theory in modeling the dynamic inelastic response of structural systems

Abstract The endochronic theory of plasticity proposed by Valanis has been applied in predicting the inelastic responses of structural systems. A recently developed convected coordinates finite-element program has been modified to use an endochronic constitutive law. A series of sample problems for a variety of dynamic loadings are presented. The calculations that have been performed comparing classical and endochronic plasticity theories have revealed that the endochronic approach can result in a substantial reduction in computer time for equivalent solution accuracy. This result, combined with the apparent accuracy of material representation indicate that the use of endochronic plasticity has great potential in evaluating the dynamic response of structural systems.
Transdermal delivery enhanced by magainin pore-forming peptide

In this study we tested the hypothesis that magainin, a peptide known to form pores in bacterial cell membranes, can increase skin permeability by disrupting stratum corneum lipid structure. We further hypothesized that magainin's enhancement requires co-administration with a surfactant chemical enhancer to increase magainin penetration into the skin. In support of these hypotheses, exposure to a known surfactant chemical enhancer, N-lauroyl sarcosine (NLS), in 50% ethanol solution increased in vitro skin permeability to fluorescein 15 fold and the combination of magainin and NLS-ethanol synergistically increased skin permeability 47 fold. In contrast, skin permeability was unaffected by exposure to magainin without co-enhancement by NLS-ethanol. Furthermore, confocal microscopy showed that magainin in the presence of NLS-ethanol penetrated deeply and extensively into stratum corneum, whereas magainin alone penetrated poorly into the skin. Additional analysis by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry showed that NLS-ethanol disrupted stratum corneum lipid structure and that the combination of magainin and NLS-ethanol disrupted stratum corneum lipids even further. Altogether, these data suggest that NLS-ethanol increased magainin penetration into stratum corneum, which further increased stratum corneum lipid disruption and skin permeability. We believe this is the first study to demonstrate the use of a pore-forming peptide to increase skin permeability. This study also presents the novel concept of using a first chemical enhancer to increase penetration of a second chemical enhancer into the skin to synergistically increase skin permeability to a model drug.
Space and Social Reproduction in Local Organizations: A Social Constructionist Perspective

An attempt is made to broaden the agenda for institutionalist studies in urban and regional analysis by demonstrating that local managers are important social reproductive variables. A study of two social-service managers documents their need to socialize workers into an organizational culture and the influence of past sociospatial landscapes on their regulatory methods. It is posited that managers are bearers of spatiality, mediating the imprint of past and present sociospatial configurations through the lens of evolving biographies. The results suggest that (1) managers are critical constructors of organizational reality and that (2) past processes of spatiality influence such manager constructions.
The Efficacy of Treatment for Aphasic Persons: A Meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of research findings is reported on the effectiveness of treatments for persons suffering aphasia. Twenty-one studies provided sufficient information for inclusion in the analysis. The magnitudes of three classes of effect sizes were estimated: untreated recovery, treated recovery, and treated versus untreated recoveries. The outcomes witness the clear superiority in performance of persons receiving treatment by a speech-language pathologist.
Recent results on B physics from CLEO

Abstract I review selected recent (summer 1997) results from the CLEO experiment on B meson decays. The focus is on three main topics: exclusive hadronic decays from the b → c u d process, rare decays from the b → u u d , b→sg, and b→sl + l − processes, and exclusive semileptonic decays from the b→clν and b→ulν processes.
Effects of Angler Wading on Survival of Trout Eggs and Pre-emergent Fry

Abstract –The effects of angler wading on trout eggs and pre-emergent fry in artificial redds depended on wading frequency and stage of egg or fry development and was similar for brown trout Salmo trutta, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, and cutthroat trout O. clarki. Twice-daily wading throughout development killed up to 96% of eggs and pre-emergent fry. A single wading just before hatching killed up to 43%. Wading killed fewest eggs between fertilization and the start of chorion softening (except for a short period during blastopore closure when mortality increased slightly). It killed the most eggs or fry from the time of chorion softening to the start of emergence from the gravel. Restriction of wading could be an effective management tool if trout spawning habitat is limiting and angler use is high during egg development.
Differences in ligand binding and phosphoinositide turnover between M1 muscarinic receptor gene transfected cells and mouse and rat brain membranes

The present study describes some unexpected receptor mediated effects of N-methylcarbamylcholine on mouse M1 muscarinic receptor gene transfected cell line (M1Y1) that were not evident from biochemical studies with mouse and rat brain tissue where N-methylcarbamylcholine exhibited only nicotinic properties. Although N-methylcarbamylcholine was devoid of muscarinic properties in mouse and rat brain preparations, as determined by phosphoinositide turnover and inhibition of [3H]QNB binding, it exhibited significant muscarinic characteristics in the transfected M1Y1 cell line. At a concentration of 10−6 M or greater, N-methylcarbamylcholine caused a transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ of 50 s duration that was reversible by atropine or pirezepine. The Ca2+ transient was not elicited by other nicotinic agents such as nicotine and N,N-dimethylcarbamylcholine, a close analogue of N-methylcarbamylcholine, with comparable affinity for nicotinic receptors and devoid of muscarinic activity. N-Methylcarbamylcholine also stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in M1Y1 cells with an estimated EC50 value 10 times greater than that of carbachol, and the effect was blocked by atropine. Both carbachol and N-methylcabamylcholine inhibited [3H]QNB binding in a concentration-dependent manner; however, the IC50 for carbachol was over two orders of magnitude greater than that observed in mouse and rat brain membranes. In considering possible explanations for the differential characteristics of N-methylcarbamylcholine in mouse and rat brain as compared to the transfected M1Y1 cells, it was concluded that the difference may be attributable to differences in the receptor-transduction coupling effeciency and the microenvironment of the muscarinic receptors.
Forecasting transportation infrastructure impacts of renewable energy industry using neural networks

AbstractIowa is a state rich in renewable energy resources, especially biomass. The successful development of renewable energy industry in Iowa is concomitant with increase in freight traffic and is likely to have significant impacts on transportation infrastructure condition and increased maintenance expenses for the state and local governments. The primary goal of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of employing the Neural Networks (NN) methodology to forecast the impacts of Iowa's biofuels and wind power industries on Iowa's secondary and local road condition and maintenance-related costs in a panel data framework. The data for this study were obtained from a number of sources and for a total of 24 counties in clusters in Northern, Western, and Southern Iowa over a period of ten years. Back-Propagation NN (BPNN) using a Quasi-Newton secondorder training algorithm was chosen for this study owing to its very fast convergence properties. Since the size of the training set is relatively small, ens...
Behavioral Development and Socialization of Infants in a Free-Ranging Group of Howling Monkeys (Alouatta palliata)

A 22-month field study was carried out on free-ranging mantled howlers in Costa Rica. Six female and 5 male infants were observed systematically from birth until they died, left the group, or the stud
The case for dynamic storage allocation

Programming is the process of developing a scheme for solving a problem using a computer. The programmer's task is to minimize the cost of achieving a solution. This cost involves the interrelated factors of planning, coding, debugging, storage space, and computation time. The storage allocation problem is the subtask of assigning the space-taking objects (programs and data) to the available storage devices (core, drum, disc and magnetic tape).
Social Capital, Health, and Health Disparities

Purpose: To synthesize the empirical evidence that links social capital to population health with the aim of identifying implications for health disparities research. Methods: A literature search of PubMed and CINAHL databases from January 1990 to June 2002 was done using the search term ‘social capital.’ In addition, tables of contents of applicable journals from January 1997 to June 2002 were searched. Reference lists were examined for additional empirical and theoretical articles related to social capital and health. Eighty-four articles were retrieved for review and 19 articles met inclusion criteria. Findings: Although most researchers concluded that their findings supported an association between social capital and health, all research was descriptive, without conceptual development. This gap resulted in (a) lack of distinction of the concept as an attribute of a geographic space or as an individual attribute, (b) problematic use of operational variables, and (c) limited theoretical exploration of causal linkage. These deficits limit the usefulness of the concept for health disparities research. Conclusions: The lack of conceptual development diminishes the usefulness of social capital as a variable for public health research. However, the empirical evidence is sufficient to warrant further work to advance the concept in relation to population health and health disparities.
Hamartomas of the lung.

mained stable in size, while the other 50% grew at a rate of approximately 3 mm per year. These lesions, while generally peripheral or subpleural in location, are distributed evenly throughout all lobes of the lung. A subset of hamartomas, endobronchial hamartomas, account for 1% to 20% of lesions and are more likely to cause signs or symptoms such as dyspnea, wheezing, or recurrent infections due to airway obstruction. 5,6 Endobronchial hamartomas are particularly interesting because cytogenetics studies have shown specific chromosomal abnormalities that suggest a clonal origin of these lesions. 7
Living in the past: phylogeography and population histories of Indo-Pacific wrasses (genus Halichoeres) in shallow lagoons versus outer reef slopes.

Sea level fluctuations during glacial cycles affect the distribution of shallow marine biota, exposing the continental shelf on a global scale, and displacing coral reef habitat to steep slopes on oceanic islands. In these circumstances we expect that species inhabiting lagoons should show shallow genetic architecture relative to species inhabiting more stable outer reefs. Here we test this expectation on an ocean-basin scale with four wrasses (genus Halichoeres): H. claudia (N = 194, with ocean-wide distribution) and H. ornatissimus (N = 346, a Hawaiian endemic) inhabit seaward reef slopes, whereas H. trimaculatus (N = 239) and H. margaritaceus (N = 118) inhabit lagoons and shallow habitats throughout the Pacific. Two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome oxidase I and control region) were sequenced to resolve population structure and history of each species. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity were similar among all four species. The outer reef species showed significantly less population structure, consistent with longer pelagic larval durations. Mismatch distributions and significant negative Fu’s F values indicate Pleistocene population expansion for all species, and (contrary to expectations) shallower histories in the outer slope species. We conclude that lagoonal wrasses may persist through glacial habitat disruptions, but are restricted to refugia during lower sea level stands. In contrast, outer reef slope species have homogeneous and well-connected populations through their entire ranges regardless of sea level fluctuations. These findings contradict the hypothesis that shallow species are less genetically diverse as a consequence of glacial cycles.
Steps To Reduce Favorable Risk Selection In Medicare Advantage Largely Succeeded, Boding Well For Health Insurance Exchanges

Within Medicare, the Medicare Advantage program has historically attracted better risks—healthier, lower-cost patients—than has traditional Medicare. The disproportionate enrollment of lower-cost patients and avoidance of higher-cost ones during the 1990s—known as favorable selection—resulted in Medicare’s spending more per beneficiary who enrolled in Medicare Advantage than if the enrollee had remained in traditional Medicare. We looked at two measures that can indicate whether favorable selection is taking place—predicted spending on beneficiaries and mortality—and studied whether policies that Medicare implemented in the past decade succeeded in reducing favorable selection in Medicare Advantage. We found that these policies—an improved risk adjustment formula and a prohibition on monthly disenrollment by beneficiaries—largely succeeded. Differences in predicted spending between those switching from traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage relative to those who remained in traditional Medicare marked...
Principles for the conservation of wild living resources

We describe broadly applicable principles for the conservation of wild living resources and mechanisms for their implementation. These principles were engendered from three starting points. First, a set of principles for the conservation of wild living resources (Holt and Talbot 1978) required reexamination and updating. Second, those principles lacked mechanisms for implementation and consequently were not as effective as they might have been. Third, all conservation problems have scientific, economic, and social aspects, and although the mix may vary from problem to problem, all three aspects must be included in problem solving. We illustrate the derivation of, and amplify the meaning of, the principles, and discuss mechanisms for their implementation. The principles are: Principle I. Maintenance of healthy populations of wild living resources in perpetuity is inconsistent with unlimited growth of human consumption of and demand for those resources. Principle II. The goal of conservation should be to se...
DIURNAL CORTISOL RESPONSES TO DEXTROAMPHETAMINE IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

Abstract (1) Dextroamphetamine, in doses of 0.1 and 0.15 mg/kg, was administered intravenously morning and evening to normal young men and postmenopausal women, and plasma cortisol responses were assessed. (2) There were no differences in cortisol responses between the young men and older women at either dose. (3) The higher dose elicited a significant and reliable acute cortisol release, while the lower dose did not. (4) In the evening, 0.15 mg/kg amphetamine elicited a larger cortisol increase from baseline than the same dose in the morning. (5) Within morning or evening periods, baseline cortisol values were not significantly correlated with magnitude of cortisol responses, although trends for inverse correlations were observed. (6) It is suggested that these normal diurnal differences in the acute cortisol response to amphetamine may be related to a corresponding rhythm in the responsitivity to amphetamine of neuroendocrine neurotransmitters. (7) The previously reported abnormal cortisol response to amphetamine in a group of endogenous depressives probably is not primarily related to variables of age, sex or baseline cortisol level.
The role of aerosols in the climate system: Results of numerical experiments in climate models

Abstract Three principal questions are recurrent with the consideration of an aerosol related climatic effect: (1) do aerosols heat or cool the atmosphere, (2) are aerosol climatic effects significant and (3) can numerical models be validated by predicting a climatic change associated with a measured aerosol-event. Each of these questions will be addressed from a historical perspective. In addition, the most recent aerosol-related modeling will be discussed as well as recommendations for future research.
A set-theoretic framework to assess the impact of variable generation on the power flow

The increased penetration of renewable resources, such as wind and solar, into existing power systems introduces significant uncertainties in the generation side. We propose a method to assess whether power system static state variables, i.e., bus voltage magnitudes and angles, remain within acceptable ranges (with some confidence level), as dictated by system operational requirements, while the system is subject to variations in electricity generation arising from the uncertain nature of renewable resources. These variations are assumed to be unknown but constrained to lie (with some confidence level) within some bounded set. Through set operations, we propagate this set through the power flow model, and the result is another set that contains the possible values that (with some confidence level) the state variables (voltage magnitudes and angles) may take. The proposed method is applied to the IEEE 34-bus and 123-bus benchmark distribution systems.
Dose-response models for selected respiratory infectious agents: Bordetella pertussis , group a Streptococcus , rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus

Dose-response assessment is one step in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Four infectious microbes capable of causing respiratory diseases important to public health, and for which dose-response functions have not been available are: Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough), group A Streptococcus (pharyngitis), rhinovirus (common cold) and respiratory syncytial virus (common cold). The objective of this study was to fit dose-response functions for these microbes to published experimental data. Experimental infectivity data in human subjects and/or animal models were identified from the peer-reviewed literature. The exponential and beta-Poisson dose-response functions were fitted using the method of maximum likelihood, and models compared by Akaike’s Information Criterion. Dose-response functions were identified for each appropriate data set for the four infectious microbes. Statistical and graphical measures of fit are presented. With the fitted dose-response functions it will be possible to perform QMRA for these microbes. The dose-response functions, however, have a number of limitations associated with the route of exposure, use of animal hosts, and quality of fit. As a result, thoughtfulness must be used in selecting one dose-response function for a QMRA, and the function should be recognized as a significant source of uncertainty. Nonetheless, QMRA offers a transparent, systematic framework within which to understand the mechanisms of disease transmission, and evaluate interventions.
Potential wind and water erodibility of four land-use systems in south-eastern Montana, U.S.A.

Abstract As part of an assessment of a 1930s federal government land purchase/management program, a study was undertaken to compare the potential wind and water erodibility (as determined by soil properties) of reseeded cropland (purchased, retired and reseeded to crested wheatgrass) with abandoned cropland, cropland and native range land-use systems on series of Haploboroll, Camborthid and Argiboroll soil great groups in south-eastern Montana. The percentage of non-wind erodible (>0.84 mm diameter) aggregates (sampled in spring) of the surface 30 mm was greatest in cropland (85.0%), with lower values in abandoned and reseeded cropland, and native range (66.3, 66.1 and 61.4%, respectively). Permanent vegetation on the non-cropland systems probably prevented significant wind erosion. The universal soil loss equation (USLE) soil erodibility factor, K , was higher (and thus more erodible) in cropland (0.33) and lower in the other systems (0.26, 0.25 and 0.26 for native range, abandoned and reseeded cropland, respectively). Lower organic matter and platier soil structure were primarily responsible for the higher cropland K value. Comparison of reseeded cropland and cropland suggests reseeded cropland was more wind erodible but less water erodible (based only on a one-time soil sampling). Similarly managed (except for reseeding) abandoned cropland and reseeded cropland were not different in any property measured suggesting no present-day effect of seeding on erosion susceptibility. The federal purchase, retirement and revegetation of these lands almost certainly reduced erosion as compared with continually cropped land, although reseeding the lands did not affect potential wind/water erodibility as compared with naturally revegetated (abandoned) cropland.
Vibrotactile masking and the persistence of tactual features

Subjects are more accurate in identifying a vibrotactile pattern when it is presented in isolation than when it is presented in temporal and spatial contiguity with a second vibrotactile pattern. When the temporal separation between the two patterns is relatively long (greater than 200 to 300 msec), there is more interference when the target pattern is presented second than when it is presented first, It was hypothesized that if features of a vibrotactile pattern persist for relatively long durations, the perception of a subsequent pattern might be interfered with. Two experiments investigated the persistence of tactual features. In both experiments, subjects were presented with two patterns and the temporal separation between the patterns was varied. The subjects were required to identify the second pattern. The results of Experiment 1 showed that at relatively long stimulus onset asynchronies, the subjects often erred and responded with a pattern containing more lines than were contained in the target pattern. Also, the subjects often overestimated the number of lines contained in the target patterns. These findings support the idea that features of vibrotactile patterns persist for relatively long durations and that these features may be integrated with subsequently presented patterns. The results of Experiment 2 indicated that the persisting representation was a veridical copy of the presented pattern and lasted as long as 1,200 msec. The results are discussed in terms of a tactile sensory register.
Heterozygosity for the leiden mutation of the factor v gene, a common pathoetiology for osteonecrosis of the jaw, with thrombophilia augmented by exogenous estrogens

We assessed whether heterozygosity for the thrombophilic Leiden mutation of the factor V gene (MFV) was pathogenetic for alveolar osteonecrosis of the jaw and chronic facial pain (neuralgia-inducing cavitational osteonecrosis (NICO)) in 89 patients with NICO. A second specific aim was to assess for thrombophilic synergism between exogenous estrogens and MFV for development of osteonecrosis of the jaw. MFV was found in 24% of the patients, 16 (21%) of 76 women and 5 (39%) of 13 men. The mutation was much less common in healthy normal controls: 3 (3%) of 101 women (chi2 = 14.8, p = 0.001) and 4 (3.7%) of 108 men (chi2 = 20.4, p = 0.001). Patients with and without MFV did not differ in tissue plasminogen activator activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor activity, proteins C and S, lipoprotein (a), or anticardiolipin antibodies (p > 0.05). Use of standard-dose oral contraceptives and/or postmenopausal estrogens before the development of NICO was more common in female patients with MFV (13 (81%) of 16) than in those without it (23 (38%) of 60; chi2 = 9.33, p = 0.002). When the thrombophilic effects of such exogenous estrogens were superimposed on the familial resistance to activated protein C associated with MFV, thrombophilia was augmented and the risk of osteonecrosis was increased. Since heterozygosity for this mutation occurs in at least 3% of unselected, healthy women, measurement of resistance to activated protein C and MFV would identify women at high risk for venous thrombosis and osteonecrosis, in whom use of oral contraceptives or postmenopausal estrogens might be contraindicated, while identifying a much larger group of women (approximately 97%) without the mutation whose risk from exogenous estrogens would be low.
Automotive robotic body shop simulation for performance improvement using plant feedback

This paper illustrates how to improve robotic automotive body shop throughput by feeding back actual plant data for input variables for entities to improve discrete simulation model prediction and validation. The input variables are adjusted based on actual plant data, and the simulation model was run for various scenarios to verify and validate the discrete simulation model. The general tendency in an automotive plant body shop is to buy more equipment to improve throughput. It is very interesting to see how mean time to repair/mean time between failure assumptions affect the throughput. The bottleneck issues are identified for automotive plant to improve throughput.
Scoring Omitted and Not-Reached Items: Practical Data Analysis Implications

Missing data occur for a variety of reasons. Particularly problematic are those items anindividual skipped or could not reach in time. This article focuses on the practical effectsof using differen...
One-loop fluctuation-dissipation formula for bubble-wall velocity.

The limiting bubble wall velocity during a first-order electroweak phase transition is of interest in scenarios for electroweak baryogenesis. Khlebnikov has recently proposed an interesting method for computing this velocity based on the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. It is demonstrated that at one-loop order this method is identical to simple, earlier techniques for computing the wall velocity based on computing the friction from particles reflecting off or transmitting through the wall in the ideal gas limit.
Effects of serial passage of Autographa Californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus in cell culture

Abstract A study of the major genomic alterations occurring during serial passage of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) in a Trichoplusia ni cell line was conducted. Progeny viruses from 24 independent passages were randomly selected and analyzed with restriction endonucleases. Specific deletion mutations were generated repeatedly in the PstI-G (7.6 to 13.1%) and the PstI-I (14.4–17.9%) regions; these mutations became predominant in the serially passaged stocks in which they arose. The deletions in the PstI-G region and two different insertions in this region were mapped to a 1 Kb PvuII-BglII fragment (9.85–10.70%) reflecting a high degree of sequence specificity in the initiation or selection of genomic alterations in this region. Insertional mutations were observed frequently and repeatedly within the PstI-E/HindIII-I region (33.6–37.2%) of the AcNPV genome. Individual examples of insertional mutations were observed in several other regions of the genome.
Imatinib for the treatment of rheumatic diseases

There has been much speculation on the potential use of kinase inhibitors, such as imatinib mesylate, for the treatment of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Imatinib inhibits a select set of tyrosine kinases at submicromolar concentrations. In this Viewpoint, the authors discuss how imatinib could provide a potent therapeutic option for a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, for which current therapies are insufficient.
Inhibiting cyclin-dependent kinase 5 in the nucleus accumbens enhances the expression of amphetamine-induced locomotor conditioning

When psychostimulant drugs like amphetamine are administered repeatedly in the presence of a contextual stimulus complex, long-lasting associations form between the unconditioned effects of the drug and the contextual stimuli. Here we assessed the role played by the proline-directed serine/threonine kinase cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) on the expression of the conditioned locomotion normally observed when rats are returned to a context previously paired with amphetamine. Infusing the Cdk5 inhibitor roscovitine (40 nmol/0.5 μl/side) into the NAcc 30-min before the test for conditioning significantly enhanced the conditioned locomotor response observed in rats previously administered amphetamine in the test environment. This effect was specific to the expression of a conditioned response as inhibiting Cdk5 produced no effect in control rats previously administered saline or previously administered amphetamine elsewhere. As inhibiting Cdk5 during exposure to amphetamine has been found to block the accrual of locomotor conditioning, the present results suggest distinct roles for NAcc Cdk5 in the induction and expression of excitatory conditioning by amphetamine.
Douglas-fir wood quality studies Part II: Effects of age and stimulated growth on fibril angle and chemical constituents

The same material was used as in Part I of this study. Fibril angle decreased with age from over 30 degrees to 7 degrees at about age 30. Accelerated growth by fertilization and thinning at about 20 years caused a slight increase in angle but only for a few years. The semilog correlation with age was very high, r=0.96. Tracheid length was highly correlated with fibril angle, r=0.94. Growth rate and percent latewood were minor causes of changes in fibril angle. Extractive content did not change significantly with plot treatment. Lignin percent was highest near the pith and decreased to about age 20; r was-0.94 for the controls using the log of age. Accelerated growth increased lignin compared to the control trees by about 0.7%. Holocellulose and alpha cellulose increased from the pith to about 20 years of age. Accelerated growth caused a small decrease of 0.9% for both constituents during the next 6 years compared to uniform-growth trees, then the differences became much less.
Navigational strategy used to intercept fly balls under real-world conditions with moving visual background fields.

This study explored the navigational strategy used to intercept fly balls in a real-world environment under conditions with moving visual background fields. Fielders ran across a gymnasium attempting to catch fly balls that varied in distance and direction. During each trial, the launched balls traveled in front of a moving background texture that was projected onto an entire wall of a gymnasium. The background texture consisted of a field of random dots that moved together, at a constant speed and direction that varied between trials. The fielder route deviation was defined as the signed area swept out between the actual running path and a straight-line path to the destination, and these route deviation values were compared as a function of the background motion conditions. The findings confirmed that the moving visual background fields systematically altered the fielder running paths, which curved more forward and then to the side when the background gradient moved laterally with the ball, and curved more to the side and then forward when the background gradient moved opposite the ball. Fielder running paths deviated systematically, in a manner consistent with the use of a geometric optical control strategy that helps guide real-world perception–action tasks of interception, such as catching balls.