cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanics of the syrinx in Gallus gallus. II. Electromyographic studies of ad libitum vocalizations.

Records of electrical activity in the tracheal muscles of domestic chickens were obtained for a variety of ad libitum vocalizations. Primary attention was given to an analysis of events during the most complex call, crowing. Three pairs of muscles, Mm. tracheohyoideus, tracheolateralis, and sternotrachealis, can affect the configuration of a chicken's syrinx. The firing patterns of the three muscle pairs are related to their different abilities to affect the tension of the syringeal membranes. The influence of M. tracheohyoideus is most indirect and imprecise, and its role the least clearly defined. It appears to adjust the position of the trachea so that the syrinx is isolated from unpredictable and/or undesirable consequences of nuchal position and tracheal elasticity, and also helps draw the glottis caudad, thereby deepening the pharyngeal chamber. The other two muscles interact to control the tension of the vocal membranes. M. sternotrachealis relaxes the membranes by drawing the drum of the trachea caudad, or, via the syringeal ligament, by rotating the pessulus cranioventrad, or both. M. tracheolateralis tenses the membranes and/or prevents caudal movement of the origin of M. sternotrachealis, a necessity if the syringeal ligament is to rotate the pessulus. Vocalization depends on both syringeal configuration and appropriate air flow. Hence, tracheal muscles, syrinx, air sacs, and ventilatory muscles cooperate to form a vocal system. Cooperation elicits a surprising degree of redundancy. At least one call, a high pitched wail, may be produced by two very different techniques.
A Square Peg In A Vicious Circle: Stephen Breyer's Optimistic Prescription For The Regulatory Mess

This Article reviews the book by Supreme Court Justice, Steven G. Breyer, "Breaking The Vicious Circle: Toward Effective Risk Regulation." The Author discusses this book's most significant contribution that draws attention to the current regulatory regime's systemic problems, thereby encouraging serious discussion about how to "reinvent" the regulatory process. Breyer courageously points out that the political legitimacy of the process rests to some degree on the effectiveness of its product. This Review outlines the systemic problems and the "vicious circle" identified by Justice Breyer and then proceeds to review his proposed solution. The final part presents several criticisms of his proposal and concludes while Breyer's modest suggestions may help at the margin, they settle for tinkering with the system instead of giving it the overhaul it really needs.
Pseudo-Boolean Solving by incremental translation to SAT

We revisit pseudo-Boolean Solving via compilation to SAT. We provide an algorithm for solving pseudo-Boolean problems through an incremental translation to SAT that works with any incremental SAT solver as a backend. Experimental evaluation shows that our incremental algorithm solves industrial problems that previous SAT-based approaches do not. We also show that SAT-based algorithms for solving pseudo-Boolean problems should be a part of any portfolio solver.
Embedded metal nanopatterns as a general scheme for enhanced broadband light absorption

Recently, various light trapping schemes based on inclusions of dielectric or metallic nanoparticles or nanopatterns on top of, below, or embedded within a photovoltaic (PV) absorber have been proposed to enhance the efficiency of solar cells. We demonstrate here that embedded metal nanopatterns (EMN) within the absorber layers of thin film solar cells can serve as a general scheme for broadband light absorption enhancement. The EMN scheme is compatible with a wide variety of non-crystalline solar cells, including amorphous, polycrystalline, organic, polymeric, and dye-sensitized solar cells. Simulations on the same EMN in various PV media show consistent absorption enhancement. An impedance matching model is used to explain the robustness of the effect, wherein the EMN brings the impedance of the thin-film solar cell closer to that of free space in a broadband manner, resulting in exceptional absorption enhancement in the near band gap regime. Experimental verifications are provided by Ag connecting network nanopatterns fabricated by nanosphere lithography embedded in an amorphous silicon layer, resulting in a broadband absorbance enhancement, especially in the near band gap region, in good agreement with our predictions. Connecting Ag networks with hexagonal close-packed holes are fabricated by nanosphere lithography, and then embedded into an amorphous silicon layer. For increasing embedding depth d from 5.3 to 18.4 nm, the absorbance of the structure increases, especially at the near band gap region.
Registering Landsat images by point matching

Image registration of Landsat Thematic Mapper scenes with translational and rotational differences is studied. Two major steps of image registration, control-point selection and control-point matching, are emphasized. In control-point selection, the properties that a good control point should satisfy are defined. Several potential control-point candidates are suggested, and methods are discussed for extracting them from the input image. In control-point matching, a relaxation algorithm proposed in the literature is improved by reducing its time complexity from O(n/sup 4/) to O(n/sup 3/), where n is the number of control points. The matching algorithm also uses a two-way matching concept which utilizes the inherent symmetry property of the point-matching problem. The robustness of the proposed algorithm was demonstrated through simulation experiments by evaluating a matching index. Experimental results on Landsat images show that the proposed method produces results comparable to those obtained by an experienced photointerpreter. >
Thermal and mechanical stresses in transversely isotropic coatings

Three-dimensional sliding contact and thermal contact stress analysis of transversely isotropic coatings on isotropic or transversely isotropic substrate is presented. Fourier transforms are used to obtain solutions for temperature rise and stresses. The solutions are illustrated with temperature rise and stresses in a single layered half-space induced by moving Hertz pressure. The effects of coating thickness, friction coefficient and Peclet number (dimensionless heat source velocity) on temperature rise and stresses in coated bodies are discussed. It is found that the effect of the isotropy parameter of coating (ratio of lateral thermal conductivity to normal thermal conductivity) on dimensionless surface temperature rise is not significant at higher Peclet numbers. It is also found that frictional heating can lower the maximum surface tensile stress. In low friction contacts, the thermal effects on Von Mises stress in the coating and the substrate are not particularly significant.
Calibrating the Control Engineer

When applied to a physical system, a control law needs to be "personalized". It must be adjusted from product to product, family to family. Everyone down the line knows this, from designer to calibrator, to anyone involved with the implementation. So where does the control engineer fit into this scenario? The American Heritage Dictionary doesn't define control engineer, but it does define calibrate: "To check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard (the graduations of a quantitative measuring instrument)." If this sounds to you like a typical feedback control loop, then you are on your way to being calibrated.
Incipient Flame Propagation in a Turbulent Stream

In order to extend present knowledge about turbulent flames, and eventually to adapt that knowledge to the design of ramjet engines and high-output propulsive systems dependent on combustion, a series of experiments on turbulent flame propagation has been conducted at the Applied Physics Laboratory. The experiments provide a study of flame kernels propagating outward from a spark source of ignition in a free jet of combustible gas mixture; grids induce a turbulent flow in the free jet. The growth of the flame and the degree to which it is influenced by the turbulent flow field are measured by means of high-speed flash schlieren photography. Inasmuch as the flame kernel is carried along at the average velocity of the gas stream, the flame front must respond only to the turbulent velocity fluctuations. This constitutes an effective and simple experimental situation in which the interaction of flames and turbulent flow fields may be observed. Some of the major conclusions, based upon this experimental work, indicate that isotropic turbulent flow fields attainable with present equipment do not enhance the rate of flame propagation appreciably within the times observable, while nonisotropic turbulent flow fields immediately downstream from grids of sufficient size do increase the rate considerably. The flow property, thought to be responsible for producing the increased flame-propagation rate, is the magnitude of the velocity gradients encountered by the flame, these being greatest in the nonisotropic flow fields mentioned. Quenching of the flame kernels by excessive turbulence has been demonstrated.
Agricultural research bias in Nicaragua: The case of beans

Abstract The government of Nicaragua has favored export crops in agricultural research. Although an improvement in the production technology of staples eaten by the poor could produce large and equitable benefits in society, the government of Nicaragua has underinvested in agricultural research on staples. In this article we review Nicaragua's bean research and show how it has paled relative to export crops. Even during the Sandinista years, bean research stagnated and showed urban biases. In the conclusion we explain why research on beans did not produce good results.
SensorSim: a simulation framework for sensor networks

The advent of wireless micro sensors promises many yet unrealized benefits. A network of such sensors or “sensor network” introduces a new set of challenges. Besides being able to communicate effectively, sensor networks have demanding sensing tasks. First, they must be aware of their environment and oftentimes are required to adapt to their surroundings. Second, they must coordinate among them to perform a greater group-sensing task. In this context, the study of sensor networks has numerous other aspects besides communication. To create a better understanding of sensor networks and to facilitate the development of new protocols and applications, detailed simulation and performance evaluation techniques need to be developed. In this paper, we introduce our ongoing efforts in the development of SensorSim, a simulation framework that introduces new models and techniques for the design and analysis of sensor networks. SensorSim inherits the core features of traditional event driven network simulators, and builds up new features that include ability to model power usage in sensor nodes, hybrid simulation that allows the interaction of real and simulated nodes, new communication protocols and real time user interaction with graphical data display. After discussing the details of SensorSim, we provide our current results, that demonstrate various capabilities of SensorSim.
XML and genomic data

XML is an extensible, universal format for structured data exchange and documents on the Web. This brief overview highlights examples of current work and future directions for domain-specific XML within the genomic community.
TH‐D‐AUD C‐09: Towards On‐Line Treatment Verification Using Cine EPID for Hypofractionated Lung Radiotherapy

Purpose: To develop a computational algorithm based on an artificial neural network (ANN) that allows treatment verification using an EPID in cine mode for hypofractionated lungradiotherapy.Method and Materials: We developed a novel ANN based technique using cineEPIDimages to verify that the target was within the beam aperture when the beam was on. The first step of using the ANN involved training from a training dataset. We simulated training images, i.e., cineEPIDimages with different tumor locations, by shifting DRRs relative to the beam aperture. With a pre‐defined threshold p%, we associated category 1 to the training image if more than p% of the tumor projection in the beam eye view was within the aperture and category −1 otherwise. The trained network could therefore analyze the cineEPIDimages obtained during the treatment and classify them into the corresponding category 1 or −1. Results: Two patients, each treated with 5 fractions, were included in our feasibility study. A radiation oncologist read the cineEPIDimages and classified them into category 1 or −1; this served as our ground truth. The ANN was applied to the training images to build the neural network. We set p%=95% for this study. For each treatment field, one neural network needs to be built. Averaging over both patients and all fields, the trained network successfully classified 97.5% of the cineEPIDimages overall. Conclusion: The proposed ANN based technique can successfully analyzecineEPIDimages to verify whether or not the tumor is within the beam aperture, and it can do so with high accuracy. This technique provides an important clinical safeguard—whenever the tumor moves out of the irradiation field, the treatment beam can be interrupted, so that radiation won't be unnecessarily delivered to normal tissues.
Metabolism of nicotinamide, nicotinic acid and diethylamide of nicotinic acid (coramine) by newborn and premature infants.

SummaryExperiments were conducted on newborn infants to determine the 24-hour elimination of nicotinamide methochloride under normal conditions or following the administration of nicotinamide, nicotinic acid or coramine. With regard to the influence of the 3 compounds tested on nicotinamide methochloride output nicotinamide proved to be the most active followed by nicotinic acid and then coramine. Premature infants eliminated less nicotinamide methochloride than normal newborn infants under the same conditions. Evidence is presented which indicates that coramine is normally converted to nicotinamide and excreted as nicotinamide methochloride. Under the conditions of the experiment methionine had little or no effect on the methylation of nicotinamide.
Electrochemical Oxidation of H2 and H2 ∕ CO Mixtures in Higher Temperature ( Tcell 100 ° C ) Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the electrochemical oxidation of H 2 and H 2 /CO mixtures on the proton exchange membrane fuel cell anode (Pt-Ru/C or Pt/C electrocatalysts) was performed at higher temperature (T c e l l > 100°C) and ambient pressure. Anode polarization studies were also conducted with the same H 2 /CO mixture-fed streams. Both impedance and anode polarization provide information on the mechanism of electrochemical oxidation of H 2 and H 2 /CO mixtures. The impedance spectra are presented and compared at various CO concentrations (0-500 ppm, 1 and 2%), cell temperatures (80-120°C), relative humidity conditions (35-100%), as well as different dc bias potentials for characterizing the CO tolerance of the electrocatalysts. CO poisoning is alleviated by increasing the cell temperature, and relative humidity plays a strong role in the EIS and anode polarization. The impedance spectrum of the CO poisoned anode is strongly dependent on the dc bias potential. Under certain dc bias potential conditions, pseudoinductive behavior appears in the complex impedance plots, corresponding to the onset oxidation of CO as indicated from anode polarization.
Recruitment and diversity: A research study of bilingualism and library services

Recruitment theory considers the relative importance of a range of factors (i.e., individuals, experiences, and other factors) in the decisions of those who select a profession, a professional specialty, and a specific employer. This study of the recruitment of bilingual librarians is based on a survey of the membership of REFORMA (The National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish Speaking). The data reflect the factors that influenced the career decision making of current library and information professionals who are, in the main, bilingual and Hispanic, as well as the factors influencing potential retention decisions. The research results indicate the importance of factors, such as entering a service profession and the desire to serve the Spanish-speaking community, in particular. As is the case with the prior (and limited) recruitment research in the profession, this article provides insights in terms of recruitment strategies for bilingual librarians who serve this segment of the population. While the research relates to a growing segment of the U.S. population, with its demographic complexity and range of information needs, implications, which are applicable to other language groups, bilingual circumstances, and other countries, are considered, as well.
Overview of the USA inertial fusion program

Abstract The next step in the USA inertial fusion program is to begin planning for a Laboratory Microfusion Facility or LMF. The LMF would have an output energy
A nonaffine network model for elastomers undergoing finite deformations

Abstract In this work, we construct a new physics-based model of rubber elasticity to capture the strain softening, strain hardening, and deformation-state dependent response of rubber materials undergoing finite deformations. This model is unique in its ability to capture large-stretch mechanical behavior with parameters that are connected to the polymer chemistry and can also be easily identified with the important characteristics of the macroscopic stress–stretch response. The microscopic picture consists of two components: a crosslinked network of Langevin chains and an entangled network with chains confined to a nonaffine tube. These represent, respectively, changes in entropy due to thermally averaged chain conformations and changes in entropy due to the magnitude of these conformational fluctuations. A simple analytical form for the strain energy density is obtained using Rubinstein and Panyukov's single-chain description of network behavior. The model only depends on three parameters that together define the initial modulus, extent of strain softening, and the onset of strain hardening. Fits to large stretch data for natural rubber, silicone rubber, VHB 4905 (polyacrylate rubber), and b186 rubber (a carbon black-filled rubber) are presented, and a comparison is made with other similar constitutive models of large-stretch rubber elasticity. We demonstrate that the proposed model provides a complete description of elastomers undergoing large deformations for different applied loading configurations. Moreover, since the strain energy is obtained using a clear set of physical assumptions, this model may be tested and used to interpret the results of computer simulation and experiments on polymers of known microscopic structure.
Reduction of surface erosion caused by helium blistering in sintered beryllium and sintered aluminum powder

Abstract Studies have been conducted to find materials with microstructures which minimize the formation of blisters. A promising class of materials appears to be sintered metal powder with small average grain sizes and low atomic number Z. Studies of the surface erosion of sintered aluminum powder (SAP 895) and of aluminum held at 400°C due to blistering by 100-keV helium ions have been conducted, and the results are compared to those obtained earlier for room temperature irradiation. A significant reduction of the erosion rate in SAP 895 in comparison to annealed aluminum and SAP 930 is observed. In addition results of the blistering of sintered beryllium powder irradiated at room temperature and 600°C by 100-keV helium ions are given. These results show a reduction in erosion rate in both types of sintered beryllium as compared to the erosion rate in vacuum-cast beryllium for both room temperature and 600°C.
VENO-OCCLUSIVE DISEASE (VOD): A NEWLY RECOGNIZED FORM OF DRUG-INDUCED LIVER DISEASE IN ACUTE MYELOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (AML)

We have recently observed 3 children with AML treated with daunorubicin (DNR), ara-c and thioguanine (TG) who during remission developed marked hepatomegaly (H) in the absence of jaundice or significant transaminasemia. Liver scans revealed diffuse non-homogeneous reduction in uptake suggesting leukemic infiltration. Liver biopsies showed no significant infiltration, but instead thickening of the walls of the central veins, and intense centrllobular congestion and hemorrhage, a pattern resembling VOD caused by plant alkaloid poisoning. One child had a large R. pleural effusion requiring chest drainage for 1 month. All 3 children have been since maintained only on TG. H and abnormal liver scans have improved but remain abnormal 8-10 months later. One child in relapse was re-treated with all 3 drugs and developed an exacerbation of the liver disease and pleural effusion. The above reactions all occurred within a 2 month period in 1976 and had not been seen previously in other children receiving the same drug regimen. Etiologic considerations include an altered lot of DNR, enhanced toxicity of DNR by TG-induced hepatic dysfunction, or other complex interactions. Recognition of this type of liver disease is important in the diagnosis of acute hepatomegaly in such children. Further elucidation of its pathogenesis may enable safer usage of these potent drug combinations.
Primary productivity of the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research Area and the Southern Ocean

Abstract A major objective of the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (Palmer LTER) project is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the various components of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. Phytoplankton production plays a key role in this so-called high nutrient, low chlorophyll environment, and factors that regulate production include those that control cell growth (light, temperature, and nutrients) and those that control cell accumulation rate and hence population growth (water column stability, grazing, and sinking). Sea ice mediates several of these factors and frequently conditions the water column for a spring bloom which is characterized by a pulse of production restricted in both time and space. This study models the spatial and temporal variability of primary production within the Palmer LTER area west of the Antarctic Peninsula and discusses this production in the context of historical data for the Southern Ocean. Primary production for the Southern Ocean and the Palmer LTER area have been computed using both light-pigment production models [Smith, R.C., Bidigare, R.R., Prezelin, B.B., Baker, K.S., Brooks, J.M., 1987. Optical characterization of primary productivity across a coastal front. Mar. Biol. (96), 575–591; Bidigare, R.R., Smith, R.C., Baker, K.S., Marra, J., 1987. Oceanic primary production estimates from measurements of spectral irradiance and pigment concentrations. Global Biogeochem. Cycles (1), 171–186; Morel, A., Berthon, J.F., 1989. Surface pigments, algal biomass profiles and potential production of the euphotic layer—relationships reinvestigated in view of remote-sensing applications. Limnol. Oceanogr. (34), 1545–1562] and an ice edge production model [Nelson, D.M., Smith, W.O., 1986. Phytoplankton bloom dynamics of the western Ross Sea ice edge: II. Mesoscale cycling of nitrogen and silicon. Deep-Sea Res. (33), 1389–1412; Wilson, D.L., Smith, W.O., Nelson, D.M., 1986. Phytoplankton bloom dynamics of the Western Ross Sea ice edge: I. primary productivity and species-specific production. Deep-Sea Res., 33, 1375–1387; Smith, W.O., Nelson, D.M., 1986. Importance of ice edge phytoplankton production in the Southern Ocean. BioScience (36), 251–257]. Chlorophyll concentrations, total photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) and sea ice concentrations were derived from satellite data. These same parameters, in addition to hydrodynamic conditions, have also been determined from shipboard and Palmer Station observations during the LTER program. Model results are compared, sensitivity studies evaluated, and productivity of the Palmer LTER region is discussed in terms of its space time distribution, seasonal and interannual variability, and overall contribution to the marine ecology of the Southern Ocean.
Colchicine and cytochalasin B (CB) effects on random movement, spreading and adhesion of mouse macrophages☆

Abstract The role of microtubules and microfilaments in the control of random movement of mouse peritoneal macrophages was examined by studying the colchicine and cytochalasin B (CB) effects. Colchicine in the concentration range of 10−8–10−4 M enhances the random movement of these cells. Enhanced movement of macrophages is observed only at colchicine concentrations which cause inhibition of their spreading and adhesion. CB does not enhance random movement at any concentration; it inhibits movement at 10−7 M and higher concentrations. Furthermore, though 10−8 M CB alone has no effect on the migration of macrophages, when present along with colchicine, the two drugs act synergistically and enhance random movement to a greater extent than colchicine alone. These findings suggest a cooperative interaction between microtubules and microfilaments in the control of movement of macrophages. A model is presented to explain the nature of this interaction.
Numerical method for colored-noise generation and its application to a bistable system.

A methodology for generating sample functions for colored noise which has some relative advantages over existing ones is outlined. This involves simulating a stochastic process in terms of harmonic functions, the amplitude of which is related to the power spectral density of the noise. The computational advantages of the fast Fourier transform are utilized and the numerical integration of the noise equation is avoided. In light of this methodology, existing algorithms for colored-noise simulation are critiqued and compared with the present one. Numerical results for a particular case study, namely that of an overdamped particle in a bistable potential, are presented and the results are compared with existing theories.
Relationship between Measured Diffusion Coefficients and Calculated Molecular Surface Properties

We show that the diffusion coefficients in both dry and swollen gelatin of a group of organic molecules can be expressed analytically in terms of computed molecular quantities: surface areas and measures of positive and negative electrostatic interaction tendencies, obtained by ab initio SCF calculations. The molecules' intrinsic mobilities are found to vary inversely with size and to be enhanced in these media by weakly positive and strongly negative surface electrostatic potentials.
Gene-conversion tract directionality is influenced by the chromosome environment

Spontaneous and double-strand break (DSB)-induced gene conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae was assayed using non-tandem chromosomal direct repeat crosses and plasmid × chromosome crosses. Each cross involved identical ura3 alleles marked with phenotypically silent restriction fragment length polymorphic (RFLP) mutations at approximately 100-bp intervals. DSBs introduced in vivo at HO sites in one allele stimulated recombination to Ura+ by more than two orders of magnitude. Spontaneous gene-conversion products were isolated from a related strain lacking a functional HO nuclease gene. The multiple markers did not appear to influence the frequency of direct repeat deletions for spontaneous or DSB-induced events. DSB-induced conversion reflected efficient mismatch repair of heteroduplex DNA. Conversion frequencies of equidistant markers on opposites sides of the DSB were similar in the direct repeat cross. In contrast, markers 5′ of the DSB (promoter-proximal) converted more often than 3′ markers in plasmid × chromosome crosses, a possible consequence of crossing-over associated with long conversion tracts. With direct repeats, bidirectional tracts (extending 5′ and 3′ of the DSB) occurred twice as often as in a plasmid × chromosome cross in which DSBs were introduced into the plasmid-borne allele. A key difference between the direct-repeat and plasmid×chromosome crosses is that the ends of a broken plasmid are linked, whereas the ends of a broken chromosome are unlinked. We tested whether linkage of ends influenced tract directionality using a second plasmid × chromosome cross in which DSBs were introduced into the chromosomal allele and found few bidirectional tracts. Thus, chromosome environment, but not linkage of ends, influences tract directionality. The similar tract spectra of the two plasmid × chromosome crosses suggest that similar mechanisms are involved whether recombination is initiated by DSBs in plasmid or chromosomal alleles.
Lining fireboxes in a high-pressure steam boiler

The service conditions of the lining in high-pressure steam boilers with gas turbine blowing are characterized by a heating temperature above 1500–1550°C on the working surface and repeated sharp changes in temperature at rates of up to 100 deg/min during heating and up to 85 deg/min during cooling. In these conditions it is advisable to use silicon carbide refractories which are the most heat-resistant.
CTL to HIV-1: surrogates or sirens.

The generation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte response may be an essential part of an effective immune response to HIV infection. It may also do more harm than good (pages 330–336).
Functional characterization of optimized acellular peripheral nerve graft in a rat sciatic nerve injury model

Abstract Objectives: Acellular grafts are a viable option for use in nerve reconstruction surgeries. Recently, our lab created a novel optimized decellularization procedure that removes immunological material while leaving the majority of the extracellular matrix structure intact. The optimized acellular (OA) graft has been shown to elicit an immune response equal to or less than that elicited by the isograft, the analog of the autograft in the rat model. We investigated the performance of the OA graft to provide functional recovery in a long-term study. Methods: We performed a long-term functional regeneration evaluation study using the sciatic functional index to quantify recovery of Lewis rats at regular time intervals for up to 52 weeks after graft implantation following 1 cm sciatic nerve resection. OA grafts were compared against other decellularized methods (Sondell treatment and thermal decellularization), as well as the isograft and primary neurorrhaphy. Results: The OA graft supported comparable...
Chromium and yogurt effects on hepatic lipid and plasma glucose and insulin of obese mice

Dietary chromium (Cr) supplements in casein or yogurt-based diets were fed to genetically obese C57BL/6J-OB (ob/ob) mice to investigate the effects of Cr and yogurt on total hepatic lipid, plasma glucose, insulin, and cholesterol levels. Diet groups were casein control (C), yogurt control (Y), yogurt plus CrCl3 (Y + Cr) (1.83 ppm Cr), and casein plus CrCl3 (C + Cr) (1.85 ppm Cr). Food and water were availablead libitum. No significant differences were observed in final body weight. In obese mice, total hepatic lipid was significantly greater in the C than in the C + Cr group and in the Y than in the Y + Cr group. Plasma immunoreactive insulin levels tended to be lower in animals fed C + Cr and Y + Cr diets. Plasma insulin was significantly correlated with hepatic lipid and with plasma cholesterol. By analysis of variance, bone Cr was elevated by Cr supplementation. In the obese mouse, a model for insulin resistance, Cr supplementation apparently affects both hepatic lipid concentration and bone chromium.
Children's Self-Predictions and Teachers' Predictions of Basic Concept Mastery: Effects of Socioeconomic Status, Locus of Control, and Achievement:

The relationship among socioeconomic status (SES), academic locus of control (LOC), classroom achievement levels, young children's ability to self-predict performance, teachers' predictions of their children's performances, and actual performance on an assessment of basic concepts was examined for 29 kindergarten and 34 first-grade children and their 18 teachers. As hypothesized, children with better self-prediction skills had significantly higher achievement scores and SES ratings than did children with poor self-prediction skills. Results from three multiple regression analyses support the following conclusions: Scores from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills Listening Subtest (ITBS Listening) strongly predicted the high and low accuracy self- predictors of the basic concept task. SES, Total Internality scores from the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire-Short Form (IAR), and ITBS Language Subtest scores related, in the order listed, to scores predicted by teachers on the basic concept task....
Index arbitrage with heterogeneous investors: A smooth transition error correction analysis

Abstract The traditional index arbitrage model assumes a constant threshold mispricing between the futures and cash prices for all investors. Allowing for heterogeneity in investors' transaction costs, objectives, and capital constraints, we model the intraday mispricing of DJIA futures as a smooth transition autoregressive (STAR) process with the speed of adjustment toward equilibrium varying directly with the mispricing. We show that the observed mean reversion in mispricing changes is induced by heterogeneous arbitrageurs, instead of a statistical illusion-infrequent trading of index portfolio stocks. We further use a STAR error correction model to describe the nonlinear dynamics between the DJIA futures and index. This model describes not only which market is more informationally efficient than the other, but also the legging process – the nonsimultaneous establishing of cash and futures positions.
Growth evolution in sidewall lateral epitaxial overgrowth (SLEO)

Abstract Sidewall lateral epitaxial overgrowth (SLEO) is a technique to reduce the extended defect densities in non-polar III-nitrides in a single re-growth by employing lateral overgrowth from sidewalls of an etched nitride through the mask openings. The technique involved depositing a stripe patterned mask over a -plane (1 1 2¯ 0) GaN along 〈1 1¯ 0 0〉 GaN and creating vertical {0 0 0 1} c -plane sidewalls by etching of nitride through the openings in the mask at a depth so that in the first growth stage, coalescence was achieved from the sidewalls before the growth of defected material trench bottom impeded lateral sidewall growth. After achieving the first-stage coalescence from the sidewalls, the material was grown over in two subsequent stages—growing up through the window openings, and then over the mask region until a smooth coalesced film was achieved. In this paper, we describe the effect of growth variables on material quality in all three stages of growth evolution in SLEO until coalescence. With the SLEO technique, threading dislocation densities of 10 6 –10 7 cm −2 and stacking fault densities of 10 3 –10 4 cm −1 were achieved in non-polar a -plane (1 1 2¯ 0) GaN grown over r -plane sapphire.
Cardiac Resynchronization: A Novel Therapy for Heart Failure

Despite advances in medical therapy for patients with congestive heart failure, morbidity and mortality remain high. Conduction abnormalities, such as left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block, and nonspecific conduction delay, are observed commonly in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. In patients with heart failure, the presence of intraventricular conduction delay is associated with more severe mitral regurgitation and worsened left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, and is an independent risk factor for increased mortality. Conventional dual-chamber (right atrial and right ventricular) pacing with a short atrioventricular delay was initially introduced as therapy for patients with advanced congestive heart failure to improve diastolic dysfunction and reduce mitral regurgitation. The acute beneficial hemodynamics effects observed in early, uncontrolled studies were not confirmed in subsequent randomized, controlled studies with longer follow-up. Cardiac resynchronization with novel biventricular (left and right ventricular) pacing systems has resulted in hemodynamics and functional benefits in patients with congestive heart failure and an underlying intraventricular conduction delay. Improvements in cardiac index, systolic blood pressure, and functional class have been reported with biventricular pacing, both acutely and at >1 year of follow-up. These encouraging preliminary results with biventricular pacing in patients with congestive heart failure will be validated in two prospective, randomized, controlled trials, Multicenter InSync Randomized Clinical Evaluation (MIRACLE) and Comparison of Medical Therapy, Pacing, and Defibrillation in Chronic Heart Failure (COMPANION). These studies are designed to evaluate the long-term efficacy of biventricular pacing in improving exercise capacity and in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced, symptomatic congestive heart failure.
Treatment of insomnia in cancer patients using muscle relaxation training

Mean sleep onset latency was reduced from 124 to 29 min in 15 patients suffering from insomnia secondary to cancer; 15 subjects receiving routine care had means of 116 and 104 min in comparison. Muscle relaxation training was administered in individual sessions on three consecutive days. With 26 subjects available for follow-up 3 months later, the mean differences in sleep latency continued. The relatively greater success in this study than previously reported for a behavioral treatment of insomnia is discussed in light of possible differences between primary insomniacs and those subjects with insomnia secondary to a medical disease.
A cointegration test of the impact of foreign exchange rates on U.S. stock market prices

Since the removal of the governmentally enforced fixed exchange rate standard in the early 197Os, exchange rates have been determined by the forces of the global marketplace. A strong relationship between the dollar and U.S. stock prices is a popular view in the financial news media. The Wall Street Joournal often associates a U.S. stock market rally with a change in the value of the dollar. Unexpected changes in exchange rates create uncertainty regarding a firm’s assets, liabilities and future cash flows. Multinational firms, firms that rely on foreign direct investment, and firms that conduct import or export trade are especially susceptible to exchange rate risks. Indeed, even purely domestic firms are potentially impacted through foreign competition. A reduction in the value of U.S. currency is expected to favorably affect U.S. stock prices due to increased exports and domestic substitution foi imported goods. Conversely, a strengthening dollar is expected to result in declining stock prices. The belief that a depreciating dollar will result in rising exports is based on the assumption that as the dollar begins to fall, it will continue moving in that direction for some time. The market will respond by reassessing expectations regarding future changes in exchange rates. Although this conviction is common among “technical analysts,” it is inconsistent with modern rational expectations theory As exchange rates are financial prices, they should only be affected by changes in expectations about economic activity In an efficient market, they already reflect all information about expected future economic activity and policy The purpose of this paper is to test if U.S. dollar exchange rates affect U.S. stock prices using cointegration analysis. Evidence is presented that demonstrates no systematic relationship between U.S. currency value and stock prices. The remainder
Selenium and Diabetes: More Bad News for Supplements

In this issue, Stranges and colleagues report an increased risk for diabetes among participants randomly assigned to receive selenium supplements in the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer trial. The ...
Discovery of a large offset in the radiocarbon time scale

Age determinations by the radiocarbon method provide our primary chronology for both geological and archeological events over the last 40,000 years. It has long been known from measurements on wood samples dated by tree rings that the radiocarbon age scale is not identical to the calendar scale. The reason is that the production rate of radiocarbon changes with time due to variations of the strength of the magnetic shield, which deflects away some of the cosmic rays from their encounter with the Earth's atmosphere. The variations are assodated with changes in both the strength of the Earth's magnetic field and the strength of the magnetic field created by the solar wind. Measurements on tree rings show that because of these changes in cosmic ray irradiation of our atmosphere, the radiocarbon time scale has deviated from the calendar scale by as much as 500 years in the period 5000–9000 calendar years ago. But because the tree ring chronology as yet does not extend further back in time, little information is available about the magnitude of the offset before 9000 calendar years ago.
Ground-state structure of supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

Abstract A supersymmetric one-dimensional field theory is obtained from SU(2) supersymmetric pure Yang-Mills theory in 3 + 1 dimensions using an improved Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The gauge-fixing procedure employed involves a mixing of spin and isospin degrees of freedom. Despite the fact that supersymmetry imposes an apparently overdetermined set of equations on the ground-state wave functions, we find their asymptotic behavior. They decay exponentially. By straightforward modifications, we determine the asymptotic behavior of the ground-state wave functional of the original supersymmetric Yang-Mills theoy. A few related issues are discussed.
Prevention of reserpine rigidity by alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists

Abstract Since alpha adrenergic antagonists are known to protect rats from the extrapyramidal effects of reserpine, the purpose of this study was to examie the relative contribution of alpha-2 receptors in modifying the reserpine-induced syndrome. Rats were pretreated with either clonidine, yohimbine, phentolamine, methysergide or SKF-7265. Thirty minutes later they were given reserpine (20 mg/kg) and evaluated using eleven categories of behavioral responses for three hours. Yohimbine, an alpha-2-antagonists, was the most effective agent in protecting against the reserpine effects. Phentolamine and SKF-7265, which block both alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors, were also effective. Clonidine, an alpha-2 agonist, and methysergide a serotonin antagonist, were not. In all cases the alpha blocking drugs prevented the motor responses but did not alter the automatic responses induced by reserpine. The results show not only the efficacy of alpha adrenergic antagonists in protecting against reserpine rigidity but more importantly that the blockade of alpha-2 receptors may be the functionally important action. These results are consistent with the view that some descending motor pathways are controlled by an adrenergic mechanism and suggest that alpha-2 receptors are an important component.
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: genetics, epidemiology, and treatment

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common potentially lethal genetic disorder, accounting for 2%-8% of end-stage renal disease worldwide. While development of renal cysts is the major characteristic of ADPKD, several disease-related complications contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. Since introduction of renal replacement therapies, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among ADPKD patients. Loss of renal function requiring renal replacement therapy occurs in 50% of patients by the age of 60 years. The results of recent large epidemiological studies in ADPKD have shown little progress in delaying onset of renal failure despite an improvement in patient mortality. Sig- nificant progress has been made over the past decade in elucidating the genetics of the disorder. Genetic testing is now available in most countries, and development of more reliable methods for prenatal diagnosis of ADPKD has increased the sensitivity of testing. While there are no approved drugs for treatment of ADPKD within the USA, the first agent targeting renal disease progression in this disorder was recently approved for clinical use in Japan. Furthermore, several additional drugs for treatment of ADPKD are currently under clinical investigation. Overall, this presents an optimistic future for new therapeutic interventions in this disease. This paper reviews the current knowledge related to the epidemiology, genetics, and treatment of ADPKD.
Cholesteatoma of renal pelvis

Abstract A case of renal cholesteatoma is presented in which the preoperative diagnosis of one of the keratinizing conditions of the renal pelvis was made. The clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic features are detailed.
Development of hepatic bilirubin glucuronidation as affected by prolonged maternal ethanol intake

Prolonged maternal ethanol intake by lactating mothers resulted in a 26% and 41% decrease in serum conjugated bilirubin of 6 and 10 day old suckling newborn rats, respectively. An increase of 20% and 36% was observed in the serum unconjugated bilirubin levels in suckling newborns from the ethanol-fed group compared to the corresponding controls. Newborns suckling on ethanol-fed dams showed a small, but significant hyperbilirubinemia compared to the controls. Acute administration of ethanol (2.5 g/kg) to newborn rats also resulted in a decrease in serum conjugated bilirubin and an increase in the levels of unconjugated and total bilirubin. Prolonged ethanol intake by adults also resulted in a decrease in conjugated bilirubin and an increase in unconjugated and total bilirubin levels compared to the corresponding controls. Bilirubin glucuronide formation in the liver was decreased by ethanol by about 30% and 37% in the suckling newborn, and adults, respectively. Newborns suckling on ethanol-fed dams, as well as the dams consuming ethanol showed an increase in hepatic (UDPG)/(UDPGA) levels. The activity of hepatic bilirubin-UDP-glucuronyl transferase either in the newborns suckling on ethanol-fed dams, or in dams consuming ethanol chronically, was not significantly different from their corresponding controls. Ethanol was found to inhibit the glucuronidation of bilirubin by decreasing the availability of UDP-glucuronic acid in the newborn and adult livers.
Engineering multicellular systems by cell–cell communication

Synthetic biology encompasses the design of new biological parts and systems as well as the modulation of existing biological networks to generate novel functions. In recent years, increasing emphasis has been placed on the engineering of population-level behaviors using cell-cell communication. From the engineering perspective, cell-cell communication serves as a versatile regulatory module that enables coordination among cells in and between populations and facilitates the generation of reliable dynamics. In addition to exploring biological 'design principles' via the construction of increasingly complex dynamics, communication-based synthetic systems can be used as well-defined model systems to study ecological and social interactions such as competition, cooperation, and predation. Here we discuss the dynamic properties of cell-cell communication modules, how they can be engineered for synthetic circuit design, and applications of these systems.
Photon-gated spectral holeburning

Abstract Photon-gated spectral holeburning uses two photons to bleach a narrow hole in an inhomogeneously broadened absorption. A brief review is given of the inorganic and organic materials known to exhibit this phenomenon, with emphasis on the inorganic systems BaClF:Sm 2+ , CaF 2 :Sm 2+ , LiGa 5 O 8 :Co 2+ and SrTiO 3 :Cr 3+ . In all these cases photoionization of the impurity ion is believed to be the mechanism of photobleaching.
Brightness of synchrotron radiation from electron storage rings

Parameters of an electron storage ring which are relevant to brightness are defined. For the case of a FODO lattice scaling laws and maximum beam brightness are calculated.