cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of adrenergic neurons in uiuo: inhibition by ganglionic blockade

The Normal biochemical maturation of postsynaptic adrenergic neurons in mouse and rat superior cervical ganglion depends upon an intact preganglionic innervation (Black, Hendry and Iversen, 1971a, 1972; Thoenen, Saner and Keitler, 1972). In recent studies tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in norepinephrine biosynthesis (Levitt, Spector, Sjoerdsma and Udenfriend, 1965), with localization to adrenergic neurons in the ganglion (Black, Hendry and Iversen, 1971b), was used to monitor maturation of these cells. The developmental increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity occurred simultaneously with the appearance of ganglionic synapses and was prevented by transection of the preganglionic nerve trunk (Black, Hendry and Iversen, 1971a). These observations suggest that presynaptic cholinergic nerve terminals regulate the biochemical development of postsynaptic neurons in the superior cervical ganglion. The mechanism(s) by which presynaptic cholinergic terminals regulate postsynaptic development has not been elucidated. Such trans-synaptic regulation may be dependent on normal impulse transmission and/or may involve other unidentified, trophic factors. The results presented in the present communication suggest that normal development of ganglionic tyrosine hydroxylase activity is dependent on depolarization of postsynaptic adrenergic neurons.
The Effects of a Single, Intravenous Dose of Bumetanide Versus Furosemide in Patients with Ascites and Edema Due to Alcoholic Liver Disease

: Ascites with or without edema, secondary to alcoholic liver disease, which had failed to respond to conventional in-hospital medical treatment with thiazides, spironolactone, and salt restriction was treated with a single intravenous dose of 0.5 mg bumetanide or 20 mg furosemide. In this single-blind, randomized, parallel study in 20 men over 18 years of age, significant diuresis and increased excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride occurred with both drugs. Weight loss was slight but significant within groups but not between drug treatments. Osmolality was significantly decreased after both treatments due to the magnitude of urine volume. Sodium/potassium ratio was significantly increased up to 120 minutes after both treatments. Creatinine excretion and clearance were increased after treatment with bumetanide but not significantly. In the furosemide group, the increase was first significant but after 90 minutes remained decreased. Supine and standing blood pressure and pulse rate changes were negligible. EKG monitoring revealed no abnormalities. No consistent alterations of laboratory tests were identified after treatment, nor were any important clinical adverse responses recognized. A 15-decibel unilateral high-frequency hearing loss was observed following bumetanide treatment in one patient with prior evidence of ear disease.
Method for simulating atmospheric turbulence phase effects for multiple time slices and anisoplanatic conditions

Simulating the effects of atmospheric turbulence on optical imaging systems is an important aspect of understanding the performance of these systems. Simulations are particularly important for understanding the statistics of some adaptive-optics system performance measures, such as the mean and variance of the compensated optical transfer function, and for understanding the statistics of estimators used to reconstruct intensity distributions from turbulence-corrupted image measurements. Current methods of simulating the performance of these systems typically make use of random phase screens placed in the system pupil. Methods exist for making random draws of phase screens that have the correct spatial statistics. However, simulating temporal effects and anisoplanatism requires one or more phase screens at different distances from the aperture, possibly moving with different velocities. We describe and demonstrate a method for creating random draws of phase screens with the correct space–time statistics for arbitrary turbulence and wind-velocity profiles, which can be placed in the telescope pupil in simulations. Results are provided for both the von Karman and the Kolmogorov turbulence spectra. We also show how to simulate anisoplanatic effects with this technique.
Urban form and residential electricity consumption: Evidence from Illinois, USA

Abstract This study uses a unique dataset to examine the relationship between residential electricity consumption and subdivision design characteristics, while controlling for a range of important covariates. Households in three Illinois counties completed a mail survey regarding energy consumption and also signed a waiver allowing the local utility to provide their electricity consumption records for the previous 12 month period. Summer, winter, and annual electricity consumption was modeled as a function of climate, demographic, structural, technological, behavioral, and urban form factors using linear regression. Hypothesized interactions between urban form characteristics and climate factors were tested and interpreted graphically. The most consistent predictors of household electricity usage are climate days, household size, number of bedrooms, and heating equipment. The negative relationship observed between net density at the subdivision level and summer electricity usage is consistent with arguments in favor of more compact development patterns and is interpreted in the context of the heat island effect. Edge contrast is also an important factor in understanding winter electricity use with wind shielding as the underlying explanatory mechanism. Homes in subdivisions that are more compact and less peripheral are likely to reap benefits in the form of reduced electricity consumption.
Structurally distinct polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons induce differential transcriptional responses in developing zebrafish.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous in the environment as components of fossil fuels and by-products of combustion. These multi-ring chemicals differentially activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in a structurally dependent manner, and induce toxicity via both AHR-dependent and -independent mechanisms. PAH exposure is known to induce developmental malformations in zebrafish embryos, and recent studies have shown cardiac toxicity induced by compounds with low AHR affinity. Unraveling the potentially diverse molecular mechanisms of PAH toxicity is essential for understanding the hazard posed by complex PAH mixtures present in the environment. We analyzed transcriptional responses to PAH exposure in zebrafish embryos exposed to benz(a)anthracene (BAA), dibenzothiophene (DBT) and pyrene (PYR) at concentrations that induced developmental malformations by 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). Whole genome microarray analysis of mRNA expression at 24 and 48 hpf identified genes that were differentially regulated over time and in response to the three PAH structures. PAH body burdens were analyzed at both time points using GC-MS, and demonstrated differences in PAH uptake into the embryos. This was important for discerning dose-related differences from those that represented unique molecular mechanisms. While BAA misregulated the least number of transcripts, it caused strong induction of cyp1a and other genesmore » known to be downstream of the AHR, which were not induced by the other two PAHs. Analysis of functional roles of misregulated genes and their predicted regulatory transcription factors also distinguished the BAA response from regulatory networks disrupted by DBT and PYR exposure. These results indicate that systems approaches can be used to classify the toxicity of PAHs based on the networks perturbed following exposure, and may provide a path for unraveling the toxicity of complex PAH mixtures.« less
Pharmacotherapy of Impaired Affect in Recovering Schizophrenic Patients

Background: Prominent and persistent anxiety, depression, and/or negative features characterize a substantial minority of recovered or residually psychotic schizophrenic outpatients and contribute to poor outcome. Because extrapyramidal side effects of typical neuroleptic medications often resemble such features, we first systematically studied the contribution of extrapyramidal side effects to these problems and their treatment. For patients who remained distressed, controlled trials of supplemental thymoleptics were undertaken. Methods: In trial 1, 92 distressed (depressed and/or anxious) patients and 36 patients in a defect state (patients with negative symptoms) participated in a double-blind, intramuscular challenge that compared centrally acting benztropine mesylate with peripherally acting glycopyrrolate. In trial 2,57 distressed patients and 22 patients in a defect state were randomly assigned to a double-blind, neuroleptic medication dose-reduction group. In trial 3,57 chronically distressed patients who were maintained on a low dose of fluphenazine decanoate were randomly assigned to a supplemental desipramine hydrochloride, lithium carbonate, or placebo group under double-blind conditions for 12 weeks. Results: For patients who were already maintained on antiparkinsonian medication, impaired affect was not resolved by additional benztropine. Only distressed patients with a family history of severe mental disorder (often affective) showed improvement with neuroleptic medication dose reduction. Patients in the defect-state group reported less dysphoria on a reduced neuroleptic medication dose, but negative symptoms persisted. Desipramine improved diverse aspects of mood and residual psychoticism, possibly as a prophylaxis against minor affective exacerbations. Depression improved in women only. Lithium positively affected multiple indexes of anxiety and anxious depression. Conclusion: Most often, persistent affective impairments are neither resistant extrapyramidal side effects nor characterological traits. Thymoleptics improve the non-phasic, chronic types of anxiety and depression in contrast to the acute, episodic forms, for which little support can be found in the literature.
Electronic and magneto‐optic properties of Co‐ and Ni‐doped small quantum dots of indium nitrides

Structural defects in aluminium nitride (AlN) get visible in panchromatic cathodoluminescence (CL) maps as luminescence at 340 nm and 630 nm is locally enhanced. Low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) and dislocations can be detected as long as they are sufficiently decorated and the defect-related contrast is higher than local variations in background CL intensity. We applied the method to c -plane and a -plane cuts of one of our off-oriented grown AlN crystals and describe occurrence, routes, and dissolution into dislocation bunches of LAGBs. We found that the vast majority of LAGBs are uneven a -planes which extend in a preferential m - as well as in c -direction. As a consequence, their density decreases only slightly during growth (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Premiums paid in block transactions

We document the premiums over market price paid in negotiated third-party purchases and negotiated repurchases of blocks of common stock. The blocks range from 1.5% to 44% of outstanding shares and the average premium is approximately 10%. There is no significant difference between the premiums paid by managers in block repurchases and the premiums paid by outsiders in block purchases. Repurchasing managers pay a premium that corresponds to the market value of control associated with the block.
Change of virulence of Septoria nodorurn during passage through barley and wheat

SUMMARY The barley biotype of Septoria nodorum was recovered from isolates of the wheat biotype after 2–6 passages through barley. Shifts in the population of the two biotypes during host passage were determined by isolating single spores after passage and observing changes in symptom expression on both hosts. The number of passages required before the barley biotype was recovered varied with the fungus isolate and barley cultivar. Attempts to recover the wheat biotype from isolates of the barley biotype during several passages through wheat were unsuccessful when 105 to 106 conidia m1-1 were used as inoculum. However, the wheat biotype was recovered from two isolates of the barley biotype during a single passage when a very high concentration of conidia (>1012 ml-1) were used as inoculum. From the results of this study and a previous report by the author, the biotype of S. nodorum on barley which occurs in the southeastern United States appears to be largely restricted to barley.
The Twisted Relationship Between School Spending and Academic Outputs: In Search of a New Metaphor

Abstract In this commentary we explore both putative and potential relationships between school funding and educational outcomes, for which numerous indices and variables have been examined during the past two decades. We conclude that despite large increases in real dollars, there is no readily discernable link between inputs and outputs, although when statistical control is exerted over prior ability, school mix, and teacher turn-over, certain causal inferences appear warranted. However, it can be argued that the dominant analogy should be reconsidered, and schools serving large numbers of needy children may require higher inputs to keep from further declines, much like certain departments of a hospital require disproportionately more resources than others in order to be successful because they deal with problems that are more severe.
Meteorites and geoextinction

A year ago Nobel Laureate Luis W. Alvarez suggested that supernovae may have been responsible for the great geoextinctions, particularly the most recent one, which marked the demise of both orders of dinosaurs, marine and flying reptiles, and many large mammals. In fact, all members of the animal kingdom heavier than 50 lb are suddenly absent in the geologic record at the base of the Tertiary period, and marine invertebrates are affected also. This sort of suggestion (Emanuel Velikovsky aside) generally does not gain much acclaim from earth scientists. But more recently, in a presentation to the American Chemical Society in Houston (Chemical & Engineering News, 58, 15, 25–26, 1980), Alvarez, a physicist, and his son Walter, a geologist, made a geochemical analysis, based on modern planetology, of clays sampled from the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary in Italy, Denmark, and Spain. The clay layer corresponds to the most recent geoextinction. Trace element analyses of the clays indicate that metals of the platinum group, such as iridium, are enriched relative to the over- and underlying limestones by approximately a factor of 20,at the parts per billion level.
DEA‐based efficiency evaluation of a novel robotic system for femoral neck surgery

Background Efficiency evaluation is important for expanding the acceptance and deployment of medical robots, but it is still an open issue. In this study, a data envelopment analysis (DEA)-based method was proposed and implemented with a novel robotic system for femoral neck surgery. Methods Femoral neck surgeries with and without the assistance of the robotic system were modelled as decision-making units (DMUs). C2R model was chosen to calculate the relative efficiency. Results Clinical simulation experiments were performed with 12 Sawbone models and 24 cadaveric femurs, and 19 clinical cases were chosen to be the control group. The minimum value of the robotically assisted surgery was 1, and the minimum value of the traditional surgery was 0.741535, demonstrating the efficiency of the robotic system. Conclusion This research showed that DEA-based efficiency evaluation is practical for medical robotic systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reinforcement of PDMS masters using silicon plates

In this work, a new method was developed to increase the stiffness of PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) masters using Si plates, aimed at reducing residual deformations of the PDMS masters induced in the molding process. Using this method, both global and local residual deformations in the reinforced PDMS master have been reduced.
Hierarchical Bayesian analysis of the carryover effect in two-period crossover designs

In this paper, hierarchical Bayesian methods for the analysis of crossover designs are developed. First, we consider two hierarchical prior structures yielding posterior quantities that can be obtained via numerical integration. We illustrate this method with an analysis of two well-known data sets. Then we consider more flexible prior structures and a corresponding Markov chain Monte Carlo analysis of the resulting posterior distribution. We illustrate this method using data from a study conducted at Eli Lilly and Company. Throughout, we concentrate on inferences involving the carryover effect.
Two Wheels are Better than One: The Importance of Capturing the Home Literacy Environment in Large-Scale Assessments of Reading

Children's reading skill development is influenced by availability of reading materials, reading habits and opportunity to read. Save the Children's Literacy Boost data have replicated this finding across numerous developing contexts. Meanwhile international large-scale reading assessments do not capture detail on current home literacy. The consistent positive association of reading skills with home-based materials and reading habits and the negative association with chores suggest that in developing contexts, opportunity to read outside the classroom is as important to development of reading skills as opportunity to learn these skills inside the classroom. Without data on home literacy environment, calls for action center only on schools and policies, and thus incompletely address learning and equity. Results of Literacy Boost program evaluations find that participants with reading opportunities outside of schools learned more than non-participating peers. Children from homes without books, without reade...
Sensor network programming with Flask

A great deal of recent work has investigated new programming abstractions and models for sensor networks. However, the complexity of such systems demands a great deal of effort to develop appropriate compilers and runtime platforms to achieve good performance. We will demonstrate Flask [5], a new programming platform for sensor networks that decouples the design of a high-level programming environment from the the low-level details of generating per-node code and an efficient runtime system.
FAILURE OF THE ELECTRONIC QUASIPARTICLE PICTURE FOR NUCLEAR SPIN RELAXATION IN METALS

The range of validity of the quasiparticle picture is investigated by calculation of the temperature dependence of the nuclear spin relaxation time T/ sub 1/. According to the simplest application of the quasiparticle picture, the electronphonon interaction should produce a considerable deviation from the weak coupling law, T/sub 1/T = constant. This deviation is not observed experimentally. A more modern approach, based upon field theoretic techniques, predicts the constancy of T/sub 1/T and hence restores the agreement between theory and experiment. It is argued that the quasiparticle picture is a most inappropriate description of the effects of the electron-phonon interaction in metals. (auth)
The computer architecture sequence at Michigan State University

This paper outlines the computer organization and architecture courses in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Michigan State University.
Minor histocompatibility antigen discovery: turning up the HEATR.

In this issue Blood , Bleakley and colleagues describe improved techniques to identify mHAgs in donor-recipient pairs prior to transplantation, which have implications for the immunotherapy of leukemia.[1][1] The success or failure of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–matched allogeneic stem cell
Active suppression of buoyancy driven turbulence

Abstract The aqueous turbulent layer at the air–sea interface plays an important role in determining interfacial fluxes. Here a method of determining the heat flux at such an interface is explored by simulating the effects of surface heating on the evolution of buoyancy driven turbulence. We find that the turbulence can be almost entirely eliminated when the source is of sufficient strength, depth, and duration. As the fluid cools, it is found to undergo an abrupt transition to turbulence which corresponds to a signature in the surface temperature. A simple one-dimensional conduction model is found to accurately describe the temporal response of the surface temperature during heating and cooling.
Probabilistic models for reactive behaviour in heterogeneous condensed phase media

This work presents statistically-based models to describe reactive behaviour in heterogeneous energetic materials. Mesoscale effects are incorporated in continuum-level reactive flow descriptions using probability density functions (pdfs) that are associated with thermodynamic and mechanical states. A generalised approach is presented that includes multimaterial behaviour by treating the volume fraction as a random kinematic variable. Model simplifications are then sought to reduce the complexity of the description without compromising the statistical approach. Reactive behaviour is first considered for non-deformable media having a random temperature field as an initial state. A pdf transport relationship is derived and an approximate moment approach is incorporated in finite element analysis to model an example application whereby a heated fragment impacts a reactive heterogeneous material which leads to a delayed cook-off event. Modelling is then extended to include deformation effects associated with ...
THE IMPACT OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATIONS ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS

The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 marked a major change of direction for federal urban policies in America. The primary object of the Community Development Block Grant Program was the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. This study examined ten cities over a three-year period from 1979 to 1982, to determine the impact of CDBG. The findings suggest that greater involvement of neighborhood groups increases CDBG impacts.
Quality of life in patients with head and neck cancer: lessons learned from 549 prospectively evaluated patients.

Objectives To summarize our quality-of-life (QOL) research findings for patients with head and neck cancer, to suggest areas for future productive QOL research, and to discuss how to undertake QOL studies in a cost-effective manner. Design Review of previously published analyses of advanced larynx cancer, advanced oropharynx cancer, and neck-dissection cases and current data from the complete set of patients. Patients From January 1, 1993, through December 31, 1998, data on 549 patients were entered in our head and neck database. Of these patients, 364 met additional criteria for histologic findings (squamous cell carcinoma) and the restriction of their cancer to 4 major anatomical sites (oral, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx). Of these, 339 patients were more than 1 year beyond initial treatment. Complete baseline TNM staging and QOL data were obtained for 260 of these patients, of whom 210 presented with an untreated first primary tumor (index cases) to the University of Washington, Seattle. Intervention Pretreatment QOL was assessed with an interviewer-supervised self-administered questionnaire. Subsequent self-administered tests were completed at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Other data collected on each patient included cancer site, stage, treatment, histologic findings, type of surgical reconstruction, and current disease and vital status. Results/Conclusions It is difficult to achieve "statistically significant" results in a single-instution setting. The "composite" QOL score may not be a sufficiently sensitive tool. Analysis of separate domains may be more effective.
The transport and phosphorylation of 2-deoxyglucose by rat lenses

Abstract As in other tissues, 2-deoxyglucose is transported into the rat lens as the free sugar which is then converted to the sugar phosphate. The phosphate accumulates within the lens without escaping and over a period of hours its concentration approaches about one half the concentration of free 2-deoxyglucose in the lens. At this level there is apparently some inhibition of uptake, especially phosphorylation. At an incubation time of only 2 hr the use of this tracer may be useful in studying factors which affect transport and phosphorylation of hexoses.
Synthesis and characterization of chemical analogs of L-arginine phosphate

Abstract L-arginine phosphate is a promising new material for generating harmonics of the Nd: YAG fundamental wavelength, 1064 nm. The synthesis of 20 other salts of L-arginine was attempted and millimeter size crystals of 10 of these were obtained. These were analyzed for crystal structure and chemical composition and the linear and nonlinear optical properties were measured. The compounds were all oprically biaxial and several gave second harmonic signals greater than quartz. Phasematching has been observed in four of the crystals to date.
Ro’s Role in RNA Reconnaissance

The Ro 60 kDa autoantigen binds misfolded RNAs and likely functions in small RNA quality control. In this issue of Cell, Stein et al. (2005) present crystal structures of Ro alone and bound to both double- and single-stranded RNA, revealing two distinct RNA binding sites that suggest how Ro may distinguish between native and misfolded small RNAs.
Microbial oxidation of elemental selenium in soil slurries and bacterial cultures

The microbial oxidation of elemental selenium [Se(0)] was studied by employing 75Se(0) as a tracer. Live, oxic soil slurries demonstrated a linear production of mostly Se(IV), with the formation of smaller quantities of Se(VI). Production of both Se(IV) and Se(VI) was inhibited by autoclaving, formalin, antibiotics, azide, and 2,4-dinitrophenol, thereby indicating the involvement of microbes. Oxidation of Se(0) in slurries was enhanced by addition of acetate, glucose, or sulfide, which implied involvement of chemoheterotrophs as well as chemoautotrophic thiobacilli. Cultures of Thiobacillus ASN-1, Leptothrix MnB1, and a heterotrophic soil enrichment all oxidized Se(0) with Se(VI) observed as the major product rather than Se(IV). This indicated that microbial oxidation in soils is partly constrained by the adsorption of Se(IV) onto soil surfaces. Rate constants for unamended soil slurry Se(0) oxidation ranged from 0.0009 to 0.0117 day-1 which were 3−4 orders of magnitude lower than those reported for dissi...
Mössbauer measurements on iron at high pressure and elevated temperatures

Abstract Mossbauer spectra near the triple point of iron are compared for ferromagnetic α iron and non magnetic ϵ and γ iron. The isomer shifts from α to ϵ and γ iron are −0.096 ± 0.007 and −0.014 ± 0.019 mm/sec respectively.
A physical-statistical model for density control of nanowires

In order to develop a simple, scalable, and cost-effective technique for controlling zinc oxide nanowire array growth density, layer-by-layer polymer thin films were used in a solution-based growth process. The objective of this article is to develop a model connecting the thickness of polymer films to the observed density of nanowires that would enable prediction, and consequently control, of nanowire array density. A physical–statistical model that incorporates available physical knowledge of the process in a statistical framework is proposed. Model parameters are estimated using the maximum likelihood method. Apart from helping scientists achieve the basic objective of prediction control and quantification of uncertainty, the model facilitates a better understanding of the fundamental scientific phenomena that explain the growth mechanism.
Extreme environmental change and evolution: stress-induced morphological variation is strongly concordant with patterns of evolutionary divergence in shrew mandibles.

Morphological structures often consist of simpler traits which can be viewed as either integrated (e.g. correlated due to functional interdependency) or non–integrated (e.g. functionally independent) traits. The combination of a long–term stabilizing selection on the entire structure with a short–term directional selection on an adaptively important subset of traits should result in long historical persistence of integrated functional complexes, with environmentally induced variation and macroevolutionary change confined mostly to non–integrated traits. We experimentally subjected populations of three closely related species of Sorex shrews to environmental stress. As predicted, we found that most of the variation in shrew mandibular shape was localized between rather than within the functional complexes; the patterns of integration did not change between the species. The stress–induced variation was confined to non–integrated traits and was highly concordant with the patterns of evolutionary change—species differed in the same set of non–integrated traits which were most sensitive to stress within each species. We suggest that low environmental and genetic canalization of non–integrated traits may have caused these traits to be most sensitive not only to the environmental but also to genetic perturbations associated with stress. The congruence of stress–induced and between–species patterns of variation in non–integrated traits suggests that stress–induced variation in these traits may play an important role in species divergence.
Conformational states of the insulin receptor.

Summary Insulin binding to the α -subunit of the purified insulin receptor changed the interaction between β -subunits. This conformational change was demonstrated after labeling the receptor's β -subunit by autophosphorylation in the absence of insulin, and then crosslinking the subunits to each other with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate. The covalent oligomers were resolved by reduction and denaturing gel electrophoresis. Insulin increased the rate of crosslinking, especially the formation of β - β dimers. These results support a conformational change following insulin binding, and may reflect the insulin-induced activation of autophosphorylation.
Solvent effects on ester alcoholysis at functionalized polyethylene surfaces

The effects of solvent on the accessibility and reactivity of an ester-bound fluorophore at a functionalized polyethylene-solvent interface have been studied. Fluorophore-labeled polyethylene surfaces were prepared by blending together a small amount of a pyrene esterterminated ethylene oligomer and a host linear low density polyethylene in solution. Films cast from such solutions were then studied by fluorescence spectroscopy to show that a significant number of the entrapped pyrene groups were at the polyethylene-solvent interface and capable of reaction with soluble reagents. Subsequently, transesterification of these ester-bound pyrenes using various sodium alkoxides in alcohol, alcohol-toluene, or alcohol-tetrahydrofuran solvent mixtures was studied by fluorescence and UV-visible spectroscopic analysis of the supernatant. The extent of alcoholysis of such esters was found to be significantly affected by the solvent chosen and by the structure of the alcohol. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Map Interpretation and Classification of Buried Valleys

Buried valleys are classified into two main types — those valleys completely buried by glacial drift, without present streams along their courses (Type I), and those partly buried or partly exhumed, usually with present streams along their courses (Type II). If a stream is flowing mainly in a Type II valley, the bottom of which is deeply buried by drift, local areas where the stream is cutting bedrock are postglacial channels of derangement. Postglacial channels of derangement, which often can be recognized on a topographic map, reveal that a buried valley (often Type I) exists nearby.
An Efficient FFT Algorithm for Superscalar and VLIW Processor Architectures

We have developed a new FFT algorithm for superscalar and very long instruction word (VLIW) processors. By taking advantage of the data independence between butterflies, as well as within each butterfly, and by utilizing a superscalar or VLIW microprocessor's ability to perform multiple operations concurrently, our FFT algorithm speeds up the computation time by a factor of the number of operations that can be issued in a single cycle. Our algorithm computes multiple independent butterflies in parallel by changing the execution order of operations within the butterfly tight loop. We implemented this algorithm on a high-end, commercially available programmable processor and achieved the execution time of 75 ms and 50 ms for complex-valued and real-valued 512 × 512 FFT, respectively. This programmable approach on a set of next-generation microprocessors via the new FFT algorithm provides flexibility and adaptability to new applications and changing requirements, which is a definite advantage over specialized hardware-based solutions.
Correlations between EEG state and spontaneous and evoked axial muscle EMG

The occurrence of changes in the spontaneous EMG activity of the axial muscle lateral longissimus (LL) is highly correlated ( P P
Multidimensional quasi‐linear diffusion of radiation belt electrons

Abstract : We consider diffusion of outer zone radiation belt electrons by chorus waves. Quasi-linear diffusion coefficients valid outside the plasmasphere have only been calculated recently, and indicate that the energy and cross diffusion rates can be comparable to that for pitch angle diffusion. Proper solution of the diffusion equation for phase space density must therefore be based on the full diffusion tensor, but this has been plagued by numerical problems associated with the large and rapidly varying cross terms. To circumvent this, techniques are developed for transforming to variables in which the cross diffusion term vanishes. A model calculation shows significant diffusion of phase space density at L = 4.5 from 0.2 MeV up to a few MeV in less than a day.
Drug Dosing Based on Weight and Body Surface Area: Mathematical Assumptions and Limitations in Obese Adults

The average weight of adults in the United States has increased by 25 pounds (11 kg) over the past 50 years, with a marginal change in height. Drugs are generally dosed according to one of three approaches: fixed dosing, weight-based dosing, or body surface area-based dosing. Dosing based on body weight or body surface area assumes that drug pharmacokinetic parameters increase in proportion with increasing body size. In contrast, dosing drugs on a fixed basis assumes that drug pharmacokinetic parameters do not increase with body size. Unfortunately, early stages of clinical drug development tend to include adults within a narrow range of body size. This study population does not reflect the current U.S. population distribution and does not permit evaluation of the correct relationship between body size and drug clearance. As a consequence, a weight-based or body surface area-based dosing regimen defined during drug development may not be applicable to U.S. patient populations. These dosing strategies are more likely to result in drug overexposure (weight-based approach) or underexposure (body surface area-based approach) among obese patients. Alternate weight descriptors such as ideal body weight, adjusted body weight, fat-free weight, and lean body weight are used to prevent drug overexposure with weight-based dosing, but their benefits and limitations must be understood. Reappraisal of the drug dosing paradigm is needed in this era of rising obesity; however, until drug-specific reviews can be performed, clinical studies must include patients at the extremes of the weight continuum to ensure applicable dose extrapolation for body size.
Applying speculative technique to improve TCP throughput over lossy links

The throughput degradation of transport control protocol (TCP) over lossy links due to the coexistence of congestion losses and link corruption losses is very similar to the degradation of processor performance due to control hazards in CPU design. First, two types of loss events in networks with lossy links can be considered as two possibilities of a branching result (correct speculation vs. incorrect speculation) in a CPU. Secondly, both problems result in performance degradations in their application environments, i.e., penalties (in clock cycles) in a processor, and throughput degradation (in bit per second) in TCP networks. This has motivated us to apply speculative techniques (i.e., speculating on the outcome of branch predictions), used to overcome control dependencies in a processor, to TCP improvements when lossy links are involved in TCP connections. The objective of this paper is to propose a protocol-level speculation based TCP modification to improve its throughput over lossy links. Simulation results show that, compared to other prior research, our proposed algorithm significantly improves TCP throughput in a network with satellite links
Computational design and selections for an engineered, thermostable terpene synthase

Terpenoids include structurally diverse antibiotics, flavorings, and fragrances. Engineering terpene synthases for control over the synthesis of such compounds represents a long sought goal. We report computational design, selections, and assays of a thermostable mutant of tobacco 5-epi-aristolochene synthase (TEAS) for the catalysis of carbocation cyclization reactions at elevated temperatures. Selection for thermostability included proteolytic digestion followed by capture of intact proteins. Unlike the wild-type enzyme, the mutant TEAS retains enzymatic activity at 65°C. The thermostable terpene synthase variant denatures above 80°C, approximately twice the temperature of the wild-type enzyme.
TGF-β1 potentiates astrocytic nitric oxide production by expanding the population of astrocytes that express NOS-2

Both transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) are upregulated under various neuropathological states. Evidence suggests that TGF-beta1 can either attenuate or augment NOS-2 expression, with the prevailing effect dependent on the experimental paradigm employed and the cell-type under study. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of TGF-beta1 on astrocytic NOS-2 expression. In purified astrocyte cultures, TGF-beta1 alone did not induce NOS-2 or NO production. However, NO production induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus IFNgamma was enhanced by TGF-beta1 in a concentration-dependent manner between 10 and 1,000 pg/mL. The presence of IFNgamma was not necessary for this effect to occur, as TGF-beta1 enhanced NO production induced by LPS in a similar fashion. In cultures stimulated with LPS plus IFNgamma, the enhancement of NO production by TGF-beta1 was associated with a corresponding increase in NOS-2 mRNA and protein expression. Interestingly, immunocytochemical assessment of NOS-2 protein expression demonstrated that TGF-beta1 augmented astrocytic NO production, specifically by increasing the pool of astrocytes capable of expressing NOS-2 induced by either LPS (approximately threefold) or LPS plus IFNgamma (approximately sevenfold). In a broader sense, our results suggest that TGF-beta1 recruits a latent population of astrocytes to respond to stimulation by pro-inflammatory mediators.
Sovereignty, Exception, and Norm

Carl Schmitt's Political Theology is the locus classicus of contemporary discussions of sovereignty. I argue that Schmitt's conception of sovereignty is excessively metaphysical and that it posits an incoherent 'sovereign’ ability to decide what shall count as normal. Schmitt follows and radicalizes the late Bodin's claims – themselves the product of a political theology, namely, Bodin 's conversion to Judaism – regarding the necessity of an indivisible and absolute sovereignty. In each, the relation between the executive and the other parts of government is reduced to what Schmitt describes as an ‘either/or.’ This move is a disastrous mistake. The question is not whether exceptions and emergencies such as terrorist attacks are real, but to what extent the executive branch can rightly claim a monopoly on the ability to determine whether an exception exists, and whether its resulting actions will be permanently unchecked and unregulated. Recent work by Bruce Ackerman is a better guide in these matters than the metaphysics of either Schmitt or Bodin.
Side Shadowing Appreciative Inquiry: One Storyteller’s Commentary

This is a commentary on an article by Fitzgerald, Oliver, and Hozsey appearing in this issue of Journal of Management Inquiry. I look at sideshadowing as a way out of the duality of an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) that does not look at critical analysis or collection of non-appreciative stories, and a critical approach that does not do appreciation. I conclude that AI uses a chronotope (defined by Bakhtin as relativity of time and space in narrative) that makes events conform that conforms to the views of positive science, positive organizational behavior, positive leadership, and positive thinking. This commentary therefore supports a more ‘critical’ version to AI.
Opportunities to Increase the Effectiveness of EHR-Based Diabetes Clinical Decision Support

There are many opportunities to improve diabetes care through more effective use of EHR-based CDS. The report of Kantor et al. [16] is encouraging because it demonstrates sustained efforts by leading health care organizations to implement diabetes-related EHR-based CDS. However, lack of sophisticated treatment-specific CDS and lack of prioritized recommendations are a cause for concern. Even more disturbing is the substantive heterogeneity in content of diabetes CDS recommendations now in the field. Some of CDS recommendations described by Kantor et al. [16] are clearly not evidence-based and could increase costs while not improving clinical benefits. The timely identification of these problems is an awkward but necessary first step towards improvement. The health care organizations that are pioneers in the field should be congratulated and encouraged to continue their collaborative efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of EHR-based CDS. Attending to the modest proposals put forward here and by others may help translate the massive investments that we have made in EHR technology into clinical benefits for our patients.
Recommendations for intrauterine contraception: a randomized trial of the effects of patients race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

Objective Recommendations by health care providers have been found to vary by patient race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status and may contribute to health disparities. This study investigated the effect of these factors on recommendations for contraception. Study Design One of 18 videos depicting patients of varying sociodemographic characteristics was shown to each of 524 health care providers. Providers indicated whether they would recommend levonorgestrel intrauterine contraception to the patient shown in the video. Results Low socioeconomic status whites were less likely to have intrauterine contraception recommended than high socioeconomic status whites (odds ratio [OR], 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06–0.69); whereas, socioeconomic status had no significant effect among Latinas and blacks. By race/ethnicity, low socioeconomic status Latinas and blacks were more likely to have intrauterine contraception recommended than low socioeconomic status whites (OR, 3.4; and 95% CI, 1.1–10.2 and OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.0–9.6, respectively), with no effect of race/ethnicity for high socioeconomic status patients. Conclusion Providers may have biases about intrauterine contraception or make assumptions about its use based on patient race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
The role of calcium in the regulation of the steady-state levels of sodium and potassium in the HeLa cell.

Studies on HeLa cells in spinner culture at pH 7.0 and 37° have shown that [Na]i decreased and [K]i increased with increasing [Ca]o. In Na-free (choline) medium [K]i remained high whether or not Ca was present in the medium. [Na]i and [K]i approached a new steady state within 1 min after transfer to Ca-free medium and returned to the initial values within 15 min upon readdition of Ca. 40% of the cell Ca exchanged within 1 min followed by a slow exchange of the remaining Ca over several hours. [Ca]i increased with decreasing [Na]o but was independent of [K]o. Equimolar Mg did not substitute for Ca in maintaining low [Na]i and high [K]i. Under steady-state conditions about 50% of the cell Na exchanged in accordance with a single rate constant. The initial Na influx was 270, 100, and 2.5 µM/liter of cell water/sec for 0, 0.10, and 1.0 mM [Ca]o, respectively. When Na transport was inhibited with strophanthidin and [Na]i and [K]i allowed to reach a steady state, Na influx was more rapid for cells incubated in Ca-free medium than for cells incubated in medium containing 1.0 mM Ca. These results suggest that Ca competes with Na at the cell membrane and thus controls the passive diffusion of Na into the cell.
Finance Constraints, Liquidity, and Investment Spending: Theoretical Restrictions and International Evidence

Abstract Theoretical and empirical models of investment spending have treated financial structure very differently. Recent research has begun to narrow this gap and, based on developments in the economics of information, has drawn theoretical links between investment spending and the frictions and constraints in financial markets. Furthermore, the sensitivity of investment to liquidity and other financial variables has been documented empirically for several industrialized countries. Despite this progress, the theoretical advances have not been exploited fully in econometric work, and questions remain concerning the interpretation of empirical results. To continue to narrow the gap between theoretical and empirical investment models, this paper studies finance constraints in a formal framework, explores their impact on the specification of Q investment equations, and develops two new tests of finance constraints that are evaluated for firms in several countries. While these tests provide some support for the importance of finance constraints, they temper previous conclusions, and highlight the critical role for explicit theoretical models in guiding empirical research. J. Japn. Int. Econ. , June 1997, 11 (2), pp. 185–207. Department of Economics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322-2240.
Locus of Control and Death Anxiety: A Reexamination

The relationship between locus of control and death anxiety was reexamined in an attempt to reconcile inconsistencies in the literature. The Reid-Ware Three Factor Locus of Control Scale and the Templer Death Anxiety Scale were administered to 164 males and 211 female college students who ranged from seventeen to forty-nine years of age. Separate regression analyses indicated that death anxiety loaded significantly on the Fatalism dimension for males and on the Social System Control dimension for females. The Self-Control dimension was significantly related to death anxiety for both genders, and accounted for more of the explained death anxiety variance than either of the other locus of control factors.