cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoids enhance glucose uptake and affect differentiation and beta-adrenergic responsiveness in muscle cell cultures.

Abstract The role of glucocorticoids (GLC) in liver glycogen metabolism is well characterized; its role in peripheral tissues is not as well understood (Baxter, 1976). GLC administration in vivo is associated with hyperglycemia, but it is not clear whether decreased glucose uptake in a peripheral tissue like muscle accounts, in part, for the effect. We investigated the relationship of glucose uptake to β-adrenergic responsiveness in muscle cell cultures exposed to GLC. Under these conditions GLC and other serum factors are present in at least a tenfold dilution relative to in vivo conditions. We observed that the GLC dexamethasone (DEX) induces a significantly enhanced Vmax for deoxyglucose uptake in the rat muscle cell lines L8 (200–400%) and L6E9 (50–100%). DEX inhibits cell fusion and promotes epithelioid morphology within the effective dose range (L8 >L6E9). Growth is slightly enhanced (10–20%) at 0.1–1.0 μM. In these cells DEX also inhibits intracellular β-adrenergic-sensitive cyclic AMP accumulation and reduces basal, catecholamine-sensitive and fluoride-sensitive adenylate cyclase in cell homogenates. The effects of DEX on deoxyglucose uptake and β-adrenergic responsiveness are both dose (1 nM—0.1 nM) and time (1–3 days) dependent, and reversible. The degree of inhibition of the β-adrenergic system seems to be directly related to the degree of enhancement of deoxyglucose uptake. These observations suggest that the action of DEX on muscle cell glucose uptake is related to its effect on the β-adrenergic system.
Irreversible thermodynamics of non-uniform insulating ferromagnets

Abstract Two types of damping are commonly applied to describe ferromagnets at the phenomenological level: one by Landau and Lifshitz, and the other by Gilbert. This work successively applies the methods of irreversible thermodynamics to insulators, insulating paramagnets, and uniform insulating ferromagnets, in the last case uniquely obtaining Landau–Lifshitz damping. These methods are then applied to non-uniform insulating ferromagnets, for which new, non-current-related, spin fluxes and spin torques appear. These may be relevant to the dynamics of magnets in confined geometries, where boundary conditions impose complex non-trivial textures. Study of systems with very large damping might help distinguish between the two proposed forms of damping.
Plaque development, vessel curvature, and wall shear stress in coronary arteries assessed by X-ray angiography and intravascular ultrasound.

The relationships among vascular geometry, hemodynamics, and plaque development in the coronary arteries are complex and not yet well understood. This paper reports a methodology for the quantitative analysis of in vivo coronary morphology and hemodynamics, with particular emphasis placed on the critical issues of image segmentation and the automated classification of disease severity. We were motivated by the observation that plaque more often developed at the inner curvature of a vessel, presumably due to the relatively lower wall shear stress at these locations. The presented studies are based on our validated methodology for the three-dimensional fusion of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and X-ray angiography, introducing a novel approach for IVUS segmentation that incorporates a robust, knowledge-based cost function and a fully optimal, three-dimensional segmentation algorithm. Our first study shows that circumferential plaque distribution depends on local vessel curvature in the majority of vessels. The second study analyzes the correlation between plaque distribution and wall shear stress in a set of 48 in vivo vessel segments. The results were conclusive for both studies, with a stronger correlation of circumferential plaque thickness with local curvature than with wall shear stress. The inverse relationship between local wall shear stress and plaque thickness was significantly more pronounced (p < 0.025) in vessel cross sections exhibiting compensatory enlargement (positive remodeling) without luminal narrowing than when the full spectrum of disease severity was considered. The inverse relationship was no longer observed in vessels where less than 35% of vessel cross sections remained without luminal narrowing. The findings of this study confirm, in vivo, the hypothesis that relatively lower wall shear stress is associated with early plaque development.
A Cdc20-APC Ubiquitin Signaling Pathway Regulates Presynaptic Differentiation

Presynaptic axonal differentiation is essential for synapse formation and the establishment of neuronal circuits. However, the mechanisms that coordinate presynaptic development in the brain are largely unknown. We found that the major mitotic E3 ubiquitin ligase Cdc20-anaphase promoting complex (Cdc20-APC) regulates presynaptic differentiation in primary postmitotic mammalian neurons and in the rat cerebellar cortex. Cdc20-APC triggered the degradation of the transcription factor NeuroD2 and thereby promoted presynaptic differentiation. The NeuroD2 target gene encoding Complexin II, which acts locally at presynaptic sites, mediated the ability of NeuroD2 to suppress presynaptic differentiation. Thus, our findings define a Cdc20-APC ubiquitin signaling pathway that governs presynaptic development, which holds important implications for neuronal connectivity and plasticity in the brain.
Dynamic crack growth along elastic-plastic interfaces

Abstract Asymptotic, plane strain near-tip fields are presented for steadily propagating interface cracks between (1) a ductile solid and a rigid substrate, and (2) two dissimilar ductile solids. The ductile materials are taken to be incompressible, elastic-perfectly plastic and obey the J 2 -flow theory of plasticity. It is shown that the crack-tip region can be considered as being composed of two types of angular plastic sectors: Uniform sectors, in which stresses are constant, and nonuniform sectors. Solutions for the asymptotic crack-tip fields are not unique, and they are represented by various assemblies of the plastic sectors that satisfy the necessary conditions. Some of the solutions are isolated, while others belong to one-parameter families. The crack-tip fields represented by these asymptotic solutions are fully continuous in each of the two component solids, and have nonsingular strains at the crack tip.
Indirect treatment comparison of new oral anticoagulants for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism

Abstract Background Numerous new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been compared to a parenteral anticoagulant/oral vitamin K antagonist (VKA) for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). We aimed to conduct a systematic review and adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of NOACs for this indication. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search through November 2013 for randomized trials that evaluated treatment of acute VTE with a NOAC including rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran and edoxaban. Trials had to report at least one of the following outcomes of interest: mortality, recurrent VTE, recurrent pulmonary embolism (PE), recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or major bleeding. Included trials were evaluated for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. We performed an adjusted indirect comparison meta-analysis to evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of NOACs, reporting relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals for each outcome. Results Six trials (n = 27,069) met inclusion criteria, one each evaluating apixaban and edoxaban and two trials each evaluating rivaroxaban and dabigatran. Risk of bias was low for all trials. NOACS did not differ significantly in the risk of mortality, recurrent VTE, recurrent PE or recurrent DVT. Dabigatran increased major bleeding risk compared to apixaban [RR 2.69 (1.19 to 6.07)] as did edoxaban compared to apixaban [RR 2.74 (1.40 to 5.39)]. Conclusion Although NOACs do not appear to differ in the efficacy of treating acute VTE, data suggests apixaban to be the safer than some of its competitors.
Comparative and immunochemical studies of bovine adenosine deaminases

Abstract 1. 1. Immunolochemical studies are presented which support the suggestion (Ma & Fisher, 1969) that the large and small adenosine deaminases in bovine tissues are different aggregated states of the same monomeric enzyme. 2. 2. Also, it is shown that four of the bovine tissue contain principally the small enzyme, three contain the large enzyme and one contains a mixture of both.
Do I know you? Species recognition operates within and between the sexes in a unisexual-bisexual species complex of mollies

Male sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) can be sexually parasitized by closely related, unisexual, gynogenetic Amazon mollies (Poecilia formosa). This study examined possible cues used by male P. latipinna to distinguish between conspecific females and sympatric, heterospecific P. formosa. Digital photos were used to create models to test male P. latipinna preference for model female P. latipinna and P. formosa with a full suite of traits and altered models of P. latipinna and P. formosa. Male P. latipinna significantly preferred models of either species over no stimulus, demonstrating that models elicit a male response. Males also significantly preferred female P. latipinna models over P. formosa models. We also examined species recognition by female sailfin mollies using the same models, and found that female sailfin mollies significantly preferred to associate with female P. latipinna over P. formosa. These results taken together suggest that the use of fish models yield results similar to those studies using live stimuli. Male preference was then tested for unaltered vs. altered models in the following combinations: (i) P. formosa vs. P. formosa with a female P. latipinna fin; (ii) P. formosa vs. P. formosa with a female P. latipinna lateral spot pattern; (iii) P. formosa vs. P. latipinna with a P. formosa fin and their spotless lateral pattern. Males did not significantly prefer models with any isolated traits over the unaltered P. formosa models. Thus, males may be using traits other than the ones isolated for species recognition or males may be using a suite of multiple traits to recognize conspecific females.
Itema: An Improved Item Analysis Procedure

An item analysis and test-scoring procedure was developed based on a model proposed by Menne (1970). In addition to standard distractor analysis and test scoring, ITEMA includes an interface with data produced by optical scanning equipment. Program features include differential weighting of test items; unique identification of items from question files; and summary analyses suitable for automated gradebook programs. The program can select any part of the test analysis as options.
Anisotropic plasticity and cavity growth during upset forging of Ti-6Al-4V

Abstract Orientation imaging microscopy was used to determine the effect of local crystallographic texture on the nucleation and growth of cavities in Ti–6Al–4V with a colony-α microstructure during upset forging to a 35% height reduction at 815 °C and a strain rate of 0.1 s −1 . In contrast to uniaxial deformation, the stress–strain history in the bulged equatorial region was complex. Cavities developed preferentially along prior-β grain boundaries nominally perpendicular to principal stress directions, particularly where there were 90° colony misorientations, even in regions where global secondary-tension stresses were small or even negative. High cavity nucleation and growth rates were strongly correlated with the 90°-misoriented colonies, regardless of the orientations of the adjacent colonies. A rationale was developed to account for the particular sensitivity of 90°-misorientations based on colony orientation, slip systems, Taylor and Schmid factors, strain ratio and deformation history. Colonies with orientations in which prism slip was highly favored were stable and exhibited strong plastic anisotropy. When a neighboring colony had a 90°-misorientation, highly non-uniform strains developed in the boundary region, resulting in large triaxial stress concentrations that facilitated cavity nucleation and plastic strain conditions that favored cavity growth.
Lower Extremity Strength Is Correlated with Walking Function After Incomplete SCI.

Background: Lower extremity strength has been reported to relate to walking ability, however, the relationship between voluntary lower extremity muscle function as measured by isokinetic dynamometry and walking have not been thoroughly examined in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Objective: To determine the extent to which measures of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and rate of torque development (RTD) in the knee extensor (KE) and plantar flexor (PF) muscle groups correlate with self-selected overground walking speed and spatiotemporal characteristics of walking. Methods: Twenty-two subjects with chronic (≯6 months) iSCI participated in a cross-sectional study. Values for MVIC and RTD in the KE and PF muscle groups were determined by isokinetic dynamometry. Walking speed and spatiotemporal characteristics of walking were measured during overground walking. Results: MVIC in the KE and PF muscle groups correlated significantly with walking speed. RTD was significantly c...
Altered minimal coronary resistance to antegrade reflow after chronic coronary artery occlusion in swine.

We examined coronary pressure-flow relations after chronic coronary artery occlusion induced by placement of an ameroid occluder on the left circumflex coronary artery in swine. An acute open-chest procedure was performed in nine pigs 27 +/- 2 days (mean +/- SEM) after surgical placement of the ameroid occluder, and in eight nonoperated control pigs. Coronary vascular resistances were measured during maximal coronary vasodilation with adenosine. Minimal coronary resistance was assessed before and after cannulation and extracorporeal perfusion of the left circumflex coronary artery distal to the site of the ameroid occluder in pigs from the ameroid group and in a similar site in control pigs. Minimal coronary resistance to antegrade reflow in the left circumflex region was decreased significantly in ameroid pigs compared with control pigs (0.06 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.26 +/- 0.03 mm Hg.min.100 g/ml, p less than 0.001, respectively). Decreased minimal coronary vascular resistance was present transmurally in the left circumflex region of ameroid pigs. Altered vascular resistance occurred only in myocardium distal to the ameroid occluder since the nonoccluded left anterior descending region in ameroid pigs had minimal coronary resistance similar to that of the same region from control pigs (0.23 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.19 +/- 0.02 mm Hg.min.100 g/ml). Thus altered minimal coronary vascular resistance occurs and probably reflects vascular proliferation and/or vascular alterations which result in an increased total cross-sectional area of the vasculature in the myocardium distal to the occlusion.
The Adler condition and high energy bounds on massless particle total cross sections

Abstract We study the problem of deriving high energy bounds on total cross sections for processes in which massless particles can participate. We are able to prove such bounds given the following assumptions 1) Mandelstam analyticity 2) polynomial boundedness 3) smoothness 4) Adler's condition for massless pions or analogous conditions for other massless particles such as neutrinos. The resulting bound is that total cross sections are constant up to powers of logarithims of the energy.
Beyond LDL oxidation: ROS in vascular signal transduction

The notion that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular disease was originally driven by observations that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) modification is a prominent feature of atherosclerosis. More recently, it has become clear that the relation between oxidative stress and vascular disease goes beyond LDL oxidation and involves cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Considerable data now indicate that ROS represent an important means of cellular signaling, although the precise mechanisms whereby ROS accomplish this function remain unclear. Emerging data point to protein thiol groups as important targets for post-translational protein modification by ROS. In this review, the data linking ROS to cell signaling is discussed and the notion that ROS mediate a vascular "injury" response is proposed.
Copper, Zinc-Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Exercising Horses Fed Two Forms of Trace Mineral Supplements

Abstract Nine mature horses were used to evaluate superoxide dismutase (SOD) response to a low-intensity standard exercise test and the effect of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplement form on enzyme activity. The modified switchback experiment was conducted over seven 28-day periods. Horses were conditioned to perform an average daily workload of 3.93 kg∗km∗10 −3 with a digestible energy (DE) demand of approximately 29 Mcal. Following a controlled Cu and Zn repletion-depletion diet sequence, horses were fed a diet intended to be marginally deficient in Cu and Zn with the minerals supplemented in either sulfate or organic chelate forms. Horses were then subjected to a standardized exercise test to enable evaluation of SOD activity during exercise and immediate recovery. In the final analyses, mineral contents of the experimental diets were significantly different ( P
Review of rank-based procedures for multicenter clinical trials.

This article reviews nonparametric alternatives to the mixed model normal theory analysis for the analyses of multicenter clinical trials. Under a mixed model, the traditional analysis is based on maximum likelihood theory under normal errors. This analysis, though, is not robust to outliers. Robust, rank-based, Wilcoxon-type procedures are reviewed for a multicenter clinical trial for the mixed model but without the assumption of normality. These procedures retain the high efficiency of Wilcoxon methods for simple location problems and are based on a fitting criterion which is robust to outliers in response space. A simple weighting scheme can be employed so that the procedures are robust to outliers in factor (design) space as well as response space. These rank-based analyses offer a complete analysis, including estimation of fixed effects and their standard errors, and tests of linear hypotheses. Both rank-based estimates of contrasts and individual treatment effects are reviewed. We illustrate the ana...
Production and employment of Ph.D.'s in computer science—1977 and 1978

This brief report summarizes the results of the third and fourth annual surveys on the production and employment of Ph.D.'s in computer science. Responses were solicited from department chairmen, and aggregated for presentation. Results of the previous surveys were reported in [1] and [2]. Tabular results of the two latest surveys are presented in Tables I-VII. Numbered years in the tables refer to calendar years. Comparisons are made with corresponding data from previous years, and discussion is limited to comments on changes and trends.
Interactions of platinum clusters with a graphite substrate

Density functional theory calculations are used to elucidate the interactions of platinum clusters with graphite; the results are analyzed in terms of geometry, and energetic and electronic properties. Adsorption of platinum clusters from 1 to 38 atoms is evaluated on a 3-layer graphite model structure. The approach includes van der Waals interactions, which have proved to be essential to describe relatively weak interactions. The results show that when interacting with graphite, the clusters tend to slightly wetting the surface. Although the effect is more pronounced in the larger clusters investigated, the energy difference among total, partial, and non-wetting structures in small clusters is very low and may be easily overcome by thermal effects. The van der Waals energy contributes to enhance the graphite-cluster strength and is proportional to the number of interacting atoms at the interface. Small charge transfer takes place from the metallic cluster to the graphite surface and the cluster becomes polarized, with positive values at the interface, and negative values in the top. The interaction with graphite enhances the metallic character of the cluster as shown by density of states analyses. New states resulting from the interaction between graphite and the metal cluster may modify its catalytic behavior.
Direct numerical simulations of a planar jet laden with evaporating droplets

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) study is conducted on the various aspects of phase interactions in a planar turbulent gas-jet laden with non-evaporative and evaporative liquid droplets. A compressible computational model utilizing a finite difference scheme for the carrier gas and a Lagrangian solver for the droplet phase is used to conduct the numerical experiments. The effects of droplet time constant, mass-loading and mass/momentum/energy coupling between phases on droplet and gas-jet fields are investigated. Significant changes in velocity, temperature, density and turbulence production on account of the coupling between the liquid and gas phases are observed in non-isothermal jets with evaporating droplets. Most of these changes are attributed to the density stratification in the carrier gas that is caused by droplet momentum and heat transfer.
The impact of dilute sulfuric acid on the selectivity of xylooligomer depolymerization to monomers.

Abstract The disappearance of xylose and xylooligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization (DP) ranging from 2 to 5 was followed at 160 °C with sulfuric acid added to adjust the pH from near neutral to 1.45, and the impact on the yields of lower DP xylooligomers and xylose monomer was determined. In addition, the experimental data for the disappearance of these xylooligomers was kinetically modeled assuming first-order reaction kinetics for xylose degradation and xylooligomer hydrolysis to evaluate how the pH affected the selectivity of monomer formation from xylooligomers and direct oligomer degradation to unknown products. The yield of xylose from xylooligomers increased appreciably with increasing acid concentration but decreased with increasing xylooligomer DP at a given acid concentration, resulting in more acid being required to realize the same xylose yields for higher DP species. For example, the maximum xylose yields were 49.6%, 28.0%, 13.2% and 3.2% for DP values of 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, at pH 4.75. Kinetic modeling revealed that all the xylooligomers disappeared at a higher rate compared to xylose monomer and the disappearance rate constant increased with DP at all pH. The kinetics for lower DP oligomers of 2 and 3 showed that these species directly degrade to unknown compounds in the absence of acid. On the other hand, higher oligomers of DP 4 and 5 exhibited negligible losses to degradation products at all pH. Therefore, only xylooligomers of DP 2 and 3 were found to directly degrade to undesired products in the absence of acid, but more work is needed to determine how higher DP species behave. This study also revealed that the source of water and the material used for the construction of the reactor impacted xylose degradation kinetics.
How to observe molecule-surface energy transfer mediated by the “harpooning” mechanism

Abstract In the “harpooning” mechanism, energy is transferred between a molecule and a surface to the degree that charge transfer is delayed as a molecular affinity level traverses the Fermi energy. Thus in contrast to other energy-transfer mechanisms, in the “harpooning” process, more energy is transferred if the local density of states at the Fermi energy (EF-LDOS) is lower, and conversely. Electronic structure calculations have recently shown that one can lower the EF-LDOS at a transition-metal surface without changing the charge density there appreciably, by introducing low coverages of electronegative modifier atoms (e.g., P, S or Cl). When “harpooning” is dominant, this should cause an increase in scattering inelasticity and in sticking.
Elastic Properties of Polycrystalline Yttrium Oxide, Dysprosium Oxide, Holmium Oxide, and Erbium Oxide: Room Temperature Measurements

The Young's and shear moduli of polycrystalline yttrium oxide, dysprosium oxide, holmium oxide, and erbium oxide were determined at room temperature as a function of volume fraction porosity using the sonic resonance technique. Linear relations empirically described the data for Y2O3, Hr2O3, and Er2O3. The Young's and shear moduli data for Dy2O3 were empirically described by Hasselman's and Spriggs’equations, respectively. The empirical curves which best fit the data were compared to theoretical expressions and agreed closely with a modified form of Mackenzie's equation. Values for bulk modulus, Poisson's ratio, and the Debye temperature were computed for each oxide, and the bulk modulus-volume relation was determined and compared to that of other oxides.
Preventive strategies for central line-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Background Few studies have described preventive strategies for central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. Methods We performed a pilot intervention study in our pediatric HSCT population in 2006-2008 and compared CLABSI rates before and after implementation of preventive strategies (ie, training staff and caregivers in procedures for dressing changes and drawing blood) in the inpatient, outpatient, and non–health care (ie, home) settings. We also studied the pathogens associated with hospital-onset versus community-onset CLABSIs. Results During the study period, 90 children (median age, 10 years) underwent HSCT. Fifty-nine children (66%) developed a CLABSI; 18 in the hospital, 27 in the community, and 14 in both settings. After implementation of central line (CL) maintenance care strategies, the overall CLABSI rate declined from 10.03 to 3.00 CLABSIs per 1,000 CL-days (rate ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.5, P P = .02). Conclusions Standardization of care practices for CL maintenance was associated with a reduction of CLABSIs in our pediatric HSCT population. A multicenter study is needed to confirm these observations.
Experience and Innovation: Reflections on Emerging Practice with New Media in Education.

In 1986, the Trustees of Teachers College established the Institute for Learning Technologies (ILT) with the mission of using digital technologies as means to effect humane reform in education. During ILT's first years, we developed initial ideas about the potential for networked multimedia as transformative forces in educational practice. At the time, these ideas struck most funders as too visionary and impracticable. We struggled to find implementation opportunities, prototyping some possibilities on a small scale internally and on a larger scale at the Dalton School. By 1990 we were ready to test the power of networked multimedia as an agent of change in education in the arena of institutional practice. Over the past ten years, these explorations have been ILT's primary activity.
Radiographic study of gastric emptying in premature infants.

Radiographic methods were used in this study of the gastric emptying times of 148 premature infants. Three groups were fed either milk formula, glucose water, or distilled water. In the group fed milk formula significant emptying began at 4 to 5 hours, and the median time for the group was 5 to 6 hours. In the group fed glucose water, significant emptying began at 3 to 4 hours, and the median time was 4 to 5 hours. In the group fed distilled water, results were similar to those of the latter group. These data differ from those reported in the literature for fullterm infants.
Visualizing occupancy of library study space with GIS maps

Purpose – This research seeks to observe the occupancy of study areas in a university library over a period of several months with the aim of evaluating the efficiency of library resources usage.Design/methodology/approach – In undertaking the research, study facilities of a library, such as chairs, sofas, carrels, and tables, were first drawn as features on maps using a GIS application. Geospatial databases were then created to store data of occupancy of the facilities by library users, which were observed by the author. On connecting records in the databases to features on the maps, GIS functions were explored to analyze observed data and exhibit the analytical results on the maps.Findings – The findings of this research challenge the predominant opinion that insists that academic library users have a preference of study carrels over tables for studying. Instead, the research reveals that student users tend to select tables to study, especially tables equipped with electrical and internet connections. A...
Discrimination learning: squirrels vs raccoons.

Summary.-Squirrels and raccoons were compared in terms of their discrimination performance with respect tc such form parameters as sidedness, axial roration, and areal asymmetry. Sixteen rwo-choice discriminarion problems were used; two problems from each of the eight classes representing the possible combinations of the presence and absence of differences in each of these three stimulus characteristics. When all three characteristics were equated between the two figures comprising a problem, the number of correct responses did not exceed chance. Differences berween the members of a problem in terms of rhese three dimensions resulted in discriminarion performance significantly above chance. Rotation was the most significant single cue, and rotation with sidedness the most effective combination for both animals. For the squirrels, performance was comparable for all problems containing differences in asymmetry, though the more efficient cues of rotation and rotation and sidedness in combination were also present. The performance of the raccoons was also reduced in the presence of asymmetry cues, though rhese animals, unlike the squirrels, did appear capable of using the cue of rotation when asymmetry cues were also available. These data are seen as confirming the value of a quantitative approach to the comparative study of the discrimination behavior of the sub-primates, particularly since the squirrels and raccoons appear to utilize information differently. In previous studies it has been demonstrated that certain quantified dimensions of random patterns could be reliably related to the visual discrimination performance of both human (Brown, Hitchcock, & Michels, 1962) and sub-human (Michels, Pittman, Hitchcock, & Brown, 1962) Ss. In particular, both studies demonsrrated that figural complexiry (sidedness) was highly related to ease of discrimination and suggested thar areal asymmetry and roration were also important to discrimination performance. The present study is an extension of these studies and serves to investigate further the extent to which quantitative form characcerisrics may be reliably related to discrimination behavior. As such, rhe study is relevant to the ultimace goal of developing a psychophysics of form perception. The srudy was also designed to be of significance to comparative psychology in the choice of experimental subjects. Other studies (Johnson & Michels, 1958; Michels &
The blood/vascular system in a phylogenetic perspective

The genetically and experimentally accessible organs of Drosophila, such as the heart or blood-forming tissues, have become a fertile ground for systematic projects of gene discovery and for functional studies of gene networks and signaling pathways. One argument justifying this approach is the often-tacit assumption that clear-cut homologies can be established between the Drosophila organs and their vertebrate counterparts. Here we investigate this assumption by surveying pertinent aspects of vascular structure and development in different invertebrate phyla, in the hope that this information will help to reveal the ancestral condition of the vascular system. Evolutionary scenarios that derive the structure of the cardiovascular system of extant animal taxa from the ancestral condition will be used to qualify hypotheses regarding homologies that are based on molecular similarities.
Phase Sensitivity and Entrainment in a Modeled Bursting Neuron

A model of neuron R15 in Aplysia was used to study the mechanisms determining the phase-response curve (PRC) of the cell in response to both extrinsic current pulses and modeled synaptic input and to compare entrainment predictions from PRCs with those from actual simulations. Over the range of stimulus parameters studied, the PRCs of the model exhibited minimal dependence upon stimulus amplitude, and a strong dependence upon stimulus duration. State-space analysis of the effect of transient current pulses provided several important insights into the relationship between the PRC and the underlying dynamics of the model, such as a correlation between the prestimulus concentration of Ca2+ and the poststimulus phase of the oscillation. The system nullclines were also found to provide well-defined limits upon the perturbatory extent of a hyperpolarizing input. These results demonstrated that experimentally applied current pulses are sufficient to determine the shape of the PRC in response to a synaptic input, provided that the duration of the current pulse is of a duration similar to that of the evoked synaptic current. Furthermore, we found that predictions of phase-locked 1:m entrainment from PRCs were valid, even when the duration of the periodically applied pulses were a significant portion of the control limit cycle.
The Spatial Structure of Large U. S. Law Firms

Large law firms exert a disproportionate influence over the structure and practice of the legal profession. The spatial structure of these corporations, including the distribution of headquarters and branch offices and their interlinkages, is poorly understood. This paper explores the geography of domestic employment among the largest U. S. 500 law firms using linkage analysis. It highlights the concentration of such firms in large cities and the particular importance of New York and Washington, D. C. In the international arena, U. S. law firms are highly influential. The paper examines the spatial distribution of overseas employment by large U. S. law firms and utilizes input-output analysis to explore the domestic employment impacts of foreign legal services exports.
The effect of Anodamine on the corrosion behavior of 1018 mild steel in deionized water: II. Electrochemical Impedance Analysis

Abstract Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has been used to explore the corrosion and electrochemical behavior of 1018 mild steel (MS) in deaerated, deionized water containing different concentrations of the filming amine inhibitor Anodamine. The Point Defect Model (PDM) was optimized on the EIS data using the newly-developed procedure to study the mitigation mechanism of Anodamine. The optimization results suggest that, as the concentration of Anodamine increases, the pore resistance of the adsorbed inhibitor, the charge transfer resistance, and the Warburg coefficient associated with the transport of redox species through the porous outer layer of the passive film increase, with the latter being the primary cause of inhibition. Accordingly, the hydrophobic layer of adsorbed Anodamine becomes more protective and the inhibitory effect of Anodamine is enhanced as its concentration increases. In addition, within the passive range, increased applied anodic potential enhances the adsorption of Anodamine and hence enhances its inhibitory effect.
Token economy: Patient and staff changes

Abstract A token economy program conducted with severely regressed, “backward” state hospital patients is described. An evaluation of the effects of the reinforcement program after one year has revealed substantial gains in patient eating, grooming, and dressing behavior and involvement in activities on and off the ward. In addition, several measures of staff attitudes toward patients evidence meaningful gains in staff expectations about the treatability of patients and the degree of the latters' psychological deficit.
Estimating Presidential Elections: The Importance of State Fixed Effects and the Role of National Versus Local Information

Explaining the outcome of presidential elections is central to any model of American government. Previous researchers have found that economic conditions explain a substantial portion of the variation in vote outcomes. We make two contributions to this literature. First, we show that state partisan predisposition is the most important explanatory variable for the period 1972–1992. Several states are simply out of reach for one of the parties, no matter how favorable is the information about their candidate. Second, we find that national economic indicators have an effect on votes that is an order of magnitude larger than state-level aggregates. Presidents who try to curry favor with certain states through pork barrel projects are unlikely to be rewarded with large vote margins. Our model does a reasonable job forecasting the state-level vote for the 1996 election when the actual economic conditions are used as regressors. None the less we are skeptical that these type of models can accurately forecast the Electoral College winner because of the wide confidence intervals on each state’s vote forecast and the potential error in predicted economic conditions.
Ares I design for operability

As part of the Constellation Program, engineers at NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama are working to design and build the Ares I, the first of two large launch vehicles to return humans to the Moon and beyond. A deliberate effort was made to ensure a high level of operability in order to significantly increase safety and availability as well as reduce recurring costs of this new launch vehicle. It was the Ares Project's goal to instill operability as part of the requirements development, design and operations of the vehicle. To support this intent, the Constellation Program defined NASA Needs, Goals, and Objectives (NGO) encapsulating project direction to optimize the vehicle design for efficiencies in production, operations, testing and maintenance. The NGOs provided the framework for “Operability” requirements and design guidance for operable influences regarding the vehicle. This paper documents the past and current design phases and the supporting processes, tools, and methodology for designing operability into the Ares I Launch Vehicle. The content addresses the key operability requirements, system readiness activities, international launch vehicle benchmarking activities, operability assessments, and lessons learned. We discuss the interrelationships within the Ares I Project organization as well interdependencies with the Constellation Program. Based on lessons learned, the last section of this paper will describe proposed organizational and process improvements, and tool enhancements for future projects/programs. 1 2
Simulation of production systems in East Africa by use of interfaced forage and cattle models

Abstract A forage model and a cattle production model were interfaced and adapted for tropical production conditions in East Africa. The objectives of the modelling were to structure and conceptualise a complex system for better comprehension, thereby determining constraints on a traditional African grazing system. The model was designed to simulate the physical linkages between the scarce resource of forage and the outputs of cattle, meat and milk. The effects of improved management practices were examined for a traditional village livestock grazing system. Verification and validation for the baseline village herd were carried out using several different sources of data. A combination of a restricted breeding season, supplemental feeding during the dry season and a seasonal sales policy resulted in a 40% increase in net revenue to village producers above the baseline for a ten-year period.
High-performance liquid chromatographic separation and partial characterization of the α- and β-chains of Alaskan sockeye salmon hemoglobin

Abstract The life cycle of the sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) includes both fresh water early development and oceanic adult periods. These salmon have multiple hemoglobins whose functional and evolutionary significance is still unresolved. The presence of these various hemoglobins may be advantageous to assuring adequate oxygen transport over a wide variety of environmental conditions. Functional differences between hemoglobin components in oxygen affinity, thermal stability and autoxidation have been reported. In order to better understand the molecular basis of these functional properties of the hemoglobin components, we have identified and characterized several of the polypeptide chains of sockeye salmon hemoglobins. The hemoglobin components were separated by chromatography into cathodal and anodal components. These components were then resolved by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. A gradient system was developed which could separate seven polypeptide chains. Amino acid compositions and sequence analysis of the polypeptide chains allowed the classification of some of the polypeptide chains as their α- orβ-chains.
Stimulus complexity and information integration in the spontaneous interpretations of line graphs

Viewers of a graph will readily interpret its contents, even when given no explicit instructions regarding what information to extract. However, little is known about the strategies that subjects adopt when making such spontaneous interpretations. In the present experiments, subjects studied single-function line graphs for self-determined periods. They provided written interpretations immediately following examination of each graph. The structural complexity of stimulus graphs was varied by eliminating symmetry, and by adding data points, departures from linearity, and trend reversals. Across two experiments, number of trend reversals was the main determinant of comprehension difficulty as measured by study times. An increased number of reversals also resulted in more local, detail-oriented content in interpretations. By contrast, the presence of such emergent features as symmetry and linearity led to increases in the amount of integrative, global content in interpretations, usually at the expense of local detail. Surprisingly, increases in the number of data points led to similar increases in the grain of subjects' interpretations. The last finding may reflect a shift from point-by-point to integrative study strategies necessitated by capacity limitations in working memory. Language: en
Femtosecond Polarized Pump-Probe and Stimulated Emission Spectroscopy of the Isomerization Reaction of Rhodopsin

The isomerization reaction of retinal in bovine rhodopsin was studied by femtosecond optical techniques. Probing at near-IR wavelengths allowed detection of stimulated emission, the rise and decay of which was too fast to be resolved with our 70 fs pulses. The fast dynamics of the emission suggest a multidimensional potential energy surface for isomerization, possibly involving carbon double-bond stretching in addition to bond torsion, as previously invoked for model systems by quantum mechanical calculations. A polarized pump−probe measurement of the appearance of the first isomerization product, bathorhodopsin, at 580 nm shows that the initial direction of the retinal electronic transition dipole moment in this product could be as much as 30° away from the original direction, as deduced from an anisotropy of 0.25. If this is the case, there would need to be significant electronic changes and charge translocations accompanying the reaction. The anisotropy settles, with an exponential fit time constant of...
Economic evaluation of smoke alarm distribution methods in Baltimore, Maryland

Objective This paper analyses costs and potential lives saved from a door-to-door smoke alarm distribution programme using data from a programme run by the Baltimore City Fire Department in 2010–2011. Design We evaluate the impact of a standard home visit programme and an enhanced home visit programme that includes having community health workers provide advance notice, promote the programme, and accompany fire department personnel on the day of the home visit, compared with each other and with an option of not having a home visit programme (control). Results Study data show that the home visit programme increased by 10% the number of homes that went from having no working alarm to having any working alarm, and the enhanced programme added an additional 1% to the number of homes protected. We use published reports on the relative risk of death in homes with and without a working smoke alarm to show that the standard programme would save an additional 0.24 lives per 10 000 homes over 10 years, compared with control areas and the enhanced home visit programme saved an additional 0.07 lives compared with the standard programme. The incremental cost of each life saved for the standard programme compared with control was $28 252 per death averted and $284 501per additional death averted for the enhanced compared with the standard. Conclusions Following the US guidelines for the value of a life, both programmes are cost effective, however, the standard programme may offer a better value in terms of dollars per death averted. The study also highlights the need for better data on the benefits of current smoke alarm recommendations and their impact on injury, death and property damage.
Elusive Illusions: Reality Judgment and Reality Assignment in Dreams and Waking Life

This paper presents some proposals about the nature of reality monitoring during sleep and its neurobiological basis. An example of a dream from a psychoanalytic treatment is described in which the dreamer saw his deceased father alive. The dreamer judged in the dream that he had fantasized this before, but in the dream, “this was real.” This example is used to explore several questions: (1) To what degree are the reality-monitoring systems of dreaming and waking unitary or separate? (2) Is “reality” a property of experience that is perceived or assigned? (3) How do affective considerations shape our perception or assignment of reality? (4) Does death of a loved one have a special capacity to modify reality judgments? Finally, (5) what can we learn from neurological data about these psychological phenomena? Data from neuropsychological studies of many types are cited that implicate frontal limbic areas, especially the anterior cingulate, in the process of distinguishing fantasy, dream, and waking reality.
Primary Intraocular Lymphoma

Primary intraocular lymphoma, recently suggested to be renamed primary retinal lymphoma, is a subset of primary central nervous system lymphoma and is usually an aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Between 56% and 85% of patients who initially present with primary intraocular lymphoma alone will develop cerebral lesions. Patients typically complain of decreased vision and floaters, most likely secondary to the chronic vitritis and subretinal lesions. The diagnosis of primary intraocular lymphoma can be difficult to make and requires tissue for diagnosis. The atypical lymphoid cells are large and display a high nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio, prominent nucleoli, and basophilic cytoplasm. Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytokine analysis, and gene rearrangements also aid in the diagnosis. Local and systemic treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, are employed, although the relapse rate remains high.