cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atomoxetine for weight reduction in obese women: a preliminary randomised controlled trial.

Atomoxetine is a potent central norepinephrine uptake inhibitor, currently marketed for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). With the understanding that noradrenergic agents could be useful in assisting obese individuals to lose weight, we conducted this preliminary study to evaluate short-term efficacy and safety of atomoxetine in obese adults. At 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, conducted at Duke University Medical Centre, USA, from May 2004 to December 2004. A total of 30 obese women (mean (s.e.) body mass index of 36.1 (0.6) kg/m2). Participants were randomly assigned to receive atomoxetine (n=15) or placebo (n=15). All participants were advised to follow a balanced hypocaloric diet (500 kcal/day deficit). Atomoxetine therapy was started at 25 mg/day orally, with gradual increase to 100 mg/day over 1 week. Placebo dosing was identical. Body weight in kilograms was the primary outcome measure. Other measurements included waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate, fasting plasma glucose and lipids, and depressive symptoms. Last-observation-carried-forward analysis of the available data for participants who had completed at least one post-randomisation assessment, demonstrated that the atomoxetine group (n=12) lost more body weight over the 12-week period than the placebo (n=14) group (mean (s.e.) −3.6 (1.0) kg (−3.7% loss) vs 0.1 (0.4) kg (0.2% gain); F4,96=11.9; P<0.0001). Three participants in the atomoxetine group and none in the placebo group lost ⩾5% weight. Side effects were minimal. Atomoxetine demonstrated modest short-term weight loss efficacy relative to placebo in this preliminary study of obese women.
Symmetrized-basis LASTO calculations of defects in CdTe and ZnTe

The electronic structures of defects (vacancies and donor-vacancy pair) in CdTe and ZnTe are studied with a full-potential linearized augmented Slater-type orbital (LASTO) code. A symmetrized basis is constructed, which improves the computation efficiency of the LASTO code by two orders of magnitude when applied to large supercells with high point symmetry. Thus, we can model defects in CdTe via a large supercell (up to 128 atoms) with only modest computation effort. The lattice relaxation, the formation energy, and the energy position of defect levels for various charged states are determined. The theoretical results are compared with available experimental data and previous theoretical studies.
mechanisms of fatigue crack retardation following single

In ingot metallurgy (IM) alloys, the number of delay cycles following a single tensile overload typically increases from a minimum at an intermediate baseline stress intensity range, ΔKB, with decreasing ΔKB approaching threshold and increasing ΔKB approaching unstable fracture to produce a characteristic “U”-shaped curve. Two models have been proposed to explain this behavior. One model is based on the interaction between roughness and plasticity-induced closure, while the other model only utilizes plasticity-induced closure. This article examines these models using experimental results from constant amplitude and single overload fatigue tests performed on two powder metallurgy (PM) aluminum alloys, AL-905XL and A A 8009. The results indicate that the “U”-shaped curve is primarily due to plasticity-induced closure, and that the plasticity-induced retardation effect is through-thickness in nature, occurring in both the surface and interior regions. However, the retardation effect is greater at the surface, because the increase in plastic strain at the crack tip and overload plastic zone size are larger in the plane-stress surface regions than in the plane-strain interior regions. These results are not entirely consistent with either of the proposed models.
Monoclonal antibody with high affinity for 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Abstract We have developed a monoclonal antibody capable of detecting 1 pg/ml of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. At a dilution of 1:80,000 of ascitic fluid this antibody has an apparent K D of 3.3 × 10 −11 ML −1 . The immunogen used was a vitamin D analogue, calcitroic acid [1α, 3 β-dihydroxy-9, 10 seco-24-nor 5,7,10 (19) cholatriene-23-oic acid], conjugated to bovine serum albumin. Although this antibody is extremely sensitive, it also recognizes other important vitamin D 3 metabolites.
Hepatic ornithine decarboxylase activity in the rat as influenced by retinyl acetate and ethanol or tryptophan.

Abstract Ethanol and tryptophan have been demonstrated earlier to induce a rapid stimulation of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in overnight-fasted rats. In this study the effect of the administration of retinyl acetate prior to administering ethanol or tryptophan was investigated. The levels of ODC activity in the livers of control and experimental rats were assayed in vitro by measuring the release of 14 CO 2 from dl -[1- 14 C]ornithine. Intraperitoneal administration of retinyl acetate (1 μg/100 g body wt) 1 hr before tube feeding ethanol (0.75 g as a 50% solution/100 g body wt) or l -tryptophan (30 mg in 3 ml water/100 g body wt) and 3 hr before killing caused an enhanced stimulation of hepatic ODC activity compared to that when each agent was administered alone. In vitro [ 14 C]leucine incorporation into protein using hepatic microsomes of tryptophan-treated rats with or without retinyl acetate was increased in comparison with that of controls while decreases were observed when using microsomes of ethanol-treated rats with or without retinyl acetate. Although retinyl acetate has been reported earlier to inhibit the stimulation of hepatic ODC activity due to a variety of agents, including some agents known as carcinogens or promoters, it did not act in this manner against the acute administration of ethanol or tryptophan.
Immunological similarity between the insulin receptor and the protein encoded by the src oncogene.

Insulin receptors resemble receptors for certain growth factors (epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor I) in that all possess tyrosine-specific protein kinase activity. These cell surface receptors resemble protein kinases encoded by viral oncogenes in that both groups of enzymes phosphorylate proteins on tyrosine. Recently, we reported that there is immunological similarity between the insulin receptor and pp60src [the protein encoded by the src oncogene of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)]. This is supported by the observation that anti-pp60src antiserum (TBR serum) immunoprecipitated radiolabeled insulin receptors derived from cultured human cells (IM-9 lymphoblasts and U-937 monocytes) and rabbit liver. Moreover, highly purified preparations of src protein inhibit the immunoprecipitation of insulin receptors by TBR serum, and the inhibition is correlated with the src kinase activity present in the preparation used. However, two observations suggested that ther...
Theme park mobility in disaster scenarios

In this paper, we propose a scenario-specific human mobility model (TP-D) in theme parks. We focus on the disaster scenarios which have significant differences compared to the ordinary mobility behavior of the theme park visitors. The main goal of the theme park operation in disaster scenarios is the evacuation of the visitors from the disaster areas. We first model theme park as a combination of roads, obstacles, lands, and disaster events. We use real theme park maps for generating the theme park models. We incorporate the macro and micro mobility behaviors of the visitors in theme park models. We use the social force concept to model the impact of social interactions on the micro mobility of the visitors. Macro mobility decisions are based on the local knowledge of the visitors, the waypoints, and the disaster events. We analyze and compare the results of the simulation of our model with simulations of currently used models and real-world GPS traces of visitor movement.
Clustering in multiple production

The notion of clustering in many-particle production is defined and applied to experimental situations. We argue that the existence of clusters is strongly suggested by a number of correlations which have recently been observed in high-energy experiments, and call attention to strategies for studying the properties of produced clusters.
Validation of technetium-99m stannous pyrophosphate myocardial scintigraphy for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction more than 48 hours old when serum creatine kinase-mb has returned to normal

Abstract Determination of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzymes is the current method of choice for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) > 48 hours old. However, other causes of enzyme elevation make the availability of an alternate method of diagnosis worthwhile. Accordingly, serial technetium-99m pyrophosphate scintigrams were obtained in 61 patients with transmural AMI and in 46 patients with subendocardial AMI. Imaging was performed in all 107 patients at the time creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) was present 37 ± 18 hours (range 12 to 72) after the onset of AMI, and at the time CK-MB was absent 106 ± 34 hours (range 48 to 168) after the onset of AMI. At the time CK-MB was absent, the sensitivity using either a regional or a diffuse positive scintigram was 95% (58 of 61 patients) for transmural AMI and 65% (30 of 46 patients) for subendocardial AMI. The sensitivity using a regional positive scintigram was 82% (50 of 61 patients) for transmural AMI and 37% (17 of 46 patients) for subendocardial AMI. The sensitivity using a high-grade regional positive scintigram was 36% (22 of 61 patients) for transmural AMI and 11% (5 of 46 patients) for subendocardial AMI. The specificity was 70% (143 of 204 patients) for either a regional or a diffuse abnormality, 92% (187 of 204 patients) for a regional abnormality, and 100% (204 of 204 patients) for a high-grade regional abnormality. Thus, pyrophosphate scintigraphy is useful in confirming the diagnosis of AMI, particularly transmural, > 48 hours old and when CK-MB has returned to normal. A positive scintigram with a high-grade regional abnormality is specific for a recent AMI and may be contributory in establishing the diagnoses when LDH isoenzymes are inconclusive.
Adaptive acid tolerance response of Listeria monocytogenes strains under planktonic and immobilized growth conditions

The acid resistance of Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated: (i) after short (shock) or long-term (adaptation during growth) exposure to reduced (5.5) or neutral (7.2) pH in a liquid (broth) medium or on a solid surface (agar), and (ii) after growth on the surface of ham and turkey slices or in homogenates of these products. Three L. monocytogenes strains (serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b and 4b) were individually inoculated at: (i) 10(4)-10(5)CFU/ml in tryptic soy broth with 0.6% yeast extract (TSBYE) or on tryptic soy agar with 0.6% yeast extract (TSAYE) at pH 7.2 with 1% (+G) or without (-G) glucose of or TSBYE and TSAYE with 0.25% glucose at pH 5.5 (lactic acid) and incubated at 20°C, and (ii) 10(2)-10(3)CFU/cm(2) on ham and turkey slices (pH 6.39-6.42; formulated with potassium lactate and sodium diacetate) or in their homogenates (1:4 and 1:9; representing viscous [slurry] and liquid residues [purge], respectively), and stored at 10°C. The acid resistance of each strain was assessed in TSBYE of pH 3.5 (lactic acid) for strains growing in broth or on agar surfaces, and in TSBYE of pH 1.5 (HCl) for strains growing on ham and turkey slices or in their homogenates. Habituation at pH 5.5 for 3 or 24h at 20°C increased acid (pH 3.5) resistance of all strains compared to the control (pH 7.2). Cells grown on the surface of TSAYE-G (pH 7.2 or 5.5) showed higher resistance than cells grown in broth (TSBYE-G), whereas the opposite was observed for cells grown on TSAYE + G or in TSBYE + G. Growth of L. monocytogenes on meat product slices was markedly slower than in homogenates. Pathogen reductions following exposure to pH 1.5, after 10 and 27days of storage were strain-dependent and in the ranges of 0.5-2.5, 1.3-4.5 and 4.0-7.6 log units for cells grown on product slices in 1:4 and 1:9 homogenates, respectively. The results suggest that L. monocytogenes cells growing on food surfaces or in viscous matrices may show higher resistance to lethal acid conditions than cells growing in liquid substrates.
Scaling analysis applied to the NORVEX code development and thermal energy flight experiment

A scaling analysis is used to study the dominant flow processes that occur in molten phase change material (PCM) under 1 g and microgravity conditions. Results of the scaling analysis are applied to the development of the NORVEX (NASA Oak Ridge Void Experiment) computer program and the preparation of the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) flight experiment. The NORVEX computer program which is being developed to predict melting and freezing with void formation in a 1 g or microgravity environment of the PCM is described. NORVEX predictions are compared with the scaling and similarity results. The approach to be used to validate NORVEX with TES flight data is also discussed. Similarity and scaling show that the inertial terms must be included as part of the momentum equation in either the 1 g or microgravity environment (a creeping flow assumption is invalid). A 10(exp -4) environment was found to be a suitable microgravity environment for the proposed PCM.
OPTIMAL ROAD CAPACITY AND THE "UNECONOMIC" REGION OF PRODUCTION

This paper formulates a model of optimal road capacity in the presence of unpriced congestion. The model includes the assumption that the peak traffic volume may fall below the capacity of the highway because of a large level of traffic density. The analysis in the paper shows that the optimal equilibrium outcome falls in this range if the cost of road capacity is relatively high and/or if travel demand is price elastic. A numerical example is included to illustrate the use of the model.
A VBA‐based Simulation for Teaching Simple Linear Regression

Summary In spite of the name, simple linear regression presents a number of conceptual difficulties, particularly for introductory students. This article describes a simulation tool that provides a hands-on method for illuminating the relationship between parameters and sample statistics.
Integrated Modeling of C4 Interconnects

An extensive methodology for the numerical modeling of C4 interconnects in flip chip organic packages is presented, with particular emphasis on the variability introduced by the manufacturing process. A number of different analytical and experimental techniques are used to develop a complete mechanical model of the interconnect, in order to infer the characteristics of various packaging options with respect to the reliability of C4 interconnects. A fully parametric "macroscopic" finite element model of the entire module (laminate, underfill, chip, lid structure) is first constructed, and is used to define boundary conditions for "microscopic" models of the interconnects. A flexible software system that allows the complete parameterization of the module (in terms of its topology, scales, and material properties) is described. The geometry of the interconnect is calculated parametrically from first principles using a model of the solder joint in fluid phase, taking into account various properties of the interconnect such as the solder volume, the pad diameters, the relative position of the pads, etc. Data validating this fluid model on BGA and on C4 solder balls are also presented. Finally, the variability inherent to manufacturing flip chip packages is emulated by sampling some of the model parameters from random distributions (examples of such parameters include laminate warpage and solder joint volume, and their influence on global package properties, such as the underfilled gap between laminate and chip). Illustrative examples of applying this methodology for problem solving in a manufacturing environment are also presented.
Functional interactions in cytochrome P450BM3. Evidence that NADP(H) binding controls redox potentials of the flavin cofactors.

NADP(H) binding is essential for fast electron transfer through the flavoprotein domain of the fusion protein P450BM3. Here we characterize the interaction of NADP(H) with the oxidized and partiall...
Verapamil effects in AV node reentry tachycardia with intermittent supra-Hisian AV block.

Abstract The electrophysiologic details of two patients with atrioventricular (AV) node reentry tachycardia with intermittent 2:1 supra-Hisian block are presented. Both patients had clear evidence for atrial arrhythmias as well, emphasizing the need for a careful diagnostic analysis. Evidence supporting a diagnosis of AV node reentry tachycardia included: (1) short ventriculoatrial (VA) coupling intervals, (2) normal retrograde sequence of atrial activation, (3) dependence on critical AV node conduction times for initiation of tachycardia by atrial pacing, (4) ability to pace and capture the atria or ventricles without interrupting the tachycardia, and (5) fixed VA coupling intervals despite changes in tachycardia cycle length. Ten milligrams of verapamil was administered during sustained supraventricular tachycardia with 1:1 AV conduction, but despite prompt termination of tachycardia in both cases, 2:1 AV block was not induced. Atrial echoes could still be induced after verapamil, and diagnostic features (3) and (5) were particularly evident after the drug. Further analysis confirmed that verapamil did not have any observable effects on the likely site for supra-Hisian block—that is, the “final common pathway” of the AV node. This would support a contention that verapamil may have a selective effect on tissues within the confines of the AV node.
Inclusion of inter-temporal constraints into a distributed Newton-Raphson method

Newton-Raphson based methods are widely used for solving Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problems. Convergence can be sensitive to the starting point of the algorithm, the step size, and the condition number of the Jacobian. The inclusion of inter-temporal constraints, i.e., constraints that link successive time steps in the optimization, can in certain cases cause the Jacobian to become singular and Newton-Raphson to diverge. These cases occur when the binding inter-temporal constraints do not fulfill the Linear Independence Constraint Qualification (LICQ). In this paper, we discuss the conditions under which this happens, and analyze when singularities occur in a particular storage device model test case.
Placement Dilemmas for Preservice Special and Regular Class Teachers

Preservice special and regular class teachers read a descriptive vignette of a hypothetical placement meeting. Subjects were asked to assume that the student being discussed was handicapped and, therefore, eligible for placement in a special program, but that all such programs were filled with the legal limit of students. Subjects then completed a short questionnaire assessing their placement recommendations and the impact of a recommendation to place the student in a special class. Results revealed that preservice special educators were more willing to recommend special class placement than were preservice regular teachers. Over 20% of the special teacher trainees and over 27% of the preservice regular class teachers felt they would be verbally reprimanded formaking a supportive placement recommendation under these special circumstances. Few subjects from either group feared loss of their jobs should a supportive recommendation be made. Implications for teacher training and additional study are drawn.
INCIDENTAL ABDOMINAL AORTIC CALCIFICATION ON NON-CONTRAST ABDOMINAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY: IMPACT ON OUTCOMES AND RISK RECLASSIFICATION

The implications of abdominal aortic calcium (AAC), a common incidental finding on non-contrast abdominal computed tomography, are relatively unexplored. The aim of this analysis is to determine the prognostic value of incidental AAC and its impact on Risk Reclassification. We included 4345
The Poverty Program of Judaism

Defining poverty has often presented economists with as much diffi? culty as solving the poverty problem. Some planners have sought to classify the poor as that group of families whose income level falls below some arbitrary dollar figure which should provide the basic amenities of life. They point with pride to U.S. Department of Com? merce statistics which show that while in 1950, 26% of our U.S.A. families earned less than $3,000 annually, by 1968 only 10% of our fam? ilies had such low incomes (in 1968 dollars). Yet this apparent success is belied by the growing unrest and dissatisfaction by members of these same poverty groups who resent their incomes growing at a slower pace than the more affluent. This would imply that a successful poverty pro? gram should not only raise income to chosen objective levels, but must also account for the subjective awareness by the poor of their relative poverty. Ancient Judaism had developed a rather comprehensive program for the treatment of both objective and subjective poverty. These views, unfortunately, have been expressed in a rather disorganized fashion in the Talmud and Jewish religious codes, most of which are still inac? cessible to one unable to read legalistic Hebrew. This writer has attempted to organize and interpret these scattered pronouncements and make some comparisons to present day problems.
Dual-mode dynamics neural network for combinatorial optimization

Abstract This paper presents a new approach to solving combinatorial optimization problems based on a novel dynamic neural network featuring a dual-mode of network dynamics, the state dynamics and the weight dynamics. The network is referred to here as the dual-mode dynamics neural network (D2NN). Recently, neural network approaches have been studied for solutions to combinatorial optimization problems. There are two major difficulties in the neural network approaches. First, the objective function for a given problem must have the form that can be mapped onto the network, and secondly, due to the local minima problem, the quality of the solution is quite sensitive to various factors, such as the initial state and the parameters in the objective function. The proposed scheme overcomes these difficulties (1) by maintaining the objective function separately from the network energy function, rather than mapping it onto the network, and (2) by introducing a weight dynamics utilizing the objective function to overcome the local minima problem. The state dynamics defines state trajectories in a direction to minimize the network energy specified by the current weights and states, whereas the weight dynamics generates weight trajectories in a direction to minimize a preassigned external objective function at a current state. D2NN is operated in such a way that the two modes of network dynamics alternately govern the network until an equilibrium is reached. The simulation results on the N-Queen problem and the knapsack problem indicate a superior performance of the D2NN.
The State of Indian Social History

Indian social history appears to be in decline. Although fine work has been published in recent years, the cutting edge of scholarship on the Indian past has moved elsewhere, particularly into the domains of cultural and intellectual life. As a consequence, the economic and material questions that were integral to social history have come to be neglected in many recent historical works. Such a neglect of the material, however, misinterprets the theoretical efforts of major thinkers, in particular Michel Foucault, who are cited in support of the shift to culture and intellectual history. For Foucault, economic conditions and material institutions were not irrelevant, but absolutely central for his analysis of modern forms of power. A one-sided reading of Foucault has meant that historians of India are ignoring economic questions precisely at the moment when economic relations throughout the world are being radically restructured. The task at hand is to bring back the exploration of the economy to the study of the Indian past. This will reinvigorate history writing and also place historians of South Asia squarely at the center of major debates and political conflicts taking place today around globalization and neo-liberalism.
Effect of Aging on the Structure and Function of Skeletal Muscle Microvascular Networks

Humans are active creatures, yet physical activity and activity tolerance decline over the life span. One prevailing theme in the literature to account for a portion of the reduced activity tolerance with aging is the observation that the capacity to augment blood flow to skeletal muscle may be impaired with advancing age. This dysfunction may be due to adaptations in the structure or function of their microvascular networks, which collectively determine blood flow resistance. The intent of this review is to present the current knowledge of structure and function of microvascular networks from skeletal muscle with special regard to how these may adapt to, or persist through, the aging process. Skeletal muscles are supplied by an intricate branching network of arterioles and venules. The consistency of findings among available studies suggests that the overall arteriolar and venular network branching topology establishes early in development and varies little, if at all, over the life span. Microvascular networks are not a series of functionally isolated segmental branches. Rather, these networks transmit and communicate vasomotor signals along their lengths and among their branches. Current evidence suggests that aging is associated with a decrement in the capacity of upstream vessels to respond to downstream vasodilation and signals transmitted cell-to-cell along the vascular wall.
Monoiodoinsulin: Demonstration of its biological activity and binding to fat cells and liver membranes

A method is described for the preparation of monoiodoinsulin that is active biologically. 125I-insulin prepared by this method was bound to isolated fat cells and to purified plasma membranes from liver. 125I-insulin binding to liver membranes was inhibited by unlabeled insulin at physiological concentrations.
Quantifying the effect of monitor display settings on observer performance (Honorable Mention Poster Award)

A 4-Alternative Forced Choice (4-AFC) experimental paradigm was used to measure observer performance of lesion detection. Each 4-AFC experiment yields a lesion contrast that corresponds to a detection accuracy of 92%, I(92%). Experiments were performed to investigate how imaging performance varied with display level setting (window level) at a constant image contrast (window width). Three observers were used to investigate detection performance with window level using a high quality monitor calibrated three different ways (i.e., DICOM, gamma = 1.5, and gamma = 5.0). There were large inter-observer differences in absolute level of performance, with the detection threshold for the three readers varying by nearly a factor of two. For the DICOM display, the detection threshold was linearly related to image level setting. For one reader, detection performance was independent of level, whereas for the other two readers performance dropped by 30% and 11% over the range of level values investigated. Curves changed from linear for the DICOM display to curvilinear for two gamma monitor display settings. In addition, the absolute level of performance for each reader changed with monitor display setting. When the display gamma was 1.5, observer performance was generally reduced, whereas when the display gamma was 5.0, observer performance was generally better. Our data show that the choice of monitor display is an important parameter that significantly affects lesion detection performance. Adoption of the DICOM display standard will permit the direct inter-comparison of data acquired in different laboratories, as well as clinical practice.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Partially purified Echis carinatus venom cleaves active-site-mutated bovine prothrombin at two sites

Partially purified snake venom of Echis carinatus (ECV) is a well-known enzyme used to generate meizothrombin from prothrombin. In this reaction, meizothrombin is slowly converted to two smaller fragments. It is not certain if this slow reaction is catalyzed by meizothrombin or by ECV. Using previously constructed active site mutant bovine prothrombin, we eliminated meizothrombin autolysis and examined ECV reactions. ECV did slowly generate two fragments during activation of the active site mutant prothrombin. This result indicates that ECV cleaved bovine prothrombin at two sites: at Arg323-Ile to expose the active site, at another bond at or near the known meizothrombin autolysis site. Because the former cleavage is faster than the latter one, ECV is still a reasonable tool to generate meizothrombin under proper conditions.
Instability of phase coexistence and translation invariance in two dimensions

I. Description of the main resu l t Col lect ive phenomena which are important features of the physics of bulk systems are already exhib i ted by deceptively simple l a t t i c e models. Among such phenomena are the f i r s t order phase t rans i t i ons , which are associated with the occurance of several d i s t i n c t phases of a system in a given temperature, magnetic f i e l d and other intensive parameters. The question I would address is the p o s s i b i l i t y of a stable coexistence of phases at a phase t rans i t i on . By th is I mean the occurance of a state of an extended system which is in a thermodynamic equi l ibr ium and which in d i f f e ren t regions of the space
Nanoparticle film deposition using a simple and fast centrifuge sedimentation method

Colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) can be deposited uniformly on flat or rough and uneven substrate surfaces employing a standard centrifuge and common solvents. This method is suitable for depositing different types of nanoparticles on a variety of substrates including glass, silicon wafer, aluminum foil, copper sheet, polymer film, plastic, and paper, etc. The thickness of the films can be controlled by the amount of the colloidal nanoparticle solution used in the preparation. The method offers a fast and simple procedure compared to other currently known nanoparticle deposition techniques for studying the optical properties of nanoparticle films.
Spatial oligopoly: price-location interdependence and social cost in a discrete market space

Spatial oligopoly theory has been restricted in largest part to the analysis of duopoly. Although ingenious, the work has led to results of limited applicability. The present paper generalizes the analysis to n firms but is restricted to the use of specified functions, in the belief that more general results are not to be obtained. Use is made of a nonlinear programming and a Weber-point algorithm in tandem to derive a number of interesting propositions for specific examples. Location patterns and social costs of oligopoly are derived, and an attempt is made to tie the results to previous parameters used by Smithies and to extend his analysis.
Financial Development and Economic Growth in Underdeveloped Countries

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the financial development and economic growth in underdeveloped countries. An observed characteristic of the process of economic development over time, in a market-oriented economy using the price mechanism to allocate resources, is an increase in the number and variety of financial institutions and a substantial rise in the proportion not only of money but also of the total of all financial assets relative to GNP and to tangible wealth. Typical statements indicate that the financial system somehow accommodates—or, to the extent that it malfunctions, it restricts—growth of real per capita output. Such an approach places emphasis on the demand side for financial services; as the economy grows it generates additional and new demands for these services, which bring about a supply response in the growth of the financial system. In this view, the lack of financial institutions in underdeveloped countries is simply an indication of the lack of demand for their services.
Properties of solutions of a planar second-order elliptic equation with a singularity

Local properties of solutions of a second-order elliptic partial differential equation in two variables with a point singularity are studied. Existence of solutions, regularity and maximum principle are considered.
Space nuclear power system and the design of the nuclear electric propulsion OTV

Payload increases of three to five times that of the Shuttle/Centaur can be achieved using nuclear electric propulsion. Various nuclear power plant options being pursued by the SP-100 Program are described. These concepts can grow from 100 kWe to 1 MWe output. Spacecraft design aspects are addressed, including thermal interactions, plume interactions, and radiation fluences. A baseline configuration is described accounting for these issues. Safety aspects of starting the OTV transfer from an altitude of 300 km indicate no significant additional risk to the biosphere.
Acetylcholine formation in mouse brain and effect of cholinergic drugs.

TREATMENT of mice with arecoline or oxotremorine produces tremors accompanied by a transient increase in the brain level of acetylcholine lasting for 20 to 30 min1. We reported that administration of pilocarpine, whose peripheral cholinomimetic effects resemble those of arecoline, also markedly increases the level of brain acetylcholine in rats2,3. By contrast with other cholinomimetics, however, the pilocarpine-induced increase in acetylcholine lasts for several hours and is not accompanied by tremors. These findings suggest that arecoline and pilocarpine increase brain acetylcholine levels by different mechanisms. This study compares the effects of arecoline and pilocarpine administration on the conversion of choline-3H to acetylcholine-3H to elucidate the mechanism by which these drugs raise the brain acetylcholine level.
THE RELATIVE BIOAVAILABILITY OF IRON FROM FEEDSTUFFS OF PLANT AND ANIMAL ORIGIN TO THE CHICK

Abstract Experiments were conducted with young chicks to estimate the bioavailability of iron (Fe) from various intact feed ingredients of plant and animal origin. Crossbred chicks were fed an Fe-deficient casein-dextrose diet for one week posthatching to deplete body Fe stores. Repletion diets supplemented with reagent grade FeSO 4 ·7H 2 O or one of the test sources of Fe were then fed for 14 days. Regression equations relating final hemoglobin concentration to supplemental Fe intake were computed and bioavailability estimates made using the standard curve technique. Among plant sources of Fe, sesame seed meal was the most available, with a relative bioavailability estimate of 96%. Other plant sources investigated were less available including rice bran, 77%; alfalfa meal, 65%; soybean meal, 45%; and ground corn, 20%. In addition, the bioavailability of Fe supplied by feed ingredients of animal origin was determined for poultry by-product meal, 68%; meat and bone meal, 48%; feather meal, 39%; fish meal, 32%; and blood meal, 22%. Various dietary factors which may affect the availability of Fe including fiber components, phytic acid and concentrations of other mineral elements were measured and are discussed in relation to the feed ingredients studied.
Altered Oxygen Tension Modulates Cytokine-Induced Signal Transduction in Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes: Regulation of the GPLCPathway

The purpose of these studies was to examine the sensitivity of the PIP 2-PLC-transducing pathway (GPLC) and its relationship to the respiratory burst in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) stimulated by IL-8, TNF-alpha, or IL-1 beta during sequential changes in buffer oxygen tension from normoxia (pO2 = 180-200 mm Hg), to hypoxia (pO2 140 mm Hg). Our specific hypothesis was that altered oxygen tensions would regulate the G PLC pathway in human PMN. G PLC activity was assayed by investigating phospholipase C activity by measuring inositol phosphates and diacylglycerol (DAG) formation. Respiratory burst activity was assayed as O 2 production and NADPH oxidase activation in intact PMN and in a cell-free system, respectively, and correlated separately to both early and late DAG production. At 1 min, DAG formation during normoxia was decreased by IL-8 plus fibronectin while hypoxia had no regulatory effect on control of DAG formation by any of the cytokines. In contrast to early DAG formation, hypoxia significantly downregulated late DAG formation induced by buffer without fibronectin, IL-8 plus fibronectin, and IL-1 beta with or without fibronectin. Hypoxia/reoxygenation in and of itself significantly increased DAG formation vs levels seen in the presence or absence of IL-8, TNF-alpha, or IL-1 beta with or without fibronectin. Changes in early DAG production during the alterations in oxygen tension correlated best with corresponding changes in O 2 production in intact cells, whereas late DAG production correlated best with NADPH oxidase activation assayed in the cell-free system. Thus, changes in oxygen tension can directly modulate the extent of the PMN response to stimulation by IL-8, TNF-alpha, or IL-1 beta and the G PLC-receptor pathway is particularly regulated by physiologically relevant periods of hypoxia/reoxygenation.
Telomeric associations evolving to ring chromosomes in a recurrent pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma

Abstract Telomeric associations observed in a recurrent untreated pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma were apparently the primary cytogenetic events that evolved by fusion and breakage events, resulting in subclones with ring chromosomes. The telomeric fusions between chromosomes 15pter and 20qter, and between an extra copy of the long arm of chromosome 1 and chromosome 22qter, evolved in a stepwise fashion to ring chromosomes 20 and 22. The findings in this tumor demonstrate that telomeric association is one mechanism that can initiate chromosome instability by generating subclones with unstable chromosome intermediates and result in ring chromosomes and subsequent chromosome loss. Laboratory, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR.
Accelerated intramyocellular triglyceride synthesis in skeletal muscle of high-fat-induced obese rats.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the synthesis of intramyocellular triglycerides (imcTG) in skeletal muscle is increased in obese rats in which the content of imcTG is known to be abnormally high. ANIMALS: Sprague–Dawley male lean and high-fat-induced obese rats were studied at the age of 4, 8 and 12 months after an overnight fast, awake. MEASUREMENTS: [U-14C]glycerol was continuously infused intravenously for 2 h followed by muscle biopsies, and intracellular glycerol incorporation into imcTG was determined. imcTG content, intramyocellular free glycerol concentration and specific activity, systemic glycerol flux and plasma glycerol, free fatty acid (FFA) and glucose concentrations were also determined. RESULTS: The rates of incorporation of intramyocellular glycerol into imcTG (nmol/g wet muscle/h) were markedly accelerated in obese rats compared to their lean littermates at all ages: 66±12 vs 12±2 (P=0.02) for gastrocnemius and 74±29 vs 31±7 (P=0.09) for soleus when 4 months old; 223±29 vs 58±27 (P=0.001) for gastrocnemius, 224±28 vs 70±21 (P=0.001) for soleus and 294±78 vs 49±22 (P=0.02) for tibialis anterior when 8 months old; and 25±4 vs 11±2 (P=0.01) for gastrocnemius and 22±8 vs 8.4±3 (P=0.04) for soleus when 12 months old. As expected, this was accompanied by a higher imcTG content in virtually all muscles at all ages tested. CONCLUSION: The synthesis of imcTG in skeletal muscle is grossly increased in obese rats, which likely contributes to abnormal imcTG accumulation.
ACTH/MSH 4-10 improves motor unit reorganization during peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat.

Abstract ACTH/MSH 4–10 administration (10 μg/48 hr IP for 7 days) enhances neuromuscular activity following crush denervation of rat extensor digitorum longus muscle. The number of regenerated functional motor units is greater in peptide treated rats than in saline treated denervated controls. Selective activation of responding motor units indicates that ACTH/MSH 4–10 preferentially accelerates the reformation and stabilization of small size motor units. These observed effects may be beneficial since they contribute to the early reestablishment of more organized motor units, thereby restoring fine control of motor functions, in contrast to the disorderly reorganization of untreated regenerating systems. Possible mechanisms of peptide action (neurotransmitter synthesis and release, excitability changes, etc.) are discussed.
Effect of Steinernema feltiae on Spodoptera frugiperda and Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Corn

The entomogenous nematode Steinemema feltiae Filipjev was evaluated for control of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), in vegetative field corn ( Zea mays [L.J] and for control of fall armyworm and corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), in sweet corn ears. In 3 yr of field tests in vegetative field corn, spraying the nematode resulted in up to 33-43% infection of fall S. frugiperda larvae and occasionally significant ( P <0.05) reductions in numbers of S. frugiperda infesting the corn. There was no significant increase in total yield of corn, although the dry weight of kernels per ear was significantly ( P < 0.05) greater in treatment plots than in control plots. Nematode dosage had a significant effect on percentages of infection, but neither spray volume nor the addition of a surfactant affected insect control by the nematode. In one experiment in sweet corn, spraying the nematode onto corn ears resulted in up to 71% infection and up to 53% reduction of a mixed population of H. zea and S. frugiperda , mostly the former. Nematode treatments did not increase sweet corn yield by weight. However, spraying the nematode at a pressure of 0.70 kg/em2 resulted in a significantly ( P < 0.05) higher percentage of US #1 grade marketable ears than in control plots, whereas spraying at 1.76 kg/em2 did not, regardless of the nematode dose.
The kinetics of formation of magnesium oxalate

Abstract The rate constants for the formation and dissociation of the one-to-one complex of magnesium with oxalate ion have been determined by a pressure jump technique. The rate constants were determined at different temperatures and the activation parameters calculated. The results are discussed in terms of a three step mechanism in which the rate-determining step is the loss of a water molecule from the inner coordination sphere of the metal ion.
Persistent Inward Currents in Spinal Motoneurons and Their Influence on Human Motoneuron Firing Patterns

Persistent inward currents (PICs) are present in many types of neurons and likely have diverse functions. In spinal motoneurons, PICs are especially strong, primarily located in dendritic regions, and subject to particularly strong neuromodulation by the monoamines serotonin and norepinephrine. Because motoneurons drive muscle fibers, it has been possible to study the functional role of their PICs in motor output and to identify PIC-mediated effects on motoneuron firing patterns in human subjects. The PIC markedly amplifies synaptic input, up to fivefold or more, depending on the level of monoaminergic input. PICs also tend to greatly prolong input time course, allowing brief inputs to initiate long-lasting self-sustained firing (i.e., bistable behavior). PIC deactivation usually requires inhibitory input and PIC amplitude can increase to repeated activation. All of these behaviors markedly increase motoneuron excitability. Thus, in the absence of monoaminergic input, motoneuron excitability is very low. Yet PICs have another effect: once active, they tend to sharply limit efficacy of additional synaptic input. All of these PIC effects have been detected in motoneuron firing patterns in human subjects and, hence, PICs are likely a fundamental component of normal motor output.
A Case Study: Creating Special Occasion Garments for Young Women with Special Needs

This paper documents a creative design project involving the construction of custom-designed special occasion dressesforfour women, ages 16-20, that have spina bifida or osteogenesis imperfecta. Common physical characteristics of these disorders include severe spinal curvature, resulting in extreme body asymmetry that requires the use offorearm crutches and waist-to-foot braces for upright mobility. Results suggest that draping the muslin sample garments directly on the body appears to be the most successful method of achieving good fit and creating the illusion of body symmetry and proportion. Fitting techniques used in this project may also be used to achieve goodfit in other populations.
Effects of Early Choline Deficiency on Brain Growth in Chicks

Abstract INTRODUCTION CHOLINE deficiency has been studied in laying hens (Nesheim et al., 1967; Burns and Ackerman, 1955) where it has been established that the deficiency leads to a decrease in the size of the egg produced, a diminished egg production, and a decreased viability of the fertile egg. The latter phenomenon has led to the characterization of choline as a “hatchability factor” (Balloun, 1956). Although choline deficiency has been the subject of several studies in growing chicks (Fritz et al., 1967; Deeb and Thornton, 1959), the deficient state in the newly hatched bird has not been so extensively studied (Schaeffer et al., 1950). These workers (Schaeffer et al., 1950) observed that a high mortality rate exists for such chicks and that vitamin B12 and folic acid decreased the severity of the effects of choline deficiency. We have been interested in studying the effects of choline deprivation on the rate of…
Surface relief effects associated with γ plates in Al-15% Ag

Abstract The surface relief effect associated with the formation of h.c.p. γ (or γ') plates in the f.c.c. α matrix of an Al-15 w/o Ag alloy at 400°C is primarily a single planar tilt which can be described as the product of an invariant plane strain transformation with an appreciable “shear” component. The interferometrically measured “shear” extrapolates to the theoretical, or half-twinning “shear” at a time corresponding to the beginning of transformation. However, silver X-ray scanning studies show that while still growing, the precipitate plates contain more Ag than the α matrix. Thus there cannot be a lattice correspondence between γ and α. It has been previously shown that γ plates in this alloy thicken solely by the ledge mechanism (in the form of Shockley partial misfit dislocations which are also able to serve as ledges) and that the lateral growth rate of these ledges is controlled by the long-range volume interdiffusion of Al and Ag. (12) The combination of these results and the silver X-ray studies demonstrates that the unit atomic mechanism of growth is one of diffusional jumps, rather than of shear. The surface tilt was found to decay continuously with time in a manner which indicates that it does so by an untilting process. This is explained in terms of the loss of a proportion of the misfit dislocations (as ledges) to the free surface preferentially from that broad face of a plate which originally produced the tilt. Elastic “shear” strain energy accompanying the formation of a γ plate provides the driving force for the decay process. (2)
Latino Immigrant and Guest Bilingual Teachers: Overcoming Personal, Professional, and Academic Culture Shock

School districts that offer bilingual education often find it difficult to hire enough teachers for their growing Latino populations. To expand the pool of bilingual teachers, some districts recruit teachers from Spanish-speaking countries. Yet there has been little research on how these teachers fare or what supports they need to succeed. This article investigates issues confronted by 31 foreign-educated Latino teachers, teaching in a high-needs Midwestern urban district while attaining U.S. certification. The article delineates the teachers’ personal, professional, and academic adjustments and describes the elements they required for success, emphasizing the importance of social capital.