cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inflation, Growth and Crisis Performance of Hard Pegged Exchange Rate Regimes

The bipolar view of unsustainable intermediate exchange rate regimes transitioning into the corners of hard pegs and free floats has attracted much attention and criticism in recent times. While highly mobile capital is argued to render intermediate regimes unsustainable by the virtues of the impossible trinity (Fischer 2001), the prevalent “fear of floating” can eliminate the flexible pole of the bipolar view for developing countries (Calvo and Reinhart 2000). This paper employs four-way, de jure and de facto exchange rate classifications to compare the performance of hard pegged exchange rate regimes – currency boards in particular – against that of soft (adjustable) pegs, hard (heavy intervention) floats, and free floats. The conclusion from the analysis is that hard pegs offer exceptional inflation performance even when accounting for possible endogeneity of regime choice. Furthermore, hard pegged regimes stand out as the least crisis prone, while maintaining steady growth comparable to that of free floats. This article is available in Undergraduate Economic Review: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol1/iss1/3 Undergraduate Economic Review A publication of Illinois Wesleyan University
Buprenorphine: a new alternative in the treatment of opioid addiction -

Opioid addiction is a complex disease with severe biological, psychological, and social impacts in the life of the individual, his family and the society. Besides heroin, misuse and abuse of prescription opioid pain medications are rising. Current pharmacological maintenance therapy with methadone accompanied by appropriate psychosocial treatments is a highly effective treatment for opioid addiction. However, due to strict regulations, limited availability, and abuse risk of methadone, new and practical approaches are required. Buprenorphine, a high affinity partial µ opioid agonist, allows qualifying physicians to offer treatment in office-based settings for the detoxification or maintenance of individuals with opioid addiction.
Production outsourcing and operational performance: An empirical study using secondary data

Abstract Firms undertake a variety of supply chain initiatives to improve their performance. Of particular interest to many practitioners and academics alike are the mixed outcomes that result from implementation of what is commonly viewed as a best practice. In this research, we consider one especially popular practice, the outsourcing of production. We investigate the effects of production outsourcing on the firm׳s overall operational performance, and its components (manufacturing cycle time, order lead-times, delivery, operating equipment effectiveness), and customer loyalty by analyzing secondary data across a wide variety of industries using data from a survey of manufacturing plant managers. We draw on resource based view of the firm along with the supply chain and quality management literature to aid in predicting the operational performance to be expected when outsourcing production. Our analysis found that production outsourcing has deleterious effects on operational performance, with significant reductions in operating equipment effectiveness and on-time delivery. Our research also found that production outsourcing has a negative influence on customer loyalty when mediated through operational performance. This research also makes methodological contributions in the development of robust measures of operational performance and related variables.
Diamond in the Rough: Is There a Genuine Environmental Threat to Security? A Review Essay

In Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, Jared Diamond claims that several societies in times past collapsed in part for environmental reasons and that these cases bear lessons for today. By and large, Diamond has got his history right. But the application of lessons derived from these historical cases to today's environmental problems will leave many readers unconvinced. Scaling up from diminutive, isolated, and low-technology examples such as precontact Easter Island or the Greenland Norse to the contemporary world is fraught with conceptual difficulties, not all of which Diamond can dispel. Diamond's arguments, whether one finds them convincing or not, raise some timely questions. Are we indeed at serious risk of environmental collapse? And how do some current trends—the rise of China, the coming transition to a new energy regime, and the slowing of population growth—affect the chances of environmental collapse?
Mechanical Factors Determining Pulmonary Interstitial Fluid Pressure

The pulmonary interstitium extends from sites adjacent to capillaries to the loose connective tissue around bronchi and large blood vessels. The interstitial fluid pressure in different parts of the interstitium depends primarily on the surface forces acting on adjacent structural members. At the alveolar level, the surface pressure is the alveolar gas pressure, which is modified by the alveolar surface tension in edematous lungs. In the perivascular interstitium around bronchi and large blood vessels, the surface pressure results from the balance between nonuniform stress in the parenchyma lying on one side of the interstitium and the elastic recoil of the vessel wall attached to the other side. Perivascular interstitial edema increases the interstitial fluid pressure by decreasing the nonuniform parenchymal stress and recoil of the vessel wall. A vertical gradient in interstitial pressure due to the interstitial fluid acting as a hydrostatic column is absent even in edematous excised lungs, because the surface forces determine the interstitial pressure locally and the resistance to interstitial fluid flow is relatively large. In the intact chest, vertical gradients in lung static recoil can result in significant vertical gradients in perivascular interstitial fluid pressure. During edema formation, the interstitial pressures are different in the two interstitial compartments, establishing a pressure gradient that tends to move fluid from the septal to perivascular interstitium.
Developmental apraxia of speech: Determiners of differential diagnosis

Developmental apraxia of speech (DAS) is a neurologically based disorder in the programming of sequential articulatory movements. This definition, based purely on motoric limitations, is fraught with controversy concerning aetiology, clinical manifestations, treatment, and even identification of the disorder as a separate clinical entity. An understanding of developmental apraxia depends on consistent utilization of a group of symptoms for diagnosis so that data-based results can be used to generate inferences about the disorder. Results from studies of children who are diagnosed with developmental apraxia, but who may not be apraxic, complicates application to theories attempting to account for observed symptoms. A longitudinal study of children with DAS has been under way at the University of Texas at Austin since 1985. Of 22 children referred as apraxic, a diagnosis has been confirmed in only four. Phonological and language evaluation data for five clients evaluated during this project are presented. O...
Conformational equilibria of polar and charged flexible polymer chains in water

Continuum model predictions of the conformational equilibria of idealized polar and charged linear polymers in water are compared to complementary simulations in explicit water. The continuum model of hydration predicts with reasonable accuracy the conformational dependence of the hydration free energy of these solutes observed in the simulations. However, a prerequisite for accurate predictions is the optimization of the phenomenological parameters inherent to the continuum model using the simulation results for a subset of the solutes, in this case the uncharged polymer and two amphiphilic polymer chains with a single positive or negative charge on one terminal group. Our results demonstrate that the continuum model can be used to discriminate among the conformational preferences for different sequences of backbone charges. Finally, an unexpected finding of this study is the stabilization in water of the more compact conformations of the polymer chains with a fixed dipole moment. The driving force for this behavior is greater than the hydrophobic driving force and is electrostatic in nature.
A Study of the Nutrition-Related Attitudes, Practices, and Perceived Needs of Food Stamp Clients

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To demonstrate a clear understanding of the food and nutrition-related attitudes, practices, and perceived needs of persons receiving food stamps. In order for nutrition education programs to specifically target food stamp clients, the food and nutrition-related attitudes, practices, and perceived needs of this population must be recognized. To obtain this information, six focus group interviews with food stamp clients were conducted throughout the state of Virginia. Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program paraprofessionals from 6 different counties recruited 26 food stamp recipients based on predetermined criteria. Topics addressed during the focus group meetings were meal planning and purchasing, food resources, food behavior change, interests in nutrition information, and preferred ways of receiving information. Transcripts of the meetings were analyzed separately by two investigators for common themes prevalent in all the focus group interviews. Any discrepancies in identified themes were then discussed until a consensus was reached. A key finding was that a majority of food-related decisions were made while in the grocery store. Lack of food resources was admitted to be a problem experienced at least once by many participants. Explanations for scarcities included the belief that the amount of food stamps was insufficient and that poor food purchasing decisions had been made. Some form of food behavior change had been attempted in the past by a majority of the participants. The predominant behaviors identified were decreasing fat consumption, fried foods, and portion sizes. Most of the reasons stated for attempting behavior change involved a desire for weight loss. The most prevalent nutrition education interests involved low-fat cooking and child nutrition. No consensus was reached on preferred ways of receiving information due to a broad range of responses. The results illustrated trends in a lack of meal planning, specific behavior changes attempted, and specific interests in nutrition education among a diverse group of food stamp clients. This information may be useful in the planning of nutrition education programs for this population.
Estimated persistence of northern flying squirrel populations in temperate rain forest fragments of Southeast Alaska

Abstract Habitat reserves are a common strategy used to ensure viability of wildlife populations and communities. The efficacy of reserves, however, is rarely empirically evaluated. We examined the likelihood that small (650 ha), isolated habitat reserves composed of old-growth Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis )–western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla ) rain forest (upland-OG) and mixed-conifer peatlands (peatland-MC) would sustain populations of northern flying squirrels ( Glaucomys sabrinus ) in the absence of immigration or emigration within the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska. We used demographic data obtained from a study of flying squirrels on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska and litter size from flying squirrels in similar habitat to estimate per capita rate of increase ( r ) of flying squirrels in upland-OG ( r = 0.14, SD = 0.42) and peatland-MC habitats ( r = 0.01, SD = 0.39). Our results indicated that peatland-MC habitat was unlikely to sustain populations and that viability of flying squirrel populations in small habitat reserves largely depended on the upland-OG forest component. We subsequently estimated time to extinction ( T N ) based on r , its variance ( v ), and the potential population ceiling ( K ). We used T N to calculate the probabilities ( P t ) that squirrel populations would persist in small reserves containing 100%, 50%, and 25% upland-OG habitat for 25, 50, and 100 years. In each scenario, we calculated T N and P t for 2 levels of v . For the best-case scenario (100% upland-OG forest, lowest variance, t = 25 years), T N was 507 years and P t was 0.95. For the worst-case scenario (25% upland-OG forest, highest variance, t = 100 years), T N was 237 years and P t was 0.66. Minimum patch size of upland-OG forest required for a high probability ( P t = 0.95) of sustaining a flying squirrel population in isolation with relatively low demographic variability ( v = 0.34) for 25, 50, or 100 years was 578, 5077, and 78,935 ha, respectively. We concluded that it was unlikely that small isolated habitat reserves could sustain populations of flying squirrels for >25 years in the absence of immigration. Consequently, dispersal among small reserves is critical to ensure that they function to support metapopulations of northern flying squirrels.
Indeterminacy & compromise formation: implications for a psychoanalytic theory of mind.

The meanings of communications between analyst and analysand are replete with alternative interpretations and ambiguity. Interpersonal meaning is inherently indeterminate, and so too is intrapsychi...
THE TORSO PATHWAY IN DROSOPHILA : LESSONS ON RECEPTOR TYROSINE KINASE SIGNALING AND PATTERN FORMATION

Pattern formation at the anterior and posterior termini of the Drosophila embryo involves intercellular communication via the Torso receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). Recent advances in the understanding of Torso signaling has provided further support for the conservation of a signal transduction cassette downstream of RTKs. In addition, the analysis of the Torso pathway has begun to reveal general molecular mechanisms by which cells may impart patterning information to their neighbors through the use of RTKs.
Application of the Helmholtz Integral in Acoustics

The solution of an isoparametric, overdetermined formulation of the Helmholtz Integral is presented and demonstrated in three examples of acoustic radiation from spherical sources. The placement of the interior, overdetermining points is discussed and guidelines concerning surface element size are developed and tested. The total radiated sound power and transient acoustic response of a dilating sphere are computed.
My Soul to Take: A Phenomenology of the Struggle for an Authentic Gay Spirituality

This phenomenological study explored the “coming-out” experience of 7 gay men who were significantly influenced by conservative Christianity in their formative years and who are living as “out” gay men. Four commonalities were revealed in their experience of this phenomenon: (a) a realization and acceptance of their gay identity, (b) a reckoning that action was required, (c) a rejection of the oppressive religious authority in their lives, and (d) a reorientation in their pursuit of a healthy spirituality. The study includes a review of the relevant literature and recommendations to counselors in addressing the unique needs of spiritually oriented lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals.
Using ecological risk assessment to identify the major anthropogenic stressor in the Waquoit Bay Watershed, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

The Waquoit Bay Watershed ecological risk assessment was performed by an interdisciplinary and interagency workgroup. This paper focuses on the steps taken to formulate the analysis plan for this watershed assessment. The workgroup initially conducted a series of meetings with the general public and local and state managers to determine environmental management objectives for the watershed. The workgroup then decided that more information was needed on the impacts of six stressors: nutrient enrichment, physical alteration of habitat, altered freshwater flow, toxic chemicals, pathogens, and fisheries harvesting. Assessment endpoints were selected to establish the link between environmental management objectives, impacts of stressors, and scientifically measurable endpoints. The following assessment endpoints were selected: estuarine eelgrass cover, scallop abundance, finfish diversity and abundance, wetland bird distribution and abundance, piping plover distribution and abundance, tissue contaminant levels, and brook trout distribution and abundance in streams. A conceptual model was developed to show the pathways between human activities, stressors, and ecological effects. The workgroup analyzed comparative risks, by first ranking stressors in terms of their potential risk to biotic resources in the watershed. Then stressors were evaluated by considering the components of stressors (e.g., the stressor chemical pollution included both heavy metals and chlorinated solvents components) in terms of intensity and extensiveness. The workgroup identified nutrient enrichment as the major stressor. Nutrient enrichment comprised both phosphorus enrichment in freshwater ponds and nitrogen enrichment within estuaries. Because phosphorus impacts were being analyzed and mitigated by the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence, this assessment focused on nitrogen. The process followed to identify the predominant stressor and focus the analyses on nitrogen impacts on eelgrass and scallops will serve as an example of how to increase the use of the findings of a watershed assessment in decision making.
Measuring vibrational coherence lifetimes in liquid methanol using transient coherent Raman scattering

We demonstrate the measurement of vibrational coherence in liquids using transient coherent Raman scattering. This technique measures the coherence lifetime of vibrational states through the interference of time-delayed coherent Raman-scattered photons using low-power, non-resonant optical pulses. We measure the vibrational lifetime of the 1033 cm−1 mode in liquid methanol. The resulting lifetime agrees with frequency-domain lineshape measurements. This technique is a complementary and in some cases simpler alternative to standard nonlinear spectroscopy techniques.
Police Control of Juveniles: A Replication

In 1970, Donald Black and Albert J. Reiss, Jr. presented a series of eight propositions which they suggested provided the beginning of an empirical por trait of the policing of juveniles. The present study replicates their research, based upon comparative data separated by four years and many miles. Exten sive support for their earlier conclusions is reported, but a number of sub- propositions, clarifications, and extensions are also advanced. Several of the theoretical and empirical implications of these findings are then considered.
Inside the Windows security push

The Microsoft Windows development team spent two months in 2002 analyzing product design, code, and documentation to fix security issues. The results of this security push include a new process and several lessons learned for future projects.
Assessing the impact of a fistula after a pancreaticoduodenectomy using the Post-operative Morbidity Index

Abstract Background The Post‐operative Morbidity Index (PMI) is a quantitative utility measure of a complication burden created by severity weighting. The Fistula Risk Score (FRS) is a validated model that predicts whether a patient will develop a post‐operative pancreatic fistula (POPF). These novel tools might provide further discrimination of the ISGPF grading system. Methods From 2001 to 2012, 1021 pancreaticoduodenectomies were performed at four institutions. POPFs were categorized by ISGPF standards. PMI scores were calculated based on the Modified Accordion Severity Grading System. FRS scores were assigned according to the relative influence of four recognized factors for developing a clinically relevant POPF (CR‐POPF). Results In total, 231 patients (22.6%) developed a POPF, of which 54.1% were CR‐POPFs. The PMI differed significantly between the ISGPF grades and patients with no or non‐fistulous complications (P Conclusion These data quantitatively reinforce the ISGPF grades that were developed qualitatively around the concept of clinical severity. CR‐POPFs usually reflect the patient's highest Accordion score whereas biochemical POPFs are often superseded. The correlation between FRS and PMI indicates that risk factors for a fistula contribute to overall pancreaticoduodenectomy morbidity.
Ethical Dilemmas Associated with Consumer Boycotts

Soulevant le probleme du boycott des consommateurs et des dilemmes ethiques, l'A. etudie les decisions tactiques utilisees dans les jeux, par analogie avec la strategie des echecs.
A system architecture and simulation environment for building information modeling in virtual worlds

This paper describes building information modeling (BIM) research by students and faculty of the University of Nebraska’s Peter Kiewit Institute (PKI). The paper also describes work in conjunction ...
Bio-oil and bio-char production from corn cobs and stover by fast pyrolysis

Abstract Bio-oil and bio-char were produced from corn cobs and corn stover (stalks, leaves and husks) by fast pyrolysis using a pilot scale fluidized bed reactor. Yields of 60% (mass/mass) bio-oil (high heating values are ∼20 MJ kg −1 , and densities >1.0 Mg m −3 ) were realized from both corn cobs and from corn stover. The high energy density of bio-oil, ∼20–32 times on a per unit volume basis over the raw corn residues, offers potentially significant savings in transportation costs particularly for a distributed “farm scale” bio-refinery system. Bio-char yield was 18.9% and 17.0% (mass/mass) from corn cobs and corn stover, respectively. Deploying the bio-char co-product, which contains most of the nutrient minerals from the corn residues, as well as a significant amount of carbon, to the land can enhance soil quality, sequester carbon, and alleviate environmental problems associated with removal of crop residues from fields.
A Probabilistic Approach to Quantify the Impact of Uncertainty Propagation in Musculoskeletal Simulations

Uncertainty that arises from measurement error and parameter estimation can significantly affect the interpretation of musculoskeletal simulations; however, these effects are rarely addressed. The objective of this study was to develop an open-source probabilistic musculoskeletal modeling framework to assess how measurement error and parameter uncertainty propagate through a gait simulation. A baseline gait simulation was performed for a male subject using OpenSim for three stages: inverse kinematics, inverse dynamics, and muscle force prediction. A series of Monte Carlo simulations were performed that considered intrarater variability in marker placement, movement artifacts in each phase of gait, variability in body segment parameters, and variability in muscle parameters calculated from cadaveric investigations. Propagation of uncertainty was performed by also using the output distributions from one stage as input distributions to subsequent stages. Confidence bounds (5–95%) and sensitivity of outputs to model input parameters were calculated throughout the gait cycle. The combined impact of uncertainty resulted in mean bounds that ranged from 2.7° to 6.4° in joint kinematics, 2.7 to 8.1 N m in joint moments, and 35.8 to 130.8 N in muscle forces. The impact of movement artifact was 1.8 times larger than any other propagated source. Sensitivity to specific body segment parameters and muscle parameters were linked to where in the gait cycle they were calculated. We anticipate that through the increased use of probabilistic tools, researchers will better understand the strengths and limitations of their musculoskeletal simulations and more effectively use simulations to evaluate hypotheses and inform clinical decisions.
Mixture Models for Estimating the Size of a Closed Population When Capture Rates Vary among Individuals

We develop a parameterization of the beta-binomial mixture that provides sensible inferences about the size of a closed population when probabilities of capture or detection vary among individuals. Three classes of mixture models (beta-binomial, logistic-normal, and latent-class) are fitted to recaptures of snowshoe hares for estimating abundance and to counts of bird species for estimating species richness. In both sets of data, rates of detection appear to vary more among individuals (animals or species) than among sampling occasions or locations. The estimates of population size and species richness are sensitive to model-specific assumptions about the latent distribution of individual rates of detection. We demonstrate using simulation experiments that conventional diagnostics for assessing model adequacy, such as deviance, cannot be relied on for selecting classes of mixture models that produce valid inferences about population size. Prior knowledge about sources of individual heterogeneity in detection rates, if available, should be used to help select among classes of mixture models that are to be used for inference.
Depression of erythrocyte maturation as a result of the graft-vs.-host reaction.

SummaryIn mice suffering from homologous disease and subjected to repeated bleeding, initial reticulocytosis due to blood loss was followed by a marked drop in the reticulocyte count, despite a persistent anemia. The bone marrow was hypocellular. The absence of a reticulocyte response to anemia in the course of a graft-versus-host reaction may be due to immunological depression of erythrocyte maturation.
Observation of recovery and recrystallization in high-purity aluminum measured with forward modeling analysis of high-energy diffraction microscopy

High-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy is a non-destructive materials characterization technique that is capable of tracking the evolution of three-dimensional microstructures as they respond to external stimuli. We present measurements of the annealing response of high-purity aluminum using the near-field variant of this technique. The data are analyzed with the forward modeling method which produces orientation maps that exhibit complex intragranular structures. Analysis and verification of results use both reconstructed sample space maps and detector space intensity patterns. Sensitivity to the ordering of the microstructure through both recovery and recrystallization is demonstrated. Sharpening of diffraction peaks and a corresponding reduction in intragranular orientation variations signal recovery processes. The emergence of a new bulk grain (recrystallization) is observed in a disordered region of the microstructure; the new grain has an orientation with no obvious relation to those of grains surrounding the disordered region.
Online failure diagnosis of stochastic discrete event systems

This paper deals with the detection of (permanent) fault in the setting of stochastic discrete-event systems (DESs) under partial observability of events. Prior works have only studied the verification of the stochastic diagnosability (S-Diagnosability) property. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first paper that investigates the online detection schemes and also introduces the notions of their missed detections (MDs) and false alarms (FAs), and we establish that S-Diagnosability is a necessary and sufficient condition for achieving any desired levels of MD and FA rates. Next we provide a detection scheme, that can achieve the specified MD and FA rates, based on comparing a suitable detection statistic, that we define, with a suitable detection threshold, that we algorithmically compute. We also algorithmically compute the corresponding detection delay bound. The detection scheme also works for non-S-Diagnosable systems, with the difference that in this case only any FA rate can be met, and there exists a minimum MD rate that increases as FA rate is decreased.
Misexpression of nautilus induces myogenesis in cardioblasts and alters the pattern of somatic muscle fibers.

Abstract nautilus(nau), one member of the myogenic regulatory family of bHLH-encoding genes, is expressed in a subset of muscle precursors and differentiated fibers in theDrosophilaembryo. To elucidate the role ofnautilusin myogenesis, we have misexpressed it using the GAL4-targeted system. We find that ectopic expression results in lethality throughoutDrosophiladevelopment. We analyzed the effects of embryonic expression in mesodermal tissues that include the cardioblasts of the dorsal vessel as well most, if not all, of the presumptive somatic muscle precursors. Immunohistochemical staining for muscle MHC revealed abnormalities that include an absence of cardial cells, coincident with the appearance of novel muscle fibers adjacent to the dorsal vessel. Moreover, many cardioblasts express increased levels of muscle-specific genes such as myosin, actin 57B, and Mlp60A, a protein that is restricted to the somatic, visceral, and pharyngeal muscles. These data suggest that the missing cardial cells have been transformed into cells with properties similar to those of the somatic muscles. In addition, ubiquitous expression ofnautilusin somatic muscle cells of these embryos resulted in muscle pattern defects. Specifically, muscles that do not normally expressnautiluswere frequently absent, and novel fibers were observed in positions reminiscent ofnau-expressing muscles. These data imply thatnautiluscan alter the developmental program of muscle precursors. In summary, we suggest thatnautilusinduces myogenic differentiationin vivowhen ectopically expressed in developing cardioblasts and may affect the myogenic differentiation program of specific muscle fibers.
Cardiovascular malformations in the chick embryo induced by thalidomide.

Abstract The effects of thalidomide on 2- to 4-day-old chick embryos were determined by examining embryos at 7 days of incubation. The LD50 was 3.5 mg, 5 mg and 5.3 mg for developing embryos treated on incubation days 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The cardiovascular anomalies observed were: aortic stenosis (27%), common truncus arteriosus (10.3%), ventricular septal defects (16.2%) and atrial septal defects (7.2%). A considerable damage to the endocardial cushion tissue was found. Aortic arch anomalies, i.e., inhibition of the 3rd and 4th aortic arches separately, and of the 3rd and 4th arches together along with the ventricular septal defects was 11%, 9% and 7%, respectively. No defects were observed in the controls. The results of the present study suggest that thalidomide is markedly toxic for the developing cardiovascular system in the chick embryos.
ACTH-mediated insulin secretion: effect of aminophylline.

The effect of theophylline ethylenediamine, aminophylline, on ACTH-mediated insulin secretion was studied in mice. Aminophylline pretreatment markedly increased the magnitude of the plasma insulin rise following ACTH. It did not, however, increase the duration of the ACTH effect nor did it appreciably lower the minimum dose of ACTH which caused insulin release. The dose of aminophylline necessary to augment ACTH-mediated insulin secretion did not inhibit pancreatic protein synthesis as estimated by 14C-L-leucine incorporation. The aminophylline augmentation of ACTH-mediated insulin release occurred in both intact and adrenalectomized animals. Aminophylline also augmented glucagon and glucose-mediated insulin secretion. The data raise the question of the possible role of the adenyl cyclase system in the mechanism of ACTH action on the pancreatic β cell. (Endocrinology 81 : 558, 1967)
Resin Capsules: Permeable Containers for Parallel/Combinatorial Solid-Phase Organic Synthesis

A resin capsule is a permeable container for resin beads designed for multiple/combinatorial solid-phase organic synthesis. Resin capsules consist of a high density polyethylene ring sealed with peek mesh on both sides. The cylindrical shape of resin capsules enabled space-saving packing into plastic columnlike reaction vessels commonly used for solid-phase organic synthesis. Resin capsules have been evaluated for their use in combinatorial synthesis, and a set of model compounds with excellent purity was prepared.
Documenting the birth of a financial economy

The birth and explosive growth of mobile money in Kenya has provided economists with an opportunity to study the evolution and impact of a new financial system. Mobile money is an innovation that allows individuals to store, send, and receive money on their mobile phone via text message. This system has opened up basic financial services to many who were previously excluded, and has had real and measurable impacts on the ability of households to protect themselves against health risks. Using a unique survey instrument covering nearly 2,300 households over 2008–2010, we first document the lightning-fast adoption of mobile money in Kenya, which was faster than most documented modern technologies in the United States. We then present evidence on how this innovation allows households to respond better to unexpected adverse health events. We find that in the face of these events, users of mobile money are better able to tap into remittances to finance additional health care costs without having to forego necessary expenditures on education, food, and other consumption needs.
Projecting Felony Intakes to the Justice System

Prison populations in this country continue to increase even during a period of decline in the crime rate. There is a need for a model that simulates how offenders are admitted, how they move in an...
Flight Dynamics of a Morphing Aircraft Utilizing Independent Multiple-Joint Wing Sweep

Morphing, which changes the shape and configuration of an aircraft, is being adopted to expand mission capabilities of aircraft. The introduction of biologically-inspired morphing is particularly attractive in that highly-agile birds present examples of aerodynamically-effective shapes. This paper introduces an aircraft with a multiple-joint design that allows variations in sweep to mimic some shapes observed in birds. These variations are independent on the left and right wings along with on the inboard and outboard sections. The aircraft is designed and analyzed to demonstrate the range of flight dynamics which result from the morphing. In particular, the vehicle is shown to have enhanced turning capabilities and crosswind rejection which are certainly critical metrics for the urban environments in which these aircraft are anticipated to operate.
Utilization of Auxiliary Through Lanes at Signalized Intersections with Downstream Lane Reductions

The capacity of multiple through lanes at signalized intersections depends on the distribution of traffic within these lanes, with equal lane distribution corresponding to maximum capacity. However, traffic characteristics, land use, and geometric factors usually prohibit this from occurring. Although the 1994 update of the Highway Capacity Manual considers the case of continuous through lanes at signalized intersections, the default values provided do not address situations in which lane reduction takes place downstream of the intersection. Lane distribution data obtained in the field can remedy the situation but for existing conditions only. This research employed the concept of captive and choice lane users in modeling lane use for intersection configurations with a single continuous through lane and an “auxiliary” through lane, which is continuous upstream of the intersection but is dropped downstream of it. Stepwise multiple regression was performed on data collected at sites in Tennessee to ascertai...
Transient overexpression of κ and μ opioid receptors using recombinant adenovirus vectors

Abstract In order to study the trafficking and signal transduction mechanisms of the multiple opioid receptors, these receptors are expressed either transiently or stably in cell lines. Often, it is difficult to express receptors at a sufficiently high density to obtain reproducible results. To achieve a high density of receptors, replication-defective adenovirus (rAd5) vectors encoding the μ (MOR) and κ (KOR) opioid receptors, both in their native form and as fusion proteins bearing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) at their C-terminus, were constructed. These vectors efficiently and reproducibly infected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that stably express the human coxsackie–adenovirus receptor (hCAR), with up to 90% of cells becoming infected at a low multiplicity of infection (MOI). Saturation receptor binding studies using μ- and κ-selective agonists, [ 3 H ][ d -Ala 2 , N -Me-Phe 4 , Gly 5 -ol]enkephalin (DAMGO) and [ 3 H ](5α7α,8β)-(−)- N -methyl- N -(7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro(4,5)dec-8-yl)benzeneacetamide (U69,593), respectively, and a nonselective antagonist, [ 3 H ]diprenorphine, revealed that rAd5-transduced cells expressed MOR and KOR for at least 3 days, at levels which exceeded those present on widely-used CHO sublines that stably express MOR or KOR. Expression levels were highest for the vectors encoding native MOR or KOR, and slightly reduced for the GFP fusion proteins. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using rAd5 vectors to express opioid receptors at high densities, which may facilitate opioid receptor studies.
Encoding terahertz signatures into laser-induced plasma acoustic waves

The enhancement of acoustic waves from a laser-induced plasma, from audible into the ultrasonic range, is a linear function of the terahertz (THz) intensity incident on the plasma, making THz-enhanced acoustics (TEA) useful for THz detection at a standoff distance. When a femtosecond laser of sufficient peak energy is focused into air, the gas is ionized and acoustic waves are launched through the photoacoustic process. THz field-induced energy transfer through acceleration of free electrons, and the following electron-molecule collisions, results in an enhanced acoustic emission from the plasma. A physical understanding of free electron manipulation inside a dual-color laser filament is used to encode THz spectroscopic information into acoustic waves, making it possible to coherently detect the electric field profile of the THz pulse by simply "listening" to the plasma from a distance. Our most recent results utilizing TEA as method for remote THz detection will be presented.
A Spatial Study of the Influence of Plasma Length on Interference Effects in a Six-Electrode, Direct-Current, Variable-Length Plasma

Vertical spatial profiles of a six-electrode, direct-current plasma emission source were used to study the influence of plasma length on the interference of Na on Ca and Zn and P on Ca. For the shortest plasma (11.5 mm), depression of the Ca atom line is observed in the region up to 10 mm above the tip of the sample bullet when Na is present. A cross-over to enhancement occurs for higher regions. This is directly opposite to the observations in the ICP for the Na interference on Ca. Increasing the plasma length causes downward shifts in the cross-over point which are not a simple effect of the lowering of the sample bullet. When P is present, the Ca atom emission is initially depressed in the region directly above the sample bullet. At higher observation heights, little effect is observed. Similar behavior is observed for the Ca ion line in the presence of P, suggesting the possibility of a classical vaporization-type interference mechanism. The interference effects studied here can be virtually eliminated by careful selection of plasma length and observation height.
Control system design for a fixed-bed methanation reactor

Abstract A systematic approach is applied to the design of robust controllers for a fixed-bed, non-adiabatic, laboratory methanation reactor, a unit inherently difficult to control. The fundamental limitations to the achievable closed-loop performance are established by both physical arguments and dynamic resilience considerations. The Internal Model Control (IMC) structure provides a suitable framework for this analysis. IMC controllers are designed and their performance in the face of model uncertainty is tested both by simulation and by means of the Structured Singular Value (μ) analysis technique. The paper provides a basic insight into the characterization and solution of control problems that are particular to fixed-bed reactor systems and constitutes the first account of the application of several recent advances in control theory to a complex chemical process.
Partial Resection of Symphysis: An Aid in Radical Prostatectomy

ABSTRACTPurpose: Resection of a posterior symphyseal osteophyte during radical retropubic prostatectomy was evaluated.Materials and Methods: The surgical technique is described.Results: A favorable experience was noted in 10 patients with partial symphyseal resection.Conclusions: Partial symphyseal resection of an osteophyte protruding from the posterior symphysis can facilitate radical retropubic prostatectomy by improving visualization of the apex of the prostate.
Technique of thymectomy by anterior-superior cervicomediastinal exenteration.

The role of thymectomy for the treatment of myasthenia gravis has evolved since the initial descriptions by Sauerbruch in 1913 and Blalock and colleagues in 1939. Currently, thymectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with stable myasthenia gravis or thymomas. There is considerable debate with regard to the approach and extent of thymectomy, especially for patients with myasthenia gravis without thymoma. Some authors have advocated minimally invasive approaches to total thymectomy, including transcervical, thoracoscopic, and modified sternotomy techniques. Unfortunately, these techniques may not fully remove all thymic tissue, which has been reported by Jaretzki and colleagues to be frequently distributed throughout the anterior (including superior) mediastinum. Consequently, Jaretzki has been a consistent proponent of “maximal thymectomy,” resecting all thymic tissue through a transsternal approach. We agree with Jaretzki’s approach to the surgical treatment of myasthenia gravis and thymoma, and since 1986, we have used a modified transsternal technique for the treatment of these patients. The purpose of this article is to describe this technical approach, which we term “anterior-superior cervicomediastinal exenteration,” for the treatment of myasthenia gravis or thymoma.
Simple instrument for measurement of remote sensing reflectance in coastal environment

Measurement of spectral remote sensing reflectance is essential to characterize water color, and to further estimate various water constituents with bio-optical algorithms. The measurement is critical to satellite data calibration/validation as well as to bio-optical algorithm development. Unfortunately, commercial instruments for such measurement are expensive, and they are either not capable of displaying data in real-time or not easy to use in coastal environment where large vessels are not applicable. In this paper we describe a simple instrument for such measurement. The fiber-optic Ocean Optics S2000 spectrometer, originally designed for lab use, was further developed to measure remote sensing reflectance. Compared with concurrent measurements from other expensive commercial instruments over different water bodies, the measured spectral reflectance is nearly identical (mean RMS difference < 2%). Through linearity and sensitivity analysis we found that it is capable of characterizing a variety of water types, even though the sensitivity is not as high as its commercial counterparts. The instrument substantially reduces the cost; it has real-time display and is easy to operate (< 0.5 kg) on small vessels. Further, combined with a liquid waveguide and a light source it is also capable of measuring Gelbstoff absorption with sufficient accuracy.
Performance Characteristics of a Diesel Nozzle Tester Used as a Hand Homogenizer

Summary The performance characteristics of a diesel nozzle tester used as a hand homogenizer have been investigated. It has been found that the instrument is capable of homogenizing milk samples as small as several ounces according to the definitions of homogenization. Homogenization efficiency as a function of homogenization pressure and recycling has been studied. The employment of suitable spray-arresting baffles, it has been found, increases homogenization efficiency markedly and prevents the incorporation of air as fine foam. The reconstituted milk obtained by injecting butter oil into skimmilk has been found to resemble market milk in appearanee and in its creaming properties.
Inhibitors of Epidermal Cell DNA Synthesis in Surviving Pig Skin in Vitro

Keratome slices of domestic pig skin were used to study the DNA synthesis phase of epidermal cell DNA synthesis. Cyclic AMP and agents which elevate intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP have no direct effect on the "S" phase of DNA synthesis. Theophylline, isobutyl-methylxanthine, and adenosine inhibit DNA synthesis immediately by a mechanism which is reversible and is not dependent on cyclic AMP. This inhibition is not associated with an increase in intracellular thymidine phosphates. Hydroxyurea, however, inhibits DNA synthesis immediately and does produce an elevated pool of thymidine phosphates.
Review of Caltech Workshop and Some Parametric Questions for a High-Luminosity Asymmetric B-Factory Collider

The potential to probe the Standard Model and beyond with studies in the B-meson system has resulted in the investigation of techniques to perform this physics. One of the most promising is to produce the Υ(4S) resonance, moving in the laboratory frame, using an e^+e^- storage-ring collider with different energies in the two beams. In April 1989, a workshop was held at Caltech to investigate the issues involved in designing such an accelerator. I summarize the results of that workshop in this paper: and also investigate some parametric questions incorporating several of the constraints discussed there. The purpose of the Caltech Workshop was to consider the accelerator physics issues faced in attempting to achieve a high-luminosity (ℒ ~ 10^(34) cm^(-2) s^(-1)) asymmetric e^+e^- storage-ring B-factory in the E_(cm) ≈ 10-GeV region. There were four working groups, chosen to address what were perceived to be the most difficult areas: (1) beam-beam limitations, (2) optics, (3) beam current limitations, and (4) small beam pipe at the interaction point (IP). I summarize the conclusions from each of these groups in the following sections. Many of these considerations apply as well to symmetric B-factory colliders.
Ultra-Bright Photon-Pair Generation on a Silicon Chip

We report a monolithic source of photon-pair combs on a silicon chip, achieving an unprecedented coincidence-to-accidental ratio of 1386 ± 278 and a spectral brightness 3 orders higher than any source demonstrated up to date.
A precision microdissection procedure for undecalcified bone thin sections

A procedure is described for removing osteons from undecalcified, thin sections of bone. The method involves the use of a microdrilling machine in combination with a micromanipulator. The procedure allows a substantial reduction in the time required for microdissection over previously described methods while permitting the irregular contours of osteons to be followed with precision.