cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muting of androgen negative feedback unveils impoverished gonadotropin-releasing hormone/luteinizing hormone secretory reactivity in healthy older men.

Plasma bioavailable testosterone concentrations decline in healthy older men without a uniformly commensurate rise in serum LH concentrations, which disparity is consistent with a hypothesis of relative hypogonadotropism. Likewise, preserved gonadotrope responsiveness to exogenous GnRH stimulation, despite an attenuated amplitude of endogenous LH pulses, points to reduced hypothalamic GnRH feedforward signaling in aging males. To appraise GnRH/LH secretory reserve more directly in older men, we have compared daily LH secretion, driven by profound short-term blockade of androgen biosynthesis by oral ketoconazole administration, in nine young (ages, 18-32 yr) and seven older (ages, 60-73 yr) volunteers. The ability to unleash endogenous GnRH-driven LH secretion in response to acute testosterone withdrawal was quantitated by sampling blood every 10 min, for 24 h, followed by high-precision immunoradiometric assay. The resultant serum LH concentration profiles were analyzed by: 1) model-free discrete peak detection (Cluster) analysis; 2) the approximate entropy statistic to quantitate pattern regularity; and 3) 24-h rhythmic (cosinor) analysis. At baseline, mean and integrated (24-h) serum LH concentrations were similar in both age cohorts. However, Cluster analysis established an elevated LH peak frequency [18 +/- 0.86 (older) vs. 13 +/- 1.3 pulses/24 h (young), P = 0.0028] and a reduced incremental LH pulse area [37 +/- 6.9 (older) vs. 106 +/- 20 (young) IU/L x min, P = 0.016] in older men. Approximate entropy calculations also revealed more irregular LH release patterns in older men before intervention (P = 0.00089). Feedback stress, achieved by ketoconazole-induced androgen deprivation, unmasked further neuroregulatory defects in older volunteers, who failed to equivalently increase the: 1) mean (24-h) serum LH concentration [i.e. to 5.0 +/- 0.99 (older men) vs. 9.0 +/- 1.1 (young) IU/L, P = 0.000071]; 2) maximal LH peak height (to 6.1 +/- 1.1 vs. 10.4 +/- 1.2 IU/L, P = 0.00043); 3) incremental LH pulse area (to 41 +/- 8.8 vs. 87 +/- 20 IU/L x min, P = 0.016); 4) interpeak nadir serum LH concentration (to 4.0 +/- 0.77 vs. 7.9 +/- 1.0 IU/L, P < 10(-6)); 5) the quantitable irregularity of LH release (P = 0.00089); and 6) the mesor of 24-h rhythmic LH secretion (P = 0.000062). In summary, experimental imposition of a novel hypoandrogenemic open-loop feedback stressor, for 48 h, to heighten hypothalamic GnRH feedforward drive, unveils impoverished augmentation of LH pulse mass, impaired orderliness of LH release, and diminished 24-h rhythmic LH secretion in older men. The foregoing trilogy of neuroregulatory defects identifies unequivocally attenuated hypothalamo-pituitary reactivity to muting of androgen negative feedback in the aging male.
Detection of Protamine and Heparin Using Electrodes Modified with Poly(acrylic acid) and Its Amine Derivative

Grafting of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or its N,N-dimethylethylenediamine derivative (PAA/DMEDA) onto gold produces electrodes that respond to protamine or heparin. Binding of these polyions to PAA or PAA/DMEDA limits the access of Ru(NH3)63+ to electrodes, decreasing currents in cyclic voltammograms. In 0.1 M NaCl, the electrodes respond linearly to protamine or heparin concentrations of 0.4–3 μg/mL and 0.4–7 μg/mL, respectively. Current decreases are ca. 10-fold greater than those at similar electrodes coated with thioctic acid. Washing with 0.1 M NaCl at pH 1.2 (protamine) or pH 10 (heparin) regenerates electrodes. The heparin sensor still functions in 5% horse serum.
The effect of cholesterol supplementation on glutamate-induced hypocholesterolemia in the Mongolian gerbil.

The effect of cholesterol supplementation on the hypocholesterolemia induced by glutamic acid feeding has been studied in the Mongolian gerbil. Serum triglycerides and phospholipids and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents have also been studied during the control and glutamate feeding. Cholesterol supplementation (0.05% and 1.0%) did not diminish the hypocholesterolemic response (20–24% decrease in serum cholesterol). The glutamate amino acid formula diet caused no change in serum triglyceride, serum phospholipid, hepatic cholesterol and hepatic triglyceride content when compared to the control formula diet. No lesions of the hypothalamic or paraventricular areas of the brain were noted on histological preparation in adult gerbils given large amounts of glutamic acid orally.
Solubilities of carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen mixtures in methanol

Previously published data for the six binary combinations that can be formed from CO2, H2S, N2 and methanol are used to obtain parameters of the four-suffix Margules equation describing liquid solution behavior. The vapor phase is described by the Soave modification of the Redlich-Kwong equation of state. Isothermal binary data are fit well by these equations. The effects of temperature on the Margules parameters are significant and, except for N2-containing mixtures, the parameters were taken to be inversely proportional to absolute temperature. Experimental data were obtained for multicomponent mixtures of CO2, H2S, N2 and methanol. Model predictions were tested against these data. Comparisons of predicted and measured values of bubble point pressure and equilibrium vapor compositions are satisfactory.
Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization of End-Functionalized Hydrogen-Bonding Polymers and Resulting Polymer Miscibility

The synthesis of end-functionalized hydrogen-bonding polymers and the investigation of their melt phase blend behavior are reported. Monofunctional and telechelic ureidopyrimidinone (UPy)-functionalized poly(styrene)s and poly(methyl methacrylate)s were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) followed by atom transfer radical coupling (ATRC). Aggregation of UPy end-groups in solution was observed using size exclusion chromatography. The effect of UPy end-groups on blend miscibility in the melt state was studied using optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The incorporation of associating groups onto one end of either blend component decreases miscibility relative to unfunctionalized parent blends. Lower miscibility was also observed for blends in which both components were monofunctionalized with associating end-groups. The largest decrease in miscibility was observed for blends containing telechelic UPy-functionalized polymers, which were immiscible across the ent...
Influence of field bed position, ground surface color, mycorrhizal fungi, and high root-zone temperature in woody plant container production

High root-zone temperatures can stress plants and reduce nursery productivity of container produced crops. Field studies were conducted to study position of containers in field beds, ground surface color, mycorrhizal fungi and high root-zone temperatures in the production of selected woody plants. Root-zone temperature profiles in containers were established to determine nursery production conditions for white and black ground bed surfaces. White surfaces increased container medium temperatures in beds of plants with open canopies by 2–4°C compared to full canopied plants. Under field conditions with container medium temperatures as high as 40–50°C, the open canopiedBerberis thunbergii DC. ‘Atropurpurea’,Pinus eldarica Medw. andBuxus microphylla Seibold and Zucc. were more susceptible to temeprature stress compared to the more close canopiedPittosporum tobira (Thunb.) Ait. ‘Wheeler's dwarf’. When compared to controls,P. tobira colonized with mycorrhizal fungi [Glomus etunicatus Baker and Gerd. andGlomus fasciculatum (Thax.sensu Gerd.) Gerd. and Trappe] had increased shoot growth in all bed areas except the western exposure, and increased root growth in western and eastern bed regions. Greatest root damage generally occurred in containers of colonized and noncolonizedB. thunbergii in southern and western bed exposures. Mycorrhizal colonization did not improve plant growth of the more high temperature susceptibleB. thunbergii.
Seizure resistance is dependent upon age and calorie restriction in rats fed a ketogenic diet

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of age on the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in suppressing seizures evoked by tail-vein infusion of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Male rats of various ages were divided into three groups and fed one of three diets: (1) a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet, (2) a calorie-restricted normal (rodent chow) diet, or (3) a normal diet, ad libitum. After animals had been on experimental or control diets for more than 20 days, seizure threshold and blood levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB) were determined. Animals fed a ketogenic diet exhibited significant elevations in levels of β-OHB and seizure resistance compared to animals fed either a calorie-restricted normal diet or a normal diet, ad libitum. The levels of β-OHB and seizure resistance were greatest for young pups. A surprising finding was that young animals fed a calorie-restricted rodent chow diet exhibited a significantly increased resistance to seizures compared to those fed the same diet, ad libitum. Results presented here demonstrate that the ketogenic diet produces the highest levels of ketonemia and seizure threshold in young animals. Collectively, these data suggest that age and caloric restriction are important considerations for implementing the ketogenic diet.
C2 monitoring and absorption profiling of cyclosporine for optimization of immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

THE ABSORPTION phase of cyclosporine (CyA) (AUC0–4), that generally includes the maximal concentration (Cmax), is the period that displays the most pronounced intraand interindividual variability because it is characterized by rapid changes in whole blood concentrations. This variability is due among other reasons to different gastrointestinal absorption properties among patients. The absorption profile correlates better than trough levels with the immunosuppressive activity of CyA, measured by the suppression of intracellular calcineurin activity and maximum inhibition of IL-2 production. In adult patients, a single concentration taken 2 hours after CyA administration (C2) seems to be the best single pharmacokinetic parameter to predict AUC0–4. 3 In adult renal transplant recipients, immunosuppressive therapy with CyA may be optimized by absorption profiling or C2 monitoring. Comparable data for pediatric patients are lacking. We therefore investigated prospectively the pharmacokinetics of CyA microemulsion in pediatric renal transplant recipients over the first 6 months after grafting. The aims of the study were to assess whether there is association of the absorption profile of CyA (AUC0–4) with the drug’s immunosuppressive activity reflected by the incidence of acute rejection episodes (ARE); and whether the C2 level is a good parameter to predict AUC0–4 values in a cohort of pediatric renal transplant recipients.
Modeling air flow through vegetation

Abstract Field studies of aerosol movement through vegetation are expensive and the results are limited to the particular vegetative system being examined. The results of one such study in a coniferous forest lead the authors to conclude that the distribution of vegetation density controlled air flow patterns within the forest, subject to wind direction and atmospheric stability conditions. This hypothesis was tested by simulating the forest's surface area density distribution in three dimensions with a direct electrical analog computer. Satisfactory results were obtained with this model. Comparison of model generated and actual flow patterns are presented.
Sensitive and Selective Detection of Low-Frequency Vibrational Modes Through a Phase-Shifting Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

We introduce a sensitive technique for the measurement of impulsively excited vibrational Raman modes. A linear sweep in the instantaneous frequency of the probe pulse isolates Raman sidebands from noise, enhancing sensitivity. The temporal interference between two stretched, time-delayed pump pulses allows us to selectively excite specific modes. The method is shown to be applicable to different phases of the samples.
Neuroscience: Promiscuous vesicles

The unexpected finding that neurons can co-release two neurotransmitter molecules, dopamine and GABA, through a common mechanism provides a further advance in our understanding of the nervous system. See Letter p.262
Review article: perspectives on South Africa's transition: implications for democratic consolidation

Friedman, Steven, ed. 1993. The Long Journey: South Africa's Quest for a Negotiated Settlement. Johannesburg: Ravan Press. Ottaway, Marina. 1993. South Africa: The Struggle for a New Order. Washington, D.C.: The Brookings Institution Stedman, Stephen, ed. 1994. South Africa: The Political Economy of Transformation. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Comparative brain and plasma pharmacokinetics and anticancer activities of chlorambucil and melphalan in the rat.

Equimolar doses of chlorambucil and melphalan (both 10 mg/kg) were administered i.v. to anesthetized rats, and the plasma and brain concentrations of chlorambucil, its metabolites 3,4-dehydrochlorambucil and phenylacetic mustard, and melphalan were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography from 5 to 240 min therafter. Chlorambucil demonstrated a monophasic disappearance from plasma, with a half-life of 26 min. The compound was 99.6% plasma-protein-bound. Chlorambucil underwent β-oxidation to yield detectable concentrations of 3,4-dehydrochlorambucil and substantial amounts of phenylacetic mustard in the plasma. Low concentrations of chlorambucil and phenylacetic mustard were detected in the brain. Calculated from the areas under the concentration-time curves, the brain: plasma concentration integral ratios of chlorambucil and phenylacetic mustard were 0.021 and 0.013, respectively. Melphalan demonstrated a biphasic disappearance from plasma, with half-lives of 1.9 and 78 min. The compound was approximately 86% plasma protein-bound. Low concentrations of melphalan were detected in the brain, and its brain: plasma ratio was 0.13. These data demonstrate that following the administration of chlorambucil and melphalan, only low concentrations of active drug are able to enter the brain. As a consequence, concentrations of both drugs that cause the complete inhibition of extracerebrally located tumor have no effect on those located within the brain. Further, the brain uptake of melphalan, although low, is greater than that of chlorambucil and its active metabolites, which coincides with its slightly greater intracerebral activity following the systemic administration of very high doses.
Metric mapping: a new method to aid in the design of nanomanufacturing systems

The creation of new systems for nanomanufacturing can be catalysed by a knowledge of manufacturing systems. A method for comparing macro-scale manufacturing metrics and nanoscale manufacturing processes allows a design engineer to objectively evaluate similarities between macro-scale and nano-scale processes. The result of mapping manufacturing metrics is that a design engineer will have a better understanding of which currently-available manufacturing technology can be easily modified to enable a given nano-scale process. Furthermore, a design engineer will be able to clearly identify areas where new technology must be developed in order to satisfy the performance requirements for a nanomanufacturing process not met by existing technology. A metric mapping method for comparing manufacturing process metrics to nanomanufacturing processes has been developed, which can be used to aid in the design of systems for manufacturing nano-scale products; metric mapping has been utilised to help create a machine for enabling high-throughput dip pen nanolithography.
Resistance to topoisomerase cleavage complex induced lethality in Escherichia coli via titration of transcription regulators PurR and FNR

Background Accumulation of gyrase cleavage complex in Escherichia coli from the action of quinolone antibiotics induces an oxidative damage cell death pathway. The oxidative cell death pathway has also been shown to be involved in the lethality following accumulation of cleavage complex formed by bacterial topoisomerase I with mutations that result in defective DNA religation.
A generalized multistate-based path vector approach to multistate two-terminal reliability

The two-terminal reliability problem assumes that a network and its elements are either in a working or a failed state. However, many practical networks are built of elements that may operate in more than two states i.e., elements may be degraded but still functional. Multistate two-terminal reliability at demand level d (M2TR d ) can be defined as the probability that the system capacity generated by multistate components is greater than or equal to a demand of d units. This paper presents a fully multistate-based algorithm that obtains the multistate equivalent of binary path sets, namely, Multistate Minimal Path Vectors (MMPVs), for the M2TR d problem. The algorithm mimics natural organisms in the sense that a select number of arcs inherit information from other specific arcs contained in a special set called the “primary set.” The algorithm is tested and compared with published results in the literature. Two features of the algorithm make it relevant: (i) unlike other approaches, it does not depend on...
Iue Detection Of Bursts Of H Ly-alpha Emission From Saturn

A new investigation is reported of the potential sources of Ly-alpha emission in a series of observations of the Saturnian system carried out between January and July 1980 using the short wavelength spectrograph of the IUE Observatory. It is noted that north-south maps of the Ly-alpha emission across the planet disk show pronounced spatial asymmetries in emission brightness. These asymmetries vary to a marked extent on a time scale of days and are interpreted as bursts of Ly-alpha emission of as much as 1 kR brightness averaged over a 6 x 10 arcsec area, above a constant planetary emission level of 700-800 R. In fact, the Ly-alpha emission peaks manifest themselves as essentially point source features in these data; it is pointed out that if the emitting region is smaller than the 6 x 10 arcsec instrumental resolution, the surface brightness must be proportionally higher.
A computer model for the recombination zone of a microwave-plasma electrothermal rocket

As part of a study of the microwave-plasma electrothermal rocket, a computer model of the flow regime below the plasma has been developed. A second-order model, including axial dispersion of energy and material and boundary conditions at infinite length, was developed to partially reproduce the absence of mass-flow rate dependence that was seen in experimental temperature profiles. To solve the equations of the model, a search technique was developed to find the initial derivatives. On integrating with a trial set of initial derivatives, the values and their derivatives were checked to judge whether the values were likely to attain values outside the practical regime, and hence, the boundary conditions at infinity were likely to be violated. Results are presented and directions for further development are suggested.
First-principles investigation of the charge-density-wave instability in 1 T -TaSe 2

The charge-density-wave (CDW) instability in $1T{\text{-TaSe}}_{2}$ is investigated as a function of pressure. Density-functional calculations accurately capture the instability at ambient pressures and predict the suppression of the CDW distortion under pressure. The instability is shown to be driven by softening of selected phonon modes due to enhanced electron-phonon matrix elements, rather than by nesting of the Fermi surface or other electronic mechanisms. In addition, the electronic structure of $1T{\text{-TaSe}}_{2}$ and $1T{\text{-TaS}}_{2}$ are compared to investigate why the electronic transition that accompanies the structural transition in the sulfide is not observed in the selenide. Finally, the possibility of electron-phonon superconductivity in compressed ${\text{TaSe}}_{2}$ is discussed.
Bow shock models for the velocity structure of ultracompact H II regions

The velocity structure of ultracompact H II regions is modeled assuming that O stars moving supersonically through molecular clouds sweep up bow shocks to produce the observed objects. The expected radio recombination line emission is calculated for the case of an optically thin continuum and the strong effect of changing the viewing angle is shown. The kinematic information removes the degeneracy with ram pressure of a previous model, allowing measurement of stellar velocity vectors and cloud densities. A detailed model for G29.96-0.02 shows good agreement with observations by Wood and Churchwell, supporting the bow shock hypothesis. It is found that the exciting star of G29 is moving at 20 km/s relative to the gas, suggesting that O stars acquire a large velocity dispersion early in their lives.
A new hemodynamic model shows that temporal perturbations of cerebral blood flow and metabolic rate of oxygen cannot be measured individually using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

A recent dynamic model relates the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurements to hemodynamic and metabolic parameters. This note reports modified expressions of the new model in terms of cerebral blood volume (CBV), blood flow (CBF) and metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2). On the basis of these modified expressions, the new model reproduces known steady state relationships between hemoglobin concentration, CBF and CMRO2, and yields time-dependent relationships that describe transient changes. This new model allows for the translation of the fNIRS measurements into dynamic measures of ?CBV/CBV0?and the difference ?CBF/CBF0?? ?CMRO2/CMRO2|0, provided that some baseline physiological parameters and a relationship between overall, arterial and venous blood volume changes are assumed.
Cancer is a long-term hazard of immunosuppressive therapy

An increased incidence of certain cancers occurs in immunodeficiency states. The incidence in organ transplant patients is increased more than three-fold. The predominant tumors are lymphomas, carcinomas of the skin and lips, carcinomas of the vulva/perineum, in situ carcinomas of the uterine cervix and Kaposi's sarcoma. Tumors appear a relatively short time after transplantation (average 61 months). Unusual features of the lymphomas are the high incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; frequent involvement of extranodal sites; and marked predilection for the brain. Skin cancers present unusual features: predominance of squamous cell carcinomas; young age of the patients, and a high incidence of multiple tumors. Cancer of the vulva/perineum occur at a younger age than in the general population and may be preceded by condyloma acuminatum or herpes genitalis. Certain autoimmune diseases per se are associated with an increased incidence of malignancy, mainly lymphomas. Superimposed on this background incidence is an increase in lymphomas, skin cancers, primary liver cancers, leukemias and bladder cancers associated with the use of immunosuppressive or cytotoxic agents. The overall incidence is probably less than in organ transplant recipients possibly because of lower dosage of immunosuppressive therapy and the shorter duration of treatment.
Activities of daily living available to paraplegics using the LSU-FES powered walking orthosis

A study was conducted to assess the utility of the LSU-FES powered walking orthosis for paraplegics in various activities of daily living in addition to simple level walking. It was determined that with relatively simple modifications it is possible for thoracic paraplegics to perform daily functions such as food preparation, outdor barbecuing, working at a workbench, inspecting automobile fluid levels, target shooting and playing ball. Although such activities are possible with relatively minor adaptations, they are still limited and call for significant increase in research activities that improve daily functions.
Hyperfine resonance properties of Er 3+ in Au

The direct hyperfine resonance spectra of the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{7}$ ground state of isotopically enriched $^{167}\mathrm{Er}^{3+}$ in a dilute Au matrix have been measured in the millikelvin temperature region at frequencies of 230-300 MHz. The spectra were fitted to an isotropic spin Hamiltonian with the magnetic hyperfine constant $A$ and the pseudonuclear $g$ factor ${{g}_{n}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ as fitting parameters. Knowledge of ${{g}_{n}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ makes it possible to estimate the energy separation $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ of the first-excited ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{8}^{(1)}$ quartet from the ground state. This separation was found to be 11 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2 K which is in fair agreement with reported measurements at $X$ band, where $\ensuremath{\Delta}=16\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}6$ K. The hyperfine constant $A$ deduced from the rf spectrum is negative and $|A|$ is approximately 2% smaller than the $A$ value derived from the $X$-band spectrum. The linewidth is of the form $a(H)+bT$, where $b=13$ G/K and the residual linewidth $a (H)$ is a function of magnetic field.
An Addendum to Popa's Paper

In this note we make a few simple observations regarding examples of D. Popa (cf. [3]) concerning weakly compact operators on C [0,1] and other related classes. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 46B28, 46B50, 46E15, 46G12. Key words: Weakly compact operators; compact operators; nuclear operators; absolutely summing operators. Quaestiones Mathematicae 26(2003), 53-56.
Invariant tests for uniformity on the vertices of a regular polygon

Abstract Beran (1968) and Watson (1974) indicated how to construct optimal invariant tests for local and distant alternatives for distributions on the vertices of regular polygons. Here we give the details of tests which are locally optimal against a linear trend, a single and a double peak in the alternative probabilities. These tests are useful for testing the equality of multinomial probabilities when the labels on the cells can be cyclically permuted without changing the problem e.g. the number of births in the 24 hours of the day since the time origin is biologically arbitrary.
Private management for eastern europe's state rental housing*

As the low rents on state rental units are increased during the transition to a market-based housing sector, tenants will demand improvements in housing services received. Based on agency theory and limited empirical evidence, the paper argues that greater increases in housing services delivered are possible if private firms are responsible for managing these projects than if they remain managed by state-owned companies. A practical proposal is presented for implementing the shift to a competitive system of private management.
Small sample failure of random assignment: A further examination.

The purpose of random assignment is to produce equivalence on nuisance variables across experimental groups, even when the nuisance variables are unmeasured or of uncertain number. The effectiveness of random assignment, however, depends on sample size; as sample size increases, the likelihood of equivalence also increases. This article demonstrates that, although nonequivalence on a nuisance variable may be quite likely for small samples, the probability is quite low that nonequivalence will produce erroneous inferences. In fact, the probability of an erroneous inference in the absence of a true treatment effect is generally no greater than the nominal Type I error rate. Accordingly, it is unlikely that small samples have biased inferences drawn from past psychotherapy outcome research. However, small samples cause other problems that argue against their routine use.
Direct effects of public spending on private spending in a small open economy model with variable prices

In recent years a number of investigators, noatbly Aschauer (1988, 1989a, 1989b), Barro (1981, 1990), Barth and Cordes (1980), Blejer and Khan (1984), Calderon (1988), Cardoso (1993), Munnell (1990), Ram (1986), Ramirez (1991, 1993) and Riedel (1992), have investigated both conceptually and empirically the direct effects of public spending on private expenditures. This paper extends the scope of their analyses by explicitly showing how the inclusion of the government variable in the private consumption and investment functions changes the nature of fiscal policy in an open economy with variable domestic prices. Throughout the analysis, a systematic effort is made to compare the differing effects of fiscal policy in the standard and modified models under both fixed and flexible exchange rate regimes. This paper is organized as follows. First, a theoretical rationale for including the government sector as an argument in the private consumption and investment functions is provided. Next, the paper examines the impact of fiscal policy in the fixed rate case under both imperfect and perfect mobility. It is shown that when public and private spending are compliments, conventional policies for stabilizing the economy may lead to chronic stagflationary pressures. Under these conditions, it is expedient for policymakers to recognize that varying the compostion of public spending-independent of its amount-may lead to a stable assignment. Third, the paper examines the impact of changes in both the level and composition of government spending on relevant targets on the flexible rate case with perfect capital mobility. The paper is brought to a close by investigating the assignment problem in the modified model for the flexible rate case. It is shown that government officials may prescribe potentially destabilizing policies if they mistakenly believe that they are operating in the conventioanl model. The last section summarizes the major findings and offers some concluding observations. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
442 THYROID FUNCTION IN YOUNG DOWN SYNDROME CHILDREN(DS)

A retrospective review of thyroid function tests(TFT)was done to determine prevalence of thyroid disorders in 49 young DS. 24 males & 25 females from 4 mo to 3, yr were., compared to; age-matched nonDS randomly selected from those screened for hypothyroidism (hypo)because of developmental delay or FTT.T4 & TSH were measured by standard RIA;antithyroid antibodies(Ab)were measured by hemaglutination. 3 DS had congenital hypothyroidism(CH). Of the 3 CH, 1 had Hirschsprung's & 2 had duodenal atresia. 1 of 49 had acquired hypo with +Ab consistent with thyroiditis. His symptoms corrected with Synthroid. Another DS was hyperthyroid with + Ab. She responded well to PTU. 13 of the remaining 44 DS(27%) had mildly increased TSH(6.6-26.8mIU/ml) & normal T4(“compensated hypo”). When these 13 were compared to the DS with normal T4 &TSH, there were no differences in sex, growth, maternal age, associated anomalies, development or specific thyroid symptoms. TSH was higher than controls(t=3.9, p<.001) for the under 1 y/o DS while there was no difference in T4. Of the 31 with normal TFT, 4/19 retested had normal T4 but elevated TSH. Of the 13 with “compensated hypo” 5/7 retested had normal T4 & TSH. A prevalence (3 of 49) of CH in DS this high or the association of CH & GI anomalies in DS has not been reported. While the 2 DS with acquired thyroid disease had +Ab, the relative lack of thyroiditis was unexpected. Transient TSH elevations were common. Routine thyroid screening is important in DS. A prospective study is needed to elucidate the natural history of thyroid disease in Down Syndrome children.
Iridium abundance maxima in the Upper Cenomanian extinction interval

Two iridium abundance peaks, both 0.11 ppb (whole-rock basis) over a local background of 0.017 ppb, have been found in Middle Cretaceous marine rocks near Pueblo, Colorado. They occur just below the 92-million-year-old Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) stage boundary. No other peaks were found in 45 meters of strata (about 2.5 million years of deposition) above and below the boundary interval. The broad lower peak straddles the first in a series of extinctions of benthic and nektonic macrobiota which comprise the C-T extinction event. The sharp upper peak occurs stratigraphically about 1.2 meters above the lower peak. The excess Ir might be from meteoroid impacts.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY (ANA) TEST IN CHILDHOOD IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP). • 972

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY (ANA) TEST IN CHILDHOOD IMMUNE THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (ITP). • 972
Spanwise-nonuniform excitation of a plane shear layer

The receptivity of a plane mixing layer to spanwise-nonuniform phase excitation Phi(z,t) has been studied in a closed-return water facility. When the peak amplitude of Phi(z) equals pi the primary vortices undergo spanwise-periodic (localized) pairing. Distortion in transverse distributions of the streamwise velocity component and the appearance of inflection points indicate the formation of locally-unstable regions of large shear in which broadband perturbations may undergo rapid amplification followed by breakdown to turbulence. Schlieren visualization and detailed measurements of the streamwise velocity component shed light on the nature of 'vortex dislocations' previously observed by other investigators.
CLIMATIC CHANGE AND LACUSTRINE RESOURCES AT THE PERIOD OF INITIAL AZTEC DEVELOPMENT

Explanations for the emergence of the Aztec state need to consider changes in the climate and the potential effects resulting from these changes on the productivity of the lake network in the Valley of Mexico. Change in the human ecosystem is a complex process of interactions between multiple cultural variables and the environment. In this study, I examine the nature of three primary resources, fish, salt, and waterfowl, available for Early Aztec–period exploitation within the valley lake system. The intensification of lacustrine resource exploitation appears to be correlated with changing climatic conditions that occurred about a.d. 1150. Although the focus of this study is be on the cause-and-effect relationship between culture and environment, it is acknowledged that the environment is just one factor that must be considered to fully understand initial Aztec development.
Single-mode 1.3-/spl mu/m photonic crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser

We report the use of a photonic crystal in a 1.3-mum vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser to achieve single fundamental-mode operation. A focused ion beam was used to mill the photonic crystal into a top dielectric distributed Bragg reflector. The laser operated continuous-wave at room temperature with greater than 1 mW of single-mode output power observed with a sidemode suppression ratio of more than 37 dB and little change to the electrical properties of the device
Direct Intraventricular Delivery of Drugs to the Rodent Central Nervous System

Due to an inability to cross the blood brain barrier, certain drugs need to be directly delivered into the central nervous system (CNS). Our lab focuses specifically on antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), though the techniques shown in the video here can also be used to deliver a plethora of other drugs to the CNS. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have the capability to knockdown sequence-specific targets 1 as well as shift isoform ratios of specific genes 2 . To achieve widespread gene knockdown or splicing in the CNS of mice, the ASOs can be delivered into the brain using two separate routes of administration, both of which we demonstrate in the video. The first uses Alzet osmotic pumps, connected to a catheter that is surgically implanted into the lateral ventricle. This allows the ASOs to be continuously infused into the CNS for a designated period of time. The second involves a single bolus injection of a high concentration of ASO into the right lateral ventricle. Both methods use the mouse cerebral ventricular system to deliver the ASO to the entire brain and spinal cord, though depending on the needs of the study, one method may be preferred over the other.
A study on the mechanism of dissolution of the cellulose/NH3/NH4SCN system. II.

In a previous article,1 we reported on the interaction of cellulose with NH3/NH4SCN by using solid state CP / MAS 13C-NMR, wide-angle X-ray and other techniques. It appears that during an imposed temperature cycling sequence, specific cellulosic inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds are broken as polymorphic conversion and, ultimately, dissolution occurs. Cellulose is converted from the polymorph I to II to III and, finally, to amorphous. We speculate that these changes proceed via transformation of the polymorph conformations of CH2OH from trans-gauche, “tg,” to gauche-trans, “gt,” to gauche-gauche, “gg.” Remarkably, the temperature cycling effectively and rapidly effects these changes, seemingly, by invoking at two different temperatures (22°C and −78°C), a subtle but powerful temperature-related interplay of enthalpic and entropic forces. At the higher of the cycling temperature limits, entropy and van der Waals forces dominate, causing NH3 to partition in favor of the liquid phase. At the lower of the temperature cycling limits, enthalpy dominates and the situation is reversed favoring NH3 partition toward the cellulose, resulting in breakage of inter- and intracellulosic H-bonds by the interpenetrating ammonia to form new H-bonds between cellulose and ammonia, leading ultimately to conformational changes and, ultimately, even dissolution. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using the recommended stocking density to predict equine pasture management

Abstract Best management practices for equine pastures include following the recommended stocking density, rotating, clipping, dragging manure, soil testing, and renovating as needed. Assuming these practices are implemented collectively, pasture resources can contribute significantly to annual forage needs. A survey was mailed to New Jersey pasture property owners in January 2000 to assess pasture management practices and determine the relationship between the recommended stocking density and individual management practices. Our survey indicates that many horse pasture managers follow individual recommendations, but generally do not implement multiple management practices. About 69% of survey respondents currently have between 0 and 20 horses. About 28% of respondents have between 6 and 10 acres of pasture, while only 20% have between 11 and 20 acres. Our analysis reveals a decreasing tendency to follow the recommended stocking density as horse numbers increase, but no difference as the number of acres of pasture changes. Our survey indicated that 66% soil test and about 45% fertilize every three years or greater while 50% lime pastures in intervals exceeding three years. The most commonly implemented management practice is mowing pastures (89%), while 54% of respondents rotate pastures. Despite the large proportion of managers that mow or rotate their pastures, there was generally only a small likelihood of these managers following the recommended stocking density and mowing, and no relationship between rotating and the recommended stocking density. Our results also indicate that at most about one-third of pasture managers have access to or own some piece of equipment used in pasture renovation or maintenance, although 92% make annual pasture expenditures. Consequently, pasture managers need additional information regarding the benefits of following best management practices to achieve the synergistic effect of multiple management practices on pasture productivity and persistence.
ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) describes a wide spectrum of non-invasive tumors which carry a significant risk of invasive relapse, thus prevention of local recurrence is vital. For appropriate patients with limited disease, management with breast conserving surgery (BCS) followed by whole-breast radiation (RT) is supported by multiple Phase III studies, but mastectomy may be appropriate in selected patients. Omission of RT may also be reasonable in some patients, though which criteria are to be utilized remain unclear, and the existing data are contradictory with limited follow-up. Various RT techniques such as boost to the tumor bed, partial breast radiation or hypofractionated, whole-breast RT are increasingly utilized but the data to support their use specifically in DCIS is limited. Tamoxifen also increases local control for ER + DCIS, adding to the complexity of the local treatment management. This article reviews the existing scientific evidence, the controversies surrounding local management, and clinical guidelines for DCIS based on the group consensus by the ACR Breast Expert Panel. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.
Capture of fine particles on charged moving spheres: a new electrostatic precipitator

A study of a novel electrostatic approach to fine-particle collection was carried out on a specially designed test apparatus. Copper spheres were first electrostatically and then dynamically suspended between two horizontal parallel plates using an applied DC electric field. The sizes studied were 74-88, 102-25, and 125-47 mu m. The charged spheres, which were larger by a factor of 10 to 100 than the dust captured (mean diameter 2.4 mu m), were then electrostatically propelled into an adjacent duct where they scrubbed a crossflowing dust-laden gas by the processes of impaction and electrostatic attraction. The total collection efficiency of the device and the target collection efficiency of the charged copper spheres were studied. Both were found to increase with the charging electric field strength, the target particle diameter, and the duct air velocity. This research suggests that electrostatic precipitation based on the scrubbing action of charged solid particles is possible, and that total collection efficiencies of up to 99% cleanup (or greater) should be attainable. Fly-ash collection performance exceeding that based on theory with regard to the particle target efficiency was observed. >
Allometric change accompanies opercular shape evolution in Alaskan threespine sticklebacks

Summary How does development evolve to produce a skeletal element with a new shape? We extend our previous study of morphological evolution and development of the opercle, a large facial bone with favorable attributes for both comparative and development analyses. The opercle becomes prominently reshaped when Alaskan anadromous stickleback fish evolve into resident freshwater lacustrine forms. We use geometric morphometrics to examine the opercle shape change which includes a prominent dilation of the bone along one axis, coupled with diminution along the orthogonal axis. During juvenile to adult development, the opercles of both the ancestral and derived forms change in shape as they grow in size, and the allometries differ between the two forms. Hence, a feature of morphological evolution in this system is the appearance of a novel shape‐size developmental trajectory in the lacustrine fish. We include a model explaining the ancestral allometric pattern of bone growth, and how growth must be reorganized to bring about the evolutionary change in shape.
Younger and Older Adults’ Beliefs About the Experience and Expression of Emotions Across the Life Span

Results. Younger and older adults held similar beliefs about the course of emotions across the life span. Moreover, these beliefs differed across emotion categories. In particular, although older adults were believed to experience and express fewer highly charged, negative emotions, they were expected to be more likely to experience and express positive, low arousal emotions, as well as negative, low arousal emotions. The experience and expression of positive, high arousal emotions were seen as more characteristic of very young age groups as opposed to older age groups. Discussion. These findings beg questions about if and how beliefs about emotion may affect age-related emotion regulation strategies and other everyday emotion-focused behaviors, as well as social reactions to older adults observed experiencing and expressing particular types of emotions.
NeuralWISP: A Wirelessly Powered Neural Interface With 1-m Range

We present the NeuralWISP, a wireless neural interface operating from far-field radio-frequency RF energy. The NeuralWISP is compatible with commercial RF identification readers and operates at a range up to 1 m. It includes a custom low-noise, low-power amplifier integrated circuit for processing the neural signal and an analog spike detection circuit for reducing digital computational requirements and communications bandwidth. Our system monitors the neural signal and periodically transmits the spike density in a user-programmable time window. The entire system draws an average 20 muA from the harvested 1.8-V supply.
Sorption of inorganic and total phosphorus from dairy and swine slurries to soil.

Understanding P sorption from animal manures is essential to formulate best management practices with regard to land application of manure from the standpoint of crop production and environmental quality. Little research has focused on the construction of P sorption isotherms where the P source is manure. The objectives of this study were to: (i) develop a procedure to characterize how inorganic P (Pi) and total P (Pt) from dairy slurry and swine slurry sorbs to soil; and (ii) compare the sorption characteristics of Pi and Pt where the P source was dairy slurry, swine slurry, or potassium phosphate (KH2PO4). Sorptionsolutionswerepreparedin0.1MKClatpH6andequilibrated with soils at a 1:25 (w/v) soil/solution ratio for 24 h. Inorganic P, Pt, Al, and Fe in the equilibrated solutions were measured. For all soils, Pi and Pt sorption capacity of dairy slurry was greater than KH2PO4. Total P sorption capacity of swine slurry was greater than KH2PO4, while Pi sorption capacity was less than KH2PO4. Overall, Pi and Pt sorption strengths of the manure slurries were less than or equal to KH2PO4. Increased Pi sorption from dairy slurry was correlated with Fe and Al desorption. Reduction of Pi sorption capacity from swine slurry was related to preferential sorption of organic P. Additional studies need to be conducted to determine how differences in P sorption between manures and fertilizer impact in-field Pavailability to a crop and potential for losses in runoff water.