cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Bank Consolidation on the Bank Insurance Fund

During the 1990s, mergers of large banks have changed the industry dramatically, with the concentration amoung the 100 largest banking organizations increasing from 54.6 percent as of year-end 1990 or 72.6 percent as of mid-1990. This paper examines changes in the BIF's ability to remain solvent using a Monte Carlo model, under various levels of industry concentration. To better examine the effects of consolidation, the top 100 banking organizations were simulated individually while other banks were simulated in aggregate. The results show that, based on historical loss and failure rates, the consilidation that took place between 1990 and 1997 increased the risk of BIF insolvency by approximately 50 percent, and that megamergers that took place or were announced during the 18 months between year-end 1997 and mid-year 1999 increased the risk of insolvency further. Moreover, unlike the BIF of 1990, the solvency of the BIF of today is inseparably tied to the health of the largest banking organizations.
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) variants and bladder cancer: a population-based case-control study.

Abstract Functional variants in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, including the 677C>T and 1298A>C polymorphisms, have been associated with a moderately reduced risk of several cancers, including colorectal cancers. While recent studies have investigated the role of these polymorphisms on bladder cancer susceptibility, results have been mixed. To clarify the role of MTHFR polymorphisms on bladder cancer risk, we genotyped MTHFR 677C>T and MTHFR 1298A>C in a population-based study of bladder cancer of 352 patients and 551 controls from New Hampshire, USA. The allelic frequency was 35.6% for MTHFR 677C>T and 40.4% for MTHFR 1298A>C among controls. We found no evidence of a main gene effect for either polymorphism (adjusted OR for MTHFR 677C>T variants versus the reference genotype=1.1; 95% CI, 0.8–1.4 and adjusted OR for MTHFR 1298A>C variants versus the reference genotype=1.0; 95% CI, 0.7–1.4). Odds ratios did not appear to differ by smoking status or gender. We observed differences in the risk estimates for the MTHFR polymorphisms by arsenic exposure, but they were not statistically significant ( P = 0.67 for MTHFR 677C>T and P = 0.12 for MTHFR 1298A>C). Thus, our findings do not support the presence of a main gene effect. The possibility that MTHFR polymorphism affects susceptibility to environmental exposures warrants further consideration.
Mission critical: building community to engage young women in computer science (abstract only)

This project consists of a collaborative effort between the Games+Learning+Society Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Microsoft Research to create an online community to engage girls in computer programming and game design. The goals of this community are threefold: 1) to support initial interest in computer science among young women and then build on that interest through increasingly involved participation within the community; 2) to foster the learning of programming specifically, and computational and design thinking more broadly; and 3) to provide support to the young women within the community at the critical engagement and learning points. At SIGCSE 2014 we will present the first major phase of the project-an updated version of our team's Studio K curriculum for teaching game design and computational thinking to middle and high school students. We will also report on early research findings from the first all-girl cohorts to complete the curriculum.
Value of simultaneous functional assessment in association with acute rest perfusion imaging for predicting short- and long-term outcomes in emergency department patients with chest pain

Background. Rest tomographic myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) has significant utility for clinical decision making in emergency department chest pain patients. The role of functional data, commonly acquired with perfusion, has not been systematically evaluated. Methods and Results. Low- to moderate-risk patients undergoing rest MPI for risk stratification were included. The patients’ MPI findings were classified as normal (normal perfusion or function), abnormal (perfusion defect with abnormal regional function), or discordant (perfusion defect with normal regional function). Ejection fraction was determined from the gated MPI studies. Events based on perfusion classifications and ejection fraction were evaluated. A total of 2,826 consecutive patients (abnormal MPI results in 40%, normal in 32%, and discordant in 27%) were studied. Outcomes were similar for those with normal MPI results versus those with discordant MPI results (myocardial infarction [MI] based on troponin I [TnI], 3.5% vs 4.0%; MI based on creatine kinase-MB, 1.5% vs 1.7%; revascularization, 5.2% vs 5.5%; and MI/revascularization based on TnI, 7.9% vs 8.1%) (P=not significant for all). Both groups had significantly fewer events (P<.001 for all) when compared with patients with abnormal MPI studies (MI based on TnI, 15%; MI based on creatine kinase-MB, 10%; revascularization, 17%; MI based on TnI or revascularization, 24%). The mortality rate was not different among the 3 groups. Multivariate analysis showed that mild/moderate and severe systolic dysfunction were independent predictors of 30-day and 1-year mortality rates (P=.001). Conclusions. The concurrent evaluation of perfusion and function (regional and global) with MPI provides significant risk/outcome predictive power.
Expression of pathogenesis-related protein PR-10 in sorghum floral tissues in response to inoculation with Fusarium thapsinum and Curvularia lunata

Differences in grain mould disease levels among different sorghum varieties grown in the same environment imply that host genes play a role in controlling disease severity. The fungi most often recovered from naturally infected sorghum grain, Fusarium thapsinum and Curvularia lunata, were used to inoculate a set of resistant and susceptible cultivars at anthesis in both field and glasshouse trials. In the field, 12 cultivars were inoculated with a mixture of F. thapsinum and C. lunata and, in the glasshouse, individual panicles from four selected cultivars were inoculated with spore suspensions of C. lunata, F. thapsinum, a mixture of the two or water to serve as a control. Based on grain mould severity ratings and germination tests on the seed from the field trial, Tx2911, Sureno, SC719-11E and SC650-11E displayed a high level of resistance to grain mould. To determine whether resistant and susceptible lines differed in response to the pathogens, PR-10 mRNA levels were measured using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. PR-10 is a protein with antifungal properties that has been associated with defence responses in sorghum and other plant species. In field tests, most, but not all, cultivars showed significant induction of normalized relative quantities of PR-10 after dual inoculation with spores of both C. lunata and F. thapsinum. Under glasshouse-controlled conditions, glumes of inoculated plants showed the clear induction of PR-10 mRNA, and the response was greater in resistant (Tx2911 and Sureno) than in susceptible (RTx430 and SC170-6-17) cultivars. Inoculation with spores from a single mould-inducing pathogen generally induced greater responses than when spores were combined. For RTx430, SC170-6-17 and Sureno, the response to C. lunata was greater, whereas Tx2911 showed a stronger response to F. thapsinum. The results indicate that the induction of PR-10 in sorghum glumes may be a factor useful in breeding programmes designed to combine multiple factors for resistance.
Seeing may be believing

as visual creatures, we have evolved a sophisticated capacity to respond immediately and appropriately when confronted with an image. That immediate pattern recognition is essential for everyday function and also plays an important role in clinical practice with pattern recognition of radiologic
Alcohol consumption and ultrasonographically assessed carotid artery wall thickness and distensibility. The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study Investigators.

BACKGROUNDAlthough much has been written in recent years about the relation between alcohol and atherosclerotic disease, controversy exists as to whether and how alcohol exerts an effect on atherosclerosis in different sites.METHODS AND RESULTSWe tested the hypothesis that alcohol consumption is associated inversely with carotid atherosclerosis in a population sample of 45- to 64-year-old men and women who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and were free of cardiovascular disease at a baseline examination in 1987 to 1989. B-mode ultrasonography was used to determine carotid artery intimal-medial wall thickness and distensibility as indices of the degree of atherosclerosis. The level of alcohol consumption in the ARIC sample was generally low. Age-adjusted mean values of alcohol consumed (grams per week) were 72.0 for white and 74.3 for nonwhite men and 24.8 for white and 11.2 for nonwhite women. After adjustments for age, artery depth, education, body mass index, sport in...
A rhetorical analysis of John Donne's “the prohibition”

(1962). A rhetorical analysis of John Donne's “the prohibition”. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 38-45.
The excitation of an independent-particle gas—classical or quantal—by a time-dependent potential well

Abstract A systematic numerical investigation of the excitation of a classical or quantal gas of non-interacting particles in a time-dependent potential well is described. The excitation energy was followed in time for one oscillation around the sphere for six types of deformation: spheroidal shapes and Legendre polynomial ripples P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5 , P 6 , with relative rms amplitudes of 0.2. Ten different speeds of deformation and eleven different values of the diffuseness of the potential well were studied, making altogether 660 quantal and 660 classical time-dependent calculations. In the upper range of deformation speeds the quantal results for the non-integrable shapes P 3 – P 6 agree approximately with the wall formula for dissipation, the deviations being largely accounted for by the wave-mechanical suppression factor of Koonin et al. For low deformation speeds the dissipation becomes dominated by one or two avoided level crossings.
Eye movements of highly skilled and average readers: differential effects of frequency and predictability.

This study offers a glimpse of the moment-by-moment processes used by highly skilled and average readers during silent reading. The eye movements of adult readers were monitored while they silently read sentences. Fixation durations and the spatial–temporal patterns of eye movements were examined to see whether the two groups of readers exhibited differential effects of frequency and/or predictability. In Experiment 1, high- and low-frequency target words were embedded in nonconstraining sentence contexts. In Experiment 2, the same participants read high- and low-frequency target words that were either predictable or unpredictable, embedded in highly constraining sentence contexts. Results indicated that when target words appeared in highly constraining sentence contexts, the average readers showed different effects of frequency and predictability from those shown in the highly skilled readers. It appears that reading skill can interact with predictability to affect the word recognition processes used dur...
Multiple messenger RNAs for dihydrofolate reductase.

Abstract The species of RNA containing homologous sequences to a cDNA prepared against murine dihydrofolate reductase have been identified and partially characterized in a methotrexate-resistant subclone of the murine lymphoma L5178Y. Twelve discreet species have been identified by Northern blot analysis in the cytoplasm and four are associated with the nucleus. A majority of the cytoplasmic species are shown to be polyadenylated and range in size from approximately 0.8 to greater than 23.7 kb. Of the cytoplasmic species, four (i.e., 1.6, 1.3, 1.1, 0.8 kb) are found in the parental line as well as the MTX-resistant line. The 0.8-kb species is shown to be lacking a large portion of a 3′ noncoding region present on some of the higher-molecular-weight species. The 0.8- and 1.3-kb mRNAs containing dihydrofolate reductase coding sequences have been purified away from the other species and shown to translate to dihydrofolate reductase in an in vitro protein synthesis system. It is concluded that within the dihydrofolate reductase gene-amplified cell line L5178Y C 3 there are multiple messenger RNAs coding for dihydrofolate reductase and that this multiple translatable mRNA phenomenon is not the result of gene amplification.
Recent Advances in the Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Minireview

(2005). Recent Advances in the Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Minireview. The British Journal of Development Disabilities: Vol. 51, No. 101, pp. 129-142.
PI 3-kinase independent role for AKT in F-actin regulation during outer segment phagocytosis by RPE cells

Daily phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segment fragments (POS) by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is essential for vision. RPE cells use an uptake machinery that is highly similar to the one macrophages use to phagocytose apoptotic cells. In both forms of phagocytosis, particle binding induces phagocyte signaling that is required for F-actin assembly and re-arrangement beneath bound particles. Macrophage binding of apoptotic cells stimulates PI3 kinases (PI3K) and AKT kinases (AKT), which may be downstream of PI3K, and PI3K inhibition decreases engulfment. Here, we used specific inhibitory agents to investigate whether and how PI3K and AKT contribute to RPE phagocytosis. Either PI3K or AKT inhibition eliminated AKT activation by RPE cells in response to POS and increased the numbers of POS bound by RPE cells. Analyzing the quality of bound POS, we found a higher fraction of POS associated with F-actin phagocytic cups and myosin II in RPE receiving AKT inhibitor. In these cells, individual POS also recruited more F-actin and myosin II than POS in control cells. In contrast, PI3K inhibition did not alter frequency of phagocytic cups but individual cups contained less F-actin (but similar levels of myosin II) compared to control cups. Annexin AII, another phagocytic cup protein of RPE cells, associated with bound POS regardless of inhibitor treatment. POS engulfment proceeded normally if cells already carried surface-bound POS when receiving inhibitors. However, PI3K inhibition during POS binding blocked subsequent POS engulfment. In striking contrast, AKT inhibition had no effect on POS engulfment. Taken together, these results suggest distinct regulatory roles of PI3K and AKT during POS phagocytosis by RPE cells.
Morphological silica-supported acid catalyst for esterification of aliphatic fatty acid

Abstract Silica-supported acid catalysts were synthesized and characterized for composition, morphology, particle size distribution, and crystallinity. The catalysts are used for the esterification of long-chain aliphatic acids with alcohol to produce the corresponding ester. Process parameters such as time, temperature, and solvent ratio influence the conversion of fatty acid to ester. A supported catalyst was found to show higher catalytic activity as compared to the conventional sulfuric acid catalyst.
Laughing out loud: control for modeling anatomically inspired laughter using audio

We present a novel technique for generating animation of laughter for a character. Our approach utilizes an anatomically inspired, physics-based model of a human torso that includes a mix of rigid-body and deformable components and is driven by Hill-type muscles. We propose a hierarchical control method which synthesizes laughter from a simple set of input signals. In addition, we present a method for automatically creating an animation from a soundtrack of an individual laughing. We show examples of laugh animations generated by hand-selected input parameters and by our audio-driven optimization approach. We also include results for other behaviors, such as coughing and a sneeze, created using the same model. These animations demonstrate the range of possible motions that can be generated using the proposed system. We compare our technique with both data-driven and procedural animations of laughter.
Management of art library collections and extension of services

Focuses on the reasons why the South African National Gallery (SANG), in common with all institutions with a commitment to public service, now has to reassess and expand its services in order to redress past inequities. The new Government formed in South Africa after the watershed elections of 1994 is encouraging change and radical restructuring in every sphere of social, cultural and economic activity. SANG has initiated changes to address majority needs in a culture of learning which formerly did not include arts education for black people. Describes the challenges in the managing of collections the new ventures pose for librarians.
Mass independent Z identification of reaction products with ΔE and time-of-flight

Abstract It is shown that elemental assignments for reaction products can be made unambiguously using only ΔE and T signals in charged-particle counter telescope time-of-flight systems. The resulting simplifications in mass identification algorithms are discussed.
Information methods for model selection in linear mixed effects models with application to HCV data

In this paper, we derive a small sample Akaike information criterion, based on the maximized loglikelihood, and a small sample information criterion based on the maximized restricted loglikelihood in the linear mixed effects model when the covariance matrix of the random effects is known. Small sample corrected information criteria are proposed for a special case of linear mixed effects models, the balanced random-coefficient model, without assuming the random coefficients covariance matrix to be known. A simulation study comparing the derived criteria and several others for model selection in the linear mixed effects models is presented. We illustrate the behavior of the studied information criteria on real data from a study of subjects coinfected with HIV and Hepatitis C virus. Robustness of the criteria, in terms of the error distributed as a mixture of normal distributions, is also studied. Special attention is given to the behavior of the conditional AIC by Vaida and Blanchard (2005). Among the studied criteria, GIC performs best, while cAIC exhibits poor performance. Because of its inferior performance, as demonstrated in this work, we do not recommend its use for model selection in linear mixed effects models.
The Scholarships of Teaching and Pedagogy: Time to Abandon the Distinction?

We surveyed the editorial board of Teaching of Psychology regarding their perspectives on the distinction between the scholarships of teaching and pedagogy. Respondents provided wide-ranging and divergent answers to our queries, suggesting that scholarship, its attendant activities, and distinctions among related terms are complex issues in need of further clarification. We suggest that the distinction between the scholarships of teaching and pedagogy is unclear and unnecessary.
Correlated photosynthetic responses and habitat factors of two successional tree species

Ulmus alata and Diospyros virginiana are components of the shrubearly tree communities of old-field succession in several areas in the deciduous forests of eastern North America. In these habitats, the plants experience high insolation, high temperatures, and low soil moisture during the summer. They exhibit pronounced daily changes in water potential and usually develop more negative water potentials as the season progresses. The species light saturate at ∼1,150 μE m-2 sec-1 with photosynthetic rates of 15 mg CO2 dm-2 h-1 for U. alata and 17 mg CO2 dm-2 h-1 for D. virginiana. The optimum temperatures for photosynthesis are ∼25°C. Ulmus alata maintains maximum photosynthesis to water potentials of-14 bars and recovers from-20 bars to ∼60% of maximum photosynthesis within 10 hrs after watering. When they are deprived of water, twigs of D. virginiana exhibit faster decline in photosynthesis and leaf conductance than twigs of U. alata. The two species have somewhat different response to the environmental of high insolation and low water supply. Unlike Ulmus, Diospyros virginiana has some adaptations which may explain the persistence of a few individuals in mature forests.
Quantification of atrazine and its metabolites in urine by on-line solid-phase extraction-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

We have developed a method using on-line solid-phase extraction–high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC-MS/MS) and isotope dilution quantification to measure atrazine and seven atrazine metabolites in urine. The metabolites measured were hydroxyatrazine, diaminochloroatrazine, desisopropylatrazine, desethylatrazine, desethylatrazine mercapturate, atrazine mercaturate and atrazine itself. Our method has good precision (relative standard deviations ranging from 4 to 20% at 5, 10 and 50 ng/mL), extraction efficiencies of 67 to 102% at 5 and 25 ng/mL, relative recoveries of 87 to 112% at 5, 25, 50 and 100 ng/mL limits of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.03 to 2.80 ng/mL. The linear range of our method spans from the analyte LOD to 100 ng/mL (40 ng/mL for atrazine and atrazine mercapturate) with R 2 values of greater than 0.999 and errors about the slope of less than 3%. Our method is rapid, cost-effective and suitable for large-scale sample analyses and is easily adaptable to other biological matrices. More importantly, this method will allow us to better assess human exposure to atrazine-related chemicals.
The role of bbject discontinuity in object-based selection

Experiment 2 was similar to Experiment 1 with the following exceptions. Half the trials consisted of one object displays and half the trials consisted of two object displays. On each trial, the discrimination target (the “X” or “O”) appeared at one of three possible locations: at the cued location (valid condition, 67% of trials) or at one of the two other invalidly cued locations (invalid across ere are a eas wo ypo eses o ow a en on s rec e o o ec s an object-based effects are generated: (1) The effect of objects on attentional selection is due to a cost associated with either dividing or switching attention between discrete object representations (Egly et al., 1994; Lamy & Egeth, 2000) (2) Object effects arise because the spread of attention is constrained by object boundaries (grouped array hypothesis, Vecera, 1994). Critically, the former hypothesis requires two separate object representations for object-based effects to emerge, while the latter requires only object discontinuity or a disruption in Experiment 3: Results either one object or two objects in the display. The method was identical to Experiment 2, except participants were required to respond at the beginning of each trial whether the display consisted of one object or two objects. The data report, below, includes only trials on which the participants correctly reported the number of objects in the display (mean accuracy = 99.1%). Object, 1000 ms Cue, 50 ms , ms
4 Efficacy of multidisciplinary pain centres: an antidote to anecdotes

Chronic pain is difficult to treat successfully. The lack of satisfactory outcome from the traditional medical, pharmacological and surgical approaches was an impetus to the development of specialty treatment facilities—multidisciplinary pain centers (MPCs). With health-care costs continuing to rise, the clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness of MPCs have recently been challenged. In this chapter, it is argued that the efficacy of treatment for chronic pain should be evaluated on multiple criteria: reduction in pain, use of analgesic medication and utilization of the health-care services. Increases in functional activity, return to work and closure of disability claims should also be considered. The published results for MPCs are reviewed in comparison with alternative treatment methods. The results suggest that MPCs are more effective than alternative monodisciplinary approaches. Furthermore, it is concluded that MPCs can produce saving of billions of dollars in terms of health-care expenditure and indemnity costs.
On the lattice of quasivarieties of Sugihara algebras

Let S denote the variety of Sugihara algebras. We prove that the lattice Λ (K) of subquasivarieties of a given quasivariety K\( \subseteq \)S is finite if and only if K is generated by a finite set of finite algebras. This settles a conjecture by Tokarz [6]. We also show that the lattice Λ (S) is not modular.
Local infusion of the serotonin antagonists ritanserin or ICS 205,930 increases in vivo dopamine release in the rat medial prefrontal cortex.

Previous research has indicated that atypical antipsychotic drugs like clozapine preferentially increase dopamine (DA) release from the mesocortical, relative to the nigrostriatal, system. While these drugs generally have weak affinity for the D2 receptor subtype, they are potent antagonists of the 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptor. Research into neurotransmitter interactions indicates that 5-HT modulates DA release, but the nature of this interaction may depend upon the specific 5-HT receptor subtype and the neuronal location of that subtype. The present research tested the hypothesis that 5-HT2 receptors localized near mesocortical DA nerve terminals regulate DA release. This was accomplished by infusing the specific 5-HT2 antagonist ritanserin directly into the medial prefrontal cortex through reverse dialysis in vivo in the rat. Cortical extracellular fluid was then extracted by microdialysis and DA was subsequently assayed by HPLC with electrochemical detection. These results were compared to the systemic administration of ritanserin (1.0–5.0 mg/kg i.p.) and the local application of ICS 205,930, an antagonist at the 5-HT3/4 receptor subtypes. Both 5-HT antagonists increased cortical DA levels when infused locally at concentrations of 100 μM (12 nmoles/60 min), and these results were concentration-dependent. Systemically administered ritanserin also dose-dependently increased cortical DA efflux. These results indicate that atypical antipsychotic drugs may increase mesocortical DA release by antagonizing 5-HT receptors located in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, 5-HT may normally inhibit cortical DA release by actions at the 5-HT2 receptor subtype. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Speaking of Fictional Characters

The challenge of handling fictional discourse is to find the best way to resolve the apparent inconsistencies in our ways of speaking about fiction. A promising approach is to take at least some such discourse to involve pretense, but does all fictional discourse involve pretense? I will argue that a better, less revisionary, solution is to take internal and fictionalizing discourse to involve pretense, while allowing that in external critical discourse, fictional names are used seriously to refer to fictional characters. I then address two objections to such realist theories of fiction: One, that they can't adequately account for the truth of singular nonexistence claims involving fictional names, and two, that accepting that there are fictional characters to which we refer is implausible or ontologically profligate.
An ad hoc query interface for IC-CIM databases

A graphical user interface to an IC-CIM database that includes geometric, scientific, and business data is described. The interface allows data to be queried and viewed using methods appropriate for each data type (e.g. graphic data are queried/viewed graphically), it can be easily built using existing technology, and it uses a paradigm that allows the interface to be extended when new data types are added to the database. >
Renal transport of glucose by the aglomerular fish Lophius americanus

The renal excretion of glucose by the aglomerular fish Lophius americanus was studied. It was found that glucose is a normal constituent of Lophius urine. U/P ratios were approximately 0.02. However, after elevation of plasma glucose level or injection of phlorizin the U/P ratio for glucose was increased as much as ten fold. This increase in U/P ratio was observed even if urine was collected directly from the ureter rather than from the bladder. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that glucose is able to diffuse across the renal tubular epithelium, which also has the ability to reabsorb glucose which diffuses into the urine.
The invention of radical reactions. Part XXXIV. Homologation of carboxylic acids to α-keto carboxylic acids by Barton-ester based radical chain chemistry☆

Abstract Carboxylic acids can be transformed into the homologous α-keto acids by Barton-ester based radical chemistry. This method was especially successful when ethyl α-trifluoroacetoxy acrylate was used as a radical trap.
The capacity of SOQPSK-TG

In this paper we compute the capacity and the pragmatic capacity of aeronautical telemetry shaped-offset quadrature phase-shift keying (SOQPSK-TG). In the pragmatic approach, SOQPSK-TG is treated as a modulation scheme as opposed to an encoder, and no iterations are performed between the SOQPSK-TG demodulator and the outer binary decoder. We also evaluate the capacity of SOQPSK-TG constrained on a reduced complexity detection scheme based on the pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) representation of continuous phase modulation (CPM). The spectral efficiency of the PAM based SOQPSK-TG (SOQPSK-TG-PAM) is computed and shown to be superior to that of military-standard SOQPSK (SOQPSK-MIL) despite having the same detection complexity. We also show that the natural mapping of SOQPSK-TG between input bits and SOQPSK-TG waveforms maximizes the pragmatic capacity. Any other mapping such as differential encoding, reduces the pragmatic capacity. Finally, we present the performance results of a SCCC SOQPSK-TG pragmatic scheme, a LDPC SOQPSK-TG pragmatic scheme, and a SCCC scheme with SOQPSK-TG as the inner code. The LDPC scheme performs within 1.05 dB of the capacity curve for various coding rates.
Hysteresis Loop Analysis

The apparent hysteresis loop of a square loop magnetic material is affected by winding capacitance, shorted turns, air gap, and strain. The effects of these parameters on an oscilloscopic display of the dynamic hysteresis loop are demonstrated.
Effects of intensity and fluence upon DNA single-strand breaks induced by excimer laser radiation.

— A Xenon-chloride excimer laser emitting energy at 308 nm was used to induce single-strand breaks (SSBs, frank breaks plus alkali-labile lesions as assayed by alkaline sucrose sedimentation techniques) in purified DNA from Bacillus subtilis. A fluence response study and a peak pulse intensity study were performed. At a pulse energy of 0.1 mJ/pulse, the radiation induced SSBs in a linear fashion (91 SSB/108 Da per MJ/m2) to a maximum exprimental fluence of 1.28 MJ/m2. The pulse intensity study showed that there were no significant changes in DNA breakage (105 SSB/108 Da) between 2.93 times 109 and 5.86 times 1011 W/m2 (0.11 and 22.0 mJ/pulse) at a constant total fluence of 1.1 MJ/m2 (27000 mJ dose). This study has verified and extended previous work by quantifying the yield of SSBs induced in DNA by this laser radiation.
Picosecond multiphoton STIRAP detection of gas phase species: a test with sodium

Laser detection technologies offer obvious benefits for the standoff detection of hazardous or energetic materials where safe detection at a distance is the goal. Of the many optical standoff detection methods available, multiphoton fluorescence techniques have been studied less extensively. Multiphoton fluorescence allows high selectivity relative to the background while preserving the larger signal of laser induced fluorescence (LIF). Using sodium vapor as a test system, we demonstrate that stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) is capable of providing more than a factor of ten improvement in population transfer efficiency to the final state when compared to stimulated emission pumping (SEP). The two sodium transitions used are the 3p (2P1/2) ← 3s (2S1/2) and 5s (2S1/2) ← 3p (2P1/2). The light used to couple the states was produced with two synchronously pumped OPG/OPAs pumped by the 355 nm light from a picosecond tripled Nd:YAG.
New quantum devices

Abstract Low-dimensional quantum structures are ideally suited for exploring device applications. We present a few examples for applications involving infrared light, especially in the spectrum region where existing devices have been difficult. We briefly discuss the potential of the quantum dot infrared photodetector. To extend the capability of the standard quantum well infrared photodetector, we demonstrate the dual band operation of an InGaAs/InP structure for both near and middle infrared spectra. To achieve very long-wavelength emission, we report on preliminary results of a quantum fountain laser operating at 15.15 μm and 80 K.
The effect of jaw position on the excitability of two reflexes involving the masseter muscle in man.

Abstract The excitatory monosyntic stretch reflex and the autogenic inhibitory reflex induced by Golgi tendon organ activation were both evoked in the masseter muscle bilaterally by tapping the chin with a reflex hammer. In each subject the reflexes were evoked in five static biting positions; (1) clenching in the intercuspal position, (2) biting on a 6 mm thick wooden stick placed between the anterior teeth, (3) between the right first molars, (4) betvveen the left first molars and, (5) between both first molars. The baseline EMG activity and the changes evoked in it by the chin tap were averaged in a PDP 12 computer and the amplitude of the stretch reflex, the ongoing level of activity, and the length of the inhibitory period were studied. The monosynaptic stretch reflex could not be evoked with the subjects clenching in the intercuspal position but could be evoked in all other positions. When the subjects were biting on one side the reflex on the opposite side was consistently increased by an average of over 100 per cent as compared to the levels obtained while biting bilaterally, while the reflex on the same side was abolished or markedly reduced. This was accompanied by a decrease in the ongoing level of activity on the biting side. The results indicate that, under the conditions of these experiments, static biting in a lateral excursion produces a decrease in the level of masseter muscle activity and stretch reflex excitability on the biting side while enhancing the stretch reflex excitability on the opposite side. The length of the inhibitory period was not markedly affected by changes in lower jaw position.
Segmental denervation and reinnervation of the iris sphincter as shown by infrared videographic transillumination

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the denervation and reinnervation history of individual segments of the iris sphincter in patients with Adie's syndrome. Design: The irises of these patients were retroilluminated by shining an infrared-rich light through the lower eyelid and sclera and viewing the transilluminated iris from the front with an infrared-sensitive video camera. The irises of the same group of patients also were videotaped through a slit-lamp camera using routine frontal illumination. Both of these techniques also were used to examine a series of normal subjects. Participants: A total of 61 patients with Adie's syndrome or Adie's-like denervation of the iris sphincter (from surgery, trauma, or radiation) and 10 normal subjects were studied. Main Outcome Measures: Slit-lamp examination results of the segmental movement of the iris were compared to the infrared transillumination pattern of the iris sphincter before and during the light reflex, before and during the near-vision reaction, before and during eye movement, and before and after the application of dilute pilocarpine and 1% pilocarpine. Results: Whenever an iris sphincter segment contracted, it also became denser by using these techniques. Reinnervated iris segments failed to contract to light but did contract and became denser with a near effort or with eye movement. Segments supersensitive to pilocarpine became denser than adjacent segments without supersensitivity, but atrophic-appearing segments looked translucent and thin, failing to become denser, even with 1% pilocarpine. Conclusions: The innervational history and current status of each clock-hour segment of the iris sphincter can be determined using this technique of videographic infrared transillumination, and the progression and pattern of iris denervation and reinnervation can be determined in patients with Adie's pupil. A miotic Adie's pupil that is "tonic," even in darkness, was found to be associated with a dense pattern of infrared transillumination in sphincter segments, which the authors interpret as being associated with a rich reinnervation from accommodative fibers. Segments that become densely reinnervated appear to lose their cholinergic supersensitivity.
Reduction of Muscarinic Receptor Density and of Guanine Nucleotide-Stimulated Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis in Human SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells Following Long-Term Treatment with 12- O -Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-Acetate or Mezerein

The actions of tumor promoters on the coupling of muscarinic receptors to the hydrolysis of inositol lipids and the generation of Ca2+ signals were examined in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with 50 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) for 5 days resulted in neuronal differentiation, a 28% decrease in both N-[3H]methylscopolamine and [3H]-scopolamine binding, and a significantly larger reduction (48%) in agonist-stimulated 3H-inositol phosphate generation. Whereas mezerein could mimic the effects produced by TPA, the biologically inactive 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate was without effect on both antagonist binding and agonist-stimulated phosphoinositide (PPI) turnover. A decline (approximately 50%) in the agonist-mediated rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+ and a substantial loss of protein kinase C activity also were observed following pretreatment with TPA or mezerein. The ability of fluoride, an agent capable of direct activation of guanine nucleotide binding proteins, to stimulate 3H-inositol phosphate release was significantly reduced in SH-SY5Y cells treated with these agents. Furthermore, pretreatment of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells with TPA or mezerein impaired 3H-inositol phosphate formation induced by the addition of either guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) or carbamylcholine to digitonin-permeabilized cells, but not that elicited by the addition of 2 mM CaCl2. Although cells cultured in the presence of serum-free media also exhibited neuronal differentiation, no significant alteration in either muscarinic receptor number or agonist-stimulated PPI hydrolysis was observed. The results suggest that TPA and mezerein decrease agonist-stimulated PPI hydrolysis and Ca2+ signaling in SH-SY5Y cells not only by a reduction in muscarinic receptor number but also through an inhibition of guanine nucleotide-stimulated PPI turnover.
Marketing and e‐commerce as tools of development in the Asia‐Pacific region: a dual path

International development agencies claim that commercial applications of information and communication technology (ICT) have great potential to accelerate economic growth in developing nations. This paper investigates this idea and proposes that the Internet expands the potential of marketing activities to help developing countries pursue development goals along a dual path, one that includes activities that are “top‐down” in nature (e.g. infrastructure development), and another that involves “bottom‐up” activities (e.g. entrepreneurship). Both paths involve the expansion of marketing efforts and represent significant opportunities for business development and investment. Attention is given to the Asia‐Pacific region and to the processes and outcomes of development springing from bottom‐up or “grassroots” approaches, and how enhanced marketing activities can help nations reach key development goals. Finally, an interdisciplinary conceptual model is advanced regarding how a blend of top‐down and bottom‐up approaches may be used to encourage the diffusion of online marketing activities and to help foster economic and social development in the emerging economies in the Asia‐Pacific region.
Sinus arrest with intravenous amiodarone.

Abstract Amiodarone is a benzofuran derivative with potent electrophysiologic effects on the impulse generation and conduction system of the heart. 1 The effects of amiodarone on the sinus node, in particular, are well described. 2,3 Sinus arrest 4 and sinoatrial block(5) with oral therapy have been demonstrated; we describe a patient with acute sinus arrest after intravenous amiodarone therapy.
Kinetics of matrix synthesis in cartilage cell cultures

Abstract The levels of collagen and chondroitin sulfate synthesis as a function of time in cartilage cell cultures have been determined. Optimum collagen synthesis requires the addition of ascorbic acid (50 μg/ml) to the culture medium. Synthesis of both components is maximal as the cell population enters stationary phase; the rates then fall off. In ascorbate-supplemented cultures, more chondroitin sulfate is deposited in the cell layer. These results suggest that collagen is required, along with chondroitin sulfate, to produce a complete cartilage matrix. Furthermore, the cells seem to have a limited potential for matrix synthesis under these experimental conditions.
Thermodynamics of the AgClAg2SO4 system

Abstract The phase diagram of the AgClAg2SO4 system was determined. It is of the simple eutectic type with a eutectic temperature of 304°C at 31.5 mole % Ag2SO4. Deviations from Raoult's law are slightly negative. Solutions of AgCl in Ag2SO4 follow the Temkin model: solutions of Ag2SO4 in AgCl exhibit some SO2−4 vacancy dimers.
MANAGERIAL RESPONSES TO PERCEIVED LABOR SHORTAGES The Case of Police

This paper challenges the popular claim that police labor shortages existed in large American cities during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Empirical tests of a police salary determination model reveal that police managers and public officials possess only limited direct control over police wges. Hence, manipulation of police manpower utilization practices (and, more basically, labor supply to police departments) is the principal way of overcoming “labor shortages.” In recent years, this has included substitution of clerical for sworn personnel, elimination of non-job-related entry requirements, and expansion of auxilhry police forces.
Determination of alosetron in human plasma or serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with robotic sample preparation

A method of analysis for the determination of alosetron in human plasma or serum has been developed. The method was fully automated using a laboratory robot in order to improve analytical precision, efficiency and safety. The assay involved solid-phase extraction with reversed-phase HPLC separation and fluorescence detection. A validation exercise over the concentration range of 0.1 to 20 ng/ml demonstrated the selectivity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, precision, extraction efficiency, ruggedness and stability of the method. The method has been applied in support of numerous human pharmacokinetic/biopharmaceutic studies over the last five years.
Assessment of the accuracy of stereotactic radiosurgery using Fricke-infused gels and MRI

The treatment plans for stereotactic radiosurgery employ small, circular, noncoplanar fields applied in a series of arcs, or with synchronous rotation of the accelerator gantry and patient support assembly. Primary or metastatic brain tumors and arterial-venous malformations are localized in relation to a stereotactic head frame using CT, MRI, and angiography. As x-ray doses in the range of 20-40 Gy are delivered in a single treatment, it is critical that the dose distribution produced by the accelerator accurately reflect the one developed by the treatment planning computer. Until the advent of Fricke-infused gels, whose NMR characteristics are changed by irradiation, there was no practical method for assessing the accuracy of x-ray beam positioning on a target that was localized by both CT and MRI. A stereotactic head frame was attached to a hollow glass head filled with a Fricke-infused gel. A 2-mm target point at approximately the center of this manikin was localized by CT and MRI. The head frame was then mounted to the patient support assembly of a linear accelerator, and given a dose of 40 Gy to the isocenter from 6-MV x rays using a modified version of the dynamic stereotactic radiosurgery plan developed in Montreal. Subsequent MRI showed the target point at the center of the dose distribution, thus confirming the accuracy of the stereotactic radiosurgery procedure. This demonstrated the unique characteristics of the Fricke-infused gel for the simultaneous localization of x-ray beams in three dimensions.
Calcineurin/NFAT Coupling Participates in Pathological, but not Physiological, Cardiac Hypertrophy

Calcineurin (PP2B) is a calcium/calmodulin-activated, serine-threonine phosphatase that transmits signals to the nucleus through the dephosphorylation and translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) transcription factors. Whereas calcineurin-NFAT signaling has been implicated in regulating the hypertrophic growth of the myocardium, considerable controversy persists as to its role in maintaining versus initiating hypertrophy, its role in pathological versus physiological hypertrophy, and its role in heart failure. To address these issues, NFAT-luciferase reporter transgenic mice were generated and characterized. These mice showed robust and calcineurin-specific activation in the heart that was inhibited with cyclosporin A. In the adult heart, NFAT-luciferase activity was upregulated in a delayed, but sustained manner throughout eight weeks of pathological cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure-overload, or more dramatically following myocardial infarction-induced heart failure. In contrast, physiological hypertrophy as produced in two separate models of exercise training failed to show significant calcineurin-NFAT coupling in the heart at multiple time points, despite measurable increases in heart to body weight ratios. Moreover, stimulation of hypertrophy with growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-1 (GH-IGF-1) failed to activate calcineurin-NFAT signaling in the heart or in culture, despite hypertrophy, activation of Akt, and activation of p70 S6K. Calcineurin Abeta gene-targeted mice also showed a normal hypertrophic response after GH-IGF-1 infusion. Lastly, exercise- or GH-IGF-1-induced cardiac growth failed to show induction of hypertrophic marker gene expression compared with pressure-overloaded animals. Although a direct cause-and-effect relationship between NFAT-luciferase activity and pathological hypertrophy was not proven here, our results support the hypothesis that separable signaling pathways regulate pathological versus physiological hypertrophic growth of the myocardium, with calcineurin-NFAT potentially serving a regulatory role that is more specialized for maladaptive hypertrophy and heart failure.
Structural-Dynamic Arms Control

The investigation starts from the observation that, in the field of arms control, failure seems to be the rule and points out that this may be due to an empirically observable close relationship between long-termn military and economic growth. Possible causal relationships between those two kinds of growth are discussed and a causal hypothesis is suggested which explains long-term military growth in terms of a social-psychological pusheffect (the Vebleneffect) in combination with an economic restrainteffect. On that theoretical basis, two approaches to arms control are proposed - namely, arms control through manipulation of thfie Vebleneffect and arms control through limits to economic growth. These two methods approach arms control from a global perspective, which transcends the perspectives of both intra-national antimilitarism and inter-national arms control diplomacy.