cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 15456: Enhanced Vasoconstrictor Sensitivity to Exercise Pressor Reflex Engagement in Peripheral Artery Disease

Exercise is associated with a rise in heart rate, blood pressure (BP) and blood flow to active skeletal muscle that is mediated by the exercise pressor reflex and modified by regional release of vasodilator factors. In peripheral artery disease (PAD) the exercise pressor reflex is enhanced and the ability to raise blood flow to the affected limb is impaired. To assess the functional impact of the enhanced exercise pressor reflex on regional blood flow in limbs affected by PAD, we determined beat-by-beat BP and mean blood velocity (MBV, Doppler) in the popliteal artery, and calculated vascular conductance index (VC, MBV/mean BP) in the exercising (ipsilateral) or contralateral resting leg during graded rhythmic plantar flexion exercise in 7 patients with symptomatic PAD (age 67±2 yrs, body-mass-index 27.9±1.1) and in 5 healthy age-matched controls (2 exercise trials with each leg). At peak exercise (2.0 kg, 1 contraction/sec), the pressor effect was greatest in PAD when exercise was performed with the “ischemic” leg (ankle-brachial index 0.58±0.05; mean ΔBP +9.1±2.0 mmHg), lower with the less affected leg (ankle brachial index 0.76±0.07; mean ΔBP +6.9±1.6 mmHg) and lowest in the controls (ankle brachial index 1.11±0.04; mean ΔBP +3.9±1.8 mmHg). In controls, VC increased in the exercising leg ( P P =NS). Similarly, in PAD, VC increased in the exercising “ischemic” leg ( P P =NS). In sharp contrast, while VC increased in the less affected exercising leg ( P P P
Nondestructive fuel assay of laser targets. II. Photonuclear [D(γ,n)] method

Abstract A non-destructive photonuclear technique has been developed to assay the deuterium content of laser-fusion-project targets, such as gas-filled D 2 and DT micro-balloons, and solid CD 2 , LiD, or LiDT micro-spheres. Individual targets are irradiated by 2.754 MeV gamma rays from thermal-neutron-activated 24 Na. Gamma-flux uniformity and maximization at the target position are achieved by inserting the target into the center of a specially designed 0.6 cm o.d. Na 2 CO 3 spherical source, after the 24 Na has been activated in a reactor to a level of about 15 Ci/g. The spherical source in its aluminum container is inserted in the center of a tungsten or lead gamma shield, which is surrounded by a region of polyethylene. Neutrons of 0.26 MeV energy are produced in the deuterium by the D(γ, n) reaction. These neutrons are moderated in the polyethylene and counted by 3 He or 10 BF 3 detectors located in the polyethylene region. An assay sensitivity of ≤10 −7 g deuterium with essential linearity of response over at least a mass range of 10 −7 to 10 −5 g deuterium has been demonstrated.
Central Pacific Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts: Historical Perspective and Regional Variability

Interelement correlations coupled with X-ray mineralogy, chemical analyses, and Q-mode factor analysis define five phases that compose ferromanganese crusts: δ-MnO2, Fe-phases including Fe oxyhydroxide and Fe silicate, detrital aluminosilicate, biogenic phosphate, and biogenic-nonphosphate. This last phase is derived primarily from the dissolution of biogenic carbonate and silica. These five phases are characterized by the following elements respectively: Co, Mn, Ni, Pb; Fe, Si, As; Al, Cr, Si, Ti, K; P, Ca; and Cu, Ni, Ba, Zn, Cd. The distribution of the δ-MnO2 phase is related to latitude and is controlled by the equatorial zone of higher productivity, which produces a strong and extensive oxygen-minimum zone. The iron phases are similarly distributed, but the overall variability is not as great as for the δ-MnO2 phase. The detrital phase has the inverse distribution to the δ-MnO2 phase and is greatest at higher latitudes, especially in areas beneath the trade-wind belt. The detrital phase is composed of eolian debris and volcanogenic debris eroded from submarine outcrops by bottom currents. The phosphate phase is not clearly distributed with latitude, longitude, or the equatorial zone of high biological productivity. The biogenic-nonphosphate phase is most prominent in the equatorial zone of high biological productivity.
Use of microcomputer-based image digitization for the measurement of wool fiber diameter

Abstract Microcomputer-based digitization of wool fibers was used for the measurement of fiber diameter and the derivation of mean diameter and standard deviation of a lot of wool or of a single fleece. The two systems utilized in this project were a Ladd Graphic Digitizing System and a Panasonic SR Partner-PC with a SAC Grafbar model GD-7 sonic digitizer. Using standard ASTM Test D2130 wedge card procedures, the diameter, standard deviation and coefficient of variation of wool samples were obtained. Microcomputer-based digitization methods decreased the time needed to measure fiber diameters and decreased operator fatigue compared with standard ASTM D2130 wedge card procedures.
Aortic root disease and valve disease associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

Abstract Objectives. This study sought to determine the prevalence, characteristics, relation to clinical features and evolution of aortic root disease and valve disease associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AKS). Background. Aortic root disease and valve disease are common in patients with AKS, but their clinical and prognostic implications have not been well defined. Methods. Forty-four outpatients with AKS and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers underwent initial transesophageal echocardiography and rheumatologic evaluations. Twenty-five patients underwent clinical and echocardiographic follow-up 39 ± 10 months later. Results. Aortic root disease and valve disease were common in patients (82%) as compared with controls (27%; p Conclusions. Aortic root disease and valve disease are common in patients with AKS, are unrelated to clinical features of AKS, can resolve or progress over time and are associated with clinically important cardiovascular morbidity.
Signal stabilization using a folded Sagnac interferometer

A folded Sagnac interferometer is proposed in this paper by inserting two (lambda) /4 waveplates and one reflector into a conventional Sagnac interferometer. These waveplates can be arranged in a certain way such that the optical path difference between the two orthogonal polarized light beams with opposite transmitting directions can be dramatically reduced after they travel through the sensing loop twice.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
In ovo administration of boron or sodium aluminosilicate alters mineralization in the Turkey

Abstract The potential of in ovo boron (B) or Na aluminosilicate (SA) administration to alter embryonic development and mineralization in the turkey was evaluated. At 15 d of embryogenesis, 150 μl of B (500 or 1000 ppm), SA (500 or 1000 ppm) or vehicle (8500 ppm NaCl) was injected into the air space of fertile turkey eggs (n=60/trt). At 26 d of embryogenesis and at hatch, random samples of blood and tibiae were obtained. In ovo administration of B or SA increased (P≤0.05) embryonic weights, tibial length, and bone ash. Histological analysis of embryonic tibiae revealed a decrease (P≤0.05) in growth plate length associated with B or SA administration. These data suggest that a single in ovo administration of boron or SA significantly influences embryonic growth and mineralization in the turkey.
Macrolide antibiotics in paediatric infectious diseases

Erythromycin and other macrolides have enjoyed a renaissance in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s secondary to the discovery of "new' pathogens such as Chlamydia, Legionella, Campylobacter and Mycoplasma spp. Erythromycin is an important therapeutic agent in the paediatric age group for several reasons: (a) it exhibits proven efficacy for a wide range of infections (upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin/skin structure infections, prophylaxis of endocarditis/acute rheumatic fever/ophthalmia neonatorum and pre-colonic surgery, campylobacteriosis, chlamydial and ureaplasmal infections, diphtheria, whooping cough, streptococcal pharyngitis) and gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility states; (b) intravenous formulations are widely available; and (c) it is available in a number of formulations as a generic product, which is likely to result in significant cost savings. Nevertheless, erythromycin and similar earlier macrolides are characterised by a number of drawbacks including a narrow spectrum of antimicrobial activity, unfavourable pharmacokinetic properties and poor GI tolerability. Newer macrolides such as clarithromycin and azithromycin are useful in serving the needs of paediatric patients who are erythromycin-intolerant or who have infections caused by organisms that are intrinsically erythromycin-resistant, or for which a high percentage of strains are resistant (e.g. Haemophilus influenzae, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium avium complex). In addition, these newer macrolides may be considered as alternatives to oral amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, second or third generation cephalosporins, or erythromycin plus sulphonamide in this patient population. Selection between specific macrolides and between macrolides and other antibiotics in the paediatric population is likely to depend, at least for the immediate future, on separate comparisons of product availability, cost, effectiveness and tolerability profiles.
Quality assurance tool for high dose rate brachytherapy

An insert for a well ionization chamber is described for quality assurance tests for high dose rate remote afterloaders. The use of this insert over time has shown its applicability for efficient QA tests for the high dose rate afterloader. The measurement results are six times greater than the uncertainties involved for the measurements. Checks on position can be made better than 1 mm and dwell times better than 1 s. The overall measurements can be done to better than 1.5%. QA checks can be accomplished in a shorter time period with as great or better accuracy than prior film techniques.
Topographic Drag Due to Barotropic Flow over the Continental Shelf and Slope

Abstract A barotropic model is formulated to investigate the topographic drag due to steady barotropic alongshore flow over the continental shelf and slope. The topography is extensive, irregular and of small amplitude. Topographic drag is in general only appreciable when the mean flow runs counter to the direction of free shelf-wave phase propagation. The cross-shelf structure of the drag is determined by which mode lee waves dominate. This selection is determined by the projection of the topographic structure onto the wave mode, and by the degree of matching between dominant topographic length scale and natural lee wave wavelength.
Ynamides in Ring Forming Transformations

The ynamide functional group activates carbon–carbontriple bonds through an attached nitrogen atom that bears an electron-withdrawing group. As a result, the alkyne has both electrophilic and nucleophilic properties. Through the selection of the electron-withdrawing group attached to nitrogen, chemists can modulate the electronic properties and reactivity of ynamides, making these groups versatile synthetic building blocks. The reactions of ynamides also lead directly to nitrogen-containing products, which provides access to important structural motifs found in natural products and molecules of medicinal interest. Therefore, researchers have invested increasing time and research in the chemistry of ynamides in recent years.This Account surveys and assesses new organic transforma-tions involving ynamides developed in our laboratory and in others around the world. We showcase the synthetic power of ynamides for rapid assembly of complex molecular structures. Among the recent reports of ynamide transformatio...
In Vitro validation of tissue doppler left ventricular regional wall velocities by using a novel balloon phantom

To investigate the validity and accuracy of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) using a novel balloon phantom, validation of TDI myocardial velocity measurements has been carried out indirectly from conventional M-mode images. However it is not a true and independent gold standard. We described a new TDI validation method by using a specially developed left ventricular balloon model mounted in a water bath and constructed using two pear-shaped balloons. It was connected to a pulsatile flow pump at 8 stroke volumes (50–85 ml/beat). The displacement and velocity of the balloon walls were recorded simultaneously by video imaging and TDI on a GE-Vingmed System Five with a 5 MHz phased array probe at the highest frame rates available. Conventional M-mode and 2-D imaging verified that our balloon model mimicked the shape and wall motion of left ventricle. There was a good correlation and agreement between the maximum video excursion of the anterior and posterior walls of the phantom and the results of the temporal integration of digital distance data by TDI (Anterior wall: r=0. 97, SEE=0. 24 mm,x± s=0. 04±0. 24 mm; Posterior wall: r=0. 95, SEE = 0. 22 mm, −x±s−0. 03±0. 24 mm). Analysis of the velocity profile by the TDI method showed that the velocity at each measured point was correlated well with the velocity obtained from the video images (Anterior wall: r=0. 97, SEE = 0. 30 mm, −x±s= 0. 04±0. 28 mm; Posterior wall: r=0. 97, SEE = 0. 30 mm, −x±s = 0. 04 + 0. 28 mm). Our balloon model provided a new independent method for the validation of TDI data. This study demonstrated that the present TDI system is reliable for measuring wall motion distance and velocity.
Parahiatal hernia with volvulus and incarceration: laparoscopic repair of a rare defect

A rare case of parahiatal hernia with gastric volvulus and incarceration is reported. An anatomically distinct diaphragmatic defect was present adjacent to a structurally normal esophageal hiatus. Laparoscopic repair was performed with excellent results.
UUUUUNU oligonucleotide inhibition of RNA synthesis in vaccinia virus cores

Recent results from this laboratory demonstrated the ability of U5NU-containing oligonucleotides to stimulate premature termination of early gene transcription in vitro. Further studies on the oligonucleotide sequence and structural requirements for stimulating premature termination demonstrated that only oligonucleotides possessing ribouracil U9 with a phosphodiester linkage are active. Because an oligonucleotide as short as 9 bases serves as an effective stimulator of premature transcription termination, we reasoned that short U5NU-containing oligonucleotides might serve as efficacious anti-poxvirus agents because they would prevent the synthesis of full-sized early mRNA. To be useful in vivo, the oligonucleotides must not only be taken up by the infected cells, but also be able to enter the virus core, the site of early gene transcription, and retain their ability to stimulate premature termination. The ability of U9-containing oligonucleotides to inhibit virus core RNA synthesis was evaluated. The U5NU oligonucleotides exhibited a dramatic sequence-specific inhibition of core RNA synthesis, consistent with their ability to stimulate premature termination of early gene transcription. Moreover, the concentration of U5NU oligonucleotide required to exhibit half maximal inhibition of RNA synthesis was found to be less for a 9 mer RNA than it was for a 17 or 22 mer RNA. This suggests the possibility that the smaller oligonucleotides may have easier access to the core. This observation lends support to the notion that such oligonucleotides might serve as effective anti-poxvirus therapeutic agents.
Kinetic Instability of Nanocrystalline Aluminum Prepared by Chemical Synthesis; Facile Room-Temperature Grain Growth

Nanocrystalline aluminum (nano-Al) is synthesized by two chemical methods. Method A consists of the following: reaction of LiAlH4 and AlCl3 at 164 °C in 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene produces nano-Al with an average mean coherence length (crystallite size) of 160 ± 50 nm. The byproduct LiCl is removed by washing with MeOH at −25 or 0 °C. Method B consists of the following: nano-Al is produced by decomposition of H3Al(NMe2Et) under reflux in 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (ca. 100−164 °C), with or without added decomposition catalyst Ti(O-i-Pr)4. Here the mean particle size (40−180 nm) and degree of aggregation of the nano-Al depend on the mole percent of decomposition catalyst used (0−1%). The nano-Al produced by method A contains 3−4 wt % each of C, O, and Cl; whereas that produced by method B contains only ≤0.25 wt % each of C, O, and Cl and is ≥99 wt % Al. nano-Al produced by both methods has been consolidated by uniaxial pressing at 350 MPa for 1 h at 25, 100, or 300 °C. Rapid grain growth is observed at each pres...
CDW AND SDW MEDIATED PAIRING INTERACTIONS

Pairing near CDW and SDW metal-semiconductor transitions is analyzed for a 2-D lattice within an RPA approximation. We find that s-wave pairing can occur near the CDW transition provided the on-site U is not too large, while d-wave pairing occurs near an SDW transition.
Inheritance of Secondary Morphological Traits for Among-and-Within-Family Selection in Upland Tetraploid Switchgrass

Major efforts are currently being undertaken to improve biomass yield in switchgrass. Among-and-within-family selection has been proposed as an efficient selection scheme to increase rates of genetic gain. The objectives of this study were to estimate the heritability of three yield-related traits (plant height, tiller count, and flowering date) and evaluate the suitability of those traits as within-family-selection criteria. Divergent selections of parents were made for each trait from an upland-tetraploid population developed for use in temperate North America. Progeny from these selections were used to estimate narrow-sense heritability by both parent–progeny regression and response to selection. Moderate heritability (0.41) was estimated for plant height but was greater for selection of increased height. Heritability for tiller count was low overall (0.06), with greater values observed for reduced tillering selections. Flowering date was estimated to have high heritability (0.75) overall in both selection directions. Plant height and flowering date both appear heritable on a spaced-plant basis and may be effective selection criteria for within-family selection. The relative value of among-and-within-family selection within a practical breeding program will vary depending on what selection criteria are used and the timing of selections.
Hypertension Following Renal Transplantation: Causative Factors and Therapeutic Implications

During a five-year period, we studied 21 of 319 renal transplant recipients who were admitted for evaluation of refractory hypertension. For comparison we examined 93 consecutive patients in the renal transplant clinic. Hypertension, which was noted in 47% of the outpatients, occurred with greater frequency following renal transplantation from cadaveric donors and was associated with a decline in renal function. The 21 inpatients had higher blood pressures and were studied at an earlier stage than their outpatient counterparts. Fourteen of the inpatients had underlying stenosis of their transplant artery and revascularization of the transplanted kidney was possible in the majority of these patients. Stenosis of the transplant artery was suggested by the occurrence of severe hypertension during the first year following transplantation, a bruit in the transplant region, and increased levels of peripheral plasma renin activity. (JAMA241:1128-1131, 1979)
Kinetic modeling of the effect of solvent concentration on primary cyclization during polymerization of multifunctional monomers

Controlling the swelling ratio, diffusion rate, and mechanical properties of a crosslinked polymer is important in hydrogel design for biomedical applications. Each of these factors depends strongly on the degree of crosslinking. Primary cyclization, where a propagating radical reacts intramolecularly with a pendant double bond on the same chain, decreases the crosslinking density and increases the molecular weight between crosslinks. Processing conditions, specifically the solvent concentration, strongly affect the extent of primary cyclization. In this work the effects of solvent concentration and comonomer composition on primary cyclization are investigated using a novel kinetic model and experimental measurement of mechanical properties. Two divinyl crosslinking agents were investigated, diethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA) and polyethyleneglycol 600 dimethacrylate (PEG(600)DMA), and each was copolymerized with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and octyl methacrylate (OcMA). The model is further used to predict the gel point conversion and swelling ratio of PAA hydrogels polymerized in the presence of varying amounts of water. Model results show how increasing the solvent concentration during the polymerization increases the molecular weight between crosslinks by nearly a factor of three and more than doubles the swelling ratio. Where possible, experimental results provide quantitative agreement with model predictions.
Remember-know judgments can depend on how memory is tested

Remember-know judgments reflect the subjective state of awareness that accompanies episodic memory retrieval. We tested an old-new recognition condition, an old-new recognition followed by remember-know judgment condition, and a simultaneous remember-know-new judgment condition. These three conditions were tested for both a short (1-sec) and a long (4.5-sec) study duration. Reassuringly, results from the first two conditions did not differ from each other. Results from the third condition, however, differed from those in the first two conditions at both long and short study durations. Simultaneous consideration of all three alternatives resulted in a markedly liberal response bias, both in recognition detection and in the ascriptions of remember and know judgments. Discussion of the results is framed in terms of the single-process signal detection models that have been proposed to account for these subjective states of awareness.
Consumption of pasteurized human lysozyme transgenic goats’ milk alters serum metabolite profile in young pigs

Nutrition, bacterial composition of the gastrointestinal tract, and general health status can all influence the metabolic profile of an organism. We previously demonstrated that feeding pasteurized transgenic goats’ milk expressing human lysozyme (hLZ) can positively impact intestinal morphology and modulate intestinal microbiota composition in young pigs. The objective of this study was to further examine the effect of consuming hLZ-containing milk on young pigs by profiling serum metabolites. Pigs were placed into two groups and fed a diet of solid food and either control (non-transgenic) goats’ milk or milk from hLZ-transgenic goats for 6 weeks. Serum samples were collected at the end of the feeding period and global metabolite profiling was performed. For a total of 225 metabolites (160 known, 65 unknown) semi-quantitative data was obtained. Levels of 18 known and 4 unknown metabolites differed significantly between the two groups with the direction of change in 13 of the 18 known metabolites being almost entirely congruent with improved health status, particularly in terms of the gastrointestinal tract health and immune response, with the effects of the other five being neutral or unknown. These results further support our hypothesis that consumption of hLZ-containing milk is beneficial to health.
Coupling of the Middle and South Atlantic Bights by Forced Sea Level Oscillations

Abstract The eastern United States continental margin is naturally divided by Cape Hatteras into the Middle and South Atlantic Bights. The margin depth profile is relatively uniform throughout the Middle Atlantic Bight, but in the South Atlantic Bight it bifurcates into inner and outer slope regions. Coastal tide gage records indicate that long period (1–2 weeks) sea level oscillations propagate southward as continental shelf waves in both Bights, thereby providing a coupling mechanism between the Bights. However, short-period (several days) oscillations appear to be confined to the south Atlantic Bight, and may result from backscattering of long-wave energy by the variable topography and the Gulf Stream. The coastal sea level short-period phase data are not easily attributable to monochromatic propagating waves; rather, it appears that wave group properties may lead to a more consistent explanation of the phases. Cross-shelf and longshelf wind stress components were both strongly coupled to sea level flu...
The effects of special displays on shopping behavior

Abstract This study examined the unintended effects and consequences of special displays on subsequent shopping behavior. Special displays are studied as a prominent form of in-store or shopper marketing activity. Two experiments are performed using special value and natural food displays in an online simulated store environment. The impact of exposure to special displays on mind-sets and resulting product choices are tested in a shopping task. Impact on store image is also tested. A total of 896 respondents were recruited in this study. The results showed that special displays did trigger specific mind-sets that affected product choices and store image. Special value displays heightened store low-price image without lowering the high-quality image, and triggered a value-oriented mindset, among low price-conscious individuals, that made them place greater weight on price during the ensuing shopping trip. Special natural food display improved store high-quality image without decreasing the low-price image, and triggered a non-value-oriented mindset, among high price-conscious individuals, that made them place lesser weight on price during the remainder of the shopping trip. Findings suggested retailers to consider the total effects and consequences of special displays when designing and executing in-store marketing activity.
The Skeleton on the Couch: The Eagleton Affair, Rhetorical Disability, and the Stigma of Mental Illness

In 1972, vice presidential candidate Thomas Eagleton revealed to the American public that he had been hospitalized for depression on three occasions. The revelation seriously damaged the campaign of his running mate, George McGovern, and eventually led to Eagleton's dismissal from the ticket. This article seeks to understand the Eagleton Affair by showing how the stigma of mental illness functions as a form of rhetorical disability. Using a reading of stigma in ancient Greece and the work of Erving Goffman, this article argues that stigma can be viewed as a constitutive rhetorical act that also produces a disabling rhetorical effect: kakoethos, or bad character.
Ehrlichia spp. in cervids from California.

Blood samples from six mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus), 15 black-tailed deer (O. hemionus columbianus), and 29 elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes) were assayed for human monocytic and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and serology to determine whether or not cervids are involved in the maintenance of these potential human pathogens in California (USA). The deer were sampled in August to October 1992–95. The 29 tule elk from Point Reyes National Seashore were sampled in August 1997. All deer were seronegative for antibodies to HGE/Ehrlichia equi, while the E. equi seroprevalence among elk was 17%. The 16S rDNA PCR prevalence in deer was 38% (in mule deer and black-tailed deer) for Ehrlichia-like sp. of white-tailed deer, 5% (one black-tailed deer only) for E. equi, and 0% for E. chaffeensis. The PCR prevalence in elk was 0% for Ehrlichia-like sp. of white-tailed deer, 31% for E. equi, and 0% for E. chaffeensis. The E. equi from two positive elk sam...
Obviating the Functions of Functionalism

Functional explanations are shown to be descriptive or pseudo-explanatory in many instances. When genuinely explanatory they can be replaced by causal explanations which make the underlying assumptions clearer. As illustration some occurrences of functionalism in sociology are explained both functionally and causally. T his paper is an attempt to explain one branch of the phenomenon known as "functionalism" and is an exercise in the sociology of knowledge. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to label it an exercise in the "anthropology of knowledge" since, to enhance my anthropological "objectivity," I shall limit my investigation to the sister field of sociology. First, I shall make clear what I mean by the words "function" and "explanation." Second, in a brief review of several papers by prominent sociologists I shall show that social criticism is often a latent function of their functional analyses. Third, I shall reanalyze the same papers to show how they can all be converted into causal analyses. And fourth, I shall offer a causal explanation for some sociological functionalism. The idea developed here was suggested by Dore's provocative article "Function and Cause," in which he concludes that for sociolo-
Approximate solutions for a class of non-product form queueing network models

Abstract We investigate approximate solution techniques for solving a class of non-product form closed queueing networks with simultaneous resource possession. We propose a simple and accurate solution technique which can handle simultaneously held resources dedicated to a single type of user as well as resources shared among different types of users. The proposed algorithm can also handle the case of nested passive resources. An approximate solution for non-product form networks with first-come-first-serve multiple server service centers with different service times for different types of users is also developed, since this solution is needed for our main algorithm. Comparison with simulation and other approximation techniques demonstrates the good accuracy and performance of our solution method.
Engaged Listening in Race/Ethnicity and Gender Intergroup Dialogue Courses

Although the importance of engaged listening in intergroup dialogue (IGD) is recognized, we know relatively little about when or why participants in IGD actually listen or what they gain from listening. Using qualitative analyses of interviews conducted with undergraduates who had recently completed a race/ethnicity or gender focused IGD course, this study examines what participants said about moments of engaged listening in IGD. We found that engaged listening was associated with specific dialogue activities, reactions to speakers, and dialogue topics. We also found a number of differences in listening between race/ethnicity and gender dialogues that suggest that participants in race/ethnicity IGDs recall more moments of engaged listening and may have gained a more complex understanding of structural inequality from engaged listening than participants in gender IGDs did. The article concludes with a discussion of the findings, possible implications, and some areas for future inquiry.
Digital control of an analog marcketting model

Conventional methods of inventory control in most retail enterprises emphasize minimization of cost while maintaining an appropriate degree of service to the clientele. This is done without regard to the effects produced on the distributor who is supplying the goods or the factory which is producing them. Such policies characteristically result in the amplification of a small disturbance (small change in sales volume) at the retailer level into a large disturbance at the factory level producing large cyclic swings in factory production, inventory, and operating efficiency. This paper discusses the concept of digital control of inventory and requisitioning procedures for a marketing system of three levels representing the retailer, the distributor, and the factory. A model consisting of three interacting control loops (one for each level), to simulate the flow of requisitions from retailer to distributor, and from distributor to factory, and a corresponding flow of goods in the reverse direction has been constructed on a hybrid machine. Digital control algorithms have been applied in a manner designed to reduce the undesirable amplification and to maintain factory production consistent with sales volume. Results indicate that the inventory and requisitioning responses have conflicting requirements. A procedure for obtaining any desired trade-off between the retailer inventory and factory requisitions by means of digital networks is suggested.
An Automatic Marine Seismic Monitoring and Recording Device

An automatic marine seismic monitoring and recording instrument of recoverable design is discussed. The instrument is capable of measuring three components of earth motion and water pressure waves and is intended for use on the ocean bottom at depths to 10,000 feet. Most previous seismic data has been recorded at land-based stations and the collection of ocean-floor seismic information will materially add to the knowledge of origin and propagation phenomena. Data are recorded on magnetic tape in digital form. Seismic motion is recorded in the 1-10 cps band with a sensitivity below 0.1 millimicron of earth movement. Pressure information is recorded over the same bandwidth with comparable sensitivity. Up to eight hours of data can be recorded on a programmed cycle during each implanting of the instrument. Initial sea tests of the instrument indicate that the unit functioned as desired. Several events recorded during the test period appeared to give valid seismic information. One of these events is described. Simultaneous recording of pressure and velocity is expected to enhance detection capability. It is planned in a future program to collect additional seismic information in much deeper waters and at sites chosen for maximum quality data return. The data will represent the first extensive effort to collect and analyze three-component seismic (plus pressure) information at great ocean depths.
Electrons in liquid ammonia

Electrons in Liquid Ammonia. By J. C. Thompson. Pp. xii + 297. (Clarendon: Oxford; Oxford University: London, 1976.) £14.50.
Production of acoustic signals during aggression in Coosa bass, Micropterus coosae

Although sound production has been described for sunfishes, it is previously unknown for basses, both groups of fishes in the family Centrarchidae. We document production of acoustic signals during aggressive encounters in Coosa bass, Micropterus coosae. During dyadic encounters, presumptive winners of contests produced sounds associated with a variety of behaviors, including chases, lateral displays, circle swims, nudging, jerking and during post aggression, while fish were stationary. These sounds are low-frequency, non-harmonic and consist of one to 41 separate pulses. In most trials larger fish won contests, regardless of territory ownership (which fish was put into the test tank first) and size difference.
Eastern deciduous tree seedlings advance spring phenology in response to experimental warming, but not wetting, treatments

Changing global climate, particularly rising temperatures, has been linked through observations with advanced spring phenology in temperate regions. We experimentally tested if regional climate change predictions of increased temperature and precipitation alter the spring phenology of eastern US tree seedlings. This study reports the results of a 3-year-field experiment designed to study the responses of eastern deciduous tree species planted in a post-harvest environment to a 2 °C increase in temperature and a 20 % increase in precipitation. Species were monitored for timing of germination and leaf out in four treatment combinations (ambient, warmed, irrigated, and warmed + irrigated) on 16 plots located in a recently harvested central Pennsylvania forest. The 2 °C warming advanced day of seed germination by an average of 2 weeks and seedling leaf out by 10 days among all species (both p < 0.001). However, increased precipitation did not result in a significant change in spring phenology. Species responded uniquely to treatments, with germination advancing in three of five species in response to warming and leaf out advancing in six of six species. Southern species projected to expand northward into the study region with rising temperatures did not show responses to warming treatments that would provide them an advantage over current resident species. Timing of germination and leaf out varied among years of the experiment, most likely driven by year-to-year variability in spring temperatures. The climate change experiment highlighted the potential of a moderate 2 °C temperature increase to advance spring phenology of deciduous tree seedlings by up to 2 weeks, with a lack of a phenological response to a 20 % increase in precipitation.
Opportunity Knocks: Entrepreneurship, informality and home gardening in South Texas

Abstract This paper explores small‐scale and primarily informal entrepreneurship through the lens of self‐employed home gardeners in South Texas. Though the study site of Laredo, Texas lies within the southwestern border area of the United States, South Texas is best characterized by: the underdevelopment of basic infrastructure (e.g., physical, educational, and social), the inadequate development of human resources and income, and the degraded environment. Nonetheless, self‐employed gardeners have improved their life chances, in spite of the region's challenges, earning 1.7 times the legal minimum wage. Additional results based on the survey of one‐hundred (100) self‐employed gardeners reveal a nearly even split between full‐time and part‐time employment, the importance of the border and the proximity of Mexico to the supply and informality of gardeners, and the ease of market entry into the gardening profession. Four propositions for further research for border entrepreneurship and informality are offered.
Aseismic slip transients emerge spontaneously in three-dimensional rate and state modeling of subduction earthquake sequences

[1] To investigate the possible physical mechanisms of recently observed aseismic slip events in the Cascadia, Japan and Mexico subduction zones, we apply a Dieterich-Ruina rate and state friction law to a three dimensional model of a shallow subduction fault. That is loaded by imposed steady plate slip rate far downdip along the thrust interface. Friction properties are temperature and hence depth-dependent, such that sliding is stable at depths below about 30 km. The system is perturbed into a significantly nonuniform slip mode along strike by introducing small along-strike variations in the constitutive parameters a and (a − b). In addition to large heterogeneous earthquake slip at seismogenic depths, and associated postseismic transients, we found that slip events which have clearly aseismic slip rates emerge spontaneously around the downdip end of the seismogenic zone. Both transients which start well after a seismic event, and those which are triggered by other transients, are observed from the simulations. The slip velocity, depth range, and, sometimes, along-strike migration speed of simulated transients are similar to the observations from natural subduction zones. Unstable-stable transitional friction properties near the downdip end of the seismogenic zone are suggested to be an ingredient allowing such transients. Simulated transients can weaken the locking intensity of the updip seismogenic zone, while enhancing that of the transition zone. Spatial-temporal correlation of aseismic transients and nearby seismicity in the Guerrero, Mexico, area suggests that transients may signal a period of increased probability for nucleating their high-frequency counterparts, as damaging subduction thrust events.
Nitric oxide‐releasing compounds inhibit Dictyostelium discoideum aggregation without altering cGMP production

The effects of nitric oxide-releasing compounds on Dictyostelium discoideum cell development and guanylyl cyclase activity were studied. The addition of SNP (sodium nitroprusside) or SIN-1 (3-morpholino-syndnonimine) to starved cells inhibited their differentiation and aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast to mammalian systems, SNP did not significantly affect guanylyl cyclase activity in cell lysates of D. discoideum nor did it stimulate cGMP production in intact cells. The results suggest that the inhibitory effects of NO on D. discoideum cell aggregation are through a mechanism independent of an effect on guanylyl cyclase activity.
Dynamic delivery of information via the World Wide Web

Among the most ballyhooed interactive uses of the Web, database access has, until recently, been a cross‐platform, multi‐language, multi‐interface endeavor not suited to the faint‐of‐heart. Fortunately, Microsoft’s ever‐increasing domination of the software industry has led to the consolidation of many tools in one application. Beginning with Internet Information Server 2 (IIS 2), Microsoft brought together in one service all the tools necessary to deliver an existing database over the Web. This paper will present a case study of converting a Web resource (News and Newspapers Online, a comprehensive directory of online newspapers from around the world that offer free access to current, full‐text content) from static HTML files to a database (using MS Access 97), mounting the database on a Web server (using IIS 4), building the user interface (using HTML), and dynamically delivering the requested information (using Active Server Pages and Active Data Objects).
Delineating relative temperature zones in forest ecosystems : An adaptation and evaluation of current methodologies

Le potentiel des donnees (1) infrarouge thermique; (2) de rayonnement solaire potentiel et (3) de temperatures predites pour la cartographie des zones de temperature relative dans les ecosystemes forestiers a ete evalue comme outil dans l'etude de l'ecologie des forets. Les modeles informatiques SOLAR et MTCLIM se sont montres inefficaces pour la cartographie des zones de temperature relative des ecosystemes forestiers. Le rayonnement solaire potentiel calcule a l'aide du modele de simulation SOLAR et la temperature predite derivee du modele MTCLIM ont ete demontres statistiquement non correles avec les moyennes maximales journalieres correspondantes de temperature de l'air ambiant des ecosystemes forestiers enregistrees dans la foret experimentale de l'Universite de l'Idaho, au cours de juin et de juillet 1993. Les donnees infrarouge thermique Landsat Thematic Mapper ont demontre leur efficacite pour la cartographie des zones de temperature relative des ecosystemes forestiers. Les coefficients de correlation lineaire entre les donnees infrarouge thermique de Landsat Thematic Mapper acquises le 8 juillet 1990 et les temperatures maximales de l'air ambiant des ecosystemes forestiers enregistrees dans les polygones forestiers du programme Gap Analysis (GAP) dans le nord de l'Idaho, au cours de juillet et d'aout 1992, etaient significatifs au niveau d'un pourcent pour les six dates testees et variaient de 0, 96 a 0, 99.
An assessment of potential chemoprotectant activity against ricin toxicity by mechanism based glycosidase inhibitors in macrophage J744A.1 cell cultures.

The abilities of potential chemoprotectants to inhibit cytotoxicity of ricin have been determined in vitro, using the macrophage cell line J744A.1. Six compounds were tested: α-and β-galactopyranosylamine; N-bromoacetyl-α-d-galactopyranosylamine; N-bromoacetyl-β-D-galactopyranosylamine; N-bromoacetylglucopyranosylamine; and N-bromoacetylmannopyranosylamine. Of the six compounds which were tested, only N-bromoacetyl-α-D-galactopyranosylamine and N-bromoacetyl-β-D-galactopyranosylamine exhibited significant activity against ricin toxicity, as indicated by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The α-isomer provided greater protection against ricin toxicity and also exhibited less inherent cytotoxicity in the absence of ricin, as compared to the β-isomer. Neither the α-and β-galactopyranosylamines nor the glucose and mannose analogs were promising as potential chemoprotectants.
The Increasing Use of Prophylactic Mastectomy in the Prevention of Breast Cancer

Selected high-risk women without breast cancer choose to undergo bilateral prophylactic mastectomy (BPM) to reduce their risk of developing the disease. Several studies have reported that BPM significantly reduces, but does not eliminate, breast cancer risk. Few studies have reported rates or trends of BPM use. Patients with unilateral breast cancer are at increased risk for developing cancer in the normal contralateral breast. Some breast cancer patients choose contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) to prevent cancer in the contralateral breast. The risk of contralateral breast cancer is significantly reduced after CPM. Recent studies reported that CPM rates have markedly increased in recent years in the United States. Alternatives to CPM include surveillance with clinical breast examination, mammography, and, potentially, breast MRI. Endocrine therapy with tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors significantly reduces the risk of contralateral breast cancer and may be more acceptable than CPM for some patients.
The hepatitis E virus polyproline region is involved in viral adaptation.

Genomes of hepatitis E virus (HEV), rubivirus and cutthroat virus (CTV) contain a region of high proline density and low amino acid (aa) complexity, named the polyproline region (PPR). In HEV genotypes 1, 3 and 4, it is the only region within the non-structural open reading frame (ORF1) with positive selection (4–10 codons with dN/dS>1). This region has the highest density of sites with homoplasy values >0.5. Genotypes 3 and 4 show ∼3-fold increase in homoplastic density (HD) in the PPR compared to any other region in ORF1, genotype 1 does not exhibit significant HD (p<0.0001). PPR sequence divergence was found to be 2-fold greater for HEV genotypes 3 and 4 than for genotype 1. The data suggest the PPR plays an important role in host-range adaptation. Although the PPR appears to be hypervariable and homoplastic, it retains as much phylogenetic signal as any other similar sized region in the ORF1, indicating that convergent evolution operates within the major HEV phylogenetic lineages. Analyses of sequence-based secondary structure and the tertiary structure identify PPR as an intrinsically disordered region (IDR), implicating its role in regulation of replication. The identified propensity for the disorder-to-order state transitions indicates the PPR is involved in protein-protein interactions. Furthermore, the PPR of all four HEV genotypes contains seven putative linear binding motifs for ligands involved in the regulation of a wide number of cellular signaling processes. Structure-based analysis of possible molecular functions of these motifs showed the PPR is prone to bind a wide variety of ligands. Collectively, these data suggest a role for the PPR in HEV adaptation. Particularly as an IDR, the PPR likely contributes to fine tuning of viral replication through protein-protein interactions and should be considered as a target for development of novel anti-viral drugs.