cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Salicylic acid induces changes in the physical properties of model and native kidney membranes

Salicylic acid (SA) can inhibit the facilitated transport of inorganic sulfate in the kidney, placenta, and erythrocytes. One mechanism of this inhibition could involve the interaction of SA with membranes, resulting in altered function of transporter protein(s) due to changes in membrane fluidity. Such membrane effects could result in altered membrane transport and consequently in changes in the pharmacokinetics and the therapeutic activity of both xenobiotics and endogenous substrates. We investigated the effect of SA on the fluidity of brush border membrane (BBM) and basolateral membrane (BLM) isolated from rat kidney and also on the physical properties (such as phase transition temperature and fluidity) of model membranes by fluorescence polarization and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques. SA decreased the lipid order parameter (S) of BBM and BLM membranes in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that the addition of SA makes the membrane more fluid. The fluidizing effect of SA was more pronounced than that of benzyl alcohol. Studies were carried out with protein-free model membranes composed of dipalmi-toylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) to investigate the effects of SA on the bilayer membrane lipids. SA decreased the fluorescence polarization of DPH (1,6-diphenyl 1,3,5- hexatriene) incorporated in DPPC vesicles. DSC studies demonstrated that SA broadened the phase transition temperature of DPPC vesicles and suggested that SA is located in the C1-C8 region of the acyl chain. In protein-free model membranes, SA exerted fluidizing effects through its incorporation into the cooperative hydrophobic region of the bilayer. The perturbation of membrane physical properties induced by SA and its hydrophobic localization in the membrane bilayer may be important in the SA-induced alteration of sulfate membrane transport.
Lineage Tracing and Cell Ablation Identify a Post-Aire-Expressing Thymic Epithelial Cell Population

Thymic epithelial cells in the medulla (mTECs) play a critical role in enforcing central tolerance through expression and presentation of tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) and deletion of autoreactive thymocytes. TSA expression requires autoimmune regulator (Aire), a transcriptional activator present in a subset of mTECs characterized by high CD80 and major histocompatibility complex II expression and a lack of potential for differentiation or proliferation. Here, using an Aire-DTR transgenic line, we show that short-term ablation specifically targets Aire(+) mTECs, which quickly undergo RANK-dependent recovery. Repeated ablation also affects Aire(-) mTECs, and using an inducible Aire-Cre fate-mapping system, we find that this results from the loss of a subset of mTECs that showed prior expression of Aire, maintains intermediate TSA expression, and preferentially migrates toward the center of the medulla. These results clearly identify a distinct stage of mTEC development and underscore the diversity of mTECs that play a key role in maintaining tolerance.
A masked [π8 + π2] cycloaddition reaction involving the 1,3,4,6-tetraazapentalene ring system

Abstract Dipyrido[1,2- a 2′,1′- f ]-1,3,4,6-tetraazapentalene ( 1a ) undergoes an [ α 8 + α [2] cycloaddition reaction with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate to give, upon CN bond cleavage, a substituted 1-azacycl[3.2.2]azine ( 2a ).
Bulk strain and grain strain in axisymmetric deformation

Bulk strain, defined in terms of original and final dimensions of a specimen, correlates well with the logarithm of the average number of intercepts per unit length on test lines parallel to axes of symmetry after uniaxial deformation of an axisymmetric specimen. This suggests a definition of principal grain strain based on the mean linear intercepts before and after deformation, measured along principal directions. Results of type 304 stainless steel strained to varying amounts between necking and fracture support the hypothesis that the axial gradient of the total grain boundary area projected onto any cylindrical surface coaxial with the axis of deformation remains unchanged as deformation progresses. Although the behavior of the grain boundary network leads to simple correspondences between grain and bulk strains, they are not numerically equal for this type of deformation.
Experimental control of nodality via equal presentations of conditional discriminations in different equivalence protocols under speed and no-speed conditions.

A within-participant comparison of simple-to-complex, complex-to-simple, and simultaneous protocols was conducted establishing different sets of three 7-member equivalence classes for 4 undergraduate students. The protocols were implemented under either accuracy-only or accuracy-plus-speed conditions while keeping number of presentations of training and testing trials equal. The results partially support previous reports of differential effects on acquisition, with participants completing more blocks in training under the simultaneous than the complex-to-simple and the simple-to-complex protocols. Across the protocols, however, the number of trials completed to criterion did not vary systematically. More important, response speed and accuracy did not decrease as a function of nodal number, with or without the speed contingency, or under any protocol. The latter results challenge the generality of previous reports of the nodality effect and the notion of “relatedness” of equivalence-class members, and support a reinforcement-contingency, instead of a structural, perspective on equivalence-class formation.
Improved protein disorder predictor by smoothing output

Intrinsically disorder regions (IDRs) or, proteins (IDPs) are associated with important biological functions, while lacking stable structure in their native state. The phenomena of disordered proteins or residues are abundant in nature and are extensively involved in critical human diseases and hence impacting drug discovery. Thus, the study using disorder prediction is becoming crucial in the proteomic research. The large scale growth of genome database demands high performance computational methods for identification of protein disorder. We developed a canonical support vector machine based disorder predictor, DisPredict by integrating RBF kernel. It employs novel feature set for accurate characterization of disorder which outperformed two leading predictors: the neural network based SPINE-D and Meta predictor MFDp based on ten-fold cross validation. We propose a post processing of probabilities to further improve the accuracy, named DisPredict1.1 which yields outstanding performance further both in binary annotation and real valued probability prediction per residue in both short and long disordered regions. It provides highest Mathews Correlation Coefficient (MCC), competitive Area Under receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC) and lowest Mean Absolute Error (MAE) when compared with twenty existing predictors of several kinds on independent benchmark dataset. DisPredict is available online.
Cerebellar Purkinje's Cell Degeneration and Coat Color Dilution in a Family of Rhodesian Ridgeback Dogs

A syndrome of cerebellar Purkinje's cell degeneration and coat color dilution was diagnosed in a family of Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. One male and 1 female from the same litter and 1 female from a different litter were evaluated for growth retardation, inability to ambulate, and progressive ataxia. On physical examination, lateral recumbency, severe ataxia, tremors, and diluted coat color were identified. Littermates with nondiluted coat color were neurologically normal. Results of routine laboratory tests, urine metabolic screenings, and karyotype analyses were normal. Histopathologic abnormalities at necropsy included cerebellar Purkinje's cell degeneration, reduced granular cell layer thickness, and uneven distribution of macromelanosomes within hair shafts. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. This is the first description of a genetic syndrome affecting the central nervous system and associated with coat color dilution in dogs.
Current Literature: Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Content to Diagnose Iron Deficiency in Children

Context: Early identification of iron deficiency in children is essential to prevent the damaging long-term consequences of this disease. However, it is not clear which indices should be included in a diagnostic panel for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in children. Objectiiv: To develop an effective approach for the diagnosis of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in young children. Design and Setting: Retro spective laboratory analysis, carried out over 7 weeks in 1996, using blood samples ordered by pediatricians and sent to a large metropolitan hospital for analysis. Patients: A total of 210 children (mean [SD] age, 2.9 (2.0] years; 120 were male) who had a lead screening test (complete blood cell count and plasma lead level) ordered by a primary care pediatrician. Main Outcome Measures: Levels of hemoglobin (Hb), iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation (Tfsat), ferritin, and circulating transferrin receptor (TfR) and reticulocyte Hb content (CHr) among patients with and without ir...
Sexual Language and Human Conflict in Old French Fabliaux

French literature has specialized, almost since its beginning, in accounts of eroticism and courtship. During the twelfth century, Northern romance and Southern lyric described an idealized heterosexuality and its role in honing the aristocratic individual. In the thirteenth century, a new genre appeared that dealt with sexual encounter in more materialistic terms. The new form, the fabliau, added to literary language a vocabulary of vulgarisms from the spoken vernacular. At the same time, it gave European literature a new theme: sexuality that betokens not personal fulfillment, but rivalrous interpersonal struggle.
EXPERIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE HYPOTHESIS OF REGGE POLES

In the nonrelativistic case of the Schrodinger equation, composite particles correspond to Regge poles in scattering amplitudes (poles in the complex plane of angular momentum). It has been suggested that the same may be true in relativistic theory. In that case, the scattering amplitude in which such a particle is exchanged behaves at high energies like sα(t)[sinπα(t)]-1, where s is the energy variable and t the momentum transfer variable. When t=tR, the mass squared of the particle, then α equals an integer n related to the spin of the particle. In contrast, we may consider the case of a field theory in which the exchanged particle is treated as elementary and we examine each order of perturbation theory. When n>1, we can usually not renormalize successfully; when n≤1 and the theory is renormalizable, then the high-energy behavior is typically sn(t-tR)-1φ(t). Thus an experimental distinction is possible between the two situations. That is particularly interesting in view of the conjecture of Blankenbecler and Goldberger that the nucleon may be composite and that of Chew and Frautschi that all strongly interacting particles may be composite dynamical combinations of one another. We suggest a set of rules for finding the high-energy behavior of scattering cross sections according to the Regge pole hypothesis and apply them to π-π, π-N, and N-N scattering. We show how these cross sections differ from those expected when there are "elementary" nucleons and mesons treated in renormalized perturbation theory. For the case of N-N scattering, we analyze some preliminary experimental data and find indications that an "elementary" neutral vector meson is probably not present. Various reactions are proposed to test the "elementary" or "composite" nature of other baryons and mesons. Higher energies may be needed than are available at present.
Seasonal Dynamics of the Bacterial Community of a Mudflat at the Mouth of a Major Kentucky Lake Reservoir Tributary

ABSTRACT Sediment samples were taken from the mudflat of Ledbetter embayment at the mouth of the stream, at summer pool when it was submerged and at winter pool when it was exposed. DNA was extracted and molecular techniques were applied to avoid problems associated with bacterial culture. Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) found 96 different fingerprints in 350 clones containing amplified sediment 16S rDNA. There were 54 different patterns in the 180 clones examined from summer samples and 55 in the 170 clones examined from winter samples. Only 13 ARDRA patterns were found in both winter and summer. These were among the most abundant organisms found and were found frequently in both summer and winter. Sequence analysis of clones with different ARDRA patterns showed that the α and β Proteobacteria were the most abundant bacteria in these samples and were abundant in both winter and summer. The α Proteobacteria, however, were the most abundant group in winter and the β Proteobacteria were...
Emigration in a black howling monkey group

From August 1989 to January 1994, we monitored the age-sex composition of a small group of Alouatta carayainhabiting a 2-ha seminatural forest. During this period we observed seven cases of emigration: four by juvenile females, two by subadult females, and one by a subadult male. Five subjects formed a new bisexual group living in a marginal 0.3-ha portion of the site. Four of them died. Male changes occurred and seem to be followed by infanticides.
High-performance synthetic aperture radar image formation on commodity multicore architectures

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image processing platforms have to process increasingly large datasets under and hard real-time deadlines. Upgrading these platforms is expensive. An attractive solution to this problem is to couple high performance, general-purpose Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) architectures such as IBM's Cell BE and Intel's Core with software implementations of SAR algorithms. While this approach provides great flexibility, achieving the requisite performance is difficult and time-consuming. The reason is the highly parallel nature and general complexity of modern COTS microarchitectures. To achieve the best performance, developers have to interweave of various complex optimizations including multithreading, the use of SIMD vector extensions, and careful tuning to the memory hierarchy. In this paper, we demonstrate the computer generation of high performance code for SAR implementations on Intel's multicore platforms based on the Spiral framework and system. The key is to express SAR and its building blocks in Spiral's formal domain-specific language to enable automatic vectorization, parallelization, and memory hierarchy tuning through rewriting at a high abstraction level and automatic exploration of choices. We show that Spiral produces code for the latest Intel quadcore platforms that surpasses competing hand-tuned implementations on the Cell Blade, an architecture with twice as many cores and three times the memory bandwidth. Specifically, we show an average performance of 39 Gigaflops/sec for 16-Megapixel and 100-Megapixel SAR images with runtimes of 0.56 and 3.76 seconds respectively.
Resolution of the enantiomers of ibuprofen; comparison study of diastereomeric method and chiral stationary phase method

Abstract In this study, an indirect diastereomeric method and a direct method utilizing a chiral stationary phase (CSP) were investigated for the resolution of ibuprofen enantiomers. In the indirect method, ethylchloroformate (ECF) and 2-ethoxy-1-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) were utilized as first-step derivatizing reagents in acetonitrile or toluene. In the direct CSP method, ibuprofen enantiomers were derivatized to p-nitrobenzyl ureides and then resolved on an (R)-(−)-(1-naphthyl)ethylurea CSP column. The derivatization procedure took place in 10 min with an overall inversion efficiency of 90.3%. Racemization was not observed under the derivatization conditions used. The HPLC-CSP method was utilized to study the pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen enantiomers in dog plasma after a single oral administration of 200 mg of ibuprofen racemate.
Not All Signals are Equal: Male Brown Anole Lizards (Anolis sagrei) Selectively Decrease Pushup Frequency Following a Simulated Predatory Attack

The use of conspicuous communication signals often increases a signaler’s risk of predation. Many species communicate with a repertoire of signals that may differ in their conspicuousness to predators. Few studies have examined the ability of prey to selectively decrease the use of individual signals in their displays under heightened predation risk. Here, I examined the behavior of male brown anole lizards (Anolis sagrei )i n response to a simulated predatory attack from a model kestrel. This species communicates with three major visual signal types, the head-bob, pushup, and dewlap extension, which vary in their motion and spectral characteristics. I predicted that lizards would decrease frequencies of the dewlap extension and pushup following the attack, but not the headbob. Males modulated their use of individual signals by decreasing pushup rates, but not head-bob rates. Decreases in dewlap frequency were marginally significant. One explanation for these results is that lizards decrease frequencies of signal types based partly on their conspicuousness. The energetic cost of each signal type may be an equally important factor that determines the signaler’s response to predators, particularly if a predatory attack is perceived as imminent.
Attitude Control System of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe mission produces a map of the cosmic microwave background radiation over the entire celestial sphere by executing a fast spin and a slow precession of its spin axis about the sun line to obtain a highly interconnected set of measurements. The attitude control system implements this spin-scan observing strategy while minimizing thermal and magnetic fluctuations, especially those synchronous with the spin period. The spacecraft attitude is sensed and controlled using an inertial reference unit, 2 star trackers, a dual-head digital sun sensor, 12 coarse sun sensors, 3 reaction wheel assemblies, and a propulsion system. Sufficient attitude knowledge is provided to yield instrument pointing to a standard deviation (1σ) of 1.3 arc-min per axis. The attitude control system also maintains the spacecraft attitude during orbit maneuvers, controls the spacecraft angular momentum, and provides for safety in the event of an anomaly. An overview of the design of the attitude control system to carry out this mission is presented, as well as some early flight experience.
Urinary phytoestrogen excretion and prostate cancer risk: a nested case–control study in the Multiethnic Cohort

Urinary phytoestrogen excretion and prostate cancer risk: a nested case–control study in the Multiethnic Cohort
Competition between stimulus-reinforcer contingencies and anticipatory contrast

Procedures used to study anticipatory contrast are conceptually similar to those used to study autoshaping, in that two target stimuli signal either higher or lower rates of reinforcement in the following components of the schedule. Despite this signal contingency, anticipatory contrast entails response rates that are higher to the target stimulus followed by the lower rate of reinforcement. To determine the relation between such effects and autoshaping, different variations of the procedure were used in which the signal contingency was presented in the absence of reinforcement in the target components themselves and in which the reinforcement schedules in the different following components were signaled by the same stimulus. Autoshaping effects of this signal contingency were demonstrated when no reinforcement was available during the target-component signals themselves. Intermediate patterns of behavior occurred when reinforcement was available during the target-component signals and when their different following schedules were correlated with the same stimulus. Attempts to isolate these signal and contrast effects functionally by using the signal-key procedure were unsuccessful. The results demonstrate that Pavlovian stimulus contingencies are in competition with the dynamics of anticipatory contrast, thus reducing its occurrence under some circumstances.
On the Use of the AC Josephson Effect to Maintain Standards of Electromotive Force

It is shown how a particular phenomenon arising from the ac Josephson effect in superconductors can be used to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive means for (1) checking on the constancy in time of reference standards of electromotive force, and (2) relating the reference standard of one country to that of another country, thereby contributing to a better international assignment of the volt. The results of recent high accuracy (4 ppm) measurements of the phenomenon in question and the relative ease with which the techniques used in these measurements can be extended to the 1 ppm level will be presented as evidence that these two goals can be reached in the near future.
Insect chilling table.

Immobilization of insects is often necessary for experimental purposes, and one of the most commonly used methods of achieving immobilization has been exposure of insects to carbon dioxide. However, some disadvantages of this treatment were reported by Busvine (1957, A Critical Review of the Techniques for Testing Insecticides. Commonwealth Institute of Entomology, London, 208 p.), and Harris et al. (1965, J. Econ Ent. 58 : 379–80) showed that high mortality occurred in horn flies Haematobia irritans (L.) and stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) exposed for 1 hr. In contrast flies immobilized on a chilling table designed by Harris et al. (1965, loc. cit.) had comparatively low mortality after exposure for 6 hr.
SU-FF-J-46: Dosimetric Effects of Daily Localization for Prostate Cancer Patients Using MV-CBCT

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of daily shifts observed with mega‐voltage cone beam CT (MV‐CBCT) localization on the IMRT dose distribution received by prostate cancer patients. Method and Materials: Eight patients who received a dose of 77.4 Gy to the PTV, which included the prostate and the seminal vesicles with a 1 cm margin, were selected for this retrospective study. Prior to each daily treatment fraction, the prostate was localized using MV‐CBCT, and the treatment couch position was corrected accordingly in the lateral (RL), longitudinal (SI) and vertical (AP) directions. The shifts for each of the 308 fractions were recorded, and the 308 corresponding dose distributions that the patients would have received if the shifts were not applied were calculated. Dose volume histograms (DVH) and mean dose for target and organs‐at‐risk were derived from these dose distributions, and compared to the treatment plan. Results: The average shifts for each patient were less than 6, 5 and 5 mm in the RL, SI and AP directions, respectively, with standard deviations ranging from 2 to 7 mm. The relative mean dose difference for the prostate was less that 1%, however effects as large as 15% and 20% were observed for the rectum and bladder, respectively. Rectum dose differences were correlated to AP shifts, while the bladder dose was affected by the SI shifts. Conclusion: For IMRT plans with a 1 cm margin, daily localization of the prostate is necessary to reduce the risk of bladder and rectum complication. The dose to these organs is very sensitive to systematic errors, while the effects of random errors cancel each other due to the essentially spherical shape of the dose distribution. Our results show that accurate patient positioning is an important step in any dose‐escalation and/or margin reduction strategy to further improve the therapeutic ratio.
Collective Motions in Nuclei by the Method of Generator Coordinates

For an $A$-particle system, a trial wave function is constructed of the form $\ensuremath{\Psi}({\mathrm{x}}_{1}, \ensuremath{\cdots}, {\mathrm{x}}_{A})=\ensuremath{\int}\ensuremath{\phi}({\mathrm{x}}_{1}, \ensuremath{\cdots}, {\mathrm{x}}_{A}; \ensuremath{\alpha})f(\ensuremath{\alpha})d\ensuremath{\alpha}.$ The preliminary nucleonic wave function, $\ensuremath{\phi}$, solves the problem in a "construction potential." This potential depends upon a "deformation parameter" or "generator coordinate," $\ensuremath{\alpha}$. The collective wave function, $f(\ensuremath{\alpha})$, or "generator function," is folded into $\ensuremath{\phi}$ to produce a system wave function that depends only upon the coordinates, ${\mathrm{x}}_{i}$, of the particles. In the integration, the deformation parameters dissolve away. They do not appear in the final state function; they only generate it. No collective coordinates ever come into use nor do such coordinates ever have to be defined. In typical cases when the generator function contains one or more nodes, it generates nodes in the system wave function $\ensuremath{\Psi}$ of the kind that describe collective kinetic energy. The energy of the system is extremized with respect to choice of the generator function, $f(\ensuremath{\alpha})$. No Hamiltonian ever appears except the $A$-particle Hamiltonian. All nucleons are treated on the same basis whether in or above closed shells. The appropriate variational calculation leads to an integral equation or "generator wave equation" for $f(\ensuremath{\alpha})$. This equation is solved in two limiting cases: the quadratic approximation, and the $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function approximation. An analysis is made of the Peierls-Yoccoz procedure to calculate the effectivemass parameter in cases where the forces acting in the system are invariant with respect to translation or rotation. There is no external machinery to drive the construction potential. The effective inertia constant does not appear likely to agree in general with that calculated for the essentially different problem of particles in such a machine-driven potential, though the latter value is presumably more nearly correct for physical applications. The trial wave function in the method of generator coordinates is designed for simplicity, not for precision. It is applied in the following paper to the dilatational and shape oscillations of ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$.
A Distributed Generation Control Architecture for Islanded AC Microgrids

In this paper, we propose a distributed architecture for generation control in islanded ac microgrids with both synchronous generators and inverter-interfaced power supplies. Although they are smaller and have lower ratings, the generation control objectives for an islanded microgrid are similar to those in large power systems, e.g., bulk power transmission networks; specifically, without violating limits on generator power output, frequency must be regulated and generation costs should be minimized. However, in large power systems, the implementation of the generation control functions is centralized, i.e., there is a computer that resides in a centralized location, e.g., a control center, with measurements and control signals telemetered between the generating units and the centrally located computer. The architecture for generation control that we propose in this paper does not rely on such a centrally located computer. Instead, the implementation of the control functions is distributed and relies on iterative algorithms that combine local measurements and certain information acquired from neighboring generating units with local, low-complexity computations. We provide analytical and experimental results that verify the effectiveness of the proposed architecture for generation control in islanded microgrids, and illustrate the performance of the aforementioned distributed algorithms under a variety of scenarios.
Quantum critical fluctuations due to nested Fermi surface: The case of spinless fermions

Abstract A quantum critical point (QCP) can be obtained by tuning the critical temperature of a second-order phase transition to zero. A simple model of spinless fermions with nested Fermi surface leading to a charge density wave is considered. The QCP is obtained by tuning the nesting mismatch of the Fermi surface, which has the following consequences: (i) For the tuned QCP, the specific heat over T and the effective mass increase with the logarithm of the temperature as T is lowered. (ii) For the tuned QCP the linewidth of the quasi-particles is sublinear in T and ω . (iii) The specific heat and the linewidth display a crossover from non-Fermi liquid ( ∼ T ) to Fermi liquid ( ∼ T 2 ) behavior with increasing nesting mismatch and decreasing temperature. (iv) For the tuned QCP, the dynamical charge susceptibility has a quasi-elastic peak with a linewidth proportional to T. (v) For non-critical Fermi vector mismatch the peak is inelastic. (vi) While the specific heat and the quasi-particle linewidth are only weakly dependent on the geometry of the nested Fermi surfaces, the momentum-dependent dynamical susceptibility is expected to be affected by the shape of the Fermi surface.
The Presence of Aureomycin in Milk and its Effect on Cheese Making and Starter Activity

Summary Varying amounts of aureomycin were found in the milk from treated cows for as long as 72 hr. after treatment. After the first milking following treatment there was no correlation between the amount of milk produced and the concentration of aureomycin remaining in the milk. There was very little evidence of the inhibition of starter activity when the amount of aureomycin was less than 0.25 γ per milliliter. Inhibition of starter activity was definitely evident for six milkings (3 days) after treatment. Treatment of commercial herds indicated that when using the mixed milk from such herds little or no trouble is experienced unless 3 per cent or more of the quarters in the milking herd are treated. If inhibition of starter activity is evident under such conditions, it does not continue in any harmful degree beyond the fourth milking (2 days). Cheddar cheese-making operations are definitely disrupted by the presence of appreciable amounts of aureomycin in the milk. Acid development is retarded, and during curing, flavor develops slowly and may be bitter. Body is weak and pasty. Cottage cheese making was rendered impossible. The authors wish to express their appreciation to the Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanamid Co., for supplying the aureomycin used in these investigations.
Effects of Acute and Chronic Flunitrazepam on Delay Discounting in Pigeons

Delay to delivery of a reinforcer can decrease responding for that reinforcer and increase responding for smaller reinforcers that are available concurrently and delivered without delay; acute administration of drugs can alter responding for large, delayed reinforcers, although the impact of chronic treatment on delay discounting is not well understood. In this experiment, the effects of repeated administration of the benzodiazepine flunitrazepam were studied in 6 pigeons responding on one key to receive food that was delivered immediately and on a second key to receive a larger amount of food that was delivered following delays which increased across a single session. Pigeons responded predominantly for the large reinforcer when there were no delays and when delays were short; however, as delays increased, responding for the large reinforcer decreased. Acutely, flunitrazepam (0.32, 1.0 and 3.2 mg/kg) dose-dependently increased responding for the large reinforcer, shifting the discounting curve rightward and upward. Repeated administration of flunitrazepam (0.32, 1.0 and 3.2 mg/kg, each for six sessions, separated by one session during which vehicle was administered) did not markedly alter its effects on responding for the large reinforcer, indicating that the development of tolerance to this effect of flunitrazepam is modest under these conditions.
Effects of Endurance Exercise and Hormone Replacement Therapy on Serum Lipids in Older Women

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of 11 months of exercise training and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), alone or in combination, on serum lipids and lipoproteins, in postmenopausal women. DESIGN: Controlled, prospective, 11-month clinical trial. Healthy postmenopausal women (n = 71, age range 60–72 yrs) were assigned to four groups in a 2 × 2 design (control, exercise, HRT, exercise + HRT). SETTING: Large, midwestern urban community; subjects were recruited from the community-at-large. The exercise program was conducted at a university exercise facility. INTERVENTIONS: HRT consisted of conjugated estrogens at 0.625 mg/day and trimonthly medroxyprogesterone acetate 5 mg/day for 13 days. Exercise consisted of 2 months of low intensity exercise followed by 9 months of vigorous exercise for 45 min/day, 3 or more days/week, at 65–85% of maximal heart rate. MEASUREMENTS: Maximal aerobic power (VO2max), resting blood pressure, body composition, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and dietary intake at baseline and after 11 months. MAIN RESULTS: At the end of 11 months, subjects in the exercise group had decreased total cholesterol (TC; P < .01) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C; P < .05), but there was no change in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) or triglycerides. Women in the HRT group had decreased LDL-C (P < .001) and increased HDL-C (P < .01) and triglycerides (P < .01), but there was no change in TC. Exercise+HRT subjects had decreased TC (P < .05) and LDL-C (P < .001), and increased HDL-C (P < .001); exercise prevented the HRT-related increase in triglycerides. CONCLUSIONS: Endurance exercise training and HRT have independent and complimentary effects on serum lipid profiles in healthy postmenopausal women. Such effects are likely to reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity in this population. J Am Geriatr Soc 44:231–236, 1996.
VERBAL REINFORCEMENT COMBINATIONS AND EXAMINER-SUBJECT INTERACTION IN THE VERBAL LEARNING OF NORMAL AND SCHIZOPHRENIC SUBJECTS.

This study tested the hypothesis that the schizophrenic's over-responsiveness to social censure accounts for the schizophrenic's impairment in learning in a generalization paradigm. The hypothesis was investigated in two studies eliminating stress, task complexity, and the effects of subject-examiner interactions. The results support the original hypothesis, but suggest that the effects are subtle and somewhat transitory. The data are difficult to explain in terms of Garmezy's later reformulation.
Should your hospital's employees receive pantitis B vaccine?

The hepatitis B risk for hospital employees is a function of their own prior experience with this disease and their frequency of exposure to patient blood, plus characteristics of the hospital's patient population, services, and prevention policies. Assessment of the hospital's risk includes consideration of costs associated with employee cases of hepatitis B, employee turnover rates, frequency of exposure incidents, and costs for preexposure and postexposure hepatitis B prevention policies. Benefits occur for both employee and hospital when the risk of hepatitis B transmission is minimized. Each institution must remember that it does not operate in isolation; its policies will be compared to those of other health care organizations. Participation in community efforts to develop local standards is advisable, but administrators should also recognize the possibility of having unique groups of high-risk employees in their own hospital. Analysis of each of the twelve issues will provide hospital decision-makers with information needed to select appropriate hepatitis B prevention strategies for their institution. This information should help in the development of a plan that will balance the costs and benefits of hepatitis B vaccine and, at the same time, protect employees from this occupational health problem.
_____ While Black Millennial Race Play and the Post-Hip-Hop Generation

Millennials are defined by their savvy integration of digital communication technologies and by their seamless incorporation of difference that has been communicated through formal policies and mul...
The Race to Rationality Review and the Score of the German Federal Constitutional Court

AbstractJudicial review is composed of a triangle of substantive, procedural, and impact review which often overlap and culminate in the concept of rationality review. The dichotomy of substantivism and proceduralism is modified in German Constitutional Law for two reasons: Firstly, because the German Basic Law asks for a minimum procedural review, and secondly, because the principle of proportionality often requires an assessment of facts and a prognosis, thus establishing an impact review which sometimes overlaps with a procedural review. However, the quest for rational decision-making and due deliberation does not prevail over substantive review. Only in borderline cases where the compatibility of a law with the substantive requirements of the Constitution cannot be ascertained, due to the empirical or prognostic complexity of the matter, may standards of proper lawmaking be the decisive criteria. These standards are not directly derived from the EU Better Regulation agenda. Rather, they are part of th...
Marginal regression analysis of longitudinal data with time-dependent covariates: a generalized method-of-moments approach

Summary. We develop a new approach to using estimating equations to estimate marginal regression models for longitudinal data with time-dependent covariates. Our approach classifies time-dependent covariates into three types—types I, II and III. The type of covariate determines what estimating equations can be used involving the covariate. We use the generalized method of moments to make optimal use of the estimating equations that are made available by the covariates. Previous literature has suggested the use of generalized estimating equations with the independent working correlation when there are time-dependent covariates. We conduct a simulation study that shows that our approach can provide substantial gains in efficiency over generalized estimating equations with the independent working correlation when a time-dependent covariate is of types I or II, and our approach remains consistent and comparable in efficiency with generalized estimating equations with the independent working correlation when a time-dependent covariate is of type III. We apply our approach to analyse the relationship between the body mass index and future morbidity among children in the Philippines.
The excess molar enthalpies of [xCO2+(1-x){0.5CH3(CH2)4CH3+0.5CH3(CH2)10CH3}] at the temperatures (308.15, 323.15, 373.15, and 413.15) K and at the pressures 7.50 MPa and 12.50 MPa, and of {xCO2+(1-x)CH3(CH2)7CH3} at 373.15 K and 7.50 MPa and 12.50 MPa

The excess molar enthalpies H E m [ x CO 2 + (1 − x ){0.5CH 3 (CH 2 ) 4 CH 3 + 0.5CH 3 (CH 2 ) 10 CH 3 }] and H E m { x CO 2 + (1 − x )CH 3 (CH 2 ) 7 CH 3 } were measured in the vicinity of the critical locus. Large changes in H E m were observed with changes in the compositions, temperatures, and pressures. The formation of liquid and vapor phases involving carbon dioxide and hydrocarbon mixtures was observed. The results involving CH 3 (CH 2 ) 7 CH 3 were similar to those involving {0.5CH 3 (CH 2 ) 4 CH 3 + 0.5CH 3 (CH 2 ) 10 CH 3 }, and are discussed with reference to the congruence principle.
LABORATORY MEASUREMENTS OF PHOSPHINE'S MICROWAVE OPACITY : IMPLICATIONS FOR PLANETARY RADIO SCIENCE

Abstract It has been suggested that phosphine (PH3) may contribute significantly to the microwave emission spectrum of Neptune, and to the centimeter-wavelength opacity measured by the Voyager 2 spacecraft at Neptune (D. R. DeBoer and P. G. Steffes 1996a, Icarus123, 324–335). As a result, laboratory measurements of the microwave opacity and refractivity of PH3 in an H2/He atmosphere have been conducted at 1.5 GHz (20 cm), 2.2 GHz (13.3 cm), 8.3 GHz (3.6 cm), 13.3 GHz (2.3 cm), and 21.6 GHz (1.4 cm) at pressures of 1, 3, and 5 bars at room temperature. Results indicate that current theories significantly understate the centimeter-wavelength opacity of PH3. This higher-than-expected opacity is likely due to a molecular inversion spectrum, of which no measurements have been reported. These results will elucidate the interpretation of centimeter-wavelength microwave observations from radio telescopes and spacecraft radio occultation measurements of the atmospheres of all four jovian planets.
Roles of oxidative damage and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in ethylbenzene-induced hepatotoxic effects in rat

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying hepatoxic effects of ethylbenzene still remain unknown. We investigated the toxic effects of ethylbenzene on liver and explored the mechanism of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as an in vivo model with ethylbenzene inhalation of 0, 433.5 mg/m3, 4335 mg/m3 and 6500 mg/m3 for 13 weeks. Levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were assayed. Meanwhile, the ultrastructure of hepatic tissues was observed and cell apoptosis was detected via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Furthermore, we investigated the expression levels of mRNA and protein of bax, bcl-2, cytochrome c, caspase-9 and caspase-3 in rat liver tissues. Compared with control group, the malondialdehyde levels were significantly elevated while glutathione levels and activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were decreased, respectively. The mitochondri...
Large is beautiful The welfare effect of technology transfer reconsidered

Abstract This paper demonstrates that a technology transfer via foreign-owned firms always reduces the host country's national income if the new technology is localized, in the Atkinson-Stiglitz sense, at a capital-labor ratio higher than prevails locally. Although developing countries can mitigate this negative impact of technology transfer by restricting the activities of foreign firms, we argue that complete capital market liberalization yields even higher national income.
A static multiplex Fabry-Perot spectrometer

We demonstrate a static multiplex spectrometer based on a Fabry-Perot interferometric filter for measuring the mean spectral content of diffuse sources. By replacing the slit of a low-dispersion grating spectrometer with a Fabry-Perot interferometric filter, we improve the resolving power of the instrument while simultaneously overcoming the free spectral range limitation of the Fabry Perot. The resulting instrument is smaller than conventional spectrometers having the same resolving power. We present experimental results from the spectrometer using neon lamp, He-Ne laser, and diode laser sources over a wavelength range from 620 nm to 660 nm.
Periodontal infection profiles in type 1 diabetes.

Objectives: We investigated the levels of subgingival plaque bacteria and serum IgG responses in patients with type 1 diabetes and non-diabetic controls of comparable periodontal status. Material and Methods: Fifty type 1 diabetes patients (mean duration 20.3 years, range 6–41) were age-and gender-matched with 50 non-diabetic individuals with similar levels of periodontal disease. Full-mouth clinical periodontal status was recorded, and eight plaque samples/person were collected and analysed by checkerboard hybridization with respect to 12 species. Homologous serum IgG titres were assessed by checkerboard immunoblotting. In a sub-sample of pairs, serum cytokines and selected markers of cardiovascular risk were assessed using multiplex technology. Results: Among the investigated species, only levels of Eubacterium nodatum were found to be higher in diabetic patients, while none of the IgG titres differed between the groups, both before and after adjustments for microbial load. Patients with diabetes had significantly higher serum levels of soluble E-selectin (p=0.04), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1; p=0.0008), adiponectin (p=0.01) and lower levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1; p=0.02). Conclusions: After controlling for the severity of periodontal disease, patients with type 1 diabetes and non-diabetic controls showed comparable subgingival infection patterns and serum antibody responses.
Excitation of the 3p55p levels of argon from the 3p54s metastables

Abstract Measurements have been reported recently of cross sections for electron-impact excitation of the argon 3p 5 5p manifold of levels from the 3p 5 4s metastable levels. We report results of calculations of the direct excitation cross sections at electron-impact energies from threshold to 500 eV for these transitions. The collision cross sections are calculated in the scaled plane-wave Born approximation (scaled PWB) developed by Kim. This scaling transforms the Born cross sections for dipole-allowed and spin-allowed excitations into reliable cross sections that compare as well with accurate measurements as does the sophisticated and more complex convergent close coupling method. We have used jj coupling in a single LS configuration Dirac-Fock calculation to describe the target wavefunctions. The optical emission cross section measurements, by Jung et al., include estimated contributions of 25% or more from cascading from higher excited levels and so are larger than direct excitation cross sections. Nevertheless, our cross sections agree reasonably well with the measurements for transitions where the core j value remains unchanged, except for the 1s 5 –3p 8 excitation. The results do not agree well with the measurements when the core j value changes, as similarly seen in the results of recent relativistic distorted wave calculations by Sharma et al.
Polyacrylamide-grafted dextrine copolymer coatings

Polyacrylamide (PAM)-grafted dextrine (DEX) copolymers were prepared by heating a film-forming precursor solution consisting of PAM, corn starch-derived DEX, cerium (IV) nitrate hexahydrate, and water, at 150° or 200°C; these solutions were applied as water-based primer coating systems to aluminum (Al) substrates. Grafting PAM on the DEX not only inhibited the fragmentation of DEX structures caused by oxidation at 200°C in air, but also aided in fabricating coating films that were less susceptible to moisture and minimized the rate of permeation of electrolyte species through the film layers. In addition, the grafted DEX coating films favorably reacted with the Al substrate to form Al-O bonds at interfaces. Consequently, Al panels coated with a highly grafted DEX copolymer had a salt-spray resistance of 600 hr.
Factors affecting public support for forest-based biorefineries: a comparison of mill towns and the general public in Maine, USA.

Abstract Community views toward the risks and benefits of emerging renewable energy technologies are important factors in facility siting decisions and their eventual success. While the actual socioeconomic and biophysical impacts of proposed industrial developments are fraught with uncertainty, understanding public perceptions is critical in managing costs and benefits to local citizens. Here, we explore the social acceptability of forest-based biorefineries in Maine using random utility modeling to identify how project attributes and citizen characteristics interact to affect level of support. Using a statewide sample (Statewide) and a subsample of mill towns (Mill Towns), we found that: (1) in both samples, individual characteristics had similar coefficients and significance levels except for pro-environment attitudes; (2) the coefficients related to the industry’s negative attributes were notably different between the two samples, while positive attributes were not; (3) in both samples, positive industry attributes such as “producing products from a sustainable resource” and “increased economic development” were the most influential variables in determining the level of support for a new biorefinery in an individual’s community; and (4) in general, Mill Town respondents were more accepting of potential negative attributes such as increased levels of truck traffic, odor, noise, and air and water pollution.