cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A whole-organ perfusion model of Bordetella pertussis adherence to mouse tracheal epithelium.

A whole-organ perfusion system was used to culture tracheas from adult Swiss mice and test this system's adaptability for use in adherence assays for virulentBordetella pertussis. Culture medium and bacterial suspensions flowed readily through the tracheal lumen, ciliary activity was maintained throughout the culture period, and scanning electron microscopy revealed retention of normal surface morphology. The number of adherent colony-forming units (cfu) per trachea was determined for all threeBordetella species every 30 min over a 3.5-h incubation period and the resultant adherence patterns were reproducible. Adherent cfu were dependent on the concentration of microorganisms in the infecting inoculum.Bordetella pertussis did not demonstrate a preferential adherence to either the dorsal or ventral surface of the tracheal epithelium nor did it demonstrate a preference for adherence to the laryngeal or bronchial end of the trachea. Static growth conditions did alter the adherence pattern ofB. pertussis from that observed when the organism was grown with constant agitation.
A methodology for selecting the beam arrangement to reduce the intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) dose to the SPECT-defined functioning lung

Macroaggregated albumin single-photon emission computed tomography (MAA-SPECT) provides a map of the spatial distribution of lung perfusion. Our previous work developed a methodology to use SPECT guidance to reduce the dose to the functional lung in IMRT planning. This study aims to investigate the role of beam arrangement on both low and high doses in the functional lung. In our previous work, nine-beam IMRT plans were generated with and without SPECT guidance and compared for five patients. For the current study, the dose–function histogram (DFH) contribution for each of the nine beams for each patient was calculated. Four beams were chosen based on orientation and DFH contributions to create a SPECT-guided plan that spared the functional lung and maintained target coverage. Four-beam SPECT-guided IMRT plans reduced the F20 and F30 values by (16.5 ± 6.8)% and (6.1 ± 9.2)%, respectively, when compared to nine-beam conventional IMRT plans. Moreover, the SPECT-4F Plan reduces F5 and F13 for all patients by (11.0 ± 8.2)% and (6.1 ± 3.6)%, respectively, compared to the SPECT Plan. Using fewer beams in IMRT planning may reduce the amount of functional lung that receives 5 and 13 Gy, a factor that has recently been associated with radiation pneumonitis.
Approximate separability and aggregation

Abstract This note renews the concern of F. M. Fisher for the possibility of approximate aggregation. A geometric measure is introduced to gauge directly the extent to which a group of variables is separable relative to a given function. Bounds on the tightness of approximation of a function by separable ones are derived in terms of this geometric measure and the moduli of continuity of the function. The main conclusion is that approximate aggregation is unlikely to be possible unless the function is approximately separable. Hence, known stringent conditions for the existence of economic aggregates cannot be easily evaded.
Sustainable methods for waste minimisation in construction

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide scenarios for the incorporation of sustainable waste minimisation strategies that were determined during a research project that investigated sustainable engineering and construction processes.Design/methodology/approach – The research included a thorough review of sustainable engineering and construction practices throughout the world and the collection of additional information from high‐level executives from some of the top ranked global engineering and construction firms. The research was limited to collecting data from high‐level engineering and construction executives since they were the most knowledgeable about the use of sustainable strategies within their firm.Findings – The results determined the main types of construction waste and sustainable strategies that could be used to minimise the amount of waste generated by the construction industry.Research limitations/implications – he research was limited to collecting data from high‐level enginee...
Fabrication of hierarchical β-Co(OH)2 microspheres via hydrothermal process

Hierarchical β-Co(OH)2 microspheres with 20–50 μm diameter assembled from nanoplate building blocks were successfully fabricated via a hydrothermal process in the presence of a cation surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The products are characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The effect of CTAB and pH value on the β-Co(OH)2 morphology was also investigated. When pH value is maintained at 9, an appropriate added amount of CTAB (3 g) is the crucial prerequisite for the formation of this interesting morphology. In this experiment, pH value of the solution and the cation surfactant CTAB together results in the formation of hierarchical β-Co(OH)2 microsphere structures assembled from nanoplates.
Classifying Borel automorphisms

§1. Introduction . This paper considers several complexity questions regarding Borel automorphisms of a Polish space. Recall that a Borel automorphism is a bijection of the space with itself whose graph is a Borel set (equivalently, the inverse image of any Borel set is Borel). Since the inverse of a Borel automorphism is another Borel automorphism, as is the composition of two Borel automorphisms, the set of Borel automorphisms of a given Polish space forms a group under the operation of composition. We can also consider the class of automorphisms of all Polish spaces. We will be primarily concerned here with the following notion of equivalence: D efinition 1.1. Two Borel automorphisms f and g of the Polish spaces X and Y are said to be Borel isomorphic, f ≅ g , if they are conjugate, i.e. there is a Borel bijection φ: X → Y such that φ ∘ f = g ∘ φ. We restrict ourselves to automorphisms of uncountable Polish spaces, as the Borel automorphisms of a countable space are simply the permutations of the space. Since any two uncountable Polish spaces are Borel isomorphic, any Borel automorphism is Borel isomorphic to some automorphism of a fixed space. Hence, up to Borel isomorphism we can fix a Polish space and represent any Borel automorphism as an automorphism of this space. We will use the Cantor space 2 ω (with the product topology) as our representative space.
The interaction of brain insulin receptors with wheat germ agglutinin

Brain insulin receptors adsorb to and are recoverable from wheat germ agglutinin-agarose (WGA) columns. Similar results are obtained using dissuccinimidyl suberate (DSS)-crosslinked receptors or photo-affinity labeled receptors. WGA can be used for partial purification of brain insulin receptors provided the appropriate WGA preparation is chosen and the optimal ratio of receptor protein to lectin is achieved.
Synchrotrom radiation X-ray lithography☆

Abstract X-ray lithography is a shadow printing technique which uses X-rays to transfer a pattern from a mask into a resist-coated wafer. Synchrotron radiation from a storage ring has advantages over the radiation from conventional X-ray sources for this purpose, since it is 2 to 4 orders of magnitude more intense and its natural collimation virtually eliminates penumbra and run-out errors. To take advantage of synchrotron radiation, we have built a beamline for X-ray lithography at the VUV storage ring of the NSLS. This beamline was designed to meet two major requirements: vacuum isolation from the UHV in the storage ring and uniform illumination over the exposure area, to achieve good linewidth control in the resist pattern. To achieve uniform illumination in the vertical direction, we use a scanning grazing-incidence mirror that sweeps the beam over the exposure area. This mirror also collimates horizontally to maximize the exposure flux. In this paper we will describe the basic design including optics, beryllium window and the calculated spectral power distribution. The performance of the beamline will be discussed in terms of experimentally achieved uniformity of illumination, mask contrast and mask substrate transmission, exposure flux and exposure flux and exposure times and resolution. With PMMA resist, features down to 0.25 μm have been copied with an aspect ratio of 16 to 1 using a 40 μm mask to wafer separation. The ultimate resolution is limited by diffraction. We have begun to study a variety of resists to evaluate their suitability for X-ray lithography.
The soft-bottom macrobenthos of North Carolina estuaries

The structure of macro infaunal (>0.5 mm sieve size) assemblages was examined in samples of unconsolidated substrates collected during the summers of 1994–1997 at 208 stations throughout North Carolina estuaries. Numerical classification (cluster analysis) of stations resulted in 14 distinct site groups that reflected discernible habitatrelated patterns in species distributions. Multiple discriminant analysis, performed on synoptic abiotic variables (depth, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, percent silt-clay), showed that the separation of site groups was related primarily to salinity. Percent silt-clay had a secondary influence on the separation of sites within similar salinity zones. Species diversity among site groups generally decreased with decreasing salinity and increasing mud content of sediment. Nodal analysis showed a wide range in constancy and fidelity of species assemblages within site groups. Some assemblages dominated by euryhaline species had no particular affinity with any one site group. The strongest affinities, as evidenced by high values of both constancy and fidelity, were displayed by an assemblage of oligochaetes, insect larvae, gammaridean amphipods, and the clamCorbicula fluminea in tidal freshwater muds; and an assemblage of haustoriid amphipods, the bivalveDonax variabilis, the polychaeteParaonis fulgens, and unidentified echinoids at high-salinity sites in outer Pamlico Sound near ocean inlets. A series of stations with impaired benthic assemblages in polluted habitats emerged from the cluster analysis and was distinguishable from other site groups that reflected a greater influence of natural controlling factors (such as salinity and sediment type) on species distributions. These results suggest that the interaction of both anthropogenic and natural environmental controlling factors is important in defining the structure of these infaunal assemblages.
The feasibility of hypnotic analgesia in ameliorating pain and anxiety among adults undergoing needle electromyography.

Objective Our hypothesis was that hypnotic analgesia reduces pain and anxiety during electromyography (EMG). Design We performed a prospective randomized, controlled clinical trial at outpatient electrodiagnostic clinics in teaching hospitals. Just before EMG, 26 subjects were randomized to one of three 20-min audio programs: education about EMG (EDU) (n = 8); hypnotic induction without analgesic suggestion (n = 10); or hypnotic induction with analgesic suggestion (n = 8). The blinded electromyographer provided a posthypnotic suggestion at the start of EMG. After EMG, subjects rated worst and average pain and anxiety using visual analog scales. Results Mean values for the EDU, hypnotic induction without analgesic suggestion, and hypnotic induction with analgesic suggestion groups were not significantly different (mean +/- SD): worst pain 67 +/- 25, 42 +/- 18, and 49 +/- 30; average pain 35 +/- 26, 27 +/- 14, and 25 +/- 22; and anxiety 44 +/- 41, 42 +/- 23, and 22 +/- 24. When hypnosis groups were merged (n = 18) and compared with the EDU condition (n = 8), average and worst pain and anxiety were less for the hypnosis group than EDU, but this was statistically significant only for worst pain (hypnosis, 46 +/- 24 vs. EDU, 67 +/- 35; P = 0.049) with a 31% average reduction. Conclusions A short hypnotic induction seems to reduce worst pain during electromyography.
Visibility of Cathode-Ray Tube Screens: Search Time as a Function of Signal Strength

(1950). Visibility of Cathode-Ray Tube Screens: Search Time as a Function of Signal Strength. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 247-250.
The different response of embryonic and adult rats to Demecolcin

Abstract Rapidly dividing cells in the embryonic brain and the maternal gut of rats behave differently in response to treatment with the colchicine derivative N-desacetyl-N-methylcolchicine (Demecolcin). The maternal gut shows a constant mitotic index at different dose levels while in the embryonic brain higher doses reduce the index. This is interpreted as an inhibition of cellular activity prior to division; analysis of the data suggests that the inhibition occurs during the S phase.
Noncontact single optical pulse method to measure cell membrane properties

A capillary wave response is induced by an optical pressure pulse and tracked by microsecond-resolved digital holographic phase imaging to determine fluid surface properties. The method will be applied to the biological cell membrane.
Perceptions of the Visually Impaired Toward Pursuing Geography Courses and Majors in Higher Education

Abstract Advances in classroom technology have lowered barriers for the visually impaired to study geography, yet few participate. Employing stereotype threat theory, we examined whether beliefs held by the visually impaired affect perceptions toward completing courses and majors in visually oriented disciplines. A test group received a low-level threat message that responses would be compared to sighted students, while a control group did not. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for the set of visual disciplines. Results indicated that threat messages did seem to influence participants’ perceptions; however, additional research is necessary.
Water Sorption, Proton Conduction, and Methanol Permeation Properties of Sulfonated Polyimide Membranes Cross-Linked with N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic Acid (BES)

Sulfonated polyimide (SPI) membranes consisting of 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTDA), 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid (DBA), and 4,4‘-diaminodiphenyl ether 2,2‘-disulfonic acid (SODA) were synthesized over a wide range of DBA/SODA molar compositions. A sulfonic acid-containing cross-linking agent, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid (BES), was subsequently used to induce cross-linking between sulfonated polyimide chains via a thermally activated reaction. Efforts to prevent excessive water swelling due to the high degree of sulfonation and to avoid undesirable molecular transport by cross-linking typically resulted in a reduction of ion conductivity due to the blockage of a hydrophilic channel or loss of the water pocket after cross-linking. To solve this problem, a sulfonic acid-containing compound was used as both a cross-linking agent and a proton carrier. One of the main goals of this study was to compensate for the probable loss of ion conductivity due to cross-linking by u...
Do we all look alike to computers

People are better able to recognize faces of their own race than those of other races. One explanation is that this 'other-race effect' is caused by lifelong experience in which faces from some races are more common than other races. A recent article by Furl et al. tests experience-based accounts of the other-race effect by giving computer algorithms of face recognition training on preponderantly Caucasian faces. The only algorithms that reliably produced other-race effects were those that created face representations distorted to emphasize features that individuated faces.
An empirical analysis of the structure of credit risk premiums in the Eurobond market

Abstract This research finds some empirical evidence of a rising term structure of credit risk premiums for high-grade Eurobonds and a declining term structure for low-grade Eurobonds. However, the results are discovered to vary somewhat across individual issuers. Perhaps most importantly, evidence is found that credit risk premiums on bonds with the same credit rating vary significantly across currencies. The latter finding holds true even for Eurobonds from the same issuer.
Keeping track of locations during movement in 8- to 10-month-old infants ☆

Abstract Infants of 8 1 2 and 9 1 2 mo of age were tested for the ability to “keep track,” i.e., to determine the location of an object hidden in one of two covered containers before their left-right positions were reversed. Infants in both age groups for whom the covers were the same color and younger infants for whom the covers were different colors were generally unable to keep track. Only the older infants provided with different colored covers were able to do so. An analysis which separated keeping track from the sensorimotor stage 4 error indicated that (a) there was no contingency between the two and (b) there were developmental differences in the nature of the error.
IVF: Past and future

The introduction of IVF into the New World had its roots in Robert Edwards' six-week fellowship at Johns Hopkins in 1965, when he and I made a systematic attempt to fertilize human oocytes in vitro. While fertilization was not claimed in the publication of the work done in 1965, a retrospective examination of published photos indicate that human fertilization was obtained at that time. Edwards and Steptoe achieved a term birth with IVF in 1978, and this stimulated the establishment of an IVF clinic in Norfolk, Virginia. Using ovarian stimulation in 1981, the first delivery in the New World took place. This led to a series of studies on the influence of ovarian stimulation on the normal menstrual cycle and resulted in the finding that with ovarian stimulation there are three response patterns: high, normal and low. It was shown that an LH surge does not occur in ovarian stimulation. This latter observation led to the discovery of the LH surge inhibiting factor. The Norfolk programme became involved in the societal impact of IVF through an invitation to the Vatican, the Ethical Committee of the American Fertility Society (later the American Society for Reproductive Medicine), a lawsuit for libel against the local newspaper, and other activities.
A decoupled inversion-based iterative control approach to multi-axis precision positioning: 3-d nanopositioning example

This article proposes the multi-axis inversionbased (MAIIC) approach. System inverse provides a nature avenue to utilize the priori knowledge of system dynamics in iterative learning control, resulting in rapid convergence as well as exact tracking (for nonminimum-phase systems). The benefits of system inverse, however, are not fully exploited in time-domain ILCs due to the lack of uncertainty quantification. This critical limit was removed in the inversionbased iterative control (IIC) techniques through a frequency-domain formulation. The existing IIC techniques, however, is limited to single-input-single-output (SISO) systems, and the time-domain properties of the IIC techniques are not clear. The contribution of this article is: First, the IIC technique is extended from SISO systems to multi-input-multi-output systems, and the convergence condition is analyzed. Secondly, the time-domain properties of the MAIIC law are discussed. It is shown that the set of tractable frequencies is characterized by the bounds of system uncertainty that are quantifiable in practices, and the truncated MAIIC input-output convergences to the neighborhood of the desired input-output truncated in time, where arbitrarily small tracking error can be obtained by having a large enough truncation time. The proposed MAIIC technique is illustrated in a 3-D nanopositioning experiment using piezoelectric actuators.
Reaction-driven convection in a porous medium

The onset of three-dimensional reaction-driven convection in a porous medium is investigated using linear stability theory. The geometries investigated include a finite cylinder and a rectangular parallelepipped of arbitrary aspect ratios. The analysis determines, among other things, the likely modes (flow patterns) to emerge first as a function of reaction parameters and aspect ratios. The flow fields corresponding to three-dimensional modes are described in detail. Important qualitative differences are found between reaction-driven convection and the standard Lapwood or Benard convection due to a temperature gradient applied to the boundaries of the system. The second part of the work examines numerically reaction-driven natural convection in a porous two-dimensional rectangular box. Orthogonal collocation and continuation techniques are used to determine the conduction and convection branches of solutions as a function of the Rayleigh number (Ra), the Frank-Kamenetskii number (δ) and the aspect ratio (α). The convective solutions (streamlines and isotherms) corresponding to primary, secondary and tertiary bifurcations are presented. The effect of natural convection (Ra) on the ignition point (critical δ value) is determined for three different aspect ratios.
The Scope of the Fourth Amendment: Privacy and the Police Use of Spies, Secret Agents, and Informers

This article has been produced under the Samuel Pool Weaver Constitutional Law Essay program, which is supported by trust funds given to the American Bar Foundation by the late Samuel Pool Weaver to encourage research and writing about the Constitution and its application to current problems. Under the terms of the program as presently structured, a constitutional law scholar is invited from time to time to write an essay on a subject agreed upon between the scholar and the American Bar Foundation. This is the first essay produced under the program's new format.
Effects of levamisole on primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes

Levamisole represents one of several new compounds that exhibit immunomodulating activity. Pharmacological data have documented a relationship between liver drug metabolism of levamisole and its subsequent immunomodulating activity. To directly investigate this relationship in a controlled manner, primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes were treated with levamisole, and ultrastructural and biochemical effects were analyzed. Ultrastructurally, levamisole did not disrupt the cellular architecture of the hepatocytes. Biochemically, levamisole stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and elevated microsomal cytochrome P-450 content after a 48-hr incubation. High pressure liquid chromatographic analysis of levamisole metabolites produced by cultured hepatocytes suggested the formation of a hepatocyte-specific metabolite(s) that may be associated with its immunological mode of action.
Neural tissue grafts and repair of the injured spinal cord.

Neural tissue grafting presently stands as one of the more intriguing experimental strategies being applied to the problem of spinal cord regeneration. The following annotation presents an overview of recent investigations which have shown: (1) that peripheral nerve grafts can stimulate axonal outgrowth in many descending and ascending fibre populations of the injured spinal cord and (2) that central nervous system (CNS) implants, derived from segmental and supraspinal levels of the embryonic neuraxis, may likewise have the potential for promoting repair of damaged intraspinal neural circuitries in adult and neonatal recipients.
Imidazoline Binding Domains on MAO-B: Localization and Accessibilitya

: Various imidazoline and guanidinium derivatives elicit diverse cellular responses in both peripheral tissues and the central nervous system that are often difficult to attribute to known receptor signaling systems. Such molecules also exhibit high affinity for membrane proteins (imidazoline binding sites) that are distinct from receptors for known hormones and recognize endogenous bioactive substance(s) that mimic some of the effects of these compounds. These observations suggest a previously uncharacterized cell signaling system. However, limited information on the identity and functionality of this family of imidazoline binding sites has hampered the full understanding of this system. Unexpectedly and of particular significance, recent data indicate that two members of the family of imidazoline binding proteins are identical to the A and B isoforms of monoamine oxidase (MAO). The imidazoline binding domain on MAO is distinct from the enzyme active site that recognizes the mechanism-based inhibitors such as pargyline and deprenyl and is not equally accessible in all tissues.
Proposals to Restructure Social Security

The 1995 report of the trustees of Social Security projected that the combined Old-Age, Survivor's and Disability Insurance (OASDI) trust funds would run out in 2030. This report wasn't much news, because the problem was slightly less severe than had been projected the year before—the date receded by one year. It also wasn't much news because everyone already knew that there was a problem, and public confidence in the future of Social Security was already quite low. Indeed, the fraction of people reporting themselves very or somewhat confident in Social Security is only around 40 percent. This opinion should be taken with a grain of salt, since the same surveys show that over 90 percent of the interviewees are expecting to receive Social Security benefits and commonly expect it as a major source of income (Reno and Friedland, forthcoming). Unlike the Medicare problem, the OASDI problem does not seem severe to me. With prompt legislation, we could easily muddle through, putting together a package of revenue increases and benefit cuts that would restore actuarial balance for the 75-year horizon.1 In this paper, I will not consider the relative merits of alternative packages, but will discuss five proposals for basic changes in how Social Security functions, changes that go beyond changing some of the parameters in 1 The country does not seem to have much taste for tax increases right now. Yet the polls asking about tax increases just for Social Security find the country solidly behind such increases. In an EBRI/Gallup poll, 64 percent of respondents favor raising taxes now to lessen tax increases in the future, while only 28 percent preferred no tax increase before 2010. A majority oppose (15 percent) or strongly oppose (38 percent) decreasing benefits by 10–20 percent for those born after 1960 in order to avoid a tax increase. Since it is always ambiguous how to interpret such a poll, and we do not want government by opinion poll, this should be viewed as a sampling of mood, not as a policy recommendation.
Personal exposure to benzene from fuel emissions among commercial fishers: comparison of two-stroke, four-stroke and diesel engines

Commercial fishers are exposed to unburned hydrocarbon vapors and combustion products present in the emissions from their boat engines. The objective of this study was to measure personal exposure to benzene as a marker of fuel exposure, and to predict exposure levels across categories of carbureted two-stroke, four-stroke and diesel engines. A self-monitoring approach, employing passive monitors, was used to obtain measurements of personal exposure to benzene over time. Mixed-effect linear regression models were used to predict exposure levels, identify significant effects and determine restricted maximum likelihood estimates for within- and between-person variance components. Significant fixed effects for engine type and refueling a car or truck were identified. After controlling for refueling, predicted benzene exposure levels to fishers on boats equipped with two-stroke, four-stroke and diesel engines were 58.4, 38.9 and 15.7 μg/m3, respectively. The logged within-person variance component was 1.43, larger than the between-person variance component of 1.13, indicating that the total variation may be attributable to monitor placement, environmental conditions and other factors that change over time as well as differences between individual work practices. The health consequences of exposure to marine engine emissions are not known. The predicted levels are well below those at which health effects have been attributed, however.
The seedbed microclimate and active revegetation of disturbed lands in the Mojave Desert.

One of the greatest challenges to the U.S. Department of Defense is maintaining the sustainability of military lands while maximizing their use for training activities. Restoration of disturbed lands in the Mojave Desert has proven to be a challenge, particularly revegetation from seed. This study presents soil moisture dynamics from three restoration sites at the National Training Center, Ft. Irwin, CA. The soil microclimate (matric potential, water balance, and temperature) was monitored beneath various surface treatments to better assess their effects on seed germination and establishment. Results show that under the typically hot and dry climatic conditions that prevail, the soil microclimate is a hostile environment. Irrigation had the most positive effect on the seedbed. Surface mulches including gravel, straw, emulsion, and bark had limited benefits often detrimental. Although seedlings germinated, survival after three months was negligible. Results presented here suggest that successful seeding with broadcast sprinkler irrigation in the central Mojave Desert is not possible unless the seedbed area is limited or advantageous environmental conditions prevail. Improved knowledge of the germination requirements and applied numerical modeling would result in more successful seedbed management.
Relationship between frequency of stimulation and ganglionic blockade by drugs

Abstract Blockade by hexamethonium of transmission in cat sympathetic ganglia was greather during stimulation with 5 pulses/sec than with 0.5 pulses/sec. Moreover, stimulation with 5 pulses/sec for 3 min prior to the administration of hexamethonium resulted in greater blockade than did prior stimulation for 30 sec. Changes in ganglionic afterpotentials that occurred during stimulation with 5 pulses/sec were abolished by ouabain or by an anticholinesterase agent, but these drugs had no effect on frequency dependent response to hexamethonium. The rate of recovery from blockade by hexamethonium was the same with stimulation at either 5 or 0.5 pulse/sec. Like hexamethonium, tetramethylammonium and potassium chloride caused ganglionic blockade that was frequency dependent. However, in ganglia perfused with Locke's solution, the blockade by tetramethylammonium was unrelated to frequency. In perfused ganglia, alterations in calcium and potassium concentrations had no effect on the frequency dependence of blockade by hexamethonium. Reduction in concentration of sodium ions appeared to increase sensitivity of ganglion transmission to blockade by hexamethonium.
The configuration of local economic power and civic participation in the global economy

In this paper we test the hypothesis that local economic concentration is associated with decreased levels of civic participation. We define economic concentration as a social context in which a small number of corporate establishments or industries dominate a local economy. We argue that economic concentration leads to a monolithic power structure and generates civic apathy because the needs of the corporation override those of the local population. To test this hypothesis, we employ combined data from the 2000 Social Capital Benchmark Survey and the County Business Patterns. Our findings indicate that local economic concentration is negatively associated with traditional electoral participation and protest activities. We conclude by discussing implications for current theoretical work on civic community, embedded within the empirical decline in U.S. civic engagement over the past three decades.
Synthesis and biological activity of some novel, chemically reactive glucocorticoids

Abstract Six chemically reactive derivatives of cortisol were synthesized in order to probe the steroid binding site of glucocorticoid receptors at increasing distances from the C 21 of cortisol. For this purpose, four new affinity label groups were employed, i.e. α-keto-mesylate, α-keto-thiol, thiol acetate and xanthate. The cortisol-21-thiol was prepared by a new synthesis of α-keto thiols. The thiol acetate and xanthate substituents also embody a unique approach to affinity labelling, wherein a small non-steroidal group could be transfered to the receptor in an attempt to obtain functionally active, covalently labelled receptors. The affinities for receptors and the biological activities of the six synthetic steroids were examined in two lines of rat hepatoma tissue culture cells—FU-55 and HTC. The relative affinities of these steroids for receptors did not correlate with the bulk of the steroid substituents. The thiol, thiol acetate and xanthate derivatives were better competitors of [ 3 H]dexamethasone binding than the parent steroid cortisol. Interaction of cortisol-thiol acetate and cortisol-xanthate with HTC cell receptors was further examined in a cell-free exchange assay that renders steroid-free receptors incapable of binding the subsequently added [ 3 H]-steroid. The behavior of the reactive thiol acetate and xanthate derivatives in this exchange assay, plus their unexpectedly high apparent affinity for receptors, are consistent with the formation of a functionally active, covalently labelled glucocorticoid receptor via transfer affinity labelling. The biological activity of all six steroids in whole cells indicates that these potential affinity label functional groups may be most useful in cell-free studies.
Evidence for Vector-Meson Effects on π 0 Photoproduction From Hydrogen

Angular distributions from the reaction gamma + p yields p + pi / sup 0/ were measured in an attempt to isolate the contribution of the virtual exchange of one neutral vector meson. The experimental apparatus and procedure are described, and measured and calculated data are presented. It is found that above the third pion-nucleon resonance such a pole process becomes important. Two hypotheses are advanced as to which vector mesons are contributing, and the data are discussed in respect to these hypotheses. The relevant coupling constants are calculated from the data, and their accuracy is discussed. (H.D.R.) has a full width of 20 Mev. The effect also may possibly be
Felkin-Anh stereoselectivity in cycloadditions of acetylketene: evidence for a concerted, pseudopericyclic pathway

The cycloadditions of acetylketene with alpha-chiral aldehydes and ketones are shown to be diastereoselective, forming a tertiary or quaternary chiral center at an acetal or ketal carbon with good stereocontrol. X-ray crystallography of a minor product (5b) shows that the major products (e.g., 4b) are those predicted by the Felkin-Anh model. Transition states are reported at the MP2/6-31G level for the addition of ethanal to formylketene and at the B3LYP/6-31G level for the addition of 2-phenylpropanal. The ground-state conformations of the reactants and products are used to rationalize the relative energies and geometries of the transition states without the need to invoke the Cieplak hypothesis. However, chiral substituents on the alpha-oxoketene show no diastereoselectivity. These experimental and computational results are only consistent with the nearly planar, pseudopericyclic transition state previously proposed.
Shear-induced micellar crystal structures in an aqueous triblock copolymer solution

Shear-induced structures have been observed in aqueous solutions of the triblock copolymer ${\mathrm{PEO}}_{25}{\mathrm{PPO}}_{40}{\mathrm{PEO}}_{25}$ in the micellar crystalline region of the temperature-concentration phase diagram. A structure induced by steady shear, having two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal symmetry over macroscopic dimensions, transforms reversibly to a crystalline structure with different symmetry upon cessation of shear. Other structures are induced with oscillatory shear, including a 3D hexagonal phase with Bragg peaks that not only persist but sharpen with the cessation of shear. Over the range of temperature, concentration, and shear conditions investigated, no evidence for cubic or cubatic crystalline phases has been observed.
Tumor-specific gene expression using the survivin promoter is further increased by hypoxia

Increasing evidence indicates that survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP), is expressed in human cancer cells but is absent from most normal adult tissues. Here, we examined the feasibility of using a survivin promoter (Sur-P) to direct therapeutic expression of a proapoptotic gene specifically in human tumor cells. First, we demonstrated that this promoter was highly active in human tumor cells but not in normal cells. Second, we found that Sur-P activity was upregulated by hypoxia in tumor cells. Third, to further enhance this promoter's activity under hypoxia, we added a hypoxia-responsive element (HRE) from the vascular endothelial growth factor gene promoter in its 5' region, and showed that this combination resulted in a further increase in the level of gene expression in hypoxic tumor cells. Finally, we demonstrated that expression of an autocatalytic reverse caspase-3 gene by this promoter specifically induced apoptotic cell death in human tumor cells but not in normal cells. These findings support the use of promoters Sur-P or chimeric HRE-Sur-P for generating novel vectors for cancer gene therapy.
Co-evolutionary rates of functionally related yeast genes

Evolutionary knowledge is often used to facilitate computational attempts at gene function prediction. One rich source of evolutionary information is the relative rates of gene sequence divergence, and in this report we explore the con- nection between gene evolutionary rates and function. We performed a genome-scale evaluation of the relationship between evolutionary rates and functional annotations for the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Non-synonymous (dN) and synony- mous (dS) substitution rates were calculated for 1,095 orthologous gene sets common to S. cerevisiae and six other closely related yeast species. Differences in evolutionary rates between pairs of genes (∆dN & ∆dS) were then compared to their functional similarities (sGO), which were measured using Gene Ontology (GO) annotations. Substantial and statistically signifi cant correlations were found between ∆dN and sGO, whereas there is no apparent relationship between ∆dS and sGO. These results are consistent with a mode of action for natural selection that is based on similar rates of elimination of del- eterious protein coding sequence variants for functionally related genes. The connection between gene evolutionary rates and function was stronger than seen for phylogenetic profi les, which have previously been employed to inform functional inference. The co-evolution of functionally related yeast genes points to the relevance of specifi c function for the effi cacy of natural selection and underscores the utility of gene evolutionary rates for functional predictions.
DQGMRES: a Direct Quasi-minimal Residual Algorithm Based on Incomplete Orthogonalization

We describe a Krylov subspace technique, based on incomplete orthogonalization of the Krylov vectors, which can be considered as a truncated version of GMRES. Unlike GMRES(m), the restarted version of GMRES, the new method does not require restarting. Like GMRES, it does not break down. Numerical experiments show that DQGMRES(k) often performs as well as the restarted GMRES using a subspace of dimension m=2k. In addition, the algorithm is flexible to variable preconditioning, i.e., it can accommodate variations in the preconditioner at every step. In particular, this feature allows the use of any iterative solver as a right-preconditioner for DQGMRES(k). This inner-outer iterative combination often results in a robust approach for solving indefinite non-Hermitian linear systems.
Fat transport and lymph and plasma lipoprotein biosynthesis by isolated intestine.

An apparatus and procedure are described for investigating fat transport and lipoprotein biosynthesis in isolated, lymph-cannulated rat intestine perfused with blood under physiological conditions. The small bowel, cecum, proximal half of the colon, and attached mesentery were re- moved into a tissue bath and perfused vascularly in a recycling system free of blood-air interfaces. Perfusion was continued for 5 hr. Lymph flow, glucose utilization, and oxygen con- sumption continued unchanged, as did intestinal motility and glucose and water transport from the lumen. No measur- able lactate was produced. When 70 pmoles of soybean oil and 9 pmoles of lecithin were infused luminally, more than 50% of the fatty acids were recovered in the lymph, 90% as tri- glycerides of which 75% appeared in chylomicrons with average diameters estimated to be 100-200 nm, based on their phospholipid content. The preparation incorporated (3H)- lysine into the protein moieties of lipoproteins of d < 1.006 g/ml (chylomicrons plus very low density) which appeared in lymph and accounted for more than 30y0 of all labeled lymph protein. No labeled d < 1.006 lipoproteins appeared in the perfusate. (3H)Ly~ine was also incorporated into the d 1.006- 1.21 lipoproteins of both lymph and perfusate, but the specific activity of the former was 500 times as high as the latter, indicating that d 1.006-1.21 as well as d < 1.006 lipoproteins are produced by gut and reach the blood via mesenteric lymph. Most of the labeled d 1.006-1.21 protein appeared to be high density lipoprotein (d 1.063-1.21).
QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS

Health-related quality of life may be defined as the "net consequence of a disease and its treatment on a patient's perception of his ability to live a useful and fulfilling life. 51 " By its nature, quality of life is subjective and based on a patient's perceived experience, and it is also multidimensional. Health-related quality of life is usually considered to be comprised of several domains, including symptoms, physical functioning, work or role functioning, social interactions, psychological states, and treatment side effects, listed below. Some conceptualizations include the financial costs of illness as an additional domain. 19 Each of these domains, in turn, is comprised of several components. For example, symptoms may include pain, stiffness, or fatigue, and social interactions may include interactions with family members, friends, or coworkers. Such a schema permits an organized and complete assessment of the impact of a disease on affected individuals. Symptoms Pain Stiffness Fatigue Poor sleep Physical Functioning Self-care Mobility Household tasks Role Functioning Work Home School Social Interactions Marriage Family Friends Coworkers Community Leisure time Psychological Functioning Depression Anxiety Health distress Coping mechanisms Treatment Side Effects (some examples) Dyspepsia Skin rash Gastrointestinal bleeding Financial Costs Direct costs Indirect costs Along with mortality and measures of physiological or anatomical impairment, quality of life is a major component of health outcomes. Research in health-related quality of life in general, and in patients with rheumatic diseases in particular, has expanded greatly in the past 15 years. This article focuses on studies published since 1980 concerning the quality of life of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
An Empirical Test of the Howard-Sheth Model of Buyer Behavior

The Howard-Sheth buyer behavior model was cast in the form of a multiple-equation regression model for testing data on a grocery product in a specific market. Estimated structural parameters were generally consistent with the model’s predictions, but some goodness-of-fit measures were weak. The model was useful for organizing this analysis of consumer behavior, but the test put extreme pressure on the data. Considerably improved data collection techniques and procedures will be needed before the full empirical potential of such models will be realized.
Spreading Codes Enabling Warp Converging Wiener Filters for Multiuser Detection in CDMA Systems

It has been shown in our previous work [1][2] that for signal modes with a specially structured data covariance matrix, a warp (stable and predictable early) convergence can be achieved using the reduced-rank conjugate gradient (RRCG) Wiener filter (WF) for multiuser detection (MUD) in code division multiple access (CDMA) communication systems. In this work, we study various commonly used spreading codes that enable warp converging of the RRCG-WF. By analyzing the eigen-structure of the code set Grammian, we provide the exact number of convergence steps for different code sets. It turns out that this number varies from 1 to 4 based on different spreading sequences, implying greatly reduced computational complexity of the RRCG-WF for MUD in CDMA systems.
Converting to a generic formulation of mycophenolate mofetil in stable kidney transplant recipients: 1 year of drug surveillance and outcome.

Objective. The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic profiles of a generic formulation with the innovator mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Methods and Patients. Thirteen patients with stable renal grafts received MMF posttransplantation (mean, 32 months; confidence interval 95%: 51, 9 -12, 36). Graft function improved significantly (serum creatinine levels 2.72 ± 1.75 mg/dL to 1.9 ± 0.66 and 1.79 ± 0.86 mg/dL at 12 and 30 months, respectively; P <.05). Three point (basal, 2, and 6 hours) profiles were performed. Five patients were switched 1:1 to a generic formulation for 60 days and repeating the pharmacokinetics were repeated. Afterwards, they returned to the innovator MMF for 45 days. Finally, all patients received generic MMF, repeating the pharmacokinetics between 15 days and 6 months later. Results. The area under the curve (AUC 0-6) of MPA was 52.68 ± 17.5 μg/mL*hr, with 61.5% of basal determinations (Co) under 5 μg/mL (4.08 ± 0.74). The Pearson correlation coefficient was high between both MMF formulations regarding FMPA AUC 0.768 (P < .005), Co (0.774; P < 0.05), and C6 (0.996; P <.005). GMPA AUC were similar (Pearson) 0.7 (P <.01), Co 0.99 (P <.0 1), and C6 0.86 (P <.01). C2 MMF levels were variable and showed poor correlation. FMPA AUC of generic and original formulations after 60 days had tight correlation. (Pearson 0.883; P <.025) and comparing 15 and 60 days postconversion with generic drug in the same patients were similar (Pearson 0.58; P < .025). Renal function at 12 months remained stable postconversion. Conclusions. Conversion to generic MMF in stable renal transplant recipients showed good clinical results.
Heparin therapy in septic pelvic thrombophlebitis: A study of 46 cases

Abstract Heparin anticoagulation was evaluated in 46 postpartum, postabortal, or postoperative patients with septic pelvic thrombophlebitis. Criteria for diagnosis, in addition to the characteristic temperature course, were radiologic evidence of septic pulmonary emboli (15 cases) or persistence of spiking fever despite antibiotic therapy. Response to heparin plus antibiotics was good in all but four patients, three of whom were found at laparotomy to have associated septic complications requiring surgical treatment. The fourth had a severe anaerobic streptococcus and bacteroides septicemia and died despite treatment which included inferior vena cava ligation and hysterectomy. Heparinization appears to be a safe and effectual alternative to venous ligation in the management of septic thrombophlebitis of the pelvic veins.