cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for Reduced Efficiency and Successful Compensation in Older Adults during Task Switching

Older adults often show different functional activation patterns than younger adults in prefrontal cortex (PFC) when performing cognitive control tasks. These differences include age-related increases in PFC activation magnitude and reorganized PFC functional connectivity (fC) patterns. However, it remains unclear whether age-related alterations in brain activation patterns reflect a positive mechanism (e.g., compensatory response) or a sign of brain dysfunction (e.g., reduced efficiency). Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to compare PFC activation magnitudes and PFC connectivity patterns between younger and older adult groups during performance of a task switching paradigm. Results indicated age-related increases both in PFC activation magnitudes and in PFC fC with inferotemporal (IT) regions. However, these age-related fMRI increases were differentially associated with task performance. Whereas increased PFC activation magnitudes tended to be either unrelated to task RT or associated with poorer task performance, increased PFC-IT connectivity was associated with better task performance in older adults. Our results suggest that age-related reductions in efficiency and successful compensation can co-exist in older adults in the context of the same task.
Effects of α- and β-adrenergic blocking agents on serum prolactin levels in women with hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea

The effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocking agents on the serum prolactin levels of six women with hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea were investigated. There was no indication that pituitary adenomas were etiologic agents for the hyperprolactinemia. Serum prolactin could be lowered with oral L-dopa. When intravenous phentolamine (an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent) or intravenous propranolol (a beta-adrenergic blocking agent) were administered for 1 hour, there was no significant change in serum prolactin levels.
A comparison between the NADPH oxidase activity of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and the oxidase activity of several purified peroxidases

Abstract NADPH oxidase activity in granules isolated from PMNL was found to share many features in common with the NADPH oxidative activity of several purified peroxidases [horseradish peroxidase (HRP), lactoperoxidase (LPO), and human myeloperoxidase (MPO)]. Both granular oxidase activity and the oxidase activity of HRP, LPO, and MPO were stimulated by certain phenols, KCN and Mn2+, while they were inhibited by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate. A differential effect was observed with NADH in that the reduced pyridine nucleotide was a potent inhibitor of NADPH oxidase activity in isolated granules, but it had little effect on the oxidative activity of the purified peroxidases. These results indicate that NADPH oxidase activity in granules isolated from PMNL may be a peroxidase-like enzyme, but it is likely not myeloperoxidase.
Temperature-Oxygen Habitat for Freshwater and Coastal Striped Bass in a Changing Climate

Abstract Habitat space for a fish species is normally constrained by extreme temperatures and low dissolved oxygen concentrations that the fish avoid. Both latitudinal limits to a species' geographic distribution and availability of suitable habitat on the local level may be altered by climate change. During the next century, average temperatures are expected to rise globally, and rainfall is expected to decrease in mid latitudes and increase in high latitudes. I have predicted some possible effects of climate change on distribution of anadromous and landlocked stocks of striped bass Morone saxatilis. The tenuous existence of striped bass along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico and in Florida will likely be jeopardized by regional warming and reduced streamflow. In many freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries, the existing summer constriction of suitable habitat by high temperatures and low oxygen concentrations may be aggravated by warming, altered streamflow, and increased hypoxia. A major lo...
Serum cystatin C and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus

To examine the association of serum cystatin C with the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus over a 15 year follow-up period. The 15 year cumulative incidence of diabetes was measured in a cohort of Beaver Dam Eye Study participants (n = 3,472, 1988–2003). A person was defined as developing diabetes (a positive history of diabetes mellitus treated with insulin, oral hypoglycaemic agents and/or diet, or elevations in glycosylated haemoglobin levels) in the absence of diabetes at baseline. The relation of cystatin C and other risk factors to incident type 2 diabetes was determined using discrete time extension of the proportional hazards model. The 15 year cumulative incidence of diabetes was estimated to be 9.6%. After controlling for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, glycosylated haemoglobin, proteinuria, chronic kidney disease status and hypertension status, serum cystatin C at baseline was associated with the 15 year cumulative incidence of type 2 diabetes (OR per log of cystatin C unit 2.19, 95% CI 1.02–4.68). These findings show a positive relationship of serum cystatin C levels with the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus independently of confounding risk factors. The findings strongly suggest the need for further evaluation of the potential importance of cystatin C in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Observation of driven surface-plasmon modes in metal particulates above tunnel junctions.

Evidence is presented showing that the radiative decay of localized surface-plasmon modes from metal particulates on aluminum-alumina-gold tunnel junctions is due to these modes being driven off resonance by the fields of the gold electrode. The metal particulates are formed on top of an insulating spacer set above the gold electrode by deposition of a silver-island film.
Aging with a disability: A systematic review of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis among women aging with a physical disability

Compared to men, women live longer but experience greater morbidity as they age. However, little is known about the rapidly growing population of women aging with disability. Women aging with disabilities may encounter barriers that increase risk of morbidity, including lack of access to medical care or inadequate assistance, equipment, or services. To evaluate risks of morbidity in this group, we conducted a systematic review focused on two important and prevalent conditions: cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis. MEDLINE was searched for reports published between January 1, 1990 and August 6, 2010 and additional studies were identified through searches of bibliographies. 9156 abstracts and 93 articles were reviewed to identify empirical studies of women with physical disability who were 45 years or older and that reported CVD or osteoporosis as an outcome and not a cause of the disability. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were then critically appraised to exclude poor quality studies. In seven articles that evaluated CVD outcomes, we found limited evidence to support an increased risk of prevalence of CVD or risk factors for CVD in women aging with physical disabilities compared to non-disabled control populations. The literature is limited by small sample sizes that reduced statistical power to detect true differences. No articles meeting inclusion criteria were identified to evaluate osteoporosis risk in this group. This review is limited by the narrow focus on physical disabilities and two health outcomes. Additional high quality empirical research is necessary to understand the risks to health of women aging with disabilities.
Mechanical Properties and Strand Invasion of Duplex Telomere DNA Probed using Magnetic Tweezers

Telomeres are specialized chromatin structures that protect chromosome ends from nucleolytic processing by DNA repair machinery. The foundation of human telomere structure consists of a long array of tandem duplex DNA sequences (TTAGGG) and terminates with a single-stranded 3’ end. To protect the chromosome end, telomeres are thought to adopt a lariat structure known as a telomere-loop (T-loop)1. T-loops are stabilized by DNA displacement loops (D-loops) generated by the invasion of a single-stranded telomeric DNA tail into an adjacent region of duplex telomere. Recent studies suggest that telomere-associated proteins promote strand invasion during telomeric D-loop formation through the application of torque to the DNA2. Although the molecular mechanism of T-loop formation has been described using biochemical approaches, the torque response and internal structural equilibrium of duplex telomeric DNA are not well characterized. To probe the mechanical properties of duplex telomeric DNA, we developed a magnetic tweezers assay to detect the response of single telomeric DNA molecules to precisely applied degrees of tension and torque. Rotation-extension curves under varying tension demonstrate that the repetitive telomere DNA sequence is more refractory to torque-induced denaturation than a non-telomeric control molecule of comparable GC content. In addition, force-extension analysis of negatively supercoiled telomeric DNA in the presence of different counter-ions (K+ vs. Li+), reveals that transient torque-induced denaturation of duplex telomeric DNA promotes a structural transition into stable DNA G-quadruplexes. Lastly, using a single molecule DNA topology-based assay, we directly monitor the torque-dependent invasion of single stranded telomere DNA primers into duplex telomeric DNA tethers. Our results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of telomere-associated proteins and enzymes during structural remodeling of telomeres.1. Griffith JD, et al. Cell 97: 503-514.2. Amiard S, et al. Nat Struct Mol Biol 14:147-154.
Frequency domain beamforming for a Deep Space Network Downlink Array

This paper describes a frequency domain beamformer to array up to 8 antennas of NASA's Deep Space Network currently in development. The objective of this array is to replace and enhance the capability of the DSN 70m antennas with multiple 34m antennas for telemetry, navigation and radio science use. The array will coherently combine the entire 500 MHz of usable bandwidth available to DSN receivers. A frequency domain beamforming architecture was chosen over a time domain based architecture to handle the large signal bandwidth and efficiently perform delay and phase calibration. The antennas of the DSN are spaced far enough apart that random atmospheric and phase variations between antennas need to be calibrated out on an ongoing basis in real-time. The calibration is done using measurements obtained from a correlator. This DSN Downlink Array expands upon a proof of concept breadboard array built previously to develop the technology and will become an operational asset of the Deep Space Network. Design parameters for frequency channelization, array calibration and delay corrections will be presented as well a method to efficiently calibrate the array for both wide and narrow bandwidth telemetry.
Combined-modality therapy of esophageal cancer with radiotherapy, etanidazole, and cisplatin-fluorouracil, with or without surgery: neurotoxicity, other toxicities and outcome.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate whether etanidazole and cisplatin can be given safely together and to evaluate the relationship between incidence of peripheral neuropathy and cumulative exposure to etanidazole and cisplatin, as well as other toxicities and treatment outcome. Methods and Materials: Thirty-two previously untreated patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer were entered on a Phase I study of etanidazole combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Cisplatin/5-FU (two cycles, weeks 1 and 4) and etanidazole (weeks 2, 3 and 5) were given concurrently with radiation therapy. Eligible patients then underwent surgical resection. All patients were scheduled to receive two additional cycles of cisplatin/ 5-FU chemotherapy after completion of radiation therapy (definitive arm) or surgery (preoperative arm). Results: Of 19 fully evaluable patients, nine (47%) developed peripheral neuropathy. Six of six patients, 65 years or older, experienced peripheral neuropathy, compared with three of 13 patients less than 65 years old ( p = .003). For patients younger than 65 years, two of the two patients with single dose area under the curve (AUC) > 4.0 mMhr experienced peripheral neuropathy, compared with one of 11 patients with single-dose AUC p = .03). Grade 4 toxicity included neutropenia (23%) and thrombocytopenia (26%). No other Grade 4 toxicity was observed. The pathologic complete response rate in patients who underwent surgical resection was 29%. Conclusion: This regime of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and etanidazole had acceptable toxicity. However, combining etanidazole and cisplatin appears to increase the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy for at least some categories of patients. Further studies of these interactions are needed.
Nitrogen fixation, distribution, and production of Oscillatoria (Trichodesmium) spp. in the western Sargasso and Caribbean Seas1

Measurements of Oscillatoria spp. standing crop, primary production, and N2 fixation were made at 46 stations on three cruises to the Caribbean and western Sargasso Seas. Oscillatoria is a major component of the Caribbean Sea plankton, comprising 60% of the total chlorophyll a in the upper 50 m and about 20% of the primary production. Through N2 fixation it contributes an average of 1.3 mg N m−2 d−1 to the Caribbean Sea, and this may be a major input of nitrogen to this area. Oscillatoria appears to be of relatively little importance in the western Sargasso Sea.
No escape from morphemes in morphological processing

Any approach to understanding morphological processing must begin with assumptions about the role of morphemes in linguistic representations. Contemporary linguistic theory proposes that such representations are centred on a syntactic organisation of morphemes, where a morpheme is an abstract syntactic unit that finds an interpretation in form and in meaning. From the linguist's perspective, then, morphological processing falls together with syntactic processing, and both involve the central exploitation of a grammar of morphemes. Recent computational work has challenged this perspective, proposing instead that morphological structure emerges from the acquisition of form/meaning connections. Here we show that these challenges to the role of morphemes in word and sentence processing rest on a misunderstanding of the morpheme within linguistic theory. Once we understand the notion of a morpheme and its explanatory role within linguistic theory, we can see that apparent challenges to the morpheme, rather tha...
Tape Casting Thin, Continuous, Homogenous, and Flexible Tapes of ZrB2

Using an organic solvent-based formulation, flexible and homogeneous ZrB2 tapes were cast for potential use as advanced aerospace exploration vehicles. Dispersant concentrations were optimized for attrition-milled ZrB2 powder using gravitational sedimentation and viscosity measurements. Tape cast slurry formulations with varying amounts of binder (6–8 vol%), plasticizer (7–11 vol%), and solids loading (20–23 vol%) were used to optimize the casting slurry. An optimal slurry formulation was determined based on cast tape uniform particle distribution and flexibility without cracking. Thermal gravimetric analysis of the optimized tape was used to create a binder burnout schedule that did not alter the tape structure or particle distribution. Our organic solvent-based tape casting approach results in minimum oxygen contamination after colloidal processing and robust cast tapes with a thickness of 280 μm and green density of ~41% theoretic density after binder burnout.
Software Techniques for Detecting Single-Event Upsets in Satellite Computers

This paper describes a technique for incorporating a self-testing capability into the software of a microprocessor-based control system. The technique is aimed towards power limited as well as size and weight constrained systems such as those found in satellites. The single-event upsets injected into the simulated system are modeled after those which would be produced by a cosmic ray intrusion. Although the implementation primarily uses a software system modification to attain self-testing, the technique also requires an additional hardware watchdog timer to ensure reliable functioning of the control system. The modifications do not incur extensive time or memory overheads. The technique has been verified, for two microprocessors with diverse architectures, using computer simulations.
Tribute to Dick Post on His 90th Birthday

Richard F. (Dick) Post, who began his fusion career in 1951, has been one of the most creative and prolific scientists in the world fusion program. In this essay, fellow fusion scientist Ken Fowler pays tribute to Dick’s multi-decade contributions.
Objective Function Based Pattern Search: A Computationally Efficient Algorithm for 3D Component Layout

A new class of pattern search algorithms called Objective Function-based Pattern Search is proposed for 3D Layout. These algorithms are driven by decreasing expected change in objective function rather than by decreasing step size. Current pattern search algorithms rely on decreasing step size of all patterns at the same rate. Also, all translation and rotation patterns are active at all step sizes of patterns. The new class of algorithms decreases the step sizes of the patterns based on the expected change in objective function value due to that pattern. Also, whether a pattern is active or inactive at a particular step size is decided by the expected change in objective function due to that pattern at that step size. The new algorithm is found to be up to 50% faster in runtime compared to previous pattern search based algorithms.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
31P magnetic resonance study of phosphate exchange in vanadyl phosphate complexes

The rate of loss of H2PO4− ligand from bis-dihydrogenphosphato oxovanadium(IV) was determined from analysis of broadening of the 31P magnetic resonance line of LOM NaH2PO4 solutions in the presence of vanadyl ion at pH 2.0. The aquation rate constant at 25°C was found to be (2.5 ± 0.3) × 104 sec−1 and the corresponding anation rate constant, estimated from the formation constant of the bis complex, was 2 × 106M−1 sec−1. The activation energy for the aquation process is 52 kJ/mol. The anation rate indicates that coordinated water in VO(H2PO4)+ is much more labile than in the aquo complex. The linewidths of metal-free phosphate solutions at pH 2 were found to be linear in T/η and are thus apparently due to a spin-rotation interaction.
γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase: Relation to immunoglobulin A and free secretory component

Abstract The experiments reported show that bovine γ-glutamyl transpeptidase can be separated from free secretory component. An ion-exchange Chromatographic procedure was developed to analyze the incubation mixtures of the enzyme with glutathione or S -(2-acetamido)-glutathione and glycylglycine. Using this system or the γ-glutamyl p -nitroanilide assay, no significant transpeptidase activity could be detected in the free secretory component-containing fractions of DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Gel filtration on Biogel A-5M showed that the bovine whey transpeptidase chromatographed in the void volume suggesting an aggregate of a minimum molecular weight of about 5 × 10 6 . The transpeptidase could be separated from all immunoglobulins in bovine whey and human colostrum by a combination of agarose gel filtration and immunoadsorption. Concentrated samples of human and sheep saliva showed normal amounts of secretory component, but no detectable γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. These experiments show that (1) the transpeptidase and secretory component are two different proteins, and (2) the transpeptidase is present in bovine and human milk as a high molecular weight aggregate which does not include any of the immunoglobulins.
Modeling Human Factors That Affect the Loss of Biodiversity

Within conservation biology human factors are treated as driving forces of biodiversity loss, yet there are few empirical studies on how human actions affect biodiversity. We developed and tested an interdisciplinary model of biodiversity loss using socioeconomic and ecological data from 107 countries and structural equation modeling techniques. Some portions of the model fit the data well, other parts were less predictive. Counterintuitive results may be a result of the quality and availability of cross-national data and statistical limitations in testing a model of such complex processes. This model test provides insight into future research needs for examining human impacts on biodiversity. Issues including data quality, temporal and spatial scale, and model refinement are outlined. The results highlight the importance of relations between human social systems and biodiversity and the potential of interdisciplinary research.
STONE FORMING RISK OF CALCIUM CITRATE SUPPLEMENTATION IN HEALTHY POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

ABSTRACT Purpose: We evaluated the effect of calcium citrate supplementation alone or in combination with potassium citrate on the stone forming propensity in healthy postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods: A total of 18 postmenopausal women without stones underwent a randomized trial of 4 phases comprised of 2 weeks of treatment with placebo, calcium citrate (400 mg calcium twice daily), potassium citrate (20 mEq twice daily), and calcium citrate and potassium citrate (at same doses). During the last 2 days of each phase urine was collected in 24-hour pools for complete stone risk analysis. Results: Compared to placebo, calcium citrate increased urinary calcium and citrate but decreased urinary oxalate and phosphate. Urinary saturation of calcium oxalate, brushite and undissociated uric acid did not change. Potassium citrate decreased urinary calcium, and increased urinary citrate and pH. It decreased urinary saturation of calcium oxalate and undissociated uric acid, and did not change the saturation of brushite. When calcium citrate was combined with potassium citrate, urinary calcium remained high, urinary citrate increased even further and urinary oxalate remained reduced from the calcium citrate alone, thereby marginally decreasing the urinary saturation of calcium oxalate. Urinary pH increased, decreasing urinary undissociated uric acid. The increase in pH increased the saturation of brushite despite the decrease in urinary phosphorus. Conclusions: Calcium citrate supplementation does not increase the risk of stone formation in healthy postmenopausal women. The co-administered potassium citrate may provide additional protection against formation of uric acid and calcium oxalate stones.
Trimethyltin effects on auditory function and cochlear morphology.

Abstract Trimethyltin (TMT) is a neurotoxicant known to alter auditory function. The present study was designed to compare TMT-induced auditory dysfunction using behavioral, electrophysiological, and anatomical techniques. Adult male Long-Evans hooded rats (n = 9–12/group) were acutely exposed to saline, 3, 5, or 7 mg/kg TMT. Auditory thresholds were determined 11 weeks postdosing for 5- and 40-kHz tones using reflex modification of the auditory startle response (ASR). Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) thresholds were determined for 5-, 40-, and 80-kHz tonal stimuli 9 weeks postdosing. Cochlear histology was assessed at 13 weeks postdosing. Functional endpoints demonstrated a high-frequency hearing loss. ASR thresholds for 40-kHz tones were elevated 25–35 dB in all dosage groups. BAER thresholds for 40- and 80-kHz tones were elevated 30–50 dB in the 5 and 7 mg/kg groups. Organ of Corti surface preparations revealed a pattern of damage suggesting classical ototoxicity. That is, outer hair cells died preferentially in regions associated with high-frequency hearing, in a dosage-dependent manner from base to apex. These data demonstrate the utility of the ASR and BAER in detecting functional alterations in audition and indicate that TMT-induced high-frequency hearing loss is associated with cochlear damage.
Cooperative caching: using remote client memory to improve file system performance

Emerging high-speed networks will allow machines to access remote data nearly as quickly as they can access local data. This trend motivates the use of cooperative caching: coordinating the file caches of many machines distributed on a LAN to form a more effective overall file cache. In this paper we examine four cooperative caching algorithms using a trace-driven simulation study. These simulations indicate that for the systems studied cooperative caching can halve the number of disk accesses, improving file system read response time by as much as 73%. Based on these simulations we conclude that cooperative caching can significantly improve file system read response time and that relatively simple cooperative caching algorithms are sufficient to realize most of the potential performance gain.
Common Carotid Occlusion for Unclippable Carotid Aneurysms: An Old but Still Effective Operation

We present a selected series of nine patients with unclippable internal carotid artery aneurysms to illustrate our current approach to this problem. Eight of the nine underwent common carotid ligation after preoperative angiographic evaluation. Tolerance to carotid occlusion was determined intraoperatively by awake examination, electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, and carotid stump pressure measurements. No patient developed a permanent deficit; seven of eight treated aneurysms have thrombosed. Our experience and review of the literature indicate that most ischemic complications after carotid ligation seem to be thromboembolic, rather than due to "low flow" from poor collateral circulation. For this reason, we have gradually come to favor common carotid (CCA) over internal carotid (ICA) occlusion in many of these patients. After CCA occlusion, the ICA frequently remains open and embolic complications are therefore less likely. An extracranial-intracranial bypass procedure is performed only in those patients with poor collateral circulation demonstrated by cross compression angiographic studies, by the development of new deficits during test occlusion, or by the appearance of EEG changes during test occlusion. We suggest that CCA ligation remains a useful alternative in the management of unclippable internal carotid aneurysms.
Segmentation of 3D objects using live wire

We have been developing user-steered image segmentation methods for situations which require considerable user assistance in object definition. In such situations, our segmentation methods aim (1) to provide effective control to the user on the segmentation process while it is being executed and (2) to minimize the total user's time required in the process. In the past, we have presented two paradigms, referred to as live wire and live lane, for segmenting 3D/4D object boundaries in a slice-by-slice fashion. In this paper, we introduce a 3D extension of the live wire approach which can further reduce the time spent by the user in the segmentation process. In 2D live wire, given a slice, for two specified points (pixel vertices) on the boundary of the object, the best boundary segment (as a set of oriented pixel edges) is the minimum-cost path between the two points. This segment is found via dynamic programming in real time as the user anchors the first point and moves the cursor to indicate the second point. A complete 2D boundary in this slice is identified as a set of consecutive boundary segments forming a 'closed,' 'connected,' 'oriented' contour. The strategy of the 3D extension is that, first, users specify contours via live- wiring on a few orthogonal slices. If these slices are selected strategically, then we have a sufficient number of points on the 3D boundary of the object to do live-wiring automatically on all axial slices of the 3D scene. Based on several validation studies involving segmentation of the bones of the foot in MR images, we found that the 3D extension of live wire is statistically significantly (p less than 0.0001) more repeatable and 2 - 6 times faster (p less than 0.01) than the 2D live wire method and 3 - 15 times faster than manual tracing.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Energy dependence of the cross section for CH3I + K → CH3 + KI near threshold☆

Abstract The energy dependence of reaction cross sections σ of CH 3 I + K → CH 3 + KI near threshold has been investigated by use of an idealized model of the hard-sphere collision of CH 3 -I with K in which CH 3 -I is assumed to undergo harmonic-vibrational motion. Near threshold only a small fraction of trajectories enters the reaction region, but they all pass on to reaction. As energy increases, σ increases very sharply because more trajectories enter the reaction region. At still higher energies σ becomes small because a part of such trajectories reflects from the repulsive wall back to the reactant region. A maximum value of σ is found to be 35 A 2 at 3.2 kcal/mole.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN DEBENTURE AND MORTGAGE BOND FINANCING

s of Doctoral Dissertations 89 2. The companies that had issued the debenture bonds were able to earn their fixed interest charges more adequately in both periods studied than were those companies which had issued only mortgage bonds. 3. Through a proportionately greater investment in the company than that provided by the bondholders, the stockholders of those companies with debenture bonds gave a better degree of protection to their bondholders than did the stockholders of the companies with only mortgage bonds. Furthermore, among the industrial companies with bonds outstanding, the manufacturing companies were primarily the ones that issued bonds of any type, while the other industrial companies (that is, extractive, trade, service and amusement, and miscellaneous) made only limited use of bond financing. Thus, in the 1946-54 period, the great increase in the use of debenture bonds occurred chiefly among the manufacturing companies, while among the other groups of industrials the total amount of bond financing decreased, with little or no change in the types of bonds issued. As evidenced both by the interest coverage ratio and by the stock equity to bonded debt ratio, the conclusion was reached that the industrials with debentures generally had the better credit ratings among these companies issuing bonds and hence were able to issue unsecured bonds. However, a tentative conclusion was reached that, in addition to the better credit ratings, these companies may also have been able to reduce their over-all cost of bond financing by the use of debenture rather than mortgage bonds. This content downloaded from 207.46.13.76 on Sat, 10 Sep 2016 05:09:31 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Something's Missing: Need Fulfillment and Self-Expansion as Predictors of Susceptibility to Infidelity

The present authors investigated whether an individual's motivations that are related to need fulfillment and self-expansion within a romantic relationship can predict self-reported susceptibility to infidelity. A sample of 109 college students (50 men, 59 women) who were in dating relationships completed questionnaires that assessed 5 types of variables of need fulfillment (i.e., intimacy, companionship, sex, security, and emotional involvement), 3 types of self-expansion variables (i.e., self-expansion, inclusion of the other in the self, and potential for self-expansion), and susceptibility to infidelity. As the present authors predicted, both sets of predictors (need fulfillment and self-expansion) significantly contributed to the variance in susceptibility to infidelity. The present findings indicated the possibility that, when a relationship is not able to fulfill needs or provide ample self-expansion for an individual, his or her susceptibility to infidelity increases.
Digitally Determined Periodic Points

(1998). Digitally Determined Periodic Points. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 71, No. 4, pp. 304-305.
Fasting enhances the effects of anoxia on ATP, Ca2+i and cell injury in isolated rat hepatocytes

Abstract The effect of fasting and anoxia on the intracellular concentration of ATP, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and H+ was studied in isolated perfused rat hepatocytes. ATP and intracellular Mg2+ were measured by 31P-NMR spectroscopy, cytosolic free calcium was measured with aequorin, intracellular Na+ with SBFI, intracellular pH with BCECF, lactic dehydrogenase by NADH absorbance. In hepatocytes from fasted rats, intracellular ATP was depressed 52% (P
Topological properties of orthostochastic matrices

The set of n×n orthostochastic matrices with the topology induced by the Euclidean matric is shown to be compact and path-connected. For n<3, the set of orthostochastic matrices is identical to the set of doubly stochastic matrices. In this paper, it is shown that for n⩾3 the orthostochastic matrices are not everywhere dense in the set of doubly stochastic matrices, thus answering a question of L. Mirsky in his survey article on doubly stochastic matrices [2].
A unique ballistosporic hypogeous sequestrate Lactarius from California

Lactarius rubriviridis sp. nov., characterized by hypogeous, sequestrate basidiomes with red latex, green stains, and forcibly discharged, reticulate basidiospores is described and illustrated. During the Spring, the new species forms basidiomes associated with conifers at 1400-1800 m elevation in the Sierra Nevada, and is known from two specimens collected 19 yr apart. Comparisons with the putatively polyphyletic genera Arcangeliella and Zelleromyces, and an accounting of all known members of these genera are provided.
Administration of 13-cis-retinoic acid to dairy cattle. 1. Plasma retinoid concentrations and lymphocyte blastogenesis.

Abstract Effects of administration of 13- cis -retinoic acid on concentrations in plasma of retinoic acid isomers, retinol, and β -carotene and on in vitro mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes were evaluated in Holstein cattle. Treatments consisted of i.m. injections of 0 (vehicle only), 100, 200, or 400mg of 13- cis -retinoic acid in dimethylsulfoxide for 7 d. Concentrations of 13- cis - and all- trans -retinoic acids in plasma and in mononuclear leukocytes were elevated in a dose-dependent manner by administration of 13- cis -retinoic acid. Treatment with 13- cis -retinoic acid, however, had no effect on concentrations of retinol and β -carotene in plasma. In vitro DNA synthesis in unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated mononuclear leukocyte cultures was unaffected by in vitro administration of 13- cis -retinoic acid. In contrast, in vitro supplementation of unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated mononuclear leukocyte cultures with 13- cis -retinoic acid inhibited DNA synthesis relative to unsupplemented cultures. In conclusion, elevated plasma and intracellular concentrations of 13- cis - and all- trans -retinoic acids produced by repeated i.m. administrations of 13- cis -retinoic acid did not affect peripheral blood mononuclear leukocyte function, as measured by the in vitro blastogenic response of peripheral blood lymphocytes.
On the Differences Between Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Simulations for Assessing Elastographic Image Quality: A Simulation Study

In this work, we introduced an elastographic simulation framework, which estimates upper bounds on elastographic image quality by accounting for three-dimensional (3D) tissue motion and the 3D nature of the ultrasound beam. For the boundary conditions and the range of applied strains considered in this study, it was observed that for applied strains smaller than 0.7%, fast two-dimensional (2D) simulations and 3D simulations predicted similar upper bounds on elastographic signal-to-noise (SNR(e)) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR(e)); however, for applied strains greater than 0.7%, the predictions by 2D simulations grossly overestimated the achievable results when compared with upper bound results from 3D simulations. It was also found that linear increments in the elevational-to-lateral beamwidth ratio (beam ratio) resulted in nonlinear degradation in the achievable upper bounds on elastographic signal-to-noise ratio. For the modulus contrast ratio of ten between the target and the background, the peak difference in the prediction of contrast-to-noise by 2D and 3D simulations was approximately 10 dB, whereas, for modulus contrast ratio of 1.5, the peak difference increased to approximately 30 dB. No significant difference was observed between the spatial resolution predicted by 2D and 3D simulations; however, increase in beam ratio resulted in decrease in target detectability, especially at lower modulus contrast ratios.
New SISO decoding algorithms

A new maximum a posteriori (MAP)-equivalent soft-input soft-output (SISO) algorithm is derived together with its simplified versions. The proposed SISO algorithms provide a good compromise between complexity and performance. Our simplest SISO algorithm has lower complexity than the log-MAP, the max-log-MAP, and the soft-output Viterbi (1998) algorithm SISO algorithms, and it is an equivalent max-log-MAP algorithm. When this algorithm is used, turbo codes with block length as short as 150 bits will outperform convolutional codes when compared on the basis of equal decoder complexity.
The microbiological and parasitological colonisation of specified-pathogen-free mice maintained in a conventional animal house.

SUMMARY 2 groups of 44 specified-pathogen-free (SPF) mice, caged in groups of 4, were housed at weaning either in isolation in a building housing conventionally-reared animals, or in contact with those animals. 4 mice from each group were examined for microbiological flora and 4 for parasites at intervals for up to 90 days after transfer. Proscribed bacteria were isolated from the 'in contact' group after 42 days and endoparasites were observed by 16 days and thereafter. No proscribed bacteria were isolated from the other group, although some endoparasites were observed by 16 days. Proscribed bacteria were shown to be present in the conventionally-reared animals at weaning and ecto- and endoparasites by day 16 and thereafter. It is suggested that it may be possible to maintain SPF animals outside a SPF Unit for short periods of time, and that with great care the animals remain free of proscribed microflora.
Adaptive radiation of photosynthetic physiology in the Hawaiian lobeliads: light regimes, static light responses, and whole-plant compensation points.

Six endemic genera/sections of lobeliads (Campanulaceae) occupy nearly the full range of light regimes on moist sites in the Hawaiian Islands, from open alpine bogs and seacliffs to densely shaded rainforest interiors. To determine whether this clade has undergone a corresponding adaptive radiation in photosynthetic adaptations, we studied the natural light habitats and physiological characteristics of 11 species representing each sublineage. Across species in the field, average photon flux density (PFD) varies from 2.3 to 30.0 mol · m22 ·d 21, and maximum assimilation rate (Amax) ranges from 0.17 to 0.35 mmol CO2 ·g 21 ·s 21. Across species, Amax, dark respiration rate (R), Michaelis-Menten constant (k), light compensation point, specific leaf area (SLA), maximum carboxylation rate (Vcmax), maximum rate of electron transport (Jmax), photosynthesis at saturating CO2 ( ), and carboxylation efficiency AsatCO2 (a) all increase significantly and in tightly coupled fashion with PFD, in accord with classical economic theory. Area-based rates have a higher degree of physiological integration with each other and tighter coupling to PFD than the corresponding mass-based rates, despite the energetic importance of the latter. Area-based rates frequently show adaptive cross-over: high-light species outperform lowlight species at high PFD and vice versa at low PFD. Amax-mass has little relationship to leaf mass per unit area (LMA), leaf N content, or leaf lifespan individually, but a multiple regression explains 96% of the variance in Amax-mass across species in terms of SLA, leaf N content, and average PFD. Instantaneous leaf compensation points range from 0.1 to 1.2% full sunlight, far lower than the ecological (whole-plant) compensation points (ECPs) of 1.1 to 29.0% sunlight calculated based on photosynthetic parameters, leaf longevity, and allocation to leaf vs. nonleaf tissue. The ECPs are much closer to the lower limits of PFD actually experienced by lobeliads, suggesting they may play an important role in restricting species distributions. Taken together, these data provide evidence for an adaptive radiation in photosynthetic traits that is strongly correlated with—and indeed may help determine—the light regime that each species inhabits.
Increasing the specificity of neurotrophic factors

Neurotrophic factors are capable of accomplishing many tasks. In addition to regulating neural cell survival and differentiation, they can influence changes in synaptic transmission and higher order behaviors, such as aggression, addiction, depression, learning, and memory. Because many trophic factors use receptor tyrosine kinases as a means for initiating signaling, a major question is how tyrosine phosphorylation events that lead to canonical MAP kinase, Akt, and phospholipase C-γ activities can account for so many diverse outcomes (1). The article in PNAS by Schalm et al. (2) on protocadherins and the glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) provides a unique insight into this question. GDNF is an important protein that was discovered in 1993 as a potent survival factor for midbrain dopaminergic neurons (3). It has been frequently touted as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. GDNF also exerts trophic effects on sympathetic, sensory, parasympathetic, and enteric neurons. The effects of GDNF and the related family members neurturin, artemin, and persephin are mediated by RET, a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase. GDNF ligands do not bind directly to RET but require GPI-anchored coreceptors [called GDNF receptor-α1–4] to activate the RET receptor, which efficiently increases intracellular ERK and PI3K activities and Ca2+ levels (4, 5). Many biological functions are affected by these ligand-receptor events, including proliferation and migration of progenitor cells, axon guidance, and chemoattraction (5). GDNF is also involved in synapse formation and neuronal excitability in possessing the ability to modulate postsynaptic … 1E-mail: moses.chao{at}med.nyu.edu.
Experimental evaluation of concurrent checkpointing and rollback-recovery algorithms

The performance of two distributed checkpointing and recovery algorithms, the synchronous checkpointing algorithm (SA) and the independent checkpointing algorithm (ICA), is evaluated. The performance is based on a detailed implementation of algorithms published earlier in the C language. A benchmark that simulates a variety of application requirements and considers variations in the number of processes running on one or more machines, size of processes to be checkpointed, size of control messages, and frequency of message exchanges for normal processing is used to conduct the experiments. Measurements are made for the elapsed time and the CPU time to run a single instance of the checkpoint or rollback. The experiments are repeated for various combinations of concurrent checkpoint and rollback executions. The messages needed for synchronization are computed. It is found that the time that a process spends in processing control messages contributes significantly to the elapsed time in both algorithms. Elapsed times for recovery for both algorithms are found to be comparable when the number of checkpoints is small. >
Decision Problems with Expected Utility Criteria, II: Stationarity

The study of sequential decision problems with expected utility criteria is continued. Stationary problems are defined similarly to stationary problems with additive or separable utility, except that an additional requirement, stationarity of the preference structure, is imposed. The optimality of stationary and memoryless strategies is investigated for problems with upper and lower convergent utility or which are upper or lower transient. By example, the definition of stationarity is seen to be inadequate for generalizations of “average reward” criteria. Simplifications in the strategy iteration algorithm which result from stationarity are discussed.
Outsourcing Customer Service: Applying The Value Chain As A Method To Improve Service At Call Centers

The practice of outsourcing customer support for the information technology sector has grown substantially in the last decade. U.S. companies operating in the low margin personal computer industry maintain this practice is necessary to increase profitability and remain competitive. Firms that make decisions to outsource in lower cost countries need to ensure that customers are satisfied with the level of service provided and minimize negative experiences and irate customers. Because the work of call centers is often outsourced to far flung corners of the world on a lowest bid contract, with an emphasis on transaction costs, levels of service can be uneven. This research examines data from customer satisfaction surveys on personal computers regarding technical support from the manufacturers Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Apple, which was gathered by Consumer Reports in March, 2006. By comparing the overall satisfaction levels to the companies’ outsourcing policies, some correlations are drawn. The research concludes with specific recommendations on how to provide higher levels of service with fewer variations through the use of metrics that measure quantifiable results.
The difficulty in distinguishing product from process

When engineers design a system, they must design both the product and the process that will create it. Accordingly, systems engineers must write requirements for the product and the process. Stating these requirements in separate documents might make it easier to get the requirements right and manage the requirements when either the product or the process requirements change. But, of course, these two sets of documents must be intricately interrelated, integrated, and produced with extensive feedback loops. This paper shows the results of an experiment that was designed to investigate the difficulty in distinguishing between the product and the process. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 6: 106–115, 2003 DOI 10.1002/sys.10035