The Constitutional Aspects of Washington\u27s Fiscal Crisis

The aim of this paper is to sketch the scope and nature of the current problem, to explore the legal rigidities that dominate it, and to suggest the apparent steps prerequisite to realistic, durable and workable solutions

The Ursinus Weekly, September 26, 1974

Fall Forum season opens • Editorial: Dear freshmen • A Guide to better living in Collegeville, Pa. 19426 • Bears 1974 football preview • Harriers upset by Delaware Valleyhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1019/thumbnail.jp

Effects of a Weight Loss Program on Metabolic Syndrome, Eating Disorders and Psychological Outcomes: Mediation by Endocannabinoids?

To evaluate the effects of weight loss on endocannabinoids, cardiometabolic and psychological parameters, eating disorders (ED) as well as quality of life (QoL) and to elucidate the role of endocannabinoids in metabolic syndrome (MS). In total, 114 patients with obesity were prospectively included in a 12-month weight loss program. Plasma endocannabinoids were measured by mass spectrometry; ED, psychological and QoL-related parameters were evaluated by self-reported questionnaires; physical activity was measured by accelerometer. Nutritional assessment was done by a 3-day food diary. Among completers (n = 87), body weight decreased in 35 patients (-9.1 ± 8.6 kg), remained stable in 39 patients, and increased in 13 patients (+5.8 ± 3.4 kg). 75% of patients with MS at baseline were free of MS at follow-up, and their baseline plasma N-palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) values were significantly lower when compared to patients with persisting MS. At baseline, there was a positive relationship between PEA and waist circumference (p = 0.005, R2 = 0.08), fasting glucose (p < 0.0001, R2 = 0.12), total cholesterol (p = 0.001, R2 = 0.11), triglycerides (p = 0.001, R2 = 0.11), LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03, R2 = 0.05) as well as depression score (p = 0.002, R2 = 0.29). Plasma PEA might play a role in metabolic improvement after weight loss. Even in subjects without weight loss, a multidisciplinary intervention improves psychological outcomes, ED, and QoL

Correlation entropy of synaptic input-output dynamics

The responses of synapses in the neocortex show highly stochastic and nonlinear behavior. The microscopic dynamics underlying this behavior, and its computational consequences during natural patterns of synaptic input, are not explained by conventional macroscopic models of deterministic ensemble mean dynamics. Here, we introduce the correlation entropy of the synaptic input-output map as a measure of synaptic reliability which explicitly includes the microscopic dynamics. Applying this to experimental data, we find that cortical synapses show a low-dimensional chaos driven by the natural input pattern.Comment: 7 pages, 6 Figures (7 figure files

Influence of climate and regeneration microsites on Pinus contorta invasion into an alpine ecosystem in New Zealand

In many regions, alien conifers have spread widely at lower elevations and are increasingly found colonizing alpine areas. Although studies have addressed conifer invasions at low elevations, little is known about the rates and constraints on spread into higher elevations. Here, we assess the relative importance of climate and the availability of regeneration microsites on the establishment of the alien species <em>Pinus contorta</em> into a high elevation site in New Zealand. Spread has occurred from two stands planted at the elevation of the native treeline (1347–1388 masl) in the 1960s. Most stems established between 1350 and 1450 masl and <em>P. contorta</em> individuals were found up to 270 m above the original plantings. Although the population has increased by 180% in the last 20 years, population growth rate has been declining. Furthermore, comparisons with studies from other mountain ranges around the world and at low elevations in New Zealand suggest this is a relatively limited spread. Our results suggest that climate variation did not have a significant effect on establishment patterns, as opposed to availability of regeneration microsites. Soil and alpine mat microsites favoured establishment of<em> P. contorta</em> and, although these microsites did not appear to be saturated, microsite availability may be an important limiting factor for the spread of <em>P. contorta.</em> Thus management strategies should focus on preventing spread in addition to removing already established stems

Electrical and Crystallographic Characterization of CdTe Grown by the Vapor Transport Method

Crystallographic and electrical characterization techniques were performed on CdTe single crystal samples grown by the sublimation and physical vapor transport (SPVT) technique. The SPVT growth process described here has resulted in the routine growth of 45-50 mm diameter, 250-300 g boules of single crystal CdTe. As-grown material is p-type in the 5-10 ω cm range. Etch pit densities (EPD) are nominally 7x104 cm-2 along the [111] growth direction and 3x104 cm-2 along the [111] direction. X-ray full width at half maximum (FWHM) on recent samples is 8.6 arc sec compared to 8.5 arc sec theoretical. The as-grown p-type material displays room temperature mobility in the 80-90 cm2 V-1 s-1 range and displays acceptor levels due to Cd vacancies 0.045 eV above the valence band and due to Cd vacancy-donor complexes 0.16 eV above the valence band. The boules are a constant diameter over most of their length (∼5.5 cm) and generally display no visual or X-ray detectable twins or grain boundaries. © 1994