Luncheon address : the Greenspan era : lessons for the future

Greenspan, Alan ; Monetary policy

On Gras conjecture for imaginary quadratic fields

In this paper we extend methods of Rubin to prove the Gras conjecture for abelian extensions of a given imaginary quadratic field k and prime numbers p which divide the number of roots of unity in k.Comment: accepted for publication in Canadian Mathematical Bulleti

Interstellar extinction at 10-20 microns

The IRAS low-resolution spectra (LRS) spectra of 117 stars of excellent signal/noise with optically thin silicate dust shells were analyzed. The stellar continua (assumed to be a cool black body) were subtracted, and the resulting dust shell spectra were fit with simple models F(sub lambda) assuming uniform mass loss and dust temperature as a function of distance from the star, calculated using the optical constants for silcates of Draine (1985). From the comparison of the spectra and the models, functions for the emissivity, kappa(sub lambda), were derived

Walking a Gray Line: The Color of Law Test Governing Noncitizen Eligibility for Public Benefits

This Article analyzes the color of law standard in determining eligibility of noncitizens for public benefits, and outlines the impact of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 on benefit eligibility. The author reviews the legislative history and judicial construction of the standard, and proposes a working definition of permanently residing. . . under color of law that would include those aliens with implied or express permission to remain in the country, but exclude undocumented aliens and those who are temporarily present

Surgical Wound Infection: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management

Surgical wound infection remains a significant problem following an operation, although surveillance for such infections remains a challenge exacerbated by early discharge and outpatient surgery. The riskof such infections isdetermined by technical problems with the operation, particularly bleeding, the amount of devitalized tissue created, and the need for drains within the wound, as well as such metabolic factors as obesity and diabetes. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis can decrease the incidence of such infections further, but a technically perfect operation is even more important

Study of the relationship of nucleic acid and protein synthesis to mammalian enzyme induction

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University.The increase in activity of two hepatic enzymes, tryptophan pyrrolase and benzpyrene hydroxylase, following administration of their respective substrates, has been ascribed to de novo synthesis of protein. For this reason agents known to have profound effects on protein synthesis in other systems were investigated for their effect on induction of these two enzymes. Further, a study was made of the nucleic acid turnover during tryptophan pyrrolase induction. Finally, food deprivation was investigated for its effect on the two enzyme systems. Dimethylaminoazobenzene (DMAB) fed to adult rats at a level of 0.06% in the diet caused a progressive decrease in the basal level of tryptophan pyrrolase over a period of 42 days and a significant inhibition of the 5 hour-induced level of enzyme, evident as early as 14 days with no further changes seen as late as 42 days. After 240 days of feeding, the basal and induced enzyme levels appeared to return to control levels. There was seen markedly less enzyme activity in hepatic tumor tissue from induced rats than was found in the adjoining normal-appearing liver. DMAB, administered to rats in a single dose of 25 mg/100 gm body weight 24 hours before induction, had no significant effect on the basal or induced enzyme levels [TRUNCATED]

Declines in swimming performance with age: a longitudinal study of Masters swimming champions.

IntroductionBecause of its many participants and thorough records, competitive Masters swimming offers a rich data source for determining the rate of physical decline associated with aging in physically fit individuals. The decline in performance among national champion swimmers, both men and women and in short and long swims, is linear, at about 0.6% per year up to age 70-75, after which it accelerates in quadratic fashion. These conclusions are based primarily on cross-sectional studies, and little is known about individual performance declines with aging. Herein we present performance profiles of 19 male and 26 female national and international champion Masters swimmers, ages 25 to 96 years, participating in competitions for an average of 23 years.Methods and resultsSwimmers' longitudinal data were compared with the fastest times of world record holders across ages 35-100 years by two regression methods. Neither method proved to accurately model this data set: compared with the rates of decline estimated from the world record data, which represent the best recorded times at given ages, there was bias toward shallower rates of performance decline in the longitudinal data, likely owing to a practice effect in some swimmers as they began their Masters programs. In swimmers' later years, once maximum performance had been achieved, individual profiles followed the decline represented in the world records, and a few swimmers became the world record holders. In some instances, the individual profiles indicated performance better than the world record data; these swimmers achieved their times after the world record data were collected in 2005-2006.ConclusionDeclining physiological functional capacity occurs with advancing age, and this is reflected in the performance decrements of aging Masters swimmers. Individual swimmers show different performance trajectories with aging, declines being mitigated by practice, which improves both physiological capacity and swimming technique, particularly in the early years of participation. The longitudinal data of this study indicate that individuals can participate in high-intensity swimming over several decades, competitively improving over those decades until, in some instances, they become world record holders for their age groups