The Spatial Distribution of Military Spending in the United States 1941-1985

The spatial distribution of military expenditures in the United States is a major influence on the regional shifts of economic activity that are occurring in the US. The purpose of this study is to trace the changing spatial distribution of military prime contract awards (MPCAs) from 1941 to 1985. Using T-mode and S-mode factor analysis, the results indicate that since 1941 there have been four distinct eras in the spatial distribution of MPCAs. During each era the spatial pattern of military spending remained stable. The shift from one era to another appears to be linked to changes in the type of weapons purchased by the Department of Defense. The most recent era, the High-Technology Weapons era, has lasted for twenty years. The long-term stability evident in the spatial distribution of MPCAs supports the argument that military expenditures have played an important role in regional economic development and change. The findings also indicate that, while many states tend to follow the national trend in military spending, there are also four distinct groups of states which have gained and then lost their positions as military production centers. The main reason behind the rapid growth and decline of MPCAs going to these states was their dependence on a single weapons system.     

Federal support of research in the life sciences

Federal support of contract and grant research in the life sciences continued to grow during the period 1952-55 and showed an increase of 28 percent between the years 1954 and 1955. The basic biological science component (Table 2) increased from $18 to $26 million between 1952 and 1954 and to $30 million in 1955. Although a greater dollar amount is now available for basic research in the life sciences, the amount available in 1955 was proportionately a smaller part of the total than was the amount available in 1954. In 1955, $52 million was expended for activities which were not categorized as basic research. The needs and motivations of the major granting federal agencies are, and continue to be, primarily problem-and program-oriented.     

Acoustic detection of mesoscale biophysical features in the Shelikof sea valley, and their relevance to pollock larvae in the Gulf of Alaska

Mesoscale features such as fronts and eddies can act to retain larval walleye pollock ( Theragra chalcogramma ) within the continental shelf zone in the western Gulf of Alaska. During two May cruises, we observed unusual patterns of backscattering with a 38 kHz acoustic system. Characteristics of this signal were a strong scattering layer at the surface and in midwater, with the water column between nearly void of sound scattering organisms. This signal appeared in several transects where satellite remote sensing indicated the presence of an eddy. Analysis of concomitant water properties and ADCP (153 kHz) data confirmed the existence of an anomalous physical feature at this location. Biological properties (chlorophyll and zooplankton) showed marked changes across the edge of the feature. Larval pollock densities were estimated to be an order of magnitude higher within this feature compared to those outside. Acoustic backscatter signals can be used to identify and characterize mesoscale biophysical features in the ocean, thereby enabling real-time studies of these features.     

Characterization of the pelagic ecosystem in surface waters of the northern Gulf of St, Lawrence in early summer: the larval redfish-Calanus-microplankton interaction

In June 1989, the water column along a transect in the north-central Gulf of St Lawrence was thermally stratified (10–14^oC at the surface; 0-l^oC at 30 m). In the surface layer, nitrate and chlorophyll concentrations were very low; the mean concentration of chlorophyll a > 5 μm in the subsurface maximum was 0.26 μg1^-1. Autotrophic and (presumably) heterotrophic flagellates and dinoflagellates were the most abundant micro-plankton. In this system, redfish (Sebastes spp.) larvae and the planktonic copepod Calanus finmarchicus overwhelmingly dominated the ichthyoplankton and zoo-plankton, respectively. Redfish larvae, Calanus females and Calanus eggs were most abundant in the surface layer (0–25 m) day and night. Daily specific egg production rates of Calanus, calculated from shipboard incubations of females, approached the predicted maximal level for this species at the ambient temperature of the surface layer, indicating no or little food limitation. The redfish larvae were feeding almost exclusively on the Calanus eggs and were found in greatest abundance along the transect where Calanus egg production rates (eggs m^-2 day^-1), calculated from the product of the specific egg production rate and female concentration, were highest. The mono-specificity of the larval redfish diet and the codom-     

Astaxanthin deposition in the flesh of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L., in relation to dietary astaxanthin concentration and feeding period

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were fed nine experimental diets containing from 0 to 200 mg astaxanthin per kg^?1 for six time periods, ranging from 3 to 21 months, in sea cages at Matre Aquaculture Research Station, Matredal, Norway. The sampled fish had an initial mean weight of 115 g and reached a weight of 3.2 kg at the termination of the experiment. Every third month, 10 fish from each dose and time group were sampled and the astaxanthin concentration in the flesh determined. The amount of astaxanthin in the flesh ranged from 0.7 to 8.9 mg kg^?1 at the termination of the experiment. This paper discusses deposition of astaxanthin in the flesh of Atlantic salmon in relation to dietary carotenoid levels in the 0–200 mg kg^?1 range and feeding times of 3–21 months. Under the conditions of this experiment, no significant effect on astaxanthin deposition rate could be achieved by increasing the astaxanthin level above 60 mg kg dry feed^?1. Atlantic salmon should be fed astaxanthin-supplemented diets during the whole seawater stage in order to obtain maximal astaxanthin level in the flesh.     

Tissue-specific and substrate-specific mitochondrial bioenergetics in feline cardiac and skeletal muscles

No studies have investigated the mitochondrial function in permeabilized muscle fiber from cats. The aim of this study was to investigate tissue-specific and substrate-specific characteristics of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity in feline permeabilized oxidative muscle fibers. Biopsies of left ventricular cardiac muscle and soleus muscle, a type I-rich oxidative skeletal muscle, were obtained from 15 healthy domestic cats. Enzymatic activity of citrate synthase (CS), a biomarker of mitochondrial content, was measured. Mitochondrial OXPHOS capacity with various kinds of non-fatty-acid substrates and fatty-acid substrate in permeabilized muscle fiber was measured by using high-resolution respirometry. CS activity in the heart was 3 times higher than in the soleus muscle. Mitochondrial state 3 respiration, ADP-stimulated respiration, with complex I-linked and complex I+II-linked substrates, respectively, was significantly higher in the heart than in the soleus muscle when normalized for muscle mass, but not for CS activity, indicating that greater capacity for mitochondrial OXPHOS with these non-fatty-acid substrates in the heart may depend on higher mitochondrial content. In contrast, the soleus muscle had higher mitochondrial state 3 respiration with fatty acids than the heart when normalized for CS activity, indicating greater capacity for fatty-acid oxidation per mitochondrion in the soleus. Our findings suggest that there are tissue- specific and substrate-specific quantitative and qualitative differences in mitochondrial OXPHOS capacity between the different types of oxidative muscles from cats.     

Feasibility of Implant Driven Micturition in Paraplegic Dogs

Objective — This study evaluates the feasibility of using existing technology for implant driven micturition in paralyzed dogs (part I) and also examines a less invasive technique for implant driven micturition (part II). Study Design — Part I. Sacral nerve root dimensions and bladder and urethral pressure responses to intradural and extradural sacral nerve root stimulation were measured to determine the optimal location and size for sacral nerve root electrodes. Part II. Sacral nerve roots were stimulated via wire electrodes introduced into the S2 foramina. Animals or Sample Population — Ten dogs (five dogs in part I and five dogs in part II). Methods — Part I. Microtip pressure transducers were used to monitor bladder and urethral pressure responses to sacral nerve root stimulation with tripolar hook electrodes. After euthanasia, sacral nerve root, and spinal canal dimensions were measured. Part II. Bipolar electrical stimulation of the sacral nerve roots was performed by introducing wire electrodes into the S2 foramina. Bladder and urethral pressures were recorded as in part I. Results — Part I. Stimulation of S1 produced an increase in urethral, but not bladder, pressure. Stimulation of S2 or S3 produced increases in bladder pressure and decreases in urethral pressure. Intradural and extradural nerve roots were not significantly different with respect to nerve dimensions or effects on nerve stimulation. Part II. High bladder pressures were achieved, but effective voiding could not be produced, primarily because of urethral resistance. Conclusions — Part I. Extradural implantation was determined to be the most appropriate site based on ease of dissection, nerve root dimensions, and decreased risk of iatrogenic trauma. Enough space is available to implant two to four tripolar spiral nerve cuffs. Part II. Transforaminal sacral nerve root stimulation did not effectively empty the bladder. Clinical Relevance — Clinical trials in paraplegic dogs are necessary to evaluate the number of sacral nerve cuff electrodes necessary to produce effective bladder emptying.