cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A specimen of parallel programming: parallel merge sort implementation

One common example of parallel processing is the implementation of the merge sort within a parallel processing environment. In the fully parallel model, you repeatedly split the sublists down to the point where you have single-element lists [3]. You then merge these in parallel back up the processing tree until you obtain the fully merged list at the top of the tree. While of theoretical interest, you probably don't have the massively parallel processor that this would require. Instead, you can use a mixed strategy. Determine the number of parallel processes you can realistically obtain within your computing environment. Then construct the processing tree so that you have that number of leaf nodes. Within the leaf nodes of the processing tree, simply use the best sequential algorithm to accomplish the sorting, and send that result upstream to the internal nodes of the processing tree, which will merge the sorted sublists and then send the resulting list farther upstream in the tree. Figure One shows the processing tree for the case in which you have a list of 2000 items to be sorted and have resources only sufficient for four parallel processes. The processes receiving the size 500 lists use some sequential sorting algorithm. Because of the implementation environment, it will be something in the C/C++ language---either qsort() or your favorite implementation of a fast sorting algorithm. Each leaf node (with a size 500 list) then provides the sorted result to the parent process within the processing tree. That process combines the two lists to generate a size 1000 list, and then sends that result upstream to its parent process. Finally, the root process in the processing tree merges the two lists to obtain a size 2000 list, fully sorted. If your environment supports more parallel processes, you might take the processing tree to four levels, so that eight processes do the sequential sorting of size 250 lists. For that matter, you could even deal with circumstances in which the supported number of parallel processes is not an exact power of two. That just means that some of the leaf nodes will be at the bottommost level and some conceptually at a higher level above in the processing tree. Since in parallel processing, the time required is the time required by the slowest process, you will probably want to stick with circumstances where the number of leaf nodes is a power of two---in other words, the processing tree is a full binary tree and all leaf nodes are doing approximately the same amount of work.
Effect of oral hydration on skin microcirculation in healthy young and midlife and older adults

Clinically undetected underhydration lowers subcutaneous tissue oxygen, impairs healing and increases wound infection. This study examined the effect of supplemental oral hydration on noninvasive measures of skin temperature (T(s)), transcutaneous skin O(2) (PtcO(2)), and CO(2) (PtcCO(2)), and skin blood flow (laser Doppler fluxmetry [Flux]=concentration of moving blood cells [CMBC] x Velocity) in healthy adults. Nineteen Control and 18 Test (Hydrated) subjects participated. Ad libitum fluid intake was allowed before the experiment. Sensors were placed on the chest, lower legs, and feet. Time 1 resting supine T(s), PtcO(2)/PtcCO(2), and Flux/CMBC/Velocity were obtained. Then, the Test group ingested 500 mL of H(2)O. Time 2 measures were obtained 30 minutes later. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Change in T(s), PtcO(2), PtcCO(2), and Velocity did not differ between groups. Flux increased more in the Test than in the Control group (p<0.01). The Flux change was explained by a CMBC increase (p<0.05). For midlife/older subjects only, the CMBC change was greater in the Test than in the Control group (p<0.01). Flux may be sufficiently sensitive to detect microvascular changes in response to supplemental oral hydration. These data also suggest that subtle levels of hypoperfusion due to underhydration may exist in community-dwelling healthy midlife/older adults in their natural state.
Tuberculosis and HIV Infection: A Global Perspective

The incidence of HIV-associated tuberculosis has been increasing worldwide since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, and is expected to increase even further during the foreseeable future, especially in developing countries. There is no doubt now that, in the presence of HIV infection, new-onset tuberculous infection progresses rapidly to clinically significant disease and the likelihood that latent tuberculous infection progresses rapidly to clinically significant disease and the likelihood that latent tuberculous infection will reactivate is enormously increased. The accelerating and amplifying influence of HIV infection is contributing to the increasing incidence of disease caused by multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Neither clinical features nor radiographic abnormalities reliably distinguish the majority of patients with HIV-associated tuberculosis from those without HIV infection. Some persons with HIV infection, however, present with atypical manifestations of tuberculosis and these patients may be difficult to diagnose. Six months of daily or thrice weekly chemotherapy with the usual regimen of 4 then 2 antituberculosis drugs cures most patients, but many die during or after treatment of other AIDS-related complications.
Interaction of Low‐Density Lipoprotein (LDL) from Yolk Plasma with Methyl Orange

SUMMARY The surface characteristics of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in various buffers were investigated by determining the binding of an anionic dye, methyl orange, during equilibrium dialysis at 10°. As the buffer pH increased from 4.5 to 8.6, the binding capacity of native LDL diminished. Additional experiments were carried out at pH 6.5, the normal value for egg yolk and plasma. A plot of dye concentration vs. dye binding by native LDL produced a curve with a shape similar to that for -β lipoprotein from blood. Native LDL, with only about 15% protein, bound as much dye as a pure protein, β-lactoglobulin. The LDL from pasteurized yolk (63 and 64.8°C) bound as much dye as LDL from native yolk. Sodium chloride and sucrose did not restrict the dye adsorption to native LDL. When yolk plasma was treated with bromelain, the dye-binding capacity of isolated LDL was somewhat reduced.
Observations on the membrane organization of standard and incomplete influenza grown in MDBK cells.

Abstract The phospholipid content and composition of incomplete WSN influenza virions grown in MDBK cells were compared with standard particles grown at low multiplicity of infection and found to be indistinguishable. The ESR spectra of incomplete and standard virions labeled with a stearic acid spin label were also indistinguishable, indicating that the rigidity of the viral bilayer was not measurably different in the two kinds of particles. Evidence is presented that a small peptide or peptides of the viral glycoproteins remains associated with the particle after proteolytic digestion of the glycoprotein spikes. Since the membranes of incomplete viral particles have previously been shown to contain approximately twice the amount of glycoproteins present in standard virus, it is concluded that these small peptides exert no measurable effect on bilayer composition or rigidity.
EverCare nurse practitioner practice activities: similarities and differences across five sites.

Purpose To examine the similarities and differences in the performance and frequency of performance of EverCare nurse practitioner (NP) practice activities at demonstration sites in five states. This study builds upon a previous study in which the development and testing of the EverCare Nurse Practitioner Role and Activity Scale (ENPRAS) was conducted. Data sources A Background Data Sheet and the ENPRAS, a 99-item tool that encompasses six role subscales—Collaborator, Clinician, Care Manager/Coordinator, Counselor, Communicator/Cheerleader, and Coach/Educator, were completed by 127 EverCare NPs at demonstration sites in five states (Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Florida). Conclusions Performance of NP activities across the demonstration sites in five states was generally consistent, with significant differences only in the amount of time spent on activities associated with the Collaborator and Coach/Educator roles. Overall, EverCare NPs spent more time on Clinician and Communicator/Cheerleader role activities than on activities associated with the other roles. EverCare NP patient caseload was positively related to frequency of performance of the Clinician and Care Manager/Coordinator roles. Implications for practice EverCare NPs provide proactive primary care to long-stay nursing home residents. The observed consistency reflects a strong centrally directed practice model. The identified roles and activities of the EverCare NP are consistent with previous studies and reports focused on the roles and activities of NPs who provide care to nursing home residents in other models of care delivery. Policy makers, healthcare providers, and the public should take these findings into account when considering a national model of care for this population. Future studies should examine the effect of variations in performance of activities on resident-specific and setting-specific outcomes.
Annealing of Reactor Radiation Damage in Lead and Bismuth Tellutrides

Reactor irradiations of specimens of n-type and p-type lead and bismuth tellurides were carried out to neutron doses of 5 x 10/sup 19/ fast (E > 1 Mev) neutrons/cm/sup 2/ and 6 x 10/sup 20/ thermal neutrons/cm/sup 2/ at an irradiation temperature of 60 plus or minus 20 deg C. Comparison of pre- and postirradiation electrical properties of duplicate specimens irradiated with and without cadmium shields indicated that, for these exposures, the principal damage is caused by fast neutrons. This confirmed earlier results obtained from similar specimens irradiated to fast and thermal neutron doses one-quarter as great. Comparison of the results of the two experiments indicated that damage caused by fast neutrons tends to saturate at a dose of 1 to 2 x 10/sup 19/ fast neutrons/cm/ sup 2/. Hall coefficient data indicated that the major portion of damage to electrical and thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of n-type PbTe could be attributed to depression of electrical carrier concentration. This is tentatively attributed to a bombardment-induced trapping level 0.037 volts below the bottom of the conduction band. Annealing experiments performed with the irradiated n-type PbTe indicated complete recovery of measured properties for the cadmiumshielded specimen at temperatures in the rangemore » of 140 to 200 deg C. Small unannealable changes tn electrical properties of the unshielded specimen were, within experimental and calculational uncertainties, attributable to increases in carrier concentration caused by transmutation-induced increases in iodine doping level. Similar results were obtained in the case of n-type Bi/sub 2/Te/sub 3/. Damage to p-type PbTe was not completely removed by annealing. Cold-work experiments carried out on this brittle material indicated that the unannealed damage may be caused by effects associated wtth the encapsulation procedures. The largest changes in electrical properties before annealing were observed in the case of the initially undoped p-type Bi/sub 2/Te/sub 3/, in which Seebeck and Hall coefficients showed a reversal in sign as a result of the irradiation. (auth)« less
Federal Reserve Bank Policy and Influence of US Excessive Current Consumption on International Equity Returns

Evidence is mounting that the current consumption and investment tradeoff by US investors predicts future equity returns, both domestically and internationally. This paper examines the reward to investors for bearing the risk associated with the consumption‐investment decisions of investors. In addition, the paper finds the reward is consistent in periods of rising and falling short‐term interest rates resulting from Federal Reserve Bank monetary policy. The findings confirm a positive return is associated with assuming the risk associated with the consumption and investment tradeoff in equity investments into developed markets.
The effect of constant delivery of GnRH on the episodic secretion of equine LH

Abstract Based on the results of two experiments, constant delivery of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) via osmotic pumps to progestin-pretreated anovulatory mares elevated circulating concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) to levels observed in estrous mares. Furthermore, the episodic nature of LH concentrations were still detected for the six days that mares were continuously administered GnRH. However, there was an apparent 22% decrease in the frequency of LH peaks per hour while mean peak lengths were 27% longer for mares administered a constant delivery of GnRH than for untreated mares.
Automatic visual inspection

This paper reviews several techniques for the automation of visual inspection. A comparison of methods is given. The future of this area is discussed including unsolved problems and promising directions.
Use of the internal mammary artery guiding catheter for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the shepherd's crook right coronary artery

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of shepherd's crook right coronary arteries presents a difficult technical challenge. Presented here are two cases demonstrating the use of an internal mammary guiding catheter for PTCA of shepherd's crook right coronary arteries. The advantages of this guiding catheter, a short tip with an acute distal angle, are emphasized.
Esophagectomy for adenocarcinoma in patients 45 years of age and younger.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients 45 years of age or younger is uncommon. We reviewed our experience with the surgical management of these patients to determine their clinical characteristics, pathologic findings, and treatment results. Thirty-two patients were identified through our surgical pathology database, and their medical records were reviewed to determine clinical characteristics, treatment, treatment-associated mortality, tumor staging, presence of Barrett’s mucosa, and survival. In our series, patients were white (100%) males (96.9%) with a history of reflux (56.3%), cigarette smoking (40.6%), and alcohol consumption (59.4%), who presented with progressive solid food dysphagia (78.1 %). A prior diagnosis of Barrett’s mucosa or use of antireflux medications was noted in five patients each (15.6%). There were no operative deaths. Actuarial survival was 81.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 66.1 to 96.2) at 12 months, 68.5% (95% CI 49.5 to 87.5) at 24 months, and 56.9% (95% CI 34.6 to 79.1) at 60 months. Our findings show that patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma 45 years of age or younger have similar clinical findings to those reported in other large series where the median age is in the sixth or seventh decade of life, supporting a uniform theory of tumor pathogenesis. Esophagectomy may be performed with low mortality, and survival is reasonable for early-stage disease. Young patients with Barrett’s esophagus are not immune from the development of adenocarcinoma and need to be screened accordingly.
Perspectives from the Field: Will Recent Public Policies Reduce Entrepreneurship in the Healthcare Industry?

Abstract Public policies have been and will continue to be a major force in the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Specifically reviewed in this article are the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Both acts added significant governmental and regulatory burdens, and increasing uncertainty, thereby reducing entrepreneurs' ability to control their environment. These legislative initiatives have negatively impacted factors that influence entrepreneurs, which, in turn, have negatively impacted the healthcare industry.
Applying psychological type and “gifts differing” to organizational change

This paper applies concepts from the Myers‐Briggs type indicator (MBTI) to the context of organizational change. A brief history and explanation of type theory and the MBTI is provided. Psychological type is measured using four bipolar scales, each dealing with individual preferences (extroversion‐introversion, sensing‐intuition, thinking‐feeling, and judgement‐perception). A total of 16 possible type combinations are derived from the results; subsequent arrangement of the type combinations within standard type tables facilitates recognition of patterns. Knowledge related to the four mental functions is specifically linked to organizational change issues, including implications related to both the dominant and inferior functions, and a recommended problem‐solving model. Opposite preferences are highlighted as “gifts differing” for their relevance to communication, conflict management, and teambuilding issues. Finally, type concepts are integrated with topics related to organizational change interventions.
Effect of Intervention on the Language Facility of Poor, Black Adolescent Mothers and their Preschool Children

This study investigates the effects of varying degrees of mother‐child language stimulation activities on the test performance of poor Black children and their adolescent mothers. The sample consisted of 60 mothers paired with their three or four year old children who attended full day preschool. The families were randomly assigned to one of three groups for a twelve week period. The tests used in the study were the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; the Cultural Language Test — Mean Length of Utterance; the Cultural Language Test — Standard English; and the Conversation — Mean Length of Utterance Measure. Three major findings result from the study: The children of mothers provided with intensive training and practice (Group 1) scored significantly higher on all four tests than did the children whose mothers received minimal help (Group 2) or children whose mothers received no help at all (Group 3). Group 2 children did not score any higher than did Group 3. Group 1 mothers scored significantly higher on al...
Pseudoaneurysm as a complication of arthroscopy: A case report

Abstract Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint has several potential complications. The list includes injury to nerves, blood vessels, ears, instrument breakage, and infection. Vascular injuries are generally due to puncture of the superficial temporal arally due to puncture of the superficial temporal artery, superficial temporal vein, and/or intraarticular bleeding. This report describes yet another complication of arthroscopic surgery, a pseudoaneurysm of the superficial temporal artery. This aneurysm developed 4 weeks after the arthroscopic procedure was performed.
Isolation of an agent affecting the development of an internal parasitoid

The development of an internal braconid parasitoid, Glyptapanteles militaris, is adversely affected when its host, Pseudaletia unipuncta, is infected with the Hawaiian strain of granulosis virus. A plasma-derived agent, isolated from virus-infected hosts, was shown to elicit developmental aberrations in the parasitoid similar to those observed in virus-infected hosts. This agent was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and anion exchange chromatography, and its molecular weight, established by gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was determined to be about 64,000. The dilution end point of the agent and some stability properties were also established.
Renal compensatory hypertrophy in children with unilateral renal disease.

. Wilton, P., Aperia, A., Broberger, O. and Wikstad, I. (Departments of Pediatrics and Pediatric Radiology, Karolinska Institute, St. Goran's Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden). Renal compensatory hypertrophy in children with unilateral renal disease. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:83, 1980.—Kidney parenchymal size was estimated on urograms from 22 children with unilateral vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR), 14 children with bilateral VUR and seven children with unilateral heminephrectomy. In the bilateral VUR group, one kidney was roentgenologically normal and the other was growth-retarded. The GFR was estimated in 19 of the children. The age of the children was 3–17 years and all had a history of urinary tract infection. The size of the smaller kidney varied between 33–97% of normal. Children in the unilateral VUR group with a small kidney due to scarring and/or growth retardation showed a varying degree of compensatory hypertrophy in the contra-lateral kidney, which was proportional to the parenchymal reduction. This compensation was inhibited in the bilateral VUR group. There was a positive correlation between the GFR and kidney size
An evaluation of sensing technologies in a wind turbine blade: some issues, challenges and lessons learned

The Department of Energy and the Sandia National Laboratories Wind Power Technology Department have initiated a number of wind turbine blade sensing technology projects with a major goal of understanding the issues and challenges of incorporating new sensing technologies in wind turbine blades. The projects have been highly collaborative with teams from several commercial companies, universities, other national labs, government agencies and wind industry partners. Each team provided technology that was targeted for a particular application that included structural dynamics, operational monitoring, non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring. The sensing channels were monitored, in some or all cases, during blade fabrication, field testing of the blade on an operating wind turbine, and lab testing where the life of the blade was accelerated to blade failure. Implementing sensing systems in wind turbine blades is an engineering challenge and solutions often require the collaboration with a diverse set of expertise. This report discusses some of the key issues, challenges and lessons-learned while implementing sensing technologies in wind turbine blades. Some of the briefly discussed topics include cost and reliability, coordinate systems and references, blade geometry, blade composites, material compatibility, sensor ingress and egress, time synchronization, wind turbine operation environments, and blade failure mechanisms and locations.
Retinal GlcNAc-transferases and the glycosylation of rhodopsin

The major oligosaccharide chains of bovine, frog and human rhodopsins are identical in structure. These molecules are unique in terms of their abridged size as compared to other asparagine-linked glycoproteins, a property which must be reflected in the activities and properties of the glycosyltransferases of the retina that are concerned with their biosynthesis. One of the unusual characteristics of the major oligosaccharide chain is its lack of branching. A key enzymatic step required for branching to occur would be the transfer of a residue of N-acetylglucosamine to the terminal unsubstituted mannose residue of the major rhodopsin oligosaccharide. We have investigated the kinetic properties of enzymes that would catalyse this process. The N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferases (GlcNAc-transferases) of Golgi-enriched fractions of bovine retina, human retina, rat liver Golgi and a partially purified GlcNAc-transferase II from rat liver were examined using as acceptors rhodopsin, opsin and the oligosaccharide isolated from rhodopsin. The identification of the substrates and products of the reactions was carried out by chromatographic means. From an evaluation of the Vmax/K(m) ratios it was observed that bovine and human retinas have very limited abilities compared to the rat liver enzymes to carry out the transfer of GlcNAc to these acceptors, showing from 100- to about 800-fold lower efficiency in this regard. A comparison of the activities obtained with intact rhodopsin or opsin and the rhodopsin oligosaccharide indicated that the activity of GlcNAc-transferase II was not appreciably influenced by the polypeptide portion of the molecule. It was also observed that prior galactosylation of rhodopsin blocked the addition of GlcNAc to rhodopsin. It is suggested that these properties contribute to the assembly of the abridged structures that have been observed in the oligosaccharides of rhodopsins of all species thus far examined.
Medicinal chemistry for 2020

Rapid advances in our collective understanding of biomolecular structure and, in concert, of biochemical systems, coupled with developments in computational methods, have massively impacted the field of medicinal chemistry over the past two decades, with even greater changes appearing on the horizon. In this perspective, we endeavor to profile some of the most prominent determinants of change and speculate as to further evolution that may consequently occur during the next decade. The five main angles to be addressed are: protein–protein interactions; peptides and peptidomimetics; molecular diversity and pharmacological space; molecular pharmacodynamics (significance, potential and challenges); and early-stage clinical efficacy and safety. We then consider, in light of these, the future of medicinal chemistry and the educational preparation that will be required for future medicinal chemists.
Fatty acid and sterol specificity of cholesterol esterifying enzyme in developing rat brain.

The properties and fatty acid and sterol specificity of cholesterol-esterifying enzyme (EC 3.1.1.13) in rat brain were studied. The enzyme utilized free fatty acid for esterification, and activity was maximal at pH 5.6. Exogenous ATP and CoA did not stimulate the incorporation of free fatty acids into sterol esters. Substrates dispersed in Tween 20 or Triton X-100 were just as effective as the substrates dissolved in acetone solution, while dispersion in propylene glycol or sodium taurocholate was not as effective. Snake venom phospholipase A2 (EC 3.1.1.4) increased the esterification of cholesterol in the absence of added fatty acid. The fatty acid specificity data indicated that oleic and palmitic acids were the preferred fatty acids. Little or no esterification occurred in the presence of long chain fatty acids (C20–C24). Esterification of cholesterol with palmitate or stearate was not affected by the presence of oleic acid in the mixture. Thus, the nonrequirement of the brain-esterifying enzyme for a bile acid or for an amphiphile such as an unsaturated fatty acid suggests that micellar solubilization of the substrate is not essential for activity. Although the brain enzyme catalyzed the esterification of desmosterol, cholesterol was the preferred substrate. Neither lanosterol (C29 sterols) nor Δ7-dehydrocholesterol was esterified to any significant extent. The presence of low concentrations of desmosterol increased cholesterol esterification slightly, while there was a concentration-dependent inhibition of demosterol esterification by cholesterol. These data on fatty acid and sterol specificity of the esterifying enzyme correlate well with the composition of sterol esters present in developing rat brain.
8.1.3 Resiliency Assessment of the Global Internet Infrastructure System

Resilience is the ability of the system to both absorb shock as well to recover rapidly from a disruption so that it can return back to its original service delivery levels or close to it. Recent manmade and natural disasters such as 9/11 incident and Hurricane Katrina have introduced an increasing interest in infrastructure resilience. The global submarine fiber optics cable network that serves as the backbone of the internet is a particularly critical infrastructure system that is vulnerable to both natural and man-made disasters. In this paper, we propose a model to measure the base resiliency of this global network, and explore the node to node and global resiliency of the network using existing data demand, capacity and flow information. The base resiliency of the system can be measured as the value delivery of the system after a disruption to the value deliver of the system before a disruption. We further demonstrate how the resiliency of the global internet infrastructure is enhanced through reducing the network vulnerability and increasing its adaptive capacity.
Sinc collocation approximation of non-smooth solution of a nonlinear weakly singular Volterra integral equation

A numerical method based on sinc collocation approximation for a class of nonlinear weakly singular Volterra integral equations of a second kind with non-smooth solution is given. The numerical method given here combines a sinc collocation method with an explicit iterative process that involves solving a nonlinear system of equations. We provide an error analysis for the method. It is shown that the approximate solution converges to the exact solution at the rate of Mexp(-cM), where M is the number of collocation points and c is some positive constant. Some numerical results for several test functions are given to confirm the accuracy and the ease of implementation of the method.
Non-arbitrary approach to routing in a flexible manufacturing system

Abstract Routing for a flexible manufacturing system (FMS) has often been done by the application of predetermined dispatching rules to the system in a dynamic realtime manner. As the decisions are made in realtime, they are partly arbitrary. Another approach to this problem is to define a routing sequence in advance and download it to the computer controlling the FMS. The controlling computer would issue instructions to the various machines as prescribed by the predetermined sequence. By predetermining the sequence, it can be more closely examined and improved upon. Without the time constraint of realtime decision making, more intelligent routing decisions are possible.
Ultracytochemical localization of Na+,K+‐activated ATPase in chloride cells from the gills of a euryhaline teleost

The activity of the electrolyte transport enzyme, sodium, potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na+,K+-ATPase), in the gills of the pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, increased markedly following transfer of fish from brackish water to seawater. Cytochemical localization of Na+,K+-ATPase via its potassium-dependent phosphatase (K+-NPPase) activity in the branchial epithelium of pinfish adapted to seawater demonstrated that chloride cells are the major sites for the enzyme. Subcellularly, the heaviest depositions of reaction product were observed lining the cytoplasmic membrane surfaces of the labyrinth of anastomosing plasma membrane tubules that ramifies throughout the chloride cell cytoplasm. Enzyme activity was demonstrated also on the cytoplasmic surface of the apical crypt membrane and on the cytoplasmic surfaces of vesicles in the cytoplasm subjacent to the crypt. Deletion of potassium from the cytochemical incubation medium or inclusion of 10 mM ouabain abolished the reaction products associated with these membranes. The significance of these cytochemical results is discussed with reference to current hypotheses of chloride cell function.
A preliminary study of the problem-solving strategies of detoxified long-term alcoholics

Abstract The problem-solving strategies of detoxified long-term alcoholics were studied in three versions of the popular parlor game Twenty Questions. The results indicated that alcoholics do not initiate and order problem-solving strategies with the same efficiency as age-and education-matched nonalcoholic controls. The alcoholics were less likely than the normal subjects to ask questions that would eliminate a large number of alternative possibilities. The similarities between the performances of the alcoholics and those reported for patients with frontal lobe damage are discussed.
Endocarditis after mitral valve repair.

Abstract Background . Native valve endocarditis is frequently managed with antibiotics alone, but prosthetic valve endocarditis usually requires an early operation. What is the best treatment of endocarditis after mitral valve repair? Methods . From 1986 to 2000, 22 patients were treated for endocarditis affecting a previously repaired mitral valve. Causes of mitral valve dysfunction that led to repair were degenerative (11 patients), ischemic (5 patients), endocarditic (3 patients), rheumatic (2 patients), and functional (1 patient). Endocarditis was active in 21 patients and healed in 1. Interval from initial mitral valve repair to onset of endocarditis ranged from 1 week to 10.3 years (median, 6 months). Pathology included leaflet vegetation (15), annuloplasty vegetation (4), leaflet perforation (5), and abscess (3). Mean follow-up was 3.9 ± 3.3 years. Results . Fifteen patients underwent repeat mitral valve operations with freedom from mitral valve reoperation of 65%, 41%, and 26% at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years after onset of endocarditis. After a high early hazard, risk of reoperation fell to 10.8% per year. Seven patients, all with a leaflet vegetation, were treated with antibiotics alone. Antibiotics eradicated infection in all; however all had mitral regurgitation 2+ to 4+. Survival was 96%, 74%, and 68% at 30 days, 1 year, and 5 years. Endocarditis recurred in 1 patient (92% free of event). Conclusions . Most patients that have endocarditis develop after mitral valve repair require reoperation. However if infection is limited to a leaflet, early reoperation may be unnecessary because antibiotics alone can eradicate infection.
Si1-xGex/Si heterojunction internal photoemission long-wavelength infrared detector

infrared detectorT. L. Un, J. S. Park, S. D. Gunapala,E.W. Jones, and H. M. Del CastilloCenter for Space Microelectronics Technology, Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute ofTechnology, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109ABSTRACFLong wavelength SiiGe,/Si heterojunction internal photoemission (HIP) infrared detectors have been successfully
The autolytic ('suicidase') system of Enterococcus hirae: from lysine depletion autolysis to biochemical and molecular studies of the two muramidases of Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790.

Autolysis of Enterococcus hirae ATCC 9790 is the result of the action of endogenous enzymes that hydrolyze bonds in the protective and shape-maintaining cell wall peptidoglycan. It is thought that these potentially suicidal enzymes play a positive role(s) in wall growth and division and are expressed as autolysins when cell wall assembly and/or repair are inhibited. E. hirae possesses two potentially autolytic enzymes, both of which are muramidases. Although they hydrolyze the same bond as hen egg-white lysozyme, both are high-molecular-mass, complex enzymes. Muramidase-1 is synthesized as a zymogen, requiring protease activation. It is a glucoenzyme that is also multiply nucleotidylated with an unusual nucleotide, 5-mercaptouridine monophosphate. Muramidase-2 is almost certainly a product of a separate gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of a cloned gene for extracellular muramidase-2 showed several unusual features. It appears to be a two-, or perhaps three-domain protein with a putative glycosidase-active site near the N-terminal end and six 45-amino-acid-long repeats at the C-terminal end which are presumed to be involved with high-affinity binding to the insoluble peptidoglycan substrate. Muramidase-2 binds penicillin with low affinity. The presence of several amino acid groupings characteristic of serine-active site β-lactam-interactive proteins is consistent with the possible presence of a penicillin-binding, third domain. Indirect evidence consistent with a role(s) for these enzymes in cell wall growth and division has been obtained. However, proof of such role(s) awaits modern genetic, molecular, and biochemical analyses.
The potential for expropriation through joint ventures

Abstract We examine the potential expropriation of a firm's intellectual capital that results from joint venture agreements when a firm's joint venture partner becomes the target of an acquisition attempt. We find that: (1) non-targeted joint venture partners often suffer losses in value upon the announcement of the acquisition; (2) the magnitude of the loss increases with the RD and (3) average bidder returns are less negative for acquirers if the affected joint venture partners report R&D spending and are in the same line of business as the acquirer. Our estimate of the average loss is $843 million per firm, roughly 3% of the non-targeted firm's pre-announcement equity value. Our evidence suggests a previously unrecognized merger motive in that joint ventures expose a firm's intellectual capital to the risk of expropriation.
Mean Free Paths in a Gas Whose Molecules are Attracting Rigid Elastic Spheres

The beautiful results which the founders of the kinetic theory of gases were able to attain by regarding gas molecules simply as rigid elastic spheres have been considerably refined in several directions by theorists who have imagined a gas molecule which exerts a weak attractive force on its fellows. This concept of attracting molecules lies at the basis of van der Waals’ pioneer work on the equation of state, and enabled Sutherland to give a theoretical basis to his remarkably accurate equation for the variation of the coefficient of viscosity with the temperature.
Enumeration and Generating Functions of Differential Rota–Baxter Words

In this paper, the methods and results in enumeration and generation of Rota–Baxter words in Guo and Sit (Algebraic and Algorithmic Aspects of Differential and Integral Operators (AADIOS), Math. Comp. Sci., vol. 4, Sp. Issue (2,3), 2011) are generalized and applied to a free, non-commutative, non-unitary, ordinary differential Rota–Baxter algebra with one generator. A differential Rota–Baxter algebra is an associative algebra with two operators modeled after the differential and integral operators, which are related by the First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Differential Rota–Baxter words are words formed by concatenating differential monomials in the generator with images of words under the Rota–Baxter operator. Their totality is a canonical basis of a free, non-commutative, non-unitary, ordinary differential Rota–Baxter algebra. A free differential Rota–Baxter algebra can be constructed from a free Rota–Baxter algebra on a countably infinite set of generators. The order of the derivation gives another dimension of grading on differential Rota–Baxter words, enabling us to generalize and refine results from Guo and Sit to enumerate the set of differential Rota–Baxter words and outline an algorithm for their generation according to a multi-graded structure. Enumeration of a basis is often a first step to choosing a data representation in implementation of algorithms involving free algebras, and in particular, free differential Rota–Baxter algebras and several related algebraic structures on forests and trees. The generating functions obtained can be used to provide links to other combinatorial structures.
Studies on the partial reactions catalyzed by the (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase. III. Relation of K+-dependent p-nitrophenylphosphatase to Na+ transport in red cell ghosts

Abstract 1. 1. When rescaled ghosts labeled with 22 Na + are suspended in a Na + -free medium, the addition of K + and p- nitrophenylphosphate to the medium initiates a ouabain-sensitive efflux of Na + . If this efflux is to occur in a Na + -containing medium, the presence of ATP in the medium is also needed. The object of this work was the further study of these phenomena. 2. 2. Na + efflux was not stimulated if p- nitrophenylphosphate were placed inside the ghosts; and when ghosts or intact cells were incubated in a solution containing p- nitrophenylphosphate no evidence for the rapid uptake of the substrate was obtained. 3. 3. Under optimal conditions the stimulation of Na + efflux by p- nitrophenylphosphate was greater than the stimulation of efflux by adenosine. 4. 4. When ghosts were suspended in a Na + -free medium containing p- nitrophenylphosphate , the addition of any of the alkali cations, except Na + , to the medium stimulated Na + efflux. The order of effectiveness of the cations was: K + >Rb + > Cs + = Li + . 5. 5. The inhibitory effects of external Na + were greater at lower K + concentrations. Kinetic studies showed, however, that the interaction between Na + and K + was not of the simple competitive type. 6. 6. The inhibitory effect of external Na + was reversed by the addition of certain nucleotides (ATP, CTP, ADP) to the medium. ATP was the most effective. ITP, CDP, and AMP were ineffective. 7. 7. Oligomycin did not affect the stimulation of Na + efflux into a Na + -free medium. In a Na + -containing medium the lower ranges of tested concentrations of oligomycin stimulated the efflux. This ATP-like effect of oligomycin disappeared as the concentration of the antibiotic was raised. These higher concentrations could also block the effects of ATP in a Na + -containing medium. 8. 8. Stimulation of Na + efflux under all of the above various conditions could be blocked by ouabain or P 1 added to the medium. 9. 9. In any experiment where Na + efflux was stimulated in the presence of p- nitrophenylphosphate , there was an increase in the production of p- nitrophenol .
Energy-efficient wireless information retrieval

In this paper, we propose an adaptive application-driven power management (AADPM) protocol for wireless information retrieval applications within the IEEE 802.11b infrastructure WLAN environment. Our goal is to minimize energy consumption while achieving low round trip time delay. We discuss the protocol and evaluate its effectiveness using the network simulator NS2. We also draw horizontal comparisons among a variety of PM methods reported in the literature. Experimental results show that, compared to the power save mode supported by 802.11b, AADPM reduces the network interface card energy consumption by 52% while only introducing 3% RTT delay.
Modeling, simulation, and verification of photonic integrated circuits using VHDL

Optical links and photonic integrated circuits require integration of photonic and electronic devices at chip, module, or board level. The complexity of such systems is motivating a need for system level CAD tools which can simulate electronic and photonic devices and circuits simultaneously and at multiple levels of abstraction. Furthermore integrating photonic devices into conventional electronic computer and communication systems needs to be justified in terms of cost, performance, and portability of existing computer software and hardware. Thus system level analysis of optoelectronic interconnect system is clearly necessary to ensure that an overall functional and performance requirements are met. The proposed approach for system level modeling is to integrate photonic device simulations into the established electronic design automation environment, particularly VHDL-based one. VHDL description of photonic devices will provide benefits such as portability of individual design, system level performance analysis before building a real system, and synthesis capability for a rapid- prototyping. This paper demonstrates the use of basic VHDL entities of various passive optical waveguide components and a special VHDL package (`Optical_Package') defining physical photonic parameters to verify the feasibility of this approach. It includes modeling and simulation of global signal distribution network on MCMs using optical interconnect and wavelength division (de)multiplexing-based optical link.
Systemic vanadate ingestion modulates rat tendon repair

Abstract The chronic ingestion of vanadate prevents the appearance of myofibroblasts within granulation tissue of full excision wounds in rats, yet these wounds close at an optimal rate. Myofibroblasts are reported in the repair of transected tendons. Here we investigate tendon repair in the absence of myofibroblasts. Vanadate in saline drinking water was given to rats in the experimental group, while rats in the control group received saline alone. The Achilles tendon of the left leg of each rat was transected and suture repaired. On day 10, both repaired tendons and uninjured tendons from the right leg were harvested and processed for histology. By immunohistology the repaired tendons of control rats had myofibroblasts (fibroblasts with α smooth muscle actin positive stress fibers), while myofibroblasts were absent in healing tendons from vanadate-treated rats. By transmission electron microscopy and polarized light optics, repaired tendons of control rats demonstrated thin, loosely packed, immature collagen fiber bundles. Collagen fiber bundles from healing tendons of the vanadate-treated group were thicker, uniformly packed, and more mature. The chronic ingestion of vanadate promotes the more rapid organization of collagen fiber bundles of healing transected tendons in the absence of myofibroblasts.
RNA polymerase pausing and nascent-RNA structure formation are linked through clamp-domain movement

The rates of RNA synthesis and the folding of nascent RNA into biologically active structures are linked via pausing by RNA polymerase (RNAP). Structures that form within the RNA-exit channel can either increase pausing by interacting with RNAP or decrease pausing by preventing backtracking. Conversely, pausing is required for proper folding of some RNAs. Opening of the RNAP clamp domain has been proposed to mediate some effects of nascent-RNA structures. However, the connections among RNA structure formation and RNAP clamp movement and catalytic activity remain uncertain. Here, we assayed exit-channel structure formation in Escherichia coli RNAP with disulfide cross-links that favor closed- or open-clamp conformations and found that clamp position directly influences RNA structure formation and RNAP catalytic activity. We report that exit-channel RNA structures slow pause escape by favoring clamp opening through interactions with the flap that slow translocation.
Parameterization of in-core PWR signals for use with pattern recognition techniques

Abstract A parameterization of in-core and ex-vessel signals is presented. This set of parameters can be used to quantify the state of the vibrating core internal components in an operating commercial PWR. Coordinated in-core and ex-vessel noise measurements in an operating PWR are the basis upon which the parameters are estimated.
Mitochondrial alterations in cultures of the central nervous system as observed with the electron microscope.

Electron microscope observations on sections prepared from cultures of the cerebellum and the region of the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve of young kittens reveal a profusion of complex bodies that can be identified as lipid inclusions. These inclusions are not limited to any type of cell within the culture and can be found in newly formed myelinated fibers as well as cells and parts of cells that represent original explant material. Since the lipid droplets, except the very largest, have the sizes and distribution of mitochondria, and because bodies with intermediate features are numerous, the lipid droplets are considered to be transformed mitochondria.
Inescapable shock and food-competition dominance in rats

Inescapable electric shock disrupts escape-avoidance learning in another apparatus. This study demonstrates a deficit in a nonlearning task in which no aversive stimulus occurs. In Experiment 1, inescapable shock lowered rats’ dominance in a food-competition situation relative to restrained controls. In Experiment 2, inescapable shock lowered rats dominance in the same food-competition situation relative to a group that received the equivalent amount of escapable shock, demonstrating that the inescapability of the shock caused at least part of the decrement observed in Experiment 1. Experiment 3 does not find that inescapable shock caused a significant difference in food consumed or running time when the rats were tested alone, showing it unlikely that the dominance effects were caused by decreased hunger or reduced running following inescapable shock.
THE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES

In the past several years, considerable attention has been focused on clinical practice guidelines. They are developed to foster improved clinical care and to increase clinical efficiency. The legal implications of developing and following guidelines are not yet clear. The author argues that properly formulated guidelines could reduce the burdens of preventing and resolving malpractice claims.