cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Profile-guided program simplification for effective testing and analysis

Many testing and analysis techniques have been developed for inhouse use. Although they are effective at discovering defects before a program is deployed, these techniques are often limited due to the complexity of real-world code and thus miss program faults. It will be the users of the program who eventually experience failures caused by the undetected faults. To take advantage of the large number of program runs carried by the users, recent work has proposed techniques to collect execution profiles from the users for developers to perform post-deployment failure analysis. However, in order to protect users' privacy and to reduce run-time overhead, such profiles are usually not detailed enough for the developers to identify or fix the root causes of the failures.In this paper, we propose a novel approach to utilize user execution profiles for more effective in-house testing and analysis. Our key insight is that execution profiles for program failures can be used to simplify a program, while preserving its erroneous behavior. By simplifying a program and scaling down its complexity according to its profiles, in-house testing and analysis techniques can be performed more accurately and efficiently, and pragmatically program defects that occur more often and are (arguably) more relevant to users will be given preference during failure analysis. Specifically, we adapt statistical debugging on execution profiles to predict likely failure-related code and use a syntax-directed algorithm to trim failure-irrelevant code from a program, while preserving its erroneous behavior as much as possible. We conducted case studies on a testing engine, CUTE, and a software model checker, BLAST, to evaluate our technique. We used subject programs from the Aristotle Analysis System and the Software-artifact Infrastructure Repository (SIR). Our empirical results show that using simplified programs, CUTE and BLAST find more bugs with improved accuracy and performance: they were able to detect 20 and 21 (out of 139) more bugs respectively in about half of the time as they took on the original test programs.
The Edaphic Factor in the Origin of Plant Species

Although speciation has been a central focus in evolutionary biology for more than a century, there are very few case studies where we have a good understanding of the exact forces that may have acted in the diversification of a group of organisms. In order to examine such forces, botanists have often focused on closely related plants that are found under contrasting soil conditions. The study of such edaphically differentiated plants has provided valuable insight to the role of natural selection in evolution. This paper discusses several key studies that have appeared in the literature in the last half century emphasizing the role unusual soil conditions—such as those found on serpentinite outcrops, mine tailings, guano deposits, and salt flats—can play in the diversification of plant species. Many of these studies have not only shown adaptive differentiation in response to various edaphic features, but have also attempted to examine the link between adaptive traits and traits that are directly responsible for reproductive isolation between the divergent taxa. With the advent of novel genetic techniques and an increased understanding of the genetic architecture of various adaptive traits dealing with substrate tolerance, it will soon be possible to demonstrate the central role of the edaphic factor in plant evolution.
Growth of ZnSe single crystal by CVT method with self-moving convection shield

Abstract The self-moving convection shield was used in the growth of ZnSe single crystal by chemical vapor transport method using iodine as a transport agent. The reduction of the convection enables the growth of a 1-in diameter ZnSe single crystal. The incorporation efficiency of iodine on (1 1 1)B facet was proved to be larger than that on (1 0 0) facet. Impurity-hardening effect of incorporated iodine in the grown ZnSe crystal is also suggested.
Electric Field Dependence of Positronium Formation in Matter

Positronium (Ps) can be formed whenever positrons, on slowing down in a substance, pass through an Ore gap, i.e., a range of energies, just below the ionization threshold of the substance, of width comparable to the Ps binding energy. We have studied the time evolution of the energy distribution of the positrons below the ionization threshold in an external electrostatic field, and find: (1) The field induces diffusion out of the Ore gap, which decreases Ps formation. (2) The over-all heating effect of the field on the positrons increases Ps formation. Depending on the magnitude of the relevant cross sections, (1) can outweigh (2), at small fields, and cause a significant decrease in the Ps formation. At field strengths larger than a characteristic value, (2) becomes the dominant effect. In this way measurements of the field dependence of Ps formation can give access to the cross sections for Ps formation and for positron-energy loss and scattering in matter.
ODES: an overlapping dense sub-graph algorithm.

Summary: Enumeration of the dense sub-graphs of a graph is of interest in community discovery and membership problems, including dense sub-graphs that overlap each other. Described herein is ODES (Overlapping DEnse Sub-graphs), pthreads parallelized software to extract all overlapping maximal sub-graphs whose densities are greater than or equal to a specified cutoff density of at least 1/2. Availability and Implementation: http://dense.sf.net
Demea's a priori Theistic Proof

Hume's examination of the causal maxim in 1.3.3 of A Treatise of Human Nature (hereafter T) can be considered, at least in part, a thinly veiled critique of the cosmological argument, attacking as it does the privileged status of the principle upon which that proof rests (see T 1.3.3.1-9; SBN 78-82).: As well, Hume's remarks on the impossibility of demonstrating matters of fact a priori in part 3 of section 12 oAAn Enquiry concerning Human Understanding (hereafter EHU) clearly strike at the heart of the ontological argument, even if not explicitly (see EHU 12.24-34; SBN 161-5).2 Unfortunately, it is only in the very brief part 9 of his Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (hereafter DNR) that Hume directly discusses, at any length, the attempt to demonstrate a priori the existence of a deity (see DNR 9.1-11; 188-92).3 The argument, put forward by Demea, and Cleanthes's criticism of that argument take up so little space that for ease of reference I will reproduce them before we proceed any further. Part 9 consists of eleven paragraphs, and in accordance with a now fairly common convention, I will refer to the paragraphs by number.41 reproduce only those paragraphs that will be the focus of this paper. Demea's Argument (DNR 9.3; 188-9):
Mineral Reactions and Controls on Zeolite-facies Alteration in Sandstone of the Central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica

ABSTRACT Sandstone, mudstone and tuff of the Triassic Fremouw and Falla formations display diagenetic and zeolite-facies mineral assemblages that were controlled by parent material composition, fluid chemistry, permeability and temperature. Diagenetic reactions between sediments and ground water at near-surface temperature and pressure resulted in formation of smectite, chlorite, quartz, heulandite, mordenite and analcime cements and grain replacements. Zeolite-facies alterations, which resulted from simple rock-fluid reactions driven by heat from Jurassic diabase intrusions, converted smectite to illite-rich ordered mixed-layer illite/smectite and produced albite, laumontite, prehnite, epidote and chlorite cements and grain replacements. Organic maturation data suggest that, away from local e fects of the intrusions, temperatures may have been as low as 130° to 160°C, whereas stratigraphic evidence suggests maximum pressures of about 750 bars. Chemical patterns in sandstone near intrusions indicate that, although diabase supplied heat to drive rock-fluid reactions, it did not contribute a significant amount of cations to the hydrochemical system. Mineral and chemical patterns, together with hypothesized mineral reactions, suggest that significant mass transfer of Na+, Ca+2 and Si+4 occurred during alteration, whereas Al+3 mobility was restricted to migration from the reaction site to nearby pore space where Al+3 was incorporated into clay and/or zeolite cements.
Adaptive control of robot manipulators - A review

Adaptive control has been recognized as an effective approach for mechanical robot manipulator controller design due to the presence of nonlinearties and uncertainties in robot dynamic models. Numerous results addressing different aspects of the control problem have been reported in the literature in recent years. The purpose of this paper is to present an indepth review of these existing developments whereby the robot adaptive control problems and solutions are systematically studied. The essential overall objective is to unify the various design ideas under a common frame work. Within this frame work, the various design techniques are catagorized into three groups; (i) model-reference adaptive control, (ii) Self tuning adaptive control, and (iii) Linear perturbation adaptive control. The design conditions and solutions of each technique are discussed, and the relationships between these techniques are examined. Finally some remarks on the effectiveness and implementation of adaptive controllers are presented.
On computation of optimal parameters for multivariate analysis of structure-property relationship

We outline a search for optimal parameters involving heteroatoms for use in multivariate regression analysis in structure-property and structure-activity studies. The problem consists of determining optimal numerical values for the diagonal elements of the adjacency matrix in graphs with atoms of different kind. In particular we consider weighted paths as the basic molecular descriptors and search for optimal parameters for carbon atom and oxygen atom in a correlation of molecular structure with isomeric variations in the boiling points of hexanols. Standard error is taken as the criterion for the selection of the optimal parameters. The weighting algorithm restricts the diagonal entries to values greater than −1. The selection of positive diagonal values leads to reducing the path numbers and the negative values lead to enlarging the role of path numbers relative to the zero diagonal values implied by simple graphs in which heteroatoms are not discriminated. A systematic search for optimal parameters for alcohols gave for carbon atom and oxygen atom diagonal entries: x = 1.50 and y = −0.85 respectively when a single path number is used as a descriptor and x = −0.15 and y = −0.94 when two path numbers are used. The parameters derived for 17 hexanols have been successively applied to 37 heptanols demonstrating thus transferability of the parameters.
Solution structure and backbone dynamics of the holo form of the frenolicin acyl carrier protein.

During polyketide biosynthesis, acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) perform the central role of transferring polyketide intermediates between active sites of polyketide synthase. The 4‘-phosphopantetheine prosthetic group of a holo-ACP is a long and flexible arm that can reach into different active sites and provide a terminal sulfhydryl group for the attachment of acyl groups through a thioester linkage. We have determined the solution structure and characterized backbone dynamics of the holo form of the frenolicin acyl carrier protein (fren holo-ACP) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Unambiguous assignments were made for 433 hydrogen atoms, 333 carbon atoms, and 84 nitrogen atoms, representing a total of 94.6% of the assignable atoms in this protein. From 879 meaningful NOEs and 45 angle constraints, a family of 24 structures has been calculated. The solution structure is composed of three major α-helices packed in a bundle with three additional short helices in intervening loops; one of the short helices s...
Multi-valued logic synthesis

We survey some of the methods used for manipulating, representing, and optimizing multi-valued logic with the view of both building a better understanding of the more specialized binary-valued logic, as well as motivating research towards a true multi-valued multi-level optimization package.
Newborn screening for non-sickling hemoglobinopathies

The hemoglobinopathies encompass a heterogeneous group of disorders associated with mutations in both the alpha-globin and beta-globin genes. Non-sickling disorders are found primarily in individuals of Mediterranean, Asian and Southeast Asian ancestry. With rapid growth in the Asian and Hispanic segments of the US population, the geographic distribution of hemoglobinopathies is expected to become significantly different from what it is today. The epidemiologic changes in the prevalence of non-sickling hemoglobin disorders have important implications for future public health programs, including newborn screening. The purpose of newborn screening for hemoglobinopathies is to identify clinically significant disorders and provide early education and specialized care prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Although newborn screening for sickle cell disease is mandated in all states, screening for non-sickling hemoglobinopathies is directed in only one state and limited to reporting of a presumptive diagnosis in most other states. Early delivery of comprehensive care, as well as new and potentially curative therapies, has significantly improved the prognosis for affected patients. This review will consider the increasing prevalence of once uncommon hemoglobinopathies in the US, highlighting the rationale for expanding newborn screening beyond sickle cell disorders.
Four primordial immunoglobulin light chain isotypes, including λ and κ, identified in the most primitive living jawed vertebrates

The discovery of a fourth immunoglobulin (Ig) light (L) chain isotype in sharks has revealed the origins and natural history of all vertebrate L chains. Phylogenetic comparisons have established orthology between this new shark L chain and the unique Xenopus L chain isotype σ. More importantly, inclusion of this new L chain family in phylogenetic analyses showed that all vertebrate L chains can be categorized into four ancestral clans originating prior to the emergence of cartilaginous fish: one restricted to elasmobranchs (σ-cart/type I), one found in all cold-blooded vertebrates (σ/teleost type 2/elasmobranch type IV), one in all groups except bony fish (λ/elasmobranch type II), and one in all groups except birds (κ/elasmobranch type III/teleost type 1 and 3). All four of these primordial L chain isotypes (σ, σ-cart, λ and κ) have maintained separate V region identities since their emergence at least 450 million years ago, suggestive of an ancient physiological distinction of the L chains. We suggest that, based upon unique, discrete sizes of complementarity determining regions 1 and 2 and other features of the V region sequences, the different L chain isotypes arose to provide different functional conformations in the Ig binding site when they pair with heavy chains.
Role of c-myc in tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in estrogen-independent breast cancer cells

Background : The antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM) is effective in the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive as well as some ER-negative breast cancers. However, the precise mechanism of action of TAM, especially in estrogen-independent cells, remains unclear. Previous work by our laboratory has demonstrated that TAM induces the morphologic and biochemical changes that are characteristic of apoptosis in both ER-positive and ER-negative cells. Purpose : We compared the effect of TAM at a clinically achievable concentration on cell growth and apoptosis with the effect of TAM on c-myc (also known as C-MYC) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression in ER-negative MDA-231 cells. Methods : MDA-231 cells were treated for up to 72 hours with 1.0 μM TAM alone or in the presence of 50 μM c-myc antisense or nonsense oligonucleotides. c-myc mRNA expression was determined by northern blot analysis, protein expression by western blot analysis, cell growth inhibition by cell counts, and DNA cleavage by agarose gel electrophoretic analysis. Differences between the mean values from different treatment groups were compared with the use of the two-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results : TAM treatment for 72 hours increased c-myc mRNA fivefold (from a relative radiolabeled hybridization signal intensity of 17 ± 4 up to 93 ± 10 ; P<.05) and c-Myc protein threefold (from a relative immunofluorescence signal intensity of 28 ± 7 up to 83 ± 21 ; P<.05). The induction of c-myc by TAM was accompanied by internucleosomal DNA cleavage characteristic of apoptotic cell death. Addition of c-myc antisense oligonucleotide (5'-CACGTTGAGGGGCAT-3') to MDA-231 cells resulted in a nearly twofold decrease of basal c-myc mRNA (P<.05) and a sevenfold decrease of basal c-Myc protein (P<.05) expression. Addition of c-myc antisense oligomer also antagonized the TAM-induced increase in c-myc mRNA (P<.05) and protein expression (P<.05) and inhibited TAM-induced cytostasis (P<.01) and apoptosis. In parallel experiments, addition of the nonsense oligomer had no effect on any of the measured parameters. Conclusions : These results indicate that the effects of TAM on ER-negative MDA-231 cells may be mediated through c-myc overexpression. c-myc may play a critical role in the growth and progression of MDA-231 breast cancer cells.
Inventing Byzantine Iconoclasm. By Leslie Brubaker. (London, England: Bristol Classical Press, 2012. Pp. xvi, 134. $27.95.)

This summary of Leslie Brubaker and John Haldon's Byzantium in the Iconoclast Era has the same primary purpose as that longer book: to show that what Byzantine sources and most modern scholars have...
Protein Databases on the Internet

Protein databases have become a crucial part of modern biology. Huge amounts of data for protein structures, functions, and particularly sequences are being generated. Searching databases is often the first step in the study of a new protein. Comparison between proteins or between protein families provides information about the relationship between proteins within a genome or across different species, and hence offers much more information than can be obtained by studying only an isolated protein. In addition, secondary databases derived from experimental databases are also widely available. These databases reorganize and annotate the data or provide predictions. The use of multiple databases often helps researchers understand the structure and function of a protein. Although some protein databases are widely known, they are far from being fully utilized in the protein science community. This unit provides a starting point for readers to explore the potential of protein databases on the Internet.
The Colonel Carter myth and the Securities Act: Using accounting history to establish institutional legitimacy

This article examines the persistent myth that the testimony before Congress of the President of the New York State Society of CPAs, Colonel Arthur Carter, on 1 April 1933, prevented the creation of a government bureaucracy of auditors in the 1933 Securities Act, and instead persuaded Congress to leave the audit franchise in the hands of the accounting profession. The article uses archival evidence to argue that neither Carter nor anyone else in the accounting profession influenced the creation of the Securities Act’s audit provisions, and then describes how the audit requirement in the Securities Act was written and the impact the Colonel Carter myth has had on the regulation of the accounting profession.
New fast integrated mobility spectrometer for real-time measurement of aerosol size distribution—I: Concept and theory

A new instrument capable of measuring aerosol size distribution with high time and size resolution, and high signal-to-noise ratio is described. The instrument, referred to as Fast Integrated Mobility Spectrometer (FIMS), separates charged particles based on their electrical mobility into different trajectories in a uniform electric field. The particles are then grown into super-micrometer droplets, and their locations on the trajectories are recorded by a fast charge-coupled device (CCD) imaging system. Images captured by the CCD reveal mobility-dependent particle positions and their numbers, which are then used to derive a particle size distribution spectrum. By eliminating the need to scan over a range of voltages, FIMS significantly improves the measurement speed and counting statistics. A theoretical framework has been developed to quantify the measurement range, mobility resolution, and transfer function of FIMS. It is shown that FIMS is capable of measuring aerosol size distributions with high-time and size resolution. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Bayes Networks on Ice: Robotic Search for Antarctic Meteorites

A Bayes network based classifier for distinguishing terrestrial rocks from meteorites is implemented onboard the Nomad robot. Equipped with a camera, spectrometer and eddy current sensor, this robot searched the ice sheets of Antarctica and autonomously made the first robotic identification of a meteorite, in January 2000 at the Elephant Moraine. This paper discusses rock classification from a robotic platform, and describes the system onboard Nomad.
The Engineering Development of an Actively Controlled Precise MUON Chamber for the SDC Detector

As the detector configuration for the Solenoidal Detector Collaboration (SDC) evolved, a number of concepts for MUON chambers were proposed and investigated. The Boston Group (Brandeis, Harvard and Tufts Universities, with Draper Laboratory) has developed a concept incorporating elliptical section drift tubes with field shaping and intermediate wire supports. This approach combines good single and multi-track resolution with a small channel count and modularity at the tube level. Other concepts have been developed which arise from differing interpretations of the fundamental physics and economic requirements. These include: • Octagonal Drift Tubes, Unsupported Wires, No Field Shaping U. Wisconsin • Round Tubes, Unsupported Wires, w or w/o Field Shaping U. Washington • JET Chambers (Multi-Wire, Intermediate Support, Field Shaping) KEK, Japan
Do single mothers in the United States use the Earned Income Tax Credit to reduce unsecured debt

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit for low-income workers mainly targeted at families with children. This study uses the Survey of Income and Program Participation’s topical modules on Assets and Liabilities to examine associations between the EITC expansions during the early 1990s and the unsecured debt of the households of single mothers. We use two difference-in-differences comparisons over the study period 1988–1999, first comparing single mothers to single childless women, and then comparing single mothers with two or more children to single mothers with exactly one child. In both cases we find that the EITC expansions are associated with a relative decline in the unsecured debt of affected households of single mothers. While not direct evidence of a causal relationship, this is suggestive evidence that single mothers may have used part of their EITC to limit the growth of their unsecured debt during this period.
Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetectors: Photoresponse Enhancement Due to Potential Barriers

Potential barriers around quantum dots (QDs) play a key role in kinetics of photoelectrons. These barriers are always created, when electrons from dopants outside QDs fill the dots. Potential barriers suppress the capture processes of photoelectrons and increase the photoresponse. To directly investigate the effect of potential barriers on photoelectron kinetics, we fabricated several QD structures with different positions of dopants and various levels of doping. The potential barriers as a function of doping and dopant positions have been determined using nextnano3 software. We experimentally investigated the photoresponse to IR radiation as a function of the radiation frequency and voltage bias. We also measured the dark current in these QD structures. Our investigations show that the photoresponse increases ~30 times as the height of potential barriers changes from 30 to 130 meV.
Microbial Composition and In Vitro Fermentation Patterns of Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Prebiotics Differ between Formula-Fed and Sow-Reared Piglets

The microbial composition and in vitro fermentation characteristics of human milk oligosaccharides (HMO), lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), a 2:1 mixture of polydextrose (PDX) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) by pooled ascending colonic microbiota from 9- and 17-d-old formula-fed (FF) and sow-reared (SR) piglets were assessed. pH change and gas, SCFA, and lactate production were determined after 0, 2, 4, 8, and 12 h of incubation. In most donor groups, the pH change was greater for scFOS fermentation and lower for PDX/GOS than for other substrates. LNnT fermentation produced larger amounts of gas, total SCFA, acetate, and butyrate than did the other substrates, whereas HMO and scFOS produced higher amounts of propionate and lactate, respectively. In general, pH change, total SCFA, acetate, and propionate production were greater in pooled inoculum from FF and 9-d-old piglets, whereas SR-derived inoculum produced higher amounts of butyrate and lactate after 4 h fermentation. Gut microbiota were assessed by 16S ribosomal RNA V3 gene denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis and real-time qPCR. Microbial structures differed among the 4 groups before fermentation, with higher counts of Bifidobacterium in SR piglets and higher counts of Clostridium cluster IV, XIVa, and Bacteroides vulgatus in FF piglets. Lactobacillus counts were higher in 9-d-old piglets than in 17-d-old piglets, regardless of diet. Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, and clostridial species increased after 8 and 12 h fermentation on most substrates. In summary, piglet diet and age affect gut microbiota, leading to different fermentation patterns. HMO have potential prebiotic effects due to their effects on SCFA production and microbial modulation.
The Transferability of Economic Data: A Difficult Endeavor

vhe_491 408 In this issue of the Journal, Drummond et al. present their report from the Task Force on Economic Data Transferability [1]. The findings and recommendations extend to 11, the number and scope of guidance documents on contemporary methodology and policy issues published in Value in Health. These methods guidance documents, representing the intellectual work of leaders in the fields of economic evaluation and outcomes research, are intended to provide analysts with a summary of the pertinent problems and a clear set of best practice recommendations for research. The reports receive a great deal of open and often robust peer review at the ISPOR scientific meetings and through an additional formal review by a committee of academic, government, and industry scientists. The Task Force considered the rather difficult questions of whether or not economic data can be transferred from one jurisdiction to another, and if so, under what conditions are the transferred data valid and useful. This subject has been addressed in previous publications but not to the extent and detail found in this report [2,3]. Transferability is of mounting interest because evolving Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programs are increasingly requesting localized economic data to support reimbursement and pricing decisions. It is simply impossible for sponsors of economic studies to undertake de novo research for each and every jurisdiction. In the instances in which transferability of economic data is acceptable, guidance as to how to (or not to) undertake such work has not been available. This report fills in
Effects of Handicap Severity, Responsibility, and Race on Impressions of Substance‐Abusing Mothers and Their Children

The purpose of this study was to examine how individuals’ impressions of a handicapped child and the child's mother would be affected by (a) the mother's apparent degree of responsibility for the child's handicap (operationalized as engaging or not engaging in alcohol abuse while pregnant), (b) severity of the child's handicap, and (c) race of the mother (black vs. white). Impressions were defined as respondents'(a) decisions regarding funding for special education services for the child, (b) emotional reactions toward the mother and the child, (c) perceptions of traits possessed by the mother, and (d) evaluations of the fairness of payment strategies for special education resources for the child. A vignette approach was used in which each respondent read one of eight possible descriptions of mother and child. Results indicated that although mothers were evaluated more negatively when they engaged in alcohol abuse than when they did not, these critical impressions did not “spill over” to negatively color appraisals of the child. Mothers who were black and who had a severely handicapped child were evaluated more negatively than were white mothers in the same situation, although the reverse occurred when the child's handicap was described as being only moderate. Implications are discussed.
Absorption, translocation, and metabolism of AE F130060 03 in wheat, barley, and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) with or without dicamba

Abstract Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate absorption, translocation, and metabolism of AE F130060 03 in wheat, barley, and Italian ryegrass. An additional objective was to evaluate how combinations of AE F130060 03 with dicamba affect absorption, translocation, and metabolism in wheat, barley, and Italian ryegrass. Experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design, and data were subjected to a factorial analysis. The factors included for analysis were plant type, time, and presence or absence of dicamba. Italian ryegrass absorbed 2.5, 2.0, and 1.5 times the amount of applied radioactivity 24, 48, and 96 h after treatment (HAT), respectively, compared with wheat or barley. Translocation of radiolabeled AE F130060 03 from the treated leaf blade was low and did not differ among wheat, barley, or Italian ryegrass. The rates of AE F130060 03 metabolism by the two cereal crops and Italian ryegrass were different. Ninety-six HAT, the total absorbed radioactivity metabolized by wheat, ...
Activation of Kupffer cells on reperfusion following hypoxia: particle phagocytosis in a low-flow, reflow model.

Hypoxia is produced selectively in pericentral regions of the liver lobule with a low-flow, reflow perfusion model in which the flow rate is reduced to approximately one-third to one-fourth of normal. This model was used to monitor carbon particle phagocytosis by Kupffer cells during hypoxia and reoxygenation. At normal flow rates, oxygen uptake was 131 mumol.g-1.h-1, pressure was 7.5 cmH2O, and carbon uptake was 150 mg.g-1.h-1. During the low-flow period, oxygen uptake, pressure, and carbon uptake decreased to values of 54 mumol.g-1.h-1, 6.4 cmH2O and 83 mg.g-1.h-1, respectively. Upon reflow, oxygen uptake and pressure increased to 141 mumol.g-1.h-1 and 10.3 cmH2O, respectively. In addition, carbon uptake was elevated approximately threefold to 234 mg.g-1.h-1, indicating activation of Kupffer cells. This activation was prevented by pretreatment with methyl palmitate, a known inhibitor of Kupffer cells. Histological examination revealed significantly more Kupffer cells laden with carbon particles in untreated livers after reflow than in livers from methyl palmitate-treated or untreated rats. Electron microscopic analysis of livers at reflow revealed Kupffer cells with numerous pseudopodia and lamellapodia, reflecting an activated state. These changes were absent in controls or in livers perfused under low-flow conditions. This study demonstrates that Kupffer cells are activated on reoxygenation after hypoxia.
Biomechanical Analysis of an S1 Pedicle Screw Salvage Technique via a Superior Articulating Process Entry Point

Study design Biomechanical, cadaveric study. Objective To compare the fixation strength of a novel S1 pedicle screw insertion technique in a revision setting to a standard S1 pedicle screw and an L5 pedicle screw. Summary of background data Fusions to the sacrum remain a difficult clinical challenge. Very few salvage techniques exist when a nonunion occurs. Methods The biomechanical integrity of three screw fixations, L5 pedicle screws, a standard S1 pedicle screw, and an S1 pedicle screw placed via a superior articulating process entry point (SAP S1), was characterized by performing pullout tests using cadaveric specimens including L5 and sacrum. Results SAP S1 constructs (735.5 ± 110.1 N/mm) were significantly stiffer than standard S1 (P = 0.005) and L5 (P = 0.02) constructs. There was no statistically significant difference between the L5 constructs and the standard S1 constructs for linear stiffness. There was no statistical difference between the three fixations for yield load, displacement at yield load, and energy absorbed to yield load.The ultimate pullout force for the SAP S1 was statistically higher than the standard S1 (1213.7 ± 579.6 vs. 478.6 ± 452.9 N; P = 0.004). Displacement at ultimate load was significantly greater for L5 screw fixation (3.3 ± 1.1 mm) compared to the other two constructs. Both the L5 (2277.4 ± 1873.3 N-mm) and SAP S1 (2628.2 ± 2054.4 N-mm) constructs had significantly greater energy absorbed to ultimate load than the standard S1 construct (811.7 ± 937.6 N-mm), but there was no statistical difference between the L5 and SAP S1 constructs. Conclusion S1 pedicle screw fixation via an SAP entry point provides biomechanical advantages compared to screws placed via the standard S1 or L5 entry point and may be a viable option for revision of a failed L5-S1 fusion with a compromised standard S1 entry point. Level of evidence N/A.
STRUCTURE AND MOTIONS OF THE H/sub A/(Li$sup +$)-TYPE BrCl$sup -$ AND ICl$sup -$ CENTERS IN DOPED KCl.

The ${H}_{A}({\mathrm{Li}}^{+})$-type Br${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ center is an interstitial center, which can be produced by ionizing irradiation and suitable thermal and optical treatment, in KCl crystals strongly doped (\ensuremath{\sim}1 wt%) with ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Br}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ions. As the name implies, its structure is very similar to that of the ${H}_{A}({\mathrm{Li}}^{+})$ center in KCl: ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis at 77 K shows that is consists of a Br${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-molecule ion, occupying a single negative-ion site, next to a substitutional ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ ion. The Br${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ internuclear axis makes a 25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} angle with $〈100〉$ in a {110} plane, and the molecular bond is bent by about 8\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The center is formed when a mobile, interstitial, chlorine atom is stabilized by a pair of substitutional ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Br}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ impurity ions which are nearest neighbors of one another. The ${H}_{A}({\mathrm{Li}}^{+})$-type Br${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ possesses a thermally activated ($E\ensuremath{\cong}0.093$ eV) pyramidal motion of ${C}_{4v}$ symmetry around a given $〈100〉$, and motionally averaged EPR spectra are observed at 200 K. In contrast to the ${H}_{A}({\mathrm{Li}}^{+})$ center, it does not appear to possess a restricted interstitial motion of ${C}_{3v}$ symmetry around $〈111〉$. It is concluded that the Cl side of the Br${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ molecule is closer to the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ ion, and that the bending of the Br${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ bond is toward the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ ion. This conclusion permits a more refined description of the ${H}_{A}({\mathrm{Li}}^{+})$ center model: The ${\mathrm{Cl}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ bond there too is bent toward the ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ ion. Results for the ${H}_{A}({\mathrm{Li}}^{+})$-type I${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ center in KCl: (${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{I}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) are also given. Its properties are very similar to those of the ${H}_{A}({\mathrm{Li}}^{+})$-type Br${\mathrm{Cl}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ center.
Web blotch resistance in Arachis hypogaea.

Seventeen genotypes of peanut, Arachis hypogaea L., consisting of Spanish, Runner, and Virginia market types were evaluated for resistance to web blotch caused by Phoma arachidicola Marasas, Pauer and Boerema in small plot field tests. Disease ratings were obtained by determining percentages of infected attached leaflets and abscinded leaflets. Marked differences in disease resistance were observed, and three levels of susceptibility were evident. Entries of the Virginia and Runner market types were generally more resistant to web blotch than the Spanish. Definitive yield and grade effects were not discernible, but indications were that yield and kernel size were affected.
Activation of caspase-independent programmed cell death overcomes apoptosis resistance in ovarian cancer cells

A50 Introduction: Chemoresistance is a major burden in the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer and is associated with failure to induce apoptosis. In panA¢â‘¬â\#8364;œresistant cancer cells, the full induction of the apoptotic cascade is inhibited due to high levels of expression of anti-apoptotic proteins, which prevent caspase activation. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the activation of a caspase-independent alternative pathway could promote cell death in chemoresistant ovarian cancer cells. We describe the characterization of a novel compound, NV-128, which promotes cell death in a caspase-independent manner in chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Methods: Eight primary cultures and two established epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell lines were treated with increasing concentrations of NV-128 (0.1, 1, and 10 Μg/ml) with or without the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK. Cell viability was determined after 24h using the Celltiter 96 assay. DNA fragmentation was analyzed by flow cytometry with Hoechst and Propidium iodide staining. Activity of caspases- 3/7, -8, and -9 was measured using Caspase-Glo assay. Protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis. Results: NV-128 treatment decreased cell viability in all tested EOC cells lines in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 between 1 and 5 Μg/ml. Flow cytometry analysis revealed DNA fragmentation, with >90% cells staining double-positive for Hoechst and Propidium iodide after 24h. Cell death was however, caspase-independent as evidenced by the lack of caspases- 3/7, -8, and -9 activity and the inability of the pan-caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK, to prevent cell death. DNA fragmentation was observed as the result of the activation of an intracellular pathway involving: down-regulation of pAKT, cleavage of LC3 to LC3-II, Beclin mitochondrial translocation leading to Bcl2 inhibition, and nuclear translocation of EndoG. Conclusion: We describe an alternative pathway leading to DNA fragmentation and cell death, which does not depend on caspase activation. Our findings demonstrate the possibility of using therapeutic drugs, such as NV-128, which could overcome resistance to the classical caspase-dependent apoptosis and therefore have beneficial effects in chemoresistantovarian cancer patients.
Communication of Drug Hazard Information: A Critical Analysis of the Relationship between the Pharmaceutical Industry, FDA, Clinicians, and Patients and the Impact on Patient Safety

Adverse drug events (ADE) are common, costly, and responsible for significant morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients. They are a leading cause of death, accounting for up to 106,000 American deaths annually. Our healthcare system relies on accurate reporting of ADE by clinicians to the pharmaceutical companies, and by the companies to the FDA. The system also relies on the pharmaceutical companies providing accurate and complete warnings and contraindications to physicians and patients. Frequently, however, these risks are not effectively communicated to those who prescribe and take the medications. A critical evaluation of the American drug hazard management system reveals several factors that contribute to these shortcomings and therefore impact patient safety. These system components interact to increase the probability of adverse drug events and accordingly, impact consumer safety.
HISTORY OF THE SELF: From Primates to Present

The article begins with a semiotic theory of how human selves emerged from the primates. It then follows the history of the self from classical Greece, throught the Christian MiddleAges, to early industrialization (as seen by Durkheim) and later industrialization (as seen by Weber). The story is largely an implicit struggle beten self and society for what might be called the steering pouer, or "cybernetic control," of life. I will begin with the problem of defining the self. Then, with a definition in hand, I will look at key moments in its history. These will begin with (1) the emergence of the self in the primates and continue to (2) classical Greece, (3) the Christian Middle Ages, (4) early industrialization (as seen by Durkheim), and (5) later industrialization (as seen by Weber). I have selected these moments not because they are the greatest or most important, but simply because they seem rich in theoretical possibilities. The story itself is largely an implicit struggle between self and society for what might be called the steering power or "cybernetic control" of life. I will be trying to see whether the definition works, that is, explains things reasonably well, in each of the temporal vignettes. I combine the pragmatists, George Herbert Mead and Charles Sanders Peirce, on the definition of the self. Mead defined the self as that which can be an object to itself (1934:136), making it the only thing in experience that is both subject and object. This was his notion of reflexivity, although the term can also be used in many other ways. For Mead it includes an I, a me, and a backlooping or flexing relationship between them. Peirce's idea of the self was different from, although compatible with, Mead's. His self was a sign or word (Hoopes 1991:83-84). To understand this, it must be remembered that Peirce used the word "sign" in two senses: for the overall sermiotic
LQR Control Design of Discrete-Time Networked Cascade Control Systems With Time Delay

Series cascade control systems, in which, the output of one process drives a second process are studied extensively in literature. Traditional control design methods based on transfer function approach are used for design of cascade control systems with disturbances in inner loop and time delays in outer loop process. Design of current turboshaft engine control systems are based on cascade control system framework. Next generation aircraft engine control systems are based on distributed architecture, in which, communication constraints like time delays can degrade control system performance. Stability of networked cascade control systems for turboshaft engines in a state space framework is analyzed in the presence of time delays. Two architectures of networked cascade control systems are presented. Stability conditions for discrete-time cascade control systems are presented for each of the architecture with time delays which are more than the sampling time.© 2011 ASME
The Role of Time and Category Relatedness in Electronic Brainstorming

This study tested creativity of small electronic brainstorming (EBS) groups as a function of the homogeneity and heterogeneity of assigned sub-topics (categories) of a broader problem over time. A ...
Cerebrovascular accidents. Urological effects and management.

A large number of geriatric patients suffer cerebrovascular accidents. Stroke has a profound effect on the bladder function of many of these patients. The pathophysiology and management in this group of patients are discussed.
Enrichment of Root Endophytic Bacteria from Populus deltoides and Single-Cell-Genomics Analysis.

ABSTRACT Bacterial endophytes that colonize Populus trees contribute to nutrient acquisition, prime immunity responses, and directly or indirectly increase both above- and below-ground biomasses. Endophytes are embedded within plant material, so physical separation and isolation are difficult tasks. Application of culture-independent methods, such as metagenome or bacterial transcriptome sequencing, has been limited due to the predominance of DNA from the plant biomass. Here, we describe a modified differential and density gradient centrifugation-based protocol for the separation of endophytic bacteria from Populus roots. This protocol achieved substantial reduction in contaminating plant DNA, allowed enrichment of endophytic bacteria away from the plant material, and enabled single-cell genomics analysis. Four single-cell genomes were selected for whole-genome amplification based on their rarity in the microbiome (potentially uncultured taxa) as well as their inferred abilities to form associations with plants. Bioinformatics analyses, including assembly, contamination removal, and completeness estimation, were performed to obtain single-amplified genomes (SAGs) of organisms from the phyla Armatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Planctomycetes, which were unrepresented in our previous cultivation efforts. Comparative genomic analysis revealed unique characteristics of each SAG that could facilitate future cultivation efforts for these bacteria. IMPORTANCE Plant roots harbor a diverse collection of microbes that live within host tissues. To gain a comprehensive understanding of microbial adaptations to this endophytic lifestyle from strains that cannot be cultivated, it is necessary to separate bacterial cells from the predominance of plant tissue. This study provides a valuable approach for the separation and isolation of endophytic bacteria from plant root tissue. Isolated live bacteria provide material for microbiome sequencing, single-cell genomics, and analyses of genomes of uncultured bacteria to provide genomics information that will facilitate future cultivation attempts.
Theory, the Theorist, and Revolutionary Practice: Rosa Luxemburg

The question to be addressed here is not that of the adequacy of this or that particular theory in accounting for, or acting on, a given context of social relations. I am not concerned whether, for example, the theory expressed in The Accumulation of Capital is adequate to account either for the conditions of the period in which it was formulated or for our present conditions; nor, a fortiori, am I concerned with whether that theory conforms to the edifice of Marx’s Capital. To judge a theory in terms of its adequacy to supposedly real conditions implies a latent conservatism and positivism; theory is then treated as an analysis of ‘facts’ about a world that itself is taken as pre-given and fixed. Such an approach implies a dualism—on the one side, the theory; on the other side, the ‘facts’ which it is to reflect—that makes it fundamentally undialectical. Moreover, the point, after all, is not to understand a given positive world, but to change it! And this intention implies a very different notion of theory.