cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application data prefetching on the IBM blue gene/Q supercomputer

Memory access latency is often a crucial performance limitation for high performance computing. Prefetching is one of the strategies used by system designers to bridge the processor-memory gap. This paper describes a new innovative list prefetching feature introduced in the IBM Blue Gene/Q supercomputer. The list prefetcher records the L1 cache miss addresses and prefetches them in the next iteration. The evaluation shows this list prefetching mechanism reduces data fetching time when L1 cache misses happen and improves the performance for high performance computing applications with repeating non-uniform memory access patterns. Its performance is compatible with classic stream prefetcher when properly configured.
The logistic equation and double jeopardy

Abstract This short communication explores the relationship between intraspecific and inter-specific parameters in interspecific models based on the logistic equation.
Lateral mixing of solids in gas—solid fluidized beds with continuous flow of solids

Abstract Lateral mixing of solids in a gas—solid fluidized bed with continuous flow of solids can be adequately expressed by the dispersion model. An expression for estimating the lateral dispersion coefficient in such a bed is proposed.
Additive and Multiplicative Ramsey Theorems in N-Some Elementary Results.

We show by elementary methods that given any finite partition of the set ℕ of positive integers, there is one cell that is both additively and multiplicatively rich. In particular, this cell must contain a sequence and all of its finite sums, and another sequence and all of its finite products, a fact that was previously known only by utilizing the algebraic structure of the Stone–Cech compactification βℕ of ℕ.
Benzenesulfonamides: A Unique Class of Chemokine Receptor Type 4 Inhibitors

The interaction of CXCR4 with CXCL12 (SDF-1) plays a critical role in cancer metastasis by facilitating the homing of tumor cells to metastatic sites. Based on our previously published work on CXCR4 antagonists, we have synthesized a series of aryl sulfonamides that inhibit the CXCR4/CXCL12 interaction. Analogue bioactivities were assessed with binding affinity and Matrigel invasion assays. Computer modeling was employed to evaluate a selection of the new analogues docked into the CXCR4 X-ray structure and to rationalize discrepancies between the affinity and Matrigel in vitro assays. A lead compound displays nanomolar potency in the binding affinity assay (IC(50)=8.0 nM) and the Matrigel invasion assay (100 % blockade of invasion at 10 nM). These data demonstrate that benzenesulfonamides are a unique class of CXCR4 inhibitors with high potency.
Frequency Domain Synthesis of Discrete Representations

The problem of obtaining discrete representations of continuous systems is addressed. This topic is important in the area of digital simulation and also in the design of digital controllers to replace continuous controllers. A frequency-domain design procedure is presented and applied to an autopilot example. The technique appears to be very promising for linear systems.
Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analytical system for aflatoxins in wines with fluorescence detection.

Abstract An improved procedure using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection is described for the analysis of six aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, B2a, and G2a). The method provides greater analytical speed, reproducibility, and resolution, as well as better accuracy and sensitivity than the previously available thin-layer chromatographic methods. Aflatoxins B1 and G1 were hydrated to enhance their fluorescence response. Analyses of both hydrated and unhydrated compounds by HPLC provided simultaneous qualitative and quantitative information. A typical HPLC run was complete in 15 min. The recoveries of four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) from wines at the spiked level of 1 μg/l (1 ppb) were satisfactory. The method as applied to wine samples is sensitive at the 0.02 μg/l level.
A K+ channel worthy of attention

A new family of K + channels has been defined in a paper in this week9s issue [see Kohler et al . (p. 1709)], reporting the cloning of three members. The Perspective by Hille explains why this class of channels may underlie the control of attention in the brain by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine.
Developmental Responses of a Terrestrial Insect Detritivore, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) to Four Selenium Species

Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) is an important and ubiquitous terrestrial detri- tivore that consumes both animal and plant material. Because both plants and animals convert selenium pollutants into various forms, the relative toxicities of ecologically relevant concentrations of sodium selenate, sodium selenite, seleno-L-methionine, and Se-(methyl) selenocysteine hydrochloride to larvae were assessed in diet bioassays. In addition, ovipositional preferences of adults and developmental effects on the eggs and larvae were measured. With chronic exposure selenocysteine was the most toxic of the selenium species to the larvae (LC50 :8 3lg/g wet weight), followed by seleno-L-methionine (LC50: 130 lg/g), selenate (LC50: 258 lg/g), and selenite (LC50: 392 lg/g). Ovipositing females did not discriminate between the highest treatment concentrations of any of the pollutants as compared to the controls, indicating a lack of avoidance behavior. Larval development time was significantly increased with exposure to selenate at 100 lg/g wet weight and above, selenite at 300 lg/g and above, and at 50 lg/g and 25 lg/g and above for seleno-L-methionine and selenocysteine respectively. Pupal development was not affected by any of the selenium treatments. Significant differences between male and female adult eclosion times were observed, with females eclosing later than males as selenium concentrations increased. Significant decreases in larval survival relative to controls occurred at the lowest treatment tested (100 lg/g) for both selenate and selenite and at 100 lg/g for seleno-L-methionine, and 50 lg/g for selenocysteine. The population level implications of lack of avoidance of contaminated food, and the effects of increased development times, reduced survivorship, and non-synchronized male and female emergence are discussed.
Rod and cone contributions to the delayed response of the on-off ganglion cell in the frog.

Abstract Delayed responses from on-off ganglion cells were further studied. Spectral sensitivity experiments indicate that signals from cones as well as rods contribute to the delayed response. Chromatic pre-adaptation studies showed that a reduction in the sensitivity of rods results in a smaller amplitude of the late response and a slight increase in delay time, while desensitizing the cone system causes a shorter delay time and a greater amplitude in the late response. These results suggest that rod signals are excitatory and cone signals inhibitory and that these signals summate to elicit the delayed response.
A hierarchical platform for implementing hybrid systems in process control

This paper describes a development platform for the description, analysis and implementation of real-time control systems, consisting of a mixture of continuous and discrete components. Hybrid and discrete-event system techniques are used for formally defining the control and supervisory system requirements. These requirements result from functional characteristics specified for the process to be controlled. Based on the specifications, a series of control components belonging to a finite set of object classes is defined and arranged in a hierarchical architecture. The hierarchical topology is a simple tree, where any component has a single parent. Object-oriented technologies are used to implement the notion of component classes. With this formal description of process functionality, a computer software generator interprets the control specifications and produces executable control software. This software reacts to environmental responses by executing the supervisory and control actions required to achieve the desired process behavior. The paper only describes the conceptual idea of the proposed control development platform in a general manner. As an example, an application of this platform is presented for developing the control software for a production process that converts metallic sodium from nuclear reactors to sodium carbonate for safe waste disposal.
Mass transfer from water droplets under simulated free-fall conditions

Abstract An experimental study was conducted to measure the rates of mass transfer from droplets of water under simulated free-fall conditions. These droplets were captured on a wire and air that was conditioned at various temperatures and relative humidities was passed by the pendant droplet in a closed loop wind tunnel facility. Droplets having nominal diameters of 100, 250, and 400 μm generated using a vibrating reed aerosol generator were sized at each time step and the wind tunnel velocity adjusted to the corresponding terminal settling velocity. The droplet diameter was determined using a specially designed, long focal length microscope, with the droplet image projected on to a solid state camera with data acquired and reduced using an on-line microcomputer. The data were used to obtain an equation of the Sherwood number ( Sh ) as a function of the Reynolds ( Re ) and Schmidt ( Sc ) numbers. The resulting correlation equation, Sh = 1.755 + 0.535 (Re 1 2 Sc 1 3 ) agreed well with data from previous studies, and it is noted that the intercept value is less than that predicted by theory.
A New Multistage Axial Compressor Designed With the APNASA Multistage CFD Code:Part 2 — Application to a New Compressor Design

In this second part of a two-part paper on the application of the NASA multistage aerodynamic simulation CFD tool, the APNASA code, work is presented on how the code was used successfully in the design of a brand new, four-stage axial compressor aimed for a modern turbofan engine. In particular, the code was used to guide the blade geometry changes such that the right stage matching throughout the compressor was achieved. The overall performance is shown to be in good agreement with the map generated prior to the detailed design from a one-dimensional model, including the surge line. This success is attributed to the fact that the compressor has been successfully matched at its design intention. More detailed comparisons of the measurements with the prediction demonstrate capability of APNASA in capturing details of flow, such as the rotor exit pressure and temperature profiles and the stator exit flow angle. Largely as a result of the application of APNASA, the compressor described in this paper has been designed “right the first time”, resulting in significant cost savings in a new engine development program for Honeywell Engines and Systems.Copyright © 2001 by ASME
Temporal clustering of gene expression patterns using short–time segments

Temporal clustering of time series data is a powerful tool to delaminate the dynamics of transcription and interactions among genes on a large scale. Different algorithms have been proposed to organise experimental data with meaningful biological clusters; however, these approaches often fail to generate well–defined temporal clusters, especially when genes exert their functions or response to stimuli coordinately only in a short period of time span. In this study, we proposed an algorithm using sliding windows to identify different temporal patterns based on fold changes of gene expressions. The algorithm was applied to simulated data and real experimental data. Furthermore, a comparison study has been carried out with the clusters obtained from commercial software packages. The identified clusters using our algorithm demonstrated better temporal matching and consistency.
Breadwinner Status and Gender Ideologies of Men and Women regarding Family Roles

Using a longitudinal national sample of married individuals, we examine changes in gender ideologies of married men and women regarding family roles, defined as wife's economic role, husband's and wife's provider role, and wife's maternal role. We also test two competing hypotheses: the threat hypothesis and the benefit hypothesis, which view the impact of women's employment on men's gender beliefs from different perspectives. Whereas the threat hypothesis asserts that women's sharing of the provider role with men may cause men to be resistant to the gender equality ideal for fear of losing their masculine identities and their wives' domestic services, the benefit hypothesis anticipates an ideological shift of men toward egalitarianism because men benefit materially from their wives' financial contributions to the family. The empirical results suggest that both genders are moving in the direction of egalitarianism. Men of lower breadwinner status and women of higher status are less likely to hold conventi...
Discrete structural models and their application to gas‐solid reacting systems

Discrete models are developed to simulate the reaction of solids with complex pore structures in the kinetic- and diffusion-controlled regimes. Simulations employ two- and three-dimensional computational grids, and model parameters are directly obtainable from measurable physical properties of the unreacted solid. Model predictions can be displayed pictorially, allowing for direct visualization of the simulated process, while image processing of the computational grids can provide detailed structural information not easily obtainable from other analytical models. The effects of various pore structural parameters on the predicted reactivity patterns are investigated. Several examples are presented to illustrate the use of the models and demonstrate the significance of the pore structure in determining the reactivity of coal-derived chars.
Farm Planning and Calf Marketing Strategies for Risk Management: An Application of Linear Programming and Statistical Decision Theory

Budgeting and linear programming (LP) techniques frequently have been used to evaluate the profitability of alternative management strategies for cowcalf producers. However, two deficiencies are apparent in much of this literature. Although it is generally acknowledged that producers are concerned about riskiness as well as profit potential of alternatives, relatively little attention has been given to forage and cattle management strategies to reduce risk. Forage quality also typically has been ignored. This oversight often results in technically infeasible solutions because the animal cannot eat enough to obtain the necessary nutrients (Whitson, Parks, Herd).
Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 elicits robust levels of interleukin-12 p40, but not interleukin-12 p70 production, by murine microglia and astrocytes.

Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (γHV-68) is a tractable model to investigate the pathophysiology of human gammaherpesvirus infections, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Herpesvirus infections are thought to play a role in the pathology of damaging, inflammatory diseases states of the central nervous system (CNS), such as multiple sclerosis. The ability of the host to mount a strong cell-mediated immune response is critical in determining the outcome of viral infections. Interleukin (IL)-12 is an important inflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the development of protective cell-mediated immune responses to viral infections. Given recent reports of associations between gammaherpesvirus infections and inflammatory disorders of the CNS, the authors investigated the ability of γHV-68 to induce the production of bioactive IL-12 in resident CNS cell types. In the present study, the authors demonstrate that γHV-68 infection is a potent stimulus for IL-12p40 production by murine microglia and astrocytes. However, despite the elevated expression of mRNA encoding IL-12p40 subunit, concomitant with robust secretion of IL-12p40 protein, γHV-68 failed to elicit the production of the bioactive IL-12p70 heterodimer. This failure did not result from an absence of T lymphocyte-derived signals or interactions between CNS cell types as determined by coculture studies. Taken together, these data suggest that the resident CNS cell types, astrocytes and microglia, are not significant sources of proinflammatory IL-12p70 in response to gammaherpesvirus infection. Indeed, the production of IL-12p40 may point to an anti-inflammatory role for these cells during herpesvirus infections of the CNS.
Safety of Continuous Anticoagulation With Dabigatran During Implantation of Cardiac Rhythm Devices

The perioperative bleeding risk associated with therapeutic anticoagulation at cardiac implantable electronic device implantation has previously been demonstrated to vary by the specific anticoagulant used. Although uninterrupted anticoagulation with warfarin appears to be safe, heparin products have been shown to increase the risk of perioperative bleeding. However, the risk associated with cardiac implantable electronic device implantation with anticoagulation using dabigatran, a novel oral direct thrombin inhibitor, is not known. We performed a prospective observational study of patients receiving dabigatran for anticoagulation who underwent cardiac implantable electronic device implantation from June 2011 through May 2012. The study end points included thromboembolic and bleeding complications within 30 days of surgery. Major bleeding complications were defined as bleeding requiring surgical intervention, prolongation of hospitalization, and discontinuation of the anticoagulant or transfusion of blood products within 30 days of surgery. Minor bleeding complications included the development of a hematoma not requiring additional intervention. The thrombotic end points included stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. A total of 25 patients were identified for inclusion. During the index hospitalization, no thromboembolic or bleeding complications developed. No major bleeding complications occurred within 30 days of surgery. One minor bleeding event (4%) occurred within 30 days of surgery in 1 patient who was also receiving dual antiplatelet therapy. In conclusion, although no thromboembolic or major bleeding events were observed, additional studies are required to define the optimal antithrombotic management in the perioperative period.
Brain-based sex differences in parenting propagate emotion expression

Parent-infant emotional expressions vary according to parent and infant gender. Such parent-infant interactions critically affect infant development. Neuroimaging research is exploring emotion-related brain function that varies according to gender, and regulates parenting thoughts and behaviors in the early postpartum. Through specific brain functions, parenting serves to program the infant brain for the next generation of sex-specific emotional expression.
Recent advances and future directions in magnetic materials

This paper reviews recent developments in four important categories of magnetic materials that are currently of topical interest: soft magnets, hard magnets, magnetomechanical and magnetoelectronic materials. For each category the various properties of prime interest are discussed, how these differ from one class to another, and how these properties can be controlled. Recent developments in materials are highlighted through the consideration of a few selected new magnetic materials which are at the leading edge of current research, including: amorphous magnetic fibers, nanocrystalline permanent magnet materials, ferromagnetic shape memory alloys and spintronic materials.
Starvation results in decreased initiation factor activity in rat skeletal muscle.

Summary Activity of a factor forming a nitrocellulose filter-bound complex with [35S]met-tRNAmetf and GTP was estimated in the post-ribosomal supernatant of psoas and heart muscle. Complex formation required initiator tRNA and GTP or GMP-P(CH2)P; it was inhibited by Mg2+, GDP, aurintricarboxylic acid, spermine and spermidine. Starvation reduced complex-forming activity of supernatants from psoas but not heart muscle. Reduced activity was not due to increased dilution or deacylation of met-tRNAmetf or to increased hydrolysis of GTP by extracts from starved animals.
Demonstration of the centralized optical backplane architecture in a three-board microprocessor-to-memory interconnect system

Abstract A prototype of a novel interconnection architecture called the centralized optical backplane (COB) was experimentally demonstrated in a three-board microprocessor-to-memory interconnect system. COB keeps the advantages of bus architecture while at the same time providing uniform optical signal fan-outs. In the prototype, the required connectivity for the microprocessor-to-memory interconnect was achieved by using a COB. The optoelectronic interface modules were optimized to support high-speed processing elements at data rates up to 1.25 Gbps . This demonstration illustrates the conceptual design of the COB and its feasibility in real systems.
The Swift γ-ray burst mission

Abstract Swift is a first-of-its-kind multiwavelength transient observatory for GRB astronomy. It has the optimum capabilities for the next breakthroughs in determining the origin of GRBs and their afterglows, as well as using bursts to probe the early Universe. Swift will also perform the first sensitive hard X-ray survey of the sky. The mission is being developed by an international collaboration and consists of three instruments, the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), the X-Ray Telescope (XRT), and the Ultraviolet and Optical Telescope (UVOT). The BAT, a wide-field γ-ray detector, will detect >100 GRBs per year with a sensitivity five times that of BATSE. The sensitive narrow-field XRT and UVOT will be autonomously slewed to the burst location in 20–75 s to determine 0.3–5.0 ′′ positions and perform optical, UV, and X-ray spectrophotometry. Strong education/public outreach and follow-up programs will help to engage the public and astronomical community. The Swift launch is planned for 2004.
Am I too fat to be a princess? Examining the effects of popular children's media on young girls' body image

The current study investigated the effects of brief exposure to appearance-related media on young girls' body image. One hundred and twenty-one girls aged 3-6 years old participated. Results indicated that exposure did not affect body dissatisfaction or engagement in appearance-related play behaviours. This is the first empirical study to provide support for previous findings that suggest media exposure does not affect body image in young girls. In contrast to older populations, it is possible that young children may adopt the persona of attractive characters with whom they identify rather than comparing themselves to the characters. Although nearly all girls liked the way they looked, self-report data indicated that nearly one-third of the participants would change something about their physical appearance and nearly half of the girls worried about being fat. Exposure to appearance-related media did not exacerbate concerns.
Nanotube/matrix interfacial friction and sliding in composites with an amorphous carbon matrix

Interfacial friction and sliding of single- and multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in an amorphous carbon matrix were studied via molecular dynamics simulations. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes with 16% interwall sp3 bonding have friction stresses three times larger than single-walled nanotubes or perfect multi-walled nanotubes for the same nominal conditions. With increasing sp3 bond fraction, the interfacial friction strength increases to 20–120 MPa, which is comparable to the strength of a number of tough micron-scale ceramic matrix composite systems.
Development of a Photothermal Absorbance Detector for Use with Microfluidic Devices

The development of a photothermal absorbance detector for use with microfluidic devices is described. Unlike thermo-optical techniques that rely on measuring refractive index changes, the solution viscosity is probed by continuously monitoring solution conductivity. Platinum electrodes microfabricated on a quartz substrate and bonded to a substrate containing the microchannels enable contact conductivity measurements. The effects of excitation frequency and voltage, electrode spacing, laser power, and laser modulation (chopping) frequency were evaluated experimentally. In the current configuration, a limit of detection of 5 nM for DABSYL-tagged glucosamine was obtained using long injections (to give flat-topped peaks). This corresponds to an absorbance of 4.4 × 10−7 AU. Separation and detection of DABSYL-tagged glycine, proline, and tryptophan are also shown to demonstrate the feasibility of the method. In addition, simulations were used to investigate the applicability of the technique to small volume pl...
Computational discovery of personal traits from social multimedia

Hundreds of millions of people leave digital footprints, including textual posts and photos, on public on social media and social networking sites. Here we present our work on using these digital footprints-social multimedia content-to derive four types of basic personal traits for individuals. Moreover, we show how these basic traits can be used in combinations to help assess composite traits in two cases: trust modeling and resilience modeling. We share our preliminary results and discuss future research directions.
Discrepancies in cancer mortality estimates.

Progress against cancer-associated mortality could be estimated by mortality rates. However, population-based measures may not be comparable to trends across time based on individual cases followed over time. For two leading cancer types (colorectal and lung and bronchus), the following were calculated from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program survival matrix output: probability of death (PD) as the relative cumulative deaths in a cohort of cancer patients at 12-month intervals after the year of diagnosis, 5-year survival probability, and median survival time. Annual age-adjusted U.S. mortality rates were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Colorectal cancer PD 5-year (patients having survived up to 5 years after diagnosis) decreased 4.3% from 1985–1997, in contrast to a 20% decrease in the mortality rate during the same period. The mortality rate for lung and bronchus cancer sharply increased between 1973 and 1991 and was followed by a clear downward trend of 2.5% from 1991–1997, while its PD 5-year decreased by only 0.79%. PD for specific cohorts at yearly intervals did not improve across time at comparable intervals; however, the mortality rate was clearly reduced for both anatomic sites. Survival and PD were, as expected, inversely related. Changes in median survival and 5-year survival probability were similar over time. Although the cancer mortality rate is a clear statistical end-point, inference of success by its falling trend alone could be unrelated to the SEER probability of death.
A Domain-Specific Metamodel for Multimedia Processing Systems

In this paper, we introduce 4MPS, a metamodel for multimedia processing systems. The goal of 4MPS is to offer a generic system metamodel that can be instantiated to describe any multimedia processing design. The metamodel combines the advantages of the object-oriented paradigm and metamodeling techniques with system engineering principles and graphical models of computation. 4MPS is based on the classification of multimedia processing objects into two main categories: Processing objects that operate on data and controls, and Data objects that passively hold media content. Processing objects encapsulate a method or algorithm. They also include support for synchronous data processing and asynchronous event-driven Controls as well as a configuration mechanism and an explicit life cycle state model. Data input to and output from Processing objects is done through Ports. Data objects offer a homogeneous interface to media data, and support for metaobject-like facilities such as reflection and serialization. The metamodel can be expressed in the language of graphical models of computation such as the Dataflow Networks and presents a comprehensive conceptual framework for media signal processing applications. 4MPS has its practical validation in several existing environments, including the author's CLAM framework.
Determination of cell elasticity through hybrid ray optics and continuum mechanics modeling of cell deformation in the optical stretcher

The optical stretcher is a dual-beam trap capable of stretching individual cells. Previous studies have used either ray- or wave-optical models to compute the optical pressure on the surface of a spherical cell. We have extended the ray-optics model to account for focusing by the spherical interface and the effects of multiple internal reflections. Simulation results for red-blood cells (RBCs) show that internal reflections can lead to significant perturbation of the deformation, leading to a systematic error in the determination of cellular elasticity. Calibration studies show excellent agreement between the predicted and measured escape force, and RBC stiffness measurements are consistent with literature values. Measurements of the elasticity of murine osteogenic cells reveal that these cells are approximately 5.4 times stiffer than RBCs.
Joint space-time motion-based video segmentation and occlusion detection using multiphase level sets

Spatial video segmentation is usually performed based on motion between two frames. Some recent approaches extend this to joint segmentation in space-time; the resulting 3-D segmentation can be interpreted as a volume "carved out" by a moving object in the image sequence domain, or the so-called "object tunnel". In this paper, we extend this concept to explicit modeling of occlusion events in space-time. In addition to the modeling of object evolution, we also explicitly model occluded and newly-exposed areas in the background by means of "occlusion volume", a new space-time concept. A voxel belongs to occlusion volume if its intensity is consistent with past intensities along its motion trajectory but inconsistent with future intensities (reversed for "exposed volume"). We propose a variational formulation of the problem that we solve using the multiphase level set method. We show encouraging experimental results for synthetic and natural image sequences.
Morpho-sedimentary unit signatures associated with micro-estuaries in Barnegat Bay national estuary, New Jersey, the USA

Incorporation of the Barnegat Bay into the US National Estuary Program has triggered collection and collation of basic data sets appropriate to estuarine management. Gathering of water quality and quantity as well as basic geological data is adding to the knowledge of the complexity of the bay. An ongoing program of systematic sampling of bottom sediments in the large bay and intense sampling in the many micro-estuaries along the mainland margin is demonstrating the presence of localized morpho-sedimentological units related to the interaction of the fluvial, tidal, and wave processes active in the bay. Mean grain sizes and standard deviation measures assist in the development of signatures of bottom sediment types.
Cars observation of fine structure population inversion from atomic quenching: S(1D)+Ar→S(3P0)+Ar

Abstract In this first use of CARS spectroscopy to detect atomic sulfur, a population inversion has been observed among the fine structure levels of ground term S(3PJ) produced in the quenching of S(1D) by collision with argon. At least 80% of the S(3PJ) is formed in the J=0 level. ArS potential curves obtained from MC SCF CI calculations provide the basis for a proposed mechanism explaining this high level of quenching selectivity.
Combination chemoimmunotherapy with pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab shows significant clinical activity with low accompanying toxicity in previously untreated B chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Building on the prior work of use of pentostatin in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we initiated a trial of combined pentostatin (2 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2), and rituximab (375 mg/m2) for 65 symptomatic, previously untreated patients. Of 64 evaluable patients, 34 (53%) were high Rai risk, 71% were nonmutated for the immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region gene, 34% were CD38+, and 34% were ZAP-70+. Thirty patients (52%) had one anomaly detected by fluorescence in situ (FISH) hybridization, and 21 (36%) had complex FISH defects. Thirty-eight patients (58%) had grade 3+ hematologic toxicity but minimal transfusion needs and no major infections. Responses occurred in 58 patients (91%), with 26 (41%) complete responses (CRs), 14 (22%) nodular partial responses (nodular PRs), and 18 (28%) partial responses (PRs). Many patients with a CR also lacked evidence of minimal residual disease by 2-color flow cytometry. Examination of prognostic factors demonstrated poor response in the 3 patients with del(17p). In contrast, we found this regimen was equally effective in young versus older (> 70 years) patients and in del(11q22.3) versus other favorable prognostic factors. Thus, this novel regimen of pentostatin, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab for previously untreated patients with CLL demonstrated significant clinical activity despite poor risk-based prognoses, achievement of minimal residual disease in some, and modest toxicity.
β2-Adrenoceptors and ventricular fibrillation

Abstract β-Adrenoceptor antagonists significantly reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac death in patients with contractile dysfunction. Contractile dysfunction is associated with a decline in β 1 -adrenoceptors, no change in the number of β 2 -adrenoceptors, and an increased responsiveness to β 2 -adrenoceptor stimulation. Selective β 2 -adrenoceptor blockade prevents ventricular fibrillation in a canine model of sudden cardiac death. Cardiac β 2 -adrenoceptor stimulation increases L-type Ca 2 + currents, but unlike β 1 -adrenoceptor stimulation, it fails to elicit phospholamban phosphorylation. Restoration of resting diastolic [Ca 2 +] following β 2 -adrenoceptor-mediated increases in Ca 2 + influx is more dependent on Na + /Ca 2 + exchange, which generates an arrhythmogenic transient inward current that can trigger ventricular fibrillation.
Narcissism in Organizations: A Multisource Appraisal Reflects Different Perspectives

The majority of employees state that their manager is the worst aspect of their job. Over the past decade, a considerable amount of research has been devoted to identifying factors that contribute to immoral and ineffective leader behavior. Researchers have continually linked personality, and in particular narcissism, to the proclivity of leaders to behave ineffectively and unethically. This study represents an initial attempt to examine the relationship between narcissism and leadership in an organizational setting to determine the extent to which narcissism is related to managerial effectiveness and integrity. Results indicated that narcissism was negatively related to supervisor ratings of interpersonal performance and integrity. In contrast, narcissism was unrelated to subordinate ratings of interpersonal performance and integrity. Furthermore, narcissism was unrelated to supervisor and subordinate ratings of conceptual performance. The unique relationship between narcissistic leaders and their follow...
Mechanical stimulation toward tissue engineering of the knee meniscus

Current clinical practices do not adequately regenerate the meniscus of the knee secondary to a tear. Complete or partial meniscus removal leads to degenerative changes within the joint. Tissue engineering of the meniscus promises a potent solution. Before embarking on tissue engineering of the meniscus, it is crucial to have a thorough comprehension of the biomechanical role that this tissue fulfills and how the structure of meniscus is uniquely suited to that purpose. To better understand this, we have examined the meniscus, as well as associated tissues, within the body. For the first time, the knee meniscus is rigorously compared to ligament, tendon, and cartilage, and inferences are drawn on how mechanical stimulation may be used to channel growth in the meniscus. We have examined in detail the loading conditions that these tissues experience in vivo and how each is uniquely adapted to its loading environment. These tissues are capable of achieving some degree of remodeling because of mechanical stimuli. By understanding the mechanisms that can stimulate and promote regeneration in related tissues, we hope to harness that knowledge to achieve the goal of meniscal regeneration.
Laser-enhanced electron-impact ionization spectroscopy

Sequential photon-excitation, electron-impact ionization with subsequent mass analysis has been applied to a barium atomic beam. High-resolution, Doppler-free laser excitation produces the 6s6p(1)P(1) excited state, which is then ionized by electron bombardment. The excited state is selectively ionized when bombardment energies are between the excited- and ground-state ionization thresholds. Mass discrimination has permitted the recording of individual optical spectra for all the stable isotopes, including the 0.1% abundant (130)Ba and (132)Ba, in a sample with natural isotopic abundances.
Intracranial and cerebral perfusion pressures in awake versus isoflurane-anesthetized horses.

As a cerebral vasodilator, isoflurane (ISO) can interfere with normal cerebrovascular autoregulation and may exacerbate cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) changes in horses brought about by drugs that decrease mean arterial pressure (MAP) and by body positions that alter the hydrostatic gradient between brain and heart. It was, therefore, hypothesized that ISO-anesthetized horses in lateral recumbency would have increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and decreased CPP compared to standing, unmedicated horses. Anesthesia was induced and maintained in six healthy horses in left lateral recumbency using only ISO in oxygen. Central venous pressure (CVP) from the right atrium and MAP from the right carotid artery were recorded on a calibrated physiograph. A Codman Microsensor ICP transducer was placed in the subarachnoid space through a right parietal craniotomy. The PaO2, PaCO2, and pHa were obtained using an automated blood gas analyzer with values corrected to tonometrically derived standard curves. Horses were ventilated to 18–22 cm H2O inspiratory pressure and 0–2 cm H2O end-expiratory pressure. End-tidal isoflurane was measured by calibrated gas analyzers and maintained at 1.57%, or 1.2 times minimum alveolar concentration. Measurements in laterally recumbent horses were made at least 20 minutes following constant end-tidal isoflurane conditions. Measurements in awake horses were made 1 hour following standing recovery from anesthesia. The following data were obtained from anesthetized and awake horses, respectively (mm Hg; mean ± SD): MAP = 71 ± 6 and 133 ± 17, CVP = 9 ± 3 and 4 ± 14, ICP = 24 ± 5 and 2 ± 4, CPP = 48 ± 4 and 102 ± 26. Paired t-tests showed significant differences between anesthetized and awake horses for MAP (p < 0.0005), ICP (p < 0.00005), and CPP (p < 0.005), but not for CVP. In both groups, PaCO2 ranged between 34 and 43 mm Hg, and PaO2 was always greater than 80 mm Hg. Results from this study indicate that healthy horses anesthetized with ISO in lateral recumbency have significantly increased ICP and decreased CPP compared to unmedicated, standing horses. Thus, in the absence of adequate cerebrovascular autoregulation, it is possible that this species may be especially susceptible to periods of cerebral ischemia during anesthesia.
The Effect of Monetary and Fiscal Policies on Regional Business Cycles

A Keynesian reduced-form quarterly model of regional income determination is constructed and tested for the eight regions of the United States. The results support the view that national economic policy exerts a significant direct influence on a region's export earnings. The findings are in conflict with some monetarist models, in that fiscal policy, as well as monetary policy, strongly influences regional basic economic activity. Also, the findings suggest the desirability of incorporating national policy variables into regional econometric models.
Persistent extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive Escherichia coli chronic prostatitis successfully treated with a combination of fosfomycin and doxycycline

For chronic bacterial prostatitis, there are few oral antibiotics available that are active against common uropathogens and are able to penetrate the non-inflamed prostate at therapeutic concentrations. Oral options to treat chronic prostatitis due to Gram-negative bacillary multidrug-resistant organisms are even more limited. We report a case of persistent extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive Escherichia coli chronic prostatitis refractory to antibiotic therapy. Prolonged courses of fosfomycin failed to eradicate the infection. Re-treatment with high-dose fosfomycin again failed to clear the infection. After repeated courses of fosfomycin, the ESBL-positive E. coli remained susceptible to fosfomycin. Transrectal ultrasound revealed prostatic calcifications that were thought to be the reason for antibiotic failure. Following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to remove the prostatic calcifications, the prostatic calcifications remained and the infection persisted. Although the patient's ESBL-positive E. coli was resistant to doxycycline, he was treated with a combination of fosfomycin plus doxycycline. Treatment with fosfomycin and doxycycline rapidly cured his chronic prostatitis.
Big Bang Nucleosynthesis Constraints on the Self-Gravity of Pressure

Using big bang nucleosynthesis and present, high-precision measurements of light element abundances, we constrain the self-gravity of radiation pressure in the early universe. The self-gravity of pressure is strictly non-Newtonian, and thus the constraints we set provide a direct test of this prediction of general relativity and of the standard, Friedmann-Robertson-Walker cosmology.
INSTITUTIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Scholars have tended to recommend ‘optimal’ solutions for coping with open-access problems related to common-pool resources such as fisheries, forests and water systems. Examples exist of both successful and unsuccessful efforts to rely on private property, government property and community property. After briefly reviewing how the often-recommended solutions have worked in the field, I suggest that institutional theorists move from touting simple, optimal solutions to analysing adaptive, multi-level governance as related to complex, evolving resource systems.
Helium-Oxygen Mixtures in Intubated Patients with Status Asthmaticus and Respiratory Acidosis*

Seven patients with status asthmaticus intubated for respiratory failure who had elevated airway pressures and persistent respiratory acidosis were successfully ventilated using a mixture of 60 percent helium and 40 percent oxygen. All patients experienced a rapid reduction in airway pressures, CO2 retention, and resolution of acidosis while breathing a helium-oxygen mixture. There were no untoward effects. Helium-oxygen mixtures improve ventilation by reducing the Reynolds number and reducing density dependent resistance. Helium's beneficial effects are due to its high kinematic viscosity, high binary diffusion coefficient for CO2, and high diffusivity. Helium-oxygen mixtures should be considered for use in mechanically ventilated asthmatics with respiratory acidosis who fail conventional therapy.
Histone Acetylation near the Nucleosome Dyad Axis Enhances Nucleosome Disassembly by RSC and SWI/SNF

Signaling associated with transcription activation occurs through posttranslational modification of histones and is best exemplified by lysine acetylation. Lysines are acetylated in histone tails and the core domain/lateral surface of histone octamers. While acetylated lysines in histone tails are frequently recognized by other factors referred to as "readers," which promote transcription, the mechanistic role of the modifications in the lateral surface of the histone octamer remains unclear. By using X-ray crystallography, we found that acetylated lysines 115 and 122 in histone H3 are solvent accessible, but in biochemical assays they appear not to interact with the bromodomains of SWI/SNF and RSC to enhance recruitment or nucleosome mobilization, as previously shown for acetylated lysines in H3 histone tails. Instead, we found that acetylation of lysines 115 and 122 increases the predisposition of nucleosomes for disassembly by SWI/SNF and RSC up to 7-fold, independent of bromodomains, and only in conjunction with contiguous nucleosomes. Thus, in combination with SWI/SNF and RSC, acetylation of lateral surface lysines in the histone octamer serves as a crucial regulator of nucleosomal dynamics distinct from the histone code readers and writers.
Urticaria pigmentosa: An anesthetic challenge

Urticaria pigmentosa is the most common form of mastocytosis, a disease in which abnormal proliferations of mast cells occur in various organs of the body. Multiple stimuli, including many drugs commonly used in anesthetic practice, can provoke mast cell degranulation and result in intraoperative hemodynamic instability. An anesthetic plan minimizing histamine release and utilizing vecuronium as the muscle relaxant is discussed, and the literature pertaining to urticaria pigmentosa is reviewed.
Quorum Sensing Regulates Type III Secretion in Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus

In a process known as quorum sensing, bacteria communicate with one another by producing, releasing, detecting, and responding to signal molecules called autoinducers. Vibrio harveyi, a marine pathogen, uses two parallel quorum-sensing circuits, each consisting of an autoinducer-sensor pair, to control the expression of genes required for bioluminescence and a number of other target genes. Genetic screens designed to discover autoinducer-regulated targets in V. harveyi have revealed genes encoding components of a putative type III secretion (TTS) system. Using transcriptional reporter fusions and TTS protein localization studies, we show that the TTS system is indeed functional in V. harveyi and that expression of the genes encoding the secretion machinery requires an intact quorum-sensing signal transduction cascade. The newly completed genome of the closely related marine bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus, which is a human pathogen, shows that it possesses the genes encoding both of the V. harveyi-like quorum-sensing signaling circuits and that it also has a TTS system similar to that of V. harveyi. We show that quorum sensing regulates TTS in V. parahaemolyticus. Previous reports connecting quorum sensing to TTS in enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli show that quorum sensing activates TTS at high cell density. Surprisingly, we find that at high cell density (in the presence of autoinducers), quorum sensing represses TTS in V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus.
The Green function for a piezoelectric piezomagnetic magnetoelectric anisotropic elastic medium with an elliptic hole or rigid inclusion

By extending the Stroh sextic formalism to a ten-dimensional formalism, it is shown that the Green function for an elliptic hole or rigid inclusion in an anisotropic elastic medium can be modified easily for an anisotropic medium with piezoelectric, piezomagnetic and magnetoelectric coupling.
An automated segmentation for nickel-based superalloy

We investigate the automated segmentation of microstructures of a nickel-based superalloy using digital microscopy data. We study the combination of a region merging segmentation method called the stabilized inverse diffusion equation (SIDE), and a stochastic segmentation method, the expectation-maximization/maximization of the posterior marginals (EM/MPM) algorithm. We use the SIDE algorithm to segment the grain boundaries and we use the EM/MPM algorithm to classify two phases of the material within each grain. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.