cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Advantages and disadvantages of glucose limitation in perfused mammalian cell cultures

Feeding strategies based on glucose limitation are becoming increasingly popular in mammalian cell cultivation. While until recently this approach has been limited to small-scale experiments, nowadays there is a considerable interest in its large-scale application. In order to investigate the overall effect of glucose limitation, we have applied this strategy to the industrial scale perfused cultivation of NSO myeloma cell line for antibody production. Glucose-limited and non-limited experiments were conducted in a 200 L sparged bioreactor, equipped with an external cell retention device. The experiments continued for several months at high cell density (20-60x106 cells/mL), which enabled the reliable monitoring of physiological phenomena with large time constants. A comprehensive set of process variables representing cell physiology and process efficiency were analyzed both in terms of statics and dynamics. Glucose limitation provides several important advantages, including control of the glucose metabolism, reduced lactate concentration, better medium utilization, and simple perfusion control. Apart from these advantages, however, glucose limitation provoked phenomena with profound effect on cell physiology and process efficiency. Based on our experimental data, it was concluded that glucose limited feeding has large potential for industrial application, but should be used cautiously, after careful evaluation of its long-term effect on the cell culture.
Light-dependent hydration of the space surrounding photoreceptors in chick retina.

PURPOSE To characterize the light-evoked increase in the volume (or hydration) of the subretinal space (SRS) of chick retina and to investigate its retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) origin. METHODS The authors perfused chick retina-RPE-choroid preparations with the extracellular space marker, tetramethylammonium (TMA+), and estimated its concentration ([TMA+]o) using double-barreled, ion-selective electrodes. They recorded dark-light changes in subretinal [TMA+]o and studied the effects of drugs that suppress RPE ion transport and conductances. RESULTS The authors observed a slow, light-evoked decrease in subretinal [TMA+]o, about 7% in amplitude, that slowly returned to baseline and then increased at light OFF. It was 40% to 65% inhibited by bumetanide and furosemide, known to inhibit RPE apical membrane Na-K-Cl cotransport; 70% to 80% inhibited by DIDS, an inhibitor of RPE basal membrane chloride conductance, and 50% inhibited by 0.5 mM BaCl2, a blocker of the K+ conductance of the RPE apical membrane. Decreases in subretinal [TMA+]o also were produced when the authors lowered [Cl-]o or [K+]o in the SRS by reducing concentrations in the retinal perfusate. The effect on [TMA]o was larger for [Cl-]o than for [K+]o and was inhibited by bumetanide and DIDS. CONCLUSIONS Changes in subretinal ion concentrations in light and darkness, most likely [K+]o, modify SRS hydration by modulating RPE apical membrane Na-K-Cl cotransport, as well as the conductive effluxes of K+ across the apical membrane and Cl- across the basal membrane. These changes depend principally on the movement of water into or out of the RPE. In turn, subretinal hydration modifies local ion concentrations and the composition of the interphotoreceptor matrix.
Computer science higher education pipeline

Women and minorities are underrepresented in college CS majors and in IT employment. In an attempt to understand the reasons for this severe under-representation of African American and Latino/a high school and college students, we have chosen to focus on the Computer Science pipeline at the high school level. We worked with underrepresented students in the federally funded TRIO programs and other pre-college programs and compared their experiences and opportunities with those of students who are entering college nationwide. The preliminary result indicates the lower proportion of minority students in high school considering computer science as a probable major in college may be due to parental influence.
A Critical Biocultural Perspective on Tourism and the Nutrition Transition in the Yucatan

Biocultural anthropology is a broad and holistic approach to the study of human biology within social and cultural contexts. A critical biocultural approach furthers these considerations by paying particular attention to how historical and political economic forces help shape social contexts and biological variation, as well as the research process itself. In this chapter we first discuss the emergence of a critical biocultural anthropology and then provide a case study of the political ecology of food and nutrition in the Yucatan following the development of the tourism industry in the 1970s and 1980s.
Intelligent Identification of Transmission Line Defects Based on Fast Neural Network Model

The hidden risk management and governance of the important crossing sections of overhead transmission lines is one of the key tasks of State Grid Corporation in recent years. With the wide application of new technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and visual online monitoring systems, massive inspection image data has been obtained. Most of the image data is identified and diagnosed manually at present, which is easy to cause misjudgment, and the recognition efficiency is extremely low. In this paper, the multi-source monitoring data of overhead transmission lines are collected and organized. Based on the fast neural network model, an intelligent fault identification method for transmission line visualization data is proposed for improving the utilization efficiency of transmission line monitoring data and helping to fully understand the running status of the equipment.
Life in a Time of Plague and Beyond

Plagues have come and gone throughout the course of human history. They can be extremely disruptive of societies through which they ravage and usually permanently change things even after the infec...
Plateros para el Inca: la traducción de documentos en lengua general al castellano en la Audiencia de Lima a fines del siglo XVII

espanolUn documento de 1693 esclarece la labor de traduccion de testimonios escritos en lengua general al castellano por parte de los interpretes de los naturales de la Audiencia de Lima. El caso demuestra el uso oficial de la escritura en quechua como vehiculo de la justicia ordinaria y refuerza la idea de que la labor de interpretacion en un contexto plurilingue como el del circuito de la Audiencia fue posible gracias al uso de una o mas variantes estandar de quechua, por parte de traductores y litigantes, hasta bien entrado el siglo XVII EnglishA 1693 document sheds light on the translation into Castilian of witness testimonies uttered in the lengua general and recorded in writing a century earlier, as part of the activities of the interpreters-general in Lima’s appellate court (audiencia). The case demonstrates the official admission of written Quechua in judicial procedures as late as the closing decades of the seventeenth century. It reinforces the idea that the use of one or more standard varieties of Quechua by litigants and interpreters made the interpretive work of these translators in plurilingual contexts such as the court’s judicial district possible.
Novel Multi-layer Design and Additive Manufacturing Fabrication of a High Power Density and Efficiency Interior PM Motor

This paper presents a novel interior Permanent Magnet (PM) motor design with alternate layers of PM and Soft Magnetic Composite (SMC) designed and optimized according to the specifications of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) traction motor. The Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations show that the optimized layered design can achieve a higher efficiency and a similar torque density compared to a commercial interior PM motor, while using a PM material with 40% of the remnant flux density. The proposed configuration can be fabricated using cold spray Additive Manufacturing (AM) allowing the layered rotor structure to have higher mechanical strength that can enable the motor operation at higher speeds achieving 50% higher power density or more.
Influence of kaonic resonances on the CP violation inB→K *γ like processes

We consider CP violating effects in decays of the typeB→k i γ→Kπγ,K *πγ andKργ, wherek i represents a strange meson resonance. We include in our calculations five of the low-lying resonances with quantum numbers (J P ) 1−, 1+ and 2+. At the quark level these decays are driven by the penguin graph as well as tree graphs. CP violation arises in the Standard Model due to the difference in the CKM phase between these graphs. We model the final state interaction of the hadronic system using the low lyingk i resonances. Bound state effects are incorporated by using ideas based on the model of Grinstein et al. and also in another bound state model (somewhat similar to the model of Wirbel et al.) which we construct designed to take into account relativistic effects better. In these models we find that radiative decays ofB mesons give rise to four of the five kaonic resonances at about 1 to 7% of the inclusiveb→sγ rate. Furthermore, in both bound state models we find that the probability of formation of the other three higher resonances is roughly the same as that ofK *(892), which was recently seen at CLEO. In addition to the partial rate asymmetry which arises due to interference between resonances of the same quantum numbers, we show how interference between resonances of the same parity, and also between resonances of the opposite parity, result in two different types of energy asymmetries. CP differential asymmetries at the level of a few percent seem possible. We thus obtain CP violating distributions which may be observed in a sample of about 109 B ± mesons. For concreteness in this paper we deal with only charged B's, neutral B's will be dealt with separately.
Does Teacher Data Use Lead to Improved Student Achievement? A Review of the Empirical Evidence:

Background/ContextThe importance attached to practicing data use is evident in its inclusion in federal law, competitive grant programs, state teaching license requirements, and professional develo...
Autobiographical Memory Fluency Reductions in Cognitively Unimpaired Middle-Aged and Older Adults at Increased Risk for Alzheimer's Disease Dementia.

Objective: Recent research has revealed that cognitively unimpaired older adults who are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia often exhibit subtle cognitive alterations in their neuropsychological profiles. Emerging evidence suggests that autobiographical memory, which is memory for personal events and knowledge, may be sensitive to early AD-related cognitive alterations. In the present study, we investigated whether the rapid generation of autobiographical memory category exemplars, a retrieval process that taxes the neural network that is vulnerable to early AD, is compromised in cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older carriers of the e4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE4), which increases risk for AD dementia. Methods: In addition to standard neuropsychological tests, we administered a fluency task that requires generating exemplars for two types of autobiographical memory, namely episodic memories and personal semantics, to a group of cognitively unimpaired middle-aged and older adults (n = 45) enriched with APOE4 carriers (n = 20). Results: While no APOE4 deficits were found on standard neuropsychological tests, episodic and personal semantic exemplar generation was reduced in the APOE4 group. Discussion: Autobiographical memory aberrations associated with a higher risk for AD are evident in fluency and affect both episodic memory and personal semantics.
Before the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy “GWB Digitalization Act” Comment of the Global Antitrust Institute, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University

This comment is submitted by the Global Antitrust Institute (GAI) at Scalia Law School, George Mason University to the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (Bundesministeriums fur Wirtschaft und Energie, hereinafter “BMWi”) for consideration in relation to its proposed amendment to German competition law, the GWB Digitalization Act. The GAI Competition Advocacy Program provides recommendations to facilitate adoption of economically sound competition rules and policies. This comment identifies a number of elements contained in the proposed legislation that have the potential to introduce departures from sound economic analysis into German competition-law enforcement. These include novel provisions affecting the definition of “dominance” and “abuse of dominance,” as well as provisions promoting the use of so-called mandatory access remedies in cases involving digital platforms.
New ideas on governing equations of fluid dynamics

Classical fluid kinematics or Cauchy-Stokes decomposition mistreated vorticity as fluid rotation and mixed flow stretching with shearing. Classical fluid dynamics or Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations are based on the classical kinematics and treated vorticity as null in contribution of forces and mixed the stretching force with the shearing force, which is not consistent with the Galilean invariancy. N-S equations also neglect the flow rotation. It is believed that N-S equations may work for incompressible and laminar flow but are not satisfied for turbulent flow and compressible flow especially for high-speed flow. Based on Liutex, new fluid kinematics has been established by Liu in 2021, which gives a Liutex-based principal coordinate system and a new principal decomposition in that system, which has been transferred back to the original Cartesian coordinate system. The principal decomposition of velocity gradient tensor has four parts which are called rotation, stretching, anti-symmetric shearing and symmetric shearing. Four forces are derived according to the four parts of the velocity gradient tensor. According to the new fluid kinematics, it is reported in this letter that based on the principal decomposition, a new relation between the velocity gradient tensor and stress-rate tensor has been established to form a new fluid dynamics equation to govern fluid flow. The new governing equation may be applicable to both laminar flow and turbulent flow, and both incompressible flow and compressible flow including high-speed flow for reasonable results with reasonable grids. Further numerical experiment is needed to verify.
Comparing automated vs. manual data collection for COVID-specific medications from electronic health records.

Abstract Introduction Data extraction from electronic health record (EHR) systems occurs through manual abstraction, automated extraction, or a combination of both. While each method has its strengths and weaknesses, both are necessary for retrospective observational research as well as sudden clinical events, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessing the strengths, weaknesses, and potentials of these methods is important to continue to understand optimal approaches to extracting clinical data. We set out to assess automated and manual techniques for collecting medication use data in patients with COVID-19 to inform future observational studies that extract data from the electronic health record (EHR). Materials and Methods For 4,123 COVID-positive patients hospitalized and/or seen in the emergency department at an academic medical center between 03/03/2020 and 05/15/2020, we compared medication use data of 25 medications or drug classes collected through manual abstraction and automated extraction from the EHR. Quantitatively, we assessed concordance using Cohen’s kappa to measure interrater reliability, and qualitatively, we audited observed discrepancies to determine causes of inconsistencies. Results Of the 16 inpatient medications, 11 (69%) demonstrated moderate or better agreement; 7 of those demonstrated strong or almost perfect agreement. Of 9 outpatient medications, 3 (33%) demonstrated moderate agreement, but none achieved strong or almost perfect agreement. We audited 12% of all discrepancies (716/5,790) and, in those audited, observed three principal categories of error: human error in manual abstraction (26%), errors in the extract-transform-load (ETL) or mapping of the automated extraction (41%), and abstraction-query mismatch (33%). Conclusion Our findings suggest many inpatient medications can be collected reliably through automated extraction, especially when abstraction instructions are designed with data architecture in mind. We discuss quality issues, concerns, and improvements for institutions to consider when crafting an approach. During crises, institutions must decide how to allocate limited resources. We show that automated extraction of medications is feasible and make recommendations for how to improve for future iterations.
Improved melanoma survival at last! Ipilimumab and a paradigm shift for immunotherapy.

drug. These results are noteworthy and paradigm-shifting for several reasons. First, they represent the first positive randomized clinical trial ever reported in patients with metastatic melanoma. The two established FDA-approved drugs for this disease, the chemotherapeutic agent dacarbazine and the immune-stimulating agent IL-2, were approved without phase III clinical trial data. Second, they are the first bona fide positive data showing a beneficial effect of a melanoma treatment in the second line setting. Third, they demonstrate that clinical benefit can be derived from an immunotherapeutic approach for cancer without immediate frank tumor shrinkage. Although the response rate by RECIST criteria was only 11%, the one- and 2 yr survival rates with Iplimumab were 46 and 24%, respectively. Forth, and most importantly, they represent the first example of blockade of an immune inhibitory pathway as a cancer therapeutic. These results should fuel accelerated development and clinical trial testing of agents that block the effects of other negative regulatory pathways postulated to restrain anti-tumor immune responses.
Novel interposer scheme for 3D integration

Glass interposer is introduced as an alternative to silicon interposer for 3D integration due to the attractive advantages such as excellent electrical isolation, extremely low insertion loss, adjustable coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and most importantly low cost potential with the capability of large panel size fabrication. In this study, a novel scheme is proposed to fabricate glass interposer more cost-effectively. Thin glass with through-glass via (TGV) is adopted directly for interposer fabrication, which makes double-side traces and interconnect with panel-compatible laminated temporary bond and laser de-bond technologies. 100μm thickness, 200mm by 200mm small panel size glass interposer is successfully process integrated and demonstrated with the novel scheme. It provides a realizable low cost and panel-level fabricated glass interposer solution for 3D integration applications.
Kruskal–Wallis Test

The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test is an extension of the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. The null hypothesis is that the k populations sampled have the same average (median). The alternative hypothesis is that at least one sample is from a distribution with a different average (median). This test is an alternative to the parametric one-way analysis of variance F test. Keywords: k-sample tests; one-way ANOVA; Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test
Spectroscopy of 18O: 14C(7Li,t gamma )18O reaction; observation of selective enhanced E1 deexcitations of cluster states.

The alpha-particle transfer reaction $^{14}\mathrm{C}$${(}^{7}$Li,t\ensuremath{\gamma}${)}^{18}$O was used to study gamma deexcitation modes in $^{18}\mathrm{O}$ at a bombarding energy ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{L}}$=15 MeV. In this measurement 4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{6}$ triton-gamma coincidence events were collected. All natural parity states up to the alpha-particle threshold at 6.227 MeV were studied. These data together with our previously published study of states above threshold, using the \ensuremath{\alpha}${+}^{14}$C radiative capture reaction, provide relatively complete spectroscopic information on states in $^{18}\mathrm{O}$ up to 8.3 MeV in excitation energy. Previously reported major gamma decay branching ratios were remeasured with higher accuracy and good agreement is found. Several new weak deexcitation modes are reported. Enhanced E1 decays, B(E1)\ensuremath{\simeq}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ Weisskopf unit, were observed among the ${\mathit{J}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}$=${0}_{2}^{+}$, ${1}_{1}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, ${1}_{2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$, ${2}_{3}^{+}$, and ${3}_{3}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ states, representing some of the most enhanced E1's found in even-even nuclei. A strong empirical correlation between enhanced E1 decays and cluster structure is established. These enhanced B(E1)'s suggest a selective deexcitation mode in which the states involved preferentially decay to cluster states. The cluster states are strongly populated in cluster transfer reactions and weakly populated in (t,p) reactions. Predictions of the vibron cluster model are compared with our data. The presence in our data of contaminant lines from $^{14}\mathrm{C}$${(}^{7}$Li,\ensuremath{\alpha}${)}^{17}$N allowed extraction of some information on $^{17}\mathrm{N}$.
Leadership Transition in the CPC: Promising Progress and Potential Problems

The transformation of China from an all-powerful strongman-dominated political system to its current structure of collective leadership has generated new institutional rules and norms in elite politics. Over the past decade, top Chinese leaders have begun using the term "intra-Party democracy" to describe the idea that the Communist Party of China (CPC) should institutionalise checks and balances within its leadership. This development in turn has affected political dynamics and elite behaviours. This article reviews the CPC's institutional development in the reform era and discusses the challenges and opportunities that the CPC is encountering on the eve of the 18th Party Congress.
Water on early Mars

Large flood channels, valley networks and a variety of features attributed to the action of ground ice indicate that Mars emerged from heavy bombardment 3.8 Ga ago, with an inventory of water at the surface equivalent to at least a few hundred metres spread over the whole planet, as compared with 3 km for the Earth. The mantle of Mars is much drier than that of the Earth, possibly as a result of global melting at the end of accretion and the lack of plate tectonics to subsequently reintroduce water into the interior. The surface water resided primarily in a porous, kilometres-thick megaregolith created by the high impact rates. Under today's climatic conditions groundwater is trapped below a thick permafrost zone. At the end of heavy bombardment any permafrost zone would have been much thinner because of the high heat flows, but climatic conditions may have been very different then, as suggested by erosion rates 1000 times higher than subsequent rates. Water trapped below the permafrost periodically erupted onto the surface to form large flood channels and lakes. Given abundant water at the surface and sustained volcanism, hydrothermal activity must have frequently occurred but we have yet to make the appropriate observations to detect the results of such activity.
Inhibition of the MEK/ERK Signaling Pathway Blocks a Subset of B Cell Responses to Antigen

Signal transduction initiated by B cell Ag receptor (BCR) cross-linking plays an important role in the development and activation of B cells. Therefore, considerable effort has gone into determining the biochemical signaling events initiated by the BCR and delineating which events participate in specific biological responses to Ag. We used two inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) 1 and MEK2, PD98059, and U0126, to assess the role the Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway plays in several BCR-induced responses. PD98059 or U0126 treatment substantially inhibited the BCR-induced activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) forms of mitogen-activated protein kinase in the immature B cell line WEHI-231, in immature splenic B cells, and in mature splenic B cells. However, MEK-ERK inhibition did not block BCR-induced growth arrest or apoptosis of WEHI-231 cells or apoptosis of immature splenic B cells, indicating that the MEK-ERK pathway is not required for these events. In contrast, PD98059 and U0126 treatment did inhibit the up-regulation of specific BCR-induced proteins, including the transcription factor Egr-1 in WEHI-231 and mature splenic B cells, and the CD44 adhesion molecule and CD69 activation marker in mature splenic B cells. Moreover, both inhibitors suppressed BCR-induced proliferation of mature splenic B cells, in the absence and in the presence of IL-4. Therefore, activation of the MEK-ERK pathway is necessary for a subset of B cell responses to Ag.
Incorporating user utility into sponsored-search auctions

We study principled methods for incorporating user utility into the selection of sponsored search ads. We describe variations of the GSP allocation/pricing mechanism that accommodate these user utility functions, we provide interesting and useful parallels of some of the theoretical properties from the traditional GSP mechanisms in the new GSP variations, and we present simulation results that exemplify the use of the ranking system.
The Effects of Aged Garlic Extract on Lipid Peroxidation and the Deformability of Erythrocytes

The effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) on lipid peroxidative damage and the deformability of erythrocytes were evaluated in rats. The deformability of erythrocytes was measured using the micropore filtration method. AGE significantly prevented the decrease of erythrocyte deformability induced by lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. The addition of AGE significantly inhibited an increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and hemolysis rate and prevented the loss of intraerythrocytic ATP and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in oxidized erythrocytes. Moreover, AGE significantly suppressed not only the hemolysis rate induced by peroxidation but also hemolysis due to nonperoxidation. These results suggest the possibility that AGE improves microcirculation and rheological blood properties and preserves the structure and function of erythrocytes not only through an antioxidant process, but also via the glycolysis pathway and membrane stabilization of erythrocytes.
One‐Dimensional Fourier Imaging and k‐Space

Magnetic resonance imaging offers the possibility to obtain spatially resolved anatomical information. This is accomplished by taking advantage of the Larmor relationship, which dictates that the frequency of the spins depends on the local magnetic field. This unit discusses the one dimensional Fourier imaging based on this relation. The one-to-one mapping of the signal from a given frequency to a given spatial location is explained. The image reconstruction based on well-known Fourier transform reconstruction method is described in detail. The Fourier transform takes the MR signal as acquired in the time domain (usually referred to as the k-space domain) and converts it to the frequency domain where 1-D spatially resolved information can be obtained.
Impact of surgeon volume on the morbidity and costs of radical cystectomy in the USA: a contemporary population‐based analysis

Objectives To evaluate the relationship between surgeon volume of radical cystectomy (RC) and postoperative morbidity, and to assess the economic burden of bladder cancer in the USA. Methods We captured all patients who underwent RC (International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision, code 57.71) between 2003 and 2010, using a nationwide hospital discharge database. Patient, hospital and surgical characteristics were evaluated. The annual volume of RCs performed by the surgeons was divided into quintiles. Multivariable regression models were developed, adjusting for clustering and survey weighting, to evaluate the outcomes, including 90-day major complications (Clavien grade III–V) and direct patient costs. We adjusted for clustering and weighting to achieve a nationally representative analysis. Results The weighted cohort included 49 792 patients who underwent RC, with an overall 90-day major complication rate of 16.2%. Compared with surgeons performing one RC annually, surgeons performing ≥7 RCs each year had 45% lower odds of major complications (odds ratio [OR] 0.55; P < 0.001) and lower costs by $1690 (P = 0.02). Results were consistent when we analysed surgeon volume as a continuous variable and when we examined the surgeons with the highest volumes (≥28 cases annually), which showed markedly lower odds of major complications compared with the surgeons with the lowest volumes (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.31–0.67; P < 0.001). Compared with patients who did not have any complications, those who had a major complication were associated with significantly higher 90-day median direct hospital costs ($43 965 vs $24 341; P < 0.001). Conclusions We showed that there was an inverse relationship between surgeon volume and the development of postoperative 90-day major complication rates as well as direct hospital costs. Centralisation of RC to surgeons with higher volumes may reduce the development of postoperative major complications, thereby decreasing the burden of bladder cancer on the healthcare system.
GPU Computing Pipeline Inefficiencies and Optimization Opportunities in Heterogeneous CPU-GPU Processors

Emerging heterogeneous CPU-GPU processors have introduced unified memory spaces and cache coherence. CPU and GPU cores will be able to concurrently access the same memories, eliminating memory copy overheads and potentially changing the application-level optimization targets. To date, little is known about how developers may organize new applications to leverage the available, finer-grained communication in these processors. However, understanding potential application optimizations and adaptations is critical for directing heterogeneous processor programming model and architectural development. This paper quantifies opportunities for applications and architectures to evolve to leverage the new capabilities of heterogeneous processors. To identify these opportunities, we ported and simulated a broad set of benchmarks originally developed for discrete GPUs to remove memory copies, and applied analytical models to quantify their application-level pipeline inefficiencies. For existing benchmarks, GPU bulk-synchronous software pipelines result in considerable core and cache utilization inefficiency. For heterogeneous processors, the results indicate increased opportunity for techniques that provide flexible compute and data granularities, and support for efficient producer-consumer data handling and synchronization within caches.
Performance, leadership, factions and party change: An empirical analysis

This article reports the first empirical findings based on data from a major study of party change. Hypotheses are developed linking party change to both internal and external factors. The data provide support for the conclusion that electoral performance alone is not sufficient as an explanation for parties’ decisions to change, and that new leaders and/or dominant factions may indeed make a difference. This leads the authors to suggest that ‘the burgeoning field of theoretical and empirical work on party change should focus even more attention on internal decision‐making processes’.
An experimental study of the rhythmic contractions in the small intestine of the dog

Exteriorized loops were prepared at various levels in the small bowel of trained dogs and the occurrence and rate of rhythmic contractions noted. Rhythmic contractions were found to be a relatively rare form of movement in these preparations, occurring in about 2 per cent of all tracings. The remaining 98 per cent of the tracings was occupied by irregular types of segmentation, peristaltic and tonus waves. The rate of rhythmic contractions was a constant for any given loop with a variation of plus or minus one contraction per minute. The rate of any given loop was found to be a function of its distance from the pylorus, the loop at the highest level having the highest rate, that at the lowest level having the lowest rate. The rate was not affected by fasting, feeding or sleep, except that in the recently fed animal, rhythmic contractions were less commonly observed than in the fasting animal. The rate was unaffected by degenerative vagal and splanchnic section.
Nuclear Resonance Flourescence Studies of Levels in 206Pb, 207Pb, 208Pb and 209Bi below about 5MeV

Abstract Capabilities of the resonance flourescence technique are discussed. Specific reference is given to the study of ground state dipole and electric quadrople transitions below about 5 MeV in 206 Pb, 207 Pb, 208 Pb and 209 Bi. It is suggested that many of the states observed in 207 Pb and 209 Bi arise from the weak-coupling of a p 1 2 neutron hole or an h 9 2 proton to collective levels of 208 Pb.
Comparative Analysis of 16S Ribosomal RNA Sequences of Thermophilic Fermentative Bacteria Isolated from Hot Spring Cyanobacterial Mats

Summary Partial 16S rRNA sequences for eight thermophilic fermentative bacteria, seven of which were isolated from cyanobacterial mats in hot springs at Yellowstone National Park, are reported. All appear to be members of the “Gram-positive low G+C subdivision”, including the Gram-negative staining Thermobacteroides acetoethylicus. T. acetoethylicus clusters tightly with two other asporogenous isolates, Thermoanaerobium brockii and Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus, and Clostridium thermohydrosulfuricum. Three acetogenic clostridia, including two strains of Clostridium thermoautotrophicum, and Clostridium thermoaceticum, form another tight cluster. Clostridium thermosulfurogenes forms a distinct branch between these two clusters.
Revisiting the framework: extensions and refinements

In this article, the peace operations framework is re-evaluated based on the case applications performed by the authors in this issue. A number of suggestions are made for extending and refining the framework. Extensions include adding conflict prevention as a core goal, taking politically-motivated judgments into account, and adding context-specific variables including factors over which peacekeepers have limited control. Refinements include moving some dimensions to other goal categories, adjusting the sequencing of variables based on case-specific considerations, and several definitional and assessment issues. These suggestions contribute to an improved framework without altering the conception of peace operations as a set of interconnected and mutually-reinforcing processes.
Comparing top entry versus side entry agitator performance in low viscosity blending

The primary purpose of this study was to quantify the difference in performance of side entering versus top entering agitators in low viscosity blending on the lab scale. This study compared the power requirement of top entry versus side entry agitator set ups to yield the same blend time. A 1.22 m diameter clear vessel was used for the testing and several top entry set ups (0.15–0.3D/T with three wall baffles) were compared to a single side entry set up (0.09D/T with no wall baffles). Blend time was recorded for each run using three to four conductivity probes with water as the base fluid and a saturated sodium chloride solution as the tracer. Results show that a side entering agitator requires between three and five times the power to yield the same blend time as a top entering agitator. This ratio of powers is strongly related to the D/T chosen. In the future, additional work will be completed, which will include the effect of multiple side entry agitators on blend time and the effect of viscosity (i.e., lower Reynolds numbers) on blend time.
REGULATION OF INTESTINAL EPITHELIAL CELL ATTACHMENT AND GROWTH BY EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX (ECM)

Adherence of the intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) to its basement membrane may critically effect migration and differentiation of the IEC. We have quantitated attachment of IEC-6 cells, an established rat IEC line, to various ECM macromolecules. Cells (6.0×105/well) were added to wells coated with type I collagen (Col I), type IV collagen (Col IV), laminin (Ln), fibronectin (Fn), gel matrix derived from EHS sarcoma, which has been shown to support culture of differentiated epithelial cell (GM), or albumin (Al) and incubated for 4 h. The attached cells were washed, lysed and the nuclei were counted. After 4 h, the number of cells attached to GM (2.6×105) was 50-100% greater than for the other substrates (p < .001, ANOVA). GM: 2.7± 0.1×105; Cole IV: 1.95±0.4×105; Col I: 1.3±0.3×105; Fn: 1.4±0.2×105; Ln: 1.9±0.1×105; Al: 1.0±0.3×105. Phase contrast microscopy showed that the substrate had a pronounced effect on cell morphology: after 24 h cells on GM formed cylindrical arrays which penetrated the gel, whereas cells on all other substrates were polygonal and showed little aggregation. Culture of IEC on GM may be a useful model for intestinal development.
The Efficiency of Protective Hoods Used by Sandblasters to Reduce Silica Dust Exposure

Several types of respiratory protective hoods used by sandblasters were investigated in two steel fabrication yards. MSA Gravimetric Dust Samplers were used to collect respirable dust samples outside and inside hoods during sandblasting. Colorimetric and x-ray diffraction techniques were applied to the samples for free-silica determination. The majority of the sandblasters, who wore various types of air-supplied hoods, were exposed to an average level of silica dust several times higher than the TLV. Sandblasters wearing non-air-supplied hoods were at the greatest risk. Modern well maintained and properly worn air-supplied hoods offered fair protection during sandblasting periods, but the concentration of suspended respirable dust in ambient air during non-blasting intervals exceeded the TLV by several times.
Cycles of given length in some K 1,3 -free graphs

Let G be a non-trivial connected K 1,3 -free graph. If any vertex cut of G contains a vertex v such that G(N(v)) is connected, we prove that G is pancyclic. If G(N(v)) is connected for any vertex v of G , we prove that G is vertex pancyclic and obtain a polynomial time algorithm for constructing cycles of given length and passing through a given vertex in G .
SUM FREQUENCY GENERATION VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY STUDIES ON MOLECULAR CONFORMATION AND ORIENTATION OF BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES AT INTERFACES

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy has been employed to study a variety of interesting biological phenomena occurring at interfaces. This review summarizes recent SFG studies on proteins, lipid monolayers and bilayers, and other biological molecules. Molecular level details revealed by SFG in these studies show that SFG is a powerful technique for characterizing conformation, orientation and ordering of biological molecules at interfaces.
Glucocorticoids down-regulate the number of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors in mouse intestine☆

Abstract This study examined the hypothesis that glucocorticoids might regulate intestinal receptors for 1,25(OH)2vitamin D3. Mice were treated with saline vehicle or dexamethasone in doses of 50–200 μg/100 gm body weight for 7 days. A dose-dependent fall in the number of receptors was found in dexamethasone treated animals (∼30%); there was no change in the receptor affinity for 1,25(OH)2D3 (0.2 nM). The decline in receptor number required 5–7 days of dexamethasone treatment depending on dose. Adrenalectomy led to a 30% rise in receptor number which could be prevented by the 50 μg dose of dexamethasone. Receptor changes of equal magnitude were exhibited in vitamin D replete or deplete mice.
Compliance of actin filament networks measured by particle-tracking microrheology and diffusing wave spectroscopy

We monitor the time-dependent shear compliance of a solution of semi-flexible polymers, using diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) and video-enhanced single-particle-tracking (SPT) microrheology. These two techniques use the small thermally excited motion of probing microspheres to interrogate the local properties of polymer solutions. The solutions consist of networks of actin filaments which are long semi-flexible polymers. We establish a relationship between the mean square displacement (MSD) of microspheres imbedded in the solution and the time-dependent creep compliance of the solution, <Δr 2(t)>=(k B T/πa)J(t). Here, J(t) is the creep compliance, <Δr 2(t)> is the mean-square displacement, and a is the radius of the microsphere chosen to be larger than the mesh size of the polymer network. DWS allows us to measure mean square displacements with microsecond temporal resolution and Angstrom spatial resolution. At short times, the mean square displacement of a 0.96μm diameter sphere in a concentrated actin solution displays sub-diffusion. <Δr 2(t)>∝t , with a characteristic exponent =0.78±0.05, which reflects the finite rigidity of actin. At long times, the MSD reaches a plateau, with a magnitude that decreases with concentration. The creep compliance is shown to be a weak function of polymer concentration and scales as J p ∝c –1.2±0.3. This exponent is correctly described by a recent model describing the viscoelasticity of semi-flexible polymer solutions. The DWS and video-enhanced SPT measurements of the compliance plateau agree quantitatively with compliance measured independently using classical mechanical rheometry for a viscous oil and for a solution of flexible polymers. This paper extends the use of DWS and single-particle-tracking to probe the local mechanical properties of polymer networks, shows for the first time the proportionality between mean square displacement and local creep compliance, and therefore presents a new, direct way to extract the viscoelastic properties of polymer systems and complex fluids.
The application of high-field surface analytical techniques to the study of plasma-wall interactions in PLT☆

Abstract The techniques of imaging atom-probe mass spectroscopy, field-ion microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy have been used to analyze the surface and near-surface regions of field-emitter samples exposed to the plasma of the Princeton Large Torus (PLT) tohamak. The experiments were carried out to determine the extent of damage to the emitter surfaces resulting from plasma exposure, the composition and thickness of films deposited on the sample surfaces during irradiation, and the depth distribution of implanted plasma and impurity species in the near-surface region of the specimens. The analyses indicate that very little structural damage occurs to the wall of PLT as a result of impinging particles travelling in a direction perpendicular to the toroidal magnetic field lines within the tokamak, but that a considerable amount of limiter material is deposited on the wall surface during operation. The deposited layer was found only when the sample was directly exposed to the plasma; control specimens which were in the reactor at the same time but shielded from direct plasma exposure remained free of deposits.
Early diagenesis of biogenic silica in the Amazon delta: alteration, authigenic clay formation, and storage

Deltaic environments are commonly assumed to be relatively minor sites of biogenic silica burial because of the small quantities of opaline silica detected by most operational analytical techniques. Rapid conversion of biogenic silica into authigenic silicates is also often discounted as a significant control on oceanic silica budgets. A variety of evidence for extensive early diagenetic alteration of biogenic silica in rapidly accumulating Amazon delta sediments indicates that both of these general assumptions are unjustified. Apparent lack of significant biogenic silica storage in deltaic environments, particularly in the tropics, may be largely an artifact of operational definitions that do not include early diagenetic products of biogenic silica. Biogenic silica particles buried in suboxic Amazon delta deposits can be unaltered, partially dissolved, covered with aluminosilicate or metal-rich coatings, or completely reconstituted into authigenic K-Fe-rich aluminosilicate minerals. Pore water (K, Mg, F, Si) and solid-phase distributions, direct observations of particles, laboratory experiments, and depositional context indicate that authigenic clays form rapidly (<1 yr) in the seasonally reworked surface layer (∼ 0.5–2 m) of the delta topset and are disseminated during sediment remobilization. Fe, Al-oxide rich debris derived from the tropical drainage basin is an abundant reactant, and thus the supply of biogenic silica is a major control on the amount of clay formed. The mild 1% Na2CO3 alkaline leach procedure commonly used to estimate biogenic silica was modified to include an initial mild leach step with 0.1N HCl to remove metal oxide coatings and to activate poorly crystalline authigenic phases for alkaline dissolution. Well-crystallized clays are not significantly affected by this modification nor is bulk Amazon River bed sediment. The two-step procedure indicates that ∼90% of the biogenic silica originally present in deposits is converted to clay or otherwise altered, raising the effective quantity of biogenic silica stored from ∼33 to ∼296 μmol Si g−1 (∼1.8% SiO2). Biogenic Si stored in the delta increases away from the river mouth, across shelf and along the dispersal system where primary production is highest. The K/Si ratio of labile authigenic material is ∼0.19 mol mol−1, far higher than Amazon River suspended matter (∼0.07 mol mol−1). Diagenetic models indicate formation rates in the mobile sediment layer of ∼2.8 μmol K g−1 yr−1 (∼16 μmol Si g−1 yr−1). Inclusion of authigenic alteration products of biogenic silica in estimates of reactive Si burial increases the deltaic storage of riverine Si to ∼22% of the Amazon River input. The rapid formation of aluminosilicates from biogenic SiO2, seawater solutes, and remobilized Fe, Al-oxides represents a form of reverse weathering. Rapid reverse weathering reactions in tropical muds and deltaic deposits, the largest sediment depocenters on Earth, confirms the general importance of these processes in oceanic elemental cycles.
The perineuronal net component of the extracellular matrix in plasticity and epilepsy

During development the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the central nervous system (CNS) facilitates proliferation, migration, and synaptogenesis. In the mature nervous system due to changes in the ECM it provides structural stability and impedes proliferation, migration, and synaptogensis. The perineuronal net (PN) is a specialized ECM structure found primarily surrounding inhibitory interneurons where it forms a mesh-like structure around points of synaptic contact. The PN organizes the extracellular space by binding multiple components of the ECM and bringing them into close proximity to the cell membrane, forming dense aggregates surrounding synapses. The PN is expressed late in postnatal development when the nervous system is in the final stages of maturation and the critical periods are closing. Once fully expressed the PN envelopes synapses and leads to decreased plasticity and increases synaptic stability in the CNS. Disruptions in the PN have been studied in a number of disease states including epilepsy. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic disorders characterized by excessive neuronal activity which results in recurrent spontaneous seizures. A shift in the delicate balance between excitation and inhibition is believed to be one of the underlying mechanisms in the development of epilepsy. During epileptogenesis, the brain undergoes numerous changes including synaptic rearrangement and axonal sprouting, which require structural plasticity. Because of the PNs location around inhibitory cells and its role in limiting plasticity, the PN is an important candidate for altering the progression of epilepsy. In this review, an overview of the ECM and PN in the CNS will be presented with special emphasis on potential roles in epileptogenesis.