cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Force Transmission in the Organ of Corti Micromachine

Auditory discrimination is limited by the performance of the cochlea whose acute sensitivity and frequency tuning are underpinned by electromechanical feedback from the outer hair cells. Two processes may underlie this feedback: voltage-driven contractility of the outer hair cell body and active motion of the hair bundle. Either process must exert its mechanical effect via deformation of the organ of Corti, a complex assembly of sensory and supporting cells riding on the basilar membrane. Using finite element analysis, we present a three-dimensional model to illustrate deformation of the organ of Corti by the two active processes. The model used available measurements of the properties of structural components in low-frequency and high-frequency regions of the rodent cochlea. The simulations agreed well with measurements of the cochlear partition stiffness, the longitudinal space constant for point deflection, and the deformation of the organ of Corti for current injection, as well as displaying a 20-fold increase in passive resonant frequency from apex to base. The radial stiffness of the tectorial membrane attachment was found to be a crucial element in the mechanical feedback. Despite a substantial difference in the maximum force generated by hair bundle and somatic motility, the two mechanisms induced comparable amplitudes of motion of the basilar membrane but differed in the polarity of their feedback on hair bundle position. Compared to the hair bundle motor, the somatic motor was more effective in deforming the organ of Corti than in displacing the basilar membrane.
Direct iteration-variation method for scattering problems

We propose a direct iterative-variational scheme to solve the large sets of coupled integro-differential equations that arise in a variety of atomic and molecular scattering problems. The method, which is similar to direct configuration-interaction schemes of quantum chemistry, is applied within the linear algebraic (LA) prescription and involves the construction of an orthonormal basis from successive applications of the general LA matrix, labeled by channels and mesh points, to an initial guess for the solution vector. The solution vector is expanded in this basis, and the linear coefficients determined by a variational scheme. Since the basis is orthonormal, the procedure is guaranteed to converge within n iterations, where n is the order of the matrix. For all cases treated, the convergence is much more rapid. In addition, since a direct method is employed, only the potential, Green's function, and solution vector need be stored. This formulation drastically reduces the central storage requirements of the LA method as well as improves the solution times since the integrals involved can be constructed from recursion relations. We apply the method to elastic scattering of electrons by N/sub 2/ and LiH as well as inelastic collisions from H/sub 2/ /sup +/.
Taxus Cell Suspension Cultures: Optimizing Growth and Production of Taxol

Summary Cell suspension cultures were established from Taxus x media cv. Hicksii callus cultures. Suspension cultures were grown on different concentrations and combinations of sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Sucrose in the culture medium was rapidly hydrolyzed to fructose and glucose. The resulting glucose was utilized at a faster rate, compared to fructose; however, fructose was the sole sugar in the medium during the latter part of the culture period. Fructose, when used as the sole sugar, promoted better cell growth compared to equimolar amounts of glucose and sucrose. Culturing suspension cultures at 12°C slowed the doubling times 3-fold, thereby providing an effective temporary alternative for long-term storage of suspension cultures. High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of cell suspension culture extracts exhibited a putative taxol peak that eluted 15 to 20s after the elution time for authentic taxol. The presence of taxol in the putative taxol peak was established following analysis by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry using taxol purified from these cell cultures. Although we have established the presence of taxol in the peak represented as the putative taxol peak, the constituents represented by it as well as the amount of taxol contained within it remain unknown.
What do those who know, know? Investigating providers' knowledge about Tourette's Syndrome and its treatment

Physicians and possibly psychologists are likely to be at the center of clinical care for persons with Tourette's Syndrome (TS). To date, it is unclear (a) how much basic knowledge these health care providers possess about the disorder, (b) how much incorrect or untested information is believed about the disorder, (c) what the perceived role of a psychologist is in the treatment process, and (d) if physicians and psychologists are familiar with, or desire more information about, habit reversal, an effective nonpharmacological procedure used to reduce tics. To study these topics, a survey was sent to 443 physicians and psychologists. Of the 67 surveys returned, results showed that the health care professionals responded correctly to 77% of the general knowledge items about TS. No differences in TS-related knowledge were found between physicians and psychologists, but there was a trend toward those with experience treating TS being more knowledgeable than those without experience. Regarding beliefs about incorrect or empirically untested information about TS, few professionals believed that allergies or diets affected tics, but considerably more believed that persons with TS had the ability to suppress tics, and that doing so produced a “rebound” in tic occurrence. A large portion of the sample also believed that discussing tics with a person who had TS made the tics worse. There was some disagreement among professionals as to the role psychologists could play in the clinical management of TS. Psychologists, more so than physicians, believed the psychologist's role could involve treating tics, educating the patient about the disorder, and treating ADHD, depression, and family difficulties. A small percentage of both groups had heard of habit reversal, but up to 63% wanted to learn more. Implications of the findings and limitations to the study are discussed.
Estimates of Certain Iterated Dynamic Inequalities on Time Scales

The main objective of the paper is to study the estimates on some iterated dynamic inequalities in two independent variables on time scales, which are useful in studying the qualitative aspect of some partial and integral equations on time scales. Some applications of one of our results are also given.
Increased activity of skin surface DNase I after beta-irradiation injury or clipping of guinea pig hair.

Small amounts of DNase I can be washed with saline from the guinea pig skin surface immediately after close clipping of hair. Within 24 hours after this relatively mild trauma, there was a 10–20 fold increase in skin surface DNase I activity. Two to ten days after 3000 rep β-irradiation of the closely clipped skin, both the nonirradiated and irradiated areas had similar increased levels of skin surface DNase I. By the 2nd week or longer, however, the nonirradiated areas had returned toward the low initial values, whereas the irradiated areas (beginning regeneration and repair) maintained a high activity. This increment was not the result of a slow accumulation of enzyme over many days, for after washing the irradiated skin surface free of DNase I at these later intervals there was a return to the same high enzyme level within 24 hours. The biological significance and physiologic mechanisms most, likely to account for this increase in skin surface DNase I are discussed.
Use of Over-the-Counter Analgesics Is Not Associated With Acute Decompensation in Patients With Cirrhosis

Background & Aims Over-the-counter analgesics have been proposed to lead to decompensation of compensated cirrhosis or to further decompensation of an already decompensated patient. We performed a prospective, case-control study to investigate the effects of analgesics on acute hepatic decompensation. Methods Data from consecutive cirrhotic patients hospitalized at 2 tertiary care hospitals for decompensation of cirrhosis (cases, n=91) were compared with that from consecutive patients with compensated cirrhosis that were followed in the liver clinic (n = 153) and with randomly selected noncirrhotic patients concurrently hospitalized with the cases (n = 89). All patients were given a structured questionnaire to collect information on recent use of acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and alcohol. Results Only 32 (35%) of the cirrhotic patients used over-the-counter analgesics (19% acetaminophen, 16% nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), compared with 80 of the cirrhotic controls (52%; 25% acetaminophen, 31% nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and 62 (70%) of the noncirrhotic controls. Acetaminophen use did not differ between groups, even for those with recent alcohol use. The doses and days of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use were higher among cirrhotic patients, compared with controls. Alcohol ingestion was significantly greater among patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, compared with controls. Conclusions In patients with cirrhosis, acetaminophen use at doses lower than those recommended is not associated with acute hepatic decompensation, even in patients with recent alcohol ingestion. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs might be associated with deleterious effects on cirrhosis. Alcohol ingestion is associated with decompensation in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Prenatal ethanol exposure enhances glutamate release stimulated by quisqualate in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures

Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on extracellular glutamate accumulation stimulated by glutamate receptor agonists were studied in rat cerebellar granule cell cultures. The prenatal exposure to ethanol was achieved via maternal consumption of a SustacalTM liquid diet containing either 5% ethanol or isocaloric sucrose (pair-fed) substituted for ethanol from gestation d 11 until the day of parturition. Neither the basal level of extracellular glutamate nor the increased accumulation of glutamate stimulated by KCl (40 mM) or by ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists,N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) or kainate (KA) (100 μM each), in cells prepared from the ethanol-fed group was significantly different from that in cells prepared from the pair-fed group. Glutamate accumulation stimulated by quisqualate (QA, 100 μM) or bytrans-(±)-1-amino-1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid (t-ACPD, 250 μM) in the ethanol-fed group was higher than that in the pair-fed group by 116 and 36%, respectively. In the presence of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX, 100 μM), an ionotropic QA receptor antagonist, the QA-induced accumulation of glutamate in the ethanol-fed group was still higher than that in the pair-fed group. In the presence of MK-801 (5 μM), an antagonist of the NMDA receptor, the enhanced accumulation of glutamate stimulated by either QA ort-ACPD was still observable in the ethanol-fed group as compared to the pair-fed group. Addition of (RS)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG, 500 μM), a selective antagonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptor, abolished the enhanced accumulation of glutamate stimulated by either QA ort-ACPD in the ethanol-fed group. Although immunoblotting of mGluR1 and mGluR2/3 did not show apparent differences between the pair-fed and the ethanol-fed groups, the overall results suggest that the effect of prenatal ethanol exposure was selectively through a pathway mediated by the metabotropic glutamate receptor.
Antigen-induced in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis in the rabbit: a T-cell response.

Abstract In vitro lymphocyte stimulation of sensitized rabbit lymphocytes to specific antigen (ovalbumin) was found to depend on thymic-dependent lymphocytes. This conclusion is based on an enhanced response upon enrichment with T lymphocytes by passage of lymphocytes through nylon wool, and on the elimination of the response after treatment of lymphocytes with complement and an antiserum to rabbit thymus cells prepared in a goat. Specificity of the antiserum was demonstrated by elimination of in vitro T-cell function and retention of in vitro B-cell functions.
Unilateral olfactory deprivation: effects on succinate dehydrogenase histochemistry and [3H]leucine incorporation in the olfactory mucosa.

Abstract Surgically closing one external naris reduces airflow through one half of the nasal cavity, decreasing the access of odors to the receptor sheet. In rats, unilateral naris occlusion performed near birth results in large reductions in the size of the olfactory bulb, the primary central relay, when examined 30 days later. Previous research has demonstrated that there is a rapid reduction in [ 3 H]2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) and [ 3 H]leucine uptake in the bulb within hours after naris closure. The present study examined whether similar rapid changes could be observed in the sensory periphery. Pups occluded on P1 and examined on P3 with succinate dehydrogenase histochemistry exhibited reduced staining on the closed side of the nasal cavity, suggesting occlusion results in reductions in mucosal metabolism. Larger differences in staining were observed in pups examined at P6. [ 3 H]Leucine incorporation was quite similar on both sides of the nasal septum as late as 30 days post occlusion, suggesting less dramatic changes in protein synthesis. The results suggest that naris closure docs indeed have rapid effects on mucosal function, but indicate that the changes are different than those observed in the bulb.
Frequency of E. coli K antigens in urinary-tract infections in children.

Abstract The somatic (O) and capsular (K) antigens of Escherichia coli from the urine of patients with acute pyelonephritis, acute cystitis, and asymptomatic bacteriuria, and in the faeces of healthy schoolchildren have been investigated. Typing antisera for sixteen capsular acidic polysaccharide K antigens were used, and five (numbers 1, 2, 3, 12, and 13) accounted for 70% of isolates from patients with acute pyelonephritis. These five K antigens were found to a lesser extent in the three other study groups. Thus, only a few K polysaccharides are associated with virulent properties of E. coli for the upper urinary tract. This finding is similar to the association of only some capsular types of pneumococci, meningococci, and Hœmophilus influenzœ with invasiveness. The identification of virulence markers for E. coli associated with upper-urinary-tract disease may permit more successful control with reference to preventive immunisation.
Insulator Breakdown Tests Preceding a Study on Magnetic Flashover Inhibition

Improving the operating electrical stress level of insulator stacks is one goal for future pulsed power machines at Sandia National Laboratories [1]. This paper discusses experiments being conducted to understand the insulator vacuum flashover process under various conditions in order to improve insulator stress levels. Tests show flashover voltage to increase as risetime decreases. Initial shielded and unshielded cathode tests result in a lower flashover voltage with a shielded cathode. A flashover experiment was also designed with a flat electric to magnetic field ratio across the insulator surface for magnetic flashover inhibition tests.
TECHNICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL STATES: Loose Coupling in the Human Rights Sector of the World Polity

While human rights treaties have become increasingly popular over the past quarter century, there has not been a corresponding improvement in human rights practices. This discrepancy implies that a country's formal pledge to uphold human rights principles is "loosely coupled" from its actual performance. In this study, I develop a model of loose coupling based on organizational research and apply it to the human rights sector of the world polity. Empirically, I identify a set of institutional states whose human rights practices fall short of their treaty commitments, as well as a set of technical states whose practices exceed their commitments. Analyzing an unbalanced data set with a maximum of 755 observations across 167 countries during the 1975 to 2000 period, I use random effects models to predict a state's location on the Human Rights Decoupling Index (HRDI). The findings illustrate the importance of several organizational concepts for predicting a state's HRDI score. In particular, the analyses reveal the countervailing effects of globalization. While economic globalization (i.e., trade and foreign investment) is associated with the technical (positive) end of the HRDI, cultural globalization (i.e., memberships in international organizations) is associated with the institutional (negative) end.
Mannose 6-phosphate potentiates insulin-like growth factor II effects in cultured human neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) and mannose 6-phosphate (man-6-P) bind to distinct sites on the same receptor4,16,20. In the present study, we examined the effects of man-6-P on the growth promoting effects of IGF-II on SH-SY5Y cultured human neuroblastoma cells. Man-6-P alone increased cell number and neurite outgrowth by approximately 50%; as previously observed12,18,27,30, IGF-II increased cell number and neurite outgrowth by approximately 110 and 30%, respectively. However, when cells were grown in the presence of both ligands, cell number increased by 330% and neurite outgrowth by 130%. These results suggest that man-6-P can potentiate the known growth promoting effects of IGF-II on human neuroblastoma cells. Furthermore, they indicate that the IGF-II/man-6-P receptor may serve as a means of integrating distinct growth promoting signals in neuronal cells.
High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Triptolide and Tripdiolide in an Ethyl Acetate Extract of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F.

Abstract A new analytical method for the determination of triptolide and tripdiolide in ethyl acetate extracts of Triterygium wilfordii Hook F. is described. The procedure consists of preliminary enrichment by Sep-Pak alumina B cartridge chromatography followed by HPLC analysis. HPLC is performed with a stainless steel column packed with Nova-Pak C18, using acetonitrile-water (19 : 81) as a mobile phase for triptolide and acetonitrile-water (11 : 89) for tripdiolide. The effluent is monitored by ultraviolet detection at 214 nm. Quantitative analysis of triptolide is then carried out by comparison to an internal standard, and of tripdiolide by the external standard method. The amounts of triptolide and tripdiolide per 100 mg of the ethyl acetate extract were determined to be 19.88 ug and 9.58 ug respectively. The method is sufficiently sensitive and specific to assay the diterpenes found in Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. accurately.
Distinct compartmentalization of dentin matrix protein 1 fragments in mineralized tissues and cells.

Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) has been shown to be critical for the formation of dentin and bone. However, the precise pathway by which DMP1 participates in dentinogenesis and osteogenesis remains to be clarified. DMP1 is present in the extracellular matrix of dentin and bone as processed NH2- and COOH-terminal fragments. The NH2-terminal fragment occurs as a proteoglycan, whereas the COOH-terminal fragment is highly phosphorylated. The differences in biochemical properties suggest that these fragments may have different tissue and cell distribution in association with distinct functions. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of the NH2- and COOH-terminal fragments of DMP1 in tooth, bone, osteocytes as well as MC3T3-E1 and HEK-293 cells. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed using antibodies specific to the NH2- or COOH-terminal region of DMP1. Clear differences in the distribution of these fragments were observed. In the teeth and bone, the NH2-terminal fragment was primarily located in the nonmineralized predentin and cartilage of the growth plate, while the COOH-terminal fragment accumulated in the mineralized zones. In osteocytes, the NH2-terminal fragment appeared more abundant along cell membrane and processes of osteocytes, while the COOH-terminal fragment was often found in the nuclei. This pattern of distribution in cellular compartments was further confirmed by analyses on MC3T3-E1 and HEK-293 cells transfected with a construct containing DMP1 cDNA. In these cell lines, the COOH-terminal fragment accumulated in cell nuclei, while the NH2-terminal fragment was in the cytosol. The different distribution of DMP1 fragments indicates that these DMP1 variants must perform distinct functions.
Introgression of Wild Species Germplasm with Extreme Resistance to Cold Sweetening into the Cultivated Potato

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) breeders are interested in developing chipping cultivars that can be stored at cold temperatures to reduce storage losses and increase profi tability for potato producers. Commercial cultivars accu- mulate reducing sugars during cold storage, resulting in unacceptably dark chips when pro- cessed. In this study, we have identifi ed diploid wild Solanum species accessions that are resis- tant to cold-induced sweetening at very low storage temperatures (2°C). Selected acces- sions were crossed as males to haploids (2n = 2x) of S. tuberosum to produce adapted hybrids, some of which produce acceptable chips follow- ing 3 mo of storage at 2°C. Reconditioning for 6 d at 20 to 22°C increased the number of clones with acceptable chip scores by threefold. The best wild species parents were S. raphanifolium 296126, 310998, and 210048. While parental chip scores help to predict offspring perfor- mance, progeny testing is important to identify the best cross combinations. The best hybrids have been introgressed into diploid and tetra- ploid breeding clones. These hybrids produce good tuber type and low levels of reducing sug- ars under extremely low storage temperatures.
Prophylactic amnioinfusion for intrapartum oligohydramnios: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of intrapartum prophylactic amnioinfusion in pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios. Data Sources: Randomized controlled trials of prophylactic amnioinfusion in women with oligohydramnios were identified using computerized databases, index reviews, and references cited in original studies and review articles. Methods of Study Selection: We evaluated, abstracted data from, and analyzed randomized studies of prophylactic intrapartum amnioinfusion in women with oligohydramnios. In every study the group allocation was based exclusively on presence of oligohydramnios. Only published studies with clearly documented outcome data were included. The quality of each trial was evaluated for methodology, inclusion and exclusion criteria, adequacy of randomization, amnioinfusion protocols, definition of outcomes, and statistical analyses. The trials were evaluated concerning cesarean deliveries for fetal heart rate (FHR) abnormalities, overall cesarean rates, acidemia at birth, intrapartum fetal heart rate abnormalities, Apgar scores under 7 at 5 minutes, and postpartum endometritis. Tabulation, Integration, and Results: Thirty-five studies were identified, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. They included 1533 patients, 793 in the amnioinfusion group, and 740 controls. Odds ratios (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each outcome were calculated. We calculated an estimate of the OR and risk difference for dichotomous outcomes using random and fixed-effects models. A test of homogeneity was done across studies. Women with oligohydramnios who received intrapartum amnioinfusion had lower incidence of cesarean for FHR abnormalities (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.15, 0.35). Intrapartum amnioinfusion also was associated with lower overall rates of cesarean deliveries (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.40, 0.68), acidemia at birth (OR 0.40; 95% CI 0.30, 0.55), FHR abnormalities during labor (OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.17, 0.34), and Apgar scores under 7 at 5 minutes (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.29, 0.91). Postpartum endometritis rates were similar among the study groups. Conclusion: In the presence of oligohydramnios, prophylactic intrapartum amnioinfusion significantly improves neonatal outcome and lessens the rate of cesarean delivery, without increasing the rate of postpartum endometritis.
Seeking consonance in information systems

Abstract Information system projects are notorious for their failure rate. We propose that much failure is due to a difference in expectations prior to the start of a new system development. Much of the difference in expectations may be in the use of metrics not fully understood by every stakeholder in a new system. Current theory and management practice suggests a better focus on building an understanding of the critical evaluators to develop a common understanding of expectations will improve success rates. Such activity requires broader viewpoints of success and the input of more stakeholders well before any project tasks are conducted. Four studies are summarized that highlight the importance of reaching a priori mutual agreement on the metrics and targets.
Diabetic microangiopathy in KK mice. IV. Effect of pyridinolcarbamate on kidney glucosyltransferase activity and glomerulosclerosis.

Abstract KK mice with genetic diabetic glomerulosclerosis were treated either with saline or 250 mg/kg of pyridinolcarbamate (PDC), an anti-atherosclerotic agent, from 2 months of age. Both groups of mice were sacrificed at 4 and 6 months of age and their kidneys were used for the determination of glucosyltransferase activity and for light microscopic studies. No effect of PDC on enzyme activity was found in mice treated for 2 months (age of mice was 4 months). However, in mice treated with PDC for 4 months (age of mice was 6 months), the glucosyltransferase activity was significantly increased. PDC delayed the progression of glomerulosclerosis from mild to the severe form after 2 and 4 months of treatment, resulting in only 31 and 16% of mild glomerulosclerosis, respectively. The data suggest that chronic treatment of PDC delays or even prevents the progression of the severe form of genetic diabetic glomerulosclerosis in KK mice. The differential response of glucosyltransferase activity to PDC treatment in KK mice with varying degrees of glomerulosclerosis suggests a relationship between this enzyme activity and glycoprotein synthesis in kidneys of these mice.
Differential Regulation of G-protein-mediated Signaling by Chemokine Receptors

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a member of a family of chemotactic cytokines that induce directed migration of leukocytes via activation of seven-transmembrane domain receptors. To identify G-proteins that couple to the two forms of the MCP-1 receptor, as well as to related chemokine receptors, we have performed cotransfection experiments in mammalian cells. In COS-7 cells, the type A and type B MCP-1 receptors coupled to Galphai, Galphaq, and Galpha16, whereas the macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha/RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted) receptor (C-CR1) coupled to Galphai and Galphaq but failed to couple to Galpha16. In HEK-293 cells, however, the MCP-1 receptors and C-CR1 coupled to Galphaq but failed to couple to Galpha16. In contrast, the interleukin-8 and C5a receptors did not couple to Galphaq in either COS-7 or HEK-293 cells but did couple to Galpha16. Exchange of intracellular loops between the MCP-1 and interleukin-8 receptors to create chimeric receptors revealed that the third loop of the MCP-1 receptor accounted for virtually all of the coupling to Galphaq. We conclude that the MCP-1 and related chemokine receptors couple to multiple G-proteins, that coupling is cell type-specific, and that the third intracellular loop of the C-C type receptors mediates Galphaq coupling.
Chest-Wall Metastasis of Prostate Cancer

An 88-year-old male presented with a gradually enlarging, painless mass on his anterior chest wall for 1 year (Panel ​(PanelA).A). On exam, there was a 12 × 10 × 5 cm, non-tender, firm, immobile mass over the body of the sternum. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a permeative chest-wall mass (Panel ​(PanelB).B). Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 3,019 ng/ml. Histopathology was consistent with prostate adenocarcinoma. The patient had poor functional status and requested hospice.
Scalable Tile Communication-Avoiding QR Factorization on Multicore Cluster Systems

As tile linear algebra algorithms continue achieving high performance on shared-memory multicore architectures, it is a challenging task to make them scalable on distributed-memory multicore cluster machines. The main contribution of this paper is the extension to the distributed-memory environment of the previous work done by Hadri et al. on Communication- Avoiding QR (CA-QR) factorizations for tall and skinny matrices (initially done on shared-memory multicore systems). The fine granularity of tile algorithms associated with communicationavoiding techniques for the QR factorization presents a high degree of parallelism where multiple tasks can be concurrently executed, computation and communication largely overlapped, and computation steps fully pipelined. A decentralized dynamic scheduler has then been integrated as a runtime system to efficiently schedule tasks across the distributed resources. Our experimental results performed on two clusters (with dual-core and 8-core nodes, respectively) and a Cray XT5 system with 12-core nodes show that the tile CA-QR factorization is able to outperform the de facto ScaLAPACK library by up to 4 times for tall and skinny matrices, and has good scalability on up to 3,072 cores.
Tetanus toxin-induced seizures in infant rats and their effects on hippocampal excitability in adulthood

Abstract A new experimental model of developmental epilepsy is reported. Behavioral and EEG features of seizures produced by unilateral intrahippocampal injection of tetanus toxin in postnatal day 9–11 rats, are described. Within 24–72 h of tetanus toxin injection, rat pups developed frequent and often prolonged seizures which included combinations of repetitive wet dog shakes, and wild running-jumping seizures. Intrahippocampal and cortical surface EEG recordings showed that coincident with these behaviors, electrographic seizures occurred not only in the injected hippocampus, but also in the contralateral hippocampus and bilaterally in the neocortex. Analysis of the interictal EEG revealed multiple independent spike foci. One week following tetanus toxin injection, the number of seizures markedly decreased; however, interictal spiking persisted. After injection rats were allowed to mature some were observed to have unprovoked behavioral seizures and/or epileptiform EEG activity. Mature animals were also studied using in vitro slice techniques. Recordings from hippocampal slices demonstrated spontaneous epileptiform burst discharges in the majority of rats which had tetanus toxin induced seizures as infants. These events occurred in area CA3 and consisted of interictal spikes and intracellularly recorded paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDSs). On rarer occasions, electrographic seizures were recorded. The use of the tetanus toxin model in developing rats may facilitate a better understanding of the unique features of epileptogenesis in the developing brain and the consequences early-life seizures have on brain maturation and the genesis of epileptic conditions in later life.
The development of device lithography

Lithography has been the principal pacing element in the development of complex integrated circuits. Although major programs in electron-beam lithography and X-ray lithography have developed new systems with smaller feature capability, the optical systems remain the only candidates for large-volume device production. Scanning and step-and-repeat optical systems have been developed for the next generation of devices with 1-µm features. Electron beams are used for mask fabrication and direct exposure of special devices of exceptional value or for prototypes. X-ray and ion systems are being developed for future devices.
Abstract 2598: RHAMM- A potential predictor of metastasis and therapeutic target in kidney cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Up to 25% of patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have metastasis at initial diagnosis. Current targeted therapies (e.g., Sorafenib) are not curative and the 5-year survival of these patients is <10%. Molecular determinants of RCC growth and metastasis may be accurate prognostic markers for metastasis and could be targeted for therapy. We evaluated the expression of 5 genes (and their splice variants) as prognostic indicators. We also tested the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), a non-toxic, orally bioavailable hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesis inhibitor and Sorafenib (Soraf). Tumor specimens were collected from RCC patients undergoing nephrectomy (n=81; T1, 40; T2+, 41; Grade 1, 5; Grade 2, 32; Grade 3, 25; Grade 4, 19). Nine patients developed metastasis within 24 months. Tissue-RNA was subjected to Q-PCR for HA receptors (CD44, RHAMM), chemokine receptors (CXCR4, CXCR7); and chemokines (SDF1-α,β,γ). mRNA levels were correlated with metastasis by logistic regression. Effect of 4-MU, Soraf and 4-MU+Soraf on cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis was examined in RCC cells (HTB46, 786-O, ACHN, 769-P, A498) by cell counting, flow cytometry and Cell Death ELISA. Boyden chamber was used for motility assay. Effect on cell cycle, apoptosis, and HA receptor levels were evaluated by immunoblotting and Q-PCR. RHAMM expression (157±124) was 8-fold elevated in tumors which later metastasized when compared to those which did not (20.1±31.5; P=0.005). In univariate analysis age, grade, stage and RHAMM levels significantly correlated with metastasis. In multivariate analysis, only RHAMM significantly correlated with metastasis (P=0.03; chi-sq = 4.6; sensitivity 88.9%; specificity 90%). Combination of 4-MU (0.2 mM) and Soraf (2.5 or 5 μM), at non-cytotoxic doses caused 60-90% inhibition in proliferation after 48-72 h treatment and motility in RCC cells. Inhibition of cell proliferation could not be reversed by HA addition. Only the combination induced cycle arrest in late S- and G2-M phases (1.5-2.5-fold) and induced apoptosis (3-4-fold). Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were confirmed by increased phospho-Chk1 and PARP levels. 4-MU+Soraf combination down regulated CD44 and RHAMM mRNA levels by 2- and 68-fold, respectively. RHAMM expression in RCC tissues is potentially an independent prognostic indicator for metastasis. 4-MU+Soraf combination which targets RHAMM expression inhibits RCC cell growth and motility. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2598. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2598
Temporary suppression of tinnitus by modulated sounds

Despite high prevalence of tinnitus and its impact on quality life, there is no cure for tinnitus at present. Here, we report an effective means to temporarily suppress tinnitus by amplitude- and frequency-modulated tones. We systematically explored the interaction between subjective tinnitus and 17 external sounds in 20 chronic tinnitus sufferers. The external sounds included traditionally used unmodulated stimuli such as pure tones and white noise and dynamically modulated stimuli known to produce sustained neural synchrony in the central auditory pathway. All external sounds were presented in a random order to all subjects and at a loudness level that was just below tinnitus loudness. We found some tinnitus suppression in terms of reduced loudness by at least one of the 17 stimuli in 90% of the subjects, with the greatest suppression by amplitude-modulated tones with carrier frequencies near the tinnitus pitch for tinnitus sufferers with relatively normal loudness growth. Our results suggest that, in addition to a traditional masking approach using unmodulated pure tones and white noise, modulated sounds should be used for tinnitus suppression because they may be more effective in reducing hyperactive neural activities associated with tinnitus. The long-term effects of the modulated sounds on tinnitus and the underlying mechanisms remain to be investigated.
Can neoclassical economics become social economics

This essay has both a general and a specific purpose. Its general purpose is to pose the question: Can neoclassical economics be social economics? Its answer to this general question is: Yes, but only if it abandons its methodological soul; that is, by abandoning methodological individualism, positivism, and ahistoricism, and expressly and systematically adopting a methodological perspective which is holistic, normative, and historical. Its specific purpose is to identify and examine the major elements in the economics of one leading figure in the historical development of neoclassical economics who self-consciously attempted to combine, to paraphrase Schumpeter, a neoclassical head with a social economics heart: Alfred Marshall.
The degree of congruency between roadside billboard advertisements and sought attributes of motels by US drive tourists

Almost a quarter of all recreational trips over 60 miles (95km) are taken in private vehicles, but there is a scarcity of studies in the tourism literature covering the topic of drive tourism. This paper attempts to augment the paucity of literature on this important and burgeoning market. As a study of billboard advertising targeting drive tourists, this paper seeks to determine if there is an attempt to differentiate motels via attributes advertised on roadside billboard advertising, to identify the attributes sought by drive tourists and to compare them with the offerings communicated to them by roadside billboard advertising for motels. Content analysis and survey results suggest motels can improve on the mix of attributes they are advertising in attempts to attract drive tourists seeking lodging along the interstate highway system. The author offers suggestions to enrich advertising strategy for both independent and chain motels.
Proton Groups from the Deuteron Bombardment of Aluminum, Sodium, and Manganese

Thin targets of sodium, aluminum, and manganese were bombarded with 3.0-Mev deuterons from the large electrostatic generator at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, and the protons were observed at 90 degrees to the beam with an argon filled proportional counter. The counter was biased to count protons at the end of their range and the ranges of the groups were measured in air and aluminum. Proton groups due to oxygen and carbon were found with all targets.
Multiple diseases impact survival of pine species planted in red pine stands harvested in spatially variable retention patterns

Abstract Increasing the diversity of species and structure of red pine (Pinus resinosa) is often a management goal in stands simplified by practices such as fire suppression and plantation management in many areas of the Great Lakes Region. One approach to diversification is to convert predominantly even-aged, pure red pine stands to multi-cohort, mixed-species forests through variable overstory retention at harvest. Based on limited empirical evidence, pathologists have advised against this multi-cohort approach in stands where pathogens causing damaging shoot blight diseases are established. We examined disease incidence among planted red, jack (Pinus banksiana), and white pine (Pinus strobus) in a variable retention harvest and understory woody vegetation removal (brushing) experiment in northern Minnesota. The experiment included four overstory treatments (dispersed and two aggregated overstory retention treatments and a control, N = 4) that were split by an understory brushing treatment (yes or no). Prior to harvest in 2003, the fungal pine pathogens Diplodia pinea, Sirococcus conigenus and Armillaria solidipes (syn. Armillaria ostoyae) were common on the study site. Within 6 years after harvest, these pathogens reduced the survival of planted red, white and jack pine, potentially interfering with long-term management objectives. Across all treatments, shoot blight incidence was generally higher in dead red and jack pine than white pine seedlings and was predominantly caused by D. pinea. The disease killing white pine seedlings was predominately Armillaria root rot. Overstory treatment affected the percentage of jack and white pine seedling mortality attributable to shoot blight, but not the more susceptible red pine, with greater overstory retention resulting in greater disease incidence. Understory brushing had no effect on the incidence of shoot blight on seedlings. We expect disease to continue to influence stand structure and composition across all treatments. Our study results highlight the need for forest managers to assess long-term risk of potentially damaging pathogens in red pine stands prior to harvest and use that information to guide decisions regarding silvicultural practices to increase age and species diversity.
Coding of hedonic and nonhedonic samples by pigeons in many-to-one delayed matching

In two experiments, pigeons were trained on many-to-one delayed matching in which samples of food and one hue were each associated with one shape comparison, and samples of no food and a different hue were each associated with a second shape comparison. When later tested with delays between sample and comparison stimuli, pigeons showed nonparallel delay functions, typically found with food and no-food samples (i.e., steeply declining food-sample delay functions, and relatively flat no-food-sample delay functions). Furthermore, the slopes of the hue-sample delay functions were similar to those on the food/no-food-sample trials. In Experiment 2, following many-toone delayed matching, when the hue samples were associated with new comparisons and then food and no-food samples replaced the hues, evidence was found for transfer of training indicative of the common coding of samples associated with the same comparison in original training. The transfer results suggest that the asymmetrical hue-sample functions resulted from the common coding of samples associated with the same comparison.
Exploring the reliability of Bayesian reconstructions

The Bayesian approach allows one to combine measurement data with prior knowledge about models of reality to draw inferences about the validity of those models. The posterior probability quantifies the degree of certainty one has about those models. We propose a method to explore the reliability, or uncertainty, of specific features of a Bayesian solution. If one draws an analogy between the negative logarithm of the posterior and a physical potential, the gradient of this potential can be interpreted as a force that acts on the model. As model parameters are perturbed from their maximum a posteriori (MAP) values, the strength of the restoring force that drives them back to the MAP solution is directly related to the uncertainty in those parameter estimates. The correlations between the uncertainties of parameter estimates can be elucidated.
Borrelia burgdorferi bba66 gene inactivation results in attenuated mouse infection by tick transmission.

ABSTRACT The impact of the Borrelia burgdorferi surface-localized immunogenic lipoprotein BBA66 on vector and host infection was evaluated by inactivating the encoding gene, bba66, and characterizing the mutant phenotype throughout the natural mouse-tick-mouse cycle. The BBA66-deficient mutant isolate, BbΔA66, remained infectious in mice by needle inoculation of cultured organisms, but differences in spirochete burden and pathology in the tibiotarsal joint were observed relative to the parental wild-type (WT) strain. Ixodes scapularis larvae successfully acquired BbΔA66 following feeding on infected mice, and the organisms persisted in these ticks through the molt to nymphs. A series of tick transmission experiments (n = 7) demonstrated that the ability of BbΔA66-infected nymphs to infect laboratory mice was significantly impaired compared to that of mice fed upon by WT-infected ticks. trans-complementation of BbΔA66 with an intact copy of bba66 restored the WT infectious phenotype in mice via tick transmission. These results suggest a role for BBA66 in facilitating B. burgdorferi dissemination and transmission from the tick vector to the mammalian host as part of the disease process for Lyme borreliosis.
Lipid Composition and Metabolic Activities of Benthic Near-Shore Microbial Communities of Arthur Harbor, Antarctic Peninsula: Comparisons with McMurdo Sound*

Benthic microbial communities of the Arthur Harbor area were described by analysis of their cell membrane phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids (PELFA) and metabolic rates. Analysis revealed a biomass averaging 6 nM (phospholipid) or 3.5×108 cells per gram dry weight (gdw) of sediment for the four sites. Only slight biomass differences were detected between the four peninsula sites. All Arthur Harbor sites were determined to have a biomass similar to the lowest amount reported for a previously described McMurdo Sound site at New Harbor. Community structure based on signature phospholipids indicated only slight differences between the four peninsula sites with greater relative amounts of diatom marker lipids at a deeper site. Bacterial biomarker lipids were also determined in relatively equal proportions for the four Arthur Harbor sites with only one site indicating a somewhat decreased proportion. Metabolic rates of sodium [14C]-acetate and methyl [3H]-thymidine incorporation into lipid and bacterial DNA respectively also indicated only slight relative differences in microbial communities of Arthur Harbor study sites. Lipid metabolism (14C-acetate) ranged between 6 and 12 (x104) DPM/g/h for the four sites with 8 being the average. Bacterial (excluding sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB)) cell divisions per g per h indicated increased rates at a deeper site with 14×105, compared to the average (5×105) for the three remaining sites. Average estimated total bacterial (excluding SRB's) community turnover was on the order of 0.6%/h for the four sites. Metabolic rate comparisons of Arthur Harbor with those of previously determined McMurdo Sound indicated a somewhat increased lipid metabolism and an order of magnitude greater bacterial cell division rate at Arthur Harbor.
Mechanized verification with sharing

We consider software verification of imperative programs by theorem proving in higher-order separation logic. Separation logic is quite effective for reasoning about tree-like data structures, but less so for data structures with more complex sharing patterns. This problem is compounded by some higher-order patterns, such as stateful iterators and visitors, where multiple clients need to share reference into a data structure. We show how both styles of sharing can be achieved without sacrificing abstraction using mechanized reasoning about fractional permissions in Hoare Type Theory.