cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Race Relations and Labor Supply in Great Britain

The future of the British people has become intimately involved with the question of the skin color of the Wolverhampton bus conductor or the Aylesbury typographer. Perhaps 100,000 of Kipling's "lesser breeds without the law" now live in Great Britain. They have come from the "under-developed" areas of an Empire which is in the process of democratizing itself into the British Commonwealth of Nations. A decade ago there were about 500 million dependent peoples in the Empire. Today there are some 65 million, and the majority of them-in Africa and in the West Indies--seem to be well along the road to independence and commonwealth status.
Phase I participants' views of quality of life and trial participation burdens.

Participants’ perception of quality of life (QOL) and respondent burden have significant implications for investigators’ ethical responsibilities to their subjects in phase I cancer trials. To address these responsibilities, analysis was conducted on participants’ views of their experiences of a phase I trial, including the associated burdens and what constitutes QOL. One hundred potential participants of the endostatin trial were surveyed. Sixteen of the 18 trial participants were interviewed extensively about their experiences on the trial. Participants described ‘normality’ as a baseline ability to function, be productive, and be free from symptoms of disease and side effects of treatment. Reflecting the relative nontoxicity of the study drug, participants contrasted their current QOL with their negative experience of previous cancer treatments and viewed their QOL as fairly good. However, participants emphasized that indirect and procedural burdens of trial participation had a significant impact on their current QOL. Candid descriptions of a trial’s practical demands, in addition to potential physical complications in a trial, could improve the quality of informed consent.
The synthetic cannabinoid WIN 55212-2 differentially modulates thigmotaxis but not spatial learning in adolescent and adult animals

Unlike Δ(9)-THC, the synthetic compound WIN 55212-2 (WIN) is a full agonist of endogenous cannabinoid receptors. Previous work has shown Δ(9)-THC to affect adolescent and adult animals differently on numerous behavioral measures of spatial memory, anxiety, and locomotor activity. However, far less is known about the developmental and neurobehavioral effects of WIN. To address this, we assessed the effect of WIN (1mg/kg) on spatial learning in adolescent and adult rats using the Morris water maze. While all animals demonstrated decreased swim distance across days, WIN affected adolescents and adults differently. It improved performance in adolescents and resulted in a nearly significant performance decrement in adults. However, these effects were significantly related to thigmotaxis, which declined across days in the water maze testing protocol. WIN reduced thigmotaxis on days 1 and 2 (but not days 3-5) only in adolescents. The effect of age, treatment, and the age×treatment interaction was eliminated after controlling for thigmotaxis. These results indicate that WIN affects thigmotaxis rather than spatial reference memory. More importantly, these findings indicate a dissociation between the developmental effects of THC and the synthetic CB1 receptor agonist, WIN 55212-2. We suggest that the role of thigmotaxis be carefully evaluated in future neurodevelopmental studies of spatial learning, especially those investigating the endocannabinoid system.
The first synthesis of the aglycone of the potent anti-tumor steroidal saponin OSW-1 ☆

Abstract The protected aglycone (21e-β) of the potent anti-tumor agent OSW-1 (1) was synthesized in 9 steps from 5-androsten-3β-ol-17-one (10) in 55% overall yield. Key reactions involve ene installation of the side chain, regio and stereoselective dihydroxylation and diastereoselective reduction of the C16 ketone.
Avoidance and toxicity responses of fish to intermittent chlorination

The ability of fish to actively avoid concentrations of chlorine in a steep, horizontal, laboratory-controlled gradient was found to be species-specific and dependent upon the acclimation temperature, water quality conditions, and the type of chlorine residual tested. Comparison of behavioral avoidances with the results from bioassays using some form of intermittent chlorination, as reported in the literature, indicated that LC50 concentrations (levels that cause the mortality of half the test individuals in a designated time period) usually exceeded avoidance threshold concentrations. This chlorine avoidance study, which was carried out in a field laboratory that utilized New River water for holding and testing procedures, was located at the Glen Lyn power plant in southwestern Virginia. Two basic types of avoidance trials were employed, TRC (total residual chlorine) and chloramine (CRC) exposures. The TRC trials contained variable amounts of free (FRC) and combined residual chlorine (CRC) depending upon water quality, while in chloramine trials, the TRC exposure was mainly comprised of monochloramine with little or no FRC. The first significant avoidance in TRC trials for several fish species tested, varied from 0.05 mg/1 for coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to 0.40 for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Low levels of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which are considered to be a potentially toxic constituent of FRC, appeared to consistently influence the avoidance response. Initial avoidance concentrations to HOCl ranged from 0.01–0.02 mg/1 for coho salmon to 0.04–0.12 mg/1 for channel catfish, depending upon acclimation temperatures tested. The pH in river water was more influential than temperature in controlling the amount of HOCl present within the FRC at each TRC exposure. Avoidance responses by fish to CRC concentrations were either equal to or greater than TRC exposures and were dependent upon the ammonia-N content. Chloramine and FRC (specifically the HOCl fraction) have been reported to have different mechanisms of toxicity, which offered possible explanations for the differences observed in avoidance behavior. Chlorine residuals discharged from the Glen Lyn power plant in previous years have exceeded the LC50 values reported for many species, although no major fish kills from chlorine have been documented. Behavioral avoidance responses by fish to potentially lethal chlorinated discharges in aquatic receiving systems may be a major mechanism of these populations in adapting to or interacting within these industrially influenced environments.
High speed friction and wear characteristics of vapor- deposited coatings of titanium carbide and tungsten carbide plus cobalt in a vacuum environment☆

Instrument-size gas-bearing applications frequently require hard wear- resistant coatings on lightweight thermally conductive substrates. Titanium carbide and tungsten carbide coatings approximately 1–2 μm thick were prepared for this purpose on both beryllium and beryllium oxide substrates by sputter deposition. Titanium carbide coatings approximately 50 μm thick were also prepared using activated reactive evaporation techniques. Test fixturing was developed using a vertical-axis turbomolecular vacuum pump to provide both a vacuum atmosphere and a high speed spindle for specimen motion. Coated specimens having beryllium substrates were mounted directly on the pump spindle, while specimens with beryllium oxide substrates were brought into contact with the rotating member at a specified load for a given length of time. Specimen contact was made at a sliding velocity of approximately 7.0 × 103 cm s-1 in a vacuum pressure of less than 5.0 × 10-6 Torr. Specimen surfaces were completely characterized before and after testing using surface profilometery, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction techniques.
Mothers' Cognitions about Children's Self‐control: Implications for Mothers' Responses to Children's Helplessness

This research examined the role of mothers' cognitions about children's self-control in their responses to children's helplessness. Mothers and their four-year-old children (N = 109) were asked to work on a difficult task in the laboratory. Mothers' hostility and warmth as well as children's helpless (vs. mastery) behavior were coded every minute. Mothers also completed a set of questionnaires assessing their cognitions about children's self-control. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated variability among mothers in their minute-to-minute hostility, but not warmth, in response to children's helplessness. Mothers' cognitions contributed to this variability: The more mothers placed importance on, worried about, and believed they could influence their children's self-control, the more hostility they demonstrated following their children's helplessness.
Using wavelength-dependent emissivity of semiconductor wafer to model heat transfer in rapid thermal processing station

This paper develops an approach for using a wavelength-dependent emissivity model of a semiconductor wafer in calculating heat transfer in a rapid thermal processing (RTP) station. The wafer emissivity is modeled by a generalized polynomial in wavelength where the coefficients may be functions of temperature. A comparison of experimental data with simulated results for a silicon wafer is provided. >
Prescribing practices of psychiatrists and primary care physicians caring for children with mental illness.

Objective Although several studies have found that the most effective treatment for both youths and adults diagnosed with mood disorders is the combination of psychotherapy and medications, psychiatrists have been increasingly providing psychotropic medications without psychotherapy to these populations. At the same time, primary care physicians (PCPs) have become increasingly involved in prescribing psychotropic medications. This study compared the prescribing patterns of PCPs and psychiatrists caring for children with mental illness. Methods Data were extracted from the MarketScan® database, which compiles claims from private health insurance plans nationwide. Of 40 639 children who received mental health services during calendar year 2000 (6.33% of all covered children), we identified 5485 who initiated a new episode of treatment. Multiple regression was use to adjust for differences in patient characteristics. Results While PCPs were more likely to see young children and psychiatrists saw children with more numerous mental illnesses, there were no significant differences between PCPs and psychiatrists in either the proportion of patients who received psychotropic medication, the frequency of clinical contacts, or the dosages or types of medications prescribed. Patients seen in more actively managed Point of Service plans were more likely to receive medication than those seen in preferred provider or indemnity plans. Conclusions This study found no significant differences between psychiatrists and PCPs in psychotropic prescribing practices. In view of the limited availability of child psychiatrists and the decreased availability of psychotherapy in combination with medications, collaborative care models in which non-physician mental health specialists and PCPs work together may increase the availability of effective mental health services for youths.
Observed El Niño–Southern Oscillation temperature signal in the stratosphere

[1] Studies of stratospheric temperature variability typically include seasonal, quasi-biennial oscillation, solar, and volcanic effects, but the response to El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is less well recognized. Modeling work suggests that ENSO may produce effects on surface climate at high latitudes by interaction with the polar stratosphere, yet until recently, past work has often failed to find a statistically significant ENSO response in polar stratospheric temperature observations. Using zonal mean temperatures from several improved radiosonde data sets beginning in 1958, we show a significant El Nino cooling signal in the tropical stratosphere and warming signal in the Arctic stratosphere in winter. In the tropical stratosphere the difference of more than 1 K between El Nino and La Nina temperatures is similar in magnitude to the tropospheric warming signal. The significant signal, derived from regression analysis, of more than 4 K in the winter Arctic stratosphere is generally largest in the lower stratosphere and extends into the upper troposphere. The signal, with a maximum in late winter, accounts for 14% to 25% of stratospheric temperature variability at 100 mbar in Arctic winter in radiosonde and reanalysis data. Satellite-derived temperatures show significant El Nino cooling in the tropical stratosphere in boreal winter, but the warming signal in the Arctic stratosphere is not statistically significant in that data set.
A simple model of a supernova

In this paper we formulate the problem of the collapse of a spherically-symmetric, radiating body in general relativity. The requirement that the metric and its normal derivative be continuous across the boundary imposes conditions upon the evolution of the star and allows identification of physical phenomena measured by a distant observer. A solution to Einstein's field equations for the exterior of a spherically-symmetric radiating body is that derived originally by Vaidya in 1951. By requiring the continuity described above we identify the mass, luminosity, velocity, and time increment measured by a distant observer in terms of the metric parameters evaluated in a frame comoving with the outer boundary. We also assume that the interior metric is a sum of products of functions of the radius and time. The continuity requirements allow the evolution of two of the three functions of time to be determined. The evolution of the third function, describing the motion of the core, is determined by the imposition of an equation of state at the center. The adiabatic index derived from the Baym-Bethe-Pethick equation of state was used to provide this last equation. A major result is obtaining an analytic solution to Einstein's field equations describing the core of a collapsing star. As a consequence of this solution we found that for the relatively small values of the adiabatic index (Γmax∼1.6), the star smoothly made the transition to a final collapsed state. Neither bounce nor shock wave was obtained. Also, there is a readily understood connection between the adiabatic index, and such parameters of the edge of the core as the velocity and acceleration. Finally, the analytic solutions provide the time-scales for the collapse which are significantly different from that of free-fall. The retarding effects of pressure upon the collapse are apparent. It is hoped that such analytic solutions will provide insight into more complicated dynamic systems in general relativity.
Characterizing sialic acid variants at the glycopeptide level

Beam-type collision-induced dissociation (CID) data of intact glycopeptides isolated from mouse liver tissue are presented to illustrate characteristic fragmentation of differentially sialylated glycopeptides. Eight glycoforms of an O-linked glycopeptide from Nucleobindin-1 are distinguished on the basis of the precursor masses and characteristic oxonium ions. We report that all sialic acid variants are prone to neutral loss from the charge reduced species in electron-transfer dissociation (ETD) fragmentation. We show how changes in sialic acid composition affect reverse phase chromatographic retention times: sialic acid addition increases glycopeptide retention times significantly; replacing the N-acetylneuraminic acid with the N-glycolyl variant leads to slightly reduced retention times, while O-acetylated sialic acid-containing glycoforms are retained longer. We then demonstrate how MS-Filter in Protein Prospector can use these diagnostic oxonium ions to find glycopeptides, by showing that a wealth of ...
A Carbon Fiber Based Sensor for Measurement of Serotonin From Platelets

The fluid dynamic environment within an artery is an important contributor to haemostasis. Fluid mechanics can alter the biochemical environment through convection and diffusion of reactive substances. It can bring the platelets close to the wall through convection and enhanced diffusion, cause platelet activation through hemodynamic shear stresses, and alter the substrate for platelet adhesion through shear effects on endothelial cells. Shear produces long-term effects on endothelial cells, such as morphological changes in the cells and adaptation of the size of the artery. It can also affect endothelial cells in the short term by increasing calcium release or release of nitric oxide.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Admission control for a responsive distributed middleware using decision trees to model run-time parameters

The software in modern systems has become too complex to make accurate predictions about their performance under different configurations. Real-time or even responsiveness requirements cannot be met because it is not possible to perform admission control for new or changing tasks if we cannot tell how their execution affects the other tasks already running. Previously, we proposed a resource-allocation middleware that manages the execution of tasks in a complex distributed system with real-time requirements. The middleware behavior can be modeled depending on the configuration of the tasks running, so that the performance of any given configuration can be calculated. This makes it possible to have admission control in such a system, but the model requires knowledge of run-time parameters. We propose the utilization of machine-learning algorithms to obtain the model parameters, and be able to predict the system performance under any configuration, so that we can provide a full admission control mechanism for complex software systems. In this paper, we present such an admission control mechanism, we measure its accuracy in estimating the parameters of the model, and we evaluate its performance to determine its suitability for a real-time or responsive system.
The Function of Bilateral Odor Arrival Time Differences in Olfactory Orientation of Sharks

Summary The direction of an odor signal source can be estimated from bilateral differences in signal intensity and/or arrival time. The best-known examples of the use of arrival time differences are in acoustic orientation [1]. For chemoreception, animals are believed to orient by comparing bilateral odor concentration differences, turning toward higher concentrations [2–4]. However, time differences should not be ignored, because odor plumes show chaotic intermittency, with the concentration variance several orders of magnitude greater than the concentration mean (e.g., [5]). We presented a small shark species, Mustelus canis , with carefully timed and measured odor pulses directly into their nares. They turned toward the side stimulated first, even with delayed pulses of higher concentration. This is the first conclusive evidence that under seminatural conditions and without training, bilateral time differences trump odor concentration differences. This response would steer the shark into an odor patch each time and thereby enhance its contact with the plume, i.e., a stream of patches. Animals with more widely spaced nares would be able to resolve smaller angles of attack at higher swimming speeds, a feature that may have contributed to the evolution of hammerhead sharks. This constitutes a novel steering algorithm for tracking odor plumes.
The effect of permafrost on stream biogeochemistry: A case study of two streams in the Alaskan (U.S.A.) taiga

Understanding interactions between permanently frozen soils and stream chemistry is important in predicting the effects of management, natural disturbance and changing perma- frost distribution on stream ecosystems and nutrient budgets in subarctic watersheds. Chemical measurements of groundwater, soil water and stream water were made in two watersheds in the taiga of interior Alaska. One watershed (HiP) had extensive permafrost and the other (LoP) had limited permafrost. Soil water collected within the rooting zone (0.3-0.5 m) in both watersheds was high in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) but low in dissolved minerals (dominantly Ca, Mg and Na) and conductivity. The reverse was true for groundwater from springs and wells. Permafrost in the HiP basin prevented deep percolation of water and generated stormflows rich in DOC. The presence of permafrost in HiP resulted in higher fluxes of DOC, DON and DIN into stream water from upland soils.
Development of molecular approaches to estimating germinal mutation rates. I. Detection of insertion/deletion/rearrangement variants in the human genome.

Abstract DNA from 130 individuals was studied with up to 18 (primarily cDNA) probes for the frequency of variants in this initial experiment to determine the feasibility of this approach to screening for germinal gene mutations. This approach, a modification of the usual restriction enzyme mapping strategy, focuses on the detection of insertion/deletion/rearrangement (I/D/R) variants, because the DNA is digested with only two restriction enzymes before transfer to membranes and hybridization with an extensive series of unrelated probes. Some 4000 noncontiguous, independent DNA fragments (“loci”), functional loci, pseudogenes or anonymous fragments, (a total of ∼ 77 400 kb) were screened. 19 different classes and 31 copies of presumably I/D/R variants were detected while 4 different classes and 24 individuals exhibiting base substitution variants were observed. 18 of the 19 I/D/R classes were rare variants, that is, each were observed at a frequency, within this population, of less than 0.01; 3 of the base substitution classes existed at polymorphic frequencies and only 1 was a rare variant. 10 of the I/D/R classes, occurring in a total of 18 individuals, were detected with probes which are not known to be associated with repetitive elements. This is a variant frequency for I/D/R variants without known repetitive elements of 0.15 classes and 0.23 copies for each 1000 kb screened; this would extrapolate to 1600 such variant sites in the genome of each individual. Within the context of a mutation screening program, the rare variants, either with or without repetitive elements, would have a higher probability of being de novo mutations than would polymorphic variants; this former group would be the focus of family studies to test for the heritability of the allele (fragment pattern). Sufficient DNA probes are available to screen a significant portion of the human genome for genetic variation and de novo mutations of this type.
Behavioral and psychosocial effects of two middle school sexual health education programs at tenth-grade follow-up.

Abstract Purpose An earlier randomized controlled trial found that two middle school sexual education programs—a risk avoidance (RA) program and a risk reduction (RR) program—delayed initiation of sexual intercourse (oral, vaginal, or anal sex) and reduced other sexual risk behaviors in ninth grade. We examined whether these effects extended into 10th grade. Methods Fifteen middle schools were randomly assigned to RA, RR, or control conditions. Follow-up surveys were conducted with participating students in 10th grade (n = 1,187; 29.2% attrition). Results Participants were 60% female, 50% Hispanic, and 39% black; seventh grade mean age was 12.6 years. In 10th grade, compared with the control condition, both programs significantly delayed anal sex initiation in the total sample (RA: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], .64, 95% confidence interval [CI], .42–.99; RR: AOR, .65, 95% CI, .50–.84) and among Hispanics (RA: AOR, .53, 95% CI, .31–.91; RR: AOR, .82, 95% CI, .74–.93). Risk avoidance students were less likely to report unprotected vaginal sex, either by using a condom or by abstaining from sex (AOR: .61, 95% CI, .45–.85); RR students were less likely to report recent unprotected anal sex (AOR: .34, 95% CI, .20–.56). Both programs sustained positive impact on some psychosocial outcomes. Conclusions Although both programs delayed anal sex initiation into 10th grade, effects on the delayed initiation of oral and vaginal sex were not sustained. Additional high school sexual education may help to further delay sexual initiation and reduce other sexual risk behaviors in later high school years.
One dimensional chemical shift modulated correlation spectroscopy of single-crystals

A simple 1D modulation method is presented for determining the spatial correlation of chemical shifts in two different single-crystal orientations. This proposed chemical shift modulated correlation (CSMC) spectroscopy utilizes a Jeener pulse sequence to give 1D spectra containing peaks that are amplitude modulated by the chemical shifts associated with the single-crystal's evolution orientation. Conversely, the spectral frequencies in these 1D CSMC spectra designate the shifts in the crystal's orientation during the detection period. By observing the amplitude modulation of these spectral frequencies, the spatial correlation between the two chemical environments can be established for a specific nucleus from a single 1D spectrum. The CSMC procedure finishes by acquiring a normal 1D static spectrum for the crystal oriented in the evolution direction, thereby providing very accurate evolution frequencies approximated by the amplitude modulation in the CSMC spectra. The CSMC method improves the time efficiency over both the traditional goniometer method and the 2D chemical shift-chemical shift correlation method, and therefore is beneficial for the study of samples with longer T1 values.
Effectiveness of a Specialized Intervention for Women in a Methadone Program

Abstract Over the past 20 years, specialized programming for chemically dependent women has been recommended for improving psychosocial functioning and retention in treatment. This study examined the impact of a structured, six-week assertiveness and sexuality workshop for women at three community-based methadone maintenance programs. Results indicated that women who participated frequently in the women's groups (four to six sessions) showed greater increases in selfesteem and knowledge compared to women who participated infrequently (one to three sessions). In addition, level of participation was positively associated with length of stay in the treatment program after completing the workshop.
Training and supporting the ‘volunteers’: revisiting total literacy campaigns in India

Teacher effectiveness is one of the most important determinants of the success of adult literacy programmes. From the outset of the campaign movement, the National Literacy Mission (NLM) of the Government of India has emphasised the need for a training and support system for campaign personnel, who often have limited education and lack of experience to understand the problems of literacy and to effectively teach adults. This article is part of a larger case study illustrating how the campaign approach, approved at the national level, was de facto implemented at the grassroots level with local specific variations beyond the campaign model. The article examines the campaign strategies with respect to training and supervision, and presents qualitative data generated through in-depth interviews with the village level volunteer force, so as to illustrate local responses to the district plan. When the implementation process, as well as the outcome of the campaign is studied, the gap between policy and practice becomes more apparent. The mass movement approach of the campaign appears to have been replaced by a top-down effort to achieve the national goal of universal literacy, with little attempt to allow managerial flexibility at the ground level. The article argues that decentralisation of the campaign structure may be necessary to make it relevant to the local context.
Development of a custom keyboard for extended use in salt water

We present an example of hardening off-the-shelf electronic components against a harsh salt water environment using an epoxy potting technique. The primary contribution is the adapted use of 'sealed' tactile switches which are not designed for use in harsh environments.
Optimizing coordinate choice for locomoting systems

Gait evaluation techniques that use Stokes's theorem to integrate a system's equations of motion have traditionally been limited to finding only the net rotations or small translations produced by gaits. Recently, we have observed that certain choices of generalized coordinates allow these techniques to be extended to gaits that produce large translations. In this paper, we present a method for finding the optimal coordinate choice for this purpose, based on a Hodge-Helmholtz decomposition of the system constraints, and demonstrate the efficacy of the Stokes's theorem approach over a wide variety of gaits when using the optimized coordinate choice.
Structure of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Glycoprotein in the Postfusion Conformation Reveals Preservation of Neutralizing Epitopes

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) invades host cells via a type I fusion (F) glycoprotein that undergoes dramatic structural rearrangements during the fusion process. Neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, such as 101F, palivizumab, and motavizumab, target two major antigenic sites on the RSV F glycoprotein. The structures of these sites as peptide complexes with motavizumab and 101F have been previously determined, but a structure for the trimeric RSV F glycoprotein ectodomain has remained elusive. To address this issue, we undertook structural and biophysical studies on stable ectodomain constructs. Here, we present the 2.8-A crystal structure of the trimeric RSV F ectodomain in its postfusion conformation. The structure revealed that the 101F and motavizumab epitopes are present in the postfusion state and that their conformations are similar to those observed in the antibody-bound peptide structures. Both antibodies bound the postfusion F glycoprotein with high affinity in surface plasmon resonance experiments. Modeling of the antibodies bound to the F glycoprotein predicts that the 101F epitope is larger than the linear peptide and restricted to a single protomer in the trimer, whereas motavizumab likely contacts residues on two protomers, indicating a quaternary epitope. Mechanistically, these results suggest that 101F and motavizumab can bind to multiple conformations of the fusion glycoprotein and can neutralize late in the entry process. The structural preservation of neutralizing epitopes in the postfusion state suggests that this conformation can elicit neutralizing antibodies and serve as a useful vaccine antigen.
Accelerating critical section execution with asymmetric multi-core architectures

To improve the performance of a single application on Chip Multiprocessors (CMPs), the application must be split into threads which execute concurrently on multiple cores. In multi-threaded applications, critical sections are used to ensure that only one thread accesses shared data at any given time. Critical sections can serialize the execution of threads, which significantly reduces performance and scalability.This paper proposes Accelerated Critical Sections (ACS), a technique that leverages the high-performance core(s) of an Asymmetric Chip Multiprocessor (ACMP) to accelerate the execution of critical sections. In ACS, selected critical sections are executed by a high-performance core, which can execute the critical section faster than the other, smaller cores. As a result, ACS reduces serialization: it lowers the likelihood of threads waiting for a critical section to finish. Our evaluation on a set of 12 critical-section-intensive workloads shows that ACS reduces the average execution time by 34% compared to an equal-area 32T-core symmetric CMP and by 23% compared to an equal-area ACMP. Moreover, for 7 out of the 12 workloads, ACS improves scalability by increasing the number of threads at which performance saturates.
The future of computing technology

Summary form only as given. By 2000, one can reasonably expect that a Giga PC capable of a billion operations per second with a billion bits of memory, and billion bit network bandwidth will be available for under $2000. Barring the creation of a cartel, or some yet unforeseen technological barrier, one should see a TeraPC before 2015 and a PetaPC before 2030. The question is what will we do with all this power? How will it affect the way we live and work? Many things will hardly change. Our social systems, the food we eat, the clothes we wear and our mating rituals will hardly be affected. Others, such as the way we learn, the way we work and interact with each other should undergo profound changes. This paper provides one point of view on these topics.
Staphylococcus aureus Redirects Central Metabolism to Increase Iron Availability

Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis is significantly influenced by the iron status of the host. However, the regulatory impact of host iron sources on S. aureus gene expression remains unknown. In this study, we combine multivariable difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry with multivariate statistical analyses to systematically cluster cellular protein response across distinct iron-exposure conditions. Quadruplicate samples were simultaneously analyzed for alterations in protein abundance and/or post-translational modification state in response to environmental (iron chelation, hemin treatment) or genetic (Δfur) alterations in bacterial iron exposure. We identified 120 proteins representing several coordinated biochemical pathways that are affected by changes in iron-exposure status. Highlighted in these experiments is the identification of the heme-regulated transport system (HrtAB), a novel transport system which plays a critical role in staphylococcal heme metabolism. Further, we show that regulated overproduction of acidic end-products brought on by iron starvation decreases local pH resulting in the release of iron from the host iron-sequestering protein transferrin. These findings reveal novel strategies used by S. aureus to acquire scarce nutrients in the hostile host environment and begin to define the iron and heme-dependent regulons of S. aureus.
S1P induced changes in epithelial ovarian cancer proteolysis, invasion, and attachment are mediated by Gi and Rac

Abstract Objectives We previously demonstrated that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) bimodally regulates epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell invasiveness: low-concentration S1P stimulates invasion similar to lysophophatidic acid (LPA), while high-concentration S1P inhibits invasion. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms through which S1P affects EOC cell proteolysis, invasion, and adhesion in two cultured epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods G-protein Gi was inhibited by pertussis toxin (PTX) and GTP binding protein Rac by NSC23766. S1P conditioned media of DOV13 and OVCA429 cells were evaluated via gel zymography, fluorometric gelatinase assay, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity assay, and Western Blot for MT1-MMP. Cell invasion was analyzed in Matrigel chambers. Membrane- N -cadherin was localized via fluorescence microscopy. Results Zymography revealed pro-MMP2 in conditioned media of EOC cells regardless of treatment. Gelatinase activity was increased by low-concentration S1P. In DOV13 cells this effect was Gi and Rac dependent. In all OVCA429 and control DOV13 cells, PTX enhanced gelatinolysis, suggesting an MMP2-inhibitory pathway via Gi. MT1-MMP was decreased Gi-dependently by high-concentration S1P. Rac inhibition significantly counteracted low-S1P enhancement and high-S1P reduction of DOV13 invasiveness; and uPA activity in conditioned media of invading cells correlated significantly. Immunohistochemistry revealed Gi-dependent clustering of membrane- N -cadherin in DOV13 cells treated with 0.5 µM S1P or 10 µM LPA. Conclusions S1P influences EOC invasion by regulating ECM-proteolysis and cell–cell attachment via MMP2, uPA, and membrane- N -cadherin. Furthermore, this study illustrates that the net effect of S1P on each of these processes reflects a complex interplay of multiple GPCR pathways involving Gi and downstream Rac.
Disorders of Habit

Stereotyped rhythmic movements usually involve one or more segments of the body and take such forms as head banging, rocking, and flapping of the hands. Epidemiologic studies have shown that a considerable percentage of normal children under 2 years of age engage in such behavior for short periods of time and that the incidence is higher among boys than among girls (DeLissovoy, 1961). However, in abnormal populations, such as retardates or psychotics, the stereotyped movements persist beyond the age of 2, take exaggerated forms, and may comprise a significant part of the child’s activities. Furthermore, while in young normal children such behavior is limited to situations in which the infant is fatigued, understimulated, or left alone in the crib, in deviant groups the behavior for the most part appears regardless of the nature of environmental stimuli and seems to be the preferred activity for the patient. At times, these stereotyped movements become positively dangerous to the child—head banging results in repeated severe traumata to the skull, or pulling of the ears or the penis causes laceration and infection (Green, 1967).
An Investigation of a Modal-Falsetto Register Transition Hypothesis Using Helox Gas

Abstract This study concerned the effect of the first subglottal formant (F 1 ′) on the modal-falsetto register transition in males and females. Phonations using air and a helium-oxygen mixture (helox) were used in a comparative study to tease apart possible acoustic and myoelastic contributions to involuntary register transitions. Recordings of the first subglottal formant and its accompanying bandwidths, and the lower and upper shift point marking the outer boundaries of abrupt register transitions, were obtained via a neck-mounted accelerometer, and analyzed using spectrograms and power spectra on a K-5500 Sona-Graph. The four subjects had their hearing masked bilaterally with speech level noise to increase the likelihood of involuntary register transition via minimized auditory feedback. In three of the four test subjects registration was surmised to be primarily a laryngeal event, as evidenced by the similar frequency dependency of voice breaks in both air and helox. It may be hypothesized that subglottal resonance influenced register transition in the fourth subject, as voice breaks rose with helox-induced phonation; however, this result did not reach statistical significance. Therefore, in this experiment subglottal resonance was not found to have a significant influence on register transition as originally hypothesized.
Optimal Pilot Power Allocation for OFDM Systems with Transmitter and Receiver IQ Imbalances

In this paper, we derive optimal pilot power allocation for OFDM systems suffering from in-phase and quadrature-phase (IQ) imbalances. Existing works in literature on IQ imbalances optimize for pilot spacings and pilot designs. However, in all these works, optimal power allocation between pilot and data symbols has not been considered. Using a lower bound on the average channel capacity as a metric, we optimize for the pilot and data power allocations. Simulations show that the resulting optimal pilot power allocation increases the channel capacity along with lowering the bit error rate (BER). We further show that the power allocation is flexible in the sense that several power allocation choices exist that improve capacity compared to the equal power allocation scenario.
Eolian transport of geogenic hexavalent chromium to ground water.

A conceptual model of eolian transport is proposed to address the widely distributed, high concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6) observed in ground water in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Concentrations (30 to more than 1000 μg/L Cr+6) extend over thousands of square kilometers of ground water systems. It is hypothesized that the Cr is derived from weathering of chromium-rich pyroxenes and olivines present in ophiolite sequence of the adjacent Oman (Hajar) Mountains. Cr+3 in the minerals is oxidized to Cr+6 by reduction of manganese and is subsequently sorbed on iron and manganese oxide coatings of particles. When the surfaces of these particles are abraded in this arid environment, they release fine, micrometer-sized, coated particles that are easily transported over large distances by wind and subsequently deposited on the surface. During ground water recharge events, the readily soluble Cr+6 is mobilized by rain water and transported by advective flow into the underlying aquifer. Chromium analyses of ground water, rain, dust, and surface (soil) deposits are consistent with this model, as are electron probe analyses of clasts derived from the eroding Oman ophiolite sequence. Ground water recharge flux is proposed to exercise some control over Cr+6 concentration in the aquifer.
Seasonal Variation in Polyspecific Associations Among Callimico goeldii , Saguinus labiatus , and S. fuscicollis in Acre, Brazil

Polyspecific associations (PSA) occur when 2 or more species maintain proximity or coordinate activities. PSA may provide ecological benefits similar to those of monospecific groups, i.e., protection against predation and improved foraging efficiency, but may also impart costs, such as feeding competition. I studied 3 New World Callitrichidae—Callimico goeldii, Saguinus fuscicollis, and S. labiatus—in northwestern Brazil over 18 mo between April 1999 and August 2003, during which single primary study groups of C. goeldii, S. labiatus, and S. fuscicollis consistently associated with one another. I compared patterns of PSA participation to variation in plant diets during wet and dry seasons. All 3 species associated an average 61% of observation time, but with significant seasonal variation in PSA. During the dry season, April–September, PSA occurred significantly less frequently than during the wet season, October–March (37% vs. 88%). The variation in PSA corresponded with seasonal shifts in plant food diets, resulting in less dietary overlap among all 3 species during the dry season, particularly between Callimico goeldii and Saguinus labiatus. Dietary richness, diversity, and evenness were also lower in the dry compared to the wet season for each species. The results suggest a link between PSA participation and diet among the taxa; foraging-related costs or feeding competition may constrain PSA during the dry season.
A study of fuzzy-Bayes decision rule with reserved judgement

Concerns fuzzy-Bayes decision rules under fuzzy situations that are not orthogonal. It is natural to look upon a state which the decision-maker cannot imagine as an indifferent state. In order to avoid the risk caused by the concept of the indifferent state, the concept of the reserved judgement is introduced. The influence of the optimum action is explained by introducing the reserved judgement to the distinction problem. >
Levels of evidence in otolaryngology journals.

OBJECTIVE: To identify trends in clinical research and levels of evidence in otolaryngology journals.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We reviewed all original research articles from 1993, 1998, and 2003, ...
A New Approach to Colonial Problems at the United Nations

The Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (Special Committee of 24) has, unfortunately, had little success during its ten-year existence in contributing toward the achievement of self-determination and independence. Now, with the departure of the United Kingdom and the United States from the committee it seems particularly listless like a bullfight without a bull. Does this mean the activity of the United Nations concerning decolonization is doomed to futility? I do not think so, but a constructive change is not likely in the present framework of which the Special Committee of 24 is the core. To achieve results there must be a new approach which emphasizes persuasion and negotiation rather than the adoption of resolutions by substantial but ineffective majorities. The history of the Special Committee of 24 indicates why a new approach is the necessary prelude to positive results. The decade from 1961 to 1970 corresponds to the period during which the Special Committee of 24 was active. While in the previous two decades 40 countries with a combined population of almost 800 million people attained independence, during the time that the committee was active 25 countries with 67 million people attained independence. With the possible exception of Equatorial Guinea it is difficult to find a single instance in which independence was attained as a result of the committee's activity. In January 1971 the United Kingdom and the United States informed the president of the United Nations General Assembly that they had decided to discontinue participation in the Special Committee of 24. Having been the United States representative in the committee for the last three years, I became convinced that no useful purpose was being served by our participation. More significantly, the government of the United States came to that conclusion with
An approach to autonomous operations for remote mobile robotic exploration

This paper presents arguments for a balanced approach to modeling and reasoning in an autonomous robotic system. The framework discussed uses both declarative and procedural modeling to define the domain, rules, and constraints of the system and also balances the use of deliberative and reactive reasoning during execution. This paper also details the implementations of such an approach on two research rovers and a simulated rover all in a Mars-like environment. Intelligent decision-making capabilities are shown in the context of several unforeseen events, which require action. These events test the system's framework by requiring the system to handle uncertainty in state and resource estimations and in real-world execution. Future work, which further enhances the idea of balanced reasoning, is also discussed.
Stepwise Description and Outcomes of Bladder Neck Sparing During Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: While bladder neck sparing may improve post-prostatectomy urinary continence, there is concern that it may lead to more positive surgical margins and compromise cancer control. We compared the continence and cancer control outcomes of bladder neck sparing vs nonsparing techniques during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: Data were prospectively collected on 1,067 robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomies done from September 2005 through October 2011. We compared the procedures according to bladder neck sparing (791) and nonsparing (276). Continence was defined by zero pad responses on the EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index) item quantifying daily use. Biochemical recurrence was defined as prostate specific antigen 0.1 ng/ml or greater. Cox regression was performed to assess factors associated with post-prostatectomy continence and biochemical recurrence-free survival.Results: Median followup for bladder neck sparing vs nonsparing was 25.8 vs 51.7 ...