cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring Properties and Correlations of Fatal Events in a Large-Scale HPC System

In this paper, we explore potential correlations of fatal system events for one of the most powerful supercomputers—IBM Blue Gene/Q Mira, which is deployed at Argonne National Laboratory, based on its 5-year reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) log. Our contribution is two-fold. (1) We design an efficient log analysis tool, namely LogAider, with a novel filtering method to effectively extract fatal events from masses of system messages that are heavily duplicated in the log. LogAider exhibits a very precise detection of temporal-correlation with a high similarity (up to 95 percent) to the ground-truth (i.e., compared to the failure records reported by the administrators). The total number of fatal events can be reduced to about 1,255 compared with originally 2.6 million duplicated fatal messages. (2) We analyze the 5-year RAS log of the MIRA system using LogAider, and summarize six important “takeaways” which can help system vendors and administrators better understand an extreme-scale system's fatal events. Specifically, we find that the distribution or proportion of the fatal system events follow a Pareto-like principle in general. The temporal correlation among fatal events is much stronger than that of warn messages and info messages, and the correlated events tend to constitute a few clusters. The mean time between fatal events (MTBFE) of the Mira system is about 1.3 days from the perspective of the system, and the MTTI is 2–4 days from the perspective of users. The most error-prone item value with respect to any key attribute appears likely in the log every 2–10 days. Weibull, Gamma, and Pearson6 are the three best-fit distributions for the fatal event intervals. The overall correlation of fatal events on the 5D torus network is not prominent, whereas the small-region locality correlation (e.g., the fatal events inside racks) is relatively strong. We believe our work will be interesting to large-scale HPC system administrators and vendors and to fault tolerance researchers, enabling them to better understand fatal events and mitigate such events accordingly.
Skin Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Rate Control of Atrial Fibrillation

Background and Hypothesis Lifetime risks for atrial fibrillation (AF) are 1 in 4 for people 40 years of age and older. Rate and rhythm control are both important strategies in managing patients with AF. However, not all patients respond to beta blocker therapy. We hypothesize that sympathetic tone is important in rate control of AF, but the importance varied among patients. Experimental Design or Project Methods neuECG is a new noninvasive method to record skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) and electrocardiogram. The present research recruited and recorded 2 paroxysmal and 3 persistent AF patients for 24 hours using neuECG. The average voltage of SKNA (aSKNA) and ventricular rate during AF was analyzed in one-min windows. Results The preliminary data reveal strong correlations (r=.783, r=.640, respectively, p<0.0001 for both) between aSKNA (1.19 ± 0.21 µV) and ventricular rate (110 ± 8 bpm) in the paroxysmal AF. High correlations were consistently observed when data were analyzed on an hourly basis. In comparison, strong correlations were found between aSKNA (1.13 ± 0.2 µV) and ventricular rate (88 ± 8.6 bpm) in persistent AF (r=.496, r= .796, r=.636 respectively, p<0.001 for both cases). However, hourly correlations displayed much higher variability between aSKNA and ventricular rate than that observed for paroxysmal AF. Conclusion and Potential Impact. aSKNA positively correlates with ventricular rate during AF. This relationship is stronger and more consistent during paroxysmal than persistent AF. These findings may be important in determining the efficacy of beta blocker therapy in rate control of AF.
OC-DNN: Exploiting Advanced Unified Memory Capabilities in CUDA 9 and Volta GPUs for Out-of-Core DNN Training

Existing frameworks cannot train large DNNs that do not fit the GPU memory without explicit memory management schemes. In this paper, we propose OC-DNN - a novel Out-of-Core DNN training framework that exploits new Unified Memory features along with new hardware mechanisms in Pascal and Volta GPUs. OC-DNN has two major design components — 1) OC-Caffe; an enhanced version of Caffe that exploits innovative UM features like asynchronous prefetching, managed page-migration, exploitation of GPU-based page faults, and the cudaMemAdvise interface to enable efficient out-of-core training for very large DNNs, and 2) an interception library to transpar-ently leverage these cutting-edge features for other frameworks. We provide a comprehensive performance characterization of our designs. OC-Caffe provides comparable performance (to Caffe) for regular DNNs. OC-Caffe-Opt is up to 1.9X faster than OC-Caffe-Naive and up to 5X faster than optimized CPU-based training for out-of-core workloads. OC-Caffe also allows scale-up (DGX-1) and scale-out on multi-GPU clusters.
Contemporary Use of Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Purpose The efficacy of glycoprotein IIB/IIIA inhibitor (IIB/IIA) use in patients who receive left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) has not been well studied. A prior single center study of eptifibatide use for pump thrombosis in almost exclusively HeartMate II (HMII) LVAD patients concluded that the risks of such use outweighed the benefits. We sought to analyze the outcomes of IIB/IIIA use in our more contemporary cohort of mixed axial and centrifugal flow LVAD patients. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with LVADs implanted at Stanford Hospital from 2010-2018. We used the electronic medical record to identify LVAD patients who received IIB/IIIA inhibitors for suspected pump thrombus. Outcomes assessed included resolution of thrombus, need for pump exchange, and adverse events such as stroke and death. Results Out of 304 patients who had an LVAD placed during the study period, 42 (14%) received IIB/IIIA inhibitors after LVAD placement. Of this subset, 74% were male, 69% received HM II LVADs (31% HeartWare), 71% were implanted as destination therapy, and 88% received eptifibatide (12% tirofiban). The average time from implant to IIB/IIIA use was 278 days (SD 365). 50% of patients had clinical resolution of their thrombus (80% tirofiban, 46% eptifibatide, p = 0.14). 29% of patients suffered a stroke, all of whom were exposed to eptifibatide (0% tirofiban vs 32% eptifibatide, p = 0.15). 43% of patients went on to eventual cardiac transplantation, 45% required pump exchange (0% tirofiban, 51% epitifibatide, p = 0.02), and 19% died in total from thrombotic complications, including pump exchange. There were no significant differences in the rate of stroke, pump exchange, or death with IIB/IIIA use when stratified by type of LVAD (HMII vs HeartWare). Conclusion IIB/IIIA inhibitors can be effective in treating suspected LVAD pump thrombus, with resolution of thrombus in half of cases in our experience. Whether outcomes differ based on the type of IIB/IIIA inhibitor used requires further investigation. The high proportion of patients who died or required pump exchange/eventual transplantation suggests that the use of IIB/IIIA inhibitors carries risk, and the effect may not be durable. Identification of patients and clinical scenarios that minimize risk and improve efficacy of IIB/IIA use is paramount.
Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index as a Marker of Bone Disease in HIV-Infected Patients.

Abstract People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have higher risk of low bone mineral density (BMD) and fragility fracture than general population. The aim of our retrospect...
Exploring the Links between Facets of Mindfulness and Parenting Efficacy and Stress

The study of mindfulness has expanded in recent decades; however, there is still limited published research on the relationship between mindfulness and parenting. Further, scarce previous research considered individual characteristics as moderators of links between mindfulness and parenting outcomes. Although distinct elements of mindfulness can be measured, most research treats mindfulness as a global construct. The current study draws from family stress and resilience theory to examine the relationship between three facets of mindfulness and parenting stress and efficacy. Further, we consider the influence of parent gender and age of the youngest child on these relationships. Multi-level regression models were utilized in a diverse sample of 1007 parents (M age = 36.07; Range = 19–70). Nonreactivity of inner experience was most predictive of parenting efficacy compared to acting with awareness, whereas awareness was most predictive of lower parenting stress compared to nonreactivity. Nonjudging of inner experience was not directly related to parenting efficacy or parenting stress considering other facets of mindfulness. The link between nonjudging and parenting efficacy was stronger for fathers than mothers. The positive link between nonreactivity and parenting efficacy was stronger for parents of older children and the negative link between levels of nonreactivity and parenting stress was stronger for parents of young children. Although each facet is related in some way to parenting outcomes, certain areas of mindfulness may be particularly important to emphasize in mindfulness-based parenting education programs. Further, these priority facets may differ slightly based on parent and child characteristics.
A Longitudinal Assessment of the Reporting Quality of Randomized Controlled Trials for Surgical Interventions to Treat Nephrolithiasis Over 16 Years (2002 to 2017)

Purpose: Transparently reported, high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) play a critical role in guiding evidence based clinical practice and informing evidence-based guidelines in patient...
THE SINGLE ACCESS TECHNIQUE (SAT) FOR IMPELLA CP® PROTECTED PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTIONS (PCI): A SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

Observational studies and registry data show that Impella-assisted high-risk PCI is safe and effective with a low rate of peri-procedural complications. We report our experience with 11 patients who underwent high risk SAT-PCI. The Impella CP (ICP) device requires arterial access with a 14 French
Isolated septic facet joints: an underdiagnosed distinct clinical entity

We review a series of isolated septic facet joints (ISFJ) that present as a distinct clinical entity compared with spondylodiscitis. We aim to raise awareness that septic facet joints are not a rare entity in the era of modern imaging. We reviewed 353 patients with confirmed spine infections from 2008 to 2017. Of the 353 cases, there were 152 septic facet joints based on MR imaging. Sixty-two presented as ISFJ without evidence of spondylodiscitis and were reviewed. Patients were predominantly male 38/62 (61%). The mean age was 56.7 years. Onset of back pain was more acute compared with spondylodiscitis and usually unilateral. The distribution was as follows: 6 cervical, 12 thoracic, and 44 lumbar facets. The majority of ISFJ, 53/62 (85%), were associated with an epidural abscess (EDA) 53/62. The cervical and thoracic EDA required surgical decompression more frequently than lumbar; 100%, 75%, and 53% respectively. Pathogen was identified in 59/62 (95%) cases. Most cases were associated with bacteremia 50/62 (81%). Seven ISFJ were introduced iatrogenically. All iatrogenic ISFJ required surgical decompression. Septic facet joints are not rare, but frequently overlooked as the origin of an epidural abscess. The majority of cases are hematogenously seeded and associated with bacteremia. Surgical decompression is frequently required secondary to the high incidence of associated epidural abscess. Iatrogenic septic facet joints are rare but associated with significant morbidity. From a clinical standpoint, it is helpful to delineate the origin of EDA as either secondary to spondylodiscitis or SFJ.
Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles from Entamoeba histolytica Identifies Roles in Intercellular Communication That Regulates Parasite Growth and Development.

ABSTRACT Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells to transport lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids to the external environment have important roles in cell-cell communication through cargo transfer. We identified and characterized EVs from Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite and a human pathogen. Conditioned medium from amebic parasites contained particles consistent with the expected size and morphology of EVs. Mass spectrometry was used to characterize the EV proteome and showed that it was enriched in common exosome marker proteins, including proteins associated with vesicle formation, cell signaling, and metabolism, as well as cytoskeletal proteins. Additionally, the EVs were found to selectively package small RNAs (sRNA), which were protected within the vesicles against RNase treatment. Sequencing analysis of the sRNA contained in EVs revealed that the majority were 27 nucleotides (nt) in size and represented a subset of the cellular antisense small RNA population that has previously been characterized in Entamoeba. RNA interference (RNAi) pathway proteins, including Argonaute, were also present in amebic EVs. Interestingly, we found that the amebic EVs impacted intercellular communication between parasites and altered encystation efficiency. EVs isolated from encysting parasites promoted encystation in other parasites, whereas EVs from metabolically active trophozoites impeded encystation. Overall, the data reveal that Entamoeba secrete EVs that are similar in size and shape to previously characterized exosomes from other organisms and that these EVs contain a defined protein and small RNA cargo and have roles in intercellular communication among parasites and influence growth kinetics.
Cardiogenic Shock and Mitral Valve Chord Rupture: A Rare Presentation of Libman-Sacks Endocarditis

Abstract Distinguishing Libman-Sacks endocarditis from other valvular heart disease etiologies has important implications for management. We present a case of a 23-year-old man who presented in extremis with fever and cardiogenic shock caused by Libman-Sacks endocarditis with associated mitral valve chord rupture. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.)
Abstract 12877: Magnesium Deficiency Causes Reversible Metabolic Diastolic and Systolic Cardiomyopathies

Introduction: Low circulating magnesium (Mg) level is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, and conversely, dietary Mg intake is associated with a decreased risk of developing heart f...
Implicit Optimization: Models and Methods

We present a new class of optimization models, implicit optimization, which includes deep learning, nonlinear control, and mixed-integer programming as special cases. Implicit optimization provides a unified perspective on these different fields, leading to new algorithms and surprising connections. We propose two tractable algorithms to solve such problems based on their implicit equation structure: implicit gradient descent and the Fenchel alternative direction method of multipliers. We illustrate our theory and methods with numerical experiments.
Performance Analysis of a NASA Integrated Network Array

The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program is planning to integrate its individual networks into a unified network which will function as a single entity to provide services to user missions. This integrated network architecture is expected to provide SCaN customers with the capabilities to seamlessly use any of the available SCaN assets to support their missions to efficiently meet the collective needs of Agency missions. One potential optimal application of these assets, based on this envisioned architecture, is that of arraying across existing networks to significantly enhance data rates and/or link availabilities. As such, this document provides an analysis of the transmit and receive performance of a proposed SCaN inter-network antenna array. From the study, it is determined that a fully integrated internetwork array does not provide any significant advantage over an intra-network array, one in which the assets of an individual network are arrayed for enhanced performance. Therefore, it is the recommendation of this study that NASA proceed with an arraying concept, with a fundamental focus on a network-centric arraying.
Project Bar-S: redesigning the package labeling system

Bar-S at Clinton is a manufacturing plant. Duties involve food processing and package labeling. The existing package labeling system uses stick-on labels. The new system will print labels directly on cartons. The inkjet mechanism presently requires close tolerances and frequent adjustment.
Integrated CMOS surface acoustic wave gas sensor: design and characteristics

The development of inexpensive and miniaturized Surface Acoustics Wave (SAW) gas sensors that are highly selective and sensitive is described. These sensors are implemented with micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) in CMOS technology. IDT equivalent circuit and model for SAW delay line is introduced. Simulation results are included for characterization and design of the sensor. In this paper we will describe the design and post-processing steps to implement SAW device in CMOS technology. Design parameters of this device were obtained using modeling equivalent circuit to characterize sensor. Two approaches were used in the design of the SAW gas sensor that will be discussed. A CMOS chip was fabricated using MOSIS. Thin film ZnO was grown on Silicon based die and its characterizations is presented.
Use the Common Senses: Childbirth Education for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons.

The author presents her experiences in teaching a class on pregnancy and childbirth to students in a school for the blind and visually impaired. Because many students were ignorant about anatomy, s...
Heat Kernel Empirical Laws on $${\mathbb {U}}_N$$ and $${\mathbb {GL}}_N$$GLN

This paper studies the empirical laws of eigenvalues and singular values for random matrices drawn from the heat kernel measures on the unitary groups \({\mathbb {U}}_N\) and the general linear groups \({\mathbb {GL}}_N\), for \(N\in {\mathbb {N}}\). It establishes the strongest known convergence results for the empirical eigenvalues in the \({\mathbb {U}}_N\) case, and the first known almost sure convergence results for the eigenvalues and singular values in the \({\mathbb {GL}}_N\) case. The limit noncommutative distribution associated with the heat kernel measure on \({\mathbb {GL}}_N\) is identified as the projection of a flow on an infinite-dimensional polynomial space. These results are then strengthened from variance estimates to \(L^p\) estimates for even integers p.
gmhX, a novel gene required for the incorporation of l-glycero-d-manno-heptose into lipooligosaccharide in Neisseria meningitidis

Lipooligosaccharide (LOS) is a critical virulence factor of Neisseria meningitidis. A Tn916 insertion mutant, designated 469, was found to exhibit a markedly truncated LOS of 2·9 kDa when compared by Tricine/SDS-PAGE to the parental LOS (4·6 kDa). Electrospray mass spectrometry analysis of 469 LOS revealed that it consisted of the deep rough, heptose-deficient structure, Kdo2-lipid A. Sequencing of chromosomal DNA flanking the Tn916 insertion in mutant 469 revealed that the transposon had inserted into an ORF predicted to encode a 187 aa protein with sequence homology to the histidinol-phosphate phosphatase domain of Escherichia coli HisB and to a family of genes of unknown function. The gene, designated gmhX, is part of a polycistronic operon (ice-2) containing two other genes, nlaB and orfC. nlaB encodes a lysophosphatidic-acid acyltransferase and orfC is predicted to encode a N-acetyltransferase. Specific polar and non-polar gmhX mutations in the parental strain, NMB, exhibited the truncated LOS structure of mutant 469, and repair of gmhX mutants by homologous recombination with the wild-type gmhX restored the LOS parental phenotype. GmhX mutants demonstrated increased sensitivity to polymyxin B. GmhX mutants and other Kdo2-lipid A mutants also demonstrated increased sensitivity to killing by normal human serum but were not as sensitive as inner-core mutants containing heptose. In the genomes of Helicobacter pylori and Synechocystis, gmhX homologues are associated with heptose biosynthesis genes; however, in N. meningitidis, gmhX was found in a location distinct from that of gmhA, rfaD, rfaE, aut and rfaC. GmhX is a novel enzyme required for the incorporation of L-glycero-D-manno-heptose into meningococcal LOS, and is a candidate for the 2-D-glycero-manno-heptose phosphatase of the heptose biosynthesis pathway.
Methods for fast computation of integral transforms

Abstract This paper is concerned with two aspects of the numerical calculation of integral transforms. The first is finding a necessary and sufficient condition that enables converting an integral transform into a correlation (convolution) form. The condition and the transformation that implements it are generalizations of the Gardner transformation and derived in the paper. This technique can be applied to a wide class of integral transforms and is shown to reduce the computational complexity and storage requirements of the resulting algorithm. The second issue addressed in the paper is the accuracy of the calculation of the correlation integral, obtained by the above transformation, for a given number of samples. It is shown how the standard FFT method can be applied in combination with various numerical integration rules. This proves to be an important factor in expediting the computations, reducing the storage requirements, and improving the accuracy.
Hypertrophy of the heart of unknown etiology in young adults: Report of four cases with autopsies

Abstract 1. 1. Four fatal cases of unexplained hypertrophy and dilatation of the heart during the third decade of life are presented. None of the usual causes of hypertrophy were present. 2. 2. The onset of illness differed in individual cases and was not at first recognized as heart disease. 3. 3. Electrocardiograms at first were normal. When changes occurred, the abnormalities suggested only nonspecific myocardial damage. 4. 4. The possible etiologic factors are discussed, but it is not concluded which, if any, were responsible for the cardiac hypertrophy. 5. 5. There is no certainty that the causes of heart disease in the four cases were related.
Elevated expression of p47phox and p67phox proteins in neutrophils from burned rats.

The molecular control of neutrophil respiratory burst in burn injury was investigated through quantitation of protein factors, p47phox and p67phox, which are required for the activation of the phagocyte plasma membrane NADPH-oxidase. Circulating neutrophils were isolated from rats with 30% body surface area covered with full thickness burns. Neutrophil O2- generation, and p47phox and p67phox expressions, respectively, were determined using spectrophotometric and immunoblot techniques. Formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine stimulated superoxide anion generation was approximately 50% higher in neutrophils from rats 24 and 72 h after burns compared with that in sham control rats. The level of superoxide production was .47 +/- .05 nanomoles per minute per 10(6) cells (mean +/- SE, n = 6) at 24 h and .45 +/- .05 (n = 6) at 72 h postburn, whereas in sham control animals it was .32 +/- .02 (n = 8). Compared with the sham group p47phox levels, p47phox expression was 5.7-fold, 4.4-fold, and 4.5-fold higher, respectively, at 24, 36 and 72 h postburn. The levels of p67phox in burned animals were 2-fold higher than in the sham group, (p < .05) at 24 h postburn, and approximately 50% higher than sham at 36 h after the burn. The p67phox levels in rats 72 h after the burn were not significantly different from the sham values. These data support the occurrence of an up-regulation of p47phox and p67phox expressions accompanying the enhanced neutrophil respiratory burst activity during the early stages of burn injury. The up-regulation of p47phox and p67phox could be responsible for the priming of neutrophil O2- production leading to host tissue injury.
Outcomes of cardiac surgery in nonagenarians: a 10-year experience.

Abstract Background With an increasing awareness of health issues and greater emphasis on preventive medicine, the general population is living longer and healthier lives than ever before. Physicians are taking care of older patients, many of whom may require cardiac surgical procedures. Improving cardiopulmonary bypass technology allows for safer procedures with reduced morbidity and mortality even in older patients. Methods We have performed a retrospective analysis of 42 consecutive nonagenarian patients who underwent open-heart procedures over a 10-year period (1993 to 2002) at our institution. Their demographic profiles, operative data, perioperative results, and long-term outcomes were recorded and analyzed. Results Twenty-two women and 20 men with an age range of 90 to 97 years (mean, 91.4 years) had open-heart surgery over the study period. The complication rate was 67% overall, consisting of 7% respiratory (pneumonia, respiratory failure, reintubation), 7% hemorrhagic or embolic (postoperative bleeding, cerebral vascular accident), 12% infectious (wound infection, sepsis), and 31% new arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation). Despite these complication rates, average hospital stay was 17.5 days (median, 11 days), with an intensive care unit stay of 12.0 days (median, 5 days). Thirty-day survival was 95% and survival to discharge was 93% (three deaths total; one cardiac arrest at hospital day 134 and two perioperative deaths; one ventricular arrhythmia, one cerebral vascular accident). The only statistically significant risk factor of mortality was emergency surgery. Currently, 81% are still alive an average of 2.53 years since surgery (range, 0.16 to 7.1 years). Conclusions With improving techniques and greater attention to detail, the select nonagenarian can safely undergo cardiac surgery.
Teachers fostering the co-development of science literacy and language literacy with English language learners

Thirty-five elementary teachers participated in a yearlong professional development (PD) program that was designed to foster a culture of on-going teacher learning to promote the co-development of science and language literacy for English language learners (ELL). An explanatory design methodology was used to determine the degree to which science and language literacy co-developed. The research question guiding this study was: In what ways did the yearlong PD science program support teachers at 10 elementary schools to become more knowledgeable about fostering science literacy and its role in co-developing language literacy (e.g. reading, writing, listening, and speaking) for ELL? The measurable and significant gains on the quantitative mandated state science and reading tests and the analysis of qualitative teaching episodes led to the conclusion that demonstrated the synergy between science learning and language learning – as one increased, so did the other.
Pattern specificity of contrast adaptation

Contrast adaptation is specific to precisely localised edges, so that adapting to a flickering photograph makes one less sensitive to that same photograph, but not to similar photographs. When two low-contrast photos, A and B, are transparently superimposed, then adapting to a flickering high-contrast B leaves no net afterimage, but it makes B disappear from the A+B picture, which now simply looks like A.
Nanoscale biomimetics studies of Salvinia molesta for micropattern fabrication

The emerging field of biomimetics allows one to take inspiration from nature and mimic it in order to create various products, devices and structures. There are a large number of objects, including bacteria, plants, land and aquatic animals and seashells, with properties of commercial interest. The subject of interest for this research is the water fern Salvinia molesta because of its ability to trap air. Air-retaining surfaces are of technological interest due to their ability to reduce drag when used for fluid transport, ship coatings and other submersible industrial products in which drag is a concern. The purpose of this research is to mimic the air trapping ability of S. molesta in order to prove that a structure can be created in the lab that can mimic the behavior of the fern as well as demonstrate microfabrication techniques that can be utilized in industry to produce such materials. In this work, a novel methodology for the fabrication of microstructures that mimic the water-pinning and air-trapping ability of S. molesta is introduced. Water contact angle, water roll angle and adhesive force of the new microstructure and water fern are investigated.
A 3-year longitudinal study of cognitive impairment in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis: speed matters.

Abstract Background The few controlled longitudinal studies of cognitive performance in MS patients all provide evidence of deterioration in at least a subset of the patients sampled. Only one of these studies has focused on primary progressive MS, and little attention has been paid to the specific domains of cognitive functioning that change over time. The present study examined three principal cognitive domains in samples of primary progressive MS patients and healthy controls followed over a period of 3 years. Methods A battery of neuropsychological tests that included measures of strategic problem solving, verbal memory, and information processing speed was administered annually to 24 MS patients and 25 controls. Results MS patients' performance on measures of processing speed showed significantly greater decline over the 3-year period than did that of controls. Similar results were not observed in the case of problem solving or verbal memory. There was no evidence of more dramatic decline occurring in patients who were initially classified as cognitively impaired relative to those who were unimpaired at baseline. However, this failure may have been influenced by differential attrition from the sample; more impaired patients were less likely to complete the study. Conclusion Overall the results support the contention that information processing speed is the domain most sensitive to the impact of multiple sclerosis on cognitive functioning over time.
“Placing” Health in an Urban Sociology: Cities as Mosaics of Risk and Protection

Central to urban sociology is the assumption that place matters. Yet, urban sociology has virtually ignored the role of place in understanding a critical aspect of personal and collective well–bein...
Characterization of the TrnD, TrnK, PsaA locus of Euglena gracilis chloroplast DNA.

The EcoRI fragment Eco J' of Euglena gracilis chloroplast DNA has previously been identified as a tRNA coding locus. The nucleotide sequence of a 2.3-kb region of the Eco J' fragment known to contain the tRNA genes has been determined. This locus was found to contain two tRNA genes, trnD-GTC and trnK-TTT. Separated from the trnK locus by a 43-bp spacer is an open reading frame of 398 codons. The open reading frame is 73–75% homologous to the amino-terminal coding regions of the spinach and maize genes for the P700 chlorophyll a apoprotein of photosystem I. It has been identified as exon I of an intron-containing psaA gene. The exon is followed by an intron of at least 214 bp that has features characteristic of other Euglena chloroplast introns. Major chloroplast RNA transcripts of sizes 5.5, 4.7, and 2.3 kb hybridize to a psaA-specific probe. The gene for a second photosystem I P700 apoprotein, psaB, has been located on an adjacent EcoRI fragment, Eco C.
Cholinesterase inhibitors for behavioral disturbance in dementia.

The authors review the literature from the last year examining the benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of behavioral disturbance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias. Previous review has indicated that cholinesterase inhibitors have psychotropic properties. We found more evidence to support both the benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors in behavioral disturbance, and that specific behaviors may be selectively responsive to treatment.
Immunohistochemical and electron microscopic demonstration of vascular innervation in the mammalian brainstem

Abstract Ultrastructural morphological relationship between microvessels and neural elements containing serotonin-like immunoreactivity, substance P and methionine-enkephalin like immunoreactivity were studied in the monkey and cat brain. A close relationship between serotonin-like immunoreactive dendritic processes, enkephalin-like immunoreactive profiles and capillary basement membrane was observed; they were usually separated by a double layer of glial membrane. More importantly, serotonin and substance P-like immunoreactive dendritic profiles are reported in close approximation with capillary basement membrane with no glial limitans at the site of contact. These intimate morphological associations may be the basis for neural regulaton of tonicity, permeability and chemosensor function in the brain microvasculature.
Sea change under climate change: case studies in rare plant conservation from the dynamic San Francisco Estuary.

We present case studies supporting management of two rare plant species in tidal wetlands of the San Francisco Estuary. We used empirical demographic analyses to identify factors to enhance population establishment and survival of Chloropyron molle subsp. molle (Orobancaceae), an annual hemiparasite, and to compare reintroduced with natural populations. Twelve years after outplanting, the reintroduced population persists but is in decline; impediments to success include the lack of adaptive management response to weed invasions and muted variance in hydrology. Transplantation of Lilaeopsis masonii (Apiaceae), a rhizomatous perennial herb, failed to meet success criteria for mitigation at local project scale, but dispersal and establishment of metapopulation patches indicated persistence at the landscape scale. This species has been found to be genetically indistinct from a widespread congener, and has few threats to persistence so long as suitable habitat is present. These two examples demonstrate the need for integrated conservation management strategies that prioritize habitat connectivity and maintain physical processes to support dispersal in response to sea level rise. For the hemiparasite, assisted colonization may sustain populations threatened by sea level rise, but only if a strong commitment to effective stewardship is realized. Resume : Les auteurs presentent des etudes de cas supportant l'amenagement de deux especes de plantes rares des terres humides intertidales dans l'estuaire de San Francisco. Ils ont utilise des analyses demographiques empiriques pour identifier les facteurs susceptibles d'accroitre l'etablissement et la survie du Chloropyron molle subsp. molle (Orobranchaceae), une hemiparsite, et ils ont compare les populations naturelles et introduites. Douze ans apres la plantation, la population reintroduite persiste, mais decline; le blocage inclut le manque de reaction adaptative de l'amenagement al'invasion par des herbes adventices et des modifications de variances de l'hydrologie. La transplantation du Lilaeopsis masonii (Apiaceae), une herbe perenne arhizome, n'a pas satisfait les criteres de succes pour la mitigation al'echelle locale du projet, mais la dispersion et l'etablissement de metapopulations en colonies indiquent sa persistance al'echelle du paysage. On a constate que cette espece est genetiquement distincte d'une congenere largement etendue, et ne connait pas de menace ason existence, pourvu qu'il s'y trouve un habitat convenable. Ces deux exemples demontrent le besoin d'integrer les strategies d'amenagement de conservation pour supporter la dispersion en reaction al'elevation du niveau de la mer. Pour la plante hemiparasite, la colonisation assistee peut supporter les populations menacees par l'elevation du niveau de la mer, mais seulement si on assure un suivi efficace. (Traduit par la Redaction) Mots-cles : reintroduction de vegetaux, restauration de terres humides, amenagement adapte, changement climatique, Chloropy- ron molle subsp. molle, Lilaeopsis masonii.
An aryl acylamidase from tulip which hydrolyzes 3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide

Abstract An aryl acylamidase which hydrolyzes the herbicide propanil (3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide), has been isolated from tulip bulbs and partially purified and characterized. Several chlorinated ring-substituted propionanilide analogs as well as 3,4-dichloroacetanilide and 3′,4′-dichloro-2-methacrylanilide (dicryl) were hydrolyzed by the enzyme. The partially purified enzyme lacked sensitive-SH groups and possessed a broad pH optimum between 6·8 and 7·8. The enzyme was relatively stable up to about 50°, but lost activity rapidly on exposure to temperatures above this. The optimum temperature of assay with 3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide was 53°. The apparent activation energy of the enzyme was 10·3 kcal/mole and the apparent Km was 2·50 × 10−3m, with 3′,4′-dichloropropionanilide as substrate. The properties of this acylamidase from tulip were compared with aryl acylamidases from rice and liver.
An energy test for the stability of rheolinear vibrations

Abstract An asymptotic expansion of a special form of d'Alembert's variational equation is combined with the “no resonance” vibration condition to calculate, approximately, the stability boundaries of the Hill-Mathieu equation. The interpretation of the resulting energy expressions leads to the formulation of a new kinetic stability criterion. Its degree of equivalence to other energy tests for non-conservative systems is established. Possible extensions of the methodology are mentioned.
Clustering coefficients of protein-protein interaction networks

The properties of certain networks are determined by hidden variables that are not explicitly measured. The conditional probability (propagator) that a vertex with a given value of the hidden variable is connected to $k$ other vertices determines all measurable properties. We study hidden variable models and find an averaging approximation that enables us to obtain a general analytical result for the propagator. Analytic results showing the validity of the approximation are obtained. We apply hidden variable models to protein-protein interaction networks (PINs) in which the hidden variable is the association free energy, determined by distributions that depend on biochemistry and evolution. We compute degree distributions as well as clustering coefficients of several PINs of different species; good agreement with measured data is obtained. For the human interactome two different parameter sets give the same degree distributions, but the computed clustering coefficients differ by a factor of about 2. This shows that degree distributions are not sufficient to determine the properties of PINs.
Experimental Infections of Eimeria wapiti and E. zuernii-like Oocysts in Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus elaphus) Calves

Four Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) 10 to 14 wk of age each were inoculated orally with a mixture of 50,000 sporulated oocysts of an Eimeria zuernii-like apicomplex-an (70%) and E. wapiti (30%). Maximum numbers of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) in each elk ranged from 985 to 15,517, but all calves remained healthy and clinical signs of coccidiosis were not observed. The prepatent period for E. zuernii was 8 days and the patent period approximately 37 days, with a maximum mean (±SE) recovery of 6,643 (±3,756) OPG on post-inoculation day 8. The prepatent period for E. wapiti was 10 to 12 days and the patent period approximately 8 days, with a maximum mean recovery of 4,408 (±2,308) OPG on postinoculation day 12. Based on these data, infections of E. zuernii and E. wapiti at the numbers given were not pathogenic in healthy elk calves.
The Obesity Epidemic: Pathophysiology and Consequences of Obesity

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States: more than 20% of adults are clinically obese as defined by a body mass index of 30 kg/m(2) or higher, and an additional 30% are overweight. Environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors have been shown to contribute to the development of obesity. Elevated body mass index, particularly caused by abdominal or upper-body obesity, has been associated with a number of diseases and metabolic abnormalities, many of which have high morbidity and mortality. These include hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, gallbladder disease, and certain malignancies. This underscores the importance of identifying people at risk for obesity and its related disease states.
Enabling Tourism for Low-Functioning Elders and their Spouses

This section is devoted to research notes, conference resumes and other significant research events. Two copies of write-ups; not exceeding 1,000 words, may be mailed to the Section Editor, Associate Professor Rose K. Dowlitig, School of Marketing and Tourism, Faculty of Business, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus, WA 6027, Australia. In all cases, one copy of the report should be mailed to the Chief Editor, TRR.Although tourism is an enjoyable leisure activity for elders, impaired elders and those with spouses who are impaired are often unable to engage in tourism due to lack of facilities and services. Some of the suggestions offered in this article to enable tourism by low-functioning elders and their spouses include: Attendants at airports to assist those needing assistance in the bathroom; short-term nursing homes and day care centres in partnership with major resorts and hotels; special sightseeing excursions tailored to the needs of low-functioning elders and their spouses; private assistanc...
Antibodies to interleukin-6 inhibit Schwann cell proliferation induced by unfractionated cytokines

We have previously demonstrated that unfractionated cytokines induce proliferation of neonatal rat Schwann cells in vitro. Incubation of Schwann cells with natural or recombinant human interleukin-1 (IL-1) does not induce Schwann cell proliferation, but antibodies to IL-1 inhibit Schwann cell proliferation induced by unfractionated cytokines of human origin. In this study we investigated the effect of interleukin-6 (IL-6), another monokine, on proliferation of rat Schwann cells. Incubation of Schwann cells with recombinant (r) mouse IL-6 and two types of human rIL-6 did not induce proliferation of Schwann cells or of endoneurial fibroblasts. However, antibodies to rhIL-6 inhibited Schwann cell proliferation induced by unfractionated cytokines but had no effect on fibroblast proliferation. Addition of excess rhIL-6 to a mixture of unfractionated cytokines plus anti-rhIL-6 abrogated the inhibitory effect of the anti-rhIL-6. Therefore, IL-6 is a co-mitogen for neonatal Schwann cells in vitro.
Behavioral Responses to Daylit Space: A Pilot Study

In this study we explored behavioral responses within a daylit space. The study is qualitative in nature and relies on the research techniques of visual documentation, observation, behavioral mapping, and physical measurement. A south-oriented lounge with 69 seats was observed for a total of nine hours during three sunny days. To aid in more in-depth research on the relationship between human behavior and daylighting, this pilot study was designed to determine patterns of space occupancy in relation to several daylighting scenarios and a number of seating arrangements. Key findings revealed that subjects preferred seats in sunlight when they were sitting in enclosed spaces. Away from the sunny areas, they preferred seats in relatively more open spaces. In addition, subjects favored seats that directly faced the incoming sunlight rather than seats that facing away from it.
Run-up from impact tsunami

SUMMARY We report on calculations of the on-shore run-up of waves that might be generated by the impact of subkilometre asteroids into the deep ocean. The calculations were done with the COULWAVE code, which models the propagation and shore-interaction of non-linear moderate- to long-wavelength waves (kh < π) using the extended Boussinesq approximation. We carried out run-up calculations for several different situations: (1) laboratory-scale monochromatic wave trains onto simple slopes; (2) 10–100 m monochromatic wave trains onto simple slopes; (3) 10–100 m monochromatic wave trains onto a compound slope representing a typical bathymetric profile of the Pacific coast of North America; (4) time-variable scaled trains generated by the collapse of an impact cavity in deep water onto simple slopes and (5) full-amplitude trains onto the Pacific coast profile. For the last case, we also investigated the effects of bottom friction on the run-up. For all cases, we compare our results with the so-called ‘Irribaren scaling’: The relative run-up R/H0=ξ=s(H0/L0)−1/2, where the run-up is R, H0 is the deep-water waveheight, L0 is the deep-water wavelength, s is the slope and ξ is a dimensionless quantity known as the Irribaren number. Our results suggest that Irribaren scaling breaks down for shallow slopes s≤ 0.01 when ξ < 0.1 − 0.2, below which R/H0 is approximately constant. This regime corresponds to steep waves and very shallow slopes, which are the most relevant for impact tsunami, but also the most difficult to access experimentally.
Medical marijuana users in substance abuse treatment

The rise of authorized marijuana use in the U.S. means that many individuals are using cannabis as they concurrently engage in other forms of treatment, such as substance abuse counseling and psychotherapy. Clinical and legal decisions may be influenced by findings that suggest marijuana use during treatment serves as an obstacle to treatment success, compromises treatment integrity, or increases the prevalence or severity of relapse. In this paper, the author reviews the relationship between authorized marijuana use and substance abuse treatment utilizing data from a preliminary pilot study that, for the first time, uses a systematic methodology to collect data examining possible effects on treatment. Data from the California Outcomes Measurement System (CalOMS) were compared for medical (authorized) marijuana users and non-marijuana users who were admitted to a public substance abuse treatment program in California. Behavioral and social treatment outcomes recorded by clinical staff at discharge and reported to the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs were assessed for both groups, which included a sample of 18 reported medical marijuana users. While the findings described here are preliminary and very limited due to the small sample size, the study demonstrates that questions about the relationship between medical marijuana use and involvement in drug treatment can be systematically evaluated. In this small sample, cannabis use did not seem to compromise substance abuse treatment amongst the medical marijuana using group, who (based on these preliminary data) fared equal to or better than non-medical marijuana users in several important outcome categories (e.g., treatment completion, criminal justice involvement, medical concerns). This exploratory study suggests that medical marijuana is consistent with participation in other forms of drug treatment and may not adversely affect positive treatment outcomes. These findings call for more extensive sampling in future research to allow for more rigorous research on the growing population of medical marijuana users and non-marijuana users who are engaged in substance abuse treatment.