cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Warp-aware trace scheduling for GPUs

GPU performance depends not only on thread/warp level parallelism (TLP) but also on instruction-level parallelism (ILP). It is not enough to schedule instructions within basic blocks, it is also necessary to exploit opportunities for ILP optimization beyond branch boundaries. Unfortunately, modern GPUs cannot dynamically carry out such optimizations because they lack hardware branch prediction and cannot speculatively execute instructions beyond a branch. We propose to circumvent these limitations by adapting Trace Scheduling, a technique originally developed for microcode optimization. Trace Scheduling divides code into traces (or paths), and optimizes each trace in a context-independent way. Adapting Trace Scheduling to GPU code requires revisiting and revising each step of microcode Trace Scheduling to attend to branch and warp behavior, identifying instructions on the critical path, avoiding warp divergence, and reducing divergence time. Here, we propose "Warp-Aware Trace Scheduling" for GPUs. As evaluated on the Rodinia Benchmark Suite using dynamic profiling, our fully-automatic optimization achieves a geometric mean speedup of 1.10× on a real system by increasing instructions executed per cycle (IPC) by a harmonic mean of 1.12× and reducing instruction serialization and total instructions executed.
Analog Solution of Space-Charge Regions in Semiconductors

Analytical solutions of space-charge regions in semiconductors can be carried out when a one-dimensional symmetry exists. Analog solutions can be used to solve Poisson's equation for more complex geometries. An analog method is described which has been used with some success. This method consists of a rubber membrane with surface mass loading being used to simulate the semiconductor space charge.
Anharmonic force constants of acetylene. Cubic and quartic force constants of acetylene; calculations with a general quartic force field and an empirical anharmonic potential function

Abstract Literature values of the vibrational frequencies and rotational constants of acetylene, acetylene-d1 and acetylene-d2 have been used to determine the anharmonic force constants. The most general quartio valence potential function has been investigated although there are presently insufficient data to fix all the force constants uniquely. An empirical 19-parameter anharmonic potential function is described which fits the experimental data as well as the 40-parameter general force field. Internally self-consistent sets of xXXX' and ωs are given.
The cynical use of marketing to the unwitting consumer

Purpose – To show how marketing is accused of having all sorts of powers to control consumers and segmentation itself is often accused of abusing consumers, and yet there are many times when marketing people who should know better unethically abuse consumer targets’ naive willingness to believe all sorts of nonsense.Design/methodology/approach – Points out the potential unethical nature of marketing practices that could take advantage of consumers’ inability to know or understand the truth of the matter.Findings – A growing number of books and articles describe the limits of human understanding, or how there are many things people believe that are not true. For some people, ignorance is simply a point of view. Yet it is patently unethical when marketing people take materials they know are false and sell to people not able to know better.Practical implications – Marketing is not inherently unethical, but the worst of practices make all others look bad. At best, many marketing decision makers are too often ...
Extending frequency and bandwidth through the use of agile, high dynamic range photonic converters

RF photonic techniques can be used to extend operating frequencies and bandwidth of mission communications and sensing systems. Photonic links inherently cover wide frequency bandwidths and optical modulators and detectors have been demonstrated that operate up to 100 GHz. This paper presents a photonic method for tunable high frequency carrier generation and wideband tunable RF frequency conversion. Photonic down-conversion measurements are presented with +24 dBm OIP3 and positive gain across RF input signals from 5 to 20 GHz. Additionally, measurements of undesired higher order mixing spurious products were more than 30 dB lower than those of typical RF mixers. Coupling wide-band optical components with a reconfigurable RF payload provides unprecedented agility and multi-mission utility for remote sensing, communications and SAR radar missions.
Curcumin prevents aggregation in α-synuclein by increasing reconfiguration rate

α-Synuclein is a protein that is intrinsically disordered in vitro and prone to aggregation, particularly at high temperatures. In this work, we examined the ability of curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, to prevent aggregation of the protein. We found strong binding of curcumin to α-synuclein in the hydrophobic non-amyloid-β component region and complete inhibition of oligomers or fibrils. We also found that the reconfiguration rate within the unfolded protein was significantly increased at high temperatures. We conclude that α-synuclein is prone to aggregation because its reconfiguration rate is slow enough to expose hydrophobic residues on the same time scale that bimolecular association occurs. Curcumin rescues the protein from aggregation by increasing the reconfiguration rate into a faster regime.
Use of Oxytetracycline to Mark Larval Red Drum: Survival and Mark Persistence

Abstract The objectives of this research were to optimize techniques for the mass marking of larval red drum Sciaenops ocellatus with oxytetracycline (OTC) by testing effects of salinity (i.e., total dissolved solids [TDS], either as artificial sea salt [AS] or laboratory-grade NaCl) and immersion duration on fish survival and mark retention. Survival of larvae immersed for 24 h was greater than 83% for all combinations of salinity (15–30 g of TDS/L of water) and OTC concentration (0–500 mg of OTC/L of water). Treatments with the lowest Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations ([Ca2+] and [Mg2+]; i.e., highest NaCl in substitution of AS), highest OTC concentrations, and longest exposure times yielded the poorest survival (mean ± SD = 63.3 ± 5.8%). Conversely, mark quality (on a scale of 1–5, where 1 = best and 5 = worst) was greatest (1.4 ± 0.4) in treatments with the lowest [Ca2+] and [Mg2+]. Larval survival (>93%) and mark quality (2.3 ± 0.1) were acceptable under a combination of 500-mg/L OTC, 30-g/L TDS (80% of n...
Macroeconomic uncertainty and private investment in Argentina, Mexico and Turkey

This article by using micro-level data analyses the impacts of macroeconomic uncertainty and country risk on real investment under financial liberalization. The results suggest that increasing macroeconomic volatility and country risk hurt fixed investment spending of real sector firms.
Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of hexaamminecobalt(III) sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate 3.5-hydrate

The title compound [Co(NH3)6] [Na(EDTA-4H)],3.5H2O has been synthesized, and its crystal structure has been determined from 2064 independent single-crystal reflections measured on a diffractometer. The crystals are tetragonal, space groupP4212, with unit-cell parametersa = 14.618(5) andc = 10.658(4) A. There are four formula entities in the unit cell givingDc = 1.562(2) g cm−3 compared withDm = 1.56(1) g cm−3. The structure was solved by conventional Patterson and Fourier techniques, and refined by full-matrix least-squares methods to a final agreement factor of 3.6%. The compound contains two crystallographically independent octahedral [Co(NH3)6]3+ ions, with an average Co—N distance of 1.966(6) A, and a seven-coordinate sodium ion which is coordinated to four carboxyl oxygens, two amine nitrogens, and a water molecule which bridges to another sodium ion. The EDTA is therefore acting in its normal hexadentate manner. The range of Na—O distances is 2.25 to 2.93 A whereas the Na—N distance is 2.46 A. The crystal structure is additionally stabilized by extensive hydrogen bonding among coordinated ammonias, carboxyl oxygens, and water molecules.
No Persistent Pulsations in Aquila X-1 As It Fades into Quiescence

We searched for coherent X-ray pulsations from Aql X-1 in a series of RXTE observations taken shortly after a recent outburst. During the course of these observations, Aql X-1 passes through an apparent "propeller" phase as its luminosity fades to its quiescent value. No pulsations were detected, and we place upper limits (ranging from 0.52% to 9.0%) on the fractional rms amplitude of any periodic signal contained in the various data sets searched. This result has implications for the geometry of the system, if the quiescent luminosity is due to continued low-level accretion. Alternatively, our result supports the idea that the quiescent luminosity may be due to thermal emission.
A Simple Technique for Aortic Valve Replacement Using Freehand Allografts

Given the recent resurgence of interest in the use of "fresh" and cryopreserved allograft valves for aortic valve replacement, the fact that many cardiac surgeons were not exposed to the operative techniques involved in freehand implantation of allograft valves during their residency training, and the paucity of teaching materials that clearly portray such techniques, details of a simplified method of subcoronary, freehand allograft valve implantation in the aortic position are described and illustrated.
Micro-mechanics of fabric and failure in granular materials

The paper addresses the underlying source of two forms of induced anisotropy in granular materials: contact orientation anisotropy and contact force anisotropy. A rational, mathematical structure is reviewed for the manner in which fabric anisotropy emerges and evolves during loading. Fabric is expressed as an orientation density, and transport phenomena such as convection, contact generation, and diffusion control the rate of fabric evolution during loading. The paper proposes specific measurable forms for all terms, based upon the micro-mechanics of particle interactions. Discrete element (DEM) simulations are used to verify and quantify these terms, so that the theory can be applied to general loading conditions. The DEM simulations are of densely packed durable spheres, and the emphasis is on soil behavior at large strains, specifically on fabric and strength at the critical state. Once the theory has been developed and quantified, it is applied to predict the effect of the intermediate principal stress on strength.
Physicians' perceptions of autonomy across practice types: Is autonomy in solo practice a myth?

Abstract Physicians in the United States are now less likely to practice in smaller, more traditional, solo practices, and more likely to practice in larger group practices. Though older theory predicts conflict between bureaucracy and professional autonomy, studies have shown that professions in general, and physicians in particular, have adapted to organizational constraints. However, much work remains in clarifying the nature of this relationship and how exactly physicians have adapted to various organizational settings. To this end, the present study examines physicians' autonomy experiences in different decision types between organization sizes. Specifically, I ask: In what kinds of decisions do doctors perceive autonomous control? How does this vary by organizational size? Using stacked “spell” data constructed from the Community Tracking Study (CTS) Physician Survey (1996–2005) (n = 16,519) I examine how physicians' perceptions of autonomy vary between solo/two physician practices, small group practices with three to ten physicians, and large practices with ten or more physicians, in two kinds of decisions: logistic-based and knowledge-based decisions. Capitalizing on the longitudinal nature of the data I estimate how changes in practice size are associated with perceptions of autonomy, accounting for previous reports of autonomy. I also test whether managed care involvement, practice ownership, and salaried employment help explain part of this relationship. I find that while physicians practicing in larger group practices reported lower levels of autonomy in logistic-based decisions, physicians in solo/two physician practices reported lower levels of autonomy in knowledge-based decisions. Managed care involvement and ownership explain some, but not all, of the associations. These findings suggest that professional adaptation to various organizational settings can lead to varying levels of perceived autonomy across different kinds of decisions.
What's wrong with "What's wrong with"

People meet many (if not most) proposed changes of systems with answers to the question, "What's wrong with the suggestion?" This focus prevents the implementation of many potentially innovative changes. An alternative question is preferable: "How can we improve the proposed changes?" The answers can lead to the design of an improvement in a system's behavior, for example, improvements to the public school system resulting from the proposed school vouchers and changes to the national health-care system.
Development and evaluation of a finite element truck chassis crash model

This paper presents a detailed multi-purpose finite element model (FEM) of a light-duty truck chassis. The chassis model can successfully be used in computational simulations of full frontal, offset frontal and corner impacts. The simulation results are analysed which correctly describe the characteristics and performance of a truck chassis during different impact scenarios. Meanwhile, based on these simulation results, the role a chassis model usually plays during a vehicle crash is discussed. Through the validation and computational simulations, the presented model is proved to be computationally stable, reliable, repeatable and useful for vehicle crashworthiness analysis.
The effect of beta sitosterol on the serum lipids of young men with arteriosclerotic heart disease.

Previous studies in human beings on unrestricted diets have indicated that the plant sterols (beta or gamma sitosterol) cause decreases in serum cholesterol. In this study, 15 young men with previous myocardial infarction were given 12 to 18 Gm./day of beta sitosterol with resultant sustained reductions of serum cholesterol and beta lipoprotein lipid. Lipoprotein lipid fractionation was performed by paper electrophoresis. These changes occurred irrespective of initial serum cholesterol or content of diet. Control observations of the effects of diet, weight maintenance, and the inclusion of placebos brought about increased confidence that the changes were due to the administered sitosterol.
Education mitigates age-related decline in N-Acetylaspartate levels.

Background Greater educational attainment is associated with better neurocognitive health in older adults and is thought to reflect a measure of cognitive reserve. In vivo neuroimaging tools have begun to identify the brain systems and networks potentially responsible for reserve. Methods We examined the relationship between education, a commonly used proxy for cognitive reserve, and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in neurologically healthy older adults (N = 135; mean age = 66 years). Using single voxel MR spectroscopy, we predicted that higher levels of education would moderate an age-related decline in NAA in the frontal cortex. Results After controlling for the variance associated with cardiorespiratory fitness, sex, annual income, and creatine levels, there were no significant main effects of education (B = 0.016, P = 0.787) or age (B = −0.058, P = 0.204) on NAA levels. However, consistent with our predictions, there was a significant education X age interaction such that more years of education offset an age-related decline in NAA (B = 0.025, P = 0.031). When examining working memory via the backwards digit span task, longer span length was associated with greater education (P < 0.01) and showed a trend with greater NAA concentrations (P < 0.06); however, there was no age X education interaction on digit span performance nor a significant moderated mediation effect between age, education, and NAA on digit span performance. Conclusions Taken together, these results suggest that higher levels of education may attenuate an age-related reduction in neuronal viability in the frontal cortex.
Compensation of resist trim process and polygate plasma microloading effect for lithography process window and CD uniformity improvement

Poly-gate critical dimension (CD) control has become a major concern as technology advances towards the 130nm node. The presence of optical proximity and plasma microloading effects in today's IC fabrication has a severe impact on through-pitch CD uniformity. Poor through-pitch CD uniformity causes a large intra-die CD variation and degrades device performance. Optical proximity effect can be corrected by available optical proximity correction (OPC) software. Plasma microloading effect was normally compensated at 180nm technology node by changing optical proximity behavior. This technique usually degrades the lithography process window such as the depth-of-focus (DOF). At 130nm technology node, this technique becomes impractical as lithography process window is already marginal. To ensure a sufficient lithography process window at 130nm node and beyond, it is very important to separate the plasma microloading effect from optical proximity effects. Plasma microloading effect by itself cannot be removed without any compensating mechanisms. Here, the micro-loading effect of resist trimming was employed as a compensating mechanism. Through-pitch-trim-bias of resist trimming process can be adjusted such that it compensates the through-pitch-etch-bias of poly-gate etching. By controlling the microloading of resist trimming, an improved overall through-pitch CD uniformity (trim plus poly etch) can be achieved. Without any compensating method, a 15nm after etched CD difference between the isolated and dense features is normally seen. By employing the resist trimming compensation method, after etched CD difference between isolated and dense features can be reduced to less than 8nm. This improvement does not bring about any degradation to the lithography process window.
Left Main Coronary Artery Stenosis: Hemodynamic Monitoring to Reduce Mortality

A review of 20 consecutive patients with left main coronary artery stenosis operated on in 1976 indicated a general hemodynamic pattern characterized by systolic hypertension and an increase in heart rate that occurred early during the induction phase of anesthesia. From January through August, 1977, 28 patients with this stenotic condition were operated on with hemodynamic monitoring of left ventricular pressure and cardiac output by a Swan-Ganz catheter inserted before induction of anesthesia. Pharmacological interventions to optimize preload with volume, reduce afterload with nitroprusside or nitroglycerine, control heart rate with propranolol, and improve contractility with dopamine resulted in a decrease in mortality from 20% in Group 1 (1976) to 3.5% in Group 2 (1977). We conclude that control of systemic blood pressure, heart rate, and preload has notably reduced the mortality in this group of patients and that hemodynamic monitoring provides precise guidelines for therapeutic interventions.
Tumor necrosis factor production in cats in response to lipopolysaccharide: an in vivo and in vitro study.

Supernatants from feline peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) exposed to lipopolysaccharde (LPS) produced significantly (P < 0.05) more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity than supernatants from cells exposed to media. An in vitro LPS response was obtained following incubation of whole blood with 10 μg ml−1 LPS for 2 h. Intravenous infusion of LPS (750 μg kg−1) rapidly increased plasma TNF activity to a maximum at 60 min after initiation of LPS infusion. By 180 min, TNF activity returned to baseline. Cats produce TNF in response to LPS in a manner similar to other species. Measurement of TNF activity in plasma or in LPS-stimulated whole blood are methods to further characterize the inflammatory response in feline diseases.
646 PREFERENTIAL FORMATION OF LUMIRUBIN BY GREEN LIGHT

Green light is useful in the treatment of neonatal jaundice, and has been reported to be as effective as narrow-spectrum, high-intensity blue light and more effective than standard white light. These reports have been met with skepticism because fluorescent green lights have a spectral output with limited overlap with the absorption band of bilirubin and are less effective than either white or blue lights in producing the configurational isomer of bilirubin (E-bilirubin). Recent studies indicate that the formation and excretion of lumirubin, a structural isomer of bilirubin, is more important than E-bilirubin for pigment elimination in jaundiced infants receiving phototherapy. To assess the effectiveness of green light in producing the structural isomer, I have measured the action spectrum for the formation of lumirubin. I have found that the quantum yield for lumirubin formation (lumirubin production per photon absorbed by bilirubin) is wavelength dependent. The quantum yield was constant for blue light between 430 and 470 nm. Green light at 500 nm had a quantum yield more than twice that of blue light, while 510 nm light had a quantum yield nearly four-fold higher. This unexpected wavelength dependence for lumirubin formation suggests that green light is preferentially absorbed by that half of the bilirubin molecule which undergoes the photochemical reaction to lumirubin. The higher quantum yield for lumirubin formation provides an explanation for the observed clinical efficacy of green fluorescent lights. These results suggest that phototherapy lights with high intensity in the spectral region above 490 and no irradiation in the genotoxic region below 450 nm may prove both safer and more effective than any lamp now in use.
Simultaneous Determination of SO3(g) and SO2(g) in a Flowing Gas

A method for assaying a flowing gas mixture for SO2(g) and SO3(g) is described. The proof-of-concept for this method presented here uses the quantitative reaction of SO3(g) with CaC2O4(s) at 325 °C to produce CO2(g). The gas mixture is passed first through a plug of CaC2O4 and then through a series of two optical cells. SO2(g) is measured directly at one cell by UV spectrometry, and SO3(g) is measured indirectly as CO2(g) at the second cell by IR spectrometry. Good correlation coefficients were found for both analytes. Potential interference by SO2 on the IR response of CO2 can be neglected within a 1% error marginexcept when the ratio CO2/SO2 is very small. A summary of key analytical methods for the analysis of sulfur oxides is given.
Ensemble Monte Carlo simulation of intervalley scattering in AlxGa1-xAs.

An ensemble Monte Carlo simulation of the femtosecond response of photoexcited electrons in indirect-gap ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As is performed. The time evolution of electron populations in the conduction-band valleys is studied. By comparing with recent femtosecond infrared-absorption experiments, a value for the L-X intervalley deformation potential was derived through parameter fitting. The effect of binary phonon modes due to the alloy structure of the semiconductor is incorporated into the simulation of both the ultrafast scattering processes and the indirect photogeneration process. The value found for the L-X intervalley deformation potential, ${\mathit{D}}_{\mathit{X}\mathit{L}}$=1.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ eV/cm, can be assumed as a lower bound for the deformation potential in GaAs.
The Aerobiological Pathway of a Fish Pathogen: Survival and Dissemination of Aeromonas salmonicida in Aerosols and its Implications in Fish Health Management

The aerobiological (aerosol) pathway of Aeromonas salmonicida subspecies salmonicida (ATCC 33658) was investigated. Results indicate that viable A. salmonicida can travel as an aerosol/droplet spray at least 104.1 cm (limits of the test chamber used) when carried by air currents. Additionally, viable A. salmonicida was recovered from water exposed to an experimentally generated aerosol/droplet spray of A. salmonicida downwind from the contaminant source. It is possible that viable bacterial aquatic animal pathogens can be spread via the airborne route. This possible route of pathogen introduction could effect current management or system designs, especially when aquaculture systems consist of tanks in close proximity.
The Application of an Evolutionary Algorithm to the Optimization of a Mesoscale Meteorological Model

Abstract It is shown that a simple evolutionary algorithm can optimize a set of mesoscale atmospheric model parameters with respect to agreement between the mesoscale simulation and a limited set of synthetic observations. This is illustrated using the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS). A set of 23 RAMS parameters is optimized by minimizing a cost function based on the root-mean-square (rms) error between the RAMS simulation and synthetic data (observations derived from a separate RAMS simulation). It is found that the optimization can be done with relatively modest computer resources; therefore, operational implementation is possible. The overall number of simulations needed to obtain a specific reduction of the cost function is found to depend strongly on the procedure used to perturb the “child” parameters relative to their “parents” within the evolutionary algorithm. In addition, the choice of meteorological variables that are included in the rms error and their relative weighting are also f...
Modeling the sensitivity of agricultural water use to price variability and climate change - An application to Swiss maize production

We analyze the sensitivity of crop management under current and future climate scenarios to changes in economic boundary conditions. In particular, we focus on the effects of changing price risks. We combine a bio-economic modeling approach and a crop growth model CropSyst with an economic model that represents the decision making process of a risk-averse farmer. We apply the models to irrigated maize production in Switzerland. To analyze the sensitivity of optimal water and nitrogen use to likely future states of several economic variables, we conduct sensitivity analyses with respect to changes in price variability, the price–yield correlation, water and maize prices as well as farmers’ risk preferences. Results show that climate change leads to a strong increase in optimal water use for irrigation, with consequent increases in maize yields. However, our analysis also reveals that the consideration of economic drivers for farmers’ irrigation decisions is indispensable. Strong effects on optimal water use are found for changes in crop (positive) and water (negative) prices. We also find strong implications of risk aversion and price variability on irrigation decisions. A doubling of price variability, which would represent a shift from the current Swiss situation to price variability levels in its neighboring countries, could reduce optimal water use by up to 40%. We conclude that investigations of water demand should consider, beyond expectations on output and input price levels, also the variability of prices.
Thermostability and thermoactivity of enzymes from hyperthermophilic Archaea.

Abstract Enzymes from hyperthermophilic microorganisms are characteristically thermostable and thermoactive at extremely high temperatures. Information about the basis for the structure and function of these novel proteins is beginning to emerge. However, there are very few generalizations that can be drawn at this point that can be derived from the limited number of studies that have focused on biocatalysis and thermostability at extremely high tempratures. Enzymes from hyperthennophilic microorganisms are characteristically thermostable and thermoactive at extremely high temperatures. Information about the basis for the structure and function of these novel proteins is beginning to emerge. However, there are very few generalizations that can be drawn at this point that can be derived from the limited number of studies that have focused on biocatalysis and thermostability at extremely high temperatures.
The Eagle Unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War. By Halik Kochanski. (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2012. Pp. xxxi, 734. $35.00.)

The Polish people were at the center of World War II in Europe, but their experiences are largely unknown in the English‐speaking world or are subject to major misunderstanding. Language barriers a...
Imaging radiotracer model parameters in PET: a mixture analysis approach

Two methodologies for fitting radiotracer models on a pixel-wise basis to PET data are considered. The first method does parameter optimization for each pixel considered as a separate region of interest. The second method also does pixel-wise analysis but incorporates an additive mixture representation to account for heterogeneity effects induced by instrumental and biological blurring. Several numerical and statistical techniques including cluster analysis, constrained nonlinear optimization, subsampling, and spatial filtering are used to implement the methods. A computer simulation experiment, modeling a standard F-18 deoxyglucose (FDG) imaging protocol using the UW-PET scanner, is conducted to evaluate the statistical performance of the parametric images obtained by the two methods. The results obtained by mixture analysis are found to have substantially improved mean square error performance characteristics. The total computation time for mixture analysis is on the order of 0.7 s/pixel on a 16 MIPS workstation. This results in a total computation time of about 1 h per slice for a typical FDG brain study. >
Drugs which inhibit osteoclast function suppress tumor growth through calcium reduction in bone

Prostate carcinoma frequently metastasizes to bone where the microenvironment facilitates its growth. Inhibition of bone resorption is effective in reducing tumor burden and bone destruction in prostate cancer. However, whether drugs that inhibit osteoclast function inhibit tumor growth independent of inhibition of bone resorption is unclear. Calcium is released during bone resorption and the calcium sensing receptor is an important regulator of cancer cell proliferation. The goal of this investigation was to elucidate the role of calcium released during bone resorption and to determine the impact of drugs which suppress bone resorption on tumor growth in bone. To compare tumor growth in a skeletal versus non-skeletal site, equal numbers of canine prostate cancer cells expressing luciferase (ACE-1(luc)) were inoculated into a simple collagen matrix, neonatal mouse vertebrae (vossicles), human de-proteinized bone, or a mineralized collagen matrix. Implants were placed subcutaneously into athymic mice. Luciferase activity was used to track tumor growth weekly, and at one month tumors were dissected for histologic analysis. Luciferase activity and tumor size were greater in vossicles, de-proteinized bone and mineralized collagen matrix versus non-mineralized collagen implants. The human osteoblastic prostate carcinoma cell line C4-2b also grew better in a mineral rich environment with a greater proliferation of C4-2b cells reflected by Ki-67 staining. Zoledronic acid (ZA), a bisphosphonate, and recombinant OPG-Fc, a RANKL inhibitor, were administered to mice bearing vertebral implants (vossicles) containing ACE-1 osteoblastic prostate cancer cells. Vossicles or collagen matrices were seeded with ACE-1(luc) cells subcutaneously in athymic mice (2 vossicles, 2 collagen implants/mouse). Mice received ZA (5 μg/mouse, twice/week), (OPG-Fc at 10mg/kg, 3 times/week) or vehicle, and luciferase activity was measured weekly. Histologic analysis of the tumors, vossicles and endogenous bones and serum biochemistry were performed. Antiresorptive administration was associated with decreased serum TRAP5b, reduced osteoclast numbers, and increased tibia and vossicle bone areas. ZA significantly decreased bone marrow calcium concentrations without affecting serum calcium. ZA and OPG-Fc significantly inhibited tumor growth in bone but not in collagen implants. In conclusion, the inhibitory effects of ZA or OPG-Fc on prostate tumor growth in bone are mediated via blocking bone resorption and calcium release from bone.
Germany at the Fin de Siècle: Culture, Politics, and Ideas

This is a fascinating book, partly because of the excellent contributions, and partly because of the ways in which the editors have chosen to engage the topic and organize their volume. Marchand and Lindenfeld open the collection with a loaded question: Was there a German fin de siecle? Did Germans, in other words, share the kinds of reactions to modernity that have so fascinated historians of Austria and France? Their answer is yes and no. Many German intellectuals embraced the modernist currents Carl Schorske identified more than forty years ago in his work on fin de siecle Vienna, reacting to the depressing problems of modernization in ways similar to their Austrian counterparts. And yet much of the German population was largely unbowed by their putatively perplexing condition. As the editors argue, despite the worries of many an intellectual, “the later Wilhelmine world was characterized by enormous ambition and optimism, booming industries and bustling new urban spaces, cultural and political activism on a new scale, and the promise, if not the immediate realization, of a ‘place in the sun’ on the world stage” (p. 1). That optimism is the perplexing bit, because many of us, schooled in the dark side of Weimar culture and its intellectual antecedents, have learned to imagine Germans at the end of the nineteenth century (or at least our favorite representatives) as people caught up in a pessimistic, existential, Nietzschean funk. Indeed, the editors themselves have not avoided that position entirely.
NEMO5: A Parallel Multiscale Nanoelectronics Modeling Tool

The development of a new nanoelectronics modeling tool, NEMO5, is reported. The tool computes strain, phonon spectra, electronic band structure, charge density, charge current, and other properties of nanoelectronic devices. The modular layout enables a mix and match of physical models with different length scales and varying numerical complexity. NEMO5 features multilevel parallelization and is based on open-source packages. Its versatility is demonstrated with selected application examples: a multimillion-atom strain calculation, bulk electron and phonon band structures, a 1-D Schrodinger-Poisson simulation, a multiphysics simulation of a resonant tunneling diode, and quantum transport through a nanowire transistor.
Muscle velocity and inertial force from phase contrast MRI.

Purpose To evaluate velocity waveforms in muscle and to create a tool and algorithm for computing and analyzing muscle inertial forces derived from 2D phase contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods PC MRI was performed in the forearm of four healthy volunteers during 1 Hz cycles of wrist flexion-extension as well as in the lower leg of six healthy volunteers during 1 Hz cycles of plantarflexion-dorsiflexion. Inertial forces (F) were derived via the equation F = ma. The mass, m, was derived by multiplying voxel volume by voxel-by-voxel estimates of density via fat-water separation techniques. Acceleration, a, was obtained via the derivative of the PC MRI velocity waveform. Results Mean velocities in the flexors of the forearm and lower leg were 1.94 ± 0.97 cm/s and 5.57 ± 2.72 cm/s, respectively, as averaged across all subjects; the inertial forces in the flexors of the forearm and lower leg were 1.9 × 10−3 ± 1.3 × 10−3 N and 1.1 × 10−2 ± 6.1 × 10−3 N, respectively, as averaged across all subjects. Conclusion PC MRI provided a promising means of computing muscle velocities and inertial forces—providing the first method for quantifying inertial forces. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:526–532.
12( S )-HETE Enhancement of Prostate Tumor Cell Invasion: Selective Role of PKCα

BACKGROUND Prostate carcinoma has become the second most fatal cancer in American men. In Dunning R3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma cells, elevated invasiveness positively correlates with metastatic potential. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for regulation of tumor cell motility and invasion is poorly understood. We have reported that a lipoxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid, 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12(S)-HETE], augments tumor cell metastatic potential through activation of protein kinase C (PKC). PURPOSE We proposed to determine the effect of 12(S)-HETE on the motility and invasion of low-metastatic rat prostate AT2.1 tumor cells and the effect of 12(S)-HETE activation of specific PKC isoform(s) in these processes. METHODS The motility of AT2.1 cells was determined by the colloidal gold phagokinetic track assay and the invasiveness measured as their ability to invade through basement membrane Matrigel-coated filters. Expression of PKC isoforms was determined by Western blotting of the whole cell lysate with isoform-specific anti-PKC antibodies. Cytosol and membrane fractions were prepared and the subcellular distribution of PKC was analyzed by Western blotting and activity assay. The effect of 12(S)-HETE on cell proliferation was examined. Data were analyzed for significance of difference with the two-sampled, two-sided Student's t test. RESULTS 12(S)-HETE increased the motility and invasion of AT2.1 cells, and this 12(S)-HETE-increased motility and invasion were inhibited by a selective PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, as well as a Ca2 chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid/tetra(acetoxy-methyl)ester. AT2.1 cells expressed the PKC isoforms alpha and delta, and 12(S)-HETE increased the membrane association of PKC alpha but not delta. Further, the motility and invasion of AT2.1 cells were increased by thymelea toxin, a selective activator of PKC alpha over PKC delta. CONCLUSION 12(S)-HETE augments the invasiveness of AT2.1 cells via selective activation of PKC alpha. IMPLICATIONS 12(S)-HETE modulation of PKC alpha invasiveness may be an important mechanism of action for the regulation of the invasive potential of rat prostate carcinoma cells, and the 12-lipoxygenase enzyme and/or PKC alpha may serve as key targets for the development of anti-invasive agents useful for combating the spread of prostate cancer.
Energy Policy and Environmental Possibilities: Biofuels and Key Protagonists of Ecological Change

While a growing body of research indicates the severe ecological and social costs of biofuel production worldwide, the U.S. government continues to promote the expansion of this fuel sector. Recent congressional testimony regarding the promotion of biofuels via the renewable fuel standard (RFS) offers a strategic research site for sociological investigation into the practices of key political actors and their roles in promoting and discouraging ecologically oriented change. Congressional hearings provide a window into the political process of energy policy formation, thus informing environmental sociological theory and debates. The ecological modernization perspective and its assumptions provide the analytical frame of this empirical analysis of congressional hearings during the peak legislative period concerning biofuels. This research is intended to contribute to alternative energy debates, add to our understanding of the role of various actors in energy policy formation, and further theoretical developments within sociology.
Activated Abl kinase inhibits oncogenic transforming growth factor-β signaling and tumorigenesis in mammary tumors

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a ubiquitous cytokine with dual roles in tumor suppression and promotion, and these dichotomous functions have frustrated the development of therapies targeting oncogenic signaling by TGF-β. In comparison, Abl is well established as an initiator of hematopoietic cancers; however, a clear role for Abl in regulating solid tumor development remains elusive. Here, we investigated the role of Abl in TGF-β-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in normal and metastatic mammary epithelial cells (MECs). In doing so, we identified Abl as an essential regulator of MEC morphology and showed that Abl inactivation was sufficient to induce phenotypic and transcriptional EMT in normal MECs. Increasing Abl activity in metastatic MECs resulted in their complete morphological reversion, restored their cytostatic response to TGF-β, and blocked their secretion of matrix metalloproteinases induced by TGF-β. Constitutively active Abl expression blocked TGF-β-responsive mammary tumor growth in mice, while Imatinib therapy afforded no clinical benefit in mice bearing mammary tumors. Collectively, this investigation establishes Abl as a potent mediator of MEC identity, and as a suppressor of oncogenic TGF-β signaling during mammary tumorigenesis. Notably, our findings strongly caution against the use of pharmacological Abl antagonists in the treatment of developing and progressing mammary tumors.—Allington, T. M., Galliher-Beckley, A. J., Schiemann, W. P. Activated Abl kinase inhibits oncogenic transforming growth factor-β signaling and tumorigenesis in mammary tumors.
Epigenetic control of tissue-type plasminogen activator synthesis in human endothelial cells.

Aims Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is produced by endothelial cells (EC) and is responsible for the removal of intravascular fibrin deposits. We investigated whether expression of t-PA by EC is under epigenetic control. Methods and results Methylation analysis of the proximal t-PA promoter revealed a stretch of unmethylated CpG dinucleotides from pos- ition 2121 to +59, while upstream CpG dinucleotides were all methylated. In contrast, in human primary hepato- cytes, which express t-PA at much lower levels than EC, the proximal promoter was partially methylated. Treatment of EC with the non-specific histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors butyrate and trichostatin and with MS275, a specific inhibitor of class I HDAC, resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in t-PA expression. Garcinol and anacardic acid, inhibitors of the histone acetyl transferases CBP/p300 and PCAF, reduced basal and HDAC inhibitor-induced t-PA expression, whereas curcumin, an inhibitor of CBP/p300 only, had no effect. We performed chromosome immunoprecipitation analysis of the t-PA promoter using antibodies specific for acetylated histone H3 or H4 and observed an increase in H3 acetylation of 10+3 and 44+14-fold in EC treated with trichostatin or MS275, respectively, and in H4 acetylation of 7.7+1.4 and 16+3-fold, respectively.
Effects of stimulus duration on neuronal response properties in the somatosensory cortex of the star-nosed mole

Star-nosed moles have a series of mechanosensory appendages surrounding each nostril. Each appendage is covered with sensory organs (Eimer’s organs) containing both rapidly adapting and slowly adapting mechanoreceptors and each appendage is represented in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) by a single cortical module. When the skin surface of an appendage is depressed, neurons in the corresponding module in S1 respond in either a transient or sustained fashion. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the responses of these two classes of neurons to both short (5 or 20 ms) and long (500 ms) mechanosensory stimulation. Activity from neurons in the representation of appendage 11, the somatosensory fovea, was recorded while delivering mechanosensory stimuli to the corresponding skin surface. Transient and sustained neurons had different levels of spontaneous activity and different responses to both short and long mechanosensory stimulation. Neurons with sustained responses had a significantly higher spontaneous firing rate than neurons with transient responses. Transient neurons responded to a 5 ms stimulus with excitation followed by suppression of discharge whereas sustained neurons did not exhibit post-excitatory suppression. Rather, responses of sustained neurons to 5 ms stimuli lasted several hundred milliseconds. Consequently sustained responses contained significantly more spikes than transient responses. These experiments suggest contact to the appendages causes two distinct firing patterns in cortex regardless of the duration of the stimulus. The sustained and transient responses could reflect either the activity of fundamentally different classes of neurons or activity in distinct subcortical and cortical networks.
Intraoperative assessment of mitral valve area after mitral valve repair: comparison of different methods.

Objective In the present study, 3 different methods to measure the mitral valve area (MVA) after mitral valve repair (MVRep) were studied. Data obtained immediately after repair were compared with postoperative data. The objective was to determine the feasibility and correlation between intraoperative and postoperative MVA data. Design A prospective study. Setting A tertiary care medical center. Participants Twenty-five elective adult surgical patients scheduled for MVRep. Methods Echocardiographic data included MVAs obtained using the pressure half-time (PHT), 2-dimensional planimetry (2D-PLAN), and the continuity equation (CE). These data were obtained immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass and were compared with data obtained before hospital discharge (transthoracic echocardiogram 1) and 6 to 12 months after surgery (transthoracic echocardiogram 2). Intraoperative care was guided by hemodynamic goals designed to optimize cardiac function. Results The data show good agreement and correlation between MVA obtained with PHT and 2D-PLAN within and between each time period. MVA data obtained with the CE in the postoperative period were lower than and did not correlate or agree as well with other MVA data. Conclusion The MVA recorded immediately after valve repair, using PHT, correlated and agreed with MVA data obtained in the postoperative period. These results contrast with previously published data and could highlight the impact of hemodynamic function during the assessment of MVA.
Transient Ischemic Attack Reported with Paroxetine Use

OBJECTIVETo report the occurrence of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) temporally related to the initiation of paroxetine.CASE SUMMARYA 57-year-old white man with a history of intermittent atrial fibrillation and hypercholesterolemia developed slurred speech and a facial droop 3 days after starting paroxetine. He was diagnosed with a TIA, hospitalized, and given anticoagulation treatment. The presenting symptoms resolved, but recurred when paroxetine was restarted 2 days later.DISCUSSIONPlatelets secrete serotonin, which mediates vasoconstriction through stimulation of 5-HT2a receptors. This is counterbalanced by the release of the vasodilator nitric oxide upon serotonin stimulation of endothelial 5-HT1 receptors. In conditions such as atherosclerosis, the damage to the endothelium leads to a greater vasoconstrictive response. Paroxetine has been reported to weakly inhibit norepinephrine reuptake and nitric oxide production in addition to increasing serotonergic activity, potentially compounding the vasoc...