cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE EFFECT OF POTASSIUM, NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZING UPON THE CHLOROPLAST PIGMENTS, UPON THE MINERAL CONTENT OF THE LEAVES, AND UPON PRODUCTION IN CROP PLANTS.

Urban (13) found evidence of a correlation between the color of the leaves of beets and the nitrogen content, the darker leaves containing the most nitrogen and the lighter the least. Also, he apparently found a relation between the highest potassium content of the leaves and the greatest sugar content of the roots. In beets the dark colored leaves contained more potassium and less sodium than did the light colored leaves. In the leaves of ripening beets the potassium rapidly increases while the sodium decreases. A great difference in the chlorophyll content of alpine and of lowland plants was observed by Henrici (2). She represented the amount of chlorophyll present in alpine plants as 100 per cent, and found that lowland plants contained 230 per cent, and ravine plants 350 per cent. She makes no reference to the soil in which these grew but it is highly probable that the soil was a very important factor in the amount of chlorophyll which was found in the plants studied. Perhaps the first real experiments on the effect of chemical fertilizers upon chlorophyll were conducted by Wlodek (16) in 1920. Green leaves of potato plants and sugar beets were studied. These were grown in soils to which various fertilizers were added: (1) without fertilizer; (2) with phosphorus, potash and nitrogen; (3) with phosphorus and nitrogen but no potash; (4) with phosphorus, nitrogen and magnesium but no potash; (5) with potash and nitrogen but no phosphorus; and (6) with potash and phosphorus but no nitrogen. After a certain period of development of the
On the inclusion of triple and quadruple electron excitations into MRCISD for multiple states

Abstract A formally exact partitioning of the MRCISDTQ Hamiltonian for multiple electronic states to form a Hermitian effective Hamiltonian of the dimension of the MRCISD space is presented. From this partitioned form, a computationally amenable approximation can be made that leads to a new method for which the name nR-MRCISD(TQ) is suggested. nR-MRCISD(TQ) includes the single-state MRCISD-B k and MRCISD(TQ) methods as particular cases. In addition, new formulas for Davidson-type energy corrections for one MRCISD state at a time have been obtained, which are not more computationally expensive but both theoretically and practically more accurate than the traditional ones.
Development of a procedure for classifying and retrieving scheduling bibliographic materials

Abstract A classification scheme, i.e. taxonomy, is developed for categorizing scheduling research. The purpose of the taxonomy is to provide a means of developing a data base of scheduling research and a method by which the data base can be searched to retrieve journal article and book references. Using the taxonomy a significant number of manuscripts have been classified and a data base has been constructed. The associated program that will allow a user to specify certain attributes, to search the data set for articles and books which deal with shops having those attributes, and then retrieve the referenced bibliographic data has also been developed. This paper describes the classification scheme used, the data base which was developed, the procedures used to specify and retrieve information, and the bibliographic information which can be retrieved. Plans for extending the data base are also discussed.
Rathke’s cleft cyst recurrence after transsphenoidal surgery: A meta-analysis of 1151 cases

Rathke's cleft cysts (RCC) arise from the development of the Rathke's cleft pouch. These commonly occurring cysts are typically asymptomatic, but sometimes present with headaches, endocrine dysfunction, and visual loss. Recurrence is common after either drainage or surgical removal. The purpose of this study was to review published outcomes for RCC management, and determine whether specific factors, including patient demographics, cyst pathology, radiologic parameters, or surgical techniques predispose to their recurrence. A systematic review of studies for RCC from 1990 to 2012 was conducted. Patients were identified using a Medline/PubMed search, and from the bibliographies of relevant articles obtained from the primary search. Relevant studies reporting recurrence rate were identified, and data were extracted regarding patient demographics, presenting symptoms, cyst characteristics, surgical treatment, and outcomes. A meta-analysis for recurrence rates was also performed. Twenty-eight journal articles comprising a total of 1151 RCC revealed an average follow-up of 38 months (range 16-79 months). In the studies reviewed, there was a relatively equal distribution of treatment approaches, with 35% subtotal resection, 33% gross total resection, and 32% complete drainage with wall biopsy. The microsurgical transsphenoidal approach was found to have a higher recurrence rate (14% versus 8%) and new endocrine dysfunction rate (25% versus 10%) compared to the endoscopic approach. The data demonstrates a notable overall recurrence rate for RCC (12.5%). However, there appears to be no conclusive evidence that more aggressive resection of the cyst wall results in lower rates of recurrence.
Fluctuations and transport in a stirred fluid with a mean gradient

The effective thermal diffusivity D* and the probability distribution of temperature fluctuations are measured in a stirred fluid across which a temperature gradient is maintained. A distinct mixing transition is observed for D* as a function of Reynolds number R. Above the transitions, the distribution is strongly non-Gaussian and approaches an exponential exp(-‖δT‖/βξ), where β is the local temperature gradient and ξ the correlation length.
A Linear Theory of Three-Dimensional Land–Sea Breezes

AbstractLand–sea breezes (LSBs) induced by diurnal differential heating are examined using a three-dimensional linear model employing fast Fourier transform with emphasis on the complex coastline shape and geometry, the earth’s rotation, and background wind effects. It has been demonstrated that the low-level vertical motion associated with LSB can be significantly enhanced over a bay (peninsula) because of convergence of perturbations induced by differential heating along a seaward concave (convex) coastline. The dependence of surface winds and vertical motion patterns and their evolutions on the coastline geometries such as the width and the aspect ratio of the bay, the earth’s rotation, and the background winds are investigated.The LSB induced by an isolated tropical island is characterized by onshore flow and ascent over the island in the afternoon to early evening, with a reversal of direction from midnight to early morning. The diurnal heating–induced vertical motion is greatly enhanced over the isl...
Mascons and the moon's orientation

Abstract This letter reports the discovery of a relation between the moments of inertia of the mascons (taken about the moon's center) and the moon's moments of inertia. It is found that the principal axes of the mascons alone are nearly parallel to those of the moon. Possible explanations of this parallelism are discussed. If the mascons are associated with a layer of uncompensated basalt on the moon's nearside, then the parallelism can be adequately explained on the grounds that the mascons and basalts together determined the moon's orientation. On the other hand, the third-order harmonics of the moon's gravity field indicate that the excess mass controlling the moon's orientation is on the farside. It thus appears that the mascons have been emplaced in special sites whose position was controlled by the processes which produced the farside highlands.
On distributed optimization under inequality and equality constraints via penalty primal-dual methods

We consider a multi-agent convex optimization problem where the agents are to minimize a sum of local objective functions subject to a global inequality constraint, a global equality constraint and a global constraint set. We devise a distributed primal-dual subgradient algorithm which is based on the characterization of the primal-dual optimal solutions as the saddle points of the penalty function. This algorithm allows the agents exchange information over networks with time-varying topologies and asymptotically agree on an optimal solution and the optimal value.
Does sex influence triage decision and time to initial electrocardiogram

Study objectives: We determine whether women receive a lower triage severity level or experience longer times to initial ECG compared with men. Methods: We prospectively enrolled a convenience sample of low-risk chest pain patients to our emergency department observation unit. Low risk was defined as having atypical clinical symptomatology with no significant ECG changes and troponin less than 0.1 ng/mL. Triage acuity levels were recorded by the triage nurse using the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) 5-level triage system (1=highest acuity, 5=lowest acuity). Generally, patients with chest pain should be triaged as ESI Level 2. ECG time was abstracted from the original ECG. A χ 2 statistic and odds ratio were calculated to determine the difference between triage levels between sexes. Student's t test was performed to analyze differences in mean time to initial ECG between sexes. Results: Two hundred seventy-four patients were enrolled (139 men, 135 women). No differences between sex were found according to triage score (χ 2 =0.016, P =.99, ESI Level 2, men=106 [51%], women=103 [49%]; ESI Level 3, men=32 [52%], women=30 [48%]). There was no difference in mean time to initial ECG found between sexes (men 55 minutes, SD=70 minutes; women 62 minutes, SD=80 minutes), t =–0.769, P =.44). The overall difference between groups was 7 minutes. Conclusion: Women did not experience lower acuity triage assignments or longer times to initial ECG compared with men in our sample.
A review of servant leadership attributes: developing a practical model

Servant leadership is an increasingly popular concept in the repertoire of leadership styles. While an intuitively attractive concept, it is systematically undefined and not yet supported by empirical research. Reviews the servant leadership literature with the intent to develop a preliminary theoretical framework. Builds a foundation for categorizing and appraising the functional and accompanying attributes of servant leaders. Once categorized, a formative, rational servant leadership attribute model is constructed. The authors call for further development of the model and empirical research to support it.
The effect of radioactive contaminants on the estimation of binding parameters by Scatchard analysis

Abstract 1. 1.|When protein-ligand interactions are measured with a radioactive ligand, the presence of a radioactive contaminant that is not bound can lead to errors in the determination of the concentration of bound and unbound ligand, and consequently to errors in estimation of the dissociation constant (Kd). The extent of errors caused by a non-binding contaminant was determined by computer simulation for five types of protein-ligand interaction: first order dissociation, two classes of binding sites with different dissociation constants, displacement, negative cooperativity and positive cooperativity. For each type of reaction several values of Kd and several concentrations of binding sites were assumed. 2. 2.|The presence of a contaminant results in Scatchard plots which are convex upward instead of linear for the first order dissociation reaction. Scatchard plots normally are concave upward with three of the reactions studied: two classes of binding sites, displacement reactions and negative cooperativity. The contaminant causes a reduction in the concavity and in certain instances the plots may appear linear; with larger amounts of a contaminant they may be convex upward. The shape of the Scatchard plots for positive cooperativity is convex upward in either the presence or absence of a contaminant. Except for the displacement reaction the distortion of the shape of the Scatchard plots increases as the concentration of binding sites increases. 3. 3.|A contaminant, therefore, can cause distortions of the Scatchard plots which can lead to: (1) misinterpretations of the type of protein-ligand interaction, (2) overestimation of the dissociation constants, and (3) errors in calculation of the concentration of binding sites. In some instances as little as 1% contaminant may have a profound effect on the apparent affinity and number of binding sites.
Pore structure and surface chemistry of adsorbents obtained by pyrolysis of sewage sludge-derived fertilizer

Abstract Terrene®, a fertilizer product derived from New York City municipal sewage sludge, was pyrolyzed at various temperatures between 400 and 950°C. The pore structure and surface chemistry of the adsorbent materials obtained were characterized using nitrogen adsorption, thermal analysis, potentiometric titration and FTIR. The adsorbents contain a high percentage of inorganic matter (up to 70%) and only up to 30% carbon. The results show that microporosity is developed within the carbon deposit and at the organic/inorganic interface with increasing temperature of heat treatment. An increase in the pyrolysis temperature also results in significant changes in the surface chemistry towards the development of basic nitrogen centers. In particular there was an increase in the pH values of adsorbents’ surfaces from 7 to 11.
APOBEC3A cytidine deaminase induces RNA editing in monocytes and macrophages

The extent, regulation and enzymatic basis of RNA editing by cytidine deamination are incompletely understood. Here we show that transcripts of hundreds of genes undergo site-specific C>U RNA editing in macrophages during M1 polarization and in monocytes in response to hypoxia and interferons. This editing alters the amino acid sequences for scores of proteins, including many that are involved in pathogenesis of viral diseases. APOBEC3A, which is known to deaminate cytidines of single-stranded DNA and to inhibit viruses and retrotransposons, mediates this RNA editing. Amino acid residues of APOBEC3A that are known to be required for its DNA deamination and anti-retrotransposition activities were also found to affect its RNA deamination activity. Our study demonstrates the cellular RNA editing activity of a member of the APOBEC3 family of innate restriction factors and expands the understanding of C>U RNA editing in mammals.
Formation of the Persistent Primary Radicals from the Pyrolysis of Tobacco

A study of the radical products of the fractional pyrolysis of Bright tobacco was performed over the temperature range of 200−510 °C. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to analyze for free radicals in the initially produced total particular matter (TPM). Two types of primary radicals were observed. Type I radicals displayed a five-line EPR spectrum with an apparent g factor of 2.0064 and overall width of ∼42 G and were only observed at temperatures 380 °C. The type II radical described in this paper and often reported by other researchers is not likely to be a semiquinone radical. A delocalized radical of a partially oxygenated polymeric s...
Spectroscopic investigation of a low-power arcjet plume

We report the results of spectroscopic measurements on the exhaust plume from a 1 kW NASA Lewis arcjet operated on simulated ammonia. In particular, we analyze emissions from the Balmer lines of atomic hydrogen and from one of the rotational bands of the NH radical. We find that exit plane temperatures are in the range 2000 to 3500 K, depending on the measurement method, and that the electron density upstream of the exit plane is on the order of 1.5 x 10 exp 14/cu cm as determined by the Stark width of the Balmer-alpha line. Also, we have determined that the average velocity of atomic hydrogen at the exit plane is about 4 km/sec, and that strong acceleration (to 5.5 km/sec) of the flow occurs just beyond the exit plane.
Blockade of insulin release by certain phenothiazines

Abstract Chlorpromazine lowered the ratio of plasma insulin to blood glucose in adrenalectomized rats fed a glucose load. Desmethylchlorpromazine also lowered this ratio 30 min after glucose administration, but elevated it at 60 min. By contrast, fluphenazine had no significant effect on the ratio of plasma insulin to blood glucose. Chlorpromazine and desmethylchlorpromazine were more effective than fluphenazine in blocking insulin release from the isolated rat pancreas. Although adrenal epinephrine release and blockade of the effect of insulin may also be involved, the results of this study show that the hyperglycemic effect of certain phenothiazines is mainly determined by blockade of insulin release.
Do disparate mechanisms of duplication add similar genes to the genome

Gene duplication is the fundamental source of new genes. Biases in duplication have profound implications for the dynamics of gene content during evolution. In this article, we compare genes arising from whole gene duplication (WGD), smaller scale duplication (SSD) and singletons in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our results demonstrate that genes duplicated by WGD and SSD are similarly biased with respect to codon bias and evolutionary rate, although differing significantly in their functional constituency.
Development and Female Crime: A Cross-National Test of Alternative Explanations

In this report, we use INTERPOL data from 69 countries to test four alternative explanations of the relation between development and the female percentage of arrests (FP/A): gender equality, female economic marginality, opportunities for female-based consumer crimes, and formalization of social control. An analysis of both the direct and indirect effects of development was conducted to determine whether any or all of the alternative factors are mediating links between development and FP/A. The analysis revealed that the two explanations dealing with the relative social and economic status of women-gender equality and female economic marginality-were both poor predictors of FP/A. On the other hand, the other two explanations-opportunity for female-based consumer crimes and formalization of social control-were both found to be fairly good predictors of FP/A. At the end of the report, uz offer several possible explanations for these findings, with particular focus on our failure to support the gender equality-crime hypothesis.
Home bowel preparation for elective colonic procedures in children: Cost savings with quality assurance and improvement

Abstract Background/Purpose: The current health care environment pressures providers to lower cost and demands quality care that is measured by outcomes and patient satisfaction. Most insurers will not approve bed days for in-hospital preoperative bowel preparations for elective colorectal procedures. This policy does not take into account that infants and children are unable to tolerate large volumes of enteral preparation, which adversely affects outcome because of an inadequate preparation. This report describes a prospective evaluation of a standard home bowel preparation regimen utilizing local and regional home health care agency support. Methods: For an elective colorectal procedure, pediatric patients underwent a home bowel preparation using GoLYTELY (100 mL/kg) via a nasogastric tube infused over 4 hours by a pediatric home health nurse trained in this technique. During the bowel preparation, the nurse educated the family members about the service and performed physiological monitoring to insure safety. At the completion of the preparation, any unusual events were transmitted to the staff surgeon for further instructions. Our initial 30 patients were treated by our hospital home health agency personnel to insure safety. Since then, 41 additional bowel preparations have been performed by statewide agencies. Results: Seventy-one patients underwent complete home bowel preparation (45 boys; 26 girls). The age range was 3 months to 9 years (average, 5 months). There was one complication caused by incorrect mixing of GoLYTELY causing gastrointestinal cramping. All 71 home bowel preparations were recorded as good at the time of the colorectal procedure by the staff pediatric surgeon. The average cost for home bowel preparation was $300 in network, and $350 out of network. This compares with an inpatient hospital day cost of greater than $800 ($36,000 savings). Conclusions: This technique offers the pediatric surgeon an opportunity to maintain a high standard of quality care while using home health agency personnel to minimize cost. This program is safe, effective, and associated with a good outcome and a high degree of family satisfaction. J Pediatr Surg 35:232-234. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Laparo-endoscopic single-site (LESS) radical nephrectomy with renal vein thrombectomy: initial report

Background: By combining trocar sites and extraction incision, Laparo-endoscopic Single-site Surgery (LESS) may provide less morbidity than traditional laparoscopy. Concerns continue about LESS for locally advanced tumors. We present our experience with LESS-radical nephrectomy with renal vein thrombectomy (LESS-RN-RVT)
Predicting Acceptance of Treatment in Male Dual-Diagnosis Outpatients

The authors studied a cohort of 128 male veterans undergoing preadmission screening/ora specialized outpatient program for chronically mentally ill substance abusers. Demographic, substance abuse, and comorbid psychiatric variables were evaluated for their correlation with acceptance (44 patients) or rejection (84 patients) of the treatment offered. A later age at onset of both substance abuse and comorbid psychiatric illness significantly increased the likelihood of acceptance, as did the presence of a primary alcohol use disorder and the absence of current medical problems. A strong correlation was observed between the age at onset of substance abuse and comorbid psychiatric disorder, suggesting that in many dual-diagnosis patients the two disorders could be manifestations of a single process.
Cyclin-dependent kinases in C. elegans

Cell division is an inherent part of organismal development, and defects in this process can lead to developmental abnormalities as well as cancerous growth. In past decades, much of the basic cell-cycle machinery has been identified, and a major challenge in coming years will be to understand the complex interplay between cell division and multicellular development. Inevitably, this requires the use of more complex multicellular model systems. The small nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an excellent model system to study the regulation of cell division in a multicellular organism, and is poised to make important contributions to this field. The past decade has already seen a surge in cell-cycle research in C. elegans, yielding information on the function of many basic cell-cycle regulators, and making inroads into the developmental control of cell division. This review focuses on the in vivo roles of cyclin-dependent kinases in C. elegans, and highlights novel findings implicating CDKs in coupling development to cell-cycle progression.
The Politics of Compromise: The Constitutionalist Party and the Electoral Reforms of 1922 in French Cochinchina

When Le Myre de Vilers arrived in Saigon in mid-1879 as the first civilian to be appointed governor of Cochinchina after nearly two decades of rule by admirals, he carried a letter of instructions in which the Minister of the Navy and Colonies, Admiral Jaureguiberry, outlined his mission: to endow the colony with the institutions of a civilian government and administration.In his instructions, Jaureguiberry noted the desirability of giving the Vietnamese a role in running the affairs of Cochinchina.
Social network predictors of disclosure of MSM behavior and HIV-positive serostatus among African American MSM in Baltimore, Maryland

This study examined correlates of disclosure of MSM behavior and seropositive HIV status to social network members among 187 African American MSM in Baltimore, MD. 49.7% of participants were HIV-positive, 64% of their social network members (excluding male sex partners) were aware of their MSM behavior, and 71.3% were aware of their HIV-positive status. Disclosure of MSM behavior to network members was more frequent among participants who were younger, had a higher level of education, and were HIV-positive. Attributes of the social network members associated with MSM disclosure included the network member being HIV-positive, providing emotional support, socializing with the participant, and not being a female sex partner. Participants who were younger were more likely to disclose their positive HIV status. Attributes of social network members associated with disclosure of positive serostatus included the network member being older, HIV-positive, providing emotional support, loaning money, and not being a male sex partner.
Preoperative Administration of Desoxycorticosterone Acetate in the Prevention of Surgical Shock12

Perla and his associates (1) recently reported that administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate would protect experimental animals from histamine shock. They found that previous administration of solutions of sodium chloride and desoxycorticosterone acetate was more effective than the use of the latter alone. They further administered sodium chloride and desoxycorticosterone acetate preoperatively to patients who were to undergo major surgical procedures. Using as criteria the clinical condition of the patient and the impression of the attending surgeon they felt that they had demonstrated that such preoperative treatment effectively prevented the occurrence of postoperative shock. On the basis of these observations Perla and his associates advocated the preoperative administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate in all instances in which surgical shock might be anticipated. Widespread trial of this suggestion apparently has been made, but no convincing confirmation has been forthcoming. Because of the...
Using computer graphics to explore object oriented concepts using C

Most recent graphics courses are what we would call top-down courses. Courses that focus on using graphical packages to implement and teach graphics. The course discussed in this paper takes the opposite approach. We use a bottom-up approach to teach the basic concepts of graphics. In this class graphics is used as a learning tool, to delve into the underlying data structures and concepts that are needed to create photo-realistic images. The students build a program to create images from scratch using the C programming languages. While there have been other graphics courses to take a bottom-up approach, this paper builds the graphical projects using only the C programming language, no graphics APIs are used in the class. During the course of the semester object-oriented concepts and differences between object-oriented languages and procedural languages are highlighted and discussed in detail. The students not only learn the basic concepts of graphics, but become familiar with the C programming language (students at our university begin programming with Java). The course could be easily tailored for several different classes in a typical CS curriculum, from a beginning programming course, to a programming languages course. At the conclusion of the course a student survey was also conducted to gather student feedback about the course.
Genetic polymorphisms related to behavioral approach and behavioral inhibition scales

Abstract Genetic polymorphisms relevant to behavioral approach and behavioral inhibition are examined, using a polygenic approach while also considering the role of early adversity. Undergraduates (N = 343) completed the well-validated Behavioral Inhibition System/Behavioral Activation System (BIS/BAS) scales and provided blood for genotyping. The BDNF met allele was related to higher BIS scores. OPRM1 status interacted with a measure of early adversity to predict the BAS Reward Responsiveness subscale. Results provide additional support for the validity of the BIS/BAS scales, and suggest combined genetic and environmental influences on the development of these traits.
Building Civil Society Under the Shadows of Authoritarianism

Writings about civil society in general and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in particular have downplayed the value of state linkage for the development of non-state social actors in non-democratic settings. Those writings have generally emphasized the state’s constraints on the development of NGOs in authoritarian countries. However, an increasing number of scholars have discovered that NGOs in non-democratic countries can accrue real benefits by establishing strong linkages to the authoritarian state, which control critical organizational resources. Similarly, in existing studies about NGOs in non-democratic states, the importance of NGO leadership has been overshadowed by the attention to structural factors. Yet, NGO leaders are valuable resources for their respective organizations. Among the critical roles that NGO leaders play in advancing organizational effectiveness is their role as resource agents. The NGO’s dependence on external resources means that the leader’s social ties are among the most valuable leadership skills. Given the state’s control of critical organizational resources in contemporary China, state linkages constitute the most valuable form of leadership ties for China’s NGOs.
Prediagnostic serum levels of carotenoids and vitamin E as related to subsequent cancer in Washington County, Maryland.

In 1974 and 1975, serum specimens were collected from 25802 volunteers in Washington County, Maryland. The serum was kept frozen at #7573°C until the time os assay. Prediagnostic samples from 436 cancer cases and 765 matched control subjects have been assayed. Nine sites have been studied: colon, rectum, pancreas, lung, melanoma, basal cell of skin, breast, prostate, and bladder. Serum β-carotene levels showed a strong protective association with lung cancer, suggestive protective associations with melanoma and bladder cancer, and a suggestive but nonprotective association with rectal cancer. Serum vitamin E levels had a protective association with lung cancer: none of the other sites showed impressive associations
Compiling and Optimizing Java 8 Programs for GPU Execution

GPUs can enable significant performance improvements for certain classes of data parallel applications and are widely used in recent computer systems. However, GPU execution currently requires explicit low-level operations such as 1) managing memory allocations and transfers between the host system and the GPU, 2) writing GPU kernels in a low-level programming model such as CUDA or OpenCL, and 3) optimizing the kernels by utilizing appropriate memory types on the GPU. Because of this complexity, in many cases, only expert programmers can exploit the computational capabilities of GPUs through the CUDA/OpenCL languages. This is unfortunate since a large number of programmers use high-level languages, such as Java, due to their advantages of productivity, safety, and platform portability, but would still like to exploit the performance benefits of GPUs. This paper presents a just-in-time (JIT) compiler that can generate and optimize GPU code from a pure Java program written using lambda expressions with the new parallel streams APIs in Java 8. These APIs allow Java programmers to express data parallelism at a higher level than threads and tasks. Our approach translates lambda expressions with parallel streams APIs in Java 8 into GPU code and automatically generates runtime calls that handle the low-level operations mentioned above. Additionally, our optimization techniques 1) allocate and align the starting address of the Java array body in the GPUs with the memory transaction boundary to increase memory bandwidth, 2) utilize read-only cache for array accesses to increase memory efficiency in GPUs, and 3) eliminate redundant data transfer between the host and the GPU. The compiler also performs loop versioning for eliminating redundant exception checks and for supporting virtual method invocations within GPU kernels. These features and optimizations are supported and automatically performed by a JIT compiler that is built on top of a production version of the IBM Java 8 runtime environment. Our experimental results on an NVIDIA Tesla GPU show significant performance improvements over sequential execution (127.9x geometric mean) and parallel execution (3.3x geometric mean) for eight Java 8 benchmark programs running on a 160-thread POWER8 machine. This paper also includes an in-depth analysis of GPU execution to show the impact of our optimization techniques by selectively disabling each optimization. Our experimental results show a geometric-mean speed-up of 1.15x in the GPU kernel over state-of-the-art approaches. Overall, our JIT compiler can improve the performance of Java 8 programs by automatically leveraging the computational capability of GPUs.
Why a Union Voice Makes a Real Difference for Women Workers: Then and Now

Working women, labor unions, and collective action played a crucial role in passing and implementing the Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The Article describes how labor unions pushed for the passage of the Act and later made protections for pregnant workers real through collective bargaining, internal education efforts, and litigation. Finally, the Article discusses the fundamental improvements for working women that still must be achievedand the need for strengthened worker organizations if those changes are to
The Vulnerability of Low Wage Human Service Workers in Retirement: Policy Implications

This article recognizes how the recession is affecting the U. S. workforce. Despite the high unemployment rate across most of the country, one area that is anticipated to have higher employment growth is the provision of human services. Unfortunately, human service workers tend to receive low compensation. This paper examines the effect of low incomes on the retirement security of many low wage workers, most of who are women. Studies show that many low wage employees are unable to save toward retirement. Based on an analysis of retirement income projections performed by the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and other researchers, and of a field experiment conducted by the Retirement Security Project of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and H&R Block, we argue that women are exposed to the risk of poverty in their retirement years unless practical measures are taken to address the problem. We call for a combination of the re-examination of the compensation and public policy changes to help improve the wages and retirement savings of low wage human service workers.
Flight of the Eye Gnat, Hippelates Pallipes (Diptera: Chloropidae): Correlation with Temperature, Light, Moisture and Wind Velocity

The flight activity, based on collections from humans, of Hippelates Pallipes (Loew) eye gnats was measured under varying field conditions. Thresholds for flight were 18°C, 5.38 milliphots (5 ft-c) of light, and wind speed below 60–70 m/min. No gnats were captured at a vapor pressure deficit of 0.0 mm Hg. Graphs are presented for flight activity at various values of temperature, light, VPD, and wind speed. Comparisons are made between the responses of H. pusio and H. pallipes to temperature, light, VPD, and wind speed.
Allozymes of a wild Agaricus bisporus population: new alleles, new genotypes.

Eighteen field-collected isolates ofAgaricus bisporus from coastal central California and two extra? limital field isolates were subjected to allozyme analysis via PAGE, and were genotypically scored at six polymorphic loci. This population sample carries previously unreported alleles at three of five loci for which a large culture collection (PSUMCC), composed primarily of cultivar lines, had previously been screened. Only one allele known from the PSUMCC collection was not found in the wild popu? lation. Novel combinations of previously known alleles were also found. With one exception, each field isolate was genetically unique within the field sample. The wild population of A. bisporus thus contains a large number of novel genotypes that are not represented in cultivar lines. These facts strongly suggest that A. bisporus is indigenous to North America. Our observations, particularly the discovery of several new alleles, also indicate that the wild population of this species represents a significant reservoir of genetic information presently unexploited by the commercial mushroom industry. In contrast, four of the field-collected isolates could be assigned to genotypic classes known from the PSUMCC collection or other cultivars. These findings support the widely-held belief that cultivars of A. bisporus do escape from commercial cultivation and can reproduce under natural conditions.
Differential blood counts on rats during shock induced by tourniquets.

Summary1. A lymphocyte decrease occurs within 2 hours following the removal of the tourniquet in fatal shock induced by leg tourniquets in albino rats. 2. There is no decrease in the percent of lymphocytes in blood smears made below the tourniquet at the end of a 5-hour period. 3. Dibenamine hydrochloride increases the onset of death in tourniquet-shock and increases the lymphocyte decline.
Decision Support for Joint Replacement: Implications for Decisional Conflict and Willingness to Undergo Surgery

Objectives The present study investigates age differences in the types of decision support that total joint replacement (TJR) candidates desire and receive when making the decision to pursue surgery. We consider the social structural (relationship to the patient) and experiential factors (network members' experience with TJR) that influence individuals' support preferences and the interactions of these factors with age. We also examine whether a lack of support is linked with increased decisional conflict and reduced willingness to undergo surgery. Method A telephone survey was conducted with 100 individuals (aged 40+) who were contemplating knee or hip replacement. Results TJR candidates desired and received decision support from health care providers, family members, and individuals who had previously undergone TJR. They reported higher deficits in informational and emotional support than in instrumental support. Overall, a lack of instrumental support was associated with greater decisional conflict; a lack of instrumental support and a lack of informational support were associated with reduced willingness to undergo TJR. Discussion Our findings point to the importance of involving both formal and informal network members in TJR discussions, and the need for informational guidance and practical assistance to reduce decisional conflict and uncertainty among individuals considering TJR.
Early extubation is associated with reduced length of stay and improved outcomes after elective aortic surgery in the Vascular Quality Initiative.

Abstract Objective Timing of extubation after open aortic procedures varies across hospitals. This study was designed to examine extubation timing and determine its effect on length of stay (LOS) and respiratory complications after elective open aortic surgery. Methods We studied extubation timing for 7171 patients undergoing elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (2687 [37.5%]) or suprainguinal bypass for aortoiliac occlusive disease (4484 [62.5%]) from October 2010 to April 2015 in hospitals participating in the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI). Our primary outcome was prolonged LOS (>7 days), and the secondary outcome was respiratory complications (pneumonia or reintubation). The association between extubation timing and outcomes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression mixed-effects models that adjusted for confounding factors at the patient and procedure level. A variable importance analysis was conducted using a chi-pie framework to identify factors contributing to the variability of extubation timing. Results The 7171 patients undergoing abdominal aortic surgery were a mean age of 65.4 (standard deviation, 10.2) years, and 63% were male. Extubation occurred (1) in the operating room (76.3%), (2) 24 hours (5.6%) after surgery. Hospitals in the top quartile for case volume had the highest percentage of patients extubated in the operating room (82.8%). Patients least likely to be extubated in the operating room were older, more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, require vasopressors, have higher estimated blood loss (EBL), and longer procedure times. After adjustment for patient, procedure, and institutional factors, delayed extubation was associated with prolonged LOS ( 24 hours: OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 4.0-6.9), and pulmonary complications ( 24 hours: OR, 9.6; 95% CI, 7.1-13.0) compared with those extubated in the operating room. Subset analysis of patients extubated in the operating room or Conclusions Extubation in the operating room is associated with shorter LOS and morbidity after open aortic surgery. EBL, procedure time, and center variation account for variability in extubation timing. These data advocate for standardized perioperative respiratory care to reduce variation, improve outcomes, and reduce LOS.
Adjunctive left ventricular unloading during myocardial reperfusion plays a major role in minimizing myocardial infarct size.

Although prompt institution of reperfusion following coronary artery occlusion has been shown to limit myocardial infarct size, significant “reperfusion injury” may result. We investigated in a canine model whether maintenance of the left ventricle in an unloaded state during the initial reperfusion period following acute myocardial ischemia would result in greater limitation of infarct size or modify the development of reperfusion injury. Group I (control, n = 6) underwent 6 hours of occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery without further intervention. In both Group II (n = 6) and Group III (n = 6), the snare was released after 2 hours and hearts were reperfused for 4 hours. In Group III only, the left ventricle was maintained in an unloaded state throughout the entire reperfusion interval via pulsatile left a trial-femoral artery bypass. The results showed that reperfusion of the left ventricle in an unloaded state resulted in significantly improved limitation of both infarct size (area of infarct/area at risk = 16.6% for Group III versus 72.0% for Group I and 55.4% for Group II, p
QUANTITATION OF PATHWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR NADPH-DEPENDENT METHANOL, ETHANOL, AND BUTANOL OXIDATION BY HEPATIC MICROSOMES

NADPH-dependent aldehyde formation from methanol (M), ethanol (E), and butanol (B) was studied in hepatic microsomes. A potent inhibitor of alcohol dehyrogenase (ADH), 4-n-propylpyrazole (1–10 μMolar), inhibited aldehyde production 80% from B, 40% from E, and 10–20% from M. Thus, the degree of inhibition correlated with the substrate specificity of the alcohols (B > E > M) for ADH. Under these conditions, cytochrome P-450-dependent oxidation of aminopyrine was unaffected by 4-n-propylpyrazole. A competitive inhibitor of ADH, trifluoroethanol (200 μM), also decreased rates of aldehyde production from E and B without inhibiting aminopyrine oxidation. Sodium azide (50 μM), an inhibitor of catalase-H 2 O 2 -dependent oxidations, produced greater than 50% inhibition of M and E oxidation; however, B oxidation was unaffected. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that ADH and catalase account for NADPH-dependent alcohol oxidation by hepatic microsomes. Postulation of a direct oxidation of alcohols via cytochrome P-450-dependent mechanisms (i.e., “MEOS”) is unnecessary.
Improving the Production Process for a Medical Device Manufacturing Company using Monte Carlo Simulation

This work studies a medical product development, assembly, and packaging company that uses a paper-based method to track jobs through their assembly process. The paperwork often has errors, which must be corrected before distribution, causing delays in manufacturing and shipment and resulting in lost time and money. The project team analyzed the company's production process to identify areas for improvement. Through statistical analyses of the company’s process data, the team established error categorization, location, and probability of occurrence. In order to address sources of error, the project team diagrammed the company's manufacturing floor and created a list of issues within each step of the manufacturing process as well as potential solutions to these problems. The team created a simulation of the manufacturing process and used this tool to analyze potential process changes to decrease the number of employee hours wasted in order to fix discrepancies. The simulation proved to be an invaluable tool that helped the company better understand their process. It helped to identify which jobs create the most errors, how many errors occur per month, and how much money the company loses on time spent correcting the errors. Eleven potential solutions were considered, but two of them appeared to yield the best results. Implementing a total quality management (TQM) system would conservatively reduce error counts by 71.3%. Implementing a start quantity to the company's electronic system would conservatively reduce mean hours wasted from 22.60 to 21.73 hours per month and mean salary lost from $519.82 to $499.80 per month. Using insights from the simulation, the project team then coordinated with management to decide whether error rates or time and salary spent to correct errors were more important to address. As of this writing, as a result of this study, the company is taking steps to implement a TQM system in order to decrease errors in their job tracking process.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide in pulmonary hypertension

Introduction: Decreased nitric oxide (NO) availability is implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Prior studies found low fractional exhaled NO (FeNO) in idiopathic PAH (IPAH) and scleroderma-related PAH (SSc-PAH) patients. Comparison among different forms of PH has not been reported. Aims: Compare FeNO levels among different PH groups using NIOX® (Aerocrine) and assess correlations with disease activity. Methods: Consecutive patients with PAH WHO groups 1 and 4 (chronic thromboembolic PH, CTEPH) seen at Tufts PH clinic underwent FeNO measurements. All measurements were performed at the same visit. T tests and regression analyses were performed as appropriate. Results: Patients were middle aged, with mild to moderate functional impairment All were on PAH medications. FeNO levels were significantly lower in SSc-PAH vs. IPAH and CTEPH patients FeNO correlated inversely with the distance walked in 6 min in the CTEPH group (r=0.8) Conclusions: FeNO levels vary between different types of PH and are particularly low in SSc-PAH. In CTEPH, FeNO levels correlate with functional capacity. FeNO may be a useful diagnostic or disease monitoring tool.