cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Course of a 300 Metacercarial Infection of Echinostoma caproni (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) Mice

The course of a 300 metacercarial infection of ICR mice with Echinostoma caproni was examined over a 24-d period. Seven groups of 3 mice each were infected with 300 metacercariae of E. caproni and examined at 24 hr postinfection (PI), 4 d PI, and then at 4-d intervals to 24 d PI; however, as a result of the death of 4 mice prior to necropsy, the 20-d collection was abandoned. All mice were infected at the time of examination with worm loads ranging from 13.3% to 94.3% of the initial inoculum. The lowest recovery was at 24 hr PI with an average of 26.7% and the majority of worms located in the posterior one fifth of the small intestine. From 4-24 d PI there was no significant difference in recovery with means from 52.3% to 68.0% of the infective inoculum. Worms were congregated in the last two fifths of the intestine at all collection periods. None of the mice that died during the course of the experiment demonstrated unusual behavior prior to death. There was no significant difference in worm load between the 4 animals that died 13-21 d PI and those that were necropsied 16 and 24 d PI (P ¼ 0.435). The results confirm that heavy infections of E. caproni mice can successfully produce large numbers of adult worms; however, outbred ICR mice demonstrate individual differences to these infections that cannot be explained at this time.
Electric field measurements within a severe thunderstorm anvil

This paper presents the results of electric field measurements made within a severe thunderstorm in central Oklahoma on June 13, 1983. The observations show the electrical structure of a severe storm anvil to be more complex than the simple structure of a positive interior and thin, negative screening layers. Evidence is found of extensive regions of both positive and negative charge in the interior of the anvil, and the thicknesses of screening layers are found to be about an order of magnitude greater than calculated in previous models. A conceptual model for the development of the electrical structure of thunderstorm anvils is proposed in which anvil dynamics plays an important role.
Direct evidence that γ1 and γ3 switching in human B cells is interleukin-10 dependent

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) has various effects on B cell immunoglobulin (Ig) production. Indirect evidence suggests that IL-10 functions as a switch factor for IgG production. In this study, the switch deleted Ig gene DNA was isolated and characterized, as direct evidence that IL-10 induced isotype switching in human B cells. In addition, 16 chimeric Ig fragments were isolated, representing deleted DNA generated by in vitro isotype switching from mu to gamma in human B cells, following stimulation with IL-10 and anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies (CD40 mAb). These clones consisted solely of S gamma 1/S mu and S gamma 3/S mu chimeric switch circular DNAs, no S gamma 2/S mu or S gamma 4/S mu switch DNA was observed. In addition, IL-10 alone induced only gamma 1 and gamma 3 germ-line mRNA transcripts, as determined by restriction digestion of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products. Three modes of mu-gamma 3 isotype switching were detected: (1) direct switching; (2) internal deletion of S mu proceeding mu to gamma 3 switching; and (3) internal deletion of S gamma 3 proceeding mu to gamma 3 switching. These results directly demonstrate that gamma 1 and gamma 3 switching in human B cells is specifically induced by IL-10 in the presence of CD40 mAb.
Temporal Changes in Deformation Mode: From Failure to Flow in the Colorado River Extensional Corridor

The Colorado River Extensional Corridor (CREC) of southeastern California, southern Nevada, and western Arizona experienced up to 100% extension between ~23 and 12 Ma. Extension was accommodated by low-angle normal faulting in the upper and middle crust, subvertical brittle failure of the lower crust, emplacement of mantle-derived magma in a crustal-scale fracture, and, later, crustal flow. Evidence for brittle, whole-crustal failure includes geophysical observations, structural analysis, geochronology, thermochronology, geobarometry, and paleomagnetic studies of surface exposures of syntectonic, mantle-derived mafic plutonic sheets emplaced as subvertical, crustal-scale intrusions tracking the zone of maximum extension. Their subsurface extent and geometry are interpreted from the shape and magnitude of the Colorado River gravity high, a 10-20 mGal positive gravity anomaly that follows the belt of core complexes west of the Colorado River for ~150 km along strike. In the southern Sacramento Mountains (la...
Rainfall resistivity and 60-cycle insulator flashover

DISCUSSIONS between American and European standards groups are currently directed toward adoption of uniform parameters for wet flashover and wet withstand tests. American published values are based on tests conducted with a spray water resistivity of 7,000 ohms per inch cube and a rate of precipitation of 0.2 inch per minute. The corresponding European test values are 10,000 ohms per centimeter cube (3,930 ohms per inch cube) and 3 mm per minute (0.118 inches per minute). Two recent papers have reported laboratory investigations relating the comparative influences of these factors.1, 2
William Johannsen and the genotype concept.

Recent secondary literature on the rise of modern genetics has begun to drag out of the shadows of historical neglect one of the major accomplishments in the history of biology. I refer to the conceptual distinction drawn between "phenotypes" and "genotypes," the use, if not the full meaning of which was fashioned in 1909 by Wilhelm Johannsen. Vorzimmer in his study of Darwin's later years has indicated how unaware Darwin and his contemporaries were of this distinction.' Both Allen and I have referred to the fundamental yet often misunderstood nature of this dichtomy,2 and just recently in an essay review Mayr has described the failure to make this distinction as the basic confusion which was "by far the most damaging" to the progress of modern genetics.3 Following these leads, I intend to explore the phenotypegenotype distinction in an effort to discover what it meant to geneticists at the time of its inception. First, however, it is of value to remind ourselves how we define this distinction for contemporary students, who must fully grasp it in order to understand modern genetics, ecology, psychology, the study of behavior, and above all modern evolution theory. The definition given in J. D. Watson's Molecular Biology of the Gene is typical and has the advantage of conciseness. Watson writes: "We refer to the appearance (physical structure) of an individual as its phenotype, and to its genetic composition as its genotype."4 Monroe Strickberger in a standard textbook, Genetics, is somewhat more elaborate. "In their broad definitions," he writes:
Prediction of the change in natural frequency of a cantilevered flat plate with added lumped mass

Abstract Design of airborne electro-optics vibration control systems requires an accurate description of the vibration disturbance transmitted from the airframe to the system. However, when taking flight vibration data, the local airframe vibration response depends on the local mass loading. Therefore, when the electro-optical control system designer performs a stability analysis based on flight data, that analysis may not be valid once the system is installed in the aircraft. This paper presents an approximation technique for predicting the loaded airframe natural frequencies from the unloaded modes. Accuracy of the predictions is greater than 10% for most loading configurations when compared to experimental measurements on a cantilevered plate. Accuracies greater than 20% were achieved for all configurations tested.
Nanos Maintains Germline Stem Cell Self-Renewal by Preventing Differentiation

Despite much progress in understanding how extrinsic signaling regulates stem cell self-renewal, little is known about how cell-autonomous gene regulation controls this process. In Drosophila ovaries, germline stem cells (GSCs) divide asymmetrically to produce daughter GSCs and cystoblasts, the latter of which develop into germline cysts. Here, we show that removing the translational repressor Nanos from either GSCs or their precursors, the primordial germ cells (PGCs), causes both cell types to differentiate into germline cysts. Thus, Nanos is essential for both establishing and maintaining GSCs by preventing their precocious entry into oogenesis. These functions are likely achieved by repressing the translation of differentiation factors in PGCs and GSCs.
Geometry and spatial patterns in Polysphondylium pallidum

The formation of secondary sori in whorls of Polysphondylium pallidum provides an attractive model system for the study of symmetry breaking during morphogenesis. Tip-specific antibodies that permit detection of very early stages in this patterning process are available. We have found that the patterns of tip-specific antigen expression vary considerably depending on the size, shape, and developmental stage of the whorl. All of these patterns, however, are well explained by patterning models that rely on short-range autocatalysis and long-range inhibition, as exemplified by reaction-diffusion theories. In the context of reaction-diffusion, we discuss the possible effects of initial conditions, boundary conditions, and nonlinearities on the selection of patterns in P. pallidum whorls.
Risk of Radiation Retinopathy in Patients With Orbital and Ocular Lymphoma

Purpose Radiation retinopathy is a potential long-term complication of radiation therapy to the orbit. The risk of developing this adverse effect is dose dependent; however, the threshold is unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the risk of developing radiation retinopathy at increasing radiation doses. Methods and Materials A 40-year retrospective review was performed of patients who received external beam radiation therapy for ocular/orbital non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Results Sixty-seven patients who had at least one ophthalmic follow-up examination were included in this study. Most patients (52%) were diagnosed with NHL involving the orbit. Patients received external beam radiation therapy at doses between 1886 and 5400 cGy (mean, 3033 ± 782 cGy). Radiation retinopathy developed in 12% of patients, and the median time to diagnosis was 27 months (range, 15-241months). The mean prescribed radiation dose in patients with retinopathy was 3309 ± 585 cGy, and the estimated retinal dose (derived by reviewing the dosimetry) was 3087 ± 1030 cGy. The incidence of retinopathy increased with dose. The average prescribed daily fractionated dose was higher in patients who developed retinopathy than in patients who did not (mean, 202 cGy vs 180 cGy, respectively; P = .04). More patients with radiation retinopathy had comorbid diabetes mellitus type 2 than patients without retinopathy ( P = .015). In our study, the mean visual acuity of the eyes that received radiation was worse than that of the eyes that did not ( P = .027). Other postradiotherapy ocular findings included keratitis (6%), dry eyes (39%), and cataract (33%). Conclusions Radiation retinopathy, a known complication of radiotherapy for orbital tumors, relates to vascular comorbidities and dose. Higher total doses and larger daily fractions (>180 cGy) appear to be related to higher rates of retinopathy. Future larger studies are required to identify a statistically significant threshold for the development of retinopathy.
Analysis of Auditory Measures in Normal Hearing Young Male Adult Cigarette Smokers Using Multiple Variable Selection Methods with Predictive Validation Assessments

Studies have shown that cigarette smoking is a risk factor for hearing loss; however, no information is available on auditory preclinical indicators in young chronic cigarette smokers. Cigarette smoking involves exposure to many harmful chemicals including carbon monoxide (CO). In this study, the CO level in 16 young normal hearing male chronic smokers was measured with a CO monitor, and was used as the outcome measure. Subjects were administered a battery of audiological tests that included behavioral and electrophysiologic measures. The goal was to investigate which auditory test measures can be used as potential predictors of the outcome measure. Using ordinary least squares estimation procedures with best-subsets selection and bootstrapped stepwise variable selection procedures, an optimal predictive multiple linear regression model was selected. Results of this approach indicated that auditory brainstem response peak V amplitudes and distortion product otoacoustic emissions had the highest predictive value and accounted for most of the variability.
Endogenous Pulmonary Nitric Oxide In The Preterm Baboon: Relationship To Gestational Age and Developing Chronic Lung Disease. † 1511

Increased levels of nitric oxide (NO) have been measured in exhaled gas in a variety of pulmonary pathologies with a prominent inflammatory component. Inflammation with both the appearance of inflammatory cells and elevation of a variety of inflammatory mediators appears to be a consistent component in the pathology of hyaline membrane disease (HMD) and early neonatal chronic lung disease (CLD). We report pulmonary NO production in the baboon model of HMD and CLD. Ten premature baboons, Papio sp., at 140 days (77%) gestation were delivered by hysterotomy and placed on IMV at an FiO2=1.0 (5 animals-induced HMD/CLD), or at an FiO2 adjusted “prn” (5 animals- controls) to maintain normal arterial oxygen levels. Four additional baboons were delivered at 125 days (70%) gestation and were managed on IMV with FiO2 adjusted “prn.” Gas was sampled and measurements were paired from both the proximal limb of the ventilator(<2 ppb), and endotracheally via a double lumen endotracheal tube at hour of life 1,2,4, and every 4 hours until necropsy at 144 or 240 hours. The sampled gas was analyzed by chemiluminescence after verification of baseline with “zero” gas, and calibration to known NO gas standards. The resulting digital signal was recorded and subsequently processed to yield peak NO levels in parts per billion (ppb) for each respiratory cycle. Comparisons were analyzed with one way ANOVA with correction for repeated measures and Student-Newman-Keuls method. Overall mean peak endotracheal NO levels measured at the distal ETT in the two gestational ages were: 140 day gestation prn animals 5.2 ppb (95% confidence interval 0.8 ppb), 125 day gestation prn animals 2.4 ppb (95% confidence interval 0.3 ppb). Comparison at each sampling time revealed a significantly lower (p=0.004) mean peak endotracheal NO levels over the first 28 hours of life in the 70% gestation animals. No statistically significant differences were found between the 140 day gestation prn group and the FiO2=1.0 group. No correlation was found when comparing mean peak endotracheal NO levels with a/AO2 ratio or oxygenation index. Endogenous pulmonary production of NO measured endotracheally in the intubated premature baboon appears to be significantly lower at earlier gestational ages. Despite evidence suggesting the importance of inflammation in the evolution of CLD, exhaled NO levels do not appear to increase in this primate model of neonatal CLD.
Preoperative Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition as an Adjunct to Debulking Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVES Since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has undergone dramatic changes. However, the use of TKI therapy in adjunctive settings remains to be defined. We present a single-institution experience of patients who received preoperative TKI before nephrectomy for metastatic or unresectable disease. METHODS The records of 9 patients with locally advanced or metastatic RCC treated with TKI therapy before nephrectomy at the University of North Carolina were reviewed. All procedures and radiographic images were performed at 1 institution. The cases were surveyed for the effect of TKI on tumor burden and surgical approach and timing. RESULTS The patients received systemic therapy with either sorafenib or sunitinib before proceeding to nephrectomy on clinical trials for metastatic disease or as the standard of care. The surgery was well tolerated by all patients, without an apparent effect from TKI therapy on the surgical technique or complications. Responses were observed in the primary tumor, as well as in the metastatic sites. CONCLUSIONS Neoadjuvant TKI therapy can induce responses in the primary tumor and has the potential advantage of cytoreduction when administered before nephrectomy for RCC. This setting also potentially provides an opportunity to evaluate the TKI responsiveness of patients with metastatic disease. However, prospective trials evaluating adjunctive surgical approaches to locally advanced and metastatic RCC are needed to determine the significant benefits of TKI therapy and to define the optimal agent, timing of therapy, and disease stage to derive benefit for preoperative therapy.
The Functions of the N Terminus of the φX174 Internal Scaffolding Protein, a Protein Encoded in an Overlapping Reading Frame in a Two Scaffolding Protein System

fX174 utilizes two scaffolding proteins during morphogenesis, an internal protein (B) and an external protein (D). The B protein induces a conformational change in coat protein pentamers, enabling them to interact with both spike and external scaffolding proteins. While functions of the carboxyl terminus of protein B have been defined, the functions of the amino terminus remain obscure. To investigate the morphogenetic functions of the amino terminus, several 5 0 deleted genes were constructed and the proteins expressed in vivo. The DNH2 B proteins were assayed for the ability to complement an ochre B mutant and defects in the morphogenetic pathway were characterized. The results of the biochemical, genetic and second-site genetic analyses indicate that the amino terminus induces conformational changes in the viral coat protein and facilitates minor spike protein incorporation. Defects in conformational switching can be suppressed by substitutions in the external scaffolding protein, suggesting some redundancy of function between the two proteins. q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Identification of Oxacillin-Susceptible and Oxacillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Using Commercial Latex Agglutination Tests

Abstract Four hundred thirteen Staphylococcus sp. were identified by Staphaurex, Staphaurex Plus, and BACTiStaph kits using tube coagulase as reference. Among 222 coagulase-positive isolates, 56 were oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . All tests were accurate in distinguishing between coagulase-positive and -negative staphylococci with sensitivities and specificities ≥97% and only nine discrepancies.
A reduced space interior point strategy for optimization of differential algebraic systems

Abstract A novel nonlinear programming (NLP) strategy is developed and applied to the optimization of differential algebraic equation (DAE) systems. Such problems, also referred to as dynamic optimization problems, are common in process engineering and remain challenging applications of nonlinear programming. These applications often consist of large, complex nonlinear models that result from discretizations of DAEs. Variables in the NLP include state and control variables, with far fewer control variables than states. Moreover, all of these discretized variables have associated upper and lower bounds that can be potentially active. To deal with this large, highly constrained problem, an interior point NLP strategy is developed. Here a log barrier function is used to deal with the large number of bound constraints in order to transform the problem to an equality constrained NLP. A modified Newton method is then applied directly to this problem. In addition, this method uses an efficient decomposition of the discretized DAEs and the solution of the Newton step is performed in the reduced space of the independent variables. The resulting approach exploits many of the features of the DAE system and is performed element by element in a forward manner. Several large dynamic process optimization problems are considered to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, these include complex separation and reaction processes (including reactive distillation) with several hundred DAEs. NLP formulations with over 55 000 variables are considered. These problems are solved in 5–12 CPU min on small workstations.
Risk of Osteoporosis in Women: Importance of Distinguishing Between Physical Activity and Aerobic Capacity

Currently, the role of regular exercise in the maintenance of good health is receiving more attention than in the past. Research has shown that regular exercise, in concert with other healthful personal habits such as proper nutrition and abstinence from smoking, may decrease the risk of develop­ ment of not only coronary artery disease but also several types of cancer. Exercise must be considered one of the first lines of defense in the maintenance of good health and the prevention of disease. What are currently unknown, how­ ever, are the appropriate type and amount of exercise suffi­ cient to impart these healthful benefits. With the ever­ increasing costs of health care and the aging general popula­ tion in the United States, the potential for preventing the development of degenerative disease processes with simple lifestyle changes must be better understood. As the popula­ tion ages during the next several decades, this issue will assume increasing importance. One of the degenerative processes that may be diminished by exercise is osteoporosis. Public Health Ramifications.-Osteoporosis is a loss of skeletal integrity and is a major public health issue in the United States because it may result in fractures in aging persons. This condition not only decreases the quality of life but also adds considerably to the overall cost of health-care provision. Fractures of the spine and hip are known to be major deterrents to a normal quality of life in elderly per­ sons; the related suffering, expense, and inconvenience for patients and family members cannot be measured in a mean­ ingful way. Studies have shown that 15 to 25% of elderly women who sustain a fractured hip will lose their indepen­ dence within the first year after the fracture.' Relative to monetary expenditures, the estimated cost of hip fractures in the United States is approximately $6 to $8 billion per year.' If the incidence of such fractures could be decreased, the cost savings to society would be substantial. Bone Mineral Density.-Osteoporotic fractures are the result of a chronic process, and numerous risk factors con­ tribute to their development. A major component offracture
Analysis of Terpenelactones in Ginkgo biloba by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Evaporative Light Scattering Detection

A reversed phase HPLC method permitting the determination of 5 terpenelactones in Ginkgo biloba, without the need of any sample preparation is presented in this paper. The compounds were successfully separated within 25 min by using a C-12 column, an evaporative light scattering (ELS) detector and a mobile phase comprising of ammonium acetate buffer, methanol and isobutanol. All terpenelactones were detectable at concentrations as low as 20.3 μg/ml. The analysis of G. biloba market products showed remarkable variations in the lactone content, and more than 2 fold differences in the suggested daily doses of the total lactones, from 8.84 mg to 18.28 mg, respectively.
Swimming Endurance and Resistance to Copper and Malathion of Bluegills Treated by Long-term Exposure to Sublethal Levels of Hydrogen Sulfide

Abstract After 126 or 148 days of exposure to H2S concentrations ranging from .0004 to .0146 mg/1, young-of-the-year bluegills were tested for swimming endurance and resistance to copper or malathion. Swimming tests at low speeds indicated increased endurance for fish exposed to .0004 mg/1 H2S, but fish exposed to higher concentrations had progressively less endurance than the controls. In the tests conducted at higher speeds fish in all test concentrations showed less endurance than the controls. Resistance to copper was increased by exposure to H2S, but resistance to malathion was not affected except in the lowest test concentration. The chronic exposure to H2S also reduced growth in the highest concentration, and gill irrigation rate increased progressively with increased concentrations.
A GRAPHICAL METHOD FOR COMPARING THE RATIO OF THE NUMBER OF CELLS TO THE VOLUME OF MEDIUM IN TISSUE CULTURE CONTAINERS OF VARIOUS SIZES.

IN the course of virus yield studies it is often necessary to convert a tissue culture system from one size container to another in such a way that the ratio of the number of cells to the volume of medium remains constant. An easy way of determining the various medium volumes which will give this constant ratio is to plot the relevant data graphically.
Repellency and efficacy of insecticides against foraging workers in laboratory colonies of Argentine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Laboratory studies were done to evaluate the repellency and efficacy of 25 insecticides against foraging workers of the Argentine ant, Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr). The trail pheromone of I. humilis, cis-9 hexadecenal, was used to induce trailing and movement through sections of glass tubing treated with insecticides. General repellency of formulations was ranked as granular < emulsifiable concentrate < dust < wettable powder. As the repellency of the insecticide increased, mortality increased. Potential field efficacy of 25 insecticides as barrier treatments is discussed.
The effects of on- and off-reservation residence on in-home service use among Great Lakes American Indians.

: Community-based, in-home services are a crucial component in the long-term care continuum. Research has shown rural populations to be less likely to use these services. American Indian elders are more likely than their non-American Indian counterparts to reside in non-metropolitan areas, yet little rural research has focused on this subpopulation. The purpose of this article is to explore differences in in-home service use among urban, rural off-reservation, and rural on-reservation older American Indians using data from a statewide needs assessment. The sample includes 206 206 Great Lakes American Indians aged 55 and older. Predictor variables include the residential classification variable (rural off-reservation, rural on-reservation, and urban) along with sociodemographic, social support, health and functional status, and general knowledge of services. Results of logistic regression analysis indicate that the odds are significantly greater for on-reservation rural American Indian elders use of home services, home health aides, and home visits, than for urban American Indian elders. The off-reservation rural American Indian elder is significantly less likely than the urban American Indian elder to use a home health aid. Health rating, activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) impairments, and general knowledge of in-home service availability increase the odds for all groups use of home services and home health aides.
Comparing Africa, Asia and Latin America/Caribbean countries using per capita GDP, remittances, openness, capital/labor ratios and freedom

The focus of this paper is to evaluate similarities and differences between and within three regions: Africa, Asia, and Latin America/Caribbean. The five variables used (per capita GDP, remittances, openness, capital/labor ratio and freedom) broadly classify economic growth in these regions. For each of the five variables the null hypothesis is that the means of the three regions are equal. One-way analysis of variances is the tool of choice. Furthermore, the full samples are employed to test equality of the means between the three regions and all regions. The results show substantial gaps between the groups as well as factors under consideration.
Control of laminar-instability waves using a new technique

A new technique using surface-film activators has been developed to induce and control laminar-instability waves by periodic heating. A flat plate was instrumented and installed in the GALCIT High-speed Water Tunnel with flush-mounted surface heaters and probes. Extremely two-dimensional naturally occurring Tolmien-Schlichting (TS) waves were observed along with the subsequent formation of turbulent spots. Laminar-instability waves were then excited in a controlled fashion using the surface-mounted heaters. A preliminary experiment on cancellation of excited laminar-instability waves was carried out. Finally, turbulent spots were produced using amplitude-modulated bursts to form Gaussian TS wave packets. Flow visualization, along with wall shear measurements, was used to infer the velocity and vorticity field near the wall.
Cell GC: using the cell synergistic processor as a garbage collection coprocessor

In recent years, scaling of single-core superscalar processor performance has slowed due to complexity and power considerations. To improve program performance, designs are increasingly adopting chip multiprocessing with homogeneous or heterogeneous CMPs. By trading off features from a modern aggressive superscalar core, CMPs often offer better scaling characteristics in terms of aggregate performance, complexity and power, but often require additional software investment to rewrite, retune or recompile programs to take advantage of the new designs. The Cell Broadband Engine is a modern example of a heterogeneous CMP with coprocessors (accelerators) which can be found in supercomputers (Roadrunner), blade servers (IBM QS20/21), and video game consoles (SCEI PS3). A Cell BE processor has a host Power RISC processor (PPE) and eight Synergistic Processor Elements (SPE), each consisting of a Synergistic Processor Unit (SPU) and Memory Flow Controller (MFC).In this work, we explore the idea of offloading Automatic Dynamic Garbage Collection (GC) from the host processor onto accelerator processors using the coprocessor paradigm. Offloading part or all of GC to a coprocessor offers potential performance benefits, because while the coprocessor is running GC, the host processor can continue running other independent, more general computations. .We implement BDW garbage collection on a Cell system and offload the mark phase to the SPE co-processor. We show mark phase execution on the SPE accelerator to be competitive with execution on a full fledged PPE processor. We also explore object-based and block-based caching strategies for explicitly managed memory hierarchies, and explore to effectiveness of several prefetching schemes in the context of garbage collection. Finally, we implement Capitulative Loads using the DMA by extending software caches and quantify its performance impact on the coprocessor.
The infection tree of global epidemics

The spreading of transmissible infectious diseases is inevitably entangled with the dynamics of human population. Humans are the carrier of the pathogen, and the large-scale travel and commuting patterns that govern the mobility of modern societies are defining how epidemics and pandemics travel across the world. For a long time, the development of quantitative spatially explicit models able to shed light on the global dynamics of pandemic has been limited by the lack of detailed data on human mobility. In the last 10 years, however, these limits have been lifted by the increasing availability of data generated by new information technologies, thus triggering the development of computational (microsimulation) models working at a level of single individuals in spatially extended regions of the world. Microsimulations can provide information at very detailed spatial resolutions and down to the level of single individuals. In addition, computational implementations explicitly account for stochasticity, allowing the study of multiple realizations of epidemics with the same parameters' distribution. While on the one hand these capabilities represent the richness of microsimulation methods, on the other hand they face us with a huge amount of information that requires the use of specific data reduction methods and visual analytics.
Introduction to the Mini-Symposium on new advances in the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) spans rom typical symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation to the evelopment of esophageal cancer. Currently, almost 20% of the opulation in the United States suffers from the typical symptoms f GERD at least once a week, and about 10% of these individuals ill eventually develop Barrett’s oesophagus, which in turn may rogress to dysplasia and esophageal cancer. In the recent years, both surgeons and gastroenterologists have itnessed dramatic advancements in both the diagnosis and treatent of the spectrum of GERD. For instance, 24-h Multichannel ntraluminal Impedance and pH (MII-pH) esophageal monitoring, hich detects acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux episodes, as been introduced in clinical practice with the goal to proide a more accurate diagnosis of GERD. In addition, since the rst laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in 1991, there have only een small advances in the laparoscopic treatment of GERD, hese being mostly refinements in the surgical technique. Howver, new techniques such as single-incision-laparoscopic surgery nd endoluminal approaches have pushed the envelope in terms f “minimal invasiveness,” and have challenged the excellent ong-term results of conventional laparoscopic surgery. Similarly, ndoscopic ablation technologies have been recently introduced s an effective means in eradicating Barrett’s oesophagus and even arly esophageal cancer. The present issue ofDigestive and Liver Disease contains a collecion of four top-quality review articles on these topics, published n the form of a Mini-Symposium on new advances in the diagnois and treatment of the spectrum of GERD. First, Dr. Weber and olleagues from the Swallowing Center of Loyola University Med-
Nocturnal Awakenings and Pediatric Injury Risk

Objective This study was designed to examine relations between nocturnal awakenings and unintentional injury risk among toddlers. Methods A nationally representative sample of 799 children was followed longitudinally from birth through 36 months. Patterns of nocturnal awakening were assessed by parent-report at ages 6, 15, 24 and 36 months, and injury events were reported at quarterly intervals over the same time period. A range of external covariates, including positive and negative affect and externalizing behavior; maternal stress, maternal depression, and parenting style; and family socioeconomic status were measured. Results A persistent pattern of very mild nocturnal awakening was related to increased risk of injury during the toddler years, and that relation held after controlling for a range of potential covariates. Conclusions A pattern of persistent nocturnal awakening appears to be related to unintentional injury risk in toddlers.
Communication Effectiveness Training Improves Surgical Resident Teaching Ability

Abstract Background: An important educational objective of academic surgical programs is to train surgical teachers. Whether formal instruction of surgery residents in general principles of teaching has a role in the achievement of this objective is unproven. Study Design: We tested whether the teaching ability of surgery residents could be improved by two different interventions: (A) a lecture on communication effectiveness plus home study of their own videotaped lectures and (B) a critical review of their own videotaped lectures with a teaching consultant. Each resident taught four sessions. There was no intervention between sessions 1 and 2; intervention A occurred between sessions 2 and 3; and intervention B, between sessions 3 and 4. Each of the four videotaped sessions was graded for communication effectiveness using a standardized scoring form. Results: There were no significant differences between scores from lectures 1 and 2 (no intervention) or lectures 2 and 3 (intervention A). Intervention B (individualized feedback) resulted in significant improvement in all scores from session 4 compared with sessions 1 and 2: content 3.40 versus 2.98 (p = 0.01), language 3.43 versus 3.22 (p = 0.03), delivery 3.25 versus 2.87 (p = 0.002), and overall 3.43 versus 2.88 (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Surgical resident teaching ability can be improved by communication effectiveness teaching. Individualized feedback is more effective than a lecture combined with self-study.
A graphical constraint-based production system environment

A novel and effective graphical approach to visually programming rules based on constraints is given. It is shown how constraints can be visualized for rule programming applications and mechanically converted to and from operational tests. User experiments are described that establish the intuitiveness of the pictorial constraint-based rule encodings over a conventional textual language such as OPS-5. A modular rule programming environment architecture is presented that uses an intermediate constraint representation. A working color computer implementation of the visual interface and programming environment is described, and its use is illustrated. >
Compact thermal modeling for package design with practical power maps

This paper proposes a new thermal modeling method for package design of high-performance microprocessors. The new approach builds the thermal behavioral models from the given accurate temperature and power information by means of the subspace method. The subspace method, however, may suffer predictability problem when the practical power is given as a number of power maps where power inputs are spatially correlated. We show that the input power signal needs to meet some dependency requirements to ensure model predictability. We develop a new algorithm, which generates independent power maps to meet the spatial rank requirement and can also automatically select the order of the resulting thermal models for the given error bounds. Experimental results validates the proposed method on a practical microprocessor package constructed via COMSOL software under practical power signal inputs.
Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Heart Failure Progression

The syndrome of congestive heart failure (HF) is the most important cardiovascular disorder in the Western world from public health and health care resource utilization perspectives.1 Great strides have been made in treating patients with HF through the development of drugs that antagonize neurohormonal activation.2 Nevertheless, patients with HF experience clinically meaningful disease progression despite optimal current therapy. Although the biological mechanisms for progression and ventricular remodeling have yet to be definitively explained, mounting evidence supports the theory that ventricular dysfunction worsens as a consequence of increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, which in turn promotes myocyte apoptosis.3 Myocyte apoptosis is observed in numerous pathological situations including cardiomyopathy,4 ischemia,5 and transplant rejection6 and can be induced experimentally with neurohormonal agonists7 or direct generation of superoxide.8 In this issue of Circulation Research , Cesselli et al9 have examined the linkage between pathways involved in mediating oxidative metabolism and apoptosis in dogs with pacing-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. Using both immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting techniques, the authors track changes in multiple apoptotic pathways including the caspases, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and proteins involved in DNA damage (see Figure). Importantly, induction of these changes precedes the development of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, providing additional strong support, but not definitive proof, that apoptosis participates in the progression of LV remodeling. In addition, a new signaling molecule, p66shc, linking oxidative stress and apoptosis is demonstrated to be upregulated with pacing-induced HF.10 p66shc is an oxidant stress–induced, proapoptotic proto-oncogene known to be activated by phosphorylation in response to stimuli such as H2O2, UV radiation, or epidermal …
RAUWOLFIA DERIVATIVES AND BREAST CANCER. A Case/control Study in Olmsted County, Minnesota

In response to three reports of an association between rauwolfia derivatives and breast cancer, a case/control study was undertaken in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Comparison of a cohort of women with breast cancer to an age-match cohort of women with cholelithiasis failed to show any meaningful differences in the two groups except with respect to a history of hypertension. The rates of use of rauwolfia derivatives by hypertensive cases and controls were identical--which, along with other considerations, leads to the conclusion that an association between the use of rauwolfia derivatives and breast cancer is unlikely.
The Security Dilemma in Alliance Politics

The concept of the “security dilemma” is applied to alliance relations in multipolar and bipolar systems. The dilemma involves a choice between support or nonsupport of allies, and tension between fears of entrapment and abandonment. It interacts with the adversary security dilemma in which the choice is between firmness and conciliation toward the opponent. The multipolar interaction is illustrated by a survey of the 1904–1914 period, the bipolar by reference to the contemporary crisis in NATO. The alliance security dilemma is more severe, and places more constraints on allies' policies toward adversaries, in multipolar than in bipolar alliances. The weakness of the dilemma in the contemporary system is a major reason for the current persistence of conflict in NATO.
Covenantal Realism III: Can Consent Be Rescued from the Ruins of Conventional Social Contract Theory

The principle of consent, taken by itself, is insufficient to establish the legitimacy of government. Its insufficiency follows from the fact that mere exercises of will (including acts of consent) have no moral import in and of themselves. Even worse, we cannot distinguish some exercises of will from others on the basis of will alone. We therefore require some standard external to will if some exercises of will are to be considered binding in any way. These considerations mean thatconventional social contract theory incorporates a self-referential incoherency into its very foundation. Does the failure of conventional social contract theory also entail the fall of the principle of consent (i.e., does it mean that the consent of the governed is unnecessary forthe legitimacy of the government)? I maintain that it does not. In this essay I argue that although consent is not a sufficient condition for legitimate government, nevertheless consent is a necessary condition for legitimate government but only under certain circumstances. That is, where there is no natural inequality (or where equality of persons obtains), then popular consent to the government forms a necessary condition of governmental authority and legitimacy. But because consent does not form a sufficient condition something must be added to popular consent. That something more is the comportment of the form and policy of the government with the requirements of a non-conventional standard of right.
Salmonella and antimicrobial resistance in broilers: A review

Abstract Salmonella enterica is a zoonotic pathogen which can readily pass from animal to man through the consumption of contaminated food. The prevalence of Salmonella enterica associated with poultry and poultry meat products has been well-documented and this prevalence has both public health and economic implications. The estimated total cost for nontyphoidal Salmonella is in excess of 14 billion dollars/year in the United States alone. Almost 41,930 cases of nontyphoidal foodborne salmonellosis are confirmed annually with an estimated total number of 1 million cases of foodborne salmonellosis not reported. The emergence of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella recovered from meat products has heightened concerns regarding antimicrobial use in food animal production. This review will cover the history and taxonmy of Salmonella enterica, Salmonella in poultry and poultry products, colonization factors, transmission, detection and characterization, antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, mechanisms of resistance in Salmonella by class, transmission of antimicrobial resistance, and the global implications of antimicrobial resistance.
Quickest Detection Over Robotic Roadmaps

We study the problem of quickest detection of anomalies in an environment under extreme uncertainties in sensor measurements. The robotic roadmap corresponding to the environment can be represented as a graph with an arbitrary topology. We analyze the Ensemble CUSUM Algorithm for this surveillance problem. We quantify the delay in detection of anomalies using the Ensemble CUSUM Algorithm and also frame an optimization problem to minimize this detection delay. We then provide an upper bound on the optimal detection delay and frame a convex optimization problem to minimize this upper bound. We also propose an efficient policy that achieves this upper bound and can be computed by solving a semidefinite program. We illustrate the efficacy of the Ensemble CUSUM Algorithm using numerical simulations. We observe that the efficient policy outperforms policies based on other well-known Markov chains.
Diaphragmatic breathing for rumination syndrome: efficacy and mechanisms of action

Background While high resolution esophageal manometry combined with impedancometry has demonstrated that gastric pressurizations lead to rumination, the contribution of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) function to rumination is unclear. Behavioral therapy with diaphragmatic breathing (DB) can reduce rumination. We aimed to evaluate the pressures in the stomach, EGJ and UES during rumination and the effects of DB augmented with biofeedback therapy. Methods Sixteen patients with rumination were studied with manometry and impedancometry before and after a meal. The postprandial assessment comprised three periods: before, during, and after DB augmented with biofeedback therapy. Key results All patients had postprandial rumination, which was associated (p Conclusions & inferences Diaphragmatic breathing aided with high resolution esophageal manometry is well-tolerated, effective and averts the gastroesophageal pressure disturbance that leads to rumination.