cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating structured I/O methods for parallel file systems

Modern data-intensive structured datasets constantly undergo manipulation and migration through parallel scientific applications. Directly supporting these time-consuming operations is an important step in providing high-performance I/O solutions for modern large-scale applications. High-level interfaces such as HDF5 and parallel netCDF provide convenient APIs for accessing structured datasets, and the MPI IO interface also supports efficient access to structured data. Parallel file systems do not traditionally support such structured access from these higher level interfaces. In this work, we present two contributions. First, we demonstrate an implementation of structured data access support in the context of the Parallel Virtual File System (PVFS). We call this support 'datatype I/O' because of its similarity to MPI datatypes. This support is built with a reusable datatype-processing component from the MPICH2 MPI implementation. The second contribution of this work is a comparison of I/O characteristics of modern high-performance noncontiguous I/O methods.We use our I/O characteristics comparison to assess all the methods using three test applications. We also point to further optimisations that could be leveraged for even more efficient operation.
A numerical method for boundary value problems

Abstract This paper demonstrates the utility, generality and simplicity of a computational method of solving systems of ordinary differential equations. The central idea of the method revolves around the ability to generate a numerical approximation of the general solution of systems of linear differential equations. The idea of obtaining a numerical approximation to the general solution leads to changes in the traditional approaches for solving boundary value problems. The method is extended to nonlinear boundary value problems and to boundary value problems with a boundary condition given at infinity. The estimation of unknown parameters in a dynamical system is also treated.
Interactive simulation of dynamic crowd behaviors using general adaptation syndrome theory

We propose a new technique to simulate dynamic patterns of crowd behaviors using stress modeling. Our model accounts for permanent, stable disposition and the dynamic nature of human behaviors that change in response to the situation. The resulting approach accounts for changes in behavior in response to external stressors based on well-known theories in psychology. We combine this model with recent techniques on personality modeling for multi-agent simulations to capture a wide variety of behavioral changes and stressors. The overall formulation allows different stressors, expressed as functions of space and time, including time pressure, positional stressors, area stressors and inter-personal stressors. This model can be used to simulate dynamic crowd behaviors at interactive rates, including walking at variable speeds, breaking lane-formation over time, and cutting through a normal flow. We also perform qualitative and quantitative comparisons between our simulation results and real-world observations.
Successive attachment of electrons to protonated guanine : (G+H)• radicals and (G+H)- anions

The structures, energetics, and vibrational frequencies of nine hydrogenated 9H-keto-guanine radicals (G+H)• and closed-shell anions (G+H)- are predicted using the carefully calibrated (Chem. Rev. 2002, 102, 231) B3LYP density functional method in conjunction with a DZP++ basis set. These radical and anionic species come from consecutive electron attachment to the corresponding protonated (G+H)+ cations in low pH environments. The (G+H)+ cations are studied using the same level of theory. The proton affinity (PA) of guanine computed in this research (228.1 kcal/mol) is within 0.7 kcal/mol of the latest experiment value. The radicals range over 41 kcal/mol in relative energy, with radical r1, in which H is attached at the C8 site of guanine, having the lowest energy. The lowest energy anion is a2, derived by hydride ion attachment at the C2 site of guanine. No stable N2-site hydride should exist in the gas phase. Structure a9 was predicted to be dissociative in this research. The theoretical adiabatic elec...
Role of the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex during the disambiguation of social cues in working memory

Human social interactions are complex behaviors requiring the concerted effort of multiple neural systems to track and monitor the individuals around us. Cognitively, adjusting our behavior on the basis of changing social cues such as facial expressions relies on working memory and the ability to disambiguate, or separate, the representations of overlapping stimuli resulting from viewing the same individual with different facial expressions. We conducted an fMRI experiment examining the brain regions contributing to the encoding, maintenance, and retrieval of overlapping identity information during working memory using a delayed match-to-sample task. In the overlapping condition, two faces from the same individual with different facial expressions were presented at sample. In the nonoverlapping condition, the two sample faces were from two different individuals with different expressions. fMRI activity was assessed by contrasting the overlapping and nonoverlapping conditions at sample, delay, and test. The lateral orbitofrontal cortex showed increased fMRI signal in the overlapping condition in all three phases of the delayed match-to-sample task and increased functional connectivity with the hippocampus when encoding overlapping stimuli. The hippocampus showed increased fMRI signal at test. These data suggest that lateral orbitofrontal cortex helps encode and maintain representations of overlapping stimuli in working memory, whereas the orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus contribute to the successful retrieval of overlapping stimuli. We suggest that the lateral orbitofrontal cortex and hippocampus play a role in encoding, maintaining, and retrieving social cues, especially when multiple interactions with an individual need to be disambiguated in a rapidly changing social context in order to make appropriate social responses.
Leadership for quality improvement in group practices.

OBJECTIVES The authors studied influence of physician leaders on their colleagues' performance using data from a randomized, controlled trial of quality assurance interventions in 16 primary care practices. METHODS The authors examined whether leaders performed better than their colleagues and looked for evidence of leaders' influence on their colleagues before intervention. As behavioral indicators of each leader's influence for improvement in response to quality assurance interventions, the authors (1) change in the leader's performance score and (2) an index of leader commitment derived from the leader's participation in quality assurance interventions; these indicators were used as covariates in a comparison in experimental practice sites of leaders' and colleagues' mean case performance scores before and after intervention. RESULTS Leaders did not outscore their colleagues or influence their colleagues' performance scores before intervention. In response to quality assurance interventions, a leader's change in performance score significantly improved colleagues' score if the leader improved. A positive leader commitment index predicted colleagues' improvement independently of the leader change score. CONCLUSIONS As hypothesized, physician leaders, by the example of their behavior, influenced colleagues' performance. However, leaders exerted their influence only after receiving external stimulation for quality improvement.
Response of the Labellar Hairs of the Blowfly, Phormia regina Meigen, to Protein

STRANGWAYS-DIXON1 has shown that the blowfly Calliphora has a cyclic preference for protein. Females ingest relatively more protein than carbohydrate during the early stages of egg growth, but relatively more carbohydrate during yolk formation. They will not reproduce without a protein diet2.
Bilateral suppurative thrombophlebitis due to Staphylococcus aureus

Suppurative thrombophlebitis is an infection of the wall of a superficial vein, usually is associated with intravenous catheter placement, and accounts for about 10% of all nosocomial infections. Suppurative thrombophlebitis occurs most commonly in patients with burns, patients with cancer, and persons receiving steroids. Skin flora organisms (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and to a lesser extent Enterobacteriaceae) are the most common pathogens. Suppurative thrombophlebitis should be suspected when a patient having phlebitis presents with a temperature of 102 degrees F or higher. The diagnosis of suppurative thrombophlebitis is usually straightforward and made by demonstration of pus coming from the wound of the removed intravenous device or by aspiration of pus percutaneously from the involved vein. Treatment of superficial suppurative thrombophlebitis consists of venotomy of the affected vessel and systemic antimicrobial therapy. We present a case of S. aureus bilateral suppurative thrombophlebitis, which is most unusual.
New Iantherans from the Marine Sponge Ianthella quadrangulata: Novel Agonists of the P2Y11 Receptor

Three new iantherans, iso-iantheran A (1), 8-carboxy-iso-iantheran A (2), and iso-iantheran B (4) were isolated together with two further new brominated tyrosine-derived metabolites 5 and 6 from the polar extract of the Australian marine sponge Ianthella quadrangulata. Structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectral analysis. The dimeric benzofuran skeleton including a 2,3-dihydroxy-1,3-butadiene disulfate moiety found in 1, 2, and 4 is a unique feature of iantherans and to date only described for iantherans A and B. Iso-iantheran A (1) and 8-carboxy-iso-iantheran A (2) exhibited agonist activity at P2Y11 receptors with EC50 values of 1.29 μM and 0.48 μM, respectively. Compound 2 showed some selectivity for P2Y11 over P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors. Compounds 1 and 2 represent a new structural type for the development of P2Y11 receptor agonists.
Systematic Reverse Engineering of Biological Systems

The duality between biological systems and engineering systems exists in the pursuit of economical and efficient solutions. By adapting biological design principles, nature’s technology can be harnessed. In this paper, we present a systematic method for reverse engineering biological systems to assist the designer in searching for solutions in nature to current engineering problems. Specifically, we present methods for decomposing the physical and functional biological architectures, representing dynamic functions, and abstracting biological design principles to guide conceptual design. We illustrate this method with an example of the design of a variable stiffness skin for a morphable airplane wing based on the mutable connective tissue of the sea cucumber.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Ziprasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia: results from a placebo-controlled efficacy and long-term open-extension study.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ziprasidone in adolescents with schizophrenia. Methods: Subjects ages 13–17 years with schizophrenia (American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. [DSM-IV]) were enrolled in a 6 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial (RCT) followed by a 26 week open-label extension study (OLE). Subjects were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to flexible-dose oral ziprasidone (40–160 mg/day, based on weight) or placebo. Primary end-point was change from baseline in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale–Anchored (BPRS-A) total score. Safety assessments included adverse events, vital signs, laboratory measures, electrocardiograms, weight and body mass index, and movement disorder ratings. Results: Planned interim analysis for the primary end-point in the RCT resulted in early termination of both studies because of futility. In the RCT, ...
Separating Mechanical and Chemical Contributions to Molecular-Level Friction

The authors use force-probe microscopy to study the friction force and the adhesive interaction for molecular monolayer self-assembled on both Au probe tips and substrate surfaces. By systematically varying the chemical nature of the end groups on these monolayers the authors have, for the first time, delineated the mechanical and chemical origins of molecular-level friction. They use chemically inert {double_bond}CH{sub 3} groups on both interracial surfaces to establish the purely mechanical component of the friction and contrast the results with the findings for chemically active {double_bond}COOH end-groups. In addition, by using odd or even numbers of methylene groups in the alkyl backbones of the molecules they are able to determine the levels of inter-film and intra-film hydrogen bonding.
Lipocalin-7 is a matricellular regulator of angiogenesis.

Background Matricellular proteins are extracellular regulators of cellular adhesion, signaling and performing a variety of physiological behaviors such as proliferation, migration and differentiation. Within vascular microenvironments, matricellular proteins exert both positive and negative regulatory cues to vascular endothelium. The relative balance of these matricellular cues is believed to be critical for vascular homeostasis, angiogenesis activation or angiogenesis resolution. However, our knowledge of matricellular proteins within vascular microenvironments and the mechanisms by which these proteins impact vascular function remain largely undefined. The matricellular protein lipocalin-7 (LCN7) is found throughout vascular microenvironments, and circumstantial evidence suggests that LCN7 may be an important regulator of angiogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesized that LCN7 may be an important regulator of vascular function. Methodology and Principal Findings To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of LCN7 overexpression, recombinant protein and gene knockdown in a series of in vitro and in vivo models of angiogenesis. We found that overexpression of LCN7 in MB114 and SVEC murine endothelial cell lines or administration of highly purified recombinant LCN7 protein increased endothelial cell invasion. Similarly, LCN7 increased angiogenic sprouting from quiescent endothelial cell monolayers and ex vivo aortic rings. Moreover, LCN7 increased endothelial cell sensitivity to TGF-β but did not affect sensitivity to other pro-angiogenic growth factors including bFGF and VEGF. Finally, morpholino based knockdown of LCN7 in zebrafish embryos specifically inhibited angiogenic sprouting but did not affect vasculogenesis within injected embryos. Conclusions and Significance No functional analysis has previously been performed to elucidate the function of LCN7 in vascular or other cellular processes. Collectively, our results show for the first time that LCN7 is an important pro-angiogenic matricellular protein of vascular microenvironments.
A few thoughts on brain ROIs

Quantitative mapping of structural and functional connectivities in the human brain via non-invasive neuroimaging offers an exciting and unique opportunity to understand brain architecture. Because connectivity alterations are widely reported in a variety of brain diseases, assessment of structural and functional connectivities has emerged as a fundamental research area in clinical neuroscience. A fundamental question arises when attempting to map structural and functional connectivities: how to define and localize the best possible Regions of Interests (ROIs) for brain connectivity mapping? Essentially, when mapping brain connectivities, ROIs provide the structural substrates for measuring connectivities within individual brains and for pooling data across populations. Thus, identification of reliable, reproducible and accurate ROIs is critically important for the success of brain connectivity mapping. This paper discusses several major challenges in defining optimal brain ROIs from our perspective and presents a few thoughts on how to deal with those challenges based on recent research work done in our group.
Unrecognized visual field deficits in children with primary central nervous system brain tumors

Visual field deficits can be a consequence of brain tumor location or treatment. The prevalence of unrecognized visual field deficits in children diagnosed with brain tumors is not known. All children at a single tertiary care pediatric children’s hospital diagnosed with a primary brain tumor were tested for visual field deficits by a child neurologist and neuro-ophthalmologist over 16 months. Children with reproducible visual field deficits on two separate occasions were included in the analysis. Patients with optic glioma, craniopharyngioma, or previously known visual field deficits were excluded. Fourteen of 92 (15.2%) children (average 8.9 years, 8 girls) had undiagnosed visual field deficits. Average time between diagnosis of tumor and unrecognized visual field deficit was 3.7 years (range 0–13 years). Unrecognized visual field deficits were not associated with age (P = 0.27) or gender (P = 0.38). Visual field deficits were attributed to direct tumor infiltration (n = 8), postoperative complications (n = 5) and post-radiation edema (n = 1). Deficits included bitemporal hemianopsia (n = 2), homonymous hemianopsia (n = 9), quadrantanopsia (n = 2), and concentric visual field loss (n = 1.) Tumor location included temporal lobe (n = 9), parietal lobe (n = 2), posterior fossa (n = 2), hypothalamic-chiasmatic (n = 2) and multifocal areas (n = 4). Children with temporal lobe tumors were more likely to have unrecognized visual field deficits (P = 0.004). In all 14 patients, visual field deficits were determined by examination only and were not reported by either the patient or caregiver regardless of age. The prevalence of unrecognized visual field deficits in children with brain tumors can be surprisingly high. Serial neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation of children with brain tumors is often required to diagnose a visual field deficit since patient or caregiver reporting may be limited.
RhoA and Cdc42 are required in pre-migratory progenitors of the medial ganglionic eminence ventricular zone for proper cortical interneuron migration

Cortical interneurons arise from the ganglionic eminences in the ventral telencephalon and migrate tangentially to the cortex. Although RhoA and Cdc42, members of the Rho family of small GTPases, have been implicated in regulating neuronal migration, their respective roles in the tangential migration of cortical interneurons remain unknown. Here we show that loss of RhoA and Cdc42 in the ventricular zone (VZ) of the medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) using Olig2-Cre mice causes moderate or severe defects in the migration of cortical interneurons, respectively. Furthermore, RhoA- or Cdc42-deleted MGE cells exhibit impaired migration in vitro. To determine whether RhoA and Cdc42 directly regulate the motility of cortical interneurons during migration, we deleted RhoA and Cdc42 in the subventricular zone (SVZ), where more fate-restricted progenitors are located within the ganglionic eminences, using Dlx5/6-Cre-ires-EGFP (Dlx5/6-CIE) mice. Deletion of either gene within the SVZ does not cause any obvious defects in cortical interneuron migration, indicating that cell motility is not dependent upon RhoA or Cdc42. These findings provide genetic evidence that RhoA and Cdc42 are required in progenitors of the MGE in the VZ, but not the SVZ, for proper cortical interneuron migration.
Does blood flow accurately predict thrombosis or failure of hemodialysis synthetic grafts? A meta-analysis

A number of studies have reported that a single low blood flow (Qa) measurement in synthetic hemodialysis grafts predicts thrombosis or failure. In a meta-analysis of these studies, we computed receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves that evaluated the predictive accuracy of a Qa measurement. The ROC curves plotted sensitivity versus false-positive rate for predicting thrombosis or failure at different Qa thresholds. A perfect predictor has an area under the curve (AUC) of 1.0, whereas a predictor with no discriminative ability has an AUC of 0.5. We identified studies through a literature search and included our own unpublished data. A random-effects model was used to combine the ROC curves from different studies. Of 19 identified studies, 12 were suitable for computing binormal ROC curves (6 predicted thrombosis; 6 predicted failure). The studies measured Qa and then observed outcome during periods of 1.5 to more than 6 months. The combined AUCs from these studies indicate Qa was a relatively poor predictor, with 0.70 +/- 0. 04 (range, 0.61 to 0.84) for thrombosis and 0.76 +/- 0.07 (range, 0. 62 to 0.90) for failure. The wide range of AUCs also shows there was much heterogeneity between studies. We conclude that a single Qa measurement does not appear to have enough accuracy to be a clinically useful predictor of graft thrombosis or failure. Serial Qa measurements and identification of factors that caused heterogeneity between studies may be needed to achieve sufficient accuracy.
Plasmonic enhancement of visible-light water splitting with Au-TiO2 composite aerogels.

We demonstrate plasmonic enhancement of visible-light-driven splitting of water at three-dimensionally (3D) networked gold–titania (Au–TiO2) aerogels. The sol–gel-derived ultraporous composite nanoarchitecture, which contains 1 to 8.5 wt% Au nanoparticles and titania in the anatase form, retains the high surface area and mesoporosity of unmodified TiO2 aerogels and maintains stable dispersion of the ∼5 nm Au guests. A broad surface plasmon resonance (SPR) feature centered at ∼550 nm is present for the Au–TiO2 aerogels, but not Au-free TiO2 aerogels, and spans a wide range of the visible spectrum. Gold-derived SPR in Au–TiO2 aerogels cast as films on transparent electrodes drives photoelectrochemical oxidation of aqueous hydroxide and extends the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 from the ultraviolet region to visible wavelengths exceeding 700 nm. Films of Au–TiO2 aerogels in which Au nanoparticles are deposited on pre-formed TiO2 aerogels by a deposition–precipitation method (DP Au/TiO2) also photoelectrochemically oxidize aqueous hydroxide, but less efficiently than 3D Au–TiO2, despite having an essentially identical Au nanoparticle weight fraction and size distribution. For example, 3D Au–TiO2 containing 1 wt% Au is as active as DP Au/TiO2 with 4 wt% Au. The higher photocatalytic activity of 3D Au–TiO2 derives only in part from its ability to retain the surface area and porosity of unmodified TiO2 aerogel. The magnitude of improvement indicates that in the 3D arrangement either a more accessible photoelectrochemical reaction interphase (three-phase boundary) exists or more efficient conversion of excited surface plasmons into charge carriers occurs, thereby amplifying reactivity over DP Au/TiO2. The difference in photocatalytic efficiency between the two forms of Au–TiO2 demonstrates the importance of defining the structure of Au‖TiO2 interfaces within catalytic Au–TiO2 nanoarchitectures.
The gravitational spectrum of Venus

Abstract Analysis of Doppler tracking residuals from the Pioneer-Venus Orbiter on March 6–7, 1979 shows gravitational features generally compatible with Kaula's scaled rule for the planet. The track spectrum is significantly deficient only at 1 cycle, undoubtedly the result of the over-adjustment of the (simple elliptic) trajectory to the data. The low degree spectrum, from these passes, is possibly up to 30% stronger than the rule, the result depending on more exact mass-simulation of the orbit adjustment process. In contrast with the Earth, the deep Interior of Venus may be more active (if these passes are typical).
The URAPS closure for the normalized Reynolds stress

The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS)-equation for constant property Newtonian fluids is an exact, albeit unclosed, first-order moment equation for the mean velocity field. The RANS-equation and the Reynolds-averaged continuity equation together with a model for the Reynolds stress provide a set of closed equations that govern the behavior of the mean velocity and mean pressure fields. In this turbulent mixing and beyond (TMB) paper, the key ideas related to a recently developed universal closure for the normalized Reynolds (NR)-stress are reviewed. The new approach relates the NR-stress to four characteristic time scales: a turbulent time scale, a viscous time scale, a time scale related to the mean field velocity gradient and a time scale associated with a rigid body frame-of-reference. The theory stems from an analysis of the Navier–Stokes equation and is formulated as a universal non-negative mapping of the NR-stress into itself. Consequently, all solutions of the NR-stress equation are non-negative dyadic-valued linear operators regardless of the class of benchmark flows used to determine closure parameters. The new closure model predicts that the Coriolis acceleration causes an anisotropic re-distribution of turbulent kinetic energy among the three components of the fluctuating velocity in rotating homogeneous decay.
Practical Applications of Nuclear Medicine in Imaging Breast Cancer

The rise in incidence, morbidity, and mortality of breast cancer has triggered multiple imaging efforts to detect this malignancy early, stage it accurately, and monitor it with precision in the posttherapeutic course. Among different imaging modalities, nuclear medicine provides an important contribution to the clinical management of breast cancer. This article discusses four practical applications based on the use of radionuclides in the evaluation of breast malignancy, focusing on scintimammography, preoperative tumor localization procedure using radioactive seeds, sentinel nodal scintigraphy, and F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography.
Clusters of acetylcholine receptors located at identified nerve-muscle synapses in vitro☆

Abstract Nerve-muscle synapses form within 24 hr after fragments of embryonic chick spinal cord are placed in established muscle cultures. Nerve process-muscle fiber contacts were visualized with interference contrast optics, and sites of transmitter release were identified by extracellular stimulation of overlying neurites in the presence of tetrodotoxin. The resolution of this focal depolarization technique is less than 5 μm, and results indicate that synapses are restricted to short segments along unmyelinated motor axons. The distribution of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors on innervated myotubes was determined by microintophoresis of ACh. Clusters of receptors, signaled by sharp relative peaks of ACh sensitivity, were located exactly at sites of transmitter release. The density of receptors was not increased all along the length of motor axon-muscle contacts.
Direct Interdomain Interactions Can Mediate Allosterism in the Thyroid Receptor

The thyroid (TR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR) belong to the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily of ligand-mediated transcription factors. At the molecular level, TR activity is specifically modulated by interactions with the ligand 3,3′,5 triiodo-l-thyronine (T3), RXR, DNA, and co-activators such as SRC1, occurring in concert or sequentially. Although binding sites for DNA and coregulators such as SRC1 are distinct and at distal regions of these receptors, cell-based and EMSA studies have suggested that these molecules can regulate binding of each other to the receptor. We present evidence of direct, DNA-dependent, communication between the DNA and ligand binding domains (DBD and LBD) that can allosterically regulate interactions with SRC1 and DNA, respectively, using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and cell-based assays. Additionally, we note that interdomain communication is affected by RXR in RXR:TR. We also noticed a DNA-dependent cross-talk between RXR and TR within RXR:TR. Finally, we suggest that differences in transactivation on different TRE may be the consequence of different affinities between TRE and RXR:TR.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Invasion of Macrophages: Linking Bacterial Gene Expression to Environmental Cues

A central feature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) pathogenesis is the ability of Mtb to survive within macrophages (MO). Despite its critical importance, our appreciation of the interplay between these two cells remains superficial. We employed microarrays to conduct a stepwise dissection of Mtb-MO interaction during the invasion of resting bone marrow MO. Contrary to many bacterial pathogens, engagement by MO receptors without internalization did not alter Mtb gene expression. Subsequently, a high-resolution profile of Mtb invasion-linked gene expression was generated by assaying the Mtb transcriptome at 20 min intervals up to 2 hr postinfection. Transcriptional responses were detected within minutes of phagocytosis, including gene subsets with distinct temporal profiles. Pharmacological manipulation of phagosomal pH and in vitro acid stress studies revealed that vacuole acidification is an important trigger for differential gene expression. Finally, there are marked species-specific differences in the response of Mtb and M. bovis BCG to intraphagosomal cues.
A comparison of selected physical properties of hepatic sorbitol dehydrogenases [L-iditol: NAD oxidoreductases] from four mammalian species.

Abstract 1. 1. The sorbitol dehydrogenases [ l -iditol: NAD oxidoreductase] from livers of cow, man, rat and sheep each possess molecular weights of about 140,000. The beef, rat and sheep liver enzymes are composed of subunits of molecular weight 40,000. 2. 2. The sorbitol dehydrogenases from livers of these four species each possess an isoelectric point of 7.3. 3. 3. The four enzyme preparations show identical mobilities upon disc-gel electrophoresis and yield a single band of enzymic activity. 4. 4. Sorbitol dehydrogenase activity is activitated by the presence of ampholines or by increasing ionic strengths, with maximal activation at about 0.5 M salt concentration. These factors may cause the Km for NAD to be lowered.
Dynamic virtual clusters in a grid site manager

This paper presents new mechanisms for dynamic resource management in a cluster manager called Cluster-on-Demand (COD). COD allocates servers from a common pool to multiple virtual clusters (vclusters), with independently configured software environments, name spaces, user access controls, and network storage volumes. We present experiments using the popular Sun GridEngine batch scheduler to demonstrate that dynamic virtual clusters are an enabling abstraction for advanced resource management in computing utilities and grids. In particular, they support dynamic, policy-based cluster sharing between local users and hosted Grid services, resource reservation and adaptive provisioning, scavenging of the idle resources, and dynamic instantiation of Grid services. These goals are achieved in a direct and general way through a new set of fundamental cluster management functions, with minimal impact on the Grid middleware itself.
Conjunctival inflammation in thrombospondin-1 deficient mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome.

Lacrimal gland inflammation during autoimmune Sjogren’s syndrome (SS) leads to ocular surface inflammation – Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). This condition afflicts both the cornea and conjunctiva that form the ocular surface. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) deficiency in mice results in lacrimal gland and corneal inflammation that resembles the human disease. In this study we report conjunctival pathology in this mouse model of SS. We found that TSP-1 null mice develop inflammation in the conjunctiva and associated loss of goblet cell function similar to that seen in patients with SS. Increased expression of Th1 (IFN-γ, TNF-α) and Th17 (IL-6, IL-17A) inflammatory cytokines and related transcription factors (Tbet and RORγt) were detected in TSP-1 null conjunctiva as well as their draining lymph nodes (LNs). The conjunctival inflammation was also accompanied by an increase in local lymphatic vessels. Interestingly, migration of antigen-bearing dendritic cells (DCs) from the ocular surface to the LNs was dependent on the TSP-1 available in the tissue. These results not only reveal potential immunopathogenic mechanisms underlying KCS in SS but also highlight the therapeutic potential of TSP-1.
Slant Plane CSAR Processing Using Householder Transform

Fourier analysis-based focusing of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data collected during circular flight path is a recent advancement in SAR signal processing. This paper uses the Householder transform to obtain a ground plane circular SAR (CSAR) signal phase history from the slant plane CSAR phase history by inverting the linear shift-varying system model, thereby circumventing the need for explicitly computing a pseudo-inverse. The Householder transform has recently been shown to have improved error bounds and stability as an underdetermined and ill-conditioned system solver, and the Householder transform is computationally efficient.
Preemptive Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation: Considerations of Equity and Utility

Summary Background and objectives There exists gross disparity in national deceased donor kidney transplant availability and practice: waiting times exceed 6 years in some regions, but some patients receive kidneys before they require dialysis. This study aimed to quantify and characterize preemptive deceased donor kidney transplant recipients and compare their outcomes with patients transplanted shortly after dialysis initiation. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database, first-time adult deceased donor kidney transplant recipients between 1995 and 2011 were classified as preemptive, early (on dialysis≤1 year), or late recipients. Random effects logistic regression and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used to identify characteristics of preemptive deceased donor kidney transplant and evaluate survival in preemptive and early recipients, respectively. Results Preemptive recipients were 9.0% of the total recipient population. Patients with private insurance (adjusted odds ratio=3.15, 95% confidence interval=3.01–3.29, P P P P P =0.07). Conclusions Preemptive deceased donor kidney transplant occurs most often among Caucasians with private insurance, and survival is fairly similar to survival of recipients on dialysis for
New ophthalmic lasers and their potential therapeutic applications

The purpose of this short manuscript is to quickly familiarize the reader with the laser-tissue interactions of photocoagulation, photovaporization, photodisruption, photodynamic therapy, photoablative decomposition, and phototherapy and with the application of these laser-tissue interactions to various portions of the eye from the cornea posterior to the retina.
Helix‐Forming tendencies of amino acids depend on their sequence contexts: Tripeptides AFG and FAG show incipient β‐bulge formation in their crystal structures

Many of the theoretical methods used for predicting the occurrence of alpha-helices in peptides are based on the helical preferences of amino acid monomer residues. In order to check whether the helix-forming tendencies are based on helical preferences of monomers only or also on their sequence contexts, we synthesized permuted sequences of the tripeptides GAF, GAV, and GAL that formed crystalline helices with near alpha-helical conformation. The tripeptides AFG and FAG formed good crystals. The x-ray crystallographic studies of AFG and FAG showed that though they contain the same amino acids as GAF but in different sequences, they do not assume a helical conformation in the solid state. On the other hand, AFG and FAG, which contain the same amino acids but in a different sequence, exhibit nearly the same backbone torsion angles corresponding to an incipient formation of a beta-bulge, and exhibit nearly identical unit cells and crystal structures. Based on these results, it appears that the helix-forming tendencies of amino acids depend on the sequence context in which it occurs in a polypeptide. The synthetic peptides AFG (L-Ala-L-Phe-Gly) and FAG (L-Phe-L-Ala-Gly), C14H19N3O4, crystallize in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with a = 5.232(1), b = 14.622(2), c = 19.157(3) A, Dx = 1.329 g cm-3, Z = 4, R = 0.041 for 549 reflections for AFG, and with a = 5.488(2), b = 14.189(1), c = 18.562(1) A, Dx = 1.348 g cm-3, Z = 4, R = 0.038 for 919 reflections for FAG. Unlike the other tripeptides GAF, GGV, GAL, and GAI, the crystals of AFG and FAG do not contain water molecule, and the molecules of AFG aor FAG do not show the helical conformation. The torsion angles at the backbone of the peptide are psi 1 = 144.5(5) degrees; phi 2, psi 2 = -98.1(6) degrees, -65.2(6) degrees; phi 3, psi 13, psi 31 = 154.1(6) degrees, -173.6(6) degrees, 6.9(8) degrees for AFG; and psi 1 = 162.6(3) degrees; phi 2, psi 2 = -96.7(4) degrees, -46.3(4) degrees; phi 3, psi 13, psi 31 = 150.1(3) degrees, -168.7(3) degrees, 12.2(5) degrees for FAG. The conformation angles (phi, psi) for residues 2 and 3 for both AFG and FAG show incipient formation of an beta-bulge.
Fate of the patient with the eisenmenger syndrome

Abstract The presence of the Eisenmenger syndrome renders any underlying shunting defect inoperable. However, little attention has been paid to the later events in the natural history of patients with this syndrome. The clinical course, features and fate of 57 such patients ranging from 21 months to 58 years of age are reviewed. Seventeen died of direct cardiac causes, 10 suddenly, and most commonly with ventricular septal defect. Heart failure, often a later event, developed in 22 patients; it was not severely disabling, was usually readily controlled, but was responsible for 5 deaths. Arrhythmias were not clinically significant. Pregnancy was well tolerated in a small number of patients. Pulmonary infarction was infrequent. Hyperuricemia was common in adults, but gouty arthritis occurred in only 2 male patients. Although all had functional limitations, many were able to lead active lives with little risk of death or other complications before the third decade of life.
XAS-Collect: a computer program for X-ray absorption spectroscopic data acquisition

A computer program for X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) data acquisition, called XAS-Collect, is described. The software employs the X Windows system to provide a pull-down menu, dialog-box style of graphical user interface. The software provides state-of-the-art features while still being sufficiently simple for novice users.
Comparison of the Use of Downstream Tests After Exercise Treadmill Testing by Cardiologists Versus Noncardiologists

Although exercise treadmill testing (ETT) is a useful initial test for patients with suspected cardiovascular (CV) disease, there is concern regarding the use of downstream imaging tests especially in the setting of equivocal or positive ETTs. Patients with no history of coronary artery disease who underwent ETT between 2009 and 2010 were prospectively included. Referring physicians were categorized as cardiologists and noncardiologists. Downstream tests included nuclear perfusion imaging, coronary computed tomography angiography, stress echocardiography, stress magnetic resonance, and invasive coronary angiography performed up to 6 months after the ETT. Patients were followed for CV death, myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization for a median of 2.7 years. Among 3,656 patients, the ETT were negative in 2,876 (79%), positive in 132 (3.6%), and inconclusive in 643 (18%). Cardiologists ordered less downstream tests than noncardiologists (9.5% vs 12.2%, p = 0.02), with less noninvasive tests (5.9% vs 10.4%, p
A Prospective Study of the Epidemiology and Ecology of Lassa Fever

In studies of Lassa fever in Sierra Leone, the prevalence of human antibody to Lassa virus ranged from 8% to 52%. Mastomys natalensis, the reservoir of Lassa virus, constituted 50%-60% of the rodents captured in houses but only 10%-20% of those captured in surrounding agriculture and bush areas (chi 2 = 90.2, P less than 10(-6), df = 1), a finding suggesting that houses are the most-important location for transmission of Lassa virus. Viral infection of Mastomys from houses ranged from 0% to 80%. The incidence of seroconversions in susceptible persons ranged from 5% to 22% per year; the ratio of illness to infection ranged from 9% to 26%, and the proportion of febrile illness associated with seroconversion was 5%-14%. Eightfold rises in titer of antibody occurred in 1%-18% of the antibody-positive population, a result suggesting reinfection. We estimate the ratio of fatalities to infection to be 1%-2%, a rate lower than estimates based on hospitalized cases. The high incidence of Lassa fever makes it a major problem in West Africa.
Comparing School and Clinical Psychology Internship Applicant Characteristics.

The ratio of internship applicants to internship positions listed in the online directory of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) is estimated at 1.23:1. In 2014a, approximately 14% of all students who participated in the match were not placed. Although the internship crisis impacts students in clinical, counseling, and school psychology programs, school psychology applicants are least successful in matching to APPIC-member and American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited internship programs. Of the APA-accredited internships that feature one of more child rotations, school psychology applicants are not permitted to apply to 51.21% of them. The purpose of the current study was to examine the pre-internship experiences and qualifications of school and clinical psychology trainees applying to at least one child-focused, APA-accredited internship. Results showed that clinical students accumulated significantly more intervention hours with adults than children. School psychology students wrote significantly more integrated assessment reports. The implications of these findings in light of the ongoing internship crisis for school psychology trainees, doctoral training programs, and internship programs are discussed.
Investigation of the imbalance difference model and its application to various circuit board and cable geometries

The imbalance difference model introduced by Watanabe is a method for modeling how differential-mode signal currents are converted to common-mode noise currents. A parameter called the current division factor or imbalance factor uniquely defines the degree of imbalance of a transmission line. The imbalance difference model shows that changes in the imbalance are responsible for differential-mode to common-mode conversion. This paper explores various circuit board and cable geometries to illustrate how the imbalance difference model would be applied, and to determine how well common-mode currents obtained using the imbalance difference model compare to full-wave calculations.
Recruitment of intertidal invertebrates and oceanographic variability at Santa Cruz Island, California

To examine geographical variation in oceanographic forcing on larval delivery, we studied spatial and temporal variability in larval recruitment of mussels and barnacles in a key oceanographic region around Santa Cruz Island, California. Larval recruitment patterns differed among sites located on the eastern and western shores of the island associated with differences in oceanographic regimes. Western sites had low but variable sea surface temperatures, whereas eastern sites were warmer (1‐1.58C higher) and less variable. Larval arrival was extremely low at western sites relative to eastern sites. Mussels and barnacles differed in the duration and seasonality of larval recruitment. Mussel recruitment occurred over a long period between winter and summer, whereas barnacle recruitment occurred in pulses in spring‐summer. Mussel recruitment was not correlated with sea surface temperature anomalies, whereas barnacle recruitment was significantly and positively correlated with temperature anomalies, with time lags ranging from 0 to 3 months across all sites. Oceanographic and larval recruitment patterns suggest that western sites are dominated by an energetic flux of cold, recently upwelled water depleted of larvae, whereas eastern sites receive high numbers of larvae associated with the influx of warmer surface water, likely originating outside the Santa Barbara Channel.
Bioenergetics in human evolution and disease: implications for the origins of biological complexity and the missing genetic variation of common diseases.

Two major inconsistencies exist in the current neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory that random chromosomal mutations acted on by natural selection generate new species. First, natural selection does not require the evolution of ever increasing complexity, yet this is the hallmark of biology. Second, human chromosomal DNA sequence variation is predominantly either neutral or deleterious and is insufficient to provide the variation required for speciation or for predilection to common diseases. Complexity is explained by the continuous flow of energy through the biosphere that drives the accumulation of nucleic acids and information. Information then encodes complex forms. In animals, energy flow is primarily mediated by mitochondria whose maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) codes for key genes for energy metabolism. In mammals, the mtDNA has a very high mutation rate, but the deleterious mutations are removed by an ovarian selection system. Hence, new mutations that subtly alter energy metabolism are continuously introduced into the species, permitting adaptation to regional differences in energy environments. Therefore, the most phenotypically significant gene variants arise in the mtDNA, are regional, and permit animals to occupy peripheral energy environments where rarer nuclear DNA (nDNA) variants can accumulate, leading to speciation. The neutralist–selectionist debate is then a consequence of mammals having two different evolutionary strategies: a fast mtDNA strategy for intra-specific radiation and a slow nDNA strategy for speciation. Furthermore, the missing genetic variation for common human diseases is primarily mtDNA variation plus regional nDNA variants, both of which have been missed by large, inter-population association studies.
Rectifying Inspection of a Continuous Output

Abstract The problem discussed is how to choose a plan of rectifying inspection for a continuous output, i.e. for a flow of produced articles not aggregated into lots. It is suggested that the choice of plan should be based on an analysis of the total cost of the operation, and should not depend on arbitrarily assigning an AOQL or other quality guarantee not directly related to the total cost. Three types of inspection plan are considered, namely, no inspection at all, 100% inspection, and sampling inspection according to the type of plan proposed in 1943 by H. F. Dodge. Under certain assumptions, it is shown that an appropriate near-optimum plan can easily be found. Two quantities, denoted by k and M, need to be assessed; the first is a cost factor, the second measures the expected rareness of abrupt deteriorations in the quality of output. When these are specified, the appropriate plan is chosen according to very simple rules explained and summarized in §8. It is suggested that, strictly for the purpose...
An orthogonal space-time coded partial response CPM system with fast decoding for two transmit antennas

In this paper, an orthogonal space-time coded partial response continuous phase modulation (OST-PCPM) system with two transmit antennas is proposed. It can achieve full diversity with arbitrary inner memory length and phase smoothing functions of CPM schemes. Based on the orthogonality between signals from two transmit antennas and the proposed differential encoding scheme, a fast decoding algorithm is developed for some special cases. Simulation results show that this scheme can provide much better performance with a reasonable complexity, as compared to one transmit antenna CPM scheme. We also give a suboptimal decoding method that provides a tradeoff between complexity and performance.