cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Moderately hard, memory-bound functions

A resource may be abused if its users incur little or no cost. For example, e-mail abuse is rampant because sending an e-mail has negligible cost for the sender. It has been suggested that such abuse may be discouraged by introducing an artificial cost in the form of a moderately expensive computation. Thus, the sender of an e-mail might be required to pay by computing for a few seconds before the e-mail is accepted. Unfortunately, because of sharp disparities across computer systems, this approach may be ineffective against malicious users with high-end systems, prohibitively slow for legitimate users with low-end systems, or both. Starting from this observation, we research moderately hard functions that most recent systems will evaluate at about the same speed. For this purpose, we rely on memory-bound computations. We describe and analyze a family of moderately hard, memory-bound functions, and we explain how to use them for protecting against abuses.
Monetary policy and the transmission of oil shocks

Abstract This paper provides evidence on the role played by monetary policy in the transmission of oil shocks to the US economy. We show that for the period since 1986, oil shocks have had a negative effect on stock returns, regardless of whether the oil shock is defined as the percentage change in the price of oil or a nonlinear transformation of that series. We then demonstrate that there is no relationship between the reaction of individual stock prices to oil shocks and to monetary policy shocks. This implies that oil shocks do have effects on the economy beyond their effect on monetary policy. We conclude that systematic monetary policy is not as effective as suggested in some previous studies.
The Benton-Van Allen faces: A lateralized tachistoscopic study

The Benton-Van Allen Facial Recognition Test (FRT) was adapted to a lateralized same-different task. The lateralized same targets were either physically identical to the central upright faces or had the same face identity but were transformed (3/4-views or shadowed faces). Faces were also modified to include or exclude external features. There was a left hemifield (right hemisphere) advantage only for the most difficult, shadowed faces. The absence of a left hemifield advantage for the matching of upright faces to identical or 3/4-view faces shows bilateral competence for face processing, both by physical and by face identity, and confirms previous observations that the FRT does not discriminate left from right hemisphere-damaged patients. Removal of external features affected performance in the right but not the left visual field, suggesting that the left hemisphere uses a less feature-dependent mechanism than the right hemisphere. This effect was only present in females, who were more lateralized than males.
Toward a theory of rhythm in french poetry: Computer assisted recognition of rhythmic groups in traditional isometrical alexandrines

Benoit de Cornulier's writings on French poetry concentrate on metrical boundaries, or caesura; however, the the criteria upon which he bases his analyses are useful in studying rhythm, or the relationship between syllables within the alexandrine's twohemistiches. This study focuses on three aspects of rhythm in French poetry: the definition of rhythm following Cornulier; the development of a method using the computer to detect rhythmic patterns in traditional isometrical alexandrines; the results of such a study when applied to three classical seventeenth-century plays which are composed of isometrical alexandrines (Corneille'sPolyeucte, Racine'sPhedre, and Moliere'sLe Tartuffe).
Identifying training needs of logging truck drivers using a skill inventory.

The purpose of this research was to determine if the Driver Skill Inventory (DSI) could be used to characterize the self-assessed driving performance of commercial logging truck drivers. The DSI requires respondents to subjectively evaluate their own ability in regard to 15 different driving skills. The DSI responses of 1000 logging truck drivers were collected across three southeastern states. The underlying hypothesis in the current study was that DSI responses of these drivers would have similar reliability and factor structure as those DSI responses collected from non-commercial drivers in previous studies. Factor analysis of the data confirmed this hypothesis. Statistical analysis revealed that low self-ratings on various safety skill items within the DSI inventory were associated with: (1) inconsistency in using seat belts, (2) inconsistency in performing pre-trip inspections on logging trucks, and (3) committing moving violations. Conversely, high self-ratings ratings on various perceptual-motor skill items were associated with these same at-risk behaviors. The perceptual-motor skill items were also positively associated with negative attitudes toward driving regulations and the number of moving violations incurred over a three-year period. Non-parametric statistical analysis revealed that self-assessments were lowest for DSI skills pertaining to controlling one’s anger while driving and managing the truck through a skid or slide. Results of the study confirmed that the DSI can be successfully applied to commercial logging truck drivers as part of an overall comprehensive training needs assessment.
Effect of storage condition on bone breaking strength and bone ash in laying hens at different stages in production cycles

This study was conducted to determine the effects of refrigeration and frozen storage on tibia breaking strength (kg/g) and tibia ash (%) in bones obtained from hens of different ages. A total of 75 Single Comb White Leghorn hens were divided into three equal groups according to age (72, 80, and 92 wk of age). Both tibias of each hen were harvested and immediately defleshed. The tibias from each hen were randomly assigned to either 1 d of refrigeration or 7 d of frozen storage. Tibia breaking strengths were determined using an Instron Universal Testing Machine with 50-kg-load cell at 50-kg-load range with a crosshead speed of 50 mm/min. Tibia ash weights were determined by ashing for 24 h at 615 degrees C. Bone breaking strength in 72 wk of age hens was significantly (P 0.05) for bone ash (percentage of tibia ash) in all three groups between refrigerated storage (72 wk: 38.840%, 80 wk: 46.40%, 92 wk: 46.99%) and frozen storage (72 wk: 39.12%, 80 wk: 44.88%, 92 wk: 45.35%). This study indicated that frozen storage only influenced assessment of bone strength in 72-wk-old laying hens but could be used for sample storage of bones from older hens.
Maintaining Kinematic Constraints when Performing Mental Rotations About a Fixed Axis: Implications for Instruction and Displays

Visually imagining the rotation of a solid object around an axis is central to problem solving in science, mathematics and engineering. Surprisingly, participants can find even very simple rotations quite difficult. There have been a number of different explanations for why participants have the difficulties they do. They include the role of experience and the effect of perceptual organization on the participant's choice of responses. We hypothesize that difficult rotations are made easier when individuals are provided better information about kinematic constraints inherent in the object that is being mentally transformed. In an experiment reported here, we test the above hypothesis. Our results showed that when we changed the stimulus used in a classic rotation task to one which more clearly resembled a rigid, solid object in the real world, the overall error rate was decreased. We discuss the implications for the representation on displays of three dimensional objects which must be rotated.
GPU acceleration of cutoff pair potentials for molecular modeling applications

The advent of systems biology requires the simulation of ever-larger biomolecular systems, demanding a commensurate growth in computational power. This paper examines the use of the NVIDIA Tesla C870 graphics card programmed through the CUDA toolkit to accelerate the calculation of cutoff pair potentials, one of the most prevalent computations required by many different molecular modeling applications. We present algorithms to calculate electrostatic potential maps for cutoff pair potentials. Whereas a straightforward approach for decomposing atom data leads to low compute efficiency, a newer strategy enables fine-grained spatial decomposition of atom data that maps efficiently to the C870's memory system while increasing work-efficiency of atom data traversal by a factor of 5. The memory addressing flexibility exposed through CUDA's SPMD programming model is crucial in enabling this new strategy. An implementation of the new algorithm provides a greater than threefold performance improvement over our previously published implementation and runs 12 to 20 times faster than optimized CPU-only code. The lessons learned are generally applicable to algorithms accelerated by uniform grid spatial decomposition.
New Developments In Very High Resolution Vidicons

F.P.S. (Focus Projection and Scan) vidicons combine the advantages of electrostatic deflection and magnetic focusing into a unique electron optics design. Recent design modifications have resulted in dramatic improvements in the areas of: limiting resolution and MTF, shading, cathode efficiency, signal handling capability and ruggedization. A new self-aligning electron gun, as well as improvements in electron optics, have combined to reduce the beam spot size to approximately six micrometers. F.P.S. tubes have been quali-fied to Mil-Std-810A (USAF) specifications. The 16 mm F.P.S. tube was recently qualified to modified Mil-Std-810B specifications which included 10 hours of both sinusoidal and random vibration at 22 g, from 50 to 2000 Hz. New F.P.S. vidicons exhibit higher beam efficiencies by virtue of their electron gun improvements. These devices require 1/3 to 1/2 the cathode current to discharge the target, and since cathode life is a primary factor in tube life, this lower current demand may be translated into longer life. Additionally, these devices will provide sufficient beam current, without spot defocusing to discharge very high signal levels at the target. Because of their ruggedness, small size and low power requirements, F.P.S. vidicons have been supplied for several U.S. military systems.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
In with the old, out with the new: The American Venous Forum leads the way

American Venous Forum members, distinguished guests, and representatives from industry, welcome to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Meeting of the American Venous Forum (AVF) here in Phoenix, Arizona. What an honor it has been to serve as your President over the past year. I am extremely humbled by this opportunity and have often felt that the only reason for my own success is that I have truly stood on the shoulders of giants in the field of venous disease. So many, both here and away, past and present, have had a profound influence on me and have ever so shaped who I am. First and foremost, I could not have made it through this year were it not for all the sacrifices put forth by my lovely wife, Erica. This past year marks 20 years of marriage for us and it has been a wonderful journey. It takes an even more special person to let someone else’s career be front and center, yet Erica’s own success as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, university division chair, residency program director, accomplished clinician, devoted mother, supportive wife, and dear friend, keeps me in awe each and every day. I would not be here if it were not for you. To our son Bryant, and our daughter Lesley, thanks for all your support and patience e although I think you enjoyed watching me fumble through preparing dinners while trying to coordinate the many AVF conference calls. Both of you mean the world to your mother and I. A career in medicine, and particularly surgery, is privileged along every stage with the special opportunity of mentorship. It is part of our culture and we thrive on it. I have said to many that my abilities in academic surgery
Food Preferences of Men and Women by Sensory Evaluation Versus Questionnaire

The purpose of the study was to determine food preferences of men and women by sensory evaluation versus questionnaire. Men and women university students (N = 110, mean age = 21.5 ± 2.5 years) used a questionnaire containing 54 foods to rate on a 9-point hedonic scale and to indicate frequency of consumption. Two weeks later, they tasted 12 of the foods and rated them on a 9-point hedonic scale. Preferences for most (69%) foods did not differ (p > .05) for men and women, although preferences for most of the other foods were greater (p .05) for sensory evaluation and questionnaire, although preferences for most of the other foods were less (p < .05) for sensory evaluation.
HIDE: heterogeneous information DE-identification

While there is an increasing need to share data that may contain personal information, such data sharing must preserve individual privacy without disclosing any identifiable information. A considerable amount of research in the data privacy community has been devoted to formalizing the notion of identifiability with many techniques for anonymization, but is focused exclusively on structured data. On the other hand, efforts on de-identifying medical text documents in the medical informatics community are highly specialized for specific document types or a subset of identifiers. In addition, they rely on simple identifier removal or grouping techniques and do not take advantage of the research developments in the data privacy community. We developed an integrated system, HIDE, for Heterogeneous Information DE-identification including structured and unstructured data utilizing existing anonymization techniques. We demonstrate a prototype of our system and show the effectiveness of our approach through a set of real data augmented with synthesized data.
Abstract C156: GRB7 is required for triple-negative breast cancer motility, invasion, and chemoresistance.

Triple-negative breast tumors lack expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2, rendering them non-responsive to the most effective targeted therapies in breast cancer. These tumors are typically more aggressive than other breast cancer subtypes and, consequently, have a poor prognosis. In a clinical trial of triple-negative breast cancer patients treated with anthracyclines and taxanes, we and others have recently determined that high levels of GRB7 are predictive of tumor recurrence (Sparano et al. J Clin Oncol 27(15s) 500). GRB7 is a cytoplasmic adaptor protein that interacts with receptor tyrosine kinases and integrins, transducing information to their downstream signaling cascades. In this study, we have tested the hypothesis that triple-negative breast cancer cell lines are dependent on GRB7 for migration, invasion and colony formation in 3D culture. Using a highly specific peptide inhibitor (G7–18NATE), we found that the GRB7 inhibition significantly impaired each of these phenotypes in four triple-negative breast cancer cell lines: MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-231, HCC70 and T4-2. In addition, we have tested whether GRB7 inhibition may sensitize these cell lines to the chemotherapies used in the initial clinical trial. Combination treatment with G7–18NATE and doxorubicin or docetaxel resulted in cooperative cell growth inhibition in each of the four cell lines. Co-treatment lowered the IC 40 of both chemotherapeutic agents, and it proved to be synergistic in all cases (Combination Index values These data implicate GRB7 as a key mediator of migration, invasion, colony growth and chemoresistance of triple-negative breast cancer cells and suggest that GRB7 itself, or GRB7-dependent pathways, may prove to be important therapeutic targets. This work was supported in part by Susan G. Komen for the Cure (KG091136 and KG100888). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C156.
Numerical integration of polynomials and discontinuous functions on irregular convex polygons and polyhedrons

We construct efficient quadratures for the integration of polynomials over irregular convex polygons and polyhedrons based on moment fitting equations. The quadrature construction scheme involves the integration of monomial basis functions, which is performed using homogeneous quadratures with minimal number of integration points, and the solution of a small linear system of equations. The construction of homogeneous quadratures is based on Lasserre's method for the integration of homogeneous functions over convex polytopes. We also construct quadratures for the integration of discontinuous functions without the need to partition the domain into triangles or tetrahedrons. Several examples in two and three dimensions are presented that demonstrate the accuracy and versatility of the proposed method.
Citation patterns of online and print journals in the digital age.

PURPOSE: The research assesses the impact of online journals on citation patterns by examining whether researchers were more likely to limit the resources they cited to those journals available online rather than those only in print. SETTING: Publications from a large urban university with a medical college at an urban location and at a smaller regional location were examined. The number of online journals available to authors on either campus was the same. The number of print journals available on the large campus was much greater than the print journals available at the small campus. METHODOLOGY: Searches by author affiliation from 1996 to 2005 were performed in the Web of Science to find all articles written by affiliated members in the college of medicine at the selected institution. Cited references from randomly selected articles were recorded, and the cited journals were coded into five categories based on their availability at the study institution: print only, print and online, online only, not owned, and dropped. Results were analyzed using SPSS. The age of articles cited for selected years as well as for 2006 and 2007 was also examined. RESULTS: The number of journals cited each year continued to increase. On the large urban campus, researchers were not more likely to cite journals available online or less likely to cite journals only in print. At the regional location, at which the number of print-only journals was minimal, use of print-only journals significantly decreased. CONCLUSION/DISCUSSION: The citation of print-only journals by researchers with access to a library with a large print and electronic collection appeared to continue, despite the availability of potential alternatives in the online collection. Journals available in electronic format were cited more frequently in publications from the campus whose library had a small print collection, and the citation of journals available in both print and electronic formats generally increased over the years studied.
Binding of creatine kinase to heart and liver mitochondria in vitro

Abstract Phosphate extraction of heart mitochondria results in the release of creatine kinase. Under appropriate conditions phosphate-extracted mitochondria are able to rebind the creatine kinase, either from crude extracts or as the purified enzyme. Heart mitochondria are able to bind up to sevenfold more creatine kinase than they originally contained. The association is specific since the cytoplasmic isozyme from heart (MM) does not bind, and does not interfere with the binding of the mitochondrial isozyme even when MM is present in large excess. It is interesting that although liver mitochondria do not contain the mitochondrial isozyme of creatine kinase they are able to bind approximately the same amount of the enzyme as the heart mitochondria.
Total synthesis of the cytotoxic macrocycle (+)-hitachimycin

The first total synthesis of the antitumor antibiotic (+)-hitachimycin (a.k.a. stubomycin) (1) has been achieved in 22 steps and 1.1% overall yield. The cornerstone of the synthetic strategy was a highly stereoselective three-component coupling of (-)-5-methoxycyclopentenone (4) with a zincate derived from vinyl iodide 3a and aldehyde (-)-51
Staphylococcus aureus induces the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in primary human keratinocytes.

Background Staphylococcus aureus induces inflammatory cytokines and causes skin inflammatory diseases, but infection parameters leading to cytokine induction are poorly understood in keratinocytes, the primary skin cells to interface with S. aureus. Methods Human primary keratinocytes were infected with S. aureus under various conditions to identify properties of infection that cause the induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a proinflammatory cytokine that initiates host inflammatory responses. Results Staphylococcus aureus induced TNF-alpha mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner. Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization and S. aureus invasion, failed to prevent the induction of TNF-alpha, indicating that invasion was not a requirement. Furthermore, ultraviolet-, heat-, and gentamicin-treated bacteria did not induce TNF-alpha, suggesting that de novo bacterial protein synthesis of viable bacteria was required. Finally, S. aureus infection of primary human keratinocytes also led to an induction of the TNF-alpha receptor, TNFR1 (p55). Conclusion Early (preinvasion) S. aureus-keratinocyte surface interactions that require protein synthesis induce TNF-alpha. Bacterial surface components embedded within the cell wall do not suffice as TNF-alpha mediators, but require active protein synthesis and/or the accompaniment of secreted bacterial products. Furthermore, S. aureus infection leads to the specific induction of the TNF-alpha receptor TNFR1, but not TNFR2.
Survey of audio programming tools

Audio programming can be an overwhelming and confusing task that many developers are not adequately prepared for. Even the seemingly simple task of choosing the right software developers kit (SDK) to use can become a difficult task. This paper presents an analysis of the most extensive and widely used audio programming SDKs organized by audio task and highlighting factors such as usability, support, and functionality.
Two qubit copying machine for economical quantum eavesdropping

We study the mapping that occurs when a single qubit in an arbitrary state interacts with another qubit in a given, fixed state resulting in some unitary transformation on the two qubit system that, in effect, makes two copies of the first qubit. The general problem of the quality of the resulting copies is discussed using a special representation, a generalization of the usual Schmidt decomposition, of an arbitrary two-dimensional subspace of a tensor product of two two-dimensional Hilbert spaces. We exhibit quantum circuits that can reproduce the results of any two-qubit copying machine of this type. A simple stochastic generalization (using a classical random signal) of the copying machine is also considered. These copying machines provide simple embodiments of previously proposed optimal eavesdropping schemes for the BB84 and B92 quantum cryptography protocols.
A process analysis of the CA3 subregion of the hippocampus.

Abstract From a behavioral perspective the CA3a,b subregion of the hippocampus plays an important role in the encoding of new spatial information within short-term memory with a duration of seconds and minutes. This can easily be observed in tasks that require rapid encoding, novelty detection, 1-trial short- term or working memory, and 1-trial cued recall primarily for spatial information. These are tasks that have been assumed to reflect the operations of episodic memory and require interactions between CA3a,b and the dentate gyrus via mossy fiber inputs into the CA3a,b. The CA3a,b is also important for encoding of spatial information requiring the acquisition of arbitrary and relational associations. All these tasks are assumed to operate within an autoassociative network function of the CA3 region. The CA3a,b also supports retrieval of short-term memory information based on a spatial pattern completion process. Based on afferent inputs into CA3a,b from the dentate gyrus (DG) via mossy fibers and afferents from the entorhinal cortex into CA3a,b as well as reciprocal connections with the septum, CA3a,b can bias the process of encoding utilizing the operation of spatial pattern separation and the process of retrieval utilizing the operation of pattern completion. The CA3a,b also supports sequential processing of information in cooperation with CA1 based on the Schaffer collateral output from CA3a,b to CA1. The CA3c function is in part based on modulation of the DG in supporting pattern separation processes.
Concise synthesis of the bryostatin A-ring via consecutive C-C bond forming transfer hydrogenations.

Under the conditions of C−C bond forming transfer hydrogenation, 1,3-propanediol 1 engages in double asymmetric carbonyl allylation to furnish the C2-symmetric diol 2. Double ozonolysis of 2 followed by TBS protection delivers aldehyde 3, which is subject to catalyst directed carbonyl reverse prenylation via transfer hydrogenation to deliver neopentyl alcohol 4 and, ultimately, the bryostatin A-ring 7. Through use of two consecutive C−C bond forming transfer hydrogenations, the Evans’ bryostatin A-ring 7 is prepared in less than half the manipulations previously reported.
Tidal data inversion: interpolation and inference

Initial efforts in applying inverse methods to studies of ocean tides have focused on making the best use of a small number of observations to map tidal fields in a large area. As such, inversion can be viewed as an objective analysis scheme which uses a dynamically appropriate spatial covariance, derived from the shallow water equations, to interpolate and smooth a sparse data set. Data from recent altimetry missions are not sparsely distributed relative to tidal wavelengths in the open ocean, apparently reducing the need for complicated dynamically based interpolation schemes. Altimetric data sets are also quite large, making application of rigorous inversion methods to global tidal modeling a challenging computational problem. We describe here a new iterative solution scheme which allows us for the first time to fit the full set of TOPEX/Poseidon cross-over differences. The resulting solution (TPXO.3) fits validation tide gauges significantly better than previous inverse solutions. TPXO.3 also reduces residual cross-over variances relative to other recent inverse and empirical solutions, particularly in shallow water where improvements are dramatic. With the new solution approach very significant improvements in global tidal models should be possible in shallow areas and in the vicinity of complex bathymetry, where high-accuracy tidal modeling remains a challenging problem. With the recent improvements in the definition of tidal elevations in the open ocean it should now also be possible to resolve some long unanswered questions about tidal energetics and dynamics. Inverse methods provide a natural framework for addressing these issues, and making inferences about tidal dynamics. In particular, by bringing data and dynamics together in a single solution, we can rigorously test the consistency of the two. We present results of global and local inversions which suggest that over elongated bathymetric features oriented perpendicular to tidal flows, energy dissipation in the open ocean is significantly enhanced, presumably due to conversion of barotropic tidal motions into baroclinic modes. For the M2 tide our preliminary results suggest that perhaps as much as 0.5 TW of energy is dissipated in this manner. However, due to the simplified linear dynamics and limited spatial resolution used for our inversion, there are significant uncertainties associated with these results. A more careful application of inverse methods to make more rigorous inferences about tidal energetics, including use of more reasonable prior dynamics, and the highest possible spatial resolution, should allow for closure of the tidal energy budget within the next few years.
Best approximation and interpolation of (1 + ( ax 2 ) -1 and its transforms

We show that Lagrange interpolants at the Chebyshev zeros yield best relative polynomial approximations of (1 + (ax)2)-1 on [-1, 1], and more generally of ∫0∞ dµ(a)/1 + (ax)2', where µ is a suitably restricted measure. We use this to study relative approximation of (1 + x2)-1 on an increasing sequence of intervals, and Lagrange interpolation of |x|γ. Moreover, we show how it gives a simple proof of identities for some trigonometric sums.
Profiling the immune response to TB infection on a genome-wide scale with protein microarrays

The process for fabrication of a microarray from genomic DNA for whole proteome microarrays for B. pseudomallei may have application for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). In the process, PCR is done on the DNA to amplify the open reading frames, genes are cloned by in vivo recombination, and mini-preps are made, isolating the plasmids produced by the recombination process. Then, in vitro transcription and translation reactions occur. Lastly, the reactions are brought to a microarray printer and the microarray chips are printed, using nitrocellulose-coated slides and without doing protein purification. The heart of the process is the high throughput cloning approach our team developed. Twenty nucleotide extensions are added to the PCR products so that the genes, although all different, have the same N-terminal and C-terminal sequences. The gene-specific primers are homologous with 33 nucleotide vector-specific ‘adapter’ sequences. The plasmids are transformed into chemically competent E. coli and grown overnight. The protein produced in the in vitro transcription and translation reactions, driven by a T-7 promoter, has both a HIS tag and a HA tag. The efficiency rate for producing clones by this method is greater than 95 percent, based on an analysis of 4,109 gene targets that produced 3,998 cloned genes. To test protein expression efficiency, we probed two arrays with monoclonal antibodies and then a secondary antibody. Out of 11 print runs, 2,265 chips produced 4,530 arrays, or a greater than 90 percent protein expression efficiency rate. Finally we tested batch-to-batch reproducibility by taking two batches of chips and track the signal of the HIS tag. In a case-control M.tb study, our lab examined smear positive culture test results in individuals from endemic countries and from healthy individuals in non-endemic countries. In a series of projects involving 25 infectious disease agents, our lab has produced 18,000 proteins, printed 17,000 arrays, and probed 8,000 sera. The goal of this research, is to develop multi-variant microarray chips that contain several antigens, so that only one blood sample is required from an individual to determine a diagnosis.
THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF AMINOGUANIDINE (AG) AND INHALED NITRIC OXIDE (NO) ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCAL (GBS) SEPSIS† 1778

During septic shock, systemic hypotension is in part mediated by increased production of NO via inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Furthermore, pulmonary hypertension may be secondary to impaired NO production due to endothelial cell dysfunction (Am Rev Respir Dis 148: 627, 1993). To evaluate the effect of combined administration of AG, a selective inhibitor of iNOS, which would act to maintain systemic arterial pressure (Psa) and inhaled NO which would decrease pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), 35 anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated piglets were studied during a continuous infusion of GBS (2.5×107 cfu/kg/min). Psa, Ppa, cardiac output and arterial blood gases were measured before and after the use of AG, NO or AG/NO. Following treatment, measurements were repeated every 30 min. Animals (5-9 days old) were randomly assigned to the following groups: Control (C) (n=9, wt=2.6±0.6 kg); AG (n=9, wt=2.6±0.3 kg) which received a 9 mg/kg bolus and a 0.3 mg/kg/min infusion of AG; NO (n=9, wt=2.9±0.4 kg) which received 40 ppm inhaled NO; and combined AG/NO (n=8, wt=2.7±0.4 kg). Data were analyzed using repeated measures 2-way ANCOVA and expressed as mean±SD. Significance refers to comparison of NO and AG/NO vs C and AG. pH and PaO2 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) while PaCO2 significantly lower (P < 0.001) in NO and AG/NO groups. [horizontal bar over]Psa was not significantly different among groups. These data suggest that inhaled NO ameliorates pulmonary hypertension and prolongs survival in septic piglets while addition of AG to inhaled NO offers no beneficial effects.Table
Velocity Characteristics Of Rotating Sunspots

A statistical study is carried out to investigate the detailed relationship between rotating sunspots and the emergence of magnetic flux tubes. This paper presents the velocity characteristics of 132 sunspots in 95 solar active regions. The rotational characteristics of the sunspots are calculated from successive SOHO/MDI magnetograms by applying the Differential Affine Velocity Estimator (DAVE) technique (Schuck, 2006, Astrophys. J. 646, 1358). Among 82 sunspots in active regions exhibiting strong flux emergence, 63 showed rotation with rotational angular velocity larger than 0.4° h−1. Among 50 sunspots in active regions without well-defined flux emergence, 14 showed rotation, and the rotation velocities tend to be slower, compared to those in emerging regions. In addition, we investigated 11 rotating sunspot groups in which both polarities show evidence for co-temporary rotation. In seven of these cases the two polarities co-rotate, while the other four are found to be counter-rotating. Plausible reasons for the observed characteristics of the rotating sunspots are discussed.
THE ELECTROCHROMIC BEHAVIOUR OF LANTHANIDE BISPHTHALOCYANINES: THE ANOMALOUS NATURE OF THE GREEN LUTETIUM SPECIES

Abstract Double integration of the electron paramagnetic resonance signal associated with the green form of lutetium bisphthalocyanine in dimethylformamide solution indicates it is a minor species. Magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy strongly suggests the chromophore is not a radical. These findings are in keeping with the recently resurrected hypothesis [Daniels et al., J. Coord. Chem. (1993) 28, 23–31] that the “electrochromic” color changes observed in lanthanide bisphthalocyanine chemistry are acid-base in nature and not due to oxidation-reduction processes involving the phthalocyanine rings.
Inhibitor(s) of prostaglandin synthesis in psoriatic plaque.

IN 1926, Woronoff1 described an area of blanched skin surrounding psoriatic lesions. The mechanisms of this reaction were unknown but were thought to be a consequence of vasoconstriction. In considering the probable explanation of the blanched area, we have noted that the blanched area is approximately the same width (1 cm) around the psoriatic lesion irrespective, of the size of the lesion (suggesting that a substance diffuses out of the lesion), and the whitened area does not become red during ultraviolet light therapy. Snyder and Eaglstein reported that the redness following exposure to ultraviolet light can be aborted by treatment with indomethacin, which is known to inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs2,3). We have also found that: (1) PGE2 levels in whole skin removed from the blanched area are one-third of those in normal skin; (2) injection of PGE2 into the blanched area produced redness, and (3) an inhibitor(s) of PG synthesis was present in this blanched area (our unpublished results). These observations suggested that a diffusable inhibitor of PG synthesis was present within the psoriatic lesion. We now report the detection of an inhibitor(s) of PG synthesis in psoriatic plaque that is not present in extracts of uninvolved skin obtained from either psoriatic patients or normal volunteers.
Three Years after Legalization of Nonprescription Pharmacy Syringe Sales in California: Where Are We Now?

In January 2005, passage of California Senate Bill 1159 enabled California’s county or city governments to establish disease prevention demonstration projects (DPDPs) through which pharmacies could subsequently register to legally sell up to 10 syringes to adults without a prescription. California’s 61 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) were surveyed annually in 2005–2007 to monitor the progress of DPDP implementation and assess program coverage, facilitators, and barriers. Completed surveys were returned by mail, fax, e-mail, phone, or internet. We analyzed 2007 survey data to describe current DPDP status; data from all years were analyzed for trends in approval and implementation status. By 2007, 17 (27.9%) LHJs approved DPDPs, of which 14 (82.4%) had registered 532 (17.8%) of the 2,987 pharmacies in these 14 LHJs. Although only three LHJs added DPDPs since 2006, the number of registered pharmacies increased 102% from 263 previously reported. Among the LHJs without approved DPDPs in 2007, one (2.3%) was in the approval process, seven (16.3%) planned to seek approval, and 35 (81.4%) reported no plans to seek approval. Of 35 LHJs not planning to seek approval, the top four reasons were: limited health department time (40%) or interest (34%), pharmacy disinterest (31%), and law enforcement opposition (26%). Among eight LHJs pursuing approval, the main barriers were “time management” (13%), educating stakeholders (13%), and enlisting pharmacy participation (13%). The17 LHJs with DPDP represent 52% of California’s residents; they included 62% of persons living with HIV and 59% of IDU-related HIV cases, suggesting that many LHJs with significant numbers of HIV cases have approved DPDPs. Outcome studies are needed to determine whether SB 1159 had the desired impact on increasing syringe access and reducing blood-borne viral infection risk among California IDUs.
Charge-Coupled Devices (CCD) Signal Processing

Charge-coupled devices have proved to be useful for a number of signal processing functions. This paper reviews types of CCD's which are useful for signal processing and discusses come electro-optical applications of the devices.
Living in the fallout: parents' experiences when their child becomes mentally ill.

Parental loss of a child to mental illness and the resulting grief is a relatively unacknowledged phenomenon. This study aimed to capture the process through which parents journey in the face of their child's mental illness. Conducting a series of focus groups, the authors sought to further the understanding and the needs of these families. They identify seven themes from initial awareness to the formation of a new stability. Identification of this grief process is an important step that can heighten practitioners' awareness so that future interventions and support systems can be developed to help these families deal with their pain and burden.
Subaqueous liquefied and fluidized sediment flows and their deposits

A clear distinction must be made between liquefied and fluidized systems. In liquefied beds and flows, the solids settle downward through the fluid, displacing it upward, whereas, in fluidized beds, the fluid moves upward through the solids, which are temporarily suspended without net downward movement. Many recent references to fluidized sediment gravity flows refer, in fact, to flows of liquefied debris. Most uniformly liquefied beds of well-sorted sand- or gravel-sized sediment will resediment as simple two-layer systems. Liquefied flows can originate either by liquefaction followed by failure, as in many retrogressive flow slides, or by failure followed by liquefaction, as in the case of some slumps. Empirical and theoretical estimates of flow velocity, thickness, and travel distance suggest that natural laminar liquefied flows of fine-grained sand will generally resediment after moving a kilometre or less. Laminar flows of coarse-grained sand will resediment after moving only a few metres. Grain dispersive pressure is thought to be of little significance in the development or maintenance of liquefied flows. Many surficial submarine sand beds are apparently susceptible to liquefaction, including submarine canyon and continental rise deposits. Within submarine canyons and narrow fjords, steep slopes and channels promote the evolution of liquefied flows from slumps by liquefaction after failure and of high density turbidity currents from liquefied flows by the development of turbulence. Upon moving into the lower parts of submarine canyons or into proximal fan channels, liquefied flows will resediment and high density turbidity currents will tend to decline to flows transitional between liquefied flows and turbidity currents. The liquefied, coarser detritus within such transitional flows will be deposited while finer-grained debris will remain in suspension and continue downslope as dilute turbidity currents. Resedimentation of the liquefied portions of such flows may be responsible for the deposition of the A-subdivision of many turbidites and many thick, structureless ‘proximal turbidites’ or ‘fluxoturbidites’. Similar units can originate by liquefaction of the traction deposits of normal turbidity currents. Fluidized flows are probably uncommon, thin, and, where formed, originate through fluidization of the fine-grained tops of liquefied graded beds.
Tests for induction of dominant-lethal mutations and heritable translocations with tetrahydrocannabinol in male mice.

The present study was prompted by the report in Science (Dalterio et al., 1982) that the major psychoactive component of marijuana, A9-tetrahy drocannabinol (THC), induced chromosome breakage in certain spermatogenic cells of mice. The evidence for this was derived from two experiments. In the first, males were given a single oral dose of THC (100 mg/kg) and killed 14 days later for cytogenetic analysis of diakinesis-metaphase I spermatocytes. The authors reported a significant increase over controls in the frequency of ring and chain quadrivalents. These multiplechromosome associations were presumably the result of reciprocal translocations induced in germ cells that were in the A4-intermediate spermatogonial stages (Oakberg, 1960) at the time of treatment. In the second study, male parents were given 50 mg/kg THC orally 3 times a week for 5 weeks and mated to untreated females from the 3rd through the 5th week of treatment. 2 male progeny with chromosomal rearrangements were found out of only 8 examined cytogenetically. Furthermore, while all male progeny from the control series suc-
Current-confined-path (CCP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors

Current-perpendicular-to the plane (CPP) giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors with a current-confined-path (CCP) layer inserted within the Cu spacer have been manufactured using ultrahigh vacuum PVD sputtering, photolithography, and ion milling processes. Compared with a pure metallic CPP system, the CCP insertion layer enables a substantial increase in sensor resistance with an equivalent or better GMR ratio, and thus a significant improvement in the ΔRA amplitude. Heads with such a sensor have been tested under various bias currents, both quasistatically and on a spinstand. It was found that the resistance of the sensors increases with increasing bias current and voltage, following typical metallic behavior. Also, the CCP insertion layer enables operation at higher bias currents compared with the pure metallic sensors (without the insertion layer) and thus a higher output signal. This effect is attributed to less magnetic instability due to the reduced Ampere fields around the narrow (∼6 nm) current-confined paths. Finally, the CPP-GMR heads with CCP layer were tested under high-density recording conditions using the perpendicular recording media. Bit error rate (BER) as a function of linear density is reported. Microtrack profiles were also recorded to determine track density capability.
Biochemical genetic analysis of pyrimidine biosynthesis in mammalian cells. II. Isolation and characterization of a mutant of Chinese hamster ovary cells with defective dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.3.3.1) activity.

A mutant (A204) of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1), which is deficient in dihydroorotate (DHO) dehydrogenase (E.C. 1.3,3.1) activity, has been isolated by a replica plating procedure. The mutant does not show a requirement for exogenously added pyrimidines. Examination of intact cells shows that the mutant accumulates a large amount of carbamyl aspartate and is markedly but not totally deficient in biosynthesis of orotate from earlier precursors of pyrimidine biosynthesis, including aspartate and dihydroorotic acid, when compared to wild-type cells. Analysis of cell-free extracts of mutant and wild-type cells shows that the mutant is deficient in DHO dehydrogenase activity, possessing ca. 5% of the wild-type activity. this evidence leads to the conclusion that this mutant, A204, is in fact partially deficient in DHO dehydrogenase, and that in these cells it is this enzyme which carries out the fourth step of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis.
Effects of ketotifen on the responsiveness of peripheral blood lymphocyte β-adrenergic receptors

Abstract The effects of ketotifen therapy on the responsiveness of lymphocyte β-adrenergic receptors was evaluated by measuring cyclic AMP elevations caused by isoproterenol in cells isolated from patients treated with ketotifen for more than one year. Binding of 3 H-dihydroalprenolol to β-receptors was also evaluated. The isoproterenol-induced rise in cyclic AMP relative to each individual's baseline level was greater in patients on current ketotifen therapy than in other asthmatic patients or non-asthmatic subjects. Ketotifen therapy increased the apparent equilibrium dissociation constant for specific 3 H-dihydroalprenolol binding to the receptors. Receptor numbers in symptomatic asthma patients on standard drug therapy were decreased. The results indicate that long term ketotifen therapy is associated with increased responsiveness of β-receptors to stimulation by catecholamines and that this alteration may involve changes in the receptors themselves, their membrane environment, adenylate cyclase or components of the adenylate cyclase coupling system.
On Query Algebras for Probabilistic Databases

This article proposes a core query algebra for probabilistic databases. In essence, this core is part of the query languages of most probabilistic database systems proposed so far, but is sometimes hidden in complex language definitions. We give a formal definition of the algebra and illustrate it by examples. We then survey the current state of knowledge regarding the expressive power and complexity of this core.
The formyl CH--O hydrogen bond as a critical factor in enantioselective reactions of aldehydes, part 4. Aldol, ethylation, hydrocyanation and Diels-Alder reactions catalyzed by chiral B, Ti and Al lewis acids

Abstract Formyl CH--O hydrogen bonding provides a rational explanation of several diverse catalytic enantioselective addition reactions of aldehydes, as outlined in Figures 1–5.