cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Propranolol for the Control of Disruptive Behavior in Senile Dementia

Six patients with senile dementia, exhibiting severe, disruptive behavior were effectively treated with propranolol in doses ranging from 80 mg per day to 560 mg per day. All six patients were given a trial of propranolol after conventional therapy had failed, and in all patients, the agitated behavior significantly improved. There were no adverse side effects requiring the discontinuation of the propranolol, and in all cases, the agitated behavior was controlled without inducing general sedation. Both the nursing home staff and the families were pleased with the therapeutic effects. Propranolol represents a possible alternative way of addressing the severe problem of agitated behavior in senile dementia patients. Language: en
Genetic variation in CYB5R3 is associated with methemoglobin levels in preterm infants receiving nitric oxide therapy

In recent years, increasing numbers of preterm infants have been exposed to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). This population has decreased methemoglobin (MetHb) reductase activity in their erythrocytes, which may increase the risk of MetHb toxicity. We sought to determine if genetic factors are associated with the observed variance in MetHb levels. A population of 127 preterm infants was genotyped for five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CYB5A and CYB5R3 genes. iNO dose and levels of MetHb were obtained by chart abstraction. ANOVA was performed to identify genetic associations with MetHb levels. An association was found between the heterozygous genotype (GA) of rs916321 in the CYB5R3 gene and the mean of the first recorded MetHb levels in Caucasian infants (P = 0.01). This result remained significant after adjustment for the iNO dose (P = 0.009), gender (P = 0.03), multiple gestation (P = 0.03), birth weight (P = 0.02), and gestational age (P = 0.02). No significant associations were found with the other SNPs. We demonstrate a novel genetic association with neonatal MetHb levels. Identification of genetic risk factors may be useful in determining which preterm infants are most at risk of developing MetHb toxicity with the use of iNO.
Implications of Commodity Price Behavior for Marketing Strategies

Prices of agricultural commodities have systematic, dynamic components, and many agricultural economists have thought that forecasts of this behavior ought to aid marketing decisions, thereby raising producers' returns. But, if commodity markets are pricing efficient, then noncompetitive profit opportunities should be quickly arbitraged away. Thus, a debate exists about the magnitude of the likely benefits of various marketing strategies. Herein we address the question, what does the literature about commodity price behavior contribute to our understanding of the expected outcomes from alternative marketing strategies? Our brief answer is as follows. Spot prices in U.S. commodity markets typically behave in a way that is consistent with efficient markets; systematic behavior persists because of the costs of arbitrage. Hence, price forecasts in the public domain cannot be used to produce returns which are consistently above the competitive norm, although low-cost strategies to manage price risk exist. Evaluating the evidence on these topics is not easy, however, because the price generating processes are complex. Sometimes prices seem to behave as if a market is inefficient. Advice based on analyses using short samples should be used with great caution. The remainder of the article elaborates:
Combining Women's Preferences and Expert Advice to Design a Tailored Smoking Cessation Program

We designed a patient-centered smoking cessation program for women in 2004/2005, incorporating women's preferences and expert opinion. Our four-step process included: (1) concept-development focus groups; (2) an expert panel; (3) concept-testing focus groups, and (4) a pilot study. Data analyses occurred in 2004–2007. The new program offered options: the traditional Veterans Health Administration (VA) male-dominated program was the least selected option in the pilot study. Patients can be effectively involved in program development. The study's implications and limitations are noted. This research (conducted in Los Angeles, California) was funded by the American Legacy Foundation with additional VA support.
The conceptual relationship between training and eating in high school distance runners

Abstract According to the theory of meaningful learning, a person tends to act towards things according to the meaning things have for that individual. Therefore, athletes should apply nutrition knowledge to their eating habits to the extent that this knowledge is meaningful to them. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the meanings given to training and the role of eating/nutrition as a part of training in a sample of high school distance runners. Using instruments that were pilot tested previously, data were collected for this study from twenty-seven high school distance runners from one high school. Each participant completed both a qualitative interview designed to probe the athlete's concepts of training and eating and a traditional fifty-question multiple choice knowledge test. The previously validated knowledge test was included to cross-check the interview data and to provide some basis for comparing the sample to others reported in the literature. A questionnaire for demographic and training ata was also administered. Results showed that the more complex the athletes' concept of training, the more complex was their concept of eating in the context of training. “Running” and “practice” were the most meaningful training concepts. “Coach” was the concept most often linked to eating in the context of training. However, concepts that are common in sports nutrition materials (e.g., “goal-setting” and “races/meets”) were less meaningful to this group. Nutrition knowledge was poor. These results imply that educators may need to re-examine their approach in order to make their message more applicable to adolescent athletes.
The Business of Empire: United Fruit, Race, and U.S. Expansion in Central America

Jason M. Colby (2011) xi +274, (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, $45.00). The Business of Empire tells two interrelated stories. The first is about United Fruit, including the internal workings of...
The medical effects of mold exposure

Exposure to molds can cause human disease through several well-defined mechanisms. In addition, many new mold-related illnesses have been hypothesized in recent years that remain largely or completely unproved. Concerns about mold exposure and its effects are so common that all health care providers, particularly allergists and immunologists, are frequently faced with issues regarding these real and asserted mold-related illnesses. The purpose of this position paper is to provide a state-of-the-art review of the role that molds are known to play in human disease, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, sinusitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In addition, other purported mold-related illnesses and the data that currently exist to support them are carefully reviewed, as are the currently available approaches for the evaluation of both patients and the environment.
Clinical applications of the Argon and carbon dioxide lasers in dermatology and plastic surgery.

Since the 1960's, thousands of skin and soft tissue malformations have been treated with the Argon and carbon dioxide lasers. The Argon laser, emitting blue-green light, is very useful for treating port wine hemangiomas and other cutaneous vascular abnormalities; it has also been applied to a variety of nonvascular skin lesions. Its mechanism of action is essentially heat coagulation.
Transgenic Mice Expressing a Dominant-Negative Mutant Type II Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor Exhibit Impaired Mammary Development and Enhanced Mammary Tumor Formation

We have previously shown that expression of a dominant-negative type II transforming growth factor-β receptor (DNIIR) in mammary epithelium under control of the MMTV promoter/enhancer causes alveolar hyperplasia and differentiation in virgin mice. Here we show that MMTV-DNIIR female mice have accelerated mammary gland differentiation during early pregnancy with impaired development during late pregnancy and lactation followed by delayed postlactational involution. Mammary tumors, mostly carcinoma in situ, developed spontaneously in the MMTV-DNIIR mice with a long median latency (27.5 months). Crossbreeding to MMTV-transforming growth factor (TGF)-α mice to obtain mice expressing both transgenes resulted in mammary tumor formation with a much shorter latency more similar to those expressing only the MMTV-TGF-α transgene (<10 months median latency). The major difference in mammary tumors arising in MMTV-TGF-α compared to bigenic MMTV-DNIIR/MMTV-TGF-α was the marked suppression of tumor invasion by DNIIR transgene expression. Invading carcinoma cells in both MMTV-DNIIR and bigenic animals showed loss of DNIIR transgene expression as determined by in situ hybridization. The data indicate that signaling from endogenous TGF-βs not only plays an important role in normal mammary gland physiology but also can also suppress the early stage of tumor formation and contribute to tumor invasion once carcinomas have developed.
A pharmacological comparison of 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine and LSD in the dog

Abstract 3-Methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MMDA), which has been reported to have hallucinogenic actions in man, was compared to LSD in single dose, antagonist interaction, cross-tolerance and appetite suppression studies in the dog. In single doses, MMDA partially resembled LSD: both facilitated the flexor reflex and produced tachypnea, hyperthermia, and analgesia; however, MMDA had greater activity than LSD in producing mydriasis. Only LSD consistently elicited the stepping reflex and produced tachycardia. In both the interaction studies and cross-tolerance studies in LSD-tolerant dogs the effects of MMDA were generally not like those of LSD, except for its spinal cord facilitatory effect. Cyproheptadine antagonized most of the effects of LSD but only the facilitatory effect of MMDA on the flexor reflex. On the other hand, phenoxybenzamine antagonized the mydriasis, analgesia, and hyperthermia caused by MMDA but not LSD. Cross-tolerance to MMDA developed only to its effects on the flexor and skin twitch reflexes. In intact dogs, the anorexigenic potency of MMDA was 16 times less than that of d -amphetamine. It is concluded that MMDA has primarily amphetamine-like activity with some LSD-like actions.
Concentration-dependent disappearance of fluorouracil from peritoneal fluid in the rat: Experimental observations and distributed modeling

The rate of disappearance of fluorouracil from peritoneal fluid has been experimentally measured and mathematically modeled. The experimental data were obtained following the instillation of 50 ml of dialysis fluid which contained an initial fluorouracil concentration ranging from 24 μM to 12 mM. The rate of disappearance was strongly dependent upon concentration. A distributed model has been formulated which incorporates concepts of diffusion with saturable metabolism and nonsaturable capillary uptake in the tissue surrounding the peritoneal fluid. This model successfully describes the experimental observations and also suggests that the effective penetration depth into tissue is highly dependent upon concentration.
P. aeruginosa PilT structures with and without nucleotide reveal a dynamic type IV pilus retraction motor.

Type IV pili are bacterial extracellular filaments that can be retracted to create force and motility. Retraction is accomplished by the motor protein PilT. Crystal structures of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PilT with and without bound {beta},{gamma}-methyleneadenosine-5{prime}-triphosphate have been solved at 2.6 {angstrom} and 3.1 {angstrom} resolution, respectively, revealing an interlocking hexamer formed by the action of a crystallographic 2-fold symmetry operator on three subunits in the asymmetric unit and held together by extensive ionic interactions. The roles of two invariant carboxylates, Asp Box motif Glu163 and Walker B motif Glu204, have been assigned to Mg{sup 2+} binding and catalysis, respectively. The nucleotide ligands in each of the subunits in the asymmetric unit of the {beta},{gamma}-methyleneadenosine-5{prime}-triphosphate-bound PilT are not equally well ordered. Similarly, the three subunits in the asymmetric unit of both structures exhibit differing relative conformations of the two domains. The 12{sup o} and 20{sup o} domain rotations indicate motions that occur during the ATP-coupled mechanism of the disassembly of pili into membrane-localized pilin monomers. Integrating these observations, we propose a three-state 'Ready, Active, Release' model for the action of PilT.
Thermal Influences on the Neutralization of Spore Forming Bacteria

Bacillus anthracis spores have shown extreme resistance to heat treatment methods. Various novel ideas have emerged including the use of thermite reactions for the de-activation of bacterial spores, focusing on the anthrax forming spore Bacillus anthracis. The basis of de-activation is dependent on the heat transfer to the spore and chemical interaction with the halogen gas. The objective of this work was to observe the mechanisms of de-activation as related to the thermal and halogen gas effect on the spore. Research focused on the specific roles of the heat transfer and the combination of heat and halogen gas. Results showed heat transfer in the spore greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the halogen gasses in the deactivation process. The observed results strengthen the hypothesis that the heat transfer affects the permeability of the bacterial spores, enabling the halogen gas to deactivate the spores. This novel observation leads to further studies in the combustion properties of thermites. Results from this study suggest that thermite formulations with increased heat of reaction will increase the thermal wave promoting spore neutralization.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Online Patron Records and Privacy: Service vs. Security.

Abstract The use of online circulation systems raises issues regarding the privacy of information contained in patron databases. This article examines these issues and suggests methods for libraries to help ensure confidentiality, including “offline” measures that allow unauthorized staff to provide responsive service without compromising security controls.
Estimation of mouth level exposure to smoke constituents of cigarettes with different tar levels using filter analysis

A nicotine part-filter method can be applied to estimate smokers' mouth level exposure (MLE) to smoke constituents. The objectives of this study were (1) to generate calibration curves for 47 smoke constituents, (2) to estimate MLE to selected smoke constituents using Japanese smokers of commercially available cigarettes covering a wide range of International Organization for Standardization tar yields (1-21mg/cigarette), and (3) to investigate relationships between MLE estimates and various machine-smoking yields. Five cigarette brands were machine-smoked under 7 different smoking regimes and smoke constituents and nicotine content in part-filters were measured. Calibration curves were then generated. Spent cigarette filters were collected from a target of 50 smokers for each of the 15 brands and a total of 780 filters were obtained. Nicotine content in part-filters was then measured and MLE to each smoke constituent was estimated. Strong correlations were identified between nicotine content in part-filters and 41 out of the 47 smoke constituent yields. Estimates of MLE to acetaldehyde, acrolein, 1,3-butadiene, benzene, benzo[a]pyrene, carbon monoxide, and tar showed significant negative correlations with corresponding constituent yields per mg nicotine under the Health Canada Intense smoking regime, whereas significant positive correlations were observed for N-nitrosonornicotine and (4-methylnitrosoamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone.
Effects of hydroxurea, stem cell factor, and erythropoietin in combination on fetal hemoglobin in the baboon.

Abstract Objective Augmentation of the level of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is considered therapeutic for patients with sickle cell disease. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of treatment with a combination of erythropoietin (Epo), stem cell factor (SCF), and hydroxyurea (HU) on HbF levels. Materials and Methods The effect of treatment with a combination of Epo, SCF, and HU on HbF, F-cell numbers, and globin chain synthesis was evaluated in a baboon model. Results Treatment with a combination of SCF+Epo resulted in a two-fold increase in HbF, F-cells, and F-reticulocytes compared to Epo alone. The combination of SCF+Epo+HU resulted in an additional two-fold increase in HbF, whereas F-cells and F-reticulocytes increased only 25% compared to the SCF+Epo regimen. Measurement of differential globin chain synthesis indicated that the SCF+Epo+HU treatment also increased the Iγ/Vγ (homologous to human Gγ and Aγ) synthetic ratio toward the fetal ratio. Conclusions HU can effectively augment growth factor-induced HbF synthesis in vivo. Because Iγ/Vγ ratios are unaffected by erythropoietic stress and similar increases in this ratio have only been observed following administration of 5-azacytidine, we suggest that these two agents may share a common mechanism of action involving the recruitment of a similar target cell population to terminal erythroid differentiation.
Bilingualism and Family: Parental Beliefs; Child Agency

Globalizing forces and choices move families out of their native language (L1) environments to places where their heritage language (L1) is in the minority. This study focuses on academic sojourner families and their school-aged children and asks how they maintain their native language, during limited stays in the USA (1-7 years). How can native language be maintained relative to the social, emotional, linguistic, and personal challenges faced by parents and children during their sojourn in the USA? Is the task of sustaining a child’s native language in the newly-entered social and scholastic context of a dominant language undermined by underestimation of the impact of erosionary forces on the heritage language? These are some of the key issues identified in a larger on-going study, of which a sub-sample of three linguistically well-informed families (parent-child pairs) is presented here. Findings include the significant impact of parental beliefs regarding the resilience of language on the maintenance of the L1 coupled with the emerging sociolinguistic competence and agency of the child in the L2 environment, which in turn can raise separate challenges for the parent, as well as the child, and for the parent-child relationship. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7220/2335-2027.5.1
An analytical system for rapid separation of tissue nucleotides at low pressures on conventional anion exchangers.

An analytical anion-exchange procedure has been developed for the rapid separation of acid-soluble nucleotides (the so-called "free" or tissue nucleotides). It permits assay at low pressures (275-415 kPa; 40-60 psi) in less than 1 h on 10-cm columns of Aminex resins (conventional styrene-type anion exchangers) with alkaline citrate solutions as the eluent. Separation variables have been investigated, to determine optimum conditions for the routine analysis of samples containing tissue nucleotides. Also described here is a simple solvent-extraction procedure for removing HClO4 or CCl3CO2H quantitatively from cell extracts that contain acid-soluble nucleotides: they are removed from aqueous acid solutions with a water-insoluble amine dissolved in a water-immiscible solvent.
DTM: dynamic tone mapping for backlight scaling

This paper proposes an approach for pixel transformation of the displayed image to increase the potential energy saving of the backlight scaling method. The proposed approach takes advantage of human visual system characteristics and tries to minimize distortion between the perceived brightness values of the individual pixels in the original image and those of the backlight-scaled image. This is in contrast to previous backlight scaling approaches which simply match the luminance values of the individual pixels in the original and backlight-scaled images. Moreover, the proposed dynamic backlight scaling approach, which is based on tone mapping, is amenable to highly efficient hardware realization because it does not need information about the histogram of the displayed image. Experimental results show that the dynamic tone mapping for backlight scaling method results in about 35% power saving with an effective distortion rate of 5% and 55% power saving for a 20% distortion rate.
Olfactory ensheathing cells: time lapse imaging of cellular interactions, axonal support, rapid morphologic shifts, and mitosis.

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have considerable potential for facilitating axonal growth across regions of spinal cord and brain injury but in this context have been studied primarily in static images of fixed tissue from the olfactory system or after transplantation. In the present work, we studied the behavior of live OECs, and their interactions with neurons, Schwann cells, and astrocytes by using cells that express the reporter gene coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP); the work is based on combinations of fluorescence, phase contrast, digital time lapse imaging, and P75 immunocytochemical identification. Cultures, explants, and regions of olfactory system slices rich in OECs enhanced axonal growth of cerebellar granule cells or hippocampal neurons; axons grew parallel to the long axis of fusiform OECs. Neuron cell bodies and axons preferred OECs over artificial substrates. Axons and neuron cell bodies can take active or passive roles in extension and migration on underlying motile OECs and move from one OEC to another. Axon extension was facilitated to a similar degree by OECs and Schwann cells, whereas astrocytes were more likely to integrate with existing OECs than with Schwann cells. OECs showed a dramatic ability to rapidly change shape, size, and direction of migration and to undergo mitosis. Mitosis was characterized by a quick retraction of all processes, thereby forming a sphere that divided into spherical daughter cells within minutes. Progeny OECs might take on the parental or a non-parental morphotype, with both daughter cells showing robust expression of GFP. Together these OEC data demonstrated a substantial plasticity and capability for relatively rapid changes in structure and support the view that OECs have multiple attributes favorable for enhancing axonal extension and neuronal migration after central nervous system injury.
Resource selection and allocation for dynamic adaptive computing in heterogeneous clusters

This paper provides a framework for dynamic adaptive computing in heterogeneous clusters for computationally intensive applications. The framework considers a set of discoverable interconnected computational resources and either a parallel or sequential workload needing to be executed. An adaptive inclusion/exclusion algorithm is used to select the resources by using novel performance measurements and profiling techniques. Furthermore, contrary to a greedy approach where all the resources are seized for the workload application, our framework only harnesses the best fit resources measured against system-wide performance characterization, and is contingent upon the current workload definition. The intelligent selection of a subset of resources has proven to achieve better performance; especially in environments with a high level of heterogeneity where the characteristics of some resources may not achieve the best performance the cluster can provide. Additionally, this paper provides a novel analysis of the workload and cluster characteristics, exhibiting analytical starting points to be used in the resource selection.
The role of RAD9 in tumorigenesis

RAD9 regulates multiple cellular processes that influence genomic integrity, and for at least some of its functions the protein acts as part of a heterotrimeric complex bound to HUS1 and RAD1 proteins. RAD9 participates in DNA repair, including base excision repair, homologous recombination repair and mismatch repair, multiple cell cycle phase checkpoints and apoptosis. In addition, functions including the transactivation of downstream target genes, immunoglobulin class switch recombination, as well as 3'-5' exonuclease activity have been reported. Aberrant RAD9 expression has been linked to breast, lung, thyroid, skin and prostate tumorigenesis, and a cause-effect relationship has been demonstrated for the latter two. Interestingly, human RAD9 overproduction correlates with prostate cancer whereas deletion of Mrad9, the corresponding mouse gene, in keratinocytes leads to skin cancer. These results reveal that RAD9 protein can function as an oncogene or tumor suppressor, and aberrantly high or low levels can have deleterious health consequences. It is not clear which of the many functions of RAD9 is critical for carcinogenesis, but several alternatives are considered herein and implications for the development of novel cancer therapies based on these findings are examined.
Differential expression and biodistribution of cytokeratin 18 and desmoplakins in non-small cell lung carcinoma subtypes

Adenocarcinoma (AC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the lung are morphologically distinguished in part by cyto-architectural features. However, little is known about the relative expression and distribution of cyto-architectural proteins among AC, SCC and ASC. Initial microarray analysis revealed significant differences in expression of two cyto-architectural genes in AC, SCC and ASC. Desmoplakin (DP) 1 and 2, which link desmosomes to intermediate filaments, was strongly expressed in SCC relative to AC and ASC. Cytokeratin 18 (CK18), an intermediate filament that is commonly linked to desmoplakin, was strongly expressed in AC and ASC relative to SCC. Western blot analysis demonstrated that AC and ASC had abundant CK18 protein, whereas CK18 was weakly detected in SCC. DP 1 and 2 are strongly expressed in SCC and minimally expressed in AC and ASC. However, the ratio of one to the other is the same in SCC and AC, but DP2 is lost in ASC. Microscopic analysis with fluorescence-labeled antibodies for CK18 and DP 1 and 2 revealed abundant membrane localization of DP and minimal perinuclear localization of CK18 in SCC. In contrast, in both AC and ASC, the CK18 protein was diffusely distributed within the cytoplasm, and DP showed both membranous and cytoplasmic localization. In conclusion, the data here shows that AC, SCC and ASC each have specific patterns of DP 1 and 2 and CK18 gene expression, protein content and biodistribution.
Constructing Television Communities: The FCC, Signals, and Cities, 1948–1957

This study analyzes the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) efforts to define the television “community” as it formulated a national television system. The first opportunity came with the Sixth Report and Order, when the FCC made no provision for tailoring signal contours to existing communities. The second came when the FCC established program guidelines for new TV licensees and mandated a broad, amorphous community to be served by local programming. Such communities often bore little relation to local political, cultural, or social units. These spatial dimensions, which efficiently served network advertisers, still exist in many U.S. television communities.
The suprascapular nerve and its articular branch to the acromioclavicular joint: an anatomic study

Hypothesis The suprascapular nerve and its articular branch innervate the acromioclavicular (AC) joint. Documenting the detailed anatomy of this innervation in the AC joint, including the pertinent surgical and anatomic relationships of the suprascapular nerve and its branches to the AC joint, will aid in the prevention of injury and the reduction of risk of denervation during shoulder surgery. Materials and methods Twelve shoulders from 6 embalmed human cadavers were bilaterally dissected to study the course of the suprascapular nerve and its motor and sensory branches. Results The sensory branch runs superiorly to the supraspinatus muscle towards the AC joint. The average distance from the supraglenoid tubercle to the nerve at the coracoid base was 15 mm. The average distance from the coracoclavicular ligaments to the nerve at the coracoid base was 6 mm. The average distance from the spinoglenoid notch to the sensory branch at the suprascapular notch was 22 mm. The average length of the sensory branch was 30 mm. In half of the specimen shoulders, the suprascapular artery accompanied the nerve at the suprascapular notch under the transverse scapular ligament. Discussion The innervation of the AC joint by the suprascapular nerve has been described, along with pertinent distances to anatomic landmarks. The sensory branch of the suprascapular nerve, which passed through the scapular notch inferior to the transverse scapular ligament, was found in 100% of the study specimens. Conclusion The sensory branch of the suprascapular nerve runs superiorly to the supraspinatus muscle towards the AC joint. The detailed information can be used to help decrease the risk of nerve injury during shoulder surgery and to aid in effectively diagnosing and treating AC joint-related disorders.
Parallel distributed seismic migration

We report significant speed-up for seismic migration running in parallel on networkconnected IBM RISC/6000 workstations, A sustained performance of 15 MFLOP is obtained on a single-entry-level model 320, and speed-ups as high as 5 are obtained for six workstations connected by Ethernet or token ring. Our parallel software uses remote procedure calls provided by NCS (Network Computing System). We have run over a dozen workstations in parallel, but speed-ups become limited by network data rate. Fiber-optic communication should allow much greater speed-ups, and we describe our preliminary results with the fiberoptic serial link adapter of the RISC/6000. We also present a simple theoretical model that agrees well with our measurements and allows speed-up to be predicted from a knowledge of the ratio of computation to communication, which can be determined empirically before the program is parallellzed. We conclude with a brief discussion of alternative software approaches and programming models for network-connected parallel systems. In particular, our program was recently ported to PVM and Linda, and preliminary measurements yield speed-ups very close to those described here.
Phase Constitution and Mechanical Properties of Carbides in the Ta–C System

Carbides in the Ta-C system were prepared by hot-pressing mixed powders of TaC and Ta in C/Ta atomic ratios of 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, and 0.6 at 1800°C for 2 h. The compositions, 1.0, 0.9, and 0.8, produced single face-centered-cubic (fcc) TaC y phase with C/Ta ratios essentially the same as the starting compositions and densities exceeding 96.5% of theoretical. Grain size decreased with increasing carbon deficiency with a corresponding increase in Vickers hardness from 13.5 to 20 GPa. The flexural strength, however, decreased from 650 to 500 MPa due to a decrease in fracture toughness from 5.3 to 3.8 MPa√m. The compositions 0.7 and 0.6 produced two carbide phases, fcc TaC y and rhombohedral ζ-Ta 4 C 3―x phase in the 0.7 composition and ζ-Ta 4 C 3―x and hexagonal-close-packed (hcp) α-Ta 2 C phase in the 0.6 composition. Fracture toughness measured by single-edge-precracked-beam technique was exceptionally high (12.7±0.7 MPa√m) for the 0.6 composition with a high weight percent of the ζ-Ta 4 C 3―x phase (∼83 wt%). The fracture surface was highly faceted with multiple cleavage crack planes and steps.
Activation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) by fluid shear is Ca2+-and ATP-dependent in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts

To determine the role of Ca2+ signaling in activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway, we subjected MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells to inhibitors of Ca2+ signaling during application of fluid shear stress (FSS). FSS only activated ERK1/2, rapidly inducing phosphorylation within 5 min of the onset of shear. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) was significantly reduced when Ca2+i was chelated with BAPTA or when Ca2+ was removed from the flow media. Inhibition of both the L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel and the mechanosensitive cation-selective channel blocked FSS-induced pERK1/2. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 significantly reduced pERK1/2. This inhibition did not result from blockage of intracellular Ca2+ release, but a loss of PKC activation. Recent data suggests a role of ATP release and purinergic receptor activation in mechanotransduction. Apyrase-mediated hydrolysis of extracellular ATP completely blocked FSS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, while the addition of exogenous ATP to static cells mimicked the effects of FSS on pERK1/2. Two P2 receptors, P2Y2 and P2X7, have been associated with the anabolic responses of bone to mechanical loading. Using both iRNA techniques and primary osteoblasts isolated from P2X7 knockout mice, we found that the P2X7, but not the P2Y2, purinergic receptor was involved in ERK1/2 activation under FSS. These data suggest that FSS-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation requires Ca2+-dependent ATP release, however both increased Ca2+i and PKC activation are needed for complete activation. Further, this ATP-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation is mediated through P2X7, but not P2Y2, purinergic receptors.
Analysis goal expression language

This paper presents the abstract representation of Goal Expression Language (GEL). GEL is a very simple language used to specify analysis goals for an object-oriented design. This language is close to natural language and hence the learning factor is very low. GEL is part of a formal framework designed for the specification and analysis of objectoriented designs (FSAF). GEL can be used to express analysis goals for the static and dynamic behavior analysis of the design. This paper describes the basic components of GEL, how and where they can be used and also provides examples for demonstration. This abstract representation is the first step towards the formal semantics of GEL
Physiologic mechanisms opposing the hemodynamic effects of prazosin.

Prazosin was given for 10 to 14 days to eight hypertensive patients on a fixed intake of dietary salt. Except as limited by side effects, the dose was increased from 2 mg/day to a maximum dose of 24 mg/day. During treatment, when subjects were studied in supine and upright positions, mean arterial pressure (MAP) fell 6% and 12% (p < 0.025 and p < 0.005), heart rate rose 3% and 9% (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005), and plasma norepinephrine increased 95% and 107% (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) over control. Daily excretion of the norepinephrine metabolites methoxyhydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) increased 42% and 17% (p < 0.05 for each) during treatment. There were no changes in average body weight or plasma renin for the group, but patients whose body weight increased tended to show less reduction in blood pressure (correlation coefficient, r = 0.72, p < 0.05) and smaller increases in heart rate (r = −0.73, p < 0.05) during treatment with prazosin. These data suggest that expansion of extracellular fluid and activation of the sympathetic nervous system oppose the hemodynamic effects of prazosin. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 29, 7–11; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.2
New polymer electrolyte nanocomposites: Melt intercalation of poly(ethylene oxide) in mica‐type silicates

Polymer electrolyte nanocomposites have been synthesized by direct melt intercalation of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in layered silicates. Intercalation of the polymer chains in the silicate galleries greatly suppresses their tendency to crystallize. The conductivity of PEO/Li + -montmorillonite nanocomposite containing 40 wt% PEO is 1.6x10 -6 S/cm at 30°C and exhibits a weak temperature dependence with an activation energy of 2.8 kcal/mol
Making defect-finding tools work for you

Given the high costs of software testing and fixing bugs after release, early detection of bugs using static analysis can result in significant savings. However, despite their many benefits, recent availability of many such tools, and evidence of a positive return-on-investment, static-analysis tools are not used widely because of various usability and usefulness problems. The usability inhibitors include the lack of features, such as capabilities to merge reports from multiple tools and view warning deltas between two builds of a system. The usefulness problems are related primarily to the accuracy of the tools: identification of false positives (or, spurious bugs) and uninteresting bugs among the true positives. In this paper, we present the details of an online portal, developed at IBM Research, to address these problems and promote the adoption of static-analysis tools. We report our experience with the deployment of the portal within the IBM developer community. We also highlight the problems that we have learned are important to address, and present our approach toward solving some of those problems.
Asymptotic efficiency of estimation in the partial Koziol–Green model

In this paper, the convolution theorem and the minimax theorem for estimating the survival function in the partial Koziol–Green model (PKG) are presented. The result indicates that the partial Abdushukurov–Cheng–Lin (ACL) estimator in the PKG model is asymptotically efficient in the sense of being the least dispersed regular estimator. Consequently, the calculation shows that the ACL estimator in the KG model is also asymptotically efficient.
Comparative hemodynamic effects of labetalol and hydralazine in the treatment of postoperative hypertension

The antihypertensive efficacy and safety of IV labetalol were evaluated and compared with the efficacy and safety of IV hydralazine in the treatment of postoperative hypertension. Twenty patients undergoing major noncardiac surgery were entered into the study. Patients were randomized and treated for postoperative hypertension with either labetalol (n = 10) or hydralazine (n = 10). Labetalol and hydralazine both produced significant reductions in arterial blood pressure (p less than 0.001) within 10 minutes, which lasted at least 2 hours. In addition, labetalol produced a significant reduction in the heart rate and rate-pressure product without creating any adverse effects. In contrast, hydralazine produced significant sinus tachycardia requiring IV propranolol in three patients, two of whom developed transient ST segment depression. These results indicate that labetalol is safe and effective for the control of postoperative hypertension, especially in those patients who are least able to tolerate tachycardia.
Generalized Early Evaluation in Self-Timed Circuits

Phased logic has been proposed as a technique for realizing self-timed circuitry that is delay-insensitive and requires no global clock signals. Early evaluation techniques have been applied to asynchronous circuits in the past in order to achieve throughput increases. A general method for computing early evaluation functions is presented for this design style. Experimental results are given that show the increase in throughput of various benchmark circuits. The results show that as much as a 30% speedup can be achieved in some cases.
Anonymizing Network Traces with Temporal Pseudonym Consistency

The need for network traces has always been a critical element for the success of network, and network security, research. However, the plethora of privacy, legal and policy issues has often prevented access to collected traces. This has created the need for developing anonymization methods and tools to protect the privacy of the released traces while preserving utility in the data. A key dilemma in anonymizing network traces is whether to preserve IP pseudonym consistency, i.e., whether the same IP address is replaced by the same pseudo IP. On one hand, globally-consistent prefix-preserving IP address anonymization is subject to various privacy attacks. On the other hand, many usages of the trace data require some levels of consistency. We solve this dilemma by observing that a better privacy-utility tradeoff can be obtained by maintaining temporal pseudonym consistency. That is, we divide flows into buckets based on temporal closeness, and anonymize the flows within each bucket separately such that pseudonym consistency is maintained within each bucket, but broken across buckets. We present a new anonymization method based on these insights. Furthermore, our experimental results show that our method provides the needed privacy protections with little adverse effects on the utility of the trace.
Nuclear Erythroid 2 p45-Related Factor 2 Inhibits the Maturation of Murine Dendritic Cells by Ragweed Extract

Oxidative stress plays an important role in immune regulation and dendritic cell (DC) maturation. Recent studies indicate that allergens, including ragweed extract (RWE), possess prooxidant activities, but how RWE interacts with DCs is not well understood. Nuclear erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor that regulates constitutive and coordinated induction of a battery of antioxidant genes. We hypothesized that RWE would activate DCs and that this response would be augmented in the absence of Nrf2. We generated bone marrow–derived DCs (BM-DCs) and isolated lung DCs from Nrf2+/+ and Nrf2−/− mice and studied the effects of RWE on DCs in vitro. Under resting conditions, Nrf2−/− BM-DCs exhibited constitutively greater levels of inflammatory cytokines and costimulatory molecules than Nrf2+/+ BM-DCs. Exposure to RWE impaired endocytic activity, significantly induced oxidative stress, and enhanced the expression of CD80, CD86, and MHCII in Nrf2−/− BM-DCs when compared with Nrf2+/+ BM-DC, in association with reduced expression of Nrf2-regulated antioxidant genes. RWE significantly induced the secretion of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in BM-DCs and lung DCs from Nrf2−/− mice than Nrf2+/+ mice and significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-12 in Nrf2+/+ BM-DCs and IL-18 in Nrf2+/+ and Nrf2−/− BM-DCs. The stimulatory effects of RWE on DC activation were inhibited to varying degrees by the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. Our findings indicate that a defect in Nrf2-mediated signaling mechanisms alters the response of DCs to a common environmental allergen, which may contribute to the susceptibility to allergic diseases.
Ergovaline stability in tall fescue based on sample handling and storage methods

Ergovaline is an ergot alkaloid produced by the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) found in tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea (Schreb.) Dumort.) and blamed for a multitude of livestock disorders. Ergovaline is known to be unstable and affected by many variables. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sample handling and storage on the stability of ergovaline in tall fescue samples. Fresh tall fescue was collected from a horse farm in central Kentucky at three harvest dates and transported on ice to the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Plant material was frozen in liquid nitrogen, milled and mixed before being allocated into different sub-samples. Three sub-samples were assigned to each of 14 sample handling or storage treatments. Sample handling included increased heat and UV light to simulate transportation in a vehicle and on ice in a cooler per standard transportation recommendations. Storage conditions included storage at 22oC, 5oC and -20oC for up to 28 days. Each sub-sample was then analyzed for ergovaline concentration using HPLC with fluorescence detection and this experiment was repeated for each harvest date. Sub-samples exposed to UV light and heat lost a significant fraction of ergovaline in 2 hours, while sub-samples stored on ice in a cooler showed no change in ergovaline in 2 hours. All sub-samples stored at 22oC, 5oC and -20oC lost a significant fraction of ergovaline in the first 24 hours of storage. There was little change in ergovaline in the freezer (-20oC) after the first 24 hours up to 28 days of storage but intermittent losses were observed at 22oC and 5oC. To obtain results that most closely represent levels in the field, all samples should be transported on ice to the laboratory immediately after harvest for same day analysis. If immediate testing is not possible, samples should be stored at -20oC until analysis.
Manipulation of the vertebrate host's testosterone does not affect gametocyte sex ratio of a malaria parasite.

Gametocyte sex ratio of the malaria parasite Plasmodium mexicanum is variable in its host, the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), both among infections and within infections over time. We sought to determine the effect of host physiological quality on the gametocyte sex ratio in experimentally induced infections of P. mexicanum. Adult male lizards were assigned to 4 treatment groups: castrated, castrated + testosterone implant, sham implant, and unmanipulated control. No significant difference in gametocyte sex ratio was found among the 4 treatment groups. Two other analyses were performed. A surgery stress analysis compared infection sex ratio of castrated, castrated + testosterone implant, and sham implant groups with the unmanipulated control group. A testosterone alteration analysis compared infection sex ratio of the castrated and castrated + testosterone implant groups with the sham implant and unmanipulated control groups. Again, no significant difference was observed for these 2 compa...
The role of the NK-homeobox gene slouch (S59) in somatic muscle patterning

In the Drosophila embryo, a distinct class of myoblasts, designated as muscle founders, prefigures the mature pattern of somatic body wall muscles. Each founder cell appears to be instrumental in generating a single larval muscle with a defined identity. The NK homeobox gene S59 was the first of a growing number of proposed ‘identity genes’ that have been found to be expressed in stereotyped patterns in specific subsets of muscle founders and their progenitor cells and are thought to control their developmental fates. In the present study, we describe the effects of gain- and loss-of-function experiments with S59. We find that a null mutation in the gene encoding S59, which we have named slouch (slou), disrupts the development of all muscles that are derived from S59expressing founder cells. The observed phenotypes upon mutation and ectopic expression of slouch include transformations of founder cell fates, thus confirming that slouch (S59) functions as an identity gene in muscle development. These fate transformations occur between sibling founder cells as well as between neighboring founders that are not lineage-related. In the latter case, we show that slouch (S59) activity is required cellautonomously to repress the expression of ladybird (lb) homeobox genes, thereby preventing specification along the lb pathway. Together, these findings provide new insights into the regulatory interactions that establish the somatic muscle pattern.
The American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide by Roberta Larson Duyff

Are you ready to change from the food pyramid to MyPlate? People can no longer fit into airplane seats. Theater and sports stadiums are putting in larger seats. Everyone needs to eat, but we do not...
How I Envision Mathematics Education: Introduction to Part IV

When I was in middle school – in grades 6, 7, 8 – my first Olympiads showed that there is mathematics unlike the one in school, beautiful, humorous, surprising.