cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breadcrumbs: efficient context sensitivity for dynamic bug detection analyses

Calling context--the set of active methods on the stack--is critical for understanding the dynamic behavior of large programs. Dynamic program analysis tools, however, are almost exclusively context insensitive because of the prohibitive cost of representing calling contexts at run time. Deployable dynamic analyses, in particular, have been limited to reporting only static program locations.This paper presents Breadcrumbs, an efficient technique for recording and reporting dynamic calling contexts. It builds on an existing technique for computing a compact (one word) encoding of each calling context that client analyses can use in place of a program location. The key feature of our system is a search algorithm that can reconstruct a calling context from its encoding using only a static call graph and a small amount of dynamic information collected at cold (infrequently executed) callsites. Breadcrumbs requires no offline training or program modifications, and handles all language features, including dynamic class loading.We use Breadcrumbs to add context sensitivity to two dynamic analyses: a data-race detector and an analysis for diagnosing null pointer exceptions. On average, it adds 10% to 20% runtime overhead, depending on a tunable parameter that controls how much dynamic information is collected. Collecting less information lowers the overhead, but can result in a search space explosion. In some cases this causes reconstruction to fail, but in most cases Breadcrumbs >produces non-trivial calling contexts that have the potential to significantly improve both the precision of the analyses and the quality of the bug reports.
Why do patients with low-grade soft tissue sarcoma die?

Introduction The patterns of failure and mechanisms of sarcoma-specific death are poorly characterized among the minority of patients with low-grade soft tissue sarcoma (STS) who succumb to disease.
Laparoscopic excision of a prostatic utricle in a child

Prostatic utricle cysts result from incomplete regression of Mullerian duct structures and occur most frequently in males with perineal or peno-scrotal hypospadias. Utricular cysts may present with various signs and symptoms including urinary tract infection, pain and post-void incontinence, a palpable abdominal mass or recurrent epididymitis. Treatment is reserved for symptomatic cysts and various techniques have been described including transurethral deroofing, endoscopic incision or surgical excision by suprapubic, posterior and midline transvesical approaches. We present a successful minimally invasive approach for excision of a prostatic utricle cyst in a child. Laparoscopic excision is a safe and viable alternative to open procedures in the surgical treatment of symptomatic utricle cysts in childhood. The presence of a cystoscope within the utricle orifice aids identification and safe dissection of the utricular remnant.
Protein docking by the interface structure similarity: how much structure is needed?

The increasing availability of co-crystallized protein-protein complexes provides an opportunity to use template-based modeling for protein-protein docking. Structure alignment techniques are useful in detection of remote target-template similarities. The size of the structure involved in the alignment is important for the success in modeling. This paper describes a systematic large-scale study to find the optimal definition/size of the interfaces for the structure alignment-based docking applications. The results showed that structural areas corresponding to the cutoff values <12 A across the interface inadequately represent structural details of the interfaces. With the increase of the cutoff beyond 12 A, the success rate for the benchmark set of 99 protein complexes, did not increase significantly for higher accuracy models, and decreased for lower-accuracy models. The 12 A cutoff was optimal in our interface alignment-based docking, and a likely best choice for the large-scale (e.g., on the scale of the entire genome) applications to protein interaction networks. The results provide guidelines for the docking approaches, including high-throughput applications to modeled structures.
Quantifying the evolution of vascular barrier disruption in advanced atherosclerosis with semipermeant nanoparticle contrast agents.

Rationale Acute atherothrombotic occlusion in heart attack and stroke implies disruption of the vascular endothelial barrier that exposes a highly procoagulant intimal milieu. However, the evolution, severity, and pathophysiological consequences of vascular barrier damage in atherosclerotic plaque remain unknown, in part because quantifiable methods and experimental models are lacking for its in vivo assessment. Objective To develop quantitative nondestructive methodologies and models for detecting vascular barrier disruption in advanced plaques. Methods and Results Sustained hypercholesterolemia in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits for >7–14 months engendered endothelial barrier disruption that was evident from massive and rapid passive penetration and intimal trapping of perfluorocarbon-core nanoparticles (PFC-NP: ∼250 nm diameter) after in vivo circulation for as little as 1 hour. Only older plaques (>7 mo), but not younger plaques (<3 mo) demonstrated the marked enhancement of endothelial permeability to these particles. Electron microscopy revealed a complex of subintimal spongiform channels associated with endothelial apoptosis, superficial erosions, and surface-penetrating cholesterol crystals. Fluorine (19F) magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRI/MRS) enabled absolute quantification (in nanoMolar) of the passive permeation of PFC-NP into the disrupted vascular lesions by sensing the unique spectral signatures from the fluorine core of plaque-bound PFC-NP. Conclusions The application of semipermeant nanoparticles reveals the presence of profound barrier disruption in later stage plaques and focuses attention on the disrupted endothelium as a potential contributor to plaque vulnerability. The response to sustained high cholesterol levels yields a progressive deterioration of the vascular barrier that can be quantified with fluorine MRI/MRS of passively permeable nanostructures. The possibility of plaque classification based on the metric of endothelial permeability to nanoparticles is suggested.
Thomas-Fermi fission barriers

Using the self-consistent Thomas-Fermi model from our earlier work, backed by the liquid-drop-model scaling rule for fission barriers, we have constructed a simple algebraic equation for Thomas-Fermi fission barriers. The equation is accurate for proton numbers greater than about 70 and for neutron numbers up to at least 20 units on either side of beta stability. This has made it possible to make a comprehensive comparison of the Thomas-Fermi theory with 120 measured fission barriers.
Expression of multiple genes regulating cell cycle and apoptosis in differentiating hematopoietic cells is dependent on iron.

Abstract Objective Iron plays critical roles in many biological processes including hematopoietic cell growth and differentiation. Iron is essential for the differentiation of HL-60 promonocytes. HL-60 cells stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) undergo G1/S phase cell-cycle arrest and differentiate to monocyte/macrophages. With iron deprivation, PMA-induced HL-60 cells bypass differentiation and undergo apoptosis. To investigate the molecular basis underlying this observation, we used commercially available gene microarrays to evaluate expression of multiple genes involved in the regulation of cell cycling and apoptosis. Methods We treated HL-60 cells with PMA ± desferrioxamine (DF), a potent iron chelator, to produce iron deprivation. Cells were cultured for 48 hours, and cDNA was prepared and radiolabeled with α - 32 P dCTP, then hybridized to gene arrays containing specific cDNA fragments. Results Expression of 11 of 43 genes was inhibited greater than 50% by iron deprivation. These genes were Rb; p21 (WAF1/CIP1); bad; cdk2; cyclins A, D3, E1; c-myc; egr-1; iNOS; and FasL. For each gene the microarray results were confirmed by RT-PCR and/or Northern or Western blotting. Nuclear transcription assays indicated that the role of iron in Rb expression was to support gene transcription. Addition of ferrioxamine (iron saturated DF) instead of DF to PMA-induced cells did not affect gene expression, indicating that diminished expression was due to iron deprivation, not nonspecific toxicity. Conclusion Iron supports expression of multiple cell cycle–regulatory and apoptosis-related genes during HL-60 cell differentiation, and, in this way, is involved in regulation of a critical cell decision point—the decision to pursue a differentiation-related or apoptotic pathway.
Validity of self-reported eye disease and treatment in a population-based study: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

Purpose To examine the validity of self-reported eye disease, including cataract, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (DR), and self-reported surgical treatment for cataract and DR in the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES). Design Population-based, cross-sectional study. Participants A total of 6357 Latinos aged 40+ years from the LALES. Methods Participants underwent a detailed interview, including survey questions about ocular health, diagnoses, and timing of last eye examination, and a standardized clinical examination. Self-report was compared with examination to determine sensitivity and specificity by length of time since last eye examination. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with inaccurate self-report. Main Outcome Measures Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for 4 self-reported eye diseases (cataract, AMD, glaucoma, and DR) and for surgical treatment of cataract and DR. Odds ratios (ORs) were determined for factors associated with inaccurate self-report underestimating eye disease and treatment. Results For each disease, sensitivity and specificity in those who reported their last eye examination as Conclusions Among Latinos, self-reporting of eye disease and surgical history provides a significant underestimate of the disease burden. This may lead to significant misclassification in vision research if self-report alone is used to identify persons with eye disease. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
A Taxometric Study of Hypochondriasis Symptoms

Hypochondriasis has been conceptualized as both a distinct category that is characterized by a disabling illness preoccupation and as a continuum of health concerns. Empirical support for one of these theoretical models will clarify inconsistent assessment approaches and study designs that have impeded theory and research. To facilitate progress, taxometric analyses were conducted to determine whether hypochondriasis is best understood as a discrete category, consistent with the DSM, or as a dimensional entity, consistent with prevailing opinion and most self-report measures. Data from a large undergraduate sample that completed 3 hypochondriasis symptom measures were factor analyzed. The 4 factor analytically derived symptom indicators were then used in these taxometric analyses. Consistent with our hypotheses and existing theory, results supported a dimensional structure for hypochondriasis. Implications for the conceptualization of hypochondriasis and directions for future study are discussed.
Practical limitations of bioresorbable membranes in the prevention of intra-abdominal adhesions.

Introduction Intra-abdominal adhesions are a significant source of postoperative morbidity. Bioresorbable barriers composed of hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose (HA/CMC) reduce adhesion formation by physically separating injured or healing peritoneal surfaces. To assess whether the efficacy of a physical barrier can extend beyond the site of application, we evaluated the effectiveness of an HA/CMC barrier in preventing adhesions distal to the site of placement.
Caffe Neve: A Podcasting-Capable Framework for Crearing Flexible and Extensible 3D Applications

The popularization of podcasting provides Internet users more opportunities to access interesting and entertaining multimedia content. The podcasting content hosting sites became the shared platforms for all Internet users to access third-party contributions. More and more Internet users are encouraged to become active content providers that share their resources and multimedia productions. Building a large scale multi-user 3D application can benefit from the same content distribution pattern as the development cost can be distributed if the application implementation is outsourced. The application is constructed by integrating 3D content from various third-party service providers. In addition, the implementation outsourcing can inspire contributors to provide creative application content. Unfortunately, sharing and distributing 3D resources are more challenging and the podcasting framework cannot resolve the problems effectively.We introduce a standardized framework that supports the seamless integration of distributed 3D resources as coarse-grained components of constructed Distributed Virtual Environments (DVEs). Component Application Framework For Extensible NEtworked Virtual Environments (Caffe Neve) uses service-oriented architecture (SOA) and incorporates streaming technology for dynamic content delivery. Using Caffe Neve, third-party developers can create distributed services to stream 3D content. The framework provides an application integrator that constructs a shared virtual environment and delivers the application content to the end users.In this paper we describe the framework details. The application integration infrastructure of the framework is designed based on a distributed Model-View-Controller model. The framework uses an ontology to support the semantic level content integration and service coordination. In addition, the framework incorporates streaming within the architecture for the real-time data delivery and improved performance. By deploying services within the framework, 3D resource owners can conveniently podcast or broadcast their 3D content to the end users. In the end, we demonstrate how to use the framework to construct 3D podcast and broadcast applications. Regardless of the type of 3D applications and delay tolerance, performance is important and has to be carefully studied. We evaluate the framework performance by examining the sample application and present the analysis results. We also present the experiment results on the simulated framework application in large scale by using simulation tools.
FUNCTIONAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OF THE FEMALE RAT FOLLOWING PREPUBERAL TREATMENT WITH ESTROGENS1

WHEN LACTATING mother rats are treated with estrogens during the first 14 days of lactation, the young show an atypical pseudo-stratified uterine epithelium, cornified vaginal epithelium, and hy-perplastic myometrium. Ovarian and Fallopian tube development are retarded (Weichert and Kerrigan, 1942). The present investigation s i concerned with the after-effects of such premature stimulation in later life. Greene and Burrill (1941) reported that female rats given single large doses of estradiol dipropionate at birth, when examined 3–18 months later, had markedly enlarged and inflamed oviducts, small ovaries lacking corpora lutea, and uteri showing squamous metaplasia. The animals remained in persistent estrus. Turner (1941) found that newborn female rats, given 100 to 200 i.u. of estrogen daily for the first ten days of life, later showed prolonged estrous periods, occasionally copulated without impregnation, and at ten months of age had ovaries containing only atretic follicles.
Organic Polymers with Cyclophosphazene Side Groups: Influence of the Phosphazene on Physical Properties and Thermolysis

Polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymers with cyclophosphazene side groups have been prepared by the reactions of azidocyclophosphazenes with diphenylstyrylphosphine residues in the copolymer structures. The cyclophosphazene pendent groups were present in from 1 to 100% of the monomer residues in polystyrene and from 2 to 20% of the repeating units in poly(methyl methacrylate). In both systems, the cyclophosphazene side units lowered the Tg roughly in proportion to their concentration in the macromolecules. The presence of ∼10% of cyclophosphazene-bearing monomer residues markedly reduces the combustibility of both polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate). The mechanism of fire retardance is discussed.
Posterior-only approach for total en bloc spondylectomy for malignant primary spinal neoplasms: Anatomic considerations and operative nuances

MALIGNANT PRIMARY SPINAL tumors are rare tumors that are locally invasive and can metastasize. The majority of these tumors have a poor response rate to chemotherapy and conventional radiotherapy. Studies have shown that long-term survival and the potential for cure is best achieved with en bloc surgical excision of these tumors with negative surgical margins. Total en bloc spondylectomy involves removal of vertebral segment(s) in whole to achieve wide tumor excision. Total en bloc spondylectomy can be performed through staged or combined anterior and posterior approaches, or from a posterior-only approach. The posterior-only approach offers the advantage of achieving complete tumor excision and circumferential spinal reconstruction in a single setting. In this report, we discuss the operative management of malignant primary vertebral tumors using the posterior-only approach for total en bloc spondylectomy. The oncological considerations and surgical nuances that allow for safe but aggressive surgical excision of primary spinal tumors to achieve favorable oncological and neurological outcomes are highlighted.
Control of the Switching Surge Voltages Produced by the Current-Limiting Power Fuse

A new transient condition unique to fuses of the current-limiting type is described and it is recommended that these fuses be designed to inherently control switching surge voltage magnitudes to meet the following conditions: 1. The transient recovery voltage should not exceed the insulation level of rotating machines ?2(2E+1,000) where E is the rated terminal-to- terminal rms voltage of the lowest rated machine involved. 2. The transient recovery voltage should preferably not exceed the 60-cycle crest spark-over voltage of associated lightning arresters. 3. If the transient recovery voltage does exceed the 60-cycle crest spark-over voltage of associated arresters, the interrupting rating of the fuse should be determined and assigned to limit the arrester current to a safe magnitude.
A Colorimeter for Measuring Phosphorous in Solution

Phosphorous is an essential element for life. Organisms use atoms of phosphorous as phosphate anions in the synthesis of ATP, DNA, NAD, NADP, FAD, phospholipids, and many other organophosphates. In the environment, phosphorous often is the element that limits the growth of plants owing to its low availability. In spite of being low in availability, phosphorous enrichment of aquatic ecosystems often triggers algal blooms in lakes, making these bodies of water highly productive. At first glance this may sound good; however, the algal species whose populations explode often are those that are not consumed readily by zooplankton. As these large algal populations die off when water temperatures drop, they decompose, depleting dissolved oxygen that aquatic animals depend on. Phosphorous enrichment of aquatic ecosystems is usually due to human activity often associated with agriculture. Runoff from cultivated and fertilized cropland and from cattle feedlot and hog confinement operations have been implicated often as sources of phosphorous additions to lakes and streams. Municipal sewage is another source. Under these conditions phosphorous becomes an element that needs to be monitored in bodies of water. In aquatic ecosystems, phosphorous exists in several forms which may be grouped based on testing procedures (Lampert & Sommer 1997).
Expansion of Cytomegalovirus pp65 and IE-1 Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes for Cytomegalovirus-Specific Immunotherapy Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract Adoptive immunotherapy with antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) has proven effective in restoring cellular immunity to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and preventing viral reactivation after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). In an effort to develop a cost-effective, relatively rapid method of CMV CTL expansion, we investigated the use of a pool of overlapping CMV peptides. Because the possibility exists of vaccinating CMV-seronegative donors, and these individuals may have T cell responses predominantly against IE-1, commercially available peptide mixes for pp65 as well as IE-1 were used to stimulate CTLs from 10 seropositive donors. Of these 10 donors, 4 responded to pp65 only, 1 did not respond to either pp65 or IE-1, 4 responded to both pp65 and IE-1, and 1 responded to IE-1 only. These CMV- specific T cells included a mixture of CD4+ and CD8+ effectors, and specific cytotoxicity correlated with interferon-γ production. The costs associated with a 28-day maintenance course of intravenous ganciclovir, cidofovir, foscarnet, and valganciclovir, as well as the preparation and shipping a single dose of CTLs, were determined. The price of generating CMV CTLs using this method was comparable to or less expensive than a 28-day maintenance course for these agents, not including the costs associated with drug administration, supportive care, and the treatment of drug-related complications. Considering the relative ease, low cost, and the fact that CTL administration can result in CMV-specific immune reconstitution, this option should be considered for patients with CMV reactivation or for prophylaxis in patients at high risk for infection.
Identifying minefields and verifying clearance: adapting statistical methods for UXO target detection

It may not be feasible to completely survey large tracts of land suspected of containing minefields. It is desirable to develop a characterization protocol that will confidently identify minefields within these large land tracts if they exist. Naturally, surveying areas of greatest concern and most likely locations would be necessary but will not provide the needed confidence that an unknown minefield had not eluded detection. Once minefields are detected, methods are needed to bound the area that will require detailed mine detection surveys. The US Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) is sponsoring the development of statistical survey methods and tools for detecting potential UXO targets. These methods may be directly applicable to demining efforts. Statistical methods are employed to determine the optimal geophysical survey transect spacing to have confidence of detecting target areas of a critical size, shape, and anomaly density. Other methods under development determine the proportion of a land area that must be surveyed to confidently conclude that there are no UXO present. Adaptive sampling schemes are also being developed as an approach for bounding the target areas. These methods and tools will be presented and the status of relevant research in this area will be discussed.
A novel biological effect of atrial natriuretic hormone: inhibition of mesangial cell mitogenesis.

Summary We have investigated the effect of atrial natriuretic hormone on serum-induced mitogenesis in cultured rat mesangial cells. Synthetic peptides, atriopeptin 28 and atriopeptin 24, dose-dependently decreased thymidine incorporation, with a half-maximal effect at ∼1 nM and a maximal inhibition of ∼60%. Moreover, atriopeptin 28 significantly decreased the clonal proliferation of mesangial cells. Atriopeptin 28 also decreased resting cytosolic Ca but had no effect on the increase induced by serum, relative to the lower baseline established by atriopeptin 28. Nevertheless, the overall effect of atriopeptin 28 on Ca was to attenuate the serum-induced increase, relative to the original resting level. These results therefore provide evidence for a novel biological effect of atrial natriuretic hormone and suggest that the antimitogenic effect may be mediated by atriopeptin-induced alterations of intracellular Ca dynamics. We speculate that atrial natriuretic hormone may be a modulator of mesangial cell mitogenesis in vivo.
Board vigilance, director experience, and corporate outcomes

Agency-based studies of boards of directors address factors relevant to board vigilance with respect to the monitoring of senior managers. We argue that relying solely on director vigilance may be limiting because vigilance without relevant experience is unlikely to ensure board effectiveness. Our contention is that boards comprising vigilant directors, as well as directors with appropriate knowledge gained through experience, not only will be better monitors, but also more useful advisors to top managers. The focus of our study is on the effect on acquisition outcomes of the interaction of board vigilance and director experiential learning. Consistent with our expectations, the empirical findings indicate that vigilant boards rich in appropriate experience are associated with superior acquisition outcomes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teratological effects of western equine encephalitis virus on the fetal nervous system of Macaca mulatta.

Fetal rhesus monkeys were inoculated intracerebrally with an attenuated strain of western equine encephalitis virus. All animals developed micrencephaly. Twelve of sixteen monkeys developed ex vacuo hydrocephalus. All virus inoculated fetuses developed WEE virus antibody. Virus could hot be recovered at the time of delivery. Monkeys with the highest WEE antibody titers showed the greatest degree of hydrocephalus.
Experimental analysis of polar body formation in starfish eggs

In polar body formation, a protuberance develops on the oocyte surface and subsequently separates from it by a process resembling normal cytokinesis. Protuberance formation has usually been attributed to controlled cytoplasmic outflow associated with local surface weakening. This investigation was designed to ascertain by physical manipulation more information concerning the physical mechanisms that accomplish the form changes. In unoperated Pisaster giganteus and Asterias vulgaris oocytes, unsymmetrical polar body formation was associated with failure of the mitotic apparatus to assume its normal orientation perpendicular to the oocyte surface. Needles inserted perpendicular to the plane of division straddling the mitotic apparatus can block separation of the polar body depending on the distance between them. Consequences of moving the mitotic apparatus with a needle were consistent with those in oocytes in which the mitotic apparatus was spontaneously maloriented. Shifting all or part of the mitotic apparatus resulted in polar body formation activity if the apparatus was close enough to the surface. Shifting at interphase did not affect the surface until the next meiotic cycle. Shifting during meiotic activity resulted in rapid local protuberance formation at the new site (av. 1.74 min, n=21). Increasing internal hydrostatic pressure by flattening the oocyte did not enhance cytoplasmic flow into the normal protuberance and usually caused it to recede rapidly. When oocytes were immersed in 50% seawater, the osmotic swelling did not enhance the flow of cytoplasm into the protuberance and the point of rupture showed no tendency to be localized in the polar body area. There did not appear to be a cytochalasin B resistant form change during starfish polar body formation. Extensive tears in the oocyte surface, which prompted massive cytoplasmic outflow, had no effect on the form of the nearby protuberance. Experiments indicated clear differences in response to hydrostatic pressure between normal early stages of polar body formation and similarly sized excrescences formed on the oocyte by mechanical or chemical weakening of a restricted part of the surface. They suggest that the protuberance of normal polar body formation may not result from local surface weakening.
Single-camera stereo vision for obstacle detection in mobile robots

Stereo vision is attractive for autonomous mobile robot navigation, but the cost and complexity of stereo camera systems and the computational requirements make full stereo vision impractical. A novel optical system allows the capture of a pair of short, wide stereo images from a single camera, which are then processed to detect vertical edges and infer obstacle positions and locations within the planar field of view, providing real-time obstacle detection. Our optical system involves a pair of right-angle prisms stacked vertically, splitting the camera field of view vertically in half. Right angle mirrors on either side redirect the image forward but at a horizontally displaced location, creating two virtual cameras. Tilting these mirrors provides an overlapping image area. Alternately, tilting the prisms produces the same effect. This image area is wide but not very tall. However, in a mobile robot scenario the majority of obstacles of interest intersect this field of view.
Biophysical properties of homomeric and heteromultimeric channels formed by cardiac connexins.

Substantial advances have been made in characterizing the biophysical properties of channels formed exclusively by connexin isoforms expressed mainly in the heart, e.g., Cx43, Cx45 or Cx40. These properties include transjunctional and transmembrane voltage gating as well as their perm-selectivity, chemical gating and, at a single channel level, their multiple open states and changes in mode behavior. Nonetheless, these connexins are rarely expressed individually in a cell and the presence of functional channels constituted by distinct connexin isoforms is now suspected to be a norm. In fact, combinations of the connexins that form heteromeric channels have been described in some tissues, increasing the necessity to reinforce the research that leads to understanding the effects of these heteromeric interaction on the gating and conducting characteristics of the channels. Furthermore, protein–protein interaction studies will help to understand which connexin domains are involved in these interactions and how they affect the physiology of channels and their interaction with other biological and structural molecules in the cell. New information on the biophysical properties of heteromultimeric channels suggests that interaction between connexins and connexons is not as simple as once thought. Theoretically, changes in the coupling of homomeric connexons (Cx43) in the myocardium may not be significant enough to change the physiology of the heart or to incite arrhythmias, but when heteromeric channels are present, alteration in conductance, differential gating sensitivity to bio-gating molecules and changes in voltage sensitivity increase substantially the cell resources to modulate intercellular coupling, which may participate in the physiology and/or pathology of the cardiovascular tissues.
Experimental forecasts of El Niño

A deterministic numerical model of the coupled evolution of the tropical ocean and atmosphere was used to forecast all El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events from 1970 to 1986. More particularly, the model, originally developed for studying large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions in the tropics, successfully predicted the characteristics of the spatial and temporal structure of ENSO observed in the study interval. The model indicated that rainfall moving eastward over the Pacific slackens the surface winds that would otherwise cool the eastern Pacific by drawing up cooler subsurface waters. The oceanic thermocline increases, a poleward flow of westerly flowing warn waters deplets the equatorial warm water reservoir, and sea surface temperatures decline. These ENSO conditions are statistically tractable with the model several months in advance, provided upper ocean layer thermal data are available.
Heat conduction fronts in planetary nebulae

We present arguments which suggest that many of the x-ray, some optical, and some UV observations of planetary nebulae, can be explained by the presence of heat conduction fronts. The heat flows from the hot bubble formed by the shocked fast wind to the cool shell and halo. Heat conduction fronts are likely to account for emission of x rays from plasma at lower temperature than the expected temperature of the hot bubble. In the presence of magnetic fields, only a small fraction of the fast wind luminosity emerges as radiation. Heat conduction fronts can naturally produce some unusual line flux ratios, which are observed in some planetary nebulae. Heat conduction fronts may heat the halo and cause some material at the inner surface of the shell to expand slower than the rest of the shell. In the presence of an asymmetrical magnetic field, this flow, the x-ray intensity, and the emission lines, may acquire asymmetrical structure as well.
Organotantalum Bis(amidinate) Complexes: Synthesis and Characterization of Methyl, Methylidene, Benzyl, and Imido Derivatives

A new series of tantalum complexes incorporating bis(trimethylsilyl)benzamidinate ligands has been prepared and fully characterized; examples include species with alkyl, alkylidene, and imido functionalities.
Convergence rates for inexact Newton-like methods at singular points and applications

Newton's method converges linearly rather than quadratically if the initial guess is close to the solution and the Frechet derivative is singular at the solution. Several authors have already tried to improve the rate of convergence for this method in this case. The limitations of their approach is twofold. First, the residuals at each step are assumed to be zero, which is not the case in general. Second, the previous works are limited only to the ordinary Newton method. Here we extend and improve on these results by providing convergence rates for inexact Newton-like methods on a Banach space setting. Moreover our results reduce to the ones already in the literature for special choices of the operators involved. We complete our study with some numerical examples appearing in connection with some ''predator-prey'' problems appearing in population modeling that show how our results improve on the earlier ones.
Bromodeoxyuridine Incorporation Into DNA of Human Leukemia Cells Is Not Concentration Dependent

Leukemia blasts isolated from bone marrow aspirates of 44 adults with acute leukemia were incubated for 1 h with 0.008-32 microM bromodeoxyuridine (Brd-Urd). After dual labeling with monoclonal anti-BrdUrd antibodies and propidium iodide, the cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Percent labeled cells and intensity of labeling were similar over concentrations of BrdUrd ranging from 0.8-32 microM--a 40-fold range. Therefore, despite potential interpatient variability in nucleoside pharmacokinetics, commonly used doses of BrdUrd which are intended to achieve steady-state plasma concentrations in the 8.0 microM range can be expected to provide a reliable estimate of the S-phase fraction.
Chronic d-amphetamine inhibits opioid receptor antagonist-induced supersensitivity.

Chronic treatment with an opioid antagonist, such as naltrexone, increases opioid receptor density and opioid agonist potency. Since stimulants such as d-amphetamine can increase opioid potency and opioid abusers may administer stimulants during naltrexone treatment, the effect of chronic d-amphetamine on naltrexone-induced opioid receptor upregulation and supersensitivity was examined in mice. Mice were implanted s.c. with a 15 mg naltrexone or placebo pellet for 8 days. Mice were injected daily with saline or d-amphetamine (7.5 or 5.0 mg/kg per day s.c.) for 7 days beginning 24 h following implantation. Naltrexone and placebo pellets were removed on the 8th day, and 24 h later mice were tested for morphine analgesia (tail-flick) or whole brain was removed and opioid receptor binding studies were conducted. Chronic naltrexone significantly enhanced the analgesic potency of morphine in saline-treated mice. However, naltrexone treatment did not increase morphine potency in mice treated with d-amphetamine. In binding studies, naltrexone increased [3H][D-Ala2,NMePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAGO) Bmax (+60-70%) without altering KD in both saline- and d-amphetamine-treated mice. Results from studies with 2 nM [3H][D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) were similar. These studies indicate that daily d-amphetamine can limit naltrexone-induced supersensitivity but not receptor upregulation. Thus, upregulation can be dissociated from functional supersensitivity.
Improved Confidence Bounds Applied to Reliability

Randomization to improve confidence bounds for parameters of discrete distributions is discussed and compared with ``classical'' non-randomized bounds. An example demonstrates the use of this method in a typical reliability application. This ``well known'' procedure should be useful to reliability engineers.
Nanowire-based high speed transparent and flexible thin-film transistor devices

High-performance transparent and flexible thin film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated on glass and plastic substrates using alligned SnO2 nanowires as the channel material. High densities of crystalline SnO2 nanowires were dry-transferred directly onto the glass/plastic substrates, followed by low-temperature patterning of the source/drain and gate electrodes. Transparent TFTs fabricated on glass substrates show excellent electrical properties and optical transmittance. Excellent mechanical flexibility can be further obtained under cyclic tension experiments in devices fabricated on plastic substrates. The charge carrier mobility was estimated to be as high as 160 cm2 /V·s — two orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional amorphous-silicon or organic TFTs. Cutoff frequency > 70 MHz and on/off ratio > 106 have also been demonstrated. The low-cost nanowire growth and dry-transfer processes make this approach a cost-effective means to fabricate transparent and/or flexible TFTs on non-conventional substrates.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Core structure of the U6 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein at 1.7-Å resolution

The spliceosome is a dynamic assembly of five small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) that removes introns from eukaryotic pre-mRNA. U6 is the most conserved of the spliceosomal snRNAs and participates directly in catalysis. Here, we report the crystal structure of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae U6 snRNP core, containing most of U6 snRNA and all four RRM domains of the Prp24 protein. It reveals a unique interlocked RNP architecture that sequesters the 5′ splice site-binding bases of U6 snRNA. RRMs 1, 2 and 4 of Prp24 form an electropositive groove that binds double-stranded RNA and may nucleate annealing of U4 and U6 snRNAs. Substitutions in Prp24 that suppress a mutation in U6 localize to direct RNA-protein contacts. Our results provide the most complete view to date of a multi-RRM protein bound to RNA, and reveal striking co-evolution of protein and RNA structure.
HPV vaccination an opportune time for HIV testing.

The recent review article by Rupp et al did an excellent job of highlighting new adolescent vaccination visits as opportune times to provide preventative counseling and care. Specifically routine vaccination against the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV) will require three separate visits. The authors propose a clear schedule for delivering the separate required doses across three early adolescent health visits for 11-12-year-olds and suggest that anticipatory guidance also be provided at these visits. Additionally the authors point out that catch-up vaccinations for older adolescents provide similar opportunities for risk behavior counseling. Among older adolescents HPV vaccination visits may also serve as opportune times for routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued recommendations for universal HIV screening among those aged 13-64 years who are seen in a clinical setting. Adoption of these guidelines by adolescent providers may serve to identify treat and prevent HIV disease among our youth. Universal HIV screening like universal HPV vaccination can serve to decrease stigma that may otherwise be associated with these two important diagnostic and preventative interventions. It is anticipated that in several years we will have an HIV vaccine. HIV vaccine candidates are in phase II B clinical trials and a HIV vaccine may be available within the next 10 years. As with an HPV vaccine adolescents may represent the ideal population to target with an HIV vaccine once it is available. Effective three-dose HPV vaccine delivery programs for adolescents may serve as models for the future delivery of a multi-dose HIV vaccine. Among sexually active adolescents HIV vaccine delivery programs will need to include routine HIV testing. It is important to establish effective HPV vaccine delivery programs among early adolescents before the onset of sexual activity. Equally critical is the successful implementation of HPV vaccine delivery catch-up programs among older adolescents. Combining routine HIV testing with HPV vaccination for older adolescents will serve to facilitate the adoption of the new universal testing guidelines for HIV and will also set the stage for the HIV testing that will be routinely indicated before HIV vaccination once we have an HIV vaccine. (full text)
Building spiritedmultidisciplinary teams

Managing multidisciplinary teams in complex settings such as the perianesthesiasetting is a leadership challenge. With the addition of work redesign and cross-training initiatives, the task of helping people form healthy working relationships is substantial. The Team Spirit model (The Expanded Learning Institute, Del Mar, CA) demonstrates how employing the phases of Initiating, Visioning, Claiming, Celebrating, and Letting Go will build team spirit and more effective teams. The model and the phases are described with examples given of how getting to know each other, addressing differences, developing a shared vision, doing the work through effective communication, and celebrating will lead to spirited multidisciplinary teams.
A survey of pseudo ( v, k, λ )-designs

This work is an attempt to give a complete survey of all known results about “pseudo (v, k, λ)-designs.” In doing this, the author hopes to bring more attention to his conjecture given in Section 6; an affirmative answer to this conjecture would settle completely the existence and construction problem for a pseudo (v, k, λ)-design in terms of the existence of an appropriate (v′, k′, λ′)-design.
The merits of an envelope action spectrum for ultraviolet radiation exposure criteria

Few generally accepted standards for personnel exposure to ultraviolet radiation presently exist. Values which have been used as guide-lines were based either on a single-wavelength effect (253.7 nm) which may be emitted from an essentially monochromatic source, or on data which is somewhat at variance with that obtained in more recent investigations. The Committee on Physical Agents of ACGIH has proposed a tentative TLV for ultraviolet which assumes that a single spectral-effects weighting curve can be made applicable for exposure to both the eyes and the skim. The advantages of this aproach are: (1) Calculations and measurements are simplified. (2) It favors the development of a single direct-readout hazard instrument. It also makes an assumption that the eye is the critical organ and that distinction between eye and skin exposure is not essential; that it is acceptable to apply a large factor of safety to the skin in order to protect the eyes. The biological data which support this synthesized approach...
Inelastic proton scattering from 138Ba and 144Sm at 30 MeV

Abstract Measurements of the inelastic scattering of 30 MeV protons from 138Ba and 144Sm have been carried out with 7–10 keV energy resolution. Differential cross sections were measured for levels up through 3.4 MeV excitation energy. For most of these states Jπ assignments are suggested on the basis of angular distributions distinctly characteristic of angular momentum transfer L = 2, 3, 4,or 6.
On Design of Eccentrically Braced Frames

Abstract Seismic‐resistant Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBFs) are becoming a widely used lateral resisting system for steel buildings, with even wider application anticipated as design requirements are put into building code format. This paper addresses a number of EBF design issues, which in the opinion of the authors are inadequately considered either in current practice or in the emerging code provisions. The overall design philosophy for EBFs is reviewed, with specific reference to the concept of “Capacity Design”. Application of capacity design principles assures that yielding will be restricted primarily to the ductile link elements, an important goal of EBF design. Further, through careful choice of frame geometry and link length at the preliminary stages, many potential design difficulties can be avoided. The paper also presents some important observations from experimental work currently underway on EBFs with long, flexural yielding links.
Morphometric Effect of Prostaglandin E1 and F2α on Lactating Bovine Mammary Tissue In Vitro

Abstract Mammary explants from six lactating cows were incubated for .17, 4, 8, and 12h in medium containing prostaglandin E 1 or prostaglandin F 2α tromethamine salt at 0, 1, 10, or 50 μ /ml to determine if prostaglandins alter tissue structure. Explants were fixed, dehydrated, embedded in plastic resins, and sectioned at .5 to 1.0 μ . Tissue area was partitioned by light microscopy into normal, damaged, or debris epithelial; normal or debris lumenal; or stromal areas. All tissue samples exhibited signs of deterioration as incubation progressed. Prostaglandin E 1 treatment maintained more secretory epithelium and resulted in less epithelial debris and lumenal debris than controls. Prostaglandin F 2α -treated tissue had less epithelial debris and normal lumenal area than tissue receiving no prostaglandin during the limited incubation. The three concentrations of prostaglandins studied did not identify optimal prostaglandins for mammary tissue incubated but indicated concentrations below 1 μ g prostaglandin E 1 or F 2α /ml should be studied. The response of mammary tissue to prostaglandin was affected by donor milk production. Increases of normal epithelial area were correlated with decreases of damaged and debris areas. Prostaglandins E 1 and F 2α appeared to be beneficial to healthy mammary tissue incubated under limited conditions.
The social construction of scientific evidence

Abstract Sociologists of science have asserted that because theory is underspecified by evidence, it becomes necessary to draw upon social and political interests to explain the successes and failures of science. As one example of such claims, Steven Shapin suggests that the 17th-century experimentalist Robert Boyle, in his “Hydrostatical Discourse”, dismissed the testimony of a particular segment of society based upon its members' social status. This claim is refuted by an examination of Boyle's use of experimental methodology in the “Hydrostatical Discourse”. It is concluded that Boyle's use of experimental methodology is consistent with the idea that scientific evidence is socially constructed in the sense that the factual items used as evidence for a theory are constructed through processes that involve social negotiation. However, the idea that evidence is socially constructed does not mean that facts are socially constituted as well, that is, defined primarily by social and political considerations....