cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Dietary Cellulose and Psyllium Husk on Monkey Colonic Microbial Metabolism in Continuous Culture

The effects of inoculating an in vitro continuous culture system with primate colon contents compared to fecal material, and the effect of feeding these cultures psyllium husk, a fermentable, or cellulose, a less fermentable, dietary fiber were tested. Modified 500-ml Bellco culture chambers were continuously infused with buffered medium containing vitamin mix, deoxycholate, urea, hemin, casein and mucin. Cultures were fed a mixture of minerals, sucrose, starch and either psyllium husk or cellulose twice daily. Chambers were inoculated with fecal or colonic samples obtained from adult male African green monkeys fed the respective fiber source in a purified diet for more than 3 yr. After a 5-d stabilization period, samples were collected for total viable anaerobe and aerobe counts, microbial beta-glucuronidase (EC 3.2.1.31) activity, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and ammonia nitrogen concentrations, dry matter, pH and oxidation-reduction potential. Inoculation with fecal material or colon contents produced similar results for the above mentioned characteristics; major differences were found due to the fiber treatments. Psyllium-fed cultures had lower pH (P less than 0.01) and higher VFA concentration (P less than 0.01) and beta-glucuronidase activity (P less than 0.10) than cellulose-fed cultures. The ratio of anaerobes to aerobes was lower (P less than 0.01) in psyllium-fed than in cellulose-fed cultures. These results indicate that feces can be used as an inoculum source for in vitro studies of changes in colonic microbial metabolism due to diet, and that dietary fiber source affects the colonic microbial population and metabolism.
A radioimmunoassay method for human pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropic (HCG) using 125I-labeled LH☆☆☆

Abstract A radioimmunoassay for the quantitative determination of LH and HCG is described. The assay is based upon the competition between 125 I-labeled LH and unlabeled HCG or LH for anti-HCG serum. The separation of free hormone from anti-serum-bound hormone is achieved by precipitation using an anti-rabbit gamma globulin serum. The use of 125 I as a tracer makes practical long-term studies with minimal radioactivity and small amounts of purified hormone. The assay has been used to measure variations of serum and urinary LH during a menstrual cycle, serum LH levels in prepubertal children, normal men, and postmenopausal women, and serum HCG levels in normal pregnancy.
Advanced Laser Technology for Laser-Induced Fusion Applications

At least five years of committed work have already been spent on the development of very large laser systems, target geometries, and diagnostic capabilities. We will draw upon many significant features of this work to identify trends for future facilities. Also, because laser facilities are likely to be very much larger in the future, some additional conclusions seem unavoidable. As a stimulus for these discussions let us consider how we might design a I-MJ laser facility today. This facility is large enough so as not to evoke many preconceived notions or biases, yet on the other hand, not too large to illustrate many of the problems we wish to point out. As an additional incentive for our review, let us recall, as demonstrated by many < 1 kJ target experiments (pulse duration 0.025 to 5 ns), that laser coupling inefficiencies as well as various undesirable energy-transport phenomena, for unsophisticated targets, dictate lasers with outputs of several hundred kilojoules to many megajoules to achieve significant net power generation (if not break-even) from laser-driven fusion. Current knowledge and laser research data clearly points to a number of weaknesses.
Strategies for the isolation of ciliary motility and assembly mutants in Tetrahymena.

Publisher Summary A screen for the isolation of mutations affecting ciliary regeneration in Tetrahyrnena thermophila has been deveoped. The development of transformation and gene replacement techniques in Tetrahymena should lead to increased interest in genetic analyses of ciliary function and assembly. Cells homozygous for the chp (cell cycle, heat shock, and phosphorylation defect) mutation fail to initiate ciliogenesis after deciliation and incubation at the restrictive temperature. Researchers showed that chp mutants are defective in the heat shock response. Cell maintenance medium includes 2% proteose peptone, 0.1% yeast extract, 0.2% glucose. All ingredients, bring to volume with water, aliquot approximately 6 ml into capped culture tubes, and autoclave are dissolved. Cells can be stored for 2-3 weeks between transfers. The chapter provides a clear description of the procedures and equipment for performing genetic analyses on Tetrahymena . Although the micronucleus is diploid, three ways are commonly used to bring recessive micronuclear mutations to expression in the macronucleus in Tetrahymena after mutagenesis and a single round of mating. One method is to induce cytogamy in mating pairs of Tetrahymena . To induce cytogamy, mating pairs of heterokaryons are subjected to an osmotic shock during mating. This prevents nuclear exchange and causes the production of whole-genome homozygotes in some fraction of the pairs.
Identification of Staphylococcal Hemolysins by an Electrophoretic Localization Technique

A technique for identifying and characterizing staphylococcal hemolysins by first separating them electrophoretically in barbital-buffered agar gel (pH 8.4) at 5 ma/cm for 2 hr and then determining their hemolytic activities by exposing them to human, horse, rabbit, and sheep erythrocytes is described. The alpha-hemolysin produced by a White variant of the Wood 46 strain of Staphylococcus aureus migrated 18 mm towards the cathode, and it lysed horse, rabbit, and sheep erythrocytes, whereas a Clear variant of the Wood 46 strain of S. aureus produced a lysin which migrated similarly to the alpha-hemolysin but lysed only rabbit cells. This latter lysin was tentatively named alpha(1)-lysin. This strain of S. aureus also produced beta-hemolysin which migrated 36 mm towards the cathode and lysed sheep cells. beta-Hemolysin produced by some strains of S. aureus showed considerable tailing during electrophoresis, whereas beta-hemolysin produced by other strains of S. aureus migrated as a well-defined peak. A lysin migrating 11 mm towards the anode was probably delta-lysin. It was, however, not produced in sufficient concentration when the cultures were grown in semisolid medium.
Total-body and regional bone mineral content and areal bone mineral density in children aged 8-18 y: the Fels Longitudinal Study.

Background: Techniques for cross-calibration of bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) between manufacturers of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) instruments are currently inadequate for total body measurements. Therefore, manufacturer-specific data for BMC and BMD in children are needed. Objective: We provided age- and sex-specific means and SDs for total-body and regional BMC and areal BMD in 8-18-y-old white children. Design: BMC and BMD of the head, arms, legs, pelvis, spine, and total body were determined by DXA. Data include 465 annual measurements from 148 healthy children with body weights between 30 and 100 kg and statures <190 cm. Results: There were significant sex differences in BMC at ages 15-18 y for the total body and legs, at ages 12 and 15-18 y for arms and pelvis, at ages 11-13 and 16-18 y for the spine, and at ages 10-11 y for the head. There were significant sex differences in BMD at ages 16-18 y for total body, arms, and legs; at ages 12-13 and 16-18 y for the pelvis; at ages 12-14 and 18 y for the spine; and at ages 13-18 y for the head. Conclusions: Data presented in this investigation can be used to compare the BMC and BMD of 8-18-y-old white children (with statures <190 cm and body weights between 30 and 100 kg) using DXA.
Flexural behavior of concrete beams reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars

Concrete members reinforced with glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars exhibit large deflections and crack widths compared with concrete members reinforced with steel. This is due to the low modulus of elasticity of GFRP. Current design methods for predicting deflections at service load and crack widths developed for concrete structures reinforced with steel may not be used for concrete structures reinforced with GFRP. This paper presents methods for predicting deflections and crack widths in beams reinforced with GFRP. To use the effective moment of inertia for concrete beams reinforced with GFRP bars, the effect of the FRP reinforcement ratios and elastic modulus of FRP were incorporated in the exponent of Branson's equation. In addition, an equation based on flexural stiffness of GFRP reinforced concrete was developed to predict deflections. Based on this investigation and past studies, a theoretical correlation for predicting crack width was proposed. Six concrete beams reinforced with different GFRP reinforcement ratios were tested. Their measured deflections and crack widths were compared with the proposed models. The experimental results compared favorably with those predicted by the models.
Gender, Values, and Occupational Interests Among Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Work fulfills personal values, perhaps differently for males and females. Explored here was the role values play in shaping occupational interests. Study 1 examined children's, adolescents', and adults' (N = 313) occupational values (regarding money, power, family, altruism), occupational interests, and perceptions of values afforded by traditionally masculine and feminine occupations. Results revealed sex differences in occupational values and interests. Furthermore, participants' values predicted their own interests in culturally masculine and feminine occupations. Study 2 used novel jobs and experimentally manipulated prototypical sex of worker and value affordances to disentangle their effects on occupational interests. At all ages, participants' (N = 240) occupational interests were affected by the depicted sex of the workers and by the stated value affordances of the jobs.
Management of Toxoplasma gondii Infection during Pregnancy

Acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii during pregnancy and its potentially tragic outcome for the fetus and newborn continue to occur in the United States, as well as worldwide, despite the fact that it can be prevented. The infection can be acquired through ingestion of infected, undercooked meat or contaminated food or water. Transmission to the fetus occurs almost solely in women who acquire their primary infection during gestation and can result in visual and hearing loss, mental and psychomotor retardation, seizures, hematological abnormalities, hepatosplenomegaly, or death. Systematic education and serological screening of pregnant women are the most reliable and currently available strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and early treatment of the infection in the offspring; this is largely because toxoplasmosis in pregnant women most often goes unrecognized. Treatment of the infection in the fetus and infant during the first year of life has been demonstrated to significantly improve the clinical outcome.
Song development in the white-crowned sparrow: modification of learned song

Previous research has shown that laboratory-tutored white-crowned sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli, can learn tape-recorded song only until they are about 50 days of age. However, they can learn either conspecific or allospecific song after they are 50 days of age when a live tutor is used. Because the live-tutored birds had not been exposed to song during the first 50 days of life, a question regarding the reasonableness of applying these results to the natural, field situation can be raised. In the experiments reported here, hand-raised nestling white-crowned sparrows between 10 and 50 days of age were tutored in the laboratory with one song, and were then placed with a live tutor singing a different dialect when they were over 50 days of age. Eight of 13 males, and none of 10 females, adopted the song of the second tutor. Birds were also captured in the field as fledglings, and were placed with a live tutor singing a song different from that of the natal area: three of seven males, and one of five females, adopted the song of the live tutor. Four birds that had been group-isolated (two males and two females) were exposed to a live tutor when they were 100 days old, and none acquired normal song; all sang isolate song. The results of these studies indicate that there is considerable plasticity in the song learning of whitecrowned sparrows, and that, for many individuals, song can be modified quite readily. The implications of these findings for the nature of the sensitive phase and for mechanisms of song learning are discussed.
S2-01-05: The use of genetic variants as biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease

dependent response utilizing only five individuals per group. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that Abeta synthesis and clearance can be directly measured in the CNS of humans and that one can detect a significant change in the CNS generation of Abeta following peripheral administration of a secretase inhibitor. This technique is being utilized to study the pathophysiology of Abeta in AD patients compared to controls.
Synthetic Carbohydrate-Based Anticancer Vaccines: The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Experience

Malignantly transformed cells can express aberrant cell surface glycosylation patterns, which serve to distinguish them from normal cells. This phenotype provides an opportunity for the development of carbohydrate-based vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccines, properly introduced through vaccination of a subject with a suitable construct, should be recognized by the immune system. Antibodies induced against these carbohydrate antigens could then participate in the eradication of carbohydrate-displaying tumor cells. Advances in carbohydrate synthetic capabilities have allowed us to efficiently prepare a range of complex, synthetic anticancer vaccine candidates. We describe herein the progression of our longstanding carbohydrate-based anticancer vaccine program, which is now at the threshold of clinical evaluation in several contexts. Our carbohydrate-based anticancer vaccine program has evolved through a number of stages: monomeric vaccines, monomeric clustered vaccines, unimolecular multi-antigenic vaccines and dual-acting vaccines. This account will focus on our recently developed unimolecular multi-antigenic constructs and potential dual-acting constructs, which contain clusters of both carbohydrate and peptide epitopes.
Effect of orientation of hollow‐bar‐mounted geophones on airwave coherency

Previous shallow seismic reflection work using geophones rigidly mounted to hollow steel tubing showed a significant reduction in airwave coherency compared to a control line of traditionally hand-planted geophones when used in 2-D walkaway surveys. This research shows that the reduction in airwave coherency is dependent on the azimuth of the source location in relation to the steel-tubing receiver array. Data recorded from shot locations along a line orthogonal to the steel-tubing orientation exhibited a larger amplitude airwave that remained coherent in the data for a longer period of time than when a traditional array of hand-planted geophones was used to record data. These experiments indicate a ~60° zone of airwave degradation off of both ends of the bar in which the coherency and amplitude of the recorded airwave are sharply reduced. For shots in the crossline direction, the airwave is shown to have more reverberation cycles; this adversely affects the signal-tonoise ratio. These findings may impact geophone array orientation for shallow 3-D seismic surveys using rigidly interconnected geophones.
A family of composite discrete bivariate distributions with uniform marginals for simulating realistic and challenging optimization-problem instances

Abstract We consider a family of composite bivariate distributions, or probability mass functions (pmfs), with uniform marginals for simulating optimization-problem instances. For every possible population correlation, except the extreme values, there are an infinite number of valid joint distributions in this family. We quantify the entropy for all member distributions, including the special cases under independence and both extreme correlations. Greater variety is expected across optimization-problem instances simulated based on a high-entropy pmf. We present a closed-form solution to the problem of finding the joint pmf that maximizes entropy for a specified population correlation, and we show that this entropy-maximizing pmf belongs to our family of pmfs. We introduce the entropy range as a secondary indicator of the variety of instances that may be generated for a particular correlation. Finally, we discuss how to systematically control entropy and correlation to simulate a set of synthetic problem instances that includes challenging examples and examples with realistic characteristics.
Adaptive storage and retrieval of large compressed images

Enabling the efficient storage, access and retrieval of large volumes of multidimensional data is one of the important emerging problems in databases. We present a framework for adaptively storing, accessing, and retrieving large images. The framework uses a space and frequency graph to generate and select image view elements for storing in the database. By adapting to user access patterns, the system selects and stores those view elements that yield the lowest average cost for accessing the multiresolution subregion image views. The system uses a second adaptation strategy to divide computation between server and client in progressive retrieval of image views using view elements. We show that the system speeds-up retrieval for access and retrieval modes, such as drill-down browsing and remote zooming and panning, and minimizes the amount of data transfer over the network.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Perseverant, non-indicated treatment of obese patients for obstructive lung disease

Bronchodilators are a mainstay of treatment for patients with airflow obstruction. We hypothesized that patients with obesity and no objective documentation of airflow obstruction are inappropriately treated with bronchodilators. Spirometric results and medical records of all patients with body mass index >30 kg/m2 who were referred for testing between March 2010 and August 2011 were analyzed. 155 patients with mean age of 52.6 ± (SE)1.1 y and BMI of 38.7 ± 0.7 kg/m2 were studied. Spirometry showed normal respiratory mechanics in 62 (40%), irreversible airflow obstruction in 36 (23.2%), flows suggestive of restriction in 35 (22.6%), reversible obstruction, suggestive of asthma in 11 (7.1%), and mixed pattern (obstructive and restrictive) in 6 (3.9%). Prior to testing, 45.2% (28 of 62) of patients with normal spirometry were being treated with medications for obstructive lung diseases and 33.9% (21 of 62) continued them despite absence of airflow obstruction on spirometry. 60% (21 of 35) of patients with a restrictive pattern in their spirometry received treatment for obstruction prior to spirometry and 51.4% (18 of 35) continued bronchodilator therapy after spirometric testing. There was no independent association of non-indicated treatment with spirometric results, age, BMI, co-morbidities or smoking history. All patients with airflow obstruction on testing who were receiving bronchodilators before spirometry continued to receive them after testing. A substantial proportion of patients with obesity referred for pulmonary function testing did not have obstructive lung disease, but were treated nonetheless, before and after spirometry demonstrating absence of airway obstruction.
Solid substrate fermentation

Solid substrate fermentation (SSF) describes the microbiological transfor- mation of biological materials in their natural state, in contrast with liquid or submerged fermentation which is carried out in dilute solutions or slurries ~. Growth on solid surfaces is characteristic of fungi that decay organic matter, food and feed materials, and of some bacteria involved in corn- posting and ensiling ~'2. Solid substrate fermentations have been used by man for many centuries for making fermented foods, mould- ripened cheeses, starter cultures for fer- mented brews, silage and compost 1'3'4. In recent years, the new awareness of the importance of biological materials as renewable resource for the produc- tion of energy and feed, and as an im- portant source of chemical feedstock for the production of chemicals ~, revived the interest in this most ancient form of fermentation. The attraction of SSF comes from its simplicity and its closeness to the natural way of life for many microorganisms. Since large amounts of water are not added to the biological material, fermenter volumes remain small, necessary manipulations become less expensive, and the cost of water removal at the end of the fermen- tation is minimized. This type of fer-
Prostaglandin E2 suppresses allergic sensitization and lung inflammation by targeting the E prostanoid 2 receptor on T cells

Background Endogenous prostanoids have been suggested to modulate sensitization during experimental allergic asthma, but the specific role of prostaglandin (PG) E 2 or of specific E prostanoid (EP) receptors is not known. Objective Here we tested the role of EP2 signaling in allergic asthma. Methods Wild-type (WT) and EP2 −/− mice were subjected to ovalbumin sensitization and acute airway challenge. The PGE 2 analog misoprostol was administered during sensitization in both genotypes. In vitro culture of splenocytes and flow-sorted dendritic cells and T cells defined the mechanism by which EP2 exerted its protective effect. Adoptive transfer of WT and EP2 −/− CD4 T cells was used to validate the importance of EP2 expression on T cells. Results Compared with WT mice, EP2 −/− mice had exaggerated airway inflammation in this model. Splenocytes and lung lymph node cells from sensitized EP2 −/− mice produced more IL-13 than did WT cells, suggesting increased sensitization. In WT but not EP2 −/− mice, subcutaneous administration of misoprostol during sensitization inhibited allergic inflammation. PGE 2 decreased cytokine production and inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 phosphorylation by CD3/CD28-stimulated CD4 + T cells. Coculture of flow cytometry–sorted splenic CD4 + T cells and CD11c + dendritic cells from WT or EP2 −/− mice suggested that the increased IL-13 production in EP2 −/− mice was due to the lack of EP2 specifically on T cells. Adoptive transfer of CD4 + EP2 −/− T cells caused greater cytokine production in the lungs of WT mice than did transfer of WT CD4 + T cells. Conclusion We conclude that the PGE 2 -EP2 axis is an important endogenous brake on allergic airway inflammation and primarily targets T cells and that its agonism represents a potential novel therapeutic approach to asthma.
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 disrupts mammary acinar architecture and initiates malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1/Grm1) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, which was once thought to only participate in synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability, but has more recently been implicated in non-neuronal tissue functions. We previously described the oncogenic properties of Grm1 in cultured melanocytes in vitro and in spontaneous melanoma development with 100 % penetrance in vivo. Aberrant mGluR1 expression was detected in 60–80 % of human melanoma cell lines and biopsy samples. As most human cancers are of epithelial origin, we utilized immortalized mouse mammary epithelial cells (iMMECs) as a model system to study the transformative properties of Grm1. We introduced Grm1 into iMMECs and isolated several stable mGluR1-expressing clones. Phenotypic alterations in mammary acinar architecture were assessed using three-dimensional morphogenesis assays. We found that mGluR1-expressing iMMECs exhibited delayed lumen formation in association with decreased central acinar cell death, disrupted cell polarity, and a dramatic increase in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Orthotopic implantation of mGluR1-expressing iMMEC clones into mammary fat pads of immunodeficient nude mice resulted in mammary tumor formation in vivo. Persistent mGluR1 expression was required for the maintenance of the tumorigenic phenotypes in vitro and in vivo, as demonstrated by an inducible Grm1-silencing RNA system. Furthermore, mGluR1 was found be expressed in human breast cancer cell lines and breast tumor biopsies. Elevated levels of extracellular glutamate were observed in mGluR1-expressing breast cancer cell lines and concurrent treatment of MCF7 xenografts with glutamate release inhibitor, riluzole, and an AKT inhibitor led to suppression of tumor progression. Our results are likely relevant to human breast cancer, highlighting a putative role of mGluR1 in the pathophysiology of breast cancer and the potential of mGluR1 as a novel therapeutic target.
Analysis of microtubule sliding patterns in Chlamydomonas flagellar axonemes reveals dynein activity on specific doublet microtubules

Generating the complex waveforms characteristic of beating eukaryotic cilia and flagella requires spatial regulation of dynein-driven microtubule sliding. To generate bending, one prediction is that dynein arms alternate between active and inactive forms on specific subsets of doublet microtubules. Using an in vitro microtubule sliding assay combined with a structural approach, we determined that ATP induces sliding between specific subsets of doublet microtubules, apparently capturing one phase of the beat cycle. These studies were also conducted using high Ca2+ conditions. In Chlamydomonas, high Ca2+ induces changes in waveform which are predicted to result from regulating dynein activity on specific microtubules. Our results demonstrate that microtubule sliding in high Ca2+ buffer is also induced by dynein arms on specific doublets. However, the pattern of microtubule sliding in high Ca2+ buffer significantly differs from that in low Ca2+. These results are consistent with a 'switching hypothesis' of axonemal bending and provide evidence to indicate that Ca2+ control of waveform includes modulation of the pattern of microtubule sliding between specific doublets. In addition, analysis of microtubule sliding in mutant axonemes reveals that the control mechanism is disrupted in some mutants.
Low-Redshift Intergalactic Absorption Lines in the Spectrum of HE 0226–4110

We present an analysis of the FUSE and HST STIS E140M spectra of HE 0226-4110 (z = 0.495). We detect 56 Lyman absorbers and five O VI absorbers. The number of intervening O VI systems per unit redshift with Wλ 50 mA is d(O )/dz ≈ 11. The O VI systems unambiguously trace hot gas only in one case. For the four other O VI systems, photoionization and collisional ionization models are viable options to explain the observed column densities of O VI and the other ions. If the O VI systems are mostly photoionized, only a fraction of the observed O VI will contribute to the baryonic density of the warm-hot ionized medium (WHIM) along this line of sight. Combining our results with previous ones, we show that there is a general increase of N(O VI) with increasing b(O VI). A comparison of the number of O I, O II, O III, O IV, and O VI systems per unit redshift shows that the low-z IGM is more highly ionized than weakly ionized. We confirm that photoionized O VI systems show a decreasing ionization parameter with increasing H I column density. O VI absorbers with collisional ionization/photoionization degeneracy follow this relation, possibly suggesting that they are principally photoionized. We find that the photoionized O VI systems in the low-redshift IGM have a median abundance of 0.3 solar. We do not find additional Ne VIII systems other than the one found by Savage et al., although our sensitivity should have allowed the detection of Ne VIII in O VI systems at T ~ (0.6-1.3) × 106 K (if CIE applies). The hot part of the WHIM with T > 106 K is believed to contain most of the baryons. However, this hot phase of the WHIM remains to be discovered with FUV-EUV metal-line transitions.
Pediatric endocrinology: vitamin D and cardiovascular disease risk in children.

According to a large epidemiologic study, a majority of American children are vitamin D insufficient or deficient. In addition to negative effects on bone metabolism, low vitamin D levels in the pediatric population are associated with adverse cardiovascular risk factors, including an increase in systolic blood pressure and a reduction in HDL cholesterol levels.
A cost-driven lithographic correction methodology based on off-the-shelf sizing tools

A minimum feature sizes continue to shrink, patterned features have become significantly smaller than the wavelength of light used in optical lithography. As a result, the requirements for dimensional variation control, especially in critical dimension (CD) 3/spl sigma/, has become more stringent. To meet these requirements, resolution enhancement techniques (RET) such as optical proximity correction (OPC) and phase shift mask (PSM) technologies are applied. These approaches result in a substantial increase in mask costs and make the cost of ownership (COO) a key parameter in the comparison of lithography technologies. No concept of function is injected into the mask flow; that is, current OPC techniques are oblivious to the design intent, and the entire layout is corrected uniformly with the same effort. We propose a minimum cost of correction (MinCorr) methodology to determine the level of correction for each layout feature such that prescribed parametric yield is attained with minimum total RET cost. We highlight potential solutions to the MinCorr problem and give a simple mapping to traditional performance optimization. We conclude with experimental results showing that substantial RET costs may be saved while maintaining a given desired level of parametric yield.
Working With Patients to Enhance Medication Adherence

H elping patients take medications effectively is a key clinical undertaking. Optimal medication adherence improves clinical outcomes and can even lower health care costs by reducing morbidity and decreasing health care use.1 Benefits are especially striking in patients with diabetes.2,3 Across chronic illnesses, patients take only ∼ 50% of medications prescribed for those conditions.4,5 Similar patterns are seen in patients with diabetes,6 particularly in those who also have depressive symptoms. Among depressed patients with diabetes, for example, nonadherence to hypoglycemic and antihypertensive agents is even lower than among nondepressed patients with diabetes.7,8 Even among nondepressed patients, levels of medication adherence may be significantly lower than desired because of side effects and lack of motivation to take the medications as prescribed. Figure 1. Sample preprinted label. Photo courtesy of J. Dudl, Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute for Diabetes. Patients, health care providers, and health care systems all play a role in creating this quality and outcome gap between current reality and optimal diabetes management.9,10 Barriers to effective use of medicines for diabetes care include: 1 ) poor provider-patient communication; 2 ) inadequate knowledge about a drug and its use (in both patients and clinicians); 3 ) psychological insulin …
Black and White American Opinions Towards South Africa

The erudition of the late W. E. B. DuBois was never more prophetic than in 1903 when he issued his famous dictum that ‘The problem of the 20th century is the problem of the color-line – the relation of the darker to the lighter race of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea.’ The United States of America, for its remarkable technological achievement and democratic example, despite decades of difficulty in race relations; and the Republic of South Africa, for its unique violation of human rights: each represents in its own special way both the best and the worst in human history, and are fitting testaments to DuBois's clairvoyance.
Case report 267

Chez un homme de 42 ans, osteosarcome du bassin avec metastases pulmonaires apres irradiation d'un lymphome osseux de la meme region
SUCCESSFUL USE OF EXTERNAL ELECTRICAL CARDIOVERSION IN THE TREATMENT OF VENTRICULAR FIBRILLATION CAUSED BY QUINIDINE.

Abstract Ventricular fibrillation occurring during an attempt at reverting atrial fibrillation with quinidine therapy was successfully treated with external electric countershock. This treatment was also successful in reverting the atrial fibrillation to a normal sinus mechanism.
A copula-based semi-parametric approach for footstep detection using seismic sensor networks

In this paper, we consider the problem of detecting the presence of footsteps using signal measurements from a network of seismic sensors. Since the sensors are closely spaced, they result in correlated measurements. A novel method for detection that exploits the spatial dependence of sensor measurements using copula functions is proposed. An approach for selecting the copula function that is most suited for modeling the spatial dependence of sensor observations is also provided. The performance of the proposed approach is illustrated using real footstep signals collected using an experimental test-bed consisting of seismic sensors.
Distribution and Energies of Grain Boundaries in Magnesia as a Function of Five Degrees of Freedom

The multiplicity of distinct grain boundary configurations in polycrystals has made it difficult to determine the relative frequency with which each configuration is adopted. As a result, the physiochemical properties of each boundary and the influence of the distribution of boundaries on macroscopic materials properties are not well understood. Using a semiautomated system, we have measured all five macroscopically observable degrees of freedom of 4.1 × 106 boundary plane segments making up 5.2 × 106μm2 of grain boundary interface area in a magnesia polycrystal. Our observations demonstrate that not all grain boundary configurations occur with the same frequency and that the relative free energies of the different interfacial configurations influence the population distribution. Furthermore, the results indicate that relative grain boundary energies can be estimated based on the free surface energies.
Exploring local calcium feedback: trying to fool mother nature.

The job of nature is to design robust organisms. To this end, it often employs a classical engineering strategy: provide excess functional capacity and enclose it in regulatory, preferably redundant, feedback loops that function not only at the sub-cellular level, but also at the molecular, or
Engraftment of canine peripheral blood lymphocytes into nonobese diabetic-severe combined immune deficient IL-2R common gamma chain null mice

To study the canine immune system we generated a mouse model engrafted with canine lymphocytes using NOD SCID IL2R common gamma chain -/- (NSG) mice as recipients (Ca-PBL-SCID). Engraftment of canine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was determined post-injection with 10(7) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into irradiated NSG mice using flow cytometry and fluorescently labeled antibodies specific to canine helper T cells (CD45(+) CD4(+)), cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD45(+) CD8(+)), regulatory T cells (CD45(+) CD4(+) Foxp3(+)), and B cells (CD45(+) Ig(+) CD21lo). Canine CD45(+) lymphocytes were detectable as early as day 1 in the peritoneal cavity, and beginning at 9 days in the blood, bone marrow, and spleen. CD4(+) T cells, of which Foxp-3(+) CD25hi cells constituted a minor percentage, were the predominant lymphocyte population at 9 days post engraftment contrasting with increasing proportions of CD8(+) CTL's and Ig(+) B cells beginning at 16 days. Canine immunoglobulin was initially detected in the serum of Ca-PBL-SCID mice at 9 days post-engraftment and peaked in concentration at day 36. From day 28 to 52 post-engraftment 30% of the Ca-PBL-SCID mice became markedly anemic and thrombocytopenic, yet gross and histopathologic examination of bone marrow, kidneys, spleen, liver, and intestine revealed no obvious lesions. Blood smear evaluation revealed agglutination of mature red blood cells, reticulocytes and a regenerative anemia. These findings demonstrate that NSG mice are capable of engraftment of canine PBLs yet develop graft versus host disease similar to Hu-PBL-SCID mice.
Impact of mapping parameters on the performance of small cache memories

Abstract This paper presents the results of a simulation study related to cache design for CMOS microprocessors. It compares direct mapping and set associative mapping, for small on-chip caches, in the design environment dictated by advanced CMOS technology (the ratio of off-chip to on-chip delays is relatively high). Parameters of the study include cache size, block size and number of blocks per set (for set associative mapping). The major purpose of the work was to determine numerically the impact of various mapping parameters on the performance of relatively small on-chip caches in general, and for one RISC-style microprocessor in particular which is similar to the MIPS architecture. The study was conducted using a representative set of benchmark programs (used previously for the analysis of RISC-type microprocessors). Results are presented for two benchmarks that represent workload extremes.
Law and privacy: the debate over Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) legislation

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology with the potential to introduce major cost savings for both businesses and consumers alike. It does not, however, come without controversy. Over the past few years, a major rift has developed between business and government groups, and civil liberty advocates. The point of contention pertains to RFID legislation, and more specifically whether or not it should even exist. Business and government groups would like for the new technology to be regulated by industry standards and the free market. Consumer privacy and civil liberty advocates want it to be regulated by preemptive legislation. The truth is that if both groups would step back from the table and look at the big picture, a compromise would not be that difficult. This paper explores the different viewpoints and the common ground that exists between them.
Low-Temperature Kinetics of the Charge- and Atom-Transfer Reactions (Br+, HBr+ [2Πi, v+], DBr+ [2Πi , v+]) + (HBr, DBr) → (HBr+, DBr+, H2Br+, D2Br+, HDBr+)

The charge- and atom-transfer reactions between Br + , HBr + , and DBr + ions and HBr and DBr molecules have been studied in a HBr + DBr + He free jet. The ionic reactants in specific internal states were prepared by resonance multiphoton ionization of either HBr or DBr, and the ionic products were analyzed by mass spectrometry. A set of eight energetically possible reactions was considered in each case, including ions born in near-resonant ionization and photodissociation processes. Kinetic equations were integrated numerically over the appropriate reaction time and an optimization problem was solved to determine rate coefficients fit to final fractions of all ions measured in an experiment. Analytical expressions for the final fractions also were obtained and were used to derive the rate coefficients more accurately. The work is an example of a multireaction study without direct observation of all the reaction products.
Ameliorating the Effects of Child Sexual Abuse An Exploratory Study of Support by Parents and Others

This study examines the support of nonabusing parents and others as it affects subsequent adjustment to childhood victimization and women's attitudes toward men. A form of log linear analyses on the data from 61 women 18 to 36 years of age in Los Angeles County revealed that as a result of child sexual abuse, negative attitudes toward men tended not to be related to the severity of the experience(s), if nonabusing parents and others supported victims upon the disclosure of the incident(s). The importance of support to the disclosure process is discussed in helping victims to regain control of their lives and in lessening the lasting effects of child sexual abuse.
Improving multiple-password recall: an empirical study

As one of the most common authentication methods, passwords help secure information by granting access only to authorized parties. To be effective, passwords should be strong, secret, and memorable. While password strength can be enforced by automated information technology policies, users frequently jeopardize secrecy to improve memorability. The password memorability problem is exacerbated by the number of different passwords a user is required to remember. While short-term memory theories have been applied to individual-password management problems, the relationship between memory and the multiple-password problem has not been examined. This paper treats the multiple-password management crisis as a search and retrieval problem involving human beings’ long-term memory. We propose that interference between different passwords is one of the major challenges to multiple-password recall and that interference alleviation methods can significantly improve multiple-password recall. A lab experiment was conducted to examine the effectiveness of two interference alleviation methods: the list reduction method and the unique identifier method. While both methods improve multiple-password recall performance, the list reduction method leads to statistically significant improvement. The results demonstrate the potential merit of practices targeting multiple-password interference. By introducing long-term memory theory to multiple-password memorability issues, this study presents implications benefiting users and serves as the potential starting point for future research.
Nd and Sr Isotopic Characterization of the Wrangellia Terrane and Implications for Crustal Growth of the Canadian Cordillera

Nd and Sr isotopic data are reported from samples of most of the major lithologic units of the Wrangellia terrane exposed on Vancouver Island and the Queen Charlotte Islands. Initial $$\epsilon_{Nd}$$ values range from +1.0 to + 7.3 and initial $$^{87}Sr/^{86}Sr$$ ratios range from 0.70323 to 0.70481. These ratios are similar to those of modern island arcs and demonstrate the unevolved, juvenile nature of this terrane. These data indicate that Wrangellia probably resided in an intra-oceanic environment until its accretion to North America. Nd crustal residence ages for clastic sedimentary rocks of Wrangellia (mean $$T_{CR} = 0.77 \pm 0.33 Ga, T_{DM} = 0.57 \pm 0.35 Ga$$) are much closer to their stratigraphic ages than is the case for the ages of many other Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks, thus providing strong evidence for Phanerozoic crustal addition to North America. Early Proterozoic crustal components cannot comprise more than about 6% of Wrangellia; therefore the terrane consists of -94% new, mantle-d...
Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition Blocks Chronic Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Behaviors via Activation of mTOR Signaling

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system regulates mood, emotion, and stress coping, and dysregulation of the eCB system is critically involved in pathophysiology of depression. The eCB ligand 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is inactivated by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Using chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUS) as a mouse model of depression, we examined how 2-AG signaling in the hippocampus was altered in depressive-like states and how this alteration contributed to depressive-like behavior. We report that CUS led to impairment of depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI) in mouse hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, and this deficiency in 2-AG-mediated retrograde synaptic depression was rescued by MAGL inhibitor JZL184. CUS induced depressive-like behaviors and decreased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation in the hippocampus, and these biochemical and behavioral abnormalities were ameliorated by chronic JZL184 treatments. The effects of JZL184 were mediated by cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Genetic deletion of mTOR with adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector carrying the Cre recombinase in the hippocampus of mTORf/f mice recapitulated depressive-like behaviors induced by CUS and abrogated the antidepressant-like effects of chronic JZL184 treatments. Our results suggest that CUS decreases eCB-mTOR signaling in the hippocampus, leading to depressive-like behaviors, whereas MAGL inhibitor JZL184 produces antidepressant-like effects through enhancement of eCB-mTOR signaling.
Investigating ion-surface collisions with a niobium superconducting tunnel junction detector in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer

The performance of an energy sensitive, niobium superconducting tunnel junction detector is investigated by measuring the pulse height produced by impacting molecular and atomic ions at different kinetic energies. Ions are produced by laser resorption and matrix-assisted laser desorption in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Results show that the STJ detector pulse height decreases for increasing molecular ion mass, passes through a minimum at around 2000 Da, and the increases with increasing mass of molecular ions above 2000Da. The detector does not show a decline in sensitivity for high mass ions as is observed with microchannel plate ion detectors. These detector plus height measurements are discussed in terms of several physical mechanisms involved in an ion-surface collision.
Nb surface morphology as a template for heteroepitaxial stacking

We report mesoscopic surface morphologies that occur on Nb surfaces during normal epitaxial growth on miscut sapphire. These features are remarkably effective as growth templates which give selectivity up to approximately : 1 between the two alternative stacking sequences of fcc metals, when grown heteroepitaxially on Nb.
Electrode kinetic aspects of electrochemical energy conversion

Abstract The basic similarities and dissimilarities among the three electrochemical devices-electrochemical substance producer, electrochemical electricity producer and electrochemical electricity storer — are presented. Expressions are derived for the terminal cell potential, differential resistance, efficiency and power of an electrochemical electricity producer as a function, of the current drawn from it. These expressions have been used in numerical calculations to examine the effect of the various factors ( e.g. , exchange currents, limiting currents, ohmic internal resistance) on the performance of the electrochemical energy converter. Analytical expressions for the maximum power, the terminal cell potential and the current, when the power is a maximum, are derived for two special cases. The importance of electrocatalysis from the point of view of improving the performance of electrochemical electricity producers is stressed. Recent work on the kinetics of the important oxygen electrode reaction and on the mechanism of electroorganic oxidation is discussed. Some models of electrode design for increasing the apparent current density (and thereby reduce efficiency and power losses) are dealt with theoretically.