cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lifelong learning at the corporate university

Organizations have been seeking new ways to satisfy the requirement for continuous learning. It is argued that a blend of on‐the‐job education, skill development and action learning will be required to fuse individual development with corporate development. Some corporations are adopting corporate universities to ensure that education is relevant and to help them become learning organizations. The development of such institutions is considered and a number are described.
Sphalerite-wurtzite equilibria and stoichiometry

Abstract Evidence from natural occurrences and from published syntheses indicates that the sphalerite-wurtzite inversion is not an invariant reaction at 1020°C, 1 atm but is a univariant function of fs2 and temperature. Single crystals of zinc sulfide, grown in aqueous NaOH solutions which were selected to control fs2, have shown that a univariant boundary exists between sphalerite and wurtzite near 500 atm from 465 ± 4°C to 517 ± 2°C over a corresponding calculated fs2 range of 10−9.5 to 10−8.7 atm. Direct determination of fs2 for coexisting sphalerite and wurtzite, made by passing H2 + H2S mixtures over ZnS powder, gave fs2 of 10−5 atm at 890°C, between 10−5.5 and 10−6.4 atm at 800°C, and between 10−6.5 and 10−8.5 atm at 700°C. The fs2 -dependence of this phase change demonstrates that wurtzite is sulfur-deficient relative to sphalerite. Nonstoichiometry in zinc sulfide is also indicated by its color and by published luminescence studies, electrical measurements, and chemical analyses. Electrical measurements show the defects to be zinc vacancies in sphalerite and sulfur vacancies in wurtzite. The combined range of nonstoichiometry in ‘ZnS’ is on the order of 0.9 at per cent. The hypothesis that wurtzite might be formed metastably at low temperatures due to oxygen substitution for sulfur is untenable. No oxygen was detected by cell-edge measurements of sphalerite or wurtzite from the hydrothermal experiments. In the gas-mixing experiments in which wurtzite was produced from sphalerite below 900°C, oxygen was not present. Wurtzite is thermodynamically stable at lower fs2 than sphalerite. Above about 250°C, this stability field lies well outside of the normal sulfidation state encountered in ore-forming environments; however, at lower temperatures wurtzite may be deposited in highly reducing environments. Because it is stable throughout the geologically most important pH range within 2 or 3 units of neutrality, highly acid solutions are not necessary for its precipitation as advocated by Allen et al. (1914).
Temperature sensitivity of KDP for phase-matched frequency conversion of 1 /spl mu/m laser light

The magnitudes of the derivatives of the phase-matching angles with respect to temperature |/spl part//spl theta//sub pm///spl part/T| (milli-radians/degree celsius), for critically phase-matched frequency conversion using KDP (KH/sub 2/PO/sub 4/) have been directly measured for the five most interesting processes to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) laser-system designers: 2/spl omega/ I, 2/spl omega/ II, 3/spl omega/ I, 3/spl omega/ II, and 4/spl omega/ I. These measurements span an approximate temperature range of 25 to 90/spl deg/C, and were performed at a fundamental (1/spl omega/) wavelength of /spl lambda/=1.064 pm. The results are used to calculate the phase-matching thermal-sensitivity parameter |/spl beta//sub T/| (centimeter/sup -1//milliradian), for each conversion process. >
Use of low-dose prothrombin complex concentrate before lumbar puncture.

Purpose The use of an off-label dose of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) for International Normalized Ratio (INR) reversal in a patient before a diagnostic lumbar puncture is reported. Summary A 57-year-old, 122-kg man arrived at the hospital with a possible diagnosis of meningitis and had an INR of >3 while on warfarin therapy. The patient initiated warfarin therapy in 2009 due to recurrent deep vein thrombosis. The patient required reversal of his elevated INR in order for a lumbar puncture to be safely performed (INR must be no higher than 1.4). Multiple units of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) were administered, with a subsequent INR decrease to 1.9. Additional units of FFP were given. The patient developed respiratory decompensation due to volume overload, partially caused by the administration of multiple units of FFP. As the INR remained above 1.4 but was less than 2, an alternative dosing strategy was used. A dose of 1020 units of factor IX, equaling about 10 mg/kg based on a maximum dosing weight of 100 kg, was administered. The two vials of PCC administered each contained 510 units of factor IX. No vitamin K was given. The patient’s INR, checked 30 minutes after PCC administration, was 1.3, and the lumbar puncture was performed. The lumbar puncture was completed without complication, and the patient was restarted on therapeutic anticoagulation the following day. Conclusion A 57-year-old patient was successfully treated with low-dose PCC to reverse an INR from 1.7 to 1.3 in order to perform a diagnostic lumbar puncture.
Testicular seminomatous mixed germ cell tumor with choriocarcinoma and teratoma with secondary somatic malignancy: a case report

Testicular tumors are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms exhibiting diverse histopathology and can be classified as seminomatous and non-seminomatous germ cell tumor types. Mixed germ cell tumors contain more than one germ cell component and various combinations have been reported. Here, we present a rare case of a mixed germ cell tumor composed of seminoma, choriocarcinoma and teratoma with a secondary somatic malignancy. A 31-year-old Caucasian man presented with splenic rupture to our hospital. A right-sided testicular swelling had been present for 6 months and his alpha-fetoprotein, beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactose dehydrogenase were increased. An ultrasound of his scrotum revealed an enlarged right testis with heterogeneous echogenicity. Multiple hypervascular lesions were noted in his liver and spleen. He underwent transcatheter embolization therapy of his splenic artery followed by splenectomy and right-sided orchiectomy. A computed tomography scan also showed metastasis to both lungs. During his last follow up after four cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy, the level of tumor markers had decreased, decreases in the size of his liver and pulmonary lesions were noted but new sclerotic lesions were evident in his thoracolumbar region raising concern for bony metastasis. Prognosis of testicular tumor depends mainly on the clinical stage, but emergence of a sarcomatous component presents a challenge in the treatment of germ cell tumors and the histological subtype of this component can be used as a guide to specific chemotherapy in these patients.
Heterogeneity of skeletal muscle perfusion and metabolism.

In this issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology , Mizuno and colleagues ([5][1]) report the use of positron emission tomography (PET) in human skeletal muscle (knee extensors) both at rest and at 30 min after exhaustive single-leg cycling. They were able to measure regional perfusion and O2
Stress and the neuroendocrine system: the role of exercise as a stressor and modifier of stress.

In this article, the physiological impact of one form of stress – physical exercise – on the neuroendocrine system will be discussed. The specific intent of the review is to present an overview of stress endocrinology, the conceptual models associated with this area of study, and a discourse on the dual role of exercise as both a stressor and a modifier of stress within the neuroendocrine system. These points are addressed with respect to the current research literature dealing with exercise endocrinology in an adult population.
Effects of Mobility in Hierarchical Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper, we study the effects of mobility on network parameters in hierarchical ad hoc networks. Several mobility models have been designed and studied to mimic the behavior of real world mobility in networks. They have been successful in modeling the movement of mobile nodes in simulations. However, in this work, we show that several mobility models fall short of extending the same result to hierarchical networks. Most mobility models can only predict the movement of nodes in a single cell or cluster. When mobile nodes start moving into adjacent clusters, the time required for handoff and other protocol overhead issues alter the throughput. This leads to drastic drop in throughput and increased latency in packet delivery. Also, commonly used routing protocols do not adequately support handling high mobility and frequent route discovery issues. We evaluate the performances of various routing protocols and mobility models in a highly mobile hierarchical ad hoc network using NS2 simulation.
Distributed Detection Over Adaptive Networks Using Diffusion Adaptation

We study the problem of distributed detection, where a set of nodes is required to decide between two hypotheses based on available measurements. We seek fully distributed and adaptive implementations, where all nodes make individual real-time decisions by communicating with their immediate neighbors only, and no fusion center is necessary. The proposed distributed detection algorithms are based on diffusion strategies [C. G. Lopes and A. H. Sayed, “Diffusion Least-Mean Squares Over Adaptive Networks: Formulation and Performance Analysis,” IEEE Trans. Signal Process., vol. 56, no. 7, pp. 3122-3136, July 2008; F. S. Cattivelli and A. H. Sayed, “Diffusion LMS Strategies for Distributed Estimation,” IEEE Trans. Signal Process., vol. 58, no. 3, pp. 1035-1048, March 2010; F. S. Cattivelli, C. G. Lopes, and A. H. Sayed, “Diffusion Recursive Least-Squares for Distributed Estimation Over Adaptive Networks,” IEEE Trans. Signal Process., vol. 56, no. 5, pp. 1865-1877, May 2008] for distributed estimation. Diffusion detection schemes are attractive in the context of wireless and sensor networks due to their scalability, improved robustness to node and link failure as compared to centralized schemes, and their potential to save energy and communication resources. The proposed algorithms are inherently adaptive and can track changes in the active hypothesis. We analyze the performance of the proposed algorithms in terms of their probabilities of detection and false alarm, and provide simulation results comparing with other cooperation schemes, including centralized processing and the case where there is no cooperation. Finally, we apply the proposed algorithms to the problem of spectrum sensing in cognitive radios.
Global stability in consumer-resource cascades

Models of population growth in consumer-resource cascades (seri- ally arranged containers with a dynamic consumer population, v, receiving a flow of resource, u, from the previous container) with a functional response of the form h(u/vb) are investigated. For b3(0, 1), it is shown that these models have a globally stable equilibrium. As a result, two conclusions can be drawn: (1) Consumer density dependence in the functional or in the per- capita numerical response can result in persistence of the consumer popula- tion in all containers. (2) In the absence of consumer density dependence, the consumer goes extinct in all containers except possibly the first. Several variations of this model are discussed including replacing discrete containers by a spatial continuum and introducing a dynamic resource.
Retinyl ester secretion by intestinal cells: a specific and regulated process dependent on assembly and secretion of chylomicrons.

Retinyl esters (RE) have been used extensively as markers to study chylomicron (CM) catabolism because they are secreted in the postprandial state with CM and do not exchange with other lipoproteins in the plasma. To un- derstand the mechanism of secretion of RE by the intestine under the fasting and postprandial states, differentiated Caco-2 cells were supplemented with radiolabeled retinol under conditions that support or do not support CM secre- tion. We observed that these cells assimilate vitamin A by a rapid uptake mechanism. After uptake, cells store retinol in both esterified and unesterified forms. Under fasting con- ditions, cells do not secrete RE but secrete free retinol un- associated with lipoproteins. Under postprandial condi- tions, cells secrete significant amounts of RE only with CM. The secretion of RE with CM was independent of the rate of uptake of retinol and intracellular free and esterified ret- inol levels, and was absolutely dependent on the assembly and secretion of CM. The secretion of RE was correlated with the secretion of CM and not with the secretion of total apolipoprotein B. Inhibition of CM secretion by Pluronic L81 decreased the secretion of RE and did not result in their increased secretion with smaller lipoproteins. These data strongly suggest that RE secretion by the intestinal cells is a specific and regulated process that occurs in the post- prandial state and is dependent on the assembly and secre- tion of CM. We propose that RE are added to CM during final stages of lipoprotein assembly and may serve as sign- posts for these steps. — Nayak, N., E. H. Harrison, and M. M. Hussain. Retinyl ester secretion by intestinal cells: a specific and regulated process dependent on assembly and secretion of chylomicrons. J. Lipid Res. 2001. 42: 272-280.
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE HYBRIDS OF MACROCYSTIS (PHAEOPHYCEAE)1

All combinations of individuals of Macrocystis pyrifera (L.) C. Agardh, M. integrifolia Bory, and M. angustifolia Bory hybridized. Gametophyte isolates obtained from 18 individuals were used, including M. pyrifera and M. integrifolia from the extremes of their Northern Hemisphere ranges along the Pacific Coast of North America and M. pyrifera and M. angustifolia from Tasmania, Australia. All combinations of gametophytes produced sporophytes of normal morphology, with the exception of crosses involving three gametophyte isolates. One female (M. integrifolia) and two male (M. pyrifera and M. angustifolia)gametophyte isolates were unable to produce normal sporophytes in combination with gametophytes of the opposite sex. Some cultures of female gametophytes produced abnormally shaped parthenogenetic sporophytes. Gametophytes and sporangia of M. pyrifera had n= 16 chromosomes. The M. integrifolia female gametophyte that was unable to produce normal sporophytes had n = ca. 32 chromosomes. These results show that these species of Macrocystis have not become reproductively isolated. Although these species may be considered conspecific according to the biological species concept, we recommend that they continue to be recognized as separate species based on morphological differences.
Tractable approximate robust geometric programming

The optimal solution of a geometric program (GP) can be sensitive to variations in the problem data. Robust geometric programming can systematically alleviate the sensitivity problem by explicitly incorporating a model of data uncertainty in a GP and optimizing for the worst-case scenario under this model. However, it is not known whether a general robust GP can be reformulated as a tractable optimization problem that interior-point or other algorithms can efficiently solve. In this paper we propose an approximation method that seeks a compromise between solution accuracy and computational efficiency.
Memory Complaint as a Predictor of Cognitive Decline: A Comparison of African American and White Elders

Of a representative, racially mixed community sample of older adults in North Carolina, 59% of Whites and 49% of African Americans reported worsening memory. The complaint about memory was positively correlated with age, depressive symptomatology, and physical function but not with level of cognitive function as measured by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) at baseline. In a controlled analysis of longitudinal data, initial SPMSQ score, age, African American race, lower education, depressive symptomatology, and physical deficits at baseline, but not memory complaint, predicted a decline in cognitive function as measured by the SPMSQ 3 years later. Whereas African Americans were less likely to complain of deterioration in memory, actual decline as measured by the SPMSQ was greater for African Americans than for Whites.
The utility of BMD Z-score diagnostic thresholds for secondary causes of osteoporosis

Summary This very large dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) cohort confirmed a significant, inverse relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores and the presence of secondary causes of osteoporosis but receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicate that Z-score diagnostic thresholds (such as −2.0) discriminate poorly between the presence and absence of secondary causes of osteoporosis.
Thixotropic behavior of cement-based materials: effect of clay and cement types

In this thesis, effects of clay addition, clay replacement, and cement type on thixotropic behavior of cement-based materials are investigated. Thixotropy is the property of certain fluid materials that are thick or viscous under normal conditions but flow or become less viscous over time when shaken, agitated, or otherwise stressed. Freshly-mixed cement pastes are thixotropic materials, which become fluid when agitated but restore its structural form at rest. This is because cement pastes experience microstructure change with time due to the particles flocculation and cement hydration. The thixotropic behavior of cement-based materials is important in the modern concrete construction. Shape stability of concrete mixtures is often required for shotcrete and slip form construction so that the concrete mixture can adhere to the substrates or hold the shape right after casting and without support from formwork. Quick structural restore, or high thixotropy, of concrete can reduce formwork pressure in construction. Clay additions or replacement for cement often enhance concrete thixotropy and increase concrete shape stability. In the present study, the typical hysteresis loop rheology test method is employed to evaluate thixotropy of various cement pastes. The pastes were made with different types of cement and with /without clay addition/replacement. The types of cement used are Ashgrove Type I, Lafarge Type I/II, Type IV, and High Alkali Type I cement. The clay
Local and External Language Standards in African American English

This investigation attempts to determine the social distribution and contextual shifting of African American English (AAE) within rural Southern African American communities. The study compares selective diagnostic AAE variables and features of speech rate and pause in the speech of three recognized sociopolitical leaders in public presentations and sociolinguistic interviews. The results show that there are not significant shifts in the use of AAE from the sociolinguistic interview to the public presentation settings and that leaders do not necessarily align their speech with their age and sex cohorts in terms of vernacular AAE usage. The authors conclude that the relative autonomy of the community, its endocentric versus exocentric orientation, the primary public service constituency of the leader, the different social affiliations and divisions within the community, the speaker’s personal background and history, and the socialized demands and expectations for public presentation are all factors in unde...
Systemic administration of optimized aptamer-siRNA chimeras promotes regression of PSMA-expressing tumors

Prostate cancer cells expressing prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) have been targeted with RNA aptamer-small interfering (si)RNA chimeras, but therapeutic efficacy in vivo was demonstrated only with intratumoral injection. Clinical translation of this approach will require chimeras that are effective when administered systemically and are amenable to chemical synthesis. To these ends, we enhanced the silencing activity and specificity of aptamer-siRNA chimeras by incorporating modifications that enable more efficient processing of the siRNA by the cellular machinery. These included adding 2-nucleotide 3'-overhangs and optimizing the thermodynamic profile and structure of the duplex to favor processing of the siRNA guide strand. We also truncated the aptamer portion of the chimeras to facilitate large-scale chemical synthesis. The optimized chimeras resulted in pronounced regression of PSMA-expressing tumors in athymic mice after systemic administration. Anti-tumor activity was further enhanced by appending a polyethylene glycol moiety, which increased the chimeras' circulating half-life.
Densidad mineral ósea en escolares nacidos prematuros

: Twenty six in-fants born preterm (14 male), were studied at age 5 to 7 years. Birth weight, present weight andheight, bone age, calcium and phosphate intake at the first year of life and at the current agewere assessed. Bone mineral density was measured by single photon X ray absorptiometry in thedominant forearm. A blood sample was obtained to measure insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1).As a control group, 105 healthy age-paired infants born at term, were studied.
The effect of chlorine on the liquidus of basalt: First results and implications for basalt genesis on Mars and Earth

Abstract Chlorine (Cl) is abundant, to percent levels, on Mars, in Mars basalts, and in some Earth basalts. Yet, little is known about the effects of Cl on basalt phase equilibria, which provide crucial constraints on melting temperatures, melt compositions, and melt production. To explore the effects of Cl on basalt equilibria, we located the liquidus (at high P and T ) for a Martian basalt composition (the rock Humphrey, Gusev Crater, Mars) with 0.7% Cl-added, and obtained mineral and melt compositions from the experimental charges. Addition of Cl produces an unexpectedly large change in the liquidus—it is shifted to lower temperature by ~ 50 °C, and the field of pigeonite stability is enlarged so that the point of liquidus cosaturation in olivine & pigeonite is shifted down pressure by ~ 4 kbar (from 12.5 kbar and 1355 °C in the Cl-free composition to 8.5 kbar and 1305 °C). This temperature shift is comparable to that produced by addition of ~ 0.8% H 2 O; so, on a molar basis, Cl is twice as effective as H 2 O in reducing this basalt's liquidus. Conceptually, the shift in liquidus temperature and enlargement of the field of pigeonite + melt is consistent with formation of complexes between Cl and network-modifying cations (e.g., Mg, Fe, Ca), which would make the latter unavailable to modify (depolymerize) the silicate network. However, the actual effect of Cl is larger than predicted by this simple model, even allowing up to 8 cations complexed per Cl. For Mars, these results suggest that Cl may play a crucial role in its basalts' generation and evolution. While, some aspects of Martian basalt petrogenesis have been consistent with experimental results on water-rich systems (e.g., to ~ 2% H 2 O in basalt magma); the work here suggests that similar experimental results would be obtained for Cl-rich, H 2 O-poor systems, and that Martian basalts would contain little water. For Earth, the work here suggests that Cl must be considered explicitly in the petrogenesis of Cl-rich magmas, like those of subduction zones.
Passive Silicon Carrier High Performance Package for VLSI

A silion-on-silicon package for 9 VLSI chips is presented. The carrier is especially designed to support the high frequency current surges of complementary logic like CMOS or BICMOS. It contains integrated decoupling capacitors and uses 3 layers of metal. The chips are mounted via `controlled collapse chip connection'. A /370 processor containing 9 CMOS chips has been assembled. Functionality and manufacturability have successfully been demonstrated.
Discrepancies between implicit and explicit attitude measures as an indicator of attitude strength

The current research investigates whether implicit–explicit attitudinal discrepancy (IED) weakens attitudes as explicit discrepancies do. Across two experiments, we found that IED is an indicator of weak attitudes. In Experiment 1, we found that individuals with greater IED toward exercise were more swayed by a self-perceptual manipulation than individuals with lower IED toward exercise. In Experiment 2, we found that the stability and predictive power of attitudes toward alcohol were lessened for participants who had greater IED. These effects occurred independently of the participants' levels of explicit ambivalence and evaluative–cognitive consistency. The present research broadens our understanding of the ways in which evaluations that may not be easily verbalized can affect our thoughts and behavior. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The innovation process: interpreting customer requirements

In this article we argue that the interpreter role serves an important function in the innovation of new products and processes. In our survey of over 1000 United States Air Force engineers and project managers, we found that translating customer requirements into specification and statement of work form is one of the most difficult tasks to do in a program office. In analyzing the reasons for this difficulty, we address possible concerns about the nature of the requirement's definition process. >
Genome Dynamics and Evolution of the Mla (Powdery Mildew) Resistance Locus in Barley

Genes that confer defense against pathogens often are clustered in the genome and evolve via diverse mechanisms. To evaluate the organization and content of a major defense gene complex in cereals, we determined the complete sequence of a 261-kb BAC contig from barley cv Morex that spans the Mla (powdery mildew) resistance locus. Among the 32 predicted genes on this contig, 15 are associated with plant defense responses; 6 of these are associated with defense responses to powdery mildew disease but function in different signaling pathways. The Mla region is organized as three gene-rich islands separated by two nested complexes of transposable elements and a 45-kb gene-poor region. A heterochromatic-like region is positioned directly proximal to Mla and is composed of a gene-poor core with 17 families of diverse tandem repeats that overlap a hypermethylated, but transcriptionally active, gene-dense island. Paleontology analysis of long terminal repeat retrotransposons indicates that the present Mla region evolved over a period of >7 million years through a variety of duplication, inversion, and transposon-insertion events. Sequence-based recombination estimates indicate that R genes positioned adjacent to nested long terminal repeat retrotransposons, such as Mla, do not favor recombination as a means of diversification. We present a model for the evolution of the Mla region that encompasses several emerging features of large cereal genomes.
Multiple congenital malformations; a consideration of etiologic factors.

THE medical literature of the past five decades is replete with statements that multiple congenital malformations are always and necessarily due to changes in the germ plasm. In one sense such statements imply that multiple congenital anomalies are always hereditary and, when so interpreted, they may lead to untoward consequences. It is of considerable practical importance for the bearer of congenital defects, as well as for other members of his family, to know whether or not his defects are heritable. The question is also of concern to those who are sincerely interested in eugenics from the standpoint of public health. The importance of this point is illustrated by a certain sterilization law which was enforced for some time upon 80 million people and which stated: "Persons who show simultaneous appearance of different severe, or even mild physical endogenous malformations . . . . should be sterilized, if in the blood relationship any severe or mild endogenous malformations have been shown to occur in at least one person singly, bilaterally or in aggregation." The opinion that multiple congenital malformations are necessarily hereditary dates back to the time when amniotic bands were considered the only extrinsic cause of malformations. Since it was difficult to explain familial, symmetrical, systemic or internal malformations in terms of amniotic bands; and, since no other environmental mechanisms capable of producing such malformations had been recognized, these anomalies were attributed to changes in the germ plasm. This is expressed in a textbook on "Human Heredity" in the following words:
Recognizing Dysfunctional Communications a Means of Improving Organizational Practices

Introduction Effective communication is not only an essential aspect of an organizational culture, but it is also the foundation of modern organizations (i.e. D’Aprix, 1996; Grenier & Metes 1992; Witherspoon, 1997). In order to respond to an organizational environment and a rapidly changing environment that demands flexibility, attention must be given to effective communication. Tubbs and Moss (2006) state, “... communication is effective when the stimulus as initiated and intended by the sender, or source, corresponds closely to the stimulus as it is perceived and responded to by the receiver” (p. 24). Effective communication can complement successful interpersonal work relationships as well as both internal and external communication practices. Pearce (1989) notes that individuals often talk past each other even when the conversation appears coherent and well coordinated; they may subsequently interpret different accounts of what each other said.
Theories and techniques for efficient high-end computing

As high-end computing systems grow tremendously in size and capacity, reducing power and improving efficiency becomes a compelling issue. Today it is common for a supercomputer to consume several megawatts of electric power but deliver only 10–15% of peak system performance for applications. The enormous power consumption costs millions of dollars annually and the resulting heat reduces system reliability. To address these issues, this thesis provides theories to model performance and power in high-end systems and techniques to optimize power and performance efficiency. The proposed communication performance models (lognP and log3P) analytically describe the communication cost in distributed systems. By explicitly quantifying the cost of middleware communication and data distribution that are ignored by previous models, these models provide more accurate performance prediction and aid more efficient algorithm design. The power-performance model (power-aware speedup) predicts parallel application performance in power scalable systems. This model quantifies the impact of processor frequency and power on instruction throughput for parallel codes, and forms the theoretical foundation for designing and scheduling a system for a given application to improve efficiency. We have developed techniques to profile and control power in high-end computing systems. Power profiling techniques directly measure the power consumption of multiple system components simultaneously for programs and their functions. The achieved profiles are fine-grained, compared to system or building level profiles from existing methods. Such fine granularity is required to identify the potential opportunities for power reduction, and evaluate the effectiveness of power reduction techniques. Power controlling techniques exploit off-the-shelf power-aware technologies, and integrate performance modeling and workload prediction into power-aware scheduling algorithms. The resulting schedulers can reduce power and energy consumption while meeting user specified performance constraints. Our theories and techniques have been applied to high-end computing systems. Results show that our theoretical models can improve algorithm performance by up to 59%; our power profiling techniques provide previously unavailable insight to parallel scientific application power consumption; and our power-aware techniques can save up to 36% energy with little performance degradation.
Does Alkaline Colonic pH Predispose to Clostridium difficile Infection

Objectives Clostridium difficile caused nearly 500,000 infections and was associated with approximately 29,000 deaths in 2011, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. C. difficile is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and, often, severe illness in healthcare facilities, as well as the community. Our objective was to determine whether alkaline colonic pH predisposes to colonization and infection with C. difficile. Methods A total of 228 patients with diarrhea and/or abdominal pain, leukocytosis, and fever were included. Stool pH was measured, and C. difficile antigen and toxin in stool were detected. Results Of 228 patients, 30 (13.2%) tested positive for C. difficile (antigen+/toxin+) and 171 (75%) were C. difficile negative (antigen-/toxin-). Of 171 patients who tested negative, 93 (54.4%) had stool pH >7.0 and 78 (45.6%) had pH ≤7.0. Among the 30 patients who tested positive, 26 (86.7%) had stool pH >7.0 (P = 0.002). Among the 27 colonized patients (antigen+/toxin-), 12 (44.4%) had stool pH >7.0 (P = 0.34). For all patients with stool pH ≤7.0, 96% tested negative for C. difficile infection (P = 0.002). Conclusions A strong association between C. difficile infection and alkaline stool pH was found.
Checkpoint blockade in lymphoma

Immune checkpoint blockade therapy (CBT) was born of the combination of several elements: the understanding of some of the important immune regulation pathways in humans; the recognition that tumors can engage those pathways to evade immune responses; and the clinical development of monoclonal antibodies targeting checkpoint receptors to restore effective anti-tumor immunity. This form of therapy, focused to date mostly on the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed-death 1 (PD-1) pathways, has already revolutionized the treatment of several solid tumors. Hematologic malignancies (HMs) offer a promising testing ground for this strategy, and several trials have already demonstrated evidence of therapeutic activity with checkpoint blockade, especially in lymphoma. This review will discuss the current clinical results of CBT in lymphoma in the context of their scientific underpinning, and build from this summary a projection of how the field may evolve in the near future.
The Determinants of Interest Rates

This technical note presents basic definitions of real and nominal interest rates, including a short discussion on how to measure expected inflation. It also shows how to operationalize the workhorse IS/LM model in order to describe general movements in interest rates, and ends with a short aside on risk premiums.
Alcohol’s BOLD effect on food intake

We’ve long known that a pre-meal cocktail stimulates food consumption, with reports of up to a 30% increase in intake. Indeed, aperitifs—spirits served before a meal—traditionally serve the purpose of stimulating the appetite. Yet the mechanisms that underlie increased intake after alcohol consumption remain unclear—although scientists have proposed that the disinhibition of eating restraint, enhancement of the appetite, and stimulation of food-reward systems might be at play. Now, Eiler et al . use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate the effects of alcohol intoxication on regions of the brain that mediate reward and feeding behavior. In this study, 35 nonobese women were evaluated over two separate lunchtime sessions: once during a controlled intravenous infusion of alcohol and again during a saline infusion. The intravenous administration allowed for the evaluation of alcohol effects specific to the brain and independent of the digestive system, adding to the novelty of the study. During each fMRI session, participants were exposed to a meat aroma (roast beef or Italian meat sauce), and the brain’s blood oxygenation level–dependent response (BOLD) was measured in target regions. Each infusion and imaging session was followed by a standardized lunch. Compared with saline, the BOLD response to food aroma relative to a nonfood aroma in the hypothalamic area was greater during alcohol infusion, as was subsequent food intake. Despite inducing greater food intake, alcohol infusion decreased the appetite-stimulating gut hormone ghrelin. Together, these data indicate that the hypothalamus is a key site of action for alcohol-induced increases in food intake, although specific neurochemical signaling molecules require further study. In addition to alcohol’s notorious calorie content (a hefty 7 calories per gram), this study provides another mechanism by which alcohol intake can contribute to weight gain. Although the findings will need to be replicated in men, the new work puts a damper on the joys of relaxing with an aperitif. W. J. A. Eiler II et al ., The aperitif effect: Alcohol’s effects on the brain’s response to food aromas in women. Obesity 23 , 1386–1393 (2015). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.21109/abstract
The animal experimental study on improving growth and development by the amino acid complex preparation

Objective:To explore the effects of the amino acid complex preparation onto the growth and development of the offspring rats.Methods: The amino acid complex preparation was administered(ig) by oral daily with four different doses(0,250,500,1000 mg/kg b.wt) to male SD offspring rats.Body weight and body length were measured respectively at the 1st,the 14th,the 28th and the 42nd days,usage rate of food for every week and total usage rate of food were calculated.Result: It was shown that indicators of growth and development include body weight,body length and usage rate of food existed significant differences between amino acid complex preparation groups and control group.Conclusion: It indicated that amino acid complex preparation did have the effect of promoting the growth and development of the offspring rats.
Flow Cytometry in Phytoplankton Research

The capability of flow cytometry for rapid quantitative observations of individual cells has made it an important tool in plankton research since the mid-1980s. One indication of the impact of flow cytometry has been the appearance of special journal issues focused on applications in aquatic sciences (Cytometry, Yentsch and Horan 1989; Scientia Marina, Reckermann and Colijn 2000; Cytometry, Courties and Troussellier 2001). Since these publications, major advances have been made in in situ applications and in new approaches enabled by molecular and genomic techniques. In this chapter we provide a brief overview of the history of flow cytometry in plankton research, summarize basic measurement principles and review specific applications, and conclude with an assessment of some emerging areas and future prospects. We stress uses that depend on inherent fluorescence characteristics, with some related reference to uses involving fluorescent markers, stains or probes. Because a number of previous reviews and methodology guides are available (e.g., Chisholm et al. 1986; Legendre and Yentsch 1989; Yentsch and Horan 1989; Burkhill and Mantoura 1990; Olson et al. 1991, 1993; Troussellier et al. 1993; Collier and Campbell 1999; Collier 2000; Veldhuis and Kraay 2000; Vives-Rego et al. 2000; Campbell 2001; Legendre et al. 2001; Marie et al. 2005), our primary focus will be on recent and forward-looking approaches.
Shallow Sedimentary Rock as a Fragile Geological Feature: Effects of Clay Content and Hydrology on Frictional Strength

Strong long‐period (∼3 s) seismic waves impose dynamic strains on the shallow subsurface. The dynamic strain is the dynamic velocity divided by the phase velocity of the waves. The dynamic stress is the strain times the shear modulus. A testable hypothesis is that the shear modulus of the rock self‐organizes so that the rock barely fails in friction with typical imposed dynamic strains. The predicted value of stiffness divided by depth is then independent of depth for constant rock density and constant coefficient of friction with the water table at the surface. Predicted stiffness divided depth deviates from constancy for finite‐water‐table depth. Prior laboratory studies indicate that the coefficient of friction is lower in clay‐rich rocks than in clay‐free rocks. These effects provide appraisal of the concept in which hydrology and lithology are constrained. Four boreholes near Parkfield, California, qualitatively exhibit the predicted effects. There is some indication of the predicted effect of water‐table depth within accumulating sediments penetrated by borehole McGlincy (MGCY) in the Santa Clara Valley of California, but the effect of clay is not well resolved, due to a dearth of clay‐rich beds.
Scaling rules for bipolar transistors in BiCMOS circuits

Scaling rules for bipolar transistors in BiCMOS gates are derived such that the gates maintain their performance advantage over scaled CMOS implementations. These are compared with those for bipolar transistors in ECL (emitter coupled logic) gates and are found to be generally similar under realistic scaling assumptions, except for a conflict in the choice of the collector doping concentration. Bipolar transistors for BiCMOS drivers require a high collector doping concentration (typically higher than 5E16 cm/sup -3/) while ECL circuits require bipolar transistors with lower value for the collector doping concentration (typically lower than 2E16 cm/sup -3/). >
Small-Signal Stability Analysis of Power System Integrated with PHEVs

Depending upon the charging technique, fleets of PHEVs integrated within the power grid behave as constant power loads (CPL) or constant impedance loads (CIL). In this paper, a small-signal stability analysis of a power system with high PHEV penetration is performed. The results indicate that when the PHEVs are charged with a constant-current technique, the grid is more prone to instability. Consequently, operating PHEVs as CILs can increase their maximum penetration levels before the system becomes unstable.
Effect of Low Temperatures on Growth of Nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum Types B and F and Proteolytic Type G in Crabmeat and Broth1

The ability of unheated and heated spores of nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum types B and F, and of the weakly proteolytic type G, to grow and produce toxin in crabmeat and broth at low temperatures was investigated. Sterilized crabmeat or broth was inoculated with 103 spores/g or ml and incubated anaerobically at 4, 8, 12 and 26 C for 180 days. Both heated and unheated spores of all three types grew and produced toxin at 26 C in broth and crabmeat. Types B and F grew in broth at 12, 8 and 4 C when unheated but only at 12 and 8 when heated; they did not grow in crabmeat at any of these temperatures, heated or not. Heated and unheated type G grew at 12 C in both broth and crabmeat but not at lower temperatures.
Interactive Effects of Dementia Severity and Comorbidities on Medicare Expenditures.

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined how dementia and comorbidities may interact to affect healthcare expenditures. OBJECTIVE To examine whether effects of dementia severity on Medicare expenditures differed for individuals with different levels of comorbidities. METHODS Data are drawn from the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP). Comprehensive clinical assessments of dementia severity were systematically carried out at ∼18 month intervals. Dementia severity was measured by Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Comorbidities were measured by a modified Elixhauser comorbidities index. Generalized linear models examined effects of dementia severity, comorbidities, and their interactions on Medicare expenditures (1999-2010). RESULTS At baseline, 1,280 subjects were dementia free (CDR = 0, 66.4%), 490 had very mild dementia (CDR = 0.5, 25.4%), 108 had mild dementia (CDR = 1, 5.6%), and 49 had moderate/severe dementia (CDR = 2/3, 2.5%). Average annual Medicare expenditures for individuals with moderate/severe dementia were more than twice as high as those who were dementia free (CDR = 0: $9,108, CDR = 0.5/1: $11,664, CDR≥2: $19,604, p < 0.01). Expenditures were approximately 10 times higher among those with≥3 comorbidities than among those with no comorbidities ($2,612 for those with no comorbidities, to $6,109 for those with 1, $10,656 for those with 2, and $30,244 for those with≥3 comorbidities, p < 0.001). Dementia severity was associated with higher expenditures, but comorbidities were the most important predictor of expenditures. We did not find strong interaction effects between number of comorbidities and dementia severity. CONCLUSIONS Increasing dementia severity and higher comorbidities are associated with higher Medicare expenditures. Care of individuals with dementia should focus on management of comorbidities.
Subjective Social Status, Perceived Academic Competence, and Academic Achievement Among Underrepresented Students:

Underrepresented college students are more likely than majority students to underperform and drop out of college. Perceptions of status relative to other students may play a key role in this process. The current study uses subjective social status (SSS) to predict underrepresented students’ grade point average via their sense of academic competence at the end of their first year at an elite predominantly White institution. A total of 329 underrepresented college students (i.e., students from historically underrepresented racial or ethnic minority groups, first generation college students, or students from economically disadvantaged family backgrounds) participated in data collection during their first academic year attending a predominantly White institution. On average, students reported a drop in SSS from their home community to the university. After accounting for gender, race or ethnicity, family income, standardized test scores, and depressive symptoms, a larger drop in SSS was related to lower sprin...
An investigation into users' considerations towards using password managers

Password managers, though commonly recommended by security experts, are still not used by many users. Understanding why some choose to use password managers while others do not is important towards generally understanding why some users do what they do and, by extension, designing motivational tools such as video tutorials to help motivate more to use password managers. To investigate differences between those who do and do not use a password manager, for this paper, we distributed an online survey to a total of 137 users and 111 non-users of the tool that asked about their opinions/experiences with password managers. Furthermore, since emotion has been identified by work in psychology and communications as influential in other risk-laden decision-making (e.g., safe-sex behavior such as condom use), we asked participants who use a password manager to rate how they feel for 45 different emotions, or, as the case for those who do not use a password manager, to rate how they imagine they would feel the 45 emotions if they did use the tool. Our results show that "users" of password managers noted convenience and usefulness as the main reasons behind using the tool, rather than security gains, underscoring the fact that even a large portion of users of the tool are not considering security as the primary benefit while making the decision. On the other hand, "non-users" noted security concerns as the main reason for not using a password manager, highlighting the prevalence of suspicion arising from lack of understanding of the technology itself. Finally, analysis of the differences in emotions between "users" and "non-users" reveals that participants who never use a password manager are more likely to feel suspicious compared to "users," which could be due to misunderstandings about the tool.