cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current shaping and multi-thread activation for fast and reliable power mode transition in multicore designs

Power gating has been widely adopted in multicore designs. The design of fast and reliable power mode transition for per-core power gating remains a challenging problem. This paper studies the design methodology for fast power gating wake-up with guaranteed power integrity. Two novel techniques, namely current shaping and multi-thread activation are proposed. Models and physical implementation of both techniques are analyzed. Experimental results demonstrated 1.5 to 11 times wake-up time speedup with no penalty on area or power consumptions by using the proposed techniques.
Polydispersity of heavy organics in crude oils and their role in oil well fouling

Abstract In this report, the polydisperse data of heavy organic fractions of crude oil and solid deposit were produced to investigate the causes of deposition in oil wells. The oilfields of the study have experienced, for several years, shutdowns and decrease in the production ratios due to heavy organics deposition. Several measures such as mechanical cleaning and periodic aromatic washes have been adopted to maintain the production level; nevertheless the costs associated with these procedures are very high. The SARA method was employed to separate the samples into four distinct fractions, namely S aturates, A romatics, R esins and A sphaltenes. The total asphaltene content of the crude oil samples was determined using n -pentane, n -heptane, and n -nonuse as the precipitating solvents. Polydispersity and molecular weight of each fraction have been further characterized by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC). The presence of diamondoids in the solid deposits was also investigated by GC-MS. This technique has been carried out on various crude oil samples collected from an oil field. The results provided useful information on the interaction between the various heavy organic species responsible for the deposition phenomena. Solid samples from different wells resulted in similar composition concluding that these crude oils undergo similar deposition mechanisms. These studies showed that the crude oils produced from different wells in this oilfield are very similar in nature. The asphaltenes contained in some of the crude oil samples displayed a rather strong tendency to self-associate; they also render the highest amounts of precipitation. While diamondoids and alkyl-substituted diamondoids were confirmed to be present in the crude oils produced no evidence was found of their occurrence in the deposits. The polydispersity analysis procedure presented here provides a good understanding of the overall behavior of the species that precipitate and also of the interactions among these species. It is concluded that while most of the heavy organics contained in these crude oils may produce precipitates, asphaltene is the major cause of flocculation of the precipitates, which may result in deposition and plugging of oil-producing wells.
Public administration and the rule of law

This article deals with the enduring problem of administrative discretion in the modern American democratic-constitutional state. In the American constitutional tradition, administrative action is legitimate when and only if it adheres to the rule of law. This implies that administrators must be able to link directly their actions to grants of authority in statutes or the Constitution. But the growth of the state apparatus and the increasing intensification of the public administration's role in society have necessitated rather broad legislative grants of discretion to the bureaucracy. The result has been a seemingly perennial tension between the rule of law ideal and the modern administrative reality. Attempts to control discretion via evolving doctrines of administrative law have proved unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons explored in this essay. The most important shortfall has been that the continuing expansion of the administrative state threatens directly the rule of law itself. After a survey of...
Whole-slide imaging in pathology: the potential impact on PACS

Pathology, the medical specialty charged with the evaluation of macroscopic and microscopic aspects of disease, is increasingly turning to digital imaging. While the conventional tissue blocks and glass slides form an "archive" that pathology departments must maintain, digital images acquired from microscopes or digital slide scanners are increasingly used for telepathology, consultation, and intra-facility communication. Since many healthcare facilities are moving to "enterprise PACS" with departments in addition to radiology using the infrastructure of such systems, some understanding of the potential of whole-slide digital images is important. Network and storage designers, in particular, are very likely to be impacted if a significant number of such images are to be moved on, or stored (even temporarily) in, enterprise PACS. As an example, a typical commercial whole-slide imaging system typically generates 15 gigabytes per slide scanned (per focal plane). Many of these whole-slide scanners have a throughput of 1000 slides per day. If that full capacity is used and all the resulting digital data is moved to the enterprise PACS, it amounts to 15 terabytes per day; the amount of data a large radiology department might generate in a year or two. This paper will review both the clinical scenarios of whole-slide imaging as well as the resulting data volumes. The author will emphasize the potential PACS infrastructure impact of such huge data volumes.
Hemodynamic effects of blood loss during a passive response to a stressor in the conscious rabbit

In the conscious rabbit, exposure to an air jet stressor increases arterial pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output. During hemorrhage, air jet exposure extends the blood loss necessary to produce...
Razor blade surgery: use of the Castroviejo blade breaker and holder.

Background. To remove skin lesions, many dermatologists use the razor blade which may be manipulated with or without the aid of an instrument. However, the techniques previously described employ the use of an entire razor blade. Objective. To outline a technique that is easily performed with better control of the blade and with more precise cutting than by holding the blade by hand. This report reviews the merits of razor blade use in cutaneous surgery as well as the advantages of using the Castroviejo razor blade breaker. Methods. The method for cutting double-edged razor blades and holding the sections with a Castroviejo blade breaker is described as well as a basic guide for selecting blade size for performing shave biopsies and shave excisions. Conclusions. Using the Castroviejo razor blade breaker and holder with cut razor blades is safe and allows better control and more precise cutting than using a complete double-edged blade alone.
Combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping for genome screens.

Linkage analysis and association studies, two major approaches for genetic studies of human diseases, are useful for mapping genes that are highly penetrant, but both use only part of the information that is available for mapping disease genes. Therefore, they provide limited utility when used alone. In this report, we present combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping that simultaneously utilizes linkage and linkage disequilibrium information for mapping human disease genes. Compared with the existing linkage analysis and association study methods, this method has several advantages: 1) it has high statistical power by a joint analysis of linkage and linkage disequilibrium for localizing disease susceptibility loci: 2) it unifies the theory of linkage analysis and linkage disequilibrium mapping, 3) it retains the general framework for linkage analysis and, hence, can be easily incorporated into the existing software for the linkage analysis. The proposed LLDM is applied to familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) disease.
Feedback training of 36 - 44 HZ EEG activity in the visual cortex and hippocampus of cats: evidence for sensory and motor involvement.

Abstract Milk reinforcement was contingent on the occurrence of 36–44 (40) Hz EEG activity in the left visual cortex (VC) of one group of cats and in the right hippocampus (H) of a second group. Both groups learned to increase 40 Hz activity, and acquisition of reinforcement was associated with immobility. A third group (behavioral controls — BC) was trained by the method of successive approximation to behave in a similar manner to VC and H cats. Training significantly increased 40 Hz activity in all of the following structures, except the hippocampi of VC cats and between the right and left visual cortex of H and BC cats: posterior primary visual cortex (bilateral), anterior primary visual cortex (left), primary motor cortex (bilateral), dorsal hippocampus (bilateral), and midbrain reticular formation (bilateral). Since the behavioral and EEG changes of H and BC animals were similar, immobility appears to be important for increased hippocampal 40 Hz activity produced by feedback training. Testing in darkness enhanced 40 Hz activity in the trained area of VC cats but had no effect on H or BC animals. These results, in conjunction with the observation that VC cats appeared to visually fixate, suggest that VC cats may have learned to increase 40 Hz activity in the visual cortex by altering visual processing.
STUDIES ON CILIA : II. Examination of the Distal Region of the Ciliary Shaft and the Role of the Filaments in Motility

Termination of peripheral filaments of the axoneme of gill cilia of fresh-water mussels (Elliptio or Anodonta) occurs in characteristic fashion: (a) subfiber b of certain doublets ends leaving a single simplified tubular unit; (b) the wall of the unit becomes thick and may even obliterate the interior; and (c) the filament drops out of the 9 + 2 pattern. The order in which doublets begin simplifying is also characteristic. This may be determined by numbering the filaments, those with the bridge being 5–6, with the direction of numbering determined by the apparent enantiomorphic configuration (I to IV) of the cross-section. Shorter filaments can be identified in simplifying tips with mixed double and single peripheral units. In this material, laterofrontal cirri show a morphological specialization in the region where individual cilia simplify. The cilia studied run frontally from the body of the cirrus and point in the direction of effective stroke. The longest filaments (Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) appear as the doublets at the bottom of the cross-section, nearest the surface of the cell of origin. Above them, and above the central pair, a dark band (a section of a dense rod) runs through the matrix. The remaining filaments are the single units. Effective-pointing frontal and lateral ciliary tips end in a fashion similar to laterofrontal tips, although no dense band is present. For all effective-pointing tips studied, the order in which the peripheral filaments end appears to be Nos. (9, 1), 8, 2, 7, 6, 3, 4, 5. However, recovery-pointing lateral tips show a different order: Nos. 7, 6, 8, 5, 9, 4, 1 (3, 2), although the longer filaments are still at the bottom of the cross-section. In simple models of ciliary movement involving contraction of the peripheral filaments, filaments at the top of the cross-section should be longer, if any are. Such models are not supported by the evidence here. These results can be interpreted as supporting sliding-filament models of movement where no length change of peripheral filaments occurs.
Subsets of an interval whose product is a power

Abstract We form squares from the product of integers in a short interval [ n , n + t n ], where we include n in the product. If p is prime, p | n , and ( 2 p ) > n , we prove that p is the minimum t n . If no such prime exists, we prove t n ⩽ √5 n when n > 32. If n = p (2 p − 1) and both p and 2 p − 1 are primes, then t n = 3 p > 3 √ n /2. For n ( n + u ) a square > n 2 , we conjecture that a and b exist where n a b n + u and nab is a square (except n = 8 and n = 392). Let g 2 ( n ) be minimal such that a square can be formed as the product of distinct integers from [ n , g 2 ( n )] so that no pair of consecutive integers is omitted. We prove that g 2 ( n ) ⩽ 3 n − 3, and list or conjecture the values of g 2 ( n ) for all n . We describe the generalization to k th powers and conjecture the values for large n .
Quantifying software vulnerability

The technique known as ACE Analysis allows researchers to quantify a hardware structure's Architectural Vulnerability Factor (AVF) using simulation. This allows researchers to understand a hardware structure's vulnerability to soft errors and consider design tradeoffs when running specific workloads. AVF is only applicable to hardware, however, and no corresponding concept has yet been introduced for software. Quantifying vulnerability to hardware faults at a software, or program, level would allow researchers to gain a better understanding of the reliability of a program as run on a particular architecture (e.g., X86, PowerPC), independent of the micro-architecture on which it is executed. This ability can provide a basis for future research into reliability techniques at a software level.In this work, we adapt the techniques of ACE Analysis to develop a new software-level vulnerability metric called the Program Vulnerability Factor (PVF). This metric allows insight into the vulnerability of a software resource to hardware faults in a micro-architecture independent way, and can be used to make judgments about the relative reliability of different programs. We describe in detail how to calculate the PVF of a software resource, and show that the PVF of the architectural register file closely correlates with the AVF of the underlying physical register file and can serve as a good predictor of relative AVF when comparing the AVF of two different programs.
Abstract 2472: The role of aging T-cells in prostate cancer development

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC As men age past 40, their chance of developing prostate cancer increases exponentially each year. The mechanism by which age influences the risk of prostate cancer remains largely unknown, hindering the development of effective preventive interventions. As one ages, there are significant changes in immune response regulation and outcome. This includes an age-related loss of appropriate T cell function. This loss of appropriate T cell function is associated with a change from anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory cytokine production as well as decreased appropriate immune surveillance. We hypothesize that one mechanism by which age increases the risk for prostate cancer may be through these alterations in immune response by the T cells. To date, the specific contribution of an aging immune system to prostate cancer initiation and progression has been difficult to determine because of the lack of appropriate model systems to evaluate this phenomena. We have recently begun studies investigating the contribution of an aging T cell population to prostate cancer progression using a highly unique and innovative animal model, the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-1 (GPAT-1) knock out mouse. The GPAT-1 KO young mouse has a T cell phenotype which mimics old wild type mice. We have recently initiated a series of in vitro studies to evaluate the effects of exposure of sera from GPAT KO mice on pro-inflammatory signaling in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Exposure to sera from young GPAT KO mice resulted in strong induction of NF-κB activity in LNCaP cells compared to both the sera from the age-controlled wild type mice and the sera-free conditions. We are currently evaluating the significance of this NF-κB induction as well as the induction of other pro-inflammatory pathways by the GPAT KO mouse sera in promoting a more aggressive phenotype in our cancer cells. Additionally, LNCaP cells exposed to conditioned media from stimulated T-cells from the GPAT KO mice demonstrated induction of Akt phosphorylation. Previous studies have shown an important role for NF-kB and Akt in promoting inflammation and survival in prostate cancer cells. Currently, we are evaluating how GPAT KO mouse sera might promote a more aggressive phenotype in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. These studies would be the first to demonstrate a specific modulation of prostate cancer signaling by sera from mice that directly reflect an aging T cell phenotype suggesting that age-related loss of appropriate T cell function might contribute to the increased risk for prostate cancer in the elderly. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2472.
Marine invasion processes: interactions between native and introduced marsh snails

Abstract We test two hypotheses to explain the success of a biological invader in marshes on the Pacific coast of North America. The first hypothesis focuses on the competitive superiority of an invading species over native species; the second hypothesis focuses on the absence of ecological equivalents in the aboriginal biota, such that no competitive interactions are necessary to facilitate successful invasion. As a model system we experimentally manipulated the introduced pulmonate snail Ovatella myosotis and the native prosobranch snails Assiminea californica and Littorina subrotundata . Manipulations included pair-wise enclosures to determine of Ovatella depressed the growth of the native;species; pair-wise associations to determine whether or not snails demonstrated negative or positive clustering; removal experiments to see if native snails invaded regions occupied by Ovatella , and reciprocal transplants on a vertical gradient to determine the physiological breath of the target species. In addition to monitoring population abundances of all three species seasonally, dietary overlap of these gastropods was also examined. No evidence of competitive superiority by Ovatella was found. Ovatella possesses the physiological capacities to exist in a semiterrestrial environment and is therefore able to take advantage of resources unavailable to native gastropods. We conclude that the successful establishment of this Atlantic snail in the Pacific Northwest did not arise at the expense of native species.
Vector quantization of image pyramids with the ECPNN algorithm

A recent algorithm for single rate vector quantization is used for coding image pyramids. The algorithm, called entropy-constrained pairwise-nearest-neighbor (ECPNN), designs codebooks by merging the pair of Voronoi regions which gives the most decrease in entropy for a given increase in distortion. In terms of performance in the mean-squared-error sense the algorithm produces codebooks with the same performance as the ECVQ design algorithm. The main advantage over ECVQ is that ECPNN algorithm enables much faster codebook design. A single pass through the ECPNN design algorithm, which progresses from large to successively smaller rates, allows the storage of any desired number of optimal intermediate-rate codebooks. In the context of pyramid coding, this feature is especially desirable, since the ECPNN design algorithm must be run for each sub-band and storage of codebooks of different rates are required for each subband. Good results at 0.5 bpp, judged both visually and using peak-to-peak SNR criterion, have been obtained by coding image pyramids using ECPNN codebooks.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
THE DETERMINATION OF MIXTURES OF IRON AND CERIUM BY CONTROLLED POTENTIAL COULOMETRIC ANALYSIS WITH A PLATINUM ELECTRODE

Abstract The method, of controlled, potential coulometric analysis has been used for the reduction of several oxidants at a platinum electrode. Corrections have been suggested for the surface oxidation of the electrode and accurate results for mixtures of cerium and iron are reported.
Identification of p65-Associated Phosphoproteins by Mass Spectrometry after On-Plate Phosphopeptide Enrichment Using Polymer-oxotitanium Films

Stimuli-induced protein phosphorylation plays a vital role in signal transduction and transcriptional activities in eukaryotic cells. This work aims to develop analysis techniques that rapidly detect stimulus-specific intracellular protein phosphorylation and association, with specific emphasis on identifying phosphoproteins associated with p65, a nuclear regulatory factor. The analytical strategy includes immunoprecipitation of the target protein along with its associated proteins, tryptic digestion directly on the antibody beads, on-plate phosphopeptide enrichment for matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), and collision-induced dissociation-tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS/MS) to identify phosphopeptides and phosphorylation sites. Enrichment of the phosphopeptides from the tryptic digest occurs on a polymer-oxotitanium-modified gold wafer (Au−P-oxoTi) and consumes as little as 1 μL of digest solution. The Au−P-oxoTi wafers can capture both mono- and multiphosphorylated...
The substrate specificity, kinetics, and mechanism of glycerate-3-kinase from spinach leaves.

Abstract Glycerate-3-kinase (EC 2.7.1.31) from spinach leaves shows absolute specificity for d -glycerate as phosphate acceptor, yielding 3-phosphoglycerate as a product. ATP complexed with either Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ is the preferred phosphate donor. The enzyme has K m (D-glycerate) = 0.25 mM, K m (Mg-ATP) = 0.21 mM, V max = 300 μmol min −1 mg protein −1 , and a turnover number = 12,000·min −1 . The equilibrium constant for the reaction is approximately 300 at pH 7.8. Pyrophosphate, 3-phosphoglycerate and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate are the strongest inhibitors among the phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated metabolites tested; however, their regulatory role in vivo is questioned. Substrate kinetics, as well as product and analog inhibition data, are consistent with a sequential random mechanism. The distinct characteristic of the glycerate kinase-catalyzed reaction is the formation of a dead-end complex between the enzyme, d -glycerate, and 3-phosphoglycerate.
Memory and plasma HVA changes in schizophrenia: Are they episode markers?

Using a within-subject methodology, the following study examined changes in standardized memory function as patients were withdrawn from neuroleptic medication, in an attempt to: (a) identify cognitive changes predictive of relapse, and (b) relate these changes to catecholamine function
Low-Temperature Diffusion of Dopants in Silicon

It has been reported that diffusion of substitutional dopant atoms in silicon occurs during the formation of transition-metal suicides at temperatures below 300°C. By observing the diffusion enhancements of buried marker layers of Sb-, Ga-, Ge-, and B-doped silicon layers, we provide solid experimental evidence that the diffusion enhancement induced by Pd2Si formation at low temperatures is due to point defects generated by the suicide reactions. Diffusion enhancement is observed at temperatures as low as 200°C. We have found the surprising result that diffusion is asymmetric: diffusion occurs preferentially towards the suiciding interface.
The 5th annual SIETAR conference in Mexico city: An evaluation

Abstract The 5th Annual Conference of the Society for Intercultural Education, Training and Research (SIETAR), in Mexico City, was evaluated using both scaled and open-ended questions. Analysis of the scaled responses suggested that the participants found the conference to be personally enjoyable, professionally worthwhile, well organized and intellectually stimulating. Overall, the conference was rated very favorably. On the other hand, however, negative evaluations were received regarding the quality of the presentations, the travel agent, the translations and direct benefits in the areas of intercultural training and research. Demographic analyses indicated that North Americans, researchers and university and government people rated the conference most favorably. Seven recommendations for future conferences were derived from the summarized open-ended responses.
Linear Regression with Current Status Data

Abstract In survival analysis, a linear model often provides an adequate approximation after a suitable transformation of the survival times and possibly of the covariates. This article proposes a semiparametric regression method for estimating the regression parameter in the linear model without specifying the distribution of the random error, where the response variable is subject to so-called case 1 interval censoring. The method uses a constructed random-sieve likelihood and constraints, combining the benefits of semiparametric likelihood with estimating equations. The estimation procedure is implemented, and the asymptotic distributions for the estimated regression parameter and for the profile likelihood ratio statistic are obtained. In addition, some model diagnostics aspects are described. Finally, the small-sample operating characteristics of the proposed method is examined via simulations, and its usefulness is illustrated on datasets from an animal tumorigenicity study and from a HIV study.
Facilitators of romantic attraction and their relation to lovestyle

A questionnaire was developed based on findings in experimental studies and from clinical speculation that various internal states and/or external conditions facilitate romantic attraction. A total of 305 participants responded to 30 items which were submitted to a principal components factor analysis and 4 factors emerged accounting for 50.5% of the variance. The 4 facilitators are distress, identity enhancement, aging and social pressures, and sexual desire. The internal consistency of the four scales were .82, .78, .80, and .86 respectively. As predicted, experience of intensification of any of the facilitators was found to be significantly related to love style. Participants experiencing an intensification of distress report more agapic interactions, those experiencing an intensification of identity enhancement report more mania, those experiencing an intensification of aging fears and social expectations report a more pragmatic love style, and those experiencing an intensification of sexual desire report less friendship interactions and more erotic love style than those not experiencing an intensification on the respective facilitator. Future researchers might employ the facilitators of romantic relationships to account for partner choice and satisfaction.
Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Call for Clarification

This commentary highlights the present dilemmas surrounding the classification of a patient with interstitial pneumonia who has clinical features suggesting an associated connective tissue disease but the features fall short of a clear diagnosis of connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease under the current rheumatologic classification systems. This commentary illustrates what we perceive to be the limitations in the present approach to the classification of this group of patients and discusses problems with redefining the diagnosis of undifferentiated connective tissue disease to encompass patients with interstitial pneumonia. Finally, we advocate not only for a multidisciplinary approach to evaluation, but also disease classification and offer a proposal to define them as a distinct phenotype—lung-dominant CTD—for which prognostic, therapeutic, and pathobiologic implications can be tested in future, hopefully multiinstitutional, studies.
Hydrodynamic and Functional Analysis of HIV-1 Vif Oligomerization

HIV-1 Vif is an accessory protein that induces the proteasomal degradation of the host restriction factor, apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide-like 3G (APOBEC3G). The N-terminal half of Vif binds to APOBEC3G and the C-terminal half binds to subunits of a cullin-5-based ubiquitin ligase. This Vif-directed ubiquitin ligase induces the degradation of APOBEC3G (a cytidine deaminase), and thereby protects the viral genome from mutation. A conserved PPLP motif near the C terminus of Vif is essential for Vif function and is also involved in Vif oligomerization. However, the mechanism and functional significance of Vif oligomerization is unclear. We employed analytical ultracentrifugation to examine the oligomeric properties of Vif in solution. Contrary to previous reports, we find that Vif oligomerization does not require the conserved PPLP motif. Instead, our data suggest a more complex mechanism involving interactions between the HCCH motif, BC box, and downstream residues in Vif. Mutation of residues near the PPLP motif (S165 and V166) affected the oligomeric properties of Vif and reduced the ability of Vif to bind and induce the degradation of APOBEC3G. We propose that Vif oligomerization may represent a mechanism to regulate interactions with APOBEC3G.
Treatment and evaluation of CLL: a complicated affair

Comment on Eichhorst et al, page [885][1] In this issue, Eichhorst and colleagues show in a large randomized phase 3 clinical trial that combination therapy using fludarabine and cyclophosphamide is superior to fludarabine alone for younger previously untreated CLL patients. In addition, they found
Variation in ten lysosomal hydrolase enzyme activities in inbred mouse strains.

Activities of 10 lysosomal hydrolase enzymes (β-hexosaminidase, β-galactosidase, α-galactosidase, α-mannosidase, β-mannosidase, α-l-fucosidase, β-glucuronidase, α-glucosidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, and acid phosphatase) were determined in eight organs (brain, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, skeletal muscle, lung, and testis) in males and females of six inbred mouse strains (C57 BL/6J, C3H/HeJ, DBA/2J, BALB/cJ, P/J, and 129/J). Examples of enzyme-specific variation, organ-specific variation, and enzyme- and organ-specific variation were found. New enzyme-specific variants with the features of systemic regulators for α-l-fucosidase and β-mannosidase were found. Known variants were detected. Organ-specific variants had some of the properties expected for a new class of genes affecting multiple enzymes: organ-specific regulators.
Metabolism of lipid molecular species in rat rod outer segments.

Abstract We have studied the metabolism of selected diacyl molecular species of phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and diacylglycerol (DG) from rat rod outer segments (ROS). Rats were injected intravitreally with [2-3H]glycerol. At 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 days post-injection, ROS phospholipids and DG were isolated by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (TLC), derivatized, and fractionated into molecular species by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Selected molecular species were quantitated and counted for radioactivity. We found the following. In PC and PE, the specific activities of 22:6–22:6, 18:1–22:6 and 16:0–22:6 were highest at day 1 and then decreased in a nearly exponential manner. In contrast, the specific activities of 18:2–22:6 and 18:0–20:4 were substantially lower than these three molecular species and changed little over the 6-day period. In PS, the specific activities of 22:6–22:6, 18:0–22:6 and 18:1–22:6 were similar and did not reach their maximum until the 3rd or 4th days. In PC, the specific activities of the five molecular species examined were two to three times higher at day 1 than the same species in PE and PS. In PI and DG, the major molecular species were 16:0–20:4 and 18:0–20:4. The specific activities of these two molecular species at day 1 were about ten times higher than those of 20:4-containing species in PE and PC, and showed the most rapid turnover of any of the molecular species examined in this study. We conclude that each glycerolipid molecular species has a unique rate of biosynthesis and turnover, which determines the steady state level of each species in ROS. Of the three major phospholipid classes (PC, PE and PS), PC is the most metabolically active, as evidenced by the high specific activities in 16:0–22:6, 18:1–22:6 and 22:6–22:6 at day 1, followed by their rapid turnover. We suggest that these molecular species of PC serve as a source of other phospholipids in ROS through base exchange and acyl exchange reactions. The 20:4-containing molecular species of PI and DG are metabolized differently from the same species in PC, PE and PS. The high specific activities at day 1 and the rapid turnover of 16:0–20:4- and 18:0–20:4-PI and -DG suggest an active phosphoinositide turnover in these membranes.
Trends in teaching parasitology: the American situation

Abstract Parasitic infections in both humans and animals are still rampant and appear to be increasing. There is a need for parasitologists, human and animal doctors to contribute toward the global eradication of communicable and food-borne diseases. The need for teaching parasitology, the recommendations and future perspectives are discussed in this article, and it is proposed that macrobiology should be recognized and taught as a subject area to include the study of eukaryotic organisms encompassing macroparasites.
Level, content, and caloric equivalents of the lipid, carbohydrate, and protein in the body components of Luidia clathrata (echinodermata: asteroidea: platyasterida) in Tampa bay

Abstract The body components of the primitive platyasterid starfish, Luidia clathrata (Say) have been characterized according to season, reproductive, and nutritional condition. The animal has been ‘reconstructed’ in terms of the wet and dry weights, the weight of organic matter, and the caloric equivalents of the body components in early summer (when there are no gonads and the pyloric caeca are small), in autumn (just prior to initiation of gonadal development and at maximal caeca size), and in early spring (at maximal gonad size). The body wall is always the most significant component in terms of wet and dry weights. In terms of organic matter and calories, the pyloric caeca are the most significant compartment in the fall and, together with the gonads, in the spring. On starvation for one month, the decrease in the size of the pyloric caeca is calculated to have produced 2.048 kcal. The energy requirement over the period, calculated from Q o 2 values, is 2.112 kcal. There was no change in biochemical composition of the pyloric caeca with starvation, suggesting that energy production came about through cell destruction rather than preferential utilization of cellular nutrient stores. Lack of extreme change in the composition of the pyloric caeca with size through the year also suggests that energy deposition in the organ is primarily by change in cell number and not by cell size.
Utilizing Scanner Data to Estimate Retail Demand Functions for Meat Products

Retail demand relationships for steak, ground beef, roast beef, chicken, pork chops, ham, and pork loin were examined using scanner data from a retail food firm located in Houston. Own-price elasticities were negative, statistically significant, and—except for roast beef—in the inelastic range. With few exceptions, cross-price elasticities were positive and statistically significant. Nearness to payday was not a key factor, but seasonal patterns were evident. Except for pork commodities, own-advertisement elasticities were positive and statistically significant. Generally speaking, cross-advertisement effects were marginal.
p-germanium links physical and dynamical phase transitions

Abstract The electrical current recorded in a p -germanium crystal experiencing avalanche breakdown is shown to link physical phase transitions with dynamical phase transitions. This link provides a means to illustrate exactly what a dynamical phase transition looks like. The link is demonstrated by showing the existence of phase transition indicia in multifractal spectra that were computed from a simulation of the current time series for such a breakdown.
Fourier transform spectral interferometric coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (FTSI-CARS) spectroscopy

A novel Fourier transform spectral interferometric (FTSI) multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) technique is developed to extract the vibrational spectrum equivalent to the spontaneous Raman scattering. The conventional FTSI method is modified to use the internal nonresonant CARS signal as a local oscillator to perform spectral interferometry. Utilizing the causality of the coherent vibration (i.e., there should be no signal before the laser excitation), this new FTSI method recovers the entire complex vibrational spectral parameters. We demonstrate this technique with a previously reported single-pulse multiplex CARS method that uses a single phase-controlled broadband ultrafast laser pulse.
Analogs of farnesyl pyrophosphate incorporating internal benzoylbenzoate esters: Synthesis, inhibition kinetics and photoinactivation of yeast protein farnesyltransferase

The syntheses of two analogs (1a and 1b) of farnesyl pyrophosphate incorporating photoactive benzoylbenzoate esters are described. Both 1a and 1b are competitive inhibitors of yeast protein farnesyltransferase with respect to farnesyl pyrophosphate and have Ki values of 3300 nM and 880 nM, respectively. Upon photolysis for two hours, 1a and 1b inactivate the enzyme by 46% and 11%, respectively. These compounds should be useful for a variety of studies of protein prenyltransferases.
On gene regulation, a mathematical model. I.

Abstract The Jacob-Monod model for the control of gene action in bacterial cells is used as a basis for a mathematical model of gene regulation in multicellular organisms. In this model we assume that the state of a differentiated cell is represented by distribution of enzymes present in characteristic relative amounts that are insensitive to small variations in concentration of the enzymes. We examine the structure of genetic networks that give rise to this property of stability. Under certain linearity assumptions concerning the nature of enzymatic reactions in cells we show that a differentiated state of a cell is completely determined by certain geometric properties of the genetic networks.
The Future of Workforce Diversity in International Organisations: A Commentary

Cet article examine plusieurs sortes de diversites ethniques dans les organisations internationales. Il recense les facteurs susceptibles de rendre particul-ierement faciles ou difficiles les relations intergroupes relevant de ces diversites. Il propose aussi des solutions qui peuvent favoriser les relations intergroupes. L’avenir imposera une conjonction de ces pratiques pour assurer un bon fonctionnement des organisations internationales. Humans must overcome distinct difficulties in getting along with those who are different from them. In this paper I will describe these difficulties, and try to identify some remedies that may overcome them. Hopefully, in the future, humans will undertake to overcome these difficulties by using one or more of the suggested remedies.
Impact of aberrant acoustic properties on the perception of sound quality in electrolarynx speech.

A large percentage of patients who have undergone laryngectomy to treat advanced laryngeal cancer rely on an electrolarynx (EL) to communicate verbally. Although serviceable, EL speech is plagued b...
Secure, pseudonymous, and auditable communication in vehicular ad hoc networks

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) represent a promising new communication technology that can facilitate many new forms of automotive applications. Many of the applications that will run on these networks will require a high degree of security and privacy. In this paper, we present a robust and efficient security framework for vehicular networks suited for both inter-vehicular and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. Our system uses identity-based cryptography (IBC) to provide authentication, confidentiality, non-repudiation, and message integrity. It exploits the implicit authentication provided by IBC to significantly reduce the security/privacy-related communication overhead. Additionally, it provides scalable, user-customizable security and privacy using short-lived, authenticated, and unforgeable, pseudonyms. This feature can be used by VANET applications that require quantifiable trust and privacy to provide differentiated service based on various levels of trust and privacy thresholds. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of polyamines in potato tuber formation

The involvement of free and conjugated polyamines in tuber formation was studied in in vitro cultured node explants ofSolanum tuberosum cv. Superior. Tubers developed from the axillary buds in 100% of the explants cultured in MS medium containing high sucrose levels and supplemented with kinetin (Kin) and chlorocholine chloride (CCC). The addition of growth regulators was not essential for tuber formation, although smaller tubers were formed in the medium devoid of Kin and CCC. Tuber formation was inhibited in about 75% of node explants treated with 0.5 mM difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific and irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase. The inhibitory effect of DFMO was almost completely reversed by putrescine addition. Addition of difluoromethylarginine (DFMA), the analogous inhibitor of arginine decarboxylase, had no effect on tuber formation. DFMO, but not DFMA, also inhibited the development of axillary buds into shoots in light-grown node explants. Aminooxyphenylpropionic acid (0.1 to 0.25 mM), an inhibitor of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, caused a sharp reduction in cinnamoyl putrescines, but had no effect on tuber formation. Our results suggest that hydroxycinnamic acids are not causal in tuber formation but may serve as polyamine storage pools. Our findings support the hypothesis that polyamines derived via the ornithine decarboxylase-mediated pathway are necessary for tuber formation in vitro, probably at the early phase of morphogenesis involving active cell division.
Lower Gut Contents and Defecatory Responses of Broiler Chickens as Affected by Feed Withdrawal and Electrical Treatment at Slaughter

The study was conducted to investigate a method of reducing the potential for fecal contamination during slaughter of broiler chickens. Birds were withdrawn from feed for 4, 8, 12, or 16 h before slaughter, then subjected to an electrical treatment of either stunning at 50 V, stunning plus pulsed stimulation at 50 V, or electrocution at 200 V. Peri-mortem defecatory responses were characterized, and postmortem examinations of the lower gut contents were made. Results indicated significant increases for the following variables when analyzed as linear functions on time of feed withdrawal: 1) loss of body weight (expressed as shrink); 2) amount of excreta collected during withdrawal; and 3) frequency and amount of perimortem excretions. Cecal material was observed in the colon most often for the group withdrawn 4 h from feed. Among electrical treatments, electrocution resulted in the lowest frequency of excretion, the smallest amount of excreta, and a greater tendency toward more urinous excreta; however, these results were significantly different from only the treatment of stimulation. There were no significant differences detected among electrical treatment for contents of the various segments of the lower gut. Potential for the use of electrocution to reduce fecal loads during commercial slaughtering conditions was not conclusively demonstrated.
Naphthalene animal carcinogenicity and human relevancy: Overview of industries with naphthalene-containing streams

Bioassays in mice and rats exposed via inhalation to naphthalene show incidences of lung and nasal cancer, respectively. To address the question of human relevancy, a literature search for cancer case reports in workers exposed to naphthalene was performed, along with an evaluation of major studies from industries with naphthalene-containing streams having the highest naphthalene exposures and/or most extensive epidemiology data. Although no epidemiologic studies of workers exposed solely to naphthalene were found, a population-based case-control study of oral and oropharynx cancer found no relation with naphthalene exposure. Limited case reports of laryngeal and colorectal cancer and naphthalene exposure exist, but these data are inadequate for evaluating human cancer risk. No case reports of nasal tumors were found, which is informative because case reports have historically identified several occupational carcinogens. Combined with anatomic and metabolic differences between rodent and human upper airways and data suggesting that cancer potency based on the rat bioassay is overestimated, relevancy of rat nasal tumors to humans is questionable. For lung cancer, existing human studies are insufficient to make firm conclusions about the presence or absence of a potential naphthalene-related risk, although no occupationally-related lung cancer risks were identified in the industries evaluated.
Use of the anchoring and adjustment heuristic by children

Two studies are discussed in which children's use of the anchoring and adjustment heuristic was considered. Study one is a modification of the classic multiplication task devised by Kahneman and Tversky (1974). Results indicate that children in grades 4, 6, 8 and adults are affected by the order of numbers provided in an addition task. In addition, younger children display the tendency to over adjust, yielding higher estimates. In the second study, third and fifth grade participants and adults were provided anchors and estimated the number of jellybeans in a glass container. A main effect for condition is indicated, with lower anchors leading to lower estimates. Results of both studies are consistent with the an anchoring and adjustment explanation.
Use of a charged lidocaine derivative, tonicaine, for prolonged infiltration anesthesia.

Abstract Background and Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that the duration of cutaneous anesthesia elicited by the permanently charged compound N -phenylethyl lidocaine (tonicaine) would be longer than that elicited by its parent structure, lidocaine, and that it would be less affected by epinephrine (epi), after subcutaneous injection in rats, as a model for infiltration anesthesia. Methods: Subcutaneous injections were performed on the shaved dorsal skin of rats with either tonicaine or lidocaine (0.1% or 0.5%, n = 8 in each group) with and without epi (1:200,000). Inhibition of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex was quantitatively evaluated by a blinded observer by the number of times pinpricks failed to elicit the nocifensive motor response out of a total of 6 pinpricks applied to the injected area. Results: Duration of complete nociceptive blockade in the 0.5% tonicaine and lidocaine groups was 619 [plusmn] 47 and 58 [plusmn] 2 minutes, respectively; duration of full recovery in these groups was 1,106 [plusmn] 19 and 86 [plusmn] 3 minutes, respectively. Epi increased the duration of complete block in the 0.5% tonicaine and lidocaine groups to 750 [plusmn] 13 and 97 [plusmn] 11 minutes, respectively, and the duration of full recovery to 1,185 [plusmn] 13 and 172 [plusmn] 6 minutes, respectively. Skin toxicity was seen only in the 0.5% tonicaine with epi group (3 of 8 rats). Conclusions: Tonicaine is a substantially longer lasting local anesthetic with a delayed onset of action compared with lidocaine and may be useful in situations where long duration of infiltration block is desirable. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002;27:173-179.