cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonism with etanercept improves endothelial progenitor cell counts in patients with psoriasis ☆: Etanercept, vascular function and endothelial progenitor cells in psoriasis

a Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States b Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States c Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States d Department of Dermatology, Atlanta VA Medical Center and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States e Department of Hematology and Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
Connective Tissue Activation. XXII. A Platelet Growth Factor (Connective Tissue-Activating Peptide-III) in Human Growth Hormone-Deficient Patients

Connective tissue-activating peptides (CTAPs) stimulate human synovial cells to exhibit a higher rate of DNA synthesis, glycolysis, and glycosaminoglycan formation. These bioactive peptides have been isolated from human platelets (CTAP-III), lymphocytes, tumor cells, and neutrophilic leukocytes. Several other growth factors, such as somotomedins A and C and nonsuppressible insulin-like activity (soluble), have been shown to be dependent on the circulating levels of pituitary GH. In this study, we examined the human GH (hGH) dependence of CTAP-III. Platelets from children with reduced or absent hGH were examined for the presence of CTAP-III. The peptide was detectedqualitatively by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Ouchterlony double diffusion. CTAP-III antigen, measured by RIA, was found in normal amounts in platelet lysates from normal persons and GH-deficient patients. Biological activity of the peptide was suggested by the ability of platelet lysates to stimulate the formation of glycosaminoglycan...
5‐iodo‐2‐deoxyuridine as cytotoxic chemotherapy and as a possible radiosensitizer in a mouse ovarian ascites tumor model

The mouse ovarian ascites tumor model was used to evaluate the intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 5-iodo-2-deoxyuridine (IUDR) as a radiosensitizer and tumor cytotoxic agent. A 7 day continuous infusion of IUDR starting on the day of tumor cell implantation (1 × 106 tumor cells) was extremely effective in prolonging survival compared to no treatment or radiation alone. Infusions starting on day 7 after implantation of tumor cells were less effective. Whole abdominal irradiation (either 500 cGy × 2 or 750 cGy × 2) on days 5 and 7 from tumor cell implantation had very little beneficial effect (P = 0.15 and 0.10, respectively). The combination of radiation and IUDR as used in these experiments did not show any benefit over IUDR alone. As yet, an optimum combination of radiation and IUDR which would be superior to IUDR alone has not been demonstrated for this tumor model. However, these results suggest that the IP administration of IUDR alone or possibly with radiotherapy might be beneficial for malignancies such as ovarian cancer which tend to disseminate IP. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Clinical trials in brain tumor surgery

The prognosis for patients diagnosed with primary central nervous system tumors, such as gliomas, remains generally poor. Improved treatment (standard therapies and novel strategies) is needed. Glioma surgery is a key part of standard treatment and has established roles in providing tissue for diagnosis and in tumor debulking. Several techniques to increase safe surgical resection have been investigated. In addition, novel surgical modalities introducing therapeutic agents locally are increasingly common. This article reviews recent glioma surgery clinical trials, focusing on outcome studies, novel surgical techniques, and local therapeutic agent delivery.
Marker-Assisted Backcrossing QTL for Partial Resistance to Sclerotinia White Mold in Dry Bean

White mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotio- rum (Lib.) de Bary is a major disease limiting dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production. Genetic resistance provides some control but is diffi cult to breed for because of low heritabil- ity. We sought to determine if marker-assisted selection for quantitative trait loci (QTL) confer- ring partial resistance could facilitate breed- ing for resistance to white mold in dry bean. The Phs marker linked with a QTL derived from landrace G122 on linkage group B7 was back- crossed into 'Winchester' pinto, forming two BC 3 F 4:6 inbred line populations. The AW9.1200 and SS18.1650 markers linked with a QTL from snap bean breeding line NY6020-4 on B8 were backcrossed into 'Maverick' pinto and 'Mat- terhorn' great northern, forming BC 2 F 4:6 inbred line populations. The B7 QTL in the BC 3 F 4:6 populations on average explained 52% of the phenotypic variation for disease reaction in the greenhouse test and 10% across four fi eld tests. The B8 QTL explained 30% in the green- house and 10% in the fi eld. Averaged across tests and populations the B7 and B8 QTL condi- tioned 15 and 17% reduction in disease severity score, respectively. Linkage drag from selection of the B7 QTL was observed for yield. MAS for the B7 and B8 QTL was an effective breeding tool for introgressing partial resistance to white mold into susceptible pinto and great northern dry bean market classes, but further selection for agronomic performance may be required to obtain lines worthy of commercial production.
Influence of Deposition Time on Layer-by-Layer Growth of Clay-Based Thin Films

The influence of deposition time on film growth of montmorillonite (MMT) or laponite (LAP) clay paired with branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) is studied here using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. Deposition times from 5 to 300 s in each ingredient were evaluated with respect to thickness, mass deposited, film structure, and oxygen barrier. Ellipsometry and quartz crystal microbalance show the BPEI/LAP system to be more dip-time dependent than the BPEI/MMT system because LAP platelets have a much smaller aspect ratio than MMT. Similar thickness is achieved for all recipes when only the BPEI deposition time is varied. Cross-sectional TEM images confirm thicker growth of BPEI/LAP in 300 s relative to 10 s. X-ray diffraction (XRD) suggests the gallery spacing between clay layers is insensitive to dip time, which is a key structural parameter linked to both mechanical and transport properties of these types of films. Additionally, oxygen transmission rates (OTR) are below the detection limit of commercial instru...
Semantic attacks on wireless medical devices

Security of medical embedded systems is of vital importance. Wireless medical devices used in wireless health applications employ large number of sensors and are in particular susceptible to security attacks. They are often not physically secured and are usually used in hostile environments. We have developed theoretical and statistical framework for creating semantic attacks where data is altered in such a way that the consequences include incorrect medical diagnosis and treatment. Our approach maps a semantic attack to an instance of optimization problem where medical damage is maximized under constraints of the probability of detection and root cause tracing. We use a popular medical shoe to demonstrate that low energy and low cost of embedded medical devices increases the probability of successful attacks. We have proposed two types of semantic attacks, respectively pressure-based attack, and time-based attack under two scenarios, a shoe with 99 pressure sensors and a shoe with 20 pressure sensors. We test the effects of the attacks and compare them. Our results indicate that it is surprisingly easy to attack several essential medical metrics and to alter corresponding medical diagnosis.
Catalytic properties of the ATPase on submitochondrial particles after exchange of tightly bound nucleotides under different steady state conditions

Energized submitochondrial particles were subjected to high or low [3H]ATP/[3H]ADP ratios, maintained during steady state by a pyruvate kinase or hexokinase regenerating system, respectively. Under both steady state conditions, about 1.4 mol [3H]nucleotide/mol ATPase was retained but considerably more [3H]ATP was retained with the high [3H]ATP/[3H]ADP ratio. The ATPase activity and the oxygen exchange of these differentially labeled SMP were the same, suggesting a lack of control function of non-catalytic tightly bound nucleotides.
β-Lactamase inhibitors: a review of the patent literature (2010 - 2013).

Introduction: New β-lactamases with ever-broadening substrate specificity are rapidly disseminating globally, thereby threatening the efficacy of our best β-lactam antibiotics. A potential solution to this problem is the development of wide-spectrum β-lactamase inhibitors, to be coadministered with existing and new β-lactams. Areas covered: This review covers the patent literature in the β-lactamase inhibitor area roughly from 2010 to 2013, with prior background being provided in the cases of key inhibitors and antibiotic/inhibitor combinations. An effort has been made to identify the strong and weak points of each inhibitor and combination. Expert opinion: Research in this field has become increasingly diverse, with several non-β-lactam inhibitor classes now assuming importance. The emphasis has been on finding inhibitors of AmpC, the extended-spectrum β-lactamases and class A and D carbapenemases that can demonstrate synergy with antibiotics against resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Progress has been m...
Diffusion bonding of commercially pure Ni using Cu interlayer

Abstract The concentration dependence of diffusivity in a multi-component diffusion system makes it complicated to predict the concentration profiles of diffusing species. This so called chemical diffusivity can be expressed as a function of thermodynamic and kinetic data. DICTRA software can calculate the concentration profiles using appropriate mobility and thermodynamic data. It can also optimize the diffusivity data using experimental diffusivity data. Then the optimized diffusivity data is stored as mobility data which is a linear function of temperature. In this work, diffusion bonding of commercially pure Ni using Cu interlayers is reported. The mobility parameters of Ni–Cu alloy binary systems were optimized using DICTRA/Thermocalc software from the available self-, tracer and chemical diffusion coefficients. The optimized mobility parameters were used to simulate concentration profiles of Ni–Cu diffusion joints using DICTRA/Thermocalc software. The calculated and experimental concentration profiles agreed well at 1100 °C. Agreement between the simulated and experimental profiles was less good at 1050 °C due to the grain boundary contribution to the overall diffusion.
Relationships between steroid binding and elevation of alkaline phosphatase in HeLa cells.

Abstract 1. 1. Elevation of alkaline phosphatase (orthophosphoric monoester phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.1) by prednisolone in growing cultures of HeLa-S3 cells was partially inhibited by several C21 steroids. The requirement necessary to bring about this effect included the 11-deoxy structure of the steroid. The reversal was observed also with those 11-hydroxysteroids which were inactive as alkaline phosphatase inducers because they lacked a hydroxyl in position 17 (e.g. corticosterone). In contrast, the 11-ketosteroids were inactive as inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase induction. The reduced derivatives of cortisol (e.g. tetrahydrocortisol) were similarly inactive. 2. 2. Ability to reverse elevation of alkaline phosphatase seemed to be related to the interference with binding of cortisol at the cell surface. This was evidenced by the lack of specific binding competition in cells detached from glass by treatment trypsin or by mechanical removal.
The Art of Learning with Difficulty

Summary Librarians should be actively involved in educating students: not merely teaching them the techniques needed for bibliographic searches, but helping them learn the artistry involved in thinking for themselves. This is not a matter of expertise, of teaching rules for use in academic specialties. It's a matter of creating interactive contexts-conversations-in which students can acquire by experience the general good sense needed to be able to decide in situations, specialized or not, which rules to use and why.
Teaching adolescents about alcohol and driving: a two year follow-up.

The study analyzes the effectiveness of the Teams, Games, Tournaments (TGT) approach to alcohol education among adolescents. The TGT program uses game playing as a teaching device and emphasizes group achievement. Teams of Students with varying levels of alcohol knowledge study and compete among themselves during 4 weeks of daily 50-minute sessions. The program has alcohol education and self-management components. The results are presented from a 2-year follow-up of 389 students who participated in the TGT program, 267 who had traditional instruction, and 284 who had no instruction. Forty-nine percent were seniors and 29 percent juniors. The analysis focuses on measuring maintenance of positive behavior changes resulting from the TGT program. TGT participants maintained previous positive changes over 2 years whereas the traditional and no instructions groups showed little or no change.
Use of an Inner-city Well-baby Clinic

This prospective, longitudinal investigation examined factors that influenced the use of well-baby services among a low-income, minority, high-risk group. The health belief model was used as the theoretical framework. Data were collected from 44 primiparous, black mothers attending an urban maternal child health care clinic by interviews at the first and sixth months after the birth of their infants. Analysis focused on the cues component of the model and explored the kinds of cues that influenced the mothers to bring their babies to the well-baby clinic. One important finding was that for mothers influenced by health information from radio or television, FYI commercials on television were most often reported.
A methodology for assessing underground coal mines for high safety-related risk

In 2008 the authors developed a methodology for assessing underground coal mines for high risk for major-hazard events. It focused on major hazard-related violations of safety standards associated with high-risk conditions. Later using the same stratified pilot sample of 31 mines, injury measures and MSHA citation data were combined into a Safe Performance Index (SPI). Using 2009 data, the database was expanded to 107 mines, which is a 30% sampling of all underground coal mines. The SPI was used to assess the relative safety-related risk of mines, including by mine-size category. The methodology can be used to assist companies, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, or state agencies in targeting mines with high risk for serious injuries and elevated citations for remediation of their violation and/or injury experience.
Microdetermination of methylmalonic acid and other short chain dicarboxylic acids by gas chromatography: use in prenatal diagnosis of methylmalonic acidemia and in studies of isovaleric acidemia

We have developed a sensitive gas-chromatographic method for the determination of methylmalonic acid and other short chain dircarboxylic acids in biological samples. The method is based on the isolation of the short chain dicarboxylic acid fraction by Dowex 3 X 4 column chromatography followed by gas-chromatography analysis of these acids as methyl esters. 2-n-Pentyl-malonic acid is used as an internal standard. With this method, methylmalonic, succinic and methylsuccinic acids were consistently detected and accurately measured in urine and serum from normal subjects; the identity of these acids being verified by mass spectroscopy. The method's sensitivity permitted its used in the prenatal diagnosis of methylmalonic acidemia by measuring methylmalonic acid in urine and amniotic fluid from three pregnant heterozygous women at risk. One affected (vitamin B-12 responsive type) and two unaffected fetuses were correctly diagnosed prenatally as judged by postnatal investigations. The amount of methylmalonic acid in urine and amniotic fluid was distinctly increased (2 to 14 times normal) in the former and consistently normal in the latter two cases during the third trimester of pregnancy. Effect of prenatal therapy with large doses of vitamin B-12 was closely followed in the first case using analyses of multiple maternal urine specimens. Urinary methylsuccinic acid excretion was studied in two cases with isovaleric acidemia. It was normal in a sample from a patient in remission but was increased seven fold over control during an episode of ketoacidosis.
An Improved Method for Assessing Mechanical Allodynia in the Rat

Abstract A method has been developed for assessing mechanical nociceptive threshold and allodynia in the rat. The animal was habituated to stand on its hind paws while leaning against an experimenter's hand. The rat was unrestrained, but remained in the position throughout the test session. The Semmes–Weinstein monofilaments were used to probe body areas such as the lateral edge of the hind paw and the orofacial skin. The median withdrawal response threshold was found to be 62.9 g for both hind paws (95% confidence interval, CL, 61.4–66.7 g, n = 69). The median response thresholds of the orofacial skin were 62.9 g (95% CL: 55.7–68.7 g, n = 45), and 25.6 g (95% CL: 22.6–36.3 g, n = 45), for the skin above the temporomandibular joint (PT) and the perioral (PO) skin, respectively. The injection of an inflammatory agent, complete Freund's adjuvant, into the hind paw, peritemporomandibular joint tissue (PTMJ), or PO skin resulted in significant mechanical allodynia. The median response thresholds were reduced to 0.09 g ( p n = 6), 5.60 g ( p n = 9), and 3.24 g ( p n = 9), after hind paw, PTMJ, and PO inflammation, respectively. The allodynia persisted for at least 2 weeks in all cases. This testing paradigm eliminates confounding factors related to weight bearing, and offers a simple, objective, and reliable approach to assess mechanical sensitivity in rats. The method will be useful for studying the central mechanisms of mechanical allodynia. Importantly, this method can also be used in the orofacial region, and will facilitate studies on the mechanisms of persistent orofacial pain in animals.
247 Serial Cytokine Expressions in Infants with Incontinentia Pigmenti

Background NF-kB dysfunction resulting from NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modulator) mutation can lead to significant alterations in cytokine production. However, little is known about changes in the expression of downstream molecules in patients with incontinentia pigmenti (IP). Objective This study aims to investigate serial cytokine expressions during the first 2 years of life in young infants with IP, the period in which skin inflammation and morphological changes are most significant. Methods Gene analysis was performed for the two neonates with IP. Peripheral mononuclear cells were obtained shortly after birth and successively at a 6-month interval up to the age of two years. Levels of TNF-a and IL-6 were analyzed with ELISA before and after stimulating with TLR ligands. Results The male patient had normal NEMO allele. His cytokine level, although initially lower, had returned to a level comparable with those of controls at 12 months of age. The female infant had a mutated NEMO gene. Her baseline TNF-a level was significantly higher than those of the control subjects at birth and remained high by 6 months of age. All cytokine responses had decreased significantly by 2 years of age, the time in which all vesicular skin lesions had resolved. Conclusion This is the first report that demonstrates serial changes of cytokine profiles in humans with IP. This study showed that in the presence of NEMO mutation, alteration of cytokine production was remarkable during the first year of life, which may account for the prominent inflammatory changes in skin morphology.
Complications of isotope cisternography

Isotope cisternograms were performed on 107 patients over a period of six years, using three radiopharmaceuticals: 131I-RIHSA, 111In-DTPA, and 169Yb-DTPA. Untoward reactions, usually symptomatic aseptic meningitis, developed in 18 patients. Reactions were most frequent with 111In-DTPA and least common when 169Yb-DTPA was employed. Despite extensive testing for pyrogens and bacterial contaminants, the cause of these reactions could not be determined.
JUST‐IN‐TIME MANUFACTURING AND MARKETING—STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Just‐in‐time manufacturing is one of the most important management developments of the last decade and a half. Articles on the subject have virtually flooded the business periodical literature. Yet despite the proliferation of this literature, there are indications that the fundamental implications of this concept as an effective competitive strategy have not been fully grasped by U.S. manufacturers. This article attempts to integrate the manufacturing strategy of just‐in‐time with an important element of the firm's marketing strategy—the price element of the marketing mix. Given the competitive pressures on many U.S. firms, price becomes an increasingly important competitive weapon. Only when the benefits deriving from just‐in‐time show up in a firm's marketing strategy will U.S. firms demonstrate an ability to translate an effective manufacturing strategy into a significant competitive edge.
Racial Disparities in Intimate Partner Violence and in Seeking Help With Mental Health

Applying Aday and Andersen’s health services utilization model, this examination of racial disparities in women’s experience of intimate partner violence also looked at racial disparities in mental disorders and in use of mental health professionals’ help. We conducted a secondary data analysis of 6,589 women completing the National Violence Against Women Survey. Per our linear regression results, minority women, versus White, tended proportionally to seek less help from mental health professionals. Help seeking by African American women was less likely if they were using illegal drugs; among Hispanic women, additional threats from partner curtailed help seeking from mental health professionals. “Other ethnic minority” women’s help seeking decreased with their use of stimulants. Implications for intervention are discussed.
EFFECTS OF L-BETA -N-METHYLAMINO-L-ALANINE (L-BMAA) ON THE CORTICAL CHOLINERGIC AND GLUTAMATERGIC SYSTEMS OF THE RAT

Neurotoxic properties of L-beta-methylamino-alanine (L-BMAA) after chronic intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) (500 micrograms/day) administration up to 60 days were investigated in the cerebral cortex of the rat. At day 16, there was a significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, 3H-QNB binding, 3H-glutamate (GLU) binding, and 3H-glutamate binding in the presence of quisqualate (QA). Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity and 3H-nicotine binding were increased at day 16; however, ChAT activity decreased below control levels at days 40 and 60. 3H-Nicotine and 3H-AMPA binding were significantly lower than controls at both days 40 and 60. These significant neurochemical differences from unoperated controls were seen in both drug-injected and non-injected sides of the cortex suggesting a generalized cortical damage to glutamatergic and cholinergic systems. In the presence of bicarbonate, L-BMAA inhibited in vitro both glutamate and AMPA binding sites. L-BMAA treatment elicited behavioral changes such as splay, jerking movements, and rigidity. These symptoms were present for a period of at least 6 days after daily administration. After this period, symptoms were gradually attenuated and at day 10 the behavior of the L-BMAA-treated animals was not different from that of Na-bicarbonate injected controls. Our results are interpreted as an activation of quisqualate (AMPA) receptors by L-BMAA involving NMDA as well as non-NMDA receptors.
Gaucher disease: multiple lessons from a single gene disorder.

Gaucher disease is the most common lysosomal storage disease. It is caused by a deficiency in the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, a β-glucosidase, which results in the accumulation of the lipid glucocerebroside in macrophages throughout the body. Gaucher disease is most common in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, and three mutations of the gene encoding glucocerebrosidase (GBA) have been shown to be prevalent in this population (c.1226A>C [N370S], 84GG and IVS2[+1]). In non-Jewish patients, the most common mutation is c.1448 G >C (L444P). Until 15 years ago, treatment has been restricted to symptomatic interventions, such as splenectomy or hip replacement. However, there are now specific treatment options - enzyme replacement therapy and substrate reduction therapy. Future developments may include the use of chaperone therapy. Conclusion: The lessons that we have learned from Gaucher disease may well be applicable to the development of therapies for some of the other less common lysosomal storage diseases.
Intrinsic polarization bistability in nonlinear media

This paper calculates the effect of a bistable polarization on the optical fields in a nonlinear medium. Bistabilities in effective refractive index and absorptivity are calculated. Bistability on reflection from a single surface is also described.
QT dispersion in nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and coronary artery disease

This study examines the relation between QT dispersion and the inducibility of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 35 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease who underwent electrophysiologic testing for evaluation of nonsustained VT. The mean age of the patients was 66 ± 9 years (± SD) and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.36 ± 0.14. In 6 patients in whom sustained, monomorphic VT was inducible by programmed ventricular stimulation, QT dispersion was significantly greater than in the 29 patients in whom VT was not inducible (126 ± 35 vs 67 ± 25 ms, p 120 ms had inducible sustained monomorphic VT, and no patient who had a QT dispersion <90 ms had inducible VT. The patients who had inducible VT did not differ significantly from those who did not with regard to age, gender, ejection fraction, RR interval, or mean QT. In conclusion, in patients with coronary artery disease who have nonsustained VT, inducibility of monomorphic VT is associated with an increase in QT dispersion. QT dispersion may be helpful in predicting which patients with nonsustained VT are and are not likely to have inducible VT by programmed stimulation.
Synthesis and Reactions of Carbohydrate Trifluoro-Methanesulfonates (Carbohydrate Triplates)

Abstract During the past decade a new leaving group, the trifluoromethanesufonate (triflate), has been used increasingly in displacement reactions in carbohydrate chemistry∗. The importance of this group has become progressively more apparent to the synthetic carbohydrate chemist as the examples of triflate displacement have increased. The number of applications of this reaction now has reached a sufficient magnitude that it seems appropriate to review what has been accomplished.
Garbage Collection of Linked Data Structures

A concise and unified view of the numerous existing algorithms for performing garbage collection of linked data structures is presented. The emphasm is on garbage collection proper, rather than on storage allocatlon. First, the classical garbage collection algorithms are reviewed, and their marking and collecting phases, with and without compacting, are discussed. Algorithms descnbing these phases are classified according to the type of cells to be collected: those for collecting single-sized cells are simpler than those for varimzed cells. Recently proposed algorithms are presented and compared with the classical ones. Special topics in garbage collection are also covered: the use of secondary and virtual storage, the use of reference counters, parallel and real-time collections, analyses of garbage collection algorithms, and language features whlch influence the design of collectors. The bibhography, wlth topical annotations, contains over 100 references.
Middle Grades Students' Algebraic Understanding in a Reform Curriculum

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Curriculum and Evaluation Standards in 1989 was pivotal in mathematics reform. The National Science Foundation funded several curriculum projects to address the vision described in the Standards. This study investigates students' learning in one of these Standards-based curricula, the Connected Mathematics Project (CMP). The authors of CMP believe that the teaching and learning of algebra is an ongoing activity woven through the entire curriculum, rather than being parceled into a single grade level. The content of the study investigates students' ability to symbolically generalize functions. The data regards the solutions of four performance tasks dealing with three different types of relationships—linear, quadratic, and exponential situations—completed by five pairs of eighth-grade students. The major finding claims that middle to high achieving students who had 3 years in the CMP curriculum demonstrated achievement in five strands of mathematical proficiency of a significant piece of algebra.
First-class monadic schedules

Parallel functional languages often use meta-linguistic annotations to provide control over parallel evaluation. In this paper we explore a flexible mechanism to control when an expression is evaluated: first-class monadic schedules. We discuss the advantages of using such first-class values over traditional annotation-based systems. In particular, it is often desirable to make decisions about the operational behavior of parallel programs depending on the dynamic state of the system. For example, we may want to measure the system load before deciding to evaluate expressions in parallel. For this purpose, we show how monads can be used to access dynamic system parameters in a referentially transparent manner (up to termination).As a mechanism to reason about schedules, we present a set of algebraic properties that any implementation of schedules must satisfy. We also describe an implementation that translates schedules into a dialect of Scheme extended with futures. We prove that this implementation satisfies the given set of algebraic properties, and give performance results for a parallel solution to the n-body problem using the Barnes--Hut method.Although our ideas were developed specifically for nonstrict functional languages such as Haskell, we briefly discuss how they can be used with strict functional languages and imperative languages as well.
Energy content and chemical defense of the articulate brachiopod Liothyrella uva (Jackson, 1912) from the Antarctic Peninsula

Energy levels (x ± 1 SD) of whole soft body tissues and shells of the antarctic brachiopod Liothyrella uva (Jackson, 1912) were 9.0 ± 1.0 and 1.1 ± 0.4·kJ·g−1 dry wt, respectively. The majority of the energy in the soft body tissues was attributable to NaOH-soluble protein (17.4% dry wt) and in the shell to lipid (2.6% dry wt). An intact individual with a shell length of 3.4 cm and a wet and dry wt of 5.8 and 2.9 g, respectively, contained a total of 9.6 kJ. As dense populations of L. uva occur in the Southern Ocean, this species represents a considerable potential energy resource for predators, including sea stars and fish (ca 103kJ·m−2 in some areas). Total crude extracts of whole brachiopod soft tissues caused significant retraction of sensory tube-feet in 6 species of sympatric sea stars. Control assays employing whole crude extracts of the fresh soft tissues of the antarctic limpet Nacella concinna (Strebel, 1908) or seawater alone did not elicit significant sustained tube-foot retraction. Bioactivity was diminished in frozen extracts of brachiopod soft tissues exposed to the sensory tube-feet of the sea star Odontaster validus (Koehler, 1906), but was not diminished in the tube-foot retraction response of the sea star Neosmilaster georgianus (Studer, 1885). Lyophilized brachiopod soft tissues ground into a fine powder and embedded at a concentration of 2% (wt:vol) in agar pellets containing 5% krill caused significant feeding deterrence in an allopatric fish (the sheepshead minnow Cyprinidon variegatus Lacepede 1803). These findings suggest that, similar to temperate zone and tropical brachiopods, body tissues of this antarctic brachiopod are unpalatable to potential predators.
The uptake of SV40 DNA by nonpermissive cells in the presence of DEAE-dextran

Abstract We have studied the uptake and fate of tritiated Simian Virus 40 (SV 40 ) DNA by the 3T3 line of nonpermissive mouse cells in the presence of DEAE-dextran. From 7 to 29 % of the 3 H-labeled viral DNA became cell-associated. Time-course studies indicated that maximum association was reached within 1 min. The SV 40 DNA became insensitive to deoxyribonuclease after as little as 30 sec of cell contact in the presence of DEAE-dextran. Initial attachment was quantitatively similar at temperatures from 5 to 42°, but at least 25° was required for persistent cell association. Most of the DNA taken up by the cells was eventually hydrolyzed and excreted from the cells. About 0.5 % of the 3 H-labeled viral DNA reached the nucleus and remained in an acid-insoluble state. Neither initial cell attachment nor the association of the [ 3 H]DNA with the cells after 24 h was affected by the admixture of up to 500 μg/ml of calf thymus DNA. However, the function of the DNA, as measured by infectivity, was markedly inhibited by increasing concentrations of added DNA. The optimum conditions for association of SV 40 DNA and cells were premixture of the DNA with 100 μg/ml DEAE-dextran. In contrast, the DEAE-dextran dose optimum for infectivity was 1000 μg/ml. The data suggest that the polymer serves a dual facilitory role on the DNA of aiding both its entry into the cell and its function once inside the cell.
Individual defect dynamics and quantum-transport effects in metal nanobridges

We have fabricated metal constrictions having diameters as small as 3 nm. This is narrow enough that effects due to single defects within the constriction region are visible as changes in the resistance. We will discuss the voltage and temperature dependence of the individual defect motion that can lead to electromigration in these samples. We will also present observations of magnetic defects and the presence of time-independent conductance fluctuations in these ballistic devices.
Keepers of the vineyard : the Puritan ministry and collective culture in colonial New England

This in-depth study addresses the long-standing debate over the degree to which early New England society was Puritan. Focuses on such factors as New England 'tribalism', the pastoral work of Puritan clergy, ministerial publications, and the secularization of early American society.
Computational study of 3–5 μm source created by using supercontinuum generation in As 2 S 3 chalcogenide fibers with a pump at 2 μm

We present simulation results for supercontinuum generation using As2S3 chalcogenide photonic crystal fibers. We found that more than 25% of input power can be shifted into the region between 3μm and 5μm using a pump wavelength of 2μm with a peak power of 1kW and an FWHM of 500fs. The broad dispersion profile and high nonlinearity in As2S3 chalcogenide glass are essential for this application.
Sites of iontophoretic current flow into the skin: identification and characterization with the vibrating probe electrode.

The routes taken by charged substances (e.g., peptides) through the skin during iontophoretic drug delivery are not well characterized. We have used a vibrating probe electrode to reproducibly identify and vectorize site-specific (spatial resolution = 20 microns) ionic flows as they were occurring in hairless mouse skin clamped at clinically relevant current densities. These iontophoretic currents were primarily appendageal, and certain appendages (e.g., small hairs) appeared to carry most of the current. This finding may have important ramifications with respect to irritation, allergic reaction, and electrical current damage in iontophoretic drug delivery. The size and direction of the current vectors could change under certain conditions (e.g., in an unbuffered preparation, where pH changes occurred during the experiment). The vibrating probe can operate in (and is not adversely affected by) the ranges of pH, tonicity, and current required for the study of iontophoretic currents.
Altered Expression of Aquaporins in Bullous Keratopathy and Fuchs' Dystrophy Corneas

Corneas with edema-related diseases lose transparency, which causes significant vision loss. This study analyzed seven aquaporins (AQPs) in normal corneas, pseudophakic/aphakic bullous keratopathy (PBK/ABK) corneas, Fuchs' dystrophy corneas, keratoconus corneas, post-cataract surgery (PCS) corneas, and normal organ-cultured corneas. RNA levels for AQP1, AQP4, and beta2-microglobulin were measured by RT-PCR. AQP1 antibody localized to stromal cells of all corneas. PBK/ABK and Fuchs' dystrophy corneas had decreased endothelial cell staining compared with normal. AQP1 mRNA was found in whole corneas and cultured stromal fibroblasts but not in isolated epithelial cells. AQP3 staining was found in basal epithelial cells of the normal, Fuchs' dystrophy, and keratoconus corneas but throughout the entire epithelium of PBK/ABK corneas. AQP4 antibody localized to endothelial cells of all corneas and in stromal cells of PBK/ABK corneas. AQP4 mRNA was identified in whole human corneas. AQP5 was found in epithelial cells of all corneas. AQP0, AQP2, and AQP9 were not found in any corneas. Normal AQP distributions were found in PCS and organ-cultured corneas, although they showed signs of swelling. Our study demonstrates that AQP abnormalities are found in PBK/ABK corneas (decreased AQP1, increased AQP3 and AQP4) and Fuchs' dystrophy corneas (decreased AQP1). Although both have vision-disrupting corneal edema, the mechanisms of fluid accumulation may be different in each disease.
Behavior of alkali feldspars; crystallographic properties and characterization of composition and Al-Si distribution

Ansrnlcr Four new alkali feldspar ion-exchange series have been synthesized, three with topochemically monoclinic Al-Si distributions ranging from sanidine to relatively ordered orthoclase, the other a microcline-low albite series. Parent materials for three series have previously been studied by single-crystal techniques, so Al-Si distributions are well characterized. Unit-cell dimensions and volumes have been measured for all series members and, with data for a previously reported fifth series, have been analyzed as a function of both composition and Al-Si distribution. The a unit-cell dimension, cornmonly used as a measure of composition in alkali feldspars, is affected to a small but significant extent by Al-Si distribution and also apparenfly does not vary linearly with composition, as has previously been assumed. Variation of the b and c unit-cell dimensions with composition is best analyzed separately for triclinic and monoclinic parts of the topochemically monoclinic series. Furthermore, b is not a linear function of c, an assumption that until now has been made in using these dimensions to calculate Al-Si distributions in alkali feldspars. Variation of c with mole fraction KAlSirO8 (N*) is linear in both the triclinic and the monoclinic parts of the topochemically monoclinic alkali feldspar series, as well as in the potassic region of the low albite-microcline series. In addition, Ac/AN* slopes are virtually constant for all series. This provides an ordering parameter, c*, which for alkali feldspars with No. > 0.32 (feldspars with No. < 0.32 require other equations given in the text) may be computed from the observed c value of an alkali feldspar (c.J and its composition as cr: cot" + 0.038(l - N*). For natural feldspars, c* varies from about 7.180 A for high sanidine to approximarely 7.222 A for maximum microcline. The distribution of Al and Si between the T, and T, tetrahedral sites of an alkali feldspar (measured by the ordering parameter Z, wherc Z vaies from 1.0 for a perfectly ordered feldspar to lower values with disordering) may be calculated from c* as Z : - 138.575 + 19.3153 c*. Mole fractions ofAl in T, and T, are given by Nrur,r : -34.3939 + 4.82884c" and N^,'r, :34.8939 - 4.82884c". These equations are valid for both topochemically monoclinic and triclinic feldspars and improve the precision with which Al-Si distributions can be calculated.
Dislocations and stacking faults in Ti3SiC2

The ternary carbide Ti 3 SiC 2 fabricated by a reactive hot-press route is investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The material consists mainly of large elongated grains with planar boundaries, and is characterized by a low defect density. Dislocations are observed in the grains and at grain boundaries. Perfect dislocations with b = 1/3 lying in (0001) basal planes are present. These basal plane dislocations are mobile and multiply as a result of room-temperature deformation. All of the stacking faults observed lie in the basal planes.
The AGS booster beam position monitor system

To accelerate both protons and heavy ions, the AGS (Alternating Gradient Synchrotron) booster requires a broadband (multi-octave) beam position monitoring system with a dynamic range spanning several orders of magnitude (2*10/sup 10/ to 1.5*10/sup 13/ particles per pulse). System requirements include the ability to acquire single-turn trajectory and average orbit information with +or-0.1-mm resolution. The design goal of +or-0.5-mm corrected accuracy requires that the detectors have repeatable linear performance after periodic bakeout at 300 degrees C. The system design and capabilities of the booster beam position monitor are described, and initial results are presented. >
Scorpionato Halide Complexes [(TpPh,Me)Ni–X] [X = Cl, Br, I; TpPh,Me = Hydrotris(3‐phenyl‐5‐methyl‐1‐pyrazolyl)borate]: Structures, Spectroscopy, and Pyrazole Adducts

Pseudotetrahedral scorpionato halide complexes [(TpPh,Me)Ni–X] [TpPh,Me = hydrotris(3-phenyl-5-methyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate] were synthesized by metathesis of Tl(TpPh,Me) and NiX2 (X = Cl, Br, I). Pyrazole adducts [(TpPh,Me)Ni(HpzPh,Me)(X)] (X = Cl, I) were also obtained. [(TpPh,Me)Ni–X] (X = Br, I) are isomorphous with previously reported [(TpPh,Me)Ni–Cl], and a new solvated pseudo-polymorph [(TpPh,Me)Ni–Cl]·2CH2Cl2 was found in this work. Ni–X bond lengths correspond to ionic radii of the halide ions, but some variations in Ni–Cl and Ni–N bond lengths are respectively attributed to bending of the chloride from the ideal threefold HB···Ni axis and to the size of the 3-pyrazole substituents. Electronic spectra were rationalized by means of time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations on simplified C3v-symmetric [(Tp)Ni–X] models. Exogenous pyrazole binds to give the pentacoordinate adducts [(TpPh,Me)Ni(HpzPh,Me)(X)] (X = Cl, I). We obtained a crystal structure of the iodide adduct, as well as that of [(TpPh,Me)Ni(HpzPh,Me)(Cl)]·0.5MeCN, isomorphous with a previously reported aquo monosolvate. A hallmark of adduct formation is an intramolecular N–H···X hydrogen bond between the added pyrazole and the adjacent halide ligand, thus giving rise to a strong IR absorption band. The stretching frequency correlates to the N(H)···X separation for the range of known adducts.
Low-density parity check codes for long-haul optical communication systems

Forward error correction (FEC) scheme based on low density parity check codes (LDPC) codes is presented in this paper. We show that LDPC codes provide a significant system performance enhancement with respect to the state-of-the-art FEC schemes employed in optical communication systems.
Inherent Vice: Minsky, Markomata, and the tendency of markets to undermine themselves

Most current explanations of the crisis which began in 2007/8 tend to search for scapegoats, in the format of behavioral flaws. Their treatment of ‘risk’ is an important signpost to where such theories go awry. This paper suggests a structural theory of the crisis, informed by Institutionalist themes. We insist there is an alternative to a neoclassical macroeconomics, in the guise of possible alternative heterodox microfoundations for Minsky's account of economic crises, beyond the Kaleckian markup model. The sketch is based upon elevation of some formal notions of computational complexity to pride of place, and characterization of crises as a collapse of complexity. It is an attempt to portray a market system evolving to a point of ‘inherent vice’: an endogenous development which by its very nature, cannot be tamed through conventional insurance or risk models.
Programmable Electrowetting Channels

A new mechanism for electrical creation of liquid channels is presented. These channels have the advantages of programmability and continuous channel functionality.
Modulation and coding for throughput-efficient optical systems

Optical direct-detection systems are currently being considered for some high-speed intersatellite links, where data rates of a few hundred megabits per second are envisioned under power and pulsewidth constraints. The authors investigate the capacity, cutoff rate, and error-probability performance of uncoded and trellis-coded systems for various modulation schemes and under throughput and power constraints. Modulation schemes considered are on-off keying, pulse-position modulation (PPM), overlapping PPM, and multipulse (combinatorial) PPM. >
Anisotropy in Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Films as Observed Using Polarized FTIR-ATR Spectroscopy

We used polarized attenuated total reflection (ATR) measurements together with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate the vibrational spectra of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-SiH{sub x}) films 0.5-1.0 microns in thickness. We deposited the films using hot-wire or plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition methods (HWCVD or PECVD, respectively) on crystalline silicon and cadmium telluride substrates. Our ATR technique gave a spectral range from 2100-400 cm{sup -1}, although the Si-H wagging mode absorption band at 640 cm{sup -1} was somewhat distorted in the a-SiHx/Si samples by impurity and lattice absorption in the silicon ATR substrates. We report the identification of a Si-O-C impurity band with maximum intensity at 1240-1230 cm{sup -1}. The assignment of this band to a Si-O-C vibration is supported by secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) measurements. Our polarized FTIR-ATR spectra of HWCVD and PECVD a-SiH{sub x} films on Si ATR substrates show that the impurity dipoles ar e oriented strongly parallel to the film growth direction. The wagging mode absorbance band is more intense in the film plane. This trend is less pronounced for the Si-H stretching vibrations. These observations are consistent with some degree of anisotropy or medium-range order in the films. The anisotropy in the Si-H bands may be related to residual stress in the films. Our scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses of the samples offer additional evidence of bulk structural anisotropy in the a-SiH{sub x}/Si films. However, the Si-O-C impurity band was not observed in the polarized ATR-FTIR spectra of the a-SiH{sub x}/CdTe samples, thus indicating that the Si substrates influence formation of the impurity in the a-SiH{sub x}/Si films.