cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antitrust Principles and Collective Bargaining by Athletes: Of Superstars in Peonage

For years the impact of antitrust principles on the arrangements allocating players among teams in professional sports has been hotly disputed. Now recent events seem to have brought this issue to a head. A malaise among good athletes like Curt Flood has increased the tempo of litigation, and an important voice in the United States Senate, Senator Sam J. Ervin, Jr., has responded to a petition for an antitrust exemption for the proposed basketball merger by calling for a full scale legislative review of the issue. We enter this crowded arena, not to solve the antitrust dilemma, but to put it to rest. For, in the form in which it is generally debated, it is an issue whose time has come and gone, an issue which has suffered that modern fate worse than death: irrelevancy. We are strongly of the view that the dispute over the impact of antitrust on the allocation of players in professional sports has, by focusing so intently upon merger and group boycott questions, generally overlooked what may be a dispositive consideration: national labor policy. For while the antitrust issue has been debated in much the same terms for more than a generation, the employment relationship in many professional sports has undergone a major change. In professional football, basketball and baseball, the players are organized in unions which are recognized by, and bargain with, their leagues. The establishment of collective bargaining, however, is not simply a change in economic structure. It also entails a change in
γ‐Ray Induced Emulsion Polymerization of Vinyl Chloride

S>Kinetics of polyvinyl chloride formation were studied in the irradiation (4 x 10/sup 3/ to 8.2 x 10/sup 4/ r/hr) at25 deg C of the monomer in cyclohexanone with lauryl sulfate as emulsifier. The reaction proceeds in two stages, initiation and growth. In the first stage, polymerization of the monomer is initiated by free radicals and proceeds in emulsifier micelles, resulting in the formation of latex-like particles. No more particles are formed in the growth stage, but particles already formed continue to grow until the supply of monomer or free radical is exhausted. The effects of irradiation time and dose rate, emulsifier concentration, and vinyl chloride concentration were investigated. (BBB)
Aminoacyl-tRNA (other Than Histidyl) Synthetase Autoantibodies

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase autoantibodies. The first non-Jo-1 antisynthetases (aS) was anti-PL-7 that was found to react with threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS). A remarkable feature of the aS is that antibodies to different members of the same enzyme family in different patients are associated with a similar clinical syndrome, characterized by myositis, and also by an increased frequency of certain associated clinical features compared to other polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) patients. Purifications of mammalian forms of several synthetase antigens and the synthetase complex for biochemical studies are available using varying methods such as affinity for the transfer RNA.
Implicit self-tuning fuzzy control for nonlinear systems

The scope of this paper is to design an implicit self-tuning fuzzy controller suitable for a class of nonlinear systems. The approach of parametric fuzzy modeling is used to decompose the nonlinear input-output mapping of a physical system in a universe of discourse constituted by linear models. The control objective, given in terms of an optimal control policy, is achieved through linear control techniques applied to each one of these model components. A fuzzy controller infers a composite control action based on the control laws designated for the individual linear models. A direct adaptive algorithm is introduced to identify online the control parameters.
Alopex algorithm for training multilayer neural networks

The use of the Alopex algorithm for training multilayer neural networks is described. Alopex is a biologically influenced stochastic parallel process designed to find the global minimum of error surfaces. It has a number of advantages compared to other algorithms, such as backpropagation, reinforcement learning, and the Boltzmann machine. The authors investigate the efficacy of the algorithm for faster convergence by considering different error functions. They discuss the specifics of the algorithm for applications involving learning tasks. Results of computer simulations with standard problems such as XOR, parity, symmetry, and encoders of different dimensions are also presented and compared with those obtained using backpropagation. A temperature perturbation scheme is proposed which allows the algorithm to get out of strong local minima. >
Functional Integration; Path Integrals

If the variable of integration is a field, a functional integral is sometimes called “a sum over histories”. Functional integration is a rich and powerful mathematical technique because the domain of integration X is an infinite dimensional space. Short of having intuitive understanding of infinite dimensional spaces of functions, we have extensive studies of such spaces developed during the last century.
Beta-carotene accumulation in serum and skin

The accumulation of beta-carotene in serum and skin was evaluated in human volunteers. A single 51-mg dose of beta-carotene given in the absence of dietary fat resulted in no detectable change in serum beta-carotene. The same dose administered with 200 g fat increased serum beta-carotene 2.5-fold at 40 h. Similarly, administering beta-carotene daily in three divided doses with meals raised the serum beta-carotene concentration three times as high compared with the same total dose administered once a day; both regimens had the same time constant for serum accumulation; 9-10 d. Remittance measurements of skin color demonstrated that the accumulation of beta-carotene in skin was delayed by up to 2 wk compared with serum accumulation. These data indicate that beta-carotene absorption requires dietary fat and is enhanced by administering with meals but there is a long time constant for serum (10 d) and tissue (several weeks) accumulation.
Hydrogenation of CO2 over gold supported on metal oxides

Abstract Gold highly dispersed on a variety of metal oxides were prepared by coprecipitation and deposition-precipitation methods. The hydrogenation of CO 2 on supported gold catalysts was investigated at temperatures between 150 and 400° C and a pressure of 8 atm. The methanoi yields reached a maximum at temperatures between 200 and 300 ° C, depending on the support oxides. The highest yield and selectivity towards methanol was obtained on Au/ZnO at 250°C. At 200°C Au/Fe 2 O 3 was the most active for methanol synthesis, exhibiting activity almost comparable to that of the conventional Cu/ZnO catalyst with the same metal content. Gold supported on TiO 2 was so active in reducing CO 2 to CO that the conversion was close to equilibrium. Over Au/ZnO as well as over Cu/ZnO, CO 2 could be hydrogenated to methanol at lower temperatures than CO.
Putative Light Scalar Nonet

We investigate the ``family'' relationship of a possible scalar nonet composed of the ${a}_{0}(980),$ the ${f}_{0}(980)$ and the $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ and $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ type states found in recent treatments of $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\pi}K$ scattering. We work in the effective Lagrangian framework, starting from terms which yield ``ideal mixing'' according to Okubo's original formulation. It is noted that there is another solution corresponding to dual ideal mixing which agrees with Jaffe's picture of scalars as $\mathrm{qq}\overline{q}\overline{q}$ states rather than $q\overline{q}$ states. At the Lagrangian level there is no difference in the formulation of the two cases (other than the numerical values of the coefficients). In order to agree with experiment, additional mass and coupling terms which break ideal mixing are included. The resulting model turns out to be closer to dual ideal mixing than to conventional ideal mixing; the scalar mixing angle is roughly $\ensuremath{-}17\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ in a convention where dual ideal mixing is $0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}.$
Complex regional pain syndrome (reflex sympathetic dystrophy)

Chronic pain from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) of the foot and ankle presents a myriad of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to the foot and ankle surgeon. The disease involves multiple organ systems, including neural, vascular, bony, and soft tissue structures [1–5]. CRPS is a descriptive term defining a complex disorder or group of disorders that may develop as a consequence of trauma affecting the limbs, with or without an identifiable nerve lesion. To differentiate the presence or absence of nerve trauma, the two categories of CRPS type 1, with no identifiable nerve injury, and CRPS type 2, with identifiable nerve injury, have been proposed. CRPS consists of pain and related sensory abnormalities, abnormal blood flow and sweating, abnormalities in the motor system, changes in structure in both superficial and deep tissues (trophic changes), or functional impairment. It does not exist in the absence of pain. CRPS may be sympathetically independent (SIP) or sympathetically maintained (SMP) [6,7]. Sympathetically maintained pain is defined as significant pain decreased or relief after sympathetic intervention by oral medications (eg, amytriptylene) or parenteral intervention (eg, IV phentolamine, stellate ganglion block). SMP is more completely characterized than SIP, is more responsive to treatment, and has a better prognosis. A hallmark feature of SMP is thermoregulatory and vasomotor instability responding to sympatholytic intervention. A mechanical or neural precipitating or exacerbating event is termed nociceptive.
Lithium-Drifted Silicon Detector Used as a Pulse Dosimeter

A lithium-drifted silicon detector used as a pulse radiation dosimeter is described. It is used to measure the depth-dose distribution of pion beams in water. The fractional dose due to energy depositions above a particular energy in the detector can also be measured. Such measurements yield information on the distribution of ionization density. Preliminary results of the pion-beam dosimetry using this pulse dosimeter are given.
Rethinking community: Conservation, practice, and emotion

Abstract This paper focuses on the intersection of practice and emotion in collective environmental work. In recent years, “community” has become a central concept in conservation, reflecting the shift from top-down strategies to grassroots, participatory approaches. This community focus has generated abundant critique, especially in political ecology where scholars claim that normative notions of community clash with complex realities on the ground. I argue, however, that these critiques fail to fully grapple with the embodied materiality of togetherness and therefore remain too focused on preconceived social categories. Using the example of an international conservation fieldtrip from Chile to Costa Rica, I suggest that theories of practice and emotion can help remedy this problem in that they advance a performative understanding of being-in-common. I conclude by suggesting that such a formulation has implications for advancing collective environmental politics.
USING AUTOMATED REASONING TECHNIQUES TO DETERMINE SOFTWARE REUSE

Reusing software may greatly increase the productivity of software engineers and improve the quality of developed software. Software component libraries have been suggested as a means for facilitating reuse. A major difficulty in designing software libraries is in the selection of a component representation that will facilitate the classification and the retrieval processes. Using formal specifications to represent software components facilitates the determination of reusable software because they more precisely characterize the functionality of the software, and the well-defined syntax makes processing amenable to automation. This paper presents an approach, based on formal methods, to the classification, organization and retrieval of reusable software components. From a set of formal specifications, a two-tiered hierarchy of software components is constructed. The formal specifications represent software that has been implemented and verified for correctness. The lower-level hierarchy is created by a subsumption test algorithm that determines whether one component is more general than another; this level facilitates the application of automated logical reasoning techniques for a fine-grained, exact determination of reusable candidates. The higher-level hierarchy provides a coarse-grained determination of reusable candidates and is constructed by applying a hierarchical clustering algorithm to the most general components from the lower-level hierarchy. The hierarchical organization of the software component specifications provides a means for storing, browsing, and retrieving reusable components that is amenable to automation. In addition, the formal specifications facilitate the verification process that proves a given software component correctly satisfies the current problem. A prototype browser that provides a graphical framework for the classification and retrieval process is described.
Three-phase liquid—liquid—gas equilibrium in the ternary system of trans-decalin—n-decane—carbon dioxide

Abstract Three-phase, liquid—liquid—gas (LLG) equilibrium behavior was studied for the ternary system trans -decalin—n-decane—CO 2 . A stoichiometric technique was used to obtain equilibrium phase compositions and molar volumes over a range of temperatures and pressures from the critical point of CO 2 to the tricritical point of the ternary mixture. The Peng—Robinson equation of state was found to describe the pressure—temperature ( PT ) projection of the LLG equilibrium region for this ternary mixture with quantitative accuracy, and provides a reasonable fit of phase compositions and molar volumes. The effects of scaling near mixture critical points and inadequate mixing rules are shown to be the primary limitations to more accurate descriptions of multiphase equilibria.
DERIVING AN ATTITUDE SCALE FROM SEMANTIC DIFFERENTIAL DATA

T HE semantic differential, which has found a variety of uses in recent years since its development by Osgood,: is known to contain a strong evaluative factor. A number of factor analyses by the Illinois group found evaluation to be the strongest dimension measured by the differential, followed generally by two other dimensions, activity and potency. In the semantic differential, which is made up of seven-step scales bounded on either end by polar adjectives, certain of the adjectives were found to have high evaluative loadings when applied to many objects or concepts. It was possible to score a large number of adjectives on their loadings on the evaluative factor. Tannenbaum used a number of these adjectives to form a scale in measuring attitude toward certain concepts.2 Others have since used the differential in a variety of ways in the field of attitude measurement. Validity of the differential attitude scales appears to be high, based on high correlations with scores gathered by the traditional Thurston, Likert, and Guttman types of scales. This paper outlines a method of selecting specific adjectives to be used in an attitude scale based on semantic differential data. The selection of adjectives was submitted to Guttman-scale analysis as a check on dimensionality. The method can be used either with a small sample of subjects in the pre-test phase of a study or on data that have already been gathered.
Hydrogen capacity and crystallography of ErFe2-based and ErCo2-based ternary systems

Abstract The hydrogen capacity of the C15 Laves-phase alloys ErFe 2− x Al x ( x = 0 − 0.6), ErFe 2− x Mn x ( x = 0 −1.4), ErFe 2− x Co x ( x = 0 − 2.0) and ErCo 2− x Ni x ( x = 0 − 2.0) was measured at 25 °C and 525 Ib in −2 . Lattice parameters of the alloys and their hydrides were also measured. Al substitution for Fe decreases the hydrogen capacity of ErFe 2 . Mn substitution for Fe in ErFe 2 increases the hydrogen capacity considerably, with a maximum hydride composition ErFe 0.8 Mn 1.2 H 4.6 . Hydrogen concentration in this alloy exceeds 7 × 10 22 atoms cm −3 . Co substitution for Fe in ErFe 2 first increases and then decreases hydrogen capacity, the maximum hydride composition being ErFe 1.2 Co 0.8 H 4.2 . Ni substitution for Co in ErCo 2 has little effect on the hydrogen capacity of the alloy, although a large Ni concentration results in an increase in the equilibrium pressure. Lattice expansion is observed to correlate with hydrogen concentration for the group of systems ErFe 2 -H, ErFe 2− x Al x - H and ErFe 2− x Mn x - H . The maximum hydrogen capacity in the ErFe 2− x Co x system occurs at the same Co:Fe ratio which gives the maximum Fe moment in these ternaries.
Power-aware computing

Performance, complexity, cost, and power tradeoffs have created exciting challenges and opportunities in the rapidly changing field of power-aware computing.
Giant self-biased magnetoelectric coupling in co-fired textured layered composites

Co-fired magnetostrictive/piezoelectric/magnetostrictive laminate structure with silver inner electrode was synthesized and characterized. We demonstrate integration of textured piezoelectric microstructure with the cost-effective low-temperature co-fired layered structure to achieve strong magnetoelectric coupling. Using the co-fired composite, a strategy was developed based upon the hysteretic response of nickel-copper-zinc ferrite magnetostrictive materials to achieve peak magnetoelectric response at zero DC bias, referred as self-biased magnetoelectric response. Fundamental understanding of self-bias phenomenon in composites with single phase magnetic material was investigated by quantifying the magnetization and piezomagnetic changes with applied DC field. We delineate the contribution arising from the interfacial strain and inherent magnetic hysteretic behavior of copper modified nickel-zinc ferrite towards self-bias response.
Mars: The regolith-atmosphere-cap system and climate change

A model is derived for the prediction of the Martian regolith-atmosphere-cap CO2 regime's behavior, as well as for the description of the roly of the regime in climate change, through descriptions of the time-temperature histories of 90 regolith 'chunks' on a latitude-depth grid. The influence of differences in regolith adsorption laws for basalt and clay, and the influence of variations in regolith depth with (1) latitude, (2) regolith thermal diffusivity, and (3) total exchangeable CO2 inventory on predicted variations in atmospheric pressure and cap mass, are examined. It is found that the atmosphere acts as a low capacity conduit between two reservoirs through which 10-100 times the current atmospheric mass of CO2 flows. The exchange between the reservoirs is driven by obliquity variations, with the polar cap the dominant CO2 sink at low obliquity and the regolith dominating at high obliquity.
Energy-efficient server consolidation for multi-threaded applications in the cloud

Cloud services have been actively used for transactional and batch workloads. Recently, multi-threaded high-performance computing (HPC) workloads have started to emerge on the cloud as well. Unlike most traditional data center loads, HPC workloads highly utilize the servers. The energy efficiency and performance of HPC loads, however, vary strongly as a function of the amount of allocated resources. This paper proposes an autonomous resource allocation technique for multi-threaded compute-intensive HPC workloads with the goal of creating tunable energy cost-performance tradeoffs for the cloud administrators and users. The proposed technique adjusts the available resources for the virtual machines (VMs) based on application energy efficiency while delivering the desired performance guarantees. Experiments on a real-life multi-core server show that the proposed technique improves the system throughput-per-watt by 17% on average compared to existing techniques.
Hepatitis B vaccine produced in yeast

A gene encoding the 226 amino acid hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), subtype adw, was cloned into a generalized vector for the expression of heterologous genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The 5' end of the genomic HBsAg gene was replaced with a chemically synthesized DNA segment that conserved the amino acid sequence of the protein but utilized DNA sequences that optimize translation initiation in yeast. High-cell-density fermentations of laboratory strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been developed in which HBsAg production increases linearly with respect to cell mass. The HBsAg is present as a lipoprotein particle in cell lysates and has been purified to homogeneity. The evidence presented indicates that the HBsAg particles may be formed during lysis of the yeast cells. The purified HBsAg particles have a morphology similar to that of the 22 nm particles present in the serum of human chronic carriers of hepatitis B. The reactivity of the yeast-derived HBsAg particles with a series of monoclonal antibodies is essentially identical to that of human plasma HBsAg. By this analysis, therefore, the structure of the HBsAg protein is similar in yeast and in human particles. The purified yeast HBsAg particles were formulated with alum adjuvant and subsequently were shown to confer immunity in chimpanzees to challenge with two heterologous serotypes (adr, ayw) of hepatitis B virus.
Ensemble Learning Approach for Freeway Short-Term Traffic Flow Prediction

As traffic situations deteriorate in metropolitan areas around the world, intelligent transportation systems (ITS) emerge as a promising technology. One key issue in the ITS is the problem of short-term traffic flow forecasting which targets at forecasting traffic flow value in the near future (short-term) based on the real time data and historic data collected by data gathering systems in transportation networks. A lot of approaches have been proposed in past references to forecast short-term traffic flow. Time-series-based method, Kalman Filter method, nonparametric method and neural-networks-based method are representative approaches. However, although researchers have proposed those prediction methods and declared their validities and efficiencies, no one has devoted on improving prediction capabilities through ensemble learning methods continuously. This paper explores how the ensemble learning method, namely bagging, remarkably decreases the prediction error such as in the radial basis function neural network. Moreover, real freeway short-term traffic flow predictions such as the effects of the extent of prediction, the "look-back" interval and the time resolution on the prediction accuracy are carefully studied based on a real traffic flow data gathered at Loop 3 freeway in Beijing, China.
Design Principles And Instrumentation For Step-Scan FTIR

Step-scan, or step-by-step data collection in optical interferometry historically preceeded the rapid-scan method currently favored by commercial FTIR instrument manufacturers. Although rapid-scan data collection with opto-electronic sampling control has clearly been the key to the dramatic revival of FTIR, and of infrared spectroscopy in general, there are some experiments for which a return to step-scan techniques is a definite advantage. These include particularly experiments in which time resolution in the range of rapid-scan Fourier modulation periods is desirable. Step-scan FTIR differs from rapid-scan FTIR in the control of the mirror position and the timing of data collection. The rapid-scan mode involves moving the mirror continuously, and triggering data collection at evenly spaced intervals of the HeNe reference laser interference pattern. A particular advantage of rapid scanning is that minor fluctuations in the velocity of the mirror are compensated for during sampling. In contrast, with step-scan operation the mirror is stopped at, or vibrated about, each data collection point. This has the effect of uncoupling the spectral multiplexing from any temporal aspects of the experiment and makes step-scanning applicable to a wide range of dynamic spectroscopy. However, fluctuations in the mirror position are not easily compensated for and contribute to noise in the transformed spectra. The minimization of such sampling errors is the central challenge of step-scan interferometry.
Work in progress — Understanding design fixation: A sunk cost perspective on innovation

In the current competitive world, engineers must be innovative to be competitive and these skills must be taught. Physical representation is a likely tool to assist in being innovative. Guidelines do not exist for when physical representation should be implemented in the design process. Past studies provide conflicting results on the effects of physical representations on cognition. An observational study of an industrial team shows that physical representations could cause design fixation. In contract, a controlled lab study conducted by the authors failed to reproduce this result. One possible explanation is the sunk cost theory from behavioral economics, which states that people show the tendency to continue with the chosen path based on the amount of time, money and effort already put in. The controlled lab experiment used a fairly simple design problem whereas the other study contained a more complex design problem, thus the observed differences in apparent design fixation could be due to the sunk cost effect. This work in progress paper investigates sunk cost as an explanation for the result differences. This paper proposes an experiment to test the sunk cost effect with physical representation and discusses the future work along with possible implications of the results.
RATIO OF CALCIUM TO MAGNESIUM INFLUENCES BIOMASS, ELEMENTAL ACCUMULATIONS, AND PIGMENT CONCENTRATIONS IN KALE

Producers use elemental ratios, such as calcium (Ca): magnesium (Mg), in fertility programs to ensure sufficient nutrient uptake. Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C.) accumulates high levels of carotenoids which can be beneficial for human health. Objectives were to determine the influence of Ca:Mg fertilization on 1) biomass, 2) essential nutrients, and 3) carotenoids in kale leaf tissues. ‘Redbor’ kale was greenhouse-grown in solution culture. Ca:Mg ratio treatments were 9:1, 6:1, 3:1, 1:3, 1:6, and 1:9. Ca:Mg ratio significantly affected biomass, nutrient accumulation, and carotenoids. Plant biomass decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.001) and β-carotene, lutein, neoxanthin, and antheraxanthin all increased, then decreased quadratically (P ≤ 0.001) as the ratio of Ca:Mg changed from 9:1 to 1:9. Ca:Mg ratio also affected leaf tissue Ca, Mg, potassium (K), sulfur (S), boron (B), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and zinc (Zn). Results indicate that producers wishing to maximize elemental uptake and caroten...
TWIN SCREW EXTRUCTION of PEACH PUREE: RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES and PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS1

A semi-empirical, nonlinear model was developed to incorporate the effects of extruder operating conditions (temperature, moisture, and shear rate) on viscosity of peach puree in a lab-size twin screw extruder. A power law dependency for shear rate, an exponential dependency for moisture, and a modified first order transform function for temperature effects were employed. The proposed model fit the experimental data well. Motor torque and Specific Mechanical Energy (SME) were significantly affected by all extruder operating conditions. Experimental apparent viscosity varied from 40 to 130 Pa.s, depending on the operating conditions. Color indicatives (L, a, b) and extrudate density were mainly influenced by the moisture content. Water activity was only influenced by moisture.
Database Modeling of Empirical Games

There is a growing interest in computational game theory, the study of algorithms for analyzing multi-agent strategic interaction cast as games. Work in this field has primarily focused on algorithmic complexity of solving given game forms, with relatively little attention paid to concerns about managing data underlying game models. We propose a model of game-play data implementable by a relational database system, designed to scale to the vast quantities of observations needed to describe real-world strategic scenarios with sufficient fidelity. Our model enables performing common game-theoretic analysis in the database, using a flexible, compact representation of games.
Technical Communication Instruction in China: Localized Programs and Alternative Models

In this article, I argue that to understand technical communication instruction in non-Western countries, one has to pay close attention to the impacts of local cultural, educational, political, and economic contexts on technical communication practices. I identify two localized programs that share features of technical communication in China and review their programmatic positioning at national and local levels. I also suggest ways for U.S. technical communicators to start cross-cultural collaboration with local programs.
Stability of Gaussian elimination without pivoting on tridiagonal Toeplitz matrices

Abstract Using the simple vehicle of tridiagonal Toeplitz matrices, the question of whether one must pivot during the Gauss elimination procedure is examined. An exact expression for the multipliers encountered during the elimination process is given. It is then shown that for a prototype Helmholtz problem, one cannot guarantee that elimination without pivoting is stable.
A unique epigenetic signature is associated with active DNA replication loci in human embryonic stem cells

The cellular epigenetic landscape changes as pluripotent stem cells differentiate to somatic cells or when differentiated cells transform to a cancerous state. These epigenetic changes are commonly correlated with differences in gene expression. Whether active DNA replication is also associated with distinct chromatin environments in these developmentally and phenotypically diverse cell types has not been known. Here, we used BrdU-seq to map active DNA replication loci in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), normal primary fibroblasts and a cancer cell line, and correlated these maps to the epigenome. In all cell lines, the majority of BrdU peaks were enriched in euchromatin and at DNA repetitive elements, especially at microsatellite repeats, and coincided with previously determined replication origins. The most prominent BrdU peaks were shared between all cells but a sizable fraction of the peaks were specific to each cell type and associated with cell type-specific genes. Surprisingly, the BrdU peaks th...
Dymaxion: optimizing memory access patterns for heterogeneous systems

Graphics processors (GPUs) have emerged as an important platform for general purpose computing. GPUs offer a large number of parallel cores and have access to high memory bandwidth; however, data structure layouts in GPU memory often lead to sub-optimal performance for programs designed with a CPU memory interface — or no particular memory interface at all! — in mind. This implies that application performance is highly sensitive irregularity in memory access patterns. This issue is all the more important due to the growing disparity between core and DRAM clocks; memory interfaces have increasingly become bottlenecks in computer systems. In this paper, we propose a simple API, Dymaxion1, that allows programmers to optimize memory mappings to improve the efficiency of memory accesses on heterogeneous platforms. Use of Dymaxion requires only minimal modifications to existing CUDA programs. Our current framework extends NVIDIA's CUDA API with the addition of memory layout remapping and index transformation. We consider the overhead of layout remapping and effectively hide it through chunking and overlapping with PCI-E transfer. We present the implementation of Dymaxion and its optimizations and evaluate a variety of important memory access patterns. Using four case studies, we are able to achieve 3.3× speedup on GPU kernels and 20% overall performance improvement, including the PCI-E transfer, over the original CUDA implementations on an NVIDIA GTX 480 GPU. We also explore the importance of maintaining per-device data layouts and cross-device data mappings with a case study of concurrent CPU-GPU execution.
Increased Amounts of the Aspergillus Metabolite d-Mannitol in Tissue and Serum of Rats with Experimental Aspergillosis

Several Aspergillus species produce large amounts of the hexitol D-mannitol in vitro, but it is not known whether these species also produce D-mannitol in vivo. Serum samples and homogenized tissues were analyzed from rats pretreated with cortisone and cyclophosphamide and then given 2 x 10(6) preincubated conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus intravenously. The resulting infection was lethal by 48 h and was characterized by much more severe disease in the liver than in the kidneys, spleen, or lungs. A compound present in increased amounts in the livers and sera of the infected rats was shown to be D-mannitol by gas chromatography (GC) and GC/mass spectrometry and enzymatically. Quantitative analysis by GC showed that the infected rats had more D-mannitol in their livers (but not in their lungs or kidneys) after 12 h (P less than .01 at 12, 24, and 36 h) and higher serum D-mannitol concentrations and serum D-mannitol/creatinine ratios after 36 h (P less than .05) than did uninfected controls. These results indicate that A. fumigatus can produce and release sufficient D-mannitol in the tissues of infected animals to raise serum D-mannitol levels. Thus, D-mannitol is a potential diagnostic marker for aspergillosis.
Modeling post-treatment development of cervical carcinoma: exophytic or endophytic- does it matter?

In this study, we use a combination of smoothing nonparametric and parametric methods to estimate the hazard function for the disease-free interval from clinical data on patients with carcinoma of the cervix uteri. Three estimation procedures were used for estimating the hazard rate from the data: the life table estimator, a kernel counterpart of the Nelson-Aalen estimator, and a parametric estimator based on a mechanistic model of tumor recurrence. The parametric estimate appears to be in good agreement with its nonparametric counterparts suggesting a bimodal shape of the underlying hazard function. The observed two-component structure of hazard function can be attributed to a certain heterogeneity of ''malignant potential'' remaining in treated tumors. Exophytic and endophytic carcinomas of the cervix uteri show dissimilar patterns of this heterogeneity and its evolution with the time elapsed after treatment. The results of parametric inference suggest that exophytic and endophytic recurrent tumors differ as to quantitative characteristics of a slowly evolving subpopulation of clonogenic tumor cells.
Transient Birefringence of Elastomeric Polypropylene Subjected to Step Shear Strain

The step shear strain behavior of elastomeric polypropylene (ePP) synthesized from an unbridged metallocene catalyst is studied using polarimetry. The elastomeric nature of ePP is presumed to arise from a multiblock structure of isotactic (iPP) and atactic (aPP) polypropylene blocks. At lower temperatures stereoregular blocks of iPP are able to crystallize while stereoirregular blocks of aPP remain amorphous. The flow behavior of ePP is compared with homopolymer blends of iPP and aPP that have the same isotactic content as ePP as well as solvent fractions of the parent ePP sample. Step shear strain experiments carried out on crystallized samples show that ePP does not completely relax from an applied strain and that a cross-linked network has formed. Imperfections in the network structure are revealed by birefringence measurements that show a partial relaxation of the polymer orientation. In contrast, crystallized homopolymer blend samples are able to completely relax after the application of a step shear...
WATER JET ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC PARTIAL NEPHRECTOMY WITHOUT HILAR CLAMPING IN THE CALF MODEL

ABSTRACTPurpose:: Hemostasis represents a primary challenge during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN). We typically clamp the renal artery/vein en bloc and perform LPN expeditiously under warm ischemia conditions. We evaluated Helix Hydro-jet® assisted LPN without renal hilar vascular control in the survival calf model.Materials and Methods:: Staged bilateral LPN using the Hydro-jet® was performed without renal hilar vessel control in 10 survival calves (20 kidneys). Parenchymal hydrodissection was performed with a high velocity, ultracoherent saline stream at 450 psi through a small nozzle with integrated suction at the tip. The denuded intrarenal parenchymal blood vessels were precisely coagulated with a BIClamp® bipolar instrument and transected. Followup involved biochemical, radiological and histopathological evaluation at designated sacrifice intervals of 1 and 2 weeks, and 1, 2 and 3 months, respectively.Results:: All LPNs were completed successfully without open conversion. Of 20 LPNs 18 (90%)...
The optical activity of the Cecropia juvenile hormones.

Abstract The juvenile hormones isolated from the Cecropia silk moth are not racemic. They exhibit a plain positive optical dispersion curve.
The Role of Economic Evaluation in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Helicobacter PyloriInfection

The unfolding of the H. pylori story coupled with the high prevalence and economic burden associated with upper gastrointestinal symptoms makes H. pylori-associated disorders an ideal candidate for economic evaluation. As a result of the high quality and quantity of data emerging, H. pylori eradication is cost-effective in individuals with either newly diagnosed or past PUD. The role of eradication in other areas, for example, patients with nonulcer dyspepsia and screening to prevent gastric cancer, may never be worked out to some clinicians' satisfaction. Conflicting reports and the lack of definitive clinical trials have frustrated clinicians. H. pylori diagnosis and treatment have not been integrated into everyday clinical practice. As a result, the enormous potential benefits associated with H. pylori eradication have not been achieved. Economic evaluation is not a panacea to the problems confronting medical services delivery. Assessments of medical practice are methodologically challenging, time-consuming, and expensive. Once the answers are in, it remains difficult to alter an individual provider's patterns of care and integrate the research findings into everyday practice. Further research into physician decision making is necessary to complement the advances being made in determining the value of medical interventions. The fruits of these efforts will be the more efficient delivery of health care services, which, it is hoped, ultimately will improve the health of patients. There is no reason to believe, however, that more attention to effectiveness research would lead to a reduction in health care expenditures. Increasing demands for accountability of medical interventions will propel effectiveness movements. Economic analyses, performed in concert with carefully designed clinical studies, will spur more critical review of health care resource allocation decisions. Despite the limitations, the findings generated from effectiveness research will have a major impact on physician practices, guideline development, and reimbursement decisions. The tendency of clinicians not to pay attention to economic evaluations may lead to missed clinical benefits and unnecessary expenditures. Physicians who have been reluctant to appreciate the information provided by economic evaluation must understand what other stakeholders in health care delivery already have accepted: that the rational basis for cost-effectiveness analysis is the overall improvement in the quality of health care services--not simply a tool to reduce health care costs.
Ryanodine receptors as drug targets for heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias

Abnormal intracellular calcium cycling has been recognized as an important determinant of heart failure. Chronic overstimulation of the β-adrenergic signaling cascade in failing hearts results in a maladaptive protein kinase A hyperphosphorylation of the intracellular calcium release channel known as the ryanodine receptor (RyR2). This results in loss of the channel stabilizing subunit calstabin2 (FKBP12.6) from the channel complex, intracellular calcium leak, cardiac arrhythmias and decreased contractility. We have described that a new class of drugs called ‘calcium channel stabilizers’ that specifically target these molecular defects, improve cardiac function and prevent arrhythmias in relevant animal models.
A note on allocations attainable through nash equilibria

Abstract This note reexamines the issue of attaining efficient resource allocations as noncooperative equilibria of a strategic game. Contrary to the spirit of earlier work on this subject, it is shown that there is an entire class of choice rules, aside from the Walrasian one, which are implementable in Nash equilibrium stategies.
Two Visuals to Accompany Albert Valdman's Langue et Culture

ABSTRACT Albert Valdman's Langue et Culture is a very popular first-year French text. Two easily made visuals can provide sufficient material to introduce and to reinforce many of the grammatical concepts taught from this text in an average first semester French course.
Calibration of the Odyssey™ Photosynthetic Irradiance Recorder™ for absolute irradiance measures

The Odyssey™ Photosynthetic Irradiance Recorder™ is an affordable photosynthetically-active radiation (PAR) meter gaining popularity among aquatic ecologists. A survey of the literature revealed that the instrument is frequently being used for absolute measures of PAR, although its design was intended for relative measures only. Unlike more expensive PAR meters, the Odyssey™ Recorder must be user calibrated. We found the suggested two-point calibration procedure could produce inaccuracies ranging from less than 1% to greater than 300%. The calibration procedure is therefore not suitable for absolute measures or for comparison studies. We recommend a revised calibration procedure that is unaffected by short-term fluctuations in solar intensity. Furthermore, this procedure yields a calibration factor and standard error. Accuracy is critical for investigations which seek to compare PAR measurements made with multiple sensors or to build quantitative relationships between processes and PAR.
Molecular Markers Associated with Resistance to Aspergillus flavus in Maize Grain: QTL and Discriminant Analyses

ABSTRACT Aflatoxin contamination of maize (Zea mays L.) grain caused by Aspergillus flavus is a serious health hazard to animals and humans. Resistance to infection by A. flavus is poorly understood. The objectives of this investigation were to identify potential candidate markers associated with resistance in maize kernels and pollen grains to A. flavus using a mapping population derived from a cross between Mp313E (resistant) and SC212m (susceptible) inbred lines. The parents, F1, and F2 plants, were planted in the field in 2005. Each F2 plant was self-pollinated to produce F2:3 seed. Fresh pollen collected from parental lines, F1, and each F2 plant was germinated on a growth medium in the presence of A. flavus conidia. Selfed seeds from parents, F1, and F2 plants, were challenged with A. flavus conidial suspension and incubated using a medium-free method. Percent kernels uninfected (PKU) and number of pollen grains germinated (NPG) were recorded. A linkage map was constructed with JoinMap 3.0 using DNA...
Gemcitabine and vinorelbine in advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: a phase II study.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted a Phase II study to evaluate the activity of the combination of gemcitabine and vinorelbine in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS Patients were eligible if they had Stage IIIB (malignant pleural effusion) or Stage IV NSCLC, no prior chemotherapy, and Cancer and Leukemia Group B performance status (PS) 0–2. Patients with brain metastases were eligible if they were neurologically stable after brain irradiation. Thirty-three patients from participating institutions were enrolled. One patient was ineligible due to untreated brain metastases. Patients were treated with gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 over 30 minutes (1000 mg/m2 for the first 6 patients) and vinorelbine 25 mg/m2 over 6 minutes, both administered intravenously on Days 1 and 8 every 21 days. Treatment was planned for a total of six cycles or more if the patient had persistent benefit. Growth factors were not allowed. RESULTS Among all 32 eligible patients, there were 8 partial responses, for an overall response rate of 25% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5–43.4%). The median survival time was 8.3 months and the 1-year survival rate was 38% (95% CI, 24–59%). Patients with PS 0–1 had a median survival of 11.7 months and a 1-year survival rate of 48%. Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia was observed in 13% and 25% of the 148 treatment cycles, respectively. One patient died of neutropenic sepsis. Only 2 episodes of Grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia were observed. Nonhematologic toxicity was minimal. CONCLUSIONS Gemcitabine and vinorelbine is an active and well-tolerated regimen in patients with advanced NSCLC, with response and survival rates at least comparable to those achieved with standard platinum-based regimens. This combination may be particularly suitable for the elderly or for patients who cannot tolerate more toxic platinum-based regimens. Cancer 2000;88:557–62. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Secondary effects produced by interaction of 28 GeV protons with heavy-element targets

Abstract Contributions to the production of 24Na in Al beam monitors due to secondary particles from the interaction of 28 GeV protons with uranium, thorium, and tantalum targets were measured. Per 100 mg/cm2 of target thickness they were found to be 13% for U and Th, 7.8% for Ta. The contributions to the production of neutron-excess nuclides in the fission region by secondary particles in the irradiation of uranium targets by 28 GeV protons were determined by comparison with the yields of neutron-deficient species in targets of three different thicknesses and linear extrapolation to zero thickness. These secondary contributions were found to depend on the mass of the product nuclides. The production cross sections for 83,91,92Sr, 100,109Pd, 128,140Ba, 140,147Nd, and 145,153Sm in the interaction of 28 GeV protons with uranium were measured.
Centroid calculation using neural networks

Centroid calculation provides a means of eliminating translation problems, which is useful for automatic target recognition. A neural network implementation of centroid calculation is described that uses a spatial filter and a Hopfield network to determine the centroid location of an object. Spatial filtering of a segmented window creates a result whose peak value occurs at the centroid of the input data set. A Hopfield network then finds the location of this peak and hence gives the location of the centroid. Hardware implementations of the networks are described and simulation results are provided.