cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cation Transport and Its Altered Regulation in Human Stomatocytic Erythrocytes

Extract: Cation transport in a population of stomatocytic red blood cells (RBC) is abnormal in the following respects. First, active transport against a gradient, defined as the nonisotopic net accumulation of Na+ or loss of K+ induced by 0.1 mM ouabain, is markedly elevated (7.3 and 6.3 mEq/liter cells/hr for Na+ and K+, respectively), but the Na+: K+ active transport ratio is normal. Apparent uncoupling of the Na+ and K+ isotope transport is due to disproportionately increased ouabain-sensitive 24Na+-23Na+ exchange (32.7 mEq/liter cells/hr), which is measured as a portion of 24Na+ isotope efflux. Second, cation transport is unresponsive to variations in internal Na+ concentration but decreases with decreasing extracellular Na+. Speculation: In the family we have studied, the clinical disorder, hereditary stomatocytosis, has been shown to be an autosomal dominant trait. The disorder may be due, therefore, to the transcription of an abnormal membrane protein which leads to altered shape, abnormal cation permeability, and reduced cell survival in vivo. The abnormal protein may be structural, leading to the shape alteration, and functional, leading to the alteration in permeability and transport. The abnormality, hereditary stomatocytosis, is a heterogeneous group of disorders; hence, the observations in this family may not reflect the specific membrane protein defect in all cases.
Living every minute.

The author puts an effort to share what he learned over the past year both personally and professionally. In this effort, he uses poetry to express complicated and often ineffable lessons he have experienced, often at the deepest levels of his being. Their experience has starkly taught him just how disconnected the author clinicians are from having a curiosity about his thread. There is comfort residing in the abstractions of the biomedical model. His story becomes one of diagnosis (AML), prognosis (bad), and treatment plan (chemo protocol). All this information fits nicely on the Excel spreadsheet that defines his medical story. To the handful of clinicians who were patient centered. Loss and grief have been inseparable companions for Annalu and him during this past year. Their grief is the natural response to the many losses they have experienced. Grief is neither a problem to be solved nor a disease to be cured.
Pharmacokinetics, safety and immunomodulatory effects of human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in healthy humans

A phase I study of human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was conducted in healthy males between the ages of 18 and 30. Twenty-five volunteers received a single, 3 h continuous intravenous infusion of doses ranging between 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg IL-1ra. At 3 h into the infusion, plasma IL-1ra levels were 3.1 micrograms/ml and 29 micrograms/ml for the 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg doses, respectively. Post-infusion plasma IL-1ra levels declined rapidly, exhibiting an initial half-life of 21 min and a terminal half-life of 108 min. Clinical, hematological, biochemical, endocrinological and immunomodulatory effects were monitored over 72 h and compared to those of four subjects receiving a 3 h infusion of saline. There were no clinically significant differences between the drug and saline groups in symptoms, physical examinations, complete blood counts, mononuclear cell phenotypes, blood chemistry profiles, serum iron and serum cortisol levels. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained after completion of the IL-1ra infusion synthesized significantly less interleukin 6 ex vivo than PBMC from saline-injected controls. These data suggest that transient blockade of interleukin 1 receptors is safe and does not significantly affect homeostasis.
μ Opioid receptor-mediated G-protein activation by heroin metabolites: evidence for greater efficacy of 6-monoacetylmorphine compared with morphine

Abstract The efficacy of heroin metabolites for the stimulation of μ opioid receptor-mediated G-protein activation was investigated using agonist-stimulated [ 35 S]guanosine-5′- O -(γ-thio)-triphosphate binding. In rat thalamic membranes, heroin and its primary metabolite, 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), were more efficacious than morphine or morphine-6-β d -glucuronide. This increased efficacy was not due to increased action of heroin and 6-MAM at δ receptors, as determined by competitive antagonism by naloxone, lack of antagonism by naltrindole, and competitive partial antagonism with morphine. In agreement with this interpretation, the same relative efficacy profile of heroin and its metabolites was observed at the cloned human μ opioid receptor expressed in C6 glioma cells. Moreover, these efficacy differences were GDP-dependent in a manner consistent with accepted mechanisms of receptor-mediated G-protein activation. The activity of heroin was attributed to in vitro deacetylation to 6-MAM, as confirmed by HPLC analysis. These results indicate that the heroin metabolite 6-MAM possesses higher efficacy than other heroin metabolites at μ opioid receptors, which may contribute to the higher efficacy of heroin compared with morphine in certain behavioral paradigms in vivo.
Electromyography of Rapid Forearm Flexion and Extension and Aging

This investigation examined several parameters of agonist- and antagonist-muscle activity and movement time in young and old males during rapid, forearm flexion and extension tasks. Maximal isometric strength of the forearm flexors and extensors and limb-volume measurements were also procured. The subject sample included sixteen males in each of the following groups: 1) thirty to forty year olds, 2) fifty to sixty year olds, and 3) sixty-one to seventy year olds. The averaged, electromyographic patterns (AEMG) of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles were recorded during unloaded and loaded trials of forearm flexion and extension to a predetermined target. Sixteen temporal and ten quantitative parameters were examined. Significant differences between age groups were observed for only the quantitative-parameter accuracy. The conclusions were that an individual's agonist- and antagonist-muscle-activity parameters are maintained into the seventh decade. Flexion and extension strengths decrease progressively with age. Analysis of the limb-volume measures revealed that the oldest group had the greatest amount of fat in each of the segments evaluated.
The Air Toxics Health Effects Database (ATHED).

Abstract The Air Toxics Health Effects Database (ATHED) is currently used by the EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) to support risk assessments for the Residual Risk Program. An assessment of the residual risk is required to be performed at a specified time (typically 8years) following the promulgation of a technology-based Maximum Achievable Control Technologies (MACT) standard. The goal of the Residual Risk Program is to assure that the risk that remains after MACT standards are implemented (i.e., the “residual risk”) is acceptable, and if not, to propose additional regulations to mitigate those risks. ATHED maintains all available reference values for each chemical as separate data records, and includes values for all exposure durations (acute, short-term, subchronic and chronic). These values are used as benchmarks to determine acceptable exposure levels to the hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) listed in Section 112 of the Clean Air Act. ATHED also provides useful background information on the uncertainty and/or modifying factors that were applied in the derivation of each reference value, as well as the point of departure and the critical study/studies. To facilitate comparisons across durations for a specific chemical, ATHED data can be graphically presented.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Subliminal Stimulation and Social Support on Anxiety Reduction.

In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of psychodynamic subliminal stimulation, using the tachistiscopic presentation of the message, “Mommy and I are one”; in reducing anxiety and facilitating performance on a cognitive task. Psychodynamic subliminal stimulation (Silverman, 1976) was compared to an alternative, social support strategy, involving verbal reassurance by the experimenter (Sarason, 1981). Twenty students (10 males, 10 females) identified as “highly test anxious” (falling in the upper 25% on Sarason’s (1978) Test Anxiety Scale) were assigned to each of 5 conditions, including 3 treatment groups: subliminal stimulation, social support, and combined subliminal stimulation plus social support; and 2 control groups: subliminal stimulation control (using an alternative subliminal message) and no treatment control. We incorporated several methodological contributions: examination of both test anxiety and cognitive performance in a nonclinical sample of both males and females, the utilization of “other treatment”; “combined treatment”; and multiple control groups. The findings suggest a lack of robustness of the effects obtained with either approach (psychodynamic subliminal stimulation or social support).
Social Interdependence and Perceived Academic and Personal Support in the Classroom

Summary Responses to a classroom climate instrument made by 859 students in grades 5 through 9 in three urban and suburban Midwestern school districts were submitted to correlational analyses of relationships between scales measuring attitudes toward social interdependence and attitudes towards relationships with peers and teachers. Students who participated frequently in cooperative learning experiences were compared with students who had only infrequently experienced cooperative learning. Cooperativeness and frequently participating in cooperative learning situations were positively related to perceptions of support, help, and friendship from teachers and peers.
Triticale Moisture and Protein Content Prediction by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

ABSTRACT The use of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for the prediction of whole-grain triticale moisture and protein content was evaluated. Because triticale is genetically close to wheat, commercially available wheat prediction models for Foss Infratec analyzers were applied in a year-by-year basis to triticale samples harvested in Iowa between 2002 and 2006. Wheat models were not applicable to moisture prediction (SEPavg = 0.37% pt; expected SEP on wheat samples 0.15% pt), but usable for screening for protein (SEPavg = 0.38% pt; expected SEP on wheat samples 0.25% pt). Dedicated triticale calibrations were developed from 2002 to 2005 data. Prediction results for 2006 samples only were compared. Triticale calibrations performed better than wheat calibrations for 2006 samples (moisture SEPtriticale = 0.29% pt, SEPwheat = 0.50% pt; protein SEPtriticale = 0.30% pt, SEPwheat = 0.68% pt).
PixelFlow: the realization

PlxelFlow is an architecture for high-speed, highly realistic image generation, based on the techniques of object-parallelism and image composition, Its initial architecture was described in [MOLN92]. After development by the original team of researchers at the University of North Carolina, and codevelopment with industry partners, Division Ltd. and HcwlettPackard, PixelFlow now is a much more capable system than initially conceived and its hardware and software systems have evolved considerably. This paper describes the final realization of PixelFlow, along with hardware and software enhancements heretofore unpublished. CR Cntcgorics and Subject Descriptors: C.5.4 [Computer System Implementation]: VLSI Systems; 1.3.1 [Computer Graphics]: Hardware Architecture; 1.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Picture/Image Generation; 1.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: ThreeDimensional Graphics and Realism. Additlonnl
Frequency of Circulating Regulatory T Cells Increases during Chronic HIV Infection and Is Largely Controlled by Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) act by suppressing the activation and effector functions of innate and adaptive immune responses. HIV infection impacts Treg proportion and phenotype, although discrepant results have been reported depending on the patient population and the way Tregs were characterized. The effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on Treg frequency have not been thoroughly documented. We performed a detailed longitudinal analysis of Treg frequency and phenotype in 11 HIV-infected individuals enrolled in a single, prospective clinical trial, in which all patients underwent the same treatment protocol and were sampled at the same time points. Tregs were characterized for their expression of molecules associated with activation, cell cycle, apoptosis, or function, and compared to circulating Tregs from a group of age-matched healthy individuals. Our results revealed increased proportions, but reduced absolute numbers of circulating CD3+CD4+FOXP3+ Tregs in chronically infected HIV-infected patients. Treg frequency was largely normalized by HAART. Importantly, we show that similar conclusions were drawn regardless of the combination of markers used to define Tregs. Our results also showed increased expression of cell cycle markers (Ki67 and cyclin B) in Tregs from untreated infected individuals, which were decreased by HAART. However, the Treg phenotype in untreated patients was not consistent with a higher level of generalized activation, as they expressed very low levels of CD69, slightly elevated levels of HLA-DR and similar levels of GARP compared to Tregs from uninfected donors. Moreover, none of these markers was significantly changed by HAART. Treg expression of CTLA-4 and cytotoxic molecules was identical between patients and controls. The most striking difference in terms of functional molecules was the high expression of CD39 by Tregs in untreated patients, which HAART only partially controlled.
Is lipid lost during preparation of erythrocyte membranes

Abstract In contrast to the findings of Turner and Rouser (Turner, J.D. and Rouser, G. (1974) Lipids 9, 49–54), it is shown that lipid is not lost from erythrocyte membranes carefully prepared by hypotonic hemolysis. The present study confirms earlier reports showing excellent recovery of lipid in hemoglobin-free membranes.
Carotid Ultrasonography - The New "Gold Standard" Surgical and Angiographic Correlation

Atherosclerotic plaques and high grade stenosis in the carotid circulation are responsible for symptoms of cerebral and retinal ischemia. Identification of these lesions by angiography has been the "gold standard" for which the decision of endarterectomy depended. The recent introduction of high resolution carotid ultrasonography has allowed us to compare thirty-seven surgical specimens with the results of preopertive screening with angiography. UCI had a 97% correlation whereas angiography was accurate only 70%. More importantly there were ten negative angiograms in patients with clinically active ulcerative plaque disease. If surgery were based solely on the angiographic appearance of ulcerative plaques or high grade stenosis, then less than half of the patients have received the correct treatment. UCI deserves to be considered the new reference standard.
Detection and management of downy mildew in rose rootstock.

A technique utilizing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to investigate the occurrence and location of Peronospora sparsain dormant, woody rose tissues. PCR primers were designed to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA of the pathogen. Inhibition of the reaction by plant compounds was minimized by optimizing the reagents used in the extraction of DNA from roses and in the amplification reaction. The PCR assay was capable of detecting as little as 2 pg of DNA from P. sparsa against a background of 4 ng of DNA from rose cane cortex. With this method, DNA of P. sparsa was detected in the cortex of stem and root tissues of symptomatic plants. Pathogen DNA also was detected in the cortex of crown tissues of asymptomatic mother plants used as a source of propagation materials. Epifluorescent and differential interference contrast microscopy were used to confirm the presence of abundant hyphae and oospores within the stem cortex of infected canes. Preplant treatments of dormant rootstock cuttings in fungicides or hot water were evaluated during natural outbreaks of the disease in commercial rose nurseries. In three trials conducted over 2 years, a 10-min preplant dip in the systemic fungicides metalaxyl or mefenoxam at rates of 100 to 10,000 mg a.i./liter reduced the area under the disease progress curve by 63 to 76% relative to nontreated plots. The evidence from PCR assays, microscopy, and fungicide trials all support the occurrence of perennating infections of P. sparsa within rose. A technique utilizing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to investigate the occurrence and location of Peronospora sparsain dormant, woody rose tissues. PCR primers were designed to amplify the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA of the pathogen. Inhibition of the reaction by plant compounds was minimized by optimizing the reagents used in the extraction of DNA from roses and in the amplification reaction. The PCR assay was capable of detecting as little as 2 pg of DNA from P. sparsa against a background of 4 ng of DNA from rose cane cortex. With this method, DNA of P. sparsa was detected in the cortex of stem and root tissues of symptomatic plants. Pathogen DNA also was detected in the cortex of crown tissues of asymptomatic mother plants used as a source of propagation materials. Epifluorescent and differential interference contrast microscopy were used to confirm the presence of abundant hyphae and oospores within the stem cortex of infected canes. Preplant treatments of dormant rootstock cuttings in fungicides or hot water were evaluated during natural outbreaks of the disease in commercial rose nurseries. In three trials conducted over 2 years, a 10-min preplant dip in the systemic fungicides metalaxyl or mefenoxam at rates of 100 to 10,000 mg a.i./liter reduced the area under the disease progress curve by 63 to 76% relative to nontreated plots. The evidence from PCR assays, microscopy, and fungicide trials all support the occurrence of perennating infections of P. sparsa within rose.
The effect of epitendinous suture technique on gliding resistance during cyclic motion after flexor tendon repair: a cadaveric study.

The effect of suture materials and suture design on the strength and gliding resistance of tendon core sutures has been well described.1–5 There is also information regarding the strength of peripheral sutures used to tidy the tendon repair. In the simple running epitendinous stitch, first described by Kleinert et al. in 1973, the sutures are added circumferentially in a simple over-and-over pattern around the repair site.6 The running–locking peripheral suture technique as introduced by Lin et al.7 in 1988 places the knot inside the repair. Lin et al. reported that this suture technique was 377% as strong as the traditional simple running suture, when both running stitches were used without a core stitch.7 In the cross-stitch suture technique, introduced by Silfverskiold and Andersson in 1993, a continuous strand encircles the repaired tendon in a crisscrossing pattern, with the knot outside the repair. They reported that the cross-stitch suture was 117% as strong as a conventional epitendinous suture when used in association with a modified Kessler repair.8 In the interlocking horizontal mattress (IHM) suture technique, introduced by Dona et al.9 in 2003, the suture strands are locked and run more longitudinally than in the cross-stitch, with the knot outside the repair. They reported that the IHM was 171% as strong as the conventional epitendinous repair and 126% as strong as the cross-stitch when not reinforced by a core stitch.9 In contrast, less is known about the effect of the running peripheral stitch on tendon gliding resistance, even though such stitches often provide the bulk of suture material on the tendon surface. This has potential clinical importance, because high-friction repairs are associated with greater adhesion formation.10 A high-friction repair can more than offset the advantage gained in strength, by increasing gliding resistance and causing abrasion of the tendon sheath.10 For example, the knots of commonly used epitendinous sutures are commonly placed outside the repair site, on the surface of the flexor tendon. If the knot is located inside the repair side, its friction would be lower.2,11,12 In addition, little is known about the effect of motion cycles on either gliding resistance or the strength of epitendinous sutures. Previous studies have measured the strength and stiffness of epitendinous suture immediately after repair, not after 1,000 cycles.7–9 The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of 5 different epitendinous suture designs on tendon gliding resistance and strength, using a human cadaver model of zone 2 repair, a standard modified Kessler core repair, and 1,000 cycles of tendon motion.
The white coat ceremony: a contemporary medical ritual

The white coat ceremony is a common practice at many American and European medical schools. Current justification for the ceremony is mainly based on the good will felt by participants and an assumed connection between the ceremony and encouraging humanistic values in medicine. Recent critiques of the ceremony faults its use of oaths, premature alignment of students and faculty, and the selective appropriation of meaning to the white coat itself. This paper responds to recent critiques by addressing their misconceptions and arguing that the white coat ceremony is a contemporary medical ritual with a key role for students and faculty in developing a professional identity. Since its inception in 1993, the white coat ceremony (WCC) has become a national and international phenomenon. It is now practised at the beginning of the year at more than 100 American medical schools and is supported by foundation grants dedicated to endorsing and encouraging professional development and humanism in medicine.1 While some literature addresses the symbolism and history of the white coat itself, few sources consider the meaning of the ceremony.2–4 A common appeal is to the emotion and good will felt at the event.1,5 Although feelings are important, a deeper justification is called for. Criticism of the WCC is more explicit, charging that the ceremony: (1) uses the Hippocratic Oath inappropriately or, at best, prematurely; (2) fosters improper student faculty relationships, and; (3) interprets the meaning of the white coat selectively.6,7 Critics suggest either that students not be asked to swear an oath together because it might conflict with personally held beliefs, or that students not be allowed to take the oath until they have demonstrated competence as physicians.6 Some also say that the WCC aligns students with faculty and against patients.6 The third …
Phase Variation of Poly-N-Acetylglucosamine Expression in Staphylococcus aureus

Polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), also known as poly-N-acetyl-β-(1–6)-glucosamine (PIA/PNAG) is an important component of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and also contributes to resistance to phagocytosis. The proteins IcaA, IcaD, IcaB, and IcaC are encoded within the intercellular adhesin (ica) operon and synthesize PIA/PNAG. We discovered a mechanism of phase variation in PIA/PNAG expression that appears to involve slipped-strand mispairing. The process is reversible and RecA-independent, and involves the expansion and contraction of a simple tetranucleotide tandem repeat within icaC. Inactivation of IcaC results in a PIA/PNAG-negative phenotype. A PIA/PNAG-hyperproducing strain gained a fitness advantage in vitro following the icaC mutation and loss of PIA/PNAG production. The mutation was also detected in two clinical isolates, suggesting that under certain conditions, loss of PIA/PNAG production may be advantageous during infection. There was also a survival advantage for an icaC-negative strain harboring intact icaADB genes relative to an isogenic icaADBC deletion mutant. Together, these results suggest that inactivation of icaC is a mode of phase variation for PIA/PNAG expression, that high-level production of PIA/PNAG carries a fitness cost, and that icaADB may contribute to bacterial fitness, by an unknown mechanism, in the absence of an intact icaC gene and PIA/PNAG production.
Water for Biomass-Based Energy on Maui, Hawaii

Biomass-based energy has characteristics that could help Maui Island meet multiple long-term goals, including decreasing reliance on oil for electricity and transportation fuels, increasing use of local resources that do not need to be shipped long distances, and diversifying the island economy beyond tourism by preserving agriculture. Biomass can be used for liquid fuel production and for electricity production. On Maui, sugarcane has been grown at plantation scale for over a century. Accordingly, sugarcane-derived ethanol and combustible sugarcane bagasse have long been of interest as energy sources for the island. State and county level focus on increasing renewable energy utilization on Maui have renewed study of potential crops and available land, with a special emphasis on sugarcane. However, there is some concern about the water requirements associated with biomass-based energy. A primary motivation for using local, renewable energy sources is that Maui is an island with limited resources, fresh water among them: thus, exploring ways to increase energy sustainability without compromising water availability is of interest to many. This work examines the water needs associated with growing sugarcane for ethanol and combustible biomass on Maui Island. Virtually all sugarcane on Maui is irrigated because soil and sunlight resources do not generally coincide with natural precipitation patterns. Growing sugarcane for energy represents a large water demand that is limiting under certain development scenarios on Maui, such as a scenario where environmental streamflows are highly prioritized. By comparing the irrigation demand of Maui’s currently grown sugarcane with published figures for ethanol yield from cane, this work finds that 700 to 1,500 gallons (gal) of irrigation water are needed per gallon of sugarcane-based ethanol (from fermentable sugars and fiber; 0.7 to 1.5 cubic meters, m3 , per liter, L). More water is needed for processing. However, combustible waste streams could provide additional energy return per unit of water. This paper discusses how water demand for sugarcane-based energy interacts with other island water demands, given that about 37,000 acres (150 km2 ) of sugarcane land are potentially available for bioenergy production. Though seawater cannot be successfully directly used for irrigation, sugarcane can tolerate some salinity and other contamination, so this paper also considers brackish water and treated wastewater — for which there is little other demand — as potential irrigation resources. Notably, the range of tolerable water quality expands significantly when sugarcane is not intended for human ingestion or when biomass yield, not sugar content, is targeted (as for cellulosic ethanol or combustible biomass production).Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Effect of dietary protein restriction on the progression of kidney disease: long-term follow-up of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study.

Background: The long-term effect of a low-protein diet on the progression of chronic kidney disease is unknown. We evaluated effects of protein restriction on kidney failure and all-cause mortality during extended follow-up of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study. Methods: Study A was a randomized controlled trial from 1989 to 1993 of 585 patients with predominantly nondiabetic kidney disease and a moderate decrease in glomerular filtration rate (25 to 55 mL/min/1.73 m2 [0.42 to 0.92 mL/s/1.73 m2]) assigned to a low- versus usual-protein diet (0.58 versus 1.3 g/kg/d). We used registries to ascertain the development of kidney failure (initiation of dialysis therapy or transplantation) or a composite of kidney failure and all-cause mortality through December 31, 2000. We used Cox regression models and intention-to-treat principles to compute hazard ratios for the low- versus usual-protein diet, adjusted for baseline glomerular filtration rate and other factors previously associated with the rate of decrease in glomerular filtration rate. We estimated hazard ratios for the entire follow-up period and then, in time-dependent analyses, separately for 2 consecutive 6-year periods of follow-up. Results: Kidney failure and the composite outcome occurred in 327 (56%) and 380 patients (65%), respectively. After adjustment for baseline factors, hazard ratios were 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71 to 1.12) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.71 to 1.08), respectively. Adjusted hazard ratios for both outcomes were lower during the first 6 years (0.68; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.93 and 0.66; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.87, respectively) than afterward (1.27; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.80 and 1.29; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.78; interaction P = 0.008 and 0.002, respectively). Limitations include lack of data for dietary intake and clinical conditions after conclusion of the trial. Conclusion: The efficacy of a 2- to 3-year intervention of dietary protein restriction on progression of nondiabetic kidney disease remains inconclusive. Future studies should include a longer duration of intervention and follow-up.
Effect of Transient Boundary Conditions and Detailed Thermal Modeling of Data Center Rooms

With the ever increasing heat loads dissipated by computer hardware, the ability to accurately characterize the cooling requirements in data centers is becoming crucial. Computational fluid dynamics modeling has proven in many cases to be adequate in providing a general understanding of the thermal environment in data centers. However, almost all analyses of data centers to this day are conducted in steady state. The effect of changes in hardware configurations and cooling resources on server rack inlet temperatures and airflow through servers has not been adequately investigated. This paper introduces transient modeling of data centers with changing power dissipations and computer room air-conditioning (CRAC) airflow rates. Transient modeling proves advantageous in monitoring temperature fluctuations due to airflow changes, which in some cases leads to insufficient cooling. In addition, modeling server thermal mass is shown to be important for transient analysis, as it can lead to overshoots in temperatures. Another segment of this paper looks at the effect of introducing thermal characteristics curves into CRAC modeling on server inlet temperature. All the cases presented show that fixed CRAC supply temperature is a non-valid assumption.
Improving Cancer Care Through Public Reporting Of Meaningful Quality Measures

Historically, quality measures for cancer have followed a different route than overall quality measures in the health care system. Many specialized cancer treatment centers were exempt from standard reporting on quality measures because of the complexity of cancer. Additionally, it has been difficult to create meaningful quality measures for cancer because the disease can strike so many different organs; is discovered at and progresses through different stages; and is treated using different modalities, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Over the past decade the National Quality Forum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the quality of US health care, has endorsed measures of quality for cancer providers and patients. The Affordable Care Act of 2010, which has sections specific to cancer reporting, will also further the development and public reporting of cancer quality measures—important steps in improving the delivery of cancer care.
An evaluation of self-esteem and impression management theories of anticipatory belief change

Abstract The predictions of self-esteem and impression management theories of anticipatory belief change were examined as a function of whether or not subjects were reminded that their preexperimental attitudes has been assessed, the source of the expected persuasive communication (expert vs. peer), and whether or not explicit instructions were given regarding the experimenter's concern with opinion change. Anticipatory shifts changed as a function of an interaction of all three variables. In the Reminder conditions, subjects changed their attitudes toward a peer's position when the experimenter explicitly referred to opinion change. In the No Reminder conditions, subjects shifted toward an expert when the instructions were explicit and toward a peer when the instructions were implicit. The results were discussed as qualifying previous research in this area and as problematic for both self-esteem and impression management approaches to anticipatory shifts.
New Insights on the Electronic and Molecular Structure of Cyanide-Ligated Iron(III) Porphyrinates

The preparation and characterization of several new cyano-ligated six-coordinate low-spin iron(III) porphyrinates are reported. The synthesis and structure of the new bis(cyanide) derivative K(222)][Fe(TMP)(CN)2] (TMP = tetramesitylporphyrinate) is described. Three mixed-ligand species of the general form [Fe(Porph)(CN)(L)], where L = 1-methylimidazole or pyridine, have also been prepared and structurally characterized. All complexes have been studied with EPR spectroscopy in frozen solution and in microcrystalline form. In some cases, especially those of the bis(cyanide) derivative above and the previously reported [Fe(TPP)(CN)2](-), there are significant differences in the EPR spectra as a result of the state change. These spectral differences can be correlated with changes in the electron configuration that are the likely result of a differing environment of the coordinated cyanide ligands; the core conformation and electronic structure of the porphyrin ligand are unlikely to play a role. All four new complexes and [Fe(TPP)(CN)2](-) have been studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy with variable-temperature and applied magnetic-field measurements. The sign of the quadrupole splitting value has been established as negative. These measurements have allowed us to give estimates of the energy difference between the two close-lying dpi (dxz and dyz) orbitals. These splitting values range from approximately 267 cm-1 for [Fe(TPP)(CN)2](-) to approximately 614 cm(-1) for [Fe(TPP)(CN)(Py)].
Supporting the restructuring of data abstractions through manipulation of a program visualization

With a meaning-preserving restructuring tool, a software engineer can change a program's structure to ease future modifications. However, deciding how to restructure the program requires a global understanding of the program's structure, which cannot be derived easily by directly inspecting the source code. We describe a manipulable program visualization—the star diagram—that supports the restructuring task of encapsulating a global data structure. The star diagram graphically displays information pertinent to encapsulation, and direct manipulation of the diagram causes the underlying program to be restructured. The visualization compactly presents all statements in the program that use the given global data structure, helping the programmer to choose the functions that completely encapsulate it. Additionally, the visualization elides code unrelated to the data structure and to the task and collapses similar expressions to help the programmer identify frequently occurring code fragments and manipulate them together. The visualization is mapped directly to the program text, so manipulation of the visualization also restructures the program. We present the star diagram concept and describe an implementation of the star diagram built upon a meaning-preserving restructuring tool for Scheme. We also describe our creation of star diagram generators for C programs, and we test the scalability of the star diagram using large C and MUMPS programs.
Exploring Our Ecological Selves within Learning Organizations.

Purpose – The paper's aim is to explore the connection between individual worldviews, called ecological selves, and organizational change, which allows people to create the conditions to confront the global environmental challenges they face as a species.Design/methodology/approach – The essay is a conceptual one, with reference to a small qualitative interview study conducted to explore the idea of ecological selves with organizational leaders.Findings – The findings reveal the existence of several different ecological selves in organizational life; they also suggest fruitful avenues for further research and ongoing practice. The eight ecological selves are the Eco‐Guardian, the Eco‐Warrior, the Eco‐Manager, the Eco‐Strategist, the Eco‐Radical, the Eco‐Holist, the Eco‐Integralist, and the Eco‐Sage. This framework, which is derived from developmental stage theory, is a useful tool for understanding how individual actions are shaped by people's identities and values.Research limitations/implications – The ...
IP TV Bandwidth Demand: Multicast and Channel Surfing

IP networks may soon become a delivery mechanism for broadcast television content. Multicast can reduce the steady state bandwidth demand on network links from one stream per viewer to one stream per watched program. However, channel surfing at commercial breaks can periodically increase the bandwidth demand. In the channel change mechanism we study, surfers leave multicast groups and receive unicast streams at higher than usual bandwidth. This paper builds a mathematical model to determine the net bandwidth demand of multicast and surfing during commercial breaks. In one example, we find that the peak demand during a commercial break is twice the steady state multicast demand.
Transitional cell carcinoma presenting as clitoral priapism.

Abstract Background . Clitoral priapism is an uncommon cause of clitoromegaly. It should be suspected in the absence of hirsuitism and the presence of clitoral engorgement, pain, and local irritation. Case . A 48-year-old female had a straight catheterization of her bladder for a history of frequent urinary tract infections. She was noted to have a clitoral size of 5 × 2.5 cm along with the classic findings of priapism. She had an 8 × 10 cm pelvic mass that was biopsied and revealed transitional cell carcinoma with papillary squamous component. Conclusion . Clitoral priapism presents with clitoral engorgement in the absence of sexual stimulation. The most common etiologies include medications, pelvic tumors, blood dyscrasias, or retroperitoneal fibrosis. A thorough investigation is warranted to identify potential pelvic venous or lymphatic obstruction.
A temporal change in coda wave attenuation observed during an eruption of Mount St. Helens

During the past few years there have been numerous reports of changes in coda wave attenuation occurring before major earthquakes. These observations are important because they may provide insight into stress-related structural changes taking place in the focal region prior to the occurrence of large earthquakes. The results of these studies led us to suspect that temporal changes in coda wave attenuation might also accompany volcanic eruptions. By measuring power decay envelopes for earthquakes at Mount St. Helens recorded before, during, and after an eruption that took place during September 3--6, 1981, we found that coda Q/sup -1/ for frequencies between 6 and 30 Hz was 20--30% higher before the eruption than after. The change is attributed to an increase in the density of open microcracks in the rock associated with inflation of the volcano prior to the eruption. Q/sup -1/ was found to be only weakly dependent on frequency and displayed a slight peak near 10 Hz. The weak frequency dependence is attributed to the dominance of intrinsic attenuation over scattering attenuation, since it is generally accepted that intrinsic attenuation is constant with frequency, whereas scattering attenuation decreases strongly at higher frequencies. The weak frequency dependence of Q/sup -1/more » at Mount St. Helens contrasts with results reported for studies in nonvolcanic regions. The peak in Q/sup -1/ near 10 Hz at Mount St. Helens is attributed to the scale length of heterogeneity responsible for generating backscattered waves. Results for nonvolcanic regions have shown this peak to occur near 0.5 Hz. Thus a smaller scale length of heterogeneity is required to explain the 10-Hz peak at Mount St. Helens. copyright American Geophysical Union 1988« less
Modeling of ${\rm V}^{2}$ Current-Mode Control

Recently, V2 constant on-time control has been widely used to improve light-load efficiency. In the V2 implementation, the nonlinear PWM modulator is much more complicated than usual, since not only is the inductor current information fed back to the modulator but also the capacitor voltage ripple information. Generally speaking, there is no subharmonic oscillation in constant on-time control. However, the delay due to the capacitor ripple results in subharmonic oscillation in V2 constant on-time control. So far, there has been no accurate model to predict the instability issue due to the capacitor ripple. This paper presents a new modeling approach for the V2 constant on-time control. The power stage, the switches, and the PWM modulator are treated as a single entity and modeled based on the describing function method. The model for the V2 constant on-time control achieved by the new approach can accurately predict subharmonic oscillations. Two solutions are discussed to solve the instability issue. The extension of the model to other types of V2 current-mode control and multiphase application is also shown in this paper. Simulation and experimental results verify the proposed model.
Broadband Microstrip-Coplanar Stripline-Fed Circularly Polarized Spiral Antenna

A wideband microstrip-coplanar stripline-fed circularly polarized spiral antenna is presented. An electromagnetic coupled wideband balun from microstrip line to coplanar stripline is developed to feed the spiral antenna. The antenna shows a measured return loss of better than 10 dB from 6.85 GHz to 11.9 GHz. The axial ratio is smaller than 3 dB from 7 to 11.5 GHz.
Multiple Upstream Signals Converge on the Adaptor Protein Mst50 in Magnaporthe grisea

Rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) forms a highly specialized infection structure for plant penetration, the appressorium, the formation and growth of which are regulated by the Mst11-Mst7-Pmk1 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade. We characterized the MST50 gene that directly interacts with both MST11 and MST7. Similar to the mst11 mutant, the mst50 mutant was defective in appressorium formation, sensitive to osmotic stresses, and nonpathogenic. Expressing a dominant active MST7 allele in mst50 complemented its defects in appressorium but not lesion formation. The sterile α-motif (SAM) domain of Mst50 was essential for its interaction with Mst11 and for appressorium formation. Although the SAM and Ras-association domain (RAD) of Mst50 were dispensable for its interaction with Mst7, deletion of RAD reduced appressorium formation and virulence on rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings. The interaction between Mst50 and Mst7 or Mst11 was detected by coimmunoprecipitation assays in developing appressoria. Mst50 also interacts with Ras1, Ras2, Cdc42, and Mgb1 in yeast two-hybrid assays. Expressing a dominant active RAS2 allele in the wild-type strain but not in mst50 stimulated abnormal appressorium formation. These results indicate that MST50 functions as an adaptor protein interacting with multiple upstream components and plays critical roles in activating the Pmk1 cascade for appressorium formation and plant infection in M. grisea.
Comparison of computed tomography scout based reference point localization to conventional film and axial computed tomography.

Abstract Identification of source positions after implantation is an important step in brachytherapy planning. Reconstruction is traditionally performed from films taken by conventional simulators, but these are gradually being replaced in the clinic by computed tomography (CT) simulators. The present study explored the use of a scout image–based reconstruction algorithm that replaces the use of traditional film, while exhibiting low sensitivity to metal-induced artifacts that can appear in 3D CT methods. In addition, the accuracy of an in-house graphical software implementation of scout-based reconstruction was compared with seed location reconstructions for 2 phantoms by conventional simulator and CT measurements. One phantom was constructed using a planar fixed grid of 1.5-mm diameter ball bearings (BBs) with 40-mm spacing. The second was a Fletcher-Suit applicator embedded in Styrofoam (Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI) with one 3.2-mm-diameter BB inserted into each of 6 surrounding holes. Conventional simulator, kilovoltage CT (kVCT), megavoltage CT, and scout-based methods were evaluated by their ability to calculate the distance between seeds (40 mm for the fixed grid, 30–120 mm in Fletcher-Suit). All methods were able to reconstruct the fixed grid distances with an average deviation of
Bayesian Approach to Network Modularity

We present an efficient, principled, and interpretable technique for inferring module assignments and for identifying the optimal number of modules in a given network. We show how several existing methods for finding modules can be described as variant, special, or limiting cases of our work, and how the method overcomes the resolution limit problem, accurately recovering the true number of modules. Our approach is based on Bayesian methods for model selection which have been used with success for almost a century, implemented using a variational technique developed only in the past decade. We apply the technique to synthetic and real networks and outline how the method naturally allows selection among competing models.
Negative information and line observations for Monte Carlo localization

Localization is a very important problem in robotics and is critical to many tasks performed on a mobile robot. In order to localize well in environments with few landmarks, a robot must make full use of all the information provided to it. This paper moves towards this goal by studying the effects of incorporating line observations and negative information into the localization algorithm. We extend the general Monte Carlo localization algorithm to utilize observations of lines such as carpet edges. We also make use of the information available when the robot expects to see a landmark but does not, by incorporating negative information into the algorithm. We compare our implementations of these ideas to previous similar approaches and demonstrate the effectiveness of these improvements through localization experiments performed both on a Sony AIBO ERS-7 robot and in simulation.
SPOTTED DOLPHIN EVASIVE RESPONSE IN RELATION TO FISHING EFFORT

Spotted dolphins in the eastern Pacific Ocean associate with yellowfin tuna. During the chase and encirclement phases of purse-seining for tunas, dolphin attempt to evade encirclement with the purse-seine net. We used data on evasive behavior (1982-2001) and numbers of purse-seine sets (1959-2001) to study the relationship between evasion and fishing effort. Results show that in nearshore areas first exploited by the fishery in the early 1960s, dolphins exhibited high evasion, but with a limited correlation between evasion and cumulative effort. In areas farther offshore next exploited in the mid- to late-1960s, dolphins showed high evasion and a significant correlation between evasion and cumulative effort. Dolphins in far-western and southern areas, first exploited in the late 1960s to early 1970s, exhibited low evasion, with little relationship to cumulative effort. We hypothesize that this spatial pattern is the result of two types of pressure from fishing: early effort in nearshore areas with a high risk of mortality that generated a lasting evasive response, followed by a longer period of even greater effort but with lower risk of mortality that generated evasion by longer-term learning.