cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal-aware clustered microarchitectures

As frequencies and feature size scale faster than operating voltages, power density is increasing in each processor generation. Power density and the cost of removing the heat it generates are increasing at the same rate. Leakage is significantly increasing every process generation and it is expected to be the main source of power in the near future. Moreover, leakage power grows exponentially with temperature. This paper proposes and evaluates several techniques with two goals: reduction of average temperature in order to decrease leakage power, and reduction of peak temperature in order to reduce cooling cost. Combinations of temperature-aware steering techniques and cluster hopping are investigated in a quad-cluster superscalar microarchitecture. Combining cluster hopping with a temperature-aware steering policy results in 30% reduction in leakage power and 8% reduction in average peak temperature at the expense of a slowdown of just 5%.
TOWARDS GREEN SERVICE-ORIENTED COMPUTING

With the wide popularity of distributed and cloud computing a new major concern arise with respect to how green such technologies are. This paper is concerned with providing services over the cloud that are energy-aware. To achieve this goal this paper presents a novel extended service oriented architecture and a novel formal service model. The architecture and the service model extend traditional service oriented architectures to be support context information and mainly location information.
Comparison of Mesocorticolimbic Neuronal Responses During Cocaine and Heroin Self-Administration in Freely Moving Rats

To compare neuronal activity within the mesocorticolimbic circuit during the self-administration of cocaine and heroin, multiple-channel single-unit recordings of spike activity within the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) were obtained during the consecutive self-administration of cocaine and heroin within the same session. The variety of neuronal responses observed before the lever press are termed anticipatory responses, and those observed after the lever press are called post-drug infusion responses. For the total of the 110 mPFC and 111 NAc neurons recorded, 30-50% of neurons, depending on the individual sessions, had no alteration in spike activity in relation to either cocaine or heroin self-administration. Among the neurons exhibiting significant neuronal responses during a self-administration session, only a small portion (16-25%) of neurons responded similarly under both reinforcement conditions; the majority of neurons (75-84%) responded differently to cocaine and heroin self-administration as revealed by variations in both anticipatory and/or post-drug infusion responses. A detailed video analysis of specific movements to obtain the self-administration of both drugs provided evidence against the possibility that locomotive differences contributed to the observed differences in anticipatory responses. The overall mean activity of neurons recorded in mPFC and NAc measured across the duration of the session segment for either cocaine or heroin self-administration also was different for some neurons under the two reinforcement conditions. This study provides direct evidence that, in mPFC and NAc, heterogeneous neuronal circuits mediate cocaine and heroin self-administration and that distinct, but overlapping, subpopulations of neurons in these areas become active during operant responding for different reinforcers.
Cardiac Enzyme Availability and Hospital Length of Stay

In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , Wu and Clive report an association between hospital length of stay (LOS) and the potential availability of CK-MB results (i.e., anticipated turnaround times, given the institutional approach to measurement) at acute-care hospitals in Massachusetts (1). They report a 0.7-day reduction in mean hospital LOS for those patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and complication(s) who were managed at hospitals performing CK-MB tests more than once or twice per day. They comment that if this reduction in LOS is real, the small increase in institutional cost to provide more-rapid enzyme results would be more than offset by savings related to the shorter hospital LOS. To put this study into context, one must address several issues: What methodological issues might bias these study results? How are LOS values shortened by the more rapid turnaround times for cardiac enzymes? And why weren’t shorter LOSs seen in other DRG categories? What methodological issues might bias this study ? This retrospective observational study design used a claims-based database. Such a billing database may insufficiently permit patient risk stratification for hospital LOS. For example, from such a database alone, we know nothing of patients’ socioeconomic status and little about their underlying health status. Both factors may significantly affect clinical disposition decisions. Further, the analysis performed did not address the impact of other factors such as infarct location or procedural interventions (e.g., angioplasty or thrombolysis) on hospital LOS. There also is significant potential for selection bias …
On the Protein Nature of Prolactin and of Follicle-Stimulating Hormones

SummaryProlactin is a protein-like substance which at pH 8.0 is almost completely destroyed by trypsin in 2 hours at 37°C. In confirmation of previous work though using the bird testis instead of the rodent ovary to test potency, it is found that the follicle-stimulating hormone obtained from the anterior pituitaries of cattle is very rapidly destroyed by trypsin under the above-named conditions.The methods used in the separation and purification of prolactin suggest that this hormone is a protein, but since it has not yet been obtained in a pure state the possibility of its adsorption on inert protein is not thus excluded. It is therefore desirable to learn whether prolactin is affected by tryptic digestion.That prolactin is rapidly destroyed by trypsin is shown by the data of Table I. Almost complete destruction in 2 hours by a purified trypsin is obtained. The prolactin preparation used in this test was relatively pure and highly potent. Both the control and digest were, at the beginning of the test, a...
Hierarchical planner for space truss assembly

A hierarchical planning paradigm for space truss assemblies is proposed which generates sequences of assembly operations and is suitable for human, teleoperator, and autonomous robotic implementation. Subgoals satisfying geometric (accessibility) and structural (rigidity) constraints are developed using a hierarchical state representation, and special cost functions are used to conduct a search for locally optimal sequences. Results of two case studies involving assemblies with up to 31 nodes and 102 struts are presented.
Discriminating between Attitudes Expressed by Normal and Disabled Readers.

The Survey of Reading Attitudes was administered to 84 normal and 116 disabled readers from the intermediate grades, and a discriminate function analysis was performed on their scores for the eight dimensions of reading attitudes measured by the Survey. The findings indicate that Expressed Reading Difficulty, Reading as Enjoyment, and Reading Group are the three variables that discriminate between these two groups. In comparison with normal readers, disabled readers are more likely to feel negatively about their reading group, less likely to see themselves as pursuing reading for its intrinsic value, and more likely to perceive of themselves as having difficulty with reading. However, the extent to which these findings can be generalized beyond the present sample of white Appalachian students must be established through future research.
Expression of a glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene specific to mouse spermatogenic cells

A cDNA clone encoding a putative glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD-S) protein specific to spermatogenic cells was isolated from a mouse spermatogenic cell expression library. The Gapd-s cDNA contained 1451 bp of transcribed sequence, including an ATG initiation codon and a poly(A) addition signal. The location of the Gapd-s initiation codon differed from that of other Gapd sequences, resulting in a germ cell GAPD-S protein predicted to contain 105 additional residues at the amino terminus. While GAPD is constitutively expressed in somatic tissues, Northern blot analysis demonstrated that a Gapd-s probe hybridized to a 1.5-kb transcript present only in the testis. The Gapd-s mRNA was first detected during postnatal development in the testes of 20-day-old mice, suggesting that gene expression begins shortly after the appearance of haploid round spermatids. Northern analysis of RNA from isolated mouse pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids confirmed that Gapd-s expression is confined to post-meiotic germ cells. GAPD has been previously proposed to be the key enzyme regulating glycolysis in isolated round spermatids. We hypothesize that the GAPD-S enzyme plays an important role in regulating the switch between different pathways for energy production during spermiogenesis and in the spermatozoon.
On centers of alternative algebras

Shestakov showed that in an arbitrary alternative ring of characteristic ≠ 2, the fourth power of every associator Is in the commutative center. He raised the question whether this might bp so for the square of every associator. The answer to this question is no, Which is demonsuapared by an exumple of an altor-native algobre of dimension 107.
Special Cases of Orthogonal Networks - Tree and Link

The work reported directly builds upon the material in a previous paper by this author on the basic theory of electric networks [1]. It considers special open and closed paths that are often sufficient for the analysis of a problem. The special cases considered are those that follow from tree and cotree concepts. This paper applies the concepts of tree and cotree to the open-path and closed-path theory of electric networks. Several structures of electric network laws are generated and are enclosed in the paper. Applications of the theory will follow.
INCREASED URINARY HYALURONIC ACID AND INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS

AbstractPurpose: We compared urinary levels of hyaluronic acid in patients who met the National Institute for Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria for interstitial cystitis and in age matched healthy female controls.Materials and Methods: Urinary hyaluronic acid was measured by solid phase radiometric assay using hyaluronic acid binding protein. Hyaluronic acid and symptom scores were compared in interstitial cystitis patients who gave multiple urine samples during treatment. Since hyaluronic acid changed with treatment in some patients, 17 samples from untreated interstitial cystitis patients were selected and compared with 17 control samples.Results: Mean plus or minus standard deviation urinary hyaluronic acid concentrations were similar in the 2 groups (interstitial cystitis group 574 ± 496, controls 512 ± 324 ng./ml., p = 0.77). When normalized to creatinine urinary hyaluronic acid was significantly higher in interstitial cystitis patients (interstitial cystitis group 674 ± 220, contr...
Future Reactor Neutrino Experiments (RRNOLD) 1

Abstract The prospects for future reactor neutrino experiments that would use tens of kilotons of liquid scintillator with a ∼ 50 km baseline are discussed. These experiments are generically dubbed “RRNOLD” for Radical Reactor Neutrino Oscillation Liquid scintillator Detector experiment. Such experiments are designed to resolve the neutrino mass hierarchy and make sub-percent measurements sin2θ12, Δm232 and Δm122 . RRNOLD would also be sensitive to neutrinos from other sources and have notable sensitivity to proton decay.
The protonation mechanism of metallocenes and [1.1]metallocenophanes

Abstract A study of the protonation and deuteration of [1.1]metallocenophanes has revealed several details of the mechanism of metallocene protonation. In [1.1]ferrocenophane, protonation at both metallocenes is immediately followed by elimination of dihydrogen. The resulting bis-ferrocenium ion is substitutionally inert and no longer takes part in protonation or deuteration. This convenient circumstance permits us to analyze the protonation mechanism in greater detail than monomeric ferrocenes would allow. The reaction of [1.1]ferrocenophanes with deuterated acids leads to partially or completely deuterated rings, depending on their structure and the reaction conditions. The experimental results on ferrocene-containing systems are not compatible with a reaction path in which the incoming electrophile binds first to the iron and then transfers to the ring. Substitution must rather occur by exo -attack on the ring, followed by transfer of the proton to the metal and back to either one of the rings. For protonated ferrocene, a rapid equilibrium between ring- and metal-protonated species exists; deuterated acids lead to rapid and complete H/D exchange. In contrast to the protonation of ferrocene, the protonation of ruthenocene occurs at the metal only, without any participation of the Cp rings. Consequently, ruthenocene reacts with deuterated acids without H/D exchange. Studies on [1.1]ferroceno-ruthenocenophane demonstrate the differences in the protonation of these two metallocenes.
Oxygen chemisorption compressor study for cryogenic Joule-Thomson refrigeration

Over 20 potentially reversible heat-powered oxide reactions have been studied and/or tested to determine potential use as thermochemical oxygen compressors for cryogenic Joule-Thomson (J-T) LO2 refrigerators. One gas-solid compound family, Pr,_RCenOJt., proved to be completely reversible with fast kinetics for all pressure ranges tested below 650°C. With a heat-powered charcoal/methane physical adsorption upper stage and a Pr1_ltCenOjr chemisorption lower stage, temperatures should be attainable in the 55-80 K range for less power and over five times less weight than for charcoal/nitrogen sorption refrigeration systems. Total system power requirements with a hydride chemisorption lower stage (10-7K minimum) are about three times less than any mechanical refrigerator, and spacecraft refrigeration weights are about 20 times less. Due to the lack of wear-related moving parts in sorption refrigerators, life expectancy is at least 10 years, and there is essentially no vibration.
Free software developers as an occupational community: resolving conflicts and fostering collaboration

In this paper, we present results from the study of a free software development virtual organization, the GNU Enterprise (GNUe) project, and how they develop software in a globally distributed free software development project. In particular, examples of how they mitigate and resolve conflict are presented. Conflict arises over the use of a non-free tool to create GNUe graphic, and over the use of a non-free tool for GNUe documentation. The GNUe developers resolve the conflict using internet relay chat (IRC), threaded email discussions, and community digests. We characterize the GNUe developers as an occupational subculture within the occupational community of free/open source software (F/OSS) developers and show how the beliefs in free software and freedom of choice, and values in cooperative work and community assist GNUe contributors in mitigating and resolving conflict. In addition, we show how, despite fluctuating boundaries of membership in a virtual organization, daily discussions on the GNUe IRC serve to build and perpetuate the global community of GNUe contributors as well as F/OSS developers in general.
The Mode Filter: A Nonlinear Image Processing Operator

The estimation of the low spatial frequency background signals in astronomical digital imagery is a fundamental problem of all the photometric techniques used with such imagery. This problem is particularly acute when numerous foreground sources (stars, galaxies, etc.) are present, because the statistical distribution of background pixel values is skewed. All linear lowpass filters (e.g., the running mean) produce biased estimates in this situation, and the result is biased photometry of the foreground sources, which can produce subtle errors in luminosity functions and other results derived from the photometry (e.g., the apparent number of faint sources may be inversely related to the number of bright sources). These problems can be mostly avoided in many situations by estimating the mode of the skewed distribution rather than the mean. This paper describes a lowpass-filter program which computes an estimate of the mode of the image values in a region around each pixel of an image.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
DDT resistance in Culex tarsalis Coquillett: cross resistance to related compounds and metabolic fate of a C14-labeled DDT analog.

Larvae of a highly DDT-resistant strain of the mosquito Culex tarsalis Coquillett were resistant also to dehydrochlorinatible analogs of DDT and to nondehydrochlorinatible analogs such as Prolan® (1,1-bis( p -chlorophenyl)-2-nitropropane) and to o -chloro DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl) ethane. Combinations of DDT and synergists known to block dehydrochlorination failed to overcome resistance. Certain analogs of DDT in which the hydrogen atom on carbon no. 2 was replaced by less easily oxidized groups largely overcame resistance, that is, were about equally toxic to larvae of susceptible and resistant strains. Experiments with a C14-labeled sample of TDE indicated that both susceptible and resistant larvae detoxified the insecticide by dehydrochlorinative and oxidative routes. The results suggest that resistance to DDT and related compounds in C. tarsalis involves a mechanism other than dehydrochlorination. The precise nature of an alternative mechanism was not demonstrated and the nature of the resistance factor must be considered unknown.
Respite Care for Families of Special Needs Children: A Systematic Review

Over the past two decades, there have been numerous technological advances, which have led to a greater survival rate among children with disabilities and complex health care needs. This has placed wide-ranging and sometimes overwhelming emotional, social, and financial stressors on the family. Ineffective support can affect the wellbeing of all family members, consequently requiring services needed to meet both their child’s and their own support needs. Provision of respite is one such service, which allows therapeutic opportunities, quality time, independence, and the living of life for all family members. A synthesis of findings from the research indicate that respite care can be an appropriate and effective intervention to decrease stress and should be used as an appropriate coping strategy for parents of children with disabilities.
Signaling in TRPV1-induced platelet activating factor (PAF) in human esophageal epithelial cells.

Transient receptor potential channel, vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1) receptors were identified in human esophageal squamous epithelial cell line HET-1A by RT-PCR and by Western blot. In fura-2 AM-loaded cells, the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin caused a fourfold cytosolic calcium increase, supporting a role of TRPV1 as a capsaicin-activated cation channel. Capsaicin increased production of platelet activating factor (PAF), an important inflammatory mediator that acts as a chemoattractant and activator of immune cells. The increase was reduced by the p38 MAP kinase (p38) inhibitor SB203580, by the cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) inhibitor AACOCF3, and by the lyso-PAF acetyltransferase inhibitor sanguinarin, indicating that capsaicin-induced PAF production may be mediated by activation of cPLA2, p38, and lyso-PAF acetyltransferase. To establish a sequential signaling pathway, we examined the phosphorylation of p38 and cPLA2 by Western blot. Capsaicin induced phosphorylation of p38 and cPLA2. Capsaicin-induced p38 phosphorylation was not affected by AACOCF3. Conversely, capsaicin-induced cPLA2 phosphorylation was blocked by SB203580, indicating that capsaicin-induced PAF production depends on sequential activation of p38 and cPLA2. To investigate how p38 phosphorylation may result from TRPV1-mediated calcium influx, we examined a possible role of calmodulin kinase (CaM-K). p38 phosphorylation was stimulated by the calcium ionophore A23187 and by capsaicin, and the response to both agonists was reduced by a CaM inhibitor and by CaM-KII inhibitors, indicating that calcium induced activation of CaM and CaM-KII results in P38 phosphorylation. Acetyl-CoA transferase activity increased in response to capsaicin and was inhibited by SB203580, indicating that p38 phosphorylation in turn causes activation of acetyl-CoA transferase to produce PAF. Thus epithelial cells produce PAF in response to TRPV1-mediated calcium elevation.
Cognitive mediational deficits and the role of coping styles in pedophile and ephebophile Roman Catholic clergy

This study was designed to examine hypothesized differences between sex offending and nonoffending Roman Catholic clergy on cognitive mediation abilities as measured by the Rorschach Inkblot Test (H. Rorschach, 1921/1942). This study compared 78 priest pedophiles and 77 priest ephebophiles with 80 nonoffending priest controls on the Inkblot test using J. E. Exner's (2003) Comprehensive System. The three groups were compared on seven variables that constitute Exner's Cognitive Mediation cluster. Additionally, the groups' coping styles were compared to examine the interaction of coping style and cognitive mediational abilities. We found interactions between coping style and offending status across most of the cognitive variables indicating impairment in the mild to pathological ranges. Moreover, significantly higher unusual thinking styles (Xu%) and significantly lower conventional thinking styles (X+%) in offenders compared to nonoffenders. Those with an Extratensive style (n=31) showed significantly higher distorted thinking when compared to the Introversive (n=81), Ambitent (n=73), and Avoidant (n=50) coping styles. This study suggests that offenders display significantly higher distorted thinking styles than do nonoffenders. Possible reasons for these discrepancies and the role of coping styles in abusive behaviors were discussed.
Converse Red-Shift Argument

If there is a sufficiently uniform red shift operating on light signals traveling in either direction between $A$ and $B$, then the round-trip distance, defined as the time it takes for a light signal to go from $A$ to $B$ and back, increases with the time measured by $A$.
Infrared reflectance in choroidal melanoma and its correlation with fundus autofluorescence

Purpose We have previously shown that fundus autofluorescence (FAF) improves visualization of lipofuscin (orange pigment) and subretinal fluid in pigmented choroidal melanomas in comparison with conventional fundus photography. The purpose of this study is to describe infrared reflectance (IRR) imaging findings in choroidal melanomas and compare them with those obtained by FAF imaging. Methods Retrospective chart review of 7 consecutive patients with choroidal melanoma who underwent FAF and IRR photography. The correlation between IRR and FAF patterns and foci of orange pigment, hyperpigmentation, lipid exudates, fibrous metaplasia and subretinal fluid, was evaluated. Results Orange pigment is hyperreflective in IRR imaging. IRR imaging highlights the presence of condensed clumps of orange pigment, presenting a good correlation with FAF imaging, but hardly detects diffuse fine lipofuscin. Hyperpigmentation is isoreflective with the normal fundus, showing low correlation with FAF, where they appear mainly hypofluorescent. Lipid exudates are hyperreflective in IRR imaging and difficult to distinguish from the orange pigment, creating a “confusion factor”. Fibrous metaplasia is mainly hyperreflective while it is hypofluorescent in FAF imaging. Subretinal fluid is hardly visible in IRR imaging, while FAF imaging highlights its presence. The top of dome-shaped surfaces in the fundus is usually hyperreflective, creating a “noise factor” that doesn´t exist in FAF imaging. Conclusion IRR imaging improves visualization of lipofuscin in choroidal melanomas in comparison with conventional fundus photography, but is inferior to FAF imaging.
MCML—Monte Carlo modeling of light transport in multi-layered tissues

A Monte Carlo model of steady-state light transport in multi-layered tissues (MCML) has been coded in ANSI Standard C; therefore, the program can be used on various computers. Dynamic data allocation is used for MCML, hence the number of tissue layers and grid elements of the grid system can be varied by users at run time. The coordinates of the simulated data for each grid element in the radial and angular directions are optimized. Some of the MCML computational results have been verified with those of other theories or other investigators. The program, including the source code, has been in the public domain since 1992.
Diurnal characteristics of surface level O3 and other important trace gases in New England

[1] Data obtained from spring 2001 to summer 2003 in New England by the Atmospheric Investigation, Regional Modeling, Analysis and Prediction (AIRMAP) program were used to document the diurnal characteristics of O3, CO2, NO, and during selected intervals hydrocarbon and oxygenated species. The diurnal cycles of O3 and oxygenated species showed a monotonic rise in mixing ratio following sunrise (replenishment) that was mirrored by nighttime removal (depletion) under the nocturnal inversion. The median depletion rate of O3 was 4.9 ppbv h−1 compared to a replenishment rate of 6.2 ppbv h−1. The significant and rapid loss of O3 at night combined with an anthropogenic hydrocarbon signature dominated by a vehicular source led us to the hypothesis that nocturnal O3 depletion represented the combined effects of dry deposition and titration by NO released from mobile sources. Nighttime removal of O3 averaged 31 ppbv (median of 27 ppbv), with ∼11 ppbv due to dry deposition and ∼20 ppbv loss by titration with NO and NO2. The seasonally averaged diurnal cycles of O3 and NO were very similar from year to year, indicating that although there was large variability in the daily levels of these species, their sources/sinks were quite consistent. Moreover, CO2 and selected hydrocarbons exhibited a diurnal cycle opposite to that of O3, with the highest mixing ratios occurring at night. The diurnal cycles of oxygenated compounds such as methanol, acetaldehyde, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone + propanal, methyl vinyl ketone + methacrolein were investigated for a 2 day time period in July 2003. Our data are among the first to illustrate the diurnal cycle of these compounds. We used these species to demonstrate the importance of vertical mixing in driving the diurnal cycle of ground level O3 in New England. Day/night ratios ranged from 2.3 for acetone + propanal to 11 for methyl vinyl ketone + methacrolein. Deposition velocities of 0.5–1 m s−1 were estimated for these species, which are significantly higher than values used in many models. Such efficient removal may have important implications for the chemical impact of these species, at least on a regional scale.
Substrate and metal ion binding to carbamate kinase: NMR and EPR studies.

Abstract Metal ion and substrate binding to carbamate kinase from Streptococcus faecalis was studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance using Mn2+ as the paramagnetic probe. The enzyme binds Mn2+ weakly (KD = 0.45 ± 0.05 m m ) with a stoichiometry of one per two subunits. However, in the presence of nucleotides, tighter binding of Mn2+ was observed with KD = 44 ± 4 μ m in the presence of ADP and KD = 23 ± 4 μ m with ATP present. Proton relaxation rate enhancement studies were conducted on water molecules interacting with ternary enzyme-Mn2+-nucleotide and binary enzyme-Mn2+ complexes. Mn2+ bound to carbamate kinase enhances the proton relaxation rate of water giving a binary enhancement value of ϵb = 9.3 ± 0.4. When enzyme-Mn2+ was titrated with ADP or ATP, a bell-shaped titration curve was obtained typical of many other enzyme-Mn2+-nucleotide ternary complexes. Computer fits to the titration data gave ternary enhancement values of ϵtADP = 14 ± 1 and ϵtATP = 19 ± 1. The dissociation constants for Mn-ADP and Mn-ATP binding to carbamate kinase were also obtained from these data analyses and are K1 = 2.5 ± 0.5 μ m and K1 = 50 ± 8 μ m , respectively. Therefore, these data demonstrate the formation of a ternary enzyme-metal-nucleotide bridge complex at the nucleotide substrate site of carbamate kinase. Distance measurements were conducted by NMR techniques with 13C-enriched carbamate and demonstrate that carbamate is 4–8 A from enzyme-bound Mn2+. Thus carbamate binds near the metal-nucleotide substrate site of carbamate kinase.
The Case for Forecast Targeting as a Monetary Policy Strategy

At central banks around the world, forecasts have come to play an increasingly important role both in policy deliberations and in communications with the public. The most striking examples are the Bank of England, Sweden’s Riksbank, Norway’s Norges Bank, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, all of which conduct policy on the basis of a procedure sometimes referred to as “inflation-forecast targeting” (Svensson, 1997, 1999). Under this approach, the central bank constructs quantitative projections of the economy’s expected future evolution based on the way in which it intends to control short-term interest rates, and public discussion of those projections is a critical part of the way in which the bank justifies the conduct of policy to the public. What accounts for the appeal of a forecast-targeting approach, and should it be adopted more widely or more explicitly? I begin by reviewing the long-running debate between the proponents of monetary rules, intended to ensure confidence in the value of money over time, and the proponents of discretionary monetary policy, aimed at stabilizing the real economy. I will argue that inflation-forecast targeting represents a powerful synthesis of the two approaches; in particular, it is an improvement both over simpler rules, such as targeting a monetary aggregate, and over weaker versions of inflation targeting. I shall also argue that a much more extensive communication policy is crucial to escaping from the limitations of the traditional alternatives of rigid rules or rudderless discretion. I will then explore some common questions that arise about inflation-forecast targeting. Should only the inflation forecast matter, and if not, in what way should forecasts of other economic variables affect policy decisions? What assumptions about the course of future policy should be used in constructing the quantitative projections that are presented to the public? Finally, given that economic forecasts
Induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in primary cultures of type II alveolar lung cells and binding of metabolically activated benzo[a]pyrene to nuclear macromolecules.

Summary Alveolar-like structures cultured on a gelatin sponge substrate are composed of cells resembling type II alveolar pneumonocytes. These cells contain aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) as determined by fluorescent measurements of water-soluble product from the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Of 3 compounds tested, benzo[ a ]pyrene (BP) stimulates the highest level of AHH activity. Activity reaches a peak in 6 day cultures and remains relatively stable for a culture period of 12 days. Metabolites of tritium labeled BP interact with nuclear macromolecules in these cells as determined by measurements of 3 H binding to DNA, histone and non-histone chromosomal proteins. A preferential binding to the non-histone protein fraction occurs.
Preparation of compounds in the new dipyrrolo[3,4-b:3′,4′-e]-pyridine series from 1-benzylidene-2,3-dioxopyrrolidines. A variation of the hantzsch synthesis

Treatment of easily prepared l-substituted-4-benzylidene-2,3-dioxopyrrolidines with ammonium formate produces 1,2,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2,6-disubstituted-8-aryldipyrrolo [3,4-b:3′,4′-e]pyridine-3,5-diones (II), usually in yields of 50 to 60%. Aromatization of the dihydropyridine ring of the hexahydroderivatives II yields corresponding 1,2,6,7-tetrahydro-2,6-disubstituted-8-aryldipyrrolo[3,4-b:3′,4′-e]pyridine-3,5-diones (III). These compounds appear to be the first to incorporate the dipyrrolo[3,4-b:3′,4′-e]pyridine ring system.
Effects of cuticular duvane diterpenes from green tobacco leaves on tobacco budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) oviposition.

Five cuticular chemical components isolated from the green leaves of tobacco introductions (TIs) and a commercial tobacco cultivar were tested for their effects on tobacco budworm,Heliothis virescens (F), oviposition in cage bioassays, and field experiments. These chemicals were sprayed onto budworm-resistant TI 1112 tobacco which produces low levels of most cuticular components. Individual duvane diterpenes (α- and β-4,8,13-duvatrien-1-ols and α- and β-4,8,13-duvatriene-1,3-diols) increased tobacco budworm egg laying on sprayed TI 1112 plants.cis-Abienol, docosanol, and docosanyl myristate were inactive.
A handy new design paradigm

Abstract. In light of technological advances, researchers have lost sight of robotic grippers/end effectors design intent. In a semi-structured environment the biomimetic approach is impractical due to the high complexity of the mechanism and control algorithms. Current industrial grippers are robust, but lack the flexibility that allows for in hand manipulation. The authors believe that underactuated grippers provide the best approach to allow for in hand manipulation along with being rugged enough for an industrial setting. Thinking of the robotic gripper and the robotic arm as one system (as opposed to two separate subsystems), one is capable of using the degrees of freedom of the robot in conjunction with that of the gripper to provide the desired motion profile without the complexity of running two subsystems. This paper will outline where recent grippers have failed and will introduce a new design paradigm for grippers along with several underactuated gripper ideas. This paper was presented at the IFToMM/ASME International Workshop on Underactuated Grasping (UG2010), 19 August 2010, Montreal, Canada.
Effects of antibodies to phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated tau on in vitro tau phosphorylation at Serine-199: Preliminary report

Abstract Phosphorylation of multiple amino acids on tau protein (“hyperphosphorylation”) is required for the development of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Administration of anti-tau antibodies to transgenic “tauopathy mice” has been shown to reduce their tau pathology but the mechanisms responsible are unclear. To examine the effects of anti-tau antibodies on tau phosphorylation, we used western blots to study the effects of three antibodies to phosphorylated tau (pTau), namely anti-pTau S199, T231, and S396, and three antibodies to non-phosphorylated tau on in vitro phosphorylation of recombinant human tau-441 at S199. Inclusion of an anti-pTau T231 antibody in the phosphorylation reaction reduced the intensity of monomeric pTau S199 in western blots of denaturing gels, but the other antibodies had no apparent effects on this process. Surprisingly, including all three anti-phospho-tau antibodies in the reaction did not reduce the intensity of the monomer band, possibly due to steric hindrance between the antibodies. Conclusions These preliminary findings suggest that anti-tau antibodies may have minimal direct effects on tau phosphorylation. Limitations of using western blots to examine the effects of anti-tau antibodies on this process were found to include between-experiment variability in pTau band densities and poor resolution of high molecular weight pTau oligomers. The presence of bands representing immunoglobulins as well as pTau may also complicate interpretation of the western blots. Further studies are indicated to examine the effects of anti-pTau antibodies on phosphorylation of other tau amino acids in addition to S199.
Bodyweight in Patients with Idiopathic Gastroparesis: Roles of Symptoms, Caloric Intake, Physical Activity, and Body Metabolism

Background Most gastroparetic patients are underweight probably because of frequently experienced early satiety, nausea, and vomiting. Some gastroparesis (GP) patients, however, are overweight, for reasons that are not well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors that influence bodyweight such as resting energy and exercise-related expenditure, symptoms of early satiety, nausea and vomiting, and caloric intake in patients with idiopathic GP and in healthy controls. Methods Thirty-nine healthy controls and 29 subjects with idiopathic GP were studied. Resting energy expenditure (indirect calorimetry), body composition (bioelectrical impedance), dietary intake (Block Food Frequency Questionnaire), symptoms (Patient Assessment of Upper GI Symptoms), and physical activity (Paffenbarger exercise survey) were assessed. Key Results Both median caloric intake (1242 vs 1804 kcal; p = 0.005) and caloric expenditure (486 vs 2172 kcal; p < 0.01) were significantly lower in patients with GP as compared to controls although BMI (25.8 ± 5.8 vs 24.3 ± 4.0 kg/m2) and resting energy expenditure (1327 ± 293 vs 1422 ± 243 kcal) were similar. On the other hand, the 12 GP patients who had gained weight (GW) since diagnosis had lower symptom severity (12.9 ± 4.4 vs 19.3 ± 6.3; p < 0.05), consumed more calories (1342 vs 1134 kcal; p = 0.08) and expended less calories for activity per week (406 vs 644 median kcal; p = 0.45) compared to the 17 GP patients who had lost weight or remained weight neutral (LW). Conclusions & Inferences Patients with GP, although in energy balance, consumed and expended less calories than healthy controls. A subgroup of patients with GP who were less symptomatic, gained weight because of increased caloric intake and reduced energy expenditure.
Selective posterior thoracic fusion by means of direct vertebral derotation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: effects on the sagittal alignment

The objectives of this retrospective study were to evaluate the effect of direct vertebral derotation on the sagittal alignment of the spine after selective posterior thoracic fusion for Lenke Type I adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Preservation of the sagittal alignment has become critical in the management of spinal deformity. Better coronal and rotational corrections in posterior selective thoracic fusion for AIS have been reported with direct vertebral derotation as compared with the simple rod rotation technique. A greater lordogenic effect has been anticipated with direct vertebral derotation; however, data comparing those two techniques in terms of correction in the sagittal plane are still lacking. Standing full-spine PA and standard lateral serial X-rays of a total of 30 consecutive patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated between 2002 and 2008 at a single institution were evaluated. All the patients had Lenke Type I curves and underwent selective posterior thoracic fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation. Patients who were treated with additional osteotomies and concave or convex thoracoplasty or concomitant anterior releases were excluded. Minimum follow-up period was 24 months. Preoperative and postoperative coronal and sagittal spinal alignments in both the groups were compared. In 13 patients, the correction was achieved by means of a simple rod rotation (SRR). In 17 patients, the technique of direct vertebral derotation (DVD) was used. Scoliosis correction averaged 67 and 69%, respectively, and was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis remained unchanged in the SRR group (p > 0.1). In the direct vertebral derotation group, a significant decrease of both thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis of 8.1° and 11.8°, respectively, was observed (p < 0.0001). Global sagittal balance remained within normal limits in all the patients at the latest follow-up. Decrease in thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis should be taken into account when using direct vertebral derotation for selective posterior thoracic fusion in AIS. In order to preserve sagittal alignment in these patients, ultra hard rods or maneuvers that pull posteriorly the concave side of the spine, thus avoiding the application of additional flattening forces should be considered.
Numerical simulations of the complex modified Korteweg-de Vries equation

Abstract In this paper implementations of three numerical schemes for the numerical simulation of the complex modified Korteweg-de Vries (CMKdV) equation are reported. The first is an integrable scheme derived by methods related to the Inverse Scattering Transform (IST). The second is derived from the first and is called the local IST scheme. The third is a standard finite difference scheme for the CMKdV equation. Travelling-wave solution as well as a double homoclinic orbit are used as initial conditions. Numerical experiments have shown that the standard scheme is subject to instability and the numerical solution becomes unbounded in finite time. In contrast the integrable IST scheme does not suffer from any instabilities. The main difference among the three schemes is in the discretization of the nonlinear term in the CMKdV equation. This demonstrates the importance of proper discretization of nonlinear terms when a numerical method is designed for solving a nonlinear differential equation.
Resistance to Aspergillus ear rot and aflatoxin accumulation in maize F1 hybrids

Unacceptable levels of contamination by aflatoxin, a carcinogenic toxin, produced by Aspergillus flavus Link:Fr can halt the sale and shipment of maize (Zea mays L.) grain. Our objectives were to: (i) determine the relative resistance to A. flavus and aflatoxin accumulation in F 1 hybrids produced by crossing promising resistant maize inbreds, regardless of heterotic pattern; (ii) investigate the genetic basis of resistance for this subset of inbreds through diallel analysis; and (iii) determine which inbreds are the most promising sources of resistance for molecular marker mapping and breeding programs. Two historically important inbreds and six inbreds tentatively associated with reduced ear rot and inhibition of aflatoxin production were crossed in all combinations. The resulting F 1 hybrids were evaluated for two years. Ears were inoculated 20 to 24 d after midsilk by a pinboard method and a mixture of conidia of Aspergillus flavus Link:Fr. isolates. Individual ears from each plot were rated by scoring the percent visible rot in the inoculated area. Aflatoxin B 1 levels in harvested ears were determined by an indirect competitive ELISA. The highest level of resistance for ear rot and aflatoxin accumulation was detected for resistant inbred x resistant inbred F 1 hybrids, but they were not significantly different from many resistant inbred x historically important inbred F 1 hybrids. Diallel analysis indicated general combining ability (GCA) effects for ear rot and aflatoxin levels were highly significant among hybrids overall, and for the inbreds Tex6 and Oh516. The results indicate that Tex6 and Oh516 are promising resistance sources for molecular marker mapping and breeding programs in diverse genetic backgrounds.
Myoglobin as an example of protein complexity

Abstract Fifty years ago, some proteins such as myoglobin appeared to be simple. As they were studied more deeply with sophisticated tools and over extended ranges of time, temperature, pressure, and in different environments, the simplicity turned into complexity and even today no protein is fully understood. Protein assemblies, cells, and extended biological systems (the brain!) display even more complexity. Here I sketch some of the steps that led to the present, still incomplete, understanding of the physics of a “simple” protein, myoglobin. The number of papers concerning myoglobin is vast. The choice made here is therefore exceedingly biased but I hope that it gives some insight into the present picture.
SPARC Suppresses Apoptosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Fibroblasts through Constitutive Activation of β-Catenin

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a poorly understood progressive disease characterized by the accumulation of scar tissue in the lung interstitium. A hallmark of the disease is areas of injury to type II alveolar epithelial cells with attendant accumulation of fibroblasts in areas called fibroblastic foci. In an effort to better characterize the lung fibroblast phenotype in IPF patients, we isolated fibroblasts from patients with IPF and looked for activation of signaling proteins, which could help explain the exaggerated fibrogenic response in IPF. We found that IPF fibroblasts constitutively expressed increased basal levels of SPARC, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and active β-catenin compared with control cells. Control of basal PAI-1 expression in IPF fibroblasts was regulated by SPARC-mediated activation of Akt, leading to inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and activation of β-catenin. Additionally, IPF fibroblasts (but not control fibroblasts) were resistant to plasminogen-induced apoptosis and were sensitized to plasminogen-mediated apoptosis by inhibition of SPARC or β-catenin. These findings uncover a newly discovered regulatory pathway in IPF fibroblasts that is characterized by elevated SPARC, giving rise to activated β-catenin, which regulates expression of downstream genes, such as PAI-1, and confers an apoptosis-resistant phenotype. Disruption of this pathway may represent a novel therapeutic target in IPF.
Dorsal column stimulation: Its effect on medial bulboreticular unit activity evoked by noxious stimuli

Abstract Single-unit extracellular recordings were made from 161 cells in the medial bulboreticular formation evoked by supramaximal electrical stimulation of the contralateral forepaw. Conditioning dorsal column stimulation suppressed the evoked response to supramaximal electrical and natural noxious stimuli. By comparing the results of conditioning stimulation applied rostrally or caudally to a complete dorsal column transection, we concluded that the modulating effect of dorsal column stimulation probably occurred at a spinal segmental level. Rostral dorsal column shocks were ineffective as conditioning stimuli and produced no cellular evoked response in themselves. Caudal dorsal column pulses produced an initial response, followed by subsequent inhibition to repetitive dorsal column shocks and to supramaximal peripheral stimulation. Trains of supramaximal stimuli given peripherally yielded no inhibitory phenomena. We postulated that spinoreticular neurons projecting to the medial bulboreticular formation could be fired by supramaximal peripheral stimulation or antidromic activation of dorsal column collaterals. The latter fibers also activated inhibitory mechanisms which suppressed further neuronal response to subsequent afferent input.
Operation Cyber Chase and Other Agency Efforts to Control Internet Drug Trafficking The “Virtual” Enforcement Initiative Is Virtually Useless

On July 30, 1999, a group of investigative reporters testified in front of a Congressional subcommittee that they were able to obtain prescription drugs for others over the Internet. 1 They did not...
Freshwater fishing in the early jomon period (Japan): An analysis of fish remains from the torihama shell-mound

Abstract The Torihama shell-mound in Fukui, Japan, is a waterlogged midden site that was occupied mainly from the Incipient Jomon period to the Early Jomon period. Samples were taken from Early Jomon layers during the excavation in 1980 and water sieved to separate the fish remains. Eighteen fish species in 13 families were identified, of which the majority were freshwater species. Cyprinidae, especially Crucian carp ( Carassius auratus ), were the most important fish. Body length of Crucian carp was estimated from the width of the pharyngeal teeth, and it seems that fish between 20 and 28 cm were the ones mainly exploited. Fishing appears to have been more actively practiced in the early stages of the Early Jomon period than in later stages.